This review may contain spoilers
A heartfelt tale at the struggles of poverty with some continuity and casting issues
The drama is first and foremost a slice of life drama so it does not have the usual protagonist and antagonist, conflict and resolution arc so it is not for everyone. It is a little slow as it covers the stories of some of the support cast, which adds substance to the drama but may feel draggy.
The production quality is of very high standard. The set, lightning, costume really show how village life in Jeju in the past is like. The script is intricate as the lines between the cast felt natural. The direction of the drama is great as well. Most of the cast were superb in their acting, especially the support cast of aunties who were Ae Sun's mother's friends. Yeom Hye Ran who played Ae Sun's mother was exceptional. Kim Tae Yeon who played the main young Ae Sun was great as well. They both were convincing as the protective mother and confident child. This part of the story, although short, tugged at my heartstrings the most. This background story added intricacy to the drama. IU and Park Bo Gum have good chemistry and are relatable as a couple as well.
IU, having dual roles of playing both the young Ae Sun as well as her daughter, Yang Geum Myeong, cemented her role as an actress, although she came from a singing background. She was competent in playing her younger role with Park Bo Gum as a poor but proud mother, and later on even better as Yang Geum Myeong. It possible that IU is still better when depicting modern characters . The scene where Yang Geum Myeong father's shouted her name when she was griping to her mother about not wanting to play the "pillar of the family" role was exceptionally good - one can feel that Geum Myeong's motions totally sank when she knew she was in the wrong.
The main and later part of the drama is where I have minor grips with casting, and major continuity issues. Firstly, Park Bo Gum as the younger Yang Gwan Sik is incredibly handsome. His character setup was that he was physically fit enough to be a national athlete, handsome, who gave them up in order to marry Ae Sun and provide for the family. He is also down-to-earth and a man of a few words. Park Hae Joon was cast as the older Yang Gwan Sik despite looking nothing like Park Bo Gum and being way too old. Yang Gwan Sik is 37-39 when her daughter entered university.
His character also had continuity issues. The idea of him being "handsome and athletic but gave it up" character script was not explored. His identity switched a 180 degree to an ailing father and sea-worn fisherman with a haggard look, even though his age is only around 37-38. When he developed cancer, he is only 55-57, but was portrayed as likely 60 over years old.
Similarly, Moon So Ri was cast as the older Ae Sun when her character is supposed to be much younger. When she first appeared, she was supposed to be 37-38, but was presented as something in her late forties to early fifties. Her character was displayed as someone who is meek - the only time she spoke up was when her daughter was mistreated by her potential in-laws and when she pulled her frenemy's hair. Her personality felt a little too different from who she was like in her teenage and motherhood years.
Despite these character continuity issues, Yang Gwan Sik and Moon So Ri made up for that lack in their acting.
IU's acting as a mother (both as younger Ae Sun and later asGeum Myeong) was slighter less impressive and she lacked a little maternal instinct and her chemistry with her children. These scenes were far and few in-between though.
Overall. this is a good drama for the start of 2025. It is just impossible to binge through so few episodes a time is still recommended.
The production quality is of very high standard. The set, lightning, costume really show how village life in Jeju in the past is like. The script is intricate as the lines between the cast felt natural. The direction of the drama is great as well. Most of the cast were superb in their acting, especially the support cast of aunties who were Ae Sun's mother's friends. Yeom Hye Ran who played Ae Sun's mother was exceptional. Kim Tae Yeon who played the main young Ae Sun was great as well. They both were convincing as the protective mother and confident child. This part of the story, although short, tugged at my heartstrings the most. This background story added intricacy to the drama. IU and Park Bo Gum have good chemistry and are relatable as a couple as well.
IU, having dual roles of playing both the young Ae Sun as well as her daughter, Yang Geum Myeong, cemented her role as an actress, although she came from a singing background. She was competent in playing her younger role with Park Bo Gum as a poor but proud mother, and later on even better as Yang Geum Myeong. It possible that IU is still better when depicting modern characters . The scene where Yang Geum Myeong father's shouted her name when she was griping to her mother about not wanting to play the "pillar of the family" role was exceptionally good - one can feel that Geum Myeong's motions totally sank when she knew she was in the wrong.
The main and later part of the drama is where I have minor grips with casting, and major continuity issues. Firstly, Park Bo Gum as the younger Yang Gwan Sik is incredibly handsome. His character setup was that he was physically fit enough to be a national athlete, handsome, who gave them up in order to marry Ae Sun and provide for the family. He is also down-to-earth and a man of a few words. Park Hae Joon was cast as the older Yang Gwan Sik despite looking nothing like Park Bo Gum and being way too old. Yang Gwan Sik is 37-39 when her daughter entered university.
His character also had continuity issues. The idea of him being "handsome and athletic but gave it up" character script was not explored. His identity switched a 180 degree to an ailing father and sea-worn fisherman with a haggard look, even though his age is only around 37-38. When he developed cancer, he is only 55-57, but was portrayed as likely 60 over years old.
Similarly, Moon So Ri was cast as the older Ae Sun when her character is supposed to be much younger. When she first appeared, she was supposed to be 37-38, but was presented as something in her late forties to early fifties. Her character was displayed as someone who is meek - the only time she spoke up was when her daughter was mistreated by her potential in-laws and when she pulled her frenemy's hair. Her personality felt a little too different from who she was like in her teenage and motherhood years.
Despite these character continuity issues, Yang Gwan Sik and Moon So Ri made up for that lack in their acting.
IU's acting as a mother (both as younger Ae Sun and later asGeum Myeong) was slighter less impressive and she lacked a little maternal instinct and her chemistry with her children. These scenes were far and few in-between though.
Overall. this is a good drama for the start of 2025. It is just impossible to binge through so few episodes a time is still recommended.
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