Na Direção do Amor (2020)

I enjoyed every episode!

I enjoyed this drama. It was different - slow, yet captivating. I found myself looking forward to the next episode, just to see how it will play out. It spoke a lot to me, portraying what happens in our societies nowadays. Love does not have to follow the usual norm, where the man has to be older or with a better job, love after-all conquers all.

I loved the chemistry between Seo Dan Ah and Lee Young Hwa. I felt their chemistry and I'm happy they had a happy ending. Oh Mi Joo never disappoints and it's my first time watching Ki Seon Gyeom acting (well, my first time seeing him actually ;) and I loved how he was able to play his role. It looked really hard and he pulled it off really well. Oh, and I loved Kwon Young Il.

I never knew I was a sucker for slow moving dramas with no second lead syndrome or jealous ladies. I enjoyed this one people and I would recommend it to everyone who needs a break from the usual.

I had a good run, thank you!

Leia Mais

Slice of life type of drama, no major conflicts, less frustrating, but lacking & average story

I wouldn't say this drama has anything major to spoil since there really isn't much to this story to begin with. It’s only a watch for people who can tolerate slow-paced dramas with a story line about people's daily lives and their journey. For me, I was hooked in the first four episodes. Then, it started to slow down and get boring for me. Then, the drama started to pick up near the end and get interesting.

The story has no major conflicts either. There's minor conflicts such as relationship issues for the couples in the drama and that doesn't take long to solve for them. That's one of the good parts of the drama. You don't have to watch a couple in despair because of major misunderstandings between them. Although I do feel that some of the minor conflicts they showed for the main couple was quite childish sometimes for their age depicted.

Like most dramas, this one is also full of cliches such as:
- Poor person/rich person pair up for both main couple and secondary couple. One of the hardships that one of the couples faced, (as usual) came from the rich person’s family being opposed to the relationship.
- Parents trying to control their children’s lives, thinking of their kids as tools.
There’s more clichés, but these two were the most prominent.
I don’t mind clichés as much but here it bothered me because I was hoping to see the “Strong Female Lead” to make up for it.
The FL Oh Mijoo was developed poorly to be considered a strong female lead. We’re shown how she can be bold and say what is on her mind with no fear, but then the next second she backs down and starts apologizing when she should’ve handle it differently to not look so pathetic. I think her character would’ve had more impact if they showed her background earlier in the drama. We were just told her background without any impactful clips of her rough childhood/background that would help us with her character. If they had included the clips of her past that they showed in the last 2-3 episodes, I would’ve probably understood her character better instead of judging it based off my own assumptions with the little information we were given about her background as development for her character.
There is still a promising strong female lead which is Dan ah’s character. Some didn’t like her character, but I liked it.
For main characters, I would say I liked Seongyeom and Dan Ah’s characters the most. They were intriguing characters and their personalities were not so simple.

What I didn't like was how they tried to throw in random conflicts in the story and not properly flesh out some characters.
Main example:
They randomly throw in LGBTQ as an issue for side characters but don’t focus on them because they aren’t the main characters nor do they tackle the issue properly either. It takes near the last few episodes for them to give subtle hints about one of the characters being a part of the LGBTQ community. What that character was experiencing (and what hardships they had in society) was never went into depth with/ wasn't shown. I rather them not even include this issue since they didn’t want to address it in depth or properly tackle it. It almost seems like they’re using LGBTQ just to look good.

Romance aspect of drama- I'm probably part of the minority who thinks the secondary couple was better than the main couple. I felt the chemistry was lacking for the main couple. It didn’t even look like they had feelings for each other till near the end. The development of the secondary couple kept my interest and I wished they had more scenes.

Acting- I think they all did a decent job. I wasn't a fan of SSK's acting in her previous dramas. This role does suit her a bit better.

With most of these negative points, why rate it 7.5? There were still good scenes in the drama that I liked. Some of them were quite inspirational. And as I stated before I liked some characters.

