This review may contain spoilers
I admit that the first major half of the series I was actually invested, and I wanted to continue, but there were so many little things that kept bugging me. I'm listing them as follows:1) The Characters and the Insufficient Backstory: I couldn't sympathize with most of the characters because there was just not enough depth in flashbacks to make me feel for them. For example the relationship between Seo Hui and Sang Hun seemed really empty to me, considering he had spent so much time abroad, and when he returned he didn't live with her. He kept some heavy, HEAVY secrets from her and she was basically clueless about everything. If their relationship was that bad, I can't see why she was so desperate to find him, especially if she even suspected that he was cheating on her. It just didn't add up. The relationship between Sang Hun and his step-father wasn't really explored in depth either. I don't know what made Sang Hun think that his stepdad would care much if he got kidnapped or mutilated. I mean the old man basically stopped caring after the eye was discovered at the news agency, and he was ready to shut down the investigation for the son. The relationship of Yeong Min and Seo Hyun (the reporter) was so out of the blue, unnecessary and superficial that I didn't know what to think. The relationship between Yeong Min and Sang Hun wasn't satisfactorily pursued either, since Yeong Min's feelings were actually very complex but not explored at all.
2) The Disbelief in the Storyline: I'm sorry but I just can't imagine that any human being, any sane person, even a dying man would willingly suggest that his limbs be cut off, and that other 'sane' human beings, especially a brother-like relation would agree to do it. I can't believe Sang Hun would do it thinking it would help stop his stepdad who clearly stopped caring at one point. I also can't believe he would make his own wife undergo this torture, keeping her in the dark about all of this, knowing how she would feel upon discovery of his severed foot, hand, eye and then the heart. That last organ was a bit too much. What friend/brother can take out his brother's heart? without the proper tools or the know-how? I mean, is it that easy to extract a human heart that any lay person can do it without going stark raving mad? I can't forgive that Sang Hun made Seo Hui undergo all of this just so that the bill would be stopped and there was no guarantee that it would be stopped. And that last minute 'oh Sang Hun is dying anyway so it's all good' was very offensive I mean it was just meant to make it all convenient.
3) The Cliche: Corrupt old men covering up their corruption, cruelties, and greed while using henchmen who would go to any length to serve them is getting really old. Also the corrupt insiders in the police, the erased CCTV footages, the insufficient evidence to convict the obvious killer. Please stop it.
Little things kept bothering me, like the fact that I just couldn't get how Seo Hui could be such a dumb clueless person, who never tried to investigate just what it was that was bothering Sang Hun, why he didn't want to work in the company, what he did in his secret time away from her, and what was on his mind. You're his wife! How can you be so disinterested? She did good acting, but the character wasn't very likeable. I mean, girl, your laptop got hacked once, why are you using it again to check out a secret USB which you know will have top-secret content?
It was an overall meh drama. Lee Min Ki is amazing in his acting though.
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The main issue with this show is the writing, which felt uninspired and lazy at times. Characters would find answers/clues sometimes too conveniently to move the story along. Thus as a result, the investigation did not feel super compelling to me. Additionally, Seo Hui was criminally underwritten. That character had an underwhelming amount of development/growth, and wasn't given much to do. Also, I didn't like how in the beginning the (only) female detective was often the comic relief as a result of her foolishness. I've seen this type of humour is older dramas and thus it felt stale to me, and a little offensive to still be seeing token female characters in male-dominated work environments portrayed like that nowadays. That being said, the show definitely had its moments that were either intense or intriguing.
The acting is really the best part of this show. Lee Min Ki gives a great nuanced performance as a character completely different from his most recent drama work, thus further proving how exceptional he is of an actor. Lee Yoo Young was good as well with what she is given, I just wished she had more to work with. I also really liked Kim Shi Eun as Jin Kyung and Yoon Jong Seok as Ho Gyu, who both were endearing and truly earnest. This is probably just me, but I didn't really like Seo Hyun Woo as In Dong Gu, as the performance felt one-dimensional and it really felt like he was "acting".
Music was alright, I like the 80s inspiration. But also it didn't really suit the style and tone of the show, thus it felt like a superficial attempt to be "trendy".
Reading this over, I sound a little harsh but I just wished the writing/story could have delivered the same level as the cast did.
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Let me start by saying that I liked the show. I never felt the need to fast-forward or even had to force myself to continue it (which has been happing with quite a number of shows, especially towards the second half).
