nouki

In this ocean of negative reviews let me write a more detailed and mature review because it really doesn’t deserve this rating. Kdrama fans are so cruel sometimes and I really don’t see the reason. It wasn’t a cringe boring romcom so I don’t understand all this rage.

I genuinely enjoyed this drama. It wasn’t perfect, and there were moments when some of the characters frustrated me, but overall, it was an emotional and worthwhile watch.

My biggest issue was the female lead. I found her confusing, unpredictable, and sometimes quite frustrating. I understand that she was going through a personal crisis, questioning herself, her career, and what she really wanted from life. However, her uncertainty affected the lives of the two men around her. She seemed unable to make a clear choice while also struggling to accept the possibility of losing either of them.

What bothered me most was that she sometimes appeared to want the security of having someone by her side without being ready to fully commit to him. I believe there is a difference between loving someone deeply as a friend, almost like family, and loving them romantically. These feelings shouldn’t be confused, especially when another person’s heart is involved.
That said, I did appreciate her development towards the end. She eventually took a step back, acknowledged certain things and had some genuinely beautiful conversations with him. I wouldn’t say she became my favourite character, but I could understand her better by the end.

The male lead, however, was the character I connected with the most. His devotion, patience and willingness to put others before himself made him very easy to sympathize with. At times, I honestly felt he deserved more than what he was receiving emotionally.

I particularly enjoyed seeing him develop a connection with the other female lead. Their relationship felt more natural, balanced and healthy. There was something refreshing about watching him interact with someone without all the emotional baggage and uncertainty of his previous relationship. I was genuinely happy when he returned to her and finally allowed himself to pursue something that could make him happy, too. Their kiss was one of my favourite moments!

I also liked that the drama didn’t necessarily force the original leads to become complete strangers. When two people have shared so much of their lives, it isn’t always realistic or necessary to erase each other completely. Sometimes, people simply become more distant, while still keeping a certain affection and respect for one another. I found that outcome quite realistic.

As for the workplace storyline, I think it had potential and added another interesting dimension to the drama. However, some parts felt a little complicated and could have been explained or developed better. I would have liked a more satisfying resolution to certain aspects of the company conflict.

The final episode was particularly emotional for me. I actually found myself crying along with the characters. I appreciated the way the different emotional journeys came together, even though the final few minutes felt somewhat ambiguous. I would have preferred a slightly clearer ending, but I can appreciate the intention behind leaving some things open to interpretation.

What I ultimately took from this drama is that love isn’t always about ending up together. Sometimes, people are important parts of our lives, but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily the right romantic partners for us. Growing up also means recognizing the difference, making difficult choices and allowing ourselves and others to move forward.

Overall, this was a drama with some frustrating character decisions, a few storytelling weaknesses and an ending that could have been more conclusive. Nevertheless, it made me laugh, cry, reflect and genuinely care about its characters.

It may not be a masterpiece, but it was definitely worth watching.