viking
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
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Promising, engaging and heartfelt. I can tell this kdrama is going to be perfect in every way.
I knew from the well-written synopsis and colourful poster, I was going to love this kdrama. As someone who is also on the spectrum and has siblings, and cousins, who have ASD, I've kind of always wanted to see myself and my family members reflected on the big screen. Extraordinary Attorney Woo has surpassed my expectations in the best way possible.Story:
The show focuses on themes such as law (in turn, judicial jargon) but does not restrict itself to the typical "criminal" aspect of the justice system as many shows do. Rather, we see a wide range of cases ranging from the extremely insightful uses of civil law and individual rights. Like many Western tv shows, Extraordinary Attorney Woo (EAO) has so far focused on 1 case per episode, while maintaining a perfect interpersonal relationship between the Main Character (Youngwoo) and her surroundings.
Youngwoo is amicably described in the first episode and sets out into the world. We are given a portion of her backstory that sufficiently contributes to her character and her personality as a whole. And as each episode progresses, her interactions with other characters also moves forward. The romantic interest(?) or at least, the first "friend" at Hanbada that Youngwoo makes, Joon Ho, is lovely, charming and patient. A perfect character to complement Youngwoo's troubles in socialising. This is hugely important because he even wants to apologise for misunderstandings and the discrimination that Youngwoo faces being autistic. Even minor characters receive character development and slowly change their perception positively. (However, there are a range of supporting characters that show different reactions to Youngwoo's behaviour. Some are indifferent, some make attempts to help, or ignore, and some are discriminatory. The wide range helps juxtapose how ostracised it can feel to be "different" and I think will strengthen the dynamics of the cast to stop it from being boring.)
The show deals with complicated and sensitive topics such as the harassment and discrimination that autistic people face every day, which I was so pleased to see. As ASD is a spectrum, everyone is different in their own way and EAO does this beautifully. There is also LGBTQIA+ representation, with a character from a case gaining psychological independence and coming out with her partner.
So far, EAO is bitingly comedic, dramatic and romantic all at once. Youngwoo's accidental humour comes from being blunt and straightforward, which warms our hearts. Interactions grow marginally romantic and always end with a smile on your face or laughter in your lungs. I am pleased that the show understands how to navigate comedy and romance well. It is truly captivating and you are never bored, not even for a second or two. However, after Episode 5 I will say that the show can also tackle serious topics beautifully as well, with ethical implications such as whether the law is the 'truth' or a 'weapon' to be used, being discussed, and how some people cannot move past Youngwoo's autism and see her for herself.
There is a 'side plot' brewing with small scenes at the end of each episode that allude to some sort of thrilling mystery set to unfold in the judicial world. I think this will likely give plot depth to some characters but I just hope it is executed well. Sometimes kdramas always feel the need to make things intense with thrill and mystery by the elongated episodes but EAO has been light-hearted yet hard-hitting when it needs to be. I think as the show progresses, it will be dealt with accordingly. So far, the first couple episodes have stolen my heart.
Acting:
I want to personally praise Park Eun Bin for the commitment to the role because so far she has done a remarkable job. As ASD is a spectrum I can't vouch for how accurate it is but I could see myself reflected in her mannerisms, as well as the small habits my sibling has like echolalia. No detail is overlooked and even the smallest actions are perfect, like Youngwoo fixing a chair to make it straight as she leaves a room even though she is not at the centre of the shot. It just blows my mind. Eun Bin has clearly practiced hard to make Youngwoo's character well-developed and not one-dimensional. She enhances the awkward expressions on others faces through the inability to look others in the eye, the staggered walking and the direct pace of Youngwoo's character as she goes about her life.
The chemistry between the characters is also off the charts. Kang Tae Oh has a small but kind smile that works perfectly in time with his lines and character. There is no strain or poorly worded lines at all. If anything, the show has some hard-hitting lines that truly resonate with you. A very compact and detailed script that gives a voice to all. It shows the true paradox of being in court, with who is the 'victim' and who is the perpetrator. Small actions are used to convey big thoughts consistently which make even the most minor of characters have some purpose and to not feel flat at all.
Many people with ASD tend to have a fixation or an enthusiastic love for a particular thing, person or place. Youngwoo's is whales. Eun Bin does this brilliantly with fast-paced, excited lines over whale facts and careful handling of Youngwoo's whale plushies and memorabilia. Now, this isn't ALWAYS a constant and I'm kind of glad for that because it now shows that Youngwoo must 'hold back' her personality and traits to conform to what others are saying, but knowing her and her amazing strengths, she'll fight back.
