#one spring night

[kdramaspace]

POTW #98: LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT vs. SLOW BURN (as voted by our members and followers)

A Piece of Your Mind (2020) | My Liberation Notes (2022) | Just Between Lovers (2017) | Run On (2020) | The Eighth Sense (2023) | One Spring Night (2019) | Do You Like Brahms? (2020)

[mingjoes]

Jung Hae In + roles through the years @asiandramanet august bingo: colour

[purpleguitar]

Let me hug you. No, let me hug you instead.

[he-is-lightning-in-a-bottle]

May I just express my absolute love and adoration for the way Ahn Pan Seok directs his shows?

How he creates sets that are very lived in and just sets his actors loose to just BE in them? So there's no real blocking to speak of and actions take time? Like that scene in One Spring Night where a character is waiting for extras to exit the elevator, but it closes on her as she pushes the cart in and her coworker has to push the door open button. Or the moment in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon when a character is fumbling her way through her house at night to turn on a light. Or that moment in One Spring Night where characters are talking while eating and one of them grabs tissues to wipe his mouth as he keeps up the conversation. Those aren't scripted moments, they're just actors being told to treat the set like real life. AND THEY DO. And then he does not edit those moments away in post! It creates a very atmospheric, lived in style.

And how he insists on getting scenes done in single takes with multiple cameras rolling rather than recording all character A's lines, then all of character B's lines? It just makes it feel very organic and real because the actors can really play off each other, build tension, and develop tangible chemistry that's not reliant on camera tricks. It's why they're all very explosive onscreen, regardless of the subject matter. I mean, Secret Love Affair had me rooting for adultery and sympathizing with a criminal. Because they felt real.

People bandy around the phrase "slice of life" to describe genre conventions, but Ahn Pan Seok has mastered the art of making dramas feel like actual slices of actual lives.

[lurkingshan]

The Ride or Die Drama Couples List

So the other night I got a little sassy on main because some of the girlies were complaining that King the Land is focusing more on the couple moments (aka relationship development) between Gu Won and Sa Rang and doesn’t have enough plot. Which is a very typical fandom complaint about romcoms that I absolutely hate, because in a good romance the relationship is the plot, people! It’s bizarre attitudes like this that get us random murder plots spliced into every other romcom for the ratings, and I am begging y’all to stop the madness. 

Ahem. Anyway, that post seemed to resonate with some folks and get them discussing other dramas, and so inevitably @troubled-mind wandered into my notes and said gee Shan, it seems like maybe you should make a list of dramas that show us couples in a relationship and explore how they make it work and ultimately stay together. And I’ve warned y’all before, if you make a stray comment in my direction there will be a list coming your way. So here I am again, doing the absolute most.

Today I present to you a list of my favorite dramas that show you not only how the couple gets together, but also how they stay together. Criteria:

The couple doesn’t have to be together when the drama starts, but they do have to actually begin their romantic relationship no later than halfway through the drama’s run so that we have substantial time with them as a couple

The relationship development between the couple is a primary plot driver (so no dramas where there’s a great long term couple just hanging out in the background)

The relationship story may include some physical separation or even a temporary breakup, but not the betrayal kind–these are the sort that actually force an unaddressed issue to the surface and ultimately bring the couple even closer 

Happy endings only, these pairs are sticking together 

Ride or Die Drama Couples

Bad Buddy - Pat and Pran

(Thailand, YouTube)

This is tumblr so do I really need to tell y’all about Pat and Pran? There is a reason we all lost our minds over this show and it’s because we got to be in this relationship with them so intensely and see them fight to stay together despite it all. Their ending is bittersweet because of their families, but the show leaves us no doubt that they both think the other is worth it and they will always stick it out together. 

Dark Blue Kiss - Pete and Kao

(Thailand, YouTube)

Shout out to the OGs! Pete and Kao originally got together in the Kiss series (you can watch it, but you really don’t have to, fam) and Dark Blue Kiss brings them back three years into their long-term relationship to give us a peek into their struggles with the closet and the toll it takes on both of them individually as well as the strain it puts on their relationship. 

