Kolorful Palette: Autumn concerto [Cantabile Tomorrow]

by Fanderay

I’ve decided to rebel this week and resist the temptation to draw another new drama (even though there were several). The weather in my part of the world has been miserable lately, and Cantabile Tomorrow is the perfect kind of comfort food. Even when our characters are entrenched in the midst of drama it’s still a show that feels sweet and warm, and some days that’s a very welcome thing.

Out of all the seasons, I tend to find fall the most difficult because I can’t help but feel like it’s constantly portending the impending doom that is winter (can you tell I’m a summer person?). When I’m out scurrying around in the cold, wet air and begrudging the sky its grayness, pretty much the only thing that makes me feel happy is the beautiful colors everywhere (I try not to think about the fact that the foliage is so lovely because summer is over and it’s dying). Since I love colorful leaves so much I’ve been trying for weeks to find a good autumn-y scene to draw, but I haven’t had a ton of luck. I finally decided that I wasn’t going to wait any longer for the perfect shot (which probably doesn’t exist) so I settled for the one above, which at least somewhat fits the bill.

I may have chosen this scene a bit shallowly, but I like it for other reasons too. For one, I really liked what this whole interaction displayed about the couple. Yoo-jin has just caused a big upset by removing all of Nae-il’s belongings from his apartment, but as soon as something serious happens they both forget that incident in an instant. No matter what stupid things these two do, they still care about each other, and they forget the little things when they need to.

I also liked the obvious, which is that Yoo-jin is finally having an awakening regarding Nae-il (we hope!). It hurt a little to watch Nae-il compare him to others who have treated her badly (which I don’t think he quite deserves) but I do think extreme measures are required when it comes to someone as emotionally obtuse as Yoo-jin. It doesn’t seem like this is a trauma that Nae-il will get past without the support of someone she trusts and respects, but I’m pretty curious how Yoo-jin will go about helping her once he takes the situation seriously (wanting to help and knowing how are two completely different things). I think he’s going to have to learn how to healthily emote if he wants to do much good, so I guess they’ll actually be helping each other. Hopefully there’s music involved!

I’m actually glad that it took this long for Nae-il’s story arc to really take off because it feels like such an appropriate way to start off the second half of this drama. During the first episode it was Yoo-jin that was struggling and in a very deep rut, and Nae-il’s free-spirited playing was what inspired him to climb out. He would still be stuck if it weren’t for her, and now it’s almost like she’s learning her own lesson from him (although in her case, her mental blocks are a lot more serious). Besides their music, they also do so much for each other when it comes to personal and emotional growth. In the beginning Yoo-jin was extremely uninterested when it came to real relationships with pretty much anyone, and even though he’s still terrible at it, at least there’s the desire. These two really are the sum of their parts, and despite being so independently gifted, they need each other to achieve everything they’re capable of. Sounds like a perfect match to me.

I admit that I rolled my eyes when Yoo-jin rushed in to save Nae-il from almost playing the piano to death, and I didn’t enjoy that scene as much as I should have. I don’t blame this drama specifically since I actually admire Nae-il’s musical obsession (and know such people do exist) but the over-abundance of sick protagonists in Korean dramas has left me a little jaded. Usually some noble idiot spends too long in the rain (which is apparently almost fatal) and some hero has to rush in and nurse her back to health when no one else could. I used to love such scenes, but alas, I can no longer get so invested in something that seems like such a minor illness. I loved Yoo-jin’s earnestness throughout the scene (any emotionally revealing moment of his is very welcome) but I couldn’t quite shut up the voice in the back of my head that was saying, “Is this really happening?” Oh well, maybe my brain will have better luck next time.

Even though I think they’re a great couple, I do think Yoo-jin has to smarten up, and he certainly can’t fall into a confused jealous rage any time he sees Nae-il talking to another guy. It makes sense since he’s been so introverted and emotionally stunted for so long, but he’s got to come to terms with his feels eventually. Meanwhile, a part of me can’t help but root for Yoon-hoo just a bit. Couldn’t he get the girl for just a while and then let Yoo-jin take over? I’m biased towards him purely because he’s a cellist (I’m a bit cello-obsessed) but wouldn’t it be great if we got to watch them play multiple cello-piano duets? Yoon-hoo’s appearance as a conductor may have been great story-wise, but I was honestly kind of devastated. We’d better still get more cello!

Overall though, I’m pretty impressed with the quality this drama has managed to keep up, and it’s still got lots of places to go. I look forward to seeing how that final scene plays out, but ultimately it doesn’t really matter. This is one of those shows where I know I can just kick back and enjoy the ride.

 
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