Brewing Love

I started the drama as it was coming out and finished it a few days after it ended, so I'm sorry that the review is only coming out now, oh yeah. I didn't even plan on watching the drama originally, because the plot where the main actress makes beer and then their business is closed and the main actor also makes the BEST beer, wasn't interesting to me at all. I didn't believe in the romance either. But I gave it a chance just for my beloved Sejeong and I don't regret it. The drama really pleasantly surprised me and I liked the characters so much that I almost cried at the end that it ended. But I have to admit that once the two of them got together, it wasn't the same as before and the drama started to get a little boring in some episodes, but it ended quite well and I was a little sad that it was ending. So I think it's really worth watching + I have to mention the really great soundtrack and I'll especially throw in one that I really fell in love with and who knows, maybe I'll even learn it on the piano eventually, because it's really beautiful and most importantly I liked how I was able to really get into the story thanks to the soundtrack, so I applaud the singers.

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Heartwarming brewing!

A really nice story that touches on various important topics such as trauma and societal pressure. Darker themes are introduced rather briefly and are mostly left unaddressed at the end to maintain a light-hearted tone. There was a lot of potential for endless tears, but the cast was better suited for a lightweight drama and comedy was sprinkled generously.

What made this show really stand out was the portrayal of the relationship between the main leads - especially, the growth they experienced individually and together was just beautiful to watch. Also, I learned a lot about beer brewing and, most importantly, about myself 🍺🧡

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A Feel-Good K-Drama with a Touch of Quirky Charm

This Drama offers a simple yet heartwarming story, perfect for a cozy night in. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the charming leads and their sweet romance make it worth watching. The drama steers clear of major conflicts and love triangles, focusing instead on the genuine connection between the two main characters.

Kim Se-jeong shines as a tough-but-vulnerable retired special forces officer hiding her pain behind a cheerful facade. Lee Jong-woo is captivating as an empathetic male lead who struggles to handle her emotional burden. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance is both endearing and satisfying.

While the story may not be groundbreaking, it touches upon themes like mental health and gender stereotypes with a light touch. The supporting cast is equally lovable, adding to the overall warm and fuzzy feeling of the drama.

If you're seeking a lighthearted, feel-good Drama with a touch of quirky charm, this one is definitely worth checking out. Though it may not be the most intense or complex drama, it offers a comforting and enjoyable viewing experience. Fans of the lead actors or slice-of-life stories should definitely give this a try

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Romance without over the top drama and with actual character growth

A comfort drama through and through. If you are looking for intelligent dialogs, developed characters with feel good moments and lots of cliche, this is it. It’s Romance at it’s finest. Not murder-mystery, not fantasy. Just Romance. And like all good Romance, it makes us imagine and dream about what is possible and learn new things while at the same time hearing a story we have heard countless times. There were so many scenes that are examples of emotional maturity and development that make us feel proud of the characters and wish a little bit more of that in our own lives without leaving the feeling that is too “cookie-cutter,” or text book right. The characters are not perfect but they show up because they want to and that feels genuine and possible. The cast has chemistry and the main actress has perfected her acting style, whatever she does, regardless of liking it or not, it is obviously a choice, intentional. And if I had one word to describe this kdrama this would be it: intentional. Beautiful photography, beautiful script, beautiful chemistry, beautiful soundtrack. A 10/10. And I would hug it if I could. Be aware, this could be boring for you. I does not mean it is not good. There are no surprises, it is predictable in a meeting an old friend kind of way. The most surprising thing is actually the lack of an over the top, unnecessary and torturous drama based on misunderstanding. If you like that, maybe this is not for you. We actually see various examples of healthy relationships. I will definitely watch it again on a rainy day with hot chocolate.

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Love brewed well <3

Overall 10/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This drama is the perfect feel good drama to binge watch! With 12 episodes total it is not overwhelming and it doesn't leave you feeling like they should have made it longer. It's perfect as is! The friendships and relationships between the characters are so beautifully developed and shown. The comradeship of the characters blew me away. I highly, highly recommend watching especially if you're looking to watch something that feels like you are a part of the community. It's short and sweet. I also loved that we can take things we learnt from the drama and apply it in our own lives in order to help our process if overcoming obstacles in life like they did in the drama. Chae Yong Ju really hit close to home in some aspects and it felt very comforting to see her grow.

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I Can’t Stop Smiling.

I never planned to watch this drama. In fact, I only found out about it when episode 1 aired. But from the first episode, it was already so interesting that I decided to give it a try. And I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the entire episode.

