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Don't let that happen to you. Read on further and know why you should give it a chance. Bear wimme since it is a little long. :)
King Of high School doesn't bring anything new to the already established genre of romantic comedy. The plot seems predictable and the actors not veterans in their fields. What invited me in was definitely the awkward dance moves in the teasers that TvN released for this show which inspired many other upbeat teasers for many dramas by main broadcasters in Korea.
Seo In Guk certainly caught my eye and i have loved this man from his Reply 1997 days. Seo In Guk plays this high schooler who gets to be his hyung at his workplace due to some behind-the-scenes stuff happening. Romantic and office hijinks issue as the consequence of that. This drama takes some time to kick start so don't expect fireworks and instant excitement with this drama.
Seo in Guk was undoubtedly the star of the show. Every expression, every gesture and his body language genuinely expressed what he was feeling at that moment. Playing a high school kid when you are already 26 aint easy. to top it off the character of Min Suk was not easy to play. Seo In Guk played Min SUk with so much conviction that i wanted a high schooler of my own. His childish anger, his laughs,his arrogance, his smile, his pure and kind heart are all indications of a great man he is going to become. In that he is a plain contrast to the adults in the show who are too serious for their own good. Where Min Suk goes he turns everybody's lives upside down and gives them a taste of fun and cheerful stuff that life should be made of. . He is like a sun on a cold wintry morning because he brings warmth and screen presence with him. The fact that he is so handsome only adds on to this young actors talents. Did i mention how utterly awesome Seo In Guk looks when he curses? Mind blowingly hot that it makes me wanna curse too. :D
Lee Ha Na is purely a delight to see on screen. Soo Young is a total contrast to every other kdrama heroine because neither is she some naive innocent girl and neither is she worldly and arrogant. She is someone who goes all out for the ones she loves regardless of the fact that that could lead to some very awkward and downright embarrassing situations. That doesn't mean she is weak and cries all the time. She is one of the strongest heroines who knows when to open her mouth and spurt out some swear words or give some much needed advice or speak harsh words to set someone straight. Jung Soo Young will grow on you and after it is finished you will remember how strong, bubbly, lovable and adorkable she was. She is played with a lot of gusto and heart by Lee Ha Na and now im a fan.
The chemistry that Min Suk and Soo Young share is similar to having two high school kids experiencing first love for the first time. They are utterly adorable and totally childish with each other. The age gap didnt feel too much because in real life they are so close to each others ages and frankly Seo in Guk is too much like a puppy in love which just turns my heart to all time fangirl high.
The relationships in this show are the heart and soul of the whole masterpiece. The writer reminds me in a lot of ways of the writers of Reply 1997. Everybody and i mean literally everybody gets screen time in this show from the side office workers to the grandpa. The talent of a writer shows in the way they treat the show's smaller characters. The writer here gives them a life of their own irrespective of their contribution to the plot and fleshes out these characters who are least stereotypical and one-dimensional. I love the office workers who are a bunch of kids bowing to another kid. They fill the screen with lots of necessary laughs and cutesy side romances as well. This is possibly the second show after Can You Hear My Heart in which i loved Every.single.character barring just one.
The ever immortally handsome Lee Soo Hyuk came out of hiding and played a flawed and loveless man whose life is filled with thorns and after meeting the bright Soo Young understands that life is much more than money and success. His bromance with Seo In Guk is another highlight of the show and i loved all their childish quarrel, their little squabbles and bro fights.
Halbe and Min Suka should have a show of their own with the way they act like a family. The grandfather-father-son trio are a delight to look at with their sassy talks and crazy dinner table antics. Soo Young and Yoo Ah are probably the bestest of sisters in dramaland who are mature and know what family and relationships mean. The best friends of Min Suk deserve an applause for being such amazing besties who stand tall with their BFF through thick and thin.
There are no betrayals in the show. There is no villain. No bitchy women are here. No monster-in-laws. No meddling relatives. There is no action and neither any over the top stuff happening. Its just a slice of life drama unraveling before our very own eyes with a certain beauty.
Watch it if you are in mood of a little romance, some crazy laughs and adorable family relationships.
