KDrama Review | A Poem A Day – when words blend

The Story

It revolves around the physical therapist named Bo Young who really wanted to be a poet. Instead of taking up Literature, she ended up taking physical therapy due to financial reasons.

She has a past love (Min Ho) that happened to be an intern in the same hospital she’s in. Then, in that same workplace, she met her new love interest, Jae Wook.

Who could not relate to Bo Young? I personally relate to her on a spiritual level. This drama reminded me that I was supposed to take PT as well if not nursing (when I really wanted to take writing courses) but I still ended up taking another route, which was Business. Well, it is practical. I don’t regret it. I would still take creative writing, anyway. It’s not a waste of time as long as you are learning along the way!

Now, this is not your typical romance shizz. I didn’t connect with it in that sense. I don’t like the pairings! I just really love it because they were able to assimilate various poems in each episode. Each piece is spot on for the plot of the entire drama. It is an ideal concept. For writer aspirants, at least.

Moreover, the contractualization is so spot on here.

My Thoughts In General

💭 Again, I don’t like the pairings. But, I would have to give it to the main three characters for their character development.

Bo Young easily cry about literally anything. She is just so me! She has a really great positive outlook, though. Gotta admire her for that. You can also see how much she’s changed; how she approaches her feelings. She showed it differently with Min Ho and Jae Wook. She was impulsive towards the former and kind of reluctant and apprehensive to the latter.

Min Ho was a total brat. I swear, he is so annoying. But, it was nice to see him matured as the story unfolds. He was probably the one with the huge improvement here.

On the other hand, Jae Wook was so cold and distant. Well, I can’t blame him because of his past. You would really build walls that high up. He was really annoying too, to be honest! But, he eventually loosen up with Bo Young (that is really an obvious flow). Anyway, since I was really not in the romance part of it, I would like to know what you thought of the pairings!

💭 Look out for other characters as well. Believe me, everyone of them has a story to tell and stories to leave you. Almost all the characters will surprise you with their backstories.

💭 It was really hilarious most of the time, making it light and fun to watch. The other guys have amazing friendship and bromance. And it has enough angst to top it all.

Let me share with you some poems they used in the drama – to give you the vibe and see how it is undoubtedly relatable to real-life experiences. I will include the original Korean poem if I find any, and just in case the translation is awful.

1. No Flowers Bloom Without Wavering by Do Jong Hwan

Where have flowers bloomed but never trembled?
Even those most beautiful
all trembled as they blossomed,
and as they shook, stalks grew firm.

흔들리지 않고 피는 꽃이 어디 있으랴
이 세상 그 어떤 아름다운 꽃들도
다 흔들리면서 피었나니
흔들리면서 줄기를 곧게 세웠나니

2. Pain And Sadness Can Also Become A Path by Lee Chul Wal

I realized this after a long time of pain
That pain can also become a path
There is no life where no wind blows
The wind must blow, so that the tree will root deep inside the earth
So that it wont fall over
That is why the wind shakes the tree
That is why the wind shakes all of us
Pain can also become a path
Sadness can also become a path

3. It’s Okay If You Don’t Love Me by Lee Jung Ha

It’s okay if you don’t acknowledge me.
A new leaf will sprout even under the cold rain,
and the stars will come out, even if clouds cover it.

It’s okay if you don’t offer me a hand.
I blazed up like a dray leaf,
as someone who couldn’t say a word.

I’m okay with being in a one-sided love,
and then becoming love myself.

My love, it’s okay if you don’t love me.

4. Joke by Lee Moon Jae

When you’re faced with something beautiful…
If you think of someone you wish was by your side…
You’re in love.
When you’re faced with quiet scenery or delicious food
If no one comes to mind…
You are either really strong or really lonely.
In order to make the bell ring louder, the bell must hurt more.

5. Family by Choi Bum Young

If you can’t say you’re hurt when you feel hurt, you’re not family.
If you can’t say you’re happy when you’re happy, you’re not family.
A sweet and soft ice cream cone isn’t enough to make a family.
Pain, happiness and love must be shared,
and you must endure all hardships in prayer until you can feel good together.
That’s how we become a family.
You must be able to express your sadness
and be able to cry together to be a family.
You must be able to express your happiness
and be able to be happy for one another to be a family.
You must feel like you’re under the same blanket no matter where you are.

This is a personal favorite. It hits home (no pun intended). Family is more than blood, though.

6. The Point of No Return by Kim Chul Hyun

Leaving the person you love
And turning
As if you no longer love him.
Hiding the pain in your heart
And turning around
As if it doesn’t really hurt.
Hiding your unwanted parting
And turning around
As if it doesn’t matter.
Holding back your tears
And turning around
As if you’re not weak.
If you love that person
You can’t turn back
Because you love him.

Right. The scene with this poem made me bawl my eyes out.