THE SHORT VERDICT:

A noona romance that isn’t actually all about the romance, and yet, it works, and so well too.

While I don’t think that this would sit as well with a younger audience, I do feel like this would resonate well with a slightly older audience, particularly if said audience is female. Show takes the premise of a divorcee’s struggle to re-enter the workforce, and makes it come alive with poignance and heart, while managing to slip a charming noona romance in there, to sweeten the whole experience. A capable cast and a lovely OST round out this drama’s strengths, and I also wanted to say, Lee Na Young is extra incandescent to my eyes, as our female protagonist.

Not a show that would work for everyone, but if it works for you, it works so well. ❤

Romance is a Bonus Book OST – 나는 볼 수 없던 이야기

THE LONG VERDICT:

My friends. This is one of those times when my FOMO has served me well.

As you know, fairly often, because of Twitter buzz, I check out a show that I wasn’t planning on watching. Of course, this comes with varying results. Sometimes I find the show just ok, sometimes I like it quite well, and sometimes I end up loving it a whole lot.

I’m so pleased to tell you guys, that with this show, it was most definitely love. ❤

Originally, I was actually going to give this one a pass because while I loved Lee Jong Suk in School 2013 and I Hear Your Voice, I’d been rather disenchanted with him in W-Two Worlds, and I didn’t have any special interest in Lee Na Young, nor in book publishing specifically. That said, boy, am I glad that my Twitter pals gushed about this one enough to get me to check it out in spite of my initial disinterest.

This drama is charming in a way that I really dig. It’s thoughtfully written, with lots of heart and poignance, and just the occasional touch of whimsy. There were times when I would leave this show for a little bit coz of Real Life stuff, or because I was working on other reviews. Sometimes those pauses lasted days, and occasionally, they lasted weeks, even. With many dramas, if I’ve left off watching for a while, there’s a fair chance that my interest might have waned by the time I try to come back to it.

Not with this one, though.

Every time I came back to this one after taking a bit of a break, I would remember all over again why I liked this show, and why it worked for me so well. How lovely. So lovely, in fact, that eventually I got into the habit of watching this one slowly, just so that I could savor it extra.

THE BEST AUDIENCE FIT FOR THIS SHOW

Like I mentioned earlier, I don’t think this show would work for everyone.

In broad strokes, this story is about a divorcee mom finding her place in society again, with a sweet noona romance as a bonus. Additionally, in our side stories, Show also shines the spotlight on the struggles of women in various stations of society, like the older single career woman, or the working woman who has a young child to care for.

Basically, the more you are able to relate to these situations, the more this show will work for you.

I’m not myself a mom, let alone one who’s trying to make a career come-back after staying home for years looking after my child, but the main arc of this show resonates with me a great deal because one of my close friends has a similar struggle.

Which leads me to conclude that if you are having or have had a similar struggle as one of the arcs featured in this drama, or have been up-close-and-personal with a similar struggle through friends or family members, then there’s a good chance this show would work for you.

Oh, and bonus points if you like thoughtful, lyrical things, coz that is exactly how Show vibes.

OVERALL WRITING & EXECUTION

Like I mentioned, the writing in Show leans thoughtful and lyrical, which is something I enjoyed very much.

Show’s thoughtfulness

Writer-nim clearly put a lot of thought into understanding her characters and into plotting her story. Consistently, I felt like despite Show’s occasional whimsical quality, that the characters felt real and down-to-earth at the heart of it, and I could understand why characters might feel the way they did, or act the way they did.

At the same time, I very much appreciated the feeling that I got, that writer-nim put thought and effort into mapping out her story, so that we don’t get connect-the-dots type writing that we sometimes get in Dramaland.

[SPOILER ALERT]

There are 2 great examples of this in episode 11.

1. I’m impressed that Show manages to make a meaningful statement about women in the workforce, with Manager Seo (Kim Sun Young) being all torn up about having to lie when a family or child related thing keeps her from work, and actually using it as a springboard to lead us into an opportunity for Dan Yi (Lee Na Young) to shine as the host of the book concert. That was really nicely done, and felt organic too.

2. Another example of writer-nim planning ahead, is how Director Ko’s (Kim Yoo Mi) friend turns out to be the interviewer who had told Dan Yi off in the washroom in a much earlier episode, about trying to come back to the workforce.

[END SPOILER]

Show’s whimsy

There’s an entire musical sequence in episode 1 that is used to express the details of Dan Yi’s struggle to find a job. I found it odd, but ok, in the sense that while I didn’t love it, it didn’t make me want to stop watching either, and that’s something. (The last musical sequence I watched was in Dream High 2 and that did make me want to stop watching, ha.) What I’m trying to say is, Show’s brand of whimsy was one that I could jive with.

Show’s attitude towards angst

Another bonus, I found, is that Show doesn’t angst out for too long. Whenever our story took an angsty turn, it wasn’t ever too angsty, nor did it ever drag on for longer than needed. I felt this made a big difference to Show’s overall tone, which I liked.

Show’s focus

Many rom-coms use their premise as an excuse for romance, which is the Main Event, and the reason the shows exist to begin with. Not this show. Just as Show states in its title, romance really is a bonus in this story.

It was at the episode 13 mark that it suddenly came into focus for me. The romance in this story, while a strong presence, really is a bonus. [VAGUE SPOILERS] This episode focused so deeply on Dan Yi and her predicament, and how much her job means to her, and how much she wants to keep it, and how heartbroken she is when she leaves it, that it just hit it home for me. [END SPOILERS] I suddenly realized this really and truly is a story of Dan Yi’s journey, and the fact that she’s being romanced by Eun Ho is just part of the journey, and not the journey itself. I found that refreshing.

The bonus pages

At the end of every episode, we are treated to what I like to call bonus pages. We see stills of our characters that transition much like pages, and on each “page,” there are little extra remarks sprinkled in “print,” which provide lovely nuggets of insight into our key characters Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk) and Dan Yi. How they feel about each other at various specific points; how they feel in general; how they feel in relation to the world around them. Often, these are unspoken thoughts that we don’t have access to otherwise, and the sentiments are always thoughtful and appreciative, whether of each other, or of life.

I loved these, so much. I feel like they added a softly poetic, honest touch to every episode. I only wish they didn’t flash by so quickly – I literally paused the video just to be sure that I didn’t miss them. So lovely. ❤

Show’s OST

For the record, I really enjoyed the music in this show. There’s a somewhat eclectic mix of sounds, with some songs that sound thoughtful and poignant, and others that sound breezy and cheery. I enjoyed ’em all, and I thought they were well employed in service of amplifying the watch experience.

