3
12
1
Maritza
Serbia
A worthy successor
I`d like to pose a cautionary reference/grade if you will:
I have obviously seen "The Glory: Part One" and rated it a 7,5.My rating hasn`t changed since then,but I haven`t written a dedicated review for it.
Secondly,as I do with all my reviews,I`d like to congratulate every actor,director,writer,down to every staff member for participating in the making of this drama.Creating a drama is hard and the effort should be recognized accordingly.
With that out of the way,I can begin my review properly.
I`m starting off my review of "The Glory: Part Two" by listing what I did like in this revenge fueled,mean spirited but fun journey.The villains:Park Yeon Jin,Jeon Jae Joon,Choi Hye Jeong,Song Myeong Oh and Lee Sa Ra,played by Lim Ji Yeon,Park Sung Hoon,Cha Joo Young,Kim Gun Woo and Kim Hi Oera,respectively.I don`t know if it`s wrong to like this bully bunch,but if it is,I don`t wanna be right.I absolutely believe "The Glory" would be nothing without its antagonists.Despite some overdramatic mishaps and holes in writing(later on that),every one of them never cuts corners.They decided to work for that paycheck and it shows.Absolute delight and I hope to see more of them in future projects,especially Cha Joo Young,my personal favorite.
Not to mention,Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Yeong.The best acting job,besides Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyeon Nam,positive,albeit somewhat tragic assistant of our protagonist.When I think about who most naturally adapted to their character,it`d definitely be these two.In fact,I wanted even more of them.A lot more that we got.
Another point would be in regards to cinematography.As with most Netflix backed projects,it looks great.The colors pop when they need to and it`s appropriately somber at times.As it should be.The tones were conveyed competently,including the OST,which never felt out of place.Also,the ending was actually satisfying and in today`s KDrama climate,that`s something to applaud.Not only that,but this drama has some very memorable scenes,courtesy of its antagonists mostly.
What the first part probably has over the sequel(which,one thing:This drama should NOT have been separated into two seasons.I get why it was done ahem,but there`s no actual benefit for the viewer in this separation) is the novelty and writing.Despite this having a lot more action,it FELT a lot slower and in parts,the pacing suffered greatly.Like some stated before,some important characterization and logic were sacrificed in favor of a very subpar romance.Also,as I praised the villains,I did praise their actors.The way they dumbed them down in the script,however,I`d have to mention here.Yeon Jin in particular is greatly wounded by the `convenience over logic` trope.I won`t spoil it for you,but on more than one occasion,she made choices her character wouldn`t commit in that way.And the excuse of `she panicked` very much feels like a cop out in this case.While I mentioned how the ending was good,and it was,make no mistake,I don`t feel like it was achieved thanks to our glorious revenge,as much as luck and having the right connections,so to speak.Like I also noted,Ha Do Yeong should`ve had a bigger role and impact.I`d take his character over Lee Do Hyun`s any day,and I,like many,have a soft spot for Lee Do Hyun.
Guess this is as good of a segue as any:What I can observe as a viewer who enjoyed this drama well enough,is that both Moon Dong Eun,our beautiful,tortured and determined lead and Joo Yeo Jeong,a sweet albeit,distanced plastic surgeon,her headsman and love interest,are played...adequately.Here`s the thing:Besides her beauty and "Full House",it always seemed to me Song Hye Kyo was holding back.Her expressions,intonations,body language...like in previous projects,it`s also felt here.In a smaller measure,to be quite honest,there are moments I thought she was legitimately good.But it always seems to me like she`s afraid to unleash her potential in full capacity.Yeom Hye Ran is a great example of what I mean.That woman can ACT and she does that.I always get immersed in her characters.
As for Lee Do Hyun,he`s been,unfortunately typecast once again,as a somewhat inoffensive,warm hearted younger male lead to a colder,more intellectually driven older female lead.He`s never really TRIED to get lost in a character he plays,but their romance here is very,very underwhelming and kind of even one note,and a fair chunk of the runtime is given to it.So that`s why it`s even more of a surprise.
Finally,I have to repeat myself:I do think this is a GOOD drama.I`m a sucker for revenge themes in my media,in general.It`s just now,to me,more obvious what can be improved upon whereas the First Part was able to hide those cracks just a bit better.
A story that can,at times,leaving you wanting more,still was an entertaining ride. I`d recommend this drama,just manage your expectations,based on generous reviews left by others.
