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still thinking about it
huh...so how can i start?i finished watching the drama today and i just feel empty đ
first, i was loving Gwon Seon-yul and Eun Soo-hyun, but then hated (not much) Gwon Seon-yul THEN i was disliking BOTH and THEN ENDED UP LOVING THEM SO MUCH. congrats to the scriptwriters for giving us so many plots!
one thing is that i wish they ended up being in a relationship of mom and son đ„ș by the end i noticed that they never hugged each other...really wanted this to happen so muchhhh!!
now the story was, how can i say, not confusing but very complicated. at least everything got connected, even tho it was a bit complicated (can't deny that i liked, i love mysteries)
aaaah, i can't stop talking about Eun Soo-hyun and Gwon Seon-yul...they suffered the whole drama, i was getting crazy cause everything bad was happening to them and their family! đ
I'm sad that they didn't ended up really close 6 years later, both of them kind of completed each other somehow
focusing on acting, CHA EUNWOO!!! MY BOY PROVED (EVEN THO HE DIDN'T NEED IT TO) HOW HE IS SUCH A GOOD ACTOR!! he was a.m.a.z.i.n.g, can't belive he made me hate (then love) his character. Kim Nam-Joo, wow, her acting is impeccable, never saw her before but now I'm totally gonna follow her work! she made me feel the emotions that Eun Soo-hyun was feeling :(
Kim Kang-wo and Im Se-mi were really good too. I knew Im Se-mi from true beauty and she's wonderful.
ost, soundtrack: 10/10 love it.
just two things that i didn't liked much: i wish they could show how Kim Joon ended up like. what happened to him 6 years after? like, he was the villain, why they didn't show then? plus, i couldn't understand much how Kim Joon's secretary accepted to stay on Gwon Seon-yul side...the explanation was so...poor?
anyways, to finish this review, the protest made me so emotional, it reminded me of a real case from korea. Kim Nam-Joo represented the courage of a mother that never gives up! I definitely won't forget about Eun Soo-hyun and her hard story, she suffered a lot. not only because the death of her son, but also her mother's amnesia, her husband Kang Su-ho betrayal with her sister Han Yoo-ri and all the consequences of her actions (killing Gwon Seon-yul's dad, etc)
i will definitely recommend to someone! now, i need to watch more dramas like Wonderful World đ„ș
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Revenge in slow mo? ;)
I had zero expectations starting this drama. I thought it was a romance between an older woman and cha eun woo ;););) boy was I so wrong!! lolSo itâs basically a revenge drama- a young boy dies and the mother kills the person who did it. But there is so much more layers underneath this onion of a story⊠I do like all the twists and plots; I do like the storyline and how it unfolded; I do NOT like how the bad guy always seems to win until the very last 20mins of the final episode, then the writers rush through his downfall; I do NOT like all the slow motion scenes, walking here and there, crying, crying and more crying, repeat this and that scene⊠could have done with a lot lot less of those.
Cha eun woo as a villain!! Well ⊠initially a villain then a great guy. He did well for this drama đđŒđđŒ give him a chance- ep11 showed his true acting skills! Some reviewers are saying the FL is too stiff and robotic- thatâs prob because of all the Botox đ I liked the husband though- he looks good đ
All in all pretty well worth the watch. I did forward quite a lot when they talked too slow.. haha.
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Unraveling Justice: A Gripping Tale of Loss and Retribution
A much needed comeback of the talented actress Kim Nam Joo!!Brilliant acting of Cha Eun Woo never seen before!!
This drama was filled with emotions, repentance, and forgiveness.
The best thing was the platonic relationship between Soo Hyun and Seon Yul played respectively by Kim Nam Joo and Cha Eun Woo.
The investigation was very smooth within the drama and any part never felt out of place or pace.
The ending was the best that anyone could have asked for.
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Stick around and it'll be a wonderful world
Yo, so at first, the story felt a bit slow and went off track sometimes. But as I kept watching, I got more into it and started to dig the way it was told.It was touching to see how the characters dealt with losing the people they loved and how they eventually found the strength to move on. â€ïž I hope to see the CEW in more roles like this in the future.
