Yup. The title of this review pretty much sums up everything I feel about Record of Youth. The show was not bad. I loved and cherished certain things about it actually. The first half was absorbing. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen and the prospects of certain development, growth and outcomes thrilled me. There was so much promise and I lived to be rewarded enormously.
Guess what? Cue in second half and show left me feeling like I had only excited myself. Like it was my bad I had thought so highly of them. Like no one sent me to go imagining to be mind-blown or taken on a genuinely transformative journey🤦♀️
Let’s find out what made Record of Youth worth watching but significantly disappointing.
HOW SHOW WON HEARTS FAST AND KEPT THINGS STEADY
Casting Bo gum as its Lead
Park Bo Gum was awesome in this role. Visually and charismatically. For all the show’s promising trajectories, casting Bo Gum as Sa Hye jun was its prominent saving grace. He lit up the whole screen every damn time with his beautiful buzz-cut, gorgeous milky-smooth face and exotic model-esque fashion.
😍😍😍
His screen presence and bright aura were unmatched and he totally bore the essence of this drama in myriad of ways. To show’s advantage and disadvantage, the spotlight was largely placed on Sa Hye jun’ dreams, struggles and growth as a character. And Bo Gum delivered in an absolutely empathic, charismatic and endearing way.
The Relatability of Hye jun and Depiction of Universal Youth Struggles
I’ve come to realise that the people who love Record of Youth so much and find it so touching and fulfilling, despite its blatant flaws (in my opinion), are people that relate deeply with Hye jun and his “unrealistic big dreams”. Being constantly put down by your father for pursuing your passion and being under your privileged best friend’s shadow struck many chords. So seeing Hye jun work his way up to the top and bewildering everyone brought so much hope, solace and catharsis to youths. It also gave the kind of fulfilment many of us are waiting to find in our lives.
Now while I related a lot with Hye jun’s feelings, once he became successful and the writer started to mess with my expectations on other stuff I found important to his storyline, the impact of other characters, and the story in general, I totally forgot about this aspect of the drama. It was no longer enough to make me say I loved the show for it. But I admit, it was a quintessential aspect and we youths of today need many more dramas and characters to depict our struggles and dilemmas in an even more effective and powerful way.
The Real Glimpse into the Other Side of Fame in K- showbiz
As a sucker for all things entertainment and celebs, it was instantly exciting, refreshing and vicariously fulfilling to witness some of the things that go on behind the glitz and glamour of the Korean entertainment world.
I loved being able to witness how an ordinary person like Sa Hye jun rose to fame in Hallyu and how he came to grasps with every single nemesis that came with it – Media manipulation, vicious comments, jealousy, competition, pressure, butt lickings, contract renewal nuances, management house tactics, packed schedules and the most memorable and impactful I would say, the random cry alone in the middle of the night. Geez. Fame.
I particularly liked how the writer showcased that celebrities do really see/hear of all those horrible comments about them. And that even if they don’t, their families constantly read about them and are tormented by them to no end. It really gave me a practical insight to why depression and suicide is such a (sadly) recurrent issue in Hallyu. Good job on that one writer.
I also loved the depiction of media play and the resulting baseless rumours. It’s really scary how something untrue about you can blow up and ruin you overnight in K-showbiz. I was pleased the writer made it a point to emphasize that the media shouldn’t be trusted blindly and that other factors (such as jealousy and competition) could be the root of fallacious and malicious reportages.
I also found the portrayal of the loneliness and imprisonment fame dishes to be very poignant and affective. The writer did well showcasing how simple things like a fresh breath of air, freedom of speech or an amazing day with a loved one, suddenly seems unattainable or luxurious.
I will never forget that scene in the bus where Bo gum was returning home from meeting with Jeong ha who had just selfishly and insensitively questioned if he was happy with his newfound fame. He couldn’t even privately wallow in his misery without a smartphone camera being poised at his face secretly. That scene spoke volumes of the weight and burden of fame in a very simple yet heart-wrenching manner. Very well done team.
Hye Jun’s Family Dynamics
I’d say I have ZERO complaints with how the writer handled every character and relationship in this family. In fact, apart from Bo gum, I dare say this family was the only other saving grace the show had. They made it worth it at the end. I was thoroughly entertained and moved by everyone in Hye jun’s household. They all had their own streaks, stories, personalities, interestingness and growth to them. I loved them so much individually and together. I also loved their little group chat and family meetings! Soo entertaining!
