Crash Landing on You (2019)

Great first half, ok second half

I really enjoyed this drama but won't be able to give this drama a 10. Here are my reasons.

What I love about this drama:
The story in the first half of the drama. The story is original and captivating. North Korea, a place at which everything can happen, is the perfect incubator for the kind of romance between Ri Jung Hyuk and Yoon Se Ri. The story is infused with really funny and heartwarming that makes the audience fall in love with the leads and supporting characters soon. The pace was good and the sequel of events is logical (at least for us who know nothing about North Korea...). The romance is sweet and the 'goodbyes' are painful - my heart went up and down along with the story flow.

The chemistry between the two main leads is just great. I know Hyun Bin in one type of character: the rich bad boy who turns to be softie after falling in love with the unlikely heroine (not sure why he is always casted in this type of role). Therefore it was extremely refreshing to see HB playing this soft-hearted, almost nerdy army boy who at the same time can fight like Jet Li. To my surprise, he did a great job. Some say that his acting can be improved, but I find it to be exactly right to reflect RJH's introverted character. Needless to say that So Ye Jin's performance is outstanding. She perfectly depicts the arrogant and successful heiress who in reality has a heart made of glass and is deprived of love. I also applaud the second leads who are very sweet together. These two and all supporting actors displayed great acting performance and contributed to a lot of laughter and tears throughout the drama.

The realistic display of life in North Korea: I have watched many Korean dramas and this is my first drama that is set in North Korea. I appreciate that I was able to get to know North Korea as not only a dark and hopeless place but hosts warm people with comradeship. I can see that the writer wants us to realize that material wealth often does not contribute to happiness (e.g. the fight between the Se Ri and her siblings) but a simple life in harmony and solidarity can provide much more.

Finally, the cinematography is beautiful. The shots just leave the audience in awe: the crystal blue sea and the snow-covered mountain of Switzerland, the sprinkling white first snow and the sunlight gleaming through the woods... the director just knows how to shoot beautiful scenes. The OST is great and underlies the emotions well (through I have heard better ones).

Now a few points why I deduct two points for this drama:

I found the second half of the drama only ok. To me, I felt all the emotions in the first half already and left me feeling a little "less emotionally engaged". I don't blame the writer - it is very hard to make the incidents in South Korea more exciting than what has happened in North Korea - in order to do so writer imported all the bad and good guys into Seoul to create the excitement and that felt too forced. The villain and his followers become too instrumental and act illogically to create hurdles for the main leads. YSR becomes a little crying mess thus her tears are also not as effective anymore. As a viewer, you know that the director does it on purpose to create certain emotions with the audience. This is good, as long as the audience does not realize this. But when one does realize this (at least I did...) you know, the drama has fallen short.

Another short-coming of this drama is how they depict Yoon Se Ri's family. It still puzzles me of whether YSR's mom actually loves YSR or hate her when she was little - and why but does she suddenly realize she loves her again? And did YSR really made up with her? Also again, her second brother, and his wife were really functional and 2D which is a shame, given that many other supporting characters are well written.

Overall, I found the second half quiet draggy, almost repetitive in certain episodes though I enjoy seeing how the relationship of the second couple unfolds or how the group of soldiers survive in South Korea. I think the entire drama could have cut down to 10-12 episodes focusing mainly on happenings and the escape from NK with a reunion in SK (I know it would have been unrealistic but the current ending is unrealistic too!).

But I have to say, I still overall enjoy this drama and would still recommend everyone to watch it for the wonderful first half, the beautiful cinematography and the romance and acting of the leads.

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Pretty much perfect

This show is basically perfect. The plotline is riveting and so well thought-out, the main romance is absolutely electric, the characters are all complex and layered, I could go on and on. This show is so impressive in how it blends many different genres: it's a comedy, a love story, a suspenseful mystery, and a family drama. Most times, when a show tries to be all those things it fails but CLOY succeeds at all of them! Absolutely hooked me in from the start.

