shxqsmere

To enjoy the drama without an unbiased perspective

Will it live up to your expectations? 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦.
(from someone who watched from beginning to end during streaming season)

You must go into this show without any expectations and despite being recommended by a friend, I listened to her explanation and it helped understand the story a bit more before going in. The only thing I asked her to clarify was the relationship between her and the male lead. I will not watch it if I knew it was a love story between idol and fan B/C IT IS NOT. So first, you must listen to a honest good review before deciding whether you would like the show! (it might not always be your taste but it will always be someone else's and don't criticize ppl for saying it is their fav because as someone who barely watch k-dramas, it is one of my top ones). If you expect people to respect your opinion, you must respect someone else's.

And remember, there are three instances of their love occurrences and progression of the story [high school, college and corporate]. It is an entire package of love sequences which is why I love this drama a lot! You can see their growth as time progresses. The acting is comedic at times and emotional to the point my heart aches for them to be tgt.

THE STORY

It all starts with a woman in her 30s who came back to the past to save a man, who has wrongfully met his demise. Sol and Sunjae’s fates intertwined with their first encounter — when Sol mistaken Sunjae for a delivery man. She called “Ajusshi!” She gracefully ran in his direction and under that rain or perhaps it was definitely love at first sight, Sol came into his life.

Sunjae was someone who loved to swim, but he hated the rainy days a lot because it reminded him of the days he used to swim and stopped due to a long-term injury. Because of his first and only love, he started loving the rainy days.

It’s only fair to mention that Sol doesn’t know who Sunjae is or at all who he was before Sol became Sunjae’s fan. She became a fan because on live broadcast, Sunjae has to dial a random stranger and give them a message of motivation. It’s no stranger that Sunjae would decide to dial Sol’s phone number. Sol picked it up while not in a good mood, lashed out. She couldn’t stand having such a miserable life — all while holding a piece of glass and almost about to kill herself. Sunjae’s voice came through so smoothly and peacefully that Sol was moved. She was bound to be moved by it.

“Please continue to live because the weather is nice today. If it starts to rain then you could wait until after the rain has stopped then continue to live again.”

I don't know about you, but going into this drama, I had zero expectations whether I would experience similar tropes to other dramas but at that moment, I felt something and I started crying when Sol was screaming, the pain of losing her legs and all at once lashing out --- not knowing he was the one who saved her. And Sol also didn't know she would be met with kindness and such words turned her into a fan. And I think the time-travel allows for them both to meet and understand each other's hardships and one, Sol isn't time-traveling for Sunjae; it is for HERSELF and her LOVE STORY.

It’s brilliant because Sol told the same thing to 19-year-old Sunjae exactly: “Sunjae-ya, someone told me that you should live because the weather is nice today. And you could wait till the rain stops then live your life again.” She said that because at the time, she believed Sunjae was overwhelmed by the internet hateful
comments and chose to commit suicide.

CLIMAX

The killer, despite not knowing why he’s choosing to go after our main leads, doesn’t mean he’s unimportant but whether important to the entire plot line. If there’s more episodes, I think the drama would’ve been a masterpiece of a masterpiece. The killer not having ties to both leads is a great choice because there’s no need for a pity story but whether he’s there b/c he’s crazy and like most stories, he is there as he exists. The show dealt with many themes of self-acceptance, suicide, and disability — while yes, love is the main theme but I think it give people an alternate reality where you can change your fate and in this case, be with a love that’s out of reach.

The ability for Sol to time-travel was a watch that Sunjae used to wear.

While Sol remained as herself and dated Taesong as her 19-year-old self — when she went back in time, 34-year-old Sol didn’t interfere and simply told him to treat Sol well. She continued searching for answers and ways to protect Sunjae — which in the process, she loads herself with so much love and also suffered at the price of losing it all when Sunjae dies again.

First time slip, Sunjae and Sol met which shouldn’t have originally happened so the watch brought her back into the present immediately when Taesong basically confesses his love as well to Sol. Sol knows 19-year-old her knows nothing and will accept it. Fate can’t be overturned and Sol respects it. But I think it gets troublesome for Sol as she knows very well that Sunjae likes her as well.

