Listened to the OST for a week after finishing the drama
Context:1. Not a big fan of fluffy romance
2. I enjoy the "tragic ending"
3. Love when there's a good friendship arc
Plot-wise, I do thing the past + present did tie in well together. The way they switched between present to past scenes and the pace they revealed the details in the past was done smoothly. They revealed just enough each episode to keep you interested to know more. As a side-note, at some point, I did find the present scenes a bit dragging. But it might have also been because I started losing interest in the romantic scenes. Please note though that my love for this drama might have been influenced by the kinda-sad ending. There's something about tragic romance that really gets to me.
Acting-wise, I really enjoyed Yoo Ah In's (ML's) acting here. I have to say that I was never his biggest fan but after watching this, I'm interested to see more of his works. The FL and 2ML were good but I don't think I could say I was blown away by their performances.
Music-wise, I LOVED THE OST. As you can tell from my subject, I replayed the songs for a week. They fit well with the scenes with their OST as the background music and you can tell from the multiple fan made video montages. It also helps that I love listening to sad OSTs after watching a sad story.
Character-wise, I really liked the friendship between the characters. While there is a romance aspect to the story, they was sufficient screen time to watch their friendship develop. It's one of those dynamics where even if you know that 2 are going to end up together, the 3rd friend is still an important part of the group and not just a plot devise to spur the romance of the furst 2 characters. This trio is honestly one of my top drama squads. I also liked the comic relief that the girl's other friends bring.
Overall, it's a story with good flow, interesting characters, solid friendship and relationship development, and a great OST. It's a good introduction to historical/period piece, since the other half is present-day. Be ready for some heartbreaking scenes which are super worth it and fit really well to the overall story. I really love this show; the only reason I wouldn't say it's my top drama is simply because I hated the present day fluff. But if the combination of that is your cup of tea, you might find you next favorite drama!
P.S. It's a great introduction to Yoo Ah In if you haven't watched him in other shows. And even if you have but haven't seen this show, I just want to say: 1930s Yoo Ah In is just *chef's kiss*.
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As a history student, I have to admit that I’m a little biased towards any storyline related to the past. This drama strikes the perfect balance between the thrilling, nostalgic sights of the 1930s and the modern present day. There is an acute nostalgia and yearning for the past in this drama; though the history we are given is dark and painful, it is also homely.
As well as this, the storytelling is very clever. The slow unravelling of the past which is contrasted against the present is so smart and well done. As the series goes on, more and more parallels are drawn between the characters, their relationships and the storylines. It’s a very satisfying feeling and as a result is very nice to watch. If I’m honest, the first half isn’t as gripping as the last half, but there is a pretty good set up and if you stick with it everything is revealed so perfectly.
The narrative itself is a little slow and, as a lot of people have said before me. is full of filler. Yet the cute and funny scenes give depth and sweetness to the characters and help you get to know them better. The slow and often silly tone of the story adds to the general feel of the show, and therefore I don’t really see the pacing as a flaw. Giving the characters time to interact with each other and have fun together makes the heavy parts of the show (which are excellent) a lot lighter. Generally, the shows atmosphere is moving, funny, and painful, which is coupled with the most perfect soundtrack that is so lovely to listen to and definitely adds to the scenes.
It’s clear though that, other than the atmosphere, the characters in this drama are it’s strongest area. The casting is perfect. Im Soo Jung is particularly strong here, and delivers a complex, hilarious depiction of both a fangirl and a sniper, who are so different and yet so similar. The other lead, Yoo Ah-In, is spectacular in presenting two tortured and interesting characters who are both lovable and irritating. And of course, Jin-oh’s actor is incredible at giving us our perfect second lead, and the other members of the cast are just so good at presenting characters which are morally grey and a delight to watch. The antagonist, Baek Tae-min, is someone who I hate very much, yet he was still so fascinating and complex that I couldn’t look away in his scenes.
What’s interesting about this drama is the flaws it gives it’s characters. It doesn’t shy away from messy personalities, painful backstories and questionable motivations; every character is interesting in their own right. The relationship between them is what drives the story - the main trio are a heartbreaking representation of immortal friendship and their love for each other is so, so heartwarming and at the centre of this story. It will be with me for a long time - I’m not usually a fan of dramas surrounding friendship, but I think I’ve been converted.
