This review may contain spoilers
Even if you’re into RomComs, watch episode 1 and you will want to continue.
I’m not a person to write reviews but the way Sweet Home had an impact is insane.The Story line was amazing, from the very first scene to the very last one. It was well distributed between suspense, thriller, horror (for me), trust and friendship. I didn’t think it’d be that good but finally gave it a try last night and poof- in 12 hours I’m done watching this show.
The cast SHOOK me. I didn’t think Song Kang would portray his character so well. Another character that shook me was ji-su. (the nam ju ur girl from it’s ok to not be ok) I found her character extremely annoying in IOTNBO but here- dang this girl was rocking it. Each and every cast member fitted their role perfectly.
The music was good as we were familiar with a few songs and I liked how it matched the scenes.
I gave Re-Watch an 8 cause I’ll rewatch it when I wish to bawl my eyes out.
Overall: Exceeded my expectations. I really didn’t expect it to be this good and I’m so impressed. This DEFINITELY has potential for season 2 and I’ll cry if there’s no season 2 cause PLEASE! I’m kinda scared cause Netflix is kinda famous for AMAZING season 1 but kinda shitty season 2 with unnecessary plot twists. Hopefully it won’t be the case here and they announce a season 2!
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This review may contain spoilers
Sweet home is a good (considered the best for me) drama to watch during the pandemic
This is my first time writing a review!I'm still pretty much a newbie to kdrama industry but i do watched couple of zombies/vampires/monsters/devils/mythical creatures/horror dramas, so i was very surprised by how realistic and was in awe of many high quality cgi scenes from this drama. I was immediately captivated by the trailer of sweet home and i knew that this drama will be great.
"apocalyptic horror South Korean television series", can't completely explain how amazing this drama is. Although this drama is categorized as horror, i think it is not as horrifying as Conjuring series. HOWEVER, this drama makes me panic every minute. I think one of the greatest strength of this drama and makes it attractive is... You totally don't know what's going to happen. You can't predict what will happen in the next episode AT ALL. Any moment someone could die, any moment i will cry. (Did i mentioned that this drama makes me emotional too?) So basically, unlike many other zombie dramas such as KINGDOM or TRAIN TO BUSAN, you really can't tell what the story will turn out in the end, ecspecially when this drama is about humans turning into "monsters" when they got overcame by their own "desires". (as complicated as it sounds, you can watch the drama and find out!)
A TOTALLY NEW CONCEPT for a kdrama, unlike zombies, you turn into one when u got bitten (infection) or maybe angels and devils or demons, you turn into one when u drank their blood (?). Literally, this drama gives panic attacks to audience because it gives no warning on how or WHEN the characters is infected and is becoming their evil side.
Now that we talk about the monstrous sides of "humans" that this drama managed to capture perfectly, let's talk about the distinct characteristics or appearance of EVERY "monsters" the main character, Cha Hyun-soo encounters. Spoiler: For example, a disabled runner that wishes to run again, would give into his desires to become this hideous monster with legs that can run so fast that no one can escape from/see.
