Oppression, violence, humour & entertainment
There are some holes in the story and if the mutants had been explored more, even if needing a few extra episodes, I think the plot would have benefitted. Nothing is mentioned about life outside Seoul, so my imagination assumes all survivors of the comet strike that almost wiped out the entire population, headed there.Overall though, I found this drama a great watch. Being relatively short and all eps available immediately on Netflix, it made for an excellent binge and felt like watching a film.
I loved the entire cast and I cannot now think of one actor/character that let the story or production down.
The feel of a Seoul turned into a dull, dusty, sand covered desert with a highly toxic atmosphere, was pretty realistically conveyed. It felt grimy, oppressive and lifeless.
A class system exists that real life is beginning to mirror in many respects.
Living is segregated, where those with the money or background to live and work within Cheonmyeong's dome, have light and oxygen. The lower working class, regular soldiers and the deliverymen/women who transport goods and oxygen to those living outside, have purpose built, uniformed, secure, identical windowless housing blocks.
The lowest class are referred to as refugees. They eek out a living and have to fend for themselves pretty much.
Everyone going outside has to wear special oxygen masks and cover up against the dusty atmosphere.
The disparity is stark and with no prospect of things improving, life outside is dangerous, with gangs who pirate the deliverymen's juggernauts.
We meet various characters within the plot revolving around a battle that is brewing against the ruling Cheonmyeong company, whose heir is a Hitler like character that views refugees like vermin.
Several plot twists and surprises add to the compelling story.
At only 6 eps, you won't find much background or delving into the stories of the main characters (let alone supporting ones), but snippets are included and some flashbacks, that give enough info for the plot and characters to make sense.
I loved it. Kim Woobin was perfect for the role of 5-8. With just enough humour to stop it tipping into a depressing watch, there is also plenty of action.
The ending was appropriate to rounding things up and gave a glimmer of hope.
Definitely worth watching and an easy one to watch again when the mood takes... which I will.
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Happiness is subjective.... and not a Horror.
A dark and tense drama surrounding a virus outbreak coming hot on the heels of a real one that the world's just recovered from.Unfortunately, it's the greed and wealth of a powerful character that is partially to blame and they would never be held accountable; that's made clear early on. Perhaps because I've watched a few dramas recently, where the wealthy get away with so much, that I was a little disappointed by that aspect of the plot.
There are some truly awful characters in this and rather like Sweet Home, the different residents of the swanky new complex of apartments and shops, have their true characters brought to light, as the area is locked down.
Some really stupid decisions are made by some, like unbelievably so, but they move the drama forward and provide the tense scenes that work so well.
I loved the main couple/characters and thought Park Hyun-sik and Han Hyo-joo worked very well together. Their chemistry was natural and they made a realistic friends-to-couple pair.
She is tough, no nonsense and quite hard hearted when she feels it's necessary, whereas he is a little softer (though by no means weak) and more the archetypal good cop.
There was a fair bit of blood, but not ridiculous amounts. I personally wasn't moved to tears at any point, by any of the scenes though.
How some of the infected died and others didn't, from either being stabbed, bludgeoned or shot, was a little odd to me. I couldn't work that out at all.
The sets in the apartment blocks and their underground parking, were suitably claustrophobic and provided some jumpy moments... one never knew what or who was behind closed doors, opening lifts and lurking on stairwells.
To be honest, I wouldn't call this a horror drama, but a thriller, personally.
Overall a satisfying watch. It was great having PHS back leading a drama, and one of this genre at that.
Really liked the sound track, especially Isaac Hong's contribution. The minute he opens his mouth, I melt.
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The synopsis doesn't really do the story justice.
It's the things taken for granted, the life changing moments that can't be rewritten, feelings uncovered that can't be hidden away again and taking the time and having the patience to allow something special to blossom. That's at the heart of this gently paced, moving and warming drama.There were times the malice and harsh words of some characters seemed unforgivable, but heat of the moment anger, or pent up frustrations lead to such things.
The underlying charm, throughout the angst, kept this story from being depressing... it's anything but.
It may not be exciting, fast moving or hilarious, but it is a strangely uplifting story.
