Youth of May

Youth of May

Firstly, I'd like to talk about Myung Hee. I genuinely feel that Kim Myung Hee as a character was very worthwhile and I'd like to compliment her. she left a deep impression on me, and I think she deserves more recognition as her character. She is so kind, humble and always putting herself first, someone who is so genuine, ordinary yet so full of compassion, never once really thinking for herself and always so helpful. I felt a lot for her in the whole drama. Her acting was superb.

Next, Hee Tae - a very charming guy who just suits Myung Hee super well. His character is also worth praising. Someone who seems quite different from usual guys and just someone in the show whom I can relate to.

Soo Ryeon and Soo Chan are equally good characters and totally worth talking about. Soo Chan especially is someone just so dependable and kind in nature, helpful and admirable. I also really admire Soo Ryeon for her courage and her resilience in the things that she does.

Both boys - Jung Tae and Myeong Soo are both decent children (cute too XD) and people who will grow up to be really good people.

The entire drama may have seemed typical at first but it grew a lot more meaningful after and the ending was always something that made me tear up. All characters even the small ones don't go unnoticed by me, & I mean ALL the small/side characters are unforgettable. People often forget about them but they have a crucial part to play too and should not be taken for granted.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of 'youth of may'. The little scenes matter a lot. I'll always remember this drama. Definitely a rare gem. The plot and characters are really fine and something that is not just a watch-for-leisure kind of drama but has its inner depth in all its characters and plotlines which I feel for deeply.

(The osts are well sung as well, super fitting to the mood of everything - my favourite ost would be 'winter of may' as well as 'days in memories')

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my review !

before I begin my review I would like the empathize that I am very privileged in the fact that I have been born and raised in a country that has been nothing but peaceful to me and my family, but I would also like to say that what happened to the people of South Korea in 1987 is horrible and nothing could excuse the cations of the trauma many victims and their families have faced.

Now on with my review, Youth of May is a story that has truly touched my heart and made me inclined and curious to research about 1987 and the movements surrounding democracy in South Korea. The characters were beautifully written and the actors did well to display that in the scene, the set design was great in my opinion (but don't take it word for word as I have not researched what was popular in South Korea during that time), the fashions, the colors worked so well with one and other! There were so many beautiful lines that made situations such as going to school or wanting to chase after your dreams. It shed light on many topics in ways that I believe were respectful. It was a roller coaster of emotions, much like other kdramas, we were here and enjoyed the happy and comical moments, and cried with them for the sad moments. Youth of May was truly a hiddengem in 2021, and in all honesty, it deserves all the appreciation and hype it gets. so what I am trying to say is: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, WATCH IT NOW!

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THE MAY WHERE IT ALL BEGAN....

******contains some spoilers******

An absolutely beautiful story filled with love, family, protests, identity and self-discovery. This moved me to tears in profound ways.

While I was aware of how it was going to end, never did I think that myung hee and hee tae's love story would move me so deeply. A love story that transcends time and space. A relentless and persevering love. A love that births self-discovery. A love that withstands the test of life. Wow!!

Knowing that the political side of this story was based on real-life events was absolutely gut-wrenching. The decisions humans make when given power (a gun) reveals what truly lies within. Kudos to the humans who didn't allow this power to turn them into blood-thirsty and power driven monsters. Reminds me of a powerful scripture in Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it?"

The recognition that the decision between who gets to live and who gets to die being in the hands of God takes the pressure and guilt off of humans and allows us to move on because in reality...there's only so much we can do to keep a person alive. Bad things happen, and when they do, its important to acknowledge how you feel, grieve, and then move on because time will keep flowing and life will carry on as usual without waiting for anyone. This my friend, is part of the package that comes with being human but God (the source of all comfort) is able to comfort us and help us move on while making the tragedies that have occurred work together in a meaningful way that can impact the lives of those around us. Once Hee Tae recognized this, he was able to overcome his anxiety and continue living...long enough to retrieve Myung hee's body and read the vows she never got to read to him on their wedding day

Overall, this drama is a beautifully written story with compelling characters, fantastic OST, beautiful acting and a well-written story! Please give this a watch! You wont regret it...get your teachers ready...you're in for a wild ride!

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If you've watch Scarlet Heart Ryeo, then this drama is for you

I looked forward to this drama because 1) It's Lee Do Hyun's drama and he became one of my favorite actors after watching his performances in 18 Again and Sweet Home 2) This is Lee Do Hyun's and Go Min Si's second drama together but this time as a couple. The synopsis itself is very intriguing since it is set during the Gwangju uprising.

Youth of May, more like the heartbreaking, tearjerking, and bittersweet Romance of May. Even though I bawled my eyes through the second part of the drama, the couple's story was beautifully laid out. It's a bittersweet old-school love story. It can make you laugh, cry, fluttery, pained, but also you'll be able to feel the innocence and sincerity of their tragic, romantic relationship.

