And it was pretty good. The plot was interesting. The way the story plays out is good.
The music was super good. And another element that added to the beauty of the drama are the frames of childhood that most of the episodes ended with. It really underscored the importance of the relationship Ha Neul and Seo Gun shared.
The main leads are great. The side characters are sometimes annoying, esp the second female lead who starts off as the typical 'hang on his shirt sleeves and pretend he is in love with you' drama-land girl.
There are probably two things I wish were different:
Gong Yoo's character is of a more serious and burdened frame of mind. So basically, I missed seeing his smile. Having Gong Yoo as your lead and not having him smile? That wasn't cool.
And, then the ending- which isn't bad. Just okay. They could have given us some more. (No smile there also)
Besides these, this is a good drama with two strong leads and a beautiful soundtrack.
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There are no perfect families. Even with the same blood coursing through our veins, we all remain human; living in close quarters, we’re bound to have differences. Disagreements will accompany warmth and support, affection and acceptance mix with disappointment and misunderstanding. But when we have nowhere else to go, we can always return home (right?) Yet like any other relationship might fail, so may a family—romantic as it sounds that familial bonds are unbreakable. So much is stacked against this most important of relationships, though the ideal is that word again: “unbreakable.” Outside external problems like financial concerns, personal failings and instances of abuse and neglect constitute the most daunting. You see, while there are no perfect families, there *are* many unhappy ones.
Kazokugari (literally “Family Hunting”) takes this idea to ask some harsh questions. At its very worst, can a dysfunctional family be saved? If things appear hopeless, should the entire institution of family be torn down—even if that necessitates murder? When we’re hurting too much, is it better to live or die (and do we have the right to make that decision for others)? To answer, this drama uses three intertwining stories whose themes and importance overlap. Our main characters combat their own demons separately, but each is being suffocated by family issues and lack of direction or comfort. What links the three are the family suicides (murders?) which haunt their city; as they sink deeper into the mystery, they’re drawn closer together for better or worse. Of these, two combine beautifully (Hizaki and Sudo) though alone Hizaki was far and away the most interesting character in the series. The third, Detective Mamihara, ends up feeling the least focused and connected despite his story’s thematic importance. He’s ultimately one of those characters that might have worked better as a supporting character.
But the brilliant, atypical nature of Kazokugari begins with *how* it tells the story: this drama is a strange chimera of the horror and family genres. Touching scenes often find themselves sandwiched between ones that might seem more at home in a slasher flick. Like in Karamazov no Kyodai, isolated disturbing imagery is used to transition scenes (for instance, perfect fruit that turns to reveal rot—just before the mold is sliced away by an unseen hand). Viewers may find themselves warmed to the core, then frightened off the edge of their seats. My only issue would be that sometimes these elements are pushed too far and muddy the intent, which is to create an uncanny atmosphere. When things worked out it was great, but sometimes my reaction was “Huh,” rather than “EEK!”
Just like her character Hizaki, Matsuyuki Yasuko hooked my interest from the first. This is my third encounter with this talented actress, and I’ve come to realize she often stars in excellent projects. That suits her, since her performances are just as exemplary—and she maintains her standard here. Her vivid expressions betray the character’s feelings to the core, whether it’s an insight to her hollow pain or a rare moment of peace. Ito Atsushi, whom I have great affection for, absolutely pales in comparison. But while he might not have the charisma of his character's favorite Basquiat, he holds his own in terms of everyman relatability and likability. Of the rest of the cast, I wanted to point out as notable Kitayama Hiromitsu. His Keitoku was excellent and much-needed comic relief that somehow fits right in despite the dark themes of the drama.
Music wins a high score for two reasons. First, the orchestrations are perfect mood-setters. No scene would have half as much impact without them, whether creepy or tender. My favorite example will be the inclusion of tragic Ozaki Yutaka’s heart-wrenching “I Love You.” It’s used devastatingly in many scenes; if one knows the lyrics, it enriches the context. There’s also the lovely theme (“Shout” by androp) which ends each episode with a suitable bittersweet feel. Secondly, the sound effects in this series are just genius. These offset dialogue and actions with fabulous timing, giving them new atmosphere—whether it’s a painful sentence being repeated in horrifying tones or some cruel violin riff.
