A Time Called You is a South Korean remake of the acclaimed Taiwanese series Someday or One Day. This series weaves a complex narrative involving elements like time travel, body swapping, a murder mystery, a love triangle, and more. The story revolves around Han Jun-hee, a successful 36-year-old woman in 2023, who is mourning the loss of her fiancé, Gu Yeon-jun, a year after he perished in a plane crash.
The show explores various themes and genres, making it a compelling and emotionally charged drama. It delves into the mysteries of time, fate, and love while keeping viewers engaged with its intricate storytelling and well-developed characters. The use of time travel and body swapping adds an intriguing layer to the plot, making A Time Called You an intriguing and emotional viewing experience for fans of complex dramas.
In A Time Called You, the story also introduces Kwon Min-ju, a shy high school girl in 1998 who bears an uncanny resemblance to Han Jun-hee. What’s even stranger is that Min-ju becomes friends with two of her classmates, Jung In-gyu and Nam Si-heon. Si-heon looks exactly like Gu Yeon-jun, Jun-hee’s late fiancé. In-gyu, who has a crush on Min-ju, enlists Si-heon’s help in getting closer to her, but things take an unexpected turn when Min-ju falls for Si-heon instead. Adolescent jealousies are set aside when Min-ju is involved in a life-threatening hit-and-run incident, bringing the characters closer together as they try to unravel the mystery surrounding the accident. The series weaves these interconnected storylines to create a compelling narrative that combines romance, mystery, and time-travel elements.
As the story unfolds in A Time Called You, Han Jun-hee is unable to come to terms with the presumed death of her fiancé, Gu Yeon-jun, whose body hasn’t been recovered from the plane crash. Her life takes a mysterious turn when she begins receiving gifts from a stalker who she believes might be Yeon-jun. However, the contents of these packages are linked to the teenagers from 1998, including a photo of the trio outside a music shop in Nakwon. Jun-hee is perplexed because she has no recollection of this event and is certain that these kids can’t be younger versions of herself and Yeon-jun.
Things take a fantastical turn when Jun-hee falls asleep on a bus in 2023 and wakes up in the hospital 25 years earlier, inhabiting the body of the injured Min-ju. This unexpected body swap sets the stage for a series of events that involve time travel, identity confusion, and a deepening mystery as Jun-hee tries to understand the connection between her present and Min-ju’s past.
A Time Called You appears to masterfully balance numerous mysteries that unfold across two interwoven timelines. The show skillfully navigates its intricate plot points, maintaining intrigue while ensuring that its fantastical elements are grounded in the emotional journeys of its main characters. In addition to the overarching metaphysical connection that binds the protagonists, the series introduces a significant criminal mystery. Jun-hee’s uncle in 2023 reveals a shocking revelation: she was murdered in October 1998. This revelation sparks a cascade of questions, including the reasons behind the time travel and body swaps, the identity of those pursuing Jun-hee, and whether her murder can be prevented. These compelling mysteries serve as the driving force behind the K-drama’s narrative.
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A Time Called You explores complex themes and intertwines romantic and temporal elements in a way that engages viewers emotionally. Much like other stories with intricate temporal elements, such as Your Name or the series Dark, this show recognizes that these paradoxes are best experienced through the heart.
The series excels in drawing viewers into its central romances and relationships. It skillfully presents parallel love stories in different time periods, making them equally captivating. Furthermore, all five main characters are well-developed and likable individuals, adding depth to the story. Among the cast, special praise is directed toward Jeon Yeo-been for her exceptional portrayal of dual roles with distinct characteristics.
A Time Called You combines elements of romance, time travel, and character-driven storytelling to create an emotionally engaging narrative that resonates with viewers.
A Time Called You shines when it explores the moments where Jun-hee’s personality adapts to her 1998 circumstances and takes charge of Min-ju’s life, creating a dynamic reminiscent of the movie Big in reverse. Min-ju’s previously meek demeanor led to her being mistreated and overlooked, but Jun-hee’s adult confidence and competence make her family and peers view her differently. These character-driven moments are among the show’s greatest strengths.
However, as the series progresses, it introduces increasingly complex time travel twists that become confusing for viewers. While everything ultimately makes sense by the end, the convoluted journey to get there detracts from the overall experience.
A Time Called You could have told its story more efficiently and satisfactorily with fewer than 12 episodes. While it boasts clever chronology and strong chemistry among its characters, the series suffers from sluggish pacing and an overly convoluted plot, particularly in the second half, which diminishes its emotional impact. Despite these issues, A Time Called You remains a well-made and engaging series, offering bittersweet warmth beneath its messy timeline.
The series is available exclusively on Netflix for those interested in its time-traveling love story and complex character dynamics.
