User reviews

Just Between Lovers is a story of love, life, and tragedy. Shot like a big budget Hollywood Indie film, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the soundtrack keeps the viewer on their toes, one minute cute and quaint, the other minute full of echoing, melancholy strings. The tone is consistently morose, with small flashes of happiness that is a sad but accurate reflection of life.

Jun-Ho is an absolute tour-de-force in this - his performance is absolutely stunning and award worthy. Jin-Ah Won is also fantastic as our leading lady, and the supporting cast are noteworthy but not overpowering. Overall this is a wonderfully told story of two young people struggling to live despite a tragedy, and finding love along the way.

This melodrama has good reviews, but I kept postponing it at my To See List, because I can't stand seeing tears and fears after my working hours. Now I'm glad I did it. Just Between Lovers is heavy stuff, but also a touching story about a tragic event, its devastating impact on everybody involved, and the will to move forward.

Summary

The drama begins with the quarreling teenager Ha Moon Soo. Her mother wants her to babysit her younger sister. Moon Soo has other plans for the day, she likes to meet her boyfriend at the local shopping mall. Moon Soo decides to bring her sister along, leaving her at the escalators, speeding towards her date meanwhile observed, and secretly admired by another schoolboy, the 15 year old Lee Gang Doo. Suddenly, the whole shopping mall collapses due to a construction failure, taking the life of 48 people, including Ha Moon Soo's sister and boyfriend. Moon Soo and Gang Doo both survive the catastrophe, but their life and dreams are shattered. She is living with guilt towards her parents who aren't able to cope with their grief. Moon Soo's mother is a drunk, her father abandons them. Gang Doo spends his days as a lone wolf, fighting through physical and emotional pain, struggling to support his sister and pay back a hefty debt. Ten years later they meet again as they both work for the same company led by the off spring of the managers who were once responsible for the disastrous shopping mall. Everybody wants to atone for the past by planning a better construction this time at the accident site. Will they be able to move forward and embrace the future?

The Good

This drama is unique, unlike any other k-drama I've seen. The male lead isn't the usual rich, nasty tempered, or cold man. He is very intense, a tragic anti hero, disturbed by heavy melancholy. The female lead isn't the typical poor, bubbly girl. She's a total introvert. Perhaps she was once a sassy teenager, now she's a Plain Jane suffering from parentification. It's wonderful to see how damaged people manage to develop feelings, let alone romantic feelings for each other. The romance and human relationships are so beautiful in this drama. Every character is well written, not good, not bad, with uncertainties and flaws. The story is based on a real disaster in 1995 when the Sampoong Departmental Store in Seoul collapsed, killing 501 people, but the focus is on the aftermath, and the will to move on.

The Bad

Some storylines minimize the huge impact of the first episodes, making it less realistic. The story arc of Moon Soo's parents is very depressing, if not dull. They don't show any character development. Gang Doo encounters every problem possible, this was really too much for me to behold, but his mental illness, a Post Traumatic Syndrome, is downsized like he has the flew, simply cured by a cuddle from Moon Soo.

Verdict

All in all this drama is superb and a MUST SEE. The casting is perfect, the chemistry on point. Kudos for Lee Jun Ho's screen appeal. I fell for his character, not only as a romantic interest, but also as a lonely boy who takes life lessons from an old medicine woman played by veteran actress Na Moon Hee. I loved their interaction. All actors did a good job. They gave the story an authentic feel. The beautiful cinematography and soundtrack added to the look and feel of a high budget movie. So if you're ready for some heartfelt sorrow besides intense romance, this is for you.

It's a story of Pain paving the way to Love & Life.

Plot is Beautiful, screenplay is flawless, Heart-Felt Acting.

Last two episodes is where viewers might not be able to hold back tears.

The -1 is bcz i feel a little pace could have been added to the screenplay thus by making the hour long episodes to 45 min or less.

All in All i am happy to see a happy ending.

This drama starring Won JinAh and Lee JunHo of 2PM was just added to Netflix and it is powerful in its tragic storyline but also as a great character study of the broken characters these outstanding actors play that needed counseling but never received it, instead they are both plagued by sadness, anger, guilt and emotional pain from the tragedy. When they meet it's under sad circumstances and I really appreciate the writing and outstanding performances by all the cast! #MUSTSEE!

I had a lot of tears but highly recommend. These actors had great sex appeal together and hope they team up again.

This is sensitively written drama which explores the effects of a mall collapse on the survivors and their families with their emotional and physical scars. It is loosely based on the real life collapse so the stories ring true because of small details. The effect on their lives is incredibly poignant and movingly told without too much overacting or hysterics. The story can almost seem too sad at times but the kindness of the people who care for our hero is so much more touching for that. Lee Junho does a convincing job as the survivor who has a spunky attitude but is damaged. Nam Da Reum excellently plays his younger self. Won Jin Ah is good as the one who blocked it out and is quite cheerful. But the supporting characters are interesting and involving too. Especially like the versatile Yoon Se Ah as a bar owner with a heart of gold. I like her relationship with the bad CEO. The sort of villains aren't one dimensional at all and Kang Ha Na is a believable secondary lead with a realistic relationship with architect played by Lee Ki Woo. This series will grip you till the end.

