See You In My 19th Life (2023)

This series isnt what you think it is...and that is what makes it so amazing!

Wow! Just got done with "See You in My 19th Life" and I immediately want to watch it again!!! Wow, this series isnt a straight forward rom com or a straight forward show about past lives. There are so many different storylines and just when you think you know what is going on, its like they put the show in a box and vigorously shake it up to where suddenly you realize its a whole new ball game!

The writing was just spectacular! Dang this story is SO good! It left me wanting more! Will there be a season 2 where other things happen, maybe to the guy with the 23 lives?

I loved watching every minute of this show! I loved watching the end because it echoes the way Ji-eum first approaches Seo-ha. I love how the writers interweaved Ji-eum's many lives in and out of this story. I could watch many more shows written like this and never get bored! I loved how we got to see glimpses of her past lives and how they make her the person she is today!

The director, Lee Na Jung did a beautiful job of bringing the scenes to life. Some of my favorite scenes were the flashback ones. I love how she gave you only enough information to think you know what is happening, only to be shown more if the story in later episodes.

The acting was simply SUPERB! I was particularly impressed with the scenes where Ji-eum, played by Shin Hye Sun, is reliving a past life while holding the bells. Likewise, the scenes where Seo-ha, played by Ahn Bo Hyun, relives his painful childhood memories are also very riveting. These two did an outstanding job! The other two lead actors, Ahn Dong Goo (Ha Do Yoon) and Ha Yoon Kyung (Yoon Cho Won) were also fantastic at their roles. I had watched Ha Yoon Hyun in The Extraordinary Attorney Woo and she played my favorite suport role (Choi Soo Yeon), so it was no surprise how she brought Cho Won to life.

Not to be outdone, all the kids in this drama were fantastic! Especially Kim Shi Ah who played Yoon Joo Won in the 18th life. Shi Ah was particularly believable as a 12 year old girl who was older than she seemed due to having remembered all her past lives. Yes, THAT girl deserves an award of some kind!

I always love it when I see seasoned actors in dramas. Cha Chung Hwa is just spectacular in every role she plays! I have seen her in Hotel Del Luna and Crash Landing on You, but my favorite character was in the drama Hometown Cha Cha Cha. I am happy to see that she will be in 2 others I had on my list to watch, Iteawon Class and Kokdu: Seadon of Deity.

Lastly, another person who deserves some kind of award is the person who did the musical score. The music that went along with each scene was so well done, I often had a visceral reaction, particularly with the "creepy" music that went along with Ji-eum's flashback scenes that involve the death of her sister in life 1.

All in all, this is not only a Must See drama, it might very well be a Must See Again drama for you, too!

Enjoy!

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Hmm not too sure about this one

I had high hopes for this drama. It had an interesting set up and the cinematography was beautiful. But I think it definitely fell short of those expectations. If I had one word to describe this drama, I would say anti-climatic. I felt like they spent all 11 episodes trying to create suspense and mystery, but the ending of it all at the 12th episode was just anti-climatic. Like I don't know why we had to suffer through all those episodes just for nothing to really happen. The only thing I did like was how everything came full circle in the end, but even still. It was an okay watch, not the worst drama but I definitely expected more out of it. In addition, I liked the second couple enough just because they were cute but their story line was also really weak. At this point, now I'm just glad I'm done with this drama so I can move on to another. So that's it from me for this one, bye for now!

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romance only

I watched this drama for the actress. Shin Hye-sun was pretty good in "Angel's Last Mission: Love". She was incredible in a handicap woman with a dark side. She was extraordinary in the "Thirty But Seventeen" and "Hymn of Death".
I completed it because of that and want to find something to give a better score.
This story haven't got any suspens. you can find the end after seeing the second episode.
if you want to see a romance and only romance, you Can see it. if you want a movie with suspens, some action, you must pass your way, you'll be desappointed if not.

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my high expectations left me disappointed

It has been a while since i finished this drama. It's still difficult to make up mind about it. I waited for this drama for months. Since it was announced. I am a big fan of Shin Hye Sun, i love to see Ahn Bo Hyun too and was excited when he was casted as the main lead. Add Ha Yoon Kyung, add a premiss that could lead to a plot full of pining and Bingo. You created a Drama that is fully my taste. Now after some time i kind of want to write a review.

