Uncontrollably Fond (2016) User Reviews

Life imitating art...

[hamlet-16 · 8/10 · 14 July 2018]

This is a romantic melodrama of the highest quality. Beautifully acted especially by the main cast. Kim Woo-Bin is especially good in some very emotional sequences as he battles illness.

It has that odd mix of high drama and very broad comedy so typical of Korean television and film.

Our hero Shin Joon-young is a hot KPop/KDrama star and No Eul a tv producer wanting to do a documentary about his life. Of course they go through the normal hate you hate you love you romance with numerous plot twists and complications so typical of romantic "dramedies" but with the added punch that Shin Joon-young is dying.

Seven boxes of tissues later it is all resolved. True love triumphs before our hero passes away. He is with his true love ... reconciled with his mother. His father who left his mother to bring him up alone realises the error of his ways.

In many ways the final sequence where a video Shin Joon-young has recorded is played sums up the drama beautifully. It is heartrending. Along with the sequence where he stand by a sea wall and screams .. "I want to live".

But what adds true piquancy to all this is that Kim Woo-Bin was diagnosed with a serious cancer in May 2017 only months after the series went to air in Korea.

Life imitating art...

As of the date I write this Mr Kim is recovering following multiple rounds of chemo and radiation therapy. I wish him well and a speedy and full recovery.

Kim Woo Bin's acting is no joke.

[taneaMr · 9/10 · 22 April 2019]

This drama is the definition of waterworks people!! If you're ready for some real emotional damage, then please, be my guests. I just want to shed some light on Kim Woo Bin's unbelievable acting, when he smiled, I smiled. When he cried, I cried. His facial expression with every scene is so strong it makes you live his happiness and pain. The only thing that didn't work for me was the pairing for this drama, I did not think Woo Bin and Bae Suzy complimented each other as a couple, but overall, I loved it.

Life is short

[alaningle7 · 8/10 · 23 August 2020]

A story of two lovers with a difficult and complex past, they have endured many heartbreaks along the way and seem fated never to be together. The two leads Suzy Bae and Kim Woo-bin are superb and if you don't feel their heartache and cry you are emotionally dead.

All praise falls short for Kim Woo-Bin & the creators.

[dampdivya · 10/10 · 21 March 2020]

Kim Woo-Bin's acting is phenomenal. Any praise for Woo-Bin falls short. Every expression in every scene of his is exactly on the mark. No compliments can do this man justice. He is incredible!

The soundtrack is incredibly emotional and well-thought out too. Even the silences are well-placed and deliver emotionally. Pieced together, this is a masterpiece.

Regarding the storyline, at a few points, it feels as if very obvious things were ignored by the characters, just to further the emotional impact, leading further away from believability & reality, but it is a K-drama after all, and this can't be a reason to criticize this show.

Unfortunately, I think this series didn't highlight Suzy's strong points. If you didn't have context, you wouldn't know if she was smiling or crying. Nevertheless, I really can't justify removing a single star from this review.

Despite a few forward-able scenes, this is the show that has stuck with me the longest. This show makes you re-evaluate life. From start to end, it makes you feel so many emotions that you can't put a word to. Woo-Bin was the highlight, but everyone did a fabulous job. Incredibly well scripted and directed.

Very polished K-drama

[dleetrident · 9/10 · 4 September 2017]

If you've watched K-dramas before, you'll know that there are certain storytelling formulas that you can expect to be followed. Uncontrollably Fond certainly does not revolutionise the art in this respect, however this most certainly shouldn't discourage you, as what it does do is deliver an incredibly polished representation of the "genre", from start to finish.

From the beginning the stereotypical dynamics appear to immediately emerge. Bae Suzy is the classic underdog female lead, whose father is run over by the opposing female main, and lives with the weight of injustice at the hands of a corrupt social divide. Kim Woo Bin plays the handsome, rich and cocky star who has had lingering, yet vague, feelings for our beleaguered heroine since their high school days. There is also the obligatory love rival, while the aforementioned opposing female main completes the love-rectangle. However, while these formulas are all too familiar, there are just enough atypical elements and twists introduced to keep the storyline fresh and engaging.. As soon as the story begins, Woo Bin's character is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and this represents the main driving force of the narrative, and the execution of this plot line throughout covers over other rehashed elements, almost seeming as if you are watching something entirely fresh and new.

