Nevertheless, (2021)

There's toxicity. Nevertheless,

I started this without meaning to. I was just going to watch a couple minutes out of curiosity, probably forget about it, and move on to watch episode 8 of Romance is a Bonus Book. But, I watched the whole episode. Nine minutes somehow turned into over an hour.

It intrigued me. From the artistry, great lighting and camera work, really cool creations, just enough subtly, to the right amount of flirty.

They had me. I was short on time. Nevertheless, I started this drama.

And you know what? I don't regret it. While I ended up disliking one of the main characters, Na Bi, I was still able to enjoy this by rooting for who I did like and just observing the character as a person I didn't necessarily NEED to like or understand. I could just find her interesting at the very least.

I was rooting for both Na Bi and Jae Eon in the beginning. Unlike most people though, by the end of the drama I was there for Jae Eon, not Na Bi.

While Jae Eon is declared to be manipulative and toxic, the really toxic person was Na Bi. And the ending only solidified that for me.

So what did I love about this drama? I loved that it was very out-of-the-box and didn't tell a typical K-Drama romance story. I also loved the soundtrack, the side couples, the representation I wasn't expecting to get that was incorporated into this very popular drama alongside the main couple and treated as normal all the while, the physical art, the acting, Na Bi's backstory, and the metaphors surrounding Jae Eon.

You know what upset me with the reaction to this drama? The level of absolute hatred for Jae Eon while Na Bi got little to no criticism. She was either seen as the victim, someone who was just being too easy and going with the flow, or someone who was just a bit toxic.

I have to wonder: Did we watch the same ending? Did we hear the same internal monologues?

Because I have no idea how anyone can walk away from this still viewing Jae Eon as the "evil mastermind," or "monster" who simply got his hooks in the naïve Na Bi.

Leia Mais

a light rom com drama, but it's a little bit different. it's not a fluffy drama but more of sensual ones and with background a toxic characters. honestly, the characters are not likeable for me. i think both leads characters are annoying? maybe because I cannot relate to them, so it was really hard to understand what were they thinking. plus, i wish we could get more of the male lead pov, it doesn't have to be detail. I wish i can just understand him more. im not sure, he's toxic, but is he changing or not? im as confused as nabi haha. bcs of that, even though i came here for the main couple i ended up loving the sub-couples instead and supporting them. but at least, song kang and han so hee chemistry saves the wholeeee series. the storyline was, idk nothing really stands out for me, just a light, sometimes slow paced with beautiful cinematography and good osts. but i dont like that the drama supports toxicity in relationship (based on nabi's line in the last ep). well, from the title we already know where it was going, but i do wish it gives a good message, to love yourself before anyone else. but idk that might be just my opinion from what i watched.

Leia Mais

You can't get an STD from a toilet seat, or from watching this show. thankfully.

Details from above: "Park Jae Eon finds dating a waste of time but likes to flirt. Even though he is friendly and cheerful towards all, he does not pursue others. Park Jae Eon is a master of “push-and-pull” who doesn’t get swept up in emotions. Jae Eon draws firm lines between himself and other people and doesn’t reveal how he feels."

Friendly and cheerful towards all? Um. No. Park Jae Eon is a complete slut who has sex with many women a week, and probably gives them all STDs. He sets up dates with women, then ghosts them to have sex with someone else.

He finds himself "drawn" to FL. why? because her name is Butterfly and he has a butterfly tattoo on his neck. They meet for the second time at a party. He's deciding (out loud in front of everyone) whether he should stay at the party or go get laid at his prior engagement. He decides to stay, and "gets together" with the FL. More correctly, FL sees him tonguing another woman in the alley behind the restaurant, and when he sees her, he sends the other woman away and says to FL, "I really wanted to kiss you..." Oh, the romance!!! She's smitten. He doesn't even wipe his mouth before he tongues her too. She tells him he smells like cigarettes. No, not the other woman's mouth.

They get together. He proceeds to cheat on her. Over. and Over. and Over. 2ML is kind, attentive, smart, gorgeous - everything you would want in a guy. So of course: ew. Gross.

FL finally dumps him? Or he leaves her. I can't actually remember. Then poor ML suffers. Will she have mercy on this disgusting, sleazy low life? Will they get the happy ending they so desperately deserve? Can he be cured of his syphilis? Maybe. Watch to find out. I don't want to spoil it for you.

Leia Mais

Sheesh

Gosh darn it all - FL is yet ANOTHER moping mumble-bunny and a completely uninteresting person. She has a couple of lash out moments, but they don't make up for her general "almost as interesting as cold, stale porridge" acting ability. ML is easy on the eyes, but he is not a good actor in this one. I thought he was better in Sweet Home, but that may have been a result of a more action oriented plot. OTOH, most secondary characters were well acted, but we really didn't get enough of those scenes to improve the overall plot.

The story really did not merit this many long, crushingly boring scenes. While some people may find it different with the whole "with benefits" aspect, the fact is, most romance movies and shows are already "with benefits" -- not a lot of dating or other more normal together times, so this show isn't as special as the promos want you to think it is.

