I decided to watch this because of Ha Ji Won, one of my favorites, and she does a great job as Cha Young even though her character is pretty one-note, basically melancholy and apologetic. This matches the mood of Yoon Kye Sang as Lee Kang as well, who is equally somber and melancholy. They do have pretty good chemistry, and I liked their story in general, but there is way more heaviness and sadness than butterflies in their story. There's the expected destiny theme as well. It also builds very slowly, and although I didn't mind the pace, it definitely made me watch more casually instead of being excited to watch each new episode.
I also liked the rest of the cast as well. To me Jang Seung Jo as Lee Joon is definitely the standout, playing a role he's so good at, the "rich guy rival" (like his performance in "Money Flower"). The cast is also full of great performances by the supporting cast as patients, staff, and relatives... although The Lee family did seem a bit cliché at times with their typical greed and scheming. I blame that more on the writing than the cast.
The story is this dramas weakest point for me, not because it's a bad story, but more because of how somber and standard it is. However, instead of comic relief, this drama's most uplifting moments all center around food. Yes, this is the kind of drama (like the "Let's Eat" series) that will probably make you very VERY hungry. So many food close-ups. So much emotional eating. Sooo many chewing scenes! It's about way more than just chocolate too. Food is the real star of this drama.
It's also beautifully shot. The scenery is amazing and all of the food looks delicious (even stuff I don't eat). It has a cinematic feel visually which helps with the slow pace. I was much more forgiving of certain scenes because of how beautiful it looked. At the very least, Netflix definitely knows how to make pretty dramas.
Would I watch this again? I don't think so. I was honestly caught off guard by how sad this was, and I didn't love any part of this drama enough to endure that sadness again. The story is also pretty typical as far as the "Who's gonna take over the family business" tropes go.
Overall, I appreciate the main theme of this drama, which is to appreciate every single moment of the life you have and that a fulfilling life is more about love and giving than about how much you can acquire. That theme really hits home by the end, and I shed a lot of tears throughout this drama, so I think I would recommend this drama but only with that warning. Death comes up constantly, which could feel therapeutic or like too much. For me, it was a combination of both.
"Chocolate" is a low key melodrama, so there's less excitement and much more contemplation. If you don't like the mood of the first episode, don't expect it to pick up later. The resolutions are also subtle. Some things were left hanging, which I'm ok with, and it's much more about going on a journey with each character through their personal traumas, dysfunction, and moments of failure and empowerment. This drama from beginning to end will try to come for your feelings!!! Make sure you have enough tissues and snacks while watching.
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Marry My Husband doesn't want you to think about it that hard
Okay, I’ll say it: I really really didn’t like Marry My Husband.That’s not to say that it’s a drama without redeeming qualities. While I might have resorted to “hate-watching” at some point, Marry my Husband always felt addictive and binge-worthy. There was always something exciting going on. The over-the-top nature of this show certainly prevented it from feeling stale or boring. The acting performances were??? okay??? Probably??? Everyone does too much all the time but hey, that again works for what this was trying to be. The fashion choices also made me laugh at points (why did she wear a wedding dress to a class reunion???). That’s not a strength of this show, but at least I got great enjoyment out of it.
This is most definitely a Makjang drama and I knew that going in, which meant that the lack of realism was never going to be a factor in my review. Prolonged silliness was what I was signing up for. Still, Marry My Husband left a bad taste in my mouth for reasons I still find difficult to articulate. Is it wrong to dislike a story for feeling mean? Because personally, even though this show bent over backwards trying to make me loathe the villains, I still didn’t get much enjoyment out of them getting their karma. Ji-won transforms over the series from a victim into another vapid mean girl. That in itself is a topic worth exploring but I am not entirely sure if anyone in the writing-room even considered that my sympathy for the protagonist could only last that long. The message is less that cruelty is wrong, more that cruelty directed at the wrong people is wrong. The goofiness of the plot and insanity of everyone’s performance constantly clashed with the severity and realism of the presented issues. Setting another woman up with a man you know to be abusive is an incredibly hard sell. The show only could attempt said feat by making sure that their female antagonist didn’t feel like an actual woman. Su-min had to be comically evil so no one in the audience thought about the implications of the plot. But in doing so, they also robbed me of all the fun I could have had with such a story to begin with.
But okay, even though this drama really doesn’t want me to, let’s talk about the implications of Marry My Husband and Ji-won's mission. When Ji-won is facing domestic abuse, Marry My Husband rightfully recognizes her situation as pitiful. But when Su-min is presented with the same fate, it’s fine because ultimately Su-min is a lot less likable. She’s just getting what she deserves. Women are only victims when they haven’t done anything wrong.
“But Ji-won had to act this way because someone had to fill her place in her abusive relationship”- cool, in-universe this is totally true. But Marry My Husband doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This rule in its worldbuilding only exists, because the author decided to write it. No one made them do that. Even worse, this creates a cycle where abuse is a necessary evil. Someone has to be at the end of the stick. And we have to choose the least likable person who deserves it the most.
