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Maritza
Serbia
Alchemy of Souls: Part 2
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This sequel was not made with AOS fans in mind
Disclaimer:This review might get more personal than most of my reviews,but I`ll still try to keep it objective as much as I can.In thinking how I should begin reviewing such an anticipated sequel on my part,to a drama I gave my second 10/10 to,realisation dawned upon me.The perfect way I`d describe it is stunning...ly mediocre.But it`s not only that.Seeing how much enthusiasm and love I had for this universe Hong Sisters created,what this installment did for me instead,is not something I expected.It made me decide to turn my back on Hong Sisters.And it also led me to conclude this:Hong Sisters,in large measure,do not understand their own characters.So let`s talk about it.
First I`d like to thank every person involved with this drama,as I`m well aware of how tough it must be to create,write and produce a drama,even if it results in such a bland show.This is my way of giving respect to everyone.And it also serves as a good enough segue way into my thoughts going forward.
"So...what went wrong?" - that`s a perfect question I`d like to pose to the writers of this sequel.As I`m writing this,my mind swirls with any and every problem present in this drama.Yet,I`d firstly list off the positives(scarce as they might be) and then dive into the problems plaguing this meddling sequel.
To start,the cinematography is expectedly beautiful.Daeho looks as inviting as ever,and,in the hands of more ambitious writers,I`d love to see other stories being told with it serving as the background.I see so much potential within its walls.Another point goes to Crown Prince,who is absolutely,without a doubt,the only persistently unchanging (and funny) character in this story.His turtle and him are more engaging than everything else this has to offer.
Finally,the music is beautiful.Every OST is delicate,appropriate and at times fun.
There.Now let`s get into what grinds my gears with Alchemy of Souls and why Hong Sisters should really consider bringing in new talent,or brushing up on their writing skills.They probably won`t.A girl can dream,though.
I like to think of myself as an AOS fan.In fact,I loved how the first installment made me feel.It reminded me of older isekai animes like Inuyasha and Fushigi Yuugi,old childhood favorites.All of this wonder,possibility and chance for exploration.The characters were memorable,the leads witty and full of charisma, and villains camp,over the top,yet ruthless.We got a lot of information about Daeho,its inhabitants and alchemy of souls as such.The romance,while chaste and an undeniable subplot,was lovely,layered and interesting.I didn't even mind the ending as much as others did.Hell,even the love triangle was resolved quite maturely.
None of these attributes are present in Light and Shadow.Truth be told,I`m not sure where I should start.From some small details I`d be nitpicking(like how most characters generally have nothing to do) to more serious issues(like the unnecessary,cluttered mess the story ends up being due to unneeded justifications).Still,if I had to choose,nothing else perfectly encapsulates how inconsistent,flawed and underwhelming "Alchemy of Souls Season 2:Light and Shadow" is,quite like the relationship between its leads:Jang Uk and Naksu.I loved these two.I loved their story,chemistry and relationship.Naksu was a female lead we don`t often get in dramas:She was physically weak,yet mentally tough.A scheming assassin turned tutor who was willing to push her student to the brink,see him succeed and find herself.Where is she here?I was one of those people fervently defending and rooting for Go Yoon Jung as I knew her to be talented and her voice overs,as well as the first fight we meet her in,greatly depicted what she`s capable of.And then...they stripped every ounce of capability.Directed her in ways that make Song Hye Kyo`s acting seem expressive by comparison.I wouldn`t be exaggerating if I said I didn`t believe her struggles for a second.And then,while Lee Jae Wook`s character and his shift to a darker persona are believable,what isn`t is how quick and jarring the transition between strangers to long lost lovers occurs between our couple.Why?Because,putting aside everything else that happens with Naksu and her memory,knowing Jang Uk is realizing he`d never act the way he does in the first two episodes towards Bu Yeon.It is plot convenience,no doubts about it.In fact,their romance,brought to you by fate(that thing Hong Sisters love using when they can`t be bothered with a proper buildup) is as interesting and thrilling as watching paint dry.It is no longer the story OF TWO characters doing their best to prevail,it is a story of one overpowered individual feat his love who does something...sometimes.I deem Naksu a strong female character,even when she`s relegated to a role of a tutor to a spoiled brat.I don`t see this Naksu as strong.What sets them apart?Intent.No matter what you go through,if you`ve got a reason(Crown Prince shows that well),characters like Naksu set their mind in motion.What they don`t do is cling and wait on others.
And at what moment did I figure out where this drama was leading,you may ask?From the moment they decided to prolong Naksu`s memory loss and clumsily justify it once again.This decision undermined every,and I do mean every connection between her and other characters(not to mention using memory loss of all things,in a soul shifting show,is quite redundant,but whatever).
The alchemy,also.Where is it,bar last 2 episodes?Where`s the joie de vivre of our antagonist,Jin Mu?He`s barely in this,thanks to paper thin plot that feels more tacked on than your average Naruto filler episode.The biggest sin this sequel commits,is making me go from caring about all these people,to feeling indifferent to their death.What a feat to overcome.Characters that were once complex and rich,now read as flat and soulless.When it`s obvious the writers didn`t know what to do with them,they were unceremoniously killed off.
Just to clarify,I also think Season 1 has some plot conveniences and cracks.But it is nowhere as visible as it is here.
In conclusion,no amount of episodes,timing or changes in schedule can vindicate a sequel written with not much care or respect for your characters in mind.And while,of course,everyone can have their own taste (everyone`s different),the defiant side of me can`t help but scoff at this sequel`s success.I know it is petty,but seeing such an outcome in turn,tells Hong Sisters and the writing room that this is okay.You don`t have to try harder.We`re fine with this quality.
I love you Alchemy of Souls,but I see no light in this overwhelmingly muddy and dark sequel.You deserved better.
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Okay...I guess?
Okay, here`s the thing:This was just a mess from a writing standpoint and there`s no two ways around it.We don`t have to find something realistic in order to connect with it and find it interesting. However, in my case, it should be consistent and this drama`s execution is lacking, when compared to the synopsis. And it`s not due to the lack of trying. It just feels mechanic. The girl finds herself in an absurd new world, has trouble dealing with it, a handsome savior appears, they fall in love, chaos ensues. Nope, it's not another Disney movie, it`s a supposedly gritty and ill-fated romance of two people found on opposite sides. But I just couldn`t get into it.
First the acting. This is Hyun Bin`s best acting role to this date, easily. His character is also the most likeable, albeit seen before and the chemistry between his unit is great as well. Honestly, I would`ve been fine watching their perspective of this unfolding, it would make for an interesting change. Seo Dan`s story is also mad intriguing and deserves its own show. Son Ye-jin however... I don`t know. I`ve watched her in this and in Personal Taste and I guess her acting style is just not doing it for me. In that way she reminds me of Lee Min-ho, though I did like his newest project. Se-ri is just an unfinished character. It`s like the writers wanted her to be strong and bitchy, but also a damsel in distress so from the get go, we see her be cunning and calculated, but then at the same time, she makes stupid mistakes a character with her capacity shouldn't. And through it all, it just doesn`t feel believable to me and that does fall on acting. And people will probably judge hard but here it goes: I see no chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. None. Zilch. They effectively feel like a brother sister duo to me, if anything. Also, and I cannot go without mentioning this but: CLICHÉS!CLICHÉS LEFT AND RIGHT!YOU GET A CLICHÉ, YOU GET A CLICHÉ, EVERYONE GETS CLICHÉS!
I have a bone to pick with the way they used these clichés, rather than them being used at all. Again with the we`ve met before. Only this time we`ve met so many times, that it`s just crazy how we haven't recognised each other already. Again with someone being shot and almost dying. Only this time, it was done twice. Again with, OH LOOK WE`RE IN A BAD SITUATION. Should we solve it and think, as we`ve been established as smart characters?Nope, let`s kiss instead. Look, my main issue is that if you have such an impressive concept and such a cast on board with it, you better use it to your best advantage. And they haven`t really. If I was to interchange North Korea with any other severe world where individualism is not accepted, it wouldn`t make a difference basically. And that`s a problem. There was potential in this:That scene when the main leads had to separate finally made me feel something. But it came too late.