Please be forewarned this drama includes depictions of domestic abuse by and against children, blood, and disturbing imagery. Sensitive viewers may find some parts unpalatable.
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The real story is a love affair, a ménage-à-trois that at one point seems beautiful and perfect until the cracks in the façade eventually begins to be seen (can such things really be that way for long anyway?) but even though you know (from scene one) that it’ll end badly somehow, there’s something wonderfully alluring here that sucks you in and you’ll watch in fascinated sympathy how things fall apart.
Or maybe that’s just me. Except, no, it can’t be just me; the story is based on an award winning novel, and what is more; some of the basic elements of the plot have been used many times before. Evidently, people fall for it, the story of an innocent young girl getting lured in by an older, glamorous and decadent couple that laughs affectionately at her because they can barely remember what it once felt like to be naïve like her… I have read it before, and I’d read it again. In this version of the relationship of three, there were the things I had anticipated, and things I couldn’t see coming. (I imagine some people would criticise the ending, but I – being the sentimental fool that I am – like it.) I would really love to read the original novel, though, to find out about a few things I’m wondering about…
I have to admit, though, to being somewhat biased, not only for liking the theme but also for liking the male lead, Iura Arata. My expectations were high, because lately I’ve just been going through his minor supporting roles and I’ve been waiting eagerly to see him in a main role again. With this character, I got more or less what I wished for – an intellectual seducer with a dark secret and a gentle heart. (From a fangirl point of view: so hot!!) Katase Shintaro and his wife Hinako are elegant, seductive people and experienced in the ways of the world while also seeming to live in their own little universe that only a select few are invited to. The young student Fumiko – they call her Fuu-chan – is lucky or unlucky enough to be invited. She is thoroughly seduced by their overwhelming presence in her life and watching how this happens, inevitably as it has to happen, is very enjoyable.
Fuu-chan is a simple character, the kind of character who just is who she is and becomes dear to the others because of her kind and gentle spirit. There are no surprises in this character, but that’s not to say that she’s shallow. She is just as fascinated as she is intimidated by the couple's passionate, free-spirited lifestyle but she learns to like and accept them. Ishihara Satomi pulls off this natural cuteness almost surprisingly well and I didn’t doubt her for a moment. Tanaka Rena as Hinako is equally convincing: this pleasure-seeking, somewhat whimsical femme fatale kind of character could easily become over-the-top but somehow the actress manage to balance on a thin line, gradually revealing Hinako’s vulnerability. As for Iura Arata, well, this kind of role just suits him – he may have done it before but if you need an actor who can dive deeply into the darker realms of passion and do it with true conviction, he’s your man. This character is the one who goes through most of the changes, or rather, the way we look at him – through Fumiko – changes when we get to understand him better.
I have to give this a ten overall. This story may not always be subtle but it’s elegant and vibrant, erotic without being graphic, and with some surprises in the second half. The enjoyment lies in the character's interaction and all the emotions, and all in all, this is very well done! Even though the characters are driven to the edge of reason, this is not done for dramatic effect or because of drama clichés (e.g. jealous ex lover, annoying parents, etc), this is motivated by the story’s and the characters’ inner logic. Even the old “moth-to-the-flame” metaphor is taken to the next level. (Not gonna lie; I was thinking “no, please…” the moment the moth flew in, but thankfully the writer knew what she was doing!) It’s like a Greek tragedy; you know that something bad will happen, but once it does, you know that it couldn’t have been any other way. And through it all, they do truly love each other.
Is this a movie I would rewatch? Maybe! I found some beautiful and swoon-worthy scenes in it. As for the music, I suppose it did add to the atmosphere every now and then but overall I didn’t really notice it.
