Crash Landing on You

Best supporting characters

My favorite thing about this drama is definitely the supporting characters. The four soldiers, the ajummas in the North Korean village, Seo Dan's mother and uncle, Se Ri's manager and the insurance advisor, Se Ri's older brother and his wife. All these people were so fun to watch. Especially, the bonds between Se Ri and the soldiers was really beautiful. These side characters were honestly the main highlight of the drama to me.

As for our main leads, the romance between Se Ri and Jeong Hyeok was definitely epic, but I honestly don't see how they could work in the long-term. Will they really just meet for two weeks every year? That's terribly sad. I loved their love and how strongly they felt for each other and wanted to protect each other so it's so unfortunate they can't fully be together.

All the actors did a fantastic job, as you'd expect. I wasn't a big fan of Se Ri's character as she could come across quite spoilt and entitled, mainly in the early episodes but I'm sure this was a purposeful decision to make her character that way given her upbringing. It was all the more wothwile seeing her become more kind/understanding/humble after her experience in NK.

Jeong Hyeok was all around a great male lead. I love that mainly he was this really masculine, serious, leader character but he also had unexpectedly cute moments too where he would pout and be jealous when with Se Ri or would look like a child when with his parents.

Overall, a really good romantic comedy that also deeply hits you with the feels more often than you may have anticipated. Be prepared to cry, both sad and happy tears but also be prepared to enjoy watching the various bonds that are formed between both the main leads and supporting characters in this drama.

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Such an amazing show.

This is like my all time fav show. This was the first kdrama i watched in 2020 and i fell in love.’
I laughed tell i couldn’t breath, i cried , i got angry. It was just amazing. The first time i watched was during covid and i made my mom dad, brother and sister come watch it with me after i saw the first couple of episodes. That was when I automatically fell in love with son ye Jin and kdramas. I am an kdrama addict.
I rewatched this show about 10 time still cant get enough. If you are looking for a funny, action, romance show then this is you stop.
ANybody who is panning on watching this show i definitely recommend 💯 percent. I promise you this will not be a waste of your time.
Se ri and captain Ri 4ever .

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Loved, loved, loved "Crash landing on you"

This has to be one of my all-time favorite modern K-dramas. I laughed, cried and loved every minute of it. The acting by the hugely talented and beautiful main leads was superb. I am so happy they are married and expecting a child. And the supporting actors were just terrific. For some reason I resisted watching it for a long time. I don't why but once I did I could not wait for each episode. I learned so much about modern Korean life both in north and south. Ok, maybe a bit exaggerated but nonetheless informative. I still think of the drama and hope to find another like it. It was truly outstanding.

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Absolutely smashed it

It’s been a while since I watched it.

I love the mfl, literally everything about her.
I love the mml (even though his acting was quite stiff).
I love how they’re married irl.
I love the found family
I loved the plots and schemes 😈 (of the good guys, not the dutty general, he can burn in hell)
I love the explained family dynamics
I love the comedy
I love the main romance
I love her committed bodyguards
I hate her family
I hate the side romance — every time they had a scene I put it in 1.5x speed (cause Netflix directs have 2x)
I’m happy the second male lead died.
The ending could’ve given me way more than it did cause what the he’ll was that 😀

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Crash Landing On You

I JUST FOUND OUT THESE ACTORS ARE MARRIED IN REAL LIFE. THAT IS ONE OF MY SAVING GRACES, THE FACT THAT THIS DRAMA AND THE SHOOTING OF IT AFFECTED THE LEADS SO MUCH THAT THEY DEVELOPED REAL FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER. I SAW THEM AT THE AWARDS AND THEM BOTH WINNING ACTOR OF THE YEAR OF SOMETHING, THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER. UGHHH, IM SO HAPPY THEY GOT THEIR PERFECTLY HAPPY ENDING IN REAL LIFE. Now, on to the review.