Ok, if you came this far. Im sure it is getting boring but i have so much to share with you! The concept and storyline of the drama is already very well-written, but the casting and acting in this drama makes it so much better. Song Kang acts as Cha hyun soo, a male that finds life meaningless and been counting days to mark his death. You can easily tell depression symptoms from the way he carry himself or just leaching off at his room/at rooftop. He is a character that is broken inside and talks little. But we could understand enough about his struggle based on his behaviours and his past (NOPE A SPOLIER! AND WILL MAKE U ANGRY AND CRY AT THE SAME TIME) I really liked how instead of a very brave, aggresively justice or highly intelligent main character that highlights a lot of survival movies, this drama chose a main character we can relate to. Cha hyun soo thinks little of himself, doubts himself alot which sometimes restricts him into action immediately under dangerous stituations. He has very low self esteems but is a very kind hearted fellow. He is stupidly too kind for this world ugh And there is this one scenario that highlights how other characters make use of his good heart to stay alive. The main character transformed into "desire" halfly and can regenerate his body when he is injured BUT HE STILL FEEL PAIN. Humans being humans, others that are still "humans" forced Hyun Soo to travel to dangerous areas where monsters roam to help forage for food. *i dont know what im talking about this point, you get me if you watched it :D*
The camerawork is smooth and doesn't make me feel choked. The sequence when Hyun soo have to fight for himself and others also were captured nicely. Hyun soo is just a person and never fought against 8 feet of a monster before. So the struggling and actually tripping or panicking during the fights really are good details. (He almost died alot of times omg) And i think the music is pretty iconic too, u can hear the ending song and damn it stucks on your mind. The music really just makes you think "oh thats sweet home" ORIGINALITY YAS
Hmm OH YES, You know there are many dramas that sometimes over-summarize side characters personality and it is not easy to protray side characters importance and presence throughout the entire drama. This drama did a good job in showing side characters desires to survive and realistic sides that anyone under the same stituation could relate too. No sugarcoating yay and omg look at how diverse the remaining survivors are (there are mothers that lost their child, children that lost their dad, gangsters that are retired but damn soft inside,teenagers that are overly positive and depressed, a firefighter that lost her fiance, a girl that is too rebelious, a typical kdrama auntie, and more). I ended up falling in love with all the *important* characters BECAUSE of their flaws and their humane qualities (such as comforting someone that is down or forgiving or sympathize or setting up a funeral although the whole chaos is still going on)
And the fact that the characters are so heavily outnumbered but hope really kept each other going.
Ok..the end must come. And i just want to say that hyun soo is gorgeous and handsome. Im running out of ideas, please just watch it. I am hungry and can't think any gorgeous words to describe this drama. I shall eat now :3 sayonara
COnclusion: watch it :]
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Good survival show
I’ve been putting off watching this show since it came out, despite the fact that my friends kept telling me to watch it because when I recommended it to my mom, she told me the show is stupid so I took her word for it and just never looked back.But today my friend told me to watch sweet home for them because season 2 is coming soon, and i was like eh why not, I have nothing to watch right now anyway, and WOW!!
This show does NOT disappoint. There were certain things that confused me at first like, why did the virus effect you when it wanted, or how come some viruses are more powerful than others and why are they using headphones and what not. (Google helped me out with these questions lmao) The reason I put it as 9.5 is because the show itself is AMAZING, world building and character development as well as relationships and the action scenes, everything is so well done, but the aspect that I found the most goofy were the monsters.
I don’t know I just can’t take the monsters seriously at all. The CGI isn’t bad but it’s just that they look like they came out straight out of a kids show, so it took the seriousness out of the show for me a bit. But otherwise I enjoyed the show a lot, despite the monsters being funny looking, it’s worth sticking around. I’ll start season 2 now!!
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LOVED IT, but i understand it may have some flaws...
Ok so the central story and format of this story isn't particularly unique or never seen before, and its gorey, and sometimes the cgi is a teeny weensy flop, (but only sometimes, and the actors make up for all of that ASTRONOMICALLY), and the selection of imagine dragons WARRIORS was a little questionnable, (and broke immersion for me sometimes LOL) BUTBUT.
All of those are just nitpicks because this show is, wow, it was a savior for me when i was starved for a GOOD kdrama to watch this season.
And my gosh, netflix sure makes some flop kdramas but this was not one of them thats for sure.
hearts for Lee Do Hyun, he was a scene-stealer for this show, and thats on period. ?♀️♥︎♥︎♥︎
Anyways lemme make this more comprehensive for people who can't read brain vomit.
