1
SunOh
Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell.
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An ode to the bittersweet mess of youth.
~If they lose their scales, they'll lose the patterns and colors on their wings, and won't be able to fly~~Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued is always beyond our grasp, but if you sit quietly, might alight upon you~
It's gonna be a long read, but... I'm here to defend the drama, and there's so much to say to the point that even this review doesn't say everything. I'll give a spoiler warning when it's needed :)
Nevertheless appreciation depends on people's sensitivity, but it's an excellent drama for many reasons and I'm here to explain why. If you can't handle college students being messy, I wouldn't recommend this drama to you. If you like stories of complicated feelings, thoughtful, realistic and mature dramas, then go ahead. The story was incredibly well thought-out, the characters were layered and the drama was visually very aesthetic too. Everything was carefully executed, I love K-dramas because they give us beautiful productions like this, but Nevertheless is pretty much like no other because it was less scripted and more raw. It's deep, complex, artistic, subtle and sentimental. Clear explanations are not thrown at your face and the play on perspectives challenges the audience.
The drama is based on the webtoon but the two are different works that have each taken their own path. Nevertheless is a masterpiece because every time you will rewatch it, you will notice new details. The fanbase wrote literal essays because of all the attention that was put into it, it's almost to the point that you can analyze every scene and every line.
Before going in depth :
Cinematography, acting, music : Absolutely on point. The music and cinematography suit the drama perfectly. I know that not everyone is hooked by the atmosphere/pacing but you can't ignore it was perfectly done (personally it was the first time I felt so immersed into a drama to the point of dreaming about it every night). Song Kang and Han So Hee nailed at portraying their character's emotions, their eyes, the way they talked, the subtle gestures...
From the story, to the acting, to the pacing, to the music and to the cinematography, everything about this drama is so clever.
Some things I need to mention : 1. The artistic aspect and the butterflies. The butterflies were real and Nabi's sketches in her room too as Han So Hee herself graduated in art. In addition, art is used as a metaphor throughout the drama, and there's a lot of symbolism overall. 2. The way they filmed everything was genius. 3. The modern and realistic take on relationships and feelings that the drama portrays, and not only thanks to the main couple. (we even got representation of LGBTQ+ characters! censorship didn't allow things to go too far but still amazing) 4. The way they beautifully captured intimacy, not just sex. Nothing was unnecessary (i.e. it shows Nabi actually having pleasure, not just trying to please someone else). Not to mention Rio's songs... (though if you want explicit sex scenes this is not it (obviously because JTBC), plus they're very few, quite short and only in the first few episodes) 5. The side characters and the diversity in their personalities, just as in real life, and also the friendship between all of them. I even liked the teacher! 6. The internal dialogue and the narration. 7. The struggles of young adults in their twenties were portrayed very well. I'm not in my twenties yet, but I know that people related and I also can feel it already. 8. The poster with Jae Eon lying on Nabi's shoulder says it all. 9. https://twitter.com/mignonxminion/status/1483615011477934081 - (not by me) check this thread if you want! :) you don't have to read everything, just scroll to get a glimpse. beware though, there will be spoilers. I recommend checking only if you have seen the drama.
Stop here if you don't want major spoilers.
To begin with, Jae Eon is admittedly a flirt, but to what extent do people really know him? He did not deliberately hurt people, he never used his past as an excuse, and no one cared about him before as much as Nabi did. There is a great portrayal of what's a toxic person at the beginning and that is Nabi's ex. Jae Eon also was touchy-feely (pretty much his way of communicating) but he wasn't controlling like her ex and didn't abuse her. Her ex, on the other hand, destroyed her self-esteem. Jae Eon told her she's the prettiest and the happiest when she works, her ex told her she's the prettiest while having sex. Of course, Jae Eon is far from being perfect, and saying that he has a healthy behavior all throughout would be a lie. He actually does things both right and wrong, which I find fascinating. The drama starts out with Nabi’s agency completely robbed by her ex, yet when she meets someone so passive that every choice in the relationship is hers - she totally crumbles under the pressure. She is also very critical of herself for multiple reasons. This drama is undeniably a fascinating character study, I'll have to omit a lot of details but if you want more, look at the link I put in the comments section. The first episodes are almost entirely told through a distrustful main character’s POV and the audience is left wondering what the truth is. Halfway point leaves you questioning people's POV (especially Nabi's). Later episodes let you looking back at the first episodes with new eyes, which is clever.
Nabi is not you and neither she is a victim of a toxic man, unless we are talking about her ex. Both were responsible for their choices and actions and it's pretty clear that she hurts Jae Eon too.
I know that it depends on one's sensitivity but some people are going way too far. Please try to appreciate these two characters, this is all I'm asking for. People inventing them disorders and evil motivations are ridiculous. Yes, some people actually do that, I even saw people calling out the drama to be anti-feminist. It's also contradictory to view her as a naive and stupid girl while that's clearly not what the drama shows. Those same people made her dirty, sounds like hypocrisy to me. Haters will continue to demonise the drama anyway. I love Nabi and Jae Eon so please listen to what I have to say.
Jae Eon's feelings about Nabi are clear. First, the bracelet he made for her, as well as the butterfly-shaped suncatcher. The scene where he wrapped his shirt around her waist, when he offered to be her partner for the work, the scene where he was worried to the point he called the emergency because she didn't respond (she was sick), the scene of the fight where he loses control of himself and beats the man who hurt her, when he was there the day of her anniversary, his discussions with his mother, Seol Ah and Kyu Hyun, and finally the reveal of his love at first sight (if anything, he was at least intrigued by her). He confirms it near the end by talking to her about how he first met her at the exhibition and how he saw it as fate when he met her again one night, without directly saying who it was, Nabi thinking it was just another girl until she saw the drawing.
Now it's time to go more in depth.
Before anything, you have to take into consideration their conflicting feelings for each other causing the mess that is their relationship, but also : their past experiences and their family's situation. Nabi never saw a successful relationship from her mother while not even having a good relationship with her (but she had her aunt) and Jae Eon had a well off mother who couldn't give him the love and attention he needed, making it hard for him to even love himself. Jae Eon had the same abandonment issues as Nabi, his manifested in aloofness and hers in insecurity. In the end, they are both cynical against fate. But the bond they create throughout the drama is enough, and it's beautiful. Their love for art even transcends their short term struggles and communication barriers.
Jae Eon was interested in Nabi since the first time he met her at the exhibition hall. They met again by coincidence after that night. Nabi knew what kind of person Jae Eon was. Nevertheless, she already fell for him and against all odds, by herself, she kissed him. She knew what kind of relationship she was getting into, there's no need to act as if she didn't. Both were sexually attracted by each other but there was more on both sides. There wasn't really anything wrong with their relationship in the first place. It was quite messy but still they were happy with it and having a good time together - until bad things happened such as gossip, Nabi's ex return, Seol Ah's lie to Nabi and this girl's brother encounter with Jae Eon. Their relationship then becomes unhealthy because of the miscommunication, insecurities and fears. Nabi felt pathetic because she wanted more than what Jae Eon could give and she was confused about his feelings. He didn't want to commit but at the same time he didn't like how Nabi was straying away from him, especially for other boys, while most of the time he stayed with her. He had feelings for her (he started to realize his own feelings when he told her "It's not like that." which is something he wouldn't have done normally) and didn't want her to go, but again, he couldn't have a serious relationship with her and let's not forget that he didn't know himself if she ever saw him as more than a friend with benefits. Once Nabi realized she’s not able to accept that type of relationship anymore she ended it and that’s what it was. Yet, Jae Eon still decided to pursue her despite everything, something he would never do before. Actually, he kept coming back to her until the end. Even though he met another girl when Nabi left, he kept thinking about her and he decided that she's the one after his discussion with his mother.
Jae Eon did his worst mistake at that one moment (when he saw Do Hyeok), in spite of Nabi's feelings. Rather than being sincere, he was swept up in emotions and acted selfishly, and Nabi felt it so she did not believe him. The lack of communication between them was still there so they just exploded in anger once again and regretted. This is the best summary I can give. Then episode 10 happened and ended everything in the most beautiful way. The ending was perfect and meaningful.
(I'll post the rest in the comments section because MDL reduced the characters limit)
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A romantic story about life beautifully told in a slow-breathed and melodic narrative.
~Everlasting love is about becoming a part of your loved one’s life.A part of you lives inside them and stays there forever.~
"The meeting and farewell of love and breakup is similar to life, since meeting and farewell is what life is about." - PD Lee Gil Bok
~ Planning intention ~ (Source: Namu Wiki)
It is written as ‘breakup’ and read as ‘love’.
The sweet, salty, spicy, sour and bitter story of our breakup.
Fashion designers design four times a year.
Everyone wants a classic that will be remembered forever, but
Trends are consumed quickly and out-of-season clothes become a thing of the past.
Maybe the same goes for living.
