Nevertheless,

Views of love and s*x in the eyes of young adults

This drama reflects the everyday difficulties of college students, from trying to meet deadlines to their approach to love life. The majority of which talks about their views and idea about what is love and s*x and how to differentiate and approach it in the eyes of a college student. whether this view is shallow or not, is up to the viewer's point of view.

And this story talks mostly about toxic relationships and how amidst the fact that the female character knows that her relationship is toxic, and it cost her emotional pain she still hangs onto the desperate thread of hope that she will find happiness in it. This is one of those genres where the female character thinks she's " the special one " that can turn a playboy into a loyal companion/partner. whether she is successful or not, in the end, is hard to decide.

Personally, I disagree with everything in this drama. She( the female character) practically sacrifice her education to indulge in a so-called relationship. she should have put her education before her love life. (Yes, I agree that love is important but it's not gonna fill ur tummy. ) This wasn't her first relationship, right after experiencing one toxic relationship, she still refuses to learn and indulge herself in another. If she had learned her lesson from the first one, then she wouldn't have spent all that time confused about how she should approach her current relationship. Instead, although knowing that her current chelaship is exhausting her emotionally, she still refuses to come into terms with it. I find this very hard to digest. Her decisions weren't mature enough and more like a teenager going through their first love, confused and unaware of how to deal with it.

I don't know what is right and what is wrong, but this story pretty much trying to say is Love = S*x.

This is one of those dramas where the side character's love stories are much more interesting than the leads. Apart from the toxic college relationship of the main leads it also talks about other views of love and s*x in the eyes of young adults.

Read More

Great start but a questionable ending

I was looking forward because of Song Kang but I had to say, I ended up watching for the supporting characters. You can see much more character growth from them then the leads. To be honest, it was suffocating to watch Han So Hee's character in the show. She was portrayed as weak and hesitant through the whole show, even till the ending. I get that this is her intended character, and she is a really good actress but I cannot get over the negative vibes on her. The interaction between the leads are really depressing. I get that Jaeon is toxic too in the original story. But they both just looked too depressing.

Even at the end when they decided on a happy ending, So Hee's face don't look too happy? She looks too unfocused or uncertain about it. And it makes me think that this is not an ending, but just another episode. They did not elaborate more on the closure. I was kinda disappointed about it. I rather they leave the mood at them going separate ways or make it vague this round.

It was the supporting characters' development got me watching. I really love Yoon Sol and Ji Wan's part. From the first episode, you can tell from Yoon Sol that she see Ji Wan differently, and I was rooting for their relationship and each realizing their feelings. Also for Bit Na's. Although they had their happy endings, it felt so natural that it is not a closure because it is the last episode, but more of like, it is the beginning of a new chapter. I really like how the supporting characters' stories are portrayed.

You should watch it, for the supporting characters more.

Read More

I can appreciate this drama.

I admit that I was hoping that it would end with her and Jae-eon going separate ways. I think it's important for women to watch stories about women that don't stick around hoping a guy will change or finally take them seriously. I was hoping this would be a drama for that. While this did get a "happy ending", I still think it's one of the most realistic kdramas I've seen in a long time. It's very human for Nabi to decide to still give a chance to Jae-eon even if she knows it might result in more pain and disappointment. Throughout the series, she was a very meek reserved girl. Many might deem her dumb for asking Jae-eon out, but I saw it as an empowering act of going for what she wanted and truly accepting her feelings for Jae-eon. As her professor said "There's no need to overthink it. Eat what you want, and do what you want to do. Like the people you like.." And that's exactly what she did. Personally, when I decide to see this story as being Nabi's story and not so much Jae-eons, I can see how much our Nabi has grown.

Read More

Do I not know what "toxic" means?

I said there aren't spoilers, but there might be mild spoilers.

In general, this is a show with a pretty realistic beginning and a storybook ending. I liked the relationships between the side characters. Yoon Sol and Seo Ji-wan are precious.

Now what I really wanted to talk about. Based on the preview for this show, I thought the main relationship was going to be super toxic. After watching it, I felt like, at least for the majority of the show, it was a pretty realistic portrayal of a flawed relationship. She's someone who probably shouldn't be in a fwb situation, while he's someone who only does fwb and doesn't know what to do when he wants something more. He thinks he knows what he wants and what his boundaries are, but as his feeling change and things start to shift, he doesn't act logically. He genuinely cares for her but doesn't know what to do about it. She genuinely cares for him but has no way of knowing how he feels.

