This story is based on actual historical figures of China. The story is simple but its crafting is done by some skillful hand. It’s genius and witty story. The way story flows makes this story a masterpiece. You can’t tell its specific genre, It’s full of comedy, suspense, some action, romance and melodrama and it’s all about power. It’s unique in its own way and totally unpredictable. This is a serious tale about power struggle in corporate world. It is all about serious corporate battle but it has killer funny scenes that’ll make you laugh hard and you’ll shed tears by laughing and there is also balanced melodrama. And for romance fans there are sweet romantic scenes too.
Casting is brilliant. There aren't any flat or one-dimensional characters, all characters are dynamic. The relationship between four main characters is really interesting. It’s very unusual kind of relationship. Here you won’t find any female lead quivering in fear; female leads are hot-shot. And supporting characters and side characters are also great. You may find one or two characters bit stupid at first but it’s because of story and they’ll develop in strong characters later. It’s really hard to pick a favorite character, including supporting characters because I also loved all supporting characters including villains.
Other interesting thing is that every episode has something to learn…You’ll also learn many things from Korean sayings.
One of the best things about this drama is....ending of every episode!! Don’t miss them!!
Soundtrack is also very good and well matched with all situations. It’s catchy. And also dance in war background is extremely funny.
I definitely recommend this drama even if you don’t like corporate plot. If you are bit interested in comedy then you’ll like it because it’s "LOLIEST" drama till date. I changed my opinion for BEST OF 2012, now best of 2012 is HISTORY OF THE SALARYMAN!! DO NOT MISS IT!!
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The movie is about the life of inmates who are inspired to show their talents to other people outside the jail.
I was carried away by the great acting of the actresses especially the main ones, Kim YunJin of Lost, and Na Moon Hee of Padam Padam. The drama of this movie works because it builds emotion right up until the end and it shows how prejudice people are on inmates. I give this movie a perfect 10 because it is superb!!!
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Being in TV Tokyo’s midnight slot is absolutely one of the reasons that made this drama appealing in its own way. That timeslot always witnesses some pretty cool dramas that usually go unnoticed – unfortunately. Even though this drama follows the usual episodic pattern, it managed to deviate its investigation procedure from an episode to another. It always managed to draw attention to every guest’s issue.
The cases in this drama aren’t mind-boggling or deep. They’re usually simple cases about finding people or looking them up, it may sound boring at first sight but everything becomes different when darkness sneaks in many of those cases. Sometimes, a certain case leaves a deep impression and confusion that’s beyond description. I believe that’s what differentiates this drama from its fellow Japanese detective production; it seeks depth instead of solving a case then getting over with it. There’s absolutely no drop cheesiness and happy-ever after clichés in this drama. However, it’s true that not all 12 cases were interesting.
The cast was pretty well fitting. Odagiri Joe as the main lead was such a master stroke. I am not only saying that because he’s one of my favourite actors but this type of role suits him very well. You can clearly see the actor’s traits through his performance: lazy, calm and with a mysterious charismatic vibe. The other two main characters were in a great harmony with our main lead; an old man who’s supposedly in charge and a sexy assistant to turn the detective agency into a welcoming place.
The majority of the guest characters left a good impression; of course some of them were stronger than the others but overall they were well-suited for the drama’s general atmosphere.
I became a fan of One Hitoshi’s screenwriting and directing style after last year’s great piece “Mahoro Ekimae Bangaishi” and now, I am even more impressed with him. He surely knows how to make a simple piece sound very special. Whether it’s the camera angles, the dark cinematography, the characterization or the choice of music; he did it all! I will have to stalk that screenwriter from now on. Although, I rarely care about directing in dramas but he totally made me interested in his style.
Watch if:
-You like different types of detective dramas.
-You like short dramas (27 minutes per episode).
-You like Odagiri Joe because he’s in top form here.
Do not watch if:
-You can’t handle episodic detective dramas.
Despite being simple, River’s Edge Okawabata Tanteisha managed to grow into a very special piece due to One Hitoshi’s irresistible style.