This show also has a very strange relationship with class, which I found very questionable. Most villains in Marry My Husband are lower class. This is not necessarily a problem but it sure is noticeable. And the one time there is a valid criticism of class society, it gets dismissed entirely because it comes from the least sympathetic guy in the entire show.
Also, even though this is a classic exercise in Girlbossism™ arguably too much of Ji-won's revenge was reliant on the aid of her rich chaebol boytoy who was just a dreadfully boring character. Booooo, I am throwing tomatoes.
Maybe this is my fault. Maybe I just wanted something from this drama that it was never interested in giving. One-dimensional villains that you can just hate certainly still can be fun. I loved the arguably similar The Glory for that exact reason. But even though she was pure evil, I had fun watching The Glory’s villain. Because I could recognize actual attempts to make her feel somewhat real instead of a straw woman.
When I voiced my concerns about this show, I was assured time and time again that it’s “not that deep”. This is just a silly Makjang drama. Its main purpose is to just entertain me. Granted, it did that. Against my better judgement, I sat through its insanity. But I ultimately am the one who decides if it’s that deep to me. You're free to take away from it whatever you want, but what if I'm dissatisfied with the surface level? Marry My Husband might not want me to ask the big questions. Well too bad because I am asking them anyway.
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1This review may contain spoilers
I had expected this to be a successful second season to a beautifully written drama.. Even if not better than the first but at least close to it.. But honestly, it wasn’t.. And I totally understand the low ratings.. I really do.. I am not going to blame the story itself.. If this had been a standalone drama or not a continuation, it would have actually been an excellent one.. But it wasn’t.. After watching 34 eps and waiting 5–6 months, you shouldn’t have to sit through another 12 eps of push and pull between the main leads.. Especially letting someone like Liu Lang who is a complete nobody affect their relationship.. The court politics, the mutiny and everything else were solid, but most of what happened in the first 12 eps felt totally unnecessary.. The foundation for the characters was already built.. What they needed to do was move the story forward.. Instead they were still stuck in the same loop.. Repeating what had already happened in the first season.. Honestly I respect the commitment the writing shows, it knows what it wants.. But I didn’t quite get the fulfillment I was hoping for.. I am only whining because I expected more..If it were possible to erase someone from the story.. It would be Liu Lang.. Enemies?? Yeah I hate them.. But what about people who stay close to you and backstab you?? He literally got his life back and is living well because of the FL and yet he tried to destroy her relationship out of jealousy?? He was supposed to be like a younger brother to her.. His sister did the same thing and now he followed right in her footsteps.. And the fact that this guy hit the ML and still got let off?? I was honestly disappointed at how easily he was forgiven and also how his stupidity and jealousy were sugarcoated as concern for the FL.. Sure he got his redemption arc but he didnt pay for his mistakes..
Liu Chang was pathetic in the first season but here he completely turned into a character unworthy of any pity.. He did some truly nasty things.. It was actually satisfying when the FL hurt him repeatedly, the stabbing scene especially felt good.. But honestly, he still didn’t suffer enough.. That’s why I wasn’t satisfied with how things ended for him.. He should have suffered more pain..
I actually felt sorry for Princess You Zhen.. The cycle of her life was truly sad.. Hurt by the men around her, including her own father.. I am glad she didn’t die in the end.. It meant she had another chance at life, another opportunity to start over..
Ep 19.. I think they were too hasty in confronting Prince Ning.. I mean he literally crushed their decade old plan in just a few days, it felt way too easy.. And the final confrontation, the war could have been handled much better.. It just goes to show how little attention was given to the parts of the story that didn’t have the FL on screen..
While I wasn’t completely satisfied, this was still a watchable conclusion to an amazing story.. In the first season even though Mu Dan was the anchor, the others mattered too.. But in the second season, it became all about her.. No one else had a satisfying storyline.. Even the ML felt underused and sidelined, just to elevate Mu Dan’s character to glory.. I really wished everyone had a meaningful presence..
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JKY como eu não tinha visto antes
Agora que concluí o drama, vou fazer um complemento a minha review: me apaixonei pela OST e a escuto com frequência, mas achei que atropelaram o capítulo final. Deixaram para resolver tudo no último capítulo e não explicaram as coisas direito, além de deram saltos no tempo que, para mim, deu um gosto de história pela metade. Poderiam facilmente irem a 14 episódios para deixar que nos despedissemos do drama de maneira adequada.Eu estou absolutamente apaixonada por este k-drama! Sem dúvida, é a produção que mais me prendeu em 2024. Ontem, finalmente terminei os quatro primeiros episódios, e agora estou ansiosa pelos próximos.
A trama é incrivelmente intrigante. Cada reviravolta me deixa com mais perguntas e teorias. Os personagens estão bem construídos, e a atuação é surpreendentemente convincente, especialmente considerando que se trata de um drama de fantasia.
Quanto à trilha sonora (OST), confesso que não tenho uma opinião muito forte. Ela não se destacou para mim, mas também não me incomodou. Acho que a história em si é tão envolvente que a música fica em segundo plano.
