Completed
kdramakitty
2 people found this review helpful
Mar 1, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I love this show dearly. I think it will always remain in my top 10 kdramas. One of the things that makes it stand out to me is the themes that it meditates on, particularly the theme about the gift (and cost) of freedom

It’s something I haven’t thought much about, freedom. I suppose I’m fortunate enough that freedom isn’t something I have to worry about. But this show made me think about and deeply appreciate freedom. It does this by juxtaposing two very different time periods, modern day and in the past during the Japanese occupation of Korea, in which our same set of characters live. In the past, these people are fighting for freedom from their unjust situation, under the constant threat of discovery and death, and are sacrificing their livelihood and even possibly their lives. And for what? A freedom that they themselves are unlikely to ever experience. Then, we switch back to modern day, where these characters are together, laughing, able to love each other, able to not be living under fear of discovery. It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. It honestly makes me emotional even writing about it.

The show also has other themes that it touches on, such as the pen is mightier than the sword, a theme embodied by the Chicago Typewriter itself. Gosh, this show is just so good. Just watch it.

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Completed
BootyfulSwan
4 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
STORY
I would like to thank the writer to write such a beautiful and real story of friendships, now i know that k-drama writer can write not only about romance, but also friendship and difficulties during wars. Why is this friendship so beautiful and heart touching? It's because the relationship last for a century, it's talking about forgotten past, bittersweet memories. Especially when they can be happy and content through tough times, during Japanese occupation period. There is no real evil villain in this story either. Their conflict is not human-made but more of the condition of the wars.

I like all the phrases that the writer wrote, especially in the ending when Hwi Young said "Please write our story on my behalf, Please write that we had lived through these rough times, Even when we were faced with a dark reality, We all lived diligently, and absorbed the pain, We found hope in despair. We found happiness in danger. We all loved and fought to our utmost ability”

I felt goosebumps when i heard that phrases, i mean, i can never imagine how to live in a country where a war happened and even during tough times, human can stay together and bond deeply with each other. It's really our privileges to live freely like now and we should respect people who fought for our freedom in the past. They have sacrificed so many things for us, although they are not perfect.

This kind of story really touches my heart, i always like the story that's related to history especially wars. Such as Schindler's list, life is beautiful, gone with the wind, etc. It's just very nostalgic. I feel like i can relate to all of them in the past.

Although this is a story about revolutionist, it doesn't talk too heavy on politics and wars. It focuses more on relationships and how human can thrive despite of difficulties. That makes me appreciate this more. It also has many humors, it's not heavy, this is one of the rare k-dramas that i am really looking forward to finish it without getting bored at all. I never skipped even one second, honestly I keep repeating the scenes and the phrases that i like. It also teaches me a lot of stuffs. Kudos to the writer, u have written a story that i will still remember until a very long time.

ACTING/CAST
What can i say? THEY ALL BRILLIANT!!! I mean, it's very seldom to watch a drama that all the casts have been delivered such a top notch acting skills and Chicago Typewriter nailed it BIG TIME! From Yoo Ah In, Lim Soo-Jung, Ko Gyung-Pyo, Kwak Si-Yang to all of other casts, they all amazing! Can stir up emotion in me. Okay, I admit it that i cried a lot when i watched this show towards the ending, the only other k-drama that made me cry was signal hahaha. They all amazing in delivering their emotion in their scenes so i caught off guard and cried like hell.

Music
10/10!! It perfectly sync with all their scenes in the past, it just makes me more emotional by listening to the song, even now when i am listening to the ost, the scene is still replaying in my mind.

Rewatched Value
I swear i never re-watched any TV shows before coz it's time consuming, but i re-watched this hahahahahah, because somehow i still miss them and i want to go to that 30's era again. The backdrop is gorgeous, the costumes, the musics, ahh i miss everything .


Maybe it's just me, i don't know, maybe i am biased, i don't know, but i like everything in the drama.
The story, the casting, editing, music, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING!

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Completed
Mimi
3 people found this review helpful
Jun 9, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This show honestly felt like a beautifully written story. Great plot, great acting, great scenery. No more further words. I just get amazed at how the writer and director etc can think of such an interesting concept.
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Completed
RPS
1 people found this review helpful
Dec 30, 2018
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5
Chicago typewriter is the name of a gun that makes the sound of a... you guessed it: typewriter.
That's probably why it felt like I was being hit with bullets of emotion throughout this drama.

