I haven't read your article yet. I will, but I already agree with you. I mean it's not by any means a favorite drama, but I enjoyed it. I was surprised to hear how much people didn't like it.

I'm so happy you wrote this @ally-le!

This was literally the first drama that popped into my head when I saw this month's theme, but I didn't know where to start. I too have a deep love of this drama even years on when I feel I should know better. It was one of my first dramas and despite knowing its flaws, what works in this drama really works.

I love the parallel stories and how the various family bonds between the sets of parents and children are broken and repaired by the same events. It's a strangely comforting drama to revisit despite the fact that it uses nearly every cliche in the book to some extent (noble idiocy in spades, first love, young love, playboy-innocent girl, rich/poor, my fave cohabitation, plus a few more).

And the setting and cinematography are to die for, as you mention. The constant contrast between the city and the natural world was a beautiful parallel of all the characters' journeys. I can probably ramble for years on the topic.

You're right about the acting too; it really did feel organic. Even though YoonA was really green when they made the drama, it worked so well with her character. She had this sass to her that never made her feel pathetic or outmatched by her costars. And all the parents in the contemporary timeline were so great.

Thank you for this!

You've sold me on the first four episodes at least. I'm still on a high from marathoning Girls Generation 1979 (which is only 8 episodes, too short). So yay, give me more '70s!) :D

I'm not proud of liking this drama but I really did too! I definitely didn't love it, but I liked it a lot. I'm a huge melodrama fan. Not the sweet, not-so-angsty melos like Just between Lovers, but the wailing and extra dramatic type like A Love To Kill or That Winter.

I totally recognize the fact that most of those stories made no sense, but when I feel my heart being crushed on purpose and so dramatically too, I just get pulled in for more. I sound super masochistic, I realize lol.

In Love Rain, I didn't enjoy the 70s. JGS's dad character made me so mad I wanted him dead every episode. He was a terrible father and husband (not that his wife was any better) and was honestly so selfish it disgusted. And the initial part of 2012 also bored the heck out of me. But I stuck with it back then because I remember not liking anything airing at that time.

Then the angst kicked in, and it really all clicked for me in that stairs scene. I vaguely remember JGS's character comes in drunk and in a moment of weakness, just hugs Yoona. Then he catches what he'd just done and tells her something really painful. I just felt my heart crushed for both of them. Basically the last third of this drama is absolutely my cup of tea. So I totally understand your fondness for it!

What a great post, Ally! I considered watching this drama just for The Love of My Life AKA Seo In-gook but never did because I was put off by fairly poor/mediocre reviews and, quite frankly, the fact that I never really see anyone say anything good about it. This post definitely changed my mind, though, and I’ll definitely be adding it to my (very long) list of dramas to check out now! The first 4 episodes especially sound like they would be right up my alley.

Loved this kdrama, even learned to play "shy confession milktea" on the piano :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hockufrW5PM

I really enjoyed reading your write-up, @Ally! Love Rain was the first drama that i watched with my mom so it remains as a memorable one amongst all the others i watched. I really liked LR, but I'm in the camp with those that really loved the first four episodes. My mom, on the other hand, really loved it that when I showed her your article she was like "time for a rewatch", lol.😂

I do not tend to rewatch dramas but Love Rain is a go to when it pops up. It's just fun. The same with Healer and DOTS. It's just satisfying.

I loved the first four episodes in the 70s. When they went to present time it was so jarring and tonally different that I couldn't continue with it.

This drama was aired in our local TV station and it was my weekday morning siesta treat. I really enjoyed it even if it was dubbed in our local language. I watched it with my mother-in-law and she enjoyed it too. The OST, the cinematography, and acting were great and of course that is when I started liking Jang Geun-seok which I thought looked a bit like my husband (of course, in my eyes, hahaha).

Thank you for the article. Love Rain was not the best drama, but it was a beautiful one. Tho I wasn't in love with it, I definitely enjoyed watching it, and I did watched it till the end. Like most, I like the 70's part more, the slow pace, the warm hues, the quiet scene, tho a bit too slooow.. but that's what made drama beautiful. Even the scene with the parents couple in the present have the same pace/feeling as in the 70's. And Lee Mi-sook's handbags are all gorgeous.

