This review may contain spoilers
Multi-Layered Characters
Originally this was added to the watchlist because I had heard that LYR was doing his first ML role and he'd done a good job playing supporting ones so was curious and I'd seen XRH once before though I wasn't very convinced back then; don't know why. Some of the supporting characters were familiar. But the story itself was interesting and all of the characters were multi-layered.Pros: What set this show apart for me from others I've watched was the fact that this second chance romance brought in the past of the leads first to the episode, than present day including their and the other two couple's participation in the filming of the variety show, that way things were explained and you understood why certain things happened. It seemed to me that all three couples evolved both separately and together as the show wore on. At first you thought FL was a selfish brat because of her actions and in fact she did admit to most of the mistakes from the past as being hers but when you saw her layers of trauma, you understood that though this was a drama, she was still a human being. Favorite character was ML; I like how he was sure of himself, confident, independent and quite obvious that from the two of them he had grown and matured first.
The second couple was weird, toxic, and codependent and at the end she became pregnant and somehow you just prayed the child wouldn't become neurotic like his parents. They were my least favorite. The 3rd couple were called the healing couple in the comments and I agree; even though they were both ridiculously shy to the point of social anxiety; they were always a soothing balm to each other and their friends especially once they got together. I also liked that all 6 people even with all of their shortcomings, were such great friends and support systems to each other to the point that the show ended with the 6 traveling around together. Their friendship started in HS and progressed way into adulthood.
The 3.5 annoying people who played either rivals in love or just one completely unhinged chick all stayed as long as necessary and were then sent packing. Ironically even though YS seemed like the most annoying, when giving advice to the other two women during their "dates" set by production, gave the best advice. And really great way everyone took down the unhinged chick in the 2nd to last episode. Also how symbolic that it was SXR that proposed to LXY in the last episode as a close to the chapter; the marriage-phobe realized that's exactly what she wanted and that near death accident made her understand being next of kin is vital when you love someone.
Cons: Obviously this show was lower budget, but it didn't really hurt it. I do wish the SFL was less baby-voiced viper most of the series. Towards the end, I don't understand why the legal proceedings were published on screen. For starters this was fictional and secondly, the unhinged lawyer chick's crimes went beyond "intentional attempted vehicular homicide", yet she wasn't charged for those. Also none of the civil charges were made public. So either get all of the charges or none. Makes zero sense to do what they did. I think things could have been explained better about the show itself, as well as how SQ met her abusive ex husband. The show should have focused more proportionally on the third leads as we don't know much about TML's or TFL's backgrounds or their parents.
Would I recommend it? Yes. This was a different show that you had to watch to understand the multifaceted characters and how they got to where they were. It's a nice modern drama.
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Not groundbreaking, but still a hidden gem that is definitely my best watch so far this year~
This show only having 26 episodes is unconstitutional! It's realistic and grounded, but with very good writing and direction. People often mistake "ethereal aesthetics" as the pinnacle of good dramas, but good direction shines even more in dramas like these. Before I start with my review of the story, it's important to note that this is a slice of life show that you watch with your family on TV over dinner or while you're lounging in the living room in the evening. It's intended to be a legal education that is digestible for normal people. It's not some grand legal drama emphasizing the "glory" of the legal profession and the judiciary. It's very down to earth, and if you don't like that and expect dramatics, you probably wouldn't enjoy this one. Another downside I can see about this show that might turn people off is the weird dubbing at some scenes. But it's not even a problem of the actors. It's more of the production team changing the lines post-production to pass censorship. If you can get past some scenes where they do that, then you're good to go.STORY:
I'm going to preface this by saying that they definitely did their research in writing the show. But then, I read that this was supervised by the Supreme Court, so it's bound to be accurate to a certain extent.
First of all, what I love about this show is that some of the cases don't end definitively or in a way that is intended to satisfy the audience. Instead, some cases are resolved in a way that is true to human nature. It's very much true to life and close to reality. Because some family matters just don't get resolved in the "perfect happy ending" that we wish them to be resolved. Like Shen Xiezhi, we go on this journey to slowly acknowledge that even when the law dictates this, even when the moral norms of society expect that—the wishes of the parties themselves are the most important, and to truly resolve the grievances in their hearts, the resolution of their cases must be tailored for them and their situation, and not mere textbook answers we find in codals and society.