MY TAKE ON SHOW’S INITIAL EPISODES [VAGUE MINOR-ISH SPOILERS]

I’ve heard some rumblings about viewers not liking the initial episodes all that much, mainly because of just how bad Dan Yi has it, in this early stretch. It seems that anything that could go wrong in her life, does go wrong, and this made Show feel hard to watch, at least for some folks.

I personally didn’t have a problem with this early stretch, not because I’m cruel that way, but because of the surreal quality that Show possesses. It all didn’t feel so terrible to me because Show makes the whole thing feel a bit fantastical, almost. If this had been a gritty drama, that all would’ve probably landed very differently for me. But in this slightly surreal drama world with a strong rom-com branding, I already had the assurance that Dan Yi would be just fine, and that made the world of difference.

Whichever way you lean on this point, the happy thing is, things start looking up soon after.

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT

By the end of my watch, I found that I enjoyed pretty much every character in this drama world. But because I’m too intimidated to actually do a breakdown of every single character in this drama, here’s the spotlight on our key players.

1. Lee Jong Suk as Eun Ho

Like I mentioned earlier, because I hadn’t enjoyed Lee Jong Suk much in W, I’d been rather leery of being disappointed with his outing in this drama as well. I’m so happy to say that my fears were completely unfounded. I found Lee Jong Suk well cast as Eun Ho, and I very much enjoyed his delivery of Eun Ho as a character.

Even though Eun Ho has his petty and prickly tendencies, he largely comes across as a very warm, thoughtful person, and I liked that a lot. Instead of large romantic gestures, we tend to see Eun Ho demonstrating affection and care in the little things, and this, not only limited to his loveline with Dan Yi either. Eun Ho is fiercely loyal to the people that he cares about, and consistently strives to do right by them. I liked that about him a lot.

Because this drama is mainly Dan Yi’s story, Eun Ho’s character development falls on the more muted end of the scale. Nonetheless, I did find his journey meaningful and worthwhile. Here’s a sprinkling of my observations of Eun Ho, as I watched.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1. Eun Ho’s disenchantment with love because of Dan Yi’s experience, is rather extreme. But, I guess this speaks to just how fiercely he feels, on behalf of those that he loves.

E2. Eun Ho’s quiet concern for Dan Yi appeals to me. Yes, I dislike how he refused to believe her at first, even when she was telling the truth, and how he insisted that she was lying and just throwing a tantrum, and how he wanted to call her husband and take her home to him. That felt unnecessarily distrustful. But I do take the point that he possibly was in denial that she might be in real trouble. On the upside, I do like how he thinks of helping her out with new clothes and new hair for her new job.

E3. Eun Ho going to the trouble of making a bedroom for Dan Yi, is very melty stuff. I mean, he even got pictures to decorate the space, which is totally unnecessary. He sure doesn’t believe in doing a job only halfway decent.

E3. The way that Eun Ho can’t help smiling to himself, as he sees Dan Yi engrossed in coming up with ideas for the blurb, is melty to me. I love so much, that he likes seeing her work to excel at something she loves. Flail.

E4. Can’t lie; I was quite pleased when Eun Ho marched into Dong Min’s (Oh Ui Shik) restaurant and took him to task for what he did to Dan Yi. Yes, he probably shouldn’t be beating up someone, but Dong Min deserved it for lying, and for not paying child support, and I’m pleased that Eun Ho’s making sure that Dong Min’s going to alleviate the financial burden on Dan Yi at least, in bringing up their child.

E6. It’s cute how flustered Eun Ho gets about Dan Yi being chummy with Seo Joon (Wi Ha Joon). He feels a lot less special when she explains him away as “some kid brother she knows.” Aw. And, hee.

E7. I appreciate that Eun Ho has petty desires to block Seo Joon from making contact with Dan Yi, but he tamps them down because he wants to do the right thing. And one of the things that he tells himself, is that it’s true that Dan Yi likes Seo Joon too, and that he shouldn’t be uncool or lame about this. Of course, it doesn’t stop him from being a little petty and a little lame, with the multiple texts about made-up problems, and the momentary hiding of Seo Joon’s gift. But, he consistently comes around to do the right thing, and I appreciate that about him. I love that he understands that love does not equal possession.

E9. Eun Ho breaking down in heaving sobs at seeing Writer Kang (Lee Ho Jae) all scratched up and bound, is really heartrending. Even though I don’t yet understand the arc around Writer Kang, I can feel Eun Ho’s pain, and his sense of helplessness, and my heart goes out to him.

[END SPOILERS]

Romance is a Bonus Book OST – You’re Beautiful

2. Lee Na Young as Dan Yi

I really, really enjoyed Lee Na Young as Dan Yi, and I also really liked Dan Yi as a character.

Even though Dan Yi’s been dealt more than a few blows in her life, I really appreciate that she doesn’t allow it to destroy her spirit. Instead of becoming hard and jaded by the hardships that she’s faced in life, she continues to keep her heart earnest, open and tender, which is such a precious thing that it’s perhaps my favorite thing about her.

Another thing I love about Dan Yi, is how consciously grateful she is, for the opportunities that she does have. I feel like she’s often just grateful to be alive, and to have the chance to work towards something bigger and better.

The thing is, these aren’t exactly things that are hardwired into Dan Yi; these are conscious choices that she makes, to be hardworking, to be open, and to be grateful. These are choices that we can make too, and I often found Dan Yi’s response to her environment uplifting and inspiring.

It didn’t take very long at all, before I found myself firmly rooting for Dan Yi to have all of the good and happy things in life. I just liked her that much. Kudos to Lee Na Young for making Dan Yi feel so real, in all her quiet quirkiness.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Because Dan Yi really is the heart of this show, I feel like Show spends a lot of time unpacking Dan Yi as a character, and showing us layers of her personality and growth. I enjoyed Dan Yi so much, that it resulted in a quite a few thoughts. Here’s a bit of a breakdown.

E1.  I do appreciate that Dan Yi works to solve things on her own, as far as she can. Yes, she takes it too far by sleeping in a house that’s about to be demolished, and lying to her friend and squatting in his house without his knowledge. But that streak of wanting to be independent, and not wanting to be a burden to anyone, appeals to me.

I also appreciate her constant decision to keep looking forward to new possibilities, instead of wallowing in her sad situation. When she literally has just been kicked out of a house about to be demolished, she parks her things at the bus-stop, brushes her teeth, and pep-talks herself about going to the interview. I like that too.