Dreaming of unchanging, eternal love and repeating countless encounters and separations
But no encounter, no love, is permanent.
Eventually, the relationship runs out, the time allowed is up
Separation is a natural and inevitable part of life.
Perhaps living is a journey towards death
And the parting of the ways with those who have been with us.
But parting comes suddenly, without warning or forewarning
Leaving a lot of self-reproach and regret.
So, if you can't avoid it or postpone it
As Versace says, wear the clothes that are most like you
Live the life you want to live, not the life others want you to live.
Even if it's a failed life, even if it's a love that falls short
At least you won't have any regrets at the moment of parting.
Breaking up is not the end,
But the completion of my love, my life.
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"Now, We Are Breaking Up" is a realistic melodrama. A mix of makjang and realism in this case, to be more precise.
I loved the work scenes around the world of fashion and photography (if you want to know how the industry works, it will be very interesting for you), the elaborate outfits and elegant staging, the sublime soundtrack & cinematography, the opening, the sophisticated vibe, the character development, the dialogue, the poetic aspect throughout the drama, the different visions on the breakup (it's not just literally about two people breaking up but, much, much more), the depth of their love and how meaningful it was.
Many found it to be nothing more than bland and depressing, but I beg to differ, as I found a lot of hope in it. When I finished the drama, I also felt like I was breaking up with it, which would be rather sad but instead it left a warm feeling inside me.
Their love is very special and maybe not so easy to understand for the audience. If you only view love at surface value, full of butterflies and cheesy lines, this is not the kind of love for you. "Now, We Are Breaking Up" is a melodramatic romance while being a deep, thought-provoking and mature drama that deals with the realities of life.
Jang Ki Yong and Song Hye Kyo did an excellent job interpreting their characters and they were able to portray the nuances well. I could genuinely feel their vulnerability, though it was subtle. The depth in their portrayal was impressive. All the cast felt very convincing and natural, while at the same time having their own charm. It isn't so surprising because they played characters of their age and close to their selves, which also created a great dynamic between them.
Even the way they speaked french was so charming, and that is very rare because most of the time it is incomprehensible in other dramas (I'm french for your information). Besides, they never looked so good on screen.
The pacing is certainly slow but over time I found myself really into the story and attached to the characters. Actually, I loved the fact that everything was happening slowly. There are important life lessons about family, friendship, love, happiness, work... There are also topics such as society's expectations of women, adultery, divorce and illness, all dealt with brilliantly.
There is no doubt this drama will not please a lot of K-Drama fans, but for me it was a beautiful one. I shared my thoughts on the ending and other parts in the comments, so, do not read if you haven't finished it.
Thank you for reading !
Highly recommended press conference : https://youtu.be/7MPkeRirpu0 - the quote at the beginning of my review from PD Lee Gil Bok was taken from this video
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After writing a response to someone in the comments section (at first it was short lol), I had too much to say so I decided to make it a sort of second review. Read it or not, it's your choice.
They have many similarities on the outside, but Encounter is much more of a fairy tale. It's a romcom, not a melodrama. However... You could say Young Eun and Jae Guk's story is a fairy tale. Like it is said in the synopsis, "As if in a dream, Young Eun and Jae Guk find themselves falling for each other. But not all fairy tales have a happy ending. Is theirs a story that will end in heartbreak or will they manage to find their own version of happily ever after, after all?"
Other mature dramas would be hated because the leads are very flawed and thus unlikeable for most, but it wasn't the issue here. They are very mature, certainly more than most of us viewers who don't have as much life experience as them.
Many hate on the drama, the actors and their characters because they don't get it. There is a reason why they don't show a lot of emotions on the outside - especially Song Hye Kyo's character, and it doesn't mean that she's not a good actress. Unfortunately a lot of people like to hate on her for no valid reason, and NWABU was the perfect drama for them to do so - saying she's an overrated actress who doesn't know how to act, who picks romance over and over and that she took this one solely because of her divorce. Of course there wouldn't have this problem if it was a drama that's meant to please everyone. Look at The Glory. Suddenly everyone loved her again...
I follow her since I watched NWBU, and I can tell she's a wonderful person, other than being a great actress. Thanks to this drama, she found a new family after taking a break for 2 years (she divorced Song Joong Ki in June 2019 after almost 2 years of being married), and by that I mean that the bond between her and the rest of the cast is precious. Not to mention that as Jang Ki Yong was turning 30 and Kyo 40, it was another reason for them to pick this project.
Each role and drama of hers is different, yet it is true that she took the romance drama again. However, there's a reason why she took on this role, she's a mature person as well as an experienced actress and she took it because she thought it was a script worth doing. I believe that this drama was perfect for her to start anew. Why? Because this is exactly what NWABU is about. Both in her career and in her emotional life. This way, you will understand the ending. The storyline is pretty much the surface of the drama.
"Someone will accuse me of taking the romance drama again, but I don’t feel any regret after shooting it. No matter what others say, I’m glad that I chose the drama "Now, We Are Breaking Up" at this point in my life." (Hye Kyo's words)
On the other hand, Ki Yong's character is more expressive. His acting was kept realistic and nuanced for his mature role. He's younger, without as much experience, and there's obviously always room for improvement (even for Hye Kyo, a real actor never stops growing), but his performance was objectively good, as he really worked hard on it, tried his best to BE Yoon Jae Guk, and made me feel that he was Yoon Jae Guk, just like Hye Kyo made me feel she was Ha Young Eun. I cannot imagine anyone else than them for the characters. Hye Kyo said herself that she felt how much he felt like Jae Guk himself in the press conference and how surprised she was (and vice-versa actually, Ki Yong said that he was surprised at how Hye Kyo was able to become Young Eun in the fraction of a second), and coming from an experienced actress like her, it says a lot.
Believe me or not, I loved watching Young Eun and Jae Guk. People are so accustomed to watching characters with strong expressive/emotional reactions in dramas, that as soon as it's too subtle and withdrawn, they call it bad acting. What I saw was nothing but believable adults. No matter what people say, such complicated emotions are not easy to act out.
Then again it's subjective, we have our own preferences, but that comes down more to the characters themselves, or the actors (yes, there are some actors I don't like to watch *personally* and not because they're bad, just like there are characters I didn't like watching). For me both of their portrayal was solid and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The targeted audience would be adults in their thirties and above. I am far from it, so that's not only about age but also about the kind of stories we like to watch, though this won't be the cup of tea of most in their twenties or less. Nonetheless, I also think that it's one of these dramas where young people can learn from. It can even be quite healing, depending on people.
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Through its different approach to love, Love Alarm also denounces the excesses of technology.
~ This review covers both seasons ~There are plenty of spoilers ahead, but if you want to avoid most of them, feel free to skip to the conclusion in the comments.
Thanks in advance for reading!
P.S: I want to clarify that I do not hate Sun Oh (not that my username is related to him). I actually appreciate his character a lot, he's definitely interesting and saying that I didn't feel anything for him would be a lie.
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This conclusion is perfect because it's healthy and realistic. That she should end up with Sun Oh was inconceivable, she loved Hye Yeong, not him. Sun Oh found happiness on his own and moved on, such is life. He wasn't the person Jojo needed, and vice versa.
From the beginning of the story, Sun Oh's character didn't come across as a very nice guy, but he's also somewhat pitiful. Is he a monster? No. He actually has a pure heart but that doesn't change his immaturity which turns into toxicity for the people around him. Yes, we can see that he starts to have genuine feelings for Jojo, even though his initial motives were questionable.
On the whole, the drama focused more on the psychology of the main characters and I love this kind of romance, the transition from high schoolers to young adults really makes the difference with season 1, the tone changes (highlighting the contrast), you can feel the characters coming of age and the fact that we've followed them through several periods of their lives gives way to a nostalgic feeling, the music etc. also plays a big part.
I loved everything : the cinematography, the acting, the writing, the dialogue, narration and quotes, the directing, the music, the sci-fi aspect, the fact that so many things are represented in the form of drawings (even animated ones) and the whole thing around Jojo's drawings and their meanings.
Some viewers blame Jojo for kissing Sun Oh in the beginning. She was on bad terms with Il Sik and eventually she was able to breathe thanks to Sun Oh. It's true that he was forcing, but she ended up accepting the kiss. They were where no one could see them (well, obviously it's a drama, so it doesn't go as planned), and she was tempted. The way he looked at her, the sexual tension, and well he's definitely handsome. When we know that many adults (men and women) have already cheated in their lives, it's not a teenager who lets herself go with this kind of context that shocks. I don't think she felt that way with her ex, far from it. One can argue it was wrong, but what about Il Sik? And Sun Oh? That’s where the complexity lies. Like so much else in the story, it’s not black and white—it’s human. This isn’t a story about perfect people making perfect choices. One can keep saying, "I wouldn’t do that," but in the grand scheme, it doesn’t change anything.
