Title:남자친구 | Namjachingu | Boyfriend | Encounter
Genre: Melodrama | Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: November 28, 2018 to January 24, 2019

Synopsis:

Cha Soo Hyun, CEO of Donghwa Hotel, seemingly has everything. She’s beautiful, smart, daughter of a politician, and rich yet lonely and sad. She got divorced from her husband, a chaebol who will inherit Taegyeong Group with specific conditions, so, in essence she’s still not free to do the things she really decides and wants to do. In one of her business trips, this time in Cuba, by fate met a young handsome man who embraces life with positive disposition, Kim Jin Hyuk. They ended spending an unforgettable and enjoyable time together. She allowed herself to let go and feel the moment thinking she won’t see him again anyway But, her assumption was wrong and their encounter in Cuba became something different and meaningful that she wants to last a lifetime evagainst all odds.

Characters:

• Song Hye Kyo as Cha Soo Hyun
• Park Bo Gum as Kim Jin Hyuk
• Moon Sung Geun as Cha Jong Hyun
• Nam Ki Ae as Jin Mi Ok
• Go Chang Suk as Nam Myung Shik
• Cha Hwa Yun as Soo Hyun’s Mother-in-Law
• Shin Jung Geun as Kim Jang Soo
• Baek Ji Won as Joo Yun Ja
• P.O. (피오) as Kim JIn Myung
• Kim Joo-heon as Lee Dae-Chan
• Cha Hwa-yeon as Chairman Kim
• Kim Hye-eun as Kim Sun-Joo
• Jeon So-ni as Jo Hye-In
• Kim Ho-chang as Lee Jin-Ho
• Lee Si-hoon as Park Han-Gil
• Park Jin-joo as Eun-Jin
• Park Sung-geun as Choi Jin-Cheul

My Review:

I watched this k-drama initially because of the presence of 2 powerhouse k-drama actors, Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum. How can I not? And, the first 2 episodes gave me a glimpse of a melancholic yet interesting romantic drama that I felt I will like and enjoy. I don’t know and understand the beef of other people against Song Hye Kyo per se and her being older than Park Bo Gum for the role of this k-drama, but, honestly, I think it’s just jealousy showing its ugly head on some people. My initial concern is just this k-drama may not be able to express the right physical intimacy between a couple because in real life Song Hye Kyo is the wife of Song Joong Ki, who happens to be a close friend of Park Bo Gum. For other cultures, this may not be an issue but for a conservative society like South Korea, I doubt it if it will not.

So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?

(1) There are quite a number of haters for Song Hye Kyo as an actress. And, honestly speaking, I don’t understand why. She is very beautiful and can definitely act, so, the reason is probably just envy. She may have flaws like everyone else but I like watching her. And, this k-drama is not an exception. In fact, if not for her and Park Bo Gum on the screen, I may have a snooze fest every now and then. But, she and Park Bo Gum made it entertaining for me and draws me to know more about the characters and how they will end up in the story.

(2) I am glad that Park Bo Gum and Song Hye Kyo have passably been able to surpass the necessary intimate scenes of their characters especially if the person watching this k-drama knows their status in real life. It’s kinda awkward kissing your best friend’s wife on screen. But, kudos to them, they are able to do it with a lot of great camera angulations to help the situation out. Even so, it shows the professionalism of both actors.

(3) Although, the story telling is slow and melancholic, it was written and directed properly that one can still enjoy the journey of the characters. It also ended as expected and provided the right amount of time for the audience to savour the happy ending unlike “Memories of Alhambra” that fully let down the audience who watched it for 16 hours or so.

(4) I like that the supporting characters didn’t become a hindrance to distract the audience from the main story and, though, the sub-plots are added to prolong the story telling, it was done in the right amount of time and the supporting actors did well in making it an added value to watch and not an irritant.

(5) I like the OST and though, I don’t have a particular favorite, they were suitable to the story.

What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?

This reminds me of the story of the k-drama “Something In The Rain” wherein the woman is older than the man and the style of presenting the story is melancholic and heartfelt. However, unlike “Something In The Rain” where the real lives of the actors are not an impediment for a more visible physical intimacy of the characters, “Encounter’s” actors have such need for this consideration especially since Song Hye Kyo is a married woman and to top it all the wife of her leading man’s best friend. Due to this, it somehow, made the story a bit juvenile and less mature than what’s really needed for the story to jive on the characters they are portraying. It is difficult enough that the story unfolds in a slow pace but it becomes even harder when the actors can’t freely express their characters’ mature love the way it is. Having said that, Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum did a good job on what’s necessary for their characters and portrayal of their relationship in the story.

Would I recommend this K-Drama? It was okay.

My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 4/5 Stars

OST:

01. The Day We Met – CHEEZE
02. Into My Heart – Lee So Ra
03. Don’t Hesitate – Yong Joon Hyung
04. That Night – Eric Nam
05. Flutter – O.When
06. Take Me On – SAya
07. Take Me On – Saltnpaper
08. Always Be With You – Baek Ah Yun
09. Fairy Tale – Ra.D
10. Good Night – Seo Ji Ahn
11. Encounter Title (Version 1) – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
12. When We Meet Again Tomorrow – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
13. Before Met You (Soo Hyun’s Theme) – Lee So Young
14. Do You Want Eat Ramyun Before Go? – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
15. That Man Jin Hyuk, That Woman Soo Hyun – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
16. Her Garden – Jun Jong Hyuk
17. Night Sky At Cuba Garden – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
18. Sunset – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
19. The Way To Go To You (Canon Variation) – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
20. Walk – Kim Joon Tae
21. My Heart – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee
22. Hwangje-dong Playground – Nam Hye Seung | Jun Jong Hyuk
23. Encounter Title (Version 2) – Nam Hye Seung | Park Sang Hee