Melo Movie

Good Story, questionable direction, Bittersweet ending

I gave it an 8 star but it's more like a 7.5 star series cos I was unable to feel that deep connection with the ML's (not sure if it was because of this being only 10 episode long, or the director could depict it properly). The director is same as that of 'My love from the stars' and for some reason both the series felt weird to me for some reason and I think it's because if the direction style (I don't know what exactly but it is the direction issue , for me atleast)
8 star for some realistic gut punches (2 to be exact) which isn't very common in K-dramas, so kudos for showing them, one being the death of the (you know who) and another being the second leads not patching up in the end (and to be honest this hit me like a hurricane, due to my personal relationship history.. it took me weeks to recover from this.. not even 20th century girl movie fked me up so much), but in the end that's what I am giving the extra .5 points for..for the realistic touch.

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Melo Movie Review - ZyKuu

"If your life was a movie, what genre would it be" - The story was very endearing. Although it is labeled as a romance, it definitely feels more like a slice of life. It excels in teaching you life lessons regarding touchy subjects such as death, family, and love. One relationship specifically did terrific at displaying the realities of a broken relationship between lovers. The family orientated relationships were the highlights of the show for me as I found them to be saddening but realistic. The cast was great, I loved the main lead Ko-gyeom, I found that his acting was top tier and he was phenomenal at displaying his emotions. The female lead Mubee and other characters such as Ko-jun, Ju-a, and Si-jun did great. The OST was good, and it fit the theme of the show well. This drama is easily bingeable, and if you feel like watching a show that is easygoing and revolves more around family, then this should be right up your alley!

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A Heartfelt Journey Through Love, Loss, and Growth

Melo Movie is a touching, beautifully crafted emotional rollercoaster that explores love, grief, and personal purpose with depth. It’s not perfect, but it delivers a lot more hits than misses. If you love stories that balance melancholy with warmth, you’ll love this one.

What I Liked:
1. The Characters Feel Real: Gyeom and Mubee don’t feel exaggerated; they have depth, flaws, and personal baggage that make them feel real.

2. Emotional Weight That Hits Hard: The story has these moments of raw emotion that sneak up on you, especially when it comes to themes of loss, regret, and personal growth.

3. The Soundtrack Slaps: Every song in this movie fits the moment it plays in, adding layers to the emotions the characters are experiencing.

4. Slow Burn Romance Done Right: Gyeom and Mubee’s dynamic is an engaging push-and-pull that doesn’t feel forced but natural.

5. Realistic Character Growth: Watching Mubee and Gyeom slowly evolve—whether it’s opening up emotionally or confronting their past—is rewarding.

6. Strong Visual Storytelling: There are beautifully framed scenes that tell you so much without words.

7. Side Characters Have Their Own Lives: Even the supporting cast isn’t just there to serve the leads—they have their own arcs, struggles, and histories.

What I Didn’t Like:
1. Side Story Frustrations: The subplot with Ju-a and Si-jun made me want to pull my hair out—so much unnecessary back-and-forth that felt toxic rather than romantic.

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Good but falls flat towards the end

For a show about movies they forgot the oldest motto ‘show don’t tell’ in the last episode. It’s just back to back scenes of people rehashing their feelings. I wanted to see more of the movie making process but they just skipped over the whole production. Also the 2nd couple ending is ridiculous, even though they tried to have a heartfelt scene saying it’s officially over, they are really just back at square one. If you have to completely avoid each other and sit in a music shop listening to your ex’s music then you aren’t really over it. The brother’s story was my favorite and was such a tearjerker. I also loved all the wide shots they did throughout the drama.

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Subtle best. The movie name is completely different from the its titles meaning "MELO"

After reading a couple of reviews of Melo Movie, I felt the audience was expecting a different kind of romantic comedy because of its name. "MELO", the meaning outlines romance as the theme, however, this series was a lot more than romance. It was a heartwarming, melodic, and heart-wrenching story of these 4 people experiencing grief lasting for years. This show beautifully captures heartaches, and they move on or bury it in their hearts to slowly carry on living. The good part of this show is that it isn't stretched to make it 12 or 16 episodes. It showcases growth, patience, and love.

