A season worth forgetting

As of me writing this review, I have not watched season 1 of Singles Inferno.

A lot of factors have contributed in making season 3 a very forgettable show.

It honestly felt like everything was going in the right direction for the first 2-3 episodes because the production team managed to introduce something new and interesting to the show. They also tried to replicate what made season 1 & 2 so successful; however, they failed miserably in that aspect.

This season tried to copy:
Song Ji-a:Kim Gyu-ri = not enough presence
Kim Jin-young/Dex:Cho Min-ji = not even close

Season 1, and also season 2 to an extent, had at least 1 female contestant that was commanding attention from a lot of the male contestants.

Season 2 had a new contestant join in mid-show that completely stirred everything up and introduced a new dynamic to the show. An interesting character that everyone was talking about which eventually became the main character of the show.

Both seasons had a contestant that we knew just from watching the show had the potential to become famous outside of Singles Inferno -- and one of them actually did. This season has none.

What else was season 3 trying to replicate? Lee Nadine = Hye-seon? Valiant effort but Nadine just has quite a strong grip on international fans.


What really felt apparent to me is that Singles Inferno 3 became a very casual, non-serious, and light kind of show compared to season 2 (and that is magnified by the production team's way of editing scenes and the added screen time of the panelists and their funny commentary). Season 2 had this heavy tension I felt when watching, season 3 has none of that.

Season 3 will leave little to no impact on me after the show; I won't be interested in the contestants and what they'll be doing in the future. Season 2 on the contrary left a hole on my stomach and kept me interested in the contestants for a quite a while after the show (still interested in Dex till this day).

Casting really felt bad this season. You know that things are bad when you have to rely on Gwan-hee for the entirety of the show. Everyone is absolutely hating on him, but he's probably at least 60% of the show. He's definitely good for the show, but there should have been a contestant casted that would place higher than him. Gwan-hee would have fit in better as the antagonist of the show against the actual main character. I'm just not a big fan of Gwan-hee's Inferno.

Who are the contestants that are needed in the show?
Top: Jin-seok
Top: Ha-jeong
Top: Gwan-hee
Mid: Min-kyu
Mid:Hye-seon
not needed: Min-young
not needed: Min-ji
not needed: Gyu-ri
not needed: Si-Eun
not needed: Won-ik
not needed: Min-woo
not needed: Ha-bin

This is purely based on possible contributions of the contestants to the potential show Singles Inferno 3 could have been if they managed to create a better cast alongside the 5 contestants needed I listed above.

On a sidenote, Dex's addition to the panelists was such a great move. His raw and relatable commentary was needed in the show.

What else felt weak this season? Timing, going to paradise, staying in inferno. It felt like these things didn't matter much, most contestants were sure of whom to pick. The games and their corresponding consequences also felt weak. The entirety of the show felt weak because inferno and paradise felt weak.

I didn't collect my thoughts well enough to make an actually good review (to which I could've done better) but this is how I feel. Singles Inferno 3 was honestly a disappointment; Singles Inferno 2 had me craving for so much more after the show, but this season only had me wishing for an actual good season next time around.

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Dramas released since 2020 have mostly been score-bloated but this one deserves all the praise.

Another case of crippling depression after finishing such a good drama.

I can't stress how good this drama is. Let's start with the strengths:

- the cast: I dare anyone to find a better cast for this drama; I'd bet it would be nearly impossible.

- the soundtrack: surely the soundtrack for this drama is underrated. even the instrumentals for specific scenes fit so well.

- CGI: its hard to create these 'fantasy' dramas. They have to orchestrate a fantasy drama without making certain things corny, cartoony, and cringey all whilst making things look realistic. In that department, they nailed it.

- the story: this is just an absolute chef's kiss

To what felt like a possibly rushed, disappointing ending after only 3 episodes left they managed to create a quite satisfying and conclusive ending all whilst teasing for a possible continuation to the series.

