I really enjoyed some aspects of this drama, but not so much others. The production quality was amazing, and all the actors did a superb job in their roles. Meguro Ren was super expressive as a recently-turned-deaf person, and I felt like the gentle way the drama explored the varying lived experiences of the characters in that community, hearing or not, was fascinating and well done. Kawaguchi Haruna also did an excellent job as Aoba, a girl who has to navigate the life of the person she knew and loved changing in such a dramatic way. My favorite line was toward the end when flowers were used as an example of an alternative mode of communication, giving a very concise view of the question the drama was wrestling with the entire time -- What are words, where do they come from, and can they accurately convey the intended meaning of our inner world?
What I mostly disliked about this drama were the first few episodes. I thought it was not only a waste, but also entirely irrelevant to have the two main leads + Minato start in what is essentially a love triangle. With how fast the situation resolved itself and how redundant the character of Minato ended up becoming, it felt like a big waste of time rather than jumping straight into the meat of the drama, which is how Aoba and Sakura will navigate a renewed relationship with a broken past and altered present.
Sakura's mom also quite annoyed me with how she insisted on being the centre of Sakura's disability, centering herself and her feelings above anyone else's in the family. Contrasting that to Moe, Sakura's little sister, who began learning sign language as soon as she knew about his hearing, it really makes the selfishness of the mom's actions stand out, and it makes sense why Sakura wouldn't want to visit home for such a long time.
I did like the role music played in the drama. As someone who essentially fills any empty space with music of some kind, it was eye-opening to see what it may be like to suddenly have that very large portion of your life ripped away from you.
All in all, it was a fine drama, with some great commentary on the deaf community and how to adapt to someone's life changing in a big way, but there were several plot lines and scenes that just didn't hit right with me.
This drama was very cute. The two main leads did an excellent job portraying their characters very realistically.
Having already read what's out of the source material, I knew the story coming into this drama. However, I found myself discovering new sides to these characters thanks to the excellent acting. Taichi in particular had a darker side, a deep emotional wound, that was always lurking under the surface, which is something I hadn't really picked up while reading the manga.
The drama also did a superb job of portraying the isolation people with hidden disabilities can experience, especially if it's something that changes the core way people interact with you after they find out. The basketball scene near the beginning was one of the finest of the whole drama in my opinion.
The only thing holding this drama back was how rushed it felt towards the end, in the last three or so episodes. If it had been able to get a few more episodes and properly space those major events out, the conclusion of the story would've been much more impactful, though I did enjoy the callback to the beginning in the very last scene.
Overall, a great adaptation and well worth the watch.
This was an excellent drama. It completely engrossed me from the first episode to the last, which no drama has been able to do in a few years. While I understand why they had to translate the title the way it is in English, I also love the mood that "Youngest Son of the Chaebol Family" conveys, and the way that title was used for dramatic effect throughout the episodes.
What impressed me most about this drama is how consistently driven it stayed from beginning to end in conveying its message. It can be so easy for dramas to get lost in a meandering plot, the only concern being how flashy the next scene can be, but not this one. In my opinion, this drama is trying to convey the message that there has to be a limit to human indecency. From the name of totally-not-Samsung's estate, Jongshimmal, to the motto Jin Yang Cheol swore he abided by to the end, despite clear evidence to the contrary -- Righteous Heart -- this drama really examined what it means to live a life you can be proud of versus drowning in one as you fall victim to your desires and ambitions. There has to be a limit, a hard line, drawn somewhere before someone descends into a place beyond human decency, as we saw through most of the Jins, but especially the culprit revealed at the end. It's ok to be ambitious, but don't lose your humanity along the way.
Another aspect of this drama I appreciated was its realness in depicting the absolute depravity of poverty, and how mind-numbingly impossible it can be to pull yourself up out of the depths of endless debt, especially while living in a society that so highly values capitalism like S. Korea. While I do think this point could've been made a bit earlier and more frequently throughout the drama's episodes, the one in which Jin Do Jun's and Yoon Hyeon Woo's worlds finally collided is one of the most poignantly portrayed scenes I've ever seen. The commentary on how those born into privilege can never really fathom the realities of those born without, and how that abyss may just be too large of a crevasse to ever bridge is something that was expressed very poignantly.
And of course, I've got to give props to all the actors, but Song Joong Ki's performance in particular. He absolutely slayed in his role, and I don't think I've ever seen someone using the act of bowing in such a vicious fashion -- those bows really had a lot of hidden meaning behind them. The use of pouring drinks was also an interesting motif throughout the drama, and I enjoyed how the way someone poured the drink and the time and manner in which it was done conveyed a lot about their hidden intentions and plotting. Kim Shin Rok as Jin Hwa Young also gave a particularly memorable performance. She really got down the phrase "losing your marbles" to a tee and owned her part of the story.