Having said that, The Lies Within was simply "okay". The plot and execution were nothing extraordinary, but it's also way above average. The plot and characters were consistent, the leads were likable and the problems they faced were resolved in a believable and logical way.
This is one of the few shows which didn't weaken as we crossed into the second half and, even better, the writers provided a satisfying, well-thought-out ending.
Perhaps the biggest issue was the show's length. The plot had enough meat for a movie or an 8 episode drama (at most). Which, of course, means that characters took too long to make connections or find things, which slowed down the pace.
On that note, I'd like to give fair warning that this is a slow show, leaning more on the investigation and less into the action. So you'll need to be in the right mood to enjoy it. If you're tired and trying to watch late at night, you might just fall asleep to some episodes.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Good
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I think the ML and FL did a great job with what they were given. They felt like real people caught in a sticky situation but rising to the challenge regardless. They were both likable and had a strong moral compass, which made their team effort feel organic. However, it's precisely that sense of normality that results in the development of characters which we might not remember a few months from now.
SUPPORT CHARACTERS: Okay
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The support characters were okay. It took me quite a number of episodes to warm up to the female detective (the ML's sidekick) because, as one reviewer pointed out, she was incredibly immature and treated as the butt of a joke.
It would've been less jarring had there been another female detective in the team (or even in the department!), but there wasn't. So that part took some getting used to. By the end, though, I had grown to like her. Mostly because she showed that she could get serious and had an actual purpose outside of providing comic relief.
Still, I would've liked to have seen more female characters being integrated, since there were really only two involved in the plot.
OVERALL: Recommended as a one-time watch
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This isn't a unique or particularly strong drama, but it's a good watch nonetheless. There are aspects of the plots that are certainly memorable. Not to mention that the plot is well-thought-out, explained properly and the ending fits perfectly. The shifts in tone, few as they were, were also well-executed and the art direction was spot-on.
The only real flaw is the length of the show. Had it been shorter, the quicker pace would've made for a more dynamic show. And not drawing out certain parts of the investigation might've kept it from being predictable.
All in all, this is a good watch for crime lovers.
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The actors were excellent with the material they were given.
Missing older sister, though tragic, small part was super cute and realistic.
The story makes you care until you don't care anymore; you'll know the exact moment when that happens.
Lot's of "Duh" moments. Like, if someone can hack your computer why wouldn't you think your phone is not hacked also? Or assume you aren't being followed? Like gee, let's get a clue.
Completely forgettable and can be watched in between waiting for episodes of another series.
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This review may contain spoilers
Ok watch
Good acting, good attempt at trying to highlight an ongoing issue with waste management. But there were some huge holes in the script. Writers should consult real police to understand the LE operation. It would help make the show more realistic.Spoiler: No detective allows a civilian to remain in a area where there may be possible evidence. There is now way when a suspect is being interviewed that a civilian is there as well. So many errors, in moving from night to day scenes. Seems as though the police force works around the clock and are always on duty when a crime occurs.
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Acting: I cannot say how much I enjoyed the acting. Each actor delivered faultlessly in every episode; their level of skill was superb. In a few instances, a female police officer was a bit overdone, but I think that was done as comic relief more than as stereotyping.
Music: As long as the music doesn't annoy me, I don't pay much attention to it, although I did appreciate that there was no grandiose orchestral production detracting from the story.
Rewatch: I would rewatch this, especially if I were watching with a friend who hadn't seen it before.
Overall: I give it a 9.5 and I think it deserves every bit of it.
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Review of "The lies within"
- When I tell u this show fucked me up, this show fucked me up. I mean all the shit that went down in this show was so unbelievable that it seemed unrealistic but thats what made it so realisitic and relateable. There were times when I was even sympathising with some of the criminals because their feelings and thoughts seemed very human and relateable.- I don't know about others but I can say about this show is that it shows you the darkest parts of humanity and its faults and just how far people can go when they feel cornered. But it can also show you what its like to never give up, to stick to your morals and that the truth will always catch up to you no matter who you are. This show also teaches you some very important life lessons if you really pay attention.
