Sin Embargo (2021)

Am I the only one who genuinely enjoyed this drama?

I don't understand all those bad reviews and comments honestly? I think this drama was really good. It felt real. You don't see this type of relationship often in kdramas. Song Kang was perfect as Park Jaeon, he portrayed a popular guy whose scared of commitment, and Han So Hee as Yu Nabi was also great at portraying a girl who can't resist him. They showed exactly how it usually is in real life. Their relationship could be seen as a toxic one but I don't think it was. I think it was just full of challenges and uncertainties. However, I think everyone who watched it and who is planning to watch it, should develop their own opinion on this. Ofc I have a lot to impute to Jaeon but also to Nabi, they both weren't perfect yet I feel like they were perfect for each other. I definetly recommend this drama to everyone it makes you feel all types of emotions and also supporting roles and their stories are really worth paying attention to.

Leer más

Views of love and s*x in the eyes of young adults

This drama reflects the everyday difficulties of college students, from trying to meet deadlines to their approach to love life. The majority of which talks about their views and idea about what is love and s*x and how to differentiate and approach it in the eyes of a college student. whether this view is shallow or not, is up to the viewer's point of view.

And this story talks mostly about toxic relationships and how amidst the fact that the female character knows that her relationship is toxic, and it cost her emotional pain she still hangs onto the desperate thread of hope that she will find happiness in it. This is one of those genres where the female character thinks she's " the special one " that can turn a playboy into a loyal companion/partner. whether she is successful or not, in the end, is hard to decide.

Personally, I disagree with everything in this drama. She( the female character) practically sacrifice her education to indulge in a so-called relationship. she should have put her education before her love life. (Yes, I agree that love is important but it's not gonna fill ur tummy. ) This wasn't her first relationship, right after experiencing one toxic relationship, she still refuses to learn and indulge herself in another. If she had learned her lesson from the first one, then she wouldn't have spent all that time confused about how she should approach her current relationship. Instead, although knowing that her current chelaship is exhausting her emotionally, she still refuses to come into terms with it. I find this very hard to digest. Her decisions weren't mature enough and more like a teenager going through their first love, confused and unaware of how to deal with it.

I don't know what is right and what is wrong, but this story pretty much trying to say is Love = S*x.

This is one of those dramas where the side character's love stories are much more interesting than the leads. Apart from the toxic college relationship of the main leads it also talks about other views of love and s*x in the eyes of young adults.

Leer más

Great start but a questionable ending

I was looking forward because of Song Kang but I had to say, I ended up watching for the supporting characters. You can see much more character growth from them then the leads. To be honest, it was suffocating to watch Han So Hee's character in the show. She was portrayed as weak and hesitant through the whole show, even till the ending. I get that this is her intended character, and she is a really good actress but I cannot get over the negative vibes on her. The interaction between the leads are really depressing. I get that Jaeon is toxic too in the original story. But they both just looked too depressing.

Even at the end when they decided on a happy ending, So Hee's face don't look too happy? She looks too unfocused or uncertain about it. And it makes me think that this is not an ending, but just another episode. They did not elaborate more on the closure. I was kinda disappointed about it. I rather they leave the mood at them going separate ways or make it vague this round.

It was the supporting characters' development got me watching. I really love Yoon Sol and Ji Wan's part. From the first episode, you can tell from Yoon Sol that she see Ji Wan differently, and I was rooting for their relationship and each realizing their feelings. Also for Bit Na's. Although they had their happy endings, it felt so natural that it is not a closure because it is the last episode, but more of like, it is the beginning of a new chapter. I really like how the supporting characters' stories are portrayed.

You should watch it, for the supporting characters more.

Leer más

I can appreciate this drama.

