Love Recall (2022)

Letting go of unresolved feelings

It is my first time writing a review for a variety show so bear with me. At first, I thought this show was similar to Exchange and Change Days. However, I came to love the show because each episode focuses on one couple and helps them work their way to let go of their unresolved feelings.

Here’s the usual flow of each episode:
•Introduction of a Recall Man or Woman who wants to recall their breakup with their ex.
•A Recall Planner interviews the Recall Man or Woman (this is the build-up and would show the love story and breakup story of the couple)
•The Recall Man or Woman waits for their ex at the Recall Table. (Some ex arrives, others do not. If they do not come, they leave a letter, a video message, or nothing at all and do not want any contact). If their ex joins them, they discuss their unresolved feelings from their breakup.
•After a week, the Recall Man or Woman comes to the studio to see the Result of their Love Recall. They call out the name of their ex. If their ex shows up, it means they are back together. Otherwise, it means rejection.

What I liked about this show:
•It saved me from the drama of love triangles and squares because they focus on one couple at a time
•How raw and real the Love Recaller (haha Idk how to call them). Since it is their last chance to talk with their ex, they have shown their resolve. Thus, they can leave and let go of the relationship without regrets.
•Hearing the thoughts and advice of the Recall Planners and Communication Experts
•The interactions of the Love Recaller with the Recall Planners. I felt the sincerity of the Recall Planners and how they want to help the Recall Men and Women.
•A/S at ep. 20 - they showed an update on some previous Love Recaller.

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Love Is All Around

I approached this show without any particular thought and with a bit of curiosity, I am not particularly familiar with everything related to reality shows, talent, cooking shows and the suchlike (I am not interested in them and have never watched any of them), but I was especially curious about Sung Yu-ri who I adore to madness and who I missed a bit, I wanted to see her in fresh productions and since she seems to be less interested in movies and dramas at the moment I agreed to follow her in this variety show...

I must say it was a pleasant surprise with an idea that may not have been very original, but was certainly well developed, thanks to a remarkable cast that provided the right brio to the show; since there is no need to repeat the plot of the TV program (it is so linear that there is no need), I would like to make a few observations on the development of the variety.

First of all, I appreciated the changes made during the show, which improved the quality of the stories told and also the television timing; In the early days, the programme seemed a bit static, with the entire cast sitting on their sofas discussing relationships, break-ups, new loves, etc. (the references to their husbands, wives, etc. were also hilarious), but fortunately, over the course of the episodes, a more dynamic approach was adopted, which allowed the variety show to be even more engaging;
Both the use of the car, with the hosts taking turns as taxi drivers-narrators of the events, and the adoption of the 'drama-style' television format with the fictional events (often funny! ) created a greater engagement with the romantic stories told...

Clearly, it often happens that I identify with the stories of the couples narrated; beyond generational divergences, it is interesting to note the similarities and discrepancies in the birth of love stories and the causes of their break-ups;

I have often found myself a little baffled by certain motivations deriving from economic/work problems or even linked to alcohol consumption, but as I was taught by people wiser than me, one should never judge another culture with terms of comparison, in my case 'western'.
Ethnocentrism and widespread ignorance are so exasperated in the west that they often cause cultural blocks and prejudices towards the countries furthest away from us (I write as an Italian in love with the cultures of Asian countries... ); I have read enough about Korea to understand the social dynamics behind certain customs, especially in the world of work (and undoubtedly the movies and TV productions of dramas also contribute to a good extent), so I have been able to limit the background prejudices that occasionally linger in my mind.

As for the changes in the course, I appreciated less the use of the concluding video-call to see if the couple could have a second chance; I found much more romantic the opening of the door of the first episodes, with the appearance or not of the loved one, but they are still details that don't affect the quality of the show; for me it absolutely deserves 8½, it would be nice if it would be revived someday, there's always a need for love and hope, we live in really awful moments and programs like "Love Recall" are really a nice way to talk about love and maybe try to overcome the difficulties and start again.

Well done everyone, with a special mention for Jang Young Ran, really funny!
8½

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