Crash Landing on You (2019)

The Storyline is Really Plain and the Drama is Overrated

Honestly, this drama is so OVERRATED. Even just looking at the summary, I find it completely ridiculous. Sure, it was quite different from other dramas due to the South Korea and North Korea stuff though it super CRINGY. It's basically a Romeo and Juliet story that has a either too slow or too fast paced plot. The storyline just seemed too easy to predict what will happen. By the parts where they're in the South, the plot seemed to go everywhere. Most people say you should watch it and the drama has high ratings, though in my opinion, I think the opposite. The story is just "destined lovers", "met in the past", "guy travels far to meet his girl". Honestly, rom-com dramas are usually the most interesting, though I find fantasy dramas better than this. They may have the Romeo and Juliet storyline, but they actually make the plot not too complicated, but also not too simple to the point that you can tell what's going to happen. The music was quite good, though majority just made me sleepy.

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first of all, i don't know why most of the reviews gave this drama 10\10. it is very overrated in my opinion.
the story started fine and the comedy was good, but as it continued it started getting rediculous, overly dramatic, unrealistic, and cliche.
if you want to watch a drama that's funny and cliche with some beautiful scenes and good actors, then this is good for you. but if you don't like unrealistic shows then try something else.
before watching this drama i didn't know that its auther is the same as the legend of the blue sea and my love from the stars. if i had known that i probably wouldn't have watched it because i didn't like these 2 dramas as well.

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Crash Landing on You is a fun and lighthearted drama, perfect for anyone who wants to take a break from thinking and just relax for an hour. The cast was adorable and their dynamics, whether of rivalry, friendship, or love, were believable and well fleshed out. I thoroughly enjoyed this drama and that may lead one to question why I've given it a relatively average score. While I feel Crash Landing succeeded in its attempts at lightheartedness it's premise was simply too ridiculous to ignore.

The idea of a South Korean woman being blown into North Korea by a freak tornado is in itself slightly out there, but no more so than some of the more unique premises found in other kdramas. Where the premise veers into the absurd is how our North Korean lead and his subordinates reacted to her arrival. And even more absurd is how our second female lead, Seo Dan, who dislikes SeRi from the moment she meets her also seems to willingly risk it all to keep her true identity as a South Korean secret. It was simply asking too far a stretch of my imagination to think that North Korean soldiers would welcome a South Korean with open arms and relatively easy acceptance. All of the plans and attempts to return SeRi to South Korea were also simply preposterous. I found myself laughing at times because of just how silly everything was which greatly cheapened the more serious moments in the show.

All that said, the cast was the absolute highlight of the show. Hyun Bin was amazing as Ri JungHyuk. He captured a more subdued quiet man's character without coming off as brooding. This alone is a feat as there is already an overabundance of brooding males in dramaland. The subtle variety to the strong silent type Hyun Bin offered through his acting was refreshing yet simple. Son YeJin as Yoon SeRi provided much-needed balance to JungHyuk's calm by being quite over the top with many of her emotions. She was funny and strong-headed while also having moments of sadness and anger. It was amazing how she got on so well in North Kore but as her strength of character was well developed beforehand it made it all very easy to believe. She too was a delight that made even the more ridiculous moments of the show enjoyable.

Overall this drama was like a light little snack: easy to digest but satisfyingly filling all the same.

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This drama is brilliant!

I've been k-drama fan for more than a decade now and all these years watching more than 70 dramas, this is my most favorite one so far! Can't get enough of this drama, i binge-watched 14 episodes in a day. Chemistry of the MCs, the plot, the music, production everything is so perfect. I loved the MC's so much they've become my favorite couples.❤️
This show is so amusing i didn't even skip a part. The only thing that lingers in my head all day is this drama lol. oh god I'm so into this drama. Yall who haven't watched it WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I guarantee this drama is remarkable. You're not gonna regret ?
Update: The ending was the most beautiful and happy one ever. I'm 100% satisfied <3

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Contemporary KDrama Cliches Wrapped into One Show: Does Everything Well, But Lacking Special Sauce

I find this review hard to write because of how beloved and sacred this show is. To me, watching this show the whole way through is like a rite of passage into being a "contemporary Kdrama" watcher -- it's usually hailed as THE series to watch with its elements lauded as being perfectly executed. But unfortunately, I did not feel the level of positivity about this show that most people seem to have.

To be clear, it is a good drama: the cinematography, acting, story, music, set pieces, costumes, and everything have high production value and all lean towards the positive side. The story has an internal logic to it. The actors/actresses seem to be giving their all -- if you are Hyun Bin fan, then of course that itself is an amazing plus for you. The OST is comprised of well known, proven musicians like IU or Davichi.

