A single mom gives birth to a daughter while she is still in high school, and has spent her whole life growing up alongside her.  But now that her daughter is an adult with a life of her own, their relationship is entering into a new phase.  Since the pair are still living together, there are plenty of new areas to chart.  And things become even more complicated when a man from her past comes back into her life hoping for a second chance.  Meanwhile, her daughter’s new job working for the local police department puts them in the middle of a dangerous investigation involving a murder.  

Choi Soo Young as Kim Jin Hee

Kim Jin Hee had a good job working at the central police station in Seoul before she steps on the wrong toes and gets demoted to team leader at a small, neighborhood substation.  And as luck would have it, she isn’t the only one.  Her mentor from Police Academy days is also there.  But misunderstandings between the two of them has left their relationship awkward.  And to make matters worse, decisions made at the head office have left a bad taste in the mouths of all her new co-workers.  Now it will take all of her efforts to get into their tight-knit circle.    

Kim Jin Hee grew up with her young, chaotic mother.  And this causes her to often assume the responsible, mature role in their relationship.  This is probably also what attracted her to becoming a police officer.  But now that she is able to see her mom through adult eyes, she is learning some important lessons about her, not just as a person but also as a woman. I really like Choi Soo Young and I feel like she has a nice sense of subtle comedic timing.  She and Jeon Hye Jin had a great rapport and their interactions, both serious and sincere and more humorous, were the highlight of this drama for me.  

Park Sung Hoon as Eun Jae Won

Eun Jae Won is the director of the substation Jin Hee is transferred to.  He was also demoted to the substation for political reasons and hopes to eventually earn back his position at the Head Office.  He knew Jin Hee during their police academy training time andhas always had feelings for her, but he has kept it hidden and pretends to be annoyed by her.  But as the two of them are thrown together on the job, they both realize that they have feelings for each other.  

 ♥ Mature Themes

This series takes a modern approach to slice of life drama.  It tackles some difficult themes with a slice of honesty and humor.  I liked that it committed to the topics without trying to sugarcoat any of it.  The idea of reaching an age where we can see our parents as individuals with dreams and desires is an important one.  And the leads are able to talk about things that might be hard to talk about even with friends your own age, as shown by Jin Hee’s conversations with her best friend about her mom.  

 ♥ No Instant Family

So many dramas have an estranged parent show up and make them suddenly a close happy family, with no real thought to the time it takes to form those kinds of bonds.  I liked that this series took its time before Jin Hee could acknowledge her dad at all, let alone as a parent.  Even by the end, they had reached a mutual affection, but they were still a long way from Jin Hee asking for fatherly advice.  I appreciated this more realistic approach to relationships and parental reunions.  

Crime and Politics

I never felt like the politics at the police station were ever explained in a way that made them worth the screen time.  The story seemed kind of vague and rather pointless.  True, both Jin Hee and Jae Won are transferred because of politics and injustice in the system, but that’s really all we need to know.  The same is true of the stalker story.  The fact that he was following Eun Mi is important but his other victim and the investigation itself was kind of a wasted story that disappeared as soon as he was caught, with no explanation of who he was or why he did it.  

Secondary Character Development

Slice of life dramas don’t always feel the need to develop every character they introduce, which I get.  But there were a couple characters in this drama that had some important storylines that seemed like they deserved more screentime and development.  On the top of my list would be Mi Jung’s grandmother, who is so pivotal in Eun Mi’s life and Jin Hee’s best friend and first “love” Jin Su.  I just wish we could have seen a bit more about these characters.

The ending of “Not Others” is as simple and to the point as the rest of the drama.  Mi Jung’s grandmother passes away and we find out that she had included Eun Mi and Jin Hee on her family registry, and left them a large portion of her estate.  Jin Hee finds out that after cracking the case she is being promoted back to the head office.  But she just isn’t excited about it.  Later she decides to take a year off and travel the world by herself.  Eun Mi has a hard time accepting her decision, but Jin Hong helps her understand she needs to let go a bit.  Jae Won tells Jin Hee that he will be there waiting for her.  At the airport, Jin Hee runs into Eun Mi, who is carrying her own backpack.  At first Jin Hee is upset that her mom is intruding on her independence, but Eum Mi tells her she is taking her own trip to walk the Santiago Trail.  Back in the neighborhood, we see both Jin Hong and Jae Won hanging out at the local convenience story, each waiting for their ladies to return.  

An older business woman gives birth to her first child and checks herself into a luxury birthcare center, created to teach and pamper new moms.  But what she finds there is a grueling schedule of endless breastfeeding and a social caste system that, based on her age, experience, and future plans, leaves her at a severe disadvantage.  But as she gets to know the other mothers at the center, she learns some valuable lessons, not only about herself and her new role as a mom, but also about the struggles and doubts that all new mothers face.  

Yoon Park as Kim Do Yoon

Kim Do Yoon is Hyun Jin’s husband.  He is over the moon about the prospect of becoming a dad, and he jumps into the role with full enthusiasm.  While Hyun Jin is still chasing after potential clients for job, Do Yoon is attending pre-natal classes and reading how-to books on parenting.  But once the baby is born, he struggles with where he fits into this new family dynamic and how to weather the constant mood changes of his once emotionally stable wife.  Luckily for him, he meets a wise mentor along the way who gives him some valuable advice and keeps him company through the early days.  And as he watches his wife gain her footing, he begins to find his own way through the important new role of fatherhood.  

