courtney-june
United States
TRY YOUR BEST TO SLOWLY WITHDRAW FROM THE DARKEST IMPULSES OF YOUR HEART
I think if I were to touch upon every single thing that I loved about Strangers from Hell, I would be writing a novel instead of a review. I've actually seen this drama twice now because I started to re-watch it the day after I finished it. Actions sometimes speak louder than words, so let that sink in as I try to best express the amount of love I have for this show while also keeping it as brief and coherent as I can possibly can.For me, watching Strangers from Hell was the equivalent of picking away at a scab you might have on your knee or elbow. It is immensely satisfying to peel back the layers of skin, no matter how gross or painful it might be. Except, in this case, the scab was the human psyche, and there was no hesitation whatsoever when it came to ripping apart these layers. This show was dark. It was gory. It was terrifying, and it left an ache in my bones and a hollow feeling in my chest after I finished the very last episode. There were moments when the show seemed to be hinting at going into a certain direction, and I would often think to myself, 'This show is already dark enough, there's no way they're actually going to do that,' AND THEN THEY DID, so I would have to let out an audible gasp for how daring the showrunners were. I think for the last five or six episodes, I watched them with my hand cupped over my mouth while also keeping the lights on because of how scared I was while watching.
I think one of the things that really worked well in Strangers from Hell and that helped to make it so enjoyable were the two main leads, Yoon Jongwoo and Seo Moonjo, played by Im Siwan and Lee Dongwook respectively. The acting was spectacular; I don't think anyone else could have played these roles. Jongwoo was especially interesting to me in the sense that he was somewhat relatable. Not relatable in the sense that I'm slowly going crazy (hopefully), but relatable in the sense that adulthood is difficult, people are difficult, and work is difficult. I'd also like to point out that I am currently living in a university residential hall with a communal bathroom - on the third floor, no less! - and I wasn't even assigned a roommate for this semester so it can get quite lonely at times in my room. I think this greatly affected my own opinion when watching Strangers in Hell and why and I was able to relate to Jongwoo.
Also, the amount of gas-lighting that was present in the show was insane. Not only did we get to see it with Jongwoo and the residents of Eden, but we also get to see it with Jongwoo and his awful co-workers, Jongwoo and his girlfriend, his girlfriend and her own terrible co-workers, as well as with the female police officer, Seo Junghwa, as she dealt with the detectives. I think this show did a really great job representing what gas-lighting is and how that can affect the mental state of a person, as well as stressing the fact that it can come in many different forms. This was most evident in the character of Jongwoo. I've seen some people complain about how this could have been a movie because of the slow-pacing, but I believe that it was the pacing of the show that truly allows the audience to see the changes that Jongwoo was going through, and I don't think a movie would be enough time to explore and justify Jongwoo's actions. Personally, I did not find the pacing slow at all and I found every scene, from dialogue to action sequences, to be thrilling.
Then there is Seo Moonjo, the sexy dentist of my dreams. He was wonderfully creepy and strange; I couldn't help but be drawn to him. I would physically get chills all over my arms whenever he smiled. His relationship with Jongwoo was so interesting to watch unfold. I could probably write a whole essay on that aspect alone but I will resist. Just know that this character was extremely well-written and that he drove me crazy in the best way possible. The supporting cast, too, was amazing. The actors must have put in a lot of work in order to prepare themselves to play these characters, the absolute darkest representation of human nature.
Another thing I really liked was the music. It was so haunting and eerie. It really helped to establish the creepy atmosphere of the show.
The camera work here was also really interesting to me, It was kind of shaky at times, though that didn't really bother me. Sometimes there would be shots that I think were meant to give you the impression that what you were looking at was the point of view of someone physically watching the scenes that were unfolding on the screen while also remaining hidden, kind of like a stalker. That was a really nice touch that helped to keep me on the edge of my seat.
And oh my gosh, the ending? What was that? I don't know, but I loved every single second of it. I think it really helped drive in the point of how Jongwoo is essentially an unreliable narrator, and it's up to the viewer to decide how much they want to trust his side of the story. It's definitely an ending that keeps you thinking about it for days on end, and I found it even more satisfying during my second watch.
Overall, if you enjoy watching shows that are psychological and horrific in nature, then I would recommend Strangers from Hell with all of my heart. The grip this show still has over me even after I've finished is still holding strong, so I have a feeling that this story will stick with me for a very, very long time.
