This review may contain spoilers
Please Respect what happened in his Drama...This isn't what you want from a "average Kdrama"
This Review May Spoil The Drama For You...If you don't like minor Spoilers, don't read the reviewI am not Korean so I don't have any right to say about the events that happend in the drama...I don't want to give my opinion on the real life events...
This drama is not far an average Kdrama fan. This drama is based on the real life events that happened in Korea...but you can understand the situation they were in if you watched the drama...This drama doesn't have a "happy" ending...This drama is to show how people recover from such a brutal past...It wasn't supposed to have a happy ending...It wasn't supposed to be a Romance story
If we look at the drama at a critical sense...Yes, there are flaws and Yes, there are things this drama does pretty well...
The characters are well written...They are not usual one note characters thrown in a real life setting...There are some things this drama kinda teases but I am glad it didn't do it... Example, the love triangle that they kinda hinted at...Many love triangles were teased in this drama but I am glad the story knew where it should be going and it maintained that theme...
The acting was superb in this drama...Well what do you expect from this cast... Nothing to say here
Conclusion
Is it a must watch...No... Should you watch it for fun...Also No...You should only watch it if you can...
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Underrated Gem
To be honest I feel that I'm in no position to review this because the basis of this drama happened in real life but I'll still do it as a reference to my future self.At first, I feel uncertain about the actors but then when I was near the ending they proved themselves that they are excellent. I was enthralled by their acting that whenever I see the title I get sentimental. As a teen, the drama itself was a learning for me, it made my eyes more open when it comes to uprising. Moreover, they showcased diverse perspectives making me perceive such aspects.
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Close to being a masterpiece
The show had an interesting premise, the Gwangju uprising, which is so intriguing it'll require a few Google searches to fully understand what and why this was important. For that an A+ to the show great way to spread awareness. Acting by the cast, fantastic, even the child actors were great. Specially Lee Do Hyun, the guy can is just amazing...his love for Go Min Si's character was very evident, and heartwarming, traumatic events were beautifully shown by him as well as the funny and quipped scenes, just awesome. Go Min Si was good but not on par with Lee Do Hyun, the chemistry from her side lacked and often required the story to show an alternate perspective through which the audience was made to realise that she did love the ML(-0.5). Then there are the SML and SFL who are just if not to create problems are just there for the sake of being there. The show introduces us to the uprising via SFL who seems the most distant from the cause, you never learn her motivation for the protest and only cause more problems in the main characters life unknowingly and the SML would have been tolerable if stayed as the oblivious moron but he too out of jealousy ended up creating more problems like ffs they are more annoying than the Villain of the show.(-1)The show probably wanted to make people realise how innocent people who had nothing to do with the Uprising were caught in the crossfire but they shouldn't have then made it a core characteristic of the SFL, because by the end of the show that's how anyone will know her.
Had a lot of potential though, the show started a lot of good story points which were either never addressed or were just brought to the conclusion very easily, one such point was the FL and SFL with the past trauma they had.
Its a good experience anyway, tells the viewers about the brutality under the military that South Korea had to go through in 1980, the number of people who died meaningless deaths and how that even now they will not have to face justice because that's how the real world is.
sorry for the long rant. Thanks for reading. See you later?✌️
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This review may contain spoilers
I am not the orphan you are!
Ahhh, it was a slow burn. I got so much emotional so quickly.The historical factor was way too good. It showed so much raw emotions of youth. Alot of times I keep saying that that youth was straight up idiot. But now that I look back i realized that this very situation is true. We always says that we should protect ourselves no matter what but when we actually gets to that situation we don't think about ourselves but we actually think about our loved ones.
I belongs from Pakistan and I remember, I was in a situation when i was just a kid myself someone tried to do a terrorist attack on my school. At that time i forget who was i and i just run to save my brother too even though there was a (potential) bomb in the building i run to save my brother. Now that i look back there were so many people there to save my brother but I still couldn't stop myself.
I like how hee tae mother was afraid that he would hate him since she was not his mother. I also liked the way that how his father was too brutal but it hurt him so much when his own son got shot or dragged into investigation.
Every single time a country gets into some situations it becomes so horrifying for everyone to just do the unthinkable like the police man doesn't wanted the civilians to die but end up dying himself. There were people in military who never wanted to kill but was ordered.
Hee tae character was so well written, it was so close to real life, he was a person who was realistic i liked how he down play everything that come his way. It was a good story overall.
Soo Royeon was such a brave and good lady. Her family was the definition of good family.
