Youth of May (2021)

An emotional rollercoaster

this kdrama was one of the most heartbreaking kdramas I've watched! I'm not one to know a lot about Korean history, but this kdrama made me research a lot about the Gwangju uprising!

I loved all the characters in this series, especially the main character Kim Myung-Hee! She's a really admirable women and I was really attached to her because of her selflessness. This series introduced me to the actor Lee Do-Hyun and I must say he's really good at playing male leads. I loved his character; Hwang Hee-Tae in this series. Even Lee Soo-Ryeon the main characters best friend captured my heart!

I'm a lover of historical dramas, especially when they are set in the 80s! So naturally, I really loved this kdrama. The first few episodes started of pretty simple with a trope that we see often a poor woman falling in love with a man with a rich family, but just when you think that the series will only revolve around this storyline, we get introduced to a bigger and more complex storyline about protesters, power hungry people, violence, injustices, and the beginnings of the Gwangju uprising. The couple is quite literally swept into it and the story grows more emotional and dark. I think anyone who's a kdrama lover should give this show a chance!

Leer más

what is not to love in this drama?

I rarely give a 10 to dramas that ripped my heart to pieces however, Youth of May is an exemption to that. The season being reduced to 12 episodes was a smart move, I think, coz a little more than that can make way for other unnecessary storylines that would bore the viewers or perhaps put the trajectory of this drama into complete disaster.

What I love about this is how natural the leads seem to be with the characters they were playing. To those who aren't familiar with this aspect of Korean history, they might be shocked by this past. And taking cues from how the leads portray their characters given the era that they were in is truly exceptional.

The FL's character pulls you in and you would think that she was actually born in that era. I was amazed by the amount of maturity she gave to her character, and just so you know, this was the first time I knew about her, so I was amazed. The ML also held his own. Whenever I watch other dramas, I know an ML/FL overpowers his/her co-star when I look forward to more screentime with a particular lead regardless of their visuals, but for YoM, I have never felt that.

The story, since it was based on one of Korea's most brutal pasts, was a balance of real and make believe. The historical backdrop is very crucial to justify certain situations, and I personally believe that given that, it could actually happen in real life. There were times that felt like this is impossible to happen, but since the backdrop is the Gwangju Uprising, I have no qualms about any dire situation our leads may face. It's like anything is possible to happen. And it did not disappoint in building the story up until it's final moments. Perhaps, the director gave away some important clues in the first few minutes of it's pilot episode so that viewers at least may not be so surprised in the ending. On my end though, I was hopeful it was otherwise, but yeah, who am I to dictate what the writer wants to do, right?

So, what is not to love in this drama?

Nada. Nemo. Zero. Zilch. None.

Leer más

UGH, I will absolutely die if Lee Do Hyun and Go Min Shi do not do another romance drama that isn't a tragedy. While Lee Do Hyun can definitely create chemistry with a brick wall, he and Go Min Shi give me such best friend vibes. I need them to be in a slow-burn buddy cop thriller, like yesterday.

Have zero complaints about this drama, except maybe a few minor gripes here and there (that ultimately don't affect anything much imo, but for the purpose of this review, here I go): while this drama definitely does not leave you behind if you don't know the timeline of the Gwangju Massacre, knowing exactly what happened and the sequence of events puts things into more perspective. The sudden barrage of bullets to relative silence and retreat from the militia is very sudden in the drama, but actually happens more gradually in real life, and I wish the drama showed that better. Ultimately, though, the drama is centered on the people of Gwangju during the May 18 protests, so it does what it promises beautifully- an insight into the people affected by one of the most horrific authoritarian crackdowns in human history.

Leer más

First review of an cinematography addicted

As the head line implies, it touched me way too much..
I have watched many dramas, from different countries and idk how to write a proper review so bare with me.

Even though this plot was done endless times, this one was perfect in my eyes.
Why? It had all of them in the same series
- the chemistry
- good directing and screenwriting
- every single character was done properly, not only the mains
- wasn't full of tipical clichés (I love them tho)
- the sound, lighting, places, wardrobe, hairstyles, all the props
- the little and immaculate hints and details, from expressions, touches, movements, props
- the good and satisfying ending for a tragic outcome

From now on full on spoilers

What I personally loved?

- my favorite scene was the last part, when they were older, it hit me so bad, bc I've imagined myself living such an incomplete life, to the point I wished for his suicide attempt to succeed or not show the outcome in so much details and stages so I could just put this drama in the pill with the rest dramas I've watched and call it a day and move on.

Like he seems that he lived a good and happy life, he never truly felt entirely happy.