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Unlike the romance in My True Friend which has come from love-at-first-sight, the romance in this drama is built on trust and understanding. The two main leads Sun Li and Luo Jin are both veteran and excellent actors. Luo Jin plays the Xu Wen Chang character who is a calm, unrestrictive office manager of a large multi-store realtor company. His leadership style is laissez-faire whereby he allows his people a free hand to achieve results in an ethical manner. His subordinates adore him and give him a nickname Gugu, meaning paternal aunty. Xu Wen Chang is kind, sincere and diplomatic. His magnanimity eventually melts away the ice of Fang Si Jin (Sun Li/Betty Sun) who is a co-manager of the same office. When Fang Si Jin is transferred to work there, her goal is to replace him eventually. But after months working with Xu Wen Chang, she finds out all his qualities and gradually falls in love with him. Fang Si Jin is an ambitious real estate agent who would go all the way out to do anything to close the deal. She’s up-tight, suspicious and calculative. But after spending some time under the warm office culture that Xu Wen Chang has inculcated, she starts to change. She sees humans in people and begins to love her subordinates who also come to adore her for her determination and compassion.
Every character has his/her own flaws, story and challenges, and this drama has carefully developed the characters and help them grow to meet and overcome their hurdles. The office culture here is very heart-warming; everyone is watching out for each other’s well-being and they are united like a big family.
This drama is an eye opening for international viewers on how brutal and stressful it is to live in a city like Shanghai. As a realtor, the work is hard and the competition is fierce. But most of all, all denizens in the city work extra-ordinarily hard and they are determined to achieve their goals, overcoming any obstacles that come their way. It also depicts all walks of life in the city – the good, the bad and the ugly. The good ones are beautiful and heart-warming, and the bad ones are ugly, greedy and unethical.
This drama is definitely a wonderful watch, especially if viewers want to better understand life in Shanghai. The depiction is authentic and realistic. It has provided me self-searching calls to look deeper into myself and to want to become a better person for others.
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Drop Everything and Watch this
You know what i literally re rated everything i have watched till date cuz after watching this series my standards have gone so high that i don't think any drama or atleast any mystery thriller would get close easily.I am the type of person who focuses on two things : the story and the characters. Even if one is done right and is consistent, i am generally satisfied. Here, the story is the hero. The direction is brilliant but definitely the story carries everything on its back. I love creepy stuff, and i have watched a hell lot of things so nothing creeped me out, nothing scared me but based on my experience ppl who don't watch stuff like that will definitely be uncomfortable.
Now, another word i write and it will be a spoiler and i don't want to ruin anyone's journey to watch this masterpiece. Go watch it and if you don't understand something after finishing it, we can discuss or even in the mid but don't drop it just bcuz it might weigh down on your brain. I mean seriously dropping it would be disrespectful to art.
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Best Gone Into BLIND
I am not someone who doesn't read synopsis. I am not someone who doesn't watch 500 trailers and read reviews and comments before deciding to start a show. I am basically someone who will already know much of the plot before watching a show or movie.I am TELLING you, don't DO that with this one... just don't. Don't watch any trailers or read spoilered comments. Even the little bit of synopsis currently on the page at time of writing this is a spoiler.
What SHOULD you know about this show?
Yes, there is romance, but romance is more a product of the show than the PURPOSE of the show. Without the romance the show LITERALLY would not be able to happen as it does as it is integral to the plot, but it's not a "3 dates" type romance where they meet, have a few meetings, confess, and have an ending. Instead, the romance unfolds among misunderstandings, shared history and self-doubts. Turning points happen over issues with trust. Yes, this is vague, I know.
Aside from the romance aspect though there are plenty of themes surrounding: "What is love", "Does not feeling something make you bad", "Women's roles in society run by men", "Whether getting help as a woman from someone who HAPPENS to be a man is disgraceful", "People's roles being dictated by another person". There are two other themes that I feel run the show but mentioning them, while not being "technically" a spoiler, would be a spoiler in spirit so I won't.
