Previsioni d'Amore (2022)

Bullshit

The most frustrating, boring and idiotic drama I've ever seen. No chemistry between the main leads and Song Kang may look good (which I suppose that's why people love him so much, especially girls), but he really doesn't know how to act. Park Min Young has chemistry with everyone, but not with Song Kang, and I tried to finish this drama because of her. God it was a frustrating drama, I had to skip parts when the main leads appeared because looking at two people starring at each other it's...boring to put it nicely.

I hope Park Min Young's next drama will be better because the last 2 were not.

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Confused Like a Cyclone that Dissipates and Leaves an Unclear, Cloudy Day

This show was passable but lacked a unifying storyline necessary to tell a compelling story. It delivers a complete beginning, middle, and end, but I found that it failed to innovate the tried-and-true Kdrama formula in any meaningful way, and didn’t execute the plot in any special way. You may find some joy in watching it, but I think that it will not satisfy you, unless you are a megafan of the cast or crew.

Before it aired, this show seemed like a guaranteed high-quality, mega-hit. For its production, you have the relatively-new NPIO Entertainment who were riding high from their 2021 Red Sleeve, a veteran director whose last major work was the Baeksang winning When the Camellia Blooms, and a screenwriter whose credits include the well-liked Dr. Romantic series. For its lead cast, you have Song Kang, who somehow managed to be in 3 productions during COVID-filled 2021 while still winning hearts of fans everywhere, and Park Min Young, sometimes considered one of the most beloved actresses for romance-genre Kdramas. It seemed like a formula that could not fail and at first it seemed like it wouldn’t.

The series came out of the gate like a strong typhoon blowing ships of the water. It tried the unique formula of treating weather forecasting like a high stakes medical diagnosis that would either save or doom the patient. To be honest, I found it both completely ridiculous and mesmerizing: they showed scenes where the predictions were a highly-controversial, still-science discussion similar to how surgeons might debate a sick person’s treatment in a hospital show. They showed potentially life-and-death consequences of the weather, like accidents caused by unclear weather. It was as if meteorology was actually weather manipulation and the national weather service was comprised of super scientists who toiled 24-hours a day to make this happen. By episode 2, I was actually on-board with this TV blueprint.

However, it quickly abandoned this strategy and devolved into a typical family-style Kdrama, whose main characters happen to work at the same place. Moreover, the show piled main and side character storylines that didn’t really have too much cohesiveness with each other: you have main characters that try deal with mismatched expectations about marriage, two-timers that got married and are dealing with the challenges of marriage, a stoic man who gets attracted to the main character’s cartoonist sister, a woman who needs to completely take on both familial and work responsibilities to support her husband, and an estranged husband who tries to reconcile with his family. For me, not only were there too many plot threads, but also no real link to the weather theme of the show, aside from some hasty weather analogies, like the tagline of this review. You could have moved all the characters to a law agency, a hospital, a stereotypical office, or pretty much whatever line of work you wanted and it would have changed nothing.

Moreover, I was really confused about what message the story wanted to send: is it trying to tell us something about work-life balance? Is it trying to show us different perspectives on marriage? Is it trying to tell us to think about the difficulties of weather forecasters? This confusion led to my ambivalence about the character development too: I wasn’t invested in the break-ups, the make-ups, or other evolutions of each of the protagonists as it didn’t feel that each of their individual plot lines were working toward any kind of grand scheme. My internal monologue towards most of the happenings of this Kdrama would probably be “that’s nice.”

Other elements of the show didn’t work well for me either. I usually don’t tend to focus on KDrama OSTs as they are usually all the same, high quality tracks or background music. However, for this one, the OST was so just forgettable: aside from the Cheeze track featured in the trailers for marketing, I don’t think I can tell you what other songs were in this show.

The acting worked, but I don’t feel that the actors and actresses were given much to work with, so I don’t feel I could really comment on whether they did a passable job or a spectacular job. You kinda have the standard, in-love-modes, sad-modes, angry-modes, and other stereotypes that just match the average storyline.

Overall, I’m really disappointed with this one. I watched it until the end due to habit, usually doing things like washing the dashes, and I found it really forgettable. It’s possible that Song Kang or Park Min Young brought you here, but unfortunately if you’re looking for a compelling, unique, sensible story, this is not it. It starts with a whirlwind and leaves on a cloudy day: it's not the bright, warm, sunny weather you were hoping for, but it's also not a horrible, destructive typhoon. It just is.

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Weather is like people....

