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. ;-)