I don’t know why, but all the k-dramas that I’ve watched have been so much harder to get through than c-dramas. I think it’s because of the long episode length that I can’t stay focused for that long at a time. I like to space out my watching to 1 episode at a time, but with these hour long episodes, it feels like it is dragging on and on. Bro, when I saw the last episdoe was 2 hours long, I did not know how I was going to sit through that.

That being said, this is my 2nd favorite k-drama ever watched, under twenty five twenty one. Twenty five twenty one just left such a mark on me with its themes about nostalgia. But, these kdrama was more romance based and heavy with crime, revenge, sacrifice, and guilt. The emotions were so deep in this kdrama. I have to say, the first half of the drama was pretty hard to get through for me, but episodes 13-16 just flew by. I couldn’t stop watching at the end because the episodes would be left on such good cliffhangers. The ending of kdramas though are so much less anti-climactic than cdramas. I get that the only reasonable way for this drama to end was Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok living separately due to their different backgrounds and the fact that they both have family in their respective countries. However, it just didn’t feel like closing to me in a sense. I wanted a better ending in terms of resolutions.

Se-ri is such a powerful woman. From the very start, she didn’t take any disrespect from anyone and even when going through something unimaginable, she still has self respect. I HATED most of her family though. How are you going to wish for your sister to die just so you can take over a company? Se-ri is the most genuine one of them all and only the mom was trying to fight for her. Whether this was out of guilt or love, she still tried to be hopeful for Se-ri.

This was a very like lowkey enemies to lovers trope with the 2 of them, as they literally HATED each other. I thought the North and South Korea dynamic was also super interesting as there is such a big contrast.

Ri Jeong-hyeok is like your classic cold male that later opens up. I loved how he was so protective in the beginning even when he supposedly hated her. The candle he went and bought along with all the shampoo and conditioner was really sweet. The scene where they jumped off a cliff together was so funny. Ri Jeong-hyeok didn’t even have a harness but he was just hugging Se-ri. By episode 4 bro, he’s already done for. Ri Jeong-hyeok is in love with Se-ri whether he admits it or not. Awww…him buying her a scented candle to help find her in the market and take her away from her childhood trauma. He’s very observant and always remembers everything that Se-ri tells him. He’s such a gentle, kind person that only shows that side of him for her.

I also lowk feel for the dad that has a 10 year old son and is simply working for the state to make money. He had emotional connections with Ri Jeong-hyeok’s late brother and he seems like a genuine person that is just forced to do wrong things.

I always love tropes with some found family aspect and the fellow soldiers and comrades have such a good dynamic with Se-ri. It’s like a brother sister dynamic where you’re protective but can also fool around and have fun.

Even when Ri Jeong-hyeok’s real fiancée came to their town, he wasn’t afraid to show his care for Se-ri. He even let her stay at his house for the night in front of his fiancée.😭 But, you can tell at that moment that Se-ri was devastated. Her bubble popped because she realized that she likes him a lot more than she thought and he’s “taken”. They even watched the first snow together. If that’s not the hint that they’re gonna end up together, idk what is. So, this better be a happy ending.

He literally took a bullet for her in the back and we’re only halfway through the show. It’s not that he didn’t want to see her off, but he needed to prioritize protecting her instead. “I made a promise to her that any time she’s in my sight, I will always protect her.” And he has lived up to that promise since.

Through watching all of the extra clips that we get at the end of each episode, you can see that Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri have actually met before by coincidence. When she was at the lowest point of her life in Switzerland, he happened to be traveling too. She was about to jump off of a bridge when Ri Jeong-hyeok saw her for the first time and started secretly taking pics of her. Then, he made up an excuse for her to help him take pictures so that she wouldn’t get the chance to jump off the bridge. So, Ri Jeong-hyeok has been saving Se-ri’s life since then. Not only that, but when she was at Switzerland, the piano melody that she heard that helped her with all of her struggles was actually played by Ri Jeong-hyeok while he was going through the hardest time of his life as well, just having lost his brother.