Of course, you are not- and there are some typical criticisms. Viewers will have to suspend their disbelief somewhat in the female lead's underdog status, given she is one of the most beautiful women in Korea, however since she naturally possesses a girl-next-door vibe, and they manage to compensate by downplaying her wardrobe considerably compared to the typical k-drama lead- it's no big obstacle.. In fact this arguably plays into favour- her wardrobe is more realistic to the character, and adds to the down-to-earth effect that you really can believe would make her a unique person to the hearts of the male leads, not to mention male audience members watching. There are also some bridges to be made in certain character motivations at some points, as is again typical, but viewers willing to accept a certain degree of this is inevitable will be rewarded.

The pacing of the story from the start is near perfect, and the story seamlessly transitions from phase to phase at most of the correct timings. Personally, I had a huge gripe with the pacing elements in Kim Woo Bin's previous drama hit "The Heirs", as I felt the push-pull love-triangle phase of that story was dragged out far too long, and to the point where it grew stale and repetitive- Uncontrollably Fond has no such issues, and makes significant advances in plot, if not in every episode then certainly within 2-3. The acting is similarly fantastic in my book- Bae Suzy was previously criticised by many for her lack of range in "Architecture 101", yet shows off the complete spectrum here with talented subtlety. Kim Woo Bin too produces the performance of someone who has mastered their craft, especially with certain story elements that would have been difficult to execute technically as you will see.

In fact, that encapsulates this production and why I was willing to give it a 9. We may not be breaking any ground here, but most elements ring of having been produced by people using the weight of accumulated experience to produce a well-rounded and complete article. This drama knows what it is doing- Uncontrollably Fond will toy with your emotions, pulling them this way and that- having you crying one minute and grinning like an idiot the next before the tears can even dry. As the subject matter suggests, it is primarily a melodrama, and a very successful one at that. By the end you can expect to feel hollow and empty inside, with a bittersweet nostalgia to the lives of these fictional characters, as the hallmark of a k-drama's job well done.

So don't forget the tissues ready.

10 on 10 only for Kim Woo Bin's amazing performance

[Giselle1710 · 10/10 · 15 August 2020]

I honestly wanted to give it a 6 cz the story didn't attract me much. But Kim Woo Bin did such a good job. His expressions were top notch. The moment when he's at the children's hospital or when he says "love and jealousy? I don't have time for that." really makes realise you that you have a limited time to live what you act want to do with your life!

But this drama should have called uncontrollably sad! Why did they reveal on the first episode that he will die! The only happy thing in this drama is episode 4 and if you haven't paused episode 4 and stared at your screen I don't what you did! Jokes apart, really give this drama a go and don't binge watch! Watch each episode with time and savour Kim Woo Bin's masterpiece!

A total masterpiece

[charez-11384 · 10/10 · 22 June 2021]

Loved the story line

Love now and not regret later - I wish I had seen more love scenes from the two. Other than that, I have watched it about 5 times already.

Good enough

[PennyReviews · 7/10 · 5 October 2016]

Uncontrollably fond made me cry, I admit it (and there are very few dramas or movies that can make me sad enough to make me teary!). The story is about a girl who's dad had been killed by a hit and run and she is now struggling to pay off her dept, and a guy, who's a celebrity but used to bully her. Now the guy is dying by an incurable illness, and he wants to set things right for the girl. The first episode wasn't that good and I've even thought of giving up on the series. But the second one was great, and the drama kept going till the very last episode, keeping the interest high till the very end. The flash backs were beautifully presented and the characters' stories create a web, as they are all connected with one another. The story is quite interesting and the love story nice enough, but the main point for me wasn't the romance, but the whole justice- paid back was more entertaining. The performances were really good and helped the story to climax. So, 7 out 10.

Heartbreaking, so good

[tay-sedai · 9/10 · 10 December 2018]

I just finished watching this show today, and now I feel just a little bit hollow, heartbroken, and unsure of what show to console myself with next!

I guess you know pretty early on what you're getting into with this story. It still hurts though as you progress through the narrative. So many feels, so many tears shed. I guess that's a reflection on the wonderful acting, production, etc.

I want there to be a season two where things are spelled out, but of course that would take away from the magic of what we got in this series of episodes.

What to watch now? I need something that won't make me cry. Wish me luck!

Strong Cast: plot inconsistencies

[AJ_McAninch · 7/10 · 22 July 2022]

The cast is excellent; Woo Bin and Suzy are terrific together. Like many here, I also think the series could have been stronger and tighter with 12-16 eps, no loopholing, turnovers, and redundancies in the plot. They're tiring and annoying because they intrude in and drag down the main plot. But I am so glad Woo Bin is doing better. His performance here is so poignant in light of his own illness: I ached for him.

