See You In My 19th Life (2023)

Almost good

They always say the book is better than the movie and I fully believe this is another mouse that fell into the trap. I made the mistake of reading the webtoon first and had my hopes too high for this drama. That aside, what I love is seeing the Queen back with her court lady (from Mr. Queen) and I felt the uncle-neice chemistry more than the man leads themselves.

The story felt extremely rushed in the 12 episodes and I constantly felt like I was being pushed out the door to see the end of the plot. The introduction of the characters was also quite rushed and confusing at times. Honestly speaking, I'm not sure what wasn't rushed in this drama. I wished they put a little more effort in the adaptation because it had a lot of potential, but it defiantly did not live up to the hype.

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Muy buena

sinceramente me encantó, tanto la trama como la actuación, el OST, podría decirse que básicamente todo. Me encantó la química entre los actores y cómo se va desenvolviendo todo, lo único por lo cual no le doy un 10 de 10 es por la cantidad de capítulos que tiene, siento que debió de tener 16 capítulos porque algunas cosas quedaron un poco inconclusas y debieron de darle un poco más de profundidad ,pero la verdad que lo hicieron demasiado bien para tener
tan pocos capítulos.
también me hubiese gustado ver un poco más de romance entre los protagonistas pero igual no me quejo.

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Worth Watching

This was pure joy to watch. I know it was also sadness, frustration, fear and a lot of anger and heartbreak, but it had all the good feelings too!

It is of course a very passionate and sweet love story, one of those epic love stories that transcends time and space and no one can't stop from happening, but it is more than that.

This series is about a deeper kind of love. A deep love with that feeling of longing, of wanting to live the best things in life with the people you love, to share with them all their problems and worries and being able to give them hope and care for then when they need you the most.

That love that you need everyday to keep you going. The love that gives you that very warm feeling of belonging. It was such an amazing story full of learnings and beautifully written. The cast is perfect and all of them had amazing chemistry with each other.

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A distinctive story and a captivating cinematography.

“Just as I was getting bored of repeating life after life, I met Seoha.” – Ban Jieum

Ban Jieum's 17 lives were exceptional. She danced the flamenco, she fought the war, she was in a circus. Yet the life that impacted her the most was her 18th life, her life as Yoon Juwon. Those 12 years as Juwon made her forget the fact that she remembers her previous lives. And this is because of a little kid named Moon Seoha. Her 19th life was then a life of reminiscing and reuniting. She wanted to meet and gather with her loved ones. Aegyeong, Chowon, Seoha.

On top of an impressive cast, this webtoon adaptation has a unique story-line and a mesmerizing cinematography. Howeverm what stroke me the most in this drama are the diverse dynamics we had between Jieum and other characters.

Jieum and Aegyeong, uncle and niece relationship: Aegyeong is truly my comfort character. She exudes tenderness, care, and even motherly love. She's taken care of Jieum ever since she was little and never judged her or questioned her about her previous lives. She just believed her and called her "삼촌" as much as she could. Aegyeong was there when Jieum needed it the most and that's a proof of her fidelity and reliability.
“Living a safe and ordinary life together with you. That’s all I want.” – Aegyeong

Jieum and Chowon, sisterhood: Chowon was the second person to know and accept Jieum as she is. Chowon has always been Jieum's little baby. In the 18th and 19th life. Even though she still hasn't told her about her remembering her past lives, she looks at her with such devotion and melancholia and she pats her when she's asleep. Even though Chowon still didn't know about it, she felt the sisterly connection between her and Jieum.
“Why does a stranger feel so much like my sister?” – Chowon

Jieum and her 18th life mom, a solid and deep bond: In episode 3, we witness and devastatingly beautiful scene of Jieum embracing her mother while wailing. However, this was only part of her imagination. This is what she wanted, her previous life's mother to remember her and to understand that Juwon is still here, but in another form. The mom wants to believe that Juwon will come back to the point of keeping Juwon's room untouched. She was bound to believe Jieum. Unfortunately, Jieum never told her about her previous life as Juwon.
“There are people I can share my secret with and people that I should never open up to.” – Jieum

Jieum and Doyoon, underappreciated and a lost potential: In the Webtoon, the only one who was connected to Jieum in her first life was Doyoon. They were twins. Unfortunately, it didn't happen in the drama and they remained strangers. He's only seen as her sister's lover, not as her brother. I wanted to see their sibling-like bickering. It's a pity.