There are so many things I want to commend this drama for, and it's definitely one that demands a rewatch just to see how all these pieces had been strung along for the audience since the beginning. All in all, this drama is well worth the watch and is a well-written, well-acted, and well-directed breath of fresh air.
I liked this. It started out a bit rough with the acting, but by the end I found Yamato and Kakeru to have the cutest relationship. I came into this already having read the source material, but I found it interesting how much more their friend group stood out in the drama. All in all, I had a good time watching this and I think it’s worth a watch if you enjoy slow-burn, friends to lovers romance.
Gosh, where to start with this drama? It's hands down one of the best, most well-executed family dramas I've personally seen to date. The way it handled the family dynamics and the themes explored touched me so deeply, it had me reflecting on my own family and its tribulations -- a successful written piece in any form should have such an effect! I loved how realistic the drama was, and how it dove deep into the situations it was presenting.
What first got me to see this drama as more than another run-of-the-mill family one was how a simple "sorry" was not the catch-all band-aid it is often presented as. Sometimes, the actions you take incur such reverberating consequences that can never be retracted, and you must face the consequences of those actions no matter how well-justified you felt when doing them. Some actions leave scars too deep to ever fully be healed, and no matter how "sorry" someone is, no matter how well-meaning their reflection afterward, what's done is done, and the people it has affected must learn to exist under these new conditions.
Adding on top of that was the discussion of family dynamics and how sometimes we can get so caught up in how something "was" for a time that we lose sight of how it has changed now, and our inability to alter and adjust to this new normal, especially if it is seen as lesser than the previous one, has the potential to crack and fissure the family relations from within, slowly, piece by piece. This drama is hands-down the most appa-positive one I've ever seen, but that doesn't mean that the fathers were given the god-treatment, older and wiser thus unable to make mistakes, like they may be in other portrayals. These fathers had a lot to learn, but the family also had to learn that before they were fathers, they were people with dreams and ambitions that don't just go away with the responsibility of parenthood. To see your parents as both guardians on a pedestal and as real-life human beings with emotions and outbursts and everything in between is one of the trickiest balances one can encounter when growing into adulthood, and I think that message in particular was handled brilliantly in this drama. If that were the whole of it, this one would be a 10/10 hands down.
The biggest thing that held this drama back was unfortunately the romance. As well executed as the family stuff was, the romance kept coming seemingly out of left field, and it was very hard as a viewer to decipher exactly when these feelings began and what was the turning point that made these feelings run so deep. I particularly had a lot of issues with how Jitae and Sua's relationship was handled, especially towards the middle portion. I truly wish the romance and discussions had been handled with at least half the amount of heart and talent as the family-related ones were.
All in all, I think this is a fantastic drama. It literally had me sobbing in places, and it went far deeper than I had initially anticipated. This is up there with genre-defining dramas such as Life is Beautiful and My Husband Got a Family. There are parts I wish were done better and some acting portrayed in a less cardboard-y way, but I felt myself and my inner world shifting along with this drama, and if that isn't a metric of success, I don't know what is.
This was my 4th or 5th rewatch of this drama, and I have been reminded once again of why it still tops the list of my absolute favs even years later. There was clearly a lot of thought and care put into this production, and it is a beautiful tale of grief and redemption, compassion and forgiveness.
The best part of this drama hands down is Kong Woo Jin. He is not perfect. He has instances where he acts like a complete ass and should have apologized but didn't. He can be selfish and is extremely self-focused, not caring about how his actions affect others in the slightest. And that is what makes his growth so rewarding and heart-wrenching to watch. More than anything, I love how his trajectory is not a straight line -- because that's what healing is like, unfortunately. You can see the errors of your ways, and recognize the need for change... and still fall right back into old familiar patterns and habits that just take chokehold of your life once more. Healing is not a one-and-done experience, and I love how well this drama portrayed that process.
That's what grabs my heart most in this drama, but it's not the only part I enjoy. There are very few things I dislike, actually. Jennifer could be a whole character study within itself of the negative effects of total self-repression can have on one's social and mental health. Chan's coming-of-age story is beautiful and I can't get enough of how it's told in conjunction with a chicken of all things. How the mystery of what happened in those ten lost years is set up and executed (the way all the dominoes fall in those last few episodes one after another -- it's a stormy one for sure!) The tragedy of missed opportunities between Kim Hyung Tae and Woo Seo Ri, the quiet reclaiming of Rin Kim's life -- all of these things fit so snugly into the overarching plot without feeling like they take up too much or too little space.
