This review may contain spoilers
I thought this was going to one of those well-written, heartwarming dramas, until I reached the last quarter of the series. When the "Push-and-Pull-romance game" began, then a scenario of dreadful terminal disease came up and lastly everything was wrapped up in a "miraculous" conclusion.. I felt like I have wasted 16 hours, and I felt like I want them back.. Not to mention the female lead seemed too nervous and stiff when it comes to romantic scenes and kiss scenes.. Oh well, I'm sure she'll improve after a few more dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
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The biggest danger of being on this platform (or any similar site, really) is getting swept up in the mob mentality that is a high rating. Time and time again, I begin watching a drama with high hopes just because so many other people loved it. Sometimes, I agree. Other times, I find that I have basically scammed myself through other viewers' preferences. One of those other times was my recent experience with Just Between Lovers.
Just Between Lovers is, by far, not a bad show. I completely understand why so many viewers fell into it. The casting choices, the cinematography, the soundtrack. There’s a lot to brag about. The plot choice is a challenge, but one I commend the writer for choosing. PTSD, survivor's guilt, depression; these things are incredibly difficult subjects to put into a drama without being insensitive, inaccurate, or both.
While I’m not entirely dissatisfied with how the writer depicted these mental conditions, I do feel that she should have gone much further. I didn’t really get into the heads of the characters as much as I expected; so my heart didn’t hurt for them at all.
For Just Between Lovers, the characters should have been the main point. We can understand the technicals of what they went through just by reading a synopsis. In that case, it’s the show’s responsibility to show us more about them; not merely history, but who they are down to every nerve in their body. Okay; maybe that's pushing it for a 16-episode drama, but you understand what I mean? I want to relate to them on some level. Instead, the writer relied too much on the fallacy that “tragedy” automatically equates to a sympathetic audience. In trying to make us viewers feel sad with a truckload of melodrama, we end up not feeling too sad at all.
While I admit that I'm frequently too much of a stickler for well-written characters, I firmly believe that this oversimplification of characters was what failed this show. There were just too many characters to deal with effectively and all at once. The writer was trying to show that everyone is dealing with their own inner demons, which is fine; but then why do I not feel anything for any of them except for the smallest shred of pity? The experience was very similar to when you watch news broadcasts about car accidents: you might wince, feel bad because of what happened. But you most likely don’t have a great enough connection with the victim to truly feel bad for him as a person. That’s a big issue for a drama in which it’s all about seeing the characters as real and human.
Amongst everything, I think that the writer wasted the most time on the romance aspect. (The irony of naming a script “Just Between Lovers” and have a viewer hate the romance. Ouch.) This might’ve just been a trickle-down effect of me not liking the character development enough to appreciate the relationships. I tried to like it, and the pairing was cute; but not anything groundbreaking. It seemed as if the romance was an excuse for more melodrama that the show didn’t need.
The saving grace for Just Between Lovers was the acting. I may have felt lukewarm toward their characters, but I’d be spitting lies if I claimed I wasn’t immersed by Junho and Jinah in each of their more intense scenes. I only completed this show because of them. The amount of emotion that these two harbor in their eyes, namely when they’re crying, is appallingly wonderful. Especially Junho; the amount of acting talent that this singer has is unfair. It’s a real shame that their characters weren’t written better, otherwise the acting would have been explosive.
Altogether, the writer could have done more with the characters instead of focusing on the story alone. Had there been more focus in the character department, I would hardly have any complaints.
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If you love characters with heavy pasts, and a future that you cannot wait to see change, then this is a drama you absolutely have to watch.
I've always thought that a good drama must play with your emotions to the extent that it makes you feel like watching the end first just so you won't be miserable waiting for it, and even though you know what's going to happen, you still feel your heart ache with joy or pain, you still feel frustrated, excited and eager to watch the next episode. Just Between Lovers hits all those emotions for me.
This drama tells the story of individuals sharing a tragic event in their past and what kind of people it turns them into. The past connecting to the future is an element that when used well, can become an explosive and beautiful story.
It is amazing to watch something that is so real and makes you feel all the raw emotions that the characters are feeling. All the characters were well played and important on their own. This drama shows you that no matter what you may be feeling, you're not alone. All of characters have their own losses of the accident and their own pain, granted some of the sorrows are greater than the other, but that doesn't mean that they hurt the person any less.