Kudos

[oorupuhaoo · 10/10 · 11 September 2018]

The most wonderful and convincing drama. Special mention to Kim Woo-Bin and Suzy Bae who were able to illustrate the emotions, the heartache and the challenges that their characters endured. An exciting and uncontrollably addictive series. Word of warning... don't skip to the end!

Serious topics easy to watch...

[em_13-608-154267 · 6/10 · 23 January 2017]

Serious topics easy to watch, and very fer scenario flaws you can easily live with.

The game of Kim Woo-Bin is really good. I believe he was quite a potential to play more serious roles apart of teen series. I wouldn't be way too petty with the directing and the small details (just to give some flavour on this the main actress usually fall and trip up herself in a very strange manner - something I never actually figured out, quite fragile I guess).

The scenario is well designed, and w/o spoiling your watching (it is set from the very start), main character is charismatic and strongly presented in the series, mixture of idealism, poverty and love is quite substantial.

I wouldn't classify this as "comedy" the whole story (apart from presentation and acting) is really serious and thrilling, great potential to make this more serious film. However it will be way off from the nature of the Korean Melodrama.

My advice - watch it and tell for yourself.

Quite poignant but this series has serious flaws

[phd_travel · 5/10 · 20 January 2021]

Watching this show knowing Kim Woo Bin developed cancer the year after this series makes this show quite poignant. The starting episodes are strong with some complex characters and passionate feelings. The viewer gets drawn in with the tragic back story so you want to see how things turn out. It has an old fashioned melodrama revenge thing going on with bad rich people bullying poor people. The modern houses are attractive.

Unfortunately things get bad during the last third. 20 episodes was too long when 16 would have been more than enough. So many flashbacks and repeated scenes could have been cut. Lots of unnecessary angst and things left unsaid. The mother is the most irritating character in the show. So what if he didn't become a prosecutor - a famous star is even better. Also why didn't he just tell her what the father did. Also his revenge scheme was a bit silly. The last episode wraps things up well and the memory loss is quite touching but I had run out of patience by then.

Suzy Bae looks lovely here. KWB acts passionately and that makes his character believable. At first it was hard to accept him as romantic lead after Boys Over Flowers cause of the evil looks he used to put on. The characters are flawed so it's interesting how they cast KWB and Im Ju Hwan who both have rather unconventional looks.

If this series had been shortened it would have been better.

Kim Woo Bin at his best!

[Giselle1710 · 10/10 · 12 August 2020]

Hooked from the first episode. Cried a river in the last episode specially the mother son conversation. I loved the idea how they didn't specify the ending and show that he died. His last message was the sweetest thing ever! I m eagerly waiting for Kim Woo Bin's next project since he's back after his nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment. I missed missed missed himmmm...

CAUTION : PREPARE TISSUES

[najwanadyetta · 10/10 · 15 December 2018]

Honestly, I can't say anything except that this is one of the best korean dramas I've ever watched! I'm giving it a 9/10 just because of the ending, if it ends the other way around I would totally give this drama a 100/10 😁 I love suzy's and woo bin's acting a lot! Any dramas with them in it worth more that 7 stars!

Really touched my heart

[tugbanurkirann · 10/10 · 19 December 2020]

Incredible acting. I cried a lot. If you want to watch cliché drama, you will like it. I love it.

Heartbreaking

[kim_michelle92 · 8/10 · 11 October 2021]

Kim Woo-Bin stole the show and broke my heart. There were some aspects of the show that didn't make sense. But Kim Woo-Bin really stole the show especially in the emotional scenes and the last episode. The conversation with his mother and the scene where he finally screams out, about who will take care of his mother after him and just wanting to live, in the last episode was extremely well done. The pain, fear, and happiness (when the mother tells him she's engaged) during his final conversation his mother was so beautifully portrayed--I literally had to stop in between because it made me cry. Also, the scene where he starts losing his memory as his disease progresses and recreates the scene where he goes and lies down on Noh Eul's lap was so beautiful and sad. From being young, hopeful, and playful to having your days numbered and losing your memory and declining, was just such a stark reminder of how nothing is in our control and how much life can change in such a short time.

However, I wished they focused more on him, his relationships, and emotions and cut down on the drama a bit. Also, I wish they had showed in the flashbacks to strengthen the relationship between the leads since that was the focus.

Edited: Problematic Tragedy

[fake_moviestar · 7/10 · 5 June 2021]

Edit: I just re-watched this show and have decided I was a bit too harsh in my first review. Kim Woo Bin's performance is astounding, and I am even more impressed watching it a second time. Suzy has a weaker performance, but I believe it was because she was a newer actor as her more recent performances are much more polished. This time around I found some of the soundtrack pieces to be extremely emotional, and I am not sure why I found them annoying previously.

