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35
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When learning how to lie is a good character development, and more on the blind righteousness...
I did not expect to like this drama this much. From righteous heroes, gray leads, vile villains and broken antagonists - it serves a variety of great characters that drive the plot forward, keep the tension high and deliver many laughs.Name me a drama where the character development that is seen as a positive one is the lead actually starting to learn how and when to lie - that’s the unicorn we’ve got here. My sweet child Zhang Ping had an OCD level of truth seeking. Not only did he ignore the danger, he did not even see the danger when he was investigating, blinded by his pathological need to find and speak the truth. Adjusting the approach to the situation was not part of his innate pattern of behavior. At first annoying, later endearing. Taking into consideration how easily other characters turned their blind eye to the truth, it was also a source of many comedic moments.
I never knew watching characters gaslight another character could be this entertaining. Lan Jue and Wang Yan made that magic happen. The way they initially tried to sway and manipulate Zhang Ping was low-key evil and yet, the moment they stopped, I started to miss it. Throughout the whole drama these two truly radiated the “tricksters with solid skills” energy. Easily my favorite relationship of the show, whenever you call it friendship, partnership, bromance, or like me: married couple.
Then we have a sweet potato Chen Chou. I’m so grateful they did not write him as a generic best friend to fill the space in the scenes. He had an adorable personality, he was loyal and brave when needed. He tried his best to support Zhang Ping, but also was not afraid to call him out when he came out with an especially dumb idea.
Gu Qing Zhang was quite a surprise. Could not wait for him to show up, and when he did, the tension skyrocketed. On the other hand Wang Xuan brought this balanced energy to every scene he was in - gave me the impression that things will work out fine no matter what, even though he did not really do that much…
What’s important? These fine gentlemen do not really form a Scooby Doo Gang to fight crime and corrupt officials. All of them interact with each other in various moments, but they are never one united group. Did I go into the drama expecting and wanting to see them going full Power Rangers against Rita Repulsa? Sure. Was I disappointed it never really fully happened? No. Them having conflicting morals, ideas, goals and approaches to reach them is what made the drama so interesting in the first place.
The acting was almost perfect. Song Wei Long was a bit stiff and emotionally restricted in his performance for sure. Compared to the other actors and actresses, he lacked the depth needed to truly sell his character to the public. My favorite performance? Shi Yue Ling as Empress Dowager - what strength and power she showed with just some tiny movements and stares. The character was truly scary with how approachable she felt. Shi Yue Ling also did an amazing job showing the subtle change in the character’s feelings when something did not go the way she wanted - enough for the viewers to see it clearly and understand, hidden enough so we can believe the other characters did not notice.
As for the plot itself: the pacing of when and how they dropped the hints was so good, even though at the end of the day the plot was rather simple, it was presented in quite a skillful manner. While watching you will most likely always be one step ahead of the show, guessing what’s about to happen, but not necessarily the whole mid side picture. Why mid size? The past, conspiracy, crime - all do not feel that grand, even if they concern the people of the highest power in the country.
The story showcases the differences between justice and revenge. How trying to seek punishment on the people who hurt us can turn us into the same people we hate and want to fight. How while we are hiring, we can become blind to the pain of other people. Can we justify all of our actions just because we are victims?
What’s more to love? The visuals! So many beautiful scenes, good special effects. What I especially appreciated is how they knew how to film performances. A few scenes showing plays were a perfect balance of artsy and straightforward.
At the same time I cannot wrap my brain around the EXCESSIVE use of blur in the edges of the scenes. Why oh why? They used it even during scenes when the important character for that specific scene was standing closer to the edge of the shot. It also takes a moment to get used to the grainy filter for the “flashbacks” - not all flashbacks. In that aspect the drama lacked consistency.
One thing that made me lower the rating was the confusing scene that blurred the motivation of the main villain - what did they want to present with it?
Overall, fun and addicting. Best at showing the diversity of the characters which led to many entertaining, moving, thrilling and at times frustrating moments.
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All overshadowed by Kunou Totono.