If you do not like horror, steer clear as this is VERY horror laced. One minute you will be in feel good land, the next you want a blanket and to turn the lights on. If you find the 1st episodes are NOT creepy then you will probably not find any of the rest. Personally, I am not a horror fan and may be having some nightmares about various aspects of this show.
Above all else... EVERYTHING you are told is true... until it isn't.
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This review may contain spoilers
Waste of time
Story: Doesn't have any. Should I say this drama is a total waste of time and the FL is the most annoying character I've ever seen? 3 men are totally head over heels for her & she's just acting like a stupid so called popular girl. She keeps rejecting everyone, actually that's not the problem here coz she has her reasons but the main hypocrite thing was when she told her friend that she can't love anyone coz she doesn't believe in love nd next day she is in love with a person whom she never met irl, who's only in her social media. Not even 1% realistic 🤦♀️Acting/Cast: They all are rookies so it's neither so good nor so bad.
Music: It has some nice music. Isn't that why the name of this drama is "your playlist"?
Rewatch value: I'm never gonna watch this again until someone points a gun at me👁 👁
Overall: As an AROHA I'm a bit frustrated.I still can't believe they fooled us. They even made sanha's character as a dumb who is a top idol of the nation & totally in love with a girl who doesn't give a f*ck about him & insults him every chance she gets?? I don't know why the company made sanha doing this🙄 In the drama description they wrote "Yoon San Ha" as main character but he's definitely not. He got a very few like maximum 30secs of screen time in each episode. They just used sanha as a bait to make views for their not-so-good drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not the ending again...
I really wanted to add this drama to my favorite short dramas but it didn't make the cut...The cast are all good-looking with decent enough acting. The leads have good chemistry which increases by the second half of the drama.
The costumes look good enough to me, specially the ML's.
It is filled with cliche but it didn't drag on so it was nice. Fl wasn't dumb so it was also nice.
Here is what we have here :
-hidden identity (which doesn't last much long!)
-enemy to lovers
-good chemistry
-jealousy over misunderstandings (it wasn't annoying!)
-amnesia (doesn't occupy whole drama)
-break up
-possible reunion
-secondary couple
-good support characters for both ML & FL.
-very little screen time for villains
The comedy becomes stupid sometimes but it wasn't bad either.
I enjoyed watching this drama more than I expected! It was meh at the start but it got better as I continued watching, the plot was simple yet interesting. There aren't too important plot holes either in my opinion.
It got ruined for me with the ending.
I'm just not a fan of open endings. you could interpret it as happy or sad.. I was prepared to give it an 8 until I reached the ending. I'll give it a 7 cause overall it was entertaining.
So what to do? watch or not watch?
*if you like light romance with little tiny bit of palace shenanigans and don't mind open endings, go for it.
**if you like obvious happy endings, move on, it's not for you.
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The ever popular Choi Min-sik, of Oldboy & I Saw the Devil fame, delivers a solid performance as the scorned, emasculated house husband. The juxtaposition of gender specific traits in his character, nurturing femininity vs aggressive masculinity, was particularly well played in my opinion. It shows how, in the heat of passion, one can really act against type.
The reversal of stereotypical gender roles, especially in a strongly patriarchal society like South Korea, is always interesting to watch. I did enjoy the film, but can not score it higher than 7 because with the exception of the cheater being female, the storylines are essentially the same for pretty much every film I have seen in this genre. The movie is definitely worth a watch for Choi Min sik and reversing the role of who cheats, but don't go in expecting any clever twists. There are none.
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This movie is not for those that want something exciting all the way through, in fact the movie is quite slow in the beginning. However, the cinematography is beautiful hence I don't have problem with the slow plotline. It didn't really follow the flow of the novel, but the storyline still delivers. The transition between current timeline and the past are not confusing at all since they are using different actors so you can figure out when is the current and past timeline easily. I love the climax, it was delivered nicely.
