Our Unwritten Seoul

“It’s the unwritten first page of my story.”

Our Unwritten Seoul is a story that will make you reflect on your complex past, face your everchanging present and hope for a beautiful future.

Different paths that present inspiring life lessons ⇢ the characters and their struggles.

As the Korean title states - it’s Miji’s story. Story of her lost dream, fear for the future and overwhelming present. It’s hard to describe in words how perfectly her character was written. How complex and realistic was that portrayal of her anxiety and depression, how longlasting the effects were. How one can look happy, but suffer inside. How healing is a process that at times might feel like it will never end.

I loved how Mi Ji was not this strong and confident woman with no fears. She bravely helped others, while also feeling deeply insecure about her own shortcomings. She stepped up for others, and backed down for herself. But she changed, at her own pace. What the character shows is that there is no time limit for growth, it’s never too late to start over. It’s never too late to start moving forward.

On the other hand Mi Rae was one that did not know how to stop, take a break, hit the pause. From a young age she felt responsible for acting as the backbone of the whole family - feeling the responsibility, not wanting to disappoint. I honestly loved the contrast between the two sisters - one did not know how to move forward to find herself, while the other could not find herself, because she did not know how to stop.

Then we have Ho Su with his fear of being a burden to others. But what interested me more was where it came from - his egocentric thinking that was at least partially caused by guilt. It’s so human to overestimate the effect we have on people, to see every situation from our point of view and not accept there might be different perspectives. With Ho Su everything started with “I” - I don’t want to burden others, without really thinking if he actually is the burden. What I also really liked is how he never truly grew out of that egocentrism, he just learned how to ask questions and listen to people around him instead of making his own theories and conclusions. I appreciate how the characters did not really get rid of their flaws, but rather learned how to cope and make them affect them less.

Sadly I would not say the writing for them was flawless, though the issue lies in the structure overall, and is a problem in all Korean dramas. Noticed how I wrote nothing about Se Jin? That’s because he was painfully underdeveloped compared to other main characters. Why? Because by all means this show does not have four main characters. It has one - Mi Ji. Mi Ji who is the main hero. Then we have Mi Rae and Ho Su who are second lead characters and Se Jin who is just a supporting one. We need to move on from the idea that being a "love interest" to a main character makes you one too. It does not. That said, it’s not a unique issue for this drama - it’s more of a labeling problem. It might give viewers some false expectations though. It did for me. I kept wishing to see more of Se Jin’s story, to understand him as deeply as I did the other three. It never happened.

Hurt people hurt people ⇢ the relationships that highlighted larger issues, but also the glimpses of hope

Starting from Mi Ji and Mi Rae and how uneven parenting can cause trauma. Mi Ji felt ignored - the lack of expectations placed on her made her not even attempt to move forward. Mi Rae who had all the attention on her, feared disappointing others so she just pushed forward, bore the pain in silence. Often dynamics like that cause resentment between siblings (glad it was not a case here) - one being jealous of the love and attention, and the other being jealous of the freedom and what might seem like trust to always manage and take care of themselves.

On a larger scale, the parenting issue did not start with Ok Hui and how she raised Mi Ji and Mi Rae. Dynamics between her and her mother give a good representation of what generational trauma might look like. How can one become a good mother, when they did not experience what good parenting is as they were children? Where one learns from? How to not make the same mistakes our parents made? But also how not to overcompensate which leads to its own issues...

One relationship I wished to see more was Ho Su and Chung Gu - there was so much more meat here, potential, depth to be explored. The way the characters mirrored each other, but also were a complete contrast. Their interactions, but also the relationship between Mi Ji and Ho Su presented a clear lesson - take your own advice, care for yourself like you care for others, don’t see the traits you appreciate in other people as your flaws. The way we as humans often have way higher standards for ourselves than we have for others - instead of being our own best friends, we turn into our own enemies.

There are different types of love ⇢ romance driven dramas can be more.

Our Unwritten Seoul is for sure leaning more towards the Life over Romance genre. Don’t get me wrong - there is plenty of romance, but it’s never the core of the drama. Romance? No, but love for sure is: love between parents and their children, step parents and their step children, siblings, friends, colleagues. The variety of human interactions, how acts of kindness can change someone’s life.