I have adored Kunou Totono since episode one. I was highly impressed with the way he was able to think outside of his own mental box and see situations from another perspective. Not getting completely clouded and sidetracked by our own experiences and feelings is a rare ability most people do not possess and it’s not as highly valued in society as we might think. It’s great when you can understand your family, friends, neighbors, but what if we also can understand the logic and reasoning of a murderer? Arsonist? Kidnapper? That’s when people start to give you weird looks. With that, I truly appreciate how the drama made sure Kunou Totono’s ability was an asset people valued, not a weird characteristic that made people avoid him.The character had almost amazon comedic timing. The number of times I laughed at his unexpected reactions and lines, completely flipping any given situation upside down.
On the side note, the drama has an “eccentric male lead” tag, but for me Kunou Totono was autistic. On one hand I wish the show was clear about it, on the other hand I know how giving specific labels brings a lot of criticism concerning the portrayal of autism.
The performances were great. As the title of the review says, Kunou Totono stole the show and Suda Masaki’s acting had a lot to do with that. To make a character so unique and yet so relatable is a skill. His character never felt empty and it was clear that even though he might have not shown a lot of emotions, he was feeling deeply - all thanks to the subtle changes in the facial expressions. My favorite bits though? His “surprised pikachu” face.
While the cases were fun to watch, they were not exactly that complex or unpredictable. The writing was not vague about the clue - you’ll see what’s coming before they actually show it on screen. Similarly, the special commentary was both interesting and disappointing. The abuse was a subject that kept coming back, but I never felt like they went deep enough into it to make it more meaningful.
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If I had to state what the biggest flaw of the show was for me, I’d have to say: the satisfying ending. It’s not a “I wish the second season happens, I want more”, but rather a “Second season needs to happen, I need more answers”.
I also found the commentary about women in the working environment (in this case police) rather confusing. What exactly did they try to tell me? With how on the nose many “messages” were, the lack of clearness in this bothers me quite a lot. I didn’t really like Furomitsu Seiko as a character either, and I feel like the writer struggled a bit with finding her a fitting place among other characters.
Overall, extremely enjoyable, with interesting directing and editing and a lead that is impossible not to love.
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We are shaped by our circumstances.
Preventing abuse is not a matter of personal choice, it’s a collective effort put into shaping the society so we won’t become numb to other people’s pain and ignore cries for help. Getting out of a toxic environment is only the first step, getting help and support to deal with the trauma is just as important. Without it, we will most likely than not continue the cycle of abuse, becoming perpetrators ourselves.This perspective is clearly visible in the drama. The characters that, after facing traumatic events, were embraced by supportive people, felt a sense of emotional security and grew in a caring environment did not grow up to be abusers themselves. The less fortunate ones could not break the cycle, never learned how to cope with their piling issues, all they knew was how to project their problems onto others - in this case, children.
If you truly sit down and think about what was presented, you will feel uncomfortable. It’s hard to both feel bad for the villains for their past hardships, regret for them not getting the help, while also seeing them for what they now are - abusers. It’s extremely hard to comprehend the idea that a person can be both a victim and the perpetrator at the same time. It’s hard to root for rehabilitation of the offenders, when children suffer. The constant question: do we want revenge or justice? What does justice mean? What’s the goal of the punishment? What should be the goal of any action? The drama does a great job at making me think about these questions and what my answers would be.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the exploration of the role of mothers. The variety of different perspectives was beautiful to watch. The struggles, pain, but also the happiness and fulfillment one can feel when they are a mother. The fact that just because you gave birth to a child does not mean you can call yourself a mother.
Sadly, there were also aspects of the show I did not like. For example, for a show so well written, it’s a crime to have such a stock character serving the purpose of plot device and savior only - Jeong Jin Hong. He did nothing and presented nothing except for helping FL when the plot needed that.
Another aspect I didn't not quite like - the lack of presenting the society and media’s reaction to the kidnapping case. The show had a strong message about social awareness, but they did not really do much to show different social takes and perspectives on the issue. The middle part of the drama could have been a bit shorter, so the trial would last more than half an episode. That’s when you present the ideas and debate worthy takes on the issue.
On the bright side, the performances were amazing. Lee Bo Young obviously delivered a heartbreaking and touching portrayal of Kang Soo Jin, but we all know the true star was Heo Yool. Extremely hard role for a young actress, yet she carried it with amazing skills.
Overall, a beautiful and touching show presenting heavy topics. It was not easy to digest everything presented, there were moments that made me angry, sad, uncomfortable - but it’s the charm of this title - it evokes raw emotions and makes you reflect on presented questions.
