Flash Overview: What Comes After Love [Korea-Japan]

When my sister got here residence to go to in early October, she picked this present for us to look at collectively, and since we hardly get to look at exhibits collectively, together with her residing in a complete totally different nation and all, this was a uncommon deal with.

..Which implies, truthful warning, that I may be extra biased than standard, in my estimation of Present’s enjoyability. 😁

Full disclosure: we watched episodes 1 by way of 3 collectively, as a result of that’s what was out there, after which, after Sis left, I accomplished episodes 4 by way of 6 alone.

So I assume that helps to stability issues out? 😁

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

1. That is an unhurried melodrama

I believe probably the most helpful factor I can inform you, is that this one is extra of a melodrama (versus a lightweight romance or rom-com), and that it strikes fairly slowly, regardless of what your expertise of episode 1 would possibly point out.

The rationale episode 1 strikes comparatively sooner, is as a result of Present is setting the context for our OTP relationship, however when you get to episode 2, that tone, tempo and rhythm is extra indicative of Present’s general vibe and really feel.

2. Present takes its time peeling away character & relationship layers

The opposite factor that I believe can be helpful for me to say, is that Present actually takes its time to peel away character and relationship layers.

It takes time and persistence to grasp our characters and their relationships higher, and I believe it’s important that you simply’re not in a rush, when watching this present.

STUFF I LIKED

How atmospheric and fairly Present is

Actually, this was the very first thing to catch my consideration; I simply actually loved how lovely Present seems to be, significantly when portraying our OTP’s time in Japan.

Our scenes actually appear to be they may have come out of an image ebook or a shiny journal, and it’s fairly trippy to me, that Sis (who lived in Japan for a few years) says that these locations are simply as lovely in actual life. 🥲

The scenes in Korea aren’t to be sniffed at both, and I simply felt that Present was very fastidiously and deliberately filmed, as a common rule.

I additionally discovered the music very immersive and atmospheric, which I assumed actually added to Present’s allure.

The OTP flashbacks

Provided that our premise (and subsequently, not a spoiler) is that Hong and Jungo (Lee Se Younger and Kentaro Sakaguchi) fall in love in Japan, after which break up, earlier than crossing paths once more, 5 years later, it is smart that Present would often give us flashbacks to their time in Japan, earlier than the break-up.

I favored these flashbacks, as a result of their early days are stuffed with cuteness and sweetness, and it’s simply bonus, that it’s all so prettily filmed (like I discussed above).

After which, when the flashbacks grew to become much less completely satisfied, I discovered myself being very curious to look at them anyway, as a result of I used to be on the lookout for clues to why their relationship had damaged down.

Moreover, I wished to say that Present distinguishes between the present-day and the flashbacks rather well, with the present-day being offered in additional muted colours, like grays and blues, whereas the flashbacks are principally offered in brilliant Spring colours.

Having the brighter Spring-toned flashbacks interspersed between our present-day scenes additionally supplied some good visible aid from all of the muted, extra somber colours, which I very a lot loved.

See, aren’t these screenshots so filled with candy? 🥲

Kentaro Sakaguchi as Jungo

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the standard of our leads’ appearing is likely one of the greatest issues about this present. I loved each of them equally, however wished to speak about them individually, if solely to accord them every the respect that they deserve. 🤩

Provided that Kentaro Sakaguchi has such an in depth filmography, it’d shock a few of you to know that this was my introduction to him.

(I assume that’s what occurs while you don’t watch all that a lot J-dorama. 😅)

I actually loved him as Jungo, and his portrayal of Jungo within the two timelines, is simply wonderful, for my part.

He actually appears like two fully totally different folks, with previous Jungo showing to be such a cheerful and carefree particular person, whereas current Jungo comes throughout as far more subdued.

Specifically, I used to be very impressed with the best way Kentaro manages to precise a lot by way of his gaze, in scenes the place Jungo doesn’t say something, however you may really feel the depth of his disappointment and wistfulness, purely from his gaze.

I discovered these photographs of his face extraordinarily efficient, and fairly arresting.

Right here’s a aspect by aspect comparability of Previous Jungo and Current Jungo:

Actually good, sure? 🥲

Lee Se Younger as Hong

Equally, I actually loved Lee Se Younger as Hong.

The way in which she performs Previous Hong and Current Hong, they actually really feel like two fully totally different folks, nearly.

Previous Hong is so bubbly and brilliant, and with such an infectious, pure enthusiasm for all times, that I couldn’t assist however like her straight away – which actually additionally helps me to grasp why Jungo would have been interested in her, within the first place.

After which, Current Hong is so restrained and reserved, that she comes throughout as fairly chilly and distant, and that, virtually on sight.

I don’t even want to listen to her communicate, to know that she’s closed herself up in a giant method. Though, when she does communicate, that can be communicated very nicely, within the comparatively closed stiffness of her voice.

Regardless of that, Current Hong’s discomfort and emotional misery are clear to see, when she crosses paths with Jungo, with out her having to say a phrase.

Once more, I assumed this was rather well completed.

Right here’s a have a look at Previous Hong and Current Hong, aspect by aspect:

Evening and day as nicely, isn’t it?