Kim Do Yoon is the perfect, loving and supportive husband.  He is kind and patient through all of the changes happening in his life.  His enthusiasm and stability are the counter to Hyun Jin’s doubts and fears.  And even when Do Yoon feels out of his depth, he faces his uncertainty with a positive and a proactive attitude.  Yoon Park is such a sweet and charming actor, and I think he fit this role so well.  Although I wish we had gotten a bit more scenes with him,  I understand that at the end of the day, this drama is about motherhood rather than parenthood.  Regardless, I loved the calm, peacefully feeling Yoon Park brought to his scenes, and I liked the quiet chemistry he shared with Uhm Ji Won.

Choi Ri as Lee Roo Da

Lee Roo Da is the young rebel of the birthcare center.  She is a single mom who insists on doing things her way, regardless of the peer pressure from the other mothers.  The father of her baby is the son of the center’s director, and although he wants them to get married and settle down, Roo Da isn’t so sure she is interested in marriage.  

 ♥ “Dad”mance

The cute bromance between Do Yoon and the more experienced Yang Joon Suk was fun to watch, and also served a more serious purpose.  The role of a new father can be vague and overwhelming for many.  Having Joon Suk there to offer his wise advise, not just about the new baby, but also on the changes happening in his wife, gave a bit of insight into the challenges faced by new fathers.  While this perspective is not the purpose of this drama, it was nice that they did take a bit of time to reference the unique challenges men face in this situation.

 ♥ Faces of Motherhood

I loved that this drama tried to incorporate many different kinds of mothers.  It really helped to emphasize the point that, in truth, there is no single way to be a “good” mother.  Each woman’s journey is different, as is each child’s need.  I have heard some complain about the kinds of mothers not included, but I think they did the best they could within the range of mothers commonly found in Korea.  For me, I am more concerned with commending them for the range of characters they did show, and the realistic approach they gave to each of them.  

Dads

So, I know that not all dad’s are hands-on when it comes to dealing with a newborn, but I thought it was a bit weird that, aside from the 2 leading women, we don’t see the other fathers at all.  Again, it’s not like I expect them at the mom’s side for every scene.  I mean, I get it that most of them are probably working.  But it seems like we could have seen them in passing a least a little bit.  It just struck me as odd to not cast them at all.  

Park Yoon Ji

Although it is a tough subject, I appreciated that they even brought in a mom who had suffered loss.  Her story, alongside the other mother’s, was truly heartbreaking, and in the end, I don’t think any of the other moms blamed her for the emotions she was experiencing.  I think Yoon Ji’s experience was a painful reminder to all of them that life is precious and having their babies at their sides is worth all of the inconvenience and discomfort they may feel now.  But because Yoon Ji’s story was so unique and important, I wish they would have finished it a bit stronger.  After her story comes out, Yoon Ji just quietly disappears and that’s the end of it.  It would have been nice to see a clearer conclusion, and as difficult as it is, maybe just the tiniest glimmer of hope in  her dark situation.

I’m not sure that there is much conclusion to explain when talking about the end of this drama.  Through the course of the show, each mother learned about what kind of mom they wanted to be for their child and gained the confidence to leave the shelter of the center.  And in the midst of it all, they developed a strong bond that will allow them to count on each other through the many milestones of motherhood.  Hyun jin decides to keep working after all, Roo Da decides to at least consider marriage, and Eun Jung decides to be more clear about her expectations of her husband.  We see each mom go home to their own homes and families.  We see that all the moms are still in touch with each other and their friendship is going strong.  And back at the center,  Director Choi escorts a new potential guest into the facility as the cycle of new moms continues.  

Seo Hyun as Nam Hee Shin

Nam Hee Shin works for the Japanese Government as the Head of the Railway Bureau.  She is also dating Lee Kwang Il, the one time-owner and sometimes friend of Yoon.  But in secret, Hee Shin is actually an activist for Korean Independence.  Her job and her romantic relationship with Kwang Il both give her opportunities to collect sensitive information and pass it on to the freedom fighters.  So when she is asked to deliver a suitcase full of money from the Japanese Government to the Chinese in Gando, to pay for a railway project, she makes plans to steal the funds and deliver them into the hands of the Korean rebels.  But when her life is threatened by countless outlaws all interested in stealing the money, she finds an unlikely ally in the taciturn Korean bandit, Yoon.  And he seems like her only chance to get the money safely into Korean hands.  

Nam Hee Shin is a wealthy woman of privilege who could easily have hidden behind her job working with the Japanese.  But her heart breaks when she thinks about all her people have endured under the weight of Japanese and Chinese oppression.  And when she arrives in Gando and sees it for herself firsthand, she is even more determined to help the freedom fighters’ cause.  Seo Hyun did a fine job with this role, although I found this character to be a bit dull, especially when compared with the vibrant personality of Eon Nyeon Yi.  I wish we had seen some other sides to her character that weren’t so stiff and proper all the time.  

