Heart Wrenching
I’ve only watched a few episodes, but I cried off and on through all of them. If you’ve ever had someone you love die, and had them in Hospice, you can’t not cry. Dying means looking back on your life, the mistakes you’ve made, the happiness you’ve felt, the relationships you formed, the things you regret, and the things you had yet to do, but won’t have the chance. The loved ones and friends you leave behind is the hardest thing. I often look at my adult children, and know what it is like to lose a parent. Having to go through their things after their deaths, as you grieve and remember everything looking through their memories. This drama reminds you to live life to the fullest while you can, try not to have regrets, and realize life is short. I’m in my later years, and constantly look back on my past, knowing I don’t have many years left. This drama really hits home for me. It is VERY sad, with a few light moments, great plot and great acting. I will continue to the end crying the whole way, unless the story changes suddenly. Definitely worth the watch.EDIT: So, the drama has changed direction a bit as I watched more episodes. Less about Hospice, and a bit more about character development. I’m not saying it’s a bad direction, just different than earlier episodes. I’ll continue watching and see what develops… my score may drop a bit. Still a good watch though.
COMPLETED/LAST EDIT: My score went from a 10 to an 8.5 by the end. Don’t get me wrong, it was still good, It just changed direction mid way, not in a bad way, just not the way I would have liked. I would still recommend it though. I don’t want to give the story away, but it looks like they could definitely do a season 2 with how it ended.
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I'm happy enough with the ending. I was looking forward to developments in Joon Kyung's story and I got the good one. I wasn't expecting this story from her childhood, and I'm glad it was resolved that way.
The beach scene broke me. It was a return to the moment when a new and better life began for Gyeo Re.
I've thought about it and it would be nice if there was a second season showing some new social workers in the hospice, more fulfilling patients' last wishes, and more relationship between Joon Kyung and Seok Joon.
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AFTER WATCHING 11 EPISODES
Even before I started watching this drama, I knew that I would like the plot. After watching the trailers and reading the description, I had high expectations for it and so far I have not been disappointed. I also really love the cast. All the actors in this drama are amazing.
At first, the drama focused on fulfilling the wishes of the hospice patients, then it began to focus more on the background of the characters. I think that's a good thing. If the drama had focused on patients all the time, the development of the main characters and their stories might have been a bit left out.
This drama touches upon some tough topics and it has been done very well. The characters are warm-hearted and really lovable.
I look forward to a little bit more development in Joon Kyung's story. I'm really curious what will happen to her.
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One of the most beautiful Kdramas I have watched in a long time.
What a beautiful drama. The characters are real with depth. They touch on a lot of heavy topics in this drama so please keep that in mind; this isn’t a light heartened drama to binge watch. Let’s start with the leads. The female lead is Nurse Set; she’s sweet, funny, charming and cares a lot for her patients. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a nursing student right now, but she was definitely one of my characters of this show. She doesn’t give up easily and especially not for the people she loves. Some people said she was “boring”, but I just wanted to say a general comment about this drama: this drama is among the more realistic Kdramas. The chatterers aren’t dramatized to a level where they feel foreign or feel like they couldn’t exist irl. Every character in this drama feels like they could be a real person that you know or could know. The male lead is one of my favourite male leads in a drama in a LONG time. You can definitely see the way his past impacts him, but he is not a bad guy. He is actually an incredibly sweet guy with a soft spot. The romance between the two leads was definitely my favourite part. I like how it wasn’t the main focus and it felt completely real and honest. There was no “love at first sight” or any unnecessary tropes. It really felt like a naturally developed romance and every scene where the leads were together felt so intimate, as if I shouldn’t be watching.Now let’s talk about the plot. I loved the plot! I had some critiques, but for the most part, I loved it. This drama has a main plot, but also has small sub-plots that aren’t boring and aren’t just randomly thrown in. I like how they talk about mental health such as dementia/Alzheimer’s or issues like revenge and dealign with grief. I think seeing things like these and the way the scenes are framed and portrayed really made the show that much more heart warming and heartfelt. Every character in team Genie was wonderful and I love every member of it!