And that brings me to the other pillar of this drama, the wonder that is Woo Seo Ri. First, just let me say Shin Hye Sun is one of the best actresses of our age. She has this incredible ability to completely transform herself into any role she's playing. This is no different in the case of Still 17. It always gets iffy when the female lead has to rely on the male lead for her basic needs -- food, house, safety, etc. There's just such a huge power imbalance there that it can get gross real quick. But I think this drama did a good job of not crossing that fine line. Seo Ri depends on the Kong family's generosity, but the way it comes about and how they interact with each other felt really natural imo. She may live in the little room under the stairs, but she isn't confined to that space or identity. Seo Ri's growth and moment of intermission after losing such an enormous part of her life is a thing of beauty to watch, and I love how she stays true to her personality and values even as she navigates this uncharted territory. Kong Woo Jin may be my favorite part of the drama, but I fully acknowledge it would be nowhere near the delight it is without the ever-optimistic Woo Seo Ri.
I highly recommend this drama to anyone who loves "healing" type stories. It's truly a beautiful look into what it means to lose yourself for years, yet with a little push from some outside forces, find the courage and strength to restart and try your hand at living again.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, from the perfectly paced and balanced story to the cute and supportive romance the two leads developed.
I love that their relationship clearly went beyond “lust” to a place that truly showed their trust and devotion to each other. The intrigue behind Dowon’s true identity was also really well done. All the characters were very nuanced, and I like how there weren’t any really one-dimensional “baddies” in the show - just people guided by different principles pursuing their end goals in very different ways.
It got a toooouch overly patriotic near the end, but I can forgive it for having such small detriments in the overall scheme of things. I also actually felt the drama could’ve been a tad longer to add some more oomph to those climatic moments they kinda had to gloss over at the end, but overall I was very satisfied with the ending and wholeheartedly recommend this drama to historical romance fans who like a touch of social commentary in their watches.
This was a pretty fun watch, light and breezy for the most part, which was both a positive and negative. It’s a positive because the plot was very cohesive and didn’t drag, but I feel like the messages the drama was trying to get across didn’t get conveyed as well as they could have, especially for the final conflict. It has a very accurate portrayal of Korean society and its imbalances, but it didn’t do quite as much as it could (and seemed to want) to subvert those expectations.
Other than that, it was a fine watch. The acting itself was really top notch, and I like how well the main leads expressed subtle emotions through their facial expressions. There were some parts I was confused with the background cast about who’s who, but the main characters were well formed and had believable personalities and reactions to events, for the most part.
(Gotta say tho, those Netflix translations were terrible, I’ve never seen such a loose interpretation of words and sentences before! There’s such a thing as too heavy handed localization)
This was an interesting watch, tho not the strongest by this writer for sure. I liked how it examined Expectations vs. Reality in relationships, and sometimes the “perfect partner “ we think we’re looking for isn’t actually the relationship we need in order to be successful and feel supported in life. This was best portrayed in one of the side couples (the bank director and farmer), but also in examining why Yan Fei’s previous relationship fell apart despite being “the good match” on paper.
I kinda dislike how infatuated the ML was with the FL lead (it just wasn’t realistic imo for someone to hang onto a one sided crush for that long), and I hated the mid-arch with the ML and his current girlfriend, but other than those two points, I had a good time watching this drama. It's at least well produced and has a pretty good pace for the various couples and how they get together.
I'd say overall, I enjoyed this drama. I never felt bored while watching, and always looked forward to my next viewing session (I usually watch about in 1~3 episode chunks).
I really liked how they strung together the mystery and it felt like they gave the audience enough clues without relying too much on red herrings or making things too obvious. I loved the unique setting! I've been to Incheon airport many a-times, so to get a glimpse into what happens in the background and how things are run (even if overdramatized) was a treat.
I felt the two leads did a good job in their parts, though it did that thing that I don't always like in dramas where at the beginning it seems like the FL and ML will get equal story plot and attention, only for the FL's character to fizzle out towards the middle and plateau, leaving the ML with all the interesting development in the second half (tho in this instance, the ML definitely made some questionable choices...)
I also felt like the ending left much to be desired, and I didn't really like how they wrapped things up in the last episode. In addition, they didn't answer all my questions! I was disappointed in that, too. Maybe they were just overambitious with the number of plot threads, even though I did feel like they had a good balance of storytime for A and B plots throughout the runtime.
All in all, I can't say I'd watch it again, but I don't regret giving this one a chance. The first half is way better than the second imo.
My first rewatch of this drama in the almost ten years since it came out initially, and I loved it. I can see why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and there are some head scratching and unbelievable moments, but I love the heart of this drama and the message it’s sending.
