While You Were Sleeping (2017)

Starts good but mediocre from the middle

You want to dive into the most used cliches in Kdrama romance shows:

How about love triangles? No?
I know that is related to dreams but how about childhood encounters that leads are not aware of? No?
Then what about the most childish jealousy (Like nobody can't even lay a finger on you!)? No?
How about the kind of triangle when someone one of the leads had a close man and woman relationship with becomes the evil enemy of you and your lover to the end? No?
How about leads presented as goodness incarnate and not actual human beings?
I can give you more but I think that's enough.

And no matter how hard I tried not to care but he didn't look like a prosecutor to me. The clothes he wears, how he looks and behaves.

The romance and the lovey-dovey parts. Not my taste. At least not from halfway forward. I skipped most romance parts and fast-forwarded everything from the middle.

The start and the first half were decent but I lost interest halfway.

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I don't think that the two main actors did a bad job, but I don't think they did an amazing job, either. Suzy has the same expression when she cries, and Lee Jon Suck is always doing that weird smile thing that's supposed to be endearing but it's just awkward. I did like his scenes with his brother, though, and the inspector and Woo Tak. Regarding their acting as a romantic couple, it felt forced and awkward and they barely touched and it felt so weird to watch.
I think Jung Hae In as Won Tak and Lee Sang Yeob as Yu Beom were the ones who stole the show for me. I think they completely stole your attention from everybody else when they were on the screen, and did a better job of showing different emotions and sometimes even make you empathize a little with them (in Yu Beom's case, because at first I thought they'd just leave it at "he's a jerk who told Jae Chan to fake his notes and would've blamed Hong Ju" and then show him becoming a better person, and while I respect their decition to not redeem him, I kinda hoped he would, at some point, because the actor did such a good job of showing his own internal conflict).
The music was sort of meh for me.

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"While You Were Sleeping: A Riveting Blend of Dreams and Destiny"

Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy shine in the captivating K-drama "While You Were Sleeping," where dreams become a mysterious bridge connecting two seemingly unrelated lives. Lee Jong Suk takes on the role of Jung Jae Chan, a rookie prosecutor, while Bae Suzy portrays Nam Hong Ju, who possesses the unique ability to foresee future events but often finds herself powerless to alter their course.

The narrative unfolds as the two characters become neighbors, and their destinies intertwine in unexpected ways. The chemistry between Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy is palpable, adding depth to the emotional journey of their characters. The inclusion of a ruthless attorney, Lee Yu Beom, and a life-saving intervention sets the stage for a complex web of interconnected dreams and fates.

The brilliance of "While You Were Sleeping" lies not only in the stellar performances but also in its ability to keep viewers hooked with its unpredictable plot twists. The drama skillfully navigates between the realms of dreams and reality, making every episode a compelling piece of the puzzle. Lee Jong Suk's portrayal of the rookie prosecutor brings a refreshing energy to the series, while Bae Suzy's depiction of Nam Hong Ju adds a touch of vulnerability and strength.

"So good, so good, soo good..." This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of the drama. Despite its premise involving dreams, "While You Were Sleeping" keeps the audience wide awake and on their toes with its intricate storytelling and character development. It's a binge-worthy experience that seamlessly weaves together romance, mystery, and the supernatural, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating each twist and turn.

In short, "While You Were Sleeping" is a must-watch for K-drama enthusiasts, offering a perfect balance of heartwarming moments, suspense, and a touch of the extraordinary. Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy's on-screen chemistry, coupled with a well-crafted plot, make this drama a delightful journey that lingers in the hearts of its audience long after the final episode.

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SOUNDTRACK SLAPS HARDER THAN I'D LET HAN WOO TAK SLAP ME (AND I'D LET HIM SLAP VERY HARD)

The soundtrack kinda slaps though. "When A Long Night Comes", "It's You" and "Lucid Dream" have been replayed in my Spotify playlist so many times since I first watched this drama. These 3 songs are so fucking good.

"You're the right time at the right moment. You're the sunlight, keeps my heart going." Man, I LOVE this chorus.

The first episode really knows how to hook you in. I honestly had no idea what I was going into with this, but after the first episode, I couldn't stop.

If I was the type to get second lead syndrome (SLS), this would be the first time. But also, technically, it wouldn't be called SLS, since I don't want the SML to be with the FL; I just really love him myself. And as a person. He was the first SML (I think) that I've seen that liked the main chick but knew that she belonged with the main dude, so he never tried to interfere negatively with their relationship. And I LOVE that. He was supportive and a best friend to both of them whenever they needed it. He was perfect. I hoped that he would end up with a chick for his own at the end—that would've made me happy. He can also slap me very hard. Han Woo Tak can.