On this note, I also love how they don't just focus on one case at a time, because the reality is that judges and lawyers have to deal with several cases a day. And this show simulates that pretty well without disrupting the flow of the story, since we are still able to see the linear timeline of the main characters' personal lives.
Another thing I love about this show is that the world doesn't bend to accommodate Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's love. Instead, they are the ones who have to bend to accommodate to how the world goes. That's reality. That's life. And it makes me appreciate their relationship even more, knowing that they've made a lot of efforts and thinking to make it work—all the while not sacrificing what is inherent in them as individuals. Their careers really matter to them, and they respect each other's careers and choices, too. Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui are two people with different dreams and aspirations—one wants to be a judge in the High Court, the other wants to work in a big law firm and earn a lot for herself and her Grandma—and they both know from the start that being together might hinder their career options in the future (because of the recusal rule preventing a judge and a lawyer from working within the same jurisdiction). And you know what? This is what makes the angst so good, delicious, and just *chef's kiss*~ This is what makes the wait to see how they will resolve all of this all the more thrilling. Here are two people who love each other; and they love each other too much, to the point that even if it hurts their heart—even if they miss each other all the time, they are still genuinely happy for the other for pursuing their dreams. There is no resentment in the choices that they made—just understanding (that it is what it is), longing (to be with the person even if it is impossible at the moment), and a sense of pride (that the other is reaching greater heights that they have long dreamed of achieving). I can't emphasize this enough, but they are truly just such a mature pair and a very healthy couple. And even when they started off at the wrong foot, with endless "meet uglies", their best traits still shone for the other to recognize and admire.
I also love how we saw different types of marriages in this show. We saw Judge Shu Jing and her husband's marriage, as well as Judge Yu Le and her husband's marriage. I particularly like the side story about Judge Shu Jing and her husband because I think aside from Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's relationship, they are another good contrast to Jiang Feng and Lou Yue. While Jiang Feng and Lou Yue think that it will be a sacrifice to take a step back in their careers for the sake of their marriage and may be a cause for emotional blackmail in the future, Judge Shu Jing's husband has made peace with his decision regarding his career change and doesn't necessarily see it as a sacrifice, because he's more than willing to live a much simpler life for his family. As for Judge Yu Le and her husband, they're kind of a "perfect" pair. I say this lovingly: She's such a pampered princess off work, but it's okay because her husband is more than willing to indulge her. There's also Judge Ying Danian and his wife, who are quite a lovely and chill pair, even at the face of challenges (like his wife being sick). They're braving it together and he's a constant support for her, and it's just lovely to see.
On the topic of Judge Yu Le off work, I really love her off work outfits. She's so fashionable. Also Hu Aixi.
Special Mention: Jiang Feng and Liu Lian. Jiang Feng is such a funny friend. He's just a silly comedic relief for me. Whenever he goes to Shen Xiezhi's apartment unannounced and unsolicited, I just know they're going to piss each other off. As for Liu Lian, she's such a great friend. I really love her friendship with Qin Rui. They have stuck with each other for better and for worse and I love how in the moments where Qin Rui feels down, she's there to pull her up and remind her that she's there, better days are coming, and everything will be alright.
Special Mention 2: Chen Xianghui. I really love his ending. It was such a pleasant surprise for me when I saw it. And you know what? HE DESERVES IT! He's so dedicated to his job and constantly shadows Shen Xiezhi to learn from him. He can be a little self-deprecating because he has failed the Bar Exam multiple times, but that never stopped him from doing his best. It's just so commendable.
(You can check the comments if you want to read some of my insights on Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's characters and relationship.)
