this is one of my new favorite dramas.

the story:
i absolutely loved both the plot itself and how it was presented. i think it portrays relationships (romantic, platonic, and self) in a more accurate way than some other dramas may. of course, it is still a drama, so some things aren't realistic, but that's part of the suspended disbelief: believing something is true even if it may seem impossible. we saw how being friends with your ex isn't some easy thing to do--it's difficult, especially when feelings are involved and you don't know what feelings they are. we saw how getting over a crush is difficult and how it's hard to control your feelings--but it's not your fault. we saw how mending broken relationships with parents is hard and sometimes you can't forgive. we saw how hard it can be to address your own feelings and experiences of guilt, abandonment, and loneliness/emptiness.
i really liked how the characters were able to narrate their thoughts in a natural way. it added a layer of depth to help understand their motivations. and even though sometimes i was screaming for them to just communicate!!!, i understood their reluctance.
the characters were amazing! i loved how three-dimensional they were and how different aspects of their lives were explored: romance, family, friends, career, and general self-improvement. like a normal person, they have various stories in their lives, and i liked how we got to see a bit into the side characters' lives as well.
there are really only 2 minor things that i didn't like: the use of fate/coincidences and the slightly rushed ending. the fact that ung happened to drop his phone the night yeonsu was talking about her difficulties and the fact that they lived in the same area but never saw each other for 5 years are among the plot points that bothered me a little bit. once again, bringing it back to suspended disbelief. also, there were a few stories that i wish they spent more time wrapping up: choi ung talking to his biological father (maybe just showing the scene?), chae ran and ji ung's relationship, sol-i and eun-ho's relationship, and the wedding scene why didn't we get that :(((( i know it's a lot to put in one episode, but i wish we could've seen it. at least we got a bit of married life <3

acting/cast:
i would like to hug the casting director and give them my warmest thanks for their work. literally everyone was casted so perfectly. i cannot imagine anyone else as yeonsu, ung, ji-ung, NJ, sol-i, eun-ho, chae ran, and everyone else.
wooshik's acting never fails to disappoint. the way his seemingly blank or sad expressions convey a much deeper level of feeling always gets to me. same with dami. you can see her thinking, and then it hits you. the actors all put on such emotional performances (with the exception of our comedic relief, eun-ho and sol-i, of course). i wish they had been given some "real" storylines, not just comedy and a supporting role. i know it's hard to develop so many characters, so i think the story was good with the time frame and those two actors did great with what they had. i hope to see them in future lead roles! i have to give a shout out to my personal favorite, jeon hye won (chae ran). obviously her character was more background here, but i think with a bigger role, i see her acting being amazing and i'd love to see more of her as well.

music:
the soundtrack is really lovely as well. the songs are so good and the way they're inserted into the tv show is just *chef's kiss*. also, it's so stacked! we got BIBI, V, and Sam Kim! plus OST icons 10cm and Janet Suhh!

final thoughts:
i am a sucker for tropes, i'll admit that. but i have standards hehe. and i think OBS took those tropes (enemies to lovers, ex lovers to lovers, etc.) and made them their own. they made it refreshing, lovely, wholesome, better, and all around amazing. these characters felt so real. i feel like i learned more about life, not just romance, watching this drama. and that's why i love it.