Snowdrop

You bloomed flowers inside me who was so cold. ♡

This drama really grew on me. Waiting every week for the new episodes gave me so much joy and the thought that the weekend is for Snowdrop gave me strength and motivation for the assignments I had to do in uni. I don't know about you, but for me it hits dfferent when you're watching an on-going drama. It's just not the same as when you binge-watch a completed one. When you're watching the drama while it's releasing, you get even closer to the story, to the actors, to the beautiful soundtracks...The emotional bound you create is deeper. That's what happened with Snowdrop. Saying goodbye to the drama the other day was more painful than I imagined. And I really needed time to accept the reality and to emotionally heal from everything I've watched. (I'm just a person who gets emotional very easy and when once I finish something whether it's a book, movie or a drama I feel empty for days...)

If I should describe the drama with one word it would be "suspense". Every episode was so unpredictable and every second of it is important. Once you start the episode, you'll be mesmerized and you'll lose track of time... and then oops - you'll be surprised how fast the episode is over. 1 hour and a half passes so fast.

I really love the actors and their acting game. All of them portray their character and the emotions so good. They'll easily make you love or hate them. Some of them will annoy you to the point where you'll want to just go and punch them, haha. There are no words for the acting of the main male and female lead. I was really impressed by Jisoo and her acting. If I didn't know I couldn't tell Snowdrop was her debut drama. I really loved her character. Both she and Haein nailed their roles. The chemistry between them was really good (both on and off screen - I really recommend you watching the making films in JTBC's YouTube channel for full experience). Sometimes they didn't talk much, but the body language and expecially the eyes said everything and it was more than enough. Those scenes where their eyes speak are probably my favourite ones. All actors were brilliant, that's all I can say.

The story. I love stories that include North Korea. Everything related to it is so interesting to me. I want to know, read and watch more about it. The story here...it just breaks my heart that this is maybe the reality for the people in North Korea. Living for one person, worshipping one person, working for one person... Being given tasks they should do, doesn't matter if they like it or want to do it. I remember the moment Young-ro and Soo-ho were talking and she asked him why he has chosen such a dangerous job as a spy and whether he can't just stop doing it... But then he answered that nobody can choose where one will be born. In the same way he didn't have a choice but to be a spy. This scene, their conversation there with the coffee is one of my favourite scenes - both of them being honest and themselves, Young-ro trying to comfort Soo-ho, Soo-ho showing his feelings - truly one of the most touching moments for me.

The music. The soundtracks. Love all of the OSTs. Truly. Deeply. I listen to them and get emotional. Every time. So beautiful, yet so sad. Snowdrop is the second drama, in which I like all of the soundtracks. Without an exception. Now after the drama is over, they hit even harder. They're bringing such a nostalgic vibe. I usually don't listen to slow songs, but these here have all of my heart. Personally I feel like I'm in another universe, another world when I listen to them, that I'm back in the time... somewhere between the 80s and 90s. Definitely will listen to them on repeat for a long time.

And last but not least. How I feel after the drama finished. I must say I was hoping for a happy ending until the very end, until the last minutes. The last episode was just pain and tears. A lot of tears. It broke my heart into a million pieces. For an emotional person like me it was so much to bear. The way Soo-ho protected Young-ro, the fact that she also kept her promise to be with him until the end, the way he gave her the cassette, his last words to her - it was heartbreaking. It was so sad and so beautiful at the same time. At that time I couldn't take a breath, I was just crying and I'm sure I wasn't the only one. Even though this is sad and heartbreaking enough, what came after that was even more painful. And yes - that's what Soo-ho had recorded for Young-ro. It was so painful, because you can finally see what was in his heart all this time. In the episodes it may seemed that Soo-ho didn't show his true feelings to Young-ro, that he doesn't say a lot, but this is not the case. It's the opposite. He fell hard for her. It was love at first sight for him as well. He also had a really hard time, although he tried to look strong. Knowing he can't do anything, knowing that it's dangerous for Young-ro to be with him, knowing that they can't be together. If only they were ordinary people... Listening to the tape hurt as much as Young-ro and Soo-ho's last moments together. And I'll just write his "letter" to her because it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard:

"Young-ro, I remember when I first met you at Rome Coffee Shop. When I saw you putting out your hands to stop the match tower from collapsing... To be honest I've had feelings for you since then. If I were... just an ordinary young man... I would have asked you out on a date that day. Then we would have become a couple, right? Going to the amusement park and the movies with you... I wanted to spend a long time with you. How did I become someone who shouldn't stay by your side?