But... sadly something was missing. Don't get me wrong the Drama is good. But what is it that's missing? The Drama had sooo much potential. I have the feeling that the lack of chemistry between the leads is not the fault of the actors and actresses, but more the fault of the script. I didn't feel quite right. Maybe it was the way staged and produced it and the way they let the plot unfold. For example ake a look at the chemistry in Mr Queen and Yumi's Cells (or even Military Prosecuter Do Bae Man)... on a totally different level. So this might be not Ahn Bo Hyun's and Shin Hye Sun's fault, since i know that they are more than capable.

I don't need many plotlines or anything. Give me scenes which highlight the relationship between people and i am all here for it. With this Drama i don't know what went wrong and it bothers me that i can't name it. Especially since i wanted to love it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good drama. Just not as good as it could have been. At least for my taste. I still liked it. And the moment with Ji Eum's Mom (i think the end of ep3? i don't remember), the one where she is somewhat hallucinating... it grabbed me by my heart. They could have done more with her other lives, they could have explored more of her other lives. I liked the chemistry of the two sisters tho.

Please someone tell me, why this Drama is just a good drama and not a great one as it should have been...

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Great Acting!!

I haven’t written a review in months, and I didn’t expect too much from this Drama, Time travel stories are kind of hit or miss….or I should say reincarnation, or kind of both I guess. It had my interest from the first episode. I haven’t fast forwarded even once, which is a habit of mine during idle/slow times in a drama, and that is saying something. It started out good, and it keeps going. It has kind of a mixture of everything like…a love story, a mystery, death, sickness, feeling unloved, many surprises in the plot, great acting, and so much more. I loved Ahn Bo Hyun in My Name, so that’s part of the reason I decided to watch this, and he hasn’t disappointed me. The ending was fitting to the story. I think it could have been more than 12 episodes so I would be able to see future events with her life. I don’t want to give the story away by elaborating, but it should have continued. But still a great drama!!

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BORING

Started watching with interest, because of cast FL and ML previous drama was very interesting.
After, few episode.. felt there is no chemistry between ML and FL.
FL character felt selfish and clingy. She remembered her niece in poor life because she needed money, previous life when she had everything. She forgot the poor niece from circus.
ML character felt like, he was confused regarding so many things in life.
Story was not convincing enough. Some of previous life was not explained.Some of the side stories was not explained or given enough screen time.
As if, director or editor was in a hurry or wanted to wrap up in 16 episode. Didn't enjoyed watching.

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Healing with true love: the promise of a lifetime and more!

I thought I knew what a captivating story was like—that is until I fell in love with watching, and in love again while writing this review—the manhwa inspired drama 'See You in My 19th Life'.

This kept me on my toes from the very first moment to the final; an adrenaline pumping roller-coaster of hypothesizing my own theories to being left with clues that didn't exactly match up. The non-linear narrative made for missing pieces of whatever a viewer would be left yearning for to spread out over the course of the twelve episodes, building up on itself till it summed the core formation of its rising climax.

In the beginning, I was dedicated to being fully immersed in the female lead's mystifying character and ready to discover with her, the secrets even she herself didn't know her memory possessed. At the end of the last episode, I was tear-stricken with such an overwhelming compassion of having journeyed through this search-of-meaning-in-life encompassed series.

Emerging secrets, uncovered relationships, creepy coincidences that turned out to all have to do with past lives... I watched with engrossment as lies and truths twisted with each other until all but a captivation so strongly enlaced me to binge watch the tale-like story of Ban Ji-Eum and Mun Seo-Ha.

Its through the grief of the precious life she had loved the most (ending of episode 2, where Mun Seo Ha visits her old grave and she, for the first time, is able to see herself through another’s perspective), that she learned it wasn’t others she was losing, but it was rather herself all along. This is an essential-to-her-growth realization she makes during the act of rejoicing paths with everyone from her precedent 18th life as Ju-won Yun. Due to her time being cut short from a car accident that becomes a whole part of the plot on its own, her reincarnation as Ban Ji-Eum signified the first life she was able to see her own impact on the people she left with her death and see herself thru a new perspective.