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The plot twist by the end made sense, but also came out of nowhere since it was not really set up throughout the film - it was the ending that simply felt flat.
When I watch movies like that I always wonder, how did this cast end up here? These are not unknown actors who have to take any project thrown at them. What made them think these were roles worth taking? How can one see a script to a mediocre movie like that and gladly be part of it?
There were a few aesthetic shots, but overall, the movie did not really offer much to be praised.
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Those That Follow tells a simple story of regret, guilt and fear - the past can literally haunt you. We are introduced to two characters that start with the same baggage, but as the plot progresses, take different paths to deal with it and face the consequences of their actions.
Realistically speaking, the strongest point of the movie were the visuals - it’s simply beautiful. Being an ad for a phone, they took all the steps to make sure the final product can wow any possible customers. Surprisingly, the fact it is an ad made the movie better, since it pushed the director to use a variety of different shots to show he all the capabilities of the camera.
Acting was good. It did feel like some reactions were exaggerated, but nothing that would distract you from what was happening on screen.
Overall, truly a great short horror movie. Simple, but effective.
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There are many good aspects of it. It’s rather unpredictable - it has quite a few twists and turns that all felt understandable (at least to the extent a short length allowed). I also appreciate when at the beginning the built up tension is broken by a joke/one liner from a new character on screen. Delivering scares each time the tension is high is not a way to go, because the viewers start to know what to expect. That’s why I appreciate when movies take a step back from time to time.
Drowned out sounds and slow motion used to indicate the distorted perception and fixation on a specific situation by a character? Love it. It’s always effective and I wish more movies used it.
The acting went from good to decent for a smaller production like this. I’m not the biggest fan of Ha Joon’s character, and weirdly I enjoyed a bit twisted Min Woo more.
All that said, I appreciate the movie from the objective standpoint, but I did not quite vibe with it subjectively.
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Surprisingly good tale on dealing with trauma and growing up.
I did not expect all the emotional depth and tears. I got in thinking “evil kids with powers”, but I could not be more mistaken.The overly sweet and sugar vibes created this unnerving, uncomfortable atmosphere - everything seemed unreal, over the top and stomachache creating. I would not even classify it as a horror movie, but rather fantasy drama with horror elements. Something along the lines of Pan's Labyrinth. The focus is the story and the characters, not the cheap scares.
The visuals were quite stunning for a movie from 2007. Starting with more bright and light colors, something you could see in an over the top Christmas commercial, slowly turned more dark and grim as more of the mystery started to be revealed.
Performances? Quite good, especially with how young the young actors were. Shim Eun Kyung did the best job and the powerful emotions Yeong Hee was feeling were delivered in a convincing way. Was not as much of a fan of Eun Won Jae performance - the character felt flat.
Overall, I would for sure recommend. Lee Eun Soo was a bit of a mess as a character, but realistically speaking, he was just a tool to tell the children's’ story so I don’t mind it that much.
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There is no real goal nor destination. It’s just part of the never ending journey.
Let’s start with: everything was mild, but in the best way possible. We don’t really get any intense thrilling medical cases, the friendship between the leads is not this deep bond, the romance is more in the background, the development of the characters is a slow and not epic process. And yet it worked and it kept me entertained. Somehow how mundane it was became the asset not the flaw.Residents Playbook did have a rocky beginning - none of the characters were that likeable and if we add a rather simple and slow paced plot, it does not have a typical start that gets you hooked. It does grow on you, a lot. It’s been ages since such long episodes (around 1 hour and 15-20 minutes) seemed this short to me - I did not even know when the time passed and wanted to see more.
One of the aspects I especially enjoyed was the fact the characters did not in fact get a complete 180 change, removing all of their flaws. I Young did not out of the blue start being passionate about her residency. Nam Gyeong was still focused a bit on how people perceive her. Sa Bi did not become an empath and Jae Il was till the end often driven by his emotions. They all improved in a realistic manner, but their personality traits were still there.
What’s more was the more realistic approach to how it looks like working at the hospital. It’s not everyday high tension hard cases. Sometimes half of your day will be dealing with paperwork. And sometimes there will be emergencies. There are great seniors who will teach you, and those that will take credit for your work. In many areas it’s a workplace like any other, and I like how they did not try to either glamorize it nor sensationalize it.
