VeggieEverything
This review may contain spoilers
Can I have my heart back now, please?
There was so much to appreciate about this drama.
- The story was very unique to the South/North Korea situation. Such an unlikely love story unfolding between just two humans of rival nations. I was setting myself up for heartbreak from the get go. At first, I thought that Ri would never make it to South Korea. And when he did, I was sure he'd leave without saying a word and I'd just have to cry myself to sleep.
- All involved really committed to their roles. Hyun Bin as the quiet, miserable North Korean soldier, slowly warming up and becoming vulnerable and cute pouty. Son Ye Jin as the lonely depressed but also charismatic, strong and snobby Seri. Even the second leads had complex personalities and growth. There was almond no one dimensional characters (exception being the Seri's siblings and sisters in law).
- The music, weather classical or OST was poignant. It always picked up at the right time to give the feels.
- I really appreciated seeing the differences between South and North Korea. Obviously it wasn't shot in North Korea, but looking at the scenery and how beautiful the country likely is, the differences in infrastructures, differences between their bureau and the NIS. As well as the perceptions held by the people - For example, the sergeant that was in love with dramas saying how all South Koreans suffer from amnesia, and I think Pyo Chi Su saying it was because in capitalist societies they drink too much coca cola which leads to amnesia.
- Ri's squad in general was so well balanced for comedic effect. We had the "bad" guy who was actually soft in the inside, the little kid, the funny guy, and the quiet model guy.
- I really loved how strong all the women were. Seri choosing to live and choosing to stand up to her family. Managing to keep herself together while trying to escape from North Korea and then trying to take care of Ri Jung Hyuk. Seo Dan, having to realize that she's been waiting for nothing for 10 years, only to fall in love to basically become a "widow" and then choose to be alone and work on herself and her career. The ahjummas, that initially seemed like they'd be a bunch of gossipy troublemakers, but actually bonded with each other and Seri, even getting involved to stop the Rat's wife from being kidnapped.
- I actually even liked the first husband's wife. Despite obviously being an idiot and evil, the fact that their relationship was so solid, especially in juxtaposition to brother #2, was very refreshing.
- It obviously had a great budget as a Netflix production, and was beautifully shot.
- I'm glad there was no true "love triangle". The two leads always knew who #1 was, there was no confusion (despite Jung Hyuk initially thinking he would go along with family obligations). And their first kiss in the rain! "stop looking at me with such wistful eyes" I may have rewinded to watch that scene a few times. The amount of care and attention that he put into her, even while pretending that he would forget about her in the future was so touching. Coming back with the candle, finding her with the scented candle, setting future messages for her phone, leaving recipes for her to cook. <3
The main negative aspect of the drama was the sheer number of "coincidences". I know that they write this as destiny, and not a coincidence, and that the director viewed the drama as a fantasy. It is fantastical to have met that many times, but I just can't say that it was necessary since the plot of a South and North Korean falling in love as she accidentally crash lands into North Korea is interesting enough as it is.
On the last episode, I had to stop and ask my husband to check if the ending was too sad. He said "it's not 100% bad" so I don't know why I was still so sad when I found out they are spending only weeks out of the year together. I immediately decided that they're just waiting until his parents pass, and then he'll probably defect. It just doesn't seem like a long-term sustainable solution, and how long will he be part of the national orchestra? Forever? What happens when they're 70? Or 80? And they can't communicate at all between visits. What happens if one of them has an accident, or a disease? And to appease these questions, I'm believing that this a short-term solution. She probably gets pregnant, they keep this up for a little bit, and then he just hops over forever.
I read that the filmed the last episode at the beginning, and so the Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin weren't fully "into character" yet and some people found particularly Hyun Bin lacking. But actually, I found how relaxed the characters were very comforting. To me, this showed that the urgency and the fear that they would never see each other again was gone. They knew they loved each other, they found a way to keep their relationship forever. No longer wondering if there would be a tomorrow. It was truly a beautiful way to end with Jung Hyuk walking into the hall and Seri simply saying "He just started playing" and he replies "I know" and then they hold hands, instead of crying like I was expecting.