ACTING/CAST:
I'm going to be honest, Gong Jun didn't really stand out to me as an actor BEFORE. I watched his shows early in his career and after that, I stopped tuning in for his shows altogether. I am quite fond of him in variety shows, though. He seems like an overall lovely guy in real life. But this show changed my perspective of him as an actor again. He's actually good if given the chance to work with good directors and writers. He really brought Shen Xiezhi to life and his acting is so natural and convincing. He can be funny with his judging looks in the courtroom (he's a judge, and he judges LOL), but he can also deliver the perfect emotions of a discerning outsider watching emotionally-driven confrontations in court. Sure, he is moved, but he also maintains the level of professionalism required for his job. I really hope he gets a chance to work in similar shows because I feel like these types of shows suit him more? (Anyway, this truly put Gong Jun back in the map for me. I might even revisit some of the shows he has done after I stopped tuning in for his shows back then. And tune in for his future ones, too.)
As for Ren Min—THE ACTRESS SHE IS. I have always liked her. She's such an effective actress that I can always count on being immersed whenever I'm watching her. There's so much depth and nuance in her acting, that I could empathize with Qin Rui and feel for her. I saw that she actually wrote a character analysis for Qin Rui before they started filming and this dedication to the craft is truly awe-inspiring. She's definitely going places and I'm so excited to see her future works.
Gong Jun and Ren Min have amazing chemistry, especially when they're bickering. I really ate up their dynamic in this show and kinda went crazy when the obvious dislike their characters had for each other became charged with something else that they're both too scared to name. I hope they work together again. I think they would work well in an investigation drama. Or maybe those infinite flow stories (I think it's the new trend in C-Dramaland right now).
I have constantly said before that an actor is good is when I'm able to enjoy the show while watching him or her. If the actor delivers what he has to deliver and make me feel for their character, then they're good in my books. For this show, everyone has done a great job in doing that. From the main characters, to the supporting characters, and most especially to the main characters in each of the cases. The acting in this show is very grounded, and I think that's what makes it more effective for me. I am truly convinced that these are real life people facing these real life problems and I'm really just wishing the best resolution for their cases all throughout the show.
MUSIC:
The OSTs in this show are quite unassuming. I didn't even realize that I've had it memorized (and that I even remembered it) until I started humming along when the songs play in some scenes. There's nothing really much to say about the music, but the sound effects and BGM are all well-placed throughout the show and they have never felt out of place.
REWATCH VALUE:
Would you believe it if I said it has so much rewatch value, I end up rewatching while I'm still watching the episode itself? I always catch myself rewinding the scenes (especially Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's scenes) and as if that's not enough, I even go to XHS to watch edits. The rewatch value is just so high for me, I can't even explain it. It takes me hours to finish a 45-minute episode, it's quite insane.
OVERALL:
I thoroughly LOVE this show. I love this show so much, I have written a lot of thinkpieces about Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui. I just cannot find it in me to shut up about them. At the same time, this show has also generated a lot of discussion (especially on Chinese social media) and it's quite interesting to read some of other people's takes, too. Not only is the show fun in itself, but the experience of watching it is fun, too. Call me a nerd, but I really love it when good discussions are made regarding the plot and the characters, interpreting their backgrounds and motivations and how these affect how they move along in the story.
Like I said above, it's not groundbreaking. But nevertheless, it is still a hidden gem that everyone should have the luck to come across with. It's definitely my favorite watch this year so far and I really hope everyone can give it a try~
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The synopsis for this drama doesn't even begin to tell the story. It is dark, but somehow gives hope. The story is very detailed and all the characters are intricately combined. The imagery as well as the references to Dante's inferno and Rodin's Gateway to Hell etc. trigger so many emotions and elicit so many thoughts. The use of the tarot cards throughout gives answers and brings questions. I was blown away by the way each character’s story is told. The cinematography was so well done. There were so many scenes that I thought were perfectly portrayed. There are very few times in this drama when I knew what was going to happen next. I watched this ***with my sister, finally someone to watch drama with*** in a few days because it was hard to stop due to the perfect pacing of the drama. I almost felt desperate to know what was going to happen next. The ending is one of the best that I have ever seen. I would give this drama a 10 for the ending alone. This isn't a romance and there is no fairy tale. If that is what you want to watch, then this is not the drama you are looking for.