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A nice watch but not amazing

Melo Movie definitely tugged my heartstrings, make me bawl like a baby, but I don't think I would watch it again.

The two main leads story:
I loved Mubee and Gyeom's interations and how they developed as a couple and as individuals. Of course, the acting from Park Bo young and Choi Woo Sik was the highlight as always but wished there was more melo between the two. It could have been because of how short this drama was but it felt like something was missing. They were connecting on an emotional level and growing as people but was hoping there would be more dates, more cute interactions now that they have grow towards the end but nothing much,
Of course this drama highlighted more than just romance but if melo is in the title then I would have hoped for something more.

The second leads:
I think these two portrayed exes that haven't moved on, and the complicated emotions that they have for each other well. I'm glad that it wasn't made for them to get back together, but to understand each other's feelings and move on from the past, rather than sticking to those lingering feelings. In saying that, I do feel like it was a bit off putting how this couple's story was involved in this drama. Neither of them had traits that were incredibly likeable or relatable for myself. They both were making the whole drama frustrating and annoying to watch, which could have been the point but it was something that I didn't enjoy.

Family:
I loved how families are portrayed in this show. Mubee and her relationship with her dad is so relatable, but for that to then connect to Mubee and her mother is done so well, and makes this drama so much more beautiful. Gyeom and his brother is definitely a tearjerker and one of the plot points that helps Gyeom grow as a character, but every scene between them is intense, deep, but wholesome at the same time.

Cinematography:
This whole drama is set and filmed beautifully. The key scenes such as the flower field and sunset, Mubee's film set, shots of the streets and Gyeom's house is so surreal and beautiful to watch.

The whole story was good, it made me feel things, and rethink life goals and relationships but if you asked me to watch it again I don't think I would. It doesn't have that wow factor between the couples or their life plots that would make me revisit this. The acting and cinematography is hands down what made this an even better watch, and the continuous concept of movies is smart and nice to see in kdramas. However, that's where it ends. I would recommend but not as a rewatch.

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Beautiful slice of life, too much "Western" influence

I went in with no expectations whatsoever. I just needed a palate cleanser after Flower of Evil.

Melo movie did not dissapoint at all. It seems I love shows which have no definite starting point or end, really a slice of life.

What made me love this one even more, was the fact that the topics were so "real life" topics. We had career-wise struggles, careers which took of because of past disappointments, relationships that fell apart without the drama, mental health, death and mourning.

I pretty much loved everything about it and oftentimes found myself thinking about the way my life was going.

But, even though I was very drawn to the story and the lack of over the top drama, I still felt like there was this underlying level of Western cinema lurking. Can't really put my finger on what it is, but that feeling ruined it a bit for me.

I know this doesn't make sense, even if you'd ask me about ot, I couldn't put it in to words, so sorry about that.

The feeling didn't stop me from finishing it, but I probably won't rewatch this one. All in all a solid 8.

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"Does cinema imitate life ? Or does life imitate cinema ?" (episode 6)
As a good Proustian, I would say that we waste our life by imagining that we can understand it, by imagining that we can attain a non-existent truth, and that art allows us to grasp perhaps a part of it, but it is already too late. And it won't change anything. We cling on anyway, wanting to find some meaning in this life. What's more, the series is about love, loss and grief, which is perfect for illustrating this, this time wasted searching for it, in vain.

In any case, I wasn't expecting such a sad story ! The older brother, Jun, poor guy, he does his best, but there comes a point when something breaks and can't be fixed. The sacrificial brother, alone even when surrounded by others, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, drifting through life like a breeze, acting as if he were about to die. "I knew nothing about my brother. He was never surprised by anything. He was never really happy. It was as if he had never had the will to live." It was this little brother who gave meaning to the futility of his existence, just as Proust's brother cared for him, just as Van Gogh's brother supported him. And one day, there is nothing left. He can no longer even live for others. When Moo-bi tells Ko Gyeom that this brother is not like the one he had described to her with such admiration, that's Proustian too. Robert de Saint Loup is a totally different person depending on who is talking about him or with him, the narrator's best friend, and yet he knew him so little. "I knew nothing about my brother", indeed.

