A Korean Odyssey (2017)

The start was fabulous. Like most of the people I have my own complains about the ending. Though it wasn't the worst ending, it was still justified to some extend. I may sound contradictory but I don't want to give spoiler by writing my reasons here.

To give overall review.
Plot - something new - fresh. The chemistry between all the characters were awesome, beyond expectation. This is one of the drama, where you can enjoy all side characters, it didn't just not focus on leads.
There are many fun factors in the drama. Execution is quite well, except for the animations in some scenes. But I would overlook that issue considering they were making this series on air.
The ending episodes were little serious, if you watch it on one go - you might find it dragging. There were some open loops and some unnecessary scenes that didn't make any sense at all. Those were the only thing which I could not connect - tho it was all in last 2 episodes. Rest were actually nice.

I would recommend this to people who are willing to keep a open mind and are not just looking for romance.

Actors - I didn't liked female lead or I don't know it was her character or the actress herself. But sometimes she did annoy me. I loved all other actors to core.

Re-watch - Might watch some scenes but not as whole series.

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The side characters are to die for

I am gonna be upfront, my rating for this show is severly inflated because it was one of the first supernatural rom-coms that I watched. I am a sucker for supernatural, and this kinda just fit my mood. There is so much sentimental value around this that I never changed the score I gave it, but the following is as honest as I can be about this drama.

>Beginning--I thought it took too long<
When I first watched this drama I had this severe itch to get it over with. I thought that the beginning and subsequently the rest of the drama was taking too long.

>Story--the side characters did a hell of a lot of heavy lifting<
The ghosts and the side characters were my favorite part of this drama. They went through a lot of character development, provided all of the comedy, and really outshined the main cast. (Ma Wang was probably the best)
The stories of the side characters were endearing and thoughtful--something you might expect from the Hong Sisters (this is my favorite drama of their's). Zombie was by far my favorite character and made me a fan of the actress Lee Se Young.
The character of the Male lead was entertaining and similar to many cold/childish male leads.
The monsters stories and threats were interesting and they brought the Male lead and Femal lead together. I was disappointed that the female lead has so little character development. She did have some, but not as much as I was hoping.
The bromance was fantastic! If I could have a clip of all the bromance in one place, I would probably rewatch it over and over again.

>Pacing--too slow<
I find this so common for the Hong Sister dramas that I have watched, they are too slow, and make me watched at 1.5-2X speed.

>Ending--acceptable, but no explanation<
I was most confused about the ending because they didn't show anything, it just kinda cut to it. It made a weak attempt at giving us a second season teaser.

If you are a supernatural, rom-com fan then you should definitely check this out. It would be up your alley. The side characters are the best, so you might get annoyed with the leads. The middle-end was the best part of the drama.

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Netflix lied...

Honestly how to some this up. after episode 15 I watched at 1.5x and skipped entire episode. I could not help but think of all the other shows I watched and enjoyed. I mean seriously out of the three Lee Seung Gi shows I watched this show absolutely had the worst female lead... I enjoy most the characters besides the the female lead employee, the fact he was entirely clueless about his job I feel like he could legally sue her for how much danger he was in, especially since he is really moronic. The female lead wasn't much better. I mean you would have thought she would have ended up pretty bad ass like the lead of "Sell Your Haunted House" dealing with the same situation but she literally didn't. Not to mention the fact that it took her so long to figure out her blood was special there is no way she lived that long and not shed any blood. Also the priestess I'm sorry but you took over something body and didn't know the pig was a better choice if you are upset you were lonely but instead wanted to do the same thing and get a different results, suicide squad called and wants it's botched villain back. Honestly I want my money back because this show was synopsis by Netflix as a story going through Korean mythology but yet if I wanted that I should have rewatch Tale of nine tail, then go watch book of gu again. Seriously the ending isn't worth it. Go watch anything else

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Disintegrated into madness!!

This is another show that I really liked in the beginning but then couldn't wait for it to be over. The plot went from fun/interesting to nonsensical and boring all the while adding some dumb subplot about evil politician destined to be the next antichrist/Hitler type...can we say done to death (well maybe not in Kdramas or none that I have watched, and this is the first fantasy I've watched and may be the last for a while)!!

