Wait_IsItNot
Purgatory
This review may contain spoilers
If you think this is not exceptional, then it's just your bias!!
*Minor spoilers*This has been a good assortment of situational comedy, comedy of errors, word-play. Kdrama-Land is filled workplace centred dramas. Comedic aspect of workplace is something which is used by most of them. This one takes it to next level. All throughout the first episode it made me laugh unceasingly. Comedy like this sometimes appear as over-acting. Lots of workplace comedy has failed that way. But, this one maintains itself, avoiding that pitfall.
I've always thought Kwak Dong Yeon has been underrated actor. He is particularly adept while doing pitiful emotional scenes like in Vincenzo, Big Mouth. Here also he is playing to his strength, an underachieving office worker. His scenes with Go Sung Hee are probably the second best thing about this show, after comedy. Let's hope writers exploit these two things well.
They have given sufficient attention to supporting cast too. Be it Jang Byung whose inter-domain love relationship with robot, or Sung Nam's overly affectionate attitude towards Ma Tan or Aziz's quirky behaviour. Every supporting actor has been given attention and given some of the funniest scenes to perform.
Give it a try. You might find yourself surprised at how much you will like it.
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A philosophical overlay on the original work. Good enough.
Parasyte is based on the story of a new life form whose cause of origin is not known. They have been programmed to take over human brain, physically and symbolically.Story starts with a parasyte taking over SooIn's brain. Because of some exigent circumstances the normal procedure of taking over can't be performed. Hence, the dual personality of parasyte and SooIn have to work together. Jeon So Nee really shines in this role. SooIn's role might have been weakly delivered but she played an excellent parasyte.
ML's lead is kind of supporting role. Nothing to write about.
Any discussion on this would be incomplete without comparing it to the original work. Instead of focusing on journey of protagonist (like it was in the original), this drama focuses on the face-off between human organisation Grey and parasytes.
Since, the original work had a different intended audience, mostly younger audience, they couldn't explore the philosophical aspects of existence. This one does.
Rather than simply existing humans strive to find connections with fellow humans and that is their driving force for existence.
PS: I gave additional +0.5 because of last 10-15 minutes of last episode.
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An old concept portrayed in a creative way
The story is centred around CCW, a magician by profession. He is also predestined steward of great 2000 years old spirit. Endowed with ability to see spirits, he has become quite famous. He has learned to use ghosts (which obviously only he can see) in creative and ingenious ways to perform his acts.GSH is a hard-working, high empathy cop working to correct wrong done to people. In my opinion, Jin Ki Joo has improved her acting a lot compared to last KDrama I saw of her (Secret Life of my Secretary). I wish she goes on to become top league actress.
OST wise, it's nice. Just not noteworthy till now. Cinematography is quite good. As it's shows about magicians, of course, they would some eye-catching sequences.
Overall, a fun enjoyable drama. If you are fan of Park Have Jin, of course, you have to see. If you are looking for something moderate serious tone, please go ahead and watch.
It was a stellar show till episode 10. Post that it has become victim of predictability. The historical arc, I thought there would be more substance to it. But alas, it doesn't.
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Not as good as I anticipated
There are few actors/actress which can carry the entire drama stealing all spotlight from other main actors and supporting cast. Lee Joon Gi being one of them. Moreover, he keeps getting younger with each drama.Lee Joon Gi in `Again my life` looks younger than `Flower of Evil` which looks younger than `Moon Lovers`
Anyway, since this review looked like Lee Joon Gi Fan Club review, let me come to the show's review.
Again My Life, till now, is focused on fighting against the malpractices prevalent in societies. As rightly said in the beginning.
`Country though needs corporations to sustain economy, but no country can survive absence of justice`. One of the subtle point of the show is, usually pretty admiring quality arrogance veiled as confidence which our ML contemplates himself to be a victim of. More or less it looks like journey of KHW from confident and impulsive self to calm and composed self as he takes on the main protagonist CTS.
The quality of OST is quite good. Especially last 5 minutes of episode 2. Probably the best OST song I've listened in 2022.
Story though not entirely original, seems to spice it up by adding usual tropes in unusual ways ie. Parental arc, delinquent arc, College arc. etc. Initial quarter of episode 1 looked like directly taken from Lawless Lawyer. But, that's where the similarities end. Please don't get misguided by people saying it is exactly like Lawless Lawyer.
Characters are quite deep. Especially infamous villain CTS is quite layered. Though I hoped they should have casted someone
with more charisma with this role, but maybe they were looking someone bit old to play this role.
FL role's seem to be doing product advertising. There is no substance in that character. And HW's relationship, I don't have any words to describe it, as probably it's non-existent.
Post episode 4 this drama is sort of a letdown.
