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First of all, I want to say one thing.
I didn't expect this.
The story was really really good, why do we write ? What's the meaning of our past ? How history make our society ? The leading questions were a big part of my answer of "Why did you like this drama ?"
I'm fond of history and books. And watching something that talk about the two subjects was really good.
The 3 leads actors were very good in their roles. And for the actor Yoo Ah in, he was prettiest in the past, god, his hair... (sorry sorry)
The way that the scriptwriter made the drama was really good too. We learn the past really slowly and fluidly, each episode was a little surprise...
Musics were very good, nothing more about thaht.
For a personal note, the past story of Korea (japanese occupation in korea) is something that I can rely to my story. France knew a periode like this (not as long as korea but...), and I used to ear my grand parents talk to me about that time of my history. So this drama touch my in an other way, anyway, a story like this touch everyone.
Watch it. Please.
(I WANT TO FORGET THAT I SAW THIS DRAMA FOR REWATCHING IT AND REDISCOVERING IT)
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I love stories that deal with great human questions such as what it means to live, to love, our role in (our own) history, the need to make amends with your own past and being the ruler of your own fate. All of this graced with supernatural and spiritual elements such as karma and reincarnation as well as a lot of symbology and metaphors turns it into a refreshing and touching story about love, friendship and loyalty through time.
Besides, all the three main choices for the main roles are perfect. Yoo Ah In, whom I recently watched in Secret Love Affair and mesmerized me with his talent, has easily become one of my Top 5 Korean actors. Im Soo Jung, for whom I have a soft spot ever since I watched Park Chang Wook’s “I’m a cyborg but that’s OK” (I strongly recommend that movie!). And Go Kyung Pyo, for whom I also have a soft spot ever since I watched Reply 1988.
Chicago Typewriter is an amazingly written drama. Plus, it feels like a movie, as if everything was already planned in advance and it finds its perfect closure at the end. I mean, it must have obviously been planned in advance, but you know how TV series work sometimes: depending on how the audiences respond some things from the original script might be altered along the way. But in this case, beyond the usual commercial concessions the plot feels perfectly drawn.
The soundtrack is great and the music is perfectly used in every occasion to match the dramatic intensity of the scenes.
Summing up, this is one of the great dramas this season, and as such, it’s a must.
Oh, and I want Han Se Ju’s mansion!!!
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I kind of "dropped" the drama after its seventh episode (when it was still on air). I found it boring and interpreted the twists as shallow ones. Well, my busy schedule could also be one of the causes why I had to stop watching this. In fact, my brother continued watching this without me so he was obviously ahead of the story but I did not really care at first. Until yesterday. I was running out of dramas to watch so I decided to finally resume watching this one. (NOTE: If you plan on getting yourself involve in Chicago Typewriter, learn how to refrain from checking your phone from time to time for it would distract your focus. One must have a full attention while watching this because he/she would probably end up having messy thoughts for not following the scene's direction. )
I was regretting that I dropped this for a while. I never knew this would actually bring so much joy and unfathomable feelings to me. I have since loved period dramas especially those with political and social struggles in it. And this drama was able to depict the 1930s Japanese Occupation in Joseon where the brave youth of yesterday stood up in order to regain their country's democracy. Through this, the audience was able to picture what it was back then, and how those heroes fought for the independence we are currently savoring. It was a story of hope.
This success would not have happened without the chemistry of the actors. Yoo Ah In and Go Kyung Pyo's tandem was really magical. They have portrayed Han Se Ju/Seo Hui Young and Yoo Jin Oh/Shin Yul well and showed their characters' uniqueness. This also goes for Im Soo Jung and Yoo Ah In's team-up. And of course, their trio really appealed and brought the audience root for them. Honestly, I did not even want them to be apart until the end.
All in all, this drama needs to be seen and be appreciated by the generation of today. Not only they would gain knowledge on history, but for them to admire what our forefathers have done in order for us to enjoy the liberation we are having now.
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Friendship and heartbreak in a time of liberation.
