Reviews

Bats and zombies in a ghost town

This drama was already promising at 24 episodes, but it should have been 16 episodes. Repetitive flashbacks were extraneous. I don't think we needed to be reminded of these scenes, The ghost town where it was staged was either a deserted war-torn or flooded town, or some ugly CGI. The bats vanished fast in the early episodes, and the zombies must have gone to sleep. I am surprised that the stranded travelers did not explore the town for supplies or better accommodations. They just stayed in the hotel, run down in some places. The store where Er found the sneakers had clothing hanging in the shop, although they should have rot in twenty years. Was the train track sealed off on both ends, or where they just lazy, to try to escape from the bats and zombies who took a snoozefest? The blue ocean, which I am sure was CGI, was the prettiest view. The production quality was bad in many episodes. Extreme closeups with a bland expression do not constitute acting skills.

After bingewatching the first 16 episodes in the last three days (in October 2023), I skipped to the final episode. The timid teacher was the the mastermind. LOL I don't think I missed anything important. This was my Halloween entertainment.

Final rating: 55

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Brutal, merciless milieu of gangs & drug cartels. Stirring, gloomy but with soulful strings, too

What a positive surprise. For all those who are not afraid of the brutal, merciless milieu of gang wars and drug cartels: "Worst of Evil" offers intense characters with dynamic profiles, especially of the two protagonists - the rural police officer who joins a new Gangnam gang as an undercover agent, to help uncover the organized drug trade between China, South Korea and Japan, as well as the boss of that Gangnam gang.
In particular, Ji Chang-wook as Park Jun-mo alias Kwon Seung-ho puts his heart and soul as well as quite some muscles and fighting into it. Whatsoever, he is impressive. But so are the others. It´s well cast and Disney+ apparently didn't skimp on anything...
For me personally, gang stories like this one aren't really my first choice. Too much crude violence, too much highly concentrated testosterone... "Worst of Evil" is no exception. Sharp blades and baseball bats are in high demand, especially in the first half. Nicotine seemingly acts as nutrition and even the fanciest suits can't hide the fact that a lot of blood is being shed unscrupulously...

Nonetheless.
“Worst of Evil” features complex characters and highly explosive relationship dynamics that is touching, gripping and, more importantly, provides emotional substance, too.
Eventually, undercover operations are psychologically demanding. The boundaries between true and false identity are blurring. A solid compass for right and wrong can easily be lost. The reality of living the undercover life creates new truths in which even the 'false' identity becomes a ´true´ part of one's own life. Coming to terms with this obviously is not easy. The return to the old life as it was before, even less so. In the case of "Worst of Evil", these internal and external conflicts of our undercover investigator become even more difficult by the fact that his wife has a history with the gang boss that he knew nothing about. She, his wife, herself a police officer and officially not ´his´ wife in terms of the new undercover identity, is now drawn into current affairs in a way that the small special investigation team could not have foreseen.
Not to mention the fact that the drug cartels involves powerful partners, not only in South Korea, but also in China and Japan. At last, the homicide police also get involved in dealing with everyday gang activities and murder cases in Gangnam. None of those involved is squeamish whatsoever. So danger lingers everywhere. Not only fists and fights, but also intelligent, diplomatic solutions are required. High-end improvisation is on the agenda for our hero.

"Worst of Evil" is thrilling, stirring, gloomy and – despite all the blood that boils over and over again (and all the copious amounts that are spilled) – it has its soulful strings, too. It's about trust, loyalty, bromance, the relativity of 'right' and 'wrong', and ultimately the ethical question of which end justifies which means...

Is the story predictable? Well, I can't fully deny that. But in "Worst of Evil" the journey is clearly the destination - what the undercover special operation DOES with this once "mother-in-law's favorite" and how he comes to terms with it. In addition, his counterpart, the self-proclaimed, brash, brilliant gang leader, is also quite interesting. With his vita, his goals and desires, he doesn't really fit into the usual cliché and thus brings additional dynamism. In addition, several other characters in the cartel (and police) environment impress with strong profiles, too.

