The real antagonist was the "main" characters' adopted and communal attitude. Ms. Temper was a catalyst enlightening them to the truth: external challenges are created by internal deficiencies. Each manifested antagonist was created and fed by the protagonists.
The use of humor and family highlight community. Our communities within our place at work, within families, within relationships, and within our country are placed on one plate. The balance and prioritization of these communities is part of this drama.
I am a fan of Lee Yo Won. Thus, I am biased. That being said, she again, was fantastic.
Was this review helpful to you?
I absolutely enjoyed this Drama. It exposed yet another aspect of us. A side of us we so quickly dismiss.
Lee Yo Won is an incredible professional. She is adept at communicating complex and mixed emotions without overt expressions. This is a talent and gift.
Kudos to the writers, directors, and actors. Very well done.
Was this review helpful to you?
Story: The synopsis of this drama pretty much summed up what it is - a story about a grim reaper who eventually disappeared from everyone's memories. This drama is more investigative thriller than paranormal romance. Therefore, do not watch this drama with an expectation of paranormal romance. The grim reaper part is the only paranormal part of this drama. It is not used for action or cool effects. The drama is primarily focused on revealing the many twists and plots that led to the deaths of key characters who coincidentally were linked to each other. The reason why I said this is a 'controversial' drama is because you'll either love it or hate it. Unfortunately, I belong to the later group. Hence, in this review, you will read about the other side of opinion as opposed to the many praises others have given to this drama. Hopefully, after reading this review alongside all the positive reviews of this drama, you will get a more balanced view.
The drama started out well with a scene from the final episode - laying the foundation for the mysteries it plan to address. Then, we are introduced to a series of murders which were inevitably linked to mysteries from the past. One by one, skeletons in the closets (literal and figurative) were exposed. And just when you think you've figured out who's the big baddie, the drama deals you another twist. I love twists and plots and sub-plots. But I dislike HOW they were presented in this drama. Sure, they got the 'lay the foundation' part right with many twists being explained with earlier scenes. However, how it was presented lacked the finesse of a true master! The pace of the drama requires re-thinking. You get a good start, then a sluggish middle and a sudden and fast-forwarded end. The last 2 episodes felt like a dump. You get every character in the drama running around trying to solve mysteries, getting killed and missing chances and clues for the better part of the drama and suddenly in the last 2 episodes, they have a sudden IQ increase and knew exactly what to do! Better yet - as soon as they knew what to do, everything fell into place just right for them to do it when the bulk of the drama showed how they kept on missing clues and chances! For example, Moo Gang can be thinking about a certain person and lo and behold!...the tv reports about that person just as he was wondering about him....and lo and behold!....he found that person in the next scene and knew he's the brains behind it all! Same case with the lady doctor... she's been going around trying to locate a certain person, even almost died because of that.....and suddenly in the final episode, she only need to pick up the phone to call him and he answered! Not only did he answered after evading capture for so long.... he even invited her to his place instead of meeting up at some random public but hidden place as any intelligent person evading capture would do! *face palm!* You can see now what I meant by re-thinking the pace. If clues were solved bit by bit and revealed randomly in the course of the drama while leading towards the eventual and logical capture of the big baddie at the end, this drama would have been a much better drama. As it is, the drama was a huge dump fest with all revelations revealed in the last 2 episodes in a whirlwind of past scenes meshed with current scenes in an attempt to give the storyline creditability.
The second main reason why this drama was a disappointment for me is the lack of chemistry between the female lead and the male lead. Let me start by saying that Kang Ha Ram is not a love-able character. She is meddlesome, bumbling, loud, prone to misconception and always stepping into situation without fully assessing it which led to the many mistakes she made leading to loss of lives. To make matters worst, she was supposed to form a love relationship with Moo Gang/Black. At best, the chemistry that came through was that of a comrade or older brother-younger sister. Hence, my earlier warning that this drama is NOT a paranormal romance. Romance was just an afterthought and the development of chemistry was lacking. In fact, it boggled my mind how Moo Gang/Black who was tauted to be the coldest and most unfeeling reaper could fall for Kang Ha Ram. It defied logic. It even defied logic how he could love her so much that he was willing to undertake the worst punishment ever! If the ending was about this great sacrifice the reaper did for his love, then the story should focus on developing a strong love line so the viewers could empathize on the reaper's decision. Instead, the bulk of the story was about the many twists and turns signature of an investigative thriller.
