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My Liberation Notes

Citizen of the World?️

My Liberation Notes

Citizen of the World?️
Kairos korean drama review
Ongoing 16/16
Kairos
15 people found this review helpful
by My Liberation Notes
Oct 26, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing
Overall 10
Story 10.0
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 10.0
Rewatch Value 10.0

Signal met God's Gift: 14 Days vibes

It's was so good to have Shin Sung Rok back on screen. I remember falling hard for him as Gi Tae Ung in Vagabond. It's also lovely to see Lee Se Young again. I've enjoyed everything she's put out so far and look forward to seeing what she brings to this time-crossing drama, and, of course, Nam Gyu Ri (I fell in love with her in Heartless City) as well. I have to say I already like the setup, directing, and actors so far. The story gives me vibes of Signal meshed into God's Gift: 14 Days. I enjoyed both dramas, Signal, most of all, so this had me quite excited.

Kairos is masterful in the build-up of its storyline, the characters, and the suspense within it. The correlation and unison between the past and the present in Ae-Ri and Seo Jin, respectively, as events unfold is beyond stellar. It makes one believe and feel his hopelessness and her apprehension—the darkness engulfing him and the lightness in hers—truly brilliant scriptwriting, directing and editing, and of course, acting—just top-notch. And Shin Sung Rok is beyond astounding in how he beautifully portrays his role as the frantic Kim Seo Jin, expressing desperateness, anger, regret, and hope all at the same time. Add to that; Lee Se Young is phenomenal in her role as Ae-Ri. Without exception, all the actors are great at their respective roles. I especially appreciate how clear and precise the transition between present and past. Easily this is one of the best of 2020.

Never judge a book by its cover; I've heard that said a million times, and it's so true. A drama's rating is in no way a reflection of its mastery. And this one perfected if not excelled at its storytelling and a time-crossing one at that. Saying Shin Sung Rok (Seo Jin) was just good as both his past and present self in his role as Kim Seo Jin is to minimize how exceptional his performance was in this drama. His ability to convey the anguish, pain, grief, and joy in all timelines places him with the best actors, if not in the forefront.

The saying no man is an island is so befitting of the Kairos cast because regardless of how good Shin Sung Rok is, he wouldn't have excelled without the stellar cast leading and supporting him in this fine work of fiction; among the best I've seen. Kudos to Lee Se Young (Han Ae Ri), Ah Bo Hyun (Seo Do Gyun), Nam Gyu Ri (Kang Hyun Chae), Kang Seung Yoon (Im Geon Wook), Jo Dong In (Lee Taek Kyu), Hwang Jung Min (Kwak Song Ja, AR's mom), Shin Goo (the Chairman), and the rest of the action and production team each for their role in keeping us engaged, intrigued and invested-- outstanding performances all around. Nothing about this drama was done halfheartedly or compromised to compensate one timeline over the other. On the contrary, the scriptwriting and storytelling remained intelligent and straightforward to the end. Adding to its greatness was the precise and impeccable directing and editing– all the kdrama star gods must have aligned perfectly to make this one of the best, right there with Stranger, Signal, and Money Flower.

My favorite moments of the drama were the times' Ae Ri and Seo Jin of both past and present entrusted their lives to each other. The level of belief they developed from those one-minute phone calls but more so how the writer and director depicted those moments will stay with me for a long time to come. Their interactions reminded me of Cindy Lauper's song time after time "if you're lost, you can look, and you'll find me time after time. If you fall, I will catch you; I will be waiting. Time after time". Kairos has proven time and time again why it deserves to be one of the best of 2020. I love a drama with a message, and my takeaway from this amazingly done drama is that no evil deed will go unpunished; any evil act done by man to man will be righted if not by man, then by time not now, then certainly later. As said before, you will lose what you value, so treasure it while you can. I love the simple ending. This is one drama I highly recommend; you will not be disappointed.
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