Freaking masterpiece!
Guys this is a hidden gem! OMG!!!I marathoned this one, (yep 40 episodes and I didn't even see where my weekend went...) and it was SO WORTH IT!
Ok, just let me say that the actors were great, be it the main or the rest of the cast. They portrayed all the emotions so well. All characters have motives, backgrounds and feelings (you can even the sympathize with villains) they are very well written.
This is a story with many shades of gray, no one is perfect, and that kind of makes it better, because you can find traces on them that are similar to ours.
Of course nothing is perfect, there are WAY too many twists and at some point you kinda just want for things to run smoothly (for once), but at the same time, you also get excited over the new discoveries and clues you get, so the more twists the more immersed in the plot you get.
I'm not much into crime/mystery dramas but this one is legit awesome. Seriously, I don't remember watching something from this genre and enjoying it so much (well with the exception of "When a Snail Falls in Love" but they are not similar in the romance category).
*(If you hate spoilers, or like to find things for yourself, avoid the comment sections like the plague!!)*
I'm definitely gonna check out some more dramas with this cast, it was splendid, from beginning to ending.
This one is definitely a must watch.
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-great soundtrack
-great cast
-great humor
what i didn't like
-weaker story this time around. the movie discusses events happening a year later from the drama but while the plot is the same (get the girl), there's not much else to the movie.
-rehashing the same scenes from the drama despite that this takes place a year AFTER the drama. redoing the same scenes from the past seems weird given the context
-flat ending. we get a resolution however um, that's it.
bottom line: the weird/sad thing about this film is that you HAVE to watch the drama in order to get the movie. if you don't, the movie seems even more empty.
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This review may contain spoilers
A COMPLEX WATCH
4Minutes is definitely not your typical BL series. If you're expecting something light and easy to watch, this isn't it. I’ll be honest, I found it a bit confusing at first. Some viewers even suggested starting from episode 3 to understand it better. But I dove in from the beginning and decided to just go with the flow.Once you settle into its rhythm, though, it’s pretty intriguing, and you start to see why it gets such high ratings. It’s not just a story you watch, it's one you have to think through. You’ll find yourself analyzing each scene, trying to figure out what’s real and what’s just in Great’s head.
Yes, some scenes repeat, but that’s actually part of the whole experience. It’s not lazy storytelling, it’s deliberate. The repetition reflects Great’s chaotic, looping thoughts, especially since the biggest twist is that everything we're watching are just his mental WHAT IFS during a near-death experience. Wild, right?
The series tackles some heavy stuff, such as death, grief, and loss. A lot of people were dead in this series and it’s not always easy to watch. The emotional weight is real and adds to the intensity of the whole thing.
Now… about the NC scenes. Let’s just say, if you’re not comfortable with very intimate scenes, you might be in for a shock. The bed scenes are some of the most explicit I’ve seen in a BL series. It’s not just steamy, it’s intense. If you’re conservative or not a fan of NC content, you might write this off as borderline porn (I laughed, but it’s kinda true). But to be fair, the intimacy also plays into the mental and emotional state of the characters, so it’s not just there for show.
Overall, 4Minutes is bold, experimental, and not for everyone, but if you’re up for a deeper, psychological ride that’s not afraid to push limits, it’s absolutely worth the watch.
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Boy, I was so wrong! It basically tells the story about Korea being hit by a health epidemic, with thousands dying for no reason. The scenes are acted out so realistically, it makes one actually feel nervous watching it because of the fear that it may come true. The acting was superb - I cannot find fault in any of the cast and the plot was tightly clinched in all the right places without it being too complicated (like most epidemic movies). I gave the music a 7 because I wasn't really paying attention to it (oops!)
Special mention goes out to Kim Myungmin for his portrayal of Jae Hyuk - my heart ached with him from start to end. He really is a good actor.
(and Dongwan just looks lovely here *____* one more reason to watch it!)
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Just watch it
It's short, a little confusing, a little annoying at times, but it's so fine I couldn't dare to speak a bad word of the drama. The story felt very complete and all these annoying things were there to make the story and you only realize it after you watch it. Honestly I liked everything about it, the characters felt very real, each had their own problems, they weren't there just to make the mains look good. I think it showed well over all the human interactions and how we can so easily misunderstand someone. Idk I just really enjoyed it lol just go watch itWas this review helpful to you?
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A Gripping Mystery That Explores Love, Regret, and the Complexity of the Human Mind
I enjoyed the show. The mystery was spot-on for me; there were no plot holes, and all the dots connected perfectly by the end. The way they revealed what "4 minutes" stands for was brilliantly executed.However, there were some aspects of the plot that I wished had been clearer:
*The Love Between the Main Characters
While I could feel their love for each other, I struggled to believe that a week was enough time for their relationship to fully blossom. It felt rushed. I think the writer could have given them more time to deepen their emotions, which would have also allowed the audience to better understand their attraction and love.
