The story was believable, but sadly I can't say much without spoiling it. So all I will say is that given what is done to the children, the consequences are understandable. I didn't find the 'Mysterious Man' a monster in the real sense as he was only doing what was wanted of him.
The acting was first rate - the entire cast gelled very well together and all were convincing in their roles. However, for me at least, Takizawa Hideaki stood out as the main protagonist; an almost childlike figure lashing out at those he held responsible. It showed children can be remarkable in coping with a horrific life and finding allies in the most unlikeliest of places.
The music added to the story and certainly the organ grinder style music was creepy. The final few frames with the child at the door, organ grinder and the little doll were unsettling but also strangely satisfying. I would love for there to be a sequel.
Even though I know the ending, I did watch it raw and, only having a few sentences of Japanese learnt, I would like to watch it again with subs and see if I was wrong in my assumption that the 'monster' wasn't really a monster, just a being existing for justice for those unable to seek it themselves. I would watch it more than once, or even twice, that's for sure.
Overall, it wasn't too scary and certainly a nice film for a winter's evening with a mug of hot chocolate and some marshmallows. A real campfire story really. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it and will give it 10/10.
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Its start very promising and the story is a bit creepy and gloomy, but very interesting. The second episode is where you think "Ok, WTF is going on?!"
I think it's a very good drama with a lot of twists and storylines only a psychopath could think of. It really messes with your head and sometimes I even lost track, because it was getting kind of like a labyrinth.
I liked the love story in the drama, it was sweet and a contrast to all the gloomy stuff.
Personally I didn't like the ending, so I probably wouldn't watch it again, that's why I gave only 5.0/10. I mean it's an ending I could be ok with but your heart hurts while it happens and you're left with being a little mess.
So, you can see that this drama really got me hooked and made me sad and cry.
This drama gets you really and you start thinking about many things, but as it made me so sad...ugh I dunno, it's good. watch it.
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It is a really funny drama with funny characters. Mantou has parents that are really humorous and they adore her a lot as well. I must admit that Mantou's stupidity really frustrates me at certain part of the dramas but she is a really adorable and understanding girl. This drama is really worth watching and rewatching because it is really funny and the plot is fantastic as well.
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I watched this movie cause of the drama and the casts in this movie ( I love YangYang and LiuYiFei)
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Things happen, get resolved, victories occur for sad looking people. The show gives a lot of respect to its characters. No one is unnecessarily shamed. The media scandals look like they’re going to be a big deal but they eventuate to nothing, so I was relieved.
The girls in this show are great. Of course, they have their stupid, weak moments. But there are so many shining moments when they are just being normal adult women that we so rarely get to see in Korean dramas. I really like there isn’t someone constantly telling them off or telling them they’re stupid. Even if Young Shim keeps turning up late (WHY?) her boss just is chill.
Also the level of English in this drama is really good. Both the leads can successfully pull off speaking in English. Han Ye Seul is particularly stellar.
Gong Ji Won – male lead
Kim Ji Suk looks very sleek. It was really nice to get so much of him on my screen.
Gong Ji Won is very much a character that you’d see as a second lead syndrome kind of guy. I really love his gentle acting. He’s so sweet and manly at the same time a real winning combination. I liked how mature he was and secure in his identity. He’s so wonderfully easy going and not petty at all. Even when he’s upset, or jealous, he doesn’t take it out on anyone. I like how you can see his vulnerability even as he tries to hide it.
He is really nice to the women in the show. Treating them with respect and giving them compliments.
Sa Jin Jin
Sa Jin Jin has it all. Money, fame, beauty and a wonderful relationship with her parents. And she’s not boy crazy. I love how she schools her emotions and restrains her thoughts when she’s working. Professional woman for the win. Also she can hold her liquor. OMG. She is definitely one of my favourite heroines ever.
It’s always great to have a composed and successful woman who is good at what she does. She’s not bitchy (though she can be tough). The drama shows how kind she is without being preachy about it.
Her parents are the kind and sensitive type who try and figure out carefully what their daughter needs from them.
I like that Jin Jin didn’t care what she looked like in front of Ji Won and she wants to be his friend.
Even with Jin Jin’s misguided crush on Anthony, I like that she wasn’t fanatical about it even though she is his fan. She just went out of her way to do little kind acts that he could choose to ignore. This girl has got so much dignity. She doesn’t have to be sly or use any manipulation to “snag” the person she “loves”.
Parents
The drama seems to take great pains into showcasing different styles of parenting.
