My Name (2021)

Wow , the show Rocks !

Plot
The first 15 minutes of My Name was solid. We see Jiwoo in a very miserable plight — she’s ostracized and bullied at school, constantly tailed by cops looking for her dad, with nobody to lean on but herself. It gets worse after she has witnessed her father’s horrific murder on her birthday, just a door away from the crime scene. Put all of these pieces in the first episode, and you now tugged the viewers’ attention.

As the show goes forth, we see Jiwoo fearlessly clinging to all means there is to get justice, even if it involves joining a notorious drug cartel and embodying a whole new persona. She then successfully infiltrated the Inchang Metropolitan Police Agency’s Narcotics department, intending to unmask the identity of his father’s murderer.

However, My Name soon fell into one huge cliché puddle. There were twists, but they felt underwhelming. Everything was moving so fast, but it didn’t really make the series more compelling. The romance between Jiwoo and Pildo, for instance, seemed to have bloomed out of nowhere. Episode by episode, there weren’t any notable scenes to tread that romantic lane. The build-up was scanty, leaving an impression that it was just an afterthought. Even the open-ended conclusion may leave you puzzled or tepid, to say the least.

Extra two or three episodes would’ve helped improve the show overall. For an action-packed series like My Name, making it an eight-part series almost seems like a disservice because it has the potential to go for something more thought-provoking, storyline-wise. Whether a new season is in the works or not, the series is still good for your nightly K-drama binging. But in terms of replayability? Not really.

Characters and Performance
In an interview, So-hee reveals she wants to show a different side of her in My Name. The up-and-coming actress was successful in accomplishing that goal because she delivered an excellent performance. Jiwoo is a woman of few words, revenge-driven—but So-hee portrayed the pain and grief of her role marvelously. Not to mention, she also went through extensive training together with her co-actors. That nature of commitment is almost a rarity in the entertainment wonderland and merits praise.

Given the show’s gritty and dark theme, Pildo (played by Ahn Bo-Hyun) could’ve given a tinge of delight or goofiness that My Name needs. He gave a good performance, but his character tended to be a little uninteresting in some scenes. The relationship dynamic between Pildo and Jiwoo would’ve been more thrilling to see if they weren’t too similar.

Park Hee-Soon was also very remarkable. The fact that viewers can dislike and feel for him simultaneously proves how effective he is in portraying Choi Mu-jin’s calm yet ruthless demeanor. It’s a little difficult to imagine someone else filling in that kind of role without coming off too dull or monotonous.

Cinematography and Visuals
My Name lived true to its promise of delivering heart-pounding scenes. All fights were impeccable and well-choreographed, presenting viewers with an impressive variety of camera shots every time Jiwoo is on combat mode. One great display of camerawork was seen in episode one. The creative showcasing of how Jiwoo and her father were near yet so far from one another is simply exquisite. The use of warm colors fits the show’s bloody theme, too. All things considered, My Name wasn’t confusing nor congested with unnecessary flashiness.

Conclusion
It felt like My Name live up to its hype and the remarkable performances of the cast. After watching up to the last episode, really leave an impact. The show is still worth watching, but it also makes you wonder what could've been if the story was further explored.

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An action thriller which delivers exactly what it promises

A solid watch which will keep you engaged all throughout. The fight scenes really were the star of the show -- SO good, made me want to learn fighting. I read that Han Sohee did her own stunts which is incredible, and I also commend her decision not to wear makeup. As for the story, there was nothing crazy or unforeseeable that happened, but that's precisely why it made for such a strong plot. It didn't try to be oversmart, stuck with the basics, which really paid off in the execution. If I had to criticize, I'd say her romance with the cop was pretty underdeveloped so the sex scene felt a bit ?? But I didn't mind much. Though I will say that the pacing of the last episode felt kinda rushed which made the ending slightly anticlimatic.

Special mention to Choi Mujin who was insanely charming, and to the OST which added to the coolness of the drama.

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good ol' fashion REVENGE!

It is clear that this is a Netflix production, with plenty high octane fight scenes and one too-steamy-for-broadcast-television sex scene.
Yoon Ji Woo, a troubled young woman whose father was murdered on her birthday, seeks to avenge her father's death by climbing the rungs of his former gang. Taken under the wing of her father's friend and crime boss, Ji Woo hones her combat and investigative skills and becomes an undercover member of the gang. If you're looking for a show that passes the Bechdel test, this probably isn't for you, as Yoon Ji Woo is almost the sole woman in the 'My Name' creative universe. Although Ji Woo's character is, at times, written to revolve around solely around influence of the men around her, she subtly reclaims her agency *SPOILER* in true 'Final Girl' fashion, effortlessly defeating throngs of knife wielding assassins despite being mortally wounded. From powerless to powerful, the resilient Ji Woo exacts revenge with every punch, kick, slash and bullet and gets the last (mournful) laugh in the end.