The second time, our Sol went back basically, to correct her past wrongdoings, and to face the embarrassing occurrences by her 19-year-old self but once again, she respects what her old self have done and what choices she has made back then. Despite being in a relationship with Taesong, Sol’s goal never changed though, and that is to save Sunjae. While keeping a relationship with Taesong, Sunjae grew a bit jealous but of course in a good way — he’s always trying to improve himself for Sol. Just Sol’s presence makes Sunjae anxious, and he realizes that he would never move on from Sol even if she dates someone else. I think it’s brilliant that the director made Sol listen to the MP3 where Sunjae confessed “I like you, Sol” all in the action of Sunjae quickly appearing into Sol’s view and said, “I like you a lot, is it possible for you to break up with Taesong?” Sol of course didn’t do it immediately until she found out that Taesong was just playing around with her, using her as a facade to avoid someone else’s confession.

But Taesong actually started to like Sol, yet another detail is that Taesong only loved the 34-year-old Sol in 19-year-old Sol’s body not the original Sol. While Sunjae likes Sol no matter what kind of Sol, he loves her for her. I think Sol hasn’t realized that Sunjae liked her for a long time, and she never would’ve guessed that Sunjae’s death may be linked to the killer who caused Sol’s tragic accident, leading her to lose her functioning legs. And the brilliance of the director to make Tae-song, the love security or officer. He lived up to the title of a police officer and tracked down the killer with his brilliance. I think the second male lead here isn’t a plot device because he was born to be a officer/detective in every timeline.

THE PLOTLINE

The moment when Sunjae comes into the rescue, saving her from the killer and jumping into the water to get her out of there, she let the tears fall out slowly and hugged Sunjae tightly because she finally recalled Sunjae running towards her at the day of the tragedy — this isn’t just memory loss — she’s losing the only person that loves her so much more than his own self. And time skips ahead to another present time but this time Sol actually got her job at the film company and encounters Sunjae again. Her legs are fine.

It’s funny because Sunjae remembers everything Sol has said to her. He ends up getting excited over this little reunion, which didn’t happen as accordingly. But on the day where in present time was the day that Sunjae was supposed to pass away — Sol waits for him there. She hopes he doesn’t come but still hopes for him to come. It’s been 15 years again — an unrequited love.

“We will meet at this bridge, 12 am, and dig out the time capsule.” Sunjae happened to have already done that, way before that day.

And both of them in their 30s — this time, Sunjae isn’t a famous singer but a famous actor. Though, he still sings “Sudden Shower,” a song written just for Sol without her knowledge of its contents, Sol still wasn’t able to get into the concert venue with tickets, and listened from outside the stadium. She experiences a cracked phone, then falling snow. Sol realizes and parks her car near the bridge to wait and see if Sunjae comes.

She receives a call and answered, “Yeoboseyo. Yeoboseyo—?” Sunjae replies with: “It’s me.”

Sol turns around and sees Sunjae looking at her earnestly. And Sol held the yellow umbrella over him again — referencing the first time they met on a rainy day which at the time, only one person recalls.

“olaenmaniya.”
“long time no see.”

And in that time period, they actually had a short happy-ending. They experienced an adult’s love — where he cooks something for her to eat, while she is willing to stay at his house for a longer time. Both of them are panicking because they are able to be with each other peacefully. They had their first kiss as adults when Sol told Sunjae that she likes him too, but she won’t do anything about it. Sunjae stood there trying to process everything and was like “HUH?” He rushes really quickly up the stairs and stopped the closing door. The tension is insane where Sol looks at the Sunjae — Sunjae asks again, “do you like me?” Hahaha then they dissolve into a slow kiss. It was cute because Sunjae was holding her back to the wall and kissing her — 15 years is definitely long…

MY THOUGHTS

Although in present day, Sunjae loved her from afar — wanting to get close to her, but also not wanting to disrupt her life as an idol. I get it, it is a one-sided love where everything goes unknown but I believe the director says god also cannot see our beloved main character, Sol — live with the pain of the accident which left her paralyzed and unable to walk or not being able to pursue her dream to be a movie director, to be rid of her career and even love. In one chance or another, god gave Sol three chances + an additional one to save Sunjae for the last time. The last chance was a cruel one, but Sol had to do it for her sake and Sunjae’s sake.

