Stories about second chances usually suck. They’re predictable. You know exactly when the leads will cry, when they’ll break up over a misunderstanding that could be solved by a thirty-second phone call, and exactly how the sunset looks in the final frame. But then you watch something like If It's With You, and suddenly the genre feels less like a trope and more like a mirror.
It’s raw.
If you haven't kept up with the 2024-2025 surge in high-quality web adaptations, you might have missed this specific gem. Written by the perceptive Shin Yu-jeong, the narrative explores the suffocating weight of "what ifs" in a way that feels uncomfortably personal. It isn't just a romance. It’s a study of how memory warps reality.
The Reality Behind the Hype
The premise seems simple enough on the surface. We have characters grappling with a past they can’t quite shake off. But the execution? That’s where things get interesting. Most people come for the aesthetic posters and stay because the dialogue sounds like stuff people actually say when they’re hurting.
Think about the last time you saw an ex. It wasn't a slow-motion montage. It was probably awkward. Your hands probably felt too big for your pockets. If It's With You nails that specific brand of human clunkiness. The series moves at a pace that mirrors actual recovery—slow, occasionally frustrating, and punctuated by sudden bursts of clarity.
Critics have pointed out that Shin Yu-jeong has a knack for "emotional realism." This isn't the glossy, filtered Seoul we often see. It’s the Seoul of cramped apartments and late-night convenience store runs where the fluorescent lights make everyone look a little bit tired. That exhaustion is central to the plot. These aren't teenagers with infinite energy; these are adults who are genuinely exhausted by the labor of loving someone.
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Why the "Second Chance" Trope Usually Fails
Most writers treat a reunion like a foregone conclusion. They think the "destiny" element does all the heavy lifting. Shin Yu-jeong disagrees. In this story, destiny is actually the villain. It’s the thing that keeps people stuck in cycles they should have broken years ago.
- The characters don't just "get back together." They have to actually audit why they failed the first time.
- The supporting cast isn't just there for comic relief. They serve as warnings of what happens when you don't move on.
- Silence is used as a narrative tool. Sometimes, a thirty-second shot of someone eating ramen alone says more than a three-page monologue.
Breaking Down the Visual Language
We have to talk about the cinematography. It’s moody.
The color palette shifts subtly depending on whose perspective we’re following. When memories are involved, the saturation climbs just enough to make things feel nostalgic but stays grounded enough to avoid looking like a perfume commercial. It’s a difficult balance to strike. Most directors lean too hard into the "dreamy" look and lose the grit.
The sound design is equally intentional. If you listen closely, the ambient noise of the city—the hum of distant traffic, the beep of a keypad door lock—is layered to create a sense of isolation. You can be in a city of ten million people and feel like the only person on the planet. If It's With You uses audio to trap the viewer in that headspace.
Honestly, the chemistry between the leads is what most fans scream about on social media, but the real star is the script's restraint. There are so many moments where a lesser writer would have forced a kiss. Instead, we get a shared look or a hesitant gesture. It's the "almosts" that keep you watching at 2:00 AM.
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The Impact of Webtoon Roots
It’s no secret that some of the best television coming out of South Korea right now starts as digital ink. The transition from webtoon to screen for If It's With You was handled with a level of care that we didn't see in earlier 2020-era adaptations. The producers understood that fans aren't just looking for a 1:1 recreation of the panels. They want the feeling of the panels.
The original creator’s involvement ensured that the core philosophy remained intact. It’s about the burden of choice. When the protagonist says, "If it's with you, I might be okay with failing again," it hits hard because the show has spent hours proving how much failure actually hurts.
Addressing the Common Criticisms
Not everyone loves it. Some viewers find the pacing "glacial."
If you’re looking for a high-octane thriller or a slapstick rom-com, this isn't it. You’ll be bored. But the slow pace is the point. Grief doesn't have a fast-forward button. Rebuilding a relationship that was burned to the ground doesn't happen in a three-minute montage set to a K-Pop ballad.
There’s also the "unlikeable protagonist" argument. People get frustrated when characters make objectively bad decisions. But humans make bad decisions. We text people we shouldn't. We lie to ourselves about being "over it." The characters in If It's With You are deeply, annoyingly human. If you find them frustrating, it might be because you recognize a bit of your own messiness in them.
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Real-World Resonances
Psychologists often talk about "limerence"—that state of infatuation that feels like a physical ache. This show is a masterclass in depicting the end of limerence and the beginning of actual, difficult love.
Studies on modern relationships suggest that "rebound" culture is shifting. People are looking backward more often, thanks in part to the digital footprints we all leave behind. It’s easier than ever to check in on a "one that got away." The show taps into this modern anxiety. Is it easier to fix something broken or start something new?
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning to dive into the series, don't binge it. I know that sounds counterintuitive in the Netflix era. But this is "slow cinema" for the small screen. Let the episodes breathe.
Take These Steps for the Best Experience:
- Watch for the motifs: Pay attention to the recurring use of water and rain. It’s not just for atmosphere; it signals a shift in power dynamics between the leads.
- Check the OST lyrics: The songs aren't just background noise. They are often direct internal monologues that the characters are too afraid to speak out loud.
- Observe the background: The set design tells you more about the characters' mental states than the dialogue does. A cluttered desk isn't just a mess; it's a representation of a cluttered mind.
- Compare the ending: If you've read the source material, look for the subtle changes in the final act. The TV adaptation takes a slightly more pragmatic view of "forever" than the webtoon did.
The brilliance of If It's With You lies in its refusal to offer easy answers. It suggests that being "with" someone isn't a destination. It's a continuous, often exhausting choice. Whether you're a seasoned K-Drama fan or a casual viewer looking for something with more meat on its bones, this story demands your attention.
To fully appreciate the nuance, look for the "Director's Cut" commentary or behind-the-scenes interviews with Shin Yu-jeong. Understanding the intent behind the silences changes how you perceive the entire arc. Start with the first three episodes to see if the rhythm clicks with you—just don't expect a typical fairytale.