Leia Mais

A realistic, heartwarming story with SO MUCH LGBTQ+ REPRESENTATION

This drama is a very fulfilling drama to watch. It keeps realism at its heart but doesn't forget the aspects of escape which people turn to TV for. I found that because of this, sometimes the show lacked plot and felt a bit slow at times, but for the most part, it keeps to a steady pace. Nothing moves too quickly or too slowly, everything feels very natural.

My favourite part of the show is the characters and their relationships. Every character is fleshed out, with their own motifs and goals. The relationships also felt very real, especially the relationship between Seon-gyeom and Mi-joo.
As for the secondary couple, I loved them. I think they contain more of the 'TV coincidental magic' that brings them together, but they're still realistic and fun to watch.

One of the main reasons I enjoyed this show so much is the LGBTQ+ representation and the fact that it's not a huge deal. No-one's entire personality is based on their gayness, they're treated like human beings.

I highly recommend this show to someone who wants a slow but steady drama to watch. However, I will warn you, this is not a binge-worthy show.

Leia Mais

I regret everything

I was enjoying this drama so much when I first started watching because I loved Ki Seong Gyeom’s eccentric personality and Oh Mi Joo’s strange love for fake guns. Sadly, I quickly realized that the drama had very little to offer in terms of plot or interesting characters. Ki Seong Gyeom’s personality soon became quite stale, I found myself getting more and more frustrated with the characters, and I couldn’t see a way that the writers could turn the drama around even at the very end. I pretty much had to watch this drama at 1.5 times speed for the last few episodes so I could just get it over with and move on to something more interesting. If you’re considering watching this drama, keep in mind these few points: The plot is stale as hell. I tried to figure out what the heck happened during this entire drama, and I couldn’t really come up with anything at all. The plot just doesn’t move. Nothing… happens? Like, at all? Don’t get me wrong, I love a drama where character personalities are explored in-depth and relationships blossom very slowly over the course of several episodes, but in order for that to happen, the characters have to actually be interesting. The impact of side characters was essentially nonexistent, and I was very bored with the rest of the characters super quickly. Oh Mi Joo, especially, started driving me crazy after a while. I couldn’t figure out why until I realized that she talks to everyone like they are a child. It’s almost like she wants to be the “mom friend” and always likes to lecture others. The only character I found even remotely interesting was Seo Dan Ah, and that’s probably because she’s a rude, cynical bitch just like me. I could really relate to her, and, although she mostly stayed the same throughout the entire drama, I could feel a small change in the way she treats others. The next part that drove me up the wall is the dialogue. I am by no means a poetic person - quite the opposite actually. I am about as to-the-point as they come, and hearing these characters (I’m looking at you, Oh Mi Joo!) talk about for AGES how their translations carry some sort of deep, hidden meaning, or about how they have a spiritual connection to a painting or a hobby that they pursue is just the most cringe thing in the entire world. I didn’t notice this until later, but once it was brought to my attention, I couldn’t stop noticing it everywhere. All in all, unless you don’t mind a plotless snoozefest with the most flat characters in the history of Korean dramas, maybe just skip this drama despite the ridiculously high ratings it has.

Leia Mais

My issue with the drama was that I could not at all, connect with the heroine. I don’t know if it was the way she was written or the way the character was acted out, but she felt very emotionless and stiff. Am I going to piss off anyone by saying I kind of hated the heroines acting?)
I did not understand the heroines motivations most of the times.

The plot tried to be central to the storyline but more often then not it was pushed to the side making this an unfortunately average watch. There are some series for which 16/32 episodes is just too much, and this was one of them. Things were too stretched out, and there was not a whole lot happening because it was just too long. 10 or 12 episodes would have been better for Run On.

