This review may contain spoilers
Good stuff. Complex. Powerful at times. Yet you better don´t set the primary focus on the romance.
No idea why the international title is what it is... so beware! If you're expecting a love story here, you'll get one, but certainly not in the way you thought it would. With their motifs and soft focus, the posters for the KDrama also promise more heartbreak of the shallow kind than the story does justice to.
The original title "The most beautiful moment in life - the moment when life becomes a flower" describes the moment in which life (not love) acquires meaning, beauty, direction, form and can blossom. And here we are closer to the topic. The two protagonists have been in love with each other since their student days in the 90s. Yes. But it has grown through their attitude to life, the meaning they give to their own lives, through their principles and quite specifically through the class struggle, the union struggle, the demonstrations for more democracy. By boldly standing up for what they believe in, life is transformed into a (bright, fragrant, inspiring) flower.
To reduce life and its beauty to love would not be enough. But love is definitely part of it - just like water or the sun - to let these flowers (which can/want to be a person's life) grow. This flower reveals its inherent beauty in the creative expression of what is important to you, what you stand for, what you believe in.
In that sense, Yoon Ji-soo's seedling came to life after she met Han Yaeh-hyun during his pro-democracy and workers' rights protests. Ji-soo's enthusiasm for Yaeh-hyun's cause didn't go unnoticed for him either.
-------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Early unionists, political protest and rebellion against injustice ---
We are learning about South Korean democracy movement when it was still in its infancy. During the decades of the dictatorship, conservative politicians skillfully exploited the fear of the communist north and consistently interpreted or pursued any commitment to workers' rights as a communist threat. Strikes and demonstrations were always uncompromisingly dispersed and participants and leaders sentenced to prison terms. Even recently, in the last 5 years, trade unionists, fighting for workers' rights, have been and continue to be arrested for "offences against public order". In the case of convictions of corporate bosses/Jaebeol, a pardon usually follows quickly. Unionists, however, always have to serve their long sentences. Recently, for example, the KCTU chairman Han Sang-gyun was sentenced to three years in prison during an organized mass rally for workers' rights (2016) and Jang Ok-gi from the construction workers' union was imprisoned for a protest march for higher pensions for non-permanent construction workers (2017).
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So the context of this love story is quite serious. And the KDrama cleverly wraps and links this 'seriousness' around the love plot of the two protagonists. The story is told in time leaps between then and now. It tells how Ji-soo's father (head of the district attorney's office) opposes the young love, it tells about Yaeh-hyun's father's unsuccessful struggle for worker´s rights, about Jaebeol Jang Sang, into whose family Yaeh-hyun marries, and about the unscrupulous intrigues of father and daughter, as well as the elite family of lawyers that Ji-soo married into. It tells of the intolerable arrogance of the wealthy towards the lower-income classes, which continues in the form of bullying among their children. It tells of courageous class struggle and rebellion against injustice. It tells of the almost hopeless struggle for one's own rights in the face of powerful opponents. And that it's never too late to let the flower of your life bloom.
So, should you watch it? Yes, it´s good stuff. Complex. Powerful at times. But don´t set the primary focus on the romance. Otherwise you might be a bit disappointed.
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Slow-burning, often-overlooked drama of 2020
When My Love Blooms also went under my radar with its melodramatic tone and emphasis on flashbacks. However, WMLB is not so overtly melodramatic, especially in comparison to other kdramas. And, the way flashbacks are incorporated into the story is ambitious and novel. The major weakness of WMLB is that it takes too long to show its main merit and charm.By committing to longer flashbacks, the drama tells two intertwined stories that make it challenging to buy-in to either. In the beginning, it feels as though we are watching two sets of characters, and it takes the better half of the series to believe that they are the same “people”. This drama needs a longer runway to fully capture its audience, so do not judge on the first 2 or 4 episodes.
Story:
With the concurrent telling of past and present, When My Love Bloom’s plot is surprisingly tight. Flashbacks are not shown just to explain a specific present event, rather they are given their own fully fleshed out story. Splitting time between flashbacks and present does take away from the development of the main plotline, especially because it is hard to believe, at first, that the past and present characters are really one another.
Acting:
Lee Bo Young and Yoo Ji Tae are what I first noticed from their respective 2013 and 2014 hits. I Hear Your Voice and Healer are both considered kdrama classics, and seeing the two leads in 2020 is a treat. No more needs to be said.
Their past counterparts Jeon So Nee and Park Jin Young also deserve praise. Within their storyline, their chemistry and performance are strong. The only minor criticism is that the two pairs could have better aligned their mannerisms because it may have helped bridge the disconnect between them. Still, I prefer the way the past and present are shown in WMLB over the usual where one pair of actors pretends to be 20 in one scene and 40 in another.
Music:
Music is a key point throughout the drama, from the use of 90’s music to the Female Lead’s piano background. The blend of oldies and classical with the more familiar sounds of kdrama ballad/OST is appreciated. But like the story, When My Love Bloom’s novel approach does not quite break away from the typical kdrama mold.
