Just Between Lovers

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.

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

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.

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.