Jojo didn’t initiate her relationship with Sun Oh. He pushed for it, despite knowing she had a boyfriend—something he learned from his best friend, Hye Yeong, who also had feelings for her. Sun Oh knew all of this, yet still chose to pursue her. And they dated for what, less than a month if we remove the time after the accident?
After the breakup, four years passed before she met Hye Yeong. At first, she was emotionally distant, but his persistent efforts eventually paid off, and she gradually began to open up to him.
Anyway, I think that too many people watch from Sun Oh's perspective only, and forget to take a more open-minded, realistic view.
What can we expect from a character whose childhood was so painful, whose youth was full of struggles, a traumatized teenager with burdens so heavy to bear? Yes, you could say she acts in an annoying and selfish way, however, unless you are biased because of Song Kang and that you have a superficial view of the drama and her character, you will feel nothing but empathy. Don't even make me start on the impact that such an event can have on someone... Survivor's guilt, yes, but it was her parents who tried to kill themselves with her.
Sun Oh's behavior can be explained because of his family situation, right, I do get that. But if you think it's all Jojo's fault or that what Sun Oh did at the beginning is right but what happened afterwards isn't, I don't know what to say.
What Deuk Gu says to Hye Yeong, "It was Jojo's will to use the shield and spear. Without it, she would never have gone out with you. It was because of the shield that she broke up with Sun Oh and you appeared on the list of people she could love. The shield being a variable, Jojo's will intervened, and you became a potential love interest. She wanted to ring your Love Alarm, even if it meant using the spear. She was willing to go that far to express her feelings for you. If that's not being sincere, what is?" This sums it up perfectly.
Another thing about the end that I love is that Jojo still doesn't ring Hye Yeong's Love Alarm without the spear and she still has the shield, but they know their love is sincere and it was really beautiful when they confessed their feelings out loud. It reminded me of when Hye Yeong was courting Jojo the traditional way without relying to Love Alarm, and the fact that he wanted to build his relationship with her bit by bit was great. Of course, there's that final scene where we see the key moments when Jojo rang Hye Yeong's Love Alarm, they left before it started working but anyway, it was obvious. Nonetheless, it was perfect as a conclusion, for us viewers.
I transcribed two other dialogues that are important:
(the discussion between the two brothers) - Five years ago, I told you that we shouldn't release 2.0. - You don't realize that the Love Alarm you created makes people feel lonelier. Version 2.0 was created for those lonely people. If they'd known that lots of people would love them, there wouldn't have been any mass suicides, 23 lives would have been spared. - Is that really what you think? People only go out with the app's recommendations. Just like we only read articles from our search portal. Just as we only watch movies recommended by the algorithm. - What's wrong with that? - It eliminates countless possibilities. If there's an error in the suggestions, version 2.0 prevents love from being born. - An error? How are you going to prove it? - Kim Jojo. When she installed the shield, the person she loved changed. - Programming bug. - It wasn't a bug. It was Jojo's will. With the introduction of synchronization and willpower, this little mistake changed her life. Do you understand now?
(Deuk Gu talking to Jojo) "It was obvious you liked Hye Yeong. Do you know why you hesitated so much? You've never seen his Love Alarm ring. That's why. Even though you knew it was because of the shield, you doubted your feelings, because his Love Alarm had never gone off. That's why I wanted to stop the new function. People have become too dependent on technology."
Going back...
Season 1 Episode 5 analysis (accident scene) : Exactly as shown with the narration and the cinematography, it was like a dream of happiness for her. She ignored and escaped reality thanks to Sun Oh. During the trip in Jeju, her trauma was already triggered once, but the accident heavily triggered it as it involved Sun Oh (who became really important for her—so no she didn't "not consider his feelings", it's not that simple). The call from the hospital where is her grandmother, the memories from her childhood if we can even call it that, her memories with Sun Oh, the flashback of Gul Mi threatening her... It was a build-up of different factors until she had to take a decision. She lost her friends, people judged her, she became the center of attention, and because Gul Mi knows her too well, it was also easy for her to use all the guilt that she tried so hard to hide deep inside. Then as if it wasn't enough, Sun Oh was locked up by his family because of her (that being the final trigger, the last straw), and she was also aware of Hye Yeong's feelings. Also, like, you're telling me that's the normal life of a high-schooler? I'm not doing a recap but in case anyone forgot, this person explained it all in her review : https://mydramalist.com/profile/9262161/review/150547—I really like how they ended the Jojo paragraph with "Because she doesn't want any help from anybody, BECAUSE she feels and will feel small. And that's actually one of the reason why she was burdened on being in a relationship with Sun-oh and finally installed the shield."
On a side note, it is known that people can live with the memories of their childhood, but for the people who don't have anything happy to remember, they live their lives trying to heal these scars (I mean Jojo has some good memories with her grandma, but...it's still way too sad, like, her grandma had to fall ill and then all this...?). It's not easy for them to be happy and live a normal life.
Because it still wasn't enough, she literally became someone's target. Sigh.
More observations : At the end of the first episode in season 1, Jojo's narration says "If I had Love Alarm on me, would it have rung? No. They would have both remained silent. Because the desire for a kiss preceded love." It really shows the difference in the building of relationships. At the end, Sun Oh and Yuk Jo are ready to build a healthy and mature relationship together, just like what Jojo and Hye Yeong did, with Jojo eventually developping feelings for him. Love Alarm is not everything, so it shouldn't control them. Their reaction when it didn't ring showed exactly that. Just like Hye Yeong and Jojo leaving before the app's confirmation. Whether Love Alarm rings or not is not the question, what matters in the end is YOU and not the program. Love Alarm doesn't guarantee your happiness. It works when you have a crush and when you are in love, but not for the process of falling in love. We are not so simple. This is why 2.0 was really bad, but honestly, I even wonder if 1.0 would really last. Some will say the ending between Yuk Jo and Sun Oh was forced, but for me it would have been forced only if Sun Oh made Yuk Jo's Love Alarm ring. I liked how he went at her home everyday...it was great. Genuine effort matters, even small moves. Hye Yeong proved that already. And yes, it made sense, it wasn't random either. I could feel the growth in his character and his sincerity so the app was irrelevant. In addition, not all relationships are rooted in passionate love, and intense emotions don’t always lead to healthy relationships. Love Alarm touches on this idea by showing that true connection goes beyond initial attraction or infatuation. It explores how relationships require more than just strong feelings to be stable and healthy, emphasizing the importance of understanding, respect, and emotional compatibility. Passion can fade or become problematic if not supported by a deeper, more meaningful bond.
Another thing I want to discuss, remember when Hye Yeong saw Jojo disappearing from the list of the people who *could* love him. That was after the kiss, which made it all the more blurry. Because of her strong feelings towards Sun Oh (normal considering their past history), it was hard to know, even for the audience. But in fact, the reason why she disappeared from Hye Yeong's Love Alarm was that she *really* was in love with him : the first thing she thought about was Hye Yeong.
Even if Love Alarm is indeed an opportunity for them to experience love, it lacks in terms of free will and timing.
Last ending observation : The final season being Spring symbolizes renewal, which I found to be a beautiful touch. I loved how the drama used the changing seasons throughout, adding a layer of poetry to the storytelling.
Here's an example of brilliant writing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipKOv4RG11Y
It mirrors everything so well. Like in Season 1, Sun Oh could not respect Jojo's protective barriers.
Fun fact : Before I started watching, I had such high and unrealistic expectations regarding Sun Oh's character because of how much people loved him. What I got in return was...not what I expected. I thought he would have a tragic background and be similar to a tormented character like Su Ho in True Beauty (chef's kiss), turns out that was Jojo lol. And worse even, considering her "life"...
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Conclusion under
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Bonus links that I recommend to save :
- https://www.mentmagazine.com/issue001/sensus
- https://mydramalist.com/profile/imanirine/review/155009
- https://mydramalist.com/profile/Claraamorim/review/133999
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Sincere, relevant, unforgettable and ahead of its time.
This is more gonna be a warning rather than a review.The Interest of Love is for people who are into psychology and sociology, melos and slow burns. This is not a conventional romance but a romance depicting modern korean society. Besides, the genre is noir, so don't be too surprised. This is the opposite of what you could call "dreamy escape" from the K-Dramas people love and are accustomed to. If you want to learn about the society and adult relationships in Korea, look no further. Although the setting is Korean, many adults around the world could relate to this story, at least to some extent. In fact, The Interest of Love is the adaptation of a critically-acclaimed novel in Korea, named "Understanding Love" which is the drama's korean title. The adaptation was also acclaimed by critics and recognized as one of the best K-Dramas of 2022 by industry experts. Of course, if you think that you know better than them, that's up to you. The novel ends at episode 12 (which wouldn't have been adapted to the TV series... you'll know why when you'll see how the episode ends), and the rest was penned by the screenwriter. As for the ending, it was appropriate.
Mantra by everyone who signed up for The Interest of Love’s chaos: “Everyone is flawed. I'm gonna sit and watch.”
