The mistreatment and hard lives of children is always tough for me to watch and I found this movie even more heartbreaking than Hwayi. As an American, it's also interesting to see depictions of Korea's seedy, criminal underbelly. Sadly, there are cruel, heartless, violent people no matter where you go. That written, Mother is one of the most intriguing characters I've ever seen on film.
I definitely recommend this movie, but unlike Hwayi, it's not a movie I would ever watch again.
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I was really enticed with this drama up until about midway through the season...I think if it had been filmed later once the web toon had come to a conclusion it really would have been such an amazing storyline and drama. I really think that that was this drama's biggest downfall. It just seemed like they had lost their way about mid-way through as they began to shift the focus and main characters around. I don't know all of the drama and controversy that went on behind the scenes, or if there even was any.
I really liked how we were able to see the main female develop into a woman, but the ending completely spoiled it all...to say in the least I was disappointed.
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From the get go, I was completely taken aback, I fell in love with the way in which this drama was filmed. The filmography is simply impeccable and so beautiful! The OST has some very beautiful soundtracks, although there were some points where I felt the sounds of our generation took me out of the historical realm, and for that I was a little disappointed.
As for the characters, I felt that some of them were not completely necessary...I will say that I am very partial towards Park Bo Gum and he now holds a place in my list of favorite K-drama actors. I felt that he played a compelling and charismatic Crown Prince, full of authority. I enjoyed seeing how he developed the character into maturity. I thought he had the perfect amount of smoldering smirks without making the character appear completely narcissistic. While the drama had several lines that will make female viewers swoon, I wasn't completely convinced of chemistry between Bo Gum and Yoo Jung, however they did have some high points throughout the drama. I very much enjoyed the action scenes and thought that Kwak Dong-Yeon did a well job in playing the stoic body guard character and was very touched by the friendship between him and Bo-Gum. Lastly, Jinyoung...I could see how hard he worked to do his character justice. While I did feel regret towards him, it wasn't near the injustice that I think I should have felt...but I will say that my partiality towards Bo Gum's character may have had an effect on this.
While the storyline is more a bit more new age than the typical historical drama storyline, I felt that it was well executed by the actors. There were times when I was a bit confused with the scripting--I felt that some of the lines may have been a bit too modern in terms of how the humor and some of the lines. There were also a couple of strands that I felt were not completely tied up at the end of the drama, and still had a few questions left unanswered. However, I was not in any way disappointed with how it finished. I am very saddened to see this drama come to a conclusion, but I know that the actors will go on to pursue new characters for us to enjoy and I look forward to seeing each of them develop as actors.
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The story is good and interesting. I am a romantic and loved every single interaction the leads had with each other. The bickering, bullying and romance was spot on for me. Those are the scenes that i love to rewatch and they still bring a smile to my face.
One great thing i liked was the fact that they offered an alternate ending. I know most of the people are complaining about this but I for one and glad they did that. I can name a few series that i would have loved if this option had been given for those too.
I am a sucker for happy endings and so I simply love the fact that the writer took time enough to come up with an alternative ending to make everyone happy.
Go for it !! you wont be sorry.
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And I felt sorry for the actors here too, especially the adult ones. There was little to no chance to show off much by way of dramatic range or skill. Although they played their characters well, I get the impression none of it was a stretch for them.
As a standalone movie, it's a bit boring, unless perhaps one is homesick for the countryside, and dreams of a slower way of life. It's not what I was expecting, considering the original children's story likely has scope for more action one way or another.
A Japanese version of the original book can be found here: http://www.yesasia.com/us/yama-no-tomusan-hoka-itsupen-fukuinkan-bunko-%EF%BD%93-60/1024366568-0-0-0-en/info.html
However, given the story was originally published decades ago, it could be out of print. I have so far been unable to find an English or third language translation of it.
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This drama is something you don't see everyday. It is just so well done in my oppinion. Already rewatched all the available episodes thirce!
The actors, the music, the atmosphere, everything is perfect.
