Longing For You (2023) - Series Review: "Started Strong, then falls short"

Detective Na In-woo, driven by a thirst for revenge against a sinister group, stumbles upon a serial murder in his rural jurisdiction. As he joins a special task force to catch the killer, a shocking revelation emerges—his own brother, Oh Jin-woo, becomes a suspect. Tragically, Jin-woo is later found dead under mysterious circumstances. Now, In-woo is torn between justice and protecting his family as he endeavors to conceal the truth behind his brother's demise. "Longing For You" weaves a tale of revenge, family secrets, and the high stakes of unraveling a deadly mystery.

Main Characters and Their Previous Works I'd watched. 

Na In-Woo, played the role Oh Jin-Sung. I haven't watched the drama where he is in lead roles, his cameos in "At the Distance, Spring is Green" and "Golden Spoon" showcased his talent. In this drama, however, some moments felt a bit over-the-top, possibly due to the character's nature. Nonetheless, In-Woo's performance remained commendable.

Kim Ji-Eun, in the role of Go Young-Joo, delivers a standout performance. Having also seen her as the main lead in "Again My Life", her acting prowess is consistently impressive. Yet, there are moments when I find myself slightly puzzled about her character's true sentiments of admiration.

Director and Writer and their Previous works.

"Longing For You" is co-directed by Kim Yong-Min and Han Chul-Soo. Among Yong-Min's limited list of directed drama series, this is the sole one I've watched. As for Chul-Soo, while he also directed "Again My Life," "Longing For You" is the only one I've completed so far. I still have a few episodes left for "Again My Life" before considering it finished.

Story

The initial episodes of the drama series gripped me, unraveling a captivating mystery around the true perpetrator of the crime. I found myself suspecting Jin Woo, whose innocence seemed both angelic and demonic. The anticipation for a thrilling ride was high, but the latter half fell somewhat flat, losing the excitement, particularly with Jin-woo's death. The stark contrast between the two halves left me wishing the story had concluded on the poignant note of his innocence being recognized.

Acting

The acting in "Longing For You" had moments of brilliance, but at times, it veered into over-the-top territory, occasionally becoming a bit annoying. While some cast members delivered exceptional performances, others fell into the trap of exaggeration. Overall, it is a mix of strong portrayals and moments that felt a tad excessive.

Favorite Character on this Series

My favorite character in the series is Oh Jin-Woo. He portrayed his role with a captivating blend of mystery and innocence, keeping me on my toes. His performance was so nuanced that, at times, I found myself suspecting him, only to be swayed back to believing in his innocence.

Favorite Actor/Actress on this Series

Ren, who played the character of Oh Jin-Woo, stood out as my favorite actor in the series. His performance captured the essence of what makes Korean dramas compelling. The way he portrayed his character not only kept the story engaging but also left a lasting impression, especially considering it was the first series I watched him in.

Favorite Couple/Tandem on this Series

The brotherly bond between Oh Jin-Sung and Oh Jin-Woo emerged as my favorite tandem in the series. Amidst the various love stories, their connection, though not entirely blood-related, resonated strongly, creating a memorable and compelling dynamic.

Rating: 7.5/10

"Longing For You" had a strong start, but its conclusion fell short, impacting the overall rating. A more mysterious or extended first half might have elevated the drama further. Nevertheless, it remains a good watch, leaving an impression despite its narrative challenges.