The chess game of parasitic obsession and fragile egos.
'Notes from the Last Row' is a masterclass in psychological manipulation that left me completely torn between admiration and disappointment.
Heo Mun Oh, a failed, greedy, wrecked writer and Korean literature professor, meets Lee Gang, a talented writer from the last row of his class. Upon the brilliance and intelligence of story narration of the younger, Mun Oh offers one-on-one classes to Lee Kang for improving the younger's knowledge and his own curiosity (to win something in life).
As the story unfolded, it was not just about teaching classes on literature to improve Lee Kang's writing skills but utilizing them to unveil someone's life in literal words, in several prescriptions, and in descriptions, without consent.
I see Heo Mun Oh as an unreliable narrator-character at the start when he bulldozed with Lee Kang's plan of cheating, helping him slip answers to examination questions, just to let Lee Kang continue his assignments, scratching away his own commitment to responsibilities.
Mun Oh's relation with people around him seemed distant and often appeared to be coated. His bond with his wife, unstable and unlovely, lasted to the end. With his co-workers, he's off on various bases. I couldn't quite understand how Mun Oh's wife, Cho Hyeon Suk, a psychologist herself, didn't perturb over her husband's distance despite the writer's block, given her own sufferings over many miscarriages and a long period of an unshaken, unconcerned husband. (Although her emotional exhaustion, keeping up with Mun Oh, is an acceptable coping mechanism.)
I admit that the second episode had me hooked. Kim Su Hun, a popular writer, had a history of friendship and dreadful moments with Mun Oh, who held the main lead in a long slump of captivity for years. Nonetheless, it didn't seem like a tragic story to me. Instead, sadly, it looks like Mun Oh destroyed his own career for a friend's derogatory remarks. (I believe there could be more, many more events in his life that might have sparked his ink once again, but only if he allowed himself to sway that way, without lingering, crippling in sulking past.)
The later episodes quite annoyed me and almost tested my patience. Mun Oh's obsession, thrill, vengeance, and deliberate invasion of Kim Su Hun's life show his desperation and dark yearning to achieve the youthful career he could have had, but the cerebral path he ventured on after the inferior remarks he received is on him. His constant gaslighting and erratic decisions to Lee Kang hindered his progress. Shaped his broken future.
Lee Kang's a menace; his actions, his steady moves, took a toll on the rest of the show. It was not discreet, as Lee Kang's intentions are somehow on the plate, right in front of the nose; one could try to expect his reasons on the whole story of Kim Su Hun, although it was displeasing and troubling at times for the exaggeration of a 20-year-old to keep on imposing himself without a warrant of decent regard, but it was a splendid surprise to realize everything was just his play, a backspace to the real characters we have knownโKim Su Hun, An Eun Ju, Kim Se Yun, and Seon Min Hui.
I had absolutely immersed myself when An Eun Ju got highlighted. It was thrilling to see the new perspective of each character and their little story in the whole play.
Mun Oh at one point blurred his own ethics, responsibilities, and humanity with his perpetual greed, envy, and jealousy. It wasn't shocking when he asked Lee Kang to write the end of the story, even when they were still unaware of it. Given how unstable he is from the start with Lee Kang at certain things, denying at the initial stage only to accept and give in to the venturing broken pride of his. As if, and really as Lee Kang was waiting for the exact call, he used the moments to his own satisfaction, writing a special story and making Mun Oh taste the bittersweet of reality.
However, it didn't meet my expectations when I became aware that Lee Kang's whole doing was just for the mistreatment of Mun Ho 12 years ago. I would have loved to see much more depth and growing insight into the psychological behavior of adult Lee Kang.
I liked Choi Hyun Wook's dynamics with everyone in the drama; regardless of a huge age gap, his unwavering chemistry bonded the strength and quality. Still, in disappointment with how Mun Oh wasted his years and career, along with his wife's, the ending with his wife satisfied me, but the to-be-continued felt unnecessary. But as of now, as pleasing as it is to see Hyun Wook in a thriller concept and not all stories need pure suspense, I still welcome it.
This story exposes the dark side of creative writing and mentorship. Not every teacher-student bond is healthy; it can be toxic. It opens the truth of reality, how unresolved trauma and fragile egos play a huge role in lives. As Mun Oh thinks he is using Lee Gang to live out his successful writing career, he never had, while Lee Kang acts as the ultimate manipulator, feeding Mun Oh's greed and desperation.
The psychological depth of this story is that when you let envy, jealousy, and past insults write your future, you end up destroying not only your own life but also the lives of everyone who loves you.
Kudos to the cast and the team for this amazing show!
Just a minute back I was happy seeing Sea and then of course, it has to wreck me. Fourth and Gemini both did amazingly: Tan struggling over choosing and Barth's unwavering patience with Tan. *sighs THESE TWO DESERVE A BIG HUG!!