The main characters didn't have a hot and happening love story, albeit they had a realistic romance, one, that is worth so much more than the skinship and the kisses, which is another reason that I fell in love with this drama. The natural chemistry that came from their glances, or the way they spoke to each other was a whole lot better I could imagine.
The OSTs makes you feel so many more emotions when combined with the parts that the different songs play at. The songs complemented the parts so well and effortlessly that they implant themselves into your head and remind you of the beauty they are.
In conclusion, this makes you want to binge it to no extent and wish it didn't end within only 16 episodes. With some really great dialogues, and lovely acting, Just Between Lovers is a drama that has made it's way into my heart, and will probably do the same to you.
I leave you with one of my favorite lines from this drama so that you have something to look forward to when watching this show :) :
"You said this before, "Don't be relieved thinking that this is the rock bottom. If this is not rock bottom, how many more underground levels are there?" - Lee Gang Doo <3
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In a world where money is the number one influence in creative production, we strive more than ever for a feeling of sincerity. If you're looking for a breath of fresh air, this is definitely for you.
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Story: it was ok, a melo for sure, but in a serious way, at the same time enough realistic and positive. Knowing now that it was inspired on a true accident in a shopping mall in 1995, I think the director and the screenwriter did a good job portraying the main leads as survivors of this.
I wasn’t bored watching it, but I wasn’t hooked either. I didn’t like that the male lead had to surpass so many problems, the last two or three episodes were unnecessary. On the other hand, between episode 10 and 14 sometimes it repeats itself... the rest is ok, the side stories are nice too, although some of them were too easily solved and others weren’t developed as they should.
There were no unnecessary tropes, no love triangle, no villain roles... I really appreciated all these facts.
Acting: I liked very much Lee Jun Ho as Gand Do... I haven’t see him in the past and after this I hope to see him again in the future. I liked too the female lead. She was ok, and they were great together.
Music: a really good OST. It filled the episodes and the emotions in the right time.
Rewatch value: I don’t think I’d watch again. Two many things to see before rewatching this.
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And I'm being honest when I say that I like melodramas but I'm very "strange" about them, however this drama had everything so perfect and realistic with very real people and problems.
In relation to the story itself, as the synopsis says, it is two people who have suffered an accident that has changed their lives and those around them, which is very important and I think watching the drama we will make you understand it better. This have a developing of a loving relationship, but more importantly is how these two characters get rebuild and deal with their problems. And we also have to see and understand that the secondary characters, they are all needed, everyone has their stories and they are definitely important to the drama.
The actors were excellent, that is the true, although I did not know anything of what they did earlier I only knew JunHo of 2PM, and I loved Won Ji Oh, and hope to see more of her soon. The chemistry they have is fabulous, so real.
OST- The moment was sometimes intense, then the song appears and I'm already crying ... it was excellent also and very well worked, placed in the key moments.
Would I come again? Obviously... Who want's to see it? I'm in.
In general ... this drama makes us have a different view of life and what we are making of it, living each day as if it were the last. * I do not even know how many print screens I've done in this drama *
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Buskin styled story of this drama has the vibe of subtle serenity along with exuding melancholy since each character presented here is deeply associated with the one catastrophe took place in their lives. The longing pain, despondency and deliriousness brought the protagonists of this drama closer and deeply fell in love with one another. They had a common ground to relate with each other immensely. Their gesticulation, their shrieking cry out of tremendous pain of losing someone dearer imbued through their profound acting skills. Both Lee Jun Ho and Won Jin Ah made perfect justice to their individual role by showing exact hurting spirit. Moreover their chemistry is gullible as a reality. They were the show stealer. It is difficult to focus on the side stories when they had their astoundingly beautiful romance to portray.
On the other hand, to be very frank, I personally found building one memorial for the entire sixteen episodes were just over the top mundane and exhaustingly boring. There was no development with this part of the story whatsoever. Only interesting part, apart from romance were Gang Doo’s intense friendship with the elderly lady and an autistic young man. Despite a significant age gap between Na Moon Hee and Jun Ho, their chemistry was enchanting and the playful brotherly relationship between Kang Hyun and Jun Ho was also enjoyable to watch.
