A Time Called You

I like it

8.75 whew this is a hard show to review beause i cant review it solely based on it as its show on its own merits because it is so similar to original show which is one my favorite shows of all time. i kept trying not to do direct comparisons but it was impossible.

to the best of my ability, as a show on its own, i think this a good show with good emotion and heart. thats literally all i can say without talking about the original show, someday or one day (sood)

sood feels more raw and bit more goofy and present in playfulness and humor, both giving it a certain spark i just cant shake and still makes me more attached to it.

this iteration feels more polished and serious and dramatic in tone and flare, which makes me feel less of a magic spark personally. however, this version had the heart it needed to make me care. even though i basically knew everything that was gonna happen, i was still sitting in anticipation and excited for each episode. i was sobbing during it which is a good sign. i think the show picked a perfect theme song with seo ji won’s in my tears. i felt the romance and the pain. i could NOT take 2002->2023/Current Day ahn hyo seop seriously. i think that jeon yeo been (esp her) and ahn hyo seop did a great job the chemistry and bond between the main trio wasnt as good as it could have been and as it was in the original and same goes for the villain. i cannot tell you if the show
on its own makes sense bc i have watched the original several times and understand the plot based on that, but i do appreicate some of the holes/unanswered questions it fixed. LOVE the final scene.

in short, this made feel the romance and pain and yearning i wanted. its a great remake and a good show on its own. sood is just that girl to me. always will be. glad i watched this though.

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Superb drama

I haven’t watched the original drama so I went into this not knowing what to expect and boy was I in for a treat!

Love, friendship, trauma, time travel and a murder mystery - I mean, what’s not to love?

You will definitely be confused during the first few episodes but you’re left in the dark on purpose, as it all unfolds the story will become clear. It’s a show that gets better with each episode.

Jeon Yeobeen is superb in her portrayal of Junhee and Minju, I can feel her pain and sadness and confusion and all of her emotions clearly. Despite being the same actress the two characters look and sound different - very impressive.

Ahn Hyoseop’s performance as Nam Siheon is one of my favorite parts about the show. He created a lovable and mischievous character that made me smile, I don’t think I will be forgetting him anytime soon.

Kang Hoon also nailed his character.

There is also a cameo by Rowoon that was very memorable!

The actors managed to pull me into their world and I had a great time. The cinematography was, as expected by a kdrama, stunning. In terms of the OST I especially enjoyed NewJeans’s song.

I’m seeing clear biased reviews by people who are greatly attached to the original and was never going to give this remake a chance to start with, but if you’re like me and you just want to watch a good k-drama with an interesting storyline then you should 100% watch this.

In fact, I created this account just to leave this review because I don’t think the ones I am seeing are fair or unbiased.

Give it a chance, you will enjoy it!

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good acting, messy plot

First of all, keep in mind that i have no watched the original version.
I randomly started this drama not knowing at all what to expect, and even after finishing it, i am still not sure how i feel about it. I like the actors a lot, I think it is probably the best thing about the drama, also, I've seen some people not liking the choice of song for the time travel but i personnaly really enjoyed it, it felt very nostalgic.
However, as the drama goes by, I started to have many many questions which ended up not being answered at all. The main idea is good, but the issue with time travel plots, are any supernatural plot, is that is has to be perfectly logical, which was not the case here.
I also had trouble getting into the drama at first, then throughout most episodes I was invested, until the last 2-3 episodes which honestly, i have scarcely watched, skipping some scenes just so I can get to the actual ending. How could it feel so rushed but so boring at the same time? Honestly I have no idea, but it really negatively impacted my opinion on this drama, even though as I said earlier, I got really invested in it at some point.

Overall, is it worthed watching? Perhaps for the actors, or if you're able to turn off your brain and pretend that there are no plot holes and that everything is perfectly coherent.

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overall it was a creative story line with unexpected plot twists which was nice

ending was alright but left me wanting more :(
but overall it was a pretty good drama. I've never seen the original so I can't compare.... but it was a creative plot I'II give them that and they had quite a few plot twists I didn't see coming so that was nice, but something about it felt off. like I was interested but not necessarily hooked.

i personally wouldnt rewatch it and i would recommend it to a friend only to get their take on it/talk about it and to see if they have trouble understanding all the timelines (cause i didnt but in the comments sections it seems like many did haha)

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Time travel but a drag on

I usually enjoy time travel based shows, and usually they’re always well done. Can’t really make a time travel show boring right?

Well….

