Hi everyone!

Thanks for enjoying my episode 1 notes on My Liberation Notes! Today, I thought I’d share my episode 1 notes on Our Blues, because I’m enjoying it nicely, and I was wondering if you’d like to join me? 🤗

These are my episode 1 notes, exactly as they appear on Patreon, ie, without screenshots (I’m saving those for the actual review).

I hope you all enjoy, and I hope you’ll consider joining us over on Patreon, for the rest of the discussions! ❤️

Episode notes:

E1. When this show was announced, I felt like I had to check it out, if only for the star-studded cast, which by itself is a coup by the production team.

Add on the allure of beautiful Jeju Island, and I felt like I practically had no choice but to watch this show – even though I have no idea what to expect, from an “omnibus drama” like this one is billed to be.

I have the impression that an omnibus drama means that unlike other dramas, where everyone’s arcs pretty much develop in parallel, over the course of the show, we’ll likely get mini arcs, dealt with one after the other.

At least, that’s my guess, based on the “omnibus” billing, and the fact that Show is balancing so many big name actors, who must have very busy schedules.

It’s probably easier to get these actors to commit to smaller chunks of filming schedules, rather than have them seriously involved over the entire run of the show.

Even so, it’s still a casting coup, and probably something of a scheduling miracle, because whoever’s in charge of the filming schedule, has got to figure out exactly which scenes these actors share across arcs, and make it such that the schedule shakes out as needed.

The administrator part of my brain is melting from the intimidation of the thought. 😅

So far, I like it.

For one thing, Jeju Island is freaking gorgeous, and every time we get a pan of the landscape, my breath catches in my throat, from how surreal it looks, like it emerged from a different world, almost.

I feel like this show would likely be worth watching, for that alone.

At the same time, I dig the earthy charm that Show is serving up, in terms of our drama world.

Unlike My Liberation Notes, where the hard work of the countryside is laid bare, all stark and sweaty, Our Blues paints the Jeju lifestyle in a charming manner that combines the rustic, the chaotic and the beautiful, kind of in the vein of Hometown Cha Cha Cha.

Like, sure, our characters work hard and earn their keep by the sweat of their brows, but they also look amazing while they do it, and their surroundings are gorgeous, and it’s altogether not a bad lifestyle – is the vibe that I’m getting.

Plus, there’s all that laidback breezy music that keeps playing, that makes our story world feel like a beach holiday escape.

Which is fine by me, for the record. I’d like a bit of charm and whimsy in my drama escape, thank you.

So far, we are getting sparks of story, as we get acquainted with our characters.

For example, we can see that Kim Woo Bin‘s character (listed as Jeong Jun) is drawn to Han Ji Min’s character, Yeong Ok. And, it’s clear that while she’s the vivacious life of the party, he’s more of the strong, silent type.

Also, while it’s clear that she’s happy to flirt casually with the men around her, he’s looking for something deeper.

All that intrigues me, certainly, but that spark of story isn’t going to have its time in the sun this episode, it looks like.

This episode, we’re focused more on Cha Seung Won’s character Han Su, who’s a branch manager at a bank, who happens to have a golf prodigy for a daughter, and is now feeling the the financial strain of her golf career’s demands.

That’s a tough place to be in. Daughter Dearest is suffering from a case of the yips, but she’s got potential, and shouldn’t give up. But they’re running low on money, and have already borrowed from just about all of their friends and acquaintances.

It’s a tough place for a father to be.

And now, he’s faced with the fact that Lee Jung Eun’s character Eun Hui, who’d had a huge crush on him in school, is now worth literal millions.

I.. don’t know how I feel about where this is going, but it’s becoming clear to me, that Han Su will at least be tempted to leverage Eun Hui’s affection towards him, to help his financial situation.

I feel like regardless of how this goes, it’s going to be a pretty delicate situation.

I’m hoping that Han Su doesn’t actually pretend to be single, to woo Eun Hui and get her to lend him money, but.. the preview for the next episode kind of hints that that’s very likely where we’re going. Eep. 😅

That said, I did really enjoy the high school flashback, where we see exactly what had happened between Han Su and Eun Hui, back in the day.

Ahh. I can totally see why Eun Hui would have been smitten.

First of all, he’s tall, good-looking and has a slight rogue-ish air about him. AND he’d defended her in the bus, when the other kids had ragged on her so badly, about the piglet that she’d been carrying.

PLUS, he’d defended her honor, when Eun Hui’s friend had confronted him publicly, to demand to know whether he’d kissed Eun Hui (when it had in fact been Eun Hui who had forced a kiss on him).

The way he casually answers, “But you liked it too,” is so dang cool, even as he covers for Eun Hui. I’d be completely smitten in her shoes too.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Eun Hui still has feelings for Han Su, even now.

Speaking of Eun Hui, I love-love-LOVE that scene, where she spills all the juicy details to Yeong Ok, about her first love.

The way they squeal with glee at every detail at every juncture of the story, is so cute and so pure. It really feels like they’re schoolgirls, all over again. I love it, and couldn’t stop grinning, as they reveled in the thrill of Eun Hui’s love story.

I can also totally see why Jeong Jun would have hearts in his eyes for Yeong Ok. She really is very charming, and in this completely unguarded moment, where she’s squealing with excitement with Eun Hui, she’s lovelier than ever.

Right now, I’m just really hoping that whatever happens with Han Su going forward, that Eun Hui won’t end up getting hurt. I hope that’s not too much to ask. 😅

So far, this worked out to be a solid premiere episode, although I do think that this slice-of-life style of story won’t be for everyone. To some folks, this will probably feel like a story about nothing very much.

For me, though, so far it vibes like a vacation to Jeju Island, which, honestly, is very likely just the breath of fresh air that I need.

*This show is being covered on the Early Access (US$5) Tier on Patreon*

To view episode 1 notes in Patreon, along with everyone’s comments, you can go here!

You can find my Patreon page here, where episodes 1 through 3 notes are already available. Just look for the tag “Our Blues” or click here.

Episode 4 notes will be out today, Tuesday, 10 May 2022! I hope you’ll consider joining us!

It’ll be a way to have fun, and support me at the same time? ❤️

PS: For more information on what the Patreon experience is like, you might like to check out my Patreon update post for May, which you can find here!