I think my favorite parts were the friendships between the soldiers and also among the women of the North Korean village. So cute and heartwarming the way they all protected and cared for each other! Also, I wasn't expecting to like Seo Dan and Gu Seung-joon at first but they really grew on me. That's how you know it's a good show, when the actors and writers can change your mind about characters.

If you have any hesitation about watching CLOY, just do it. You won't regret it, I promise.

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Probably the closest thing to a perfect show, that's exactly what this show is. The series centers around Se-ri a Chaebeol from South Korea that accidentally ends up crashing in North Korea. With a premise like that one you just know before even watching that is just going to be filled with laughter and tears. This is one of the major reasons the series excels, they have a great balance of comedy and seriousness.

But the main reason this series truly shines is the story and the characters. The characters that are meant for the audience to fall for are so easy to fall for, while the villains just as they're meant to be make audiences hate them. This is all thanks to the actors that brought them to life, not one was lacking. While the story is very unique it really could've easily become boring half way through the show, but it doesn't. The writers knew how to progress the story and without it from feeling like it dragged out.

I do feel there was a couple of side plots not needed in the story and a couple of characters that didn't have any purpose so there was no point of them even existing. That aside the series was just close to perfection. Also when it comes to acting this probably one of the best acted korean dramas I've seen. The two leas especially were incredible. In conclusion if you want to check out a drama with a more unique story, with no unnecessary love triangles and that causes you as much laughter as it does tears this one is for you.

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Most buzzworthy drama of 2020!

I loved everything about this drama. I think this is one of the more solid dramas in recent years. From the casting, acting, writing, directing and evn the beautiful soundtrack! The drama has got everything (fantasy, romance, action, suspense, thriller, friendship, family, politics, work) except mystery and horror LOL. Will just list down some of my fave things about the show.

Likes:
1. I love both Seri and Captain Ri. I cant decide who is my fave character. And they are even better together. Perfect chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin made these two characters come alive.
2. Captain Ri's team. I love them all but i especially enjoy watching the bickering between Chisu and Seri. And special shoutout to Manbok who was a crucial team member. His wiretapping skills are the best!
3. Seri and Dan's fashion. The coats. The jewelry, the bags, and shoes. Dan's hairpins.
4. Captain Ri's hairstyle. I didnt realize you can do so much with a male's hair and Hyun Bin kept looking better in each new hair style. I think my fave is the last one when they were finally together in Switzerland.
5. All the romantic, funny and tearjerking moments between the lead couple. I esp love the two scenes where they crossed the line: when Ri stepped over the line to kiss Seri before she goes back to SK. The other is when Ri crossed the line again to hug Seri before he goes back to NK. and the 2 paragliding scenes when they met.
6. I didnt really pay much attention to Dan and Seung Jun but i loved the ramyun scene, the market scene where the orphans were singing and SJ was crying (made me cry too), the proposal scene and the ambulance scene.
7. The NK ladies. They were annoying at first but they grew on me. Sweet of Seri to remember them.
8. Captain Ri's dad is so cool. No wonder he raised two beautiful and loyal sons.
9. Dan's mom was also amazing. And hilarious.

Dislikes:
Cho Cheol Gang is the worst person. I think he should have died sooner and i hate his face. The actor did a great job of portraying him.

Rating: 9.5/10

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NOTA GERAL: 8,2/10

O meu primeiro dorama, recomendado por uma amiga minha. Apesar de eu nunca ter visto algo dessa mídia antes, eu percebi imediatamente que essa história era bem acima da média. Eu gostei muito desse dorama e maratonei ele em apenas três dias, só pra você ver o quão viciante ele é. Claro que há pontos negativos (que serão listados abaixo), mas eu acho que é uma obra que vale muito a pena conferir.