I feel like the word "toxic" is too strong and is being overused. Is their relationship great? No. They don't communicate at all. He doesn't understand his own feelings. She can't trust him. Should they stop what they're doing? Probably, unless they can learn to communicate, which I feel like they do at the end. However, I don't think he's a narcissist like some people are saying. I don't think she is either. I think they seem like pretty regular human beings with some baggage. I will say that I binged this show in two days after the finale was released. I might have felt differently if I had watched it week-to-week, but I just don't think it's that bad.

Read More

Women, are we looking in the mirror?

‘Nevertheless’ is one of the dramas, Asian or otherwise, that makes women take a good look at themselves. You have one job. Just assess if this guy is for real or not. And he just gives you that certain glance, and all common sense goes out of the window. I am viewing ‘Nevertheless’. I am use to siting on the edge of my seat for a Thriller, but for a Romance Drama?

Standing ovation for Song Kang’s performance of the mysterious lady’s man Park Jae-eon, who at this point knows all of the girl lead’s (Nabi) weaknesses. I have seen the main Lead actor, Song Kang, graduate from playing a High School heartthrob in Love Alarm to a bonafide Leading Man in ‘Nevertheless’. Song Kang even has the sense to lower the register of his voice to a sultry level. (Ah Yeah, I am paying attention)

When the series has the entry of the Second Lead, that face off stare down between the First and Second Lead is beyond classic. I feel for you Nabi. The left side of the brain, the logically side, is telling you all the ways this relationship with Park Jae-eon is going to go south. Grab the Second Lead and run with Steady and Ready. Then the right side or creative sensitive side of your brain just tells you . . . Nevertheless.

Female Lead— (Nabi played by Han So Hee)

Male Lead—(Park Jae-eon played by Sang Kang)

Second Lead— (Yang Do-Hyeok, played by Chae Jong-Hyeop)

Great cast, great script, and great acting


Pretty soon, you will look up the word swoon and see as a definition Song Kang.

Read More

Totally Relatable

I rated Nevertheless, a 9.5/10 because of how realistic it actually is. Personally, I went through something similar—wanting to be close to someone who clearly did not feel the same way and just not being able to let go. That’s why Nevertheless, hit me so hard. I saw myself in Nabi. People might say, "Why didn’t she just choose Do-hyeok? Why didn’t she walk away?" but when you’re in that situation, it does not work like that.

When you’re obsessed with someone—when you want them more than they will ever want you—logic does not exist. It’s just feelings. False hope. A cycle of being drawn back in, even when you know it’s going to end the same way every time. And that’s exactly why this drama captured the pain of a toxic, undefined relationship so perfectly.

And let’s talk about the tension—because WOW. The way Nabi and Jae-eon just looked at each other was enough to set the screen on fire. The subtle touches, the moments of vulnerability, the way he made her feel special even when he was giving her nothing—it was textbook situationship behavior. I hated it, but I also could not look away. That is exactly how it feels when you're stuck in something like that—you know it’s wrong, but you’re too far gone. Jae-on is literally the type of guy your best friend warns you about while you go, "But he’s different with me," except HE’S NOT(relatable). His entire personality was built on leading Nabi on, gaslighting her, and acting like a nonchalant playboy. Every time she tried to leave, he'd pull her back in with one butterfly move, and boom—she’d forget every ounce of self-respect.

But honestly? One of my favorite parts of the drama was the side couples.
Sol and Ji-wan were so soft and cute, the playground scene warmed my heart so much. Their story had real struggles, but at the same time, it was so heartwarming to watch.
Bitna and Gyu-hyun? CUTEST EVER. Their push-and-pull felt like an actual couple you’d know in real life, and their relationship added a lighter, more grounded element to the show.

Final thoughts: Nevertheless, is a lesson, not a love story. It’s messy, frustrating, and at times infuriating, but it’s also too real. If you want to scream at your screen while simultaneously getting swept away by pretty people making bad choices, this is the drama for you. Would I recommend it? Only if you mentally prepare yourself for the inevitable rage.. I know Nevertheless, isn’t for everyone, but for people who have been there, it hits like a truck.

