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This review may contain spoilers
Forgetting the fact that Lee Jong Suk is incredibly cute, I'm gonna be brutally honest with the review.😆This show is one of those phenomenal shows that serve you romance, thriller, mystery, comedy, all on one plate! I loved it so much that it was very difficult for me to hold myself until the very end to write a review.
Both the main leads aced their roles. While Suzy was a treat for eyes as the intellectual, bubbly and smart reporter Nam, Lee Jong Suk's character Jae Chan saved all the stressful moments with his comic relief. Professionally a prosecutor and personally a lovable, carefree, innocent, cowardly cute little boy. Jong Suk is clearly a talented and passionate actor that his scenes could actually make me cry with him.
A special mention for Jung Hae-In here, as he was so damn perfect in policeman Han Woo Tak's role that it nearly gave me a second lead syndrome. I loved how an unfortunate incident lead to the creation of an unbreakable bond between these three! Supporting each other through thick and thin, they overcame all the obstacles that came through their way.
Coming to the plot, a new kind of story it presents with beautifully done cinematography. I don't know why it is called a rom-com as to me, it seemed more of a suspense murder drama with spine chilling cliffhangers! Lee Sang Yeob is really scary at times, which truly means he did full justice to his villainous character Yoo Bum. I was bewildered and left awestruck with each episode that it made me want for more. The opening and closure episodes were cleverly curated, it makes you laugh and cry at the same time as everything falls into the right place, the right way. Although the storyline felt a bit dragged mid way through the show since same kind of things were happening again and again but Oh My!! What did just get into the makers towards the end!? The last 4 episodes were incredible. I repeat, incredible! This is actually what made me star this drama 10/10.
I would also like to take a moment and praise the film score. Everytime we watch a Kdrama, it's OST is something that stays with us for a much longer time. Lyrical songs are liked by everyone, but this is the first time I was amazed by instrumental background score more than the lyrical ones. I personally LOVED 'when the night started instrumental' by Kim Min Ji. It felt like this one score bound the whole plot, whole story, character building and what not! I literally had goosebumps everytime it played!
Finally coming to what you can take back with you? A lot of great learnings for sure! It is a show that gives you hope on darkest of your days and tells you that no matter how pathetic your life may seem at a point, there WILL come a day when you'll get over all of that and everything will be alright once again. So believe in that day and stick through it. Ah! how much I wish that this drama never ended. Can we get a season 2 please?
You still here? What are you waiting for? Go watch it NOW. Laugh, dream and heal with it. A little bit magic never hurts anyone anyway ;)
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A real romance
While you were sleeping is probably my favorite work from both celebrities here. And it is not about something specific, because to be honest W from LJS was even more terrific than this one. But after I watched all of his filmography it is this one that I remember. The soundtrack, the beautiful cinematography, the characters, the intrigue… I am fascinated by old drama like this cause’ (like always till today) they build suspens before the next episode but on this series I remember the revelations to never be disappointed. It is like you really see evolvement of the characters and constant new information about the story and it is not like (let’s make an intrigue to have one..) It is a beautiful work that is highly rewatchable. Now about Bae Suzy, I still believe it is her best role in the sense that this role fits her, she sounded natural. While on her other works, sometimes more challenging, you can see the actress behind it. Briefly, amazing romantic drama!That being said, it might not fit the taste of everyone. It is extremely romantic. I hardly watched another drama that romantic. I mean, even today, in romantic dramas, characters have their own individuality and so personality, to the degree that you want people to ba able to identify to oneself (male/female/side character) for things they defend, like, background they come from etc. Here there is almost (and actually toward the end there is none) individuality of the characters. It’s two in one, that sort of romance. There isn’t much dramas which work that way.
Tho this is my subjective opinion on which you can disagree :)
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Sweet, engaging and highly re-watchable
I have now re-watched this show three times since it aired, so that gives you an idea of how much I enjoyed it. It's got a great balance of drama, mystery, peril and sweet moments with lovable, good-hearted characters.I think one of the things I love best about this drama is how caring and supportive all the main characters are of each other. They have their flaws, they have their selfish moments and struggles, but in the end they all truly want to do right by one another in whatever ways they can. As a result, this show has the BEST handling of a love triangle that I have ever seen, allowing me to adore all three main leads and their relationships with one another without the usual frustration, sadness, or —more often than not— total disinterest I usually feel towards this over-used trope.
I am not a huge fan of romance in shows. It is usually so overdone and unrealistic, and sometimes even vaguely toxic, but all the relationships in this show felt believable, genuine, and healthy in a way that made me totally invested in both the friendships and the romance to a degree that most shows never achieve. It had a great knack of turning cliches on their heads and focusing on delivering an interesting, heart-warming story. People who like all those standard romantic kdrama tropes with hopeless star-crossed loves and bitter jealousy and fighting may not like the way it subverts expectations, but I loved it and wish there were more of its kind in the world. Give me a Jae-chan, Hong-joo, and Woo-tak over a Romeo and Juliet any day; I know who I'd rather spend my time with.