Leia Mais

Anti-climatic

I could not wait to watch this, as I love im siwan as an actor, and him finally in a romance drama was a dream come true for his comeback. This drama started so strong, it gave me butterflies and felt fresh, but... it went nowhere. I actually have no idea why anyone would recommend this drama unless you're planning to watch it in the background while doing something else. but that's just my opinion. And actually, i am the type that loves very simple slice-of-life dramas that have very obvious plotlines but this drama was missing something for me, and it just lacked charm. I honestly binged this because i was trying to get to the climax and... I was just extremely disappointed.

1. I don't understand what this drama is about after watching it. it's all over the place, did they really need 16 episodes for what happened (or did not happen) in the drama? Im sorry but the two leads love story was too plain and boring for the drama to revolve around it. They tried to make it seem different but it was very bland to me.

2. The second leads love story is the worst I've seen in drama history. I have no idea why they ended up liking each other, and the drama does not even give you any straws to grab onto to make up a reason why they love each other so passionately. I don't understand, did they even have one conversation with each other where they're not being rude or arguing? its not 2009 this doesn't cut it anymore.

In conclusion, there was potential. The acting was all amazing, very natural and plotline was unique, but they did nothing with it. I wish the drama was about the guy who was being bullied, that would have been 100x more interesting because I was way more interested in seeing his happy ending than anyone else's, but they did not give that plotline enough attention. This drama was a waste of my time. Also, i know Im Siwan is pretty no matter what but did the makeup artist have to put that much foundation on his face? lmaoo

Leia Mais

A decent story with great acting

First the good stuff:
The two main couples are fun to watch. they are the main reason I kept watching. They have great chemistry together. The main couple shows a pretty realistic type relationship while the 2nd lead couples are an unusual twist on a noona romance. The story is well put together and I like how the character's storylines are intermixed. The intertwined stories make it more fun to watch the side characters. I was especially interested in Woo-Shik's story and loved how they showed him working hard to get back to the sport he loved. I wish he had been shown even a bit more. In fact any time the ML, Woo-Shik and the other 1st place runner friend were together was great fun to watch and I wish it had happened more. I also wish the 2nd FL's younger brother had been a bigger part of the story. He was the character for which I felt the most sympathy.

The Other Stuff:
1st: I absolutely hated the way the younger brother of the FL was treated by both of his siblings. It was horrible and uncalled for no matter the reason. The older brother was awful so I already didn't like his character, but I was bothered by the way it tainted the way I looked at the 2nd FL and made it hard for me to fully root for her.

2nd: There is a swearing streak of F words in episode 9 that was just uncalled for and was especially annoying considering the fact that the FL is a translator and should have a better range of vocabulary than to stoop to such a thing. She was better than the Cinematographer (who seemed like a jerk) until that moment, but her foul words made her no better than him.

3rd: The Break. The reasoning for the break is dumb and could have easily been done without.

4th: The "movie scenes". To be honest, I fast forward through most of these. I just found them totally annoying.

5th: The Dads. Seriously...something is wrong with them. Also, The ML's Dad is supposed to be a Christian, but shows the most un Christlike behavior all the time. As a Christian, it offends me no end.

Overall, I liked the drama, but there were several things I wish had been different.

Leia Mais

The Main Romance Could Have Been Better--Mini Analysis

Note: If you would rather skip the essay—my overall summary and conclusion is at the end. :D

This drama is wonderful and beautiful. There are so many great things this production team did in creating this show that I wish I could go into all of it; however when something this good graces us with its presence, the problems are impossible to ignore. Anyone can and should be talking about how well done this show is, but there was one main problem that I want to review because it affected my view of the show so much.

The romance.

Now, I just want to give a slow clap for the second couple's performance and story as being the first time I enjoyed theirs more than the main. Their chemistry and development was fire and ice and tears and respect. I loved every moment of them.

But the main couple.

I loved how their connection was approached with the way the FL has always tended to run away from things and how the ML likes to face things head on (which is done subtly and well). They have a cute story of learning about each other's interests, but we don't really get to go deep into it where they really learn about each other as much. Instead, they learn about themselves which is also commendable but still kind of confusing when they have a romantic relationship...?

