This review may contain spoilers
I loved it but how I wished the production executed the 20-episode time frame a lot better T^T
This drama was once a part of my youth like what most people around my age say. The first time I watched it was from the local TV in my homecountry and it was dubbed in our language, not Korean. However, I did not understand it that much because I did not keep up with the episodes aired at that time. The second time I watched it was in its original dub and this is the first Korean series that I completed with its original dub. I loved it tho, but the memorability was not that high, unlike the time when I watched 'Faith' for the first time later on.Now, it's my third time watching it. As an adult, I'm now more aware of the real world and politics. Finally, I came to understand this series more and its memorability seems to be higher than before. Unfortunately, despite having a full 20 episodes, the last two episodes were rushed. No proper pacing and resolution, especially in the last episode.
I needed more to see the president's point and view and how the city hunter turned out after his life's endeavor. I did enjoy this series a lot, I just don't understand what happened later. I felt so lost, especially after eliminating the third prospect. The half of the story went well but then the plot became a bit rushed, disorganized, and went nowhere later on. The 20-episode frame was not managed well. The number of episodes should be enough to cover all the five politicians' arcs, but this was not put into proper pacing, not divided well, and the last two most important politicians were not highlighted that well. I want to see more from the president's point of view, but I felt like the first three politicians' parts were the most well-executed.
There were some questions my mind thought of after re-watching it:
- Where was Chun Jae Man's bodyguard? The one that Yoon Sung kept in his house? Nothing was shown about him after he told Yoon Sung to get rid of his former master.
- What was Kim Na Na's father's purpose for being bedridden in the hospital all throughout this series?
- Did the president's family, especially Da Hye, that the city hunter is a family? Did Da Hye know that her tutor is her half-brother?
- What happened to Na Na? Why did she quit being an agent from the Blue House?
- How did the public respond to the president's corrupt acts? Was there some sort of understanding, or was he just judged and impeached without the public knowing his side?
- Were there any legal consequences or punishment for the city hunter? Did the public find out who the real city hunter was? Or did they just think that it was Lee Jin Pyo?
Also, Park Min Young's role, Kim Na Na, whom I thought was the best character, felt discarded in the last few episodes. Even the ending for her was too sudden. The role of her father felt so useless all throughout the series. Her character and skill as an agent felt so useless as well (after the part when she took the bullet). When the male lead decided to be thrown by her, her role started to be kept in the shadows. Kim Na Na's character had so much potential and she really gave off that cool female lead vibe, but that had gone to waste. Actually, she could be my favorite character here if she was just properly highlighted. It felt like she became just a supporting character.
Another character that went to waste in the last few episodes was Prosecutor Kim Young Joo. There was no sense of fulfillment in his role, he just ended like that without any strong reason to be taken out of the story. I was so hopeful about his character that I thought he and the city hunter would work together until the very end. Poor Se Hee for being left behind like that without any proper screentime with her ex-husband.
Nonetheless, I still love the overall plot and theme of this drama. This is actually one of the most decent action dramas in Korea in my opinion. I haven't seen the original yet, but so far, I'm still satisfied with this version (just the last two episodes were not just really enough for me). 'City Hunter' is still highly recommended. Actually, this is one of Lee Min Ho's best dramas alongside 'Legend of the Blue Sea' and 'Faith' (I am eyeing Panchinko now. Gonna check it out when I feel like it). I hope to see him more on-screen with a different kind of role (like what Kim Soo Hyun and Lee Jong Gi do). I want to see if there are more of his acting skills that he could bring out.
Favorite scene: Grown Poochai in Thailand part. The action scenes were so satisfying.
I used to rate this drama 8 out of 10. But now, I'm rating it higher to 8.5. Good watch.
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Harsh revenge crumbled in the face of love
It is always a challenge to write a review for an older drama. It has been 11 years since the drama aired and since i've seen it first time.Looking back on who i was at the time and what i felt watching it when it was in its time.
In current drama world you may say the plot and scenes are cliche and soft, but at the time without a shaddow of a daubt those were the scenes and moments that made me swoon, that made me cry and made me follow the story with my whole heart.
The leads both have very strong presence but thats not all, the side chcracters are just as strongly presented and developped. All having their own plot and back story. No major cut offs or loop holes what would make you question why, when and where. Each episode carries you through the story leaving you wanting more at each end. You find your favourites and root for them just as you do for the lead couple.
ML and FL have a very strong chemistry and undeniable connection thats very dearing to watch develop.
