I wasn't a fan of K-Drama. I wasn't one to go with
the trend. I'm a typical hipster, you may say. Although, what usually happens
is the trend would chase me down and rub their beauty on my face. I would
enumerate a list of trends that did that to me, but I don't want to waste your
time. Obviously, K-Drama is part of that list.
I didn't like K-Drama because I get the impression
that it is cheezy and perhaps I would cringe from watching it. Since I got into
the world of K-Pop thanks to BTS (a story for another time), I got into
K-Drama. So here we are.
When I saw the logline and trailer of this series,
I was intrigued. I am a sucker for watching protagonists who start from the
bottom and struggle to reach the top, to their goals; most especially when they
want to prove themselves to people who doubt them.
Record of Youth (청춘기록) is
a story about three dreamers, two male models, and a female make-up artist,
struggling to make it big in the film industry.
Sa Hye-jun was always in the shadow of his
childhood best friend, Won Hae-Hyo. They were two promising male models in the
industry, but the difference between them is Hae-hyo is well-off while Hye-jun
struggles to make ends meet especially for his family, who doesn't fully
support his dream and ambitions. Other than his modeling gigs, he also works
part-time in a restaurant and even as a bodyguard. Both friends want to start a
new leaf as actors, but the problem is Hye-Jun isn't popular in the industry,
and his former employer aims to bring him down. Ahn Jeon-ha is a junior make-up
artist in a styling salon who wants to live a stable life and own a make-up
salon. She happens to be a huge fan of Sa Hye-Jun. When she finally meets him
in a fashion show gig, things start to turn around for the three. Friendships
and relationships are formed. Jealousy arises. The next thing they know,
they're slowly making their way to the top, but how far can they maintain
themselves in the spotlight?
What
I Appreciate
The series has a cinematic quality. In each
episode, the edit is really smooth, and it shows that the shots are
well-planned. The quality is what hooks me, but what makes me stay is, of
course, the story.
In the first few episodes, you are drawn to the
current situation of the characters. With three characters and three stories,
the flow runs smoothly. There's no such thing as a filler in this series. The
format though of the series is kind of jarring if you don't pay full attention
to each episode. Whenever they start a new episode, it doesn't start from where
we left off from the previous episode, but few hours or a day before it happens
but from a different perspective. If you're planning to watch Record of Youth,
take note of this.
The series does have side stories, but it's a
matter of how you tell it and how important it is for it to push the story
forward. At first, the side stories where we get to see scenes with just the
family members of the protagonists weren't relatable to me, until I eventually
realized that it's an added hook. They're really cohesive to the main storyline
and contribute to the likeness of the series.
The series is not only drama and romance, but it
brings heartwarming moments of family and friendship.
It's a story about chasing your dreams no matter
what stage you are in your life. It's about breaking the social boundaries and
taking responsibility for the platform you're given.
Character
Development
From start to end, you can see the growth and
change with our protagonists Sa Hye-jun, Won Hae-hyo, and Ahn, Jeon-ha as their
environment changes. It's fun to watch Hye-jun especially when he finally gets
the opportunity that he deserves and owns it. Then when you watch the next
episode, he's a lot more mature; from struggling with hardships to becoming a
well-known actor. As you watch him in his journey, you can't help but feel
proud of him and even more frustrated when things stand in his way.
Other than the protagonists, the development I
loved the most, surprisingly, was the family of Sa Hye-jun. It's seldom to
really root for the development of the side characters. Without spoiling, the
family of Hye-Jun was clearly against his dream of becoming an actor. If you're
a sucker for seeing the main character proving people wrong, then you better
watch this. it's satisfying, but at the same time, heart-wrenching.
What
I Don't Appreciate
Okay, let me talk about our local series in the
Philippines, which we call a "teleserye". I don't watch much,
but I've seen enough that I know I'm not a big fan of how our TV series are
made. The online series we're currently getting into is actually a step
up.
Our teleseryes, you see, are well-known
to give weird, exaggerated, and cheezy moments. Why I brought this up is
because this particular K-Drama does that. Only a few times. Thankfully. I
would've stopped watching it if it was too much. But then, they plant it with
motivation. It's basically for the swoon factor, and it's pretty effective by
the way. If they can only do those moments without some cheezy music. Well,
it's no big deal.
Recommended
for...
If you're curious about this series, I definitely
recommend it. I even recommended this to my mom who's not a fan of K-drama.
I recommend it to those who want a light, sweet and
heartwarming series. It's the type that makes you want to watch the next
episode. If you have all the time in the world, especially during this
pandemic, then go ahead. Each episode runs for about 60 minutes.
It's a series that's also for those who find
pleasure in watching an underdog prove himself to the world that he can reach
his goals no matter the circumstances, the challenges that he faces, and most
especially with a family who doesn't fully support him.
It's a series that touches subjects on self-worth,
controlling your own path and destiny, and learning how to get outside of your
own box.
Rate: 📺📺📺📺
Experience: 🍿🍿🍿🍿
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