The moments of simple pleasures shared by a rural community where news travels fast, bring light hearted smiles. The warmth of people that may argue and bicker one moment, but be there in times of need, the next.
Letting go of anger, resentment and hate is a key message I got from this. Being understanding of those who don't or can't so easily voice their feelings, instead trusting in their actions, is another. Being kind to and easier on, oneself, is yet another.
Family can wound as well as heal.
I loved it, although do wonder what happened with Eun-sub's Uncle, the conclusion to their issues was never revealed, although I guess answered in the rest of the story.
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A simply wonderful story
A wonderful drama about what the word family is really about, and which is both tragic and at the same time heart warming.No cliché moments or over acting, but subtle yet hard hitting scenes.
The child actors are excellent, as are the rest of a very natural and believable cast.
There were times I was so angry with certain characters and others when I was frustrated and irritated by them. However, the outcomes and morals of the stories within a story, explain so much.
Money cannot buy happiness, but it certainly helps and I liked that this drama never pretended one can survive on just love and fresh air; it's far more true to life. The saying about blood being thicker than water is also proven to not always be true.
A very apt and fitting soundtrack also accompanies this must watch series.
Now a firm favourite and one I will definitely watch again, as I'm already missing so many of the characters (Song Wei Long and Steven Zhang were especially good in theirs) and I honestly couldn't find fault with it.
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What it is to be different
What an unusual and touching story. The loneliness and alienation felt by someone who only sees in mono can probably be well understood by anyone suffering a condition that sets them apart from the norm. For others it is a poignant insight into that loneliness.I loved the cast and characters, which were fresh and natural.
I'm sure it would be welcomed by those who enjoyed this story, if the writers and producers felt it successful enough to expand on the plot and give us a full length drama that covered the characters' own stories that led up to their meeting, the search and investigation into Yeon Woo's mother and the evolving relationship between Yeon Woo and Yoo Han.
The 'R' rating is a mystery to me. I get that a same sex couple may be taboo, but the content really didn't warrant it. Gay relationships should be seen as a natural part of life in this day and age, especially in a progressive and modern country, and when it is portrayed as delicately as this.
Trigger warning for attempted suicide.
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No character is perfect, but so many are more than likeable, flaws and all. The baddies really are evil.
So Moon, Mo Tak and Ha Na probably develop the most as the series progresses. One matures, one is able to find themselves and reconnect, and another is able to face up to a guilt ridden past and open themselves up again.
Ji Chung Shin was a character I couldn't help but feel for. Vulnerable to manipulation and a harrowing past, I didn't feel at all guilty about wishing he could somehow be redeemed and freed of his demons.
I also loved the OST, with tracks from the brilliant Isaac Hong, Dvwn and Sejeong.
I will definitely watch this again and eagerly anticipate series 2. Do NOT let us down, Netflix!
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We all should live near a hospital like that!
Series 1 was great viewing and I felt the same about this second run.I never expected to love the cast and characters as much as those in the first series, but I did.
The relationships that were cultivated between characters were as warming as before and I loved Ahn Hyo-seop, as well as seeing Kim Min-jae again and my favourite characters wonderfully brought back to life by Jin Kyung and Im Won-hee. So liked the nosy and forthright Yoon Ah Reum (So Ju Yeon) and gasped with joy to see a matured Do In-bum (Yang Se-jong) too.
As before, there is greed, politics, back stabbing and scheming, together with patient stories and the family that is Doldam Hospital, wonderfully lead by Kim Sa-bu/Dr Boo Yong-joo.
It does get a bit cheesey at times and quite self-righteous, with lots of unexplained medical terms, but still makes a very enjoyable watch.
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Dark, quirky, surreal at times... SO good!
Just finished this on Netflix and so enjoyed it.A very quirky, darkly amusing, slightly surreal crime caper. I also fell for Santa (Baek Sung-chul).
Lee Young-ae is perfect in the lead. A favourite mature actress, Kim Hae-sook, was great in a role the likes of which I'd not seen her play before; and I loved seeing Lee Hong-nae again, who was so good in The Uncanny Counter.
'K' is very vulnerable at times and it's often hard not to like her, until she starts to lose her purpose.
Totally felt for Lee Hong-nae's character at one point, although I wondered how much he was beholding to 'K' and how much it was for kicks.
