This review may contain spoilers
Pros : - Bae Kyung
- Setting/Visual wow
- high school catwalk soundtrack
Cons :
- lots of questions that yet to solve.
- it was special at the beginning but it turn out flat like typical high school drama
- doesnt contain much of moral value instead seem to be letting viewers to know its okay to bully or so - which is not okay
- bored of certain repeated scenes / lines
Overall : too lazy to talk about it honestly as the whole story never explain much / didnt wrap it nicely imo
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This review may contain spoilers
To be quite honest, I went in not expecting much of the drama. I've found the premise interesting, but I was badly burned by how much "W" dissapointed me, so I wasn't that hopefull about this one. And while at the end drags on a little and it can turn repetitive sometimes, specially towards Baek Kyung, it's still a really good drama. I loved how the characters becoming self aware felt so real, I specially LOVED Ju Da's self awareness and I even wish a little that it happened sooner because THAT GIRL CAN GET IT. I really enjoyed watching this drama, Dan Oh, Haru and Do Hwa were a pleasure to watch and root for. I also loved the parody aspects calling out manwha, shoujo manga and novels and tv series in general about the tropes and how shallow some of the motives the writers give to the characters.While the acting wasn't out of this world, the actors were doing their best and the dialogue was interesting and the drama made sense. I don't really have much to say, except that I had a wonderfull time while watching it.
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Acting is superb, as always Kim Hye Yoon slayed her role. I love her so much in SKY castle. Her character in Extraordinary You is completely different from Kang Ye Seo, she's so talented and deserves more rewards.
Music is good. Personally non of the OST is memorable.
Wouldn't rewatch. They definitely need a season 2, and I would definitely watch it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Finally got to come around to watch it (and finish it this time as on my first watch i ended up dropping it). Picked it up again because I started liking Gunjoo. And I should really say he's amazing in this, and tbh the best character in the whole drama!! I absolutely love his scenes with Danoh (and Haru too) because they're really the cutest best friends. The typical soft and sweet, heartbroken second lead in his love story, but I really like the way he's written. Maybe especially because the drama is written about the "extras". He's really soft, sweet, and dramatic at times, but also shown as a really good supportive third wheeling best friend. And an unexpected fave character of mine is dried squid.. Tbh back then I dropped this drama early on bc i was bored i think? And other than the whole "team haru vs team kyung" thing going on in stan twt, I don't know much about the drama. And I thought he's gonna be the "villain" but turns out he was just caring and worried that history will repeat itself and I can actually see that he's really grown to like and cherish the self aware kids and that's really precious and adorable.A few things to complain about... Honestly, the whole concept is of course really interesting and all, but like, there are some (if not, a lot) of things left unanswered. Like, of course them remembering their life in the past comics was nice and all, but how? Sure, Haru had his hand into the mysterious black hole-y thing I guess and he had that scar. But how did dried squid and suhyang remember? I guess they could've read the comic. But Haru and Danoh in the last episode? Did they just look at things that look familiar and bam they remember everything? Idk if it's just me not understanding about that concept... I think I have a lot more questions but for now, I forgot what I was gonna write so anyway....
If I have to add one thing to compliment though, the OSTs are really good and just nice to hear. Probably the next best thing after dohwa and dried squid? I might check out the songs after this to add to my faves.
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This review may contain spoilers
Let's be honest, the story is so cringe at my preference. However, I would like to set my opinion that this drama has been actually shown as the critic of the genre and trope itself. Look at how the character rebels at their set-up, mocking the writer. I think it's quite funny and interesting that the 'work' would even like to protest the lack of decency in their life, let alone the writer. In that sense though, I like it. However, I don't think this drama itself own something extra to make the story a little different from their set-up. I argue about this matter due to feel that this drama lack something when it about to end. The problem seem to cycle around Danoh's sickness only to make something major -like critical illness- suddenly gone. Hm, that sounds rush-y don't you think so?
And so many tears...I wonder why it brings me to be less sympathetic with them or it is just the type of it? I like some cheesy lines though, and unexpected character development, like what happened in Juda's case. GOD OH NAMJU. I WANT TO SCREAM AT HIM. Geez, he is the ultimate star in this cheesiness, haha.
