I pick up this drama after I dropped SITR, since I was starting to get interested in Jung Ha In. Even to this day I still find myself going back to watch clips of One Spring Night. I was so invented on each episode and fell for both leads, as they're so into their role that I feel like watching some real-life event in front of me.
One Spring Night tells the story of two people who fall in love at the wrong time. It was as if the whole world telling them not to. They had to bear their own internal struggles, and also the pressure from society that comes along. This is not your typical romantic story as it also touches some social subjects, especially in Korea's culture. Not to mention they both have their own insecurities to start their relationship. I'm not a fan of slow-burn romance, but somehow OSN managed to make me crave for more with how realistic the story portrayed and how lovable each of the characters is.
What can I say about the characters - I freaking adore them. Lee Jung In is one fierce girl. She knows what she wants, she knows where she stands and her happiness lies beneath her independence. Ji Ho is a down to earth single father living inside this conservative society bubble. He is a man who never put himself first and always deciding things wisely by considering the people around him. Combine both and you got this mature relationship that dialogues their way into knowing each other. I also love how the 3 sisters always have each other's back through thick and thin. Especially the youngest one!
Arguably there are some mixed opinions on how the whole picture acts as a romanticization of cheating. But honestly, I think feelings can't be seen as black and white, there are gray in between and sometimes the lines are a little bit blurry. I wouldn't blame Jung In though, there must be some reason why she can't make up her mind on going the marriage route - although she's been in a relationship for so long. When you can't see the person you're seeing now exist in your future, I think that's one flag of no good in pushing marriage into it.
The OSTs are good, they're not distracting and somehow just fit into every scene. There were not a lot of songs in this drama, but Rachael Yamagata's No Direction stuck in my head for a long time and whenever I listen to the song I feel like the whole scenes played before my eyes.
Anyway, One Spring Night successfully gets into my all-time favorite drama list, and I would still happily re-watching it over and over again.
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Tedious
After not enjoying SITR (unlike everyone else in the world, apparently), I should have known better than to waste my time on this drama, considering it's the same writer, director, and main actor.I'll start with the good - there was nothing wrong with the acting, everyone played their part well, I enjoyed the interactions between the sisters, but I think that's as far as I can take the compliments.
STORY: Oh my gosh, there were so many unlikable characters! The ex-boyfriend, both sets of parents and yes, the female lead. Female lead - I think she was supposed to be this outspoken woman, but apparently that only came out with the male lead. With him she was bossy, demanding, cranky and immature ("It must be nice to be able to eat, you must not be bothered by this at all.") She spent almost EVERY episode meeting up with the nightmare of an ex-boyfriend. She was a weakling where he was concerned, even though she knew she didn't love him. Was she trying to be nice? I couldn't quite get it. The ex-boyfriend trying to get her to marry him went on until the next to the last episode. He was just creepy. Give it a rest! Seriously, she should have gotten a restraining order or something. And then there were the parents - I know that it's important to respect your elders, but when your elders don't have any respect for you and won't listen when you say you don't want to marry someone, there's something wrong. Each episode seemed to be just a rehash of the previous one. Should she pursue this new relationship? Should she give the ex another try? The male lead was smitten with the female lead because she came in for hangover medicine? Why these two liked each other was never made clear. Almost all of the conversations revolved around how they were going to manage, because everyone was against them. I realize that Korean mores are different than American, but they made the male lead out to be a terrible person because he had a son. Then when the female lead APOLOGIZED to her mother because she was involved with a man with a child, that really irritated me.
CHEMISTRY: Kisses. I didn't feel chemistry between the leads at all. There were a couple of technically good kisses, but again, I didn't sense chemistry.
COSTUMES: She was a librarian. Was it absolutely necessary to make her dress in such a dowdy way? The clothes and shoes she wore made her look so much older than she was.
OST: Three-four songs on repeat throughout the whole drama. The songs were in English for no discernible reason and they were very distracting.
REWATCH VALUE: Not on a dare!
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Story:
I will be honest and say the story outline is similar to SitR, focusing on a relationship that is heavily critiqued by the leads’ friends and family. I believe there are 2 key differentiators which are the strength of the supporting stories and the methodical pace of character development. The supporting cast gets a fair amount of development throughout the drama, and they, themselves, change instead of folding into 2D one directional characters. This actually adds to the “slowness” of the drama as precious time is diverted away from the main leads.
However, I do not find fault in the slow pace. I admit the 16 (32 halves) episode format changes the standard for pace, but I also believe that there is a range of acceptable pace in kdrama. I find bigger fault when the writer/director strays away from the slow pace to try to close certain plot points or make characters behave erratically, which OSN does not suffer from. If anything, OSN is not shy in leaving interactions with little explanation and limited expose/monologue.
