Crash Landing on You (2019)

The OG kdrama

Oh god where to start from, my excitement as I write this review is at peak. Loved the story and it was executed brilliantly. I completed the show in 3 days and I didn’t wanted it to end. The story progressed through the episodes and wasn’t stuck in the same loop as an issue with many kdramas.
I like how half of the story covered North Korea and the rest covered South Korea. We got to see characters in both situations.
I fell in love with captain Ri and Seri is such a boss lady. Their scenes together melted my heart. The way he come to find her with scented candle. Oh My God ❤️. The train journey scene was soo beautiful. The way she put her head on his shoulder.
The 2nd lead couple was cool . They deserved a happy ending too. Dan didn’t seem that interesting in the beginning but I ended up liking her and felt bad for her.
Overall I have nothing bad to say about the show because there wasn’t anything that lacked.

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A Show That Demands Peace

I had heard about "Crash Landing on You" because its gained quite a large following! It's arguably become one of the most popular K-Drama series I've ever heard of. So since I just had finished "It's Okay Not To Be Okay", I figured why not pick up another K-drama to watch? Though I didn't like this one nearly as much as IONTBO, it had some really solid stuff in it and my mom loved it. So that's a plus!

The premise of South Korean and North Korean star crossed lovers really interested me. Since that's a very real issue and could potentially discuss many important things surrounding that divide. Which they did in various ways! Which were my favorite parts of the show. The romance plays a primary part of course, but that other added stuff was the gold to me. It was so interesting how North Korea was represented in this show. You definitely don't see it in a necessarily good light, with so much poverty and neglect for its citizens. As well as downright mistreatment in the judicial system and lack of medical resources. It's so much fake happiness and control. However, it made me so happy to see the people portrayed as kind. They aren't bad people, just many of them are stuck over there for various circumstances and its an extremely complicated situation that isn't black and white. There's good and bad on both sides, what's really the problem in N.Korea is how its ran by dictatorship rather than freely.

The characters were (for the most part) really well done and portrayed. I loved that Seri was not just a damsel in distress. She's a business woman with no nonsense. Who worked her way up and had struggles on her own. She's given a personality and isn't reliant on the relationship to define her character. Jung Hyuk was well done, after awhile of watching I was like "okay show, don't beat up this man too much please! It's making my heart hurt. Dude plays the piano and is actually a literal sweetheart. So leave him alone!" The side characters who became a side couple Dan and Seung Jun (or Alberto lol) were actually pretty solid. I felt for each of them and sympathized. So when Seung Jun dies, I felt terrible! I understand why he did and I'm glad to an extent that Dan is finding her own independence. It just was unexpected that he would out of everyone. All of the soldiers in Jung Hyuk's group were likable in their own ways. My faves were Eun Dong (precious child) and Ju Muk (his love for dramas made my heart sing!) Getting attached to them made the ending that much harder to watch.

So the romance is nice in this, even if it was a little too fantastical for my taste. Meaning endearing looks and peck kisses don't scream "believability" to me lol. So I kinda started to get annoyed with the trope of dramatic pauses in this especially concerning those characters interactions. They were sooooo slow at delivery sometimes and I'm not blaming the actors at all because its the direction. But holy crap! Such a solid cast of actors though seriously. The entire plot of Jung Hyuk's brother getting murdered was devastating, but amazing to watch. The Man Bok's (the rat) storyline could've been its own story. Eventually though I was like thank god were out of the North by episode 10! Because I was getting sick of those sets. Seeing the boys from the North interact in the South was so funny and entertaining. I kinda wanted more of it! Also Jung Hyuks just doing a bunch of good deeds around Seoul was so wholesome.

Now we'll get to the stuff leading up to the ending and the ending itself. People were doing a lot of dumb s*** towards the end. Like going places alone and driving in front of bullets rather than into the shooter himself which I still don't understand! Either way we lead up to the ending. I predicted it pretty early on. I had a feeling the soldiers would have to return North. It was ironic that there's writing at the border that states "peace" while the North is literally ripping people apart from their loved ones. And in handcuffs no less! It was devastating and I sobbed. I didn't want to see them go back because at that point I would die for any of those boys! I wanted them to have better lives and be happy. That didn't happen and it was disappointing. Jung Hyuk and Seri get a bittersweet ending where they see each other 2 weeks every year, which is kinda crappy but its something. He still had to serve under the North though which was like, eww. After all of that. I just wish they weren't stuck there by the end. The conclusion with the moms talking about ending the arranged marriage was beautiful. I really loved that. The ending was meh in some areas, but really solid in Dan's storyline of independence. So idk.

