CLOY set the standard for romance dramas for me. It was my first, so i kind of set myself up for disappointment since nothing else quite measures up to this lovely romance drama.

Yoon Se-ri is an intelligent, strong, independant CEO who crashes into the DPRK while testing a product for her company. She's been mistreated by those around her - including her family, which serve as the main antagonists for our story. We all know it gets competitive - and sometimes deadly - in chaebol families, but Seri does not let this affect her. She is a resilient woman who pushes her way to success in spite of the snakes surrounding her. So, when unforseen circumstances arise during the testing of a parachute (c'mon, how cool is this chick?) she ends up literally crash landing into the arms of our stoic male lead, Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok, in the dangerous bordering country of North Korea. In the most basic sense, the show is about how Yoon Seri navigates this dangerous land and tries to make her way back to South Korea. In a broader sense, this show is about the longing Koreans feel for reunification, and the difficulties posed by people who have loved ones on the opposite side. They may speak the same language and have some similarities, but the across the border is another world, completely unknown to the other. Part of CLOY's charm is in the small details, and watching pampered rich girl Seri making her way in a much more difficult life which she is not accustomed to, and learning with her that there is more to Captain Ri than meets the eye. The reverse is also true when soldiers of the DPRK get to experience capitalism for the first time. It's hilarious at times and endearing. I truly enjoyed Captain Ri's troop of soldiers as well, these characters had me rooting for them all the way, first seeing seri as a burden then warming up to call her a sister. The character arcs are also really well written, the motivations are clear, and the loyalty/deep affection the group has for one another is what made me keep watching this drama over and over.

Hyun Bin is incredibly handsome and dapper, while son ye-jin is gorgeous with a contagious smile. Finding out afterward that these actors are married IRL was honestly icing on the cake. The chemistry is the best i've ever seen on-screen. I was also rooting for our 2nd leads romance, everyone did so well in this production that i was absolutely hooked from the first episode.

This is one that i'll always recommend. It explores difficult topics such as grief, depression, and suicide, while putting a spotlight on life in the DPRK and the longing of reunification by south korea. CLOY's got all the best ingredients: action, romance, suspense, betrayal, lighthearted moments of comedy, tests of friendship, and resilience. Give it a try!!!