What did it cost? Everything
Gangnam in 1990s in neo-noir story about love, power and struggle with our own demons."Exceptional drama" - there are words that come to my mind, when I think about this series. Interesting idea for plot with many plot twists, hints and slowly developing story. You can fell aura of the last decade of 20th century in Korean criminal underworld.
Brilliant acting... Ji Chang Wook in action drama again is so satisfying. Fighting scenes are well-played and you can't take eyes on him in them. You can see emotions in his eyes, how he struggle and trying to keep his sanity. Complex character and I think one of the best in last years. Wi Ha Joon didn't disappoint as well, I could see that he shown something different in this role. I could understand his reasons and emotions, everything was perfect... and heartbreaking. Im Se Mi meets my expectations with her character and her struggles, her little facial expressions were brilliant. I can't niggle over supporting characters acting. they all do well. Also I was suprised by BIBI, I didn't know that she can act and be an eyecatcher in the screen.
I truly like music in this drama , it makes matching vibes with the story. Especially in the ending... it made me so emotional.
Filmmakers did amazing job with making characters. They are sophisticated, not obvious, not bad, not good. All I see is grey. Viewers may see that circumstances can made us do many things, terrible things. Things we do for love. Things we do for power. Things we do, because of our ambitious. Things we do, because of our greed. What make us going crazy, even if we try keep our beliefs. What we have to sacrifice for our work. And lasty if it is worthy to do it all...
In the end we all can see broken people, who lost everything. Whose world view was shattered . They know nothing. They don't believe in anything... they are shadows of who they were before
Highly recommended drama for neo-noir fans and ganster drama watchers. Great position for everyone interested in: morally-grey characters, undercover cop, difficult circumstances and what they can make us, psychological struggle and heartbeaking plot. I will come back in future to see one more time bromance and romance, action sequences and difficulties to stay true to yourself beliefs . Moreover I will think if it was worthy... after all it cost everything
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One of the best of its crime A MUST WATCH.........
Its one of the best drama of the year with a very powerful and effective cast , especially the male leads - they both are fantastic and up to the mark for their role , Female leads are also good , BIBI is more effective in the drama with her acting and all other scenes ( something i don't want to spoil but is there in the drama ) . The acting , the violence , the action and the brutal emotions looks so real and effective again the male leads are amazing and will never disappoint . The only downside is the underwhelming ending and some open threads which weren't closed properly in the last 2 episode , but if u think about it , the ending offered to us also makes a lot of sense . Don't take it as a bad ending show it defiantly worth to watch but a little anticlimactic .Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Alternative title suggestion: How to Feel Sorry for Drug Dealers
What a mixed bag this drama was. While the quality of acting and special effects was outstanding, the ultimately weak, far-fetched plot was what really dragged this show down. A twist on the trope of the whole drug dealer/undercover cop scenario, this story's angle shone the spotlight more on the lengths that the 'good' guys will resort to, to get what they want or achieve what they consider 'right', regardless of the means used or the collateral damage.I found the ending a huge disappointment; by the final episode you're really glad to be finally finished with Ji Chang Wook's character, who was an ambitious, selfish, jealous little toad from the outset.
Supporting male characters were excellent, particularly the knife-wielding lunatic Chief Seo, but as usual the female characters were weak pitiful creations, designed only to support the male lead. Shameful writing.
Really glad to be finished with this one and move on to something hopefully better.
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Best Crime based Kdrama !!