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Amazing chemistry & original storyline makes this one stand out
The storyline:The storyline is very original and refreshing. I’ve never seen a drama that had one of the main leads be obsessed with an idol and make that one of the focal points of the drama. But this drama does it and it does it really well. The female leads whole family has OCD but their obsessions are how they deal with a past trauma. So the story is much deeper than it looks like from reading the synopsis. It’s a light feel good drama that touches on some deeper subjects like child abandonment, loss of a child/sibling and OCD without getting too deep and angsty. It delves into those subjects enough to peak your interest and make you want to watch more but it doesn’t make you too sad or upset. It also delves into the world of art and museums as the main leads work together at a museum. So I liked that they gave us a very unique work setting that I hadn’t seen before which was enjoyable.
The acting:
There’s some really good acting here. You can’t help but love the female leads quirky best friend and their crazy relationship. The idol in the drama is just too adorable and pulls off the cute little puppy look perfectly. I wasn’t crazy about the owner of the museum, her acting didn’t impress me. But the main leads steal the show with their acting skills. Overall I’d say the acting in this drama is way above average.
The romance:
The chemistry is on point with this one. If you liked “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” then you’ll love this drama. It has the same female lead and this girl knows how to do an onscreen kiss right. She sizzles here as does the male lead. It has lots of real kisses and skinship too. There is a slight love triangle. I say slight because it’s one sided for the second male lead. But fortunately, the main leads only see each other.
What really makes this drama shine is how it could touch on some deeper sadder subjects then pull us out of the sad moments and right into something that would make us smile or laugh so seamlessly. I like that the comedy and touching romantic moments were interwoven throughout the angst ridden moments so that things didn’t get too anxious or upsetting. It’s definitely a sweet romcom but it goes deeper than expected and touches your heart. This drama has everything. It’s funny, very romantic, sad, thought provoking, sexy, and cute. It takes you through a range of emotions but leaves you feeling happy and satisfied. I liked learning about idol fans and seeing things through their eyes. I also liked the unique work setting and learned a lot about art and museums. But what I liked best is how this drama touches your heart and makes you want to go back and watch it all over again.
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One enormous difference from other South Korean programs becomes apparent even before the series starts. Friend, Our Legend holds the distinction of being one of relatively few pre-produced dramas in that country. Free from pressure brought down by viewer feedback and ratings, no sudden crises could derail the vision. The effect is immediately noticeable when a story is told as intended.
On the surface, the aforementioned story appears to be nothing special. It is “merely” the tale of four close friends, whose troubled lives follow very different (and sometimes tragic) paths. Instead of falling into pitfalls of humdrum cliche or weepy melodrama, Friend, Our Legend elevates itself to an almost epic human story. Perhaps the plot moves slowly at times, but a subdued pace allows for the greatest understanding of characters and their circumstances. Viewers follow them through their lives, watching through childhood, right into high-school and adulthood. This aspect creates the sensation of knowing everyone in the drama intimately. Above all, realism might be the best thing Friend, Our Legend has going for it; even gangster culture is portrayed violently and without glamour…as it ought to be.
There’s always a catch, of course. Friend, Our Legend hurts to watch. Rather badly, in fact. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this series to any empathetic or sensitive viewers. It is a violent and tragic experience, grim and heartrending. Bright spots exist in the narrative, but one always senses the storm will soon return. One should not expect to walk away from this experience smiling, but that isn't always the point. Sometimes the point is to become wholly immersed, to be affected, to think and feel deeply.
Actual problems do exist. One thing which didn't work for me was the unique flashback technique used in initial episodes. These sketch out the end-game of the drama, supposedly to drum up interest for the “how” of events rather than the “what.” This smacked of gimmick, as a linear telling would have done the trick without any of the added confusion. There was enough foreshadowing in the main body of the drama anyway. At the very least, it does not detract from enjoyment.
Are you a fan of Hyun Bin? If you said “No,” sit down with this and you will be. If your answer was “Yes,” tune into Friend, Our Legend immediately. Han Dong Soo might be the greatest role of his career thus far. “But what about Secret Garden?” you might ask. As well as Hyun Bin performed in that lovable drama, consider it a mere shadow of his work here. An actor might search his entire life for a particular character, a complicated and difficult one, the true challenge. Hyun Bin not only found his in Dong Soo, but completely inhabited and owned it. How incredible to watch a character as he evolves so completely.
