Duray
Two Is Better Than One
I'll be honest; I always get nervous with dramas that have multiple seasons. One of the reasons I ditched Western dramas was due to the multiple seasons that always made the overall show draggy and boring after a certain amount of seasons. Despite me being obsessed with Penthouse, I was still nervous for season 2 because of the slight chance it might come off as "unnecessary." Let me say that is nowhere near the case. I have loved many sequels more than the original, and Penthouse is one of them. Is it because it was half the length of season 1 or because we dived right into chaos? I might never know for sure, but I can tell you what I loved about this second season.Story:
Everything that has happened throughout the episodes has led to some fantastic plot, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I won't spoil anything just in case, but all the twists and turns were done fantastically, and I don't think I could have imagined something different, which has usually been the case with other dramas I have watched. One thing I love is how unpredictable the plot has become. You think one thing is set in stone but then it's revealed you were the main act in a circus show, and what you thought wasn't at all what was written in stone.
Characters:
For my season one review, I mentioned how each character, good or bad, was portrayed excellently and written extremely well. The same can be said with season two. One of the things I liked about season one was how, for multiple characters, they were written so you can choose whether to dislike or like them, and that continues in season two. Of course, characters still made my blood boil, as well as the fact I shed tears throughout these fantastic episodes because of them, but I love feeling those emotions with characters. Some characters took me by surprise, good or bad. I found myself at one point hating on a character I thought I liked and liking a character I thought I hated. This season also strengthens my belief that no other actors could portray these incredible characters, or at least I cannot imagine another actor as any character.
Others:
Despite the few OST's we got, all of them were fantastic, especially Repeatedly and The Morass. I wish the season was longer, but I'm glad it at least got extended by 1 episode. It was also great that one of the best episodes, episode 12, happened to air on my birthday, so it was a fantastic birthday gift if I shall say.
Final Thoughts:
Since this is season two, those who watch it or are planning to watch it have watched season one. That being said, I'm already used to the hectic drama that comes with it, so if that's the same for you, then the drama that comes from this season won't be a surprise to you. Although I would say season one technically seems more hectic and "insane," mainly due to having more episodes," season two doesn't shy away from the hectic plot at all.
I cannot wait for season three and how hectic and great it will be. The only thing I'm sad about is one episode a week, which feels like pure torture. But overall, this season is fantastic, and if you watched and liked season one, you should most definitely watch season two.
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This review may contain spoilers
Three Is Not Always Better Than Two
When it was announced Penthouse would have 2 more seasons, I was extremely excited since I loved the drama. Even though I stopped watching lots of western tv shows due to the drag with multiple seasons, I was happy for Penthouse to get more seasons... but now I don't think that was the best idea.I don't want to spoil this season, but it's so hard to state how I truly feel without doing so, so major spoilers will be towards the end with possible small spoilers throughout my review.
Story:
With season 2 ending, I was extremely excited with season 3... but then that excitement turned into frustration. Slowly I realized that season 3 was erasing things that season 2 brought. For example, they all get arrested in the final episode of season 2, but then in the first episode of season 3, they are all roaming free. Why would you make them all arrested only for them to freely get out? I don't need this drama to make full-on sense- I mean, the way they got out just doesn't anyway, but I'm fine with that- but I don't understand what was the point of getting them arrested at the end of season 2 if it means nothing? I can't believe I didn't even worry when that happened. Of course, there are other problems, some I skipped over so, I don't even want to mention them, but the last thing I will mention is that it feels like more things happened in this season than the last 2. I think season 2 should've had 3 more episodes and wrap up the whole drama then since Season 3 added some things that I feel could've been left out. But regardless, I still enjoyed how hectic it was since that's Penthouse's signature style; over the top dramatic!
