I think this drama is like a mix of Gossip Girl and Riverdale (without the bad parts of Riverdale). Like they have the vibe.
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Simply brilliant and well put together
What an emotional rollercoaster this entire show has been. There were moments where I was laughing and then there were moments where I was bawling my eyes out with the characters. There were also moments where I was furious and angrily cursing at the characters lol my point being is that this show is simply so darn good that it keeps you hooked on.The cast and the acting is just brilliant! I’m really happy with the way the characters evolved and how the show wrapped up nicely.
Perfectly executed and the soundtrack being so darn good I can’t describe how well it fit with all the drama taking place.
No show’s ending has ever left me feeling so satisfied and whole. I love how they touched upon the education system and parenting ways and the best part being so many lessons were learnt at the end of the show.
Without a doubt I can say that this show absolutely deserves its high rating of 9.1
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Story-
The plot is amazingly layered. Each character is well developed throughout the drama. Each episode is intense. The drama really opens your eyes to how corrupt our education system is. The end episodes are emotional af, prepare a box of tissues you guys. But tbh the drama could've ended perfectly on episode 19. I felt like episode 20 was just an episode to clear up some misunderstandings, fill in plot holes and give each character a happy ending. Episode 20 was not as good as all the episodes before it.
Acting/cast-
Amazing acting from every single character in this drama. Each character is unique and gives off different vibes. Most kdramas have strong male characters that dominate through the drama, but SKY castle different. SKY castle proves to us that females can also be strong, dominant and good actors.
Music-
Nice English OST, not overly used. Most of the time you can barely hear the lyrics, it's mostly used for its instrumentals I guess. Whenever "We all Lie" plays, that's when you know some major tea is being spilled.
That last scene/shot of Coach leaves us with a somewhat cliff hanger. I need a season 2!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Ok before we start, I need to tell you how much I really loved this. I watched Hotel Del Luna prior to this and thought that no other drama could top it because of the amazing visual effects, storyline, cast and OST but oh my I was proven wrong. Sky Castle is that one drama you should watch especially if you are Asian because it debunks sooo many misconceptions and myths held within the Asian society and I could highly relate. Sky Castle was such a thrilling ride throughout the 20 episodes. Maybe the 20th episode got a little boring because it was wrapping up all the drama that had happened in the past 19 episodes but it was tolerable and understandable. I personally thought the ending could have been slightly better as Woo Joo completely dropping out of high school was a bit extreme to me. I thought it would have been better if he took a gap year instead because he is a talented and smart kid who is capable of doing so much and not having his high school diploma is a bit of undervaluing himself? Because let's all face it, we need at least a high school diploma to do something in life afterward. So I thought that decision of his was a little extreme and misguiding. I mean totally go explore yourself / backpacking around Europe but maybe do it after graduating from high school and taking a gap year? I think that's really the best time for any individual to take a break and think about what he wants to do in the next phase of life with college and work. Besides Woo Joo's a little extreme decision, I thought that the ending neatly tied up everything. So my rating remains a 10.
I especially loved how Yeh Suh's family changed towards the end and finally realized that grades really don't matter as much as the Asian society makes it to be. Doing your best and being happy is way more important in life because we all live once so we might as well live our lives to the fullest. I also loved Seung Hye's role like can a mother get any better? She is so brave and willing to protect her kids from her own husband when she sees that his views for his children's education are not really in her son's best interests. I aspire to be like her - to stand up for what I believe in be it whoever I need to stand against.
I could go on writing about each character's importance in the drama and especially when it comes to the flaws in not just Korea's but Asia's competitive society but that would essentially mean the next 10 hours for me and juicing out the whole drama for those who intend to watch it and leaving none left to anticipate. Therefore, I will stop here. I really hope those who are reading this will try to watch this drama. It is just so much more than just a drama. Finally, hats off to the cast!
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Gripping cautionary tale about elite education
TL;DR: Neighborhood/family dynamics like Desperate Housewives; extraordinary plot development like Quartetstory about how a tutor can change the whole family like Kazoku Game.
