1- If you're the skipper type who skips scenes. Then believe me, in this drama you won't dare to.
2- If you're the 'I-dont-miss-any-second-of-drama' type then this one will make you replay each scene twice.
One word describtion for it, Brilliant.
Story: '10' wow! It blow's off the mind and it teaches you a lot about the real world.
Acting skills: '10' they make every scene so real.
Music: '10' each song suits the scene it's on for and the music with the amazing lyrics deepen's the feeling you have.
Romance: '10' think you know what's prefect chemistry is? You thought wrong. Because unless you watch this one. Then you know nothing about chemistry.
Speed: '10' nothing was rushed, and nothing was slow. Every piece of lego was placed in the right place.
Overall: '10+' why? Because the hidden secret behind the title is "This Is Perfection". Made up for all the dramas I spent watching forecfully in 2013.
a one ending sentence: A-Must-Watch!!!!!
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Esta resenha pode conter spoilers
The Bad Kids
Juvenile Justice is a character-driven legal thriller revolving around Shim Eun Seok and her appointment as a judge of the Juvenile Criminal Settlement Division of the Yeonhwa District Court. Her profound hatred of juvenile delinquents provides the backdrop of her approach to dispensing justice upon the minors charged in the court of law as she presides over a variety of deeply complicated and convoluted cases.The drama is rated R-18 in South Korea due to references to drugs, suicide, physical and sexual violence. Elements of social commentary are present that explore the judiciary statutes, investigative authority, politics and education system. The complexities of the human drama is provided by the respective backstories of the juvenile offenders in terms of their difficult family backgrounds and dynamics, as well as the suffering endured by the victims and their own families.
The screenplay is written by Kim Min Seok for what is his first drama project. Although credited as an original screenplay, it purportedly draws parallels to several high profile cases that have occurred recently in South Korea; the 2017 kidnapping-murder case of an elementary school student in Incheon, the 2018 Sookmyung Girls' High School test paper leak in Gangnam, the 2020 Daejeon middle school student rental car theft accident, and the 2018-2019 Incheon Metropolitan City sexual assaults.
Directed by Hong Jong Chan with Kim Tae Sung (Happiness, Snowdrop, Inspector Koo) serving as composer. Principal photography took place in May 2021 primarily at Jeonju District Court located in Jeollabuk-do, which serves as the Yeonhwa District Court. Other filming locations include Dongseong-ro Spark in Daegu, Dongseong-ro Spark and Misa High School in Gyeonggi-do, and Seoul Women’s University.
What I Liked
There are three main aspects that have impressed me immensely.
Firstly, high praise goes to the overall production values, specifically the mood-inducing cinematography that establishes the noir vibe to the entire visual tone of the production. This fits perfectly to a narrative that delves extensively into the dark subject matter of violent crimes, together with the slow burn and gritty storytelling approach. In fact, a huge portion of the drama takes place at night where one of the more memorable moments included snowfall in its scenes. I’ve also enjoyed the framing of Shim Eun Seok’s contemplative moments in her office through low-key lighting that accentuates the evocative atmospherics throughout the story. There’s no question that a lot of money went into this production and it is apparent for all to see.
Secondly, the exceptional acting in this drama. Particularly Kim Hye Soo’s portrayal of the lead character, Shim Eun Seok. This is quite possibly her strongest performance in recent memory which I believe surpasses her role of Jung Geum Ja in Hyena and perhaps aided tremendously by the characterization that feels very much designed with her in mind. This is the epitome of intensely hard-boiled and ultra bad-assery without so much as breaking a sweat. The emotive expressiveness of her unflinching piercing gaze that punches right through any suit of armour is as intimidating as it is effective.
Other members of the cast that impressed me would include Lee Sung Min as Kang Won Joong, the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Criminal Settlement Division of the Yeonhwa District Court. Initially giving the appearance of the typical annoyingly loud and abrasive boss, he gradually settles into this extremely layered and grey character who is torn between his personal ambitions and protecting his family.
I also have to mention Lee Yeon. My first time seeing this 27-year old lady in what is truly an incredibly remarkable yet unsettling depiction of an extremely unhinged teenage boy! It’s the kind of performance that leaves an indelible imprint in your psyche for years to come. The drama also features a number of familiar faces in the supporting roles including Lee Jung Eun as Chief Judge Na Geun Hee, and Kim Mu Yeol (currently in Grid) as Division Judge Cha Tae Joo. Yeom Hye Ran (The Uncanny Counter), Yoo Jae Myung (Hometown) and Kim Joo Heon provide noteworthy guest appearances.
