polyjuicepotion
from my bed
This review may contain spoilers
Life is an amalgamation of everything sweet and salty!
The reality of life is simple, it's bittersweet. It is an amalgamation of everything sweet and salty; it is everything that we dreamed of and everything we didn't want to happen or didn't think would happen.That IS the reality of life, and this drama portrayed it beautifully. The resilience of youth, the belief in the possibility of anything, the friendships, the moments our naive optimistic young selves want to remember forever, and the relationships we want to stay the same, as well as the bitter reality of life hitting us- of change, of loss, of our own limitations, and of impossibilities; Twenty Five and Twenty One, encapsulates all of this in its 16 episodes and it does so in a way that leaves you feeling too many emotions all at once but at the same time it has the ability to make you feel all warm inside.
I hadn't planned to pick this up until all the episodes had been released, however, 2-3 weeks before my (very important, career deciding) exams I ended up starting the show since I couldn't help but procrastinate on studying. Plus I was also going through a hard time in terms of mental health during the same period and this drama turned out to be such a healing watch; the music, the cinematography, and especially the dialogues, it felt like they were all coming together to give me a hug from the inside. It is what kept me going and certain dialogues I think will stick with me for life.
*slight spoiler starts*
One of my favorite moments from the whole drama is when Na Hee Do is talking to her daughter about the progression of ability, and how it isn't a graph with the linear increase but rather an exponential increase. She likened it to a staircase and how once we hit the wall to jump onto the next step, we should keep at it instead of giving up. That most people when hit this wall, give up but to keep being better or doing better we need to keep going at the wall and keep trying until we are able to jump over that wall
*slight spoiler ends*
I genuinely enjoyed watching this and could see myself re-watching it again a few years down the line when I find myself stuck trying to jump onto the next step. Missing out on the opportunity to watch this would be missing out on a true gem!
p.s
*Opinion on ending* *major spoiler*
I know quite a lot of people weren't too happy about the ending but to me it was perfect. Putting aside the fact that personally, I was more of a fan of Na Hee Do and Baek Ye jin's friendship than their non-platonic relationship; I did want them to find a way to get back together, I mean who doesn't love a happily ever after, however, I think if the writer had done so it would have missed the whole point of the message of the show that is life will have moments that will make you feel so alive and moments that will have you feeling totally hopeless and both are needed for life to be truly appreciated in its essence. Moreover, the drama also showed that change happens; it is inevitable, however, that does not invalidate the moments, memories, or relationships you had before the change happened, it does not make the most beautiful moment in your life any less beautiful and neither does the change mean there will be no more beautiful moments in your life in the future. Borrowing from the idea behind BTS's new album (Proof coming out 10th June :3), The beautiful moments in our life are always yet to come so we need to keep on moving.
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Mediocre Job
A story with potential but quite a few loopholes. The acting could have been the saving grace however at some points it did get a bit over the top in my opinion; funny at times, but mostly cringe. Production of the show though is appreciable and so is the OST. I don't think I'll ever re-watch this. If there is another season then that might be another story and I might end up watching it but that'll be with hope for a redemption arc for Kang Tae Joon and maybe a possible introduction with his son.All-in-all I probably would have dropped this show sooner if I wasn't in a major procrastination cycle due to an exam in 2 days (wish me luck :3), though should mention for a one-time watch where you have nothing else to do, this is a good option (only in this particular situation does it deserve a Good Job).
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It is never too late!
In this fast-paced world, there are times when one has to put their dreams and desires on the back-burner for the sake of survival. And unfortunately during the race for survival one forgets that their dreams are important, that they matter. They forget that there is always time, as long as you are alive there is time, and that it is never too late. No matter the age, era, or phase of life, it is never too late to do what your heart desires, what your inner being craves!This is what Navillera is about; an old man who struggled all his life for the sake of the survival of his family deciding to do what his soul craved, what he believed was him, what made him happy despite all the opposition and protests. It is about him deciding that since I am alive, it isn't too late!
The writing, the cast, the acting, the OST, and even the cinematography were all a cherry on top of the already perfect cake that was the storyline!
The way this story about this old man and his dream made me feel, I truly have no words. Of all the shows and movies I have watched as well as books I have read, very few have made me feel what this show made me feel. It is a show that will stay with me, the feelings it invoked, the warmth it made me feel inside, all of these will stay with me for life!
This is a show that I truly believe should not be missed out on upon!
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A strong start, A meh end!
I went in watching this show with zero expectations. I hadn't read the webtoon before so I was not as opposed or upset about the casting as I had seen people being, rather I thought the casting worked from the trailer and later on from how the drama played out.The show itself had me hooked from the first episode, and I'd binge-watch both the episodes as soon as they would come out, putting aside anything else I was doing at that moment. The story despite having one or two plot holes (nothing major) was strong throughout until it came to the last 2 episodes, I felt not only was the ending rushed a little but the last 15 to 20 minutes of the 12th episode were just dumb (for a lack of a better word) and not needed to be honest. I would have much preferred if they would have used that time to work on fixing the pacing of the ending and have it not be rushed as much. The main lead's personality changing completely, in the end, was also annoying, especially the male lead's personality!
Keeping aside these issues, the OST and main cast's acting was the highlight of the drama for me, and overall it has been quite a fun watch!
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