When I Was the Most Beautiful

(Korean drama) 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 4/5

This was a sensitive drama that dealt with unrequited love complicated by a dysfunctional family. Warning: this review contains spoilers and profanity.

Oh Ye Ji meets Seo Hwan when she comes to his school as a student teacher. He falls in love with her at first sight, despite being her student. Seo Jin, Seo Hwan’s brother is also attracted to her. She ends up marrying SJ to get out of difficult personal circumstances, even though she doesn’t really love him. Soon after the wedding, Seo Jin goes missing after a bad accident in a car race, and is presumed dead. Years later, he is found alive, but medically paralyzed, and living with his ex-girlfriend in the US. All Hell breaks loose when Oh Ye Ji finds out about his betrayal. After her divorce with Seo Jin, Seo Hwan asks Oh Ye Ji to go away with him and start a new life together, since he still loves her. But she refuses, citing safeguarding his relationship with his family as an excuse.

Ji Soo has given a phenomenal performance in this drama, and it is probably one of his best so far. He has amazing screen presence, and looks very manly and attractive. Im Soo Hyang has also given a great performance. She has an undeniable sensual aura, and her chemistry with Ji Soo was fantastic. Ha Seok Jin has given an average performance. Hwang Seung Eon has given a commendable portrayal of the bitchy, obsessive and shameless ex-girlfriend. The rest of the actors have done a good job as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the push and pull tension between Seo Hwan and Oh Ye Ji, but I was sorely disappointed at the ending. In fact, I’m quite furious with the writer for not having the guts to write a progressive story, for having double standards, and for imposing Joseon era morals on just one couple, while letting everyone else get off scott-free. The MIL had multiple affairs with several different men while still being married to her husband, but she got forgiven every single time. Seo Jin, married to Oh Ye Ji, hid from her and lived with his ex-girlfriend for seven years, but his actions were apparently justified. But for Seo Hwan and Oh Ye Ji, the ones who actually loved each other, the standards were sky-high, and they were not allowed to be together or be happy till the end. The last sensible dialogue of the drama was when Oh Ye Ji’s mother tells her to go away to America with Seo Hwan and start a new life. Everything after that was bullshit.

I would watch this drama for Ji Soo, and only for him. The ending was quite shitty.

My rating ❤️ 💔 😒 💔 😠