Something in the Rain (TV-2018) - South Korea
Original Netflix Series - 16 episodes (60 minutes each)
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
This is a beautiful realistic romance drama series similar to this year’s “One Spring Night” with the same team behind the scenes director Ahn Pan Suk and writer Kim Eun. Film Starlet Son Ye-Jin returns to the small screen after a 5 years hiatus and gracefully acts her age plus a little more in both depth character struggling with parents and society expectations, gender inequality at workplace and a cheating long time boyfriend. Till she meets the love of her lifetime in the form of newcomer Jung Hae-in (in his breakthrough leading role). This is a wonderfully slow paced drama that remains thoroughly engaging and at times touching as we witness the change and growth of Son Ye-jin as she goes through a mid life crisis of sorts.
Son Ye-jin remains the star attraction in this Netflix original Korean series. From her “The Classic” days more than 15 years ago, I have been impressed by her youth and innocence of how she can so gracefully grace the screen with beauty and romance. Now in her late 30s, Son is incredibly well kept and obviously matured in her acting and approach. Pairing up with the younger Jung Hae-in combines with a blossoming chemistry that makes the audience feel for both characters and their relationship. Ably supported by some fine acting from costars So-yeon Jang (as the persistent older sister of Jung and best buddy with Son), the award winning veteran Gil Hae-yeon playing the aggressive and overtly protective mother of Son and the laidback father played by the steady Oh Man-seok.
All in all, “Something in the Rain” remains a highly successful romance drama that remains extremely grounded and whilst allowing an outpouring of a range of emotions in both realism and personalities. This series provided Netflix with a launchpad for more of these kind of series focusing of how life actually pans out, without the dose of fantasy and over the top cheesiness that often populate the Korean drama Avenue. The series provides a breakthrough for the likeable romantic lead in Jung and the long awaited return of Son. This is easily a beautifully filmed series that is equally engaging and building up to character driven finale that is likely to keep your eyes moisten.
I rated it 8.5/10
I so agree with your comment about the musical selection. The “stand by your man” song is about a woman ignoring the unfaithful nature of her partner. It is not what the lead character is doing. I had to mute the sound and read captions so many times as I watched this show because the song was so wrong.
Loved the actors and the show, but would blackball whoever was in charge of music. The musical director clearly had access to some very nice instrumentals, and several Rachel Yamagata songs, which are lovely.
Instead, he or she decided to constantly use the country song “Stand By Your Man”. That sound was jarringly wrong in every way: inapproprate lyrics and music that didn’t fit the mood.