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Watch for the games, utterly disappointed !!
U may say I'm cruel or worst for giving this a low rating but I'm writing this based on how i felt overall after finishing the drama. The idea was not original at all, I was reminded of other show like Alice in borderland, liar game, kaiji, as the gods will,... I had watched some other death game show like the above mention and also maze runner, hunger games, the darkest mind, the 5th wave... most didn't remind me of others because their idea and concept were unique. However, what I like the most about these death games is that there is a way to win/survive and not just depends on luck. Sorry to say, I am also someone who like smart MC,..Story: First of all, the games is simple and the outcome is too predictable. I couldn't feel thrill at all but simply felt nothing and bored while watching....the pacing is too slow (lots of slow motion scenes too). Felt draggy making me feel sleepy...
Too many plot holes to let some characters win easily and for someone who organize the event as serious as a deadly game, the security system is laughable... the north korean girl can easily sneak in a knife!! But doesn't get anywhere with it anyway....I didn't even want to mention how easily the police infiltrate the place. The bad party is way too lenient on the player (or they just too stupid). They say the game are conducted fairly, then they should play the games that will not put disadvantages on women and elderly.
The human trafficking part was unnecessary, it doesn't get anywhere...
The brother reveal was predictable too.
And the VIP?! , TERRIBLE...
The old man motive was lame and I don't get why does he keep asking the MC 'do u still trust people' like why?? They didn't enter the game because they trust people though (they suddenly want to teach us to trust people when the whole drama is them betraying and killing each other??)
And WHAT'S MORE, he's going back into the game trying the save others when he can't even save himself, Hahahhahahaha
Characters: I like none of them, no one I truly root for (maybe abit for the north korean girl). The main guy depends too much on luck (until the end...), whenever he's in trouble/dilemma, there's always someone to help him, he didn't even need to try....There are too many annoying characters (wish they die quickly), many moments that are too dramatic.
Music: It was okay but not memorable... Some part felt unnecessary.
Set design: Colourful, beautiful, creative but maybe the space is a bit limited. But it's amazing how they build it from scratch.
Overall: The only good episode was half of ep 6 (almost cry..), This drama focus more on characterization which maybe why it doesn't click with me cause I personally prefer game more than character.
Going into this drama with high expectations after seeing the trailer but also worried because it's a kdrama (there's bound to be too much drama), haizz...my worry was right...
People may disagree with me but this is my opinion and my preference, if u have a good time watching, I'm happy for u!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Webtoon reader, biased review
I already know the webtoon is amazing: the plot, characters, concept, creepiness, comedy, relationship, gore, sadness, etc...everything is perfect for me, I can feel every bit of emotion the webtoon tries to deliver. And this drama just makes the webtoon ×100 better.The bad CGI, the way they change the characters and their relationships just doesn't stand well with me, they just feel less connected and the drama show less on how the ML fight/resist the inner monster (it doesn't really show that it's very difficult to ressist the monster) he just suddenly have power and how ridiculous of him to went up and down to get their stuff while the other monsters are there. In the webtoon, the ML is just infected human being with no power, he just go berserk when he lose control of the demon or become monster when he succumbed to the demon at the end. Talking about the ML, his character is just plain and dull in the drama, he don't fight for himself (he does fight the monster but not human) and they can just use him however they want. I don't like the gangster too, they make him look like he is invincible (like he can easily fight the monster and can go wherever he wants in the building). This drama would have been much better if they focus more on the monsters/ inner monster than humans. Most of the characters in this drama is just so unlikable (not to say there are none in the webtoon, there are hateful ones but they just add to the creeps of the webtoon). There are still some characters I find annoying but I'll just stop here, if not it will be never ending...
I just think it's funny throughout the drama instead of feeling intense or scary (since it's a horror genre). I don't get why the name is "sweet home" for this drama, the webtoon has a very touching meaning for it so i recommend everyone to read the webtoon to understand more in depth of the story (but they literally change everything from the webtoon so.... idk which do you prefer). There are people who like the changes but definitely not me. Maybe because they want to make a season 2 but it just so sad that many of the main characters died and other useless characters which contribute nothing to the plot lives.
