The drama has its entertaining elements, such as the thrill to be able to have numerous suspects right from the start. It has a concise story that revolves around a certain number of people and we get to see a decent progress in the characters' development. At moments it might look as if you know everything already, and have a clear picture of where the story is going and how the show is going to end, but this drama has its fair share of surprises. I really liked the fact that we got to see a lot of most of the characters, not just the 2 main leads. It gave us plenty of different perspectives on the story. Overall, it is a quite typical investigation story, but worth the watch. Most of the actors did a very good job. I loved Go Hyun Jung, her acting felt really natural, as if she was made to play the role of Choi Ja Hye. However, the switch of the actresses was made, although unintentionally, at a turning point in the drama, so at times it felt like we were seeing a new character. Nevertheless, Park Jin Hee did a very decent job. Shin Sung Rok and Bong Tae Gyu were exceptional, it made us hate them, and that was precisely what they should have done. Jung Eun Chae was the only one that didn't convince me with her acting at times, but she made up for it at other times.
As for the other aspects, I really liked the music, especially the soundtrack in the first few episodes. The atmosphere and the setting of the drama was also well chosen. It had some unique scenes which were really aesthetically pretty.
If you have doubts about this drama in terms of the story, and its predictability, go watch it, it won't disappoint. It might not be the perfect drama by far, but it is definately a fun ride which will keep you on the edge.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama has so much potential at its start. Starring Go Hyun Jung in the role of Choi Ja Hye, this drama made some big promises. In the beginning this drama promised a twisty who-dun-it plot with a really despicable cast of characters. It was quite an interesting setup, but halfway through, Go Hyun Jung decided to leave the show. Park Jin Hee would take her place as the deep and complex defense attorney Choi Ja Hye. After the casting change it became painfully obvious that Choi Ja Hye was written to be portrayed by Go Hyun Jung. The depth and complexity that she was able to convey in the role was largely lost with the change of lead actresses. Yet even with will all the casting changes, the drama still delivers a fairly engaging plot with an ending that redeems a lot of messy middle. I really do think it's worth finishing. I personally haven't seen anything like it!
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Characters that stood out was of course Choi Ja-hye (Go Hyun-jung ---> Park Jin-hee) for her dry humor and sarcasm, but Kim Hak-Beom (Bong Tae-gyu) was on a new level of asshole that really made you hate the character; in a good way. In addition, Geum Na-ra (Jung Eun-chae) might seem like a meek housewife at first, however she gets better as the episodes progress that you end up cheering for her later on. The story is definitely violent so make sure to keep that in mind, but other than that it's a 100% recommended series of "who killed who". Watching the characters dig themselves deeper into their own graves as they try to cover up past crimes and current accusations makes "Return" the more enjoyable.
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What made this drama so worthwhile was the acting, especially the Bong Tae Gyu who played Kim Hak Bum in this drama. His acting was phenomenal that it made me hate his character so much throughout the whole drama. Shin Sung Rok acted perfectly to show Oh Tae Suk's psychotic personality and it made me scared a little.
This drama delivers the message of decisions, and how each decision comes with a responsibility. The drama was able to deliver how bad decisions can not only affect you but also your surroundings. The drama also depicts the saying of how 'History repeats itself' and the way they cover up their bad decisions is constantly repeated even when they were young.
At the first the character Choi Ja Hye was played by Ko Hyun Jung which is then replaced by Park Jin Hee till the end. Although I was a little afraid that the change in leads may ruin the drama, but honestly the way the introduced Park Jin Hee in the drama was really good. Park Jin Hee's acting was also amazing and she is extremely beautiful.
The most upsetting thing about this drama is the lack of screen time for the leads. Throughout this drama you get to see a lot more of the elite group of friends instead of Choi Ja Hye and Dokgo Young who are the main characters. But their screen time increases more towards the end especially when Park Jin Hee comes into play.
The ending of the drama is quite sentimental, I got a little emotional to be honest. But the ending was quite vague and it doesn't show much of what happened to the other characters in the drama.
For those who can handle violence, this drama is one I would love to recommend. I really enjoyed the intensity of the whole show and how it made you want to know what is next.