Read More

Rough but Addictive

So I started this for Song Kang, I've been on a binge for this actor. Let me just say I had heard bits about this drama before and I started this knowing there was lots of controversy and that he was a player. 4 eps in and This Incredibly Beautiful Man is Wrecking me!! He is a walking RED Flag, all the signs are there! I'm still hypnotized by his ridiculously good looks and those bedroom eyes! I'm just as captivated as poor Na-Bi. There's no doubt he is the definition of a F*Boy... I'm trying to remember why that's a problem! My heart be dammed! This actor does such a phenomenal job in all the rolls I've seen him in. He is so versatile and it never fails to shock me how he can go from innocent/sweet/nerd to Sex on a stick in point 2 seconds!... Now that I've completed it I can say that was rough! The beginning was so hard to watch, anyone who has every been uncertain in a relationship will definitely feel the hits that drama just continues to deliver. It gives you anxiety and the unbearable heartache it brings out for all those who have gone through something similar. Jae-eon (Kang) is the guy that every girl has a crush on, the one everyone secretly steals glances at and loves to gossip about once he's gone. He's ridiculously attractive, he always knows just what to say to make your heart flutter. You KNOW, YOU KNOW he's a BAD idea, but you don't care. He a gets around, he's mysterious and seductive. He's dealing with his own issues and his release comes in the form of playing the game with his "Butterflies". Na-Bi went through a horrible toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend, she was venerable and she definitely fell prey to him. I think Jae-eon was unprepared for Na-bi tho, You can see the struggles he goes though to draw the line, you know he's into her, but fights to admit it or to open up and communicate with her. He also fails to clear up any misunderstandings, which drives me absolutely batshit! He's doing way more than just friends w/benefits. Na-Bi grows a lot from the person she was in the first ep. That was very satisfying, after she decided to succumb to her desire for Him and worry about the consequences later, she really comes out of her shell. She still has hope, that whatever it is they are it will be something, that he won't hurt her. And once SeolA comes in the picture to throw a kink into everything, you get to see Na-bi make a stand and let her feelings/anger known. It was thrilling to see Jae-eon get a taste of his own medicine when Do-Hyeok comes into the picture. Do-Hyeok was such a wholesome character, you fall for him immediately, he's the sweet and adorable. You know he's sincere with his feelings and he's obviously the safe choice. And while Na-bi enjoys spending time with him, he doesn't make her heart-pound, there's no rush, that Spark isn't there. Jae-eon was a very passionate person, (just my opinion) but for someone who doesn't know love, I think he craves it, not necessarily love. Because I don't think he knows what love is till Na-bi but his idea of love or being loved. I think their connection started out very much sensual and intoxicating and soon became all consuming for him. Here he was trying to seduce this Beautiful sweet, shy, innocent girl and soon I think he was the one lost in his own game. She made him feel, and he fought it, she was very confused and I was addicted! I also enjoyed the other couples, seeing them go through and experience their own love and struggles. I actually really enjoyed this show. I gave it an Eight out of Ten because I feel like that last episode was rushed, they definitely could have given us another 2 eps to give us a better ending. There was still a lot left open with the characters. I'm happy but wanted something more,

Read More

centering the female gaze and POV... with a disappointing ending

DISCLAIMER: this is a review written with retrospect, after watching each episode on an week-by-week basis in 2021 on netflix (last year). so, details may be fuzzy.

- first half was amazing, well-paced, and eerily realistic. honestly, i still sometimes think about the cinematography and aesthetics of this drama even a year later. i also listen to the OSTs often--either when i'm feeling sad, heartbroken, or need to feel more grounded after being dramatic lol (i lowkey picture nabi needing to calm down, basically).

- second half with the love triangle and with family backgrounds not being explored with enough detail, it definitely felt redundant and draggy in terms of the leads back-and-forth with one another. stakes just stopped feeling high and exciting; everything became more predictable. after episode 5, it's just disappointing, if i'm being honest.

- could have ended this story as a cautionary tale of choosing one's self, dreams, and ambitions over a charming, yet mysterious f*ckboy, but oh well. i can't say i'm 100% mad at the ending either, though, because of the leads' chemistry (and i like them as individual actors as well LOL).

- overall, i had to give this drama an 8.5/10 because you can definitely see how this was directed by women, with a young female audience in mind going through similar life experiences. centering the female gaze, overall, is something i can distinctly register and appreciate, because it validates in a way, these exact experiences we may go through (and i say this, biased as a young woman, after attempting to watch so hee's soundtrack drama which seems to largely focus on the male lead's POV of cringey, disillusioned unrequited love lol).

RECOMMENDED FOR:
- girls and women in their mid-teens and twenties, who have had experience dating charismatic jerks like song kang's character
- for people looking for dramas with young people in university (and not just high school for a change!)
- people who like watching pretty people with great chemistry act like they're in love <3

Read More

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Cancel