Born Again will always hold a special place in my heart
This is a unique, deep and complicated story that many will not understand. if you like complex stories that keep you questioning the morality and sanity of characters, then I highly recommend it (unless u hate love triangle) this drama had one of the most heart-wrenching and epic love triangles that i've ever seen, It was also one of the Kdramas where you really couldn’t predict who the female lead was going to end up with, some of ppl say that they didn't even get who was the main male lead; in my opinion the whole story revolved around jichul/jbs revenge and his love but in most of kdramas If the female lead is in love with someone, you can conclude that that person is the main male lead and thats what confused them at first, but jk was the main one as he was mentioned first in the posters and news, anyway this drama is different from other kdramas give it a chance and don't pay attention to negative comments or how it is rated because everyone has a different taste. Im satisfied and i loved the ending so much! <3Was this review helpful to you?
#1 BEST KDRAMA 2020!!!!
Cerita ni jnis deep gilaa. Main feeling. Ji chul tak perlu cakap pn. Gerak geri dia. Pandangan dia. Mmg dah feel cinta dia bkn cinta biasa. Kalau si polis tu normal cinta mcm kbykkan org. jnis biasa2 takkan faham drama ni. Melainkan korg betul2 fokus. Feel btl2 apa yg nk disampaikan. Jangan pilih2 hero mcm tgk style budak2. Aku cop dia nii. Aku suka dia ni. Pastu ending tak dpt hero yg nak mula la ckp drama tak best. Bagi aku born again mmg best. Deep sgt2. Stiap kata2. Pandangan. Gerak geri smua paduu! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 yg jenis tak faham tu korg layan cerita biasa2 dah la. Jgn layan yg berat2 ni. Dh tak faham salahkan drama pulak tak best apa ceritaaa 😅😅Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
First things first: Don’t watch the show!If you have problems with the theme of stalking, psychopaths and the likes then this show is not for you. Towards the middle of the show I started to feel physically ill whenever Ki Yong’s character showed up on the screen because of his behavior and actions.
Story
What started out as a promise of two lovers that were torn apart by the most cruel means imaginable, to find each other again in their next lives ended in a tragic ending of her actually starting a relationship with the murderer of her past boyfriend. I thought I might just rip the band aid right off from the start. Yes, you’ve read correctly. The female lead forgives this man everything that he has done from stalking her, putting her life in mortal danger not once but three times (!), killing a woman in the past (because he was planning on giving the female lead that woman’s heart) and killing her then boyfriend right in front of her eyes by stabbing him multiple times in his abdomen. But forgive and forget.
Hyung Bin (played by Lee Soo Hyuk) and Ha Eun’s (played by Jin Se Yeon) love story as depicted in the first two episodes was full of wonder, sweetness, happiness and the promise of them getting married eventually. I don’t want to go into too much detail about the storyline because to be quite honest with you: none of it made any sense by the end of the show!
And we’re only now finding out that part of the reason for that might be the fact that the show added 7 additional writers to the staff by the midpoint and eventually got rid of the original writer.
Acting/Cast
Lee So Hyuk - He was a delight to watch and the only reason why I stuck around until the end of the show. Hyung Bin was a puppy-like character of the first order. He was sweet, protective and wanted to take care of his then girlfriend Ha Eun for the rest of his life. Su Hyuk was the opposite of Hyung Bin but also kind of not. I’m not sure how to describe it but Soo Hyuk did an amazing acting job. Hopefully, his agency will be able to get him a decent lead role for his next drama because he certainly deserves it.
Jin Se Yeon - I guess you could say that she did the best that she could with the script that was given to her. Ha Eun was the sweetest person on earth and her smile shone as bright as the stars above. Sa Bin on the other hand… She was frustrating to watch. Like I said, I think Se Yeon did the best that she could with the script. At one point I just gave up making sense of her character’s decisions.
Jang Ki Yong - Basically the same that applies to Jin Se Yeon. I just couldn’t empathize with his character even though the show certainly tried to get us viewers there.
