It was a great start, it was cute seeing Seo Jun Hui (Jung Hae In) crushing and having a hard time saying his emotions to Yoo Jin-Ah (Son Ye Jin) and Yoo Jin Ah being confused to her feelings. But when they start being together, I found it boring and a lot of dragging scenes. I did find their relationship bit weird at the start especially that Jin Ah is the older sister of Jun Hui's friend. They look cute together but somehow the chemistry between them is lacking. Other than their wide age-gap relationship the other problems tackled in this drama was great, like how women are treated in the workplace, family problems, etc.
Overall I'll just rate this a 6/10. Out of all the characters, I only find Seo Jun Hui memorable. In my opinion Jung Hae In carried this show.
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Decent, but one of those "could've been a masterpiece".
Advice:For those that like how the show starts and how the relationship develops, you can skip and just watch the endscene(last few minutes) of episodes 14,15 and 16 and around 90-95% of the scenes with the work colleagues after the first few episodes.
It's a decent drama that could've been one of those "must be watched"/"masterpiece"/"groundbreaking", but failed because of the lack of vision.
First off, I can be considered a westerner(EU native), but I understand most of the cultural things presented. That said, I couldn't understand many decisions plotwise regarding character decisions and how the story was presented regarding the workplace "issue", holding on, relantionships and all. Because of this I asked friends that are from that cultural group/place and that have lived there to see if it was appealing from a korean pov and they said the same thing as me:
Workplace:
- plot covers some discussions, situations but nothing regarding the actual resolution so it was poorly written on this part
- workplace colleagues, situations and reasonings are somewhat just about there without an actual substance because it's written/made to feel like one of those "you know what happens"/"read between the lines", but it's bad and even if it's just a filler for the whole show since the relantionship is the main act, it brings it down. Nevertheless it's so bad that when it interacts with the relantionship and the female lead "development"/decisions that it leaves you sense of "wtf is this?" It just hovers over grey lines without going to a resolution.
Relantionship:
- it is presented and done realistically and sincerely great for the first 2 thirds to say so
- the questionable decisions in these 2 parts can be reasoned in many ways so they give a more realistical feeling to the show, but are simply horrendous in the last part
- like the workplace stuff, in the last part of the show it just hovers on grey lines, questionable decisions without reasoning(the only reason that would make sense is that the FL is a masochist/wants to be sad and gloomy, but it isn't that so it's just conflicting with the whole story presented as it is)
The workplace stuff is just purely filler with no substance and because of how much of the show is workplace related, it's mostly a waste of time.
Relationship starts of great, but ultimately leaves you a feeling of "emptiness" because of how bad the plot unfolds(FL decisions without a proper substance behind them; partially the fault of how the workplace stuff is presented and how in the whole show they say one thing and the actions present something way different).
Gave an 8 overall because it kept me for the ride, but the last part of the show is complete crap with a "happy ending" done in like 2 minutes after 3 hours of unwanted and unreasonable emptiness/gloominess that brings nothing to the story. To explain it shortly, the FL is presented and "fighting", but in reality does nothing of the sort and towards the end they wanted to emphasize that she's "holding her ground"/"making though decision(s)"/maturing, but nothing of the sorts occurs. Sincerely it felt like a lack of inspiration either from the script or from the production team for not expressing anything there.(they ran out of work fillers and just prolongued the story with a relationshiop filler)
It just feels like someone that gets a lottery ticket with a medium(but very substantial prize) and throws it away because it doesn't want free money or anything less than the grand prize while they are in a situation of sleeping on the streets and starving because of some questionable "pride motive". While this setting(of pride) works great in a captivating story with good reasoning behind, it's just poorly used in this drama overall.
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I really wish I hadn’t watched this
Pros:Jung Hae In - he made it worth every miserable minute I spent on this show.
In the beginning, the chemistry between the leads was off the charts. That is the type of relationship I have always wanted to have.
Cons:
The whole thing was filmed with some sort of drab filter. It was depressing. Most everything was in shades of black and brown.
If I hear “Stand by Your Man” one more time I think I’ll scream. It was played multiple times in a single episode. EVERY episode. Two different singers didn’t help.
