Our Blooming Youth

Everything about this drama, from the intricate storyline to the eye-catching and beautiful aesthetics and incredibly talented cast, everything about this drama was impeccable!

I had been waiting for this drama for over a year now and I can say with full confidence that every second of the wait was worth it. I rushed here to write this review after finishing the last episode because this drama truly deserves it. This drama really managed to tug my heartstrings haha.

I was also really glad to see how the ending allowed the characters to have their deserved closure. If you're thinking about giving this a watch, please don't waste another thought and watch it right away, you won't regret it!!

Incredible drama. I've found myself wanting a new and current drama, but they never seem to hit the same as the old ones. This one was the perfect combination of what's good about the new ones, but with the throwback quality of a classic. Absolutely loved it! Loved the lead actors, loved the entire cast of characters, loved their performances. I would be ecstatic for a spin-off because I love the mystery concept and characters so much!

To reiterate for needed review length, great concept that was well delivered, great cast of characters, the story had me hooked because I actually cared about what happened to them.

The story, especially the mystery aspect and how the protagonists figure it out and set things right, is compelling. The acting is remarkable, particularly those of the lead characters, Park Hyung Sik as the crown prince and Jeon So Nee as Min Jae Yi / Go Soon Dol.

Though it features gender-switching, a trope I'm not too crazy about, I don't mind it that much here as the characters who matter know about the subterfuge early on. And when you're wrongfully accused of murder, what could be a better way to hide while you try to find the real culprit?

The dedication of the crown prince to do what is right for his people is awe-inspiring. That scene where he is struggling between duty and love, between marrying the chosen crown princess or following his heart is so powerful I cried, though it is depicted so subtly with no tears shed, just his face showing his heartbreak. I also love how he chooses peace and forgiveness at the end instead of going all out shedding more blood to avenge every single wrong committed by the enemies.

The ending is lovely. I wish all dramas have endings as heartwarming as this.

One of the best historical Korean dramas of 2023, with a funny story which sometimes gives viewer the sad feeling so that you want to cry mixed with a mysterious and enigmatic genre, that attracted me so much

It's only flaw was that, despite the fact that it was said in the introduction that the series was romantic, its love aspect was very weak, and only in the last minutes of the last episode we see a little emotional and love scene so in my opinion, as a result , chemistry between first leads was not convenient enough I give this series a score of 9 out of 10 and I recommend you watch and enjoy it.

"Our Blooming Youth" is the story of two lost and wronged souls who find redemption in each other. The underlying themes are friendship and trust with very subtle meaningful romance throughout. The male lead has major trust issues and doubts everything to survive and protect everybody around him. The female lead is a smart detective but also impulsive, acting first and thinking later. Despite this chaos, their chemistry is beautiful, deep, and palpable. Such an intriguing plot!

Park HyungSik as Lee Hwan hits it out with this one. Not only he looks every part like a Prince (he is gorgeous in this role), but his dreamy, deep eyes are pools of despair, mischief, brilliance, haughtiness, wisdom, and rage in turns and they cloud with confused desire for a girl who is betrothed to his best friend (in a social contract of arranged marriage) and out of his bounds for all means. He tells her at one point, 'You must never know,' knowing he will lose her if he makes one mistake. Nonetheless, he would go to any length to keep her by his side. Also, in a very competent performance, Jeon SoNee as Min JayeYi only has eyes for her Crown Prince. She has no idea she is begun to exist for him and will do anything to be by his side at all times, even if it means living her entire life disguised as a Eunuch. Their relationship is a difficult one, fraught with danger and distance that's far more than physical.

Overall, the show deals with science, superstition, psychological warfare, social injustice, greed, and revenge. The crime and mystery elements are very well placed, the usual political intrigue is present (the Josean court was known for this, so it would be surprising not to have it) and the Crown Prince's losses and victories are told innovatively. It's a lot going for all against the backdrop of a very cute romance. Most importantly, keep an eye out for a feminist male lead who breaks down barriers for the badass woman in his life during a suffocating era when women were merely objects raised to serve social contracts between families. He has complete faith in her mental and physical abilities and treats her as an equal outside of their strict social hierarchy (watch them switch from best of friends to being master servant in some truly hilarious scenes). It's just fantastic!

In short, "Our Blooming Youth" is worth watching if you're looking for an engaging & mixed-genre series.