And then, THE COP OUT ENDING. Maybe I misunderstood something but this just may be one of the worst endings to a drama I have ever seen. If I`ve got my facts right, Ri Jung Hyuk was accepted as a pianist in Switzerland and his position was given to Pyo Chi-soo. Meaning that he can stay in Switzerland?And Se-ri, who now has no reason to hesitate decides to stay in Seoul instead of moving in with him and they settle on 2 week-are writers on opiates? What even?I can`t even hide how much I hate the ending and I don`t even like this drama a lot.
Anyway, sometimes you should trust the percentages and sometimes...just don`t.
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This isn`t the best JDRAMAS have to offer ¬ Though you`ll think that because of all the top lists
The purpose of my review basically boils down to the headline: This drama is in ALL the top lists recommending Japanese dramas to viewers- and they are utterly WRONG. And this mess shouldn`t be blamed on being an adaptation - That`s too much leeway. A Story To Read When You First Fall in Love, Love Lasts Forever and Hans Yori Dango are all dramas adapted from romance drama material. Only, these cases had caring writers who fixed what was wrong(if anything) and added to people wanting to see them. That`s why it`s called an ADAPTATION, not shot-for-shot(or panel-for-panel) remake. I`m well acquainted with the original mangaka of this drama and most of her work(because she has been working for a long time) is grounded in the popular points of the past, when readers weren`t really that concerned with how creepy even the whole premise is. Most of her male leads are exasperating, arrogant and on-the-nose willful, so I wasn`t surprised by that going into it.What I am surprised about, however, is, though I haven`t read the manga, I`m familiar with her stuff enough to know that the writers probably stuck to most of how things were in the manga. And if my hunch is right, let me ask:Why?Love Lasts Forever`s Kairi was, in the manga, very possessive, manipulative and overall overbearing. However, the drama`s version doesn`t even possess a fraction of those misgivings and that`s thanks to very talented writing team. So what happened here?A drama can retain the feelings of the manga without having to abide by every plot point and reason. In fact, if you see that the material you are supposed to ADAPT is too outdated for your audience, then fix those elements accordingly. I am really struggling with director`s vision here. Now, onto the acting, which was serviceable, but overshadowed by absolute godawful character building. I`ve seen this drama a few months ago and I just kept thinking, Why would these two end up together?Why is he such a nonce and a whole stalker?Why are we abandoning her wanting to be ambitious and forward thinking, to turn her into yet another female lead won over by constant following and borderline harassment?There is absolutely no connection or chemistry between the characters here. I finished this drama feeling both weirded out and worried for those who put this in their favorite Japanese dramas. Just...don`t.
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Drama in which money speaks - and characters answer
Living in a capitalist society while simultaneously juggling work,relationships,family(life in general) will inevitably lead to people changing or showing their true colors.Sooner of later.But it`s the way we,as humans, decide to paint with those true colors that determines how the actual painting will turn out.And with "Super Rich",it`s a jumbled,chaotic,overblown,but FUN - mess.I like to start off my reviews by saying a word of thanks to directors,writers,actors and anyone else involved in this drama,as I know how stressful and tough it can be to complete a project like this.However,unlike my other reviews,I`ll start this one off by listing the negatives first,as this seems like a better option for what I have in mind.
The actual construction of the plot is,well nonexistent.And for those reading this,I`d recommend you not hope for some strong,emotionally investing story in that sense.This drama is very much about motive and theme of MONEY.Debts,embezzlement,living conditions,takeovers...they are all linked to money.We follow how characters` relationships are torn and put together again because of it.Another point I`d like to make is,this drama isn`t void of clichés that show up in most dramas(stabbing,plot contrivances and convenience for lead and side characters alike).It is not original in regards to the plot or scenes shown.DON`T expect that from this drama.I`d caution you for repetitive plot devices as well.This drama is quite literally,a one trick pony.What I mean by this,contrary to popular belief,is that it repeats one conflict with different characters over and over again.In fact,if you`re not enamored with these characters,you won`t find many things to like,except for slivers of genius thoughts from time to time.
Another thing is the romance.It`s um,so lackluster.I`d even say it`d been better if they made both leads be married from the start and then flashback to their past.No serious damage would`ve been made and it`d have the same effect.So,this drama is not a satisfying romance,if you`re looking for that.I saw some people hold that fact against this drama,but while watching it,I`ve learnt to not regard this drama as a romantic contender,but rather as a collection of layers tied by money,romance being just one of those layers.
It`s also not particularly aesthetically pleasing,nor thought provoking.So why do I like it,despite all of this flaws?Well,the characters are a joy to watch.And whats more,the main character Mamoru, has become one of my favorites this year,if not ever.These are the aspects of this drama I immensely liked.
First off,the length.Coming here from a slew of convoluted KDramas that have to stretch their conflicts because of 16 episodes they are confined to,watching "Super Rich" was refreshing.It doesn`t overstay it`s welcome with 11 episodes of 45 minutes,something Japanese dramas seem to understand far better than Korean ones,even if the latter is starting to catch wind of this tactic.Despite drama suffering from some dip in quality in the last three episodes,as a fluffy piece of entertainment,it succeeds in everything that the makers wanted to achieve,I reckon.
Second off,most of these characters latched onto my heartstrings and refused to let go.Mamoru,Yuu,Miyamura,Kitabeppu,Shoji etc. I remember all of them and their philosophies to life.And that`s a real compliment to the writers of this show,as most drama characters in my mind coagulate and disappear quickly,leaving not even their name in my brain.This is not the case here.I`d especially like to single out Hyoga Mamoru,the female lead of this drama,as a highlight.She is AMAZING.
You know how,when you`re playing games or watching a horror movie,you wish for a character who thinks and voices his/her/their thoughts that are in line with yours?You know,rational in the moment of conflict?Well,in dramas,that for me is Mamoru.She just seems to have such appropriate reactions(most of the time) to what is happening around her.Not dramatic,not slow,not jumbled,just...right.When a brewing love triangle rears its ugly head,she cuts it down in less than five minutes of viewing time.When she`s proposed marriage to in a rush,her underwhelming response is exactly the one I`d make.Bit by bit,Mamoru made me fall for her.And I completely understood why others did as well.She`s delightfully knowledgeable,reliable,silently strong and adorably clueless all at once.And that`s without me mentioning her unconventionally attractive appearance and it being a net positive to her as a lead.I always say this:Even if Japanese dramas go through a rough patch more often than any other country,you can at least be comforted in the fact that you`ll always be able to see relatable looking characters within their dramas.This is what most others struggle with,as beauty standards are rigorous and play a big role in whether one will be chosen for a drama or not.And that`s not how dramas should be made.Mamoru is a great proof of that.Without her,this drama would fall in 6s for me,but with her,it transforms and gains credibility.I always want to see more of Mamoru and leads like her.Make introverted,yet easygoing and smart leads popular,drama viewers.Because they have a lot to offer.
And thirdly,the set design,way of filming and OST used for this drama are great.These aspects are competent in their goal and evoke feelings of unity and sense.They`re the method to the madness.I just personally adore the way Japanese dramas are filmed.Because they don`t have the highest of budgets,many would consider it dated,but in my eyes,the fluidity of characters` movements,the lighting...All of these add to the realism they tend to excel in accidentally.
In conclusion,"Super Rich" is a drama whose ingredients are less than compatible with today`s standards of drama viewing,but they manage to create something heartwarming,fluffy and fun to watch.I`m looking forward to more dramas like this and this one is immediate proof that you don`t have to have luxurious sets,blingy wardrobe,amazing camera work-as long as it`s got soul.After all,there are more important things than money.