I felt humorous, I felt sadness and at the same time- my heart ached. The bond of ones previous life and the strength of a promise. The fight for freedom and the barriers of love. This drama reminds me of Mr. Sunshine and I enjoyed that aspect of it. After watching that drama and seeing the ending of it, I thought I would never find one that would have such an impact on me. And here we are.

If you liked either of these drama's, you should watch the other one for sure. If you are doubting whether or not you should watch this drama: please do.

I personally enjoy a story with a lesson and I felt like I learned a lot. That being said, I need happy endings... so here's the little spoiler you might need...: don't worry, the ending won't rip your heart out of your chest.

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Completed
purplejoys
1 people found this review helpful
Sep 26, 2018
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Things I loved about Chicago Typewriter:

1. Great casting. Yoo Ah In is amazing in whatever he does. Doesn’t hurt that his megawatt smile can light up a whole city and his voice can melt even the coldest of hearts. It’s my first time to watch Im Soo Jung; now I understand why she’s an award winning actress. Go Kyung Pyo really improved since his Reply 1988 days. These three had amazing chemistry; it felt like they’re friends in real life. Not sure which one I enjoyed more, the romance or the bromance.

2. The story and its amazing use of alternating timelines. Its fresh plot combines different genres (romance, comedy, fantasy, historical) into a masterpiece. Chicago Typewriter is a story of a love and friendship that surpasses a lifetime but it also gives a vivid picture of the struggles of a novelist, or a writer in general. I love that it reminds viewers that the pen is still mightier than the sword and that freedom, whether for the country or for an individual, has a cost.

3. The setting and the wardrobe. When your lead actor is a writer, you can expect that locations will be filled with books. Shelves upon shelves of books! And that 1930s fashion! Cozy and vintage settings amplified by superb cinematography. I can’t praise it enough.

4. Haunting soundtrack. The songs support the nostalgic and heart-wrenching scenes of the show. I am in love with Saltnpaper’s Satellite; I’ve been listening to it on repeat.?

Chicago Typewriter is what kdramas, or any TV show / film, should be — well-written, piercing, mesmerizing enough to make one dive into a fictional world. It’s a surprisingly underrated gem and I don’t know why I delayed watching it.

P.S. Hats off to TVN for producing fresh, experimental pieces like this one. My top 3 for this year (Because This is My First Life, Chicago Typewriter, and Prison Playbook) are all from TVN.

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Completed
KTC Resident
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 11, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

A K-Drama with the best OST

I loved this drama, Best K-Drama of 2017!

At first I thought the story was nothing special, but it was amazing after the drama started picking up.
The story is original and set in the 1930's. The sets and costumes are amazing. Very well done!
The story that was set in the past was more interesting with the action and everything, but the present was also mysterious. The going back and forth between past and present was very well done.
The ending of the drama was concluded with satisfaction and many emotions I experienced.

The actors did an amazing job. The Male Lead and Female lead fit in their roles and gave a spectacular performance. The third male lead was great! The bromance was Amazing between Han Se Joon and Yoo Jin Oh. The romance was also Great.

The OST makes this drama even better, the song Come With Me is a Masterpiece. I loved it when it came on the Drama. Probably my favourite song out of all the K-Drama OST. Also Satellite and Time Walk is Superb, the other ones are great too.
I love that the songs are in English, makes it amazing.

This Drama is one of a kind, as I am having withdrawal feeling right now.
I will definitely re watch this drama in the future.