But I never regret meeting you. Young-ro, you bloomed flowers inside me who was so cold. Thank you. I'm leaving but I will...I will... I'll remember you forever. Eun Young-ro, I love you."

... More tears are coming while I'm writing this. No words are needed, I'll just say that when he says "Young-ro, you bloomed flowers inside me who was so cold." and the scene with the snowdrop comes out is that broke me in tears. For me that's why the drama is called "Snowdrop". This flower blooms in winter. Although in winter is so cold, this little white flower blooms. Despite the coldness. And just like that - Young-ro bloomed flowers inside Soo-ho's heart. The love between them bloomes despite the dangerous circumstances, the difficulties, despite the political chaos and schemes.

I think I'll stop here. Snowdrop is truly a drama that will stay in my heart for a very long time. And although the ending is sad, I think I'll rewatch it someday. Watching it was quite a journey and I won't be able to forget it. I have no regrets watching it. It will forever be a beautiful memory.
♡

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It's my Mid-Season Review. I'm giving my honest opinions & here are some of my thoughts..

11 out so 20 episodes watched so far

So far I like the plot a lot. so far from what I've watched, I wish the show would dive into more romance side because it was advertised as a dark rom-com so wished a bit more romance than the political scenes but I do also watch a lot of political drama so I'm definitely enjoying it a lot.

Jung Hae is phenomenal as always (handsome and really versatile in acting and one of my favorite actors) and Jisoo is freaking amazing for a rookie actress (I see a bit of overacting especially in her eyes like some scenes especially in front of talented and experienced actors acting seemed less natural but she nails those harshly sad and emotional scenes I can see her improvements as the show progresses). Other actors, I mean phenomenal job so freaking natural acting.

One complaint I would have is so many gunfires and a bomb blast and literally zero casualties and minimal injuries (students involved in the crossfire). Like there was literally a shootout with so many students at the stairs and no students get shot like the situation doesn't feel as dangerous and realistic as it should. I know some shoulders and a spy gets shot but I feel like the sense of danger would have been heightened if we had seen some students get hurt and the audience's sense of sympathy for the students and their well being would be more dramatic and hostage scenes actually would seem more dramatic and dangerous if we had seen some students actually get hurt. PS, I also understand that being in the middle of a crossfire and being held at gunpoint is already dangerous and traumatic enough. I'm just wishing it was more dramatic cuz it's a drama.

The cinematography and costumes are awesome. The set design is amazing as well. I just wish it would have been available worldwide/ available on Netflix instead of Disney plus because I have to literally use a VPN service on Disney plus cuz I wanna watch it legally. No shade to those watching it on drama sites, it's just my personal preference also I watch most other shows on drama sites so.

In conclusion, though I have pointed out my opinions, I'm actually enjoying the show quite a lot and looking forward to watching more episodes and finishing the show. I hope JTBC delivers in its promises of this being a Dark Rom-com rather than a political show. I love this show so much because I was really looking forward to it as a blink and also being a fan of Jung Hae in from his previous shows, so I might be a bit biased but I will still give my honest opinion. Best of wishes to everyone making the show.

I think the show is worth the watch.

I will make my final review of the show when it ends.

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My thoughts about it....And want the ending to be a HAPPY one pls

It is a very good drama...Till now the speed is very good I like it....And Jisoo and Hae In acting is freaking next level....The drama's production chose perfect actors for the storyline and the OST is very very satisfying,soothing,calm and good.....Love the overall drama very much....Just want a damn HAPPY ENDING!!!!.......Plssssss

I don't watch that much korean dramas more of chinese till now but the speed of this drama is very very good.....I think you all also agree....And this is my first time writing any review for any drama.....
So pardon me if u guys don't find it useful...But I'll really recommend you to watch this as it is full of twists and interesting you can never predict what's next until you are a very very regular watcher of kdramas.....

So guys pls pls watch it!!!!

WANT A HAPPY ENDING!!!
I know mostly all of us want this to happen.....
So fingers crossed and praying.....Hehe :)

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One Tragic after One! Many Plot Twists with Roller Coaster Feeling!

I would say I like this drama so much. It might not be the best/number 1 in my all time favorite dramas list, but at least, it's one of the best to my all time favorite dramas and the best drama of 2021 to me. First reason is, I like dramas with plot twists and 'Snowdrop' has so many plot twists that my jaw dropped many times. Secondly, I get to learn a lot on political strategies. Even though this drama is fiction, the knowledge on political strategy grows after you watch this drama, and I really like such a meaningful drama. Therefore, whether it's a happy/sad ending, you should try watching it.