Characters:
One thing that I will always agree with between all 3 seasons is the acting was off the charts. Every actor did a fantastic job with the material given to them. Now, for the characters in general... Joo Dan Tae was the same crazy man who wanted revenge, and Cheon Seo Jin... I'll mention that in my spoil segment. I enjoyed the other characters and their "character development," except Joo Seok Kyung. I thought that she was finally getting that well-needed character development at the end of season 2, but the beginning of season 3 just erased that and made her a straight-up villain. I'm glad she was able to come to her senses at the end, even if it took shocking news for that to happen. I liked Ro Na this season and thought she was one of the best characters in this whole drama, including Shim Su Ryeon and Joo Seok Hoon. As I said in my previous reviews, no other actors can portray these characters, and I stand by that after this season.
Others:
I still think SBS should've had Penthouse air on Friday and Saturdays instead of just Fridays. I understand, in a way, why they would make it air once a week. The suspense kills, and it looks like SBS thought that season 3 will be their biggest and most successful, but they were wrong. The few OST's we got were good, but just like the last 2 seasons, I wish we got more.
Now, for my spoil segment:
I don't mind when the main character dies, but only if it makes sense with the plot. Oh Yoon Hee dying just makes 0 sense, and for it being Cheon Seo Jin? In season 1, sure, Cheon Seo Jin would push her off the edge without hesitation, but she went through season 2. This is another evidence of "season 2 erasure" that I mentioned earlier. Oh, Yoon Hee saved Eun Byul's life, and to thank her, Cheon Seo Jin kills her. When Logan Lee became the 3rd character to be brought back from the dead, I got even more upset with her death because I knew that there was no way they would do 2 fake deaths in one season, and her body being shown was proof of that.
And finally, the ending... 48 episodes... for that? Shim Su Ryeon did not deserve to die! I'm glad everything finally got resolved, character development was given to characters that deserved it (ex. Ma Ri), but killing the whole trio was too much for me and, in my opinion, not a good ending. You don't always need the main heroine to survive, but in Penthouse's case, it would have been a sense of victory. Even though she got victory regardless, her living was the biggest one of all because she would outlive those who had killed her child and ruined her life. It's rare for a drama to have such a perfect ending these days, but Penthouse was so close to achieving that.
Final thoughts:
If I were to watch this drama again, which I might since I did enjoy it, I think maybe I'll just stop a few minutes before season 2 ends. If you stop the last episode of season 2 after they all get arrested, season 3 isn't (exactly) necessary to watch. I still think this is one of the best makjangs out there and am glad I watched this drama since day 1. Even though I became frustrated with some things, I will miss this drama greatly, since It's been with me for almost a whole year.
Penthouse is not perfect, as it has its flaws, especially in season 3, but in my eyes, it is still a masterpiece, and forever will be.
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Story:
Politics is a genre that I never mind watching. As someone personally interested in the matter, I am always up for a political drama. But with drama's, I usually find the political side either lacking or too hectic. For Into the Ring, I saw a perfect balance, which I loved a lot. I loved how it was not obvious how every issue would turn out, and I love how each politician was portrayed. I found myself laughing multiple times, and even shedding a few tears here and there. For me, there was a perfect balance of everything, and nothing went overboard.
Characters:
The thing that made me love the drama the most was no doubt the characters and the relationship between them. Starting off with the leading lady, Goo Se Ra. From the first episode, I already loved Goo Se Ra. I loved how passionate she was and how she never gave up. I was happy to watch a character that would keep trying instead of breaking down and cry when things don't go her way. The leading man, Seo Gong Myung, was another character I cherished dearly. I loved how we got to see how Gong Myung transition as he starting helping Se Ra. Which speaking of, Se Ra and Gong Myung were such a cute couple to watch. I loved every scene they were in, even before they starting dating. No doubt one of my favorites couples in kdramaland. For other characters, Yoon Hee Su and Kim Min Jae were two characters that I could never decide whether I like them or not. Despite my personal feelings, I think they were good characters and brought a lot to the drama. Cho Maeng Duk, the "villain," was another interesting character to watch. Although his character infuriated me multiple times, I do think he was a great character with how he was set out to be. I loved the relationship between Se Ra, Han Bi, Woo Young, and Ja Ryong, which speaking of Ja Ryong, he stole so many scenes he was in! Overall, all the characters stood out and made the drama what it is. I also applaud all the actors, especially Nana and Park Sung Hoon. They portrayed their characters flawlessly and I couldn't imagine anyone taking on those two roles.