Strangely enough, this series about the film industry says little about cinema, films or the industry itself. Well, actually, it does mention two deaths at work due to overwork, but then it moves on to other things. These things happen, after all... Still, it's frustrating to see this topic given so little attention in a series about a female director. Let's just say that's not really the subject of this K-drama ; it's more about the impact of grief on people's lives, those of Kim Moo-bi and Ko Gyeom.

Park Bo-Young, this actress, after seeing “Our Unwritten Seoul”, her voice alone is enough to bring me to tears. Terrible. What's more, her character still has to go through a rough patch. Poor thing. In the first episode, Choi Woo-sik/Ko Gyeom insists excessively, even though Park Bo-young/Moo-bi tells him several times to leave her alone. That's always annoying. But we appreciate that in the end, she's the one who initiates the first kiss, and the absence of music before, during and after, just the moment and the breathing.
In the same vein, it's nice to see the two brothers talking together about their feelings, how they feel. Let's normalise seeing men confide in each other about their emotions. Let's normalise seeing characters communicate in K-dramas, for real. In that sense, the confession scene in the car in the last episode is good to see, a truly sincere and attentive exchange.

Despite all this sadness, there are some cute and funny moments in store for us. The old, crafty director with his awful shoes is great, kind and inspiring. The little game played by the neighbours, who avoid each other but spy on each other at the same time, is just too adorable. And not creepy.

On the other hand, the other couple is exhausting to watch. He doesn't listen to his partner when she says she has a dream ; in fact, nobody cares ! They don't even ask her what it is. When she realises it, we understand that it was to become a screenwriter. And he, an unsuccessful composer, resents her, full of bitterness. Run away, madam ! You can't afford the luxury of 'fixing' him. Let it go ! His rich parents support him and he finds a way to wallow in his misery, to see himself as a victim, abandoned for no reason. Don't let yourself be dragged into the abyss by this kind of privileged person. He wears a jumper with “this is over” written on it : a sign.
He never put much effort into their relationship ; she did everything, she chose him, she supported him, and he just let her do it. But he never forgot to demand that she support him morally in his choices, even if it meant jeopardising her career. A mediocre bloke.
And yet, we discover that he is caring when his friend is in dire straits. The series may tell us more about him, as if something were going to redeem him... but no, stop that right now. It costs Son Ju-a much more to leave him, and we don't even hear about her ? Her point of view is to talk about him, never about her. She wanted the best for him and he felt suffocated, the selfish man. She finds him a job for his film, years after they broke up, she even comments on his songs on SoundCloud, she supports him all the time. A one-sided investment. He wants to get back together with her, but he remains the same, no change. Oh, that annoyed me. "We were a great couple" not really, no. Thank God they don't end up together. The threat hung over us the whole time.

Ultimately, both couples illustrate the idea presented at the very beginning : having a soft spot for small, defenceless things and the fear of being abandoned. And be abandoned.

"Aren't you tired of watching films all day ?" (episode 1)
"He says that from now on, the only film in his life is me." (final episode)

Ps : Park Bo-Young wears a sweatshirt with the French words "contre les coutumes, mais romantique et sensible. Nouvelle Vague" (against customs, but romantic and sensitive. French New Wave) written on it. And Choi Woo-sik wears one with the French word "ami" (friend) written on it. Quite a programme.
Ps 2 :Muvee's friend is a Gundam fan, a man of taste.
Ps 3 : Ko Gyeom, I'm warning you, if your four favourite films on Letterboxd are Kill Bill, Inception, Fight Club and Taxi Driver, things are going to go badly.

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Heartache and Comfort

Melo Movie was a drama I started watching during a stressful time in my life. I needed something slow, something I could put on hold without thinking about too much. It turned out to be just as slow as I had expected, and while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to everyone, I ended up enjoying this quiet little show quite a bit.

Ko Gyeom, our bubbly and cheerful male lead, has loved movies all his life. His parents died when he was young, and it has been him and his older brother, Ko Jun, against the rest of the world since. During the hours of his brother's absence, in which the latter takes on every possible job to make ends meet, Gyeom passes time with his square-shaped light. Movies are also his connection to his brother: when he returns home, all worn out from mostly manual labor, they watch movies together. It comes as no surprise when Gyeom, upon thinking about what kind of career he could pursue, decides to work as an actor, a profession he's got absolutely no talent for. He does manage to get a few roles as an extra. On set, he runs into the assistant director, Kim Mubee, and he is instantly smitten by her because of her unique name...