Finally, I wanna say the filming locations in Switzerland were GORGEOUS. It made me want to visit there so bad! Overall, I don't think "Crash Landing on You" necessarily deserves the overmassed hype it got. However, I think its an important series! If I were to rewatch it I'd watch it for only certain scenes and storylines. It was still an enjoyable experience overall and I hope someday there truly is peace between the South and North. In a way that saves all the people and sets them free <3

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Best Korean Romance Drama of the decade

This is one of the best dramas I have ever watched, It is simply amazing. Besides the lead actors who have scorching chemistry we have a stellar ensemble cast which includes the amazing second leads with contrasting personalities, north korean comrades, Cho cheol Gang, North Korean millitary village ladies, Seo dan's mother and uncle and Captain Ri's father. Each one of them shines in their respective roles. Every scene shot in Switzerland is breath - taking
I loved the first 10 episodes more, They are outstanding ! However in the later episodes some sub plots like Captain Ri and Cho Cheol Gang coming to South Korea by digging a tunnel seem illogical and far fetched. Similarly the way NIS of South Korea warmed up to RiRi couple's love story was a bit too much...also how Captain Ri's father casually kills a very important North korean officer (Director of Millitary to be precise) in an attempt to protect his son is over the top. The actors and story is so good that you tend to overlook gaps like these...
Besides the flawless acting and overall gripping storyline, CLOY has an amazing OST. Make sure you don't miss this one out!

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I wish I started watching this series on a Friday or Saturday, I probably would have finished it in one go. Great acting from the cast. The dialogues were funny. Hyun Bin as Ri Jeong Hyeok what can I say - dreamy, manly, sweet, funny. The four plus one sidekicks were a fun bunch of adorkables, they looked great suited up - Pyo Chi Su actually looked the best in suit amongst the five. Kim Jung Hyun was great as Gu Seung Jun - switching from being funny, serious and villainy. The village ladies were cool. I liked that they did not drag on unneccessary misunderstandings. Did not dwell too much on political stuff. A balanced mix of comedy and drama. A great watch!

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Something unexpected

Let me tell you that this drama put me in tear more than once. As I begun to watch this drama, I did not expect it to be as good as it proved itself to be. It got the perfect mixture of action filled with one of the most heartfelt romances. I admit that it took a few episodes to get into the drama fully and for the plot to improve, but it was definitely worth it. The main couple also delivered amazing chemistry on-stage, not to mention the incredible acting over-all by Hyun Bin. Their relationship felt very normal and believable, it came naturally and they displayed such emotion. There's little to nothing to criticize, however some scenes were unecessary and sometimes made the drama difficult to watch in-between the main plot. The last few episodes were full of suspense and heartache.

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Crash Landing On You is indeed a masterpiece!

I've been watching Asian dramas since early 2000. There are hardly any dramas that I can watch repeatedly but CLOY is an exception. I watched this drama more than 3 times, and I always get the same feeling, anticipation, joy, and giddy feelings.

There are so much warmth and feelings in this masterpiece. You don't need someone to experience romance, just watch CLOY! Lol! You can experience the sincerity and depth of each portrayal. I never skipped any scenes (which I usually do in some dramas, especially when the supporting role acts got too boring and draggy). I must say that this drama has one of the best supporting roles in the whole kdramaland!

Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Se-Ri scenes are sweet, cozy, deep, and warm. No need for too much physical and kissing scenes, their glances and bickering scenes will give you enough giddy feelings. Ugh, kilig!

The plot and storyline, character development, chemistry, cinematography, and portrayal made Crash Landing On You one of the best drama in the world.

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All time favourite

i rarely give shows 10/10 and even if the overall rating is a 10, there's usually aspects that are less than—story, acting, etc.

but this!!! as far as acting and soundtracks go, this has never disappointed me once. to the point where i was looking up covers upon covers for the ost... it's that good. the casting doesn't need my two cents to describe how good it is, but the chemistry between the leads definitely translated in practice. inspired me to watch more of their works too!

the humour, pacing, and plot were all amazing to me. every rewatch has given me something to be excited for, and sometimes i notice a lot of things i hadn't noticed the first time. seriously, job well done on this drama. has to be my favourite kdrama thus far

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This was such a beautiful, romantic and immensely touching story. I ended up feeling so connected to many of the characters. Therefore, I cried and laughed countless times. I learned a lot, the cast was absolutely perfect and the cinematography was gorgeous. It was interesting to see so many perspectives too. I adored, in general, the relationships between characters from enemy countries coming together as friends/lovers.

I have to say, I wouldn't change a thing. I didn't mind that each episode was so long because I was always hooked. It had a wonderful ending too so I was left feeling very satisfied with how it all turned out! I hope all fellow kdrama enthusiasts will watch this one :)

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