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Eu definitivamente não assistiria novamente nem se me pagassem!
Eu não gostei nem um pouco desse drama! e não entendo quando elogiam ele. Além de ser desnecessariamente grande, por que sejamos sinceros como eles arrastaram os episódios finais.Tem um enredo bem fraquinho, mal desenvolvido e confuso em certos momentos, enfiando umas histórias difíceis de serem engolidaso casal principal também não tem química nenhuma! Os atores são muito bons, isso eu não posso negar, mas a personagem principal me irrita demais, muito sem graça ela! Tudo precisa do macho lá.
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After a few very turbulent weeks for the production crew including blatant CGI issues, debacles in this drama’s airing schedule and a terrible on set accident that threatened to stop production all together, Hwayugi finally seemed to get somewhat back on course. Even so, this drama was never able to establish a consistent tone or pacing. Most weeks it was a garbled mess with a Monster of the Week format. Each new arc and challenge that our protagonists have to face are all resolved before they can have any greater significance to the lead couple. This setup prevented me from becoming at all vested in the story, its characters and its romance. This drama is chalk full of filler just not a lot of substance here.
This drama’s saving grace is certainly the magical and impish Lee Seung Gi in his role of Son Oh Gong! Here Seung Gi is so charismatic and playful. The only reason I continued to watch this drama, was to see this monkey in his natural environment. Lee Seung Gi truly shines here championing all of his hallmarks. His performance as Son Oh Gong kept me watching even with the subpar plot.
I can’t really recommend this drama due to how it is lacking in its story, pacing and tone, but if you are an avid fan of Lee Seung Gi, you may need to weigh your options again.
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Romcom disguised as fantasy/horror
For a Netflix show, this has some crappy CGI. But it didn't really put me off as the whole show is more silly and comedic than serious and horrific as I've been led to believe by the trailer. If you are planning on watching this, prepare for 20 long episodes whose storyline could've easily been shortened to 12-15 episodes max. It's a whole lot of fun with plot holes galore.STORY
The series follows demons who are trying to become deities and an airheaded human who can see them, who's also destined to save the world (even though the stakes never seem so high). The premise of the main storyline is extremely interesting even though it's nothing new in dramas, but it ultimately failed to wow me in the last episode in which the entire story seems to plummet into a confusion of random developments. Stories following the side characters were much more fun and engaging to me, but only one of them is completely wrapped up in a satisfied way (Ma Wang's story). By far my favorite was the potential of the geumganggo and I would've loved to see so much more done with it (philosophically and otherwise), but I'm also satisfied with the story we got along with it.
ACTING/CAST
Through the first part of the drama I was absolutely in love with Lee Seung Gi's portrayal of Son Oh Gong, but by the end all of the side characters really stole the show for me. Perhaps my favorite was Jin Seon Mi's coworker Lee Han Joo because he is so ridiculously human as opposed to all of the other demons/evil spirits which was refreshing. Also, whoever was the costume designer behind Ma Wang's and Son Oh Gong's coats and eclectic formalwear... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. As for the female lead, I have nothing to say bc wow, she was boring and she could've been done so much better. Other female characters were done so dirty or were just underdeveloped (Secretary Ma, Bu Ja, Summer Fairy, Alice even).
MUSIC
If ''Let Me Out'' and ''When I Saw You'' isn't featured in an episode of Hwayugi, is it even Hwayugi? Those two songs and ''If We Were Destined'' are my favs. Others are ambiental and nice, it's a good soundtrack, albeit forcing some songs too much and too often.
OVERALL
I probably won't rewatch it, unless there's going to be a second season after that open and ambiguous ending (but that's sth that the Hong sisters are famous for, so there's probably not going to be another season). It's fun and silly and brimming with crappy CGI and great side characters, it never takes itself too seriously even though I wish it has at certain times. This is for people who like bromances and overpowered main characters, who don't mind crap effects and long shows.
