See You In My 19th Life (2023)

This definitely wasn't the best adaptation I've ever seen.

I watched this drama with my boyfriend, we really hoped it would be good, because the idea is cool, but unfortunately the adaptation of the story wasn't so well executed. To be quite honest, there is no big villain behind the events, what happened was: people making mistakes and regretting them or paying for them too late. Things that left me a little frustrated: The protagonist swore to her mother that she would return, she had the opportunity to say who she was, but she didn't. The poor woman continued to hope that her daughter would return, isn't that cruel? Another point is: If she forgot everything, what life does she return to? She lived with Ae-Kyung, where does she go back to when she forgets everything? In the end, I felt like I had a lot of expectations and they weren't exactly met. It's a drama with an interesting idea, a happy and closed ending, but it's not exactly an unforgettable memory. My favorite part was the soundtrack, I love Sunwoo Jung-a and it was lovely to hear Doyoung too. The scenography is also impeccable, I really liked it, scenes like the cemetery and the beach were beautiful to see. That's all I can remember right now, so I'll end my review here.

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strong start, weak ending

The story has many plot holes but i still enjoyed it very much, until the last two episodes where the story started to make litteraly no sense. As many review say, the ending felt rushed, but also boring at the same time. I haven't read the webtoon so i can't compare the two but i still felt like we were missing some informations for the story to make sens. It really felt like it should have been a 16ep long drama but they suddenly had to make it shorter.

Nonetheless i think it is worth watching, particularly for the cast and the romance which were both amazing. I would have rated it at least 8 if it wasn't for the last episodes.

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Really good!

Okay there was no second lead for the main character but there was a second lead couple and i was honestly so much more into them!!!

I wish they had more screentime and more development fr.

I still liked the main couple, and they developed them really well but i think somewhere in the middle of the story i got a bit bored.

What kept me interested was the flashbacks of jieums past lives, and i lowkey wish the past life she had as a guy (the one who loses his lover) was more touched upon…

I don’t know I just feel like 12 eps for such a complex story isn’t enough and there were so many things to explore.

Overall the acting is AMAZING!!!!

Shin Hyesun never disappoints! I loved her in Mr Queen and I only continued to love her more in her other projects. Such a talented actress.

On another note I gained another kdrama crush, Ahn Dong goo… I hope I see him as a main love interest in a good kdrama one day.

Overall the storyline is really good but could’ve been explored a lot better, it’s worth a watch anyway! Finally a Female lead who isn’t afraid to be confident and dominant. Really loved Jieums character. So emotional, each emotional scene was well acted through. Good Kdrama!

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Very interesting concept and could be amazing if executed better

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (rounding up because I had a good time binge-watching)

The concept of “See You in My 19th Life” is so interesting that it probably attracts many viewers. There are many things I love about this drama and other areas which I would like to explore more. I did not watch the webtoon and this review is solely based on the drama. Nevertheless, this is a very easy binge and I was able to watch it all on a Saturday in one go.


What I Like:

1. Shin Hye Sun - I may not be a super fan of Shin Hye Sun but it’s without a doubt she’s a great actress. Her role as the female lead Ban Ji Eum showcases her talents so well. I usually am not a fan of girl-chases-boy but she does it in a way that I don’t find annoying. She’s assertive but not overly stalkerish and irritating. I find her teasing ML cute and not overdone. I love how she just busted out her flamenco moves. That’s hilarious! When it comes to the emotional scenes, especially the last few episodes, I can’t help but cry with her.

2. Young Actor/Actresses - Young Ban Ji Eum is adorable and smart. Her conversations with her ‘niece’ are both mature and innocent. Young Yoon Joo Won has the poise of someone who lived 17th lives, yet her appearance has such an innocent look. Young Moon Seo may not have as much screen time as Joo Won but the scenes of him trapped in the car were heartbreaking.

3. Uncle and Niece relationship - I love seeing these two individuals who technically don’t know each other, don’t have any familial love, yet come together and form their own special family.

4. Guest Stars - With 19 lives, it’s the perfect way to bring in many guest stars. I would love to see more of them (see my mixed feelings below).

