Again, warning, spoilers.
There are spoilers because it is what this show is about.
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Final warning. Spoilers.
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As the title says, “Strangers Again”, so you shouldn't be surprised what the story is about: break-up.
This is a very rare topic in TV series, after all, who wants to be reminded of their painful memories? Thus, I applaud the entire team for taking on this project even though there is risk it may, or may not, become a success, maybe forgotten after a few months.
However, it is important to note that there are lessons in this story, and here are some of it:
Love is not as simple as we assume it to be.
People are unique.
Relationships are not easy to handle.
Yes, break-ups are painful, but how you handle it defines if you are a mature adult.
Moving on is not about hating each other, not wanting to see each other's shadows, rather it is about if you can become “Strangers Again”.
Another winning aspect of this show. It is rare to see the Second Leads end up happy and the Main Leads go on their separate ways. In many stories, not only K-dramas but in other countries as well, the title points to one thing then still end up with “they happily live ever after”.
This show? The title is what it is about, “Strangers Again”. Huge plus for me.
If you want to learn something about life, love, relationships, breaking-up, and moving on, then put this show in your list. However, if you are looking for a fantasy, this is not it.
9.5/10 This is the first k-drama series that I've watched and it couldn't be more perfect. From the feelings of nostalgia, the friendship, the family affair, to the OST all hit the right spot that made my heart ached. I'm super glad my friend recommended this. Episode #17 & #20 made me cried really hard. Can't wait to rewatch it!. My only complaint was they didn't show what the main characters' futures look like (I was expecting sth like the Parks&Rec finale because the show was set in the past). If only I can see the Ssangmundong squad being friends in their 40s just like they have been their whole lives in the finale.
In a voiceover in E09,
"A line indicates a limit. Maintaining that boundary means maintaining the familiarity, and the world, the rules, and the relations of that familiarity. This also means if we were to never cross that line, we would never experience the world, rules, and relationships, outside of the boundary. If we wish for a new relationship and new love, we must cross the line. If we were to not cross the line, we will stay that far away from each other." -Deoksun
This applied to the screen as Taek try to open a new door while Jung-hwan crossed the line a little too late as well as real life TT_TT
Realistic, Imaginative yet frustrating and heartbreaking !!
Yumi’s Cell is the first Korean drama to blend in animation into the drama in such a intrinsic way. You can seen that there is a lot of work behind it and these little animated figures do a lot for the story and make it stand out from other dramas. The story really come to life because of them; which otherwise would have another boring couples story ....
Yumi's Cells has perfect beginning but midway i noticed the spoilers and realized the endgame which made me loose interest in the show. After investing in a couple its sad to see the writers use miscommunication again as plot for breakup .
I also don't like Ji Young ( he spoiled Devil Judge for me) and his character in this show is all flirty with another woman as he is lonely with his reporter girlfriend and i was not sad at all with his breakup .. Also I know he is not the end game for Yumi but I can't gather courage and interest to watch S2 with him in .
I hate how they suddenly muted Wung's communication algorithm and its a lesson for all men to learn to communicate . I also hate how Yumi also blindsided him with breakup card . I understand she is hurt but she is at fault for cutting him off and not communicating
I Like how realistic the show is but for some reason I am sad at the ending .. I would have even digested if Yumi -Wung fell out of love. The fact that Yumi became Wungs #1 right before the breakup hurts even more.
But I like message the show delivers at the end to Yumi
You are the only lead in your life
I found Yumi’s Cell to be quite sweet, warm and funny drama to watch. It is missing a key element that I like in kdramas, which is that the story hasn’t ended yet because we are only at the end of season one. I personally really enjoy kdramas because we get a beginning, middle and a end in about 16 episode. It’s one of their charms. There is so many shows that drag the plot and the tension until most of everything you enjoyed about the series is no longer there. Yumi's cell fall into bigger Hollywood trap of multi-season story and loose the charm . So message is don't watch until S3 is released , only and only then you might be able to bear the torture called Yumi's cell. There is a high possiblity i will not be watching Season 2 when released and only watch on S3.
P.S : Unpopular opinion but this year I am hating all top shows IOTNO , HomeTown Cha Cha ... Stangely I like Love Alarm as I watched it after both seasons are released and not fixated on a particular couple pairing.
It appears I fall in love with JTBC dramas again and again every time we meet. Love the complexity, the layers to characters and their relationships, inner conflicts between rational mind and desire, story-telling through facial expressions. Love how they portrayed insecurities, passions, manipulation, trust, expectations, contradictions, doubts, and butterflies in the stomach.
Love how beautiful the visuals are, photography and scenes - all so lovely, enhancing the atmosphere, along with characters' feelings. Love how unconventional the characters and their stories are, but all the more real for it. They are not perfect, but ordinary extraordinary young people seeking freedom to live their best lives.
Would have loved if we got to learn more about Park Jae-eon's backstory / history: what hurt him, and made him hide behind the walls as he did for such a long time. Kudos to Song Kang for nailing that almost-crying-barely-holding-composure goodbye scene in episode 10. That was some superb acting, I got chills.
**A note to a younger me (and all young people out there who might be reading this): please say what you want / need to say clearly, to avoid misunderstandings and pointless suffering. Other people likely won't be able to guess what you're thinking unless you tell them. (There's little to none mind-readers out there.)
Anyhow, keep them coming, JTBC! I'm here for it.
9/10
Simple , Elegant GoodNight Watch
Kim Go Eun and Jung Hae In have such beautiful chemistry. Their love story spans from 1994 to 2005, and we get to see the retro technology like radio, telephone booth, Windows 95, flip phone, and so on. It's a memory delight for viewers growing up in the 90's and amazement to the generation afterwards.
Fate and hardship of life meets and tears them apart each time in 1997 and 2000 until the last meeting in 2005. Each time, the lack of communication between the couple is the real antagonist in separating them. And it seems like also the lack of communication from the production team separate the movie from the viewers with choppy scenes and bumpy relationship growth. The ambiguous open ending as doesn't help harness any more fans
That being said, the time gaps were poorly done. Conflict arises over situations that could easily be fixed. The breakups and reunions are very clumsily done. Definitely not a movie to watch for the story but more so for the feeling it leaves you with.
The movie is saved by great acting skills of main and supporting actors and actresses, and the chemistry between Jung Hae In and Kim Go Eun is sweet. And off course some nice music. As mellow as it is, I will not re-watch this movie again.
Watch it if you are hung over either Goblin(Kim Go-eun) or One Spring Night (Jung Hae-in)