The romance was so lovely. Very tender and very heartbreaking. Every romantic scene between the leads was delivered perfectly and always made me either squeal or cry. Definitely a good slow burn. I also like how Yoo Jin was never selfish and always loved Jeon Seol wholeheartedly, and this never ruined any friendships... it’s a more mature take on romance and a love triangle that isn’t suffocating. Plus, the prioritisation of friendship over romance in this drama works so well! I’d say there are many tropes and cliches, which are sometimes a little over the top, but they don’t take away from the story and are super cute.
The ending itself was moving and a good way to wrap up the show, but admittedly I liked scenes prior to the finale a lot more (most notably the goldmine that is episode 15 and some parts of episode 16 were strong). The ambiguity, which is also at the heart of this show, means you can basically form your own ending in your head. Either way, I wasn’t disappointed and I wouldn’t say it was unfulfilling. Each storyline is basically resolved, although some are left untied, but like I said ambiguity is central to the show and you can come to your own conclusions. Most character arcs were well developed and I especially loved the development of Han Se Joo! This show is so good at character development.
Another striking thing about this drama was it’s use of places. Carpe Diem and the writing room are key examples of the use of scenery to add to the story, to the point where they feel like characters. The subsequent use of these sceneries throughout the show just really gives them a sense of familiarity and it’s really nice to watch the characters interact and push forward in the places they call home.
Music, scenery, atmosphere and the characters were all put together perfectly to create a drama with it’s own personality. It isn’t perfect by any means, but it has its own spirit, moving characters and the most heartbreaking of stories that will be so hard to forget.
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this is real gem in k drama world which should not be missed
I generally don't write reviews even after watching many great dramas but this one was exception to it.I was so submerged into it i never skipped any part of it.
if you are planning to watch something different yet great drama this is it at first I was hesitating to watch it as i was not into serious dramas but this one is different if u are planning to watch something this is it
at least watch first episode if u r confused...it is totally worth it..
at last all actors did great job cant even imagine any other person in that roles.....
one of the masterpieces must watch
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This review may contain spoilers
A Masterpiece
I was reluctant to watch Chicago Typewriter as I had the impression that it was sad, dark and depressing. An angst ridden trauma of a show. I couldn't have been more wrong. There is a lot of humour in the script, superb acting, particularly from Yoo Ah In and Go Kyung Pyo. I binge watched as Chicago Typewriter is leaving Netflix at the end of September 2021.If you've read the synopsis of the story, you'd know that the story follows two men and a woman in two eras, one during 1930's Japanese occupation and the other in the 21st century. The lives of the three characters are entwined in both eras.
Ultimately it's a story about love and friendship. Devotion to others and loyalty to their country and the willingness to sacrifice to achieve the desired results, regardless of personal safety.
Han Se Joo/ Seo Hwi Young (the always brilliant Yoo Ah In) is a writer in both eras, successfully so in the current time, but suffering writers block.
Yoo Jin Oh/Shin Yul (Go Kyung Pyo) is a free spirited bar owner on his past life, and a mysterious Ghost writer who helps Se Joo with his writing slump.
Jun Seol/Ryu Soo Hyun (Im Soo Jung) is a veterinarian and Jill-Of-All-Trades, she is Han Se Joo's first and most devoted fan. She was a sniper for Korean liberation and her skills with a firearm have bleed over into her current Life.
The story moves between to two time period as our three friends in the 21st century attempt to unravel what happened in the past.
The three actors have lovely chemistry, and have individual relationships with each other in both lives. The two men have an amazing friendship and great love for each other. They both love Seol/Soo Hyun but it doesn't effect their friendship.
The OST was very nice, soft and uniquely suited to both eras. The ending was just right.
A very special (and extremely shallow) mention to Yoo Ah In's hair. He can rock a buzz cut and holy moly he was beautiful with his floppy 1930's poet hair. Old school dreamy.
I highly recommend watching Chicago Typewriter. Boo to Netflix for removing it from their roster.
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It's more than the summary.... I regret waiting so long to watch this.
I have to start by stating the summary just didn't pull me into the drama. I read the summary and immediately thought, "yeah, this drama is not for me." I honestly thought it would be a very boring and unappealing drama.Boy, was I wrong!! If it weren't for my friend watching it before I did, I never would have picked up this drama. She told me "it's right up your alley. Trust me." As she has been right many, many times, I finally decided to watch it. If I don't like it, we'll drop it and watch something else.
Han Se-Ju' hairstyle distracted me at first. I was like "WHY?" But honestly, it grew on me by the end of the drama.
Okay enough rabbit trails...