Lee Ho Jung as Eon Nyeon Yi

Eon Nyeon Yi is a gun for hire who is initially hired by Kwang Il to kill Yoon.  But when Yoon tells her he is on his way to die at the hands of someone he owes a debt, she lets him go, assuming he will die anyway.  Later she is hired by Hee Shin to help her get the money safely off the train and into rebel hands.  But while working with Hee Shin, she is shocked to cross paths with a very much alive Yoon.  Now, with her reputation on the line, her goal is to complete her work with Hee Shin and then go back to finish Yoon off.  But her loyalties are tested as she works side by side with Yoon protecting Hee Shin and the people living under Choi Chung Soo.

 ♥ Western Concept

The way they turned 1920’s Manchuria into the wild west for this drama was fascinating.  From saloon gunfights to train heists, this drama captured the essence of it all, while still giving it an authentic kdrama feel.  I love this concept and I think they did a great job with it.  From the gritty scenery to the whistling soundtrack, it really felt like I was watching an old spaghetti western.  While the story may have fallen short in my opinion, the look and sound of this drama was sweeping and beautiful.  

♥ Historical Context

I always love a drama that gives us a look at periods or locations that don’t get talked about often in dramas.  In this case, the history lesson about a place like Gando, that, according to Yoon is made up of “Chinese land, Japanese money, and Joseon’s people” was interesting and new to me.  Although we don’t see much of the Chinese perspective, the mix of peoples and cultures created a unique blend.  

Violence

While I am not particularly squeamish, this drama definitely went overkill on the violence and gore.  Most kdrama fans are already aware of Netflix’ tendency to add American shock value into all of their dramas, whether that be sex or violence. But this one was much more bloody than I expected.  And sure, a little violence is to be expected in a “Western”, but this one seemed to go a bit overboard for my taste.   

Lack of Development

This story seemed to jump all over the place, leaving so many ideas and characters unfinished.  I suppose there is always a possibility that Netflix will wave the wand and give fans a second season, although I’m not sure this cast would be willing to sign on even if it was offered. But as it sits for now, I feel like the plot lacked both proper development and a satisfying ending.  

I don’t know why, but from what I had heard, I expected “Song of the Bandits” to have a happy ending.  Boy, was I wrong!  Yoon and Kwang Il finally face off, and although Yoon ends up with the advantage, he settles for shooting Kwang Il’s trigger finger off rather than actually killing him.  Yoon and his band withdraw to safety and the Japanese forces report their failure back to the higher ups.  Kwang Il is demoted and returns to Hee Shin a broken man.  But things only get worse when he finds out that Hee Shin has been working with the Independence Fighters the whole time.  Yoon plans to visit Hee Shin, but a boy delivers a note to him from Hee Shin warning him that he must stay away.  The drama ends with Hee Shin getting married to Kwang Il, despite her betrayal and love for Yoon.  And Yoon and the bandits have regrouped to fight yet more Japanese troops.  

Gong Seung Yeon as Song Seol

Song Seol is a paramedic at a small fire station in Taewon.  She has a close relationship with her mentor, fellow firefighter, and neighbor Do Jin.  But when the new police detective also becomes her neighbor, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his rough exterior and wounded spirit.  The three begin working on cases together, and Seol finds herself being pulled deeper and deeper into the danger of Ho Gae’s cases.  When Do Jin is suddenly killed in an arson fire, she is overcome with doubt and guilt.  But she now has a new partner in Ho Gae, who still needs her assistance if they are going to find the criminal behind Do Jin’s death and catch the mastermind before more lives are lost.  

Song Seol is kind and extremely empathetic.  She carries the scars of being abandoned as a baby, and that motivates her to help those in need.  But sometimes her sensitive and caring personality make her job very difficult.  When she meets Ho Gae, she quickly recognizes him as a kindred spirit in need of emotional healing.  But she also suspects Do Jin’s feelings for her as well, which makes the situation much more challenging.  Gong Seung Yeon was well suited for this role.  This character is sweet and rather simple, but Gong Seung Yeon played her genuinely pure heart  sincerely.  

Kang Gi Doong as Pil Gong Myung 

Pil Gong Myung, know as Pil, is Ho Gae’s partner at the Police Station.  He is known for his friendliness with his colleagues and his mental and physical agility.  He isn’t so sure he is happy when he is first teamed with Ho Gae, but soon Pil becomes his biggest fan.  No matter how dangerous the road Ho Gae leads him down, Pil follows him with full trust that Ho Gae will make sure they both come out alive.  

 ♥ Story Arc Within Arc

The success of this drama lies in it’s ability to keep a nice balance in several areas.  One of the things that I enjoyed is that rather than waiting for the big villain to finally show up toward the end of the drama, we had several other major story arcs that led up to that.  Characters like the corrupt business man Ma Tae Hwa and the Commander’s ex-husband Yang Sang Man had major multi-episode plot lines that fed into the final reveal.  These other stories kept the plot from getting stale until the end.