Just to let you guys know, the movie focused on the past timeline the most so Takumi Kitamura and Minami Hamabe are the one that appeared the most in this movie. Shun Oguri acted as the storyteller and Keiko Kitagawa as the friend that also effected by the main issue. All of them played their roles perfectly, especially Takumi Kitamura. I really love the tone of his voice that he used in this movie, it suited his role perfectly. Minami Hamabe is perfect as the cheerful girl and you just can't help to like her since she always smiles brightly. Both of them connected naturally despite them being strangers in the beginning and the differences in their personalities.
The music is subtle, easy to the ears, suited perfectly with the storyline. Though I'm not sure if I will rewatch this again, this movie surely isn't forgettable. Enjoyable.
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All time favorite masterpiece - rewatched hundred times now
It was pleasure to watch and cry...no complain... actors are amazing... story is perfect...moments are heartbroken and you would cry... I could not stop watching it till finished and after I had the worth withdraw symptoms ever so I rewatched it again and again wishing to unwatched it so I can watch it as new.1. Rewatched value over 100%
2. The second couple is on pair with main - loved both of them so much. Second couple could get drama on their own due to their chemistry, story and actors
3. Like the ending as well, it suitable and beautiful
4. Music/OST are out of the world
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An unconventional sweet drama
What started out as a misunderstanding turns out to be a love going both ways. However, can they overcome obstacles along the way to get their happily ever after?Certainly this kind of idol urban drama where love is the center is nothing new but the most striking thing is the definition of love in this drama is not limited to romance. There is family/responsibilities/filial piety, friendship, and comradery. In addition, the drama highlight upon each career aspects of all characters.
Male lead is definitely not your typical domineering CEO. Rather he has flaws, but is willing to listen and understand others. This character doesn't have much lines compare to FL and second leads but the actor's acting is immersive that grounded it for me. Timmy Xu did an excellent job in presenting a 3-dimensional character that I can relate, sympathize and like. One thing I have to say is that there is finally a drama where the domineering CEO actually is seen working hard and not falling in love all day long. Also, this male lead, Xiao Shangqi, does not have the golden finger to solving or having an answer to everything. Xiao Shangqi is certainly in the dark in almost every situations where he either has to slowly figure out the puzzles himself or with FL. Our male lead is a most understanding, patience, devoted, faithful character to FL I have not seen in a while. You'll wish there is such character is real life. Sadly, there's no such tall, rich, handsome, loving man in real life that would chase their partner like Xiao Shangqi. If there is he does not have to give chase, I would be the one chasing. LOL
All the actors/actresses did a good job. Each carries their character well. Although there are noticeable traces of weaknesses in some. As a viewer, I think there are some inconsistency in FL behavior/characteristics. The actress could have done better maybe in acting out a more loveable/relatable or softer character. There are also instances where she is "acting" instead of "being the character". However, this is just my opinion.
I wouldn't exactly say I love it but I do like it. It was an enjoyable watch. I would re-watch it again. Well, I have re-watched some episodes. ^_^ The story is logical. The storytelling itself is not excellent but very comfortable. Some situations are very relatable and grounded and there's no over the top or suspense of disbelief. And best of all, we have a satisfactory ending wrap, which is sometimes rushed in many other dramas.
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X-men meet serial killer
I was promised pain, gore and a bunch of pretty faces... and got pain gore and a bunch of pretty faces in this X-men meet serial killer...What I liked was the visuals and the sound of connect... it felt cute yet bloody in a way. I also liked seeing Jung Hae In and Go Kyung Pyo + am crushing really badly on Kim Hye Joon who pretty much stole the show.
Go Kyung Pyo is an amazing priest type of serial killer, extremely well casted! There is something about a cold serial killer vibe that captivates me and keeps me interested. And well the execution here was flawless...
