Phenomenal Acting & A Story that Makes You Root for the Main Character

I didn't realize the actor and the main character's names were so similar but I need to start off by saying that the actor Kim Soo-Hyun, played Kim Hyun-Soo AMAZINGLY. This boosted him up to one of my favourite actors, I didn't realize he had such a wide range. When he started crying I would cry too because it felt so raw and real. Especially near the end, during the trials, where he says "I didn't kill her' he's so desperate to have people believe him that I was tearing up. JUST BELIEVE MY BABY PLS.

Overall the story was gripping and the main character was someone you just had to root for, he goes through a perfect development through the episodes as he learns to cope with the injustice of his ordeal. We know that he made a mistake, and initially, when I saw the first episode, where Hyun-Soo was leaving the crime scene, and cleaning the mess, I kept screaming NO JUST CALL THE POLICE! But then again, put yourself in that position, your mind would shut off, and you'd have no time to think it through. If you'd stolen your dad's car, your family was in poverty, had a one-night stand with a girl, and woke up to her dead--and not just dead but brutally murdered. Then of course your mind would run wild. He knows he did wrong by leaving, but it's very realistic to how a young college student may act in this situation. Just because he made a mistake doesn't mean he should lose his whole life.

That was the main thread in the plot, mistakes were made but that should not blind the police and make it so that they stop investigating just because there is a clear person to blame. Even in true crimes, we see this a lot, where there is evidence that points to someone, and instead of fully investigating, police instead cut corners to frame the suspect because it'll make the case tie up neatly. It's easier to blame it on someone who was there than to do your job and investigate, putting aside all biases to find only factual evidence. This is what Hyun-Soo faces, the chief police, from the beginning does not listen to the facts, he listens to only his hunch and then pieces all the evidence to support that hunch. In this way, Hyun-Soo is framed and a perfect murder case can be closed as fast as possible.

This drama wasn't perfect, some parts bothered me, like when Hyun-soo began to doubt himself and was becoming too much like Do Ji-Tae, but I think the drama dealt with that well by killing Do Ji-Tae, as to remind Hyun-Soo not to get too comfortable because living in prison means losing your life at any time. So although I had my gripes, they tended to resolve themselves or made sense to the character.

I actually liked how quick the ending was, a lot of people say it was rushed, and maybe it was, but I think the ending makes sense (although it could've been better, could've gotten 9 stars). In cases like these, that's really all it takes, a single piece of evidence that comes to light, one confession. After having his whole life ruined, Hyun-Soo is proven innocent in a matter of minutes. It's ironic and sad at the same time. He will never be the person he was in episode one, he's now filled with trauma and yet the whole time the person who did it was living freely.

Had the murderer kept silent, Hyun-Soo would just have easily stayed in jail. It shows how random these cases can be, but highlights one important factor: the police will construct a story based on what they want the public to believe happened, not based one evidence and it then takes a person who is willing to go above and beyond, like Shin Joong-Han, to find evidence, and for the suspect to wholeheartedly believe in themselves.

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Why Jae-Hyo is the Perfect Villian and How Poverty can make Individuals into villians

I enjoyed this drama more than I expected, what made this show so entertaining was how serious the tone was and how desperate the main characters were. I liked the pacing of the plot: where we go from 'let's just pretend to kidnap' to 'let's kill our friend' to 'I'm going to be the only one left alive'.

I read a lot of criticism about Song Jae-Hyo's character and that his backstory wasn't powerful enough to make him the villain that he was, however, I completely disagree with that take and think the writers did a fantastic job with both Jae-Hyo and Jun-Song. I'll explain why. Typically, the audience would think that Jun-Song, with debt collectors after him and his family, would turn to crime, however, it's actually Jae-Hyo, whose motivations come from being expelled from his medical school, that does.

Jae-Hyo is the perfect archetype, a villain who thinks that the whole world is against him and that he has 'no other choice' when in reality he's put himself into his own situation and cannot deal with accepting his wrongdoings. The difference between Jae-Hyo and Jun-Seong is that one shows remorse for their misdeeds while the other does not. Jaehyo's lack of drive is exactly what makes him the perfect villain, we as the audience can understand that he actually does have other choices but he himself cannot see beyond the 'injustice' of his life. It was his fault, for creating a cheating ring, that he got expelled. It was indeed unfair that only he got caught, but again he did the scheme himself. His life WAS NOT over because of his expulsion, but he was so blinded by his own 'values' and his own definition of 'ethics' that he made everything ethical in his eyes, repeating over and over again that 'he has no other choice'.

