“When there is Light within us, perhaps even Darkness might seem bright.” Is a statement shared by FL to ML in his darkest moment.

Pardon my long review, just feel the need to show justice to a great show.

This drama begins with a theme that memories is a composite emotional connection , even our brain forgets, our heart remembers. Our human brain and mind and body are integrated and a composite of many things.

It is a feel good, healing drama with different patients who suffered with brain condition, it gave a hopeful perspective on expecting the unexpected in recovery.

Neuroscience has advanced to prove what our brain seemingly forgets, but our body remembers.
This goes to explain why every account of trauma, memories and hence healing is possible. What we thought we have forgotten will eventually show up in other ways if it’s unresolved or revisited through brain training. So somethings are never truly lost.

Plot brief
The premise of this story which was already summarized in synopsis. About a healing journey of a skilled neuro-surgeon who had a brain damage affecting her daily memories due to an accident. It’s her journey of rediscovering herself, healing and finding love. There is no dull moment as every episode, be prepared for tear jerking scenes and a new brain condition is taught in every episode. The mystery of FL’s brain disorders became more complex, revealing that her main attending doctor is keeping a dark secret from her about her treatment.

Casts
Fantastic acting by all the casts, especially FL and ML.

Themes explored
The unwavering believe of ML in FL’s skill despite her brain condition. I totally understand hospital and head nurse perspectives on how they could never put another patient at risk in the procedure with a Dr who suffered brain damage. Not going to happen in real world, but this is drama, so acceptable.

It made me think whether one’s acceptance and acknowledgement of one’s situation or condition, does it mean that they have given up; or should one strives to achieve the optimum recovery beyond possibility of miracle? How often would miracle happen and what’s realistic hope vs false/delusional hope? I guess this question can never be answered as miracle does happened from time to time in medical field.

The theme of perseverance of various individuals, from FL as a Dr with her brain disorder, her fiancés’ effort to help FL, and all the different patients’ story featured.

The positivity in workplace culture, the support from colleagues are amazing, wish that can be seen in every workplace. Especially in workplace that deal with delicate human life, the clinicians are seen to be respectful, supportive to each other, having regular post work meals to boost each other morale.

The typical familiar trope in medical drama, the traditional conservative practice vs the new age more risk taking practice. Doing what’s best vs doing what’s safer, these dilemma tropes surfaced very often in medical practice drama. Another common trope we seen often is the profit focus mindset in the upper management/ investors vs clinicians’ needs, patients’ well being; and the tendency to do harm to others in that aspect. Well there has to be a villain, so most convenient are always the hospital management group or investors who make decisions based on their profit or personal goals and a top management Dr that succumbed to their temptations or threats.

How do people with a chronic brain condition adjust to workplace and reduce discrimination or prejudice treatment from company. Importance of others’ understanding, respect and family support.

Educational on different types of brain disorders mentioned and its treatment. Apart from the medical theme discussion, the group really eat a lot in this drama, they ate and ate, almost once or twice every episode. A message that eating equate happiness? Or Cure distress? lol!

Almost every important characters have a growth arc.

There are definitely a lot of touching and tearjerking moments about different cases associated to brain conditions and their struggles. J drama is always very good in narrating and giving the viewers an in-depth connection with every characters, including the patients’ background stories, making us emotionally stirred by their situation and states. But it also leaves a positive note in every episode when they overcome with resilience and giving hope.

The main leads’ love relationship was build on very simple premise and the proposal was straightforward, two people got together, feel strongly connected and tied the knot.

Plot holes
Every drama will have plot holes, without it, it won’t be drama.

FL has no other families except her work families.
ML is an expert neurosurgeon, how would he have so much time?
If FL forgets everything the next day, she will have a lot to read the following morning, so everyday she will have to wait up earlier and earlier to read?
There are only so few staff in this hospital, during one scenario where they needed someone to assist in operation, they can only depend on the head nurse with past trauma?
Putting patients in risk will never happen in real life no matter how skilled a Dr is.
Dramatization of villain. If real world hospitals are controlled by such investors, then it’s disaster.
J drama just deprived us of love and romance, the closest is to show us connection through holding hands and hug. Even till the end, their relationship was still so formal, addressing each other in formality. But that’s acceptable in the Japanese culture.
The FL didn’t need to shave her head for surgery?

It’s an amazing watch but hard to re-watch, and we have a happy ending here.
Hope more people can experience this drama, thanks for reading.