Jieum and Mingi, a best-friend turned into an enemy: another wasted potential. I really wanted them to remain as best-friends and wanted Mingi to be that chaotic funny best-friend. I wanted to see comedy since it's one of the genre in the show, but we got angst. They turned him into a key character in Jieum's first life and made him a grey-ish character. They handled the story pretty well tho, Mingi being in her first life and killing Seol (Chowon's name in the first life), was consistent and understandable. Thus the reason Jieum remembers her past lives in the drama is because she held a grudge against Mingi in her first life.
“Can you even say that this life is a new life for you? Aren’t you just clinging onto your past relationships?” - Mingi

Jieum and Seoha: an unfinished and unfulfilled love bound to flourish again: what a wonderful dynamic. One of my all-time favorite couple. Their backstory is so emotionally beautiful, their love is pure and they only have eyes for each others. Jieum, previous Juwon, will be the sun that shines over Seoha's pitch-black life and the moon that enlightens Seoha's dull and traumatic life. Seoha's innocence and playfulness made Jieum feel truly alive, not just going through another life.
Swimming together, reading together, laughing together, those very simple things made her feel like an actual 12 year old girl.
“I’ve always wondered why I could remember my past lives. I couldn’t forget them even if I wanted to. But the most memorable life out of them all was the warm and ordinary summer days with you.” – Jieum
Seoha's innocence remained even when he grew up. He's still a child in his heart because his soul died as soon as Juwon died. He felt his soul reviving as soon as Jieum appeared in his life.
“When I was with Seoha, I felt like I was actually 12. He made me forget that I had died and lived again seventeen times in the past.” – Jieum
“When I’m with her, my worries melt away and I feel relieved. If this is what love is, can I let myself feel it?” – Seoha

On top of the wonderful dynamics, the cinematography. Alluring, breath-taking, ethereal. I watched every single scene with glowing eyes because of how enticing the cuts are. Not only the dialogues are beautiful, the cinematography adds a dreamy-like perspective to every single word they utter.

I also want to highlight the impressive performance of Shin Hyesun. I'm so glad she's getting more love as she's doing more works. She's a wonderful actress and the perfect cast for Ban Jieum and for Su (her name in the first life). All of the actors did an amazing job portraying their own character, the performances are top-notch.

I really loved the OSTs, I liked some BGMs even though they put comical BGMs in serious scenes. The staff did an amazing job overall.

Also if you expect watching the exact same adaptation of the webtoon, it will not happen. Significant changed have been made. It personally didn't affect me that much, I liked the changes and it also made those who read the webtoon clueless about what was about to happen. It was a stressful but fun ride.

As expected the ending was not shocking. Jieum forgets her past lives forever not only to protect her loved ones, but also to protect herself from the torment she's been living throughout these centuries. Little by little, her loved ones approach her like she did first and will slowly get close to her. Jieum has a fun personality so it will be easy to get close to them once again. Seoha is now the daring one, he's the one who's about to ask her out three times and she will be the one who'll accept his request.

Overall, this drama was amazing. I really loved it. I don't usually watch fantasy shows and the last romance fantasy I watched was Hotel del Luna back in 2019. This was a big surprise and I don't regret watching it. It's a good short drama with a cast and staff that did an outstanding job.

“I don’t know whether I was startled or simply wanted to live. But I just started running. All the longing and heart-wrenching memories must’ve vanished in the wind while I ran. I found the will to live once again. That was when I realized that if I run, I can live.” – Jieum

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An absolutely beautiful show, *See You in My 19th Life* has surpassed all the other kdramas I've seen thus far. It is exquisitely crafted, with every moment captivating and delightful.

The inclusion of song *Star by Colde*, adds an extra layer of soothing charm. Interestingly, I had listened to this song even before watching the drama, and it truly complements the storytelling.

The genre is fantasy, Romance . The concept was cool and new too. Everyone played their role very well, especially the main leads. The story line goes very smooth and in a heart fluttering manner. The scenes have been portrayed very well. The romance between them was not just cute but very much feel good and heart warming. It's the romance that u kinda feel yourself getting absorbed into rather than finding lagging.