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Revenge of Others
100 people found this review helpful
1A sad & highly topical social issue, dealt with in a palpable, exciting, sensitive, touching way
"Revenge of Others" is set in the world of South Korean high school students. No teenage squabble, but a story with substance and depth. With flexibly intertwined subplots, it offers a sad and highly topical social issue, dealing with it in a palpable, exciting, sensitive and touching way. Should you watch? Yes!"Revenge of Others" (like "Weak Hero Class 1" in 2022) deals with the topic of mobbing /bullying. In Korean, the slang term 'wang-ta' is quite common, and for me helped for a better understanding of the special and increasingly dramatic situation surrounding bullying at South Korean schools, which can even lead to suicide. (See side note below.)
This KDrama spotlights a Seoul high school where there appears to have happened a suicide. Everyone is shocked. Some know more. But if the sister of the victim, who has been living separated from her brother for many years, would not try to get to the bottom of it, then this would be a sad case of suicide without a murmur. It probably happens all too often in one way or another that fundamental questions in an apparently obvious case are left unanswered. However, this KDrama bravely wants to get to the bottom of the matter and its circumstances - here in the person of Ok Chang-mi.
As so often in the context of bullying, the adults don't look too good and don´t offer anything promising for making a difference regarding those fatal peer group dynamics. They are left outside. The high school students have to find a way for themselves to get along with their classmates - if possible highly adjusted underneath the social wang-ta radar (or at least with a solid network).
"Revenge of Others" is a production for the international streaming market. Things rarely get too brutal at Disney, though. The amount of violence is therefore limited (compared to e.g. "Weak Hero Class 1") and instead there is more room for relationship dynamics in side plots, causal connections and shades of gray.
By the way, in connection with "Revenge of Others" there is also a whole series of promising actors to admire!
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SIDE NOTE: --- Wang-ta in South Korea ----
With Wang-ta, the focus is not so much on the 'act' - bullying or harassment - but rather on the entire context of active and violent marginalizatin of an outsider. For example, it can be used as a swear word for the excluded person or as a description of the bullying activity. In a collectivist society like South Korea, group affiliation and group interest is paramount. This applies not only to the family, but also to the school class and also to the peer groups within the class or school. Unfortunately, this value system results in a fatal situation when it comes to actual bullying: bringing shame on the group, the outsiders are at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Whether it's because of school performance, family background, origin, belonging to an undesirable minority, looks, dress, a handicap, an unusual belief or an abnormal inclination: Wang-ta is a label that no one wants to personally be confronted with. Everyone agrees on that. At the same time, Wang-ta becomes a free pass for more or less cruel mobbing/bullying. Worryingly, perpetrators, victims, and witnesses alike accept the premise: all forms of bullying, almost anything related to Wang-ta, is permissible. The perpetrators take advantage of this, the victims immediately feel even more inferior in terms of their shortcomings (of whatever kind), and the bystanders silently nod the action as justified - or even actively join in. There is no moral barrier against this specifically cultural, collectivist background. It can even get out of hand. There are cases where the entire school has ended up participating in one person's wang-ta. From a Western, individualistic point of view, this is perhaps difficult to understand, because apart from group norms there are other socially recognized ethical principles that could be introduced as a serious confrontation of wang-ta behavior. Unfortunately, this hardly is the case at South Korean schools with a collectivistic social culture.
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SIDE NOTE: In connection with this KDRama also an additional side note on
--- Punishment vs. Suffering of Victims ---
The psychological trauma for the bullying victims are with long-lasting effect. Unfortunately, the punishment of perpetrators is not proportionate to this day. Punishment is rather harmless - it may be annoying to the perpetrators, but not really a deterrent. Far too much must have happened before expulsion actually occurs. A corresponding entry in the files is actually completely deleted two years after graduation. In fact, nothing is left behind on the perpetrators' side. On the other hand, from the memory of the victims the experience cannot be so easily erased ...
The documented cases of wang-ta in South Korean schools (yet many are not officially reported) have steadily increased over the past three decades. According to a study by the Ministry of Education, between 2013 and 2017 the cases have more than doubled from 11.749 to 31.130. There are also increasing numbers of victims who saw suicide as their only way out. It has now been empirically documented that South Korean pupils with a personal Wang-ta experience are more suicidal than those without. Suicide is by far the most common cause of death among 10 to 24 year olds. Almost 1.000 young people took their own lives in 2020 alone.