Talented Kim Min Joon, who seems to catch my eye often nowadays, also captivated me as Lee Joon Seok. He might be chronically plagued by bad hair and fashion crimes throughout, but the character allowed him to showcase enormous range. Working with co-star Hyun Bin, he made me believe in the friendship between Dong Soo and Joon Seok...and many other things besides. In the form of Choi Jin Sook, Wang Ji Hye finally strikes a role to impress. My estimation of her rose from a pleasant presence to serious artist, all within the span of a few episodes. Though she leads a harsh existence, her Jin Sook displays strength and individualism that never allow her to be just "the love interest." This can be attributed to Ji Hye as much as the script.
Of the supporting cast, Seo Do Young fills up the roster steadily, while Lee Shi Yun refreshes with much-needed comic relief.
I loved the majority of the soundtrack to the depths of my heart and back. Other than some dated misses, especially suspense and gangster-centric sequences, everything fell mostly on point. Emotional scenes were often accompanied by mellow violins or a quiet, nostalgic female vocal, lifting them to new heights. Among the many fantastic inserts are “Closer” (Alex), “Can’t Have You” (Hyun Bin), and “Go and Erase Your Tears” (SS501’s Heo Young Saeng). Fans of Big Bang will also recognize “Friend,” (Tae Yang and T.O.P).
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Mr.queen is a MUST watch drama!!!
This is one of a kind historical drama. and I should say it's been such along time since I watched such a good historical drama.From the acting to the production to the script , everything is just perfect. 20 episodes and you won't feel time passing by.
Usually dramas that starts with comedy tend to end up not being so hilarious until the end. But Mr.queen managed to maintain the humor along with the suspense and the thrill. The story is light but you will find yourself laughing, cringing and at times even crying. This is a drama that will definitely keep you at the edge of your seat until the very end.
This drama brings out various emotions and mixed feeling and explore an area in historical dramas that were never explore before.
And as always actress Shin Hye Sun did an amazing job and so did the rest of the cast. Plus the OST!!!loooved it!!
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The story itself it very dark because it is based on true events (and partly fictional). So the story in this movie is unique. But because of the fact that it is based on true events it wil emotionally move you. I cried, sat on the tip of my seat, held my breath and I could feel the despair and anger.
The cast did an amazing job. It was almost like they were the ones who had been trough this all. Their emotions were acted in an excellent way.
The music they had chosen fit every scene.
I think everyone should watch this movie. It has suspense, drama, romance and so much more. It is definitely not a waste of your time, please watch this movie!
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An appealing lawyer.
Chen Tumi grew up studying the Tang legal code with her mother's handwritten notes. It was her only link to her dead mother. When her father is wrongly indicted for a crime, she defies convention to defend him in court. She is an appealing lawyer both literally and figuratively. Her determination, intelligence, and logical arguments catch the attention of powerful actors including Crown Prince Han Wuwei and Kang Zhengyuan of the powerful Dali Temple (judiciary). She is quietly aided by the mysterious Ye Cha.Similar to the Justice Bao stories, the legal cases in Ms. Chun is a Litigator deal largely with the common people. The cases are quite engaging and easy to follow with well-written and satisfactory outcomes. The court arguments are livened up by the amusing and friendly rivalry between Prince Han and Official Kang. While it is a bit of a Mary Sue kind of setup where everyone falls for Tumi, this funny and lighthearted quadrangle never gets annoying. Tumi is such a breath of fresh air - although she is young and inexperienced, she is clever and logical. She is able to seek and accept help without seeming weak or coming across as a damsel in distress. I am pleased to come across this very natural and charming young actress Zhang Dafei who has many interesting roles in upcoming dramas. The bromance and hilarious banter between Han Wuwei and Kang Zhengyuan is another very entertaining aspect of this drama. I checked this out because of Huang Junjie and found myself delighted and entertained by the chockfull of eye candy that makes up the charismatic young cast.
