“I had lots of feelings when I finished the entire drama. I was very satisfied with the story and development of events.”
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First things first
This review has no spoilers.
This drama ended recently. I didn’t start watching it from its release, because the title and the synopsis didn’t draw my attention. One night, I wanted to watch something new and thought: “I’m going to watch the first episode of this drama and see how it goes…” I didn’t have high expectations though.
I had lots of feelings when I finished the entire drama. I was very satisfied with the story and development of events. The occurred incidents covered different approaches: work, family, love, fame, envy, injustice, manipulation and more.
Record of Youth is a South Korean series of 16 episodes, released on September 7th 2020. Its genre is drama, romance, and it’s available on Netflix.
Synopsis
The drama follows the story of three adults in their twenties, who work very hard to reach success on their respective fields, and the ups and downs they must face to achieve them in a world that could devour you, if you are not strong enough.
In general terms
I’ve read many negative comments about the plot for being too slow, and also about the main female character for being non expressive at all, but I didn’t see it that way. I don’t know if the drama was slow, but each episode was very emotional to me in many ways; so, if it was slow, I didn’t feel it, because I was too immersed on the emotional part.
I did cry many times during the drama. The plot is not far from reality, it touches daily life issues, and those are the painful ones. For instance: when your family does not support you on your dreams and minimizes you, or you have to struggle alone, or people underestimate you because you come from an affluent family.
Why do I recommend Record of Youth?
The plot
At first, I wasn’t attracted to a story about a couple of models and a makeup artist; not because I don’t value the industry, but because I thought it was a generic love story. But actually, it is a plot about personal growth, and the turn of events applies to every goal you want to achieve. What counts is the transmitted message. The plot is very good.
The characters
I will write a bit about the main characters, from my point of view:
Sa Hye-jun
He is a middle-class man who dreams of becoming an actor. He started very young as a model, along with his best friend Won Hae-hyo, but his career starts to decline. Ever since he chose that profession, his family stopped supporting him, assuming that it was a waste of time, so he’s been working hard and earning money since he graduated high school. His parents turned all their attention to his brother, who went to college and has always been an excellent student.
Sa Hye-jun has always felt alone because he never had his parents’ support. They never valued his work, nor his dreams; still, he kept fighting. I love his personality, because despite all, he has his values well established, he is pure and noble. Sometimes he is about to give up, but something happens and he gets back on track. What I also like about him is that, whatever happens, he never loses his ethical values and never falls for the superficial. All he wants, is to fulfil his goals, without stepping on anyone.
Won Hae-hyo
He is Sa Hye-jun’s best friend. A man who comes from a wealthy family. His father got him into a public school and that’s where he met Hye-jun as kids. His mother blames the school he went to, and his “poor” friends, for his sensitivity. She supports her son’s modeling and acting career, and doesn’t care how far she has to go to see her son on top.
To me, Hae-hyo has a good heart and he is very loyal to his friends. He always thinks about them and finds a way to help them. The fact that Hae-hyo comes from a wealthy family, is the cause of his insecurities, because he wants to achieve his goals by his own means.
Both are friends since they were kids, they love and respect each other a lot, they trust each other. I think you will be fond of both of them.
Park So-dam
She used to work at an office, but decided to quit in order to do what she loves, being a makeup artist. She works at a prestigious beauty saloon and even though she is new, her talent is recognized, which causes some envy. She is very reserved and independent. In her twenties, she already owns a home, and all she wants is stability. She is super fan of a model (Sa Hye-jun), but she is not interested in relationships. Her priority is her economic and emotional stability. Staying away from her divorced parents is also a way to gain that balance. Her system was working fine, until she meets her idol, and couldn’t avoid falling in love with him (can’t blame her, he’s divine).
I like this girl, because she has something very clear: her personal goals come first, and then love (if it comes). My mom educated me that way, I think that’s why I get her and like her. It didn’t bother me her inexpressiveness (actually, I didn’t see it that way), I cared about the decisions she made during the entire series, I understood and supported every one of them until the end. If she really is an inexpressive actress in all her projects, like I’ve read in some comments, then maybe they chose her for this role because of that…
I see her as a brave woman, who believes in hard work and in doing what she loves, in order to achieve her goals. Once you see the drama, I’d love to know what you think.
If I write about the rest of the characters, I’d have to write a book haha! All of them have something special, there is no good or bad. They are examples of how human beings are, and how someone chooses to deal with them.
The relationship between Sa Hye-jun and his grandfather
As someone who grew up loved and spoiled by my grandma, the relationship between them got me very emotional, and made me cry more than once. Hye-jun’s family never supported him, but his grandpa never stopped having faith in him and cheering him up. Their relationship is beautiful.
The locations
As for the locations, a visual delight. Many movie sets, a fashion show in Milan… Won Hae-hyo’s home: divine.
The clothing
I loved the clothing in this drama. My favorite clothes were from Sa Hye-jun, Won Hae-hyo and his mom.
The music
I loved the OST of this drama. Janet Suhh, who sings a few songs for It’s ok to not be ok, also sings three songs in Record of Youth (I love her voice). My favorite song has not been released yet, which I cannot believe! it’s the one in the intro of each episode; you can listen to a little piece of the song on this YouTube link, it doesn’t even have a title yet. Other song I like a lot is Still Dreaming, from the same artist, you can listen to it on this YouTube link.
As for the score, I don’t have a favorite, but it was very good. The OST is also available on Spotify.
It’s motivating
If you learn something from this drama (among other things), is that everything has its moment; also, you will achieve nothing if you sit down and wait for someone to help you. You must follow your goals with a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
A little ending note
I really liked Record of Youth. It is a drama that shows the different faces of human behavior. It really bothered me sometimes to see some behaviors, but there weren’t very bad or extreme tragedies, maybe that’s why some people thought it was boring. There is no «antagonist”, the negative actions from many, were the result of their ambition, which never ends well.
I’d love to know your opinion about it!
Xoxo,
MJ
*Al pics taken from Pinterest.
Other reviews on my Blog:
Mi terapia es escribir. Me desahogo escribiendo sobre la vida, mis aficiones, aprendizajes, bienestar, historias, libros y recetas. También me hace feliz conectarme contigo.