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Very interesting story with really nice plots

Great storyline! Very intruguing and really interesting to watch. I loved how the storyline went really smoothly. Although the ending felt quite abrupt and some of the spidoes felt a little too short but overall really good drama. It has interesting law cases and was an entertaining watch. I loved the acting of the cast tho! The cast smashed it! The whole thing just felt realistic. The music was great too! very soothing and fit perfectly into each scene. I wouldn't rewatch this drama but it was a really good one. Very mysteriously interesting characters with unexpected.. links -I must say. Truly truly worth every minute. It was interesting but a little.. boring ig at the same time. I felt like there could have been more details in the episodes but, that's just my opinion and this drama turned out really great and I would love to see a season 2. Overall, Great drama with interesting plots and very intriguing chracters and perfect music. 😶‍🌫️💭🗞️👩🏻‍💼💭💼🧑🏻‍⚖️💭🚓👮🏻‍♂️

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Great drama to watch again

Great drama to watch again and again, and again...
I come back to this drama on average once a year, because it has a well-written story, nice characters, it is very well played and the music perfectly reflects the nature of the scenes. This drama has elements of comedy and tragedy, romance and sensation - so it is a typical good k-drama, but also has a lot of warmth and positive energy, so even if a sensitive viewer sheds a tear or two at times, the overall impression is very positive. I give 9.5 not 10 because this drama is great, but not absolutely brilliant. There were some annoying elements that subtracted 0.5 points. But only 0.5 points.

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An intense yet feel good drama

The premise of While You Were Sleeping really caught my eye as I have some experience on dreams and precognition so the emotional connection to the drama was quite solidified . However , bias aside, this drama did so well in world building and being very elemental . The fact that it is a legal drama with romantic and fantasy elements made this drama thrilling and very full bodied.

The full bodied nature of the drama meant everything was well fleshed out. The stories of everyone from the guy in school , the lawyer in the firm, the prosecutors to the intimate relationships were highly generous and very rewarding . It almost came across as a slice of life drama which I highly appreciated . The creation of an ensemble of likeable characters made the WYWS world feel full and very much lived in, and that’s probably the thing I liked most about While You Were Sleeping.The pathos illustrated made the characters likeable and easy to relate to and seeing them making hard decisions in the best way they knew how was a great continuity and relatable factor for the audience.There was also enough external conflict in highly villainous characters to keep it exciting and spicy too.Not to mention that this drama is HILARIOUS as well.

As for the romance business - it was all very pleasant and warm.In fact -the romance displayed here will go down as one of my personal faves in Kdrama land because of the ease that it was. It was not angst ridden and the understanding they had for each other was highly rewarding . Everything was so pleasantly soft even with the second male lead!

However , on the flip side ,the main element is not widely explained but I forgave that because it really isn’t about the intricacies of the plot but its really about the character growth born from the main element.

As for the acting and cast all I can muster is that there are 3 VERY hot male leads in Lee Jong Suk , Jung Hae In and Lee Sang Yeob that make this drama VERY easy on the eyes . A hot villain in Lee Sang Yeob ? Yes please!

Ahem , on a serious note though -the supporting cast was flawless and a standing ovation is in order for the very sweet portrayal of Han Woo Tak by the commendable Jung Hae In . I thoroughly enjoyed his restrained yet thoughtful enactment of Woo Tak and quite frankly - I will follow Jung Hae In wherever he goes and thats that.As for Lee Jung Suk - he was okay ( I never find him spectacular ) whilst Suzy Bae is not horrendous at all as some like to say. Though , its very obvious that the two could have been more emotive because Jung Hae In really showed them up . Just saying.

Now for music - its the softest ost out there that perfectly exemplifies the romance. The music also did well in atmosphere modulation too. I particularly loved Suzy Bae' s songs but essentially - the OST is very good .

OVERALL- The whole drama was really about the effect that people have on other people, and recognising that no matter how small a decision seems to you, it could alter someone else’s life irrevocably. I found that quite poignant about WYWS that I I highly recommend this watch.

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This is going to be one that you either love or hate. With the majority of 2017 being dedicated to dramas involving the prosecution/legal/detective genre, it's hard to find a gem in among all the others. And at the beginning, I thought I had found one. I liked the way we are brought into this intertwined world where our mains are connected through dreams, past and present time, and continue to have others align with them. I liked the dynamic of family between the main cast, both within the neighbourhood, and through their work lives... it was a show where a lot of characters grew together, and shared parts of themselves as the story progressed. However, once established, it felt as though the focus on what was proceeding in the courtroom or their jobs took precedence over the continuation of character development. I swear I must have blinked and suddenly Lee Jong Suk and Suzy's characters are completely lovey dovey and skipped some vital steps in their dating.  Dreams or not, their chemistry was missing despite their relationship progressing.  I felt no true connection between them, and this was vastly obvious to me during the ending where I found their confessions to each other a bore. Normally a Lee Jong Suk kiss scene or confession would have my full interest.

