A Romance to Stand Above the Rest

This is the best CDrama I've ever seen. And it ranks high even among all the shows I've ever seen. Although short, the pacing is perfectly executed, and as a bonus the production and direction is simply outstanding. The show deals with heavy themes and deep messages, exploring varying viewpoints and motivations from believable and evolving characters. What's more, the focus of the drama is on a romance with a premise that's fresh and interesting and which is manifested in a believable and beautiful way. It all comes together to create something special, in a way few shows can do.

The most important element of any show is the story, so that's where I'll start. "Definitely Not Today" brings two opposing personalities together through unorthodox circumstance and under occasionally violent conflict. This sort of premise, while often feeling contrived in typical shows, is done very naturally and evolves without excessive coincidence (there's a little, but it's forgivable). The plot itself is a perfect balance of romance, action, and the occasional comic relief, developing deep bonds between the characters and the viewers while maintaining suspense, intrigue, and enjoyment. Throughout the show, we see beautiful symmetry in moments and relationships, things that really add to the emotional ambiance. I can't say much more for the sake of spoilers, but the pacing is very well done and the story has a satisfying ending.

The characters themselves are extremely well done, part of the reason the show stands out so much (apart from its originality and incredible production). Each character has a background that deeply influences their personality, and which is revealed at the right moment for the sake of the story. The exposition on characters never feels forced or dialogue heavy. Throughout the show, the characters (mostly just the two main leads) evolve in reaction to their circumstances and others. The flaws that each of them carry are unique and believable, and most importantly allow us to be sympathetic or even empathetic with the characters. Even some of the worse characters (although not the villains) have sympathetic backstories that you can understand without forgiving. This is an incredible feat of writing, and brings more texture to an already fantastic plot.

One thing that's so good you often take it for granted is the incredible production. Such things can be a luxury (especially in the CDrama world), but things like cinematography, set design, sound design, direction, and the all important acting and extremely well done. The cinematography in particular is outstanding, with striking framing and beautiful lighting that is still threaded well into the flow of the scene. World-class acting has almost become a prerequisite for a larger budget show at this point, but we must still acknowledge the great work of the actors and the people who cast them, as they portrayed exemplary depictions of characters with a wide range of emotions and which evolve over time. Even more importantly, the two romantic interests have a palpable chemistry with each other, something that can make or break a romance drama (and clearly made it here). The music choice was also excellent, and the sound design was good enough that you didn't notice it.

I've seen many comments on how this show is a breath of fresh air for romance dramas, and I cannot agree more. Virtually free of tropes (there's no 2nd lead!) and brimming with thoughtful beauty, I couldn't help but get instantly sucked into the world; I binged the whole show in one sitting. This is not difficult to do, because the show is short and therefor a smaller time commitment. And so, for that reason in addition to all the incredible qualities I've mentioned above, I will sincerely recommend this show as my favorite CDrama.

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Sweet Story with Flaws but Charm

This drama is one of those with great characters which you learn to love over time. It's strengths comes from exploring various character dynamics and different personalities in the world around them. And, while the format is a little odd and sometimes repetitive, it can also be a powerful catalyst for transformative moments in the plot. This interesting use of the format did elevate my opinion of the show as a whole.

First let me say that the premise of the show is intriguing; we don't see much content about podcasts right now. Now, I'm not too sure on the subject of the podcast itself, which is on chain restaurants, something most people don't get especially excited about. I wouldn't be too bothered by this oddity, but they spend a not insignificant amount of time every episode talking about different restaurants, which by the end became a little boring. In fact, I think it may have been unnecessary to include the recording of a podcast in nearly every episode. It was occasionally a powerful tool for emotional revelations in the character, but oftentimes it seemed to be explicitly stating things the viewer could already pick up on. Also, it would have been interesting to see the podcast incorporated a bit more into the plot, but I also understand why they didn't and respect that creative decision.

Besides these flaws, there are a number of things going for the show. First, the chemistry between the protagonists is outstanding. They interact naturally and form realistic bonds that we become attached to by the end. This is also helped a great deal by the natural charisma of the main character Misono. One of my favorite things about the show is how, over the course of the episodes, they explored several minor characters around the office, displaying interesting personalities and how they interact with the protagonist(s). It was reminiscent of Gintama in their variety of characters and The Office in the powerful bonds between them. Without these things I doubt I would have enjoyed the show.

So should you watch it? Well first, if you're interested in chain restaurants in Japan then by all means this is the show for you. If you're not but you're interested in podcasts or the idea of making podcasts, or you're just looking around in general, consider this: On the one hand, the episodes are short (20 mins) and there are few (12) so it's not a big time commitment to watch. The format is mostly episodic so a few episodes will give you an idea of what to expect for most of it. On the other hand, the real strength of the show comes in the characters and dynamics it builds over time, so you can't really discredit it from the get go. With this in mind: For those of you looking for something light and fluffy that still carries emotional weight, I will recommend this drama, but otherwise (if you're looking for a story about fame or excessive drama), I'd say look elsewhere.

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Frankly, a mess

All I can say is yikes. This movie was really all over the place. I get the feeling there were a lot of different ideas going into it that just didn't end up fitting in the end. I'm certain a lot of the things I'm about to critique are things done for artistic distinction or some other reasonable sounding excuse, but I'm here to tell you whether I liked the movie, so that's what I'm going to do.