Despite all the hype and love I have for this drama, even though this drama was so good in all aspects, things should only go up from here (as long as they re-sign the cast). Season 1 was more of an origin story, a build up season, and we've yet to actually see the real payoff of all the world building.

My theory: The writer of moving said there were already webtoons that took place before and after Moving that could be adapted for the next chapter of the series, but I think they won't "fully" adapt those webtoons. I'm not sure because I have no clue in what direction the following webtoon goes, but surely the priority is trying to capitalize on the success of Moving. They are trying to create a bigger world after Moving, and now it should be easier since the groundwork has been laid.

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Watched this show for Dex and I wasn't disappointed in regards to him.

First things first, everyone is complaining about the show claiming to be 'unscripted', but I think it's only natural for certain things to be scripted in order to create an interesting narrative. The cast probably have some kind of role or character they had to play but made decisions on their own based on their judgements. We have to keep in mind that this show wasn't meant to be the most realistic of zombie shows, it was meant to be entertaining. But was it really entertaining? Well, yes, to an extent. I found certain storylines and cast to be annoying -- to be specific, the characters they had to play were annoying.

I'll be rating the cast from this section onwards:

Dex - He was clearly the protagonist, which is surprising because the cast had quite a lot of famous people -- and I think this was filmed last December so Dex wouldn't have been famous at that point in time since Single's Inferno 2 was just being aired. As expected of Dex, along with all the shows he's been part of, he again managed to be entertaining showing how reliable he can be.

Si Young - She was relatively reliable as well, but I expected a bit more from her. She was immersed in her role but not to the point of being overly dramatic like some of the other cast.

Hong Chul - Despite being portrayed as a coward, he was quite useful in a lot of the quests and he honestly was thinking very rationally compared to some of the other cast that totally relied on their emotions to make decisions. His biggest contribution to the show was his wits and his ability to make serious situations funny.

DinDin - Dindin in most aspects was kind of hot or cold. He was funny in some moments but not in others. He was reliable in some moments but not in others. He's smart and dumb at the same time.

Jonathan - I actually expected more from him. I'm a big fan of him and I expected him to be a lot funnier. I guess for now, he's only good at 'talking' shows.

Patricia - She barely got any screen time and I don't think she did a lot on this show. She was at least not a nuisance for the most part.

Tsuki - She was unexpectedly high maintenance. Even though she was an idol, I didn't think she would be such a mess -- at least physically. She was just too over the top and was a nuisance in some situations, others had to pull her weight.

Na Rae - Okay, she was injured; so she was literally deadweight. The show managed to give her a role that could contribute despite her handicap. Despite that, others also had to pull her weight. She was funny at times, but a few times I felt like she was trying too hard to get a reaction and it felt a bit forced.

Seong Woo - He was a sidekick, that's all I can really say about him. He was reliable but his presence was a bit weak. He did contribute to being wholesome.

Conclusion:

- Should you watch this show? Would I recommend it? Probably not.

- Why you should watch it? Because of Dex or if you want to watch something zombie related.

- Honestly, if you want to watch something in the same vein, just watch the Busted series in netflix. It's a lot more entertaining and funny with a more star studded cast and a better story.

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Just another rom-com

I'll make this a very simple and short review.

King The Land was honestly an enjoyable and easy watch. It’s not one of those bad rom-coms that you watch til the end just for the sake of finishing it. Everything was simple, cute, and light. I liked the cast, acting, music, and whatnot.

This drama’s biggest flaw is its lack of plot conflicts or the lack of depth from the conflicts. There were barely any conflicts throughout the drama and it felt like the director and writers were living in a perfect idealistic world where everyone gets to live a happy and fulfilling life – which sadly is far from the real world. I honestly think the drama could’ve been better if the protagonists faced more challenges.

Overall, this is a good watch for your daily dose of rom-com dramas. It’s an easy watch if you’re having trouble looking for a drama to watch or if you’re looking for a light drama.

