Dragoste printre Rânduri (2019)

I usually ration my TV viewing very carefully, but I watched 10 hours of this show at a go without a qualm. Lee Na Young, what a charming and sympathetic actor, in such a winning role. They laid it on thick for Kang Dan-yi and her no-good very bad horrible situation when the show opens, and yet she made you want to believe in it: the horror of the life into which she was plunged, as well as in her ordinary, everyday pluck and resolve as she went about trying to find a situation.

And then, boom: a knight in shining armour who's also a childhood best friend, and practically perfect in every way? Yet nothing about this was off-putting, seemed like it was going to sacrifice a balance of power on the altar of sweeping romance, or made Dan-yi and Eun-ho transform themselves drastically in the journey of their friendship. Was it realistic? Absolutely not. Was it believable? Strangely, yes.

The most sweepingly romantic thing in this show, in fact, is its love of books and publishing: an old-fashioned, stubborn refusal to see books as anything but the great consolations of our life. Regardless of whether they end up with each other or no, that's who Eun-ho and Dan-yi are to each other, we realise: the book in which you learn yourself anew every time you leave your world and enter its own. As romances go, I can't think of a nicer metaphor.

Props to Lee Jong Suk for being a lovely rest for the eyes and bringing restraint and poise to his role: even his slightly out-of-character methods of pursuing Dan-yi seem rational and in keeping with the character because he doesn't crank it up unnecessarily. The supporting actors were all delightful, and brought such warmth and affection to their roles and interactions with each other. And a shout-out to the set designers who created perhaps the nicest office I've ever seen on TV: an inspiration!

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Good story setting, could've been better!

I liked this drama with a few exceptions.

What I liked
• As a book lover I loved that the drama was set in a book publishing company. I enjoyed everything related to publishing. It was quiet interesting to see how much hard work goes to launching a book.
• The support characters were all entertaining and had their own stories.
• The SFL and the SML were likable and not the typical annoying over-the-top jealous type.

What I didn't like
• The main couple was not to my liking. I have watched and liked dramas with noona-love but this couple didn't have the depth or passion to their romance. They lacked chemistry but had a good friendship.
• The sudden omission of FLs daughter was unrealistic, I mean the drama started with the FL struggling to meet ends to take care of her child, so where is she?
• Difficulty to understand how the ML didn't have a clue about his best friend of 20 years being divorced and homeless. How didn't he know what was going on if he ended up at her place everytime he was drunk? I mean did he not get drunk for a whole year?

What could've been explored
It would have been more interesting to have explored the relationship of FL, Ms.Go & Ms.Seo plus a few scenes of the ML as an actual author and a professor would have been great. More backstory for the characters could've been added instead of unnecessary fillers in the second half of the drama, like more about FLs daughter, SMLs childhood or SFLs etc.

Conclusion
That being said I enjoyed this light weight drama excluding the main romance, those parts were skipped. For the main couple it felt like the writer didn't have much to say after a certain point. It was bland. But the story of the publishing company was enjoyed. The day to day tasks of a publishing house was interesting.

At the beginning it felt like the drama was going to show us a courageous FL with a strong willpower tackling the unfairness of life, but it soon went all Cinderella with the young and rich ML being there to save the day. The FLs character was selfish and always had to play the sympathy card and never apologetic.

So overall, without the romance parts this drama was a good watch. If you are interested in publishing and love books this could be enjoyed.

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It's a story that focuses on the relationships of the characters.

I started watching this drama mostly for the Older Woman Younger Man trope. Jongsuk being in it is just an added bonus.
In my opinion and based on the summary, the main plot or major plot of the series is of Dan Yi's struggle coming out of a divorce after years of being a housewife. Personally I would consider them wrapping up the major plot right at the start of Episode 2 with Dan Yi getting the job. That solved her major plot problem which is money.

After that all you have left to watch from the series is how Dan Yi and Eun Ho will get together, who Park Byeong Jun is, and Danyi and Seo Jun's interest with one another will develop.

