Episode 5 of Call It Love (2023) is widely regarded as a pivotal turning point where the slow-burn revenge plot begins to shift into a deeper emotional connection between the leads .

While some viewers on IMDb find the pacing "excruciatingly slow," others argue it perfectly fits the themes of loneliness and grief.

After a drunken accident where Dong-jin cuts his hand, Woo-joo follows him to ensure his safety, marking a clear moment where her empathy for him begins to outweigh her original desire for revenge.

Reviewers highlight the "shadow animation" used to illustrate Dong-jin’s dreams, which poignantly shows how his once-happy life "broke" and threw him into his current harsh reality.

The episode ends with the unexpected arrival of Min-young just as Woo-joo asks Dong-jin out to dinner, creating a high-tension triangle that stuns the characters. Thematic and Artistic Review

Critics from Shay on Medium praise the leads for their "skillful performances" of introverted characters, noting that much of their relationship is conveyed through subtle facial movements rather than dialogue.

Are you interested in a deeper look at the , or Review: Call It Love - The Fangirl Verdict

Subtle and offbeat, focusing on compatibility over "sparks". Min-young is viewed as the "perfect" frustrating villain.