"Revenge Is Starting A Fire That You Can't Control." ~ Marty Rubin.
And this drama is a fitting example for this quote.'My Name' marks my unexpected return to the Crime Organizations/Mafia genre. I should have checked the tags because I was not expecting this to be so violent.
Yoon Jiwoo, a high school student always held a grudge against her father for constantly being absent in her life. Moreover, he was a wanted criminal for selling drugs. But, when he is shot to death and nobody bothers to find the culprit, she seeks out Choi Mu Jin, a crime lord and her father's best friend. Mu Jin takes her in under Dongcheon, his organisation, gives her a new identity and trains her to become a highly skilled fighter inorder for her to prepare her revenge. She joins the Police force with a hidden identity with the only clue she has of her father's killer: a gun that belongs to a cop.
Hats off to Han So Hee for her role as Yoon Ji Woo because she kicked the ball out of the park with her absolutely mind blowing portrayal of a revenge driven girl. This drama would've been beyond boring had it not been for her presence. Her action sequences and training scenes where some of the most intense ones I've seen to date in KDramaland.
Choi Mu Jin, the crime lord, was the star of the show for me. He had such a mysterious charisma that I couldn't help but hope for him to escape everytime. (I should be in jail for saying this.) His relationship with Jiwoo was almost a father-daughter like. He was shady and never a good man, but I loved how we are given glimpses of his life.
The plot… as everyone complained, was predictable. Or atleast the culprit. For some reason, it lost steam after the end of episode 5. I continued watching for the sake of completion or else I would've skipped right to the ending.
Nobody in the Police force made enough significant impact on me to feel for them. (Tae Ju, Mu Jin's second in command had a better impact on me.)
This part of the plot has multiple unanswered questions and I felt that certain points required the suspension of disbelief.
The soundtrack was a treat —- I loved every single song right to the BGMs. The strong soundtrack definitely played a role in several scenes.
The conclusion is fitting the bleak tone of the show as a whole, considering that it deals with a crime organisation. Nobody escapes those unscathed.
It's a pretty solid revenge drama. But, I personally felt that it had a really sombre tone that sucked away my enthusiam somewhere along the latter half, which is why I'm settling for an 8/10.
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Highly recommended.
Everything a kdrama/series should have.Production, acting, story, script, plot twist, OST, everything at its best!
It's my number one favorite so far.
Highly recommended.
The camera shots are insanely good and the action sequences are the best I've seen.
I've seen a few kdramas over the past 13 years, each one with its own genre, obviously and this one has exceed everything, not only in the kdrama category, but series in general.
I'm usually very critical, but this one owns my heart.
Also, my favorite genre is mafia and this one was the only that kept me interested from the very beginning till the end.
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my favourite kdrama of all time.
This drama is absolutely amazing, Han So-Hee was phenomenal as per usual. This drama has such depth to it and perfectly portrayed a strong independent female lead and I enjoyed the fact that romance was not her focus and she did not loose sight of her goals and revenge due to a man. However it was also an enjoyable sub plot and I really liked their dynamic and how he became a support system for her. The betrayal of Choi Mujin was perfectly executed and not predictable in my opinion which just added to the angst of this show. Beautiful show. My go to monthly rewatch.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
A perfectly adequate revenge story
Good stuff:(1) Park Hee Soon as Choi Moo Jin. For real this guy is so charismatic and compelling. He is just so commanding whenever he is on screen. He has this occasional softness to him but is so intense and dark at times. I was so interested in what he was thinking and feeling. His relationship with Han So Hee’s character is so interesting too.
(2) Han So Hee. She has this quiet intensity to her, such that I truly believed she had this inner rage and drive for revenge all while she basically acted normally. I don’t know, oftentimes it’s the fight scenes that tell you a character is badass, but she is just so intense all the time that like, I just believe she is. It’s a somewhat subtle performance as she’s a fairly reserved person, but Han So Hee totally sells it. She’s also amazing in the fight scenes.
(3) The fight scenes are genuinely very good. They’re often long takes, there are multiple people fighting oftentimes, they take place in well-lit areas (what a concept), and are just really well choreographed.
(4) oh, and Jang Yool is a complete delight whenever he is on screen.
Problems with this show:
(1) Plot is basic. If you’ve seen a few revenge stories or thrillers, you can probably predict fairly easily what will happen. Even if you haven’t, so much of what happens is pretty generic. Like the first few episodes were fairly unremarkable, gotta set up her tragic backstory with a parent dying, etc etc etc. So it’s just not very engaging.
(2) Characters are basically paper thin. Alongside the generic plot they just become even more bland. It’s really only Han So Hee, Park Hee Soon, and Jang Yool who keep things interesting. Even then they get toned down because they don’t have the writing chops to back up their excellent performances.