All and all, kudos for the acting especially for Kim Hyeyoon. Such a heavy task to own so many faces and expression. Good job!
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This review may contain spoilers
If you are into fantasy drama, this is definitely one to catch up. I love how many variables the drama includes and the increasing intensity. How this drama really allows beyond just the main characters to shine, the supporting roles like Do Hwa, Ju Da, Sae Mi really stands out as the drama progress. This drama makes you think about life, about the things we missed out and judge too quickly. Hits me pretty hard when the self aware characters are fighting their way out the fate that the writer wrote for them. How the villain is drawn in not by choice, she is also a very good person with her friends. Will definitely rewatch it!
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Just once
After reading the synopsis was quite curious about how this was one of its will unfold and how the visuals would be. Because inside the manga its kind of paper drawing and sketches would be there. I expected like that because of I had watched W two worlds which was similar. But this was really different. And I had a great time watching it.Eun dan oh amazing duelty within few seconds was really commendable. Her crazy acting was just mind blowing. Haru had all the charms to steal audience heart.
The first scene already builds the curiousness for the drama but The poster scene from fourth episode was done so perfectly, That it made me binge watch the show.
I like when the supporting character had part in the story development and how they strived to fight and made changes to storyboard. The double amnesia made the story too draggy.I didn’t like the ending it felt a bit rushed.
My beauty ost was very hearttouching.
Rewatch maybe not because it failed to keep me compelled with the story
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Good but best enjoyed in certain circumstances
When I first watched this awhile ago I would given this a full 10/10 review. It was my favorite drama for awhile and with this re-watch I think I have more accurate feelings about it. But this is where my headline will make more sense.Extraordinary You is best enjoyed when you are tired of the tropes and clichés of dramas. It is best enjoyed when you want a breath of a fresh air from the same plotlines.
I know because I think that mindset is what greatly contributed to my enjoyment of it when I first watched it. That is not to say that it can't stand alone without that aspect because their is a lot going for it.
Pros
*If you want a male lead that is ACTUALLY AMAZING AND SUPER SWEET then look no further- because this re-watch did reconfirm that he is best boy ever no doubt.
*Headstrong and likable protagonist.
*Amazing acting all around. Though understand why some would find some of the acting over the top but I think more of a matter of the way the character is written.
*Comedy really lands well in this one. They like to poke at the tropeiess of things but also embraces it. It doesn't really ever feel like their hating on dramas but their being tongue and cheek about it.
*If your flavor for romance is sweet and wholesome- this is for you. I was super annoyed before this show with the stupidity of some of romances in other dramas. But I like that these two are simply...sweet to each other. Maybe that makes me vanilla but I don't care.
Cons
*Yeah it does fall flat in the second part. Which is kind of what makes the re-watching a little hard to get through. Like ultimately I still feel satisfied but it doesn't go the extra mile. It doesn't fully flesh out the potential of the plot.
*Their are a few episodes right in the middle where I feel their is an extremely unnecessary plot device to drive the leads apart. But its resolved in two or three episodes. I get why it happens but it kind of lowers the stakes of the universe. So it just felt redundant.
*Great main character but the second part does make her more passive which was kind of disappointing.
*Just a lot unanswered questions around the world and how it works.
Ultimately, I still really like this drama and in my top ten for a lot reasons. But I think it would be wise for new viewers do go in when they feel pretty done with dramas. It really reignited my love for these shows and I think that's pretty great accomplishment that Extraordinary You has going for it.
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Don't hate Bae Kyung : ( LOL
I spent months to finish this drama. Overall okay, but he becomes a bit boring when there are many parts of Eun Dan Oh and Ha Ru. But, the last episode was sad but had a happy ending HAHAHAI really really feel bad for Baek Kyung : ( . I don't hate him either but rather pity him. But Eun Dan Oh is also very rude to him huhuu. I feel sorry for Baek Kyung.
I am very strange and wonder who is the author of this comic book? Can someone tell me? Is it Baek Kyung's younger?? He is very suspicious you know.
and why did mom baek kyung die? why ?
