Winter Sonata (2002)

An impressively touching love story. Performed with passion. However, It´s makjang. Be prepared.

The biggest impetus for the KWave came from "Winter Sonata" - this KDrama is almost a blockbuster among KDramas. Its success was enormous. The series sparked its own fan tourism to filming locations on Nami Island, Geojie Island and Chuncheon that continues to this day. The soundtrack also wrote history. In the meantime there is an anime version of the story, a musical production as well as a manga and a Playtstation version...

The love story is told in an impressively touching way and performed with passion. In beautiful pictures and with plenty of dramatic twists. The chemistry between the two main actors is perfectly tuned. Bae Yong Joon even shines in two roles at the same time.

However. It is makjang! Twists and turns awaiting around each and every corner. Be prepared for sorrow. You might get angry more than once. The protagonist´s can get on your nerves. For sure. Don´t complain. I told you. It is truely astonishing that still (if you are ready to sympathize to some extent) you will ´enjoy´ the show. ... whereas ´joy´ might not exactly hit the spot... :-)

In case you are not aware (as I wasn´t at first):
Since the story begins in the youth of the main characters, you also get an impression of the Korean lifestyle and everyday life in the late 1980s and 1990s, with true ´democracy´ in South Korea still being in diapers and a conservative, strict, authoritarian aura dominating everyday life. When I saw the series for the first time, I didn´t know much about the political and social conditions. Plus from my German background those morals, values and virtues all seemed old fashioned and in my life rather outdated - it reminded me more of the world of the old black and white movies of the 1930s and 40s: hierarchies and manners, the decisions of the protagonists, the prevailing moral concepts, all of which I - today, far away in Germany - could only shake my head at. Now, as I have learned more about South Korean culture, I know better, where this is coming from... Sympathy and compassion are thus enhanced.

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Winter Sonata is a beautiful, nostalgic and addictive romantic melodrama.
The first few episodes are really adorable, love the characters of both the leads, I like them both as actors.
Then from the middle to the end (even though its still beautiful) the story drags a lot. The pace is really really slow and situations repeat themselves one way or the other to the point that you have to ff to get on with it.
But for anyone who likes a romantic melodrama, this is not to be missed. I have already watched it twice and probably will next time too when I need to watch a sad and romantic story with a nice ending.
Mind you all the cliches are there, the dreaded love triangle, terminal illness, birth secrets and many more. But still its a beautiful watch.

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What can I say about this drama?! It's beautiful, utterly romantic, wonderfully filmed, with amazing actors, and a soundtrack to weep over. On the other hand, it's painfully slow-paced, frustrating, and epically long (20 episodes is long for a plot like this one).

What to do.. watch it? or not? If you're taking the "Endless Love Watch All Challenge," then yes. The good news: This is THE most famous of the series, and arguably the best of the four. The bad news is: it's arguably the best of the four.

As a stand alone drama, however, I would actually hazard an opinion that Winter Sonata is a must watch for anyone. Yes it's melodramatic, yes it's a bit plodding. But it does have its own unique charm that is so endearing, and draws its viewer into caring for the characters whether you wanted to or not, so much that I stuck with it to the end, with a bit of help...from the fast-forward button... Just, fast forward every 30-45 seconds for quicker drama flow. You won't miss anything, and it still feels like you watched every moment.

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It is hard to imagine being a fan of Korean Drama without having at least 'heard' of Winter Sonata, and the gigantic reputation it has recieved internationally.

Whilst not a hugely influential in terms of scripting, storyline and direction; subsequent Korean superstars: Bae Yong-Jun & Choi Ji-Woo pull off their characterisation masterfully, allowing the audience to connect emotionally with the two fantastic leads in this entertaining and occasionally heartbreaking romantic melodrama.

Anyone interested in the phenomenon of 'hallyu' should take the time to watch Winter Sonata. This drama is considered to be a defining moment, bringing a brand new audience to korean television and thus instigating a new epoch in the Korean wave.

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I’ve been deliberating with myself if I should or should not add this up in the list of my recommendation/review because 1st, I’m not much of a Bae Yong Jun or Choi Ji Woo fan, 2nd the drama didn’t really leave me any lasting impressions. Then it dawned on me that I will be covering all three series of Endless Love then leave this alone for good? That’s unfair. So despite my inner retaliation, I will recommend this for the sake of completing the whole Endless Love Installment and maybe someone out there is into this kind of heavy melodrama and would get to appreciate it more than I did.

Winter Sonata is the 2nd installment of Endless Love series, it is also far away from being Rom-Com. The drama is all about romance, spice of life and deep conflicts not just within the characters but their roots. Meaning their family, where all conflicts usually starts in this kind of setting. The main characters meet and fall in love during their high school until one day, they were separated for vague reasons. After 10 years, they meet again in an engagement party in which one of them are getting engaged.

The actor’s portrayal of their character is really amazing if you judge how much their caliber on acting is. The emotions on each role was poured out on scenes and even those melancholic-angsty moment would move you against your own volition. (It did mine and I wasn’t really expecting that) I remember my mom tearfully pointing at me for making her watch another mellow drama and making her cry out once again. (I made her watch Autumn in my Heart, the first melodrama she’s seen and she’s the one who insisted on watching Winter Sonata. NOT ME.)

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This was one of my first korean dramas I was introduced, the first being Autumn in My Heart. I remember when it first came out and how I would watch it with the family trying to stay up marathoning through the episodes. And years later and with many other korean dramas under my belt later, I can say this is quintessentially the essence of a classic korean drama. Amnesia, birth secrets, car accidents, unrequited love, childhood lovers, tragedy: all of these elements seen in today's korean dramas are all found in this one.

What for me made this drama so great was how visually beautiful it was. A tale of an eternal love in the backdrop of winter, everything was visually stunning. Obviously korean dramas today are almost all visually stunning but this drama was made a decade before.