Her mother was a HORRIBLE person. She is the most wicked of the wicked witches I have ever seen in a series. Once she found out about their relationship, the whole series turn a dark turn. Nothing about it was enjoyable. She just made everyone miserable including me.
The FL was great in the beginning and I like her as an actress. But, in this role, I ended up hating her. She was the most selfish person and treated the ML so badly when all he tried to do is protect her and love her with all his heart. But, she started sneaking around and lying to him. I was so heartbroken for him. Even though they got back together in the last TWO minutes of the series, I couldn’t be happy for them.
I just really wish I hadn’t watched this in the first place. It was depressing and made me nervous and upset just watching this stupid show. Why did the writers think this would be enjoyable to watch?
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I loved the male lead and his chemistry with his noona-got fluttered in the first few episodes and i cried watching the final episode. But why 7.5 ? There are a lot of repetetive scenes- too slow directing and too much cheesiness! Glad I saved myself from wasting some hours by skipping several scenes and ended up appreciating the drama still. I didnt want to blame it all on the flaws and chose to just watch the scenes that interests me withiut compromising my understaning of the story. Maybe because the actors are too adorable that I wanted to enjoy this piece of work they worked hard for
The wrtiter had some strong points and showed several real life scenarios - it is simple and natural - but there could have been hundreds of other scenes/scripts that are natural but flavorfull. Should have digged even deeper - and should have come up with a more interesting twist.
.*spoiler
I appreciate those hide and seek parts which reminded me of dating secretly - the break up and the pain of letting go - and thrill of reconciliation .
On top of that found my new oppa to watch for- Jung Hae In! Overall a good watch !
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Still - I would recommend you watch the first few Episodes because the Leads are incredibly cute together and their Chemistry is amazing as I said!
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Has your very common kdrama trope where one of the leads parents don't support their child's love interest (but with an interesting plot twist nonetheless) the entire cast in this show work so well with each other. I'd also say the pacing is just about right, they've given every character enough time to develop themselves into the story.
Definitely a good one to to add to your starter list, if you're just getting into Kdramas.
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If you look at the list of hundreds of Korean dramas that have surfaced over the past few years, you will find that most shows had at least one of these three main characters: wealthy people; characters have superpowers; character has no superpower, but has the morality, the idea of life at a higher level than normal people. This stimulates the curiosity of the audience about the rare classes in society, which makes the story becomes new, more attractive. And along with that, we've had all these Hollywood's blockbuster level of production qualities in order to match the stories, landslide battles, beautiful cinematography, harmonious music, those that I personally thought were imperative to make a good show.
But "Something in the Rain" has none of that. Not a single thing.
Characters: Yoon Jin Ah, main female character, is a 35 years old supervisor. Seo Joon Hee, main male character, is just a 31 years old game designer. They're just another 2 people you can meet everywhere on the street that are struggling with their life.
Story: They fall in love with each other. Yes, that's literally it. Nothing more.
Cinematography: Mostly still shots. Not even that good.
Music: Sometimes a soft pop song will come up during romantic scenes. But nothing during normal ones.
At this point, you probably think my post would be a criticism but surprisingly, for all that, I am ADDICTED to this show – it brings a smile to my face and I actually find myself thinking about it even after the episode ends.
First off, the couple is really natural and relatable. Their chemistry is on fire and their physical interactions are exactly how you would expect a normal couple to be. Sometimes I think Korean dramas try to ‘normalise’ their shows and show that Koreans are exactly the same as everyone else, but end up overdoing and spoiling the momentum. Here, their acting doesn't look like acting at all. It's like you're watching videos of a couple filmed by a multi-thousand dollar camera. What they say and what the do, I can't even tell a difference from the "Behind the scene" and the final product. Search for them and you'll see what I mean.
For example, the first time they slept together, the focus was on the TV and you only see them taking off clothes (Joon Hee to be exact) and fidgeting under the blankets. The next time, it’s them with their clothes on but taking turns to be on top, smiling lovingly and then kissing the partner. We know what’s going to come, but it’s these moments that matter more to me – those quiet moments where you don’t say anything but simply look at your other half, which is why some dramas lose me when they start having bed scenes. In a sense, I think this drama has no less kissing scenes than any other dramas I’ve watched, and yet this is more intimate and at the same time, conservative, and I admire this balance. Other dramas are mostly passionate making-out, but here, we are seeing really small kisses most of the time. I read comments noting that the actors must have had a serious relationship before to act this out, and I agree – they seem to bring some part of themselves into the show, which is why I think I feel so attracted to this couple. Watching them reminds me of something, whether in the past or now.