Listen, I’m not saying this K-Drama was bad but throughout the show, things just dragged on unnecessarily long. So many plot holes left inside as well.

So the ‘clones’ that the main characters are switching between, what the hell happened to them? It just felt so surreal that they kept switching between the bodies and there seemed to have been zero consequences, just a few people going “oh you changed!”, but it only happened with Minju and Junhee.

What I also found a little weird, was how they made Siheons doppelganger …gay?

So Koo Yeonjun was gay, and then Siheon entered his body and made him date a woman. Doesn’t anyone else find that a little weird? I mean I get that wasn’t Yeonjun himself but if Minju was inside Junhee’s head and witnessed everything Junhee did while she was in her body, doesn’t that mean Koo Yeonjun was also in Siheons head as well? And then had to see his body be with a woman? Lol…just a huge plothole imo.

And I’m also curious if Koo Yeonjun stayed with Rowoons character in the end or not, they seemed pretty cute!!

Ingyu and Minju were also adorable, I was rooting for them since the beginning.

If I’m being completely honest, Junhee and Siheon didn’t have all that much chemistry. The actors are great and they acted well but, there was just no chemistry between them. I felt absolutely nothing whenever they shared romantic scenes together. It was just so boring and plain…their relationship seemed forced, and they had so much to work with in their story- I was hoping at some point I would see the chemistry but I just couldn’t.

Somewhere in the middle of the show, maybe around the time Junhee switched back to 2023 after being in Minjus body for the first time, things got even more boring and the show felt like it was being dragged on for so long. Everything was slow, and the plotwists were being revealed in the most anti climactic slow paced way.

I honestly think this would’ve been better as a movie rather than a show. So many episodes felt like filler episodes, or just something that didn’t need a whole episode dedicated for it.

The misdirect of the killer who somehow figured out how to time travel as well, and then not bringing him up ever again after they got rid of the time travel walkman? There’s just so many things they left unspoken.

Nevertheless, the last 3 episodes I forced myself to watch so I could finish this show, it actually wasn’t all that bad and it kept me engaged. I found Minjus character the most interesting, and I’m sad we got robbed of her character. I think they should’ve focused on her development in the series rather than making her breakdown in one episode and then suddenly being okay and content with her life in the next.

But other than that, the show itself wasn’t all that bad- but it did get super boring at some point. Unless you’re a huge fan of Ahn Hyoseop and Jeon Yeobeen , you would probably enjoy this a lot more. Other than that, in my opinion this isn’t something I would choose to watch to entertain myself since it wasn’t that much action filled as I had hoped. But it wasn’t all too bad either. Just more so focused on the love story between the star crossed lovers who have to switch between time lines to be with each other. So if you’re in a mood for a slow pace romance story, this is for you!

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Overall worth a watch

==Breakdown==
Background plot - 45%
Romance - 40%
Misc comedy - 15%

Background plot - Good
Romantic chemistry - Excellent
Misc comedy - Good
Production value - Good

I haven't seen the original, nor did I know this was based on a different drama until after I watched it.
This drama was binged over the course of two days and I have no regrets. Previously, I'd enjoyed the ML in Business Proposal and Dr. Romantic, and I'd loved the FL in Vincenzio, so I had high hopes.
I will say, the FL did just okay in this drama. Maybe if I hadn't watched Vincenzio I would've enjoyed this one more, but the scenes where she really shined in this story were moments where her character was similar to her previous role.
The ML was great in almost every scene and really sold the story.
I do have to note, however, that it seemed like the two lead actors never quite reached a level of physical comfort with each other because the affectionate scenes didn't come across well. I know both the ML and FL can do better, so this lack of chemistry between them (in this romantic drama) knocked off a full star.

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Convoluted Time-Traveling

A Time Called You splits between several timelines in the past and future. I was most interested in what was happening in the 1998 timeline. It felt very slice-of-life school drama which I'm a huge fan of. The dynamics between Min Ju, Si Heon, and In Gyu were enough to hook me. I thought the three of them had good chemistry together.

When Jun Hee comes into the picture, things become too complicated. The show starts out confusing and doesn't become less confusing. It doesn't explain a lot of things such as time travel and scientific mechanics with the chosen device (a cassette tape). Every episode leaves the viewer guessing. I haven't seen the original show, so I presume things are explained more in-depth in the C-drama. My review is only based on the Korean version.

I was very invested in the plot and relationships at the start. As the show went on, I found myself feeling more confused and frustrated with the events. I didn't care for the main couple. I never saw why Si Heon and Jun Hee were destined to be soulmates. They were just fated to be together somehow, and their connection didn't feel that natural as a result. I can appreciate the sentiment of soulmates reconnecting, but their relationship was quite ordinary. I didn't see anything special about it, and this made it hard to root for them.

