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Finally found something so relatable.
Living these days is not just physically exhausting but also mentally. You get up morning, go to work at a job you may or may not like and come home late at night only to realize all your day is spent on just making a living and surviving. My Liberation Notes is a drama that speaks about tired lives of this mundane society through its characters. The drama doesn't whine, but instead it profoundly creates impact through the simplicity of its set up where each character in this drama are not some extra ordinary or dramatic that you would only think they can exist in a fictional world, but instead you relate to them in every manner. At a point you will find yourselves saying "I faced the same thing just like these characters". This drama is that relatable to everyone.For me the best part is Kim Ji Won character who speaks volumes with her courage and many find it so relatable. And Son Suk Koo aka Mr. Gu whose screen time even though is 10 to 20 min per episode with less dialogues initially, but makes every minute of his appearance impact the whole episode itself just through his expressions and powerful words.
What can I say about Lee Min Ki who well portrayed himself as a talkative sibling going through the frustration of achieving something big but couldn't because of the restrictions in his life. And finally Lee El as GI jeong who vividly expresses the fears of single women in their late 30's where finding love always seems to be far away. The characters dialogues in this drama is not just a mere dialogue but they are poetic and resonate well to the audience. I never seen a drama where dialogues don't act like fillers but has a significance.. And unlike melodrama this drama is a slice of life plus melo that has a witty sense of humor that makes you laugh.
Now that I finished this drama, the one thing I respect about this drama is that it has always depicted realistic problems of people who are suffering emotionally and mentally, so it never gave a fairy tale ending where everything seems good at the ending and everyone is happy. Instead it gave a realistic answer to those people. It told them, be brave a little, find happiness for few minutes a day at least if possible, it's okay if you are making a choice that may not seem a totally idealistic way, cause the world doesn't run perfectly, do your best little by little till you feel liberated. There will be days you qre happy and there are days where nothing goes in your way. But trudge along, and try to liberate a little by little.
A must watch if you like realistic slice of life dramas. I won't say this drama is 100% perfect in terms of writing but I still say it is one of the best I have come across in a while. Seon suk koo became my favourite actor through this.
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This review may contain spoilers
The worst and insulting show, especially for women
I want to tell one thing to you before you read my review, this show has highest viewership in korea. Imagine how many woman there watched this and this being a family show how many teens and children watched this and thought yeah this is how a women who went through abuse should deal with the situation. For conservative countries like SK where abuse isn't talk openly much, especially to young people, the media plays a huge role in filling those gaps. Just remember this when you read my review.
I wish I could give a zero star if possible.
The story starts with a FL who is mother of two children, lives as caring housewife after giving up her career to become doctor due to conservative life style of her in law family. Everyday she caters to their excessive demands and lives like an obedient wife. One day her liver fails, and her husband is the only donor to save her. Despite being married for more than 20 yrs, like a selfish person he denies his liver and even her mother in law insists to not take his son's liver. On verge of death, she is only saved by a liver luckily due to some donor availability.
You think after this, at least now the FL will leave the husband, but no she continues to serve him, but also decides to become doctor again. From here on, she finds out he doesn't support her restarting her career, he always gaslights her into feeling guilty, never helps her, verbally abuses her, treats her like garbage, she is still recovering from major surgery yet he expects her to do house duties like before. and worst he is cheating on her and has a secret daughter. the mistress and her daughter bother the FL's children, yet the husband does nothing.
FL one minute acts like a power femina who won't forgive her husband and next moment she keeps saying it is my fault. And this continues till the end. In the end her donated liver fails again, they give medical reasons but let's face it, the mental and physical health her husband made her go through has undoubtedly is a major contribution.
The husband almost made her die, cheated on her, treated her like garbage, never respected her, used her all her life. The only thing FL did was get a divorce finally and at last everyone is forgiven and are happy with one another. The FL at the end is now embarked on a solo journey with a bad liver, even though it is treated again let's not deny that two operations is not really a good sign.
The writer herself is a female, how can a woman write such a story where it says till the end even though you were abused, just forgive everything, especially your husband, and speak to him like a friend no matter what. Does this writer even respect females. This is such an insulting story for woman who go through abuse.
if you are reading my review and haven't watched this show, just don't, save yourself and do not support this kind of show which puts down women like this.
