Overall, the film follows the book very well. It even covers the second half of the book, which I've noticed many "Wuthering Heights" adaptations skip. However, I thought it was just a little too long and it was startlingly dark at times.
Was this review helpful to you?
It was a bit entertaining , short and funny ! although the comedy is overused and silly but it did gave me a good laughs ..
The drama was too animated for my taste but the plot is in a way interesting but not original . I was hoping for it to get better with less humor and more heart but it was not that bad & maybe the 2nd season will be different .
The characters feelings were potrayed well but they were acting like teenagers not as adults in college thats kinda annoying me .
but the whole drama was slapstick comedy so maybe thats why they made the characters in this way .
This the type of show that I'll watch to pass time .. but it is not the kind that I'll rewatch again .
Was this review helpful to you?
I really liked the main couple, Lee Jong Suk and Suzy looked really cute together and their character were so adorable. They indeed delivered an outstanding performance. As for those who criticize Suzy, I have to tell you that I loved her character the most, her actions felt natural which makes her character more real and believable. I would love to see them working together again.
Keep up the good work!
Was this review helpful to you?
I'm very picky with my ratings and I rarely give a drama ten points. But because I'm unconditionally in love with this story (even though there might be one or two flaws. I know that many people didn't like the ending which I myself was satisfied with, even though it might just have had a too vaguely drawn explanation), it would be a shame to not give Black the highest score. It's entertaining and addictive as that and it will take some time until I can let go.
It often happens that when you start a drama, it begins with a strong introduction, makes you curious enough to continue watching and then loses all its strengths halfway through while leaving you with the most frustrating feeling ever. Well, Black is no exception when it comes to thrilling starts (and by all means pay attention and don't forget about this one), but it parts from the heaps of unsatisfying story proceedings as it constantly holds its high level of suspense.
To give a summary other than the one above would be risky as it might contain possible unintended spoilers or hints to the plot. And no one wants that, I don't want that - and I don't want you guys to throw me into the fiery pit. Seriously, I'm not that kind of party pooper.
So, what exactly is the magic potion of Black that drives everyone crazy?
The story progress
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let me praise the bigger picture that is definitely existent, even though you can't see it right away. It's hidden quite well, and pieces of the puzzle only appear one at a time which is helping the plot to constantly grow stronger. Receiving clues, getting confused over them, creating the wildest theories until your head is spinning, was so much fun that I can hardly contain my excitement whenever I talk about it. The neat and flawless weaving of secrets and the repeated drop of shocking bombs after almost every episode were some of the main forces why the drama worked so well. Whenever you think you've figured it out, BAM!, twists and turns shatter your carefully formed construct of thoughts. Those new revelations are not just added at the writer's whim but well thought-out right since the beginning. There are hints that are quite obvious from the start while other ones stay hidden until the story wants them to be revealed. Be sure to keep your eyes open while watching this show, or you might miss one or two important things and won't be able to follow the story anymore.
The genres
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mixing genres is quite popular these days and Black doesn't stay out of it either. The difference between Black and other dramas though: This one does a stunning job at smoothly merging them. Black is a pretty dark drama, although it might not seem that way at first. It might even look chaotic and/or messy. I don't know about others, but I enjoyed every single scene bar none. The shift from dark to funny was always sleek, making me forget the length of the episode and leaving me startled when it was suddenly over again. The further the story proceeds, the darker the plot grows while thickening the mystery. At this point I do have to warn you though. If you have a sensitive stomach and can't cope well with harsh violence, be careful. Even though certain scenes were not always shown in full scope, sounds and imagination were enough to make me feel the cruelty of the scene. Other ones were clearly visible and thus added to the brutal reality. I do think that the given age limit might be a little light on this one.
The leading stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First and foremost, Black himself. Grim reaper number 444, the most cold-hearted one among them all. It doesn't matter whether you already know Song Seung Heon from previous dramas or movies, because you can be sure that when you watch him here, it will feel like you're meeting him for the first time all over again. The whole concept of his role is simply dashing. Although I don't want to exaggerate, it's hard to keep it to myself, and I do want to brag about it, about all his captivating treats. The color "black" never suited someone better, his looks are literally breathtaking, his whole demeanor is seductive in every possible way.
