noorelara28

NOT A REVIEW!

This is not a review.
I would like to call this a revisit - or rather a deep dive into the characters and their equations.

Lee Do Hoe –
I am going to hold Do Hoe very close to my heart for a long time.
One of my favourite Korean dramas is ‘To My Star’. Do Hoe reminded me a lot of Han Ji Woo. Both of these characters have gone through some of the most traumatic experiences at such tender age. Even though I haven’t faced - and can’t imagine - the intensity of their experiences, I still identify with them.
The way they push people away even when they need them the most. The fear of being seen - not at their best, but in their mess. The urge to fix everything and still not be able to fight your own demons. The fear of hurting the ones that they love.
I could really go on and on about how similar these two characters were. How their silences had the same kind of pain and misery. Despite their best efforts, they could not explain how broken they truly were and so leaving seemed like the only option.
At one point, I was really confused and didn’t understand Do Hoe’s actions, but soon realized his actions were not to be judged or analyzed. Some people have gone through such terrible things, that rather than feeling sympathy for them, you feel angry that the world could be so cruel.
His little discomforts, his emotional turmoil, and deep-rooted issues, his obsession with perfection, all of it makes sense and makes you feel even more devastated.
But he persists, despite everything. Despite what he has lived through.
He tries to reach out - to seek the light and love of his life in his own quiet way.
Taking a job near where Ju Yeong lives is his way of reaching out - more than anyone in his position could manage. Even when his brain tells him not to, his heart seeks the love, care and affection he once fell for.
That, to me, is how he eventually grows:
He lets go of the past that has tormented him for the better half of his life, but holds onto the part that made him feel alive. He shows the courage to start afresh, to begin again from the moment he stopped living.
When he says to Ju Yeong – ‘ I am just a loser, with a lot of pride. Even so, don’t abandon me.’
-that, to me, is the most beautiful declaration of love. Someone like Do Hoe who has endured so much on his own, lets himself rely on another person and opens his heart to love - and be loved - abundantly.

Shin Ju Yeong –
Again, I must point out a striking similarity between ‘To My Star’ and this show in this aspect. While Ju Yeong’s character isn’t exactly like Kang Seo Joon from ‘To My Star’ – one thing that they both share one rare trait - Their ability to love ferociously. They are both more expressive in love than their respective partners. And they both struggle to heal a wound that they did not give.
What I absolutely love about Ju Yeong is that he never judges Do Hoe — not for his silence, not for his trauma, not for his past. From the moment he realizes the truth about Do Hoe’s abusive father, he becomes deeply protective of Do Hoe.
From making fake snow just to see a smile on Do Hoe’s face to hiding the fact that he is also being hit by Do Hoe’s father - all his efforts go into making life a little better, a little happier for Do Hoe.
Even after Do Hoe disappears, he keeps in touch with Do Hoe’s abusive father, hoping to have some link that connects him to Do Hoe.
When they meet again after 12 years, he doesn’t ask for an explanation, nor does he question his strange new friendship with his school bully, Ha Hyeon Ho.
Ju Yeong only observes, quietly, trying to understand what Do Hoe’s life must have been like and where their relationship stands now after all these years.
He returns to Do Hoe, no matter how many times Do Hoe tries to push him away, distance him. He doesn’t force himself into his life. He waits patiently on the other side of the door, determined that Do Hoe would open the door to his heart someday and let him in, allow him to show his scars like he once did 12 years ago.
It is not easy to find love that lasts a lifetime but it is even more difficult to nurture that love, allow it to grow in its own rhythm and stand by it for eternity.
Characters like Ju Yeong teach us something powerful — that loving someone broken doesn’t mean fixing them. It means holding them steady until they’re ready to rebuild. And only someone like Ju Yeong could have done that.
Someone who can make it snow in a place where snowfall rarely happens. Someone who can make life worth living again.

