Soft but problematic
I really loved the cinematography and soft vibe of this drama, but I have to admit that I liked the younger timeline much better than the characters as adults.There's a really adorable softness and innocence to the younger characters, and I loved seeing what they were fighting for and seeing the feeling of us against the world.
The adults started out quite promising also and I liked that they had to deal with more adult problems like their children and experiencing firsthand corruption in business. However, I felt like there were actually so many typical kdrama tropes that I hated, like the overbearing ex. I also just felt like their adult development was so unnatural and rushed — I hated how overbearing the ML was while he was still in a relationship and I hated the financial disparity and the uncomfortable power dynamic it resulted in.
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There is a Japanese series called First Love which is very similar, but here there is no amnesia trope.
I have to say the love story was very lovely, especially loved the ML (both the younger and older version. )
The only thing I did not like, and why I cannot give it 10 stars is the wife and the fact the ML is married to a woman he does not love. Even if her character is unlikeable, even if she cheats on him, it still bothered me.
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Yoo Ji Tae who played the character of Han Jae Hyun and Park Jin Young who played Han Jae Hyun in his 20s didn't match physically. I understand a young boy would grow in height before the age of 23. Their facial appearance would not change unless they had cosmetic surgery. I guess my imagination couldn't play this mind game in a story. Knowing photo forensics that did sit well for me. I love Park Jin Young playing an activist as I am a real activist His acting was very on point on what we as activists do in real life. Thank you, Park Jin Young. Not saying that Yoo Ji Tae didn't do a good job because he did. I felt like they were two different people. Now, Lee Bo Young who played Yoon Ji Soo, and Jeon So Nee who played Yoon Ji Soo in her 20s did match and so it became believable to me. Both of these young ladies did very well.
The story was cute and romantic, and the visuals were great! The writers did get the divorce correctly in this story. Why is it that divorce causes rifts, threats, and physical violence between couples? I'm glad this story didn't have any physical violence but threats were so heartbreaking. I'm glad it all worked out right. I did notice how Han Jae Hyung's son was named after his lost love.
Thank you to all the supporting actors and actresses who also did a great job. Thank you to the team of When My Love Blooms, y'all did well.
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You never forget your first love
Likes:1. The beautiful way they showed the 1994 scenes and the terrific performance by the young cast helped shaped the 2020 story. I was hooked from episode 1 and i just wanted them to end up together happy.
2. Basically their lives changed / stopped after those awful events in 1995 and while the almost parallel events in their lives was a bit cliche, it was done perfectly to show the healing these characters badly needed and the change in their actions.
3. The show did not shy away from tackling issues such as school bullying, mom shaming, adultery and impact to the children and the problems with divorced couple. I loved all the honest and mature conversations between Jisu and SeoKyung, Jisu and Jaehyun with their kids and their exes. If only this happens in real life.
4. Jisu and Jaehyun's friends who stood by them and supported them through thick and thin.
5. The perfect happy ending after all the misery. Finally Jisu smiling!
Dislikes:
Cant really think of any except there wasnt a lot of plot esp in the present time but it was okay since the drama focused more on Jisu and Jaehyun's lives, relationship and personal growth, which i loved. .
"Life is always flowing by, and the flower is always ready to bloom.".
Rating: 8.5/10 (8 for the plot but added .5 because i just loved the overall feel of this drama, the characters, the visuals and the ost)
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A love story for true romantics
This very moving melodramatic love story spans a few decades, taking these lovers from their teens to their forties. The acting is extraordinary in both the teen lovers and the adult lovers. These teenage actors give outstanding performances and will surely be seen in future roles. The seasoned veteran actors give stellar performances as the adult lovers. Along with the emotional love story comes a drama involving a conglomerate and the greedy ruthless people who are willing to sacrifice anyone to meet their goals. If you are a lover of romance, this one is a must see.Was this review helpful to you?
I am crying
When my love blooms. It's one of the best romantic Korean drama of 2020. If I have to describe this drama then I would say it's heart-warming, painful and full of hopes for a new beginning. The story has so much depth and emotions. The soundtrack, acting and the story is so beautiful. Overall, the drama is very slow, you either fall in love or get bored. But for me, I enjoyed it very much. I was in tears watching it. The performance of Lee Bo Young and Yoo Ji Tae got me so emotional. Jeon So Nee, Park Jin Young and all of the cast members deserved to be praised.Was this review helpful to you?
Still hung up
A slow burning drama but too much sentimental, I was looking for a change in the story line and I am happy that finally I got this because Usually maximum of romcoms(college love stories) ends with break up or happy ending during the college life only but in this drama it is portrayed after life(when actual life struggles starts) of the college days or break ups. I must praise the FL what a strong character, she become stronger and stronger in each seen and both ML and FL had such strong love, especially in one scene she said she will not repeat the same mistake by disappearing from ML life and also in other scene she says she can endure all criticism but couldn’t depart from the ML.I really don’t know how many times my eyes filled with tears when she is fighting for her life and love. Here Compare to FL the ML is little disappointing character in 20 years he became different person while the FL is walking in his food steps.
