The rom-com queen is officially back! In my opinion, this is the Kdrama of the year. It’s a sweet, funny, sad, and eerie drama — the perfect mix of romance and mystery with a touch of reality. It’s a masterpiece. Great script. Great talent. And a hell of a good drama.
When the Camellia Blooms(2019), is a drama about a woman named Oh Dongbaek(Gong Hyo Jin) who happens to be a single mother to a beautiful boy named Oh Pil Gu. Dongbaek moves to Ongsan to start a new life with Pil Gu. There she opens up her bar and names it, you guessed it, Camellia! During her time in Ongsan, Dongbaek manages to make friends and enemies quickly as they find out her past and present life story. When she meets Hwang Yong Shik (Kang Han Neul), new rumors, perhaps love, and even murder begin to emerge, causing more trouble for the pair. Dongbaek really can’t catch a break in this drama. But soon enough, the Camellia’s will bloom.
Why I Love this Drama:
Dongbaek is played by one of my favorite Korean actress Gong Hyo Jin! I absolutely adore her past dramas and acting style. She’s a real queen in her field. The cast is amazing. From the youngest to the oldest talent, everyone is shinning in their roles. The storyline is excellent and consistent with each character. The beautiful and ugly side of each character is slowly revealed. Now what I love about this is, their errors don’t implicate them as bad people. They just happen to make an error in judgment, and ultimately have to live with their wrongdoings. Lastly, I think this drama sends a beautiful message. That living the best we can is enough. Life has many ups and downs, but being surrounded with love and strength can make our lives that much more beautiful even when it’s not in reality. And eventually, we will all blossom.
I could honestly go on and on about this drama, but I don’t want to spoil anything as it’s what makes watching the drama so great
What’s so Great About this Drama?:
Dongbaek really blossoms in this drama from being passive to being her own hero. Dongbaek is originally a strong woman who doesn’t take people’s shit easily. Especially not from men. However, Dongbaek is quick to lower her head, voice, and attitude while confronting the situation. It becomes clear she is still hiding and trying her best to act tough. Regardless of how much she wants to defend herself proudly.
Another great aspect is her love interest Yong Shik. He’s this goofy, lovely, women empowering make lead. That truly loves Dongbaek for who she is, rather than how she looks. He falls in love with her personality and strong will. What surprised me the most is how he showed his love to her; he never changed her. He just encouraged her to be braver and showcase her personality to the world. He was just so determined to be there for her and wait for Dongbaek. Dongbaek started to shine when she learned to love herself again.
The relationship Dongbaek has with Pil Gu is so precious, she made sure to always put him first above anything. Pil Gu is this strong little boy who tries his best to protect his mom. But in doing so, he often forgets he’s just a kid and worries about his mom endlessly. I also love that Yong Shik embraced Pil Gu since the beginning. He even went as far as to claim Pil Gu as his son before Dongbaek, and he became a couple.
Lastly, the relationships between each character are complex. There is jealousy, love, misunderstandings, hatred, and acceptance in each relationship. But it’s an essential factor of what makes When the Camellia Blooms a fantastic drama.
Why you Should Watch This Drama:
There is a lot of beautiful, touching scenes that are very mundane but are filled with comedy to help break the ice and transition smoothly. It’s an all-around great drama that will have you crying, laughing, and feeling unjust. The plotline is excellent; the mystery surrounding Ongsan will keep you guessing who is responsible for all the murders. This is my most recommended Korean drama of the year. I tried not to cry while writing this review as I hold it dearly to my heart. Please give it a go. You will not be disappointed, and the rating and reviews for this drama are HIGH!!
CinemaDeJoei 