The sum of our parts.
Death's Game is an interesting narrative on being left alone in the world, including the worlds we make for ourselves, whether purposefully or through a vast turn of events that stack up one after the other.I had a lot of complicated feelings finishing the second part of this series.
It all started with Choi Yee Jae and his difficulties in life - a death on a day that he was supposed to be opening up a world of opportunities, isolation, struggling through jobs, being looked down on, and alienation. After a clinching decision, we then follow him on a journey of others who feel the same, and how he comes to terms with what he thought was true.
Something I really liked about Death's Game was that it really showed how being depressed made one forget all the good moments that led up to the darkness. How difficult it is to realize that the people around you are precious and don't find you a burden, and how, in those darkest moments, all you have left is yourself in a pit of despair that you were given with no choice in the matter.
The acting, build-up, cinematography, and overall storyline was amazing. I enjoyed it down to its grisly, bare bones. The star studded cast didn't disappoint, and they pulled out all the stops to it, which resulted in an absolute masterpiece of a drama.
So here's the clinching reason why I had complicated feelings towards this, and why I'm unlikely to come back to this despite how well it's pulled off. The subject of death, despair, depression, and understanding of love is prominent here, and I was absolutely enthralled by the relationships and portrayal of them. But since the series starts out addressing suicide, and then how it continues to tackle it in a rather outside looking in way, I'm not sure I was a fan of the message it subtly gave. If you watch this and deal with depression or have those near you that struggle with suicidal thoughts, I would go in prepared with several tablespoons of salt.
Other than this though, it was an enjoyable series, and even when I was annoyed, I was never bored of the storyline. It progresses quickly, nails all the underlying plot points, joins together beautifully, and really gives you some insight into those that deal with depression. All in all, I would say give it a go and form your own impression of it, but do so knowing this series is not in any way a light watch.
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Great adaptation of the webtoon
Wow. Daebak. I don't know what words could I use to describe my appreciation. The drama's cinematography was top notch. I especially loved the landscape shot after the 12th death. Based on the locations they chose and the actors that were in it, you can tell that the budget for this must be huge.I have read the webtoon but the drama made it so much better. The connection of the reincarnations to one person and the incident that started it all created an impact that the webtoon somehow lacked. The last reincarnation was expected but that twist for the second to the last (11th) reincarnation wasn't.
Oh Jung Se as the detective was definitely the one that shined the most for me in this 2nd part of the drama but the other actors did so great as well. Kim Jihoon was so convincing that I don't think I want to be close to him no matter how handsome he is, though to be honest I have felt this way about him since I've seen 'Flower of Evil'. The resolution of his arc might be unrealistic but was satisfying.
As an adaptation, this was truly great but it stayed on the limits of the webtoon. Like the original IP, it ended up just moralizing on the effect of suicide, somehow blaming those that killed themselves but did not delve into the how we can address the issues of mental health. But still, this is a show that I can definitely recommend.
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DO NOT JUDGE ME BUT...
While most people live with the hope that tomorrow may be better, we still have chance. I always lived with the hope that i have the power to kill myself and end it all! If life gets unbearable than I can just give up on this material body.But this drama portrayed the afterlife so badly! I understand the message they wanted to deliver was to prevent people from doing so, but guilt tripping suicidal people doesn't seem to be a good way.
As for me, I liked the entertainment part of it. Every part of it was so gripping! An unique plot is all we need!
Though I know this is not how afterlife works, still somehow, I feel even more hopeless and I'm sure it's not just me, more people are out there who feels like I do!
I liked how they portrayed the "Solipsism" theory. Lastly, I'd say it's worth watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
Explore what a life worth living is while diving into the world of various social issues.
⚠️ SLIGHT Spoilers ⚠️// Intro //
At first, "Death's Game" literally felt more like a fever dream than anything else. I wasn't entirely sure where it was headed, and nor did the producers I presume, until the last few episodes, when the plot, characters, and ideas all merged and the message of this show truly began to crystallize.
// Story //
Enter Choi Yee Jae. Exposition of the world he lives in, the people around him, and the issues he deals with are basic yet well-done, but it is entirely the development of the rest of the show that really sets it apart. This is not any cozy drama that you cuddle up to watch; it's a thoroughly intense yet thrilling drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting for more and more of each reincarnation, even though you're aware of the fact that each life Yee Jae moves through must come to an end.
Initially, the lingering feelings from the end of a ruined life spill over into his initial actions, but as he cycles through each life, Yee Jae must learn a lesson. After all, why did Death even choose to sentence him to such a cruel game? Early on, Yee Jae is the personification of human greed and egocentrism, and that becomes painstakingly obvious as he cycles through each life and fails to understand what lesson he should even be learning from the pain he goes through until the very last reincarnation.
A major takeaway of this show is definitely the issues that it sheds light on, including school bullying, corporate corruption, and I could keep listing things, but what lies at the heart of the show is, as the name suggests, the concept of death. Whether or not you choose the death of your life, one thing that is made clear is that you should never come to approach death before it comes to approach you. This very lesson is weaved tightly even into the rules of the very game Yee Jae plays. However, I found the implications of such a rule to be almost unfair in a certain way, especially to people at risk of suicide—a similar message to that of the show "Tomorrow".