Rewatch Value:
Even though the drama exceeds expectations, it is hard to promise a rewatch. I hesitate to call it slow paced. It is more that there are two stories that could each be a standalone show. By the time the two “stories” fully connect, When My Love Bloom is already at its end. The finale’s lasting impression is that WMLB fails to stand out even with its novel storytelling and directing.
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it's slow drama and usually slow drama either can make you fall in love or feel bored to death..
when my love blooms was Literally both in some episode was so enjoyable and feel love in the air if you into that type of slow run and with the cute youth couple your heart fluttering and see the pain of old couple but in other episode i want to drop because it was so slow but i hold for the young couple.
story as idea was good but i think they get lost as they make it longer this could do a perfect 8 or 10ep drama not 16. also the 90's steal the light as story from the present.
how much i wish this drama was only about the youth couple the are so fresh to watch that i want to give them 10/10 in everything from feel to acting and chemistry. if someone edit their scenes only and make it short drama i can give it 10/10. jinyoung and sonee was the heart of the drama the breath that make you want to watch more and more.
i don't hate old couple don't get me wrong, i loved old jaehyun (yoo ji tae) and can feel pretty much why girls fall for him but the story was so dragged on the old couple part. all that fight in the company and all was useless and old jisoo get into my nerve sometimes.
Acting : i think everyone did pretty good especially Sonee she shine so bright in this character , Jinyoung too beside his good acting i feel that he connected to old jaehyun more like i believed they are the same person more than jisoo don't know if he buy more eye to details of the older move and tone or that Jisoo character change a lot.
i love how they end it the most out of anything that scene was like comforting to all characters. i love when director know how to end drama that's why i rise my rate to 8.
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Falling in love
I don’t know why some people said this isn’t a good drama. For people who wouldn’t appreciate melodrama don’t waste your time because firstly you’re not a fan of melodrama but for people who appreciate melodrama it is one of the best of melodrama. I cried every episode. You will feel sad at the same time falling in love. This is the real bittersweet. It is literally suitable for its title’When my Love Blooms’. The cast did their part very well. I thank the writers and directors for making this one. I really love this one. will give this a 9.5 overall:-) Enjoy watching. Highly recommended.Was this review helpful to you?
First of all, the retro one, when the characters were young, was almost made to perfection. From the poetic cinematography, to the nostalgic feeling, to the presentation of that era, everything was perfect. The timeline did get a bit confusing at times, but that was mainly due to the focus on the present story. Still, the chemistry was over the moon, the love story was sweet, dramatic and moving, and the whole college life along with the family drama were all interesting and nicely managed.
However, the present story was a bit boring. There was a spark between the couple at the beginning, but that kind of died out, as they kept repeating scenes and events, the drama of the business and family matters took over, and the characters were thrown into stereotypical types that had nothing to do with their old selves. I mean, sure they were bound to change, but they still would have kept some traits of themselves, wouldn't they?
Finally, the performances were really good from everyone, but there has to be given a special shout out to the younger actors and the kids of the cast.
So, overall, 6.5 out of 10, because the past story was really enjoyable but the present was boring and predictable.
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Detailed:
One of the main things that attracted me to this drama (other than the fabulous Lee Bo Young) was that this told not only the love story of how the couple meet but also the later story of how they meet again later in life, how their lives have become so completely different because of the events that have happened to them in the intervening time. Values that were held strong in youth are cast aside and almost turned on their head by the older versions, but are the same two people still in there, and is there a future for them?
So many romance stories show the couple meeting and coming together and that's your happy ending, but this one gives you a taste of the 90's with some great music and scenes from the period, brings them together and then forces them apart only for them to coincidentally meet many years later. He's married, she's divorced, he's gone from anti-corporation to the vice president of one of the biggest, she's picketing outside that very same corporation against its greed.
The cast are fantastic both the older and younger pair, Yoo Ji Tae and Lee Bo Young are long time professionals and they carry their roles with all the expertise you would expect. Park Jin Young and Jeon So Nee carry the mantle of the younger counterparts and do so very well.
There's a lot to unpack as the story progresses but it doesn't rush, it's consistent and keeps a steady pace throughout so that you don't get bored, but at the same time it's not rushing it either.
Music is fantastic, some very appropriate original pieces in the sound track along with some classics from the 90's for those who remember them.
There's some really nice work in the two time periods being represented too, one that stands out for me is where the older pair go for a trip somewhere they went when they were younger. In the younger reminiscences you can see they are walking on some kind of railway platform with arches. In the later version of the scene, that platform and railway have been replaced with a road but it's clearly the same place. Really nicely done and added to that sense of the two time periods.
The story progresses both timelines side by side, showing something in the past, showing something in the present, and often using the past to explain the motivations and feelings behind things said and done in the present.
Fantastic story, definitely recommend it if you like a relaxing warm romance that's a bit different to the normal.
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My love for this show bloomed.
This show was sooo good , i usely watch more fluff shows and run away from the heavy ones so watching this one it means this show is extra special i really enjoyed all episodes and almost didnt feel the need to fast forward at any time .It is a slow slow like many other said before but to be fair after the 1st episode you dont feel it and you just want more of this story
I love both the young and older virsion of the couples all actors did an excllent job showing the love between them.
and best of all there was a happy ending ,there were a few times i wasn't sure if they will make it but the writers let love win an thank god for that because i don't think i could bare them being separated.
