This review may contain spoilers
Watch this if you're okay with tears and blues aftermath
The drama should win an Oscar for real! I just wanna kiss the writer-nim and the actors for this drama !First of all, let's talk about the acting! The hero and heroine's acting deserve a standing ovation! Besides, this is the first drama of gominsi (heroine) as main lead. The melodrama prince and princess should be titled for both main lead. Their tears just makes me crying on my bed for days. And the antagonist, i just wanna choke him to death for real. Thanks covid for the fact I can't fly to south korea right now.
Next, the plot! The romance is revolving by a real historical situation where the riot and the evilness of the government are portrayed perfectly. The messages of the drama is strongly shown. The trauma, the tears, the lost of loved one and the life that goes on afterwards. The fact that lots of hwang hee tae out there, living their lives while barely stand on their feet. Kudos to writer!!
I'm crying again while writing this review. Feels like reminiscing the painful memories.
Was this review helpful to you?
Expectations Vs Reality.
Before i say anything else, I'll let y'all know that for me(someone who's watched countless dramas prior to this) this was most probably the hardest drama I have ever had to rate.Honestly, i could've given this a 10/10, but at the same time i could've given it a 1/10.
Why? Reason being the ending.
And I'll j leave it at that.
Getting into the review, this is basically a reality check of a drama trying to tell us how irl even the "MCs" or protagonists don't get the ending they want always. cuz irl there rly aren't any protagonists to begin with. everyone gets treated alike in this life and there're no "chosen ones". One sad and tragic but real story. Leaves you pondering.
P.S. A friendly advice. Prepare some tissues if you chose to watch the entire show. All the best!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Too tragic for a drama. Made this into a docuseries instead?
Please forgive me, regional folks, this is not meant to disregard or disrespect your history and the tragic horrors behind it.This is more a reminder for me to never watch this again.
If I had read that this was so Tra gic, I would've never watched it.
If truly this particular romance was so tragic, I would've preferred to see the actual people, their real names, careers etc.
In short it could have been a true story or a true documentary which are made very aesthetically now.
To take history, put your own spin on it again is fine.
But to take history, put your own spin on it, heavily load it with beautiful romance and then kill the lead is like pulling the rug from under our feet and bring us crashing down, breaking our teeth, heart and everything else.
Not acceptable for me.
So yes, it was a tremendously beautiful drama - music, cinematography, costumes, hair make up etc of the '80s, and every actor was stupendous.......but sorry, the ending destroyed it.
Was this review helpful to you?
“A Worthy Watch”
“Youth of May” is a compact 12-episode series which means that the storyline is not stretched nor interspersed with irrelevant, useless scenes. Each scenario and conversation are integral to the plot so they manage to keep the viewer’s interest and maintain their attention.The effort to transport the audience to life in the 80s, most specifically during the turbulent month of May 1980 in Gwangju, is aptly seen and felt in the set design, props, styling and music.
I was continuously entertained with the delirious mix of drama, romance, suspense, comedy, action and history. Although it leaned more on the brutal side of humanity, the lead characters’ love for each other and towards others, made up for the emotionally heavy and gory scenes.
Moving and heartfelt, you will fall in love alongside Myung-hee and Hee-tae, despise and abhor Hwang Ki-nam, sympathize with Soo-ryeon, feel sorry for Hyun-cheol, root for Kyung-soo and empathize with Soo-chan. So many different emotions in a rollercoaster ride throughout 12 memorable and action-packed episodes.
Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing
This series is very good. The story is set in the Gwangju Uprising , only 40 years ago. I'm not sure how they wrote a love story amongst such a horrific time. Still the screenwriter and directors managed to convey the awfulness of human nature as well as the longing for normality. Top marks to all the cast, particularly Lee Do Hyun and Go Min-si. and all the kids. I remember the 1980s - all the sets were very authentic. It is very sad but all these happenings were devastating in real life. Congratulations to all the production team for taking this on so skillfully.Was this review helpful to you?
Right Person Wrong Time
The chemistry is hands down the best part of the drama and I think the show did a fantastic job of intertwining historical events with the personal story of two people who just happened to meet and fall in love with each other during that time. The first few episodes were more lighthearted and fun, and even as the story became heavier and life became more difficult, I felt like we still saw the soft moments between the two leads, the stolen moments of safety and comfort. It really felt like two people against the world.Maybe my only gripe with this is the ending. I have no problem with the plot itself, but pace-wise it felt like a rushed and forced tragedy and the aftermath wasn't explained well either.