I didn't. I didn't like the movie. I was very excited for the movie; I thought the premise was great! (The premise was adapted from a manga, so we can't even give them credit for that, though.) What I got was some of the worst of Jdrama and some extra bonus garbage just for fun.

Firstly, a lot of the usual: egregious overacting, intentionally shoddy effects, awkward layout and timing, and lackluster comedy. It feels like they're trying to make an anime, everything cartoony and exaggerated. The problem is, that style just doesn't translate into the live action.

But, okay. That's Jdrama. We're used to that. Why the low score? Well, dear reader, let me impart some wisdom. In order to distinguish themselves as a creative talent, artists will take risks in their work in the hopes of producing something new and exciting. In many cases, this is the birth of something amazing, a new genre or an acclaimed masterpiece. In other cases, you're left with something that makes you wince a little bit, something you're sure probably shouldn't exist. Here we are.

Violent Action made a couple of baffling directorial and editorial choices which are immediately noticeable and immediately off-putting. They won't. Stop. Cutting. It feels like there's ten new shots every second. Not only are the cuts fast, they're disorienting. They camera bounces around room, cutting rapidly between closeup and wide shots, moving so quick I felt out of breath just watching it. It was the worst during action scenes. I'm certain I didn't comprehend a majority of what was probably (maybe) a decently choreographed fight sequence because I was too busy trying to figure out what was going on. And this isn't even a Liam-Neeson-shaky-cam-ten-shots-to-get-over-a-fence situation. It's just crazy fast, which as I've just learned is way worse.

There is a tonal dissonance with the pacing of the editing, the intense action scenes, and the general silliness the movie is shooting for (heh, shooting). We go from nauseatingly quick "assassinations" to jokes about bulletproof wigs and bad cooking. It feels out of place. Pick a side: cool or funny. You can't have both.

You may have noticed I put quotations around "assassinations." How observant of you. Allow me to explain. None of the supposed hits felt like assassinations at all. Perhaps they technically are (the definition is just surprise murder, basically), but it doesn't fit the connotation ascribed to that word. We don't get any poisoning, sniping from the next building over, sneaking around in the dead of night. Instead it's more like premeditated murder. Frankly, I think assassinations are less violent than murder, which ironically would have helped them hit the silly vibe they were going for, instead of the weird hybrid they ended up with.

So, what about the story? Uh... right, the story. What about the story? Um... I sure it had one. Well, it's all a bit hazy but... I guess there was a villain, some henchman, yadda yadda, so on and so forth. It was forgettable, okay. Point made.

So, to wrap things up. Acting: bad. Directing: bad. Sound track: meh. Action: I literally couldn't tell. Overall: yikes. I don't recommend this movie.

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A Predictable and Disappointing Waste of Potential

I don't usually write reviews with spoilers but this is more of a rant than a review, so here we go.

I went into this drama with a lot of optimism. And, I'll be honest, I waited with bated breath for the release of each new episode. The result: a complete waste of time. Several parts of the show were quite predictable, with two notable exceptions: the portrayal of villainy and the delivery on setup and payoff. One was fantastic, the other was abysmal. And in the end, the show suffered for it.

Though there were a few nuances to the downfall of this drama, my main gripes come down to two crucial points. Firstly, the show did an unreasonably good job at making antagonists who you really hate. I mean like deep, infernal, blood boiling hate to the point of nausea when one even appears on screen. Excellent (or perhaps just effective) acting by the villains backed up by malicious intent in the narrative produced characters I'm sure everyone who's laid eyes on has collectively despised. This contrasted with admittedly bland but overall good protagonists created an epic imbalance of good vs. evil just begging to be unleashed.

And there's your problem. The conflict is never properly resolved. There is no payoff for the enormous setup. The reason the excellent characterization actually plays against the show is because the characters are never put to good use, beyond meaningless drama and a lackluster, repetitive series of reveals with practically no consequences. The very LEAST I could have hoped for, even amidst a show devoid of general catharsis, was some romantic development amongst the main characters. Spoiler alert: that doesn't happen. Nor does any sort of high-stakes dramatic showdown or series of revenge-filled moments to ease the palpable tension built to that point. To fully and completely spoil the ending: they get a lawyer and divorce, the good guy goes back to being single and his ex-wife goes off to manipulate another sucker. Hooray.

Now, listen. I'm sure you want to point out the fact that not all shows have to end in rainbows and unicorns, and that's certainly true. Dark endings have their appeal in several cases (e.g. Rogue One). What sets this show apart is it's complete reliance on the tension of the villainy displayed versus the efforts of our heroes; a reliance to push the story, to maintain engagement, to keep us all watching to the end. And then it's never delivered. You have to deliver. This is no longer a gritty story which ends gritty, it's a story which threatens you with Chekhov's gun but never fires it. And maybe I'm being a little harsh, discrediting a whole show for one major flaw, but what is a show really supposed to do? It's supposed to be fun. To pass the time. To provide an escape from your life into a new one. And for however overly neat and tidy the world of fiction can be, I'd rather spend my time there than hopping from one disappointing reality to another. I do not recommend this show.

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A Compelling and Introspective Look at Criminals as Humans

I think this drama is special for a number of reasons. Firstly, it covers an interesting and little addressed topic without being overly obtuse or philosophical. Secondly, it steers clear of the unfortunate reputation of most Jdramas, presenting a solemn and cliché-free exploration of the topic. And finally... well I just really like the main character. Such a unique personality, in such an interesting situation, with a great portrayal by her actor.