Also, Love Rain introduced and started my love for Seo In-gook, that alone made drama have a special place in my book.

I ended my comment slump just to write how much I loved this drama, too! This will always have a special place in my beanie heart. Although I think I was the only one in my family who watched the entire drama (in secret, because if not they would've teased me to death). My mom only enjoyed the parents' love story and not the kids' love line, so she stopped watching after the separation. Thanks for this great piece, @ally-le!

This drama is from 4 season series' director. His dramas always go the outdated plot of childhood sweetheart and 1st love melodrama, but I have good nostalgia with them, including this one. Now they don't make dramas like this anymore, it's good memory.

Honestly, I didn't watched this drama simply because as you have mentioned 2012 there was King 2 Hearts, Faith, Gaksital, The Moon That Embraces the Sun, Queen In-hyun’s Man,Reply 1997.

I haven't watched all of the mentioned drama above yet watching 3 dramas King 2 Hearts, Gaksital and Queen Inhyun's man made my eyes full-:) and i guess by the way i picked this 3 dramas you can tell what type of genre im into.

I only heard the premise of the drama that it was like "The Classic" movie. I had watched this movie The Classic with Jo Seung Woo and Sohn Yen-Jin and i love it so far but i guess i wasn't convinced enough to watched it with Yoona and Jang Guek Suk.

Thank you for sharing at least i i had a glimpse of it.

I never thought I'd have an interest in this drama but now I do so thanks (?!?!?!) for adding yet another drama to my list, @ally-le! Your write-up is so well-written and so convincing too! *trundles over to iflix* *why oh why does it have 20 episodes*

Thanks so much for writing this!! I feel exactly the same way!! I just got through re watching it again. I RARELY rewatching dramas. There are just too many new ones to try but Love Rain is just one of my all time favorites. Since I am a child of the 70s, I can relate to the time period and the music and cinematography is breathtaking. As an American, the story line is a little hard to relate to. We would have no problem with parents and step children marrying as long as there is no blood connection, no problem but Love Rain will always be in my top ten K dramas.

Have to check it out!

Congratulations, @ally-le, for another great essay. I won't necessarily run off and watch it, but I appreciate your synopsis. As @judepps notes, it sounds a lot like the film THE CLASSIC, which is one of my favorites. ;-)

Such a lovely write-up, Ally! I'll be sure to catch at least the first four episodes - I'm sold. Also, Yoona looks so beautiful smiling so naturally here, no wonder she's incredibly popular in South Korea.

I love this drama and have watched it dozens of times. The parent’s story can be painfully slow but the modern day story is wonderful - romantic, funny - JKS and Yoona are so believable. It has been a huge hit internationally.

I love, love this drama, especially the modern day love story. I agree that the parent’s love story is sometimes painfully slow but that’s why we have fast forward. Seo Joon (JKS) and Ha Na (Yoona) are so wonderful as they meet and fall for each other (romantic and funny) and then are wrenched apart but can’t stay away from each other. The OST is excellent, especially Tiffany’s two songs. I have watched it dozens of times and it never fails to move me.

I debated whether or not to watch this drama a while ago but ultimately took it off my “to watch” list based on reviews I’d read.

You’ve convinced me to at least watch the first 4 episodes since I’m curious to check out the 70s setting (which happens to be when I was growing up. *cough, just dated myself).

I'm really in disbelief this one was posted! So much so, that I just wrote another one and sent it in not even a couple hours before this one made it to the site! And again, my good writing is really due to good editing, so thank you DB editing fairies! I had seen other kdramas before this one, but this one was the one that hooked me. I blame it on my husband who wouldn't stop talking about it to anyone who would listen. I still rewatch clips and listen to the soundtrack. I'm glad there are so many others where this holds a special place in their hearts as well! I actually liked the 2nd timeline better in this (although it sounds like I liked the 1st better when I read it) mainly because of Yoon-ah. She really is special in this.