PROS
1. The cast
fuck the cast was very good. i haven't read the full webtoon, and to my knowledge lee si young's character was never a part of the story, but I don't mind her addition. I love the minor changes they made with each character, eg. sang wook (played by lee jin wook) was slightly less of a meathead/is much more grim (at least from what i've seen in the first 5 episodes of the webtoon). Same thing with lee eun hyuk (played by lee do hyun), the director specifically told him to be more serious and smile less, from what I've heard. and it works. with the kind of things eun hyuk has done, if he did it smiling it would seem.....i dont know, the fact that he always has such a grim and cold face tells me more that he is trying his best to restrain himself and sacrifice emotional thought, for the benefit of everyone in the group. but many fans still think he's selfish, but this isn't my manifesto on why you shouldn't hate on eun hyuk LOL
2. The themes/story
honestly what more is there to say than, this is a story of human relationships and human conncections, and all of the spheres and....sadly, the repercussions of it when u have evil people involved :( it tackles grim themes, but doesnt really force feed you, or take a moral highground/responsibility with it. I like that.
3. Production quality
idk much abt cinematography, but the fact that I don't have a single complaint should be testament enough. this was a high quality production crew, both int terms of the makeup, set design, and cinematography, I'm impressed. ofc some scenes can seem a little less good in comparison, but the key word is comparison. everything was kept to a high quality.
CONS
1. HeRe WE Aare DOnT TurN AWyA NOW
I didn't like use of imagine dragons. it could because im an English native and it was jarring , or that whenever i heard english in a korean drama where im specifically wanting to hear korean audio, the switch of language kinda jolts me. Nothing against iamgine dragons? but maybe they could have used more epic music
2. CLIFFHANGER
the season ended on a cliffhanger. honestly not sure if there will be a second season.
3. ADAPTATION CONTEXT?
I never read the full webtoon. i only read about the first 7 chapters at MOST. According to people who have read the full webtoon, as an adaptation, this series falls short. they destroyed many of the relationships with the characters, and I did catch on at some point that they tried to make all the characters a lot more grim and ?, and that could potentially be chopping out some fuzzier dynamics. but it's netflix, the same company that wanted to add blood and sex to avatar, a beloved children's show, im honestly not surprised with the change here. It's unfortunate, but I guess we'll just have to read the webtoon if we want to see hyuk and hyun being friends.
HOWEVER
as someone who didn't have that webtoon to be comparing the show to, if you look at this as a standalone, it's a good drama. Its not some STELLAR, INFALLIBLE SHOW, (and which show is?) but it's not awful either, and it measures above the rest. I'm biased of course, but, it all depends on your outlook if you'll love this, or hate it.
ANYWAYS, this was a lot of typing.
TL;DR: GIVE THIS SHOW A WATCH, AND YOU WONT REGRET IT! the horror never gets TOO scary, I watched this at 3am in total darkness by myself and yes, i was scared, but i wasn't shitting bricks??? so there's that :3
also lee do hyun is here what reason do u have NOT TO. kmt
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This review may contain spoilers
Sweet Home
Much anticipated series, although i had not read the webtoon itself. The star-studded cast was enough to draw me in. The plot itself was straightforward: humans turned monsters. However, i think the story itself really make us wonder what draws the boundaries between good and evil, human and monsters. We are shown that human itself can be more barbaric than "monsters" when thrown into dire situations while beings we deem as "monsters" can be more humane that the humans we define ourselves.The story itself was tight at the start, and was paced just right, right til the end. The acting was stellar, with excellent cinematographic and special effects. While it started as a thriller, it ended up being more action & suspense at the back. We are shown human relationships and the choices they make in face of extreme conditions. I find the characters interesting and some of the choices they make noble. I mean, let's be true to ourselves, we may not be able to make the same decision if we are given the same state. It reminds me of a mixture of Stranger Things & Money Heist, which i absolutely enjoyed. While we are shown the dark side of humans, we also see that humans itself are beautiful creatures. I was especially touched with the characters whom sacrificed themselves, for fellow humans whom they had no blood relations to! The romance aspect was minimal but warm enough and touching to see, especially for Jaeheon & Jisoo and Sangwook & Yoori, though both couples didn't make it in the end.
At the end, i am convinced a season 2 will happen. There are so many questions left unanswered. If this wasn't a disease, what was the cause of this "infection"? Why is Hyunsoo immune? How did Sangwook managed to rescue Hyunsoo at the end? And is Eunhyeok even alive? (I mean why did he have to leave behind?) What happens after Yikyeong joins the military?