5. Production - There are many scenes that are shot beautifully and in different angles. The OST has some great songs that I will add to my Spotify playlist. I also like that we see an appropriate interior of a hotel. A hotel that needs renovation and you can see that it’s not a super modern hotel, but one that has history and its own charms. I like the setup of ML’s office where it feels warm.


What I have Mixed Feelings About:

1. Pacing - I was hooked from the first episode. It has a great introduction of the characters and the background story. The pace is good in the first half but definitely slows down in the second half. I especially feel that the last two episodes are very slow and it keeps repeating on finding out the past, yet not much happens. They are the same flashbacks for 2 episodes.

2. Past 18 lives - I would have loved to see more of the different lives and the guest stars, and how their stories directly relate to FL’s personality and experiences. We mainly saw clips that lasted a minute or two. I want to see more of the person and the love story of Chae Jong Hyeop composing the love song for. I want to see more about the first life and not just the same flashbacks.

3. Romance - I wouldn’t say the chemistry between Shin Hye Sun and Ahn Bo Hyun is bad, but it’s also not amazing. There are criticisms of Ahn Bop Hyun’s acting and I think he did a fine job. I think he was quite cute when he’s being cornered and was very shy. It’s when he is NOT shy anymore that I am finding the chemistry lacking and not sweet enough for me. Oh, and they have ONE great kiss when both of them are such good kissers. I am not satisfied! LOL. On the other hand, the secondary romance is also a little lacking for me. Here, I do find Ahn Dong Goo a little bland in his portrayal of the ‘cool’ role. I am missing the micro expressions that you see from great actors when they portray someone who is ‘cold’ on the outside. I think the secondary romance could have been developed better and with better pacing.

4. Unexplored Plot - Did the drama forget about the hotel renovation after the initial episodes? I want more background story of ML’s family and the older generation as the twist about the accident is not very satisfactorily explored and explained. I want to know more about Ha Do Yoon’s (ML’s BFF/secretary) history with ML in Germany and his responsibility to the Chairman. Without going into too much spoilers, I want to know why the other lady can remember her past lives when she wasn’t in FL’s first life. Is that a plot hole or her existence is just a device to move forward with the hotel fight for power narrative?

Overall, this is such a cool concept and could be an amazing drama if executed better. Despite my criticisms, I did have a fabulous and easy time watching it. I will recommend it to those who love this type of fantasy drama but not to those who are very particular about writing and execution.


Completed: 8/20/2023 - Review #342

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A Story of Two Parts: Drama Dips, Stars Shine, and Plot Fizzles Out

[ Disclaimer: I haven't read the webtoon, so my comments are based solely on the drama. ]

I was aware that the plot's quality declined in the second half, as many viewers had noted. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a try because it featured my favorite duo from Mr. Queen, Shin Hye Sun and Cha Chung Hwa, along with many other talented actors and actresses. Unfortunately, the story began to falter around episode 7 and continued to deteriorate thereafter.

Plot:

The first half of the drama was quite enjoyable. It delved into the characters' backgrounds, especially Ban Ji Eum's growth despite her abusive father, and her integration into Moon Seo Ha's life. I was also deeply invested in the car accident storyline. However, as the plot progressed, it became increasingly underwhelming. I was particularly disappointed with the father character; if he knew everything from the start, his treatment of his son made no sense. And why keep that woman near his son? He could have paid her off to stay out of their lives.

The second part of the drama shifted focus to the characters' "first life," making the narrative feel disjointed and forced. Episodes 10 and 11 were especially problematic, with constant flashbacks that felt repetitive and unnecessary. The final episode seemed designed to evoke emotion over Ji Eum losing her memories of her loved ones, but it failed to do so and became a drag; I was relieved when it ended.

Moreover, the secondary couple was poorly written and monotonous, with the same conversations and actions repeating endlessly.

Leads:

Both Shin Hye Sun and Ahn Bo Hyun delivered strong performances in their respective roles. However, the chemistry between them seemed lacking, which somewhat diminished the overall impact of their scenes together. In addition, while I appreciate Ahn Bo Hyun's willingness to try different roles, this one didn't seem to suit him as well.

Final thought:

Overall, the drama had its highs and lows, with stars shining but the plot ultimately fizzling out.