E2. I am most interested in Dan Yi’s experiences as she rejoins society as a contract worker. Her tearful joy at getting accepted for a contract position paying much less than she used to earn; her grateful acceptance of said job, while other applicants who received full-time positions gripe about nitty-gritty details; her empathetic letter to herself, apologizing for letting her past self suffer and feel small, and promising to find out more about herself and resolving to be happy; her quiet humility even as she goes to her first day of work; her bright resolve to do well in her new workplace; her wonder and pride at her new name card. It all touches me, somehow.

I only dislike the way she sneaks around Eun Ho’s house while lying to him. I mean, she’s taking refuge in his house and eating his food; it feels like adding insult to injury, to lie about it too.

E3. Aside from her not being truthful with Eun Ho, I like Dan Yi’s attitude. Like when she looks upon the executive meeting that she worked to prepare, and which she had to vacate the meeting room for, she doesn’t bear a trace of a grudge. She understands that these people have worked hard to get to where they are, just like she’s worked hard in her own situation. She isn’t angry or jealous; she accepts it matter-of-factly, and I like that.

E3. You gotta love Dan Yi’s attitude. Yes, she was quick to get angry when she thought Eun Ho had moved her stuff out, but once she realized he’d made a proper bedroom for her, she apologizes and thanks him – albeit with a bit of prodding. What I like about her attitude, though, is that she is determined to be independent and not leech off Eun Ho. He’s clearly telling her that he’s happy that she’s there, and that he wouldn’t mind her staying longer, but she doesn’t take advantage of that, even though doing so would make her life easier. She’s choosing to do the independent thing, even though it will be hard, and I have to admire her for that.

E3. Aw, I love that Dan Yi gets excited at the very thought of coming up with an idea for the advertising blurb. She really is passionate about marketing, and I love that.

E3. It’s a small moment, but it’s so poignant to see Dan Yi savoring the fact that people now address her by her name, rather than all the other forms of address she had as a married woman with a child. It does reflect the loss of identity that women struggle with, as they go through life.

E4. Dan Yi being so matter-of-fact with Eun Ho about not having had sex in a long time is so unusual for a kdrama female lead. She’s refreshing, that way.

E5. I really enjoy watching Dan Yi be so earnest about her job. She refuses to allow herself to get discouraged, and works hard, pouring her passion into the task at hand. I cheer for her with every milestone she crosses.

E5. So much about Dan Yi is so heartfelt and earnest. It’s because she delves into the book with her whole heart, and shares her own struggles and fears with an open heart, that she gets through to the nervous first-time author. I like that.

E6. The thing that strikes me most this hour, is how Dan Yi picks herself up after a disappointment at work. She’s worked really hard to even get people to consider her idea, and then to move the idea into fruition. And now that the book is doing well, not only has her name been taken off it, everyone at the company seems to have forgotten that she ever contributed the idea to begin with.

And yet, through her tears, she bears down and chooses to be strong, because she wants to be a good mom. She is so unbelievably resilient, because she’s a mom. That’s what moms do. I’m quite deeply moved by this. The way Dan Yi holds back her tears during the video call with her daughter almost brought me to tears.

E6. I admire Dan Yi for readjusting her attitude and for wanting to keep trying, even though she’s been disappointed this time. I admire her even more, for speaking with Director Ko about it. There’s something so admirable about not being fazed, and wanting to continue to do well and grow and learn, even when speaking with the one who most seems to want to wither you.

E9. I’m happy for Dan Yi every time she makes headway at work and gets recognized or praised for something. The fact that her idea for the powerpoint blurbs has triggered demand for a book enough to get it reprinted, is fantastic, and she deserves to bask in that praise and affirmation. I smiled when she did her victory dance, and I’d love for her to have many more reasons to break out her dancing shoes.

E11. Dan Yi does wonderfully well hosting the book concert at the last minute, and as with every other time that she does well, I felt so proud of her. I felt the way Eun Ho looked, all beaming and pleased and proud.

E13. While it makes me sad to see Dan Yi struggle, I do admire her for choosing to own her problem. She takes the decision out of Eun Ho’s hands and goes to speak with CEO Kim (Kim Tae Woo), to plead her own case, even while admitting that she knows that it’s her fault. She pleads her case with so much heartfelt eloquence, that I feel the tears that are brimming in her eyes.

E13. That moment when Dan Yi lets herself into a bathroom stall and just cries, is so heartbreaking. She cries quietly, but it’s just so raw. I can literally feel her pain through my screen. Oof.

[END SPOILER]

Special shout-outs:

1. Wi Ha Joon as Seo Joon

I’d only ever seen Wi Ha Joon as the disapproving younger brother in Something In The Rain, so seeing him all cute and charming here was a lovely surprise.

Seo Joon isn’t a super deeply developed character, but I enjoyed him very well as our second lead, and found his earnest, sincere courtship of Dan Yi very endearing, if ultimately futile.

Show hints at Seo Joon having a possible dark side, but happily, this turns out to be more smoke than actual fire, and I was able to keep on liking Seo Joon for the decent, wholesome guy that he is.

2. Jung Yoo Jin as Hae Rin

I’ve seen Jung Yoo Jin in quite a few shows (like Thirty But Seventeen, Something In The Rain, and W), but I must say that I found her the most endearing and likable in this one.

Thanks in part to writer-nim’s crafting of the character, and thanks in part to Jung Yoo Jin’s excellent delivery, I found Hae Rin to be a character that felt very real, in all of her flaws, foibles and winsome quirks.

From her strong passion for crafting books and bringing them to life, to her crush on Eun Ho, to her sincere desire to be friends with Dan Yi, I found myself liking Hae Rin more and more, as I got deeper into my watch.

[SPOILER] One of my favorite Hae Rin moments is in episode 10. Hae Rin is so sad-cute, the way she rants at her parents for always feeding her the dumplings that are too ugly to sell, complaining that that’s why she keeps getting rejected by guys. When her parents make a big show of being up in arms over Eun Ho rejecting her, and promise to punish him, and promise to always give her only perfect dumplings henceforth, it’s so endearing, how Hae Rin tearfully eats the broken dumpling anyway, mumbling through her tears that they still taste good. Aw. Sweet girl. [END SPOILER]

STUFF I LIKED

Before I get into the relationship spotlights, here are several things that I really enjoyed in this show, that I wanted to highlight.