All in i all, i believe it's a good watch and probably because i am biased over such genres. I can't wait for season 2 to happen already :)
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Elaborate and Intricate
My favorite characters in this series were Jung Jae Heon (Kim Nam Hee) with his samurai sword, Han Du Sik (Kim Sang-Ho) with his makeshift crutch gun, Cha Hyun Soo (Song Kang) with his electric spear/knife sort of thingy, and Pyeon Sang Wook (Lee Jin Wook) with his sheer anger and power. I love the creativity, innovation, and detail put in the storytelling, the characters, and the monsters alike. The monsters are not only elaborately done but quite intricately. It's almost like they mirrored each character's fear and apprehension. And in that sense, I liked that all the characters were flawed, each fighting not only literal monsters but the monster within, scars of life, scars if left to fester could turn them into the very monsters they fight in all its forms, be it the fear of loneliness, biases, anger, selfishness, grief, loss, injustice, prejudice, and everything else in between.They say, sometimes human places create inhuman monsters. That's so true in that each of the characters starts out trying to survive the best way they know how individually, even if it meant using others for their own benefit or furthering their own survival. Still, along the way and in their fight to survive, they come to realize that they as humans are capable of the worst things possible and that they weren't just trying to survive but fighting for the survival of humanity, to not turn into the very monsters they were trying to survive. As said, it’s not the strongest or the most intelligent who survive but those who can best manage change. I truly enjoyed this show and the accompanying OST; very well done.
Character-wise:
Lee Shi Young was exceptional in her role, but that's nothing new as she’s always great at whatever role she plays, but I have to say I was very impressed by how fit she looked as Seo Yi Kyung, the firefighter fighting her own demons. There were quite a few hard to stomach characters; Lee Eun Yoo (Go Min Shi) and Eun Hyuk (Lee Do Hyun) were among those. The two of them were the most selfish, each for their own struggles but at the same time, were the ones with the most character development, in my opinion. However, I must note Eun Hyuk embodied the leader role very well towards the end; seeing that development in him made me realize he was so selfish but more pragmatic in his bid to protect their only shelter from the dire world outside.
The most inspiring character was Jung Jae Heon both for his grounded belief in what's right but also for his courage and conviction in not once wavering between what was right vs. what was wrong. In a way, Sang Wook was a mirror of Jae Heon in his determination paid or otherwise to brutally dispensing justice. The two characters that brought the most depth to the series other than Sang-Ho were Kim Gab Soo as Ahn Gil Seop and Go Yoon Jung as Park Yu Ri Gil Seop's caregiver. Indeed a great source of inspiration and motivation to the struggle. On the other hand, Sang Ho's character was the most profound, not just for the powers he amassed from being infected but also for breaking the chains and labels society consciously and sometimes unconsciously puts on everything and every one different out of fear or ignorance. He was the doorway to the true examination of human monstrosity and humanity's embodiment from a monsters' perspective.
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Chant: SEASON 2!
Just finished watching and I am amazed at how well put this was! All I can say is that you will not be disappointed and that I will be highly disappointed if a season 2 is not made with the same actors and actresses! It’s that good! I OST made it even better. I don’t want to give too much away as this is a drama that is really worth the watch! From the first episode to the very last (10 was not enough), kept me on my toes. It’s different in a good way and shows the grit of a possible situation that makes the list of anything can happen in 2020.Was this review helpful to you?
Don’t expect everyone to survive, do expect to be emotionally devastated when they die, and good luck surviving the end of episode 8.
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HOLY SH*TTTTT JUST WATCH IT
I did not expect this... I didn`t read the webtoon nor read any plot stuff, soI didn`t know what to expect! However, I surely did not expect this, it`s a wonderful show. Let me be honest, I sobbed like a baby every time someone died. It was so enjoyable and the ending was also unexpected. I did not know who to trust and who to not, and I thought everyone was fishy. Then, they became fine and then boom! Moreover, the supposedly normal ones are NOT TO BE trusted. Not gonna lie, I didn`t understand the last few moments, or more like I was mind-blown. That`s why I need season 2!!!!!!!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Sweet Home More Like Sad Home!!!