(3) Weird writing choices. For example, a new antagonist pops in about halfway through and while I love him, I don’t understand his role in the story. I felt like they couldn’t come up with anything else for the revenge story and needed to fill up the run time. Like I said, I love him, but I don’t get what the point of his character was because it was so distant from the real plot. They could’ve spent more time on the central relationships instead.
(4) Ending was rushed and kinda lame. Last few episodes not only speed through the plot but also the emotions of the characters, or rather they don’t get to be as well fleshed-out as they deserve. I also think the ending was a weird choice; it felt like they were going somewhere with “killing/revenge makes you a monster” but then the story just kinda ends and you’re like… alright.
I’m not sure I’d recommend watching this show (go watch Healer or City Hunter instead) but it’s perfectly fine.
(Also this is the most attractive group of gangsters I’ve ever seen. They should give up their life of crime and just open up a modeling agency or something)
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Kinda predictable and cliche, but still entertaining
My Name is like the average kind of revenge drama we see almost everywhere, whether in Korean or Western movies, and it all follows the same route. Family member died. MC driven by fury and revenge. MC went full training and adapted badass fighting skills. MC goes undercover. But this time, it’s girlboss.This drama felt very one way, like moving from one scene to another in a straight manner, lacked complexity, but regardless was still pretty fun to watch. This is mainly thanks to the action scenes that were really great and very satisfying to see.
There's action every episode that are choreographed really well. Even used moves that gurlie learned from her training earlier. I just generally enjoy sitting in front of my laptop to see scenes where crime gangs are out there fighting each other, using guns, knives, and all those stuffs. The showcase and brutality made this drama way cooler (not to sound like a sadist). But other than the badassery, not much can really be said about the kind of drama My Name is. Like really, its just like that. Violent, grey, violent, revenge.
Plot wise, it was pretty easy to guess the twist. Maybe cause I've watched too much thriller crime, but from the first episode I'm already like, “yeah that's probably what's going to happen.'' Although so, the revelation was still suspense builded. I've also come to find more than few plotholes here and there, and some parts of the premise also lacked enough explanation or solid backstory, like for example the whole importance with Jiwoo’s dad. Even while he's the whole reason why this drama even happened, it’s always just “your dad was special to me”, “my dad was special to me”, but not enough of the how. Everyone just seemed to be involved with him but not much details are put.
Honestly I kinda reeealllyyy doubted this show and Sohee in the first ep because the whole setup just seemed pretty meh and unrealistic, and because I just didn't click too much with how flat Sohee acted at the beginning, especially in her more emotive scenes. But once I threw realism out, and Sohee started looking more like she’s adjusted to her character, I found myself enjoying the first few following eps. They were cool, wow, fast paced, and Sohee also performed her scenes well with even greater determination in her action.
Sadly towards the end it kind of went mediocre, the way where audiences could easily guess the next move. The closure was also very improper and anticlimactic and full of question marks, but okay at least its not too open ended so I see Netflix has improved.
I love dramas where characters are gray, and they did that here. Especially the dynamics between Mujin the gang leader and Jiwoo was very worth noting. Mujin is second best part about My Name. He makes use of every second of screentime he has and dominates the entire scene and entire show with his oozing charisma and badassery. Yus.
The other dynamics they wanted to show here was between Jiwoo and Pildo, but tbh it came off pretty dumb I actually laughed when they had an emotive scene together I'm sorry I'm so mean. Cause firstly, Pildo is pretty useless. Its hard to sympathize with him not because he's bad or anything, but because it just felt so umm... so flat. Like they just gave him a random tragic backstory then called it a day and expects everyone here including the MC to connect with him. I like him though, although he was pretty 1D and other times acted pretty inconsistently. Like he's supposed to be that smart tough cop leader but sometimes he act more like just some random male who simps blindly over a badass female.
The romance was the most wuutttt thing ever, because it was just too sudden and unnecessary. First of all the tags said no romance. Well in all honesty, I too am a very weird person cause for first few eps I actually hoped there'd be subtle romance between leads like what they did for extracurricular. But then they went all the way and I just ??? . It was so out of context irrelevant, and I just hate it. I hate how they always feel the need to give the strong woman lead a love interest. I get that it's to make her feel humane, but the build up is still so unnecessary it could've just been partnership with small hints of attraction and it’d still be fine. It's as if they were aiming so bad and pushing so much of a Wattpad enemies to lovers. Which was why I just can't help but laugh. Too much of romance in a non romantic thriller action drama most of the time always take up too much of what really should be more focused on. Not to mention their fate in the end was pretty uhm what?! And hard to feel.
Overall, My Name may not be a brilliant fabulous shows and had clear and predictable flaws, but it’s still a nice drama to be watched especially when you’re in the mood for a dive in its badass girlboss action.
