Mind you, this is just the first part!
Death's Game is a mind-bending show that had me hooked from the start.
So, Choi Yi Jae's life is in shambles, and just when he thinks it can't get worse, Death herself shows up with a twisted game. As Choi faces death repeatedly in 12 different lives, the storyline takes unexpected turns, making you question the value of life itself. In just 4 episodes the series brilliantly explores the ripple effect of one person's choices on the lives of others.
Of course, the top-notch cast delivers performances that keep you glued to the screen,
and the cameos are a delightful addition, giving their best performances.
Death's Game is not just about survival; it's a poignant reflection on the impact we have on those around us, making it a must-watch for anyone looking for a unique blend of suspense, drama, and a touch of existential questioning.
Now Im so ready for the second part.
I might need a box of tissue.
Was this review helpful to you?
Deaths Game : The Rise and Fall of 12 Lives in a Fast Paced Epic
The first 4 episodes were fast paced featuring fantastic action and moments of dark humor. The show carries a powerful message and the screenplay is engaging. Overall the first part was quite impressive.My main concern is the 12 deaths meaning the main character is reincarnated 12 times. Unfortunately, many of these reincarnations don't get enough screen time, making it hard to connect with those characters. Only Lee Dohyun, Lee Jaewook and Kim Kanghoon's characters stand out as they receive appropriate screen space and their stories unfold at a well paced rhythm allowing for a more profound connection. Considering the 12 deaths allocating a full 45-55 minute episode to each reincarnation could have provided a more convincing portrayal of their stories.
Aside from this, the production quality and acting were exceptional. I especially enjoyed Seo In guk, Park Sodam, Lee Dohyun, Lee Jaewook, Yoo Insoo and Kim Kanghoon's performances.
The CGIs were acceptable though there was room for improvement.
Btw Go Younjung and Lee Dohyun have natural chemistry and i hope to see them together in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
Philosophy and Penalties of Death
This drama is dark with a philosophical take on what it means to take your own life and the value of life itself. I felt it took a strong opinionated approach on the value and the meaning of a life despite how trapped, sad, and dire one's circumstances are. In a world that is becoming increasingly hyper competitive with the sociopathy of capitalism , more socially isolating but at the same time hyper socially connected in ways that can be superficial and heightens the loneliness we feel with our comparative social standing to others, the protagonist is a victim of these circumstances. He runs into a series of misfortune and mishaps for years, he seems to be unable to catch a break and feels stuck in a life where he is constantly hustling in several lowly paid and low status jobs while his youth is being sucked away from him. All he wanted was to make a decent living in a real job, marry his girlfriend and have a family but it seems even that "middle class dream" is out of reach. What is a man to do when he is grinded down to the point where he sees no hope, no future worth living for?The drama seems to take a hard stance or at least Death does when she puts the protagonist through a series of tests in the bodies and lives of different people from all walks of life who are destined to meet their end unless the protagonist can figure a way to avert death. If he averts death, he can have his chance to live again. Death raises the questions: Was it a selfish decision he made to take his life? Did he consider the impact on his loved ones? Did he take his life for granted? While he took his life, there were others who had no free will when their lives abruptly ended.
The acting is good, the ML has taken unconventional roles in the previous dramas and the FL as Death was in Parasite. It also has an unconventional approach where the ML reincarnates into different people, multiple actors take the lead in different storylines.
The storyline is incredibly fast paced, engaging, and at times difficult to stomach with its traumatic dark themes.
Was this review helpful to you?
It was not just a show, It was a life lesson.
Where should I start?This story is written with ink made from tears, passion and love.
I still can't believe how much I cried watching this masterpiece and this is unusual to me.
This is with no question my new favourite fiction of all time.
I feel it was written for me as a gift, it got everything i like in fiction, every single thing, drama, fantasy , time travel, romance, serial killers, detective, highschool, bullying, action...
It open my eyes and made me remember my believes and even strengthen them.
As a writer i will Stand applause for the screenwriters for 8 hours straight for the 8 hours lesson they thought me on not just life but in writing too because they put all there passion in this great work of art so Thank you for your hard work.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Stellar casting, meh drama
In the end, the casting saved the show from. An otherwise patronising show.I'm so tired of school bullying scenes, I skipped that episode entirely.
The first half was more balanced, then it abruptly be one a crime show.