As I said, I was pleasantly surprised. "Worst of Evil" had me. It's pretty well made all around and has actually more to offer than just ruthless gangs and action. (Nevertheless, be prepared, it still is about the milieu of ruthless gangs...)

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The most evil perfection

How should I describe this drama......a damn rollercoaster ride!!

12 episodes and it was enough to drive me crazy. The story revolves around a cop who goes undercover to uncover an international drug ring and things get complicated when his wife inadvertently gets sucked into the investigation. The story was perfectly written and I love how Park Joon Mo aka the undercover cop slowly gets the utmost trust within the gang and slowly rises up to become the key figure in the international drug deal. And at the same time slowly removed the key figures around the ring leader and substituted himself as the most trusted subordinate and friend of the ring leader Jung Ki Chul. What was more thrilling is, how he managed to corner all of them into a dead end and finally take them all out in one fell swoop.

Ji Chang Wook managed to pull out the psychological struggle of his characters in utter perfection and I could not be more proud of him.

Worst of Evil, was made the most perfect evil by the cast and directing with a solid storyline.

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Typically I don't like watching high school cdramas, because censorship makes it near impossible to portray a reasonable romantic story in them and also they often have content involving parents & teachers that I abhor.
This drama is a standout in in this genre in the sense, that they've shown innocent but very sweet high school dating. At times I was wondering how this passed censorship. Then later on ML's momster came and forced a 1 year separation, so everyone could focus on their studies & then I thought "okay, so that's how". There were also various moments in the drama, when the leads were vehemently denying their romantic involvement with each other, but it was never in doubt. It was very strongly implied that they knew each other's feelings and they did everything dating teens would do, other than skinship that is.
(This is the second crama I've seen that is like this, the other one was 'Meeting You')

Basically the show can be split into three parts.
1) The kids getting to know each other. (first 5-9 ep)
2) The friend group of 5 enjoying their best life. (this is very close to 10/10 amazing)
3) College, young adult life (last 6-7 ep)

I would say 1) is not great, initially I found the show to be the most typical Chinese high school drama I have ever seen. I was fully prepared to drop it, but I did not really have anything else better lined up & I needed something to watch during my late night workout sessions.. Upon reaching 2) I was very surprised, suddenly everything started working for me and it felt like I'm watching a different show, where EVERYTHING is better, including the acting, the editing and even the background music inserts. In fact episode 10 is one of the best cdrama episodes I have ever seen, it was absolutely magical.
After the forced separation we quickly transitioned to college life & adult dating. While I tend to enjoy a simple, fluffy and complication-free happy ending, I felt 3) to be lackluster in many ways. I really liked the second couple & they barely had scenes there. Much of the non romantic plot earlier was involving ML's brother & momster. FL did not meet ML's mom during the adult part of the show, at least other than us seeing the mom sitting there at their wedding there has not been anything else. The brother also only had like one line during the wedding, would have been nice to see what happened to the genius. Also there were at least two occasions when I felt the writer set up some big cathartic faceslap moments and the then things just fizzled out, not cool! Give me my loud slap! To sum it up, in 3) we just went through the motions without enough emotional impact. (well there was a little of that in the finale, maybe)

Anyway despite the negative points this one is absolutely worth watching, perhaps even just for the bromances, but to me 'A Love So Beautiful' -despite that annoying Wu Busong and the breakup- is a much better cdrama that is largely similar to this one, but feels far better overall. It's better acted, has several really epic moments, the final episodes are very satisfying and it's amazing from episode 1 onward etc etc.
Of course if I started to compare it to the best university/young adult cdramas then it would just fall short.

TLDR: It's the second best high school cdrama I've seen, but usually high school cdramas suck, so 8/10.

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I don't know how to feel about it..

I just don't know how to feel about this series. I may need some time to process what truly happened and what each of the characters really went through but for now I get this weird feeling of unfulfillement (if this word even exists).

I get that both of the main leads struggle with their own demons and they're not ready for love. I really get that and I think it's somehow real in terms of I can actually see this happening in real life. This story has no sugar coating and that's what I appreciate.