I loved how they did not segregate the characters into pairings that should only interact with each other. I loved how Ho Su was an important part of Mi Rae’s life. I appreciate how Mi Ji interacted with Se Jin completely outside of his connection to Mi Rae. Everyone was one way or another connected to each other, it did not feel like different plotlines living their own lives never crossing the paths.

Personally, I like that some of my favorite relationships were not romantic ones. Friendship between Kim Ok Hui and Yeom Bun Hong? Amazing. Mentorship between Ho Su and Lee Chung Gu? Food for thought. Kim Ro Sa with Mi Ji and Ho Su - heartwarming. Even Mi Ji and Mi Rae’s interactions with Gyeong Gu and Park Ji Yun were interesting to watch.

What’s more, one has to appreciate the lgbtq representation Gyeong Gu as the clear one, and Ro Sa and Sang Wol a vague (not so vague) one. Personally I think it was clear they were in love with each other and were living as partners not "roommates"...

Bringing the character to life ⇢ acting that never disappoints.

Can Park Bo Young chill a bit? How is she so good? The way she portrayed two characters in a way I had no issue differentiating between them, without making them caricatures of contracting traits? The way Mi Ji and Mi Rae were so different, yet so alike in many aspects. The way she presented complete heartbreak, but also silent pain. The way I could see the boldness, but also hesitation. The way each scene seemed so natural. I have to give props to the whole production team - be it writing, directing, acting or editing, they managed to bring these two characters alive on screen and it did feel like two real people interacting with each other.

Then we have Park Jin Young and I’m amazed with the level of vulnerability he was able to present as Lee Ho Su. Ryu Kyung Soo managed to bring comedy as Han Se Jin, without turning the character into just a comic relief - his character, as funny as he was, was also clearly one of the more mature and wise ones and it showed.

Beauty in simplicity ⇢ production value that compliments, but does not impress.

Here’s the thing - I’m not even mad this show does not stand out in terms of its aesthetics. It’s your typical high value production kdrama with some pretty shots, good lighting, great set design, clean camera work. It works, it compliments the story without being distracting. The writing was so strong you do not need some innovative and creative editing to make it better. Was I especially impressed by any shot? Not really. Sure, I did take a number of screenshots, I did whisper “that’s pretty” a few times as I watched the episodes, but if someone asks me in a month, or even in a week to describe any scene that visually sticked in my mind - I won’t be able to name any.

Perfection does not exists ⇢ what I did not like

I already wrote how unbalanced this drama felt in terms of development, depth and care put into presenting what they claimed were four main characters. It just made me want more and sadly feel a bit disappointed when I did not get it.

The “vague” bit of lgbtq representation. Personally, I do not understand why they could not be more straightforward with it.

The main romance between Mi Ji and Ho Su. Here’s the thing - I really liked their teen romance phase, and I like where they ended. They were losing me a bit during the “misunderstanding” phase of the plot when Mi Ji was pretending to be Mi Rae. On one hand I understand why it was important for them to go about it the way they did, on the other, it was frustrating to watch and a bit inconsistent with how Ho Su was written.

Justice for Se Jin. Did Park Bo Young have it in the contract she can only kiss one male lead? Did they fear viewers might seem uncomfortable with her kissing both, even though she was playing to different characters? We've got an amazing hug, but damn I was waiting for that kiss in the last episode.

Random thoughts to close the review:
Ryu Kyung Soo looked especially hot in his “rich boy in suit doing business” takes.

Overall, what a journey. I feel like I honestly wrote down maybe 20% of my thoughts and feelings about the drama. What it teaches you is, it’s never too late to learn from your past. It’s never too late to improve in the present and it’s never too late to work on your future.

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REALLY GOOD IN ACTING

(SORRY for my english)

A profoundly human experience, between identity, invisible bonds, and unfulfilled tenderness.

I discovered Unwritten Seoul when this month's dramas were announced, and I was quickly drawn in when I started it. This K-drama deeply touched me with its sincere and almost modest look at human emotions, complicated relationships, and the loneliness we sometimes feel even when surrounded by others.

