I remember my previous roommate watching this one and loving it, a few years back, but also that she had a knack for spoiling plot lines... which is why I kept putting this one on the backburner. Now, a few years later, all I knew about this drama was that it was a love story about a girl and her "book boyfriend" and that Lee JOng Suk was in it... and I still can't believe this is the first drama I have ever watched with him in it.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the beginning and end of the drama. The middle was alright.. but I felt like there were 10 different subplots in the middle where I honestly forgot why certain characters would start blinking out of existence. I liked the newness and surprise from the characters in the beginning whenever they would meet in the comic world and how much Kang Chul had this childlike wonder when it came to Yeon Joo. Then at the end, when they were both in life of death situations, I loved how Kang Chul would do anything to keep Yeon Joo safe and happy. That being said... I am not sure if it was the 10 different subplots, or Lee Jong Suk's acting... but I could NEVER tell what he was thinking. Even when he would come out and say how her was feeling, I still didn't believe it. I felt that Kang Chul's character went through 5 different character changes, along with the plot changes... where I just didn't believe that he was in love with Yeon Joo until the very end. Then we have Yeon Joo... who was this spazzy but strong character in the beginning and then gradually just became this person that her dad and Kang Chul needed to protect. Eventually... I just didn't care much about her or her character.
I don't think I will watch this again, BUT I am curious to see another Lee Jong Suk drama to figure out if it was the script or it was just the way he acts. I feel like I've been a similar drama like this.. but instead of a comic book, a video game, and it was done a lot better. Don't get me wrong, I loved some of the subplots that were thrown in.. but others, I felt were unnecessary. If I was a mundane living in this world and waiting each week for an episode to be uploaded... TBH... I might have dropped it once there was a supernatural element to it. Plus...I would have been bummed by the comic ending.
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Both, Han Hyo-joo, and Lee Jong-suk! They looked soo good together, and definitely can see the chemistry between them worked soo well! -
Both the story was really interesting and really kept me hooked, It is your typical like rich man in the webtoon kinda story, but I did enjoy it!
I also do love watching like murder mystery things, so I thought it was really good drama!
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A well deserved happy ending
Absolutely loved the premise! The fact the Cheol was, initially, a fictional character inside a webtoon, then, one day, he becomes aware and free will starts coming into play against the webtoon's creator wishes.Honestly, it was amazing and flawlessly executed. The "cartoonization" was so incredible! I loved all the special effects and transitions that were added.
Both leads were great in their roles. I especially loved Kang Cheol's character. It's not everyday one comes across a k-drama lead who's comfortable in his sexuality and an outrageously charismatic, arrogant flirt. The main couple had great chemistry and were so earnest and emotional in their performances. I couldn't help but root for them and shed a few tear during the heartbreaking moments.
The drama was insane and never ending. And it'll all get worse before it gets better. Like, way worse than you'll imagine. But if nothing else, this show guarantees you a crazy, entertaining ride.
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W -gateway between Kdrama and dark Anime.
One of the better gateways between Kdarama & Anime!This is an unsung creative gem from acting, to chemistry to plot line and production.
Kdramas in general struggle with the scifi aspect / accuracy of story telling in general. W manages to create a unique view and entrance to overlapping 2 worlds or realities for our charaters and their story. Yes, there are a few holes where the plot lime is weak and needs a bit more audience imagination to follow through. But overall, this does pretty well. The matial arts / fights scenes can be a bit over the top. But other scenes like hospital scenerios or our new couple figuring things out and enjoying their fate make up for the holes (IMO).
Our main leands do have credible chemistry if a bit silly at times, given that is is a show where reality meets fantasy.
Here we meet younger leads- Lee Jong Suk (ML- Kang Chul) and Han Hyo Joo (FL- O Yeon Ju). Though I wish we saw much more development in our supoorting charater arcs by Lee Tae Hwan, Park Won Sang and Jung Eugene.
Give it a watch and share your thoughts too.
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This review may contain spoilers
Really enjoyed the kdrama.What I liked:
1. Central theme - This drama reminds me of Frankenstein. Debates about creator who perceives himself as god. debates about freewill.
2. Plot twists - I like the tricks derived by Yeonjoo to get to 'To be continued' in the first few episodes. Kang Cheol looked genuinely surprised. I love the suspense element.
3. Acting - I watched W after watching Han Hyo Joo in Moving. Love her performance in this series too. My first Lee Jong Suk's drama and I enjoyed his acting. I also enjoyed Kim Eui Sang's acting - he played Yeonjoo's father and the comic creator.