• História (7,5/10): O romance podia ter sido menos meloso. É óbvio que a história é exagerada só pela sua premissa, mas quantos “encontros predestinados” foram forçados na trama para convencer o telespectador de que os personagens principais são almas gêmeas? Isso foi algo desnecessário e que teve o efeito oposto, passando a impressão de ser uma ferramenta para compensar a falta de interesses em comum entre os integrantes do casal. O roteiro também deixou algumas pontas soltas, como o motivo do relógio estar na loja de penhores e não ter sido recolhido pela polícia, apesar de isso ser um aspecto que pode ser deixado de lado, já que a obra se excede na maior parte do tempo em construir mistérios e suspense.

• Visual (8,5/10): Por conta da história passar-se em sua maior parte na Coreia do Norte, os cenários costumam ter cores monótomas e paisagens visualmente desinteressantes. As cenas são bem dirigidas e produzidas, mas ainda assim não é uma obra que impressione ou que seja lembrada por esse aspecto.

• Som (8/10): Bom, porém ficou faltando alguma coisa, um toque orgânico que tornasse as músicas inesquecíveis.

• Personagens (8/10): São a alma do drama, contando com um elenco carismático e divertido. O único ponto negativo é que os personagens secundários são um pouco unidimensionais e caricatos, e o Ri Jung Hyuk chega a ser perfeito até demais!

• Entretenimento (9/10): Muita ação e lutas empolgantes, mas o tal do “morre não morre” tirou toda a empatia que eu podia sentir pela “morte” dos personagens principais (e quando um morreu de verdade eu acabei não ligando porque achei que ele ia voltar depois). Eu critiquei o romance antes, mas vale a pena dizer que ele ainda é muito envolvente, sendo que o casal secundário tem um lugar especial em meu coração.

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Family drama that anyone can enjoy!

This drama took my heart by storm! I remembered during the pandemic when I was stuck at home with nothing to watch. I stumbled upon this gem, being curious about the storyline, I started watching it. And boy was I hooked on this drama. I binged it and even after I finished the drama, I couldn't get enough! There are so many points that make this drama the best especially in 2019-2020.

Plot/story:
First of all, the setting! I'm sure many of us are unfamiliar with how North Koreans live in their daily life being that it's a colonist country. That alone already got me interested in the setting of the drama. According to the production team of the drama, they did consult with real North Koreans about how the places and day-to-day life of them are really like and they portrayed that in the drama really well. Other than that, the fact that the female lead who's from South Korea ends up in North Korea meeting the male lead who is a North Korean, and slowly fell in love with each other is everything a slow-burn love story needs! Not only it's forbidden love, but an adventurous one. We then follow both the main leads story in North Korea, surviving together through obstacles and helping each other.

Characters:
The main female lead, Yoon Se-ri who's a rich heiress in South Korea landed in North Korea meeting Ri Jeong-Hyeok, an officer in the North Korean Military due to a paragliding accident. Se-ri is smart, confident, and a hard-working woman instead of the typical spoiled female lead we sometimes still see in a drama. She is an independent wealthy businesswoman who runs her own successful fashion and beauty company, Seri's Choice.
Our male lead, Jeong-Hyeok, comes from a powerful political family, his father being the Director of the General Political Bureau, but instead, he chose to keep his lineage a secret from everyone around him. A piano prodigy as well! WHAT! A proficient but emotionally-reserved Captain, well-respected by the unit he leads in the army. Jeong-Hyeok is such a perfect man I have no words to describe him. He is literally everyone's dream husband material, I don't blame Se-ri for falling in love with him HAHA.
The supporting characters are such beautiful people, I remembered shedding tears when they were leaving each other at the end. The squad with Captain Ri and the ahjumas in North Korea will have a place in my heart. The acting by all the cast here was flawless, all of them did such a good job. I have no complaints about the acting and portrayal of emotions in all the scenes.
The second couple had me going squealing most of the time they were on screen, but boy my heart was just destroyed by their ending. That's the only thing that made me wish the story was different for them :')

Rewatch Value:
Yes!!! 10/10 rewatchable! The story is also pretty suitable for any age range to watch. Whether you are a parent, teenager, young adult, this drama will have some characters that you can relate to! I already re-watched it 3 times HAHA it's just that good! If you are in need of some rom-com, touching, family drama to watch, this is the one!