Kim Ji Hoon gets typecast as the villain too much, and his "crazy eyes routine" are not effective anymore, expecially when border parody, like in this instance.
You could tell Kim Jae Wook and Park So Dam were having a lot of fun in their part.
Oh Jung-se gets the most screen time so we get to empathise a bit more with him.
What it left in the end is the crazy moto chase and the serial killers duel.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good Enough
Korean Drama '' Death's Game '' is a webtoon adaption of an action packed story.The drama has multiple layers, as it goes from a melodrama, to a tragic love story, to a family emotional drama, to a murder mystery, to a fantasy philosophical story. And, as it follows multiple stories, it provides the main plot with many elements that come together in the end.
And even though the start of the story is hectic, the drama settles to its rhythm in the episodes to come, giving the story a nice and original ending and plenty of emotional scenes.
Finally, the performances were all great by everyone in the cast.
So, overall, eight out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
Supernatural thriller x emotional rollercoaster
(Reviewing the entire show here)When I started death's game, I was fairly intrigued. The idea of a character being forced to live 12 lives that are destined to end quickly was an exciting plot idea, and I was curios to see where they could take it. As the show progresses, it gets more and more interesting.
Yee-jae's life seems to be clouded by misfortune. Without ever being able to catch a break, he decides to take his own life, only to be confronted by Death herself with a punishment that she sees fit: he must live as (and attempt to prevent the imminent death of ) 12 different people. But no matter how hard he tries to prevent them, the deaths seem completely unavoidable. Slowly, he realizes that the deaths he's facing seem to be related, and so he attempts to figure out this common denominator using the knowledge of all the lives he's lived. Naturally, Death doesn't want him messing around in her punishment, and is sure to make each death more painful than the last.
This show was much more emotional than I thought it would be, and I really enjoyed it. I thought that the way the episodes led into the next was well done, and it didn't feel like the tone shifted abruptly, but rather throughout each life Yee-jae lived, he seemed to learn more and become more empathetic. The cast was AMAZING and did an excellent job portraying these very different characters, while still conveying the same emotions that Yee-jae would have felt in every new situation. The ending was very well done, and wrapped up the show very nicely. It's a fairly short watch, and definitely worth taking a look at!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Something new and different
hen a man at the end of his rope tries to take his life, he's confronted with Death. As punishment for taking his life so lightly, Death forces him to go through 12 different lives — with 12 impending gruesome deaths. The only way he'll be able to save himself is if he survives Death's game. Gorgeous directing, brilliant acting, and a fast-paced story, the first half of Death’s Game comes out of the gate running and doesn’t stop. A bleak tale about a man who ends his life, even death offers him little solace as he is forced to play a game as punishment for his sins. Will our doomed protagonist learn his lesson at the end of this twisted journey, or will he continue to chase after the things that brought him ruin?Was this review helpful to you?
Reincarnate Until You Value Life
The story is about someone who's dead because of suicide. After he dies, he meets a woman that gives a chance for him to reincarnate again as someone else to experience death. He must death 12 times like a clock time to get into God's trial or else He can go to hell. Not long after that, He decided to take the trial and live as someone else back in the world to experience death in multiple ways that are not proper.*Lot of blood and gore scene so make sure you are not afraid against blood.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great adaptation of the Webtoon
I have read the Death's game webtoon and looking forward to watch this series.There's some different with the webtoon, but overall the storylines is still according to the webtoon.
Love the acting of all the casts, especially the main lead and all the actors and actress from Alchemy of the Soul.. LOL..
Looking forward for the next season and hopefully they keep the original story and maintain the pace of the story.
Overall those who has read the webtoon or have not read, this series is worth the watch
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Death’s Game has an interesting and thought-provoking premise. There is also fun to be had from spotting famous Korean actors in cameos or supporting roles. The amount of blood is not too surprising since death is the main topic but it gets very very gory several episodes in -- the type that curls your toes and feels gratuitous after awhile. On the plus side Seo In Guk does a great acting job, as do most of the other actors. But I wish that Park So Dam as Death had showed a little more nuance or range towards the end. Her acting seemed monotonous after awhile. There are also some logic gaps in the story that one has to ignore.Mild spoiler: This is a drama where nothing changes but at the same time everything changes. And it is pretty powerful as an anti-suicide argument. I give it points for that.
Was this review helpful to you?