This drama's greatest shortcoming is that there are obviously many cut scenes or arcs. This affects how the larger conspiracy unfolds and leaves open some plot points. Some of the character and relationship development also feel uneven. Both Kang Zhengyuan and Ye Cha are well designed personalities that didn't get fleshed out enough. I would have liked to see Tumi interact more with Zhengyuan as he shows her the ropes in terms of judicial process. While saved by the clear spark of attraction between them, Tumi's relationship with Ye Cha seems to advance too quickly. Finally Wuwei's persona appears to take a baffling darker turn towards the end. While this wraps up well enough, there are enough unanswered questions and open plot points that beg for a second season. I would rate this higher than 7.5 were it not for the fact that it leaves a slight unfinished taste in my mouth, though not enough to ruin the drama. This drama is a lot of fun and the cast is simply a joy to watch. I am looking forward to season 2 but there is no need to wait to start this as it seems intended to be an ongoing episodic series.
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Well the story is simple a guy bakes pastries for a living, selling them under these beautiful cherry trees, in a street side shop that he doesn't own. He is somewhat unhappy with his life, because of certain events in his past. One of his close customers is a middle school girl who is also troubled by her relationship with her mother. One day an old lady appears and asks if she can be a part timer in his shop, he politely refused because he thought she could not do the job, but the old lady keeps coming until he accepts her when he has tasted her red bean paste. It is the word of mouth about Sentaro's improved Dorayaki that makes people mob their shop, but it is also the reason why the shop became deserted. At first the movie seems it is about food as you witness how much time is needed to prepare the perfect red bean paste. Until you reach into a point where you realize there is much more to it and the main point of the movie is so strong that might leave you in tears. Aside from how people were connected to nature, which was Kawase's trademark, there are also 2 main points the director wants to convey, which were "the stigma of leprosy" and "the value and meaning of life", the former is the most captivating but I find the latter rewarding.
Kawase as a director is always been impressive, her eyes and ears for films is in my opinion, unmatched. Her visuals as she captured those nature shots and blends it well with her poetic dialogues were very much engaging. Her camera work that sometimes would make you feel that you were watching a documentary was able to show the emotions of her characters perfectly. The way she captures background sounds works well for what she have, her canvass, and that would make a certain scene so poignant.
I've already said eyes and ears but now I will talk about the feels which was missing from the recent movies I've seen from her.
"we want to live in society where the sun shines"
If a single quote can knocked you off your feet, this is it, perhaps the most powerful quote I've encountered watching a movie. This quote left me bawling for tears literally, as the scene after this quote had been said were directed perfectly. The emotions that the director is trying to convey goes to me, it did hit me as it clearly show that the stigma on people who have this disease is still happening even though that Japan have already removed them from isolation since 1996. I even felt guilty that I might probably act the same way towards her like those customers and even Sentaro himself. We are only human, we only judges person based on their looks.
The acting, Nagase Masatoshi, this is the first time I've seen this actor that has this tadanobou asano-ish aura, well it may be disrespectful to addressed him this way, but I was impressed with him. He was able to show the struggles of his character in subtle way but what I was really impressed is his scene during the end. Uchida Kyara, who is kirin kiki's real granddaughter shows some promise although not to the extent of how jun yoshinaga impresses me, she managed to somewhat stick and not falls off just as a background character cause among the 3 characters , her character has less emphasis. Then its kirin kiki, who makes the time flew so fast, cause I was captivated by her acting the whole time. No need to pity her character, her character is already done with that pity phase. It is her character whose last purpose is to enrich the lives our other 2 characters, to show them that we were born into this world to see it and listen to it, since that is the case we don't have to be someone, that each of us has meaning to our lives. Kirin kiki has been the best Japanese actress for me since that time I saw her on akunin. She has done performances that melts your heart from movies chronicles of my mother, akunin, Tokyo Tower: Mom Me, and Sometimes Dad. You might just recognize her on supporting roles and that might be enough to call her great actress, but if you really want to see what she's capable of as an actress you need to see her in a main role.
Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/
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and the music.. each gang has an excellent sound track linked... The characters are well defined... each gang has its own sets of rules (policies) that make people come together as a team... S believes in fighting to protect, W protects women, O (well its a high school, i never understand what kids fight for except for maybe just fighting), R are also all about protecting their family, and D.... what to say... they just fight (i still like the leader).....!!