The acting is beyond great. Uhm Tae Woong plays Kang Oh Soo who is the detective of this drama. I won't try to tell his story, because it is too complex. I have liked Tae Woong as an actor for a long time, but his portrayal of Kang Oh Soo’s good, bad, and ugly emotions is perfect. It is hard not to find this character pitiful and lovable. Joo Ji Hoon plays Oh Seung Ha. This character is so multifaceted. He is cold but just by using Ji Hoon’s expressions, I knew there was more to him. There is no way that I could not be sympathetic to his character. I have seen Ji Hoon in Goong and Antique Bakery. I liked him in both, but I really had no idea that he could pull something like this off. It makes me want to watch Five Fingers next. I love Shin Min Ah. She is one of my favorite actresses. I don’t know why she isn't in more dramas. I’m really enjoying her in Arang and the Magistrate also which is airing right now. I hope she does many, many more. Her portrayal of Seo Ha In is so good. She IS the light in this drama. There are so many more characters that make this drama worth watching. Usually I get annoyed with secondary stories and lots of secondary characters, but for this drama every character had his/her place and the actors did a great job of bringing those characters to life.
Honestly, I couldn't tell you what music was played in this drama. I can say though that it wasn't annoying like some music in a melodrama can be.
I will rewatch this at some point.
I recommend this to anyone who likes revenge and psychological dramas.
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Treasure hunters or just a bunch of con artists?
Low Life is one of those underrated shows that go unnoticed which is pretty ironic, considering the entire plot revolves around a lost treasure at the bottom of the sea. But what many people don’t realize is that the real hidden gem is the show itself.The premise: a group of people half misfits, half dreamers (or just completely lost, to be honest) are chasing a lost treasure: valuable ceramics that sank with an old imperial Chinese ship off the coast of South Korea. Sounds epic, right? And it is... just not in the way you’d expect. These “treasure hunters” aren’t glamorous, they don’t have futuristic gadgets or a brilliant plan. What they do have are debts, flashy clothes, questionable ideas, and a natural talent for trouble.
Right from the start, what caught my attention most was the setting. Low Life takes place in the 1970s, and I have to say: the production work is simply impeccable. From the retro home decor to the colorful clothes, the slicked-back hair to the thick regional accents everything feels very authentic. As someone obsessed with vintage aesthetics, I felt right at home.
I’ll be honest: the first few minutes left me a bit lost. A bunch of characters are introduced all at once, with names I couldn’t keep track of yet, and the narrative doesn’t hand everything to you on a silver platter. And yes, I was bored at first. But it was a necessary kind of boredom. Because when I finally gave it my full attention, I began to realize that each character has something unique to offer. It’s like watching a big game board being assembled: each piece, no matter how random it seems, is there for a reason. And everyone, without exception, is involved in some kind of crime whether out of desperation, cunning, or pure greed.
The humor is another strong point. The show has moments so absurd I couldn’t help but laugh. Nothing feels forced: the situations are ridiculous on their own, the characters get themselves into trouble thinking they’re being clever, and the comedy flows naturally. Many times I found myself thinking, “There’s no way they’re this dumb” and yet, I kept rooting for them. Because Low Life knows exactly what it is: a story about a bunch of lovable idiots, and it embraces that wholeheartedly.
Starting with episode 5, the show begins to slow down to introduce the characters more calmly. Each episode tends to focus on one person or duo, gradually revealing who they are, what they want, and how far they’re willing to go for this so called treasure. This pacing might bother those expecting a fast-moving plot, but personally, I found it bold. The story is simmering on low heat, and it’s clear it knows exactly where it’s headed.
But what really makes Low Life interesting is how it tackles serious themes without losing its light tone. Corruption, inequality, blind ambition, the desperation for quick cash all of these are present, but wrapped in humor and driven by characters who are both tragic and hilarious. Yes, there is social commentary but the kind that catches you off guard, in the middle of a laugh or while you’re wondering if you would have done the same thing that scammer in the suit just did.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But not to everyone.
Low Life is for those who enjoy unconventional narratives, large chaotic ensembles, and stories that seem aimless at first but gradually prove to be tightly woven. If you like dark comedies, well crafted historical settings, or simply want to watch a group of grown men fighting over antique ceramics, this show might be exactly what you’re looking for.