May it be the stone-cold grim reaper who doesn't like humans or the inexperienced "newbie" without common sense and blunt responses, finding himself slowly getting attached to the world he doesn't want to be part of, and unwillingly trying to solve the big mystery he gets thrown into.
There is this thing he's doing with his eyes... I don't even know if he is doing something with them, but they are as dark as the deep blue sea and… one fillip and you’ve lost. His whole acting is spellbinding. If there's a list with actors who own their roles, he would be somewhere at the top. Song Seung Heon breathed life into Black, simply put he WAS Black. He and no one else. Pure perfection, as one might say. Compared to the rest of the cast, his role might not be the only one with a big character development ahead, but he was definitely the one that delivered spot on, week by week by week.
I’m rattling on about him, I know… mian!
Go Ah Ra, who is playing the girl that is afraid of people because she can foresee near death, is a rather difficult part to approach (maybe even the only thing I can't brag about). I don’t fancy her but I don't hate her either. And I have to admit that it must be quite challenging and difficult to go on stage alongside Song Seung Heon, especially if he's doing such a phenomenal job. Her impersonation of Kang Ha Ram was... how shall I put it... average and sometimes monotone. Go Ah Ra's facial expressions are quite limited which makes it hard to forget all the prejudice she is receiving. She is just not as good as others, no matter how you look at it. Her acting didn't reach me the same way the rest of the cast did, and it is poles apart from Song Seung Heon’s. However, she was not a complete failure either. She was okay, her scenes were okay. Her acting was good enough to not get frustrated or disappointed over it. She did have chemistry with her co-star. Even though it was not overwhelming, it conveyed the necessary atmosphere to keep the tension on.
The supporting cast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are so many people that have to be mentioned that it's hard to keep it short. First of all the second male lead and love interest of our heroine. Although Oh Man Soo was never my favorite person in the drama because he was naive and just too good-natured, Kim Dong Jun did a pretty fine job portraying the rich kid that wants to get a chance and be recognized for his work. I did not always like his actions, nor did I like his innocent look at the world. The inevitable twist though that is forcing him to mature and almost impossible for him to comprehend, is something I wouldn't wish for anybody, no matter how much I dislike them. So, he did get my sympathies when the time came.
Song Seung Heon's love interest Yoon Soo Wan (portrayed by Lee El - who we all know from Goblin) is a pretty foggy character and the drama is only slowly revealing her secrets. I found her character extremely interesting and reasonable. Her love for the male lead was real, and whilst her secrets were unknown, her intentions were always transparent for me.
Black's fellow grim reapers, 007 and 416 look like they only exist for pure entertainment or informative purposes. But the more they got introduced to me, the clearer it became that there was more to them than the unaided eye could see. But oh well, what am I talking about... One of them is played by Jo Jae Yun, so of course I can't do anything else but fancy over him. No matter what he's doing, he is one of the most versatile actors I've seen and it's no surprise that he is owning the role of an ancient grim reaper as well - even though he's relatively reserved in this.
So many crime dramas, so many police squads, so many failures. And again, Black is shining with a unique team that seems to be the loser squad at first but learns to use opportunities and circumstances to rise from the shadows. The team dynamics are just right and a pleasure to watch. After Black himself, they are the comedy perpetrators per se and they are great at it. Each member has a unique and sweet nature what makes them grow on you in no time. Special credits to Kim Won Hae as well. I've already seen him in other dramas but his role in Black is by far my most favorite one.
Kim Jae Young plays the Hallyu star Leo who is after Black the second eye candy of the show (at least for me - I know there will be some people who disagree with me :P). His character doesn't seem to get more depth as the story progresses and you might think he's only there for the looks. Well, as far as I can tell without revealing too much, he does have another purpose as well. I always liked his character, despite the image he had to portray in this. The fact that they didn't disclose so much about him, made me even more curious about his story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you look closely, you can see that every single character has a reason to be in this drama. Everyone is connected in some mysterious way. To follow the leads and to try and find out about those threads is one thing that makes the concept of the plot so promising. Another one is the character development that everyone in this drama will go through. Closely followed by visually stunning cinematography and well used supportive background music.
