Watched this on Netflix. Based on my understanding, Fumi (the ML) has erectile dysfunction, and that might be the reason why he likes young girls, which means he also has pedophilic disorder. Still, it doesn't mean that he's dangerous since he never harmed the girls due to his "weak sapling" disorder.
In the case of Sarasa, when she was young, she was sexually abused by her cousin, so she didn't want to go home to her aunt's place. Fumi offered her to stay at his place (in line with his pedophilic disorder), and the little girl accepted his offer. Because of how Fumi treated her with care, Sarasa developed feelings for him; that's what we call "puppy love" for a young girl her age. But Fumi never harmed her sexually, and their short relationship ended when Sarasa was found and separated from him at the lake after she swam, and Fumi was then arrested.
This movie wants to show that not all pedophiles are bad. Many people who have pedophilic disorder know that it is a "disorder" that they need to control and that they never really harm any children in the process. Some even tried to establish relationships with adult women (to suppress the disorder), and they managed to do so, getting married, having kids and living happily ever after.
It's the prejudice against them that eventually harms them. Sarasa left Rika (her friend's daughter) with Fumi because she knew he would never harm her, similar to the fact that he never harmed her when she stayed with her when she was little. But the police and the public (after reading the articles uploaded by Ryo) think otherwise, and Rika was separated from Fumi by the police, just like Sarasa was separated from Fumi in the past.
This movie might not be for everyone due to the sensitive topics: pedophile and child sexual abuse. I find the movie was a bit too long; it was quite a slow burn. But the acting is top-notch.
The ending is bland. I am not at all excited watching the last few episodes. Grandma suddenly has 180-degree change which is not natural at all (from evil witch to a saint). Even from the earlier episodes I still don't understand how Audrey can live with her and warm up to her after what she did to her in the past 20 years.
Similar to IU and Bogum, Sori and Haejoon are considered main or lead actors in this drama, not supporting actors.So…
Ah yes you got the point there. I would say: IU and Bogum carried the first 16 episodes of the drama, while Sori, Haejoon and IU (as Geum-myeong) carried the remaining 10 episodes. :)
But to be honest, all the actors (main, supporting, guest/cameo, even the child actors) are doing a great job in this drama. Good acting skills across all actors.
Is this drama really good? Or is the rating high because of the main actress? I'm tired of watching bad dramas…
The rating is high not only because of the main actress (who is indeed spectacular in this drama), but also because of the directing, screenwriting, cinematography and the high level of acting quality across almost ALL the actors involved: the main actors, the supporting actors, the child actors, the cameo/guest actors, everyone.
I have already started rewatching this drama. On episode 1 now.
Now I understand why Yeom Hye-ran (Aesun's mom) and Kim Tae-yeon (child Aesun) are being nominated for Baeksang. Their acting is spectacular, and I only realised that now after rewatching and paying attention to their acting.
Sometimes, the first encounter might not give the actual impression for some reason.
No nominations for Park Hae Joon or Moon So Ri. This is a travesty!
Similar to IU and Bogum, Sori and Haejoon are considered main or lead actors in this drama, not supporting actors.
So during the selection, they were competing with all the 10 (5 for each category) main/lead actors who are currently nominated. They cannot be nominated in supporting roles because of the nature of their roles. That makes them quite difficult to compete with the existing 10 (5 actors and 5 actresses) nominations.
is there anyone who hated this drama? im so genuinely curious about their perspective bc this is such a masterpiece
I think this drama rarely has any haters, but people usually review this drama negatively by providing any of the below reasons:
- The first half is very good, but the second half is a bit declining, most probably because many have high expectations after watching the first half; - Many think the journey of young adult Aesun and Gwansik is more interesting than the journey of middle-aged Aesun and Gwansik and their daughter Geum-myeong; - Many think it's a waste of acting resources when Bogum doesn't appear much in the second half - Many are disappointed with the endings of some characters; some don't like that Bu Sang Gil, the wife abuser, eventually gets redemption and reconciles with his wife and Gwansik/Aesun's family to take care of the grandson. - There may be some small plotholes, but those are not significant.
