❊ KDRAMA EXPERIENCE ❊

RATING: 100000/10

Yes, here I am again with my exaggerated rating--but, if you just watched the drama with me in person, you would have understood how crazy I was for it.

My friend kept telling me to watch this show over and over again because her bias from EXO (D.O.) was in it. She would tell me that it was such a good show, and it was one she would highly recommend. But me, being the stubborn me, was still so caught up with Fight For My Way; that, I didn’t even bother checking it out. But just last week, I have never been so crazy over a man called Jang Jae Yeol.

OKAY FIRST LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. I NEED TO LET MY FEELINGS OUT.

JANG JAE YEOL (played by Jo In Sung) IS HANDS DOWN THE MAN OF MY DREAMS. OKAY, I KNOW I SAY THAT ABOUT ALL THE MEN IN THE DRAMAS I WATCH, BUT THIS MAN. THIS FREAKING MAN. HE IS LITERALLY SEXY INCARNATE. SEXY IN A WAY THAT 1) THE WAY HE TEASES HAE SOO, AND 2) HE IS AN EDUCATED MAN WHO WRITES NOVELS AND HANDLES A RADIO SHOW. THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I SLAPPED MY BED/WANTED TO PUNCH MY LAPTOP BECAUSE OF HIS IMMENSELY FLIRTATIOUS PERSONALITY IS INNUMERABLE. I HAD TO PAUSE THE SHOW BECAUSE MY EMOTIONS WERE SKYROCKETING. LIKE ONE MINUTE I WOULD BE LIKE “OMG I LOVE YOU JANG JAE YEOL THE SWEETEST BOYFRIEND IN THE WORLD” THEN THE NEXT “OMG JANG JAE YEOL MARRY ME AND HAVE MY CHILDREN YES DADDY THE ONLY DILF IN MY LIFE”. It was indeed a rollercoaster.

From the first episode, Jae Yeol’s flirty and teasing personality was already seen--especially, in the part where they had the talk show between Hae Soo and Jae Yeol. I was immediately hooked from that part on. I knew I had to keep watching.

The show is interesting as it tackles mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia, and many others which I quite liked. It helps the viewers understand that mental illnesses aren’t “light” diseases that can be cured through simply pills or support groups. Mental diseases are actually quite severe to the point where isolation is necessary as it can harm the patient and even those around the said patient. Apart from that, it gives a nice view of the people who surround this patient--how they cope with a loved one who has this disease.

Sure, this plot may make the drama sound quite heavy as it involves mental illnesses (well, for me, if I read a summary that explained similar to the way I did)--but, it was not, surprisingly. It is both a light and heavy drama, in a sense. A majority of the drama was amusing and light because of the chemistry between the couples in the show. But towards the end, it starts to get serious as these mental illnesses arise and become issues. Other than that, it was the most entertaining drama I’ve watched. You actually won’t be able to sleep because you’ll want to watch the next episode--especially, if the next episode could involve a kiss between Jae Yeol and Hae Soo. BuuUuuUuUuuut, I wouldn’t want to spoil it, so I guess you’ll just have to watch and see for yourself.

WHICH LEADS ME TO MY EMOTIONS OVER THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN Hae SOO AND JAE YEOL--MY DREAM RELATIONSHIP WHICH MY FUTURE BOYFRIEND. IF I DO GET ONE.

Hae Soo is literally me--but, not to the extent that she gets panic/anxiety attacks when someone kisses her. It made me quite sad that the reason why she developed this illness is because she was traumatized from having seen her mom cheating on her father. And to think that some people have experience as well is extremely saddening.  

But apart from that, Gong Hyo-Jin a.k.a. my queen, played her role as Hae Soo exceptionally. I absolutely love Hae Soo’s assertive personality as it makes her appear like such a powerful person. And every time she was able to beat Jae Yeol in an argument (ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST EPISODE DURING THE DEBATE ON THE TALK SHOW OMG) I internally scream, “YAS QUEEN THAT IS MY QUEEN GIRL POWER SISTER!” And wow. If I were a man, she would probably be the woman of my dreams. She is the kind of girlfriend I want to be. I absolutely loved her teasing personality as it made Hae Soo and Jae Yeol’s relationship extremely exciting.

I particularly remember what Kwang Soo said that Hae Soo will tease the man she likes constantly, whereas the man would be completely impatient in having sex with her. Yes, people, I said sex.