The story is as shocking as it is heartbreaking. Black comes along with so many convincing treats that it will be hard to keep away from it. It's entertaining and funny and mysterious and dark and dramatic and definitely catching you off-guard. You won't be able to leave your couch once you hit the play button. And please, be careful of your nails and your hair.
On that note: Happy watching!
(I wrote too much, mian~)
Was this review helpful to you?
Uehara’s attitude towards Nao, Ota character and Abe.
Nao’s outfit especially the park scene.
What I don’t like ;
Too many ‘coincidence’ scene between Nao and Natsume. Seems like the writer ‘forced’ Natsume fall for Nao.
The repetitive failed date between the otp.
Less scene when Nao and Uehara together.
What I superlike ; Nao’s love for Uehara and Uehara’s love for Nao. They don’t have eyes for other.
I think I’m a minority here for not rooting the second lead male character, for both seasons. IMO, Uehara is the one and only perfect match for Nao.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
For all the drama I’ve been watched, this is the the first drama where I found the otp are not denying their feeling for each other. Fukuhara and Shiraishi are made for their role.
I like the plot because is going straight, not going on circle.
I like the friendship, the scenery and all those yummy food.
What I don’t like is the kisses. It’s kind of flat :D
Overall, I love it. Been rewatched for the third times when I write this review.
Was this review helpful to you?
well I know from the trailer that this drama gonna be big hit man and Song Seung Heon/black acting was very great and he was funny and he have handsome face to and Go Ah Ra/ha.ram acting was also good and she's aslo very cute and I have read comments that she can't or she's annoying..I don't think so her acting was good in this drama and ever I m not Korean but I really support her and I will and u guys who says she can't acting or she's annoying as u..ur guys r korean and yet u say those things about her I mean she's ur own civilian and u say those words about her if she read those comments won't that hurt her fellings man and also u guys hate her but I don't hate her and don't be like that and if she wasn't good actress then why they pick her in this drama..there is a lot k-drama's actress who's very good at acting..so they could pick on of those but they didn't.. they pick Go Ah Ra cause she fits for this characters..so what I m trying to say is don't complaining about her acting and just enjoy the beautiful drama...
Was this review helpful to you?
Let's start with the things I liked. First and foremost, I appreciate that the growth of the characters (from High School to College) was paired with a bit more emotional complexity when it came to sentimental conundrums. The side characters, which I liked a lot in the last season, were a delight again in this one, but mainly for three new additions: Natsume, played by Sugino Yosuke, Saeko, played by Takahashi Maryjun, and Nanase, played by Sagara Itsuki. Natsume might have been my favorite character from the whole season, but the other two were also very interesting, and here lies my main problem with this drama: the side characters seem more like leads than the actual leads, for the narrative of the story, because a lead isn't made of likability or charm, it's made of development and action.
While the main leads, Nao and Uehara, go around in circles and have issues that always end up being resolved by going back to where they started, it's these side characters the ones that are put through tests that develop their personalities and make them evolve in the story. These side characters are allowed to make mistakes, which are seen as mistakes by the story, and learn new things to end up in a different place than where they used to be in the start. Natsume has to go through a very interesting path between falling in love and being loyal to his best friend by acknowledging that his best friend is making bad choices regarding the girl they both love; Saeko faces what might be her first real love while managing her career and dreams and trying to fit both in her life and Nanase has to choose whether to tell the guy she loves how she feels or remaining friends, knowing his heart possibly lies elsewhere. These situations add a level of narrative complexity to what we had seen in the previous season, following the age of the characters (and maybe the target audience) with issues and questions that are also more grown up. That, like I said, I'm very appreciative of.
The leads, though, I can't say much for them. I feel that because of the need to keep this trope alive and to keep these two in the dynamic that is so popular with romantic dramas (happening since the days of Hotaru No Hikari or Hana Yori Dango and remaining nowadays), they lose the agency to change and evolve as characters. The issues in their relationship are mainly about self-esteem (which is a topic that transcends these two, it also involves Natsume, Saeko, Nanase, Marina and Mitsuishi), but the ultimate idea, as stated in the drama, it that "trusting the other one loves you is more important than trusting yourself", which I'm absolutely not fond of, but regardless of my personal opinion on the idea, what it does for the story is that the changes and actions that Nao and Uehara do are incredibly small compared to the rest of the characters, which shouldn't be so because they are the leads. They do have issues and they do make choices, but remain more or less in the same places without having to change much at all.