♥ Second Season Additions

As much as I hated to see Do Jin and Ana go, I liked the way the second season brought us some fresh characters that gave the team a new dynamic.  With the first season relationships pretty stable by this point, it was fun to see Do Ha show up on the scene to create new tension. And I loved it that they made him out to be a villain for awhile before we find out who he really is.  And the addition of Eun Hye’s reckless charm and over the top strategies was entertaining.  Bringing in these characters brought just enough new energy to keep season 2 from being an exact replica of season 1 and it brought many more scenes to the NFS.  

Do Jin and Seol

So, of course, Do Jin’s death was heartbreaking, but I understand it from a story perspective.  My issue is not his death so much as the unanswered questions he left.  The fact that he never got to confess his feelings, even though Seol ends up knowing exactly how he felt because of the ring seems somehow unfair. Also, in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder what Seol’s response would have been to that confession.  It is pretty obvious that her romantic interests were focused on Ho Gae, while Do Jin was more friend and mentor.  But how would Seol have let him down without breaking his heart?  Killing him so suddenly left me with a lot of “what ifs” that put a bit of a damper on her romance with Ho Gae.  

Traumatic Backstories

I always appreciate character backstories, but in this case it seemed like every single character had some extreme past trauma.  I’m sure it’s true that many become first responders based on personal experiences, but I’ve never seen a more broken group of people as a whole.  A few tragic stories would make sense, but they just seemed to push it a little too far to be realistic.

“First Responders” finishes by bringing down the evil mastermind and giving our lead couple a happy ending.  Dex kidnaps Seol, but the team, led by Ho Gae, who is not really dead after all, rushes in to save her and arrest Dex.  Later, at his trial he is charged with the Death Penalty. But he is relieved since Korea seldom actually executes its prisoners.  But on his way from the court room, a team from the US show up to extradite him on charges of murder committed on US soil.  Ho Gae and Seol share a happy reunion at the hospital, after she scolds him for letting her believe he was dead. But now, they are finally ready to make their relationship official. Ho Gae is back in front of the disciplinary committee, but this time when he loses his temper, his fellow officers stand behind his actions.  The final scene shows Chief Baek and Commander Dokko getting married, but the ceremony is interrupted when an emergency call comes in and all the guests have to rush out.  It seems the job of a first responder is never done!

Bae Hyun Sung as Kang San

Kang San is hit by a car during a lightning storm and wakes up in the hospital with no memory of his past or the world around him.  While still in the hospital, he finds that he can see and feel other people’s pain if he makes any physical contact with them. With nowhere to go, he begins staying with Dong Joo, who is the one who hit him.  And they soon discover that Kang San actually time travelled from the past.  As the pieces of his memory slowly come back, he begins to look for his older brother who disappeared 27 years ago.  But his brother is not the only link he has between his past and this present life.  Soon he will find himself plunged into the middle of a dangerous murder case and some very powerful enemies. 

Kang San is sweet and naive.  Although he has travelled 27 years into the future, he is still just an innocent high school student who has lived a difficult life.  His sense of wonder at the changes in the world around him give his character a unique perspective.  Finding himself in this strange new place, he has no choice but to trust and depend on the few people he has been able to meet.  Bae Hyun Sung made a great Kang San.  His bright eyes and youthful enthusiasm fit the role well.  I especially liked his interactions with Jung Woo.  Their scenes felt natural and it was fun to watch them become more casual and relaxed with each other as the story progressed.

Oh Man Suk as Kai

Kai is San’s older brother.  After seeing what happened at the lake that night, Kai went into hiding to save his own life and hopefully San’s as well.  The manuscript that Dong Joo published was actually written by Kai after witnessing the whole thing.  After years of living in secret, Kai is determined to get revenge on the boys from the lake that really killed a man that night.  But those young boys avoided punishment then because of their family connections, and they have grown up into powerful and influential men who won’t go down without a fight. 

 ♥ Chae Woo Jeong

I really loved Chae Woo Jeong as San’s first love back in the past.  She is now an adult who owns her own book cafe.  The writers managed to create a beautifully bittersweet story between the two.  While neither one of them is the person the other remembers, they still share a sweet bond of affection that is full of love, without ever making the new age difference feel weird.  The fine line they managed to walk is so well done.  While their story was only a side plot, it was one of my favorites in this drama.

 ♥ Villain to the Villain

Lee Tae Man is the obvious villain in this drama.  As the heartless murderer who was still killing to keep his secret safe, he was entirely unlikable and diabolical.  But when all is said and done, Myung Seok just may be even more evil.  The way he used Dong Joo’s book as a weapon to destroy his own brother is pretty low.  And really no villain ever deserved it more than Tae Man, so it’s hard to really hate Myung Seok for it. This gave us double the satisfaction for Tae Man’s punishment, since Dong Joo and San were responsible for putting him in prison and Myung Seok was responsible for making sure he lost all his family fortune and connections.

Ineffective Detectives

I’m really not sure we needed the detectives and their useless investigations in this drama.  After all, Dong Joo and San pretty much end up solving the whole crime without their help anyway.  I didn’t find Park Hyeon Soo’s character that interesting to begin with.  The time wasted watching the police chase their own tails could have been better spent exploring other, more interesting characters or explaining some of the unanswered questions about the supernatural elements of the story.  For example, what was the whole disappearing hand thing supposed to mean and why did even Dong Joo have it happen at one point?  Or why did Dong Joo’s watch suddenly start again?  What is the meaning of Kang San getting his powers back?