Acting/Cast: Despite my critique of the story, the acting in this drama is good. Although I dislike Kang Ha Ram's character, the actress portraying her did a good job as she had successfully made me dislike Kang Ha Ram! However, she failed to manufacture the necessary chemistry with her male lead that would convince me that they were indeed very much in love with each other. It takes two to tango - hence the lack of chemistry was also a fault of the male lead. Other than that, acting was spot on.
Music: Not worth mentioning and not the focus of the drama.
Rewatch value: I do not possess a sadistic bone in my body. Hence, I will not torture myself by re-watching this drama. What's done is done! And I am relieved that it's over!
Overall: Considering the sentiments of many who seemed to love this drama, this is my most lenient rating of this drama: 7.5/10. Truthfully, I would rate it closer to 7/10.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Also, Americans have different mannerisms and opinions on strangers touching/grabbing them by force. Most American women would punch a guy who dragged them down a street no matter how attractive they were.
Would not recomend to anyone.
Was this review helpful to you?
For Story, its quite good cz i didnt expected about the "real" main role at the end..
every main role act has main story about padlom. the story make me laugh, sad, n smile
the story make me confuse so i want watch next episode, next episode, and next episode.
for acting : Padlom its good for acting but i like her acting at gentle vet.
P' Pok your very gentleman. ilike your act in this drama
P' Alan your perfect student. its suite for you :)
P' Gent your are so sweet ...
Play omg you play guitar, i melted
It your are good friend and michievous for Padlom, ilike realy like your act :D
Liftoil you always cute
Neo you are superstar update n online for your fans ..
you must watch this drama. cz have 7 Handsome guys and story you will didnt expected. :D
Enjoy this drama !!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Love how the main couple has so much trust in each other like yasss that’s how everyone should be lol they’re goals af even if it’s just a character
They’re both very smart and handle things well, there’s no dumb moments for the main couple
The music wasn’t the best didn’t bring out much emotions imo but it’s still good
There’s really no annoying or crazy character here or a third person/love triangle which is why I love it so so much
Literally there needs to be a season 2 with my yangshuang after their married life as a couple like I need to know if they’re going to have kids n how many things like that since I’m nosy af about my #1 otp
Was this review helpful to you?
The characters, cinematography/animation design, and landscape were all beautiful and wonderfully done. I absolutely loved the expressions of the characters, making them lovable and believable. The costumes, magic, monsters, and landscapes were awesome, although not anything new. The musical score seemed almost nonexistent; besides the theme song, which had multiple versions sung by different artists, whatever melody was played throughout the movie was not memorable at all. The major drawback of this film is the story, particularly how it was told. It might have been the translation/subtitles that threw me off and didn't explain the story well, but I want to blame it on the directing style. The beginning and middle were interesting. At times a solid, linear story was given, then confusing, but still very compelling, subplots and foreshadowing were thrown randomly into the mix. A fast-forwarding time skip (at least that's what it felt like to me) happened and suddenly the main characters and ambiguous new characters are in an epic battle with awesome beasts. Sides are drawn, and strange and unnecessary sacrifices were made as characters try to explain their actions, but a big blob of a cliffhanger is what is left at the end. It had so much potential, but the main plot was not revealed in a very detailed and clear manner, and a few subplots were thrown in there that left a lot of unanswered questions.
I just hope that a second film will follow involving more world building, character history, and relationship insight that will answer most, if not all, the questions that rose in this film.
Was this review helpful to you?
Right out of the gate, this drama was pretty ambitious as a gritty fantasy crime drama. The lead protagonist ends up being the reluctant grim reaper 444. This drama pummels its audience with questions that will go completely unanswered and/or forgotten until the eleventh hour.