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Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
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A fun way to pass the time, but DEFINITELY overrated
As someone whose scope of Korean dramas has been heavily broadened the past few months, I`ve learnt to categorize most in this helpful, albeit generalized way:Dramas that will make you feel something for years to come and dramas that serve a much shallower, yet more colorful purpose:to simply entertain you. Most, if not all dramas, fit into one of these two categories. It`s very seldom you`d find a drama that encompasses both sentiments, but I hoped "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo" would be that drama. Unfortunately, my expectations were half met. This drama certainly can be categorized and it falls in the category of pure sweet entertainment.As I like to preface all my reviews by saying that I`d first like to highlight positive sides of every drama, I`ll do the same here. I`m a firm believer of firstly giving praises to the cast, director, writer and everyone else involved because it is not easy to make a drama(this coming from a writer). So, what did I enjoy in "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo"?Well, first of all, the cinematography is clean and very competent. It`s bright and fits the overall mood of this drama excellently. The OST also does a great job of amplifying the vibe this drama is striving for. It`s fun, at times eclectic and it`s just on the cusp of being repetitive, but not quite. The characters of Bok Joo`s father and her friends are definitely the best for me when it comes to comedy. As most people can guess by my watchlist, I`m not big on slapstick or drama comedy in general, but there were a few moments I found genuinely funny and it was coming from the aforementioned bunch. And I also appreciated that they used actors of all body types, which I rarely see in Korean dramas(wish they had the same approach when it came to choosing our main character but alas).As for the chemistry between our leads-it`s free-flowing, mostly natural and clearly generated(meaning that the chemistry wasn`t underdeveloped nor forced, which I greatly appreciate). I did hear it was due to the fact that these actors were dating for a few months while filming this drama and it shows. Their moments of romance, though stereotypical, range from serviceable to your-cheeks-hurting cute. Joon hyung is a great male lead and I related to him the most throughout this drama. He`s charming, but emotionally intelligent enough to not be discarded as just another bland flirt. Their relationship reminds of those high school sweethearts links. Which is cute in isolation, however, my mind suddenly came to a conclusion that these people were supposed to be around my age. Thus shock settled.
Now we come to my gripes with this drama. And many come from the title character herself. Kim Bok Joo. And this is a weird one for me. The character of Bok Joo STARTED OFF as somewhat of a female version of Dongman(from "Fight My Way"). They are both impulsive, easily excitable and quick to fall deeply for someone. And then, along the way, she became this unidentifiable identity. And I`m convinced that this is due to some questionable writing we are presented with. While I can admit that she is not a typical female drama lead, to say that Bok Joo`s a good posterchild for breaking stereotypes of femininity and female form in dramas is an overstatement. While skimming through some of the comments previous reviewers left, I realized that even I semi-agree with them. And I say even, because I like to think I`m not extremely difficult in suspending belief if need be. But, um Lee Sung Kyung was not a good pick for this role, when it comes to the character herself(again, couple chemistry-GREAT). She simply does not look nor is she convincing as a responsible weightlifter who`s (extremely) immature for her age. And I get that casting plays a role in this, there aren`t a whole lot of muscular women(none well-known) who could play the main character. Even still, having her dress in oversized clothing to push the idea of someone who she`s clearly not really weirded me out. And that`s even before diving into her actual character, who`s so, so confusing. As an established responsible character with a hardworking family, it really rubbed me the wrong way how easily she settled for paying exorbitant amounts of money in order to just see her crush. But I chalked that one up to messy first love(I guess). But then she also hid her budding relationship with Yoon hyung for no actual reason. Like, it actually thematically makes no sense and it made me sad for Yoon hyung who was actually great in his pursuit. Finally, instead of empowering me and other women who do not fit the society`s and much less drama`s version of femininity, Bok Joo simply came off as a confused child, prancing around aimlessly. Another complaint I have, and is the main problem for me, is unfortunately the length of this drama and how much they decide to focus on the ex-girlfriend to fill this empty time frame. IT`S RIDICULOUS. Even I, who is all for character development, had enough because they weren`t presenting any new facts by episode 10-they were just reiterating what we already know. Again, this drama would`ve been much more enjoyable if it was a 10 or 12 episodes show, rather than 16. For the kind of story it presents and level of character development we do get, it`s too, too long. Not to mention they lose a bit of momentum with our main couple because they get together in episode 11. I`m all for slowburn romances but for the type of drama this wound up being, it`s too longwinded.
In the end, "Weightlifting Fairy Bok Joo" was a mess, but an enjoyable one. However, it definitely deserves a lesser spot, because the one it currently holds is kind of ridiculous. Would recommend for an easy watch, but not much beyond that.
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Not with a BANG,but with a...whimper?
...Is what many people seem to think of a much awaited Seo Yea Ji comeback drama "EVE".Not too out there to be considered a spiritual successor to "Penthouse",but not out there ENOUGH to be considered a credible revenge drama.Because those are...typically in good faith?To start off every review,I like to thank the writers,producers,cast and the staff for their effort on this project,as creating a drama is no joke.Now onto the review.
Truth be told,even I at times couldn`t figure out what this drama was going for.Thought it started off as a steamy revenge story,where sex is to La El(Seo Yea Ji)what fists were to Ji Woo in "My Name".And there were no issues to be found on my part because of that.In revenge,many options are fair game and I`ll say this for people who considered this drama to be `too sexual`:If violence is fine if it`s in the name of revenge,but sex isn`t,does that mean...sex is worse that violence?Anyway,had to get that off my chest,it was REALLY bothering me.
Now,as can be seen from my grade,I liked this drama a FAIR bit more than most folks on here.And for that I have to thank grimey Japanese dramas about revenge.Which "EVE" basically is,only it`s...well,Korean.Seriously,I had to check twice to make sure this wasn`t written by a middle aged Japanese man,who wanted to `tone it down` after "Kenja no Ai".And this might also be where most viewers have the issue of pinpointing this drama.It`s not a makjang,but it`s also not a SERIOUS drama full of fury.No,my friends,it isn`t.It`s your scandal JDrama,masquerading as a KDrama.And when I got that somewhere in Episode 2,I knew the opinions are going to be wild.And I also knew I was going to like it.And I did.For many reasons.Let`s start with positives.
First off,something this team did RIGHT off the bat is casting Seo Yea Ji as a femme fatale.That`s basically half of your work done right there.If anyone can be sensual,sexy enough to make me believe men would FIGHT over her,it`s Seo Yea Ji.And it`s not necessarily her looks either.For a femme fatale character,you have to know how to carry yourself,how to speak and when.You have to charm,but also bring fear into submission.And that`s something most drama actresses don`t know how to do.Whether it`s because being a femme fatale still seems like a scary undertaking or because most writers don`t dare approach such an idea for a character in a drama,I don`t know.But don`t be mistaken,this was Seo Yea Ji`s show through and through.Even I felt like she was touching my soul in earlier episodes.And if Mr.Kang was even important for that I`ll discuss later on.For all her controversies(which in this case seem to help this role quite a bit) and speculations that this was the only script she was offered,Seo Yea Ji as Lee La El can act.And I actually think she had fun with this role.They even had her speak in Spanish,which she does fluently(even better than me and I also can speak it on a fluent level).She`s mild when need be,going from cold to heartbreaking in a matter of seconds.There were so many of her micro expressions I`ve learnt to appreciate throughout the years.I love when I can tell what a character is feeling by only looking into their eyes.And yes,part of that is because I feel like Seo Yea Ji is too talented an actress to become expendable.Even her crazier scenes(very camp) I enjoyed because she brought layers to her performance.Which,many didn`t get that message,it seems...Even during some less interesting bits,if she was on my screen I was invested.And this also has something to do with writing and the symbolism of EVE bumbling under the surface.But it`s more fun to speculate,right?There were quite a few comments about how she(Seo Yea Ji) is far above this material,but after watching six of her projects,I have to ask:Is she?When an actress is wasted on a subpar project,I usually think of a lukewarm romcom or a drama where she can`t show her acting skills because it`d compromise her character.But here she does it all.And does it well,too.Seo Yea Ji never was one to pick an uninteresting doormat of a character.Even when she played a mostly passive character("Save Me"),she injected life and fight into them.