Hye jun’s circumstances were so relatable and absorbing right off the bat; Arabuje was swaggy and awesome till the very end and Ooma was sweet, gentle, and supportive. Abuje started off as belittling and plain annoying. He also unabashedly played favourites. It was easy to hate him because many youths could relate to Hye jun. It even got to a point where he just seemed like he was hoping for his son to fail so he could be proven right. Disgusting. Some parents do really be having evil ego. Thank God he redeemed himself at the end. Only then could I empathize with him and see where he had been coming from.
And oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!!!!!! I loved Hye Jun’s older brother Kyeong jun!!! He was dorky and clueless but he was so opinionated, headstrong, unpretentious, straightforward and freakingggg funny! Honestly I enjoyed this character sooooo much and I loved how harmless he was for all his petty and jealous streaks! Lee jae won played him so effortlessly and interestingly.
He was a complete natural!
I think I began to nurse a serious crush on Kyeong jun from the moment I found out he was obsessed with crushing his brother’s haters in the comments section. So sweet and charming! Enough Yetty 🤭🤭. Onto the next!
The Handling of Fortune and Parental/Societal Expectations
I don’t know about you guys but I found the writer really skilled in the moments Hye Jun landed it big and had to deal with his parents expectations and pretty much everyone else’s afterwards. I started to wonder. Okay what happens now? How does he help the people around him? How does he bless his parents and friends with his wealth and be that good-hearted son and friend he seemed to be?
I’ve always wondered how young stars, especially the ones who come from underprivileged homes, help to change the life of their parents and those around them. I mean, the pressure and expectations must be burdening right? Because, how do you give everyone their piece of the cake and keep everyone satisfied at the same time?
The writer really gave me a good idea of how that works. Now the amazing thing is, she never tried too hard to make Hye jun look like the considerate, giving son/friend. She kept whatever he was going to do suspenseful to the point where I actually began to feel fear and even disappointment that she wasn’t going to go there because she didn’t know how to handle it.
But I was pleasantly surprised and delighted by how she proved the amazing heart of Hye jun.
Hye jun doing all that he did for his parents and photographer friend, Jin woo was understated and unshowy but it was so impressionable, touching and even emotional for me. I loved how his generousness and kindness were handled without grandiose but with heart, quietness and thought.
And I loved everything it taught me too. That parents will always be ashamed to ask their kids for money no matter how big they’ve made it.
And that you should never forget your own when you make it, whether you feel like they were there for you or not. One way or the other, shame and realisation would catch up to them, and you would be the one shining in that moment.
The Truly Talented Supporting Actors
This show had a talented cast that did their best helping the show’s rickety writing. Too bad the scripting couldn’t let them do more with their characters and shine better as actors. Byeon Woo seok portrayed Hae hyo in a multifaceted way I believe. There was something quite natural, humane, melancholic – almost effortless – about Woo seok’s portrayal of Hae hyo and I liked that. I actually got a feeling that he related a lot with Hae hyo’s sad and insecure feelings in real life.
Hye jun’s manager Min jae and his ex manager, Tae soo were characters I found consistently interesting. Tae soo was wily and evil but I couldn’t hate him honestly. I found him very fun to watch especially when he was being diplomatically bitter and vile. So good. It didn’t even matter that he appeared in too many scenes.
And cute, frantic Min jae – well, at first, I found Shin Dong mi’s portrayal of her over the top and on the nose. But later on, I genuinely enjoyed and lived for her dramatics on my screen. She delivered a very enjoyable performance and I ultimately found the role fitting her to a T.
And she and Bo gum were awesome as a pair. Chemistry and Comedy galore.
Han Jin hee’s portrayal of arabuje was amazing. In fact, I was instantly in love with arabuje because of his portrayal❤. He effortlessly made him one of my favourite characters from this show. He delivered with such an infectious swag, charisma, humour and boyishness. And his swaggy, bouncy steps? Wow. Chef’s kiss. I loved it!
He had really good, memorable, begrudging chemistry with Park Soo young (son) too. Watching them bicker was always an highlight for me.
He also had a uniquely youthful and fantastic chemistry with Park Bo gum. Come to think of it, Bo gum had amazing chemistry with many characters. Such a pity that…that🤦♀️…we’ll get there.