I admit that I was hoping that it would end with her and Jae-eon going separate ways. I think it's important for women to watch stories about women that don't stick around hoping a guy will change or finally take them seriously. I was hoping this would be a drama for that. While this did get a "happy ending", I still think it's one of the most realistic kdramas I've seen in a long time. It's very human for Nabi to decide to still give a chance to Jae-eon even if she knows it might result in more pain and disappointment. Throughout the series, she was a very meek reserved girl. Many might deem her dumb for asking Jae-eon out, but I saw it as an empowering act of going for what she wanted and truly accepting her feelings for Jae-eon. As her professor said "There's no need to overthink it. Eat what you want, and do what you want to do. Like the people you like.." And that's exactly what she did. Personally, when I decide to see this story as being Nabi's story and not so much Jae-eons, I can see how much our Nabi has grown.

Leer más

Do I not know what "toxic" means?

I said there aren't spoilers, but there might be mild spoilers.

In general, this is a show with a pretty realistic beginning and a storybook ending. I liked the relationships between the side characters. Yoon Sol and Seo Ji-wan are precious.

Now what I really wanted to talk about. Based on the preview for this show, I thought the main relationship was going to be super toxic. After watching it, I felt like, at least for the majority of the show, it was a pretty realistic portrayal of a flawed relationship. She's someone who probably shouldn't be in a fwb situation, while he's someone who only does fwb and doesn't know what to do when he wants something more. He thinks he knows what he wants and what his boundaries are, but as his feeling change and things start to shift, he doesn't act logically. He genuinely cares for her but doesn't know what to do about it. She genuinely cares for him but has no way of knowing how he feels.

I feel like the word "toxic" is too strong and is being overused. Is their relationship great? No. They don't communicate at all. He doesn't understand his own feelings. She can't trust him. Should they stop what they're doing? Probably, unless they can learn to communicate, which I feel like they do at the end. However, I don't think he's a narcissist like some people are saying. I don't think she is either. I think they seem like pretty regular human beings with some baggage. I will say that I binged this show in two days after the finale was released. I might have felt differently if I had watched it week-to-week, but I just don't think it's that bad.

Leer más

Their chemistry is the most sparkling and realistic I have ever seen in a kdrama

This kdrama portrays the story of Nabi, an art student who at the beginning of the plot ends a relationship with a man who always puts his interests ahead of our main character. In this story we follow Nabi falling in love again after being in a toxic relationship. This is when Park Jae-eon character is presented to us, a mysterious, charismatic and seductive boy for whom Nabi begins to develop feelings throughout the plot. The extraordinary chemistry that exists between the two main characters is undeniable and I have to say that their chemistry is the most sparkling and realistic I have ever seen in a kdrama. What makes this relationship an incompatible long-term relationship is the fact that each character has a different perspective about romantic relationship however, in my opinion, we can see that in the final episodes there is an inner change in the character of Park Jae-eon, an example of this is the fact that he releases his butterflies, as if he wanted to give himself a new beginning, as if he wanted to give a new narrative to his story (I could be wrong, but this is purely my perspective).

The remaining characters that make up the cast of this kdrama complement and bring more lightness to the development of the story. All the characters portray very well what it is like to be a young person and how complex and confusing it is to have these ages.

The entire atmosphere of the story, the way it’s filmed, the colors, the aesthetics and the soundtrack elevate this kdrama to a whole different level and make it very enjoyable to watch. The feeling this kdrama leaves is bittersweet, but it's really worth to watch.

