This review may contain spoilers
Just the title itself.
040423I know for sure that the moment I saw the trailer of this drama or series, it already piqued my interest. It was something I haven't watched before so that's a plus. But yeah, just the trailer itself already got me on the edge of my seat and that's how I had expectations with this drama/series so as soon as they released it, I didn't think twice about going for it and immediately watched it despite how busy I am.
Starting with the plot or the storyline, I'm aware that it's based on a webtoon so I'm quite sure that it's going to be great. . . and I was right. It didn't disappoint me because it was something I definitely wanted to see. It was able to balance the amount of scenes that it was supposed to have ─ from the build-up to the intense part/s which includes blood/gore or killing the monsters and vice versa as well as the funny/comedy, drama, romance, etc. aspects of it. The only downside that I could think of in relation to this is the logic or common sense of the characters which I believe was lacking. There were tons of dumb/stupid and annoying moments where-in I couldn't help but curse and wished that they could've just died. A lot of them also had screen time which felt infuriating. However, the positive side of it, it pushed the realistic view(s) of how these students react to such situations. Just like one viewer who commented here says "no character (or even a person) can be strong all the time" and I agree. The one I disliked the most became one of the reasons why I also love this drama or series. (Of course, if you don't have the patience and understanding, I don't think you would survive watching it but as someone who can empathize, I believe you can see where they are coming from. . and that's what I was able to realize as time went by)
About the casting, acting, and the CGI, everything's on-point. Glad that I was able to discover more talented actors/actresses. I, for one especially, love/d Lee Chun Ho (Shin Hyun Soo) ─ the platoon leader of the class. I'm not that familiar with him but when I checked his profile, he was on Waikiki which shocked me because it's one of my favorite dramas of all time and yet I couldn't remember him. Still, because of DAS, it proved that he deserves more recognition.
Lastly, if you're gonna ask me, I prefer this more than AOUAD, Sweet Home, and other zombie/apocalypse dramas/series.
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This is the happiest you’ll be. -Kim WonBin
Brutal, right? That’s the world of Duty After School feels like when you are watching the everyday mundane moments and those especially packaged in an epilogue.Duty After School can be likened to any SHTF drama like All of Us are Dead or Sweet Home, but here, the 3rd year high school students and also the adult main characters are given the weight of responsibility for numerous people, not just your family and friends, which you’ll probably feel while watching. It has a couple of interesting characters and relationship dynamics that include friendship, competition and innocent love lines that makes their situation feel lighter.
The lines from the drama, not the web toon that I haven’t read yet, may sound too cliché especially when adults really want to impart ‘a lesson’ to the teens. It also felt like it is really adapted from a webtoon, because of some moments, especially in the first 3 episodes, wherein I do not feel as emotionally invested yet in the characters, but expected some despair to their outcome. There were also times that it tried too hard to give the viewers a laugh, when it is not the right atmosphere. It could have been the acting too, but as it went on, I (and probably the actors too) have warmed up to enjoy the camaraderie among the them. Having said that, there are a couple of promising rookie actors here too and I look forward seeing them in more dramas.
For the music, the first OST song played is kinda disorientating in the beginning but I think I’ll enjoy it better listening to it individually. Apart from that, I have nothing to complain.
I am not very keen in rewatching but will probably scan the last episodes before Part 2.
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Went into this with no expectations and left disappointed
Man, I really wanted to like this drama. And for a second I did, but then somewhere during episode 2 I started to get so fed up with the plot and characters. That annoyance only grew the more episodes I tried to watch, and I ended up skipping through most of 4 and then dropping it entirely.The production value is really good and while the concept is wild, it could've worked if handled better, but it ended up just being a mess.
First off, there were way too many characters. The show spent so much time trying to give each one a little bit of air time, but all that did was succeed in not giving anyone enough. If we don't have one solid character to root for, with good side characters, then why should the audience bother watching? People were dying right and left and I didn't care. I did like the platoon leader, but he seemed to be the only one with any backstory and depth.
Beyond not really caring about anyone, the plot was just ridiculous. Like, I get it, the whole idea is ridiculous, but the choices being made by the characters, specifically the military, made no sense.
I was trying to push through to the end because there's only 6 episodes, but there are better things I could watch and I don't want to waste my time anymore. Maybe I'm giving up too quickly and when/if I come back to this, I'll change my mind, but at this point, I doubt that'll happen.
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It started off pretty well and gave us enough exposition to explain the current situation, but suddenly stuff goes sideways and we see how inept and pathetic the Republic of Korea Armed Forces were. They are so undermanned that they had to rope in 3rd year High School students to help fill in the numbers.
