Good Ol’ Review: Jung Hae In and Son Ye Jin Navigate Romantic Turbulence in Something in the Rain

Something in the Rain Korean drama review

TYPE OF REVIEW : GOOD OL’ REVIEW
No spoilers.

“Romantic turbulence” is exactly how to describe the journey of Jung Hae In and Son Ye Jin’s characters in JTBC/Netflix’s Something in the Rain (Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food/밥 잘 사주는 예쁜 누나).

The May-December romance of Yoon Jin-ah (Son Ye Jin) and Seo Joon-hee (Jung Hae In) faces multiple hurdles and sometimes all-out emotional assault from all sides. But when possible, they make the most of their heartfelt and romantic relationship.

The series touches upon South Korean cultural taboos involving family, dating and career/educational backgrounds. The heavy subplot of the series focuses on the rampant and unchecked sexual harassment on female employees at Jin-ah’s workplace.

And in that, the series is the journey of Jin-ah’s development from being emotionally submissive at home and at work to becoming stronger and more assertive as she grows closer to Joon-hee.

Joon-hee, meanwhile, is your dashing leading man that defines unconditional love throughout the series. And it’s a tough road for him in a different way from Jin-ah.

Because of their age gap and how Joon-hee (and his older sister) are like family to Jin-ah’s parents, they must hide their relationship from everyone around them. The realization and acceptance of their feelings for each other and the succeeding cat and mouse game fill the first half of the series.

The second half deals with the onslaught of criticism and disapproval when their relationship is finally revealed, one by one, to their loved ones and others. And mental health is addressed several times in the story as well. Some times better than others.

Something in the Rain is absolutely a slowburn and requires an emotional investment in the series. It isn’t too hard to invest in the series though with Jung Hae In and Son Ye Jin as your leads. It’s easy to fall in love right along with them and care for the outcome of their relationship.

But it certainly may not be the case for some. And the ending may feel a bit rushed compared to the lingering pacing of the rest of the series.

That slower pace throughout though allows for that lingering to make many scenes more impactful and emotionally affecting. Whether they be fleeting moments of love between Jin-ah and Joon-hee or the quiet pain that emerges after a scolding from mom or the disgusting actions of both male and female colleagues at Jin-ah’s work.

There are definitely light moments throughout the series as well. But to be clear, this is definitely a dramatic series.

The cast is strong and the visuals are stunning. But again, the writing will definitely require an investment by the viewer.

Jung Hae In and Son Ye Jin are such magnetic, talented actors and their chemistry definitely carries the series, especially in times when other aspects may be lacking. But an investment in their romantic, yet turbulent love story proves worth it in the end.

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