If you liked the drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this one too, because it has a similar vibe. The female lead is strong, even stronger than the male lead. That doesn’t mean the male lead is weak—they just have their own way of protecting the people they care about.

The storyline of this drama is well-organized and neatly packaged. With only twelve episodes, all the conflicts are resolved. Similar to Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, this drama often breaks the cliché scenes typically found in dramas.

In my opinion, this drama was even intentional from the beginning in breaking stereotypes that exist in our society. For example, the idea that men must always be masculine and aren’t allowed to cry, or that women always need men to protect them. In this drama, Min Ju cries a lot because he’s sensitive. However, this doesn’t take away his masculinity at all—in fact, it adds to his charm.

Similarly, Young Ju’s character always tries to solve her problems on her own. She doesn’t need the male lead to save her. She’s the kind of person who will save herself no matter what. While portrayals of strong female characters like Young Ju are becoming more common in dramas, I think Min Ju’s character is quite new and something I haven’t seen in other dramas.

The relationship between the two leads is so sweet! I love that this drama doesn’t drag things out and wraps everything up in just 12 episodes. But because of that, I’m sad that next week I won’t get to see this adorable couple anymore.

The PTSD experienced by Chan Hwi’s character reminds me of the movie Shutter Island. In that film, it shows how many war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress like this. I love that this drama explores that topic.

What I also appreciate is that even though this drama highlights the theme of “independent women,” the writer manages not to belittle men. In this drama, we can see that women and men actually complement each other, not compete.

For me, episode 8 is the best episode of this drama. The emotions take you on a rollercoaster in a single episode. I absolutely loved the voice note from Young Ju’s grandmother—it freed Young Ju from her feelings of guilt and, at the same time, freed her grandmother from her own guilt. That voice note liberated them both.

I also liked how the main leads’ relationship transitioned into romance without any over-the-top love-bombing scenes. Instead, they gave us small, sweet interactions that were enough to make me grin from ear to ear while watching.

The resolution for Young Ju’s career conflict was also great, in my opinion. Young Ju is so competent that if she continued working at Jisang, she’d definitely get promoted. But maybe that’s not what Young Ju wants. She’s spent almost her entire life living for others, and finally, she starts living for herself. It’s also reassuring to know that Min Ju is by her side.

I absolutely love all the characters in this drama, including the people in the village of Bae Gok. They aren’t just comedic relief but also drive the plot forward. Their characters are so fresh—not just drama clowns.

Two couples in one drama, and both of them have solid stories. The first couple shines so brightly, but the second couple also gets their moment. I’m beyond satisfied with this drama. Finally, in 2024, I got to watch a rom-com drama that’s truly filled with rom-com moments :) Lately, I’ve been falling for clickbait dramas (if you know what I mean).

This drama is so sweet that I can’t review it in as much detail as I usually do because I was too busy smiling while watching it. Honestly, I think you should just watch it yourself to understand what I mean, lol.

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A truly a gem among dramas.

Brewing Love is an absolute treasure in the realm of dramas. Right from the opening episode, it effortlessly tugs at your heartstrings with its heartfelt storytelling and delightful characters, each brimming with personality and depth. The charm of this drama is simply unparalleled, making it stand out in a crowded field. The narrative unfolds in a way that is both engaging and heartwarming, peppered with beautifully crafted moments that resonate deeply. Whether it’s the tender interactions between characters or the compelling plot twists, every scene keeps you eagerly anticipating what comes next. I wholeheartedly believe this drama deserves every bit of recognition and appreciation it can garner.

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Brewing self-care should be the subtitle

This was a sweet watch though I did get distracted a lot. I loved the topics laced in about mental health (though therapy needed to be introduced), social care/mental health for vets and so much more from a Korean lens, I loved that. I enjoyed our Green Flag of an ML. I enjoyed our FL though her purposeful fake masks did start to irritate me as well (which I know was on purpose). She did well in that.

Outside of those great things, including our secondary characters, somehow the story itself felt lacking, and it's hard to put a finger on what exactly was making it so substantial. It's odd. This had all the makings of a strong K-drama. It might have been the chemistry between our two leads, it kind of came off fake (more on our FL's end). I'm not sure. Either way, this is a good in-between watch.

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Simply beautiful!

