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STORY
First of all, I knew the movie was based on historical facts, but knew nothing about the story of Prince Sado and King Yeong Jo (again, not a history fan). Despite the political and historical elements, The Throne isn't simply relaying facts and events of the past: at its core is the relationship between a son and his father, and how ultimately, the issues between them cost Sado his life, and the King, his son.
What is fantastic about this movie is how you can easily hate and love both characters: there is no bad guy vs good guy, there is no true villain. Both the Prince and the King could take the role of the victim and the role of the oppressor. This gives them a realness that is rarely portrayed in movies or shows. The characters are truly nuanced: they have good in them, but the pain they cause each other and their frustrations lead them to terrible actions and decisions. Throughout the movie, you start understanding why they both acted they way they did. Both their perspectives are explored, and you end up feeling compassion for both characters, despite them having become enemies and basically doing horrible things.
CAST
Absolutely fantastic. Yoo Ah In and Song Kang Ho gave incredibly emotional performances that will tear your heart into shreds (still collectiong the pieces of mine). How the son and his father gradually come to hate each other, disappointment after disappointment, pain after pain, you can see it all, so be ready and grab some tissues.
Yoo Ah In did an amazing job at portraying this character who falls into madness, while still showing how human side. This movie confirmed what I alread knew: he's an outstanding actor and I'm gonna keep watching everything he is in.
MUSIC
Intense. Will support your emotional journey through this fantastic piece of cinematography (and possibly haunt you afterwards too).
REWATCH
I plan on rewatching it, but I'll wait for a day when I feel particularly in need of a cry ^^
Basically, I highly recommend watching The Throne, even if you're not into historical stuff. The complexity of human emotions and relations is the true heart of this movie. Just be ready to cry and enjoy that rollercoaster ride.
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Here's why I think it's worth a watch --
1. The Japan/Joseon era portrayed in the drama really takes you back in time with the characters. I really liked the way they'd set the background for the era, Carpe Diem, especially. Couldn't have been more appropriate.
2. Wonderful actors. Personally, I think Yoo Ah In played the character of Hui Young very well.
3. The OST really matches with the concept. Do give Park Dan Ma's 'Wind' a listen!
Overall, 10/10 would watch again.
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This wasn't really the kind of drama that I looked for in the beginning but I started to watch it and really fell for Yang Yang who played Ruo Bai. I had already fallen for him while watching "Love O2O". I came to like the relationship between the characters and got really riled up during the competitions scenes.
STORY- It was an okay story, but sometimes the story felt messy, like they pulled in too many strings so many times you got confused but in the end, you would understand more. There also a bit too much things in the air that didn’t get sort out properly according to me.
I liked how the female lead was determined not to let go of what she though was right and wrong. I also liked the triangle love drama, well it was four, not three to be exact. What I felt that I missed was that it sometimes made to huge time-lapse, I wanted to see more of the training in martial arts before the matches but then understand that it wouldn't get exciting to see the fighting if you knew all the tricks from the beginning.
The story itself was pretty good but I thought that the female lead, Qi Bai Cao played by Hu Bing Qing, was too much of a scared cat in some situations, I felt that It went against her own character sometimes. Too anxious feelings for that character. She is that girl with that determination to prove that her teacher is innocent, she works really hard for her believes but in other situations where she really should show her strengths, she lets the male leads around her take the punches. You will understand what I mean after watching the drama.
ACTING/CAST- I haven't watched so many C-dramas so I haven't seen so many of these actors/actresses in action before, just Yang Yang. But from what I've seen it's pretty good. Even though I like actor Yang Yang I felt that he could have shown more facial expressions when needed. Of course, he couldn't to many times because his character Ruo Bai often had a poker face on and tried to hide his feelings from everyone. But at times when those he loves gets hurt or himself, I would like more expression, for a better contrast to his ordinary poker face. On the other side, we have Hu Bing Qing, the opposite, where I feel that she expressed more than enough feelings, especially when she felt hurt which was almost all the time. I also know that her character was like that but sometimes it was a little too much.
I really liked the acting in the matches, that was when the expressions on almost everyone was the best.
MUSIC- the music was good and it really added more and stronger feelings in the drama.
REWATCH VALUE- I would watch this over and over because there where so many details that would be easy to miss and sometimes the story got a bit messed up and was hard to follow so it would be good to watch it again to get the story right.
OVERALL- with that ending, wow how could you not want to watch season 2. But I understand if you would drop this one because it had to many scenes with too much tensions and waiting. The good and happy moments didn’t always weigh up to the bad moments. It is a bit long, I usually don't like dramas over 25 episodes but I didn't dislike it that much, but I didn't like it very much either. They could have cut down on it, especially with that kind of ending. Overall, I really have difficult to tell my feelings over this drama. It is a kind of love-hate feeling.
Actually, when the season 1 was over I felt a little betrayed, the promising things in the drama didn’t show up, I felt heartbroken but determined to know how it would go, so I gave season 2 a try. See my review on Whirlwind Girl 2 to know the rest.