It's a wonderful and touching story plot, even though it seems to be a fantasy, well in this stressful and constantly seeking for happiness life, such fantasy is a treat to soothe any heart.

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A Captivating Series Unveiling Magical Romance

This delightful series emanates a magical aura every time I watch it, leaving me captivated and immersed in its beauty. As an avid fan of romance kdramas, I've encountered many classics with clichéd plots, but this one offers a refreshing and unique storyline.

The 12-episode kdrama boasts a well-crafted and fast-paced plot, allowing us to fully focus on the main narrative without unnecessary plot twists. The storytelling is skillfully executed, making it a joy to watch.

One of the standout features is the stunning cinematography, which exudes a magical ambiance through its vibrant colors. The visual experience is so mesmerizing that it creates a sense of calmness, allowing viewers to savor the series without any pressure.

Now, let's talk about the outstanding performances of the cast. Shin Hye Sun, whom I deeply admire and have followed in many kdramas, continues to impress. Her ability to truly embody her character rather than just acting is a testament to her exceptional talent. In this series, she shines as Ban Ji Eum, delivering a remarkable performance. Ahn Bo Hyun, portraying Seo Ha, displays a charming and skillful portrayal, especially in emotional scenes that tug at the heartstrings. The chemistry between Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun is absolutely heart-fluttering and adds to the series' appeal. Ha Yoon Kyung and Ahn Dong Goo also deserve praise for their commendable performances as supporting characters, contributing to the overall charm of the show.

The enchanting OST perfectly complements the series, adding to its beauty.

I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing this captivating series, as it is truly a treasure worth watching!!!

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The artistic visuals just comforted me so much.

Ban Ji Eum remembers all her previous lives when she reach the age of 11. She never looks back to her past each time she reincarnates. In her untimely passing in her 18th life due to a car accident, she left her childhood love, Moon Seo Ha, who lives solitarily with a PTSD from the accident afterwards. When Ji Eum is reborn in her 19th life, she wants to reconnect with him and her family she left behind.

This show looks very artistic throughout. Cinematography, costumes, and the color grading are all delightful. It’s very well-shot and edited, that the emotional scenes hit me perfectly. Shin Hae Sun's portrayal of Ban Ji Eum is exceptional! She really shows a sense of wisdom and maturity in her speech that I feel she’s an ancient soul. I loved the acting of other cast too, especially the child actors in their characters. They really create a lasting impression and good foundation for me to invest the characters relationships, which is difficult to achieve if there’re many faces and lives involved. My favorite bonds are: the reunion between Ji Eum and her younger niece from her 17th life, to whom she was an uncle… and her reconnection with her 18th life sister, Yoon Cho Won. It really shows how familial bonds retain regardless of gender and time. The romance is okay, I don't think the chemistry is super strong, but they have sweet and emotional moments that adds to the pacing.

Each episode in the first-half was very interesting, but unfortunately, I didn’t feel that way on the second half because the mystery behind the car crash was handled in an uninteresting way and resolved too simply, that it feels a bit anticlimactic. The ending was really cute and acceptable, to say the least. Despite any plot holes and weak subplots, I really enjoy watching it.

Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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I Want To Go To The Bridge With Fireworks!

I live in the US where we are currently experiencing our entertainment writers and actors on strike. I was telling a friend just yesterday that I will not miss any entertainment because of all the wonderful content coming out of South Korea, and See You In My 19th Life has been pure joy to watch. Thank you South Korean entertainment!!! I saw Shin Hye Sun in Mr. Queen and absolutely loved her acting ability. Her role in this drama did not disappoint. The storyline weaving between past and present lives, Ji Eum discovering why she remembers all her past lives along with the convergence of all the main characters coming together again after a thousand years has been done very well. The writing kept the story moving forward in an interesting way to keep the viewer tuned in while we find out, bit by bit, how all the main characters are drawn to each other. Lee Chae Min's character becomes the central figure in bringing everyone together and he did a superb job playing the mysterious part-time employee/Shaman. Is he evil?...is he trying to be normal?....what's his deal? He played the mysterious role well. The last time I saw him was in Crash Course in Romance where he was playing a teenager. This role shows his versatility as an actor. Likewise, I saw Ann Bo Hyun in Her Private Life and enjoyed seeing his acting flexibility as a main lead. I love when a romantic Kdrama adds a twist to the usual romantic plot, and this one adds a great spin with the convergence of past and present lives. The music added to the drama in the right spots, the visuals, and scenery were all wonderful helping to carry the story to the end. A really good drama that I highly recommend!