As for Hye hyo’s mother, I felt like she was supposed to be interesting, given her excessive screen time and theatrics. But for some reason, whenever she appeared on screen, I couldn’t wait for Hye jun or someone more interesting to appear. Only her sparkly clothes and youthful features kept me attentive. The problem was not with the acting. It was great. I guess it’s just the writing of the character I didn’t particularly care to love or hate. Maybe it’s because of the childish and harmless narrative the writer tried to push on her. It was off-putting due to her obviously smart and devious ways. However, her inner dialogues and juvenile squabbles with Hye jun’s mother were quite something to watch.
I already talked about Hye jun’s brother right? I’m in love with this character! Look at how my darling was in conned shock!🤣
And gaaaawd! He would have made a BOMB ass couple with Min Jae! Or friends even! They were SOMETHING togetherrr!
HOW SHOW DISAPPOINTED SPECTACULARLY
Hye Jun and Jeong ha’s Relationship Handling
If we are talking about one of the biggest letdowns of this show, its glaringly Hye jun and Jeong ha’s relationship handling. Geez! The writer f–ked up big time with this couple as far as I am concerned.
They were so promising. They started off dapper, cool, straightforward, cheeky, and dynamic. Even refreshing. I loved what they started off as. Only for the writer to soon underwhelm me in the most overwhelming way possible. One thing that makes me root for a couple no matter what is emotional connection borne from communication and vulnerability. If your OTP doesn’t have that, then you don’t have my interest or empathy AT ALL.
Look at that space 🤦♀️
If you can’t make me emotionally invested in your OTP or make their relationship believable beforehand then how will I find their breakup heart-breaking and painful?? Or acceptably “realistic” like you’re going for? Whatever message or picture you’re trying to pass across will just appear lazy, unconvincing, and funny to me, even if it’s serious and realistic.
Jeong ha and Hye jun only knew how to say I love you without actually showing us how and why. So how would their love be treasurable? And how would the impact of it being broken, be hard-hitting?
I remember wishing they would just break up. It got that bad.
I kept giving the writer chances but she kept messing up every time. There was just no room for substantial growth or connection. Just staleness and stagnancy. When it came to giving other people meaningful dialogues, especially Hye jun with his family or key acquaintances, she nailed it 80% of the time. But whenever Hye jun and Jeong ha were supposed to be sharing meaningful, substantial, vulnerable things that would help them create a deep connection and strong bond I can root for (whether they would end up together or not!); the writer doesn’t show up at all. Instead I’m fed crumbs that felt forcefully cheeky, shallow, surface-level and formal. I mean!
It always felt like she shined in other scenes, but when it came to scenes between Jeong ha and Hye jun, she suddenly seemed amateur and clueless about what to do with them.
This thing with this relationship is, the drama could have survived without it. But the writer shoved the romance in because she wanted to highlight the hardships of dating as a celebrity in Hallyu. Cool. But if you’re gonna shove a romance in to prove a point and make me feel pity for the characters involved and wish the harsh industry never broke up their precious love, then you have to play this romance right.
The unfortunate part of it all is that Jeong ha and Hye jun had very emotional backstories and personal insecurities the writer could have easily milked to humanize and substantiate their romance. Instead, they were barely taken advantage of. Sighh🤦♀️
At some point, I just gave up on the whole relationship. NOTHING to look forward to. Once your audience no longer cares about your main characters’ “love story”, which is supposed to affect their lives, change them as people and impact their growth, then you’ve failed. Significantly. It doesn’t matter how busy they are. Or how introverted, independent and reserved their personalities are. This is art. You’re meant to evoke true, empathic feelings to win your audience’s heart and make them care. No one wants a depthless “realistic” romance on their screen. Especially when it comes to a KDRAMA romance. Realism can still be achieved without leaving your audience bored, underwhelmed, disappointed or indifferent.
Plus, can someone tell me why they only kissed twice at the beginning of this drama?! Or did the writer just give up on their chemistry?! Did she already feel it was off too?!!😭
Bo gum and Jeong ha’s Lack of Natural Chemistry
This was what I ultimately realized. These two had no easy, seamless chemistry.
I noticed I always cringed at the beginning of the drama whenever they were being physically affectionate, especially when they had their kisses.
