May Memories

Somehow, May has become such a memorable kdrama month for me. There is something that I instantly love, or something that becomes very memorable for me.

I'm not sure if it has to do with spring's end, as for me, it usually meant summer vacation or an end to something. It also became a very hard time for me, so maybe that's why the dramas here became a thing that I keep close to my heart.

Tell me your stories about the dramas you have watched in May!

Synopsis: In May 1980, during the turbulent times of the Gwangju Uprising, Hee Tae and Myung Hee fall in love. Their love seems destined by fate. Hee Tae is a medical student who entered medical school at the top of his class. He looks like an easygoing person, but he also has an unyielding spirit and obstinacy. Myung Hee has worked as a nurse for the past 3 years. She is a lovely person who stands up against what is not fair. (Asianwiki)

Before watching the drama, I knew a little about the uprising from the film A Taxi Driver, and I had read a little about it. I expected my heart to hurt for the people who were hurt during the time, but I didn't expect a drama to destroy me.

The chemistry between the leads was amazing, and the way it was written. The characters were funny and real, and went with the trope of a friend going on a date instead of another to ruin it.

Apart from the characters, the history of the uprising was shown very interestingly. You could connect with the people fighting for freedom and easily understand the cause, especially knowing that the Gwangju Uprising happened not that long ago.

The drama keeps lingering in my head, especially in May, mostly because of the ending. If I could rewind that May and do something different for them...

Synopsis: Set in Sanpo village, where more people leave than remain, the three Yeom siblings, Chang Hee, Mi Jung and Ki Jung, wish to escape from a life rife with uncertainty. A mysterious man, Mr. Goo, moves into their neighbourhood. He is a drunkard with the looks of someone with many burdens and secrets. His cautious personality and preference for keeping to himself make him the subject of gossip. Mi Jung, the youngest and most timid Yeom sibling, decides to approach him. (Mydramalist)

I'm not the one to watch slow dramas, I wasn't even a fan of My Mister. I could understand why people like it, but it never really talked to me the way My Liberation Notes did.

This was the drama that I watched during a hard time in my life. After a long day at work and university, this was something to keep me going. I could relate to Mi Jung; her words felt like something that I wanted to say.

That is how I fell in love with the drama. It was my consolation when I needed it the most.

Mi Jung was not the only relatable person in the drama, other siblings got their own great stories and quotes that I still keep in mind.

What I enjoyed seeing the most was the hope; the little things that the world does change if you slowly move towards something. Maybe I have to rewatch it again to get back the same hope and finally do things that would make me happier.

I know there are similar dramas to this, but nobody felt as real as this one.

Synopsis: Park Ha Gyeong teaches Korean literature at a high school. To escape her ordinary days, she decided to take one-day trips on Saturdays. During her trip, she walks around, eats different foods, and meets various people. She realises she receives comfort and empathy through her travels. (Mydramalist)

Compared to the other dramas on the list, this is a short one. It is only 8 episodes and 25 minutes long, but it still made a strong impression on me.

This was about searching for happiness and adventure in small things. Kind of the same topic as My Liberation Notes, where the characters go out of their comfort zone.

Before this, I imagined travelling as something a bit grander. Something that you have to take holidays for, but it showed me that a weekend getaway can also be something calming and still bring something new to experience.

I still haven't come around to doing that by myself, but I do try to travel and see new things as much as possible. You need more energy for that than I have, lol.

Synopsis: Ruy Seon Jae is a top star who has been in the spotlight since his debut. His life seems perfect, but being in the entertainment industry has completely worn him out. Meanwhile, Lim Sol is his adoring fan. When she was younger, she had an accident. Due to that, she gave up on her dream, but listening to Rye Seon Jae's song on the radio gave her comfort. One day, Lim Sol hears breaking news that Seon Jae has ended his own life. She feels deep sadness over the tragic news. Miraculously, she somehow travels back in time, where she faces her bias, who is still in high school. (Asianwiki)

This was last year's sensation drama that broke everyone's expectations and became a fan favourite. In this case, I'm no different.

I was even surprised by my own obsession with this drama, the way I wanted to see all episodes at once and engage with the fandom. I felt like a young fangirl again, full of energy to do nothing but scream how amazing it is.

Even after a year has passed, the drama is still in my mind constantly: whenever I see Byeon Woo Seok or when Kim Hye Yoon pops up on my timeline.

This has become my comfort drama, where nothing else seems to work, or when I'm sick. I can turn it on and experience everything again. If you know me a little bit, it was always W: Two Worlds that was the IT drama for me, so it was a surprise that something could finally match it.