In respect of the lack of serious consequences for the perpetrators in Wang-ta cases and their comparatively unsatisfactory punishment, a kind of vigilante justice has been established among the families of the victims concerned. "Revenge of Others" picks up on this (similar to "Angry Mom" a few years earlier) as a theme in variation.
In fact, facing a lack of serious alternative punitive measures it seems not uncommon for relatives of victims to pay someone of the same school age to take care of an appropriate 'punishment' - i.e. 'undercover'. Clearing up violence with violence is of course a dubious solution. Sadly, this seems to be the only way to show real consequences to the perpetrators and give the victims at least minimum size satisfaction. ...Although it should be probably considered more of a satisfaction for the relatives of the victims, because the victims themselves still have to deal with their psychological wounds and scars for a long time. Revenge does not undo the painful experience of mentally and physically harassing exclusion...
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1A light entertainment meant to be enjoyed without heavy emotional demands
By the time Duang With You reaches its finale, what initially presents itself as a simple, chaotic university romcom reveals a surprising emotional core beneath its bright and playful surface. The early episodes establish a tone that feels intentionally exaggerated, full of awkward encounters, comedic timing, and almost cartoonish reactions, but as the story unfolds, that lightness becomes the foundation for something more grounded. The series never abandons its cheerful identity, but it gradually allows quieter, more vulnerable moments to take space, creating a balance between humor and emotional sincerity that feels earned rather than forced.Much of the show’s charm comes from Duang, a protagonist whose expansive personality drives much of the story. Optimistic, impulsive, and completely transparent about his feelings, he turns his pursuit of Qin into a constant stream of awkward yet surprisingly endearing moments. Qin, in contrast, serves as the perfect counterbalance. More reserved and seemingly cold at first, he occasionally lets small reactions slip through, hinting that there is far more going on beneath his composed exterior. The contrast between them creates a romantic dynamic that is simple but effective, keeping the story engaging even when it follows familiar paths.
A large part of why Duang works so well lies in TeeTee’s performance. Characters this energetic can easily become exhausting, but he gives Duang a charm that keeps the character consistently endearing. His bursts of excitement, exaggerated reactions, and playful high-pitched tones feel natural rather than forced. What stands out most, however, is how smoothly he shifts between moods. When scenes turn serious, his voice lowers and his energy changes, revealing a more grounded side of the character. In emotional moments, that shift becomes even more noticeable, with Duang’s usual brightness giving way to a heavier, more vulnerable presence.
What truly elevates the series, however, is Qin’s development. If the beginning frames him as distant and emotionally guarded, the later episodes carefully peel back those layers, revealing a character shaped by past pain and unresolved trauma. His journey is not rushed; instead, it unfolds through small, meaningful changes, including lingering glances, hesitant honesty, moments of jealousy, and eventually open affection. By the final episodes, Qin is no longer simply reacting to Duang’s presence; he actively chooses him, and that shift carries significant emotional weight. His growth transforms the title itself into something more meaningful, as “with you” becomes less about proximity and more about emotional safety, trust, and the ability to love without fear.
Their relationship benefits greatly from this progression. What starts as one-sided persistence evolves into a partnership where both characters support and heal each other. Duang’s role as a steady, almost unwavering emotional anchor becomes especially important during the series’ more dramatic conflicts. Episodes that introduce misunderstandings or external interference, particularly the arc that places strain on their relationship, push both characters into uncomfortable emotional territory. Duang, usually so bright and confident, is allowed to feel insecure and lost, while Qin is forced to confront his fears of vulnerability and abandonment. These moments, while at times frustrating, ultimately strengthen the narrative by giving the romance real stakes.
The series also deserves credit for how it handles intimacy. Rather than feeling like a superficial addition, the romantic and physical moments between Duang and Qin are carefully built and emotionally grounded. When they finally come together, those scenes carry a mix of tenderness, longing, and vulnerability that reflects how far both characters have come. It is not just about attraction, but about trust and emotional openness, which makes their connection feel believable and rewarding.