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The rest of this review is just filler that was generated by ChatGPT just to achieve the minimum word count requirement of MDL reviews:

"King The Land" delivers a refreshing dose of lightheartedness that's perfect for unwinding after a long day. The engaging storyline, coupled with endearing characters, adds to the drama's charm and appeal. The chemistry between the lead actors is palpable, making their interactions a delight to watch.
The drama's picturesque setting serves as a backdrop for the unfolding romance, transporting viewers into a world where every scene feels like a page from a storybook. The attention to detail in the set design and costumes adds an extra layer of visual enjoyment.

However, as much as the drama excels in its simplicity, some viewers might find themselves yearning for a bit more complexity. While the absence of intense conflicts maintains the drama's light atmosphere, it also prevents it from delving deeper into the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies intricate plotlines.
In an idealistic portrayal of life, the characters seem to effortlessly overcome hurdles, leaving the viewer with a sense of positivity. Yet, this portrayal can sometimes detach the drama from the realities of life, as challenges are a part and parcel of personal growth. Incorporating a few more substantial obstacles for the protagonists could have added a layer of relatability to their journey.

Despite this slight shortcoming, "King The Land" remains an enjoyable choice, especially for those seeking a breather from heavy dramas. Its ability to put a smile on your face and warm your heart makes it a go-to option for a casual binge-watching session.

The drama's soundtrack deserves a special mention, as it perfectly complements the overall mood. Each musical piece enhances the emotions portrayed on screen, further immersing the audience in the world of the characters.
In conclusion, "King The Land" offers a welcome escape into a world of light-hearted romance and endearing characters. While it may lack the depth of some more emotionally charged dramas, its simplicity and positivity make it an excellent choice for relaxation. So, if you're searching for an easy-to-watch drama that will leave you feeling uplifted, this one is certainly worth adding to your watchlist.

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A very promising start that couldn't hold on until the end.

I'll try to make this my simplest review ever.

This is actually a good show; it's very easy to binge watch and the show itself is very enjoyable. These types of shows can easily reignite your interest in dramas if you haven't felt like watching any.

Things I liked:
- I liked the cast
- Comedic scenes were actually very funny
- Bromance in this drama is topnotch
- The fighting scenes were really good for the most part

Things I didn't like:
- The acting of some people kind of looked awkward. I'm pretty sure there were a few mistakes that were overlooked
- Majority of the series was fine, but towards the end, things started to go south plot-wise
- Maybe because this drama is based on a webtoon, but it kind of felt more like an anime towards the end of the series
- Again, towards the end of the drama, I felt like the writers lost their touch and became ambiguous

If I were incharge of finishing this drama, I would've gone a different route and made things a bit more interesting.

Overall, this is still a good watch and I would still recommend.

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A fantastic drama that could've been even better

Season 1 was an incredible build-up season and season 2 totally delivered on the expectations set by the previous one. Season 2 was a masterclass, but I felt like some things could've been better.

As anyone familiar with this drama knows, the story is about the main character's journey to achieving revenge. And I'd say that satisfaction from this drama would ultimately come from the antagonists' downfall -- and how it led to their downfall. So let's talk about who's ending I liked and who's ending could've been changed.

List of antagonists' endings I liked:
- Dong-Eun's mom
- Yeon-Jin
- Myeong-Oh
- Mr. Shin
- Yeon-Jin's mom
- Lee Seok Jae
- Kang Yeong Cheon

List of things that could be changed:
- Sa-Ra: Leading to her ending, the things that were happening to her was perfect, but the final thing she did to end everything was stupid imo.
- Hye Jeong: It would've been better if instead of her voice, her face should've been the thing taken from her.
- Jae Jun: They shouldn't have killed him. And Ha Do Young "killing" him just tainted Ha Do young's clean image.
- Kim Gyeong Ran: Her being revealed to have dealt the final blow to Myeong-Oh's death ruined things for me. Because of this, I felt like Dong-Eun failed to complete her revenge "honestly" at the last hurdle. It would've been better if she just sided with the antagonists, her existence in the drama was unnecessary to be honest.