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one-time-watch for the sake of the talented Shin Hye-Sun & Unique Story/Concept

What Worked: The story/concept | The brilliant FL | Mystery of Past Lives | Supporting Actors | Romance (ML/FL & SML/SFL)
What Did Not Work (for Me): The casting of the ML (-2 points) | The rushed ending (-1 point)
Final Rating: 7/10

PROS:
Kudos of the original & refreshing concept goes to the webtoon, but even the screenplay was executed beautifully in these 12 episodes and the mega-talented Shin Hye-Sun simply shines! The story focusses mainly on the romance of the main leads & the mystery of the past lives and both are interwoven well with strong cinematography!

Special Mention of FL:
I have been in love with Shin Hye-Sun since I saw her in supporting roles in She was Pretty, Legend of the Blue Sea, Stranger. Was eagerly waiting for her to make a big breakthrough as a female lead in a popular drama cause her talent deserves that recognition. Mr. Queen happened, and the rest is history. So when June came by, I was eagerly waiting for this drama because I wanted to see more of her and the story was exciting and she has delivered in every scene, every minute of the show! Here's looking forward to more of her works and excellent acting!

CONS:
The story pace could have been more even and wrapped up in 10 episodes. Right now for me, it dragged at the start (Ep 2-6) and rushes at the end (Ep 8-12). The drag made me put this show on-hold until it finished airing, and the rush at the end did not do full justice to certain characters (the second pair, family of the ML and FL and consequences of their actions) and the overall mystery of why these past lives occur.

Further the cast of ML is not to my liking - this is first drama of his that I have seen completely. I dropped the other titles, as he was not a very convincing actor & very lethargic; I felt the same here which makes him pale further in front of the vibrant Shin Hye-Sun.

OVERALL:
It is a good watch for the unique story-telling, the mystery , the FL and the romance. Some wholesome moments as other relationships are also explored in respect of the FL and cute moments of the second pair that make you feel good and giddy with happiness. Had the pacing been more tighter and equal weightage given to all characters, then it would have been an 8 or 8.5 for me (can't go further as the ML still drags the show for me).

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DIFFERENT YET BEAUTIFUL STORY!!!

Shin Hye sun & Ahn Bo-Hyun two of my fav K-drama actors. Its lovely to see them together.
Love the storyline. The cast is 👌🏾
Ji Eum and Seo ha.... you just want to protect them both. The suspense is killing me about her 1st life.....
Not gonna say much but you have to watch it.

On the other hand Cho won and Do Yoon's love story is cute. The back story is not fully shown as to how they fall for each other.... im hoping they show that....
Guys this is worth the watch. Waiting for the new episodes each weekend i binge the past weeks ones in prep..... yup I can be cray cray when i really enjoy a drama.

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One of a Kind

I am not a big fan of reincarnation in shows as I find it more miss than hit, but with this show? It was a total hit. I loved seeing glimpses of all the past lives throughout the series and how it makes Jieum the way she is in modern time. It is light and not difficult to understand with some mystery elements that kept watchers wanting to come back to figure out what they were. While the history of the ml and the fl was heartbreaking to learn about, it was a unique, beautiful story that was told in a fantastic way. The second ml and fl I enjoyed all the way to the end and at some points was more interested in watching their story over the main plot. The show started good at episode 1 and kept great until a satisfying ending.

The OST in the show was absolutely fantastic, especially Star by Colde and Silence by Sunwoojunga. Whenever a song was playing, it is a fitting mood and suits the atmosphere of what is happening within the series.

Favorite character of the series was Kang Mingi played by Lee Chaemin. I loved the mystery aspect we got with his character, learning more about him, who he is, and the role he played in everything going on. Plus... his acting was phenomenal.

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