Very Unexpected
*outline*I wasn't expecting to like this drama as much as I did. The fact that the story has so many twists and turns not only makes the series more dramatic, but also adds a perfect amount of heartbreak, shock/surprise, and love. I felt empathetic and sympathetic throughout, something to credit the actors for. The pacing was perfect till the very end.
*thorough*
STORY : Having a screenwriter write up a story based around North Korea was quite innovative, so it really caught my eye when it was introduced to me. This gave us a break from the cliche Korean story lines we usually find, not that they're any bad but I felt refreshed. The whole drama up until the last episode were really good. My emotions were being played with, which is a good thing of course. However, that sort of changed in the last episode. Episode 16 didn't exactly live up to my expectations which were slowly being built throughout. It's almost as though the screenwriter and Director got tired of the drama and just wanted it to finish quickly. But that's my own take on things... I just feel that the ending should've been a little different. In conclusion, the pacing was off for Episode 16.
ACTING/CAST : I found myself being hit by various moods and emotions because of the actors. They portrayed their roles perfectly. I felt all the love, heartbreak, shock, and even the war. The best played out role was definitely the antagonists. You'll only realize when he's defeated, just how much of a lonely life he's lived. Unlike other antagonists, he didn't use this as an excuse (maybe to even reform), it just showed how deserving of his end was.
MUSIC : Okay, I'm sorry, but I hated CLOY's OSTs. From the very beginning. Literally. It did nothing for me, definitely not set the mood. I only remember two songs now that I think about it... Is that all there were? Meh, not like I'm gonna look for them anyways. The intro was the most disappointing one for me, so I just skipped all of them on the first beat. The other OST I remember was the one that was played during every sad scene (or love scene? or both?). It was decent enough to be able to listen to, and it even set some of the scenes.
REWATCH VALUE : This drama was way too long to sit through. If there were more episodes which were also shorter in time length, maybe I'd be willing to rewatch it. But I doubt that's going to happen. And even in the ending, the Yoon Se Ri and Ri Jung Hyuk aren't that memorable as a couple. Apparently they're dating in real life, but I find it hard to believe how they must act in real life because the love really wasn't portrayed. I 'aw'ed at the love scenes because of the innocence to it, despite them both being quite... erm- well, older than average Korean actors and actresses today. However, it felt very dry otherwise...
*p.s.*
I would definitely recommend this to someone, even if they've been watching K-dramas for a while. It's an amazing drama and it definitely deserves its high ratings. I really vibed with the drama and it was continuously interesting.
*recommendations*
'What's Wrong With Secretary Kim' if you're looking for more rom-com
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This review may contain spoilers
A marvelous story diminished by hidden scenes
Kdrama episodes typically end with photo cards - pictures that capture key moments of that episode. If you watch these shows on Netflix, that signals the episode's end, and to click to the next episode.Shockingly, “Crash” includes key scenes after the photo cards roll. These “hidden scenes” can provide significant character insight and plot development. For instance, in episode 2, the hidden scene reveals Yoon Se-Ri visited a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland to end her life because of severe depression. She’s also seen standing near Ri Jong Hyeok as they both gaze at the paragliders.
This scene adds significant insight to Se-Ri’s character as well as enhancing the notion of fated love. That such material is buried in the credits section is inexplicable (unless the viewing public, beside me, is in on this secret).
And one last comment, the suicide scene mentioned above is offensive. The counselor who rejected Se-Ri for euthanasia suggested she go sightseeing instead. So, a suicidal patient comes to a clinic seeking to end her life and the advice she receives is literally, “Go take a hike?”
This is just sloppy, lazy writing. In the real world, Se-Ri would have received counseling from a suicide prevention specialist, a professional every euthanasia clinic employs.
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Far-fetched, but I came around to it
I really couldn’t make up my mind about this drama. I think watching it so disjointedly didn’t do it justice as I kept thinking it was a drag/boring. Initially I was put off by the really long episodes, and I had to watch it at a faster speed anyway just to push through it at times. Alas, once I got back into it and picked it up from episode 11, I was quite engrossed.A major downfall is derived from the show’s title. I haven’t bothered to read any other reviews but I am sure people have beef with this: the scene that involves Se-ri crash-landing in North Korea and those that follow. Now it’s a drama, so I get the fact that they are ‘dramatic,’ and this would have been acceptable in my eyes if the scenes had have been done right! Oh my gosh! Where do I start!? Imma just copy and paste my thoughts that I wrote straight after witnessing one of the worst moments in filming history!
The beginning when the tornado struck and the tractor and cow? Was floating in the air. Also, the way Se-ri was doing circles in her paraglider - like, it’s not believable at all.
Lmao where did the parachute COME from and WHY/HOW is it perfectly in tact!? Did she WASH her purple jumpsuit? The grip this man has on her while they’re FLOATING down - it’s literally defying physics! If anyone should be clinging on, it should be HIM to HER, not the other way around lmao!! This is SO beyond far fetched! I mean he has one hand RESTING on her head, and the other RESTING on her shoulder!! 😩😭 Like that’s. Not. Going. To. Support. You.
This couple’s composure during all of this - wtf!
Soooo they got back safely and he rocks up at a market??
Honestly, the only people I like in this show at this point are the group of soldiers Se-ri is hanging out with. Edit: this low-key still kinda stands true. Don’t get me wrong, I came around to Se-ri eventually, but in the beginning she was a really hard character to warm to and I’m assuming that was the director’s intention. By the end of the show we grew to love her and obviously this just proves the self-development of her character which is always a good thing to see.
