A gentle, comforting balm of a show for the woes faced by today's youth
If a show could be perfect, this would be it.Our Unwritten Seoul tells the story of twins Mirae and Miji, primarily from the perspective of the latter. With a name meaning future, Mirae is set up for success, with a public corporation job in the heart of bustling Seoul. Miji, on the other hand, lags behind, having been set back by a track accident in high school and the ensuing frustration of losing her one talent. Despite being in seemingly opposite places in life, Mirae harbors a deep loneliness due to circumstances at work, while Miji keeps her spirits up despite working odd part-time jobs. When the two get involved in each others' lives, they get insight into the unique problems each one faces, while growing, healing, & learning what they truly want out of life.
As a 20-something year old trying to find my footing in the big, bad world, I really felt heard by this show. I related to Miji's frustration when things kept not working out, her burnout and resentment of the situation she was placed in. I related to neighbor Lee Hosu's struggle between his morals & career ideals. I related to the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter whose relationship mirrors the relationship of the mother and her own mom. I related to Mirae's overwhelmed feelings in a huge corporation, where you feel like a cog in a wheel. I related to Miji's inability to escape the throes of her own mind, Mirae's enthusiasm hidden by a cold cynicism. So many dialogues felt ripped from my mind, like they watched me during my lowest & highest points and turned my thoughts into a show. And I know I'm not the only one - so many of my friends have echoed the concerns these characters have. In being a slice of life story with a guiding plot thread, they cover so much ground, all while feeling so natural. It's like entering their world for a brief moment, and exiting when the time is right.
But even if you aren't young and entering the real world for the first time, this show is still immensely enjoyable. You'll find highlights in the bristly Rosa restaurant shop owner with deep scars and a sad past. Her journey to healing and growth, as she opens up to Miji, is so touching to see. Her backstory was simply brilliant. Hosu's mother and Hosu have such a fragile but lovely relationship, which was explored so beautifully. The strawberry farm owner and his love for his grandpa add such a warm note to the drama - he reminds us of optimism & hope when the other characters lack it. The morally gray lawyer, using his diability as a shield, was so interesting, not painted as wholly good or bad in a very fresh way. And the lovely grandma, God bless her heart, brought so much humanity to a story about women and their struggles. Every conversation, every relationship, every scene, every little detail felt intentional, built to mirror another or remind a character of some good in the world.
Naturally, this only happens when your actors blast it out of the water. Boyoung is a force in this, as Miji and Mirae almost always feel like two completely distinct people. She portrays Mirae's quiet sentimentality and Miji's exuberant happiness so faithfully, you ncompletely forget that they're the same actor. She has perfect chemistry with both her male costars, a difference in the way each character looks at their specific love interest. I really think Jinyoung picks his roles so well; they feel human & emotional in the best way. You could see the conflict in his eyes, but also a real and deep love. Mr. Strawberry farm, the mom, the Rosa restaurant owner - all given 10000% justice by their actors, which is so important for everything to weave together so effortlessly.
Despite its darker subject matter, the show never feels depressing. Its real in that the sadness parallels the happy moments. It ebbs and flows naturally. And it all works to tell the story of these Normal People. Its the story of people like you and me and how we maneuver the everyday struggles of life. It was short, it was sweet, it was intentional. And that is why I consider it a perfect drama. Despite wanting more of some things (like the strawberry farm couple!). I recognized that it wrapped up perfectly. It reminds us that pains do pass and that, one day, we'll look back on hardships and smile, because we have grown so beautifully and come to our own, no matter how long it takes. And I'll be waiting for that day.
Was this review helpful to you?
