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In Response To Negative Comments...
I've been seeing a lot of negative comments about this show saying that it's americanized etc. so I wanted to write a review in response to this.I disagree that this kdrama is trying to be more Americanized. I genuinely like that they tried to make something more suited for adult viewers with the dark themes, intricate plot, and some nudity. It's refreshing to see such an amazing cast take on a much more daring role and it really shows how talented they are.
I will say that the plot was a bit confusing at points. The jumps between present day, the past, and the future were done well for the most part but there were times where I wasn't sure where we were. Another negative is that I hate when shows split the main couple up after they've been through a lot because they need to "heal". I personally think it's a bad choice and unnecessary.
I will also say that the show could have used a bit more depth on the relationships between the characters, there was limited dialogue when the leads were on screen together and instead we just see them trauma dumping all the time. Maybe if the show had been slightly longer to accommodate some more character building, I would have liked this aspect more. Or even if they just got rid of the friend's plot line - this felt so unnecessary... like okay she doesn't want to just be a mom, she wants to work blah blah blah but like where did this story actually go? What was the point? They either needed to develop this WAYYYY more or take it out IMO. I wanted to see his ex-wife's downfall, I wanted to see the leads accepting this new love, I wanted to see more healing in the characters... What I really mean to say by all this is that I think this show could have been a solid 10/10 if they had a more solid focus on the emotional/psychological themes rather than throwing in some of the other side plots.
Onto the positives - I really like the relationship between the leads. Their chemistry was amazing and I felt compelled by their stories. It was heartbreaking at times too when you see how unsure the leads are about what love is meant to feel like and how they should be treated by their loved ones. I like to crochet whilst I watch kdramas and this was a show where I would just constantly stop and just watch because I was so hooked on what was happening. I know my paragraph on the negatives is so much longer but that's just because there were a few key positives that really make this entire show so worth watching.
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Slow-Burn + Contractual Marriage
Beautiful cinematography; the acting and chemistry are top-tier. I normally don't watch slow-burn type of drama because its not my cup of tea; the story is unique but lacking something, in my opinion. There's some stuff that is still unclear to me, especially the trunk. and I don't think killing the stalker and all the investigation were necessary; maybe sending him to jail was a much better consequence. and the ex-wife needed punishment; they let her off the hook pretty quick, considering what she did.Overall, I really enjoyed this. Seo Hyunjin x Gong Yoo acting & chemistry really carried the show; they got me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet like a high school girl.
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More mature drama with some plot problems, however, with excellent visuals, soundtrack and acting
Firstly, the soundtrack is impeccable and fits well with the aesthetics of ML's modern house. The house itself is beautiful, the kind we see in architecture magazines, but, as the context of the story is bad, the house appears to be a prison.The scene photography is also impeccable. realize it is clear that the director wanted to bring a whole poetics through photography and how the characters speak and interact with each other. Given the context, it’s a really beautiful thing to watch. It's quite pleasant, I mean.
The story itself seems to have a good beginning, which holds the viewer and makes them try to understand what is happening with FL. The interaction between ML and his ex-wife is difficult to understand until episode 3. As we only discover the reason for things little by little, it is difficult to understand the characters' disagreement and hatred towards each other. The toxic and super weird relationship between ML and his ex-wife is also incomprehensible. At first, 'what she is doing seems more like revenge for the loss of her baby, but then we know that she wanted to lose the baby. I only managed to understand the conflict between ML and his ex-wife in the last episode. Until then, it seemed very baseless for so much suffering and emotional dependence.
One thing I don't like in many k-dramas is that the screenwriters almost always use the argument that the characters have known each other since they were children, or someone has already met the other, or any of the more cliché things we always see in dramas. In this drama, in my opinion, they make this kind of mistake unnecessarily. I.e, ML would not need to have had a 30-year relationship with his ex-wife to justify such emotional dependence and cruelty. Sometimes toxic relationships are created in a few months and years. Referring the reason for something to a childhood past is a very forced and easy narrative argument.
I also remember the fact that ML has already seen FL a few times before. They see each other at the cemetery, at graduation, when buying that special suitcase that never opens. Serious? I found this plot so forced that I almost gave up watching until the end. Things in real life don't happen that way. It wouldn't negatively affect the main plot if they were completely strangers to each other. It would be even more interesting if they had never seen each other in their lives.
About the stalker: he enters the plot only to cause suffering and tension to FL. What is the need for a stalker in a plot that has a main character living a private drama about her unconsummated marriage? Is it just to create scenes of tension, chase, attempted murder? This drama could go on very well without this unnecessary and meaningless character. And why force the idea that it's good to deal with a stalker just released from a psychiatric hospital by inviting him to your house for tea? ML seemed to be completely irresponsible in doing this. Furthermore, in the final stage of the drama, why do they always make the antagonists' lives easier in a way that is actually stupid? Seriously, he actually managed to enter the architecture magazine house undercover and even managed to go to ML's closet to get that suitcase? Serious? Anyways, this character is useless and reduced the value of the drama in general a little.
About the ex runaway groom: the series takes a while to solve the case of FL's runaway ex-fiancé to support FL's mysterious image. I thought this character could have been better developed instead of paying attention to a random stalker.
Despite these drama problems, it is a series for a more mature audience, who doesn't expect happy endings and obvious things. I thought they explored the different facets of what a marriage is and how marriage is a contract well.
Gong Yoo's acting is excellent. I thought there are many elements of the character that are also Gong Yoo's own, such as fishing and a docile personality. It would be more interesting if the character wasn't so similar to the personality of the actor who plays him.
