This review may contain spoilers
A drama that can grow on you
I agree with the majority of the viewers, that this drama could have been better in many ways. However, that doesn't mean this was overall a bad drama. Like almost everyone else, I had major second-lead syndrome until about episode 13.
I thought that it was both interesting and smart to start the drama with Han Ji Pyeong's background, making us think that he would be the male lead. (Even though I knew that was not the case because there were spoilers eveywhere on FB). That establishment made it clear to viewers that he would have a special role and connection to Seo Dal Mi.
The whole 15 years of writing letters back and forth was sweet but also paints Dal Mi as a major idealist; as she could not give other people a chance because she was so hung up on who "Nam Do San" despite never meeting him in real life. I appreciate her Grandma's intention of setting this whole letter thing up with Ji Pyeong because she was only trying to give her a friend. The only thing that bothered me about the whole process was that the Grandma never really considered how Ji Pyeong felt through it all.
There were so many times in the drama, when one of the characters wanted to tell Dal Mi the truth but decided not to because of another excuse. The part where Do San decided that he didn't want to tell Dal Mi the truth anymore because he wanted to live up to the "Nam Do San" that she knew from the letters was a low point in Do San's character, imo.
Another striking part that needed more conclusion / story to was Dal Mi and Ji Pyeong's relationship. She knew that he liked her but she didn't tell him clearly how she felt even throughout all those years when Do San. It felt like she was giving false hope to Ji Pyeong the whole time, but in doing so she knew he would be by her side whenever she needed. How could she not address the fact that he was truly her first love?? How could she just not properly talk to him about it after getting mad at him for lying? Even if she doesn't love him anymore, she could have given him some kind of wrap-up to it all. She went on about how great "Nam Do San" was from the letters, but the second she met the real Nam Do San, she was able to forget all about the emotions and sentiments from the letters - just because he asked her to not bring up the past?
So many unanswered questions and plotholes. HOWEVER, this is why I think that it is much better that Dal Mi didn't end up with Ji Pyeong. I don't think it would have been possible because all she knew of Do San was through the letters and when she met the real Do San, her idealized image came to life in human form. There would have been no way for her to detach that. And even after she found out it was all a lie, it was too late for her and Ji Pyeong because she had started to really like the real Nam Do San.
I also think that after everything Dal Mi and Do San went together, it makes sense for them to end up together. They went through a lot of growth together and experiencing the whole "chasing my dream" together. Whereas Ji Pyeong was already successful, he was an outsider looking in at the youth. Which is why he is perfect in his mentor role.
Despite Do San's character being so lacking and painfully hard to watch, his character really turned into better form towards the end. Though, I don't know how realistic that character growth is since he was once so insecure and anti-social - I think Dal Mi definitely helped him grow into his own skin. The scene where Do San asks Dal Mi for the final time why she likes him and she said "because it's you, you're the reason" - I thought it was very sweet. Even though it's super cliche, it finally confirms that Do San has nothing to worry about and doesn't need to compare himself to Ji Pyeong because he finally got what he wanted - to be liked for who he truly is. I am satisfied with how the main characters' stories wrapped up - being CEO/CTO and getting married.
I wish there was more of a wrap-up / follow up to other characters. I wanted to see Ji Pyeong's involvement with the orphanage company and In Jae and her company. I also didn't like how they separated In Jae so much from the family even towards the end. She had like two scenes with the Grandma. It was just weird how the Grandma so easily gave in to be so protective of Dal Mi's mom. I guess the Grandma really is just that giving of a person - since we saw this in episode 1 of how she helped young Ji Pyeong.
The ideas used throughout the drama for the hackathons, different companies, etc were nice and fresh to see. It definitely felt more modern and up to date? I wished they gave more insight about the whole start-up process.
Other notable side characters, Chulsan was great for comedic purposes especially his relationship with Saha. Yunsan, pissed me off so much. Blaming Ji Pyeong for killing his brother - bruh he didn't have to go that low.
Overall, this drama was worth the watch. Despite all the flaws and injustice for some characters, I think that it was nice to watch the characters grow and become successful in their dreams. Obviously everything is glamorized because it is a k-drama, no start-up can succeed that easily but because this doesn't happen in real life - it was fun to watch. Ji Pyeong's character carried the whole damn drama, he is smart, dependable, and very caring. I'm glad he didn't end up with Dal Mi because he deserves someone who is actually on his level (sorry Dal Mi).
The OST was really good though, Red Velvet's Future, Ailee's Blue Bird has been on repeat for me.
If you can get over how painfully built Nam Do San's character is, and how naive Seo Dal Mi is then you can get through this drama. Plus Ji Pyeong and the Grandma's scenes were always so cute.
I love all the actors and actresses in this drama; I think Suzy did a great job playing Dal Mi and is one of my favorite roles from her so far. Nam Joo Hyuk did good as well because he made Nam Do San to be so believable. And I'm so thankful that this drama introduced me to Kim Seon Ho (I'm sure everyone feels the same way).
If there's any gain from this drama, it's motivation to maybe start your own business? But also a new found love for the up and coming Kim Seon Ho himself. I'm going to binge 2 Days 1 Night Season 4 because I can actually see him laugh and smile with those cute dimples of his in that show lol.