Thirdly, I was captivated by the intrigue of certain cases. Going into this drama I was anticipating a more “common” or “garden-variety” type of crime committed. After all, how much trouble could kids really get into, I thought to myself. Well, I was proven very wrong because some of the crimes manifested belong to the psychologically disturbing and immensely macabre category. The one that caught my attention from the get-go has to be the first case while the second case provided a fascinating insight into juvenile rehabilitation facilities.
What I Didn’t Like
My biggest issue is with the screenplay. I think Kim Min Seok was trying to weave too many themes and sub-plots into a 10-episode production, most of which finally play out in the final 2 episodes. I can’t say for sure if this drama is merely providing social commentary or perhaps the screenwriter is attempting to convey a statement or message that raises public awareness. Or it could simply be heavily dramatized fiction that’s intended to wow (or shock) viewers.
Whatever the case may be, the end product becomes something of a contradiction for me. It’s not ok for other people to abuse their authority but when it comes to the protagonist, it’s perfectly fine. It’s not a big deal for other cases to reach a dissatisfying conclusion but when it involves the lead’s tragic backstory, then justice must be fully administered at all costs. Judiciary bosses with years of experience are a bunch of noobs in comparison with the junior judge for they do not comprehend the spirit of justice, which justifies acts of insubordination. Finally, that sense of self-righteousness and moral high horse that comes complete with the speech gets repeated several times, only to be refuted by hypocrisy when convenient.
My interest in the second half kind of waned because the focus was lost amidst the tonal shift of the narrative, firstly to the politics of education and by-election campaigning, then finally to Shim Eun Seok’s complex backstory. This aspect wasn’t properly fleshed out but instead given the brief flashback sequence, alongside elements that eventually become inconsequential in the form of the ex-husband and mother-in-law who contributed nothing of significance apart from melodramatic angst.
Final Thoughts
The biggest positive for me is Kim Hye Soo’s performance which I hope would garner her at least a nomination for this year’s Baeksang. Juvenile Justice ended up being a mixed bag for me but all things considered, I would recommend this drama predominantly for the well executed technical aspects rather than the plot trajectory and didactic social critique.
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Remember us and all we used to be.
After One and Only stabbed me in the heart, I needed justice, I needed closure and most of all I needed to hear Shi Yi say "Zhousheng Chen, remember us and all we used to be." Theirs was such a splendid, intense love with so much passion and yearning that could not run its natural course. Sadly, after being restrained for ~5000 years, all that is unleashed are faint echoes of the past. Thus, my final impression is that what was, is never again.What this is, is a very sweet, very ordinary, reasonably touching but hardly memorable love story that is markedly lacking in intensity. It falls down hard in its failure to connect the characters of the past with the present. Aside from appearance, both Zhousheng Chen and Shi Yi could be entirely different people and this an entirely different drama. Of course in the present, they will be different but there must be that je ne sais quoi, that certain aura that lingers. Even the essence of their relationship changes, in fact it regresses. Shiyi and Zhousheng Chen of the past were of one heart and mind - she gifts part of her dowry to pacify Nanxiao and accepts her marriage hoping to reassure Zixing of her Prince Nanchen's loyalty. Shi Yi of the present asks no questions, she just trusts Zhousheng Chen absolutely without understanding his family's background or his plans. And he tries to protect her without telling her anything - it is the one thing about him that bugged me in the novel and it is the one thing they should have but did not change! As such, the sense of them being soulmates that are connected on a level beyond words is not there.
Ren Jialun and Bai Lu are both very solid actors with good enough chemistry that I genuinely enjoyed the good (pink moped), bad (lame kiss) and ugly (I am ready) of their moments together. Overall I enjoyed Ren Jialun's endearing portrayal of the shy, awkward and introverted professor whose world goes from revolving around uninhabitable planets to revolving around Shi Yi. That said, there were some truly cringe moments and he often came across as having no fire in his belly, likely due to his heavy sighing and lethargic, monotonous line delivery. I must praise how even though it took awhile, they fell into a much more natural rhythm as a couple in the last quarter of the drama and I was moved by how they grieved together and consoled one another. So despite some initial hiccups, there is genuine relationship development and that aspect finishes strongly.
