Warning: mild spoilers ahead!
From the title sequence alone, “Nevertheless” appears to be your typical K-drama. Dreamy, acoustic guitar-heavy music accompanies snapshots of the protagonists.
There’s one of the pair watching the sunset, and – of course – of the two sharing an umbrella in the rain. Viewers should not be blamed for writing the series off as just another cheesy romance.
In defiance of cookie-cutter K-drama storylines, “Nevertheless” touches on casual relationships, hookup culture, LGBTQ relationships and infidelity. If that doesn’t highlight how unique it is in comparison to other Korean series, maybe the steamy scenes will – episode two’s dream scene in particular.
Based on a webtoon, the drama follows the relationship – or lack of – between Yu Na-Bi (Han So-Hee) and Park Jae-Eon (Song Kang), two arts students in the wild bloom of their youth.
Tall and handsome ladies man Jae-Eon wants nothing more than casual flirtation and hookups, until he meets sweet and innocent Na-Bi. Though she finds herself drawn to him, a former lover’s infidelity has made her cynical towards any notion of love.
The show is rife with taboos. Characters smoke and vape throughout the first few episodes; Na-Bi is initially embroiled in a teacher-student relationship; and Oh Bit-Na’s (Yang Hye-Ji) blasé mention of getting a hotel room for a “date” are a far cry from the squeaky-clean image traditionally depicted by K-idols in the media. (But then again, there’s this, and this. And peripherally, this.)
There are various sub-plots, the most surprising of which revolves around a possible lesbian relationship between childhood besties Seo Ji-Wan (Yoon Seo Ah) and Yoon Sol (Lee Ho Jung).
This continues the recent trend in K-dramas of increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ characters set by recent series such as “Itaewon Class”, which had Lee Joo-Young playing a transgender woman.
Na-Bi and Jae-Eon are entangled in a classic situationship by the end of episode three – though they have a romantic and sexual connection, no formal relationship is established. Jae-Eon actively avoids the notion at all costs, often dismissing others’ observations that they seem like a couple.
Their will-they-won’t-they paints a familiar picture for many in the modern dating scene. The lack of a defined relationship and, with it, boundaries is a major point of confusion for the more traditional Na-bi, though the audience will also relate to Jae-Eon’s distrust of conventional boyfriend-girlfriend roles.
Their dependence on online communication is also something that will strike a chord – Na-Bi agonises over why Jae-Eon has not replied her texts and stalks his Instagram page. The show’s hyper-realism and relatability to those dating in the digital age will keep any viewer hooked.
Nevertheless, “Nevertheless” is not without its faults. Cringeworthy scenes, such as when Jae-Eon uses “want to see the butterflies?” as a euphemism for “come back to my place”, are enough to make your skin crawl.
Then there’s the occasional over-the-top acting – see Ji-Won’s sulky tantrums whenever Sol takes an interest in anything other than her. Though these moments are intentional, and the norm for many K-dramas, they take away from the realism.
The butterfly is emblematic of the couples’ relationship throughout the drama – “Na-Bi” means butterfly in Korean, and Jae-Eon has a clear fondness of the creatures as seen in his sculptures, not to mention his tattoo.
It is also a symbol of metamorphosis, of rebirth and renewal. On the brink of full-fledged adulthood, the characters are trying to forge their way forwards as best as they can in a turbulent dating landscape, figuring out who they are in the process.
What “Nevertheless” lacks in ingenuity, it makes up for with refreshing relatability that so many K-dramas lack.
‘Nevertheless’ currently streams on Netflix.