The story is so unique and special that you wonder if you'll ever watch a kdrama like this again.
I watched all the episodes in one streak, from morning until late at night. I just couldn't stop.
When I started this, I had no idea, no clue what this story was about. I was so... mindfucked. I had difficulties to link things and only afterwards, some puzzles were solved. But the longer you watch, the more you get into the characters and the story, the more you understand.
This drama gives so much tension and whenever you think you found a puzzle, it turns out differently. Where you had hope in one episode, it got shattered in another. And where you don't expect it, you get the "aha" feeling.
Seriously, this kdrama is my top 1 favourite.
Don't expect too much romance. Call it more... bromance. The love between two brothers. This drama focuses on the tension, the link between two worlds and the story that plays between the brothers. The directors didn't want to make a cheesy romantic drama. And I'm glad it's not.
I must add one thing more: you'll cry at the end. Because you didn't want it to end. You'll go crazy because there is no season 2. Seriously, I became almost mad xD
But anyway, it's a very special kdrama with a very special story and the cast is as wonderful as the drama itself!
Please check this drama out, It's really worth it.
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I mean they used a worm to erase memory, I have read stories about parasitic worms but umma this is some crazy stuff right there. Gross! Eww (not a vowel)!
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I was casually looking for a supernatural kdrama when I came across this. I wasn't too keen on watching it at first because of the unfamiliar cast but I went for it anyway for the plot. Few episodes in, I was hooked. Couldn't stop watching it, I was at the edge of my seat on each episode. I was really disappointed with the one major thing that happened near-end, but great story and acting nonetheless.
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Interesting, I like it.
I usually not really into science fiction but the storyline was so interesting, it keep me curious and wanting to know more. And my prediction for what will happen mostly were wrong, as the drama keep giving some twists. Well, there were some some slow parts especially in the beginning, maybe some plot holes too but it was great anyways. I like it a lot since I kept wanting more. 12 episodes yet the ending was not rushed, great. The acting was on point too. So I do recommend you guys to watch it, it's good :))Was this review helpful to you?
Story wise, it is definitely my cup of tea - bromance and sci-fi and thriller - kind of present and future linked together in a way. The bromance is real and epic and you can feel both brothers' emotions when they are fighting hard for the other. The twists and turns are quite unpredictable that makes you keep guessing. Romance-wise, I quite liked Woo-jin and Jung-yeon's chemistry. Although they had little chance to develop it further, their romance is quite fresh and innocent, amidst the mystery and dark happenings around them.
Acting-wise, everyone played their characters very well. Although I have never had much interest in Yeo Jin-goo in his earlier dramas, this character Woo-jin, kind of made it for me. He portrayed Woo-jin as a 20-something boy with a burden to carry but also with a boyish charm. And for Gong Seung yeon, it is my first drama watching her and I think she portrayed the three characters very well and I am looking forward to see her in next dramas. And lastly, Kim Kang-woo, as a more experienced actor than the other main leads, nailed his character perfectly. Although he seemed more mature and calm and calculative, compared to his younger counterpart which makes sense after all since so many years have passed, sometimes he was as wild and crazy as his younger self. As for the villains, I have nothing much to say. They served their roles throughout the story.
As it is a mystery genre that usually becomes a bit boring for a second watch, I don't think I will watch it anytime soon.
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the drama is really intriguing and unique on its own. i like the storytelling although it may be confusing for some. but it's really a hit for me as it keeps me guessing all the time. they also did well with the cliffhangers on each part and that helps to keep the story interesting.
the concept and message of the drama, especially regarding our memories was really brilliant for me. i like how it also makes me think, and reflect my stand about them. but i definitely agree with Ho Soo's statement in this:
"Memory equals responsibility, memory equals justice. Although it was sad, we must still remember them. That's how we get angry, and that's how justice is served. Just because we forget them means that we can undo what had been done."
i like the bromance, may it be present or past. the ep12 scene of the twin really made me cry. i could feel both their desperation to unite with each other even though beom gyeon has forgotten him.
the subtle romance was just okay. tho i ship the 2037 min young and beom gyun rather than than woo jin and jeong yeon. i find it irritating at first that there has to be a subtle romance with woojin and jeong yeon, but i think it serves its purpose. it's nice that they didnt try to put some awkward or out of place romantic elements.
the actors also did an excellent job. yeo jin and kim kang woo's acting are fantastic and they really let me dwell into their characters.
there are some glaring plotholes towards the end, but nonetheless the drama is decent enough. i was actually hoping that this would receive more appreciation. it may not be perfect but this is better than some other. i am not a fan of sci-fi but this definitely made me want to pick up more sci-fi dramas.
also side note, the villain's *** is the most perfect. totally deserve hahahaha
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What made me love this series much was the story. I am a fan of this kind of series. Total respect to the writer. The story was wonderfully knitted as well as the twist. Seems like every scene was a climax. The idea of showing two different time in one episode made me excited with the next episode.
