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Hello? It’s Me!: Series review

Hello? It’s Me! is a warm, lovely drama about regaining your self-worth and finding your mojo again, featuring a charming cast of characters and a simple but heartfelt story with plenty of humor. Its two heroines, teenage and adult Bahn Ha-ni, not only transform each other, but inevitably everyone else in their orbit as well.

I wasn’t sure what to think of the premise of a time-traveling teenager from twenty years ago who suddenly appears in her older self’s life. I initially checked this show out solely out of love for leads Choi Kang-hee and Kim Young-kwang, but I was sold almost immediately. The humor can be silly, and the plot and dialogue are highly predictable—every development as slow and obvious as the oncoming Truck of Doom that makes not one but two pivotal appearances in the story. But there’s a core of sincerity and grounded emotion that makes the drama feel anything but slight.

Even hilarious moments like Ha-ni being “saved” from jumping off a bridge by gangsters hold a kernel of sadness, because not too long ago, she did want to die. (I also love that these “loan repayment experts” become Ha-ni’s friends.) At its heart, it’s a story about allowing yourself to heal and believing you’re worth something—and trusting the people around you to catch you when you fall. I loved it unreservedly.

37-year-old Ha-ni and Han Yoo-hyun have a very un-cute meet in neighboring jail cells on the worst day of both their lives. Her Worst Day Ever is far more dire than his, given that she’s newly fired and almost died—and is DONE with life, actually mad that the doctor revived her. Yoo-hyun has simply been kicked out by his rich father and told to finally get a real job at the age of 30. Being locked up in the same police station, and then running into each other repeatedly during a series of low moments, bonds them early on as comrades of a sort, even if he’s more of a helpless, awkwardly tall duckling that she repeatedly bails out—and who imprints on her like the adorable pest he is.

But the heart of the show is the crash-landing of 17-year-old Ha-ni into present-day Ha-ni’s life, bringing about a series of healing catastrophes. The scene that lingers in my mind is young Ha-ni, after witnessing her older self repeatedly demeaned and discarded by society, asking adult Ha-ni, “How dare you give me such a miserable and humiliating future?” It’s a fantastical premise rooted in a poignant truth: we never grow up to be the kind of shining, successful people we dreamed we would in high school. There’s an inevitable adjustment that’s part of the maturing process, as we take our lumps and realize that the world is a much harsher place than we imagined.

For Ha-ni the contrast between now and then is even more extreme, because of the first time she gave up on life, right after her father died. All the glow went out of her, and she’s been living under that shadow of self-hatred and recrimination for the last twenty years. Ha-ni’s worst day is not a sudden strike of lightning, but the exhausted culmination of twenty years under her own personal raincloud.

And that’s when the twin suns of Baby Ha-ni and Yoo-hyun enter her life, and innocently cause enough trouble to completely upend Ha-ni’s miserable routines of being ground down at work by her weaselly boss, and ground down at home by her vicious older sister. Young Ha-ni is still the bright, shining girl who knows in her bones that she’s the next Lee Hyori and won’t let anyone tell her otherwise, and it’s beautiful to see that confidence and energy—as much as it initially grates on her—unstoppably bleed over into older Ha-ni and give her a new lease on life.

Their dynamic was my favorite part of the drama, although the Ha-nis’ relationship with their mom is a very close second. (Mom made me cry multiple times.) Both Lee Re and Choi Kang-hee are absolutely radiant in their roles, Lee bringing an incandescent charisma that makes it absolutely believable that she’d be the center of her world wherever she goes, and Choi slowly blooming before our eyes as she regains her will to live, her determination to succeed, and finally her self-worth. And along the way, both Ha-nis spur a true healing of the barely-scabbed over wounds that have been hurting their family for the last twenty years.

At first, Yoo-hyun might seem like a boring redux of the spoiled chaebol manchild, but unlike his too-rich-to-have-a-heart predecessors, he’s a ball of sunshine that spreads light wherever he goes. His wealth and privilege have sheltered him from the everyday difficulties of life, but it’s made him naive and immature, rather than cruel and superior.