The most exciting part of the drama for me was the past life aspect. I have not watched many dramas with that component, but the ones I have watched didn't keep my attention for long. I was lost in the back and forth movements from present to past and back to present. However, Chicago Typewriter did no such thing. The flashbacks were well placed. They were short when they needed to be but detailed. And the longer flashbacks were well placed within the drama. There were parts of the past life story line that were predictable and then there were parts that were surprising.
Also, the part of the summary that had me not wanting to watch the drama was the writer's block. How can that be an interesting plot line? I understand the depression, but how can they make a 16 episode drama about writer's block? I laugh at my thoughts. Seriously... hindsight is 20/20. I should not have let that stop me from watching this back in 2017.
I won't spoil anything. SO I don't want to focus too much on the ending. But I will say, I was satisfied. Beyond satisfied. If the ending was any different, I would have been extremely disappointed. This ending, while bittersweet, was the most appropriate ending (I believe) for this type of story.
The OST added to the drama. It didn't distract from the story. It added depth and made certain scenes more impactful. I just loved the music. I found it to be well placed and beautiful!
I'm not much of a writer, unlike Han Se Ju, so I will leave you with this. Chicago typewriter is a beautiful drama that is delicate, yet intricate. It will capture your attention fairly quickly (especially if you like supernatural qualities in dramas). It's emotional. It's thrilling. And in the right places... it's funny. I wouldn't say I was on the edge of my seat, but I was emotionally captivated.
I hope you enjoy this drama as much as I did.
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A Beautiful, Meandering Journey to Make Peace with the Past
Good Things:• The bromance. ML and SML share a close and complicated friendship that spans lifetimes. It's given equal weight to and at times overshadows the romance; one of few Kdramas that might give you second lead syndrome with both FL and ML.
• The genre/trope grab bag. Romcom? Check. Political thriller? Sure. Whodunit Mystery? Of course. Ghosts? Yep. Magic? You betcha. Time Travel? Why not? All of it is worked into the narrative, and none of it feels gimmicky or out of place.
• The metaphorical journey. Not only are the leads scarred by personal tragedy, they represent the shared trauma of a nation under occupation. In their struggle to understand and make peace with it, they personify the transition from war-torn past to more hopeful present.
• The red threads. While FL, ML and SML are the heart of the story, there's a tapestry of connection that touches the lives of other characters as well. They all have a part to play in how it all plays out again.
• The vintage fashion. Proof that three-piece suits are always in style.
Bad Things:
• The pacing. One of the most uneven starts in Kdrama, because of...
• The parallel plots. The past is an epic tragedy unfolding, the present is light-hearted romcom where FL, ML and SML all take turns being the third wheel. The two stories feel disconnected at first and take a while to reach equilibrium.
Interesting Things:
• Jin Soo Wan also wrote Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) and Kill Me, Heal Me (2015).
• Kim Chul Gyu also directed Mother (2018) and Flower of Evil (2020).
Recommended if you're a fan of Goblin, bromance, layered narratives or plot-driven romcoms and have the patience for very meandering start as the story gets all its ducks in a row.
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This review may contain spoilers
Really fun period mixing ghost drama.
This drama was super fun to watch even though the story got pretty emotional toward the end. There's a lot of comedy, the actors all did a really impressive job playing off each other, the music was really well done. The female lead is just annoying enough to keep you entertained. The male lead is your typical conceited jerk K-drama trope guy, but he gets more interesting as the show goes on. The supporting characters all had really fulfilling and relevant storylines. The sets and visuals were all really appealing to look at. The god was gorgeous. But more than all of that, the storyline was exceptionally well done and interesting with plenty of comedy to break up the more serious moments.The only thing I didn't like much about the show was the male lead's haircut. It was such a bad look for him that I skipped over this show several times before I gave it a chance.
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Really a unique drama AND (Definitely UNDERRATED)
First episode I was little bored with what is going on, but as I keep watching it went really well, ending of the first episode is what made this drama interesting and kept me into it. After that it was really a fun story, there is comedy, romance and all sorts of emotions. I really enjoyed the music as well, it felt different than typical kdramas. At the end, I will say that this drama is very underrated and deserves to be considered one of the best drama. You can really feel the vibe when all three main characters reunites after such long period of time, I could really feel the happiness. I really wish there were more dramas like this one.Was this review helpful to you?
WATCH IT
Not a review sort of, just a reminder.IF YOU ARE A KDRAMA FAN AND HAVE NOT YET WATCHED THIS MASTERPIECE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
I am telling you, just go and watch this drama right away. You have been missing out on a masterpiece tbh. Yoo Ah In has always been the best in the field and this drama proves exactly why.