Many people have already voiced their opinions about the ML's stiff acting/character which is certainly validated. He is the type of character whom I really struggled to connect with for the first several episodes. It wasn't until around episode 7, maybe, that he began to grow on me more. How I took this was that the ML actor seems to fall into his character's head space more as the show progresses. By the end, he doesn't feel as stiff and socially awkward as everyone was confused about in the beginning. Except with the FL.

This really affects the chemistry and overall romance between him and the FL. Both characters are rather closed off which is not only a writing problem but also a directing and acting problem. No need to blame anyone--it's just how it happened. The characters never really communicate well throughout which makes all of their scenes feel like a first, awkward date. This makes them seem innocent and sweet which I can see being appealing (and I think that ends up being the intended perspective the director went for), but something about the FL rubbed me wrong the entirety of the show.

She seems to be the type of person who is interested in him more as one might be interested in a pretty vase (@MyLoveFromTheStar). We as the audience are also interested in him because he is a unique character, but to me this never really feels like love as she doesn't support him the way he is literally supporting everyone else on the show.

Mostly the problem I had with her was the same one I had when I first watched her performance on "Rookie Historian." I felt Shin Se Kyung and Cha Eun Woo had more of a sibling relationship which I summed up to them being about 10 years apart and didn't think much of it until now. Even at around the same age, Se Kyung as the FL felt somewhat condescending towards Syeon Gyeom as she treats him like a child. Which I suppose I can see, but she does it so much that it is rather off putting.

CONCLUSION

I have more in my analysis of this relationship that I could go into (I'm ridiculous), but basically I felt as though the main romance suffered in awkwardness and slow pacing; for the first several episodes, there is little progression in the show. I think it could easily have even been cut down to 12 episodes. The way sexuality and real life jobs, and just real life in general is dealt with is done beautifully. As a film major, I certainly got excited with the references and little things that are just a part of my world.

However, it's missing some of that spark to make it more entertaining which I've put a lot of weight on the main romance as it's a foundational piece of the show. Aside from the difficulty to engage with the show, it is certainly worth the watch. Not a binge watch for me, but still worth seeing.

My music rating always includes overall sound as well, and then my rewatch rating is always my entertainment rating instead. As always, so much work clearly went into this project, and I am so grateful that I got to see it! Cheers!

Leia Mais

Final thoughts on Run On: They did a lot of stuff well. It was simple and had some heartwarming moments. They touched on a lot of topics or issues that are important, and I liked that, but by the end of the show I'm not sure they fully handled most of those issues. I liked that they had characters meet random other people from their lives that never came back in - it gave a sense that they have lives outside of the events we're seeing.

However, there were some supporting characters that felt forgotten that weren't meant to be. Like the gay character's coming out. We could tell he was throughout so him coming out was a given to happen, but then the outing scene was oddly sudden and out of place and then never really covered ever again. It's like he was forgotten once he came out. And I didn't like the fact that there was an asexual character who, at the very end, met the 'right guy' and suddenly wasn't asexual anymore. Like, they could've handled that better. Said something like, she's still asexual but she loves him romantically, or that their relationship had nothing to do with sex, or something. I did like that the second female lead apologized to the actually gay character on the show for the fact that she'd used the lie that she was a lesbian to keep her family from forcing marriage on her when people who were actually gay really struggled with it.

I also wish there had been more development of the second couple, because the second female lead didn't change enough for me to honestly think their relationship is going to go well. She still needs to learn empathy. I would've liked a scene where she blatantly does something for someone else's benefit, where she was scene to understand their emotional state and respond appropriately. A scene that didn't involve her love interest.

Oh, and I adored the second female lead's little brother. More of him, please. I love him. He's so cute.

But over all, I did enjoy the show. I liked the development in the male lead, and I loved his mom's final mic drop moment with dad. And I LOVED every scene with the male lead and his running buddies. I would watch a whole series just of them and their antics and him being an agent with one hype man and one guy who roasts him all the time.