E agora, sobre o ator Jang Ki Yong: eu não era exatamente uma fã dele antes. Suas outras produções que assisti foram apenas OK, na minha opinião. No entanto, desta vez, ele acertou em cheio! Sua interpretação está impecável, e estou ansiosa para ver como seu personagem se desenvolverá ao longo da série.
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Sorry, I didn't have the same reaction to this as I saw others.
So much of it I found cringy. It didn't help that it felt like every 15 minutes someone was giving a patronizing speech about some online issue, and much of the fan stuff was overdramatized and unrealistic. Inept managers, coaches, and sponsors that made me wonder how they are even remotely successful with all this going on. The focus was more about fandoms than playing the game. Like, ultimately, who cares?
I wasn't really a fan of the OTP and didn't find them persuasive. I actually enjoyed JinYang & Ai Jia's relationship a lot better, and felt they had better chemistry and were a more realistically portrayed couple. SiCheng treated TY like a 3 year old, and after the situation with her ex-b/f her accepting being treated like that seemed weird, especially when they're making it out to be male/female equality.
In the end, I thought the best character development and growth, although not given much screen time, was Jian Yang. For all the hate he was getting in each episodes comments, he ended up being the one who respected everyone the most. So, frankly, this drama was extremely disappointing to me, but still enough there to warrant a mid-tier rating.
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Easily One Of The Best K-dramas of 2021…
Supernatural K-dramas have been done countless times before in K-dramas, so, just what makes " Sell Your Haunted House" stand out? Well, it’s important to be honest by saying that like most dramas out there, it does have its ups and downs. However, “ Sell Your Haunted House” has a beguiling charm due to its cast, storyline and themes.
As a character, Ji Ah could have easily become irksome for viewers as the archetypical ” angst-ridden orphan female lead adorned in black”, but, actress Jang Na Ra undeniably brought a dynamic ambience around her role as our mysterious psychic. (Which is hard to imagine any other actress being able to imitate.)
This is shown case and point during one of the most emotional scenes of the series when, the emotionally conflicted Ji Ah, comes face to face with her mother Hong Mi Jin (Baek Eun Hye). The battle of tears behind Jang Na Ra’s eyes became one of the most beautifully emotional and poignant moments of acting throughout the entirety of the drama.
Although , it’s important not to turn a blind eye towards some of the show’s downfalls either;not least with Jung Young Hwa’s performance as In Beom. This is not to spark hatred towards the actor as he is undeniably really good. ( As shown in previous roles such as “ The Three Musketeers”.)However , Jung Young Hwa’s performance honestly lacked zest at the best of times- sadly not helping to truly authenticate his character via performance alone .
Every cloud has a silver lining and this certainly became prominent by the character development of Young Hwa’s onscreen persona In Beom. Whilst In Beom’s introduction did seem to establish initial warning bells that he could go down the road as the tiresome " comic relief" , however, the male lead was offered the chance to escape this trope by using screentime to explore his conflicted emotions ( especially over his " gift") and his ambivalent morality surrounding later events of the series . This did not seal In Beom as being ”heinous" or "bad"; he is a kind-hearted person, just refreshingly not a "flawless hero" or the " perfect love interest" either.
On this front, it is important to admit that tastes may vary upon the " romance" between our leads; for the most part, it is incredibly platonic. Without spoilers, the link between our leads is similar to being " soulmates", rather than having a passionately romantic undertone . Admittedly whilst this did serve a refreshing break from the cliche-ridden romanticised relationships of dramas, tastes will evidently vary for viewers. ( Therefore if you’re expecting a particularly passionate romance in this supernatural drama , then " Sell Your Haunted House" isn’t for you.)
Even our side characters grew in different ways. Joo Hwa Jung ( Kang Mal Geum) seems to start off the series as Ji Ah’s pompous and self-righteous assistant, however, the series helped to explore her complicated backstory and bond with Ji Ah . Heo Ji Cheol ( Kang Hong Suk)- the self-proposed “ Chief”- and one of In Beom’s closest friends Kim Tae Jin ( Heo Dong Won), seemed to be established as the " comic dead weights" in the series, however, they did provide themselves to be more than cliches with their actions during moments of tension . However, it was equally entertaining to spend time with our cynical detective Kang Han Suk ( Kim Sung Bum) gradually developing credulity and respect for our psychic Ji Ah’s help during crimes. To top it all off, Kim Mi Kyung’s guest appearance in episode 13 ( as the Blue Salt Owner/exorcism supply craftswoman) was short, but, her added charm and sassy tone during line deliverances helped to establish an unusually respectful relationship between Ji Ah and the craftswoman.
Yet whilst "Sell Your Haunted House" had some formidable tour de force moments and characterisation , it did seem to struggle with establishing a more profound antagonist. Now, arguably ( without spoilers), there are two major antagonists here, however, the one which should be mentioned is certainly Do Hak Sung ( Ahn Kil Kang). Let’s be honest. Yes, he did serve his purpose as the " driving force" of events in the series. But , for our trio of screenwriters ( Ha Soo Jin, Jung Yeon Seo and Lee Young Hwa) to have otherwise created profoundly-developed characters , Hak Sung was the ultimate anomaly by fitting the trope as the "moustache twirling villain" of the series.
