Melo Movie

Melo Movie — The Kind of Slow-Paced Drama You Need Once in a While

I really didn’t know what to expect with Melo Movie. I only knew it had the same screenwriter as Our Beloved Summer, which I started but had to put on hold because I was juggling so many other C-dramas at the time.

I decided to stick out with Melo Movie mainly because my sisters recommended it—and I adore the cast. To my surprise, this series turned out to be something completely unexpected.

For some background: I’ve actually been moving away from K-dramas for a while. I grew up with them in the '90s, but over the years, as they gained popularity overseas, the hype kind of dulled my love for them. I slowly returned to C-dramas, which is what I originally grew up with. K-dramas was an accident that landed in my lap without me knowing because most of them were dubbed in another Asian language. This is why, every now and then, I’ll watch a series here and there, but they don’t have all my love and attention.

Why am I sharing all this? Because Melo Movie gave me that nostalgia—like a warm throwback to the '90s and my love for both movies and dramas.

From the very start, the story captivated me. And honestly, that’s been rare with recent K-dramas. I loved that the main couple had a shared passion I could actually relate to—I simply love movies. I grew up on VHS tapes, watching everything from Stephen Chow to Love Actually. Some of the episode titles in this drama even referenced older films. You can’t help but fall in love with the director and the screenwriting because they are people who love movies just as much as I do.

Things I loved:

• The details. I’m by no means a critic or someone who studied film, but I’ve picked up things over time just from watching so many dramas and movies. The small, subtle details made this series fun to watch. I’ve been rushing through a lot of shows lately, so to my surprise, Melo Movie made me slow down—especially for a K-drama.

• The lighting. The visuals made the emotional moments so much more meaningful. I keep thinking about that kiss under the lamppost—a classic '90s scene—or the candlelight moment when she comforted him after his brother’s death. There was also a scene with flickering lights throughout the dark house, it felt like scattered thoughts, like a visual representation of a mind trying to piece everything together.

• Everything was a movie to him. Every encounter, every setback—it all played out like a scene. His optimism and love for movies made his character so endearing.

• Mubee’s complexity. I loved that she wasn’t just “the angry girl.” Yes, she had anger, but it was rooted in real, logical reasons. I also adored the portrayal of her younger self—fighting neighbor bullies, lying about being an orphan. Her character felt fully fleshed out. I’ve always been a fan of Park Bo Young, and I’m glad she’s stepped away from just rom-coms and fantasy into more grounded, slice-of-life roles.

• The older brother. I’ve followed Kim Jae Wook since the early 2000s, so seeing him here added an extra layer of enjoyment. His character brought depth and pushed the protagonist’s growth in a meaningful way.

Things I struggled with:

While many people loved the second lead couple, I personally had a harder time connecting with their story. It started off strong but eventually felt redundant. He clearly wasn’t over the breakup, and she only stepped away because she was burned out—classic young love where you give everything and lose yourself in the process.

By the time she came back, it felt like she had a hidden agenda—like she wanted to help him succeed and still loved him but was not planning on getting back together.
Honestly, the last two episodes were kind of a blur for me, mostly because the second couple’s storyline took center stage, and it just didn’t hold my attention the same way.

To conclude, Melo Movie wasn’t just a slow-paced love story—it was a love letter to film, to memory, and to that quiet kind of connection that doesn’t need grand gestures to feel meaningful. It reminded me of why I used to love K-dramas in the first place. The subtle emotions, the attention to detail, and the quiet moments that linger—those were all here, and they hit just right.

It’s not a perfect series, and there were parts I struggled with, especially the second couple’s arc toward the end. But even with that, the story stuck with me. I didn’t rush through this one. I let it sit. And maybe that’s the kind of drama Melo Movie is—something you don’t binge, but something you feel.

If you’ve ever loved movies or miss the kind of storytelling that feels personal and a little nostalgic, this might be the drama to pull you in too.

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Subtlety in Storytelling Is Underrated

This may seem like a simple story on the surface but it actually has a bit of emotional complexity to it. Rather than being over-the-top, many of its cute and humorous incidents have a sort of gentleness about them. My fondness for the first couple increased as their thoughts and fears were gradually expressed over time. Sometimes it was done through internal dialogue which isn't a method that always works, but in this case, I think it proved effective. During certain moments, I became extremely moved or would burst into tears unexpectedly. Except for one episode's lack of momentum, the only other drawback was the second couple. Their arc was too heavy-handed and imbalanced which became tiresome and made its characters nearly unlikable. As a result, I ended up skimming through those parts. This understated tale of loss and healing has its flaws but is successful at building upon layers of foreshadowing and emotion.