Criminal justice was always an interesting topic, especially on a personal level. It's easy to reduce criminals to lesser beings or statistics, but everyone has their own situations, and in the end, everyone's a person. However, it can't be dismissed that certain people are inclined towards behaviors which are inherently incompatible with society or which do (or should) violate one's values. These people must either learn to curb these behaviors or face the consequences, and yet they are still people and so can't be condemned forever. Zenkamono is certainly one of the best portrayals of this conundrum, demonstrating anecdotally each of these situations through the eyes of someone uniquely positioned to address the subject: a probation officer. And while (to our benefit) the show avoids grand philosophical debate, there are subtextual implications of greater questions that are being explored, if you care to think on them.

And, perhaps that's where Zenkamono gets it's tone: one which isn't necessarily unique among television media or even Asian dramas, but which is certainly less common in the Jdrama scene. The whole show is permeated with a steady sense of solemnity, even when punctuated by moments of drama, emotion, and intrigue. Even during the comic relief and the least tense of scenes, there is a feeling that no one is denying the truth of their situation, that it has been accepted so they can move on.

Beyond the more intangible elements of the show- if we were to get into the nitty gritty- the production level was spot on, as is pretty much expected by now for all productions of this size, and the acting was all incredible. The characters were really sold in their portrayals and lines, with a fantastic screenplay backed up by a pondering score. I will say, for a show only six episodes long, the plot felt a little disjointed, like it's stuck halfway between a narrative style and episodic style. I didn't mind that they started a new plot line every couple of episodes because it kept it fresh, but narratively it felt a little rushed. Perhaps we can chalk that up to production constraints and give them a little leeway.

All in all, a great show. Probably not a silly, fun comedy or romcom if that's what you're looking for, but if you're searching for something interesting and compelling and perhaps with something to say, you're in the right place. You won't be disappointed by the thought-out scenarios of the characters or the believable acting that occurs in them. With that, I will recommend this show.

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A Very Mixed Bag

TL;DR:
It starts out mediocre and gets pretty good in the end. The music, graphic design, and cinematography are all fantastic, and the acting can be great as well. There are many interesting ideas brought up, although some of them are only barely touched on and others are presented strangely and without a clear message. In the beginning, it's just not all that interesting to watch.


Full Review:
This show has so many ideas that it's difficult to dissect them all. There are ideas about AI, about the future of technology. There are ideas about corruption, an aging world, and a lagging government. Of course, all this is discussed through the medium of story, through the tale of an experimental government run by the young with the help of a powerful AI. Now, I have many thoughts about the moral, governmental, and technological ideas which are brought up by the show, but first and foremost a show must be entertaining, so that is what I will discuss first, and what I will be most critical of.

This series is a good example of why it's important to watch a whole series through before reviewing it. That's because my opinion of it changed quite a lot throughout the episodes. My initial impression was one of intense excitement; the incredible music and graphic design sent my hopes soaring sky high. Unfortunately, this excitement was quickly depleted as I was faced with a number of tropes which seem pervasive across many Jdrama (I'll go more in detail later). Highly expecting a forgettable show, I stuck it out only because of the five episode run time. But, to my surprise, the last two episodes marked a tangible shift in the show's quality. I became more engaged, the plot became more dramatic, and several seemingly unrelated story lines started to come together. It almost makes it difficult to review the show as a whole, when those episodes feel so drastically different from the rest. Nevertheless, some good episodes do not excuse other poor ones, so I will try to critique and complement as fairly as possible.

On the note of complements, let me preface my in-depth review by saying that the score to this show is absolutely astonishing. Not only does it perfectly fit the genre and style of the show, it's just nice to listen to. This is accompanied by great cinematography in important scenes, and fantastic graphic design in all areas it's applied. If you watch the show, you'll instantly see what I mean. Now, during the meat of show, the cinematography can drop in quality a bit, but honestly it's made up for by the intro sequence alone. Okay, so let's move on to the rest of the show, where sometimes things get a little messy.

Firstly, the show falls into the common but unavoidable pitfall of having a fantastic premise. There's nowhere to go but down. And, when you're experimenting with something as controversial and poorly understood as government and society, there's bound to be things you didn't think of or that you represent improperly. The last two episodes solve this problem by presenting the issues very vaguely, not going into the specifics of them but rather using the existence and execution of them to move the plot (in general, the final two episodes focus more on human interest and drama, which may be part of why they feel more interesting and dynamic). Unfortunately, the first three episodes do little to diminish this challenge, instead attempting to present real plans and solutions to various real world problems. In fairness, to do otherwise might feel like a cop out in a show specifically about governance and radical change, but in the end, some of the ideas are a bit unrealistic, even with futuristic technology. I won't delve into these issues for the sake of spoilers and brevity, but suffice it to say that some solutions seem like the first instinct of a random person in office, rather than a well thought out policy decision. Maybe I'm being too harsh.

The reason which leads me to be so hard on the specific policy moves made by the characters in the show is that I'm forced to latch onto those details by an unfortunate lack of character development and interpersonal intrigue. Besides the two main characters and a few others, barely any of the remaining ensemble cast receives much attention character wise. Certainly it may be difficult to fit it into a 4-5 hour runtime, but honestly the show tended to be quite slow paced, so that might have helped into multiple regards.

