Writing the Encounter Korean drama review in 2024 for a 2018 drama. Never late than ever ๐
I remember bumping into this kdrama a while back, but I never gave it a shot because I thought it was too slow. Fast forward to today, I’m glad I gave this kdrama another shot. Honestly, I thought because it fit quite nicely with what I was feeling. Something that was warm-feeling, slow, somewhat mature romance, and was work-related. I’ve recently been on this work-related kdrama theme lately.
Well let’s hop in with the good and the bad!
*** WARNINGS: SPOILER AHEAD ***
The quick synopsis
I usually include a synopsis section for any reader that hasn’t watched Encounter yet. Almost as a quick teaser and way to have you watch the kdrama first before reading further (as there are spoilers ahead).
It’s about a love story between the CEO of a hotel and daughter of a politician, Cha Soo Hyun, and a normal ordinary fruit vendor Kim Jin Hyuk. They randomly encounter (eh?!?! see where the kdrama name came from??) each other in Cuba. Their story doesn’t end there as Jin Hyuk becomes an employee at Soo Hyun’s hotel. Encounter showcases their love story, starting from an unexpected encounter to perusing how their lives are impacted from being from two seemingly different worlds.
The good
Character development
Encounter did a great job with the character developments. Nothing seemed rushed within the 16 episode kdrama. Since the kdrama really focused on our female lead, she had the most character development. Despite the fact that the show gave so much screen time to the main leads, it somehow didn’t bother me. It was justifiable for how much growth we saw in Soo Hyun’s character. She went from being a cold and guarded person to a more warm and open person. The relationship between Jin-Hyeok and Soo Hyun’s character developed quite smoothly over time.
I loved how Soo Hyun’s parents changed over the kdrama as well. They went from treating their daughter as an object for their own gain to treating their daughter as their daughter. The family’s development over the kdrama really showed how different Jung Woo’s family was from Soo Hyun’s.
Cinematography
This show has phenomenal cinematography. Almost makes me want to learn how to capture and shoot great photographs. Just stunning. If it weren’t for the cinematography, I think the show would’ve been rated lower. The shots in Cuba were awesome, but some of the shots in South Korea were just as good. I can’t even describe it. I’ll just leave some of my favorite shots here.
Emotional output from the lead couple
When I was writing this part, I initially put this in the bad, but after I wrote out my thoughts, I turned this into a good. Song Hye Kyo’s portrayal of Soo Hyun made a lot of sense. That emotionless face you see her put on during the romantic scenes felt justified because of her character’s past. Soo Hyun holds back her emotions because she’s afraid that Jin Hyuk might be pulled into her crazy life. Comparing this to Jin Hyuk, whose always bubbly and positive, the emotional output from the lead couple was justified and balanced.
The supporting cast
The supporting cast did such a good job not only shining the light on the lead couple but also balancing out the intense emotions the lead couple brought to the drama. Felt like the supporting cast and lead cast really meshed well together.
You had Mr. Nam (the driver) and Miss Kim (the PR manager), whom both brought so much warmth and laughter to the kdrama. You had the Taegyeong group that gave some good heartache for our lead couple. You have the lead’s family, which really tested our lead’s relationship. You have the tea lady! OMG. I would totally want to be her friend. You have the work team, which honestly, was another breathe of fresh air.
The bad
Lack of antagonist offense
When I first looked into the kdrama, it was sold as a melodrama, but after watching it, I didn’t see or sense much melo in it. There wasn’t much drama coming from our antagonists. There were moments where things were shaky but there were more moments where we see our antagonist plan something but end up never coming to light in the drama. If there were some more drama between the Taegyeong family and Jin Hyuk’s family, that would’ve added that extra and unique layer of drama for our lead couple.
Music
I thought the music selection was great! They had a full English song as part of the OST! I’m also glad they brought in some Cuban music too :)! The main theme song fit so well with this kdrama. The songs they chose for the romantic scenes really added depth to those moments. The songs they chose for the goofy and light moments were well balanced. Here is my favorite song:
You can’t see everything about yourself
I love seeking out life lessons from kdramas. For me, the life lesson I got from this one is you can’t see everything yourself.
I think it’s natural for us to believe that we know ourselves the best, but I don’t think that’s true. There’s always some blind spot about ourselves that we will miss. It’s kinda like riding in a car. Although you have rear view and side view mirrors, there is always a blind spot where you won’t see; that’s why they recommend you turn and look before you make a turn or a lane change.
Jin Hyuk showed Soo Hyun a side of her that she had but couldn’t see. He showed her how much she can smile and be happy and that’s what ultimately led her back to him.
That’s why it’s so important to have people in your life that can give you these views of yourself, which can ultimately empower you to live differently.
Quotes
Encounter used poems and books through the kdrama so of course…we gotta include some of my favorite quotes!
“Letting a person come into your heart. Even if it’s for a brief moment, I believe such a thing is meaningful” – Jin Hyuk
“You can break up with me. But I’m still going to love you.” – Jin Hyuk
โI will walk together with this person. I donโt know where it will take us, but we will go as far as we can.โ – Jin Hyuk
“Your mom made me tangerine syrup. It was so simple and pretty. It was something nobody could buy with money. How can I break something so precious?” – Soo Hyun
“Do you think I love you because you’re the CEO of Donghwa Hotel? Do you think I was interested in you because your father was a competent politician. No and you know that. The fact that we come from different families can’t be a reason to break up. Everyone’s different. Love is about two different people starting to resemble each other.” – Jin Hyuk
“I’m no longer the Cha Soo Hyun that got sold off to Taegyeong. I’m no longer the Cha Soo Hyun that’s crazy about the hotel. And I’m no longer the Cha Soo Hyun that lets the person she likes gets criticized for no reason. For the first time in my life, I feel so unburdened. It feels like I threw a punch. ” – Soo Hyun
Overall Rating
8/10.
I could see myself re-watching this at anytime. In my top 10 Korean dramas for-sure. Hope you enjoyed this small Encounter Korean drama review!