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This means REVENGE
"You asked if I wanted revenge no matter what. I didn't know what you meant back then. I do now. To take revenge is to become a monster."Was. So. Good.I love revenge stories. But most of them aren't very satisfactory. This one was perfect.The characters. You love them, empathize with them, but you can't hate them. It was impossible for me to hate them no matter what they did. Episode 7 was the best. Undoubtedly. A real roller-coaster.I don't agree with a certain decision in the last episode, but I know it was necessary.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Wow , the show Rocks !
PlotThe first 15 minutes of My Name was solid. We see Jiwoo in a very miserable plight — she’s ostracized and bullied at school, constantly tailed by cops looking for her dad, with nobody to lean on but herself. It gets worse after she has witnessed her father’s horrific murder on her birthday, just a door away from the crime scene. Put all of these pieces in the first episode, and you now tugged the viewers’ attention.
As the show goes forth, we see Jiwoo fearlessly clinging to all means there is to get justice, even if it involves joining a notorious drug cartel and embodying a whole new persona. She then successfully infiltrated the Inchang Metropolitan Police Agency’s Narcotics department, intending to unmask the identity of his father’s murderer.
However, My Name soon fell into one huge cliché puddle. There were twists, but they felt underwhelming. Everything was moving so fast, but it didn’t really make the series more compelling. The romance between Jiwoo and Pildo, for instance, seemed to have bloomed out of nowhere. Episode by episode, there weren’t any notable scenes to tread that romantic lane. The build-up was scanty, leaving an impression that it was just an afterthought. Even the open-ended conclusion may leave you puzzled or tepid, to say the least.
Extra two or three episodes would’ve helped improve the show overall. For an action-packed series like My Name, making it an eight-part series almost seems like a disservice because it has the potential to go for something more thought-provoking, storyline-wise. Whether a new season is in the works or not, the series is still good for your nightly K-drama binging. But in terms of replayability? Not really.
Characters and Performance
In an interview, So-hee reveals she wants to show a different side of her in My Name. The up-and-coming actress was successful in accomplishing that goal because she delivered an excellent performance. Jiwoo is a woman of few words, revenge-driven—but So-hee portrayed the pain and grief of her role marvelously. Not to mention, she also went through extensive training together with her co-actors. That nature of commitment is almost a rarity in the entertainment wonderland and merits praise.
Given the show’s gritty and dark theme, Pildo (played by Ahn Bo-Hyun) could’ve given a tinge of delight or goofiness that My Name needs. He gave a good performance, but his character tended to be a little uninteresting in some scenes. The relationship dynamic between Pildo and Jiwoo would’ve been more thrilling to see if they weren’t too similar.
Park Hee-Soon was also very remarkable. The fact that viewers can dislike and feel for him simultaneously proves how effective he is in portraying Choi Mu-jin’s calm yet ruthless demeanor. It’s a little difficult to imagine someone else filling in that kind of role without coming off too dull or monotonous.
Cinematography and Visuals
My Name lived true to its promise of delivering heart-pounding scenes. All fights were impeccable and well-choreographed, presenting viewers with an impressive variety of camera shots every time Jiwoo is on combat mode. One great display of camerawork was seen in episode one. The creative showcasing of how Jiwoo and her father were near yet so far from one another is simply exquisite. The use of warm colors fits the show’s bloody theme, too. All things considered, My Name wasn’t confusing nor congested with unnecessary flashiness.
Conclusion
It felt like My Name live up to its hype and the remarkable performances of the cast. After watching up to the last episode, really leave an impact. The show is still worth watching, but it also makes you wonder what could've been if the story was further explored.
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An action thriller which delivers exactly what it promises
A solid watch which will keep you engaged all throughout. The fight scenes really were the star of the show -- SO good, made me want to learn fighting. I read that Han Sohee did her own stunts which is incredible, and I also commend her decision not to wear makeup. As for the story, there was nothing crazy or unforeseeable that happened, but that's precisely why it made for such a strong plot. It didn't try to be oversmart, stuck with the basics, which really paid off in the execution. If I had to criticize, I'd say her romance with the cop was pretty underdeveloped so the sex scene felt a bit ?? But I didn't mind much. Though I will say that the pacing of the last episode felt kinda rushed which made the ending slightly anticlimatic.Special mention to Choi Mujin who was insanely charming, and to the OST which added to the coolness of the drama.
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I just finished it but want a second season of this.
Action is ver good.
I wish that it would have more episodes maybe 16 or 20......................................................,... ...............................................,... ...............................................,...
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good ol' fashion REVENGE!
