This review may contain spoilers
LGBTQ content +Lackluster & Disappointing on many levels
The strength of the series is in the medical mysteries & the lead's charms. For me, both were lacking in this season. Both leads spend what feel like endless moments staring wide eyed at each other as this season focuses on thier relationship. So much so, that it's actually boring it it's abundance of "ah we're having a moment" (s) scenes. The well fleshed out side characters from season 1 are turned into flat background scenery for the most part.As in Season 1, where there was an abundance of focus on the plight of women, this season also high lights females females as down trodden (well it IS the Joseon era!) but still seemed a heavy emphasis- AND there is a medical mystery that revolves around two women lovers which has a modern solution.
It did seem that many plot devices went unexplained or were presented as difficult when there are easy solutions that are too often simply ignored. Examples:
male lead's bodyguard stays at the clinic (for no reason)-while his master goes out & faces dangerous situations. (totally avoidable IF servant was actually being a servant/bodyguard like he was in season 1)
Female lead's father inexplicably allows her to return to the clinic. (after insisting that she not do that as he had at the end of season 1)
When asked by the king, what the male lead wishes for as a favor, he somehow forgets to ask for the most important thing [his heart's desire-to marry female lead]
Later in the drama, we are reminded that the female lead actually cannot by law, marry or have children as she is a widow. ( if the leads left the country, problem solved & why the heck is the male lead pursuing her when he has NO plan for them to be together?)
A guy from the royal physicians group concocts a ruse to come to the clinic (spy on them) & they don't make him leave once he is healed, though they know he is not to be trusted & out to get them.
There is a happy ending, but we have to go through the obligatory trope of proof of love by pushing your lover away because despite them often proclaiming they would rather live without any & everything else BUT you, BUT you think they don't really mean it & feel you must step aside for them to be fulfilled through thier career.
So, yes, disappointing on many levels
Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable Funny and Wholesome
This is a review of bith seasons btw.First of all as evidenced by the relatively low rating this may not be everyone's cup of tea. It drags a little at times especially in S1. The plot shifts into an almost episodic format so at times what you feel will be a long running plot thread ends abruptly. However if you think about the main plot to be resolved, as being, the fate of the ML and FL given the many social, personal, political and legal obstacles to their love it kinda works on that level. Having said that the abrupt resolution of some story arcs was a bit questionable at times.
This drama is, however, wholly enjoyable. It has mysterious cases, adventures, royal court nonsense, intrigue, a wonderful found family, memorable and likeable characters and of course romance.
The acting is top notch and the chemistry between the leads is great. The FL is pitch perfect as the competent, brave, intelligent but shy and chaste young widow. The ML is her male equivalent equally clueless in affairs of the heart but honorable and very affectionate. Their romance is slow but their chemistry is obvious and awesome.
The angst, miscommunication and conflict between them is frequent but generally short lived and there is no dragged out noble idiocy or love triangles which is in itself refreshing. The ending is very well placed and not rushed and quite frankly leaves you feeling warm and cosy.
If you like every now and then to watch a wholesome funny low angst welll made historical with great lead this is well worth it. It may not blow your mind but it will probably put your mind at ease.
Was this review helpful to you?
Worst second season ever made
Dull, boring, slow, and uselesswhat to say more,, first season was okay somewhat intriguing and funny at times
this season is pointless,, nothing new, villains are just either stupid or envious not real villains
the romantic story didn't develop it got stuck in some repeated scenes,, really a waste of time
and above all they added lesbians in one of their cases
as if at that time lesbians actually existed
they are forcing the gayness on us like shit and I'm fed up with this forced propaganda
Overall huge waste of time
very very very disappointed
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Maybe I need a session with Poong after watching this
Oh, woe is me. Part of my brain that is shipping the OTP and cheering on the gang of Gyesoo Clinic is swooning over the fan service. The ordinary viewer part is saying "meh" (with a Gallic shrug). The cynical reviewer in me is facepalming and asking, "why was this made?".Let’s take a step back, Poong 2 is watchable and more enjoyable if you are a fan of S1 but at the same time a fan might feel cheated as well. Why is that so? I'm not sure I have a simple answer but let's have a look-see.
As I recall, S1 was cut to 12 episodes. The story progression slowed down towards the end and the development of the love line was arrested, possibly in view of the upcoming S2. After watching S2, my conclusion is that it is not up to the standard of S1. At best, it is a dubious sequel. At worse, a cynical exercise to milk the popularity of Poong 1.