Acting/Cast:
Yeo Jin Goo impressed me one more time. Honestly I'm a fan since. The actors and actresses mad a lasting impression to me. They gave justice to the story as well as to their respective roles. I like the guy ho played as the elder brother in both time. Totally amazing.
Music:
The music made the movie more wonderful to the eyes and pleasing to the ears.
Rewatch Value:
This was a highly recommended movie.
Overall:
I don't like narrating what happened to the movie , my role is to give a review and not to give another synopsis to the movie. So what I have written in this review where mainly base on my personal opinion. Honest;y this movie was really wonderful. It was worth watching for.
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Must watch drama!
This drama will leave you off the edge of your seat at all times! Actors did superb, I could really see emotion from gong seung yoon, yeo jin goo, guy who played joon hyuk(sorry I forgot) and jung in sun. The plot was so well executed, this is my 2nd favourite kdrama of all time.This is SO underrated! I saw hate comments on how the drama was 'too much to handle' and 'too much in one episode', but that's what makes this drama so great. It's not too much because this plot is so big. I would have never thought of this, and I need to thank the writer!
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This review may contain spoilers
This is it chief
Wow, what a great drama. The acting? Amazing. The plot? Amazing. The visuals? ;) Amazing of course.At first, I wasn't sure about it but damn it really got me hooked those last couple of episodes. It was interesting and because of the two part thing that went the whole way through, there were always questions everytime it switched to the other part. Those questions were luckily answered by the end of it and yet as it ended we were still left with one. How many more aliens are there? Seemingly there is a new alien in town and Byul can sense them. I would have assumed this was hinting at a season 2 but from the looks of things, that's not going to happen. Which is fine, it just means that Circle shall forever end with one question left- on a cliffhanger that keeps you guessing even in the last seconds.
Also, I just want to say how surprising it was that Beom Gyun just accepted Woo Jin as himself even though he'd said a few minutes before that that wasn't his brother and that his brother was dead. Guess after he remembered what Woo Jin said to him before he disappeared, he felt like this really could be his brother- even if he was technically a clone.
Honestly, I feel like Woo Jin is still Woo Jin- because after all your body isn't what makes you you. It's your memories and your personality and your soul- of course, I'm not sure if clone Woo Jin got the soul part but everything else about him screams original Woo Jin. So, I'm glad he was accepted as himself and that he had a happy ending.
I very much enjoyed watching and I hope you did too.
Now, onto the next one!
(Can't wait to see Yeo Jin Goo in another drama, he is mighty foine...Lee Gi Kwang too!)
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A really underrated show. Gripping, but could have used another episode or two
This was a real hidden gem for me, and probably is one because there's no "official" way to watch it. Which is a damn shame and a mistake by any streaming services because it's a gripping story. For those turned off by the sci-fi tag, it's extremely light, don't worry.The episodes are evenly split between two timelines separated by 20 years, and it's done in an interesting and good way. It's unique, at least to me, and gives double the tension: both the Future and Past timelines play with the audience, but not in a way that pisses you off. It keeps you questioning things.
Speaking of tension, it's kept high nearly all of the time. The writers did a good job keeping the action and drama going - too good, because the show really lacks breathers. The pacing is rapid, which means the breathers are few and far between, and are so fleeting. This also means the characters are developed, but just enough to be good. For example, two of the characters pretty clearly fall in love - but it's over one scene, and how that one character even got their beliefs to get to that scene are a bit iffy. Breathers help deepen character bonds and development, and the show lacks that because of its 12 episodes.
It's a big missed opportunity - I think extra episodes, heck even just one, would help the pacing a lot. The Future timeline world is interesting but we don't get to see much of it. And we could see more scenes between the leads. Lord knows everyone wants to see those hotties be cute and romantic
Well what about the story? It's consistent, engaging, and good, but you will have to suspend your disbelief for parts of it. Some of the plot points and cases would have sent the police flying to the locations instead of the characters quietly continuing their plot, but it works. Again, only 12 episodes probably forced them to push forward with questionable moments. Each key character gets good development and no one (EXCEPT ONE PERSON) is screwed over.