Another positive for me is how they decided to go about the demise of the big bad.In revenge dramas,the stand off is always a SPECTACLE,something to look forward to.But in a surprising twist of that good old Japanese drama realism,the way they meet their end is as insignificant as it would be,because time waits for no one.Revenge can be fulfilled,but YOU won`t be satisfied with it,at the end of the day.And I loved that message.I always prefer that bite of nihilism in my revenge media.Oh,and this drama?It`s FUN.It sticks in your mind.At least for me it did,and after a slew of generic `deep dramas` with a message you SURELY haven`t seen before done better,I like it for every side it has to show me.It`s not sluggish!In fact,I had so much fun with it,I didn`t care if the end was going to be happy,sad or ambiguous,because I was there for the ride.And it gave me everything I wanted.
Of course,it wouldn`t be me if I didn`t offer some negatives as well.These,however were mostly mentioned by previous reviewers already.The romance is probably the biggest con with this drama.It`s...there?Unlike many viewers,I can admit I have a soft spot for Park Byung-eun playing Mr.Kang,La El`s lover and a cold conglomerate.He`s not a risky actor,but what he does,he does okay and I`m glad he found his niche.There were some parts of this I didn`t expect them to go where they did with his character,and I applaud that.But as for the romance,I actually prefer these two leads on their own,because it`s much more fun to explore them individually.Mr.Kang honestly has more to him I wish was explored deeper and with some nuance.He`s already more than just a typical cheating husband pawn I expected to get.As for the romance itself,it served as a plot device for further development and nothing more.There were also some inconsistencies in both cinematography and some characters.These some people found glaring,for me they could be overlooked but they are there.The cinematography is at times great,but overall it`s dated in terms of Korean dramas.I still prefer it over pre 2014 KDrama cinematography.That was glaring if you ask me.There were some cringy moments and the ending was appropriate,albeit a bit abrupt.
But my biggest negative,which for most was a positive it seems,was Yoo Sun`s acting.She acted like she was in a makjang.Thing is,she was the only one.Where most baddies were at the "Save Me" level of theatrics(at times twisted,at times cartoony,but there were layers as well),she was that "Penthouse" level(didn`t see her in anything before this-Edit:I did see her in "Move to Heaven" but I don`t remember her in that at all; but I skimmed over her theater resume and yeah,I can see where she got it from) where she only had two modes:insane and even more insane.I did feel bad for her in some sense,but her overacting really threw me off for most of the runtime.I`d even argue it was her acting that made people think this was going to be that makjang,not the story perse.I buy she`s a spoiled brat and an unfeeling mother,but everything else besides that really falls on her not understanding that this...well,wasn`t "Penthouse".That being said,her scenes with Seo Yea Ji were my favorite,because it was as if she got the hint that she should take a chill pill and give in a more compelling performance.But even that fits in my theory that this is,in fact,a revenge JDrama in disguise.Even there,it`s always that one person that goes over the top.
Finally,whether this project was SYJ`s pity party or not,I liked it a lot.It was cruel,nonsensical at times,sexy,somewhat different yet somewhat familiar,and it was just the type of drama I was missing.I`m well aware this is the kind of drama only a specific niche of watchers would truly appreciate,but I am one of them.And this was an insane journey,"EVE".
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Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi
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AN AFTERSCHOOL SPECIAL
Let me start off this review by saying that I`m a HUGE fan of teacher/student relationships and all the tropes that follow. Yes I`m aware that sounded quite weird, but what I mean is like how some are attracted to sparkly vampires and others are attracted to shallow sadists, I am hugely attracted to relationships with big age gaps, since their clichés are usually still somewhat bearable and the problems that arise in such a relationship are interesting to discuss. Now, I`m NOT condoning grooming, manipulations nor other machinations of ill taste. But there is something special about these kind of stories.I`ve seen this drama three times now and I love it, for all the fluff and innocence it holds. Kyoko Fukada is a GREAT choice for this role, not only for her grand talent, as after this drama I took a look at some of her catalogue and was pleasantly surprised by the versatility I found, which I didn`t expect, but also for novelties she injects in her character. I love her as a clueless, innocent cram school teacher Junko, who reached her early thirties without ever experiencing love and believe it or not, especially in Japan, her case is pretty common, in regards to romantic experience. She still lives with her parents, and her mother is genuinely overbearing because her child couldn`t`ve fulfilled her dreams of being accepted to Todai and thus somehow, helping her mother become more accepted. It is an antiquated way of thinking which still plagues many cultures, so that is also relatable, even to me and I`m barely hitting my early twenties. Yes, she`s airheaded, bordering on completely clueless and that`s exactly why this couple is plausible. Yuri-Yuri( I love that nickname) is effectively more emotionally mature and he`s the one who largely pursues their relationship. My second favorite is Yamashita, an old childhood flame, who has grown up to become a reformed delinquent teacher and is admittedly, mostly my type. This may be an unpopular opinion, but as much as I enjoy Masashi`s character, waiting for 20 years on something you haven`t even questioned is such a dumb thing to do as an adult and the pairing of Junko and Masashi would quite literally be the most frustrating dynamic to watch, ever. They are equally as confusing, so that would be awful. As much as this drama is sweet, cheesy, simple, it is also heartwarming, hopeful and fresh, in a way. Typically, most student/teacher relationships are dramatic, dower and for the lack of a better word, heavy to stomach. So, in that way, this drama IS original.
Also, I like the heavy juxtaposition between Miwa and Junko, if anything, just to drive the point home of how not in control Junko`s life is. Like Miwa said in the first episode:"At least I married. I married someone whom I loved. And then I got divorced."I would`ve been so mad if Miwa didn`t get her happy ending. Also, chemistry between Junko and Yuri is top-notch. It is seriously overflowing. Ryusei Yokohama did such a good job with this role that now I can`t see his other dramas(yes, it`s a personal problem, it happens sometimes). He`s also a juxtaposition to both Masashi and Yamashita. He is much more decisive and emotionally intelligent than Masashi, but is also more innocent and childish than Yamashita and is the best option for Junko(on an unrelated note, can I just have everything Junko is wearing in this drama?It`s all stunning). Their relationship develops naturally, without rush and/or immediate sexual gratification. Which brings me to my issue with the drama. I wish we saw more skinship from both of them. I understand this was done because Yuri was still underage and it`s icky, but I just can`t believe that a hormonal 18-year old can control himself that much, it`s funny. At least some caresses or kisses would`ve been fine.
Also, this drama IS still a romcom and is not exempt from clichés, but here it doesn`t bother me.
So, if you are looking for an excellent Japanese drama, this is the one as 2019. and 2020. have proven to be amazing years for Japanese dramas altogether.
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A great drama - except when it self-sabotages
"The Devil Judge" is a mind bending,law questioning spectacle everyone should experience at least once.Or the first half anyway.This 2021 drama presents dystopian corruption(because good things never die) and a small live court in the middle of this pandemonium.Led by one of the most charismatic characters I`ve seen in a drama recently,Judge Kang Yo Han.If you know about Geum Ja from "Hyena", Yo Han would be the male version of her.And despite these refined elements,why then,am I not giving this drama a higher grade?Well,let`s talk about it.LIKES
First,in all of my reviews I like to name the good things about a drama as I firmly believe it is hard to create,write,direct and edit a drama.Or any form of media for that matter.With that being said,this drama started off with a bang.The minute our main character(Yo Han is the main character GODDAMN IT)drives past the slums bathed in red,on his way to witness his inauguration,so to speak,really intrigued me from the getgo. Ji Sung is an amazing actor(save for a few seconds of overacting in final episode) and he managed to breathe life into this mammoth of pride,arrogance and hidden motivations clouded by elegant masculine fragrance. Yo Han never disappointed me and his goals,though not the most noble,had a consistent and understandable quality and thought process behind them.Honestly,I loved the way he maneuvered each hearing and what they did with his character,as what he stands for is not lost on me(after all,they weren`t THE most subtle about it). The way this drama was shot is also very commendable and at times even artistic,despite questionable CGI.Some set pieces and numerous instances made me feel for every resident in the slums the rich were using(and most of you will know about the scene I`m talking about).