--
"I know that those who love us will miss us." - Keanu Reeves
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Great acting
I have just finished this show. Had put it off because the first 4 episodes were just too tragic and I had to take break until it finished broadcasting then I could binge watch. Basically, the good guys could never catch a break right up to the last episode, so its very frustrating to watch and unless you're a sucker for punishment, I don't know who else would watch it (other than to see more of Cha Eun Woo on screen!) Really glad the whole series only comprises 14 episodes.The story is middling - nothing really mysterious about it other than brooding young males and overwrought mothers. At the end, you don't get the supreme satisfaction associated with great revenge dramas (e.g. the Glory) where the bad guys get their just desserts - and then some. It wasn't too difficult to guess who was at fault although we did want to find out how and why.
However, the acting is top notch. Cha Eun Woo really CAN act! I was pleasantly surprised after a very stiff performance in a Good Day to be a Dog although he was passable in Island. Perhaps he learnt from one of the best in the business - Kim Nam Joo. I feel privileged to watch another stellar performance from her. In fact, I feel that she's done better this time than Misty.
I'm so glad that this show didn't turn out to be another younger man-older woman romance. Thank god there is NO romance and it's all dark and tragic. That really makes all the actors shine.
Final word: DON'T watch it - for the story. DO watch it - for the acting.
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A thriller - and everyone knows everyone
Everyone knows everyone by 6.6 degrees of separation. Here everyone knows everyone by a maximum of 2 degrees of separation and everyone has an extremely tough fate đ€đ€đ€I don't want to say that the show is bad and Cha Eun Woo - I don't really like him as an actor - has made some really good progress in terms of acting, BUT - the story is really far-fetched. What I like is that someone is either good or bad, but - like in real life - has weaknesses and grey areas. So far so good, but what I find really ridiculous as the show progresses is that everyone knows everyone and everyone is intertwined. There can't be so many intertwined fates.
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This drama is not wonderful at all.. it horrible though
What is so wonderful? The title leads one to think this will be epic, heart racing, or perhaps thought intuitive. Beyond the visuals of Cha Eun Woo, I really canât say much for this drama honestly. Episodes in I shouldâve realized sooner what this lacks and been honest with myself about how average this is.Firstly, the main premise is hard to wrap around and understand. Iâll just say it and Iâll use this word a lot, this drama is just so ambiguous- you wonder what is even going on? Iâm not dumb and I know whatâs going on, but why? What were some scenes there for? Why do characters talk on the phone in riddles and catch phrases. Itâs really not that deep, the writing is pretty dumb with the dialogue. Itâs too drowned out to be cool and again, ambiguous, as if itâs smart- when really this drama isnât saying anything. In fact, episode by episode it seems to loose touch of what it said one episode before and to the next. Combined with hypocritical characters and unrealistic situations I can safely say itâs just awkward at times. So whatâs the issue here.. well.. Iâll continue.
Firstly, the foundation for the story isnât good.
There is nothing intriguing to keep someone watching. Itâs honestly just depressing and sad, which I can see working if it was telling a story of someone overcoming that, yet our female lead reminds the audience a lot that she failed in life and wants to start new but is she? Soo Hyun is a mother who lost her child, which is tragic and very sad. Thatâs just her character, sheâs all over the place honestly. This story has given me nothing for her in terms of motivation, Iâm just watching and waiting to see why Iâm watching this story of hers that is already pretty much over. She went to jail, she ends up with pretty much no family, so what is the overarching story. This could be done if I was given a goal to seek, but for everyone here there is none, and if there is the conclusions just.. arenât there?
The first two episodes are slow burn, so I wasnât expecting thrill really. I guess I just sat back and took it for what it is. Thatâs too bad though because there are dramas that are exceptional with slow burns because the storytelling is good. Here I honestly have to explain and explain what the story is, and not in a fun and creative way. This drama is so generic with adultery plot lines, long wet eyed stares, rich bad people who are bad because they want power.. itâs not fresh or new or exciting. I am watching a K-drama for Peteâs sake, like what is happening. Where is the drama?
