Tsulaa
Northern Virginia, U.S.A.
Other reviewers mentioned the lack of character development &/background stories, but I thought enough was done to make me care about them, or at least want to continue watching them. The actors were talented enough to carry the story without needing to rely heavily on history. Would I have liked to learn more about Ji Shin's (Woo Do Hwan's) backstory, & how he came to be the HOTTEST paragon of evil in Seoul? Absolutely, but I didn't feel the plot required it in order for me to feel satisfied. I think it's safe to assume he'd been through some s**t, tho.
Park Seo Joon's athleticism was a joy to watch. He did a great job overall. My only beef with his role was his insistence that he didn't believe in a god, which was addressed. As an atheist, myself, I can't really get pissed off at something in which I don't believe, & it was very clear Yong Hoo was furious! I mean, I get why they wrote his character like that. This was a Good v. Evil/God v. Devil movie, after all. At least they didn't resort to the "Well, He believes in YOU, Son" zinger.
Bottom line, I was thoroughly entertained!
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Aish! How do I persuade you to take that leap without littering this review with spoilers? I fear my eloquence will be lacking; however, as is demonstrated throughout this series, being at a disadvantage is no excuse for not attempting something worthwhile.
I very much enjoy stories with a strong, supernatural element, & this delivers, but I believe the story would have even worked without it. I'm not saying the supernatural stuff was a problem in this series. Not at all; however, it's just that the struggle of Good v. Evil, no matter in what one believes (or not), is a basic aspect of our reality as thinking, action-oriented beings. That "human-ness" was constructed in such a way that it carried everything else on it's back, & it was a strong foundation on which to build. It didn't stagger or become breathless under the story's weight.
The actors, too, rose to the challenge. My only real complaint (although it was mere irritation) was something with which I struggle in many a drama, & that is the unnecessary, exaggerated/extra, wacky, supporting character types so often inserted for comedic relief. When used appropriately, it can enhance the story. While this was intense enough to need those moments of relief, I believe a more sophisticated touch was called for. And it wasn't as if it would have been out of their reach since most of the characters were written SO well; lovingly, even! It was a bit of a shame they chose take those other, few, important characters in that direction. No fault to those, specific actors. They were "just drawn that way."
I came to care about the people in this story...the people in this world they created. Everybody. Even the unseen, imagined ones living throughout other parts of the planet. Did I get my wish of a prettily-packaged, happily ever after (for which we Westerners are often accused to have a penchant)? I know which way the scales are leaning for me, but is anything in life really that cut & dry? My real wish is that, I hope, if you've chosen to watch "Possessed" based on anything I've written, you can say the same thing for yourself at the end.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW: Maybe this series just wasn't my "cup of tea," so-to-speak. Maybe I was simply unable to bridge some kind of (pop?)cultural/mindset gap? Given the overall, very high rating, I think that I missed something really important (No, not a soul...Geez!).
Besides the intangibles, I just couldn't seem to give a hoot about two main characters: Di Li Re Ba (Li Huizhen), who's obtuseness I found highly irritating, & Sheng Yi Lun (Bai Haoyu), who was downright unlikable; the very opposite of what he was supposed to be!
The dubbed audio was clumsy & off-putting; like much of the dialog & performances, unfortunately. The main exceptions were Vin Zhang (Lin Yimu), Li Xi Rui (Xia Qiao), Wang Hi Nan (Zhu Ying), & Wang Xiao (Lin Hao). They delivered. So did the sets & scenery, now that I think about it.
The whole thing was kind of "meh." I should have paid more heed to my reaction to the summary, & left well enough alone. Disappointing!
UPDATE: Although my feelings about this particular series remain unchanged, I do feel the need to mention how my opinion regarding the audio quality has.
Recently, I was firmly -yet politely- schooled on some of the reasons why the audio is the way it is, & I'm embarrassed by my prior ignorance. I truly had no idea about the many different dialects commonly found throughout China, nor the challenges which often arise as a result. Simply learning the "why" has given me the ability to enjoy the many wonderful stories in a way I could not in the past.