And eventually, I came to the realization that this is a lesson that undermines the struggles and helplessness that suicidal people go through in their life. Even though suicidal people may have loved ones surrounding them, what about those that don't? The show tried to preach with religious undertones that almost felt like proselytization, and I don't think that this should be the underpinning of a show for the general masses. Another user pointed out that it would've been more valuable to let Yee Jae discover the true values of life, like, for example, how he may be able to reach self-actualization according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which could've been a far more satisfying ending than the constant droning that his act was "selfish"; he himself was suffering, so how could Death undermine his own suffering by forcing him to experience that of others!
The show wrongly tries to generalize the final message that suicide is wrong because it affects your loved ones to all suicidal people, when in reality this is most definitely not the case, with many having no loved ones at all. The juxtaposition of a flawed lesson with superb everything else, like the cast, production, etc. leaves me confused as to how to rate this drama, and this ended up making me give it a 6, solely due to the lack of an ethical message.
// Cast //
Needless to say, this was one of the most star-studded casts of all time. To be exhaustive in the list, we had our favorite 꽃미남들 including but not limited to Lee Do Hyun, Lee Jae Wook, and Yoo In Soo, favorite 아저씨들 Kim Jae Wook, Kim Won Hae, Oh Jung Se, and Jeong Hee Tae, favorite 아줌마 Kim Mi Gyung, and many other duly appreciated appearances like 우리 애기들 Kim Kang Hoon and Oh Ji Yul, our queen Go Youn Jung, and very unexpected appearance by Super Junior's Choi Si Won. Most of their appearances were short-lived and fleeting, but each and every actor, as expected, put on their best show for this show. Not a complete K-drama afficionado myself, but I wonder how they managed to get all these splendid actors.
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This review may contain spoilers
Sometimes Fates can be way worse than Death.
The show and the cast did total justice to the webtoon. Each and every character was played so well you do end up feeling all the emotions they wanted us to feel, from sympathy to hatred. The show sheds light on many dark topics that exist in our society and shows the monstrous side of humans.Park So Dam's comeback as the entity "Death" was a damn killer. She nailed it with her gothic vibe, cold and mysterious swag.
There were moments where it felt that the emotional development could have been done more like in the case of police inspector and the little girl one but otherwise there were moments which brought tears to my eyes like Yi Jae realizing the pain he ended up giving his mom by killing himself and then living as her watching all the pain and suffering she went through before and after he was born was so hard hitting.
Damn I felt so satisfied with the fate of KimJi Hoon, dude was evil to the core and deserved fate worse than death which he got. Live the rest of his life rotting and wishing for death. KJH really knows how to pull psychopaths off and make everyone hate his characters.
I hoped for a more concluding ending rather than just a 5 sec clip. After all the pain, trauma and self realization he went through I really wanted to see the ending being a happy moment of reunion between him and his mother or Ji Soo.
Overall the show had a stellar star cast and an engaging story which will keep you on the edge. Hell of a start for 2024 with this show.
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This review may contain spoilers
OMG THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK ABT
I literally just finished this and all I got to say is wow. This series was something else.From the first start when I saw the cast I screamed and automatically knew that this series was going to be lit but this lit? Just like we can just start of the acting with THE CAST. Just OMFG THE CAST IS THE CAST. Every EVERY character was on point and was on fire along with the story. Just like Lee Jae Wooks character matched him so well and ofc he killed it but like he killed it SO MUCH. Also Lee Do hyun KILLED IT HIS CHARACTER FITTED HIM SO DAMN WELL! And literally every other. Having Seo in guk as main was a GREAT PLOT HE ABSOLUTELY KILLED THIS SERIES. A clear 10/10 on the acting and cast.
Not even starting at the story cause omg. The story and plot is just so good. Something rare AND I LOVE IT. I can’t describe how much I love them for this story cause it was so good. NOT A SINGLE BORING EPISODE, and I’m also someone how skips like a little here and there but on this I DID NOT SKIP ANYTHING CAUSE OH MY. MY EYES WERE GLUED IN TO THIS.
The ending was just good. Like not bad not kinda opened but I don’t know what I was expecting so I’m happy about it.
I really recommend this series like don’t hesitate if ur trying to choose if ur going to watch it cause ur not going to regret it AT ALL. A clear 10/10 for me l. Want more series like this !
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This review may contain spoilers
Don't take life for granted.
I never thought this drama would have me rethinking a lot of stuff in my life. The drama overall was really great. With a great plot and a great cast, a drama can succeed. What started as selfishness ended up being awareness.With almost all of the lives connecting to Taewoo, I liked the way it ended with him. With all of the lives he cost, he got what he deserved.
Yijae's mom, Jisoo, Hyuksoo, and the baby's deaths made me cry so much. Those kids and Jisoo weren't connected to Taewoo in any way but still died in the hands of absolute psychos, and those deaths hurt the most, especially the kids. I'm glad Yijae's last life was through his mom. He needed that wake-up call because what he did really hurt his mom. She lived her life for him, and in a way, he did the same in return. With that, I'm glad he realized his mistake and got his second chance.
