A characters journey that touches the heart.

The premise of this show is something I would normally never watch. I mostly gravitate to dramas with a thick plot that evolves overtime and so I have been mostly watching Chinese historical dramas. I only started this drama out of pure boredom, the gorgeousness of the leads, and some reviewers claiming that they have explosive chemistry. I am a sucker for believable romance. I didn't really expect much and was ready to drop it after the first episode...........but boy was I wrong. It gave me everything I never knew I wanted.

It is a character-centric show. 98% of the characters get a moment to shine and have a story told from their life. All the stories were explored with great care and respect. No judgment or prejudice. This is especially important since the show include patients in a psychiatric hospital. They are shown as people who were shaped by their past experiences and have their own motiivation. There are none of the usual cardboard cut-outs who are only there to make the leads look good or move the plot in a certain direction and then forgotten the next episode. They are tangible people who makes the world of the drama that much more real and relatable. This exploration is most especially thorough for the three leads Moon-Young, Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae that by the end of the show they all felt like family. I have become absolutely invested in finding and giving them all the happiness they deserved and more. They are not some unreachable fictional characters but friends who have taught me so much about life and happiness. The writer did excellent work. The story might not have been perfect but at least she wrote some of the most amazing set of characters I have ever seen. However, this would not have worked so well if the actors didn't fully bring those characters to life.

All the actors were absolutely brilliant. Oh Jung Se, Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji really elevated their characters so much so that it's impossible to see anyone else play their roles. They are the dream team. They really transformed and lived their character's lives for 16 episodes. They all have excellent natural chemistry. The brothers truly felt like they have known each other their whole lives. The main couple is also so unbelievably made for each other. The first time I saw them together on one scene I just couldn't believe they exist. How are they even real? Everything fits. Everything match. Divine intervention definitely made these two people find each other. The rest of the cast were also outstanding. The casting director was certainly touched by magic. They managed to find actors who can believably express different aspects of their character. My feelings and thoughts for each character continuously underwent changes throughout the episodes. Just when I thought I figured them out, I'm pleasantly surprised to be wrong. This was especially effective due to the excellent production and direction.

The production took great care in making the world and characters look real through the setting, props, and clothes. The fairytale aspect was truly expressed with the continuous use of illustrated stories in conjunction with the plot for each episode. It truly enhanced and made the storytelling much more interesting. I want to get each of those books to read over and over again. Each clothes were used for a reason. Each OST were chosen and added to each scene for maximum effect. Each scene were also shot in a particular way to evoke a certain feeling, message, or symbolism. There are plenty of moments without dialogue. There are just so many little details that rewatching each episode is just as worthwhile as the first time.

There are still some kdrama tropes but they are mostly used with a proper build-up and reason. The most wonderful change is that everyone in this show chooses to talk to each other. Misunderstandings only occur for a moment and never dragged on for a couple of episodes. These talks produced some of the most thoughtful, evocative, and eye-opening conversations that relate to real life. Things that people have certainly thought about but not spoken out loud.

This show is all about presenting the heart of its characters. There is really no big evil villain to defeat (contrary to some opinion) or epic journey to unfold. Its plot have holes. The characters barely go anywhere. But still it takes the viewer through the journey of self-discovery about what is really important. It certainly helped me see myself in a new perspective.

I think it's best to start watching with no expectation. Hopefully.....you can be just as pleasantly surprised as I was with how much I have fallen in love with this show ♡

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