Lee Do Hyun has proven once again that he's a humble and very promising actor of his generation. Go Min Si's role is definitely a breath of fresh air from what she has played in the past. She has been really great at playing the bitchy, mean female lead but she showed us a completely different character in this drama. She was a hardworking, strong-willed, and family-centered woman. Their chemistry was through the roofs, especially if you account for the fact that they played the role of siblings in 'Sweet Home.'

This drama has a special place in my heart and it belongs in my list of dramas that would make you cry e.g. 18 Again, Hi Bye Mama, Scarlet Heart Ryeo. It left me thinking about different "what-if scenarios," and it's the best example of "right person, but at the wrong place and at the wrong time." If you're looking for a drama that is similar to Scarlet Heart Ryeo, then this is the drama for you. In conclusion, don't be dissuaded by the possible sad ending, dive in bring some tissues, and hope you enjoy this drama as much as I did.

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I am not typically into heavy melodrama, unless I count those teenage years of watching British shows about royals, or those childhood days of watching Hong Kong drama series about corrupt cops and dishonorable politicians. But Youth of May was a surprising pick that brought up memories of Martial Law when I was living in my home country. While my experience with martial law pales in comparison to the martial law imposed during the Gwangju uprising, this drama certainly puts into perspective how people have suffered and sacrificed their lives in the fight for democracy.

The drama starts with the discovery of the remains of one of the victims of that fateful event in 1980, but we don’t know who had died. It could be any of the characters the drama will introduce later, except we know that a broken pocket watch was found along with the ruined corpse, and that watch could belong to anyone. So there will be death, we’re almost sure of that, and it would not be pretty.

Then the show takes us back to the days before the uprising, when innocence and love can still bloom despite the political oppression surrounding the area. The chance meeting of a nurse and a medical student turns out to be destined, as fate later brings Hee Tae and Myung Hee together when the latter’s bestie asks her to stand-in as proxy for her blind date with the son of the Head of the Anti-Communist Investigation. This arranged date was supposed to bring the two families together as political allies, with the Hwangs gaining a rich businessman as an in-law and their resources to facilitate the government, while the Lees try to take advantage of political clout to release Soo Ryun and her friends from being incarcerated.

But of course, the activism in Soo Ryun doesn’t allow her to collude with the opposition as she and her friends regard Hee Tae’s father as no more than a government lackey intent on suppressing the democratic freedom of its people. At first, it was funny how Soo Ryun coaches her best friend on how to be rejected by a suitor, but all the tricks and tips Myung Hee deployed did not prevent Hee Tae from wanting to see her again. Although Myung Hee does not seem to mind the affections bestowed upon her, she realizes that she cannot entertain these feelings as she plans to leave the country in a few weeks.

Undeterred, Hee Tae launches an all-out charm offensive, despite his father’s warnings, and pleads with Myung Hee to take a chance on him, even if it’s momentary. The chemistry between Myung Hee and Hee Tae is palpable on screen. Lee Do Hyun’s playfulness balances out Go Min Si’s wistfulness, and they are certainly better matched than Lee Do Hyun with Song Hye Kyo (that romantic pairing as dry as a flatbread). Both leads brought their A-game to this drama and carried so much weight that their characters, despite their flaws, are humanized. The rest of the cast also bring life and color to their respective roles, even the actor portraying the hated Ki Nam who lords over the city, or the actors playing Soo Chan and Soo Ryun who were grappling with the dilemma that their protected status almost exempts them from further investigation, while the poor suffers injustice.

The cinematography and fashion are on point as it paints the 80s cultural vibe against a political backdrop, where they separate the haves and have-nots. The pacing of the plot also sets the urgency of living in the moment when they still can and while Hee Tae and Myung Hee navigate their feelings for each other, they are faced with the reality of the struggles happening around them. Their personal choices on continuing with their star-crossed romance hinge on the plight of their friends and the citizens of Gwangju. Whereas Hee Tae wants to hightail out of the city at the first real sign of political trouble, Myung Hee feels obligated to stay and help those who are victimized by the soldiers.

Although I should commend Myung Hee’s compassionate nature, I sometimes got irritated at her reluctance to leave that put herself and Hee Tae in dangerous situations. Following in her footsteps is her brother who also decides it was a good idea to bolt when he feels like it and causing his sister grief. If only he stayed in place where he should, Myung Hee wouldn’t have gone and tried to save him more than once. Their father is no better, with his attempts to cross military zones and roads that have been closed due to volatile circumstances. Everyone seems to be trying to be a hero and recklessly go into perilous situations that can be avoided.

I understand that cowering and hiding inside your own house is not the solution either, nor I am suggesting that the government at the time had the right to impose martial law or that the soldiers are justified in beating innocent people senseless just because they look like students who are about to protest, but when the situation calls for you staying inside your house for your own safety, I don’t see why you would go out of your way to incur danger.

So kudos to those who are brave enough to die for their beliefs; without them, there will be no calls for change. And Youth of May serves as a reminder that those who came before us paved the way for a better future.