Iâll break down what frustrates me and doesnât make sense.
1. Soo Hyun our main lead i and is unlikeable and hypocritical
.. you are telling me that an accomplished professor loses their child. Which is understandable she can grieve, but killing someone with no regret? That isnât someone I can fully get behind and watch 14 episodes of rooting for. Maybe if she owned up to it and went into a revenge or something, but to just watch her meander around for 14 episodes. Itâs boring and confusing. I get she loves her kid but sheâs hypocritical. The drama even says this, but still, that doesnât justify it. Just because the drama says with Eun Wooâs character pointing it out how she murdered someone only reminds me that she did it and she, in the end is not a good person either. I can watch dramas on bad people if itâs interesting and giving me either horror, action, or an actual plot- but here there is none.
2 . Seon Yul is messy.
Cha Eun Woo is very good at acting without overacting. Itâs a blessing and a curse for him, but I canât ever dislike him and I can see what heâs trying to do. Unfortunately some of the times he looks awkward because what is written for him to act is just dumb. You get actually nothing to know about him. Other than him having a heart problem that he acts himself, but the writers seem to forget here and there this character has a heart issue. Thatâs interesting. So many potential interesting plot points, yet the writers forgot and instead like to remind you of what you knew already instead of developing a plot or having it go somewhere. I also donât really like how his character acts like he has the upper hand or a big revenge, but just has a photo of Soo Hyunâs husbands affair. Donât even get me started on his secret room.. it reminds me of the glory but a whole lot worse. There I understood why she was so motivated and went so deep, she owned that and wouldnât stop. Eun Wooâs character is an amateur compared to that, and I know nothing about his sad life or anything to justify a revenge. Itâs sad his father was killed, but come on now.. think about the logistics because I couldnât help but wonder on a first watch. This guy, how long does he have to stalk someone to get a photo like that? Itâs just not believable, everything about this guy is either over the top or getting nowhere, I wish theyâd choose one.
So I guess Soo Hyun doesnât want Seon Yul to live the life she did? She got her revenge but it turned out horribly? But she said she didnât regret it.. so what is she doing. She clearly regrets it if she is still in Seon Yul from going through with his. Sheâs admitting her damaged life but said she has no regret because her son didnât deserve to die? It takes Soo Hyun 11 episodes in to come to terms with the fact other people have families too? Eun Wooâsand her character are a lot alike, with his taking a while to realize that his dad was just a bad person and that other people can be good and have problems too. Itâs a great concept to have them both share a pain of being lonely and lost and spiteful, but the interactions are limited to none.
So Iâll get to the elephantin the room. This drama has no spice anywhere with romantic content. Which is fine, and Iâm not saying it has to be risquĂ© or that it should. Itâs just there is nothing to hook outside Eun Wooâs visuals, at least for me. There is nothing new this drama is trying to say, no risks being taken at all. I can see a good story beneath all the layers. For this drama as what it is hereâs a whole lot happening that literally adds nothing.
3. The doctor brother in law? Seon Yukâs girlfriend that isnât his girlfriend but a childhood friend that shares an illness? The ambiguity of his illness? The ambiguity of the relationships?
4. The plot twists are very average and cheap to be there
5. The drama isnât epic like the music wants it to be. A good thing though is the music, yet I will not be fooled to think anything cool is happening even though the score is good
Somewhere I wish they deepened characters relationships. Beyond the ones falling apart that existed before the story started. Iâm seeing no development. With Seon Yul and Soo Hyun their relationship shouldâve been full revenge to a climax where Seon Yul breaks and accepts help from someone. Honestly this drama should have had a romance to make it more intriguing.