And this show is very "Kdrama" -- you're going to have ridiculous, fantastical situations like the tornado that blows the main female character into North Korea. You're going to have rich heirs/heiress (Chaebols) that cause infighting -- in my opinion, you even have the rich guy/poor girl trope here, except that it's reversed (Yoon Se-Ri is the hyper rich South Korean Chaebol and Ri Jung Hyuk is the poor North Korean by comparison). You have short-lived love triangles (quadrangle?) with side character, second leads and stabilize into a second couple.

But to me, this show is lacking an X factor to elevate it into greatness. The premise of the main female lead being blown into North Korea means we get to spend time as viewers in that setting, which is novel. But if you strip away that premise, what do you have? Just a very typical KDrama. This is my main issue with this show -- nothing about this felt particularly special. The romance was expected and average -- Yoon Se Ri is your misunderstood, Chaebol brat who transforms into an outwardly kindhearted soul and she falls in love with prototypical, perfect male lead Ri Jung Hyuk who is fiercely kind, loyal, brave and caring -- but nothing about this screams match made in heaven to me, but rather just a typical Kdrama setup. Some of the side plots felt predictable too: good Chaebols beat bad Chaebols. True family values beat insincerity every time. Bad guys that do bad things get what's coming to them and good guys get justice or closure.

The absolute highlight for me was small moments of funniness with the side characters: without going into spoilers, I'll vaguely mention that it involves scenes in South Korea and includes the experience of "daily life" such as playing video games or eating South Korean food.

It's said that this drama is an excellent way to introduce non-Kdrama watchers to Kdramas because it does not contain anything oppressively exotic to someone not used to Kdramas while introducing them to some of the typical elements like Confucius values that find their way into a lot of Korean storylines. I agree with this statement, but to me this is exactly what makes this show so average -- it is just really safe and not notable.

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Twice as long as it should have been

I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED IT!

While I loved the first 4 episodes, the more I watched it, the less I liked it and by the end the only question I had was HOW MUCH LONGER???!
It was unnecessary stretched without having anything much to tell, there wasn't even enough cheese to make it enjoyable, just boring and extremely unbelievable action scenes and plot twists when the bad guy just. Keeps. Surviving. Again. And again. And again.

However, it wasn't THAT bad. There were a lot of good things. Most importantly, it's the cast. I doubt it would have been so popular if not for the amazing actors in it. They're funny and emotional and obviously enjoyed filming this show, and it is definitely visible on screen. Secondly, the bonds the characters shared were so heartwarming. They had flaws but they were so unapologetically human that you just had to love them. Thirdly, the cinematography was stunning and the soundtrack was on point but not as memorable as it could've been. Finally, the concept itself was great, it's a shame they chose the worst possible route to develop it, so much wasted potential there. And finally, definitely deserving a separate mention, is the chemistry between the leads. Pure electricity whenever the two of them were together.

All in all, it was an above average drama, definitely worth watching for certain aspects, but in no way it deserves so much praise for the overall quality as it gets.

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An over-the-top melodrama with moments of pure magic . . .

On one hand, this drama goes too far with too much - too many fated 'coincidences,' too many rescues, too many escapes from death, too many jokes at the expense of N Korea. Yet, every once in awhile, it just turns into pure magic - the story will pause, get quiet-er, the camera work turns cinematic, the insights thoughtful. It would unexpectedly become a different drama all together - one very much worth watching and with themes that are incredibly touching given the current state of the world.

For once, there was an exciting second half instead of running out of steam at the 10 episode mark.

The main leads and all the supporting actors create distinct personalities and characters that linger on. Hyun Bin as Ri Jeong-hyuk can WALK, every time he strode into a room, it was mesmerising. Son Ye-jin as Yoon Se-ri was a great mix of steely and silly. While they were both great in this drama individually - they do less well when they share a frame. I liked it better when they were fighting for each other, thinking about each other, talking about each other more than when they were actually in the same camera shot. When they were actually together on screen, their interactions got a bit stilted and there was no physicality to the relationship. They were both quite awkward in kissing scenes.

The music was competent, and like I mentioned about the story generally, the music would have some unexpectedly great moments - especially with some of the folk/childrens songs and lingering bits of classical music.

Rewatch value is mixed. I could watch Ri Jeong-Hyuk stride into a room anytime but a lot of the draw to the show was suspense on how it would all resolve.

I grade on other criteria:

Themes - 10.0
In a world that can be cruel and unforgiving, a sense of community, kindness, generosity and sacrifice are qualities to be treasured. Even in the most trying and difficult of circumstances, moments of joy, peace and connection with our fellow humans can occur. Seize life and happiness however it comes along - even if its imperfect.
Character Growth - 9.0
All the characters are marked by the experiences they shared together. They are changed people and there's no going back. Yoon Se-ri especially becomes less jaded, snobby and closed off.
Complex Women and Relationships between Women - 7.0
Seo Dan was an interesting character, as was Yoon Se-ri's mom - but that was all it was a sketch. They were defined by their relationships to the other characters especially other male characters. All the women, were overwhelmingly focused on the men in the show. Even when in solidarity with each other, it was often over a man or due to a man.
Cinematography/Production Values - 8.0
Mostly competent. The fight scenes were thrilling. A bit higher score than normal due to the unexpected cinematic moments, and a lot of shooting outdoors.