This is the reason I depend the appearing of our leads a giant plus, in my watch expertise. 🥲

The way in which Present approaches the OTP relationship [BROAD SPOILERS]

Like I discussed earlier, Present tends to peel away the layers very slowly and intentionally, over the course of our story, whereas toggling between two timelines.

I truly actually loved this strategy of receiving bits and items of details about our OTP, and attempting to piece all the pieces collectively, to determine the ins and outs of their relationship, and what had been the factor to interrupt them aside.

Moreover, we’re additionally getting fragments of data within the current, by way of what our leads are considering and feeling, and why they may be considering and feeling that method, and that added to the complexity of our characters, which I personally loved.

One other factor that I favored, is that the connection challenges really feel down-to-earth and approachable, ie, the issues they confronted really feel common sufficient, that you simply’d count on nearly another couple of their place, to have the identical points.

So, no big bolts out of the blue, no delivery secrets and techniques, no secret sicknesses, which I significantly appreciated.

Lastly, I respect that Present aligns itself with the concept, that harm emotions and emotional baggage don’t simply magick away, and want time to be slowly eroded and whittled away.

On this sense, the sluggish burn strategy felt sensible and plausible to me, and I favored that.

I’ll additionally say that I couldn’t inform whether or not or not Hong and Jungo would reconcile, by the point we ended our story.

Whereas watching, I felt that it may actually go both method, and that if we didn’t get a reconciliation, we might a minimum of get closure for the each of them, and I used to be positive with that, as a result of that felt emotionally sensible, which is that this present’s vibe.

STUFF THAT WAS OK

The dealing with of our second male lead [BROAD SPOILERS]

I understood the operate of Min Jun’s character (performed by Hong Jong Hyun, for whom I’ve a little bit of a delicate spot), that he was there to not solely present that Hong had moved on in life, but in addition, to create a further impediment to any potential reconciliation between Hong and Jungo.

That stated, I simply couldn’t assist feeling sorry for him, as a result of whether or not or not our OTP reconciled ultimately, it was straightforward to see that Min Jun would get his coronary heart damaged. 💔

I actually felt dangerous for him. 🙈

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

Like I discussed earlier, I got here into this finale not figuring out whether or not we might get a reconciliation between Hong and Jungo, and I used to be happy with that.

The primary essential step that permits for a touch of the start of closure, is the truth that Hong lastly arrives at a spot the place she’s able to acknowledge that she’d had an element to play too, within the breakdown of their relationship.

The truth that she was even able to go to him, and inform him that she was grateful that he’d cherished her, again then, feels big, significantly since she’s spent a lot of our current timeline avoiding contact with him, as a lot as doable.

It additionally appears like a very essential milestone, that Hong lastly feels able to learn the ebook that Jungo’s written about their love, as a result of lastly – lastly! – she’s getting access to all the pieces that he’s thought and felt about their relationship, for the reason that day it’d ended.

Some of us would possibly say, “Effectively, we may have averted all of this drama if she would’ve simply learn the ebook straight away, as soon as she knew that he’d written it about her,” however the factor is, timing can be key.

I believe Present does a very good job of demonstrating that Hong had suffered some very deep emotional wounds, from her time in Japan with Jungo, and people wounds had continued to fester and trigger her ache, within the 5 years since.

She’d wanted to really feel prepared, to soak up all the pieces that he’d poured into that ebook, and now, in our finale, she lastly is prepared, and I really feel just like the ebook turns into a balm for her soul, as a result of, in it, in the end, she will get to listen to the issues that she’s wished and wanted to listen to from Jungo, all this time.

One other a part of it, in fact, is Jungo turning into bolder to precise himself to Hong, and on this notice, Kanna (Anne Nakamura) deserves credit score for telling Jungo that that’s the factor that he must do.

It’s taken them 5 years and plenty of wandering and pondering, however Jungo and Hong at the moment are lastly at a spot the place they will meet one another with open, peaceable hearts, and to me, that is the rationale that they’re in a position to reconcile.

Communication is essential, is a robust theme that comes by way of on this drama, however together with that, comes the effort and time that it takes, for private growth to happen, to allow that communication, and Hong and Jungo lastly get there, in our closing minutes.

It might have been good if we may have seen Hong and Jungo work by way of issues, to reach at a happier, more healthy stability than what they’d had beforehand, however with the restricted display time, we don’t get that.

As a substitute, we get a flash ahead, the place we see that Hong and Jungo at the moment are operating collectively, and the muted somber hues of winter have given technique to the life-giving colours of spring.

This very a lot appears like a symbolic ending to me, like Present’s saying that they’re now in a a lot happier place, and at the moment are approaching the race of life collectively, aspect by aspect, and that’s very heartening certainly. ❤️

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Quiet, considerate and atmospheric.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

WHERE TO WATCH:

Present is on the market on VIU and Viki.

Getting round geo-restrictions

In the event you’re geo-restricted, a VPN service would aid you get round that. Not solely does it present on-line security, it additionally provides you entry to plenty of nice geo-restricted content material.

I personally use NordVPN. You will discover my evaluation of NordVPN right here.

You need to use my affiliate hyperlink (right here!) to get pleasure from as much as 74% off, plus 3 additional months, with costs beginning as little as US$3.09 per 30 days.

An article on why it’s not unlawful to make use of a VPN to entry authorized streaming content material could be discovered right here.

Associated