Beyond the main couple, the supporting cast continues to play an important role throughout the series. The friends remain active participants in the story, adding humor, warmth, and occasional chaos, while also reinforcing the sense of community within the university setting. Their presence helps maintain the lighter tone even during heavier narrative arcs, preventing the series from becoming overly dramatic.
From a production standpoint, Duang With You remains consistent in its strengths. The soft visual palette, steady direction, and cohesive soundtrack create a comfortable atmosphere that complements both the comedic and emotional beats. While the music may not be particularly experimental, it supports the tone effectively and reinforces the series’ identity. The direction, in particular, deserves recognition for maintaining a clear vision: even when the plot follows familiar tropes, the execution keeps it engaging.
That said, the series is not without flaws. Some comedic elements, especially the exaggerated sound effects, can feel overused, particularly in the earlier episodes. Certain side storylines, such as the exploration of Qin’s family, could have benefited from more depth and nuance. Additionally, one of the mid-series conflicts leans heavily on miscommunication, which may feel frustrating to some viewers. However, these issues rarely overshadow the overall experience, especially as the emotional core of the story becomes more prominent.
By the end, Duang With You proves that it never needed a complex or groundbreaking plot to leave a lasting impression. Its strength lies in execution: in the chemistry between its leads, in the gradual and believable emotional growth, and in the way it balances lighthearted charm with genuine feeling. What begins as a fun, slightly chaotic romcom ultimately becomes a story about healing, emotional courage, and the quiet but powerful act of choosing someone, and being chosen in return.
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A drama for serial killer fanatics
Netflix originals can always be a hit or a miss, but this was so good in my opinion. The only reason it's not a ten in my book is that there were a few things left unanswered/things I would've liked to delve more into. The acting was almost too good, to the point I was uncomfortable with some scenes. Now that being said this drama is not for those with a faint of heart!! It's super gory and has quite a few triggering scenes (animal murder, graphic murder, rape, etc) but what can you expect from a Netflix show. Now what surprised me the most was the amount of sex scenes in the show, and they were SUPER explicit, especially for a k-drama! Their was almost a sex scene in every episode, if not multiple in one episode ( I think one went on for like 7 minutes if not longer, which is pretty long for me lol) Maybe it's just because I'm not use to seeing those type of scenes in Korean dramas . The chemistry between the two leads was also sooooo good, I would definitely be pleased to see them in another work together. If you're looking for a good psychological thriller, with a really good plot then give this a try!Was this review helpful to you?
First and for the love of god, why is Type's character written like the biggest asshole in town. If ever id meet someone like Type in real life id definitely run the other way. Yes there was a traumatic experience but its not an excuse to be an arse.
My advise to my fellow LGBTQ memebers here, dont ever date someone like Type in real life. He will make your life a living hell, this guy is so toxic and you deserve better. And also when your roommate tells you he hates gays like you, you go away as fast as you can, not secretly touch him when he is sleeping. That's called sexual harassment. And all the more reason for him to hate gay guys. And also, when somebody sexually harasses you, you dont open the cave to let them in, you go to police. The show is just not sending the right message.
One of the most annoying character ever is Tar. He was annoying in Love by Chance and he was as equally annoying here. (i dont hate the actors just the character). He was introduced so early in the show only to really matter in the last 2 or 3 episodes - and a bit creepy almost incestious onesided relationship with the stepbrother.
When i reviewed SOTUS, i said there was almost no intimate moments - this one is the exact opposite.
Hard to rewatch. I give it an overall rating of 6.
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the drama revolves around lives of 3 couples in their 30s. It narrates how the difficulties that they face in their lives can be explained in the most plain yet deep words. Also the relationship b/w different couples and how they try to overcome it. The best part about this drama is the way how unexplained feelings are explained in simplest way. How a loveless marriage can make 2 people fall for each other more deeper and yet maintain their space without intruding each other's privacy. It explains how the society is still cursed by discrimination, nepotism and gender based inequality. At times it was able to give some honest views about how the female leads felt by expressing their true self and not covering up their tears behind makeup or a mask. Because nothing haunts you more than the things and feelings left unexpressed.
Although it was a good drama but there are still some drawbacks which I want to point out.