I have only just started this drama and I find it beautiful! The story simple but endearing. I love the leads and the exploration of their different personalities and the ways they handle their emotions. I really related to the male character lead. He is someone who is sensitive but isn’t weak. He is full of emotion and is truly kind and not afraid to be himself. In a world that tells people kindness and being full of emotion is weakness, this show depicts how beautiful it can be. I like how this drama touches on masculinity and how men who are a bit more on the emotional side, who are a bit more quieter are often seen as weak and not manly enough. Yet the female lead challenges this thinking. I also love how it shows her more tougher side but also showing the need for her to let go and be open and vulnerable with how she feels. I’m great full for a show showing true kindness, attentiveness and not stereotyping male and female personalities and characters. I’m excited to see how this drama evolves and how they bring out the best in each other. I know this drama may not be everyone’s cup of tea but this drama has truly impacted me, in the way they love and treat each other.

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Simple & Healing

I absolutely loved this drama. I started this for Kim Sejeong but stayed for the team and all the village people. I loved all the relationships the characters had with each other; they were always ready to support each other no matter what. This drama teaches you the importance of loving yourself. In life we sometimes tend to move to fast and forget to focus on how we're feeling at the moment. This drama teaches you to pause and understand yourself first. It shows you that life can be beautiful if you surround yourself with the people who love & understand you.
I also loved the OST of this drama. Our second couple were just as good as our Main couple .
10/10 I would recommend this drama to those people who are looking for an easygoing yet healing drama without too much stress.

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Watch if you are in need of a sweet Mr. Green Flag Male Lead only

“Brewing Love” is a hybrid business romance + healing romance. The business part focuses on the beer industry - developing, manufacturing and selling. The healing part focuses on our main leads and how they grow and heal each other, even though they are very different individuals.

I am usually a fan of business romance dramas, but unfortunately, I was quite bored with the business part. There isn’t a whole lot of excitement especially when it’s about the beer industry. All you can do is really taste the beer and evaluate. The company politics are pretty shallow and the characters/villains one-dimensional. The drama tries to educate you on how to make beer, but it’s not done in an interesting way.

The only good thing about the business plot is bringing together 6 likeable individuals to form a special team. The villagers are also not as annoying as I worried. They don’t take up too much screen time and provide enough humor to bring together the male and female leads. I actually would much rather the drama focuses on life in the village than the business plot. But I do find the special ‘ability’ that Min Ju (ML) has quite unrealistic. You can’t be THAT perceptive to become a lie detector, right?

The best thing about this drama is the sweet romance. If you are in need of an introverted and sweet Mr. Green Flag, this is the drama for you! This is also one of the few dramas that I enjoy the middle episodes the most, when Min Ju (ML) starts to realize his feelings and falls in love with Yong Ju (FL). His subtle flirting also makes me blush! I enjoy learning about their backstory and how one incident changed both of their lives. One to live for and focus on his own well-being, while the other to live for others and forget herself. This is my favorite quote in the drama, "I'll find everything for you from now on, what you like. I'll make up for all the time I spent forgetting you by finding everything for you." Aww…. isn’t that sweet?

The secondary romance is OK. The characters are likable and Baek Sung Chul (as O Chan Hwi) is absolutely adorable without being annoying. However, their relationship roadblock regarding Chan Hwi’s past is resolved too quickly and easily. But I guess if the drama focuses too much on it, it would have become too ‘dark’.

Overall, “Brewing Love” is an average drama for me. If I didn’t like the green flag male lead that much and their sweet romance, I would have rated this lower. I also find the very last episode unsatisfying with a lot of filler. If you are not into this type of romance, I would not recommend this drama for you, as there are many better business romance or healing dramas out there.



Completed: 12/11/2024 - Review #527

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Cheers to Love!

Brewing Love (2024)
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WHAT I LIKED ::
⎯ ♡ ⋆ A really relaxing and refreshing drama to watch with great pacing
⎯ ♡ ⋆ I loved the fact that they compared sensitivity to the amount of hops in beer
⎯ ♡ ⋆ All the supporting characters were so sweet and lovable

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ✧ ❤ ✧ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ::
⎯ ✦ ⋆ I wish they would address more of the obvious mental health issues seen here and show some growth for those characters, especially Oh Chan Hwi
⎯ ✦ ⋆ I wish the main couple had better conflict resolution skills for their arguments
⎯ ✦ ⋆ I did expect a little more from the ending

OVERALL,
I am obssessed with this drama, because the whole message is really relatable to me. I cried more than I thought I would, and I learned more about myself too. I came to find out that there are other people out there like me who experience the world the same way I do and that we all have varing levels of sentivity.
Brewing Love filled my cup! It's the best drama of the year, in my opinion.

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