Get it or not, The Interest of Love is a masterclass in directing, acting and writing. The storytelling and attention to detail are really clever, and the mundane beauty of this drama is something that no other can match.
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The story of a woman who confronts an unrequited love with all her heart.
~A missed opportunity turns into a regret. If there are no more opportunities to miss, I'll make sure to create some myself.~~In a world of misunderstandings, it's dangerous to make assumptions about others. So you should ask the question yourself. You should hear the answer directly.~
~Love has to touch someone's inner confidence. Then love won't be dragged down by the other, but will draw the other to you.~
I thoroughly enjoyed this JTBC romance, as is often the case, and it left a lasting impression on me. I would recommend it to you if you are looking for a romance that's not necessarily simple and cute, for some it will be more a source of annoyance and boredom than anything else (it's a slow burn and it's far from being a frustration-free drama), or even depressing because yes, it's sad, but in my case I found it more interesting and I was totally hooked. The drama might seem rather light, it is actually quite heavy.
I really liked the atmosphere, the meaningful and thought-provoking dialogues, the quotes, the narration, the literature, the calligraphy and photography, the cinematography and music, the tense moments and camera movements, the way they end the episodes, the many well-placed metaphors related to fairy tales (I even read an entire analysis to understand one in episode 8, Lee Soo compared to the Little Mermaid at that very moment surprisingly makes so much sense), the parallels, the play on words, even the episode titles, there are so many details I can't list them all.
I would like to add that never before has a drama made me want to visit South Korea, and Seoul in particular, so much. I felt like I was discovering the city as I watched. They did a great job of blending photography with calligraphy. It's rare that I'm so captivated or even amazed by the work aspect of a drama, but this was more than successful. Just like in "Now, We Are Breaking Up", where the male lead is also a photographer while the female lead is a stylist. So in the end, the match-up was really different. Knowing that here we have a very different male lead, he's cold, withdrawn and solitary whereas the one in NWBU is warm and sociable.
I started the drama during my stay in Brittany (region in France), so I might as well tell you that I've stayed in the travel mood with this drama.
Lee Soo is quite a sad and annoying character at first, he has a lot of flaws but that's what makes him interesting and he has a beautiful evolution.
Overall this is the kind of drama that's best watched from the perspective of trying to understand the characters, or even empathize with them. We can't control our feelings, and not everything goes our way, and this drama shows that very well. Like it or not, the way the characters behave was very human. More than just a love story, it's a drama about relationships, be they family, friends, lovers, the misunderstandings we can have about ourselves and others, the difficulties we go through, the mistakes we make and the regrets that go with them, ... Simply put : life. You have to be patient and not judge the characters too quickly to fully appreciate this drama, because we're all different and nobody is perfect. Of course, it's also a beautiful love story and a drama that warmed my heart, with beautiful morals. It's just not what I'd recommend if that's all you're looking for, the drama shows how complicated love can be etc. If you like slow burn and bittersweet romances with complex characters, then it could be for you.
Some of the topics covered are very relevant, but... you'll have to watch the drama to find out.
Note that the title of the drama in Korean is "Number of cases (to go from friends to lovers)". When you think about it, the concepts at the heart of the drama are some of the things that drama fans hate the most. However, when it's the very concept of the drama, it changes everything. It's not just the story that creates conflict between the characters, and it's not because of external problems either, but internal ones. I'll take an event at the end of episode 6 as an example. At first it made me perplex, I thought it was too clichéd, even ridiculous. By the end of the episode, I completely changed my mind. I find it incredible that what I thought was stupid ended up impressing me. It was so meaningful and sad.
OST: The lyrics have a real emotional impact and make so much sense in relation to the story and the characters' feelings, especially as they were really well placed in the scenes. One OST is actually sung by Ong Seong Wu himself, dedicated to his character. The OST is called Late Regret, for those who want to know the name. There's also Spider Lily and Serendipity as interesting titles, since they mean something.
Side note: Yes, the story is frustrating and one could say it goes in circles, but no, it doesn't drag unnecessarily. Yes, Joon Soo deserves better. No, I do not put all the blame on Woo Yeon, and no, he wasn't innocent. What matters is that in the end, the journey was meaningful for everyone. Also, it's funny but not surprising to me how people just go for the simpler, kinder, more extrovert character who's a rich CEO, while I'm here finding Lee Soo much more interesting as an introvert, tsundere type of character. Of course I also loved Joon Soo and especially by the end I felt bad for him, so don't get me wrong.
In conclusion, this is the kind of romance that is clichéd but still stands out from the rest because everything seems so realistic and different from other dramas, right up to the very end. Moreover, the division of the drama into two distinct halves is nothing short of brilliant.
The opening to discover as it does not appear on Viki : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKQazSzhFr8
Thank you for reading !
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A fresh and thrilling tale against demons.
To start with, the music (both modern and traditional, just like the drama itself), the costumes, the special effects and the fights, the landscapes and settings (the snowy territories especially, what a pleasure), the demons, I loved it. It was very similar to an anime but as a drama.Speaking of the special effects, I was expecting anything but this, especially in view of the criticisms of this aspect? It looks even better than in the trailer. It's quality and I've clearly seen worse, forced criticism as usual... The fights were also superbly filmed and choreographed. Obviously, this isn't a drama with huge production value either, but I was fascinated most of the time. Xu Kai is way too cool and his mastery of the spear is impeccable, I can't even imagine how much he had to train.
The story isn't original, yet it's pure pleasure (and I've never seen that in a drama, so it's even cooler), it's always dynamic and I've never been bored. It's typically the kind of story I used to enjoy when I was younger, and frankly, it's refreshing. Some people thought it was cringe-worthy while it's just epic, too bad for them lol.
The drama delicately alternates between sweet moments, drama, action... The story developped very well and was very captivating to my taste. As you can imagine, the theme of evil demons versus good humans and the hero becoming all-powerful is far from complex. Nevertheless, I'm glad the drama brought a modicum of nuance. In addition, I loved the diversity of the characters.
Side notes:
- Overall it is not a drama high in emotions with amazing relationships and character development. It is pretty simple in every aspect. Indeed, it is far from an intelligent drama for a mature audience. Still a great and fun drama because it did what it was supposed to do perfectly.
To the people who claim the romance is bad: Tension is not the only form of chemistry, romance doesn't have to be intense. Sometimes romance is a sweet and subtle thing that can be built upon. I even found it beautiful.
If everything about Snow Eagle Lord gets you hooked from the first episodes just like me, and not only Xu Kai, you will have a lot of fun and be able to enjoy the ride. Besides, we never really see him less as some people states here, maybe for a few little parts but it wasn't for no reason. He is, however, the character we see the most, and certainly the most important. Yes, there are a lot of characters. Unfortunately those people are forcing themselves to watch it for him and are not into the drama.
Thanks for reading !
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Pure chaos from the start, braver, wilder and crazier than ever.
~ This review is destined to both seasons ~Season 1: ~ Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell ~
Season 2: ~ Born again from lies ~
(Posters translation)
First things first, it has to be your kind of crazy, so that you can embrace it all. It's basically the definition of excessive art, as it presents drama in its purest form. Therefore the drama introduces viewers to a world where logic takes a backseat to spectacle, but in a dream-like, epic way, endlessly and effectively pushing boundaries to a new level where anything is possible, making the immersion simply divine. Outlandish and absurd, yet meticulously crafted in style and tone, perfectly serving the narrative. One thing's for sure, you will either find the drama fascinating, impressive and imaginative or simply unwatchable.
Inspirational references (official) :
- The Seven Deadly Sins : you can play a game where you try to assign one original sin to each of them at the start, with both the normal and the drama ones (they did their own take on it on Viki's synopsis)—though to be honest, it's easy to give them several sins right from the start lol
- Dante's Divine Comedy : you'll get those feels from the first episode, but also "a bloody revenge resembling a divine punishment" is part of the premise
- The Count of Monte-Cristo : the drama being a modern picaresque work
- The Avengers/Marvel/The Boys : I remember Lee Joon saying it felt like a comic book, which is exactly why it was so much fun, and I couldn’t agree more. It really does feel like that kind of universe, somehow. I mean, look at Penthouse and The Last Empress. The fact that they mentioned Marvel in the drama makes it even more epic. While I didn’t see any mention of this on Namu Wiki (maybe I missed it), there's no way it wasn’t intentional, especially given the parallels with The Seven from The Boys (which you can explore more in this article https://www.cbr.com/the-seven-vs-avengers). The Boys is a parody, but if you're familiar with it or read the article, you’ll understand what I mean. That mention made the drama feel even more self-aware and creative than it already was. Honestly, Thor might as well be a hidden main character...
- Maybe more that weren't mentioned for the hellish island part (which is pure survival), and almost for sure one popular cartoon for something the drama does
The initial concept of the drama is to bring together 7 villains.