Young Shim’s parents = mum pushover nice + dad super mean
Ah Reum’s parents = dad pushover nice + mean mum
Jin’s parents = nice dad + nice mum
I like that Jin Jin’s mother didn’t ship Jin Jin and Ji Won. Or at least not openly.
Friends
I appreciate that the girls were all different shapes and sizes. When reviews stated that the friendship was good, I wasn’t sure how good a friendship it would be. But it’s the chemistry and the camaraderie that makes these girls’ silly conversations and interactions stand out to me. They’re not funny, or deep, they’re just natural and comfortable, and that’s what makes it so meaningful.
I like that everyone has respectable jobs and they’re all in a stable stage of life.
Sometimes, they’re too busy for each other, but the girls have good instincts and know when one of them needs a pick-me-up.
Ji Won fits surprisingly well into the rag tag bunch of friends. He reacts, and responds with as much interest and enthusiasm as them and he plays along with their jokes and stories.
Romance
I always appreciate a normal meeting between romantic characters. The relationship between the two is so simple. He likes her, she likes him. They are so blissfully comfortable with each other. Yay. I actually haven’t seen childhood sweet hearts reunited, so it was nice to see how Ji Won was remembering how much he liked Jin Jin when he was a teen. Ji Won is very straightforward in his romancing and his intentions with Jin Jin. He’s not pushy at all though, and in fact rather the slow. He’s in it for the long haul. I also like that the drama explains the reason he’s going slow, it’s also because of his past and the fact that Jin Jin is so gaga over his brother. The push and pull of the romance is really perfect.
I like that their relationship isn’t rife with near misses and awkwardness. Jin Jin really shares stuff with Ji Won in a happy way.
I really like that he doesn’t laugh when she’s embarrassed, he feels bad himself because that’s what love is.
Another win: consensual kissing.
Young Shim
Young Shim’s family is small and quiet with a grumpy father. Young Shim is so sweet and loyal to both her parents despite her father being so gruff and mean to both his daughter and wife. I like how Young Shim looked out for her mother. Young Shim can also drink – good job show.
Even though Young Shim is the shy one, she’s also the studious one. Once she gets a job there aren’t a lot of workplace dramas of her getting abused verbally by her boss (just the cleaning lady) so that’s great.
I really liked her functional relationship with her boss. He has such a nice face when he talks.
“Sunbaenim, by any chance, would you like to eat with me from time to time?”
“Mondays and Thursday? If that’s okay with you.”
Ah Reum
Ah Reum is kind of the throw away character. But I like that she’s good at her job. And when she makes a choice she sticks with it. She is quite pathetic, but when she decides to move out, despite all the bumps and potholes, she’s happy with her decision and she copes. I loved that. I also became interested in her love line as well and the compromises they had to work out with each other.
I especially appreciate that her more pathetic character didn’t have a smashed kiss, and that she was also credited to be romantic and worthy of a slow mo/replayed kiss as much as I hate them.
Anthony
This actor is a bit of a flat face. I feel like the other actors were giving their all to provide him with some chemistry but he was so emotionless and expressionless. It was a strange dynamic of not knowing how the brothers felt about each other’s relationship with Jin Jin. It was like they were both hesitant to go forward but couldn’t help themselves.
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The premise of the main female lead's story got me interested. The choices that she and her friends make are realistic which makes the show feel a bit more like a sitcom. The acting was well done. The chemistry between the two main leads was what really kept me going. Now the relationship with the rich 2nd male lead felt somewhat superficial, but it was still believable. I liked the ending, though I'd say it felt lazy.
I really loved the music that went along, and the still shots they take from time to time throughout the drama was really unique. Now I'm ready to marathon season 2!
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The acting was phenomenal. I fell in love with all the characters. Lee Sung Kyung is so pretty and talented. She easily became the reason I continued to watch this along with Nam Joo Hyuk.
This entire drama is just...feel good and heartwarming. The characters are endearing and the story progression effortless and perfect that keeps you engrossed until the end. Personally, one of the best romantic comedy dramas I have watched.
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I love Comedy Romance and I think that a great drama should consists of awesome script, cast, OST..etc which City Hall has it all. The chemistry, comedy and romance between the leads are really DAEBAK plus OST which I believe tailored to this drama made it so PERFECT that I have to rate it a 10.
I admit that the politics in the drama was still ?? to me but City Hall definitely worth a watch. Though it is an old drama, I still recommend friends to watch it. Due to this drama, I ever think it will be great that if I have the power to erase my memory after watching drama so that I can rewatch it and 'feel' the whole drama again and again. I highly recommend City Hall.
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