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This review may contain spoilers
IMO this was good until around episode 14 (or maybe when the priestess showed up). I skipped through episodes 17-20 so i am not very clear on the ending. This show started out pretty good for the first few episodes however after the bracelet was on son oh gong, i feel as if the show lost a bit of its direction for me. I spent the next 10 episodes wondering, if the love is fake whats the point of watching this, and that thought never left my mind. I've seen many commenting on the chemistry between the leads, however i very much liked them together, and the geumganggo put me off because i could tell it wasn't real. The OST was great, i definitely would listen to them even outside of the drama. The cast was great, and in all honesty the only reason i continued watching up until episode 16. Honestly the ending just felt random, with all of the jade dragon and the prosecutor guy. (I didn't may much attention when those two became important to the plot) I would probably rewatch it tbh, not for the plot, but i enjoyed the interactions between all the characters, and this show definitely made me laugh. I would say watch it, as long as you like the cast, or if you enjoyed goblin this would probably be your cup of tea, even if i thought it lost its direction. Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I enjoyed the humor but not the romance. I don’t know whether it’s because Oh Yeon-Seo has the unenviable role of playing straight man (woman) to everybody else’s over-the-top comical characters or because her acting just seems rather flat, regardless of her character. The scenes with Monkey, Cow, Dog, or Pig sparkle so much that I feel like everything deflates when it’s just Jin Sun-Mi, even when she’s battling monsters.And is anybody else being driven a little mad by the OST “always behind of you?” I want to write a letter begging them to re-record the song to “always behind you” or “always in back of you.”
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One Big Wacky Drama.
I've been avoiding A Korean Odyssey after hearing caveats about it's quality, but chose to pick it up this year. (Lee Seungi's performance in Mouse was beyond impressive and I wanted to check out his previous works.)I know nothing about the original Chinese story this was based upon. The only time I've heard about Sun Wu Kong was in 'An Epic Crush of Genie Lou' and in 'Seizing Dreams' by Chicken Gege. This was a positive point as I had nothing to compare the plot and characters too.
☆ The Plot:
… is incomplete, and I can see why, considering how expansive the original characters and work has to be. I'm considering this as an original work by the Hong sisters that is loosely based on 'Journey Across the West'. It doesn't follow the main characters constantly and branches out often to explore the supporting ones.
A young girl, Jin Seon Mi, is born with the power of seeing spirits, leading her to get ostracized by everyone due to her strange reactions.
When a chance encounter with a mysterious man named Ma Wang gives her a hope to protect herself, she snatches it without a second thought. Going into a secluded mansion to retrieve a prized fan as a part of the deal, she stumbles across an 'oppa', Son Oh Gong, its eccentric prisoner. He convinces her to set him free in exchange of a contract, and she does as he wishes, despite being told by Ma Wang to never listen to anything and anyone in the mansion. Now free, Seon Mi asks for his protection as a contract -- Son Oh Gong agrees to come whenever his name is called, but cons her by taking away the memory of his name. He vanishes, breaking his promise.
The first episode is hands down one of the most intriguing and interesting ones I've seen to date. I can rewatch it mutliple times and nevet get bored. The drama, inspite of it's flaws, is definitely a highly entertaining treat for fantasy lovers. Yes, there are questions that still need answers (the story is pulled from all sides and plots, and it might make it difficult for someone to enjoy, particularly if you are not much intrigued by the characters), but I was completely satisfied by the characters, cast, and the story.
☆ The Characters:
… are the best part of the drama. And Hwayugi needs a better poster than the one we have now. I can count four more characters who play very important parts and have significant screentime.
And they were absolute wackos. I'm not kidding. Except for Seon Mi, the Summer and Winter Fairies along with Bu Ja, not a single character was 100% in their right mind for one complete episode. It was weird, seeing a completely same human among the bunch of animals… that they clearly are.