At first I was a little dubious and almost hesitant, but as the first episode progressed, I became more hooked and engrossed. After Love Scout, this would be my second office romance K-drama I'm loving so far.
It started not so heavy; it was balanced, aesthetically pleasing, and more active. JJ's effortless acting made me want to binge-watch more episodes. I believe this time-travel Thai BL has satisfied me enough; throughout the finale, it has resolved and closed every loop and unveiled many mysteries. I don't see any plot holes, nor find the plot boring even in the slightest.
It took Nakun two full episodes to settle into the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and that was the most realistic. While some may find it over the top, I daresay it accurately depicts a 21-year-old travelling back in time from 2023(?) to 400 years ago.
Phop was the loveliest character whom I sheerly enjoyed from the very start to the end. Net has done a fantastic job capturing Phop's kindness, warmth, and nurturing nature, embodying such gentleness in the accent and action.
This lovely series has been made lively and enjoyable by the supporting characters Chuai, Sai, and Khong. I haven't seen a film with such a compelling storyline and outstanding actors in a very long time. I was taken aback by Kim and Latte. They surprised me with their divine acting. It was my first time watching them on screen, and the way they depicted their strong, quivering roles enthralled me. Kim's so pretty; I had thought I'd miss his beauty by the periodical manly attire; however, his role did stand out and speak.
(Is it just me who finds both Chan and Hyunjin in Latte? ><)
Even though I enjoy the show, I think JJ could do a better job acting in some of the more poignant (sad) and romantic scenes. Although I find some of his frames unsettling, he did a good job in his roles. I am looking forward to his upcoming projects. He made this series so much fun.
The marriage felt a little lacklustre, but it ended well, and I'm thrilled that my Phop has his beloved at last, hehe.
Motivations for Hye Ryeong and Si Won were very weak. We see Hye Ryeong as this sweet adorable girl and suddenly…
You are right. I have also pondered about why Do Hye Ryeong is still stuck. Perhaps as you've written, it's because the unexpectedness of Si Won's wish, which made the curse repeat itself, had Hye Ryeong. Also, I thought it was a little weird, given Hye Ryeong's wish. How was Si Won's last-second wish even considered? If that's weirdly possible, then why did Si Won wish that way if she could have wished for the things to be returned back as once they were? And why did she want to kill everyone, like Hye Ryeong, to be dead? She has no grudges, except maybe only against Hye Ryeong. Si Won is the bad friend. The whole time, Hye Ryeong's the one trying. Si Won's insecurities and the bad revenge win ruin everything. I also have this query: why does nobody wish for the app to disappear or for the killings to be stopped? Or to put an end to these two girls? Ha Jun could have attempted this or Geon U, even at the last episode, he knows the story by then. >< I too have many questions hehe!
Honestly, this is good. Not so good, but good. The story was hooking, but as it moved forward, there was a little drop. The background story was interesting. Do Hye Ryeong was so adorable. TT But I couldn't convince myself that she had to die for that reason. Maybe they could have shown more of the bullying and her emotional status after that day; perhaps that might have promised me the whole horror concept. I had felt the second male syndrome (after some ages). Kang Ha Jun was lovely when he denied how he was crying, calling his brother-in-law at the tough time. X
I am watching the 4th episode currently, and it's getting worse and worse. I love Freen and Becky as actors, and…
(js to make myself clear-> Although they are in a tough spot, moving places, and can't use mobiles/gadgets to contact Blew's father, Grace alone doesn't make everything scary. Instead, those 3 make me feel like 3 bros trying their luck to outsmart a king, which atp looks dumb even with the side-hired killers. They outdoing the action scene with Thit/Lom's father made me feel crap. There could be truly more investing-side villains and action scenes in that frame.)
I am watching the 4th episode currently, and it's getting worse and worse. I love Freen and Becky as actors, and their other works are amazing. But this, this is just not it. The script is plain and, tbf, lame. I find that they are simply dragging a normal plot/issue by each episode with no proper logic. Did they consider not using logic? The DNA tests? It's not like I am not fond of no-logic scripts; I love them too, but no-logic scripts mean the fiction should be this absurd. Right now, it's harder to concentrate with all the stupid fiction. Additionally, sadly, I find no chemistry between Blew and Lom. Lom seemed to have much more chemistry with her ex-girlfriends (in Earth, Water series). No hate to the actors; Blew and Lom individually are hooking characters, but together, it's just awkward. I didn't understand the total point of Helena undergoing face surgery. If they are making it a real big deal, I would have enjoyed it if the script followed a sense of logic. And I see no other enemies that may make this series INTERESTING. Grace is a captivating villain, but that's it; no more villains, no more real drama/pain. The series isn't highlighting any scariness for Blew and Lom to hide, venture, for me. Anyway, this is my take and I completely am cool if everyone feel the other- positive way :)
Expecting more acting from Becky on Helana's role. ><
'Notes from the Last Row' is a masterclass in psychological manipulation that left me completely torn between admiration and disappointment.