If you are looking for a crime based thriller Kdrama then this is for you. The casting was top notch and every character played it's role phenomenally . But for me Ji chang wook stole the show. Every scene, dialogue delivered by ji chang wook was to the point, and once again he proved how amazing he is an actor. Talking about the story it gave the viewers a glimpse of how illegal drug trade was prominent in 1900's in sk. It also gave audience a brief view on how undercover agent/ cops suffer mentally, physically while dealing with criminals and how their personal life gets entangled when family members gets involved. This is not a typical romantic kdrama where FL will end up with ML in the end. Talking about the music the music was good . Honestly the ending was realistic because Jun moo realised that how things can get messed up if family members get involved while dealing with criminals. And as for the chemistry between the leads it was good but the FL character lagged because she too much involved her personal feelings in the investigation and completely forgot that the SML was a literal criminal and she didn't even saw that the very end also the SML didn't regretted over his wrong doings. The reason why Jun moo shooted Ki Chul was he didn't wanted him to die through sucide because that would be a easy death for him. The SML wanted to die to let jun moo suffer mentally thinking that Jun moo will feel remorse and regret over his betrayal but Jun moo shooted him to show him that at the end justice wins and cops will always punish the criminals whether they have personal feelings or not. As for Jun moo and Eui-jeong relationship it was quite clear that Eui-jeong didn't loved her husband and more importantly respected him as a cop she was literally shocked like what did she expected from Jun moo to let a criminal win ? She shouldn't be call as a cop because she let her personal feelings for involved while punishing a literal criminal and it looked like she was not true to Jun moo her love was more for Ki Chul because of she loved Jun moo she wouldn't have lied to him about the necklace nor she would have kept the necklace. The ending basically tells that Jun moo as a cop would probably start his life fresh without the lingering feelings or memories of the past. A 10/10 drama for me!!Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
If you have trust issues…
This was by far the most gripping and emotional nerve wrecking drama I have watched, it even tops Flower of Evil.Ji Chang Wook and Wi Ha Jun have the best chemistry , and the Direcor and Screenwriters are The Worst of Evil (in a good way). I was on the edge all the time, and before the last 3 episodes I had a knot in my stomach because I feared for their lifes.
The end was heartbreaking…
Everyone in the cast was so good, and the leads were all excellent, with Ji Chang Wook and Wi Ha Jun showing outstand performances. I am still stunned, and overwhelmed with Emotions, and sad that we can‘t have more.
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Ji Chang Wook INCREIBLE
La serie, dentro de que se encuentra en el tipico drama de policia infiltrado en terreno hostil, te atrapa de una manera especial.La intereaccion entre los dos personajer principales es perfecta.
Y en cuanto a las escenas de lucha, dentro de que a mi no me vuelven loca, son algo increibles. Ji Chang, hace uno de sus mejores papeles en estas escenas entrando en la perfección.
Hay que reconocer,ademas, que la aparición de las dos actrices protagonistas te crea ciertas dudas sobre si todo esta permitido para conseguir un proposito o no.
Reconozco que soy una fanatica de Ji Chang Wook y he visto todas las series de él, bien sea en versión original o traducidas, y esta se puede considerar un cambio en su carrera, aunque me gustan todas.
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One of the most anticipated dramas this year, starring my first crush Ji Chang Wook. My first thought: the premise is one of my favourite setups! Hidden identity with action, so it's right down my alley!
Pacing is great, we get things going right away, but I am not hooked from the premise, and the story is nothing new. What's groundbreaking is the performances. The fight scenes are very gory, looks extremely dark and they’re done so well. More than the plot, I'm captivated by Ji Chang Wook, his performance is at its' finest, this man can be anyone! Directing-wise, I don’t like the parallel double-date set up and the strange flashbacks, but the acting by our leads is truly amazing! It shakes the JCW fandom worldwide, that you’re probably already spoiled by the scene by now.
The Worst of Evil could have been better presenting their leads. While watching it, I had discussions with a lovely friend and I totally agree with her insight, so I quote them: “There are great potentials that are set up but never utilized: either it’s Ki Chul’s gangster set up, or a believable marriage between Joon Mo and Eui Jung, or Joon Mo’s instability for the lack of a father figure. It would be interesting if Ki Chul has a stronger influence to Joon Mo and Joon Mo drawn to him as a father figure, more than money and power that he’s lacking in his low-rank police status, sucking him deeper into evil… It could have been a more heart-wrenching scenario for this noir.”
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The alternate ending i wanted
After everything completed junmo divorce his wife and left the police job and went to hong kong to free of everything. There he meets bibi coincidentally and a conversation happens that goes like this....Bibi: are you here to arrest me..?