Further development of other characters might also have helped to alleviate what was, in my opinion, one of the biggest flaws in the show: the main character. A main character is called that for a reason: they are the center of the action, and generally the most important person in the story. Some other shows may have characters (called narrators) which speak directly to the audience or who are used as medium by which to present the story to the audience, but they are generally not the main character. In this show, the main character acts like a narrator, presenting the story through their eyes (albeit not speaking to the audience as a narrator typically would). Unlike a narrator, they are active within the story to some degree. They are a character, but they are not the most important character. This, in my eyes, is a drastic flaw. It's exacerbated by the fact that, during the course of the show, the main character is mostly passive, reacting to things that happen rather than making proactive decisions with proactive goals. Instead, there is another character who is clearly more important, and who basically brings the protagonist around with them as if they were a pet. We don't know this other character as well, and do not empathize with them as much, which makes it uncomfortable to watch our main character sit around while the other character does things and makes decisions. This sort of thing may affect different people by different amounts, but I was consistently annoyed by it.

This only contributed to- in the first three episodes- my general boredom with the show. I watched it as it came out, but if I was to trying to binge it I'm not sure I would've been able to finish. Besides a passive mc, the show also occasionally suffered from Jdrama style acting, whereby dialogue is overdramatized and delivered over bizarre stage direction which just feels unnatural. Strangely enough, the acting became significantly better in the final episodes, which leads me to believe it was the fault of the director, rather than the actors, whenever scenes were lacking. I don't think this style of acting is uniform across all of Jdramas, and I don't think it has as much of an affect on the show as the writing, but it does still have an impact, unfortunately.

It's tough to make a conclusion about this show, since there are so many different things at work here, and because my opinion of it changed so drastically over time. There were several interesting ideas brought up, and if all the episodes were the same as the last two, I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, those first three episodes exist, so I'll have to make a compromise. First of all, if you like OSTs, at least check out the show's intro, or the main theme (it's available as Teen Regime on multiple music streaming apps). But mainly, if you have patience and an interest in this topic, go ahead and watch this and be sure to stick around until the end. Otherwise, you can feel safe to skip it.

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A Fun Romantic Movie with a Questionable Premise

This is a great movie, in almost every sense, except for one: It's a little bit... not okay? It's really hard to form an opinion about it, because the show itself is sweet and lighthearted, but the premise is glorifying borderline pedophilia. And, so, in order to rectify these two vastly different ways to judge the show, I'll split my review into two separate sections, and you can make up your mind for yourself what you deem more important. We'll start with a typical critique of the show.

Which is, by itself, truly outstanding. A unique plot structure, fantastic writing, and frankly some of the best chemistry between leads I've ever seen in acting make the show a blast to watch. And, while the conflict does arise directly from the actions of the protagonist (which is usually not the most fun to watch), this plot device is believable (she is, after all, a teenager), and doesn't press so much on the story or the character that it makes you dislike her. And, somewhat most unbelievably, the show steers clear nearly entirely of the typical romance misunderstandings that drive most romcom plots at some point or another. Likely thanks to its shorter (movie) format, they've been able to cut off the fat and filler of an already good show and make it that much better. Also- and this is not something I've ever noticed before- the audio quality was great! The male lead shouted in one scene and I jumped because I could've sworn he was in the room with me. The only downside I saw production wise was a little bit of rushing between plot points to fit the entire story in, but I didn't mind all that much and it kept us moving quickly.

Alright, so with that out of the way, let's break down this whole "she's only fifteen" issue. Um... well, I mean, that's pretty much the main issue. I didn't catch them saying explicitly in the film what the male lead's age was, and I'm no expert on Korean law, but from my research Koreans start college and are allowed to drink from age 20 (international age 19). However, the male lead also is starting an internship as a teacher, which you'd expect to happen in the later years of college, so we can assume he's around 22 or older. So let's assume, for arguments sake, that he's around 22 and she's confirmed to be 15. Yikes. That's not quite okay. It's on the border of legality in many places, and on the border of morality in some of those, but generally I'd call that a yikes.

So... what? Is a product of its time? Is it cultural difference? Are the writers pedophiles? I seriously (yet optimistically) doubt the last one, but I think it's safe to say that it's problematic now. Nevertheless, as you can probably tell, I've rated the show mostly based on production quality and enjoyment, which in the end was quite good. After all, it's no fault of the actors and production staff what the writers, directors, and producers of the show get up to. However, I still think it's probably not a good idea to make anything like this in the future, especially if it has a chance of attracting an audience and making people think it's okay.

So, should you watch it? Well, regardless of the uncomfortable age gap, there's never really any sexual tension (thank god) and the flirting comes across more like banter between friends, so I don't think you'll be super uncomfortable (unless you're sensitive to this topic), and the movie itself is well made. So... I guess I would recommend this movie... but I'm not happy about it. And you should watch it, enjoy, and not be happy about it as well.

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A Sweet Story with Some Unexplored Potential

I'm a sucker for a good gender bender. And this one was certainly good, don't get me wrong. Ironically enough, my biggest problem with the series is that I wanted more of it. That's not to say I just want it to continue for longer, I mean I wish there had been more exploration done in some of the premises. Let me explain.

First I'll say that for the most part the production, acting, and music were all very well done. It's no cinematic masterpiece, but it definitely meets (and likely surpasses) the modern bar for quality. The screenplay was likewise, very good (again, nothing ground-breaking, but convincing at least).

