If you like this drama, consider reading Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
This is a wonderful drama rich in introspection and life philosophy. It has a comforting and healing quality without resolving all of the questions that it poses.It is a great example how Korean dramas address issues of self-worth, self-image, and loneliness with a quiet depth that resonates. In doing so, it contributes to a language of compassion conveyed with honesty and restraint that I have come to love in Korean cultural works.
This drama is also a great example of the dramas that portray meaningful relationships outside the one romantic relationship (e.g., like Navillera). It also has lovely depictions of Korean family life that feel warm.
I appreciated that miscommunication (or the absence of communication) is not the primary driver of conflict and resolution in this drama. Even though the characters often fail to speak honestly to one another, they each have someone else with whom they are able to open up.
While the drama has some typical tropes of Korean dramas that can be unfamiliar (e.g., material wealth as status and the role of shame), they are not overstated (e.g., not too much fairytale).
As someone noted before, this drama is very well balanced between emotional, action, comedy and thriller elements. Compared to others, I enjoyed the music (although not all of the themes).
If you liked this drama and its themes, consider reading Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.
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