I watched both the seasons back to back and did not regret even a minute of it..... overall the drama was awesome...!!! just waiting for the subbed version of the movie to be uploaded somewhere....
Cheers...!!!
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Not just a Girls love story.
There are shows which need tons of episodes to tell a story and then there are shows which need only minutes. This one falls in the latter category.There are LGBTQ shows mostly BLs where we have guys falling for eachother more precisely being 'gay for you' with rainbows in the background, sun and stars shining bright, shippers in the show barfing confetti and darn near entire world (barring the proverbial evil 'female gender' being villanious) playing cheerleaders.
Then there are shows where everything is dark, gloomy, depressing, hopeless and yes .. just bury your gays coz that's how it rolls.
In between the two extremes there is this lovely little masterpiece which tells a sweet story without erasing the sadness and hopeless that the community faces. Yet gives out one of the most powerful emotion of the human world.
Hope!
Yes.. life sucks but here is hoping to a happy life.
And the most poignant message that we need to tattoo in our lives.. Yeah maybe world will not accept me... But I am going to accept myself. I choose to be Me.
The story is too short but i thought that is the whole charm of it. The actresses are lovely to look at. And did a great job in bringing the characters alive. Especially Min Seo. She expresses so much with just her face that dialogues become redundant. The pain seeps through the smiles. Tremendous acting.
The chemistry is adorable.
And the skinship.. toecurling.
Story.. Melts you heart, then breaks it and then makes it whole again and let it soar.
Special mention to the friend. She is one wonderful character.
This is not just a girls love story. This is a story of choosing to be who you are and choosing to be with the one who will let you be. That is.. a human who should live and love the way others do. Freely!
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This review may contain spoilers
I ran into this drama by accident, and I'm glad I did.The Last Scandal is a sweet twist on the Cinderella story, that never came across as super corny. It's a familiar story of a struggling, stubborn, female lead, and a spoiled, rich, male lead, but with mature actors. Choi Jin Shil and Jung Joon Ho had such amazing chemistry, and I loved watching their relationship develop. There were so many cute, rewatchable, moments between the two of them, and times when Jung Joon Ho literally made me lol. There were also quite a few moments where I broke into tears. Aside from the main theme of reconnecting with a first love, theres also a great theme around what makes a family. This drama really has a good balance beween light, fun moments, and emotional, touching moments.
The entire cast is great, including the 2 younger actors. Jung Woong was particularly good, playing such a reserved character, but I think he had some of the most touching moments in the drama. In contrast, Kim Byung Se had some of the weakest moments in the drama. I think he played his part well, but his character's actions sometimes seemed too unbelievable to me. Byun Jung Soo was good, and was cast so perfectly that her character's secret is almost instantly given away. Jung Joon Ho is really fun to watch, and his struggle between his persona and his true identity seemed really genuine. I really can't think of any weak cast members.
The true star of this drama, Choi Jin Shil, was so impressive. I am relatively new to dramas, so I had no idea who she was, or what happened to her, when I started watching Last Scandal. I loved rooting for her character's happy ending, and It was about halfway through I learned about her tragic story. It was hard to watch without keeping that in mind, but her performance was so good that I could keep rooting for Sunny. I will definitely check out some of her other dramas.
There's a reason why Cinderella stories are to popular, and this drama is a perfect example of why that is. The mature Cinderella (or 'Joomarella') story is enough to make me watch this drama again. This drama also has a good ending, that gives each character the closure they deserve, and I don't consider it a spoiler to say that those looking for a fairytale ending won't be disappointed. I definitely recommend this one.
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This review may contain spoilers
Re. missing children: highly topical, soundly researched, superbly directed and masterfully acted
"Bring Me Home" is a KMovie full of raw reality and emotional impact that disturbingly brings you closer to present day human abyss.Perhaps it would be appropriate to describe this KMovie as a fine study in the nexus between humanity and inhumanity, with the scales being tipped by human compassion. Life becomes barren, cruel, brutal and hopeless when this compassion no longer finds a place among people. But it makes a difference whether a soul has already left the human body and only a cold shell remains, which already lacks any human compassion. Or whether a soul is deeply injured and has only withdrawn far from a dazed body, but at the decisive moment, when human compassion seizes this body and reaches the soul, unexpected energies are mobilized and thus in a kind of holy anger fighting their way out of the pull of gloomy abysses. ...It is compassion that makes a difference in human dignity.
