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Amazing
So, I just finished this drama last night after binging it. This drama is amazing I loveeee the plot, it did start making me mad how long they were making dongjin suffer from his mothers actions (the family). They only had one kiss... and only had .1 second of a happy ending. I didn't care for the second lead couple whatsoever, I actually hated them, a lot. But overall the plot was amazing, the acting was great for the most part ( mainly kyk did a v good job ) the ost was okay. This drama was actually the only drama I've cried so hard for, literally cried at least once every episode, saddest episode has to be the episode where Dongjin was about to get hit by a car.(ep. 4/5 i think). I don't know I feel like dongjin is a very relatable character. woojoo was a great character too, i just hated how she basically let her family control her dating life for the whole drama, she did overall have great character development. Still sad for dongjin, he had to suffer the entire drama. One last thing, the main couple was amazing but I feel like a lot of their scenes were a bit awkward and wish they had a bit more skinship and cute moments rather than just the last 1 second of the drama.Was this review helpful to you?
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When revenge & love mix…
A young woman whose life was destroyed by her father’s mistress decides to get revenge by targeting the woman’s son. But when she gets to know him and learns all her beliefs about him are wrong her feelings turn from hate to love. Society and their families would never approve of them being together, so how could these lovers ever get a happy ending?I began this drama without knowing what I was getting into. And honestly, I think that’s the best way to watch this one so I’m not gonna write a very long or detailed review. Everything needs to be discovered by experiencing the joys and pains of these characters right alongside them. So I’ll keep this brief and encourage you to push play if you’re in the mood for a melodrama.
This drama gives both pain and comfort. It makes you hurt for all the Leads have endured at the hands of their parents. It shows how much the children suffer from the adults choices. It also shows how you can’t just assume someone’s life is all hunky-dory by viewing it from the outside. We all face pain, we’re all going through stuff. We all need a friend, a confidant, a person who’s on our side no matter what comes.
We all need to love and be loved.
The siblings are lovely. Though they don’t share with each other their daily struggles, they know when the others need them and they step up without fail. They speak in the silence without using words.
The Leads are so good together. They do an amazing job with their gazes, their body movements, their tones. There’s so much being said when neither are speaking. Truly talented cast!
Yes, I would’ve loved to see them more as a couple, but that wasn’t the point of this drama so I can be content with the happy ending we got. Their smiles say it all 💗
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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-
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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.12 💋
- Together : ep.12 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️🩹
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Well acted, somewhat problematic romance drama
There is a lot that is really good in this drama. The acting is really good, the script flows pretty well, and there is in my opinion strong chemistry between the main characters. The problems lie more in the directing. There is massive overuse of flashbacks which end up placing a very heavy handed forced third person omniscience over many of the emotional scenes. This shortchanges the actors, the cinematography, and the script leaving the watchers unable to be interpreters. Also the massive use of song tracks and backing music again does not suggest, it pushes towards emotions not always earned.It is a family drama in addition to being a romance, in fact it is arguably more the former. I guess, I would call this a relationship drama- it is about how the many interconnected lives evolve. I do recommend this if you are in the right mood to have a good story a bit forced on you.
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A subtle and well written melo
This was my intro back to dramas after a good 8-month hiatus and the bar was set pretty high after completing this. The has the elements of a melodrama but told in an almost slice-of-life way that makes it entertaining but still easy to digest.I think the best of this drama are the characters and, of course, the actors who brought them to life. I was looking for a female lead like Woo Jo. I love her straightforward (but not entitled) attitude. I like that she is not perfect. She is very flawed and frequently gets called out on her flaws but still very likable and relatable. I like how, though the ML’s character, she calls out the hypocrisies and fake “nice person” behavior we often see in drama and real life. LSK does an excellent job portraying her. I really liked our male lead and how gentle he was. It was nice to see how our leads matured and changed because of each other. In fact, I loved how all the characters stayed consistent while being allowed natural development as the episodes progressed. I really appreciate the story that was told. Given the character set-ups, they had a lot of opportunities to turn to annoying cliches (unnecessary love triangles or misunderstandings) but they didn't. In fact, it kind of feels like the story that could be told when you take away cliches. This lets the show explore its themes in a more mature and meaningful way, especially the concept of revenge.
The execution was decently good. There were a couple time the camera work, although on theme with the vibe, would feel a little slow, or an angled or artistic shot would be a second too long. Plus, the filter felt a little dark at times; I appreciated the daytime shots more. The music fit the mood of the drama well but not memorable outside of the drama.
Overall, this is a very well written and acted "subtle melo" with strong character development.
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Good Enough
Korean Drama " Call It Love " is a melodrama with interesting cinematography and a story focusing on family bonds and an unconventional love story.The drama, first of all, has inspirational cinematography, with a pink filter for the real-time timeline, while using harsh lighting for the flashbacks with stretched frames. The mood of the drama is also enjoyable, atmospheric, and chill.
On the other hand, the story was quite intense, even though the drama presented it in a more relaxing tone. Therefore, and even though it was reaching its end, it felt like there should be more episodes, as the story didn't seem to have kicked in or reached its climax, when the emotions burst and the melodrama reaches its peak. Rather, it felt anticlimactic and rushed.