I looooooove the analogy in every episode that people are like weather. And as I've been invested in meteorology these days, I realized that weather is not easy to predict, the same like people. It's not easy to read them.

We are often meet some misunderstandings when we are trying to build a relationship. Sometimes we didn't tell what we were actually meant and sometimes we told the truth but people still misunderstood.

Sometimes we failed to read the satellite images before our eyes. Because there are too many variables, whether in a relationship and in forecasting weather.

Throughout the obstacles we will understand of each character and same goes as with the weather. Every season develops every room of how each character collide together. It can creat rain, thunder, snow, icy rain, typhoon, disaster, heat, sunny day, cozy weather, or rainbow.

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Weather forecast metaphors can't make shallow relationships deep.

"Forecasting Love and Weather" tries to use weather predictions as a metaphor for messy and complicated love relationships, but that concept quickly became boring to me and the relationships were pretty shallow and not very compelling. In the beginning, I did find the pressure to get weather predictions right interesting, and the office dating drama was fun, even sexy, but as time went on too much focus was placed on the same arguments and petty fights. The relationships in this drama are meant to be mature, and not your typical idealistic love story, but so many of the characters seemed immature, even childish. There is also a ridiculous love triangle/square element to the plot that resolves way too easily and that's partly when I started losing interest. This drama played it way too safe which is what stopped me from caring enough about any of the couples, even the pretty well-matched leads.

This drama stars a favorite, Park Min Young as stubborn and guarded Jin Ha Kyung, with super cute Song Kang
as impressive weather expert newcomer Lee Shi Woo. I expected their big age gap to be an issue, but I honestly believed them as a couple. I knew Song Kang could handle a mature plot from watching "Nevertheless", but now I wonder if maybe his ability to flirt so well hides his lack of character depth. Their chemistry was much stronger when they were falling for each other but all the other scenes lacked any spark.

Yoon Park and Yura round out the leads and all I will say about them is that I disliked both of their characters so much! Yura as Chae Yoo Jin eventually became almost sympathetic but Yoon Park's Han Ki Joon annoyed me from the beginning until the end. Any time they were on the screen I could feel myself checking out.

The supporting cast was mostly great. It included another favorite of mine Kim Mi Kyung as a meddling mom, but in her style. There were great coworker characters with their own life dramas and one unexpected favorite in the cast Moon Tae Yu, who was hilarious to me. I admit I liked the weird comic relief relationship subplot way more than the jaded marriage subplots, and at times even the leads, but I still think all of the actors did a good job. Without a strong actual story, they all did the best they could with what they were assigned. The work atmosphere at least felt authentic, although they did seem to overreact in order to force drama into less interesting scenes.

Would I watch this again? No. The parts that I liked, in the beginning, aren't exciting enough to rewatch. The weather room arguments began to feel the same no matter the season or the forecast. I also didn't care enough about any of the relationships to want to watch their struggles again. I appreciate that the end gave me sufficient closure but I was honestly over this drama long before the last episode.

Overall, this drama is a miss. I will definitely never think about weather forecasting the same again, but I will probably forget all of these characters quickly. I think it fails to be romantic enough for romance fans or deep enough for a good slice of life drama. There are certainly far worse dramas, and I was never bored enough to drop it completely, so perhaps it can be a decent filler drama. I just wish it had a stronger story since the first episode seemed like a setup for something great, especially with episodes so long. I expected a mature romance plot, so maybe that's my fault. I know Kdramas more often play stories safe and nice in this genre so maybe that's my fault. In spite of the overuse of weather metaphors, this drama mostly sticks to a mild and predictable temperature. However, enjoying whatever the weather actually is outside right now is probably a better use of your time.

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A cyclone disaster area

I’ve just struggled through a public education broadcast on behalf of the Korean Meteorological Administration with a driving snowstorm plot and a dreary fog romance. And to be frank I deserve an endurance medal. Right from the opening credits the beige-through-brown colour palette screamed mediocrity and to give it credit, it advertised itself correctly, even down to the sickly sweet soundtrack. Don’t be deceived by its listing on Netflix as a “Charming, Romantic, Comedy”, it’s not.

The main problem was that everything was sacrificed to a dominant plot structure that drove the action and permitted no deviation. I felt as though I was on a tourist bus with a punishing schedule—and on your left… now on your right… no time to stop, move on, move on… I was stepped through the paces at a rate that ensured I skimmed the surface and had no time to stop and investigate the depth. Then, at the end, the plot just sort of drizzled and fizzled out leaving a last episode full of slushy melting snow.

