1
izzy
Australasia
Now its pained me to give this drama an 8.0 because the majority of the first 14 episodes were a 10 for me. The writing was pretty good, the direction really interesting and beautiful, the acting blew me away. When I finished episode 14 I went on to tumblr to write a long long post about how much I loved this drama and how I couldn't understand all the hate this drama gets... but then around came episode 15 and the show (for me) really lost its way, the drama had been building up for several big reveals and they just didn't make sense. I can deal with an underwhelming reveal, I can deal with unbelievable reveals but all the reveals in Doctor Strangers last 6 episodes made absolutely ZERO sense. And from episode 15 onwards those reveals are are what shape the remainder of the plot. And I found for the rest of the show I was yelling at my screen variations of:
"WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT!?" "I'M SO CONFUSED?" and "BUT I DON'T GET WHAT'S HAPPENING!"
The reasons for characters actions made no sense to me now and even tainted the actions characters chose in earlier brilliant episodes (like why was Jai Hee doing what she was for like 10 episodes?) It seemed like the writer had a bunch of brilliant ideas to start off the show but was then left with a bunch of questions they didn't know how to answer and ended up confusing themselves and therefore the viewers when writing the later episodes.
BUT and its a big but
those first 14 episodes were pretty much pure magic, at one point my nails had cut into my hand from the anxiety and excitement this show gave me.
Also it was my first Lee Jong Suk show (other than his tiny appearance in WLFKBJ which although it was only seconds made me really like him) and I have to say, I went into the show thinking he might’ve been a bit over hyped because he’s so pretty, but NO! He was honestly brilliant. He brought a lightness and charm to the character, which I think may have gotten a little lost in the darkness of the characters past for some other actors. He blew me away and my expectations were extremely high! I know I'll be excited when starting one of his dramas in the future.
And Park Hae Jin isn’t a actor I’ve heard much of before but his character became the stand out of the drama for me and the complexity and vulnerability he played Jae Joon with was so brilliant to watch. He was so subtle and real! I've been wanting to watch Cheese in the Trap for a while now and my love for him in this has given me a good reason to start it soon.
And on top of that all the female characters were all so bad ass and brilliant not just the main 2 (who I loved so so deeply) but all of them! They were all so strong and crazy inspirational and I find that to be so rare for ALL female characters in a drama. I'm going to take a special moment to praise Jai Hee (because everyone loves Quack and fairly so) but Jai Hee was equally as brilliant for me and the pain and inner struggle she carried was portrayed perfectly and I wouldn't have changed her performance in any way. I strongly disagree with all you haters!!!
The love story of this drama wasn't something I expected I would enjoy because we didn't see the falling in love part of it and I find for me to like a love story I've gotta see them fall in love or I'll usually feel nothing for them, but in this drama there were some genuine moments where I teared up and I "awwed" and whilst they wont ever be my favourite kdrama couple I did really enjoy watching them.
The surgical scenes: I'M SPEECHLESS, THEY WERE EVERYTHING, I LOVE LOVE LOVED THEM! (and this is coming from someone who isn't a big surgical show fan) - round of applause for the director especially for those.
This show is tense and dramatic and wonderful and FULL OF PLOT HOLES, but the reason the plot holes annoyed me so much is because 3/4's of this drama were on there way to this being one of my favourite dramas and that is why I cant bring myself to rate this show any higher OR LOWER than I have.
I would say give it a go, I don't regret starting this drama because of how good it gets, but if you get the urge to turn it off after 5 episodes or so, do that because that's the best it gets. It drives me crazy knowing how good this show could have been, but I guess still enjoyed it. Thank you Doctor Stranger for a pretty good time!
"WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT!?" "I'M SO CONFUSED?" and "BUT I DON'T GET WHAT'S HAPPENING!"
The reasons for characters actions made no sense to me now and even tainted the actions characters chose in earlier brilliant episodes (like why was Jai Hee doing what she was for like 10 episodes?) It seemed like the writer had a bunch of brilliant ideas to start off the show but was then left with a bunch of questions they didn't know how to answer and ended up confusing themselves and therefore the viewers when writing the later episodes.
BUT and its a big but
those first 14 episodes were pretty much pure magic, at one point my nails had cut into my hand from the anxiety and excitement this show gave me.
Also it was my first Lee Jong Suk show (other than his tiny appearance in WLFKBJ which although it was only seconds made me really like him) and I have to say, I went into the show thinking he might’ve been a bit over hyped because he’s so pretty, but NO! He was honestly brilliant. He brought a lightness and charm to the character, which I think may have gotten a little lost in the darkness of the characters past for some other actors. He blew me away and my expectations were extremely high! I know I'll be excited when starting one of his dramas in the future.
And Park Hae Jin isn’t a actor I’ve heard much of before but his character became the stand out of the drama for me and the complexity and vulnerability he played Jae Joon with was so brilliant to watch. He was so subtle and real! I've been wanting to watch Cheese in the Trap for a while now and my love for him in this has given me a good reason to start it soon.
And on top of that all the female characters were all so bad ass and brilliant not just the main 2 (who I loved so so deeply) but all of them! They were all so strong and crazy inspirational and I find that to be so rare for ALL female characters in a drama. I'm going to take a special moment to praise Jai Hee (because everyone loves Quack and fairly so) but Jai Hee was equally as brilliant for me and the pain and inner struggle she carried was portrayed perfectly and I wouldn't have changed her performance in any way. I strongly disagree with all you haters!!!
The love story of this drama wasn't something I expected I would enjoy because we didn't see the falling in love part of it and I find for me to like a love story I've gotta see them fall in love or I'll usually feel nothing for them, but in this drama there were some genuine moments where I teared up and I "awwed" and whilst they wont ever be my favourite kdrama couple I did really enjoy watching them.
The surgical scenes: I'M SPEECHLESS, THEY WERE EVERYTHING, I LOVE LOVE LOVED THEM! (and this is coming from someone who isn't a big surgical show fan) - round of applause for the director especially for those.
This show is tense and dramatic and wonderful and FULL OF PLOT HOLES, but the reason the plot holes annoyed me so much is because 3/4's of this drama were on there way to this being one of my favourite dramas and that is why I cant bring myself to rate this show any higher OR LOWER than I have.
I would say give it a go, I don't regret starting this drama because of how good it gets, but if you get the urge to turn it off after 5 episodes or so, do that because that's the best it gets. It drives me crazy knowing how good this show could have been, but I guess still enjoyed it. Thank you Doctor Stranger for a pretty good time!
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