I only have praises for Jun Ho and Jin Ah. Without them this drama wouldn’t have been so better. The story seemed quite flat otherwise. However, these two characters Gang Doo and Moon Soo pulled off the show with their melting romance which was utterly rejoicing to watch. The rest were distinctively overshadowed by these two. Nevertheless all the casts did good job in playing their roles. Their acting skills were natural and commendable.
I’m thankful that the main character did not met the tragic end. A particular scene at the end episode made my heart skipped million beats. Later I was relieved. For me I just continued and finished this drama just for Gang Doo and Moon Soo. They were the main gem.
Also the OSTs are in perfect cahoots with the mood of the drama.
Overall this is a good romantic drama if skipped the side stories.
If you want to enjoy a great romance with great acting skill from the protagonists then this is definitely for you.
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It talks about life, love and sufferings that we encounter in life. It is definitely not your average melodrama.
acting/cast: the acting was brilliant and the actors amd actresses were able to deliver the emotions well. everyone had an important part and no one lacked screen time.
The music fits well with the story.
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The writer excelled in characters and moments. So many gripping scenes and beautiful lines. But I'd say she was not as strong in overall plot points or pacing. There were plot threads that didn't come together seamlessly or at all. There were times characters seemed to service the plot rather than the other way around. There were re-used plot turns. The final climax, especially looking at it with some distance from the emotional overload when I first watched, was cliched. It was a slow, subtle show and should have had a more subtle final act.
That said, those are smaller points for me. These characters will live with me for a long time. This was so gorgeously shot and expertly put together. The soundtrack was perfect. And the healing theme is refreshing and uplifting.
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The story was kinda refreshing for melodrama lovers. The tone and the ambiance of the drama were relaxing and the scenery was stunning. But near the end, I found unnecessary fillers just intended to make the audience cry and feel desperate.
Acting-wise; Lee Jun Ho was great. You can feel his emotions through his facial expressions. Won Jin Ah also did a good job, and all the cast too. But Jun Ho was the scene stealer.
OSTs were mainly ballads and melodious. But when the show ends, nothing is memorable, except maybe I Open My Eyes.
For melodrama and romance lovers, they can watch it again, but I am sure they have more valuable dramas to spend time for.
Overall, it was a nice journey that I enjoyed most of it but for the last four episodes.
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm extremely surprised that this is getting so much praise, nearly as surprised that I did not drop this early on around EP 4-5. I think my biggest gripe is that up till episode 7-ish there was nothing but pain & suffering. I realize that this is a melodrama, but in order for me to feel the value of this genre, in order to feel a sense of loss the characters' lives need to be introduced before everything went to oblivion for them. I'm giving this a 5 instead of a 1, because the main leads had great chemistry and the acting on their part was outstanding and their romance was well written too I guess. The cinematography was decent & the OST is quite memorable too. Usually I like the 16 episode format, because the writers don't have a chance to overdo fillers & they can just freely use their best ideas to full effect, there is no need to hold back for further seasons, but here I felt that 16 episodes were too condensed for all this borderline sadistic writing. That's not all, there were so many characters I felt apathetic about. Mr Shifty-eyes Architect, or that CEO? that always shouts, why did I have to see his pointless attempts at romance, just why? I like Kang HanNa, but her character made little sense to me, so I guess her acting talent might've been wasted here. I've been reading the comments under the final episode & everyone was like "Thank God it's a happy ending, like this it's 10/10" etc, but I'm just not that forgiving. Literally 5 minutes of moderate happiness before the ending credits isn't enough to forget all the bad things, feels like the writer was pressured into changing her originally planned ending too.. Naturally there is no way that I would ever rewatch this drama. On the upside watching good melos mess me up for quite a while, but since I did not become emotionally invested in this one I'm already over it :-)
edit: For reasons unknown I kept missing the show, so after rewatching it I liked it a lot more than for the first time, so changing my rating to 6.5 stars. :-)
edit2 (a year later): I'm looking at this review that I've written and it feels surreal that I gave this 5/10 the first time around. Changing the score once more! .-)
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