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A storyline that tries hard to justify itself but fails to do so.
spoilers are there, read at your own risk.As from synopsis, the story is basically about an ML who gave up on life due to unemployment and getting turned down from most jobs which leads him to feel useless and kills himself. In turn death punishes him, saying he will be transferred in bodies of people for twelve times and these bodies are someone fated to die soon and if he manages to survive in any of those twelve times, he can escape going to hell for sin of committing suicide. The whole plot is about death asking ML does he realize anything from the lives he lived, had he learnt anything and every time hero says I will beat you in this and survive against you.
Like so the hero goes to live in bodies of 12 lives who are destined to die soon. Now each episode is filled with star cast who acted those 12 lives, and it was really entertaining. It wasn't boring at all and all those lives are connected to each other in the storyline and the wrap of those lives to the whole plot made so much sense, even though these 12 lives people are strangers to each other character, yet they all are tied up together brilliantly to make sense. For that alone I gave this show 6.5 rating.
The only reason I'm disappointed is the that even to the end death punishing ML didn't justify in slightest sense. At the end hero realizes he made mistake by killing himself because he gave the people he loved to live with the pain of his death. Which is a very valid reason and I agree the ML is at fault to an extent because the only thing that put him down and depressed is his unemployment, he had other things that most people won't even have. He had a girlfriend who wasn't ashamed he couldn't find a job but was rather supportive and proud of him and was ready to take care of him always. He has a wonderful mother who didn't pressure him into finding a job. Most people who actually kill themselves are someone who is totally alone unlike ML. Maybe ML failed to recognize this and killed himself without realizing how it would impact his close lives. Which is something some of the depressed people who still have supporting families fail to realize and end lives. I agree they shouldn't do that, this is why awareness of seeking help for mental health is very important. but other half of depressed people are someone who are abandoned to live in agony.
Anyway, by my above paragraph you might think death was right punishing him because ML ended his life without thinking about loved ones, but here is the twist. As you have read, ML goes to live in 12 bodies, during this time death says she won't interfere and also says I don't kill people, people are bound to die by the fate that was written to them. All along she tells ML he committed a sin by killing himself instead of dying at the time the fate was written. She says one shouldn't choose death but should die at fate written by god.
Let me tell you, in all those 12 times ML got to live, he witness his girlfriend death who gets murdered tragically, his mother is also supposed to die in a hiking accident but got to live because ML finally won against the fate of surviving in at least one of the twelve times and last life is he possessed his mom's body. Which means ML if he didn't commit suicide, not only would have witnessed his GF death but also his mother death and still live in unemployment.
You might think if he didn't kill himself, he may have protected his gf and mom by being near them. But death clearly says their fates are destined like that. Whether any change can happen to their fates is like a roll of dice, and no body can know.
Not only that, all the ten lives ML lived, are mostly innocent lives who got killed except for two or three lives where ML entered into evil people bodies who actually deserve to die.
So in conclusion, the drama major reason of death giving punishment didn't make sense because even if ML lived he had to live in misery of losing loved one's, if he kills himself, he has to face punishment of death god and get's killed 12 times. For me, the whole series I agree ML is at fault for not thinking about his loved one's and dying, but death is the most evil person as she punishes ML whose fate is already cruel even if he doesn't kill himself and another evil is god who wrote fate of innocent people to die soon in most painful way.
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Just a bunch of nonsense
The story takes place around two highschool boys who are best friends since they are children. It starts with one of them ill and other donating his organ to his friend which succeeds in saving him. This organ now creates a cellular memory in the ill friend making him behave and get physical tendencies as well as behavioral tendencies of his best friend. This was the fantasy concept in nutshell. But the thing is did this drama affectively made series on it, a big fat NOOO!!!. The cellular memory concept lasted maybe few minutes last few episodes. It was made a concept just to fill few minutes in each episodes and nothing really contributing to the story.Next, we have the typical love triangle. In most kdramas when it comes to love triangle at least in mid way you can see FL is leaning towards which ML and you can see why she is going to choose that ML. But in this series the FL is merely like a beautiful porcelain doll and both our ML always get wooed when they see her. But anything happens between them that actually feels like yeah a love story is happening. A big fat No again. No love story development. Just bunch of chit chats, gazing at each other scenes, nothing significant and at end FL chooses one even though there is actual no love story happened with either of ML.
I don't expect much from a web series, the quality if writing won't be as good as a Kdrama. But common, at least stick to a concept properly. 8 episodes of nothingness is this drama.
