MaryC
Portugal
It will break you and cure you, just like life itself.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A trainwreck of a show
Where to begin?This is the kind of show where every single person watching has its one perspective and insight of what it means and what the characters feel (mostly because the writers failed at their one job and we’re the ones left to pick up the pieces), so bear with my personal opinion.
First of all, I feel like this season is a whole nother drama. Almost as if they didn’t know in season 1 how the series would evolve. There’s no conductive line, it’s like the first season had its own place in time and then you start the second season with a whole new genre and essence. I think the fact that it was divided into 2 seasons didn’t help at all. For 2 years we were sold this love triangle plot that seemed like the main thing and then in the end of season 2 we find out the real purpose of the show (in my opinion) was to show what happens when someone who has a lot of trauma in her life tries to find comfort in romantic relationships to help her cope with her struggles. The result: heartbreak up and down, to that person and everyone around them. I actually think that’s an interesting approach actually and I think if they had done it on purpose, the drama would be a lot better and people would understand it more.
some highlights (good and bad) on the season itself:
-stunning cinematography in every single scene!
-the symbolism of the seasons (of the year and of the show), season 1 being the comfort of autumn and the second one being the spring, in which the cherry blossoms connected with the blooming of a more mature love and the cleaning up for a new start, the healing of the past and moving on to the future
-the production was on another level on this one and it showed the power of netflix, every single scene was shot incredibly with so much detail into it
-they way they disregarded Duk-gu and his suicide experience, making me him come back just to serve the plot and as mean to help the lead screw eveything up once again infuriates me. He was always negglected by his peers and by the writters aparently. i would really love to see more about his side of the story and understand him a little more. I also think he could have been more explored in this season regarding his come back and the relation with his brother. But i guess they really had to make the whole season about the never ending toxic and unhealthy choices of the FL.
-the main villain (Gul-mi) of season 1 became the comic relief of the second, it was a good call, she was much more likeable but i still think they ended up not going far with her character development
-I really liked the depth they gave to Hye‑yeong, it explained a lot of his actions and personality, and we didn’t just have to accept him as the typical best boy just because. The best written character of the drama in my opinion, the only one you actually came to know, what he liked, his hobbies and interests, and the way he saw the world, very real and tridimensional, unlike the other characters that to me just served the plot most of the time
- the dystopian shit they pulled with the app and how it affected the social interactions of an entire generation, where people don’t even rely on their feelings and trust in the app more than their own hearts, this was a plus, sometimes more interesting than the main plot, could have been more explored tbh, they could really went further with it.
-the scene where Yuk-jo says “we can't go on like this anymore can we” looking at Sun-oh with her eyes in tears and a smile… it really broke me inside, I think she did an incredible performance, since I saw her on season 1, I really liked her and the fact that she wasn’t your typical SL was so refreshing, one of my fav characters this season, really glad that she ended up with Sun-oh, I think he really liked her but was just too caught up in his first love where he never got any closure. However, I must say I find it really wrong the fact that this drama always tries to push the "i'm gonna fake that i love you until hopefully one day i wake up and i really do" idea. that's ridiculous, love doesn't work like that. It's really unhealthy even for a kdrama, and they did it in every conversation,/interaction/relationship. Sending some really messed up messages to everyone watching. Dangerous and irresponsible, plain out wrong in my opinion. For a drama that wanted to pierce our morals and make us question our own actions, it really missed the whole point.
-the scene when Jojo met with Sun Oh for the last time and the flashback of them running down the same road… i was devastated, not because I was rooting for them (at that point I was really at peace with where it was going) but to me they did it in a very beautiful way. I'm a crybaby but I didn't shed a tear the entire drama until that scene. I don't know if it was because of the nostalgic feeling or the fact that I'm just sensitive to goodbye scenes. The idea of saying goodbye to your first love really moved me and the fact they hurt each other so much but are now finally able to move one... I just couldn't handle it, it broke my heart when they looked at their younger selves. They were genuinely in love at the time, and it felt so painful to see how sometimes life happens and reality strikes and your life can change in a very drastic and painful way, leaving scars that could last a lifetime. It was heartwarming at the same time, to see those memories of the past of when they made each other smile and helped each other cope with the horrible world around them. a lot of feels indeed, one of the most heart shattering scenes of the drama but also one of the most pure, beautiful and intense one.
-JOJO…. i mean they ruined her character by making “being the victim” her only personality trait.
They took it way to far, and actually made her feel less real and nuanced, they lost her essence behind that label, i think it really made it hard for anyone to relate to her, feel sorry or understand her. To me I really think they gave her an exaggerated amount of obstacles, even the one healthy individual thing she had, her drawings, was used to give her more trauma and guilt. jesus christ, the girl couldn’t even draw without causing someone to die?! of course she’s not okay and only screws up, so much trauma and never once a visit to a therapist or a sign she was dealing with all the trauma the writers put her through.