Music
The OST was hauntingly beautiful. My problem lies with the overall background music and the music choice during the stalking scenes etc. They really tried to romanticize the stalking scenes by adding romantic music.
Overall
Frankly, I’m traumatized by the show. I tried watching other sweeter shows that feature Jang Ki Yong and Jin Se Yeon and I just can’t hear their voices and look at their faces without feeling sick to my stomach and I’m devastated! I never felt like this before. How can a kdrama do that to their viewers? I just don’t want anyone else to feel the way that I’m feeling now. I’m begging you to really reconsider if you were planning on watching the show. Even if you want to watch the show only for Lee Soo Hyuk, don’t. Just don’t. Wait for his next project or rewatch some of his other works.
Don’t watch Born Again!
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The biggest problems with the show are:
- there are so many psychopaths/crazy people in this show. Consequently, a lot of character’s actions and behaviors are so weird and make no sense but they’re “crazy” so the writers don’t have to justify anything.
- A lot of the explanations for events or decisions involve the “well, they’re crazy” excuse, but even without it the explanations for things are so weird and unbelievable. It’s honestly amazing to watch all the crazy things the writers come up with. This escalates throughout the show so it becomes more and more full of nonsense. Almost nobody acts like a real person in this show to the point that it becomes comical.
- There’s a lot of misleading plot elements of the show. The romance is a big one, of course, but other things like who reincarnated into what body was intentionally vague for quite some time that I stopped caring about it.
- The romance. There’s a love triangle, of course, but it seems pretty clear which of the guys is a better (or at least healthier) choice. However, she does not draw boundaries with the guy she is not romantically interested in and allows him to get away with anything. And weirdly enough, even after it’s clear who she has feelings for, there are still scenes with the other guy that have romantic music, like the show wants us to think it’s romantic when (1) clearly his obsession with her is not romantic and is really creepy, (2) his actions are not okay, and (3) she isn’t romantically interested in him, so she does not feel the romance in the scene. The show is trying to justify this other romance but neither the characters’ actions nor the actors themselves convey the emotion the show seems to think is happening in a scene. If they admitted that he was a really creepy dude then it would’ve been more like a dark thriller type thing but no, they push the romance instead.
- The female lead in this show is probably the worst I’ve seen. I’d like to say upfront that I do not dislike her because of the actress or really even because of who she is as a character; it is because the writers made her make the most astonishing and unbelievable decisions, and her emotions make no sense. She has this savior complex and is willing to forgive the worst kinds of behavior from the male lead to the point that it becomes painful to watch her onscreen. I started to space out every time she was in a scene because if my brain was on at all I’d start yelling at her about the choices she was making and actions she was doing. It’s impossible to sympathize with her and/or like her because she doesn’t act like any real rational human being. I feel really, really bad for her, because honestly if she was a better character that might’ve made this show at least semi-good.
The main redeeming quality of this show was Lee Soo Hyuk. I hope his next show is better than this one (admittedly, it’s a very low bar). I’d say if you find the dark angsty romance appealing you should check out other shows like The Smile Has Left Your Eyes or even Come and Hug Me. Goodbye My Princess might also be a good choice.
Btw I wrote an entire recap of the show if you’re curious what happens but don’t want to subject yourself to watching the whole show: https://kdramakitty.tumblr.com/post/620780309390196736/born-again-summaryrecap
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There is more to each character than meets the eye. The writer has been very successful at playing with our feelings. One day you'll attract JB and then the next, you'll find yourself rooting for SH. It is indeed an ecstatic journey with this drama with a lot to offer in terms of excitement. This drama makes you want to give up due to frustration and unfulfilled expectations, but at the same time keeps you on edge making you discover more about the unsolved mystery. Each episode leaves you with more questions than answers. That kind of noise that also makes you crave more. The love triangle is not your typical everyday version where three people meet in an unexpected twist of fate. There really is a fine line between pure love and obsession regardless of your true intention.