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it was intersting , but they should have put more effort in the ending

It was interesting at first and then boring , when u read the story and saw the trailer I thought wowww , this story is mad . I thought I would love it I reallly like the start , it felt interesting how will she live with all her memories , living around people she meet in her past life ? , what gonna happen? will people accept her ? all these doubts made me wanna this drama a lot , i started watching it i loved ae gyeong’s character moreover the drama is nice to watch but the ending is not satisfactory, they remember her , but she forgot them , it’s a bit sad ,but definitely suggested , loved the acting btw , the feeling were shown in their faces each of them had their own pain , they portrayed it perfectly, thank you bye bye ❤️❤️

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A Pleasant Watch if Slightly Predictable

I decided to watch this drama simply based on the synapsis, it was an intriguing concept.

What would you do if you could remember your past lives? Would this be a blessing or a curse?

I never really felt these questions were answered, however what we did get was an enjoyable romance with just enough drama to keep the story moving.

Shin Hye Sun as the female lead was really good throughout, but I particularly enjoyed her performance in the early episodes where she stole every scene she was in. She managed to combine smart, sassy, funny and sexy all in one unique package. She took no prisoners when she decided on her course of action.

Ahn Bo Hyun as our male lead was fine, I don't think he was particular stretched by this role and I didn't completely buy into his feelings of loss but that was a minor issue for me.

Perhaps his story arc featured a little too heavily for me as he tried to discover the mystery surrounding Ban Ji Eum death in her previous past life. I also found when they discovered the mastermind behind this and the reasons for it, this was rather underwhelming.

I would have perhaps have enjoyed this drama more if we had spent more time examining and experiencing Ban Ji Eum past lives. We got clips and flashbacks but these never really explored in detail. Maybe this was a drama that required 16 episodes rather the 12 we got?

As far as the ending was concerned it was slightly predictable, I've seen similar endings in other films and drama's. We get to see our leads reunited even if Ban Ji Eum doesn't remember Moon Seo Ha. It was sweet if not terribly original.

Overall this was a pleasant watch and did provide a happy ending for our leads, whilst I wouldn't rush to rewatch it anytime soon, I m sure to revisit it just for Shin Hye Sun performance.

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Remembering the past lives, is it a gift or a curse?

Story 7,30/10: New, interesting, engaging, yet weak in some parts where it had to be strong.
The main plot that we see a lot in Manhwa but not in K-drama, the parts that were weak are, first :who was the one behind the car accident, we were supposed to feel shoked and sad while with the ML while finding out that the one who caused his big trauma and killed a precious person to him was the only one he trusted from his familly, and that because we didn't get to see much of his interactions with his uncle before. Second: FL's first life that had so much potentiel if they just developped it more, I wished we could see more of it. The ending in the other hand was so good and well done.

Acting/Cast 8,5/10: Shin Hye Sun is a shinning star, I started the drama for her and she never desappoint, her acting was the best part, 2 remarkable scenes of her, dancing with her mother's imagination and crying, and while remembering the death of her sister from her first life, you can't help but feel her emotions. The dance scene between the FL and ML was very beautiful too.
Seeing Maaaama's duo from Mr queen together again was so pleasing, happy to see this ajumma part of the cast.
I'm not a big fan of the ML though he did a good job in acting but the chemistery was lacking.
The child cast was so good, the kids were so amazing, my only problem was the fact that they didn't use a younger actor for the ML's scene with the child FL, it was awkward. The rest of the cast did great.

Music 8,5/10: The OST fits the drama and it was very well placed.

Rewatch value 8/10: I always think that a big factor for determing the rewatch value is the ending, and this one had a great ending so I may rewatch it someday.

Overall: 8/10

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The Meaning of Life

From this Story, i learn about how to revenge back, not with Violence but with your heart. i know, that's Hard to give the forgive to your enemy, but if you want your life feel good, you must calm yourself and your heart first, and make sure you ready already to make New life with New feelings in your life next.
I Liked the story, because they make the story line is Light but touched. The cast played so well. I like because there so many Emotional scene, not because angry but sadness.
I know this Drama is adapted from webtoon. i never read the webtoon, but maybe if i already read the webtoon, it's will different from my expectation. as long I watched the story, I enjoyed the drama, and family scene always talk about deep Relationsip, and that's make me cry, as always.
I've read some of the reviews from other viewers, and they say the scene of ji-eun's first life, is not detailed and not enough story, because there's still another story there are still other unresolved stories, such as the life of the king, and other players.
but, come on guys, the main character in this Drama is ji-eun's not other.