The main issue with this drama that it lacks both plot and engaging and complex supporting characters. Everything really revolves around the two main leads and their romance, which moves too slowly and uneventfully to really anchor the drama. Besides Uncle Lin and possibly Mei Xing, none of the supporting characters are that likeable or empathetic. Zhousheng Chen's stepmother is the only truly complex and interesting secondary character, everybody else including the villains are rather two dimensional and the two cloddish servants are downright annoying. The plot is for the most part suspended in favour of the romance before it rushes through to the end. It is also rife with somewhat melodramatic rich family tropes from greed and envy to infidelity.
If One and Only is slow burn, Forever and Ever is like watching paint dry by comparison because there is no burn. I had to entertain myself by speculating on who got reincarnated into who and looking for hidden clues and traces of the past while mourning the fact that I was not going to see Zhousheng Chen reborn as a present day sexy beast. Which begs the question: considering how tortuous One and Only was, should Forever and Ever be watched as a standalone romance? Well, without the backstory, this is just about how an absolutely gorgeous but likely slightly delusional voice dubber falls head over heels in love with a fictional ancient drama character Prince Nanchen. She throws herself at a complete stranger; a nutty, loner of a professor with the same name who is a bit slow on the uptake but eventually realises he just got very, very lucky and thus the story unfolds. If that works for you, then by all means, skip the heartache that is One and Only.
I only watched this because I was looking for Prince Nanchen and Eleven. Sadly the future is but a mere shadow of the past. But still this is a sweet, well acted love story so I am not throwing rocks at it or at the actors. Nonetheless, this sequel did not live up to its potential so I can only rate it a 7.5. I would give both dramas together a 8.0-8.5.
Postscript:
For those of you who still need closure, there is a very well fan made alternate ending ending for One and Only produced by industry professionals. I have fan subbed it and hidden it as a spoiler in the comment section of my One and Only review.
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But then, the main characters were so limited and the story moves away from the dreams plot that the series starts to crash. Qi Qi is childish, not very bright and whiny for basically the entire series. Bo Hai is not only an iceman, but he does some terrible things which makes it hard to root for him. This is not a couple that I care about.
The secondary characters are better fleshed out with more dimension and seem more capable of leading this story than the main characters. It’s rare that this happens for me, but there’s a lot of talent (and handsome) in this cast.
If this were 16 to 20 episodes, this series would have been a lot stronger. Instead, the story meanders to the high stakes world of floral espionage (I kid you not). The early story runs out of steam so we get that odd story line and a finale that makes no sense so there can be some additional drama.
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So yes, saying that I was excited for Moon Lovers was putting it very mildly. I was exhilarated. Ecstatic. A lot more words with an E. And they made us wait even longer by making it a pre-produced drama and waiting a whole year before it actually came out.
But the best part? It didn't disappoint one bit. I mean, after such high expectations, it is only natural to feel a little let-down just because of all the hype you've been experiencing. But Moon Lovers actually ended up surpassing all my expectations. The drama was perfect from the beginning till the end.
Coming to the plot, it was extremely well-paced. I mean, for dramas it is rare to find such consistently well-paced dramas. Sometimes the beginning is not that good and sometimes the plot dies down after ep 12-16. But here, you never feel like there is too much or too little. It is really hard to skip anything. You just don't want to. Another important fact is that because an older version is already out there, viewers are prepared for a possibly sad/tragic ending. Even if you come without knowing anything about the parent story, the vibe of the show itself whispers the possibility of an un-fairytale-like outcome. There is an intense and gloomy feeling in the show.
The characters are the strength of the drama. I mean, can we talk about the fourth Prince? He is going down in history as one of my favorite characters ever. Firstly, he is so sexy. I mean, you simply can't get enough of him. I have never really been into Lee Jun Ki before but after this, I plan to check out all his dramas. I have seen a couple of his shows but I never realized he was THIS good. The character of Wang So is so complex and so hard to deliver. And yet, Lee Jun Ki plays him so effortlessly, becoming one with the character. What is even more surprising is that he is such a cutie in real life (lol). I really don't know anyone more perfect for this role. I mean, Kang Ha Neul's character turned to the dark side too but it was nothing compared to Wang So. Wang So was simply..addictive!
Coming for Hae Soo. IU faced a lot of flack for her poor acting skills but I felt she was good in her role. I mean, she wasn't as good as Jun Ki or Ha Neul but she did really well. You could feel her transformation from a 21st century person to Goryeo lady to a woman with a lot of scarring experiences. In her previous works she has only done cutesy roles. I really enjoyed her work in this, she showed her versatility as a serious actor. The 13th Prince. He was gentle and kind and the most perfect friend. I loved his chemistry with Woo Hee. It was surprisingly great!
