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!