I donāt know whatās more remarkable: the meticulous reconstruction work youāre doing (I did it myself when…
Ah, that really does you credit all the more! Iām absolutely fascinated by the unconscious as an enigma; itās a āprofessional obsessionā that Iāve carried with me since my youth and which is deeply rooted in my cinematic background; especially the film noir of the 1940s and 1950s, with psychoanalysis as a concrete element, the backbone of the narrative; whenever I come across Korean dramas ā but Japanese ones too, it must be said ā that deal with rather similar themes, I always view them with a positive interest; āReverseā seems to operate somewhat along those lines; obviously the amnesia, which is also an old-school must in the Dramaverse, the ambiguous identity, though this applies to all the lead actors; the possible displacement of guilt; ultimately, is she a victim or the culprit (?). However, I must reiterate: I hope that, given such strong, well-constructed premises, the moral ambiguity is not redefined in a more reassuring or, worse still, inconsistent manner; it wouldnāt be the first timeā¦
I had to make some changes on May 6, I mixed up ep 4/5 and 6 scenes of FL visiting Adjushi. In ep4/5 she visits…
I donāt know whatās more remarkable: the meticulous reconstruction work youāre doing (I did it myself when reviewing dramas like 'Climax' and 'Sirenās Kiss', and each episode took me hoursā¦), or the fact that all this might not be getting the recognition it deserves; For what itās worth, Iād like to say thank you, truly; itās a decidedly complex series that progresses through elliptical structures as well as shifts in tone that can leave you bewildered, but it has that rare quality of growing exponentially as the episodes progress: letās hope they stay on course for the rest of the series and donāt derail with illogical or hasty choices; so far, so good...
I really do thank you for reading it and for your kind comment. As I followed the drama, I found myself becoming…
Oh Tia, thank you so much ā your words really mean a lot.šŗ Iāve been writing for quite some time now about cinema, music, and even literature (even though these forums are now a thing of the past), always with a perhaps slightly romantic idea in mind: not so much to āexplainā things, but rather to hint curiosity, to engage the reader, and to open a small door instead of offering definitive answers. If anything Iāve written has managed to spark even the slightest interest, thatās already more than enough for me. I believe the best kind of discussion comes from this ā when something stays with you and continues to evolve even after youāve finished watching. To be honest, Iāve been asked a few times about starting a blog or something similar, but I think Iād prefer to keep writing here on MDL. It feels like the right space for me. I really like the idea of Forum as a concept of a global village; itās something Iād been missing, also Iām probably a bit too slow (and maybe a bit too lazy š ) for a proper blog ā Iād rather write when I really feel like it, without deadlines.
I really do thank you for reading it and for your kind comment. As I followed the drama, I found myself becoming…
Oh, interesting question! Back in my school days I studied Latin rather than Greek, but over time Iāve developed a personal interest in tracing connections between concepts, allegories, and layered meanings ā something that I find particularly useful when writing. That said, Iāve never been a fan of overly 'academic' reviews; I always try to create a genuine connection with whoever is reading on the other side of the screen.
In this case, I think "Climax" is a title that fits remarkably well, precisely because of the structure and thematic core of the drama. The final episode, especially in its second half, offers a striking parallel between what can be seen as Tae-seop and Sang-ahās respective āascents.ā
Their final āascentā toward the televised appearance ā with the doors closing behind them in a distinctly theatrical gesture ā perfectly encapsulates the meaning of the title. Climax not only as the narrative peak, but as a kind of staircase (or stairway): not toward paradise, heaven, but toward a form of hell that is perhaps livable, controllableā¦ even acceptable.
In that sense, the title works on multiple levels ā structural, symbolic, and thematic ā and ultimately reflects the very nature of the series, yes for me!