This show makes me feel happy, and leaves me with a smile every time I watch it, which I am sure I shall do many more times in the years to come.
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This review may contain spoilers
Maybe it's because I'm new to the whole kdrama scene so you might even say I don't know any better, but I believe that stories are made for someone, and I'm so happy to have been able to find the story that was for me.Looking through the reviews, I was very surprised that there weren't a lot of pleased viewers. This drama had an interesting and "unique" concept that was actually well-written. Yes.
What makes this story so good is the writing. As a writer myself, here's my personal take on it:
I was in love with the way the plot was executed. The cinematography, the shots, the moments made, the script, and overall production. I'd say it's the best thing this series had to offer. It has the premise that will keep you at the edge of your seat wanting for more, at least that's how I felt and very rarely does a show do that to me. I found myself binging at night after not being able to help myself from finding out what's gonna happen. It has the right amount of suspense partnered with a few memorable OSTs. One of the my favorite experiences is being able to listen to a song or soundtrack that would remind me of particular scenes that I loved the most, and once again the show gratefully fulfilled that expectation for me.
PLOT TWISTS
The biggest thing that made me fall in love with this series (aside from the intriguing concept and superb execution) were the plot twists. The first episode was immediate and straight to the point; they laid out the first bang with charm and grace. The whole first episode was satisfying and entrancing. And they kept that suspense throughout the story until the end, with bigger, heart wrenching secrets. God, I fucking love plot twists that are done at the right time, right moment, and right people. I wasn't expecting any of it, and that's the shit I enjoy so much.
PLOT DEVICES (incoming spoiler)
There's something I noticed that the writers used quite skillfully with the execution. It was the use of parallels to show crucial moments of the past and present. The very big one that struck me was the funeral scene. We were shown that they met in the funeral as kids. Near the end they're shown on the same situation (At first I thought that someone's death was unnecessary, but they proved me wrong when they showed this scene), switching the scenes between the past and the present as it was happening, and showing a whole complete loop (in here, history repeated itself, masterfully). This scene was so beautiful that I just... I applause the writers for this fucking goddamn amazing writing, I can't praise this series enough. It deserves so much more oh my god.
THE FLAWS
Of course it isn't a plot without flaws. There are a few questions and motives that remained unanswered until the end, but to me I wasn't super bothered not knowing about it. It was the kind of plot holes that shouldn't really ruin your experience with the characters nor the story. One of the biggest one I could think of is: How did the female lead started dreaming in the first place? There was never an explanation, but even if we knew, what difference will it make to us? what else will that bring to the main story? Nothing. The explanation of how everyone else started dreaming was good enough, because that's where the main course started. It's kind of the same as a buffet. You only get what you want with the amount of how much you can eat; you don't need to put everything in the plate just because they serve it cause otherwise you'll just end up wasting food. There's also no good answer to the question, it will either ruin the whole concept or just drag the series longer. There are many others but they're so little and insignificant that I can't even remember them anymore. I'm just glad that things turned out the way it did. I wouldn't want it any other way.
CHARACTERS & RELATIONSHIPS
To be honest I didn't care much for the romance as much as I did with the mystery. I was satisfied with the suspense and the plot itself unfolding, so the relationships were just extra cherries on top. I actually skipped those unnecessarily long slow-mo of just staring at each other for a solid minute and every other sugar cringe moments they had. I wasn't there for the romance after all. But I do appreciate how well-written most of the characters are, from the main leads to the supporting cast. They don't shove any of those dramatic love triangles and instead had a wholesome second male lead syndrome going for us viewers. He didn't purposefully create any misunderstandings or quarrels/arguments and instead faced his unrequited love with maturity and a bittersweet smile. The antagonist was quite provoking and well-thought of, especially his actions and motives and character (the intense hand washing scene showed his internal conflicts so well that I almost feel bad for him). He was a sad guy who turned into a bad guy because he couldn't help himself at all. You will be angry at him and want him to pay for his actions, but for some crazy reason you will understand his actions and why he is a bad guy. He's not just evil for the sake of the plot needing a villain; he's evil because of his greed, mindset, and twisted personality. That is great writing.