While looking through the lives of others and walking in their shoes can be exciting, it doesn't mean they're your size. Walking in other people's shoes can only be uncomfortable because they're not your shoes to walk in. There is only one of you. Only you can truly be you. That's what this drama has been trying to tell us this whole time.
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You've Got to Watch This Drama!!
Wow! Wow!I cried a bucket of tears after finishing the last episode and I still feel the reminiscence of this drama lingering even after. I loved season 1 and how it was about death and the games it played with Yi Jae. It felt like a game then and then you come into this season and you realize it was never a game for death, it was never meant to be one as I thought, but rather it was about making Yi Jae realize the worst sin he had committed. Not taking his own life, but the pain he put his loved ones, the ones left behind even after he is gone.
I wasn't expecting the last life to be his Mom. I wondered if death would give his Mom's life as the last one but then thought it would be too cruel. And then when it happened I was just flabbergasted, because yes, it was definitely the most cruel and scariest punishment he could've gotten. To feel the pain his loved one's felt by his actions. And it brought him down to his feet as he should've been. He took his own life thinking it would put all the pain to an end without a thought about what will happen to his partner or his mother. He was selfish and even after dying countless times he still didn't understand what did he do so wrong or why what he did was a selfish act. It was a humbling moment to be put in his loved ones pain and live their life feeling those pain till their end. And while in other soul's he found death easily, death never sought him while he lived as his mother. It took its sweet time, making him live it over and over again.
This drama handles a very sensitive and triggering topic. One that can't be made fun of or taken lightly and I was scared that this would make it look too insignificant. So, I loved it when this drama showed the graveness of suicide and what happens when you choose an easy way out. What happens to the ones left behind. That it is the most sinful act you could do to them, not to yourself but to the loved ones.
Lastly, the rest of the supporting cast in this drama is A++++. It's insane how the casting director casted these characters so aptly and I was just impressed with the whole cast and how I loved each character. Though I knew death was around the corner for each and every single one of them, the story telling made me want to just let them live. Let them not have this unfair ending.
I would definitely recommend this drama to every drama lover out there. I don't think I would rewatch this since it's a painful topic and it was triggering here and there, I am glad I did watch it once.
Truly an amazing story with an amazing stellar cast!
Rating: 9.5/10
P.S. I wish the director would make a variety show with all the casts in this drama so the ache would go away a bit!
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There is only one you in the world
Part one was near perfection, and this was a masterpiece.I'm still reeling from what I witnessed because what began as a revenge plot turned into one of the most poignant retrospect about life.
It's all too complicated to explain the experiences and emotions that Yi Jae is put through his 12 reincarnations, the pain of leaving his loved ones behind, losing someone he loves, living not knowing who he is, and living as if he isn't really living. It isn't until he finally experiences the memories and feelings of the 12 people in full does he truly start living.
Once again, the cast just, wow. I have no other words to describe how amazing this cast was. The guest stars, it is incredible how each of them portrayed their own characters, in addition to portraying their character as Yi Jae. Seo In Guk and Park Seo Dam get an extra round of applause, they played off each other so well, and boy can Seo In Guk act! Admittedly, these four episodes were much more emotional than the previous ones and he brought his A game.
This was a genuinely incredible drama, it is difficult to deal with this many genres and still provide a flawless production in just 8 episodes. However the interpretation, whatever it was that caught your attention, this is an enjoyable ride, through and through.
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Incredible one of the top dramas.
I will keep this short but this was a wickedly good if not incredibly dark drama.I watched part one and felt it was a different drama from the typical KDramas out there. It is a unique approach taken on a difficult subject with a combination of overwhelming sadness, dark humor, and fast paced action. Its a pretty dark storyline so nothing pretty or bubbly about it. Part two continued to blow me away with the emotional intensity especially towards the end when he lives out his last character.
Incredibly good and glad I watched this.
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meio doty msm ..
n estava botando fe pq n confio nisso de elenco bom tudo famosinho sempre sai cada bosta cada bomba os piores do ano mas esse mores esse lacrou !!inguk foi perfeito pro papel, eu vi q meu bebê ficou mt mal pq teve q fzr uma cena no alto e ele tem medo d altura ? e a sodam tb fodastica tava se recuperando e mesmo assim foi Incrivel p papel ela nunca decepciona.
me deixaram ate com depressao as mortes estou refletindo e n irei mais mmt gracas a eles minhas salvacao .
prime tu pisa vey
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This review may contain spoilers
I love this but...
The first part of the drama was an absolute masterpiece! It went from mystery -> thriller -> romance in such a short span yet they managed to give an emotional fulfillment with each episode. The second part was all about intense action & bloody revenge against the villain and then bam! a whole episode of life lesson and guilt tripping suicidal people. Don't misunderstand me! I love this drama, that's why I give it a high rating. But, something about that last episode doesn't sit right with me. I get that they are trying to give moral message by saying that we should be grateful for living. But, well.. not everyone has the same 'blessing' as Choi Yee Jae by having a caring mom & girlfriend as his support system.The acting was no doubt, perfect! All these actors was living up to my expectation.
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