They are all heavily related to Da Mi, an innocent girl whose life turns into hell before she disappears from the world.
Bound together by life, or rather by death... The journey of the 7 begins.
The title of the first season is War for Survival, the title of the second season is Resurrection.
The first episode is enough to decide if it's for you or not. While Penthouse may be fine for many, 7 Escape is something else.
In terms of social status and backgrounds, 7 Escape is already different. The characters aren't meant to be rich like in Penthouse, and it's not the same kind of very classy drama. Look at the posters, compare this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/eYlLlY_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/p3ZzD_3) and this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/QJdAJ2_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/ENb8O_4). It's obvious right? You can also click on my profile, I have all posters displayed.
Anyway, I want to clarify that your appreciation of Penthouse does not necessarily matter.
Advices: Always watch the intro, the end-of-episode visuals accompanied by the music and the closing logo, and the credits at the end of each season. The only thing you can skip is the preview for the next episode. Additionally, I’ll share some links in the comments. A cool detail to note: the logo features a dual design, with one side displaying the title of the first season and the other side showing the title of the second season. I discovered this neat touch in a video, the link is included. Also, don’t miss the bonus scenes in Season 2. (They do not appear after the previews, of course.)
Do I need to talk about the biblical and mythological references in S2's opening? Simply insane.
Regarding the soundtrack, it's a brilliant blend of classical and modern music—much like the drama itself—which makes it easily my favorite OST album.
If the Seven aren't your cup of tea, you will most likely not enjoy the drama, or not to its full extent at least. The drama has such a strong aura, but you either savour it or hate it.
Kim Soon Ok has become the screenwriter I respect the most, and I wish I could thank her in person. You know what we say? The most twisted writers are the most adorable ones. She is no exception. Extremely creative she is, even the most creative, but also extremely sensible and spiritual. I could tell by the script that she's a really fun and witty individual more than I could in Penthouse. In fact, if I were to compare the dark humor and comic relief characters in both dramas, my preference would strongly lean towards 7 Escape—as it does with everything else. I don't have anything against Penthouse though, I also think it's a masterpiece.
Be warned, Season 2 is more serious and less fun than Season 1—I was in tears. But that's what makes it so refreshing. It feels like a natural progression, especially given the ending of Season 1. The new season brings a shift in tone, introducing different vibes, new dynamics, a new main character, and plenty of cool scenes to explore.
I'm not great at explaining technical details, but you'll definitely notice a difference in the writing, screenplay, cinematography, and sound design. Pay attention to how everything, including the characters, has evolved. Season 2 carries its own unique charm, which is already apparent when you compare the posters and ID films. Season 1 is vibrant, colorful, and flashy, while Season 2 is mystical, vivid, and visually stunning. Overall, it creates a cold and mysterious atmosphere.
Chaotic yet intelligent, psychotic, intense, dynamic, and modern—futuristic, even dystopian. It’s relevant, meaningful, complex, unconventional, limitless, provocative, and unpredictable. In short: spectacular. The production, the writing, the acting, it's absolutely mind-blowing. I barely could handle so much goodness from the start. There's just so much passion and dedication put into this rollercoaster. The writing might get some people frustrated because it is intended to be blurry, especially at the beginning, but it made it all the more intriguing for me, and it's also what makes it the greatest of makjangs. Expect the beginning to be particularly chaotic, there's a lot of characters and stuff going on. Besides, the out-of-the-box storytelling (like the premise) only made me fall in love more with the drama. The story is so huge and complicated, I don't know how Kim Soon Ok wrote that but she did anyways. The pacing is also terrific. All I can say is genius. Even more so because managing to write the most inhumane and humane, soulless and soulful, hopeless and hopeful plot all at the same time is certainly something to achieve. Hence, while it may be the ultimate escape from reality, it also brings you back to it in the most powerful and impactful way, and that's where all its beauty lies.
Maybe you need to be unhinged and sadistic to truly and fully enjoy this... I mean, I do feel bad for fictional characters, but here it's not the same and I can only say that I had a blast. I loved these villains from the start and the first episodes were already a delight to watch. If there's one drama I would like to experience again from the start, it's this one.
As entertainment, it definitely serves, but it is so much more. Like my favorite reviewer said, if you are not afraid of diving into the abysm of the human species, 7 Escape is right here for you.
There's something that K-netizens in particular should have benefited from the drama... You will realize what that is from the beginning already, as it is one of the main themes. I know that their environment might be unhealthy, "relieving your stress" isn't an excuse. The industry keeps on letting that happen despite numerous tragedies. But it's not new that SK is a deeply flawed country.
In a world where the truth is becoming more and more of an abstract concept, 7 Escape does an excellent job at conveying that.
Overall, it has some of the coolest concepts I have ever seen and I am personally in love with the execution. Everything seemed to be designed for me including the characters and that's why this drama is now my all-time favorite and feels like a dream come true. I was not that shocked at the madness because this is what I wanted and always dreamed of, I was more like shocked at how good it was because it kept exceeding my expectations.
7 Escape is, in conclusion, Korean dramaturgy in all its glory. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way as I do towards it, but if you enjoy it that's enough for me. And if you love it, almost or as much as I do, I'd be the happiest.
Before finishing this review, I would like to say that in terms of content, it is the richest drama ever made. From the themes of justice, technology, societal decay, revenge, to so much more.
Final words : In the end, can you escape your sins ?
Thank you for reading !
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Underdog story as an old-fashioned melodrama in the cutthroat world of fashion.
The main characters are pathetic—that you need to know first. If you're drawn to easily likable characters you can root for, this might not be the right choice. The lack of communication didn't annoy me as much as I expected, and overall, the drama was pretty easy to handle. Personally, I had a lot of fun with it, but your experience may vary.From the start, it was obvious this was a melodrama—mixing picaresque, noir, comedy, dark humor, makjang, and romance (not your typical love square). The drama carries a sly, cunning flow that won’t appeal to everyone. While some may find it frustrating, I found it purely entertaining. Then some people say it's a mess, but I also found its chaotic nature made it fun.
The beginning is straightforward, setting the tone perfectly. The story may drag at times, but if you're invested or ready to fully grasp its depth, you'll see why. Character development is key in this drama. At times, looking back, I found myself impressed—especially by the end.
Hands down, one of the best OSTs: a mix of old-school techno, classical music with a Spanish swing, and great songs.
The cinematography is surprisingly thoughtful. At first, the saturated colors sharply contrast the bright, beautiful world of the rich. However, as the narrative unfolds, the colors gradually soften, mirroring the drama's evolving tone.
All in all, loved the overall vibe—both fitting for its time and uniquely distinct. It remained firm and snob.
Shin Se Kyung is well-praised in Korea, though she has her share of critics here. Personally, I find her acting natural and sophisticated. While you don’t have to love her or her roles/dramas, she’s admired for her personality, intelligence, beauty, and subtle delivery. Her tone, nuanced expressions, and command of the Korean language are often deemed perfect. In fact, she’s even considered a Sageuk queen due to her voice and expertise in the genre. She's my second favorite actress, and I really appreciate how she sensibly portrays her characters in such a genuine way.
Kwon Yuri, as an idol making her acting debut, did a commendable job as the classy Choi Anna. I respect idols who venture into acting, and while her role may not have been the most challenging, she performed well. Some criticize her for a monotone, repetitive demeanor, but I found it fitting for the character she portrayed.
Unsurprisingly, Yoo Ah In and Lee Je Hoon faced no criticism. I think the casting was perfect for this drama. About the fashion, I also really appreciated how each of them were dressed, following closely the narrative once again.
If you can’t handle ambiguity, I wouldn’t recommend it. Some people here prefer to criticize the female lead (as usual) because they don't get it. She doesn’t deserve the hate. As long as you understand the story and characters, you’ll be fine. What I can tell you is that, for the most part, it's primarily a struggle among the men.
In the end, Fashion King presents an unconventional story about humanity and society, ultimately conveying the hopelessness of class conflict and what capitalism can do to a person.
Reality, as we all know, can be even stranger and more wicked—more unfair—than the cruel and ugly scenarios depicted in the drama. Clearly, the fashion industry isn't an exception where everything has to be pretty. It’s difficult to discuss the story without giving too much away, but while it may seem unfair, it remains complex, meaningful, and true to itself. The sense of unfairness touches both the characters and the audience. The conflict builds like a crescendo, intensifying until it reaches a boiling point.
To add further detail, the meaning behind the title is surprisingly significant, with some genius artistic and cultural references and hints.
Be sure to check out my comment under the review, where I dive into the ending—but only if you've finished watching!
Version of the opening that was not where I watched it : https://youtu.be/5GDVpO1bWoM - I also uploaded the one from Viki.
Teaser : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtNDnfaM8TA (If you're looking for a teaser with actual content from the drama, MDL has a high-quality one, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere else in the same quality.)
Thank you for reading !