To put yourself in someone else shoes is one of the hardest things to do as humans, and to not give into our base desires is equally as difficult. I think this drama is portraying the difficulties that come with taking the high road and forging others even at the expense of your own self imposed dignity. The story line with Seo Do Yeon and her father was the most emotional for me in the end.
Not to mention I really loved the acting. The female lead’s voice is so dusky and captivating, and Yi Jong Suk really blew his performance out of the water. An excellent watch for people who appreciate the older style of k-drama storytelling. In the end, I stand by my rating of 9/10 stars.
I'd say I enjoyed this season as much as the first one. Tho I would like to point out that even though I watched season one earlier this year, I did have trouble recalling the events/important plot points, which leads me to believe that while I stand by saying both seasons are very well structured, paced, and engaging, they don't really leave the lasting impact I'd've liked or anticipated. I had a great time watching, but that's where the impression of this drama ends, unfortunately.
A wonderful gem of a drama! I went into this with no expectations solely based on the fact it stars Aragaki Yui, but I was more than pleasantly surprised!
I loved this drama’s discussions of boundaries and how to be true to yourself, whether it be in romantic relationships, platonic, or at the workplace, developing the skills required to foster relationships that do us more good than harm and aren’t based on simply reciprocal benefits is very tricky, and this drama explored that point very well. It also contemplated how to overcome the limitations we set for ourselves, and how ultimately, we need to choose the path best for us, even if it may inadvertently harm those around us, and even a part of ourselves. Change is scary but it’s inevitable and necessary to live a life worth living.
There’s also a depiction of depersonalization in this drama that’s one of the best put together and stirring representation of that ailment I’ve ever seen in media. As someone who has struggled with periods disassociation of quite similar to the one portrayed in this drama, it really struck a cord with me.
I also enjoyed all the performances, and though I certainly didn’t agree with some of the characters actions, I felt like I understood them on a deep level, which is an accomplishment. I thoroughly respected the development and pacing of the romance and felt it added the right amount of tension without taking focus off of the other issues at hand.
Highly recommend this one if you’re looking for an introspective drama and more of a character study than a standard romance.
Way better than I expected. I put off watching this because I thought the main focus would be on adulterous relationships, but I’m glad that turned out to not be the case. Instead what we got were a handful of interesting depictions of not only romantic relationships, but also familial and friendships.
I gotta say, my favorite part of this drama were all the supportive siblings. I love some depiction of families who truly care for each other and aren’t manipulative backstabbers.
The romantic relationships were interesting for the most part, tho I think the story kind of fell off towards the end there. I didn’t enjoy the plot threads of the final two episodes and felt like they were ultimately unnecessary as they didn’t last long nor add anything meaningful to the overall themes being presented. Up until that point, I felt the pacing of the drama was really good and realistic.
I loved the FL’s performance and character, but the ML left something to be desired imo. The character was written as having excellent EQ and control over himself, but the performance was lacking that extra oomph that really could’ve brought his character to life. I feel the same about Jae Shin and his actor. All the female performances slayed in this drama for sure, tho.
Dropped at episode 14. I was seriously debating dropping it at episode 6 (due to that terrible ending, totally killed any chemistry between the two leads from then on out in my eyes), but decided I liked the female lead too much and gave it a second chance.
I liked it for the most part after pushing through, and was rooting mainly for Shin Min-A’s character and enjoying the comedy added by Henry Lau’s character. But around episode 11 things got suuuuper melodramatic (and not in the good, juicy way), and I tried to push through, but I’m sitting about 20 mins into episode 14 at this point, and the meaningless separation pared with endless flashbacks have made me totally lose interest.
What a waste of potential, especially for Shin Min-A’s character - she was such a refreshing FL! The overall storyline was alright, and I felt it did a pretty good job of conveying a positive message about being healthy, though with the typical Korean over-emphasis on outward appearance always thrown in for good measure, I suppose.
I guess I would recommend this drama to someone who likes the two leads, but it’s subpar at its best and the relationship between the two leads falls flat pretty early on, imo.
This is my first rewatch (second time watching) this drama.
Long story short, this rewatch wrecked me. I was experiencing a very traumatic event myself the first time I watched it, so to rewatch it now four years later brought back some very raw emotions. I stand by my initial impression that it’s an important story and brilliantly told in terms of character growth and how PTSD affects people in different ways if left untreated for so long (really - all these characters should be in therapy! I wish that option were even a remote possibility, but alas, this does take place in Korea). If anything, my feelings toward this drama have deepened even further, and it just means a lot to me on a very personal level.
I don’t think I can take frequent rewatches, but I am grateful that such a thought-provoking and earnest drama that tackles its subject matter with such gravity and poignancy exists.
