Sin Embargo (2021)

Side couples >>> main couple

I started this drama because I heard that it's a realistic portrayal of relationships, especially friends with benefits one. I was glad that they decided to produce something like this in South Korea as I'm getting tired of all the gloryfication of first loves and not falling in love until being in mid-thirties like some korean dramas depict it. But honestly Nevertheless was a flop for me.

It was toxic. Like a lot. Not the friends with benefits relationship (that was fine and there's nothing wrong with it as it is between consenting adults which it was) but the fact that it was just another cliché aka "I can change him". Yes the FL of course was not okay with being "just" fwb with the ML and wanted to properly date him. And of course that he changed for her because she was so special. /s
That was unrealistic and honestly it's giving a lot of false hope to some people, don't you think?

Whatever the side couples were much more better than the main one, I especially loved Bit Na and Kyung Hyun. And don't get me started on Sol and Ji Wan, they are perfect!!! <3 The side couples were the only reason why I finished the drama.

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toxic people will stay toxic people. Nevertheless,

This will be my first review on MDL, and I'm writing it because I believe they could've done so much better for the ending of this drama. To note, I'm very biased because of the original webtoon this drama was based off, and honestly - it did not do it justice. Webtoon ending spoilers ahead everyone~

The drama follows all basic plots of the webtoon. The ending is where they f//ked up. The show has good music, okay acting (people who constantly dig on Han Sohee and Song Kang's acting skills need to get a life. Seriously, it's like both actors have hate clubs or something constantly whining that HSH "can't act" even after The World of the Married and Song Kang is "just a pretty face" after Sweet Home...) - the FL and ML in this drama don't have extreme personalities. I'd argue that they act with more personality in the drama vs the webtoon.

The original webtoon ends with her never contacting Jaeon again, and ending up with Dohyeok. The entire point of the webtoon is to show that toxic people will stay toxic. Nevertheless,

The ending episode of the webtoon is almost melodramatic, in a sense. Yoo Nabi does not see Jaeon face to face, or look him up on social media to find out how he's doing. Instead, she's at a restaurant (?) with Dohyeok, and turns around to see a guy with a butterfly tattoo on his neck, flirting with a girl.

When I first read the final episode, I got chills during that scene. You see everything through Nabi's POV, how Jaeon's vicious cycle continues. Of course, all art and literature is subjective.

My point is, the "end all be all" for 알고있지만/I Know, But/Algoitjiman is how Nabi sees Jaeon back in his cycle. See, the title applies to so many different moments in Nabi's life. She found out that he wasn't a dater when Bitna told her. She knew that she would've ended up with her heart broken when being fwb with him. But,

I would've preferred the webtoon ending to the drama's ending much more. However, all the drama shows is her going back to Jaeon. We don't know what happens after. So once again, when she kisses him in that ending scene seconds after she said "and I know you're a jerk who toys with other people's feelings" and even during the voiceover says "I know that it will cause me pain again"...

She knows, but

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Nevertheless, I watched it anyway.

Saw the hype on social media for this and thought why not jump onto the same bandwagon.

The show starts off quite rapidly (in my opinion), you get the whole backstory to Na-bi's past, her traumatic relationship and then how she meets Park Jae Eon and then how they become each other's muse. In some ways, it's quite predictable. Though I wasn't really sure why they rated it R-19 given there wasn't anything too racy about those scenes which didn't last more than 3-4 episodes and that was it. I guess for Korean censorships, I get it. But honestly I was expecting more sexual chemistry between the two leads.

But their relationship soon takes a turn and then Na-bi has enough of his playboy like behaviour and our ML finally brings his walls down to acknowledge that he can actually have feelings for someone.

What I did like - was the songs in it, I thought it fitted nicely. I also liked the way this was produced. I thought it was so well shot. I didn't mind the monologue. I quite liked it, made it feel like a visual diary of some sort. I did like that they encapsulated a lot of modern day scenarios and real-life problems.

What I didn't like - how toxic their relationship actually was and how they made it seem like it was totally ok. I get that it was the premise of the whole show, and if people are saying it's realistic, sure.. but it's not the case for everyone. I also don't think it's something worth applauding. So, you're basically telling everyone "hey, don't worry, you might totally get screwed over by a guy but he'll finally realise your worth after a long while of cheating and denial." Like, I was actually routing for Yang Do Hyuk. You could clearly see that he made her feel so happy and safe.

I didn't like how long the episodes were given the content was basically going around in circles with the ML and FL. I wish they developed more of a storyline. Like, did she ever find out who Seoul-a was to him? Even I wanted to know! How about more on the ML and what happened in his past to make him do the things/feel the way he does.

