This review may contain spoilers
I won’t forget you—until the day I start to forget to
A Hidden Gem: ‘Forget You Not’I recently watched Forget You Not, a Taiwanese drama that I stumbled upon without any prior knowledge—didn’t read the synopsis or watch a trailer. Initially, I thought it would be a typical romance, focusing on the relationship between the main characters. However, as the episodes progressed, it unfolded into something much deeper and more impactful than I anticipated.
The series follows Cheng Le-le, a stand-up comedian in her 40s, portrayed by Hsieh Ying-xuan. She balances her comedy gigs with a part-time job at a convenience store, all while navigating a separation from her husband, Zhang Kai (played by Wallace Huo), and the challenges of caring for her aging father, Kuang-chi (Chin Han), who begins to show signs of early dementia.
What struck me was how the show seamlessly blends humor and heartache. Le-le uses her stand-up routines to share stories about her father, turning personal struggles into relatable comedy. This narrative approach adds a unique layer to the storytelling, making the emotional moments even more poignant.
The cinematography, acting, and soundtrack are all top-notch. Each episode is crafted with care, and certain songs have lingered with me long after the series ended. It’s a shame that Forget You Not hasn’t received the recognition it deserves; it stands toe-to-toe with popular K-dramas in terms of quality and emotional depth.
The final episodes were particularly moving. They delve into the complexities of caregiving—the guilt, the exhaustion, and the profound love that drives us to care for those who once cared for us. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of the role reversal that often occurs between aging parents and their adult children.
This drama isn’t just about a woman facing life’s hurdles; it’s about the heavy burden of becoming a caregiver, the sacrifices made, and the enduring bonds of family. It has carved out a special place in my heart.
As the show beautifully puts it: “It’s okay if you forget, I’ll remember. As long as I talk about you, I won’t forget you—until the day I start to forget too.”
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Review: Love Letter (1995) — A Beautiful Film That Left Me Cold
After watching 18x2, which referenced this film, I was curious to finally see what Love Letter was all about. I’d heard so much praise over the years — how poetic and emotional it is, how it’s considered a classic of Japanese cinema. And as someone who genuinely loves romance and melancholic stories, I expected to be moved by it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t.
Visually, Love Letter is beautiful. The snowy landscapes, soft light, and quiet tone give the film a haunting atmosphere. The acting, too, is subtle and sincere. But for all its beauty, I found the story strangely hollow. The pacing felt slow in a way that dulled the emotional impact rather than deepening it, and I struggled to connect with the characters.
One aspect that particularly bothered me was the relationship between the female lead and her new boyfriend. Instead of offering true emotional support, he came across as impatient and even self-serving — trying to speed up her healing so he could take the place of her deceased fiancé. It felt more like he was in love with the idea of her — or maybe even with who she reminded him of — than with her actual self. That dynamic left me uncomfortable, and the ending, instead of providing closure, felt emotionally unearned.
That said, there were a couple of scenes that really stood out: the quiet moment in high school when she tries to light his notebook with her bike lamp, and the rawness of her voice echoing through the snowy mountains. In those moments, I could feel what the film was trying to do — the weight of longing, the fragility of memory — but they were isolated flashes in an otherwise emotionally distant experience.
I know Love Letter means a lot to many viewers, and I respect that. I can appreciate its artistic quality and understand why it resonates with others. But for me, it lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. Sometimes a film just doesn’t speak your language, and that’s okay. This one didn’t speak mine.
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