Mirroring the youth of today, Nevertheless carves relationships that go beyond its thrilling phase.
Set as a campus romance, Nevertheless represents relationships from different standpoints. Characters creatively illustrate various views on love and relationships, modeling a diverse perspective on love.
- Main Cast: Han So Hee | Song Kang | Chae Jong Hyeop
- Supporting Cast: Lee Yeol Eum | Yang Hye Ji | Lee Ho Jung | Yoon Seo Ah | Kim Min Gwi | Jung Jae Kwang | Han Eu Ddeum
- Streaming Site: Netflix
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Kdramas of Similar Vibe: My Fuxxxxx Romance | The Great Seducer | Cheese in the Trap | Growing Season |
Marcie Line watched Nevertheless on Netflix
Episode recaps: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | Finale + Review |
Nevertheless Finale Key Moments
“Love. I know that it will cause me pain again. Nevertheless, I still…”
Nabi feels shattered as she sees her work for the exhibit destroyed by the ceiling fan at their studio. She cries while looking at her destroyed work, so Jae-eon assures her to assist in fixing it and also stay away from her once they finish it. Jae-eon tearfully bids his farewell to Nabi after working together and finishing it on time. He becomes out of contact with everyone, and finally decides to set free his butterflies.
Looking through her sketchbook, she sees Jae-eon’s sketch of her and realizes that Jae-eon saw her at the opening of her ex-boyfriend’s exhibit. On the day of their department’s exhibit, Nabi longingly anticipates Jae-eon’s visit, while Do-hyeok heartily accepts Nabi’s choice.
In hopes to see Jae-eon, Nabi visits the exhibit again after drinking with the people in her department. She sees Jae-eon, and she stands by his side. They both admit their love for each other and officially start dating.
Nevertheless Quick Plot Recap
Discovering her boyfriend is cheating on her, Yu Nabi breaks up with her first boyfriend. Fresh from a breakup, Nabi drinks at a bar and meets Park Jae-eon, a guy with a butterfly tattoo on the nape of his neck. They enjoy each other’s company that night, and they meet again realizing that they go to the same university and belong to the same department.
Jae-eon is friendly and attractive to many students, but he does not believe in dating. Nabi and Jae-eon’s attraction towards each other brings them together to a relationship that has no label and is difficult to define.
Nevertheless Series Peak Points
Emotional Soundtrack in Eventful Scenes
Other than the interesting plot of Nevertheless, the soundtrack of the series has also captured the hearts of the viewers. Romantic scenes, as well as dramatic scenes, radiate more vivid emotions through the soundtrack.
Just like in Nabi’s scene at the finale where she cries alone in her house after her argument with Jae-eon on the rain, the background music aids in building up the emotional tone of the scene. The series truly aced its artistry in both visual and auditory aspects.
Realistic Portrayal of Love
Not all relationships begin perfectly, the series clearly visualized that idea in every episode. The plot shows the unfiltered picture of love in real life as it does not hide the uncertainty, pain, and doubts felt by the characters in the series. Delineating the difference between the love from attraction can be messy and confusing as the series have conveyed.
Characters of the series are college students, and viewers may relate to Nabi’s decisions on love. Jae-eon’s character orients the viewers about the difference between a relationship that is only full of thrills versus a good and serious one.
Through his character, we learn to differentiate a person who only asks you, “Do you want to see butterflies?” from a person who will tell you directly that they sincerely like you.
Diverse and Refreshing Campus Romance
The premise and direction of the plot are congruent with the view of relationships at present. The relationships of the characters present a unique and modern view of love. Nabi and Jae-eon’s relationship status in the earlier episodes depicts the implications of a relationship that only exists at night.
As for Bit-na and Gyu-hyun’s relationship, their dynamic portrays partners that have contrasting views on a relationship. For both relationships, it just shows that sincere people who take relationships seriously may be hurt when paired together with people who do not believe in relationships.
Sol and Ji-wan’s relationship opens up a fresh and inclusive view of love. They have been friends for a long time, and they both feel attracted to each other. Their story emphasizes the importance of courage and certainty of feelings in professing one’s love.
Nevertheless Series Musings
Looking at the plot of Nevertheless, it can be said that it is relevant and updated with the present time’s take on love and relationships. It uniquely portrays how messy it could get when you blur the line between love and attraction.
Nabi’s decisions in the series could just really show how not all people choose to follow what they’re feeling instead of the wise option. We all know what’s best for us, but sometimes like Nabi, we will choose the option that is more thrilling and makes our heart skip a beat.
What’s commendable in this series is the combination of art and unique topics that are not usually included in other dramas. The series creates an atmosphere that breaks conservative beliefs and promotes liberal ideas.
In terms of relationships, it has subtly touched on people who engage in open relationships. There are people like Jae-eon and Bit-na who choose to engage in such a type of relationship, and it is okay as long as both parties agree on it and are both comfortable.
In the series, we see how difficult it was for Nabi and Gyu-hyun to adjust to their partners who have different views on relationships. Moreover, it proudly acknowledge a couple like Sol and Ji-wan who represent a meaningful community. Their relationship in the series appeals to viewers and promotes inclusivity in all kinds of love.
Backstories of the characters were not shown much, but it’s understandable since the series has only ten episodes. I personally wanted to see how they came to be the persons they are today as their present beliefs spark that curiosity. To fill that curiosity, viewers may refer to the original webtoon.
A clear message about love and relationships despite deviation from webtoon
Nevertheless ends with Jae-eon and Nabi confessing their feelings to each other and begin dating. However, the webtoon ends differently as Nabi ends up with neither Do-hyeok or Jae-eon. For the webtoon, the message it imparts is that healing after being scarred with one’s decisions on love can be done alone. It does not promote the necessity of a significant other in order to heal.
As for the drama, the ending seems to convey a message that one can love again even after experiencing pain from one’s past relationships. Nabi has been hurt by her ex-boyfriend as well as her vague relationship with Jae-eon, but in the end, she chooses to believe in love again. Viewers can be somewhat supportive of her decision since we see Jae-eon transition to a man who knows how to sincerely express love.
The endings may be different, nevertheless, both have delivered a clear message about love and relationships. – Marcie Line
Like Nabi or any other woman who lost to love by staking everything she has in her life, Nevertheless is a firm reminder that such reality exists.
Albeit deviating from the open-ended webtoon closure, this series has every right to resonate with romantic viewpoints of today’s youth. Thus, giving a second chance for Nabi and Jae-eon, teaches young people about owning life and love decisions, good or bad.
It is normal to be a fool and eventually fail. But not learning and not fighting for it to work out is a different thing.
I was prepared for not-so-very-happy-ever-after-ending, so I was not sure if I have to accept the fan service. It felt like getting the alternate wish, every fan of this love pair secretly hoped for but did not get in the original work.
Sometimes a woman may just have a certain amount of love emotions she can spend in her life, and she can only give it to that one special man. Nevertheless captured this painful, nonetheless beautiful picture. – abbyinhallyuland
Watch Nevertheless on Netflix.
Photos: JTBC
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