"One Spring Night " is a hard drama for me to rate only because I have some American perspectives that contribute to my lower rating. This is a slower, slice of life paced drama, although the romance progresses pretty quickly, the overall pace of the drama does not. That could also be because although I was very invested in the characters I was less impressed with the actual plot. The stakes just didn't seem high enough for all the drama, to me, and things get repetitive quick. Still, I just couldn't stop watching this drama, and through all the frustrations while watching my fascination with the characters kept me hooked.

The cast is what makes this drama, especially the main couple. The story starts with a chance interaction between Jung Hae In as Yoo Ji Ho and Han Ji Min as Lee Jung In, and from their very first scene together I knew I would love their chemistry together. I admit that Jung Hae In is my favorite thing about this drama. His baby faced good looks and performance made it impossible to not root for Ji Ho no matter the circumstances. I adored all the subtle expressions he's so good at. I was really impressed by him from beginning to end. I also really liked seeing Han Ji Min in a more mature role than I've seen her in before. Her character was written to be annoying at times, but her performance was so great! I liked that she was so flawed, including her temper, and I love how real things felt between them... their flirting, their awkward glances, their tears, their fights, their romantic moments... all of it. Their conflicts and obstacles however felt too overexaggerated. This is the part that is likely a cultural thing but what is considered scandalous and taboo is just not a big deal to American me, and how characters reacted to Ji Ho's situation just seemed way too close minded. Also, the obsession with marriage seemed crazy! What I did love is the dynamic between all the characters and how they all connected, and that was way more interesting to me than any particular thing that happened or was revealed.

Kim Joon Han as Kwon Ki Seok also gives a great performance. He rounds out the main trio with a character that isn't very likable but is still sympathetic in a pathetic way. Yes, this story is absolutely about a love triangle, a pretty messy, and petty one. I like a love triangle done right, and performance-wise this drama does a good job, but Ki Seok's actions are ridiculous throughout. Some of his obsessive and delusional behavior made me almost want to skip scenes after a while. It was just too much for me. I preferred the more subtle scenes about how to navigate a love triangle amongst mutual friends and acquaintances than the traditional parents getting involved tropes or him . His stubbornness went from sympathetic to creepy quickly, and since that's a huge part of the story it made things drag more in the later episodes.

I loved the rest of the cast as well. All of them. Family, Friends, Coworkers, and Frenemies alike, and that super cute kid! I really felt like I got to know everyone to the point that no character really felt like a filler character after a while. I give more credit to the actors and director than the writer for that because some of the characters were written as more one-note in their actions. It was the performances that saved them from becoming complete caricatures. That's especially true for Lee Moo Saeng's role which I wish was given more depth since he represented heavy subject.

Speaking of the direction, I think it set the mood so perfectly. Even settings felt like characters I knew, the pharmacy, the apartment building with that cool staircase, the library, Jung In's hallway... the attention to certain details really made a difference. I loved the direction so much, especially how it gave insight to different character's perspectives too which highlighted their performances even more.

Another weak point in the writing was that I didn't much care for the side stories, which may have also been my American pov. Once certain things were revealed I felt they kept revisiting the same point over and over and I was bored by it after a while. The performances were fine, but I rather stick to the main story. Some scenes had depth without the characters having to say anything, so I think Ahn Pan Seok deserves a shout out for that .

Would I watch this again? Even though I did like this drama I would be too tempted to skip through a lot of the scenes in a second viewing (like every Dads plotting marriage scene, or her older sister's scenes). I would be more interested in watching certain performances and scenes more than rewatching the entire drama. I almost want to say that this drama should have been shorter, but I admit that by the end I was sad that it was over, and the ending is well done.

The music is also tough to review because although I liked the songs they were so distracting! Maybe that's because they were mostly in English, so much harder for me to tune out, but it also could be that they were played too loudly and too often. In some scenes the music felt jarring, and that took away from some moments that didn't need it.

Overall, I can see why this drama has such high ratings, especially if you're interested in a love story that isn't too stereotypical. I would recommend this drama to romance fans but don't expect any major plot developments or twists to drive the story. If you're not into the story by midway then you should probably drop it because it's just more of the same till the end. I personally appreciated the theme throughout of not taking the safe, boring, or expected road and following your heart instead, or not putting what's considered socially acceptable above what you feel is best for you. I felt inspired after watching, which I didn't expect, and I am glad I stuck through the slower parts. Also no, I did not watch "Something in the Rain" but for Jung Hae In and this director maybe I will... maybe... lol