As I said, this is an amazing drama. It's based upon a true story, which explains why I find it hard to rate the plot. The way it is narrated is quite unique: it uses the technique of flash forwards, making the viewer aware from the very beginning of the destiny of basically each character. This style can be very confusing at the beginning, to the point viewers may think they are watching the wrong episode; once established, though, it becomes highly intriguing, and one of the strong points of this drama.
Instead of depriving the viewer of the thrill to know what's going to happen, this method excite the curiosity to find out HOW it happened, and why.
If there were a separate rate for direction and editing, I would give them both a 10 without hesitation.
The acting is stellar. I'd go as far as to say that it's more suitable to an essay movie than a television drama. As a matter of fact, this is by the same director of the 2001 movie.
The cast is so convincing and the acting so intense, one truly believes to be watching the real story, instead of a screen revisitation of it. Characters' changes are portrayed subtly and slowly, giving the viewer time to understand and empathize.
I found myself talking to the screen more than once, praying one or the other of the characters would not make that choice which, I knew, would change the course of their lives forever.
The music is poignant and moving. Combined with the beautiful photography and the outstanding acting, it brought me more than once to the brink of tears - and I don't cry easily, if ever.
So why did I drop it?
Because I was empathizing too much, and it pained me. By the middle I was so involved in this story I would feel restless and anxious. Mind you, the show has got many sweet, touching and funny moments. I just couldn't take all the emotions anymore.
It is my intention to go back to this drama in future, maybe after a strong dose of surreal/hilarious/ridiculous shows, like a camel storing water before a long journey.
Hence the very high re-watch value.
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One enormous difference from other South Korean programs becomes apparent even before the series starts. Friend, Our Legend holds the distinction of being one of relatively few pre-produced dramas in that country. Free from pressure brought down by viewer feedback and ratings, no sudden crises could derail the vision. The effect is immediately noticeable when a story is told as intended.
On the surface, the aforementioned story appears to be nothing special. It is “merely” the tale of four close friends, whose troubled lives follow very different (and sometimes tragic) paths. Instead of falling into pitfalls of humdrum cliche or weepy melodrama, Friend, Our Legend elevates itself to an almost epic human story. Perhaps the plot moves slowly at times, but a subdued pace allows for the greatest understanding of characters and their circumstances. Viewers follow them through their lives, watching through childhood, right into high-school and adulthood. This aspect creates the sensation of knowing everyone in the drama intimately. Above all, realism might be the best thing Friend, Our Legend has going for it; even gangster culture is portrayed violently and without glamour…as it ought to be.
There’s always a catch, of course. Friend, Our Legend hurts to watch. Rather badly, in fact. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this series to any empathetic or sensitive viewers. It is a violent and tragic experience, grim and heartrending. Bright spots exist in the narrative, but one always senses the storm will soon return. One should not expect to walk away from this experience smiling, but that isn't always the point. Sometimes the point is to become wholly immersed, to be affected, to think and feel deeply.
Actual problems do exist. One thing which didn't work for me was the unique flashback technique used in initial episodes. These sketch out the end-game of the drama, supposedly to drum up interest for the “how” of events rather than the “what.” This smacked of gimmick, as a linear telling would have done the trick without any of the added confusion. There was enough foreshadowing in the main body of the drama anyway. At the very least, it does not detract from enjoyment.
Are you a fan of Hyun Bin? If you said “No,” sit down with this and you will be. If your answer was “Yes,” tune into Friend, Our Legend immediately. Han Dong Soo might be the greatest role of his career thus far. “But what about Secret Garden?” you might ask. As well as Hyun Bin performed in that lovable drama, consider it a mere shadow of his work here. An actor might search his entire life for a particular character, a complicated and difficult one, the true challenge. Hyun Bin not only found his in Dong Soo, but completely inhabited and owned it. How incredible to watch a character as he evolves so completely.
Talented Kim Min Joon, who seems to catch my eye often nowadays, also captivated me as Lee Joon Seok. He might be chronically plagued by bad hair and fashion crimes throughout, but the character allowed him to showcase enormous range. Working with co-star Hyun Bin, he made me believe in the friendship between Dong Soo and Joon Seok...and many other things besides. In the form of Choi Jin Sook, Wang Ji Hye finally strikes a role to impress. My estimation of her rose from a pleasant presence to serious artist, all within the span of a few episodes. Though she leads a harsh existence, her Jin Sook displays strength and individualism that never allow her to be just "the love interest." This can be attributed to Ji Hye as much as the script.
Of the supporting cast, Seo Do Young fills up the roster steadily, while Lee Shi Yun refreshes with much-needed comic relief.
I loved the majority of the soundtrack to the depths of my heart and back. Other than some dated misses, especially suspense and gangster-centric sequences, everything fell mostly on point. Emotional scenes were often accompanied by mellow violins or a quiet, nostalgic female vocal, lifting them to new heights. Among the many fantastic inserts are “Closer” (Alex), “Can’t Have You” (Hyun Bin), and “Go and Erase Your Tears” (SS501’s Heo Young Saeng). Fans of Big Bang will also recognize “Friend,” (Tae Yang and T.O.P).
