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Heartwarming story of friendship.
I did not expect to like this drama so much. The drama is mostly focused on the young boys and their journey, which involves bagnington. It will make you care about them and laugh with them. It is such a heartwarming journey.I love the bond and the relationship they built and how they cared for each other.
Also, the villagers are funny, and their way of slowly becoming one big family is just awesome.
I love the acting and the production; even though it's 16 episodes long, I didn't get bored.
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An average drama that you will forget in a few days
The first five episodes were challenging to watch as I genuinely disliked Dong Joo's behavior, but it improved. However, it was still too draggy for me, and I found it difficult to maintain my attention. I enjoyed the storyline and especially the bond between the male leads, as it was the highlight of the drama.I was disappointed that everything was resolved in the last episode without any complications. It was too simplistic. I think it would have been more satisfying to see more of Kang San's superpowers.
Overall, it was an average drama for me.
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nice concept of the storyline but not executed very well
Despite the rating the comments are very positive so I gave it a try. To be honest at episode 7 I was loosing interest and I wanted to drop the drama but it only has a 10 episodes so I finished watching it.The concept of the story is good but it was not executed very well. Unfortunately nothing about this drama stands out for me. Also I don't like the open ending, specially if there is no sertency that there will be another season.
The acting is okay as their performance is average and I did not build any sympathy or feelings towards the characters.
I really liked the edvanced technology they showed but it is a shame the drama is lacking in so many ways.
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Great drama for the first half after that it is disappointing.
It could have been so good if they carry on with the story as in the first half of the drama. The first 6 epidosed are great. It keeps you engaged and you don't know what is gonna happen next between the taxi driver and the culprit.But once the culprit went to China the storyline went downhill. I wish they would finish the drama around 6/7 episodes. It is a real shame as they did not use all the potential and it could be a great drama. The story keeps you engaged through the whole drama but I was loosing interest towards the end. I will not even talk about the imcopentece of the detectives...The villan character was perfect as probably the olny character in the drama. To my surprise a didn't even care how it is gonna end.
Overall it is a good drama but could have been great if the focused more on the storyline.
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great acting but too slow pace
The acting is great, interesting storyline but its too draggy and I got bored. I had to warch on high speed to finish it. I wanted to know how it will ends.Sang Mi suffered so much and to be abandoned by her family, specially her sick father. It was hard to watch. Sang Hwan character is so annoying and he always makes the situation worst. The real hero is Dong Chul. He risked everything to save her but it seems like Sang Hwan got all the credit for it.
Its interesting storyline and very sad to see how easily people can get brainwashed and even more that places like that exist.
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overrated...bunch of teenagers living their lives through their phones
Not sure if it's just me, but I think it's overrated. It's only seven episodes, but it took me ages to finish. It's a nice story about coming-of-age and teenagers' first love, who are glued to their phones. It's kind of sad to see the new generation living their lives through phones. Nothing much happened except people switching partners in their friend group. I didn't feel any connection to them and didn't really care who would end up with whom. The acting was good, as was the realistic production.Overall, it's a realistic BL drama that didn't impress me or leave any feeling after finishing it except...finally.
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Great acting saved badly written drama.
I was so looking forward to this drama as the concept is really interesting, but the drama did not deliver. It was an easy watch as it is only 10 very short episodes.To be honest, I stayed for the acting as it was great and mostly for the villain, as Young Kwang was born to be a villain. I saw his drama Eviline and he slayed the role as well.
I wish they spent more time on the stories of the victims, as the most touching was about the students. You feel for them as there is no justice if you have no money and nobody cares, so instead of ending their life, they choose the gun. I get what Moon Baek wanted to achieve, as the situation in Korea is appalling. The suicide rate is over the roof, people been chased/killed by loan sharks, bullying... one day you reach the point of desperation and pull the trigger. The story of the gangsters was unnecessary and did not bring much to the drama; I would say it was quite the opposite. It would be better if they explored the impact on society and if people would start to change. Also portraying the police as useless and in the meanwhile Lee Do sorts and saves everyone by himself. Especially the last fight, he kills the whole commando. The ending did not feel right and not satisfying at all.
