Watching “My Perfect Stranger” was an impulsive decision as I needed something different that could be interesting. Upon seeing good reviews, I figured I’ll give it a shot. Mystery, crime investigation and time-traveling are usually NOT my go-to genres, so I am coming in as a casual novice. Romance is my jam. My review is very subjective and might differ from more experienced watchers of these genres.

I am happy to report that I had a very lovely time watching this drama. With the backdrop of time-traveling and crime solving, “My Perfect Stranger” actually has a strong focus on family - discovering, forgiving, healing, reuniting and reconciling. The pace of the drama is consistent and I can’t help but click on the next episode and binge this in less than 3 days.

Our leads were introduced to us as two individuals coming from sad, broken family backgrounds. Through their adventures in 1987, they were able to learn more about their families' pasts and came head-to-head with people that have a negative impact on their present-day lives.

Yoon Hae Joon (ML) and Bae Yoon Young (FL) are both intelligent and kind individuals. They met as strangers but their individual secrets collided and had to work together to solve the murder mystery and save their families. Both leads are very likable characters and it’s easy to root for them. Actually, most of the characters are lovely. The annoying ‘villains’ are not that bad.

There are many heartwarming moments between Yoon Young (FL) and her mother Lee Soon Ae in 1987. It’s nice to see their blossoming friendship. Yoon Young also has quite an interesting and fun dynamic with her 1987 father. The drama does bring out different emotions in me - happy, sad, and touching. However, compared to other dramas I’ve watched, the emotional ups and downs are only on an average level. Maybe that’s why I didn’t give this a 9.0 rating. Just missing that strong emotional impact for me personally.

The suspense of the murderer is done quite well. At least from my very novice mind, I had a hard time guessing who the real murderer was. It really comes down to the wire by the process of elimination in a way (and I still couldn't guess it right). Smarter and more experienced viewers probably could guess it sooner. There are minor plot holes that I think are hard to avoid when you are telling a story about time-traveling. But I don’t think there’s anything too jarring.

There is slight romance for the romance junkies like me. I would say the romance is just enough for this type of drama - a side plot that’s quite predictable. It’s nice, but nothing special. I actually find the romantic chemistry between the leads quite inconsistent. I am not sure if it’s because Kim Dong Wook looks more mature than Jin Ki Joo (and her playing a fake high school student might contribute to my impression of her as well). But in real life, they only have a 5-year age gap. I am not feeling much romantic vibes from Kim Dong Wook. The pair seems more like siblings or good friends. I do enjoy some of the quiet moments they have together, and some fun banter. I like the love confession and think it’s a very lovely way of expressing one’s feelings in the grand scheme of things. It’s just something is missing in the romance department.

However, I did think the acting for both leads is great. I am particularly impressed with Jin Ki Joo. The last drama I saw of hers was “The Secret Life of My Secretary” and I liked her in that as well. She has picked a variety of different roles in her career. She has great sad scenes but also shines in the fun ones, especially with her 1987 father. Kim Dong Wook is a veteran and his acting meets my expectations (sans romantic vibes). The supporting cast also did a pretty good job.

Overall, I recommend this drama to everyone, especially casual crime/mystery watchers like myself. It has a little bit of everything and is a well-rounded drama. But if you want something more intense and nerve-wrecking, then this might not be a good choice.

Completed: 6/25/2023 - Review #321