While I loved the slice of life vibe and how slow paced it was, I have to say - with the length of the episodes and the show I got a little bit annoyed with how little closure and focus we’ve got about certain plotlines. It really is like seeing just a part of characters’ lives without much context and background. The drama does not really start on the day one of many relations, and it does not have a specific ending. It’s like meeting a friend you have not seen in quite some time, talking about how their life is going currently, and then never meeting them again, not knowing where they ended up. Which often is the case with more character driven shows - there is no real goal nor destination. It’s just part of the never ending journey.
Even though the romance was not the focus part of the plot, I still loved it a lot (well, most love lines). They were adorable, wholesome and just kept making me smile. The chemistry was really fun and natural between all involved characters.
Surprisingly, while I loved the whole main cast, most of my favorite characters were the supporting ones: Seo Jeong Min, Ryu Jae Hwi, Cha Da Hye to name a few. From the main cast (I cannot believe I’m going to say that, because I had zero hope for that character at first in terms of making me interested) my heart was stolen by Pyo Nam Gyeong.
Acting wise - perfect. The characters truly embodied their roles making them feel like real people, and at some point friends. Watching this show after a hard week at work was truly therapeutic - comrades in overwork and stress.
I know a lot of people viewed the cameos as highlights of the episodes, but for me they were so insignificant in terms of my enjoyment - I just liked the drama a lot as it was, so while the guest appearances were fun, they were for sure not the best part of the show people should look for.
Overall, I would quite honestly not mind a new season for each year of residency. There is so much potential for these characters and their stories. I feel like I both know them so well, but also barely scraped the surface of their journeys.
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Hits many cliches but still likeable
It’s a really simple story that we all saw hundreds of times. A shy boy and a popular boy on their journey to getting to know each other. Nothing groundbreaking or new about it.What makes it worth the watch is the acting and the simple concept. Many times the writer and director tries to shock the viewers with over the top plotlines to compensate for a limited length of the shows - it’s truly unnecessary. The Best Story keeps it relatively simple, with few characters and plot lines. What’s best in my eyes was War’s acting. He truly aced the “shy teen crush” portrayal.
Some characters are more likeable than the others. Some you will just end up hating, it’s inevitable. Be ready, because it might be a frustrating watch, especially since the show tries to tackle some sensitive issues by the end, but does not have enough time to dwell on them more.
For a mini series like that, the production quality was quite good. I loved the few aesthetic shots and how they did what they could with a probably limited budget.
That said, the ending caught me by surprise and left me with a big “WHAT” on my face. My initial reaction was closer to: That’s it? Wait… there’s more, right? There will be a 2nd season or something, right? After a few minutes of calming down, I don’t hate it. I don’t think it fits the vibes of the show that well, but it fits reality.
Overall: Since it’s a short watch, I’d recommend it if you want to watch a simple, inducing frustration teen love story with little to no plot, but good acting. Going with no expectations would be best.
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Let them stay bad and cunning - for that I am grateful.
To sum it up: great pacing, interesting and likable characters, solid chemistry, thrilling schemes, problematic gege throwing hands at both his enemies and his lady (which in this drama was perfection, don’t call me out). On the other hand, I was not crazy about how all the romances developed and in some areas, the acting could have been better.Still, top level of solid entertainment. Thank god I was watching it as it aired - otherwise I would not be able to stop and binge watching all of the episodes would simply kill me - I’m too old for it.
It truly surprised me how much I enjoyed the pity palace drama. Usually I’m barely stopping myself from skipping this type of scene, but here they were some of the best aspects. I appreciated glorious slaps, calling out stupidity even on your own team, backstabbing for survival - it all sounds so dramatic, but in the drama itself, it’s presented in an engaging, but palatable manner.
What’s more to love are all the women in the drama. Variety of the characters, personalities, strength and weaknesses - exactly what I want to see. You don’t just get your typical - smart and cunning, and dumb, but loyal. They nicely mix it up. We get the asshole who overestimates her abilities, we have a smart and loyal friend. We saw women who push their limits and ones that prefer to not push them. We have bad, good and morally gray.