Even when Se-ri told Ri Jeong-hyeok that she was marrying someone else and leaving him, he still comforted her. He risked his life and his job so many times to try to get her back to South Korea. When Se-ri had to lie and say it wouldn’t ever work out and she jsut wants to go home, she started crying. Ri Jeong-hyeok hates to see her cry so he said that he understands and it’s ok, so she doesn’t have to cry anymore. If that’s not selflessness and love, then idk what is.

OMG…the full circle moment with the piano music and the song that Ri Jeong-hyeok wrote for his late brother. He also never played piano after that until he met Se-ri. He decided to play that song for her to remind her of their actual first meeting. This is literally so fateful. As a pianist myself, this song is so beautiful too.

When they were separating from each other yet again, Ri Jeong-hyeok said a line that shows jsut how mature he is. “You can date men and hang out with other people as if nothing had happened. Just don’t be lonely again. Don’t ever think about disappearing at a scenic place. You have me. I won’t be by your side, but I will always hope that you won’t be lonely. Be happy until the end of your life.” THE HECK!!! Stop this poetry bro. This shows how he truly wants the best for Se-Ri even if it means giving her up again. But the way he was still delaying seeing her go and pretending that he forgot the way.

QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN. AURA AURA AURA. When she first returned to South Korea in that white suit and making that speech in front of her memorial, that was literally boss behavior. I love how she is such a confident woman and not deterred by anything or anyone. I love the found family that was created in this drama too though. When she saw her fellow comrades in South Korea, the hug she gave them, and how much they all missed each other was beautiful. Not only that, but her birthday scene where they all showed up with gifts even though she thought that they all left. How could they ever leave her on her birthday? She just realized then how much she needed all of them.

The end of episode 13 was so thrilling to watch. The whole gang coming and and helping Ri Jeong-hyeok fight everyone. Se-ri coming at the end and saving him through driving her car directly in the path of the gunshot wound. And Ri-Jeong-hyeok shooting someone for the first time in this drama for Se-ri because he supposedly shot at her, i dont really know. I loved the dad and the courage he gained. BUT WHY DIDN’T HE KILL THAT DUDE? HOW IS HE STILL ALIVE BRO!? Why was Ri Jeong-hyeok just cradling her in his arms? Call an ambulance bro or block the wound from bleeding out. She can’t be dead yet. The couples ring on both their hands too as well as the replay of memories between the 2 of them. “I still have more to say. This can’t be the end. There’s something I haven’t told you. I love you. I love you, Se-ri.” OMG, until this episode, I hadn’t relaized that Se-ri said I love you to him but he hadn’t said it back yet. Aww…and the whole gang swearing to protect Se-ri with their lives but at the end of it, they all ran out and saw her bleeding out in Ri Jeong Hyeok’s arms. How shocked and in disbelief they all were.

AWWWW. The way that Se-ri woke up and calling Ri Jeong-hyeok telling him that she missed him and she wants him to come back to her room and see her. I loved the deep emotion that they were both feeling. Not only that, but both of them crying and their teary eyes. Ri Jeong-hyeok literally sprinting to go see Se-ri. And obviously, him blaming himself a little bit for putting her in that dnagerous situation. But, what he doesnt understand is that she would die for him just as he would for her.

Episode 15 and the North Koreans are stuck in investigation bro. The way that Ri Jeong-hyeok is still trying to save Se-ri and take the blame all by himself, but he does not realize how much Se-ri would give up for him too. She already got shot for him, so taking a testimony of the truth is nothing. I just know it hurt him so much to say those hurtful things to her face to face, saying some bullcrap about him “using her” the entire time. Not only that, but the way that Se-ri was so unwell but still travelled all that way for a face-to-face. And she literally collapsed after from blood poisoning. Once Ri Jeong-hyeok heard that, he ran and saw her being carried away for medical help. The grief and guilt on his face just increased ten-fold after seeing that as well. The second time when she was placed under critical condition was even more moving. He sprinted and watched her through the ICU unit to see her and make sure she was ok.