Now these kids.... they make some really stupid decisions that had me asking if any group of rational people would make the same decisions they did. And some scenes made no sense, like in one scene they were stuck in a garage and the danger was coming in through the roof but the car keys were stuck behind a cabinet. They made it very clear it would be in any moment and yet found 10 minutes to draw lots to determine who would be bait and lure it away so somebody could try to grab the keys... the same amount of time they could have easily moved the cabinet and grabbed the keys! That is just one of many idiotic moments that had me cursing at my TV.
Best moment is the huge sacrifice at the end. Really emotional and was a great way to end part 1.
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A Heart-Pumping Drama of Aliens and Survival
Duty After School is a captivating and intense drama that will have you on the edge of your seat. From the very first episode, you'll be hooked by its thrilling storyline and the visually stunning alien creatures that are featured throughout the series. The show's characters are well-developed, and their growth and weaknesses are portrayed in a realistic and relatable way that adds an extra layer of tension to each crisis situation they encounter.The CGI in Duty After School is truly impressive, and the design of the aliens, with their flower-like appearance, adds to the fear-factor of the show. However, it's important to note that this drama does not shy away from gore and blood, which may not be suitable for everyone's taste.
Despite its darker moments, Duty After School manages to strike a balance between comedy, light-hearted moments, and intense action scenes. Each episode ends on a crucial point, leaving you eagerly waiting for the next installment and making it the perfect show for a binge-watch session.
While the series may have some minor flaws, it's a must-watch for any fan of dystopian genres. Duty After School is a unique and realistic take on an alien invasion that sets it apart from other shows that simply ride the coattails of the zombie-drama success. So, if you're looking for a wild and exciting ride, buckle up and get ready to be immersed in the thrilling world of Duty After School.
FYI, you can go ahead and read the Webtoon from which this Kdrama has been adapted! you will not regret it!
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This review may contain spoilers
My Fav Survival Drama
Duty After School tells the story of Seongjin High School students in grade 3-2 who are assigned by the state to fight the mysterious monster spheres that invade the world, then the South Korean Ministry of Defense offers additional points for CAST to enter college for high school students who join the army.Duty after school isn't that scary because the monsters are small, but their movements are fast, so it surprised me when they attacked humans. Because the students wear weapons and army uniforms, i think this is a special point of interest for this drama.
This drama is very good and worth it to watch. The story is interesting and different from most survival dramas. There are many characters, but the screen time is quite average. This drama also has a humorous side typical of high school kids. While watching, I can memorize name of all students in class 3-2. Their friendship was so warm. Each character is realistic enough, So I can't really hate even if some are annoying.
For Part 1 a very charismatic character is Lieutenant Lee Chun Ho. He was acting tough but it was to protect the students. The ending is very emotional. How could Lee Chun Ho's struggle end like this 😭 Sodaejangnim.. you are the best platoon commander in the world♡
For Part 2 youngsoo who went crazy. I really hate him so much. Because for him, not going to college and being poor is more frightening than having to go to war. He is very selfish, for him it's okay to kill a friend than to destroy his college life. May he be placed in the deepest hell. I thought the ending would be different from the webtoon.. it's even scarier than the webtoon. Plot twist that made me crying for so long.
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This review may contain spoilers
One can easily understand why this drama is such a hit among fans. It has only six episodes, which are fast-paced but still give enough space to all the characters so we get to gradually know more about them. Each of the students is different, with different goals, dreams, and attitude, but when they come face to face with the alien menace, they are able to put theses differences aside and try to work like a proper team.This drama is a thriller with some almost horror moments mixed in, one I would never watch when it gets dark and I'm alone, but it was able to surprise me with some gold comedy moments as well, like when some of the students try to desert the school but were caught and were running around while the soldiers were chasing them and a lively music was playing in the background. And there were also moments that were both comedic and heart-warming like when the soldiers prepared the food for them and then the food battle began. Korea really knows how to mix genres well even if just for a few scenes!
The CGI of the aliens (especially the small star-like ones) was absolutely marvelous! I'm looking forward to part 2 of the drama especially if we will get to see the other bigger aliens as well and I can't wait to know what is their origin. And hopefully all the students and Won Bin manage to make it out alive!
