I adored Crash Course in Romance and I adored the ending. The entire series made me feel so warm and full. Again, it’s a refreshing series for me because there were a lot of beats that didn’t turn out the way the usually would in other kdramas and which I really loved, mainly the whole miscommunication trope. I was worried that Chiyeol would push Hangseon away after yet another trauma, but instead he only pulls her closer. One of the main reasons why I just love, love this series so much is because they communicate. They are unbelievably supportive toward each other. Instead the pain and miscommunication comes through Hangseon and Haeyi’s relationship which again I love because ultimately the crux of this series was the mother-daughter relationship between these two. I loved it because it was a realistic depiction of the complicated feelings someone in Haeyi’s situation would feel. The pain of thinking all this time she was a burden on her mom, and Hangseon’s pain at being rejected. I love the both of them because they have such a good head on their shoulders. Logically, they know that it shouldn’t matter that Hangseon wasn’t the one to give birth to Haeyi but they still struggle with how they stand in relation to each other. And that scene at the end which parallels Haeyi running to Haengseon as a kid was just beautiful.
Chiyeol said that he was changing, and that theme of change being reflected in everyone was again just beautiful. These are just a few points that I really loved and want to show my appreciation for:
Hangseon getting to fulfill her dream no matter her age. I adore her seriously. It’s not all roses, not perfect. It’s realistic in that she still fails twice, but she gets to be confident and happy as she studies, largely in part because of the great support system she has and how content she is with life. After everything she’s worked for and sacrificed I am just so happy she gets to have everything - her dream, her daughter, the love of her life. No wonder Chiyeol is smitten.
Jaewoo and Youngjoo happy together.
Su-a becoming more human. I cheered when she gave Haeyi those notes and how she was more expressive. Again I’m happy for her, for the chance to change.
Weirdly enough I liked Su-a’s mom and her arc. Because just no, nothing excuses cheating, bastard and I love the way she reacted. Likewise for Sun-jae’s mom and her own self-reflection and that it was her kids who finally pulled her back from the path of self-destruction. For what it’s worth, even after the reveal, they always referred to Hangseon as ‘Haeyi’s mother’.
The fact that there were consequences, for the above characters, and as shown by what happened to Mr. Ji. Because again, what happened to Mr. Ji was still a tragedy. Unlike Su-a, Sun-jae, and their moms, no one was there to stop him and to pull him back. I still think there could have been a chance for him if he took Chi-yeol’s hand. Likewise with Haeyi’s birth mom. Even if she is now regretting being out of place, there are indeed consequences to her leaving, but the drama isn’t so cynical as to completely close the door on her being part of the family. And again I love the drama so much because of that.
The sweet, sweet domesticity. How Chiyeol is patient and impatient in his own way. How he doesn’t want to crowd her and let her fulfill her dream at her own pace, but c’mon he just really wants to marry her so bad already (like booking and then cancelling the wedding hall without telling her). The little parallels like how Hangseon is now in Chiyeol’s place when he was still studying, and how Chiyeol can be there for Hangseon the way her mom was there for him. The way he just cheered like crazy the same way like when Haengseon told him Haeyi topped the mock exam. It is so funny to me why he still pretends to be all cool with his family when they all know how dorky he is. He is just so proud of his family, but now he’s close enough with his students that he can share that immense joy with them. I am so happy for him. When he was screaming “SHE PASSED!”, he was also basically just screaming, “I’M GETTING MARRIED!!!” He was so excited, ecstatic even. I wonder if all his students are invited. I’ve always wanted that for him. I am also so happy he was able to reconnect with his college friend.
Haeyi x Sunjae end game!!! I must admit that I was ready to have my heart broken because they really went through the ringer, but again I am soft for the best friends trope, and Haeyi is indeed her mom’s daughter. Of course she would be all gruff and embarrassed and fall for a dorky simp of a guy who just adores her. I’m happy for all of the kids. I’m happy they moved past their parents’ petty politics and grew.
The! Little! Touches! Of! Sweet! Domesticity! Again I cannot shut up about it. The way he kisses her cheek as he tells her how proud he is of her. They way they kiss the back of each other’s hand. Picking her up, Hangseon feeling all the flutters at being pampered (as she should!), I absolutely knew he was just waiting to propose to her! Hangseon taking action and the both of them proposing to each other!! He is down bad but he will refrain as Hangseon asks so that she can focus (but seriously he should know better as a teacher haha).
The only minor complaint I have is that we didn’t get to see the actual wedding. Like what is with that and kdramas haha. I have lost count of how many kdramas where I really wanted there to be a wedding in the end, but never getting it.
But all in all, I am so happy for my parents and kids. This is one of those few dramas where I loved everyone and hated no one. I loved everyone’s stories. This was my comfort watch during the weekends. I am so glad I started and finished it. I think I’ll really miss everyone.
Found family at its finest. I am full. 10/10