Junmo: (takes out the cigarette and lights) i stopped working for police.
Bibi: although you betrayed everyone...i believe you.so why did u leave...i thought the department will give you promotion and you will be happy with your wife
Junmo: the job made me lose a lot of things and wife...haa i think i lost her when i started going undercover.
Bibi: so why did you come to me..?
Junmo: to say thank you and sorry...thank you for loving me even after knowing me...sorry for betraying you...
Bibi: so since you said what you want ...do you leave...
Junmo: i was planning to leave after see you live happily but even you have everything and being free ypu are not happy...why?
Bibi: you want to make me happy....then be with me. I am not a stupid person i know even after everything, you tried to protect me and jincheol. Will you continue to be my side and protect me...?
Junmo: if i want to leave will you let me go..?
Bibi: i would but i don't want to
Junmo:(smiling ) looks like i don't have any choice. Lets repent what we did and enjoy what we can.
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A good gangsters vs cops dramas in an old Hong Kong movie style.
This is typically the type of story you used to find in old Hong Kong crime movies with men and brothers fighting each other in a story of cops, crime syndicate, mafias, and undercover operations. It was usually very romanticized, violent, and dark and in the ends, the outcome left no one unhurt. This drama totally follows this path.1/ STORY
The story is rather simple. A cop accepts to do an undercover operation for a very personal reason. This leads him into a world of gangsters where bad guys also have their values and laws which make them not so bad and good guys are not always so good but have deviant behaviors and make questionable choices. He navigates in this and meets a local boss, and they develop an understanding and a friendly bond throughout time. The problem is that two women enters the scene, and they will make the two men question themselves, who they are and who and what they want and love. The result in the end is a terrible outcome for everyone.
2/ WHAT I LIKED
- The bonding between the two male leads and the bromance despite an uneasy personal situation in connection with the FL.
- The individual character development of the ML and of the SML. As I said, they are very romanticized but there is a clear beginning, a transition and an ending that is well told.
- The action and violence. I would have liked a little more of them.
- The ML and SFL. Their interplay was endearing. Cop guy and gangster girl trying to handle each other.
3 /WHAT I DID NOT LIKE
- The schemes were not so well made. I questioned some events that looked a little bit too simple or unrealistic.
- A little too much of "Who has the bigger balls". But I guess that's inevitable in a gangster's vs cops story.
- The last 3 eps were a bit underwhelming with some plot holes and far-fetched events that make them look rushed and inconsistent.
4/ CHARACTER - ACTORS
- Joo Mo: a simple and dutiful guy who becomes a gangster to bust a drug ring but he makes encounters that change him, his values and vision of thing and make him question his job. I liked the character and JCW was good portraying him.
- Ki Chul: simple guy with big dreams but a romantic who will question himself and try to change things for the best or the worst? Endearing despite his bad actions. WHJ was convincing too.
- Eui Jung: Some say she is useless in the drama. On the contrary. What she does or do not do triggers most of the tragic events. She is the main cause of everything. Im Se Mi. Second time I see here after True Beauty. Totally different. Good acting.
- Lee Hae Ryeon: the crazy and fun character who reveals herself not as hardened as expected. Superb job from the actress.
- Hwang Min Gu: The brute cop. Too much screen time for him and his antics. But his demise was fun.
Not a lot of noticeable characters beside these.
5/ OST: I enjoyed it bit nothing memorable.
6/ REWATCH VALUE: Probably rewatchable but a little too dark.
7/OVERALL
It is darker and sadder and more violent that expected. The schemes and counter schemes kind of drag the plot at times but overall, it is a good story. I would say the mafia and crime thing is not the most impressing or the most important. It is the personal situation and development of each of the main characters. From their point of view, it is a tragedy. A well told one. I totally recommend this drama. 9/10 . I do not give 10 because of the few telling flaws of the last eps but It is a good drama.