-the breakup… i’m not even judging her reasons, but the way they wrote it was awful. Even in the end I would be okay with everything if it wasn’t for that main event that kinda started the entire plot of this season. You just can’t ignore it, because they made the plot all about it. It’s ridiculous the way they NEVER actually explained the why behind it, not to Sun-oh, not to us, they just moved along, always referring to it as the cause of the entire plot of the season, without actually explaining it. It’s not only disrespectful to the character that spent 4 years of his life heartbroken and traumatized, but to us that were invested in this show for 2 years. I really can’t understand how could a drama with such a high production level could make such a blunt stupid choice. It’s obvious that doing that would make everyone feel like something was missing and that the ending and everything that led to it were just wrong and empty. This particular choice really sabotaged the entire drama for me.
-the running scene, that for me was one of the best of the entire season, I really liked the symbolism of it. Maybe this is because healing dramas are my cup of tea but I really think this is what I wanted from her character all along, no boy drama, but to see her face the past and deal with it and be able to see her move on, I think it’s a plot much more adjusted to the tone of the drama, being that they always tried to portray it as something mature with symbolisms and traumas and very introspective, much more a fitting than a love triangle plot focused. However beautiful it was, it wasn’t therapy and that’s what Jojo really needs. She can’t be in a relationship until she fixes herself and that’s a process, it doesn’t happen overnight. The drama itself was all about how someone like that can hurt other people so the fact that in the end they gave her a love interest without any real growth blows my mind.
In conclusion, it was a mess. They had a lot of potential and good content, but they just did awful decisions and didn’t deliver any real and consistent idea. It’s a shame how they managed to turn a good drama into a common joke that will always be remembered as a trainwreck beginning to end. I feel sorry for the actors because they did their best and I’m genuinely curious about who approved this script and thought it would work. I hope they fire that person or else I would politely ask Netflix to stay away from the kdrama world. please.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Gun, glory and sad endings
I have a lot to say about this show so bear with me...First of all, this is not a love story, it's a story about the sacrifices one must make in order to protect what they love, whether that’s a person or a country, as happens with the two main leads.
This is an incredible show and I really don’t understand why it doesn’t get more recognition. Even if you forget the real inspiration behind the show and the fact that it’s based on a historical period, the cinematography, the acting and the ost, all together will make you travel back in time and be a part of this epic story. You’ll totally forget that you’re watching a drama, because everything will seem so real. You will connect to every single character and wish you were a part of this rebellion. Just like Eugene, by the end you’ll feel un urge to fight along side with them. Not because it’s your country that’s on the line but because you love the characters so much that you want to stay by their side and protect them at all costs.
I think I’ve never seen a show with so many outstanding characters. One of the aspects that makes this show shine so much (pun intended) is for sure the relationships and dynamics between all the characters. And I’m not just talking about romantic ones, but comradeship, devotion, mentoring and friendship. This show has more bromances than I can count and all the characters are so beautifully written that you can't help but root for every single one of them. I must refer to one of, if not the best triangle I’ve seen portrayed on a drama: the sword, the gun and the flower. Dong-mae, Eugene and Kim Hee-sung had such a great chemistry and I can’t even put into words how exciting and pleasing their scenes together were. These drinking buddies made me shed a lot of tears but also won over my heart and made smile the brightest.
Although I love the main couple and fall for Kim Tae-ri in every single role she plays (Ae-shin was no exception, she did a brilliant job), I must admit the 3 second leads stole my heart. I think they gave the show so much depth by portraying these complex and conflicting characters in an outstanding way, making the show far more interesting.
I wish Hee-sung had someone with him on his final moments, someone to cherish him and cry for him. For someone who always seemed to smile and bring a lightness to the scenes, I always found him a bit lonely. I wish I could say goodbye to him in a prettier place, somewhere where he could look up at the world with his hopeful, charming and secretive eyes that hid so much pain, but always seemed to look for the beautiful things in sight. He had a wonderful soul and I think the writers did a wonderful job with him giving him one of the best character developments of the show.
Hina Kudo and Dong-mae… I was mesmerized by these two. Their beauty and strength in a world that never treated them well, the fact that they overcame it and did what they had to do to survive. I think they saw and understood each other on a deeper level and there was true love between them but sadly like much on this show, love isn’t always enough and life gets in the way, specially in times of war. The scenes in the beach really broke me but they were one of my favourites of the whole show. They will stay with me for a really long time and I will miss them a lot.
I must say that I had some problems adjusting with the change of pace in the final episodes of the show. I think they spend a lot of time setting the mood and the context of a very fragile state of peace until BANG the plot explodes and hell breaks loose. However, I think maybe that was necessary for showing how wars begin in the first place and countries lose their independence.
This is not the kind of show you binge watch, mostly because sometimes it's just too painful. You have to stop, recharge and keep going. Emotionally it's very challenging but it's completely worth it.
Unlike Ae-Shin, we always knew what “sad ending” meant, we knew where we were going but still a part of us always hoped for a better outcome. But as they often reminded us along the season, a sad ending was always in the horizon. That said maybe it wasn't such a good idea to watch this right after I finished Scarlet Heart (yeah I did that). I’ve seen a lot of people comparing both dramas, and I can see why. However, I think there’s a big difference between the two: Sad endings vs. tragic endings.