Jung Hae Ins character is kind of pathetic and though the acting was good I just did not fall for the character, he did not captivate me at all. Something that speaks poorly about the character since me not falling head over healls for a character played by Jung Hae In is pretty rare. Something that kind of drags down the score. I am however hoping that character takes on some other traits for the next season. That said I do like his look and find the missing eye adorable, but it did start a slight questioning of faith towards my fanhood towards Jung Hae In.
Kim Hye Joon is amazing I love her, she is going straight to the crush list if she is not there and I am hoping to see a lot more of her, here there,,, everywhere.
All in all a decent watch if you can take a bunch of violence and without a lot of substance...
P.S. the portrayal of organ transplants did not bother me at all.... And if you are expecting anything realistic back away and watch pretty much anything else.
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This drama should be getting more attention
Somber and thought-provoking, The King of Pigs is the kind of drama that forces the viewer to come face to face with one of the ugliest part of our society. It doesn't offer any comfort, it doesn't try to make itself more palatable: it's brutal and depressing since the beginning with no heroes, only flawed and broken characters that you can't fully blame nor justify as the difference between victims and perpetrators gets thinner and thinner.School violence isn't seen as an independent phenomenon, it makes it clear that it's a reflection of our society, that the blame is broader than it may appear; it touches on social gerarchies, bad parenting, vile teachers that aren't worth the seat that they occupy and least, but not least, a shared blame that we may all be guilty of: normalizing such behaviors and looking the other way. It's definitely a drama that has lots of food for thought and not an easy watch.
Was is truly flawless? No, probably not. But then again, I have yet to find a show that doesn't have some weaknesses. But to me it gets as close as possible to being perfect and it deserves to be called a masterpiece. But the flaws should be mentioned, instead of completely disregarded: the policewoman, although not as bad as some people say because she still fulfilled a role in the story as a sort of witness/narrator, and her investigations are without a doubt the weakest part of the drama; it's where the writing gets a sloppier and not as strong as the rest of the script that was truly without faults (and it's even more impressive when you think about the fact that this is the first work from the screenwriter). An example is the policewoman being uncommunicative and doing things on her own, even when it may lead someone else in danger, getting clues a bit randomly and not taking her gun out when it should be needed. But like I said, this kind of inconsistencies are more common in tv shows and movies than one may think, and they're hardly enough to ruin a well done drama, but this is a long topic and this review is already long enough on its own.
Now, onto the good things:
The script: I already said that this is the first work from the writer and he did an excellent job. He made some very bold decisions that were very much needed, even if it may make the viewer uncomfortable. He wrote some excellent dialogues that are hard to forget and leave an impression. The pacing was solid, I never felt bored, never felt the need to look at my phone (which is saying a lot for me because I get easily distracted): it was slow enough to not make it rushed, but fast enough to keep things as intense as possible for 12 episodes. And more importantly, it never felt formulaic. As I said before the differences between heroes and villains gets more and more blurry, there aren't any fixed roles (like can you even tell who is first lead and who is the second lead among Kyung Min and Jong Suk? Are they even heroes? Who is the main villain?), it isn't afraid to put its characters in a bad light, there aren't any forced cliffhangers that end up getting repetitive and predictable toward the end, no overkill of plot twists and new informations that can make the drama feel convoluted, no unnecessary melodrama or moving montages put there just to buy some time and get to the established number of episodes. These facts alone are enough to make it worth praising.
Directing, editing and cinematography: someone told me that they liked how the drama was put together and edited because it looked smooth, especially in the way the past and the present are intertwined because it had a good continuity and it made it seem as if the past wasn't a distant and unrelated past, but something that is still pretty much present; and of course I agree. And I think that this quote from Kyung Min deserves a mention here: "the past is present and future". Clunky translation aside, this quote fits the show so well and we can truly say that The King of Pigs successfully managed to stay true to this quote even in terms of editing. I also loved the work that the director did as he often framed the characters between objects, behind stained windows and broken glasses, in mirrors and with their faces being doubled and fragmented by some reflection present in the scene. All these things did a great job at emphasizing the tension and the characters fractured minds and mental state. Even the way all the kids were often framed like littles soldiers in the way they were aligned (this is especially evident in a key scene that I'm not going to spoil) as to make it clear that what we were watching was abnormal and the result of a toxic mentality. I also love the coloring used for the scenes set in the past because they make it look so unhealthy and suffocating. And the close-ups, out of focus shots, dutch angles all used in the right times to make the scenes more intense and convey a turmoil of emotions.