With some take-home messages for parents who put too much stress on their kids.
(and if you grew up with that sort of stress and overbearing parents, then it might be slightly triggering--
This was much more than what I imagined it to be.
Parts of it are super relatable to any person in the modern education system, and then there are extra plot points that are just friggin' wild (yet completely believable given the main characters' backgrounds)
And I love it.
It was 19 episodes of intense development
then just as I was about to complain that the 20th episode was a letdown, the writers bring back some themes to make it go full circle
I love the foreshadowing and the way they would show some scenes to briefly insinuate points that don't need detailed explanation
makes the whole story just so much more intense because whatever scenes they do show, they are necessary to our understanding of the characters.
The acting too. I think all the roles are very well-done, and it's no wonder why SKY Castle swept 4 prizes at the Baeksang Awards. Ofc the veteran actors are great; but young actors-wise I'm particularly in love with Kim Hye-na's actress -- you'll see why as you watch on.
As someone who grew up in a high-stress environment, a lot of the dialogue is relatable and slightly triggering
but at the same time I was just happy to see that some of the crazy myths I grew up with are discussed and debunked in this show
And I really hope that more people would watch and learn from this show.
So yup. Would recommend to anyone looking to kill 20 hours with something addictive and exciting.
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Although I was really into this drama, due to the very difficult subject matter, as well as the many despicable characteristics of many of the main AND support roles , I feel I have to admit I found it somewhat exhausting.
At one point, I went to check which episode I was watching, thinking (hoping?) I was nearing the series' conclusion, only to discover I was still early into Ep. 15! I had that PLUS five more episodes to go! I wouldn't judge anybody watching this series if they decided they needed to take some breaks. There's a lot of serious, heavy stuff with which to contend!
There was a relentless, revolving door of issues such as physical & mental abuse, greed, devastation, suicide, oppression, corruption, jealousy, fear, class prejudice, shame...all orbiting around the immense pressures of the current, Korean education system.
In parallel with the problems of the aforementioned education system, you see much of the same happening to the adults both at work & in their personal lives.
After reading what I just wrote, even I find it hard to believe that I enjoyed this series, but I really did! I was invested early into the story, into the characters, & it continued for the duration.
I guess there were enough instances of more positive things such as compassion, patience, reason, humor, perseverance, justice, redemption, forgiveness, kindness, etc. to keep all of the negative aspects from drop kicking me "This. Is. Spartacus"-style into the abyss of "Humans freaking SUCK!"
I think this is an important series. It confronts important issues, & it well deserves being seen.
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How did the writers manage to make me hate all these characters and then root for them at the end? To some extent, I really wanted to see them wreck themselves. I was certain 11th hour redemption would have fallen short, but here we are.
The one thing I felt wasn't fleshed out well enough was Seo Jin's motive, according to Coach Kim. Coach Kim's actions could be explained if it were true that Seo Jin really was the monster pushing Ye Suh to focus on academics. However, it is proven time and time again that Seo Jin didn't think SNU was worth working with Coach Kim. But Yeh Suh was the one who refused, because she herself was so driven to succeed. I think it's fair to believe that some kids really are intrinsically motivated, or otherwise have goals for themselves. I believe that Seo Jin was consistent in her motives: to do what was best for her child, and help Ye Suh achieve her own goals. You could argue that Ye Suh was a product of her upbringing, but at the same time... sometimes, kids really do focus too much on the structure of the system and their perceived notions of "success" all on their own.
I wasn't too happy with the fate of all these kids at the end either. I'm not convinced this was the strongest message to send, nor the most realistic. I think Woojoo tipped the scales here. I can see how his upbringing and his inflection point caused him to make the decision he did, but it doesn't add up considering how self-motivated he had been to that point.