The dreams in itself is what propelled me to delve into yet another prosecution/reporter drama in the beginning. I enjoyed the contrasting scenes that the three would have and how they would resolve. I liked how there was always more than one variable for how things would go, and the consequences that followed. But somewhere along the way, although the dreams mostly did relate to Jung Jae Chan, Nam Hong Joo and Han Woo Tak, they seemed to become solely focused on benefiting their lives (mostly Jae Chan's), and less focused on how they were in the beginning, saving others. This was a shame as there was some amazing storylines that came from those dreams, and not focused on the pure outcome of a court case.

As it continued and drove through a heavy course of judicial, and frankly not of my interest, roads, I found my love for minor characters to be far more intriguing. Whilst my love for Woo Tak (and we'll get to that in a moment), was still remaining strong throughout, the characters Choi Dam Dong, Lee Ji Gwang and  Son Woo Joo helped me continue through this drama. Choi in particular is a strong character who evoked a lot of thought and interest throughout.  And speaking of Han Woo Tak, if any reason is needed to sit through all 32 episodes, it's this character here. He is a breath of fresh air as the "second guy" and I have to hand it to writer Park Hye Ryun for not botching his ending at all, and giving him his own identity throughout. He is a formidable friend, who captures the heart of many within this world and mine as well. Jung Hae In is an actor that should be on more drama watchers' radars, his acting has never failed to captivate me yet.

The ending is always a key point for me, most amazing dramas usually have a less than stellar closing point, but since my expectations and interest had dropped by episodes 18-21, I don't feel as though it failed to meet what I was expecting. Those who needed to face their crimes did, those who needed to learn lessons experienced those, and were closed off with everyone in the world having somewhat of a happy ending.  

I would recommend this to others to watch if they enjoy this currently everywhere genre, or enjoy watching the minor characters take over the story like I did. If you're only coming in for romance between Jong Suk and Suzy, you will be poorly let down.

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Ho iniziato questo drama senza chissà quali aspettative e ho finito per adorarlo. Le prime puntate sono introduttive e non mettono subito in chiaro quale sarà il percorso della storia, che quindi è andata avanti sorprendendomi in positivo, soprattutto. per quanto riguarda il modo in cui hanno incastrato tutti i pezzi del puzzle. L'elemento fantasy è ben integrato alla realtà e le parti "tribunalesche" non sono mai noiose o scontate.
Per quanto riguarda gli attori c'è poco da dire, sono semplicemente fantastici e sul pezzo. I personaggi sono ben scritti, mi è piaciuto molto il fatto di aver visto molte loro sfaccettature e ho amato anche la crescita che compiono nell'arco delle puntate.

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The actors were incredible. I came here for Lee Jong Suk, but Jung Hae In completely stole my heart. Suzy and Jong Suk had the most amazing chemistry. The story was incredible. If you watch this it will not waste your time at all. You will fall in love with every character...well except for the bad ones maybe. The kiss scenes were absolutely beautiful. There were moments where I wanted to cry, and moments where I smiled so much. This lee Jong Suk made it hilarious. The bromance between Hae In and Jong Suk were especially funny. Even Jong Suk’s brother had a big impression on me. When you watch one episode you just want to keep on going. It’s that interesting. Pretty much I’m just saying this is a must watch drama. I hope you find it as amazing as I did.

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When I first started watching this drama it was interesting because it was something different, but over time it seemed a little repetitive with its past plot. I think it was because of the same situation with Yu Beom, that it kinda got boring and made me roll my eyes as it was the same thing each time, because of this repetitiveness sometimes you could tell what was gonna happen, but what would you expect from a drama that had to do with the law. However other than that I think the story line was great. I would’ve liked more of a background on Woo Tak because I really liked his character and I would’ve liked to see more development, but I also would’ve liked more scenes with Jae Chan and Investigator Choi. Also more scenes with Myung Dae-gu would’ve been nice since the last case was about his father.
The ending for me seemed unfinished, just the way it ended didn’t seem like it was the last episode, Woo Tak is gonna be an attorney, we see their wedding picture hanging on the wall, and then Jae Chan says his memory he doesn’t regret doing and it ends. For me personally it just seemed very unfinished and didn’t give me much closer. Besides all those there were points that had me shook and parts I really liked. Would I rewatch it? Probably not, but it’s definitely worth to be watched at least once.

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Whoa! To be honest, as a newbie in K-drama world, I've never heard of Lee Jong Suk before. I didn't even know that he holds the title of the most followed Korean actor in Instagram. Lol! But after watching While You Were Sleeping, I can understand why. His visual is no joke, eventho his face is not my definition of handsome. Sorry, LJS!

The main casts are amazing. Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy together is like putting 2 final best ingredients into a recipe so it will taste good. Their chemistry is okay, I have no complain at all.

The OST is on another level! I'm happy when I heard Davichi's I Miss You being played on the drama. It fits the story so much!

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