A lighthearted show that should not be taken too seriously and a thoroughly enjoyable watch
I had very low expectations for this show, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself counting down the days for the next episode every week ever since I binged the first 4 eps.This show is not very complex (although it definitely gains more depth as the episodes progress), but it is entertaining and interesting nonetheless, especially if you like romcoms and don't require an in-depth plot in order to enjoy a show. I really enjoyed the pacing and how quickly story arcs resolve and new arcs begin.
In my opinion casting was done extremely well and the actors were believable as their characters. I absolutely love the soundtrack and immediately downloaded the OST after finishing the first 4 eps.
This show reminded me of Business Proposal (something about the use of comedy brought it to mind, it is definitely romcom comedy not just slapstick comedy which I detest seeing in romcoms since it just kills the romance) as well as Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (if they attended an arts university instead of a sports university, also the male lead still having a soft spot for his ex when she is in trouble and said ex wanting to get back together after abandoning him)
I will definitely be rewatching this show in the future since it does not heavily rely on plot twists and reveals so the joy from watching is mainly from seeing the characters interact. While this is not a particularly layered or deep show, and I have seen shows that were much higher rated and more complex, I have to say that I found this show more entertaining than the vast majority of those shows. I'm all for high stakes, compelling themes and complex narratives but in my opinion a show falls flat if it can't entertain me.
Lastly, I feel the need to point out that it is a bit misleading that this show is presented on MDL as having 5 main characters when in reality the main characters of the show consist of the 3 characters that make up the main love triangle (they're the only ones on the poster for a reason). I do like him as an actor but I wasn't specifically watching the show to see him and yet I was still caught offguard by how briefly Kim Hyunjin actually features in the show (I think it's roughly 2 and a half episodes and I don't foresee him reappearing in the 2nd half) and I think this will also apply to the 4th Male lead who has only just been soft launched half way through the show.
I will update this review when I have finished the last third, but I have seen 8/12 episodes so far.
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Light-hearted but morbid
As someone who is at the age where people start entering the workforce but who isn't quite as independent or qualified (yet) as my peers, this has resulted in me relying heavily on my 1-person support system, my mum. It is always at the back of my mind that I don't know what I would do if I suddenly lost her. Therefore, right from episode 1 this show unexpectedly struck a chord with me in a way no other show has.I tend to avoid sad shows and dislike melodramas; sticking mostly to romcoms and mysteries (genres where grief and misfortune are usually greatly exaggerated) so I rarely have to do any reflection on my own life and circumstances because of a drama. However, throughout watching Our Universe I have had my heart tugged on by the show's gentle handling of death and life after death for those who remain.
I think it is very realistic the way life goes on as normal for the most part until the weight of it all crashes over you on a seemingly random Tuesday. Unlike the way grief is depicted in most media, a lot of people don't have time to grieve dramatically, and humans adapt to their circumstances quite swiftly when forced to.
As far as the love story goes, I think the transition from bickering in laws to roommates, then family and finally a budding romance was quite naturally paced. I appreciate that by the time both of the love interests have confessed, we as the viewers genuinely believe that both of them stand an equal chance because it is all too common that second leads one-sidedly like the FL who at no point in the show liked them romantically OR that the FL initially liked the 2nd ML and still claims to despite obviously having feelings for the ML.
While the ML can be quite immature and petty, he has been impressively mature about everything concerning his nephew and his feelings for FL when he could've so easily been portrayed as a borderline manchild (like the American film with a similar plot, "life as we know it", did). In contrast, he is actually the more competent parent/homemaker without the show harping about gender equality, instead attributing this difference to their personalities and backgrounds.
If I had to criticize one thing about the show, the male lead does talk about not liking "waiting" a bit too heavy handedly, like we get it, but that is basically my only complaint.
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