The writing is bad. So many plot discrepancies from episode to episode, especially as it related to the bracelet, and how it was able to injure Son Oh Gong. Master Subori supposed to be a deity but constantly being challenged by Ma Wang and Oh Gong. Terrible CGI especially for 2017. The budget went on wardrobe and not special FX. The cast not bad and neither is the acting.

We are supposed to root for FL but not sure how our heroine, Jin Seon Mi / Sam Jang went from pretty resourceful kid to being a damsel in distress at practically every turn. One of the worst FL in a series.

There were some highlights of the series including, Ma Wang and Oh Gong's relationship. The banter between the two could be a show all its own. I adored Mr. Sa the best manservant ever!! I loved his relationship with Oh Gong.

BEST FEMALE CHARACTER EVER MS. MA. Loved her so much. I loved how every episode she wanted to kill someone but really still had the best heart.

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Son Oh-gong is the best

Premise: I love rom-com-fantasy so maybe I'm a little biased. This is one of my favorite kdramas because of Son Oh-gong, my favorite character of all time. Lee Seung Gi here is gorgeous. After seeing this series I went to see all his other dramas! FL, Oh Yeon Seo, I didn't like, I disliked her from the beginning. But her character has good chemistry with Son Oh-gong and that's enough. The other characters are so strong that they take up her slack. Also the imaginary world created is fascinating. Unfortunately the ending is pretty unsatisfying (and this is why I can give a 10 to this drama) but the journey that leads to the unhappy conclusion (in the sense of script quality) is fun and engaging therefore I recommend it to anyone who loves the fantasy and rom-com genre.

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After watching this drama I came to this point that I'm in love with the idea of love.

STORYLINE: As for this department, I would say that, the title and the briefing of the drama is nothing in front of storyline. I mean, after reading the briefing I thought it going to be sappy story but no, no, no, it turned out to be the most twisted plot. Every episode's ending is like a cliff hanger. No words to describe my feeling. In every episode when I thing that it's going to be fine now but then something appears and my mind went crazy. I can bet on that, you'll never get bore in any episode.

ACTING: I love their acting, character, figure, face in short whole soul of the actor and character.

MUSIC: As for the music, my favorite songs from this drama are, "Let me out" and "When I see you". They are even in my playlist.

You must watch it, then you decide the re-watch value.

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What I liked about this show was the interpretation of both Cha Seung Won and Lee Seung Gi. They made the characters so real. They were funny or tragic when they had to. I watched the show only for them. I could say the way they acted created the whole show. What I didn't fancy was the acting of Oh Yeon Seo (she was to quiet...sometimes I was feeling that she is just a piece of glass... the light just passes through the glass...just like the action of the shows...it doesn't affect the feeling you get from her). Every time I saw her I was appreciating more Cha Seung Won and Lee Seung Gi.

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Despite major broadcasting delays in the beginning – due to a serious editing flaw in the second episode as well as a staff injury – the show managed to break its own records with the highest ratings in its time slot across all channels. Usually, dramas of similar genres are set in a historical, pre-development, era. The fact that this one was based in a 2017 Seoul made it slightly relatable (and hence comfortable) to the audience.
Hwayugi's comedic approach to what would otherwise have been a highly melodramatic topic, helps it stand out. Initially, the drama did not seem to have any direction. It had a scattered storyline. What helped it get through were the absorbing sub-plots. The romance, let's be honest, was cringy. However, the bromance between Ma Wang and Son Oh Gong is probably the best one I've seen since becoming a K-drama fan.
Overall, the character development was definitely evident. But, there were poorly written characters. From the primary cast, Son Oh Gong was the only satisfying character. He is a powerful notoriously self-serving mystical creature who is feared by many. The character's mischievous personality resembled my image of Lee Seung Gi.
While Ma Wang's own story seemed incomplete, he was important as a support for Son Oh Gong, regardless of their differences. Ma Wang's extraness could only be acted this smoothly by Cha Seung-won. Even though disliked by many, it was exciting and hilarious. Viewers were also cynical of him backstabbing Son Oh Gong, however let’s keep in mind that the two weren’t supposed to be on very cordial terms from the get-go. Cha Seung-won's character may not have been up to the mark, but his acting did not fail us. He managed to pull it off superbly, which made us admire him all the more.
Though part of the main cast, the most disappointing character and performance was of Oh Yeon Seo's Jin Seon Mi. Jin Seon Mi, despite being the female lead, was a stiff character who mostly just complained. She was expressionless. That was especially frustrating in comparison to how active Lee Seung Gi was. It won’t be wrong to call her the weakest of them all.
This drama has a star-studded cast with some of the industry’s major names. While the primary cast receives the spotlight, in A Korean Odyssey, it is the supporting cast that steals the show. Lee Se Young, in particular, shocked the audience with her transformation from a dim-witted zombie to a charismatic seductress. Her performance was applaudable, especially when compared to her work in Hit The Top. Lee El as Ma Wang’s secretary is probably the most underrated of the lot. Kim Sung Oh's Lee Han Joo had me laughing till my stomach hurt with his unintentional comedy. Lee Hong Ki and Sung Hyuk are honourable mentions as well. Sung Hyuk plays two roles – General Frost and his sister the Summer Fairy with whom he shares his body. I have to say, not only was he convincing, he also looked gorgeous dressed up as a woman. Some even compared him to AOA's Seolhyun!
Overall, I’d rate the drama 3.85/5. The initial setbacks faced by the drama left many (including myself) sceptical of it. However, apart from a few glitches here and there, A Korean Odyssey is quite captivating. It is far better than the first impression left on the audience by the production team. The soundtracks if put together would make a good album. Nevertheless, its re-watch value for me is pretty low, probably somewhere around 1.5/5.