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This review may contain spoilers
The drama started off well - the first few episodes had you suspecting every one, except for those whom you reasonably do not expect to have any motive. Prepare to be surprised in more ways than one.The plot kept you actively engaged: you contemplate who could be involved in the crime and why. This makes you want to understand each character's motives better. I will say the excellent acting kept the drama going, especially the four antagonists, because the drama had some flaws that would have made you want to abandon it. They executed the roles they were provided so well, it was a pleasure and, at the same time, annoyance (the good kind) to watch. The two men who got on my nerves the most were Hak Bum and Tae Suk. There is one character in the group who undergoes massive growth, enough for you to want to root for him. Lee Jin Wook was great as an enthusiastic detective - he was a relief to watch. Also, Jung Eun Chae was someone I was with too - she turned from a woman who did not speak for herself enough to a woman who made some healthy decisions for herself and her children. The show displayed the ills of society and lack of accountability well.
Now for the negatives:
The writers made some poor choices when it came to Ja Hye, who was portrayed as a righteous person when Go Hyun Jung portrayed her and the exact opposite when Park Jin Hee got the role. I understand why Hyun Jung left, if her dispute over her character holds true. If the intention to show Ja Hye in that light had been there from the get-go, the writers should have dropped subtle hints about her sinister intentions. It was as if we were dealing with a new chaacter all of a sudden. Ja Hye's motivations fit the premise of the the last twenty episodes or so, but before that, she was someone else entirely, but then the new face highlights the change more. Jin Hee did well with what she was provided - she made me hate Ja Hye enough to want to hit her.
*spoilers ahead*
I would have loved if the last episode had not been about Ja Hye's hardships but more conclusive about other characters. It made it seem as if what she had done was reasonable, given her past, which is a load of bull. The last episode painted every one of the four in a bad light, when one of them had actually undergone a huge development. Not only that, but Ja Hye's explanation of "restoring" justice (or so her words implied) on her live show made it seem as if she was a hero, not the villain. After all her talk about accountability, she decides to kill herself. It would have been a good end had they not gone on to show her meeting her daughter, as if this was her destination all along - towards the one she loved, hitting home the point that the victims' suffering due to her anger was all for naught, because she had been mistreated too. What a mess. The message they wanted to convey was received, but it felt they went back full circle when they decided to show a mother's love.
*spoilers ended*
Overall, the show was enjoyable for the most part, particularly because of the acting.
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This review may contain spoilers
4 friends is the constant/glue holding this drama together, Choi Ja Hye's character is your variable
Wow. What a great drama despite its flaws. I'm satisfied with most of the things that other people would have or have had problems with, which becomes the reason why i could still score this drama highly.As i explained in the title of this review, the story of the 4 friends is the constant/glue that holds this drama together, and remains a drama very worth watching for them till the very end. On the other hand the biggest variable for most people is the character of Choi Ja Hye itself, be it their disalignment over the lead actress change midway drama, the character disconnect on the part of the writing when the switch happened, or with the ending itself (resolution of her character).
I for one don't have much problems with these primarily because i think the new actress did such an outstanding job playing the character she's supposed to play, and the ending also made sense to me though it can be disturbing or dissatisfying to some people.
I particularly think the overall story is strong, though some disconnect and messiness are visible in parts. It's heart-wrenching and can drive you crazy at the same time, and this drama was utterly enjoyable because of that.
Acting by everyone is spectacular, and i almost felt relieved that the new actress took up the part in the second half because i thought she fitted the part better. I loved everyone else in the cast ensemble, Lee Jin Wook, Shin Sung Rok, Park Ki Woong, Bong Tae Gyu, Yoon Jung Hoon and Jung Eun Chae. They all did such phenomenal jobs with their characters. Hak Bom especially LOL, his temper tantrums really reminds me of the antagonist character that Namgoong Min played in Remember (2015), LMAO. At times you just wanna laugh and facepalm really hard at his antics because he's that nonsensical and despicable LOL.
I definitely enjoyed this drama more than I think i would. Whenever someone asks me, "is there a drama where the characters are so interesting that they made up to the weakness of the plot"? Yup, I can confidently say that there is, and it's this one. ❤
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The perfect imperfect Drama
NON SPOILER REVIEW :' Return ' The perfect imperfect Drama
This is the most ironical and circumstantial CRIME drama I've ever watched .