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Chaos, Youth, and Tension
Duty After School Part 1 is one of those dramas that pulls you in pretty quickly and keeps you there. With its mix of sci-fi tension and high school dynamics, it could have easily fallen flat—but instead, it turns into something genuinely engaging and, at times, surprisingly emotional.One of its biggest strengths is definitely the characters. It’s easy to get attached to a few of them—they feel real, and their reactions to everything going on around them make sense. And yes, there are some frustrating or “annoying” characters, but honestly… it works. They’re teenagers thrown into an extreme situation, and not everyone is going to act brave or rational. In that sense, the writing actually feels pretty grounded.
The show also does a solid job with its overall production. The acting is convincing, the OST fits the tone well, and the special effects are better than expected, especially for a drama like this. It all comes together to create a tense atmosphere that keeps you invested from episode to episode.
That said, the drama isn’t perfect. While you do grow attached to certain characters, it feels like the show misses opportunities to go deeper. A bit more background, more personal moments, or even small backstories could have made the emotional impact hit even harder. You care—but you can feel that there was room to care even more.
There are also a few frustrating moments along the way, but nothing major enough to take away from the overall experience. They come and go without really damaging the story.
In the end, Duty After School Part 1 is a strong and enjoyable watch. It balances tension, emotion, and realism in a way that keeps you hooked, even if it doesn’t fully explore everything it sets up.
Verdict:
A gripping and emotional drama with strong characters and solid production, held back slightly by a lack of deeper character development.
Rewatch Value:
High — especially for the characters you grow attached to.
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WASN'T EXPECTING IT TO BE SOO GOOD OMG I LOVE IT
THIS SERIES MADE ME CRY SO BAD 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️🩹💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔🥺💔💔💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️🩹💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔🥺💔💔💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️🩹💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔🥺💔💔Was this review helpful to you?
I love it
wow, I'm not really good writing reviews or whatsoever. I just finished this Kdrama and I would say I really love it. it's about spheres that just one day appear floating without any explanation (is it a plot hole or what they called that), the spheres prolly was there for the whole plot. those floating spheres then starts to drop and inside of it are these creatures one consider as alien (well, some ppl said this is Abt alien invasion and stuffs after all). These creatures kills people and so a lot of ppl are dead, most places were a mess and it came to the point that even students themselves have to participate in order to keep the safety running. the students didn't know it was to fight off those spheres (at first), they were told to just attend a military training for future purposes and stuffs and those who participate gets extra points for CSAT which is a very promising thing considering they have to pass CSAT to prolly get into a good university.all senior students who signed the consent form participated obviously. and the main characters here are those who are from class 3-2. so class 3-2 was the first to know about the spheres—they saw their mates died in front of them by getting attacked of those spheres. And so, things happened, a lot of killings of spheres, them being shocked. i was screaming because i didn't know if they are going to be killed by the spheres or not, it's a very good one (well, at least for me). also people who think some characters are annoying for always whining and etc, they really have to take in that it was all happening so fast and they didn't know how to handle it so ofc they're gonna be messy. also, if you think about the series, it's like how high ranking people just sit there while the people below them have to do all their works because they're too much of cowards. lol.
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just go watch, wth u doing
i honestly don't know how to write a review, so obviously the reason I'm writing this is because this drama was SOO good I had to let my feelings out. The plot was well-rounded and the relationship the students had with each other was very admirable and just overall nice to see. There was never a moment where I felt bored watching this show. Like most captivating dramas, each episode would normally end with a cliff hanger to force the viewer to watch the next episode immediately - this drama didn't even need to this to be binge-worthy. I must say, the ending was not the best (sad ending), but even with a bad ending, it wasn't enough to drag this show down in any way. SUCH A GOOD SHOW!!!!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The reality
I really liked this story, there are many lessons about life, true things. This is a very very good kdrama, everyone should watch it.The only problem why this is not a 10 for me, is the reality value. I liked that at the first moment someone died, because in the war is that cruel. I really accept the fact that the Head of Section or idk how to say, group leader died. I mean, It was unlogically, unnecesarry death, I was so angry, I cried, I really miss him but it reprezent the reality, and it wasn't that "the main caracter, the handsome, wonderful soldier can't die" moment.
But I don't understand why the girls had that much makeup. I don't know how the acting works, but I think because it's a war position, they souldn't have a pretty face, I saw it on the lips, but that's it, their face were too nice.
The second thing is, I don't know if i'm a stupid or not, but I remember they said every adult (maybe after age 24) should go to the war, and the focus was just on the kids, we didn't even saw anyone else, adults, parents etc.
In conclusion, it was such a good kdrama, we have to rewatch, because if we watch something twice, we can understand it more.
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