Reviews

Doctors review on medical drama !

I'm a doctor and I hate that they butchered all the nomenclature and procedures. FL says she is performing cardiac tamponade. C tamponade is a condition not a procedure. In one episode she says get the ABJ done. It's ABG. ML just performed acupuncture and treats pneumothorax. Friggin BS is that ? Where did the air go. Where ? She does tube thoracotomy for pneumothorax on one person that's somewhat sensible. ML treats cardiac arrest caused by blockade. Meaning MI with acupuncture. How ? How did the artery get cleared man. Electricity from the needle went and melted it off? This guy is oriental doctor for humans and animals too. But it's a drama and not real life so I'll let go of it.
This drama aims to propagate to naive people that oriental medicine is equal to modern day medicine, if not better. Misleading is an understatement.
Since beginning ML tries to tell FL something about the fallot's tetrology girl, that she didn't know. But in the end he doesn't say anything about it. So even put that scene if it's not useful.
But one thing that just got me hooked till I finished is their acting. Chemistry, meh!

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Only if you have nothing else to watch...

Well, this year's japanese bls have been more of a miss than a hit! And this one unfortunately is on the miss side!

It is a cute slice of life, childhood friends to lovers, unrequited long-time crush, an endless string of clichés and repetitive tropes filled drama. Mind you, it was not bad but it was completely forgettable and something we have already seen so many times.

The actors had zero chemistry and the kisses were not even pecks, so why bother? The characters were also clichés: a former baseball player Kazuhito, cold and taciturn apparently emotionless but actually hiding his feelings really well. The other one was the opposite: jumpy, confused and indiscreet. It was so painful to watch when he was prodding the baseball guy about his love life, asking increasingly rude questions and even offering to sort it out for him and get him a girlfriend. Ryota is indeed a very unlikeable character. He seems young and cheerful but is actually immature and impolite and completely unaware of his surroundings: "Read the room, Ryo and shut the fuck up!"

The most interesting character was Haruna, baseball guy's best friend who cunningly pushes the two towards each other, inciting them to finally talk. I want to see a drama where he's a main character.

The baseball guy was too cute (I want to see more of that actor!) the other one was too creapy. Towards the ending, I kept thinking of Cherry Magic, thai version, where Achi accepts Karan's feelings out of gratitude but still very uncomfortable together. I had the same feeling here, less pronounced but still present: Ryo still seemed very uncomfortable...He was also worried for a long time about the acceptability of their relationship and even though Haruna explained some basic truths about Kazuhito, he semed more interested in keeping a roommate than getting a boyfriend. Very ambiguous!

Forgettable plot but well produced without major problems unless you count boredom.

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Second Chances.

I think it's time to admit that some types of mature romances aren't just for me. This was the case with this show.

Miyata Akihiro, a sincere and diligent editor of a business magazine by chance gets to meet his first love, Iwanaga Takashi while working on an article. However, he is still haunted by his previous experience as a teenager with the untouchable Iwanaga sensei, who had bet on their love. Now, as adults, Iwanaga once again expresses his interest in Miyata-san, who is determined not to fall for the easy-going Iwanaga-sensei again.

The characters, particularly Miyata-san is the reason I held on until the end. He was careful and cautious with his words and actions. I was never once annoyed or angered by his choices.
As for Iwanaga sensei... I have no idea about him even after the end. There was so much more to him than what was being shown, but I just couldn't feel anything for his character at all.
I enjoyed the flashbacks, but they seemed incomplete to the story, inspite of giving some glimpse into their past, particularly Miyata-san.
Both the actors nailed their roles, and the overall atmosphere of the drama was pleasant.
It seems to be one of those dramas, which I feel had a lot of potential, but somehow managed to miss me.

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interesting plotline, bad execution

When I saw this on Netflix I was elated. I mean, two academic rivals meeting each other again at the lowest point of their lives resulting in them finding solace in each other? AND falling in love in the process? That's literally my cup of tea. Unfortunately, I ended up being disappointed.

First and foremost, I disliked the romance. I barely felt anything between the leads. Their chemistry was nonexistent. I could tell they were going for a slow-burn romance. But where were the subtleties that makes a slow-burn a GOOD slow-burn? Instead we have Jeong Woo ignoring his own feelings towards Ha Neul, knowing deep down he likes her. Girl, the whole world knows you like her. I'm tired of those clichés.

The theme surrounding mental health was well explained. However, the comedic aspect ruined it all; it felt off-putting. Though, maybe that's just a preference considering I love mature dramas without comedy more than whatever-this-is.

Ending my review as I've only watched 5 out of 16 episodes

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A Lackluster Decline: When a Script Goes Off Course

I couldn't help but wonder if the writer experienced burnout halfway through the script or perhaps became overly medicated, leading to a loss of clarity. The quality of the script undeniably plummeted. We tuned in for an intricate revenge plot and got a hot mess of nonsensical actions instead.