I love the characterization for the characters in the series. Eun Ho and Dan Yi's relationship is so lighthearted that it will keep your worries away, Seo Jun and Dan Yi's relationship is comfortable and budding, while Dan Yi and Hae Rin's work relationship is just immculate. These relationships is really what kept me watching the show.

What I particularly loved in this series is how Song Hae Rin's. Her relationship with Dan Yi never changed even after she found out about Dan Yi and Eun Ho. She never become a hysterical crush, she never treated Dan Yi disrespectfully in their workplace because of her affections for Eun Ho. And that particular bit is so refreshing because we've all been bombarded with poorly written female characters that go ape shit because male writers suck.

Ms. Go's perspective for Dan Yi also didn't become overacting. She's meticulous and very career oriented. Her decisions are correct and is never against Dan Yi.

All in all this series gave me a few surprises, like the lesbian ex of Eun Ho, Song Hae Rin's great character, Eun Ho and Seo Jun's bromance. Unfortunately Dan Yi's personality failed to uphold til the end, that or I'm just expecting something different. I was expecting a little bit more struggle between Eun Ho and Dan Yi. But they never tackled about Dan Yi's daughter anymore after the first few episodes. I also get it why Dan Yi accepted Eun Ho's love right away, as she have that no nonsense attitude with love given her reaction to Seo Jun's attraction, but still it felt too easy.

In one of the scenes I expected her to be doing something on her own, but I was deeply disappointed to see that it was only motivated by the change around her.

This is not an female independence series that I was expecting it to be. I'm a bit disappointed but still would consider this series as a comfortable show I will watch if I want to feel something lovely in my dead cold heart.

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Underrated

It is my own opinion and it seems to be quite a minor opinion if we look at the global critic but I think it is very underrated. It is flat yes but flat doesn’t mean boring. The end might be disappointing but pretty much like a lot of romantic dramas. And the end to me doesn’t matter because that is not the message or the directing approach or storytelling the director wanted to tell (I think). There are beautiful quotes. tenderness, a lot of love sent to the viewers and you can identify yourself to a lot of situations… one sided-love, loving someone the society says you shouldn’t, loving someone for a long time and not saying it and so on, being in a relationship with no spark… and the letter (you know which one I am talking about) is like a big hug, for me and all the people who felt “why don’t you love me while I have so much to offer to you!” “what do they have which I don’t have ?” “how can I stop loving you, you who doesn’t deserve me”

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this drama really has a warm & cozy feel to it. It's definitely the type of show that you can sit under the covers with a cup of hot chocolate and just watch. From the beginning you will instantly sypmathize with Dan-i. I like how the drama show the audience how hard it can be for a middle-aged woman to be going back to the workplace. I had no idea how difficult that could be. story is sad and this drama really emphasizes how positive and of a woman she is after everything she's gone through. Even after all her hardships she never loses hope that things will turn out better.

I thought the relationship between eun-ho and Dan-i was cute. For people who like skinship and lovey dovey couple moments, you'll get a lot of that once they start dating but not too much to the point where it's cringy.

The whole childhood friend trope gets boring to me but I like the way this drama did it. It gave the main leads more of a connection to each other. I liked how dedicated eun-ho was to making sure Dan-i was happy and how he always put her first. he had always been looking out for her even during the years they grew apart and he stayed by her side throughout some of the most difficult times in her life. You really feel that he cared for her.

I actually really liked the supporting characters. I really enjoyed the banter and conversations between the coworkers at the publishing company( I love the whole theme of the book publishing company. It really shows you the work that goes into making and publishing a book. If you're a reader then you will probably enjoy watching the process :)) After a while, I found myself getting more invested supporting characters than the leads.

Overall I think this was a really good drama. To be honest I started getting bored the last few episodes but I stuck it out to the end however I definitely don't regret watching this. Definitely give this one a try. I give it a 8/10

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I think this drama tried to focus a lot on the publishing company, and didn't really focus that much on the main couple at all. Jong Suk and Na Young had some chemistry, they had a pretty cute relationship, but I really didn't believe how they came to date. I think they kind of tried to create a slow burn romance, but then hurried them being together. I think the plot was pretty boring to begin with, but it later on grew more interesting which surprised me, so it's a pretty good drama to watch while you eat. It's not exciting enough to keep you hooked, so if you want an okay drama to entertain you for a bit, I recommend it.

