This review may contain spoilers
Unexpectedly great
I had my eye on this ever since a news article came out about introducing the cast and a basic reference to the concept, that it would take place on an island. The trailer looked intriguing, so I clicked right on the show, when it came out (and to my surprise, only two episodes per week, damn!). I had great fun with this, it was very refreshing an entertaining.To sum New World up, it's a variety show with very immersive elements and a concept that adjusts by days. The members are basically on an island vacation for six days in exclusive accommodation that had been designed to fit their preferences. They meet every day and a holographic box informs them on the main event of the day and they react accordingly. Depending on what is happening they get more or less competitive with other, they forge and break alliances and basically, just wreak havoc around the island. Their goal is to earn prize money that makes their life on the island easier, they can afford stuff (they even pay for food with it) and in the end, they are allowed to transfer their balance into real currency.
The quests or events the show is based on are excellently put together. There is a nice balance of competitiveness because the members organically forge different alliances which makes sense for the day. Because the cast has various experiences in variety shows it is also very interesting to watch them approach this. Sometimes they even play against the game instead of against each other which is very refreshing. The show is also edited in a way, that viewers are invited to pay more attention because not everything is shown as it happens and there are a lot of surprises.
The members, as mentioned, are very well chosen. This was my first time watching something with Kim Hee Chul as a full member (I usually see him as a guest in something or in clips) and damn, he was hilarious here, I totally enjoyed his chaotic presence. Lee Seung Gi and Eun Ji Won as veterans were also great, but I feel like their thunder was stolen quite a bit by the rookies. Jo Bo Ah was fantastic! I really enjoyed her approach of taking a step back and evaluating the situation for herself, she is also very loyal the her (true) allies and when in doubt, uses her amazing acting skills which made her a really strong contender. Kai was also really great, I loved how he "levelled up" by quickly observing his senior members and slowly building his position by sharing when necessary and cooperating with people who benefited him. Park Na Rae is no rookie, but I was surprised by how innocently she approached this show. She worked really hard and went all in, it was nice to see. She also a sort of centre of the members, she often hosts them and takes care of them. All of them has also great chemistry overall and often treated each other well, like when it came to food and snacks.
New World is overall well balanced, even when a daily challenge might be less interesting, they edit in an episode with something else or do the above mentioned trick with not exposing everything and fill it with a twist. My favourite episode is hands down the third one and from then on the show gains momentum, stakes get high and it grabs your attention. I was looking forward to new episodes every week and was very interested in it. I also really appreciated overarching elements through the whole show like the items, or hinting on something mysterious. There is a great potential here and I hope that the show will be successful enough to have multiple seasons. It was also edited really well and you had a genuine feeling of them being on the island by themselves - a lot of it is shot by automated cameras.
Now for things I didn't really like and this is highly subjective and my opinion only. As a show/concept it's really great, but when you think about watching six quite wealthy people in real life competing for fictional money and mentioning jokes about being poor. I don't know, it just rubbed me the wrong way in the first episode and then I got over it. It's just a show, not a social commentary after all. The other thing I did not necessarily like was one scripted part with and extra (I'm trying really hard not to spoil it here). I get that it might have something to do with an overarching story/element they wanted to introduce, but it was quite random and ruined a high paced part of one quest.
I really enjoyed New World and I would love to have more episodes to watch. If you have some spare time, I think that you would enjoy this a lot too.
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I'd love to experience the New World myself
I love this show for various reasons such as the concept, the casts and the location it was filmed. The overall theme on this show is dreamy and very fairytale-like.Let me start with the concept. When I saw the synopsis of the show on Netflix, I really found it interesting. Throughout the show, the whole idea of New World has been explained clearly. This variety show reminds me of Busted!-like framework wherein there's a plot/pattern that are being followed but at the same time it is not scripted and the characters are able to express themselves freely.
The casts are also big personalities on the variety show world like SeungGi, NaRae, HeeChul and JiWon. On the otherhand, Kai is known as an EXO member and BoAh is a known actress. They really have a good chemistry together. Competition and games aside, I think they really fit well on this show.
Before I forget to mention, the filming location is fantastic. Based on my searches it was filmed on Oedo Island and everything on the island is breath-taking. I would love to visit the New World myself.
Overall, I love this show although I do admit that I felt like some episodes are
a bit dull but it's just a small part of it. Besides the 8-episode fits perfectly on my busy schedule just fine and made me laugh my stress away. I can't wait to watch a 2nd season if there will be one.