OVERALL, the plot twists were relatively predictable and the 'whodunit' aspect of the story was meh at best. Luckily, My Name was brought to life by its excellent crew and cast, namely Han So Hee, who absolutely shined as the protagonist Ji Woo/Oh Hyejin. Han So Hee's impressive physical stunt work and fighting scenes were truly the highlight of this series. She fully served us some Charlize (Theron, of course) energy! Han So Hee shows immense promise as an action star!

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Action Packing and Engaging

There is a lot to like about this drama. It's addictive, fast-paced and very-well produced and acted. This was a solid 9-9.5 until almost the last episode where plot seems almost rushed and character decisions toe the line between making sense and not. Still, it is a solid conclusion and the drama as a whole is incredible so I averaged it to 8.5

At 8 episodes screen time but the same amount of content as a standard K-drama, the writing is pretty well-paced with little to no filler. As someone who watches some but not a ton of crime/revenge dramas, some of the twists and turns were cliché but executed well enough to be entertaining while others were a true revelation. I really appreciate that this was female-lead driven. Despite the plethora of physically/mentally strong females in drama nowadays, 1) action dramas are still mostly male-lead driven and 2) the writing for these females can be inconsistent or overdone. Jiwoo consistently maintains her physical strength and her thought process remains consistent with her characterization. More importantly, her actions help drive the plot and at the, this is her story. Mujin is also a very interesting character who evokes a lot of different emotions and Pildo just brings so much positive energy.

On this end, the story is brought to life with amazing acting. All the actors/actresses did a phenomenal job, especially Han So Hee. The production, sets and lighting are also incredibly well-done; I loved that somewhat somber lighting. The music is also astounding. Not only are the tunes catchy and entertaining on their own (I was listening to Mediocre Life on repeat these past few days), they completely complement and elevate the drama. This is decent re-watch.

In conclusion, honestly, the only reason I watched this was because it was a female-lead led action drama. That aside, it is an engaging drama with good writing, great production, terrific music and supreme acting that I would definitely recommend.

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Easy binge

OVERALL
This drama is short and thrilling, so it's an easy watch. Consider if 1) you're looking for an action-packed series, 2) you like revenge stories, 3) you don't need much more than that. Skip if 1) you want well-developed characters, 2) you're craving a good romance, 3) you don't like tragedy.

THE STORY
A pretty conventional revenge story. No major event is really unexpected, even the main plot twist. The ending is also quite predictable if you know anything about Korean action films and their unconditional love for the tragic. Where My Name shines is in the delivery. In the little details.

The Good
- The drama REALLY makes you feel and root for FL. She goes through hell and becomes strong but also so vulnerable. Her life sucks too much and you're dying to see it suck a bit less.
- Although the drama is short, they do try to squeeze in a bit of a love story and they do it successfully; it actually makes sense and is even kind of cute?
- Although nothing's out of the ordinary, the show still remains gripping enough to be binged in a day. There's the suspense surrounding FL's cover, the mystery of her dad's death, the drug cartel, so much to keep you on the edge of your seat. And there's the occasional joke too. The drama is conventional, but good conventional, definitely.

The Bad
- How unoriginal the plot is, though I guess if you only care about action this isn't a problem. The biggest let-down is the fact that the most promising aspect of the drama, FL going undercover in the police, ends up being so unimportant. So lackluster. They could have played it up and it would have made the show much better and much more original.
- The unnecessary tragedy (because trust me, it's absolutely unnecessary. A death that is unavoidable is fine, a death that is just there because the writer wanted it there is an abomination).
- The lack of depth, especially character or relationship development. Granted, this is a very short series, so there's only so much we can ask. But at the same time, there're so many fighting scenes...a few could have been replaced by deeper stuff.

THE ACTING
I LOVED her. ML was also fine though. In general, they were all great! A huge asset for the series, because acting makes an average plot ten times better.

THE MUSIC
No comment.

REWATCH VALUE
Not high for me. Don't get me wrong, this drama is a good binge. But it's a one-time binge. There's nothing there that'll make me come back to it.

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my somewhat biased opinion.

PLEASE BEFORE WATCHING THE SHOW LOOK AT THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.


I believe this specific genre and story is suited for a very specific audience, from other reviews, I believe this drama is either hit or miss. My name is a story of a girl who joins a gang, to avenge her father's death, and soon becomes an undercover cop. the story is suspenseful, it's action-filled. But most of all this story is dark and suited for once again a specific audience. Before watching this please look at the trigger warnings, and age restriction as it dives pretty deep into gore, and a lot of violence in many different ways.