Looking back at it now, I don't think this drama is the best written out there. It's definitely flawed as most melodramas are. But, I would still recommend this to anyone who want to watch a classic korean drama that led the beginning of the hallyu wave.

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Yes, many people say this drama is cliche and overrated. I disagree on both counts. This was one of the first dramas I ever watched. Considering how this came out 13 years ago, this was one of the first dramas that introduced me to dramaland. Although it includes amnesia, which is super cliche now, this drama's strengths are mainly the cast and the beautiful scenery. Honestly, I really like the reunited love storylines and this is the drama that set me on the path to continue to love to watch dramas with reunited love couples. I watched this drama 3 times and every time I get super teary eyed.

The cast is amazing. Like many people, I love Bae Yong Jun. His acting was just spot on. Seriously, this drama was so angsty! Be prepared with tissues when watching this! All the actors portrayed their parts very well but of course I loved the OTP the most. Their high schools scenes were completely adorable with breathtaking winter scenery in the background complemented with lovely songs that made me feel like I was right there with them. Their little actions/gestures are so romantic and touching. Even after they are adults, their scenes continue to be captivating to watch. I lived with them in every scene.

I fell in love with the music, especially "From the Beginning Until Now", "My Memory", and "Only You". The soundtrack was really touching and fitting for the scenes.

I completely recommend this drama. It's definitely a classic. Don't be turned off by the drama because it doesn't have HD quality since it's relatively old. Like Autumn's Concerto (t-drama), this is a classic (but k-drama) so it's seriously a must watch! (10/9)

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I watched all the drama in one shot. Did not sleep, but finished watching it around 3 in the morning. This drama was so beautiful, and moving it left a spot in my heart. Bae Yong Jun acting was lovely. He is a handsome man, even now being in his 40s. I got so sad that Park Yong Ha committed suicide in 2010 - such a talent gone. The plot of the story thickens as the episodes go by. The music is spectacular in this drama. It complements the plot that is also great.
I think this drama is one to be remembered. I wanted to cry so many times, but did not until the end. In the last 2 minutes of the show (end of it) I cried crocodile tears.... I also rewatched the last scene many times.
Watching this drama made me very sad, yet satisfied too. How love conquers all even during the hardest times and destiny playing a huge role in it makes this drama one of my favorite to watch.
I want to rewatch it, but i'm afraid, if I do.... I would cry all the time during it. I might be not ready for it as this kdrama is so beautifully composed. No wonder, Winter Sonata is loved by so many..... I totally agree... If you are ready for a sad and breathtaking story, this one should not be neglected.
(watch it on dramafever or Yidio)

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If you want to watch a sweet love story with more twist and turns than your favorite roller coaster, this one is it. I have added this to my list of shows to watch over and over again. I started watching it and only stopped for necessities.

Hearts intertwined in love, two people facing challenges that would end most relationships. Misunderstandings, outright lies, and manipulation reigned, but with all that, the very believable love story held true.

This is a must see story! I could only give it a 10, but I would have given it a higher rating if it was possible. It made me think, made me want to make a similar love story....it made a sweet and lasting impression on me. Well done!

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Winter Sonata Ever since I became a K drama fan 13 years ago I've always always heard so much about it and the impact that this drama has brought to the world and how it set off the Hallyu Wave. I always wondered what's so special about it, I had some ideas about the story and some expectations (which weren't promising or exciting) I thought it is just another cliche melodrama and I was always told that it has absolutely no moment of happiness. Therefore I kept postponing it, till I actually came to Korea and went to Nami Island (where they mostly filmed this drama) and when I saw how beautiful the island is and when I saw how ppl from all around the world would go there just to see where the couples filmed their romantic scenes and take pictures and recall all those memories of the drama I realised that this is not just a drama its a beautiful memory to many many ppl and it is still engraved in their memories and heart and that it is something that made them and still makes them so happy so I said to myself I have to watch it!! and FINALLY I DID

Story:
I finished this drama in one night one day!! from the very 1st ep I got the feeling that it's definitely a special one and it is!! My expectations weren't as close as right this is NOT a cliche story it is not just melo sad story Winter Sonata is more than that its a journey it takes you with it and makes you feel you are living every moment with them you feel their pain and sorrow together and that snow it really remains in your head that whiteness that coldness it's simply just beautiful.

Acting:
The best part of this drama is the acting performance!! all of the cast the main lead who wouldn't love them I really believed every pain, tear sorrow, touch, longing...etc I believed everything they felt and felt it together with them I actually think that now I won't be able to see those two as actors anymore to me they are Joon Sang and Yu Jin I think it will take time for me to see them as normal ppl again.

I understand now why Bae Yong Jun is considered a legendary actor, the character he portrayed the man he presented I've never seen like him. Kang Joon Sang /Lee Min Hyung was a very classy man a true gentleman. When he falls in love he cares for the girl he loves without forcing anything on her, I loved how gentle and understanding he was. If there is a true gentleman this is the man.

Music:
I fell in love with it from the very 1st ep, it takes so much for me to actually like OST let alone fall in love with it. I came to realise now that all the classic shows really do have different level of music unlike nowadays shows the old ones do remain in my head and I never grow tired of them. WS is no difference it has a BEAUTIFUL OSTs my favourite is From The Beginning Till Now (the song itself makes me tear and I'm really really hard to tear up).

Overall?
If you are really a true drama fan for the sole purpose of being a drama fan then you know just as much as I do that your list is never complete without watching WS, I doubt that there is anyone there who hasn't heard of it and let me just tell you it DESERVES all the recognition it got it's ONE of a kind. To me it's definitely a REWATCHABLE one I just truly wish that I was from that generation when all the beautiful shows were made.

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