These days one really cannot enjoy anything for the love of it. I also feel some actors/projects are unfairly picked upon either to slander or are deliberately ignored when other similar projects get a lot of leeway. Anyways... there's no way one can fight it. I have been watching Tempest alongwith My youth and needless to say comment section of both shows have been disheartening. More so with My youth because in my humble opinion it has been nitpicked upon a lot across various platforms, some are unreasonably criticising it, and also the fact that it didn't get much support from JTBC itself. What a bummer!
#Ep1-3 Been waiting for this series since forever, and it did not disappiont. What i loved- Scale, Mun Ju's quiet strength, female characters at the centre of the game- political or familial, chemistry between the leads.
Hit and miss- romance- now i love romance in every kind of show but if done right. Here it wasn't very convincing until the last scene of the 3rd ep. Mun-ju's trust in him and thus their developing bond felt very rushed, especially with a dead husband in the background. But I brought it when Mun-ju mentioned about the beer on stage and Paik smiled. 🤭 Tension and twists required for a thriller- some scenes are great. Like the chair-bomb scene was exceptional. But then how did it end like that? He's made of cement or what? The deal scene between DIL and MIL was amazing. But i personally did not get blown away by the post train scenes or the scenes after the priest's death. Some tension was lacking there. And Mun-ju handing over the letter to Madam president was a bummer. Overall some plot points lessened the overall impact.
What i didn't dig-
The political backdrop involving US-NK-SK. Leaning too much towards the much criticised geopolitical games of the US, lack of nuance in the writing for the North Korean reunification plot, and names of other countries just thrown in without thought- basically the politics is from a unidimensional American lens and not something thought provoking for global audience. War word was just being thrown around after a point. Also for SK, effect of these political intrigues being heavily dependent on one person's decisions is not very believable. Hoping for more nuance in upcoming epis.
But despite my misgivings, the plot has enough meat for a thrilling ride in the remaining 6 epis. From the pattern, it seems the pacing gradually improves from episode to episode so I'm really looking forward to a compelling fast paced suspense thriller with a good dynamic between the leads.
#Ep4 LOVED the scene with the four leads in the flower shop. Awkward Je-yeon, affable Seok-ju, "main character energy" Tae-rin and jaded Hae with his taunts. 🤣 They all have a natural camaraderie and the scenes flow so well. I want more of these. Another thing i have been liking since the first ep are the scenes with Hae and Nu-ri. Again, very naturally written and portrayed. And now that we have been shown Seok-ju's dynamic with the two of them, i really appreciate the portrayal of sibling dynamic in the drama. So many cute scenes in this ep, particularly Je-yeon trying to snap a pic of Hae, their bickering about the car and that "good night". 😄 Their chemistry isn't really explosive.... especially with how the characters were already familiar and are constantly bickering but are also happy to be around each other and know everything about the other.... that familiarity and lack of tension is perhaps why the bed scene didn't really work. But the scenes that followed till the kiss were more in their alley and maybe that's why i liked the last few scenes better. Overall Ep3 had more drama than Ep4 and that lack of drama hook will always work against the prospects of this show. But nonetheless, enjoying it.
P.S Hae in those dungarees and cap running around snake-watching and also showing others was just cute or what?! 😭🤣
"I was waiting for someone to yell cut. That filming was bound to end... that this was just a scene i was acting in. That i acted well..." -Sunwoo Hae 🥺💔
I am warming up to this character as of now. Perhaps the depiction of a man with an extremely tragic past being practical and mellow, and not a problematic douchebag, is refreshing.
#Ep3 The writing and acting for the last scene with the throwback to the funeral and back to Je-yeon supporting Hae was top notch... by far the best scene for me.
Idk, I'm actually liking it now so don't know what to say in this embarrassing comment section. The drama is not meant for everyone though. In fact it looks more like a niche web series than a TV drama so i kinda understand why the ratings are low. I like the characters and their inter personal relationships. The candor and humor, subtle acting from everyone.. all of it is good for those who enjoy this genre. Yes, it lacks drama hook to attract wider audience base and mostly the viewership might stay limited to those who like the actors or those who want to watch a simple love story. Anyways...yet to watch the 4th ep but hope it only gets better.