It is clear that this is a Netflix production, with plenty high octane fight scenes and one too-steamy-for-broadcast-television sex scene.Yoon Ji Woo, a troubled young woman whose father was murdered on her birthday, seeks to avenge her father's death by climbing the rungs of his former gang. Taken under the wing of her father's friend and crime boss, Ji Woo hones her combat and investigative skills and becomes an undercover member of the gang. If you're looking for a show that passes the Bechdel test, this probably isn't for you, as Yoon Ji Woo is almost the sole woman in the 'My Name' creative universe. Although Ji Woo's character is, at times, written to revolve around solely around influence of the men around her, she subtly reclaims her agency *SPOILER* in true 'Final Girl' fashion, effortlessly defeating throngs of knife wielding assassins despite being mortally wounded. From powerless to powerful, the resilient Ji Woo exacts revenge with every punch, kick, slash and bullet and gets the last (mournful) laugh in the end.
OVERALL, the plot twists were relatively predictable and the 'whodunit' aspect of the story was meh at best. Luckily, My Name was brought to life by its excellent crew and cast, namely Han So Hee, who absolutely shined as the protagonist Ji Woo/Oh Hyejin. Han So Hee's impressive physical stunt work and fighting scenes were truly the highlight of this series. She fully served us some Charlize (Theron, of course) energy! Han So Hee shows immense promise as an action star!
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Action Packing and Engaging
There is a lot to like about this drama. It's addictive, fast-paced and very-well produced and acted. This was a solid 9-9.5 until almost the last episode where plot seems almost rushed and character decisions toe the line between making sense and not. Still, it is a solid conclusion and the drama as a whole is incredible so I averaged it to 8.5At 8 episodes screen time but the same amount of content as a standard K-drama, the writing is pretty well-paced with little to no filler. As someone who watches some but not a ton of crime/revenge dramas, some of the twists and turns were cliché but executed well enough to be entertaining while others were a true revelation. I really appreciate that this was female-lead driven. Despite the plethora of physically/mentally strong females in drama nowadays, 1) action dramas are still mostly male-lead driven and 2) the writing for these females can be inconsistent or overdone. Jiwoo consistently maintains her physical strength and her thought process remains consistent with her characterization. More importantly, her actions help drive the plot and at the, this is her story. Mujin is also a very interesting character who evokes a lot of different emotions and Pildo just brings so much positive energy.
On this end, the story is brought to life with amazing acting. All the actors/actresses did a phenomenal job, especially Han So Hee. The production, sets and lighting are also incredibly well-done; I loved that somewhat somber lighting. The music is also astounding. Not only are the tunes catchy and entertaining on their own (I was listening to Mediocre Life on repeat these past few days), they completely complement and elevate the drama. This is decent re-watch.
In conclusion, honestly, the only reason I watched this was because it was a female-lead led action drama. That aside, it is an engaging drama with good writing, great production, terrific music and supreme acting that I would definitely recommend.
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Easy binge
OVERALLThis drama is short and thrilling, so it's an easy watch. Consider if 1) you're looking for an action-packed series, 2) you like revenge stories, 3) you don't need much more than that. Skip if 1) you want well-developed characters, 2) you're craving a good romance, 3) you don't like tragedy.
THE STORY
A pretty conventional revenge story. No major event is really unexpected, even the main plot twist. The ending is also quite predictable if you know anything about Korean action films and their unconditional love for the tragic. Where My Name shines is in the delivery. In the little details.
The Good
- The drama REALLY makes you feel and root for FL. She goes through hell and becomes strong but also so vulnerable. Her life sucks too much and you're dying to see it suck a bit less.
- Although the drama is short, they do try to squeeze in a bit of a love story and they do it successfully; it actually makes sense and is even kind of cute?
- Although nothing's out of the ordinary, the show still remains gripping enough to be binged in a day. There's the suspense surrounding FL's cover, the mystery of her dad's death, the drug cartel, so much to keep you on the edge of your seat. And there's the occasional joke too. The drama is conventional, but good conventional, definitely.
The Bad
- How unoriginal the plot is, though I guess if you only care about action this isn't a problem. The biggest let-down is the fact that the most promising aspect of the drama, FL going undercover in the police, ends up being so unimportant. So lackluster. They could have played it up and it would have made the show much better and much more original.
- The unnecessary tragedy (because trust me, it's absolutely unnecessary. A death that is unavoidable is fine, a death that is just there because the writer wanted it there is an abomination).
- The lack of depth, especially character or relationship development. Granted, this is a very short series, so there's only so much we can ask. But at the same time, there're so many fighting scenes...a few could have been replaced by deeper stuff.
THE ACTING
I LOVED her. ML was also fine though. In general, they were all great! A huge asset for the series, because acting makes an average plot ten times better.
THE MUSIC
No comment.
REWATCH VALUE
Not high for me. Don't get me wrong, this drama is a good binge. But it's a one-time binge. There's nothing there that'll make me come back to it.
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