Record of Youth (2020)

Wow, there are very mixed opinions on this drama! Some would say this drama went absolutely no where and others would say that this was a beautiful and compelling story. I stand somewhere in between (despite my rating).

Reasons I watched this drama:
1. It's story about the the entertainment industry
2. Park Bo Gum
3. The mixed reviews

Reason you should watch this drama:
1. A dive into family dynamics and relationships (grandfather-grandson, siblings, mother-son, father-son etc...)
2. To understand the struggles of the entertainment industry - on screen and behind the scenes
3. A message of keeping to morals and principles, despite the pressure from others

Reasons why people may have disliked this drama:
1. The ending
2. Slow pacing/ The lack of action
3. Unnecessary plotlines


Story
This drama isn't supposed to have a dramatic storyline. The key focus is supposed to be on the familial, romantic and platonic relationships that the characters have, and how entering the entertainment industry will effect them.
I wasn't fussed about the slow pacing of the story line.

Episodes 1-10 were enjoyable. They delved into Hye-Joon's and Jung-Ha's relationships, aspirations and principles well. I liked watching the struggles and the determination needed to reach their goal. I fell in love with the Grandpa and his dynamic with everyone.

One thing that I especially enjoyed was the looming enlistment time. Although I, myself, am a female and not from South-Korea, so I will never have to go through it; I learnt how difficult it was to choose when to join - to drop your career, to leave your family. It was an interesting process to watch.
Everything was smooth sailing with the occasional drama with Hye-Joon's ex and Hae-Hyo's growing jealousy.

However, I will admit that from ep 11 I began to skip through episodes. I lost interest in the continuous scandals and rumours. One scandal plotline would have be fine, particularly the Charlie incident, as it explored Korean society's views on people in the LGBTQ+ community. But back to back scandals were too much to take. The former manger was not an interesting antagonist, he was just boring, repetitive and annoying. And I have a hard time believing that a news reporter, who's job is to alter and obscure the complete truth to captivate readers/ viewers, would completely believe what one of their sources told them without considering that they may be lied to.

The plotline between Hae-Hyo and his mother was not the most interesting of plotlines, although it was necessary for a drama about the entertainment industry. I felt it would have been better if the audience was also kept in the dark about the fact that his mother was buying followers. Hae-Hyo was proud of his follower count, and if it were revealed later in the story to the audience that his follower count was fake or even when he found out himself, it would have been more gut wrenching. Because we found out so early on, I pitied him every time he talked about his success, or that one time when Hae-Hyo was chosen over Hye-Joon for a role because he had a higher number of fans - I just felt bad for him.

A plotline that was kind of glossed over, is the fact that Hae-Hyo's parents clearly were having some marriage issues. They don't communicate well with each other, they don't agree on the path for their children, they don't even sleep in the same bed. She even tries to suffocate him with a pillow while he's sleeping and it turns into a comedic scene. I felt that their plotline was there, just to prove that being rich wasn't perfect and to make you sympathise even more for Hae-Hyo.


Cast/ Acting
This was an anticipated drama for many, being the last drama of Park Bo Gum before he enlisted for his mandatory service. He most definitely didn't disappoint. His crying scenes felt so real and raw that I was half convinced that this was merely an opportunity to let out his emotions in a façade of acting. This is my second drama with Park Bo Gum; my first being 'Love in the Moonlight' (which I have yet to finish), and in both he played his character well. His ability to play a sweet, innocent guy, to an antagonist in the production that Hye-Joon was in, was mesmerising.

Although I have yet to see Parasite and Cinderella and the Four Knights, I know that Park So Dam was also highly anticipated in this drama. She has a very natural way of acting, like she isn't playing a character, but is actually Jung-Ha. She portrayed both an independent, strong willed character and a fan girl extremely well.

Romance/ Chemistry
At first I was sceptical when he confessed his feelings only 5 episodes into the show, because, as we all know, if the lead gets into a relationship particularly early into the drama the characters are either, not the ultimate couple (second lead), or they will break up with a whole lot of drama, then get back together before the end. Luckily, there were no issues. The romance wasn't explored too greatly and was by no means the main focus of the story, so it was sweet when they had scenes together.
The chemistry that they had was very natural, and they can banter and play off each other without having to force it.

There was an intention of a love triangle. But, I don't believe that Hae-Hyo ever stood a chance as Jung-Ha seemed completely loyal to Hye-Joon and even admitted to regretting calling him for help, when Hye-Joon was unavailable. The ex girlfriend wasn't pushy enough to be a part of a love triangle. She knew that she should back off quite early on and she was mostly introduced to cover up the rumours.

The chemistry that the Sa family had was perfect. Although I am not from a large family, I felt that the dynamic between them felt very familial and real. The relationships between mother and son, and grandfather and grandson, made me want to be a part of their family.

The Ending
Many did not like the ending. I however enjoyed it, only a few things irked me. We end with Hye-Joon and Jung-Ha breaking up and Hye-Joon and Hae-Hyo enlisting in the army. Which I am completely fine with. I felt that this shows that not everything will go as planned and life isn't as smooth sailing as in the dramas. I especially liked the line she says when they break up 'Promise me that you'll remember the time that we spent together', (that's roughly what it was since I don't have the drama in front of me). I felt that would have been a good closure to their relationship and the drama. Saying not only to Hye-Joon but also to the viewers, that although we watched a drama about their relationship, it doesn't mean that it was insignificant to their lives.

Then we have a two year time skip...

A time skip that I probably wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't literally filled the screen with the words TWO YEARS LATER. They continue as if they never left. We start with Jung-Ha who's driving to her next job. Then we see Hye-Joon being all successful; despite, not having a stable career before he left and we see him unpack his things. Had I looked away from the screen for a couple of minutes I would have thought that it was the same scene as when he was packing to leave.

I liked that the Grandpa's modelling career was going well and that he thanked his son, which made my eyes water. It was a given that Hye-Joon and Jung-Ha would meet up again or else viewers would be dissatisfied, but I felt that they should have just left of with them looking at each other and smiling (something like that) rather than a conversation that they had.

Overall I gave this drama an 8, which may seem high compared to the many negative points I made. However I did enjoy it for the most part, I was intrigued enough to not drop the drama and I did find myself pondering about it during school work. Was it the best of the best? No. Do I regrets spending my past couple of days watching it? No.

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