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Completed
Maaike
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 29, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers
honestly, i enjoyed this drama way more than i expected to! when it comes to period dramas i tend to either hate them or love them and in this case it's definitely the latter, partly because not all of the story takes place in the past.

what i like the most about this drama is the way it pulls you in. once you finish watching episode one, you can't wait to watch the rest. the mystery of the three main characters' past is very interesting and very beautifully written, @ the writers: chapeau! i love the little hints of their past lives and how they're connected to the future here and there, it kind of gives you the feeling of being some sherlock ahahah i watched every episode with a sharp eye, trying to pick up new clues to unravel the storyline!!

chicago typewriter was surprisingly funny too. the characters' reactions + actions are hilarious and unexpected at times. i really appreciate the fact that the writers made a show with such a heavy (dark?) storyline a bit more light-hearted. also, the characters are very likeable. shinyul (yoo jinoh) is so adorable, his puppy eyes get me all the time! and i loved his dog plushie doppelgänger, it was so cute. one of my favourite moments is in episode 13 when seju wants to ask him why he wants to return to chicago, he practices on the dog plushie first before asking jinoh fghjdg cute!!!

this drama doesn't really focus on romance (something i normally enjoy very much ahaha). though there is some rivalry between the two guys about who gets the girl and we do get some romantic scenes, it's not at all what the story is about and that's mainly why chicago typewriter is so refreshing. it's a whole new genre of its own. the show mainly focuses on the friendship of the three main characters and the history of seoul in the '30s.

so if you're looking for something new and exciting yet nostalgic and sentimental, search no longer: chicago typewriter is the show you're looking for!

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Completed
xxia
1 people found this review helpful
Dec 17, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

can't describe in words

Such a wonderful kdrama!! The connection to their past is written incredibly good and not to mention the OST. I really love how they were entangled in their past lives and how they discover their connection and just everything...
I can't describe it in words, just go and watch it. I give everything 10 out of 10.
It's suspenseful, fun and evokes some sad emotions in a good way. It totally has 10/10 rewatch values although I haven't done it myself cause I usually don't rewatch any kind of dramas, movies etc.
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Completed
Anand
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

I once dropped it but came back becoz of viki youtube videos & I will never regret it...!!!

At first when I saw 20-30 dramas I started watching this one & I felt like this isn't for me....
but the moment I came back becoz of viki global tv youtube channel after I watched 90+ dramas...IT WAS SUPERB
I RECOMMEND YOU TO WATCH IT!!!!!
If you started watching you should watch until episode 5 or else you will drop it max. chance....
becoz there will be a plot twist at that moment and from that moment you will fall in love with this drama....
and don't stop watching becoz of male lead becoz i once stopped watching becoz i felt his acting isn't good but it's superb.....

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Completed
Aishwarya0013
1 people found this review helpful
Mar 11, 2018
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Absolutely loved it!

Here's why I think it's worth a watch --

1. The Japan/Joseon era portrayed in the drama really takes you back in time with the characters. I really liked the way they'd set the background for the era, Carpe Diem, especially. Couldn't have been more appropriate.

2. Wonderful actors. Personally, I think Yoo Ah In played the character of Hui Young very well.

3. The OST really matches with the concept. Do give Park Dan Ma's 'Wind' a listen!

Overall, 10/10 would watch again.
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Completed
GiGi
1 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 6.0
I really loved this drama, I had to rewatch it. I thought I had given a review for this drama. It shows that I did but it is not appearing on my list for some reason. This is a great drama. I loved how the screenwriters wrote about the previous lives of the main leads. That typewriter is gifted for sure. I remember seeing them in my younger days. I fell in love with Yoo Ah-In. He is such a great actor. The visuals were great, the music was good, and the storyline was excellent. Well done. I will rewatch it again. Thank you to the team of hairdressers, costume makers, supporting actors, and actresses.

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Completed
Rhea
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 28, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Experiencedso many emotions within those 50 mins

Wow… I am left speechless… I just watched the last episode of Chicago Typewriter and I am left with such a warm feeling inside. I experienced so many emotions within those 50 minutes: sadness, anger, fear, happiness, and hope. This is an overall review of the series, since I haven’t reviewed each episode individually.

The plot of this series was simply AMAZING and GENIUS. Personally, I love historical setting dramas, especially stories with historic significance…. and Chicago Typewriter combined both the modern and historical aspect beautifully with a touch of supernatural magic. The historical setting was placed during the 1930s when Korea was under Japanese rule… but what made this drama enticing were the elements of reincarnation and time-traveling by flashbacks. This drama did well to use both of these elements to highlight important events and progress the plot. Not only do we get the historic story of the main characters, but we also get to see the struggles of the main characters’ present lives and how their decisions/actions compared to their past selves.