What makes Jaehyo become my favourite villain, from a drama, is the final episode where he evens sells out his friend, paying off the debt collectors to kill him, all because his friend suggested they had to leave the country. It's ridiculous, from the audience's perspective, but of course, to Jaehyo it's extremely plausible. He sees no wrong in what he does because he, for his actions to make sense, has to accept that he has no other choice-when indeed he does. He's such a deeply crafted character and people saying he's poorly written are really missing the depth of his character.

Then we see Jun-sung, the character who I had sympathy for, all along he is pressured to go through with this plan, and while yes he is also an accomplice, the way he's written really shows how desperate a human being can be. What else is he to do, except turn to crime? Owning half a million to debt collectors and having his organs donated if he didn't pay, his father even tried to pay off his son's debt by secretly donating his organs, but it didn't stop them. He truly, I feel, has no other choice. Jun Seong is someone who truly was a victim of a lack of resources in society. He even admits that it was his fault, for gambling, but that there is no way to go back in time and correct his wrongs. He made a mistake and doesn't deserve to lose his life for it.

The juxtaposition of Junseong, who has remorse but no other choice, and Jae-hyo, who has no remorse and another choice, pairs perfectly with the plot. My theory is that, no matter what position Jae-hyo was in, he would always turn to crime and would always victimize himself believing that he had no other choice. Had he become a doctor he would have found a way to make more money, illegally, to cheat. He never would've been happy. Whereas Junseong, had he not gambled, would've been a positive influence in society and would've lived an ethical life.

The drama isn't at all trying to glorify crime or to say that crime is acceptable when one is desperate, but it gives an insight into the reality of poverty and how, for some, this may be something they think about because they have no other means of living.

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A little too hopeless for me

I really like this movie, but not the ending, I honestly don't really understand why he had to kill in the end, I guess it's the only way to successfully run away, but I would've liked it if Yeon-gyu and the older brother had survived together, or that there was a twist where the killing was a set up so that they could all run away together. I mean I know the title is called "hopeless" but I thought there would be a more fulfilling ending, or at least some sort of twist. By joining the gang he really gained nothing, it would've been easier to just run away with Hyeon in the beginning if everyone was going to die at the end.

Also really loved the cast, the acting was top tier and I am a huge fan of Bibi's acting, she does so well in every role, and she did this one perfectly too.

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The Greenish Flag Male Lead and he's AI, he's so cute and loveable

I LOVED this drama so much, did not expect to like it as much as I did. I came into it thinking it was going to be a funny relationship between humans and AI and then I left with so many feelings of warmth for AI SHIIIINNNN. He and Sobong are one of the cutest K-drama leads.

If I had the chance to pick a perfect super sweet AI bf, who looked as hot as Shin, then you bet I'd date him too. This drama was so much fun, you have to watch it with a grain of salt because it's not meant to be a literal/in-depth plot. Also, the actor for Nam Shin was so amazing, the way I hated human Shin, with a passion, but loved AI Shin. He even acted like a robot, but humanly, it was such a good performance.

It's funny how an AI+Human relationship had better character development and story, and side characters than most K-dramas I've seen. I would HIGHLY recommend this drama if you're looking for a fun drama with some serious tones, you're going to love the main leads trust me.

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Same issue with so many dramas, first episodes are great then it plummets in plot quality

I'm getting so annoyed with high-budget shows like this that just end up being too typical after the first three episodes. I was seriously hooked in the first couple of episodes, I felt like I was watching a thriller with new plot elements, and then it fell into a typical vigilante sort of story, which isn't bad per se. but when it repeats the same cliches (good people killing for justified reasons) I'd rather there be more depth somewhere else, and I found that it lacked a certain character depth to establish that. I did love the main character, and they built him up well, but everyone else around him felt so insufferable and flat, they weren't as well-rounded. Most of the background info, of the main antagonist (the cop) arises in the last episodes. They should have established the motives sooner. I also wished they played more into the bromance between our main character and Roh Bin, instead of killing him off and having him betray him, I wanted them to be more like brother who relied on each other when they had no one left to turn to, but of course the writing falls short in that relationship too.