In any case, it is appropriate to describe this KMovie as a highly topical, soundly researched, superbly directed and masterfully acted study about the subject of missing children, or child abduction and child abuse in South Korea.
Howsoever I describe it, the bottom line is the same: "Bring me Back" is a thriller about (in)human abysses. The KMovie unfolds its haunting power through an almost brutal, unimpressed realism, holding up a merciless mirror to a society that seems indifferent to the disappearance of children. "Bring me Back" is a family drama. But it is also rigorous social criticism that explains the particular drama of one (of an alarmingly large number) of South Korean families as a disturbing general social disaster.
Yoo Jae-myung surpasses himself here as dishonest, repellent policeman without shame or sense of duty. Also fantastic: Lee Young-ae. She has already proven herself as an avenging angel in the KMovie "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance". At that time it was about vigilantism as a concept based on principle and planned for a long time. Here it's more of a reflex in the heat of the moment.
Heavy. Gloomy. Still recommendable.
P.S.
Actually, in 2020 (the movie is from 2019) there was a nationwide campaign in South Korea. At that time, 661 children had been missing for more than a year, 638 of them for more than five years. So that they are not forgotten, their faces have now been printed on a wide parcel tape, which is used by the South Korean Post and larger shipping services and can also be used privately. The faces were digitally edited and adjusted to look as they could possibly look today. The central information about their case was also printed on it. (However, I do not know whether this has contributed to the clarification of individual cases yet.)
---------------------------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Missing children in South Korea ---
Human trafficking is not a specifically South Korean issue. However, the continent of Asia is the undisputed leader with 7 countries among the 11 countries with the most victims worldwide. One might not expect South Korea to be at the forefront, but human trafficking is an alarmingly profitable business here, and the trend is expanding - regardless of whether it involves women and children who are exported or imported from abroad, or as Transit country for human traffickers from China or Russia. This is largely beneath the public radar. Public officials are often involved or bribed. In addition, most of the victims here are under the age of 16. This means that they are initially treated 'only' as runaways - this was the case in 80 percent of the solved cases. Thus, the police and authorities are not primarily in charge, but the parents. If the children are among the remaining 20 percent - the kidnapped or abandoned - then unfortunately they are unlucky that they are not searched for with the necessary vigor. At the same time, these minors are among the weakest and most defenseless members of society. They have neither voice, nor life experience, nor strength to really oppose the perpetrators. This makes them easy prey for a lucrative business.
In South Korea, over 99 percent of missing children are found within the first two days. That sounds like a lot. However, for the 1 percent of families who do not find their child during this time span, a nightmare begins that has already driven many parents to even commit suicide. It has been proven that the pain, the struggle with guilt and hope, does not stop in the years and decades that follow.
A figure from 2016: of around 38,000 missing persons reports, half were minors who turned up again within the famous 48 hours. 285 of these missing persons cases could not be cleared up. Among long-term missing minors (according to a 2014 case study), 65 percent were later found dead, and 46 percent of resolved child kidnapping cases revealed they were victims of physical sexual violence.
The statute of limitations marks another problem. As a result, parents often devote their lives to searching on their own, far beyond their means, since no one else will. They however can´t help but keep searching and hoping. They are more likely to lose their job, their social life, their health, or their own life. A 2006 study found that 40 percent of parents who missed their child for years or decades lost their job and spent an average total of around $500,000 in the search. (By now, that sum is likely to be a lot higher.) This includes the money that had to be paid to the number of false informants, or the travel expenses to travel to a potential location where a tip sent the parents. More than once, someone played a prank. Such cases are well documented. But there are also (fortunately) case histories of donors and supporters.
