The Sand Flower (2023)

Sometimes grumpy & gruff, sometimes touchingly sweet & unabashedly sincere, radiating joy & warmth

“Like Flowers in Sand” is enchanting in its own way. Here we have once again a KDrama with a distinctive aura. Rustic, with tons of heart, original characters and great performance. Without tons of make-up, yet with plenty of bare male torsos - here, for a change, not focusing on aesthetic ideals… (which sort of makes this KDrama even more likeable and even more authentic.) Love also has a subtle hand in it here and conjures up a rather unconventional Rom+Com in the guise of a crime thriller.

“Like Flowers in Sand” takes a look at the rural regions – with their living traditions, the lively gossip and the importance of lifelong childhood friendships. The way people interact with each other is a little rough, but still warm; sweet even, yet in a grumpy disguise.

The KDrama draws its significant charm from the tradition and lifestyle of the Ssireum wrestlers. The two protagonists grew up with Ssireum (see side note below). In general, Ssireum marks the dramaturgical pivot of the story - then and now.

The gym, the sand-filled wrestling field, the colorful ´satpas´, and the ML tirelessly running here and there and back again, all of this contributes to an unmistakable look&feel. In addition, "Like Flowers in Sand" is sometimes grumpy and gruff, sometimes touchingly sweet and unabashedly sincere - with three-dimensional, unconventional characters in their unique individuality quietly conquering the hearts of the audience. A KDrama solidly grounded in the life of ordinary people, that in its quirky, eccentric aura radiates joy and warmth.

















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SIDE NOTE: --- Ssireum – Korean version of wrestling ---

Ssireum has been listed as a UNESCO immaterial world heritage since 2018. This distinctive Korean wrestling is probably as old as the first kingdom of Korea itself, which according to legend was founded in 2333 BC. What is certain though, this form of wrestling has already been practiced during the time of the Goguryeo Kingdom. The strongest young men from the surrounding villages came together for competition, with the last man standing at the end being the winner.
Ssireum is the wrestling of two people within a circular field filled with sand with a diameter of 8 m. So-called 'satpas' form a kind of belt over the wrestling pants that the opponents at all cost hold on to during the fight - until one can bring the other down by strength or skill. The techniques are varied, but hitting and pushing are not among them.
Actually, previous to colonial times, this type of wrestling was known as Gakjo, Gakhi, Sangbak, Jaenggyo or Gakgi. Wrestling was tolerated under the Japanese because it had similarities to sumo. Competitions were successively sponsored, which ultimately led to national championships. To this day, Ssireum is an established and popular sport in South Korea being practiced by women, too.
Eventually, with Netflix broadcasting this ENA Production internationally, the immaterial cultural heritage is reaching more worldwide attention, too...

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The most adorable KIM BAEKDO

Before starting this drama, I thought it was going to be some sad and slow story, but I was here for our BELOVED Jang DongYoon and our cutie Kim BoRa....But oh boi I was wrong, this was NOT AT ALL a sad or boring story...I enjoyed every SINGLE second of this drama....I know, I know, for many people it might be a typical murder mystery BUT the warmth this drama gave us is unmatched...♡♡♡♡♡

Let's talk about the STAR of this show, KIM.BAEK.DO.....Literally the most ADORABLE human being on this planet...You don't agree? well go argue with a wall....My man (yeah I'm delusional), Jang DongYoon did a FANTASTIC job at portraying this role...That chubby JDY will forever be one of my favorite memories....JDY, literally changed his whole vibe for this character...KUDOS to him for being our VERSITILE KING...

Our FL, Oh DuShik (sorry I forgot her real name) was a strong and determined character and her acting was AMAZZZZING..She gave us a perfect combination of her tomboish and feminine side....I LOVED IT....

KIM BORA didn't have a lot of scenes but the ones she had, she portrayed them like a QUEENNNNNNN(Ilovehersm)....♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Finally, the other supporting cast also did a FABULOUS job at making this drama super amazing...(especially BaekDo's friends and the fellow cop)

I did figure out who the real culprit was, not because the script was weak but because they did a little bit mistake in casting......


Overall, I absolutely loved this drama and would recommend it, if you're looking for a story that is sweet and simple....♡♡♡♡♡

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Character-driven with a lovely ML

A slow-paced slice-of-life drama with a little bit of mystery. I would say this drama’s main genre is slice-of-life. But we also get to see some romance, sport-related scenes, and mystery. It’s a bold choice to mix all of these genres. But it felt authentic and natural all the time. That’s because they kept it simple in the form of slice-of-life. This is a character-driven drama.