It also has so many life lessons, and really makes you think about life itself. I recommend to anyone to watch this, you will not regret it. The comedy in this drama is something I rarely met. I actually laughed till I cried.
10/10 this is a must watch!
Also if you enjoy fantasy/mystery/sci fi and comedy this is just for you. It resembles somehow my love from another star, given the fact that we have the same actress in both and the story has the same feeling to it.
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But, it still is a great movie! Some would probably find it a bit too long, but I thought it was perfect. It keeps you on the edge of your seat even if you more or less know what's gonna happen. The acting is superb- even for secondary characters. I didn't really pay attention to music, but I guess the music helped the feeling of thriller, even though there isn't a clear and memorable OST. I'd recommend this movie even to those that are fans of Korean thriller, because while being classical and maybe cliché, there are still a lot of amazing scenes and suspense. If you're not used to this kind of movie, then watch it, it'll give you a nice taste of Korean action movies!
As for the rematch value... Well, if you like action scenes, it's ok. If not, maybe wait a few month and then watch it again.
Also, the images were quite good. The stunt were amazing. And I loved how the main actor could have a change of expression only in his eyes.
So, even though the plot is quite classical, it's still a good movie. Maybe not the best, but that might be because I have already seen dozen of Korean spy/action movie, so most of the actions were a bit predicable. Still enjoyed it though. - it's a great movie!
-sorry for my bad English ^-^ -
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I am confused with the ending, but I think I have to use imagination... I think she is alive, 'cause they found each other during the day... And I truly hope she is alive! I just am a little sad because I don't have sure...
Anyway, I loved so much this drama, especially the cast!
Sorry if I wrote something wrong... I'm brazilian hahaha
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There’s something about this show that seems overdone. Everything kind of happens a bit fast and disjointedly. I’ve never had a problem with that before in previous Kdramas but in this one, it’s seriously obvious how the relationships don’t make that much sense.
This show isn’t the greatest but the feelings were still intense even if they weren’t always portrayed right. It’s a very strange and not well thought out plotline.
Ra On – female lead
She's quite a rascally heroine. I liked that. And she's got the charisma to pull it off.
I liked seeing her problem solving skills and how smart she was. Also, she was super tough.
Really interesting to see that she doesn’t get a choice to be a girl. Also interesting to see that the most you see of boobies is when the girls are dressing up as boys. They don’t mind showing the binding.
With Ra On, she’s very confident in herself. I like that she doesn’t back down.
However, I’m sorry to say, the darling Ra On (Kim Joo Young), just doesn’t match up to Park Bo Gum’s emoting. He’s saying everything and her face is just not saying much at all.
Prince Lee – main lead
As a prince he is actually very intelligent. There is very little that gets past him. Even at his lowest and most emotional, no one can trick him.
It’s Park Bo Gum. I know, I know, I myself get tired of the magic of this guy. But honestly, no matter what he does, he can’t do any wrong. So normally, I would dread this kind of personality, but it’s Park Bo Gum. So if he’s happy, I’m happy. Honestly, even his silly character, who I would hate under any under circumstances, he just makes me smile. I can’t believe this. The Park Bo Gum magic…
I do have a complaint. His face is so dramatic. His emotions, they’re too much. I’ve actually only ever seen him in Hello Monster and there, he was this serious character and the understated emotions that Park Bo Gum conveyed was amazing. But here, where he’s allowed to let loose on the facial expressions, I’m finding it over the top. At the same time, I think that’s supposed to be his character.
He is so seldom not putting on a show.
In a way, Park Bo Gum is too good for this stereotypical character. His face is too kind when he shows concern. And when he’s being a jerk, it doesn’t feel real haha. But as always, I’m impressed by how alive his face is.
I was fascinated by what his character is like when he’s in love. It’s very touching.
Also Park Bo Gum always has such brilliant chemistry with his male compatriots.
Romance
I wasn’t always convinced by the romance but towards the end, I desperately wanted a happy ending and I was really rooting for the couple.
Park Bo Gum is the one that really carries the value of this drama. His conveyance of emotion and scenarios makes me devote myself to the outcome. I didn’t think it was sad until Park Bo Gum showed me how sad he was.