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A SIX HOUR FEVER DREAM
*shuts my laptop, stares up at the ceiling, takes a deep breath* Now, what did I just watch?This is probably a common question among those who have watched The School Nurse Files. What did I just watch? Or, what the hell just happened? And, what's up with the ducks? Quite frankly, I can't answer any of these, but I really do applaud The School Nurse Files for breaking away from the mold and raising these questions in the first place. (Also, about the ducks: I think it might be because the school was built over where a pond used to be, but that's just a guess.)
Needless to say, this is not the kind of drama you should watch if you like your shows to serve you information on a silver platter. You are going to be confused - it is inevitable. You are going to be forced to use your brain and draw your own conclusions about what is happening. You are going to have to throw your sense of logic out the window. There were so many things that simply made zero sense, and I loved every minute of it. Well, sort of.
The show seems to stem from the genre of magical girl shows that I grew up on and still enjoy watching today - shows like Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Miraculous Ladybug. Obviously, this one focuses more on an adult as the 'magical girl' figure, but the general idea seems to remain the same, and I also kind of liked how it tackled the idea of an adult growing tired of the responsibility that comes along with their magical power. There is also a darker side to The School Nurse Files, and there were some scenes where I was genuinely creeped out, though I think this helped to add to the mystery of the show.
I also really liked the two main leads, played by Jung Yu Mi and Nam Joo Hyuk, respectively. They did such an amazing job portraying these two weirdos, and that's essentially what Ahn Eun Young and Hong In Pyo are: weirdos, oddballs, outcasts. They are awkward and messy, but also incredibly caring and kind. I loved their dynamic so much, and if there is a season two I hope we get to see more of them because I'd really like to see their relationship develop some more.
I also highly enjoyed watching the supporting characters, which were mostly high school students. They really helped to add to the absurdity of the show. Anyone watching this might think, man, these high school students are really weird, but as someone who has gone through high school, I can firmly say that The School Nurse Files' portrayal of high school students s pretty dang accurate. High school students ARE weird. I think we're oftentimes too used to seeing polished and put-together adults playing high school students in dramas, so I thought this aspect of the show was really refreshing to see.
The soundtrack was also spectacular. I really wish Netflix would put it on Spotify so I can listen to it as I walk across campus on my way to class.
My only real issue with the show was pacing, which I think also had an impact on why I was so confused at some parts. I think if this show had been given the usual 16 episodes, or even 12 or 10, this might have corrected this issue. Six episodes were just not enough time to establish characters and world-building, unfortunately.
I understand that this won't be to everyone's taste. Personally, I really like reading fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction, so this show had a lot of things going for it that I personally enjoyed. If you're willing to embrace the weirdness and are in the mood for a short-but-filling drama, then I would definitely give The School Nurse Files a chance.
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Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
THERE'S THINGS THAT CAN'T BE LEFT FOR THE LAW TO HANDLE
Watching Beyond Evil is the equivalent of being handed a very frayed and old yet warm quilt, sewn together colorful patches and scraps collected from the past. The kind of quilt you wrap around on a cold, rainy day while you read your favorite book or a movie from your childhood, while also slowly picking away at the fraying ends of the quilt until the entire quilt unravels over time and all your left with are the strands of the past. Beyond that, there aren't many words I can use to describe my feelings for this beautiful drama, but I will try my hardest. Also, I did mark this review as containing spoilers but I feel like the ones I do mention are very small and insignificant, and I don't think they give away too much.First, I want to begin talking about the two main leads of this drama, Lee Dong Shik (Shin Ha Kyun) and Han Joo Won (Yeo Jin Goo), because quite frankly, I don't think there would even be a story here to tell without them. At first, they appear to be another iteration of a common dynamic we often see in detective shows: an older detective who is probably been demoted or is considered a loose-cannon, or even both, and then a younger detective who has a strong sense of justice and is perhaps more mild-mannered compared to their partner. In this case, I would say these roles can still be applied to the two main leads of Beyond Evil but also...not quite, only because Beyond Evil really subverts your expectations for these characters and everyone else in the drama, for that matter. Keep in mind that one of the most important messages of Beyond Evil is that everything is not as it seems. Yes, Lee Dong Shik is considered to be the loose cannon of the substation, but at the core of his character is anger: white-hot and unyielding, all because of the injustice he and his family, especially his sister, have gone through. There's also a kindness within him, too, as he tries to prevent anyone else from getting hurt as he and his family did. (I don't want to call Lee Dong Shik the mom-friend but I also do want to call Lee Dong Shik the mom-friend. Sorry.) And yes, Han Joo Won is calculating and cold and seems to be almost willing to do anything for the sake of justice, but his character is slowly unpacked as the show goes on and we see that there is a fear that holds him back from being anything more than emotionally distant.