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After watching dramas for 15 years now most touch me but no longer make me cry anymore. This drama had me tearing up for both sad and happy scenes whether it was the main characters or minor characters! This is a very well written drama and every single cast member did an amazing job in their role! Best cast I have ever seen. Between the writing and acting I enjoyed pretty much ever scene of this drama no matter which characters were in the scene. You feel emotionally invested with all the characters (including hatred for the villains!).

I found the music beautiful but most was not memorable. The last song gave me butterflies in my stomach when it began which is a drama first for me!

I will say I was not sold on this drama until episodes 3 or 4 and then from there on out I couldn't stop!

You are not a drama addict if you don't try this drama!!

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I just finished watching this drama and to be honest this is not the best I’ve seen.

The initial idea for the story was pretty good but the execution did not follow. It’s a very cliché, predictable and unrealistic drama. I had to skip many scenes because it was too much but I really wanted to know the end.

There were lot of funny and good scenes and I laughed a lot especially when the comrades were in South Korea.
The actors are pretty good even if I thought they were crying too much.

It’s not something I will watch again but if you like cheesy, over romantic. And cliché drama then CLOY is for you.

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Really don't know why this drama got the hype it got-it's like everywhere I look,people are always talking about this drama.I don't know if this is just my internal bias or what,but I noticed most of these people are kdrama newbies. Sure,it is an interesting premise and i really looked forward to seeing this because I've never heard of a drama like this. However they just tend to overdo it with the tropes and it annoyed the hell out of me. One or two are fine ....but 1 every episode??and THAT unrealistic??like cmon.

SPOILER

What especially pissed me off is when Gu Seungjun died.For some reason I liked his and Seo Dan's chemistry more than the main leads and his death felt so forced. Like you're really telling me the main leads can have like 5 near death experiences and spring back alive a day after but my man Seungjun cant take 2 bullets to his SHOULDER? I call bs.

Anyways,don't watch this drama if you can't stand typical kdrama tropes bc it's full of them. I loved the characters tho, Jeonghyuk's soldiers were the best part of the show.Also Seungjun and Seo Dan.

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Don't read this if you haven't watched the show to the very end.

Everything about the show was good. The political drama is excellent. The dedication and resourcefulness of Capt. Ri and his father are amazing. The settings are realistic, the plot is intriguing, and the acting couldn't be any better... But it all collapses in the last episode when the writers and producers decide to do what all soaps do - kill off some character - There are many impossible incidents shown where the lead character escapes death, so why couldn't they keep Gu Seung-Jun alive? His character had made a 180 deg turn from being a con artist to a caring person who had helped Yoon Se-ri escape and given Dan the solace she needed after being rejected after 10 long years by Capt Ri, all for a South Korean woman who accidentally came into their life. And what was behind showing Seo Dan as an unfortunate woman whose first love ditched her for Se-ri after 10 whole years of love and hope, and whose second love literally died protecting her.. What had she done to deserve such sadness?

There is also the other weird ending where Capt Ri and Yoon Se-Ri have to spend the rest of their lives meeting for 15 days each year. That itself is disturbing, but that is understandable and probably inevitable considering the utterly impossible political situation between the North and the South.

As Yoon Se-ri's character says towards the end when she lands with her parachute in Switzerland.. "... In life, it's only the end that matters.. " And in Crash Landing on You, the end was disappointing.

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So I started watching this while it was nearing its end, and yes it was because all the hype finally got to me.

To be very honest, the first few episodes were really hard to get through. I felt like the pacing was slow, and I wanted something emotionally harrowing and scary right off the bat. It felt like the drama went for something more light-hearted, and some humor.

But as I kept watching, it became hard to stop. All the characters grew on me, even the side characters, and it was amazing how three-dimensional they all were. Everyone had their own stories and no one felt like a plot device.

I'm also surprised that the drama how handled cliches not in a cliche way. They went for the "these two people were connected in the past SOMEHOW and them meeting over and over again is fate," but it didn't annoy me as much as these types of things usually do.

I'm honestly super torn about the ending. It's not your typical happy ending, and I normally hate time skips, but within historical and cultural context of North and South Korea today, I honestly couldn't imagine the drama ending any other way.

Overall, I honestly am kind of sad that I don't seem to be as into this as everyone else is — and that I didn't shed any tears over it, but I still find myself appreciating the writing and the love story a lot. It's the kind of story that really needs the setting and all its contexts to break your heart, and for me it's the kind of story you think about when it's 4 am and you can't sleep.

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