Best KD Drama so far
I started watching KD Dramas last year (Pandemic is to blame!) and have been watching pretty much non-stop (I have a lot to catch up on!!). Watched all Genres from Medical, Action, Historical, Zombie, School/Teenage, Coming of Age, Comedy, Melodrama... everything...If there is one Drama that really stood out it's Hyena. I enjoyed this Drama so much! The female lead, you just gotta love her (especially the women will love her, not sure how she goes down with men), she is so tough, cool, clever and totally got it together. No simpering heroine in this drama that's for sure! The interactions between her and the male lead (he was in Kingdom... which was my first KD Drama!) was just brilliant. I loved the way they tried to outdo each other and his childish glee when he thought he got one over on her.
This is the first drama where I rewatched certain scenes over and over (gosh that one when he meets her in the courtroom as herself the first time... dang.. its just so good!! ).
Like all KD Dramas it was a bit drawn out at the end (it sometimes feels they have to have 16 Episodes in a Series even if the story has been told and there is just wrap up in the last episode) but apart from that this show was fab.
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So many reasons to watch this!
Production Characters Chemistry Story Actors...I don't know where to start!Ok let's put things in order.
Music:You will fall for all the music themes.OSTs and every piece is just beautiful.I loved how they used different outros/closing music scores depending on the mood and ending of each episode.I have never seen that in any other drama.If the episode ended with a funny tone, the music was playful and funny.If the last scene was sad and dramatic,music followed the same mood.Smart!Bravo!
Production/Cinematography/Directing:High class!You can see and feel the quality here.From props to costumes and not forget to mention the fancy luxury cars(Mercedes-Benz was one of the sponsors)everything screamed they didn't spare the budget!
Cast/Acting:One word.EXCELLENT!Not one single misfit here.Tailor-made roles for all the actors.Main and supporting.
Joo Ji Hoon & Kim Hye Soo!Producers couldn't find a better match!
I read somewhere that the age gap between the 2 actors was shameful!Seriously?Just ridiculous.I couldn't stop laughing!If there are any other actors out there who can deliver passion-at any form-as those two did,i wouldn't give a F*** if their age difference was over 20 years or so!This is Act and Art.Sorry for the kinda irrelative comment but i had to get it out of my chest.
I want to make a special reference to Lee Kyung Young.He is my ultimate Villain(at least in every drama ive seen him he is always the bad guy)
He is so experienced.A true Veteran.This man CAN act.No shit here.And i think he must be the most busy actor in Korea.He is starring in almost every drama ive watched!
Of course the rest fo the cast did an amazing job so Cudos to all.
Story/Plot: This is not a heavy Law Drama.There are not many court scenes and the law cases our lawyers dealing with,are simple and easy to follow.So if you are looking for a serious Law & Crime Drama,this is not the case.Without this meaning the story is not interesting.Is all about the dirty world of Big Law Firms but above all the story is mostly centered in to our two main leads and their entourage.
It is not the typical rom-com either(yeahhh to this,i can't stand cheesy stories)Is a Cat-Mouse game especially in early episodes.Or better say a Hyena-Mouse game.The plots..the traps..whos gonna have the upper hand.Whos gonna win the case.
As i said the story is not something new but our main leads clicked so perfectly and they both brought freshness to this drama.You can't help it but continue watching.
Characters:The main reason this series is a super hit to me(combined with the actors who played those chars ofc!)
The FL.The Hyena:She devours everyone near her.She is manipulative,opportunist,smart,cold-hearted,competitive,stubborn,strong and a badass.In one word she is a total Bitch!Bingo!
What?You don't like this kind of woman?Too bad.She ain't get any better but i kept loving her episode after episode.She never claimed to be a Saint either way.
In the strict lines of ethics and morals our FL is a villain.She is evil too.But life is never black and white.And here we have way more than 50 shades of grey.This is a harsh world and if anyone thinks that everyone walks with a cross in his hands..Sorry to burst the bubble..