CONCLUSION
I was actually watching Start-up before I looked into this series. It wasn't done at the time and wanted to busy myself with something else so I looked up the same directors/screenwriters and discovered this beauty. After I finished watching this show, I had tears in my eyes and a tiny hole in my heart. It left a beautiful void that I still try to fill up even now. After a few days I recommended it to my boyfriend and we watched it together. I'm usually careful with how I spend my time, I could've been watching a new series but instead I devoted another 16 hours to re-watch this show after finishing it. That was something new to me as I've never re-watched anything in my life (not a show nor anime), but it was then that I realized the re watch value was strong on this one. Even when I was re-watching, I was still getting the same emotional attachment as I did in the beginning with the plot and the characters. I still cried, again. I still laughed, again. I still felt broken, again.
I'm convinced that I didn't find this story. This story found me.
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While you were sleeping won't let you sleep!!!!
The biggest regret that I have is that even though this drama was in my watchlist, I never got around to watching it thinking it might not be that good..then yesterday on a whim I decided to watch one episode as I wanted to see something with Lee Jong Suk…and here I am writing this review the nextr day having binged all the episodes in a day and a half..I have no words as to how entertaining this drama was. Talk about a full buffet which has something for everyone’s taste. Romance..check..thriller…check..courtroom drama..check..friendships..check. The show does not only have excellent writing but is directed extremely well which keeps the viewer enthralled and engaged and at the edge of their seats at all times. This was probably one of the rare Kdrams where I wasn’t exhausted by the time I reached the last episodes. In fact I enjoyed the last few episodes much more than the beginning.
Another exceptional feature of the drama were the well written and relatable characters which were brought to life by exceptional acting on everyone’s part. Lee Jong Suk ones again proves why he is one of the most sought after and loved stars of the Korean Media. He brings a rare charm to his character who is formidable when needed but also puts his aegyo on when he is relaxed. Bae Suzy is good as always and my god is she pretty!!!
But the real MVP of the series for me was Woo Tak…he is one of the most lovable and helpful characters ever written and Jung Hae brings a sheer honesty to his character that you can’t help but root for and be protective of at the same time..
My only gripe was that though the leads have really good chemistry, the romance sometimes slowed the momentum of an otherwise extremely well-paced show.
All in all this was a total 9.5/10 for me and it might come in my top 5 Kdramas of all time. Will recommend this to anyone!!!
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Well This is not only one history throughout the hole series, but a couple of mini histories inside a major one, and each case prossecutor Jeon worked was a surprise. I usually think when I cant predict what's gonna happen next, and when it happens I get surprised and satisfied a sign that the history is good.
Yes, this was a very good history, a very good drama. The main female lead, something always complain in dramas, was a really good character. Not the same crying good-for-nothing-beside-being-saved most female lead in dramas. I really like dramas that goes beyond cliches, and this was one of those.
I recommend watching it, and re watching it.
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I remember the first time I watched it, I couldn't stop proceeding to the next episodes wanting to know what will happen next. It always got me hanging (in a good way) and I always slept late because of it even though I wanted to go to bed early, I just couldn't resist it. It's one of my most favorite kdramas of all time alongside Are You Human Too? and Goblin, it might even be the best out of the two dramas I mentioned. I have nothing to complain about it, I love it the way it is. The actors and actresses did so great as well.
And let me mention the ost too, it was outstanding. The ost for this drama is probably the only ones I play in a daily basis, that's how much I love the songs. It made the drama 1000000 times better than it was because it gives off the atmosphere you're looking for when watching it. I still have chills whenever I listen to the songs since I remember the scenes from the drama and it makes me want to watch it again. I just love the drama so much, I hope you watch it if you still haven't.
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As always the writer incorporates fantasy into the contemporary world. This time, she put the dreams-becoming-real idea and it is somewhat intriguing for me and I think for most of us.
The first episode starts off with Hong Joo (Suzy) dreaming of hugging a stranger and later on she gets to know that the stranger is Jae Chan (Jong Suk) who is their new neighbor. Later on, Jae Chan dreamt of Hong Joo getting in a car crash which killled a man. Hong Joo then got into a coma and wakes up to find that her mom died because of an accident while working to pay the hospital bills for her. She then got accused of being the suspect as she was found behind the steering wheel when they got rescued. Jae Chan tries to stop this and told Hong Joo to not drive if it will snow. Still, Hong Joo drives with her boyfriend and almost hits a man but Jae Chan hits their car to prevent it. The man whose name is Woo Tak later on started having dreams and this is the story of how the trio met.
Until the end, I didn’t get enough answers on how Hong Joo’s dream started. The premonitions of the three characters get converge and intertwine. With those premonitions, they try to change the future and somehow everything became predictive. Their dreams became spoilers and I was left to watch how the three of them save the day.
What I love about the writer is that she always put family in the theme. The lines of the actors are always striking, relatable and sensible as they connect every part of the story.