Happy Birthday, Shu Qi! I really enjoyed the excellent āThe Resurrectedā recently, and Iām still eagerly awaiting your directorial debut - "The Girl" -, which hasnāt been released yet (hopefully soon!) šššŗ
This is a very well-written and analytical review. Excellent points on the power shift & balance in the drama…
I really do thank you for reading it and for your kind comment. As I followed the drama, I found myself becoming increasingly drawn into the story, even imagining a satisfying conclusion that would restore coherence to the narrative as a whole, whilst preserving what I consider to be the dramaās core ā namely, the moral dimension of the characters portrayed; Iāve trimmed things down a bit here and there, having to leave out some deeper analysis, but I hope Iāve managed to convey my personal satisfaction with a work which, beyond individual opinions, has the power to defy any simple categorisation by genre... Thank you again!šŗ
Yes, undoubtedly, itās certainly part of the showās promotional package (and a bit of self-promotion to win people over, which never goes amissā¦) It also seems, in this case, to be the āperfectā drama at just the right time for them; the right appeal ā sheās always fabulous, in everything, whilst I honestly Woo Seok donāt think Iāve ever come across him in other roles ā and the chemistry is clearly perfect... Iāve already seen that the reviews are praising the series; I tried watching the first episode, but Iād more or less guessed the themes, so Iāll give it a miss without any fuss. Iām now out of the running and past the right age for this sort of story, but itās easy to see that itāll be hugely popular. IU, see you next time with something closer to my personal tastes! šŗ
I tried to explain this better in my review, but with a clearer head it seems even more obvious to me: the ending ends up undermining much of the ambiguity, the layered complexity, and even the symbolic framework that the drama had so carefully built up to that point.
Everything is reduced to a sweeping, all-encompassing explanation which, in effect, undermines the discourse on art, the double, and perception ā elements which, in my view, were among the most interesting aspects of the series.
Ultimately, the ending comes across as rather consolatory, reassuring, almost āeducationalā, giving the impression that it wants to tie everything up without leaving room for doubt or grey areas. And it is precisely this lack of ambiguity that I found rather unambitious.
The result is that the drama, whilst remaining excellent for most of its run, ends up somewhat betraying itself at the very decisive moment. Perhaps itās partly down to my own expectations, but itās a feeling Iām personally finding myself experiencing quite often in many contemporary productions
In any case, for those who are curious, Iād also recommend watching the original Japanese version, āIce Worldā, which explores similar themes but maintains a far more consistent and less accommodating ambiguity right through to the end.
Ha ha! I got Kopiko too š (though Iāve never actually tried them) ā and Iāve got quite a few right first time, at last! These quizzes are really lovely, thanks!šŗ
I am so happy right now ;___; After meeting Gong Yoo in Florence this weekend, this news made my whole year. I…
Iām absolutely delighted to hear about your wonderful experience! Unfortunately, right here in Italy, the Florence Korea Film Fest always seems to fly under the radar and never gets the recognition it deserves, which is absurd, because every year it goes out of its way to showcase truly remarkable films and stars; a bit more TV or press coverage really wouldnāt go amiss! Gong Yoo is one of those people who, even in interviews, comes across as a truly wonderful person (down-to-earth, as the English say) and deserves all the love his fans give him; Years on, āGoblinā remains a work of immense value, thoroughly satisfying in terms of both story and cast; Iām not in the habit of āhanding outā a 10-point rating here on MDL, but this drama fully deserves it! Itās certainly not one for repeated viewings, as itās so dense and layered that it leaves you feeling quite drained after watching it, but it must absolutely be considered a cornerstone among the most beautiful and important works in the Dramaverse, truly...
Happy Birthday to our wonderful Yoo Ri! ššā¤ļø Is something brewing for 2026!? It would seem so, judging by the signs circulating on the web, lately. Let's hope for some pleasant surprises!
It leaves you with more questions than answers, which is unsettling for those viewers who want clear-cut endings and well-defined morals, but ultimately the structure justifies this choice. She is simply perfectā¤ļø and is perhaps 50% of the drama's success. I'm glad that the overall response has been excellent, rewarding the idea behind the project. I hope it's a step towards other stories that choose to question rather than reassure.