Thanks for reading my review! Hope it helps anyone that wants to watch it or for those that already watched it and misses this drama like me hehe xD

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So I usually never write reviews no matter how much I love a drama, but this one... This one I cannot just let it be. This drama easily became my favourite one of all time in a matter of a few minutes in the first episode. And every new episode I watched, I hoped I wouldn't get disappointed and change my mind, and actually I never did.

Story: this is a touching story so beautifully written that leaves you engaged until the very end, always expectant of what is to happen next. In the last 2 episodes, although I kept trying to believe it'd have a happy ending, I couldn't help but cry like a baby. Their love is just unbelievable, the messages he left for her, the voice memo with the piano playing, the post-its with the recipes, the fridge filled with food, the act of putting the food in the lower shelf thinking she wouldn't reach the higher one.
Also Gu Seung-Jun's tragedy touched me deeply and I cried so much, I never disliked this character to be honest, I believed he had no true malice in him, he was just a coward, so his story with Dan was a punch in the stomach for me. ?
The script is also one of my favourite parts, even if I think there were some lines that weren't so natural, most of the time I was giving all my love to the script, especially Ri Jeong Hyeok lines, his character was so good in so many levels.
Now I do think there are some timeline gaps and lapses and maybe some parts that could have been shown to make it more complete (the story), hence that being one of the reasons I stick with a 9.5/10 and not an actual 10 (as well as some directing flaws, that, at the end of the day, are just casual details that bug me a bit).


Actors: don't even get me started on this one. It was the first work of both Hyun Bin and Son Yejin that I watched but both of them are now on my list of favourite actors of all time. They're both so hot, charismatic, with amazing acting skills and, of course, a level of chemistry with each other that I've never seen before.
All the other actors did an AMAZING job as well, they all have a place in my heart now. I think they all got along with each other very well and it shows in their performances. Also I wanna give a major applause to all the actors who played North Korean characters, their accents were always on point and they clearly worked hard to make this drama an incredible one.

Production: the production team deserves a lot of love too. All the places and sceneries were SO GOOD and well-achieved, especially the North Korea scenes, they really made an amazing work building up all of that. All the details production wise got me hooked up (apart from some green-screen scenes).

I'm a person that hates rewatching stuff, be it movies, series, dramas, anything. But I know I will surely rewatch this one some time. I will have a hard time moving on from this drama, since I've fallen too deeply in love with the story and the characters. And from now on, every time someone asks me for drama recommendations this will definitely be always my top one. A love like no other.

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Can I have my heart back now, please?

There was so much to appreciate about this drama.

- The story was very unique to the South/North Korea situation. Such an unlikely love story unfolding between just two humans of rival nations. I was setting myself up for heartbreak from the get go. At first, I thought that Ri would never make it to South Korea. And when he did, I was sure he'd leave without saying a word and I'd just have to cry myself to sleep.
- All involved really committed to their roles. Hyun Bin as the quiet, miserable North Korean soldier, slowly warming up and becoming vulnerable and cute pouty. Son Ye Jin as the lonely depressed but also charismatic, strong and snobby Seri. Even the second leads had complex personalities and growth. There was almond no one dimensional characters (exception being the Seri's siblings and sisters in law).
- The music, weather classical or OST was poignant. It always picked up at the right time to give the feels.
- I really appreciated seeing the differences between South and North Korea. Obviously it wasn't shot in North Korea, but looking at the scenery and how beautiful the country likely is, the differences in infrastructures, differences between their bureau and the NIS. As well as the perceptions held by the people - For example, the sergeant that was in love with dramas saying how all South Koreans suffer from amnesia, and I think Pyo Chi Su saying it was because in capitalist societies they drink too much coca cola which leads to amnesia.
- Ri's squad in general was so well balanced for comedic effect. We had the "bad" guy who was actually soft in the inside, the little kid, the funny guy, and the quiet model guy.
- I really loved how strong all the women were. Seri choosing to live and choosing to stand up to her family. Managing to keep herself together while trying to escape from North Korea and then trying to take care of Ri Jung Hyuk. Seo Dan, having to realize that she's been waiting for nothing for 10 years, only to fall in love to basically become a "widow" and then choose to be alone and work on herself and her career. The ahjummas, that initially seemed like they'd be a bunch of gossipy troublemakers, but actually bonded with each other and Seri, even getting involved to stop the Rat's wife from being kidnapped.
- I actually even liked the first husband's wife. Despite obviously being an idiot and evil, the fact that their relationship was so solid, especially in juxtaposition to brother #2, was very refreshing.
- It obviously had a great budget as a Netflix production, and was beautifully shot.
- I'm glad there was no true "love triangle". The two leads always knew who #1 was, there was no confusion (despite Jung Hyuk initially thinking he would go along with family obligations). And their first kiss in the rain! "stop looking at me with such wistful eyes" I may have rewinded to watch that scene a few times. The amount of care and attention that he put into her, even while pretending that he would forget about her in the future was so touching. Coming back with the candle, finding her with the scented candle, setting future messages for her phone, leaving recipes for her to cook. <3

