K-Drama Review: Something in the Rain

Son Ye-jin plays the role of Yoon Jin-ah, a 35-year-old manager of a coffee shop franchise company, who was recently dumped by her boyfriend. Jung Hae-in is Seo Jun-hui, a video game developer in his 20s. He is the younger brother of Seo Gyeong-seon (Jang So-yeon) who is Jin-ah’s best friend.

After three years of working abroad, Jun-hui goes back to Korea and ends up working in the same building as Jin-ah. Jin-ah and Jun-hui become reacquainted, and they eventually fall in love against
their family’s wishes.

What I Like about this K-Drama

First are the lead actor/actress and supporting cast. Jung Hae-in and Son Ye-jin are both good-looking. There’s also intense chemistry between them, so this K-drama will make you “super kilig.” Although Son Ye-jin’s character in the story may be a bit wishy-washy, she redeemed herself big time in the end by becoming a stronger, tougher woman who fights for what she believes is right. Ye-jin certainly did justice to her role! By this time, I already know that Son Ye-jin is my favorite K-drama actress; her acting chops cannot be undermined. This was actually the second series of Son Ye-jin that I watched after CLOY.

The antagonists in this K-drama cannot be discounted, too. Lee Gyu-min’s (Oh Ryong) desperate attempts to win Jin-ah back will make you say he’s a total jerk. You’ll also hate Jin-ah’s mom to the core! She believes she’s right to meddle in her children’s affairs just because she’s their mother without realizing that she’s making them suffer more.

Second, Something in the Rain isn’t just a love story. Well primarily, it is, but it also talks about certain issues not often talked about but are actually happening in the real world, like the struggles of women in the workplace, more specifically, how female employees become victims of sexual harassment from the higher-ups, why they don’t speak up, and how they can put a stop to it.

Third, the OST grew on me. Four songs particularly stood out: “Save the Last Dance for Me” by Bruce Willis, “Stand by Your Man” by Carla Bruni, and “Something in the Rain” and “La La La” by Rachael Yamagata. When I hear those songs anywhere, I’ll immediately be reminded of this K-drama.

Social and Cultural Issues Portrayed in this K-Drama

It is shameful to date a younger guy. This message was clearly articulated by Jin-ah’s mom upon learning that her daughter is dating Jun-hui, who is several years her junior. Age is not an issue, however, to the love-struck couple. Juin-hui, despite being younger, genuinely cares for Jin-ah, loves her unconditionally, and protects her at all costs.

My say: Age shouldn’t really be a concern for two people in love. As long as they are happy together and they’re doing nothing wrong, no one has the right to tell them what to do. Whatever floats their boat, let them be!

A person who grew up without his parents’ guidance is not marriage material. Having lost his mom at a young age and having a father who left them for another woman, Jun-hui was not deemed to be a good fit for Jin-ah, as far as her mom is concerned. Jin-ah’s mom wants to marry her off to a rich guy with a good family background and keeps setting her up on blind dates to realize her plan.

My say: Jun-hui is a warm-hearted person, always considerate of Jin-ah’s feelings. Personally, I’d rather have someone who is kind and caring than someone who is rich but has disgusting manners like Gyu-min, Jin-ah’s ex-boyfriend.

To advance in their career, it is not enough for women to just be good at their work. Jin-ah and most of her female officemates have to be tolerant of their male superiors’ untoward behavior towards them. They are “coerced” to attend team dinners to show team unity, and this is where sexual harassment usually happens in the form of a seemingly “unmalicious” touch or embrace.

My say: Some women may feel powerless when faced with this situation. Others may feel embarrassed, even downright scared that they will keep the bad experience to themselves and eventually leave the workplace without letting anyone know how they suffered.

Something in the Rain was released in 2018. It was Son Ye-jin’s comeback series after five years. It is available on Netflix.