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Great first half but lost its touch second half but has a great ending
Personally, I liked the first 8 episodes of this drama. It focused on what this drama was about, fulfilling the wishes of the patients who don't have that much time to live. I like the stories of the patients. It just touches your heart so much when you see their story. It's also refreshing to see how the FL's character is the strong one in a way where she wants to protect the ML's character aka her love. It makes sense since he came from a broken life.I almost wanted to say this is a healing drama but it's not really in a way since there's not much focus on it for the hurting characters, other than the ML's character, where you do see the healing process. The characters (Seok Jun & Joon Kyung) who had a trouble life do overcome their pain and hurt, however I wished there were more scenes and storytelling for them. It seemed rushed at least for their story.
As much as I wanted to see more of the other 2 orphan characters, this is also where the drama went downhill for me. Because of their lack of explanation of the healing process for these two and the introduction of the abusive father for about 6 episodes were kind of drag for me. This drama lost its touch that it had for the first half. Although they did try to bring it back in the second to last week of episodes featuring the grandma and her 2 grandkids, the multiple bad father scenes just made me angry and frustrated, and I had to skip those scenes. It was to the point where I didn't enjoy the drama as much as I did for the first half.
The final week of episodes made it up though, mostly the final episode. I felt like the last episode flowed well. It didn't feel rushed, and it was presented in a way where I was satisfied with finishing it. I'm also glad that they brought back the guest characters from the past episodes as well. Normally, writers will just forget about them after their story is done but I'm glad the writers for this drama didn't do that and brought them back. It just shows the great impact team genie had on these characters and I for one appreciate it.
Overall, great OSTs. I mean I just love all the songs in this drama. A great first half but stumbling in the second half. In the end, it had a great conclusion & nice wrap up to the drama.
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One of the best healing/redemption dramas
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. This Show is unabashedly sentimental. Time and again, its plots are designed to pull at our heartstrings until there is not a dry eye in the house. It is also a challenging watch as it races through all kinds of personal and societal issues. Everything from child abuse, abandonment, modern slavery, self-harm, suicide, organised crime and more. Not everything is treated equally nor resolved realistically but it is a bubbling witches’ brew. Unfortunately, most of the time, these topics are used as backstory or plot devices to propel the story forward. If you are looking for a hard-hitting, earnest drama on such topics then this is not quite it.On the positive side, the story is well structured. It dropped you into the pit of despair but showed you the handholds to climb back out. It is all about healing and redemption. Crime and punishment is secondary. The key motifs are regrets and missed opportunities. There are flashbacks hinting at a rash decision or a slight deviation may change someone’s destiny forever.
Most characters in this show carried wounds both physical and spiritual. The unwritten charter of Team Genie is to provide someone their last chance to do what is necessary so that they can shuffle off this mortal coil without regrets. This, the show excelled.
Another positive aspect is the love line of the leads. It is definitely not a smooth ride, but it is quite realistic and swoon worthy. Rather than the typical passive damsel, the FL put up a good fight for the ML’s affection and to leave nothing to chances or misunderstandings. Bravo!
Ji Chang Wook has not scored many hits of late but I’m happy to report that he has got his mojo back. His agitated, rambling delivery and hangdog demeanour is perfect for this role. We rejoice in his growth and development as the Show progressed. Choi Soo Young might be a super idol but over the years she has amassed quite a filmography. She certainly did a good job here. The role is hardly glamourous but her acting felt natural and on point. The senior cast members more than pulled their weight and quite often stole the show. To fault the acting would be to nit-pick.
There is a lot of death and sadness on display, but the Show is fundamentally uplifting and counterbalanced the negatives with a steely resolve to do good. Amor fati!
Rewatch the whole show might be a bit challenging even if it is rewarding. The last two episodes is definitely worth a rewatch plus all the swoon-y and heart warming moments.
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I commend Ji Chang Wook on his diversity
Ji Chang wook is famous for his action badass dramas, but taking on vulnerable roles is exciting. I know a lot of young ladies would prefer him playing a romantic bad boy, but honestly young men who display their feelings on their sleeves are much more attractive. This drama for example. From episode 2, I could see it in his eyes that he was a damaged soul. He wore out his heart, and displayed his soft mannerism.The story and the plot in this drama aren't perfect, but well worth watching. It's a hospice setting, so it was told to us from the beginning it would be a sob drama, and it delivered well. The main plot line was interesting enough, but the side stories were extra topping we all wanted.
The performance from every individual in this drama should be commended, but Changwook stole the spot light for me. The female lead was excellent. I can't tell you how refreshing she was to watch. After watching so many cutesy dumb repetitive female leads in dramas, she was so good. I loved her.