Wang Eun was a big baby but he was a sweetheart too. I wouldn't say Baek Hyun is a good actor but he was given an easy role and it was handled well. Ji Soo was a delight to watch! So far I have loved him in all his roles (I think I have watched everything he has starred in). The rest of the cast was really good too. My favorite among supporting characters was General Park. His acting was so on-point even though he only starred for a few episodes. I liked his daughter too. Ji Mong was a delight to watch. And court lady Oh Sang Goong, I loved her! I can really go on and on about the characters - the good ones and the bad ones, all did well. The acting was so good here, I just couldn't get enough of it. I cried with them and laughed with them.
The music. OH MAN, the music. I love each and every song. This hasn't happened to me since Dream High (I think). I really can't pick a song that I like more than the other.
I am definitely DEFINITELY rewatching this. I know for sure.
The biggest tragedy that comes out of this drama is that the Korean audience could not fully appreciate the perfection that this drama was. The ratings were so low there. Thankfully, it did well everywhere else and made up for it.
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*Story (10/10)
This drama has done a wondrous job keeping faithful to the original story while incorporating parts of its spinoff "The Pillow Book" about the secondary lead pairing.The Chinese title of this drama is "Three Lives Three Worlds: Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms" and like its name suggests, tells the story of Ye Hua and Bai Qian - gods who are separated yet bounded by fate to find each other in their lives again throughout the course of three arcs, for a memorable journey of emotional highs and lows balanced with good action and drama. Though there are 58 episodes, it is filled with plots to leave one consistently guessing what the next development is from beginning to end.
Just as one score settles, another rises.
Characters are fleshed out and although the main couple gets the bulk of the focus, secondary characters and their relationships are not cheated out of a good storyline either.
*Acting/Cast: (9/10)
Yang Mi's Bai Qian may be the protagonist, but Mark Chao is the highlight. To express so much with so little is what Mark does wonderfully, and his ability to portray two similar characters (Ye Hua & Mo Yuan) so differently with their set of own characteristics, mannerisms and reactions is impressive. As for Yang Mi overall she did well portraying the different personalities of her characters - from playful,mischievous Si Yin to naive and innocent Su Su and finally the aloof with an attitude Bai Qian - by far her best performance. Together these two produce the chemistry to keep audiences thrilled and satisfied. Overall the cast is well put together with several other memorable faces (Zhang Bin Bin, Dilraba etc) making the drama that much more enjoyable
*Last thoughts?
- All the sets, props, scenery and people are simply eye-catching, which keeps one visually interested all the way through.
- Aside from the visual fest and story, Mark Chao is another reason to rewatch
It's been a while since I enjoyed a romance-fantasy genre this much, this will be going straight into my archive of favorites. No doubt one of the best Chinese dramas have to offer
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The story was lacking, to say the least. It didn't seem as if there really was one sometimes to be honest. The episodes were mainly made up of small conflicts that didn't seem of much importance to the central story at all. Even the the climax of the main story was resolved rather anticlimactically in the last episode. I often found myself wondering what the heck happened after an episode, not because I was shocked by the events, but because nothing really did happen. The story trudged along at a horse and buggy speed and it seemed that our lead female Ah Ro was just along for the ride. She didn't seem to have any purpose in the story, but to give our leads some angsty tension (not that it was needed because they had enough of that on their own). The main couple had no chemistry whatsoever and I even found myself bored at their scenes. And lets not even begin talking about the plot holes. There were many and they were extremely noticeable.
The acting was mediocre. This is an average amongst this large cast; some were better than others. Going back to the issue with the main couple, I believe it wasn't totally the fault of the cast. Park Seo Joon had amazing chemistry in his last drama with Hwang Jung Eum and Go Ara did well in Reply 1994. While they are not exceptional actors, they have shown good acting skills, and even they could not salvage how stale the plot was. Minho's acting became a lot more natural though and Taehyung did well with his emotional scenes.
The OST itself is pretty good and some of the songs were actually quite memorable. I did notice though that the music editing was not very good throughout the entire drama. It cut off weirdly and some of the music didn't even fit the scene, which is disappointing coming from a show that was prefilmed and edited.
Overall, it was only slightly enjoyable to watch so I will not be rewatching. I would like to give some honorable mentions though to my otp Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon, Sung Dong Il the designated ahjussi of kdramas, and Park Hyung Sik's face (it's beautiful :')).