The show is an out and out melodrama, so there are sub plots that feel over the top, but overall they don't ruin the story. I will say that the main story line of Joon Young's diagnosis and his tumultuous relationship with No Eul is the strongest and most interesting story line for sure, and as a second watch I fast forwarded through a lot of the sub plots.

The parts that were problematic on my first watch and still stuck out to me on the second were the way that both Joon Young and No Eul can be physically abusive to each other at times. I understand they are supposed to be young and frustrated, but it still leaves a bad taste seeing those types of reactions.

Despite all that, the show is strong, and the writing around the main plot is solid. Obviously Kim Woo Bin is the stand out actor here, giving an incredible performance, but I think the side actors did a great job as well. I thought Joon Young's mother was particularly good at playing a character with incredible growth.

Overall, for those who like melodramas and want to see an incredibly emotional performance by Kim Woo Bin, this is a must watch.

For those wondering: I have deleted my original review.

Emotional and heart touching

[eishatariq · 9/10 · 12 July 2020]

It's soooo good I would recommend this to everyone but watch it with a box of tissue paper . I want to give 10 out of 10 but it was so tough to see the ending of Woobin's character 😢

It got better eventually.

[lmerana · 7/10 · 7 September 2019]

I didn't like Suzy's acting here and I am not a fan of Kim Woobin. The story is ordinary and the ending was of course, sad because of the character dying. At first there was not much chemistry but eventually as the story progresses, by nearing end, they actually had a good interaction.

Complicated Life Stories pictured in a simple yet unique manner

[hariniudaradissanayake · 10/10 · 1 June 2020]

A story about people's lives and the complexity, helplessness of them delivered in a very simple, innocent yet unique manner. You'll find atleast one scenario where you can relate to yourself.

Difficult to watch on so many levels

[bjdemolar · 6/10 · 6 January 2024]

I have only gotten to Ep. 12 but may not finish. Kim Woo Bin is an excellent actor and I have always enjoyed Bae Suzy. However, the writers have made her character a total farce. She has the maturity of a 5 year old with no impulse control. The mother of Kim Woo Bin is over the top awful to her own son and the others around him are despicable too. We see rich people in many Kdramas treat those they consider beneath them horrible so that was typical. The only two likeable characters are Woo Bin and the brother of the female lead. I gave this a 6 because of the acting of the male lead but, for the first time, I may not finish a K Drama. What a twisted mess!

More frustrating than enjoyable

[Ro-atthemovies · 5/10 · 5 November 2021]

Given the cast, I thought that this series would be a lot different. The storyline there's so many holes it becomes uninteresting and shallow. The story could've been summarized in a few episodes but it was stretched out ridiculously to 20. Supposedly these two lead characters have been in love with each other for 9-10 years and yet they treat each other with such disrespect and disregard we're supposed to believe that that's true?! The men in this series are all loud, mean, and exhausting. The lead male character Joon Young could've been so much more... But never became anyone you care about. The only redeeming male character is Eul's little brother Jik. The female lead character Eul is so annoying and immature. Joon Young's mom is beyond cruel. None of the female characters were truly likable, same as the male characters. When there was a hint that you might develop an attachment to a character, they suddenly shifted gears again and became unlikable. The story is sad and drags on beyond necessary to a point where Loss of interest is the results. I found it to be more frustrating and boring than enjoyable!

An Absolute Masterpiece!

[suhani-71448 · 10/10 · 22 February 2021]

Loved every second of this drama. The ending had me crying so MUCH. For those saying that Suzy's acting wasn't good, not true. Obviously Woobin has acted more and is more polished in comparison to Suzy, but Suzy acted quite well. I felt the emotion that was portrayed. So definitely not true when people are saying her acting was bad. For the story was just out of this world. The reason it got less ratings was because W was airing at the same time. They both have different genres and completely different emotions. I don't know why they are being compared to each other. This drama deserves WAY MORE ratings than it has. It has become MY FAVOURITE DRAMA.

Love the actors but simply no credibility. And too much that should have been edited out

[marrang55 · 8/10 · 31 May 2020]

Warning a rant. Why oh why the: alcohol abuse smacking and kicking of employees and family members. the bizarre mother who treated her son as if he had murdered a child the main female tripping over, for goodness sake watch where you are going the smashing of crockery adult piggyback rides, please grow up staring at madam, errgh, did not understand reasons palliative care, a team, at least a male nurse yet despite the wealth there was no one except and incompetent girl ho could not even cook a meal Rant over, except to state a wasted opportunity to make something great through a little pruning and tweaking