I really liked the interesting aspect of how it went from general comedy to something a bit darker and that question of betrayal in the romance and how the characters responded to it.
“I’m frightened because I’m so happy. What if someone else’s happiness came to me as well?”
I also realised that PBG has man hands. Not every male actor has those. Most of the time it’s hard to tell if it’s the woman’s or the man’s hand.
“I will only listen to you. No matter what lie you tell. I will believe it.”
Byung Yun
I kind of rolled my eyes at his character at first, but I do always appreciate the stolid and silent best friend who is up to all sorts of night time activities. I was impressed by his loyalty but also sometimes conflicted by his secrecy.
The fun thing is when the best friend finally finds someone who is brave enough to rile the hero so they can join in and let loose on their friend most carthartically.
Jo’s Daughter
Finally a secondary daughter who isn’t some idiot. She is smart and brave and I was impacted by her decision making.
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Kim Go-Eun is fantastic everywhere I watched her, but here... she was a ray of light through the dusty windows of the writer's old house...
I cannot imagine how one can watch this movie and come up with comment about porn, lust and "man in 70s thinking about a 17year old girl"... This movie is not about that. It was poetry, and and as with all poetry, you don't look at the words and sentences separately, you try to understand what the writer meant and what your heart understands, and this movie means so much more... like the writer understood how much Eungyo's mirror meant to her, and his student did not, seeing as one of thousand mirrors produced in a factory...
It's amazing how people cannot see through the age barrier the movie presents. Why do you think a young actor was chosen to play the role of a 70-year-old poet. Did Korea not have any talented actors in that age or an age closer than Par Hae-Il's 30s? Of course they did! He was chosen to show, that a 70-year-old does not mean old, boring, and a pervert, if he fell for a 17-year-old. I really loved the words he said during the award congratulatory speech "As your youth is not a prize for your efforts, my agedness is not a punishment for my shortcomings." This sentence wraps up the conflict of age of this movie so beautifully, I do not have anything to add.
EunGyo made him young, as young, as I am sure he still was in his heart, and she brought it even closer to the surface. As awkward and strange I felt in the beginning of the movie, imagining myself in such a situation, after a certain point of the movie that barrier was non-existant to me, and it is one of the main strengths of this movie, it describes the situation and feelings so well, all you have to do as a viewer is just follow its lead...
One more sentence... I will forever recognize Park Hae-Il's eyes... everywhere and every time... it was my first time seeing him in anything, and he just barged into my heart with no intention of leaving it anytime soon!
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Story (6/10): For those who read the novel and are curious about the drama version, it would be wrong to even call it an adaptation for it is nothing like it. "Inspired by" is far more fitting and is to be used loosely here. In a nutshell, the drama version of Princess Wei Young is about a Liang princess who tries to avenge her fallen kingdom by taking up the identity of a forgotten, illegitimate daughter of a Prime Minister in the enemy state of Wei and along the way meets those who either want her dead or love her for her wits, character and bravery. Of course, the drama is littered with people who want her dead because how else will we know she is the heroine?
The premise is exciting enough, though nothing entirely original. But it did deliver in terms of entertainment for the first half and had everything you would want in a drama: good pacing, decent story, romance, action, a likable and brainy female lead who isn't afraid to punish her enemies seeing as this is a revenge drama. Then up until halfway, the story soon became draggy and repetitive with similar conflicts in different guises, lack of development/depth in characters who even seems to have gone through reverse development all of a sudden. Even Weiyoung who was supposed to be resourceful yet showed signs of being a damsel-in-distress in the presence of her Prince Charming (aka. Tuoba Jun), completed the transformation into a full on Mary Sue and in my opinion, stopped being everything we loved her for in the beginning. It no longer became a tale of retribution or justice, but pure laziness on the writers' part.
I blame the production for dragging the series out to 54 episodes, when it could have - and should have- wrapped up by 30-40 episodes.