Just back to give a shoutout to SJK's eyes in the first reunion scene and to the writing in that episode ending scene of ep1. I kinda warmed up to the pair in that last scene.
#Ep2 was the better episode. Clarified a lot and the show somewhat settled down. The back and forth between past and present was not edited/presented well. It was confusing at certain points. Having said that, the past scenes were beautiful. The story has enough background now for a 12 ep show. The flashback story gives better perspective as to why both leads are so awkward after meeting as adults and why Hae is so enthu and wants to prolong their conversations.😭 The flashback itself was so sweet... the actors were so so good. Especially the actress playing teenaged Je-yeon. She was the standout performer for me in these two eps. Also Seok-ju as a character and his part during their teenage days was well laid out and he's turning out to be a well developed character. There definitely is an issue because the younger actors don't look anything like their older counterparts... some viewers may find it difficult to relate. But if the upcoming conflicts between these characters are well executed with only necessary throw backs to the past, then it could be overcome thanks to the heft in the story otherwise. I think Nu-ri will be an active captain of the ship of her oppa and unni. 🤭 I do feel the flashback portions should have been distributed evenly in two epis... some scenes like the lift scene would have been better to watch after knowing at least something about their past. But the preview does look promising and i am looking forward to the start of the drama filming. 😆 P.S they both looked soooo pretty in the last bus stop- beach scene.
Cancelled Cancelled Cancelled 😂 A recent melo on a free to air channel with a big actor rated really low. Another JTBC drama with the current top star also started slow. Unwritten seoul started slow. It picked up later. Twelve literally has one of their biggest movie stars, yet hasn't gone anywhere. So were all these people "cancelled" too and thus resulted in low ratings? In the case of many of these shows it was excused and glossed over so why not extend the same courtesy to My Youth? (To clarify, i am not suggesting those actors were responsible in any way, some of them are my favs.) It's 2025.. is it that difficult to understand so many factors affect ratings? 🙄 Are we supposed to praise JTBC's amazing programming decision of airing shows back to back on Friday nights? The outcome could have been easily predicted especially with a melo which is really not the flavour now... which is also why some people have been 'predicting' so confidently :) I did not know that the male lead of this drama is also the producer/ director/ screenwriter/ channel head to drag down other actors working on the show. But ofc when it comes to sjk, he is suddenly responsible for everything from global warming to my coffee going cold. I like both of them from their previous shows but this forum has also become another 'X' where one cannot be cool without slandering him. Also, if unreasonable cancel culture is detrimental for everyone, then maybe don't condone it. 🥱
#Ep1 was a mixed bag. The colors and staging, practicality of the characters, acting and the OST were a win for me. However IMHO, the direction was not always precise and the uneven screenplay didn't help. The reunion scene happened way too soon... I would have loved it had there been proper groundwork on the characters and at least some of their past shown before the adult versions actually met... so that we could connect better with their shock and awkwardness and also for the chemistry to shine through. It should have been delayed for better drama hook. The pacing may look slow and melo but important story points didn't get the time to cook. This is a consistent problem in many Kdramas i've seen.... writers expect us to root for characters' feelings without giving us enough time to know them or their struggles. But as a stand alone scene, their first meet was beautiful and the following scenes in the shop were really really good. That apart, the car chase scene was clumsily executed. It didn't look like a show made by experienced people at that point.
However, all four actors played their parts very well. The chemistry between the leads has managed to elicit some polarizing opinions but I warmed up to the pairing as the epi passed. Their bickering is good to watch and the actors are at par in their scenes. Writing doesn't provide much background as of now and friends to lovers is never an instant hit like foes-to-lovers. But they do have potential. Second lead couple is also intriguing. Overall the drama is not as bad as what some viewers are saying. Clumsy? Yes. But has potential and it is just the premiere.