The main negative aspect of the drama was the sheer number of "coincidences". I know that they write this as destiny, and not a coincidence, and that the director viewed the drama as a fantasy. It is fantastical to have met that many times, but I just can't say that it was necessary since the plot of a South and North Korean falling in love as she accidentally crash lands into North Korea is interesting enough as it is.

On the last episode, I had to stop and ask my husband to check if the ending was too sad. He said "it's not 100% bad" so I don't know why I was still so sad when I found out they are spending only weeks out of the year together. I immediately decided that they're just waiting until his parents pass, and then he'll probably defect. It just doesn't seem like a long-term sustainable solution, and how long will he be part of the national orchestra? Forever? What happens when they're 70? Or 80? And they can't communicate at all between visits. What happens if one of them has an accident, or a disease? And to appease these questions, I'm believing that this a short-term solution. She probably gets pregnant, they keep this up for a little bit, and then he just hops over forever.

I read that the filmed the last episode at the beginning, and so the Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin weren't fully "into character" yet and some people found particularly Hyun Bin lacking. But actually, I found how relaxed the characters were very comforting. To me, this showed that the urgency and the fear that they would never see each other again was gone. They knew they loved each other, they found a way to keep their relationship forever. No longer wondering if there would be a tomorrow. It was truly a beautiful way to end with Jung Hyuk walking into the hall and Seri simply saying "He just started playing" and he replies "I know" and then they hold hands, instead of crying like I was expecting.

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Esse drama me pegou de várias formas, que eu mesma não sei explicar o quanto os personagens, tanto os protagonistas tantos os sencundários, me emocionaram de várias meniras. Mesmo a Dan, sendo uma personagem que eu não fui com a cara nos primeros episódios, por achar que ela seria mais uma personagem que iria se opor contra o protagonista, o Capitão Ri, estrlado pelo amado Hyunbin, pois graças a ele eu entrei de cara no mundo dos dramas em 2011 assisitindo o drama Secret Garden. Son Yejin me emocionou demais com sua personagem, Seri, e eu pude ver nela algo não é só uma identificação de não só uma mulher mas com várias, ela demonstrar ter sua muralha mas por dentro é totalmente frágil e isso não faz fraca.
Além de claro, os companheiros do Capitão Ri foram extramente importantes pra deixar o drama mais leve e criando laços mais profundos com o casal de protas.
E uma salva de palmas para a atuação de Bang Eunji como Mãe de Seri, onde teve um desolvimento fenomenal como mãe e sobre a questões de perdão e amadurecimento.
Além de claro um destaque enorme para o Kim JungHyun como Go SeungJun, extramente carismastico e me emocinou tantas vezes, eu confesso que me supreendi por ser meu primeiro contato com o ator.
É mesmo que obra esteja cercada de clichês, foi tudo muito bem trabalhado para que não houvesse um sentimento de "Ok, já vi isso várias vezes", pelo menos em minha visão.
Emocionante, sensível e sabe falar de amor de várias meneiras.
Vou sentir saudades desse dorama e com certeza vai ficar na minha cabeça por vários dias.