Let me start off by saying that after watching episode 1 and seeing the CGI/animation and how well to say the least underwhelming it was I thought "Eh I may pass on this one." But I gave episode 2 a watch and you know the CGI/animation of the monsters is easily overlookable given that the story is THAT good. I will say though it took me the entirety of the first two episodes to get used to and not shrivel up at the amount of blood that spewed out during their nosebleeds and I'm not usually one to bat an eye at a bloody scene. I also must note that I did not read the webtoon before watching this so this review is solely based off the drama.Make sure you have the tissues everyone, oh and try not to get too attached to well most of the characters because...spoiler earlier...a lot of good people die in it.
Let's start with the Cast, oh my god, each and every one of them were amazing. But we'll talk mostly about the main characters (and not just the ones listed as main's on here because I truly felt there were a lot of main characters in this story.)
Cha Hyun Soo, we literally got to see him grow from being the shy teenager we first seen. Granted he wasn't originally shy, bullying having to do a lot with his more reserved and standoffish self. He became my little baby in this, I hated whenever people looked at him as a monster whenever he was the least monster-like of them all. The only other thing I've seen Song Kang in is Love Alarm, so I couldn't quite tell exactly how he was going to be in a more action-y drama, but he pulled it off well!
Seo Yi Kyung, at first I really liked her. She seemed to have her life together and didn't mind risking her own life for others. Well, after she left to go find the tablet of her deceased (I mean he's either a monster or something like Hyun Soo, we still don't know yet) soon-to-be husband and gets caught by the military she comes back and she starts sketching me out. At first I thought for sure she'd be the one to ruin it for everyone, and don't get me wrong she has a baby to protect but that entire situation of "Do I turn Hyun Soo to be a test subject to save the majority or do I just not do anything and risk more people dying?" Is one that really doesn't have a right answer. I'm glad she was not the one to do it and ended up becoming the Leader of sorts near the end. Lee Shi Young did a wonderful of portraying her, as she always does well.
Pyeon Sang Wook, I truly think he grew the most as a character, or well maybe not the most as I think he was that person all along. He just needed someone to tell him it was okay to be that. I loved him. And I was at first pleasantly surprised by the ending of him with Hyunsoo but I quickly realized that it is probably Ui Myeong and not him. The scene with Yuri though, it broke my heart. Lee Jin Wook did amazing as usual, I will say I like him better in this than in Voice 2.
Lee Eun Hyuk, I honestly did not go into this show thinking I'd dislike a character played by Lee Do Hyun, I was wrong. He was so selfish in the beginning but by the end became a better person and I am so happy for that. Although, it broke my heart to see him stay behind to "stop" Hyun Soo. I hope we get to see him in a second season, but...
Yoon Ji Soo, I loved her as a duo with Jaeheon, they leveled each other out so well. She didn't get as much character development as the other listed mains. I feel though that she will grow more in a second season. I see her taking on the leadership role. Park Gyu Young as a hippie/take no shit character though, I loved it!
Lee Eun Yoo, oh did I hate her at first. She was so bitchy but I mean I level with her, her brother was kind of an asshole at the beginning so...Her bitchiness was her way of hiding that she cared. She grew a lot as a character and by the end I loved her character. Go Min Shi was amazing per usual.
We'll do a rapid fire of the next few because I felt they deserved the Main Character title as well. Jung Jaeheon, I mean he did the ultimate sacrifice. Who didn't love him? Ahn Gil Seop, I feel like his character was robbed, we didn't even really get to see his reaction to Yuri's death. And he bled from the nose once but nothing else occurred to him? I was under the impression he was turning but then he never showed any more signs so I thought maybe not and then he just died, which I think was going to happen anyways but it felt a tad bit rushed. Park Yu Ri, she was pretty self-less, such a good character and god it pissed me off when Ui Myeong did what he did. Han Du Sik, such a lovable old man and he too, like Jaeheon, did the ultimate sacrifice. Lastly Ui Myeong, boy was crazy, I went back and forth on whether I liked him or not and yeah...I don't obviously but I will say his monster power has to be the freaking coolest.