The first half of the series was definitely the better half. I must also say that from a visual perspective, the two leads definitely were great to look at.

But glad I got to cross that off my list. In a way, it gave me the same vibes as watching 'Skins' - the UK drama show, but without all the drugs. lol.

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What a load of crap!!!

This drama is so wrong in so many ways. The character Nabi has no self respect at all. Her ex exhibited a nude sculpture of her without even telling her, I thought she would break up with her right at that spot but she apologized for crying instead. Finally when she broke up with him for cheating on her. She fall for another scumbag like Jae Eon while she knew that he is a scumbag. May be to other people I might seem a little old fashioned but this was to messed up for me. so i just decided to drop this drama at episode 3. if you can't commit then don't play around, it may seem fun to you but the other person can lose their trust in people and in love.

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Realistic!!

I think this is one of the most honest and real representation of young love/relationships. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good typical kdrama love story, but this is so refreshing to watch. Although both leads are struggling with their true feelings and intentions, you can see them growing with each episode. Towards the middle, the drama gets repetitive, but I catch myself still hooked. I’m disappointed this is only going to be 10 episodes and by the 9th episode, it’s still so unclear who ends up with who. Everyone hates the ML because of the ‘red flags’, but she knew what she was getting into and they’re both trying figure out what they want. I hope they end up together in the end. SL is great, just not her match.

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Hot but toxic...clichéd & boring in between

When I saw the trailer, i got really really really excited that this would be super hot show away from the clichés - but alas, this show just dragged onnnnnnnnnnn in between and became the epitome of cliché

Few aspects:
+ve:
1. Hot characterisation and steamy scenes - all the characters look great! So yummmm, eye candy
2. amazing OST <3
3. Pretty locations and art pieces
4. Tried to include LGBTQ+

-ves (& oh there many!)
1. Lead choosing toxic relationship
2. Girl crying over the boy not committing
3. Love triangle where the good 2nd lead gets left heartbroken
4. Boring lengthy episodes in between
5. traditional characteristics of 1st lead
6.2nd half was so clichéd - like i could predict it from a mile away

Overall - watch the 1st few episodes and then fast forward!

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goes to my favorites list

This type of story is right at my ally.
Those painful and easy to fix stories (from a 3rd perspective).

I would like to start by saying i don't see myself in Nabi's choices. At all. I will always dismiss fuck boys and people that use their natural charms to manipulate you emotionally. I've done it before. I will always chose ME over those type of boys.
But they are seriously tempting. Like she did what i only did in my dreams (thank god i respect myself that much). But at the same time, as a viewer, it was a fascinating ride. Seeing someone take a different direction than me in almost every episode was truly fascinating. I was hooked every single episode. It was like a tragedy that you couldn't look away from.

[quick side note: if you like to watch shows where you need to relate to the main characters decisions in order to enjoy the show, then this will not be the kdrama for you.]

I was "mad" at Nabi so many times while watching the first episodes of this show... but in the process of watching i tried to be more understanding as time went by. Because there's feelings you can't control. Once i understood that Nabi herself knew she brought it on to herself and she was in this situation because she also let herself be in this position, then i stopped blaming her. There was no space for judging anymore. She was on her path. Doing what she wanted to do. Even if she breaks herself in the end... it's her life and her choice.

This show got me curious about all their stories and personalities. I wanna know more about all these characters. I will miss them dearly. Shout out to all the other characters that i wished had more time to shine, including potato boy (this show needed 16eps at least for me).

Love that Nabi recognized that her final choice was not ideal and that will probably end up blowing up on her face later on, but she is willing to risk it anyways because no matter what, this is where her heart lies. This is something she needs to do. For better of for the worst. If it goes well this time, good, if it ends bad, she will grow from it and close that door forever. From the girl that started the show very insecure and always expecting something that people were not able to reciprocate, to accepting her reality and be in command of her own life, for me is a big step.

i like the fact this show could have a S02, and within that new season a new a totally unexpected result could come up from it. Because i am still so curious to know if PJW really had an honest character devolpment or if he will end up like before after a few months. Simultaneosly the reaction Nabi had in the end while seeing potato boy indicates both guilt and perhaps a slight change within. With enough time, who knows? Now that she will scratch the desire of being with PJW off her list of "to do's", what will that do with her feelings?!

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WOW!! You GO KDRAMA and JTBC!!! Hurrah for breaking stereotypes so BOLDLY

Finally and amazing show that explores mature themes of lust - love - intoxication with each other before even realising if it's what you want in the long term.

Here in this show the usual end of the Kdrama is brought to the front.
The slow rhythmic pace of the show .. the stylised exploration of "body touches" take on a meaningfulness so essential to the theme of the show.