Min Ju's storyline was portrayed realistically and accurately. Out of all the characters, I cared about Min Ju the most. I could understand everything she struggled with. Being overlooked everywhere and constantly feeling empty. It's all very difficult. I'm glad she got a happy ending. Although, it felt rushed. She grew really fast, while her internal conflict is ongoing. I don't see how she would end up with In Gyu when for the entirety of the show, her feelings for him were never romantic. I would've liked to know more about In Gyu since his background was not explored much.

There are a few inconsistencies with the characters' feelings. Min Ju and In Gyu's relationship was not developed that much, for instance. Therefore, it just seems like she accepted his love because of convenience, not realization. Being the second couple, I would've preferred if they got more development. Si Heon initially did not return Min Ju's feelings but then he does. He claims he felt that way all along, but if he did, what made him fall for Jung Hee? Because she's more outgoing, confident, popular...? It seems a little shallow. The main pairings' personalities in this show were too similar for me to get behind and be intrigued by, and also their romances are not deep.

Excellent cast and OST. I know Jeon Yeo-been from Be Melo. She's fantastic as a lead role. The songs were well-suited for each scene. There were many areas that could've been improved in the actual story.

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was ok, but the original is still better!

what came to my mind while watching this drama was: although Kang Hoon’s character is more reserved than Ahn Hyo Seop’s character, i think appearance-wise and style-wise, they look very similar. i didn’t actually mind it, but i couldn’t help but noticed.

i liked Jeon Yeo Been in this drama. the emotions she tried to convey through her acting, i could feel it. she did well.

since i’m writing this review a year after finishing this series, i can’t recall things in detail but i do remember feeling that the time jumps were not as smooth as in the original Taiwanese series. and seriously, why did they style the future Ahn Hyo Seop like he hadn’t showered in a year? i mean, he could’ve suffered but still looks decent. what was the point of making him look like that…

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Doppelganger madness

I have indeed seen the original drama, but it's been enough years that I can also watch this drama with fresh eyes and for it's own merit and flaws. The story feels like it takes way too long to get going to the interesting parts with multiple episodes of emotional scenes for a characters and a couple we don't know yet. It's a relief when finally Jun Hee wakes up in 1998 and it's interesting that she has some of the host body's memories, enough that she is confused about who she really is. Like most magical reality premises, the magical item/ability origins is not explained, but the drama kept consistent with doppelgangers of a specific 7 year age difference regardless of being related or not interacting with the walkman and song on the tape.

Si Heon's hair is a bit distracting, but it looks like Ahn Hyo Seop's hair may be contractually obligated to be styled like that since 2020 after looking through stills of the dramas he's been in since that time period. Jun Hee and Min Ju feel like completely different people, which is kudos to the actor. She changes up the chemistry with Si Heon according to the character she's playing, which is great to see. I do think it's a bit weird that Jun Hee acts different when she is in Min Ju's body versus when she's herself both in college and in 2023. She's way more playful teenager, but her mind is still her adult self. It's a minor thing though that can be easily looked past for the story being told.

The biggest heart wrenching tragedy is original Yeon Jun's untimely death when he and his almost boyfriend Tae Ha finally recognized the feelings they have for each other, but didn't look at the road ending with a complete and total kill your gays moment. They deserved a second chance, I wish the show made some effort to change their ending rather than just using them for a shock twist. A gay man's body being used to change the fate for a straight couple instead is extra cruel. He wasn't even out to his family, nobody even knew how out of character he's being. Real Yeon Jun deserves better.

The way that it was unavoidable that Jun Hee would accidentally divulge all the important information to the absolute worst person to tell since it's a family friend from college was well set up, as was Jun Hee saying all the wrong things to a suicidal high school student that no one paid proper attention too, not even Jun Hee even though she was literally in her shoes for a long time. It's good the show spent time to explore Min Ju's perspective as well, how crushing it is to hear from everyone tell her to her face that they didn't like the real her, how her desperation would drive her to lie to Si Heon and welcome her demise at the hands of a serial killer. It's good that Jun Hee is able to use her free will to break the time travel cycle which saves Si Heon. Whether Chan Hee would kill again isn't shown, but there is enough in the story to indicate that maybe his elder brother would be enough of an influence for him to suppress that side of him without his future self going back to encourage it.