The music was repetitive and annoying. You couldn't pay me enough to watch it again.

Leia Mais

Real, beautiful, atmospheric, a little slow

This drama seems to trigger a lot of negative emotions in people. Specifically, the character of Jae Eon seems to be people's canvas to project all their negative feelings towards past dates on, which makes them dislike the drama as a whole.

The word "toxic" gets thrown around a lot when people talk about Jae Eon. I don't see him as toxic, though. Na Bi knew from the beginning that he doesn't want a relationship. She knew what she was getting into and then caught feelings. Yes, he was acting pretty stupid, once he started catching feelings, too. But I guess that's understandable in some way, when you promised yourself not to catch feelings for someone and then don't know how to handle them. He should've communicated more and better and I don't get why he never clarified that Sol Ah isn't his current girlfriend, but I wouldn't call him toxic.

I absolutely loved the first episode. The camera work was brillitant - it made the viewer feel like we are getting seduced at the same time as Na Bi. The chemistry between Song Kang and Han So Hee was tangible and the tension continued throughout the whole drama. I think it portrayed falling for someone very well - the glances and stares, the back and forth between being happy and unsure whether the other person feels the same, the unjustified jealousy, when they talk to someone else, when you're not even dating,...

The story being set in the art department made for a beautiful picture and great metaphors - although sometimes the butterfly metaphors were a bit too on the nose. Everyone was talking about how great the OST is though, so I was kind of disappointed by how mediocre it was - none of the songs stood out to me or made me feel anything.

In the middle, there were a few episodes that dragged a bit too much. It is definitely a slow, atmospheric drama. But all the quirky side characters made up for when the main story was moving too slow. The only character I disliked was Do Hyuk. I don't understand why everyone likes potato boy so much. It must be that they simply hate Jae Eon so much, that they like ANY alternative for Na Bi. Because honestly, Do Hyuk must be the most boring character I've ever seen. I usually root for the second lead and am heartbroken when he doesn't get the girl. But to be honest, I just wanted to never see his boring sorry self again.

So all in all, it was beautiful and atmospheric, real and raw - but a little draggy, with a boring second lead and not a good OST.

(Also, I'm not really a Song Kang girl but damn, his shoulders are broad. Like, how??)

Leia Mais

A mixed bag!

Okay so I did read the negative reviews before watching this but honestly I don't think it is as bad as people claim it to be.

The story is pretty cliche and weak but kinda realistic ( atleast for me). The first half started very strong with romance and hesitation but towards the end it was just same old jealous ML drama all together.

I wish we could got more depth into ML character. His connection to butterflies was poetically portrayed but the depth in his character development was missing.

The acting by both the leads were phenomenal. The frustration, the romance ,the pain of loosing someone was portrayed by both of them exceptionally.

The OST was amazing ! Like it just enhanced the watching experience.

Overall a mixed bag for me. I definitely don't dislike it though.

Leia Mais

Don't lie, in our 20's we've all dated at least one guy like the male lead!

Those who wrote a review, and had only watched the first 2 episodes, will probably have a different opinion than those who watched the first 5 episodes. Both characters are pushing and pulling out of fear, not just the male lead (read the synopsis).

I think the direction that Korean script writers and dramas are heading towards is realism meets romance. I think this drama would be liked more by western viewers as opposed to South Koreans. However, I could be wrong. I usually dislike dramas in which there is an overflow of toxicity within the storyline or for a character, and if the toxicity is not needed in order to tell the story. However, with this drama it's different because there's a true purpose behind this story, the toxic traits behind both the female and male lead characters show us something. I think a lot of South Koreans tend to like the aegyo style romance (judging by the reviews on MyDramaList), but it doesn't make them asexual. I think westerners and Asians are both sexual beings but westerners tend to be more upfront with it. As a person who doesn't like overly sexualized movies or dramas, I think this drama is shining the light on the fact that Korean men, are no different than western men when it comes to dating; some men have good intentions, some men have bad intentions. Side note: The male lead actor is hot, as well as the second male lead (wheeeew)!

Dear readers,
PLEASE PRACTICE SAFE SEX, ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON YOUR WITH IS PROMISCUOUS.
-XOXO From Your Private Parts

Dear readers,
You're single until your married.
-XOXO From TalkingWithYou

Dear readers,
If you have to guess where you stand with a guy, he's really not that into you. Move on, or stay and get your feelings hurt!
-XOXO From middle aged women, who have been there and done that

Dear readers,
I hope that everyone who reads this review will heal from childhood trauma, and any trauma acquired over the years before they consider dating someone else and or sleeping with someone else. If you do not, you may end up ruining someone else's life because you chose not to get rid of your toxic traits ahead of time. Thanks in advance!
-XOXO From all the singles who healed already

I didn't watch the last 2 episodes so I lowered my rating from a 9.0 to an 8.5. I dropped the drama because I kind of got bored seeing the same thing play out over and over again. Thus, my review is only for the first 8 episodes

Leia Mais

Mature Aged Viewing

This drama was so good in the first half. Then after episode 5/6, I just lost interest on continuing. I fast forwarded so much that I end up only watching about 5-10 minutes each episodes. Very very disappointing.