Love this, and Love Rain too. ♥️ Who knows how many times I re-watched this drama (sans the parents’ storyline 😂). Cinematography was plain beautiful. The best I’ve seen Yoonah in. I think she’s best when doing the bubbly role. Otherwise, uhm, I’m not too sure if she’s acting (I’m looking at you, K2). And Jang Geun-seok. I think 2012 was the peak of my JGS love. This Oppa is still my greatest oppa love. I am patiently waiting for your return, Oppa!

I have never heard of this one, but sounds like a nice watch. I'll put it on my list, thanks.

I also loved Dr. Oh :)

I loved the first 4 episodes of this drama.

But I think when it went to the present, it lost some of the magic, you know?
The innocence of the people, the time, the couple, and the photograph that was soooo beautiful. And with the present came a lot of drama that was unnecessary for me. I think the story would have been more interesting if they were intercalate with the present and the past, but not necessarily being that the couple of the future has some connection with the past. You know. But I kind have some fond affection for this drama.

Yes girll!
Finally someone who gets me, its such an amazing drama, one of my all time favourites in fact. I've been a rabid drama watcher for the last 8 years and this one is so memorable for me, I have no idea because except for the first 4 episodes, it is absolutely not that impressive, but somehow it has stayed as a sentimental favourite!
I didn't even mind the creepy ending, where her mom and his dad are sort of together but they're married to each other. Man this is such a trip down memory lane
Thank you!

Ha! I remember this show! Specifically for the clear distinction between the first four episodes and the rest of the show. As a fairly new kdrama watcher, the first four episodes were so slow to me it was like watching paint dry. It was torturous. JGS' character was exasperating and Yoona's was insipid.

Then the children's arc started and the show picked up. I don't remember the details but I do remember leaving it satisfied. The fifth episode onward was like a reward for hanging on for the first four episodes of the show. It was beautifully shot, JGS was great and Yoona was lovely in it and it surprised me later on, to read the flak she was getting for her acting.

If I'm ever to rewatch this show, I'd start from episode five and save myself the exasperation of the first four.

Thank you for the post, Ally.

I watched Love Rain after I fell in love with Jang Geun Suk in You're Beautiful and I honestly really enjoyed this drama. I too love the OSTs and I also really liked the Alicia Keys song in the modern time scene. I will never forget that super angsty dinner table scene when the OTP is introduced to each other to be siblings. Like dang that was some drama right there. It's not a favorite drama and wouldn't rewatch but I enjoyed it.

Oh also this drama is great to learn some Korean with 'cause the dialogue can be so.slow.sometimes lol esp with the parent's speaking scenes and the first 4 eps.

First Faith and now Love Rain? It feels like someone is ticking away on my guilty pleasures' list:)

The first drama for me that made me look up the songs and write down lyrics. Pronunciation, really, because duh...Definitely a sentimental favorite, though the angst in the last ep-s drove me nuts.

This still makes me go awww...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Jz7jAOkvQ

And this one still breaks my heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsxEi7bztw8

Thanks, Ally!

Well, now i feel like watching Love Rain. There's just that small issue called time 😅

So pleased to see this one! Love Rain was my first k-drama in reasonably recent times: all thanks to the Netflix recommendation algorithm. I found the past section a little odd, but the present section was compelling. My love for Jang Geun-seok propelled me through the next few dramas, and then I was hooked.

At some point I would like to do a rewatch and see how Love Rain stands up given my developing tastes.

Well color me stunned. And it's all @ally-le's fault. ;-)

I just finished watching episode 5, and LOVE RAIN has been surprisingly entertaining. And the outdoor locations in Korea and Hokkaido are gorgeous.

I've posted a couple of pieces of background music on my fan wall.

@ally-le, I was so hesitant to watch this drama because of low ratings and mediocre to bad reviews. But after reading this, I think I just might give it a chance. This article did felt like a mini-thesis (this is a compliment) and if I was your Prof, I would give it an A.

My Favorite drama... one among my top 10 of all time. and now i can gush about it as much aa i can. thanks for writing abt itm
and such a wonderful and heartwarming way you have described it. I never cried (before watching Love Rain) that bad ever while watching a kdrama as i cried with it. It was like a slow arrow Piercing through my heart giving me pain but at same i loved it so badly that could not drop it no matter how much it pained.... Everything abt Love Rain was perfect, the cast, the story, the backdrop.. all its osts are still on my playlist on repeat...

