This article contains spoilers! Proceed with caution!
I loved this show! Second only to Perfect Crown (I'm a Byeon Woo Seok die-hard), this is easily one of my favorite 2026 releases. The story was rich, the side plots were interesting, the romance was well done, and the character development was believable.
Soo Bin and Ha Na being siblings was not on my Dream To You bingo card. Talk about a plot twist! I am usually really good at seeing them coming, but not this time. I was shocked and delighted at the turn of events--put the drama in the drama, ya know?
I am a little disappointed that Yi Jae never really worked out her feelings of being responsible for her father's death. I wish the writers would have included a little more communication between Soo Bin and Yi Jae regarding her accident and her father's death. That line of the story seemed to get abandoned halfway through the show, which is a shame, as it added depth to Yi Jae's character arc.
A few more lessons were learned along the way:
Lesson 1: Sacrificing your entire self for someone else is not loving
This show is FULL of examples for this lesson. Yi Jae gave up her dream of becoming a director in order to provide for her mother and brother. This caused hurt, shame, and disappointment for her mother, when she found out she was the reason Yi Jae never pursued her dream.
Yoo Geon's father abandoned his dream of being a musician to provide a life for his son, but this only caused a wedge to grow between him and his beloved son, and Yoo Geon didn't feel worthy of his father's sacrifices, because his own endeavors left him shamefully unsuccessful in his mind.
Ha Na gave up her entire personality, her desires, and buried her hurts in order to live the life her mother placed before her.
The common thread here is that the ones who love us want to see us thrive. They want to see us happy. And when they find out that they are the reason we are not happy, is there anything more devastating?
Lesson 2: We all need to learn when it is time to leave, and then actually do it
This is a potentially life-saving lesson. Soo Bin's mother let herself suffer abuse for years in order to protect her son. She tolerated her husband's abuse so long that it became her normal, and only when Soo Bin intervened did she realize it was time to leave. Domestic violence claims thousands of lives each year, so I am glad to see media that exposes it and celebrates the victims who are courageous enough to leave.
On a lighter-ish note, I was proud of Yi Jae for choosing herself, deciding to go to college and finally, truly, pursue her dream. As upsetting as it was to watch her leave Soo Bin, wrecking the normal drama formula for a happy ending, I was glad to see her try to make her own way, so she could eventually stand beside him without shame. And look how it paid off!
Lesson 3: It is never too late
Yi Jae is in her 30s when she goes off to study film abroad. Yoo Geon's father is in his 60s, dying of cancer, when he finally becomes a musician. Soo Bin's mother is in her 50s when she leaves her abusive husband and starts a new life.
Just because it's "normal" doesn't mean it's the only way. Yes, the "normal" age of a college student is someone in their early 20s. The "normal" time to start a music career would be a lot earlier than your 60s. But therein lies the beauty--no two journeys are identical. We are all on our own path in life, each with our own burdens, dreams, hurts, mistakes, and hopes. That is what makes us "us". That's what makes us human.
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I’m Juliana, a writer covering K-pop,
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BTS
BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, meaningful lyrics, and strong connection with fans, BTS has become one of the most successful and influential music groups in the world. Their music explores themes such as youth, self-discovery, mental health, love, and personal growth, helping them build a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY.
Since their debut, BTS has achieved record-breaking success across the global music industry with hit songs such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Spring Day,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Fake Love.” The group has earned numerous awards, topped charts in multiple countries, sold millions of albums, and helped introduce K-pop to a broader international audience. Through their artistry, cultural
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, music, fandom, and all the wonderfully complicated feelings that come with loving art.
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