I think it’s logical because he loved Sol even before he became an idol. So yes, 15 years of loving Sol from behind and protecting her from behind even without her knowing is sad. Because in a way, Sunjae had disappeared from Sol’s life even more when she lashes out saying “why did you save me? why did you turn me into this paralyzed monster? why can’t you just let me die?” I cried because Sol is in pain and Sunjae is in pain because he couldn’t do more to save her.

It’s so heartbreaking despite that it’s a rom-com. They’ve just been through so much and I can’t even stand that Sunjae literally falling off a cliff and Sol time-travels once again. Sol decided harshly to remove herself from Sunjae’s life completely. No love at first sight. Nothing.

But hey, it doesn’t end there.

Sunjae is still Sunjae — he just needs those experiences. He’s the 4.0 Sunjae that sees and feels everything Sol has been through. “Sol.. Sol.. Sol!” I remember just bawling my eyes out because my Sol needed Sunjae so much right now. She’s suffering, having to also live without Sunjae by her side and loving him for 15 years, with him having zero knowledge of who she was or having the same feelings for her back.

But our good old grandma is definitely a spiritual guide or a god, she was able to control the watch somehow and decides that you know what, my sol needs a happy ending because she misses him. He misses her.

Sunjae is still Sunjae even without the memories because he still falls for the same smile that Sol gave him 15 years ago. And slowly, Sunjae’s memories came back. I think the only thing I’m sad is that this episode can’t be longer. They definitely cut a few things out because Sunjae and Sol probably took a while to really figure everything out. It’s hard being that Sunjae might be hating himself for forgetting Sol and Sol feeling guilty because she wants him back so much that she can’t even hope for a happy ending. Sunjae saying, “do you want a happy ending?” He goes and hugs her. I think at that moment, Sol knows Sunjae is back but she’s afraid that Sunjae might still die. I think that hug just reassured her that everything will be okay. “Whatever happens, I died saving you and that’s okay.”

CRITICS

My only issue is if they clarified why the killer chooses the both of them as targets --- it would be better than it being plot device, and why they chose to make Sunjae 4.0 instead of the idea that Sunjae also time-traveled but opposite sequence and IDK WHY but I wish they didn't make SOL erase herself from HIS MEMORY LIKE HOW COULD YOU. YOU ARE EVIL FOR THIS. As much as I love this drama, I cannot overlook these mistakes and several plot holes.

I am not a film director nor writer but I know many viewers can be if they tried which is why they are our voices to make stories we want into a show! I want them to know that we want genuine portrayals of love and this love is perfect. If they made the Sunjae who experienced everything travel to the present, it would have been so much better than him just remembering. I think the show wanted to maybe show he also time traveled but ep 15-16 felt too rushed! They barely had time to cry and reconcile before the happy ending. I am glad it's a HE, I would be throwing hands if it wasn't.

My mondays and tuesdays will never be the same [04/2024 ME]

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A review from a chinese speaker :) (watched 2 yrs ago)

I will keep this review straight to the point than reviews I normally write because this is by far my top one favorite show at the moment. I usually like to break everything down but this show is a lot harder to in this review because my english and chinese brain isn’t working lol so bear with me.

I love our main character, acted by Chengyi (成毅). I speak mandarin thus I watched the show in mandarin, but I chose to give this review in English since I wanted others to see my view or whether the translation might be different in English :)

PLOT
After going back and forth through the show for about 10 times…. not exaggerating — I would always find new details to Li LianHua (李莲花) and how he had lived his life somewhat peacefully for ten years until the final goodbye. I thought this show was made to show how ten years was enough for him to understand that it’s okay to have regrets and that like a lotus, one should turn away from the past and focus on the present. He was such a beautiful character, acted by Chengyi who had a very special kind of acting different from actors you have never seen before, his acting makes a character come to life — by first, adding his own style, interpretation and also taking the time to live this character’s life to fully understand him. I think he did it because this is the 李相夷 (Li Xiangyi) or 李莲花 (Li LianHua) we see.

I really really enjoy this show not just because Chengyi’s acting but because I see Li LianHua as an actual person with a kind soul — someone who should’ve existed or had existed. I saw him as a character who has the ability to understand 众生 (common people) and thus, became just an ordinary person. This was a story where 李相夷 (Li Xiangyi) who believed his arrogance made 四顾门 (the sect that stands for righteousness) whom he was the leader/master of the sect back then, turn into shambles and people blamed him for his arrogance which added to his hatred of his past self. Then again, I believe it’s a beautiful story of someone falling from a high pedestal in society to just an ordinary being like the common people. He blamed himself when he saw how many people died because of him — but I FELT BAD for him. He didn’t do anything wrong, sure he was young, but the jealousy of other people made me see how ugly humanity can be.

