I followed this drama a while back, and was thoroughly moved every episode until the last.

I watched this drama without any idea of the hype around it. Scrolling through Netflix, and it just released a few episodes back then. Kim Soo Hyun of course, was one of the more notable names when I saw it, and from the moment I heard the soundtrack, I was hooked.

I will try to make this review as vague as possible. Only to highlight the parts where it felt most alive.

PROS:

1. All the characters had an arc and one way or another, were interconnected. They were also with flaws. Very human. And I appreciate the moments where you are reminded that it takes time for a person to change. When their individual stories moved on to their next chapter, you feel wonderful knowing what they went through to get there.

2. The acting. I can not stress enough how wonderful the portrayal of the characters were. Especially on the part of Moon Sang-Tae. Others would argue otherwise, but I have watched a lot of shows and movies where they portrayed people who are mentally challenged and one of the more admirable portrayals was done by Oh Jung-Se. Kudos to him. And to Seo Ye-ji and Kim Soo Hyun who remained consistent and careful with their characters throughout the series.

3. The lessons. They use stories and weave them with the lessons each episode has. It is subtle in a way, and gives viewers a different perspective in an otherwise definite idea of what it is in every episode.

4. The OST. I loved it. It fit the series perfectly. From the low, melancholic tunes to the more upbeat and lovely sounds. The OST was well used, and set the tone of the series well. Kudos.

5. The relationships. You can't really hate one character. How they are related, how they interact, it's so beautifully human that you feel for each of them. You might get annoyed with one, but after taking a moment to understand their character, you begin to grow with them. As they mature, your view of them does too, and I find that an admirable trait of this series.

CONS:
1. Near the end, there were some lapses and events where you would double think, and say "Huh"? But the overall show is wonderful in itself that you can overlook that.

It may not be the same for all, but this is the kind of series that you go through once and completely immerse yourself to have all the feelings. The story may sometimes appear absurd, but the way it was portrayed and the interaction between characters is wonderful to note. The acting made the story more lively, despite its dark undertones.

When I rewatched it, I focused more on other production related decisions that took away the magic of watching it for the first time. Some may find this series a go to whenever they feel like it, but for me, this series is an emotional experience. It's a one time immersion thing. You can go back, but the first impact will not be the same.

However, the love you will have for the characters and their stories will remain. And hopefully, the lessons that they do to. If one should watch this story, yes, you should, but be prepared for a ride of feels.