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Pure chaos from the start, braver, wilder and crazier than ever.
~ This review is destined to both seasons ~Season 1: ~ Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell ~
Season 2: ~ Born again from lies ~
(Posters translation)
First things first, it has to be your kind of crazy, so that you can embrace it all. It's basically the definition of excessive art, as it presents drama in its purest form. Therefore the drama introduces viewers to a world where logic takes a backseat to spectacle, but in a dream-like, epic way, endlessly and effectively pushing boundaries to a new level where anything is possible, making the immersion simply divine. Outlandish and absurd, yet meticulously crafted in style and tone, perfectly serving the narrative. One thing's for sure, you will either find the drama fascinating, impressive and imaginative or simply unwatchable.
Inspirational references (official) :
- The Seven Deadly Sins : you can play a game where you try to assign one original sin to each of them at the start, with both the normal and the drama ones (they did their own take on it on Viki's synopsis)—though to be honest, it's easy to give them several sins right from the start lol
- Dante's Divine Comedy : you'll get those feels from the first episode, but also "a bloody revenge resembling a divine punishment" is part of the premise
- The Count of Monte-Cristo : the drama being a modern picaresque work
- The Avengers/Marvel/The Boys : I remember Lee Joon saying it felt like a comic book, which is exactly why it was so much fun, and I couldn’t agree more. It really does feel like that kind of universe, somehow. I mean, look at Penthouse and The Last Empress. The fact that they mentioned Marvel in the drama makes it even more epic. While I didn’t see any mention of this on Namu Wiki (maybe I missed it), there's no way it wasn’t intentional, especially given the parallels with The Seven from The Boys (which you can explore more in this article https://www.cbr.com/the-seven-vs-avengers). The Boys is a parody, but if you're familiar with it or read the article, you’ll understand what I mean. That mention made the drama feel even more self-aware and creative than it already was. Honestly, Thor might as well be a hidden main character...
- Maybe more that weren't mentioned for the hellish island part (which is pure survival), and almost for sure one popular cartoon for something the drama does
The initial concept of the drama is to bring together 7 villains.
They are all heavily related to Da Mi, an innocent girl whose life turns into hell before she disappears from the world.
Bound together by life, or rather by death... The journey of the 7 begins.
The title of the first season is War for Survival, the title of the second season is Resurrection.
The first episode is enough to decide if it's for you or not. While Penthouse may be fine for many, 7 Escape is something else.
In terms of social status and backgrounds, 7 Escape is already different. The characters aren't meant to be rich like in Penthouse, and it's not the same kind of very classy drama. Look at the posters, compare this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/eYlLlY_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/p3ZzD_3) and this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/QJdAJ2_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/ENb8O_4). It's obvious right? You can also click on my profile, I have all posters displayed.
Anyway, I want to clarify that your appreciation of Penthouse does not necessarily matter.
Advices: Always watch the intro, the end-of-episode visuals accompanied by the music and the closing logo, and the credits at the end of each season. The only thing you can skip is the preview for the next episode. Additionally, I’ll share some links in the comments. A cool detail to note: the logo features a dual design, with one side displaying the title of the first season and the other side showing the title of the second season. I discovered this neat touch in a video, the link is included. Also, don’t miss the bonus scenes in Season 2. (They do not appear after the previews, of course.)
Do I need to talk about the biblical and mythological references in S2's opening? Simply insane.
Regarding the soundtrack, it's a brilliant blend of classical and modern music—much like the drama itself—which makes it easily my favorite OST album.
If the Seven aren't your cup of tea, you will most likely not enjoy the drama, or not to its full extent at least. The drama has such a strong aura, but you either savour it or hate it.
Kim Soon Ok has become the screenwriter I respect the most, and I wish I could thank her in person. You know what we say? The most twisted writers are the most adorable ones. She is no exception. Extremely creative she is, even the most creative, but also extremely sensible and spiritual. I could tell by the script that she's a really fun and witty individual more than I could in Penthouse. In fact, if I were to compare the dark humor and comic relief characters in both dramas, my preference would strongly lean towards 7 Escape—as it does with everything else. I don't have anything against Penthouse though, I also think it's a masterpiece.
Be warned, Season 2 is more serious and less fun than Season 1—I was in tears. But that's what makes it so refreshing. It feels like a natural progression, especially given the ending of Season 1. The new season brings a shift in tone, introducing different vibes, new dynamics, a new main character, and plenty of cool scenes to explore.
I'm not great at explaining technical details, but you'll definitely notice a difference in the writing, screenplay, cinematography, and sound design. Pay attention to how everything, including the characters, has evolved. Season 2 carries its own unique charm, which is already apparent when you compare the posters and ID films. Season 1 is vibrant, colorful, and flashy, while Season 2 is mystical, vivid, and visually stunning. Overall, it creates a cold and mysterious atmosphere.
Chaotic yet intelligent, psychotic, intense, dynamic, and modern—futuristic, even dystopian. It’s relevant, meaningful, complex, unconventional, limitless, provocative, and unpredictable. In short: spectacular. The production, the writing, the acting, it's absolutely mind-blowing. I barely could handle so much goodness from the start. There's just so much passion and dedication put into this rollercoaster. The writing might get some people frustrated because it is intended to be blurry, especially at the beginning, but it made it all the more intriguing for me, and it's also what makes it the greatest of makjangs. Expect the beginning to be particularly chaotic, there's a lot of characters and stuff going on. Besides, the out-of-the-box storytelling (like the premise) only made me fall in love more with the drama. The story is so huge and complicated, I don't know how Kim Soon Ok wrote that but she did anyways. The pacing is also terrific. All I can say is genius. Even more so because managing to write the most inhumane and humane, soulless and soulful, hopeless and hopeful plot all at the same time is certainly something to achieve. Hence, while it may be the ultimate escape from reality, it also brings you back to it in the most powerful and impactful way, and that's where all its beauty lies.
Maybe you need to be unhinged and sadistic to truly and fully enjoy this... I mean, I do feel bad for fictional characters, but here it's not the same and I can only say that I had a blast. I loved these villains from the start and the first episodes were already a delight to watch. If there's one drama I would like to experience again from the start, it's this one.
As entertainment, it definitely serves, but it is so much more. Like my favorite reviewer said, if you are not afraid of diving into the abysm of the human species, 7 Escape is right here for you.
There's something that K-netizens in particular should have benefited from the drama... You will realize what that is from the beginning already, as it is one of the main themes. I know that their environment might be unhealthy, "relieving your stress" isn't an excuse. The industry keeps on letting that happen despite numerous tragedies. But it's not new that SK is a deeply flawed country.
In a world where the truth is becoming more and more of an abstract concept, 7 Escape does an excellent job at conveying that.
Overall, it has some of the coolest concepts I have ever seen and I am personally in love with the execution. Everything seemed to be designed for me including the characters and that's why this drama is now my all-time favorite and feels like a dream come true. I was not that shocked at the madness because this is what I wanted and always dreamed of, I was more like shocked at how good it was because it kept exceeding my expectations.
7 Escape is, in conclusion, Korean dramaturgy in all its glory. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way as I do towards it, but if you enjoy it that's enough for me. And if you love it, almost or as much as I do, I'd be the happiest.
Before finishing this review, I would like to say that in terms of content, it is the richest drama ever made. From the themes of justice, technology, societal decay, revenge, to so much more.
Final words : In the end, can you escape your sins ?
Thank you for reading !
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Always Have, Always Will
10 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
A refreshing, dynamic and modern romantic comedy with cute, bickering characters.
"Always Have, Always Will" is one of my favorite Chinese dramas and unexpectedly one of my actual favorites. I'm not very much of a romantic comedy lover and each of my attempts in the school genre for cdramas have been failures despite the success. However, I found this one very gripping and different.Full of life, full of color, intriguing, with a fair amount of drama and depth that surprised me, and I got very attached to the characters. It's cute, it's fun, yes, but it's also a beautiful love story. I loved the way the story unfolds bit by bit until the very end, and how the title really comes into its own.
In conclusion, it's an underrated drama that's worth giving a try. The story is full of clichés and conflicts, but it's not done in a way that's annoying at all I think, so rather than saying the drama is cliché I'd say it's unique in its genre. I also liked the fact that the resolution of the memory loss wasn't as clichéd as usual and more realistic. It wasn't just used as a plot twist either, but as a base for the plot.
(https://mydramalist.com/49135-always-have-always-will#comment-14205439) from my friend Kelekat in the comments -> 'Dynamic' is by far the most accurate word to describe this drama! The writing, cinematography, styling, all of it. Very well said. The application, usage and execution of the flashbacks are so well done. They aren't just thrown in there. They help us understand our characters actions and behaviors along the way. So much of what's happening in the present would seem petty and trivial without them. Yes, there are cliches left and right in this but how they are applied is extremely original and I'm saying this after watching several hundred dramas since coming back to this one now. I'm enjoying it so much.
