Presenting realistic cinematography and a plot premise in the first two episodes, this omnibus drama is indeed a series that hits home.
Writer Noh and Director Kim were able to uniquely position Our Blues among Korean dramas of similar genres.
In particular, the premiere week did not disappoint by portraying convincingly – if not realistically, the lives of the Jeju folks.
Additionally, the opening week episodes are strategically and artfully blended with scenes of youthful memories, real-life problems and simple pleasures.
Nathan Llantos watched Our Blues on Netflix
Episode recaps: First Look | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 & 08 | Mid-Series | 11 | 12 & 13 | 14 & 15 | 16 & 17 | 18 & 19 | Finale Week + Series Review |
Opening Week Ratings:
Our Blues Opening Week Story
For its premiere week, Our Blues acquaints viewers with the tale of two characters. The omnibus drama unfolds the tale of denial, financial struggles, familial responsibilities and lost youth.
What is more, most of the characters are only introduced briefly in the premiere week, for the viewers to see the big picture of their close-knit relationships.
Han-soo (Cha Seung Won) is a branch manager of SS Bank. Meanwhile, his old friend and former classmate Eun-hee (Lee Jung Eun), is a local entrepreneur and fish dealer.
The first two episodes narrate their familial relationships, personal problems and how they handle their work lives. Likewise, how their lives had been 20 years before was also shown.
Choi Han-Soo, who has fallen into financial difficulties, chooses to leave the city and return to his hometown. He is transferred to the bank’s Jeju branch to work since he can no longer afford to live in Seoul.
Furthermore, he is finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet while supporting his wife and daughter who are still in the United States. Choi Bo Ram, his daughter, is a budding golfer who is dealing with a golfer’s condition called yips.
As a result, Bo Ram is enrolling in costly golf lessons. Hence, in addition to the high expense of living in America, Han-Soo and his family struggle together while being thousands of miles apart.
The Monotonous & Demanding Life of Adults
They have already sold their house and have a piled-up debt. Despite that, Han-soo cannot let go of his belief that after just one more year, he can retire and depend on the successful golf career of his daughter.
On the other hand, things are not that bright either for his former classmates who stayed in Jeju. They are caught in the busy bustling wet markets of Jeju and the blue sea where their ships sail.
For instance, his friends are all either worrying about finances or are single parents. And although his friends are quite pleased and wary of his return, his family reacts in dismay to his homecoming.
Apparently, his siblings sacrificed a lot for him. And since he is no longer earning enough, he barely has the capacity and time to take care of their mother, nor help out his siblings.
Instead, he is even depending on them more than he should just to support his family in the U.S.
Reunions & Revelations
Contrary to that, Jung Eun Hee is overjoyed to meet her first love again after years. From her perspective, Han-soo is still as amazing and vibrant as he was 20 years ago. Thus, her irritable demeanor mellows away in front of Han-soo.
When they were in high school, Han-soo and Eun-hee were ridiculed for being poor. And besides being good-looking, Headstrong Eun-Hee was intrigued and enticed by Han-soo after he stood up for her when she was teased for bringing a pig as a field trip payment.
It was also revealed that during their school trip, Eun-Hee kissed him and was infatuated with him whilst becoming his friend. In fact, Eun Hee was giddy and all smiles telling this story to her best friend Young-Ok (Han Ji Min).
Years later, Eun-Hee’s businesses are thriving and all her hard work made her a VIP client in SS Bank.
Reunions & Revelations Part 2
For the time being, Han-soo tries to keep his cool and hides his family and financial struggles from his high school pals. However, his new coworker, Kim Myung-Bo (Lee Kwang-kyu), begins to suspect certain tales about Han-soo. Despite this, they still had fun partying in the karaoke bar for their class reunion.
After everyone else has left the karaoke bar, Eun-hee stays to help out Han-soo and drives him home safely. Since Han-Soo is bummed out with his life. he joyfully accepts the trip, but instead of returning to his vacant flat, he asks Eun-hee to allow him to accompany her in her schedule for the day.
Agreeing to his request, Eun-Hee brings Han-Soo to the auction house. There, he observes how other people who do not work in a corporate industry have a different way of life from him.
Later on, Eun Hee deposited 90 Million Won to SS Bank and wants Han-Soo to take the credit. This was her little way of helping him out, though in her mind she still thinks he is awesome as ever.
It’s A Small World After All
The people dancing and singing like there is no tomorrow has their own old wounds and tale to share. In particular, one of the people in their reunion was Dong-Seok.
He is shown as a peddler running his own truck store of goods and essentials in the first episode. In the second opening of the second episode, a different side of him was shown. He apparently is in love with a woman named Sun-A.
Unfortunately, after they had fun riding the car on the beach, he misinterprets the signs and moves in to kiss her. Sun-A is dissatisfied, and the mood worsens.
As a result, they had an awkward confrontation on the car ride back. Years later he is shown to be a bit temperamental and sensitive even in business matters.
Additionally, the Captain of the haenyeo divers ship Park Jung Joon who is also seen working for Eun Hee is also a kind person who is interested in Eun-Hee’s best friend Young-Ok.
He helps her clean up and closes Eun-Hee’s bar and at the same time, he also took care of his older friends who got drunk driving them all home and treating them all fairly regardless of status.
Our Blues Opening Week Musings
The series is indeed a slice-of-life, romance drama genre with a drizzle of comedy. But what makes it really great is how the cinematography and acting of the cast make it feel so natural.
What is more, viewers are already given a glimpse into the characters’ lives and a hint at how their paths intertwine. Although the other characters and stories await to be told in the succeeding episodes, the premise is already laid out for the viewers to witness the complex yet straightforward lives lived by the characters.
As a result, viewers will get immersed and feel as if they are watching a documentary instead of a drama series. With that said, Writer Noh and Director Kim were really able to successfully emphasize the collection of life tales minus the typical tropes of mainstream series.
It was refreshing to watch because of the interesting new concept, highlighting the lives of haenyeo divers, the fishery industry plus the world of micro small and medium enterprises in Jeju.
On Expectations & Anticipations
Authenticity is an incredible feat. However, there are challenges for series with this kind of drama format. And that is how to make the series compelling enough until the last episode.
In particular, mainstream Korean dramas are full of various quirks and antics. This series, however, does not have plenty of it.
Instead, Our Blues is a story-centered series that brings the very mundane truth of life to small screens. Hence, viewers await the tear-jerking tales and real-life people’s representations that hit home in the succeeding episodes.
On that note, despite exuding a subtle, serious yet hopeful vibe, this series incite anticipation with its own charms.
Marvel the wonders of Jeju and get to know the mundane stories of pain and hope chronicled by Our Blues. Episodes are released weekly on tvN. Available for streaming on Netflix.
Photos & Videos: Netflix, tvN Drama
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