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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!Was this review helpful to you?
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.Was this review helpful to you?
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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This review may contain spoilers
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.Was this review helpful to you?
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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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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—the latter devoting his entire life to raising his brother—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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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 .Was this review helpful to you?
Shorter critique
Melo Movie...1. Inconsistent Pacing
Some episodes feel too slow, especially in the middle of the story. While character development is important, certain moments drag on longer than necessary and could have been tightened up to keep the flow more dynamic.
2. Underdeveloped Supporting Characters
The main characters get solid development, but some of the supporting characters feel underutilized. They have potential to add depth to the story, but instead, they mostly fade into the background without much impact on the main plot.
3. Overly Dramatic Dialogue
Some lines feel a bit too theatrical or forced to create emotional moments. This makes certain scenes feel less natural, especially for viewers who prefer a more realistic approach to romance dramas.
4. Cliché Love Story
The whole separated by time, reunited later trope is always intriguing, but the execution here follows a pretty familiar formula. Without a fresh twist, some parts of the story become predictable.
5. Forgettable Soundtrack
While the OST fits the mood of the drama, there aren’t any standout tracks that leave a lasting impression, unlike in other iconic romance dramas.
Final Thoughts
Melo Movie is still an enjoyable watch, but it could have been stronger with better pacing, more focus on supporting characters, and a fresher take on the love story.
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If you catch the inner meaning. Then you will love it...
After watching 1st 2 episodes, i just dropped off. Then again I started yesterday and completed rest of the 8 in 1 say...This drama is slow but the 2 main lead's story was focused equally.
I can relate many thinks with myself and my surrounding.
Sometimes we are not ready to face the facta and hide so many things and feel inside...
Because may be we Couldn't find the perfect time and person with whom we can speak out loud...
Another sense, sometimes you need to let go your love one and seeing their happiness, Wishing them well from behind.
💜💜💜
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This review may contain spoilers
The series is quite slow-paced... I personally do like slow paced dramas if the plot is good.. But here the storyline was the most basic.. Only one unique point was that the second - lead couple don't end up together cause That's not usually the case.. So with most basic plot the actors did an amazing job at making it bearable to watch. I am strictly against watching dramas in 2x or skipping 10 secs but here i had to go against my principle. From ep 6 - 10 i nearly skipped everything except 2nd couple and ML's brother's scene. The main couple did have chemistry in first ep but then i stopped feeling the spark.
There's nothing crazy abt it other than fact that we have our two fav villains in contrast role.
Waste of time definitely but the visuals were too good. Other than story everything else is perfect ..
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Just tears. I was like cool, I love this actress and I like the actor’s previous work, so why not? First they stab you with the brother and then with the second couple. The “I’ll pass” in a fleabag style was a knife through my heart. The only part I was not actually so interested in was the main couple romance which is weird because they did have chemistry, maybe it was the script? Was this review helpful to you?