The OST isn't that great, but the humming stays with you for a while.
This drama is highly recommended from me. Watch and enjoy it.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is the first Sooyoung's drama that I have finisheddespite some of the plot not makes senses, the notable one was timeline of the flashback, it's still good for me
I really love Ji Changwook's range as Yoon Gyeore, he was apathetic character in the beginning and gradually become more human as he spent his time with Team Genie
Kang Taesik, well he kinda reminded me of Dumbledore lol, but with better character
a good man in heart but was going through bad circumstances
Seo Yeonjoo, my green flag girl, I really love Seo Yeonjoo so much, she's so understanding towards almost if not all characters in this drama
well she's not a perfect nurse but she always tries her best
Ha Junkyung, well I originally can't really empathize with her character, but in the last three episodes I can understand her better
and I love her in last two episode
Ms Yeom, my favorite mother figure
Ms Choi, I'm glad even though she can't go to Netherland, Woori Hospice and Team Genie accommodate her needs as dementia patient
Mr Hwang, his love for Choi Deokja 😭
for Seojin and Mr Gu, it's just too bad their character weren't as developed as the other support characters especially the mafias, but at least they both have lovers
and kinda sad that Ms Yeom is the only one without a proper ending that she deserves, what happened to her son who lives in England
Team Genie as a whole have special place in my heart, I would really miss them especially during the time Gyeore warm up to them
and even though I expected the two nuns to be important people in Woori Hospice, but I didn't expect them to be the directors of the hospice
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Unique and cheesy
Interesting concept for a slice of life drama. Most I've seen aren't revolved around a hospice/crime setting so this was very unique. The genre for this drama should've included mystery/thriller because in someway it was.I'll keep it short:
Gyeore is a conflicted man with an abused past. His life has been torn down by the adults in his life when he was younger, and then forced into criminal activities by gangsters later in life. During an accident, he comes across the genie team and is forced by the supervisor to work in the hospice -under court authorized mandatory community service. This is where our main character learns the meaning of love, and along with his dog 'Son' realize that not all people are out to get them. Our female lead is a breath of fresh air, and eases our male lead into happiness. There are conflicts when the 'sister' joins the group, and the gangsters find him - there are problems with the father, and some residents. We journey through our male leads most difficult times in this situation and through hardship we find him smiling at the end.
The major issue most 'men' people are having is that Gyeore is weak, and can't stand up for himself. Well, try putting yourself in his shoes and then talk standing up for yourself. Ignore the whining of these men and have fun. Grab some tissues though, episode eight was the saddest for me.
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Death is a sensitive topic done carefully
●“Sunrise is pretty but sunsets are prettier” I read this quote somewhere, where I had a debate about life and death. Sunrise represents life and hope to start fresh. Whereas Sunsets represent Death, where life fades away in the darkness. After living life to the fullest in the day making beautiful memories, when sunsets and all those beautiful memories shine bright with the dusky hue of the sun, making death peaceful.●I cry easily, not just to my pain but seeing others in pain too so I knew I signed up for a melancholic drama but it would be these tears of happiness and satisfaction I didn’t expect that I would use my whole box of tissue.
The melancholic death was sad but the drama with the help of team Genie put beautiful colors and send people with a smile.
●The pain, misery, suffering, and fear of losing someone we love, this K Drama series reminds us all of the fragility of life. The drama felt episodic as every patient's wish was granted in 1 or 2 episodes. But it also helped in healing the sufferings of others, who are relatives, hospital staff, team GENIE or strangers who became part of the wishes. I loved the healing storyline overall., where ML is the core, he is broken and while fulfilling all the wishes, gets healed himself slowly.
●ML, Yoon Gyeo Rye Played by Ji Chang Wook portraying an ex-convict, abused in childhood, lonely as an adult, no ambitions left, is heartbreaking. On Skin, he has tattoos, ready to physically fight, but inside he is all broken, that mental health contrast is shown superbly. His eyes just penetrate the heart, the sparkles when he cries, his cheeky curiosity, his genuine feelings were brilliant. Though I didn’t like the wardrobe, it determines he was trying to live while wearing vibrant colors. JCW can show the simpler and down-to-earth character with ease
Seo Yeon Joo played by Choi Soo Young is showing toughness outside by lifting weights, has a warm heart, and becomes ML healing genie. CSY looks innocent and tough at the same time. That nurse outfit looked adorable and I felt happy seeing her trying hard to ease out others pain.