Leer más

Rough but Addictive

So I started this for Song Kang, I've been on a binge for this actor. Let me just say I had heard bits about this drama before and I started this knowing there was lots of controversy and that he was a player. 4 eps in and This Incredibly Beautiful Man is Wrecking me!! He is a walking RED Flag, all the signs are there! I'm still hypnotized by his ridiculously good looks and those bedroom eyes! I'm just as captivated as poor Na-Bi. There's no doubt he is the definition of a F*Boy... I'm trying to remember why that's a problem! My heart be dammed! This actor does such a phenomenal job in all the rolls I've seen him in. He is so versatile and it never fails to shock me how he can go from innocent/sweet/nerd to Sex on a stick in point 2 seconds!... Now that I've completed it I can say that was rough! The beginning was so hard to watch, anyone who has every been uncertain in a relationship will definitely feel the hits that drama just continues to deliver. It gives you anxiety and the unbearable heartache it brings out for all those who have gone through something similar. Jae-eon (Kang) is the guy that every girl has a crush on, the one everyone secretly steals glances at and loves to gossip about once he's gone. He's ridiculously attractive, he always knows just what to say to make your heart flutter. You KNOW, YOU KNOW he's a BAD idea, but you don't care. He a gets around, he's mysterious and seductive. He's dealing with his own issues and his release comes in the form of playing the game with his "Butterflies". Na-Bi went through a horrible toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend, she was venerable and she definitely fell prey to him. I think Jae-eon was unprepared for Na-bi tho, You can see the struggles he goes though to draw the line, you know he's into her, but fights to admit it or to open up and communicate with her. He also fails to clear up any misunderstandings, which drives me absolutely batshit! He's doing way more than just friends w/benefits. Na-Bi grows a lot from the person she was in the first ep. That was very satisfying, after she decided to succumb to her desire for Him and worry about the consequences later, she really comes out of her shell. She still has hope, that whatever it is they are it will be something, that he won't hurt her. And once SeolA comes in the picture to throw a kink into everything, you get to see Na-bi make a stand and let her feelings/anger known. It was thrilling to see Jae-eon get a taste of his own medicine when Do-Hyeok comes into the picture. Do-Hyeok was such a wholesome character, you fall for him immediately, he's the sweet and adorable. You know he's sincere with his feelings and he's obviously the safe choice. And while Na-bi enjoys spending time with him, he doesn't make her heart-pound, there's no rush, that Spark isn't there. Jae-eon was a very passionate person, (just my opinion) but for someone who doesn't know love, I think he craves it, not necessarily love. Because I don't think he knows what love is till Na-bi but his idea of love or being loved. I think their connection started out very much sensual and intoxicating and soon became all consuming for him. Here he was trying to seduce this Beautiful sweet, shy, innocent girl and soon I think he was the one lost in his own game. She made him feel, and he fought it, she was very confused and I was addicted! I also enjoyed the other couples, seeing them go through and experience their own love and struggles. I actually really enjoyed this show. I gave it an Eight out of Ten because I feel like that last episode was rushed, they definitely could have given us another 2 eps to give us a better ending. There was still a lot left open with the characters. I'm happy but wanted something more,

Leer más

A genuine slice of life as a young adult

Right off the bat I am going to say that I am old enough to be your grandmother or even your great grandmother….so my review comes with having lived this myself. Both as the ML and the FL.

When a child never has had any love bestowed upon them to speak of, they carry that burden with them perhaps their whole life. The kind of love that is needed in a committed relationship needs to be taught to a child throughout the time they live at home…or they enter the outside world with no real knowledge of what it means to love. The ML suffers from that to some extent. He finds it hard to take the next step….to reach out….for fear of being abandoned. It is seen, quite often that children like this, becoming adults, will often use sex to get close to someone….it is their version of love and it holds less danger to them emotionally. I know this to be true for that was me, well into my 30’s.

However, we see that the ML is gentle and kind to the FL…..he is always honest with her…he doesn’t make promises he cannot keep. But through lack of training as a child….he doesn’t know how to take the next step from sex to expressing love on a wider spectrum. He tells her right from the start what he would like the relationship to be….he asks her many times if what they are doing is okay with her. When he is with her…..he gives her his full attention. He is a gentle lover in bed. At some point early on he falls for her but he doesn’t know what to do next and he founders.

The FL is mentally and emotionally deranged. She is what we call a basket case. She really shouldn’t be in a relationship. She has too much baggage. She doesn’t love or trust herself and therefore she doesn’t know how to love or trust someone else. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen in my long time friends that the type of behavior shown by the FL, in real life, has damaged young men so traumatically from the push pull, emotionally blackmailing, demanding type of behavior that they never quite recover and carry a mistrust of women their whole life.

