Reviews

I thought I'd watch this series as it was something quick and simple to get me out of a slump and I ended up watching the entire thing in one sitting. Admittedly it's only a short series with the entire thing only taken about 3 hours or so to watch but it was really fun. The premise is really interesting but if you're looking for a really accurate criminal or medical drama, you might want to look elsewhere.

I really liked the fact there wasn't really a love line in this drama. If you wanted there to be one it's easy to find little aspects of it but it was never this huge in your face thing throughout the drama. I loved that there was a kickass lead who didn't mind being cute and sticking her tongue out. It was really refreshing.

Some things I didn't like included the how the soundtrack nearly always had this annoying noises like huge beatles crawling or bones cracking, you know that weird popping noise? That. It kind of ruined some of the suspensful scenes for me. Also, scenes that were completely normal and average were given huge suspensful soundtracks and it was a bit off putting.

In conclusion, if you're looking for something quick to fill some times and don't mind taking your dramas with a pinch of salt; watch this!

[As a side note, if you hate unfinished endings, or cliff hangers, watch this with caution!]

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Before I review this I want to say this: If watching women be preyed upon bothers you (sexually, violently, or otherwise) then don't watch this movie. You won't enjoy it. Probably. If this sort of thing doesn't bother you, and you're reading reviews before watching, then let's get started:

This movie felt clumsy to me. I think that's the best way to describe it: clumsy. And unrealistic. There comes a point where it's difficult to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride, and this movie managed to cross that point. What should have been a fun and wild ride was simply overdone, and at times nonsensical. It had almost everything it needed to be good, but just fell short of the mark. Wildly short.

Now, the acting is pretty darn good (for the most part), and the story starts off promising. Unfortunately the good acting can't save the mess that comes later, as the story unravels into an inconsistent mess. I've watched other movies that have similar failings and which I have enjoyed, unfortunately I Saw The Devil doesn't manage to pull it off. One or two of the coincidences are a little tongue-in-cheek (and you will either like them or groan at them), a few of the scenes display an amazing level of incompetence/idiocy, and the actions of the protagonist haven't been managed well enough to show what they were meant to show (I feel).

Honestly the film would have been better with some drastic editing. It feels repetitive at times, and I was rather bored by the time we were approaching the end. And I really shouldn't have been with all that violence going on, because there is a lot of gore to enjoy. Basically it was too long, and could easily have been parred down. It would probably have been less absurd, too. I get that this can be a tool used, but in this context it just doesn't work.

But hey, the camera work, lighting, and all that jazz is done pretty darn well. It looks good, basically. Parts of it are enjoyable to watch (like, insanely well shot) but the plot is pretty thin, and fairly unbelievable. Certainly, the ending hammers home just how far the protagonist was willing to go.

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Audition was mentioned a few times to me as a worthwhile watch, but I can't stress enough that this movie is anything but (in my opinion, obviously). If you're going to watch it then the less known about it the better - in fact, the unsuspecting watcher is the one who'll get the "most" out of the movie.

I did not go into the movie expecting a straight up horror. I'd read the summary, and a couple of spoiler-free reviews first, so I knew the movie was a) slow starting - in fact the first half to two-thirds of the movie is something completely else, and b) from there it was meant to get intense, and a little bit weird. Fine by me, on both counts. I am neither bothered by slow starts nor by gore/disturbing content/jump-scares/etc;. Weird can be good, it can be bad, but I'm willing to give the weird a try.

In all honesty I was bored at just past the halfway point. I was bored at two-thirds in. And I was bored throughout the "graphic" climax. Actually, I have to say, that was when I was the most bored. And when the movie ended? I was annoyed that I'd bothered to watch the entire thing. No matter which way you want to interpret this movie (and there is more than one) it doesn't overcome the fact that it didn't entertain. For some this will be a thought-provoking film, but for me it was simply an exercise in stubbornness. My stubbornness. I feel that might be one of the reasons so many people do get to the end though - stubbornness. Because something has to happen soon, right?

I did like the opening of the movie, the slow build really works for the first forty or so minutes, but after that things start to slowly deteriorate. The slowness helps to build tension and set the mood but again, becomes overdrawn. By the time we're learning more and being given more, the tension just drains away. The acting is fairly good, however, which certainly helps the movie.

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I really wanted to love this drama, since I was trying to catch up on Nam Gung Min dramas. Though it has a cute setup, I don't think this drama was ever able to live up to its potential. I never did grow very fond of the characters and became quickly apoplectic with all the noble idiots.

I really tried to like the title character Gong Shim, but due to her childish personality, her lack of fashion sense and that wig ... it just wasn't cutting it for me. I did find it amusing that the drama is called "Beautiful Gong Shim" yet the main story has nothing to do with her. She could have been a side character with her own side quest, and the drama could be named "Beautiful Dan Tae."

This story is supposed to be about a girl finding herself, leaving to love herself and to teach beauty is what's on the inside. Yet, this drama is mostly about the convoluted story about a kidnapped child and contrived family politics ... ugh!!!!!! I cannot recommend this drama. I am surprised that I was even able to finish it ...