The sacrificial lamb for this plot-centric drama was any sort of credibility. The inflexible structure required all couples to be in step with each new twist which meant they were pushed through emotional hoops with no believable motivation and the whole thing reached a ludicrous, eye-rolling climax in episode 13 and went downhill from there. Neither of the main couples had any sense of relationship, all behaved self-centredly and took staggering, unrealistic, unilateral decisions without any prior discussion. The characters changed direction at the drop of a hat and I lurched along with them in increasing disbelief and incredulity. The result was not mature adults dealing with complex relationship issues but volatile, petulant teenagers throwing temper tantrums and fits of the sulks. But this is not a story pitched at a young audience. It is talking to an older audience that will either be married or thinking about it. In which case, some sort of approximation to reality and maturity are sort of essential.

There was a great deal of out-of-character dialogue and far too many unbelievable situations and artificially manufactured crises. If they were all to try and illustrate a theme, I’m afraid I missed the point, because the messages were confusing and random. Although there were interesting ideas surrounding relationships and marriage to be explored there was no discernible coherence.

The storyboard and editing was confused with multiple unnecessary time jumps, presumably to try and create some tension. The whole of episode 11, for instance, was a cyclone disaster area that ended in the same place as it began after whirling through a series of haphazard time shifts and an inexplicable tour of the local zoo. I was left with a sense that I had walked in a circle and gained nothing.

Unfortunately, one of the problems of office centred dramas is the difficulty in providing visual stimulation. Flat and stilted scenes with static positioning of actors delivering their lines, didn’t help with the dense dialogue. There was little to stimulate the senses or provide kinetic energy. Even the camera angles and lighting were unimaginative. It’s a director’s responsibility to think of innovative ways to keep viewing interest and the direction by Cha Young Hoon was at fault. He is a very experienced director, but he made a dog’s breakfast of this series.

The actors tried hard with the lacklustre script they were given. The most convincing of the scenarios, both in terms of the writing and the acting, was the one between Lee Sung Wook and Jang So Yeon as the older married couple. They both put in a credible and mature performance.

The weakest performances were the main couple. Song Kang was not particularly convincing in the role and looked uncomfortable. Park Min Young started strongly but didn’t go anywhere and the fixed expression on her face became wearisome. And their chemistry was less than convincing.

There was some nice (damned by faint praise) cinematography, but given the opportunity to film the weather they could have done much more with it.

As for it being a comedy, I don’t remember laughing but I do remember curling up in sympathetic embarrassment for the actors having to act the script.

On the vaguely positive side… I learned a lot about weather forecasting.

Overall this was an incoherent mess. A superficial look at marriage and relationships that merely spouted clichés whilst scratching at the surface. It was a very disappointing performance from the writer Eun Kyung, who made a much better job of “Dr Romantic”. If you want a more cohesive exploration of issues surrounding marriage, with a shower of humour and some sunny romance, then try “Because this is my first life”.

What my rating means: 4+ I forced myself to go through to the end of it, but only because I was committed to writing the review. It annoyed the hell out of me. Actively avoid.

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Horribly Disappointed after anticipating the release!

This was a drama I had been waiting faithfully on! I was literally counting down the days to watch it. Early on, it was obviously going to be more drama than romance but the romance was so minuscule that it was almost non existent, except for a couple episodes! There was such potential with this cast and even the premise of linking love with the weather. None of the potential came to fruition though. The character development was there but in the wrong way. Relationships that should of ended, continued and grew stronger. Connections that should of grown, showed no progress. Characters were more frustrating than enjoyable. I still love most of the actors in this drama but the script and execution were so disappointing. Will still be a huge fan of Park Min Young and Song Kang but this was the worst show I have seen either of them in. I can only hope that they will be cast together again, in a redemption series!

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I expected a fun workplace romance but got confusing depression instead

I like PMY but she feels like such a pushover in this drama. At the same time I don't really feel any chemistry between the leads. The "hiding our relationship" part of the drama is not as exciting as in other dramas either. The whole ex husband and ex gf storyline is draggggggging. The pacing of the whole show is just slow :/

I had hoped for as fun workplace romance but instead we get fighting every episode, divorce, cheating and generally just a toxic atmosphere. Do not recommend and instead suggest to go watch a better office romance drama (eg What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, Touch Your Heart or A Business Proposal).

