A Time Called You is a K-drama that is a remake of the Taiwanese drama Someday or One Day, which was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful series in 2019. The show is a complex and emotional saga that explores various themes, such as destiny, identity, memory, and fate. It also contains a mystery element that involves the past and future selves of the main characters. The show features a talented cast, a captivating soundtrack, and a non-linear narrative that switches between two timelines. However, the show also has some flaws that prevent it from reaching its full potential. In this review, the strengths and weaknesses of the show are analyzed, specifying whether it is worth watching or not.
A Time Called You (2023) K-Drama Cast
- Ahn Hyo-seop as Koo Yeon-jun / Nam Si-heon: Jun-hee’s boyfriend and a boy from 1998 who resembles him
- Jeon Yeo-been as Han Jun-hee / Kwon Min-ju: Yeon-jun’s girlfriend, who still mourns over his death and the girl whose body she ends up in after traveling back in time
- Kang Hoon as Jung In-gyu: Si-heon’s best friend, who has a crush on Min-ju1
- Park Hyuk-kwon as Bae Chi-won: Min-ju’s uncle
- Jang Hye-jin as Bae Mi-yeong: Min-ju’s mother
- Lee Min-goo as Kwon Do-hun: Min-ju’s brother
- Sung Ki-yoon as Kwon Sang-jo: Min-ju’s father
- Seo Ye-hwa as Seo Na-eun: Jun-hee’s friend
- Min Jin-woong as Oh Chan-yeong: Yeon-jun’s friend and Chan-hee’s younger brother
- Park Ki-woong as Choi Myung-il: Jun-hee’s uncle and a detective2
- Kim Deok-ju as Han: Jun-hee’s grandmother
- Do Sang-woo as Park Do-hyeon: Jun-hee’s co-worker
- Yoon Sang-jeong as Hye-mi: Jun-hee’s co-worker
- Rowoon as Tae-ha: A special appearance in episode 1
A Time Called You (2023) K-Drama Plot & Summary
A Time Called You is a Netflix original series that adapts the popular Taiwanese drama Someday or One Day, which tells a story of love, loss and time travel. The show stars Jeon Yeo-been as Han Jun-hee, a woman who is grieving the death of her fiancé Gu Yeon-jun (Ahn Hyo-seop) in a plane crash. One day, she mysteriously travels back to 1998 and wakes up in the body of Kwon Min-ju, a shy high school girl who looks exactly like her. There, she meets Nam Si-heon (also played by Ahn Hyo-seop), a charismatic student who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late lover. She also befriends Jung In-gyu (Kang Hoon), Si-heon’s best friend who has a crush on Min-ju. As Jun-hee tries to figure out the reason behind her time travel and prevent a tragedy that will happen in the past, she also develops feelings for Si-heon and faces a dilemma between her present and past selves.
A Time Called You (2023) K-Drama Review
The show is a complex and emotional saga that explores various themes, such as destiny, identity, memory, and fate. It also contains a mystery element, as Jun-hee’s uncle reveals that she was murdered in October 1998 and that someone is stalking her in 2023. The show uses a non-linear narrative that switches between the two timelines, creating suspense and intrigue. The show also pays homage to the original Taiwanese version, using some of its iconic scenes and songs.
For example, in episode 6, Jun-hee discovers that she has a scar on her neck that matches the one on Min-ju’s corpse. She also finds out that her uncle is a detective who was investigating her murder case in 1998. She realizes that she is somehow connected to Min-ju’s death and that someone is trying to kill her in both timelines
The show pays homage to the original Taiwanese version, using some of its iconic scenes and songs. It also respects the original source material and does not deviate too much from its plot and characters.
For example, in episode 1, Jun-hee receives a cassette tape from Yeon-jun before he dies in a plane crash. The tape contains a song called “Someday or One Day”, which is the same song that the Taiwanese version’s protagonist receives from her lover before he dies in a car accident. The song becomes a recurring motif throughout the show, as it triggers Jun-hee’s time travel and connects her to Si-heon.
The cast of the show delivers impressive performances, especially Jeon Yeo-been and Ahn Hyo-seop, who portray dual roles with different personalities and expressions. Jeon Yeo-been convincingly switches between the timid Min-ju and the vivacious Jun-hee, while Ahn Hyo-seop showcases his charm and versatility as the outgoing Si-heon and the gentle Yeon-jun. Kang Hoon also does a good job as the loyal and sweet In-gyu, who provides comic relief and emotional support to the main couple.
For example, in episode 10, Jun-hee confesses her feelings to Si-heon and kisses him passionately. However, she suddenly returns to 2023 and wakes up in Yeon-jun’s arms. She is shocked and confused by the sudden change of events, while Yeon-jun is happy and relieved to see her alive. Jeon Yeo-been and Ahn Hyo-seop display their excellent acting skills as they portray the contrasting emotions of their characters in this scene.
The Underwhelming Aspects Of A Time Called You
However, the show also has some flaws that prevent it from reaching its full potential. As per some critics, the show lacks the originality and innovation of the Taiwanese version, which had a more captivating plot and chemistry between the leads. The show also suffers from some editing issues, slow pacing, and inconsistent tone. Some viewers may find the show confusing or repetitive due to its complex premise and multiple twists.
For example, in episode 12, Jun-hee travels back to 1998 again after finding out that Si-heon is actually Yeon-jun’s brother who was adopted by another family. She tries to stop Si-heon from killing himself but ends up causing another accident that injures In-gyu. She then returns to 2023 and finds out that Si-heon is alive, but In-gyu is dead. This scene is similar to the one in episode 8, where Jun-hee tries to save Min-ju from being stabbed by a stalker but ends up causing another accident that kills Si-heon. She then returns to 2023 and finds out that Min-ju is alive, but Si-heon is dead. These scenes are repetitive and confusing, as they do not explain how Jun-hee’s actions affect the timeline or why she keeps traveling back and forth.
The show fails to explore some of the deeper implications of its fantasy elements, such as the ethical dilemmas of time travel and body swapping. The show also does not address some of the logical inconsistencies and plot holes that arise from its time travel mechanism.
For example, in episode 11, Jun-hee decides to stay with Si-heon in 1998 after learning that he is terminally ill. She tells him that she is actually Jun-hee from 2023, who traveled back in time and swapped bodies with Min-ju. She also tells him that she loves him more than Yeon-jun. Si-heon accepts her explanation and reciprocates her feelings without questioning her motives or identity. This scene raises several questions: How does Jun-hee know that she can stay in 1998 indefinitely? What happens to Min-ju’s soul when Jun-hee takes over her body? How does Si-heon feel about Jun-hee’s betrayal of Yeon-jun? How does Jun-hee’s presence in 1998 affect the future? The show does not address these issues and instead focuses on the romance between Jun-hee and Si-heon.
The Movie Culture Synopsis
Overall, A Time Called You is a decent remake of a hit Taiwanese drama that offers a heart-wrenching romance and a thrilling mystery. It may not be able to surpass its original source material, but it still provides an entertaining and emotional watch for fans of K-dramas. However, watching the original Taiwanese version first before watching this remake is recommended, as it is a superior and more satisfying version of the same story.