I enjoyed this adaptation, even more so than the manga itself. Granted, I only got through about three volumes of the manga, but I think the story plays itself out much better as a live-action.
I really loved the casting choices for this drama and felt like all the actors and actresses did an excellent job bringing their characters to life. Despite the tricky situations these tarareba girls found themselves in, I had no problem empathizing with their thought processes and rationalizations because it felt all too real. We all rationalize situations to make ourselves feel better, and more in the case of seeking out love and approval.
I also liked the ending message of the series, how it really is just about discovering how to become comfortable in your own skin first and foremost, and then anything beyond that is just an enhancement of the happiness you've already found.
I'd recommend this drama to those seeking a more realistic portrayal of romance that doesn't seek to fairy tail-ize the relationships, yet still has a mostly satisfying conclusion for the three heroines.
I related with Woo Young Woo’s struggles to an uncomfortable degree, but I think that’s what makes this drama important. We as a society should do more to highlight how the different ways people interact with the world are a positive thing to be learned from, not a negative thing to be hidden in the dark and ashamed of.
I enjoyed most of the cases, but the one that stood out to me the most is the hagwon one. As someone who has taught English in Korea, it was frightfully realistic to the terrible stresses these students are subjected to day after day and the horrendous strain society and their parents put upon them. It’s uncomfortable to think I was a cog in that machine that lead to such unhappiness in children, but I can only hope I was able to inject my lessons with enough joy to be a bright light in their day.
I loved all the characters, but would’ve liked to see the main side characters fleshed out more, especially Kwon Min Woo. I loved his character by the end and wanted to see more of his development and growth.
All in all, this is one of the few instances of seeing some autistic traits as it presents itself in females highlighted in a drama, and while not everything was perfect, it was a delightfully well produced step in the right direction without a doubt.
A thoughtful, slow moving drama about just how hard it is to simply live as a human and how the connections we make with other people and the way in which we choose to interact with them can have significant effects on our lives.
The characters went through really amazing character arcs that were satisfying, if a little too real sometimes.
The latter half was a little confusing at times with its time jumps, but overall I felt it had a satisfying conclusion.
I would recommend this drama to people in a philosophical mood who what to ponder the eternal question, "What is the meaning of life?"
What I mostly disliked about this drama were the first few episodes. I thought it was not only a waste, but also entirely irrelevant to have the two main leads + Minato start in what is essentially a love triangle. With how fast the situation resolved itself and how redundant the character of Minato ended up becoming, it felt like a big waste of time rather than jumping straight into the meat of the drama, which is how Aoba and Sakura will navigate a renewed relationship with a broken past and altered present.
Sakura's mom also quite annoyed me with how she insisted on being the centre of Sakura's disability, centering herself and her feelings above anyone else's in the family. Contrasting that to Moe, Sakura's little sister, who began learning sign language as soon as she knew about his hearing, it really makes the selfishness of the mom's actions stand out, and it makes sense why Sakura wouldn't want to visit home for such a long time.
I did like the role music played in the drama. As someone who essentially fills any empty space with music of some kind, it was eye-opening to see what it may be like to suddenly have that very large portion of your life ripped away from you.
All in all, it was a fine drama, with some great commentary on the deaf community and how to adapt to someone's life changing in a big way, but there were several plot lines and scenes that just didn't hit right with me.
Having already read what's out of the source material, I knew the story coming into this drama. However, I found myself discovering new sides to these characters thanks to the excellent acting. Taichi in particular had a darker side, a deep emotional wound, that was always lurking under the surface, which is something I hadn't really picked up while reading the manga.
The drama also did a superb job of portraying the isolation people with hidden disabilities can experience, especially if it's something that changes the core way people interact with you after they find out. The basketball scene near the beginning was one of the finest of the whole drama in my opinion.
The only thing holding this drama back was how rushed it felt towards the end, in the last three or so episodes. If it had been able to get a few more episodes and properly space those major events out, the conclusion of the story would've been much more impactful, though I did enjoy the callback to the beginning in the very last scene.
Overall, a great adaptation and well worth the watch.
What impressed me most about this drama is how consistently driven it stayed from beginning to end in conveying its message. It can be so easy for dramas to get lost in a meandering plot, the only concern being how flashy the next scene can be, but not this one. In my opinion, this drama is trying to convey the message that there has to be a limit to human indecency. From the name of totally-not-Samsung's estate, Jongshimmal, to the motto Jin Yang Cheol swore he abided by to the end, despite clear evidence to the contrary -- Righteous Heart -- this drama really examined what it means to live a life you can be proud of versus drowning in one as you fall victim to your desires and ambitions. There has to be a limit, a hard line, drawn somewhere before someone descends into a place beyond human decency, as we saw through most of the Jins, but especially the culprit revealed at the end. It's ok to be ambitious, but don't lose your humanity along the way.