*The Second Leads Should Have Been the Main Leads
Plot-wise, Korn and Tonkla's story was the origin of all the chaos that unfolded in the show. If they had been the main leads, the narrative might have felt more cohesive. I understand this would mean the show couldn't be titled 4 Minutes, but the second couple deserved more prominence—not just as supporting characters but as the primary focus.
*Lack of Character Depth
Most of the characters lacked background stories, except for Tonkla. This made it hard to connect with anyone else emotionally. Tonkla stood out because I could relate to his emotions and understood his motivations better. I wish the writers had explored the other characters’ backstories more, as it would have helped the audience form a deeper connection with them.
Overall, the show is a must-watch. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a series that kept me hooked from start to finish. I especially appreciated the main theme of the show: how complex our brains are and how they can create an entirely different life to help us cope with regrets. I totally recommend this show!
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Story - The story is pretty simple. A woman and a man divorce because of monetary issues and stress (and a few other problems that I can't spoil). There wasn't anything really special or unique but I liked the way the story was conveyed. One annoying thing was the misunderstandings between the characters in the drama. They were sooooo annoying. The pace of the drama was okay, I don't remember there being any draggy parts. At first I didn't really find the show funny because of the depressing beginning but when I kept watching, there were definitely moments where I laughed really hard c:
Characters - Here's where I have a lot to say! Even though I disliked both Ae Ra and Jung Woo at first, as the story progressed I was able to understand both of them more. They both made mistakes, it wasn't one person's fault. Character development was great in this drama. At first I felt like Jung Woo's transformation was completely unrealistic. I was thinking "What the heck. How can such a dorky and sweet guy turn into such wicked jerk? Sure, he has a right to be upset but he's going way too far". Well it turns out, Jung Woo didn't change as much as it seemed. He was actually still a complete dork LOL. I found his dorkiness so funny and adorable and soon it felt like Ae Ra who I thought was the immature one was actually the mature one in their relationship. I began to understand Ae Ra too, why she divorced him and how she felt about it. My original opinion of her changed drastically and I began to really love her and Jung Woo as characters, both of them were hurt by the divorce. The antagonists in this drama were the worst though. I hated how they made the second leading woman all nice and sweet at first and turn her evil (like in every other drama). I honestly expected it anyways so I wasn't too upset. The dad was pretty typical too. What I REALLY hated was how they messed up Seung Hyun. I loved his character until the writers tampered with it and turned him into a completely different person. He became annoying and frustratingly selfish ugh. Then there's the people that work in the company with Ae Ra. Most of them were pretty rude and mean but they (kinda) got better. It was pretty upsetting to see so many annoying supporting and second lead characters.
Acting/Cast - I liked the cast. Lee Min Jung is really beautiful and I think she played Ae Ra well. Joo Sang Wook was also good at playing Jung Woo, I liked him and found him a lot more attractive than I did in another drama he played in. This is the second drama I've seen both Lee Min Jung and Joo Sang Wook in but the first I've seen them in leading roles.
Music - It was okay, I liked some songs and I can't really remember others much. It wasn't too memorable.
Rewatch value - I'd rewatch the funny parts, probably the funny parts with Jung Woo and Ae Ra. "I have plastic flower!" LOLOL, if you watch it you'll know what I'm talking about. xD
Overall - It was very enjoyable after I got past the beginning episodes and I liked it. 16 episodes, not too long and perfect for this drama. I wasn't very fond of the beginning and it wasn't anything really special and I didn't really have many squeal-worthy moments so that's why I gave it a 7.5/10. If you like divorce stories where the couple makes up, I'd recommend this to you. ^w^
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The actors were well chosen, and the characters they presented were concrete and coherent. The music in this drama was spectacular--from chilling to dramatic to sweet. The director and editors did a good job at compiling a lot of information and a really dense script into something which could be understood and followed without a huge amount of technical knowledge or several rewatches.
While I personally don't think this show has great rewatch value, I did enjoy it immensely. If you like straight up suspenseful and dramatic mysteries, this is a great, short drama for you. However, I would like to warn you that this story may challenge your feelings of justice, tamper with your heartstrings, and will probably feel a little hard to start. However, I would heartily recommend it to those who enjoy this genre.
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Story 10/10: I felt like the story was very original. It takes a very dark subject, and injects it with some comedy. Ultimately it had the right amount of darkness and comedy for me.
Acting 10/10: The actors were flawless.
Music 5/10: I don't really remember much about the music (i watched it a few days ago.) for that reason I gave it a 5/10. I didn't notice anything wrong with the music choice but at the same time it didn't stay in my memory long enough to be GREAT.
Rewatchability 5/10: I generally do not rewatch films. Although this is an amazing movie, I don't see myself rewatching this anytime soon.