What struck me most was Park Bo Young's performance, absolutely remarkable in her dual role as twin sisters. She succeeds in portraying two women who are both close and different, each with their own experiences, their wounds, their silences. Even if their personalities overlap at times, we feel that they are two separate beings, and that's precisely what I found intelligent and true: the drama doesn't treat them as a single entity, but rather as two women, with their own ways of feeling, loving, and struggling. I also really enjoyed the romance, while retaining a slight hint of regret: the second love story, softer and more implicit, particularly touched me. Perhaps because it doesn't end the way I would have liked... but that's precisely why it makes the experience more realistic, more poignant.

Another aspect I found very powerful is the way one of the twins learns to stand up for herself, inspired by the strength of the other. Through this bond, the drama addresses powerful themes like gender-based harassment, without ever falling into pathos or overreaction. It's handled with great respect, and above all, with a message of mutual aid and sisterhood that really resonated with me.

Overall, I would say that Unwritten Seoul reminded me of series like Tangerines, which gently address real, powerful issues, not to mention the slice-of-life aspect. It's not an action drama or a fireworks display of twists and turns: it's a work that you watch with your eyes open, but above all with your heart wide open. Unwritten Seoul is a delicate, human K-drama, driven by a moving actress and sincere themes. It speaks of duality, love, resilience, and above all, the richness of existing fully as an individual, even when connected to someone else. Babi (Park Jin Young's nickname) deeply touched me with his wounds and his hearing loss. He once again played his role perfectly. For me, this drama is a success. As for the cast, there are some very beautiful ballads as well, and the romance, the kisses, were convincing!

I wasn't far from a favorite, but it's highly recommended. 7,5/10 !

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Mostly exaggeration yet still enjoyable

This is my first review, a rant actually. I'm writing it to get this off of my chest even though I might get hate comments or whatever.

To start with, I never liked workplace bullying/harrassment stories. I'm not born privileged and am also from Asia but I never believed that there are such bullying/harrassment in workplace, let alone anyone would tolerate such bullying/harrassment (and rather choose to commit suicide) than to leave the company.

The story started somewhat good and with a lot of expectations but it quickly went downhill. While I have a soft spot for stories/characters with "disabilities" or "health issues", I felt like it was used more as an excuse here.

I am at episode 10 and am not sure if I will finish it. So, I might have wrong assumption about things as they may get corrected in later episodes.

"I" do not see any meaningful changes in their life, specially Miji. It felt a little dramatic. She holed up in her room for 3 years? How is that even possible? And only because she can't run anymore? It probably would have made more sense if she hadn't met Ho Su. She was already familiar with disabilities and was supposedly supporting Ho Su all along. And when it came to her own turn, how can she be so pathetic? And if I have to make comparison, Ho Su's condition is much worse than hers. It's not that she lost a leg, she just can't run. And she's only in high/middle school at that age? It might be life changing but not something destroying one's entire life. Not everyone's the top in their class or has grades that get them job in top companies in the country. And what, Miji and Ho Su never tried to talk about that "small" misunderstanding during the entire 10 years? Yet everyone around them knew? It all seemed like exaggeration up on exaggeration, just to drag the story along.

Re Mirae, I really didn't like any part about her story. To me, it seemed like she really didn't put any effort on anything beside studying. And her relationship with the strawberry farm owner was just too weird, fast-forwarded. How can someone who is so wary of gossips easily spend night with the same person people are gossipping about?

Re Ho Su, nothing much. Though, I coulnd't understand his worries about his mom. If he cares, why is he leaving her? How does he have the impression that his mum's not comfortable when she spent her life raising him? I liked Ho Su's mom's side of story. I really felt sorry for her.

Re Kim Sora, it was Ok at first but I don't know, the story kept dragging and all. It lost its charms along the way.

To me, all the relationship in the drama seem weird and not "real" at all.

Overall, it's enjoyable while you watch but not something I would recommend to anyone. Some emotional parts/actings are commendable though.

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GOOD BUT SOME SAD ENDING WOULD HAVE MADE IT BETTER!!!