However - I personally don't like Kiyoi and the toxicity his character is filled with.

It's like "oh he's being mean to you because he likes you and just doesn't know how to say it" was a person but make it 100x worse.
Do some people really find being kicked, pushed around and sworn at attractive? A genuine question because even though I get where the toxicity's coming from.. I still somehow can't find watching it enjoyable. Rather than being happy for them to finally get together I'm worried if they'll fix each other or go down together.. It's hard to describe it.

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Amazing..but where's the romance?

Love, love, love the drama. This is one is going on my list of top dramas that I have watched thus far and there is a lot that I have watched and love.

I am satisfied with how the game ended. Those who deserve to be happy, ended up with happiness and those who deserved to be punished, got their punishments. However, I am not happy with how the drama ended.

Let's start with the storyline - it's your typical storyline. The toxicity of the family, the corrupt offiicials, the romance. All of that is what makes a great story and this one delievered. The family dynamic really sonates with me as a modern girl because we see this all the time in real life. It's nothing to new to a lot of families. The thing that really pisses me off is how much they disregard because the oldest son is supposed to bring honor to them, but yet, he had failed them over and over and over again. He cheated and sold his family for pennies (not really, but you know what I mean) and yet, the family still believes him over and over again. Yes, he did receive karma, but even then, his wife and Hua'er still acted like they did nothing wrong and is mad at the family for not helping them when he went crazy. I mean, can they really blame the family for it? Where's the accountability? Why is it that the family have to always clean up their messes? The only person that I feel sorry for is Song Hai Long. The only did that he did wrong was marry Hua'er. I don't think he desrves to be living in poverty with Hua'er and her parents. I wish Shen Nuo would help him obtain a position in the court.

Characters -
I know that many people hated Man'er but I don't understand the hate. She's not greedy and she's not selfish. Yes, she's trying to make a living but can we really blame her? She's playing a character in a game who has a mission that she needs to do. She can't be giving all of her money to her family. I mean, how can you excuse the grandma and aunt for stealing her hard earned money and then call her a selfish pig? Like come on. She's not selfish either. Her wanting to split from the family because she only wants what is best for her little family. The way they treated her family warrants her need to split from them. Like, are those who calling her selfish condoning the things that her family has done? I can't even consider her selfish at all. First of, she helped Hua'er despite the fact that they knowingly and willingly sold her off to a dead guy as part of a widow burning. YET, she risked her reputation to help Hua'er escape her fate. Then she saved Ye'er from the toxic family. Not only that, she had helped the family over and over again. Even at the end, they still forgave them and gave them a place to stay. Time and time again, she had helped her family despite the fact that they treated her like she nothing.

Romance -
Where the hell is the romance?! There was some romance, but there was barely any too. Out of 26 episodes, there's probably like what 2 episodes where we see the romance. That's all I have to say about the romance part.

Overall -
I gave this a 9 rating overall because of the fact that there is barely any romance. The title is "Romance on the Farm," there's a farm, but very little romance. Another reason why I gave it a 9 because I was not happy with the ending. Sorry, but not sorry. I thought that it would at least end like Romance of Tiger and Rose, but it did not. I was not satsified. We didn't get to see Shen Nuo in real life. The "special ep" was nothing special. It only explained what we have already guessed. Shen Nuo is the creator of the game. But we didn't get to see his face. What kind of ending was that?!

I would def watch this again at a later date. Recommend if you can get past the toxicity of the drama.

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Pain of human nature, whether it's a cop or a gangster

The birth of a monster inside a person who was once considered moral and pure along with the very human and raw sides of somebody we were expected to solely think of as a villain is what I witnessed watching The Worst of Evil.

Beyond the obvious observations --the phenomenal acting, storyline and even unexpected twists-- what I would like to point out is the sad, regretful feeling I was left with when I finished watching the last episode. Junmo's spiral was to be expected from the moment he took on the case, but it was still heartbreaking to watch his life being destroyed.