I'm really glad that the drama concludes with Si Heon meeting Jun Hee again in 2011, when she's also a full grown adult rather than a minor. It was totally stingy of them to not set aside time to show a bit more of their new world together though.

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Watch it and Decide yourself if it is worth your time!

It was definitely worth binge watching it, I won't talk about the OG TW drama because I couldn't keep up with it back then since TW dramas releases are 1 per/week and this drama plot is worth the binge.

So when I was about to start the TW, since it was completed they announce this one, and since I like the concept and Yeon Jeo Been is one of my fave kactresses and just finished watching Business Proposal I decided to wait for this version.

So, I recommend you watch it for yourself don't go by what the OG are downgrading this drama, I usually don't compare dramas, bec tbh I didn't finish the original and I over enjoyed this one but my advise try it and watch first 4 episodes bec it is kind of entangled at the beginning but it then take it course.

I usually don't write reviews but I had for this one because IMO the drama itself is worth watching without even to compare it, if OG TW fans have another opinion that is fine, but also let the people that like this version also space to breath and stop downgrading the drama to -0 come on that is childish, no drama is worth that, every drama is make for us viewers and actors/crew do their job the best they can to entertain us and give us a good time. So Enjoy it for yourselves!!!!!!

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Fabulous

Sep 2023
First off; whenever a story has been successfully told once and is then remade, those who LOVED the original shouldn't watch other versions... they'll never compete. Those willing to watch as a drama in its own right, view on. After all, if subsequent productions are only to be carbon copies of an original, what's the point? So, moving on...

I watched this over 2 days and absolutely loved it.
Time travel, fantasy, mystery and a well thought out, gripping story, will make me putty in that drama's hands!

I read a lot of stories where the central theme is often transmigration (souls awakening in another body, which can be years apart from the last life).
This drama is a mix of that and time travel; the latter not being an easy subject to write well, mainly because it can be easy to lose the thread when trying to end the story. I've watched a few dramas where the plot's gone askew, but not this time!

However, this drama does need concentration and watching very closely. It isn't one to have on whilst doing something else and the FFWD button should be taped over. So much can happen in different scenarios, where subtle repetition of words and actions are actually so important.

It can be a little odd in feel, to start with, until the way the story is presented becomes familiar and comfortable ~ but please bear with it, as it really does make sense and come together.

Time can alter at each scene change and initially that threw me. I watched ep 1 & 2 twice! It was worth it though, as I quickly learned the difference in the characters that shared faces.

It is a complicated, but fascinating plot, full of intrigue, questions, frustration and very gripping. It is also so romantic, in the best way; a true love story, yet not at all saccharine. There's wit, angst and tragedy as well.

The cast were bloody perfect ~ all of them.
However, I have to credit Jeon Yeo-been, as how she was able to play 2 characters that looked identical, and managed to portray their totally different personalities, so that they became identifiable as 2 different people, was SO good!
Ahn Hyo-seop was the same ~ he, in effect, played 3 (almost 4 ~ one much more briefly), different roles and, again, brought a noticeable difference to each.
All the characters were such an interesting mix, the story, whilst complicated, did make sense and what an ending! I was so surprised by the whole thing.

The consequences that love has on characters who are so desperate to be together, they're willing to move through lifetimes, is such a surprise and also comes with a couple of shocks.

The soundtrack is mostly great (there was some instrumental background music I wasn't keen on). The main song that repeats through and is an important part of the story, has a sad background though.

The artist is Seo Ji-won, who tragically took his own life in 1996, just over a month before his 20th birthday, due to the pressures of having had such a successful debut album. I loved the songs and learning what I did from Googling the artist, felt the tracks chosen were made even more poignant.

I loved almost every second of this drama.

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Heartfelt but beautiful story

I truly didn’t expect the story to unfold like it did! I thought it was a normal time travel love story but it had other genres and focus on mental health which I really liked! It kept you on your tip toes! The drama definitely was never boring (From time to time it was a bit confusing haha! But it started to make more and more sense a long the way! I also liked watching it and putting it all together like a puzzle) I personally think it was a really beautiful and heartfelt story!! I haven’t watched the original but I don’t get why so many do comparisons ♡ This drama is obviously going to have its own charm and portrayal of the characters! I don’t think it deserves to get rated badly because you compare it to “Someday or One Day”. I think the actors did one hell of a job delivering and telling this story! And the cinematography was absolutely beautiful as well ♡ I hope people who watched the OG will watch this one with new eyes and an open mind without comparing. What would be fun if it was 100% the same? Anyway that’s just my opinion :)!

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