Other characters also appear well-developed and provide a range of supporting characters that can sufficiently make this drama interesting. Youngwoo's father discusses the hardships of raising an child with ASD, which I was happy about because it was sincere and showed how mentally draining being a caretaker can be. Most people are already stigmatised by autistic people and extend that disgust and discrimination to others who care for or interact with them.
Music:
Light-hearted, almost melodic. Often picks up the pace when Youngwoo has an epiphany. It plays on the up-beat and "moving forward" direction that Youngwoo's life leads. No song is out of place. Sometimes it is a little too loud for how soft it is meant to sound as background music but it generally follows a generic undertone.
Rewatch Value:
10/10. As you know, kdramas can be tediously long at times. However, due to the 1 case per episode nature of this show, as well as how the arcs are handled, EAO is a show you can rewatch whenever you want. It feels like a perfect pace and the nature of the main character Youngwoo means your attention is constantly grabbed.
Overall, I am so happy that this kdrama is doing so well so far. Thank you to the Director Yoo In Shuk for the visually pleasing, colourful and wonderful shots! The colour palette of the show being shades of blue like whales is also very unique and calming. It makes this kdrama one of those to binge in one sitting!
Hope this review helps :]
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Had high, promising expectations but a low and flat return.
Link: Eat, Love, Kill plays on the typical elements of thriller seen in most crime-focused dramas while attempting to maintain a balance between a slow, kindling romance and a hint of fantasy thrown into the mix. At first look, you might be drawn in by the expectations the show appears to set for itself through the witty synopsis that broadens the setting for the plot. However, this show fails to succeed in passing the bare minimum. Despite the thriller, supernatural and romantic setting, it falls frustratingly flat across 16 stagnated episodes.Story:
The story focuses on the small neighbourhood of Jiwa-dong, thus attempting to mimic the "small town" setting of the likes of Beyond Evil and Save Me, trying to make the audience heightened by the suspense of it all. It fails in this aspect, tremendously so. Many individuals in the neighbourhood are portrayed as suspicious, with half-explained actions and quickly cut scenes to add an illusion of "everyone is a suspect" but the reality is that since this is repeatedly done across 15 episodes ish, it becomes stagnant and no longer usable.
Our protagonists are essentially puppets being made to walk in the same circle for 16 episodes. Despite the emotional attachment of the plot (being about the ML's missing sister), it was far too simple to sustain 16 episodes, thus explaining why it was only by episode 15 that true tears and mess began to come out. It also explains why the show forced in scenes of minor characters to allude to a "bigger plot" when in reality, it created multiple character backstories at surface-level with no depth.
As this is a missing persons case, the lack of establishment over progress in the disappearance of the ML's sister becomes increasingly frustrating as each episode passes. It becomes layered, except rather than slowly adding more truths, the show only creates more mysteries. Attempts at melodrama, or at least sustaining the depth of the plot are irritating. There's far too many tears being carelessly thrown about in efforts to create meaningful scenes.
The show started off brilliantly strong but by Episode 4, the misunderstandings, the staleness and the lack of thrill, make what was honestly a good premise to be boring. Stunning how they managed that, honestly. There was a lot of promise given the fantasy element of feeling other people's emotions. (Which, by the way, feels like a flimsy attempt to stand out from other crime thrillers because it only adds to the chaos rather than solving it.)
As the plot goes around in circles, the show prolongs each arc through the main characters' irrational decisions. There is also the uncomfortable element of almost borderline incest because the ML is partly convinced the FL is his missing sister. I would also like to add that there are far too many plotholes in this show that go unsolved. Sure, you can often gloss over them (like that time they tried adding thrill in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon with that serial killer stuff) but this is the MAIN PLOT. In fact, it is the only coherent thing in this show trying to keep it's label of "cool crime thriller that makes you so scared and excited".
It is only by Episode 15 that there is any real development. Episodes 1 to 6 set up the characters, minor or major, and the background fairly well. Everything after that falls frustratingly flat. You start wishing for the scenes to go by faster because the silent pining, deliberate miscommunications from the brash decisions of the characters, and the dialogue-heavy scenes all become confusing to sit through. Especially as the bodies start piling up but there is a serious lack of action.
Acting:
It may be the script that was handed to them but the main characters' initial spark (thrusted on by a few lines of comedy and the usual random first meeting) quickly bleeds out because of how undeveloped they are. The ML's entire personality seems to be construed around his missing sister, who by the way, went missing when she was 10. Of course, they were twins, but it feels like the writers didn't want to absolve the ML of his misery until the FL could do it for him. The FL existed for him in the same way the ML did for her.