The relationship, too, between Lee Dong Shik and Han Joo Won is so incredibly important to me; I will be keeping the two of them close to my heart for a while. I think they have the kind of relationship where actions speak louder than words and the fact that they gave up so much for each other, that Lee Dong Shik broke down Han Joo Won's walls in a matter of months just makes me feel so crazy. There was SO much attention to detail given to their relationship, things like the way they addressed each other, physical contact, and how they would parallel or mirror each other's actions. Especially that scene at the end, where it is revealed that Han Joo Won has been spending a lot of time combing through the mountains and other rural areas in search of people with dementia or disabilities who have gotten lost, much like how Lee Dong Shik did before him. POETIC CINEMA. Also, these two had no sense of personal space whatsoever and I love that for them. Despite the biting words and back-handed compliments between them, I think they truly grew to care for each other - I mean, telling someone to 'eat well, sleep well, and poop well' is actually something that can be so intimate - and it was this amount of care that made Beyond Evil so compelling.
Speaking of Han Joo Won, I just want to comment on a few things about his character that will hopefully help me segue into some other things I really want to talk about. For the first four or five episodes, I was really frustrated with him, as I was with a lot of characters in this show *cough cough* Lee Dong Shik *cough cough* but kind of in the way that you get frustrated with a family member or a friend as you're watching them make a stupid decision. Lovingly frustrated. At first, I wasn't really sure what to think of Han Joo Won. He kind of gave off the vibe of [standing-man emoji], and then [standing-man emoji who also gets eggs thrown at him.] Of course, I didn't know that my perception of him was about to be subverted, and for that, I really applaud the writers - I don't like static main characters. And then, of course, there were those moments towards the beginning when Han Joo Won started going around suspecting and accusing everyone, which is when my frustration with him hit its peak. Basically, the first four or five episodes went something like this:
Han Joo Won: I've connected the dots.
Basically Everyone in Manyang: You didn't connect shit.
Han Joo Won: I've connected them.
However, I think the fact that the writer - Kim Soo Jin - chose to have Han Joo Won go around suspecting everyone really connects to another sentiment expressed by the police officers of Manyang, and that is the idea of suspecting everyone in order to no longer suspect them, which really helps to demonstrate how Han Joo Won is able to acclimate to living in a rural area after living in Seoul and is able to make these connections with some of the townspeople and his coworkers. I absolutely love the concept of exploring differences between rural and urban life, and I think this show would have been a whole lot different if it had been set in Seoul instead of Manyang, especially because it really helped to draw in all the characters together.
Another concept/theme of the show I liked was the concept of food. It is one of my deepest beliefs that the action of serving another or making another food is in itself a love language and that it can definitely be used as a metaphor for love. There are so many examples of that here in Beyond Evil that I don't think I even have time to write about them all. There are just so many tender and touching moments where characters are reminding each other to eat well and sleep well and just in general lots of great moments where we can see them taking care of one another (the absolute found family of it all.) Also, I really loved the idea of the characters gathering around the Manyang Butcher Shop in times when they needed each other. (Yoo JaeYi, my beloved.)
Finally, the music and cinematography were both stellar. I loved the colors in this show, and that one scene of the reeds field during the daylight was absolutely breathtaking.
Okay, so, this review got really long. As far as things that I didn't quite like, I will be brief and just say that one particular subplot was not as satisfying for me to watch as everything else in the show, and I wasn't totally happy with how the subplot was wrapped up, but oh well. I don't think it impacted that enjoyment of the show too much.
Obviously, I have lots of thoughts and feelings about Beyond Evil. I will say that this is a show I could easily see myself re-watching again, almost in the same way that you can listen to a family member tell the same story over and over again, a story that is forged with love and sits in the bottom of your belly like a good meal. If you're in the mood for an excellent detective show with unique characters that break the mold and will leave a lasting impression on not only your memory but also your heart, then I definitely recommend giving Beyond Evil a chance.