Acting (7.5/10):
All I can say is if there is anything worth watching here, it's the chemistry between the leads Luo Jin and Tiffany Tang. The type to give you butterflies from the way they look at each other. Luo Jin is such a wonderfully talented and natural actor, he never overacts and his crying scenes are so well done. Not usually impressed by Tiffany Tang, but she did well here and I think a lot of it has to do with her chemistry with Luo Jin (4th collaboration and reel to real relationship!)
Didn't think much about the rest of the cast in terms of acting, but a few grew into their characters as the show went on. Vanness there is something awkwardly charming about the way he portrays his character - it grows on you even though his character becomes gradually more despicable. His dubber deserves a star.
Rewatch: For the romance maybe, and especially strong beginning up until episode 30 or so. Could skip the rest until the end. But sadly no, won't be rewatching this personally.
I almost feel like the drama deserves two ratings, one for the beginning up until episode 33 then for the rest.
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I watched this with no subs so i didn't understand everything!
The story was cute and the acting was decent. There was some great music in it.
I would love to watch this again with english subs - if someone decides to sub it.
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This review may contain spoilers
I just finished the show and its like the middle of the night but I just had to write a review to gushhhhh about how frikin amazing this it was! It was my first show that wasn't strictly a rom-com or melodrama and I was a bit weary at first but damn am I glad i watched because I absolutely loved it. It had so much emotion, so much story, so many feels. An all round complete and perfect show with a little bit of everything.Story: The story was supposed to the the heart of the show and of course it was.. There was a new twist and turn almost every episode and you just had to keep watching until your eyes couldn't stay open any more. I don't want to say much because anything I do will probably be a spoiler but in my opinion it was a great story. I would have loved a few more side cases and a little less focus on the main case but thats just if I had to pick faults. The only real problem I had with the story was how tragic they had made poor Daegu's life by the end of it. I understand he was a phenomenally strong character but it became a little to unrealistic. Personally I felt a real life Daegu experiencing everything screen Daegu did would have had un healable scars that he probably wouldn't be able to live with. But i've read a few reviews that have criticised the writing, it may have gotten a bit confusing at points and a little to obvious at points but overall I think they did a great job. The way they made you feel for the characters, the way there didn't use all the typical cliches but slightly more intelligent plot devices.. I was thoroughly impressed.
Characters: Before we get to the obvious let me just express how much I love the team. They just complimented each other so well and made me want be a part of them so badly. They way they had each others backs whenever something went wrong was just heartwarming. They were above everything the heart and soul of the show and kudos to all the actors for the amazing portrayal. I secretly still believe that this is a very real group of people working rn in the Gangnam police station but shhhh. Now lets get to Eun Dae Gu. The most interesting yet tragic yet endearing character I have ever come across. I have never been more impressed by an actor than I was by Lee Seun Gi. He was beyond mind-blowing. Im not one of those critics that even focuses enough to tell the difference between bad acting and good acting but boy you can tell when its this good. He is by far my favourite on screen personality like I can't even express I just want to squeal when I think of him. And it doesn't hurt that he is beyond cute. The piercing gaze and pouty lips awwwwwwwww. Though it was an ensemble cast Eun Dae Gu was definitely the star and he deserved to be.. He's a character thats going to stay with me for a long time.
Daegu & Soo Sun/Relationships: I doubt this is a spoiler as its obvious from the second they become 'path-uh-ners' that they are destined to be together. I am a hard core romantic and I have to admit the speed at which this relationship developed bothered me in the beginning but the way the writers pleasantly surprised us with Daegu initiating and being the open one made up for it all. I just wish we could have seen a little more of them. You must understand that it is difficult for a romantic to admit this but I must say that the heart of this show wasn't their relationship but the building bromance/father-son relationship between Daegu and Detective Seo. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen on screen and it successfully brought tears to my eyes numerous times.
So if it isn't already obvious from my gush-ing.. This show is a MUST MUST watch with you want some yum boys, interesting story and heart warming moments!
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Before I had started this series I was giving k-dramas a break since the previous one's plots were too bland and with the same overly repeated cookie-cutter characters and they were all just too predictable.Someone close to me pushed me for a long time and eventually I gave in and decided to see what all the fuss was about.