On the other hand the drama lacks quality men. Those that are fun are not developed enough, those that are developed more are annoying. Xie Wei being the only true saving grace. Yes, Zhang Zhe is cute and righteous, but that’s all he is. Yan Lin might be fun and good at fighting, but he is the definition of the “supporting from background while having little to no individuality”. I enjoyed them as I was watching, but by the end of the show I had little to no thoughts about them.
I’m glad plot wise the overall arc was well explained. I understood the motivation of all the characters, why they made the choices they made and what was their goal. Some strived for power, some for survival and some for redemption. I do wish the drama was longer. While they wrapped up everything quite skillfully, I still wanted to see more. Especially in terms of romance.
And that’s my biggest regret. Not even a flaw, since the final execution was done well, it just made me crave for more. All the romance driven plot lines were quite sidelined, so by the end, they tried to put 20 episodes worth of development into maybe 8. I enjoyed every second of it, but I wanted more.
Acting was good. Bai Lue did what she does best. In no universe she could fail delivering a character like that - it’s made for her and her only. Zhang Ling He was great in some scenes, not so great in others. Wang Xing Yue and Zhou Jun Wei both did not really have a space to show any skills - how the characters were written did not really allow that. I’m glad that the whole cast had a great chemistry though - be it platonic, romantic or rivalry. And them kissing scenes… we do not get kissing scenes like that often.
I know many people complained about the make up, personally I liked it. The over the top magical red eyeliner that showed up when Xie Wei turned into his toxic hot gege persona. Yes, the eyebrows for the female characters were… a choice, but after a few episodes I just stopped paying attention to them.
Overall, high level of entertainment. Story of Kunning Palace has such a high binge watchability, it’s actually scary and could be a health risk if you are not careful. It’s both exciting, but approachable - balances well between how dramatic, but also easy to digest it wants to be.
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A tale of twisted characters.
I am honestly in awe how refreshing and gripping Beyond Evil was - even taking into consideration how, at times, it follows rather well known scenarios and clichés. The key to its success lies in the versatile characters and dynamic relationships between them.The plot gives us the same old story of a serial killer on the loose, detectives with personal stakes and bits of political scheming surrounding it. Does not sound that groundbreaking, does it? Thanks to the complex, amazingly written and dynamic characters, the story is not as simple as we might have initially thought.
Each character had their own story, secrets and goals. There were no noble good guys, but we did get a lot of amazingly gray characters and a variety of villains, each of them having a unique reasoning behind their actions and wrongdoings. Slowly we gathered more puzzle pieces that form a complex picture that goes beyond the actions of just one person. I am truly incapable of describing how perfect the set of characters in this show was. They were all so unique and intriguing, I could literally watch them just talk to each other, and it would be entertaining.
That said, the explanation of the big mystery felt flat. With how amazingly the tension was building, how we could not predict which of the characters were involved - the answers just didn’t do it for me. For some aspect, I just didn’t get any explanation. To avoid spoiling the show, more about it in the comment under the review :)
As for the acting, Shin Ha Kyun went beyond what’s humanly possible in delivering us the compelling character - Lee Dong Shik. There are not enough positive adjectives in the dictionary to truly describe this performance - he was simply talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before… you know what’s up. The acting gave me the best type of goosebumps - some scenes were worth rewatching countless times.
What’s more, I genuinely believe this is the best performance we have seen from Yeo Jin Goo. Just the fact he was able to keep up with Shin Ha Kyun and his performance did not feel flat at all, but rather I saw it as gripping and convincing, means a lot.
Of all the main and supporting actors, I did have a small beef with Son Sang Gyu in episode 11 and 12 - the acting was just not right. There was too much going on for my liking. Taking into consideration this was his first role, and he was surrounded by quite experienced actors, I am not mad about the end result and I am willing to let it slide.
The production value was pure perfection. Not one frame felt off, not one detail has been out of place. From camera work, to editing, up to soundtrack - everything crafted in a way to elevate the story to an artistic level. With no hint of exaggeration, Beyond Evil has one of the best soundtracks in the history of kdramas. Choi Baek Ho’s “The Night” is simply a masterpiece.
Overall, it’s a characters and relationships driven drama, with the plot serving as the background for us to understand and enjoy the ever changing dynamics between them. Beyond Evil might not seem as a masterpiece for people preferring fast paced shows, that said, with how gripping and fascinating the characters and performances are, I would highly recommend everyone to at least give it a chance.