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THE NAIL THAT STICKS OUT IS BOUND TO GET HAMMERED DOWN
Watching this drama was the equivalent of walking along a very thin length of tightrope over churning waters while balancing a fragile egg in a spoon in one hand. When I completed the first episode, I knew that there would be no looking back after this.There was a certain surgical precision to Life. Intense moments that explored corporate politics and the dark underbelly of the healthcare system were delivered with all the exactness of a knife against flesh, all the while remaining clean precise. There was a nice balance, too, between moments of sadness and happiness. Dark waters and clear skies. Life and death. All integral parts of a working hospital, and all part of why this drama was just so damn good.
The study of corruption within the healthcare system and how bureaucracies operate within hospitals was probably one of my favorite aspects of the show. In fact, I almost wish we got to see more of this but I am still satisfied with how the show was wrapped up! This show is primarily dialogue-driven, so there isn't a lot of action scenes, but I personally found the conflict between management and the doctors just as thrilling as any action sequence. I also really enjoyed how some scenes explored the technical side of what it's like working in a hospital and the kinds of experiences that employees working in different departments go through. It really shows all different kinds of aspects of hospital life.
Another thing that I thought was really well-done was the casting of the main roles and the acting! The veteran actors really did carry the show. I especially enjoyed watching Lee Dong Wook, Jo Seung Woo, and Moon So Ri at work. They did a spectacular job!
And finally, the characters and the relationships between characters were. So. Freaking. Good!!! All the characters were dynamic and interesting to watch - I never got bored for a single second when the focus shifted from one character to another. The relationships, too, were extremely organic and a lot of them had such great chemistry with each other as well. I didn't think the romance was overdone at all and it added such a nice touch to the overall story.
I suppose my only complaint is that I wish we could have gotten to see Dr. Ye and Mr. Gu butt heads more, seeing as if I thought they would have more of a rivalry between them, but I still really like how the show left things between them. I also wish the ending hadn't been left so open-ended, but I still liked the overall feeling of hope it left within me as I was watching those final moments, and I'm sure I had such a goofy grin plastered on my face by the time the final credits were rolling.
Overall, I do not think this is your typical hospital drama, but I still consider it a masterpiece.
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FROM NOW ON, LET'S BE HAPPY.
Watching My Mister was the equivalent of waking up early in the morning while it's raining or snowing outside and curling up beneath the warm sheets, knowing you won't have to get out of bed for a little while longer and you can just enjoy this moment of peace. (I'm not joking when I say that this drama is probably best enjoyed during the months of December and January — at the very least I'm glad I was able to watch it during the month of November.)There is a lot going on in this drama but at the very heart of it, you have a story about humans. Just humans. Humans eating, humans drinking, humans dying, humans hurting, humans loving. Humans going through the cycle of their everyday lives. Old humans, young humans, rich humans, poor humans, successful humans. Pitiful, pitiful, and yet very nice humans. I'm repeating the word human a lot because quite frankly, that is what this show is about (If you're looking for romance, you might be disappointed, but if you're interested in office politics, I would definitely give this drama a try).
Humans are delightfully messy and sometimes we hurt each other and break beautiful things, and My Mister definitely acknowledges & portrays that side of humanity, but there is a kindness here, too. We live in a very interesting age where it's easy to lose sight of what is important because of the difficulties we face, and we also live in a time where human connection is now more important than ever. We all need people like that in our lives, someone who reminds us to eat and asks us if we want anything from the grocery store or someone who will come to your grandmother's funeral and tell you that if you want it to be nothing then it can be nothing. Watching all of these characters, all of these humans connect with each other, crying for each other, fighting for each other, helped to remind me of that, and I just know that I'm going to be thinking all of these characters and their stories for a while.
Also, as someone's who's struggled with depression and anxiety for several years now, I was pretty astounded at the way My Mister represented these struggles with mental health. I've never seen a piece of media before handle this topic in such a gentle way, and yet at the same time, they also didn't hesitate to show all of the less-than-pleasant parts, too. This was a very honest show; no romanticization whatsoever. They didn't hold anything back, and for that, I really appreciate it.
Overall, if you are perhaps looking for a story centered around the aspects of humanity that often get overlooked in other pieces of media, and if you're in the mood for a good cry, I would definitely recommend My Mister. I fact, I would probably just about recommend this show for everyone in need of something healing to watch.
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AN EXCELLENT SEQUEL THAT SURPRASSES WHAT CAME BEFORE IT
Lee Soo Yeon, I owe you my life. (And I'm only half-joking when I say this).Everything about this drama just makes me feel so...unhinged. I put off writing this review for a while because I would just start thinking about Hwang Shi Mok's and Han Yeo Jin's friendship and I would start screaming or tearing up because, well, you'll see once you start watching Stranger.