The concept of a live court is intriguing in it of itself and the process of voting lending itself to the conversation of what democracy is in its purest form is also amazingly put together.The idea of Politicisation of a virus is a novel one as well,and takes guts to talk about,especially in this social climate. Not only that,but we actually got worthy antagonists ranging from the foundation to psychotic,yet charming Jung Sun Ah. Some`d say they took an absurdist route,but me,living where I live,could totally believe people in power would be as despicable as the ones we`re presented with in this drama.And that`s the fact of the matter.If you`ve lived or are living in corrupt society,you understand and agree with most,if not all Yo Han`s notions,because you know how bad it can get. When looking at it only shallowly,many would deem his decisions as extreme and rather on the nose.When in fact,Yo Han deserved more respect and reverence from people around him for being an absolute saint by withstanding their nonsense. But the pillar of necessary evil he embodies would,in reality,be necessary. They had it all.The writing was solid,the production adequate,the acting was ranging from good to masterful and then...the makers of this drama shot themselves in the foot.Because they introduced GA ON.The crux of an otherwise epic drama.
DISLIKES
To those who follow me, me dedicating a whole paragraph to one of the most annoying good guy characters I`ve seen in recent times should come as no surprise.I was very vocal about it. Kim Ga On should`ve NEVER been the main character of this drama.What`s more,his progression and story arcs are the most glaringly repetitive and that makes me even less forgiving.Unlike many,who,while admitting that Ga On is extremely dislikeable,still had the ability to overlook him and laud this drama,I can`t do that because,well,I`ve spent almost fifteen hours with this character.And when push comes to shove and there was a tinge of a chance he`ll die,I didn`t care.And that`s BAD.Kim Ga On being the central character of this drama pushes my gears in more ways than one. Not only was he inconsistently written(much like his love interest),but he was also the least interesting character to follow.Where Yo Han had to face himself,his beliefs and loner traits,Sun Ah had to deal with her wretched love and greed,Judge Oh with choosing between corruption and speaking out,Ga On`s story arc would seemingly complete...and then start all over again.His bias against Yo Han would subside and flare up and this would repeat and grow,like a sore on your back. THERE`S NO RESOLUTION. The first time it happened,I was on board,the second I was cautiously curious...but the third just made me hate this character. In fact,when I think back on it,Ga On could easily be perceived as an antagonist had they just changed how to interpret his actions. His holier than thou attitude being rewarded and fishing for emotional reaction made me cringe. His dilemma was uninteresting and frankly speaking,disrespectful to Yo Han who received him into his home,nursed him to health,showed him what precious law he wanted to abide by really amounted to and just who was responsible for the horrific end of his parents. Yo Han was more than patient with him and deserved a better sidekick. Maybe not even that,as I think that this drama would be a solid 9 without Ga On in it. Or if he had just been a minor character. But with his backstory, it`s almost impossible to see where all this faith in the broken justice system comes from with him. It`s insulting,from a writer`s standpoint. And I really wish they reconsidered his influence and inclusion in this drama. I have no problem in particular with the actor(though he didn`t have a lot to go off) nor the chemistry between Yo Han and Ga On, but he simply wasn`t deserving of this role. Point blank period.
Other than his character,the drama suffers a bit from pacing issues,and I think they could`ve done away with tens of minutes per episode. But I always think that. Finally I wish they worked on the story frame for the way characters act towards Yo Han,as this man deserves all the best and I`m walking away from this drama with the conviction that he`s become one of my favorite male drama characters.
In the end, "The Devil Judge" had a winning formula which they couldn`t complete just yet.But for what it`s worth it`s still a formidable entry in the world of law dramas. And if for nothing else,I`d watch it for Kang Yo Han.
#KangYoHanSupremacy
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Beyond Expectations
To start off this review with anything other than honesty would be a disservice to this drama - at first,I had no intentions of watching "Beyond Evil",despite being a huge fan of mysteries and true crime.But that all changed with the few shots of the first episode.Again,I like to begin this review by listing the positives first,as I strongly believe it takes a lot to write,direct and film any drama,whether good or bad.That goes for movies,shows and almost every form of media.It`s hard.But,with that being said,I finished this drama feeling bittersweet,since I was saying goodbye to characters I really connected with and cared for.
What this drama does right,off the bat,is setting the atmosphere and mood reminiscent of old noir fiction,right down to our main characters and their characteristics.Paying homage almost,to one of my favorite faucets of crime fiction with morally ambiguous protagonists is a huge plus in my books.Even by the end of this drama,it was cemented in my mind that all characters meant to be on the good side,still DID one or more questionable things.Simultaneously all characters meant to be on the wrong side still DID one or more positive things.Because humans are like that.So what happens when we are faced with the consequences of our own actions?
True highlights of this show are Shin Ha-kyun as Dong Sik and Lee Gyu-Hoe as Kang Jin-Mook.They just are.As much as I was a big fan of excellent bromance between Dong Sik and Han Ju Won(played by seasoned actor Yeo Jin-Goo),there were a handful of times when the latter wasn`t as convincing as I wanted him to be,so that`s the only reason why I`m not naming BOTH principal actors as creams of the crop.That said,all actors across the board did an amazing job.Still,these two are my favorites.I was amazed at the fact that I could tell by his smile when Dong Sik was truly jubilant and when he was playing a part,despite it being the same smile in almost every way visually. It was a rush and a pleasure getting to watch such an outstanding performance.Even the way his character was written kept me on my toes and it`s so seldom I see character`s motivations displayed without any holes or contradictions in drama world. I can`t shower him with praises enough and can`t wait to see what else he does in the future.On the other hand,Kang Jin-Mook was slimy,underhanded,calculated and the complete opposite,yet he kept me invested.And that`s something,considering I knew about the twist before starting this drama.And that`s another fact:I absolutely LOVED how this case had layers to it and how it wasn`t just one person carrying the brunt of the whole act.Because in that sense,it`s so much more realistic.Not everything about this show works in terms of crime building,but this does to almost every extent. And I also liked all employees of Munju Police Station,especially Oh Ji-Hwa and Nam Sang-Bae.I actually shed a few tears during his death,but I was,in the same way,pleased with how everyone chose to honor his legacy.Through clever character placement and world building,it wasn`t hard seeing how and why all these characters cared about each other,despite their poor decision making.It was a complete,yet broken family whose members might all have something against each other,but when push comes to shove,they`re there to defend their own.And it was beautiful. Not to be forgotten,Heo Sung-Tae`s acting in this(as flamboyant and short fused Lee Chang-Jin)was exceptional and I was genuinely pleased they didn`t kill him off.Man`s clumsy,but he really won me over.
I liked the uncertainty of pinpointing character`s motivations.It was fun trying to put all these pieces together,along with our `heroes`.The OST was a masterpiece in its own right and,as I`m listening to it,not only is it different,but I note influences from shows like "Jessica Jones" and "Daredevil" weirdly enough.And I love every second of it.It`s understatedly powerful and poignant in more ways than one.
Set designs also range from good to amazing,with managing to evoke that silently dangerous charm of villages and counties.I hadn`t seen anyone commenting on it so I had to mention it regardless.
And now we have to get a bit nitpicky.And mention the shortcomings of this drama,which aren`t plenty,but are a bit more glaring when they`re placed against all these positives.And now,I fancy myself as John Wolfe of dramas(if you don`t know about him,check out his YT channel,he`s great)in that we both have to catch some inconsistencies and/or issues,even when no one else clocks them.And in this case,it`s the final few stages of case building,coupled with some smaller plot holes or deus ex machinas,if you will.I have to admit,I really wasn`t a fan of what ended up happening to Dong Sik`s sister in the end.And I was vocal about it whilst watching the show.It was just a very roundabout and clumsy way of including everyone(namely Han Ju Won`s father) in this crime scene.It was cluttered and considering the rest of this awesome drama, lackluster.It should`ve been sat on more in the writing room.Basically,the victim stumbled across a killing after a small fight with her boyfriend(Dong Sik`s best friend),had her fingers chopped off,in Jin-Mook`s signature style,managed to escape,only to be hit once and then again,after Chang-Jin couldn`t be bothered to be a real gangster and do his job.After this,she was snatched away by Jin-Mook and shoved in the wall of Dong Sik`s house.That last part was done great and the realization of your dead sister being near you all these years was also top-notch.Anything related to Jin-Mook`s part of the case I had no issue with.But they were really pushing it with involving everyone else in this one instance.Not only that,but they managed to create a big plot hole in the process.Yung-Je mentioned that he hit a deer and we are shown a shot of him hitting the victim while she was standing up.This is from his perspective,mind you.He later states that he hit her while she was laying down,which was the way they managed to crack the case.However,this understanding then negates all Yung-Je`s deer drawings as he was reminded of deers whilst looking into her eyes before hitting her.Another thing I wasn`t really a fan of is how Chang-Jin was called to the scene to clean it up TWICE,where he was just walking to and back from the road...it was a mess,that whole creative decision.Another character I wasn`t really sold on in terms of criminal acts tied to this case was Ju Won`s father.I didn`t really care about him outside the relationship with his son.And this is a small nitpick but,since the whole case swept up police stations basically,we see not one case outside of it.I can understand for Munju,as it`s a small substation and not much happens.But outside of it,I`m not so sure.