You may find it draggy and the time in the drama runs really slow because most of the setting for this drama will be inside the dormitory and so many things happen each day inside the dormitory. However, with the plot twists back and forth, you will not feel bored watching inside the dormitory, yet it's rather a roller coaster feeling.

You may not see 'action' tag, but this drama has a lot of actions. At first, you feel it's action, but at the end, you will feel it's melodrama even if you are watching action scenes, and I think that's why 'Action" is not tagged here.

After all, Love Beats Ideology and Conscience. 'Love' here mainly focuses on the love between a man and a woman but also includes the love between family members (Spies and their family members); love between a righteous ANSP team member and the students (People).

Talking about acting, I would appreciate Jung Hae In the most. To be honest, I wasn't his fan before watching this drama. I used to watch in 'While you were sleeping', but he didn't give me any impression back then. I didn't even remember he was in there as it pasts so many years, but now that I like him in 'Snowdrop', I just remember he was in 'While you were sleeping', and I feel like what? His acting was really perfect here. Why didn't I notice such a great actor back then? In 'Snowdrop', even if he does nothing, his eyes portray everything; we can feel all of his emotions through his eyes. If I need to sum up in one word, it's 'Perfect'. As for Jisoo, I admit that her acting is still limited in some plots which made me realize 'Ah, she is acting'. However, she did a good job as a first time acting in overall. On top of that, she acts on such a difficult project as a rookie actress. Compared to other idol actresses when they acted for the first time, Jisoo is one of the best.

Besides these 2 main leads that most people see through posters, we actually have many other main leads that are important characters in the drama as well. When you start watching it, you will realize that their presence is really really important and inevitable. Without those other main leads, this drama can't be a success, so I appreciate all the actors and actresses.

Music makes us more immersed into the story, so it's perfect for me.

Rewatch value: I already did the rewatch many times while waiting for next episodes to come as I watched it while it's on-going and couldn't stand the wait. That's why I rated the rewatch value high. One thing I can say is, it's addicted.

I will not say much more. Just go and watch it! Sad or happy, it deserves your time!

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Love can exist even in the most impossible way

Watching Snowdrop felt like stepping into a world that was beautiful, heartbreaking, and emotionally overwhelming all at once. At first, I thought it would be a simple romantic drama, but as the story unfolded, I realized it was so much deeper. The chemistry between Young-ro and Soo-ho pulled me in immediately—there was something so pure yet painful about how their connection grew despite the chaos around them.

The show really played with my emotions. One moment I was smiling at their soft interactions, then suddenly my heart was sinking because of the tension, betrayal, and the constant fear of what might happen next. The way the story mixed politics, sacrifice, and love made everything feel heavier, and honestly, there were scenes that stayed in my mind long after I finished watching.

What really hit me was how the drama showed that love can exist even in the most impossible situations—and how sometimes, loving someone means facing pain you never expected. Snowdrop wasn’t just a drama for me; it felt like an emotional journey I wasn’t prepared for, but I’m glad I experienced.

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One of the best Korean dramas of all time.

Let's go over what most people want to know. Is it distorting history?
The hardcore facts that most Korean people talked about:
1. The ANSP is hardcore evil.
2. The North Koreans are power-hungry.
All of these are displayed in the drama. You just have to watch the entire drama.

The show is a fast-paced hostage political drama that showcases the truth of power and Korea. It has a lot of violence and loud noises so it is definitely not for the weak of hearts. The show has a romance that goes through multiple ups and downs. Every character has dimensions and a backstory to it. Each of them has something the other one doesn't.

Spoilers

Character analysis(Young-ro and Soo-ho)
Soo-ho
His character is based on one emotion, love which controls him and drives him to his actions. He was in love with Young-ro, more than Young-ro was in love with him and that is why the entire story worked out. He visited the dorm to see her again and he came back to save her because he loved her. His sister's life also controlled him for the majority. He was a great character. He was clever but not cruel and merciful but not dumb.

Young-ro
She had more potential. She had the lightest personality of all the characters. Apart from some of her brave moments, she was mostly a damsel in distress. The way a lot of people stomped all over her, I expected a snap but there was none. It would be better if her actions played more significance than her identity. I also wished for closure of Young-ro. She was shown as being heartbroken over Soo-ho and all of her friends and family abandoned her. It would be nice if we got some character development and see her around new people rather than the past.

Overall, the ending had some plotholes, but apart from that, the story was spot on. The deaths tore me apart but the fact Young-ro spent her life all alone broke me more. Out of all the sad endings dramas like Youth of May, Uncontrollably Fond, Chicago Typewriter, The Red Sleeve, Scarle Heart, etc, Snowdrop was the saddest because it started and ended with pain. There was no happiness and no hope. Everyone played and betrayed each other till the end.

