Usian

"Beside you and on your side"

I really love this drama. It's not perfect, but it has so much going for it! A really sweet, playful romance in which the characters talk through their disagreements and take care of each other, truth being revealed through art, a supportive connection that allows one to face difficult trauma and grow. The comedic aspects don't feel forced, they feel very natural. Oh, and extremely attractive leads with good chemistry.

I'm not into idol fanship stuff and parts of that feel really toxic, especially adults being expected not to date so fans can fantasize a romance with them. However, the theme extension into characters being fans of each other through life by cherishing each other and wanting to take photos is really sweet, both with the main characters and the writer and late photographer. I like the nods to defending the dignity of gay people. Somehow, despite the fangirl theme, I was convinced to watch the show and after I did, it became a comforting favorite.

The romance is cute and sweet, with a real depth to it. You can feel the attraction building based not just on physical beauty, but who the other person is and what they bring out in each other. It evolves into a very caring and accepting relationship. They look out for each other and Deok Mi's support enables Ryan to work through longstanding painful trauma. They talk through their conflicts. Kim Jae Uck's pouting face t is hard to stay mad at. It's physically affectionate and playful. They tease each other, but not in a mean way. The lipstick scene has got to be one of my favorite scenes ever.

I like the side stories, Deok Mi's family. The bickering friends. Eun Gi's character, at times annoying, really gains my sympathy and I love how he concludes, "I just want to see you smile." Even the Dad, seemingly unable to do much more than polish rocks, steps up to have a difficult situation when he sees the need. This drama has a lot of emotionally aware men, at least by the end. Even the young idol is surprisingly mature.

I found the adoption and longing for family storyline very compelling. A close friend was adopted in the US from Korea. My friend has similar wounds and never got the kind of resolution that Ryan Gold/ Heo Yun Je gets in this fictional story. The first time I watched this drama, I felt like I was seeing the healing I want for my friend, but know they will probably never have. That's definitely part of my attachment to the show.

I agree, it gets unnecessarily complicated in the last 2 episodes. Honestly, the story would have worked for me without the extremely improbable childhood connection . Adding in the forgotten little brother feels kinda ridiculous...like maybe just to show Deok Mi's family also had losses and give the mom's something to connect over. It reminds me of a critique of a band I heard once... that sometimes there when musicians are not really proficient, a band will have a bunch of different instruments to make the sound more complex instead of a few really well played instruments. I think these extra plot pieces are like too many instruments, when actually the music was already really good, both literally and metaphorically.
These flashy complications are unneeded. I was into all the other themes already introduced. I could have seen more time with Ryan's mom. Seeing a glimpse of his adoptive parents would have been fulfilling, too.

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Painful, brilliant drama.

I think people are rating this drama based on it being a painful story to absorb, but it is brilliantly done. Congratulations to all the actors and staff, and to the writer. Wow!

I rate a story based on whether or not it accurately reflects truths about human existence and makes me think and perhaps consider something I hadn't before. This drama excels by that criteria.

Yes, it was intense to watch at times, especially the last 2 episodes for me, but I found it compelling and potentially helpful for people to reflect on their own relationships and tendencies. It made me think about... how we can be different people in different situations and the roles we perform for loved ones, how there is a balance to find between not being able to accept failures versus being too comfortable with them, how a stranger can sometimes see you in ways someone who has known you for decades cannot, what makes a family, what is necessary to manifest real change. etc. .

Gotta love these very clear titles that tell you what's up like Now We Are Breaking Up and a Love Other Than Yours!

If you are looking for a light, feel-good rom com, this is not it. If you are up for a deep, messy, but well-written and acted exploration of human needs, connection and behavior, A Love Other Than Yours will deliver.

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