The script is just a mess, and the acting saved the show.
It is an okay drama, not bad, not great. Such a shame as if it was done properly, it could have been awesome.
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Underrated drama with great storyline but weak start.
What a fun ride this drama turned out to be! Although it took about three or four episodes to truly hit its stride, once the core team assembled and the dynamic took hold, I was completely hooked.The greatest strength of the series lies in the brilliant teamwork of the central trio. It was immensely satisfying to watch them operate, always staying several steps ahead of their targets to ensure justice was served. Every case felt fresh, providing exciting challenges and leading to genuinely entertaining downfalls for the villains. A major highlight was the performance of the actor playing James (Park Hee-soon); his ability to completely transform into new characters for each scheme was captivating and added a unique layer of flair to the show. Yun I Ran's wardrobe was so impressive, it felt less like watching a drama and more like attending a high-end fashion show.
Despite the high praise for the team and action, the drama carries one significant flaw: the backstory involving Yun I Ran. This subplot felt entirely disconnected from the compelling main narrative and ultimately detracted from the experience. The exploration of her trauma was poorly executed and could have—and arguably should have—been left out of the story entirely. It added no necessary depth and only served to interrupt the fantastic momentum built by the main action plot.
Overall, this is a highly enjoyable and intelligent story about a great team that catches villains. It’s a shame this drama is so underrated; its current rating simply doesn't do justice to the brilliant chemistry, engaging cases, and sheer fun factor it delivers. It's definitely a must-watch for fans of crime and teamwork dramas.
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This review may contain spoilers
Real drama of 90s - Chang Wook amazing transformation
I think it is the most realistic drama I had seen. The production is great and the atmosphere of the 90s is so real. I love both ML leads. They have done great job.I love the development of Seung Ho and his fenomenal transformation from cop to thug as he really became one. And build thrue friendship with Ki Chul. Also Hae Ryeon character was great and she was the main character to comparation to Eui Jung as her character/acting did not left any expression on me.
Despite it has sad ending, I have to say it is great ending. Everyone gets what they deserve. Specially the fat cop as he was the most enoying character ever. I felt quite bad for Chul as he put his trust to wrong people and because of that he lost everything and everyone betrayed him. I could see the pain in his eyes as he confronts them and he had nothing to live for anymore.
I wish they could walk together through the streets of Gangnam forever. That last seen made me quite emotional.
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disappointed-waste of time
After reading comments and reviews I was expecting so much from the drama but I have to say that I am disappointed.I don’t know why but I didn’t like the FL. I could not connect to the characters and the drama wasn’t very engaging. I had to keep skipping scenes just to finish it. The story was good…it could be great drama if executed differently.
I dont understand how someone can compare this drama to My dearest which is total masterpiece!!
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overrated.....boring.....
I was so excited for this drama as the rating is very high, but I am a little disappointed. I am on episode 6, and it's so boring. All they do is fight, and there is no change in their relationship. Every episode repeats the same story. Also, they are superheroes; after the fight, they are on the edge of death, but five minutes later they are totally normal. Well, I will drop this show as I cannot imagine watching 16 long episodes. It's really overrated.Was this review helpful to you?
Good premises, uneven execution
I didn't expect this storyline at all, and I was genuinely surprised by how captivated I became. It was exciting to watch the story unfold and see the characters reveal their true colours. Some of the plot twists caught me off guard, while others were more predictable—but overall, it was still an enjoyable ride.I was so happy for his wife in the end. The acting was great across the board, and Hyun Wook did an excellent job portraying his character.
I loved the ending—it was a great way to wrap things up.
That said, even though it was only 6 episodes, I somehow found the drama feeling too long. The storyline was strong, but the execution didn't quite match its potential. There were moments of tension, but not enough real thrill or suspense to keep me fully engaged throughout. It's a shame, because with a different approach to direction, this could have been something truly great.
Verdict: An interesting premise with some good twists and solid performances, but let down by uneven execution. Worth a watch if you're curious, but don't expect a gripping thriller.