And let's talk about the female lead—what a letdown! Her performance was so lackluster, and her character felt like an afterthought. She had one expression the whole time, like a deer in headlights.

Here's hoping Lee Jae Wook picks a more promising project next time. We know he can do so much better!

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i don't like this one

most of the actors are overacting all the time, too many filler, too many "coincidental" scenes between main characters (falling into each other,...). Additionally, there are many details that are given only once and are not repeated or developed or explained (the first time the male lead dies of depression - why is he depressed?, the scene where the female lead discovers that
her mom hides her illness - has their relationship changed?, the female lead can escape the fate of being crippled but find it difficult to save the male lead?). In particular, what annoys me the most is the pair of supporting characters (the female lead's brother and best friend). They're too loud and don't really contribute to the main story line

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Worth watchiing!

especially for Ryan Cheng’s acting. He’s fierce and intense (and very handsome). He and the 2nd FL have good chemistry and make the story interesting. The ML and FL didn’t have much chemistry but at least Esther Yu changed her annoying baby girlish voice to a whispering voice.

I love that the sister had a completely different personality than female characters in most dramas. She was shamelessly pursuing Jin Fan. I found her character was quite refreshing.

Overall, I recommend this drama. It wasn’t perfect in any way but still worth watching.

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Deadpan FL expression. Logic goes downhill from halfway of the story.

Since episode 7, when many revelations surfaced, the logic behind the actions of the three main characters in coping with the situations becomes increasingly absurd. Additionally, I think the series would have been better with 8 or 9 episodes instead of the current 12. At the current pace, there is too much dragging. The dialogues, even those between the main characters, are also dull. However, the show really pulls off some hilarious scenes, especially during the first half. They had me laughing out loud a few time, which isn't something I usually do.

Anyway, a major disappointment lies in the performance of the FL. Honestly, I can't fathom why she was cast for this role. Initially, I appreciated her portrayal of a realistic woman who doesn't conform to femininity but exudes coolness, particularly in her interactions within her friend circle. However, when it comes to scenes with the ML, she falls very short. There's supposed to be a spark, some chemistry, something romantic, but it's totally absent. Zero. None. There's no romantic vibe from the FL at all, while the ML has already done his part. Furthermore, the plot does little to support their supposed deep love for each other in such a short time, to the extent of risking and betraying the feelings of another person they both care about deeply. Their love lacks conviction. Additionally, the FL's portrayal in these romantic contexts fails to evoke any genuine emotion in me. While the marriage between the FL and the ML's brother might be a sham, watching the FL and ML together, I can't help but feel their love is just as fake.

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Recomendo

Demorei pra ver mas gostei muito, super levinha e legal, confesso que o primeiro ep não me prendeu muito, eu ate demorei um pouco pra continuar, mas a parti do 2 eu começei a gostar mais e me fez querer assistir todo dia

Os personagens são super divertidos e engraçados, todo ep eu dava uma risada, os personagens principais tbm foram perfeitos

Park Min Young é maravilhosa, concerteza vou querer ver mais trabalhos dela, e o Park Seo Joon super lindo ?

Outra coisa q eu gostei muito foi das Ost's do dorama, a unica coisa que eu achei meio confuso foi sobre o principal e o irmao dele nessa confusao de quem tinha sido sequestrado, mas enfim, muito bom recomendo

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hermoso me encantó

realmente es un kdrama q desde el inicio del capítulo 1 te da gusto es emocionante la pareja tiene una química increíble y solo espero y aspiro q tenga un final hermoso xq ambos han sufrido como spoiler pienso q Ina sabe lo q la mamá pensaba antes de tirarse al barranco así q espero q en estos capítulos q quedan sea awwww y puedan ser felices tantos los protagonistas como la niña necesitan tener un final feliz xq la niña ha sufrido mucho pensando que ella era un error porque escucho a la abuela decir que nunca debió de haberse casado con la mamá ni nada. la abuela no me cae bien así q espero que el poder lo utilice para algo bueno en estos capítulos que me quedan por ver realmente los recomiendo es un buen comienzo para el actor masculino principal que ha regresado de su servicio militar y que mejor hacerlo con una actriz de primera

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Trapped in a castle!

This series was made in 2016 and it is feeling its age but it is still extremely watchable. It is a parody. The script was ok but sometimes seemed hemmed in by the predetermined plot lines. The actors were very good and Lee Jung-Shin was very good as a musician (obviously)
My main criticism was the siting of the family home in a huge house in the middle of nowhere and the ridiculous flooring plan inside. Very weird but all the cast seemed to cope with it! Still very enjoyable but don't take too seriously.
For all those reasons I've tried to score it taking into account when it was made!