Heo Mun Oh, a failed, greedy, wrecked writer and Korean literature professor, meets Lee Gang, a talented writer from the last row of his class. Upon the brilliance and intelligence of story narration of the younger, Mun Oh offers one-on-one classes to Lee Kang for improving the younger's knowledge and his own curiosity (to win something in life).
As the story unfolded, it was not just about teaching classes on literature to improve Lee Kang's writing skills but utilizing them to unveil someone's life in literal words, in several prescriptions, and in descriptions, without consent.
I see Heo Mun Oh as an unreliable narrator-character at the start when he bulldozed with Lee Kang's plan of cheating, helping him slip answers to examination questions, just to let Lee Kang continue his assignments, scratching away his own commitment to responsibilities.
Mun Oh's relation with people around him seemed distant and often appeared to be coated.
His bond with his wife, unstable and unlovely, lasted to the end. With his co-workers, he's off on various bases.
I couldn't quite understand how Mun Oh's wife, Cho Hyeon Suk, a psychologist herself, didn't perturb over her husband's distance despite the writer's block, given her own sufferings over many miscarriages and a long period of an unshaken, unconcerned husband.
(Although her emotional exhaustion, keeping up with Mun Oh, is an acceptable coping mechanism.)
I admit that the second episode had me hooked.
Kim Su Hun, a popular writer, had a history of friendship and dreadful moments with Mun Oh, who held the main lead in a long slump of captivity for years.
Nonetheless, it didn't seem like a tragic story to me. Instead, sadly, it looks like Mun Oh destroyed his own career for a friend's derogatory remarks. (I believe there could be more, many more events in his life that might have sparked his ink once again, but only if he allowed himself to sway that way, without lingering, crippling in sulking past.)
The later episodes quite annoyed me and almost tested my patience.
Mun Oh's obsession, thrill, vengeance, and deliberate invasion of Kim Su Hun's life show his desperation and dark yearning to achieve the youthful career he could have had, but the cerebral path he ventured on after the inferior remarks he received is on him. His constant gaslighting and erratic decisions to Lee Kang hindered his progress. Shaped his broken future.
Lee Kang's a menace; his actions, his steady moves, took a toll on the rest of the show. It was not discreet, as Lee Kang's intentions are somehow on the plate, right in front of the nose; one could try to expect his reasons on the whole story of Kim Su Hun, although it was displeasing and troubling at times for the exaggeration of a 20-year-old to keep on imposing himself without a warrant of decent regard, but it was a splendid surprise to realize everything was just his play, a backspace to the real characters we have knownโKim Su Hun, An Eun Ju, Kim Se Yun, and Seon Min Hui.
I had absolutely immersed myself when An Eun Ju got highlighted. It was thrilling to see the new perspective of each character and their little story in the whole play.
Mun Oh at one point blurred his own ethics, responsibilities, and humanity with his perpetual greed, envy, and jealousy.
It wasn't shocking when he asked Lee Kang to write the end of the story, even when they were still unaware of it.
Given how unstable he is from the start with Lee Kang at certain things, denying at the initial stage only to accept and give in to the venturing broken pride of his.
As if, and really as Lee Kang was waiting for the exact call, he used the moments to his own satisfaction, writing a special story and making Mun Oh taste the bittersweet of reality.
However, it didn't meet my expectations when I became aware that Lee Kang's whole doing was just for the mistreatment of Mun Ho 12 years ago. I would have loved to see much more depth and growing insight into the psychological behavior of adult Lee Kang.
I liked Choi Hyun Wook's dynamics with everyone in the drama; regardless of a huge age gap, his unwavering chemistry bonded the strength and quality.
Still, in disappointment with how Mun Oh wasted his years and career, along with his wife's, the ending with his wife satisfied me, but the to-be-continued felt unnecessary. But as of now, as pleasing as it is to see Hyun Wook in a thriller concept and not all stories need pure suspense, I still welcome it.
This story exposes the dark side of creative writing and mentorship.
Not every teacher-student bond is healthy; it can be toxic. It opens the truth of reality, how unresolved trauma and fragile egos play a huge role in lives.
As Mun Oh thinks he is using Lee Gang to live out his successful writing career, he never had, while Lee Kang acts as the ultimate manipulator, feeding Mun Oh's greed and desperation.
The psychological depth of this story is that when you let envy, jealousy, and past insults write your future, you end up destroying not only your own life but also the lives of everyone who loves you.
Kudos to the cast and the team for this amazing show!
