Neelanjana Das

I am writing this because this drama is highly underrated! It never showed up as a 'recommendation' on my Netflix despite my insane level of K-drama watching. I chanced upon it somehow 3 years later and I hope this can be helpful to others who are seeking different content to watch in K-dramas or just a different romance? I am going to list down few essential pointers for you to decide- * Firstly, this is not the 'typical' romance K-drama. If you are looking for something like Goblin, Lovely Runner, i.e., the usual romance trope, please don't go for this. But, in my personal opinion, this was the most "realistic" modern day love that I could relate to in K-drama. * This is slow paced drama (only 10 episodes) but has these "grey" characters with sensual scenes. I never felt those scenes was being forced but I think it beautifully captured how the relationship and even flawed relationships could be. * I know being a K-drama fan that we watch most dramas for the leads. Song Kang and Han So- Hee are amazing together (I have seen too many people pointing out they didn't like them together-Did you flunk your chemistry exams?) I loved their onscreen presence, it drove me insane, especially in the first half when they show them as a couple living together- their acting was effortless, it felt I was watching a couple in real life. A special thanks to the background score, the song (Love me like that) and OST which elevated the experience greatly. *Now coming to a controversial topic-The male lead, Park jae-eon being a huge 'red' flag (and I am going to get flak for this) but I believe it is a bit more complex than that. I would say he has several shades of "grey" as a male lead( Which we find difficult to accept, almost impossible to see this in a k-drama- the ML is usually a great guy obvious to everyone or a rude guy but secretly an angel-honestly I love those characters but we know reality is never 'black or 'white' merely) What I love about him is that he was clear about his perspective on relationships- he didn't lie or raise expectations of Na-bi from beginning and he is brutally honest about how he thinks relationships ought to be and never once does he pretend otherwise. Obviously, he is problematic in so many aspects and the one that made me mad was not even trying to clear the air with Na-bi (Despite knowing that she must be hurt about him having a 'girlfriend') when there is a major misunderstanding just because in his perspective "that issue" is not important. I think they just connect as artists better when everything else doesn't work out. Their love is flawed like real life. *The series shows the other characters, including the queer couple beautifully. I loved how deeply flawed the main characters were- childhood trauma, past relationship experiences, peer judgement and constantly trying to work through your own insecurities. I loved how they didn't try to change the "flawed" male lead even in his growth arc completely. ***Lastly, I am sure it is easy to dismiss this as a drama showing a toxic relationship only but we get stuck in our entrapment of what a genre should be.***