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Worth Every Bit of Your Time
Thoroughly entertainmening variety show. Laugh out loud funny and exciting with many twists and turns and your favorite celebrity to root for. Addictive with never a dull moment.Lee Seungi, Jo Bo-ah, Na Rae, Ji Won, Kai and Heechul spend 6 days on a luxury island where your dreams can come true but heartbreak may be waiting just around the corner. Each day the contestants compete to win money that they use for necessities and items that may help them win future games, all while forming alliances...and breaking them. One day you might be rooting for one celebrity, the next day for another, but before this sweet ride comes to an end you will have chosen your one and only and will be on the edge of your seat rooting for your favorite to be the winner.
The island is beautiful, like a real life fairytale. You'll never want to leave. I didn't know they had such beautiful islands in South Korea. This show is a treat for all the senses. Can't wait for Season 2!
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Enjoyable with a unique plot
With this being a Netflix-produced show, I had high expectations for the production. Overall, I wasn't that disappointed.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Story:
One of the most unique storylines with amazing execution. I loved the island and its little games inside, as well as the use of the phones and the polls. The staff did amazing at creating a world that's detailed and so fun. I would 100% live in New World if I had the chance.
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Cast:
The cast was a good mix of experienced and variety show newbies. The reason why I rated it 7.5/10 is because I didn't really click with any of the cast members. I just don't love the cast as much as I do with casts in other shows.
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Music:
I enjoyed the tunes, it being ethereal vibes and all. I just didn't find it particularly memorable. I also got sick of the melody that's played in every credit scene at the end lol
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Rewatch Value:
I don't see myself rewatching this unless I get forced to.
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This show is weird for me to rate. While I enjoyed some episodes, I didn't feel the need to continue after I finished each episode. Even at the height of the climax, I didn't mind if I were somehow banned from continuing to watch more. For me, it didn't have the IT factor I look for in variety shows. All-in-all, enjoyable in the moment, but definitely not a favourite.
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The first variety show that I loved
I typically don't write reviews, but I had to for this one. I absolutely loved it. Each epaut was more fun the previous, and watching the cast outthink and outwit each other was so enjoyable. Plus the island itself was so beautiful. I would love to Air Bnb at that island. Just give me 6 days there too.Great show to just watch without having to be cognitively invested in plot or love lines etc.
I hope there is a season 2 and it includes the same cast. Now that they all know one another and how each other operates. A second season should be even better.
I wouldn't rewatch this because I already know how it ends. It would be like rewatching a soccer match. But if you haven't watched it, you definitely should.
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This review may contain spoilers
Funny and good variety show that will entertain you
I started watching because of Seung-gi, but all of them were so great . For example I got to know more people like Kai and Narae and this group was so lovely. Their ''assignments'' were nice. I truly laughed because all of them were so funny alone and together.Since they build the houses based on the casts wishes I was hoping we would have got to see the houses little bit more.
Some of the acting they had to do was little funny it was fine tho because it wasnt that serious. One side character had to act which was cringe and it felt like a joke :D I hope they do a season 2 and hopefully with the same cast
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A breathtaking experience
This show was worth every minute of watching.6 celebrities arrive at a spectacular island that is actually a new world that has different rules from the real world and where the contestants compete for money in very challenging conditions.
The show is very suspenseful but also very funny. The cast is perfect each of the members is different from the other and contributes a different character. I also love the amazing chemistry created between them all despite the tough competitiveness.
Highly recommend watching this. I really hope there will be a second season because I had such a hard time saying goodbye to this amazing show.
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Mostly Fun
I love these variety shows where you get to know the celebrities and their real personalities, not just what their agencies want you to see.All of these celebrities were very nice people deep down. They played the game but didn’t hold any grudges. Laughed through the pain!
SeungGi - variety show master
HeeChul - hilarious
BoAh - beautiful yet calculating
NaRae - smart but annoying
JiWon - Mr Cool
Kai - cute and sweet
Most of the games were fun. The real estate purchases stretched into two episodes and got really boring. Fast forwarded through this.
The island was just beautiful and it must have been a great place to spend a week.
The ending was really weird how they left separately and the whole ATM thing. Also left NaRae on the island and a strange person watching through the cameras. Maybe NaRae stays for another season? Hope not.
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