I just love that personality of hers! She is so dominating! Yet, she is also educated as she is a doctor as well, and a loving and sacrificial daughter to her family! I mean??? Who wouldn’t want a woman like Hae Soo???

And because of her dominating and assertive personality, and Jae Yeol’s teasing and sexy personality--Jae Yeol and Hae Soo is probably the hottest couple in all of the dramas I’ve watched. THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THEY TEASED EACH OTHER AND KISSED EACH OTHER. And not to mention, this is the first drama I’ve watched that involved sex as a topic. It is quite on the mature side, which I really enjoyed as someone who is in nearing her 20s.

AND EVEN THE OTHER CHARACTERS AND SIDE COUPLES PLAYED THEIR ROLES EXCEPTIONALLY.

Soo Kwang (played by Lee Kwang Soo, yes the comedian, even I was shocked to find out that he acts too!) was a character I extremely admired. He has this disease called Tourette Syndrome where the patient would experience “motor and vocal tics (according to Google)” in unexpected times. But what made him special was that, despite this syndrome of his, he never gave up in trying to heal himself. And when another character was diagnosed (that’s for you to find out who when you watch the show ;)) with a mental disease, he was the most supportive person ever. He was probably the number 1 fan of Hae Soo and Jae Yeol and it was the cutest thing ever. He would mostly be on Hae Soo’s side and join her in calling Jae Yeol a “player” and a “dog”--which, was the funniest thing ever.

And other than that, I was so happy when he was successfully able to find a woman he likes and accepts this syndrome of his. And that woman was played by my first girl crush, Lee Sung Kyung--who of course, executed her role exceptionally as well. I found it quite weird, however, that Soo Kwang was already someone in the working age, but he dated So Nyeo (played by Lee Sung Kyung) who was a high school student. But other than that, they relationship was still slightly cute as So Nyeo was an absolutely supportive girlfriend who loved Soo Kwang even for his syndrome--which, “heals” throughout the show.

And even Dong Min (played by Sung Dong Il) was a great actor. I remember he played the antagonist in Legend of the Blue Sea, so it was quite new for me seeing him as a protagonist this time. But, wow, he executed his role as a doctor and a support system for all the characters! He has a fatherly image to me especially, because he was someone every one came to when they had problems--apart from him being a doctor as well similar to Hae Soo. He was a wise man who always confronted Hae Soo and Jae Yeol when something was wrong, and he always knew the right things to say--especially, in the scene when Hae Soo was starting to realize that she had feelings for Jae Yeol.

And his relationship with Young Jin (played by Jin Kyung) who was another doctor was one I truly treasured. Dong Min and Young Jin used to be married, but got a divorce. And though Young Jin still had feelings for Dong Min--which, she admitted in the middle of the show--they compromised by becoming close friends towards the end. It was a relationship that was so comforting, because it just goes to show that sure, you did love this person to the point you married this person, and even though these two people may be separated, your love for someone will never fade, it was just converted into a different kind of love--like a friendship type of love. And wow, just the thought of that was so comforting to know.

And of course, a special mention to Kang Woo played by our very own EXO’s D.O.  who executed his role exceptionally as well. Kyungsoo is extremely talented as someone who has one of the sweetest and most remarkable voices in the K-Pop industry. And other than being a worldwide singer, he is now a renowned actor. Kudos to you, Kyungsoo! I find Kyungsoo such a cutie throughout the show as he wore school uniforms, and cute striped shirts. He is indeed a smol boi. I really don’t want to mention his character as it kind of spoils the show, but he played his role exceptionally well--trust me on this.

AND ALL THE OTHER SUPPORTING CHARACTERS, OF COURSE, PLAYED THEIR ROLES WELL AS THE SHOW CAME OUT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED SHOWS.  

I always say this in the reviews I write but: I wish I could say more. But, of course, a novel of my appreciation for this drama would be more convenient.

I extremely recommend this show to everyone, especially if you’re looking for shows that are light and have a more mature vibe. I was extremely satisfied with the show, especially with the ending as well, as it was filled with moments that make you extremely giddy to the point where punching one’s laptop would be necessary. And yet, it is a show that tackles different kinds of love which I liked as well. And on a personal note, this show surprisingly also gave me tips for when I do get into a relationship.

Just a disclaimer too, this show does have a mature vibe, and there is a scene where sex is involved. So, just take that into account when you do plan on watching this show.