He ended up becoming a murderer, something he tried in many ways to avoid but was inevitable when hesitating was no longer an option, as Euijung became involved. Steadily he started losing himself, no longer telling right from wrong clearly and easily. Losing his loved ones, the immediate aftermath of it all. His captain, his wife and his unexpected partner, Jung Gichul, he lost them along with a vital part of his humanity.

There was no happy ending to await from this drama, but the end still left me wincing even as I write this.

A few notable mentions: first of all, just as I expected, druglord Jung Gichul tugged on my heartstrings and I never had him as a villain in my head as I watched the show. He was mostly pitiful and if Junmo felt guilty for betraying him in the end, when that was his job all along, it goes without saying that I too wished a better ending for him. Secondly, miss Lee Haeryun falling in love and paying such a high price for that made me feel for her. At least she knows her Kwon Seungho tipped her off to spare her from getting caught, hope that serves as some sort of consolation. Lastly, the music was so good in this show. I basically wrote this review to mention just that. I just finished watching it so I'll be off to search everything about the soundtrack.

Highly recommended drama. Ji Changwook killed it.
(Bibi killed it too)

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Underrated

I applaud the writers attempt of a more scientific approach to time travel. Even if there is some pseudo scientific entanglement for story reasons.

Ultimately though all time travel events are transitions into parallel universes (alternate timelines). And it is quite interesting to see the protagonists struggling with this concept and trying to fix things.

The acting is fine. No one stands out in particular though. The special effect are okay. Background music and sound effects are quite good in creating tension and suspense. The script is a bit heavy on dialog at times. I think 12 episodes would have been more than enough to tell the story.

It's one of the few shows that would linger in mind for some time after watching an episode. And is thus worth a 9/10.

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One of the best 2023 drama

I started watching this because of Cheng Yi and I never regreted starting this! Such an amazing cast and they acting skills was really good too. Loved the 3 main role actors chemistry. The beginning of the drama was exciting and I couldn't wait for LLH and FDB to meet.

They worked then together on the cases. Loved to see each cases they solved and then another mystery is uncovered. For me it was just the perfect drama to watch after I get home from work. The ending was not the best for LLH but then in the extra episodes LLH wasn't dead.

Seeing JZ for the first time I'm in love with him. He is just such an amazing actor! CY as expected nailed this drama too with his amazing acting skills. I've never seen XSY before too but he played his role with full heart.

Will reach this drama many many times and will be my number 1 2023 drama this year!

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What a treat!!!

I was very unsure about this before I started watching but OH MY did I fall in love haha

Was it perfect? No, certainly not. Was it an absolute blast anyway? Yes!

The plot certainly had it's flaws here and there, especially towards the end when it felt like they just try to push too much into too little time. But overall the drama had surprisingly good cinematography, very lovable, interesting & mostly nuanced characters, a great OST and just SO.MUCH.CHEMISTRY between the main couple!!

I binged it in 2 days and enjoyed every sinlge minute. Even rewatched some scenes just because I enjoyed it that much.

And I have to admit... I can't get over how PERFECT A HUMAN BEING Apo is!! How can someone be so gorgeous??? I absolulety drank up every scene he was in. And he gave so much playfulness & heart to his character - I absolutely loved it. And you could tell how good a relationship him and Mile have as their characters had just such intense chemistry! It's really been a while since I have seen such chemistry in a BL drama series!

Second favorite character? Tankhun!! haha I loved him so much as he was not just exquisitely eccentric but also rather clever and nuanced if you looked close enough.

You want an interesting setting and decent action scenes? This is the show to watch.
You want incredibly hot actors with awesome chemistry? This is the show to watch.
You want quirky characters that make you laugh? This is the show to watch.
You want steamy scenes between beautiful men? This is the show to watch.
You want to see one of the best BL series out there to date? THIS IS THE SHOW TO WATCH.

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Depth Beyond Romance: 'The Eighth Sense' - A Captivating Journey of Self-Discovery

"The Eighth Sense" transcends the boundaries of a typical romance drama, making it an intriguing watch for those who crave depth beyond just love stories. Personally, I found it captivating.