I would definitely recommend this drama for people who wish to cry and be broken for eternity.

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Good but Had potential to be a tiny bit better.

This show has been controversial since the beginning till the end. It had it’s great moments and not so good ones.

I honestly liked it as it kept me intrigued and I was hooked till the end. I liked the scenery/set and the cast’s acting in general, but Hae in’s acting was superb as I believe he made this show way better! Jisso’s acting was okay for a first time. I believe if she could’ve chosen a less intense role, it would’ve been better for her.

The downside of this show, was the way it was advertised as people were expecting more romantic scenes and the fact that it was stretched too much. Nonetheless, it’s worth watching.

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A must watch Drama

(Non Spoiler Review)

First of all Rest in peace to Kim mi soo who performed the role yeo jeong min 💐💐😢. Her sudden loss was shocking in the middle of the drama period..

The long wait and anticipation never wasted. Snowdrop amazingly ended with a good satisfying finale Episode, (this review may little bit long)

I already knew when i first read about the plot that this definitely will be heavily complicated till the end. So i never expected a usual kdrama style. i have to mention about how beautifully they narrated some characters here. The cast looks stunning, all the major actors from the industry were part of this drama, and they all got perfect roles as well. Especially Yoon A was a big surprise cast for me also jung seung joo played by Lee kang moo and another actor was kim hye yoon, except from others they were particularly main actors of the industry. But still they came forward with this collaboration and done their best here.

The style of narration of screenplay was too melodramatic. Slowly building the seriousness of the surrounding even though i didn't felt much of a dragging. The placement of romance in the middle of this tough situation was superb. The first two episode was magical. When Lim so hoo meet Young ro for the first time and the things that happening between them after everything was cute.

Coming to the leads performance side. Jung hae in was brilliant as always. He potryed the main character very simply. Our debutant Black pink icon Star Kim ji soo was so cute and superbly played that lovely character eun young ro.

The worst part if i have to mention something then those annoying ajummas ( middle aged ladies), the 3 wife's were competing themselves to prove that who is more better worse then others😁. Many scenes between them were very boring. Another thing was some vfx that used to show the outside of the dorm, its looks very artificial. But overall making was excellent. The wintage period, the people, the atmosphere, dressing style everything tooks super real.

There will be different opinions regarding the ending of the drama. But if you think deeply about that whole situation then you will understand why they ended like that. For me snowdrop was one of the best drama. The length of the Episodes were too large but still it didn't effect the curiosity while watching. Try it

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Marvellous acting and production, historically inacurrate storytelling

To be honest, when just starting to watch this drama, I had absolutely no idea about the historical events behind it (and how distorted they were in the k-drama). I wholeheartedly agree that the show's writer failed to recreate the tragedy of the real events and heavily sugarcoated the hostage situation. That's why my review is solely about the acting, character development, and plot resolution(taking into consideration that the plot is historically inaccurate and acknowledging the real events that happened in 1987).

Moving on to the actual review [SPOILERS]:

I am in a love-hate relationship with this show.

What I loved:
1. The acting.
Everything about the cast was perfect.

Jung Hae In killed it. I can't think of anyone better for his role. Soo-ho was such a three-dimensional character, that you rarely see in k-dramas. He had his cute/mischievous side (first episode, when he met Yeong-Ro), his love for his country, men, and family, his stoicism when he had to do his duties, his soft side (for Yeong-Ro). He had his weaknesses, his doubts, and mistakes. He was not perfect, but that made him a real person.

Great debut performance for Jisoo. While her character wasn't as colourful and multi-dimensional as Hae In's, she still did well portraying a college girl's emotions through such a traumatic event. Sad and crying scenes were realistic. I expected more action and character development from Yeong-Ro, she is one of the main leads after all, but that's not Jisoo's fault.

Yoo In A - Loved her in "The spies who loved me", loved her here too. She deserves to be included in the "main leads" list. Kang Cheong A was dare I say, the second most important character after Soo-ho.

Gang Seung Jo as Lee Kang Mo. This was my first time watching him on-screen, and I instantly fell in love! I'm looking forward to watching a drama where he is the main lead.

Kim Hye Yoon as Boon Ok - Wow! When someone plays a villain, and you grow to hate the character - that means the actor is marvellous.

2. The production and decor - I loved the costumes. Not sure how historically accurate they are, but they look convincing enough. Even though the setting was only the dorm, the way each room was decorated, and the consistency was good (when it came to object placement and character's costumes).
The whole series was a pleasure to the eyes, make-up wasn't over the top and was relatively consistent - all the characters' injuries "stayed" in the same place throughout episodes and didn't magically disappear two days after the hero got them (like in some dramas, a character is punched in the face, his eyes and face swollen and everything, but after two days everything is healed like magic).


