K-Drama First Look: “When I Was The Most Beautiful” Starring Im Soo Hyang, Ji Soo & Ha Seok Jin

Everything in the first two episodes of When I Was The Most Beautiful was stunning!

It made me smile and laugh – while feeling warm at the same time. It also made me worry on what would befall on the looming love triangle projected in the series.

Introducing its main cast was also neatly presented. Adorned with beautiful music in the back drop of a quaint town, When I Was The Most Beautiful has undoubtedly an interesting flair for a romance melodrama.

First Look Rating:

MBC’s new romantic series attracts attention just by its title. The meaning preludes a journey, story or memory of a woman in her happiest state. Im Soo Hyang taking the focal character of the story has so far made the viewers empathize on her pain. At the same time, her forbearance to remain optimistic and carve her own dream is heartbreaking yet inspiring.

Ji Soo and Ha Seok Jin piqued interest with their roles as Seo brothers with quite a sad family situation. That might turn sadder owing to how their hearts will be entangled with the same woman.

When I Was The Most Beautiful Opening Week Story

Oh Ye Ji (Im Soo Hyang) begins her training class as an Art student-teacher in the picturesque town of Yangpyeong. Raised in Seoul, she lives with her mercurial aunt who runs a boarding place.

Nursing a broken heart, she finds solace on doing what she likes most, teaching and art. Unknown to Ye Ji, her new student Seo Hwan (Ji Soo) slowly harbors admiration towards her. When he goes to Seoul to bring side dishes for his mother, he chances upon the pretty student-teacher in a drunken state.

Ye Ji met up with her ex-boyfriend who still wants to be together with her. However, she rejects him firmly knowing his social status is not fit for an orphan and poor girl like her.

Taking care of his alcohol intoxicated teacher, Seo Hwan sleeps at the front door of the room nearby his house. When Ye Ji woke up and realized the ruckus she caused, she tiptoes and leaves the place.

Working on her student training project, Ye Ji was referred by the school coordinator to visit Hwan’s place since his father is a potter and there are kilns over there. Surprised at learning her student is the son of a famed potter she admires, she extends her polite intrusion by agreeing to dine with them.

While exploring the gallery of Hwan’s father, a man emerges surprising Ye Ji. Thanks to his quick reflexes, the small cup she threw, did not break. Hwan, who is about to call his teacher for dinner sees his brother, Seo Jin (Ha Seok Jin).

Showing a rude treatment to the first son of the house, Ye Ji planned to escape, but Jin insisted she stays – less he will become a villain that caused their guest to go away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD6masayzSI

Two Brothers Who Like Ye Ji

Seo Jin, who just finished his military service, face problems with the car racing team he leads. His ex-girlfriend Carrie Jung (Hwang Seong Eon) is desperately refusing to cut their ties. Upon knowing she is a kept woman of his team’s major sponsor, he had opted not to get support from them. Pressed with sponsorship concern, Jin asks his mother to help out in exchange of him working in the family business.

Intrigued by his brother’s pretty teacher, Jin offers Ye Ji a ride back to Seoul. Spotted by her aunt with a man, she was lashed with crude words that Jin can’t tolerate. He drags her back to the car and drives away. Apologizing for her aunt’s rude behavior, she tells her deplorable situation can only be solved by going back to her so-called home.

After giving her niece an annoying “you-owe-your-life-to-me” rant, she takes it to the next level and even caused a commotion at the school where Ye Ji teaches. Hwan accompanies Ye Ji for the remainder of the day. Bringing her to a nearby stream to clear her mind, they pick up marsh snails before they head home for dinner.

Sensing the downcast mood of Ye Ji, Jin also makes an effort to cheer her up by giving some alcohol to aid her sleep. The next day, understanding his teacher’s predicament, Hwan makes an effort to speak with the students and teachers in not talking about the incident.

Knowing Hwan’s effort, she gifts him handpicked sunflowers and thanks him for making her experience for the first time how it felt to be protected.

Brave New Ye Ji

Weekend means going back to Seoul for Ye Ji. While freshening up, Da Woon, Hwan’s friend who secretly likes him, brings some food to Ye Ji. Seeing a message from Hwan to meet somewhere, out of jealousy, she deleted it.

Heading back to Seoul, Ye Ji sees Jin waiting for her. He offers to either drive her to Seoul or somewhere else. Ye Ji acquiesces and dozes off easily while Jin drives. When she woke up, she sees a beach camping setup.

Amidst rustling sea waves, they stare at a pretty bright moon. Amazed at the sight of the moon, Ye Ji gets surprised when Jin took off his shirt and went straight to the sea.

Coaxing her to do something new for the first time, Jin takes her hand and lifts Ye Ji as they gaze at the pretty moon in front of them.

Episode 1 Peak Points & Musings

Watching When I Was The Most Beautiful felt like a relaxing moment while listening to the sound of nature and laying down on a hammock. Subtly laying the underpinning side stories of the main characters has given a fair warning of poignant moments ahead.

We know that Ye Ji is bound to drive a wedge between the Seo brothers. As both have flaunted equal merits in the opening chapters so far, I can’t place my bet yet.

Notably, the writing is clearly delineated like a beautifully written novel. Remarkably penned, the narrative has displayed an overview of the plot while effortlessly convincing that it is a story worthy to keep a tab on.

Keen to focus on the female lead’s world, When I Was The Most Beautiful is vividly settling to the world of Ye Ji. Her depicted flawed and not so beautiful life reeks bottled harrowing emotions of her existence so far. Growing up on her own, indebted to a relative who constantly nags about her sorry life, is a life someone would want to be emancipated with.

Thus, meeting two men, intent to make her life moments worthwhile – is such a convincing pitch for this series.

If your K-Drama plate is not so full yet, take this new MBC series. It is one of the best premieres among Korean dramas I saw this season.

• “When I Was The Most Beautiful” Stars Im Soo Hyang, Ji Soo & Ha Seok Jin In Poignant Love Tale

Photos: MBC

abbyinhallyuland watches When I Was The Most Beautiful on Viu

[wpedon id=”3227″ align=”center”]