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Self harm is last cry for help
Tomorrow deals with controversial topic of suicide. In most of the religious texts suicide is the greatest sin you could commit. It leads to one way ticket to hell. Harshest punishments are given to those people committing suicide.Rowoon due to some circumstances ends up on RM (Risk Management) team, whose sole job is to prevent suicides. They identify people at risk and try to convince them using appeal, request, threats etc to not end their lives. Both of the cases dealt in first 3 episodes were quite good.
Though the tone of the show is sombre, still tries to show you ways of fighting despair. It is filled with hope. Words of encouragement. Till now Rowoon steals the show with credible empathy as required by his character.
Failure means you just need to try again!
I wasn't gonna do any review update until I finished it. But, must I say this show became better, though it was good to be begin with. The subplot involving old soldier and lady with eating disorder definitely evokes some deep buried feelings in you. One good thing about this show is that it always ends every story with an optimistic tone.
It went downhill in second half.
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Eerie feelings wrapped inside a thriller
I think this one is the best non-romance drama of 2021.The story revolves around sort of post apocalyptic world where water shortage has lead to it's commercialisation similar to cancer meds (maybe more chronic than it). To find new avenue of water countries are making ventures into outer space. Bae Doona and Gong Yoo are part of one of such mission.
The space station shown is very realistic. Side characters including Lee Joon don't shine that much. Their roles are rudimentary. Barring OST, everything else is perfect.
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If Netflix had picked it, it would have been in top 10
If nothing else after seeing this show I started researching the topic of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Both, related to things emitted by sun and having potential to affect if not disrupt communications system and other magnetic systems on earth.The Grid is a protective covering whose origins are unknown. It starts with a murder case, which is later linked to a ghost (not literal one).
The acting is pretty good as can be expected from all the veterans. It's a returning drama for Kim Ah Joong after 5 years, so was sort of waiting for it. The cinematography especially the starting 5 minutes of first episode are mesmerising. OST wise, background music is pretty intense.
I don't see the reason for ex-spouses storyline between KAJ and KMY, but it's there. Maybe will link to main story somehow. It did link in the ending episode. As of now 8 episodes are completed. I must say it became progressively better with each episode. It has one of the most complex time travelling sequence. You might need notepad or something to keep track of past, present, future, changed past 1, changed present 2, etc.
Most of the time time travelling shows have massive loopholes. It doesn't yet.
There is a saying that a person when, preparing for a 10 minute fight, should sharpen his tools for 10 days and then fight. This show for an amazing ending gave us pretty good initial episodes. But, the problem is they didn't satisfactorily finish it. It would equal to sharpening tools in above analogy even when fight has started. Probably, there are chances of second season or something given some vastly unanswered questions at last. I deducted 0.5 due to less than okay ending episode.
If you are looking for sci-fi mystery with touch of technological advancement, this is must for you.
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Many love stories glued by BTS of entertainment industry
First time I saw KYD in Extraordinary You (you must watch it, if you haven't watched already). Even though progression wise he was 5th Main character, I liked his role the most. Then I knew he is ML material. And here we are.Anyway, coming to Shooting stars. It's a well written light hearted RomCom. It deals with life of people, who are involved in managing, incident-resolution, PR of movie/drama stars. OHB is one such management person. She is part of company which manages GTS. In that company, our story unfolds.
In the beginning, GTS is shown to be having taken a break from acting career. He is in Africa. Doing some voluntary stuff. Some people have objected to narrow view of African continent shown in the first episode. I agree with them partially, as first of all, even if you go to Africa, you'll go to certain country there. It's not 1990s. It's 2022. We should become aware of modern standards in dealing with race and ethnicity.
Coming back to story, it will be fun filled ride of romantic moments with comedic relief.
After slow start, this dramas goes on to become one of the best shows I've seen in 2022. People might disagree with me, but I think LSK is doing much better here than she did in WFKBJ.
This show is mostly above various love-stories and love triangles (albeit lowkey). The main leads story is pretty engaging and refreshing. The second lead story is also quite naive (in a good way).
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Future we see might just be our wilful imagination
Seo Ji Hye has been unlucky in her last 2 KDramas :CLOY - Not satisfactory ending for her and second ML
Dinner Mate - A show with good start went downhill completely in last quarter
This one looks to be good show so far. The character played by her matches her inherent quirkiness. I sincerely wish this drama to succeed.
Kiss Sixth Sense is an aggregation of various genres - comedy, romance, supernatural, corporate life. So far they have meshed them together well. Hong Ye Sul is a successful office worker. She has been working with her mentor Cha Min Hoo for 5 years. HYS has ability to see future events of the person she kisses. This fact has prevented her from being a long term relationship with anyone. All is going well, when she accidentally kisses CMH and sees them together intimately in bed. This will on which story progresses.
As I said before they are trying to mix multiple genres together. Let's hope they do it well. OST is good, though I feel some sort of receptiveness and primitive quality in it.