I also loved the end of episode 15 for the second lead couple. Gu Seung-jun and Seo Dan are lowk cute together and they met by chance but fell for eachother instantly. He came in that barn and shot everyone up with that fun. Not only that, but he literally gave up his plane ticket home and his safety. He got shot twice saving her when he is not trained in any sort of conflict. “I was wrong. When I die, there is someone that is crying for me. The fact that you are that person makes me sad and happy.” HE BETTER NOT DIE BRO. ALL OF THAT JUST TO DIE AT THE END. PLEASE. BOTH OF THEM SURVIVE. Se-ri and Gu Seung-jun don’t give up. (after I finished this drama, spolier: the main character obv lives, SO WHY DOES GU SEUNG-JUN DIE!!! UGHHHHH)

The parallels when Se-ri was almost dead. She would choose to relive everything 100 times over even if it is dangerous because it would allow her to meet Ri Jeong-hyeok again. But, Ri Jeong-hyeok said that if he had a choice to turn back him, he wouldn’t meet her. He doesn’t want her to put herself in danger for him ever again. So, he would never meet her in the first place. Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok are literally meant for each other, trying to do anything for the other no matter what. The dramatics at the end of episode 15 got me, I have to say. The acting is insane. The facial expressions. The music. UGH.

Episode 16: I love the mom. Making sure that Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok and everyone get to meet one last time. She knew that for both of their sanity, they needed it. Oh my goodness. Him recrossing the demaracation line to be with her and make sure that she is ok after trying to run after nearly dying. The hug. Everyone with their guns out. That moment was beautiful even if it wasn’t supposed to be played out like that. The concern in his eyes. The last “I love yous.” They both knew it was probably the end of their dream. Aww..her found family is ripped from her just like that. Ri Jeong-hyeok’s dads AURA holy. The other guy was shivering in his pants and his dad executed and killed him just like that. Holy. The comrades were shocked and amazed and glad all at the same time. AWWW…Ri Jeong-hyeok did the bookshelf thing too. Aw, Se-ri made products for the village ladies that she met when she was in South Korea. She’s such a genorous and compassionate person, knowing that they don’t get recognition or luxury products often. “She wasn’t here for very long, but she never forgot about us.” I truly think being in north korea shaped Se-ri as a person and made her a better one. It showed her different perspectives of the world. I feel so bad for Seo Dan, she lost her true love in this life and decided to face what she truly wants, which isnt Jeong-hyeok. “They love each other more than their lives and I can’t do anything about it.” The 2 moms talking about their own children, having loves that are unattainable for different reasons but still holding on to that love. The whole theme of this drama is you have to love, no matter what. Despite any challenge thrown at you, it is always worth it to just love. He literally spent the time to send Se-ri a whole year of reserved messages ahead of time, so she would have a message from him every single day. He’s actually so thoughtful. YES! Ri Jeong-hyeok gets his dream back of playing piano. Hopefully, this means he can meet Se-ri more often. And then they met in Switzerland, full circle, down to the detail of Se-ri being on a paragliding adventure and crashing.

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The Acting

One of the best Kdramas ever I really loved the acting of the lead actors... Made me cry too... Never watched such a great show in my life.. I feel grateful that I started watching Kdramas... I will suggest everyone to watch this kdrama. The story, the acting, the dialogues by the lead actors and also the acting by the supportive casts was also amazing.Got to know a lot about both the countries North and South Korea. That good people are present in both countries. We should not have hate in our hearts only love and we should always keep the person who we like in our hearts because that's the only to live a happy life.

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Everyone should watch this!!

Everything about this show is perfect to me. The overall story is so very well-rounded and the pace is consistent and exciting to follow. Probably the best K-drama I have seen. It is not what you may expect it to be (that is if you are just expecting it to be about a stuck up rich girl who ends up in a sticky situation).