The story is divided into many parts in such a way that they are all cases of Jae Chan. He tries to solve and prevent it with the help of his, Woo Tak and Hong Joo’s premonitions. It became exhausting at one point because the antagonists are so atrocious so I stopped watching midway because they stressed me out.
The only thing that was not predictive was the thing that I got spoiled 😭😭.
Generally, this drama is worth-watching as it perfectly combines romance, thriller and melodrama. However, I still prefer Jong Suk’s character in Pinocchio for some reason. Hae In really portrayed his character exceptionally and charmingly. I also thought Suzy really did well on her part.
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Perfect balance of romance, fantasy, legal and comedy
I'm trash at writing reviews so I'm just gonna mainly fangirl instead lol, but I'll try my best.Story: 9/10
I really loved the blend of romance and slight fantasy with the legal side of this drama, I thought it was weighted really well and didn't mind when scenes would cut to different storylines, I was invested in them all. Each new legal case was intriguing and tense and had me shouting at *certain people* through the screen. Super gripping and they didn't get annoying or drag on forever for no reason. It was funny and light-hearted but also tense and thrilling, wonderful I loved it
Acting/ Cast: 10/0
Okay screw it I gotta go full fangirl mode for this: EEEEEE I loved the castttttttttt! I literally *live* for well written characters and consistency and YESSS this drama hAS IT the personalities were so clear and so loveable okay I just wanna fangirl about Woo Tak for a bit don't mind me:
Every good person on Earth deserves a Woo Tak. That is all. Well that's not all but I can't put my feelings into words rn okay-
I literally loved the characters so much I would regularly text my friends mid episode to fangirl about them (mainly Woo Tak I mean look at his lil faceeee). They were funny and charming and the antagonists were BRILLIANT wow I hated them so much it was GREAT. Consistent hatred for the antagonists, consistent love for the leads, yes. Incredible acting wow there were some scenes that thinking back now damnnnnn that was outstanding omg, you bet I'll be adding loads of their other dramas to my watchlist
Music: 7/10
Don't mind me just gonna daydream to "It's You" by Henry for the rest of time eeeeeeee. Wow that song HITS. I must admit a couple of the songs I wasn't so keen on but I remember there were a few that I liked quite a lot so I will be listening to the OST again to find them. Other than that, I believe the songs were mainly pretty fitting for the scenes, especially the 'tense' one idk how to describe it you'll see what I mean
Rewatch Value: 6/10
As much as I loved watching this drama, I don't think it would be one I would watch again in it's entirety. Thinking back to everything that happened, I feel I would get exhausted maybe? There's a lot to cope with and think about and I wouldn't be able to handle all that again lol. I would more likely watch odd episodes here and there or maybe specific scenes, but I feel like watching it again in full wouldn't hit quite the same.
Overall: 8.5/10
EDGE. OF. MY. SEAT. I was hooked, constantly watching episodes when I should've been doing homework instead, that's when you know I was invested. Wonderful characters I love 'em so much their INTERACTIONS EEEE even just smiles that were exchanged, the mutual crying, the fRICKIN KISS-
I feel like some people could probably power through this drama in like a week max, I know I definitely would've if I didn't have exams lol so I say: if you have the chance to, DO IT! I really enjoyed it and doubt I'll come across another drama that blends genres quite like it :))
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Legal Thriller with a Touch of Romance
I watched this at the wrong time. I wanted something sweeping and deeply romantic, but what I got was a psychological legal thriller with moments of romance.❤ The best part of the show are the various cases. While the structure was similar to the "case of the week" style popular in Western shows, they did tend to be extended over multiple episodes. I found them all to be fascinating with multiple layers and details. I also really enjoyed the detective work that went into discovering solutions to the cases.
❤ The dreaming sequences were well executed, if a bit repetitive. There were several times when I would get confused between the dream and reality, although I think it was supposed to be part of the equation.
❤ The OST for this series is absolutely outstanding - it truly set the tone between the romantic, emotional, and tense beats. The instrumental music is probably one of my favorite scores ever. If I had one big complaint, it would be that the opening sequence did not match AT ALL the actual show. It always threw me off how whimsical and dreamy the opener was compared to the darker moments of the show.
❤ The poster for the series makes it look like the romance dominates the story, but it truly doesn't. The romance between Nam Hoong-Jo and Jung Jae Chan is super slow burn. It was like watching grass grow in the dessert. Once they finally accepted their feelings for one another, they became a smidge more romantic.
❤ I loved Jung Hae-in as Han Woo-tak. He had such a calm and stoic presence to his scenes. I also loved how nerdy he is, and how it shows in his room.
❤ This is another story focused on "found families" - one of my favorite tropes ever. I love how the three main leads, as well as Jun-Jae's little brother, end up being adopted by Nam Hong-Joo's mom, Yoon Soon-Sun. All of their scenes were such a delight.
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