A drama that is barkingly good fun at times.
The OST is a favourite now (and there are several Playlists of it on Spotify).
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SO outdated and clichéd
Dreadfully dated.Bad soap opera feel to it, with cheap looking sets.
Outdated characters ~ supposedly 'hicky' working class family, with the usual debts caused by parents, reliant on the one sensible, more successful family member, who is pressured and leeched off; money grabbing mother of status seeking daughter, with long suffering father in another family; slapping of faces; class distinction (based on wealth, certainly not 'class'); controlling grandmother of wealthy family who seems sweet, but is cruel and callous; bitchy females; jealousy and vindictive characters; ffrom what I heard, a forgetful ost.
Just dreadful. I could not watch past ep4. The acting is so hammy, stiff and forced ~ almost farcical.
What was Ahn Jae-hyun thinking? I was so looking forward to seeing his first drama in too long, but whilst he isn't dreadful in it, sadly also not fabulous enough to make me stay. I hope he was paid well.
Anyone who loves soap operas, OTT characters and behaviour, with clichés by the bucket load ~ this will not disappoint. Sadly not for me at all.
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Messy.
Dec 2025Maybe it's a generational thing, but a Genie is not Satan (or Iblis in this case), and so the reference to that name just didn't fit, and bugged me throughout.
In folklore the Genie (or Jinn) was created by God/Allah, and could be good, evil or neutral. Naughty ones got imprisoned in containers.
All boxes ticked.
However, the merging of more religious content (as mentioned, plus the angel of death, angels at all, hell etc), ruined it for me, as it made the character nessy and blurred. If they wanted to make up a new fantasy character, then rename it.
What I also couldn't handle, was the way the FL lead character treated him. I get she was a psycho, but I found too much of it irritating and often uncomfortable.
The plot became frayed for me, and both the story and characters were often all over the place.
The personality of FL's grandmother was one of the biggest changes... yes we change/mature as we age, but her younger self was actually not easy for me to like at all.
Personally speaking, it was KWB that carried this drama.
The acting overall was good, it was the story/script that totally let it down.
Lovely to look at/visually, but very disappointing for me and I wouldn't rewatch.
KWB and other cast members, have been in far better dramas than this. It could have been superb ~ but wasn't by a long way.
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Very satisfying watch.
June 2026I loved this drama and the episodes simply melted away!
Yes it's violent, OTT, and causing controversy in its use of meeting fire with fire, regardless of the villains' age.
The pace is pretty fast and there's also humour to balance the tougher aspects.
A tragedy leads to a prominent politician setting up a specialist inspection team, that is sent into schools experiencing pupil issues that are out of control.
The main reason for doing this, is as much about protecting the right of other students to study and learn, as it is in providing them with a safe and protected environment in which to do that.
It's also about protecting teachers, who in many schools across the world now, can be in danger of losing their lives to a student, if addressing disruptive behaviour and violence.
It's not all about bad pupils, either; it's parents and teachers that stand in the way of these goals, that are brought to task too.
For me, the most difficult storyline was ep 6 on, and some completely evil juvenile delinquents, who hid behind their age, and were protected by an impotent legal system because of that. This, coupled with parents completely out of touch with them, who just wanted the atrocities of their offspring to vanish.
Parents who endanger their own children through emotional blackmail and control, or by actually supporting their behaviour, are dealt with, too.
A manipulative mother storyline was pretty hard hitting.
I felt this series is a platform that uses the beyond reality action scenes and story lines, to highlight the very real issues that exist for both good teachers and willing students, in schools everywhere.
Parents are shown as a sometimes major part of the problem, which is often all too true.
That the young are totally capable of manipulating, lying and being extremely capable in destroying the lives of others, is not fictional, either.
The team are so diverse, and whilst I initially thought Jin Ki-joo's character (Im Han-rim) would drive me 🦇💩 , I ended up loving her!
Seeing P.O (Pyo Jihoon of BlockB) in a drama again, makes me very happy, too... his character provides not a few giggles.
A totally captivating watch for me. Even yhough totally OTT it was so satisfying seeing those who felt no remorse, and had no intention of changing, get their just desserts, whilst others turned a page.
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