After all, this is just my opinion and I admit that I prefer when there's a lot of complications rather than a calm story but I sincerely think it's a refreshing drama overall, thanks to its colorful characters and realisation in particular.
Seeing the feedbacks, it didn't appeal to everyone, but I'd still recommend it openly. You might not enjoy it as much, but this drama was a bliss for me.
Edit: for some reason they uploaded it again with the song of the opening and ending removed. please don't watch it on youtube. use avistaz (best torrents site for dramas) instead, you'll have subtitles there and the best quality. it's not that hard, all you need is to sign up and install a client (I recommend deluge). if not avistaz, anywhere but youtube.
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Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
A memorable masterpiece in the vampire genre. (Ending explained)
I wrote this a long time ago. I tried to make it as insightful as possible. Thank you for reading in advance!Blood is not your typical vampire story from the get-go because of its take on vampires and the medical setting. It's philosophical and even artsy. It really is a matter of being hooked by the storyline and atmosphere. The music is a mix of old school techno, violon and harpsichord to evoke the atmosphere of Victorian vampires. The main cast and many other characters are kind of edgy from the vibe they give off but it is perfectly fitting to the style of the drama. They were unique and unforgettable. If you cannot handle anything spiritual, you might want to stay away from Blood.
Look back at the whole drama to understand the ending. Blood is actual genius.
Copy-pasted a part of Maryena's review (the one on the top) which I wanted to include here : "The plot was very unpredictable. That's why I liked its story. Also the story was full of moral, humanity and most importantly, Blood is brimming with life philosophies. Add to this the other invaluable life lessons that may be culled from the drama. To name a few, faith in God during adversity, compassion or empathy for the sick and dying; fleeting nature of life and vain things like power and money; moral science or the upholding of the ethics and standards of one's profession."
I really like the synopsis, so I will also copy it here in case some of you didn't read it : "Park Ji Sang is a doctor specializing in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery in the best cancer research hospital in the country. He is also a vampire. Despite seeming cold and unfeeling, Ji Sang masks his soft heart and inner pain and yearns for closeness with people. He believes very strongly in the sanctity of human life and suppresses his thirst for blood to treat terminally ill patients and save lives. (loved his internal conflict)
Among his colleagues is Yoo Ri Ta, a hotshot physician who entered medical school at the age of 17 and is also the niece of the chaebol group chairman who owns the hospital. Ri Ta is highly capable but snooty and prideful, yet Ji Sang finds himself falling for her. He also gets drawn into a conflict between good and evil as he encounters Lee Jae Wook, a two-faced hospital chief who gains everyone's trust with his gentle demeanor, but inwardly harbors a dangerous ambition for power and a talent for cruelty."
Side note: The romance was sweet and the support between the characters was very refreshing, as there was no useless toxicity between them. Finally, a real team with real teamwork.
Special effects: You must keep in mind that this is a 2015 supernatural drama from KBS2. However, the fights were so well choreographed and I LOVED it when they transformed. It was so cool and original.
Acting: All the cast is commendable, truly. Ji Jin Hee's Lee Jae Wook is one of the best villains I have ever witnessed. Ahn Jae Hyun's Park Ji Sang is by far my favorite vampire and his little smirk was everything (also like the tone of his voice and his facial expressions were so captivating to me?). Moreover I appreciate how stoic he is because when he cracks, it accentuates the shift and gives a real intensity. On the other hand, Rita is a fun character. People blaming Ahn Jae Hyun and Goo Hye Sun must have a personal problem with them or their characters. As AJH's first main role, it must have been very hard first of all. Please watch the press conference to have an idea of what they went through. I couldn't bear GHS in BOF because I couldn't bear anything at all in this drama, it was way too cringe for me. But here I loved her (I mean she's not the most likeable in the first few eps tho but she did a great job at that lol). Please pay attention to their emotional changes all throughout.
For more details on GHS's acting in the first episodes :
https://www.soompi.com/article/704949wpp/blood-team-voices-their-concern-regarding-criticisms-of-goo-hye-suns-acting
Teasers I felt the need to share as well as a press conference :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWCjhD3BqTI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MogMyyGLhY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyVMYcYEAOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkpcA9AgtZs
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Remember the last episodes when Park Ji Sang was talking to Chief Jung and the conversation between Dr. Choi and Dr. Jung about him. That he could live without a heart and he has to die to cultivate the cure for 20-30mins. And because his blood is auto-genesis, he can live again. Because this is a theory and not been proven that's why everyone is concerned that it might fail. He is not that affected much with the sunrise because they could have injected the decomposed blood already and it won't react anymore to a dead infected and because he is of pure blood he can heal faster. Him being alive at the end means the antibody worked, and it was successful making him stronger than ever even as a human. So Yoo Ri Ta is all in to the experiment and when Park Ji Sang died of course they have to revive his body and observe him. It can take longer before his body will be totally cured and by the time he woke up Yoo Ri Ta is gone to Kochenia already as planned. So when she saw Park Ji Sang there it is as if she already knew that it was him but was too amazed to react or in a dreamy state when she realized that the cure was real. The end.
So, this is the logical explanation. But if you don't mind me sharing more of my thoughts :
By the end, he is human. His heart stopped beating, but he transcended humanity. His blood is enough for him to live and that's what saved him (and his heart, obviously). He'll die as a human. The writer certainly knew that only a few people would understand and love the drama for what it really is beyond the surface. They could have shown everything that happened in between to give the viewers clear explanations, but it would then ruin the atmosphere, all the build-up, and the theme of the drama would become meaningless. Blood stayed true to itself. It was supposed to feel like a miracle.
From the beginning, they try to find a cure (Ji Sang's mother). This is how it ends. Ji Sang and his mother's dream to make him human became a reality.
The drama started in Kochenia (note that the very first scene is important), and ended in Kochenia.
Remember the dialogue between Rita and Ji Sang on the rooftop, it also fits perfectly.
The reference to Beauty and the Beast.
The vampires came from Kochenia originally. But them appearing at the same place, at the same time where Rita is... strange right? Now remember Jae Wook's monologue before he died. He represents the devils (the painting at his home is quite self-explanatory already) whereas Ji Sang represents the angels. Blood is a battle between light and shadow. Look at the main poster now. Ji Sang's sudden appearance as Rita's savior was brilliant (just like in the past!).
All in all, this is like 10 parallels in one scene. One (and most) may say that it's a stupid ending and that it doesn't make any sense, but it really does. I found it really beautiful. Not to mention the scenery was gorgeous and Ji Sang became even more handsome. I really love Rita too. She made me cry hard before this scene came. Ji Sang's reaction to Hyun Woo's death was also heartbreaking. Both had an awesome character development throughout the drama and suffered so much.
Vincenzo was written by the same person, and it only confirmed my thoughts about Blood with biblical references being placed here and there. I clearly don't love it as much as I love Blood but it was really good. Vincenzo is definitely not as serious, but it gave me good laughs. I still find the robot in Blood to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen in a drama though.
Honestly, it couldn't be more obvious with all the religious things in the drama, even in the poster you can notice crosses. When I first saw the ending, I wasn't even confused. It was a surprise yes, but somehow, it immediately made sense for me. By always seeking too much rationality in fiction, you lose yourself and miss a lot. Blood is the best take on vampires to this day, and it is not only a vampire series for teenagers like Twilight.
Yet, even though I said it is obvious, it is all very subtle.
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Very insightful analysis from a Korean philosopher : https://m.post.naver.com/viewer/postView.nhn?memberNo=134246&volumeNo=1335670&vType=VERTICAL
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Through its different approach to love, Love Alarm also denounces the excesses of technology.
~ This review covers both seasons ~There are plenty of spoilers ahead, but if you want to avoid most of them, feel free to skip to the conclusion in the comments.
Thanks in advance for reading!
P.S: I want to clarify that I do not hate Sun Oh (not that my username is related to him). I actually appreciate his character a lot, he's definitely interesting and saying that I didn't feel anything for him would be a lie.
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This conclusion is perfect because it's healthy and realistic. That she should end up with Sun Oh was inconceivable, she loved Hye Yeong, not him. Sun Oh found happiness on his own and moved on, such is life. He wasn't the person Jojo needed, and vice versa.
From the beginning of the story, Sun Oh's character didn't come across as a very nice guy, but he's also somewhat pitiful. Is he a monster? No. He actually has a pure heart but that doesn't change his immaturity which turns into toxicity for the people around him. Yes, we can see that he starts to have genuine feelings for Jojo, even though his initial motives were questionable.
On the whole, the drama focused more on the psychology of the main characters and I love this kind of romance, the transition from high schoolers to young adults really makes the difference with season 1, the tone changes (highlighting the contrast), you can feel the characters coming of age and the fact that we've followed them through several periods of their lives gives way to a nostalgic feeling, the music etc. also plays a big part.