I actually really like the police officers at the station. I liked their characters butting heads and the dialogue at times had the right kind of comedy yet depth of romance to it. I actually liked these minor characters better than the stagnancy of the two main leads.
The ML's lines were often straight-faced and then toned with crying and a hint of sad music as he relays his tragic backstory yet again. This is a broad contrast with the slow, stupid but sweet FL, who is a clueless bunny that thinks the world works against her and is archetypally defined at surface-level. It becomes very clear that this dynamic exists just to juxtapose the two main characters and make them more refined only because of their romance.
It's a shame because both of these actors (ML and FL) are quite good. They were just handed difficult character to work with.
Music:
The opening song is probably my favourite. Here's the link if you would like to listen to it. https://open.spotify.com/track/6EQpKimgfteh1hQwMfzJKC?si=451789d4a752429c
I also liked this song! https://open.spotify.com/track/4u0K5KImU0CBtOCo5tIkQD?si=b60c4f590b914480
(It's a shame it's always the shows that fall flat that have the best OSTs.) Oh, and this song! https://open.spotify.com/track/33v2iMITLxjrkyZuJYYtJ1?si=88285e08a5ba4632
Rewatch Value:
0. Once you find out what happens in the end, sitting through 16 episodes has essentially become worthless. You've wasted your time. Especially when they don't give any valid explanation for the crux of the plot being dealt with in the end. They tried tying a cloth with a rope and forgot about the loose ends. You're left with a lot of holes and questions that will not be answered even if you try to watch the show again because they don't bother addressing it.
The first 4 episodes are very well done, cinematographically and storywise, given how it sets up the background of the setting and our protagonists, so you could try rewatching up to then.
Overall:
I'm disappointed to see this even in 2022. I think this show is a good example of how trying to play with different genres will get you a mixed reaction from your audiences, especially if the plot is unevenly weighted. It is also a lesson for writers to learn from in that the crime trope is being poorly overused nowadays. Take a page out of Save Me and Beyond Evil, or at least, if you want to do the romance right, look at the established relationship in The Killer's Shopping List.
Of course, everyone's opinions are different! I didn't go into this show with lots of expectations anyway, it was only because of how brilliant the first few episodes were that I thought it would be maintained. Hope this review helps! :)
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Disappointed but not surprised.
I'll keep it a buck fifty.Story:
One word - elongated. Every episode follows the same stretched-out circular arc that is "pro-police cool detectives showing how stressful it is to catch criminals with a hint of thrill". By episode 8, the crux of the plot, which primarily revolves around the Subway Killer and minorly the Grasshoppers, clearly becomes staggered. I understand how kdramas are unique for their handling of arcs through long episodes etc. but the way they handle is in a far more different manner. There is a lack of character development in all of the main protagonists that make this supposed "drama/thriller" almost bothersome to sit through, stale even. The female lead is deliberated construed as a reckless, sometimes emotional, careless "victim" (when she really isn't) that pushes forward a very troubling idea of how a policewoman conducts herself, but also the misogynistic narrative that a woman can only be annoying, loud and rude in important positions within the police to be taken seriously. This is shown the most with the FL and Ma Ri, the supposed minor antagonist of the show whose baseless one-dimensional personality exists to drive the main leads apart and create convenient delays in the plot.
What bothers me the most is just how FLAT everything is, but also how mindblowingly incompatible the FL and ML are. There is no character development. Romance? Pft. The only reason the plot moves at all is because of lucky breaks and the recklessness of the FL whose behaviour the ML has to take accountability for. The FL is supposedly meant for us to sympathise with her (despite her brash attitude that doesn't seem to learn a lesson or two across 10 episodes, even though she literally got people suspended and was moved around divisions), because of her autistic sister who disappeared.
Why does this show make the autistic sister out to be a villain? They unevenly balanced the dynamic of the sisters so much so that it became weighted towards the FL. Most crime/thriller kdramas create situations that push for more clues and breakthroughs, like The Killer's Shopping List or Beyond Evil but this show does literally none of them in the first eight episodes. It almost feels like they're trying to take the sympathy of being autistic and shove it into a spooky murdering mess. I couldn't force myself to sit through this anymore because:
1) As an autistic person, I don't think the way they did the last couple episodes with the autistic sister and the Subway Killer, was healthy in pushing forward a more informative discussion on ASD.