Every single character in the show finds their way into your heart in a way in which many come to feel like family. Especially captain Ri's men, who hold a lot of the heart of the show. The romance is one of epic proportions in all the ways you can imagine. The only downside of this show is that it ends.

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Acting of the cast is what I loved the most about this drama specially Son Ye Jin acting.

Love the opening scene. There're a lot of beautiful location shots.

Yoon Se Ri is outgoing, outspoken, free-spirited, bold, brave, smart, intelligent. I thought she would be naive and innocent, but it doesn’t mean that naive & innocent girls aren’t intelligent. She is also called Picky Princess. She loves to brag about expensive things that she owns.

Ri Jung Hyuk is smart, reserved, strict, serious, disciplined, and follows rules.

Ri Jung Hyuk doing the same thing that he told Yoon Se Ri not to do.

Yoon Se Ri speech whenever she is nervous or afraid or anxious is so cute, she talks so fast in those sutituation.

Yoon Se Ri jokingly saying that Ri Jung Hyuk is her type in a serious situation is hilarious.

Laughed at the scene where Park Kwang Beom disputed mine & Ri Jung Hyuk keep on saying be careful despite telling that he trust him & Park Kwang Beom replied that “you told me that you trust me”

Love Yoon Se Ri & Pyo Chi Su nonstop bickering.

Laughed at how Ri Jung Hyuk teammates asked him if he spent the night with Yoon Se Ri.

Poor Park Su Chan his face without sleep is so depressing.

It was cute how Ri Jung Hyuk was sulking when he didn’t receive an award.

Park Kwang Beom expression when Geum Eun Dong said Yoon Se Ri has good taste just because she said he was handsome.

It’s cute to see how Ri Jung Hyuk listened to Yoon Se Ri & started saying good words to the tomato plant.

Loved the scene where Ri Jung Hyuk & Yoon Se Ri jumped from the hill holding each other tightly.

The small smile of Ri Jung Hyuk after knowing that Yoon Se Ri is helping him to get a promotion, but then his scoffing after knowing that she thinks he has no power.

The way Ri Jung Hyuk was going back & front by bicycle so that Yoon Se Ri could notice him was so cute.

So sweet when Yoon Se Ri like an older sister, stopped Geum Eun Dong from drinking.

Loved how Yoon Se Ri casually talked with Ri Jung Hyuk father.

Ri Jung Hyuk father’s shocked face seeing that Ri Jung Hyuk & Yoon Se Ri are all lovey-dovey, all caring in front of him.

Loved how cutely Ri Jung Hyuk was talking to his father after yelling at him.

Laughed when Goo Seung Jun said to Yoon Se Ri not to cuss in front of him that’s his type.

Ri Jung Hyuk smirks after hearing that he is Yoon Se Ri taste.

Goo Seung Jun reaction when he heard Seo Dan say she wouldn’t say No to instant noodles.

Ri Jung Hyuk cute face when Yoon Se Ri was scolding him.

The way Pyo Chi Su, Park Kwang Beom, Kim Ju Muk, Geum Eun Dong & Jung Man Bok were eavesdropping on Yoon Se Ri family was hilarious.

Yoon Se Ri stepmother is nothing like other dramas stepmother. She has resentment towards Yoon Se Ri but she isn’t evil. She cares for her, but what her husband did stopped her from loving Yoon Se Ri.

Pyo Chi Su, Park Kwang Beom, Kim Ju Muk, Geum Eun Dong & Jung Man Bok are so done with our leads always being lovey-dovey in front of them.

Seo Dan & her glaring. Her uncle & mother are always scared of her.

Hating how they ended Goo Seung Jun.

The story, acting, everything is great, but something is missing.

