Half of a half

Having heard that this series didn't do as well as expected on Korean TV, I was prepared for disappointment. Turned out to be a lovely combination of beautifully nuanced performances, well written script, and believable characters and situations. Storyline dealt skillfully with love, friendship, longing, separation, despair, loss, and guilt. I'm a huge fan of K-Dramas (Mr. Sunshine, Korean Odyssey, and Goblin being three of my favs). This program was a nice change of pace from the histrionics and over-the-top characters in some of the unbelievable, but thoroughly enjoyable, Korean programs available for streaming. The piano interludes were also a pleasure. PS, would kill for the AI capability (if it existed) that plays an important role in the emotional progression of the main characters.

Let's just say it's not a story for everyone. I get why some people hate it while some love it. My opinion in rather in the middle. So the thing is it is a slow series. I usually don't like this type of series but this one grabbed my attention. Why? First of all it had beautiful landscape settings and secondly the cast particularly the male and female lead. They really did their jobs well. I feel it was the male lead who was the protagonist of this show. Anyway this show clearly explains the pain of unrequited love and how to overcome it. It also focuses on the grief part. Basically a show dedicated to overcoming grief. It also includes love triangles. Now, what was disappointing about the show. Plot. They could have done so much better with the plot. The conflict at the near end (not the ending) doesn't really make sense and they dragged it. Let's just say a few episodes before the last one was a drag and boring and they could have shortened it. The meet between 2 leads were exaggerated to unbelievable extent. Nevertheless , the ending was the most beautiful ones I have known because k dramas never really gives you good endings. It's always just rushed up or heart wrenching but this show didn't feel like that. They gave a beautiful ending to a beautiful show. O yes, about the reason why it got low ratings because they should have realised all the episodes together . Not one by one because it was a slow drama. Not everyone has the patience to wait for a show day by day when it's a slow drama because then it will feel like a complete drag. I didn't feel like it in most of the parts apart from what I have mentioned (& some parts regarding the supporting charecters) because I binge watched it. Secondly, it is due to the plot. They could have made it more interesting and included several elements. There was nothing to look forward to you know. No particular villan. Forget villian you know how the show was going to end up . A complete predictable series. It became too depressing at some point. You hardly see the charecters laughing. Yet it was warm to watch, relaxing and leaves you with a smile. That's why I watched it. It's not for everyone. Watch 3 episodes ( since it gets a little confusing at the beginning & to get the feel of the show) and if you still don't like it. Leave it. I guess it's then not for you.

It's understandable why they cut the number of episodes and why the ratings weren't so good. The beginning is undeniably slow, a little weird, and confusing, and you end up with more questions than answers. I was still kind of lost by around the 4th and 5th episodes.

BUT once you get past that, you realize that this is actually a really well thought out story. It all comes together toward the end. There's a consistent theme of dealing with grief and eventually overcoming it. The visuals (cinematography, locations, colors) are just absolutely beautiful, and the feels from the soundtracks are going to stay with me for a while. The acting is realistic and never over the top.

Overall, I'd give this a rating of 8.5. Recommended for those looking for a meaningful show to watch.

This is my very first IMDB review and it's all because I want to share to you how beautiful this drama is. The actors, the acting, the cinematography, locations, pacing, framing, THE music, the premise, everything. It deserves to be praised. Though they cut the episodes, it wrapped up beautifully. Just enough.

Certainly not for everyone. But give it a chance, you'll love it.

I rarely write a review for a drama. But in my opinion, this drama deserves to be appreciated. This drama sounds slow but all the characters are well explained. This drama is very refreshing because we can get involved in their stories, both those that makes us smile and cry with their characters