1. The episodes were too long because the writers were suppose to focus on all 3 leads.
2. The storyline was unpredictable in start but it became a bit predictable after some episodes.
3. It got bit monotonous after few episodes because it started following the story of clichéd kdramas. So I would watch it after piling it up then watching it fresh.
So lastly I would say that more then the story or acting, the way each dialogue of this drama was carefully knitted to the scenes or people associated with it was beautiful. Each line of the drama depicts the struggles and hidden meaNing that could be read from our surroundings to overcome it. Also how some plain lines can express a person's emotions and his personality in a raw and simple form.
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Story: I gave it an 8 since the plot isn't any groundbreaking and I admit the description for this drama is cliche but when you get into the drama itself, it was so refreshing. In most romcom kdramas, I usually know or my expectations were right on what will happen next but Marriage Not Dating is just pure surprise. They made the cliche worth watching, you don't even know what to expect.
Acting/Cast: 10. The actors are so perfect esp the main leads. I already forget the last time I root for the main couple so much. Props to Han Groo and Yeon Woo Jin, it's like this drama its tailor-made for them. Though the side characters Jinwoon and Sunhwa did not appeal to me, Jung Min (Hoon Dong), and Kim Hae Sook are so great I kind of forget the 2nd leads.
Music: Should I include the sound effects here because 10 is not enough for it. :The sound effects guy must be in every romcom drama) The OSTs in this drama are so good and it match the scenes perfectly.
Rewatch Value: Oh boy, this one of the few kdramas I will never get tired rewatching. Maybe I'll start in a few hours. Haha. :)
Overall: 9.5 This my highest rated kdrama ever because I never give a perfect 10. It's just me but definitely all those almost perfect dramas waned in the middle or still lacks something. But all in all this is still the best romcom drama for me. No extended angst and pure fun.
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Story- 9.5/10
I really enjoyed the story in this version of Full House. What I loved about this drama was all the romantic scenes that were just so romantic and made you melt on the inside and fangirl on the outside. The chemistry between D'Angelo Mike and Sucharat Manaying was just absolutely beautiful to watch from the first to the last episode. Now the question is, was this remake better than the original? For me personally I felt this remake was a fantastic remake of the original, and I can't choose between them because there are just both so good, in the end I would recommend both versions of Full House.
Acting/Cast- 9.5/10
I felt the acting in this drama was excellent, the actors and actresses fit their roles perfectly. My favorite parts of this drama was when Mike and Aom-Am were together, I feel their scenes were what made this show spectacular, and that whenever the two main actors were onscreen together you could tell they had amazing chemistry together, and D'Angelo Mike isn't bad looking either.
Music- 8/10
I did enjoy the music in this drama, but I felt at some points you would be hearing the same thing over and over again, and at times when I did hear the same songs over and over again I would wish something else would play.
Rewatch Value- 9/10
I have to say this was my first ever Thai drama and I really enjoyed it. If you have watched the original Korean version I would highly recommend this drama because it does a fantastic job as a remake to the original. So if you are looking for cute moments and are looking for a drama that can make you laugh then this drama is for you.
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just want to point out the differences
I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I wrote an in-depth review on GOODBYE MY PRINCESS previously, so here I just want to point out the differences in this "Director's Cut" edition and the originally aired edition of the drama. The main thing you are probably wondering is if there are "3 extra episodes" and the answer is NO NOT REALLY. Sorry to disappoint.The reason there are "3 episodes" MORE in the Director's Cut and the original drama is that the first two episodes and the final 2-3 episodes have more scenes added in. Most especially in EP #1 & EP #2? Meaning, so many "cut scenes" were added back in, that is added up to approx 120-130 minutes of cut footage which extended the show by 3 episodes.
The MAJORITY of the show has absolutely zero changes. If there were any "extras" in the middle episodes they were so subtle, I didn't notice them. I wish we had more scenes with our leads extended in the middle of the show and after the Oblivion Falls shenanigans, but no such luck.
All that to say, I really did like the additions that were added in the beginning and in the end. They would have been MUCH appreciated if they had originally aired.
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This review may contain spoilers
If you think this is not exceptional, then it's just your bias!!
