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SKY Castle korean drama review
Completed
SKY Castle
1 people found this review helpful
by Kayosai
Jun 22, 2020
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 10.0
Rewatch Value 2.5
WOW, I can totally understand how SKY Castle became such a phenomenon. It was gripping, dark, funny, and thought-provoking. It had beautiful visuals, powerhouse actors, and a message to say to society. It was intense and gripping — I was always one or two steps behind the actual story.

How did the writers manage to make me hate all these characters and then root for them at the end? To some extent, I really wanted to see them wreck themselves. I was certain 11th hour redemption would have fallen short, but here we are.

The one thing I felt wasn't fleshed out well enough was Seo Jin's motive, according to Coach Kim. Coach Kim's actions could be explained if it were true that Seo Jin really was the monster pushing Ye Suh to focus on academics. However, it is proven time and time again that Seo Jin didn't think SNU was worth working with Coach Kim. But Yeh Suh was the one who refused, because she herself was so driven to succeed. I think it's fair to believe that some kids really are intrinsically motivated, or otherwise have goals for themselves. I believe that Seo Jin was consistent in her motives: to do what was best for her child, and help Ye Suh achieve her own goals. You could argue that Ye Suh was a product of her upbringing, but at the same time... sometimes, kids really do focus too much on the structure of the system and their perceived notions of "success" all on their own.

I wasn't too happy with the fate of all these kids at the end either. I'm not convinced this was the strongest message to send, nor the most realistic. I think Woojoo tipped the scales here. I can see how his upbringing and his inflection point caused him to make the decision he did, but it doesn't add up considering how self-motivated he had been to that point.

This review isn't totally cohesive. Overall: the story was great, minus a couple plot points. It was a bit too long — I think episodes 17 and 18 could've practically been cut out altogether, and the drama would've been better for it. But all of these actors and actresses truly KILLED IT, and it was a pleasure to see them embody such unique characters. I will always expect "We All Lie" to show up during any suspenseful moment (it was practically the only song in the whole OST!). "Hero" by Family of the Year was the other notable song to me, and it was the perfect soundtrack to wrap up this story. SKY Castle was crazy and intense, so I don't think I'll rewatch it any time soon. This also made it incredibly difficult to binge watch. But at the end of the day, it was entertaining, different, and a spectacle to watch. What a roller coaster.

PS: I will forever ship Suh Joon and Ye Suh. Ki Joon, take the hint!
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