What i loved- Scale, Mun Ju's quiet strength, female characters at the centre of the game- political or familial, chemistry between the leads.
Hit and miss-
romance- now i love romance in every kind of show but if done right. Here it wasn't very convincing until the last scene of the 3rd ep. Mun-ju's trust in him and thus their developing bond felt very rushed, especially with a dead husband in the background. But I brought it when Mun-ju mentioned about the beer on stage and Paik smiled. 🤭
Tension and twists required for a thriller- some scenes are great. Like the chair-bomb scene was exceptional. But then how did it end like that? He's made of cement or what? The deal scene between DIL and MIL was amazing. But i personally did not get blown away by the post train scenes or the scenes after the priest's death. Some tension was lacking there. And Mun-ju handing over the letter to Madam president was a bummer. Overall some plot points lessened the overall impact.
What i didn't dig-
The political backdrop involving US-NK-SK. Leaning too much towards the much criticised geopolitical games of the US, lack of nuance in the writing for the North Korean reunification plot, and names of other countries just thrown in without thought- basically the politics is from a unidimensional American lens and not something thought provoking for global audience. War word was just being thrown around after a point. Also for SK, effect of these political intrigues being heavily dependent on one person's decisions is not very believable. Hoping for more nuance in upcoming epis.
But despite my misgivings, the plot has enough meat for a thrilling ride in the remaining 6 epis. From the pattern, it seems the pacing gradually improves from episode to episode so I'm really looking forward to a compelling fast paced suspense thriller with a good dynamic between the leads.
Another thing i have been liking since the first ep are the scenes with Hae and Nu-ri. Again, very naturally written and portrayed. And now that we have been shown Seok-ju's dynamic with the two of them, i really appreciate the portrayal of sibling dynamic in the drama.
So many cute scenes in this ep, particularly Je-yeon trying to snap a pic of Hae, their bickering about the car and that "good night". 😄 Their chemistry isn't really explosive.... especially with how the characters were already familiar and are constantly bickering but are also happy to be around each other and know everything about the other.... that familiarity and lack of tension is perhaps why the bed scene didn't really work. But the scenes that followed till the kiss were more in their alley and maybe that's why i liked the last few scenes better. Overall Ep3 had more drama than Ep4 and that lack of drama hook will always work against the prospects of this show. But nonetheless, enjoying it.
P.S Hae in those dungarees and cap running around snake-watching and also showing others was just cute or what?! 😭🤣
-Sunwoo Hae 🥺💔
I am warming up to this character as of now. Perhaps the depiction of a man with an extremely tragic past being practical and mellow, and not a problematic douchebag, is refreshing.
P.S they both looked soooo pretty in the last bus stop- beach scene.
It's 2025.. is it that difficult to understand so many factors affect ratings? 🙄 Are we supposed to praise JTBC's amazing programming decision of airing shows back to back on Friday nights? The outcome could have been easily predicted especially with a melo which is really not the flavour now... which is also why some people have been 'predicting' so confidently :) I did not know that the male lead of this drama is also the producer/ director/ screenwriter/ channel head to drag down other actors working on the show. But ofc when it comes to sjk, he is suddenly responsible for everything from global warming to my coffee going cold. I like both of them from their previous shows but this forum has also become another 'X' where one cannot be cool without slandering him. Also, if unreasonable cancel culture is detrimental for everyone, then maybe don't condone it. 🥱
However, all four actors played their parts very well. The chemistry between the leads has managed to elicit some polarizing opinions but I warmed up to the pairing as the epi passed. Their bickering is good to watch and the actors are at par in their scenes. Writing doesn't provide much background as of now and friends to lovers is never an instant hit like foes-to-lovers. But they do have potential. Second lead couple is also intriguing. Overall the drama is not as bad as what some viewers are saying. Clumsy? Yes. But has potential and it is just the premiere.