I'm surprised at myself for finishing this. It's hard to describe what went wrong here. The drama failed in so many ways. The team never connected on a deeper base, the cases were interesting in their core but the writing and execution sucked. It was never able to build enough suspense to make me excited/worried/eager to watch more.
Don't get me wrong. Some of the individual cases were pretty gruesome and interesting (and I was shocked how violent they made them look) than what I would expect from a k-drama. But most times it still left me cold because the writers extended the investigation part way too much while (at the same time) were still not able to explain the profiling part in a comprehensible and gripping way. It felt like getting food thrown at your face.
The cast 'looked' amazing but their roles were written rather poorly and appeared choppy. If this would have been my first drama with those actors and actresses, I wouldn't be interested in any other drama they starred in. Dialogues sounded boring, the tone of each voice was always the same monotone sound which lulled me into sleep. Some of the background music were not helping either. I missed emotions so much here. And I missed those tiny personal interactions between the leads. A wink, a look, some short random remarks. I don't know. They sounded like a bunch of people who successfully memorized their texts... Which is why I couldn't connect to any of them. They were so one-dimensional. I admit that sometimes it looked like they tried to be more, but... well, it wasn't enough.
They did have some kind of steadiness: Constant stagnation.
And what ending was that? The finale felt flat. Most times I'm quite satisfied with the main villains in dramas. But this one? Nope. There are actors who are able to pull off EVERY damn role they are given, even the bad ones. And they are able to shine in even those. And then there are actors who only suit certain characters. The actor for the main villain in this show failed to impress me - solely because his acting and his appearance together failed to capture an otherwise intriguing figure.
I'm familiar with the original series this one is based on, but I'm not a regular follower. Though occasionally I watch one or two episodes once in a while. And I have to admit that I'm more satisfied with their cases than I was with this show, even though I'm not deeply connected with the leads in the US version either. The reason why I stick with the show when I stumble upon it while zipping through the channels is because I am glued to one special bond between two of the leads. And because their cases feel more compact which leads to a more intriguing investigation. Well, if I want to, I can go into more detail but I think I made my point clear.
So sad this failed to reach my expectations. I so wish I could say something positive as well, but there's nothing I can think of. Everything that started out good/interesting became rather boring quite quickly because they stretched the developing process too far, didn't show crucial details in the leads' behavior/facial expressions and slow/dull scene editing...
But I did like the ending song!
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The alien was not who you think
If it wasn't for Jun Ji Hyun lead role interpretation, this drama would have been nowhere that good. In all honesty, while pretty close I'm not entirely sure this drama deserve its 8.8 rating (at the time I'm writing this) but since it brings up a lot of passion and interest (from what I've heard), maybe that's enough in itself to justify it.As for me, this drama success is clearly related to Jun Ji Hyun : she depicts a character borderline lunatic, superficially arrogant and ... amazingly funny to watch. Not that Kim Soo Hyun is not any good (he's actually quite subtle and believable as an alien), but to me the alien here in this show was clearly Jun Ji Hyun.
While the romance seems the main focus (and is quite good at that), comedic scenes and situations rhythmed the drama so well that there is not so much room to loose interest. And again, the exact moment where you understand that Jun Ji Hyun 'Chun Song Yi' character is not exactly the superb arrogant idiot she seems, you're screwed. Jun Ji Hyun is just imperial in this drama and get you hooked - line, sinker and all - in no time.
Still, there are inconsistent details and poor choices too. There are too many to point them all out, but at the same time, of too little importance to take them seriously. This is not actually bringing the show down, since at best it gets a little annoying from time to time.
So in the end, what remains is an overall very well-written drama, asking interesting questions, answering cold hearts with warm feelings, and along the way providing some action to entertain the malicious villain (who is by the way quite good at being a villain, thank you Shin Sung Rok).
Maybe that's enough to justify the 8.8 rating, after all ? That's not for me to decide. You go watch this then you tell us.
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However, if this drama is one that could weave its magic for you, it would be a gem not easily forgotten, as it was for me. I held off watching this drama for years even although it was considered by some to be the ultimate in Noona romance - a favourite trope of mine - just because I could not stand looking at Lee Jong Seok and not a fan of Yoon Sang Hyun either.
However, Lee Bo Young and Lee Da Hee captivated me, so after coming off from another disappointing drama, I opted to plunge into this classic.