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Great first half but disappearing second half of the drama
I was genuinely excited for this drama—it gave off major Constantinevibes, and I was ready for a thrilling ride. And for the first half, it mostly delivered.The cinematography is stunning. I loved how they brought the realm and all its creatures to life—the visual world-building was immersive and beautifully crafted. The contrast between the two worlds of the palace was especially well done. You could clearly see the real palace, where countless souls were sacrificed to human greed, standing in stark opposition to the other realm. That tension was palpable and added real weight to the story.
The duo at the heart of the drama was another highlight. Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), the spirit slayer who can cross into the Realm of Gwi, and Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), the court lady who can hear the voices of the dead, made a compelling team . Watching them grow into a great partnership was genuinely satisfying, and their journey kept me invested early on. Cho Seung-woo as the king and Jang Young-nam as the queen dowager, added depth to the palace intrigue . But the absolute star of the show for me was the evil creature, Mengramile. I absolutely loved every scene he was in.
Unfortunately, the second half lost all the momentum the first half had built. It became quite boring, and the story started to feel unfocused and less engaging. It's a real shame because the potential was clearly there. The foundation was solid—great visuals, a compelling duo, and a memorable villain—but the execution in the later episodes just couldn't sustain it.
Overall, The East Palace had so much going for it, but it couldn't quite stick the landing. Worth watching for the first half and Mengramile alone, but I wish the rest had lived up to the promise.
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A wild ride from start to finish
What a rollercoaster. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to figure out who was who. Plot twist after plot twist kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story flipped again.The acting is phenomenal, especially Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyng Gu—I absolutely loved their friendship and how their dynamic drove the story forward. Everything about this drama is insane in the best way, from the side characters to their tangled connections. It's terrifying to see what could happen if someone stole your identity, and even more chilling to witness what people are capable of when driven by envy or greed.
The fights are thrilling, and the cat-and-mouse game is brilliantly executed. I finished all the episodes in just two days—I couldn't stop watching.
I don't get the low ratings. Actually, I'm not surprised, but I still think this drama deserves way more recognition. The casting is incredible, and the pairing of Noja and Mun Jae as perfect—I loved every moment of it. The story gets crazier and crazier, but in the best way possible. Absolutely worth the watch.
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A realistic and heartbreaking- masterpiece
I finished this drama last night and I'm still thinking about it. Still feeling it. Still angry.I went in expecting nothing. I came out with my blood boiling and tears on my face.
A fast-paced, emotionally devastating drama inspired by true events that exposes police corruption in 1980s Korea. It will make you angry, heartbroken, and deeply uncomfortable – and that is precisely why it works.
The story: Captivating doesn't even cover it. I was on the edge of my seat from episode one. I told myself "just one more episode" about seven times. Ended up binge-watching the whole thing. No regrets.
The acting is amazing. Every single person brought their A-game. Tae Ju broke my heart over and over again.
The 80s cinematography was beautiful. They made me feel like I was there.
This drama is inspired by a true case. It is heartbreaking to realize that so many lives were destroyed simply because some police officers wanted promotions. Your blood will boil watching the so-called "good guys" – the people meant to protect citizens – reveal themselves as complete scumbags.
I loved Tae Ju and his strong sense of justice. It is heartbreaking to watch him fight this battle alone. I was crying toward the end because the emotional weight was immense. Seeing people suffer for 30 years – and continue to suffer because the law and justice are not on their side – is devastating.
Tae Ju and Si Yeong: Their relationship was complicated. Difficult. In some sense, it was good to watch them – two people constantly outsmarting each other. But at some point, you realize the truth: people do not change. No matter how much you hope. No matter how much you want them to. When you see how the police cover up the entire case and realize this actually happened, your blood boils again. And it makes you wonder: how many more people like them are still out there?
I love that the ending was realistic and not sugar-coated. It made the entire experience feel truly authentic. This drama will stay with me for a long time.
Verdict: Watch it. But prepare yourself. You'll cry. You'll get angry. You'll feel helpless. And you won't forget it.
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