I love them the mothers so much, like seriously they were my absolute faves in the drama! The way they never judged each other and always had each other's backs? I ate that up. And taking their friendship all the way to in-laws? That was the cherry on top for me!

I still feel like they tried to sugarcoat HoSu’s situation just to avoid giving him a sad ending, especially with his ear condition. But even with all that, his character was still so beautiful and touching.

MiJi acted like a baby in some scenes, but regardless, seeing her go back to college was actually sweet! The actor really did a great job bringing her character to life.

I really loved MiRae and SeJin relationship, and I was so happy SeJin came back from America. But honestly, I never understood why they let him leave in the first place, his farm was doing so well!

MiRae quitting her job was honestly the best decision she made. Staying back in her hometown? Loved that too! What really hit for me was how her relationship wasn’t about romance, it was about healing. That’s exactly what she needed, cause sis had to rediscover herself from scratch.

That scene in episode 11 where HoSu’s mom gave him a reality check? Iconic! Like, why choose to be alone in this world when you can literally grab the girl and hold on tight? She really had to drag the sense back into him!

That scene were HoSu went to visit his mom in workplace, meant everything to HoSu’s mom, you could practically feel her heart pounding. Seeing her son show up at her workplace gave her so much comfort and hope. It was a moment she really needed.

I really feel like they watered down her situation too, just to make things look nicer. But honestly, that scene could give people with dyslexia a little more hope and I love that. The moment she found a family in HoSu and MiJi? That was the true heart of her story for me.

Overall, it was a really good drama and honestly, it had the potential to be the best! Episodes 1 to 8 were my absolute favorites, they just hit different. And shoutout to every actor each one did an amazing job breathing life into their character!

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Maudlin, depressing, heartwarming and uplifting. Wait! That's just the trailer.

It took a bit of effort to start writing this because I'm in two minds about this drama.

I suppose we might as well start from the beginning. The FL played identical twins with different personalities. Both are in a bad place when the show starts. One is labelled a no-hoper just marking time in her hometown while the other is the breadwinner working in Seoul. The fact that she suffers every day at her coveted government job is kept a secret. An existential crisis caused the twins to switch identities.

I’m just going to declare outright that I’m a fan of PBY so two roles in one show is twice the goodness. Bring it on! :)

This series starts promisingly. The show literally doubled down on the fish out of water trope. We see their struggles and how their lives diverge as they grow up. For a single parent family in a country town, their struggle is real. This is also the ground zero of resentment and preconceptions.

As the drama progresses, we watch the twins discover each other's world. One twin would think that the other is living the best life. You can sense their initial resentment and growing confusion as they find out it was not all beer and skittles. There are moments of lightheartedness and small wins, but the daily grind is relentless. There is an unshakable sense of despondency and weariness.

I'm glad to report that PBY came through again. She delivered both roles adroitly. The young actress playing the teenage version also did well. The MLs and most of the support cast are solid actors. Some of the scenes involving the veteran actors are heart-rending. My issues is not with the acting nor production value, but with the pacing and how some of the narratives are handled.

While the first third of the show is engaging and set up the main theme well, the pacing for the middle third is languid and circumspect. Pot boilers are everywhere, and they are set to simmer.

They faced challenges in the workplace and in the friend zone. We are also treated to historical misunderstandings from different perspectives delivered via many flashbacks. I can understand if this is something horrid and unforgivable, but it was almost trivial once the truth came out. It was a life changing moment for our OTP but it feels overblown.

BTW, can someone please drop the Communication Breakdown trope down a deep hole, pretty please? Our twin sleeps next to each other and the ML is their next-door neighbour. A few choice words would have cleared everything up. It was not resolved for 10 YEARS! I get it as a story element but it is definitely head scratching. I suppose the show would be 6 eps instead of 12. (Laugh/cry/facepalm)

Speaking of EP’s, the length of each episode is LONG. We are talking telemovie length. In that sense, the total runtime is on par with a typical 16 eps run. It can be a challenge to sit through one of the bleaker ep. I won't be surprised if a casual viewer throws in the towel. That would be a mistake because the last third of the show is so much better.