Story:
As a wannabe legal and courtroom drama, it might come off sorely lacking in many aspects, and many-a-times laughable - but with the many miscarriages-of-justice in real life at the back of my mind - I could not fault the show’s at times wide-eyes idealism when it comes to law and its principles (and I was reminded by a different review that Korean law would be very different from laws in other countries, so bear that in mind when we compare the procedural here with what we gleaned from UK/US shows, which were not always accurate either).
At the heart of this show was its sincere believe in the inviolable notions of truth and justice, a theme threaded throughout, as were other more spiritually illuminating lessons, peppered across the the storyline, which in actuality were catalysts for and vehicles of learning and growth for the characters. I also thoroughly appreciated the beats of comedy dotting the story, which had me chuckling each and every time, as ridiculous as they could be sometimes.
The strength of this drama was not its plot - which was overall quite simplistic and straightforward - but its ability to weave in the disparate bits and pieces of each sub-story to build towards a momentum highlighting the relationships and growth of each of the main/secondary characters, while delivering heartfelt messages, a feat in my estimation.The pacing was also gold, with not many sub plots leading us on a merry chase, as most were resolved within an episode or two at most, which meant not too many unnecessary fillers. Even the extensions were put to good use, fleshing out more of the secondary characters and providing skinships for our main OTP.
Characters/Cast:
The drama excelled in its characters and the development arcs for each, whether they were the leads or seconds, even the minor and villainous characters. Solidly competent acting backed up each, though I was wholly impressed by Jung Woong-In (as Min Joon-Gook) and Kim Hae Sook (Hye-Seong’s mother, Eo Choon-Sim), top notch veteran actors who stole the show even with the little screen time they had.
Lee Jong Seok and Yoon Sang Hyun mollified me with the actings chops they brought to their roles, and made their characters wonderfully lovable and engaging. Still, I had to keep myself from covering LJS’s face nearly the whole time I was watching the drama. I got used to his visuals just as the drama ended and rewatched the series for the ‘love story’ afters, since that was after all the original reason for which I watched this drama (a first for me, to rewatch just after completing a drama, and generally not fond of rewatching except for particular scenes).
Lee Bo Young and Lee Da Hee, while not really wowing me with their acting, did so excellently in the roles they were given that they embodied Jang Hye-Seong and Seo Do-Yeon for me, both of whom were amazing female characters I adore.
Lee Bo Young, with her elegant beauty, had my eyes glued to the screen all the time with her wonderful interpretation of Hye-Seong.
Romance:
I won’t actually categorize the romantic relationship for the main pairing here as a romance, as I didn’t feel any romantic vibes while watching. The progress in the relationship was executed organically in a somewhat low-key manner, excepting the constant comfortable domesticity and skinship. What we undoubtedly have, however, was a love story in the true essence of such.
The beginning of the love story began with a courageous choice, and the progress, marked by loyalty, determination, familial love, sacrificial love, comfort, caring, courage, honesty, trust and acceptance. The dynamics of their relationship were such that each spurred the growth and maturity of the other, nudging them to be better people by the end. After all that, why not a romantic and sexual bond too?
While the life-and-death situations in the show gave our couple the adrenaline to bond over, the reciprocated small gestures of care and love, as well as the honest communication shared, that cemented theirs as a relationship and love to stand the test of time and other ravages. (I never imagined that I would be getting a love story after my own heart in a drama, but colour me happily surprised).
Music/OST:
I did not find the tracks or music particularly appealing while I was watching the drama, but they grew to become favourites after the fact. The listening durability of the tracks were high, and am glad I stumbled upon some good singers and bands via the lovely OST.
Overall, am one of those who fell under the spell of IHYV, and felt extremely fortunate because of it. How often does a story and its messages pierce our heart and mind and do not let go even through the passage of time? Not often (in my case), and hence I treasure those moments when such a story comes into my life. This drama shot into my short list of Favourites after a long, long drought, and the emotional and intellectual resonance from it has been extremely satisfying, if nothing else. Truly a gem of a drama.
My rating is an effort to be more ‘objective’ about shows, and while they might be lower in relative to others, it is not a reflection of how I feel or think about the show. I love IHYV and it comes highly recommended, but it is not a 10 and I can’t in good conscience give it that even if my heart tells me otherwise.
It is also in acknowledgement that loving something and considering it “Daebak!” is very subjective, given the many people who could not get into or enjoy IHYV. The good thing is, though, that there are so many wonderful stories and dramas out there that there is one bound to appeal. Enjoy.