In fact, I wanted Jang Ki-Yong and Jin Se Yeon to end up together from the beginning even with Gong Ji CHUL and Jung Ha Eun, SaBin was attracted to Kim Soo Hyuk because of her promise in the last life, I can see her love for Jung Beom in her eyes since A long time ago, even for Ji-Cheol, it was just that they met at the wrong time. But he showed how love can change a person for the better. By episode 10, I thought Sabin and Seohyuk would end up together and started saying that the writer is crazy and how Jung Beom (Ji Cheol) could be persecuted in both his life.
I really recommend watching this for people who want to get back in their lives. It gives you a reason to live. The ending met my expectations, I would jump whenever Sa Bin showed affection for Soo Hyuk because she liked Jung Beom instead but was related to her last life... ...
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This review may contain spoilers
Tbh this drama i saw potential. When i first watched the trailer i knew it was something i was gonna enjoy, honestly i spent so much time on it, my biggest regret. The first three episodes in 1980s was my favourite. Everything was so beautiful. The cast acted exceptionally and i mean i didnt expect any less they are all soo goddamn talented. HE/HB couple were my favourite they had such great chemistry.
And then it went downhill. There were so many episodes for sabin and su hyuk, i was sooo happy. And then sa bin weird confusion came in. She is by far the worst FL ive ever watched, her character began to annoy me to the point i would skip her parts. The actor i love but not her character. If anything i prefer ha eun over sabin.
The whole plot was about the two lovers being reborn to start their story and that was i thought. It literally showed it for 3/4 of the show.
And then suddenly shes falling for jong bum since her heart “hurts”. She makes up her “mind”.
And oh yea the sudden omg btw I accidentally killed your parents scene for hyun bin. It was like the writer realised most of us wanted sabin and su hyuk so like the scene was there to change our mind. It was soo all over the place that I literally wanted to drop it but i knew i spent so much time watching it.
The whole fact that she chose her stalker and the guy who killed her love over her love literally beats the purpose of the story. I don’t recommend this drama its not worth it.
My FAVOURITE part is though ha eun and hyun bin scenes. They were so beautiful acted out i loved every part which is why i don’t understand what happened towards the end.
The actors:
OUR STAR LSH: he shone sooo brightly. From the first ep i fell in love with him. I came for jky, i stayed for lsh. He portrayed his character so beautiful, the scene when he felt pain, it was soo realistic and cool. I felt his pain. Towards the end though it was like he was so done with the drama lol. (SAME!). I honestly actually thought he would get the girl. He stood out, every episode i would look for him. I skipped so many parts just to see him WALK. i loved his new HB/SH hair. I literally just want another drama for him that romancy.
JKY: OMGGGG SOOOO GOOD. yess he portrayed the pain the character felt so well, plus the psychopathic nature. Jky has a thing for dark characters, every character he’s played with the darkness has been sooo well. This drama though is probably my least favourite. Great dramas include: Kill it, come and hug me.
JSY: she was my least favourite character. her acting is beautiful, love her as an actor but i couldnt stand sa bin. Ha eun though was beautiful, everything about her. jsy showed her love for hyun bin soo beautiful.
Overall: i dont like this drama. Not gonna watch it. Prob only gonna watch haeun and hyunbin edits cos they are so pretty and imagine that they got married. The whole plot made no sense, why say they are fated when they dont end uo together. I was rooting for the whole sabin helps jong bum but ends up with su hyuk. She said herself she loved su hyuk but wanted to help jong bum. Suddenly it changes to love. The ending didnt make sense and the epilogue was kind of scary ngl, her holding random things.