Back to Past

I had kind of hoped that San would get a chance to go back to the past he belonged in.  With the knowledge he brought from the present, he could have changed everything for the better, allowing his brother and Dong Joo’s dad to stay by his side, and hopefully saving Woo Jeong from the accident that caused her dementia.  And if all that had happened, they could have all still been together in the present with the adult San.  Especially since they seemed to be hinting at the fact that San was becoming increasingly ill from having travelled through time. Did he just magically stop passing out once the murder was solved?  They neglected to give San’s superpower story any proper closure.

“Miraculous Brothers” ties things up pretty well for a happy ending.  After the police bring in both Tae Man and Sang Woo, they manage to turn them against each other and get the confession they need.  All of those still around from the original murder and cover up are rounded up and arrested.  San and Kai plan to take off together to go into hiding, until Kai decides he wants to face his crime and turn himself in. But first he calls Dong Joo to ask him to look after San until he is released.  Kai and Hye Kyeong also have a brief reunion where she promises to wait for him.  Two years later, Dong Joo has published his second novel, this one titled “Miracle Brother”.  San is going to college, and he and Dong Joo are living together at Kai’s house.  The final scene shows San getting his powers back and Dong Joo’s dad’s watch start ticking again, hinting at a possible sequel, just in case.  Then Dong Joo gives us an thought-provoking ending monolog about miracles happening every day.  

Go Youn Jung as Jang Hee Soo

Jang Hee Soo’s father has always suspected that she inherited his ability to heal from any injury, no matter how serious.  When she is expelled from her latest school for violence, only Jeongwan High school is willing to allow her admittance.  So she shows up as the new kid, on her best behavior.  But when she meets Bong Seok, she feels like she has met a loyal ally and friend.  And as details about the school and the three gifted students unfold, a sinister plan comes to light between the school administration and a special government program.  

Jang Hee Soo is brave and honest. As much as she wanted to avoid any trouble at her old school that would cause them to have to move again and put even more financial stress on her father, she couldn’t look the other way when an innocent classmates was mercilessly bullied. Bong Seok is the first person who seems to really understand her, and she is not afraid to tell him exactly how she feels — after she gives him something heavy to hang on to!  Go Youn Jung is a great young actress and I think this role was perfect for her.  I liked the quiet chemistry she shared with Lee Jung Ha and I really enjoyed their story.  

Han Hyo Joo as Lee Mi Hyun

Lee Mi Hyun is Bong Seok’s mother.  Her special ability is an enhanced sense of hearing and sight.  These abilities helped her become a high-ranking agent with the NIS.  She met Doo Shik when she was assigned by Director Min to spy on the young agent.  But Mi Hyun and Doo Shik fall in love and end up running away together.  After Doo Shik’s disappearance, Mi Hyun has devoted her life to protecting their son from living the same kind of life they were forced to live. 

 ♥ Backstories

This drama really sets out to give as many characters as possible their own private backstory.  Even the North Korean soldiers were given some depth, so that their actions felt understandable, rather than just portraying them as evil.  The individual episodes devoted to each of the stars and their stories felt very much like the kind of webtoon the drama was based on.  I enjoyed getting to know each character and seeing each of their stories unfold.  

 ♥ Generational

I loved the way this drama was about both the children and their parents.  Through the beginning stages of the show, it seemed like the story would revolve around Bong Seok and Hee Soo, and, to a lesser degree, Kang Hoon.  So I was pleasantly suprised when the focus shifted to their parents and how it all started.  While the students stories were sweet and interesting, the history of their parents gave the drama more texture and dimension.  Their tragic lives are a cautionery look at what will happen if the parents can’t find a way to protect their children from the NIS and Director Min.  

Reunions

The ending of this drama left me wanting so much more.  I especially missed some of the happy reunions that must have taken place.  We see Doo Shik appear on Mi Hyun’s roof, but it would have been nice to see a sincere reunion between the two.  And that first father son talk between he and Bong Seok must have been so touching.  Also, I would love to have seen Doo Shik’s reunion with his former partner.  Undoubtably, the two must have plenty to talk about.  Lastly, I missed a sweet reunion between our young couple Bong Seok and Hee Soo.  It would have been great if the drama had come full circle to have them meet a second time.  

Ki Soo

It seemed like Ki Soo was going to have a more significant role in the overall plot when he was introduced.  And I was disappointed that he didn’t.  He was an interesting character, and his experience being injured by Sung Wook was a hint into the darker side of Jeongwon High School.  They even gave a small nod toward a romance between him and Han Byul.  But none of these stories ever really led anywhere.  I just wish we could have gotten to know him a bit better.  