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Mediocre at best
First let me give positive sides -The story narrative was unique, each episode belongs to the perspective of our main characters. The acting is top notch. But that's about it. It gets boring too soon after 3 episodes.
The drama emphasizes on how harsh beauty standards of society effect people, now by trailer we know this is some sociopathic killing spree drama, and indeed it was. But is it interesting and unique, I have to disagree.
Every character is basically the same, they get mistreated either because of their financial status or look wise department. They become people who have stalker obsessive traits or mentally not correct anymore due to the mistreatment from their childhood or teen years, now as adults they become total maniacs with serious psychological issues and then they do something completely illegal.
My problem with this is, each and every character story is basically that's it, same litter different puppy that's all, which essentially takes away the uniqueness of character differentiation and as for story line, it is pretty much predictable, there are no major twists or unexpected plots. You can guess what is going to happen from a mile.
And most importantly, the drama has missed to make the characters in such a way that we feel emotionally connected to them. It focused more on fast story pacing. On one hand it is telling the hardships characters went through because of their ugly looks, but for you feel pity or understand why these characters became the villains or making poor choices with their present life, you won't get time to feel that as audience, because just as you begin to understand the character and connect to them, all is lost when the character immediately does something psychopathic.
Finally, there is no real substance. I mean at the end, what did you want this drama to be about? Is it about beauty standards? is it about bad parenting? is it about obsession? is it about mental illness? At the end, it's nothing but just a bunch of murder spree drama. Because nothing else was profoundly discussed.
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Could have been one of the greatest Kdramas, but lost it all in it's journey
The first two episodes are perfect, there was balance between the thriller and romance part. But after that, the screen time for thriller barely last few minutes per episode which I am sure many were disappointed by it. Why you ask? The first two episodes gave a very mesmerizing experience to viewers in regards to thriller only to disappoint us with a thriller that doesn't seem part of this story anymore. In fact, the second male lead character became really captivating and gripping that most viewers look forward for his character, only to have barely anymore after that.The second male lead although part of the drama, and the only character in the thriller part of this story, he got a very less screen time and his character rarely interacts with any other leads, slowly the thriller part became of it's own story and didn't fit with the romance plot. It's like watching two dramas in one and frustrated the hell out of me.
Over cliché of secondary characters aka Main male lead friends. One thing that pissed me off is how the secondary characters got more screen time compared to SML AND SFL. Their entire time is mostly in promoting an already established romance of the main leads which was really dragging and made me scream. If you have time for fillers, you might have used the time to wove a good thriller screen time. Most of all, I failed to see how they contributed to main plot. Except for the twin sister ex boyfriend trope, none other of their screen time actually contributed anything significant and yet they occupied half the screen time was to emphasize the romance which kind of became annoying.
The main leads love story was nice, although the breakup trope felt unnecessary since we all know they end up together anyway.
This drama main focus was childhood trauma and psychological traumas, although the main leads got their healing part shown to us properly, the writer failed when it came to second leads whose healing and trauma was never shown in depth. It was quite disappointing because second leads actually had more potential than main leads, yet the biasedness of writing had led to waste the potential of second leads.
if this drama had only told us it is romance and has only two main leads and never encouraged viewers on the thriller part by giving a great first two episodes of thriller, Most who were disappointed like me would have liked it.
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Underrated
At first I thought I would be watching three women who will complain with their drinks and I simply didn't want to watch such one dimensional characters. But when I gave this drama a try, I made the best decision.The three FLs have so much depth to them than they let on in the first few episodes. Their friendship doesn't feel like drama but it feels real, and their behaviour is so authentic when they argue and more than that the female actors have acted so good in their roles.
One factor that might bother few people in this drama is that FLs drink a lot. Yes a lot, but I won't count that as a bad writing here. The show is all about three woman who love drinking. The best thing about it is the FLs don't drink because they have some sad past, they drink because they simply love to drink.
The drama had few heavy topics like death, lgbqt issues which were handled with perfectionism.
Overall I never thought a web series would be this good. I am badly waiting for season 2.
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Best sci fi and business politics genre adaption ever
Must watch if you want a unique plot that explores one of the rarest k-drama genre ever. No character is written dumb, FL isn't a damsel in distress but is actually very clever and soft spoken. ML is a soldier through and through. Both of their chemistry is off charts. The science stuff and business and politics everything done was very realistically done.What I love the most is how the main characters are written and how they acted their roles, it was very calm and serious, makes you actually feel like they actually exist in real life too. Especially FL actually acted exactly like a CEO of a big biotechnology company. She is introverted, doesn't talk a lot unless it is necessary, keeps her cool, thinks logically all the time.