They really gave us a open ending. Please next time writer just dont. If youre going to make a drama, please think cos I seriously am so sad. It HAD SO MUCH GODDAMN POTENTIAL. JUST WHYYYY
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This review may contain spoilers
I could barely finish it. Saw most of the clips on IG and YT. What awful writing! All that character development in the beginning to make it not make sense in the last episodes. After that year passed after the shooting, the story line went down the tubes, did not stay true to the characters as we had known them to be, and just went around in circles. The female lead said one thing and did another, she came off as totally unreliable and unstable. How is she so sure about her feelings one minute, and then flips with no real reason the viewer can see?! It is all left to our conjecture. Not to mention the message this drama is sending out- it is perfectly okay to fall in love with your STALKER (and not stalker in a cute way) and the man who tried to have another man killed out of jealousy but gets you stabbed instead (I won't even get into his past self and all the things he did, good intentions or not). I enjoyed the male leads WAY more than the female lead or story. Loved both the male leads's acting and scenes together, especially LSH or as I call him, Marble Guy! Hope to see them both in another drama. After this drama, I feel like I need a break for fear of another disappointment lol. Was this review helpful to you?
Despite the twists & turns at the beginning, it's so good & complex
The cast was & is amazing, they are 10 stars easy. The directing/producing, scene changes, alludes to past events at the beginning and near the middle needed a little something. The writers were doing great for the most part, lines were solid in some areas but the actors really shined through making it felt! It was a challenge & a mystery, with clear distinctions in each character's past & present selves. Hence the 9. The most moving & truthful part for me was how Jang KiYong & the little boy conveyed the pain & psychological trauma people who are abused go through. That they "put up with it" in hopes that the ones they love would stop, get over it & go back to loving them without the pain & abuse. They put up with it so much, for so long some... die with that hope. T__TWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Watched it because I love Jang Ki-yong. No regrets.
I'll admit, I started watching this drama because both the male leads are favorites of mine, and honestly their attractiveness may have inflated my rating a little... also I think the recent reincarnation love triangle plot was fairly unique. Jang Ki-yong's character Kong Ji-cheol was abused in his past life but a good and protective soul, and the FL's kindness lured him to join a book club reading Wuthering Heights at her church where he fell in love with her. I really rooted for this odd couple and found Jang Ki-yong's performance very compelling. When he was reincarnated as a wealthy but also unloved man, it was interesting to see what choices his character could make with more power and influence. I also enjoyed Lee Soo-hyuk who played a detective uncovering the mysterious deaths from the past. The present-time role of Jin Se-yun as a forensic pathologist was also interesting for a FL. Unfortunately the romance just felt all over the place so it couldn't really build to a powerful emotional conclusion.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This drama started well... but then halfway through the series for some reason, the production thinks that it was wise of them to CHANGE the main writer and have the FL being too sympathetic to the Psycho Dude and be very unkind to the person she's supposed to be more in love with and destroyed the drama. The only reason I'm still watching this drama is for Cha Hyungbin/Kim Soohyuk. Seriously, nothing else matters in this drama besides Soohyuk.Seriously I don't get how Sabin could be so dumb and inconsiderate. Like even if she was trying to be so trusting in the good of people, I don't get how she could be so forgiving to someone who stalks her and acts like a psycho yet can be so biased to Soohyuk who might be a bit unforgiving towards anyone who had a history of criminal actions just because of that one moment where he messed up a bit due to some misunderstanding. Not saying that Sabin's character can't be very unrealistic; like it's understandable that she might feel confused about her own feelings towards the two men for the fact that there were some 'deja vu' she had with Jicheol where actually from Haeeun's memories of Hyungbin. Even then, her treatment of Soohyuk was much too biased for someone who's supposedly trying to see good in everyone around her.
Like seriously, I thought this drama was aiming to reunite a pair of lovers in their second life after dying prematurely over an unjust death. But No. It went off the charts in a really BAD way.
Somehow I wonder just how much of the plot had diverted from the original plan for the writer in this series. Like I heard how in the middle of the series there's somehow a change in the main writer thus one of the main reason this drama took in the stupid ridiculous direction. Yet even then I wonder about what part was still following the original scripts before the writer change obliterated it. Like tbh, I feel that Soohyuk/Hyungbin's plot was the only one that remained intact from the original writer's plan as his part of the story was the ONLY one that remained consistent as the rest of the plot went downhill just so that the second main writer could make the psycho dude be paired with the FL.
