An underrated thriller with a shoddy ending, yet lived upto the mystery genre.
This drama is definitely one of the most underrated gems of the year 2021. I am disappointed at the fact that very less people were watching in real time and not sure whether it'll get recognition now that it's over. I think the cast is the reason but wth; these are all brilliant actors.A lot of people might consider it's a makjang or chaebol drama for the dark complex synopsis but trust me it's not. It's rather a mystery thriller with a touch of makjang, let's say 30%…? Well again, this drama lives upto the mystery genre.
THE ROAD: THE TRAGEDY OF ONE is about the family, social, political, business and hierarchical affairs involving people of a posh place namely, "Royal The Hill", where top 1% people of South Korea inhabit. This is an adaptation of the famous Japanese thriller novel "Ichi no Higeki" by Rintaro Norizuki published in 1992.
Baek Hyun Soo (Ji Jin Hee) is a famous news anchor with tragic past of youth who holds enormous influence on the netizens that he's built over decades by the means of his work. Married to his enemy's daughter, Seo Eun Soo (Yoon Se Ah), Hyun Soo has always thrived for justice. But as soon as he tries to unmask his own father-in-law, Seo Gi Tae (Chun Ho Jin), things become awry and making everything a mess. On a torrential rainy night a tragic incident takes place and the secrets connected with it result in silence, avoidance, and confusion, which eventually leads to another tragedy.
The Cast is full of veteran actors and in fact, the side characters or minor roles are played by actors with good amount of experience. This fact makes the drama even more interesting even before you start. If cast is the reason the drama isn't getting recognition, man that's an act of foolishness because the cast is very apt and all of them are very skillful actors. They're not just old by ages, also by the time they've spent in the industry. Their performance in this drama is stupendous.
Traumatized by his past Hyun Soo often gets flashbacks of that one horrible day of his teenage that changed his entire life making him run away from everything. Since then, he's always sought escape thinking he can someday finally fix his life but could never reach the end. Eun Soo, a miniature artist, loves her husband and son and can go to any length to protect her family. She's always careful about maintaining her dignity but also has her own insecurities. Chairman Seo Gi Tae of Jaekang Group is very influential and can wield any kinda card to get his work done. Aware of Hyun Soo's intentions, he draws a big picture to prevent his forthcoming downfall. Cha Se Young (Kim Hye Eun) is an announcer and highly ambitious woman who is never satisfied despite owning everything. Her greed and evil motives lands her in many odd situations.
Apart from the main cast,Choi Nam Gyu (Ahn Nae Sang) playing Se Young's husband, Shim Seok Hoon (Kim Sung Soo) playing Metropolitan Detective, Kwon Ye Jin (Baek Ji Won) playing News Desk Chief, Bae Kyung Sook (Kang Myung Hun) playing Chairman Gi Tae's 2nd wife and Hwang Tae Seob (Kim Roe Ha) playing the assemblyman are some other major characters who contributed to the drama's quality. Even the 2 child actors were good.
It's definitely a thriller with lots of makjang elements such as marriage problems, extra-marital affairs, cheating your partner, infidelity, rich family affairs, dirty secrets, power politics, hierarchical dispute, birth secret, drugs, alcohol, hypersexuality, high ambitions, political fights, corruption, pseudo journalism, scams, etc. Still a thriller, I repeat, with lots of twists & revelations plus a steady plot development that's worth anticipating about.
First 2 episodes are honestly kinda slow as well as confusing because it's anyways the introduction of the drama and there are lots of going back and forth in time to showcase the past connections. This particular thing is also included equally throughout the 12 episodes which might be unbearable but flashbacks are very common for individuals with PTSD. Yes, the lead character, Hyun Soo suffers from trauma and goes through frequent flashbacks even after 2 decades.
Story and screenwriting are very good with a steady and definite plot development and harmonic progression. The plot becomes somewhat blunt and boring in the episode 9 but even a major revelation at it's end again picked up my curiosity. Since it's only 12 episode I was a bit scared the finale week (11th & 12th) would be rushed but thankfully it wasn't the case. The destination goal of the drama started unfolding after the 2nd half of the 10th episode and almost everything was crystal clear by the end of 11th hence creating scope for the finale episode to come out smooth. However, I am a bit disappointed with the finale episode. It wasn't exactly bad but the way the writer wanted to end is unusual for a Korean thriller drama. I understand that in real, that also is a possibility and that's evident but still...... The main culprit was revealed in the 12th episode to the audience and everything was explained but...... Idk how to tell this without spoiling. Anyways, not gonna say that they messed up.