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Great casting and ost, odd story

I'm a big fan of Shin Hae-sun, so I was already heading into this drama with a bit of bias towards her. I overall think that she and the rest of the cast did a great job but the backstory felt so odd to me.

The overall concept of the 19th lives was good in my opinion, but the past lives her character had were confusing. In her first life, she had the same appearance as her 19th, with everyone from her 19th life also having the same physical looks in her first life. However, in all of her other lives she just represents completely different people? It was kind of weird to think about when in one of her lives she was an Arabian man, a young Spanish woman, a baby, a male warrior, a male circus performer, a young girl (Ju-won), and then as a young girl in her 19th life. I think this sort of backstory just didn't really make sense to me, especially once she started to regain her full memories of her first life in which EVERYONE from her 19th life was completely identical. On a side note, I also thought that Min-gi was a weirdly written character. He acted really ominous ever since he appeared but in the end all he wanted was forgiveness? I personally thought that he was going to be the main antagonist of the show based off his first few appearances but I feel like they sort of botched his character at the end.


Overall, this drama hit a lot of positive notes with the acting, casting, ost, and ending. I think that it struggled with the actual backstory of Ji-eum's past lives and lack of making Min-gi an actual antagonist.

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Mejor lean el manhwa

Historia
Esta basada en un manhwa. Cómo tal esperas que la adaptación este a la altura. Al ser 12 episodios con más razón crees que no tienes que temer. (Es es lo que pensé yo, quien lo vio en emisión) Este no es el caso, hicieron muchas agregaciones (como el hecho de profundizar sus vidas pasadas) que estéticamente era muy bello, pero siento que gastaron sus recursos económicos en esas tomas, que llamaron la atención al principio, pero solo fue vistoso. De todas formas el principal problema de la historia es que no supieron que dirección tomar si un drama o una comedia. Claramente ambos no resultó. Siento que al leer el manhwa no hubo un misterio para mi (al menos con lo que respecta al choque) porque lo del final fue exclusivamente del k-drama. Y me sorprendió para mal. La verdad me quedo con el bonito recuerdo del manhwa, siento que fue una mala adaptación.

Actuación/elenco
La verdad la vi en emisión por Shin Hye-sun. Nunca me decepcionó y ame cada uno de sus dramas. Siempre hay una primera vez, siento que este papel la deslució, a veces me daba pena ajena. Muy excéntrica su actuación (en otros papeles estaba bien actuar asi, en este no)
Los demás... Bueno no me gustaron. Pero los niños actorazos. Me encantaron llegue a un punto que quería que el k-drama sea la perspectiva de los niños. De adultos me daba cringe.

Musica
Para mí no acompaño bien (fue lo peor)
El único que tema que ame "Star" fue el único que casi no pusieron. Lo que más escuchaba era un sonido feliz que no armonizaba con el drama. (Cómo olvidar que en un episodio seguía la música feliz incluso cuando lo secuestraban) -no lo llevaban a una fiesta sorpresa-

Valor de repetición
Ni siquiera tienes que mirarlo, así que no hay pensarlo mirarlo otra vez, es mejor leer el manhwa. Pero esto es solo mí opinión personal.

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An OK Kdrama...

Solid kdrama. The supernatural/power parts of the kdrama were built up and explained well in the end, and it made sense in the context of the culture. I liked the characters except Seo Ha, the guy has like 2 emotions and is also the worst decision maker. Why they would make him director of a hotel is beyond reason besides being a nepo baby. I wish they would have explored the other lives more in depth. I cannot believe they shot obscure no context scenes of her life in WWII Korea, full with likeable characters and absolutely stunning settings, only to see like 3 or 4 second snippets during her flashback. Why was he playing the guitar? What was the story? Exploring the stories of the different lives would have added so much flavor to the story.

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