EXCHANGE OFFICER

I didn't like the premise of the story, a rich chaebol getting his revenge on a woman who killed his girlfriend and their unborn child. That he lives and breathes only for that, not being able to move on and heal from the loss, numbing himself with alcohol and engaging in an endless pursuit of revenge on the killer. Without realising how close this obsession will eventually bring them together and ultimately be their rescue since both him and the killer can heal from the wounds of the past through each others pain. But that's where the true connection starts.That's where love, acceptance and loyalty can exist again. That's where hope gets confirmed and past sins forgiven. Before that finally happens, we have to witness a lot of pain, soul searching and growth though. It's excruciating to see how the woman is trying to find her way in life after serving the sentence... which she accepted instead of her boyfriend. Being so loyal to him, she's only allowed to mourn the loss of her son whom she has expected to be well, not to say alive, when she unexpectedly loses her sick father, too. She accepts the pain as a part of the deal even when our chaebol is childishly trying to ruin her life again and again. She's already accepted the guilt that came with the sentence so what difference do his demands make?... They don't come without a price. First he's playing the couple against each other to see how they'll react. Then he's tying the woman in as many ways possible to himself fx by taking over her debt. In the process he slowly starts realising the inconsistencies in the whole story of the hit-and-run accident and begins digging into it again. As soon as he finds out it's questionable whose footprints where found by his girlfriends body, they both sat in the car that night and it might have been the man not the woman that was driving, that his hatred shifts into doubt. This previously hated woman slowly changes into a fellow sufferer, a human being with her share of wounds and scars, without an ounce of malice or hatred in her soul and deeply loyal to the people she loves. However, when she realises what a role her boyfriend had in the whole situation, she hardens and her loyalty starts crumbling. She can finally let go of him and seek retribution for her mistaken loyalty, without realising he might be hiding so much more from her or our chaebol. Not completely free from clichés or perfect in its filming /acting or OST, it's a story that makes you think. I am fully aware that the industry has us women as their target audience and I accept it. I'm emotionally invested in this drama and I'm liking it. Now, I'm ready to read a good book when I'm done here.

I didn't expect it to end the way it did as it fits the story perfectly and no other ending would. I think MOM chose wisely: a handful of years with the ones she truly loved instead of a lifetime of questionable happiness with someone else. Life is not a constant rollercoaster of lows and highs but being able to do mundane tasks of washing your laundry, vacuuming your space, preparing your own breakfast, going to school or to work and taking care of yourself - among other things. So when you get the chance to be happy, don't push people away. If its meant to be, it will last. If not, its bound to leave at least a HANDFUL of good memories behind. Cherish the ones close to you as they may only be passing by in your life. Luckily MOM was able to prove to her husband and child how happy she was with them before her death - this helped both the father and the son to move on and accept the unwelcome change her death was. The setting of the story takes the message even further: if you appreciate what you have, however little it might be, you will most likely be happy with your life. One more thing: the acting of all, both children and adults, was excellent. Koreans really know their s**t! The general feel of the movie reminds me of "The Hut", where a father has to come to terms with the loss of his daughter. As slow paced and set in the woods like " Be With You", it gives off this vibe of a movie that will make you ponder on what's right in life but without pointing fingers.