Life piece for those who fell stuck

I am a fan of slow pace dramas with a slice of real life. So I started this one with big expectations and by the end I think this one will stay at my top 5 dramas.

First of all I could relate to characters so much. The feeling of being stuck in the routine… I think all of us at some point feel that. So I could just watch and think “ah, I am
Not the only one who feel this way”. As an introverted person, I could see myself in MFL almost in every scene.

The romance part was interesting in terms of acting, because it’s not all fluffy and touchy, but it still shows. So that a good job from actors.

And of course the main point here is that we do not get a “happy” ending, more of an open one. Still for me it is a happy ending.
This drama is about process, not destination.
We see how people break free from their misery of everyday life and find themselves, start to understand their emotions and feelings, pay more attention to themselves and find new way.

It’s not an easy going drama. Although there are a lot of happy moments, it gets a little more “depressing” in the last couple of episodes but still I am very very grateful for this drama.

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Yoo An In acting is a masterpiece

I was waiting for this drama, mainly because of Yoo Ah In, and he did not disappoint. I have never seen manga, so the plot was completely unknown, and acetal the storyline was interesting.
There are several actors who can play good and bad guys, and Yoo Ah In definitely nailed his role here. A handsome charismatic pshycopath leading a cult and he played all sides of the character very good. May Hollywood borrow him? I have not seen good villains in western cinematography for ages.

Also Ryu Kyung Soo, I have seen him Before playing More playful and funny characters, here he is a bad guy
and he acted him so well. I hope he get more recognition.

However, I feel like the script did not do enough for the characters. Killing the main lead after two episodes? We don’t even know what kind of a man he was, a little background history would be great.
It felt a little rushed, and a lot of stories are incomplete. This could have been 10 episode series easily, with more detailed script. The first episode was slow, and than after second episode everything escalated so quickly, and became confusing. Where are cop and his daughter? What happened to children of lady from second episode? How the Soda loan firm was formed? How did the MFL survived?

The ending is a cliffhanger, and it looks like they are leaving the rest for season 2. But I am not sure if they will do the second season? If not than my rating will definitely decrease.

Overall, I am not regretting watching it. I like thrillers, and I enjoyed the story and idea, I enjoyed acting and the cinematography. However, I don’t think I will rewatch it. It reminded me of a “sweet home” and I rewatched “sweet home” couple of times, but this one is not that exciting and complete.
Also I am Not sure if that’s a horror genre that would make you scared. “Save me” was way more traumatising and creepy when representing a cult.
There is a lot of blood and people dying, but I think all Korean criminal dramas are like this. Mouse was way more bloody and creepy. So I would say that series was not very scary, but if you are a softhearted person, who can’t watch people dying and blood, than better skip this one.

I am giving 9 just for Yoo Ah In and his acting. If not for him, than the score would be 7 at most.

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I was very hesitant because of bad comments
But I guess I decided to watch it at the right time, because I like it. It’s not a typical happy end romantic drama. I guess some will find it very relatable, while others consider it not so good writing. I think this one is not for teens, as it is full of hard stuff like loosing your child, going through divorce or having a cancer….

Acting was excellent, which was expected considering the cast. My favourite actor with perfect eyes Seo Kang Joon. He just perfectly suits this charming nerdy guy, with a little bit tragic love story… and strong will)

The story shows different periods of life, hardships, like choosing your career at early age, when you are not sure what you want from life. Trying to build a career when you don’t have money. Searching for “true” love, when you don’t even know what it is. Being afraid of disappointing your parents and family, society and basically everyone around.

Someone said there is no character development. Well, I would disagree especially regarding ML. He was not a bad person to begin with, so there won’t be any villain to hero development. The development is more in how he becomes more mature. His dialogue with himself, from “I love you, and that should be enough for you” to “I hope you will be well even without me”. Letting go, when other person asks you, understanding yourself and accepting your feelings. Being a wholesome person when you are alone, and going your own way, instead of adjusting to someone. That was the development for me.

Regarding FL, I found her annoying sometimes. But again when watching this drama, I really could feel the dilemma between choosing what is right by you head or your heart. She had to go through a lot, and while I could relate to ML, happily I have never been through something she was through. In her storyline I really appreciated the depiction of divorce and her way though trauma. That is real life for a lot of people, but non-toxic divorce theme is not so popular with kdramas, which is frustrating because that is what happens in real life a lot, people just fall out of love.

In real life sometime life gets unexpected turns, people get hurt because of your actions, and you have to change your whole life. And this drama perfectly shows that you can love someone even if it hurts, and they are not “perfect” choice and you become more mature going through life hardships.

The ending is open. I usually hate open endings, because I like when stories are finished bad or good. However with this one… that seemed natural. And I am not sure if I want them to be together.
The ML can found someone more suitable for him. And FL… well she lost a child, and I don’t think she will be ready to get into serious relationship. They are just soulmates, who help each other live and that’s enough.

Overall I liked this drama, because it does not show the picture of “perfect” love story. And I would say for me the love story was not even the main story.
It is DEFINITELY not a watch for relaxing, and should be approached as something close to real life. And of course appreciating great acting skills and beautiful Seo Kang Joon.
Rewatch value for me is low because I don’t like rewatching “hard” dramas.

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