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Relaxing and Chill

To be honest I like FL and ML here in this show. They both actually handled matters maturely and most importantly they talk it out whenever there's roadblock and disagreement. They would hold onto the doubts on their own thinking for few days but at least they will eventually open up to share with each other. I love this kind of open communication relationship. Is healthier this way, rather than guessing here and there, tons of assumptions. Both FL and ML have their own priorities, but it will be like pealing a banana skin, slowly revealing bit by bit. Is nice show and there's hidden value for you to learn and reference from - for your love relationship (which i recommended my gf to watch it lol)

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Boring AF

This is absolutely boring and not worthy of your time kinda series , and this is coming from someone who is Park Min young's fan ! This is the worst show in her whole career ! I Just want to know , what made her choose this script . There is nothing to act here at all.... They are just either looking each other without any expressions or staring the screens and doing a weather monitoring !

I liked how this show picked up and the various instances where it compares romance with weather ! but then that's all.. there is nothing more to this show ! The characters are badly written ! Both the Fl and SFL are annoying and dot know how to handle their relationships and yet both are being shown as victim ! FL is dominating and expressionless , while SFL is a liar and cheater , still they both have been shown upper hand in their relationships ! Parents (FL+ML)are all annoying !

In short their is no character that will make you fall in love with it , nor it has any other element to watch it !

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What is wrong with Korean melos?

OVERALL
This drama is honestly such a disappointment. Skip, unless you really, REALLY love Park Min Young.

THE STORY
I don't know what is wrong with Korean melodramas. This one is basically a repeat of Now, We Are Breaking Up. It starts out with a promising Female lead, who has a distinct personality and a backstory that is sure to provide character growth. Then it moves into an unconventional relationship starter (aka high skinship/intimacy) that also promises an interesting love story, and then...nothing. NOTHING. No character growth, no relationship growth, not even a story. Just two leads who decide they're madly in love OUT OF NOWHERE and then also decide they can't be together for 16 episodes, only to suddenly decide that, by the end, maybe they can. Nothing makes sense and nothing thrilling or emotional happens either. It's just a waste, really.

There used to be a time when Korea made good melodramas. Those days are gone, it seems. So do yourself a favor and skip.

THE ACTING
Of course it's fine, Park Min Young's in here, my favorite ajumma actress is in here, and the rest of the cast isn't bad either. But they can't make up for the super crappy writing.

THE MUSIC
Now, We are Breaking Up at least had a good OST. This drama doesn't.

REWATCH VALUE
LOL.

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A drama that uses weather to make a mess out of the romance...

Relationships should probably not be like the weather, but apparently forecasting love is as hard as forecasting the wether... Or in this case it seems kind of hard to forecast the twist and turns but the experienced drama watcher will probably be able to predict most of it anyway... or well we may not know exactly when it will start raining but at some point or another it will rain and the umbrellas will take over... Or something like that, this may seem like the average noona rom com with well known tropes etc but is more of a slice of life, weather Mello with some steamy romance on the side.

As it deals with a lot of relationships, parenthood, fatherhood, marriage, infidelity etc.

The second couple in this drama start off as these lower than lowest, conniving, impulsive, cheaters... Painted as the lowest scum on earth in the firs episodes but then take a turn and get a lot of screen time, as a second couple there to teach us about the struggles of newly weeds. A part of me enjoyed the way these got to be more than evil stereotypes and did actually like the second female lead. However I did find it a bit hard to truly get past the way they were portrayed in the beginning making it really hard to root for them as a couple.

The third couple with the sister involved was highly predictable but kind of sweet at times annoying other times.

The FLs mother is as nosey, needs a bunch of lessons in boundaries and you do not own your kids.... and is annoying as annoying gets, well acted (so no hate to Kim Mi Kyung).

The MLs dad... is one of those you want to send to jail and hope he never comes ear his son... And while I did enjoy watching the dysfunctional parent, I was so annoyed at his character as well as how the writers felt with several situations that it did drag down the score.

The side characters struggle as well as their family situation was interesting and aded flavour to the drama but it did also take away a bit to much focus from the leads.

I was expecting a cold FL, but got a busy lovely Park Min Young, with chemistry and sunshine inter eyes... and not so much cold.

The drama does manage to convey the importance and challenges the wether service has which was at times interesting but it did get to be a bit to much... To be honest there are a little bit too many distracting elements to truly root for this couple. or get invested in the romance, which was a bit of a shame. I was debating if I should give this a 7,5 or an 8 but rounded it up to an 8 because it does show an interesting, yes distracting, but still interesting pallet of relationships and wether + great visuals to give that little extra push towards an 8.

Bingeabilaty: 9
Annoying elements: Medium

An ok drama, but could be better...

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