1. The spotlight on women’s struggles

Show does a really good job of casting a sobering spotlight on the predicament of women in Korean society.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Dan Yi’s struggle against impossible odds to have a second shot at a productive career is so poignant. No one will hire her at the level that she was when she first left the workforce, but no one will hire her at entry level either, given her qualifications. And then in episode 13, when it’s discovered that she’s lied on her resume, she is let go from her job for lying. There’s just no way in.

And for Manager Seo, who chooses to be a working mum, she, too, is continually stuck between a rock and a hard place. Society basically expects you to work as if you don’t have a child, but raise your child as if you don’t have to work. And the only other option is to be a stay-at-home mum. But how many families can afford that arrangement, with the skyrocketing costs of raising a child? And what of women like Manager Seo, who are divorced and therefore have no option to be a stay-at-home mum?

And then there’s Director Ko, who chose neither marriage nor children, in order to focus on her career. Yet, she’s quietly disdained for being the pathetic eternal single.

None of these women win, in the end, and that’s so poignant and real and raw.

The mini arc in episode 8 of Dan Yi going to the club with Manager Seo and Director Ko is played for comedy at first, but that scene of all three of them crying together in Director Ko’s apartment tugs at my heartstrings. This is such a statement about how it’s never perfect or easy, whatever your station happens to be. If you’re single, there are hardships, and if you’re married, it’s hard too – and you could possibly get divorced, which is hard too. I appreciated that sentiment and that statement, even as my heart went out to these women.

[END SPOILER]

2. The focus on female friendships

Show gives more focus and time to friendships between women than the average kdrama, and I liked that a lot.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Hae Rin & Dan Yi

I really enjoyed the growing friendship between Hae Rin and Dan Yi. The way they connect over the shared project in episode 5, and enjoy bouncing ideas off each other, and then celebrate together, is really nice to see. The way Dan Yi kept Hae Rin’s soju stash hidden for her in episode 9, and the sparkle in Hae Rin’s eyes, as she thanks Dan Yi profusely, is sweet and heartwarming as well.

Best of all, this doesn’t all go to pot, when Hae Rin realizes that Eun Ho has feelings for Dan Yi. I love that Hae Rin manages to appreciate Dan Yi as a person, regardless of Dan Yi becoming her long-time crush’s girlfriend. Yes, it does take Hae Rin a while to process and adjust, but her continued friendship with Dan Yi is really one of the sweetest things in this drama world.

Manager Seo & Dan Yi

I love how Manager Seo is so supportive of Dan Yi. There’s no suspicion or jealousy; she just celebrates Dan Yi’s efforts with warmth, which I very much appreciate. I love that in episode 9, after they’ve clubbed together, and cried their hearts out together, nothing as trivial as an office environment is going to get in the way of Manager Seo treating Dan Yi as a friend. Aw.

I also found it very sweet, how Manager Seo and Dan Yi want to be there for Director Ko in episode 11, even though she declines.

[END SPOILER]

3. The Gyeoroo Gang

I must say, I didn’t expect the office gang at Gyeoroo to grow on me as much as they did. I love that they are all so quirky, and so passionate and earnest about making books. There’s so much heart in what they do, and there’s also so much heart in how they regard and treat one another. These people are, in effect, so much more than colleagues. They are family – soulmates, almost, in their shared passion – and they just belong together.

I grew to really enjoy the office scenes, and I was genuinely wistful to get to the end of this show, partly because I wouldn’t get to see this gang of passionate quirks together anymore.

Romance is a Bonus Book OST – 레인보우 (Rainbow)

RELATIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT

1. Dan Yi & Eun Ho

As I alluded to earlier in this review, the romance between our OTP isn’t actually this story’s Main Event. While this might be a downside for viewers who are looking for a show which is all about the romance, I actually found this to be a plus point.

Because most k-romcoms revolve almost exclusively around the OTP relationship, I found it different and quite refreshing, that the developments in this OTP relationship are treated with a touch that feels lyrical yet possesses lashings of matter-of-fact-ness.

The thoughts that we hear Dan Yi and Eun Ho think about each other tend to be poetic and lyrical, but the actual OTP milestones, like kisses, the confirmation of their relationship status, and eventually, even  the consummation of the relationship, are all treated with a distinct lack of fanfare. We can see that it’s meaningful to our characters, but it’s not a hyped up dramatic moment of screen time. Instead, the focus is on Dan Yi’s journey, and Eun Ho’s role is basically to support her through it. How refreshing, to have a woman’s personal journey outside of romance be treated with primary importance.

In the same way that Show is warm, thoughtful and cozy, yet manages to feel fresh, the relationship between Eun Ho and Dan Yi also feels cozy and familiar, thanks to their many years of shared friendship prior, and yet, there’s that tantalizing new thing between them that’s starting to grow, like a fresh shoot in an earthy garden. I really liked that.

Also, I felt like the chemistry between Lee Jong Suk and Lee Na Young hit that perfect note of cozy familiarity quite wonderfully. From comfortable conversations, to easy skinship, to the simple complete ease of being around each other, they made our OTP connection feel deep, organically grown and very, very real.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Even though the OTP relationship isn’t Show’s primary focus, Show manages to serve up lots of meaty goodness around this OTP, which I very much enjoyed. Here’s a slightly sprawling look at all of my OTP-related thoughts.

E4. The little details – Dan Yi knowing exactly what Eun Ho would forget, after a shower – tell us so clearly, that these two know each other really well, that their relationship is born of many years of being together.

E4. I like how Eun Ho and Dan Yi tell each other this episode, that they only really need each other. Maybe not in so many words, but when Dan Yi articulates that she just needs one person who really knows her and understands her, Eun Ho springs to make the claim that that’s him, and she concedes. His little happy victory dance afterwards is very cute and very bonus. And then later, he tells her the same, that all he needs is her, because she knows him and understands him, and will believe in him, even when the world turns against him. That’s very sweet. ❤

E5. I very much enjoy the vibe between Eun Ho and Dan Yi. Their relationship is not romantic yet, but they are so at ease with each other that they’d happily hold hands while walking along the street. I like that a lot.

E8. Right on cue, at episode 8, we have OTP movement. Lol. That’s on the predictable side of things, but I appreciate how this show does it. When we get to the moment of blossoming hyperawareness on Dan Yi’s side, it feels fresh and sudden, yet almost overdue, certainly ripe for the picking, because this has been brewing on Eun Ho’s side for a long time now.