On the other hand, the one thing which ‘ Sell Your Haunted House’ truly authenticated was tackling difficult subjects as a social criticism of the South-Korean housing system through the differing backstories of the dead.From a vengeful spirit yearning for unearned incomes, property evictees and more , " Sell Your Haunted House" builds onto a fresh premise with a mixture of horror, supernatural and thriller genres.
The ending was fairly appropriate for the genre. It’s easy for some viewers to feel a little underwhelmed by the anticlimactic battle, however, the series did use time in between to wrap off storylines and permit an appropriate farewell to our main characters.
So, is it worth watching? In between a spine-tingling OST and a generic villain," Sell Your Haunted House" offers an oddly dynamic take on the supernatural genre. It isn’t without its faults or flaws, but, its intriguing characters and a fairly stellar cast easily establish it as one of the few good dramas to have come out of 2021, so far...
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when I first saw the teaser from watching I hear your voice, I thought it's creepy; a pure horror story and didn't make me interested.
Then when I visited this page in mdl I look into the cast when I saw the main girl I was like: " oh the girl from the greatest love, why her?" (don't get me wrong I don't hate her..XD) then when I saw seo in guk *makes me a little happy, but when I knew he was not the main guy I was like "why not him?" In short the cast still didn't make me interested. Then I scroll some more and look into the genre and oh there's a romance in it!! then I was like what? comedy too??? is it possible? it's weird, kinda NEW for me and by that it makes me interested and look into this drama
I'n short I met this drama not because of the teaser, the cast but because of the genre and the comments too!:>
NOW HERE'S MY REVIEW AND LET ME TELL YOU HOW IT BECAME VERY SPECIAL TO ME! :'D
feelings/story:
It made me scream then after some minutes it made me laugh,it gave me the feeling of: NEVER FELT THIS GOOD FROM A DRAMA FOR SOOO LONG! I MISS THIS KIND OF FEELING! IT WAS FUN!!! this is the FIRST DRAMA that made me scared and laugh at the same time. that's how it hooked me!! It made me look forward into days, is it wed? Is it Thursday already? is the eng sub out? where is the preview?
as the episode progress it keeps on getting BETTER,SWEET,FUNNIER and the scary moments lessens :) so for those who are a scaredy cat like me DON'T HESITATE to watch this drama!
this drama also made me cry not only because of the painful moments but also because of the SUPEEEER DAEBAK SWEET MOMENT that made my HEAR BEAT POUND LOUDER, my HEART FLUTTERS, smile like this ^____________________^ crying from OVERFLOWING EMOTIONS!!
ghost? SOME are scary but once you get to know their story it's heart warming :)
acting cast:
after watching few episodes My first impression from the cast CHANGED in just a SNAP!!!
SO JI SUB? I know him but this is really the first drama that I saw him act. Then I was like omg SO JI SUB OPPA IS SOOOO HANDSOME!! HE IS SUCH A GREAT AND FUNNY ACTOR! HE EVEN MADE IT TO MY OPPA OF THE MONTH!!
GONG HYO JIN? ~omoooooo!! what a great and cute actress I didn't notice her acting skill in the greatest love.. but here in the master's sun it's DAEBAAAAAAAK!!! SHE EVEN MADE IT INTO MY FAVORITE ACTRESS!!!!
as the episode progress: I get closer to the 2 MAIN CAST!!! the CHEMISTRY between them is VERY, VERY, VERY, NATURAL it's SPARKLING AND SHINING!!! just seeing them acting together adds spice in Master's sun! that is one of the ASSETS of this drama!! out of hundreds of love team I've seen THEY ARE DEFINITELY THE BEST! NO ONE CAN BEAT THEM IN MY HEART!! I'm really SHIPPING for this pair the SOGONG couple!! this is my FIRST TIME too, getting addicted to a couple and wishing for them to be a REAL LOVERS AND GET MARRIED! if that happens I would be the HAPPIEST!!
supporting roles:
SECRETARY AJHUSSI? ~omooooo!! one of my favorite secretary!!
kang woo and tae ri yang? you should not miss them too!!
cheap mouth and the sister? they are soo funny..XD
the 2 CUTE KIDS: ~omoooo!! they are soo cute and very lovable makes me want to squeeze them.lol. a very good actors :)
Uncle and the aunt :)
the coffee ghost and trash can ajhussi: they are soooo LIKABLE!
and of course cha hee joo the bitch who is a great actress and made me hate her. lol!!! ALL OF THEM ARE AWESOME!!!
OST?
~kyaaaaaaaa!!! just thinking about the OST!! it's DAAAEBAK!!! I EVEN DOWNLOADED ALL THE OST THAT"S HOW GOOD IT IS!! it even top the charts!!! I like EVERYTHING!! THE MELODY, THE TUNE, THE BEAT, THE VOICE, THE FEELING OF THE SONG, THE SINGER!! It PERFECTLY FITS the emotion!!! the ost saves me from missing this drama by listening to it!
