Weak Hero (2022)

I actually don't know how to summarize this one, I just believe everyone that can watch it should watch it. I haven't read the webtoon so I don't know how fans of the original material will react but, judging it on its own two feet, it far surpasses any expectations I had.

STORY
Honestly, this story almost felt like two, in the best way possible. Going into it I had this expectation of what would occur and what kind of avenues the story would take based on the teaser, but it proved me wrong. Weak Hero isn't just brilliant action, it's a deep dive into how interpersonal violence and bullying can affect and harm people long after the physical threat has disappeared. It's a case where I found every episode better than the last. The script and directing use foreshadowing masterfully, there are parallels that provoke so much thought and every moment feels deliberate. There are parallels everywhere, and the use of foreshadowing is deliberate and beautiful. Thought-provoking isn't even enough to cover it. Of course, there are issues with the script, some things are glossed over to fit the runtime, and the theme came off as confusing to some (not me) but overall I enjoyed the story it told immensely. The character motivations and progression all felt natural and understandable. It's a complete and interesting story that doesn't require additional knowledge from the webtoon to fill in the blanks and its end, though open for a second season, is satisfying and will leave you wishing you had more time with this world.

ACTING
I don't usually go to action flicks for character studies and heartbreaking emotions but the cast delivered on both and on stellar fight sequences that hurt just to watch.

So little disclaimer I am a Jihoon fan, but I will try not to be biased. Park Jihoon acting as Yeon Sieun was amazing. In the story put to screen it would've been very easy for Sieun to be one note, but Jihoons acting and eyes brought him to life.

Hong Kyung gave me the most compelling performance of the entire year. You have to watch it to know.

Choi Hyunwook brought a lovely levity to the story and his well-known ability to charm his way through the screen is at full display.

The entire supporting cast really showed out for this drama, the viciousness and vulnerability of boyhood were on full display. Special shoutout to Kim Sugyeom whose venom playing Youngbin almost burned through the screen.

MUSIC
The OSTs and music choices throughout the show helped evoke teenage listlessness and despair beautifully.

REWATCH VALUE
I considered placing this at a lower mark because some of the scenes are very hard to watch. Watching this drama inflicts a lot of emotional turmoil, but I honestly think it could only get better on rewatch. The point of the twists and turns is not to shock you, they're natural and understandable consequences of the violent world that bred them. Every choice makes sense, and the hunt for parallels in the script and directing upon rewatching would make it all the more worthwhile.


This easily falls into the top 5 dramas of the year for me. I would recommend any day! Also if you want to discuss it shoot me a friend request and a message I have so much to say.

Leia Mais

Violence Begets Violence

I've been wanting to write a review for some time and have only gotten around to it now.

Honestly, I would rate this lower but I think the great acting of the ML and SML offset my low rating.

I want to first start off by saying I binged watch this in one day because I wanted to see how everything unfolded but I think that there were a few things left to be desired.

First of all, I think everyone could relate to the bullying that the ML, Shi Eun, faced when he finally had enough, and finally fought back, there was this gratifying, sweet taste of revenge that every viewer cheered for. You wanted to see those bullies beaten back and every time they got what they deserved, it was oh so fun to watch. As morbidly disgusting, savage, and violent as it was, you felt the rage and the vengeance the ML was feeling.

But I think also that the storyline was a bit too violent and too far-stretched. With a con man trying to kill teenagers, with teenagers using bats and other weapons against each other, where a father beats his kid with a golf club, and where kids didn't know when to stop the beating, the violence almost became unrealistic and too much at times. Also, the only way to beat the bullies was to resort to even more violence or bullies getting bullied by other bullies or just because there's that one dude, like Soo Ho, that no one wanted to f*ck around with. You shake your head at the one friend, Beom Seok who never really learns what true friendship means until he's full of regret. Seriously.

I think, in the end, there's no real moral compass and everyone gets away with everything except of course the ML and his buddy Soo Ho who ends up in a coma. The one really good guy in the whole show, ends up in the worst state. Let's not forget the assemblyman gets away with being an abusive father, while his adopted son, Beom Seok, the friend who put his one real friend in a coma, has and gets to leave the country not really paying for his crime, Soo Ho remains in a coma, the one female friend Young Ki, leaves and disappears and the ML gets blacklisted from all the good schools only to end up in a school that looks like he's in juvie and starting in the same cycle of bullying all over again. All he wanted to do was focus on his studies and now what? He's put back another year with more bullies to pick on him?

Nothing turns out good for any of the good characters. Nothing. And unfortunately, that just means that even though some of the bullies got their own share of beatings, they really still won in the end.

This is a story of how violence begets violence, and how revenge is double-edged sword.

For me, the ending left a lot to be desired.

Leia Mais