In Mr.Sunshine, I feel like the deaths always had a higher purpose, they’re not just used to make us suffer. They represent the character’s choices and are always aligned with their personalities and with what we know matters the most to them. I feel like every person here died for a cause, they died fighting for what they believed in, to protect who they loved and that makes it easier to cope with I think, making it more sad and less tragic. It brings the bittersweet meaning to a whole new level though.
I saw in a comment somewhere that Ae-shin represented Korea. She was the precious thing everyone protected at all costs, the thing that a lot of people risked their lives for. As heartbreaking as it is, I think the fact they all loved her and sacrificed their lives for her, it’s because she was the future. This show really does an incredible job with symbolisms and this is the major one. You can see it clearly in the final scene, where she’s holding the flag: she outlived them all because she’s the future, and she carries with her every single person who died for her, they’re all a part of her, she has in her all their spirits representing the Korean people at its finest hour and carrying them to a brighter day. This a true love letter to the Korean people, a tribute to their spirit, strength and courage.
This show made me learn a lot about korean history and I came to admire the korean people even more. I think the strength they all had to have to not give up their nation and fight for it until their very last breath was really touching and to me moved me more than any romance plot.
That said, I think this is a remarkable story, told in the most breathtaking and meaningful way, a real masterpiece. I'm very thankful for all the work they put on this show and to all the actors who brought this complex and mesmerizing characters to life that I will keep in my heart for a really long time.
It was a long journey that made me cry my eyes out, but also made me laugh, hate, hope, fear and love along with them! <3
Goodbye and see you again…
Was this review helpful to you?
This movie proved to me once again why korean film-making holds a special place in my heart and never disappoints. “Sunny” is a well produced tale about friendship, dreams, self-discovery and, inevitably, life itself. It’s definitely a must-watch for any Reply 1988 fans!
The girls’ gang is every girl's dream and will conquer you in a heartbeat. The acting is so spot on (both present and past) that you’ll have no choice but to feel like one of them. Their friendship is mesmerizing and their quirky personalities will fill you with pure joy.
It’s not a sugar coated coming of age story, it has some really raw moments. I also loved how they showed the social and political context at the time, always in a funny but meaningful way.The nostalgic 80’s soundtrack was the cherry on top!
It does a great job in portraying the feeling of being young and full of dreams, like you’re unstoppable and nothing could ever hold you down. When we grow up we’re told to abandon that feeling and when life happens and plans get put aside, one thing remains: friendship. This movie reminds you of being the protagonist in your own life and appreciate the people around you who make your life sunny.
Overall, I think it’s a great movie. It’s hilarious, but heartwarming. It will make you smile, but also shed some tears (it’s a korean movie after all). It’s a really touching story and became one of my fav korean movies, I highly recommend it!
Was this review helpful to you?
A comforting marathon
This is a unique drama. I can’t compare it to anything I have seen before. A very refreshing approach that I hope will set the bar high for storytelling and maybe open some doors and push the kdrama world to be more tolerant and genuine in the future.The writing is in fact what makes this drama such a masterpiece. It’s dialogues are out of this world and will make you check twice to see if you’re actually watching a kdrama. Thanks to it, you can see real connections being portrayed on screen, you can learn and grow along with them and follow along the characters as relationships are built.
I found it really groundbreaking in so many fronts. For instance, it was the first time I saw LGBTQIA+ representation done right in a korean drama. Another highlight was the fact that they wrote the male leads with emotional freedom to cry and express their emotional self, something that should be more common.
Every single character has its own place and is more than a simple tool to serve the plot or the main couple (which usually happens a lot in most of the shows). They all have their own story. This creates a great balance in the show that is followed by every aspect of it. You never feel like something is being overdone. The pace is spot on and will leave you wishing for more while not rushing anything and making it feel natural.
One of the things I liked the most about this show was the comforting feeling it filled me with every single episode beginning to end.
It has one of the most satisfying endings I’ve ever seen on a drama. It will leave you with a full heart and a permanent smile that won't wear off. It's not your typical healing drama, the script is so intelligently and beautifully written that all the lessons will pierce into your soul in a very subtle way. Just like Mi-joo’s subtitles, you won't even notice them but they have such a strong influence in making you connect with the drama and also yourself.
Another very strong aspect of the show is the raw relationship between the main couple, although they’re one of the cutest things ever, it’s not all fluff and romance. You see all the struggles of a real relationship and how they overcome it by COMMUNICATING (yes you read that right). It was so nice for a change to see romance portrayed in a healthy and realistic way. Other than that, it also has one of the best soft male leads ever and a lot of strong and complex female characters you’ll respect, admire and love.
Run On proves that a drama doesn’t need a grand plot to win over our hearts. With its honest and genuine writing, incredible acting and chemistry between the characters and a courage to dig deeper and show us life as real as it gets, this drama felt like coming home after a long day. It will remind you that it’s okay to fall, hurt, cry, be disappointed, be selfish and make mistakes, that’s okay to be human and lean on others to comfort you and help you become a better person.
“Why do we fall? So that we learn how to get back up.”
Was this review helpful to you?