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What an extraordinary story?! I don't think there is any drama quite like this one. I love how his drama tackles the reluctant hero arch. Kim Sung Ryong's transformation from small job swindler to hero of the entire TQ group will leave you touched and howling from all the crazy office hijinks.

As someone who normally only watches rom-coms, this comedic business show is certainly outside of my regular preferences. The drama has the most amazing episode endings ... that kept me watching episode after episode, but in the middle of each episode there seems to end a bit of a lull. I was so happy to get to episode 16 and 17, where the bromance really starts to heat up.

The bromance between Nam Gung Min and Lee Jun Ho is of epic proportions. This Love Hate relationship is what keeps most viewers watching. The drama teases it throughout the series, but it really gains momentum from episode 16. I would venture to say that this drama is worth it just for the bromance and the comedy.

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The movie starts off with the explanation about the male lead – namely Woo Jin and his circumstances in life, then along with it are the visuals. What I like about this movie is how the cinematography works perfectly even in small enclosed areas and the scene would focus on things, which is significant to the main character. As explained in the synopsis above the guy changes his body every freaking day. Imagine changing bodies every time you wake up in the morning. This makes me wonder how long he got used to this before finally deciding to live a life… anyway, that’s just me and my own thoughts. Setting that aside, another fact that got me into this film are the actors. MULTIPLE of them, those who acted as Woo Jin. These actors are not the small time ones whom the director or producer could have randomly selected, but these are BIG names in the industry like: Kim Dae Myung, Park Shin Hye, Park Seo Joon, Ueno Juri, Kim Sang Ho, Lee Jin Wook, Seo Kang Joon, Lee Dong Wook, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Shin, Kim Ju Hyuk... if none of those names ring a bell to your memory I’d say you haven’t seen enough KMovie or KDrama. Now is the time to start and get educated. Heh.

The story line for me was okay, since it wasn't original and was most likely inspired by the book Every Day by David Levithan, but that's just my theory. The movie was a bit tad slow but I realized that it was how the movie was paced and so I accepted that. There was also some plot holes in which I couldn’t exactly say since it’s going to be a spoiler, so if you are curious about it, you may send me a message so we may discuss on it freely. Music was great, it brought out the emotions of each scene, though it may not be as memorable it worked fine all throughout its run. What made this show amazing was the actors, a whole lot of them. Which I still couldn’t get over with. Han Joo Yoo as the lover was sensational in this film and definitely suited her role, while Lee Dong Hwi who acted as the best friend was such a delight. I wish to see him in more films in the future.

I’m recommending this film for those who are into a peculiar story line which would leave a feel good fuzzy feeling after.

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I discovered this drama after I finished Goblin because I want to see more of Gong Yoo. I know that I'm so late and this was since 2007, but I don't care. And to be honest, this is not what I was expecting.

STORY - I love the idea of the homosexuality (not because that I'm part of the LGBT too.. Well, maybe that's one of the reasons). Since I am bisexual, me imagining that Eun Chan is really a guy, Han Gyul falling for a guy and their scenes together before Han Gyul knew the truth really made me jump on my bed and scream on the inside (especially on the beach part). I also love how the atmosphere changed so fast, like the scene was jumping with joy and then the following would be heartbreaking. I really like it. I love the plot. It's typical, yes, but it makes it interesting and I love it! I also like the idea of the love square. When Yoo Joo and Han Gyul have their cute scenes, I was like "NO. NO!" because I ship Eun Chan and Han Gyul and thank goodness for a good ending. I gave it 9.5 though because of the ending. I really wanted to know what happened next, I even expected for their wedding! LOL.

ACTING/CAST - The acting is superb. Every members of the cast did an AMAZING JOB in doing their roles. I mean, COME ON! They are amazing! Gong Yoo is daddy as always and I love their connection with Eun Hye. Their chemistry is amazing!

MUSIC - The music is good but not memorable. The La La La song got stuck in my head though.

REWATCH VALUE - I would watch it again when I'm in the mood to watch.

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I cried through almost all the episodes. This drama reminds me of an American movie I watched a long time ago. It's called "If Only".

THE STORY
I don't even know how to describe it without spoiling the show. After reading the comments, I thought the ending would be bad but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In the beginning, it seems like it's the same as every time slip drama you've seen before. But they actually made changes to make it unique in it's own. way.

THE ACTING
I liked all the characters. I love L. I agree with the comment that he needs to be in more dramas where he is the main lead. The girl is pretty good too. The little girl, who plays angel demon, I love her. She's so cute. Of course, Kang Nam Gil, I love it when he plays the lovable dad.

THE MUSIC
I love the OST. I can listen to it over and over. Infinite is one of my favorite bands and Myungsoo aka L is my first bias in the group.

REWATCH VALUE
I can definitely see myself re-watching this. Even though I cried multiple times, I think the story is short enough that I can revisit it later on.

OVERALL
I gave it a 9 because I didn't feel like it's the best drama I've seen. If you're not ready to commit to a regular long drama, then I definitely recommend watching this. It's short and sweet.

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