The music is easily the worst part though. It's typical tense orchestra stuff, nothing really new. But the cadence of the tracks often do NOT match what's going on, and that's a big sin. There would be a rising tension leading up to a typical Nolan BWAAAA breakdown, but it'd be a character just walking up some stairs, transitioning to another scene. Or there would be said breakdown, but nothing happens, so the music continues, and there's ANOTHER breakdown. That really stinks. I really think the music ruins the immersion at times. Also...in a sci-fi esque show, there's no electronic music or anything? It feels generic.
But those weren't enough to turn me away from this show, and it shouldn't deter you either. Find a way to watch it, and it's worth it.
To summarize...
Good things
- Engaging and gripping story that doesn't lose steam
- Well done acting
- Plot is mostly consistent
- Characters are developed well enough for the plot
Bad things
- Plot is a bit "on" all the time - lack of breathers may give you fatigue
- Needed an extra episode or two for pacing
- Characters could have been developed more, aka needed more episodes
- Some plot / moments need suspension of disbelief
- Music is generic, but its timing and placement ranges from meh to head-scratching
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I'm not particularly fond of alien sci-fi story in particular, but this drama uses that only as a plot device to tell a bigger story than to consume itself mainly around the alien sci-fi (hope that makes sense). In that way, this alien sci-fi part could have been replaced by anything else originating from human-made artificial intelligence, and I bet the story would still have worked well. What I am trying to say is that apart from the alien sci-fi, the bigger recurring theme in this drama is definitely on the brotherhood between the two main lead characters. Therefore, the story basically revolves itself around them looking out and for each other, which I find incredibly heart-warming and endearing.
I came to this drama because of Yeo Jin Goo through and through, and I absolutely loved him in every frame. My goodness, those expressive eyes of his can contain the entire universe I kid you not! I also have to say that the story in 2017 is definitely more interesting than the one in 2037 because the situations in the New Earth involves less mystery and more back betrayal (play of politics). Nevertheless, the pacing of this show in both timelines is incredibly great and it always intensely keeps you on the hook.
I also find that some of the settings in the year 2037 looked a little unrefined and if only was given more care, would have made the overall feel of the drama a lot more polished. But of course, I do understand that they operate on a more limited budget since this show is for a television and not a large screen. That being said, I still had to downgrade my score for the whole aesthetics a little bit.
Definitely watch this and don't be discouraged by reviews which say that the story is confusing or not neatly done. As long as you pay attention, it pays off really well at the end! After all, it's only 12 episodes. :)
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One of the best science fiction dramas
So how did Circle do as a whole? Did it live up to my expectations? My answer is a resounding YES! First, it completely nails the science fiction genre. With a plot that focuses on aliens, futuristic technology with small chips that control your emotions, altering memories, and a dystopian future divided into a disease and crime ridden Normal Earth and a Utopian Smart Earth, you really couldn’t get more into the genre. It’s like they threw as many sci-fi tropes as they could into the story, and it somehow worked beautifully.The writing for this drama was brilliant with layered characters that are so well developed. There is such an intriguing mystery that is put in place right from the get go, and it is perfectly woven between the two timelines. The pace is fast and full of suspense from start to finish as there is a constant sense of urgency.
And there are always new plot developments with plenty of twists to keep things interesting. It’s hard these days to deliver true plot twists that the audience doesn’t see coming, but Circle delivered them repeatedly, and I was always wondering what was going to happen. It was truly amazing.
Circle also used a unique format by dividing each episode in half with the first half focusing on the 2017 timeline (Beta Project) and the second half focusing on the 2037 one (Grand New World). I wondered how this would play out and if it could be executed well, and it definitely was.
Both timelines were equally important to the story. In 2017, the mystery is just getting go with a lot of developments happening. You’re then left wondering how things ended up the way they are in 2037, but at the same time there are still plenty of mysteries that need to be solved in that timeline. The world building was really excellent. Plus, you get double the cliffhangers since each part ends like a traditional episode. And there are some amazingly good cliffhangers!
I seriously enjoyed this drama on many levels. Circle: Two Worlds Connected immersed me in a thrilling science fiction story full of mystery and suspense. The actors were all amazing, and they completely drew me into their characters. It was a gripping tale that completely moved me. This was a science fiction story with that heart that Korean dramas are frequently known for. It exceeded my hopes for this genre and left me in awe and more than satisfied. I consider it a must watch.
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