At first, I was worried about the drama because it started out quite slow in terms of character development and progression of the plot, as well as, the modern story was beginning to be overshadowed by the historic story. At one point, I became so heavily invested into the historic story that I almost didn’t care about their modern lives. On the other hand, wonderfully, they brought our attention back to the present by Se Ju’s exceptionally well-crafted character development and the teaming up of the main characters to write ‘Chicago Typewriter.’ Definitely, the strongest aspect of this drama was the plot/story-telling… I cannot emphasize how simply amazing the plot is. At first, we were made to think the moral of the story was for Se Ju to overcome his writing slump and ultimately finish writing ‘Chicago Typewriter’ with Yoo Jin Oh (Shin Yool); however, that was not the case.

Let’s take a step back and understand why this drama is called, “Chicago Typewriter.” Literally, one can interpret the title to symbolize the typewriter itself and the submachine gun… but in a deeper context… I believe the title represents the dreams and the promise between Se Ju (Hwi Young), Yoo Jin Oh (Shin Yool), and Seol (Soo Hyun) and this can be described by Hwi Young’s letter he gave to Shin Yool in episode 16. Physically, the typewriter is an empty object with no significant meaning. We learn that the typewriter was bought by Shin Yool as a gift to Hwi Young… and later this typewriter became the source of the resistance fighters’ communication. Soo Hyun also compared the submachine gun and the typewriter to each other.

She quoted that the pen is mightier than the sword… thus explaining how significant the written word (communication) is the most essential aspect to obtain independence for their country, other than killing/violence. However, notice how important both the presence of the typewriter and the submachine gun were throughout the drama. Especially how the Chicago Typewriter gun was used by both Hwi Young and Soo Hyun in the last two episodes… In the end, Hwi Young sent his prized possession, the typewriter, to Shin Yool and replaced it with the gun - thus symbolizing how he was putting down his pen and accepted his death. As for Soo Hyun, she used the Chicago Typewriter gun to kill the Japanese officials because that is the only thing she can do for her country… she made a statement by taking revenge through extermination.

Now in the present, Se Ju was in a slump because his writing “caused” his stalker to kill himself and, thus, him losing confidence in his skills. However, the return of the typewriter not only brought him to meet Seol and Jin Oh, but he was also able to regain his confidence in his writing through trust and friendship. Combined with all the experience the typewriter has gone through, one could say that the typewriter symbolizes time and fate… by bringing the main characters together and tying up the loose end of their story. However, the greatest impact for me was how Shin Yool sealed himself in the typewriter so that he could keep his promise to Hwi Young.

After he finished writing the story… his existence was basically over. But, what touched me the most was that Se Ju wrote a new story… the story of their present day lives… so that Shin Yool could seal himself in that story to be reborn one day. Truly, this drama showed how powerful the written word and communication is in our daily lives… and that it can both kill and save. This lesson was not only seen through the main characters’ struggles, but also by Tae Min who struggled to take responsibility for his actions, their mother who held a grudge against Se Ju, their father who failed to protect both of his sons, and Seol’s mother who abandoned her daughter because she couldn’t face her past actions.

The plot and the lessons weren’t the only amazing aspects of this drama. The character development was also well done… especially Se Ju. Personally, I think there was a lot of focus on Se Ju, that many of the other characters didn’t receive the same spot-light. Se Ju changed from a cold, haughty, and lonely person to loving, forgiving, and understanding. He changed his outlook on life to appreciating it and valuing friendship, love, and faith. But, I also think that Se Ju was always that person to begin with… however, he just locked his true self away due to his troubled childhood and the betrayal of his family. I must also say that Hwi Young was an amazing character who exemplified what it meant to be a true leader… cunning, brave, strong, and steel-hearted when it came to making clear-cut decisions.

I loved how very different Hwi Young and Shin Yool were… and how one could distinguish between the two’s leadership. Hands down, Yoo Ah In stole the show with his masterful acting as Se Ju/Hwi Young (who didn’t cry when Shin Yool was reading Hwi Young’s letter? I freakin balled like a baby cause it was the most heart-felt letter I’ve ever read along with Shin Yool’s crying, Hwi Young’s narration, and the music in the background T___T).