LGBTQ shown so sensitively!! Two superlative actresses deliver SOLID punch ..

I will come back to review it in longer version once it's over.

I am dying here waiting for the week to pass .. waiting for the next instalment of these three characters ..


Ooops .. I came back for a look and saw that I had promised to review it more after finishing. Today is 9th Sept 2023???
Yikes.

Anyway all I remember is that the show ended SO ABRUPTLY at just 12 eps :-O
WhAT!!!

It felt like a plug was pulled and then the water was drained out with a power pump!
Am pretty sure it was harassed into non-existence.
The Plot / the Characters were left hanging in limbo.

K-Drama is yet to learn to handle "skinship" that comes "before confessing" .. LUST is not in its vocabulary.

I had expected the show to move backwards .. LUST first .. and then an arc that explores the borders of it and LOVE.

Anyway .. felt sorry for the scriptwriter and director and the superlative FL role as well as the ML role who couldn't get their way with the show.

It had such supreme promise - set apart from the flock as it was.

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We're living in the world of nevertheless as Yu Nabi?

Everything is real the anxiety, the trust issues, the uncertainty, we know these, we lived through these atleast once but even when you know what's gonna happen next, its still surprising.
The portrayal of each character is superb i can literally feel everything they are going through...
Since the story mostly tells us how Nabi is thinking and feeling we can relate to her to some extent but I think if jae eon's side of the story is also revealed we could definitely feel him too. Maybe he's going through same feelings as nabi maybe he also waits for her call/text maybe he also misses and dreams about her, who knows... Or maybe it was a love at first sight for him but he himself doesn't know.. maybe... Just maybe!

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it shows the reality

It just an awesome drama the acting is just so perfect and the chemistry between them makes it look so real you should but would be even better if had a different storyline like it was maximum with not even one twist in this drama???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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Nabi... I am she, she is me..

WARNING: This review will be kind of personal and invasive on my own life, so if you could care less about it then don't mind this review :)

I'm taking it as you finished the show and you're either feeling relieved she chose Jae Eon but uneasy because she should've chosen potato boy or you're the opposite. OR you're happy for Song Kang because of "Love Alarm." I LOVED "Nevertheless" just to cut it straight. Here's why:

Story (9/10): I gave it a 9/10 because despite the poor decisions and open-ended questions that we were left with after 10 episodes, I stayed with the series from beginning to end and was satisfied with the ending. It was a more realistic drama, something I really needed because the usual K-dramas get repetitive and uninteresting after a while. This drama stands out from the rest and I applaud the people who produced this show.

I've read a few reviews and some of them were shaming Nabi of choosing Jae Eon over Do Hyeok or just her character set-up overall. Not saying she was the most perfect character but she is the most realistic. The way she hesitated over Jae Eon whenever she saw him, being happy with Do Hyeok but not in love with him, convincing herself that she didn't need Jae Eon in her life but couldn't keep herself drawn away from him every time he shows up, even just giving in and being hopelessly in love with Jae Eon KNOWING that he's a player, Nabi is literally another remake of me. I'm sure a lot of girls in high school/college like me can relate to her character too. Of course she's the main character and she should always do what is right, but in her shoes you would honestly do the same.

Between "The Time We Were Not in Love" (took me a very long time to finish, I was too emotional) and "Nevertheless" these stories literally could be my biography. From the perfect childhood friend being in love with you secretly (not so much potato boy), and the attractive, toxic ex that keeps ruining your life, the stories are complete duplicates. Except.. one chose the toxic ex and the other didn't. Sadly in my life, my childhood crush wasn't in love with me, I was in love with him. So when that "attractive, toxic" guy came around, I couldn't help but be drawn to him... further pushing me into more toxic, barely even called "relationships" (more like situationship), all because of ONE person. So with Nevertheless, the story and Nabi's choices made sense in my eyes.. it's a total different experience when you've actually been in Nabi's shoes. So, I love her character.

Acting/Cast(10/10): Everyone did phenomenal. People were complaining about Song Kang's acting but I truly believe he played his role the correct way. A heartless, noncommittal person? Of course his mannerisms should be a blank face, it makes sense to me. But overall, everyone did well and felt so comfortable in their characters it was hard not to like them... well except Jae Eon.

Music(10/10): I don't need to explain it. Sam Kim was already a win for me, and then RIO added into the mix? Chef's kiss.

Rewatch value (7/10): I don't like rewatching shows but I'd definitely rewatch this just because. I'd also recommend that you rewatch it too after reading my review, you know to get some perspective... if you thought opposite of me.

Overall (9/10): I would've loved a 16-20 episodes length but it was still executed nicely. I also just really love seeing stories with a totally different storyline, breaking k-drama stereotypes. More please.

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