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1.) Plot/Story
2.) Suzy's acting
3.) Cast
Plot/Story
The plot of this show was really good. It was very unique, adding a punch of fantasy to a really good 'supposed' legal drama. It sounded stupid at first, but it blended really well, and the outcome was outstanding. It didn't fail to deliver in terms of being real enough for a legal drama, and not normal enough for a fantasy genre. Credits to the writers of the show and the director. And for whoever was in charge of casting that really cute corgi. I'm giving it a 9.5 to the story just because they failed to further discuss how they had their powers in the first place.
Suzy's acting
I'll be honest, Suzy isn't my favorite actresses. She is pretty, but she isn't that good in terms of delivery. For scale, my favorite actresses in order are
Han Hyo Joo
Shin Min Ah
Park Shin Hye
The acting of those 3 are far and beyond Suzy's current acting now, but she is in no way near of being classified as a bad actress by a lot of people. I would give her a rating of 7.5-8/10. If you want an example of a person who is really bad at acting, but is just overly hyped because he/she looks hot, look at Nam Jo Hyuk. I would rate that guy 3/10. Monotone as fuck. Suzy delivers during emotional scenes, and she makes us smile when she tries being quirky and cute during feel good scenes, but what I don't like about her acting is the regular flow. In scenes where there is no clear emotion, neither happy, sad, thrilling, or funny. Just the plain old, 'boring stuff' as some call it; the normal scenes that are explaining the plot of the show, she fails. She feels a bit awkward in those scenes for me because she doesn't look to convincing of a character. Her acting was far better as compared to Uncontrollably fond, but she still has work to do as an actress.
Cast
The cast was really good in this drama, particularly the main 3 characters + kim won hae. Lee Jong suk, is a shoo-in (we all know he's one of the best actors of Kdrama), Suzy has been discussed already. Jung Hae In, the adorable second lead who was so phenomenal a lot of people had Second Lead Syndrome once again. Would honestly watch another show where these 3 are in it. To further summarize my choice of Kdramas to watch is actually pretty simple: I see Kim Won Hae, I click. I get that his name isn't hyped enough to be cast as lead in a drama, but he sure does good whenever he's a supporting character, never failing to make us laugh, and on this particular role, cry.
Overall, I would watch this show again, even with one of the best plot twists i have ever watched.
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1.) Very unusual plot (Except the plot here is a lot better and unique as compared to Strong Woman)
2.) Solid cast chemistry
3.) Laugh-generating show
4.) No real plot twist (So the rewatch value does not suffer)
5.) Feel-Good-Turned-Tear-Jerking-RomCom
Strong Woman gained so much attention and love from both Korea and internationally, so I was wondering why this show wasn't well received in Korea (cause it is adored by many internationally). I honestly thought that Yo Seung ho - Chae Soo Bin would look bad, and never had I been more wrong. Their chemistry was so good that I actually want them to date in real life now.
A lot could have been still improved in this drama, mainly the OST and the plot. But overall, it's a show that has been greatly underappreciated by many
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I do not understand why this film score in under an 8 on MDL, so damn disappointing, it should be all the way up there, even though this film inspire Kill Bill, This movie is better.
Story: Not going to spoil much but the story is pretty much about a young woman who tries to track down the people who killed her mother, and mother's husband and son, the story is not so complex but it just makes the movie more awesome and a good length time, don't know why people rate movies that have come out the last past 10 years higher then the movies from the 90s and under, like really? Some of the movies from the past 10 years are great but the older Japanese movies are 1000x better and amazing in so many ways, like seriously! Even though this film is known for being really bloody and gory, it makes the movies even more amazing, with out the blood and gore, well... thats boring.
Acting/Cast: Kaji Meiko as Lady Snowblood = Super badass samurai girl, give this girl an Oscar for her amazing acting! She is an amazing actress, she totally fit the role as Lady Snowblood so well, with out her, the movie is gone, Lady Snowblood character is a serious woman who seeks for one goal but will stop anyone in her way, the other characters did their role really well to, old Japanese movies are always the best, especially the acting.
Music: I love the OST!!! It's really astonishing, Meiko Kaji - Flower of Carnage - Shura No Hana is a song that appear in Kill Bill and Quentin Tarantino just put in, what a thief, he directed some amazing movies but Kill Bill is pretty much a modern american version of Lady Snowblood, Lady Snowblood is the movie where Meiko Kaji - Flower of Carnage - Shura No Hana song first appeared in.
Rewatch Value: I re-watch my favorite Asian movies a lot, this is definitely part of the re-watch list because the story, acting, blood, and music is great.
Overall: For the overall, a 10 out of freaking 10, one of the best Japanese movies of all time, and everyone should give it a try if you like revenge, action, blood, and badass female leads, I'm glad that I found this film, its so great, I have the remastered version and it looks so much nicer then the original version, if you have not seen it people, stop what your doing and watch this now, you won't regret, I promise you!
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As for the music, it doesn't stand out to me and is very unfitting for the mood sometimes.
Overall, its okay. Not my cup of tea but I can see why someone would watch it.