Jeon Seol’s (and Soo Hyun) character was very lovable and I loved how she remained true to herself in both the present and past lives, but I also loved how she showed times of weakness to indicate that, despite her amazing skills in various fields, she is human. Im Soo Jung did a great job to capture Seol’s liveliness and her strong determination. I really loved that Soo Hyun finished the job of exterminating the traitors (especially Heo Young Min), as well as, it was truly admirable when she killed Shin Yool… but it also showed that she had no purpose to continue on living because she was exhausted and lost everyone she loved… in the end despite killing all the traitors with her gun, she ended up losing herself in the process. Overall, the acting done in this drama was absolutely great!

You could feel each characters’ thoughts, emotions, and understand their reasoning for their actions/decisions. You could feel their fears and how each character was on the edge of their sanity… just barely trying to survive. You honestly couldn’t really hate a single character, even if they betrayed their comrades (except for Heo Young Min… that bastard had to die). As for Shin Yool, I loved him so much! Poor sunshine loved Soo Hyun so much that he ended up betraying Hwi Young… but he couldn’t handle the guilt and didn’t stay with Soo Hyun in the end because of his friendship. I really loved his character… you can see how he slowly opened his heart to Se Ju and Seol… the actor, Go Kyung Pyo, did an amazing job to showcase such an emotional character. That was the biggest difference between Shin Yool and Hwi Young which was why his bluff as being the leader didn’t trick Heo Young Min.

I also have to admit that, despite the romantic touch in the drama, the romance wasn’t really the focus of the series. Se Ju and Seol’s romance was very sweet and I enjoyed every moment they had together, however, the most touching aspect of the relationships in this drama wasn’t the romance… but the aspect of trust. Seol’s character, along with Yoo Jin Oh, brought trust back into Se Ju’s life. At first, we thought that Seol was Se Ju’s muse… but the most surprising muse in Se Ju’s life was Yoo Jin Oh because he was the one who brought the two together in the first place.

And the best scene to show how Se Ju’s writing evolved from writing for others to writing for himself, was when he told Ji Seok that he wanted to write ‘Chicago Typewriter’ his way and not how the fans want it. At this point, Se Ju had already defeated his slump. Friendship and trust were the most important elements in this drama and it can be seen by 1) how Hwi Young and Shin Wool both loved Soo Hyun but didn’t force her to choose someone, 2) Shin Wool kept his promise of letting her go because of his promise, 3) Shin Wool didn’t get together with Soo Hyun in the end, despite Hwi Young asking him to take care of her, because he felt guilty for Hwi Young’s death, and 4) both Hwi Young and Soo Hyun had already forgiven Shin Wool. Especially.

Most importantly, the ending showed how the past was finally put to rest with meeting the present (notice how Hwi Young said, “Done.” when he finished typing his story… I think this symbolizes that the story of ‘Chicago Typewriter’ was finally over)… with how the typewriter, the gold watch, the story ‘Chicago Typewriter,’ and the picture were shot together in the last scene.

This drama may not be perfect and sometimes you may feel that the drama is slow, but please give it a try (especially if you’re interested in this era). Honestly, this drama deserves way more recognition and it saddens me that it didn’t receive higher ratings… this drama did well to showcase some of the real struggles during the 1930s, as well as, the struggles that writers face. The storyline, the characters, the music, the cinematography/visuals, and the supernatural touch all makes this drama very unique and intriguing to watch.

The reason being is because each character had a closure but the ending wasn’t absolute. Se Ju’s career is back on track and he is happy with his writing. Seol is finally with the man she loves, while also providing him strength and support. Shin Wool finally reunited with his old friends and, as well as, he can look to the future to meet with them in a liberated Korea (indicated by how his image became visible in the picture). The story of the Independence fighters that the typewriter brought to the main characters may have ended with episode 16, but a new story also began… and I believe that is the moral of the story.

The story of “Chicago Typewriter” continues through us, the viewers. Just as Korea’s liberation did not end with the death of their comrades, but lived on through the hopes they wrote to the future generation. If you’re looking for a drama that combines elements of romance, friendship, and the suspense of real-life struggles, then this drama is perfect… as you will truly witness the growth of each of the characters as they unravel their past lives and make amends to long-kept promises/dreams. Regardless, you’ll definitely be in for a roller-coaster ride of feels T____T

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Chicago Typewriter (2017) poster

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