Just a run through of our lives!
This is "Melo Movie" in a nutshell!If you expect a deep dive into the lives of these characters, a finished story, resolved problems and a typical happy ending, this is not for you!
I'm not gonna lie, I was only interested in this show, because of Park Boyoung, but the truth is, everyone, including the director and the writer did a great job in what they tried to do!
I have to mention the director separately, because if you know his work: "Hotel Del Luna", "Castaway Diva", "While You Were Sleeping" and so on, you can tell how good he is in making beautiful, and colorful scenes! The cinematography is amazing!
I didn't have a real problem with the writing after I understood what they actually tried to do with the characters.
At first, it was weird, because I felt like we're missing some key moments, and we're just jumping from one scene to another, but as I said in the title, this isn't really a coherent story, this is just a run through of the lives of these characters!
Honestly, I'd watch 10 more episodes. Sometimes, it was feelgood, funny, sad, cute, and real as it gets.
This is a well-made Kdrama, not perfect, but absolutely deserve the 10 hour of your life! Especially if you love these type of stories.
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A pleasant watch
I started this drama very excited because of Choi Woo-Shik and Park Bo-Young. I was very careful when avoiding spoilers, so I could make my own mind about it.If I had to define what this drama is about, I would say that it is about overcoming one's pain and traumas. Moo-bi had to deal with the absence of her father, while Ko Gyeom had to deal with the lost of both his parents and also his older brother later on in the show.
Generaly speaking, the drama is really pleasant. The main couple have a good chemistry and a somehow slow build up. The supporting characters are very likeable. In only 10 episodes, they are able to solve all of the conflicts in a satisfactory way.
I had a good time watching this, but not too much to talk about. I shed some tears due to Gyeom's relationship with his brother, especially after his death, that was quite sudden. However, the show does a good job in explaining the reasons behind it.
My only real complain is about te secondary couple. As a person that loves the "once again" plot, I was really in hope of them getting back together. Yet, they did not, which was a little bit disappointing to me due to Son Jua's attitude. Although I understand why she was not willing to get back with Hong Si-jun, I felt really bad for him at the end. They broke up and spent 5 years appart, then she suddenly comes into his life again, asking him to compose the music for the movie she wrote. Pretty selfish, if you ask me, especially because she kept sending mixed signals that left him very confused at some point. At the end, she made the guy fall for her again, after a blunt resistance in working with her, trying to avoid that outcome. Like he said: "you broke up with me out of nowhere, and now you are back out of nowhere and want me to work with you?". I understand that maybe their relationship was not one to be fixed, but she could have at least left the guy alone when he asked for it.
In conclusion, it is a short but good watch and if you like simple stories with a little bit os tears, go ahead!
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A cinematic attempt on life
A boy meets a girl in a studio. Her name catches his attention. He again crosses her path in Film City. He does side roles as a gig, and she is the set director. And they kiss.Kim Moo Bi hates everything about cinema. She has been watching all those romance pieces that were her father’s favorite, but still failing to understand what kept him glued all those years. She hated her father for choosing cinema over her. Despite having her parents around, she always said that she was an orphan. Her deep-rooted hatred never met a cooling drowse. Ko Gyeum whose life has been built on movies always hides his pain behind his jovial smile. Caught between the chaotic relationship of Si Jun and Ju A, he appears as a happy-go-lucky soul. But the pain starts coming out as his brother Ko Jun dies. The story chronicles the intricacies of life in a tactful yet impulsive way.
Why do we watch movies?
To get away from our life’s hassle or to cherish a story we can never have. Our leads have their own baggage to bear. They have been facing the brunt as they try to live their dreams. Dreams are never easy.
The ten-episode story captures all the nuances while keeping love as the salt of life. Love is never easy. Sometimes it builds us and sometimes it breaks us. We need to know when to let it go.
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decepção do ano
O primeiro episódio me fez criar expectativas e tinha tudo pra ser um dorama incrível, mas com o passar dos episódios foi ficando cada vez mais decepcionante. Achei péssimo o casal secundário já não estava aguentando mais ver as cenas dos dois. Senti que faltou alguma coisa também no casal principal, talvez química mesmo...eles eram fofos mas nada demais. No fim o que salvou foi o kim jaewook que arrasou como sempre! fiquei muito triste com o ep 7 quando mostrou mais de como foi a vida dele 💔 enfim, acabei esse dorama só pra acabar mesmo, quase dropei e me decepcionei muito.Was this review helpful to you?
This show is so beautiful
I watched this for Cha Woo-min to be honest, but it was a fun watch overall! It was nice seeing Woo-min play a good guy for once because it's only happened a couple times. The characters were all very likeable and enjoyable to watch! I think it's a great slice of life type of show. You can tell from the camera work that the people who made this series really enjoy cinema. Loved how beautiful this show was!Was this review helpful to you?
