Do You Like Brahms?

You'll learn so much from this drama, trust me.

HOLY I never thought I would fall in love with this drama as much as I do now. I watched this drama while it was airing, and it took me so long to write this because this drama has affected me so much that I needed time to rest my feelings *cries in post drama syndrome*

I decided to picked up this drama when I came across a short clip on Insta- (the scene where the male lead played Moonlight Sonata remix into Happy Birthday song to the female lead to console her) the scene was too beautifully executed and full of emotions. I knew from that moment DYLB would be my kind of drama, and I'm so glad I did not miss it.

Story:
This was my first classical music drama, hence it was quite refreshing to me. I have little knowledge about the classical music field, but the production team did a great job portraying the reality of the classical music world behind the spotlights. The story started with 2 love triangles, with characters that are broken, scarred from their unrequited love, and later piled with problems faced in life. Yes, it may seem like an overused plot, but no, it was different. The best part about DYLB is the human interactions between all the leads. How they responded to the hardships, how they handle difficult situations in a realistic way. The writers included many life lessons as the story unfolds, which made it so relatable to the viewers life. The pace is totally fine for me. I've seen reviews saying that it's slow and draggy in the later episodes, but I think those parts were necessary to the development of the story. (here comes the spoiler, skip if you don't want to read it) Somewhere in the later episodes, the two leads begin to have conflict, and started to hide their own feelings, basically lack of communication. And it was during this part where many people started to get annoyed about this drama, and dropped it but not me. Let me explain. It's because I found this situation very close to reality. Very often you hear couples breaking up because of lack of communication. And hell yes, I want to see how the leads deal with this first world problem, and I actually wanted to learn from them, to see relationships from different perspectives. This is the whole point of creating that plot. If the writers were to write a smooth sailing lovey dovey relationship, I will totally be bored because there is no ups and downs in it.. And the fact that SongAh requested for the breakup was totally understandable and realistic, because she felt that Joonyoung had residual feelings from his previous crush, and if he do not sort things out, the new relationship will not go far. And for those who said the leads are painfully awkward to watch, well people like them do exist in real life, introverts can relate lol, and it's the cutest thing to watch two introverts flirting with each other.

Acting/Cast:
I like how the director carefully picked his actor and actresses. Those people are REAL TALENTS who themselves know how to play the instruments. Most performance scenes were played by the actors themselves (you can see it for yourself in The Making) which makes the entire drama so believable. All the leads' acting are superb, my baby MinJae and Eunbin, but I want to give extra credits to KIM SUNG CHEOL!!! He deserves an award for all the crying scenes which are all so painful to watch T^T I hope he gets a lead role in his next project, he deserves more recognition, glad that I get to know him through DYLB!

Music:
I strongly believe that the best dramas have the best OSTs. And here we have 3 OSTs from Punch, one from Taeyeon, GOD, Kwill, Gummy, Chen, Baekhyun, Kim Nayoung, 10cm!! I mean come on, it's impossible for these OST legends to produce bad music (I even bought the OST album bc it's so good and I wanted to show my gratitude towards them)
Some classical music are also particularly memorable, for me it's Moonlight sonata, Traumerei, Windmung and F.A.E. Because of these classical music, I decided to relearn piano after not touching it for more than 5 YEARS, and I am going to be dedicated to it for SongAh and Joonyoung. This is how IMPACTFUL the story conveyed through emotions and music is. no joke.

Rewatch Value:
I don't usually rewatch dramas because there's never enough time to catch up on new dramas. But i think I've rewatch so many cut clips and behind the scenes on Instagram countless times, which may be equivalent to the duration of the entire drama XD so yeah, i might have already rewatch the whole drama. And I will keep on rewatching it whenever I needed some soul healing.

Overall:
This drama holds a very special place in my heart, the entire production from cinematography to script writing to directing and acting are top notch. Thank you to the entire production team! <3
This drama makes me appreciate the world of classical music in no ways others would.
Lastly, I want to include one of my favourite takeaways from this drama: "It is better to get 10 points from 1 or 2 person, and 6-7 points from the rest. Because those 1 or 2 judges will go home having seen a performance they'll never forget. So, follow your heart."
DYLB got a solid 10 points from me, and I believe many people like me, will never forget this great masterpiece.

