See You In My 19th Life

Reincarnation is a fascinating concept which is at the core of "See You in my 19th Life" (2023).  There may not be any evidence to support the concept.  But it makes for interesting story lines and complicated relationships.  There might be a lesson in there as well.

In a university course one of my fellow students dismissed reincarnation saying if he couldn't remember any past lives it doesn't matter.  I now think it is better if you don't--eternity is boring and there are no benefits to carrying on grudges.

The heroine, Ban Ji Eum is notable because she remembers her past lives while nobody else does.  As we gradually learn that is not quite true, some others do.  In her case she feels she encountered her one true love in her most recent incarnation and decides to pursue him even though their ages have reversed.

We learn past events weren't quite as they appeared.  A common problem is who to tell and what happens if you do?  Reconnecting with past lives is not always good.  One character points out it is best to forge new relationships.

One positive thing is to forgive those who may have (or apparently) wronged you in the past.

There are a lot of complications and misunderstandings we expect in romantic comedies/dramas.  Relationships are occasionally upended.

A fine cast and crew have been assembled to make this series an enjoyable one.

Originally was based on a webtoon of the same name.  Two women were involved in the script, Han Ah Reum and  Choi Young Rim.

Director Lee Na-jeong had graduated from journalism school.  She started as second unit director and went on to get another 7 director credits.  Along the way she won an award for an international film.

Hye-Sun Shin plays the lead female Ban Ji-eum.  She has 16 film credits.

Ahn Bo-Hyun plays lead male, Moon Seo Han.  He graduated from the Busan Sport High School.  Despite a heavy emphasis on boxing he started a modeling career.  He has 16 film credits including "Itaewon Class" (2020) for which he won some awards.  In this series he sings a song in the background.

Ha Yoon-kyung played the younger sister in previous life.  She has 10 film credits including "Extraordinary Attorney Woo"  (2022). Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/08/extraordinary-attorney-woo.html

Ahn Dong-goo plays another who remembers a past life.  He has 9 film credits.  

Cha Cheong-hwa played a friend who also had knowledge of past lives.  She has 17 film credits including "Train to Busan" (2016), "Crash Landing on You" (2019), "Beyond Evil" (2021) and "Hometown Cha- Cha-cha" (2021).  Check: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.html 

Choi Jin-ho played the father to Moon Seo-Ho.  He has 34 film credits including "Silenced" (2011), "The Thieves" (2012), "Designated Survivor:  60 Days" (2019) and "Beyond Evil" (2021).

You may flinch at reincarnation, but will enjoy the series if you can see it as a tool that tests relationships.  Available on Netflix.

I have bolded first mention of films I have seen.  In this case that includes some of the most enjoyable I have seen.