A more realistic slice-of-life exploring different types of love
I wasn’t supposed to watch Melo Movie, as I was under the impression that the “melo” meant melodrama, as in the genre.However, the “melo” means “romance” or “romantic” in this context—a mix-up I wouldn’t find the time to look into if I didn’t learn who the screenwriter of the series is: Lee Na Eun.
Lee Na Eun is the same screenwriter of Our Beloved Summer (2021), one of my favorite K-dramas from that year.
It wasn’t just because of the fluff though, nor it was just the resolution for the individual vs self conflicts of the series. It was the character depth that Lee Na Eun allowed the audience to explore.
Given the history, I was then compelled to pick up the series for my weekend binge.
Thankfully, for Melo Movie, Lee Na Eun was able to maintain her momentum in writing compelling characters.
In this series, a flawless switch of POVs among the characters, which includes the secondary characters, was used as a device for the viewers to explore the characters’ complexities and motivations.
My favorite part of the series is that it did not draw a glaring line to separate the main characters from the secondary characters; the secondary characters get their own stage to tell their own stories. With this, the audience are able to invest the same degree of emotional commitment they have for the main characters.
As we get to know more about the characters, we will see how they navigate the desolation of life and the consolation a love may bring.
Pacing is pretty decent for a 10-episode, too, and the OST is remarkable and unforgettable like its predecessor’s.
Regrettably, the plot lags behind, particularly the story of the main characters. It’s weak that it was overshadowed by the secondary couple’s and character’s narratives.
I am also not sure if having some loose ends remain untied is part of the writer’s intention, but some may come off as a plot hole, which is quite difficult to reconcile with.
Setting that aside, I’d still consider this a good slice-of-life romance, with a decent amount of comedy hitting the right note.
I’d gladly recommend this as a good binge for those looking for something uncomplicated but has enough emotional grip to keep one invested.
I’ll also be on the lookout for Lee Na Eun’s future work. Her storytelling style in slice-of-life might have just become one of my favorites!
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A Surprising Experience Despite Some Flaws
Strangely enough, I had heard a lot of negative opinions about this series — which doesn’t really match the relatively high rating it has on the app.In my case, I actually enjoyed it. Yes, it has its flaws, but overall, the experience remains very positive. So let's start with the good points.
The casting is spot-on. Choosing actors who are usually known for playing villains and giving them roles as everyday, kind-hearted people was a clever decision — one I fully support.
The atmosphere and color grading, shifting beautifully between warm and cool tones, are major strengths. The pacing, with its well-managed variations, keeps the story engaging.
Another big positive: the attention given not just to the main couple, but also to the secondary one — and especially to the relationship between the main character and his brother, which I believe was one of the emotional cores of the series. It’s precisely these kinds of relationships that allow viewers to connect deeply with the characters.
As for the flaws, without listing them all, I would say the biggest issue lies with the main character's emotional expressions. Perhaps it was a directorial choice, but to me, it didn’t work — he sometimes came across as dumb, or even borderline psychotic at times, which felt a bit awkward.
There were also a few slow moments that disrupted the otherwise good rhythm of the series, though they weren't too damaging overall.
In conclusion, while the series has noticeable imperfections, its strong points largely make up for them. Thanks to the well-chosen cast, the emotional relationships, and the thoughtful direction, it offers a viewing experience that’s both touching and memorable.
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Be prepared to cry
So I was never planning on watching this but it was dubbed in English and needed something in the backend when cooking and working. Honestly this moving is not bad it did catch me and made me want to continue but I won't watch it again. It focuses on heavy topics which made my cry. His brother jun and begining of episode 7 I had to stop it for a bit as I was crying so much. People actually go through this and here I am feeling bad about myself sometimes. I just feel selfish and realize I have so much to be happy about. I was so sad. With that said, it is good. The rating is just my opinion, I am no critic. I like happy movies to escape life and like seeing justice served as it is not always like that in real life, I like happy ending even though sometimes it doesn't happen in life. So that is why I am writing it a 7 because for me I won't watch it again and it was just to sad of a movie. I loved the fact it drew real situations and for people it might be what they need and want and if I was just rating the movie itself idk maybe I would give it a different rating but I am not a critic haha. Good movie, great actors, charming guy but to emotional for me.BTW one of the best soundtracks. I not a fan of music, not really and I loved the songs. I keep singing under sunset and I found out surfing the moonlight. I found out who tomorrow and together band was and they are not bad. They under same agency as BTS. Never commented on a soundtrack before so that is saying something.
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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?
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.Was this review helpful to you?