- The story was very unique to the South/North Korea situation. Such an unlikely love story unfolding between just two humans of rival nations. I was setting myself up for heartbreak from the get go. At first, I thought that Ri would never make it to South Korea. And when he did, I was sure he'd leave without saying a word and I'd just have to cry myself to sleep.
- All involved really committed to their roles. Hyun Bin as the quiet, miserable North Korean soldier, slowly warming up and becoming vulnerable and cute pouty. Son Ye Jin as the lonely depressed but also charismatic, strong and snobby Seri. Even the second leads had complex personalities and growth. There was almond no one dimensional characters (exception being the Seri's siblings and sisters in law).
- The music, weather classical or OST was poignant. It always picked up at the right time to give the feels.
- I really appreciated seeing the differences between South and North Korea. Obviously it wasn't shot in North Korea, but looking at the scenery and how beautiful the country likely is, the differences in infrastructures, differences between their bureau and the NIS. As well as the perceptions held by the people - For example, the sergeant that was in love with dramas saying how all South Koreans suffer from amnesia, and I think Pyo Chi Su saying it was because in capitalist societies they drink too much coca cola which leads to amnesia.
- Ri's squad in general was so well balanced for comedic effect. We had the "bad" guy who was actually soft in the inside, the little kid, the funny guy, and the quiet model guy.
- I really loved how strong all the women were. Seri choosing to live and choosing to stand up to her family. Managing to keep herself together while trying to escape from North Korea and then trying to take care of Ri Jung Hyuk. Seo Dan, having to realize that she's been waiting for nothing for 10 years, only to fall in love to basically become a "widow" and then choose to be alone and work on herself and her career. The ahjummas, that initially seemed like they'd be a bunch of gossipy troublemakers, but actually bonded with each other and Seri, even getting involved to stop the Rat's wife from being kidnapped.
- I actually even liked the first husband's wife. Despite obviously being an idiot and evil, the fact that their relationship was so solid, especially in juxtaposition to brother #2, was very refreshing.
- It obviously had a great budget as a Netflix production, and was beautifully shot.
- I'm glad there was no true "love triangle". The two leads always knew who #1 was, there was no confusion (despite Jung Hyuk initially thinking he would go along with family obligations). And their first kiss in the rain! "stop looking at me with such wistful eyes" I may have rewinded to watch that scene a few times. The amount of care and attention that he put into her, even while pretending that he would forget about her in the future was so touching. Coming back with the candle, finding her with the scented candle, setting future messages for her phone, leaving recipes for her to cook. <3
The main negative aspect of the drama was the sheer number of "coincidences". I know that they write this as destiny, and not a coincidence, and that the director viewed the drama as a fantasy. It is fantastical to have met that many times, but I just can't say that it was necessary since the plot of a South and North Korean falling in love as she accidentally crash lands into North Korea is interesting enough as it is.
On the last episode, I had to stop and ask my husband to check if the ending was too sad. He said "it's not 100% bad" so I don't know why I was still so sad when I found out they are spending only weeks out of the year together. I immediately decided that they're just waiting until his parents pass, and then he'll probably defect. It just doesn't seem like a long-term sustainable solution, and how long will he be part of the national orchestra? Forever? What happens when they're 70? Or 80? And they can't communicate at all between visits. What happens if one of them has an accident, or a disease? And to appease these questions, I'm believing that this a short-term solution. She probably gets pregnant, they keep this up for a little bit, and then he just hops over forever.
I read that the filmed the last episode at the beginning, and so the Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin weren't fully "into character" yet and some people found particularly Hyun Bin lacking. But actually, I found how relaxed the characters were very comforting. To me, this showed that the urgency and the fear that they would never see each other again was gone. They knew they loved each other, they found a way to keep their relationship forever. No longer wondering if there would be a tomorrow. It was truly a beautiful way to end with Jung Hyuk walking into the hall and Seri simply saying "He just started playing" and he replies "I know" and then they hold hands, instead of crying like I was expecting.
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