As she tries to come to terms with past struggles, wholeheartedly faces exigent secrets she'd rather not know and contentedly attempts at a chance to concur past traumas, her life as Ban Ji-Eum becomes her first, 19th, and last all at once.

The lead's insatiable wish for a happier self adventures above and beyond her romance life, into the depths of her inability to move on from past nostalgia of which although brought her tears of joy, negatively chained her motifs. It was only after going through the struggle of remembering it all—from her very first life to her latest—that she was able to garner the beautiful courage to free herself. Because although she was happy, she didn't yet feel the satisfaction of being complete.

To get herself back meant going after what she wanted, not from her self that endured the war to having to adapt to modern times, but who she was in the moment. And that was the desire to be able to let go, and start anew. Just like that, letting go was a renaissance, a revival of her true self. When she was ready, Ban Ji-Eum chose to keep her loved ones over remembering her past lives instead of having to let go due to ‘magical rules’ of the people she found that allowed her to be the best version of herself than remember them.

After both main leads amended what they most wanted with the treasure of extra time gifted to them with magic (Ban Ji-Eum to see how he was doing after being forced to break her promise to forever stay by his side, and Mun Seo-Ha another chance at saying his final goodbye), they, as a couple got the chance to see how they would've ended up if nothing had changed in the first place; if the car's collision with a truck never would've happened.

With a thrilling twist, the ending explores the theory of 'one will always love the other more' in an ironic switch, putting the aspect of a relationship's need for dedication and trust in favour. It introduced to viewers the beauty of true love, the strong dedication to be with the one you long for, and most of all; the promise of a lifetime and more.

A story line that makes you think, a relationship that makes you feel, and a realization that makes you heal is what most defines this inspiration-gripping show.

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A story of love, loss, family, and friendship

This drama is beautiful, truly. From the story to the cinematography, everything about See You in my 19th life is amazing. I became aware of this dramas existence a few days before the first episode dropped and I knew I had to at least take a look. This drama follows Ban Ji Eum, a woman in her early twenties who is able to remember her past lives. Her most recent past life, Yoon Ju Won, died as a 12 year old and Ji eum plans to reconnect with the people of Ju Wons life, mainly Mun Seo Ha whom was her first love and who was with her the day she died. However while inserting herself in the life of the now older Seo Ha, they both end up discovering things that will change their lives forever. Does that premise interest you, even if just a bit? Then I beg you to go watch this drama. I truly think this is the best drama I've watched in 2023, the writing, the cinematography, and the OST were all phenomenal and truly made this drama shine. Another thing that made this drama shine is the acting, it was excellent. The two main roles, played by Shin Hye Sun and Ahn Bo Hyun, are not easy roles to play. And both pull it off excellently.
If you are a bit hesitant because serious dramas don't really do it for you, please don't give up yet. While this drama is serious overall, it has no shortage of swoon worthy romance scenes and comedic moments.
Overall I highly, highly recommend this drama and I hope my review encourages you to watch it :)

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Well made drama with excellent acting and gorgeous cinematography

Great drama overall. This series has excellent casting. The actors were superb — both the adults and the children. Glad to see Ahn Bo-Hyun as the male lead. Shin Hye-Sun was marvelous as the female lead. All the support cast did a great job. The cinematography is gorgeous — landscape shots are beautiful, close-up shots are thoughtful, framing is excellent. The editing is very good — interweaving flashbacks and current storyline scenes are well done. While there are other dramas whose ending is a disappointment, this drama’s final episode does not disappoint. The director did a great job in that there are no useless “filler” scenes. I think the cast and production crew did a fantastic job. I haven’t seen the webtoon so I cannot say if it is faithful to the original story. On its own, it stands as an excellent and well made drama series. I would highly recommend See You in My 19th Life.

