The steady slow-burn nature of Record Of Youth indeed makes viewers expectant, yet also gives a soothing vibe.
Each episode of the series will take its viewers on an emotional roller-coaster ride that would make them laugh, cry and keep them at the edge of their seats as they witness how the thrilling and emotionally captivating turn of events stitch together the lives of the lead characters.
Record of Youth depicts the trials and triumphs of people in the entertainment industry. Every person behind the camera has gone through humble beginnings into a thriving future — that every success doesn’t happen overnight. It further gives a closer look at the show business behind closed doors.
- Main Cast: Park Bo Gum | Park So Dam | Byeon Woo Seok
- Streaming Site: Netflix
- Romance/Addictive Meter :
- Overall rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- K-Dramas of Similar Vibe: Start-Up | Romance is A Bonus Book | Run On | Lovestruck in the City
Record of Youth Quick Plot Recap
Set in the entertainment world, Record of Youth portrays the story of a group of young people working hard to attain their goals and love without succumbing to life’s trials.
Sa Hye-Jun (Park Bo Gum) is intelligent and attractive. He’s a kind person and a well-known model, but his true ambition is to become an actor. He has tried out for several acting jobs but has yet to get cast. So, to make ends meet, he takes up job offers such as being an actor’s security guard, even works at Subway where girls and women gush over him, and also works at a Korean BBQ restaurant.
But Hye-jun is losing patience with things; he feels like he is running out of time and further delaying his military duty. He resolves to part ways with his modeling agent because he has been exploited and deprived of his hard-earned salary. Meanwhile, his best pal, Hae-hyo, has had more success as a model and actor; on the contrary, although he is also thought to have an advantage due to his wealthy family, he is manipulated by his overly doting mother.
Then there’s Ahn Jeong-ha, a makeup artist who quit her work in the corporate sector to follow her dream of becoming a professional makeup artist. Moreover, she is a fan of Hye-Jun since he appears to be a down-to-earth individual, which she admires. She doesn’t want to be an overacting fangirl, so she’s hoping to land a makeup gig at a fashion event so they may meet in a more natural setting.
Record of Youth Peak Points
Genuine & Introspective Life Lessons
Made to show the common faces of youth, the series heartens with its honesty, all while giving a refreshing impression. It depicts how the young characters realize their dreams as they march onto their chosen course.
Despite being born into different family backgrounds, they naturally walk a similar path together as they became adults. And while having their own shortcomings, has led them to understand and learn from each other.
Their journey was depicted in an outspoken and introspective manner. It engages audiences (including me) into a self-reflective phase — to acknowledge and give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done, and for making it this far.
More than making us reminisce about the old times, Record of Youth gifted reassuring lessons, not for us to regret our past choices, but to learn from the mistakes we have made and prepare for a bright future.
With all the battles they have fought, their crowning glory — success — is the true manifestation of the phrase, “Determination, patience, and perseverance are the keys to success.”.
The scenes and dialogues featured in the series are not only splendidly written but also very appropriate to the story’s settings. Additionally, even if most of the scenes are pretty much predictable, the fact that it does not fail to surprise allows the story to effectively convey its message. Thus, it positioned itself remarkably among the various Korean Dramas of similar nature.
Moreover, the series also welcomed the audience to the culture of humorous, creative, yet very realistic insights into the life of the artists threading the path in the media and entertainment industry and how they deal with their money, family and love-life problems.
Best of all, the pacing of the story was unhurried, thus, leisurely giving the viewers ample time to dwell and relate with how the characters lead their everyday lives and their journey in finding their place in their homes, industry, and society.
With all that said, the series appropriately and wonderfully sheds light on what really goes on in the production set-up of the entertainment industry, which can teach the audience a thing or two.
An Impeccable Lineup of the Cast
The cast selection was praiseworthy. Every single actor and actress portrayed their characters effectively. Besides the main characters, even the side characters and celebrities with cameo roles added depth and color to the episodes, enriching the story even more.