To be honest I lost interest after the main villain appears, the previous 'hero' who turned rouge. After that point, it became a boring chase and lost its lustre. I'm getting so frustrated with kdramas becoming a disappointment after the first few episodes. They have phenomenal acting, cinematography, and music, only to ALWAYS fall short in writing. It's so annoying, they have the opportunity to make a well-rounded plot, yet choose to go the easier and safer route by not delving into more nuanced plots. It's always so predictable.

I do want to mention the cut scenes though, whoever the editor did an amazing job, they were so beautiful to watch. I wish I could find a drama that actually keeps up the initial pace they set in the first episodes.

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So wholesome and fun, while also dealing with deep issues

I finished this drama very quickly, with its short episode lengths it's a great drama to watch when you're in the mood for a good quick show. I loved the chemistry and dynamic of the main couple, we have the young lead who fell first, and the older lead who ends up falling harder. Nose ends up understanding that age doesn't restrict one's ability to let loose and have fun. Together the couple try new things and Nose discovers that, despite aging, he can always have a youthful heart. Togawa is perfect as the younger lead because he sees everything in Nose, that initially Nose doesn't see, it's a type of love where they appreciate the little things in each other that most people don't notice about them.

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So disapointed in the ending arc, too many misunderstandings

I initially loved most of the episodes, for me I always love when there's an over-arching plot that hangs in the background of the show, in this case, the revenge element for his family. Each episode has a new case for our main character and its fun to watch. However, it slows down in the ladder half and is dragged down by misunderstandings.

I fell in love with how fast the romance was, between our main characters. But again in the ending arc it's filled with misunderstandings and the second lead getting in the way. It was so frustrating to watch. I don't want to spoil what exactly it was, but I would not recommend this drama because it just changes so much from the beginning. Once again disappointed by a drama that hooked me in the first episode but could not keep its pace in the end.

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First Two Episodes were Amazing, then they ruin it with misunderstandings

I was genuinely taken aback by how well the first two episodes were written. It was such a unique plot that dealt with child abuse well. For me, it all went downhill when Ki-ho didn't reveal who he is, and we get those generic altruistic main character plots. On top of that, we have the cliche of memory loss for the second lead. I wish they had made the second lead just a friend, I didn't like how they made her interested in him and then made him distant with her in the second half. It's like after he realized he wasn't interested, he stopped being Moka's friend too.

I understand what the drama was trying to do, by having Ki-ho conceal his identity, but by doing so he just sets Moka up for failure and a need to find Ki-ho, it would've been so much better had he just told her in the beginning, it felt like unnecessary drama. I'm so disappointed in how the show went after episode 3. I still finished the drama but it just lost its luster and became a very stale and average drama.

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Despite the Amazing Acting it was Very Predictable and Lacked Depth for Side Characters

The first three episodes of this show were amazing; they had me hooked and excited for the ending. However, it became so predictable. I think the issue with revenge dramas is that they fall into two categories: the first is revenge taken in the middle of the plot, and the second is revenge taken at the end of the plot. This drama is the latter, and because the characters and journey overall lack in plot development, it becomes very predictable. I honestly did love Jiwoo, but I found that Pildo's character, and everyone else around her, lacked any depth and really just rushed the romance in the final episode.

I wish the plot element, of her dad being a cop the whole time, was revealed in episode 4 (rather then ep7), and then the rest of the plot could've turned into Pildo and Jiwoo taking revenge together. Instead, they kill him off after a rushed romance. It bothered me so much because everything else in the drama was so well done—especially the acting and cinematography. Han So-hee blew me away with her acting; she's genuinely so amazing, and Bo Hyun-ah was a perfect actor for Pildo. Unfortunately, the plot was dragged on despite being 8 episodes. It's a shame because had the plot been up to par with the acting and cinematography, then this show could've been a masterpiece.