Overall, the drama was great, and the Glory as a whole has great rewatch value. 10/10 would recommend.

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I was looking for a bubbly drama but my instincts said otherwise

I'm not really a fan of Song Hye Kyo and even after this drama, I'm still not a fan. But there's no denying that she did such an amazing job portraying her character in this drama (kudos to Jung Si So as well)

On the other hand, I'm a fan of Lee Do Hyun -- and what a versatile actor this guy is!

Now on the drama:
This is a great drama that I actually just watched because of its ratings and because of curiosity about why it was trending on Netflix. Words that could describe the Glory: dark, gripping, and unpredictable. It seems like the plot, events, basically, everything was planned meticulously by the writers and directors. I like revenge dramas like this when the main character just plans everything so perfectly. What's so good about this drama is how they reveal each plan subtly but still impactfully. All I'm waiting for now is a big f*ck up since in my opinion, it would make no sense if nothing gets ruined on the side of the main character. This drama needs to just at least continue its pace and trajectory it is holding to overall become an excellent drama. They have to do a really bad job in the second season to turn this drama into something not particularly good.

Overall, The Glory Season 1 is an incredible drama despite being a build-up season.

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Timing is EVERYTHING

I haven't watched season 1 so this is probably my first time watching a reality show like this. I have to say, even though I was highly dissatisfied with the ending, I enjoyed the binge-worthy show and had a lot of fun and heart-fluttering moments. Watching a show like this is very refreshing but quite frustrating at the same time. You can't help but stay emotional and subjective rather than rational when watching this type of show. I wanted certain people to become a couple, and there were a few people I believed deserved better outside Inferno.

Almost everything I wanted to happen didn't happen.........
In a show like this, there are so many circumstances to be aware of if you're a contestant, and being ignorant of these circumstances can most definitely cost you. Staying true to yourself while being mindful of others' feelings seems to be what a contestant needs to do in order to leave Inferno with the one you have feelings for. Being indifferent and letting go of opportunities given to you served to be fatal to some contestants, and I hope things like these can serve as a lesson to not only "love" and "relationships" but to other things as well.

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An otherwise perfect drama that has fallen from grace

I'll keep it short and simple: They should have ended the series in season 1 adding just 2-4 episodes totaling 22/24 episodes.

There were good things in season 2 but there were more things that made the drama bad than good. The direction of the story completely went south and one bad decision led to another. They did a great job with season 1 and should have just kept using the same formula instead of being ambiguous. The writers definitely had a hard time choosing between one or the other, so they decided to create a story of in-betweens. They should have just committed to one direction of a possible story instead of trying to please both sides.

Season 2 kinda felt like a mess and the final scenes were lackluster and unsatisfactory, but I wouldn't say that the drama was completely bad. Ultimately, season 1 was an absolute masterpiece, while season 2 needs to be watched just to achieve closure from the drama -- unfortunately.

Side note: I love the main cast of both seasons to death. I wish nothing more than their success in future dramas <3

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Good, but could have been better

It's been way more than a year since I last made a review but I feel the need to give my opinions on this series.

I'll be honest and say I would've given this a 9.5 if they managed to keep up the incredible directing and writing the first four and a half episodes had to offer. But it felt like things were starting to go a bit downhill since the Queen of Spades game started and the story became less interesting and all over the place at times.

I was gushing over this drama for the first episodes for various reasons. Season 2 provided excellent story-telling as they provided backstories for a lot of the characters and also gave more context about the games they were playing as if to state that the games weren't only an obstacle a player needs to get past, but also a lesson a player can learn from. The games were exciting and the stakes couldn't be any higher; it truly felt like the games were more difficult than the numbered cards back in season 1. The drama felt more interactive from the perspective of the viewers because I felt like I needed to be more attentive to the details of the story so I can make assumptions and hypotheses in correlation to how the story will unfold and how the players could possibly beat the games. The first half of season 2 felt like it was perfectly making use of the groundwork season 1 provided.