Ma Wang was an unexpected scene stealer for me. I will forever remember him screaming 'ttorai!' when I think of Hwayugi. I loved his bromance with the naughty Son Oh Gong and his Secretary. This series should have alternate names such as 'The Errors of Ma Wang'.
Strange, but there was an ominous atmosphere throughout the whole drama. Seon Mi and her co-worker were the only real humans and the 'demons and deities' where depicted in a a rather grey manner. Even Ma Wang and Son Oh Gong make decisions that makes us doubt them.
Son Oh Gong in particular, was immature. I was confused as to why Seon Mi was holding a grudge against him even after 25 years, but later realized that she must have been in a state of constant distress due to her special condition.
His 'betrayal' comes back at him, though. I loved his interactions with every single character. He was quite witty too, unexpectedly, and I began to wish for his happiness.
The supporting characters are vital to the plot as a whole. Without their schemes and the intricate web that connects them to the main characters, the story would never take off. And the cast was amazing in portraying every role to a tee. (I loved the relation between Bu Ja and PK in particular.)
☆ The Music:
Hwayugi has a stunning soundtrack. I am quite shocked by how beautiful and memorable the tracks were. Someone commented on Youtube how the drama is never complete without certain songs and I agree with them.
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All in all, I immensely enjoyed the journey that I went through with every single character by the end. The finale is definitely rushed with a few last minute additions seemingly added, but I was satisfied with how things wrapped. Atleast, the ending is hopeful instead of bleak.
I wish that every single character grew up, overcame their struggles, and finally found what they sought for.
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Who doesn't love fiction?
If its a must watch, why didn't I give a 10? Okay, here is why. I didn't really. like to ending much, it was too open I felt like they were setting up for a second season, which we never got.Otherwise, this series was FANTASTIC. The comedic relief, as well as the seriousness of the story, kept me on the edge of my seat the entire series. The chemistry between the male & female lead is seriously one to look out for. This show is binge-worthy and Do NOT say we didn't warn you when you have something to do and it's 3am and you are still watching the show.
I appreciate the fictitious storyline but i appreciated the growth between both characters. This is a show that has made it into my top 5!! HANDS DOWN!
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Binge worthy
This series is excellent. What else should i say?The story is weird, humorous, and feel good for the most part even with late sad events.
The actors and actresses give excellent performances. The editing, camerawok, casting, set, and props are all at a current high television quality. The cgi/special effects could have been better most of the time. It really was this series biggest flaw. At least you know that the content is worthwhile unlike so many movies and television where cgi is the only thing worth commending.
Overall i really enjoyed the series and highly recommend it.
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When I saw the first episode I fell in love, it was a great show.
In general it was a good drama, full of mystery, although I thought we would see more ghosts with deeper stories.
The characters are good, personally I liked the character of the zombie, it was so adorable ? , and the performances of the main characters were excellent.
Very good soundtrack and scenarios ... the only thing that I did not like at all, was the end.
The Korean dramas need to work a lot on the end, so hollow, I did not like it and I got angry because this series deserved a good ending. I still have the hope that an extra or special episode will come out showing us the final we deserve.
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It's been a while since a drama made me cry but this one made me bawl my eyes out lol. In conclusion I really liked this drama and for people complaining about the length and the final episodes I would suggest not binging it. I am a binger myself but I didn't have a lot of time because of school lately so I only watched about 1 episode a day or even 1 every 3 days. That way the drama didn't feel dragged out at all and the story develops really nicely at the end because all that 'dragging out' is not bad for the story in my opinion, it gives you more time to think about what could happen. And for people saying the ending was predictable, idk what drama's you've watched but I seriously did not see this ending coming at all, I won't give any spoilers but I for one really had no idea what could happen in the last episode and I'm glad with the way things ended because it was really fitting to the characters and the story.
For people wanting to watch this but doubting if they should because of the reviews, please give it a try and don't binge it, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
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