Bits I remember and liked

-her brother and the scene in the back of the truck and his realization, the start of him truly maturing and it impacted him so much and become a helper for the ones in need
- I loved the bff's family, their character development was well done, she annoyed me a bit at times, but still liked that I felt this about her
- the fact that bad guys can also be the evil souls as long as the cowards or indifferent ones
- the leads characters seemed common, but at the same time it didn't
- misunderstandings and secrets were quickly showed, not dragged for decades, but not too quick to the point that why bother putting them in the first place
- the attention to the details, like were the May was shown on the calendar on the desk while the bff's brother received the note and such detailed, I liked those touches, it proves that the crew put all their hearts in the project
- I liked that mains had lots of happy and cute moments, like they at least enjoyed most their times while they've been together
- the mains didn't miss the chances like every damn drama
- the mains dinamic
- his brother character, I really liked his maturity and bravery, from the punch to saving the sister in law and the scene were he rejected his father was amazing and the flashback of his happy moments with FL was a great idea
- the step mother and her finally having enough strength to leave the toxic marriage, I couldn't hate her throughout the series
- every single character and the fact that they had decent screen time and felt important to the story, not just fillers to make the series longer
- the SML was amazing, I liked that they didn't just put him there to be our tipical kdrama SML and didn't focused on only his love for the FL

Bits that I wished for

- a bit more screen time for her mom, they brushed her away, like she's not the mother and wife of two important characters, some scenes when the boy comes running home or when she receives the news of the deceased loved ones.

- a bit more scenes between the bff and policeman, that was damm sad.. Her realization of his feelings after it was too late.. She had so many love potentials and they hinted them, but nothing never, I liked that she was focused on her goals, but I wished they didn't introduce so many potentials and making the audience crave amd wish for her to go in that direction

Not wished, I'm actually fine they didn't show what happened right after with everything, with his father and let it open to our imagination and focused on romance aspects, bc I think I wouldn't be satisfied with any revange/ punishment for the ones that were in the wrong, so a smart move for not giving us concrete follow ups.

Why I rated the re-watch so low?
-I could go lower actually, it's such a sad one that I don't wanna feel this pain ever after watching a series.
My heart felt real pain.

A top recommendation?
Most definitely, it was an amazing drama over all, truly satisfying.

I sure have more thoughts, but I'm afraid it will be longer than the script of the series, so I'll stop here.

Leer más

...

«Youth of May» est un drama qui commence avec une romance toute mignonne, avec pour fond, une histoire de protestations et démocratie. Le couple nous fait sourire et rire, et on ne peut qu’espérer le meilleur pour eux. Quand tout à coup, ce qui n’était que des manifestations et autres, devient bien plus. On voit alors la réalité rattraper les personnages lorsqu’ils doivent faire face à l’horreur de la situation. Ce drama qui commence de façon toute mignonne, devient comme une montagne russe. Descendant, tournant, remontant. Le tout, sans qu’on puisse prédire ce qui allait réellement arriver aux personnages. Avec une belle alchimie, une histoire intense, de merveilleux acteurs, je conseille de voir ce drama, ne serait-ce qu’une fois… Mais attention aux âmes sensibles, parce que cet apogée dont je parlais ? Est très loin d’être facile à voir ! Et pour ceux qui s’y risquent malgré tout, vous allez découvrir un très bon drama, mais préparez les mouchoirs…

⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘⁛⁘
Avis Complet sur mon Blog :
https://lamagiedeshistoires.wordpress.com/2024/05/13/youth-of-may-avis/

Leer más

You have to watch till the end

I only started watching this drama because I'm a fan of Lee Do Hyun and was actually really hyped for this to come out. And he didn't disappoint — I fell in love with Hwang Hee Tae in the first episode. Not to mention LDH's topnotch acting.

However, Hee Tae was basically the only reason why I kept on watching. While I don't blame the plot and pace, the first half just didn't lure me in. I was constantly checking how much time is left and often got distracted.

Despite that, I continued to watch and am so thankful I did. Because the second half, especially the last three episodes, made me a sobbing, crying mess. Finally, I felt the heaviness of the protests and their suppression, the deep connection Hee Tae had with Myeong Hee, the bond between Myeong Hee's father and her. It all came flooding.

Soo Ryeon's character was the only one I didn't sympathize with (aside from Ki Nam), though. I do think she could've had better development.

The children were adorable. Can't spoil much, but the boys were really brave for their age and it was endearing to witness them understand what family meant to them.

Youth of May shows romance, families, and friendships and how different and tragic they can be. It also tells how our choice affects our life. And even though you might have regrets later on, you should be happy you made the choice where you put yourself first.