This series was simply amazing. Pure perfection. I was stunned in particular by acting performance of Junho as Lee Gang Doo, but other actors also did a good job. The story revolves around past tragedy and the consequences it had on all people involved. It is both sad, romantic, hopefull, tearful and it keeps you on your toes especially right towards the end. I have seen it on Netflix where it is called Rain or Shine, but I personally think that the title Just between Lovers depicts the story better, because the shared burden of tragical past between the main leads is substantial for the narrative. The drama also has one amazing soundtrack which I literally listen to every day now, one of the songs True Love is performed by Junho himself. For me this series has a healing power (similarly to It´s Okay to not be Okay) as it addresses the topic of overcoming one´s painful past through love and teaches us a lesson about the preciousness of life itself. I highly recommend this drama!

...there truly are, but I can't possibly name all of them in one review so let's try to keep it short lol.

This show has some typical (k-)drama elements in it (the connection of the protagonists from their childhood, the seemingly bad boy and the overly good girl, a love triangle - or almost a love quartet?!) and only few surprises along the way.

But what makes this show more than worth it to watch is the plot, specifically the protagonists' past and the way they learn to cope with it years after a fateful event. Sounds kind of sad and bittersweet, right? Well, this show definitely is. But it's realistic and still not overly dramatic, mainly because of the main characters itself. There's no need to worry that this show is going to be all grey and dark all the time. There are funny moments as well. In short: the ups and downs of life.

And this show hits you hard when it comes to life lessons and life quotes, no matter how happy or sad they may be. I truly felt understood and could relate so much even though my life is nothing like the protagonists'.

Some of the side stories revolving around the supporting characters (mainly CEO Seo, the Cheongyu director/brother of Yoo Jin and Moon Soo's parents) were a little boring or annoying, probably because their stories didn't catch me and/or the characters annoyed me. Lee Gang Doo also pissed me off for two episodes, but softened my heart again with every following episode. Anyways, that's why I didn't give a ten.

Still, this show fought its way into my heart - especially in the last third of the series - where it will have a special place forever.

Conclusion: A bittersweet, realistic, romantic drama which will catch you with its emotions and might make its way into your heart in spite of a few annoying/uninteresting supporting characters.

I have been such a huge fan of K and C-dramas, I watch nothing else these days. I didn't think a Korean drama could get any better until this series which really should have remained being called Rain or Shine. The reviews in Viki clinched it for me, they were off the charts about this series. All the characters, storyline, script, cinematography, sountrack and sublime acting puts this in a class of it's own. Its real and honest, not light and fluffy but it's still so heart wrenching and melting at the same time. It's my first time seeing Junho act and oh my goodness he is incredible!! He portrays such a self assuredness at the same time being so humble and selfless and you become so mesmerised by not only his authentic portrayal but all the characters of this story. I completely forgot it wasn't actually real! I don't like sad stories as a rule but this was so worth it and I got the ending I was hoping for although it was a little abrupt. This drama and many of the moments will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!

Not much can be said about this drama, that started simple and quite among the other big ones, and actually managed to pull of a great story, keep the interest high till the very ending and actually increased the emotional level pretty neatly. The performances were good as well, and the chemistry between the two main ones really good, though the focus was more on the tragedy rather the romance for most of it. At some point, however, it did got a bit tiring, though it picked up quickly after, almost turning Uncontrolably fond on me.

I debated whether to watch this series given the tragedy-focused theme but decided to give it a try. I was very glad I did-at least at first. It started so strong and I was impressed by the first few episodes as they introduced primary characters and constructed sub-plots. High production quality overall.

However I had trouble getting past the lead male character. He was gruff and abrasive, and I think trying to go for the bad boy image (as much as he could with colored, permed hair) but to me just came off as more of a jerk. Yes he had a good heart, but personality matters too. I bailed during Episode 5 as I could no longer take the female lead, inexplicably smitten, following him around like a lost puppy. Perhaps he eventually grows into a nicer person, but I don't have the patience to find out.

Too many unnecessary characters and flashbacks. Junho was good but the female lead has stoic reactions. I felt bored in everything including the story and skipped a lot of parts. There's hardly a romantic feel between the leads.

I really admire both the leads in this touching love story. It's well written all the way to the final episode, but I thought that one was needlessly emotionally manipulative when these two strong, loving characters should have been strong through to the end. But it does finally reconcile itself after time wasted. Recommended.