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This review may contain spoilers
I almost didn’t watch after two episodes because I found it boring but I fell in love with the two main actors. I just finished watching all 20 episodes and I am so disappointed in the ending. I am still wiping away the tears. I read in another review that this is based on a true story. That makes me even sadder. There were several loose ends which were never addressed. The main one was San Jin said she couldn’t marry Dong Su because she was pregnant obviously not his. What happend to the baby? Did she go to Japan? Overall I guess I am glad I did finish watching but still bummed about the ending. Was this review helpful to you?
fate and friendship
this is very good drama though it is sad to see from flashbacks and forwards the fate of these friends； some criticise this but for me it deepens the tragedy as most tragedies like Greek tragedy you know the characters are tied to an inescapable destiny〜this drama is dark from the start with violence in korean schools and descends into predictable gangster violence and fight for survival of poor people with only small episodes of relief and hope in romance and loyalty to lighten the story。 I was interested in the school episodes and transition from this to the gangsterism though less in the formulaic gangster drama itself・ taking account of development of many episodes there is a certain sympathy for one of the friends but this evaporates from episode 16 as we see them equally caught in the net [there is a sea/fishing motif appearing at the start and at points throughout the drama] of evil。 part of sang taek coming in later is used to work out broader plot of organised crime and corruption though his move from diligent student aiming at law career to going into the army and journalism for me lacks credibility as with how he is brought back into relation with the other school friends as part of the plot。 the element of romance is rather straining for effect and real purpose in this drama and also seems formulaic〜still a very involving and good drama of its type though I do not think this is one for re-watchWas this review helpful to you?
ça ne rigolait pas dans la Corée du Sud des années 80...
• Comme l’indique le titre, l’amitié est le moteur essentiel du drama, le tronc commun étant le lien qui unit quatre hommes, d’où sortiront les rameaux de l’amitié entre femmes, l’amitié amoureuse, l’amour, la tendresse, et cet arbre est enraciné dans la terre brutale et sanglante de la Corée des années 60 à 90, époque de régimes de juntes militaires, de dictatures, où la violence et la corruption sous-tendent toute relation sociale, toute hiérarchie, que ce soit dans le milieu universitaire ou encore pire dans l’armée, où les gangs de jopok (la mafia coréenne)sont les maîtres incontestés de la rue.L’action se situe à Busan, grande ville portuaire du sud de la Corée. Dès le premier épisode, le ton est donné, on assiste à un règlement de compte entre gangsters et dès lors on sait que l’un des personnages principaux sera exécuté dans la rue, sous une pluie diluvienne et donc le récit sera entièrement articulé sur des retours en arrière, de plus en plus longs, jusqu’à tenir plusieurs épisodes, et on ne comprend vraiment ce qu’on a vu au début que dans l’épisode 19, le 20ème et dernier apportant la découverte de la conclusion de l’histoire.
Cette construction très élaborée trouve ses limites dans un sentiment parfois de confusion, surtout au début, jusqu'à ce que l'on intègre bien tous les acteurs nombreux de ce drame .
Dès le collège, et même l’école élémentaire, trois garçons sont inséparables : Jun Seok, (leader ) Sang Taek, Jong Ho. Arrive un nouvel élève : Dong Soo, que Jun Seok décide d’inclure dans leur groupe et d’en faire leur ami. C’est un garçon renfermé, solitaire, assez farouche, d’une famille instable (la mère court la braguette sans vergogne, le père semble totalement indifférent à leur fils, il est croque-mort et travaille tout le temps) . Le père de Jun Seok est un chef de la Jopok, tout le monde le sait, alors que les deux autres sont issus de familles modestes, commerçants, chauffeur de taxi.
En entrant à l’université ils vont croiser un groupe de 3 filles qui vont chacune à leur manière entrer dans leur vie.
Nous allons donc suivre l’évolution de ces adolescents, puis jeunes, puis adultes, leurs difficultés à trouver leur place dans le monde chaotique où ils vivent, leur repère fixe étant cette amitié jurée qui les lient, malgré la distance et les séparations que la vie impose. Il y aura le lycée, avec une discipline de fer, des punitions brutales, puis l’armée, dans les services secrets, avec les compromissions obligées pour survivre.
C’est la lutte permanente pour sortir d’un destin étouffant, puis pour tenter de le supporter au mieux.
Jun Seok finira par devenir un chef Jopok, entraînant avec lui Dong soo sur qui il a une forte influence. Mais celui-ci se rebellera. Les deux autres arrivent à sortir à peu près de la tourmente, mais pas sans de profondes cicatrices morales surtout pour Sang Taek.
Le personnage le plus passionnant est Dong Soo, (bon, d'accord, je ne suis pas tout à fait objective, là .... )qui aurait pu devenir un grand artiste, dont l'innocence n'a appris à ne répondre que par la violence, mais dont le cœur est assoiffé d’amour, de reconnaissance, qui va descendre de plus en plus profondément dans son propre enfer, pour finalement marcher vers son destin presque avec soulagement. Hyun Bin est magnifique de sobriété, d’émotion contenue, de douleur rentrée.
La fin est à l’image du début, et pourrait passer de prime abord pour un règlement de compte vengeur, sauf que j’y vois bien plus un sacrifice expiatoire accompli en toute lucidité, image confortée par la marche de Jun Seok vers une porte ouverte sur la lumière.
Bien sûr il y a une histoire d’amour, je n’en dirai pas plus, sans dévoiler trop l’intrigue, sauf que si j’étais Jin Suk, je sais bien que je n’aurais pas fait comme elle ….
L’interprétation générale est parfaite (mention spéciale à Jong Ho –Li Shi Un, seul personnage à la vie presque normale, ami parfait qui accompagnera ses amis jusqu’aux extrêmes de la loyauté, et personnage apportant un sourire et une tendresse bienfaisantes dans cet univers rude) la photo est belle, pas de chanson rengaine, ni de mélodies agressives, les sous-titres clairs et bien faits.
Bon, vous avez compris que c’est noir, très noir, brutal, violent, mais très fort, passionnant par son aspect socio-historique et ……………pour Hyun Bin !!! De ce que j'ai vu de lui depuis, c'est son meilleur rôle, nettement au dessus du lot !
Je le recommande fortement, mais âmes sensibles attention !!
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