Ha Hyeon Ho –
I know we often focus on the main leads when it comes to shows like these but I could not possibly let Hyeon Ho and his story slide.
We are introduced to his character as a bully in school who bullies and beats up Do Hoe because of his father.
But in the meantime, we also get a hunch that he is not quite what he shows everyone to be.
We see him momentarily falter and growing jealous of Ju Yeong. We see how, he too yearns for that connection with Do Hoe.
However, things change over the years and he becomes a closer friend and the only person Do Hoe relies on during his disappearance.
Realizing his double standards, he makes an attempt to get closer to Do Hoe. But Do Hoe never truly opens up to him. There is always an invisible wall that Hyeon Ha tries to go beyond but never really succeeds.
He realizes that even after all these years, and despite the fact that he is the only person who knows all of Do Hoe’s deepest darkest secrets, Do Hoe never really lets him into his world the way he lets Ju Yeong in.
Despite that, he stays.
Maybe with the hope that someday Do Hoe would let him in or maybe because it’s his way of redemption for all those years of bullying. Who knows!
In the scene, where he breaks down and puts his heart out there for Do Hoe to see for the first time, knowing that his feelings are not reciprocated. Yet, he bares himself for just that moment, knowing well that he is not the one for Do Hoe.
He feels hurt and full of regret, wondering if things could have been different had he opened his heart to Do Hoe and loved him the way Ju Yeong did.
But he was also aware of the difference between his love and that of Ju Yeong’s.
His love was for himself and Ju Yeong’s was always for Do Hoe. He fought with himself to love Do Hoe, while Ju Yeong fought the whole world to protect Do Hoe.
Despite all these, I felt for him. He grew from his mistakes, learning to be a better friend, a companion. His devastation was so real. All of us makes mistakes, all of us have regrets that we carry through life, hoping someday we’ll be free from that emotional baggage. I hope people like Hyeon Ho have the courage in life to move on, grow, forgive themselves and become a better person.


Love is not always enough. But it is something worth holding on to as we navigate this race called life. Love doesn't magically solve all our problems or conquer all our obstacles but it sure gives us the strength to try again.
In the end, what intrigues me the most about any drama is the way it shapes the characters.
It feels surreal, like watching an artist slowly move his brush across the canvas to reveal a portrait.
It feels satisfying to peel each of the layers, discovering the true meaning words of spoken and unspoken, secret glances and silences.
This show was an emotional roller coaster but it was worth every tear that I shed.

P.S - for the people who loved this show as much as I did, I would recommend watching 'To My Star' (if you haven't already).

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Not a fluffy romance but love in a real world

When we start watching a show or a series, what most of us look for is an escape.
An escape into a world that is not ours, that doesn't consist of the same problems that we go through in our daily lives.
This show does offer you an escape, but without completely losing touch with the reality.

The story follows Jim, who is the owner of a chicken diner shop, that offers free chicken after midnight to its customers. He is a middle aged man(looks too fine for his age though), who struggles to make ends meet. Along with his financial problems, he has a somewhat stained relationship with his nephew Li Ming. Jim is a good and kind-hearted man, but also a man who has been broken and humbled by life for too long to have any place for love and romance in his life.

Enters Wen.
At midnight, Jim finds Wen drunk and passed out at his diner. As they start to communicate they both realize the undeniable spark and tension between them. So, they have a one night stand. Or so Jim thought.
Wen falls head over heels for him from the very first glance and not even for a second does he try to conceal that. On the other hand, even though Jim also likes him and is attracted to him too, he finds it difficult to let go of his past traumas and fears and so creates a wall around his heart, keeping his true feelings locked away.
What I truly loved about the development of their relationship was how mature and unapologetic it was. There was no - 'I think I like you' or hidden glances or confusion created just for the sake of drama. It was clear to both the characters and the audience from their very first scene together that they liked each other. But their unresolved past stood in the way.
Theirs is a romance between two adults who have baggage, regrets, and jobs that don't pause for romance. Their characters have lived life enough to understand that only love wasn't enough to get by in life. That even if you love hard and unconditionally, it can still end in heartbreak. And so their relationship grows silently, not with electric passion or shivering at each other's touch - but through silent moments, by not leaving each other's side.

Alan and Wen's dynamic was also very beautifully explored in the plot. Alan's yearning and his inability to let go of his love was painful to watch. It just showed how sometimes love doesn’t disappear — it just changes form, and sometimes the bravest thing is to let go with love. First's acting in those particular scenes with Mix felt so real that it was a struggle to not burst into tears.

While Alan struggled to let someone go who he has been with for many years, Gaipa on the other hand, was stuck in an unrequited love. Even though we don't get to see their relationship blossom, I felt like the series did justice to both their characters. Alan accepting the fact that Wen can't be a part of his life anymore and Gaipa realizing that some relationships are just not meant to come to reality gave a much needed closure for both the characters which helped them move on.

Now for the young love! Li Ming and Heart's story was as you would expect teenage fluttery love story to be. Simple, Sweet and heart-warming.
Heart is deaf and to avoid him getting judged by people, his parents restrict him to his house. Their first encounter with each other is not very pleasant. But over time they become friends and Li Ming, a sulky teenager soon turns into Heart's most trusted companion. Both of them find solace in each other's presence, and grow a bond that is beyond just friendship. They create a world within the world where both of them feel understood by each other.