What iam saying here is that the writer didn't create a "Barbie" character,soft and sweet.Our FL doesn't wear a crown a gown and her hair is not a doll's style!Well talking about hair and clothes..Ehmmm.Her fashion choices least to say are weird!
She has her own unique style.Love it or hate it!As for the hair many will disagree with me but i loved it.That short haircut just made her look more badass and dynamic.Suited her personality!(i have my hair that short for the last 20 years!)
I can continue and praise this char forever so lets go to..
The ML:A true gentleman.The softy one.He seems cocky and arrogant and he is too,sometimes.He is also smart.witty,kind-hearted funny and super sexy!
Although the first impression is that he does all for power and money,deep down he has ethics and conscience.He rights all the wrongs he had to do.
Our Hyena hurts him constantly,she uses harsh words on him,she raises her walls higher and higher.
And he is always there by her side.A man inlove,ready to comfort her.To be her warm blanket at any time.He just needs to give him a chance.He falls for her so hard.He threw himself in the deepest pit.Totally bewitched by her.
"My heart is mine to handle.If you need to,use me"His words.The ultimate love-line.How on earth you can't fall for this man?Lol!
Hyena's Assistant:Funny loyal quirky low profile and too talkative!The best supplemental character to our Hyena.
Ml's Assistant:Funny and sweet, a good friend too.Another supportive char who fits great in the story.
Mr Song:As i mentioned the ultimate Villain.His schemes are at another level.Equally smart to our main leads,the best opponent to match them.
And last but surely not least, i must talk about...
THE CHEMISTRY!
If wasn't rude id love to use caps to describe how i felt about our couple's chemistry.
To say that their chemistry is off the charts is just an understatement!The tension between them is unbelievable.Out of this world!Not only the sexual tension,but there is fire every time they argue,fight or just talk to each other.Not sparks.FIRE!
I don't think i have ever experienced this in any other drama(Im not talking about partners/colleagues and/ or teams but between lovers!)
My only complain abut this drama is that i really wanted more intimacy scenes and ofc moreeeeeeeee kisses!I mean i felt the electricity with just one kiss.I can't imagine how hotter this show could be if Koreans are not that stingy!Lol!
(seriously that kiss scene is for seminars.The most passionate kiss,turns your face red!)
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This review may contain spoilers
A breath of fresh air
While many might dislike female lead' characteristic, I have a soft spot for her.Actually she is independent, clever, and practical. And I feel that she and male lead are a perfect match.
As for YHJ I love him (not in a romantical way) but because he is so damn attractive, his sexiness just ooze everytime I see him.
And I love the title of the drama, the scene when they leave the K&J law firm along with their gangs. Man that was some cool shiat.
All of the cast were great. I binged watch this in just 2 day on Netlflix. I like its pace, however the directing was a bit...The music it was so so feel like there could be more soundtracks to add flavor to some scenes. Baekhyun's voice was beautiful tho.
On the whole this drama is really worth the watch
I can watch it again and again because every character is enjoyable and interesting.
.
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In a dog-eat-dog world, one must be a hyena
Story: I am quite biased towards legal dramas so I had high expectations going into this. It did not disappoint. Don't expect a lovey-dovey romantic comedy. Don't expect a cerebral thriller like "Stranger" or "Signal". This falls somewhere in between and juggles the best of both worlds led by acting powerhouses Kim Hye Soo (Signal / Juvenile Justice) and Ju Ji Hoon (Kingdom / Princess Hours). They play lawyers in the heart of Seoul, willing to do almost anything to win their battles amid corruption and scandal surrounding the country's top 1%. There is a constant back and forth between the two headstrong leads, and with their childish bickering, sparks are bound to fly. And before you know it, in the last few episodes, they become one of those "tell me you're married without telling me you're married" couples.Cast / Acting: The two leads are quite literally giants in this show. Talk about chemistry! OOF (see ep. 8). Their presence alone is so commanding that the supporting actors, while important and capable, can be easily overlooked when even just one of them is in the same scene. In opposites-attract type romances, one is often straight-faced while the other is outrageous. As this show progresses, you realize that neither of them is afraid to show all the points on the emotional spectrum but it never feels overdone. What we get are two well-fleshed out characters that have several relatable, or at the very least, understandable traits. That's all I ask for, really.