Was this review helpful to you?
No other word than beautiful
Both leads complimented each other so perfectly that it made this story so incredibly real. Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-si delivered nothing short of a remarkable performance. Do-Hyun captured the many layers of playful and intellectual Hee-tae's soul, while also showing his vulnerability. Min-si who played Kim Myung-hee was also portrayed with the perfect balance of finesse and grit. It allowed her to feel connected to the viewers who are watching Myung-hee's stuggles. Every cast member left an impression, delivering strong performances that only added to the experience. The music always matched and complimented what has happening on screen perfectly. Prior to this, I had not heard of the Gwangju Uprising. They did not shy away from showing different realities of during this time but also honored them. Overall, this is a drama that has resonated with me even 2 years after originally watching it. I believe it is a must-watch, an art that I think everyone should experience.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Beautifully Written Kdrama
Beautifully written story that seemingly starts off as your typical romance drama, and slowly reveals a historical retelling of a tragedy in Korea's past. Two separate storylines gradually start to seep into each other, until a major event causes the eventual collision of the two major plotlines. The actors killed their roles and captivated me from beginning to end. Truly a wonderful love story that you don't want to skip. Recommended.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
the beautiful tragic impact of one month
I want to start off by saying that english isn’t my first language,so please ignore possible gramatical mistakes.I just downloaded this app and this is my first review.I chose to write one on this drama for many reasons.Although I watched this drama 2 years ago,I still think about pretty often.I also rewatched it not longer after finishing it.
The couple had such a great,believable chemistry throughout every single episode and also bts.I ship them soo much.
Every second of this drama is a total masterpiece.It truly doesn’t have a single flaw.It was never boring.I think everybody should watch this,not only the people that like dramas set in the 20th century.You learn a lot,espeacially about the revolution in South Korea in the 80’s and seeing how harsh it really was.Personally,I had no idea something like this happened.
Myung hee’s character was written beautifully.They portrayed her daddy issues well and showed that even despite the hard feelings she held towards her father,she loved him and that is very realistic.She wanted a better life for her and her little brother that meant so much to her that she even sacrificed her life for him.She always put others before her and I find that inspirational.Hee tae’s character was great as well.He always stayed positive and supportive and would give everything to Myung hee.He risked his life to save her many times and never gave up on her.He even stood up against his abusive father.
He didn’t care about Myung hee not being rich despite him coming from a wealthy family.His trauma was so overlooked. I felt really bad for both of them knowing what they had to go through.They fell in love at first sight.They were like moon and sun.They loved each other incredibly much considering it was only a month.I love how they helped injured people and tried to stay strong for them.Their wedding was so beautiful and private and just simply theirs.I wish their happiness could last longer.
When they separated in those woods,I knew something bad would happen.I cried so bad when Myung hee told her brother to run.It was so unnecessary to kill her.Like why did the soldiers do it?I was sooo mad.And the soldier that came to her(Hee tae’s friend)was such a cowars for not saving her when he had the chance.He could’ve called help or take her to the hospital.Instead he got scared and ran away.Her death was honestly the saddest one I’ve seen in a kdrama.She died alone in the dark,slowly and that was just brutal.Hee tae’s crying scene in the restaurant completely broke me.The fact he was blaming himself was just so sad.He never found out what happened to her and that is probably the saddest thing ever.Seeing him writing a letter to her every year and then scars on his wrists was also heartbreaking.And the fact they found her body with her wedding letter and compas after 41 years is just insane.I’m glad he got to read it and see how much she loved him.I loved that he became a doctor.I also think it’s great how they showed in the drama that even time doesn’t heal all wounds.You just become more used to it over time but you never forget or completely move on.There will always be a hole inside your heart that only that one person can fill.That is exactly Hee Tae’s case,his life went on but he never forgot nor moved on.And that is okay.
This drama is a real masterpiece.
Was this review helpful to you?
Value to watch on this Lockdown.
