iD3nTiKaL

Between Steps started off as a very interesting and refreshing drama. One thing worth mentioning is that this isn't your typical fast-paced K-drama. It's a relatively slow-paced show with plenty of long conversations, extended discussions, and gradual character development. Personally, I really enjoyed this approach. The first six to eight episodes were beautifully paced, allowing the story and characters to evolve naturally. Everything felt realistic, almost as if we were watching real people dealing with real situations rather than a story constantly rushing towards its next plot point.

Coming to the performances, both Choo Young-woo and Kim So-hyun did a wonderful job portraying their respective characters. Kim So-hyun is personally one of my favourite actresses, and I've watched most of her dramas. It's always enjoyable watching her on screen, and she delivered another lovely performance as Im Yoo-jin. Choo Young-woo was equally impressive as Park Min-jae. Both actors did justice to their roles, and I honestly don't think the performances were the problem with this drama.

Unfortunately, the writing started becoming repetitive as the story progressed. The constant back-and-forth between Yoo-jin pursuing Min-jae and him repeatedly rejecting her feelings started getting frustrating. The cancer storyline also kept returning, making certain parts of the drama feel like they were going in circles. The sudden change in direction around episodes 7 and 8, particularly Min-jae's departure for the US, also affected the overall flow of the story.

One of the biggest highlights for me was the supporting cast, especially the laboratory colleagues. Kim Se-jin, played by Im Jin-hyo, was easily the funniest character in the entire show. His weird personality and comic timing brought so much entertainment whenever he appeared. I actually wish the writers had utilised the supporting characters more because there was plenty of potential there.

I also felt that Professor Lee Ji-hoon's character deserved better writing. His storyline was initially quite interesting, but considering everything he did for Yoo-jin, the way things eventually turned out felt a little unfair to his character.

Another major disappointment was the ending. After spending almost the entire drama building the story at such a gradual pace, the last four episodes felt increasingly rushed. The final episode, especially, felt like the writers were suddenly trying to wrap everything up at once. Honestly, considering how slowly and carefully the story had been developing, I feel they could easily have used another three or four episodes to give the characters and their storylines the conclusion they deserved.

However, if there are two things I absolutely loved about this drama, they are its directing and music. The cinematography, camera work, atmosphere, and soundtrack were genuinely beautiful. The music complemented the emotional scenes perfectly, and the overall visual presentation was easily one of the strongest aspects of the show.

Overall, Between Steps had everything needed to become a really special drama: a unique premise, two talented leads, a lovely supporting cast, beautiful cinematography, and an excellent soundtrack. Unfortunately, repetitive storytelling and a rushed conclusion prevented it from reaching its full potential.

It's disappointing because the first six to eight episodes genuinely made me expect something much better. A good drama with some beautiful moments, but ultimately, a lot of wasted potential.