If it was done you could have the contradictions of hating someoneâs family to acknowledging the good parts of them. Understanding and humanizing these characters. The necklace scene where Soo Hyun got Eun Wooâs motherâs necklace was very good for a potential of this. Iâm only saying it shouldâve been done with a more digestible age gap for the audience, with a much younger marriage. Youâd have the husband and his affair make more sense, to this already flawed main character having another flaw of her own infidelity. She is already a hypocrite, so being in a romantic relationship with this other person is fine. She can fully be a person with flaws, and questionable morals. She already is, push that further. Seon Yul could accept help and grow a relationship outside of his misfortune life. He could open up about how hard it was for him as he always had felt alone, had health issues.. etc etc. they could share the same loneliness but grow an actual bond. He could see it as new and find someone to protect other than himself. Soo Hyun sort of does that.. but sees that she can take place as a mother role for Seon Yul.. which honestly is weird to me?
Instead they both are lonely and that couldâve been done, if they talked about their feelings instead of these stupid ambiguous phone calls and meetings. Like they meet up to say a sentence, and then leave. Be direct with eachother, have a space to let out your emotions. You know eachother worst parts and accept them, become vulnerable.. instead the drama has some cry scenes I guess
I could go on and on of how to do a romance and how it shouldâve been with younger leads or something. Just do something intriguing. Make Seon Yul completely delusional maybe.. something.
I also think that the plot of the fire shouldnât have been done if in the end Eun Wooâd character wasnât the guy? Like the guy they did have (love him go watch the eight sense) had no conclusion. The Husband is just there like a leech now? The list becomes endless with the plot holes, like how does Soo Hyun have money? I get sheâs a professor but what about the house? How isnât she worried to start her life again? I donât get it!
So Iâm passionate because I care and thatâs a good thing. This drama isnât, itâs not good. I do watch it blindly to laugh and think to myself how funny this is because itâs just not good. For recent watch the glory, for Eun Woo watch too toks of him and his romantic comedies, watch the eighth dense also. Watch this if you want.
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More than just a drama, but a reality
In am so thankful for such a great drama. It was intense, heart wrenching with an overtone of reality. Cha Eun Woo's maturity in this role is superb and eventhough Kim Nam Joo had been away from acting for a time, she hasn't lost her presence as an actress. The remaining main stream actors all played a very impressive part. As we can see from this drama, our world is not perfect. We do need a balance of good and evil to survive and sometines that balance sways too far in one direction and needs correction.Was this review helpful to you?
Worth the watch
From the beginning to the end, the story captures the loss of family and the different ways we process it.I really like the portrayal of how loss can bring people together, and how sometimes grief judges our perspective on a situation.
I never watched a K-drama that captured me from the beginning to the end, but this show really did.
From the acting to the story to the music, this show is really worth watching. The chemistry between all the actors were great, and it brought out really great storyline between the characters and the overall storyline
would really recommend people watching this 10/10
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This review may contain spoilers
A Powerful Portrayal of Loss and Redemption
A heartbroken mother who returns home from imprisonment after killing her sonâs murderer; only to discover more shocking & disturbing truths!I had commented on Kim Nam Jooâs acting skills in my âFirst Impressionsâ and I had like to take my words back. Daring and inspiring, Eun Soo Hyun might be murderer, but to many; she could be a source of strength. Both Kim Nam Joo & Cha Eun Woo have strong portrayals in this murder mystery that is centered around a forlorn mother who finds it difficult to accept her young sonâs death. The first two episodes quickly steamroll through this catastrophe, so the remaining show is focused on Eun Soo Hyunâs journey as she seeks justice. Cha Eun Wooâs Gwon Seonyul is a character shredded in mystery; for the first half he plays an idealistic role and switches to antagonism in the second half. Gwon Seonyul is majorly a misled son who seeks revenge for his parentâs supposedly wrongful death; until he discovers the horrid truth that leads him on the road to redemption. This was one of those shows that leaves you guessing but beneath the veneer, it strongly supports the notion that âJustice might be delayed but it is never deniedâ.
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/14/wonderful-world-series-review/#more-734
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A poignant revenge story.
This is not a typical revenge story with the usual emotions. It's filled with a lot of pain and hurt and also showing how kindness can change people's hearts. This drama also showcases how one singular act can have such devastating and rippling effects.It is a story of justice, revenge, healing, a lot of pain and forgiveness.