It’s a drawnout, bloody battle to get to the end of this drama.  But in the end the good guys win and South Korea is safe, at least for the time being. Mi Hyun, Joo Won, and Jae Man step in to protect their children and defeat the North Korean spies.  But Joon Hwa lives to go home and finally help Doo Shik escape prison, warning him that his son needs his protection.  Graduation Day shows everyone except Bong Seok back at school.  And Hee Soo is definitely feeling his absence.  Later we see that Kang Hoon has kept his word to begin working for the NIS, but he requests that in exchange, his father’s criminal record be dismissed.  Director Min agrees to consider it once Kang Hoon has proven himself.  In a short but shocking development, as Kang Hoon is leaving, he sees his former classmate, the bullied Hye Won going into the Director’s office.  And we see that she is actually the one Director Min is taking orders from.  Apparently her superpower is not aging.  She has the Director killed before leaving.  For the end, we see Hee Soo go home to her dad’s shop where her new “uncle”, North Korean soldier Young Deok is now working with Joo Won.  And we see that Bong Seok is now donning his bright yellow jacket to freelance as a superhero who rescues those in trouble.  Finally we see Doo Shik appear on the roof of Mi Hyun’s apartment as Mi Hyun and Bong Seok look on in shock.  Fade to black.  But…after the credits we get a sneak peak into a possible season 2.  Agent Sang Gu is now sitting in the directors seat.  While elsewhere, we see Frank has returned from the dead.  And the ones who trained the children are now looking to call up Elias.  Bring on the new villains!

Jeon Yeo Been as Han Jun Hee / Kwon Min Ju

One year ago, Han Jun Hee’s boyfriend died in plane crash, on his way to visit her in New York.  Though she does a good job of acting fine of the outside, inside she has never gotten over the loss.  One day, an anonymous package arrives for her.  Inside is an old cassette player with a tape and headphones.  When Jun Hee listens to the tape. she is transported back to the year 1998, into the body of a high schooler who looks just like her.  And she isn’t alone, when she meets a classmates who looks just like her dead boyfriend.  But she soon finds out that Min Ju, the student whose body she now lives in, will be murdered in about a month if she can’t stop the killer.  Now all of her time and energy is put into finding out what actually happened that night and who would want Min Ju dead.  

Han Jun Hee is enthusiastic and outgoing.  It doesn’t take long in Min Ju’s body, to turn the shy loner into a spunky girl that her classmates are drawn to.  But when she finds out that Min Ju will die soon, she is more worried about saving her life than making her a popular girl in school.  Unlike Ah Hyo Seop, who was challenged by two characters that weren’t much different, Han Jun Hee and Kwon Min Ju were very different, and Jeon Yeo Been was able to take advantages of those differences in her performance.  She did a nice role of creating two characters that each had their own personalities and were easy to tell apart.  

Park Hyuk Kwon as Bae Chi Won 

Bae Chi Won is Min Ju’s uncle.  He runs a record store where Min Ju works, and Si Heon and In Kyu also spend a lot of their time.  He is the only adult who knows the truth about who Jun Hee really is and what will happen to Min Ju if they can’t save her. Before returning to the present, Jun Hee once reveals to Chi Won that he should study to be a barista because he will own a coffee shop in the future. Later, when Si Heon goes into the future to find Jun Hee, he seeks out Chi Won at his coffee shop and asks for his help.   

 ♥ Time Loop Elements

This drama had such an interesting take on what we have come to expect from time travel dramas.  First of all, it uses a loop effect, rather than two set points in time.  Also, I loved how we didn’t just see someone go back to their past self, but a totally new character.  And the locked room that held Min Ju and Jun Hee was an interesting spin, although it seemed weird that we didn’t see any of the other characters locked in a similar situation.  I would be curious if Yeon Jun’s room would have looked similar or been totally different, based on his or Si Heon’s personalities.  All in all, the concept was fresh and creative.  

 ♥ Sacrifice

One of the overarching themes of this drama is sacrifice.  I love that it is subtle and not overstated.  But each of our 3 leads, at some point, sacrifice their own needs and wants for the safety and happiness of those they care about.  Si Heon tries to deny his feelings for Jun Hee because of In Kyu.  And later he gets on the plane, knowing it will crash, because he knows it’s the only way he will meet Jun Hee.  In Kyu goes to jail to make Min Ju’s death memorable, because it was her dying wish.  He also pretended to believe Jun Hee’s “crazy story”, so Si Heon wouldn’t feel so guilty about liking her.  And Jun Hee gives us the ultimate sacrifice when she destroys the cassette player and breaks the bridge between the 2 time frames.  For our leads, sacrifice equals love, and I think it is beautiful.

Jun Hee’s Age Difference

For me, one of the glaring inconsistencies in this drama is that Jun Hee is actually a 36 year old woman from the present.  I feel like she should have experienced more awkward social moments hanging out with a bunch of teenagers from 1998.  And that age difference also made the romance a bit strange.  Granted, she saw Si Heon more as the older Yeon Jun, but still he was an inexperienced high school student and she was a mature, self-supporting adult.  It seems like that should have played a part in the story itself.

Too Complex

There is no denying that this drama gets very complicated.  The time loop will definitely challenge your mental processes and leave you feeling pretty overwhelmed at times.  For the most part, Jun Hee and Min Ju’s roles are clearly defined and easy to keep straight.  It’s really Si Heon’s story that becomes so confusing.  Trying  to designate which parts were Yeon Jun and which were actually Si Heon could make your mind melt into a puddle of incomprehensive goo.  And delving in too deep just seems to accentuate questions and plot holes.  I think those who enjoy this drama need to be able to turn off their brains and just flow with the story, without analyzing it too much.  