This show doesn’t have a villain but I see it in the mother every time she talks. The script really feels so natural! I don’t need superpower mums who throw money at female leads to keep them away from their sons; I didn’t know until this show that a naggy mom who simply focuses on the background and pities Joon Hee and his sister behind closed doors could be just as infuriating. I know she also comes from a place of love, but I truly wish that by the end of the drama, she will be changed as well – her words are really oppressing the entire family in different ways and it’s no wonder that every time she speaks, I feel so grumpy.
I’m just a bit afraid of what the title Something In The Rain entails – is it going to be fleeting? I have this fear that the couple will separate and it’s because this relationship makes them a better person but they are not meant to be together (something like 500 days of Summer). It’s a tragic concept which I’m not against per se, but I hope it doesn’t happen here because the only thing that’s stopping them really isn’t the age but family and I’d think that it’s pretty uninspiring if they broke up just because of that. On being inspiring, I like the portrayal of gender issues in the workplace and I really hope they develop it well.
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The SLOWEST , MOST FRUSTRATING and PAINSTAKING drama I've ever watched. Total waste of time.
I wish somebody had warned me before I wasted more than 16 hours to that drama. THERE ARE SO MANY FLAWS THAT I DON'T REAALY KNOW WHERE TO GET STARTED. There is NO EVOLUTION whatsoever IN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. THE END IS PATHETIC, just going back to the situation in episoe 5 or 6. NO CONFLICT RESOLUTION. No reward for good guys' suffering and punishment for the bad ones. NO MORAL VICTORY of the good ones. On the contrary, it seems like all the persistence and struggling to fight their battles was in vain. I am ESPECIALLY DISAPPOINTED ON HOW such a serious issue as SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS TREATED. You can't treat sth so delicate so lightly on screen! I knew that South Korean society is a bit male chauvinist, but this goes beyond my imagination! And what example does it set!? Just keep quiet and accept inappropriate attitude from your superiors, cause if you stand up for yourself, you will get the blame for the situation, people will treat you as if you were contagious, you will ruin your career, but the ones who actually wronged you would keep on as if nothing happened! So morally wrong! And what's with the fast outcome? It's been going soo slowly, only to get fast forward in the end and ignore resolving conflicts. It's almost like you overhear that she actually won the sexual harassment case and her boss says she should be happy with her victory, but then why does it feel like punishment!? She was forced to change her job within the company and eventually quit because she is burnt out by the whole situation. Even if I find this part of the story so unfair towards the main female character, I still can't help but hate her so much. She is a compulsive liar, her compliance goes beyond stupidity. And the only person who treats her right, respects and appreciates her, she treats as a douchebag. He must be a total saint to put up with all this and even ask her forgiveness (once again) in the end when he did nothing wrong. Both their characters are not credible. I can forgive him only because he is so cute. And don't get me started with the mother! Once again, absolutely surreal character. One usually has good and bad features, they are not blackand white. But this mother is only hateful. She is selfish, superficial and even mean to her kids. Conclusion, the worst story ever.Was this review helpful to you?
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Goddammit this show was frustrating. After episode 10 I wanted to smack everyone upside the head and quit. In episode 15 I wanted to burn the whole place to the fucking ground.
After the whole storyline of fighting against injustice, the main couple separates for five fucking years because the FL can't grow a pair and stand up to her parents, and on top of that she starts dating someone else that her parents chose for her. And you expect me to be on board with a happy ending with the male lead, when all I want is for the guy to meet someone with a backbone who'll stand by him?! I want 18 hours of my life back. Don't waste your life/nerves/energy on this.
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Started with a bang then fizzled out...