Li Xiangyi, now Li Lianhua saw how he was betrayed by his very own sect, the person who he used to be his friend and now hates him for no freaking reason (OMG if you have watched the show — you know who), married his love and the other people of the sect who couldn’t even recognize him when he came back while Di Feisheng (老笛), his nemesis (“so called enemy”) and soulmate hahaha — more like confidante, recognized him first. Even the bad guys who wanted him dead too, recognize he was 李相夷 — sometimes I wonder if people from his sect don’t want him back — because he’s a burden that should be dead and if alive would make other people feel guilty. I hated how Li Lianhua is too kind to the people who betrayed him even if they’re evil to us. I guess he just doesn’t care anymore. 老笛 was portrayed in the beginning as an enemy but when you have finished watching the show, you will see how lovable and kind he is to Li Lianhua. He has a cold heart due to his past, but his actions are warm towards people he cherish. I think he loves Li Lianhua as a very dear friend and nemesis but don’t want him to die, so his way of showing his affections appear harsh to the audience. I love their dynamic so much, wish Li Lianhua didn’t have a love interest though and I hope the three of them can live their life all together (I mean they have each other right?).

This show told us a lot about friendships, people you meet along the way, and how you never know what someone is going through. Fang Duo Bing (方多病) was Li Xiangyi’s Senior brother’s son whom his Senior Brother neglected and abandoned while he was trying so hard to kill Li Lianhua for the last time in ten years. His hatred for our Hua Hua has come so far that I am laughing AT how much he will fail when he realized no matter how strong he becomes (he didn’t even become stronger lmao, killed their master who was like a father figure to them and stole his master’s sword/strength) and how much poison he tries to inject into our Lotus, he can never kill it. Someone who has kindness and compassion for others will never lose even without the Wuxia context. Li Lianhua’s swordsmanship (少师 & 刎颈), his two swords, even till this day only belongs to him. I hate how much this jealousy could make him kill someone who was trying to find him… who thought he was dead…who bared the guilt of making him die…who hurt the most when he found out the truth: that his brother whom he loved was jealous of what he had — the skills — all along. There was no brotherly love, it was all fake and a facade.

I remember the quotes Li Lianhua mentioned:
“有人弃剑如遗 有的人终身不复
人和人的信念 总是有所不同的”

“Some will abandon their swords as if discarding a burden, while others never break their promise for a lifetime. People's beliefs are always different from one another.”

This means everyone is different, if one day you are tired holding the sword, then maybe this is a burden you are not able to carry. Li Lianhua wanted to start a brand new life and thus want to acknowledge Li Xiangyi is dead, his past life is over and now, only the lotus in his heart exists that is the real him.

I remember wanting to hug Hua Hua, and now this poison he had within him for 10 years will truly kill him in the end — the only medicine he gave to the emperor and now he is truly making the audience cry for him. But I am happy, even with the skills, his skills are unmatched and no one would be able to beat him. I guess in the beginning, he wanted to hide that it was poison and he trusted Di Fei Sheng (笛飞声) so he didn’t care if he was related to the one who gave him poison or what — he doesn’t care. If 笛飞声 wanted first place then he can have it — but I don’t think Fang Duo Bing (方多病) would be happy hahaha. Li Xiangyi is the number one in the audiences’ and his heart.

I guess the answer is, maybe Li Lianhua (莲花花) never wanted to live and after that incident 10 years ago, he has always blamed himself and now he’s free from that burden so perhaps dying is the best ending.
BUT….
That was originally what I think, yet the alternate ending made me think otherwise! I think Li Lianhua’s two buddies found him since I remember he said he didn't have anything to regret or miss — but now he does! He has two people who genuinely cares about him :) and would risk getting hurt to save him.

So maybe…. just maybe — he chose a secret ending — an ending we don't know because now his life is starting as the actual Li Lianhua. However, in the book's ending, he lost the normal mentality of a human being — and his two buddies are taking care of him while Di Fei Sheng help him get crabs to play hahaha. i love this show since it made me so happy when I was sad.

It’s a nice gift after I legally became an adult :)

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