He carries zero malice, and never uses his power to hurt or exploit people—the exact opposite. And he doesn’t reserve his kindness solely for his crush, like the many Gu Jun-pyos that have come before him. (Nor is he a bully, but is bullied himself.) He takes over the executive lounge for his cafeteria noonims; he seeks out and helps the grandma of the secretary he befriended, even though the man was secretly spying for Yoo-hyun’s evil aunt.

When it comes to Ha-ni, he never lets his interest or help become creepy or burdensome; they build an organic friendship based on mutual liking (and a bit of hero worship on his side for “Superman”) and common goals. And then he gently lets her know that’s he’s been noticing her that way, and quietly backs off and lets her think about it. If you’d told me it was possible to have a non-toxic second-generation chaebol hero, I’d have scoffed, but this cinnamon roll has proved me wrong. (Another thing I’m shocked at: here be so many childhood connections, and I don’t care one single fig.)

If Ha-ni’s journey is about finding the confidence and purpose of her youth again, Yoo-hyun’s is about leaving childish things behind, facing adult responsibilities and heartbreaks without losing his big heart. I know we often roll our eyes at how K-dramas play with opposites in their romantic pairings, but it’s so well-executed here, and both actors embody their characters perfectly.

The chemistry between them is warm and comfortable rather than fiery, which is perfect for this subtle love story. There’s never any doubt that they’ll end up together, either—that’s not where the tension lies in this admittedly low-angst drama, because the romance is only a side bonus in this story of personal growth for not only the leads, but everyone involved.

Which brings us to Anthony/Chun-shik (Eum Moon-seok), who is immediately, delightfully disqualified as a romantic prospect in childhood, and in every single scene since. He starts the majority of the drama as an obnoxious comic relief character, but by the end his arc made me tear up a little. I keep referencing Boys Before Flowers, but it’s been on my mind lately as I think about school bullying in real life vs. how it’s portrayed in dramas, and what true redemption would actually look like. Anthony is another type of anti-Gu Jun-pyo. Ha-ni not only never falls in love with the school bully who pursues her, but Anthony is forced to face his victims and the consequences of his actions. The drama never lets him off because of his status; in fact, he gives up his money and career and spends all his time serving (and defending) kids.

The theme is in such diametrical opposition to Boys Before Flowers and its many imitators—where wealth, good looks and being obsessively generous to one poor girl somehow fly as repayment for all of F4’s abuses—that it can only be deliberate. Anthony even has the same tendency to misremember popular idioms that Lee Min-ho so charmingly made famous. It gives me a warm feeling to see that evolution in what K-dramaland sees as heroic.

The show comes close to becoming preachy and sentimental given its uncynical belief in the possibility of redemption, even for Yoo-hyun’s cartoonishly villainous aunt as the human incarnation of late stage capitalism. What saves the drama is its recognition that growth only comes through pain, and no journey of self-actualization is complete without acknowledging what you owe to those you’ve hurt.

I was pleasantly surprised that young Ha-ni sought out Anthony after his scandal broke not to comfort him, but to pull him out of his self-pity and remind him that he was guilty of every allegation. Ha-ni is the kind of friend who pushes him to have the courage to own up to his mistakes. Do-yoon (Ji Seung-hyun), too, has the realization that true loyalty to his mother isn’t blind obedience, but justice and accountability. I wanted to stand up and cheer this message that saving someone you love doesn’t mean shielding them from consequences, but standing by them as they face the fallout—and thus finding it in yourself to forgive them, too.

It dovetails beautifully with the drama’s other theme of not letting yourself down. What young Ha-ni brings her older self, Yoo-hyun, and even Anthony is the power of self-knowledge, and the courage not to run away from their own lives, even if it’s painful. And in return, she receives the courage to face the most devastating loss of her young life—and the assurance that she’ll make it to the other side stronger.

Seeing Ha-ni literally facing her younger self, apologizing to her, protecting her, and comforting her—and promising to prove herself to her, is such a beautiful representation of the way we often forget the bright idealism of our youth, and how important it is to remind ourselves of that small light inside us, even when life feels hopeless. (And how delightful is it that in this drama, it’s young Ha-ni who sits on a couch and critiques her older self’s wardrobe choices?)