As for the performances, everyone did a good job with their characters.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
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A Quiet Journey of Revenge, Loneliness and Unexpected Healing
Call It Love is a slow-burning tale of hurt and healing. Shim Woo Joo sets out to destroy the man whose mother ruined her family—only to find herself drawn to his quiet loneliness and the fragile heart of Han Dongjin.I've always been a fan of K-dramas and somehow I missed this drama back in 2023. Recently, I get to know Kim Young Kwang and decided to test some of his dramas before watching the recent ones which leans towards action and noir. So, I chose this drama to start with and I can't believe it got me emotionally invested.
It’s a slow-paced drama, but the tempo suits the genre perfectly, allowing the story to take its time building emotions so the audience can truly connect with the characters. Shim Woo Joo’s journey driven by revenge yet swayed at times by her feelings for Han Dongjin beautifully reveals her complexity. The series captures the layers of human emotion and empathy, while Han Dongjin’s quiet composure in the face of constant hurt shows that some people choose resilience over retaliation.
At times, their actions can be frustrating—Shim Woo Joo’s blunt, razor-sharp words and Han Dongjin’s calm silence even when others trample over him instead of fighting back. But in the end, I realized that’s simply how they protect themselves, and in a way, those very traits become their strengths.
I also love how the two leads find comfort in each other, even in silence. When they do talk, it’s often about opening their hearts, sharing their stories etc. It’s comforting to see that you can fall in love quietly, without grand gestures or doing much at all.
Han Dongjin is probably the character I connected with the most throughout the drama. The way he walks and talks, his gaze, even the line of his back, all of it screams loneliness. Like Shim Woo Joo, I couldn’t help but feel the urge to hug him. His eyes always seem to brim with tears when he’s sad, angry, or hurt yet they never fall, as if he’s holding himself back. The only time he ever raised his voice was when he yelled at CEO Shin for hurting Shim Woo Joo, and honestly, that wasn’t enough for me. After everything that man did to him, a part of me always wished he would finally go berserk.
As for the side characters—the siblings, Yoon Jun, Kang Min Young and Han Dongjin’s mother, they each add emotional depth to the drama through their own stories and journeys. Yoon Jun might seem like a love rival for Han Dongjin at first, but as the story unfolds, you realize he’s more of a friend who genuinely cares for her. His only wish is her happiness, even if, at times, he might secretly harbor feelings for her.
Overall, this drama is an emotional yet satisfying ride. My only complaint would be the ending, if it had shown more of their moments after getting back together, it would have been perfect. Other than that, I truly loved it!
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The series is a visual delight. With its muted color palette and cool tones, Call It Love perfectly reflects the loneliness and pain of the protagonists. Every scene feels like a work of art, enhancing the emotional weight of the story.
The protagonists, Shim Woo-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) and Han Dong-jin (Kim Young-kwang), are portrayed with heartbreaking authenticity. Their lives have been marked by abandonment and loneliness, but the way they find comfort and support in each other is deeply moving.
Don’t expect a fiery or rushed romance. The love between Woo-joo and Dong-jin develops slowly, through glances, silences, and small gestures that speak louder than words. It’s a connection built on empathy and mutual understanding of their traumas, making it incredibly real and powerful.
Beyond the romance, the series explores the complexities of family relationships, the weight of past mistakes, and the need to forgive in order to move forward. The supporting characters and their own healing arcs add vital depth to the narrative.
Call It Love is a gem for those who appreciate a slow pace and stories that prioritize introspection and genuine emotion. It’s a drama that makes you feel, reflect, and remember that true love can arise even in the most unexpected places.
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very enjoyable
I honestly loved this drama. It might feel a bit slow-paced at times, but for me, that didn’t take away from the experience—in fact, it added to it. Every moment felt intentional, and the acting was simply perfect. Even the prolonged silences and the music carried so much emotion; they made me feel deeply connected to the story and the characters.It’s not a fast drama, but it’s definitely a very enjoyable and immersive one. If you appreciate subtle storytelling and strong performances, this is absolutely worth watching.
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Eccentric Emotional Rollercoaster ride In DARK
This drama is OOOZING with Emotional Spikes. [!!]It will stir you deep through your heart and make you feel the pain the character goes through.
The casts did justice to their roles. You can't see them act, they lived as the character.
You hate the character bcoz they manipulate your emotions, not because of the plot.
You would see darkest part of each character and you will eventually understand them. This drama best describes the true nature of human selfishness and people's feebleness.
lonely people can understand this drama much better.. it resonates with you
This drama deserves Major awards for the cast performance and the direction.
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its really interesting
this is only my first impression...this drama is really heavy it is so depressing to see the way FL lived such a miserable life and the cinematography is really pretty the plot is interesting too...but i just cant believe that she is going to date the mistress son like..???i feel really bad for the FL..tbh this drama feel like a hug..i really love the FL and ML acting and this drama is giving my mister...cant wait to see more of this....its going to be really interesting..pretty sure i wouldn't drop this drama midway
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i like it a lot
Just started this drama and I’m loving it so far. Although all the episodes aren’t out yet, I really enjoy the storyline, the slow pacing of the show and the characters.Both the FL and ML have complex personalities because of the shitty things that happened in the past and its affecting them now.
They both have trust & abandonment issues. The ML stemming from his mother and former lover, and the FL from her cheating father.
It would be interesting to watch how their characters further interact, develop and change.
I need more episodes PLS 😭😭😭😭😭
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