At first I was a little dubious and almost hesitant, but as the first episode progressed, I became more hooked and engrossed. After Love Scout, this would be my second office romance K-drama I'm loving so far.
I've really enjoyed this.
It started not so heavy; it was balanced, aesthetically pleasing, and more active.
JJ's effortless acting made me want to binge-watch more episodes. I believe this time-travel Thai BL has satisfied me enough; throughout the finale, it has resolved and closed every loop and unveiled many mysteries. I don't see any plot holes, nor find the plot boring even in the slightest.
It took Nakun two full episodes to settle into the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and that was the most realistic. While some may find it over the top, I daresay it accurately depicts a 21-year-old travelling back in time from 2023(?) to 400 years ago.
Phop was the loveliest character whom I sheerly enjoyed from the very start to the end. Net has done a fantastic job capturing Phop's kindness, warmth, and nurturing nature, embodying such gentleness in the accent and action.
This lovely series has been made lively and enjoyable by the supporting characters Chuai, Sai, and Khong. I haven't seen a film with such a compelling storyline and outstanding actors in a very long time.
I was taken aback by Kim and Latte. They surprised me with their divine acting. It was my first time watching them on screen, and the way they depicted their strong, quivering roles enthralled me.
Kim's so pretty; I had thought I'd miss his beauty by the periodical manly attire; however, his role did stand out and speak.
(Is it just me who finds both Chan and Hyunjin in Latte? ><)
Even though I enjoy the show, I think JJ could do a better job acting in some of the more poignant (sad) and romantic scenes. Although I find some of his frames unsettling, he did a good job in his roles. I am looking forward to his upcoming projects. He made this series so much fun.
The marriage felt a little lacklustre, but it ended well, and I'm thrilled that my Phop has his beloved at last, hehe.
Also, I thought it was a little weird, given Hye Ryeong's wish. How was Si Won's last-second wish even considered?
If that's weirdly possible, then why did Si Won wish that way if she could have wished for the things to be returned back as once they were?
And why did she want to kill everyone, like Hye Ryeong, to be dead?
She has no grudges, except maybe only against Hye Ryeong. Si Won is the bad friend. The whole time, Hye Ryeong's the one trying. Si Won's insecurities and the bad revenge win ruin everything.
I also have this query: why does nobody wish for the app to disappear or for the killings to be stopped? Or to put an end to these two girls? Ha Jun could have attempted this or Geon U, even at the last episode, he knows the story by then.
>< I too have many questions hehe!
๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐ฅ/๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ. โห๊ฉ.
โจ๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ 16. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช๐ด ๐ถ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ.๐๐ธ.ยฐโข
๐ท๐๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ'๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ, ๐ซ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ถ๐ด. ๐๐ต'๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ถ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐ช๐ด๐ค๐ถ๐ด๐ด. เผโ
๐๐๐ฐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ต ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฅ, ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฆ. โหเฟ
๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐ฅ/๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ. โห๊ฉ.
โจ๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ 16. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช๐ด ๐ถ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ.๐๐ธ.ยฐโข
๐ท๐๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ'๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ, ๐ซ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ถ๐ด. ๐๐ต'๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ถ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐ช๐ด๐ค๐ถ๐ด๐ด. เผโ
๐๐๐ฐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ต ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฅ, ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฆ. โหเฟ
The story was hooking, but as it moved forward, there was a little drop.
The background story was interesting. Do Hye Ryeong was so adorable. TT
But I couldn't convince myself that she had to die for that reason. Maybe they could have shown more of the bullying and her emotional status after that day; perhaps that might have promised me the whole horror concept.
I had felt the second male syndrome (after some ages). Kang Ha Jun was lovely when he denied how he was crying, calling his brother-in-law at the tough time. X
I love Freen and Becky as actors, and their other works are amazing. But this, this is just not it. The script is plain and, tbf, lame. I find that they are simply dragging a normal plot/issue by each episode with no proper logic. Did they consider not using logic? The DNA tests?
It's not like I am not fond of no-logic scripts; I love them too, but no-logic scripts mean the fiction should be this absurd.
Right now, it's harder to concentrate with all the stupid fiction. Additionally, sadly, I find no chemistry between Blew and Lom. Lom seemed to have much more chemistry with her ex-girlfriends (in Earth, Water series).
No hate to the actors; Blew and Lom individually are hooking characters, but together, it's just awkward.
I didn't understand the total point of Helena undergoing face surgery. If they are making it a real big deal, I would have enjoyed it if the script followed a sense of logic. And I see no other enemies that may make this series INTERESTING. Grace is a captivating villain, but that's it; no more villains, no more real drama/pain. The series isn't highlighting any scariness for Blew and Lom to hide, venture, for me.
Anyway, this is my take and I completely am cool if everyone feel the other- positive way :)
Expecting more acting from Becky on Helana's role. ><