The Time We Were Not in Love (2015)

Like a warm, sweet dessert, on a cold night.

This is a more character driven, than plot driven series, and I don't hate it for that.
I came for Lee Jin Wook, and honestly I stayed for him, since watching him play such a polar opposite character to that in Bulgasal or Sweet Home was refreshing, and adorable. Also Lee Jin Wook has truly one of the most stunningly charming and mischievious grins ever, and he wields it shamelessly in this!
Ha Ji Won wasn't initially my favourite, but she quickly grew on me, as I loved her characters self assured, independent streak. Even if I had a few issues with how meek she tended to be around the 2nd ML.

From the Leads families, to their friends and work collegues, the various relationships are almost always incredibly warm, supportive, and hilariously silly in ways only long term friendship and family can be.

This isn't a super deep show, but it is thoroughly enjoyable and something to watch if you need a break from massive amounts of angst and drama.

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On the contrary of you all..... I was kinda in the expectation of this drama. But as a result, I was slightly disappointed, and happy to breathe out in the end!

Not to change, it was way too long, as we ALL KNOW FROM THE VERY BEGINNING that they're meant to each other in the end........ SO WHY ALL OF THIS?

*About the story*
All the beginning is quite nice! It's refreshing, their relationship is good and Lee Jin Wook has a certain charisma ~~ (muhahah) but then this Yoon Gyun Sang comes... and of course he is here to be hated... BUT to be honest, I BORINGLY hated him.... every times his head popped out I couldn't prevent a looooong sight.
I think it's worth watching if you have time and want to clear out your own problems with an ambiguous friend kkkk

In the end, I really liked it, but somehow felt better when I finished it :P

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It was so wonderful to see Ji Won act so natural as Oh Ha Na. Likewise seeing her went through career, dating and married life like any typical woman was exhilarating. On the other side, I would be lying if I say I didn't feel bored watching some of the episodes. The drama was gradually progressing which made others to just drop it. Unlike any "Ha Ji Won" dramas, it didn't have any interesting action which would take you on the edge of your seat or have you cry a river. Nonetheless, it felt refreshing to see Ji Won act so casual like this. Lastly, with Jin Wook, they both made a good pair.

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I never imagined it would be this bad

Ok first I came to know about this show after watching a small reel on Instagram and reading the synopsis and I liked it. I saw a lot of bad reviews but then I thought it wouldn't be that bad
Initially, the story starts well I liked the chemistry of the main leads but after 4 episodes it starts going downhill. Here are some main complaints
1)Second male lead is annoying he can't even emote right. I know the typical second male lead kdrama trope. But still
2)Main male lead story with his mother is not needed. Only the writer must know why she did what she did.
3)Don't know why they took so many episodes to unite the couple. I wish we could see more of their relationship. and the relationship seems like it all in a rush.
I mean if I am new to K-dramas I might have liked it. But after watching 100+ u know the difference between a good story and a bad story.

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Be In Love Already!

I had to realize this story takes place before the “Me Too” movement. Was it just me or was that Ex-boyfriend "Cha Seo Hoo" super toxic?! I just couldn’t stop being so frustrated that the FL’s Ex was not a safe dude. I truly appreciated the sincere concern from her family and friends. I am still learning many of the nuances for the culture that depict love and communication. We know now here in 2022 that that relationship was no good and headed for disaster. The actor, Yoon Kyun Sang was excellent in telling this character's story though.

I loved the chemistry between the leads, but I became very frustrated with the pace of their love story. Otherwise, I thought the ending brought it all together.

I first watched the ML: Lee Jin Wook in “Bulgasal: Immortal Souls” decided to follow his acting repertoire from there and was delighted to watch him in this romance comedy. His character was so tormented in BIS. Before I watched this, I watched him in Voice S2 and would love to see more of him in S3 but can’t find that season anywhere. I think he did a good job in this story however, downplayed/silly his character is in this story. I will continue to complete his works as I think he’s a great storyteller!

I first watched the FL: Ha Ji Won in “Chocolate.” I hadn’t realized this was her again until I looked up her acting repertoire. She is an “OK” actress and did a good job in telling this character’s story. I liked her more in Chocolate.

I loved all the supporting characters. They brought much needed comic relief in what could have been a very boring story. Being an American, I am still getting used to Asian story telling culture with regard to “Adulting." I found it unrealistic for the main couple to still be treated like children at 34 years old. But, like I said, it seems to be a running theme/Trope in many of the stories that I’ve seen. I’ve watched more than 141 dramas and this Trope still fascinates me. I have learned to appreciate the Asian movies versus the dramas for their ability to be more realistic with how adults truly behave in a given situation.

All in all, the OST was good and matched the emotions in the story appropriately. I always get a kick out of the soundtrack when American music is being played in background or as part of the OST.

I gave this story a 9.5 because I liked the ending but the march up to then was daunting for me. I wouldn’t watch this again as the pace up to the obvious was waaaay tooooo long! I think this story could have revealed the obvious around episode 10 not 14.

This is my two cents.