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The resilience of college students knows no boundaries.
This is how action comedies should be - simple and borderline silly plot, well choreographed exciting fighting scenes, fun comedy and likeable characters despite their questionable circumstance with a tiny bit of positive message hidden deep behind the badass punches. You truly do not need more and you should not add more.If you read the synopsis you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Tone wise it’s for sure leaning more towards dark comedy than grim serious revenge, but that’ s exactly why I enjoyed it. Making it serious when you have a college student being possessed by a hitman would be a circus not many people would enjoy.
What I enjoyed is the fact Matsuoka Fumika was not this defenceless baby who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time - she had agency in what was happening, she made her own choices. That said, she also was freaking out about things that were happening, not being able to fully grasp her situation and potential consequences of her actions.
Initially I was not sure Kudo Hideo as a character makes much sense. He is a hitman, murderer. Why is he so… polite? Nice? Would death truly change who he is at the core? But as the movie ended, it actually made perfect sense - be it flashbacks or current dialogues, they explain his reasoning quite well.
Then we have baby boy Kagehara Riku - the least fleshed out of the main trio, but also the one of the best chemistry with both leads. Not gonna lie, I’d love another project with Kuroba Mario and Takaishi Akari - I don’t care about the genre nor the plot, just put these two together on screen again.
What’s more to appreciate? The fighting scenes. First of all I want to give props to Takaishi Akari for actually doing some of them. With this set up they could have easily made her take a seatback and let Mimoto Masanori do all the hard work as Kudo Hideo possesses Matsuoka Fumika. We had a solid number of fast paced, well choreographed and amazingly executed fight scenes done by all 3 leads. I also really liked the transitions between showing Matsuoka and Kudo fighting moments - the flow was just right and the cuts never felt jarring.
I personally loved the aesthetics of the movie too. Contrast turned up a bit more than usually, colors darker, but popping anyway. While a lot of fighting scenes were filmed in “darker” locations, they were never so dark you could not see anything.
Overall, I had so much fun. Was grinning throughout all the fighting scenes. It had a solid conclusion, though I wished for a different, but for sure less realistic one.
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Failed transition between plot points ruined this drama.
First half was a solid 9/10, second half was a solid 8/10 - when combined it gives me a mediocre 6.5. How they concluded the first half left the bad taste in my mouth as I was watching the second. How they continued the second half of the drama made me feel uncomfortable with what was in the first half. They completely failed at transitioning between two plot points, ruining the whole experience for me. It does not matter how many good ingredients the dish has, when one of them is crap. This is how I felt about this show.It starts with a rather good depiction of various disorders presented in a way that even people who have little to no professional training in any field related to mental health would understand. The visual pictures they created to showcase the inner struggles the characters were facing was such a great touch to make the issues feel real and not just “in their head”. What’s more, I honestly felt like they managed to humanize the patients - while the focus was on their issues, it wasn’t the only thing we saw. What I saw was more than just their symptoms.
The second half is a great representation of various stages of depression - getting ill, denial, struggling to accept it, treatment, and slow recovery. The raw performance by Park Bo Young was gripping and horrifically realistic. You could see her pain and torment. I appreciate how they did not sugarcoat it too much as if getting treatment solves all the issues. The perceptions the society has on you will be changed forever, you might feel limited by many external and internal factors. In just 6 episodes they were able to show that getting better is a long journey not a sprint.
So where’s the issue? The complete mistreatment of Kim Seo Wan as a character. The issue is not that he died, but how his death never got a proper closure and became just a way to give female lead mental disorder to make the second half of the show happen.
You want to tell me that not one person except for the female lead was questioning discharging him, when he literally just got out of his delusion and was clearly struggling with depression? They literally talked about how his mood is down. His parents talked about how he wants to go back to studying, when studying was the trigger for his mental health issues in the first place. He literally faked relapse not to leave. And they still discharged him. The arc was honestly ridiculous and made everyone feel unqualified for their job. Still, I could look behind it if they gave me a proper closure. If people involved in his wrongful discharge at least admitted it was a mistake. Apologized to the parents. If they had one conversation about what and why it happened. But no one took accountability. It was just something sad that happened and then everyone played the victim calling themselves “suicide survivors” - I was so angry I was seeing red.