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The camerawork is outstanding. You may not notice or care but most dramas are not shot like this. This is theater-quality filming with all on-location and natural weather settings. You can see the snow falling and melting into the actor's hairs. The wide angle aerial shots make those vast desert landscapes and green mountains seem to burst out of the screen. Just for the visuals alone this drama is worth multiple rewatches.
The story is this grand world that's on par with something like Game of Thrones. Deeply detailed with multiple kingdoms and all coherent and well-established. You can tell this drama is based on a well-written novel. The key driving force are the characters of course. Arthur Chen does an amazing job as Ning Que. He is charismatic and fun to watch on-screen. His chemistry with Song Yi Ren (Sang Sang) is fantastic. You can tell he is a rather young actor in some of the scenes that require deeper emotions and subtlety but he really holds his own against super veteran actors and a grand-scale epic story like this. Can't believe he is only 19 with lots of room to grow.
They really didn't skimp on anything for this drama. At a budget of $70 million USD (quite unheard of for tv dramas), everything is high quality. The costumes are realistic and so are the sets (again, money well-spent on those on-location shoots). Also, no poor wire tricks here. The action sequences are again movie quality. Very well choreographed and executed. Each movement is so tightly done and well-executed. For an action buff like me I just couldn't get enough. The thing I noticed the most? The soundtrack. From the opening scene to the various character themes the music is amazing. Just listening to it transports you back to the scenes and characters.
Obviously I can't say enough about this drama. I think I was just taken really aback by how well made this drama is. I haven't seen work like this since HK's Golden Age. It makes me hopeful of many of the C-Dramas that will come out of China in the coming years. Although Arthur Chen is not coming back for Season 2, which is extremely disappointing, I will watch Season 2 if it has the same high production value as Season 1.
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This review may contain spoilers
Romantic, Angsty, Cliche, Nonsensical
I had high hopes for this drama as I absolutely love the main leads but the scriptwriting left much to be desired. This drama is about the love story between a sexy, poisoned Prince seeking revenge and a courageous, beautiful girl caught up in between the chaos. Imagine, a republican era angst but in a historical style, that’s the drama you are getting here. The main leads are the star of the show and the only reason you want to watch more. The plot and writing is bad even for a mini drama and yet this is still an entertaining mindless watch (at least in the first half).POSITIVE:
- Sexy blindfold scenes and beautiful main leads.
- Morally grey male lead (he appears to be a red flag but is more green flag).
- Feisty female lead.
- Lots of nice kiss scenes, wrist grabs and sensual vibes between the leads (definitely the best part of the drama).
- Angst with lots of tension with over the top dramatic scenes.
- Romantic scenes and aesthetics.
- Enemies to lovers.
- Mystery plot. At the start you have no idea what’s going on which makes it intriguing.
- Second couple stole the show for me as they are better written than the main leads. Their story was short but heartbreaking and realistic for that area.
- Fantastic acting from the main leads Richard Li and He Xuan Lin. Seriously, these two need main roles in full length dramas at this point.
NEGATIVE:
- Cliche. My biggest complaint is that the writers have literally put every cliche ever known to cdrama watches here. There is nothing original and nothing you haven’t seen before. In fact, I suppose you could give them an award for putting the most cliche tropes and situations in one drama (there are literally in every single episode). But actually, it's not even the cliches that are the problem as much as that those cliches were put together in a way that made a lot of the emotional scenes feel very fabricated and the characters not real.
- Nonsensical. I usually don’t care much about logic and especially in short dramas as they have limited time but the world building, fantasy elements and basically the whole plot makes zero sense. You really need to completely turn off your brain for this one.
- Too dramatic. The characters turning into maniacs/psychopaths as a cheap and fast way to create tension and angst.
- Visuals. The main leads and costumes are great but the filter/colouring/lighting sometimes appeared too bright and made them look washed out. I feel in later episodes this gets better.