I think that's all. Most people rate this drama positively. Some even think it's a masterpiece.
He goes to jail for the kidnapping charge but they never said how long (implied to be reduced sentence due to…
While Myung-Joon is in jail, Ro-hee is staying at her parents' home, and the lawyer, Taek-yun, is handling her accounts. Myung-Joon's daughter Hee-ae is going to school with Ro-hee (under Taek-yun's care), so it's implied that they are staying together at the big house.
I am halfway through watching episode 8. While I am happy that Seoyon's mom has upper hand against Tommy's mom and managed to get Seoyon into Class A, she has now become like Tommy's mom in treating her daughter, and cut her off from communication with her dad and her grandma. So disappointing.
Wow, 9.3 rating. This confirms When Life Gives You Tangerines at the top of the MDL's "Top Dramas" list of all time, surpassing the previous top holder Twinkling Watermelon.
1 
In the case of Sarasa, when she was young, she was sexually abused by her cousin, so she didn't want to go home to her aunt's place. Fumi offered her to stay at his place (in line with his pedophilic disorder), and the little girl accepted his offer. Because of how Fumi treated her with care, Sarasa developed feelings for him; that's what we call "puppy love" for a young girl her age. But Fumi never harmed her sexually, and their short relationship ended when Sarasa was found and separated from him at the lake after she swam, and Fumi was then arrested.
This movie wants to show that not all pedophiles are bad. Many people who have pedophilic disorder know that it is a "disorder" that they need to control and that they never really harm any children in the process. Some even tried to establish relationships with adult women (to suppress the disorder), and they managed to do so, getting married, having kids and living happily ever after.
It's the prejudice against them that eventually harms them. Sarasa left Rika (her friend's daughter) with Fumi because she knew he would never harm her, similar to the fact that he never harmed her when she stayed with her when she was little. But the police and the public (after reading the articles uploaded by Ryo) think otherwise, and Rika was separated from Fumi by the police, just like Sarasa was separated from Fumi in the past.
This movie might not be for everyone due to the sensitive topics: pedophile and child sexual abuse. I find the movie was a bit too long; it was quite a slow burn. But the acting is top-notch.
But to be honest, all the actors (main, supporting, guest/cameo, even the child actors) are doing a great job in this drama. Good acting skills across all actors.
https://kisskh.at/shows/top
Now I understand why Yeom Hye-ran (Aesun's mom) and Kim Tae-yeon (child Aesun) are being nominated for Baeksang. Their acting is spectacular, and I only realised that now after rewatching and paying attention to their acting.
Sometimes, the first encounter might not give the actual impression for some reason.
So during the selection, they were competing with all the 10 (5 for each category) main/lead actors who are currently nominated. They cannot be nominated in supporting roles because of the nature of their roles. That makes them quite difficult to compete with the existing 10 (5 actors and 5 actresses) nominations.
- The first half is very good, but the second half is a bit declining, most probably because many have high expectations after watching the first half;
- Many think the journey of young adult Aesun and Gwansik is more interesting than the journey of middle-aged Aesun and Gwansik and their daughter Geum-myeong;
- Many think it's a waste of acting resources when Bogum doesn't appear much in the second half
- Many are disappointed with the endings of some characters; some don't like that Bu Sang Gil, the wife abuser, eventually gets redemption and reconciles with his wife and Gwansik/Aesun's family to take care of the grandson.
- There may be some small plotholes, but those are not significant.
I think that's all. Most people rate this drama positively. Some even think it's a masterpiece.
https://kisskh.at/shows/top
Revised standing as of today (30 March 2025):
https://kisskh.at/shows/top
1. When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) - 9.3
2. Twinkling Watermelon (2023) - 9.2
3. Move to Heaven (2021) - 9.1
4. Weak Hero Class 1 (2022) - 9.1
5. Hospital Playlist Season 2 (2021) - 9.1
6. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (2025) - 9.1
7. Nirvana in Fire (2015) - 9.1
8. Alchemy of Souls (2022) - 9.1
9. Flower of Evil (2020) - 9.1
10. Moving (2023) - 9.1
Doe, a deer, a female deer.