Love Rain was my first ever kdrama. In fact, my first encounter with anything related to the Korean drama and music world. I saw a small video clip on mute (yes) of a cute boy (Jang Geun Seok) holding back tears while nodding in negative to some girl's (Yoona) teary confession.. It took me weeks to know the drama's name and months to find out about dramabeans and drama streaming sites..

I really enjoyed this drama also. The scenery shot in Japan really impressed me. The younger generation couple worked through their difficult problems (with help from friends also), and that was inspiring.

I enjoyed the modern plot more than the very slow paced first 4 hours. I get the appeal of the 1970s plot, though. But what I enjoyed the most about Love Rain is the modern OTP. I love Jang Geun-seok and Yoona as Joon and Hana. Despite being the typical asshole rich boy and bubbly but naive poor girl, I like how the show emphasizes on how they truly like each other with plenty of smiles, banters, hugs, and kisses between the OTP.

The plot might be contrived but those plentiful cute moments made the angst bearable and believable. Oh, and the progression of the chaste kisses to a more passionate one is satisfying too!

LR was also shown in The Cannes FF..
I watched Love Rain 2 yrs before & ended up again watching it 2 days b4 i think for the 20th time.. :) The drama is excellent in every aspect.. Acting, direction, storyline song, places, Yoon Suk's awesome chemistry.. Wow.. JKS' acting is incomparable.. The was a complete transaction of the characters.. Watching it really makes one stress free!! The most romantic drama with so pure love any girl wil want..

LOVE THIS ARTICLE!! Thanks for mentioning each m every beautiful scenes.. I m now 23 still i love those retro episodes the most.. That beach scene, chocolate scene, JKS's world class Expressions.. One of the bestst drama in kdrama history.. & the hardships JKS felt during filming since he was having Tokyo Dome concert that time too, so the dra lovers till now & it's success overseas pay off his & the entire team's hard work!! Always a fav!! Actually the BEST DRAMA IN THE WORLD with the BEST ACTOR, of the world, my Prince Sukkie!! 😍😍😍

Love Rain is one of the first dramas I watched, right after You're beautiful. At the time, I loved the drama so much, the chemistry between the leads, the kisses, I really loved it. Nowdays, I can see the flaws, but this drama will always have a great impression on me. Also, it helped me to become a fan of Jang Geun-seok.

thank you for this!!! I love this so much!!

Ya. Did i miss it? Did I missing reading any part mentioning the great acting of the adults in the series?

I have kept myself from watching the series as the first two episodes were… d-u-h. my interest was piqued when one of the local channels in my country [Philippines] eventually aired the series dubbed in the vernacular.

I adore JGS's fashion in the series but what really kept me watching was the love story of the adults that started in the 70's — the separation, the accidental meeting in the present and the eventful rekindling of past love.

They were beautifully acted that I cant help but empathize (and at times, cry with them).

Thank you for writing this Ally! Until now, I hadn't really given Love Rain a thought. I had just started watching Kdramas in 2012, (5 years!) and I guess my plate was already full watching as many as I could off of javabean's and girlfriday's list. I will definitely watch this now. I came into adulthood in the late '70s, so this sounds like it will be nostalgic for me as well.

@ally-le,

You went and done it, madam! Now I have "Love Rain" playing on an endless loop in the back of my mind.

Seriously, thanks for inoculating me with that earworm, and all the rest of that great music. Except for some eleventh-hour frustration with Mom's noble idiocy and Ex-wife's never-ending manipulation, it was a great watch. I liked the 70s vibe.

Thanks again for writing such an engaging defense. ;-)

BTW: I'm back to watching MAWANG / LUCIFER after a much-needed break, and discovered that KBS World TV has it on youtube. The subtitles are a whole lot better than the ones I was reading before, and I'm enjoying it much more, too. It is an excellent show. Intense and well-designed with layered characters. The acting is great. Addictive. ;-)