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The forest is very dangerous when you miss the trees

You know some shows are a challenge to watch. Maybe the script is badly written or it is poorly made. Bad acting and/or confused direction can be a deal breaker as well. Melo Movie is none of the above, yet it is still not an easy watch. I'm sure it will test the patience of some viewers.

Our leads are all flawed and they don't wear their emotions on their sleeves. Sure, they are talented individuals but lives mostly mundane lives. They are opaque to their acquaintances. They suffer in silence as they drifting through their days.

Even though our protagonist's backstories are distinct, they share something in common. They have an unhealthy focus on details and they are very introspective. They have a narrow field of vision as if they have blinkers on. They might be in a loving relationship, but they would interpret everything from their own perspective and give scant consideration to others feelings and circumstances. This should ring alarm bells and it is ultimately (self)destructive. This brought on bouts of misplaced anger, melancholia and festering emotional wounds.

For us, this translates to a languid pace. Nothing is clean cut and it took a long time for each character to come to terms with their personal issues and, trust me, there are plenty. This means lots of pensive stares and slow panning shots in solitude. Meaningful, yes, but I can also understand why this show will not work for everyone. It is a good show, but it doesn’t have many hooks. It is as if the drama throws down the gauntlet. Do you have the patience?

Expositions comes late in the piece and can feel verbose. I have no doubt some viewers will bemoan the fact that they saw it coming from a mile away. In that sense, the show is its own worst enemy.

Putting all that aside, there are some wonderful performances. PBY as the FL is solid as ever. KJW as Ko Jun is wonderful but the biggest surprise is LJY as Si-jun. I would consider this his breakout role. While he is technically the second lead to CWS, he outshines him. I just don’t feel CWS brought his A-game. For me, Si-jun feels raw and real while Gyeom is a bit flat and floaty. He needs Moo Bi to drag him screaming and kicking back to the here and now. Thank the drama gods for the swoon worthy moments. That kept me going when I start to weaver.

Am I defending the indefensible? Maybe . . I hope not! Truth be told, the show does make it hard to get into if you just want a casual watch. 2 eps in and you might still be wondering what is this all about. So rather than dragging this out, I will just say this, hang in there. Be patient. FF the slow bits if it helps but don’t give up too soon. It does get better.

BTW, the OST is lovely, and production value is solid. Peace.

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Terribly Painful to Watch

There is only one episode that is decent in this show and that is episode 7. The rest of this drama was so difficult to watch it took me 2 months to get through it. And even after putting it on 1.5x speed, I kept falling asleep in the final episode until I couldn't be bothered to rewind.

The biggest flaw is that we really don't have any character to root for. I had an intense dislike for both the male leads. The female lead characters were also meh. The older brother was the only decent character and I could feel connected to him and his story but we don't get to explore much of him. Nothing exciting happens. The dialogues are not something that resonate with you. There is no comedy to relieve the tension. The romance is very toned down. I wasn't feeling the chemistry between the leads at all.

The cinematography and OST are the only decent aspects of the series but not enough to make you watch. I am usually generous with my ratings but I struggled to not drop this. I really kept hoping it will get better but it never did. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

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Good cast, good show

i watched this with my friend so my review of this show might seem a bit biased since i enjoyed it very much. maybe because i was with my friend watching it or maybe because the show was really enjoyable to watch.

regardless i do remember starting the show and immediately getting hooked on it. every character that was introduced was fun, interesting and had a good plotline.

the only character i didn’t really like was sijun because he was the biggest debby downer of the show and he remained that way till the end. no character development seemed to have happened with him except for the ex plot. which also seemed a bit icky in my opinion but they did show a very realistic part of life.

i genuinely thought they would get back together but as much as i lowkey rooted for them in the end, im glad they didn’t end up together. it was realistic and both of them didn’t fit each other anymore. it made sense.

now onto the main characters, i really have no complaints there. the pairing seemed so random (actors wise), i only saw wooshik in one romcom kdrama which was our beloved summer and i throughly enjoyed that , but this was amazing too. wooshiks comedy timing is incredible and he never failed to land a joke.

boyoung is amazing as always of course, she’s the queen of romcom shows ! i loved her performance. she does ‘empty’ type characters so well, well enough to keep you interested and to not just see them as a boring character whose personality was only being nonchalant all the time.

it was a lovely show that showed both grievance and acceptance of our loved ones passing away. the show handles it with humor and melancholy, both balanced just enough.

i really enjoyed this show. it was funny, romantic, sad and it showed real things from real life. actors were amazing, and that one scene between the main characters where they were in the middle of the street during a sunset, what a beautiful scene…i still remember it. the colours, the background, the kiss. everything was beautiful.

not much to complain about. its worth the check out.

