Vremea Melancoliei (2022)

Chased My Blues Away

Wow, what can I say? Our Blues is one of the best dramas I’ve seen this year. I am laughing and crying at the same time. It brought me all sorts of emotions and flavors: romance, comedy, friendship, family. I believe that its current rating here on MDL doesn’t give justice to how each characters portrayed their roles. The screenwriting and cinematography are beautiful. Despite dealing with different storylines, it wasn’t confusing and the transition is smooth. I looked forward to every weekends because of this show and it saddens me to say bye to the Pureung Family of Jeju.

I have no major issues or complaints. I absolutely enjoyed and loved each and every story presented. It was wrapped up warmly and perfectly. The soundtrack is also very good. My favorite is “With You” by Jimin and Ha Sung Woon. Not to mention “Quando, Quando”. Everytime I hear it, it will remind me of them.

I won’t have any second thought seeing this again in case I missed the gang or want to relieve their memories. This one is a classic that I will always remember. The powerhouse cast did not disappoint. All the actors did an excellent job. The ending was satisfying and heartwarming.

Why not a perfect 10 if I loved this show a lot? The 0.5 is for the show to leave an empty spot in my memory. This is one of the best slice of life genre in my Kdrama archives.

Congratulations to all the staff, crew and actors behind “Our Blues”. I wish you all happiness from this day on.

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A gem made out of the ordinary!!

Following the lives of habitants of jeju Island this show was all about relationships of all kinds, and I loved it! The severed ties with a mother, a 'can't get over' first love. The struggle of a special needs family member , ruined friendships and much more.
This show was perfect to watch over the weekend after a stressful week. It made me feel all kind of emotions added with amazing acting by all the actors(which i was already expecting because of such an amazing cast) every relationship that was shown was beautiful and perfect. The carefree days of youth portrayed the beauty of high school, first love, first kiss and so much more and gave me the sense that even if I am getting older I still have those treasurable memories to hold on to.
Even though all of the stories were beautiful(which I won't spoil for you) but those that topped my list were 1. Young ok & young hee 2. Dong seok & seon ah 3. Jung hyeon & young joo.
The entire series was perfectly paced I did not feel the need to skip any part and enjoyed every episode altogether. Some of them made me teary alot because of the great acting and expressing those emotions.
Loved the songs and found some of it to be on my favorite list.
Would recommend the series to anyone who wants to go on an emotional Rollercoaster ride.

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A Disappointment

This was so boring for me, and it’s a shame because I was really looking forward to seeing Kim Woo-bin make his comeback. I feel like with the high rating, maybe I’m wrong?? All I took away from this was people yelling, fighting, everyone being disappointed about one thing or another, when that wasn’t happening, they were eating. Not really any kind of love story with any physical affection. What was it? Well, it was very boring, with very little happening other than, like I said, yelling, fighting, disappointment, and eating. I would never sit through this again. As it was, I had it on fast forward from the 3rd episode, hoping it would get better. I should have just dropped it.

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Well-acted and well-crafted, but the stories could have been more interesting and believable

The acting, directing, photography, editing, etc. were top-notch. However, the omnibus format didn't allow enough time for any of the stories to be fully fleshed out. And the stories would often begin with the characters in absolutely miserable circumstances, but very quickly, they would end up resolving their problems in ways that I found to be too simple to be believed. And at the end, you feel like all of the characters were good people. However, when you think back to their earlier actions, many of them were really horrible people, and their redemption seems too easy, and seemingly intractable character flaws seem to suddenly vanish. But if you just go with the flow, and let the emotions and comradery overwhelm you, then the show becomes a rich and enjoyable experience.

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The best drama ever seen

i've been watching kdramas for over 14 years and i watched over 300 dramas but this is literally a masterpiece .
So in love with each character story , acting skills, osts, .. everything is perfect
It feels like it is very real drama with everyday situations, battles that many of us go through. It has all kinds of things: love, drama, family stuff, friendships, differences of people. I don't know if it's the right way to say it but it is very humane drama.

i would really recommend this drama for y'all

There were many times that I laughed, smiled form ear to ear, or laughed after crying my eyes out.

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Excellent Acting with different stories that can impact each of us.

Completed: 7/17/2022
Subjective Rating - 8.25-8.5
Objective Rating - 8.5+

This is my first omnibus-style drama and it took me a while to get used to it. And as a binge watcher, this is not the pacing that I am comfortable with. It was difficult for me to want to press "next episode" each time. It took me a long time to finish this drama and I have to watch one story at a time. Of course, this is very subjective and others might find all stories so compelling that they couldn't stop watching. Because of this, I am only rating this drama at 8.5. Additionally, a couple stories are not as interesting to me.

