Call It Love

enemies-to-real lovers

a late review. i watch this when it was airing, without any planning and expectations. i only watched it bcos i want to watch ongoing kdrama, and how i was surprised, this is a very pleasant and satisfying and romantic watch.

i love melodrama romance, when it is done right. and this drama did it well. both sung kyung and young kwang acted very very well in their respective roles, and successfully relayed the feelings of their characters well.

this is a revenge drama, but turned into forgiveness. i love how the drama made the fl hated the ml at first, but since the ml are just sooooo kind and kind and kind, and caring and protective while still respecting boundaries, how wud anyone not fall in love with such character?

i also love how their relationship developed. from slowly trusting each other, protecting each other, slowly falling in love, the silent gaze, the apology, and the comfort that they bring to each other, and the fact that this relationship made both of them a better person. so loveeeeee

I'm bad at writing review, but i just want to give my appreciation to this drama. it's a meloromance done right. altho i was kinda hesitated or slow in finishing the last 4 eps bcos i hate to see the conflict unfolds but overall the whole drama is very pleasant to watch. i just love it.

thank you, call it love.

ps: pls don't mind my score for the music. i don't really pay attention to the music in the drama, but i just had to put a score. ok byeeeee

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types of love

This drama is my absolute favorite. I don’t even know where to start talking about what I love about it. I guess I should begin with the cinematography because it's stunning. The color tone of the show changes depending on the weight of the story, making you feel like you're under a never-ending rain. Each scene gives you these amazing photographic moments that really enhance the viewing experience.

This drama is pretty heavy and slow, but it’s definitely not boring. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters because I feel completely different from them, but they delivered such great performances that it felt natural, like they were really being themselves. So even though I didn’t agree with their choices, I understood why they did what they did.


I haven’t watched a drama that elevates emotions like this in a long time. In this story, everyone is lost, lonely, and trying to find their way.

Three siblings experience deep trauma after their father leaves them for another woman (though it's true that the brother wasn’t really affected by it since he was very young at the time). After their father's death, they are kicked out of the home where they were raised by their stepmother. Shin Woo, whose life was ruined because of his father, makes a plan for revenge. He gets a job at the company of the son of the woman his father ran away with. His goal is to take revenge on the woman who brought pain to his family by using her son. However, the man turns out to be nothing like he expected, and over time, Shin Woo finds himself developing feelings he can't control.

Yes, I know it sounds cliché! But it’s not; the way the story is presented is so natural and unique that eventually you find yourself just praying for everything to work out.

One thing you can't overlook in this drama is the supporting characters. Ah, they’re all unique and different. They’re connected to the main characters but also have their own distinct arcs…


Oh, yes, that was pretty praise-heavy, but it’s not exaggerated. Watching them understand and accept their love without drowning in each other's loneliness and traumas was truly beautiful. We know it was really hard for both of them.

My only negative critique of this drama is that the ending should have given us more. No, it’s not an ambiguous ending (which we know we don’t like, and we’re justified in that). But after spending 16 episodes feeling their pain and tension, we deserved more time for the final scene.

Anyway, for those who are about to start watching, I can just say: please don’t underestimate the natural flow of life and give it a chance. We need stories like this!

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How do I describe this drama? Well.. Let's call it love

I think I have found my soul genre in the K-Drama land. It's the slow burn, healing dramas which are knitted with gilded threads of bonds that real characters share. And this particular show sits comfortably in the heart of that genre. At first glance, it is a seemingly simple plotline, a reasonable revenge resulting in a shouldn't-but-can't-help-it love trope. But stay long enough, look at it more carefully, and you find yourself mesmerized by the details, the facets of the characters in the story.

I wanted to pick a slow burn romance, which I got to watch - so double thumbs up, but what made me stick around till the end were the stories within story. I loved how the subplots were not treated as fillers but as layers that add to the personality of the character. That is how you understand the person, their actions and also their reactions. The drama is superbly written with the pace so well maintained that you forget the number of episodes you're on, you forget to check the duration left in the episode.

With all that pretext, let me get started on the part I've been itching to talk about. The characters of Shim Woo Joo and Han Dong Jin. Have I seen more lovable, heartwarming, sweet and gentle souls in the dramaland? Rarely. I was ready to plan my own little revenge on the writers if these people did not get the happy ever after that they so truly deserved. Oh the rollercoaster of emotions I felt while watching these two! It did help that Sung Kyung and Young Kwang brought them to life so beautifully, for these two can act! What remains with me long after watching a drama is the story and the work of the actors, and I will surely remember this show for that and far more. The nuances of each scene, the eye contacts, the subtle smiles, the jaw clenches when they had to endure something, I noticed it all and it wasn't even an effort! They could have easily come off as dull, lifeless, two dimensional characters but the heart-stirring performances of Sung Kyung and Young Kwang in addition to the masterful writing has created one of the most charming couple I have seen.

