Story
The story for 'Born Again' is refreshing and unique. It starts in the 1980s, telling you an almost whole story before moving to the present day. The story presents such a compelling story for the 1980s, a serial killer named Gong Ji Chul who's signature is a yellow umbrella. As we learn more about Ji Chul, we begin to realize he is truly a monster. But what is even more amazing is that once we get to the present day roughly the year 2020, everything we know is flip on its head. The once violent serial killer who has 11 bodies of women as charges against him has only ever killed one person is a strange self-defense love induced rage of the heart.
Furthermore, the cop, Cha Hyung Bin, is one of the most upright characters in the 80s. Hyung Bin's primary goal is to protect his fiance Jung Ha Eun because she has a yellow umbrella. Hyung Bin is the perfect boyfriend to Ha Eun; her heart condition is a strain on their relationship, providing an interesting point of conflict for the two. Everything hits an explosive end on a snow mountain before Jung Ha Eun's marriage to Cha Hyung Bin.
While in the present time, Gong Ji Chul reincarnated to be Chun Jong Bum, who is a student in college studying to be a medical examiner. He has a mentally abusive family and nonempathic life. During one of his classes, his professor turns out to be the reincarnated Jung Ha Eun now Jung Sa Bin. Jong Bum and Sa Bin hit it off; the two become very close when suddenly they meet the reincarnated Cha Hyung Bin now Kim Soo Hyuk over a 30-year-old body. Things become more complicated as both Soo Hyuk and Jong Bum vie for Sa Bin's attention and affection.
Acting/Cast
The casting for this drama is magnificent. I can't honestly say I wouldn't change any of the actors. I only came to this show because I love Jang Ki Yong and wanted to see him in something after 'Search WWW:'. I at first thought this was going to be similar to one of Jang Ki Yong's previous works 'Come and Hug Me', but it was on a whole different level. There was a depth to this character that I hadn't seen him act before, and it's impressive to see him play what you think you see. But once you open your eyes to who Gong Ji Chul and by extension, Chun Jong Bum is, you understand the depth he added to both characters, and it's breathtaking. Lee Soo Hyuk had such a distinctive style playing a good to bad to awful to just pitiful person. I ran through so many emotions in one second I was like he is so perfect for her (Ha Eun), and then I was like how could he do this to (Jong Bum). I fell for his story arcs, even after finishing this drama, I don't know how I feel about him. I can't even say if I loved or hate his character, which is a first for me. I genuinely think Lee Soo Hyuk outdid himself!! But I have to say for me the biggest let down has to be the lack of emotional connection I had with Jung Ha Eun and Jung Sa Bin. I honestly felt that the actress only played the character and did not bring either female to life like her costars. It didn't overpower any scene unless you were looking for it. I also think my lack of connection with her was because her character, to me, felt two-dimensional.
Music
The music fits into every scene, able to pull emotions from me; I didn't even know I was feeling. I am generally not a crier during emotional moments, but I felt myself tearing up as well as bawling my eyes out. I have to give credit to the music composer because I've haven´t cried this hard over fictional characters in a while. Perfect score in all moments because it brought everything together perfectly.
Rewatch Value
My rewatch value is super low because of 2 important things 1) I hate crying, and I would prefer never to do it. I honestly know if I were to rewatch this show in a week or several years, this drama would have me in tears in *aggressively snaps fingers*. 2) The ending, which was the biggest disappointment in history.
Disappointment
My only problem with this drama is it's ending. Because I don't like to cry, I like happy endings. No crying is needed, please. But this time, I wanted a tragedy; I feel like Gong Ji Chul/Chun Jong Bum was cheated of his happy ending. The drama should have ended how he wanted his life to end, providing someone with an unforgettable gift. I feel that if this story had followed Chun Jong Bum's intended ending, his wish for his purpose, that it would have been more enjoyable because it would fit his character. But the conclusion robbed him; ripped him from his redemption. I understand why he said he was traveling overseas to the US. But why keep her waiting? That was when I first knew this wasn't going to give him the beautiful ending he had wanted. But when Jung Sa Bin stole his dying wish forcing him to live so that she might have companionship and love, I felt this was the biggest injustice he had ever gotten. Besides the fact that I think her character is undeserving of him, but that's beside the point. The ending killed the story.
Overall
I loved the character arcs for the leading males. There new eccentric roles are electrifying, and I encourage you to watch this drama even if the ending is terrible. This drama shows you that there are always two sides to every story as well as character. That just because someone is fighting the good fight that might mean inside they are wrong. Or that even when the law is supposed to be justice, it can make mistakes. I'll imagine a better ending for Gong Ji Chul/Chun Jong Bum, but please watch this fantastic drama even if the finish is subpar at best.