Love, Take Two (2025) 첫, 사랑을 위하여
Directed by Yoo Je-won, starring Yum Jung-ah as Lee Ji-an, Park Hae-joon as Ryu Jeong-seok, Choi Yoon-ji as Lee Hyo-ri, and Kim Min-kyu as Ryu Bo-hyeon.
Watched 16 August - 14 September 2025 — 12 episodes (VIKI PASS)
*Really enjoyed this slice-of-life healing drama with a found-family theme and lovable characters. Since I was predominantly watching this show while it was being aired, the constant interruptions took me out of the flow of the series and therefore I wasn't completely emerged in the story. Being a slow-burn, it also drags at times. But ultimately I liked it and overall it left me with a warm feeling because of the family bonds and friendships and I shed plenty of tears. The highlight is the relationship between the mother and daughter, Yum Jung-ah as Lee Ji-an and Choi Yoon-ji as Lee Hyo-ri, and how they become closer. Love how Ji-an is looking out for her daughter, but also how Hyo-ri reminds her mum to cherish life and not only work hard.
*I always feel myself drawn to flawed characters. I think my fave here is the daughter Hyo-ri. After her brain tumor diagnosis, she struggles and suffers quietly, not letting her mother know about her illness, because she doesn't want to be a burden. At times Hyo-ri looks so pale and fragile, like porcelain that's about to break, but she finds her inner strength eventually and rediscovers herself. The actress has a beautiful smile, by the way. I also love her short haircut at the end.
*Love how Ji-an recognises her daughter's wish to have her own space and how excited she is when she finds a house for Hyo-ri. The segment where the house is being built with the help of Ji-an's old buddies (she's a former construction manager) is heartwarming. Also the moment with Hyo-ri going happily through the house (but who wouldn't be over the moon with such a place?) made me smile.
*Love the two main romances and how the older couple (Ji-an and Jeong-seok) behaves like teens. The youth romance between Hyo-ri and Bo-hyeon is so sweet, especially the scene at the lake with the fireflies is supercute and delicate.
*I also like Bo-hyeon's friends, and how Jae-dong (played by Jo Beom-gyu) and Hyo-ri's best friend Suk (Yang Yoo-jin) like each other and kiss off-screen. Jae-dong is cute indeed and reminds me of Lovely Runner's male lead Byeon Woo-seok. In fact, I like Jae-dong more than Bo-hyeon who looks like a baby. But when Bo-hyeon gets really serious, he looks older and more attractive.
*Love the sidestory with the retired doctor (Kim Mi-kyung as Jung Moon-hee; love this actress!!!) and how in the end the other 3 women (Ji-an, Hyo-ri, and Ji-an's bestie) didn't want her to move out.
*Other things I love: how Hyo-ri and Kim Sun-young (Ji-an's loyal best friend and a restaurant owner, played by the actress Kim Sun-young; yes, the same name as the character!) tease Ji-an; the friendship between Ji-an and Sun-young; the small village vibe; the scene where the architect gives Sun-young (who's a chef) a poetry book and Ji-an quips: "She likes poultry, not poetry"; the OST and cinematography!
*At times the village characters were a bit annoying but they grew on me.
*Fortunately all ends well. I had already watched main characters die from incurable diseases in previously seen dramas (Mr. Plankton and Our Movie) so I'm grateful to the writers that they let Hyo-ri live.
*"Maybe all of our first loves are our mums."
(Collage made by me.)