Then there is the fact that without even giving a good closer to such a devastating and tragic story, they decided to use it to give Da Eum depression. That’s why he died? Not to make the story more deep, to present his characters’ struggles, how sometimes the system fails, how sometimes good intentions to help are not enough. It was there to give Da Eum depression and focused the story on her and her recovery alone. How infuriating.
So when these two halves are combined, I’m just angry. Angry about how they made one of the best and most caring characters' death into a cheap plot device for the female lead’s progression which made me question the sincerity of the presentation of the problems all the other patients were facing. Angry how disrespectful was the set up for the female lead’s struggles and how because of that I could never truly connect to her arc.
What’s more to hate? The romance. I am sorry, but why was it needed exactly? Not only was it painfully unnecessary, the way Dong Go Yun’s character was written gave me a weird type of chill. There was something weird about him.
That said, I still enjoyed the first half of the show a lot. I also really liked the second lead couple. I found the toxic family issue Deul Re was facing and how it was resolved extremely refreshing. Instead of the typical “family is family, one apology is enough, you need to forgive, everyone changes” crap, we got a clear message: abandon your mother. When Yeo Hwan said it I literally clapped.
The acting was perfect. Obviously Park Bo Young aced the role. I don’t think anyone would disagree. One more performance that stood out was Noh Jae Won as Kim Seo Wan. Yes, the way the character was written was extremely charming, but I think the acting had also a lot to do with why I loved him so much.
Overall, I was thinking about writing a more in-depth review, but I’m honestly too annoyed with the show to do it.
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The questions that were never asked, the answers that were never heard.
As humans we have an awful tendency to fill the blanks with things that fit our own perception. We are both egocentric thinking our view is the correct one, but also think we are insignificant and our actions don’t have much impact. And we are wrong.I went into this movie knowing close to nothing and it was a perfect choice. Rather than just watching a movie, I felt like I was learning important life lessons, forced to face my own shortcomings and reflect on my own biases. I felt the whole range of emotions and I don’t think I’ll stop feeling them any time soon.
It’s a movie that will confuse you, touch you, teach you and most likely humble you. The movie is divided into clear chapters that uncover layers of perspectives and depth.
The performances were phenomenal. There are no words to describe how well all the characters were presented. Extreme props to the youngest cast who in my eyes carried the heart and soul of the whole movie.
Directing? Perfection. The way the message of the movie became so clear with every minute, even if initially I was so confused. The way it highlights the importance of the context. The way everything mattered.
I’m one to write essay-long reviews, but I’m honestly still wrapping my head around what I just finished watching and I think I will be in that state for some time. This movie calls for a discussion and brainstorming of the ideas, opinions and perspectives. It’s a story with a huge impact if you pay attention. It’s a movie on human nature, our flaws and mistakes. Strangely, I also think it’s a movie about cognitive laziness and how it affects us and people around us.
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Hit pause on the turning point.
This movie is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to just take a moment to breathe and figure yourself out - be it a day, month or a year. There is no point in chasing after things that do not bring you peace and happiness. Yes, you still need to deal with your responsibilities, you need an income to support yourself financially, but that does not mean you need to desire and want what everyone else strives for. We are all different, with different motivations and needs. One person enjoys a fast paced environment, someone else needs more calmness in their surroundings. There are no right and wrong answers in how to live your life, as long as you are not hurting others.And that’s basically what the movie is about - Hye Won putting her life on pause as she tries to figure out what she truly wants, and if the goal she was trying to reach so far is what she truly desires. She reconnects to her roots, reignites her old friendships and slowly learns about her mother’s decisions in the past - understanding things she was not able to understand when she was younger.
What Little Forest offers is comfort and warmth. Beautiful scenery and amazing short cooking scenes. A message that simple life is meaningful. That making amends with your past is the way to move forward, even if it means starting from the beginning.
Additionally, we get an amazing cast delivering perfect performances. Honestly speaking, the movie is Kim Tae Ri’s, and Kim Tae Ri’s only. She carries the whole film. She fits the rural slice of life genre so well, I would have no issue watching a full 16 episodes show based on Little Forest.
Overall, big recommendation for anyone who loves a calming slice of life content with few cooking scenes that will make you hungry.
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