K-Drama Rewind, Nevertheless: Song Kang and Han So-hee's intense campus romance is full of red flags, but who cares?

Ah, the curious case of Nevertheless. As campuses buzz back to life, this drama serves as your guide on what not to do at college—messy choices, red flags, and all.

There are rather polarising perspectives on this  melancholy show, starring Song Kang and Han So-hee. You can either absolutely detest it and say it was a waste of time, because why do these two people make such terrible decisions?

And then, there’s the other side, who looks for reason behind Kang’s confusion, and So-hee’s desires.

And both are valid, the second one just relies on your bandwidth and patience.

Nevertheless takes a rather unusual route for a K-Drama: Two  college students, battered by their pasts and relationships, are deeply attracted to each other, but don’t want to commit. So-hee’s Na-bi keeps finding herself in Ja-eon’s path, knowing fully well he is a red flag. Yet, in one of the rare occasions for a Korean show, the series is from the female gaze: It sets in quietly with the nuances of rationality and attraction: Why do we want someone whom, we know, might not be there for us at all?

Na-bi doesn’t know either. There’s a real chance for fulfillment and steady love with an old friend (fondly dubbed 'team potato boy' by the fandom) — the sensible choice in real life. But Na-bi chooses unpredictability. Her simmering resentment finally spills over despite their so-called ‘arrangement’ of staying uncommitted. In one standout moment, she cuts another woman down with just a few sharp words before disappearing from campus for a while.

Ja-eon is just as stinging. When it comes to chasing away possible rivals for Na-bi. In the penultimate scenes of the show, he lets go of the composed mask that he has held on for so long and takes a rash decision, only to regret in leisure later.

It’s not a usual K-Drama by any means: There is no excessive fluff and cuteness, zany comedy to keep it going. It’s strangely intense and atmospheric, with Kang, So-hee doing the heavy lifting with just their eyes and quiet words. There are no loud confrontations throughout: It all builds up to one exchange of heated words in the rain, and for Ja-eon to finally realise how to come through for Na-bi when it matters most. Or so it seems, even she isn’t entirely sure about it, but as she says at the end… ‘Nevertheless…’

It might drive you up the wall, no doubt. It can be frustrating. But, if you are one for strangely off-beat dramas where the intense chemistry is the main character of the show, then go for it.

Choose Potato Boy if you have to.