This review may contain spoilers
A Well-Acted Drama with a Story That's masterpiece
Melo Movie (2025) had the potential to be a truly compelling drama, but while it excels in acting and production, the story itself feels somewhat underwhelming.
The plot isn't necessarily bad, but it lacks depth and excitement. It flows smoothly, like still water—calm and unproblematic, yet not particularly engaging. There are no glaring flaws, but at the same time, nothing that truly captivates or surprises the audience.
Character Depth & Performances
Instead of focusing on the overall narrative, I found myself drawn more toward the individual characters and their journeys.
1. Ko Jun – The Most Compelling Character
Among all the characters, Ko Jun stood out the most. His story was by far the most emotionally gripping, even though he had relatively limited screen time. His struggles, inner conflicts, and tragic undertones made him the heart of the drama. Perhaps it's because I have a soft spot for tragic characters, but his arc was undeniably the most well-written and engaging.
2. Kim Mubee & Hong Sijun – A Decent Tie
Kim Mubee’s character had an interesting backstory, especially regarding her complex relationship with her father and her attempts to ‘win’ over him. Meanwhile, Hong Sijun’s storyline—centered on his family issues and his relationship with Son Jua—was also intriguing, though not explored to its full potential. Both had promising narratives, but they fell short of being truly outstanding.
3. Ko Gyeom & Son Jua – Characters That Lacked Impact
Son Jua’s character felt dependent on the storylines of others, particularly Hong Sijun and Kim Mubee. She never really had a plotline of her own, which made her feel somewhat sidelined. On the other hand, Ko Gyeom had multiple independent storylines, yet none of them felt particularly engaging. The most compelling moment in his arc was when he obsessively repeated the car motion in the rain, trying to determine whether an accident was truly accidental.
The Good and the Not-So-Good
The acting was, without a doubt, phenomenal. Every actor delivered their role with excellence, bringing emotional depth to their characters despite the script’s shortcomings. The music was also well-composed, enhancing the mood of each scene beautifully.
However, my main issue lies with the storytelling. Even the strongest character, Ko Jun, had an ending that felt rushed and unsatisfying. While I understand the constraints of a 10-episode format, there were several unnecessary scenes that could have been cut in favor of better-paced character development.
Final Verdict
Story: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Decent but lacks excitement and depth
Acting/Cast: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Stellar performances across the board
Music: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Beautifully composed and fitting for the drama’s tone
Rewatch Value: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Not compelling enough for a second watch
Melo Movie (2025) is an enjoyable watch, but it could have been so much more. If you appreciate strong performances and emotional character arcs, you may still find it worth your time. However, if you're looking for an engaging, well-paced story, this drama might leave you wanting more.
The plot isn't necessarily bad, but it lacks depth and excitement. It flows smoothly, like still water—calm and unproblematic, yet not particularly engaging. There are no glaring flaws, but at the same time, nothing that truly captivates or surprises the audience.
Character Depth & Performances
Instead of focusing on the overall narrative, I found myself drawn more toward the individual characters and their journeys.
1. Ko Jun – The Most Compelling Character
Among all the characters, Ko Jun stood out the most. His story was by far the most emotionally gripping, even though he had relatively limited screen time. His struggles, inner conflicts, and tragic undertones made him the heart of the drama. Perhaps it's because I have a soft spot for tragic characters, but his arc was undeniably the most well-written and engaging.
2. Kim Mubee & Hong Sijun – A Decent Tie
Kim Mubee’s character had an interesting backstory, especially regarding her complex relationship with her father and her attempts to ‘win’ over him. Meanwhile, Hong Sijun’s storyline—centered on his family issues and his relationship with Son Jua—was also intriguing, though not explored to its full potential. Both had promising narratives, but they fell short of being truly outstanding.
3. Ko Gyeom & Son Jua – Characters That Lacked Impact
Son Jua’s character felt dependent on the storylines of others, particularly Hong Sijun and Kim Mubee. She never really had a plotline of her own, which made her feel somewhat sidelined. On the other hand, Ko Gyeom had multiple independent storylines, yet none of them felt particularly engaging. The most compelling moment in his arc was when he obsessively repeated the car motion in the rain, trying to determine whether an accident was truly accidental.
The Good and the Not-So-Good
The acting was, without a doubt, phenomenal. Every actor delivered their role with excellence, bringing emotional depth to their characters despite the script’s shortcomings. The music was also well-composed, enhancing the mood of each scene beautifully.
However, my main issue lies with the storytelling. Even the strongest character, Ko Jun, had an ending that felt rushed and unsatisfying. While I understand the constraints of a 10-episode format, there were several unnecessary scenes that could have been cut in favor of better-paced character development.
Final Verdict
Story: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Decent but lacks excitement and depth
Acting/Cast: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Stellar performances across the board
Music: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Beautifully composed and fitting for the drama’s tone
Rewatch Value: ★★★★★ (10/10) – Not compelling enough for a second watch
Melo Movie (2025) is an enjoyable watch, but it could have been so much more. If you appreciate strong performances and emotional character arcs, you may still find it worth your time. However, if you're looking for an engaging, well-paced story, this drama might leave you wanting more.
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