Flower of Evil - Hee Sung and Ji Won

(S Korea, Netflix or Viki)

Hee Sung and Ji Won are already married (with an adorable daughter) when this drama begins, and the backstory of their relationship is unspooled alongside the larger mystery at the heart of the show. One of the most fascinating and heart wrenching love stories I have ever seen, centered on a character who is so emotionally damaged that he genuinely believes he is incapable of love even as love pours out of him. Damn, I’m gonna make myself cry into my oatmeal.

It’s Okay, That’s Love - Jae Yeol and Hae Soo

(S Korea, Viki)

Speaking of crying, lord. Ahhhhhhh. Let me pull myself together. It’s Okay, That’s Love is a healing drama about two people who fall in love and support each other through serious mental health challenges. I don’t really want to say much more than that. Bring tissues, besties!

La Pluie - Patts and Saengtai

(Thailand, iQIYI)

My beloved! This Thai drama is about a pair of soulmates–or are they–who find each other and try to make their relationship work. That’s it, that’s the show. In this drama, the relationship truly is the plot, despite some of the fantasy elements being used to highlight its themes. La Pluie is about the importance of choice and a rebuke of romantic fantasies that fate and destiny will handle your love life for you. I and many others have written about it extensively, so if you decide to watch, you can go nuts on meta. 

Lighter & Princess - Li Xun and Zhu Yun

(China, Viki)

I really love this show. This is a long format drama so there will be longer stretches where the couple still has not officially gotten together, but the relationship between them is the heart of the entire show, and we get the distinct pleasure of watching them fall in love twice, and the second time figure out how to make it stick. Such a treat.

One Spring Night - Ji Ho and Jung In

(S Korea, Netflix)

Oh how I love this quiet little drama about two people who fall for each other while one is still in a relationship with someone else, and figure out how to untangle the mess they’re in. We get to see them not only fall in love, but figure out how to become a unit who can withstand the harsh judgment coming their way and become a family on their own terms. Bonus adorable child alert!

Tomorrow With You - So Joon and Ma Rin

(S Korea, Viki)

This time travel melodrama is one of those that I started with no expectations and then sat up part way through and said what gave you the right to be this good! This is another one where the relationship begins for dubious reasons, but the suspect motives are quickly taken over by genuine feeling. We really get to live with the relationship in this one and the message is all about treasuring the life and time we have together. 

The Rebel Princess - Awu (Wang Xuan) and Xiao Qi

(China, Viki)

I think the phrase Ride or Die was actually invented for them. Talk about a power couple. Once these two get to know each other (this is a historical so as per usual, their marriage wasn’t actually their choice but rather the result of some asshole’s machinations in a quest for power, joke’s on them though) they are in, baby, and their devotion and loyalty never wavers. This is a historical epic in war time, so the couple will be physically separated multiple times, but it only makes them stronger and each of their reunions sweeter. Their relationship is the heart of the show and the throughline in their chaotic lives.

What Did You Eat Yesterday? - Shiro and Kenji

(Japan, the ether)

Saving the best for last because this right here is the GOAT in this category. It sits at the top of my all-time favorite dramas list and I love it passionately. Because y’all? This drama is explicitly about a middle-aged couple learning how to be together in a long-term relationship. That is the entire plot. And it’s fantastic. Stop reading this and go watch it!

Honorable Mentions

Yumi’s Cells - Yu Mi and Goo Wong 

(S Korea, Viki)

This one is not on the list proper because (gasp) the couple doesn’t end up together. I know, I’m still sad about it, too, even though I went into this drama fully aware of the concept (a season about each of Yu Mi’s major relationships). But man. Yu Mi and Goo Wong just have that something, you know? Even knowing they don’t stick it out, it’s a delight to watch them fall in love and settle into a relationship together. Technically there is a second season featuring Yu Mi’s next relationship (Babi? I don’t know her), but I don’t want to recommend it and you can’t make me.

