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Reviews
Ingansilgyeog (2021)
Slow burn drama on feeling lost in life
Poignant is the first word that comes to my mind to describe this kdrama. The title is fitting and will not disappoint if you want to find out what feeling lost is like. It reaches deep into the painful corners of life. The mood is deeply depressing. The romance is intensely slow burning. Impressive chemistry from the leads that leaves you yearning for more. It is shot in a captivating way that keeps you observant and reflective. Every micro-expression is meant to move you. Tons of symbolism throughout the series. The story is heavy but manages to leave you feeling lightweight at the end. I would recommend this if you're looking for a melancholic but hopeful love story.
Gwaenchanhah, Sarangiya (2014)
A well-rounded show about mental health
At first, I wasn't drawn in to any of the characters. I thought they were too chaotic, quirky and loud. But they grew on me over time as their stories progressed. These unusual traits in most of the characters helped balance the seriousness of the story, all while not diminishing its impact. That made it a well-rounded show. The love story was imperfectly perfect. I enjoy psychology and learning about mental illnesses, so it was pleasantly informative. It only loses minor points for the cliche ending.
Seeing as this show is 10 years old now, I must say that it has aged well. An 8.1-8.3 IMDb rating is suitable in my books. I would highly recommend this show if you're looking for a story that depicts realness over glamour.
Call It Love (2023)
Subtle, ordinary, conflicting, deep, impactful, beautiful
This is a masterpiece that does not try to stand out. It's not grand; it's quietly impactful. It starts off as a simple vengeance, that becomes nuanced as relationships bud and characters evolve. I appreciated the moral of this story... Revenge isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Behind it are people with emotions and stories. We may all judge one another, but we can also seek to understand. In understanding others, we may see the beauty in their being. It takes courage, but it helps us connect and carry on in a dignified way.
This k-drama is 10/10 in my books. I cried in the first episode (and many episodes after) and binged it in a few days. Some people describe it as depressing, but there's a feel-good hope deep within that kept me on the edge of my seat. If you appreciate a richly emotional state, if you have the capacity to savour slow, sweet moments, if you take pleasure in impactful micro-expressions of characters onscreen, then you will enjoy this k-drama. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is so well done that I believe it deserves at least an 8 to 8.2 on IMDB.