I started to watch this after I saw the spoiler in tiktok. So i guess i might have a try and watch it.I guess i'm the only one who have problem with this drama 😅 when most of the viewer cry at the end of the episode but I'm more curious about what happen with the 2nd lead female and her brother? The 1st female lead mother and grandma after the uprising? And why didnt the director show a bit about them at the end of the episode. Well there is a bit sneak peak scene but that didnt help my curiosity😅 Well, I did enjoyed watch it but thanks to the fast forward button.
And Pd-nim, I know its a period drama but the soundtrack..🤏 boring. 🙂
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A good drama, could have been better.
I have Really mixed feelings about this drama.On one hand, the drama was good, I really liked it but on the other hand, there were some ick-y things here and there. There was so much potential but the writer just didn't go down that route.....
The drama is kind of boring and draggy, cause I guess, it's slow paced, but I really liked how they showed how the lives were affected by the Gwanju uprising, how innocent people lost their lives to achieve the democracy South Korea has today, how scary death is, and how terrifying and traumatising the uprising would have been and how brave and courageous these fighters were to not give up even after being faced by these horrendous things and it's so inspiring to know that they did win in the end, after years of struggle. These all things make you really grateful and feel the responsibility of the privileges we normally take for granted.
The chemistry between the leads was amazing, I could really feel their love and it was heart wrenching to know how the female lead won't survive. This made their happy scenes 10x sadder for me and I'm not complaining, I like to know beforehand if it will be a sad ending.
The things I feel ick-y were like when both the leads were so devastated and that was how it was portrayed to us to, like it's the end of the world and they can never meet again and all that.... but.... the next episode, the second female lead so easily tells the male lead to go to the female lead and it was like, the viewers were made all that sad for....... nothing. Weird.
Then the climax, I feel like was really really rushed. Also, I really feel like the drama didn't do Myeong-Hee's character justice at all. She just died..... so easily. There was no drama, nothing. Like Are you kidding me? It's the fricking female lead!
They should have made it distressing, disturbing, upsetting, heart rendering, tragic, the kind where you sob and sob and can't stop sobbing. They should have made Hee-Tae be with her in final moments, with both of them crying and us viewers, bawling the heck out of our hearts. It was honestly really disappointing, how the drama failed to make me cry, I remained completely dry eyed, and especially cause I picked this drama for a good cry, but alas the drama completely failed at that.
But I guess, this was what made it sadder and more tragic too, the fact that he suffered so long trying to find her or at least her body and had no idea where she is or what happened to her. The fact that this may have happened to lovers or people in general, that so many of them must have lost their loved ones this way. Not knowing what happened to them or where they are is actually the saddest thing.
Then, we also didn't get to know about or what happened to Soo-Chan or Soo-Ryeon or Hwang Ki-Nam or the protesters or how did the uprising ended, etc. In short, the ending just felt Really rushed, incomplete and dissatisfying. I feel like they had to leave out parts to adjust it all in 12 episodes.
The cinematography was good, I really liked the whole old school, nostalgic vibe with a tinge of sadness all the time.
The OSTs were fine, okay-ish. They complemented the drama really well, with the same old school nostalgic sweet and sad vibe, but the problem is majority of them were really forgettable and mediocre, at least for me. "I regret" and "Winter of May" really stood out to me though, you could feel the pain through the lyrics.
This drama teaches you a lot of things about life, hardships, freedom, democracy, dictatorship and especially, how precious freedom is. This drama will stay with me for a long time cause of the stories it portrayed and the lessons it taught.
Over all, the drama was good, could have been better though.
P. S. Y'all listen to Bigger Than The Whole Sky by Taylor Swift! The lyrics fit the leads perfectly, it's like Taylor really, actually wrote it from Hee-Tae's perspective for Myeong-Hee!!
Was this review helpful to you?
I cried a bucket!
I initially though this was just a typical romance drama. But after watching the first episode. I realised it was about a real event that happened in Korea. Episode 1 was a little boring as I was still trying to grasp the story. I am so glad I decided to continue watching. The pace picked up and storyline got better with every episode.I’m also glad that there were no unnecessary scene and it was well pace with 12 episode.
The last episode made me cry a bucket. I totally love how they slowly built up the emotion and the next thing I knew, I was crying a bucket. 😭😭😭
This show also has the power to make you feel like you are part of the drama and that you could feel how the characters are feeling. Super amazing!
DEFINITELY WORTH A WATCH!!! I will definitely want to rewatch !
Was this review helpful to you?