Overall,"Beyond Evil" is a gem in its genre,and even outside of it.Despite some bumps in the road(no pun intended) it`s by far the best crime drama I`ve seen so far.And I`m so glad I was given the opportunity to experience it in full. I`d recommend it to anyone except hardcore romance watchers(if they have such expectations going in). It`s a drama that deserves more hype and deserves every bit of praise and mention coming its way.
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It's Okay to Not Be Okay
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A REALISTIC FAIRYTALE
Yes, my review title might seem like an oxymoron, but it is the best way in which I can describe this drama. I didn’t know what to expect, since I quite literally stumbled across it after watching a slew of subpar ‘drama classics’. The title intrigued me and I thought: “Alright, this may just be a complete waste of my time or one of the best decisions I have ever made.” And I’m so glad that it’s the latter.First of all, I adore the format in which this drama is presented to us. Each episode is named after a fairytale of some sort and more often than not it mirrors what the episode is about. It’s stunningly shot to boot. The first meeting of Gang Tae and Mun Yeong, under those cherry blossoms straight up reminds me of a Disney movie. But don’t be fooled.
This drama is teetering on that beautiful line between realism and surrealism, by tastefully presenting and discussing themes surrounding mental health in a surrounding and with characters who still make you feel like you’re a part of their world. Our troublesome trio Gang Tae, Mun Yeong and Sang Tae form a bond that is seldom seen in dramas. A familial bond made through similar pain, understanding and experiences, since they are all outcasts in their own way.
I don’t have enough praise for the acting. Genuinely, these actors deserve global popularity and recognition for their work here. The way they work off of each other is beautiful to see. Oh Jun-se really blew me away with this role. He’s a really talented actor and I hope to see him in awesome projects like this one! Seo Ye-ji and Kim Soo-hyun don’t fall behind either. They are a bomb together, in the best possible way. I’ve seen that Ye-ji is quite self conscious about her voice but I love it, and her. It takes a lot of talent to play a role so different from your personality so convincingly.
This drama is a really dark, twisted delight and I could relate to Mun Yeong more than I’d like to admit. In fact, there was one scene with her father that seemed like it was outright pulled from my life.
The soundtrack is also beautifully haunting and appropriate. Now for the cons, of which I only really have two. A big one would be the character of Mun Yeong’s mother and the way she was handled. I would’ve preferred if she wasn’t even shown fully or if they wanted to show her then it would seem highly appropriate to have Mun Yeong deal with her primarily, instead of having Gang Tae be that resolving link. It was a nonsensical decision in writing which has, so far shown to be exceptional. It is a clunky blip in an otherwise tight storybook. I would’ve also liked to see character development for other characters.
Alas, it is still an amazing body of work and has my GLOWING recommendation. We absolutely need more dramas like this.
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Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru
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How to do a family heartwarming drama RIGHT
In recent months,it hasn`t escaped my attention that many dramas are cashing in on "nostalgic setting and simple relationships" in order to raise viewership as we comfortably sit in our homey cages.And the world around us all but collapses,with one bad situation happening after another in a frenzied sequence.Thus,it is not too farfetched to call dramas dealing with issues "Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru" presents a welcome change of pace.And what a welcoming change it is!This drama is so...simple.But not in the mundane repetition repackaged every few weeks for massive consumption simple."Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoki Mieru" is simple in its earnestness to showcase and shed light on important topics while presenting interesting characters with their own issues and dilemmas outside of the primary storytelling perspective.Simply put,this drama throws us in the shoes of four different families inhabiting the conjoined living facility "Puzzeal".And those are:Igarashi family(made up of a husband Daiki and wife Nana,whose infertility issues and subsequent treatment are threatening to put a neverending damper on their healthy marriage),Komiyama family(made up of incessant wife Miyuki,mousey yet good hearted husband Shinichiro and their two daughters Yuka and Moeka,with the former wanting to decide her own future and wishing for a freedom she could do that with),Kawamura family(made up of lovers Chihiro and Ryouji,and a new,welcomed(?) addition,Ryouji`s son Ryota) and Hirose family(made up of lovers Wataru(n) and Saku,the only gay relationship in this drama).
With such a peculiar set of characters,one would think at least some parts of the free flowing storyline would suffer.And while I do have minor complaints(as I often do) this is a group character study I was invested in from start to finish.As previously promised,I will not be diving into spoilers regarding the actual story,but I will touch on these precious relationships that have painted a huge picture for me to delightfully dissect and gawk at.First off,our main protagonists(if we can call them that) Nana and Daiki are an amazingly healthy couple,in terms of their interactions,all things considered.For the most part,they communicate very well,whether outwardly or in non communicational ways,feeding a certain dose of realism to their little family.They have to go through a lot and be ready to learn and educate themselves about things they seldom thought about before.And this experience is not only educational for them,it is very much educational for us,the viewers,as well.With each new obstacle becoming grander and harder to tackle,we also manage to learn something new about this clumsy,but well-meaning couple.So we root for them to suceed.And mostly,I love their story.And while I`m in no way spoiling the conclusion to their fight,I`ll say it`s heartwarming in a realistic way.It`s beautiful and it feels just right. I had no problems relating to their struggles,even when I haven`t experienced them myself.They are both their own people,with wishes and goals separate from their relationship,but a sense of togetherness never fails to follow them through every twist and turn they face.
On the other hand,as a complete opposite to our lovely pair,Komiyama family just feels and looks like a nuclear family gone wrong without adapting to current times.It is flawed,ugly and superficial in the worst of ways.And yet,it is a family that could exist somewhere right as we speak.Miyuki and Shinichiro are a weird mismatch of propriety and hidden ambition that just isn`t working and I`ve got most of my bones to pick with their storyline and how it concluded,but I`ll still say they`re incredibly compelling.Every messy decision they make directly affects their two adorable daughters,who each have their own ideas and goals and for that,the writers are to comended.I didn`t feel like either of the daughters felt like mere plot devices to move the story along(nudge nudge "Hometown Cha Cha Cha").At times,they were even more mature than their parents and that can be perceived as rather realistic as well.We do have this inane perception of kids being utterly hopeless and childish,but children can,if there`s a chance presented,be wiser than most adults I`ve met.To sum it up,Komiyama family is the detonator to most issues that follow this small commune.But they still somehow didn`t get on my nerves as much as they should have(except for Miyuki,she can eat grass).
Kawamura family is perhaps the most modern take on an actual family in this drama,since it`s made up of an engaged couple Chihiro and Ryouji,who have both decided against having kids,as metropolitans who`d simply rather enjoy each other`s company.And at first,this arrangement worked.But then Ryouji`s tucked away son Ryouta appears and this attractive pair are suddenly faced with a huge change in their lifestyle.And while Maryjun Takahashi is probably the least equipped,acting wise,I did sympathize a lot with her character Chihiro,as someone who also lacks that motherly instict so many women supposedly ought to have.Despite this though,due to her past,she is in my eyes,ironically best equipped to parent Ryouta,something she realizes rather late as well.It`s a beautiful secondary plotline I found very satisfying and fun to witness,especially when it comes to Ryouta`s and Chihiro`s bickering.
