Love Under the Rain

I am the kind of person that does not love rain. Yes, when I was just a kid I tend to love bathing under the rain along with my siblings but, as I grow up, it changed. Every time it rains I feel really blue. 

Some say that they love rain because it is nice to sleep when it’s raining but not me. I feel sad when it’s raining at night. Especially when I’m alone, I feel afraid. Well, that’s not what I am going to tell you this time. This article is about living from the past. I had an intro about rain because my topic is about my favorite drama series now is entitled, “Love Rain”.

At first, I wonder why my Mom is shuddering and keeps on watching it over and over again. I got curious so I watched it myself. Now I know. It is really one of a kind story. it is a love story of the past that was never given an opportunity to flourish.

Love Rain focuses on the romance between the offspring of two estranged lovers. Typical plot, right? I was surprised that they dedicated a good chunk of the whole series to the backstory, actually.

We are introduced to the introverted In Ha, an art student who’s very skilled at painting. In just three seconds, he falls in love with Yon Hee as he passes by her in the school grounds. Ever since then, he attempts to get to know her. He even went as far as grabbing an old umbrella from a storage room just so he could share it with Yon Hee during a rainy day.

Though I do not believe in love at first sight, I wasn’t repulsed at the admiration that In Ha had for Yon Hee. This is probably because he was too shy to actually voice out his feelings for her. He was so slow to the point that you’d get frustrated at the way he allows his bestfriend, Don Wook, to steal the apple of his eye away from him.

In Ha watches quietly in the background as Yon Hee and Don Wook get closer and closer. Eventually though, conflict arises the moment In Ha and Yon Hee realize that their feelings are actually mutual. They leave their town to be together, then go home to face the mess. Unfortunately, their budding relationship is cut short when fate gets in the way. Yon Hee develops tuberculosis while In Ha gets arrested thanks to his roommate and friend. They never saw each other after all of that.

30 years later, by chance or maybe even fate, their offspring bump into each other during a trip to Japan. Ha Na, unlike Yon Hee, is perky and cheerful. Joon, unlike his father, is cold and infamous for being a playboy. After Ha Na accidentally loses her phone to Joon, their lives are eventually entwined. Also, during a rainy day in Korea, their parents finally reunite after so many years apart. The situation between the two couples is the main conflict in the story.

First of all, the back story is what really got me into the series. Although it’s a given that In Ha and Yon Hee would not end up together, it was still heartbreaking to see them torn apart by fate. The first five or so episodes are dedicated to their history and, for some reason, I enjoyed it more than the whole series itself. I fell in love with the 1970’s couple and it took some time for me to adjust to the present timeline.

The backstory contains more drama than the present timeline. The latter tends to be really light-hearted and sometimes, it feels like a romcom. Everything was thrilling when I was waiting for the moment that the two couples would find out about their complex predicament. After that, the series became a bit boring. I watched until the end to see how In Ha and Yon Hee’s story would unfold. I really wanted them to get together more than Ha Na and Joon.

Overall, I’m glad I watched it mostly because of the story between In Ha and Yon Hee. Their love is just so beautiful. They didn’t see each other for 30 years yet they still couldn’t forget about their first love. The scene above is probably my favorite. While crossing the street, In Ha notices Yon Hee. He’s in shock, but he rushed through the streets under the pouring rain just to make sure that it was her. This time, it was Yon Hee who offered to share her umbrella with him. It just made me feel all mushy inside.

Though their love story didn’t have a happy ending, they did one very heart breaking decision; to give way for the happiness of their children. It is clearly a reminder that if you have let go of the past once, it is a 50-50 chance of getting it right the next time.