Coming to some people's complaints regarding ML is falling short in looks department. I would argue with point. ML is 43+ actor. He is playing this 30+ role pretty well. One more problem I see in comment is related to cinematography. I've seen 200+ KDramas. If I've to rank its cinematography, it will definitely be in top 20 with respect to first 2 episodes.
Till episode 6 story was going in predictable direction, a bit monotonous too. Episode 7, 8 abruptly (in a good way), escalated the tension. To people who criticised FL on her seemingly impulsive behaviour: she suddenly comes to know that though her memories represent future, the underlying canvas on those memories is a figment of her own feelings and insecurities. Hence, she is troubled, hence, indecisive.
Please watch this you are interested in rom-com with a bit of supernatural element.
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As long as you are alive, nothing is a big deal
If you think living in general is bothersome, you should watch this. If you are fan of Park Seo Joon (although who isn't), you should watch it. If you like quirky and strong FL you should watch this.This was an epic revenge drama made impeccable by flawless acting. Park Sae Roy in start is a school student who stand ups against bullying. This particular action of his starts chain of events which leads to sending him to prison.
Post coming out of prison, he starts his journey of opening a bar. In due course he meets FL and some other people who will help him realise his dream. Bar is around which story revolves.
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Drama only saved a bit by supporting cast
My interest in the drama fizzled out as soon as ML confessed to FL about having feelings. Not sure why ML was so impatient that he had to confess right after FL had a broken engagement with a broken heart. Right after this ML and FL started behaving divorced from reality. ML was artificially rude to FL and FL sarcastically shallow.It's not like drama was bad initially. Initially it felt like we will witness something new in friends to lovers story. Lee Da Hee with her noble persona Choi Si Won with his quirkiness, everything seemed in place for a great drama.
Only good point was the subplot of John Jang's transformation. It was like the saying - you never know how someone will turn out eventually.
First 5-6 episodes are good, after that not so much.
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Not sure if they want to convey alcohol is vice or virtue
Since it is Lee Hye Ri's first historical drama, I'd been waiting for it from sometime. From the initial few episodes, it appears to be a light rom-com with historical serious theme.Ro Seo is a 20 something noble birth lady who has become poor. On the top of it she is taking care of her less than abled brother. She is hardworking, pragmatic women who doesn't mind getting her hands dirty (literally) to earn few nyangs.
Nam Yeong is a scholar aiming to become top official. He is from not so well known clan.
Moonshine has okay OST (till now). Acting is good by all, though I have doubts whether Yoo Seung can play historic role properly. My biggest discovery in this show is Byeon Woo Seok. I don't think I've seen any of his other shows.
Somehow after 3-4 episodes storyline felt flat. Story feels to be having less depth. In later episodes they seem to be hailing the benefits of alcohol, which I didn't condone. The crown also became a dull character compared to how he was introduced. Usual those in power are abusing it to gain from alcohol prohibition. Let's see if it improved in last few episodes.
It didn't improve in last few episodes. Yet another failed after an okay start.
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This review may contain spoilers
Don't be too good to me, what if I really like you ?
If there was any list of classics in Kdramas, I would always put this one on that list. It was the first drama I gave a 10. Never say goodbye song due to which I was drawn initially to this drama.It has most of the cliches Kdramas are famous for - Love triangle, Cohabiting, Fake-siblings, X-year timeskip etc
All of these cliches are done in a beautiful way.
Yoo Rin is a 20-something girl with having a pile of debt which she owes to some thugs. Running from such people is how she meets Gong Chan. Gong Chan helps her unwittingly, that's how this story starts.
One nice thing I found about this drama is Gong Chan and his grandfather's dynamic. Even when grandfather betrays his trust, he still manages to do his filial duty. Usually, in modern dramas a ML/FL if is betrayed by parental figure, they resort to (though temporarily) rebellion almost immediately.
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The most iconic sports drama ever written
"We lost because we didn't have enough money? I didn't go to college as I didn't have tutors. I lost because I was sick. Everyone can't be in same environment. They are fighting with what they have. If we make excuses, we'll lose in same way again." -- Baek Seung SooThis above paragraph is microcosm of this drama. With a sorta plain story writer, director and actors created a masterpiece. Hot Stove League excels in execution specifically in the parts of strategy.
Even though Dreams (the team for which Baek Seung Soo is GM) played only single baseball match, still you could imagine how well they will play in real game with all the soft improvements they have made in their thinking and planning.
Please go ahead and try it. You won't be dissappointed.
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And that's how you create simple but great romantic drama
The story centres around Dong Baek. A common man with a common job. He accidentally gets entangled in life of movie star Ji Soo. He initially admires Ji Soo as a common man can. Due to forced cohabitation situation, they spend inordinately high amount of time with each other. And then sparks happen.This show is mostly character driven. ML and FL have done excellent job in portraying emotions in their characters. The best thing about this show is ability to create good kind of angst.
Although it appears as a Love triangle initially, it doesn't seem so after 4-5 episodes.
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