RE-WATCHED VALUE?
PERFECT 10!! I'll never get tired of watching it and 'll definitely marathon this one again!!
OVERALL??
this drama is VERY SPECIAL to me, it's PERFECT, A MASTERPIECE, AWESOME, DAEBAK, AMAZING and definitely MUST WATCH, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who are into ROM-COM!!! BIG THANKS TO HONG SISTER for making an EPIC and MEMORABLE DRAMA!! I'M GONNA MISS THIS DRAMA SOOOOOO MUCH AND also the CAST especially the SOGONG COUPLE!T.T
This is my longest review ever lol.
PS:I hope it helps you to look into this drama! for now, KYEOJJO!:>
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1
1Sometimes I’m pro embracing mediocrity.
On paper it’s a story with depth about overcoming fear of abatement, fighting for what you feel is right, moving on from past traumas, gaining independence, fighting for your own happiness. In reality all these themes were shallow and barely elaborated on. They were introduced in a few lines and closed in a few lines. There was no real journey, but rather a TLDR version of it.That said, there was one aspect of the writing that I was extremely grateful for - misunderstanding was not overused as a plot device. More than once the potential misunderstanding either did not happen at all, or was cleared right away through the magic of communication. What’s more, while the plot often leaded to the side of the cliches, the ending of many scenes took a refreshing turn. It balanced the feeling of familiarity with the well-known tropes with surprising small twists driven by the characters’ reactions.
Sadly, no matter how many little scenes and moments I enjoyed here and there, at the end of the day, it is a romance drama, but the romance was not romancing. Kang Hu Yeong was too good to be true, so even though it was fun to fangirl about him as I watched, there is nothing memorable about his character.
Lee Hong Ju was far more enjoyable in all friend and work related setting compared to her scenes with male lead - cannot believe I’m saying it, but the romance was the most boring part of her character’s journey.
Kim Hye Ji easily stole the show for me. She was so dynamic and bright, driven, smart, loyal, but not unrealistically inhumanly perfect. Sometimes she had to work through her emotions, but the fact she actually took time to think about them and what they meant and what she truly wanted the end result of any given situation to be, without just impulsively reacting was great.
Her romance was what kept me glued to the screen. I enjoyed every second of it. It's what gave me true butterflies.
I wish we’ve got more Kwon Sang Pil. He was one of the more relatable characters with fun dynamics. I always crave more female/male best friends representation with no romantic undertones or secret one sided crushes and Serendipity’s Embrace had the chance to deliver in that aspect.
Baek Wook easily became one of my favorite uncles in the history of kdramas. What I love about his character is the fact they were able to mix him being so extra and hyped, but also professional and good at his job. They never hinted he did a bad job managing the company, he seemed to have created a good working environment. Too often someone with more energy is equated to someone dumb and messy in dramas.
Bang Jun Ho was probably the worst character and it’s not about him being the toxic ex. It’s about him hitting too many tropes simply making him boring. Similar criticism about Kang Hu Yeong’s mom who ended up being one of the most underdeveloped characters I have seen in quite some time. I hate how we got close to zero explanations about that character and her motivations.
Acting wise, I think it’s time for me to accept the fact that Kim So Hyun is unable to have romantic chemistry with any of her co-stars. There is nothing behind these eyes. She looks with more care and love at chicken than Chae Jong Hyeop. I do not claim she does not have chemistry with anyone overall - the romantic one just does not translate on screen. Maybe she should dive into other genres? Chae Jong Hyeop be giving the most romance filled glances, to receive nothing back…
About said chemistry, 2024 and we still get surprised fish kisses. What makes it even worse is the fact Hong Ju kept saying how “sexually frustrated” she is, to then Park Shin Hye her way during that kissing scene. Girl, you are and will be forever sexually frustrated if that’s your game.
Big props for the perfectly fitting soundtrack. While these are not exactly songs I would listen to outside of the drama, they fit the mood and scenes sooo well!
Wide shots were to die for - visually speaking the best part of the whole drama.
Overall, it's so basic, but from the start I knew it would be and it's kind of what made me enjoy it. How this drama just... flows like 4567486754 other rom-coms, nothing stands out, you know EXACTLY what you will get. But sometimes that's how one can relax
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...which was bloody fantastic. 'Liar Game' is the third drama I've given a ten to, in the short amount of time I've been watching dramas, and out of those three dramas it is both the one I believe to be the best and the one that I enjoyed the most. Ten doesn't mean that I found it to be perfect (as perfection is unattainable), but since it has superseded many of the dramas that I've watched - both quality and entertainment wise - I thought it justifiably deserved the highest possible score.
'Liar Game' thrilled me, played with me, kept me guessing and sent my blood pressure rising in the best possible ways. The pacing was on beat and the tightly plotted 12 episodes managed to sail by without the assistance of makjang, noble idiocy, sacrificial lambs or filler. When I say that there was none of that present in 'Liar Game' I mean that there was absolutely zilch, nada, zero traces of any of the aforementioned tropes. The show was able to stand on its own two legs without relying on ridiculousness.