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Unfulfilled potential

I was pretty excited about this show, I was looking forward to something a little more original than what I've been seeing lately. Alas, disappointment followed. I enjoyed some aspects of it, but with the uneven pacing and the glaring plot holes, pretty much all I felt at the end was frustration. As with most everything, there were positives as well as negatives.
LIKED:
1) Shin Hye Sun as Ban Ji Eum - I have loved her in everything I've seen her in. She's real, she's likeable, and she has a firm grasp on her acting ability. She knows when to give us more, as well as when to reign it in, to leave us WANTING more.
2) Kim Shi Ah as the young lady that was Ji Eum in her 18th life. For me, she was the standout in this. She was lovely and poised beyond her years. As I watched her, I felt that she had the knowledge from all her past lives and was somewhat jaded. Kind of like she was forced to act like a child when she was an adult. She was so sweet with her sister and Seo Ha.
3) Cha Chung Hwa as Ji Eum's niece from her 17th life. I love this actress and she brought humor to the role that was welcome.
4) Costuming. I loved the clothes in this, especially everything they put on Ahn Bo Hyun. He must have lost weight for this role, because I've always seen him as being in a sportsman role. He looked great and he wore everything well.
5) OST. Some beautiful music.
6) Cinematography, for the most part, was very good. I especially loved all the colors and movement from her first life. I just wish I hadn't had to see her first life over and over again.
7) I liked how the FL brought all of her skills from her past lives into her current life.
NOT SO MUCH:
1) Who did hair and makeup!?! Her hair was very "Cheese in the Trap" and distracting. Most jarring was the makeup on Ahn Bo Hyun. He looked so white, actually pasty. It looked like someone had slathered on the makeup with a trowel, and the lipstick on him was entirely too obvious and dark. There were multiple times I thought that I was watching a vampire movie, he reminded me of that.
2) I didn't like the forwardness of Ji Eum at all. "let's date". I didn't find it cute or endearing at all. To a certain extent, I felt the same about the 2FL. If someone isn't interested, move on.
3) The murder plot. It started out interesting and ended in a fizzle. What a waste of time!
4) I was never clear on why the guy with the bells was so intent on her remembering her first life, especially since he was there and NOT a good guy.
5) There is a difference between not remembering your previous lives and not remembering the people in your life currently. She didn't have amnesia, for heaven's sake! If she didn't remember them, how did she remember where she used to work? For me, the whole ending was clunky, like they didn't know how to resolve it and wrap everything up.
6) Lack of chemistry between the leads.

So, if asked if I think you should watch, I wouldn't say to run away, but there is a lot of better stuff out there to watch.

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Beautifully shot, with an intriguing fantasy premise, but then the story flounders . . .

The two major flaws of this series is 1) the lack of chemistry in the romance and 2) the lack of purpose to the story. I was so frustrated I dropped it just a few episodes from the end.

Shin Hye-sun as the main female lead does an excellent job, as she did in Mr Queen, at portraying someone who isn't what they seem on the surface. I fully believed that she had lived many lives beyond this one. Ahn Bo-hyun, however, played his character so straight, wide-eyed, bumbling and a bit gullible that you couldn't understand WHY the main female lead was so intrigued by him as a romantic partner. Where was the depth of many lives in HIS eyes?!?

On top of that, the fantasy mysteries were all dragged out, why was she being reborn again and again? Who were these weird people popping out from the past? Why was everyone around her suffering bad luck? etc. These mysteries were introduced at the halfway point, but 3 or so episodes later we were no closer. Everything had stalled.

If the romance had been better OR the fantasy and themes been better, I would have stuck with it. But both fell down, and being cinematic and pretty was just not enough to hold my interest.

PS On a bit more of a petty note, Ahn Bo-hyun's suits were atrocious and I couldn't tell whether that was supposed to portray something about the character - it started to really irritate me.

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THE BETTER DRAMA

I wish this has more episodes. I can't believe we're 6 episodes down to its ending

First, the cinematography is so good even the characters outfits. The story is slow paced but not to the point that you'll be bored. They're good at cliffhangers that you can't wait for another episode.

Acting is on point. I did not expect that Ahn Bo hyun will nail his role as Seoha. Shin Hye Sun is Shin Hye Sun. Give her a role and she'll slay. The second leads are so adorable makes me wanna ship them more than the main leads

I also love the kids in this drama. They were perfectly casted.

I can't wait for another episode.

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