Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food: Episode 3

It's not often that I find myself in the company of a drama that leaves me utterly captivated, so when such a drama does come along, I choose to relish it, one episode at a time. Three episodes in, and it's no longer just love, I'm actually rather besotted with it. And it's not just because of the pretty, because believe you me, there's plenty of it, but for a drama to fully grab my attention it has to speak to me on more than just one level. When looking at a drama through a more superficial lens, you find that the scenes containing all the (highs of) romance are usually the ones which create the most noise. But this drama does well to elevate those moments in a more traditional and linear fashion by giving it a much higher sense of purpose. These moments aren't there to simply cause a stir, rather they're there to capture the essence of two individual characters who, in coming together, pose real questions re the status of relationships, family ties, and of course, age difference. As we come close to foraying into Joon-hee and Jin-ah's newly found relationship, we begin to see undercurrents of the kind of challenges that already lay ahead. Fighting societal pressure is one thing, but striking a balance with each other (first) is going to prove equally challenging, especially when feelings are still raw with passion.

Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food: Episode 2

OMG, I literally died of second hand embarrassment!! Props to Son-ye-jin for busting out those moves though, and still coming out looking classy, not an easy feat, I tell you! I have this real bad habit of diving into the duvet as soon as I foresee the above scenario playing out. Only this time it was equal parts embarrassment and equal parts squealing. As soon as Joon-hee turned back and re-entered the office, I just knew where show was taking us. Only this time, I had to force myself to re-watch the scene repeatedly just to ogle at Joon-hee's playful smiles. As a drama, Pretty Noona may be slow moving, and the camera sure likes to linger on many of the shots, but my word, does it make for a delightful watch when the characters all come together.

Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food: Episode 1

   

I think it would safe to say that Noona will be servin' up some delicious romance, coz one episode in, and the leads are already oozing with undeniable chemistry. The set-up itself is more along the lines of a classic romance rather than, let's say, your average fluff. It's an easy watch, but not in the way that seeks to patronise its viewers. It wouldn't be for everyone, that's for sure, especially if you're the type who despises the "slice of life" category, which I guess it is in some ways, but not in others. I mean I certainly can't remember the only time last time I was chased by some handsome chap who's not only waaaay younger, but who also happens to be the kid brother of a close friend I grew up with. And even if that does happen to be the storyline of your life (lucky you?!), I don't think the same would apply to the vast majority of us. We can sure dream though, especially when that relationship starts out as sweet and playful as Joon-Hee and Jin-ah's. They're simply too adorable for words! 

Just Between Lovers: Episode 2

This drama would be hard to sell as exciting; well, because it isn't...at least not in the dramatic sense. But what I do find it to be is incredibly moving. The way in which characters are made to cross paths in the aftermath of a single tragedy is particularly engaging, especially when you see how they have all been individually affected. It's a slow unravel, for sure, making for a slower pace than your average Kdrama; which admittedly, may not be to everyone's taste. But that is what I love most about this drama - it doesn't tease its viewers, or make us grow impatient, nor does it seek to gratify us using superficial developments, rather it takes us along on this long journey, assured of its destination, and through it, we get to appreciate the process of healing, not as a quick fix, but as something which takes years, if not a lifetime of commitment, as seen through the lives of these various characters.

Just Between Lovers: Episode 1

There's something so poignant in the way this drama depicts pain and suffering of loss, that by the time the first episode had ended, I found myself fully immersed in the world that it had set up. When watching, it's as if personal tragedies are given a narrative voice of their own, which is being spoken through the lens of the camera in the way scenes are directed and shot. And whilst the drama has proven to be visually stunning, it doesn't take away from the grittiness of the tragic reality it seeks to convey. The drama has often been described as a "melodrama", and I went into it thinking it would be just that; however, what I wasn't expecting, was for it to be the opposite. Yes, like with any drama, there's always bound to be a dramatic pull to the narrative, but the way in which the drama has been executed, it tames down those dramatic cues, and effectively mutes the overly exaggerated cliches one would expect from your average melodrama. I guess one could call it a drama that is grounded in realism, fairly dark and pessimistic, but one that is also aesthetically pleasing - and it's this very contradictory nature that I find most appealing for it doesn't leave you in a constant pit of despair, rather it engulfs you with a resounding sense of hope that even after hardship, there comes ease.