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youth of may drama of century

youth of may is one of the most beautiful dramas i’ve ever watched. everything about it was so well done, full of emotion and depth. the characters were written so beautifully, each with their own dreams, struggles, and real emotions. the love story between hwang heetae and kim myunghee was so pure MANNNNN and the chemistry between them was perfect.

the plot was amazing, set during the 1980 gwangju uprising. the way it showed how the characters’ lives were shaped by the political chaos around them was so powerful. hwang heetae, a medical student full of hope, falls in love with kim myunghee, a nurse dealing with her own painful past. their love story is beautiful, but it’s also about the reality of their time, the dreams they had, and the struggles they faced. seeing everything unfold while knowing what was happening in the background was heartbreaking, and i cried so much.

the beginning of the drama actually reminded me of *business proposal* and *your lie in april* ngl it was so nostalgic it made me smile a lot, and it felt like the kind of heartwarming story where everything would be okay. but as the story went on, everything shifted, and it became so much deeper and emotional. i regret so much for not watching it earlier

the aesthetic was just stunning, soft and warm, like stepping into another time. the colors, the music, and every little detail in the setting made it feel so real and emotional. everything matched the mood of the story perfectly. i rlly love these type of aesthetics in movies its so comfy and nostalgic

the ending was so hard to watch but also so beautifully written. it broke my heart, but it also made me appreciate the love and memories they shared even more. their happiness, even though it was brief, felt so precious, and the ending was heartbreaking but in a way that made sense for the story. also, i have to say, this drama really motivated me to study for my politics exam lmaoo

i really really loved youth of may so much, and i always recommend it its my second fav kdrama now... it’s a drama that stays with you, makes you smile, cry, and think about it long after it’s over. i will rewatch it in may again!!

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Youth of May

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

I had planned to watch this in May, but alas, school caught up to me, and here I am after bingeing it in three days in June.

Youth of May has heart and warmth in the face of tragedy, which isn't very easy to create. I don't know much about the Gwangju Uprising, but I could feel the tragedy and the pain from everyone who was part of it.

Go Minsi and Lee Dohyun: the actors that you are! I know everyone is going to say it is weird that they were siblings in Sweet Home and then dating in this show, but I wasn't very bothered by that in general. Their characters were so beautifully done, and incredibly relatable. Their chemistry was also insane: their were so many iconic lines. "I'LL BE YOUR FAMILY." "MAYBE THESE FOURTY ONE YEARS OF PAIN WAS MY LOVE FOR YOU." LIKE HELLO???

But speaking of the tragedy, I was a bit upset about the ending. I know there were a lot of people who lost their lives unfairly, but I was still upset when one of the main characters died. With no one around her. In the cold. And she remained their for forty one years. I get the vision though: it makes the story more realistic.

Overall, this is a very nice drama: there is lots of sadness but there is also a lot of happiness if you look for it, so I would recommend watching it. If anything, you should watch it for the chemistry of the main leads (their eyes were everything) and perhaps for learning a bit more about Korean History (not exactly of course, but it makes you more aware of what happens in Korea).

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perfect drama

‏كملتها .. صحيح النهاية انحرقت عليي بس استمتعت بالدراما كتير .... و حبيت انها بس 12 حلقة لانه القصة ما تتحمل أكثر.. اساسا كان في شوي ملل بس ما أثر كتير لانه القصة حلوة و تصوير برفيكت
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

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Such a beautiful drama. (No direct spoilers but some things are implied)

Probably one of the most emotional dramas that I've watched, binge watched the entire thing... Such a beautifully sad story, it was so well written. My heart quite literally hurt watching this drama, cried a thousand rivers frfr. The acting was one of the best in the K-drama scene, which I expected from Dohyun cause he's such a great actor, didn't get to watch anything from Go Minsi but she was also a great actress. They had great chemistry, and their good acting made me feel everything they felt cause they just expressed it so well. All the characters played so well. Okay not gonna lie though, I did kinda drop the drama when I reached about 4 episodes, so it was a tiny bit boring for me at the beginning (Maybe just for me though), but I decided to complete and DAMNNNN.
I remember when I was secretly watching this in class my friend tried to warn me, she told me it was going to be SAAAD but I brushed it off and said it couldn't be that bad. But BRO T-T . Oh how wrong I was.

I would definitely recommend this but you will cry, I don't care how tough you think, you are you will cry. Even if you're not an emotional person this drama will turn you into one.

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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.

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Objectively good, subjectively devastating

If I were to rate this drama purely based on how good I think it is, it would easily get a 10/10. It is masterly crafted, a powerful story about an actual event told with incredible cinematography, acting and with lots and lots of heart. However, I rate based on enjoyment, not on how objectively good I think a drama is. And I did not enjoy this drama at all.

It starts out light enough, but it gets rough pretty quickly. I normally don't mind tragedy if at the end of it all I feel like I've gotten something out of it. That's not the case with this drama. I'm not usually a skipper, but I had to skip many scenes because I mentally could not handle watching it. It was suffering, upon suffering, upon suffering.

If you're interested in history, and don't mind watching a devastating drama, then I can definitely recommend this one to you. But what you'll get out of it is anxiety and worsened mental health. If that's a price you're willing to pay, then it's definitely worth it. I for one am probably going to watch some comedies now to purge this sorrow from my mind.

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