It didn't show emotions of just 1 person but showed emotions of a whole nation that went through that may. The youth of may was irrational but wasn't heartless.
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Youth of May is the cause of my depression and needing therapy
I need help... I'm watching the saddest of saddest of sad kdrama and nothing sad is happening at the moment but I'm so anxious. Oh and I'm literally crying because I know something sad is gonna happen without actually anything sad currently happening, lol. I'M ALREADY CRYING FOR THE ANTICIPATED SADNESS :') Because I'm watching youth of May, which truly should have been called ANXIETY OF MAY. Because that's how I feel. I'm literally ageing years from all the stress.WHY AM I CRYING??? The leads are just sitting on afucking bench and some flower petals are falling and here I am crying like a baby.
I'm also not minding at all that they played siblings in sweet home & are now lovers. I remember how off putting it was and how I had to get used to the fault in our stars since the actors played/were siblings before they were/played a couple. And here I'm like LALALALA DON'T CARE **still need therapy lalala therapy**
Also I've decided I'm gonna watch youth of may before I'll see my Roommate is a Gumiho so I get that amazing fun pick me up after depression anxiety. I managed not to cry this time though even though I came close, but I held it in.
I was like hey I could watch Youth of May when I was procrastinating watching the finale of My Roommate is a Gumiho because of feelings. But then I had the sudden realisation: OH WAIT THAT'S FUCKING SAD AS WELL
I will finish watching Yputh of May because I hope that it will get better. All I feel now is boredom and it's pretty slow. I literally had to play with lucky to get through this episode. The ending shot of this episode was pretty though.
Somehow I'm kind of liking Youth of May now. It took around 7 or 8 episodes for me to get into it. And now I only have three left and I'm in no way ready for the end. I'm so anxious now.
I'M EVEN MORE ANXIOUS NOW! IT IS REALLY GOOD NOW! BUT WE ALL KNOW GIRL IS GONNA DIE.. AND OMG NOT READY FOR THAT... So I stopped watching again :') So now I'm watching Hometown Cha Cha Cha.
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I HATE YOUTH OF MAY! BITCHES DOING US DIRTY! They literally let the babies get married and THOSE ASSHOLES WILL KILL THE GIRL OFF AS WELL. BOTH (A WEDDING AND A FUNERAL) WILL HAPPEN IN THE SAME EPISODE. I'M CRYING. But first her dad died.....
NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I have a feeling they're gonna do a boy in the striped pyjama shit and kill the youngest son of the biggest asshole villain of the show because he tried to save his best friend and his sister. I'm really afraid they'll mistake him for the sister's little bro. *one eternity later* They didn't. Thank god!!!
THIS EPISODE IS GIVING ME HEARTBREAKS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. The anxiety is real.
Nooooooooooooo...... I think the girl is gonna die now :"( :( :"( :(
She saved her little bro :"( She's really dead :"(
Whahahaha her husband/boyfriend only survived because of that fucking banner that his asshole dad put up when he had the highest marks in uni.
She really dead :((( )))): Emma: And they never found her. Only after 40 years *insert me sobbing my heart out*
Very sad. Very very sad. Capital letters SAD. The beginning was not the best, but my heart is destroyed. Even months later I'm still crying about this show.
Lee Do Hyun's character was definitely such a precious puppy, and our girl who deserved so much better had such a pure heart as well. I just can't. I'm utterly heartbroken. Utterly destroyed, heartbroken by this.
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Youth of May
Firstly, I'd like to talk about Myung Hee. I genuinely feel that Kim Myung Hee as a character was very worthwhile and I'd like to compliment her. she left a deep impression on me, and I think she deserves more recognition as her character. She is so kind, humble and always putting herself first, someone who is so genuine, ordinary yet so full of compassion, never once really thinking for herself and always so helpful. I felt a lot for her in the whole drama. Her acting was superb.Next, Hee Tae - a very charming guy who just suits Myung Hee super well. His character is also worth praising. Someone who seems quite different from usual guys and just someone in the show whom I can relate to.
Soo Ryeon and Soo Chan are equally good characters and totally worth talking about. Soo Chan especially is someone just so dependable and kind in nature, helpful and admirable. I also really admire Soo Ryeon for her courage and her resilience in the things that she does.
Both boys - Jung Tae and Myeong Soo are both decent children (cute too XD) and people who will grow up to be really good people.