Revealing secrets and twists is an art form in timing and pacing. Black does not do this well. Rather than strategically presenting big reveals throughout, this writing team chose to keep all of these abreast until the last fourth of the drama. By then, most of my interest in finishing had greatly dwindled to nothingness. Some may appreciate this approach, I personally need more of a bone to keep me interested.
The delivery of this drama is extremely uneven. I faintly recall there being some moments that made my heart race, but most of this drama is watching 444 run around aimlessly trying to figure out his feelings and his past. Again and again, he gets diverted and waylaid. His experience is much like Black’s viewers. It gets quite tiring. Even the episodes that ended with an amazing cliffhanger would resolve in a disappointing opening in the next.
The biggest disappointment of this drama was its characters. Both 444 and Ha Ram were so flat. Ideally this drama is supposed to detail 444’s internal battle with his empathy for mankind. Yet portrayal was ineffective at keeping my interest. I was taken aback by how little screen-time 444 and Ha Ram shared. For the majority of the show, they are on their own separate journeys. This may have impacted the implausibly of their budding relationship and the lack of chemistry I felt for this duo. This drama was lost when I no longer cared about the characters.
All of the above doesn’t even touch on the gaping plot holes, the completely untapped supplementary characters and the problematic ending that negated everything that this drama was attempting to accomplish. This drama is being praised for its mystery, but for me that can’t make up for all the other drawbacks. If mystery is upmost in your book and you can overlook everything else, then maybe give it a try ... Otherwise, I would recommend giving this one a hard pass.
Was this review helpful to you?
With Heechul and So Jin as MCs the show is getting much better .
The MCs are the best when it comes to tease the fathers and they never let go of the opportunities.
I must say the one who does the editing is really good at what he does because the editor never fails to leave us viewers, the MCs and the Fathers in frustration because of the cliffhangers ...
Cliffhangers in the show will leave you stunned and annoyed also full of curiosity and I can guarantee on it.
Looking forward to more seasons of it.
Hope You ( To the one reading) have a great time.!!!
And enjoy the program
Was this review helpful to you?
First of all, to the one who thought of the concept Hats Off because who knew that spying on other people date could be so fun. This program has a really unique concept which also makes it unique. The fathers get to see the side of their daughter that they have never seen and get a chance to know their daughters better.
Secondly, if you are looking for a getaway and you are in search of something new and something fresh this is it guys, this is the program you are looking for. The idea of the program is really fresh and you will come to realized that watching others date can be refreshing too.
Lastly, it makes you wanna start dating ......
Hope you guys enjoy the program!!!!
To the person reading
Have a great time ^_^
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Imagine yourselves returning to your younger days, to the youth you long for once adulthood welcomes you into a newer sense of reality. If you want an escape to that reality and if you want to return to the past via nostalgic feelings, Reply 1988 is a drama that you should watch. This drama is the third installment of the "Reply" series, and like its predecessors, it tackles different stories of family and youth in a certain timeframe. In my opinion, among the three installments, THIS IS THE BEST. Allow me to explain:This drama might have many similarities in terms of its theme and topic to other dramas, but this drama has a different way of presenting the stories of friendship, family, and romance. There are points in the drama that you'll laugh hysterically, then suddenly you'll weep without you noticing your tears are already falling. The drama does not attain to be deep, but it attains to be relatable. It doesn't push you to think very hard, but it pushes you to relate to the emotions of each and everyone of the characters. The story telling is superb for it enabled the viewers to get a clear glimpse of the past and reality without compromising the story. Another thing is that even though most of the contents in the drama speak to the Korean viewers, it enabled overseas fans to feel that nostalgia even if the scales work differently. The story was put up together very well and for that I gave it a 10 out of 10.
