I've always been somewhat mystified by the fact that Korea has sooooo many historical dramas set in loooooong-ago times but so few set in more recent era's, ie. from the early 1900's onward. I assume it's partially to do with how poorly Kdrama's not set in modern day or ancient history have done in the Kdrama market. They definitely don't seem to do very well. And in that regard, I guess I understand why so many people slept on this drama when it originally came out (myself included). The reviews for it now are mostly positive, but I don't remember anyone talking about this drama when it came out, and when they did it was usually to critique it. (I think it was 'too slow' for Kdrama watchers back then. This style of drama storytelling wasn't really a thing in the Kdrama landscape until more recently.)

Regardless though, of why this drama wasn't super popular when it came out, I can confidently say it Deserves to be popular now. The story is, first and foremost, about the lives of women, their loves and losses and struggles and triumphs, and it's very, very compelling. But the way the writers subtly weaved through the story an examination of the era it was set in, tackling some deep topics in sensitive and thoughtful ways, is superbly done as well. It's not a drama about the Korean democratic movement or marital affairs or school sanctioned abuse, but these elements are all integral to the story and help give a better picture of what life during 1970's Korea would have been like.

I think part of why this story works so well is because of the filming style and the storytelling choices. The camerawork is very soft and light and the pacing very gentle, which again, was not typical of Kdrama's at the time and probably another reason why this drama wasn't popular then. But I really love it, and I'm glad they chose to go this route despite it not being the norm at the time. It gives the story an almost slice-of-life feel even though I don't think you could classify this drama under that genre. Things happen and things change and people grow, but the story isn't afraid to take it's time.

I do want to give one word of warning to future viewers though. Early on in the drama, it appears like two characters might be having an affair but the drama doesn't say yay or nay about it for a long time, and the possibility really bothered me. Not because I have a problem with stories addressing the issue of cheating, but because I have an abhorrence of the act and drama's that don't make a clear statement about it upset me. So I'm going to tell you upfront, there is cheating in this drama. Fortunately, it is also properly addressed and the affair ended, so if you are like me, you don't have to worry on that front.

And now I have to mention the fashion, because it's great. I don't think it's 100% historically accurate to the era as the cuts of most of the pieces definitely veer on the modern side, but I think it strikes a nice balance between period accurate and modern interpretation. I also just really love it. I think most of the young female characters outfits outside of school are really cute and I was taking notes the whole time, lol.

I'm sad this drama wasn't more popular when it aired, but I also understand. With the dearth of historical Kdrama's of this type, the fact that the Kdrama landscape was in the stages of changing when this came out, and Kdrama's with this style of storytelling were a lot more atypical than they are now, it makes sense that this ended up being sidelined for so long. I think this drama probably would have done better in Kdramaland today as Kdrama viewers are more open to this sort of story, but alas, it did not happen that way, and we just have to accept that. For my part, I'm glad I watched this drama Now, because it left me feeling good, and that's really what I want from most drama's. To finish them with a smile on my face.