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That's the best way to describe this sitcom. I have to say though, after reading the synopsis and hearing there would be constant flashbacks in this story my expectations weren't too high but after completing it, I can finally say that it genuinely blew me away.
Let me start by saying the flashbacks were never annoying and I realized after a couple of episodes that I thoroughly enjoyed them and they were essentially the entire backbone of the story. There was just SO MUCH going on in this sitcom. It truly has every little good bit of every good drama I've seen. It's fun. It's witty....and a bit insane (lol). But don't let those crazy/slapstick comedy moments fool you. There is so much more to this story than that. It's a sitcom about the strength (and craziness) of family, the unbreakable bond between friends and the courage it takes to take a chance at love. I felt like each scene of this sitcom was a piece of a puzzle and as the story progressed the pieces that once seemed to never fit together, finally combine to make a simplistic yet beautiful picture of how an average family and an average group of friends handle both the expected and unexpected moments in life. The small moments the characters shared with each other created the biggest impact on me. I found those sweet and simple scenes to be the most captivating moments of the entire story.
The cast behind this sitcom is the absolute best. Really. You can't get much better than this. Every single one them managed to create their own story in their own unique, quirky way and it just worked. I laughed, I loved and I cried for all their troubles and woes. They made it seem so easy, pulling off the Busan dialect, acting like crazy loons and yet it all felt so real and genuine. As if I was watching a documentary about the lives of these people in Busan and not some Korean sitcom. The fact that it was so relate-able to so many generations of youths is another plus. You cannot go through this sitcom without ever saying the words, "Dude, I'm just like that!" or "Omg...I know someone who does the same thing!" It's just so relate-able and I think that's what makes this thing so popular. Yoon Hae and Shi Won's young, naive, and crazy love has truly left a deep impression on me. Seo In Guk was FANTASTIC in his role as Yoon Jae and not to go too much into the deep end here, but this guy really knows how to put emotion behind his words. He's angsty, passionate and not to mention hilarious (much like the rest of his crazy friends) and the best thing about it is that it NEVER gets too cheesy or overbearing. Eunji also blew me away with her acting skills. She truly is wise beyond her.... what is this....19 years?! She's only 19?! No way. I would never have guessed, with her flawless acting. One other thing to note here about the characters: THOSE PARENTS! In most drama/sitcoms I have a tendency to overlook these insignificant people, but Shi Won's parents were just so gosh darn lovable! The constant curses and arguing were just so entertaining to me. Some might find this a bit over the top, but I like the way the writers stuck to their gut with these characters and weren't afraid to make them loud and proud. They were such a hoot and I will continue to love them forever! :3
Ah, the music. Well, if you're the type to get so caught up in the story like I was, you most likely won't notice, BUT the music is just fantastic! As a sitcom with many flashbacks to the 90's, it is only appropriate to put in music from the 90's. YES, THAT'S RIGHT! Throwback songs from the 90's! Ah, how I wish I could go back to those times~
This also seems like the first show I've come across in a while, that I wouldn't mind coming back to again. It's just that good! I have a feeling I'll be missing this show and it's characters fairly soon. I don't think I'll see another drama/sitcom as genius and entertaining as this for a while. So it worth a re-watch? Uhhh...HECK YES! :D
Wow. This is by far one of the longest reviews I've written so far (which should tell you something about this sitcom *wink wink hint hint nudge nudge*). So if you've made it this far, I thank you for bearing with me. *highfive* :) This is the point where I should exit outta here with something fun, I guess....hmmmm.
*sheep baaahha* :D
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Story: It's about a man who is sentenced to death for killing his wife and daughter and his desperate attempt to prove himself innocent. When your life takes an turn from a revered prosecutor with a loving family to a death row inmate who murdered his family - you know something big is in store.
Cast/Characters: Ji Sung as Park Jeong Woo - I can't praise his role and acting in this drama enough. He really outdid himself in this and I'm so very proud of him, I can't imagine any other actor in this role - it was simply perfect for him! In my eyes this was his greatest work yet and it showcased his best acting abilities yet! I loved his character and his determination to prove himself innocent. You could see every single emotion flash across his face. Brilliant acting.
Uhm Ki Joon as Cha Min Ho - you can't really get a better actor to play the villain role in a drama, I've seen him play many villain roles and this one is my favorite. A great actor for sure! He and Ji Sung were perfect acting partners - and they had great acting chemistry (heck, the entire cast had great chemistry). I love villains who are pure villain - they make you love to hate them. (if that sounds right - a pure villain with no heart one can only loathe but a villain who does have some heart - makes you hate them but in a way care more about their character - even though you can't wait to see them pay for their crimes). I would love to see these two in another drama together again.