I think that this drama did visual storytelling in the right way and the director made the story truly immersive. There are many examples but I don't want this review to have spoilers.
Soundtrack: another thing I love is that it doesn't overuse its songs, so the music never felt repetitive and random to me. It was never distracting and only used at the right moments. It knew when a scene needed to be silent and when, on the other hand, the soundtrack was necessary to give a stronger impact. Also kudos to who picked all the songs at the end of each episode, they were all so powerful and reflected the episodes so well; I rarely watch the ending credits, but here I couldn't skip them because I felt that they were an important part of the drama too as I sat there, staring at the black screen, thinking about what I had just watched, as I got emotional over a song whose lyrics I couldn't even understand.
Characters and performances: with the sole exceptions of Chae Jung An (Kang Jin Ah), who was good, especially in that one scene in the ending (again, no spoilers here), but not outstanding as the others, all the performances were simply breathtaking. Even most of the supporting characters did so well.
Kim Dong Wook playing Kyung Min managed to convey so many emotions with just his eyes alone: you could feel the rage, the tiredness of man who is not a killer by nature and the pain in his eyes as they changed from a heartless gaze when he looked at his oppressors to a more sorrowful expression when he was in front of his friends. Those rare outbursts of emotions were very well done too. This is for me by far his best performance (sorry Hwa Pyung, I still love you) that shows the acting range he has.
Kim Sung Kyu, Jung Jong Suk in the story, played the part of a broken and unstable man so well that sometimes I really worried about the actor's mental state as his character became more and more immersed in his past memories and lost his composure. His teary, angry eyes will be hard to forget. I hope he will have more main roles from now on because his talent is wasted as a supporting actor.
Choi Hyun Jin (especially), Sim Hyun Seo, Lee Chan Yoo and all of the kid actors also did an outstanding job as they were really able to keep up with their adult colleagues as if it were nothing. They had a very difficult task because the materials they had to work with was important, heavy and not easy at all, and yet they managed to do it perfectly and professionally. I sincerely hope that they will have a bright future ahead.
Rewatch value: I think that this is a rather subjective point, but anyway, I think it has a high rewatch value. I was doing a rewatch for the finale and it was just as emotional as the first time, if not even more. Knowing what will happen makes every scene carry even more weight.
Finally the review ends here. Sorry if it was long and thank you if you really managed to read it all and reach the end. I'm not expecting to get much attention because I'm fully aware that I can't summarize to save my life. I never wrote a review here, partly because the shows I've watched had already many reviews, partly because this is the first time I get so emotional about an ongoing drama so I really wanted to share my thoughts. So, back to the important stuffs, if you're unsure about watching it because it's not that popular, but if you like dark thrillers, then give it a try! You won't regret it :)
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It is the perfect portrayal of so many things: How far one is willing to go when he/she has nothing left to lose, how low humans are capable of falling for their greed, and the way humans are capable of becoming monsters for it.
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Plot: 10/10
Hats off to the writer of this masterpiece. This drama was so well written that for someone who gets bored/distracted easily, I binged it. 102 episodes in 10 days, is a new record for me. Right from the first episode, the plot pulls you in if it doesn't by the summary. There's something happening in each and every episode. I've read many comments about it getting draggy in the middle but I didn't feel it, maybe because I was watching episodes after episodes without a break? Anyway, the plot and characters are enough to keep you hooked up till the very end. Sometimes it gets predictable and sometimes, it's hard to predict what the characters would do. All in all, its a good Makjang.
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Characters: 9/10
I LOVED THE CHARACTERS!