Direction ia amazing. All the techniques used to make the drama interesting plus intriguing, yielded good results. Synchronization and linking and of events, pacing and screenplay are very well done. And another important aspect of mystery/crime thriller dramas that's sound editing, is also excellently executed. Intense sound effects with deep background scores make the screenplay more thrilling. OSTs are also good and suit the mood of the drama. Cinematography is something that's been aptly worked upon and the dark aura helps keep the suitable scenario.
"Memories" by Yi Sung Yol is deep, sad and tragic track. "Find the Way" by Jung In is also good.
Again, it totally defines what exactly "mystery" genre should be like. There were lots of revelations in here and till the end there were lots of questions like why, who, how, what, etc that left me astonished. It's very unpredictable throughout because everyone seemed to be possessing some secrets and everyone tried to climb up the ladder and save themselves like crazy. Also, there are few things they had been showing us till the last episode without much explanation but they were eventually made clear in the finale. I started the drama a week before the finale so I thought people would be making theories and going crazy but sadly, coming here I see very less are watching it.
Also, this drama has a bisexual and a lesbian character who are involved with each other but that's not shown in a good light, rather it's another dirty little secret of the story.
This drama deserves a lot more than this and tvN's to be partially blamed too because it seems they're not promoting it well unlike it's other big budget ongoing dramas. I expected it to at least do well in Korea if not internationally but things didn't go well may be, hence making it one of the most underrated of this year. I could have given it 8.5/10 but outcome of last 15 mins was a bit unusual even though it's somewhat realistic.
I know that at this point filthy rich, posh village stories with luxurious group of people, gorgeously dressed women, family secrets, fight for assets things have become old and usual but this drama stands out to be different from the trope because of it's thriller elements and definitely worth the one time watch. So please give it a try keeping in mind that the first 2 episodes might not interest you but trust me, it gets better with each episode.
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It´s opaque and rather gloomy, venturing to juggle shadow rather than light
"The Road: The Tragedy of One" is based on a (Japanese) novella by Rintaro Norizuki with its spotlight on the higher end of high society. The KDrama "Mine" from the same production year, which is located in a comparable segment at the top of the social pyramid, chose rich bright colors and extravagantly shimmering robes amidst glitz and glamor as the backdrop for a study on decadence and greed. In contrast, the TV production "The Road: The Tragedy of One" makes no attempt whatsoever to immerse human abysses in a colorful light that is somehow aimable and pleasently digestibility. No. This KDrama has a rather gloomy side to it. It´s opaque. Outrageous.You may vainly search for anything virtuous here. Let alone family values, especially when it comes to raising children. People mysteriously die. There is crime. Corruption. Affairs. Cowardice. Selfishness. There is (almost) nothing left of high moral standards. The series is heavy opera. Yet, excellently casted throughout. Everyone is doing their best. Still, whatsoever, it's not nice to look at. If the human ugliness is shown all too ruthlessly... who should one identify with? You have to delve far into your own abysses to sympathize and feel with the protagonists... (maybe one of the reasons, why the viewer ratings aren´t quite balanced to the true quality of the show...)
In any case, the KDrama is thrilling in its own pace and style. There are plenty of secrets throughout. You get Makjang, too ... obviously it can always get worse... (KDrama somehow always is great at drama!) It's opaque up to the end. The story takes its time to unravel the tangled threads. The screenplay is particularly atmospheric. Eventually, more of a trip into darkness. Literally (i.e. optically), too. I would call it an experiment in the latest KDrama Orbit, that dares to juggle shadow rather than light and ventures to tell a story without wholesome, easily digestible sweets.
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started nice, ended thumbs down
I've been watching Korean dramas for almost two years now and I've become a huge fan. What's not to love about them? First of all, the depth of characters, the moral values, then the poetic scenarios, the unexpected, the music and songs, the cinematography. Overall, most of the dramas I've watched so far were worthy of the hours I 'd glued to my tv screen.But once in a blue moon, I happen to see flops, as The Road, the tragedy of one. The first few episodes cought my attention, but the rest of them were as if I was watching a boring table tennis game, where the ball was passing to each one of the characters as potential suspects of the abduction and murders, unsuccessfully. I was looking forward for the last episode for some explanations, but unfortunately they were never given. Too many episodes were spent on the fuss of the who did it, with the scenario looped over and over again on the same points, and when the time came for explanations to be given, it failed miserably.