After watching Life, which was also written by Lee Soo Yeon and features many of the same actors, I immediately decided to start watching Stranger, and I am so glad that I did because Stranger definitely deserves all the praise it has received. I will admit, I do think I enjoyed Life more compared to the first season of Stranger, but I think I did enjoy Life and the second season of Stranger equally if that makes any sense. Overall, I think the second season of Stranger surpasses the first, which is usually rare, and I'll explain why.
First, I'd like to point out that while though we are introduced to many new characters in the second season, a lot of familiar faces will crop up again and there isn't really a reintroduction of these characters, hence why it is important to give ALL of your attention when watching Stranger. And I mean ALL of it, which is actually one of my favorite aspects of the show. Watching Stranger is the equivalent of being given a ball of yarn that has already been unraveled, and you have to wander around a labyrinth of small details and stolen glances in order in order to ravel the ball of yarn back up. The second season, much like the first, is not something you want to watch when distracted, or else you'll become horribly lost. Definitely not the kind of show you should watch if you're looking for something to help turn your brain off.
One thing I liked about the second season when compared to the first is how the characters that we were already introduced to were utilized. We already know these characters, such as Hwang Shi Mok, Han Yeo Jin, and Seo Dong Jae. We know their personalities, their quirks, the losses they've gone through from the first season (which definitely impact the choices they make in this second installment). There are decidedly fewer action sequences in the second season compared to the first, but now we get to see these characters grapple with questions of morality, ethics, and personal philosophies which allows these characters to truly blossom and flourish. Relationships, too, were deeply explored, and it was very satisfying to watch everything come together for these characters by the last episode.
Speaking of relationships, I loved the range that we were given in the second season. Hwang Shi Mok’s and Han Yeo Jin’s friendship is probably the most important thing to me ever. Like, I will never shut up about it. Ever. Their dynamic works so well under Lee Soo Yeon’s care, and it was interesting to see that even though they were at odds with each other because of the conflict between the police and the prosecution, they still managed to have each other's backs. Magnificent proof that male/female platonic relationships CAN be written with authenticity and not be boring at all.
I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing other relationships showcased, as well. Brief appearances of members of the Special Investigation from the season brought a smile to my face, as well as a sense of closure. Seeing Han Yeo Jin reunite with members of her old team at the Yongsan Police Station made me laugh as I watched them fall back into their easy dynamic, though there were a few tense moments that were brought up to highlight the difference between police work at headquarters and on the field, as well as when questions of ambition were brought up. The student/mentor relationship between Han Yeo Jin and Choi Bit was also very interesting to watch unfurl, but also devastating once it reached its conclusion. And can we talk about Hwang Shi Mok and Seo Dong Jae? I loved watching their relationship develop, becoming more of a grudging friendship instead of workplace adversaries. I definitely hope to see more of them if there is a third season. (And there better be a third season or I will cry even harder than I did while watching the final episode.)
Another brief thing I wanted to touch on was the music! Definitely a lot more diverse than the first season - a very nice touch!
This was such a nice follow-up to the first season of Stranger that affected me a lot more emotionally than any crime show has before. It probably won't be to everyone's taste, considering that it is much more dialogue-heavy than its predecessor, but if you're looking for a smart, mystery-type drama with compelling characters, I would definitely check out the Stranger franchise. I will be keeping an eye out for any future projects that Lee Soo Yeon will be a part of. She has a very unique talent and I'm sure she will produce a lot of great things!
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NO GRAVE CAN HOLD MY BODY DOWN, I'LL CRAWL HOME TO HER
This was one of the first Korean dramas I've had the chance to watch, and now I am almost scared to start another out of fear that any other show I watch will only be a flickering candle compared to the blazing fireworks display that was Flower of Evil. Every episode had me glued to the screen of my laptop. There were often times where I would catch myself holding my breath, and just as the forest exhales in the early morning, I too would release the air from my lungs with clenched fists as I watched every tense moment between Cha Ji Won (Moon Chae Won) and Do Hyun Soo (Lee Joon Gi) unfold.Ultimately, it was the love story between those two that really caught my attention and refused to let go. The questions of 'How well do you know the person you love?' and 'How far would you go for them?' whirred through my mind during every episode. During the first episode, a dark cloud of doom seemed to hang over the couple. I had very low expectations for them, I will admit, but it became very clear to me that their commitment and love for each other defy the stars themselves, and that is really what made this show so spectacular. Home is other people, and Cha Ji Won and Do Hyun Soo prove this with every breath, every embrace, and every tear shed. Needless to say, the acting was top-notch!