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maybe not a masterpiece, but a good time

8.5-8.75/10

loved kim mubee and kogyeom 🥹❤️ another kdrama couple whose relationship and dynamics felt real and is mature. Jun is my favourite character no doubt, and Ep7 was the best episode too. Cried, laughed, and overall had a good time. the OST is great and adds to the whole vibe, and ironically enough I think i might have loved the OST tracks a bit more than the drama itself haha.

any drama or film that refers to movie lovers, part of the industry, and gives ode to the classical films - that teaches me more and have a discourse with fellow movie lovers is an instant tick for me

some of the credited scenes helped me discover certain old hollywood classics and have a talk about with my cousins on it - so that's a win for me!

the romance between the main characters was really my taste, and good, the one between the secondary couple being less so.

I started the drama for the second couple at first, expecting to Iove them but unfortunately didn't like them at all 🥲 and it's not the "unhappy" ending, i did like the realistic aspect of it, but their whole arc, or lack of it, felt contrived and rather used in an attempt send a message by the writer. so that was disappointing.

it's a good watch. i knew it won't enter my top 10 the moment i started it or somewhere around the half way mark - but it's still a good time. maybe a top15/20 contender fosho.

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Melo Movie: A K-Drama That Stumbles, Then Soars!

Let me be upfront: I almost gave up on Melo Movie during episode one. It was such a letdown that I genuinely questioned why I pressed play. BUT—I’m so glad I kept going, because what came after was an unexpectedly heartfelt, witty, and beautifully layered romantic drama that ended up surprising me in all the right ways.

Netflix’s 2025 Korean drama Melo Movie feels like a love letter to film lovers and messy humans alike. At the center of it all is Gyeom, a sharp-tongued film critic who doesn’t sugarcoat a thing (bless him), and MooBi, a down-on-her-luck director whose career (after a successful 1st film) is hanging by a thread. Their relationship is chaotic, passionate, and painfully relatable at times.

There’s something so satisfying about watching two people who are equally flawed but determined to grow—both professionally and emotionally. And when they clash? Whew. Sparks fly. The chemistry between the leads had me glued to the screen, and it only got better with each episode.

Now, let’s talk structure. The first episode felt like it belonged to a completely different show—slow, flat, and oddly disconnected. But by episode 2, the series found its groove. And by episode 7? I was clutching my heart. That one episode alone made the whole ride worth it.

What really hooked me was the show’s balance: it’s not just about romance. It’s about career struggles, creative burnout, vulnerability, and learning when to let go. Plus, the script is peppered with clever meta moments that film nerds (hi, me) will love.

Was it perfect? No. The subplot with the secondary couple was… well, unnecessary. It honestly felt like filler, and I didn’t miss a single thing when I started fast-forwarding through their scenes.

But overall? Melo Movie gave me way more than I expected. It made me laugh, reflect, and root hard for two people trying to find their voice—through all the noise and pain.

Final Thoughts:
⭐ Skip episode 1. Trust me.
⭐ Stay for the feels, film references, and Kum’s savage one-liners.
⭐ Worth watching if you love messy love stories with substance and soul.

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Melo movie

Well Park Bo Young is the main lead - of course that I would watch this. And of course I love her here - maybe not my favourite role but still really like her, a little something different, more bossy? Her character is like mix of Doom at your service (where's SIG to take cigarettes away as PBY did for him?!) and Daily dose of sunshine. Love her friendship with Cha Woo Min - he actually was a highlight of the drama.
Chemistry with Choi Woo Shik was cute - maybe more as friends to be honest but at the same time there are two kiss scenes which simply are one of my favourite from her - like Days and this have the best kisses in my opinion. Also his scene at the beginning - I need him in action like that
About second couple - hmm I was not really into it, not bad, they have a lot of good scenes - spoiler - I do think that the way they ended was pretty realistic although at the same time I think that in the future they would be friends again, maybe not lovers but still they would be close.
There were some really funny scenes but also a lot of sad, so if you think that you will not cry and it is easy to watch, then you would be dissapointed - but that is what made me like this more. The biggest problem this drama shows is miscommunication or just lack of communication.
Also visuals/colors/aesthethic of this was soo beautiful.
The only thing that bothered me a lot was how much they were smoking.
In conclusion - I am probably a little biased cause PBY is in it and since the beginning I wanted to like it, I considered if it should be 7/10 and I did not feel good with this rating, that is why it is 8/10, personally it was fun,healing and worth watching.