What I liked:
- The Main lead Kim Bok Doo. I just loved him. He’s a bit of a dork but emotionally intelligent and adorable. He might seem a bit dumb, but he actually observes his surroundings and is just a really nice guy. It was refreshing to see a ML like him. Innocent, naive and very kind. He grew on me.
- The characters grew on me, and I was never disappointed when the scenes changed and we saw different characters. I was interested in all of them because they felt relatable and natural. The villagers and their gossip, as annoying as gossiping and rumors are, they are very realistic. The way they showed how rumors can hurt people and how fast they spread, was very cleverly solved. You had silent characters, stubborn characters, mysterious characters, adorable ones… just a perfect mix.
- The way the romance progressed was cute.
- The actors and actresses. Jang Dong Yoon had two airing dramas at a time. My man is cupid and like flowers in sand. He can act. But for like flowers in sand he even put on some weight to fit into the ssireum-theme. I don’t really want to compare these two dramas, but I personally prefer Like Flowers in sand. All of the actors and actresses did an outstanding job, had natural chemistry and fit into the drama as a whole.
- The sport elements of this drama. I loved seeing ssireum. It was really interesting.
- I didn’t mind the murder/mystery parts of this drama. I normally dislike it if they mix it into a romance drama. But the way they constructed it and integrated it into the whole storyline was nicely done.
- I wished for romance between Hyun Wook and Mi Ran, instead we got Hyun Wook and Seok Hee bromance which was cute. I can’t even complain now. Hyun Wook was an intriguing character in general. At least for me. Seemed like he was on vacation in the town, and it was funny to see how he slowly adapted and got to know everyone. It seemed like he never wanted to leave. But the way they developed this was very subtle and clever

What I “disliked”:
There weren’t that many points, that I disliked. I would call them flaws I can live with. I love the drama and still accept that it has some flaws in my eyes. But there are very minor flaws.
- The Fl always hitting the ML. I know this is common in kdramas but It’s not something I’m fond of.
- I would have not minded a few more episode to wrap up the ending. I want to see more. Yes, they did wrap up all the storylines. But after taking so much time on building the relationships they could have gotten even further. I guess wishing for more scenes of the friends shows how much the characters grew on me.

I enjoyed this drama very much. The way they executed the slice-of-life is definetly my taste. For now I feel like I have to give it a 9/10 which is a very good rating. In my rating system drama with 9 stars and higher belong to my all-time-favourites. But we will see if stays there or if I give it an 8.5.

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An almost perfect match of deftly written characters and an exceptional cast

While "Like Flowers in Sand" hasn't hit the general public consciousness like some of its contemporaries, whether that's due to star power of lead actors in the other shows or other reasons, this is the best drama of recent vintage and it's not close.

The concept is fresh even if ssireum wrestling isn't. The pacing of the narrative from episode to episode is executed almost flawlessly. The dialogue between characters never defaults to cliches and tropes. And the characters are both complex and endearing.

But it is the pairing of the characters with the cast that sets this drama on another level. Jang Dong Yoon plays the lead character Kim Baek Doo, the youngest, somewhat overlooked son in a family loaded with ssireum champions. Baek Doo initially impresses as immature, but as the show progresses, his childlike approach turns out to be more exuberance and honesty than childishness. And although he's not quick-witted, he's insightful. His journey from near-retirement to finding his way as a wrestler by itself is a compelling narrative. And Jang Dong Yoon is brilliant in this role. He nails the gestures, the expressions, the delivery of every line so that it is inconceivable that another actor could have played this character.

There's more including one of the more unconventional romances in the genre between Baek Doo and Lee Joo Myung's Du Sik, a wrestling match fixing scandal/murder that bring's Du Sik's Seoul detective back to the hometown she left as a child, the seaside townspeople's daily gossips, the Kim family's dynamic with three retired champion wrestlers and one brilliantly portrayed mother (Jang Young Nam is stellar) and a warm and refreshing group of childhood friends that reconnect as adults.

The casting director for "Like Flowers in Sand" absolutely hit this out of the park. Regardless of lead or supporting or guest role, every actor is matched perfectly to the character they play. Lee Joo Myung? Delightful. Park Kyu Bin as the young Du Sik? Sensational. Lee Jae Joon? So cool. Choi Moo Sung? Regal. And Kim Bo Ra? So good it is stunning. And it goes on and on.

The score is subtle but strong. The direction and photography don't disappoint.

It's not wholly without flaws as the match fixing and murder story does meander for much of the second half before it lurches forward as the finale starts. And the feints on the identity of the villain are rather clumsy and the ultimate unveiling underwhelms.