Complimenti davvero! E' una delle recensioni meglio argomentate che mi sia capitato di leggere ultimamente; ti leggo spesso, trovando il piĆ¹ delle volte spunti interessanti, tutt'altro che ordinari e, in diversi casi, indubbiamente condivisibili; se posso permettermi, dimostri una notevole capacitĆ di sintesi e di scelta delle parole che esemplificano il concetto di "critica costruttiva", senza fronzoli etc. Mi ha colpito particolarmente la parte sulla protagonista, Oh Yeon Seo, che personalmente non conosco; scorrendo la sua pagina dedicata, non ricordo nulla con lei, ĆØ indicata in "Babyfaced Beauty", un drama abbastanza dimenticabile che ho visto giusto per la splendida Jang Na Ra; ho sempre "A Korean Odissey" parcheggiato, mi riprometto tutte le volte di iniziarlo, ma c'ĆØ sempre qualcosa che passa prima... Noto che l'attrice citata riceve un sacco di apprezzamenti qui sul forum, perĆ², non avendola mai incrociata in film o serie, non so come interpretare questo consenso diffuso; delle volte resto basito dal termometro-misuratore del successo di attori e attrici qui, su MDL, ma ĆØ opinione strettamente personale e assolutamente opinabile! Scusa "l'invasione" e complimenti ancora!šŗ
I discovered this a little late, but it's great news: Park Chan-wook will be the President of the Jury at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. As explained in the linked article, he is the second Asian director after Wong Kar-wai to be honoured with this prestigious role. Congratulations! https://cineuropa.org/it/newsdetail/489636/
It's interesting that Park Min-young initially turned it down: in the original "Ice World", the character thrives on ambiguity and subtraction, suspended between fragility and moral opacity. It's a construction that requires great expressive control and makes the role so stimulating from an acting point of view. That's precisely why I consider it a fascinating challenge. I'm glad she changed her mind, I can't wait!
Go Soo is incredibly talented, he has been a remarkable actor for many years and never disappoints. What's more, he is often accompanied by some of my favorite actresses, so I have a lot of faith in this project too. Min Young, so prolific and consistent actress, she never leaves us too much without a new TV series to watch. She's wonderful! Let's hope for the best, great prospects...
and come back soon ā we miss you! ā¤ļø
Iām absolutely fascinated by the unconscious as an enigma; itās a āprofessional obsessionā that Iāve carried with me since my youth and which is deeply rooted in my cinematic background; especially the film noir of the 1940s and 1950s, with psychoanalysis as a concrete element, the backbone of the narrative;
whenever I come across Korean dramas ā but Japanese ones too, it must be said ā that deal with rather similar themes, I always view them with a positive interest; āReverseā seems to operate somewhat along those lines; obviously the amnesia, which is also an old-school must in the Dramaverse, the ambiguous identity, though this applies to all the lead actors; the possible displacement of guilt; ultimately, is she a victim or the culprit (?).
However, I must reiterate: I hope that, given such strong, well-constructed premises, the moral ambiguity is not redefined in a more reassuring or, worse still, inconsistent manner; it wouldnāt be the first timeā¦
the meticulous reconstruction work youāre doing (I did it myself when reviewing dramas like 'Climax' and 'Sirenās Kiss', and each episode took me hoursā¦), or the fact that all this might not be getting the recognition it deserves;
For what itās worth, Iād like to say thank you, truly;
itās a decidedly complex series that progresses through elliptical structures as well as shifts in tone that can leave you bewildered, but it has that rare quality of growing exponentially as the episodes progress:
letās hope they stay on course for the rest of the series and donāt derail with illogical or hasty choices; so far, so good...
Iāve been writing for quite some time now about cinema, music, and even literature (even though these forums are now a thing of the past), always with a perhaps slightly romantic idea in mind: not so much to āexplainā things, but rather to hint curiosity, to engage the reader, and to open a small door instead of offering definitive answers.