Another aspect of this drama I appreciated was its realness in depicting the absolute depravity of poverty, and how mind-numbingly impossible it can be to pull yourself up out of the depths of endless debt, especially while living in a society that so highly values capitalism like S. Korea. While I do think this point could've been made a bit earlier and more frequently throughout the drama's episodes, the one in which Jin Do Jun's and Yoon Hyeon Woo's worlds finally collided is one of the most poignantly portrayed scenes I've ever seen. The commentary on how those born into privilege can never really fathom the realities of those born without, and how that abyss may just be too large of a crevasse to ever bridge is something that was expressed very poignantly.
And of course, I've got to give props to all the actors, but Song Joong Ki's performance in particular. He absolutely slayed in his role, and I don't think I've ever seen someone using the act of bowing in such a vicious fashion -- those bows really had a lot of hidden meaning behind them. The use of pouring drinks was also an interesting motif throughout the drama, and I enjoyed how the way someone poured the drink and the time and manner in which it was done conveyed a lot about their hidden intentions and plotting. Kim Shin Rok as Jin Hwa Young also gave a particularly memorable performance. She really got down the phrase "losing your marbles" to a tee and owned her part of the story.
There are so many things I want to commend this drama for, and it's definitely one that demands a rewatch just to see how all these pieces had been strung along for the audience since the beginning. All in all, this drama is well worth the watch and is a well-written, well-acted, and well-directed breath of fresh air.
What first got me to see this drama as more than another run-of-the-mill family one was how a simple "sorry" was not the catch-all band-aid it is often presented as. Sometimes, the actions you take incur such reverberating consequences that can never be retracted, and you must face the consequences of those actions no matter how well-justified you felt when doing them. Some actions leave scars too deep to ever fully be healed, and no matter how "sorry" someone is, no matter how well-meaning their reflection afterward, what's done is done, and the people it has affected must learn to exist under these new conditions.
Adding on top of that was the discussion of family dynamics and how sometimes we can get so caught up in how something "was" for a time that we lose sight of how it has changed now, and our inability to alter and adjust to this new normal, especially if it is seen as lesser than the previous one, has the potential to crack and fissure the family relations from within, slowly, piece by piece. This drama is hands-down the most appa-positive one I've ever seen, but that doesn't mean that the fathers were given the god-treatment, older and wiser thus unable to make mistakes, like they may be in other portrayals. These fathers had a lot to learn, but the family also had to learn that before they were fathers, they were people with dreams and ambitions that don't just go away with the responsibility of parenthood. To see your parents as both guardians on a pedestal and as real-life human beings with emotions and outbursts and everything in between is one of the trickiest balances one can encounter when growing into adulthood, and I think that message in particular was handled brilliantly in this drama. If that were the whole of it, this one would be a 10/10 hands down.
The biggest thing that held this drama back was unfortunately the romance. As well executed as the family stuff was, the romance kept coming seemingly out of left field, and it was very hard as a viewer to decipher exactly when these feelings began and what was the turning point that made these feelings run so deep. I particularly had a lot of issues with how Jitae and Sua's relationship was handled, especially towards the middle portion. I truly wish the romance and discussions had been handled with at least half the amount of heart and talent as the family-related ones were.
All in all, I think this is a fantastic drama. It literally had me sobbing in places, and it went far deeper than I had initially anticipated. This is up there with genre-defining dramas such as Life is Beautiful and My Husband Got a Family. There are parts I wish were done better and some acting portrayed in a less cardboard-y way, but I felt myself and my inner world shifting along with this drama, and if that isn't a metric of success, I don't know what is.
The best part of this drama hands down is Kong Woo Jin. He is not perfect. He has instances where he acts like a complete ass and should have apologized but didn't. He can be selfish and is extremely self-focused, not caring about how his actions affect others in the slightest. And that is what makes his growth so rewarding and heart-wrenching to watch. More than anything, I love how his trajectory is not a straight line -- because that's what healing is like, unfortunately. You can see the errors of your ways, and recognize the need for change... and still fall right back into old familiar patterns and habits that just take chokehold of your life once more. Healing is not a one-and-done experience, and I love how well this drama portrayed that process.