Maybe overacted at times, but over all you certainly arent left dissapointed.
It is always a sign of a good drama when it can make you feel all the emotions : anger, sadness, laughter and everything in between.
I highly recommend you see it, just remember times were different in 2011 ;)
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Awesome!
I'm still hungover from this series, so if I rave too much, just bare with me for a second. Once I started this series, I couldn't stop! The story was sad, made me mad, had me giggling. So many emotions, from the one scene to the next.And the action started in the first 10 min.
I started watching it because of my favorite actor, (I've been watching all of his dramas) and man oh man! I was not disappointed. Phew! If you are into one sexy bad ass male lead and romance, this is it!!!
For me the acting was excellent. Maybe cause I was too busy swooning over the male lead but oh well, I regret nothing.
The male lead was cool and calm, cunning and sophisticated. I absolutely loved his fashion sense.
The female lead was feisty and sometimes also sweet and innocent, even though she put up a front of being tough and stronger than most. Then again, she obviously is with all she had been through. She had a tough life, but she made it out a better person. And she's pretty. In some roles the supporting actress is prettier than the main, but not in this one.
The rest of the cast was also really good with their acting. In some dramas you will find that one or two of the actors shouldn't have been playing that role. Not this one. They all fit their parts perfectly. Very well done.
The plot: Revenge and a splash of romance is the main theme. People who abandon their morals for wealth and abuse of power. I also loved the music.
The ending? Phew what to say? Maybe something like: my heart stopped for a second? I am giving this a perfect 10, cause I personally couldn't find anything wrong. Wishing for another one like this.
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I'll give this drama a 5/10. I really didn't like it and this drama bores me so much I skipped a lot of scenes. Maybe if I watched this earlier I would like it. All of the actors and actresses.are good tho I just don't like the story that much.
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This review may contain spoilers
Lu Lelis
City Hunter is a great show, with a lot action, and a enganging story. However, the romance between the main caracthers is weak. I mean altought is a big love, there is just one kiss scene and not really a good one. Another thing i hated was the end. The prosecuter dying really made me mad, because it was totally unnecessary, and a few others things that makes this show not worth rewatching.Still, i don´t regret watching, but i will never see it again. The only place that i could find with english subtitles is at kisskh.co https://kisskh.co/Drama/City-Hunter/Episode-2?id=221&ep=5144&page=0&pageSize=100.
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But in the first episode, it showed that it would be the storyline that would be focused on more. And it is a good story. I wasn't sure how Lee Minho would do in this role, since it's quite a different character from what we'd expect. (Would it be just another lady killer prowling the night?) But--as each of the characters were introduced to us, we were shown different sides and watched as Yun Seong carried out the tasks in a way that he believed was right.
What I love most about this drama is that with this type of storyline, the acting and the actions taken by the characters could have all become a bit too over the top and take on the over-dramatic quality that so many Asian dramas have. But here, everything was just right. The characters showed that they could be calm, calculating and collected, but also passionate when the situation arose, which made them so much more believable. So for that, I have to say the writers did a great job for putting absolutely no annoying characters in this drama.
Nana is perhaps my favourite female character in a kdrama, for always maintaining what she believed in and being such a great support for Yun Seong. There was a good balance of entertainment from the side characters as well. I also really liked the prosecutor character, who is determined to catch the City Hunter, as this was what he believed to be the just way.
The ending, while some may wish it was more expanded on, I felt was appropriate for the drama. There were heartwarming moments, but also lots of action and the viewer is always drawn in to cheer for the City Hunter whenever he succeeded. There is a hint of romance, but it doesn't overshadow the main action of the story.
I would definitely recommend this, as it was a nice break from all the cheesy, romantic, or overdramatic dramas out there.
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This review may contain spoilers
For starters I watched this drama because of who else but Lee Min Ho. It was still one of the first dramas I watched and I wanted to see Lee Min Ho in everything I could. Before watching this one I had seen Min Ho in BOF, Faith and Heirs so I had already had a taste of him in an action role and of course in a love role, what was most impressive and intriguing about this drama was that my love for it is not based on Min Ho's acting. While I think he did a great job I was really impressed by the story line, plot and suspense in this drama. I liked all the action scenes and I think the entire production team and Min Ho did a great job at pulling it off. The first couple of episodes were a little weird in setting up the back story, but once Lee Yoon Sung (Min Ho's character) starts to really get into the whole revenge plot it becomes really interesting and exciting. Of course Lee Joon-Hyuk also deserves major credit in his role- that is all I can say without putting in spoilers :)
Overall this drama makes your heart race, your blood pump through your veins. You want to slap some characters and save others and it kept me enthralled till the end.