If anything Iāve written has managed to spark even the slightest interest, thatās already more than enough for me.
I believe the best kind of discussion comes from this ā when something stays with you and continues to evolve even after youāve finished watching.
To be honest, Iāve been asked a few times about starting a blog or something similar, but I think Iād prefer to keep writing here on MDL.
It feels like the right space for me. I really like the idea of Forum as a concept of a global village; itās something Iād been missing, also Iām probably a bit too slow (and maybe a bit too lazy š ) for a proper blog ā Iād rather write when I really feel like it, without deadlines.
Back in my school days I studied Latin rather than Greek, but over time Iāve developed a personal interest in tracing connections between concepts, allegories, and layered meanings ā something that I find particularly useful when writing. That said, Iāve never been a fan of overly 'academic' reviews; I always try to create a genuine connection with whoever is reading on the other side of the screen.
In this case, I think "Climax" is a title that fits remarkably well, precisely because of the structure and thematic core of the drama. The final episode, especially in its second half, offers a striking parallel between what can be seen as Tae-seop and Sang-ahās respective āascents.ā
On one side, Sang-ah climbing the steps of the montĆ©e des marches ā essentially a stylized, almost symbolic version of Cannes, often considered the pinnacle for anyone tied to cinema. On the other, Tae-seop ascending the steps of the Blue House, representing the apex of political power, even if in a mediated role ā that of a strategist behind a president who, in one of the most telling scenes, appears almost puppet-like during the 100-day speech.
Their final āascentā toward the televised appearance ā with the doors closing behind them in a distinctly theatrical gesture ā perfectly encapsulates the meaning of the title. Climax not only as the narrative peak, but as a kind of staircase (or stairway): not toward paradise, heaven, but toward a form of hell that is perhaps livable, controllableā¦ even acceptable.
In that sense, the title works on multiple levels ā structural, symbolic, and thematic ā and ultimately reflects the very nature of the series, yes for me!
I really enjoyed the excellent āThe Resurrectedā recently, and Iām still eagerly awaiting your directorial debut - "The Girl" -, which hasnāt been released yet
(hopefully soon!)
šššŗ
As I followed the drama, I found myself becoming increasingly drawn into the story, even imagining a satisfying conclusion that would restore coherence to the narrative as a whole, whilst preserving what I consider to be the dramaās core ā namely, the moral dimension of the characters portrayed;
Iāve trimmed things down a bit here and there, having to leave out some deeper analysis, but I hope Iāve managed to convey my personal satisfaction with a work which, beyond individual opinions, has the power to defy any simple categorisation by genre... Thank you again!šŗ
I hope all your dreams come true as you start your life together!ššŗ
It also seems, in this case, to be the āperfectā drama at just the right time for them; the right appeal ā sheās always fabulous, in everything, whilst I honestly Woo Seok donāt think Iāve ever come across him in other roles ā and the chemistry is clearly perfect...
Iāve already seen that the reviews are praising the series; I tried watching the first episode, but Iād more or less guessed the themes, so Iāll give it a miss without any fuss.
Iām now out of the running and past the right age for this sort of story, but itās easy to see that itāll be hugely popular. IU, see you next time with something closer to my personal tastes! šŗ
Everything is reduced to a sweeping, all-encompassing explanation which, in effect, undermines the discourse on art, the double, and perception ā elements which, in my view, were among the most interesting aspects of the series.
Ultimately, the ending comes across as rather consolatory, reassuring, almost āeducationalā, giving the impression that it wants to tie everything up without leaving room for doubt or grey areas. And it is precisely this lack of ambiguity that I found rather unambitious.
The result is that the drama, whilst remaining excellent for most of its run, ends up somewhat betraying itself at the very decisive moment.