Oh, and about the medicines: what a mess! I thought it was simply insane that the ex-wife induced ML to use more medication or even drugs. It's incredible how he couldn't realize the misery he found himself in. Indeed, his father's history with his mother is a bit exaggerated too. Things don't have to be so acute to cause lifelong trauma. A more subtle plot would be enough to support the ML plot. Btw, it's completely senseless for ML to end the drama on good terms with his ex-wife, as if she hadn't acted like a true psychopath trying to drug him and manipulate him.
Anyways, it's a very beautiful drama in terms of visuals and soundtrack. Has good performances. Has a more mature plot, however, with some problems, but it's worth watching. If this drama had more episodes than it does, it would certainly go downhill, lol. That's it.
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Perfect acting. Be open to see the shadow love and the true love.
This one, is not for everybody. Is for mature, selectiv people, or ones that wants to overcome the toxic relatioships, who wants to go deeper into human psychology, into the complex characters. I liked it, the acting was great. I love Gong Yoo natural acting but also the acting of his collegues. I enjoyed the slow and the time to contemplate the characters and the subtle communication, this was great. Even if all relationships are toxic, with narciccistic and psychopathic characters, it gives you the opportunity to understand the dynamics and to seek healing, love that inspire you, autenthic connection. For me all the movies inspire me to go beyond to surch the meanings of life. And I learn a lot. You will not lost your time. What I want for future kdramas... to introduce the mental education, that is total absent, to help people identify easily the toxic and the healty behavior.Was this review helpful to you?
"Very emotional"
"This series is very emotional, and I loved it. I’m sure viewers who have reached a certain age will appreciate it because sometimes I think age should be included in reviews. I find many highly rated series too childish. I’m in my forties, and I really enjoyed it."
"Only the ending could have been better, and the music could have been nicer."
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Um Equilíbrio Entre Mistério e Romance...!
O drama consegue dosar romance e mistério na medida certa, prendendo a atenção de quem gosta de tramas profundas.O destaque vai para os personagens, que são complexos e bem construídos, cada um carregando camadas que vão sendo reveladas nos oito episódios. Essa profundidade dá um peso emocional ao drama, tornando-o envolvente.
O final, por sua vez, promete não satisfazer quem prefere respostas claras e definitivas. No entanto, essa escolha dá espaço para a imaginação do público, permitindo que cada espectador interprete o futuro dos personagens de acordo com sua própria perspectiva. Para mim, essa abordagem foi coerente com a história, eu gostei.
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Great start!
Currently 3 episodes in and I'm hooked. The acting is great. Ever since "Train to Busan" I've kept up with Gong Yoo's career and this so far is another winner. The music creates an immersive experience and the tension, fantastic! It's a slow burn but so far an amazing slow burn. I don't know where's it's gonna go or how it's gonna end but up this point I highly recommend it.Was this review helpful to you?
Uma mistura de tudo…
Pra mim o dorama conseguiu dosar tudo na medida certa, seja no mistério, no romance, no drama; acabou conseguindo abordar um pouco de cada sem que ficasse tão cansativo.E o que me prendeu foi que pra mim nem tudo era tão óbvio; e essa mistura nos capítulos entre passado, presente e futuro me deixava louquinha, fazendo com que eu ficasse prestando ainda mais atenção no enredo pra não acabar perdendo algum detalhe importante.
E o que não falar da atuação de todo o elenco: simplesmente fabulosa! Gong Yoo e Seo Hyung Jin mais uma vez surpreendendo a todos!
Fazia tempo que não assistia um dorama que considero bem maduro, pra me preender tanto a cada capítulo. E ele retrata nuances de vários relacionamentos, o que acaba tornando a história interessante.
Gostei, mas não achei fabuloso! Pra mim os oitos capítulos foram suficientes para abortar tudo. Mas não é um daqueles doramas que considero sensacional, mas vale a pena assistir.
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This review may contain spoilers
meh
cuesta mucho entender de qué se trata, hay partes que son muy confusas. en mi opinión la trama es buena, el cast también pero hay algo en el guión que lo hace muy difícil de seguir. le pongo un 7 raspando.[spoiler] igual le concedo que había pensado que iban a asesinar a la protagonista y me sorprendió gratamente con el plot twist.
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the trunk só que o trunk nem é tão importante assim
primeira coisa que nos brilha aos olhos é o design super frio e minimalista. toda a narrativa e a interação entre os personagens complementam a esse tom. o ponto alto do drama é certamente o cast com suas performances excepcionais, mas que por muitas vezes são limitadas pelas direções repetitivas que é levado. até certo momento, the trunk tenta desesperadamente fugir das fórmulas de um k-drama clássico, mas se perde nas conclusões e empurra emoções exageradas até cansar os espectadores, não consegue resolver seus dilemas e os sustentar até o final. o suspense morre no meio do caminho e o romance não chega nem a nascer de fato. apesar disso, ver gong yoo e seo hyunjin contracenarem, mesmo que numa obra morna, foi um dos pontos altos da temporada de k-dramas de 2024.Was this review helpful to you?
Gong Yoo di sini diceritakan produser musik super kaya yang insomnia berat (aw, aku, tapi sugihnya ngga). Pakailah jasa vendor kawin kontrak bernama NM Wedding selama setahun. Genrenya nih engga romance, tapi thriller. Karena ada kasus misteriusnya. Spoiler dikit, aku nangisin part sup rumput laut :')) dan tiap Gong Yoo nenggak sleeping pills.
Abis nonton ini berasa hampa ya. Dramanya gloomy, mana cuacanya begini. Depressed banget, tiati yang mentalnya lagi low. Benar lah kata sebagian psikiater, bahwa kadang buat tidur nyenyak kita ngga selalu perlu obat-obatan kimia, tapi manusia🥹🥹
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