See You In My 19th Life (2023)

Engaging and fresh fantasy drama that stays true to its source material

It was airing at the same time as 'King the Land' and I initially did not know about this drama prior to it airing, I only learnt about it after viewers of 'King the Land' made comparisons to it due to the similar setting of the 2 dramas. Whilst I started dedicating 'King the Land' for my weekly Sunday and Monday dose of K-dramas, I ended up captivated and hooked to 'See You in My 19th Life'. I was so hooked that I binged read the original manhwa. I love me a drama that has me invested and captivated spontaneously rather than me pursuing to watch a drama due to my likeness towards the cast, which is why I rated this drama so high.

Whilst I was disappointed that it was only 12 episodes, extremely short for the typical 16 episodes for kdramas, it enabled the drama to conclude the story at a nice pace. Overall, it wasn't rushed despite its short length. However, I wouldn't have mind some filler scenes of the 2 couples. It was particularly a shame that there wasn't more scenes dedicated to Do-yoon and Cho-won, which would have maybe stopped me from being disinterested in them towards the end. It also would have been nice to see more of Do-yoon progressively accepting his feelings for Cho-won.

This drama was a breath of fresh air from the cheesy romantic dramas or the ultra serious dramas that are currently ubiquitous in the K-drama scene at the moment. It presented a strong and confident female lead that felt organic and not as if it was trying to be progressive and showy about having one. Whilst I am in love with Ji-eum and Seo-ha's relationship, I think the star relationship of the show was definitely the two sisters and I believe that it is secretly the heart of the show.

Having finished the original manhwa well before the show finished airing, I did not mind the modifications made. Being a K-drama adaptation, it is inevitable that changes would be made to the original manhwa to add a sense of intrigue and suspense to viewers that have already read the original source material. Unlike some K-drama adaptations of manhwas, 'See You in My 19th Life' does not lose essence of the original manhwa in its changes.

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"Have you fallen in love?"

Why do children love fairy tales? Because they are stories where there’s no logic, yet they are still stories. The best stories are written by life, and they are the best because the events shouldn’t have unfolded the way they did. Yet they did, and they unfolded in a magical, fairy tale-like way.
The drama "See You in My 19th Life" is also a fairy tale—one for adults. It’s a Rom-Com, a romantic comedy. The execution is brilliant. It’s not forceful, yet it’s full of deep emotions—happy, sad, and touching ones. Perhaps that’s why it touches the soul like a balm.
I won’t go into details about the plot, so that those who haven’t seen it can fully enjoy it. The beginning is lighthearted, and the rest remains a secret for those who haven't watched it yet.
This series starts off dynamically from the very first episode, immediately captivating the viewer. I’ll tell you this: you’ll likely want to watch it twice. On the first viewing, the solutions might seem surprising, even exaggerated. However, the actors charmingly portray the dilemmas of ordinary life. What initially feels overdone turns out to be the drama’s redeeming philosophy. This is what truly drives the story, and understanding this will prompt you to watch it again. Upon a second viewing, something strange happens. It’s as if the series was shot from two different camera angles. From the second perspective, the solutions no longer seem exaggerated—they’re the best they could be. The actors convey this brilliantly on screen.

Shin Hye-Sun delivers a stellar performance. Her choice of hair color (a fox-like hue) beautifully complements the cunning character she plays—both as an actress and as a person interacting with Mun Seo-Ha (Ahn Bo-Hyun, who excellently portrays a young man tormented by memories of the past). The playfulness is not one of malice, but rather a loving attempt to get closer to him.
In almost every episode, we’re treated to beautiful, emotionally stirring visual solutions. Ban Ji-Eum (Hye-Sun) plays with her voice sensually when she believes that Seo-Ha, her young friend from a past life, can’t hear her. Ji-Eum, who remembers her past lives, affects those around her like someone blessed with an extraordinary level of empathy. And this is where the others in the story come in. The cast complements each other wonderfully. Ha Yoon-Kyung’s performance as Cho-Woon must be mentioned. She’s incredibly likable, and in several scenes, she conveys emotions from the screen with a powerful intensity. A great choice to pair with Shin Hye-Sun.

The director and the entire crew deserve praise. There are many beautiful solutions in the series, but as promised, I won’t spoil them—let them surprise you. Both in terms of content and visuals.

The child actors also shine in the series. They gave excellent performances, which was also highlighted by professional critics.

The film’s OST is romantic and wonderful.

The only negative I’d point out is the rushed ending. I was horrified when I realized I was suddenly watching the last episode. From that moment on, I was counting the minutes (only ten left, only five left...). This team could have elegantly resolved everything in an extra 30 minutes, rather than cramming it into just 15. It was too fast, with no time for the gentle unraveling that had characterized the entire series.

But who would I dock points for this? To be fair, no one.

Aja

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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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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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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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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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Eu gostei, mas achei que ficaram muitas pontas soltas na história. Acho que deram um pouco de relaxo no roteiro. Poderiam ter explicado melhor a questão sobrenatural. Não fiquei tão satisfeita com o final.











SPOILER...................................................................................................


Não gostei dela não poder se lembrar deles. Tipo a sobrinha dela. Agora ela vai ter que se contentar em ser apenas a ajumma do restaurante? Mano, ela criou ela nessa vida. Era mãe dela. Como pode ficar bonito ela esquecer da mãe? E que sentido faz todo mundo lembrar e ela não?
Eu senti que, após mil anos, a vida tinha "se alinhado" e ela poderia viver aquela vida com a irmã dela, com uma mãe amorosa cuidando dela e com um grande amor da vida dela. Fica estranho ela não saber o significado disso tudo. Ela não lembrar que ela esperou mil anos para realizar esse sonho, de certa forma.

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Refrescante

Estou encantada com este show que acabei de assisitir, geralmente dou minha recomendação se vale ou não a pena assistir no final das minhas resenhas , mais aqui já vai minha opninhão , apenas assistam tenho quase certeza que você vai gostar de uma coisa ou outra ou tudo desta serie.
O enredo é encantador e te mantem interessado até o final, aqui temos equilibrio , o tema e tratado de forma interessante sem exageros.
O segundo casal principal roubou a cena achei muito interessante a história e o progresso dos dois.
Porém nem tudo são flores, achei o protagonista masculino foi mal aproveitado esperava mais dele, ficou naquele papel de vitima sofrida o tempo todo quando ele finalmente deu uma acordada já era o final da serie.
Esse drama é mais para quem está querendo assistir algo leve mas com conteúdo, este show te oferece algo prufundo mais nada muito compexo.
Em fim creio que você deveria arriscar a assistir.

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Amor/odio a las adaptaciones

Bueno solo puedo decir que si te gusto el drama te leas el webtoon en el que se basa. Ambas obras por separado están bastante bien, si no viniera del webtoon probablemente me habría gustado más, pero no todo puede ser perfecto.
Hay decisiones de cambio que no entiendo porque la obra original me parecía más emocionante y no tenian que inventarse eso de la primera vida de la protagonista con personajes nuevos que no existen. Por eso para mi la segunda mitad fue un descenso de interés sin frenos. La trama principal del accidente es algo secundario y es algo muchísimo mas grande en la obra original.
El actor principal no sabe ponerse triste, desde mi punto de vista, siempre le veo con cara de asco, es como si no supiese que hacer y es una pena, eso si cuando sonríe ilumina la pantalla y me encantó en el capitulo final.
El drama como serie independiente esta bastante bien pero como adaptación no me pareció la mejor y me duele en el alma porque la historia es preciosa y me pico muchísimo

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