Leer más

One MAY to rule them all

I will try to keep this short. This drama has left a strong impression on me, and I have been thinking about it for a while. This review is way that I can let my thoughts flow and hopefully feel a lot lighter in the end and move on to my next show. The show was amazing to say the least. It was serious, intense, the characters and the cast were spot on! The chemistry between the leads and the romance was on another level. With all that said and done, was this show super emotional? YES. Did it break my heart? YES. Was I on the verge of tears? YES. Did I love it? YES. Do I recommend it? YES

Leer más

been two weeks and i'm still heartbroken...

i love this kdrama so much! not only were the actors visually beautiful, but their acting was so good; i was able to get fully immersed into the show right away. the story was so beautifully constructed and paced nicely, too bad i took away 0.5 stars bc of that ending... that script was so well-written like i couldn't stop crying at the end during his letter TT it was already too sad. i'm still listening to the ost it's so pretty. the chemistry between the lead actors was so good, the cute moments at the beginning of the drama healed me; it was too cute. i love the ml, his character is just so fun to watch and i love how much he truly adored her. usually, i would feel a bit eh bc they fell in love so quickly, but in youth of may, it just felt so natural and right... literally true love! THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER WAS SMTG ELSE, like i need that in my life. the setting is based off a true event and it was rlly sad to watch it; i was so scared during every scene. i like how it was more realistic and not everything was so happy. no bc everytime smtg good happened, i couldn't truly be happy bc i knew smtg bad was coming... every ep was a rollercoaster of emotions, but at least i stayed interested! anyways, it was a beautiful kdrama and i would totally rewatch. i will probably never get over it, and i'm planning to watch it every may :(

Leer más

Beautiful

One of the most heart touching dramas I've ever seen. So beautiful and so sad at the same time. It was an emotional rollercoaster. It started as a classic romance but one soon realizes that it is about so much more. This drama is all about love in a broader sense, what it means to love and be loved. It takes place in the 80's during a very turbulent time that I didn't know much about before I saw this. The fact that what is being portrayed actually happened in reality really makes it even more touching.
Also, incredible actors!! Love it❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Leer más

It's better to have loved than not have loved at all

Youth of May (2021)

I already saw a lot of spoilers before i started watching so i think it took a bit of enjoyment from watching this drama.

Likes
1. Beautiful ending. It was sad but still beautiul. It took him 40 years to finally move on ? cant imagine how that feels. But im happy they found her so he can always visit her when he misses her.
2. All through out i kept thinking whose fault it was. I'd say they were too young and made emotional decisions. If they more more mature they probably wouldn't have died. Had Hee Tae stopped pursuing her, Myung Hee could have gone to Germany and lived. Or Hee Tae could have married Suryeon to appease the family and live separate lives. Or he could follow to Germany in a few years. But I also came to the same conclusion as Hee Tae. They chose to fight for each other so although it was hard, they made that choice and they have to live with the consequences. At least they had that May that he will always remember. Better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all.
3. Oh the one who is at fault is Myung Soo. Lol. He was too young but later on he must have realized he basically killed his dad and sister in one night because of his foolishness. Maybe thats why he ended up being a priest.
4. Mixed feelings about Suryeon. She was mostly selfish which is weird since she is brave protesting against the government but she cant even protect her best friend. But I think it's not her fault -- Hee Tae would have met and pursued Myung Hee even without the blind date. And i didnt feel enough remorse from her over Myung Hee even in the present, she was nowhere to be found, just a brief statement that she is now a lawyer.
5. Myunghee's dad ??? and all those brave and innocent people who died that time. ?

Dislikes
1. The first few episodes were boring, i almost stopped but kept on because Lee Dohyun is too cute.
2. I wanted to know what happened to Soo Chan.

Rating: 8.5/10

Leer más

I've watched the 11 episodes in 2021 and was reluctant to watch it until the end. Really glad I've picked this up again, despite spoiling the ending for myself...

I have a soft spot for nostalgic 1980s-1990s dramas like this one. While it is sweet and reminiscent, it reminds that how much more cruel the society was in the Korea, under the dictatorship. Youth of May is a beautiful love story, intertwined between the harsh and dark history of the Gwangju Uprising. It's a story which reminds us that there's always love and hope whenever there's fear and turmoil.

The characters in this story were amazing. We have Myung Hee, who is a strong young woman who's ambitious, strong-willed and a force that can't be stopped by anyone. By her side, we have Hee Tae, who's charismatic and loveable, although no one can see through his perfect-picture. He's broken inside, but perfectly compliments her timid nature. Their blind-date, and the chemistry that begun there, is out of this world!

While my heart fluttered and was hurting during the last few episodes of this, this drama is definitely in my top list. Worth to remember the uprising, and worth every tear and re-watching every sweet moment.

Leer más