The story, too, dredged from the darkest corners of human nature, seemed to defy almost all of my expectations. Everything was not quite as it seemed, and the plot twists were especially satisfying to watch. There were a few plot holes and jumps of logic that didn't quite make sense to me, but they had little impact on my enjoyment of the show.
Overall, if you'd like a good crime/thriller with domestic bliss and a side of murder, I would definitely recommend watching Flower of Evil. You will not regret it.
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THANKS FOR PLAYING WITH ME
Squid Game was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. It's definitely something you could finish in one day if you were willing to give up that much time, but I think you'll find yourself getting sucked pretty easily into this cutthroat death game that also serves as a critique on capitalism.First and foremost, I need to talk about the characters, or more specifically the participants of the game, because they were definitely a driving force in this story. Even though the time spent with each character varied, I still thought that most of them were really well-written and were able to provide a huge impact on the overall story. Each one had justification for participating in this game and I didn't find any of their actions to be overly forced. I found myself rooting for a majority of characters, and when each of them was killed off, it definitely struck an emotional blow. These are definitely not the usual 2-dimensional stock characters that are written into survival stories that we often see today. It was also really interesting to see how the different characters changed over the course of the game due to moral decay, or in some cases, didn't change at all, which helped to further the show's illustration of capitalism.
This then brings me on to the next thing I'd like to talk about, which is Squid Game's stance on capitalism. They pretty much nailed their argument against it, which basically boils down to: there is no equality under capitalism, and the poor will always suffer for the sake of the rich. The people who were running the game kept on stressing that the rules for each game were created in order to be fair for everyone and that every player would be given an equal chance to win, but it's also important to keep in mind that the reason these games were started in the first place was for the entertainment of the rich. There was never any equality to begin with because it was their poor status that placed them there in the first place.
The characters were also supposedly given the option of participating or not participating in the games, but in reality, just like with capitalism, there was actually no choice. Even though the people who were controlling the game insisted each player was there because it was their own decision, we're actually shown that these characters have literally nothing to lose. Nothing could be worse than the hellish situation they were placed in because of their debts under capitalism. It was only an illusion of free will, and ultimately, the choice was already made for them. This is an exceptionally well-crafted representation of how capitalism works. You have to participate in this rotten system in order to survive, and if you don't, you're basically deemed as having little to no value and are seen as less than a human being and basically become forced into poverty.
And even if you think you have a chance at beating this corrupt system, it doesn't come without a cost. No one becomes a millionaire or a billionaire without stepping on other people. There is no ethical way of achieving that status of wealth. Squid Game brilliantly illustrates this point by setting up the games in such a way that you can only win at the expense of other people's lives. Every dollar that was added to that heinous piggy bank represents the value that was attached to the life of every player who died. Specifically, players who were poor and impoverished and were only playing this game in order to pay off their debts. Capitalism strikes again by forcing poor people to compete with each other in order to survive and make a living, all the while the ultra-rich get to kick back and enjoy the show. There were lots of moments that were truly sickening to watch, but unfortunately, they are pretty accurate in regards to how a capitalistic society functions. The poor stay poor and the rich get richer.
Okay. Rant finished. I'd like to point out that I also highly enjoyed the production, acting, and music of Squid Game. It was all extremely well-executed and helped to add to the intensity of the show.
However, I did not like the ending. It felt like the writers were really building up to this big, grand conclusion, but instead, we were given an ending that was underwhelming, and quite frankly, didn't make much sense. It also seemed to undermine a lot of the character's actions from beforehand, so I was pretty frustrated with it.
Overall, I still pretty much enjoyed the show up until the ending. I kind of went into this with pretty low expectations if I'm being honest, so I was pleasantly surprised. If you're looking for a good show with lots of action but isn't mindless and cheap in the slightest, I would definitely give Squid Game a chance. It definitely deserves all the attention it is receiving since its Netflix release, and I hope that it can really help to pave the way for people to reconsider their beliefs about capitalism as we know it, as well as to help encourage Western audiences to branch out more when it comes to the kinds of media they consume. As director Bong Joon-Ho said while accepting an Oscar for his film Parasite, “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films." I think Squid Game's popularity will help more people realize the meaning behind this sentiment.
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