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Love is All You Need

I found myself quickly relating with Ko Gyeom, because much like this character, I’ve loved movies and TV shows since was about 5-6 years old. Also much like him, I vowed to watch every “Best Picture” winner ever made. I’ve come close except for the more recent films which I haven’t liked very much. Hence, more foray into K-dramas!

There may not be a genre of films and TV series that gets more appeal as well as flack than melodramas, or romantic dramas. When they are done well, they can be incredible. But, when they are done badly, they are so cliched and tiresome that you find yourself wishing you’d done something else with the time you’ve lost. In this genre, it’s the unique stories that stand out. For the bad ones, it follows a template that tends to be done to death.

Over the years, many people have grown to love movies. They can be a wonderful escape. However, too often, people get too caught up in them, wishing that their own lives were more like a movie’s. In short, people find themselves unable to sort reality from fiction.

So, why is the melodrama have such appeal? Perhaps because it provides a story with a universal theme as well as a universal desire: to love and be loved. Such is the central theme of this series as well. We have four wounded characters who are desperately trying to find love in all of the wrong places. Such is the illusion and delusion of filmmaking and movie stories. They always make you think that love and happiness lie with someone else.

Ko Gyeom is a young man whose only true connection is with his sickly, older brother Ko Jun. It’s obvious that he loves and admires his brother very much, after the two become orphaned when Gyeom is a young boy. Jun is much older than he is and views him as much as a parent as he does a sibling.

Kim Mu Bi is a young woman who grew up loving her father, who was a film actor. However, he constantly left her to go work on his film projects, and soon Mu Bi develops a tremendous resentment toward her father for always neglecting her, despite the fact that he obviously loves her. Too often, parents fail to realize that there is no substitute for their presence. “Things” cannot replace a parent. While Mu Bi still has her mother, her mother is cold and distant with her daughter. Too often being rejected and abandoned by those she loves most, Mu Bi vows not to allow anyone to get too close to her. Initially, she trusts Gyeom until he ends up leaving her unexpectedly and without explanation either.

Hong Si Jun is another young man who has a talent for composing music. Unfortunately, like so many people, he ends up trapped in the past at a time when he was happiest with his girlfriend, Son Jua, until at least she broke up with him. There is always a danger of living in the past as well as making someone else completely responsible for your happiness and well-being. He easily the most immature of the four. When Son Jua resurfaces years later asking for his help, he's cold and resentful towards her.

Finally, we have Son Jua, a young up-and-coming screenwriter who is anxious to get her script off the ground. Ironically, her script shares many of the same experiences that she had with Hong Si Jun. She, too, is much like Hong Si Jun in which she is caught up in the past. She makes the mistake of assuming that Hong Si Jun is over her.

The series is much about love, healing, and learning how to move on from past experiences. It’s easy to blame our parents for not giving us the things we feel we’re entitled to as children. Perhaps the biggest flaw in parenthood is trying to keep our children from seeing our flaws and faults. Parents are people too who often make mistakes. Children need to see and understand this. Children also need to realize that everyone is different and people are only capable of giving what they have. Quite often, those feelings are expressed in unexpected ways, which is why there is often disappointment in how those feelings are shared and expressed.

Perhaps the truest piece of wisdom comes from Hong Si Ju’s boss and he asks Hong Si Ju, “What do you think completes love?” Most people in the world would say, “Being with someone.” However, when Hong Si Ju is unable to think of anything, his boss says, “Love is already complete as is.” Of course, the path to such love is within each person, not in someone else.

The series is a fairly light one, that quite frankly, I wish had gone deeper. At only ten episodes, I would have loved to have seen it stretched to the usual sixteen. I wanted more of Gyeom and his brother as well as Mu Bi and her parents. I also found the relationship between Hong Su Ji and Son Jua more compelling and intriguing than the one between Gyeom and Mu Bi, probably because it felt more real and authentic. Two people stuck at different points in the past and trying to figure out if they can move on. Because each was each other’s first love, we can empathize with the possibility of them recapturing what they had in the past, but as we know, this too often leads to disappointment. The key to living any kind of a successful life is to learn how to be in the moment. The past can a wonderful stroll down memory lane as long we don’t get caught up in it, and only healing and forgiveness can help us let go of the past. There are two great scenes that speak to this: between Gyeom and his brother in a dream and between Mu Bi and her mother.