There is a lot that goes into the ending of “A Time Called You”.  But when all is said and done, we get the open-ended, fresh start happy ending that is so common for time travel dramas.  Jun Hee figures out who the killer is, and chases Chan Yeong back through time to save Min Ju.  And Min Ju doesn’t make it easy, since she feels like being murdered is the only thing that will make her popular.  But June Hee steps in at the last minute, and together she and In Kyu save Min Ju from killing herself.  Jun Hee realizes that the only way to put everything back to its proper place is for her to destroy the tape player and sever the tie between her in the present and Min Ju in 1998.  But she spends one final day with Si Heon.  As the sun sets, the couple stand together, and as In Kyu destroys the tape and player, they disintegrate into ash.  But in the last moments, Si Heon promises to find her somehow.  Jun Hee wakes up back in the present, as all the memories of she and Yeon Jun disapper.  Back in 1998, we see In Kyu still pining after Min Ju, as Si Heon begs him to just ask her out.  I think this couple will find each other finally, although I wish we could have seen a bit of it.  As they pass the record store and hear “Gather My Tears” Si Heon says he feels like he is forgetting something.  Fast forward to 2011, Si Heon has become a CEO of a comic book company. On his way home, he is on the bus when “Gather My Tears” comes on and he hears a girl start to sing along. He looks at her and it is Jun Hee.  When she gets off at the next stop, Si Heon suddenly jumps off and chases her.  As the two look at each other we see the memory of Si Heon promising to find her.  It’s unclear whether seeing each other has sparked their actual memories or if they have met again as strangers.  But one thing is clear.  Destiny knows no barriers and this couple will still get their happy ending.  

Kim So Yeon as Ryu Hong Joo

Ryu Hong Joo is Yeon’s childhood friend.  At one time she was the guardian spirit of the western mountain. In 1938, she runs the best high-end restaurant in the area.  She has always had a crush on Yeon, and when she hear that he is in town, she is determined to finally win his heart.  But she soon finds herself caught in the middle of a fight between Yeon and her other childhood friend, Moo Young.  And her best solution seems to be stealing the ancient treasures for herself and getting away before either of them has any idea.  But Yeon has other plans for their powerful trio, and he hopes to use Hong Joo to his advantage, so he can get back to the present on time and go back to his normal life.  

Hong Joo is bold and powerful.  But she also has a soft, protective heart.  As a child, that need to protect extended to Yeon and Moo Young.  But now it encompasses all the girls who work and live with her, as well as her loyal bodyguard, Jae Yoo.  The addition of Hong Joo to this season was absolutely brilliant.  Her character is fiery and outspoken.  And there is just enough romantic tension on her part to make up for Yeon’s lack of an onscreen love interest.  I loved Kim So Yeon in this part.  She is a pleasure to watch and I love seeing her strong female charisma.

Ryu Kyung Soo as Cheon Moo Young

Cheon Moo Young was Yeon’s other childhood friend and mountain god.  But when Yeon kills Moo Young’s older brother, Moo Young vows revenge on his old friend.  It is his stealing of the guardian stone that lures Yeon back to 1938 in the first place.  Moo Young has always had a crush on Hong Joo, but she only saw Yeon.  Now that they are all back together, Moo Young is hoping to show Hong Joo his sincere feelings for her.  

 ♥ Relationships

Ultimately this drama is driven by the fun characters and their chaotic energy.  It gives us romance, family, and friendship backed by witty dialogue and touching interactions.  And many of these characters get a chance to shine as we learn their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations.  Whether you love Rang’s innocent bravado, Hong Joo’s spicy determination, Yeon’s sly “foxness” or any of the other interesting counterparts, it is the characters that keep us coming back to this drama.  And the endless onscreen combinations are always enntertaining.

♥ Humor

For me, the touches of humor in this drama were perfectly delivered.  It’s hard to pick a favorite moment, although I did especially love the “Three Men and a Baby” routine.  I found myself continually giggling because of their crazy antics.  And while it could have been cheesy in the hands of lesser writers and actors, it never got old for me.  I think the decison to move away from a heavier romantic theme in favor of more fun moments was one of the things that made this prequel so much more enjoyable for me.  

Past/Present Connection

I found the whole disregard for the past timeline and how changes to the past may effect the present to be kind of strange in this drama.  Many of these characters, such as Rang, are characters we have met and feel like we know.  So how do you explain the fact that he had already met the love of his life by 2020 when we first met him.  And how does Eun Ho fit into the present day story?  Is Yoo Ri a reincarnation of her or are they just mysterious doppelgangers?  And if the 1938 Yeon is now hanging out with Moo Young, than he shouldn’t have any need to travel back in time in the present.  The whole timeline concept is just kind of a mess.  