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Stress Reliever!!!

If you want to feel relax and just forget about those stressful things, you should definitely check this out. I've seen a lot of reviews saying that this is boring and awkward and honestly speaking, I almost not watch it because of them BUTTT I AM VERY GLAD THAT I DID!!!

Now, this drama became my favorite! YUHHHH! My one and only favorite kdrama! Awkwardness? That's what makes the main characters' cute for me and it actually maximize their charm!!! Kim Min Jae and Park Eun Bin are now one of my fav k actor/actress.

You will definitely regret not checking this out if you belong to those people who just wanted to relax in this stressful world!

P. S. This is my first time making a review and I just did this because I really loved the drama.

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perfectly flawed characters making cute awkward smiles at each other :D :*

#DoYouLikeBrahms definitely made it as my top fave 2020 melodrama. I usually get annoyed when kdramas go from a very slow warmhearted pace then suddenly go haywire and unnecessarily dramatic. They drop all the problems at once –– breaking the couple up, making ALL the side characters VERY problematic, and showing how dumb the lead characters are –– that all you feel while watching the drama is be annoyed at literally everything.

Thankfully, DYLB’s storyline was neither dull and lacking nor went over the edge. It just injected the right dose of melodrama I needed at the right moment. All the characters developed at a perfect timing.

I’ve read lots of comments who hated on Joon Young’s character. Yes, he has his flaws, but to me, he was perfectly flawed until the very end. He was used to suppressing his emotions. He rarely expressed himself and even if the pain was unbearable, he would rather suffer alone. Why? Because all his life, he couldn’t truly rely on anyone, which made it hard to open up his heart even to Song Ah. I just felt that the story could’ve done better in explaining Joon Young’s character.

Song Ah on the other hand (while she’s equally frustrating hehe) always knew when to speak up, cut ties, and be cheesy. (HAHAHA LOL) Despite initial complaints (LOL), I really like the timing of their break up. They broke up at a time when all the evil characters and ugly circumstances that were introduced during the first part of the series were slowly settling in and fixing themselves. I was able to focus on their break up, their emotions, and how they got back together. It would’ve been too much for me had they broken up at the same time as when both of them were having a hard time practicing with their respective professors, JY’s dad and new representative were being assholes, his mom was crying and being pathetic all the time, or when both their friends were acting up.

I love that DYLB stuck to its story’s essence from the very start ––– in both music and love, some only feel valuable when someone’s listening to them and their pieces, while there are those like Song Ah and Joon Young, who’d love nothing more than to to always find solace in each other and their very own song.

Thank you, DYLB! Min Jae and Eun Bin really did well and I hope to see them together again!!! It was indeed a heartwarming and mellow several weeks spent with you. I’ll miss these two awkward balls of (frustrating) sunshine hehe!

In this noisy and chaotic world, may all of us find our own kind of music for both happiness and comfort.

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I enjoyed it more than I expect. I usually didn't enjoy slow dramas as much, but for this drama even though the story was light and slow but it was somehow comforting. the way that all characters are calm and mature rather than a bright and childish, the way there's no character that I hate, the realistic storyline as in I can imagine this story happening in real life, its cute yet innocent relationship and not overly cringey, and of course the whole classical music theme makes this drama somehow comforting and very relaxing to watch. I can't deny that some parts were not as good, the storyline at some parts were too slow and boring for me as well as the same issue were repeated again and again especially in the last 4 episodes making it less interesting, but I enjoyed it regardless.

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Do You Like Brahms? soars aimlessly ; it’s a good thing and a bad thing.

I am not a fan of melo dramas and I hate love triangles, but I fell in love with Do You Like Brahms? at the get-go, regardless of it being a web of love triangles. I loved the leads, they are likable and relatable, and you root for them throughout. The romance was really sweet. Most of the characters were well-written, you understand their struggles even though they seem unreasonable at a glance. The drama overall brought me this sense of comfort and tranquility.

