Kanae

I was so invested in this drama that I stayed up binging the last couple episodes before immediately deciding to rewatch them so I could properly savour the story. I usually avoid these types of emotionally-focused dramas as I am not a crier and tend to get bored easily, but I found that this drama was anything but boring! I don't think I've ever watched a show that captures life and what it means to be human so perfectly. It doesn't shy away from the dark and gritty yet still carries enough hope and humour to keep it from being too depressing. The characters are all complex and layered with varying dynamics. My favorites are definitely the two brothers. They're so silly yet profound at times. In a way, they're some of the unluckiest characters in the entire drama, but they still manage to find joy in the mundane. I also appreciate how the writer didn't villainize some of the "bad" characters (except maybe Do Jun Young and his underling). The ending also wasn't unrealistically too good to be true, yet somehow still perfectly satisfying.

The focus is definitely on the relationship between Lee Sun Kyun and IU, but I felt more invested in the various other dynamics and storylines, which is a testament to how good the writing is! I also can't go without mentioning the OST, which feels like its own character, and contributes greatly to the mood and warmth of the drama. My favorites were "Grown Ups" by Sondia and "Rainbow" by Vincent Blue. Of course, the acting performances were nothing short of stellar, especially IU, who expertly portrayed the complex emotions of a girl hardened by the world experiencing genuine kindness and love. This drama isn't for everyone, but I'd recommend it to anyone willing to experience a masterfully written and painfully human story about people trying to make it through life.