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I honestly never expected an intricate sci-fi plot from this show, and for that matter any other kdrama ever. So I was pleasantly surprised and stumped when this show proved me wrong. A great sci-fi plot should keep you guessing till the very end, only to supply the right logical answers at the right moment, according to the rules it has established in its world. It is also a definite plus if it makes you ask certain existential questions, and ponder on them. For instance, what makes you, YOU? Is it your memories? or the way you look or your actions perhaps ? This is exactly what the show manages to do.
There were episodes early on, where the plot gave the impression that it was predictable, because it seemed to be going in a direction that I thought it would. But immediately after, it completely turned upside down and exceeded my expectations. So make sure you stick till the end to get all those delightfully gratifying answers to the no doubt numerous questions you will have and trust me it will be like sweet honey from nectar :P (I am not exaggerating). I would rather reveal no details of the plot and have this review make no sense than spoil that satisfactory moment in the show, when things fit in like a puzzle !
Yeo Jin Goo's acting was a hit and his lead character kept me engrossed and not just for the obvious reasons :P
The background music especially during suspense scenes was well planned and I really liked the score. Even the high attention to detail in the scenes in the future was appreciable and made the show look way more realistic.
To be fair, there were some usual kdrama filler scenes (** insert bunch of board members arguing when an incident happens) even in the future, which were questionable both for their necessity and general annoyance. But I feel the good parts of the show managed to cover that up for me.
The ending of the drama tied most of the loose ends as a good show should do and at the same time left leeway for new questions that I think a second season might answer. I for one, would surely lap it up if they came up with a second part.
So go on, it is worth the 1 and a half day you will spend marathoning the show !
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This review may contain spoilers
What’s that drama?This Chinese drama about soul-swapping was a hit romantic-comedy, but it also featured the worst plot twist of 2017.
da da da, da da da da da, da da da da DA, dadadadada…
What is “King Is Not Easy.” CORRECT!
Jeopardy question aside, I’ll break down this review into cast and plot, with a few comments on production, music, and re-watch value at the end.
Cast: Being a soul-swapping drama means that Bai Lu and Zhang Yi Jie had to be good at playing each other’s characters and their opposite genders, and in my opinion they were. They were hilarious, and the majority of their acting seemed very genuine *applause*. All the characters, including our leads, did well. The plot is very silly, and the cast did a good job not taking their characters too seriously.
Plot: As the plot is bipolar, so must my review be. To avoid spoilers I will simply refer to the two plot arcs as “Arc A” and “Arc B.” Arc A was everything you expected it to be; the story was funny, sweet, and entertaining. It’s 20 minutes of guaranteed lighthearted fun—Arc B not so much. Arc B was highly confusing and disappointing. Presumably the arc was meant to add depth to the show, but is was not needed and very poorly done.
Production-The dubbing (the ADR) was very irritating at first, but I got used to it.
Music-Theme song was annoying, but the ending theme was pretty. The rest of the music was unmemorable.
Re-watch value-It is such a short show that I would re-watch it, but I would stop before I got to Arc B.
Overall, I enjoyed this show, it fulfilled its purpose by making me smile and laugh a lot. 7.5 stars.
P.S. At the end of each episode are short skits. Don't miss out—watch them!
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This review may contain spoilers
People who watched the first season should know that Age of Youth (2) is a slice-of-life drama about five flatmates living under one roof. AoY to me was always about the realistic portrayal of friendships. We see how the flatmates stand by and support each other through their individual difficulties. It's really different from most K-dramas which tend to use same-gender relationships as a sort of fan-service. In AoY, all the interactions are natural, not over-exaggerated and not amplified. It's exactly like how I imagined friendships to be (I have no friends, jk). In short, it's an accurate depiction of how friends are like in real life, and as a viewer it's easy to relate to.There are a couple of cast changes in the second season. In particular, Park Hye-soo was swapped out for Ji Woo. I think a lot of people disliked the character. I do agree that she's a lot less likable in this season. Rather than attributing this to the new actress, I feel that the writer has gone slightly wayward in her characterisation of Eun-jae. Or perhaps as viewers we are more partial to the meek Eun-jae than the transformed Eun-jae. I think the scriptwriter probably wanted to show character growth, but the execution was unfortunately not up to par.
Kang Unni is also out of the picture at Belle Epoque, with Choi Ara playing the new-comer Jo Eun. I liked the introduction of Jo Eun. I thought her character was really interesting, especially her "friendship" with Ye-ji. They also briefly touched on homosexuality, although the topic was quickly brushed over. After I watched the finale though, I was really confused as to what this "friendship" was to each party. I would really like them to elaborate on it. Anyway, I thought this was a nice touch and they probably could have explored the plotline a little more. I don't really care for her romance with Seo Jang-hoon though. I don't dislike it, but I didn't think it was a highlight. This is just personal and from the comments I've seen, most people quite like this couple.