ML is like mirror of FL, he is determined, loyal, thinks critically like a high post soldier. Is also introverted just like FL.
The series has ended, but it is very clear there will be a season base don the ending, as there is still lot of important things to be revealed. I am actually very happy there will be a season 2, as this series definitely shouldn't be just 10 episodes and I am glad it is happening. Although I hope it won't take long for season 2 to come out with all the actors still in picture from season 1.
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A love story that doesn't make any sense
How to begin my review, I don't even know where to start because from beginning this drama is all over the place with so many plot holes.1. ML IS CUPID WHO IS PUNISHED FOR FALLING IN LOVE WITH AN HUMAN 500 years ago by his master god. Ok maybe god has weird rules, but he also has 3 colleagues who are also cupids like him but they all can date freely. I thought maybe god is ok with dating but not okay with cupid falling in love. But by 11th episode a tiny 9 year old looking god comes and intervenes in the fate making cupid fall in love. Is this like one god saying " i don't agree with you , a cupid can fall in love", while other god is like "cupid deserves to be punished, they shouldn't fall in love with human".
2. FL falls for cupid because he is handsome and the fact he didn't get hurt when he is with her because FL is someone who brings bad luck to men around her, which makes them get physically hurt. Due to ML handsomeness and ability to not get injured, she loves him. But till 11 episodes, no matter how many times ML reject her weakly and also not totally reject like you know clear message "hey incase you didn't know I don't like you ever, no matter how many times you confess". ML plays with her heart like tug and pull because he couldn't reveal the secret he is a cupid to FL yet instead of avoiding her or at least drawing a proper line between them, he plays with her heart, constantly giving her hope he will accept her one day. FL is all like I love him because he is handsome and we are meant to be together. Like that's all the reason their is to love. While ML who is currently getting punished for falling in love 500 years ago, not only he was being punished for 500 years, his colleagues are also getting punished for what he did. Apparently cupids are supposed to do their set service for certain no. of years on earth and later they get relieved from their job and can go to heaven. But because ML fallen in love, which is against the master god policy, his colleagues also got punished to stay another 500 years on earth. Now you would think ML at least for this colleagues sake who had to wait another 500 years to attain fulfillment and couldn't because of him might stop himself falling in love again in the current timeline as they are too close to finishing their duty and go to heaven, but no ML has to be selfish and fall in love again , and not care his colleagues who had also suffered for 500 years.
3. There is serious serial killer story in middle of this love story, a killer who took more than 5 lives. Half the time is about serial killer, half the time it is about FL being " please ML, please love me", I will love you no matter what. There is no real chemistry.
We sometimes go back to visit their previous life in Joseon dynasty, where from the first episode to now, it is the same scenes and one or two new Joseon scenes now and then. It is always the same scene of Fl falling clip, ML saving her, ML who a cupid being shot his own arrow which is the reason he felling in love with FL. His love isn't even natural. ML fall in love because the nine year old god I was saying purposely turned the arrow towards cupid himself. And these scenes get repeated in every episode.
We also have blatant display of shallowness. ML has three cupids who are his colleagues as well as friends, one of them is a old and average looking guy. They made his character pathetic by showing him constantly getting rejected by women because he is not good looking and this fact is used for comedy relief. And the character acts so stupid like he doesn't even know why girls are rejecting him. You know for a cupid who is on earth for like 500 years and visited many mirrors, one could figure out why are getting rejected and not be clueless, especially a cupid who is expert of love. Not only they made that character dumb, but also made him a low iq one who is as clueless as a hamster.
For a romance story, half the time is about serial killer which goes no where even at 11th episode, and other half time is FL whining to ML we have to be together. There is no chemistry or whatsoever. The show is so shallow, it is based on looks, we have to be together dialogues, I love you no matter what, we got shot by arrow so I'm in love that's it, but there is no real compatibility between any of the leads. The story is not going anywhere, same repeated scenes, too many plot holes and bland dialogues.
If you want to watch a show, that only has pink visuals and handsome characters, that looks all fluffy but no real substance, this is the right drama.
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Once in a year drama
How can I start describing this marvel of a gem?I am mostly used to kdramas who are pretty much same story lines, although entertaining and fun to watch, they are always familiar and loveable. Whether it is a legal drama, rom com, comedy or thriller.