The show starts up really well, I was hooked right from the beginning. The writing was really subtle without unnecessary exposition or subplots. But it falls flat towards the end, as if it lost its path and didn’t know where to flow. Unnecessary plot points , complications and misunderstandings towards the end makes the show lose its shine. There are certain plot points that makes no sense when you really think about them.

Regardless, I loved the drama overall and the emotions it brought me. I love the characters and enjoyed their journey. There were things I wish they had done differently, but I am happy that they made this drama and took me on this journey.

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Realistic and slow paced nof everyones cup of tea but definitely mine

This drama started off sweet. The two main leads protrayed their characters amazingly and you could really see how they fell in love. Two different types of introverts on different spectrums of talent falling in love. I loved the way FL is quiet yet she speaks up about her feelings when needed. The the ML who is quiet yet kind and gentle, a literal gentlemen. The kiss scene in ep 8 literally got me swooning.
The peek into the competetive industry also was really eye opening. It also really showed the hidden side of relationships, where insecurities and jealousy come in.
Im the kind of person who cringes pretty easily expecially at corny lines, but surprisingly i didnt cringe much in this drama. Many people say the FL is whiny and cringe but honestly i think in her stituation anyone would have reacted similarly. ML and FLs chemistry was honestly amazing to.
Although the melodrama part could jave been shorter. I honestly was annoyed at the miscommunications and what not in the 4-5 episodes. It overshadowed the sweet romantic parts a little.
Definitely worth a watch if you dont mind slowpaced dramas and a more realistic take on romantic relationships.
Oh and if you love classical music this is also definitely a show you would want to watch. Kinda gives me your lie in april vibes.

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Loved the FL, shined throughout the drama

This drama is exceptional and very intense.
Story: Nothing we haven't seen before. It was good in its own way
Characters:
FL: The drama is from FL's POV, how she broke the stereotype and went back to try out what she always dreamed of, to avoid any regret in the future. Love a strong FL. Very straightforward most of the time, she daringly confronted the ML on many occasions instead of backing away, not doing so might lead to more angst and misunderstandings. She didn't go the route of 'I love him, even though I'm hurting so much and should always understand him', she tried her best to be happy, but when it came to a point she found she was not happy she openly words her fears and insecurities straight on instead of bottling up, which i found very satisfying. In this era, we have to voice out good or bad with the people we love to make them understand how they make us feel. She has her insecurities with her music and love life in the middle, but she turned out strong in the end. Didn't take shit from ML or anyone else. Of course, they get back together but I liked how she prioritized herself first after all the pain she went thru and said "enough, I don't want to deal with ur shit anymore". PEB nailed it!! she was spot on in every scene, you can literally see the emotions in her expressions.

ML: Very complex character. A guy who is confused and couldn't set his priorities straight. Understandable at the beginning of the drama coz he is struggling with his hidden feelings for the SFL, but not after he admitted he likes the FL and they start dating. Didn't want to share things with FL even though he knew it might hurt her and lead to misunderstandings. Hated it when he ignored her and lied multiple times unless the FL confronted him. Agree he is kind of a person who bottles up/ not share his probs but not at the cost of hurting the person he loves the most which he claims is the FL. He is not a bad person but just a conflicted person. Sure there would be a few mistakes we make in a relationship that too being an introverted person he is but wish he got over a few things first and then took the big step. Drama has shown how much pain and torment the FL has gone thru coz of him, I would've been satisfied if he had gone thru same pain, sure there was some at the end but felt it was nothing compared to other party.
But overall nice acting. KMJ managed to convey his emotions well most of the time.

SML is the sad puppy of the show, his acting touched the spots.
SFL is not the typical evil B. sure she tried to sabotage the ML's relationship once or twice, but not to the extent of being evil.
OST is good enough for a drama that is set in the music world.

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Beautiful and realistic tale of love, friendship and actualization

I first watched this beautiful drama back in 2020. I loved it. It recently appeared again in my YT feed. It reminded me how beautiful the drama was.