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i did not expect it to be so good

normally when going into a hyped and popular kdrama, i don't expect it to be amazing. but this is one of the first dramas i've seen that actually lived up to the hype. there was never a dull moment and it made me cry to the point tears pooled in my ears

my main thing w this drama is the love between captain ri and his subordinates. the brotherly relationship they all have w one another was so heartwarming to me and it made the drama and dynamics so much better. i loved how seri was welcomed into their family with open arms and if anything she made their relationships stronger.

at first when seri is first introduced, she is shown as a little bratty and blunt but she really isnt. we find out she's incredibly hard working and she puts her heart and soul into her career and her employees all love her very much. she's also really smart and has a deep back story that made her who she is.

i really liked how jeonghyeok and seri protected each other in their own ways and how you can see that they truly loved each other whether or not they said it or showed it. i can't even put into words how great this drama was and ALSO the second couple got enough screen time that i was able to become attached to them even tho i didn't like their characters AT FIRST.

just the perfect blend of comedy, drama and romance it was so great

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✒A Recital Of Love, Thrills, Action, Laughs & So Many Tears.➰ Stay Hydrated °Superior°

Look what the tornado dragged in.

Here's an effort to acknowledge the craft that went into CLOY while gliding around any spoilers.

Some of the themes are:

🍫Survival in an oppressive, despotic situation

🍫Survival in a wealthy, greedy, love-starved, viper pit of a family

🍫Misery, love, loneliness, & warmth are often w/o respect to wealth or social status

🍫Overcoming fear in order to do right

🍫Politics won't beget love

🍫The meaning of true family
{🤔Who said this?: "That's why I never go to Olive Garden - They treat you like family" /True family/ is not about DNA. It illustrates the highest ideals: Loving, providing, protecting, happy over the good stuff, & distressed over the bad stuff life brings to our loved ones.}

🍫Korean women sure do love a tall man with broad shoulders (don't we all?)

〰Visual Metaphors🦅
In CLOY's very first shot, there's a hawk gliding above the valley. It's emblematic of freedom, but also taking to the skies. Hawks are always looking to swoop down & catch prey. Is Se-ri a hawk, not a swallow? Hmm. Ri's got the🔫, but is he the prey?

When Se-ri fails to exit NK, Ri loses his temper, so she exits the room. Next, Ri overhears how Se-ri bravely saved his life, & has been nonstop😭. As he ponders this, we hear the rain start 〰 titit'tat⚡· CrrAAckk⚡🔊 〰 We can /hear/ it on his face: 'Oh, no. I'm in trouble.'

〰Visual Contrasting & Crisp Editing⛪/🏚
The church/phony prayer scene contrasts with the NK villagers, who seem sincere about their beliefs regarding their country & the outside world (compartmentalization?). Freedom & prosperity engendered greed & twisted the faith of the SKs. The message isn't about who's better. Rather, it's a c⚠ution for those of us living in wealthy countries. It's a reminder that it isn't poverty or politics that degrades a person's humanity as much as one poor choice after another does.

In Ep4, we go from the warm🔥clambake in rural NK to one of SK's most lavish domiciles where family is plotted round the table in 🌬ice cold scorn. What is the 1st true family experience that Se-ri has ever had, we wonder?

They just hadda put the villain in that creepy, over-compensating hat. The director & writer even manage to humanize bad guy Cheon Su-bok. We can feel the pain in his gasping voice as he recounts that he was an orphan with nothing. It's juxtaposed with the 2 orphans who appear in the show. These adorable children are in danger of walking his path.

Pyongyang's 🌆 opulence is grotesque against the debasement of the little village. Children are starving, & people are struggling to live up to peasants' standards. Let's not guess about the ominous absence of any cats or dogs in the village.

〰Wordplay🏓
One of the soldiers is playing video games at the internet café. We see him type: "I request an alliance." Cute.

Swallow vs 🦅

"Type" is used in more ways than one. They each know what ~✳WHO✳~ rather, their 'type' is.

Did Se-ri crash, fall, drop, or descend? My vote: Swooped✅.

Se-ri talks about Ri feeling 'pressured'. Given their then tense situation, the way she uses the word is high comedy.

Se-ri sleepily mumbles it's the "liking" that's giving her a headache. Does she mean liking the idea of going home, or is she liking her head on his much coveted shoulder? Hmm.