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The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity
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Rolled a "Snake Eyes," & I'm not all that mad about it...
Full disclosure: I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with Chinese [Fantasy] movies & dramas. I've enjoyed them (the visuals are to my vision what "umami" is to taste), but it's always been in spite of something, such as distracting voice overs, incomprehensible (to me) spiritual references, blatant sexism, etc. Also, I admit that I'm a basic, [Western] b*tch who loves a happy ending, & I can't think of more than 1 or 2 C-dramas I've seen that have scratched that itch. I do believe our definitions of what one is differ considerably.This movie, while not absolutely perfect (I still have an itch I can't seem to scratch), has come more close than any other show of Chinese origin I've ever watched. I really, really loved it! The story was compelling & easy to follow, the audio was well done, the cast was all *mwuah!* ...chef's kiss! I cared about the characters rather quickly so the development was there, & the visuals! Ahhhhh! Amazing! I honestly didn't want it to end. Where is a 75 episode-long saga when you want one, eh???
If somebody asks me for a Chinese-based recommendation, I finally have an answer that doesn't come with disclaimers, & I'm pretty happy about it!
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If this was the director's intention, he hit the bullseye. It felt uncomfortable. I mean, that's okay & all, but it was like being thrown the bones without much meat left on them. I found myself wanting more of an opportunity to be immersed into the scenes & into the characters themselves. To linger a bit, & connect with something or somebody. From beginning to end, it was like watching complete strangers, & while the characters were compelling, there was no invitation to learn about them in any kind of depth. I didn't know them any better by the end of the movie than I did at the beginning, & it left me feeling unsatisfied. Again, that's okay, too...but I still wanted more.
I wouldn't say this is a "bad" movie at all, though. Oh, wait! I know what it reminds me of! An old, wooden roller coaster! You get jostled & thrown around, slammed, it's bumpy as Hell & LOUD! She's certainly not as pretty as the new, quicksilver coasters of today, but she has her charms. When the ride is over, you definitely feel like you've been through something.
The intensity, which comes swirling at you from every direction...the pacing, the story, the world, the characters (most certainly the main character, Oh Young/Lee Joon), combines & morphs into it's own entity. It doesn't think to ask for permission, & it does NOT like being ignored.
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Although I was really into this drama, due to the very difficult subject matter, as well as the many despicable characteristics of many of the main AND support roles , I feel I have to admit I found it somewhat exhausting.
At one point, I went to check which episode I was watching, thinking (hoping?) I was nearing the series' conclusion, only to discover I was still early into Ep. 15! I had that PLUS five more episodes to go! I wouldn't judge anybody watching this series if they decided they needed to take some breaks. There's a lot of serious, heavy stuff with which to contend!
There was a relentless, revolving door of issues such as physical & mental abuse, greed, devastation, suicide, oppression, corruption, jealousy, fear, class prejudice, shame...all orbiting around the immense pressures of the current, Korean education system.
In parallel with the problems of the aforementioned education system, you see much of the same happening to the adults both at work & in their personal lives.
After reading what I just wrote, even I find it hard to believe that I enjoyed this series, but I really did! I was invested early into the story, into the characters, & it continued for the duration.
I guess there were enough instances of more positive things such as compassion, patience, reason, humor, perseverance, justice, redemption, forgiveness, kindness, etc. to keep all of the negative aspects from drop kicking me "This. Is. Spartacus"-style into the abyss of "Humans freaking SUCK!"
I think this is an important series. It confronts important issues, & it well deserves being seen.
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I can't stress enough how, if you enjoy fight scenes, you can't go wrong with this series!
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I've watched A LOT of Kdramas in between now & five years ago when I first saw this film, & it remains my #1 favorite. Given the quality of Kdrama, in general, being at the top is a truly remarkable feat, indeed! This should be a "Definitely Watch!"
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Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
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Bottom line, I don't think one could go wrong watching this series! I bet you'll be hooked after a couple of episodes, at most!
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