This is a story of two painfully introvert people falling in love. ML and FL are extreme introverts. They often struggle with saying “No” to people, they struggle with expressing themselves and are sometimes taken advantage of. There is a huge gap between how gifted the ML is vs how ordinary our FL is. This gap makes her second guess their relationship. But in spite of all of that, they find love.

Our ML is a naturally gifted, elite pianist. But he is exhausted by the constant pressures of people’s expectations. He has been so busy in meeting those, he has come to hate his skills. On the other hand our FL is very mediocre with her chosen instrument. She is painfully aware of it. People around her like to tell her that. Even her family, although loving, reminds her of that. She yearns to be better at it. She tries, but is unable to overcome her natural lack of talent. When she asks Park Joon Young, “do you know what it is to lack the talent”?, you can feel her pain. It gives him and us a pause. How painful it is to know that you have hit your limit and no matter how much you try, you are not going to get better at something you love? PJY is so bloody talented that he takes it all for granted. Not his fault but he is so immersed in his own troubles that he’s forgotten to count his blessings. Her one remark reminds him of that. Just beautiful.

I love how the ML and FL’s characters are realistically flawed. They are not perfect but together they work wonderfully. It’s very easy to mistake CSA for a weak person. She is not weak. She is just an introvert. But she can assert herself when needed. She breaks it off with PJY when it becomes difficult for her and irrespective of possible repercussions says “No” to her catty professor.

PJY is also a very complex character. He is struggling with his family situation, exhausted by constant pressures; he values her friendship, asks her to wait for him but also loses his patience when she keeps bringing up the gap between their natural talents. During the span of the drama, he learns how to let go of his past, learns to love his gift again and comes to appreciate CSA for her perseverance and love.

The story is wonderful, music more so. The side characters are realistic, at times bratty but overall good people. This is not a lighthearted fluff. It’s a serious depiction of beautiful as well as painful sides of love.

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Twisted relationship with imperfect characters

The start of the story is already twisted with two triangle loves involved. But the drama itself isso comforting with the outstanding ost ! All the ost are so beautiful and sang by famous ost singers.

The main lead is very passive but so kind and the way he handled his love is clumsy. The heroine is so imperfect but her hard work and honesty are admirable. The chemistry of the main characters is excellent even though they had to portrayed an awkward love of two naive people.

The plot of the drama is like a rollercoaster, where the love is always challenged. They really showed the ugliness side of beautiful musical life. I think that the drama is trying to approach a realistic storyline, where the fact that the imperfect and naive heroine is always worked hard in violin but talent is still the most crucial in music life. And the hero who has talent and fame but has a lot of struggle in his life. And how the rich always tries to solve everything using money. The friendship revolve around the hero is very unhealthy but the friendship around the heroine is very supportive and beautiful. The imperfections of the main characters is really highlighted in this drama and that makes the drama feels so familiar and comforting me.

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a sensitive, sweet and musical melodrama.

this drama is, for sure, an affection for the soul. the whole plot is developed in such a sensitive and careful way that it's practically impossible for you not to cling to the characters, not feel what they're going through. it's beautiful from start to finish.

I cannot fail to emphasize how park eun bin's performance was simply impeccable. I smiled when she smiled, and cried even more when she was sad. chae song-ah became one of my favorite protagonists, with all her kindness and sincerity. it was amazing to see how honest she was about her feelings. it was liberating to see his maturity, his careful way of making decisions, of thinking about his well-being. I could spend hours talking about how amazing this character is.

kim min-jae was not far behind. his character was complex, reserved and also wounded. it was impossible not to feel compassion for our pianist. to see him keeping so much to himself, it suffocated me, it was extremely sad. I'm glad things have improved. it was a caress in the heart to watch him so light, happy in the last episode. despite some bad attitudes having upset me, they were important for her maturation.

lee jung-kyung left me confused about my feelings about her. while I felt anger at her inconsequential attitudes, I saw that she was not a bad person and had empathy for the difficult times she went through. in the end, I ended up just being happy that the character was able to pursue her career as a teacher, she really has a vocation for that. han hyun-ho suffered a lot, it was visible how he loved lee jung-kyung, I cheered a lot for his happiness, he deserved a lot, for everything he went through.