Shin Rin Ah as Ha Yeon (Jeong Woo's daughter) this child is brilliant in her acting - she will make you cry, she's so good. She's a natural.
Kim Min Suk as Seong Kyu one of my favorite supporting characters in this drama, I loved the time we had with him in this.
Jo Jae Yun as Cheol Shik - the best side-kick one could ever wish for! I love this actor in every drama I see him in (however I do much prefer him to be our good guy so I can adore him fully!) He always makes me laugh in the dramas he's in - he's like your comedy relief from all the suspense lol and his bromance with Ji Sung in this is so nice! I sometimes wish he was in every drama I watched lol
All of Jeong Woo's cell mates deserve to be mentioned: Moong Chi (Oh Dae Hwan), Rockfish (Jo Jae Ryong), Bundle (Woo Hyun), & Bang Jang (Yun Yeong Hyun). Attorney Seo Eun Hye was wonderful in her role, as was Seok (Min Ho's henchman) in his role. So many actors and they are all so good! More mentions: Tae Soo (Kang Sung Min), Jun Hyuk (Oh Chang Seok), Prosecutor Go Dong Yoon (Lee Shin Sung), & Prosecutor Choi Tae Hong (Park Ho San) I really liked him - such a good mentor and head prosecutor ^^
Music: "I Love You Baby" will have a whole new meaning to you after watching this drama and you'll always be reminded of Cheol Shik whenever you hear this song ^_^ I love how they incorporated this classic hit song into this drama ^^
Re-watch value: 10/10 - You know I'll re-watch this one and right away too! I can't get enough of it, so I have to see it all over again from start to finish - not missing a single second (there will be Zero skip-watching folks). ;)
I HIGHLY recommend this to EVERYONE! It's the best drama of the year so far! Heck, it's the best drama I've seen in a long time - sure others have been good or even really great to excellent but none of them top this one in terms of enjoyment and brilliant story writing and acting! This is a true GEM - a Masterpiece if I ever saw one!
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The plot is the biggest advantage of this drama. It's a perfect mix of action, suspense, crime, drama, and even comedy and romance. What more could you want? And although I admit I got bored sometimes, the boredom didn't last long. There's always something happening in this drama, and numerous plot twists make everything even more exciting, interesting, and fun to watch. The pace of story development is also perfect, thanks to what it's pretty easy to follow the plot without any headaches. The romance between Dae Gu and Su Seon isn't cheesy and immature, so thank God there aren't any cringe worthy moments between those characters.
Seriously, if only more dramas were like that, I'm sure I wouldn't end up hating so many of them.
The cast is really well-chosen, so there's no surprise that the acting is one of the best I've seen so far. There are no awkward facial expressions or gestures, and the actors express the characters' feelings in a good, believable way. Only An Jae Hyeon's acting skills lack sometimes, but most of the time he isn't even that bad. So good job.
All of the main characters are likeable, which is kind of surprising considering that most dramas have many annoying characters. To be honest I was expecting Su Seon to be irritating, as almost every main female leads in dramas are, so imagine my surprise when I didn't end up hating her. And as you can learn from my other reviews, most of the time I hate main female characters. Also, I love how each character is different and special in a way. Thanks to that every character can add something new to the story.
This drama has its little flaws, but they're not very significant. I think the biggest flaw of "You're All Surrounded" is that a few of the last episodes are a little bit of a drag, but fortunately at episode 19 everything goes back to normal.
Overall, even if you don't like cop dramas, I suggest you give this one a chance. "You're All Surrounded" is something fresh, has an actual plot, and doesn't kill viewers with a cheesy romance. Seriously, we need more dramas like this one.
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Love, Obsession and Control: A Thought-provoking Thrill
My final rating for this mini-drama is 8.5, the highest I give to shows in this category. In essence, it's a perfect 10 for a mini-drama. I was blown away by how masterfully it tackled heavy themes like toxic relationships, obsession, and the blurred lines between love and control. The story is dark, intense, and engrossing, with a narrative that's both captivating and thought-provoking. The angst was palpable, and the narrative's unflinching exploration of toxic relationships left me spellbound. Honestly, I've never encountered a story as dark as this in C-drama world.The male lead is a masterclass in toxicity, showcasing a level of manipulation and emotional and physical abuse that's terrifying and it's wild to see how far he'll go. His behavior is a massive red flag, and it's chilling to think that people like him exist in real life. But what sets this show more apart is the female lead's character. I applaud how she refuses to forgive him, even when he tries to guilt trip her into feeling sorry for him. Her determination to avenge herself, unwavering resolve to reclaim her freedom and never back down, even when he saves her life to guilt trip her, is a testament to her strength and resilience.