2) The FL did not appear to learn from her own actions. Some main protagonists can play this "messy but relatable" character well like Devi from Never Have I Ever but the FL here will very rarely evoke a laugh, in fact, the comedy in this show becomes very odd to squish in given it tries to mix "grave, dark mystery" with "haha, arrogant fl vs arrogant ml who wins".
Acting/Cast:
The acting was average. Some scenes really did evoke emotion, such as the crying scenes from either the ML and FL given their backstories, but given how little character development there was, it eventually became a circular stale bread of dialogue being repeated amongst one-dimensional cardboard cutouts. Minor characters only added to this.
Music:
I actually enjoyed the choice of music! The OST is honestly quite intriguing. If you need at least one thing to take away from this review, perhaps let it be this song: Highlight (https://open.spotify.com/track/0mo6CutiqCo2hWBxuyl7HH?si=fadb5b7229d641a5)
Rewatch Value:
Very little point in rewatching in my opinion. It ruins the very stagger suspense they tried building up but also because of how mind-boggling the ending is. Anyway, it wasn't my cup of tea, but like what people say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Hope this helps!
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Finally, an actually interesting thriller.
(No spoilers.)I was so excited to see the adaption of one of my favourite webtoons The Pyramid Game coming to the live screen, even more when it was announced with only 10 episodes. (No episode was filler. It was all just so brilliant and tightly woven.) And now, after finally completing it, I can confidently that this IS the thriller of 2024.
This drama actually captures the themes of social hierarchy and the bystander effect so well. It left me anxious, crying from joy and both shock, on the edge of my seat with how each episodes end, and deep in contemplation.
We are able to examine the other characters through the lens of the outsider/new student, aka our main character. Because of this, this show is able to do things that other "psychological dramas w high school students" can't.
We actually do have morally ambigious characters. We get to root for them. Pray for them. Watch them suffer. Watch others suffer. Watch the complex relationships unravel. And its all done so succinctly in 10 episodes.
The antagonist is a fresh face: one can argue her acting is a little stiff, but it's actually her microexpressions that deepen her character even further. She becomes the bane of the show, the bane of the main characters' existences. She's truly a 'villian' - her presence feels eerily untouchable, and that's because of how the drama cleverly portrays her to us, the audience, and to the main characters.
I think the acting and the choice of cast was also extremely clever. They felt so real and young, and thats what we NEEDED. They are teenagers - they are still learning, still maturing. They're going to be selfish, they're going to make stupid, impossible decisions.
I seriously reccommend this. Unlike the other dramas that try to capture this level of thriller and drama amongst high school students, this one creates a contained level of world-building that doesn't rely on typical misunderstandings or miscommunication tropes to prolong the suffering.
The only fault I can find with this is the difference between the webtoon and the drama in terms of the climax at Episode 9. The webtoon properly evaluates and expands on the world-building in a way that 10 episodes can't.
And yet, 10 episodes was enough to do it all. Definitely going to give this a rewatch.
--
Additionally, as this drama is set in an all-girls school, we can enjoy the complexities of girlhood and lesbian relationships without the interference of men and the male gaze. So happy omg :]
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Inspector Koo is another Sherlockian wannabe, but is that a bad thing?
Story:Inspector Koo follows a middle-aged reclusive woman with the typical Sherlockian characteristics as she, and her subordinates, follow the trail of a serial killer. The serial killer is made obvious and introduced from the start, creating a cat-and-mouse game that antagonises the audience for 12 episodes. Although there are several issues with this story, including how erratic some aspects of the plot felt, it was still relatively enjoyable. This kdrama is possibly the best definition of a dark comedy/thriller-comedy that I have seen, coming near to The Killer's Shopping List (which I feel is a better show).
I found most scenes to be visually intense or enjoyable, but the actual plot itself got seriously complex in the later episodes, enough so that it started to create more questions that need answering. This is the issue when the screenwriters try to write a plot that includes everyone or adds depth to character.
Inspector Koo, the main character of the show, has spent the last 5 years as a recluse due to her husband's suicide. However, I felt like more scenes with the husband (and Koo) in the past should have been included to give more access for the audience. There was a constant incomplete picture, which of course, added mystery, but I was no longer left questioning things and instead was forced to let it play out.
I will admit however that I am incredible pleased with the varied characterisation of the characters. Koo is not a police officer (although was one formerly) and instead works for a life insurance company. Although, this detail becomes lax in the later episodes when they decided to focus on the serial killer.
