This review may contain spoilers
Stellar performance with a plot that scatters your emotions
• Jack & Joker: U steal my Heart has a plot that is all over the place and can create a surge of emotions in viewers. The hype around the show was given justice through the acting skills of each and every actor and the chemistry showcased by the main leads.
•First, lets talk about the plot, shall we. I did not see the pilot teaser of this show and went straight ahead with the episodes, thinking that synopsis gave me a good idea of what I'm going to watch. From what I understood through the synopsis is that Jack and Joker, though with clashing personalities and challenging jobs (as a debt collector and thief respectively), end up joining forces for some sort of grand heist, developing a love-hate relationship. Never in a billion dreams did I think I would face a shared past with this "Strangers to Friends to Enemies to Lovers" troupe. It's not bad, but it's not what I expected. Nevertheless, I didn't let that stop me from watching. But going on forward, the show gave me a heavy sense of deja vu with it's romance side of story. JackJoker's relationship felt similar to that of VeeMark in Love Mechanics (which also starred YinWar). That did not sit right, especially given how sneaky and playful Joker should be (Mark was an emotional and heartbroken mess because of Vee). Joker's character fizzled out from being a fearless and feisty thief to a lovesick fool in search of redemption. Jack was no better. At first, his anger towards Joker felt reasonable, but then in the second half his anger and hatred towards Joker got me conflicted. Joker saved him from being lifelong indebted to that boss by stealing the ring, but Jack never saw that, and instead felt it as betrayal cause Joker had promised to never steal. But then again, the theft had resulted in Toi Ting (a young girl for whom they both cared) getting into critical condition as she was physically abused by the boss's henchmen, which only justifies his anger towards Joker to an extent. There was also this confusion I had gotten regarding as to how a normal ring had so much power, but the last episode did give me a bit of explanation. Then there was a robbery at the bank by Joker, which was executed pretty unrealistically. And the whole game thing in last episode felt petty to me. But the whole "Plan A, B, C" situation in episode 11 definitely lightened my mood, and I was surprised to find Hope tagging along. The entire story has given me mixed feelings though.
•If the plot gave me reasons to criticize the show, the acting gave me a reason to love it. War has always been a phenomenal actor. His emotional range and versatility have always left me speechless. Jack & Joker is definitely a step up for him. The quirky disguises which Joker took on, especially that of the make up lady, proved just how fantastic he is as an actor. The aggressive ways in which he flirted with Jack were equally amusing and entertaining to watch. Then in the second half of the story he devoured the angst scenes. His sorrowful cries showed how much he was in, pain, especially when Jack told him to never show his face. The pain he had after he got rejected by his father was also sad to watch. And of course, the sulky and devastated look he had in his face watching Jack entertain Rosé as if she were his lover. War as Joker is one of the best casting of this year. Yin is also significantly improving. He was able to convey the grudge Jack holds against Joker as well as the discomfort he had after being forced into a relationship with Rosé. His action scenes were also fantastic and well done. He is also a perfect casting for the role. The chemistry between the two is always a winner for me. Though their romance was slow burn and had lots of ups and downs, I enjoyed every minute of when they were together. Those kisses were chef's kiss and Jack's simple proposal in the end was adorable. I just wished that Joker would've had a proper apology from Jack for having brutally berated him. But the acting and chemistry of YinWar was the key highlight of the show.
•This shows side characters were also memorable. I never thought that there would be some sort of romantic tension between Aran and Tattoo. And though they weren't given the screentime and closure expected from them, I was actually somehow contented with what I had got from them. I was surprised that I actually like the HopeSave couple. Despite the fact that they both had done from bad things to Jack, I must say that I admired the fact that Hope stayed by Save's side and understood the latter's situation. Their redemption arc was what I needed and it kind of filled up the space of mind demanding for Aran and Tattoo. Holy was a great friend to Joker and Tattoo and I loved his funny ideas. Jack's Grandma was a whole different vibe. Her being considerate towards Joker, fangirling and shipping her grandson and Joker, and fighting with boss's henchmen were first class bl fangirl things. She was very relatable. Ting was very cute and I really felt my blood boil after seeing how ruthlessly she was attacked. Rosé gives me mixed feelings, but I mostly feel happy that she let Jack go in the end. Joker's family felt like completely jerks to me in the starting, but them wanting to rekindle with him and accepting him was good for me as long as it made Joker happy. And we don't talk about the boss and Carbon........just that they got what they deserved in the end....... humiliation.