The acting in this show is top-notch, with performances that are raw, realistic, and immersive. Main leads bring incredible depth to their characters, making it effortless to become fully invested in their stories. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their portrayals of complex emotions are both convincing and haunting.
The ending, while slightly watered down from my ideal conclusion, was still satisfying and impactful.
And let's not forget the OST – it's pretty good, perfectly capturing the mood and atmosphere of each scene.
This drama is a must-watch for anyone who's ever wondered what a genuine red flag looks like in a relationship. It's a cautionary tale that vividly illustrates the nightmare of being entangled with someone who's masterfully adept at manipulation and control. Be prepared for a few sleepless nights and a thought-provoking, unsettling experience that will linger long after the credits roll! It's a tough watch, but it's worth it.
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I started watching this with only one episode out and have been waiting patiently since then until it finished. I was busy catching up w/ its updates on weibo and twitter that watching GGS alone is already taking too much of my time lol. I mean that totally says a lot on how much i love this drama right???
The casts are well-chosen for their characters and gave justice to their roles. No offence but I don't see any c-actor who could pull off HSY like how Li Xian did it! He slays that frown facial expression without trying hard too much. I have always been a fan of Yang Zi since Battle of Changsha and Ashes of Love, and so I love how she nailed her character here again. A lot of people are complaining about her clothes but I wasn't bothered at all. I guess her bright and baggy clothes are there to constantly remind us of the characters' age difference.
The chemistry between the leads is so natural and cute that you can't help but ship them in real life too. I love the transition of their relationship from being awkward to being able to communicate well with each other - that just gives us a realistic feel of what really happens in the real world. Their seemingly natural interactions and chemistry are what made this drama one of my all-time top faves.
There were no draggy scenes (well, for me atleast) and I have watched 41 episodes with ease. I initially hated the flashbacks but later on realized how helpful they were with getting to know more of HSY and his strong determination to reach his dreams. I found the K&K boys adorable and funny, that it gave perfect balance to the romance. I loooveeee the second couple and craved for their scenes. Moreover, the more episodes I watch, the more I get attached to the old Team Solo. I love how even though they are already in two separate teams, they are still there to support each other (huhu true friendship indeed!)
Watching the last scene made me so emotional because I was just not ready for this series to end yet T___T. It has been such a good ride and I grew attached to all the characters.
I liked a bunch of dramas but there were only a few that I truly loved - the ones that i got really attached to and wouldn't get tired to rewatch despite the passing of time... And I could definitely say that GGS is the new addition to that list. I can see myself rewatching this from time to time whenever I need a mood booster.
Overall, I love this drama so much and would totally recommend this to anyone. Although it focused on the romance, it also centred around the characters' pursuit to their dreams that will surely motivate and inspire everyone.
PS. THE OSTs FOR THIS DRAMA ARE THE BEST !!!
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A turning point in the Korean LGBTQI+ film industry? Kinda.
I was not having high expectations for this series, to be honest, but I am glad it could prove its worth to me and hopefully other viewers too. The Korean LGBTQ+ film industry is growing and improving its series in terms of production and duration., which is noticeable when watching this drama. It´s definitely a good decision to watch “First Love, Again”. In the following, I try to justify my recommendation briefly and concisely.PRODUCTION
Nothing extra outstanding nor something they failed in. However, it gets closer to the normal high standard of Korean dramas. One thing I´d like to highlight is that the use of light and shadows in this series was on-point. Compared to other Korean LGBTQI+ series the dialogues and monologues have been better in both quantity and quality. The story feels less rushed than usual, and I am sure we can expect similar dramas to be produced soon.
PLOT
The plot is, I mentioned this in the heading, unique and exciting to watch. I especially enjoyed the soft pacing and the comedy side of a more serious story. Both characters seem to not be written as extraordinary people, but rather normal citizens like you and me. One of them just happened to remember their incomplete love story and is trying his best to make their ends meet so that his consciousness can finally rest in peace. Other than Yeon Seok remembering his past, there is no superpower or characteristic that makes him less ordinary, except for his multilayered personality and his weird humour. Additionally, I also enjoyed the sweet moments Yeon Seok and Jeong Ha Yeon had. So cute. However, towards the end it kinda got boring.