Story:
It's pretty straightforward and gory but amazing! Are the real monsters the humans? We see them constantly at each other's throats in the beginning, later using Hyun Soo as their own personal bitch, forcing him to run and get supplies in the upper floors while simultaneously getting his ass handed to him each time he goes. They look at him like a monster whenever they are the real monsters. The turning isn't an illness, a virus or something curable. It's due to desire? It makes since in a few of the monster's cases, Myung Sook becomes a baby, which is exactly what she desired. Du Sik's feet transformed and he could walk again, he desired to walk again. But um...what exactly did Ui Myeong desire to be able to use his blood the way he does. What does Hyun Soo really desire when he gains the wings/blades on his arm? What does the giant in the one episode desire? The reoccurring tongue-monster from the first half? I felt that should've been explained more but again they are banking on a second season so hopefully all will be explained then.
Music:
It was not overdone like in typically k-dramas but I did have to laugh whenever that Imagine Dragons song plays during some scenes. It was fitting yes but also funny.
Rewatch Value:
100% I'd watch it again. I'm hoping for another season soon!
Overall Rating:
10/10
If you can get past the video-game like animation you're in for a great drama!
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Advertises itself to be about monsters taking over an apartment complex, but is much more
This review is solely based on the drama adaptation, as I have not read the web-toon and therefore, will not comment on it.Netflix's 10-episode Korean drama series in 2020 have truly been greatness after greatness, and Sweet Home does not fall flat on this.
Sweet Home is able to engage and emotionally withhold audiences by using the concept of 'monsters' as a metaphor for humans owns desires, and does it in a direct and sufficient way.
- STORY -
The story is fast-paced, due to having 10 episodes to basically in-take the entire storyline (with the hints of maybe a second season). Luckily, the writer is able to give a brief explanation on how these monsters came to be in the first two-three episodes, which is explained through the smart and well-written characters. As the writer does not explain everything, it leaves the audience engaged and interested in how to prevent these monsters from 'forming', and in need to see the characters they've developed emotional connections towards, succeed. The story does not have plot-holes, and is able to develop in a fast manner that is captivating and engaging for the audience.
While having 'horror' themes, the drama is not entirely scary, but rather wants you to focus on the main story and the metaphorical concept of ones desires, and how much they can take over oneself. There is no real romance themes, but is able to give hints of 'romance' through small gestures and spoken words between each character, that engages audiences who may only be interested in romance, into a story that isn't all about romance.
'Sweet Home' is able to make the audience question who deserves to live in these life-threatening situations, and how far people are willing to go in order to live their life, despite their brutal pasts.
- CHARACTERS -
The show sold me with not necessarily the story but, the characters. With only 10 episodes to break down the many characters introduced to us in a very short period of time, the writer is able to quickly but effectively reflect on the different personalities of the characters, as well as their history as each episode progresses. The characters (for the most part), think and act like their age, but do not do it in a typical 'horror' genre way. Most of the characters act smart, but with different ways of 'acting' on the monsters that perfectly reflect their ages, gender and values. All the characters are written to be faulted, not necessarily morally perfect, which aids audiences into the question of wether or not these individuals deserve to survive the monster infestation.
If you are someone, like myself, that becomes invested and emotionally connected to well-written characters, Sweet Home is a web-toon adaptation that is able to strongly invest time into its characters, and develop a hope for survival for each of them, despite their traumatic past.
- CONCLUSION -
Despite its flaws, such as the unusual choice of soundtrack in some action scenes, Sweet Home is able to connect each characters emotional past to both their desires, and the monsters that lurk around the apartment complex.
Sweet Home is a must-watch if you are someone who cares for well-written and realistic characters that, thankfully, do not play stupid in a monster infestation.
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