The funny thing is I used to think this was because they had SO much chemistry. I just realized it was actually the other way round. I never felt at ease watching them do romantic things together. It just never felt natural. Why? Because I couldn’t help but be painfully aware that a camera crew was filming them. Hence my natural reaction to always cringe.
It was so obvious they were acting and not a real couple. There was this tenseness, awkwardness and formality between them that they tried so much to brush off and play cool about. Too bad they couldn’t hide them. And everything was made more obvious by the boring, inelastic, pretentious lines they were handed.
They weren’t helped at all by the writer or director. Instead, they were more sabotaged. Smh. Such a pity. They did look good together though!!😭
Failure to Explore Jeong ha’s Story and Growth to its Full Potential
Last time I checked, Park So dam is also one of the major characters of this show. Yet the writer relegated her to a flat, uninteresting and one-dimensional supporting character. She felt like an appendage; a forgettable accessory throughout the series, especially towards the end and this was very annoying to watch.
Jeong ha had her own story, her own dreams, insecurities and journey. Instead the writer turned her into one co-dependent, jealous, insensitive, childish, standoffish, stiff girlfriend who relied more on her boyfriend’s friend and treated the people I was led to believe she liked, with a casual coldness I really hated. Remember that part where Hae hyo told her he was going to the army? Her reaction was unrealistically and repulsively cold.
And urgh!🤦♀️…don’t get me started on the words she uttered to the guy she claimed to love at some of his most sensitive and downtrodden moments. What the heck Miss Writer? This was not the Jeong ha I signed up for.
How about showing us how she worked her way up to the top like Hye jun instead of presenting me with her reliance on Hae hyo’s connection or skipping to her “successful” self two years later?
How about showing her development as a person and how she finally allows herself to be vulnerable to the people she cherishes and loves? Why cast her aside and make her do or say questionable things that conflict with her character and make her less likable? Jeong ha was almost lifeless in this drama. Yes, even for a quiet, reserved character. No flavour, clarity or growth. No interesting facet. Just barely functional and sometimes confusing. What a waste Miss writer. What a waste.
To be honest, I don’t know what the hell Park So dam was thinking when she accepted this role. After starring in one the most widely acclaimed and record-breaking films of all time that catapulted Korean cinema to the global spotlight, this is what So dam reduced herself to. I’m so disappointed. I had such high hopes for her especially since I loved her in Cinderella and the Four Knights and Parasite. But it’s like she backpedalled to square one. She was such a hot-shot after Parasite. Why the hell did she chose a project that was going to waste her away and water down her fame and worth while at that?
Another thing I noticed about So dam is her lack of growth and versatility as an actress. Even whilst playing Jeong ha who naturally doesn’t say much or show much, there was still something obviously mechanical about her delivery. It was so obvious she was being told how to act and react; like she couldn’t figure out exactly how to interpret her character on her own. And it’s not even like whoever was directing her helped, or like whoever wrote her character helped either. Such a pity.
From the first scenes of Jeong ha on this show, the hopes I had for So dam honestly plummeted. I just knew this was going to be a plain character. Park So dam needs to improve and pick roles that are challenging and interesting. It is not enough to be hardworking or functional, you need to impress your audience, thrill them, blow them away and linger in their minds long after your show ends otherwise you will keep being stagnant and forgetful. They need to see another side of you to take you seriously. I enjoyed some of her past works, but it’s high time she played an intriguing and multifaceted character that can challenge her and her convince people of her acting talents.
The Lack of Supporting Characters’ Growth and The Anti-Climactic Tendencies
I mean, if even a major character is lacking in growth, what can be said of the supporting characters? Is there any surprise that some of them did not experience substantial growth too? Let’s look at Hae hyo. He started off interesting. His peak period were the raw, ugly emotions he felt during that award show where Hye jun had all the acknowledgments and he had nothing. And the period of comparisons he endured afterwards. After all this, Hae hyo stoppped being interesting and significant. At the end of it all, there was no remarkable growth, epiphany or catharsis for him. The writer made it appear like he had some, but if you look closely, he didn’t really.