The charm of this drama lies in the super good looking casts and the realistic portrayal of modern love (friends with benefits). The chemistry between the leads are incredibly sizzling (in the first few episodes anyway, before the FL turned nasty to the ML).

This drama reminds me of "Cheese Trap" K-drama.

From episode 5/6, the FL was trying to avoid ML like a plaque. Whenever she sees him, she always gave him the hateful look, which really creeps me out. We're talking about few episodes of that - what a joke!

PS. The butterfly tattoo on the back of Song Kang's neck is soooo totally hot!!!

Leia Mais

I applaud these actors for taking such a bold role!

This drama revolves around a friends with benefits type of relationship. There is skinship and canoodling so be prepared. I appreciated this drama because it showed a more realistic side of life/relationships and I found myself being able to relate in many ways to Na-Bi. I also enjoyed following the side romances in the story. There's even a gay relationship; although, it's not really clearly stated as that.

Can we talk about the music? It just made every scene more heartfelt! ^_^

I would have liked to know more about the main characters, like what made Jae-eon that way. It was nice meeting his mom, but it still left so many questions. And what's his and Seol-A's story? Did anyone else immediately think... tramp stamp, when seeing the butterfly tattoo on his neck? HAHA! That pick up line, "would you like to see them" (his butterfly collection) had me shamelessly screaming YES PLEASE at the screen every darn time.

The ending was definitely predictable. And I'm still lost as to what Jae-eon and Na-Bi's spat in the rain was about. It seems like things could have been easily cleared up by Jae-eon just saying he doesn't have a girlfriend, especially because by then he clearly knew he loved Na-Bi. Something about him feeling like she hated him but she only acted cold because she thought he had a girlfriend, right? Or still seeing other girls, which he wasn't. Anyway, there was definitely a lot of unnecessary turmoil.

I immediately fell head over heels for Song Kang in Love Alarm. He's so naturally charming, sinfully alluring, and gorgeous. This might sound crazy, but I felt like this was how Love Alarm should have ended or that maybe this was a continuation to season 1. HA! Although this is my first time watching Han So Hee on screen, she's so beautiful, incredibly talented, and really played her character perfectly. Watch this drama - you won't regret it! I'm looking forward to watching more from Han So Hee and Song Kang! <3

Leia Mais

Après avoir lu autant de critiques de toute sorte, je ne pouvais pas ne pas aller me faire ma propre idée.

Et pour ma part, je ne suis pas d'accord avec toutes les critiques négatives liées à la soi-disant "relation toxique" du couple principal.

Alors certes, ce n'est pas "LE'" drama de l'année à mon goût.
Bien que construit de façon bien plus réaliste concernant les relations amoureuses, que beaucoup de dramas, j'avoue ne pas avoir été transportée comme pour certains.

Cela dit, cette réalité a très bien été portée par tout ce groupe d'amis et de couples secondaires du dramas. Pour moi, cela a été le point fort de la série. Je les ai tous trouvé vrais et leurs histoires touchantes.

Concernant le couple principal, et bien je vais être en décalage avec la majorité des critiques : Je ne trouve pas cette relation toxique. Elle est juste vécue à leur manière par les protagonistes. On ne choisit pas quelqu'un parce qu'il est gentil, on le choisit parce qu'il nous convient. Et c'est exactement cela. Le lead féminin suit son cœur, mais ce choix n'a pas plu à plein de monde, d'où parfois les notes dures recueillies par ce drama. Mais moi j'ai envie de dire : C'est son choix, et c'est ça la vie. Même si on n'est pas d'accord, est-ce que pour autant, on a raison?

NaBi a fait le choix de son coeur, et personne n'aurait pu le faire à sa place. Et pour moi, c'est un point fort de ce drama, car il touche une corde sensible : Sous prétexte de plaire, le drama ne s'est pas juste plié à ce que le public aimerait. Mais il a décrit la vie. Tout simplement.

Donc je n'ai pas été transportée, mais je ne trouve pas qu'il mérite tant de critiques négatives. Il faut juste le regarder en acceptant le choix de chacun. Comme dans la vie quoi…

Leia Mais

This kind of relationship makes you regret it in the end!

At first I think, Park jae-eon is just confused about the relationship,Maybe he has another problem with dating, after watching EP7 I was hoping that Jae-eon feels comfortable with Na-bi and that's true.
But after EP8 I have no hope about there relationship.Because he just wants Na-bi to just focus on him and he doesn't want Na-bi to get out of his hands, end up with do-hyuk.
He wants to try everything to get back with Na-bi, he never let her go because of Do-hyuk.He wants to try everything to get back with Na-bi, he never let her go because of Do-hyuk.
What I can say about Na-bi, she doesn't care Do-hyuk feelings, Why? She only feel sorry for him.
She thought only of Jae-eon, but what of Do-hyuk?
In the end she ends up with her own self, many mistakes and just regrets.

Leia Mais