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JCW back with an action packed neo-noir series
The story, acting, cast, bgms, cinematography, action choreography were awesome. They delivered more than what I had expected. Would like to see JCW in action and romcom series more often.The story thread goes something like this: Set in Seoul in the 1990s, a former DJ starts selling a new powerful drug nicknamed "Gangnam Crystal" in city nightclubs after mastering a gangster organization. Since the police know little about the origin of such drugs, in order to crack down on this rampant drug trafficking organization, rural police officer Park Jun Mu is assigned to sneak into the organization, only to discover that his wife, Yoo Eui Jung , also a detective, has volunteered to participate in this dangerous mission and seems to have an unspeakable past with the heinous underground drug king. Park Jun Mu in this drug-related mission, not only does he wholeheartedly fight the drug cartel, but also works hard to protect his wife's safety at all times.
Well, overall this was a gem of a find
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“I gave up everything trying to protect you two.”
i went into this thinking it would be just another subpar drama. and not for a second did i think it would be one of the more prodigious ones i'll ever see. a lot of this i attribute to the the masterful way in which everything is shown rather than told, and the creator's ability to construct their own unique world. much like jean-pierre melville's delon trilogy or gilda, while maintaining a sense of realism, it operates within its own code, removed from the banalities of mundane, everyday life. a criminal underbelly isn't an appropriate term, either. it's more of an uncanny parallel world coexisting alongside our own, deftly concealed from its non-inhabitants.i love its unmistakable soul and stylistic edginess: chain-smoking, gaudy wardrobes, characters that leave an indelible impression without needing to utter any words, characters that remain sleepwalking straight into their doomed fate; the impersonal noir overtones that omit any sentimentality (which would've ultimately weakened the story's ability to incur true devastation in you).
as for the story, i've probably not been affected by the ending of a series this immensely since cowboy bebop, and that was like, 7 years ago. i dreaded the moment it would come to a close, and it was worse than what i envisioned. and aside from the director's deliberate decision to underdevelop eui-jeong for the sake of noir, as he stated in an interivew (and thereby, her relationships with each respective character), i found few issues with it.
i've seen people justifying what happened to gicheul, but i don't think many understand just how not-evil of a person he was. selling drugs, eye-for-an-eye killings, overthrowing your boss, favoring some over others — most of these things are depraved, and they make you a bad person, but they don't make you evil. not when you treat the innocent with respect, refrain from abusing others, show clemency and magnanimity to those you love in the face of treachery, and are willing to die for and give the world to someone who shows you a smidgen of care or loyalty. i think things like piracy and things that constitute genuine malevolence exist in two different realms entirely.
and maybe it's because i've seen the worst of evil, but what i can most definitely say is, it was not gichuel. not only that, but those on the side of the law surpassed his depravity. not just in the vile extent of their betrayal, but in terms of their principles, too. but they'll never know true peace, and for now, that is enough.
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Where the line between good and evil disappears
What made this series different for me was not its story, but rather what was happening beneath the surface of the narrative and within the characters. Joon Mo, as a good man and also as a good police officer, had seemingly correct beliefs that formed the foundation of his existence and life, and these beliefs drove Joon Mo towards striving to preserve and strengthen goodness and defeat and destroy evil. Now Joon Mo has been called to fight the "worst of evil." It is a fight that aligns with his ideals and validates and reinforces them. So he enters the Ki Chul gang. At first, everything he sees is nothing but ugliness and corruption, something that serves as confirmation of his hatred for Ki Chul and his people and the necessity of their destruction. At this moment, Ki Chul is exactly the devil to Joon Mo؛ Thus, his beliefs are reaffirmed and become stronger. Until his love get a foothold in this story, and this event is a prelude to a new chapter full of turmoil and confusion within Joon Mo's inner world. Initially, Ki Chul's connection with Joon Mo's wife frightens and angers Joon Mo, increasing his hatred towards Ki Chul. But on the other hand,Ki Chul's sincere and pure love for Joon Mo's wife reveals something