Characters and character development? GREAT. Characterization? EXCELLENT. Throughout the drama, the script was able to develop the characters well. It was able to present the struggles, and the innate feelings of the characters with their dialogues and actions. Without bringing out spoilers, I would like to commend the character development of the parents and the four main characters, but unfortunately, I had dilemmas in terms of the character development of the lead girl, Dukseon, for the simple reason that the lack of character build-up intensified the debate regarding the plot (I wouldn't want to expand on it for I might give spoilers unconsciously.) The acting is just so great that it was able to capture the hearts of the viewers. Like what I said awhile ago, the drama appeals to be relatable, and the acting is that key component that made the drama MUCH relatable. ALL OF THE ACTORS DID GREAT that I actually want to commend everyone who acted in the drama. So in terms of the Characters and acting, I would give this drama a 10 out of 10.
The music scoring? Well, I can't find an adjective worthy for its soundtrack and OSTs. The soundtrack of the drama is so reminiscent of the 80's sound and the soundtrack was able to mirror the sounds of Korea during the 80s. It added greatly to the vibes of the drama thus making the drama more nostalgic. It helped in highlighting the emotions in each scene and not only that, the OSTs were so close-knitted to central themes of the drama. Personally, my favorite OST of the drama was "Don't Worry" by Lee Juck, and "Hyehwadong" by Park Bo-ram. I personally loved these OSTs for it enabled me to reminisce the happenings and the emotions that I felt while watching the drama. The music was able to intensify the emotions and it was able to set the mood greatly thus giving it a 10 out of 10 is just righteous.
The drama is easy to watch, and the drama is that drama that'll give a lasting impression to its viewers. This is the kind of drama that you would like to watch again and again. Unfortunately, for someone who has many things to do in life, it'll be hard to watch this drama again due to its length. Because of that reason, I gave it a 9 out of 10 in terms of its rewatch value.
The Reply series has been a great series ever since it was created. I'm not saying that 1997 and 1994 weren't great, it's just that 1988 was more superior in my opinion. I'm so glad that I gave this drama a huge chunk of my time and I promise you, you won't regret watching this drama :D.
Was this review helpful to you?
I know a drama can't be perfect, but this, this one, the writing is so brilliant that I can't even express it enough how I'm amazed with their plot & writing, just genius!
So first, where do I start..
I still remember clearly the day when I heard they casted Song Seung Heun & Go Ahra for a drama called Black & my reaction was: Meh! not gonna watch it (since Go Ahra previous work left me a bitter taste & I never been a fan of SSH).
But, then my own words just bite me in the ass, never did I ever thought I'd come to watch & love this this much..
Black clearly is not a drama that you'd be able to watch without paying attention too much, or just to pass your time while doing something else, it requires your attention 100% or you'll be missing out their clues/answered & you'd think it's a plot hole when it's not.
This is the most complex written drama I've ever watched, layered with so much mystery.
But the way their telling stories & directing is so good & engaging. Every given answer raised another question. The plot is also unpredictable & full of suspense from beginning till end with a mix of comedy in between that will keep you even more entertain instead of getting distract since they made it really well & smooth.
I had to warn though that they might answered our question implicitly so we might missed that if we're not paying attention enough.
As for the ending, I'm surprised that I'm really satisfied with it after watching it with subs, they answered every question I had (although again, I had to say some of them were being answered implicitly. ) & if there's something missing it's very minimal that I might not even able to think of it right now. Given the situation, I think it's the best ending they could give to us.
Black is def one of the best drama aired in 2017, one of the few drama that I'm really looking forward to watch & impatiently waiting for it every week & they even made it on my top list, my all time fav crime/suspense/mystery/romance kdrama along with Cruel City. Even Black as a character also made it on my fav hero/anti hero along with Doctor's Son.
So yes, I give Black a 10/10, they really deserved every point of it.
Song Seung Heun & writer-nim, you just gained a new fan, I know you've put your mind & effort 100% in this. I'm impressed & will look forward to your upcoming work for sure!
Was this review helpful to you?
Recent Discussions
-
BL Drama Lovers Club6 minutes ago -
Soundtrack Lovers Club28 minutes ago -
Forgot the name of a Jdrama28 minutes ago
-
What are some of your favorite hobbies?1 hour ago -
Who do You Prefer?2 hours ago
