IRIS 2 (2013)

Once again I was totally captivated by Iris. I think that although there are some reminiscent scenes in this sequel, there is also a great continued story line. My only complaint (really since this isn't a romance, it isn't like I can complain that much) is that I didn't feel anything between Yoo Gun and Soo Yeon. Well, at least from her end. However, the rest is action packed and suspenseful. I really thought it was interesting that from some characters point of view, they thought they were doing what was right for their country no matter what the action. Then there is Iris motivated by power and greed. Of course, I could see the ending coming a mile away (as I'm sure most people will), but it was fun to watch it play out. I have tons to say, but we can't post spoilers...so...

When it comes to acting, I believe Jang Hyuk has a gift. I laughed with him and I cried with him. His personality change was believable. I was fully invested in his character as Yoo Gun. Kim Yeong Cheol did another excellent job as Baek San. At this point I can't decide if I love him or hate him. His character is truly on of those that show there are two sides to everyone. I gave the acting a 10 for those actors alone. Lee Bum Soo is no joke as Yoo Joong Won. I really had no clue what his character was about for a while. Oh Yun Soo as Choi Min was also good, but nothing special. I felt like she was just a way to keep Yoo Gun in the story line and then she was gone. Lee Da Hae as Soo Yeon left a lot to be desired in my opinion. I felt nothing for her character except when Yoo Gun was upset. I thought Im Soo Hyang as Yun Hwa was a heck of a lot better. I can't give away the ending, but if there is an Iris 3 and she is in it, then I'm totally watching it. I also thought that Doo Joon from B2ST and Lee Joon from MBLAQ were good. This is the first time I have seen them act and they didn't suck.

OH...and watching the outtakes made me think that a lot of these actors did their own action scenes and were hurt. It looked brutal to me. So props to all of them for that!!!

The music was pretty good. GO and Mir singing "Foolish Me" is a really good song that you should check out even if you don't watch this drama.

I might rewatch this sometime.

If you like action and suspense, then this is a drama that you should watch. :-)

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I don't usually write reviews for dramas just because I watch quite a few and don't have the time to sit and write proper reviews for each one but I feel I need to express my feelings for this drama now! I loved the first Iris, it is one of my favourite dramas, I was excited for this one but wary that it may suffer from sequel syndrome and pale in comparison. Well, although it may not be as good as the first Iris, it definitely holds its own as a solid action drama.

The story continues straight from the first Iris and aims to answer all the questions we were left hanging with, whilst exploring certain characters' histories. At first the story was quite fast paced, with multiple plots going at once, sometimes to the shows disadvantage. It wasn't until the second half the story started to slow down and gain some focus. I think the show was stronger towards the end, with each character having their own goals and doing whatever it takes to achieve them, no matter how wrong or delusional they might be.

The show was cast very well, although I'm not quite sure it is necessary to cast K-Pop singers in these shows, it feels more like a gimmick than anything. I don't think they are bad actors, but they do pale in comparison to actors like Jang Hyuk, Lee Bum Soo, Oh Yun Soo and Lee Da Hae. For me, the sore spot here was David Mcinnes, who really can't act at all, and made any scene with him in it almost unwatchable.

The OST is fantastic, as good as the first Iris OST. Davichi's 'Don't You Know' and B2ST's 'Black Paradise' being the standout tracks for me. The score from Iris is reused for the action scenes, which I don't think is a bad thing when it was so good in the first place.

Like Iris, Iris II is easily rewatchable, in fact, watching the two dramas back to back would be excellent as it feels like one story. Overall Iris II is excellent, despite a few missteps early on with the story, overuse of bad CGI and casting David Mcinnes. It is definitely well worth watching if you are fan of action dramas, or if you loved Iris and to a lesser extent Athena: Goddess of War.

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