Overall 10/10: Solid story. Solid movie. The perfect movie for a Sunday evening.
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2Murder is like potato chips: you can't stop with just one.
This drama is not for the faint hearted. It is a graphic and terrifying account of a gang of serial killers that preyed on drinking girls in Harbin, China from 2002 to 2012. Led by the cruel and depraved Deng Ligeng, they victimized women who were alone and would not be missed. A clogged pipe led to a grisly discovery that put them within a hairsbreadth of being captured. They go on the run across the country but murder is like potato chips: you can't stop with just one. With police chief Peng Zhaolin hot on their heels, this gang of four continues to stake out potential victims. Unfortunately this time they tangle with the wrong victim and barely pull off another audacious escape. They manage to disappear without a trace for a decade until a chance encounter sheds some light on their whereabouts.This drama has been mired in controversy that unfortunately cast a shadow over what a well crafted police procedural it really is. The cinematography and storytelling approach is vividly gory, full of psychological tension and a menacing and increasing sense of dread and mortal peril. Zhao Jinmai truly impresses in her role as Zhen Zhen, a troubled, defiant teenager who discovers an inner strength she didn't know she possessed in her primal struggle for survival. I haven't felt such a raw combination of sheer terror, helplessness and rage in a very long time. Her desperate bid for freedom is the highlight of the story and where the dramatic tension in the plot peaks. While faithful to actual events, the storytelling deflates into another six episodes that are mundane by comparison. While the idea that serial killers can so easily assimilate back into society and walk among us is unspeakably chilling, it is a point that could have been made more succinctly. Even though I was rooting for Zhen Zhen and Peng Zhaolin to get justice, the way they went on with their lives wasn't interesting. The was also something lacking in Zhao Jinmai's portrayal of Zhen Zhen's nightmares and her PTSD as the dramatic tension in the narrative had abated by then. The final episodes linger too long on characters I didn't care about.
The most damning criticism of this drama is that it glorifies and humanizes serial killers. As someone who watches many similar Western dramas inspired by true crimes, that does not really seem to be a fair assessment. What is true is that the production could have been more sensitive to the feelings of survivors and families of their victims. And it is missing a "fictional events" disclaimer to make it clear that they took dramatic license with true events and characters. There is also an attempt at dark comedy in the beginning that just didn't land well. It is not advisable to eat or drink while watching this drama. All of the actors in villain roles delivered phenomenal performances that brought those fiends and their dark dynamic to life in a horrifying and fascinating way. Wang Qianyuan deserves a special mention as Deng Ligang, the mastermind who terrified the living daylights out of his own gang and Wang Jiajia as the no less perverted killer who dares to stand up to him. But make no mistake, Deng Ligang, Song Hongyu, Shi Bi and Ji Dashun were portrayed as they were; vile, cruel and cunning monsters who coldly and calculatedly lured their victims to a horrible end. Yet they must have had a certain amount of charm in order to persuade their victims to let them into their lives like that. Acknowledging that they were also bold, cunning and charismatic is not the same as glorifying or humanizing them and indeed I didn't feel one iota of sympathy for any one of them from start to finish.
This sinister and gripping story starts strongly and has some outstanding hair-rising moments but loses momentum after peaking too early. My biggest issue with it is at the end, I didn't care about any of the characters, including Zhen Zhen. I found Peng Zhaolin to be an exceptionally banal version of the doggedly persistent cop archetype. I rate the first eight episodes in the 8.0-8.5 range but the final six episodes barely a 7.0 for a 7.5/10.0 overall.
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The writing is what actually hooked me because anyone who has the mind to think up those twisty games and work out the puzzle of solving them is pretty clever...and then place those different game solving methods into the minds and mouths of their characters. Sometimes I was sitting back thinking...Who thinks up this stuff? 1 + 1 = 2...that's all I know! Crazy smart.
The other thing that is great about Liar game? It is a twisty, mind bendy fun ride. The set up of the games and the way the characters not only puzzle them out but the way personalities are revealed is highly entertaining to watch; especially the subtle growth in trust and dependency of the two main leads.
There is a certain quality to the way Nao and Akiyama relate to each other; the way his attraction to the true honesty in her manifests itself in his own personality. That is all I'm going to say about those two...When you watch you will understand and if you decide to move on to Liar Game 2 and finish with the movie...this element becomes even clearer.
The side characters are over the top and almost cartoonish in their portrayals. I do not use the word 'cartoonish' as a negative word. They are important to the plot and are very entertaining in their own ways.
To simplify...Liar Game is fun! Fun Fun Fun! I did not expect that when it was over, I would be so eager to watch Liar Game 2...but I was and before I knew it I was finished with the movie. Watch and Puzzle and Enjoy.
