In short, it was a steamy artist's romance. In my opinion based on artists I know, and my own life, we draw inspirations from our surroundings and how deeply they affect us. The more we feel, the better our artistic instincts awaken.

As this drama wasn't a sweet romance but realistic one, my take in judging it is different.
Slight spoilers here guys (if any)-

The endless rebounds, attraction, struggle to understand, openness to explore and get to know themselves and their romantic partners. Na Bi left her relationship with her ex-teacher who was an artist and got into a steamy open relationship with the ML- a guy who liked to flirt with anyone attracted to him. He could use it to his advantage and string them just enough he got what he wanted at his own pace, with a distance he liked to maintain. This story showed how such kind open relationship was hard to maintain as the relationship progresses over time. Very realistic behaviour when your body can't get on the same page with your logic and ignores red flags as Nabi faces an ambiguous relationship that had no boundaries with a person full of unspoken lines that she wasn't able to cross. Trying to juggle her studies, ambitions, and her unconscious nod to romance, she experiences how each important position in her life was interlinked- grew as a person, an artist, drew her boundaries and straight up finally gave ML a choice. Ofcourse during the course, she slipped, made mistakes and in the end, came to her own conclusion (be it right or wrong. Such is life). While I may not agree with her choices, but I appreciate her assurity, own interpretations, self worth and confidence while making them.

For the ML on the other hand, the progress was so sloooooow. I never got his deal, could never get fully invested in him. He used all the right words, right actions, his calculated thoughtfulness that mentally and emotionally linked, touches that simulated sexual awareness... He was fully in control of himself most of the time. Always aware. He lived like a butterfly. Yes he changed a bit, though it was minuscule enough that I felt his life and progression may have happened offscreen and thats why I couldn't understand his perspective, growth, pain. His whole character was built on vagueness in terms of decisions, until he released the butterflies and lightly asked for her back


They both finally entered into a relationship, with their eyes open. As people they wanted to give it a go. As artists, they both will gain from each other- through love, pain, attraction, heightened emotions, and when they split (they know they will), they'll gain further still. They just want to enjoy the now.

In a way Im glad the SL didnt get Nabi. I feel like the person she is nowouldn't have gelled well with him for long if they had. She would have been emotionally exhausted to be with him because she never gave me that vibe that showed interest and he would have put in a LOT of effort ( he already was) and he would have felt a bit insecure in the relationship. It's best it ended as a first love. She was always invested in the ML. He deserves someone else. In the webtoon though, I prefer that ending.

I agree with Bhoomi though, it was realistic enough to be queasy, and later on there was a lot of eye rolling on part. Became too repetitive with no development.
That saying, I loved watching the supporting characters more, especially in the 2nd half of the drama.