Disappointing

The beginning was great. It was a very interesting critique on societal norms and expectations about women. I loved the first episodes because they focused on Ha Ri and how she struggled in a world where having a child is only accepted if you're married. I loved how we saw points of view from different women with different needs: the woman who wants a child but doesn't have a partner, the single mother, the one who doesn't want children, the one who abandons her career for her children, the woman who tries to find a life-work balance and the one who puts her career above all. It was refreshing to see so many different perspectives in a good light. The only one who was seen as the bad guy, Do Ah's mom, was even successfully (although way too quickly, that plot point deserved more time in my opinion) redeemed at the end.

However, halfway through the show, I felt it became less and less mature. Ha Ri's personal growth went from a hundred to zero in the blink of an eye. Whereas she had shown maturity at the beginning, she later became childish. The same goes for Yi Sang, the guy was a rollercoaster. I hated that, before they got together, they used to be more open with each other than after they actually started a relationship. And the "being separated for months" moment was awful. Why? Why on earth writers think that that's EVER a good idea. I am so sick of this trope that adds nothing but takes everything away.

I hated the way Ha Ri left when she found out Yi Sang was infertile. I hated the way she then proceeded to give up on her dream of having a kid after they got back together. I hated the way they never talked about the issue and how they never considered other options—sperm donors, ADOPTING, etc. I, actually, also hated the idea that adoption was never an option. While they did mention it at some point in the series, Ha Ri dismissed it as she thought she wouldn't be eligible because she was single. Well, now you have a boyfriend/future husband. You could re-consider it. But nah, I guess. It's either getting pregnant or no child for these people. It gets to a point where you start to wonder whether Ha Ri's dream is actually having a child or just being pregnant. I mean, I understand that for a woman like her, who's always wanted to be a mom, pregnancy is a big deal. However, we have seen Ha Ri adoring on countless children throughout the show, so it should be safe to say that what she craves the most is to have a little one to cherish and indulge for the rest of her life. Why didn't she seriously consider adoption, then? Especially after finding a partner.

Anyway. The show is ok, not a gem but not the absolute worst. Though the actors were great (Jang Na Ra is one of my absolute favorites, she's actually the reason why I decided to start this drama—and also the reason why I didn't drop it at some point), I wouldn't really recommend it. I don't think it has much rewatch value either.

Leggi di Più

This is one of the best dramas (if not the best) I have ever seen. To begin with, I thought the story was fun and refreshing. We have the typical love triangle, but it doesn't feel too long as it sometimes does in other dramas. The characters solve their issues pretty fast and in a somehow realistic way (taking into account that the circumstances of the show are not supposed to be realistic at all).  The actors did a great job too. I immediately fell in love with most of the characters, especially the two leads. Their chemistry was amazing, and their screen time together was glorious!

Leggi di Più