I loved everything : the cinematography, the acting, the writing, the dialogue, narration and quotes, the directing, the music, the sci-fi aspect, the fact that so many things are represented in the form of drawings (even animated ones) and the whole thing around Jojo's drawings and their meanings.
Some viewers blame Jojo for kissing Sun Oh in the beginning. She was on bad terms with Il Sik and eventually she was able to breathe thanks to Sun Oh. It's true that he was forcing, but she ended up accepting the kiss. They were where no one could see them (well, obviously it's a drama, so it doesn't go as planned), and she was tempted. The way he looked at her, the sexual tension, and well he's definitely handsome. When we know that many adults (men and women) have already cheated in their lives, it's not a teenager who lets herself go with this kind of context that shocks. I don't think she felt that way with her ex, far from it. One can argue it was wrong, but what about Il Sik? And Sun Oh? That’s where the complexity lies. Like so much else in the story, it’s not black and white—it’s human. This isn’t a story about perfect people making perfect choices. One can keep saying, "I wouldn’t do that," but in the grand scheme, it doesn’t change anything.
Jojo didn’t initiate her relationship with Sun Oh. He pushed for it, despite knowing she had a boyfriend—something he learned from his best friend, Hye Yeong, who also had feelings for her. Sun Oh knew all of this, yet still chose to pursue her. And they dated for what, less than a month if we remove the time after the accident?
After the breakup, four years passed before she met Hye Yeong. At first, she was emotionally distant, but his persistent efforts eventually paid off, and she gradually began to open up to him.
Anyway, I think that too many people watch from Sun Oh's perspective only, and forget to take a more open-minded, realistic view.
What can we expect from a character whose childhood was so painful, whose youth was full of struggles, a traumatized teenager with burdens so heavy to bear? Yes, you could say she acts in an annoying and selfish way, however, unless you are biased because of Song Kang and that you have a superficial view of the drama and her character, you will feel nothing but empathy. Don't even make me start on the impact that such an event can have on someone... Survivor's guilt, yes, but it was her parents who tried to kill themselves with her.
Sun Oh's behavior can be explained because of his family situation, right, I do get that. But if you think it's all Jojo's fault or that what Sun Oh did at the beginning is right but what happened afterwards isn't, I don't know what to say.
What Deuk Gu says to Hye Yeong, "It was Jojo's will to use the shield and spear. Without it, she would never have gone out with you. It was because of the shield that she broke up with Sun Oh and you appeared on the list of people she could love. The shield being a variable, Jojo's will intervened, and you became a potential love interest. She wanted to ring your Love Alarm, even if it meant using the spear. She was willing to go that far to express her feelings for you. If that's not being sincere, what is?" This sums it up perfectly.
Another thing about the end that I love is that Jojo still doesn't ring Hye Yeong's Love Alarm without the spear and she still has the shield, but they know their love is sincere and it was really beautiful when they confessed their feelings out loud. It reminded me of when Hye Yeong was courting Jojo the traditional way without relying to Love Alarm, and the fact that he wanted to build his relationship with her bit by bit was great. Of course, there's that final scene where we see the key moments when Jojo rang Hye Yeong's Love Alarm, they left before it started working but anyway, it was obvious. Nonetheless, it was perfect as a conclusion, for us viewers.
I transcribed two other dialogues that are important:
(the discussion between the two brothers) - Five years ago, I told you that we shouldn't release 2.0. - You don't realize that the Love Alarm you created makes people feel lonelier. Version 2.0 was created for those lonely people. If they'd known that lots of people would love them, there wouldn't have been any mass suicides, 23 lives would have been spared. - Is that really what you think? People only go out with the app's recommendations. Just like we only read articles from our search portal. Just as we only watch movies recommended by the algorithm. - What's wrong with that? - It eliminates countless possibilities. If there's an error in the suggestions, version 2.0 prevents love from being born. - An error? How are you going to prove it? - Kim Jojo. When she installed the shield, the person she loved changed. - Programming bug. - It wasn't a bug. It was Jojo's will. With the introduction of synchronization and willpower, this little mistake changed her life. Do you understand now?
(Deuk Gu talking to Jojo) "It was obvious you liked Hye Yeong. Do you know why you hesitated so much? You've never seen his Love Alarm ring. That's why. Even though you knew it was because of the shield, you doubted your feelings, because his Love Alarm had never gone off. That's why I wanted to stop the new function. People have become too dependent on technology."
Going back...
Season 1 Episode 5 analysis (accident scene) : Exactly as shown with the narration and the cinematography, it was like a dream of happiness for her. She ignored and escaped reality thanks to Sun Oh. During the trip in Jeju, her trauma was already triggered once, but the accident heavily triggered it as it involved Sun Oh (who became really important for her—so no she didn't "not consider his feelings", it's not that simple). The call from the hospital where is her grandmother, the memories from her childhood if we can even call it that, her memories with Sun Oh, the flashback of Gul Mi threatening her... It was a build-up of different factors until she had to take a decision. She lost her friends, people judged her, she became the center of attention, and because Gul Mi knows her too well, it was also easy for her to use all the guilt that she tried so hard to hide deep inside. Then as if it wasn't enough, Sun Oh was locked up by his family because of her (that being the final trigger, the last straw), and she was also aware of Hye Yeong's feelings. Also, like, you're telling me that's the normal life of a high-schooler? I'm not doing a recap but in case anyone forgot, this person explained it all in her review : https://mydramalist.com/profile/9262161/review/150547—I really like how they ended the Jojo paragraph with "Because she doesn't want any help from anybody, BECAUSE she feels and will feel small. And that's actually one of the reason why she was burdened on being in a relationship with Sun-oh and finally installed the shield."
On a side note, it is known that people can live with the memories of their childhood, but for the people who don't have anything happy to remember, they live their lives trying to heal these scars (I mean Jojo has some good memories with her grandma, but...it's still way too sad, like, her grandma had to fall ill and then all this...?). It's not easy for them to be happy and live a normal life.
Because it still wasn't enough, she literally became someone's target. Sigh.
More observations : At the end of the first episode in season 1, Jojo's narration says "If I had Love Alarm on me, would it have rung? No. They would have both remained silent. Because the desire for a kiss preceded love." It really shows the difference in the building of relationships. At the end, Sun Oh and Yuk Jo are ready to build a healthy and mature relationship together, just like what Jojo and Hye Yeong did, with Jojo eventually developping feelings for him. Love Alarm is not everything, so it shouldn't control them. Their reaction when it didn't ring showed exactly that. Just like Hye Yeong and Jojo leaving before the app's confirmation. Whether Love Alarm rings or not is not the question, what matters in the end is YOU and not the program. Love Alarm doesn't guarantee your happiness. It works when you have a crush and when you are in love, but not for the process of falling in love. We are not so simple. This is why 2.0 was really bad, but honestly, I even wonder if 1.0 would really last. Some will say the ending between Yuk Jo and Sun Oh was forced, but for me it would have been forced only if Sun Oh made Yuk Jo's Love Alarm ring. I liked how he went at her home everyday...it was great. Genuine effort matters, even small moves. Hye Yeong proved that already. And yes, it made sense, it wasn't random either. I could feel the growth in his character and his sincerity so the app was irrelevant. In addition, not all relationships are rooted in passionate love, and intense emotions don’t always lead to healthy relationships. Love Alarm touches on this idea by showing that true connection goes beyond initial attraction or infatuation. It explores how relationships require more than just strong feelings to be stable and healthy, emphasizing the importance of understanding, respect, and emotional compatibility. Passion can fade or become problematic if not supported by a deeper, more meaningful bond.
Another thing I want to discuss, remember when Hye Yeong saw Jojo disappearing from the list of the people who *could* love him. That was after the kiss, which made it all the more blurry. Because of her strong feelings towards Sun Oh (normal considering their past history), it was hard to know, even for the audience. But in fact, the reason why she disappeared from Hye Yeong's Love Alarm was that she *really* was in love with him : the first thing she thought about was Hye Yeong.
Even if Love Alarm is indeed an opportunity for them to experience love, it lacks in terms of free will and timing.
Last ending observation : The final season being Spring symbolizes renewal, which I found to be a beautiful touch. I loved how the drama used the changing seasons throughout, adding a layer of poetry to the storytelling.
Here's an example of brilliant writing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipKOv4RG11Y
It mirrors everything so well. Like in Season 1, Sun Oh could not respect Jojo's protective barriers.
Fun fact : Before I started watching, I had such high and unrealistic expectations regarding Sun Oh's character because of how much people loved him. What I got in return was...not what I expected. I thought he would have a tragic background and be similar to a tormented character like Su Ho in True Beauty (chef's kiss), turns out that was Jojo lol. And worse even, considering her "life"...
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Conclusion under
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Bonus links that I recommend to save :
- https://www.mentmagazine.com/issue001/sensus
- https://mydramalist.com/profile/imanirine/review/155009
- https://mydramalist.com/profile/Claraamorim/review/133999
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