This review may contain spoilers
Don't write this drama off because of the bad reviews
I watched everything in one day, which allowed me to experience the series in a different way than the watchers who waited every week for new episodes. Many people write that one of the main drawbacks mentioned at the end is the breakup of the main couple. In my opinion, it was a perfect move, making ML feel what the FL felt. If she was abandoned for many years, why couldn't he wait two years? And it allowed her to fulfill a dream she put on hold because of him. I think it allows them both to start over and are equal emotionally and professionally. Plus, after seeing their kisses, I can definitely say they had chemistry! The supporting couples had interesting stories, and I don't think they took up too much of the main characters' time, but there was enough time to develop their stories.Another point viewers disagreed with was the cancer subplot. It did appear out of nowhere, but the father-son relationship was touching for me. It shows viewers how, in the pursuit of goals, we often forget about our loved ones, only to realize how important they are to us when it's often too late.
In my opinion, the storyline of ML's father and mother should have been more developed; the father should have been punished for his violence against both his son and his wife. The overall story should also included ML's feelings, some form of therapy, etc. The topic of ML's biological mother leaving should also be addressed. In real life, it's impossible to remain as indifferent and stoic as the main character was about this.
I think that not having to wait for episodes each week influenced my reception and interpretation of this drama. I don't think it's as bad as some people think. In some places, something was missing, and in others, there was too much. The drama's pacing was good, without dragging on unnecessary plot threads. I'm glad we didn't spend too much time in the past, but the characters' motives were perfectly presented. The story was original, but it could have been better executed. All in all, a good drama to watch one time- 8,3/10
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This review may contain spoilers
They Were Broken, But Their Love Wasn't
A drama that doesn't have one red flag, but two. Despite this, I love their deep love. The last time I felt such chemistry was watching ,,The Forbidden Flower''. For me, this is a good series because:- I didn't fast-forward while watching
- Beautiful intimate scenes, not too much, not too little (I wouldn't be offended if there were more – I'll go back to the deleted scenes)
- Smooth script
- Great actors
- Wonderful music
What would I improve:
- I got lost in time – there could have been more references; I kept wondering how many years they'd been together at any given time
- I would have give more episodes to the time when Flora left, so I could have watched the longing Luke longer
- Sun's depression was underdeveloped
- The last two episodes were very rushed – I need longer conversations, to talk through all their problems
Ultimately, I'm happy with how their story turned out. Flora had to leave to mature, and Luka had to break down the wall his father built within himself. Finally, I want to point out that the friendships shown were beautiful. The moment Sun Yu realized that Sun loved Flora and didn't make an issue of it showed how important Flora was to her. On the other hand, Luka's friends were there for him and helped him understand that he had to fight for love. Friendship is a wonderful element of this series, yet so underappreciated and overlooked.
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story about people who had everything despite having nothing
The best thing about this drama is the natural acting. It is hard to describe just how perfectly the roles were played- the naturalness in their expressions, eyes, and voices. You can't simply fake that kind of chemistry between actors; they truly felt it. Another element was the music; it perfectly mirrored the emotions driving the characters at any given moment, and the score itself was beautifully composed. The visuals, scenes, landscapes, and overall aesthetic were a feast for the eyes. The story itself is far from shallow; it’s about two people with traumatic pasts whose love for each other became their salvation. While I would rate the story overall 8, I want to distinguish between two aspects: I rate the romance a 10 and the work-related storyline an 8. I’ll admit there were work scenes I skipped and scenes of the second couple also, which is why the overall rating isn't perfect.This is a drama for those who, like me, love the kind of romance that reaches you right through the screen at home. It is a deep, sensitive, and passionate story about people who had everything despite having nothing.
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12 episodes would be enough
For me personally, there were too many characters, and all the information and worlds were getting mixed up at the second part of a show. In episodes 12-16, I noticed some gaps in the story, and although the final episode explained a lot, there were a few things that didn't quite click for me. Additionally, I didn't feel the romance was developing. At one point, FL just presented us with a declaration of love after missing him one time. I didn't see any development from ML either, only that he suddenly ''fell into this love." Something was missing. Don't get me wrong, I liked the series, but 12 episodes would have been sufficient. Shortening some of the storylines with the jumps between the characters' worlds and simplifying the story would definitely be better. I especially liked Woo Do-hwan's acting. Both of his characters were excellent. The humor in the series was better than the romance. I think the series will gain more after watching it a second time, that's why I increased my rating.Was this review helpful to you?
Between the lines
This is my first review, despite having watched many TV series and films. I'm writing this not because this series is outstanding, but because it doesn't deserve such low rating. The series has many layers that aren't directly revealed to the viewer for the entire show. Slow pacing at times allows us to process hidden information/ story. It's important to read between the lines. That's why I think this is a drama that deserves a higher rating. It's different. The story unfolds before our eyes, but it requires us to look at the characters from different perspectives. There are not 100% evil or 100% good . They have different motives and hidden agendas. After watching, you might think there are many unanswered questions. But that's not true, everything is ultimately shown as it is. You simply have to analyze it to understand it. This series is raw, different, poetic, pure and dirty all at once. I recommend it to those who aren't afraid of intense scenes and want a break from standard dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