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Average Movie that Could've Been Better, Overall good romance

This felt like an average romance movie, I did like the romance initally but felt that the main lead was annoying, Kawano was always so open and vulnerable and it bothered me that Itsuki was in a pity party, it didn't make sense to me because he had been disabled for 6 years at this point, but still held on to feeling like he couldn't be loved, which is the main problem that the couple face, so it was frustrating to watch. Even the surgery felt random to me and pathetic because Itsuki should've said this to her earlier and to her face, not through a note. I'm glad they both are together in the end but it was annoying to get through.

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Great Show with no Unnecessary Fillers: Loved the Characters

I love when kdramas are 8-10 episodes, I feel like it's a sweet spot for kdramas, they tend to get straight to the point. To be honest when I saw that the dad died in episode one, I was actually going to stop watching, thinking it was another cliche drama, but I'm glad I continued because the death was meaningful and is a huge part of the plot as the story goes on. This is a very character-driven plot, and I LOVE plots like that, I loved Geu-Ru, the uncle, and nam-u they are such a fun cast and perfectly balance each other out. The amount of times I CRIED in the show is unreal, it hurt me so much to see the uncle realize that his brother always loved him and never forgot about him, it seriously was so beautiful.

My only drawback is that I do find the 'genius' disability character to be one that can be tricky to balance since people with disabilities should be accepted, and not judged, whether or not they are geniuses. I find that they try to 'justify' disabilities by making the character a genius, when in reality, no matter the intelligence level an individual with a disability should be respected. I also was annoyed at the random scene at the end, it felt so unnecessary.

The main this I love about the show is how they deal with grief. I hate when shows gloss over death, and make the main character easily forget, so I loved that this drama made it show just how devastating loss can be and how you never truly move on.

Would highly recommend the show if you're in need of a good cry, and love character-driven plots.

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Suicide Shaming and Very Base Level Takes on Mental Health-Lost opportunity for deeper disscussions

This whole show rubbed me the wrong way and it wasn't until I finished that I realized why--suicide shaming. There was an opportunity to really delve into mental health and suicide but instead, the story focuses on a surface-level approach of "suicide affects those around you, more than the victim themselves" INSTEAD of focusing on the actually environment that led up to the suicide, the main character is instead punished and shamed for his actions. I'm not here to argue that suicide is a good option, of course, it isn't, but to completely gloss over just how tough the main character's life was, does such a disservice.

It was such a typical and predictable ending, I was hoping they would've had a more nuanced take- but I guess not. The only thing that made this show good was the acting, and honestly, it feels wasted on a surface-level plot, the actors were seriously so amazing in each role. The shifts from their 'real' character, to the one that the main character takes on are very well done.

The whole premise was a good one, but executed poorly.

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Amazing Show, Took me by Surpise with the Tone shift--Highly Recommend

Wow I just finished this show and it was very well done, I'm quite surprised I haven't heard of this show before. If you're someone who hates slow-paced dramas and instead wants action, friendship, and deep topics then this show is perfect. With only 6 episodes, it gets right to the point and develops the characters so well, making the story gripping with each episode.

As we know, Korea has a severe issue with bullying, with scales of bullying that aren't really seen here in the West (bullying becoming torture) and it always shocks me to my core when I see how severe bullying can get, this drama sheds light on bullying in the mandatory military enlistment. So many of the deserters, the Koreans who run away from their military service but are forced to come back, are victims of severe bullying. However, they are treated like predators, when in reality they are the victims running away to save themselves from the torture they face in the military. The drama shines a light on how, especially in Korean society, the bullies are put at an advantage and the victims are villainized. What change can happen, when the system itself ignores and favours bullies? If bullies are seen as 'strong' and the victims are blamed for being too 'weak' to deal with their issues, then change can't occur. It's a sad truth, but the cycle of oppression for bullying victims is too true of a reality.

I loved the ending, despite how sad it was, because it really enhances the theme and struggles that victims face. Their lives are ruined to the point that death is a better option for them, how can they live when they now have to deal with this trauma while also watching their bullies live their lives without any care or consequences? It's a hard drama to watch, but one that gives such an important message to viewers. Unfortunately, change never occurs until someone loses their life, and even then it's sometimes not enough.