The entire drama may have seemed typical at first but it grew a lot more meaningful after and the ending was always something that made me tear up. All characters even the small ones don't go unnoticed by me, & I mean ALL the small/side characters are unforgettable. People often forget about them but they have a crucial part to play too and should not be taken for granted.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of 'youth of may'. The little scenes matter a lot. I'll always remember this drama. Definitely a rare gem. The plot and characters are really fine and something that is not just a watch-for-leisure kind of drama but has its inner depth in all its characters and plotlines which I feel for deeply.
(The osts are well sung as well, super fitting to the mood of everything - my favourite ost would be 'winter of may' as well as 'days in memories')
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my review !
before I begin my review I would like the empathize that I am very privileged in the fact that I have been born and raised in a country that has been nothing but peaceful to me and my family, but I would also like to say that what happened to the people of South Korea in 1987 is horrible and nothing could excuse the cations of the trauma many victims and their families have faced.Now on with my review, Youth of May is a story that has truly touched my heart and made me inclined and curious to research about 1987 and the movements surrounding democracy in South Korea. The characters were beautifully written and the actors did well to display that in the scene, the set design was great in my opinion (but don't take it word for word as I have not researched what was popular in South Korea during that time), the fashions, the colors worked so well with one and other! There were so many beautiful lines that made situations such as going to school or wanting to chase after your dreams. It shed light on many topics in ways that I believe were respectful. It was a roller coaster of emotions, much like other kdramas, we were here and enjoyed the happy and comical moments, and cried with them for the sad moments. Youth of May was truly a hiddengem in 2021, and in all honesty, it deserves all the appreciation and hype it gets. so what I am trying to say is: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, WATCH IT NOW!
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If you've watch Scarlet Heart Ryeo, then this drama is for you
I looked forward to this drama because 1) It's Lee Do Hyun's drama and he became one of my favorite actors after watching his performances in 18 Again and Sweet Home 2) This is Lee Do Hyun's and Go Min Si's second drama together but this time as a couple. The synopsis itself is very intriguing since it is set during the Gwangju uprising.Youth of May, more like the heartbreaking, tearjerking, and bittersweet Romance of May. Even though I bawled my eyes through the second part of the drama, the couple's story was beautifully laid out. It's a bittersweet old-school love story. It can make you laugh, cry, fluttery, pained, but also you'll be able to feel the innocence and sincerity of their tragic, romantic relationship.
Lee Do Hyun has proven once again that he's a humble and very promising actor of his generation. Go Min Si's role is definitely a breath of fresh air from what she has played in the past. She has been really great at playing the bitchy, mean female lead but she showed us a completely different character in this drama. She was a hardworking, strong-willed, and family-centered woman. Their chemistry was through the roofs, especially if you account for the fact that they played the role of siblings in 'Sweet Home.'
This drama has a special place in my heart and it belongs in my list of dramas that would make you cry e.g. 18 Again, Hi Bye Mama, Scarlet Heart Ryeo. It left me thinking about different "what-if scenarios," and it's the best example of "right person, but at the wrong place and at the wrong time." If you're looking for a drama that is similar to Scarlet Heart Ryeo, then this is the drama for you. In conclusion, don't be dissuaded by the possible sad ending, dive in bring some tissues, and hope you enjoy this drama as much as I did.
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This review may contain spoilers
I am not typically into heavy melodrama, unless I count those teenage years of watching British shows about royals, or those childhood days of watching Hong Kong drama series about corrupt cops and dishonorable politicians. But Youth of May was a surprising pick that brought up memories of Martial Law when I was living in my home country. While my experience with martial law pales in comparison to the martial law imposed during the Gwangju uprising, this drama certainly puts into perspective how people have suffered and sacrificed their lives in the fight for democracy.The drama starts with the discovery of the remains of one of the victims of that fateful event in 1980, but we don’t know who had died. It could be any of the characters the drama will introduce later, except we know that a broken pocket watch was found along with the ruined corpse, and that watch could belong to anyone. So there will be death, we’re almost sure of that, and it would not be pretty.
Then the show takes us back to the days before the uprising, when innocence and love can still bloom despite the political oppression surrounding the area. The chance meeting of a nurse and a medical student turns out to be destined, as fate later brings Hee Tae and Myung Hee together when the latter’s bestie asks her to stand-in as proxy for her blind date with the son of the Head of the Anti-Communist Investigation. This arranged date was supposed to bring the two families together as political allies, with the Hwangs gaining a rich businessman as an in-law and their resources to facilitate the government, while the Lees try to take advantage of political clout to release Soo Ryun and her friends from being incarcerated.
