kim

the first half of nevertheless was genuinely promising. i appreciated its willingness to explore unconventional relationships and dive into the realities of toxicity in romance—something most dramas tend to romanticize or avoid altogether. the cinematography was stunning, the pacing felt natural, and there was even a slow-burn lesbian subplot that had so much potential. i was intrigued and hopeful.

but then came the second half, and it felt like a completely different drama. things started to feel rushed, important emotional beats were skipped over, and the plot devolved into tired clichés without any real buildup. the love triangle became the main focus, and the second male lead was not only annoying but also felt entirely irrelevant. the same could be said for some of the side couples, who added little to nothing to the story.

that said, there were a few side couples worth caring about—and i honestly wish more time had been dedicated to them. especially soljiwan. they carried the show, hard. their friends-to-lovers arc was beautifully done, full of quiet yearning, emotional depth, and a refreshing sense of healthiness that the main relationship severely lacked. they deserved more screentime, more intimacy, and more bravery from the writers. honestly, every star i’m giving this show is because of soljiwan. they were the heart of this drama, and without them, there wouldn’t have been much worth watching.