The growth in the characters are rewarding and uplifting. It more than compensates for the nadirs. Not only is our OTP in a happy place but there are gains on many fronts. Lots of fan service and rewarding moments packed into the final hours. Huzzah!

Sadly, it is not all rainbows and unicorns. There's a tearjerker twist which signifies a conclusion, releases and new beginnings. Have tissues handy.

Lastly. we have the unresolved 2CP. Granted they look ready to launch but we are left dangling. Enough with the meaningful gazes! Is it too much to ask, dear writer-nim, to grant us one last "seal it with a kiss" scene? We beseech thee!

In the end, this is one show that the sum is greater than its parts. It helps if you FF some of the more draggy bits. Have faith, this show does deliver. I won’t rewatch the whole drama but the last third will be an easy binge for me.

Always remember, “Yesterday is over. Tomorrow is yet to come. Today is yet unknown.” Peace.

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Depressing - keep your meds ready so you don't sink into a black hole

Folks - don't get mad. As I've mentioned previously, 1% dramas are excellent, 10% are really poor. The remaining 89% are average and tepid, but since I don't relate to them, I do not review them.
This drama would have made it to the mid-range 89% except for one thing - the Female Lead, and Lordy, there are two of them (groan)!

It's not the actor who is the problem, it is the characters she is portraying, both of whom have no distinction except for blonde hair in the beginning.
She has a couple of constant expressions throughout - and both are competing with each other to be more depressing - and the misery is that she is in almost every frame of the film!

What really triggered this 1-star rating is her hair - the BANGS!!!!
Ohmygoodnesssssss - did they even know that bangs were fashionable in 1960's?
It's not just the bangs -it is the length of the bangs that fully cover her eyebrows and go down to her eyelashes. So assuming she was selected because of her incredible talent, I'm assuming we have to judge her acting chops with 2/3rd of her face only, because the other part is fully under hair.

And here is the issue with the remaining 2/3rds of her face that is visible - she has a couple of constant depressing expressions throughout. So picture this : her face is an "O", her forehead and eyebrows are invisible, so then when she dares open her eyes under the weight of her hair and looks tragic, her eyes are 2 "O"s. The nose is barely visible, then next comes the pouting, sulking mouth which is another "O".

Net effect = "OOO"s (the FLs face looks like 3 Os and appears in many many frames)
Net rating = 000 (3 zeros)

The pity is that this drama had a bunch of very interesting characters - the ML, the special needs lawyer, the MLs mother who raised him as her child despite not being related, the gay friend, the strawberry farmer......... but they all drowned into the deep Os.

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Unassuming but unforgettable slice-of-life gem

In a time where everything feels the need to be loud and larger-than-life, this drama didn’t try to be something it isn’t just to leave an impact. Instead, it remained grounded in its message of healing—quiet, steady, and deliberate, moving at its own pace with a clear sense of direction.

The narrative didn’t lean too heavily in one direction. It struck a thoughtful balance between romance and the broader strokes of life, introducing each theme with just the right timing.

The central conflict stayed well within the premise, and the series never felt the need to chase grand twists or forced tension just to hit a dramatic peak.

I like how romance wasn’t shoehorned into every storyline, either—new beginnings unfolded differently for each character, reminding us that life doesn’t offer the same arc to everyone.

The healing journey is centered on the women of the Yoo family. Their life and struggles were gently unpacked, layer by layer, allowing for honest confrontation without ever feeling imposed. And as they slowly found their footing, we are also invited into the quiet, personal reckonings of other characters who are walking their own paths.

As mentioned, the drama didn’t force its message, but it gave each character space to breathe. It also underlined that not all healing journey wraps up neatly—some characters remained on uncertain paths, simply choosing to move forward.

My favorite scenes will always be the ones shared between Miji and her grandmother. The series used such a poignant visual metaphor to tell their story: while Miji was confined in her room for years, wrestling with her pain, it was her grandmother who continued to bring her back slowly, patiently. And when it was her grandmother’s turn to start her own journey, it was Miji who gently helped her into her shoes, ready to see her off as she went home.

The one thing that left me wanting more was how little screentime Sejin received. His arc could have beautifully complemented the story’s core, especially with the struggles he went through.