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We are beautiful books of all kind

I have finished this drama with a warm heart and my chest full of emotions turning inside.

First of all, it is very well written. Everything evolves slowly and coherently.
The actors, i just loved every one of them and character they played as it fit them properly i may say.
Their acting was amazing.
The music, oh, I loved every song I've heard and "shazamed" them to know about the beautiful voices behind them.

The book enviroment felt good. Indeed, I love books, reading novels and poetry and I write too. Seing people as books is a beautiful thought as we all bear our stories from birth to death.
I agree with Dan I when she says that when re reading her book she underlined sentences and discovered new ones and when Seo Jun says that the book does not change but the reader, it explains it all.

At different season of our life, it does not taste the same and more precisely when we start seing what only used to watch without aknowledging it.
I felt every bit of this drama and it makes re think about self and the life one lives.

Beautiful drama that shows the way to life fully, authentically no matter what. The path to writing a good book.
Romance is the bonus here indeed with all one goes trough and experiences, a beautiful romance that seems to be like an Albatros that cannot fly because of his to big wings but who finally discovers how to take of and how pleasant and beautiful it is and feels to fly with such powerful wings.

It's smooth, it's full, it's deep and it touches straight to heart genuinely. I felt in love with it.
Another lesson learned from it.

Thanks to eveybody in this drama.
Thanks for this beautiful realisation.
감사합니다!!!

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Serious or Fun?

As others have written, I felt that this romance lacked passion. But my main issue was that it felt the writers were torn between serious and silly fun. The Gangnam Leopard scene and rich mom suggested silly fun, but then we had the suicide of the poet and the medical condition of the missing author. I'm ok with the a mix of fun and serious, but when the fun seems implausible (like the middle aged female being the biggest draw at a night club for a younger crowd) it lessened the impact of the serious. Regardless, i was bored through the middle episodes, but found myself genuinely enjoying the last three.

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Sweet slice of life with an unusual setting! My favorite drama!

I fell in love with this drama. I love that this is set in the publishing world and a noona romance. I love the leads and all the side characters. This drama is sweet without being tacky or grotesque. Its story, despite some harsher elements, depicts the twists and turns of adult life in a comforting way. Even the colors on screen tend to be on the warmer side, which is part of why watching it feels like sipping hot tea on a snowy day.
I feel like this drama cradled me in its hands and told me everything was going to be OK. We've all had our failures and tragedies. We all feel, at one point or another, like life has passed us by. But just like Dan-i, we can try again. We deserve to find our purpose and our victories.
RIABB is beautiful, funny, evocative, warm and sweet. I watched it twice, then watched it again with my husband who loved it and declared it to be his favorite drama as well. Watch it if you love books, noona romances or comforting slice-of-life dramas with endearing characters.

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Love amidst books

Romance is a bonus book is a slice of life kdrama that captures the highs and lows of life in the most beautiful, vivid and captivating manner. The drama revolves around a woman, Kang Dan Yi, who puts her career on hold to focus on her marriage and raise her daughter. Unfortunately, her marriage ends in a divorce leaving her penniless, homeless and jobless. Kang Dan Yi seeks help from her best friend, Cha Eun Ho.
As no company wants to hire someone who has been on a career break for years, Dan Yi bets on the one thing she knows best; her love for books and takes up a task support job at a publishing company where her friend Eun Ho is a chief editor. In the quest for achieving professional excellence alongside great friendship, their true feelings for each other comes to light.
The drama is uplifting, inspiring, comforting, motivating and realistic. The story thrives on the ordeals and struggles people go through to get a job especially those who haven't worked for a while. The drama captures the reality on the ground; the tears, disappointments, failed interviews and hopelessness of the unemployed.
However, this drama offers comforts and motivates one not to give up with the hope that there will surely be light at the end of the tunnel. Dan Yi's situation was pitiful and discouraging. This is a woman who couldn't even afford to buy herself a new pair of shoes. She could have shrank but she didn't. She continued to press on and even as a task support, she took on big tasks and contributed accordingly. At the end, her life took a positive turn.
The drama also portrays the day to day activities of a publishing company, Gyeoroo Publishing, which is the main setting of this drama. Every step involved in book publishing is shown and it appreciates the work of key players such as the editor, book designer, marketing and sales team, the illustrator etc. It also highlights the struggles publishing companies go through to make sure a book is a success.
The romantic aspect is not left out either. Dan Yi, in her quest to overcome the challenges of life finds love with her friend Eun Ho. Their romance is soft, sweet, beautiful and healthy. Friends to lovers and Noona romance troupe is exhibited in this drama; one that would make you smile, cringe and make your heart flutter as well.
This drama is one I'd call a masterpiece or a skillful piece of film making. If you're a fan of books, friends to lovers troupe, interested in the publishing world or in need of a drama to comfort you and give you a ray of sunshine, then this drama is for you.

