My first gripe is the historical inaccuracies. While most 1940's drama shows the characters wearing qipao and common minguo style dresses, the characters in Athena parade around in modern style dresses with 6 inch heels. While I was willing to overlook this, there were also some very unrealistic fight scenes. I never knew that the Japanese had massive dungeons underneath their factories and buildings, or unguarded halls of mirrors leading to their offices.
Secondly, the romance was unbearable, I knew there was bound to be romance, but not like this. I was expecting strong female characters fighting for their country, not whiny teens cat-fighting over the same man. If i had a dollar for ever time Liu Lizi ugly-crying, I would be rich. This show is basically an extended love triangle involving every character in the show, men and women alike. On the battlefield they might be badass, but the poorly written romance scenes that last up to 5 minutes reduces them to whiny characters that care more about finding romance than actually aiding the resistance.
Lastly, the characters were totally inconsistent. One moment, Liu Lizi will be killing her enemies, the next shes crying as Na LanDong drags her somewhere. All within the same minute. All of the characters have no personalities, and their character depend completely on their subject of romance. This includes the colonel lady, who, apart from being Japanese, is no different from every other character who does nothing to further their patriotic efforts. Occasionally, she shots random passerbys or smashes ornaments for no reason at all than to remind the audience that she is still a villain. None of the characters are relevant outside of romantic scenes and the rare fight scene.
In conclusion, Athena is a pile of lost potential because of the way it treats its characters. It had the potential to be a semi-feminist-semi-revolution drama, but it was just another frustratingly pointless love triangle, just disguised as a war drama. The plot was interchangeable with any other genre, and it would be generous to even call it a war drama at all.
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Otherwise, the political conspiracy arc is okay, but nothing groundbreaking. The sexual offenders are very static and cliche. I was overall underwhelmed in the main antagonist. Each episode follows a pretty predictable setup week over week.
I want to recommend this because ama Yi Deum is a powerhouse of a character, but the story arc is rather disappointing ...
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The start was strong and promising, the writing kinda daring considering the content of these prosecuted cases. The outcome was not always clear and you had your unexpected moments, even though some possible conclusions might have become more visible along the way and allowed the viewer to guess just right.
I loved the first half alot. And I mean ALOT.
Most of all because I had so much fun watching the female lead Ma Yi Deum. Her character is one of the best written and most authentic ones in dramaland. Believe me when I say that I was almost scared how much I recognized myself in her. Even though we didn't experience the same things, there were still so many situations when I just had to nod and agree in awe - because she always reacted and acted the same way I would have done in those moments. Scary indeed, right?
But at the same time I was fascinated with her and I was happy that the writers were brave enough to write such a grey zone leading role. She's not been categorized like that because she did some seriously bad things but more because she did and does some minor but still morally debatable things. If you look into the mirror and ask yourself whether you ever did something that was selfish, calculated and manipulating, even though it's not even worth mentioning (because deep down you actually don't want to admit it), then say hello to your sister: Ma Yi Deum. A tough girl who has decided to face the world with spite and sarcasm. Never letting herself be taken down by any obstacle she comes across. Even though she seems like she's hiding her feelings, she doesn't get depressed whenever she accidentally gives her emotions full scope, but instead covers up her slip of feelings in grand style. So yeah, I love her. From head to toe, from character to convenient (and occasionally striking) styling to ambiguous first impression.
The rest of the cast did well, too, even though non of them could compare to Jung Ryeo Won (Ma Yi Deum) who out-shined them all. And even though I want to mention Yoon Hyun Min because I like, love and fancy over him all the way, I just can't. I loved him in the first half but his character lost stage presence during the rest of the story (although some lovely glimpses still shined through sometimes and especially at the end~)
The same applies for the plot. I was hooked by the cases, they were shocking and the way the drama delivered them made me curious enough to binge watch the first six/seven episodes. But as the story went further, the cases lost substance, became repetitive and sadly let inconsistencies sneak in. The pace dropped down from 100 to 50 and it never picked up again. Even the finale felt kinda flat and unimpressive.