This drama has the best start one can get . Totally gets you in the grip , on the edge of your seats . I mean watching a group of delinquents , I swear the thrill you get is seriously out of this world .
The acting is phenomenal . It's like nothing ever seen before.
Just perfect .
I mean you never come across such interesting characters.
I would say the speciality of this drama sort from crime is it's character setup.
The first 15 episode are gem in that case .
But after that it gets a bit too low with some unfortunate circumstances such as the female lead leaving the show and being replaced which I found to be the right decision as the second female lead suits the role more . But I think this was surely a trap as for the first 15 episodes the first female lead is best suited .
The sole star and antagonist of the Korean industry would surely be Shin Sung rok after this drama forsure . What a villain . He's the villain you love to see and that's the difference b/w him and the others .
The acting is phenomenal , the plot was excellent halfway but average after that .
Final Call :
7.5/10
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Not good!
It's just another generic crime/thriller drama full of comical plot holes. No wonder Go Hyun Jung dropped out from the drama. Her character was poorly written and barely given meaningful screen-time or attention. At least she dropped mid way because as we were approaching the ending her character was made like a clown. With the change of actress the story got bad instantly and they revealed the entire mystery of the story in episode 16-17, there was nothing left you might as well end it there.The selection of cast members was doomed to fail anyway. Choi Ja Hye playing dump didn't fit the narrative most of the time. The last 10 episodes had utterly boring stretch of nothingness. I disliked the change of actress, the change of story direction that came with it and the lame-ass ending.
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Ok Thriller, Fun Soap Opera
At its best, this was diet Penthouse. If you like watching rich people behaving badly this show certainly delivers. Bong Tae Kyu and Shin Sung Rok were so good at being so bad. While I enjoyed the big soapy personalities in this one, the plot was a mixed bag for me. The core story is good, and I'm glad they didn't shy away from making the villains depraved and the revenge harsh, but I also felt like this show spent a lot of time spinning its wheels. The runtime felt padded. The casting change was a positive development, I preferred the second lead actress.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A good watch
Both Go hyun jung and park jin hee were amazing, so the change wasn't felt much although I'd prefer it if GHJ kept playing the role but still, stuff happened.The details played by park jin hee as why she does certain stuffs, why she eats and sleep like that played so well by her.
The actress who played young jung in ae. Lee mi so. her acting,gosh!she deserved an award for this. I cried so much at the end,I don't remember crying so bad because of any drama. Her acting as the mother who lost her daughter was so heart wrenching. the poor daughter... It hurt so much. Jung in ae in front of that judge house.. It was... Too much to bear. That girls acting is so freaking good, I think I cried a river???
Also tae min young's mother, The abused girls brother...these pitiful characters... played well by the actors.
It's a sad, frustrating, heartbreaking drama... All these cases, All those bast***s, Till the end they didn't receive proper punishment. very very fcked up characters that'll keep you on edge. oh, Lee jin wook was good as a detective in it.
but rewatch value is 7/10 because it is very interesting and good drama but full of dark scenes I really don't wanna see again (like I said, morally fcked up characters that made me feel disgusted)
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This review may contain spoilers
Karma can be a bitch
First I have to give kudos to Lee Jin Wook. He’s one of my favorite actors. However, he was riveting in this drama.For me there was nothing better than watching the entitled 4 turn on each other and lose everything. The entitled 4 were so narcissistic. I hate to say it but I felt that Oh Tae Suk should’ve suffered the same demise as Kim Hak Bum. I kept wanting Kang In Ho to show at least an nth of remorse at least for his family. Of the four my heart went out to Seo Joon Hee - he seemed to be the only one who finally got it and was willing to pay for his crimes.
I was also moved by Geum Na Ra. It was bad enough how she learned about her husband’s affair but then to find out that he was responsible for the death of a 9 year old and wasn’t willing to accept responsibility. Sadly he got off too easily.
Choi Ja Hye’s scheme for revenge was perfection as the entitled 4 turn on each other and made her revenge scheme that much easier.
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