What I hated:

1. Eun Young Ro's step-mother, Nam Tae Il's wife, and the ANSP political drama as a whole.

2. Lots of things were left hanging at the end. I know the ending was rushed because they had to cut out a big part of the drama due to controversies. However, I would've liked to know what happened to Kang Cheong A, the college girls, and most importantly So-Hoo's SISTER.

What I didn't hate, but I also didn't love:

1. The love story - Sorry. It has nothing to do with the actors. They have amazing chemistry. It's just that the whole falling in love while being held hostage didn't seem too convincing. After episode 3, the main leads barely got on screen together, and the few times they were together, Yeong-Ro was crying about something. She didn't contribute to their relationship (with Soo-ho) in any way. I felt like it was more of a brother-sister like love, not so romantic.



Maybe you are wondering why I'm giving this show an 8.5/10 and not a lower rating (considering the historical inaccuracies). Well, this was one of the few dramas, in which I haven't fast-forwarded. It managed to keep me interested from the start, till the end.

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Not an emotional rollercoaster but just pain

I started watching this drama cause of jisoo and the teasing that we were given for a bit over a year and I wasn’t disappointed. I had doubt starting the drama because of all the controversies around it and therefore didn’t really know if it was even going to continuing airing. However I don’t regret it as it was so much different than what others said it was going to be.

1) I personally enjoyed the plot. I found it interesting especially at the beginning and it kept you guessing. However, I found it really easy to guess the ‘plottwist’/secrets, so when they were revealed I didn’t have that wow factor. Only two things actually made me shocked and it was because I felt it was really random plottwist that may have been unnecessary to the plot line.
The romance between the characters was little to non-existent and that’s probably why I kept getting excited after each interactions (if you haven’t guessed it it’s cause I like pain) .
And as I said in the title I wish I could say it’s an emotional rollercoaster but to qualify it as that you need to feel other emotions that pain, which was not included.

2) The acting was really good, from the main to the side I feel like none lacked and each delivered their performance to give out the feeling of pain and fear (once more).
Because it is Jisoo’s first time I had my doubt as many may have towards idol actors and I wouldn’t say she surprised me greatly (as my expectations of her were not horrible) but she delivered her character so well that I forgot it was her.
As for Haein, I have nothing to say (if you watched his other dramas you already know what a great actor he is).

3) The only music I can remember clearly is the one from the intro and bonus scene. But the intro music made me not want to skip as it put you straight away in the painful snowdrop mood.

4) The reason why the rewatch value is low is solely based on my personal feeling and the fact that I have to protect my heart from hurting more than once with the same drama.

Overall as you may have understood, my main point is that snowdrop equalled PAIN but I definetly not regret giving it a try.

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Don't Watch with a Delicate Heart

This is my first time reviewing on MDL, really because I need closure! I can't find myself able to move on.

Story:
I found the concept really interesting, the corruption of government and even the ties between North and South Korea. There were tons of plotholes by the end, but honestly, I was only really bothered by one thing when I reached the finale. I think Yeong Ro deserved better, and more character. Kinda surprised that Soo Ho was more in-depth than our FL. I think it's still a great watch, and I was hooked. Every episode cliffhanger left me needing more... I've never risked sleep for a drama, but there's a first time for everything- and Snowdrop was the first. I was most bothered by the fact that Nam couldn't have just radioed the SWAT team telling them to hold fire on Soo Ho, instead of wasting his time running there... Like what? There was also plenty of time for him to have just gone with Yeong Ro. But it was a destined heartbreak from the start.

Acting/Cast:
Holy hell, Jung Hae In... How did he completely pass my eyes in While You Were Sleeping?! That man's smile just makes you melt. I thought his acting was fantastic too without a doubt. I read lots of reviews and comments saying that people should not have stopped watching just because of Jisoo's acting, but I'm glad I never really saw any comments saying her acting was bad. Because it wasn't. I'm a BP fan, fairly new, but I never really found the thing that made me love Jisoo as much as my bias. This though, holy. I wanna go to a BP concert now. SHE POPPED OFF. I think she did well beyond the expectations of a rookie actress and I'm really proud of her. I hope to see #haesoo in another project for some better closure (happy endings only).

Music:
I thought the OST was great, nothing else to say.

Rewatch Value:
This wouldn't be so high up just because I don't want to put myself through the pain again, but also the drama unveils many plot twists that take away from it's rewatch value because the suspense that kept you going the first time is no longer there.

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