'Melo Movie' is a Heartwarming Romantic K-Drama

February was a month of romantic movies and series and the Netflix K-drama ‘Melo Movie’ celebrated the beauty of love in the perfect way.

The series is about film director Kim Mubee and film critic Ko Gyeom who cross paths again five years after working on a film set together. They had become romantically involved during that time, however, Gyeom suddenly disappears without an explanation, leaving Mubee upset and heartbroken.

In the present, Mubee is determined to not get emotionally attached to Gyeom again, but it proves to be a difficult task after he moves in next door.

Simultaneously, screenwriter Son Ju-a revisits her ex-boyfriend Hong Si-jun(both of them are Gyeom’s friends) to get him to compose the music for her script, however, Si-jun does not want to work together because of their past.

Lee Na Eun, who is well-known for ‘Our Beloved Summer’, has created a nuanced and holistic romantic drama in ‘Melo Movie’. The four main characters have emotional depth and proper arcs, which makes viewers empathize with them.

Through the stories of the two lead couples, Lee explores various themes in romance including the importance of communication and setting differences aside. These themes create a realistic romantic narrative, a breath of fresh air in this time of trope-centric and dry romances.

Park Bo-young and Choi Woo-sik have done a great job as Mubee and Gyeom. Park perfectly balances out Mubee’s pessimistic and anti-social qualities with her kind-heartedness and softness.

On the other hand, Woo-sik also efficiently balances out Gyeom’s bubbly and outgoing nature with the character’s seriousness.

Both actors do not overdo anything and beautifully portray a wide spectrum of human emotions, allowing viewers to connect with them instantly. Lee Jun-young as So-jin and Jeon So-nee as Son Ju-a also deliver their roles, making their characters’ struggles and emotions real and relatable.

’Her Private Life’ star Kim Jae-wook also features in ‘Melo Movie’ as Gyeom’s older brother, creating a sweet and heartwarming character.

In addition to the script and the actors, ‘Melo Movie’ can hit home with its beautiful visuals. The production designer has done a fabulous job creating a retro vibe at the bar where So-Jin works and at the bar where Mubee first meets Ju-a. The former features stacked videotapes and neon blue lights, creating a cool atmosphere for an evening hangout.

In contrast, the latter location features a warm light and shelves with stacked bottles, which makes it the ideal space to unwind after a tough day like how Mubee and Ju-a share their boy problems there.

Cinematographers Kim Gi-ho, Lee Soo-kwang, and Kim Gil-tae have created some beautiful visuals to complement the story. The camerawork complements the series’ nostalgia and the romantic journey of the lead couples.

With its wonderful script, acting, and visuals, ‘Melo Movie’ is a K-drama that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here