This review may contain spoilers
A hidden gem!
I honestly don’t know how to deal with the amount of negative criticism this K-drama has received. Because of those reviews, I almost missed out on what is truly a hidden gem.For me, Spring of Youth is the very definition of what a traditional K-drama should be. It has just the right balance of romantic comedy, music, and romance without becoming overly sweet, a subtle touch of fantasy, and even a bit of crime-related drama that, while predictable, never feels boring.
What I loved about this K-drama:
-The cornea transplant storyline touched me on a very personal level. My father received a transplant when he was very young, and I had never truly reflected on the person who had to die so that he could see again—someone who once had a life, dreams, and desires.
This theme was handled with great sensitivity, delivering just enough emotional weight to bring tears without becoming overwhelming. I loved the magical, almost fantastical aura surrounding this storyline. The way it was woven into the plot was beautiful; no heavy explanations were needed.
-Another deeply emotional theme for me is the mother–daughter relationship, and it usually breaks my heart. Here, however, it was handled with so much care and beauty. The way both themes connect in such a subtle, almost magical way feels like pure art.
-I’m not a fan of overly sugary or clingy romance, and this drama found the perfect balance. The romance was neither too much nor too little—just right.
-Friendship is one of the things I enjoy most in K-dramas, and the bond between the band members was very well developed. In many ways, it reminded me of Twinkling Watermelon.
-The soundtrack is lovely. The necklace song slowly grew on me, and by the end, I truly loved it.
-Contrary to many comments I had read, I felt that every character’s actions were completely justified. The story felt well-rounded and cohesive, with almost no loose ends.
-The length of the drama was perfect—long enough to fully develop the story, yet short enough to never feel boring.
What I didn’t love as much:
-There’s no clear explanation of what exactly happened to Seo Tae-Yang’s mother. I would have liked to know how she died.
-Seo Tae-Yang’s ending made me sad. I would have preferred to see him rejoin the band.
-The final scenes left me wanting a proper band reunion, as well as more development of Jin-gu’s story and his relationship with Bae Gyu-ri.
This is my first K-drama of 2026, and the year truly couldn’t have started in a better way.
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