- Too fast-paced. Yes, short dramas are usually fast paced but here everything looks like it’s shot at 1.5x speed. People coming in and out of frame, people talking etc. The drama needed a breather especially at the start. Although this did improve in the later episodes.
- Second half is a snooze fest. Literally, the ridiculous situations, overused cliches and psychotic characters made me want to drop this but my NDD (Never Drop Disease) made me pull through the end.
- (MINOR SPOILER HERE) Unsatisfying ending of the Emperor. This guy. You will want to burn him, skin him alive and then feed him to the pigs. It’s been a while since I’ve hated a character so much I literally wanted to start throwing furniture in my room while watching his scenes. You will want this disgusting grandpa to suffer. But what happens to him in the end is NOT satisfying.
OVERALL:
If you want to see sexy main leads in a very cliche romantic story with many nonsensical but entertaining parts, oh and lots of nice kiss scenes, watch this drama.
TRIGGER WARNING:
This drama is heavy on abuse so bare that in mind (multiple attempts of r*pe, multiple scenes leading up to actual r*pe shown).
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It’s a mature and melancholic love story so worth the watch!
I adored the calming vibes, soft music, the poetic dialogues, the wonderful aesthetics and most importantly, our heartwarming main couple; Jin Woo and Mo Eun are both flawed and have their own struggles, so empathizing with them requires zero effort. Although the pacing is quite slow, it's never boring as their relationship develops in a very natural way.Of course, they have doubts and anxiety of not understanding each other, especially when they start seeing how different they are. Miscommunications in personal feelings, family matters... are unavoidable, but it never feels long-winded and frustrating. Watching them interact is just beautiful. Jin Woo conveys his emotions through impactful sign language and his thoughtfulness are shown through his care towards Mo Eun. Then, Mo Eun, even when she cannot exchange dialogues with Jin Woo due to her shortcomings in sign language, she makes efforts to comfort him. Their story gives me all the feels and that's all I could ask for. The drama overall left me feeling hopeful.
-Jan 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
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Ohh to be seen and loved for what you are!
Depth of Field is one of those stories that creeps in slowly but wraps you neck deep in emotions before you know it. It was aching at times, but beautiful.The drama centres around Hayakawa, who has shut himself off from music and honestly, from feeling anything at all after a past that clearly wrecked him. And then there is Konno, who is camera-obsessed, a stoic, quiet individual who doesn't try to fix anyone but somehow holds a space in a way that changes everything.
What I enjoyed the most was that they didn't chase melodrama and didn't overexplain anything. The metaphors were so on point - music was for self-expression and photography for different perspectives.
Hayakawa's journey is very layered. He questions, self-pities, lashes out but also listens and evolves. Konno, on the other hand, feels like someone who has finally started to understand himself more and helps Hayakawa get back the parts of the past that are lost and buried. Hayakawa felt messy, raw and human and Konno was the contrast who was perfect with a clear plan in his head.
The tension between them is everything. It's admiration and jealousy in Haywaka's head while Konno stands there silently offering a kind of safety he doesn't himself know how to accept. He was like an anchor, just simply being there when everything else felt adrift. Their interactions aren't flashy but very tender and real. They had the kind of chemistry that doesn't explode but softens. Sometimes it wasn't about romance, but more about finally being "seen" for who they are and those long glances and silence that screamed "I got you" without any words.
Usually, the lack of communication bothers me a bit, but here it made sense considering the character's background.
The cinematography is literally poetry here. I really loved the terrace shots and all the unspoken confessions. The lighting is sad (where it needs to be) and subtle. Also, loved the ending shot, it felt like a complete circle...ending where it all began!
Acting-wise, I found Usa Takuma (Hayakawa) to be a bit stiff at times, but it didn't take away from the overall viewing experience. Hirano Koshu (Konno) played a very stoic character, and I thought he did a decent job as well.
Overall, this hit the sweet spot between emotional chaos and calm reflection that follows after. It's about being seen, finding courage and beginning again. Though the pace seems a bit fast, but considering the run time, it is excusable.
I would 100% recommend it!
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The plot is a surprise because it never goes in the direction one expected it to. Don't be fooled by an apparently superficial beginning: nothing in Stand Up!! is what it seems.