"Our Blues" takes place on the beautiful Jeju Island, a place I've been wanting to visit. Taking us out of the big city and into the more rural village provided us the opportunity to appreciate nature and this drama has beautiful cinematography and an amazing and soothing OST. I really enjoy the small town feel and the village lifestyle and community. However, it does take me a couple episodes to get used to the personality of the islanders. They are nosy, loud and rude, and just can't stay out of other people's business. But they are also kind and soft-hearted, and each character is ready to jump in to help anyone in a split second. That's the beauty of all the stories here and it's heartwarming to see there are people out there who truly cares. It's the perfect place for healing, to take a break or to ask for help.

Looking at the cast list, it's without a doubt that you do not have to worry about the acting performance of anyone. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, is excellent. This drama evokes so many different emotions that it's amazing how everyone is so good. I do want to point out a few that stood out to me:

1. Lee Byung Hun - the last drama of his I watched was "Mr. Sunshine". And what a different role he has in "Our Blues". I applaud him for taking such a different role and doing such a great job. You can't see a shadow of Eugene Choi in his role as Lee Song Seok.
2. Lee Jung Eun - I've seen her in so many other dramas in a supporting role and her acting here is off the charts. She plays the caring, loud-mouthed, nosy Jung Eun Hee so well. The first few episodes are about her, and I was mesmerized by her acting.
3. Kim Woo Bin - My first of his drama and I'm glad he's back after taking care of himself. I avoided watching "Uncontrollably Fond", so I'm glad to see him here. Kim Woo Bin's eyes can convey so many different emotions. I stare at his eyes and I am in love, and adding the fact that his character is so lovable, I've added Park Jung Joon to my "Ideal Man" list. LOL
4. Jun Eun Hye - Not only do I appreciate the fact that we have an actress with Down Syndrome in this show, but that she is not portrayed as the sweet and innocent girl. She is sassy and has a great personality. She is tough, will argue with you and keep you on your toes. And yes, people with disabilities do drink and cuss, and they want to be pretty and have a boyfriend/girlfriend.

As mentioned earlier, not all the stories touched me or that I find super interesting. Here's a quick recap (I tried to keep it without spoiler but read as your own risks).

Han Soo + Eun Hui
A very impactful beginning of a drama. Here we reminisce the past/first love, money issues and family burdens. The powerful confrontation scene in the hotel room was a big "WOW" moment for me. It was so quiet the whole time, no music and just letting two veteran actors duke it out. This story makes you wonder how you treat your friends and who are your real friends.

Yeong Ok + Jung Joon
This is when I fall in love with Kim Woo Bin. He's so warm and accepting that he doesn't care about Yeong Ok's relationship history. He believes in her and loves her, despite her lies in the beginning.

Young Joo + Hyung
What happened when Romeo and Juliet got together and have a kid? This story explores teen decisions and family support. How do we get parental approval when life has been so hard?

Deong Seok + Seon Ah
Postpartum depression is a difficult topic and not portrayed enough in dramas. This story explores the darkness of depression and how it affects everyone in the family, especially the child. It's important to have someone who doesn't give up on you and stand by your side until you are better.

Mi Ran + Eun Hee
When two best friends perceive their friendship differently, the result is a big argument and brawl. Eu Hee is the one that I wish she has all the happiness in the world. She's been there for everyone, her BFF and neighbors, but was hurt by her first love and BFF.

Yeong Ok + Yeong Hui + Jung Hoon
I love this story esp. the realistic portrayal of someone with Down Syndrome. Yeong Hui works, makes money, and wants what we all want. I love that she is the main character in this story and not just resorted to a few lines here and there. I love the complicated sisterhood and the friendship between Yeong Hui and Jung Hoon. The last scene when Yeong Ok was in the van alone was very touching.

Choon Hee + Eung Gi
What an adorable little grand daughter and what a fun duo she makes with her grand mother. They have such an interesting dynamic when they slowly learn how to get along with each other. I LOVE the scene with 100 moons!!

Deong Sok + Ok Dong
We knew from the start that there will be a story about this mother/son relationship. The reason why mom remarried was not surprising, but it's still heartbreaking nonetheless. Reconciliation and the acceptance/preparation for death are explored in this story. In the last episode, I am glad that everyone finds closure and we get to see all the characters back in a super fun way.

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I CRIED A LOT BUT LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF

I can't stand people that say ew that was just sad. Please take a breath and watch carefully the show that you choose, of course it's not a comedy one.

Definitely one of the best drama I've ever watched. Well first of all with a cast like this, things can't go wrong. The acting was great, I felt all the scenes and I cried at every episode.

I don't want to write a lot but I recommend it to everyone, cause they talk about many issues and situations that are taboo not only in Korea but in many other places. Overall, I believe that by finishing the series you will feel satisfaction and not sadness with how the situations her resolved.

I have to take my time tho and around 1 year to pass to re-watch it cause my heart ain't ready for it again, and ain't got not tears left to cry hahaha. ❤️

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The first step of change is to decide.