Music: Honestly, I don't remember much of the OST except for Baekhyun's "On the road (that leads to you)". But I don't think it ever felt inappropriate or misplaced.
Overall: Solid drama. Rewatch value above average. If you like a bit of comedy, legal / political thriller, a strong but quirky female lead, and a headstrong but secure male lead, this one's for you. 9/10.
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When you are told you do not belong, simply insert yourself and fit in you shall. That is the lesson in this drama probably. The drama has a lot of other mottos so to say. Life is not fair, Justice is wielded by connections and the best lawyer. Everyone in this drama is greedy (Worry not this is not a Makjang). What can I gain from you was the qn in this drama. At some point, I stopped rooting for anybody and I just watched, users and usees
Music
Meh!
Acting and Story
The Female lead's vexing nature was on point, she said everything like she meant it. Probably the most convincing crazy lawyer I have ever seen. The male lead was brilliant as well, especially his character development.
As for the plot. It's odd to describe without spoilers but, let's just say you will not doze out of boredom
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AND SPOILER:
I melted at the end of episode 8. The way that the male lead told the female lead to use him as she pleases and the preceding make out? I was gushing because I know that they're probably be more of these in the future and they're actual kisses, not a peck on the lips or an "Oops, I accidentally kissed you" kind of thing). I'm so in love with how honest the male lead is about his feelings.
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This review may contain spoilers
I must say that after watching six of the episodes, I am convinced that each episode ends with a clever twist or some miniature bombshell. I like that about this series. It is a bit upbeat and really does have a intense vibe. You can never really guess what’s going to happen. So if you’re into legal drama with a hint of relationships, you may like this one. What I did not like about the series is really a personal preference thing. I honestly do not any show that is built on a foundation of lies. Although the series did not drag on with a major lie, I did not like that it started out somewhat deceitful. I know that the synopsis gave us a look into each person’s character but I really couldn’t get past the initial manipulation and how the female lead toyed with him for her own gain. I know I know it is a drama and a little surprise or shock and all is good but for me after that I could honestly no longer like the female lead and it didn’t get any better after 6 episodes.
I have watched many legal dramas in the past but this one I must admit is quite different from the rest. It’s not awful. I read many comments about their chemistry but episode 1 through 6 lacks it unless you consider insults as chemistry. I don’t think I’ll continue watching.
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Looking forward to more bickering, twists and most of all the momentary glimpses of tenderness. It is a balanced drama. So far, so goooood!
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Not the average Legal drama
What a strong leading female character. Wow. Here's a woman who is smart, sassy, self made, knows what she wants and lives by her own rules. Arrogant to snobs, but underneath the money-grabbing facade beats a good heart.Her nemesis is in turn rich, corporate, from a good family, suave, unscrupulous, competitive, arrogant and blindly loyal.
When these two meet, sparks will fly and a few servings of humble pie will be consumed.
For a legal based drama this is so good. Full of high powered wheeling and dealing, with some very unsavoury characters totally lacking in morals.
It's clever, witty, grown up and only once was there a clichéd scene (I really thought I'd be spared someone dropping to their knees this time, but sadly no).
If you don't like the odd [realistic] swear word, an older strong female lead who puts most men that need to be, in their place and has no problem sleeping with a guy if she wants to; then you'll hate this.
If, like me, all the above appeal, you'll probably enjoy it as much as I did!
Joo Ji-hoon and Kim Hye-soo were perfectly cast and worked so well together.
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