Ye-eun's loveline is the one I liked most (other than the Song-sung couple that is). I don't know how Onew* would have been, but I feel that Kwon Ho-chang was perfectly cast. And nerds are always endearing. His relationship with Ye-eun is like a reversal of power compared to her previous relationship. In any case, I felt that they were really cute.
Yoon sunbae is the glue that holds the house together. She's seemingly aloof on the outside but she's really taking care of everyone else, and not getting appreciated for it. I don't like the job she was given in this season. I thought that with how they had emphasised so much on her struggle with jobs and internship they'll hand her a job of a higher perceived social status. I'm not saying that working at an entertainment company is bad, but it's certainly no where near the top of my "dream jobs" list. Also, I personally do not follow Kpop and all, so I'm really indifferent to the storyline with the idol group which was cast aside. It's alright, but I think this could be done better.
This season though, the spotlight is on Song Ji-won. I don't think I need to elaborate further on how fantastic her character is. Her story was the focal point this season, and provided some insight on how her personality came to be. I think a lot of people may feel that her storyline didn't get closure, but I thought it was the best way to handle the situation. Because if everything went perfectly, this wouldn't be called Age of Youth. I still like her interactions with Im Sung-min. *SPOILER ALERT* I really do hope for another season just so we can see them get together. There are hints since the man holding the girl's hand in Ep13 is clearly Im Sung-min, but I would like their relationship to be more explicit and not just implied. *SPOILER ALERT*
In summary, I think AoY is an awesome drama. In the first season my attention waned towards the end but this season I sat through the whole drama, catching up on episodes as they air. I rate the sequel a little higher than its predecessor, though it may just be the freshness playing on my mind.
EDIT: Corrected name of original actor for Kwon Ho-chang.
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Pika***nchi Life Is Hard Perhaps Happy
1 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
I watched this raw and no I do not speak Japanese but i have watched the first 2 so I figured I would give it a try. I know it was filmed in a short amount of time due to scheduling and it is the first movie they starred in together since 2007, which was Yellow Tears.The story basically told itself , I may have missed out on the dialog but just watching them reprise these roles I now know where Haru, Shun, Chuu, Bon, and Takuma’s life have taken them now that they are in their 30's. Trying very hard not to post any spoilers but if you watch this for nothing else the costumes are uniquely Arashi.
And pimp daddy Nino : )
If you liked the first 2 which I found english subbed relatively easily, you will love to reminisce with the characters with or with out subs.
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While the themes and performances are engaging, the actual execution and plot progression are lacking. It felt like there was an intended story arc from Point A to Point C, and key points to be made along the way. But they forgot they had to get to Point B, too. The result is, effectively, a long series of build ups interspersed with "info dumps" of specific scenarios and character insights that sometimes give the drama a very scripted or manufactured feel. The awkward pacing and tone made it difficult to get emotionally invested in and enjoy the show.
Rebel is definitely worth a look, especially for a saguek lover; but for me, it was a miss.
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I liked the initial episodes of this story and watched it all faithfully, but the drama rushes through some of the relationship between Li and her senior so that the audience can't totally buy into her strong romantic emotions toward him...at least I couldn't. I get what they were doing because drama does have King in the title after all. Unfortunately, because time wasn't spent on this early relationship, I never really bought that she passionately loved senior.
I could nitpick a lot of the drama, but my main issues were that I was totally uninterested in the secondary story and quickly started to fast forward through these parts. The three characters I cared most about were the king, Li and Han . Also, a lot of the drama is spent on the political shenanigans, and I was totally uninterested. To compare, I found The General and I flawed, but the political maneuvering was actually done quite well.
My other main complaint is that several times Li does things in what I would say was "for his own good" i.e. the king/a prince/senior. Sitting down and having an honest conversation might have actually worked better. They make her a bit of a too perfect martyr and in one case have her do something that makes no sense and puts people in danger. We are let to believe that's something she would care about but she doesn't give it a second thought.
The end is pretty much how I thought it would go and, though overly convoluted, I appreciated some late twists and turns. I also appreciate that the relationship between the leads was quite complex, and the drama writers did not sugarcoat the reality of the king being a tyrant. The mixture of the writing and the actor's talent really makes for a nuanced performance which I liked.