I gave the series a high rating because of the historical story handled so well, and the leads, whose love story is so poignant, but the sub-plots left me cold, and I wish the FL had been more passionate with Jun Ho's character. No woman being loved by that wonderful man is going to just stand there when he kisses her. I think instead the director and actors created a beautiful, mature romance, but there was no passion, which I found strange. Perhaps they just weren't that into each other. But I do love Jin Ah in every other scene with him and co-stars. And what a lovely voice she has. Jun Ha-I don't usually indulge in superlatives, but this actor is so incredibly gifted, not a misstep anywhere, totally immersed in his heartbroken yet strong character. Something he's doing is beyond acting classes and instead is born within the actor. He's a singer, so some of his gift may be part of the singer's skill in interpreting. I don't know; I do know that I couldn't take my eyes off him. This was Jun Ha's series from the beginning, and in him we get to enjoy one of the finest actors in SK, which is the highest praise.

Besides the amazing cast, the thing that I really loved about this drama is that it wasn't all hearts and flowers and sunsets. Not everyone gets a happy ending. It was dark and gritty and real. As someone else mentioned, the cinematography was superb. It really lent to the storyline and produced a drama that was both heartbreaking and hopeful. A story of survival and dispare with characters that are just trying to endure the crushing weight of their pasts.

The lead actors were amazing. Both are very honest in their portrayal of their characters. The supporting cast were exactly the same. Whilst this is a drama shrouded in meloncholy, it is, without a shadow of doubt, my absolute favourite. And I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This series isn't overly bubbly or unnecessarily dramatic, unlike other k-dramas, instead it focuses on the effect tragedy has on different people. It seems quite realistic, as each character has their own struggle, much like real life. It is beautifully shot, with the colours in each scene being brought out in each frame. The plot is slow paced but fulfilling and heartfelt. Also, the soundtrack is amazing! I only wish I could watch it again for the first time- it truly is a masterpiece.

This series had all the ingredients to cook up a solid show but it ended up leaving us hungry for more. And not in a good way- so many damn plots left hanging. You know that feeling when you're watching a show and waiting for all the plot threads to come together for an explosive finale, only for them to get tangled and left hanging? Yeah, that's exactly what happens here.

The architect's wife marries his friend in what feels like a knee-jerk reaction to "support her child." Except... why? They weren't broke, and her kid was old enough to fend for himself. This plot is well justified for Lee Dong-Seok's character in Our Blues but doesn't make any sense here. The stepdad's role is so ghost-like that he might as well have been a non-entity. But apparently, the mom's head over heels for him now.

Then there's Mun-su's mom. She's what I'd call the Korean Rakhee- constantly traumatizing her own child to play the melodrama victim card. But hey, at least Mun-su's job as a model maker was a refreshing change. It showed that the industry has different facets, and not everything revolves around the "main architect" title. That said, giving her the main design project? Nah, too much. They made the entire plot revolve around rebuilding a freakin' memorial. Who cares that much about a damn monument? Seriously, how is that the highlight? They wasted the whole show on it.

Gang-du's vibe? Straight-up Chapri street style. I was dying for a glow-up moment that never came. Mun-su starts falling for Gang-du out of nowhere-like, girl, you've barely interacted and now you're head over heels?

Another ridiculous trope thrown in was the childhood connection. Why can't two adults just meet and fall in love without dredging up some cringey past encounter? Also, it looks like Still 17 ripped half the plot from this series and, surprise surprise, they cast the same girl as the younger lead. I mean, could they be any more blatant about it?

And the second leads? Forced. That guy went from trash-talking to being her smitten assistant like he caught feelings from the air. This subplot made absolutely no sense and was just forced for the sake of giving them a storyline.

Gang-du's sickness was teased and it felt like they might take a risk with the ending but shoving a miracle down our throat was a cowardly move.

This was truly an emotionally compelling drama: exceptional narrative! Wonderful performance by Lee Jun-ho and Won Jin-ah Their character relationship interaction was so dynamic and extremely tender. Cheers to the writers, cast and crew. Brilliant drama!

Good leads, overall good casting and acting, lovely cinematography, very good soundtrack... But.... Enough story for about 4 episodes, stretched over 16.

Not for the faint of heart or manic depressives. There was a scene that ripped my heart. So much love and tenderness, then the heart ache.

Reading through the reviews, all those 9s and 10s are correct... it's brilliant.

However all those who said it was long and drawn out are also correct ...and it's still brilliant.

It's an amazing look at loss, grief, depression, sadney, healing and all types of love as well.

Clearly at some point the makers realised what a gem they had on their hands and decided to extend it a bit but buy the time they did, even though you could see exactly what they were doing, you just didn't mind.

As for the ending, they somehow managed to give you lots of different endings so I think you all leave it equal parts frustrated and completed 🙂 You got some Hollywood, Indie, Disney, European, Bollywood, Nollywood ...and probably some more in the mix.

Either way it was a special experience and totally recommend 👍🏾