lana_vivida
Spain
On the lame side
I really wanted to like this more. It started great, with an interesting storyline, some humour, and inklings of good chemistry between the leads.As the series progressed all we were left with was the interesting criminal/legal storyline - although even that one was poorly executed and lame. Apparently there are no court psychologists, lie detectors or any other kind of tool in the Korean legal system. Also, the serial killer investigation is led by the prosecutor (and some random lawyers) and without police involvement? The simplifications done to these processes is really what brings in the lameness.
If the chemistry between the actors was better built, perhaps it would have been a more intriguing watch. The female lead ends up baby-talking through most of the series (ok, her voice does naturally tend to that end of the scale but still..) while the male lead pursues some kind of constant and monotonous nonchalance throughout 20 episodes. At the crux of it, the lame almost emotionless statements of "ok, so let's be together" and "are you proposing!?" really underscore how much of a missed opportunity this show is. Anyway, it is watchable due to the criminal and legal storyline despite the shortcomings.
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Nice but not outstanding in any way
It was nice, although it was not outstanding in any way. The male lead character was what kept everything interesting.Overall, Run-On is a sweet romance drama with a touch of realism that most other shows these days tend to lack. The characters are well-written and executed, and the most pleasant element is the fact that the series manages to touch upon several important issues such as homosexuality, mental health, family, and doing the right thing.
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Interesting series that took it too far
Original storyline. Interesting plot twists. Great acting. This series has a bit of everything - until it has too much of it. Just when you think the madness and sociopathic behaviour will stop, this series goes all out to prove it can all get just that little bit worse.In my opinion, the extreme behaviour depicted, and the ability to get away with it, brings a level of unbelievableness that was hard to digest. Furthermore, the fact that most female leads are depicted as pathetic, unable to stand up for themselves, talk or even function as normal human beings severely takes away from the overall feel of the series (and yes, they supposedly grow through the episodes..). I guess my issue is that this is yet another show depicting women unable to decide to break-up with a boyfriend on their own - where aggression, violence, threats and even attempted murders against women all are allowed to happen without consequences.
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Keeps one guessing
The male lead is fantastic and the character is so well-executed. The storyline, and the supporting characters -they all shine, whether we see ourselves in the characters or not. It was at times hard to follow all the new situations/plot twists/cunning schemes behind the scenes. That said, there is no doubt that it makes for an interesting watch and a series that stands out in several ways.Was this review helpful to you?
Great cast and acting
A pleasant show with a mainly interesting storyline. Perhaps what I enjoyed the most was the cast and their exceptionally skilled acting. They managed to portray their characters and emotions in a genuine and heartfelt way - while the chemistry between the leads was definitely also on par. The setting and supporting cast were really good, too. The downside is the fact that it is yet another plot where the inability to communicate or be truthful, is what causes their issues and suffering. As such, the plot core drama-storyline seems more juvenile than challenging and makes for a deflated climax during the second half of the episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
Who thought we'd all be cheering for a demon?
A series where the numerous glowing online reviews actually do live up to the hype. An interesting and original storyline, beautiful acting, and amazing chemistry. What else could one ask for?I personally never thought I would be cheering for a demon and yet here we are. The series is so well-crafted that it makes us sympathise and feel for the one character we always thought we'd hate. The love story is intriguing and heartfelt and leaves one wondering how soon can the re-watch start. It was a pleasure to watch.
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Everything all at once
Every once in a long while the social media hype about a Korean series lives up to its hype. This is one of those rare cases.The storyline, the acting, the chemistry, (and above all ) the humour, are all there. It is not easy to find a show where you can laugh out loud and cry during the same episodes. The actors have all done a fantastic job and this is one gripping and enjoyable watch. The ending for the two leads was a bit rushed and there is definitely a lack of seeing them together - but perhaps we can't have it all. Some of the episodes deal with a very difficult and serious criminal topic - the fact that the series goes from such traumatic viewing to blatant humor sometimes just feels wrong. Yet, it is an entertainment show and it does really entertain us. A huge kudos for the character and acting of the female lead's mother. Finally, we have a Korean mother who does not make us want to throw stuff at the screen. How refreshing!
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There is nothing wrong with Secretary Kim, or this show
To take inspiration from the title: what's wrong with this series? Very little. It is great! It is interesting, funny, and there is a great buildup of chemistry and characters. It suffers from some needless bad decisions and lies (which seems to be a running theme through most Korean series IMO), while the drama of the childhood past adds another dimension to the range of feelings this series incites. A pleasure to watch - and re-watch.Was this review helpful to you?