It’s completely believable that she would simply rest her head on his shoulder because she was tired, without telling him first. And because Eun Ho’s been grappling with the entrance of Seo Joon in Dan Yi’s life and the jealousy that comes with, I can believe that this would come together to galvanize him into action, when the moment presented itself. He’s been yearning to be more to her than just a brother or friend, and I can perfectly understand why he would want to trace her features with his hand, why he would lean in and almost kiss her. That was a lovely moment, equal parts warm-cozy and heady-melty.

I like that this encounter triggers Dan Yi to finally start questioning whether Eun Ho likes her, even though she thinks at first that it was possibly a dream. That, combined with the layered meaning of the phrasing that Eun Ho uses, about the snow being beautiful, makes it easy, almost, for Eun Ho to tell Dan Yi that he loves her, without actually telling her. I kinda love that, because this is fruit of their relationship. It’s precisely because they’ve spent so much time together, that they have arrived at a shared vernacular. I like that a lot.

E9. I’m not too hot on Show switching out Eun Ho’s reaction to Dan Yi’s question about whether he likes her, but, I do like that Show’s been sprinkling ambiguous “I might like you” statements by Eun Ho throughout. It makes it possible to believe that Dan Yi would miss the cues, because the statements were made in a teasing manner. But once she switches her lens to look back on them all, they stack really nicely to make a case for Eun Ho having real feelings for her. This feels refreshingly organic, and I like it a lot.

E9. The hyper-proximity with Eun Ho at the jewelry store is extra delicious now, compared to previous instances, because now Dan Yi is beginning to be hyper-aware of Eun Ho, and that makes all the difference. So much heady tension.

E10. Dan Yi’s preoccupation with Eun Ho this episode is very telling. She cares about him, and she won’t even offer Seo Joon a band aid because she’s very aware of how Eun Ho might feel, and she doesn’t want to hurt him.

E10. The way Dan Yi races home when she sees Eun Ho’s text that he’s home is really sweet. She isn’t sure whether she feels romantically about him, but this transcends all that. She’s just excited that Eun Ho’s home, and that feels pure and untainted and sweet.

E10. There’s a cozy gentleness about Eun Ho, as he looks at Dan Yi and talks to her, now that he’s weakened from the fever. There’s also a boldness mixed in there, where he throws caution to the wind and grabs her hand, and cites his fever to get a pass whenever she protests. It’s kinda great. I like gentle cozy bold Eun Ho.

E10. I really like the lead-up to the kiss. It’s not a grand gesture scored by a big love anthem, which I appreciate. In keeping with Show’s thoughtful tone, Eun Ho actually explains himself, albeit in a vague manner, before he leans in to kiss Dan Yi.

Propelled by his glee and satisfaction that Dan Yi withheld the band aid from Seo Joon even though she knew that she had them in her bag, he tells her that there are just some days that you can’t hold back; that most days, you tell yourself to just endure it and hold back, but on a day like today, you just.. can’t. And he leans quickly, but pauses, before he plants a kiss on her lips that feels both intent yet gentle; fast, in how long his lips stay on hers, but slow, in the way his lips move on hers. It’s sensuous, yet matter-of-fact, and I dig it.

E11. I agree with Eun Ho. Even though he and Dan Yi are just cleaning the house, they manage to have fun together, and there’s just an easy, cozy vibe between them. They were domesticity together well.

E11. Eun Ho stopping to listen in on the office gossip, that Dan Yi was overheard in the bathroom telling herself over and over that the kiss didn’t mean anything, and she shouldn’t be bothered, then being pleased and smiling to himself, is evidence that Eun Ho really knows Dan Yi, and he can tell that this is her in denial. Cute.

E11. Eun Ho being almost flippantly matter-of-fact about his feelings for Dan Yi, and confronting her with it in smallish, half-teasing ways, is just the right amount of pushy, I think. If he doesn’t push at all, I think it’s quite possible that Dan Yi will never confront her own feelings for him. But if he’s too pushy, it’ll likely come across as obnoxious and push her away. This is good-natured and teasing, and just enough, to make Dan Yi unable to forget or ignore that he likes her as a woman. I rather like that.

E12. I love the little beat of Eun Ho and Dan Yi holding hands as they walk in the park, not letting go even while buying buns from a vendor, preferring to juggle the task between their respective free hands instead. That’s so cozy and familiar, and this, even while Eun Ho’s confessed feelings hang in the air between them. I love that they feel comfortable enough to continue holding hands, even before they’ve sorted out Dan Yi’s response to Eun Ho’s confession.

E12. I love the little impromptu date that Eun Ho and Dan Yi go on, with dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a movie. More than the date itself, it’s how they interact with each other that gives me a thrill. That new and exciting burgeoning romance, couched in a context that’s so familiar and comfortable and cozy, just really appeals to me. I love that even though this is the beginning of something new for them, that Dan Yi is comfortable enough with Eun Ho to tell him that she likes holding hands with him, and that she likes the way he kisses the back of her hand, and even that she’d liked the kiss from before too. I love that all she is, is a little bashful, and he’s all accepting and smiley about it. Augh. I love it so.

E14. Eun Ho just knowing in his gut, that Dan Yi would stay by him and hold his hand, even when she found out his secret about Writer Kang, is truly lovely. He has complete faith in the fact that Dan Yi has complete faith in him. Augh. I love that.

[END SPOILER]

2. Seo Joon’s connection with Dan Yi

I’m aware that this side of the love triangle didn’t appeal to everyone, but I actually found this sweet and endearing in its own way.

I found Dan Yi’s burgeoning friendship with Seo Joon cute, with them deciding to be neighborhood friends, with Seo Joon then developing an interest to take things further than just being neighborhood acquaintances.

[SPOILER ALERT]

I really liked the idea that Seo Joon seems to genuinely like Dan Yi for who she is, even before he knew her name or where she worked or who she lived with. I like how that feels pure and sincere. I like that he’s not letting age or the awkward stare-downs with Eun Ho get in the way; he goes ahead and puts it out there in episode 6, that he’s interested in Dan Yi. I dig that he’s so unabashedly frank about it.

In episode 7, I was very amused by Seo Joon’s comical reactions to Dan Yi’s various confessions: about being divorced, about having a kid, and about her age. Beyond that, I felt fondly sorry for Seo Joon, as he anguished over why his body would react that way, in that moment. Poor guy.