1) And hands-down, there's no one better than our main lead Lee Nayeon. She's the sole character who shines brightest. This character went through SO MUCH, SO MUCH in this drama. What I loved the most about her character is; even though she seems timid and polite girl, she has this fire inside of her that intrigues viewers right from the start. Whether she's 12 or 32, she's something to be reckoned with. She's the kind of character who won't hurt a bug but is capable of bringing down a mountain if someone is to hurt her loved ones. And THAT is exactly what she does. She's the gold of a character! Lee Nayeon's character is followed by Baek Dohui's who's such a precious character but.... I cried a bucket!
2) Then there's Kang Taejun! DUDEEEE!!! He is the perfect example of someone who's leading a blessed simple life but keeps eyeing the stars and forgets what he has while he does. His character deserved everything he got. What's interesting about him is, HE KNOWS!! He is not oblivious to what he's doing and what might happen to him for it but he still pursues what he believes in. He's actually a wise character who just made unreasonable/stupid decisions to get what he THOUGHT he wanted. Enough said.
3) Don't get me started on Jang Sejin!!! DAMN!! I HATED THIS GIRL WITH PASSION! You greedy witch!! And here I'd say, she didn't love Taejun, SHE WAS OBSESSED with him. Kdrama writers tend to confuse obsession and love and this is exactly what they did in the case of Sejin! This issue should've been dealt with properly. She was obsessive, immature, and threw around words without care of what words might do. And her words did TONS! Those who've seen this drama would know what I'm talking about.
4) Park Yugyeong: *insert shudders* THIS WOMAN IS SO DARN EVIL. She is the example of those people who commit errors and instead of owning up to them, they bury it and they try to bury it deep. This woman is the root of all, ALL evil in this drama, and I loved how Nayeon pulled the world from under her feet. She took her time doing so. Park Yugyeong is one of those women who are obsessed with their children. I pity the people who have moms like this woman because while the world sees it as love, it is something much dangerous and unhealthy.
5) Park Hwiyeong: Ok, he's the most innocent character in this drama. He's just a tall teddy bear who wants to console everyone and help everyone. He trusts easily and has a big, big heart with so much love for his family. Even his witchy sister. But I loved how he could set his priorities right and knew what he wanted. I loved how he grew a backbone and started fighting for what he believed in and wanted. Now that I think about it, he's the only one who didn't hurt even a fly in the drama =3
6) Others: Taejun's mom was TERRIBLE! Nayeon mothers were the BEST. Her sisters were PERFECT and their boyfriends meh. Ahjussie Jang Gyeongwan......I have no words for this guy. WHAT? HE TRIED BECOMING THE VILLAIN FOR THE PEOPLE HE LOVED? Dude, grow a backbone first. But he got what he deserved. Hwiyeong's mom is THE BEST and Dohui's parents are the sanest people in the drama!
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Character Development: 7/10
Not much of character development except for Nayeon. Other than changing a bit due to their circumstances throughout the story, everyone remained pretty much the same.
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Acting/Cast: 8.5/10
Lee Yoo Ri rocks this show. She outshone everyone and everything. She played three different types of characters and nailed each of them. She just became the actress I'd definitely check out the work of. Others were okay. I'd say Park Ha Na who played Sejin is awesome too considering how much I despised her character.
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Re-watch Value: 5/10
I don't do re-watches, nope and there's no way I'm going to put myself through the anxiousness I felt while watching this. This drama drained me emotionally and it was well required too which is why it's going to have a special place in my heart.
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Music: 7/10
Except for its main OST, the rest of the music tracks were just okay. None out of ordinary kdrama makjang tracks ;)
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Conclusion:
This is my second Makjang and the first show I've binged since ages ago. I loved the characters, the intensity of the drama, and the way it kept me absorbed into it for ten long summer days.
If you're looking for something intense, something to test your emotions with a little bit of romance then this drama is for you. And I'd say, this is not for the weak-hearted or you'd cry an ocean.
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P.S: I hope people would read this long essay than a review xD
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