Very heavy but wonderful drama. One of the better ones from 2024. Cha Eunwoo's acting shines through here. A flawless drama imo
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Took A Major NoseDive South!!!
14/04/2024Last Update:
SPOILER ALERT!
The last two episodes were boring and not so thrilling, but at least it left no loose ends.
Eun Woo was great in the earlier episodes, but not so much in the last 4 or so.
If this had stayed consistent with it being sinister and twisted like it seemed to be from the start with her being the target of revenge and and it not ending well for certain individuals involved - it would have been better.
Instead this turned out to be nothing more than political corruption at the core which is nothing new to movies or television.
08/04/2024 (April)
Update:
12 episodes in now and it seems this one borrowed a page or two from Sky Castle and stole a few chapters from Penthouse.
With this drama unfortunately there is a good measure of overused tropes such as: the cheating husband, a best friend's betrayal, the cover up of murder plus political corruption overload.
It did have some interesting moments, but not enough to really make it outstanding or original.
As for the extra marital affair side to it - that carried over through at least six episodes and still has a presence.
Something about it just hasn't t oozed enough oomph for me nor has it gone where it could have after the first 2-4 episodes. It could have hit the ball out of the ballpark if they had kept us guessing right until the end as well as her remaining the target.
Instead for me it has become a real hit and miss.
02/03/2024 (March)
I've really really tried to like this series, but can't stand Kim Nam Joo as something about her doesn't appeal to me as an actor at all.
To think I was looking forward to this drama being released!
Will still give it a chance, however, as there are other actors plus I want to see if it is worth continuing or dropping.
What has bothered me about her?
One example is her character, Eun Soo-Hyeon, at her son's funeral - it was hard for me to connect to her as a grieving mother as she simply wasn't believable or convincing enough for me - not one bit.
Another example - when rain starts to fall on her when she is sleeping at her son's grave situated on a hill, she carries on sleeping like it is a normal thing everyone does or something. It isn't a normal human reaction at all! No natural reflexes, flinching or twitching. When unexpected rain falls and you are sleeping it would most definitely trigger a physical response of some kind like being suddenly startled, maybe opening one's eyes and grimacing at the change of weather or instantaneously shielding one's head and face from getting too wet. Some kind of response! Not nothing.
Joo's acting has been over the top in some scenes and underwhelming in others.
Was her acting licence obtained from the back of a cereal box or what?
SPOILER ALERT!
About the drama itself:
a: The storyline isn't original.
b: Two episodes in and it is a bit slow going in parts and centres mostly on the aftermath of Eun Soo- Hyeon's son's death and her being in prison.
c: E.S.H took the law into her own hands and that is why she is in prison.
d: It seems the person she ran over mightn't have been the one that actually killed her young son.
Think I have worked out who the real culprit is, but if there are unexpected twists along the way anyone could be the guilty party.
Eun Woo's character is right at the start of episode one (suspicious as) and in episode two is teaching a choir "Oh Holy Night" as well as at the prison when she runs her hand under a sewing machine by accident, also, working at a car wreckers (I think) as well as eating there with his mates. Either he really is doing a number of part time jobs or is a secret Undercover Agent...
I really hope that he isn't going to be her new love interest if her marriage goes South. Not sure how young his character is supposed to be, but in this series it looks like he is in his 20's and she is in her late 30s-40s yet at times could easily pass as a 50 something year old. I think she is on the older side as it took years for her to conceive if the translation was right.
Am all for friendship and healing - just nothing more.
I will be watching more episodes to give it a fair go, but if Kim Nam Joo keeps failing to impress me with her mediocre acting...
Fighting!!!
EPISODE THREE:
SPOILER ALERT!
Bit of an interesting twist in this episode...
It seems it isn't a car wreckers, but possibly a junkyard.
When Soo-Hyeon finally found the "boy" that survived the fire, Seon Yul (Eun Woo), the closure she was trying to establish really was for the prisoner that died - not him. He said as much as well and it seemed like she opened up a can of worms - she should have just left him alone from there on instead of stalk him like she did.