The cast is a surprise, because despite the very young age of the main leads, the acting is brilliant and gives the viewer a glimpse to the type of actors those young people would become.
The script is a surprise, as it deals with ordinary occurrences, teens fixations and the relationship between teens and adults in a sweet, mostly hilarious way.
You'll find yourself laughing out loud, giggling and, at times, remembering with a smile.
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Point of the point is...
...that there is no point.Food analogy: Underbaked lasagna
It literally had everything at it's disposable to make it a very gripping story and a great cast. What it lacked was execution. Shifting attention from one point to another without any real reason making the script feel loose.
I love stories that explore human beings as grey because, no one makes right decisions all the time, but still the bonds were poorly developed. It felt like they were keeping materials to themselves, so that they can make a second season purposefully.
Now, there really is genuine need of a second season because trust me when i say, none, not a single thread has been tied. It's a inconclusive loose end pro max ultra.
But nevertheless, the series is really short, watch if you have nothing else to do and want to tickle your mind slightly.
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The special effects were done very well, I was a bit worried at first that the special effects would be awful and it would ruin the drama entirely but thank goodness they were good and made the scenes very realistic! It had been a long while since a drama had made me sit on the edge of my seat in suspense and left me watching the next episode straight after until 6am ;'D
Yes there were unrealistic elements and plot holes in the story, some story parts felt a bit unnecessary and rushed, I wanted them to focus on the other minor character's growths, but we only touched on them, the main focus was put on the hospital which I think fair enough, it works but i think it would have worked even better if they had shifted their focus on other characters and their stories!
I hadnt seen Jung So Min in anything since Playful Kiss but she played her role exceptionally well and nailed the Busan accent! The chemistry between her and Kim Young Kwang was adorable, and the romance that we got was cute, I just wanted more! I know I know, its a disaster drama, obviously the medical side of things and saving lives is probably more important to focus on but ahhh they are both so cute! if we had that litttttlleee more i would have been satisfied!
The other actors did really well! They were actors that I hadnt really seen in anything else before and I'm reeled in and want to watch them in their dramas too!
The music was OK, it suited scenes and were soothing to listen to but they werent very memorable, I think i was too invested in watching the actual scenes to pay enough attention to the music!
I'm not sure if i would rewatch this again, it made me think alot about earthquakes and kept me up at night or entered my dreams about if it happened to me so i was a bit unsettled in that sense, maybe, maybe one day i would rewatch it but skip through it for the really good parts, im not sure if i can sit through it all again.
The antagonists in this were characters I hated watching! so i wouldnt want to rewatch their scenes!
I also wished that they had shifted the story so that Jung so min's character was the main focus rather than just Kim Young Kwang's character i think it could have been a much more powerful drama.
brb, whilst i go fangirl and watch all Kim Young Kwang's dramas!
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Lack of Romantic Chemistry
I have watched both versions and I think Go Ahead is much better. More stress and angst from the moms but overall much better. San Ha mom is as selfish as ever.In this version San Ha and Ju Won had lukewarm chemistry at best.
Hae Jun and Dal works best as friends. No romantic chemistry. She is very nice, cute and timid. Unsure how she would make a good Attorney but that is another topic. The vibe I got from the plot and the way Hae Jun looked at Dal it seems more like pity and feeling sorry for her since he is such a nice guy . In the long run it does not make sense for him to fall/crush on her. He never had any feelings like that for over 10. Not even a hint. I can understand Dal crush all these years though because Hae Jun is nice and attractive.
Oh well.
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The movie starts off rather slow with Yoko Moriguchi (Takako Matsu), a middle school teacher, delivering a farewell speech to her students, declaring the day to be her last day at school. Her students, however, seem to be less concerned and engage themselves in gossips, arguments, texting and other activities. Moriguchi nonetheless continues with her speech, recounting her past— her affair with a teacher, how he contracted AIDS and passed away, her pregnancy, her decision to live as a single mother, and the tragic death of her dear daughter. It is only when she reveals something shattering that she manages to catch the attention of her students, leaving them gaping and utterly shocked. She tells them that she believes her daughter’s death was not just a mere accident as claimed by the police but rather a murder, and that the murderers are present in the very class among them. What’s more, she notifies them that she had injected HIV tainted blood into the milk that the murderers, her very own students, whom she has labeled as A and B previously drank. And this shocking declaration is enough to send chaos across the class, leaving A and B extremely panicky and terrified.