This drama has it all. Literally! The story? You got it honey! The casting and acting? Hell yes! The OST!? Chef's kiss! The production? You got it!
Watch it and I can promise you that you won't regret it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Go Kyung Pyo MAKES The Show!
A writer in a slump, a happy-go-lucky woman, and a stranger in a suit all have something in common, but what exactly is it? A dark secret between half-brothers, and a deeper, darker secret from 80 years ago during a revolution begins a series of events that years later can't be stopped. The power of love and friendship has brought three souls back together decades years later and the bonds made are unbreakable as they reconnect. Whether drawn together by fate, or by chance, is up to the viewer to decide.Go Kyung Pyo STEALS the show! From his constantly serious and deadpan delivery in "Love in Contract" to this expressive character, I couldn't stop laughing. The story is a fabulous spin and was so unique and adorable to me. It had its passionate moments, the true feelings of frustration when one suffers from writer's block or creative panic, and the heartbreakingly tragic moments that I didn't expect at all, especially in the first half of the drama. I also didn't expect myself to get drawn into the story as aggressively as I did, but I started it late last night and couldn't stop watching. I'm still awake now, and writing this review.
Many people would consider this to be a somewhat 'reverse-harem' concept because there are SO many suitors. The main female lead must be like catnip to cats only to men. This is a common trope in MANY kdramas and cdramas. However, I've often felt that if you're going to watch a love triangle story, then it's the QUALITY of the suitors, not the QUANTITY. And whereas two are basically filler (one of course is a bad guy), the two main leads love passionately.
Whereas at the beginning one is a hate-to-love, the other is someone who loves wholeheartedly and unquestioningly. Even when he refers to their past life, he refers to the FL as 'THEIR comrade and lover'. There was no questioning of where his, their, or her loyalty lie. He simply accepted that they all loved one another, whether as brother, friend, confidante, or comrade -- together they shared love (and her love), and he never questioned it.
That is a rarity in itself. I've only seen a character like this created ONCE in Western media, much less in a kdrama and that was in the movie "Savages" (2012). It is unusual for a drama to ever accept the 1st/2nd lead's love for the main character. Whether it be a female or male first lead that is being 'fought over' -- there is rarely ever a middle ground or a complete understanding that the love by both characters for the lead is acceptable. It is more often verbal or physical fighting that happens in a drama.
The storyline itself was fun for me. I particularly enjoyed the mention of Stephen King, and even quoting him. As a Stephen King fan, I was surprised by this and enjoyed it immensely. If you're looking for a love triangle that's not really a love triangle (it is but it isn't -- I don't know how to explain it unless you watch it), with a unique storyline, hilarious and awkward moments, with adorable characters and BEAUTIFUL architecture featuring a LOT of books, and many quotes from wonderful authors -- this is the drama for you.
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I remember this drama on second page under top drama in2017 so I decide to register on this site and write a review.
I watched Chicago Typewriter weeks before Christmas. Its really beyond expectation.
Ohh I like the main actors. I watched Yoo ah in Six Flying Dragon I keen on character he played.
Somehow Korean know how to make a good drama.
Almost forget OST ......yes CT got the best OST ever . Satellite, rhe melody is so lovely (lyric not that great???? )
I love Boni Pueri. This Czech boy choir is so great. I spent time listen to the ost over n over again on Youtube.
Thumbs up !
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It took me a bit of time since this show was out in 2017 and here I'm watching it in 2020. The reason why I didn't jump to it straight away when it aired was the concept of past and present lives. I got a bit tired of it as several dramas had that concept.
However, Chicago Typewriter blew me away with how well the plots came together. I actually was more invested in the storyline of 1930 than the present. I believe the writer did this splendidly keeping viewers on the line of wanting to know more of what happened.
There was only one minor reason why I didn't give the plot a 10/10, it had to do with the past and present people. I don't want to give any spoilers but personally, I thought it was a bit too "coincidental". The music fitted the timeline and captured each moments, however, it's not the best I've heard. To be fair, I couldn't give it a 10/10 because there are other dramas that no doubt excel in OST.
All the other casts were brilliant. Im Soo-Jung impressed me with her crying scenes, the emotions went straight into my heart. The friendship between the main characters truly lifted my soul.
Let's just say, I bawled my eyes out and wasted many tissues. I didn't expect the last few episodes to be that magnificent but what can I say? Yoo In-Ah is my my weakness, all his gestures and the looks in his eyes. Hoping he'll do more dramas because a movie length is just not enough of him! Give me the 50 episodes, 1 hour long each please!
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