So he finally woke up to the favours and privileges he had been getting; so he went berserk for a moment, cried a lot and went into sulky mode; so he went to the army without his parent’s knowledge. So what? How does that count as growth? I couldn’t see how he was going to forge his own path ahead or what he was going to do now, career-wise. No noteworthy self-discovery or decision. It just seemed like he was running away from everything, like the writer was running away from everything using the enlistment route. Nothing to make me say oh, Hye won was a character with purpose of his own.
Towards the end, he just seemed like a wanderer that had lost all his purpose in the drama.
It became so evident that he had been mainly created to show that Hye jun had it harder and that he was pinning for his girlfriend too.
And honestly, to the writer’s great fault, I could hardly feel pity for him. How dumb could he have been not to realise that his mum was playing tricks with his Instagram handle? After all the hints the writer consistently allow her drop? The hints were so much and glaring that when the truth finally came out, I couldn’t empathize with him.
If the writer hadn’t dropped that many hints whilst still making him appear clueless; or made it look like he was purposely brushing off his suspicions, then I would have cared and counted his grief as relevant. But nopes. The only few times I found myself feeling for him was when Hye jun made it and he started feeling like a failure with all the comparisons. That’s all.
He did nothing to pick himself up in the end. He simply ran.
Then we have other characters like Jin woo and Hae na. Their love story was cute but anti-climactic cannot begin to describe what I felt about the resolution of these two’s relationship.
After all the fuss the writer made about them sleeping or not sleeping with each other at the beginning, I honestly thought Hae na was going to fall pregnant. That would have been an awesome twist that would’ve truly shaken her mother. Instead, the writer managed to make their loveline pointless.
The relationship reveal I had waited for so much and expected to be like hell being let loose just felt so random and underwhelming. Neither Hae hyo nor his mother reacted in a way that blew off any roof or shook the earth like I had expected, despite all the teasing🤦♀️. It all felt pointless and lame. Like everyone seemed cool too soon. Mom even gave permission so long as they weren’t getting pregnant🤦♀️. They could have as well dated openly from the beginning. Smh.
And this did not really affect me, but how come we never got to see Jin woo open up his own studio like he had always wished or like the writer teased? Was it because he was a minor character? So his dreams didn’t matter so much?🙄🙄🙄🙄. That’s discriminatory Miss writer.
Same with Hae na. Nothing about her graduating law school or making something impressive of herself. What was her purpose again on this show?? To just whine and settle for money over love?🙄🙄🙄 I thought we were dealing with an obstinate and daring character here. And I thought we were dealing with all the growths of “youths” on this show. Not just Hye jun!!
Geez. With all the screen time this Reporter got and the smart, finicky impression they made her give off, I can’t believe the writer just turned her into one plain stupid person at the end. So you mean, because of some foolish, limbless intel she got from Tae soo, she hounded Hye jun down like that. The writer just made the reporter plain dumb and watered down how serious her message on media manipulation could have come across.
And guys, remember that part where Hye jun brought home his brand new car as a successful rookie actor and that part where Hye jun’s family discovered Kyeong jun had been conned? I don’t know about you guys but for me, I had high expectations about the dramatic reactions from the parents and grandfather, especially with the history they have with grandpa being duped and Hye jun struggling to have a breakthrough. Maybe it’s just me, but my expectations were serially dampened.
And I still can’t believe I never got to witness Jeong ha meet Hye jun’s mother or have dinner with his whole family. Despite all the teasing???🤦♀️
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Well, after all is said and done, ambivalence is what I feel about Record of Youth. Other than its poignant glimpse into the pressures of fame, it could have worked out better had it lessened the number of cast and focused more on Hye jun’s youthful struggles, family issues and race for breakthrough. Because show definitely bit more than it could chew and promised more than it could deliver.
Watching the finale, I neither felt fulfilled nor moved. Hye jun’s family wrapping up things nicely and rediscovering their love for one another were the only truly moving and fulfilling parts of the end for me. I especially loved that final scene of Hye jun and his brother together😭. And the one with Hye jun and his father actually made me choke up a little.
But actually guys, due to all the consistent underwhelming feeling show gave me, I got to a point where I almost forgot every thing the writer did well with and deserves some special shout-outs for. Writing this review was what forced me to look back on them. It shouldn’t be.
In summary, this is Record of Youth:
Lots of wasted potentials. Bright in some spots, refreshing in some ways but way underwhelming than it should have been or than we, certain characters and the story deserved.
Final Grade: 65%