From the very beginning, this movie creates a mystifying atmosphere which gives us, the viewers, the hint of something very big and unpredictable lying ahead. And then as the story unfolds, we are taken to the world of the victims of the revenge and those related to them, and get a clear cut picture of the respective motives which drove A and B to commit something as dreadful as murder. The movie also depicts human emotions such as angst, fear, loneliness, hysteria, pride and horror in a very realistic manner and a very few movies achieve that, we all know.
Now coming to the cast, I’m speechless. Takako Matsu just blew me away with her superb acting. She played her role brilliantly, and now it’s difficult for me to imagine some other actress performing in her place as the character ‘Yoko Moriguchi’. I am looking forward to watching more movies starring her. The supporting characters also had done an amazing job. Each of them really got into their respective character.
They say what you see depends on what you’re looking for. I was looking for nothing much to begin with but the visuals blew me away. The visuals are what makes this movie effective and dynamic. Watch the movie and you will know what I mean.
Speaking of the OST, it is good. It is not something revolutionary but that’s all right. I don’t remember any particular song or music except the one that played in the beginning.
All in all, ‘Confessions’ is a brilliant piece of psychological thrill with a tinge of tragedy and drama. You ought to grab this one if you like psychological thrillers, and even if you don’t and want to have a taste of them, you may begin with this one.
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An “ Uncanny” Tale of Family , Friendship and The Supernatural...
Looking back retrospectively , Uncanny Counter has an undeniable amount of character progression since episode 1 for our main high-schooler hero Mun( Jo Byung Koo) as well as his fellow counters Mo Tak ( Yoo Joon Sang), Ha Na ( Kim Se Jeong) and of course Chu Mae Ok ( Yeom Hye Ran), yet, it’s crucial not to sugarcoat the fact that at times , the storyline felt a little inconsistent and slow- paced ( especially by the second-half )as well.
Of course it’s wrong to say that the scriptwriting was dire, as the story and characters were fairly well-written. Thanks to the collaboration of screenwriters Jung Do Yoon ( Witch’s Court, The Time We Were Not In Love), Yeo Ji Na ( Il Mare) and Kim Sae Bom ( Hello Schoolgirl), the wonderful talents of the cast and director Yoo Seon Dong ( respectively who has also worked as a screenwriter on productions such as Shoot My Heart),the show was interwoven with enough action and fights in episodes without falling down the trap of becoming a mindless and dull action show.
Uncanny Counter had an evident story plot with the Counters chasing after the “ big bad” antagonist of the series from episode 1, as well as learning more about themselves through becoming a surrogate family for one another in the process. This was an undeniably sweet progression for our characters , however , there was a little bit of repetitiveness before the half-way mark with the typical episode progression of the counters chasing after a / the “ big bad” spirit , a conflict or event gone wrong and one of the main characters beginning to doubt their abilities or recollection of events ( particularly for Mun).
As a consequence the show sometimes felt a little lagging in the second-half, consequently meaning that there were some undeniably inconsistent moments for our heroes as well as deeper questions about the other-side. Just some of these include; Mun’s presumable absences at school ( during certain missions) not being raised or alerted , Mo Tak’s slightly lacklustre reactions towards certain events in the storyline, the fate of Ha Na’s family ( and considering the final ending, if she could’ve have been granted the same wish) , the relationship between Mae Ok and her husband as well as questions about the other side( not least what happens to the guides when their Counter fades, who controls the guardians and what happens to the spirits of the Counters). Whilst some of these point are mainly minor , they do point out some slightly loose ties within the overall story arch.
Overall although not a flawless production ,Uncanny Counter was a good drama and its success has certainly been sealed by the unusual decision ( especially for OCN) to bring out a second season
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