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Despite that Suzy and Lee Jong Suk play the same character types every drama they're in, the cast was pretty solid. I really loved the characters Woo Taek and Choi Dam Dong, but by far the antagonist, Yu Beom played by Lee Sang Yeol was phenomenal. This was the first time I watched a drama (and I have watched many) with such an impressive and persuading character/actor. The most impressive antagonists are the ones with manipulative wit. He was so convincing that I went from hating the antagonist to indulging in his interesting character. Yu Beom really makes you ponder about morals and about his motives. He's not necessarily hungry for money or fame since he already has that. He doesn't particularly enjoy being a lawyer for the worst of criminals either--you can see that he despises himself for it as well. It's almost as if he's just following through with his actions just to be consistent with his previous actions. In general, it's such a ride to see how lawyers are able to crawl through the slimmest of loopholes.
This drama also raises a lot of questions about morality, ethics and the justice system. Is it better to let 7 people die to catch the culprit or let the culprit go? Is it considered immoral to defend the dirtiest of criminals even though it's the role a lawyer must take?
Comparing this to another law drama with LJS, I Hear Your Voice, they're both pretty solid. They both have a romance and a supernatural aspect, except LJS's role is switched. I feel like I Hear Your Voice was a much darker and psychologically/emotionally tolling than WYWS. There was always a kind of nagging fear about the events that happened at the back of my head while watching IHYV, even though it was one of the drama's strengths. Plot wise, I liked WYWS more because it was easier to watch, lighter and balanced. There's a great friendship and bond among the three main characters and some cute moments too between Suzy and LJS!
OSTs are the best I've heard so far. I've had the OSTs on repeat on my Spotify up till now, weeks after I've finished the drama. It's so easy to listen to for a long time and I was so surprised with a track sung by LJS himself! He has such a nice singing voice and is so talented.
Overall, this is a very solid drama! I really think it is THE drama of 2017. I highly recommend it!
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It makes me, Kyaaaaahhhhh shout like a little girl falling from the pit. ^_^. I love everything that this drama series put up.
I'm a FAN of BL series from the Philippines and take note this new watcher, you'll gonna damn love this drama oh i mean love story.
PS. Please if book 2 is not possible please let Korn and Knock be in another drama series
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What I liked?
Jang Geun Suk (mainly)... :D
I watched this movie with no high expectation given its plot and the synopsis that almost sold everything for me. But I ended it with more than what I bargained for. I was blind sided by that twist in the end but it was very refreshing and is truly satisfying even though it doesn't make sense!
One Word: "Friendship"
Tis movie is jam packed with great chemistry, Main Lead to his Father, Main Lead to his teacher, main Lead to his Friends, main Lead to the Baby. You'll find it oddly satisfying that the main lead has no chemistry at all to the leading lady - which we all know is one of the foundation of a good show. But this movie is not about love interest between a woman and a man, it is between a person and his perspective.
you'll be surprise by how well they handled a very sensitive subject "Teenage Parenthood" in a very light and uplifting manner that will surely give you a smile and a heartwarming feeling as it ends.
What I don't like?
False advertising!
main lead was advertised to be popular with girls and is a trouble maker. Trouble maker - Sure, handled appropriately. Popular with Girls? Jang Geun Suk is perfect for that part, but there is no part at all. the entire movie shows ONE single girl on his heels all the time. Sure there was a scene that involves a lot of girls/women but it felt too awkward and is for compliance sake only. Technically, this movie failed to develop the character of the main lead form the beginning, may have succeed mid section of the movie but totally ruined it for the end though.
Flaws Flaws Flaws and a lot of Flaws.
Talk about cinematography, effects, vocals and a lot of loopholes.
First minute into the movie I saw poor editing left and right that i had to pause collect myself and back at it again. What flaws am I talking about?
to say one thing that is too obvious? - they used a stunt man that is too far from Jang Geun Suk's body built. The scene where the main leads are going to meet is one of the first glaring flaw I found. The stunt man on the big bike is double of Geun Suk's built, they are wearing the same clothing obviously and the size is just too far from the main lead. The flaw is just to bright that I cant ignore, because the main lead is wearing a perfectly fit grey slacks but the man on the bike wore a loose fitting grey slacks and the editing is done poorly to hide the fact.
They shouldn't have added voice over to the baby. It was weird having that old rugged voice used for a cute baby. it just ruined the mood for me
Alot of loopholes, a lot of questions here and there and only a few were answered at the end of the movie.
Recommendation:
With all the given flaws of this movie,, would I still recommend it for you to watch?
Definitely a YES!
Surprised? well it is because it is on a league of its own. while it was a movie obviously made because of the fad among Korean series about high school drama, it tackles about the worst case scenario in the lives of senior high school students, parenthood and friendship. It will come short and lack firepower to be a high octane comedy-drama that it definitely has the potential to become, but it definitely is undeserving of the box in the attic with dusts and molds.
You'll be surprised that given its flaws and loopholes, you'll end up liking the movie as it is and not only because of its main lead.
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