The one gripe I have is that it feels like they just didn't quite take it far enough. There were interesting characters and backstories, but these were not well explored and conflict was mostly dealt with quickly. There were (attempts) at emotional moments, but they just didn't quite land. Of course, we must give credit where credit is due for managing to even have all these things considering the total length of the drama (only 10 episodes of 20 minutes each). However, if you consider it like a movie
(where it would be on the longer side) you realize more can be done within the allotted time. I just wish it would dig a little deeper, connect with the characters more thoroughly. And maybe find an ending that's a little less convenient feeling.

Of all the things to critique, this is probably the one you'd want most. It means they're on the right track, they just need to go further. Also, all the actors did a great job. As a side note, I was actually expecting the subject to be a transgender protagonist (in the more realistic sense, anyway), but I'm not upset with what we got instead. And so, with that, I will recommend this series, especially those who are interested in the gender bender trope. Also, it's a romance drama, not a sports drama, so heads up for that.

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A Transcendent Depiction of Beautiful Friendship and Romance

This is truly a one of a kind drama, and everyone knows it. Whether it's the unrivaled writing, authentic acting, or perfect production, the show delivers in every area. Supported by an emotional OST and an interesting story, it's truly everything you could ever want. Even for those who aren't interested in the premise, I implore you to give this show a try. The incredibly realistic and enjoyable dynamic between the main friends is so intoxicating I literally had to stop watching the show for a while so I didn't get too attached to the characters (which of course I did anyway). This show is such perfection that I'm literally at a loss for words, which will make this the shortest review I've ever written. It boils down to two words:

Watch it. I don't care who you are and what you like, but you owe it to yourself to experience this masterpiece.

Ahem. So yes, I recommend this.

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A Fun and Emotional but also Boring and Frustrating Experience

My opinion of this drama came and went like waves on the shore. One moment I'm invested, interested, and laughing at the jokes, the next I'm barely paying attention due to how little I care. It'll be difficult to explain this without spoilers, but I'll try anyway. Of course, I will discuss both the good and the bad for a fair analysis.

The strongest part of this drama, in my opinion, is the relationship between the two main characters. Although not necessarily established in the strongest way, and perhaps built up too quickly, their intense friendship is intoxicating, and it brings a smile to my face whenever the two are on screen together. They help each other and support each other, and their personalities collide to create energetic conversations and playful bickering. It's simply fantastic, and shows why the drama is good enough to be worth watching.

Now, while I'm not a huge fan of the overarching plot of the show, I can say I loved most of the parts with the second lead and his circle of friends and loved ones. A small bit of this is due to my obsession with the gender-bender reincarnation trope, but a majority is due to the well written conflicts and characters and the lead's own amazing personality, carried by strong acting. The second lead, Han Gi Tak, is strong-minded, passionate, and determined, and just a great character over all. If the show was just about him, I probably would have rated it much higher.

Another great thing about this show is the acting. It's done very well, with intense and complicated emotions being effectively expressed without the need for extensive dialogue. Not only does it make believable the supernatural part of the show, it gives the show emotional weight and the feeling of true relationships (most of the time). And on that note, I must express my more negative feelings about the drama.

I did not care about the main lead or his troubles. When we are introduced to Kim Young Soo, he is a work-aholic, obsessed with his job and neglectful of his wife. Not doing a great job of establishing empathy for the character. He has a good relationship with his daughter, and does love his family, but other than that his personality is pretty weak. This is a bit of a spoiler, but once he's reincarnated, his overworking nature effectively disappears as well, and he's left with pretty much no personality whatsoever. Besides the occasional quirkiness played off as comedy, he's an entirely bland and unrealistically perfect person that I just can't get invested in.

Another thing to dislike about Kim Young Soo's story line is his romance arc. It's just too confusing! I don't know what to root for! I won't say too much and spoil anything, but let's just say that his love interest's feelings are forever uncertain and endlessly being called into question. There are mountains of contradictions, further complicated by a repeating cycle of reveals and misunderstandings. Besides the occasional flashes of easy conversation that we might expect, there's basically no chemistry between the romantic leads, and their interactions feel awkward and cautious. Even our favorite Han Gi Tak is not always enough to save a scene with the two of them.

It follows naturally that a disinterest in the characters will cause a disinterest in the story, and that's exactly what happened with Kim Young Soo's plot. No matter what threat or conflict occurred, I just couldn't bring myself to care. Perhaps the most I ever cared was when something went down with the daughter, because that was the strongest relationship shown before Kim Young Soo's death and the emotion of children can be a very powerful thing. Besides that, I just couldn't connect with the characters, and therefor couldn't connect with the plot line either. Except when Han Gi Tak is involved. We like Han Gi Tak. I think you're starting to see a pattern here.

While the emotions in this drama were present, and I almost shed some tears here and there, SO much more could have been done. Of course, a lot was riding on my investment in the characters, which was a problem for Kim Young Soo, but even in Han Gi Tak's case the grief just wasn't really explored. If you look at the drama "Hi Bye, Mama!" which has a very similar premise, I cried more in that show than all movies I've watched since, combined! Parental sadness, loved-one sadness, children sadness, all things that done well could have torn me apart inside and it just didn't happen.

One last thing I'll say: If you're looking for a fun gender-bender, go watch "Mr. Queen." While the trope is there, and is used for comedy on occasion, it's not a focal point of the series nor has exceptionally profound impacts on the story. The hope of this is what brought me to the show and in some cases motivated me to finish it, and so I'm a little disappointed in that regard. That said, Han Gi Tak is still a fantastic character, gender-bender or no, and so I'm glad to have watched it if only to experience his rowdy affection.