Other:
As someone who took a film class for my senior high school year, I'm all too familiar with camera angles. From the first episode, I'll admit it was weird seeing camera angles I've never seen before, but after a few episodes, I grew to love them. I thought the angles complemented what was happening very well, and I think it was an interesting addition. Personally, I wouldn't change anything about them, as I cannot imagine this drama without those fascinating angles.
Final Thoughts:
Into the Ring is no doubt one of my favorite dramas of the year and one of my favorite dramas of all time. Every week, I found myself counting down to a new episode, and when I saw one had been subbed, I would immediately stop what I was doing and watch it. I hope people don't ignore this underrated gem because of the political side and instead give it chance. If you're hesitant to watch this drama, I'd say go for it. You never know, you could be pulled in by the characters, plot, relationship, or everything wonderful this drama has to offer.
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To start: I love this drama. How the story unfolds perfectly with each episode, to how the characters carry the story with their actions, this drama is perfect. For me, enjoyment is the main factor to determine if I like a drama or not. If there are a few inconsistencies but I ended up enjoying watching despite them, I will still like a drama. For Penthouse, there were a few things here and there that I think could have been done differently, but I didn't dislike the drama less because of it like I usually would for others. There were barely any inconsistencies that ended up enjoying every moment I watched enjoyable.
Story:
As long as a makjang drama is done right and makes sense, I don't mind how dramatic it comes off as. For Penthouse, it had the right blend of insanity with the plot and characters which made it work well (for me). What I love about this drama is how it's not predictable. Sometimes it comes off like you know what's going to happen, but then it throws you off-board by going down a path least respected. The overall flow of the drama was something I also really liked, as it never felt slow but at the same time it didn't feel like things were happening so fast. It had the perfect pacing, which helped keep me on board and made me enjoy the drama more. Another thing I really liked was how each prominent character gets focused on for a few sets of episodes instead of the story of each character getting told in the same episode. Because of this, each episode doesn't feel jam-packed and is able to properly tell the character's story without rushing anything. Overall, the plot was extremely enjoyable and constantly fascinated me which made me enjoy it more than I thought I would
Characters:
One of the bests things about this drama is no doubt its characters. Not just the three leading ladies (Soo Ryeon, Seo Jin, and Yoon Hee), but the leading men and the supporting characters are what make this drama spectacular. The acting is well done that sometimes I forget to separate the characters from the actors since the portrayal of each character felt so real. I also applaud the younger casts for how well they did with the intense script they were given. Penthouse gives you characters to like, characters to hate, and characters where you can choose whether you want to support or not. This balance makes the character ensemble interesting and enjoyable to watch, as you never know what will happen or what each will do.
Others:
Despite only getting to 3 OST's, both of them, especially Crown, was really good and fit the drama well. I also like the usage of classical music, which fits the overall drama extremely well. I also really like the design of Hera Palace, and even forgot a few times that It was completely made of for this drama.
One thing for sure is that this drama is not for everyone. If you're one that gets easily enraged or is sensitive then this drama might not be for you because of how intense and "dramatic" it is. However, I don't think because of that this drama should be labeled as "bad," since that is a preference.
Final Thoughts:
Penthouse will go down as not only one of the most intense dramas I've ever watched but also as one of my favorites of all time. The intense, unpredictable but fascinating plot captivated me and made me excited each week for new episodes. Penthouse was a drama that I didn't anticipate as much as others, but I ended up loving it more than the ones I anticipated.
I can't wait to see what happens next in season 2!
