Like in many dramas of this writer (and ahem, director) there are so many details which are kind of ridiculous, at some point the show becomes a bit boring but there is this magical feeling which makes you to come back to finish.
This is a typical drama about gambling, revenge and first love which never dies. There is a lot of plotting and action but the romance is left on the backseat, I wish there was less of it because the romance part is also the most boring. But anyway, if you are sick of all the romantic stuff and want to entertain yourself with action give this show a chance.
The beginning is slow, the whole drama is kind of slow but it doesn't matter much. I really like the feeling, the atmosphere of this drama, it is very addicting. Even if I don't understand why some Koreans were hired as hitmen and sent to Africa to save a prince of some tribe. What? Yeah... The ridiculousness is part of the charm.
Acting is okay, I mean Ji Sung is in this show, what else do you need more? Well, except Sung Yu Ri, I totally hate her because whatever character she plays becomes really annoying and she can't really act. Then So Yi Hyun, Lee Wan, Jun Kwang Ryul and Ma Dong Suk. I freaking love Ma Dong Suk! The cast is just wow and they do a great job!
The plot is entertaining and complicated even though some things become pretty obvious as episodes pass and then you just wish for them to be revealed sooner.
Give this show a try, it's not like all the other dramas out there. But if you must choose, All In is better.
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I have no idea what the budget for this drama was but they must have spend it a fair bit, especially for the overseas locations. I can't say that the actions were done that well but for a Kdrama, it has one of the biggest gun battle scene I've seen in a drama.
Overall, the acting was okay, the story was good but what was exceptional was the OSTs, there were some very memorable ones that stays with you.
I would recommend this drama to anyone who is bored with rom-coms or melodramas and want something with a revenge theme and a lot of action.
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The plot revolves around a young thug from Jeju who is trying to grab a chance at a better life. Only it's not so easy. A series of unpleasant events litter his world, and meanwhile in his heart is the painful realization that his birth was the cause of sadness, not joy.
The script is written really well. It allows you to get involved in the turbulent fate of the protagonist. Ji Sung perfectly portrayed ML making him completely natural, as if we were really watching not a drama but a slice of someone's life. Great music from before the era of ubiquitous k-pop, so it may be too retro for young viewers, but it holds the atmosphere perfectly. Add to that the fact that the drama was filmed on Jeju, in the States and in Africa, which even now doesn't happen often and gives it an unusual character. It's a story told on a grand scale but with attention to the characters and the coherence of the plot. I'm just watching it for the fifth or sixth time, and I heartily recommend it to those who like well-blown action, romance and revenge
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Old but fresh, entertaining and moving - worth recommending
This drama is a bit old, nevertheless I heartily recommend it.First of all, the main character is wonderfully tragic, (but not pathetic) almost taken out of the novelist's handbook where it says that the more tragic the character is, the more the audience loves him. Ji Sung played him so perfectly that he actually steals the heart and provides a lot of beautiful emotions. I also really like the people around him who are colorful characters with their own interesting stories. Everything comes together in a really interesting and neat whole, full of intrigue and action, built at the right pace and not devoid of a very important love plot for the protagonist. In addition, the music wonderfully emphasizes the mood of the situation and the cinematography shot in Africa and Jeju gives this drama an additional exotic feel. I've watched this drama three times and enjoyed it just as much each time. It's one of my favorites.
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This review may contain spoilers
Unforgettable
The story wasn’t focused too much on the romance as stated in description. A young man, (JiSung) and a group of others share a great bond due to growing up in an orphanage in Jeju. They’ll divide due to opportunities to get ahead in life, however the bond is solid when needed. There’s a secret to his birth that will play out, and that’s the part that’s interesting.There’s much to take away, things to ponder on, relatable actions that feeds on our emotions. It’s a great story. From beginning to end, it’s worth the watch.
If I ever find the time, I’d love to read the novel.
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YOU MUST SWALLOW!
It started off with a bang and kept its tempo up for another 10 episodes before performing the hardest emergency brake pull ever. At least for that portion, this is what modern day parodies would cite mimicking the exaggerated nature of the melo landscape from late 2000s. Lots of abroad filming with the typical Korean lens of foreign lands, loads of shaky action with tons of cuts for every shot that can rival that one Liam Neeson scene jumping over a fence, plenty of exposed skin akin to the usual Korean broadcast ratings, and all kinds of flashy elements that they could through at us as fast as possible. All of that stopped with the brake slam and the drama turned to the usual slow melo of that time, it was around when they moved the setting back to Korea. Although the earlier parts lacked a real sense of focus and were disjointed as hell but at least they weren't as boring as the 2nd half. On another note, the speedy harsh soundtrack got me exhausted after playing for nth time in every episode. The biggest point of comparison between this drama and "All In (2003)" was its insulting transition and disparity between its 1st and 2nd half.Was this review helpful to you?