Please let me explain. In Poong 2, the bulk of the side plots are superfluous to the main OTP plot. They padded out the runtime but contributed little. The ghost of Jo Tae-hak was largely a storm in a teacup which ends abruptly. The royal inspector plot was just a power trip of a vindictive and twisted man. The Princess subplot is probably the pick of the bunch, and it is cute in the end but even so, it is largely about an entitled person lording over others (many doors were harmed in making of this show). The plot involving the new governor Ahn is just bad. The man is a blundering fool with a sadist streak and too much power for his beeches. He is a horrible human being, period.
That is lazy writing in my book. Want more angst? Just add an antagonist who love to abuse their powers for little gain other than to make our protagonists’ life difficult. Not once, not twice but three painful times! After each round of maltreatment, the clinic just regroups and carries on. It is a zero-sum game.
Furthermore, the medical practice side seems to have been further simplified to a few cure-all acupuncture points and a bunch of extras milling around the clinic. The so called psychiatry side is very vague, more fanciful than realistic. It is dramatised to be sure but it also makes the palace intrigue and power trip storylines even more egregious.
To be fair, I do like how each member of the found family is given their moments in the sun. However, that can be integrated into S1 if they choose to. If we look at both seasons combined, I'd have to say that they padded it out to 22 episodes with filler subplots. If they had made Poong 1 tighter and have a normal 16 episodes run (instead of the 12 we got), we won’t need a S2. The decent S2 contents can easily fit inside 4 episodes including all the key developments in S2/E10. There is even room for extra skinship. ;)
BTW, airdropping Woo Do-hwan into the show to plug his upcoming Joseon Lawyer drama is either cute or cringey. Take your pick.
Acting from the regular cast is good as expected. The ML carries the show with able supports. I'd still question the chemistry between the leads though. They are cute together but not exactly pulse raising. The new support cast is mostly par for the course. I'd say the last episode is the only one worth a rewatch.
Like I said in the beginning, part of me wants to give this a higher score but the rational side realises that to do so would be sending the wrong signal. Peace out.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Psychiâtre et Joseon : 2 mots incompatibles, d'où ma curiosité !
C’est un drama en dents de scie ! Il y a de très bonnes idées, de gros défauts et des ruptures de rythme désolantes !Il faut dire de suite que le côté historique ne sert qu’à donner costumes et décors et à créer un décalage intéressant et amusant entre la « médecine du cœur »(embryon de psychiatrie)et la médecine traditionnelle de Joseon. Cela permet aussi de rappeler la condition désastreuse des femmes sous Joseon, dont les traces perdurent encore.
J’ai failli 2 fois le lâcher, puis en y revenant je passais 2 ou 3 épisodes avec plaisir pour me reposer la question de continuer ! Pourtant dans l’ensemble je donnerais quand même un avis positif, parce que les personnages sont bien écrits, avec une personnalité moderne créant un contraste avec le fond historique (Confucius and Co…) et que le ton de comédie est présent la plupart du temps, la romance assez drôle par son côté résolument chaste (le veuvage…!!) ! Comme pour « Dearest » c’est en fait un drama de 22 épisodes coupé en deux, ce qui est dommage c’est que certains personnages disparaissent alors qu’on aimerait les voir reparaître un peu!
C’est très feel-good par l’ambiance du groupe formé autour du Docteur Gye, parfaitement interprété par Kim Sung Kyong, et du Dr Yoo, l’excellent Kim Min Jae ! Une remarque positive particulière pour Kim Hiang Gi (Mlle Eun Ho) qui sait donner intelligence et finesse au personnage souvent falot de la Jeune première, ici plus réfléchie et mature que le Dr Yoo, un peu enfant gâté parfois ! Et pour une fois, c’est reposant un visage qui n’a pas été formaté à la mode par la chirurgie !!
En conclusion, c’est un bon moment à passer quand même !!
Was this review helpful to you?
In questo caso, confermo che la serie è gradevole alla prima visione, molto gradevole, (l'avevo quotata 10) alla seconda visione se ne evidenziano le lungaggini, le ingenuità nel raccontare una storia d'amore tra i due protagonisti, che sembrano due pre-adolescenti (in senso positivo) piuttosto che due medici adulti e di alto spessore professionale.
E molte scene tirate in lungo in modo eccessivo ... forse conveniva tagliare via scene non necessarie e compattare in 16 episodi le 2 due stagioni.
Was this review helpful to you?