The soundtrack was lovely too and i am defo going to check out some of the songs here.
It was really nice seeing a story that love does conquers all. And i had a huge grin on my face for most of the show they were so adorable .
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Story: 4/10
The series is shot back and forth between the main characters in the past and in the present. We get to see flashbacks of how they meet and how their sweet love story unfolds in their younger years. The drama is shot smooth and steadily, but paced way too slowly. I was constantly pressing the fast forward key because the scenes were slow and sometimes it felt like the plot wasn't progressing at all. The female lead has a wishy washy attitude towards the male lead, and the story just seems very bland and cliche - you have the love triangle between the evil wife, the married husband, and the poor single mother. There is a climax, but I didn't really feel like there was a buildup. The entire plotline literally felt like a straight line. Nothing really made it stand out.
Acting/Cast: 8/10
Jin Young and So Nee were the MVPs of the drama imo. Their acting as the younger counterparts of Ji Soo and Jae Hyun made up for the lacking chemistry between the older leads. They had fantastic chemistry with each other - Jin Young's eyes were full of love and they made a very sweet couple.
Lee Bo Young has always been a good actor. She did a good job acting out her character as a weary and struggling single mother who has lived a tiring life. However, I felt that her chemistry with Yoo Ji Tae was lacking. Her acting didn't make me feel as if she was deeply in love with the male lead, which is important as she supposedly hasn't gotten over him for years.
Yoo Ji Tae did a great job delivering his character, Jae Hyun. The guy was warm, sweet, responsible, and he tried to do whatever he could to help Ji Soo. Unfortunately, his attraction for her didn't seem to be well reciprocated. Their romantic chemistry seemed to be lacking.
However, I think that the child actor's acting was very praiseworthy. He seemed so responsible for an eight year old kid and really did a great job portraying his character. The ex husband and Jae Hyun's wife also did well for their roles too.
Music: 7/10
The calming/soothing background music did a good job setting the poetic and melodramatic tone to the drama; it blended well with the emotional scenes and tied the story together.
Overall: 4/10
I would not recommend this drama unless you're either okay with a slow-paced story or you're a big fan of any of the leads. Unfortunately, the plot itself was too weak to be saved by the acting. I would not rewatch this.
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Okay
First thing I want to say is yes we have two very popular leads. An amazing male either most of us love and will watch whatever these in because it’s him. The female lead has her talent as well but her variance in acting and personality pale compared to our male lead. However in this series both of them are exactly the same. The series is a melo drama which I didn’t expect. So I guess it’s my fault for not reading the synopsis.The good: The scenery is great. The history of cast members is so captivating and it shows an innocent love and also shows how deep and sincere it was. There is not A significant amount of wicked people or extremely crazy people which is quite refreshing. The story is very unique and then it really makes you wonder what you would do if you were in that situation. Not only that, the situation that the leads are in is very complicated.
The bad: it really seems too slow, somewhat uneventful and sad. There were very few if any upbeat moments which leaves you with this sort of melancholy feeling. I think that when they smiled there was a slow piano tune being played while they speak in the background. You may get a scene or two where there may be joy but that is very very few and far in between. Slow-yes, sweet-only the past, romantic- only the past
Chemistry- the past.
I really wanted to like this. For the most part it’s decent. I just really did not expect it to be so slow. Although the two leads are great actors and actresses, I feel like their chemistry is just not there. I really expected a little more from these but this all seems to sum up to nothing. Most of the stuff is flash backs.
This series is for the mature audience. That’s not to say that it has graphic scenes or anything gory it’s just one of those slow and steady sentimental romance series. This series revolves around the past and the present. You will see a lot of flashbacks from our two leads in the past and their time together and then it will switch to the present. The past was soft, subtle and cute and the present was just as warm. Of course there is the conflict that makes things difficult but as always it pans out. I am pleased with the ending. I was a bit nervous because it really did seem like one of those really slow pace melodramatic romance series that has a bad ending but they gave a gratifying one considering the tone and the pace of the series. This is not a romantic comedy. This is not an upbeat series. This is not one of those witty plotting dramas either although there is some plotting and manipulation. It the piano playing in the background type of romance. Everything is done eloquently. You’ll get a kiss or peck in about 2 of the episodes.
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Shiny young actors steal the show
The young actors Jeon So Nee and Park Jin Young are spot on in this slow burn of a melodrama. They are spunky and passionate and are given so much screen time, which keeps the show afloat. They are a joy to watch with their energy and spark. They tell a lot of the story through rich flashbacks.However, the drama is brought down by the adult actors in the present day. Instead of continuing the story and growing together once again, they spend a lot of time moping and looking forlorn which makes it boring and monotone. They don't show enough of a range of emotion in the present, even when things get really difficult. It's as if the melodramatic parts were unnecessarily toned down.
Despite the contrast between the way the past is painted and present is portrayed, the blanket of nostalgia ties everything together tightly. I'm a bit surprised at how enjoyable this was, even with some repetitive plot items in the present, and that spark that the adult leads just didn't have.
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