By Episode 10, I felt that the drama was going in a direction away from how it started. The show is brilliant in the first few episodes. There was a constant need to create tension, dramatics, comedy and a bit of mystery, fed on by introducing more and more characters but giving them too much control of the scenes.
Additionally, the biggest issue is the deduction of the crimes and plausibility. In comparison to other crime shows, Inspector Koo has an atmosphere of "knows it all but has no proof" which is incredible but also increasingly frustrating, especially given the reckless route Koo seeks to catch the serial killer, K.
And finally, K's aunt and K's backstory weren't handled as strongly as they could have been. I felt that there was a shift from the seriousness of K's behaviour to it being bizarre and interpersonally comedic. This drama could have been written better but it came off strongly plotwise due to outside factors like direction, production and visual fxs.
Acting/Cast:
I seriously enjoyed the cast they had here. It was female-dominated, and it almost felt refreshing to watch a drama without the male narrative.
Lee Young Ae captured the sloppiness of Koo to a T. The slurps after drinking, messy hair and dry skin. There was a very depiction of a reckless woman who is unable to take care of herself.
Kim Hye Joon is going places with her excitingly psychopathic depiction of K. In fact, the first few episodes are a cinematic masterpiece in terms of highlighting her character. There is one scene in Episode 2 where K goes clubbing but she dances on the club floor alone while people stay far away from her.
Santa's character was homely and hugely expressive due to his lack of words in the drama. Although, he still remains a mystery.
Music:
Holy Shit. The music for this show... it deserves some serious praise. 10/10
There are so many songs that fit the theme of the show as well as the intense, comedic or sad scenes that it plays over for. No song is out of place and are so melodic and appropriately fitted into the background that it doesn't stand out or eclipse the actor's words.
Rewatch Value:
Unlike other shows where the killer is revealed in the last show, Inspector Koo sets it out from the beginning who the serial killer is and makes notable comparisons between K and Koo. Therefore, the rewatch value of this show hasn't plummeted too much.
It's a visual masterpiece that almost moved me to tears with some scenes, and I would genuinely consider rewatching it in a few months time when I've forgotten most of the scenes etc. The characters and their dynamics in the show, particularly the cute nature of Santa, make it appealing.
Overall:
Inspector Koo is one of those shows that might appear messy to the outside eye, which in hindsight, it can be given the complexity of the plot in the later episodes. It works well to embody comedy and thriller together and creating a protagonist that you will not necessarily like but learn to tolerate.
A few issues with the show come from spoiler-ish details that feel like a shock factor trying to make the final episode more intense. I'll list them down below. Apart from that, I genuinely enjoyed this show as a fresh breath of air because it alternates from psychopathy to comedy fluidly. That and the OST which really helped me sit down and watch peacefully.
From a logical perspective, nothing in this show makes sense. From the fact that life insurance inspectors can investigate a serial killer to the fact that the serial killer is a college student who we have never seen in college nor have we seen work and yet she has an abundance of technical knowledge and finances.
If you enjoy a good ol' crime show but with a hint of comedy then watch this.
***SPOILERS***
- Director Yong locking up K made no sense apart from a flat storyline to conveniently keep K locked up while Koo and the others work.
- Santa's background reveal in the final episode didn't feel needed.
- There was still no explanation about what the black bat dolls are.
- Several of the details in the show point to a Season 2.
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Failed Potential.
I'm disappointed in this show. Really.
We had an excellent first episode setting up the Main Character (Lee Ro Um) and her backstory, as well as her apathetic view of the world in contrast to the hugely empathetic Han Moo Young.
Despite this, there was minimal "plot" and a very bland environment that stalled progress. Lee Ro Um's character had immense potential given the complexity of her past, but such trauma and desire to investigate the real killer of her estranged parents are not present. In fact, it's actually insane that they gave such depth to her character and proceeded to throw it away for the dullness of the scenes.
I understand that the point of the show is for them to work together to take down "bad guys." But the way that it was framed felt sloppy and a collision of personalities without any incentive for the audience to continue watching. Little humour. Little drama. It reminded me of the dynamic between the main characters of Catch the Ghost (without the comedy.)
Dialogue heavy dramas can work, but they require good script and visuals. This show had that in the first episode, but I can't say I was seeing it after that.
Hopefully I can pick it up again.
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Niche, cosy and heartfelt; this show is archetypal and not for everyone.
