Radieuse

The light in your eyes is an odd, surprising drama. It is not what is seemed to be. The story started as a comedy, then it turned into a fantasy drama, and, eventually, it all made sense. The dramatic, melodrama element was really good and the family dynamics touching and strong. The comedy element, however, could have been a bit less, as the story was very dark and sometimes it didn't blend well with it. I also enjoyed the slice of life concept. But the highlight of the drama was the performances that were really good by everyone in the cast, though the younger version of the leading lady kind of didn't match with her older version. Finally, the twist in the ending was probably one of the best twists I've ever watched. So, 8 out of 10.

This drama series is not a typical romance / fantasy series... it's one that explores our lives and deeper experiences we take from them. One of the reviews mentioned that the comedy was 'odd', but I believe that these lighthearted moments were meant to be there... Despite challenges, the comedic aspects helped highlight that the lives of these characters wasn't all pain, but that they also had their moments of fun. In my opinion, the drama showed us how we wish it was either all dark or all comedy, but it isn't..because that's reality. In fact, it's what makes life so meaningful, so beautiful, and worth holding onto. It shows just how easy it is to dismiss our brighter moments. Beautifully written. I saw it a second time, knowing what to expect, which made me appreciate all the little scenes that was included in the drama. You can not call this drama 'slow', especially when it is only 12 episodes...it was all exquisitely made.

The curfews and police brutality were real. The fashions and hairstyles were real. It was almost shocking to see the gender roles so accurately portrayed - not according to today's stereotype but how they were in reality, back then.

I think I just marked myself as a bit older than the average KDrama viewer.

That puts me in a position to confirm the depicted ageism and snide comments as real and ongoing. The need for elders to be seen as still valuable and wanted. The callousness of grown children who, for decades, nurse their grievances and stubbornly refuse to see their parents as people, not just as their mommies and daddies - all of it, so true.

From a technical perspective, this was spot-on. The writing, the acting - OMG! The acting!, the camera angles and cinematography: all excellent.

The story: mind blowing. Stunning. Jaw-dropping. A must-see.

P. S.: bring lots of tissues.

Do not watch this series if you are looking for a typical romance/fantasy kdrama for light entertainment. Coming into the show I knew there would be something unexpected and unconventional but it still took me by surprise.

I agree with another reviewer who said the comedy and much heavier and darker portions do not always blend well. Following the plot and time jumps is also not easy, resulting in frequent confusion in the storyline. However, the one constant throughout the entire show is the amazingly lovable character of the old lady and the fantastic performance of the actress Kim Hye-ja. If it were not for her, I probably would have dropped the show in the middle. I hanged on through the disappointments and sadness because I believe there must be light at the end of the tunnel and I desperately wanted to see her happy.

Without spoiling anything, the 'big twist' comes towards the last few episodes but not at the very end, so it has plenty of time to properly develop its storyline till the ending. In this sense, after going through all the misfortune of our heroine and her family, and having many questions with the plot line unanswered, everything suddenly came together in a natural and believable way. Not bad for a fantasy drama!

I'll conclude by saying it is not easy to rate this show. It is not light entertainment by any means so your level of enjoyment will greatly depend on your ability to appreciate a good story told in a very unconventional way, despite its flaws.

What an extraordinary telling of how someone's life can be told by so many different perceptions. I absolutely loved this story line. It was filled with so many emotions, from the stories being told of each character and than woven into a tapestry of a love story on so many different levels. I love the actors and actresses that used their talent to bring across to the audience the essence of what the writers wanted us to feel and understand regarding the central topic and how they wanted it portrayed and felt by those who watched this show. Tissues are needed especially for the last 2 episodes. One of my favorite shows.

Gayle Holdaway - Canada.