These are trivial issues though. "Like Flowers in Sand" is worth watching simply to see Jang Dong Yoon as Kim Baek Doo. But with so much more to enjoy, it should be at or very near the top of any ranking of current or recent dramas.

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WATCH IT OR NOT?!!?

This drama was quite the special one to end 2023 and start off the the new year as it was definitely interesting with quite a few interesting characters and how their pasts were intertwined.

The ML and FL are both perfect and the way they acted fit the role perfectly, though the ML was quite a obnoxious character(golden retriever vibes) but when they portrayed him as smart at times made up for it in my opinion. The FL's story was very good and this was my first time watching this actor and I totally loved it! Her acting, her smile and they way she portrayed the character was enjoyable to watch.

Comedy was really just what you expect with jokes here and there and little outbursts trying to be sneaky and all.
The romance in this is not really the main genre tho it shows up at the last few episodes but the way the ML and the FL treat each other at times was romantic in ways especially how the ML behaved which kept it interesting in terms of romance. In terms of comedy it was really just what you expect with jokes here and there and little outbursts trying to be sneaky and all it was in place and enjoyable for me.

Ssireum, this is the first time I've seen this sport in action and it was quite fun to watch and entertaining with the scenes being to the point and not overexaggerated, this drama was definitely focused on the sports aspect as Ssireum was at the heart of it.

Lastly I would say the way the crime aspect and the suspense around it was a bit random and not really that interesting and made it feel like a side character story really but didn't really leave me disappointed as I was more interested in the sports and romance and how the characters developed and how they linked them to their past, and in that aspect the crime was more of a bonding experience for the characters and also a purpose for the FL and some others to come back to the town and revisit their memories.

I loved this drama and its definitely a 10 from me. Its a must watch as it was quite a easy going one. Don't expect any crime really from this as it was short-lived and not very meticulous and was used for more of a character development tool, other than that I loved it, the cherry on top was the ML and the FL for me and their acting was on point which made this show that much more enjoyable.

Well that's it for this short review, hope it was helpful.

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A fun and heartwarming show but forgettable

A talented ssirreum (Korean wrestling) athlete, Kim Baek Du (Jang Dong Yoon), is about to give up on his dreams when he can't rise out of his slump, but then Oh Yoo Kyung (Lee Joo Myung) is assigned as a new manager to his ssireum team. Baek Du was surprised and convinced that she is her childhood bestfriend, Oh Du Sik. Can he relive his dreams and is Yoo Kyung really Du Sik?

Baek Du and Yoo Kyung is like a sunshine meets a grumpy. Jang Dong Yoon as the adorable Baek Du is a fun pair for the secretive Yoo Kyung. From the first encounter, these two's accent and mannerisms are hilarious, as well as most villagers. They're loud but not annoying. I also like the beautiful countryside shots and the OSTs.

Although this is fun and enjoyable, I do have few cons; First, the story is not memorable. Except for Baek Du, all the characters are forgettable, which is a bummer because the best watching experience for me are the ones that I can't leave or excited about after watching, but I don't. Yes, the couple is cute but I'm not so emotionally invested.
Second, I wish they develop the unique premise about the coming-of-age and ssirreum aspect, instead of including the mainstream "mystery in a small town" story, which execution feels wishy-washy. It's a pity because these are the aspects that would make it stand out amongst other shows. Nevertheless, we do get a good final, so thank you!

-Jan 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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Beautiful Blend of Genres

Though the ML got on my nerves at times, and the FL was good, but not as good as her childhood character, this series manages to blend sports, murder mystery, romance, small town beauty and drama, friendship, and past secrets seamlessly. It’s not too much of anything, and just the right amount of everything.

I was completely wowed by the sportsmanship of the ML (and supporting characters). They made every match interesting and engaging, but it was not the total focus of the show. I still can’t believe they were able to mix all these things in without creating a total mess. Color me extremely impressed.

The entire cast was amazing, but the child actors really did me in. They were outstanding.

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More of a Murder Mystery than It is Sports

The drama starts off in the world of Ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling), which led me to believe this would be more of a sports drama that would introduce me to the sport. Instead, it ended up being more of a criminal investigation drama that takes place in a small town. The investigation part of the story was incredibly boring and forgettable. I've never been so uninterested in knowing who the killer was. The wrestling part of the story was also a disappointment, but it got better in the 2nd half for the limited scenes it had. The most impressive thing about this drama was Jang Dong Yoon's weight gain transformation for his role. My favorite character was the dog. It was an odd mix of murder mystery + sports + small town drama + friendship/youth. Whatever this combination was, it did not work for me.