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This review may contain spoilers
Where do I begin...I have been anticipating this drama since it's announcement, and even more after watching Goblin, my first Kim Eun Sook drama, and The Legend of the Blue Sea, my first Lee Min Ho drama. Waiting months and months for this drama, I can say that I was not disappointed. I got excited every time something related to The King was released before the premier. When the teaser came out, I was so excited that a drama I have waited months for was almost premiering. When the drama premiered, I skipped one of my classes just to watch it, and I do not regret that! I watched the first episode twice because I was so excited and happy. I was not disappointed at all.
Romance fantasy is no doubt my favorite drama genre. With a historical touch, The King is definitely a memorable and amazing drama to me. I already loved Kim Eun Sook's writing style, but after watching The King, I ended up loving it even more.
Now, the things I loved about this drama:
Plot:
Despite it not being exactly like the original synopsis, I loved the plot of this drama. A parallel universe is already a complicated topic to master, and adding time travel to it no doubt made it more hard. Despite this, I think Kim Eun Sook does an excellent job tackling both subjects in one drama. I also surprisingly liked the flow of the drama. I didn't mind the slow movement of the plot at first since I think it connects perfectly well to the story. The reason the first few episodes are slow might be because it represents the story, how everything slowly unfolds. The first few episodes are the the stepping stones to the drama. Things start progressing faster as Lee Gon realizes more and more. If Lee Lim and Lee Gon's first interaction was before half way point, I believe I would find it a bit rushed. Personally, I rather have a slow half then a rushed half.
Romance:
For me, the romance was not rushed. I think the romance worked really well. Both Gon and Tae Eul are from different worlds, two worlds where time flows differently between them. I think the romance was built up perfectly and I loved how time played a big part in their romance as well. I felt their connection and how much they cared for each other. I didn't mind each emotional reunion, since it came after not seeing each other for a long time, since, as I mentioned, time flows differently between the two worlds.
Characters:
Every character was so interesting and the actors did such an amazing job portraying them. I loved how many actors portrayed different characters from both worlds. Lee Min Ho's portrayal as a king was done so well, and Kim Go Eun's portrayal as a fierce police officer was perfect as well. As many could agree, Jo Yeong and Jo Eun Seop definitely stole just about every scene they were in. Both Yeong and Eun Seop were amazing characters that I thank Kim Eun Sook so much for creating. If Woo Doo Hwan doesn't win best supporting actor then I don't know who will! I loved Yeong's bromance with Lee Gon, and every Yeong and Eun Seop interaction was priceless. Another character I want to talk about is Kim Yong Ji's characters, Myung Na Ri and Myung Seung Ah. Despite only being supporting characters, I loved every scene both Na Ri and Seung Ah appeared in, and even wish they appeared more. Kim Yong Ji's and Woo Do Hwan chemistry was amazing, I need to see these two as leads in their own drama!
Other:
The cinematography was flawless. Every episode was filled with beautiful scenes that I could not take my eyes off. I also loved the references to her previous drama's, such as Goblin and Mr. Sunshine.
Final thoughts:
The biggest key to this drama is the details. There are details hidden in every episode, which I love so much. You're not stupid if you don't get the details, it's perfectly fine if you didn't. This is why I wouldn't recommend this drama if you can't pay attention. If you watch to kill time, but don't want to pay close attention, then this drama might not be for you. So much stuff happens that it will be hard to keep track if you don't focus. That being said, I do think anyone interested in watching should definitely give it a try. I also recommend watching a few episodes a day or at least one a day. Since there are so many details to absorb, I think watching at once is the best option.
I wouldn't change the cast. I wouldn't change the script. I would add more time per episode or more episodes though. Although Kim Eun Sook managed with 16 episodes and keeping just about the same, 72 minute time. I believe more time would have made it better. I am really thankful to Kim Eun Sook for creating another masterpiece. I hope she continues to write amazing drama's in the future. Truly, in my opinion, the best Korean drama screenwriter.
No doubt my favorite drama of this year, and one of my favorite drama's of all time.