The story is eye-catching, we all love a strong independent female lead, and my name delivered exactly that. They delivered those suspenseful moments, which had us hold our breath if you're looking for something like that. this drama is suited for you. But if your arent, and looking for a sweet romance-filled good guy wins story this isn't for you, My name did not speak to me in ways other viewers did. To me, it was a very hardcore, in-your-face type thing, and in all honesty, I truly did not enjoy the themes of sexual violence. I didn't enjoy the fact our female lead almost got raped, it was triggering and brutal, but I know it was necessary for the plot which I respect. I didn't enjoy the explicit gore, but once again others may. It really depends on how much you can take and where your interest lie when it comes to a show like your name.

The set design was good for the story, the characters were complex, in ways where they differ from good to bad. The costume design was good enough for me, and the s were great choices. But there were many times where the story got sloppy and sometimes overwhelming. But then again, this isn't my usual cup of tea so I am being biased when it comes to my review. Would I watch it again? Definitely not. Should you? That's your choice but just please look at the rigger warnings and if you are not comfortable do not keep watching ( this goes for all kdramas!)

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Can't get enough of woman-led action shows

As some reviewers have noted, the plot isn't entirely original—but the storywriting makes it so that you're still left on the edge of your seat throughout the 8 hours. This drama has also converted me into a big fan of Han So Hee. I can't believe this is only her second lead role! I previously saw her in Nevertheless, where I thought her acting was somewhat stiff. She shines in My Name, playing an anguished, rage-filled, and revenge-driven heroine who fears nothing and will stop at nothing to fulfill her life's goal.

Although the plot isn't entirely new in the realms of revenge noir films/dramas, there's something about woman-focused action shows that I can't get enough of. And the action in this drama is SO satisfyingly good.

Also, the soundtrack is exceptional and deepens the drama's emotional value. 10/10 would recommend. And get ready for a bloodbath.

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Predictable but still amazing, nonetheless

I loved everything about this drama... except for the story line that was predictable from the get go. But still, the production and the execution of the plot was amazing. Every episode kept me at the edge of my seat. Everyone was perfectly casted. There were no dragging points and I love that about this drama. I guess that's one of the perks of having 8 episodes rather than the usual 16.

Han So Hee was amazing. It was refreshing to see this tenacious side of her, compared to the characters she played in her previous projects. I really think action suits her. Her pre-debut self would have been proud to see where her future self is now. The team-up with Ahn Bo Hyun was kind of unexpected since I've never seen him anywhere else aside from Itaewon Class (and I HATED him there), but they looked so good together. I felt the sexual tension between them as soon as their characters met.

The action scenes were flawless and the OSTs of My Name were just hands-down perfect. It's so nice to see a strong FL. I was getting pretty tired of the damsel-in-distress tropes in other dramas. I'm looking forward to rewatching this.

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Delivered what I wanted and it was exciting for sure!

First, If you were excited about the action scenes you won't be disappointed because these scenes were amazing and very well directed. We have a lot of fighting scenes in this and they don't disappoint. We also have a lot of gore scenes too which I found a good thing because we`re talking about a revenge drama involving gang so we needed more realistic things. The photography and OST were also very good, I loved the OST. Talking now about the acting, for me Sohee and Hee Soon were beyond amazing. I was worried if Sohee could pass a badass image but she did. She was amazing in the fighting scenes and very good in the emotional scenes as well. After Nevertheless, which a lot of people doubted her acting skills, I think now she really proved that she's an amazing actress indeed. She was fierce and very strong physically and psychologically. And OH MY GOD, Hee Soon`s acting was INSANE. he was my favorite character of the drama. The actor did an amazing job here portraying the character and I think its almost impossible not liking him here. Moojin was sexy, bad and at the same time very human too. And the actor delivered everything PERFECTLY.

But, I do think the drama have some flaws and things that I think it could have been better. First, Jiwoo`s father killer was too obvious since the beginning. Although I don't particular think that the drama was ruined because of that, they could have tried to surprise the viewer more and the whole revelation was meh for me as a viewer. Second, some characters was really off for me and could have been better or more explored. Taejoo for example, I think they could have made the character more capable because I can feel that the actor can act and if they had made the character more interesting he would probably be one of the best or if not the best in the series. Instead, the character was just there to be Moojin's right arm and that's it. There weren't any impactful scenes of this character and he practically didn't do anything relevant. Pildo too... I LOVE Bohyun but for me his character was really meh. His whole relationship with Jiwoo also seemed a bit forced and I didn't even think the actors had that much of chemistry (I even felt more chemistry of her with Moojin). The crazy dude with a scar was amazing in acting but his character was really cartoon like. And least, one thing that I think it can bother some people is that making a badass character it can bring a negative side too such as he or she being TOO strong sometimes. Jiwoo was weak when the script needed and hella strong when needed too which looked unrealistic sometimes.

Still, for me, although the negative things can bother sometimes it can also be forgotten because the narrative is really convincing and the drama is really well made. Also, they delivered the things I think we were all waiting for: an exciting thriller with good fighting scenes and a a badass female character beating some trash men. If you're looking for that, I think you'll finish this with more pros than cons.

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