“Nevertheless,” starring Song Kang and Han So-hee, aired episode 10 of the modern youth romance drama this weekend. Here’s what we think of the finale and the whole webtoon turned K-drama. Warning: spoilers ahead.
‘Nevertheless’ episode 10: Happy ending for all except for one
From episodes 1 to 10, this K-drama was all about the push and pull between Park Jae-eon (Song Kang) and Yoo Na-bi (Han So-hee). We see the culmination of that in the final episode as both come to terms with their own feelings. The two finally succumb to “love” or at least the idea of it.
The finale reveals that Park Jae-eon has been “in love” with Yoo Na-bi since he saw her at the exhibit of Na-bi’s ex. However, he’s still unable to express those feelings towards her without her getting suspicious of his real intentions. He gives her some space as he let his butterflies free. Park Jae-eon’s effort to stay away makes Yoo Na-bi anxious.
At the students’ exhibit, Na-bi’s sculpture gets a good review from her professor. She praises her for finally getting some emotion in her art work. Yang Do-hyeok visits the exhibit and brings flowers for Yoo Na-bi. Despite the sweet gesture, she turns him down by admitting her feelings for Park Jae-eon.
Park Jae-eon and Yoo Na-bi are reunited in the exhibit and the two kiss and make up.
Aside from the main couple, “Nevertheless” episode 10 concludes the stories of the other couples in the drama. Oh Bit-na and Nam Gyu-hyun’s relationship is finally out in the open. They admit to having a crush on each other years back even competing on who liked the other one first. Oh to be young and in love.
After cementing their relationship from best friends to girlfriends, Yoon Sol and Seo Ji-wan are looking stronger than ever.
It also looks like housemates Ahn Kyung-joon and Min Young are finally getting together.
Except for Yang Do-hyeok, it seems like love has won for most of the main characters in “Nevertheless” episode 10.
The good, the bad, and our verdict
From the get go, “Nevertheless” has been packaged as a sexy, modern drama, which aims to tackle relationships in the eyes of the youths today. It’s not so common for K-dramas to have this kind of theme that openly tackles sex and casual relationships.
Song Kang and Han So-hee’s palpable chemistry is the strongest point of this drama. Having said that, it’s also the drama’s tendency to create and recreate that electrifying moment between the two, that it fails with the rest of the storyline. “Nevertheless” episode 10 fails to tie loose ends by not being able to tell the whole backstory behind Park Jae-eon and his aversion towards relationships. Viewers are left to trust Yoo Na-bi’s decision to pick Park Jae-eon over Yang Do-hyeok who seem to be the better, more sensible choice.
Despite the somewhat questionable resolution of the main loveline, “Nevertheless” gets plus points for featuring different sets of couples with varying complications. From friends with benefits, Nam Gyu-hyun and Oh Bit-na decide to have a real relationship. We also have Yoon Sol and Seo Ji-wan, who might be the first lesbian couple in a K-drama. The side characters and couples are even more interesting and fun to watch.
Those who are planning to watch “Nevertheless” must learn to take everything with a grain of salt. A Park Jae-eon character in real life might just be someone who would cause heartache and trouble. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
For those moments where we got caught up with Song Kang and Han So-hee’s sizzling looks and chemistry, “Nevertheless” gets 3 out of 5 stars.