Mainly speaking, Park Bo Gum and Park So-dam were perfect for the role of Sa Hye Jun and Ahn Jeong Ha. The two not only exude excellent romantic chemistry but also, were able to show their versatility in acting.
They amazingly internalized and owned their characters’ traits; hence it is not an overstatement to say that Record of Youth cannot be as effective as it is if Park Bo Gum and Park So Dam were not the ones on the cast list.
Another thing worth mentioning is how each character of the story was well-written. Everything is believable. Not a trace of an absurd and misplaced element to be found. In fact, each role given to the side characters contributed to the collective essence and success of bringing the story to life.
Record of Youth Series Musings
Consistent Humane Characterization
Have I mentioned that I have not once utterly cringed watching this series because of how natural and comforting it is to see the characters? Each of the characters, be it the family members of the main characters and even the mere workers with only a few exposures and screen time, are all well-written.
They represent actual human beings who experience and encounter such things daily—just seeing how Park Bo Gum and Park So Dam exchange lines, glances, and more so when they cry are enough to thug anyone’s heartstrings.
Striking Balance in Creativity and Factuality
What makes it so great is how the show’s writers and producers included hard-to-swallow discussions, bitter family struggles, and personal problems. What is more, the main characters’ plights are all realistic.
Additionally, the characters with antagonistic intents, Lee Jae Won (Sa Kyeong-jun), Kim Gun Woo (Park Doha), Sa Yeong-nam (Park Su-young), etc., were also all humanely and convincingly portrayed and written.
Moreover, the aspirations of the main characters are also relatable and emanate the genuine hopes of the people their characters represent. They included all these marvelously in just 16 episodes while successfully avoiding making things far too complicated to comprehend. They maintained the natural wonder of the story without going overboard and killing the story’s potential.
Staying true to its title, Record of Youth serves as a documentation of the hardships that millennials deal with — societal pressures, career dilemmas, generational conflicts, labor exploitation and workplace mistreatment.
Throughout the story, Sa Hye Jun, Ahn Jeong Ha, Won Hae Hyo, and the rest find their higher purpose and identity. While battling with their own hardships and burdens, the opportunity to grow comes along the way.
Owing to its thought-provoking take on real matters, the series has actually won my heart. While the romance between the two main leads may look “too” realistic, it really did its best in illustrating the image of modern dating.
Reasonable Directorial Decision For The Ending
It is a given that most people frown upon the concept of open endings and feel disheartened when the female lead and male lead of the drama do not get the happy ending they have concocted in their minds.
Contrary to popular belief, the realistic way Record of Youth ended is very befitting and true to the core of the story. I find it the only acceptable ending for the characters, not just for the main ones. This is because it shows that life truly sweeps up anyone in a whirlwind of uncertainty and opportunities.
It shows the truth that happy endings are not the sole thing that makes a story beautiful. The series opted for an ending that many have not expected and accepted until today. But I beg to differ that it is a beautiful way to end the story, knowing that relationships, careers, and life-changing decisions do not always go the way we want them to.
Record of Youth sincerely demonstrates real-life events. Rather than romanticizing the struggles of the youth generation, it willingly shows how tough and harsh the reality is. If you’re going through a difficult path pursuing your dreams, like the characters, then you will see the beauty of this drama.
There may be times we will question ourselves, “Are we doing the right thing?”, “Are we going on the right path”, or “Will we be able to make it?” And the success stories of Hye Jun and Jeong Ha tell us that we can if we just keep going.
Another thing that I want to commend, is how the writer did not ruin the boys’ friendship just for their same love interest. The usual “over-dramatic” effect in a love triangle is gone, which is a welcome change.
With an array of characters the audience can empathize with, the drama brings moments of realization that really hits close to home.
In case you missed it, celebrate youth, dreams and romance in Record of Youth! Viewers can watch it on Netflix!
Photos: Netflix
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