This is a 2002 Korean-Japanese romantic drama about young love. What's more, it's a 2002 Korean-Japanese romantic drama about young love condensed into just FOUR (4!!) episodes! You couldn't take away that fact even if you tried. So take this drama for what it is: a sweet and short love story that's meant to be enjoyed.
This mini-drama is not without its cheesy lines, awkward camera-work and questionable pacing. Even the main lead, Kyoko Fukada, falls short in her acting at times; it's quite noticeable that delivering emotional scenes in sync is tricky when there's a language barrier - and reasonably so! But the truth is, these little flaws fit in a pocket and even add charm to the series. It really is an innocent product of the early 2000s and it's a good thing!
The plot is straightforward. Mistaken for a thief that stole a handbag, Korean film student Ji-hoon meets Japanese saleswoman Tomoko. Their unfortunate but rather comical meeting in Hong Kong turn out to have a profound impact on their lives as they return to their home countries. If you believe or like the idea of soulmates, 'Friends' rewards you with something a little more than the title advertises. The chemistry between the two main characters is there if you aren't too pedantic about it. All in all, they are adorable.
I loved it, and I hope this review might push you to give this old gem a try!