Crash Course in Romance

Dear previous reviewer. I haven't yet written a review on this series as I'm waiting for the next episodes to be released in Europe from Netflix ! I can't wait, it has been PERFECT up until now.... In the meantime I would like to add that I'm on my 4th (fourth) South Korean Netflix series. Since having discovered them with Crash Landing On You, I have been overwhelmed at the quality of these ...what could easily be described as sheer unadulterated adorable romcons, but somehow much more...We are treated to eye candy for the soul and the evoking of all sorts of human misgivings AND attributes. Plus GORGEOUS (and extremely talented) actors, fantastic scenery, escapism from our somewhat sometimes dull and/or hectic lives here in Europe. I have noticed an unusual and telling grasp of HUMAN NATURE captured in all the series I've seen so far...without exception. Each and every character has his/her relatable flaws, but also their strengths....it is SO inspiring to watch. And last but not least, I APPLAUD the subtitled translators into English of these series, they are SPOT ON! (despite a lot of « Gosh », which are SO endearing (the Americans would probably use « Gee »!), but no matter, Gosh to this reviewer is more than perfectly acceptable and cute..don't stop.

To conclude, I highly recommend CRASH COURSE IN ROMANCE as a get- away-from-it all, virtual visit to South Korea...it will broaden your mind (don't sue me if it doesn't, but it should do if your mind need's broadening !

This series has ripened into two worthy examinations. The first being the fire like role of gossip and inuendo and it capacities for social damage, and the second searingly important role of academic pressure for young adult learners. What high school students navigate in today's world of academic admissions, the grueling realities of rank in social ordering connected. It has really gotten out of control and proportion. This series set in Korea, examines something happening world wide. The rest of the series provides the cushion for this examination to happen and land, in a loving family order that draws the mathlete star into their warm orbit, and they act as the cushion for the series hard edges of cold sky scrapers and other cold realities. The main characters are not perfect but in the end something works. I didn't enjoy the show the first time round, but have fallen in love with it on the second or third watching I remain confused about the female protagonist wardrobe. It feels like they were dressing her through a stylist of some kind that was popular at the time and often what what she was in did not suit her. But it did bring out her sweetness and quirkiness.

I like the concept of this series. It explores the academic situation for many teens in South-Korea, especially the darker side of it; all the stress and competitiveness. I really enjoyed that part. The storyline was quite unique as well. The romance was also enjoyable, especially when there were multiple couples to root for.

As many have said, it felt like the crime part of this series started to take over about halfway. I did like the thriller side of the story, but it could have been better balanced with the romance story. I also feel like some of the side characters' stories were left unfinished at the end. This is truly a shame since some of their stories were really interesting.

As an Australian and an educator, it is difficult to imagine the intense pressure put on high schoolers to do well in exams, especially leading up to college entrance. This series portrays those pressures in a variety of ways; overbearing mothers; competitiveness of trying to get into top academies; the need to study to the point of exhaustion; the extremes some students go to, and more. The 16-episode format allows for in depth explorations of so much and this is one reason why they have become so popular.

Crash Course in Romance also deals with common K-drama romance tropes such as class difference, with the well-off main character falling for a natural, struggling, hard-working woman, rather than the privileged, rich, and in this case, more beautiful counterparts. Upper class female characters are often portrayed quite negatively, and this is no different. It certainly reflects some stifling aspects of Korean society, where those with money seem fixated on appearance and gossip and are ready to judge extremely harshly those who step out of their class boundaries. One shrieking intense mother played by Kim Sun-young does this in consummate style, but then she is such an experienced actor, this is no surprise.

It has a darker element running through it, which adds intrigue and mystery. This certainly helps maintain interest, which is so important over the 16-episode format.

Finally, there is a sensitive portrayal of a character on the spectrum. Oh Eui-shik as Nam Jae-woo is extraordinary in this role, helped by good script writing. The whole family unit of the main players works so well with convincing relationship dynamics. The young Roh Yoon-seo, consolidates her position as a rising star after her award for Our Blues. Her portrayal of Nam Hae-yi was understated, controlled and therefore quite tricky to maintain. She did her character justice. I also liked the evolving relationship between Choi Chi-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho) and Nam Jae-woo, which was done so sensitively and beautifully.

So this series is packed with good acting, believable characters and there is a good deal to recommend it.

I wasn't really interested in watching this, the title made me think it'd be too cheesy. But the title in Korean would have been something like "Top Scandal" instead of Romance so anyway I decided to watch and I'm glad it wasn't just focused on the romance part. By reading the comments here I see that some people find it weird that the female lead was older and "looked like it". That's insulting in so many levels. And more importantly, it happens in real life that people look their age and sometimes they get in relationships with younger people. Both male and female. So that was refreshing to see.

The whole drama managed to include Sky Castle-ish education issues, a mystery case, murder, suic*de (I never saw a trigger warning, maybe I missed it), and others, in just 16 episodes, so that's quite a feat. And that's why it wasn't boring.

The actors were all great, both young and old, as expected in Korean series. If only they spoke juust a bit faster. Watching it in faster speed helped.

Sometimes I was annoyed by how rude they spoke to the brother with Asperger's but I see no one mentioned it so I guess I'm overreacting.

All in all pretty good, and very unexpectedly so!