- Overall, this show really sent me on an emotional rollercoaster but when was also very enjoyable to watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama had a good hook, it was enticing and made you wanted to watch more but when you get into the middle, that's when it got complicated. I feel like there were so many unnecessary things in the drama that did not get fully explain towards the end. I also feel like this drama had a missed opportunity to make better character development and outcomes. As one reviewer mention, it felt like at times the writing got lazy and just started to add random unnecessary things into the drama to kept it longer. I would have been fine with the drama being 10 or 12 episode. The main female lead, Kim Seo Hui (played by Lee Yoo Young) could have done better. I'm not criticizing the actress, I love her and am watching this drama primary because of her but her character could have done more. It really bothered me in the beginning when Seo Hui was keeping everything to herself such as the blackmailing messages. It also bother me how she did not suspect that old guy who literally say, "do this or you'll end up like your father". That's a major red flag. There were moments like this throughout the drama that bother me and the characters just ignore it.
The main male lead, Jo Tae Shik (played by Lee Min Ki) was a great character. He displays as a cool-level headed guy that follows his intuition. I've never seen him in other drama, this was my first time seeing him act and I really enjoyed it. He brought many depths into his character. Most of the time he may seem as cold or serious, but he is actually compassionate. One thing I wish is that he would have more interaction with the female lead.
Non-spoiler Summary:
A woman gets blackmail to become an assemblywoman after her dad died in a car accident and her husband got kidnapped and mutilated. She also helps the detective in charge of this case to find her husband but together they found a secret that her family is hiding.
**SPOILER SUMMARY**:
A woman gets blackmail by her husband and friend in order to convince her to become an assemblywoman so she will figure out the truth in her family and company. She helps the detective to find her husband only to discover that her husband sacrifice himself so she will learn the truth.
THE ENDING
It was sad and unexpected. I was disappointed with it because I thought that they could do more. Why did he have to sacrifice himself to do it? Why can't they just get off his finger instead of his hands, feet, and ultimately his heart????? I thought taking out his heart was a bit too far. I'm just disappointed because I just wanted the husband and wife to be together. He didn't have to die for her to learn the truth.
MUSIC
I thought that the song, "Who Really Knows" by Donna relates to this drama a lot. For some reason, whenever this song came on it made me think of Kim Seo Hui and her husband. If you listen to the lyrics, it's almost like her perspective on her husband and the truth.
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Specially the script and acting!!!
The romance between Sang hoon and Seo hee
The great ending!!
But very sad ending, I hope a happy ending for our lovely couple...but,..
I really enjoyed this drama.
All main and support casts? and very talented?
Lee Joon hyuk role was so impressive. He is so handsome. His bromance with Young min was very lovely and sad. Specially the scence in which Sang hoon wants him to extract his heart...???????
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Both the premise of the corruption and the way good guys dealt with it had a nice and refreshing twist to it, but how some extremely cliche and sometimes senseless plot points were introduced ruined the experience for me. Does it matter how good of an idea you have if you surround it with bullshit?
By episode 9 I suspected where the drama was going, but some scenes did not make any sense with my prediction. It would make the characters look too dumb, so I dropped that idea. Guess what... it did happen at the end. By episode 13 I figured out the biggest plot twist and it just got me angry, because it made no sense. And I'm not some genius for figuring it out. The writing was just predictable.
As for the characters, some were great, some were bad, some barely existed. I definitely enjoyed the detectives’ team, and the investigation aspect was my favorite part of the show. Jin Kyung and Ho Gyu stole my heart and became my favorites. Jo Tae Shik was your typical hero cop, and if it was not for Lee Min Ki's acting, I would not pay that much attention to him.
The biggest let down? Kim Seo Hui. She just never learned from any of her mistakes, jeopardizing the investigation too many times to count. For the majority of the show she had nothing to do. I am quite honestly convinced this drama could have been more or less the same even if we write her off completely. If you ask me, she should be relegated to supporting character and her image should have never been used in posters.
The big bad wolf was boring and obvious, but then it's not like they tried to hide it. I did enjoy Dong Gu quite a lot though. His desperation was interesting to watch and I wished we had seen more of him on the screen. Other shady characters were... there doing shady things? I don't know. I hated how there were excuses and explanations made for some bad characters, but not others, when they were all equal trash.
Overall, this could have been so good. There were some episodes I actually enjoyed a lot. The dynamics between detectives was gold, the rivalry between Dong Gu and Young Min was exciting, but then they ruined it all with some really cheap and lazy writing and directing choices that I just couldn't ignore.
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