My only caveat to this is Ha-ni’s sister, Ha-young (Jung Yi-rang), who is monstrous to her until the final act of the drama, and has clearly been cruelly blaming Ha-ni for their father’s death and denying Ha-ni’s own suffering for twenty years. At the beginning of the drama Ha-young is rich, happy and well-loved, and condescends to keep downtrodden poor-relation Ha-ni as a live-in housekeeper. (Yes, it’s exactly that Austenesque.) Even worse, we find out later that Ha-young knows Ha-ni was on antidepressants and didn’t leave the house for years after their father’s death. I really wanted to see Ha-ni confront Ha-young properly and receive the groveling apology she deserved. Grandma dissing Ha-young for her looks is not justice, it’s just uncomfortable.

Still, that’s my one complaint of an otherwise beautiful viewing experience. What stays with me is the joy of watching Anthony do the squid dance, or squabble with Yoo-hyun, first over clothes and then over Ha-ni. Or Yoo-hyun pulling out his 80 licenses at every opportunity. The hilarity of teenage Ha-ni cowing Anthony with a single glare. Yoo-hyun holding his father’s hand, silently acknowledging it’s time for him to grow up, but allowing Dad his pride by not losing his brattiness completely.

Mom, hugging her baby and her slightly more grown up baby, apologizing for never telling her she was enough when it mattered the most. The two Ha-nis holding hands and walking down that tunnel at the end, singing to give themselves courage—I’m pretty sure I was ugly crying at that point. This drama was all about the bitterness of regret dissolving into peace and healing. It was exactly the comfort watch I needed in this spring of existential anxiety, and I won’t forget this warm hug of a show anytime soon.

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Everyone should watch Lee Re here, and then if they haven't already done so, catch her teenage driver routine in Peninsula.

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I enjoyed the show. It was a comfortable watch. Not one I anticipated every week, chomping at the bit to see the next episode as soon as possible, but rather a warm couple of hours spending time with fun characters.

I’ve seen Choi Gang-Hee in other shows before, but I don’t think I’ve ever finished any of those. This one I did manage to complete and her growth was well done throughout. You really felt for her character, and when the younger Ha-Ni showed up and she finally started cheering up thanks to her younger self you couldn’t help but cheer them on. Lee Re was charismatic as heck in her role and you could really buy her being so popular as a kid due to her infectious energy.

Being a huge Kim Young-Kwang fan as well I knew he’d crush it, and he did. As the loveable chaebol that wasn’t a complete douche to everyone, but instead was just a nice person drifting along through life not knowing what he wanted.

The one thing I wasn’t crazy about was the love line between our leads. I just didn’t feel the romantic chemistry there. Now as friends and companions they were so likeable it was easy to overlook. Not a show I’d recommend to everyone, but I think a bit of an underrated gem.

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I would recommend Heart to Heart.

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I heartily (heh) second this recommendation!

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What a beautiful write-up capturing so much of what made this such a comfort watch for me. This drama finished weeks ago, but I remember the warmth of the storytelling. I went into it with low expectations and the first 2 weeks didn't wow me but I was interested. Then it all just came together.

I thought the romance was the perfect amount. I think as I grow older, I'm starting to prefer romances that look more like friendships/partnerships? In the beginning, I thought they could have cut Yoo-hyun out, but now I want to slap the past me for thinking that. I liked how he was supportive like a good friend and co-conspirator and not like some Daddy Long Legs. I like how his story isn't some big transformation and he didn't take over the main story in the second half of the drama, which happens in a lot of dramas.

Lee Re was just adorable. They really sold it that it wasn't really beauty that made her popular - she was just incredibly positive and charming and cool and it made her larger than life. And we see that quality come back in present-day Hani - but tempered by experience, humility, and maturity. I love all the scenes with both Hanis.

And omg the dancing. The JoA exercise that we got to see 3 times. I also want to give a shoutout to the reunion between Hani and her high school friend, Ji-eun, which was well-done.

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Thank you! I agree with appreciating the less dramatic, I'll-die-without-you romances more as I get older as well. You Who Forgot Poetry is an excellent example as well, and has similarly warm vibes.

