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My uncle is a movie buff as well, and we talk quite often. He never gives me a recommendation but he did for the first time and that is why I'm taking this seriously although this has 20 episodes and all are about 1.5 hours long. I've only watched 2 KDramas till date and they are Squid Game, which I watched out of peer pressure and found out to be a little more than average and decent. The second one is 'All of Us are Dead' which I got tempted to watch because of its appealing trailer and found it to be good. But I got to say much about this one. I'd be dividing this review of 20 episodes into 4 parts which would have episodes 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16-20 as I watch them accordingly. I decided of not going one review per episode because then it'd be very difficult to review without spoilers. **REVIEW OF EPISODES 1-5 "**We don't need to rashly insert truth into happy delusions. Sometimes, we have to be deluded to be happy." They started this brilliantly. They gave a great introduction to all the characters and everything about their amuses and weak points. Greatly carried out by hilarious and sad moments, they pull off great timings for everything. As this is Korean and superbly simplistic which gives us a view of their culture with a slice of typical life in the late 80s, it never felt boring. There are films and series in which story arcs make the character arcs progress, but it's the opposite in this one and that is what makes it unique. Characters are developing so nicely that they are carrying the story on their own and no one is there to interrupt them. And it's fucking entertaining although being so simple in its premise. As the culture hits so close to home, it feels and hits different because Indian and Korean cultures have so many similarities. One more thing which I notice here was the importance of food and respect towards everyone else. Just like Indian culture, the importance and the purpose of food is shown here very interestingly as of a way of bonding families together which feels really familiar as well. About the respect, they bow and we touch feet. The acting and the writing is amazing, without a doubt. Some people might find some moments cringe, but I didn't feel that at all, I think this is how we were when we were kids as well, although there might be an age difference but still. That isn't a reason for me to complain about because it felt very natural, credits to the writing and acting. About the sad and happy moments, they have an amazing buildup and always have a reason of them happening, so you would be able to empathize very easily and shed a tear twice or thrice in one episode. The little things that make such a great contrast and difference. Capturing simple moments of life and making it so interesting is a work of art and I'm really enjoying it. Just one complaint right now, that they use some sample sounds throughout which feels annoying. I'm very hopeful for the next episodes and I hope that it doesn't go bad or something. REVIEW OF EPISODES 6-10 The characters which are written and acted beautifully carry on the tradition of this being a fantastic show. They're catching the nuances of the simplistic life back in the 80s. And the relationships that are being developed and the misunderstandings that we are seeing here are a treat to watch. Nothing seems forced, everything happening in the show has a reason. Even though every episode has a long runtime, it doesn't feel that way because they're taking their time of developing the storyline and their lives at an almost perfect pace. It never feels boring. There were standout moments in these 5 episodes as well, and I think that out of the 10 episodes till now, episode 8 was my favourite. It had many moments which touched the soul effortlessly. I'm very much amazed at the fact that these people who made the series possible catch so many nuances which sometimes even the viewer can't state and has to rewind to make sure. And when it comes to the scope of our understanding, it never fails to satisfy. I'm having a very good feeling about this, and I have many expectations now, so I hope very very much that this goes and concludes well. REVIEW OF EPISODES 11-15 This is just getting better and better. This is just like 'Boyhood' but much better and much more interesting because of its nuances. The character development in this show is one of the best I've ever seen. The sad moments they are going for now are simplistic in nature as the previous ones as well but it has a far more effective wavelength and reach now. All of it because of the character development. I've got my 2 favourite characters in the show, I won't say it right now but it's pretty amazing how I've got to this feat and there are reasons for it. And the biggest of the reasons is that there are numerous characters, but no one feels left out, everyone is getting their chance on the screen and your tears aren't gonna compromise anywhere. That's how effective they've built the show. The relationships that are establishing, I very much like the pace of it and it's really giving them time to nurture and it feels more realistic unlike those films where there is shit like love at first sight and kiss at second sight and all the way in the third one. Even the soundtrack is amazing as well, even though they repeat many of the songs but I don't have any problem because I'm gonna add them into my playlist as well, that's how good they are. The culture of Korea which is so similar to my country India as well and the food that they use in such an interesting way and show as a means of bonding families. It's beautiful. I've also come to realise that this show gives us so much to learn as well, about life, love, relationships, hard work and sacrifices. And that Era of the late 80s with those iconic movies and the greatest decade of music (in my opinion) makes it more and more lovable and watchable. I really feel that this can be one of my favourite shows I've watched, even considering that there are the final 5 episodes remaining. I feel bad as well, because there are only 20 episodes. Before watching this I felt that it is so long and I doubted myself if I would be engaged with it or not, but now I feel that this is one of those shows you can just watch and watch for like, forever. I'm very very hopeful and I'm very enthusiastic about the last 5 episodes although I can definitely enjoy more. REVIEW OF EPISODES 16-20 Been a few hours since finished, and I still can't get out of it. Still teary eyed. I never thought that anything would top Peaky Blinders for me, but this did. It really did. A scene in episode 18 broke my heart, episode 19 made me cry and episode 20 made me feel everything. Happy and sad and all kinds of emotions. I don't even know what to write right now, my mind is full of stills from the series right now. Not to mention again, this is my new favourite series and I'm pretty sure it'd continue to be. The characters taught me and made me realise so many things about love and life and sacrifices. What parents do for us. How we can give back to them. And those little moments that matter. My favourite characters were Sun Young, Mr. Choi Moo Sung, Jung Hwan and Kim Seong Gyun. I loved how they framed the character of Jung Hwan and it was very unstereotypical. I loved it. Everything he did but it didn't matter in the end just because of his timing. The restaurant scene in episode 18 where he confesses and then does something upon realisation broke my heart so bad. It might be the most hurtful and emotional confession I've seen on screen. Every character in the show had growth amid pain and that's how life is. Every character was lovable. Everything which the show makes you feel will be better than therapy and will teach you a great deal. I'm already thinking if I could've watched this for the first time again. Overall, this will hold a special place in my heart forever, and if it'd have continued, I could've watched this forever. From childhood to adulthood, from actually being there to memories, and from first love to maturity, everything was perfect and it provided a great closure to us as well. Will remain a favourite for the longest time.