Apart from the romantic relationships, the highlight for me was Jim and Li Ming's evolving relationship. Their misunderstandings and then reconciliations felt personal. All of us have been there with our parents at some point, where we struggled to speak each other's languages. But as we learn to be better sons and daughters, our parents too are learning from their mistakes. It was heart warming to see them choose each other despite all the differences. To try to understand each other better and be there for each other.

Over all, I was really satisfied with each and every story and the way they ended. None of them felt forced. We get to spend enough time with each of the characters to understand their internal conflicts and see a reflection of our lives in theirs. This show can't be described as 'love story' but rather a story about love that is always growing and evolving as we move through life. And in the end, it's the people we choose to sit with at a random chicken diner shop, at midnight and share our plates with!

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A story that explores the beauty of healthy conversations

The story of this bl is not new. As fans of bls, we have probably seen this storyline in many many other shows. What sets this show apart though is the way the characters react and the way it explores the beauty and importance of healthy conversations. Let me elaborate...

Amane goes to live with his grandmother in Enoshima where he meets Ryuji. Amane is a free spirited person, who is always joking, and expressing himself unapologetically. On the other hand, Ryuji is shy and reserved but a kind soul who listens and pays attention.
They become friends in no time. Ryuji's calm and attentive presence makes Amane feel safe and he opens up more about his struggles. Ryuji listens to him patiently, assuring him that he doesn't need to hide behind his laughter and jokes when he is with him.
Amane secretly develops a crush on Ryuji. At first, he tries to ignore it as he has been rejected in the past when he fell in love with his friend. But it becomes impossible as he gets to know Ryuji more closely and realizes what a thoughtful and kind person he is. In the end, when it becomes impossible for him to hold it in any longer, the truth comes out.

Until this point, it probably feels like a story we have all heard or seen before. But what happens from this point on, is what really sets this show apart from all the other shows.
The way Ryuji reacts to Amane's confession, the way he doesn't confuse Amane or ghosts him in the name of 'figuring his feelings out' is where this show hits right.
Ryuji is thoughtful. Even when he feels confused about the confessions, he sets out to have an honest conversation with Amane, letting him know how glad he is that Amane confessed.
He doesn't accept the proposal instantly, nor does he pretend that nothing has happened. Things have changed and they are not just friends anymore. Because there is this 'knowing you like me' and he acknowledges it like an absolute gentleman.
I felt it when Amane looked at Ryuji, dazzled at how beautiful it is to love someone like him. Someone who doesn't invalidate or ignore your feelings rather acknowledges and gives the respect it deserves.

The end was also very satisfying. Ryuji's pov was completely understandable and it was valid why his confession was not very confident and yet somehow sweet. As someone who has never even liked a person (whether man or woman), it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between whether you like someone just as friends or are attracted to them. Maybe he doesn't still get it the way Amane feels. Amane has been in love before. He understands and is more aware of his sexuality. Ryuji is more inexperienced in this aspect. So, he speaks from his heart. He confesses what he truly feels. It's this very honesty that makes him brave. Like when he doesn't shy away from the fact that he wants to see the fire works alone with only Amane, when their friends try to take them along.

In the end, it was a beautiful story that fills one's heart with joy without completely taking off from the reality. The only complaint one can have from this show is probably the fact it doesn't have another season. The story has a lot more potential. The chemistry is real - awkward when needed and heart warming when required. It would be really interesting to see how their relationship develops and how they learn more about each other.

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FROM BEING TRAPPED IN THE PAST TO BEING TRAPPED IN LOVE

Life is full of prisons... only you get to choose which ones you want to be trapped into.
For Tang Yi and Shaofei, the prison is their past.

Tang Yi is the head of a gang and Meng shao fei a police officer by profession. Both of their worlds collide when both their mentors get murdered together mysteriously. For four years, Shaofei trails behind Tang Yi, hanging onto the belief that there is more to the story than what Tang Yi had told the police about the murder.
While Shaofei is hooked on unravelling the real truth and bringing justice, Tang Yi has only one motive - revenge.
As the story unravels, many shocking discoveries are made along the way. Both Shaofei and Tang Yi's world, the world of a gangster and a policeman keep colliding, bringing them closer and allowing them to see each other's lives in a completely different light.

