airaluvr
somewhere in between fiction and reality
I've thought long and hard before I decided to write a review just because I think I won't be able to sleep if I don't write one. Now, where do I even start? As someone who has been watching dramas for nearly a decade, this drama is the only one that was able to keep me in the dark because of its unpredictability until the last minute of the last episode.
It is a story of love - love for oneself, significant other, family, friends, and dreams. It revolves around the times and how this affects the characters from the beginning until the very end. It is about growing up, reaching your dreams, standing again after every setback, and making decisions that may affect your life and every person in it including yourself. Most importantly, it is about treasuring and making the most out of every moment, every minute of our every day because what we only have is the present.
Na Heedo is our female protagonist and we see this drama from her POV. A very straightforward, strong-willed, and reckless protaganist at that. She does everything and anything to succeed and pursue her fencing career even if the times broke her dream first. Baek Yijin, our male protaginist who was a chaebol but because of the times, found himself doing as many part-time jobs as he can to make it up for his living. Ko Yurim, our gold medalist who won at such a young age, seems like she has everything except for well-off family. Moon Jiwoong, the bright and legendary pretty boy from Class 7, who has a long-time crush on Yurim and Ji Seungwan, our brave and empathetic class president and also Jiwoong's diaper buddy. All the main characters showed various characteristics and personalities and they made this drama more worthwhile.
One of the things I liked about this drama is that they did not just focus on the romance part. The fencing theme also had its spotlight and this made the drama more interesting because we see athletes and their everyday life in a clearer and more different way. I liked Heedo's enthusiasm and sincerity in reaching her dream. It is very inspiring and we see that fencing also shaped her not just as an athlete but as a person. Heedo came from a well-off family with her mom being a famous anchor but this doesn't mean that her fencing journey was easy. In contrast, Yurim, although already making her mark in the fencing world, is still not having it easy just like Heedo but with a completely opposite reason. She has a supportive family but not that well-off. I love that they gave us two contrasting athletes because we empathize and relate with them. We realize that every person really has their own struggles and we should not belittle them ever. Also, we see how sports or even competitions can start and form a friendship, a bond that is stronger than anything else. Heedo and Yurim's friendship became deeper and deeper until we can say that they are the only ones who can understand each other's struggles.
Now, with the romance part. Sigh.. what can I even say? Heedo and Yijin's relationship is just the purest one I've ever seen. I love that in one of the episodes, they said it themselves that their relationship cannot be described in one word and I also believe in that because their relationship came to the point where it is beyond everything and no words can be worthy of their relationship. I love how they started off as friends - not the normal friendship because I really don't know but what they had was really special right off the bat. The way they were there in every ups and downs to cheer for each other, to comfort with jokes and words, to be each other's strength and happiness, and to support each other no matter the distance, no matter the circumstance. They are each other's support system and we see that until the very end.
I tell you, this drama is not flawless. Nothing is. But I give this 10/10 simply because I vividly remember and I guess I won't ever forget the feelings and emotions that this made me feel from the moment I clicked the play button of episode 1 down to that last second of episode 16. It was a hell of a rollercoaster ride but t'was a beautiful journey indeed. We have come this far. They have come so far and I am so happy to be able to witness each character's growth and journey.
If you are still wondering whether to watch this drama or not because of what you see in the comments or social media, please waver no more! You are up to a wonderful jouney <3
Taeyang Squad, it was an honor meeting you. Until next time...
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