I didn't think I'd continue watching this drama after seeing first two episodes but I'm glad I continued because "Our Blues" takes on an omnibus-style drama, which tells the story of diverse characters that are somewhat interconnected, in one way or the other.
The storytelling is so rich in this drama, down to the little details.
The acting was quite amazing, especially the two teens in this drama. I feel like this show is getting slept on when the storyline has been getting better and better every episode.
Some stories will leave you like a sobbing mess after watching the scenes and seeing how it all unfolds.
It focuses on family arguments, teenage pregnancy, first love, broken hearts, depression and more. I personally got tied to Shin Min Ah's character 'Min Seon Ah' who seemed to struggle a lot with depression while being a mother to a small boy and a wife to a man that didn't exactly know how to handle the situation.
The cinematography seems to highlight these moments but with beauty and the sounds of them living in the sea side town, it's really soothing.
If you like any of the things I counted in along with Jeju, the beauty of sea and nature, sound of waves and voices of so many people gathered up in one place, then definitely dive in.

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Heart warming and heart wrenching.

Without further ado, this is one hell of an emotional ride.

I didn't start watching this series until it was halfway through. Big mistake? You can say so, as I devoured the entire thing in one sitting. I'd previously heard about Our Blues before, but at first, its omnibus format wasn't really attractive at all. I think the reason I decided to give it a try is that I had run out of things to watch, so I said, why not?

The story itself was alright, a slice of life surrounding an ensemble group of people who live in Jeju Island. So far, I was thinking Reply series kind of vibe. We start getting to know every character and their past stories, their present life, and their hopes for their future.

Life is not easy and this series depicts that with a raw feeling of "Wow, I can relate to that" or "That's like my mom and I". And I think that's the beauty of this series, being able to relate to the good and the bad things, and not necessarily feel entirely connected to the good ones or guilty for the bad ones, just being able to see yourself in the story and accompany every character through their journey.

Friends who fell apart, first loves coming back, society prejudice, good and bad family relationships, getting a second chance, you name it, this series has it.

Moving on from the story for a bit, I'd like to mention that this cast is genius. Truly, how do you put together this kind of cast and not expect great things? I can firmly say everyone was amazing and sincerely portrayed their character really well.

However, how can I not make emphasis on my two favourite performances?

Lee Byunghun did it again, and I'm not surprised, I always tend to expect the best from him and he never fails to deliver. His portrayal as Lee Dongseok from beginning to end, the character development Dongseok has and especially his portrayal during episodes 18-20 left me speechless sometimes.

As for Han Jimin, her portrayal as Lee Youngok left me with a bittersweet feeling, character-wise. It is evident Youngok is not the best person there is, but she is trying and her burdens keep pushing her down no matter how much she tries to pull herself up. But Jimin was able to convey those feelings that Youngok was clearly meant to feel, you know? Her happiness, her sadness, her anger, I think Jimin did an amazing job here.

Is this a series worth watching? Yes. Definitely. Don't think about it twice.

Is this a series worth re-watching? I don't know. Why? From my point of view, this is meant to be a one-time experience. What's going to happen next? That kind of feeling you only get when you're watching for the first time, and Our Blues leaves you with a satisfied feeling of "That was really good, but time to move on."

A series that shines because of the characters and their stories, the relationships they have among them and the struggles of life. Truly a pleasure to have watched it.

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Esse foi, sem dúvidas, o melhor slice-of-life que eu já vi. Os personagens são tão reais, ninguém é totalmente bom ou completamente mau, todos eles tem comportamentos que fazem você querer dar uns tapas e logo em seguida você quer pegar aquela pessoa no colo e fazer um afago por que você descobre como ela apanhou da vida.
Cada história é maravilhosa, tem momentos muito triste que me fizeram chorar demais e momentos divertidos e engraçados. E a equipe de produção fez um trabalho impecável com a trilha sonora que acrescentou muito mais emoção as cenas.
Não tem o que dizer desse drama além de dizer que foi perfeito!!!!

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Our Blues explores the story of Jeju islanders navigating the ups and downs of their communities as well as their individual live struggles. Struggles like mental health, childhood abuse, teenage pregnancy, disability and discrimination... This series took all of these and delivered them in a genuinely raw manner that tugs at the heart and showed the nuances of human nature in a realistic way. It can be gut-wrenching, funny, uncomfortable, uplifting, and heartbreaking all at once.

Often an omnibus-style dramas like this can feel episodic and mundane to a point, but the way it portrayed community spirit was authentic and that makes it very much worth-watching. It’s not a plot-driven drama, it’s a drama that leaves you pondering about the relationships you hold in your own life. Personally, some stories weren't as engaging as some others because I couldn't relate with them, but each story delivered profound messages. It is one of those intricate emotional series with hidden depth characters that show friendship, romance, community and reconciliation.

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