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Worth your time.
This drama brings all kinds of emotions in me. It is about a couple that fell in love on the first sight, being each-other's first love, but have to make so many sacrifices. I cried on the first episode, and almost on every episode.The storyline was great, addicting, making you curious to know what have happened in the past and what will happen in the future. The cast of this drama couldn't be any better. The young couple of Han Jae hyun (Jinyoung) and Yun Ji soo (So nee) is what got me through this drama. Their acting and chemistry is just too good not to watch. I wish someone could make all of their story cut and upload it on youtube so that I can rewatch it all over again haha. The story of the 40-year-old couple seems kind of unrealistic and there were so much tears and sadness, but the fact that they were able to finally meet again and reignited their love once again is just so touching and heartwarming.
Girls, if you're about to have your period and wanted to watch something that can make you cry but still worth the while, this is the drama for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
First, let me say that the cast have done amazing. The younger version and older have done well with what they've been given. My issue is with the story. It's emotional, and I'm usually ok with that. BUT this story brings the emotion to an uncomfortable level. **Major spoilers** I don't like the slight cheating aspect. I don't like the bullying (child to child, dad to daughter, father in law to son in law, wife to female lead, exhusband to wife, etc). I don't like the frequent arrests of ML and FL like that's nothing. The story sucks tbh. It isn't a heart warming romance like I wanted. It makes me depressed. If a story isn't enjoyable, why waste time? I dropped it. Was this review helpful to you?
I love the chemistry of the actors, young and old.
I love how there are flashbacks to make me understand why. It is like watching 2 k dramas in one!
It is clever writing because the reason for 2 people's misery never changed from 20 years ago. Very consistent. Point of difference is that Ji su was emotionally stronger in the younger days . She is still fighting in the now but she'd rather keep the fight herself to protect the ones she love. Sigh...
I hear lots of these phrases ; "to protect" "opportunity lost, opportunity gained", "there you are, ji su"!
I almost think that the older actors are having a midlife crisis and boy, the chance to correct the past and regain what was lost is right within reach! Go for it, I say!
The soundtrack is pretty special too. ONEDAY by Kim Bum soo makes me want to cry.
Looking forward to more episodes. Thank you!
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This review may contain spoilers
In my opinion, the drama got downhill for me when it started to incorporate the revenge and chaebol aspects. I couldn't even watch the rest of the episodes without fast forwarding, that's how downhill it got to me. Of course, I loved past Jisu and Jaehyun moments like nearly everyone else but the plot was so convoluted with these subplots that wasn't even needed! I hate it when a drama that could've been good without chaebol and revenge plots suddenly has them, I just hate it. The first few episodes were really good until Jae Hyun's wife decided she would be a total bitch, even teaming up with Jisu's bastard ex-husband.
The flashbacks were the things I really enjoyed as it showed how deep of a scar their break up left on Jisu's heart, making me understand why she was so cold towards Jae Hyun in the first 6 or so episodes. And helps open up the characters' past, the drama did flashbacks so well.
This drama could've been a really good romance drama if it didn't turn into a damn revenge-thriller in the later episodes. Honestly disappointed, I enjoyed the first 4-6 episodes and I truly wished this drama would've just been a normal drama about two people slowly reconnecting with each other after long years of not seeing each other. But nope, someone had to take a picture of the two kissing in episode 4. Of course this romance drama needs a subplot like this! Definitely!
Music was a saving grace to this drama too. Remember the music that played when episode 2 begun during the "Found you, Yoon Jisu." scene? That brought tears to my eyes. And so does the rest of the pieces this drama used. Just wonderful and pleasing to my ears. That's the only thing I would give a higher rating than the rest of the drama's aspects.
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Romantic! Creative! Rewatch Worthy!
By far, this is one of K-drama’s greatest! The story is well-written, acting is superb, and the mixing of eras is appropriately entwined. I’ve probably watched “When My Love Blooms” 8-10 times. The viewer witnesses a warm love story, amidst lover’s quarrels, foe clashes, joy and tears. The college years are clarifying, enabling us to understand the strong connections between major characters. The actors fit the parts, lead couples were well-matched, and the storyline made sense. Each time I’ve watched, I’ve always seen another piece of the story, missed before. It is a true romance, that blooms and grows to oneness. For me, this is one of few K-dramas that tied up loose ends and left me satisfied. I especially enjoyed the movement of the story. Great directing!Was this review helpful to you?