I would also like to talk about how the production of the drama related the characters' feelings to the objects. I thought this was brilliant. the handkerchief, the suitcase with old memories, the sheet music, the musical instruments. the way they associated agonies, memories and doubts to these utensils was memorable, in addition to the music, a key point of this work of art.

about the ending: it was perfect, i can't imagine a better one. it was realistic, sincere and moving. nothing was loose, conflicts were resolved. the couple's chemistry in the scenes warmed my heart with melted butter, I feel fulfilled. I cried a lot, I confess, but I also got my cheeks aching from smiling so much. it was worth it after all.

finally, to prevent this comment from getting even bigger, I can only say that this series has become one of my favorites, for all the care and love they put into the script. it was beautiful to follow this story. this drama will be engraved in my heart, along with all its teachings ❤️.

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Do you like Brahms? Kind of

If you want a slow and warm feeling drama then Do you like Brahms? is for you. Park Eun Bin plays a music student Chae Song Ah who wants to become a violinist. But she has started late and is a fourth year University student but tries her best. She tries hard to be good at playing the violin but doesn't have the talent. Meanwhile Kim Min Jae plays Park Joon Young a talented Pianist and had been playing in various competitions but has taken a one year sabbatical. He is unsatisfied and unhappy with playing and doesn't enjoy it. Both leads are introverted and sweet.

Plot wise there isn't much to the drama. The leads are cute together. The drama makes good use of music and has a good OST that works well with the plot. As much as those parts are enjoyable there is are frustrating love triangles in the middle of it all. At first the leads are quite with each other but as they get together in the second half there is a lot of miscommunication between them. There isn't much growth to either the main leads and the other characters. The leads break up near the end and get back together in the second half of last episode. This I think should have happened earlier but they spent to much time on one of the love triangles.

The second leads Lee Jung Kyung (Park Ji Hyun and Han Hyun Ho (Kim Sung Cheol) are a big part of the story but there isn't much attention given to their development either. Jung Kyung especially is used only to come in between the leads. She does have depth but that is ignored in favour of the leads.

That's not to say there is nothing enjoyable about the drama. Especially in the first half before the characters get together is definitely the better part. The leads shared their problems and communicated well. And it would have been good if that continued. The break up I actually didn't have a problem with that. It seemed necessary.

For me the second half wasn't a surprise at all. There was of course going to be angst. There were times Song Ah stood up for herself but at times I was frustrating to watch her be used by her professor. The characters talked too slowly at times especially the female lead. The drama had so much potential but it failed to use it properly.

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Beautifully done but...

Mixed feelings on this one. I absolutely love the work and attention to detail to make the actors playing these instruments look believable. As a former violin player myself, seeing poorly acted instrument playing is one of my pet peeves. I don't know that I've seen anything better in screen as an example of how to do this right. A lot of the music details written into the script made it .more of a nostalgic and immersive experience for me (with very few exceptions: like how they mention multiple times that bridge of a violin is very difficult to damage. And it kills me because there's a scene where the 2nd FL sets casually her violin facedown once --a HUGE no no. One of the first things drilled into your head as a violin player is NOT to do this because the bridge is super delicate and easy to break or knock out of place. But honestly, a few things wrong here or there didn't ruin this for me

The plot did. The pacing was ridiculously slow with to much drama and very little payout. The main conflicts are understandable but easily avoidable and over-emphasized. I also didn't feel much chemisty between any of the leads, except for thay extremely thorough and swoonworthy first kiss. While the attnetion to detail was amazing, I just didn't like how the story was told.

That being said, I can understand why some people loved it. I have never seen Park Eun Bin a role that she hasn't been spectacular in, this included. The cast was great. The music was beautiful, and some of the scenes themselves were works of art.

Overall, it's a beautiful peek into the world and struggles of performing arts, albeit a bit of yawner at times.

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