Rarely we get kdramas that distinguish themselves very different from what we usually watch. Misaeng, my liberator notes, my mister, weak hero class 1, etc. Now you know what kind of drama I am speaking about.
My dearest, isn't a drama, it like watching a well written novel. Each and every part of the drama, every second of it is not wasted on unnecessary filler just to drag till 16 episodes. Every episode is like a chapter of a book, every character is unique, each distinguish themselves and sets them apart uniquely. Whatever things they and whatever choices they make won't seem random, because each character was given personality and not just dialogues that sum up a story.
And the most incredible thing is, both ML and FL characters are inspiration from Gone with the wind. But I have to say entire drama doesn't copy gone with the wind, but often times you get those vibes especially in the beginning. ML and FL, are complicated characters and Fl shows incredible character growth and is so unique. Fl is a brat, selfish and entitled at beginning, but she grows so much as a person in a ways that very admirable. Mi Jung from my liberation notes, hye jin from hometown cha cha cha, deok im from red sleeve are the recent kdramas that had such determined unique females who had incredible character changes, this drama does the same.
As for love story part, this drama isn't about romance or a simply historical romance story. It's main theme is love story but it is a very realistic drama, so it takes every other element that belongs to part of life of that era, and a characters thought processes, their personalities into consideration.
A must watch kdrama.
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good heartwarming concept but tad slow
A good drama with an inspiring concept, but at times I felt it was slow and dragging. Definitely a one time watch, but not sure about rewatching. But if you are into normal slice of life dramas without any twists or actions or dramatic, but you just want something normal, then this is for you.though I said it is slow-paced, this drama doesn't bore you. and the old man is highly adorable.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is the best, the only reason it got low ratings is because the heroine didn't end up with the first hero. But from the beginning it is shown both the hero's and the heroine are the main characters equally. So the heroine can go either way. Many people didn't like how everyone didn't get a happy ending in this and only few got.If you are a person who was not just into an interesting romantic plot, but also into story and character development of all the characters, this is a best kdrama.
Though few people say it is not an happy ending entirely, I would say it really is one way. You can call it as a satisfying ending. Each and every episode is really interesting and well written.
I have seen many kdrama with not so logical plot and worst acting got more than 8 as rating, I really don't understand how this series hasn't got above 8. I think most people like obvious written plot. Please watch and give it a chance, you will like this.
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The characters at the beginning shown they have potential character development to them, but as show went on, each character became dull , the main hero and heroine are only cliche romantics, while the other characters are just minions to promote their love story.
The main story and plot of the drama just became something to promote love story only.
Worst product placements, feels like whole drama is one big advertisement.
And Lee Min ho acting I personally felt poor, his ultra handsome face is the only saviour.
Woo do hwan is good with his acting, but his role became pointless. His screentime doesn't even last decent 5 minutes in an entire episode, even the other side characters have more individual screen time than him though he is one of the main characters. His character became like a background cameo. Woo do hwan has chosen a bad role this time.
You watch it if you are a lee min ho fan, and like him a lot or if you are kim go eun fan, but if you want to watch a good drama with good story, good character development, good acting, than this isn't for you.
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The story is too worst, the direction and the camera angle in the drama is worst of all.
The story is so worst that even an amateur or a first time writer could write much better story than this.
It has 8.4 rating and trust me it is only because everyone are hyped about these main leads acting together again.
But if you want good plot and also a good acting than this drama is not for you. Really disappointed me.
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Nothing more than a worst love triangle and character development.
At first, each character is shown to be ambitious and goal-driven, the focus is more on startup and for the first five episodes, it follows and sticks to the central plot.all of a sudden writer introduces a love triangles and drags it to the final episodes. with each episodes breaking our hearts, and characters becoming stupid.
the main hero - never seen an immature character in a lead role who is immature till the end, who doesn't really have a good business attitude, yet somehow he becomes rich and successful by a miracle writing.
the main heroine - strong at the beginning, but at the end just relies on heroes like a damsel.
the second hero - the most loved character, only the character that makes you watch, really a level headed in terms of business, but writer decides to make him pathetic, make him suffer, just to promote love story between two main leads.
the second heroine - her character has so much potential, but she barely has any screen time, despite showing her as one of the main characters.
support character - the main hero's friends - as immature as the main hero.
the workplace is treated like a cafe, where everyone looks for love rather than focus on work.
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