This may make it harder for viewers to buy into the relationship between the main leads, but I thoroughly enjoyed the romance that resembled something out of real life rather than a kdrama. One lead doesn’t have to save the other or be connected via childhood past to develop feelings for one another. OSN is the closest example of a life-like relationship in a Korean drama; any more and it would be no fun as a drama (you know you’re trying to escape reality watching kdramas).
I applaud the director/screenwriter for running it back by producing such a comparable drama within one year. They improved on all areas of the plot from SitR and remained true to their style instead of bending to every criticism levied at SitR, which I still ranked at 7.5. I look forward to their next projects with a small longing for something more different.
Acting:
Let’s begin by looking at the Male Lead since, again, it's easy to compare to SitR. Jung Hae In’s acting is markedly improved from SitR. This may be due to his growth as an actor, the improved writing of OSN, the chemistry with the cast, more trust from the director, or some combination of all of the above. He displayed a wide range of thoughts and emotions throughout the drama, and I was especially impressed with his acting when facing the second Male Lead.
Similar compliments can be said for the Female Lead, Lee Jung In. And her chemistry with the male actor was amazing. The biggest evidence of this being how electric the dialogue between the 2 felt; Their conversations conveyed more chemistry than any of their skinship scenes. The acting of the 2 main leads really complimented the direction of the drama, which heavily focused on interactions rather than monologues.
The supporting cast also performed admirably. For example, seeing the FL’s mother in OSN can be quite a shock after watching SitR (or vice versa), but she still nailed both roles and truly deserved to be part of this cast. The FL’s sisters were also great and their acting really conveyed how their characters were shaped by their shared upbringing (and I have a soft spot for “sismance”).
Music:
Funnily enough, even a good chunk of the OST is sung by the artist who contributed to SitR, Rachael Yamagata. Although English in Korean media is improved, it does not compare to having a native English speaker. This should significantly improve the drama viewing experience for international viewers given that some subbers do not sub Korean lyrics.
The actual music works very well with the story and pace. I thought each of the songs in the OST carried tension, even the “happy” song. This tension is well utilized because the story does not have the outrageously tense moments of a thriller or typical melo, so the combination of the story and song was important in conveying conflict and emotional resolution.
Rewatch Value:
There is a high rewatch value for this drama given that it covers a multitude of nuanced issues. Even as a native Korean speaker, I plan to go back and rewatch the drama to better understand and enjoy the conversations and chemistries between all the characters.
The next episode previews were the worst part of this show, so I look forward to not having to deal with them now that it is fully aired.
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1Story-The Good
A lot of US shows I’ve watched have a 6 to 2 or 7 to 2 ratio of male to female characters unlike real life. Strong female relationships are often sorely lacking. The writer of OSN has about a 50/50 ratio of male to female characters. The FL has close relationships with her sisters and friends! And surprisingly the mothers aren’t harpies. I found this encouraging and refreshing. I will seek out future dramas by this writer.
The Bad
I have no problem with slow burn romances but someone forgot to turn the crockpot on for this one. As of episode 18 the story was still trying to find traction. I struggled to connect with the FL’s motivation, the ML’s and her ex’s.
The Ugly
The FL had the characteristics of MLs I dislike. She was domineering, selfish, and unsympathetic. Just when she seemed to have some character growth she would revert back. The one time the ML showed vulnerability she pulled back instead of reassuring him and later punished him in a humiliating way. I couldn’t figure out what he saw in her and why he fell so hard when he had been burned badly before. I wanted to feel caught up in their romance but it felt flat to me.
Acting
I was underwhelmed by Han Ji Min and I loved her in Hyde,Jekyll, and Me. And who took the light out of Jung Hae In’s smile and the salt out of his tears? The baddies seemed tired and toothless as if they couldn’t figure out why they were doing what they were doing. Overall the acting wasn’t terrible but I’ve seen several of these actors do a much better job.
OST
As always, I love Rachael Yamagata’s music. However, the music clips often didn’t match the mood of the scene.
Rewatch Value
Not likely. Or maybe one day I’ll try again when I’m in a different mood and it will speak to me. Sadly I don’t think that it will as much as I will want it to.
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Maybe because of this and the lack of real conflict in the second half I ended up not buying their relationship AT ALL and both the characters seemed to feel unfinished and not well thought out. Acting wise though the rest of the cast was really doing well and you know there's something wrong with a drama when I was honestly siding with the ex lol seriously the two son in laws should have just hooked up they were so good together. Seriously, I really got involved in the other sisters story a lot more. And the sociopathic son in law from hell the actor was so good and all the actors who played the sisters same, I liked both the sisters! Especially the youngest, she was badass.
