I should say that I made an account here specifically to say something about this drama. And that's saying a lot because while I've seen some dramas before, never had I felt the need to write something about it as strongly as this one did. I needed people to see how good this drama is. For this review, I'd talk about the narrative technique and the characterization, which, for me, sets it apart from other drama. I give it a high rewatch value because if you do see it once, enjoyed it, and then decide to watch again, it'd be interesting to focus more on Parang and how he actually copes to being alone and how his friends may have underestimated him just because he seems childish and/or foolish.

Dare I say it, this drama had one of the best pilots ever. The introduction, along with the OST, is exciting and the cinematography (filters that made every scene seem as if it came out from a movie) was something that I highly enjoyed. First episodes usually set the possible genres the drama would go through. It started with a confession, and while all along it went straight through the path of romance, subtly touching the lines of friendship, it somehow changed itself in the final episode, cementing more on the aspects of the latter. Now this is important. The immediate shift of focus is not just by technique but by design, because as much as many may not have noticed it, it actually changed the plot framework the drama has led its watchers to believe. There is an element in the plot in which the entire story heavily revolved around with (Kang Parang's separation anxiety), but what's truly interesting is how this got easily broken down by a perspective that has been kept, or more accurately, overlooked, by the viewers for 9 whole episodes. This is only to be let out in a dramatic and suspenseful self-reflection in the final episode. Moreover, this act of, I'd like to call it betrayal, exactly supports the reason as to why the drama is called "Failing in Love", vaguely supporting or discrediting the role of friendship when it comes to romance. This alone automatically sets a high bar for me.

The characters are very interesting. We are introduced first by a childish boy named Kang Parang who doesn't seem to know how to take care of himself properly. Steadily, we are introduced to the people around him. Lee Shiwon, whom had a crush on Parang since ages but doesn't seem to know if her feelings are platonic or romantic, Lee Shion, the mysterious guy who both Parang and Shiwon like to refer to as a psychopath, and Kim Geon and Jung Chae So, who actively support and add color to the daily lives of our MCs. What I like most about this is the complexity of the relationship between the three leads. It's not surprising to feel that something is off between them, especially with a wild pilot episode. Eventually, each of them is given chances to speak out their thoughts, and while Kang Parang's POV may seem wishy-washy, it eventually becomes a POV that holds closest to the truth. The other two seemingly weave a narrative that, while is utterly convincing and surges the plot forward, is actually self-fulfilling. The story is also unafraid to introduce a very toxic personality (Lee Shion), presented to its viewers in a harsh, sudden, character shift. How the story maintains to keep the genre of romance and friendship despite this difficult situation is actually where the suspense lies. As mentioned before, there is an act of self-reflection in the final episode. While this heavily changed the foundation of the story, you may ask, was it also done to justify the toxicity of Shion? Was it done to make Siwon reevaluate better what Parang really means to her? Was it done to debunk the main idea previously imposed on Parang? What I think the drama wants viewers to think about in the end should be more on these aspects rather than on who could have ended up with who.

Failing in Love is a slow drama that touches a few important issues under the basic representation of youth. It may even become frustrating or disappointing at times, especially to viewers who hop more on the romance side. But to those who want to explore more on the complexity of loneliness, comfort, human needs, and the fine line between romance and friendship, this drama is worth giving a try.