I feel truly sorry for the drama because it started off so damn well, and I wish the writers would have been able to keep that intimate but threatening atmosphere that caught me in the beginning. So much potential and so many missed possibilities.
But I did like the OST from beginning to end! It has something unique and memorable.
P.S: Would I recommend it? Yes. Depending on the mood and the tolerance of predicable and repetitive content. And for the eye candy and averagely good acting (including one shining star).
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I agree with all the gushing comments, so I won't bore you with my personal version. I will just say that this drama is in the running for my favorite drama of all time, neck and neck with Reply 1988.
The only disappointment for me was where Bo Mi ended up when all was said and done.
Anyway, bravo and thanks to everyone involved in this drama!
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The cliffhangers started from day 1 and this is one of the reasons to be so excited for this series. Waiting for the next episodes was really a pain.
What I found so special about this drama were the characters on the first place. Se Hee was such an unordinary person and even though I thought Ji Ho was kinda annoying in the beginning, I just couldn't help but love her as the time passed. Really enjoyed the script writer's work. Almost every episode had those lines, full of metaphors that really make you question your whole existance. I also loved the secondary couples and even though in most drama they're just a waste of time, here they were just as interesting as the main one.
What I found lacking was that there wasn't much of explanation about Se Hee's past, which played a quite a big role this drama. On the other hand I think they could make the ending episodes a little more dramatic and emotional.
Overall if you are looking for something light-hearted, funny and with some good acting, this is perfect for you!
Hope this was helpful and sorry for the mistakes <3
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To begin with, I'm quite sad that this is a short web drama. On the other hand, I'm not quite sure if it would've been more enjoyable if it was a full length TV drama. The creators are brilliant since they managed to squeeze every ounce of the major plot details, important scenes and humor into 20 episodes. The time flew by super fast while watching this, so you know it must be good. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and their relationship every time I left my apartment! This drama also made me daydream a lot. Dramas that make a huge impact on me are highly appreciated and kept in my heart forever! Yes, the relationships. The main couple had some serious chemistry. Any time they were shown on the screen together, I was dying from excitement and adorableness. Honestly, my heart even skipped a beat once or twice. This was my first drama starring Kim Young Kwang and I instantly fell in love with this actor! Seriously, I admire how he managed to pull of that tsundere character so well. Other actors too, I've seen some of them before playing completely different characters so it was nice to see them transform into something new. The music was very fitting as well, especially that one song from the OST called "Candy Star". Overall, a drama worth rewatching 110%!
These are the type of dramas I like best - with amazing chemistry, comedy and romance floating all around! Trust me, you'll be hooked on the first episode and you won't regret watching it!
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Drama Special Season 8: Kang Deok Sun’s Love History
3 people found this review helpful
The story was good. I hadn't ever seen a drama like this- like in this era, with these problems going on around them. I didn't really mind the story, I thought it was very interesting, the Independence movement, a small country girl coming to the big city and falling into something on accident, and the girl's friendship- you don't seen girl friendships a lot in k-dramas for some reason.
I didn't have any problems with the casting but the main lead would throw me at times because of how she delivered some lines. She would tilt her head back and open her eyes super wide and look down and it just didn't flow. It took me out of the story. Why I agree that she fits the role because she has the youth and innocence, I think she could have done better.
I will leave off with that it's short, sweet and easy to watch.
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The first part was a love at first sight for me. Ma Yi Deum's character is one of the best female I have seen so far in the dramaland. I was very entertained but also touched by her personnality. I also endorsed all of her choice which is very uncommon for me. She was a normal girl who lost the most important person in her life but she never gave up !
The story has flaws and some stupids part such as the lost of some document, who let important documents only in one place and without any copies.
The drama also obey to some usual "cliché" but overall you get hook quickly thank to her and Yeo Procecutor ! I have dropped some scene or accelerate some because it was just useless "bla bla" but I haven't skip one episode and I was waiting for them every weeks !