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What I love about this drama is how character driven it is. Each main character has their time to shine and I loved that so much. What was also great was the relationships. I loved Baek Chan Mi and Yoon Seok Ho's relationship with flashbacks and how passionate Seok Ho was about Chan Mi. Truly one of the best male leads I've seen in a drama. Im Ye Eun and Kang Won Woo's hate to love relationship was another thing I surprisingly liked. Although Won Woo is that typical spoiled character, I always laughed and adored every scene he was in, especially with Ye Eun. Hwang Mi Soon, the only married one out of the trio, was also such a lovable character. She was probably the funniest out of the trio and I loved her energy. Team leader Dong Gwan Soon was another lovable catch. His bickering with Chan Mi was priceless and I loved every scene he was in involving the squad. Secretary Byun was a character I didn't expect to love so much, but I couldn't help wishing for more scenes with him. His bromance with Seok Ho was another highlight I loved. The characters were no doubt the main carry of this drama. With humor incorporated, they were an amazing squad.
The action in this drama was also pretty good. Every mission the squad planned was hilarious to watch and suspenseful in its own way. Multiple scene's left me filled with suspense, especially the ones that ended the episodes. So many unexpected things happened that ended up making this drama even better.
This show was definitely a surprise for me that I didn't expect to love so much. Although there are a few things I would change, I think the script was written pretty well and made a great story. If your a humor type person that doesn't mind action, I 100% recommend this drama. I wish more people would watch this amazing drama, as they are missing out on a hidden gem.
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Plot:
The main premise of Alice is time travel, which in itself is a very complicated topic to incorporate. Because of this, I give stories involving time travel the benefit of the doubt, just as long as they keep to the formula. For Alice, I understood the way time travel was being portrayed, and even give props to the writer for going in-depth with many things. But overall, the plot fell short in multiple ways, some of which I believed could have been different. As I mentioned earlier, the first episode was no doubt one of the best first episodes I have ever watched, and the episodes that followed were strong as well. The half of this drama is no doubt the weakest part, but not to the point where it ruined the drama for me. I think many scenes could have been removed and replaced with either more backstory or more scenes with other characters, but that's one of the only things I would change. For a sci-fi fantasy drama, I think Alice did a good job with its elements. Of course, no drama is perfect, but it gives a good sci-fi fantasy feel throughout the drama.
Characters:
Alice is a drama that involves multiple characters in order to tell its story, but at the same time only values two characters: Park Jin Gyeom and Yoon Tae Yi. For Jin Gyeom, I really liked his character and how he was set up. I found his relationships with others very interesting. For Tae Yi, it's a bit different. She's not a character you want to hate, but a character that you find yourself, or at least I did, wanting to hate but couldn't. She's annoying sometimes then okay for other times, but overall, I don't think she's a bad character. Do Yeon and Min Hyuk were two characters that I found myself rooting for the most. I loved every scene Do Yeon and Jin Gyeom's were in together and thought they were cute together. The other supporting characters did a great addition to the story and I enjoyed watching them, even if some made my blood boil. Overall, the cast was excellent and I don't think I could find better actors for most characters.
Other:
The acting was fantastic, especially on Joo Won's part. I even give props to Kim Hee Sun for portraying two different characters, which isn't always easy to do. For the music, I was sad we only got 5 songs, but all of them were fantastic, especially The Star by Onestar. The cinematography was wonderful and I enjoyed the beautiful scenes we got.
Final Thoughts:
So why do I give this an 8.5? Simply because I enjoyed this more than I probably should have. I was happy, sad, angry, and frustrated while watching this, which are emotions I want to feel while watching dramas. I think the biggest problem I had with this was certain things that took place during the halfway point, but not to the extent where it ruined the drama for me. The first and last 6 episodes were the best for me, but the other 4 episodes in between weren't bad, just lacking in a way.
Do I recommend watching this drama? Yes, but no. This is a type of drama that certainly ain't for everyone, and that is okay. It forces you to pay attention and keep track of characters and decisions being made in order to fully grasp what is happening. For me, I have no problem with these types of dramas so I usually like them. If you are interested in this drama, I'd say go for it. It does a good job with twists and makes you anxious and not knowing what to expect, so if you're up for those dramas then you might enjoy this.
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