Today's Webtoon is a slice-of-life drama with a hint of comedy. This genre is a dime a dozen, but the drama sets itself apart from other office-oriented shows through the specificity of the content. It revolves around the nature of webtoons, which I think made me enjoy this show a lot more given how I read lots of webtoons and are therefore familiar with this content and environment. This doesn't mean that if you don't know what webtoons are you can't watch this drama—rather the show helps familiarise the setting well in the first episode. In fact, the visual FX for this drama is wonderful. It reminds me greatly of what made A Business Proposal loveable (because of the webtoon-esque drawings and visualisations of the characters).The first few episodes set up a cosy blend of drama and comedy. It's a considerable contrast to other shows of the same genre and creates a very real and watch-worthy atmosphere where we have a former judo champion struggling with office life. It doesn't appear that this show is well-known despite the release of roughly 8 episodes so far. However, I feel that after watching so far, it is enjoyable and definitely worth a watch. Admittedly, there isn't anything particularly outstanding given that this is a cliche lots of shows work with, but there are no flaws with it's execution so far. It's quaint and that is what makes it so lovable. We watch the dynamics of the characters shift with every new problem to solve and every interaction. It feels very fulfilling, especially given how it doesn't feel flat most of the time (a problem a lot of office dramas face because of the pressure to keep things "eventful".) A rare gem.
I would like to quickly preface that this drama differs from many others due to the lack of a progressive plot. If you enjoy sweet, slice of life shows that are generic, archetypal and don't make you question much, then you will like this. I explain this type of show later on.
Story:
The show's main character, the FL, maintains an amicable demeanour with a hint of depth to create a good impression on us—the audience. Her character is clearly not surface-level nor too "perfect". She's feisty, smiley and a superfan of webtoons, but also has a sports-focused background that has helped build her into the confident and hard-working person she is today. I wouldn't go as far to say she is rooted in complexes or appears dimensional, but if you enjoy a main character who you can cherish on screen and admire, rather than question their decisions—looking at Do Bong Soon from SWDBS and the leads of L:ELK—then this show is for you. Her growth on the show is the main focus and it truly encompasses her as a character.
As far as office dramas go, this is pretty on par. There's drama, comedy and a hint of a subplot that will probably erupt in later episodes once the smaller arcs are completed. I think it definitely stands out compared to the likes of pretty famous office dramas like What's Wrong With Secretary Kim—which mind you had a lot of questionable antics that parried into some surface-level cashgrabs.
There are two male leads who become at the forefront of the drama alongside the ML. I really both of them! Of course, like many love triangles, the two love rivals seems to have opposite energies. It's a little unclear, in my opinion, who is the main lead, but both appear to have developed comprehensibly different relationships with the FL which I think extend their characters beyond being a love interest (something that Extraordinary Attorney Woo didn't with the male lead).
This is one of those dramas where there's a complicated past etc. and a hint of sadness that is meant to considerably underwhelm positive situations and create a backdrop of sympathy. I think the show so far, is maintaining good balance between cycling through these different emotions and tropes, not weighting anything too far into one end. It is also, like one of those zero to hero sports comedies etc. I think the FL's past in judo is unconventional and not cheap. Though it is done to flesh out the character, it does feel a little tropey. The typical "injury recovery" etc.
What also needs to be taken into account if you are thinking of watching this is that romance is not the highlight, rather the central focus is on the FL's growth as a character which I admire entirely. There are lot of romantics scenes but it isn't construed in a way that makes it the focus of the story. I think Today's Webtoon is alleviating for the damage a lot of kdramas do by "fixing" the problem with love and misunderstandings that last several episodes. It seems to have romance as less of a focus but more of a side thing, not central or plotheavy.
Another thing to note is that this story does not follow a specific plot. It appears very much as "you get what you see". For those who enjoy dramas where there is a strong plot, you might not enjoy this as much. This is one of those dramas where you kind of just enjoy whatever is on the screen, even if there is no apparent progression.
Acting/Cast:
The success of A Business Proposal has spotlighted Kim Se Jeong's acting skills. As someone who has seen both dramas, I think she performs well in both despite playing different characters. Se Jeong plays the female lead and carries a range of facial expressions and emotions that make her character beyond surface level. She stifles laughs quaintly and excitedly punches the air. Her actions don't feel very stiff, but I wish the writers sustain the FL's character a little more beyond her actions.