In South Korea, the legal activities relating to missing minors have been tightened again and again in recent years. But the results are still not what one might wish for. A government study from 2021 identifies acute further needs in all areas: from prevention to investigation and prosecution to officials training. Between 2015 and 2020, South Korean women and children were trafficked in increasing numbers. There are always accomplices among public officials, in particular the cooperation between human traffickers and police officers is criticized, which robs the victims of any last hope of help. By the way, in this context, fishing industry on the coasts is also expressly mentioned as a crime scene. Numerous cases of human trafficking and exploitation of workers whose working and living conditions are sometimes disastrous are documented.
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The important think to know is that this is not a movie for everyone. It is slow paced, especially in the first half and I would definitely call the film raw. For me what Koreeda wanted to achieve was to tackle very important social issues, that foreigners and especially Japanese tend to hide in a corner knowing that they exist and at the same time smiling like nothing is wrong.
The acting was fantastic and if someone forced me to see the movie without knowing anything about it, I would probably say that it was a Koreeda film, not his best -from the ones I have watched- but certainly a good one.
This kind of movies are so realistic and at the same time unbelievable. Knowing that this kind of things are an issue not only in Japan, but I would dare say everywhere is heart-wrenching.
All in all this is not a movie someone should watch to just pass their time. The film needs your attention and your understanding.
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A great undercover police drama that plunges us into a dark and dangerous universe.
This drama is different from most regular dramas. It takes place in a different region than popular dramas and plunges us into the world of drugs and crime.Story:
The story is pretty well written and the action and event sequences are thrilling. Sometimes an explanatory scene is missing for certain things but it remains a detail. The plot, the course of events, everything is well balanced.
The first two episodes, which serve as an introduction, would have deserved more clarity (apparently several scenes from the beginning of the drama have been cut) but remain correct in their introduction of the characters and the universe of the story.
The story really starts at the end of Episode 2 and from there it's a roller coaster ride. We live, like the heroine, the immersion in a sad, hard, cruel and dangerous world.
Characters:
The FL who, at first may seem like a hothead, will quickly find her way into our hearts with her ability to blend in with the surroundings, her resourcefulness and her badass attitude. She is different from the usual FLs. She knows how to fight, knows how to use her mind, has a lot of nerve. She also has a lot of empathy, strength of mind, and can be cute and innocent in certain situations.
ML meanwhile is more mysterious. It is difficult to truly understand who he is since most of his thoughts are not accessible to us at first. However, we are captivated by his charisma, the sensitive heart we feel under the mask he has created and, at the same time, just like the FL, we fear him and his intentions.
It's a drama that wants to portray life undercover and what it means to investigate. Therefore, the focus is on the FL. We also follow her whole team. It is the story of these police officers, of their courage, of their difficulty in arresting criminals that is told.
The bad guys are also important because the FL works with them and you have to feel all the danger that it represents to work in this environment.
The drama achieves the feat of humanizing the people living in this environment. There are the rotten ones, of course. We often have little empathy for them. But there are also those whom poverty and lack of perspective has thrown into this world. I applaud the writers for portraying human misery and the fact that we have to destroy drug trafficking for these people too, so that they have a chance.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend this drama to those who like action, police, crime and mafia stories. This drama is definitely worth it. If you like to try another kind of drama, go watch it! Its unique proposition in dramaland, its focus on a badass and resourceful FL and its subject made it a drama to be seen.
On the other hand, not everyone will appreciate this story given the subject and the way it is treated so don't waste your time if you don't like police drama or crime drama.
OST:
The OST is really good. It is not use at each episode like in most dramas but sublimates the scenes in which the songs are used. I have had chills and tears more than once thanks to the OST.
Conclusion:
It's one of the best dramas I've seen. From start to finish, I was glued to my screen. The story is interesting and the characters are well written and endearing. There is everything: action, investigation, romance, social painting.
What I liked the most:
- A strong and resourceful heroine who improves over time.
- A charismatic and enigmatic male character.
- An intense immersion in the world of crime.
What I liked the least:
- A lack of clarity during the introduction of the main characters.
- The dubbing of the voices, due to censorship and a rewriting of certain dialogues, is sometimes not perfectly synchronized in the beginning.
- Some somewhat confusing editing choices.
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