Maybe because i read the webtoon first so i think the drama is silly, but it's better experience for people who watch the drama first...i guess
Won't rewatch, definitely not excited for season 2 too
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Amazing show!!
I love love the game!! Before watching it, I had no idea how they can make a game where you lie to win...I was curious and thought concept like this couldn't have gone far with the plot, i was so WRONGG. I was amaze by how the author could thought of these games and how each character can manipulate their way to win the games...Characters: Loved akiyama, his character is so clever, calm, caring,..kyaa!!...he become even more handsome every episodes (atleast for me)...I admire him for how much patient he had with the FML, its just show how much care and understanding he had towards her cause her character is just too innocent.
As for FML, I wouldn't say I hate her but she just so annoying, believing the same person who lied to her over and over again... Actually stop watching for a while because of her but continuing again for the games and akiyama.
However, I shipped the both of them so hard, wish they can be together in the show, unfortunately the just FRIENDS.
I actually think Fukunaga is better than her. He's also a smart character where it is good to have him on your side but when he's not...you would have harder time winning (not for akiyama though). At first I thought he's just someone who is bad, annoying and overreacting but he contribute his part in the group games like he's friends/enemy with the main character depending on which group/games he's in. He just do what he do best to win and not a bad guy I initially thought he's gonna be...
I probably will watch season 2, just praying here that the girl will not make my blood boils as much as this one does...
TRULY RECOMMENDED for someone who like game theme show. You won't regret it!!... well... if you could look past some over dramatic part....It is an AMAZING show.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not my type of drama....
I don't know if I'm the only one, well whatever i just not fond of the ML acting, i think that it was soo bad.... I'm confused what feelings he wants to deliver to the audiences, he wants to deliver sad but he's face looks tired, and he looks more in love with the SML than the FML. Besides, i can't feel the love between the ML and FML. I knoww they are based on a BL webtoon but they should really just choose one between bl or normal romance. The ML sudden shouting was also ANNOYING!! Arggghh I hope next time he gets a shouting scenes, pleaseee make it less annoying....The plot: i think it's just typical types we've seen, childhood trauma, sad past, ect...(nothing really special). Talking about the plot i don't get why the ML tells everything to the SML instead of his girlfriend (FML), if you can't rely on or trust each other about your past, i don't get why you guys are together. Instead, both guys care and depend on each other, eventually change each other's life for the better...(like I've said, choose one, do BL if you want to)
The music was okay i guess...
I definitely won't rewatch this...kinda feels waste of time (i would have drop this drama if I'm not watching with someone else) but this is just my opinion
There are people who like this drama too, maybe they can see what i can't from this drama so if you're thinking of starting this drama after reading the review, enjoy watching!!
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Give me more!!!
Story: Great and Brilliant, got me hook on the 1st episode. The games and plot are what really suck me in, I cannot stop being amaze how the author create the concept of 'borderland' and using cards to show the level of difficulty and the types of game they will be playing...Arisu is the main character, it is obvious we didn't expect him to die in the games but the execution of how he survive the games is AWESOME!! Though some people may say it does not make sense how smart he is as well as the plot is inconsistent but not for me since I like clever MC and the plot, at least for me it was consistent enough
However, it kinda gets draggy when they gets to the beach but it was fine after the game begin...we also get to know more the world and the game master. The mystery just keeps me wanting moreee...
Characters: Loved Arisu and Usagi, their dynamic and chemistry is the best. Even though others characters doesn't really do/show much until the last few episodes, we get to see others characters doing their part and know what they are capable of...
Hoping to see more of them in the upcoming season!!!
Music: Perfect for every scenes, add to the eerieness of the situation they're in.
The bad: Half nude scenes, attempted rape, some anime-like acting, (extra: only 8 episodes)
Overall: The bad part was practically cancelled out for me because after finishing the show, all I remember is the games. Also, since it is an adaptation, the anime-like acting was fine, I'll say this is by far the best adaptation I've seen...
The director really know how to end the season... Really reallyyy EXCITED for Season 2 and can't wait to watch it.
If you're okay with it and have similar preferences like me, I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED it, GO WATCH NOW!!!
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