At the same time, I admire Dan Yi for making things clear with Seo Joon right from the beginning, once he’s expressed a little bit of romantic interest. Even though there was always a chance that her admission would nix her chances with the new handsome young man, she tells him anyway, so that she won’t lead him on. That’s very honorable of her. A lesser, more selfish woman would have allowed the misconception to continue, to allow the relationship to grow. I admire Dan Yi for being proactive and candid, even though the odds are against her.

I also appreciate that Seo Joon comes back to seek Dan Yi out, even though he’s terribly embarrassed and doesn’t know what to say. And the way his face lights up when she does come out of the house, says everything. He’s happy to see her, he’s happy that she’s not rejecting him, and it’s just lovely to witness.

I like the fact that Seo Joon is prepared to keep on asking to see Dan Yi, even if she rejects him. I also like his approach, of taking things slow and easy with Dan Yi, under the assumption that she’s the one who might feel uncomfortable with their age difference. It’s also pretty cute that he would pretend that he needs to go to the office, just so that he can take the bus with Dan Yi in the mornings and evenings, and spend some time with her that way. His warm smile and his glad expression every time he sees her, makes this whole thing very endearing to my eyes, instead of creepy.

Eventually, the way Dan Yi lets Seo Joon know that it’s the end of the road for them in episode 11, is really gentle, and she frames it so cordially too. More than that, I like how Seo Joon responds. He’s completely understanding and respectful, and then frames it as maybe folding the corner on this page, so they can possibly return to it and continue where they left off, if she desires. I thought was a nice way of keeping their options open, without pressuring Dan Yi.

Overall, I really enjoyed this little almost-loveline, for its sincerity, earnestness, and clear mutual respect.

[END SPOILER]

3. Hae Rin’s crush on Eun Ho

To be honest, I didn’t enjoy Hae Rin’s crush on Eun Ho as much as I enjoyed Seo Joon’s crush on Dan Yi, but I did appreciate the general way that Hae Rin’s feelings are teased out. I found it organic and believable, that she would crush on the sunbae who’d been such a big influence on her, and I found the way she tried to confess her feelings nicely in character as well.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Here, I wanted to shine the spotlight on just 2 aspects of this little arc.

1. How she notices him

I found it very believable that Hae Rin would be so in tune with the nuances in Eun Ho’s expression, that she would notice immediately, when any traces of differences show up. In episode 6, Hae Rin notices right away, when Eun Ho lets down his guard around Dan Yi, even if just for a crack. She can tell that he’s relaxed around Dan Yi, and she can also tell, when he stiffens when Dan Yi receives a phone call from someone else. The way Hae Rin angsts over this feels really relatable, I felt.

2. How he lets her know his response

I did come across some viewer comments that the way Eun Ho lets Hae Rin know his answer to her confession in episode 9 is really sweet. As in, he gives Hae Rin space to read his letter by retreating to the kitchen, while watching over her to make sure she’s ok. I.. don’t know how I feel about that. Giving someone space while watching over them isn’t the same as giving them privacy, and if I were in Hae Rin’s shoes, getting rejected by the man whom I’d confessed my love to multiple times, I’d want to have the assurance that no one would see my reaction, my pain and my tears.

In actuality, I felt that Eun Ho’s actions in this instance, are really sweet on the surface, but also, really quite cruel, in a way. I mean, his words are really kind, and he even acknowledges that her feelings for him are beautiful and precious. For the record, I like the content of his letter. My beef is that he basically tricks her into finding his letter, and then puts her on the spot by trapping her into reading it in his house. If I were in Hae Rin’s shoes, I’d want to read that letter in private, so that no one would see the inevitable tears that would flow. That didn’t seem very considerate to me, and this did bother me somewhat.

However, I do very much appreciate how Hae Rin refuses to let this taint her friendship with Eun Ho or with Dan Yi. I liked that a lot.

[END SPOILER]

4. Seo Joon’s simmering potential loveline with Hae Rin

The more Show gave Seo Joon and Hae Rin time to spend together, the more intrigued I became, for the potential of a loveline between them.

[MINOR SPOILERS]

I love how these two people connect in a pretty solid way, and even have similar interests in and out of work (creating books, and visiting art exhibitions). Their little teasing interaction in episode 9, when Hae Rin tries to get him to sign a contract for 10 books was cute, and I immediately looked forward to seeing more cute coming out of these two being together.

I thought the scene of them falling asleep together at the cafe in episode 11 was really cute as well. They are so perfect for each other, and the subsequent scenes of them at the printing press, looking at the finished book, is a perfect example of how much they are in sync.

I am very pleased with where we eventually leave these two, which I’ll talk more about later in this review.

[END SPOILERS]

Special shout-outs:

1. Manager Bong and Manager Seo [SPOILERS]

I feel like Show’s special earthy, hopeful touch is arguably most evident in how it treats the relationship between Manager Bong (Jo Han Chul) and Manager Seo.

Show doesn’t sugarcoat their divorce nor the reason that their marriage broke down over the years; in that sense, it feels painfully true to life. At the same time, I like how there’s a sweet pathos in the lingering loyalty between them. The scene in episode 7, of Manager Seo defending her ex-husband to CEO Kim is so poignant. She has divorced him and is currently ignoring him, but she won’t let someone else put him down. She still knows he’s a good man. That’s so bittersweet, with a perfect balance between the bitter and the sweet.

I also felt genuinely satisfied at where we leave this pair, which I’ll talk more about later as well.

2. The burgeoning loveline between Park Hoon and Ji Yul

The side loveline between Ji Yul and Park Hoon (Park Gyu Young and Kang Ki Doong) is more comic relief than anything else, but I did find them suitably silly and amusing.

[SPOILER] In particular, I thought the scene in episode 7, of Ji Yul’s mom (Choi Eun Kyung) barging into Park Hoon’s house especially hilarious. It’s such a great twist on the classic quaking-before-a-chaebol-mom scene. He basically turns around and threatens to run away with Ji Yul, if Mom continues to behave like this – while pleading with her to just take off her shoes in his house. Pwahaha! Hilarious. [END SPOILER]

To Show’s credit, I found that I grew more and more fond of this ridiculous pair, the deeper I got into my watch.

Romance is a Bonus Book OST – Happy End

STUFF THAT WORKED OUT TO NEUTRAL

I didn’t end up actually disliking anything in this show, so this section is on the things that I didn’t feel so sure about, but which worked out pretty alright, in the end.

1. Kim Yoo Mi as Director Ko

While there are moments in Show’s early stretch where I felt sorry for Director Ko, I must confess that I wasn’t so sure about her as a character, for a good while.