〰Repeated Words & Themes For Impact & Foreshadowing🤹
Was it... is it Des↙T↘inY? That word descends like 🌨 over the entire series, along with:
meant t❄ be... It must be fate... Again❄again it's DESTINY.

The word 'bodyguard' dutifully works shifts. Ri bristles when he first hears it, but he had been doing the pedal work already, anyway.

Including 'Bodyguard,' over & over we hear: "That's just like a 📽," or "This isn't a 📽, that won't work," or "This is just like a 📺 from the South." A soldier obsessed with SK entertainment was able to explain or predict /everything/ based on what he learned by watching 📺 on the outpost's 💻. So, we'll hear: "The dramas in the South always {__X__}." Kim Ju-meok solves for X every time (esp with the "L💘verboy" shoutout😂). That gag never gets old! He was making connections betwixt Ri+Se-ri+dramas almost immediately, much to Ri's unease. It strikes a chord with Kdrama fans🤗

😐Ri: 'I'm okay'.

😔Se-ri: 'You always say that' ...😌... If nothing else, Ri is consistently on tempo.

〰Reciprocity🔃🔄
They play CLOY on the black & white 🎹. The series has a paradigm shift in the 2nd half, treating us to a tour (or review) of everything Ri did for Se-ri from a new perspective, like when...🙊❕🔇spoiler order in effect🚫 〰 We don't know who is👂❕

〰They Understand Romance💓🦋 These 2 are keyed into eachother. The way he looks at her really is wistful. She knows when he's feigning sleep, even when his comrades don't. Each tries to turn pages for the other. Each looks to protect the other. Later, protectee will yell at protector for exposing h/hself to danger. Their actions, over the course of the show, mirror eachother like base & treble. Early on, however, they just can't read the other's sheet music. Watching each of them struggle to understand the other is hilarious. He's usually at a loss over her fine distinctions. Once each of them verbalizes "10 nice words," the contrasts become manifest. Afterall, beautiful harmony comes from complimentary keys, not uniform ones.

😶The grim discipline that Ri has practiced in recent years is palpable. He admits he's resigned; he never expects happiness. The only tell that he's getting worked up is some moderate fist clenching. Early on, it's difficult to imagine him striking the wrong key: He isn't one for breaking the rules or crossing the 🚧line. He seems so stodgy that it almost shocks when, like an eagle, he soars into immediate-&-decisive-action-at-PRECISELY-the-right-moment. We are treated to his silent frustration as well as confusion over the descending realization that the rule-breaking may never end, now 🙃. Ri's last of the '10 nice words' is the 1st step in his healing.

🎭Hyun Bin's acting as CPT Ri is prodigy level. When Se-ri declares that Park Kwang-beom is the most "handsome one of them by any criteria," Ri has subtle, but clear, disappointment on his face. When he sees the ♥patch on his uniform, one corner of his mouth twitches up & his eyes soften. His command of expression is virtuoso. He's a Kpop idol fo-sho.

📑Son Ye-jin is also exceptional as the loquacious Se-ri. She had 💯 lines to learn for every 1 Hyun Bin did:)

🔗The show used consultants from North 'OZ' to ensure accuracy. This series provides a glimpse of the deficiencies and documented wretchedness, but also the humanity.

😷The system in NK is suffocating. Similar to Se-ri's family, everything is based on currying favor with superiors. As demonstrated, it extinguishes love & deceny. When Col Kim was arrested, the ladies of the village were terrified to be seen helping his wife out lest they also get /arrested/ (⁉). Families are encouraged to turn /eachother/ in, or face prosecution😳. We see a father whose son almost died, but all he worries about is his position! Jun Gook-hwan, btw, is perfect as a stern father & unflappable official.

⚕The 🚑 has nothing in it. It's just a hollowed out 🚐. The hospitals don't have blood for transfusions. Even Pyongyang suffers multi-hour rolling blackouts. Supplies are scarce but there's never a shortage of little bullycrats demanding to see 🆔.