But of course, the activism in Soo Ryun doesn’t allow her to collude with the opposition as she and her friends regard Hee Tae’s father as no more than a government lackey intent on suppressing the democratic freedom of its people. At first, it was funny how Soo Ryun coaches her best friend on how to be rejected by a suitor, but all the tricks and tips Myung Hee deployed did not prevent Hee Tae from wanting to see her again. Although Myung Hee does not seem to mind the affections bestowed upon her, she realizes that she cannot entertain these feelings as she plans to leave the country in a few weeks.
Undeterred, Hee Tae launches an all-out charm offensive, despite his father’s warnings, and pleads with Myung Hee to take a chance on him, even if it’s momentary. The chemistry between Myung Hee and Hee Tae is palpable on screen. Lee Do Hyun’s playfulness balances out Go Min Si’s wistfulness, and they are certainly better matched than Lee Do Hyun with Song Hye Kyo (that romantic pairing as dry as a flatbread). Both leads brought their A-game to this drama and carried so much weight that their characters, despite their flaws, are humanized. The rest of the cast also bring life and color to their respective roles, even the actor portraying the hated Ki Nam who lords over the city, or the actors playing Soo Chan and Soo Ryun who were grappling with the dilemma that their protected status almost exempts them from further investigation, while the poor suffers injustice.
The cinematography and fashion are on point as it paints the 80s cultural vibe against a political backdrop, where they separate the haves and have-nots. The pacing of the plot also sets the urgency of living in the moment when they still can and while Hee Tae and Myung Hee navigate their feelings for each other, they are faced with the reality of the struggles happening around them. Their personal choices on continuing with their star-crossed romance hinge on the plight of their friends and the citizens of Gwangju. Whereas Hee Tae wants to hightail out of the city at the first real sign of political trouble, Myung Hee feels obligated to stay and help those who are victimized by the soldiers.
Although I should commend Myung Hee’s compassionate nature, I sometimes got irritated at her reluctance to leave that put herself and Hee Tae in dangerous situations. Following in her footsteps is her brother who also decides it was a good idea to bolt when he feels like it and causing his sister grief. If only he stayed in place where he should, Myung Hee wouldn’t have gone and tried to save him more than once. Their father is no better, with his attempts to cross military zones and roads that have been closed due to volatile circumstances. Everyone seems to be trying to be a hero and recklessly go into perilous situations that can be avoided.
I understand that cowering and hiding inside your own house is not the solution either, nor I am suggesting that the government at the time had the right to impose martial law or that the soldiers are justified in beating innocent people senseless just because they look like students who are about to protest, but when the situation calls for you staying inside your house for your own safety, I don’t see why you would go out of your way to incur danger.
So kudos to those who are brave enough to die for their beliefs; without them, there will be no calls for change. And Youth of May serves as a reminder that those who came before us paved the way for a better future.
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No other word than beautiful
Both leads complimented each other so perfectly that it made this story so incredibly real. Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-si delivered nothing short of a remarkable performance. Do-Hyun captured the many layers of playful and intellectual Hee-tae's soul, while also showing his vulnerability. Min-si who played Kim Myung-hee was also portrayed with the perfect balance of finesse and grit. It allowed her to feel connected to the viewers who are watching Myung-hee's stuggles. Every cast member left an impression, delivering strong performances that only added to the experience. The music always matched and complimented what has happening on screen perfectly. Prior to this, I had not heard of the Gwangju Uprising. They did not shy away from showing different realities of during this time but also honored them. Overall, this is a drama that has resonated with me even 2 years after originally watching it. I believe it is a must-watch, an art that I think everyone should experience.
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Such a beautiful drama. (No direct spoilers but some things are implied)
Probably one of the most emotional dramas that I've watched, binge watched the entire thing... Such a beautifully sad story, it was so well written. My heart quite literally hurt watching this drama, cried a thousand rivers frfr. The acting was one of the best in the K-drama scene, which I expected from Dohyun cause he's such a great actor, didn't get to watch anything from Go Minsi but she was also a great actress. They had great chemistry, and their good acting made me feel everything they felt cause they just expressed it so well. All the characters played so well. Okay not gonna lie though, I did kinda drop the drama when I reached about 4 episodes, so it was a tiny bit boring for me at the beginning (Maybe just for me though), but I decided to complete and DAMNNNN.I remember when I was secretly watching this in class my friend tried to warn me, she told me it was going to be SAAAD but I brushed it off and said it couldn't be that bad. But BRO T-T . Oh how wrong I was.
I would definitely recommend this but you will cry, I don't care how tough you think, you are you will cry. Even if you're not an emotional person this drama will turn you into one.
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