Tl;dr, unless you don't mind watching having your expectations of what a good story could turn out be destroyed during the next half of the plot, don't watch this show. Or you can be like me who had stuck around till the end because the second male lead was your ONLY salvation inside this drama. Like seriously, Lee Soohyuk was still the only good thing about this drama. I mean, as much as the mystery/crime plot seemed interesting at first... all that went to drain as apparently whoever has been brought in to replace the original writer cannot for the life of them write any engaging crime or court scene to make it believable and only focusing on love plot.
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This review may contain spoilers
Okay, I feel robbed but I still cannot hate this series. Don’t know how or why but it became one of my favorite ones (despite the dubious moral and actions of some of the characters).I think it had the potencial to be so much more (I’ve read they changed writers around episode 10 and that’s when things started to go south) but I still enjoyed it.
I got really invested in the plot and the characters, the actors made a great work portraying them and working with the messy script they were dealt.
I specially loved Soo Hyuk’s character, he’s the one (or should I say the only one?) that shows some growth and that faced the wrong things he did and tried to fix them. Plus LSH is one of my favorite actors so I was really happy to see him acting again (and it makes me sad the series ratings weren’t good).
I liked Jong Beom too, even though he had some serious issues I felt he tried to change and learn about others (not just about Sa Bin), you can see this with his hyung and SB’s uncles and even with SH.
I still think he needs therapy and try to lead a calm life so he can heal from so many bad things that happened to him (not just to “fall in love” and be “cured” out of nowhere).
In my opinion, Sa Bin’s character was the one that suffered the most from the bad writing. I loved her at the beginning but then her “naïveté” and refusal to face reality were just too much.
The OST was amazing (specially “Fate”).
All in all, I liked the series. The ending wasn’t what I wanted (and that epilogue is pretty vague) but I can’t say I regret watching this.
Now a little rant about the ending to finish, they are spoilers so you’ve been warned.
-SPOILERS AHEAD-
I feel robbed because I thought SH was the lead (the whole series felt like that) but at the end he wasn’t and he ended up alone even after the drama spent all that time showing us how much he and SB/HE loved each other and how they were meant to be.
So what was all that about being together even in the next life and loving each other until the end??? That’s the only thing I can’t forgive the writer for and what ruined the ending for me.
In my head SH and SB ended up happily married and JB went to therapy, found something worth living for (something other than his obsession/love for SB) and now he’s happy too.
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This review may contain spoilers
Hello! This is my first rewiew so I'll try to make it short.Things I liked about this drama :
- acting, especially Lee Soo Hyuk.
I really felt his pain as HB, he's the saving grace of this drama in my opinion
-music was ok, nothing memorable but I didn't mind it either.
Now the things I didn't like about this drama :
-everything else
My biggest issue with this drama was the female lead. At first, I was like she's too naive, too innocent but now I don't feel that anymore. Her character is plain dumb. Won't get into details because I'll have to spoiler you but I doubt there's anyone watching this drama that likes her.
The story had potential but it started wrong from the start. I think the period was too short, being reincarnated after 32 year, if I remember correctly. Is not like a lot has passed, people still remember you. Another thing I didn't like, there are too many crazy people in this drama, like for real, I felt like this was way too unbalanced. I liked the characters before being reincarnated more and that says a lot about how terrible the present ones are.
The writing is terrible, they made it seem like him stalking her or wanting to give her a heart (lol) is cute, cheesy. Yes, very sweet. For the people who find this cute, look out for your heart, I'm sure you'll change your mind when someone will want yours.
The directing is not better either.
Overall, in my opinion, this drama is not worth it. One of my biggest disappointments, I was quit hyped because of the story.
Don't waste your time on it, you will end up regretting, as I did.
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