I must also give a shout out to the bl season 2s that exist expressly for the purpose of showing how the characters settle into a relationship after the first season get together:

Gameboys 2 (Philippines, Gaga) - Cairo and Gavreel

Minato’s Laundromat 2 (Japan, Gaga)- Shin and Minato 

SOTUS S and Our Skyy (Thailand, YouTube) - Kongpob and Arthit

Still 2gether (Thailand, YouTube) - Tine and Sarawat

Utsukushii Kare 2 (Japan, Gaga) - Hira and Kiyoi

And because this is my post and I make the rules, I am also doing some honorable mentions of the friends to lovers slow burns where technically they are not together until the final arc of the story but let’s be serious they are together the whole time and just don’t realize it yet so you know exactly what their relationship is going to look like:

Fight for My Way (S Korea, Viki) - Dong Man and Ae Ra

Happiness (S Korea, Viki) - Sae Bom and Yi Hyun

Hospital Playlist 1 and 2 (S Korea, Viki) - Song Hwa and Ik Jun

My Only 12% (Thailand, iQIYI) - Seeiw and Cake

My Ride (Thailand, Gaga or YouTube) - Mork and Tawan 

Romance is a Bonus Book (S Korea, Netflix) - Dan Yi and Eun Ho

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (S Korea, Viki) - Joon Hyeong and Bok Joo

Whoops you woke the beast @troubled-mind. @rocketturtle4 @neuroticbookworm @chickenstrangers here are more for your mile long rec lists. :)))

[primacatcher]

one spring night (2019)

[everyraindropisawaterfall]

Jung Hae In's characters and his portrayals:

1. While we were sleeping - what's funny is I just remember thinking of Woo Tak as bubbly and kind. It was the first time the SML made me curious. Jung Hae In made Woo Tak very approachable and dependable, the kind of comfort friend everyone wishes to have. He also had the secret he wanted to keep from everyone else, and he handled it with the right amount of angst. Typical charming boy next door.

2. A piece of your mind - I don't think this is a mainstream drama a lot of people are familiar with, but Ha Won was a man stuck in the past. There was a gradual growth within the drama where Ha Won comes out of his shell, and the warmth and sadness was really nicely combined in his mannerisms. Typical successful inaccessible romantic hero.

3. Something in the Rain - I have serious issues with the FL in this one, she seems.. incorrigible. I felt like JHI handles the youth part of the character very well, there was a childishness to him even in the moments where he was making adult decisions. I like how he was very stable in this one from beginning to end. Tbh all the other characters were written quite inconsistently and I don't think the writers did justice to Jun hee's maturity in the ending. Typical younger male fantasy man.

4. One Spring Night - This one really put him on the map for me. Ji Ho is a flawlessly written character, but JHI's portrayal of him just adds so many layers. It's that drama that was written to make the ML seem absolutely perfect, and I have no idea what JHI tapped into to be able to play a young single father so well. His actions that came from parental instincts were so flawless and he handles the role with sensibility. Typical young man who's lived beyond his years.

5. D.P - Just, great writing, great talent and it showed that JHI can do action while maintaining the emotional aspect of the character. JHI just balanced the stubbornness and relatability very well. It was a hard subject to handle, and yet you can't finish the last episode without rooting for him . Typical sincere stubborn rebel underdog.

6. Snowdrop - god damn, this was just a lot of JHI in black and a lot of forearms. Also, a deadly drama for tragic romance lovers. but he held so much command on screen and he was balancing being ruthless and being the main decision maker in the room. Typical romantic action hero.

7. Love Next Door - a work in progress, I'm still waiting for what's unique in the character. For now, I feel like he's the breath of fresh air friend who says it like it is. But we'll have to stay tuned.

