Call It Love (2023) 사랑이라 말해요
Directed by Lee Gwang-young and Kim Ji-yeon, starring Kim Young-kwang and Lee Sung-kyoung.
Watched 2 - 7 May 2023 — 16 episodes (DRAMACOOL)
*I enjoyed this slice-of-life series a lot! Still, not as much as I enjoyed My Mister and My Liberation Notes but it has some similar vibes. It’s a drama about healing and the power of forgiveness. I love the slow pace and simply love slow-burn romances.
*The main characters are well drawn and likeable, even the ex-fiancée gets our sympathy. The big villain here is the male lead’s mother, but the way Nam Gi-ae portrays her she’s mainly pathetic.
*I like the female lead Lee Sung-kyoung as Sim Woo-joo. I’m not big on revenge stories but understand her motives, even though some of her actions are questionabe (like IU’s character from My Mister), and some of her words are really harsh. She basically has no filter, is very frank and at times hurtful.
*Male lead Kim Young-kwang as Han Dong-jin is the opposite, doesn’t talk much, endures quietly what life throws at him, even lets people misuse him. Kim Young-kwang makes his character so believable and can convey emotions with the tiniest of gestures and facial expressions. I love this stoic role of his! The way he holds his body and walks with slumped shoulders betrays his loneliness. Of all the performances I thought his was the best.
*Kim Young-kwang and Lee Sung-kyoung have good chemistry. The slow development of their romance felt natural and the realisation of their feelings for each other is well depicted. The way they struggle with their feelings for each other is palpable, and I love how they want what is best for the other (she doesn’t want him to feel lonely). I also love how Kim Young-kwang’s eyes change expression when he’s with Lee Sung-kyoung and happy.
*Love the second romantic couple, Sung Joon as family friend Yoon Jun and Kim Ye-won as Sim Hye-sung, and their banter.
*Also, love the friendship between the brother Jang Sung-bum as Sim Ji-gu and Han Dong-jin.
*Fortunately Kim Young-kwang’s ex-fiancée (Ahn Hee-yeon as Kang Min-young) isn’t some horrible bitch, and I love how likeable she gets and how in the end she seems to become a couple with Jun Suk-ho as Choi Sun-woo, friend and business colleague of Han Dong-jin.
*I love the office workers, especially Jin So-yeon as Miss Baek, and the relationship between her and Sim Woo-joo and how they respect one another.
*Last episode: all is wrapped up nicely and there are no loose ends. Also no weird unexpected twists or violence. It pretty much lived up to its promise and the ending reminded me a bit of My Mister with the time lapse and the main couple being in a better place. Though there was no need for them to be apart since everything was resolved, it was maybe for the better, because now they could be happy by themselves first. I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t more scenes between the main couple at the end and no dialogue at all, but it was clear how they felt. Both had healed and become better persons and are now ready for a new start together.
*I love scenes in dramas where the couple is shown just walking together, engaging in serious conversation or saying nothing at all, like in My Mister and My Liberation Notes.
*Love the beautiful cinematography, sets (Yoon Jun’s great house) and the OST!