I highly recommend it to anyone who want to see a very GOOD FEMALE LEAD !
I have also heard people not understanding her wish to win the case no matter what is happening to the victims. Althought it might seems unethical, the job of a prosecutor is to restore the public order (by putting to jail those who commited a crime). In this sense, I endorse what she did cause it's what a prosecutor is meant to do. Obviously not in this particular way !
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Dealing with what it really is to marry and what envolves, for those who marry and for the people around them. It also deals with the relationships between people and what they really want out of life, sometimes leading us to stop and think about what is really important for us to live in, and not what society want or what familly wants, because this is our first life . * ihihi *
We see for example the wishes of the three friends, so they will obviously follow different ways to get there but what matters is how they will adapt to it.
The drama is great as it will treat and develop the story, it is not slow nor too fast, is perfect. The characters themselves were well-developed and realistic.
Ji Ho was obviously my favorite for her way of thinking and at some point focusing on what he really wants and fighting for. Se hee brought his past and it was good to see his development
Ho Rang was another character that I did not understand well in the begining , or better understood what she wanted but I thought that she was selfish to a certain point, but important to understand the couple.
OST! Marvelous * lol * but it really is!
Rewatch? I usually do not see dramas again because I already have so many to see, but if anyone wants company to see it, I'm IN!!
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second half. Because this is our first is a drama that could have been
overlooked easily, considering the fact that there weren't many "big"
names in the cast (and I mean popular idols or actors). Plus, the story
was a bit too ordinary to make a buzz. But, it turned out to be a
seriously cosy and romantic drama. The acting was perfect from all the
actors and actresses and especially the leading lady was extra cute and
lovable. The main story was sweet and cute, but the side ones were
interesting as well. Plus, the theme was a bit unique, with some scenes
that couldn't be found easily in the typical silly innocent love
dramas. However, I did find the ending a bit too cliché, considering
the rest of the drama. At least, it had the conclusion that I was
hoping for. So, 8.5 out of 10.
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Speaking of Lee Min Ki, he was my original K-actor crush even before Lee Joon Gi. But unfortunately LMK stopped doing dramas and then did a bunch of movies I just wasn't that interested in and he certainly never fell off my radar but after a while I couldn't remember why I loved him so much. Then I watched this drama and thought, oh, yep, that was it! Dang I have missed LMK! There are so many talented K-actors, but there is only one Lee Min Ki. He has a quirk about him and a sincerity in his eyes that no one duplicates. He is absolutely incredible and I hope that we get to see more of him on our screen after this tour de force drama! (I hope he does a sageuk movie or drama some day. Hear me drama gods?)
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All 16 episodes were really enjoyable to watch there was never a time I felt that any scene was a filler or boring despite it not being a suspenseful drama(for the most part). They kept true to their genre and plot with complementary music that tugs at your heartstrings. Having watched so many dramas prior this is one that makes it to the list of realistic but simultaneously dramatic dramas, especially during the beginning where the dramaticness turns amusing. I must say thought that it is an effective way to hook people to start the drama however one definitely stays for the plot.
The main leads really shined in their roles for this drama. Having watched both Lee Min Ki(SUFBB) and Jung So Min(PK) prior to this meant that I has some foundation and I was thoroughly impressed by both their characters here and how suiting they were. Even though Se Hee was a man that had an emotionless face he was able to show his feelings through the expression of his eyes and I found So Min to fit being Ji Ho more that her role in Playful Kiss which left much to be desired.
Overall this drama was fantastic in it's genre, walking into it with high expectations and leaving with it meeting more than what I expected. I loved the songs that empathises with each scene accordingly and even the cinematography while not being a wow factor with difference country scenes and extraordinary visual effects was filmed appropriately to bring out the most of this drama. I applaud not only the casts but the directors, the wonderful writer and the composer of this memorable drama that will leave a deep imprint in years to come.
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In short "Double Mints" is a manga project that projects as a fantasy to a forbidden world in which it does not enter, but it is strongly impressed that the film is a reality and a terrain with more realistic brushstrokes.
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