As a male character, he was honestly a breath of fresh air and, dare I say, more compelling than the male lead. His moments with Mirae were cautious and gentle, yet firm when needed. He respected her space and boundaries, acknowledged her without prying, and brought warmth that never overwhelmed. It’s a shame he wasn’t given more room to unfold.

Still, this series came to me at just the right time. It offered me quiet comfort and warmth when I found myself retreating into my own room like Miji. And like Miji's grandmother, it doesn’t barge in with answers. It simply finds you where you are and offers a soft, steady hand on your shoulder.

Whether you’re a slice-of-life fan or just someone in need of something worthwhile that is real yet kind, this one will reach out to you and carve out a quiet space in your heart.

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Broken People, Beautiful Relationships

Slice-of-life healing dramas can be slow-paced at times which makes binge-watching challenging. Therefore, they can be a hit-or-miss for me. But with “Our Unwritten Seoul”, I did not encounter this problem at all. At first glance, there are really 12 episodes, pretty short for Korean standards, right? However, each episode is 1 hour and 20 mins long and the amazing thing is that, I kept on pressing “Next Episode”. I was not at all bored or found the pacing to be slow, not even in the middle of the drama. And because of this, “Our Written Seoul” deserves a high rating for me.

As I mentioned in the title of this review, this drama is full of broken people. Each character’s story breaks my heart, fills me with a sense of protection that I want them all magically healed to 100% by the end of the drama. Of course, it didn’t work that way, and it shouldn’t. Some characters, such as our main female leads (Mi Ji and Mi Rae), male lead (Ho Su) and restaurant owner (Kim Ro Sa), we got a deeper look into their struggles, challenges, and eventually being at peace, being loved, healing, learning and discovering a better life. Others we get a sense of their past, their present and their future.

Aside from these characters' individual unique and touching stories, I love their relationships with each other, and I am not just talking about romance.
1) Mi Ji + Mi Rae - Twins sisterhood, their different personalities, lives and career paths, their experiences of each other’s struggles, and support for each other.
2) Mi Ji + Mom, Mi Rae + Mom - parent/child relationships and different expectations, different treatments and different ways of show love & affection, and disagreement
3) Mi Ji and Grandma - the beautiful loving bond and their support and trust
4) Ho Su + Lawyer Lee Chung Gu - mentor/mentee relationship, mutual admiration despite different philosophy and way of handling cases.
5) The Mothers - total opposites in everything you can imagine, yet an amazing bond between them with shared similar children experiences. One wears her heart on her sleeve and is quick to explode. While the other has a forever fake/forced smile and happy face.
6) Mi Ji + Ho Su + Restaurant owner - Love this trio so much, and really love how their friendship has evolved throughout the drama.
7) Mi Ji and BFF Gyeong Gu - BFF for life and they understand and support each other

Of course, I cannot not mention the romances. I really enjoy the story between Mi Ji and Ho Su. I like how their history was told via flashbacks by two talented young actors. It’s heartwarming to see how Mi Ji brought Ho Su out of his misery and was with him when he was in doubt and hurting as a teenager. Their shared internal and external brokenness and the road to healing and recovery are beautiful to watch. I also like their slow burn romance and do think Park Bo Young and Park Jin Young have good chemistry (and kisses!). I like their awkward transition from friends to lovers, and glad to see the drama focuses on some of the self-doubt and challenges of this new transition. If I have to nitpick, I would love to see a few fluffy scenes when they’re dating (just pure happiness for a little bit) before all the serious plot dampens it a little.

On the other hand, Mi Rae and Han Se Jin are such a cute and odd pair. This couple brought some fun and adorableness to the drama. Unfortunately, I agree with other reviewers that we don’t see enough of them as an individual and as a pair. They were not given the same amount of screen time, especially for Se Jin. He had a history that was not fully explored and also seemed to serve as the inspiration, mentor and maybe a minor love interest for Mi Rae. I want to know more of Han Se Jin as a person. Romance might not be in Mi Rae’s brain as she was going through so much, but it's undeniable that she likes Se Jin enough and maybe had a little interest. I just wanted a little bit more of this romance.