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Like:
For me the story is fresh and cute, like how can they have thought about that? But the highlight of the show is the characters, especially Ohgong. He's powerful, petty but surprisingly honest. If other dramas are willing to die for their love, not Ohgong. It's not that he's not willing but that he won't literally permit it, maybe because he got powers. Buja, my beloved zombie! I can't believe I'll be loving a zombie, haha. All those monsters are so enjoyable to watch. I can watch the show even all they do is interact with each other, especially Buja and Ohgong bickering.
Dislike:
I don't like everything about the drama, especially some of the awful cgi in the ending and how come there is no reward for Ssamjang?! Seriously, those so called gods messed up her life and can't even make her a demi-god. Like if they are angry to Oh Gong, then punish him but not at the expense at someone's pitiful life. And I still think her death is unnecessary.

I'll re-watch it for the funny scenes, and there's a lot. The end is fine with me. I am sure Ohgong can take Ssamjang out there. I just wish I can see it.
And I wish brighter days for that staff. Fighting!

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i rarely do a review...but, reading a few review in here, i think i need to do a positive review. i'll compare this to goblin (since both are supernatural) a Korean Odyssey (AKO) is 20 series long and i finish it in 5 working days, goblin is 16 series long and its been on hold for months. i like this more because the supernatural being in here is a lot more than goblin, and they act like they're not human...so its funny, and i think i like it more compare to supernatural being that act human. Timing (in my own opinion) also playing a huge part since Goblin was the first one coming with these genre (with extravagant setting and CGI and all), and AKO is almost a year later....so yeah, its getting colder.

story : About the story line...its well written, each character is well presented and yes...there's a boring moment (a few minute) but for a drama that contain 20 episode in it...its already really great. i want to keep watching it and finish it soon, its good enough for me if i have that kind of feeling. they can keep the pace steadily from the beginning, its more melodrama in the end but since the story is well connected, i dont feel bored. one thing i want to comment is when the monkey fight the dragon, its not good enough, from the CGI, how to conquer the dragon, and the story about the dragon itself. its a little bit on the 'meh' side.

acting : now this is hard...i don't like main actress, i think she isn't on par with Lee Seung Gi. the chemistry is there, but i feel it come from Seung Gi a lot more, since his acting is really good, really really good (if you think that's because Seung Gi is handsome, you know there's a lot more 'out of this world handsome' Korean actors out there). the monkey that's rude, never care about others, arrogant are presented really well from beginning until the end...i don't feel the same from the actress. she's pretty but her acting just look flat, pessimist, gloomy. when she say that she love him, i can't feel it in her eyes. and, she look older than Son Oh Gong, and the monkey is 1000++ years old, how come ? on the other hand, i really love zombie girl, man...she can act!! she's been given a lot of challenge in one drama, with a lot of different character, and she nailed it all. i like Ma Wang, but he can be a little overact sometime....but since it funny, i don't mind. the other character is well presented as well.

music : i like bumkey song and the others too. they always put the right song on the right scene. the song itself...keep on playing in my head.

rewatch : absolutely...for a few first episode when theres a lot more funny moment. im already begin to watch it.

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