I wish we'd heard more of the backstory between the female lead and her roommate/boss/friend, because their relationship was also good. We got flashbacks of a few moments in the lead's lives, and I wish one of them had been about a time earlier in these two's relationship.

Oh yeah, and near the end of the show - and in the final montage of 'what happened after' - we're shown scenes that are meant to make us feel bad for the male lead's dad. Sorry. No. No pity for that man. No forgiveness. He did nothing to earn it and so he shall not receive it.

Leia Mais

A romance grounded in reality

Run On is a story that perfectly depicts the process of getting to know and fall in love with somebody, without the exaggerated "drama" that typically defines the genre. There's no love triangle; there's no saving the girl from attempted murder; there's no ridiculous breakup and get get back together; there's no ridiculous success story, no fairy-tale. You get the gist.

What this show truly gets right, is the little details, and it all starts with the initial awkwardness - you know, those moments of silence where both people are enjoying one another's company but have no idea what to say next - and the actors really capture the emotions and facial expressions of those instances against a backdrop of beautiful cinematography. The making excuses to see one another, the learning from one another, making food for one another, the fumbling around going for the first hand holding, the first hug, the first kiss. All of these little scenes are cute, awkward, uncomfortable yet comfortable. Acted perfectly.

It's dialog heavy, but touches on patriarchy, feminism and learning to love oneself, ultimately a far more mature approach to relationships than I've seen in any other kdrama. If you're fed up with clichés, I implore you to watch this.

Leia Mais

can running get tiring?

I picked up this drama really quickly and immediately thought it was interesting. The main point that caught my interest was Ms.Oh's job, since it isn't really a job we usually think about or truly appreciate. It showed me and other viewers the importance of subtitling and strain it can cause the writers. Other than the interesting jobs, there were many downsides for me, which is why I only gave it an 8. The issue for me is that I liked the other couples way better than the main couple. Personally, I think that that isn't a problem, but in this drama the interactions between the main couple were frequent even though they were awkward. It was cute at first, but then at some point it made me feel uncomfortable. Another issue for me is that the story got too predictable near the end. Nothing came as a surprise and the drama/story got slightly boring. Of course it wasn't to the point of dropping the drama, but it took a toll on my interest for sure. In other words, the beginning of this drama had the best parts.

It wouldn't be the first Kdrama I'd recommend to my friends, but I would recommend it eventually.

Leia Mais

To watch or not to watch?

I just finished watching this drama, and I am in a really good mood right now, because the ending was as fulfilling as an ending possibly can be!

Let's start with the good aspects of the drama that I really enjoyed.
First of all, healthy relationships.
If you are looking for a show where the relationship between main leads aren't driven by misunderstandings and lack of communication skills, this is the one. I was honestly, really impressed by how the growth of the connection between main characters was so natural, anything wasn't rushed and it just seemed like the characters were making the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones.

Speaking of the characters, it's a really big plus for this drama. For me 50% of the show's success it's the cast, and here it is just brilliant! I could not imagine anyone else portraying ML so great in the context of this drama. If you are a regular drama watcher you also will be pleasantly surprised with a couple of surprising cameos here and there :)

To be blatantly honest, I gave this drama a 7, because even though it had great potential with its cast and the characters, the story wasn't anything revolutionary at all. Same old cliches we love and respect, same old scenarios and situations. The only positive difference, as I've already mentioned earlier, is the fact that even if "rich chairman-dad of the main character wants our female lead to break up with his son" situation feels like beating a dead horse, the way every character reacts to it feels new and refreshing, due to their logically tied actions and good motivations.

Overall: it's a nice drama to watch without thinking too much, maybe don't even binge it, just watch an episode or two when the boredom will get to you :) Get's a bit boring in the middle, but if you will get through it the drama will reward you with a lovely, warm, and satisfactory ending!

Leia Mais