And finally,we come to the most progressive couple(who are again ironically,quite traditional in their approach to love)Aoki Saku and Wataru Hirose,the Hirose family. Their relationship is most likely,very controversial for their loved ones(for whatever reason,equality for all) which is very much depicted by the older partner Wataru,being ashamed of his sexuality and how it might affect other people`s perception of him.As a successful architect,coming from a good family and as a good looking man,Wataru`s grapple with whom he actually loves creates a great deal of rift between him and his adorable,bubbly younger partner Saku,an orphaned young adult who,unlike Wataru,is very conscious of his sexuality and proud of it,while still being aware of the issues it might create for Wataru.Even though he is younger,Saku is incidentally more mature and understanding than perhaps any character in this drama.And after the main couple Hirose household turned out to be my favorite as well,and their romance is quite sweet and unassuming.
After so many accolades and praises,I do have a few minor inconveniences when it comes to this drama and those are mainly regarding the way they decided to present changes of heart of some characters and the lack of variety when it comes to music.As some might know already I`m a huge fan of JDramas understated cinematography,so I had no issues in that matter.
Finally,this drama`s way of posing questions leading to discussions regarding infertility,acceptance,LGBTQ+ rights,the idea of a healthy family,prejudices etc.while still being light and amazingly easy to relate to,made it one of my favorites when you simply want to watch people deal with life in a rather realistic way and a fun approach.It feels very universal and I`d recommend it to most friends.Let`s all open our hearts a little bit more today,everyone!
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I`m not a mother,but I feel suffocated
This drama has changed some viewpoints I thought were snuggly cemented in my brain. It made sure to skillfully poke,pry and lay groundwork for each and every misconception I might`ve garnered in my 24 years of existence when it comes to psychosis,parenting and mothers` roles in today`s society.And it never let up,giving me room to breathe and think.It`s an amazing work of art.To be completely frank,even 36 hours after finishing this mind changing programme,I still do not know where I stand on questions it poses regarding relationships,dependence and children in general.But,I always say this whenever someone asks me why Japanese dramas don`t garner as much success as Korean dramas:For every ten great Korean dramas,there is one metamorphic Japanese drama whose premise cannot be replicated or bettered.This is that one Japanese drama.I cannot,for the life of me,think of one other country who`d try and nail this plotline.It made me feel sad,angry,stressed out,disgusted,hopeful and wary of human condition.There were no monsters in this title and yet I had the most adverse reaction to those whom I`m supposed to feel closest to.Humans.What's more interesting,I myself started remembering incidents from my childhood which could be seen as eerily similar,especially when it comes to my father.Thus,that feeling of captivity within your own home amplified with each passing second.
Not only has it nailed the atmosphere,the acting was just as appropriately uncanny and slimy,when need be.Sometimes I didn`t agree with Risako,most times I`ve recognized the gaslighting patterns of her husband and,due to extremely clever editing,sympathized with other mothers,recognizing their agony along the way.This does not mean my views were broken down when it comes to crime and punishment,however,they were adjusted in order to accept the story I was presented with.
As usual,whenever I start listing off the positives,I always like to thank the producers,the writers and overall staff whose help led to us being able to watch and discuss this drama.And I am especially thankful that they were able to make something like this.Because for some,this means the world and beyond.Aside from adroit mood,acting and plot I`ve mentioned,throughout this drama,there is a slim thread of realistic understanding of different mental ailments such as overbearing coddling and helicopter parents,to small aggressions that permeate with each new generation.That is the face of patriarchal society some would like to keep and this drama questions that validity as well.In a system where frail minds are pitted against those who eat at them,is it that much of a surprise when psychotic behavior appears?It does not outwardly offers a viable answer,but it`s important enough that it asks.It sheds light on a topic few are brave enough to mention.THIS is courageous and risky,but in my opinion,it pays off.And boy,does it shed light on the reasons leading to unimaginable tragedies. As a person with next to no experience in the field this show tackles,I feel more informed than if I was to opt for a more desensitised form of learning.When it comes to this,at least.
Finally,the name itself "Saka no Tochu no Ie" - which translates to "A House on the Slope" is a perfect amalgamation for the scope of trials each of these characters have to face.And it`s a great,picturesque title to go along with the themes this drama presents.The reason why I decided against including spoilers in my review(when otherwise I`d done that) is rather simple.Because this drama is an experience.While I don`t think knowing the full story would in any way spoil your fun,or demystify the intrigue it unanimously holds.I would still go into this drama as blindly as I can,because it deserves it.It truly does.
A tough,masterful watch that`ll keep your mind occupied for days is how I would simply describe this drama to literally anyone.So go watch it MINDFULLY,take breaks if you need to and I`m also sure you would learn something about yourself you haven`t before.
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An alluring account of a lonely mind which keeps you engaged
"Some truths can ruin a life in a single moment."Whenever I would pop on this website in search of a drama to watch, "Flower of Evil"kept jumping out at me, carefully luring in my interest until one day I gave in and decided to watch it for myself. To see to which degree the hype around this show is justified. And, for the most part, it is earned. But then there are some decisions I can`t help but question.
For starters, most of the characters in this drama, I like. They are acted with ardent precision(most of the time) and keep you engaged since they`re far from one-dimensional. Lee Joon-Gi gave an incredibly convincing and layered performance and I`m glad I managed to see him at the top of his game, considering that this is my first experience with his acting. In that sense, I`ll be sure to check out some of his other projects. The way he presents his character of Hee Sung/Hyun Su(which I noticed have the same initials, whether that was done intentionally or not, it`s an interesting titbit for sure) is both intriguing and clear enough for me to figure out his worries and thoughts through the way he looks at other characters, through some facial cues(like his cheeks shaking just slightly) and these are for me signs of a quality actor. It also helps that he was dealt a character who`s both rather atypical and compelling. Hyun Su`s story, for me, is one of caution tales that are always told but never minded. Being raised by a psychopath and cold blooded murderer Do Min Seok(whose potrayal is also a big favorite of mine, wish they included him more, because he is, without a doubt, the most menacing presence of the drama), shunned by his community upon losing most of his family and even regarded as the second coming of his dad are all just the start of his troubles. Constantly being accused of doing something he hasn`t done, having so many near death experiences etc. it`s a miracle he only came out of all that with antisocial disorder. Throughout this drama, I understood him and cheered him on because I cared greatly for him and his family as a whole. Though I do think at times, writers were unnecessarily cruel with other characters` reactions towards him, namely Moo Jin and Ji Won. When it comes to his turbulent relationship with Ji Won, I was also invested. I felt like both of them were at times making decisions too volatile for what they`ve been through, but they created a solid foundation and believable feelings for one another for me to get over that. Ji Won is optimistic, ambitious, uncompromising in her beliefs but still mentally strong to handle the ordeal presented to her upon facing her husband and his troubled past. On the other hand, she can be cruel, cunning and blind to answers right in front of her eyes. As I said, most of these characters are wonderfully layered and are the backbone of this drama. Another thing to be commended is the cinematography. The shots of this drama can be quite creative in certain moments, when even I went:"Oh, that`s neat!"I even applaud the writing of this drama for some nuanced details, like how Jung Mi-sook`s body was never found, only for her to be alive. There are some fun things and surprises to be found within the writing of this drama.
The atmosphere is done well, for both the alleviating and menacing moments. For the most part, this drama is acted, written, shot and presented well and I`ve come to really appreciate everything it has to offer.
However.
Around the 10th episode mark, up to which point everything flowed remarkably well, the mystery was unfolding, our characters were facing conflicts too striking to miss. Then we hit a wall, which was removed in the 14th episode. For those three episodes I was both uncomfortably confused and started to disengage. With the reveal of the accomplice(which I commented about on my feed), the mystery aspect of this drama became quite predictable. And it all comes down to the way they decided to present the character of Hee Sung. Our actual main villain, Hee Sung, was someone I was both unsure and wary of due to my extensive knowledge of dormant characters who appear for a brief period of time, only to reappear and take center stage in mystery novels and shows. Agatha Christie did this a lot. In fact it was done to such a degree it became incredibly predictable, so I was really hoping it wouldn`t happen here too, as this drama was too refreshing for such a trope. But it happened. And then it was followed by MEMORY LOSS. And just like that, the voice in my head became that of Michael Scott`s famous NO!NO!GOD PLEASE NO!NOOO!
