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A Korean Odyssey korean drama review
Completed
A Korean Odyssey
1 people found this review helpful
by ara-minta
Aug 21, 2020
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 7.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Romcom disguised as fantasy/horror

For a Netflix show, this has some crappy CGI. But it didn't really put me off as the whole show is more silly and comedic than serious and horrific as I've been led to believe by the trailer. If you are planning on watching this, prepare for 20 long episodes whose storyline could've easily been shortened to 12-15 episodes max. It's a whole lot of fun with plot holes galore.

STORY
The series follows demons who are trying to become deities and an airheaded human who can see them, who's also destined to save the world (even though the stakes never seem so high). The premise of the main storyline is extremely interesting even though it's nothing new in dramas, but it ultimately failed to wow me in the last episode in which the entire story seems to plummet into a confusion of random developments. Stories following the side characters were much more fun and engaging to me, but only one of them is completely wrapped up in a satisfied way (Ma Wang's story). By far my favorite was the potential of the geumganggo and I would've loved to see so much more done with it (philosophically and otherwise), but I'm also satisfied with the story we got along with it.

ACTING/CAST
Through the first part of the drama I was absolutely in love with Lee Seung Gi's portrayal of Son Oh Gong, but by the end all of the side characters really stole the show for me. Perhaps my favorite was Jin Seon Mi's coworker Lee Han Joo because he is so ridiculously human as opposed to all of the other demons/evil spirits which was refreshing. Also, whoever was the costume designer behind Ma Wang's and Son Oh Gong's coats and eclectic formalwear... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. As for the female lead, I have nothing to say bc wow, she was boring and she could've been done so much better. Other female characters were done so dirty or were just underdeveloped (Secretary Ma, Bu Ja, Summer Fairy, Alice even).

MUSIC
If ''Let Me Out'' and ''When I Saw You'' isn't featured in an episode of Hwayugi, is it even Hwayugi? Those two songs and ''If We Were Destined'' are my favs. Others are ambiental and nice, it's a good soundtrack, albeit forcing some songs too much and too often.

OVERALL
I probably won't rewatch it, unless there's going to be a second season after that open and ambiguous ending (but that's sth that the Hong sisters are famous for, so there's probably not going to be another season). It's fun and silly and brimming with crappy CGI and great side characters, it never takes itself too seriously even though I wish it has at certain times. This is for people who like bromances and overpowered main characters, who don't mind crap effects and long shows.
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