“Seasons of Blossom” caught me by surprise as I didn’t really read the synopsis closely and thought it was just another high school drama. But this surprise is a good one. This drama has one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking high school romances I’ve seen from South Korea.

Past - Ha Min + So Mang
I LOVE their story SOOO much. I have no complaint at all! Ok, my biggest complaint is that not enough time is dedicated to these two lonely souls. I wish the whole drama was about them. But I understand we need to tie their story to the present-day timeline as well. I really enjoy following their friendship that develops quietly in the art classroom. From two lonely strangers to soulmates, their story makes me smile and cry (and I cried a lot). Sadly, what Ha Min went through seems to be quite common in South Korea. Seo Ji Hoon (as Ha Min) and So Ju Yeon (as So Mang) deliver such an amazing acting performance with great chemistry. I love their innocence, their bickering sassiness and their painful times together. I was so touched by their story that it pains me to binge this all the way through. I had to force myself to take a break because my heart can’t take it anymore. I’m so glad to see them closing out this beautiful drama in the end.

Present - Jae Min + Bo Mi + Jin Young + Sun Hee
Unfortunately, I do not have such high praise for these teenagers. I had a hard time getting into their friendship/love problems in the first few episodes. It all seems so childish compared to the other storyline. I think if this is an independent plot of another drama, I might have lowered my expectations and like it more. I didn’t start getting into it until Bo Mi and Jin Young start to interact with each other more. I can tolerate the simple friendship/romance if the acting is better. Kim Min Kyu (as Bo Mi) and Kang Hye Won (as Jae Min) make a pretty couple visually, but their acting is so bland. Kang Hye Won consistently has an emotionless look on her pretty face. It was hard to watch towards the last few episodes. Kim Min Kyu isn’t that much better. Yoon Hyun Soo (as Jin Young) is better but the best of the quartet is Oh Yu Jin (as Sun Hee). The latter two do have more acting experience and it definitely shows.

Past and Present - Healing
The regrets and uncertainties are hard to watch. Not because it was written poorly, but because it was written so realistically that I can’t stop crying whenever So Mang’s voice comes on and she’s sharing her side of the story and her regrets. The What-Ifs are going to kill that guilty conscience - the missed phone call, the deleted text, words said that couldn’t be taken back. The guilt eats you and destroys your heart and ruins your life. We can clearly see that manifested in a few of the characters here.


Despite not liking the present-day high school students' stories much, I still recommend this drama. It’s worth just watching Ha Min + So Mang, and the healing of those left in this world living with regrets.


Completed: 9/9/2024 - Review #483