I am extremely grateful that I was coerced into watching Angry mom as its one of those special series that forces you to reflect and question everything around you and upon finishing it I felt like a different person.What surprised me the most was the wide range of confronting themes from bullying, class inequalities and corruption to violence, murder and loss as well.It deals with these themes in great detail through its diverse range of characters, painting their struggles in vivid colour and not shying away from the harsh reality . The drama’s vast range of characters(who are complex and fully fleshed out with most of them breaking the stereotypes all-together) I believe contributed greatly to the success of Angry Mom and made me feel every emotion possible from laughing till my stomach hurt to feeling a large shiver down my spine to crying till I looked like a red-eyed rabbit.
Jo Kang-Ja's humor,sincerity,fearlessness, and her strength/love as a mother to protect her daughter really hit home with me.She's badass and loving inspite of her own mulitple wounds and its so inspirational . I loved the sweet moments shared with her daughter Oh Ah-ran and the chaste love that Go Bok-Dong had for her whilst she remained true to herself by being and "angry mom".Jo Kang-Ja alongside her mafia-boss best friend(who cosplays as a princess) and her two croonies never failed to make me laugh despite the omnipresent tense atmosphere that builds as the episodes go on.Park No-Ah the novice teacher brings a very necessary air of hope and naivety compared to the other characters who are either instigating or receiving the violence.Go Bok-Dong has introduced me to Ji-soo and I was impressed by his multi-faceted character,as the troubled kid with a side of puppy love, Ji Soo had a powerful screen presence. Even at the beginning of the series when his part wasn't all that big, I often found myself drawn to his character,there's something intriguing and charismatic quality which I think drew many fans to him as would a lantern to flies in the dark.Although suprisingly the best character to me was Do Jung-Woo the seemingly "perfect" teacher.
From the beginning, Do Jung-Woo left me, as a viewer, undecided on his role. At first, he seems like he could be a possible ally to Kang-ja and the students, but at the same time something about him isn’t quite right. Underneath all his layers, we learn, he has been hiding some horrifying secrets. Never have I hated a character more than this one in a drama. His manipulation, abuse r of the people he interacts with make him a character that is hard to forgive. Despite all his discrepancies, every time he is seemingly caught by Kang-ja he would somehow avoid prosecution. As a viewer, I was frustrated to the point that I would’ve been happy with something as simple as seeing his perfect hair messed up for once. Hatred for this character and the other perpetrators was ultimately the force that made the drama incredibly addictive for me while watching.
To me the most important messages in this Kdrama were that corruption must come to an end(and you have to cut all the heads otherwise more will sprout from their place and it will never cease),that monsters create monsters(parents),be strong and be your own person,for every bad time in life there will be a good one if you're strong enough to pull though and of course don't mess with an Angry Mom!
I cannot sing the praises of this drama enough and I have already watched it all over again with the same rollercoaster of emotions.
So much detail and depth was put into it, giving it the ability to make you gasp, laugh, cry and, of course, yell at the screen in anger. Even when tired, your eyes will be glued to the screen.
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Can finish in 1 seating. Want to finish in 1 seating. Both statement is true for this drama.
I find Sung Hoon quite a charismatic actor and has that intense gaze. The show make sure to sell u his abs and good physique. The lead actress was unfamiliar to me. I find her pleasing to look at and sometimes reminds me of another japanese actress in a gd way. They have good chemistry as they spar spark but mostly the guy wins. Fun times when hes jealous or possessive. I do hav to overlook that zealous possesive and manipulate her to a corner so that no options left but him. That in real life is actually scary and not romantic. But very early we were shown she is attracted to him. Interested in him.
For a short drama means the focus is on out otp so the meddling mum doesnt appear til ep19.. thankfully.
Dont thk too much or expect too much then its really an enjoyable watch.
My last qualms i hav to state was i wish the kisses were done better.many dramas hav set the par quite high. A lil bit of overacting on the girl's part in the last scene which was a tad off-putting. Else i nearly gave a 8.5.
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