Set in the 1980s in Gwangju city, Youth of May drifts to a nostalgic trip about varying dreams and lives of the featured young people.
Touches of patriotism, relationship with parents, and chasing dreams are the first impressions I had from Youth of May. In the backdrop of the turbulent times of Gwangju uprising, four people’s lives are entangled. KBS 2TV’s newest series will run for 12 episodes and decently decked viewership ratings in its first two back-to-back episodes.
Opening Week Rating: 
abbyinhallyuland watches Youth of May on Viu
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 & 04 | 05 & 06 | 07 & 08 | 09 & 10 | Finale Week + Review |
Youth of May Opening Week Story
Working as a nurse, Kim Myeong-hee (Go Min Si) is a self-reliant woman who aspires to further her studies abroad. When she receives an acceptance letter from a university in Germany, another scholarship blessing was also endowed to her. However, she needs urgent money for the pricey airfare ticket.
To resolve her predicament, her best friend Lee Soo-ryeon (Geum Sae Rok) agrees to help her if she will become her stand-in to a blind date her father set up. That is also a condition for her friends who have been jailed to be freed. Soo-ryeon is a valiant daughter from a rich household who fights for social justice.
Evidently, the two friends plan to not make a good impression for the blind date not to progress. However, Soo-ryeon’s date, Hwang Hee-tae (Lee Do Hyun) was drawn to Myeong-hee after witnessing her cheekiness and attractive grace previously on two occasions.
The Fated Encounter
With Soo-ryeon’s deal with her dad to be on three dates in place, Myeong-hee sees Hee-tae again who is clearly smitten on their encounters. Meanwhile, Soo-ryeon receives mockings from her group after helping them out. His brother Lee Soo-chan, who returned from abroad, has started his own company and chances upon Myeong-hee at the hospital where she works.
Going for another date, Myeong-hee and Hee-tae accidentally bump with hospital people talking about her. Sensing her awkwardness, he does something to get their attention and they realize the person they are badmouthing is there as well.
Tripping from walking out of the restaurant, Hee-tae princess-carried Myeong-hee against her will and dresses her sprain as well. At a nearby bench with falling cherry blossom leaves, he shares why he has not opted to graduate yet. Laughing at his absurd reason of wanting to enter a singing competition, and he needs to be a student to do it, the two sealed their close connection formally.
When Myeong-hee visits Soo-ryeon to return her clothes, their conversation was interrupted with the latter’s father announcing a visitor. The two go down and finds Hee-tae with presents from his household. He walks toward the two friends and greets the real Soo-ryeon surprising the two.
Youth of May Opening Week Musings
It was nice that Youth of May will run only a dozen episodes because its projected narrative is hard to be expounded. If it will push for a lengthened story, given its predictable plot and sometimes languid tone, impatient people might not appreciate it. The first few minutes of the series were honestly drowsy, but it picked up the pace past the swift character introductions.
Anyone with a penchant for rich boy poor girl story would be reeled into Myeong-hee and Hee-tae’s story. Lee Do Hyun particularly shines in his portrayal. If he’s my suitor, I would say YES to him right away, no questions asked. Based on the hinted daddy issue of Myeong-hee, whose life dreams are hindered by her family background, we can anticipate poignant moments from her.
In the fading scenes, Hee-tae’s visit to Soo-ryeon’s house signals the beginning of the love story we can happily cheer for. The preview for the upcoming episodes validates that deduction as well.
Seemingly unfazed sons and daughters who will challenge their parents were captured in the premiere week of the series. It would definitely be a fixed reality in the narrative.
Touted as retro-romance drama, the production design does not fall shirt in recreating the vibe of the 80s. More so, that breathtaking scene with scenic vista featuring the love pairing, I hope would appear more in the coming episodes.
Youth of May airs every Monday and Tuesday on KBS 2TV.
Photos: KBS | Screencap from Viu