As I finished watching Chicago Typewriter I realized that I was riding that familiar rollercoaster of kdrama emotions… Heart fluttering, pulse racing, screen shouting, hope bearing, mind boggling, gut wrenching, friendship making, anxiety inducing, speculation tossing, tear producing, joy bringing, fearful musings, phone throwing, heart aching, addiction forming, time warping, Oppa Squeeing, ugly sobbing, romance swooning time.To put it plainly, this drama looks terribly cheesy during the first episode and I almost put it down. The story relied on trope filled encounters, seemingly over the top storyline and a plot that you are uncertain what it is trying to be.
The closest I can come to describing the nuanced layered story telling is the American Movie "The Usual Suspects" While you are busy discounting the silliness of the characters and story ... lots of information is going on. Every scene is a build up to the end.
Before you know it you are intrigued and don't realize how invested you are in these seemingly annoying and flawed characters. I've read so many people say they fast forwarded past parts/ characters they "didn't like" but don't be tempted to do that because it all solidifies into some of the most poetic stories of friendship, love and sacrifice.
It is one of my favorite series and I can not say enough about the three leads chemistry between each other.
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Didn't want it to end!
What I loved most about Chicago Typewriter, besides the great story and production value, was the bond developed between the three main characters. Individually, all were endearing whether in the present and past, but my favorite was the ghost, Yoo Jin Oh.Indeed, the acting of the main characters was spot on, and kudos to the supporting characters as well - including the villain.
I ended up having to buy the DVD set because I couldn't find it streaming anywhere. It was worth every penny. No doubt, I will watch it again and again when I need a good laugh or good cry!
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Am I glad I picked it back up? Yes, although I can't agree that every episode is a masterpiece.
Obviously this drama is beautiful and it has a unique spin of nostalgia in it and anyone who watches it I'm sure can attest to that. Easily my most favorite parts of this drama were those that took place in the past. Sometimes I found myself just waiting for the flashbacks to happen because I knew I would love them. It was exciting seeing the past unfold and inspiring seeing a group of friends so passionately and fearlessly fighting for their independence.
Unfortunately here's the flip side of loving the past story line so much. No matter how hard I tried, I could not make myself love the present story line nearly as much. There was so much more weight and meaning in the past story line that just wasn't there in the present. Although that may have been the point in order to give the watcher a break and/or to show how much times have changed, the balance just felt off for me. I couldn't engage in the present until much later on in the episode progression. For one, I really just disliked Se Ju as a character for a solid chunk of the first episodes. He was sporadically angry in a way that was annoying when I think it was supposed to be funny. Jeon Seol I felt really disconnected to for quite a while (although in the end I loved her) and Yoo Jin Oh was just a catalyst for Se Ju's emotional outbursts. I do feel that things went uphill at a certain point, I just wish it would've went uphill sooner and faster than it seemed to.
Although I came to love and care about each of the main cast, Yoo Jin Oh I rooted for the most. His character's journey I found the most special. His battle between his emotions and obligations brought tears to my eyes and had me questioning my own strength. I commend Yoo Ah In, Im Soo Jung and Go Kyung Pyo's acting but I was specifically impressed with Kwak Shi Yang. I had no idea he was so capable.
The music, oh my god, the music! Every track is so purely breathtaking. The most emotional scenes are perfectly topped with some of the best tracks I've heard. The music added so much to Chicago Typewriter and it just wouldn't have been the same without that aspect.
I'm still unsure if 8.5 is the right rating for Chicago Typewriter because I was so torn in loving some moments and finding others to be pretty lack luster. I just feel like the present time story paled immensely to the past which made it boring for me at times. I will agree that Chicago Typewriter is well done and deserves a watch but these are just my own conflicting thoughts on why I couldn't give it a 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
why is this one so underrated?
after watching this, i cannot understand how is one is this much underrated... i liked it way better than some of the hyped-up famous dramas...the story goes to and fro b/w the past and present...i personally liked the present story more than the past... it wasn't too light-hearted not too dark... had a really good balance b/w both...
the only problem i had with the drama is how the fl was shown to be a kid in the flashback while the guys were the same... it kind of showed a huge age gap b/w the leads which wasn't evident at all... im soo jung looks young for her age but yoo ah in looks younger for his age so its not that believable when he is shown to be much older than her... they should have just went for same age...
the acting was really good and i loved the look of present-day yoo ah in... it was different from the typical kdrama lead looks...
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