Sanghamitra Dixit

Okay. So. I’ve been waiting for this since I first began watching and I’m ready *cracks knuckles*. This show was a pleasant surprise. Don’t get me wrong— if you are someone used to the romance side of K-dramas, then maybe this is just one of them. However, as someone who began getting disenchanted by romance dramas— because of the dragged plots, the illogical conclusions, the toxic monogamy & heteronormativity (I guess I can’t complain about that one as much, but oh well) and the overused plot point of miscommunication— I’ve consciously been avoiding this genre. Especially if they’re 16 episodes because I do not have that patience anymore. The scepticism got cancelled some 20 minutes into the show because, right off the bat— it was different. There wasn’t dramatic over-acting or reaction, the music was soft, and the characters were…normal. And the narration, wow. The writing and pacing of this show is unbelievable. SPOILERS AHEAD!!! Stop reading if you don’t want any. 1. I loved all the characters. They were so well formed, with a background and an individual voice. And I mean ALL of the characters, right from the leads to the side to the minor ones. All of them took up space wonderfully in a way that I could see how they contributed to the main leads while maintaining their individuality. 2. The FOUND FAMILY of it all, god, a lot of romance dramas do have the concept of friends and support systems but they’ve always felt like a consolation rather than a genuine, equally important bond. OBS defies that. The friendships with the main leads have their own depth & space in the show. They put aside romantic concerns to be available for their friends. 3. Healthy Family Dynamics: Okay, this may sound sentimental but healthy families are my weak point. So many dramas have the plot of “bad parents”, “evil relatives” & the character suffering both from family trauma & their current issue. I expected that— but was surprised by how WARM and LOVING both the leads’ families were. At least when it comes to their core relationships, the characters don’t suffer unnecessarily— and so, time is given to THEIR relationship in a very adult way. 4. The WRITING: ooooof, this one has my heart. The narration, the development of the story, the premise— not too dramatic but not too realistic. Like, I can SEE actual humans IRL indulge in those antics or feelings. The element of nostalgia was beautifully heart-wrenching. 5. MENTAL HEALTH oof this one, esp. as a therapist- the way we get to know how character's families, traumas, background impacted their present choices, fears, careers is explored with such richness I was shocked a k-drama could do this. Overall, I will say that this drama is so grown up & adult, so REAL in it's portrayal of love, nostalgia, fear, anger and loyalty; so tightly written that I had no questions by the end. It was healthy, the focus was not ONLY on the romance but also self-growth OUTSIDE of it. 100% recommend this. <3

Okay, I’m not an avid fan of doing these. I’m in the middle of the last episode and I couldn’t wait, because somewhere around episode 7 an irritation began creeping in which I need to let out. I’m giving this show a solid 4/5, because it’s good. No doubt about it. It’s filmed well, the actors have done a great job, it’s not the more unique story but it’s nice. For all those reasons, this is the rating. My gripe with the show is that it’s just not…built enough. *SPOILERS AHEAD* I just don’t like the half baked characterisations in this story. I’m a writer, so my interest lies towards that: how well the plot is built, the role of the characters and WHY they do what they do. Apart from Oji, I didn’t connect with most of them. Despite it being 10 long episodes, I felt like there was unnecessary dragging of the plot in some cases which they could have used to flesh out the characters more— maybe with flashbacks, their personal motivations for doing what they do. Yeah, I know this is a side hustle for Oji. Apparently he’s a genius who created an app, and created a service. He does it so he can save up for college, and achieve his dream. Fair enough. You feel for his character the most. The REST? Yeah, it didn’t settle. Why did Mr. Lee and Oji join hands? Why is Mr. Lee relevant enough that Minhee is attached to him? Why is this detective so pushy? Maybe I need more details because whatever they provided didn’t feel enough for ME. Like half way through I was like: okay, why should I care about this plot and character? And don’t get me started on Gyuri omg. Only in episode 3 did it make sense why she messed with Oji’s belongings in the first place— that apparently she is the school insider and maybe wants info on EACH student as leverage. Fair enough. Why wait till episode 3 to tell me this? She came across just another spoiled rich girl who is tired of leading her overly controlled life and so she wants to rebel by doing dangerous things. That’s fine as a plot point, sure. Again, we have a bare minimum insight into her life— only towards end of episode 9 does she say she doesn’t want to live her life. Idk, maybe i’m looking too deep. As a whole, the show is great. I liked some parts, liked the concept— but there could have been a lot more thrill too. It felt too draggy at some points and now that it’s ending all i’m thinking is “why was this show made. what was the point”, yet since it’s there, it’s worthy of 4 stars. Those are my thoughts on this.

I’ve watched this 6 years too late but anyway. Came here from a reel about the movie and was immediately intrigued, and wow was it worth it! The reel was depicting more of the romance so I didn’t realise until midway through the movie the dark elements of it. Be warned, it’s not your typical romance movie and can get disturbing at some moments BUT overall worth it. *I guess spoiler-ish words from now on* I went in expecting some darkness but the way it happened still took me by shock. I understand that in actual time their relationship must have developed over a period of time but in the movie it felt quite fast paced. I was worried it was going to be yet another movie that objectified lesbian romance (and there are PLENTY of explicit scenes— DO NOT WATCH with family!!) but it was actually quite heartfelt. The bond, the slow walk into liking each other. The music + colour of the movie also had that blueish-dreary tinge to it, and there were frequent casual mentions of death and suicide. I’m no film critic but I love how all of it tied up. There are some graphic scenes which can be uncomfortable but that seems to be the overall theme of the movie itself? Yeah. I don’t have a lot of words but it’s a movie that needs to consumed delicately.