tvN’s heartwarming series, Navillera, sets a high standard for dramas that would thread the same theme.
With amazing lead actors Song Kang, and Park In Hwan, the drama comes up with great chemistry between the characters. A mix of drama, love, jealousy and bromance, you’ll find yourself inspired and consoled in the genuine stories found in Navillera.
- Main Cast: Park In Hwan | Song Kang | Na Moon Hee | Hong Seung Hee
- Streaming sites: Netflix
- Overall Ratings:
- Rewatch Value:
- K-drama with similar vibes: Memory | Twenty Again | Dear My Friends |
Mc_zehra29 watched Navillera on Netflix
K-Drama First Look: Fulfilling Lifelong Dreams In “Navillera” For Song Kang And Park In Hwan
Navillera Quick Plot Recap
Navillera revolves around the journey of a 70-year old man, Sim Deok Cheol (Park In Hwan) who is living his life after retirement with his family. Upon seeing his friends, who had either worked towards their dreams or are now regretting not doing it, he finally realizes how important it is to fulfill his inner desire of doing ballet.
His backstory traces to his father didn’t allow him to do ballet. Then, the burden of supporting his family fell on his shoulders which made him set aside his dreams and strive for a better future.
Now, when he decides to pursue his dreams once again, his family is not happy with his decision. But this time he decides to live his own life and follow his heart. He joins a ballet school, where he meets Lee Chae Rok (Song Kang).
Chae Rok, is a 23-year old young man. While growing up with his father, he tried all kinds of sports: football, swimming, baseball, and soccer. However, he wasn’t talented in any of those activities. He then realized his passion for ballet and ended up training in a ballet school.
As the situation turned out, Ki Seong Ju (Chae Rok’s trainer) decides to allow Sim Deok Cheol to learn ballet under Chae Rok’s guidance. In return, Deok Cheol becomes Chae Rok’s manager.
Initially, Chae Rok was not happy with the decision. But when he sees Deok Cheol working hard to achieve what he dreams of despite his age, and how dedicatedly acts as his manager, taking care of even minute details, he finally not only realized his ambition once again but worked hard towards making Deok Cheol able to ‘soar’ at least once in his life.
Navillera Peak Points & Musings *Spoiler Alert
Enduring to work on goals and making them come true
Sim Deok Cheol and his realization of pursuing his dreams at an age when no one would imagine doing anything except resting at home after retirement was the starting point of the drama. Throughout the series, the viewers witnessed his struggle of fighting against his family for his dream of becoming a ballerino.
It’s never easy to walk through a rocky path, with no one by your side, but this show gave us the lesson of dreaming big and then working towards fulfilling it. In this whole journey, you would definitely encounter people who would let you down or would make you fall, but standing up and continuing with the same zeal is what you have to do.
Chae Rok’s and Deok Cheol’s Bond
Throughout the series, where we witnessed the tribulations of the characters, we also enjoyed the “bromance” of Chae Rok and Deok Cheol. The small but heartening moments and interactions left the viewers awe-inspiring moments.
From Sim Deok Cheol taking care of Chae Rok as a manager, or Chae Rok teaching him ballet, their bond strengthened and so did their dreams. For Chae Rok who was going through a slump, Deok Cheol became a motivation to endure even more. While Deok Cheol found a great teacher in his form.
Unrealistic expectations on the struggling youth
The story revolved around a variety of themes including friendship, jealousy, and dedication to name a few. Notably, it emphasizes the struggles of youth often misconstrued. It is true that still in this world, many people are under the burden of the expectations set by their parents.
It forces them to forget their dreams and pursue whatever their parents want them to. The characters of Sim Seong San and Sim Eun Ho not only made people realize but also reinforced the concept of listening to your heart and doing what you love in the hearts of the teenagers.
Everyone needs their own share of acknowledgment and praise
Every person in this world is talented, in one way or another, they only need some constant support from people they love, or some persistent acknowledgment, telling them that they can do it. And this is how human nature is.
Yang Ho Bum was never as rowdy or rude in his life after the incident four years back. At that time, he just wanted someone to tell him that he is talented and he can make it till the end, but he got so tangled up in the whole situation and the drastic changes that were made in his life.
He ended up starting a new fire within him to burn Lee Mon Young (Chae Rok’s father) and Chae Rok himself. This not only hurt him from the inside but he wasted almost five years till he finally understood that he could actually do it and follow his dreams no matter what.
Sim Deok Cheol coming out to his family
Later in the series, we got to know about Deok Cheol’s illness – Alzheimer’s’. He tried so hard to hide it but eventually, Chae Rok got to know all about it after reading his notebook.
In reality, it’s quite difficult to disclose such a thing to your loved ones who you know would shatter out so bad after knowing that you are going through so much. That holds true especially when they are your children and wife – no father would want to do this. In the drama too, Sim Deok Cheol did the same.
But as situations got worse, he had to reconsider his decision to reveal it. Having a family is one of the gifts of life. Although not all will be blessed to have a harmonious relationship with their family, Deok Cheol gave the most important love he should have received – which is to love himself and let his family know of his condition.
Navillera Takeaway Drama Quotes
“You only live once, not twice.”
“What really scares me is that someday, I might not be able to do what I want or don’t even remember what I want to do anymore.”
“Loving and being desperate only brings pain.”
“When you want something with all your heart, you shine brighter than anyone.”
“He can do and become anything he wants.”
“As you get older, you get used to the goodbyes.”
Photos: tvN
Words on this review are written by Mc_zehra29.
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