Rain or Shine, otherwise known as Just Between Lovers, is not the typical sappy Korean melodrama.

Two young people see their lives turned upside down after a building collapse take away loved ones. Unsurprisingly, the deep scars are also source of motivation, as they navigate their adulthood with one common goal in mind – that similar disasters will not happen again under their watch.

Obviously, most things revolve around the two leads – Lee Kang-doo(played by Lee Jun-ho) and Ha Mun-su(played by Won Jin-A). Won, last seen in medical drama Life, is destined for greater things if her stellar but understated performance here is anything to go by. The same can’t be said about the more glamorous but untalented Kang Han-na, who acts with same expression whether it is a thriller or period drama.

What is always amazing in Korean dramas these days is the supposedly supporting cast, which are often ready to upstage the main actors. In this case, the sheer presence of Yoon Se-ah as hostess Mary, veteran Na Moon-Hee’s Grandma Medicine character make this series more complex and riveting. Special mention should also be given to Yun Yu-seon, who is so convincingly sad as a mourning mom who is eternally intoxicated.

One phrase I often hear when discussing contemporary K-dramas with friends is the ‘high production value’, where the focus is not just on the leads but everything connected. These days, even the dialogue-less extras on moving buses are carefully curated.

This series is slow no doubt, but one can’t help but to be drawn into a compelling story inspired by true events.