I have obviously seen "The Glory: Part One" and rated it a 7,5.My rating hasn`t changed since then,but I haven`t written a dedicated review for it.
Secondly,as I do with all my reviews,I`d like to congratulate every actor,director,writer,down to every staff member for participating in the making of this drama.Creating a drama is hard and the effort should be recognized accordingly.
With that out of the way,I can begin my review properly.
I`m starting off my review of "The Glory: Part Two" by listing what I did like in this revenge fueled,mean spirited but fun journey.The villains:Park Yeon Jin,Jeon Jae Joon,Choi Hye Jeong,Song Myeong Oh and Lee Sa Ra,played by Lim Ji Yeon,Park Sung Hoon,Cha Joo Young,Kim Gun Woo and Kim Hi Oera,respectively.I don`t know if it`s wrong to like this bully bunch,but if it is,I don`t wanna be right.I absolutely believe "The Glory" would be nothing without its antagonists.Despite some overdramatic mishaps and holes in writing(later on that),every one of them never cuts corners.They decided to work for that paycheck and it shows.Absolute delight and I hope to see more of them in future projects,especially Cha Joo Young,my personal favorite.
Not to mention,Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Yeong.The best acting job,besides Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyeon Nam,positive,albeit somewhat tragic assistant of our protagonist.When I think about who most naturally adapted to their character,it`d definitely be these two.In fact,I wanted even more of them.A lot more that we got.
Another point would be in regards to cinematography.As with most Netflix backed projects,it looks great.The colors pop when they need to and it`s appropriately somber at times.As it should be.The tones were conveyed competently,including the OST,which never felt out of place.Also,the ending was actually satisfying and in today`s KDrama climate,that`s something to applaud.Not only that,but this drama has some very memorable scenes,courtesy of its antagonists mostly.
What the first part probably has over the sequel(which,one thing:This drama should NOT have been separated into two seasons.I get why it was done ahem,but there`s no actual benefit for the viewer in this separation) is the novelty and writing.Despite this having a lot more action,it FELT a lot slower and in parts,the pacing suffered greatly.Like some stated before,some important characterization and logic were sacrificed in favor of a very subpar romance.Also,as I praised the villains,I did praise their actors.The way they dumbed them down in the script,however,I`d have to mention here.Yeon Jin in particular is greatly wounded by the `convenience over logic` trope.I won`t spoil it for you,but on more than one occasion,she made choices her character wouldn`t commit in that way.And the excuse of `she panicked` very much feels like a cop out in this case.While I mentioned how the ending was good,and it was,make no mistake,I don`t feel like it was achieved thanks to our glorious revenge,as much as luck and having the right connections,so to speak.Like I also noted,Ha Do Yeong should`ve had a bigger role and impact.I`d take his character over Lee Do Hyun`s any day,and I,like many,have a soft spot for Lee Do Hyun.
Guess this is as good of a segue as any:What I can observe as a viewer who enjoyed this drama well enough,is that both Moon Dong Eun,our beautiful,tortured and determined lead and Joo Yeo Jeong,a sweet albeit,distanced plastic surgeon,her headsman and love interest,are played...adequately.Here`s the thing:Besides her beauty and "Full House",it always seemed to me Song Hye Kyo was holding back.Her expressions,intonations,body language...like in previous projects,it`s also felt here.In a smaller measure,to be quite honest,there are moments I thought she was legitimately good.But it always seems to me like she`s afraid to unleash her potential in full capacity.Yeom Hye Ran is a great example of what I mean.That woman can ACT and she does that.I always get immersed in her characters.
As for Lee Do Hyun,he`s been,unfortunately typecast once again,as a somewhat inoffensive,warm hearted younger male lead to a colder,more intellectually driven older female lead.He`s never really TRIED to get lost in a character he plays,but their romance here is very,very underwhelming and kind of even one note,and a fair chunk of the runtime is given to it.So that`s why it`s even more of a surprise.
Finally,I have to repeat myself:I do think this is a GOOD drama.I`m a sucker for revenge themes in my media,in general.It`s just now,to me,more obvious what can be improved upon whereas the First Part was able to hide those cracks just a bit better.
A story that can,at times,leaving you wanting more,still was an entertaining ride. I`d recommend this drama,just manage your expectations,based on generous reviews left by others.
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