As for the acting, now. I've seen mr. Ji Jin Hee in many dramas (he was exceptional in Misty and Designated Survivor). In this one, I had the impression that he was sick and tired of the poor scenario, so he let himself to pool some indefinite smiles occasionally, as if he couldn't help himself. Many kundos to mr. Chun Ho Jin, Kim Sung Soo and Ahn Nae Sang. It was the first time for me to see the actor who played the brother in law, I hope next time I see him he 'll be improved. Too stiff and not knowning what to do with his body, most of the times. (Sorry, but he didn't convince me the slightest.) The children actors were, as in almost every Kdrama, very good. Ms. Yoon Se Ah was truly exceptional in Snowdrop, in this drama though she was just doing her job, nothing more or less. Ms. Kim Hye Eun also. Ms. Baek Ji Won is always stellar.
Re-watching value? Nah...
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Disappointing !
It's disappointing when a drama have potentials but falls apart quickly because of lousy writing. The subpar acting by the kids diminished its value even further. The male lead pulled a tremendous effort to help keeping the drama afloat. The villain was poorly written and cartoonish for this genre. There was a necessity of a better dynamic between the wife and husband given the type of story they were telling. Forget the thriller/mystery bait, it quickly turned into another comical melodrama that lacked any real emotional impact. The last episode was seriously sloppy and rushed it will certainly leave you with a sour taste. On the bright side, the OST was pretty good.Was this review helpful to you?
There are a plenty of starrings, consfusing dialogues and flashbacks almost half of the playtime. Other than that it's an ineteresting story with incredible twists.
It's not your typical crime drama.
Murders and kidnappings do happen but that's not the main focus. It's about how love, desire, guilt and conscience keeps torturing these people till the end.
The ending sucks.
I had high expectations regarding the end. But my hopes fell apart with the last two episodes. The story flowed so smoothly but suddenly they end the story with incredible plot holes and unanswered questions. Ingnoring the last two episodes the story deserves 9.5 points.
If you are a fan of Mine,Sky castle, Graceful friends, stranger, High society you should give this a try.
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A glorified mess
I haven't read the source novel completely, only its synopsis, so I don't know how much liberty the writer has taken in dramatizing it, but given Japaneses' straight to point style and Koreans' tendency to expend and add loads of support characters, I think it's quite changed.Story: Suspence and mystery is tasteful and intriguing. It keeps all suspects at gun point and simultaneously reveals their truth about them. Even despite knowing the ending, watching them back stab and claw at each other was still interesting. Although this intrigue was a double sword. Too much suspense and ambiguous subplots made it rather boring. Ending left many things to be desired, though.
It's more of a binge watching show than a weekly one imo.
Music: The Road had only two theme songs but "Memory" was a great choice and quite relatable to the characters (specially ML's questionable past) and plots. BM was tasteful as well.
Acting: In main cast, Ji Jin Hee and Kim Hye Eun were great, of course he was too similar to his "Undercover" role.
I've never liked Yoon Se Ah's acting much to be honest. I like her face and voice but her frozen expression with all the time half crying-half smiling pinched face and lips is annoying. (And she's like this in everything I've seen of her) She was no different here. More like a pretty doll than a real person .
Supporting cast here were the real gems. They were believable and well acted.
Rewatch value: I don't think it would be much interesting for the second time. It's dark, creepy and full of unlikable characters. But if you want to binge watch to understand everything it's worth a second watch!
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Good drama but the ending left me hanging
I'm into makjang dramas especially when the main character is a guy which is quite few in makjangs so I watch this! The casts are totally superb and star studded like I don't see any complaints from them as an actor/actress. When I read the summary of this drama it gives off a makjang vibes such as birth secrets, infidelity, murder, greed, tragic past, death of a child and desires. When I watched this drama it is more of an action drama. Every episodes would make me hook and look after the next episodes that gives me excitement looking forward for it!The story is superb but the ending really left me hanging! I have high expectation on this drama.
As for me this drama should have been made until episode 13 because I really thought that episode 12 kinda lack something ... it's like this drama is not yet finish. It didn't made me contented of the end like it is 1hr and 26 minutes I expected it to be detailed like after the incident. They should have shown the people like Chairman Seo should be punished and the others... They should have shown updates to the characters what happened to them in Time Jump Ending
E.g: "After 2 years" by showing the updates on characters Seo Young, Yeon Woo, Seo Young's hudband and Baek Soo Hyun
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