The narrative commences by focusing primarily on Ji Hyun, a young student navigating the fast-paced life of Seoul after moving from the countryside. He grapples with adapting to a new environment, balancing part-time work, and attending classes, with just one friend from his hometown to lean on. But when he crosses paths with Jae Won, the narrative takes an emotional turn. Ji Hyun's journey towards self-discovery begins, and the plot increasingly shifts its focus to Jae Won.

For me, Jae Won shines as the star of the show. His character exudes a magnetic appeal, revealing layers beyond his initial portrayal as the popular guy who recently returned from the military. He appears to have it all—friends, admirers, affluent and influential parents, and an extroverted demeanor that seemingly simplifies his life. However, as the story delves deeper into his character, we uncover unhealed wounds and a complex, multi-faceted personality.

Both characters undergo significant transformations throughout this relatively short drama. They mature and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. While the romance is beautifully portrayed, organic, well-paced, and masterfully delivered, it's the individual character development that truly stands out. The story goes the extra mile in creating characters who are more than just a pair, ensuring they are fully fleshed-out individuals with their own stories, social circles, and interactions outside their romantic relationship.

"The Eighth Sense" also deserves applause for its portrayal and handling of mental health issues. It provides one of the most realistic and sensitive representations in the world of Korean dramas. It delves into the complexity of mental health problems, highlighting how people often conceal their struggles, the importance of social support, and the multifaceted nature of healing. It underscores that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but recovery is attainable, even when it seems impossibly distant.

As for the acting, there are no complaints. Im Ji Sub and Oh Jun Taek do justice to their characters, delivering performances that are realistic and believable. The drama boasts a superb supporting cast, with Yoon Won and Ae Ri's friendships adding charm and humor thanks to the exceptional acting by Lee Mi Ra and Seo Ji An. Conversely, I loathed the characters Eun Ji and Tae Hyung with intensity, a testament to the compelling portrayal by Park Hae In and Jang Young Joon. It serves as a reminder that imperfections exist in us all, and learning to coexist with them is a crucial part of life.

In summary, "The Eighth Sense" is highly recommended, but it might not suit those seeking a romance-centric narrative with minimal distractions. This series doesn't feature as many scenes with the leads together compared to other dramas in this genre. It's more about the characters walking alongside each other, with individual detours and paces before they reach their destination. This complexity and depth make it a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate character-driven narratives.

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Aumente a velocidade se quiser terminar

Venho tentando conhecer os dramas da Thailandia, mas eles são muito difíceis de engolir. São mais dramáticos que novelas mexicanas e nem sempre o ML merece final feliz!

Nesse drama eu assisti na velocidade 2 x . Confesso que vim apenas porque acho o ator bonito e tinha visto outro drama com ele, que também não vale menção.

São muitos os problemas.
FL é inteligente mas não usa em momentos que precisa. Ela é encantada pelo ML sem motivo plausível. Ele raramente tratou ela bem, e convenhamos que autoritarismo e ciúmes não é amor! Ele não é uma pessoa agradável, ele é muito arrogante com todos a sua volta sem exceção. Sua redenção não foi suficiente para tudo que a FL passou na série inteira. Não teve romance doce depois que se acertaram, na verdade nem se acertaram direito e nosso problemas apareceram. O ultimo episódio eu vi na velocidade 2,5 porque eram muitas coisas graves para ser resolvida às pressas.

Agora vou falar da produção, da parte técnica.
Música é demasiadamente enjoativa porque simplesmente colocam em quase todas as cenas, mesmo com os diálogos, têm música as vezes mais alta que as falas. As cenas clichês são muito mal executadas. Quedas e tropeços são ridículos de óbvios. As cenas de lutas são muito mal feitas. O diretor não se atentou à detalhes e nem a passagem de tempo.

Por fim, na minha legenda não sei se é tradução correta, mas tenho a impressão que sim, porque outros dramas que vi usavam a mesma expressão e que me causou muito desconforto, é tratarem estupro como algo banal e corriqueiro que todo mundo fala e faz com naturalidade e ninguém se choca.

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