“Our Unwritten Seoul” also strikes a good balance between character-driven plot and business-driven plot. The finance company stories are enough to shed light on Mi Rae’s struggles and Mi Ji’s experiences without being too business. The legal cases are just deep enough to make us care about the characters, but didn’t bore us with legal proceedings.

Last but not the least, the acting is amazing. Park Bo Young is WOW. Two characters and she played them so well. You can tell when she’s Mi Ji and when she’s Mi Rae. Park Jin Young has quite a few emotional scenes, yet he also brings this calm to a character who has gone through so much but has evolved and worked hard to become such a good person. The actors who play the younger version of the leads did a great job as well. I would just nitpick on the young actress not looking like Park Bo Young at all and seem to be taller than her! The veterans are amazing, especially the mothers, grandma and restaurant owner. The side characters are not too annoying and provide just enough townsfolk friendliness and nosiness, or business evilness for comic relief or someone viewers can hate.

I had high expectations for this drama due to its glowing reviews and I was worried I would be disappointed. But I am happy that I like “Our Unwritten Seoul” as much as many of you. If you are in the mood for a slice-of-life healing drama with excellent acting, this is the one for you. This drama reminds me a little of the characters in “My Liberation Notes” (not the vibes but the characters). They are all going through some stuff and are so broken. In the end, viewers root for every single one of them and wish them a happy life.



Completed: 7/7/2025 - Review #598 (completed titles) #600 total reviews (include dropped)

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The only arrow that wounds you is the one you shoot yourself.

This drama has more to it than I expected and explores the themes of self-perception, connection and communication.

It brought to mind Hwasa’s (화사) video for her song LMM. (https://youtu.be/pkjEpDeDLOg?si=YAVEQARXTsiYHT70) The only arrow that actually wounds Hwasa, is the one that she shoots herself and this drama explores the misconceptions and perceptions that we have of who we are, and the necessary results that follow these so-called truths which often blight the world in which we live and trap us there with seemingly no way out.

The story follows a number of characters for whom change of self perception is the first step to connection with others and the help they must take to reach a better, more fulfilling life. The way others see us is often very different from how we think, and here these differences are explored to the full. We are shown everyone’s history and join them on their journey of self-enlightenment. In fact it’s almost an overload as everyone has a backstory to tell and resolve. In the end I felt this skewed the balance of focus somewhat, for instance, virtually the whole of Ep 10 was dedicated to one secondary character.

The swapping bodies trope is given a slightly different twist here, in that it is identical twins who swap lives. This is really just a mechanism for the sisters to reflect on themselves and the relationships around them. It brings with it some incredulous scenarios that one has to swallow whole, such as surviving in a job for which you have no skills. But if you focus on the theme rather than the mechanism to deliver it, then there is plenty of insight to be had.

The script explores the changes and personal realities in an obvious, up-front way. Sometimes the lines feel a little like you are in a session with a psychologist who is giving life skills advice. But the advantage of this style is that the message is very clear for the viewer, who can easily follow the internal workings of the character. With so many characters on the road to Damascus, this is helpful.

I enjoyed the directing in this drama. Often the melo is just too full on for me, but here I felt it struck a good balance of revealing distress without too much hand-wringing and wailing. There is plenty of time to focus on reaction shots and all the cast members step up to the plate and deliver a satisfying performance. Park Bo Young successfully manages to show the different characters of the twins, such that even without reference to the haircuts, it is obvious who is who. Kim Sun Young plays my favourite character with conviction, especially in the scene with her son in Ep 11. Only Ryu Kung Su as Han Se Jin fails to convince. I feel he was a little too vague and soft to have the necessary ruthlessness for his former profession.

There are some beautiful songs in the soundtrack, Elaine Kim singing 나의 시간 어딘가 in particular caught my ear with her husky vulnerability.

Overall this optimistic and ultimately upbeat drama is very enjoyable. It is well presented and structured with thought provoking characters, some of whom triggered some self reflection on my own part. My favourite line is “The promise of a tomorrow is not born from hope, but from resolve.” This one I totally understand.

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