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Why? Just why?
Dear readers, this is not a proper review. More a mini rant. I do apologise.After 9 eps, I'm done. I have given this series a fair go. I am satisfied that this show is pointless and has few redeeming features. I'll elaborate further.
It appears the writer-san wants to explore the notion that Japanese people don't take vacations and if they do, they don't know what to do with themselves.
Hence, our ensemble cast is so inept at such activities. They are making things up as they go and creating mayhem. Getting drunk and acting silly was a primary goal.
You can imagine this is rather threadbare for 4.5 hours runtime. Hence the introduction of the supernatural angle. If you think this is a quick fix then you will be disappointed. If anything, it opens up a Pandora's Box of confusion.
To wit, their version of the Grim Reaper acts like a spaced out goth country bumpkin(?!). He spends most of his time being a full-time caretaker of the villa. While every member of the ensemble is in the hyperactive, overacting mode, he is a metaphysical sloth. How can this be the Angel of Death? Why is Chae Jong Hyeop involved? Did he read the script?
If that is not enough, they also added a Sea God in EP.6. He spend all day fishing. Do all the demi-gods come here for a vacay?
Is this someone's vanity project? So much of the plots are like a potpourri of ideas. Random subplots just pops up and then disappears.
It would help if there is a throughline, but I saw none. I know they mentioned an extinction level event at the end of EP.1, but the A-plot pretty much ignored it. I'm getting a headache just from trying to decipher if subplots are nonsense or relevant.
This series could work if it is a total farce, but it is not. It is more like a collection of unrelated sketches. Moment to moment, can be mildly entertaining. Most of the time it is just cringey or awkward.
Don't get me wrong. Japanese are masters at exploring mundane and quirky situations. They are usually well crafted world populated by engaging characters. Just think of Studio Ghibli productions. This show is the opposite.
Here lies the conundrum. A show must hold your attention, otherwise any promise of wonderful things to come will ring hollow. It is not working here.
Life's too short. Peace.
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This review may contain spoilers
Una comedia de fantasía, un poco rara y simple
La historia va sobre un grupo de jóvenes viviendo el desempleo como unas vacaciones de la vida en una casa vacacional que les heredó la abuela de la protagonista y su hermano. Allí conocen a Mr. Nishigami quien es un K-Shinigami que proviene de la regional de Corea. Los episodios presentados de 3 en 3 cortitos son entretenidos y ligeros, con un humor muy japonés, difícil de entender pero que de tanto en tanto me hizo reír. El poco romance del jdrama se siente incómodo y poco creíble, por la forma como está escrito y dirigido. Sin embargo es cute ver a Mr Shinigami en su uniforme oficial cuando es llamado al Inframundo. De las historias tratadas, el desarrollo de personaje más interesante es el del hermano de la protagonista.Was this review helpful to you?
Low budget and random
I think I was expecting something more contemplative and thoughtful when I picked this up; it turned out a lot different.The first thing that jumps out at you is that it feels like a low-budget web drama, with all its over-the-top humor and dialogue, questionable cinematography, and and silly subplots episode after episode. The first few ones are especially weak because it introduces one-off characters that I couldn't find it in me to care for, and they were part of subplots that felt really low stakes and random.
Another thing that's important to note is that there's an element of fantasy here. I wasn't a huge fan of it and the low-budget style doesn't help with it.
I also didn't really click with the romance. I can see what the drama is going for, but the unnatural acting combined with a very stoic ML led to a lack of build-up and chemistry between the leads. If this was a longer drama that spent more time on character arcs and had its lead have deeper conversations, it might've worked, but I found the ML too stiff and the FL too flat.
Honestly, I watched this for Chae Jong Hyeop but after finishing it, I'm confused about why he would accept this role. Catchy theme song though.
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So so badd
I was excited for this drama because of Chae Jong-hyeop and because I had seen him in previous works. I thought it would be good, but boy, I was very wrong. Honestly, the only saving grace here is the gorgeous scenery. In the beginning, they try to set the tone of a fun, lighthearted drama, which I usually enjoy, but the opening parts are just incredibly messy. The way they speak is just so cringe and annoying, plus the acting is so bad. On top of that, new characters pop up basically every episode. The characters are completely one-dimensional with no personality traits other than just being 'fun.' It feels like the writer just copied and pasted the same personality onto all of them. I genuinely don't know why CJH would agree to a script like this. Overall messy, low-quality, and bad.Was this review helpful to you?