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Warm, Cozy, Friends to Lovers with a Bookish Backdrop

This show. This show. *This show*. How do I even begin to describe it?

Is it the best kdrama ever? Probably not. Does it feel like it to me and is it my favorite out of everything I've ever watched? Yes.

I wish I could properly describe how incredibly wonderful this show is. It's probably not for everyone. If you're looking for something super dramatic and crazy and intense, this isn't it. Come back to it later when the chaos around you is too much and you need something soft and quiet and cozy to wind down to. This is it.

Romance is a Bonus Book is warm. It's quiet in that it sort of sneaks up on you. You're enjoying it but you don't realize *how much* until you're in too deep. It's literally the equivalent of a steaming cup of tea (or hot chocolate, whatever your poison is) by the fireplace. It's *beautifully* written, the romance is soft and quiet just like the rest of the aesthetic of the show, but it's *so welcome*. I didn't realize how tired of problematic leads I was until this show. The ML is literally *the* most unproblematic, wholesome, beautiful, wonderful ML I've ever come across. There were scenes where I literally could not stop grinning because of him (and the FL). I also really loved the FL. She's incredibly strong and there's this quiet strength to her that really drew me in from the very moment she was on screen.

There isn't a *single character* I dislike (except for random people that show up once or twice but barring them). Scratch that, there isn't a single character I don't like and/or love. Every character is unique and brings something really special to the storyline. This isn't a plot-driven drama, it's a character-driven one, so this is incredibly important. Each character is like this thread in a larger, gorgeous tapestry. One after the other, their lives weave together and create this beautiful thing that is this show. The cast is great, the acting is wonderful, and I just love everyone! (I've always heard great things about Lee Jong-Suk and this show *truly* showed me why. Guess who's watching While You Were Sleeping Next?)

This show is about strength, about resilience, about friendship, and love. It's very beautiful to see the different kinds of love that people can have for a person, and how that love can develop/change over time. It's just ... ugh I love it so much. If you're looking for a friendship to lovers, this is it. This is wholesome and beautiful and makes me happy. The side couple is also *incredibly cute* and I love them to pieces. So much. As individuals and together, and that is so rare!

All of this, added to the absolutely *gorgeous* backdrop/theme of a book publishing company and it's the best thing I've ever seen. The publishing house is so clean and brightly lit, you love every scene spent there. Not only are you surrounded by books, but by people who love and cherish them too. The literature references, the way people talk about books, the different references to quotes/deeper things was just the bow that wrapped the present that is this show all together. It brings everything together so so beautifully. As a lover of literature, just the book storylines/backdrops alone were enough to make me like this show. Pair it all with the flawed but incredibly wonderful characters and it's now my favorite show ever.

It's not without its faults, don't get me wrong but the good far *far* outweighs the little things I'm not the biggest fan of. A certain storyline could have been handled better (or just omitted altogether), and I admit I sometimes want those fireworks/epic love kind of romances, but that's just not this show's style. It's just so soft and warm and cozy, so welcoming and quietly deep, when it ended, I lowkey teared up but they weren't sad or happy tears they were just ... wow this is done. I have to leave this show now.

I definitely plan on rewatching because just thinking about it makes me want to smile like an idiot.

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