Finally gathered the courage to write a review about this. It wasn't easy going back to this drama and collecting my thoughts because it caused me a great amount of pain, and pain, and pain. No other television show has made me cry like this drama did and it was literally ugly crying and catching my breath at 3AM. I physically felt the ache in my chest as if it personally happened to me. Even until now, weeks after I originally finished watching this, the wound is still fresh and it's a constant sting that will forever haunt me. Can I ever move on from this? Maybe, maybe not. Seeing the actors' photos unrelated to this drama tears me up, even.

Let me reminisce the good things first. This drama has shown me beautiful representations of friendship, love, life, family, passion, dreams, and youth. The characters feel so close to my heart. Each and everyone of them has given me good memories and lessons that I will treasure and cherish forever. The character development is topnotch for everyone. The buildup is so strong with just the right pacing which delivered so much impact. Each character felt like a portrayal of each and everyone of us and our struggles. Witnessing how the they have spent their youth and waved goodbye to it sends a feeling of nostalgia, bliss, and sorrow all at the same time and it made me realize and think about how I'm spending my own youth and my life, what I'm doing for the things I love, and how I'm valuing my personal relationships.

I watched this drama completely aware of the nature of the ending but I am in the dark on the specifics of how things will go down. That's actually why I put off watching this drama for so long to the point that I even said I will never watch this so it was surprising, especially to me, when I finally did. As much as I have no regrets and I will forever carry the memories this drama gave me, this hurts like hell, partly because it depicts the reality we all go through. I fully understand why things happened. Sometimes life just ambushes us and punches us in the gut and we won't be able to do anything about it. It is what it is. That's just life and I've had my fair share of life surprises that I am able to always expect for the best, while preparing for the worst. However, I do think that there were some important events that felt so out of character and it's so hard to accept. Up until now, it doesn't feel natural as much as I try to make myself come to terms with it. I'm out of my denial phase but some things just doesn't feel right. To me, it just wasn't possible given the history. Though it wasn't perfect as all things are, but this easily found its way to a spot in my all time favorites.

Lastly, Kim Tae Ri is a revelation to me. She left me in awe of such powerful performance and from the bottom of my heart, I am sending her my sincerest love as sign of my gratitude for bringing Na Hee Do's character to life. Nam Joo Hyuk is my absolute favorite actor and just when I thought it wouldn't be possible to fall in love with him even more, I did.

This may be inconsequential but I think they could've casted a better actor for the role of Adult Hee Do. I swear she feels so awkward, I was so distracted.

P.S. THE SOUNDTRACKS ARE PERFECT AND I'M EVEN PLANNING TO PURCHASE THE OST ALBUM 🥺