It presented a study of human behaviour - how we react and change (for better or worse) when it comes to trust. I don't see it as being a drama that is about how far people will go when it comes to money. Of course, in the context of the game, money is important, but 'Liar Game' teaches us that humans - people - are more important. It is people that make the choice to lie, cheat, betray and thus put others at risk - not money. Money is just the pretext, 'Liar Game' (both the drama and the game itself) is about all about people and how strong their characters are. It is also people who choose to watch others being pitted against each other, for money, to get an ounce of their weekly entertainment.
The games itself in 'Liar Game' were actually very intelligent and intricate. It might have been a bit boring to watch the explanations and rules of each round, but without them it would be difficult for some people to understand whatever the hell was going on. (The rules were useful when it came to the Poker round because wtf was going on there). Some people have said that they found the games 'boring', but that's besides the point, the interest doesn't lie within the games themselves, but within how the contestants survive the games. Each round served as a perfect backdrop for the deceit and breakdowns that were to follow.
The people in 'Liar Game' were of a brilliant variety. Not much time was spent on backstory (which was both refreshing and appreciated given the 12 episode length of the drama), but I managed to ascertain the personalities, motives and regrets of not just the three leads, but the principle supporting cast as well (Jamie, Ja Dol etc). And that is because LG had both a brilliant writer and a brilliant cast. These people grew into either more beautiful or more hateful as the machinations of the Liar Game got to them. I must add that this drama did really well by breaking the K-Drama trope of a woman being evil if she wears heavy make-up - more specifically, the darker the lipstick the darker her soul. It was excellent to see Jamie retain her grit, intelligence and vampyness whilst also being transformed into a person who has opened herself to being able to trust the right people.
A lot of people have said that Kim So-eun's character - NAM DA JUNG - was annoying because she was too stupid and remained stupid. I beg to differ on that topic; whilst Da Jung is most definitely too trusting and naive - AT THE BEGINNING - she most definitely does mature. Yes, she still trust, and yes she is still a very kind person, but she matures into someone who can both question her allies whilst maintaining her ability to trust them. As each round progresses she becomes more considerate and mature. She might not ever have become a toxic person, but she definitely isn't the same Nam Da Jung that was presented at the beginning of the show. And I think Kim So-eun does a wonderful job at portraying Nam Da Jung's growth, emotional sensitivity, understanding, empathy and her huge ability to love and show human compassion (which is especially evident in the final few episodes). Her performance was consistent, clean and considerate. I'm surprised that she is yet to land a main role on public broadcast.
I found it very interesting to contrast and compare the characters of HA WOO JIN (distractingly attractive Psychology Professor turned ex-con) and KANG DO YOUNG. They were like two ends of a horseshoe: polar opposites, yet very similar. Both men are geniuses, both men are incredible when it comes to lying, both men are fantastic strategists, both men are difficult to trust, but both men have very different goals and very different moral leanings and obligations. Their similarities made them clash, whilst their obvious differences intensified their - sometimes frightening - rivalry. I don't think the tension and fear, that crackled in the air whenever these two men looked at each other, would have been present if Lee Sang Yoon and Shin Sung Rok hadn't played their respective roles. Both men brought an undeniable energy to the screen and they were also able to bounce that energy off of each other. The performances were so natural it never felt like a hero was delivering dialogue to a villain, but it felt as if two enigmatic men were engaged in some fierce contest of the Mind. It was sparkling and wonderful to watch.
I think it would be easy to type-cast Shin Sung Rok as a The Villain after his roles in both 'Liar Game' and Stars, respectively, but he manages to make his villains different. I found a way to empathise with the emotionally scarred, twisted, pathological liar that was Kang Do Young whilst I couldn't have cared less for the utterly selfish bastard he was playing in Stars.
Lee Sang Yoon was very hot as Ha Woo Jin. There was something incredibly magnetic about his performance as the enigmatic rugged Psychologist. His gaze, his manner of speech, the way he held himself all resonated 'genius'. His frosty demeanour didn't come off as arrogant and cocky, but reserved and observant.
The lack of romance didn't bother me at all; it was refreshing to see the female lead being able to develop multiple healthy relationships with the other male characters. It is clear that Da Jung and Woo Jin cared for each other quite deeply and the way they develop that relationship isn't through childish bickering, but through learning who the other person is enough to understand and trust them. I'm not going to deny that there wasn't a huge amount of chemistry between Kim So-eun and Lee Sang Yoon, but not once did I get the urge to scream JUST SHUT UP AND KISS HER at my TV.
'Liar Game' could have been betrayed by its ending, but thankfully it wasn't and it finished on a high. Not everyone got what they deserved, but if they had that would have betrayed the whole message of 'Liar Game' - the real world is not ideal, it isn't a place where people can survive by being too trusting or too suspicious. Sometimes, good people don't always end up with every material thing they SHOULD have and sometimes the villain gets away with it. If 'Liar Game' hadn't been a drama that set out to challenge people's world-view, then the ending would have been terrible, but it wasn't. I was glad to see that the non-villains came out of the experience as people who had grown and changed to have a better understanding of both other people and themselves (this was most notable in the case of Jamie).