The problem with a story about cheating couples is if you don't have characters who are conflicted about their emotions and they show some emotion for the ex is what makes the character a worthy protagonist for a romance. If they say they have no feelings for someone they were with for four years not only do they sound self serving but you also are unable to believe they will be any different in the new relationship. Like you waited till you had a hot guy with a stable job to leave someone you claim you didn't have feelings for yet you were sleeping with them? And saying you'll get married, I mean the guy didn't even do anything besides 'not give her enough time' when he was in a business meeting! ! Is she going to resent the new guy when he cancels on her because he was working?
I mean I did not buy she was going to continue to be 'selfless' long term with the new guy it's just a matter of time.
Another thing that also became annoying was the fact that the perceived 'villain' in the story, the ex, was the not really evil and the stunts he pulled become so lame you're left watching a boring story because look the villain actually has to win at something to be a convincing villain! Lol here none of the 'villains' or the antagonists were actually scary and everything got resolved through a single conversation, lol literally, like that's why I was so bored.
That said I did enjoy it but mostly because Jung Hae In is GORGEOUS and I liked the cast, the ex even I felt bad for him.
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When I first read the plot I wasn’t interested in this drama at all. Per coincidence I watched the first episode and was instantly hooked. The atmosphere of the show was amazing. Calm, lovely and honest. The leads deal with their very own problems and lived their lives by the rules.Lee Jung In, the female lead, knows what she wants. Her happiness grounds in staying independent. That’s one reason why she dates the selfish bank employee Gi Seok. But when he’s interested to tie the knot after four years different views crash. The characterization of this relationship is very honest and brutally cold told. The motivations of each collide with their happy relationship. When Ji Ho enters the stage Jung In experiences for the first time deep emotions that make no sense at all. Her inner fight is worth seeing and reflects realistic behavior at his best.
Ji Ho is a single father in a conservative society. His role symbolized the tolerance in korean society. It was interesting to see the moral standards of Koreans and how they deal with strange problems. The whole portray of this society was exciting to watch and made me fall in love even more with the characters.
The family members of both symbolizes different point of views and have to deal with problems of their own that aren’t less interesting. I loved everyone besides her dad. He was annoying from the start.
Seeing every episode made me happy. Each one was worth 10 points. I wasn't Ever invested in a drama like this one. I also give rarely 10 points but this drama clearly deserves it. I can just recommend it and will watch it again...soon. It’s a delight!
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I had to wait a few months after this drama was completed to settle my feelings before I could write this. As with many fans I associated One Spring Night with Something In The Rain although the premise was different the overall style, chemistry and vibe was the same, which was to be expected. Although irrelevant I did enjoy SITR even when asked to suspend belief, I did it amicably and was still able to become enraptured in the show. This however was not the case with One Spring Night.
As the first few episodes progressed I was captured with the story and the acting was compelling. I can view each character's selfishness and empathize with them and mildly hate or love them. But then as the story progressed the premise started falling apart. My ability to suspend belief was sorely tested. By the end I hated the show and not in a good way. Knowing that this show was to improve upon the short comings that plagued Something In the Rain, I was sorely disappointed. The director and screen writers had not learned their lesson in my opinion.
The fault lay not with the acting but with the script. Following the story I was entranced by the complicated relationship bonds between the cast and the ultimate build up which lead to a big fat nothing. And that in essence is what destroyed the entire show for me. Ki Seok is a man spurned and felt his life wasted and lost, finds himself adrift and alone which is to be expected. He then threatens and harasses which is also to be expected. The story is accelerated to this epic climax of sorts where Ki Seok would have been pushed to his limit and has no choice but to retaliate in some form but is then crushed under the weight of some forced drama between the romantic couple, which was weak at best, and then fizzled into a lazy ending which left me so unsatisfied that I wanted to scream. To me this is the worst crime possible because the drama smacked of no effort rather than poor execution. Another pet peeve was the supposed manly stance of Ji Ho who postures a lot but ultimately does nothing. In fact no one does anything in the end. The show just ends.
While I did not want a kidnapping scene repeat, I was still expecting Ki Seok to commit an act that was horribly embarrassing where he would then have to hide in shame, on top of the fact his girlfriend left him for another man. Or I would have settled for Ji Ho defending his maiden's honour in some form.
The dissatisfaction I felt for this show was immense and I could not understand how others enjoyed it so when I equate watching One Spring Night with eating a cupcake but all the frosting and cherry fell off the top.
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I forced myself to watch this k-drama. OMG I am so sorry I did. It was the most aggravating show I have watched after SITR.
The music itself made me want to shoot the television; what kind of idiots came up with playing the same songs over and over and over again in a show? Seriously we don't want to hear the same song constantly; regardless of how good the song is. It kept reminding me of the "Stand by Your Man" song that played every chance they could play it in "Something in The Rain" AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
The dynamics between Ji-ho and Jeong-in were also terrible; it felt completely forced; there was ZERO chemistry between the two and they acted like infants; NEWS FLASH; they are adults, not children; they should act like that.