My stance on the villain of this show is this:I wished they picked the sensible motivation over sensationalism. While Kim Ji-hoon did a fine job with the role he was given, he would at times come off as genuinely threatening, but other times it crossed into this comedic territory where I thought how I`ve seen this many times before. Honestly, I did wish his father was the accomplice. To some it might`ve been predictable, but honestly, a villain with true motivations is far less predictable then an incorporated lunatic whose only job was to be a villain. Not only would such a role fit with his father`s temperament, but the clues we were given would fit in a lot more with his profile. Most importantly, at least in my case, I felt like his father could really be a somber presence and a nice juxtaposition to his wife and Do Min Seok too. Again, I don`t mind the villain we got, but I wish there was more to him and that he was incorporated into the story with more conviction. That part was done really clumsily. There were also some convenient coincidences, but others have already expanded upon the idea, so I won`t go into it too, but they were CONVENIENT. Finally, the last episode happened and it was...something. Whilst the way they went into the whole memory loss shenanigan was admittedly more original that most, and with some purpose, it was still MEMORY LOSS in an otherwise quite original drama. And I hated that, can`t mask my feelings. It was weird, nonsensical and I wondered if we REALLY needed to end on this note. I`m glad mostly everyone got their happy ending, though. I cared about these characters and wanted their lives to finally change for the better.
In conclusion, there were some things I really loved about this drama and there were some things I really didn`t care for. But, it is a drama I`ll remember from time to time and smile to myself, because it still managed to stand out from the rest.
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If you`re the right audience - You`ll love this
I honestly don`t know why I like this drama so much, I couldn`t give you a definite answer. It is chock-full of tropes, easily solvable misunderstandings, cringy situations...AND YET. I like it a lot. Did I cringe at times, hoping that a scene will end fast?Sure. Did I huff at the "lover from the past appearing again to mess everything up" trope?YUP. As I`ve rated, the story is the weakest link here. It`s nonsensical at times, characters` motivations don`t line up with what they`re supposed to be and it is amateurish at times. Cuts can be abrupt, some scenes are left out, so we don't get the context of what happened, since it was left behind the scene. Be it my damn fascination with older women, younger men trope or something else, this is a good drama. And out of the three that I have watched starring Park Seo-joon(This one, "What`s Wrong with Secretary Kim?" and "Fight My Way")this one is my favorite. He`s great as the dependable, charitable and sweet Yoon Dong Ha and has the best chemistry with Uhm Jung-Hwa, who`s great in this role, when she`s consistent. I do see some cracks in her acting which at times, made it hard for me to buy it as convincing, but these moments were scarce and far apart. The acting of others was serviceable. I was also surprised by the number of certified musical classics used, especially in fishcake bar scenes, which doesn`t happen often, I think.My one main flaw with this drama is the writing, but not even for how cliché it is, but for how the scenes were written. Sometimes, they don`t flow subsequently, as they should. In fact, Ji-Yeon`s ex boyfriend is the biggest victim of this mistake and his character suffers in a way that could`ve been avoided and I even thought of how. Instead of having a tearjerking reason for why he couldn`t make it to the wedding, it would be more interesting and thematically satisfying to either:have him make up that story and be discovered, or not even make it up and have Ji-Yeon create a revenge plan in which she would leave him at the altar this time and even ruin his reputation with her article. And the second option is that thematically satisfying one. Why?Well, in the second episode of the drama, Yi-Jeon says, multiple times:"You shouldn`t have your blood pressure go up because of idiots?But if you get the chance, you should get a revenge on them."And also, both her and her ex-boyfriend always talked about him taking pictures and her writing the articles, so having her ruin him with her article would be a nice ending and a closing chapter for her. It`s still cliché but it works in the context of her character. In the meantime, she falls in love with Dong Ha, who would also feel betrayed after giving the man an okay. I wish the writers sat on it more, instead of opting for such a farfetched explanation.
Now, like I`ve mentioned before, the chemistry between the leads in this drama is great.It is the best for Seo-yoon especially. It is not as overacted as in "Fight My Way" and nor is it as stereotypical as in "What`s Wrong with Secretary Kim?". There`s a certain overlap between the actors that seems subtle and weirdly appropriate, despite their age difference. And though not spectacular, I do have to give points to the writers on one thing they did for Ji-Yeon:making her a fun, ambitious and confident older woman. In almost all dramas that use this trope, the woman is either shy, self-conscious or elegant and mature, but never openly sexy. And they chose the right actress for that, I`m so glad to see a curvaceous female lead(by Asian standards- don`t get it twisted, everyone is beautiful, but it`s just nice to see) who`s lively and though they screw with her character at times, I never felt that she became weak or defenseless, just in a shitty situation. That is not to say that the whole ex-boyfriend thing doesn`t bother me and the way she reacted is so wrong for what she stands for, but I still like her because of the charisma the actress brings. It is also nice how Dong Ha has a reason for being so giving, not only has he lost his first love at such a young age, but is also connected to an orphanage, which is why he knew how to mellow down Ji-Yeon. Episodes with these two(especially episode 15)are great, and they really have a positive effect on me, I totally see them as a couple. So, even though this drama had all the ingredients to make me drop it immediately, it actually managed to entice me enough to give it this score.
It must be witchcraft.
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A story that could`ve been so much more
This premise, coupled with such AMAZING actors with topnotch chemistry, had such strong potential, so why do I then, feel like it didn`t live up to it? What I`ve noticed throughout these couple of months watching Korean dramas, is that if there`s something wrong with it, the problem lies either in the lack of chemistry between the actors(which obviously isn`t the case here) or in the writing. And unfortunately, I have to say, for me, the latter is true, most notably in the last 7 to 8 episodes. And it goes to show, again, that some ratings are just not to be trusted here.Good parts of this drama are GREAT. Both actors do their job exceptionally well, as they are veterans in their field and have such good banter and feeling between them, that I`m shocked, given the popularity of this drama, that they didn`t act together again. I especially appreciate the character of Joo Joong-won, portrayed masterfully by our oppa So Ji-sub. It is the type of character we`ve seen before, however, he still feels original and that "Get lost" gesture will forever be ICONIC. They`ve really put a lot of thought into this character and the way he develops. That, sadly, isn`t the case for all the characters, and I`m especially referring to Tae Gong-shil. I`m not going to lie:As much as I understood the motivation behind clinging so hard to Joong-won, and this got better as the show went on, and as much as I ADORE Gong Hyo-jin(she`s my absolute favorite Korean actress of all time), it is obvious that her character is underwritten. Badly. This is where, if you watched this show as one of your firsts, you`ll think, yes, but that`s fine she`s still a good character(good old denial, I`ve been there many, many times). She is on the cusp of being actually interesting and gripping main character, again, thanks to Hyo-jin, because if this character was done by anyone else, she would`ve gotten on my NERVES. I wish we`d gotten more on her background, the way her powers developed and even on the three years she spent as a ghost, rather than just glossing over it all as if it wasn`t a major part of the main plotline. I`m still salty about that. And, the worst of all, I`m so salty about the writers of this show becoming lazy, especially with the last few episodes. AMNESIA trope, really??Are you kidding me?If anyone asked me what trope I wished would disappear off of the face of the Earth, it wouldn`t even be rich guy, poor girl or even bad boy, good girl, it would be this. AMNESIA trope every time. I understood right away that we`ll be seeing either Gong-shil or Joong-won as ghosts at some point, it would only be appropriate, but not in this way.
Why?It was so unnecessary and shoehorned in. Also, while I don`t hate the ending as much as others did, I do have to admit that it leaves something to be desired. I do like that she can still see ghosts and has learned to accept it, as it was a big part of her character. Still, you should give this drama a watch, if for nothing else, then for the great chemistry and acting by both of the leads. I just wish they could`ve shone brighter than the Sun.
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