My last rant is about the staring. The amount. Of. Staring. Omg - I hate the really dramatic staring into each others eyes that just goes on and on that I actually have to keep pressing the 10 second button!
Okay, onto the characters - so I liked Jeong-hyeok from the beginning despite that one terrible scene *cries*. I liked how he handled Se-ri and he taught her things that she didn’t appear to know.
As just mentioned, I grew to like Se-ri. Her character was quite funny which made up for the serious tone of the show.
Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok’s relationship had good chemistry (and how could they not seeing as the actors are married now1)
The other couple intrigued me and I grew to like them more and more so it is an understatement to say I was sad when Seung-jun died and Dan showed emotion. It made me cry! I was really rooting for them by the second last episode so was sad to see him go.
The boys/the gang whatever you may call it, were so funny and endearing. I could just watch them on repeat. In the second half of the drama when they were in South Korea, it was so amusing to see their reactions to everything they weren’t quite familiar with or aware of.
Overall I guess I did end up liking it. It’s nowhere near the top of my list, but it also isn’t at the bottom.
-E
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Your emotions will be played with
This was a very good drama that showed a different side to K dramas. They gave a new concept that we don’t really see that often. This show can mess with your feelings a little bit. It can make you feel conflicted towards certain characters. This show does get kind of emotional towards the end of the series so beware of your waterworks (crying). The actors of this drama played their part very well, it made you think that they were really that character, they blended really well with the characters. Watching them slowly fall in love was great as well. The 2nd time you watch it, you will probably know the story and what happens like the back of your hand.Was this review helpful to you?
I’ve re-watched this drama 7 times already.
One of the best dramas I’ve watched in a long time from South Korea. I was captured with the story and I thought a lot of research must have came in handy from how they put across the life of people in North Korea. Of course it wasn’t an exact fine print of life there, but it captures a good basic outlook.The acting was stellar throughout the whole series and I enjoyed the contrast in emotions. There’s a lot of moments where I as able to feel empathy towards the characters.
The chemistry between the main leads was phenomenal.
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This review may contain spoilers
Hyun Bin is a god (though I only knew Son Ye Jin before this, and that's the reason I watched it). Great UST, but it was kinda ridiculous to not see when or even if it was resolved. These are almost forty year olds, who even had the house(s) to themselves. Such an unnecessary past connection backstory though. Also, it's such a pity that this writer is so unwilling to write relatable FLs. Lastly, and I know that this is a highly unpopular opinion, I didn't like the way Seri completely disregarded the fact RJH was in a serious long term relationship with someone he'd promised to marry. We know it was an arranged marriage and that he'd told Dan he had feelings for another woman, but Seri didn't seem to know that. Was this review helpful to you?
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The perfect drama
Reading the synopsis, one would expect a fairytale ending where the leads end up happily ever after... but no! It left a realistic ending that is possible and not so drama-like. Although it is realistic, there are closures explained to the characters at the end which somehow makeup for the leads'.The love story was not typical yet leaves a warm feeling in your heart. Everything from episode 1 to uncovering the back story was perfect. I never did fast forward through the 16 episodes. The emotions from the actors and actresses were perfect. Especially Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin! Whenever they cried, I feel like tearing up too. :')
It crashed into my heart too. You should watch this!!
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BEST DRAMA EVER MADE!
Hand’s down, my absolute favorite drama of all time! The acting, the music, the storyline…all of it was absolutely perfect! The fact that the actors got married in real life was icing on the cake. They had me all the way in! I laughed. I cried…a lot. My heart raced. There’s nothing bad that I can say about it. Each episode was like it’s own movie and I never wanted it to end. The plot was so rich and well defined. I literally felt like I was in the story. This was one of the best dramas for me!Was this review helpful to you?
I reccomend!
The story was written very well, the characters especially female one was super well written. The male one idk he was a good actor but I couldn't connect with him much. He was serious and I dont know it was a little meh. But the second leads story was extremely beautiful they made me go through a rollercoaster of emotions. I could love and understand them better. The second lead girl was extremely strong and beautiful woman I was so happy with her character. The show was shot well. The humor was on point. But the music was not on par with how good this show is. Almost none of the osts sound good sadly. Still,I'd reccomend.Some people compared it with goblin or say it's better, in my opinion, no. I'd say goblin was better in all aspects. Everything in goblin hits different. But yes,an amazing show!
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A Must Watch- The New Iconic Drama!
At first, when I read the summary, I thought that the drama would be ridiculous and a waste of time to watch, but after watching the first episode, and getting addicted to the characters and the sweet storyline, I was literally shocked. Like, how could a drama draw you in so much, to the point where there was no going back? I found the direction, the acting, the music, everything was just so beautiful, so amazing that I fell in love with it immediately. I wasn't ever a huge fan of Hyunbin but after this drama and the amazing chemistry, and everything else, I absolutely fell face-first in love with CLOY and everything relating to CLOY. I actually didn't know of Son Ye-jin, but after masterfully taking on Yoon Se-ri's strong, yet delicate character who conveyed her (Se-ri's) emotions so well, I just started to feel more interested in Ye-jin! Overall, everything in this drama was more than I expected, and I love that this drama was a mix of sweet and sour, a mix of salty tears and small smiles!Was this review helpful to you?
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Indifferent
Hyun Bin is one of my favorite actors. He was so incredibly handsome and dashing in the drama but his character seemed a little dull compared to the other characters. I started this drama because of Captain Ri but stayed because of the supporting characters. They were my favorite part of the drama. From Company 5 to Dan's mom, they were the best characters in this drama.The story itself was alright. The chemistry between the two leads was strong and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
I didn't love this drama nor do I hate it.
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