As I said, things were going a bit downhill from the half of episode 5 where they play the Queen of Spades game. From there on out, games started to become less interesting and difficult, we're introduced to a few less interesting characters, the actions and consequences of the players would feel nonsensical and weird at times, and overall I feel like they could've done a much better job with how things transpired. At this point, I was beginning to think everything was falling apart and the story totally progressed in the wrong direction, but things changed after the long-awaited conclusion.

From the things that happened between episodes 4 and 10, things would only make sense with the ending they provided us with; if it was a different ending, nothing would make sense at all.

Alice in Borderland explained:

So from my understanding, Borderland is the place between life and the afterlife. The players found in Borderland are the victims of the accident that happened in and around the ward of Shibuya. Players didn't all enter Borderland at the same time because not all of them entered a state of "death" at the same time as well. Time worked differently compared to how time worked in reality, so people who entered Borderland first would've made a lot of progress already before other players would join. And this is where one of my questions about survivability was answered thanks to the ending. Some players died early, some players would die easily, some players just have a knack for staying alive no matter what happens, and that is all decided by your fate or your will to live. If you died early or easily it just means that you were fated to die or that your will to live was not strong enough, but if you survive and beat all the games, you'll be given a choice to stay in Borderland or come back to life in reality. Beating games and being given the choice to continue living or dying gives the players realizations about their life and whether or not life is worth living; Borderland is a place where unless fate decides for you, you yourself have the power to make your own decisions stemmed from how you value life. In the end, those who truly longed for a second shot at life prevailed and got a chance to live the remainder of their life with a renewed perspective.

The ending was satisfactory, but there is a world where I'd prefer a different ending where Borderland was also part of reality just in a different world.

Things that I really liked about season 2:
- Arisu being the smart, caring, awkward virgin protagonist we all needed.
- Chisiya being the coolest character
- Usagi's cuteness
- The charismatic duo Ann and Kuina
- The immortal Aguni
- Overall the characters were a joy to watch, and their actors/actresses we amazing
- And the best thing I liked about season 2 is the storytelling

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This drama first showed up on my radar after it was reported that Jung Yong Hwa was the male lead (I'm a fan). After discovering the drama, I didn't know anything about the female lead and also found the synopsis of the drama uninteresting. With all this in mind, I wasn't motivated to watch any dramas at the time; so naturally, I ignored this drama. About a month and a half after this drama started airing, I started looking for something to watch and coincidentally found this drama again. I checked the comments and saw a lot of people saying that the drama was good and was such a hidden gem, so I gave this drama a shot.

Oh boy, the people in the comments couldn't be more right. Sell Your Haunted House is definitely a hidden gem. I literally had no expectations going into this drama, but after watching just a few episodes, I was hooked. I don't normally binge dramas easily, but this drama is an exception.

Let's talk about the strengths of this drama.

The cast - The cast and their chemistry are unrivaled. I don't think any other actors/actresses could've done a better job. I suggest watching behind-the-scenes episodes after watching the drama.

The characters - Oddly enough (and this is rare), I didn't find any of the characters annoying. I felt like every character served a purpose and was not in a way useless.

Comic relief - there were tons of funny scenes, but not too much. What I hate the most in any kind of drama is when there are too many comedic scenes that are way too exaggerated. Most of the time, I drop such dramas because I can't take the story seriously.

The story - The story was quite interesting and was unexpectedly deep. What I thought was just a light story at first turned out to be the opposite. A lot of things were connected and the characters had an appealing backstory.

Any complaints about the drama? Every drama has a flaw or two, and Sell Your Haunted House had a major one. Somewhere near the ending of the drama, there were some anticlimactic twists. I would've preferred something else for the story that would make everything even richer.

Overall, this drama was so enjoyable. I've definitely become a fan of Jang Na Ra. Give this drama a shot, you won't regret it.