I forgot to mention it, but I loved how the estranged besties reconciled too! And the Joa excercise 😂

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I’m glad you did a recap, anisa! I loved this show, but I love everything KYK! Lee Re is going to be a favorite of mine I think. I loved our CEO and chaebol-son. KYK delivered a stellar performance as always, and the penultimate episode where he steps into his chaebol role gave me Do-Hwan (his Lookout character) vibes in the best way.

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Ooh, you're so right about the Do-hwan vibes! That performance still gives me the good chills.

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This charmed me more with each episode and I miss it.

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Really good rom-coms are so hard to write. But once in a while, some gems do arrive. Lovely. I love shows that show the goodness in humans, and inter-personal relationships with people, good or bad, and how that shapes us as humans. I'm glad that Netflix picked up this show, and I hope to see more thoughtful, sincere, and un-pretentious shows in the future.

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Fantastic review, makes me want to start marathoning the show immediately.

I have only seen Lee Re as a child. Teen Lee Re looks a bit like Park Eun-bin.

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As with many K-dramas, it took awhile to be able to warm up to some of the characters.

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This show was definitely a pleasant and enjoyable surprise. A feel-good drama for sure.

Thanks for such a great review of this show!

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Initially the show was not on my radar and my track record for Choi Kang-hee is quite abysmal. She has knack of picking interesting dramas but I have not managed to finish many.
This show was an exception. It is quite easy and comforting watch. The show is about facing your past and embracing your present.
At the end of the show all characters come out as better version of themselves.
It is not exceptional show but it is quite charming and easy watch.

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One word: underrated.

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Thanks for the beautiful review! I'm still on ep 14 - because my youngest highjacked the drama when I was on ep 4 and now I'm only allowed to watch it with her🤣 We're both loving it to bits 😍 Probably I'm projecting too much into this, but watching Hani comforting her younger self and young Hani injecting sunshine and self-worth into ahjumma feels really healing to me 💚

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It was very much a healing drama.

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It is so healing! I felt the same way.

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Beautifully written! 👏
I also liked the renewed friendship with Jieun... and Jieun and Doyun together, they were so sweet and cute 😍

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Jieun and Doyon were a great power couple! I love it when everyone in the drama - well, everyone except evil Aunty- is actually just a human being trying their best... like, these two c could have been the typical cardboard antagonists, but the nice writing and the actors' skill turned them into cute memorable characters 😍
But, really, Jin Seungyun always elevates the support characters he gets in every drama - just watched him in Good Detective some weeks ago, and, wow!

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He really does. Nothing can top his buttoned-up yearning in Search: WWW for me though. *fans self*

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I loved him in that one too 💚But for me, he'll always be My Country's loyal bodyguard Chido (I have this condition where I instantly find everyone who can swordfight 25% hotter)

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Recommended drama. I cried a lot on the last 2 episode

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What an underrated gem of a drama this is. This made me cry happy tears from the funny scenes and also had me bawling my eyes out for some great emotional scenes. I loved that contrasting personality of the SAME person in different years in time. It shows how much a person can change in one day or years to come. I loved how despite her 17 year old self can be spoilt, she taught her 37 year old self , that she can be whoever she is if she believed in herself. She brought back the confidence in the adult in her and that is what made this drama so beautiful.
I personally got inspired from this drama. Being an adult, there are times where i feel so dull and inferior to others which was not how was in my teens. But this drama made me to remember the promises i made to myself during high school days and how happy i was back then. So this made me try to become a better version of myself. I would not make my younger self regret for the person she had become.

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Awww schnapp! Anisa, you made me tear up reading my first review of a Kdrama ever! I loved Hello, Me! and I’m so glad you guys recommended it to us. It was not a shiny, new drama but it was definitely a new drama that touched my spirit! Gracias for your review!

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Aww, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was such a warm, healing drama and I'm so glad I watched. You're so welcome ❤️

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I just finished a rewatch of this drama, and while I certainly enjoyed it the first time, I realized after finishing my rewatch that the storytelling is much stronger than I gave it credit for. It's just a lovely show overall.

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