Those who watch K-drama know that periodically a story comes out that get into their hearts and leave an indelible mark. Each time, when the viewing is over, a feeling of emptiness and bewilderment comes, along with the conviction that you will never see something quite absorbing and passionate again. The writer here has experienced these feelings several times, albeit with different degrees of intensity; the first time that happened was several years ago, with “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” at the end of which I thought I would never ever experience anything as heartbreaking and perfect again, both on the storytelling and production level, as well as on the acting level, thanks to the actors’ captivating and convincing ability. However, after that drama came equally intense and enjoyable productions such as “Moon Lovers: Scarlet heart Ryeo” and “The Red Sleeve”… and well, today we are adding “A Time Called You.”
“Il Tempo per noi” in the Italian version, is a drama that will be the talk of the town for a long time. Both because of the issues it deals with, the strength of that love established by destiny but able to adapt to the folds of time, and also because of the quality of its making, sustained by a fast-paced narrative, full of details and twists and turns, which do not allow a single minute of breathing time during all the 12 episodes that compose it.
The plot is not easy, especially in the early episodes. The construction of the cause-and-effect process is questioned several times even within single episodes, and this can lead to a feeling of confusion. However, as we continue watching, we understand how each individual detail should not be isolated and looked at under a microscope, but read within the totality of the whole story. “A Time Called You” is not a drama that lends itself to being watched in bits and pieces, but requires total immersion. Every single event, every single dialogue, every sentence uttered by the main characters, takes on greater meaning as the episodes unfold. As mentioned before, there is no lack of twists and turns, and often what you thought you had understood or expected to happen is to be questioned.
Are you Nam Si-heon or Koo Yeon-jun?
– Han Jun Hee
Not aiming to spoil the viewing experience for those who had not yet decided to approach this drama, I am going to briefly talk about the plot. The story revolves around the lives of Han Jun-hee / Kwon Min-ju and Koo Yeon-jun / Nam Si-heon who, along with a number of other, sometimes unexpectedly relevant characters, chase each other through the creases of time in order to live their love story. A magic cassette player allows the protagonists to time travel, from 2023 to 1998 through the early 2000s, while the soundtrack entrusted to the notes of “Gather My Tears” (Seo Ji-Won, 1996) sustains the atmosphere of the entire tale, almost anticipating pieces of the plot. The song chosen as the OST expresses through the words of the lyrics a feeling of longing and yearning. The track explores the pain of letting go of someone who has moved on with another person. The singer dedicates a letter to heaven, gathering his own tears as a symbolic means of expressing his emotions. The refrain expresses the determination to wait for the return of the loved one; he believes that if this letter tears reaches heaven, the person he longs for will return to him. This unwavering faith in their love and the act of collecting the tears show the depth of their devotion.
My dear, I will wait for you
When the voice of my tears reaches the sky, oh
One day you’ll come back to me
To gather my tears, I’ll believe in that
– Seo Ji-Won, Gathers my Tears
The plot itself, which runs flawlessly, would not be as good without the outstanding performance of the lead actors. Ahn Hyo-seop and Jeon Yo-been bring their characters to life impeccably, displaying great versatility and acting skills. Ahn Hyo-Seop’s gaze, with that mixture of desperate love, pain and determination, often has the power to communicate more than a thousand words. Whether it is Koo Yeon-jun or Nam Si-heon, the two characters he plays, the range of emotions running through his heart are perfectly discernible simply by looking into his eyes. Cheerfulness and deep sorrow alternate in an undisturbed flow. Just as Neon Yo-been’s ability to switch from the vitality and cheerfulness of Jun-hee, to the melancholy silence of Min-ju, makes almost forget that the two girls are played by the same actress, so sharp are the features that distinguish them, almost to the point of perceiving a slight change in their facial features. The characters played by Yo-been sometimes seem to blend together like water and oil: at times you can’t tell who you’re looking at, except that they naturally separate and arrange themselves according to personal peculiarities.
Also worth mentioning is Rowoon‘s cameo as Tae-ha, Koo Yeon-jun’s friend. The few scenes performed by the two represent one of the moments of greatest pathos in the entire drama, as well as an example of how in life everything can change suddently, and lead us toward a destiny that we did not even imagine. In the two young men’s gestures there is a communication at the same time strong and delicate. On a closer inspection, the looks of the male characters, including Jung In-gyu’s, make more noise than words themselves.
You don’t need to tell me. Even if you don’t tell me, I will recognize you. Whenever and wherever we meet, I will know how to recognize you the very moment I see you. Just as I have done in this life.
– Koo Yeon Jun
When I was a little girl my grandmother, in her strict dialect and with that pragmatism typical of someone who has been through a war, used to tell me “my little one don’t despair, the bread that is meant for you, nobody will eat it.”
A Time Called You is (in a decidedly more romantic way) about just that, the inevitability of fate, the power of love, but also about the consequences of our choices and actions. Sometimes we do not realize where the steps we take in our lives will lead; other times we would want with all of ourselves to steer the course of events to make particular things happen or not happen. However, no matter how hard we try to bend time to our favor, we will be powerless against the force of fate.
If you have not yet watched this little jewel, I recommend that you schedule your viewing in not-too-distant future. The arrival of the cold season, a warm plaid and a comforting hot drink will be your ideal companions during all 12 episodes (I also recommend Kleenex, just in case).
I promise. I will definitely find you. No matter when or where you are. We will definitely meet again. I will come and find you in time for us.
– Nam Si Heon”
