This review may contain spoilers
Queen of Mystery (Mystery Queen) is a mixed genre Korean drama with slice of life/mystery/thriller/comedic elements that overall I found to be a satisfying though sometimes uneven drama. If you want something a little different and romance isn't a must, give it a go.But first the Cons:
Pacing: After one of the most satisfying first episodes, I found the next two to be in okay territory. This ends up kind of being a cycle with some very enjoyable episodes followed by satisfactory episodes. I did do some skipping here and there but it was limited. Also, one particular mystery in the first half of the drama goes on too long.
Too Much: This drama has solid actors but too many of them and a solid story to tell but they glutted it with more more more. I actually wished the drama had focused less on Inspector Woo, the chaebol characters and really would have been ok never meeting Seol Ok's husband. This is nothing against any of the actors but, rather, the lead actors and the neighborhood crew were so good, it didn't need all those other characters and story lines.
Suspending Reality: Various times there are things left hanging or one particular instance in particular where the audience has to suspend all sense of reality. I will leave it there to avoid spoiler territory but it involves the sister-in-law. Also, like many k-dramas there are some coincidental connections that are just too much to believe but again, this is kind of standard.
The Pros:
Actors: They are all great and a shout out to the leads. I am not as familiar with the actor's dramas, but he has the charisma and timing to pull off comedy without a problem. It actually took me several episodes to realize that the actress was the same one from Heart to Heart. She is lovely. All the co-stars are great as well, and the drama has one of the best, most honest representations of a mother-in-law. I loved that the actress is the same that plays the opposite type in Secret Garden, Heirs and Mask.
Direction Etc: Directions was quite good and music was solid though no OST songs really stuck with me.
Story: Flawed but overall enjoyable and quite honestly something different than a thriller or rom/com. The idea is nothing knew (Scarecrow & Mrs. King - a US show from the 80s - was a housewife and a spy), but I like seeing Korean dramas expand out into other avenues and it gets a little extra love from me for that.
As you can tell I really liked but didn't love this drama. I took a point off for pacing issues and a point off for the uneven story, plot holes and problematic ending. It still gets an 8 from me because this drama made me care about these characters and they grew as the drama went on in honest, realistic ways.
Complaint Other Viewers Have:
Now overall I didn't have issues with the ending because I knew going in everything was not going to be tied up with a red bow. However, there are some unhappy viewers regarding the ending. I felt that I knew where the characters were going so, at the end of the day, I was happy enough with that. At the same time, I understand why others were not. It has now come out that the production team is hoping for a Season 2 so they did this on purpose. Shame on them. I hope they get a second season because they could totally do a fun drama and close up some story lines, but I think the fans deserved better because second seasons are hard to come by in k-dramaland.
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...Because 18 episodes felt like 50
If you've read my reviews before then you know I'm a major binge watcher but this Kdrama was purely unbingable!
When I first started this drama I thought the concept was great and it completely chained my interest but as I saw the mystery unraveling I got disappointed and the concept turned cheesy. Which, if I'm to be honest, matches the rest of the story because this show has a heavy emphasis on ROMANCE.
I'm not a big fan of pure romance and the comedy was not my style so this drama did not hit home with me. Yes it is somewhat super natural but it's only there to fuel the love story. so if you're a major romantic, you will love this. If you like awkward but proud women, you will like the lead. If you like the concept of evil exes then this is for you. On the other hand, if you dislike loud humor, lovey dovey couples and mothers you'd like to kill then this is NOT for you.
the acting was average, the music was good, the scenes were pretty and the script tickled my vomit reflexes but if you're a fan of Eric, ignore all the above and...
...ENJOY!
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Overall, I love the plot, the acting (though there's still enough space for improvement), the chimestry (physically and emotionally) between the secondary couples like (in the first season) Nie/Nine-Rodtang, Book-Frame (even their name really matched- i would say: Frame of the Book..heheeh). Let's find out who are the other couple to emerge in these season.
Thanks to all the casts and personells behind the camera! Job well done!
May the force be with you all!!!
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ACTING/CAST: Absolutely superb. I was amazed at how well these actors conveyed the emotions of their characters. They weren't bashful during the "making out" scenes either. The actor playing Lin has some very pretty eyes.
MUSIC: It was good and a bit sorrowful.
REWATCH VALUE: I liked this enough to watch it again with a friend.
OVERALL: I WANT THAT APP! Watch this and you'll know what I'm talking about.
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I love the Anime/Manga and this movie totally did not give it any justice...
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For a crime / mystery drama, it has a relatively bright storyline which is refreshing and untypical. The idea of a middle-aged housewife being so hooked onto solving cases in her neighbourhood is really entertaining. Her passion is so adorable, making the mystery cases seem less grim. Every single episode was engaging!
Acting
The two lead actors portrayed their characters very well. Side actors were also great with their supporting roles. The baddies would annoy you, the good guys were hilarious. I have almost no complaints for them.
The only actress I thought was a little lacking was Shin Hyunbin, playing the role of the bad lawyer Jung Jiwon. She would look awkward at times, giving a blank expression. However, her acting does not affect much of the drama.
Music
I do not look out for music in dramas thus I am unable to comment on this.
Rewatch value
I would rewatch this and I would recommend this to all crime drama fans! If you are bored of the mainstream dark crime dramas, do give this a try!
(It's only May but I can confidently say this is my favourite drama of 2017!)
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At the start, the heists and scams were impressive, logistically and also psychologically. However, with the inevitable escalation of the stakes of the heists, my expectations were raised again and again for what the final heist/scam would be. I feel a little sad to say that I was somewhat disappointed by what was meant to be the final plot or climax of the show.
However, even if the snazzy heist plotlines were taken away, the show would still be buoyed by the chemistry amongst the ensemble of characters, which were lovingly written and assembled, and gave the show a lot of heart.
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