That was a very long and complicated review, but I'll try to conclude anyway: Sometimes it's pretty good, and sometimes it's kinda boring. I don't know how to put it any other way. In it's best moments it's fun and interesting but won't change your life, and in it's worst moments it's bit boring and dull but won't have you sending death threats to the screenwriters. It dips above and below the line of "worth watching" again and again and it's difficult for me to decide whether to recommend it. I suppose I'll say this:

Try it out, maybe an episode or two, but if you don't like the way things are going don't expect it to get better. It doesn't. Sometimes it gets worse. Also I'm not going to rewatch this, not in a million years. So there's that.

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Mystery from a Fresh Perspective

Here we have a premise which is wholly recycled and yet completely unique. We have seen the inexplicable genius time and again, numerous reincarnations of the unstoppable crime solver: a loner, and yet loved by all. This is that, certainly, but it is also something entirely more interesting: a crime solver who does not wish to solve crimes. That changes everything.

Let me preface the rest of this review by saying that mystery is my least favorite genre of drama. This both detracts from my ability to asses this in regards to other mysteries, but also elevates the show's effectiveness for overcoming my preconceptions.

The most important, and most outstanding part of this drama is certainly the main character: Kunou Totono. Set apart in appearance by his curly hair and in personality by blunt and honest speech, Kunou draws you in from the very beginning. It only gets better as he is falsely convicted of a crime and brought into the police station, where our story can begin. This first episode, the details of which I will leave for you to discover, is in my opinion the best of the total twelve. It is a perfect showcase of all the strengths the show has going for it.

While many protagonist crime solvers can seem like superheroes in their deduction abilities, Kunou's are those of reason and speed. It is reasonable to assume, given enough time and information, that the audience could reach the same conclusion that he did. What sets him apart is his attention to detail and ability to recognize connections. This lends the show a much more realistic feel, and also further endears the protagonist to us by making him seem more realistic. Still, the main draw for Kunou is his complete disinterest in all things mystery. While he may be able to solve puzzles (and may subconsciously enjoy doing so), he makes every effort to avoid being involved in any, assisting any, or even knowing about any mysteries which may be occurring. From this sprouts both comedy and a vicarious sense of detachment, where we can objectively view the situation alongside the main character. Objectively viewing scenes which may otherwise be played for drama or emotion can result in a certain amount of intrigue.

That said, it's not a perfect strategy. The main issue is how to force the main character into several mystery situations in a believable way. And, while the show accomplishes this is most regards, it can be felt that they're running out of ideas towards the end. The other big issue is that our engagement in each mystery is almost entirely dependent on Kunou's involvement in it, which comes at a great cost towards the end of the show and with several scenes which involve the side characters.

Production wise, the show is good enough that you don't notice it. You can be wrapped up in the story, which is all that we really need. Beautiful cinematography is great, but not all that necessary in this sort of show. The score, while fitting, was a bit disappointing to me in actuality. In contrast with the uniqueness of the premise, the show employs a frankly tired collection of classical pieces (including Vivaldi, Debussy, Beethoven, and strangely enough a paino rendition of the Tetris theme), with only a few original songs. Whether that was due to creative or budget reasons can't be said, and of course the songs (Winter, Claire de Lune, Moonlight Sonata... Tetris) are good, but it felt like a cop out.

All in all, the show is very good. I was reeled in from the start and binged the whole thing in a few sittings. The main character is great, the mysteries are interesting, and there are even a few compelling character arcs thrown in for good measure. Despite a few minor flaws, the show certainly surpassed any expectations I had. (Special thanks to AnQuat for the recommendation.) In turn, I will also recommend this show.

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Nearly Perfect, a Masterclass in Writing

It's rare to stumble across a gem of a movie as good as this one. There's a lot you can say for the acting, or the music, or the cinematography, but all of that pales before the absolutely incredible script which it inhabits.

This movie may embody one of the best examples I've ever seen of setup and payoff, with the screenplay quietly setting up dominos only for them to fall all at once in a climax both stunning and emotional. The film manages to strike an incredible balance between somber and uplifting, as we find joy in our protagonist's eccentricities and the colorful interaction between the diverse and dynamic characters, but also feel the weight of the suffering visible in the world.

Here we find a departure from the tropes which infect so many modern tv shows, a work of fiction which is so unique and yet so grounded in reality you can't help but allow the story to pull you in. The storytelling is efficient, and intentional, and moving. You can't say the movie is perfect, as barely anything really is, but this is as close as we need it to be. I definitely recommend this movie.

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A Story in a Story, Emotional Without Emotion

This is a story like a wolf in sheep's clothing. The synopsis draws images of a playful harem; the embodiment of Japanese cliché with an embarrassed but perverted protagonist and several brainless beauties surrounding him. You can tell otherwise from the first seconds of film. Be it the muted music, the monotone narration of our solemn main character, or the efficient and bland description of our premise, we're instantly hit with something entirely unexpected. And, as the show continues, and we continue to peel back the layers of our characters, discovering more about this mysterious world we've discovered, we find a thoughtful and pondering piece of media with near perfect execution.