*Minor spoilers*This has been a good assortment of situational comedy, comedy of errors, word-play. Kdrama-Land is filled workplace centred dramas. Comedic aspect of workplace is something which is used by most of them. This one takes it to next level. All throughout the first episode it made me laugh unceasingly. Comedy like this sometimes appear as over-acting. Lots of workplace comedy has failed that way. But, this one maintains itself, avoiding that pitfall.
I've always thought Kwak Dong Yeon has been underrated actor. He is particularly adept while doing pitiful emotional scenes like in Vincenzo, Big Mouth. Here also he is playing to his strength, an underachieving office worker. His scenes with Go Sung Hee are probably the second best thing about this show, after comedy. Let's hope writers exploit these two things well.
They have given sufficient attention to supporting cast too. Be it Jang Byung whose inter-domain love relationship with robot, or Sung Nam's overly affectionate attitude towards Ma Tan or Aziz's quirky behaviour. Every supporting actor has been given attention and given some of the funniest scenes to perform.
Give it a try. You might find yourself surprised at how much you will like it.
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pretty pretty pretty
If you want an easy and quick watch with beautiful scenery, then this is your stuff right here!The episodes are very short and it isn't exactly story-heavy. This is just cute boys being cute plus time traveling because that's fun! Don't expect very complex characters either. I was just here to watch Eun Ho and Heon sit on the ground in pretty hanboks and i got just that.
If you want complex story w/ complex character, you should look somewhere else. This is just scenery-pretty clothes-scenery-pretty people-montage after montage!
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A Romance to Stand Above the Rest
This is the best CDrama I've ever seen. And it ranks high even among all the shows I've ever seen. Although short, the pacing is perfectly executed, and as a bonus the production and direction is simply outstanding. The show deals with heavy themes and deep messages, exploring varying viewpoints and motivations from believable and evolving characters. What's more, the focus of the drama is on a romance with a premise that's fresh and interesting and which is manifested in a believable and beautiful way. It all comes together to create something special, in a way few shows can do.The most important element of any show is the story, so that's where I'll start. "Definitely Not Today" brings two opposing personalities together through unorthodox circumstance and under occasionally violent conflict. This sort of premise, while often feeling contrived in typical shows, is done very naturally and evolves without excessive coincidence (there's a little, but it's forgivable). The plot itself is a perfect balance of romance, action, and the occasional comic relief, developing deep bonds between the characters and the viewers while maintaining suspense, intrigue, and enjoyment. Throughout the show, we see beautiful symmetry in moments and relationships, things that really add to the emotional ambiance. I can't say much more for the sake of spoilers, but the pacing is very well done and the story has a satisfying ending.
The characters themselves are extremely well done, part of the reason the show stands out so much (apart from its originality and incredible production). Each character has a background that deeply influences their personality, and which is revealed at the right moment for the sake of the story. The exposition on characters never feels forced or dialogue heavy. Throughout the show, the characters (mostly just the two main leads) evolve in reaction to their circumstances and others. The flaws that each of them carry are unique and believable, and most importantly allow us to be sympathetic or even empathetic with the characters. Even some of the worse characters (although not the villains) have sympathetic backstories that you can understand without forgiving. This is an incredible feat of writing, and brings more texture to an already fantastic plot.
One thing that's so good you often take it for granted is the incredible production. Such things can be a luxury (especially in the CDrama world), but things like cinematography, set design, sound design, direction, and the all important acting and extremely well done. The cinematography in particular is outstanding, with striking framing and beautiful lighting that is still threaded well into the flow of the scene. World-class acting has almost become a prerequisite for a larger budget show at this point, but we must still acknowledge the great work of the actors and the people who cast them, as they portrayed exemplary depictions of characters with a wide range of emotions and which evolve over time. Even more importantly, the two romantic interests have a palpable chemistry with each other, something that can make or break a romance drama (and clearly made it here). The music choice was also excellent, and the sound design was good enough that you didn't notice it.
I've seen many comments on how this show is a breath of fresh air for romance dramas, and I cannot agree more. Virtually free of tropes (there's no 2nd lead!) and brimming with thoughtful beauty, I couldn't help but get instantly sucked into the world; I binged the whole show in one sitting. This is not difficult to do, because the show is short and therefor a smaller time commitment. And so, for that reason in addition to all the incredible qualities I've mentioned above, I will sincerely recommend this show as my favorite CDrama.