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Pretty good but nothing extraordinary
I liked this drama, it was light, sweet, and a bit dramatic. Of course, it had its problems and cliches but I enjoyed it nevertheless.What I liked:
*The cast. All of the actors and actresses were chosen very well, they played their characters amazingly. The main cast aced their roles. Baek Kyung's actor Lee Jae Wook was absolutely amazing. There were some unconvincing performances by the main couple's actors but I can overlook that and maybe blame the script.
*Soundtrack. It was nice, it fit well within the drama it didn't blow my mind, however. Neverending story by SKZ is a bop though, I can't believe they didn't play the chorus in the drama.
*The set/visuals/effects. The school looked really nice, reminded me of pretty boarding schools from TV shows. The comic book effects like flowers, leaves, and the spotlight were implemented well, I liked that these effects were 'drawn by hand', it showcased that we're watching the panels of a comic book. I also thought that using cool and warm color filters for the 'stage' and 'shadow' was genius. It was easy to understand and follow which plotline we were watching without unnecessary explanations.
What could have been handled better:
*The story. The premise was interesting the execution could have been better. I think the essential plot was too simple and the show dragged out because of that. It could have been more tightly packed, maybe that would have given it more impact. Or they could have introduced other conflicts, for example, trying to travel to the other comic book world through the portal, or finding out who the writer is and changing their story that way, or traveling to the 'real' world.
*The cliches. I know that they are part of the plot because they are part of the comic book the Writer is writing but they could have been handled better. I can overlook them in the 'stage' but seeing the same cliches in the 'shadow' was a bit exhausting, it made the characters flatter.
*The characters. There were a lot of main and supporting characters and it would have been impossible to give every character a well thought out background. I understand why the supporting characters, who are not aware of themselves, are bland but we also saw more main characters than usual and they lacked depth, unfortunately.
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The premise: what if the characters in a badly written high school romance became self-aware?
The set-up took two full hour long episodes. Beyond the slow pace, the plot keeps going in circles with no real character development. Every once in awhile, the plot would touch on something a bit profound, but it never stayed there and everything was only half explained.
The main actors are charismatic and do well in their roles, and that is the main reason I kept watching. The music went with the feel of the show but doesn't linger in my memory. I will not rewatch.
I grade on other criteria:
Themes - 7
The bad boy, narcissistic protagonists of your typical high school kdrama are horrible romantic partners. True, meaningful relationships can be so much more rewarding. Almost profound in how careless the writer was with Eun Dan-O's fate and death, and how she protested that she was a real person not just a plot point. But, the theme focus would always shift back to which boy was going to rescue her.
Character Growth - 5
The characters switch between their written persona and their real persona but there isn't much in the way of growth.
Relationships between women - 3
Eun Dan-O is surrounded by complicated and focused relationships with men, and very shallow relationships with women.
Cinematography/production values - 8
How this is shot, dreamy and slow, and a bit like panels of a comic book elevates the show more than it deserves. Indeed, how this show was presented tricked me into sticking with it as I kept confusing the well-thought out direction and cinematography with a show that had more gravitas and weight.
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To be young and in love
Likes:1. Danoh and Haru's relationship. To be young and in love.
2. Dohwa. Super cute and friendly guy. Can't believe Juda didnt choose him but that's okay. Juda and Namju deserves each other.
3. The mystery kept me glued to the show and i loved the parallel story that was unfolding
4. I liked what Danoh said. She may be an extra in someone's life, but that's okay because she is the lead in her own story. And she took charge of her own life and happiness.
5. But we should also be careful because some of our actions may unknowingly impact other people's lives. And there are some things we cant change.
6. Get ready to cry in Episodes 15-16
7. I can imagine the main leads will be the next gen actors and actresses (kind of like how The Heirs catapulted the cast to fame).
Dislikes:
1. The writer made Gyeong such a hateful character in both shadow and stage throughout the show and only gave him the last 3 episodes to be nice. Good thing i love the actor playing him so i couldnt hate Gyeong as much as i wanted to.
2. Repetitive confrontation between Gyeong and Haru in the middle was tiring and didnt really help move the story forward.
3. Didnt really cared much about Juda and Namju and their cliched story.
Overall this was a fun drama to watch, considering i dont really watch high school kdramas.
Rating: 7.5/10
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