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I'd rather watch paint dry

I only rarely write reviews. I write reviews on two occasions, when I find a series so good that I want to reward it, or when I find a series very disappointing that I want to point it out. This review is the latter case.

I only watched this series because of Ha Ji Won. And continued to watch it because of Ha Ji Won. Put any other actress in that role and I'd never have watched this series, let alone completed it.
Ha Ji Won did portray a lovely woman and I really liked her in this series. She was the best thing this series has to offer, her acting.

The problem with this series is the story and all the other uninteresting characters. I did not like the other main lead.

It was almost unbearable to finish watching all the episodes. First 3-4 episodes were easy, but after about 5 it started to get really boring. Not much really happened during this series I felt like.
In fact I realized after watching it that I could have watched just the first and last episodes and I would have seen the whole story.

But out of about 80 k-drama series I've watched, this one is at the bottom of the list over series I find good. If I'd have to make a "skip these 5 series" list this series would be included.

Find a different series to watch, don't waste your time.

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Watching solely for 1 + 1 Couple

I watch it because of Ha Ji Won but end up love Lee Jin Wook and crave his works more.
Well., I believe those who watch other Ha Ji Won works might end up hate her role here because Oh Ha Na is very different with her other roles, which is very girly and full of aegyo. But the one who watch other Ha Ji Won dramas AND also also follow all her interviews, variety shows, and daily life might love Oh Ha Na since Oh Hana is just like Ha Ji Won in real life with full of aegyo.

Well, for me my favorites are the first 4 episodes and last 3 episodes where I rewatch over time (not to mention the BTS because their chemistry is giving butterfly in my stomach) but other than that I might say yes it's been disappointing. It's because the writers change in the middle and couldn't keep up with previous one.

I feel sorry with all the casts and the crews where this one should have potential but end up bad in the back stage. I mean if I can blame, it's definitely the early process which the station cannot wrap up the writers and PD together.

So 1+1 chemistry is the first why I kept watching plus the wardrobe that Oh Ha Na has as a worker inspire me! :)

Ofc not their best drama and probably the least favorite of both leads, but this one is okay if you want to have light rom-com with great chemistry on screen!

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This is a great drama! I love the flashbacks that show Oh Ha na (Ha Ji Won) and Choi Won's (Lee Jin Wook ) relationship and history with each other. Their chemistry was quite good. At the beginning, I wasn't used to Ha Ji Won's character, but later on she acted more like her natural self and her charm shine throughout the drama! I hope that everyone will give this drama a chance and watch it to the end! It's a funny and romantic drama! I really enjoyed it. The supporting cast was decent, but the directing, music and set up with quite good. I know that people are comparing it with the original Tawianese drama "In Time With You", but like some people have commented, if you watch this remake with an open heart, then you'll like it. There were some scenes/acting that I didn't like too much in the original that I liked more in the remake. I like how the remake is not exactly the same and it made it interesting to watch since I already watched the original. As always, Ha Ji Won is an amazing actress! Lee Jin Wook portrayed Choi Won well. Overall, a great drama to watch!

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Could've done better, but not totally unwatchable

Let me start by telling how this story is too long for 16 episode. It can be easily finished in 10 or less. There are lots of unnecessary details that makes this drama so boring, at the same time gave me headache.

Firstly lets talk about what I dislike about the characters. (just my opinion)

Hana is just so flaky. I understand that it's hard dealing with toxic relationship and all, believe me, I've had some share of toxic relationship. But in this story, Hana's behaviour is just nonsense. She's the type of person that ignores what her friends are saying until the rock hits her later on, which can be annoying sometimes.

Won on the other hand is a coward. Not only he doesn't admit that he likes Hana, he just has to wait a thousand years to confess. I get that he has to consider the risk of losing a life-time friendship and he has trauma, but c'mon, 17 years of friendship without confession? even many marriage couldn't last that long. What more trust does he want.

Seo Hoo is just straight up narcissistic, egoistic, and so toxic. I like that he's true to his feelings, unlike Won. But c'mon, after he left her on the engagement, basically shamed her because of that, cheats on her, broke her - and after 3 years of silence, the first thing he said was, "I'm sure you missed me?" what a d*ck. And I feel like all he said is very egoistic, like making all the talk about him, not Hana. He should've begged on his knees to take him back and explain what happened 3 years ago. If he really loves her, which I think he doesn't, he should've hold his pride and say wtf happened that day and begged for forgiveness. After all, the one that hurts the most, and embarrassed the most was Hana.

So Eun, I have nothing much to say about her since her character is just uninteresting. She's manipulative, yes. But every third person of the love triangle is always petty and nothing new. She just gets more hate because she's a woman who is chasing after a guy (what I realize in every drama).

What I like about the drama is mostly about the chemistry between 2 best friends. It's nothing new or sophisticated, but it gives me comfort knowing that friendship can last that long. And I like the compatibility between the 2 too.

For the acting, I feel like it's not Ha Ji Won's best work. There are many awkward facial expression, and I feel like her facial expression of sad, angry, and happy is just same. It gave me blank character every time.

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