Daniel Choi plays one of the male leads and I must say, it is a fresh breath of air to see a love interest that isn't young, arrogant and wishywashy. Too many times in office dramas do we see the position of seniority go to some traumatised, egotistical (perhaps even prosopagnosia-ridden—face blindness) CEO. Choi plays a charming but firm senior whose words clearly carry weight. He isn't afraid to lecture the FL and recognises the burdens of being in this working position. At other times, he has a certain charm that reminds me of the Extraordinary Attorney Woo male lead. I am pleased that they allowed him to be in glasses as well. It gives him a more mature and adult look. His acting has been on par with this, as his relationship with the FL is full of bants and wryness but also a fickle kind of silliness you might see in youth. When problems arise, the issue of seniority rises and he acts as someone who appears to care for the FL, who is a rookie and a little on the naïve side. This contrasting dynamic is used to push the two together.
The other male lead is Nam Yoon Su who I only know from Beyond Evil but most will know him for his main role in Extracurricular. Yoon Su's character is archetypal, as is Choi's and Se Jeong's, but it fills in our knowledge for us and gives us the setting generally rather than forcing us to pick up the pieces. Yoon Su has so far done this character well with the tired eye expressions after pulling an all-nighter, keeping his suit without creases and maintaining this almost posh attitude but balancing it well. You can sort of get a feel what kind of character he is a couple episodes in. The actor does a great job in creating this very fragile yet persevering and binary mindset that slowly crumbles, as well as having scenes of pent-up frustration that you can applaud for. When Yoon Su's character is going through a rough patch, you can clearly see it. The beads of sweat, the damp, disheveled hair and the disheartened expression. Truly captivating.
Minor characters are each given their own agendas and personality, fleshing them out depending on how long they are on screen for. Like the main characters, it's pretty archetypal but it doesn't fail to evoke our sympathy for them. Especially since some of the lines are rather hard-hitting and not flat at all.
Music:
One word—catchy. In the first episode, there's a song playing as Choi and Se Jeong flip a coin at a bus stop. It's melodic and fades well into the background, never overtaking the weight of the scene. They even have Weeekly play in the first episode! (Not a spoiler.) The music in this show depicts the attitude of the characters as well as slots into whatever the context of the scene playing out is. The OST playlist on Spotify is only 3 songs but the music reflects the quaint, soft and romantic setting. It's a slice of life drama, revolving around themes like business and self-reflection and the music shows this. It reminds me of the Too My Star OST. Here's my favourite song from the show! https://open.spotify.com/track/3YW9BZAvwIvXF6C7D3cN6r?si=10b914a012ab47a8
This song too! https://open.spotify.com/track/7nZyX7r9YsEXzFvGdHndYk?si=7c80c5fca0ba4e79
Rewatch Value:
Undecided. Generally, given the longevity of most korean dramas, very rarely is a rewatch on the table. I think this show so far sets up to be one of those shows you can probably rewatch every year without the hassle of remembering the fine details etc. It doesn't require a lot of brainpower and it imposes a beautiful trifecta of being heartwarming, developed and comedic.
Overall:
Visually, this show creates the same atmosphere as A Business Proposal did. I wouldn't go as far to say this show is mindblowing etc. since it seems very generic if you are well-versed with the genre, but it is admirably soft and enjoyable. It feels like the kind of drama that might make you smile on a bad day or scream giddily at the budding romance. Just like What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, this show is one of those where you don't have to fine pick the quality too much. It's enjoyable as it is. Most of the time, a show doesn't need to be perfect to be good. Today's Webtoon feels like one of those shows you can sit through without having to think about it too much, even if it falls flat in some areas.
If you're looking for a binge-worthy drama to give you the feels, the laughs and more, I think you'll like this!
Hope this review helps :)
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Hits the mark with Comedy and Romance but it just feels like there's something missing.
(No Spoilers.)Behind Your Touch plays on several elements seen in the likes of Strong Woman Do Bong Soon and Crash Course in Romance, wherein a relatively contained level of world-building fuels romance and comedy but also throws in a complicated hint of mystery and crime. However, it executes this plot much better than the other two dramas. So far, it appears to keep you on your toes, never giving too much away, but also creating an environment of bitingly comedic romance and more. I'm a bit worried about the stagnancy of the plot as comedy-mystery-type dramas often miss the mark when it comes to keeping a balance between fast pace and deliberate devices to stall the plot. I'm also... thrown off by the script and waiting for the slapstick character development.
Story:
The plot of this show revolves around a hilarious incident in which our protagonist, Ye-bun, is given the power of being able to see other people's memories by touching their... rear end. I know this is a plot device to create light-hearted, comedic situations but... Yes, a little perverted. Even weirder if the roles were switched around and it was a man gifted such a power. Which does put you off a bit at first as a brief ethical question that leaves room for criticism.
