2023 Drama Roundup
2 – Male lead you will never forget: for better

I have two that I felt torn between, so I’ll do the other on one of the freestyle days later. My first one goes to Lee Hwan from Our Blooming Youth. This was my first Park Hyung-sik drama and to say that it launched me as a fan is to put it mildly indeed. I was absolutely taken with this reluctant crown prince from his first scene. He was cold and closed off and terrified, and we got to see him open himself up and tentatively learn to trust the people around him. He slowly let Jae-yi into his secret space (both literally and figuratively) that he used to hide from the world, he managed to show the people of a village that had been severely wronged that he was sincere about wanting to make reparations, and he had difficult conversations about blame and guilt and forgiveness. It was such an incredible journey to be on with him.
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    This was also my first Park Hyung-sik drama, too!!! New fan here as well ❤️🙋‍♀️ I love your analysis of his character!!!! I loved the emotional journey his character went on. Even though it was uneven, I really really enjoyed this drama.

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    This is on my list for when the day comes I return to Kdramas, and Park Hyung Sik is the sole reason. I don’t know how he does it, but he just grips the viewer so easily no matter the role— silly (like SWDBS) or serious (like Hwarang)— and he has a pair of really beautiful eyes that just sucks one in and he’s able to do this THING with said eyes that makes one melt and truly feel that he really does love his FL

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    Although this was my second PHS drama, and I was already sort of kind of sold on him, I didn’t expect the impact he and his character would have on me. I was already many dramas old by then, but could only identify Park Seo Joon, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Min Ho, Hyun Bin and Kang Tae Oh by name and face, this man pretty much upended the lens with which I watched kdramas. And I have not budged from the front row seat since haha!

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