One of the most impressive aspects of this show is the tone. From the very beginning, they find one and stick to it. Each carefully placed, immaculately framed shot lends to the slow feeling (even though the plot moves quite quickly). Every drawn out, ominous beeping of the fax machine spreads a layer of darkness behind the otherwise neutral setting. And every line of dialogue tells of the no-nonsense, to-the-point feeling which embodies our main character. Even the comedy, sparse as it may be, feels solemn and dull. It's clear, from the very beginning, that our protagonist is drifting, though we do not yet know why.

The greatest purpose of a show can be to convey feelings or ideas which cannot be so aptly expressed by a bundle of words or a collection of phrases. Like music, and art, and poetry, television has the power to show you things which you can only see through the lens of a story. And, within these stories, writers and directors, costumers and set designers find small places to drop symbolism and meaning, things which start out as background details but evolve into a greater depiction of all that the story represents. The forever wrinkled suit worn by the main character. The unexplained death threats which continuously appear in the fax machine, and the unspoken habit of the girls to silently throw them out as they enter and exit the room. That cat which is simply named "cat," and it's presence over time. The dying flower plants outside of a grieving mother's home.

No story is complete without compelling characters, and this cast is diverse and complex. Each character has their own backstories, motivations, and personalities. From the tear-evoking brotherhood between the author and his devoted publisher, to the jealous hatred of his rival, to the always unclear affection from the residents of his house. Although the side characters and villains are stagnant, the main cast evolves throughout the show, affected by their circumstances and each other. Each heavy past is barely revealed, leaving more room for who that person is now, and who they'll become when it all ends. And it's clear, from the very start, that it will all end eventually.

A harem is something which is difficult to balance while maintaining unique, driven characters (especially ones with typical morals). This may be why the romance of the show is often left by the wayside, but I think it's also an intentional aspect of the main character's healing. That said, one of my only criticisms of the show is that some of the girl's affection for the main character seems a bit forced and unexplained, and only for a few of the girls do their feelings make sense. If we choose to think of the premise simply as a catalyst for the events and arcs of the story, then I don't think the show even qualifies to be a harem, as the girls don't openly and simultaneously show affection for the mc, and the mc shows no reciprocation either, even commenting at one point that he doesn't feel capable of love.

A harem was never the true focus of the show. It's not difficult to imagine it only as ploy to get it pitched and green lit, but boy are we lucky that it was. Because what we got was something truly unique, with so much to say that I couldn't begin to say it. It's a story of loss, a story of love. A story of power, and corruption. A story of pain, and acceptance. Fear, failure, and success. A story of someone broken by his circumstances, with a face visibly absent of emotion. A story which follows him, heals him, and then breaks him again, until finally, at the very end, when he sheds a tear. With the weight of all his pain. I recommend this show.

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A Perfectly Told Story, what TV Should Aspire to Be

I was absolutely blown away by this drama. It's the first full length show I've given a 10. With an incredibly unique story and satisfying romance, with interesting and diverse characters with multiple and changing dimensions, with setups and pay offs executed perfectly and just the right amount of unpredictability, I was drawn in from the beginning and gripped until the end. I fell in love with every character, loving the enemies while also hating them, and rooting those who were trying to change or overcome hardship. Every emotion, I was along for the ride. When the characters cried, I cried. When they cheered, I cheered. When they loved, I loved. It's perfectly done, and I wish every show I watched from this moment forward were just like it.

It's not something to be taken lightly when I say I liked all the characters. In almost every other show I've watched, even the good ones, I tend to find a single character I care about above all others, and so my enjoyment of the show hinges on their experience and actions and plots. This time around, I cared about everyone. Not only did every person feel real and developed, they each were reaching towards their goals, all of them pushing past their own hardships. Instead of feeling for the characters through their attachment with the protagonist, I felt each one of them as a person, through what I knew about them and what I knew they valued. Because of this strong empathy, I was able to experience strong vicarious emotions in every situation. No moment felt unjustified or unearned. This one element is, in my opinion, the most important aspect of any show, and what makes or breaks whether you even decided to watch it, and whether it is memorable and exciting. These detailed and empathetic characters are exploited to their full extent, producing moments that lift you into the sky or crush you into the ground or set you on fire with rage, all while maintaining a balance of conflict and resolution that isn't too taxing on the viewer. Even better is that each character changes throughout the show, completing arcs which are believable and well-earned. I could easily name each internal flaw they all faced, although this is a spoiler free review and so I cannot (you can bet if there were spoilers the whole review would just be me ranting about every specific detailed that I loved). Long story short, the characters are perfect, and that's what's really important.

Let me quickly mention the diversity, which was extremely welcome amidst the generally homogenous production of Asian dramas. Perhaps there still isn't as much as we're used to in the west, but you have to admit they're making great strides. Obviously I'm referencing the Afro-Asian character Toni (although this could have been handled a tad bit better in certain areas), but what I'm really impressed by is the transgender character, Hyun Yi. She, after helping the other protagonists overcome their own preconceived judgements, manages to overcome her own flaws and learn to be confident about her identity, and the show fully accepts this identity in a mature way. Especially considering the often biased views of many other kdrama regarding even homosexuality, transgender representation is just great to see.

I loved the plot. Holy cow. I won't say it's the most genius plot, I've definitely seen shows that are smarter, but this plot embodies all that a drama should strive for. A clear set of values, a core message or two, and a thorough and interesting exploration of all these things wrapped into an intense and exciting main storyline. Where other shows might drop the ball while trying to subvert expectations, and others still might crank out something mind-numbingly predictable, Itaewon Class toes the line between the two effortlessly, leaving you without a clue as to where it'll end up but still being satisfying, justified, and most importantly gripping. This is one of the few long-form shows which have managed to keep me interested enough to binge it in a few sittings.