That's what grabs my heart most in this drama, but it's not the only part I enjoy. There are very few things I dislike, actually. Jennifer could be a whole character study within itself of the negative effects of total self-repression can have on one's social and mental health. Chan's coming-of-age story is beautiful and I can't get enough of how it's told in conjunction with a chicken of all things. How the mystery of what happened in those ten lost years is set up and executed (the way all the dominoes fall in those last few episodes one after another -- it's a stormy one for sure!) The tragedy of missed opportunities between Kim Hyung Tae and Woo Seo Ri, the quiet reclaiming of Rin Kim's life -- all of these things fit so snugly into the overarching plot without feeling like they take up too much or too little space.
And that brings me to the other pillar of this drama, the wonder that is Woo Seo Ri. First, just let me say Shin Hye Sun is one of the best actresses of our age. She has this incredible ability to completely transform herself into any role she's playing. This is no different in the case of Still 17. It always gets iffy when the female lead has to rely on the male lead for her basic needs -- food, house, safety, etc. There's just such a huge power imbalance there that it can get gross real quick. But I think this drama did a good job of not crossing that fine line. Seo Ri depends on the Kong family's generosity, but the way it comes about and how they interact with each other felt really natural imo. She may live in the little room under the stairs, but she isn't confined to that space or identity. Seo Ri's growth and moment of intermission after losing such an enormous part of her life is a thing of beauty to watch, and I love how she stays true to her personality and values even as she navigates this uncharted territory. Kong Woo Jin may be my favorite part of the drama, but I fully acknowledge it would be nowhere near the delight it is without the ever-optimistic Woo Seo Ri.
I highly recommend this drama to anyone who loves "healing" type stories. It's truly a beautiful look into what it means to lose yourself for years, yet with a little push from some outside forces, find the courage and strength to restart and try your hand at living again.
I love that their relationship clearly went beyond “lust” to a place that truly showed their trust and devotion to each other. The intrigue behind Dowon’s true identity was also really well done. All the characters were very nuanced, and I like how there weren’t any really one-dimensional “baddies” in the show - just people guided by different principles pursuing their end goals in very different ways.
It got a toooouch overly patriotic near the end, but I can forgive it for having such small detriments in the overall scheme of things. I also actually felt the drama could’ve been a tad longer to add some more oomph to those climatic moments they kinda had to gloss over at the end, but overall I was very satisfied with the ending and wholeheartedly recommend this drama to historical romance fans who like a touch of social commentary in their watches.
Other than that, it was a fine watch. The acting itself was really top notch, and I like how well the main leads expressed subtle emotions through their facial expressions. There were some parts I was confused with the background cast about who’s who, but the main characters were well formed and had believable personalities and reactions to events, for the most part.
(Gotta say tho, those Netflix translations were terrible, I’ve never seen such a loose interpretation of words and sentences before! There’s such a thing as too heavy handed localization)
I kinda dislike how infatuated the ML was with the FL lead (it just wasn’t realistic imo for someone to hang onto a one sided crush for that long), and I hated the mid-arch with the ML and his current girlfriend, but other than those two points, I had a good time watching this drama. It's at least well produced and has a pretty good pace for the various couples and how they get together.
I really liked how they strung together the mystery and it felt like they gave the audience enough clues without relying too much on red herrings or making things too obvious. I loved the unique setting! I've been to Incheon airport many a-times, so to get a glimpse into what happens in the background and how things are run (even if overdramatized) was a treat.
I felt the two leads did a good job in their parts, though it did that thing that I don't always like in dramas where at the beginning it seems like the FL and ML will get equal story plot and attention, only for the FL's character to fizzle out towards the middle and plateau, leaving the ML with all the interesting development in the second half (tho in this instance, the ML definitely made some questionable choices...)
I also felt like the ending left much to be desired, and I didn't really like how they wrapped things up in the last episode. In addition, they didn't answer all my questions! I was disappointed in that, too. Maybe they were just overambitious with the number of plot threads, even though I did feel like they had a good balance of storytime for A and B plots throughout the runtime.
All in all, I can't say I'd watch it again, but I don't regret giving this one a chance. The first half is way better than the second imo.
To put yourself in someone else shoes is one of the hardest things to do as humans, and to not give into our base desires is equally as difficult. I think this drama is portraying the difficulties that come with taking the high road and forging others even at the expense of your own self imposed dignity. The story line with Seo Do Yeon and her father was the most emotional for me in the end.
Not to mention I really loved the acting. The female lead’s voice is so dusky and captivating, and Yi Jong Suk really blew his performance out of the water. An excellent watch for people who appreciate the older style of k-drama storytelling. In the end, I stand by my rating of 9/10 stars.