In regards to the slight openess of the ending, I totally wasn't bothered by it, and it is quite clear that the writer most definitely intended for the ending to be open in order to run onto a season 2. However, whether or not we get a season 2 is totally up to tvN. What's most important is that the main conflict was resolved, so even if we don't get a season 2 there won't be any loose ends left over. I'm all in favour for a season 2, with the same cast though, because I am so ready to see these characters AND actors on screen again.
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And I'm glad i was wrong, because i hate those things. Thats why i first didn't know if i should watch it and i'm so happy that i did.
This drama is the best i've ever watched since boys over flowers.. at least for me. I cried so much at the end, not because of it's ending but rather since it was over. I'm a huge fan of Kim Soo Hyun since dream high, but compared to this drama .. whoo.. he became soo hot. I've gotta admit that the actress was new to me (i've started watching k-dramas in 2012 so don't blame me please~).
But i loved the chemistry between those two.
At first i kinda disliked her character, because she was so arrogant and full of herself, and dumb. But when the story continued you've got to see her soft side and that she was a kind person, but still she was hilarious from the beginning til the end. I laughed so hard, i almost cried.
And the male lead was kinda hard for me too, because i don't really like those characters that act so mean in the beginning and so play so hard to get, even though he has a pretty good reason.
The minor characters where adorable too. I personally loved Cheon Song Yi's little brother. He was so cute and the bromance with Do Min Joon was great.
Even the evil guy was great. I really really hated him to death, which proves how great the actor was.
The soundtrack was awesome. I loved the song "My Destiny by Lyn", but it was kinda annoying after some time. And because i'm (now) a huge fan of Hyorin from Sistar, i loved the track "Hello Goodbye". Thats the two songs that were stuck in my head, even til now.
I would definitely say it is a drama that is worth watching, even if you don't like alien stuff and such. But for rewatching i would say you should wait a while before restart watching. I waited like half a year and i coudn't remember a little things so i rewatched it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Could have been better....
A drama full of shortcomings but surprisingly they ain’t enough for me to drop this drama. I have mixed feelings about this one, here are my opinions:1.Story : A typical fantasy drama with flawed script-writing and editing. The drama started quite well, with a certain amount of funny moments. Scenes in Academy are fun to watch but after Ep 12 or 13, it isn’t that fun anymore.
Pacing became a problem after Ep 12.At times, I feel like the story was progressing too slowly but at some moments, they were cut abruptly.They wasted so much screentime on 2nd Couple and Love Triangle stuffs,so main story didn’t progress until ep 20.
Then they have to put so many important parts in a few episodes, thus unnecessarily rushing the important scenes.
2. Acting : Acting is quite decent. Xu Kai, as always, is impressive and cheesy. He more or less carried the whole drama.Wu Jiayi, though criticized by a lot of Netizens, I don’t find her acting that bad.
3.CGI effects
Effects are mediocre but after watching so many C-dramas, it no longer matters that much to me
***Plot Holes***(These contain spoilers)
1. Why doesn’t Su Youlian look surprised at all when she knows Li Xuan’s identity?
This is very poorly done, she should show certain emotions (Maybe it was cut), still it isn’t acceptable.
2.Why would Su Youlian need a rope to go down the mountain when she has wings?
Poor Logic but hmm...
3.Li Xuan’s friends were surprised when they knew that it was Xiao Feng Ming behind the murder but after a few seconds they said Xiao Feng Ming is in power and even Lord Zi can’t beat him, so aren’t they talking things like they knew the real perpetrator is Xiao Feng Ming?
I would take this as a bad editing
4. Where is FL’s master when Li Xuan’s identity is known?
That’s unacceptable, he was literally the most annoying character and I want to see his reaction but hmmm disappointing
Overall, I would rate it as an average drama, it isn’t that good but not a trash either.
It could have been a lot better, but still disappointing.
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This review may contain spoilers
A KDrama that began politically sharp and atmospherically rich collapses into the banal. WHY?
At first glance, Tempest delivers everything one expects from a high‑budget political thriller: a gripping story, two charismatic leads, and a production that brings cinematic quality to the small screen. Jun Ji‑hyun as former diplomat Seo Mun‑ju and Gang Dong‑won as the enigmatic mercenary Paik San‑ho carry the narrative with a presence that works both in action and in silence. Direction and cinematography rely on clear, elegant images that convey tension and atmosphere in equal measure.The series scores with a genre mix of political drama, action, and character study. Particularly striking are the variation on the bodyguard motif, the international dimension, and the women at the head of politics—not as decorative figures, but as strategic actors. Seo Mun‑ju embodies a form of strength that is quiet yet unshakable. Paik San‑ho, meanwhile, breaks the macho mold: respectful, restrained, emotionally intelligent.
Tempest tells of Korea’s desire for security autonomy—and of the bitter realization that such independence is hardly attainable within the current geopolitical order. It shows how deeply international power interests penetrate national politics, and how self‑determination shatters against invisible dependencies.
