I agree, mostly? Back in the 90s (and even early 2000s), daily dramas were like 200 episodes and up. 100 episodes is a blessing now (for the actors and staff 💀), and there have been dailies shorter than that (like Ruby Ring, I Believed In Men, and Stormy Lovers.) Some networks just tend to have longer lengths in the first place. I think *some* dramas use the 120-episode (or less) length well, but... we shouldn't look at daily dramas for great pacing lol. Game of Witches used that 119-episode count decently, I'd say.
An acting showcase? Aside from the leads, the rest of the cast was just average...Cha Jooyoung really didn't need…
Cha Ju-Young was VERY over the top and it was distracting (plus annoying lol), but she's still talented. A lot of people are praising her performance. She did well, but also, too makjangy for me. And Climax isn't that kinda drama.
As for Nana, I haven't seen her in other dramas but I liked her performance here. Her character was supposed to be aloof and distant, I think. More mellow compared to the rest.
This reminds me much more of the dramas Sponsor, Artificial City, and The World of the Married than Penthouse,…
By execution of every season? Because when I went back and watched clips of season 1 of Penthouse, the main plotline made sense. It was season 2 and after where the drama began to fall apart (in multiple ways.) Also Penthouse had a stronger storyline because of length, genre, non-streaming restrictions, etc.
I agree that thematically it made sense but I didn't think the way they got there made any sense at all. The plot…
There are definitely some plot holes and writing flaws. Also the characterization wasn't the best either. I still don't like the focus on sensationalism > actual plot. Also Jung-Won's character assassination just to kill her off at the end 😬 yikes. Not the WORST writing I've seen in a k-drama. But it could be better. Much better. The actors carried.
Frr season will just be the same the overall fighting will eventually never end no matter what it's great to just…
It's perfect the way it is! (Mostly!) Honestly the only real threats are Yang-Mi (boring), and Jong-Il (this would be interesting.) Maybe a special episode or something, but season 2? Nah.
True! I liked Second Husband, but it did NOT need 150 episodes. I mean, even 120 was pushing it with the random plot pivots they did. 💀 Extensions almost always hurt a k-drama, from what I've seen lol
Good point. But even MBC daily drama ratings used to be higher. The last MBC daily drama to hit 10% was Second Husband (I think.) A rating of 3% or below is definitely concerning for any daily, though... 😬
Okay, I was ready to be disappointed, BUT- I actually liked the ending! I pretty much liked this whole episode actually, it redeemed the drama for me. Kinda. The second half of episode 10 was thematically brilliant. Yes, we're following all these terrible people. Yes, everyone has done or is doing shady things to achieve their own goals. But eventually it catches up to us somehow. Sometimes evil doesn't go away, it changes. Sometimes, we get what we want, but at the cost of everything. My prediction of an ending with a pyrrhic victory was mostly right.
Tae-Seop and Sang-Ah are together, but can't leave each other because they both know how monstrous they both are. Inside and out, they know each other. They need each other. It's like a parasitic relationship- even if they're divorced or separated, the parasite won't leave the host's body. And the only way they can take down threats or fulfill their greed is together. Ironically, Jung-Won's sacrifice is what brought them together. Even after her death, even after the 2 of them get those ambitions they crave so badly, the fight never stops. They've both reached their respective climaxes and the only way to go now is further up. A very unconventional, but truly realistic ending. It's not happy. It's not sad either. It just... is.
Definitely writing a review for this at some point today or tomorrow. My overall score should be a 9/10. Subject to change, of course. Again, some aspects of the story/writing I didn't like, fine. But the acting, music, directing, cinematography, and the themes (plus the outfits lol) made it work. Plot execution could be better, but a very solid drama overall.
I guess it's just a loud minority that dislikes the show or seems to seriously misunderstand it. I think some of the critiques are valid. I have to say that the actors' performance, directing, camera work, and music were great. The premise was good. Fashion was top-tier (like damn, Sang-Ah's outfits were incredible. Especially in this episode!)
Hi Kathryn! I'm glad you enjoyed it, I'm approaching the ending myself. Now as for their partnership, it definitely gives me House of Cards/Succession vibes. The actors have wonderful chemistry with each other. I hope they're in a proper romance drama someday.
I think you're the only one I know so far who's genuinely enjoyed it. I like it a lot. But there are some aspects I'd change, character & story-wise, so I'm stuck between an 8.5 and a 9.
KBS1 daily dramas tend to have ratings that are 10% and up. KBS2 used to (15-20% or more, too), but then got hit with a year-long curse that Cinderella Game broke. Pearl In Red in comparison is not good.
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As for Nana, I haven't seen her in other dramas but I liked her performance here. Her character was supposed to be aloof and distant, I think. More mellow compared to the rest.
Tae-Seop and Sang-Ah are together, but can't leave each other because they both know how monstrous they both are. Inside and out, they know each other. They need each other. It's like a parasitic relationship- even if they're divorced or separated, the parasite won't leave the host's body. And the only way they can take down threats or fulfill their greed is together. Ironically, Jung-Won's sacrifice is what brought them together. Even after her death, even after the 2 of them get those ambitions they crave so badly, the fight never stops. They've both reached their respective climaxes and the only way to go now is further up. A very unconventional, but truly realistic ending. It's not happy. It's not sad either. It just... is.
Definitely writing a review for this at some point today or tomorrow. My overall score should be a 9/10. Subject to change, of course. Again, some aspects of the story/writing I didn't like, fine. But the acting, music, directing, cinematography, and the themes (plus the outfits lol) made it work. Plot execution could be better, but a very solid drama overall.
(And no, I don't want a season 2. 😂)
KBS1 daily dramas tend to have ratings that are 10% and up. KBS2 used to (15-20% or more, too), but then got hit with a year-long curse that Cinderella Game broke. Pearl In Red in comparison is not good.
I wish SBS daily dramas were still on.