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This review may contain spoilers
Give it a Try—There’s more to this show than you think
I think that some people struggled watching this show because there were some links to Devil Punisher being a lot like Goblin.But let me just tell you that it’s not really the case. The show had a lot of layers to it that all lead to one major tipping point by the end.
And while romance/love is a strong, consistent piece of the story as a whole, The Devil Punisher is a combination mystery, karma/fate, revenge and supernatural/ ghosts.
In fact the whole things kicks off due to a 1,000 vendetta against the Ghost King but the signs of another character at play were even clear in the first episode and that mystery element is what hooked me right away.
But like I said there’s a lot of mention of karma and a trial meant for the main lead character, Chong Kui, that only he can indoor by the end. To me this was probably the most annoying thing to find out because he was surrounded by gods and he couldn’t really do anything at times.
At the same time, this brought humility to the show and his character because as an ordinary person when face obstacles in our lives we can’t just make them go away with powers. (And obviously, I could relate to seeing him mopping around.)
And this linked/faded battle between the villain, Lu Chi, in the center of the story brought to light even more barriers within the story’s construction of the “three realms” that give pause to some (American) viewers which I understand.
There’s a lot of instances where we were like “why can’t they do this?; why can’t this happen?” but just based on the rules that show up in the world of the show that the “gods” can’t really interfere with the whole ordeal as a while actually starts to make sense as you continue to watch.
Is it annoying? ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Did I find Chong Kui’s determination to face all of it on his own without considering Meng Po’s perspective ridiculous?
Absolutely!!!! But that was just something his character seemed to even more aggressively by the end because he knew Meng Po wouldn’t sit back and do nothing when she felt so responsible for Lu Chi’s actions.
But, as an American viewer, there where themes and details I had to wrap my head around while watching this as it seemed to reveal a lot of cultural and mythology elements that I wasn’t familiar with.
By the end of the show, I realized why we got so much time in the “mortal world” between the two leads and why there was so much buildup and (at times) what felt like “filler” leading up to that last few episodes.
Moreover, because of the way the ending is and really how things started in their past lives those scenes were basically there to show us and to give the main characters time together because it becomes clear that it wasn’t something they had before.
The ending made me cry but I am so glad I watched it till the end because there is a resolution to everything.
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That being said, I do admit I had dropped it at first after two episodes, as many other people seem to have done - I can't recall what those first two episodes were like since I watched them months ago, but if you are looking for a drama without clichés and with a poignant romance, give this drama another chance! I know how common the give-this-drama-a two-episode-chance-you'll-see-it's-worth-it rule is, but it seems to me that it is more true for Protect The Boss than any other drama I have ever watched.
Perhaps this drama is more suited for experienced drama watchers, which I wasn't when I started it. Every typical cliché you find in a rom-com drama is cleverly used and turned around, which makes it a refreshing experience. Many of the main characters are "knock-off" stereotypes, and therefore end up being both comical and very relatable. For example, I have never seen a chaebol father/son relationship depicted quite this way: the father loves his son deeply, which, sadly enough, is a rare thing in dramas. Or else, the second female lead that turns out to be more than the typical spoiled, petty, beautiful rich girl.
Maybe another reason people often give this drama up is because of the female lead - I remember finding her loud, ugly, stupid and a bit too old for me to relate with. She ended up being one of my all-time favorite female characters though, not only because she's strong and talks back and blablabla, but because she's a normal, nice person with a lot of common sense - which is much is easier to like than the usual excessively nice, blindly self-sacrificing female protagonist... And I found her pretty too, in the end :)
It's so agreeable to watch... nice people for a change. Sure, this drama is light, but that doesn't mean it's stupid: on the contrary, I felt like for once the writers didn't just feed the viewers over-used drama formulas, as if they weren't aware of these tropes. It felt like all the main characters were carefully developed. And there were barely any misunderstandings, for once (a few towards the end, but they weren't completely absurd...) The drama was intelligent not because it gives some lesson, but because it was intelligently written.
I decided to give this drama another chance because I had posted a forum question looking for dramas where the male lead was obsessed with the female lead. Even though I love that plot, I also felt that kind of drama often winds up bad, because the girl ends up being too passive, and the guy too... stupid (in my opinion, Boys Over Flowers or The Heirs are examples of that). However, in this drama, I was able to watch my favorite kind of obsessed protagonist without grinding my teeth - the romance was the kind that made my heart flutter without it being unrealistic or silly, but on the contrary, very down to earth.
The major flaw may be the last episodes - I liked them, but they're probably the weakest compared to how strong the rest of the drama was. Oh well, I'll take 14 excellent episodes for 2 mediocre beginning ones and 2 nice ending episodes anytime.
Try this drama if you're looking for characters that you can truly like! The friendships and love stories that develop are sweet and unexpected :)
p.s: ah yes and the guys are handsome ;)
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