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It's been a while since I last finished and watched a drama so I'll try to keep it simple

Is Sisyphus: The Myth a good drama? Frankly, yes.

Is it totally mind-blowing and perfect with little to no plot holes? Nothing too impressive about the drama, but still was an enjoyable one.

Things that will make you watch this drama and finish it without dropping:
-the characters and the cast are amazing <3
-this drama is the type that will make you curious about the ending. for me at least, I was never really sure what was gonna happen next.

Overall, this is a good but a tad bit confusing drama. I've said it a few times in my different reviews, but whenever you watch a drama about time travel, you should keep an open mind. Since time travel doesn't exist -- at least for now -- there aren't really rules to it that are perfectly acceptable to everyone. Don't try to think too much about why 'this' and 'that' shouldn't work, instead think about why 'this' and 'that' work particularly in this drama. Just learn to go along the flow of the drama then I can guarantee you that you'll somewhat enjoy Sisyphus: The Myth. Enjoy!

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This drama was a pleasant surprise. I'm usually up-to-date with upcoming and on-going Korean dramas, but somehow The Uncanny Counter managed to escape my radar upon release. Aside from seeing news about the viewership ratings, I knew nothing about this drama before I started watching. I could even say I avoided this drama for the most part because it looked like some kind of full comedy-action film just judging from the cover on Netflix. But oh boy was I wrong. After watching the first episode I could tell that this drama would be special, I was caught completely off guard as I didn't have a lot of expectations. This drama has a surprisingly deep story and the characters aren't one-dimensional. All the relevant characters had some kind of tearjerking backstory which contributed to some of the tears I shed. The chemistry of the main cast is to die for. There's just no way you won't be attached to the main characters once you finish this drama. The Uncanny Counter is a very exciting drama that makes you want to binge-watch all-day. This drama is filled with funny, sad, and action-packed scenes that will have you craving for more.

Flaws? There probably are a few here and there, but I enjoyed the drama too much to even notice. Overall, this drama is a masterpiece, one of the best dramas released in 2020!

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This drama doesn't deserve the hate it's getting

Watching this drama while it was still broadcasting is a curse. Seeing all the negative comments from the majority was like losing my appetite from eating a delicious meal. My greatest advice to people who are genuinely eager and curious to watch this drama is to stop reading reviews and start watching this drama earnestly. Seeing opinions from others will greatly influence your take on this drama, and it's best if you could view this drama in a much more objective way. I heard people liked how this drama created so much buzz for people to share their opinions excessively, but for me, it ruined it.

Start-up was honestly a very enjoyable drama, and I plan to rewatch this drama once I forget all the opinions that kept messing with how I felt about everything. Especially as an aspiring developer, this drama connected with me well. It filled my eyes with hope and aspirations for a future that could possibly be bright in a world full of darkness. This drama shows you that there's always light at the end of a tunnel, and this is exactly what I needed at this stage in my life. I've learned that even with ridiculously impossible circumstances, you won't know if you can overcome such obstacles unless you risk things and try to leap forward. This drama teaches you about reality. There's always a fine line between idealism and realism, and everyone is tasked to find that fine line. Dream big, but act within the scope of your limitations, then slowly build-up to take a step closer to your goals.

Besides what I've already said, the cast is just...perfect. I loved every single one of them and the characters they played. There were a lot of cute and relatable characters and I can't express enough how much I felt attached to some of them. Of the many things I think was good about this drama, the OST was just incredible.

Overall, this is a great drama that could've ended with a rating of 8.5 in my books. However, I tried to rationalize with my inner feelings and I decided to give it a very high rating. My 9.5 rating for this drama could still change someday depending if my standards change in the near future, but as of now, this drama deserves a 9.5.

Just stop reading more reviews. Whatever anyone says, this is still a high-profile drama that had an 8.7 rating before everyone started going ballistic.

Edit: I'm currently rating this drama 9.0

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