One of the main reasons I picked up this drama was its premise: Gyeom’s love for movies above all else. As someone who once watched films religiously, treating them like homework throughout my teenage years and a good part of my twenties, I saw his passion with a knowing heart. It’s a hobby that often develops from solitude; it's a source of solace, an escape into a world where anything feels possible. Like Gyeom, I eventually moved away from movies. But whereas I just traded them for dramas as a lighter form of entertainment, for him, the shift was even more profound. After losing his brother, who had never truly lived life to the fullest, Gyeom sells off all his videotapes without looking back. That moment hit hard—like a slap in the face—because, in many ways, I still prefer fiction over real life. I guess I still have some growing up to do.

Even though I thankfully haven’t faced the hardships of Ko Gyeom and Ko Jun, I found myself relating to many aspects of their journey: the deep bond between siblings, the fear of losing the people you love most, the appreciation for small glimpses of happiness, and, finally, the bittersweet realization that sometimes you have to let go of the things that once brought you comfort.

I would also like to applaud the director’s choices in this drama. The way they crafted emotionally impactful scenes had me bawling my eyes out, even when nothing was being said. The montage of Ko Jun’s worn-through shoes over the years - always placed neatly in front of the door - contrasted with Ko Gyeom’s slightly better-looking shoes, which were always scattered around or on top of Ko Jun’s, moved me to tears. It subtly depicted Ko Jun’s calm and humble nature, the weight of his responsibilities, and how he never bought anything new for himself while doing his utmost to ensure that Gyeom grew up without lacking anything or having to worry. We do find out by the end of the drama that Gyeom’s childhood wasn’t as carefree as he always made it seem on the outside, but that scene…ugh…it had no business making me that emotional.

That being said, I’m glad I watched this. At times, it felt gut-wrenchingly realistic, yet also like a warm shower: comforting, but ultimately a reminder that, eventually, you have to step out, dry off, and keep going.

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beautiful acting, beautiful show

My favorite genre of k-dramas is where adults discover love, their ambitions, and figure out where they fit in society. Melo Movie fit perfectly in that sphere, so I decided to check it out.

It does go the very typical route of using childhood trauma to shape the characters and their stories, but I think the drama created this experience very effectively. The acting from Choi Woo Shik and Park Bo Young is just absolute tearjerkers (as expected), and I enjoyed seeing the actress' relationship with both her family and her passion for her job develop over the course of the show. The drama is good at making you feel the weight of human relationships and how grief affects people differently. I'm also glad they didn't drag the whole ML being an orphan (because that is way overdone in k dramas) and instead chose to focus on his relationship with his brother, which resulted in a beautiful depiction of familial love.

For a show about movies, I'm also not surprised about the cinematic quality. Visually, it's beautiful. The sets are gorgeous. There are also many scenes where I'm sure they're referencing specific iconic films/directors.

On the other hand, I found the characters and their personalities/dynamics to be the shakiest aspect of the show. Especially towards the middle, there's just way too much back-and-forth between the couples. I know it's typical of k-drama characters to play hard-to-get and be ambiguous with their feelings, but I can really only tolerate this if the relationship is clear to the audience. There were multiple times where I was just plain confused -- like did she like him or not?! for 3 episodes straight. Same with the second lead couple -- I don't think it was necessary for them to bicker as much as they did if they were only going to end up separated in the end (although, I was pretty happy about this result).

Overall, this show is moving, heartwarming, and beautiful. It crumbled off in some moments but in the end it held off strong, with characters that all learn from their mistakes and show the audience what it is to live life to the fullest.

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Not a movie !

Because the drama was in 10 episodes , it made the watching more interesting and intense than it would have been had it been longer . It is entertaining and pleasing , has a good pace and beautiful shots . The bond between the two brothers is touching and moving and more interesting than the romance between the two main leads who have little chemistry between them . Mu Bi is mildly irritating as a character and I wished she had found someone else to fall in love with . All the characters have issues and trauma to deal with , and the second couple has more to offer in the development of their relationship with each other . One understands and feels for them . I would not watch it twice but I enjoyed this first viewing .

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