I thought that it was both interesting and smart to start the drama with Han Ji Pyeong's background, making us think that he would be the male lead. (Even though I knew that was not the case because there were spoilers eveywhere on FB). That establishment made it clear to viewers that he would have a special role and connection to Seo Dal Mi.
The whole 15 years of writing letters back and forth was sweet but also paints Dal Mi as a major idealist; as she could not give other people a chance because she was so hung up on who "Nam Do San" despite never meeting him in real life. I appreciate her Grandma's intention of setting this whole letter thing up with Ji Pyeong because she was only trying to give her a friend. The only thing that bothered me about the whole process was that the Grandma never really considered how Ji Pyeong felt through it all.
There were so many times in the drama, when one of the characters wanted to tell Dal Mi the truth but decided not to because of another excuse. The part where Do San decided that he didn't want to tell Dal Mi the truth anymore because he wanted to live up to the "Nam Do San" that she knew from the letters was a low point in Do San's character, imo.
Another striking part that needed more conclusion / story to was Dal Mi and Ji Pyeong's relationship. She knew that he liked her but she didn't tell him clearly how she felt even throughout all those years when Do San. It felt like she was giving false hope to Ji Pyeong the whole time, but in doing so she knew he would be by her side whenever she needed. How could she not address the fact that he was truly her first love?? How could she just not properly talk to him about it after getting mad at him for lying? Even if she doesn't love him anymore, she could have given him some kind of wrap-up to it all. She went on about how great "Nam Do San" was from the letters, but the second she met the real Nam Do San, she was able to forget all about the emotions and sentiments from the letters - just because he asked her to not bring up the past?
So many unanswered questions and plotholes. HOWEVER, this is why I think that it is much better that Dal Mi didn't end up with Ji Pyeong. I don't think it would have been possible because all she knew of Do San was through the letters and when she met the real Do San, her idealized image came to life in human form. There would have been no way for her to detach that. And even after she found out it was all a lie, it was too late for her and Ji Pyeong because she had started to really like the real Nam Do San.
I also think that after everything Dal Mi and Do San went together, it makes sense for them to end up together. They went through a lot of growth together and experiencing the whole "chasing my dream" together. Whereas Ji Pyeong was already successful, he was an outsider looking in at the youth. Which is why he is perfect in his mentor role.
Despite Do San's character being so lacking and painfully hard to watch, his character really turned into better form towards the end. Though, I don't know how realistic that character growth is since he was once so insecure and anti-social - I think Dal Mi definitely helped him grow into his own skin. The scene where Do San asks Dal Mi for the final time why she likes him and she said "because it's you, you're the reason" - I thought it was very sweet. Even though it's super cliche, it finally confirms that Do San has nothing to worry about and doesn't need to compare himself to Ji Pyeong because he finally got what he wanted - to be liked for who he truly is. I am satisfied with how the main characters' stories wrapped up - being CEO/CTO and getting married.
I wish there was more of a wrap-up / follow up to other characters. I wanted to see Ji Pyeong's involvement with the orphanage company and In Jae and her company. I also didn't like how they separated In Jae so much from the family even towards the end. She had like two scenes with the Grandma. It was just weird how the Grandma so easily gave in to be so protective of Dal Mi's mom. I guess the Grandma really is just that giving of a person - since we saw this in episode 1 of how she helped young Ji Pyeong.
The ideas used throughout the drama for the hackathons, different companies, etc were nice and fresh to see. It definitely felt more modern and up to date? I wished they gave more insight about the whole start-up process.
Other notable side characters, Chulsan was great for comedic purposes especially his relationship with Saha. Yunsan, pissed me off so much. Blaming Ji Pyeong for killing his brother - bruh he didn't have to go that low.
Overall, this drama was worth the watch. Despite all the flaws and injustice for some characters, I think that it was nice to watch the characters grow and become successful in their dreams. Obviously everything is glamorized because it is a k-drama, no start-up can succeed that easily but because this doesn't happen in real life - it was fun to watch. Ji Pyeong's character carried the whole damn drama, he is smart, dependable, and very caring. I'm glad he didn't end up with Dal Mi because he deserves someone who is actually on his level (sorry Dal Mi).
The OST was really good though, Red Velvet's Future, Ailee's Blue Bird has been on repeat for me.
If you can get over how painfully built Nam Do San's character is, and how naive Seo Dal Mi is then you can get through this drama. Plus Ji Pyeong and the Grandma's scenes were always so cute.
I love all the actors and actresses in this drama; I think Suzy did a great job playing Dal Mi and is one of my favorite roles from her so far. Nam Joo Hyuk did good as well because he made Nam Do San to be so believable. And I'm so thankful that this drama introduced me to Kim Seon Ho (I'm sure everyone feels the same way).
If there's any gain from this drama, it's motivation to maybe start your own business? But also a new found love for the up and coming Kim Seon Ho himself. I'm going to binge 2 Days 1 Night Season 4 because I can actually see him laugh and smile with those cute dimples of his in that show lol.
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