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For starters, let me mention the difficulty to assemble my thoughts about such a wonderful drama. It took me a while to know where to start but let’s begin with this: Making a Taiga about one of Japan’s most influential figures was such an astonishing idea! Once again, let me insist on the accuracy of Taiga’s, they abide to historical facts with only few minor changes that can never cause the deviation of the historical flow. There is also the very informative “Travelogue” at the end of each episode to nourish your historical knowledge on some characters with the addition of real places to visit in Japan (when my long dream of visiting Japan comes true, I will go there for sure!).
Ryoma didn’t live much but through his short life, he did many unforgettable deeds for Japan and its people. Being born as a Tosa’s Kashi (Low Samurai rank), he wasn’t handcuffed by the daimyo rules or the common traditions. Instead, he had dreamy ideas to change his country to what Japan became like in our recent days. The Bakumatsu era aka the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate was one of the most turbulent times in Japan’s recent history until the Meiji restoration came along. Our hero had to go through that period with many revolutionary thoughts in his mind. Ideas that were harshly rejected at times, hardly accepted at other times but very much acknowledged most of the time.
Ryoma character always intrigued me, being a low-class samurai who stood up for the well-being of all the people of Japan must be the main reason behind it. When the bakufu was ruling Japan for over 260 years with the same old fashioned thoughts, an air of change had to blow them up and make them realize that the world is moving on and so should they. That air was Sakamoto Ryoma, through his adventures he was able to gather the essence of Japan’s future in a new world. It’s a world where they can be amongst the leading countries instead of falling into the merciless claws of imperialism.
Ryoma’s life had many turns and countless of encounters. It started with his family, his childhood play-pals, going through his first love, his idols in life, his allies, his enemies, his teachers, his women meetings and all of his comrades. Sakamoto Ryoma always managed to leave a deep impression into anyone he met, whether they loved him, hated him or even those who wanted to kill him. I think Ryoma’s most note-worthy quality was his ability to negotiate and convince the other party of the legitimacy of his views; he does that with perfection even against the most fearsome and huge figures of his time. Many believed in him and countless supported him as he embarked his journey towards a bright future and that didn’t come from naught, Ryoma was able to capture them one way or another.
Turbulent times are full of political clashes and endless battles but that made the drama even more exciting. Every detail of the Japanese history at the time was inserted in the most captivating way. Our narrator Yataro played by Kagawa Teruyuki added more attractiveness to the events. His historical tone while telling Ryoma’s life was priceless; one of the best narrations I ever came across in any Asian drama!
Now if I have to state my little displeasure about this drama it would be the over-idolizing of Ryoma’s character. I know about that because I actually read a lot about Sakamoto Ryoma and Japan’s history prior watching this drama and his character isn’t as perfect as the drama describes it to be. I know that they want to honour a Japanese hero and a little dramatization is no escape to make an appealing drama but I felt uneasy about those parts, even a little.
When we talk about Taiga dramas, we need to pay extra attention to acting considering its crucial role in maintaining ground-breaking historical telling. Fukuyama Masaharu nailed it so bad as Sakamoto Ryoma, he was able to make the character feel pretty much alive. He once stated about playing Ryoma’s character: “His appeal stems from being the kind of person onto whom anyone can project themselves”; that explains it all.
The supporting cast was full of many incredible talents such as Omori, Tanihara, Iseya, Takahashi, Aoi, Kiritani, Oizomi, Takito, Oikawa, Maki, Kamikawa, Sato, Kaname and many others. They were able to maintain a very intriguing historical tone throughout the whole drama. It’s no secret that Taiga and historical dramas overall are what make you test an actor’s skills and this drama’s cast gave wonderful credits to the characters they played. However, the best of them all was Kagawa as Yataro, no wonder he got many awards for that role; he was able to flawlessly play the role of Ryoma’s lifelong friend with all of their complex relationship, it takes an actor from a high calibre to pull that off. He undisputedly managed to steal the lights from Fukuyama countless of times.