Shaofei defies all the stereotypes. He is someone who can take a bullet with a smile on his face and never shies away from expressing how much love he has to give. Every time he is on screen, it lights up with hope and love. He holds onto the people he loves with all his might and is not afraid to jump in front of a gun for them, if needed. At times, he might come off as someone who is too clingy. But it's his that very quality that sets him apart, makes him even more endearing. He loves openly and fiercely. He never gives up on the things that he believes in. He is brave beyond anything.
Tang Yi, on the other hand is scared of loving too much. He has been hurt in the past and lost people he loved dearly. He struggles to open himself up, trust people, let them into his heart. But he is fiercely loyal too. He is trapped in the loop of vengeance and betrayal, but protects his people with all that he has left.

The chemistry between them is undoubtedly natural, as it not only stems from attraction but also shared grief and years of really knowing and understanding each other. When Shao Fei holds Tang Yi close, you can truly feel the depth of his love and how badly he wants to protect Tang Yi from all the pain. It makes sense, as the story progresses that only someone like Shaofei could love Tang Yi without holding back. Only Shaofei could pull him out of the trap of his own past and show him the love and light that exists around him.

The other two couples and their stories are equally good, well told and beautifully executed.
Zhao and Jack are adorable, to say the least. The way Jack looks at Zhao (his shorty) with puppy eyes, is definitely the cutest thing ever. They really bring back the light hearted goofiness to a story that is tragic and grim at times. Their scenes gave the perfect interlude to the continues shocking revelations and betrayals of characters.

The romance between Hong Ye and Dao Yi - at first felt a little odd. I could totally understand Dao Yi's inhibitions and his reasons to not accept Hong Ye's feelings even though he himself had feelings for her. Their story was given less screen time, and we don't really get to see the transition of Dao Yi's feelings but it still was well done. The constant turmoil of being ashamed of yourself for loving someone and still not being able to push her away, was something that was captured very beautifully in Dao Yi's character.

The story was captivating, which happens very rarely. I did come on board for the romance, but instead got a lot more than that. The drama, the emotional scenes, the grief of losing people you love, the regret of making certain choices in life, the feeling of home within a person - every aspect of this drama is worth pining over! And trust me, you won't regret a second of it!

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A poignant story about two people falling in love, a healthy relationship dynamic for a change

When I clicked on the first episode, I had moderate expectations from this show. The first few scenes made me believe this was going to be a mix of comedy, some cringe but sweet moments and some sensitive emotional angle where we get to understand the struggles of a hearing impaired person.
But what I really got out of it is a story that I would like to remember for a really long time, and a couple whose chemistry was so naturally beautiful.
What I liked about the show was that there were not many over the top scenes but rather some really beautiful sensitive scenes that portrayed real human emotions.
I loved the character of Shao Peng, who is the deaf and mute caregiver of the wealthy businessman Zi Xiang. Shao Peng is resilient and sensitive, kind and observant. The way he faces life with so much grace despite all the difficulties he faces is remarkable.
Zi Xiang, on the other hand, grows a lot as a character. I love how he lets Shao Peng know that it is ok to let himself be vulnerable in front of Zi Xiang. The way he says -'You can rely on me too.'
Shao Peng's parents also contributes to this heart-warming love story. It clearly tells you how Shao Peng came to be such a kind and confident person.
Their chemistry was so effortlessly romantic. No over dramatic camera angles, no hyper sexualization - only pure human attraction.
Lastly, I would like to add another thing, that I truly LOVED about this couple. This was probably one of those few bls which had a healthy relationship dynamics. A relationship where the characters actually communicated. No toxic power dynamic or stupid misunderstandings. Just pure love and affection.
'See Your Love' will always hold a special place in my heart.

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A Story to remember

I started watching this drama since I had nothing else on my list and I wanted to just fill my time with something. But I am glad I decided to watch. This drama had one of the most poised plots and character portrayals I had ever seen. Every character had its own journey that concluded so beautifully.
What I loved the most about the show is the way it showed Masumi and Ritsu's evolving relationship. It was raw, real and very very refreshing to watch. None of the things between them was sugarcoated. The way they reconciled did not feel forced at any point. Instead, it felt like the most natural thing.
Yuma's character was the most fun and refreshing to watch. He brought back life into a story that was about endings and dying. The way he loved and cared so intensely and expressed himself so intensely was the life of the show.
These show had some of the most heartbreaking scenes that I will never forget. One of those scenes would be when Ritsu threatened Masumi not to follow him anymore or he'll out him. Masumi's eyes had the most painful thing ever. Another scene would be, where that actress Madoka told Ritsu that if there was button on her chin that would let her die if she pressed it, then she would press that button. God! That was so heartbreaking.
Over all, it was definitely a show worth watching, a story worth experiencing.

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