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Hell is empty and all the devils are here

This disturbing series is loaded with mental and physical violence partnered with philosophical symbolism and deep psychology.

If you have worked in or experienced the dark underbelly of human existence, the scenarios presented in this drama are not dissimilar to reality at all ... how a series of events and/or encounters with certain people over time can tip a person to lose their humanity ... childhood abuse, workplace abuse, societal abuse where you have to toe the line or face the consequences ... all leading to the buildup of intense suppressed rage ... and then implosion or explosion. Passive aggressive people seem to better manage this suppressed rage within the societal confines of propriety, but this method doesn't work for everyone one ... like Jong Woo ... he couldn't vent that rage into passive aggression, instead he could only imagine what he really wanted to do. The times he went 'physical' he got 'punished' which lead to more suppression.

It was fascinating how Moon Jo kept encouraging Jong Woo to be "truthful" ... to be authentic. It is very commonplace in the workplace and in social media to hear people telling you to "be your authentic self" ... people spew this phrase out like they were gaining merits or treasures in heaven. What does it mean to be your authentic self when you have all this suppressed rage that cannot be expressed in the family or the society or the workplace or the country you are in??? It is impossible ... especially when you have been psychologically 'invaded' and 'conquered' by abusers in your life.

The seeds of Jong Woo's metamorphosis were always there, even before he came to "Eden". Jong Woo just needed a little 'nurturing' to tip the scale... and that is exactly what Moon Jo did ... in the same way that Eom Bock Soon did to him and the twins ... Moon Jo hijacked Jong Woo's mind like a virus and psychologically became wedded to him ... calling him 자기야 . How symbolic was the name "Eden" for the place where this metamorphosis occurred ... like Adam and Eve, Jong Woo became 'corrupted' in 'Eden' and was then cast out into the world.

When Moon Jo said they could never kill him because there were too many of 'him' ... he was 100% right ... with a plethora of "Eom Bock Soon" and "Moon Jo" type parental figures / institutions / work colleagues etc ... the next generation is guaranteed.

Jean-Paul Sartre (existentialist philosopher and playwright) said in his play "No Exit":
"Hell is other people"

They mentioned this quote in this series. Sartre was of the view that humans were very much aware of how other people perceive them and that because of this awareness and the subsequent changes they make in response, they lose their freedom to be their original authentic selves. Not being able to be your authentic self and even be punished for it ... well that leads to all kinds of dramas ... just like this one ... an age old drama. Even William Shakespeare was across such a theme ... in his play "The Tempest" he wrote:
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”

Acting: The performances of Yim Si Wan, Lee Dong Wook, and Park Jong Hwan (played the twins) were outstanding.

Script: The scripting was generally of a high standard, but I felt that it went too slow in some places particularly some of Jung Hwa story scenes with her family/father and investigation processes ... I didn't think that really added much value to the story. I am glad that it was only 10 episodes (in my view it could have been less) as to flash it out to the usual 16 episodes would have totally destroyed the point of watching this blood bath and psychological descent into hell.
I found the scripting for the police scenes annoying and tropey - arrogant, presumptive know it all seniors and juniors going off half cocked doing their own thing (even though it was with good intentions and reasonable suspicion and because she got no support from her colleagues/line supervisors).

Rewatch - if you are into heavy brutal psychology and existential philosophy ... yeah it is worthy of a rewatch.

Overall: A disturbing series, but brilliant in its profound look at the human psyche in a repressed social context.

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what a surprise?

I did not like Zee character from episode 1 until the end. How nonchalant was he when he told Sprite that First saw him hugging Salmon and First was nagging. Nagging?!!!?! I did not want to see him after that on my screen. They gave his character no growth whatsoever! I was waiting on the back story to wheel me in to like him and Nothing!!!! He maintained his selfishness and jerk-ness(made that up) until the end!

What about Mom? What was that? When did she get in The Great parents club? A dinner with the family. Glad she was able to bring literally herself as father states that he bought the food! Oh that dinner, i bet that little bit of sanity left that it was Sprite’s idea. Zee is definitely too selfish to come up with that.

Sprite and First were the only reason i watched. Wish they had more time. That forgiveness and let’s be boyfriends was way too quick. Oh well, they ended up together.

Would i recommend? Yes❤

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well...same concept as all the other survival games but nothing new

I finished this show in a few hours cause honestly you can x2 speed it and watch...there wasnt any strategic plays or smart tricks so if you were hoping for those kind of shows you can skip this. This show was mostly just surviving and and once again showing how greedy humans can be. I guess one interesting thing about this show is that apart from other shows where games are set of the participants here its a blank canvas and they have to do everything themselves.

If you are bored and just want to watch something you can watch this but there isnt much of a deep plot or anything.

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