about Ki Chul to Joon Mo. "Ki Chul also has heart." Gradually, this aspect of Ki Chul becomes more vivid and apparent to Joon Mo. He loves all his gang members like his own brothers, he is loyal to them and he does everything in his power for their happiness. He has photos of his gang members in his office, photos that resemble more family or friendly pictures depicting relationships filled with love and affection rather than a group photo of gang members. Ki Chul is trustworthy, and that's why he easily trusts others. He loves Joon Mo like a brother from the bottom of his heart, and Ki Chul doesn't just keep Joon Mo by his side for his own protection; Joon Mo's life is valuable to Ki Chul, and Ki Chul tries to keep Joon Mo away from danger even if keeping Joon Mo away from danger is dangerous for Ki Chul himself. Like Joon Mo, he too had a difficult childhood, but unlike Joon Mo, he didn't have a helping hand to pull him out of that quagmire. Ki Chul was like someone who had fallen into a dark, terrifying, and seemingly unsolvable maze for years and had been waiting for the smallest ray of light to show him the path to freedom.Joon Mo and his wife were that ray of light for Ki Chul, which gave Ki Chul the good news of liberation and gave new life to his hope. The hope that he, too, could be good, be loved, and experience a normal life filled with love, security, and peace of mind. Perhaps Ki Chul knew that this light wasn't real, but with all his being, he wanted to believe in this beautiful lie, so he denied anything that questioned its truth and correctness.During his mission, the closer Joon Mo got to Ki Chul, the clearer he saw the beauty within him. Hae Ryeon was also like Ki Chul, hiding a pure soul beneath a tainted exterior. The truth within Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon was what shook the rooted beliefs and ideals of Joon Mo. Should he act according to his own beliefs and destroy this group of demons, or should he accept the truth he has encountered and join forces with Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon? The truth that told him, the demons that you wished to destroy, have a more beautiful inside than the demonic angels around you. Joon Mo's inner self is filled with turmoil and conflict. He finds himself at a crossroad where every direction he looks, there is nothing but pain waiting for him. If he remains faithful to his beliefs, he must bury the truth he has discovered within himself and accept a lie that would result in the destruction of the angels who have been dressed as demons by the cruelties of life. But if he chooses to embrace the truth, nothing of Joon Mo will remain. This ideal within his being requires him to rebuild his existence from scratch and accept that everything he has believed and acted upon so far has been meaningless, purposeless, and wrong. Furthermore, he unknowingly initiated a game where victory and defeat come at the cost of life, and now that he has fallen to its depths, he cannot abandon it halfway or return to before its inception. Therefore, the only thing he can do is try to play the game in the most beautiful way possible. And that's exactly what he did.
He presented the most beautiful game of his life. He fulfilled his mission correctly, but at the same time, he removed Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon from the game and gave them an opportunity for a normal and better life (the very thing Ki Chul had wished for). However, Ki Chul made his last wrong decision.
Perhaps, as Joon Mo said, all the decisions Ki Chul had made until that moment were also wrong.
Kie Chul's comeback scene is Joon Mo's greatest moment of desperation. He understands that nothing can be set right anymore, and there is no correct decision. He must only seek the best decision. Ki Chul has turned back, and now the only things that await him are either death or a life where death is a wish. It is an eternal life in prison, where dying is the sentence of freedom. Ki Chul and Eui Jung are both devout Christians, and suicide, have a force of curse for them. Ki Chul wants to burn Eui Jung in the fire of his eternal curse by ending his life. A curse that not only consumes Eui Jung's world but also burns Ki Chul's afterlife. Joon Mo decides to shoulder the burden of guilt for Ki Chul and Eui Jung alone and free them from this eternal torment. In that moment, he chooses to protect them at the cost of losing his spouse and comrade. Now Eui Jung can blame Joon Mo instead of blaming herself for Ki Chul's death and she can hate Joon Mo instead of hating herself. What ultimately remains are deep and precious friendships. The friendship between Ki Chul and Eui Jung, symbolized by the bouquet of flowers accompanying the cross necklace on his grave, and the friendship between Ki Chul and Joon Mo, symbolized by a cigarette that was divided between Joon Mo and Ki Chul. Joon Mo's ring ultimately came off his finger, but his watch never came off his wrist.
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