The cinematography was pretty well illustrated with all of those charming sceneries in old-times Edo, Tosa and Kyo. I was pretty immersed in the realistic depiction of the historical setting and the soundtrack used in this drama. However, I was displeased with the camerawork. Directing has been the major issue with Taiga dramas. Although it can be disregarded since this is a drama not a film but I still hope this can be changed.
Watch if:
-You like historically accurate dramas.
-You like NHK Taiga dramas.
-You want to watch a drama about one of Japan’s most important figures.
-You like political oriented dramas.
-You want to discover Taiga dramas.
Don’t watch if:
-You don’t appreciate historical Japanese dramas.
Ryoma Den left me with many great thoughts about Ryoma’s character even with the little differences compared to history. My second NHK Taiga adventure was a total success and now I am thirsty for more!
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Kept me glued to my seat for so long that I might need an adhesive remover to get off now—
All in all, Gold Panning has everything I could ever ask for in a mystery drama: a compelling storyline, great execution, perfect cast, beautiful visuals and an amazing musical score that complemented each scene it accompanied.✦ Story ✦
The unique premise of this drama, which is obviously about the cutthroat industry of gold panning like the title indicates, may or may not appeal to everyone but regardless of whether you're into it or not - this drama's main focus still lies in its premise. To describe it in a simple phrase, Gold Panning is about "Dog-eat-dog world" or "Survival of the fittest" as greed for gold (which everyone believes can grant them a better life) basically drives the actions of all the characters, but despite being greedy, they might not be completely selfish and have their own reasons that are unveiled at a steady pace with each episode.
And one thing that sets it apart from typical mystery/thriller dramas is that Gold Panning doesn't rely solely on gore and body-horror to make the drama dark or depressing. There's slight gore, there's slight body-horror, but neither of them is the main point.
However, this drama demands your full attention. You can't just play it in the background as you do other chores as each scene is crucial, purposely added, and greatly contributes to the plot. Sometimes you might think "what the hell is going on?" (I did too lol) but it's like completing a jigsaw puzzle whose picture you don't know beforehand; You only discover what it's all about after you put more and more pieces in place, and together, they start resembling something. The unpredictability, foreshadowing, and plot-twists here actually make sense in the end and this makes Gold Panning a perfect drama to binge watch as you're never bored while watching it.
✦ Characters ✦
Most of the characters were complex, flawed, morally grey/vague and fleshed out which makes them compelling to watch. I especially loved how the female characters were written, despite neither A Qiu nor A Lai getting much screentime compared to the two main characters, they still managed to be one of the most memorable characters in this drama; I mean, two strong women—one who's a single mother and the other who cross-dresses as a man—working by themselves in a male-dominated field, what can be cooler than that? Not to mention, A Lai has to be the best cross-dressing character I've ever come across. Every character here just felt so humane, so realistic, so alive. I simply loved it.
But talking about the two main characters, Chen Baojin and Wu Jianchao, separately - here's what I personally think of them:
♟ Wu Jianchao — It's the first time I've seen Liao Fan's performance and the amount of screen presence he has accurately described to me why he's known for his acting. His role as Wu Jianchao was so complex that I couldn't figure out if he's the bad guy or one of the good guys most of the time, it just kept me guessing.
♟ Chen Baojin — Chen Feiyu's acting has improved a lot! At first, I thought he can't portray 'vulnerability' during emotional scenes because it always looks as if he's holding back pent up anger (his acting isn't at fault, he just have fierce-looking eyes imo). But then, I realised it's not necessarily a bad thing and only adds to his character. Chen Baojin is a proud, stubborn teenager who's determined to go to any lengths for his main goal, so even when he cries, he doesn't look 'broken' - he looks angry like he's going to seek vengeance and want everyone to suffer tenfold for the suffering they've inflicted on him. In short, Chen Feiyu nailed his role.
✦ Music and Visuals ✦
The music, both instrumental and lyrical, really amplified the ambience that the visuals initiated. I also never felt like skipping the opening and ending themes because they were really addicting.
However, my favourite thing has to be the colouring in this drama, especially how most of the scenes had a tint of gold/yellow (they really stayed true to the title and concept even in terms of visuals) and some certain scenes were black & white - which made them seem more serious and sombre than they would've looked in normal colours. I actually had to delete some photos off my gallery because I took way too many screenshots...
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