Weak Villains

This drama gave us a steady stream of villains.  But the one thing they all had in common was that when push came to shove, they were all pretty easy to beat.  Their powers felt wildly inconsistent.  They would seem almost unbeatable for a time and then some magic switch would flip and they would be taken out without much fanfare.  Even Satori and Ryuhei, who were supposed to be legendarily unstoppable, both went down with a quiet whimper.  Given the build up for these showdowns, I just expected more nail-biting suspense.  

“Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938” gives us plenty of happy endings.  Yeon gets the guardian stone and races back to the door to the present just in time, as a nervous Taluipa paces nearby.  After pausing for a final, emotional goodbye with Rang, he and Shin Joo hop back into the present and all is well in both the past and the present.  A follow up scene gives us an update into life in 1938 after Yeon’s visit.  Hong Joo has gone back to running the restaurant, and her employees worry that she is drowning her sorrows in food.  Moo Young has decided to become the person Hong Joo always saw him as, by practicing medicine as a traveling doctor among the poor of the city.  Later we see the 1938 version of Yeon, flanked by his best friends, Moo Young and Hong Joo, as they fight against the Japanese who are threatening their city.  And in the present, we see Yeon finally meeting up with Ji Ah.  The couple embrace under his umbrella.  The fox is home with his one true love.  

Im Yoon Ah as Cheon Sa Rang

Cheon Sa Rang has worked hard to gain respect and praise at her job working at King Hotel.  As the top employee, she has risen up the ranks.  And recently, she became an elite server in the hotel’s VIP lounge, which is a huge honor.  But when she accidentally gets on the bad side of her new boss, the grumpy General Manager Gu, she fears that her job may actually be on the line.  And when their roles as GM and top employee continually throw them into situations where they are forced to work together, she becomes determined to show him her best professional skills.  And as she gets to know him, she finds that his rough exterior is really just a defense against his own insecurities and past traumas.  

Cheon Sa Rang is optimistic and bright.  Her dream to work in a hotel started when she visited one with her parents, before they passed away.  That sentimental memory frames her feelings about her job and her ability to apreciate it, even on the most challenging of days.  And most often, her attitude wins the hearts of her guests.  Im Yoon Ah has continued to grow as an actress and I enjoyed her in this role.  This kind of heartfelt, sincere character fits her perfectly.  And while the plot of this drama wasn’t particularly deep, Sa Rang does show us some character growth that gave Im Yoon Ah a chance to shine.

Kim Ga Eun as Kang Da Eul

Kang Da Eul is Sa Rang’s other best friend.  She is married and has a young daughter.  She works for King Group in their duty-free gift shop.  As a wife and mother, she has her hands full between the stress and pressure of her job and the endless demands of her husband and his family.  But when she finds out that her husband has been lying to her about his own job, she is determined to put things back in their proper place.

 ♥ Skinship

Even before going into this drama, everyone knew that these leads had chemistry steaming off the screen.  And the drama did an excellent job of using that chemistry to give us lots of sweet and steamy scenes.  A couple that was less natural together would have never pulled off these roles.  But Lee Jun Ho and Im Yoon Ah are perfect together, and their flawless interactions made this drama the success that it was.  

♥ Service Workers

I really appreciated the way this drama gave us insight into the life of a customer service worker and the abuses they are often subjected to by both customers and supervisors. It’s not that most of us are unaware of the huge lifestyle difference between the financially wealthy and the everyday worker, but it was nice that this show brought it to the forefront, instead of just idolizing the luxury and privilege of the wealthy.  

Mom Story

When Won first comes home to Korea it is hinted that his main reason for coming home is to find out the truth about his mom.  But for a thing that is supposed to be his driving force, the story is often lost amidst all of the other stuff.  And even when he does finally find her, it seems a bit anti-climatic.  It’s not that there is anything wrong with the scene where he finally meets her, but I would have expected a bit more follow up as to their relationship and his mom’s story.   

More Nephew

I really loved watching Won and Sa Rang with Ji Hu.  For Won, Ji Hu’s character gives the perfect opportunity for him to reflect on his own upbringing and heal through his positive relationship with his nephew.  Ji Hu also offers a kind of bridge between Won and Hwa Ran that may have been impossible any other way.  For these reasons, I wish they had spent a little more time telling his story and showing us more of his healing journey.  

“King the Land” gives us happy endings all around.  First, even though Hwa Ran is kind of the villain and she does get kicked out of the family business, Won encourages her to be good to Ji Hu and stop living a lonely life.  This causes Hwa Ran to go after Ji Hu and bring him home, and by the end they both seem happier.  Our loyal friends all get some closure.  First Sang Sik finally gets promoted, and while he fusses about wanting a higher position, he is thrilled with his new role.  Da Eul finally sends her worthless boss packing, so she and her co-workers can do their jobs with peace and integrity.  And Pyung Hwa finally tells off her perverted stalker and accepts Ro Woon’s feelings.  She and Ro Woon start dating and even go to visit his mother’s graveside together.  I definitely hear wedding bells in their future.  Sa Rang quits working at King Hotel and opens her own small, private inn.  Won finally gets his chance to propose, and the drama ends with their wedding.  Won is both relieved and surprised that his father shows up for the ceremony, and we see both of his parents side by side together.  The epilogue ends with one final kiss, as Won tells Sa Rang he doesn’t care if we are all watching.  Cute!