BUT:
A finely tuned orchestra that began with complex tones was, in the second half, drowned out by an unmotivated, deafening rock band. The carefully developed threads were not woven together but torn apart in a “very American‑like,” loud and metallic, black‑and‑white blockbuster finale.
What remains is the impression of a missed opportunity. A KDrama that began politically sharp and atmospherically rich collapses into the banal. WHY?
A pity for the outstanding cast, who deserved more.
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This Drama Gave Nothing New… and Still Kinda Ate
This one lands right in the middle for me. Not the kind of show that leaves you speechless, but definitely not something I’d call boring either. It’s solid, the kind of drama that doesn’t wow you with big twists or surprises but still keeps you watching all the way through.At first glance, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a revenge drama. The female lead loses everything in an over-the-top conspiracy, disappears, and returns with a plan to take down those who wronged her. You’ve seen this setup before, probably more than once. And this show doesn’t pretend to be different. It embraces the formula completely. That might be a turn-off if you’re tired of the genre’s repetitive structure, but if you’re someone who enjoys these stories even when they’re predictable, like me, then this one is worth checking out.
What really helped my experience was keeping expectations low. I’ve seen flashier revenge dramas with bigger budgets that ended up being directionless messes. This one, though more modest, knew what it wanted to be. The plot follows a straightforward path, with no major surprises, but what stands out is the female lead. From the start, she’s clear about what she wants and never wavers. She doesn’t get emotional to the point of being reckless, and she doesn’t let anyone, not even the male lead, distract her. There’s never a moment where she reverts back to being helpless or confused. Her clarity and focus carry the whole story.
One of the most refreshing elements was the relationship between the leads. I’ll admit I had a bit of bias going in, expecting the usual love-hate chaos, especially since the male lead is from the rival family. But to my surprise, their dynamic was calm and surprisingly grounded. No forced angst, no dramatic blowups just for the sake of tension. Their connection builds gradually and feels natural within the context of the story. Even though the plot isn’t offering anything new, the chemistry between them gives the drama a lot of heart and kept me invested when the rest felt familiar.
As for the male lead himself, I liked how he was written. Yes, it’s a little odd at first when you realize he’s falling for the woman who used to be his dead brother’s wife, but the show doesn’t dwell on that awkwardness. Their past connection feels more like a detail than a major plot point, which makes it easier to move on from. What really works is how he supports her without trying to control the narrative. He helps when she needs it but never tries to take over her mission or become the savior. That balance makes their relationship feel respectful, and honestly, it’s a dynamic I wish we saw more often in this genre.
Where the drama falls short, though, is with the villains. Don’t get me wrong, they do enough to keep the revenge plot moving, and their actions are definitely evil. But they never feel truly menacing. There’s no standout antagonist who makes your skin crawl or really pushes the lead to her limits. They’re just... there. Functional, but forgettable. Luckily, what the story lacks in villain energy, it makes up for with strong visuals. The cast looks incredible from start to finish. Styling, outfits, presence — all very much on point. Even when the tension dips, it still feels fun to watch because of how well everything is presented.
So, would I recommend it? If you're looking for something fresh or unforgettable, this probably won’t hit the mark. But if you're in the mood for a straightforward revenge story with a strong female lead and a well-balanced romance, it’s surprisingly satisfying. It doesn’t waste your time, it doesn’t go off track, and it delivers what it promises. Familiar, yes, but sometimes that’s exactly what works.
[Also, credit where it’s due: Fifty percent of why I kept watching was Wu Jun Ting’s voice. I could listen to him talk all day. Completely hypnotic!]
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The game of light, colours, and nature was just brilliant, with a nostalgic note, beautiful sceneries from Norway, and melodic pieces of classical music and piano to paint the perfect picture of an idyllic and tranquil picture. The pace of the drama was equally perfect for the cinematography, as it was calm, with nice notes of drama here and there.
The performances were excellent from all the actors and actresses in the cast as well.
However, the story was messy and confusing. The script offered little to non information about the cryptic gadget that used a person's voice and character to communicate with the loved ones once that person has passed away. The characters were equally mysterious as well, with some background stories coming through from the flashbacks that the drama offered, but, overall, it was difficult to understand them, know them, and, thus, sympathize with them. The message that, I guess, the drama wanted to pass on, that there is some comfort after a loved one dies, was beautiful. However, the romance was boring, as the characters seemed wrapped up in their past and didn't really invest in the relationship.
So, overall, five out of ten.
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Remarkable drama
I can honestly say this is one of the most powerful, well written poignant dramas i have ever watched on Asian or british websites. I binge watched the complete series and it was the quickest 4 hours of my life.the young actors were just jaw-droppingly good, the music was perfection and for the first time ever watching an Asian drama i am going to read the webtoon this drama was based upon.I cannot praise this piece of work highly enough, the storyline fast fast paced, my attention didn’t waver for a single moment, i am just awestruck at the quality of the acting, the writing, the music, i just hope everyone “gets it” the way i did.
You have a rare treat in store my fellow viewers
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