Director Ko is presented as a woman who is serious and passionate about her work; a woman who gave up marriage in order to focus on her career. And in some of her actions, she seems to almost begrudge Dan Yi her tentative steps back to meaningful work.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Additionally, there’s something about Director Ko’s soft-spoken yet curt and almost flippant way of talking that makes her come across as quite unlikable, like cruelty is just a casual remark, for her. Of course, she often has a point, like she does in episode 6 when she points out that Dan Yi’s name should be removed from the copyright page, and Eun Ho acknowledges that too. But, my beef with Director Ko was that, even in her strong desire to play by the rules (and yes, the rules exist for a reason), I felt like she could have mixed in a lot more humanity and empathy into the way she looks at the work, the company, and the people who make up the company.

As Show peeled back Director Ko’s layers, though, I did begin to come around to her as a character.

For example, in episode 11, it’s quite poignant, how Director Ko meets her ex-fiance. It’s exactly not how she imagined it would be, and it makes her cry alone afterwards, in her apartment. That’s relatable in that even if you’ve never been in exactly her situation, you’d likely have someone that you imagined meeting again, and how that would go. My heart goes out to her in this moment, because she probably feels so alone and pathetic as she sits in her mess of an apartment and cries.

And then in episode 12, when Director Ko states that Dan Yi should be fired for lying on her resume, I feel for Dan Yi as Eun Ho does, but at the same time, I have to agree with Director Ko. The company can’t just gloss over the fact that she lied in order to get the job.

Ultimately, though, it’s Director Ko who gives Dan Yi a lead to her next job, which led me to conclude that Director Ko wasn’t being malicious in laying down the law at Dan Yi’s deception; she’s just that kind of principled person who feels the need to act according to explicit guidelines and rules. But, the fact that she seeks Dan Yi out to give her the contact, shows that she does have personal regard for Dan Yi, and I appreciated that a lot.

By this point in the show, I’d come to the conclusion that Director Ko is a good person at heart, beneath her prickly, stickler-for-the-rules surface. And so, when we later see sparks buzzing between Director Ko and CEO Kim, I was glad for her, that she might finally have found someone to share her life with. Beyond the thrill of the physical proximity of him sewing back her button in episode 14, I found it poignant that it’s his words of appreciation for her hard work and work ethic, that brings tears to her eyes. That’s really the moment that I felt like these two really connected on a deeper level, and I was glad for it.

[END SPOILER]

2. The secret around Writer Kang

From early on in our story, Show teases a mystery around Writer Kang and his connections to Eun Ho, Gyeoroo as a whole, and Seo Joon.

The thing is, Show teases us with fragments of information, and then doesn’t do anything with said fragments, for episodes on end. By episode 12, I’d decided that I wasn’t very interested in this arc at all. But, because Show had done so well in my books on so many other things, I decided to continue giving Show the benefit of the doubt, that it would eventually wrap up this arc in a satisfactory manner.

Happily, Show does just that, which I’ll talk more about in the spotlight on the penultimate episode.

THEMES / IDEAS

For a show as thoughtfully written and as lyrically strong as this one is, there are many themes and ideas ripe for the picking. Off the top of my head, here are just a few:

1. The idea of love not having to equate possession.

2. The idea of being shaped by our past, but not being limited by it.

3. The idea of doing something purely out of passion.

[SPOILER] There’s a sobering arc in episode 7, about the poet who died alone and poor, because his poetry never sold well – and that, in part at least, because people would upload his entire books of poetry online for others to read. That’s a statement and wake-up call, for all the piracy that goes on in the interwebs, and it’s really sobering to see the real consequences it can have on the content creator. At the same time, it’s really heart-tugging to see that the poet never stopped writing poetry, in spite of all that. He didn’t write for the money, although money would have been good. He wrote because it was part of who he was. How beautiful. [END SPOILER]

4. The idea of second chances.

5. The idea of frailty in humanity, but at the same time, the strength that comes from hope, in humanity.

A QUICK SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODE [SPOILERS]

The secret around Writer Kang comes to a head, and in the overall scheme of things, I like the way Show handles this arc.

Do I wish that there wasn’t some kind of big secret in this story world like so many other kdramas before it? Yes. But, given that this was what writer-nim wanted, do I think that Show handled it with just the right touch? Also, yes.

Even though we started this arc a bit heavy-handed, with Seo Joon having a lock on his Writer Kang-centered cave and acting all touchy-mysterious about it, I do like that this arc has mellowed out into something more personal and meaningful. The mystery giving way to the reveal, that Seo Joon is Writer Kang’s son, lost through a mother’s decision to be independent of the father of her child, and through a father’s lost memories, is quite heartfelt and poignant, I thought.

In that final scene where Eun Ho, Hae Rin and Dan Yi sit down to share the information that they have, and the conclusion of Seo Joon’s relationship with Writer Kang surfaces, I can feel that these three people all care about Seo Joon, and are looking upon this reveal in the most humane, empathetic way. I liked that.

Manager Bong walking in on his ex-wife’s alleged tryst with a new man, feels poignant and real. He still cares about her, and wants her back, but she’s not willing, and is choosing to move on. The strained air between them, as he desperately asks her if what they had wasn’t special, feels so palpable.

Dan Yi choosing to quit her new job on a principle, even though she has no other viable job option awaiting her, is admirable. I like that she’s a woman who values honor and ethics enough to put her own financial security on the line.

Eun Ho taking a private moment to do a Dan Yi victory dance, when he finds out that she’s won the TOP competition, is freaking adorkable. More than that, I love how supportive he is of her, and how proud he is of her. He doesn’t know that this will lead to her re-employment, but he’s just so proud of her for shining brightly and doing well, and leaving on a high note. Aw.

Lastly, shout-out to Show for not rocking the OTP relationship in the penultimate episode as so many other kdramas tend to do. Instead, we see Eun Ho and Dan Yi standing by each other more overtly than ever, and it’s a pleasure to behold.

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

Not gonna lie, my friends. I felt distinctly wistful going into the finale, because I just knew in my gut that I would be sorry to say goodbye to these characters and this drama world. And I was right. As I watched this finale, and as Show’s lens gradually adjusted in degrees to distance me a little more – and then a little more – from these characters, I felt a deep wistfulness in my heart, even as these lovable folks continued to make me smile. In this case, I just feel the need to quote Shakespeare a bit: parting really is sweet sorrow.

It doesn’t feel as if a whole lot happens in this final hour, but we do get some important plot movement.

