Anyone familiar with Albert Camus' writings will understand the 10/10 rating. In both western and eastern dramas (films in particular), I've never seen a story narrated so poignantly with texts sent or erased, or with words we sometimes tell others or just think to ourselves, that are rooted in the most familiar question we all wonder-what is my worth in the world. The narrations reveal how difficult life can be when one is required to fit into uncomfortable forms set by societal traditions and norms, especially when the desire to truly and deeply love conflicts with the most basic need to be "normal" and to financially survive. This is especially thought provoking when the words narrate scenes of other people, in the two main characters' lives, dealing with a similar struggle between choosing fantasy over reality and sometimes questioning ones worth. The chemistry between the two leads (Jeon Do-yeon as Lee Bu-Jeong and Ryu Joon-yeol as Lee Kang-jae) is arrestingly beautiful in how they slowly reveal to the other their similar struggle while also moving irresistibly towards the other despite impossibly high societal walls that will likely keep them forever apart. This will be one drama I will revisit more than once, because I'm certain with each viewing there will be scenes that reveal something I missed before. It is a drama that anyone interested in other cultures will want to examine, especially in how strict social traditions often foster the unrealistic desire to escape unscathed. There's one line in the film the FL says and then later repeated by the ML that caused me to think most about the true nature of this drama, "Life without an illusion is closer to death." It really makes one wonder about all the "illusions" we create just to make life more bearable, but more importantly perhaps whether such illusions have any real value. (PS This drama is difficult to search/find and doesn't always show up under searching the title "Lost." As of Jan, 29 2024 I was able to view it on Amazon Prime after searching one of the lead actors' names, which will then bring up "Lost" as one of their dramas.)