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Umm this show is soo good....

I really enjoyed this drama. I first watched this around December 2020. It was the first k drama I had ever watched. I really enjoyed the cast the most out of everything. The chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye jin is absolutely amazing. I was pleasantly surprised when they announced their relationship in real life! I also really enjoyed seeing Seo Ji hye in this show. Over all the acting and casting is a 10/10. If there was one show I would recommend to those that want to get into k dramas it would be this show right here! This show was a great way to start my love for k dramas. I will definitely rewatch this show sometime soon!

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A perfect drama.

Crash Landing On You was the second drama I ever watched, and even being the second drama I watched, it easily one of the best one I've watched. Please note that my review does contain a lot of spoilers/a lot of plot details, so I advise you not read this unless you have finished CLOY.

The characters were the best part of this drama, and each role was so perfectly casted. Ri Jeonghyeok and his squad of men in particular made this drama so sweet. They became a family for each other, and they gladly included Seri in this family. Additionally, every little side character felt so important and necessary, such as the village women where Jeonghyeok lives, the people who work for Seri at her company, etc. Speaking of Jeonghyeok's squad, I love them so much. I love how they feel when they find Seri's choice in North Korea and are proud to hear it's a best seller. I love how they are ride or die for Seri and Jeonghyeok.

Seri's character development is great. She starts off as a rather cold, workaholic. Jeonghyeok, as well as her time in North Korea, changes her for the better, she becomes a warmer person, she starts finding things in life that make her happy. Speaking of Seri being a warm person, I still smile thinking about the limited edition items she makes that have the North Korean Village Women's faces on them. Even though she had no idea if they would ever make it to them, it truly shows just how much she changed as a person. She truly wanted to show her love and appreciation for them. She even names that line of products 'saudade', which is a word to express a feeling of longing and nostalgia.

Ri Jeonghyeok is maybe the sweetest male lead I've seen in a drama? I still get teary eyed thinking of him holding up the scented candle for Seri as he searches for her in the market, or her face when she sees him in the middle of Gangnam. He truly cares so deeply for Seri, and that's so evident in the texts he programs to be sent for a year after he leaves (and the fact that he recorded his song on the piano for her so she could always listen to it... so cute).

I don't really pay attention to OST's much unless I happen to like the artist who sings it. CLOY changed that for me, in particular with the piano piece 'The Song For My Brother'. Despite not having a single word in it, it brings me to tears. It's so raw, and you can feel the grief and rawness in the notes. That song in particular is my fav OST song. I love how it was intertwined into the plot as well.

I personally didn't care much for the relationship between Seo Dan and Goo Seunjun, but not because it was poorly written/bad, but the story was already filled with so much of Seri/Jeonghyeok, that their relationship felt kind of unnecessary to the story. I did think they were cute, but their ending makes me sad.

I'm curious about the last scene in CLOY. I don't think Seri or Jeonghyeok permanently moved to Switzerland, since Seri's company is based in South Korea, and I'm not sure if Jeonghyeok could even move out of North Korea. Is that house one they have for when they are in Switzerland? Or am I wrong and did they move to Switzerland?

I give Crash Landing on You a 10/10.

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Crash Landing into Your Hearts

Started off on this drama because of course Hyunbin and Son YeJin + the plot was interesting, with NK involvement (which is a big step!!). NETFLIX definitely helped with the speedy uploads every weekend for me to follow up on the drama.

Was drawn to the premiere, but i could tell what the ending was right from the start (which i guessed correctly). Overall it was a light, funny but sometimes tinge of melo (especially last few episodes) drama? Had a very enjoyable watch, although i won't say it is a relatable/realistic drama, but hey thats what drama's all about! Feeding on our fantasies. The other side characters were funny and enjoyable to watch ! Now everyone wants a Captain Ri !!

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