Deciding to finally watch this show was probably one of my best Kdrama related choices this year. I'm not very good at writing reviews (although I keep doing it because who cares) and I feel like I always say the same things but I just want to say that this drama is worth all the hype it got, every award it got, every recommendation. I didn't give it a chance when it was airing and I think it was both a mistake and a smart move, because had I watched it airing I wouldn't have been able to wait every week for the next episode considering all the cliffhangers they gave us; but it was a mistake because it would've been so cool to share everyone's emotions while it was airing. Nonetheless, no matter when I decided to start it, it was absolutely worth it. I took like 2 weeks to finish it because I work a lot, but I put 2 all-nighters and had strong headaches the next day, but again, it was definitely worth it.
Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri are the definition of love. I can't get tired of saying they invented love. I have watched many dramas in the past 9 years but not many manage to deliver the strong 'in love' feeling that these two had. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin did an incredibly amazing job at everything, every scene with them together was full of different emotions, happiness, sadness, pain, joy, distress, and everything that was supposed to produce. I don't think anyone can see them together without thinking they're the most lovable couple ever. Their chemistry as actors once again proved how amazing these two are. One thing that always makes my heart flutter is the way actors and actresses are able to look into each other's eyes and look so happy, like they actually love each other. I know that's the point of acting, but it always blows my mind to think how they're able to deliver those emotions, and Ri Jeong-hyuk and Yoon Se-ri were pros at doing this.
"I have no regrets, you came to my life as a gift. I'm just grateful for that." This is probably one of the most beautiful lines ever.
Their undying love is one of the purest demonstrations of love I have ever seen, because not once did they try to hold the other back, not once were they selfish to ask for the other to stay with them despite the circumstances; instead, they always let the other go, despite knowing how much it would hurt them, how much they would miss the other, they knew they weren't in a position to ask for more. The way they appreciated every second, every extra minute they got together makes me really think about how we should appreciate the little things and short moments we have with our loved ones before they leave our side.
I can guarantee myself that I'll have a long crush on Ri Jeong-hyuk for a long time, so I know I won't get over CLOY so soon. He was such a kind and giving person, I need a man like him in my life. I think we all do...
Yoon Se-ri is also one of the strongest FLs I've seen, as she went through so much with her disgusting family, yet she build a company by herself and became the No. 1 female CEO for several years in different competitions. She never let anyone get in her way, always knew how to handle every type of person. She was cold because she was forced to live a tough life, but deep inside she simply wanted to be heard, to be loved, to have someone on her side. And she found that person that came to her as a part of her destiny. Meant-to-be love is such a huge cliche but CLOY did it in the best way, I believe. Se-ri found the happiness she always looked for and was finally able to open herself up to someone who could handle her. I really love the balance between an outgoing, yet prudent FL, and a quiet, yet outspoken ML like Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok. Definitely go down as one of the best couples in Kdrama history.
I have written so much and still haven't talked about anything or anyone else but the main couple, when there's still so many things to appreciate about this masterpiece. Even though the MC was more than capable of carrying the whole show without any secondary characters, every side character on this show had their own story and their own development, their own little moments that made you smile or cry and they didn't have to necessarily be related to the MC to have a meaning for themselves and that's something that not every drama can do, because in many cases the side characters are just accessories to the MC or main plot, but I don't think it was the case here.
Of course, Jeong-hyeok's troop was a huge part of the MC story, but they still had their own stuff to deal with and the show gave them all a proper development and closure, making sure the viewer connected with all of them and was happy for their own success. I really loved that at the end, Pyo Chi-soo became the Captain, as he always mentioned that he was alone and had nothing to lose, so it's heartwarming to see him succeeding in life. I love all of them, but Chi-soo inadvertently stole a special spot in my heart.
I can say the same thing about the ladies from the military village. I thought they would be this gossiping old ladies that hated the FL with no reason at all, but they were absolutely the opposite. They were so caring and protective of each other, making my heart soft every time they were on screen. I loved how they protected Man Bok's wife when Cho Cheol-gang's men were going to take her. They all went with their house tools to defend her and her son and protect her at all costs! So beautiful. The way they loved and cherished Se-ri was so cute and how they even welcomed Seo Dan's mom and were all very understanding, they were really such beautiful old ladies. I loved them so much.
Now, about The Unspeakable, Gu Seung-joon. I think it's a popular feeling that he deserved to be happy and to have someone by his side who would love him until the day he dies, like Seo Dan, but also, he literally had that person at the very end so it's not like he was never able to feel happiness... Still, he deserved to live a long life with a loved one. And Seo Dan most definitely deserved so much better! Seeing her cry at the bridge broke my heart so much. I even cried (again) when telling my sister about how Gu Seung-joon dies because Seo Dan was such a sweet woman, smart, strong and driven. She deserved to be happy with the man she loved. I am glad to know she decided to live her life her own way, keeping Gu Seung-joon in her heart and loving him deeply, but I still hoped she would be happy with him. Also, when her mother was calling off the wedding with Jeong-hyeok's mom and she said "my daughter has a man in her life that she loves so much, and he loves her very much too" GOD, tears are forming now on my eyes as I type this. They deserved so much happiness!
I don't want to get in detail about Cho Cheol-gang because he was a very good villain, as he made me despise him a lot and even find him gross and disgusting, I believe the actor did a great job, but I don't really want to get into the villainous part of the show. What I did find funny was the way the NIS took everything so lightly and made it look like the South is so compassionate and kind with the North and only the North is the one that hates them. I know this may be like that at some extent, but I just find the propaganda very particularly funny.
Either way, I enjoyed this drama way too much and I'm going to miss it a whole lot, every single one of the actors did a great job and produced so many emotions on me. I really thank them for working on this wonderful show and giving me such a happy time while watching it. Unapologetically rating it 10/10.