Performances in this series are fantastic. Choi Woo Shik is easily my favorite. He has a natural gift of facial expressions which he’s so adept at utilizing as an actor. So often, with those soulful eyes, he looks like a lost puppy. Not many actors or actresses are capable of pulling off such expressions as deftly as Choi Woo Shik.

Bo Young Park has been one of my favorites for a long time. However, acting across Choi Woo Shik, I realized that sometimes, she lacks the ability to act with her eyes, especially in scenes across from a romantic interest. If you look at many of the scenes between herself and Choi Woo Shik, it becomes all too apparent. Choi Woo Shik isn’t afraid to let himself feel and feel that connection. Bo Young Park can be too guarded sometimes.

Overall, this is a nice series. It’s enjoyable with one or more characters that you’re likely to relate to on some level.

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A drama that justifies the title....

Melo movie is indeed a melodrama. A beautifully written story of love, second chances, farewell and healing.
It is slow paced drama ( though at times were a little too much slow) which beautifully shows the relationship dynamics between the characters. More than a love story I liked how it portrays the strains in relationships and how people overcome and heal. Though there were heavy topics in the drama it handles it in a very delicate and light manner for the audience. The love between the brothers is too good to bear for my little heart.
Choi Woo Shik and Park Bo Young in a drama ooyea sign me up for it. They are pros for a reason. Kim Jae Wook did a very good job playing the elder brother of Ko Gyum. Whole of the cast did an awesome job. The OST, cinematography in this drama was chefs kiss.
In short I loved this drama its a beautifully written story so do give it a watch :)

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More Than Romcom I loved Brotherhood❣️

I believe the story is endearing. Speaking of the main characters, the male and female appear quite cute together. The narrative of the second main couple, who break up and do not reunite after numerous meetings, seems quite real.His brother's passing, in my opinion, marked an incredible shift in the narrative. I shed a lot of tears. I can really identify with his older brother, as I experienced anxiety and depression. My personal favorite was the bond between the main character and his older brother. I thought the tale was great overall. The story contains all of these elements: cuteness, humor, and emotion.

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A Well-Acted Drama with a Story That's masterpiece

Melo Movie (2025) had the potential to be a truly compelling drama, but while it excels in acting and production, the story itself feels somewhat underwhelming.

The plot isn't necessarily bad, but it lacks depth and excitement. It flows smoothly, like still water—calm and unproblematic, yet not particularly engaging. There are no glaring flaws, but at the same time, nothing that truly captivates or surprises the audience.

Character Depth & Performances

Instead of focusing on the overall narrative, I found myself drawn more toward the individual characters and their journeys.

1. Ko Jun – The Most Compelling Character
Among all the characters, Ko Jun stood out the most. His story was by far the most emotionally gripping, even though he had relatively limited screen time. His struggles, inner conflicts, and tragic undertones made him the heart of the drama. Perhaps it's because I have a soft spot for tragic characters, but his arc was undeniably the most well-written and engaging.

2. Kim Mubee & Hong Sijun – A Decent Tie
Kim Mubee’s character had an interesting backstory, especially regarding her complex relationship with her father and her attempts to ‘win’ over him. Meanwhile, Hong Sijun’s storyline—centered on his family issues and his relationship with Son Jua—was also intriguing, though not explored to its full potential. Both had promising narratives, but they fell short of being truly outstanding.

3. Ko Gyeom & Son Jua – Characters That Lacked Impact
Son Jua’s character felt dependent on the storylines of others, particularly Hong Sijun and Kim Mubee. She never really had a plotline of her own, which made her feel somewhat sidelined. On the other hand, Ko Gyeom had multiple independent storylines, yet none of them felt particularly engaging. The most compelling moment in his arc was when he obsessively repeated the car motion in the rain, trying to determine whether an accident was truly accidental.

The Good and the Not-So-Good

The acting was, without a doubt, phenomenal. Every actor delivered their role with excellence, bringing emotional depth to their characters despite the script’s shortcomings. The music was also well-composed, enhancing the mood of each scene beautifully.

However, my main issue lies with the storytelling. Even the strongest character, Ko Jun, had an ending that felt rushed and unsatisfying. While I understand the constraints of a 10-episode format, there were several unnecessary scenes that could have been cut in favor of better-paced character development.

Final Verdict

Story: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Decent but lacks excitement and depth

Acting/Cast: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Stellar performances across the board

Music: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Beautifully composed and fitting for the drama’s tone

Rewatch Value: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Not compelling enough for a second watch


Melo Movie (2025) is an enjoyable watch, but it could have been so much more. If you appreciate strong performances and emotional character arcs, you may still find it worth your time. However, if you're looking for an engaging, well-paced story, this drama might leave you wanting more.

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