I feel that this drama has the intention to go much further but ultimately the need to keep this trope alive, as well as the "will they won't they" (which should have been dust by now by having them in an actual relationship, but remains there because that's their dynamic), is setting it back. There are ways of making them evolve without changing the essence of their character dynamic, but I don't feel the drama achieves it.
Ultimately, I really like the dimension of the characters and the fact that, finally, we've moved past this "I hate this girl because the guy I like likes her instead" and we have a lot more complex and realistic relationships, where friendship is explored just as much as romance, for the male and female characters, and that's a great thing to see indeed and worth the watch.
If you liked the first season, I'm sure you'll love this one, and if you didn't, maybe give it a chance because it has a bit more in store than you'd expect.
Was this review helpful to you?
Overall acting in English felt as natural as plastic compared to the scenes done in Korean. The editing was choppy but I suspect that is because of the time frame allotted for the drama. I could have been "better" if they added extra time to the story development and made it a mini-movie.
Was this review helpful to you?
Every episode brings a smile to your face. When it ends you are - so soon huh ! There is not a moment of boredom, I can assure you that. It is going to be my favourite Asian drama. There is no planning and plotting or many people who are trying to break the couple apart. The story is more about how their relation grows deeper and cuter.
You should really give it a try and I am planning to rewatch...
Was this review helpful to you?
Those who have always dreamed of having their crush as their boyfriend, people maybe not in reality but here in this dramaland it is possible...
Brace your heart cause the Main Lead is will make your heart beat faster than ever with the way he looks and does for his girl ;)
The drama in overall is a must watch and for me it is 9.9/10.
Hope it is helpful
And to you who is reading have a great time ^_^
Was this review helpful to you?
EVERYTHING about Go Fighting was amazing to me. This was my first chinese show and it was very new. During the first episodes of Go Fighting S1 I couldn't figure out what it was actually about but then I immediately got attracted by the concept and THE CAST. I'd come for Yixing, and I stayed for everyone else. They are all like true brothers and watching them made me so happy. Trust me, if you start this show you can't get out of it. Atleast that's what happened to me :P
The reason I gave the show overall 9/10 is that during some episodes I didn't find it similar to Go Fighting season 1 & 2. But don't mind me, you'll love the show!
Was this review helpful to you?
Tang Jing is not excepting responsibility to all the games she'd played to get passion from Hehan. She had dragged Hehan into these mess. Their relationship is not a business, Love or Non-Love is not a negotiable contract. She kept saying she'd waited for 10 years, but it had been 10 years of Hehan's life as well. She never trusted Hehan, and holds grudge, wouldn't let it go. Now Tangjing wants to punish her best friend-Zijun for all the games she had done...who is the spoiled child now. Who should get blamed here? She is in her late 30th, an adult, must to take obligation instead of blaming anyone else. She needs to learn to respect the man she so-called "love".
Zijun is the most pretty one inside out, she has no harm to anyone. She is very forgiving person. So she deserves the best after all.
Coming-up 2nd season of it, the ending should be like this:
Hehan and Zijun, two love birds eventually come together for good. TangJing meets the man of her dreams much happier than she ever dreamed of because the passion she was looking for is in the new love but this one does not allow her go her way.
Zijun’s ex-husband’s Junsheng , remember he’d always loved Zijun but her childish ways drove him to Lingling’s arms.....over time, Lingling has proven to be the manipulator as she truly is...that leads eventually their divorce, but Junsheng finally begins to stand up, no fear in him as a man instead of mouse he was. After divorce, he too eventually finds someone new to love, so he grows up, always being Hehan’s friend as well as Zijun's.
Zijun's sister and husband finally grow up and settle down for him to take over the restaurant so Luo Luo can ride off in the sunset with Old Zhun.
Everyone gets what they deserve.
Finally to Chinese crew and producers, please don’t let the audience down when make 2nd season of it. Thanks
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Recent Discussions
-
NOVEL LINK- kill me love me (drama)3 minutes ago
-
Who Do You Prefer? (Korean Actors/Actresses Ver.)5 minutes ago -
Who do You Prefer?12 minutes ago
-
Last NON Asian Movie you watched? #218 minutes ago -