•Overall, the saving grace for this story is clearly it's cast, it's production, the chemistry of YinWar and the comedic relief scenes. It had ambition, but failed in it's execution, but still managed to retain a few elements to keep the viewers entertained.
•First, lets talk about the plot, shall we. I did not see the pilot teaser of this show and went straight ahead with the episodes, thinking that synopsis gave me a good idea of what I'm going to watch. From what I understood through the synopsis is that Jack and Joker, though with clashing personalities and challenging jobs (as a debt collector and thief respectively), end up joining forces for some sort of grand heist, developing a love-hate relationship. Never in a billion dreams did I think I would face a shared past with this "Strangers to Friends to Enemies to Lovers" troupe. It's not bad, but it's not what I expected. Nevertheless, I didn't let that stop me from watching. But going on forward, the show gave me a heavy sense of deja vu with it's romance side of story. JackJoker's relationship felt similar to that of VeeMark in Love Mechanics (which also starred YinWar). That did not sit right, especially given how sneaky and playful Joker should be (Mark was an emotional and heartbroken mess because of Vee). Joker's character fizzled out from being a fearless and feisty thief to a lovesick fool in search of redemption. Jack was no better. At first, his anger towards Joker felt reasonable, but then in the second half his anger and hatred towards Joker got me conflicted. Joker saved him from being lifelong indebted to that boss by stealing the ring, but Jack never saw that, and instead felt it as betrayal cause Joker had promised to never steal. But then again, the theft had resulted in Toi Ting (a young girl for whom they both cared) getting into critical condition as she was physically abused by the boss's henchmen, which only justifies his anger towards Joker to an extent. There was also this confusion I had gotten regarding as to how a normal ring had so much power, but the last episode did give me a bit of explanation. Then there was a robbery at the bank by Joker, which was executed pretty unrealistically. And the whole game thing in last episode felt petty to me. But the whole "Plan A, B, C" situation in episode 11 definitely lightened my mood, and I was surprised to find Hope tagging along. The entire story has given me mixed feelings though.
•If the plot gave me reasons to criticize the show, the acting gave me a reason to love it. War has always been a phenomenal actor. His emotional range and versatility have always left me speechless. Jack & Joker is definitely a step up for him. The quirky disguises which Joker took on, especially that of the make up lady, proved just how fantastic he is as an actor. The aggressive ways in which he flirted with Jack were equally amusing and entertaining to watch. Then in the second half of the story he devoured the angst scenes. His sorrowful cries showed how much he was in, pain, especially when Jack told him to never show his face. The pain he had after he got rejected by his father was also sad to watch. And of course, the sulky and devastated look he had in his face watching Jack entertain Rosé as if she were his lover. War as Joker is one of the best casting of this year. Yin is also significantly improving. He was able to convey the grudge Jack holds against Joker as well as the discomfort he had after being forced into a relationship with Rosé. His action scenes were also fantastic and well done. He is also a perfect casting for the role. The chemistry between the two is always a winner for me. Though their romance was slow burn and had lots of ups and downs, I enjoyed every minute of when they were together. Those kisses were chef's kiss and Jack's simple proposal in the end was adorable. I just wished that Joker would've had a proper apology from Jack for having brutally berated him. But the acting and chemistry of YinWar was the key highlight of the show.
•This shows side characters were also memorable. I never thought that there would be some sort of romantic tension between Aran and Tattoo. And though they weren't given the screentime and closure expected from them, I was actually somehow contented with what I had got from them. I was surprised that I actually like the HopeSave couple. Despite the fact that they both had done from bad things to Jack, I must say that I admired the fact that Hope stayed by Save's side and understood the latter's situation. Their redemption arc was what I needed and it kind of filled up the space of mind demanding for Aran and Tattoo. Holy was a great friend to Joker and Tattoo and I loved his funny ideas. Jack's Grandma was a whole different vibe. Her being considerate towards Joker, fangirling and shipping her grandson and Joker, and fighting with boss's henchmen were first class bl fangirl things. She was very relatable. Ting was very cute and I really felt my blood boil after seeing how ruthlessly she was attacked. Rosé gives me mixed feelings, but I mostly feel happy that she let Jack go in the end. Joker's family felt like completely jerks to me in the starting, but them wanting to rekindle with him and accepting him was good for me as long as it made Joker happy. And we don't talk about the boss and Carbon........just that they got what they deserved in the end....... humiliation.
•Overall, the saving grace for this story is clearly it's cast, it's production, the chemistry of YinWar and the comedic relief scenes. It had ambition, but failed in it's execution, but still managed to retain a few elements to keep the viewers entertained.
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