She is really unkind to him. And he just stands there and takes it. He doesn’t make nasty comments back to her. She continually tells him to leave her alone….then has a snit when he does. She does this in so many ways…I relate to this on a very deep level…..I was that woman for a very long time myself and I destroyed several relationships with my mistrusting suspicious behavior.

Then instead of taking some time to heal from leaving him, she instead jumps into another relationship….she says to herself at one point “Am I cheating”. Yes, you are. You know this other man is in love with you but you don’t care, you just string him along and make rationalizations to yourself. I’ve done that too. So you hurt the SML in the same way that you accused the ML of.

I know its a movie….but I kept thinking to myself….it is clear to anyone that the ML is head over heels in love with her…he is always sincere with her…and he never lies to her. How can she not see it? The truth is that she feels unworthy of love…here is this handsome, sweet man, and she feels unworthy and she projects that insecurity constantly.

I want to say something about the situation where she thought he was having an affair. In a relationship…you need to trust the other person. If they say “no” then trust them. Don’t spend hours, days or weeks throwing it back up to them. If you feel you can’t trust what they say then the only option is to leave the relationship. If someone is a quiet person like he is, respect that. He wasn’t a coward….he just didn’t see the need for hour long discussions. See, the main problem here was she was trying to remake him into what she wanted him to be….and didn’t care about who he really was. Did she ever take the time to actually get to know him? No. It was all about her. In every scene, even at the end, it was still all about her. She is living a self-fulfilling prophecy. If her main thought is this won’t work, I’ll be unhappy then she has already programmed the relationship to fail.

And lastly, they were young adults. I don’t see any thing wrong with his behavior that he was dating and bedding as many women as he wanted to. He was always nice and considerate to all of them. And after doing so for a long time, he finally found someone that he was ready to commit to. Is that wrong? I don’t think so.

Please….do not keep throwing up “old baggage” to the other person in a relationship. It will destroy the relationship.

Leer más

centering the female gaze and POV... with a disappointing ending

DISCLAIMER: this is a review written with retrospect, after watching each episode on an week-by-week basis in 2021 on netflix (last year). so, details may be fuzzy.

- first half was amazing, well-paced, and eerily realistic. honestly, i still sometimes think about the cinematography and aesthetics of this drama even a year later. i also listen to the OSTs often--either when i'm feeling sad, heartbroken, or need to feel more grounded after being dramatic lol (i lowkey picture nabi needing to calm down, basically).

- second half with the love triangle and with family backgrounds not being explored with enough detail, it definitely felt redundant and draggy in terms of the leads back-and-forth with one another. stakes just stopped feeling high and exciting; everything became more predictable. after episode 5, it's just disappointing, if i'm being honest.

- could have ended this story as a cautionary tale of choosing one's self, dreams, and ambitions over a charming, yet mysterious f*ckboy, but oh well. i can't say i'm 100% mad at the ending either, though, because of the leads' chemistry (and i like them as individual actors as well LOL).

- overall, i had to give this drama an 8.5/10 because you can definitely see how this was directed by women, with a young female audience in mind going through similar life experiences. centering the female gaze, overall, is something i can distinctly register and appreciate, because it validates in a way, these exact experiences we may go through (and i say this, biased as a young woman, after attempting to watch so hee's soundtrack drama which seems to largely focus on the male lead's POV of cringey, disillusioned unrequited love lol).

RECOMMENDED FOR:
- girls and women in their mid-teens and twenties, who have had experience dating charismatic jerks like song kang's character
- for people looking for dramas with young people in university (and not just high school for a change!)
- people who like watching pretty people with great chemistry act like they're in love <3

Leer más

¿Te ha parecido útil esta reseña? Sí No Cancelar