Kang Tae Shik played by Sung Dong Il is one of my favorite senior actors. Whenever he plays positive characters I just love it, because in negative characters he is very scary.
●OST’s are healing and soft.
Part 1 “Loner” by Kim Sung Kyu is soft vibed and the lyrics are healing.
Part 5 “Halo” by Park Jinjoo is upbeat and has a warm touch of morning sunshine.
Part 9 “You and me” by TAEYEON has a soft heartwarming vibe just like when two lovers hold hands in winter.
●I would rewatch this when I would like to shed some tears.
●If you want like healing, heartwarming dramas, watch If You Wish Upon Me
If you don’t like sad and tearful dramas or want some amazing avoid this. Because it is a sad drama and has an average story.
●My favorite scene is Yoon Gyo Rye with Sonny at the beach in the first episode. It was a sad scene but it was aesthetic.
●If You Wish Upon Me is pleasant and sentimental; whether its emotions are manufactured or sincere will be in the eye of the beholder.
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Touching and heartfelt
Ji Chang Wook shines once again and his portrayal of a broken person healing with people who care about him was very touching. His acting blew me away especially since this wasn’t the usual romantic persona that he embodies so well in the past.The rest of the cast were superb as well. Seeing the person who started off looking normal then worsened as her dementia progressed brought back sad memories for me. Another standout character was the brash captain and how his character evolved from the time he started his own business to when he lost his family, realised the wrong path he took and succumbed to his illness. All nicely told in flash back format and brilliantly acted by Sung Dong Il.
You need to be in the right mood to watch this as this drama raises a lot of questions about how we should live our lives as we experience the different deaths that occur throughout this drama. Not for binging as the heart can only take much heartache.
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A drama for our souls
Laughed, Cried (a lot) and the whole drama gave a warm closure.One of the best drama of JCW. He aced this role. His versatility in character/drama selection is awesome.
The whole premise of fulfilling the last wish of terminally ill patients' is refreshing and the story doesn't shy away from dark topics which is commendable.
The scenes with the dog were adorable and rewarding.
The things I felt, could have improved a bit were, the spark between the main couple and the number of episodes could have been around 12.
In short, a heart-warming 16 hours from JCW to binge on.
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sometimes, wishes come true to cherish till the end...
this drama was supposed to be my dropped dramas even if I've never started watching it but it seems the title makes it more interesting to look forward into. Up until I decided to watch this drama until the end, it seems this would be another kdrama I'll watch again due to its very comforting concepts and plot. It always starts with "how life is possible when things happen unexpectedly in your life, you'll might not know where you're life would make it till the end..."First and foremost, I love the way they made "their last wishes would be granted" even if others does'nt believe what they were doing but in fact they want to feel their patients in an hospice that they had the chance to live for the last time. This drama was something very different from the beginning, to their happiest last moments to cherish, until the pity and sadness comes to the end because they got to grant their last wishes until they enter a new life. I'll say, even if others would say "sometimes wishes are not granted" but we can't deny that we cannot say when is the right time to have that wish to be granted. But what the drama says, make it possible to cherish it till the end.
The plot seems very promising from the beginning until the end. Turning cold hearted to soft hearted, as well as character developments as well. I was not expecting the oldest team captain would end his life that way, and as well as I really love how they really treat the cast from this drama as if they are also really important to be part of the plot since it proved me how the story relates to the other experiences from the other characters having short time duration as well.
For the cast, Ji Chan-wook made me ask "Why he was casted from this drama? it's too far from his previews roles from other dramas" but then I realized until the end how he was a promising actor from me, proving that he can do more roles like this. Sooyoung was also a promising actress for me even if this was just the 3rd drama that I've watched but she was really a good actress from this drama. The other cast were soooo gooood! The other supporting cast, especially the familiar faces I saw, they actually improved a lot as well!
Overall, I think for me this drama would be better if it would have 12-14 episodes since it quite made it more longer, lots of twists as well. But what I love about this drama is how they would give you advices especially to people having a hard time rn atm. It feels like their lines made you think about how life would be precious for you to be thankful for. But again, this would be also one of my favs of how it gave me so much comfort. My tears and happiness from this drama was worth it till the end <33. Very recommended, good for binge watch, life-lesson drama, and good for beginners as well!
Rooting for the whole casts!!!!
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