This review isn't totally cohesive. Overall: the story was great, minus a couple plot points. It was a bit too long — I think episodes 17 and 18 could've practically been cut out altogether, and the drama would've been better for it. But all of these actors and actresses truly KILLED IT, and it was a pleasure to see them embody such unique characters. I will always expect "We All Lie" to show up during any suspenseful moment (it was practically the only song in the whole OST!). "Hero" by Family of the Year was the other notable song to me, and it was the perfect soundtrack to wrap up this story. SKY Castle was crazy and intense, so I don't think I'll rewatch it any time soon. This also made it incredibly difficult to binge watch. But at the end of the day, it was entertaining, different, and a spectacle to watch. What a roller coaster.
PS: I will forever ship Suh Joon and Ye Suh. Ki Joon, take the hint!
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Ambition and Entitlement are a helluva drug!
This was my third time trying to watch SKY Castle. Twice before I dropped it during the first episode. I just don't find dramas about blind ambition and shallow social circles that interesting without a compelling story, so I didn't understand the high ratings. After finally giving this drama a real chance, and making it to the end of episode 1, I realized that this story builds pretty slowly, and getting to know the families and their dynamics becomes important in caring about what happens later on. If you were raised in an environment where getting amazing grades in school was prioritized over everything else then this drama and its message may resonate with you more. I would almost call this a lite melodrama, because of its comedic and silly scenes, but It's the mystery part of the story that actually kept me watching. If you weren't raised with that pressure (like me), the attention put on grades and college may seem super exaggerated and hard to take seriously, but it was the dynamic between parents and their kids that affected me the most in SKY Castle. It's taken to the extreme for sure but was easy to empathize with. The cast is also great, even if the majority of the characters often aren't likable. Some characters are ridiculously over the top too, but it all works with the satirical style of the drama.This is very much an ensemble drama too. Most of the story focuses on Yeom Jung Ah as fierce "Tiger mom" Seo Jin, but each main family in SKY Castle has its own interrelated stories and some really great performances. However, the standout for me is Kim Seo Hyung. I wish I could go more into why without spoilers but I'd rather you learn by watching. The mystery of her character is the glue that holds all the pieces together and she made a strong impression on me while doing it. Also, don't let these slightly campy characters fool you, there are some super emotional moments that I didn't expect that lead to real tears quite a few times.
Would I watch this again? Probably not, but not because it's a bad drama. Not knowing what to expect is what kept me intrigued and there were a lot of unexpected twists from the first episode, despite its slower pace at times, and I just don't think I would have that same excitement watching it again and knowing what to expect. It's also a pretty sad drama, even with its more comedic and catty moments, so it's not a "fun" rewatch either. I do think knowing the characters better would make the earlier episodes seem less boring, especially the first celebratory dinner scene, but I couldn't rewatch it all. I can maybe see fans of any of the actors wanting to watch this again, or people who relate more to the high achiever plot and find this cathartic rewatching. I would be much more interested in a sequel instead, although I can't imagine where the story would go from here. I felt this drama did a good job of bringing closure to all the characters even with the provocative ending.
Overall, I see why this drama was so popular. It really is well-written and never gets too melodramatic to make a real emotional impact. It's more than a look into the secret lives of the rich and entitled, which is what I expected (and why I kept dropping it), and is more about examining and challenging the pressures put on young people to succeed. I'm sure watching it from a Korean point of view is different from my American perspective, but once I was drawn into that high-pressure world of SKY Castle, I empathized more than I ever thought I could. If you're bored by the beginning like I was, just know that the pace picks up, and the story gets addictive. The world of SKY Castle is realistically unreal. I don't think it's perfect, nor would I add it to my favorites list, but like one of the major themes in this drama, it doesn't need to have perfect grades to be appreciated.
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just one word. wow
I rarely write reviews but after finishing this I have a lot to say.the only reason I didn't give this a 10 is that I would never rewatch because it was too emotional for me. the amount of times I cried man.
as a student this was a hard yet amazing watch. it was very unrelatable yet relatable show in different ways.
the actors and actresses did an amazing job. there were amazing character developments, relationships, friendships, heartbreaks.
I think this is worth watching especially for those who watched dead poets society!