The first half of this drama, I would rate a solid 7.5 to 8 so it is the second half which brings me down to 6 or 6.5 range. I can't honestly say full steam ahead when I felt the need to fast forward through a lot of the drama; however, for the story about the king and Li and with some judicious fast forwarding I found it a compelling watch.
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Lady eun San on the other hand seems bold and strong woman who enters their lives and that's when the trio is built.
The first half of the drama was interesting as we see how each character evolved from weaker to a stronger personality. What annoyed me is that after the first half of the drama ended, there was so much chaos in the plot that it was unclear which track the drama is following. The plot was completely twisted and the emotions of the characters were so unclear that even though the drama ended, that unsatisfying feeling still lingers. I almost felt like dropping it because even though it wasnt a cliché like other dramas yet it creates so much uncertainty and frustration among us, the viewers that we couldn't decide if we should continue watching it or not.
Hong Jung hyun was unexpectedly good and fits in his role. His devotion for the crown prince as a friend was the only thing that made me watch it further. I hated his character in scarlet hearts ryeo so much that I didn't know that his character in this saguek will completely wash away his character from the previous drama. More than the love b/w any of the leads I ship WonRin more and maybe that was one of the reason I continued watching it.
The most disappointing character of the drama was yoona who seems so fickle at times that her character completely lost the track and it was hard to figure out what she wants. All her hollow bravery and smartness faded after a few episodes when she transformed from a bold character to a damsel in distress with those teary eyes in almost every episode.
Also the writers seems to be a bit averted and confused with the plot. They first make the villain justify the cause behind all his actions but later makes him a completely aberrant being who just seems to serve the powerful and wants to be a king maker. Song In's character seems to be portrayed as someone who cares for the common people and thus want to remove the powerful and ruthless Yuan rule but after a series of events he turns out to be a greedy mad man who only wants power. The only thing that I might miss about this drama is the bonding b/w the leads and the soundtrack.
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That being said OH MY GOD KAME IS BEAUTIFUL. You get Odagiri feels in this and his camera time is amazing.
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I'll be honest: I didn't enjoy this drama as much as I hoped I would. Make no mistake: I believe that the drama's high rating is well-deserved, but ultimately, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I think there were two main reasons for that: first, the pace was relatively slow and not much happened in terms of plot, and second, it had a bit too much realistic feel to it for me to love it, I prefer dramas that provide escapism from grey reality of life and this drama just wasn't it - but this is just my personal bias and I won't hesitate to recommend this drama to anyone who prefers a more realistic take on a romantic comedy.
I do admire how this drama cleverly subverts trope expectations and over-used cliches and focuses on real issues of a diverse group of relatable characters. Other highlights include:
+ believable character development
+ no love triangle
+ the characters listen to and help each other, there are no misunderstandings that would lead to some extreme unnecessary hate/angst, the characters communicate, they are honest about their feelings
+ I appreciated that women in this show are diverse in terms of age and family situation (there is a 49-year-old carrier driven woman, a freshly divorced single mother, a middle-aged housewife...) and they are nothing but supportive of each other. They even discuss traditional gender roles and how social expectations influence their lives. How often do you see that addressed in dramas?
+ there was no antagonist
+ LGBT+ characters who are (from my point of view) portrayed in a realistic, non-offensive way and not just as a source of cheap jokes
+ funny dream sequences in which the main heroine pretends to be a part of some well-known reality show or imagines to be questioned on camera about things she's going through at the moment - hilarious concept!
ACTING/CAST 8
Great performances from everyone! No complaints in this department - but I also cannot say that I became an instant obsessive fan of any of them. I will be happy to see them in other shows when the time comes though.
MUSIC 7.5/10
I admit I remember next to nothing about the background music itself, but I've got to give points to the catchy opening and ending songs. Actually, I believe that the series' ending ("Koi" by Hoshino Gen) with its hilarious dance sequence might be the most entertaining ending theme since Hana Kimi's "Peach".
REWATCH VALUE 6/10
Fairly low for me, as I found the drama's pace too slow. But I will likely rewatch my favourite parts!
OVERALL 7.5/10
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Cast- now this is one thing I didnt like. especially the female leads actress, she was very annoying. I also think the female lead could be a bit dense at points but other than that it was fine. I liked the male lead he was pretty good, other than that the rest of the cast was nice.
Music- The music was nice I loved the song sung by Ailee.
Rewatch- I probably wont rewatch this. I rarley rewatch dramas anyway.
Overall- I would reccomend this drama if you want some good writing, with some mystery. I dont reccomcend if you dont like the female actress, and dont like a lot of crying. (there is lots)
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