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The script... Um, it was good. Well written. I didn't really focus much on it, but nothing bugged me about the script and gladly, I don't think there's a good scene that was ruined. So I can say I'm happy with the script.
The acting was great. Specially Kim Sang Joong who played Lee Jin Pyo, he was so awesome and gave me the chills with his acting. His character was the most complicating character I've ever seen. A lot of people here were just fabulous with the acting and some were meh. But generally it was great.
I didn't hate the main female character, and I'm very pleased with that. Usually the girl is annoying and pisses me off. So I'm very satisfied. And I liked the chemistry. Lee Min Ho deserves at least one good chemistry in his dramas, and Park Min Young was a good choice.
I liked a couple of songs in this drama. I didn't 'love' them, I'd say I enjoyed them. But the background music was oh my god amazing. I absolutely loved particular sounds that come on action scenes, it's an instrumental piece called "Sad Run". It excited me so much. The sound tracks in this drama are so awesome. I think I'll download every instrumental piece.
This was a great drama. It totally had played with my emotions. There were times were I was really pissed off. and times were I laughed like crazy. and times I was on edge and times I was excited. and times my eyes were teary. And I would even sometime shout at my screen. I like a drama where I'm not numb while watching it.
I wish it had more episodes because I really enjoyed it. More bad guys to bring down and more action scenes! I have to say the action scenes were pure awesomeness. They were the heart of this drama.
I think this drama deserves a re-watch. And I recommend it to anyone.
So goodbye, don't cry, and.. smile! :)) (a song from the drama~)
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This review may contain spoilers
Lee Min Ho fans just go for it. Others who want to watch it for story should think again.
Lee Min Ho was the only reason why I'm watching a 2011 drama in 2020.Lets get a little critical about this.
1. Lee Min Ho
The first episode made me fall in love with Poo Chai. Awwwww how cute. The way he was curious about things, was an emotional guy, how much he loved people around him was something I really loved. But then as the drama moved on, this nature of his was desolving some where amidst his revenge. Lee Yoon Sung grows up to be the perfect bad boy we people love. How he used girls to reach his goals was somewhat not too good.
2. Park Min Young
She is that one cute vulnerable character who is supposed to cry many times. Why should she cry? Being such a strong person on outside, she is still very gulliable. When she was hurt by Kim Young Joo was and still she moved on without pondering over what to do showed that she has finally matured.
3. Lee Joon Hyuk
Mr prosecutor is that one person you like so much but you hate them a lot too. Why does he have to be after LYS even after knowing that he is doing such a good job? I totally loved how he is that one hard working person who is never going to back off from his duties.
Well , a lot about the main characters. Lets get into the story now. The story started off on a good note and how the first person was caught all nicely and quickly. But then this father- son war was sparkled through this.
Ajussi was really lovable due to his habit of home shopping.
Actions scenes were top class and how LYS disguised himself according to the situations was also amazing.
I'm still trying to figure out why he was named city hunter and who exactly named him. Since this name was given only after catching the 1st person, it makes no sense to call him a "Hunter".
Kim Young Joo ( the prosecutor), did not deserve the heroine and actually did not get her. Ahh!! Something very logical. He was way tooo much intrested in the "Sweep Mission" and his curiousity was illogical as he had litreally no connection with it.
The vet doctor was being way too concerned and motherishh by not reporting city hunter. Being a civilian, you should do it. She didn't! Irresponsible person.
I did not kind of enjoy the end because it was too sudden to let LYS die and then cone back at the end without any scenes showing what happened and how he was saved.
How was his mother treated if he was missing for some period of time?
The director might have added an episode or may have cut unnecessary scenes from initial episodes and should have elaborated how our hero was saved and still not end up behind the bars after all these people knowing his identity.
Also, they did not mention what happened to the president.
What was all this about LYS saving the president just because he is his father. Except for the genes, they have no other reason to be connected to each other. What is with all this about father- son love vetween two people who havent met for 30 years!!
Overall, a good drama with nice action and everything but the plot in the last 2 episode just spoiled the whole drama. Had it not been the ending episodes, I might have stopped watching the drama. Lee Min Ho fans, must watch. You're gonna fall for him again.
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A bit different than other series of Lee Min Ho...
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Saruman is okay with this one, but would rather watch Healer and sexy Ji Chang Wook.
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