A tale of a ‘soundless’ love

Tell Me You Love Me is a drama unlike any other

Sometimes you will come across a drama that is difficult to watch, not because it is bad, but because you do not want it to end. It seems that watching every episode is a bittersweet reminder that even a remarkable story will reach its inevitable conclusion.

It is a painful truth that I, as a fan of the Korean drama Tell Me That You Love Me, had to endure. As I was watching, I had to stop, take a moment, and appreciate the silently beautiful journey of Cha Jin Woo (Jung Woo Sung) and Jung Moeun (Shin Hyun Been). It was a journey that transcended adversities and heartaches, ultimately leading to a place of healing and understanding.

Theirs is a story of fate—a predestined connection actuated by muted colors and quietude. Their chemistry and affection for each other were evident from the first time they met. Jin Woo and Moeun found solace and comfort in each other’s presence, more so in their silence. They had to listen without hearing any words or sounds. They had to understand their emotions through quiet conversations.

Theirs is a story of circumstances—an unfortunate and unresolved past connected to an unfortunate and unresolved future. Their personal differences and life predicaments helped them revisit their past, reconcile their present, and change their future. Jin Woo and Moeun had to make sacrifices without losing sight of their love and commitment to each other.

But is love enough? Can love truly prosper when speaking different languages? How far can one listen to and understand another without words and sound? Jin Woo and Moeun’s relationship had to go through all these uncertainties. As confusion and insecurities started to consume their thoughts, their feelings for each other were put to the test. People and situations from their past resurfaced, and they had to overcome their internal struggles and external obstacles through acceptance and forgiveness. They had to learn to converse through their eyes, to speak through their gestures, and to listen through their emotions. It is not easy, as love is sometimes foolish, insecure, and unintelligible. There are times that love has to be confronted with vulnerability in order to truly understand its complexities. There are times one has to step back in order to admire the beauty of the painting. There are times one has to give way in order to realize the meaning of the play.

I fell in love with Tell Me That You Love Me. I fell in love with its captivating story of a soundless love flourishing beyond words. One can anticipate the endearing moments between Woo Sung and Hyun Been, as they share a genuine connection that is palpable on screen. The slow-burn romance, use of warm hues, Jin Woo’s droopy shoulders, his admirable friendship with Ki Hyun, Moeun’s emotional conversation with her parents, and Jo Han’s selfless actions toward Moeun were all relevant to the development of the narrative and the characters. Seeing the deaf and mute communities represented in this drama was a welcome change, as it showed a world that is often unrecognized and misconstrued. Jung Woo Sung, Shin Hyun Been, Kim Ji Hyun, and Heo Jun Seok all gave exceptional performances, giving justice and authenticity to the community they are portraying.

I realized that one of the lines in this drama is true—that having your ears open all the time can sometimes be painful. As Jin Woo said, “Some words leave deeper scars than the ones you get from being deaf. Those who have never heard anything do not have much desire to hear something.”

Sometimes, you need to take a break from talking and listening to other people’s noise, and learn to understand the sound of your own thoughts, even in silence.

Sometimes, you need to realize you are capable of loving, hurting, and forgiving, even in silence.

— Anne Locsin