What I liked about the show was the writing and how the writers were able to shift tones so smoothly, it would go from serious to lighthearted naturally and it made the show more digestible. The bromance between the main characters was perfect, and both Jun-ho and Ho-yol were perfect to be D.P. soldiers because of their humanity and empathy.

Overall this is a hard show to stomach, with its graphic and violent bullying, but the message is very well executed and overall the show was wonderfully done.

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Absolutely Disapointed in the Second Season, Lacks Plot

I was so excited for the second season, but wow I'm just frustrated now and won't be finishing the show. The first three episodes are so slow and lack all the good traits that made the first season amazing.

What made the first season so amazing was the nuance they put into character development, each episode usually added or progressed a character so that by the end we loved every single one. In this second season it really feels like, instead of continuing to develop the characters, they just bangwagged off of the writing in the first season and slacked off in the second. Even the new characters introduced lack any connection to us as the audience.

The deaths feel so forced and random too, in the first season although it was difficult each death made sense, whereas in the second season, it felt like they just killed characters willy-nilly and it's annoying. What was the point of developing them in the first season just to kill them off in the second??

The series lacks a plot, things happen without explanation, which was fine in the first season because the story was character-driven, and had a clear end goal (to stay alive until help came), but now in the second season, it just feels like each episode is the characters walking around from place to place and then a random fight, that has no real tension, occurs.

They have such a cool theme: monsters aren't the enemy its humans, yet they only try to 'progress' this element by saying half-hearted lines like "I'm human", "I'm a monster", "I'm not the enemy". Why not have made the first three episodes all about understanding the monsters and seeing in depth how they're not as harmful as they may seem. They should've gone more into that, instead of the random filler they have.

I'm glad I watched season one last month, and wasn't unfortunate enough to wait the years for this second season, because I only waited a month and I'm this furious, I can't imagine how other people feel having waited so long. Such wasted potential in my opinion.

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Overall good, but annoyed by the ending

To be honest I was disappointed with the ending, specifically Junmo's coldness towards Eui Jung. I think kdramas really tend to think that it's heroic for the main lead to leave a relationship when things get too difficult, aka sacrificing his love to keep overall peace. But it's just annoying, literally, some couples' therapy and PTSD work would've benefited both Junmo and Eui Jung, rather than them splitting. My ideal would've been that the investigation, and arrests, are wrapped up in episode 7, then the remaining episodes are Junmo and Eui Jung reeling with the aftermath of the events, arguing and communicating. Instead, we get a rushed ending because the drama drags out the arrests until the end. It felt too predictable, and because of that I'm only giving this drama an average rating, it could've been a very amazing drama had it gone into the nuances of the emotional state of their marriage.

On the flip side, this drama did have some great parts to it. The acting was downright amazing, so many scenes are captivating too and express how Junmo's character goes from innocent to traumatized. My favourite scene is when Junmo is over a body, fighting with the other gang, and he looks up towards Eui Jung all covered in blood. It's such a perfect angle to show how much this operation has changed him. I loved the cast so much as each actor did an amazing job portraying the characters.

Surprisingly my favourite aspect of the drama was how they portrayed the forced cheating aspect of the investigation. It's the first time I've seen a drama effectively pull off cheating in a way that makes sense. What was amazing was despite the cheating both Junmo and Eui Jung's love remains strong. The kiss scene between Junmo & Haeyrun is so uncomfortable in a way that shows just how much Junmo loves Eui Jung. Both of them didn't waver and it made for an entertaining side plot because we're left to interpret the true intentions of the characters. I strongly believe that both cops didn't waver, which is why I get frustrated at their separation at the end, it just feels like, after everything they went through.. what was the point if they weren't going to end up together again? Why did they, Jumno and Eui Jung, struggle so much? I blame Junmo for this because again the trauma makes him cold and distant...but again some serious therapy would've helped him heal, instead, he just suppresses the pain. I don't think he fell for Haeyrun, to me his feelings are more like a concerned friend. He realizes that Haeyrun is being used by her family and that she isn't entirely evil, so he wants to help her. I don't think he actually caught feelings for her.

Overall I enjoyed the drama but had hoped for a more throughout ending that would've dealt with the emotional side/psyche of Jumno & Eui Jung.

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