Most notably, Seo Joon finally gets the closure he’s been searching for all these years, with the father that he thought didn’t want him. I felt more moved by this arc than I thought I would be; my heart went out to Seo Joon, who’d been feeling a sense of rejection from the father that he yearned for. How sad, that he suffered so much emotionally, for a conclusion that was completely misplaced. His dad didn’t seek him out not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t. I’m relieved for him, that he’s now finally able to move on, with a comforted and soothed heart, and a new lightness and hope in his spirit, despite losing his father just as he found him.

It was heartening to see Seo Joon’s new friends from Gyeoroo rally around him during this emotionally overwhelming milestone in his life. In particular, I felt glad for his growing friendship with Hae Rin, and I thought I would never wipe the gleeful grin off my face, when Seo Joon finally makes his romantic intentions towards Hae Rin known, in an alarmed attempt to stop her from going on a blind date. Hee. Nothing like a little bit of time pressure to nudge things along, eh? I kind of thought Show might leave this loveline open, with potential for Seo Joon and Hae Rin to move beyond friendship sometime in the future, and I would’ve been perfectly happy with that, I think. But I can’t deny that I’m just super pleased to be able to witness the moment that Seo Joon sheepishly lets Hae Rin know how he feels, and her face blossoms into the most endearing, sweet, surprised smile. Kya! I ship these two, I do.

On a related note, I also liked that Show gave CEO Kim and Director Ko a confirmed loveline in its last few minutes. We don’t get to see exactly how that goes down, but I rather like the idea of Show giving these two the privacy to figure things out, presumably on the day that Director Ko responds to CEO Kim’s advice that “while you may love work, it will never love you back,” with a carelessly audacious invitation to play hooky together for the day. That’s just enough cute for me, with these two, and just knowing that they’re dating and not lonely anymore, and making each other happy, makes me happy.

In terms of our other couples, I rather like the note on which we leave ex-spouses Manager Bong and Manager Seo. It’s a sad reality that they got divorced, and I appreciate Show acknowledging that not all relationships can be mended, and that sometimes it’s the healthier thing to do, to separate and move on. What I do like, is that we get to see them come to more amicable terms for the sake of their son. I like that Manager Bong gets time with his son on the weekend, and I like even more, that they still have family meals together, coz even though they are no longer husband and wife, they will always be their son’s parents.

Even Park Hoon and Ji Yul get their awkward happy ever after, with Park Hoon storming in on yet another one of Ji Yul’s blind dates, and Ji Yul finally making her feelings for him known, by pecking him on the lips. It’s as hilariously awkward as these two have been all series long, and I found this a fitting note on which to leave them.

Of course, one of my personal highlights of this finale is seeing Dan Yi revel in her return to Gyeoroo, complete with Gyeoroo’s trademark trenchcoat swish. Yess!

I love that everyone’s just so pleased to see her again, and that they welcome her back with cheers, smiles and all kinds of thoughtful gestures. It’s in the gladness her colleagues express, that we get a sense, all over again, of just how much of a difference Dan Yi has made in the office, and I’m so happy for her, that she’s finally got the chance to be fully herself, as she applies herself to her new job. No more lies about her resume; no more pretending to be a marketing noob; she’s free to learn and grow, just as she is, and I love it.

I love, too, that Eun Ho casually makes their relationship public in front of the rest of the company, by unabashedly holding her hand, as they all walk together after a company dinner. This was the final thing in my mind that I wanted Show to deliver on. I wanted Dan Yi and Eun Ho to be able to date openly without having to sneak around, and seeing their colleagues hoot and holler happily for them, made me happy too.

On a more private note for the OTP, I also liked that Show settled their living arrangements once and for all as well. I like that when Eun Ho realizes that Dan Yi is working to keep her promise of only living at his house for 6 months, he doesn’t stop her, but goes with her to look at apartments, and then tells her that if she’s moving, he’s moving with her, because if he’s her home as she said, then where she is, is his home too. D’aw. Dan Yi protests a little, that her daughter will graduate and need a place to stay, and Eun Ho answers simply that they’ll figure things out when that happens. I found this so down-to-earth and sweet. No big fanfare, no big argument about whether or not she ought to move or stay; just essentially that simple statement: if you stay, I stay, and if you go, I go. Coz we belong together. Melt.

I also really enjoyed Show’s lingering spotlight on the Gyeoroo gang. I liked watching them get so sincerely excited about the books that they’re publishing, and I love the philosophy that CEO Kim shares, that they’ll publish books that make lots of money, so that they will have the means to publish the less popular, but no less important books, that will be treasured for a long time by their readers. Aw. There’s something quite noble about that that I like a lot. I also really appreciate that Director Ko announces that Gyeoroo will henceforth change their recruitment policy to embrace a blind process that only looks at candidates’ abilities and talents, rather than their qualifications or experience. 

What a fitting note on which to end, I thought, since this was the very process that first brought Dan Yi into their midst, undercover and with a fake resume. How lovely, to know that our drama world is taking steps towards systemic change. Yes, that’s not super realistic in some ways, but just as k-romcoms serve us the fantasy of happy-ever-afters with Prince Charmings, this show serves us the hope of a better, happier world, where a happy-ever-after with your Prince Charming is possible, yes, but on top of that, you also get to be recognized for your talents and your abilities, and even women who’ve been away from the workforce for years, have a valid right to a second chance. Yess. That’s the kind of stuff that dreams are made of for some of us, I’m sure.

And because I loved the bonus pages at the end of every episode, with thoughtful, contemplative musings from various characters, here’s a sampling of Show’s final bonus pages:

We are like books. We wait for someone to find us and open us to see what’s inside.

In the end, no one can live without people.

We are trees that branch out in solitude and bear fruits. We are beautiful trees with growth rings of our lives.

Only after finishing the book, I can see what I missed, and life goes the same.

Everyone has their own tunnel to pass. A hand from others helps us forget our fear.

A book that inspires others may not always inspire you, so find a book that does.

In life, we face many hurdles. We use each other’s love to jump over them.

Loving someone is strange and amazing at the same time.

Dear viewers who watched our drama, “The moon is beautiful.”

Yes, the moon is beautiful. Thank you, Show, for opening the pages to me, of the books that are these lovable characters. I enjoyed peeking through their pages very much indeed, and I have a feeling that even as I close the page on my watch, that these characters will keep on living life and reaching new growth rings, long after the credits stop rolling.

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Thoughtful & lyrical, and also, poignant & sweet.

FINAL GRADE: A

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