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VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING DRAMA WITH AMAZING ACTORS
What an outstanding drama. Unique plot. Beautiful script. Amazing characters. I was addicted from start to finish. I had to drop the other one I was watching just to see how this played out and I was not disappointed at all. While most dramas about rich families just focus on their pampered lives, this one takes you down a path where you learn that behind all the prominence is pressure. Pressure to succeed and pressure to have children to succeed after you. The parents in sky castle will do anything to solidify the future of their children, but at what cost?The main characters were multi-dimensional, thoughtfully written, and the actors executed their roles perfectly. There were quite a few scenes that got me emotional, and the well-written script enhanced the performance of everyone involved. The young actors and actresses in the cast gave great performances (especially Chani. He's an idol but he was very good at emotion), but the veteran cast stole the show. The housewives were undoubtedly the foundation of sky castle and their husbands were handfuls to match. My favorite family was Ye Seo's family. Fave character was Soo-Im. Her family was the only one I never got frustrated at and genuinely rooted for.
Overall I give this drama a 10/10. Even if you weren't a kid who grew up in a suffocating household like the sky castle children, there was still a lot to take away from this. I think the main themes are that what society dictates as success doesn't always bring happiness to those who achieve it and that one's happiness and self-identity should always be put above other people's expectations. There are other interesting themes and dark undertones. I agree that episode 16 was dragged out but it was only so you could see everybody get a happy ending but it's definitely skippable. I also think the ending was realistic because there will always be people in the world who crave money, status, and accomplishments to satisfy their greed. But it is never too late to realize one's errors and make amends for past mistakes and heal what is broken.
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Just incredibly amazing
Thisdrama is just awesome. It is very well
written, all of the actors did a perfect job.
The cinematography is just perfect. The
direction is perfect too. The OST gives me
goosbumps and is always played at the
perfect timing. Every character is very
well-written and the drama has full of
twists and turns.
It a serious drama with serious topics but
the fact that it still makes you laugh out
loud at times is just fabulous. Its like the
drama is so perfect that it controls your
emotions. It’s a full roller coaster of
emotions and the fact the villain in this
drama isn’t shown as the “ most evil”
person is so much amzing. Like in other
dramas when they show that villain is the
worst person.
This drama showed us the perspectic of
the villain too and her reasons as why she
does the stuff she doing now. All the
characters have their own flaws. Mostly
dramas try to show that the main leads
are down-to-earth and are just perfect
but this drama did the exact opposite. It
showed how the main characters were
flawed a lot.
Also the drama gives a very strong
message to not only the Korean society
but to the whole world that why should
you pressurize your students so much to
study. Its just an awesome drama and I
just don’t have words to explain my love
for it.
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There is no limit to push your children's welfare when prestige is everything
A drama with a theme that is personally important for me: education and how it is seen as social status. This drama revolves around injustice in the education world and -unfortunately- those who come with privilege can go far because their starting point is at a different level. It is rich with socio-political issues. If you are not Asian, I think, this drama can give a glimpse of how (most) Asian children are pushed to do everything to go to the most prestigious university, sometimes at all cost as if there is no other way to be successful. Children are their parents’ pride and therefore children have almost no authority in their own life.As a newbie in kdrama, I feel the story is being way too stretched. I didn’t realise that most kdrama tend to be like that. I pushed fast forward quite often from episode 14 onwards. I was too impatient and I don’t think I missed a lot. I don’t have the need to see every single scene, I feel like I know what will happen anyway. I like the balance of serious and humorous stories. There are parts where I feel frustrated because I know the real world is cruel to the poor and less fortunate people.
I really like the cast. All of them are strong characters and played by skilled actors. Such a pleasure to watch them. There is a strong chemistry among the cast. Kim Seo Hyung and Kim Byung Chul left a strong impression.
We All Lie fits well as the soundtrack. The melody and lyrics give the mood for the drama.
This is quite a heavy drama. I don’t suggest binge-watching. Savour it, perhaps a few episodes at a time. A good drama to watch as reference to social issues discussion.
Watch: mid year of 2020.
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