If I have not already stressed enough on the fact that I loved the writing on the show, let me do it some more - it is SOLID. The characters do not break, they evolve. What I mean is that there is a real and tangible curve in the character arcs, because people do not change overnight, they do not gain the heavenly enlightenment within a snap of fingers, they learn and grow, and then learn some more. And believe me, every character in this show has that. They learn and they grow. Even the leads. But that does not change who they are at their cores. This include the not so nice people too. It would be too unreal to have someone who has been vile their whole lives turn into a saint because they have faced the smallest of repercussions of their actions so far. I loved how that was handled. These people were real, with real, raw emotions. They felt pain, anger, hatred, pride, confusion, dilemma, love, distrust, numbness, hope, happiness - and everything in between. And as a viewer, I felt it too.

Do you know the indescribable emotion you feel that makes your heart pound, but also calms you; is liberating, but frustrating too; is exhilarating, but nerve-wrecking at the same time; seems incomprehensible but is in fact also the simplest of truths? There couldn't have been a more perfect title for this show.. For what else can you call it, if not love? :)

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You yearn for the next episodes...

There are some dramas, where you keep watching and tears come out without even you knowing. This was such a melodrama. I have prolonged it to watch it later when I should have watched it when it was ongoing. I have never been so connected to the characters and their sufferings before this. This one takes one's feelings and emotions to the next level. What a great cast! Each one has its own personality and overcomings and that's what makes this drama more special. I would recommend someone a 1000 times to watch this melo. Never expected Lee Sungkyung to take up such a role and weave it into her own "Shim woojoo". Also Kim Youngkwang was brilliant as "Han Dongjin", couldn't have asked anyone else to portray his character so precisely. This drama is going to be on my top 10 list definitely.

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"You Gave Me Everything"

At the beginning of the show, the drama was relatable because of the terrible father the female main lead, and her siblings, had. I thought, despite being interested in the story, it would be difficult to watch. However, I was able to put my own experiences to the side and fully immerse myself in the story unfolding before my eyes. The drama does an amazing job at bringing to life one of my favorites tropes: two broken souls finding and being able to comfort each other despite the darkness of their past traumas.

The acting was phenomenal. Kim Young Kwang’s portrayal of Han Dong Jin, an empathetic soul who touches and crosses the line into loser territory, had my whole heart. Meanwhile, Lee Sung Kyung as Sim Woo Joo, a jaded and sometimes bitter soul who still manages to find compassion resonated with me deeply. Her apparent apathy for life and others, sometimes mirrored my own feelings. There were times, to my own surprise, that I found myself crying because of the excellent portrayal of the main leads. The supporting cast were not left behind as they also had their own stories and their own trauma to address. And there were some truly hateful characters, which speaks to how well these actors portrayed their characters. For a moment, I thought one of my most hated tropes, the obsessive second male lead, would rear its ugly head, but, thankfully, these were unfounded fears. It was really an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end.

The drama had a great script, performances, and cinematography accompanied by a moving and fitting OST.

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A healing journey through the facial expressions of the leads

After watching My Liberation Notes, Summer Strike and Tell Me That You Love Me, I was looking for a drama that would make me feel a certain way - Melo with warmth. Glad that I came across this drama.

I rarely love a show this much. What attracted me the most was how both FL and ML portrayed emotions simply through their facial expressions. The whole drama is so healing and welcoming. It felt as though I was living there, through them, within them.

Revenge can be taken in various ways. Sometimes, an act of revenge can be simply forgiving and understanding. A point to highlight was the maturity of the FL. Instead of being blinded by revenge, she understood who was at fault and who was not. Eventually, her family also comes to understand that.

Definitely worth watching.

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bated breath, lump in throat and shining eyes

Against all expectations, 9.5 stars for keep me the breaths, for the touching musics, the slow acting to underline sads moments. I was a little scared by the slow pace but to my surprise it didn't bother me.
Don't expect an overwhelming and passionate story but rather a soft and touching story like a flower that blooms.

The character of the main woman lead was direct talking, altruistic and protective person. Meanwhile, the main man lead character was a sad person, lonely, pathetic, heavily hurts in feelings and betrayed by everyone.
Shy people who need time to grow their relationship. When the heart says one thing and the head says another.

I apreciated small gestures and I remember certain scenes:
When she wants to talk but he doesn't want to hear and vice versa. Him opening up and smiling again. He's not used to her direct ways but then he appreciates them. The gesture of sewing the button. She who protects him, comforts him and takes care of him. Being torn between what the heart feels and what the head says. Their looks. The fact that his ex dumped him at his favorite place (camping) and ruined it for him and never went back. Knowing that they love each other but give up everything for the family...