I loved this drama’s discussions of boundaries and how to be true to yourself, whether it be in romantic relationships, platonic, or at the workplace, developing the skills required to foster relationships that do us more good than harm and aren’t based on simply reciprocal benefits is very tricky, and this drama explored that point very well. It also contemplated how to overcome the limitations we set for ourselves, and how ultimately, we need to choose the path best for us, even if it may inadvertently harm those around us, and even a part of ourselves. Change is scary but it’s inevitable and necessary to live a life worth living.
There’s also a depiction of depersonalization in this drama that’s one of the best put together and stirring representation of that ailment I’ve ever seen in media. As someone who has struggled with periods disassociation of quite similar to the one portrayed in this drama, it really struck a cord with me.
I also enjoyed all the performances, and though I certainly didn’t agree with some of the characters actions, I felt like I understood them on a deep level, which is an accomplishment. I thoroughly respected the development and pacing of the romance and felt it added the right amount of tension without taking focus off of the other issues at hand.
Highly recommend this one if you’re looking for an introspective drama and more of a character study than a standard romance.
I gotta say, my favorite part of this drama were all the supportive siblings. I love some depiction of families who truly care for each other and aren’t manipulative backstabbers.
The romantic relationships were interesting for the most part, tho I think the story kind of fell off towards the end there. I didn’t enjoy the plot threads of the final two episodes and felt like they were ultimately unnecessary as they didn’t last long nor add anything meaningful to the overall themes being presented. Up until that point, I felt the pacing of the drama was really good and realistic.
I loved the FL’s performance and character, but the ML left
something to be desired imo. The character was written as having excellent EQ and control over himself, but the performance was lacking that extra oomph that really could’ve brought his character to life. I feel the same about Jae Shin and his actor. All the female performances slayed in this drama for
sure, tho.
I liked it for the most part after pushing through, and was rooting mainly for Shin Min-A’s character and enjoying the comedy added by Henry Lau’s character. But around episode 11 things got suuuuper melodramatic (and not in the good, juicy way), and I tried to push through, but I’m sitting about 20 mins into episode 14 at this point, and the meaningless separation pared with endless flashbacks have made me totally lose interest.
What a waste of potential, especially for Shin Min-A’s character - she was such a refreshing FL! The overall storyline was alright, and I felt it did a pretty good job of conveying a positive message about being healthy, though with the typical Korean over-emphasis on outward appearance always thrown in for good measure, I suppose.
I guess I would recommend this drama to someone who likes the two leads, but it’s subpar at its best and the relationship between
the two leads falls flat pretty early on, imo.
Long story short, this rewatch wrecked me. I was experiencing a very traumatic event myself the first time I watched it, so to rewatch it now four years later brought back some very raw emotions. I stand by my initial impression that it’s an important story and brilliantly told in terms of character growth and how PTSD affects people in different ways if left untreated for so long (really - all these characters should be in therapy! I wish that option were even a remote possibility, but alas, this does take place in Korea). If anything, my feelings toward this drama have deepened even further, and it just means a lot to me on a very personal level.
I don’t think I can take frequent rewatches, but I am grateful that such a thought-provoking and earnest drama that tackles its subject matter with such gravity and poignancy exists.
I really loved the casting choices for this drama and felt like all the actors and actresses did an excellent job bringing their characters to life. Despite the tricky situations these tarareba girls found themselves in, I had no problem empathizing with their thought processes and rationalizations because it felt all too real. We all rationalize situations to make ourselves feel better, and more in the case of seeking out love and approval.
I also liked the ending message of the series, how it really is just about discovering how to become comfortable in your own skin first and foremost, and then anything beyond that is just an enhancement of the happiness you've already found.
I'd recommend this drama to those seeking a more realistic portrayal of romance that doesn't seek to fairy tail-ize the relationships, yet still has a mostly satisfying conclusion for the three heroines.
I enjoyed most of the cases, but the one that stood out to me the most is the hagwon one. As someone who has taught English in Korea, it was frightfully realistic to the terrible stresses these students are subjected to day after day and the horrendous strain society and their parents put upon them. It’s uncomfortable to think I was a cog in that machine that lead to such unhappiness in children, but I can only hope I was able to inject my lessons with enough joy to be a bright light in their day.
I loved all the characters, but would’ve liked to see the main side characters fleshed out more, especially Kwon Min Woo. I loved his character by the end and wanted to see more of his development and growth.
All in all, this is one of the few instances of seeing some autistic traits as it presents itself in females highlighted in a drama, and while not everything was perfect, it was a delightfully well produced step in the right direction without a doubt.
The characters went through really amazing character arcs that were satisfying, if a little too real sometimes.
The latter half was a little confusing at times with its time jumps, but overall I felt it had a satisfying conclusion.
I would recommend this drama to people in a philosophical mood who what to ponder the eternal question, "What is the meaning of life?"