Kim Nam Joo wasn't too bad in this episode plus the character Eun Woo plays is about 29 years old so I had it right about his age group.
What has taken an interesting turn is that someone is stalking her and her family - the son or relative of the one she murdered. There is a chance he might be connected to Seon Yul as there doesn't seem to be any photos of Seon Yul on his wall, also, Seon Yul seems to live a bit of a double life.
There might be an actual connection or it could be just a coincidence.
Is Seo Yul the real deal?
The husband having an affair is a bit cliche or an overused trope - it would truly be incredible had it not gone down that road.
Somewhat predictable especially as she was in prison for 6 years and wanted out of the marriage.
This drama may head towards Seon Yul saving a damsel in distress and becoming a hero if there are no ties between him and the murdered man's son. It all depends on what twists they want to introduce or not. The thing is - Seon Yul has something else going on (photographing people/school break in for documents) so there is a chance he may be working with the other younger man, on the other side of the law or definitely a secret agent.
He could still be something else altogether as well - someone quite sinister.
I wonder how predictable this one will be or not as it continues...
EPISODE FOUR:
SPOILER ALERT!
Maybe not as intriguing as the previous episodes, but what has been great is seeing a different side to Eun Woo's character - as in a darker side that is tormented by his past.
He may still turn out to be a hero after all.
Kim Nam Joo still keeps a poker face, but at least she isn't rubbing me the wrong way like she did in the first two episodes.
I think this series will become more and more predictable unless it switches back and forth to confuse it's audience - it isn't too bad and I do want to watch more of it to see how much further it keeps me entertained. However, it is Seon Yul I want to know more about as well as seeing him in more scenes then the stalker followed by everyone else...not so much Soo-Hyeon.
If this was mainly on Seon Yul, the stalker and small doses of poker faced Soo-Hyeon it would be one heck of a roller coaster ride I reckon.
EPISODES 5 & 6:
SPOILER ALERT!
The storyline is kind of so so and feels like it is a rehash of multiple tropes like the marital affair, death of a child, the want for revenge and others connecting from the past to present.
With episode 6 it did leave us on a cliff hanger at the end, but maybe it shouldn't be a complete surprise as there have been obvious hints throughout plus Seon Yul was in the car at the very beginning.
His character is becoming more and more interesting as the plot thickens though - either he is an up and coming secret agent/undercover cop or a serial killer in the making.
What we do know is - he isn't the person we were made to believe and therefore could be a total deviant hiding behind a facade. Also, it seems he might be the "actual son " of the man run over by Soo-Hyeon and the woman hospitalised in a coma.
Or... is he someone else?
There is some connection between the stalker and Seon Yul as I'm sure the stalker gave Soo-Hyeon the name of the woman in a coma.
Episode 1 didn't exactly leave anything to the imagination with Seon Yul in that car facing you know who.
Time will tell!
Somehow I feel the husband of Soo-Hyeon is connected to everything that happened from the very start for some reason because he isn't exactly clean cut or are we being mislead.
EPISODE SEVEN:
It is all coming out in the open now.
Seems the only connection between him and the stalker is that both want revenge and justice, but directed at different people.
However, the Politician husband has everything to do with it all, I reckon - just not sure to what extent.
Will there be any further twists to turn this around - am sure hoping so!
EPISODES 8-10
It is getting more and more boring and totally predictable.
Am so over the *husband having an affair or three" trope - the affair should have been wrapped up over a few episodes not been drawn out through episode after episode like a long lasting nasty smell that just won't go away.
Eun Woo has improved as an actor, but this drama series has taken a real nosedive South in the last three episodes or so and am not sure if it can redeem itself for the remainder of the series.
Who knows?
All I see is someone dying if he continues on the same path and no real winners because of what else goes on in the background with other players - something has to give at some point and someone will pay the price.
However, this doesn't make it original or unique as others dramas have been there and done that already with a similar tone.
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