This review may contain spoilers
"Are we really in love?"
Director Ahn Pan Soek stated that this was the central question of the story at its inception.
I enjoyed this show and was immediately struck by the pairing of Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In, a pairing which by the director's own account was so successful that it glossed over the original intention of the show which was to interrogate whether or not the two were really in love. The lead's chemistry was impossible to ignore, and I think their passionate, almost teenage- like love became the focus of the story more than originally intended.
This drama explores emotional maturity, societal pressures, filial piety, and the quiet complexities of adult relationships. It also offers a critique of Korean workplace culture, patriarchy as well as class expectations.
Jin Ah (JA) and Joon Hui's (JH) romantic love springs from a foundation of long-term familiarity and acquaintance and it feels grounded in comfort and emotional safety.
The older woman / younger man age gap is the main polarising factor in the narrative of the story, compounded by the long term familiar connection of the two since JA is a long time best friend of JH's sister; and JH is childhood besties with JA's younger brother. So, this dynamic alone ensures a lot of friction and conflict amongst the characters involved. The show is careful to portray how JA is judged more harshly by society for dating a younger man, while JH, on the other hand is considered to be cool and fearless (especially by his male colleagues) for taking on an older woman. I was actually very surprised after finishing the drama to realise that the age gap is actually only 4 years!
The conflicts that arise within this show are usually as a result of outside pressures and expectations such as family approvals, marriage timelines, status consciousness and maintaining appearances. I was constantly struck by how little freedom JA had to choose her own life even as a full grown adult with financial independence.
The story also portrays how family interference (from JA's mother in particular) or the lack of it (in JH's case) can have long standing repercussions in how adult children make decisions for their lives and also affects how they are viewed by society.
JA deals with a toxic workplace with sexism, harassment and misogyny, I like how the drama portrayed JA's office environment to reflect entrenched gender hierarchies and normalised abuse within corporate structures. This is a theme which caused a large portion of JA's conflict and her overcoming it marks her personal emancipation, I especially enjoyed how diligently she became stronger and more assertive in her workplace, thanks in large part to JH's love, acceptance and the fact of his having "chosen her".
I love the atmosphere of this drama. Stylistically it feels soft and melancholic with understated cinematography which enhances the intimacy of the story and the naturalistic acting style of the characters. The repeated use of motifs of elevators, rain and umbrella's marked the story's progression and the growth of the love between JA and JH. I enjoyed the choice of the music which spoke to each main character's particular struggle: "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Stand by Your Man" The repetitive nature of the music enhances the nostalgia. Rachael Yamagata's "Something In the Rain" and "La La La" are beautifully employed.
Ultimately, this drama exposes the gap between love and courage. The drama repeatedly suggests that love alone is not enough if the couple is not willing to confront family systems, social pressure and personal fear; and in the end this aspect is what makes me conclude that these two are not ultimately meant to be. Their relationship serves the purpose of crystallising their respective characters, they hold a mirror up to each other and their relationship is meant to serve as a tool of growth for each of them. I think that's how it worked out for JA, she found a spot that she felt comfortable in where she was happy to live her life with agency and without anyone's interference.
I gave this drama a well deserved 9/10
I enjoyed this show and was immediately struck by the pairing of Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In, a pairing which by the director's own account was so successful that it glossed over the original intention of the show which was to interrogate whether or not the two were really in love. The lead's chemistry was impossible to ignore, and I think their passionate, almost teenage- like love became the focus of the story more than originally intended.
This drama explores emotional maturity, societal pressures, filial piety, and the quiet complexities of adult relationships. It also offers a critique of Korean workplace culture, patriarchy as well as class expectations.
Jin Ah (JA) and Joon Hui's (JH) romantic love springs from a foundation of long-term familiarity and acquaintance and it feels grounded in comfort and emotional safety.
The older woman / younger man age gap is the main polarising factor in the narrative of the story, compounded by the long term familiar connection of the two since JA is a long time best friend of JH's sister; and JH is childhood besties with JA's younger brother. So, this dynamic alone ensures a lot of friction and conflict amongst the characters involved. The show is careful to portray how JA is judged more harshly by society for dating a younger man, while JH, on the other hand is considered to be cool and fearless (especially by his male colleagues) for taking on an older woman. I was actually very surprised after finishing the drama to realise that the age gap is actually only 4 years!
The conflicts that arise within this show are usually as a result of outside pressures and expectations such as family approvals, marriage timelines, status consciousness and maintaining appearances. I was constantly struck by how little freedom JA had to choose her own life even as a full grown adult with financial independence.
The story also portrays how family interference (from JA's mother in particular) or the lack of it (in JH's case) can have long standing repercussions in how adult children make decisions for their lives and also affects how they are viewed by society.
JA deals with a toxic workplace with sexism, harassment and misogyny, I like how the drama portrayed JA's office environment to reflect entrenched gender hierarchies and normalised abuse within corporate structures. This is a theme which caused a large portion of JA's conflict and her overcoming it marks her personal emancipation, I especially enjoyed how diligently she became stronger and more assertive in her workplace, thanks in large part to JH's love, acceptance and the fact of his having "chosen her".
I love the atmosphere of this drama. Stylistically it feels soft and melancholic with understated cinematography which enhances the intimacy of the story and the naturalistic acting style of the characters. The repeated use of motifs of elevators, rain and umbrella's marked the story's progression and the growth of the love between JA and JH. I enjoyed the choice of the music which spoke to each main character's particular struggle: "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Stand by Your Man" The repetitive nature of the music enhances the nostalgia. Rachael Yamagata's "Something In the Rain" and "La La La" are beautifully employed.
Ultimately, this drama exposes the gap between love and courage. The drama repeatedly suggests that love alone is not enough if the couple is not willing to confront family systems, social pressure and personal fear; and in the end this aspect is what makes me conclude that these two are not ultimately meant to be. Their relationship serves the purpose of crystallising their respective characters, they hold a mirror up to each other and their relationship is meant to serve as a tool of growth for each of them. I think that's how it worked out for JA, she found a spot that she felt comfortable in where she was happy to live her life with agency and without anyone's interference.
I gave this drama a well deserved 9/10
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