Perhaps itās partly down to my own expectations, but itās a feeling Iām personally finding myself experiencing quite often in many contemporary productions
In any case, for those who are curious, Iād also recommend watching the original Japanese version, āIce Worldā, which explores similar themes but maintains a far more consistent and less accommodating ambiguity right through to the end.
(though Iāve never actually tried them) ā and Iāve got quite a few right first time, at last!
These quizzes are really lovely, thanks!šŗ
Unfortunately, right here in Italy, the Florence Korea Film Fest always seems to fly under the radar and never gets the recognition it deserves, which is absurd, because every year it goes out of its way to showcase truly remarkable films and stars; a bit more TV or press coverage really wouldnāt go amiss!
Gong Yoo is one of those people who, even in interviews, comes across as a truly wonderful person (down-to-earth, as the English say) and deserves all the love his fans give him;
Years on, āGoblinā remains a work of immense value, thoroughly satisfying in terms of both story and cast; Iām not in the habit of āhanding outā a 10-point rating here on MDL, but this drama fully deserves it!
Itās certainly not one for repeated viewings, as itās so dense and layered that it leaves you feeling quite drained after watching it, but it must absolutely be considered a cornerstone among the most beautiful and important works in the Dramaverse, truly...
I still have to see āFirst Ladyā but I won't miss it.
Many happy birthday wishes, Eugene! šŗššā¤ļø
Is something brewing for 2026!?
It would seem so, judging by the signs circulating on the web, lately.
Let's hope for some pleasant surprises!
I think it's only fair to give credit to the authors of āThe Art Of Sarahā for their narrative choice, which is quite far removed from the reassuring clichĆ©s of many recent productions, moving into a more uncomfortable and complex environment, compared to glossy, perfect romance series and various rather conventional thrillers with often carbon-copy mechanisms.
There is both social criticism and criticism of a system that thrives on appearances, status, ostentatious luxury, wealth (?), image over substance, incredible contradictions, etc.
It leaves you with more questions than answers, which is unsettling for those viewers who want clear-cut endings and well-defined morals, but ultimately the structure justifies this choice.
She is simply perfectā¤ļø and is perhaps 50% of the drama's success. I'm glad that the overall response has been excellent, rewarding the idea behind the project.
I hope it's a step towards other stories that choose to question rather than reassure.
E' una delle recensioni meglio argomentate che mi sia capitato di leggere ultimamente; ti leggo spesso, trovando il piĆ¹ delle volte spunti interessanti, tutt'altro che ordinari e, in diversi casi, indubbiamente condivisibili; se posso permettermi, dimostri una notevole capacitĆ di sintesi e di scelta delle parole che esemplificano il concetto di "critica costruttiva", senza fronzoli etc.
Mi ha colpito particolarmente la parte sulla protagonista, Oh Yeon Seo, che personalmente non conosco; scorrendo la sua pagina dedicata, non ricordo nulla con lei, ĆØ indicata in "Babyfaced Beauty", un drama abbastanza dimenticabile che ho visto giusto per la splendida Jang Na Ra; ho sempre "A Korean Odissey" parcheggiato, mi riprometto tutte le volte di iniziarlo, ma c'ĆØ sempre qualcosa che passa prima...
Noto che l'attrice citata riceve un sacco di apprezzamenti qui sul forum, perĆ², non avendola mai incrociata in film o serie, non so come interpretare questo consenso diffuso; delle volte resto basito dal termometro-misuratore del successo di attori e attrici qui, su MDL, ma ĆØ opinione strettamente personale e assolutamente opinabile!
Scusa "l'invasione" e complimenti ancora!šŗ
Park Chan-wook will be the President of the Jury at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
As explained in the linked article, he is the second Asian director after Wong Kar-wai to be honoured with this prestigious role.
Congratulations!
https://cineuropa.org/it/newsdetail/489636/
It's a construction that requires great expressive control and makes the role so stimulating from an acting point of view.
That's precisely why I consider it a fascinating challenge.
I'm glad she changed her mind, I can't wait!
Let's hope for the best, great prospects...