Just end... were my feelings after episode 8. The beginning was nice, very nice actually. The stages of attraction from like to love was beautifully done. Wow my kind of romance... loved it!!! Unfortunately at the halfway point of the series the drama went to the left for me. It became a torture to watch. I was begging for it to end quickly. I'm sad because it ended with me not really liking the main character Jin Ah (this doesn't happen often but when it does its disappointing). I hated that Joon Hee loved Jin Ah wished he would find someone who deserved his love... she was older but immature and a liar. Augh her constant lies drove me insane then her excuses were baffling irritating and frustrating... but then I tried to reason what do you expect with a cray cray meddling mental and emotional abusive eomma. I understand eomma wanted the best for her children but jeez she was over the top; however, it was nice to finally see her loving eomma side in the end. I also didn't care for Joon Hee appa but loved his noona, Kyung Sun. All credit for Joon Hee warmhearted love goes to Kyung Sun. Great job noona!!! Oh and lets not forget the twisted office sexual harassment. I have all kinds of thoughts and comments on that but for fear of spoilers I will keep it to myself but OMG really SMH. Overall this dramas love chemistry was soft sweet pretty amazing until it wasn't.Was this review helpful to you?
THE STORY
The story doesn't follow the typical romance tropes I see in Kdramas- there's no chaebols, deadly family secrets, nor is it a cinderella story. While there are typical family dynamics here, it all felt so real. The story pits Jin Ah and Joon Hee in not a "forbidden romance" but rather a romance that places them in an incredibly awkward situation. They're sort-of-friends (through their siblings) and live fairly average lives. There's the crazy mother obsessed with the family image that also pushes the plotline through. There are many mixed thoughts on the story, but I will acknowledge that a lot of times the story was very suffocating. I just wished for these two to catch a break- from work lives and home lives. Jin Ah reminds me of a lot of Asian girls I know and her family even mirrors a lot of my family dynamics. Many people will dislike much of her actions, but in the grand scheme, it's understandable how she's ended up in a lukewarm state because of how she was brought up. I also like the other plot happening at work- the director really knows how to make two large situations together to create one suffocating problem, but one that makes sense and doesn't take away from the other problem. The story leads you to sympathize and hate different decisions, but it's life. Neither Joon Hee nor Jin Ah were perfect, and that's what made it real and believable. You really need tissues and to make sure you're in the right state of mind for this one, but the skillful writing was very well-done.
THE CAST
Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In are two of my favourite actors. They both executed their roles perfectly and the tender nuances in their gazes- wow. I melted, cried and laughed with them. While I love both of them, I was very pleasantly surprised by Hae-In's skill in acting and how he completely charmed me and swept me off my feet. I could feel the emotion from the other side of the screen. Hae-In has the nuances of Joon Hee so down and you can see that he's been interested in his noona for a while but never really acted or even realized it himself hahaha. I also admire the improv skills they have, and their amazing chemistry. I watched a lot of behind the scenes and I saw how much improv they've done and I was shocked silly. Honestly, Hae-In is a very skilled improv actor and he really knows how to place himself in the shoes of his character. Ye Jin also is an actor that you can sense the experience of right off the bat and she really brought her Noona role to life here. Also, I appreciated how the director kept a lot of the improv and encouraged it all! Honestly, the same director as One Spring Night and they're both so well directed!
MUSIC
God, do not get me started. The music here was amazing and really set the scene. The arrangements were perfect and set the whole kind of "flashback/vintage" vibe immediately. Whoever arranged the set and the music did a phenomenal job. They complimented each other beautifully and I actually had all the songs from the soundtrack on repeat for a month. I literally play this music whenever I sit in the rain and the scenes with just music and their crazy antics were executed beautifully.
REWATCH VALUE
Honestly, I'd watch this 100 more times. I've watched it about five times now (though not completely). I wouldn't watch every single episode again if I didn't want to feel the suffocation from the angst (don't get me wrong I loved the angst) but you know my heart can't take breaking that much all the time hahah. Honestly, flag your favourite episodes and rewatch those or rewatch it all with a couple of friends- this drama is bound to bring a lot of discussions.
CONCLUSION
A beautiful and well-told story. Honestly, the director and videographers did an amazing job and the shots were timed perfectly and chosen perfectly for each scene. Honestly, I'm keeping an eye on this director because all his works are similar vibe and are skillful pieces of art. Ahn Pan-seok is a rare talent and also so funny during filming! All the production crew did a great job as well. I loved this and the story will always live in me and I don't have enough words of praise to fully express my appreciation and love.
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