I spent half the time with wet eyes and a lump in my throat.

The last two episodes were a little too pathetic and heavy. Why did they waste more than a year to meet theirs? They love each other, the mother agrees, she and her brother have the telephone number? What did they expect, destiny?
My happy ending would be that they worked together at his uncle's campsite and the whole family gathered there, with his brother playing the guitar...

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I enjoyed the silent moments

Slowburns really are the best. It's all about the long stares full of pining, hand gestures, and simply being in each other's presence. These type of dramas don't even need a kiss scene, but when they did kiss? Priceless. I felt so many emotions inside me.

If I tell you I couldn't stop watching a drama you should trust me. That's because I tend to drop a lot of series I'm not interested in anymore. I like character-driven stories; this was EVERYTHING I've wanted in a while. The actress for the fl did such a good job with portraying her character. She absolutely shined in this drama.
Her temper, her somewhat cold attitude while also being warm, her maturity and her character development were all things I LOVED and was interested in. While getting to know the ml she slowly began to show her sweet side. I found it natural the way her loathing turning to pity and then finally love. I also liked her approach to dealing with that woman (I forgot her name). She realized that she turned her hate towards that woman when she should've hated her father, too. Although, she still doesn't forgive her, and rightfully so. They had a crucial talk at the end, and the fl communicated her thoughts well. I know some people would want to let that woman suffer in prison, but that's the point of this drama because the message it gives us is that life is not all about revenge. That's how I interpreted it, anyway.
The gentle, calm nature of the ml was a refreshing change from the usual teasing, charming love interests. We need more of that. He never snapped words out of anger to someone. The one time he did lose his mind was when the fl got hurt.
They're the exact opposite, yet that's why they complement each other so nicely. The fl needed someone who would be patient, accepting and kind. The ml needed someone who would be honest, straightforward and compassionate.

You know it's bad when I was flabbergasted at this drama not having an unnecessary second lead. That's rare, you know? The fl's best friend didn't have a secret crush on her. Instead, he fell for her sister.

The thing I'm disappointed with is the last episode. I didn't really understand their third-act breakup. It didn't make sense. And once they got back together at the final scene I wished for more. We were barely showed cute moments between them. They had great chemistry. I was able to feel their love from miles away. However, it wasn't enough imo. Also, I dislike that the younger brother was being treated like a 15-years old kid. He. Is. A. Grown. Man! I'm glad they focused a bit on the older sister, though.

Bottom line: two sad people falling in love is just my thing

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Starts great … but

Every time, I see a high rating on 16-20 episodes Kdrama lately, I’m always wary about it. And praying that once i start binge watching it wouldn’t disappoint me midway. I was truly enjoying this drama, until midday and my fear come true. Casting was amazing, I just Wished they flushed out most of the characters and made it a solid drama from start to end.

Once the main couple got together; which I thought They could survive no matter what writers had to mess it up by bringing the usual cliches of “sick” mother who will chose some form of revenge instead of their own kid’s happiness. I wish they showed how these siblings worked hard to heal from the trauma, instead of one always being angry, the other relationship jumping and the brother who was still lost in all of it. They could’ve done so much more than fall into the cliches ending.

Overall it was a good series that lost the plot midway.

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the art of getting by

a beautiful depiction of two ordinary people with an entangled, complicated history navigating hardship. i particularly found the ML's portrayal of loneliness so well executed and quite relatable in some aspects. screenwriting was BRILLIANT; both main leads truly understood one another with such quiet intensity. docking a star and a half as the satisfaction following their separation sequence doesn't really pay off as much as i would've liked, and i felt as if the FL lost her spark and spunkiness toward the end of the drama, but i HIGHLY recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a mature, slow-burn romance!

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LLike a warm and nostalgic cuppa

I don't know why but when I had initially tried watching this show, I couldn't. When I tried the second time, I realized that with each episode I wanted to know more about the story of SWJ and HDJ. The story for me felt like a warm yet nostalgic cuppa. It's a melodrama so expecting to instantly like or get hooked on the 1st episode is not a good idea. I liked the development of the main characters. They were both flawed yet at the core, both of them were good, I think DongJin and Woojoo were the best for each other because he was initially a pushover and needed someone to not pity him but show him what he was doing not entirely right, and someone needed to make Woojoo realize that taking revenge wouldn't make everything go back to normal. I would, however, want the reunion to be a bit longer, but it aligned well with the rest of the episode. The filter, the back and forth of the times, and the prologues at the beginning of some episodes made the show interesting. However, it would have been better if it was 12 episodes rather than 16. But I would say this is worth watching because you will see how a broken girl could be strong enough to protect the right people.

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