The funny thing was Jeong-in's mother, she was horrible in Something in The Rain but was the nice one in this series; the acting was exactly the same except that she played the nice parent instead of the psycho one.
The fathers of the two!!!! Seriously? How much are they going to be talking about forcing the two couples that are broken up to set a wedding date? Even in episode sixteen, they were at it, I mean seriously???? Such unrealistic stupidity that it was beyond comprehension.
If I sound angry during this review it's because the show was so bad that it made me angry. This was complete garbage.
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Frustrating, repetitious, drawn out, illogical
This is the most frustrating kdrama I’ve ever finished. Granted, I haven’t finished many, and I should have dropped this one too. However, the first couple of episodes were pretty decent, and after I got invested in the characters, I felt compelled to see how it played out. What a mistake and a waste of 18 hrs of my life.I don’t know what was worse, the music or the script. Both were relentlessly repetitive torture. The directing was bad too, unless stretching out a minimal plot to fill up the airtime is a skill.
Most of the acting was good though, except for a few key roles, like Ji-ho, who was wooden. But regardless of how good the actors were, the writer had them acting like total idiots. Jeong-in is supposed to be strong and decisive, but she was so frustratingly wishy washy, she brought all her troubles on herself. Why did she continue to lead Gi-seok on like some prick teaser, even accepting his engagement ring? And why is her human doormat of a sister Seo-in just letting her psycho husband and dad walk all over her while she keeps silent about her problems and insists on working it out herself just by talking with her psycho hubby every couple of episodes, even though it never ever gets anywhere? Isn’t she a glamorous celebrity who you’d think had some backbone and drive to get to her position? And why don’t Jeong-in and Ji-ho communicate better? They never tell each other when they’re meeting with Gi-seok or his dad or what happened.
Let me offer some advice to these characters. First, all 3 sisters need to tell their dad to shut the hell up and go fuck himself, since he’s clearly just a selfish clown who no one should take seriously. Then Seo-in needs to call the cops on her slimy hubby, maybe after paying some thugs to beat the shit out of him and sexually humiliate him. Of course, this is after flushing her fetus down the toilet just to see the reaction on her hubby’s face when she tells him that was his rape baby. (Why would she make it so much harder to divorce a monster by continuing to carry his baby to term?) And instead of resigning and refusing promotions, she should just ignore the gossips and stand proud as an abuse survivor who gives courage to others in her situation. And what the hell is the deal with Gi-seok’s dad? It seems like the show is trying to portray him as this shrewd, no-nonsense mastermind, but instead he just seems totally confused, not just to the audience but also to Gi-seok, Jeong-in, and her dad, who can’t figure him out because his behavior is so muddled. Ji-ho should just forget about his wishy washy adulteress who drives him crazy and just marry the person in the world who knows him and loves him best, his nuna at the pharmacy. If she’s too old for him, then that younger girl at the pharmacy would be fine too. As for Jeong-in, I have absolutely no idea what she’s thinking so I don’t know what’s best for her. Probably some guy totally different from anyone in the show. But I think Ji-ho is too damaged and priggish for a wish washy girl like Jeong-in for the long term.
Thank god for a few likeable and sane characters, like Jeong-in’s best friend and her younger sister and Ji-ho’s guy friends and pharmacy co-workers. Seriously, I wouldn’t mind watching a series all about Jeong-in’s co-worker friend, as long it had a different director, writer, and music staff. She would be a great catch for a sensible guy, like Ji-ho’s banker friend.
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At first, I couldn't get past the first few episodes, because of the slow-starting plot. Although, the plot was well written it kind of disappointed my expectations with what I thought it was going to be like. When you watch it, you mainly get a minimalist and calming feel from this series. I feel like it may have been too calming and slow for my liking, but I like the feeling that this series was going for.
I would say, even though it wasn't my kind of drama the acting was amazing. The cast all played their parts well. The soundtrack fits with a lot of scenes and was very captivating. Not really memorable to me, but the song choices were amazing. I definitely wouldn't rewatch it again, but I am happy to say I have seen it once.
I would recommend it to people who are more interested in slower plots and a calm feel with a minimalist touch to it. The chemistry is also amazing and I really love that aspect of it more than the drama itself.
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The couple had great chemistry. I ship them for real <3
The sisters’ relationship was phenomenal and made me miss my sister.
Strong female roles, especially FL. She spoke her mind, stood up for what she believed in and didn’t put up with anybody’s bs, including her own father’s.
Every character’s acting was on point! The dialogue was written so naturally and all of the actors delivered.
I loved the little kid. In fact, I wish there was more “family” scenes because it was just so heartwarming.
I am sad it had to end and I can’t imagine finding another drama as sweet as this drama was. I seriously looked forward to every episode!
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