I hope I've said enough to convince that this is well-worth a watch. Don't judge it by it's premise like I almost did and just give it a chance to snag you and pull you along. I one hundred percent love this drama and implore you to watch it, as soon as possible.

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A poorly thought out and morally devoid yet ultimately entertaining experience

There are two ways to view this movie, those being through the critical eye and the general audience's. From the media critic's perspective the movie was an unstructured, plot hole riddled, and generally nonsensical experience. The setup was poor and confusing, the main character has few redeeming qualities, and character arcs are rare and abrupt. If you're looking for a tight and well-written plot here, turn back now. However, if you're looking for a superhero action flick with a sprinkle of emotions and a dash of comedy, the movie will deliver. Not in any way that's particularly exciting or memorable, but in a way reminiscent of a hastily made kids cartoons. You'll watch, be entertained while doing so, and probably forget everything about the experience a few moments later. With this in mind, I'll split this review into two parts: the purely entertainment aspect, for those in a hurry, and the critical review aspect, where I'll do my best to rip this movie a new one. Okay, let's begin.

First of all, it's a superhero movie, so there's going to be action. Don't expect any exciting hand to hand combat though, this is the sort of action where a guy waves his hand around and the enemy topples like bowling pins. Main character too powerful? Just add more henchman! Are they getting hurt? Are they dying? Doesn't matter! They're henchmen, which as we all know are not actually people. It may sound like I'm phrasing this negatively, but I actually mean everything. Having an overpowered, otherwise unskilled protagonist is fun in it's own way. Perhaps the fights are messy and filled with our hero waving his hands around like an orchestra conductor, but it allows for comedy to be injected and gives room for proper shock value. Shock value is one of the few redeeming aspects of the movie, besides the comedy, and that's because most characters actually react how you'd expect they would in a real world scenario. They are startled, disbelieving, and afraid. It may seem basic but many many modern superhero movies screw this up.

That brings us to the comedy. It's there, but it's mostly just the lead actor carrying all of it. A complete lack of witty jokes and dialogue is made up for by an exaggerated yet not outlandish performance, which manages to bring a light tone where the movie really needs it (this movie could not pull off a dark tone, not with it's screenplay). In other words, you're never going to laugh out loud (bummer, but it's not a comedy movie) but the comic relief will step in occasionally to lighten the mood.

As a wrap of for the first part I'll mention some other things I did like (or didn't dislike). Firstly, the CGI is decent (except for some parts towards the end), so that's good. The music is forgettable, but it's there. The main character's daughter (who we're introduced to first) is extremely kind, caring, motivated, and a good leader, so there is tension when she's in danger or facing a threat. It's not boring, because the plot moves quickly enough to avoid pointless or predictable discussions. There may be pretty much no character development, but that also means you don't have to sit through any hyperemotional drama, if you're the type that avoids that kind of thing. Finally, and probably the greatest defense of this movie... is that it's free. Freeing. There are no rules. There are so many plot holes that you stop caring about them entirely. Who cares if we switch between throwing bombs at our enemies to saving them from falling off a building? Things just happen and it's fun. Disbelief has been suspended as far as it will go, and frankly it's liberating. And so, I'll reiterate. If you're into superhero movies, yes watch it, and be entertained. Just don't look for realism, a message, or anything profound.

Okay, let's get nasty. Um... I didn't like the main character! His backstory is that he abandoned his daughter, which pretty much gives me no reason to empathize with him or root for him when he's trying to reconnect with his daughter. She's right to be mad at him! Pretty much the only reason any sort of progress can be made in their relationship is because he gains powers, because before he reveals this he acts immaturely, greedily, and harshly. What makes it worse is the inconsistency. Instead having a flawed character who gradually learns and changes, we have one who frequently switches between a caring father and a stingy slob who only cares about himself. His journey into power is fun and funny, and so we'll follow him, but it's hard to care when he fails or he's shut down by those he's wronged because it's essentially, irreversibly, and perpetually his fault.

There are no character arcs throughout the entire movie. Okay, well maybe there's one, but it's cliché and obvious and happens when no one's looking (I still won't spoil it though). Instead of character arcs, we get confusion. Things are foreshadowed that never come to fruition, and things are set up that never pay off. Characters seem to play musical chairs with personalities every time the scene changes, and character motivations are called into question without ever being resolved. Oftentimes the problem is that you're looking for nuance and complexity where there simply isn't any. Characters and their behaviors serve only to further the plot while constructing some semblance of change in the protagonist, a change which is unmotivated and not believable in any way.

Yikes, there are a lot of things that don't make sense or aren't realistic in this story. I can't list most of them for fear of spoilers, but suffice it to say that a lot of it comes down to the law only stepping in when we need a villain and miraculously vanishing once a single fight is won. These nonsensical details permeate the entire movie, until you get bored of keeping track of them and decide to stop thinking entirely. Once you stop thinking, you can enjoy the intensity or emotional connection as if it actually exists.

My conclusion of this analysis is that we have a poorly written movie which was made well. The people who worked on it cared while the writers didn't. The result is an entertaining and technically acceptable movie which lacks any creative vision or memorable aspects. Once again, I'd recommend a watch for those interested in superhero movies if you have extra time and want to have fun, but in any other situation you can stay away.

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