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Looking for a Warm Hug? This Drama With a Twist is Your Answer

At first, I thought it would be one of those slow, sad dramas, but I was so wrong! I dove in because I love Jang Dong Yoon and boy, was I in for a treat.

**Our Golden Retriever ML:**
Let’s talk about our male lead, Kim Baek Doo. Picture this: the youngest son in a family of ssireum wrestling champs, a bit overlooked, and at first, he comes off as this obnoxious, childlike character. But hold on, because underneath that exterior is pure gold. Jang Dong Yoon gives us golden retriever vibes – all vibrancy and honesty. And when he shows his smart side? Chef’s kiss! Seriously, Jang Dong Yoon nailed it. He even gained 10kg for the role, and it suits him perfectly. Talk about dedication!

**Our Badass FL:**
Now, onto our fabulous female lead, Oh Yoo Kyung.. Her acting, her smile, her whole vibe – I was hooked. She brought a perfect mix of toughness and warmth to her character, and I totally loved every minute of it.

**Comedy and Romance – A Perfect Blend:**
The comedy is spot on with jokes and sneaky little outbursts that had me laughing out loud. The romance isn’t the main focus, but it’s there, blossoming in the most delightful ways. Baek Doo and Yoo Kyung’s interactions are sprinkled with sweet, romantic moments that keep things interesting. They treat each other with a tenderness that feels so genuine.

**Ssireum Wrestling – Who Knew?**
This was my first time seeing ssireum wrestling in action, and it was surprisingly fun and entertaining. The scenes are to the point, not overdone, and they make the sport a central, engaging element of the drama.

**A Dash of Crime and Suspense:**
Okay, so the crime aspect and suspense felt a bit random and not super gripping, but you know what? It didn’t bother me. It served more as a backdrop for character bonding and development. Plus, it brought our girl Yoo Kyung back to her hometown, which was essential for all the juicy reconnections and nostalgia.

**Overall Vibes:**
I absolutely loved this drama – it’s a solid 10 from me. If you’re looking for something sweet, simple, and heartwarming, this is your jam. The story is about friendship, love, and following your passions, wrapped in a cozy, easygoing package.

**The Cast – Simply Stellar:**
The entire cast did a phenomenal job. The supporting cast, from Baek Doo’s friends to the fellow cop, all played their parts to perfection, adding depth and richness to the story.

**Moral of the Story:**
The takeaway? Never give up. Do what you love, not what others expect you to do. The story of childhood friends reconnecting as adults is both touching and relatable. Yoo Kyung’s return under a fake identity and the eventual revelations made for some juicy drama.

**Final Thoughts:**
“Like Flowers in Sand” is a must-watch. It’s fluffy, cute, and avoid unnecessary drama. The love story is light-hearted and charming, and the whole thing feels like a warm hug. So, if you’re in the mood for a drama that mixes friendship, romance, and a bit of sport, give this one a shot. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

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Small town, busy people

I want to give proper value to the production team because technically speaking this is a wonderfully made story, with lot of attention put into the detail. The first thing that caught my attention was the sound mixing, which easily created a slice of life vibe, set in the rural location. There's almost no soundtrack use during important scenes, choosing the surroundings over it. The sound of the ocean, the cicada, a dog barking. It all completes the story.

The characters wear barely any make up, their clothes are something any of us would wear during the summer, which goes perfectly with the lack of interest in superficial aesthetic.

The drama lives and dies with the performances. The actors are the heart of the story and they deliver on creating a close-knit society in the small town their characters all grew up.

At first, I thought I was in for a slice of life sport story about friendship, love and overcoming personal struggles but to my surprise there was a murder mystery thrown in the middle.

I understand why the writer of this drama used this troupe to point out some toxic behaviour from society, our prejudices and the damage gossip can do to a person's life. Sadly, I think the main story suffers from it and deviates of its strongest points which is the relationship between the six main characters with each other.

Overall, this is a very quiet and rustic story with some solid performances but easily forgotten among many others dramas that have done this before and better.

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Solid drama, stellar cast

If you want a fluffy, cute and no bullshit kdrama this is the one.

The cast do a very good job, especially the ML who transformed into the character completely. He gained around 10kg for this role and it actually looks really good on him. The concept of wrestling is new and different (at least to me as a westerner) so it felt like learning rules to a brand new game.

The love story was great - very light-hearted. The b plot is also good but overall this is more of a slice of life series so don't do expecting them to focus too much on the mystery is my only advice.

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