One Spring Night

A bit too slow and repetitive for my taste. Yet the story and characters are very realistic and relatable.

I thoroughly loved and enjoyed this series. It's amazing and better than Something In The Rain. I had to look past the cultural stigma associated with being a single dad but once I did that this series had my heart. Watch it and you will love it and come away better for it.

The only complaint I have is about the constant reuse of the same song in every episode - it's a good song, but by the end of the show I was like, "Do I ever actually want to hear this song again?" That said, I love the song(s?) that Rachael Yamagata contributed to the soundtrack. All in all, music was one of this show's strengths.

The acting and the 'realism' of the story was the other thing I loved most about it (same goes for the other show I just finished watching by this director, Something in the Rain, which I ADORED). Obviously it was a sweet romance, but unlike some K-dramas out there, it was a little more realistic in the sense that it shows more what everyday Koreans may go through as part of their dating lives (I say this as a non-Korean who is no expert on the culture/typical lifestyles).

I can certainly see myself watching this show again, however it was fairly slow moving, and if you're into more action packed dramas, this one may not be for you. If you're into character-driven, realistic and relatable dramas about everyday Koreans (oh, and a beautiful leading man), then I'd certainly recommend it.

For me, this series doesn't capture the range of Jung Hae-In or his full charm, as do "While You Were Sleeping" and especially "Something in the Rain", which made him an international star. In the first six episodes of "Something in the Rain" the writer created some of the sweetest scenes in Korean drama, unmatched in this one. But I think this same writer was after more of a slowly developed study of the major themes this time: obsession, misogyny, abuse, intrusiveness, and single-parent shaming. Within that sometimes maddening struggle, there is strength and devotion, friendship and love. But I do wish there was more of our main couple and far less of the annoying obsessive. Even the last episodes had too much of him. I'd rather he had been finished and we spent more time exploring the love story and that evolving family. In both her series, I feel this writer loses her way in the second halves and closing episodes, then tosses a rushed closure at the viewer, which she has been faulted for before. Still, this is a good series with an excellent writer, director, and cast.

As a guy who normally only watches romantic movies to accompany my wife, I created my account here after watching One Spring Night so I can write my very first review. While cheesy romances are not usually my cup of tea, unless they are really funny, I do like a good character-driven story that is interesting and hopefully believable. Despite being a longtime fan of Korean movies, I only started to watch k-drama several months ago and since then my wife and I are hooked. However, after almost a dozen shows, while the majority are very enjoyable, most of the story lines start to feel over-the-top and formulistic. After searching for a slower-paced drama I watched Something in the Rain. I loved it as much as I was frustrated by the flawed characters' unbelievable actions in the second half and the rushed ending. Despite its short comings however, I was still in the mood for another "serious" love story and was excited to find One Spring Night from the same writer and director.

I was hooked by One Spring Night after the first episode. I loved the slow burn of the leads' relationship after their love at first sight encounter 5 minutes into the show. I liked watching the characters live as they chat, eat, drink, get drunk and talk some more. The actors are fabulous and it's hard not to root for them despite, or because of, their flaws. The male villains are annoying and pathetic, I find their character reasonably three dimensional (for a drama series) except for the elder sister's husband. I was relieved to find the subplots are not too convoluted or overbearing with unsatisfactory ending - though I would have happily paid the director to shorten the scenes between the ex-boyfriend and evil brother-in-law and give more screen time to the couple and the kid towards the end. Also, the lack of a truly psychotic and indestructible villain (like in Rain) meant our couple's up-and-down journey felt more organic and believable, as they don't need external help to create more insurmountable obstacles, a common trait in many dramas.

Despite it's slow pace, Spring is ultimately uplifting in its portrayal of friendship, family, and, of course, the courage to trust the other person and to take risks in the name of love. It's hard not to be emotional when the sisters came together and support each other. While laugh-out comedy is mostly absent, there are many touching moments that would put a smile - and a tear or two - on your face. My favorites include the dinosaur-sticker-on-the-phone and proposal scenes. Priceless.

Lastly, the cinematography sometimes remind me of In the mood for Love. The soundtrack, while repetitive and admittedly overused, are lovely so I am not complaining.

To those tempted by this drama but are concerned by the slow pace, I'd suggest watching the first episode. You should know by then whether this is for you.

To those hesitating between Rain or Spring, I'd say both are wonderful. To me, the first half of Rain is incomparably adorable. Overall though, if I had to rank them based on viewer satisfaction, coherence of the story line and character development, Spring comes out on top mostly thanks to the personality of the heroine. But the good news is, there's no need to choose. Go watch both of them if you haven't yet.