[yeo-rims]

[koreandramarec]

JUNG HAE-IN

A post for my favorite actor currently in #lovenextdoor

1 ~ One spring night

Starring Han Ji-min, you will follow a beautiful love story, challenged by Korean standards. I was amazed by the chemistry, you can feel the love through the screen.

2 ~ Snowdrop

Starring the one and only Kim Ji-soo, prepare your tissue for this one. It describes the story between a North Korean spy and a student. Despite the sadness of the drama, it's a must-watch as it makes you feel a lot a emotions.

3 ~ Something in the rain

Starring Son Ye-Jin, one of the most realistic love story in kdramas in my opinion. You will witness what true love is, and Korea's cliché towards age gap and family struggles.

- Each of them brought me out to tears at one point. I truly think Jung Haein conveys a lot of things only through his eyes -

? - What is your favorite kdrama of jung haein ?

[khaoray]

Ultimate Ship Challenge ✳ 1/4 Proposals

↳ Are you... really coming to us? Yes. I can't wait until I have grey hair. Just so you know, I'm going to be a tough wife. I already know that.

[leftoverpizzasauce]

currently rewatching: one spring night

it’s been so long since i’ve seen a normal house in a drama. we are truly in the season of fantasy & chaebol dramas this winter. it’s nice to see a few “regular” apartments again.

[kdramaspace]

POTW #100: All-Time Favorite Korean Actor/Actress (as voted by our members and followers)

#4 Jung Hae In 정해인 - One Spring Night (2019) | D.P. (2021-2023) | Prison Playbook (2017) | Love Next Door (2024) | Something in the Rain (2018)

[kdramaxoxo]

Hey! Could you maybe recommend a more cozy feel good kdramas? Thanks! 😊

We all love a good Cozy Drama!

Warm & Cozy K-dramas:

Hometown Cha Cha Cha: Slice of life drama that takes place in a small town. Lots of great characters and the romance is cuuuute.

Your House Helper: A very sweet drama centering three woman who live together and the healing each of them needs. This one is waaaay underrated!

Soundtrack #1: A short drama about two friends. One of them is helping the other write a love song (while also being in love with her). It's cute!

Romance Is A Bonus Book: Noona romance, workplace drama about two family friends who fall in love.

I'll Go To You When The Weather Is Nice: A small town drama about an introverted book shop owner and a woman that moves back home. They have a bookclub with the neighbors that is excellent! One note: Some streaming sites block the conversation at book club and just place music over it (I think it's a rights thing). If you don't hear words, try and watch it somewhere else. (That edit is really annoying)

A Piece Of Your Mind: A melo romance that takes place primarily at a small music studio. The domestic bliss in this one is very adorable.

12 Nights: A short drama about two people that meet and spend a total of 12 nights together.

One Spring Night: A Slice of life love story about a single dad and a librarian.

Touch Your Heart: A more traditional rom com between a lawyer and a celebrity, but there's almost no tension whatsoever so I really enjoyed that.

Run On: I'm not sure if this counts as cozy but I found this drama to be super comforting. Must be all of the soft people in it!

Just Between Lovers: I'm not sure this drama is actually warm and cozy because there is a LOT of trauma, but the couple is one of my comfort couples so I'll just put it here anyways.

Enjoy!

[purpleguitar]

one spring night finale

[khaotunng]

One Spring Night genuinely my new favourite romantic drama, it's so well-written and sweet and it has some of the best chemistry I've seen in kdramas. Even Giseok had great character writing and all the secondary characters delivered, I hated and loved them when the scene required it. A romantic drama that gave powerful external conflict while always balancing the angst with the most satisfying romantic scenes, with a couple that went from electric chemisty between strangers to the sweetest most romantic couple that communicates!!.... sigh I will miss them

[raeiyyn]

listening to "we could still be happy" by rachael yamagata is like lying down at the seaside and letting the waves slowly engulf you