ACTOR
What surprised me the most though is that it´s the first appearance in a drama (on MDL) for both main leads. This get´s even more confusing when you witness their solid performance in terms of facial expressions and natural behaviour. So what can I even say? They did a good job, and I am glad that Jeon Chang Ha and Jin Gun were chosen as the main leads because they matched the characters and thus the entire series is harmonious.
The Supporting Cast also showed a satisfying performance in their roles. I can't think of anything that I would have found disturbing or unfitting. Well done. Especially Song Han Hee showed off in her role as Mikael. I adore the idea and origin of this character, firstly that they are genderfluid/ non-binary and secondly that the series mentioned their identity. Good job!
OVERALL
As I said in the beginning, in terms of innovation and production, this drama is definitely recommended and it is indeed a good decision to watch “First Love, Again”, as it is a turning point in the Korean LGBTQI+ film industry.
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One of the few dramas that I couldn't wait until it was all finished airing before getting started. I usually wait till a drama is all out before starting but this one could not wait. I just wanted to know more, I was starving to find out more about these intriguing characters!Story: The plot was definitely a refreshing one and I was fascinated with all the characters. I wanted to know more about each of them! I don't know why this drama is only 10 episodes long with each episode sitting at around 25mins, but it wasn't long enough to flesh out these characters. I feel with more episodes or longer episodes, they could have shown the characters growth more and explained a few things better. Alas, with what we were given, we can only fill in the blanks and come up with our own assumptions - which in itself can be fun and entertaining...lol. I do like how we got to see what some characters thoughts were but we weren't privy to Hongyo's thoughts, which was the one I wanted to know and understand the most lol. It is only through conversations that we are able to decipher a bit of Hongyo. Terada was a character that frustrated me but at the same time I understood where she was coming from and her actions made sense with her character. Again, with longer episodes or high episode count, her character growth could have been so amazing instead of the sudden growth we see in the last few minutes of the last episode. Kuritani was a character I've come to really love and enjoy. She was logical and unintentionally helped Terada. Hase was also another intriguing characters that's got a bit of darkness to him. He's not bad in my books but manipulative for sure. I wish we got to know more about him too though lol.
Acting/Cast: I feel that the casting was perfect. I wasn't a huge fan of Morikawa Aoi at first but she really grew into her character and it just felt perfect. Nakamura Risa's quirkiness was perfect for Kuritani! Nakao Masaki's Hongyo totally pulled on my heartstrings a few times. Yuki Kousei's dimples are too cute! His charm adds another layer to the manipulation that goes on lol.
Music: The music was alright. The opening and closing songs didn't make me want to go find it right away but it served its purpose. The background music and sound effects were good - fitting for this drama.
Rewatch Value: I don't tend to have the patience to re-watch dramas but this would definitely be one of the very few dramas I would re-watch from beginning to end without fast-forwarding. For one, I would like to binge watch all 10 episodes as it's so short and easy watch. Second, watching it while it was airing took away from of the feels as a week had gone by since the last episode and I'd have to refresh my feels to continue the next episode if that makes sense lol. Also, now that I have basic understanding of each character, maybe I'll pick up other new things a second or third time around!
Overall: Although the way Kakafukaka was wrapped up left a lot to be desired, I still gave this drama a high score because of its refreshing story and also because it's one of the very few dramas where I feel invested in ALL the main characters.
So if you have interest after reading the synopsis, I'd recommend you give this drama a try! (And if you're like me, it'll make you really want to discuss with others!)
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For the negatives, the acting is a little awkward in the beginning, but as the drama progresses and the actors become more comfortable, it gets much better. Also, you have make sure you find a proper subber. The first time I watched the first episode, I was as confused as Psyduck. After finding a more accurate translation, it become more understandable and more enjoyable.
The music has surprisingly low ratings compared to other categories, and I can understand. It's not mind-blowingly perfect, but I find that after a few episodes, it's very easy to get hooked to. Looking up the lyrics to the songs also helps, because they are very connected to the drama, and it makes you appreciate it more.
Overall, this is a drama I would happily recommend to anyone who is interested on some cute guy on guy love. I'd also recommend it to anyone who is simply curious about it, or enjoys cute romance regardless of the genders in question. It's great for almost anyone :)
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