Our protagonist Ye-bun has an interesting set-up as a vet with a dotted past. She's young at heart, despite being in her mid-30s, and immature as well as innovative. Such a rowdy personality is balanced by the male lead Jang-yeol who is sharp, equally comedic given the occasion and is an outsider to the small town, desperate to return to Seoul for unknown reasons. The second male lead, Sun-woo, is presented as that handsome yet quiet outsider that Ye-bun hilariously drools over.
I'm reminded of The Killer's Shopping List in terms of the balance between having such comedic main characters at the forefront of a plot with silent crime lurking in the background. You'll be left howling at the hilarity of some of the situations, secretly loving the townspeople as no detail goes unnoticed with their developed personalities that are present enough to make an impression but not too strong to steal away from the main three characters. At the same time, there is plenty of seriousness to go around.
However... this is what it's been like for the past 5 episodes. I'm still waiting on the character development or at least just something. I don't really know but it just feels like something is missing from this drama to give it that one final push into being good?
Plot-wise, it's those typical procedural dramas with an extra plot brewing in the background. You'll be seeing a lot of new faces, and sometimes you'll have to move on to the next episode being a bit like "Wait, what's gonna happen to X? What happened to Y?" I think that's just because this show goes through characters so quickly.
Additionally, I did not like the side romance LMAO involving Ye-bun's aunt. I thought it was ridiculous and annoying. Sorry not sorry. The problem there was that they made her character so unlikeable in the beginning and a little bit irritating, and that the actual romance between her and the police captain is unnecessary (in my opinion) and felt like they wanted to beef up her character and the level of world-building in the small town. (You can skip these scenes, as I did. They're super short and feel like filler if anything.) They made her a "supporting character" but you honestly didn't need to make her life revolve around romance of all things.
I'm only halfway through the drama but so far I'm finding it fairly good. It's not overly amazing or anything, but it doesn't have to be, it only has to be watchable to be enjoyable in my opinion and I love the consistent humour and brewing love triangle. I will admit I got bored around Episode 6 but only because there was a much greater shift in tone from the "comedy" that felt like I was watching a completely different show. I'll give Episode 7 a try and see if it improves.
Acting:
I think everyone's acting is pretty on par with their characters. Suho, former EXO member, has had a few main lead roles here and there but you can tell he's fairly new in terms of creating an elusive character like Sun Woo, who is always with a smile and a quiet mind. Especially because his previous dramas haven't received that high ratings. His character is a complete contrast to the other male lead, which I think he does greatly with his mannerisms and pale expression. Han Ji Min plays Ye-bun with a smiley face and dramatic fashion. I think there were some scenes where I wasn't too sure about whether she had the "right" expression or not. But that might also be due to the comedy element of this show. She's energetic, whiny and a great character with a distinctness to her that separates her from the likes of other female characters.
As for Lee Min Ki, who plays Jang-yeol, he has an extremely tired face, but a definitive attractiveness and certain "arrogance" to his expression that helps capture Jang-yeol's personality in terms of his dynamic with Ye-bun.
Scriptwise, I understand they were working with what they were given. Imagine opening up the script to see you have to be fondling the rear end of your co-star. I'd be howling. Anyway yeah, sometimes the script felt like it wasn't for the same show. It just seemed to be flat at times but also nothing really... nuanced or hard-hitting. Sometimes you need a script that actually makes the scenes memorable, but because of how quick things go, it just feels like one thing after another.
Music:
I love the music in this drama! In fact, that's what got me hooked after the first episode really. The OST is modern and upbeat, which greatly emulates the youthful themes of the drama but also the correlation of the main leads' dynamic.
Here is the link to the playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Wx4aY3oPM6Z3CGH9u5IHL?si=ca6ee3e44c184347
Rewatch Value:
Possibly a 6/10. I imagine that once we have those big grand reveals towards the end of the drama in terms of who is good/bad, who is doing what etc. then the drama feels a bit obsolete if you know what has happened. However, this drama sustains itself because of how strongly developed the personalities are as well as the tons of things going on in each episode.
Usually, the showrunners think that having plenty of plot is what keeps the audience engaged, but they always compound it too quickly and make it hard to differentiate or process the events. Behind Your Touch manages to avoid this problem. As the scenes don't drag on for too long which makes you kinda forget stuff that has already happened.
Overall:
I'm not going to try and sell this drama as more than what it is. But it is really a funny yet interesting watch. I did get a bit... bored by Episode 6. Only because there was a shift in tone due to the plot. I don't think it's the best thing yet because the balance between comedy and thriller is a fine line that can't be dragged out and I'm a bit worried that this show might do that.
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