🗃There's such a profusion of rules, regulations, & records that /everyone/ is guilty. They get you when they want to. Besides actual rule-breaking is the institutionalized corruption: When Ri was brought in for questioning, he was told that he's guilty of whatever they ☑say he's guilty of. Human life is not cheap there, it's disposable.

🚻Clearly, Ri's father toughened him up. Ri's mother, who is obviously loving, is the driver of the finer parts of his nature. Ri & his brother, Mu, exhibit exemplary qualities such as respect, integrity, loyalty & kindness. His unit, in turn, reflects his example. He's a natural leader. (They bungled their directives on the day Se-ri arrived, but that was destined).

🛂YET. As restrictive as Ri's upbringing plainly was, Se-ri's was /even more/ 🎢dysfunctional. Both of them are from influential families, yet hers, with all that freedom, is worse than his. Despite the odds, the NK siblings in CLOY are more loving than the SK ones. We need to be aware that freedom can corrupt us if we allow it.

🌞Se-ri, being her expansive self, was able to brighten the lives of the people she met in NK with her charm & skills. She even turned a committed Commie into a metrosexual with a bottle of shampoo! Skills, indeed. It's darling to see this little group form a true family.

💴Gotta love that budget. The special effects for the tornado are fabulous. We are treated to no less than 3 paraglides in the 🗻, all breathtaking. The second paraglide scene is especially gripping.

When act⚡ion is called for, they come correct. One scene is a shootout between a 🏍 & 2 armored 🚛. In practicing restraint, they boosted realism. It took as many as 7 bullets to blow up the gas tank after laying down the cycle. No magic bullets here. The effect plays out better than a typical action 📽. That.scene.is.straight.b@d@$$! 🎼segue into theme music🎼

🎶What a man, What a man, What a man🎶 Sing it, Salt n Peppa❕😜

CLOY has something for all the senses: Visual delights, a lovely soundtrack, the taste of fresh roasted corn, clams, & Soju (I could taste it), the hair that smells like flowers, & the feel of tears on our cheeks.

Watch it and sigh, laugh, & (s)whoop.

Watch it & weep, but no biting thru that🍫wrapper!

And remember, nothing comforts after a good cry like a creamy cup of hot Swiss🍵Cocoa.


IMHO〰🖍

🎬9 🎨9 🎵10 🎭9.5⚡8 🤔8 🌞9 🔚8.5

Age12+ 🗣 geo-poli awareness, honor, modern-day 🛡 knight

👁📺again? Did/Will.

Originally 〰️🖋 2022

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Romance right up my alley

I’ve usually avoided modern day dramas as I prefer the settings and costumes of historical dramas but was hooked on this from the first episode.

The story line was unique and I loved being able to glimpse into a likely North Korean rural lifestyle which gives me a better appreciation of what we take for granted everyday like running water inside the home and 24-7 electricity. Being transported to Switzerland every now and then was a feast for the eyes though I found it a little odd that Kit Kat chocolates were highlighted there.

The chemistry between the two leads was strong and it was a realistic romance that blossomed from just feeling right with each other rather than the usual overly dramatical stereotype of strong kind female who does loads of good things which catches the eyes of heroic male lead that saves the female lead. Here, they started having feelings for each other before the male lead started to show his more heroic side.

Love triangle was not overdone and this is much appreciated and I liked the little snippets at the end of each episode which I initially missed as I was quick to jump to the next episode. So do watch until the closing credits.

My heart strings were tugged repeatedly with each goodbye the leads had to go through so it was a welcome break to have some comedic relief from the wives in the military village and Captain Ri’s subordinates.

I enjoyed the story telling style which creates the right amount of suspense and tension as little bits of information in the past are revealed at different times. It was a sweet destiny with many encounters between the leads which although we know is not likely to happen in real life, we are more than willing to escape into this romantic fantasy.

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