What I disliked:
1. Romance - Romance was ok. Wish they had more disagreements. Yeonjoo was quick to give into Kang Cheol's needs and demands & she was quick to fall in love too.
2. Plot - I can't compare the writing of this drama to the writing of original source but I find the drama lost its momentum once Kang Cheol's perception of "reality" change.
Favourite scene
When Kang Cheol shot someone in Mr Oh's house
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A drama like no other
It's a drama like no other. It's unique and it's fast paced. You certainly don't get bored and the story is extremely unpredictable. That is both its greatest strength and weakness. It really keeps you on your toes but since it's constantly fast-paced, it also tires you out. I needed several breaks - not because it's bad but because there was so much happening that I needed to recharge. Also heads up, because this drama will also require some brainpower for you to understand why and what is happening, so it's not something you should watch on the side. I saw many people being confused and dropping/disliking the drama because of that. Many perceived "plot holes" actually make sense when you pay enough attention. Not to say that there are no plot holes whatsoever, but it's not nearly as bad as some people claim.I'm extremely conflicted on the romance. It happened extremely fast (and I honestly didn't understand why he fell that hard) and these romantic moments seemed quite unfitting in certain moments. The ending also left me feeling conflicted.
But overall, it's so unique and different from any other drama that it's definitely worth a watch.
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Where this drama truly stands out is in its nail-biting edge of your seat twists and turns. Every episode delivers something surprising and unexpected at a fast pace that will have your heart racing as you watch. These unexpected events keep you guessing all the way till the end of the show so if thriller dramas is what you are looking for then you will find it here. The twists do often connect the coherent dots as the story moves along, even if you don't particular enjoy those dots at times it will still have your emotions on hyperdrive.
Where this drama had trouble was with the romance portion. I don't know if it was a lack of chemistry or not enough scenes to really convince you that the two actually like each other but the romance here was just boring. There were several cute moments in the first few episodes as they get to know each other but then too quickly and without reason the relationship progressed and that forced story line began to feel a bit awkward. The emotionally heavy scenes were not carried well between the couple either which just left you feeling a bit blah about their relationship. There was also too much hopping between worlds that occasionally got confusing and tiring. The ending also did not give me the sense of completion that I was hoping for. Almost like it just wasn't enough of an explanation to make me happy.
Even with its flaws I would still highly recommend you watch this drama as it kept me firmly attached to the screen and continuously guessing.
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I ugly cried
I have never ugly cried for a straight 30 minutes in my life over a show. This changed that.But to the point. The first 9 episodes were amazing and honestly this show could have probably been wrapped up in 10-12 episodes. The repetition from episodes 10-15 has you saying, “really? We’re going through this again?” There was just too much that wasn’t needed in order to still have a great story. Episodes 16 was still very much needed though. Holy moly….
Lee Jong Suk is dreamy to watch…but they didn’t give his character much dimension in the emotions department. Scenes where you thought he should be crying he just…didn’t? And scenes where he could have used more laughter he just…didn’t? I don’t know really got to describe it but his emotions and character just didn’t seem to line up with how you would expect him to act in certain situations in order to further the deep romantic connection we are supposed to believe the ml and fl have.
My high-ish rating is solely based on the first 1-9 episodes for story development and then including the last episode 16 for the emotional experience I never knew I could have during a show.
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When i started to watch.. It got me excited and anticipate the next episode more. I really like it. Then comes episode 9 which I think was the best episode.
I can almost feel the sadness that the characters felt. Then it started to become something that I really hope would end fast. Episode 10++ doesn't get me excited, it made me feel like dropping them. It was so much complicated that I felt bored watching it and hoping that it would end. I watched it until episode 14 and then decided to skip watching episode 15. Well I glad I skipped it because it doesnt feel like I actually missed 1 episode althought I didnt really know what happen lol.
The ending was.....rough...well..I'm not sure I like it. but it was okay.
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Lee Jong Suk did a great job. Also Kim Eui Seong did, mainly in the last chapters.
But... there is many problems with the storyline and the interpretation of the main actress. These problems don't make of this drama a terrible one, but is enough to not give to it 10.
The story works well, more or less, until episode 12. Until this point is one of best drama of this year, after that is a very regular drama. It is because the drama begins to lose direction and logic.
The end is more or less expected.
I don't like the behaviour of Oh Yeon Joo, each episode she was becoming increasingly aphatic and annoying with her actitudes. In fact, the most important criticism is the poor performance of the main female. Several scenes lost even more their meaning by the way she played badly some emotions.
Park Soo Bong has the worse lines of dialogs of all drama.
I did not see him again.
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