All of the acting was good. I will just point out a few things. Love him or hate him (I happen to love him), Lee Seung Gi can kiss. I had no idea that Go Ah Ra that plays Na Jung in Reply 1994 was the same person as Eu Soo Sun. She just shot up the ranks of actress that I like. I love Cha Seung Won's dorky characters. He is just too cute. Is Jeong Dong Hwan going to play freakishly scary characters in every drama from now on? He seriously gives me the creeps when he does that smile. BBBRRR!!!
The music is appropriate and sometimes funny.
I will rewatch this at some point. I'm tempted to rewatch it right now. Seriously.
I highly recommend this drama.
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The plot is the biggest advantage of this drama. It's a perfect mix of action, suspense, crime, drama, and even comedy and romance. What more could you want? And although I admit I got bored sometimes, the boredom didn't last long. There's always something happening in this drama, and numerous plot twists make everything even more exciting, interesting, and fun to watch. The pace of story development is also perfect, thanks to what it's pretty easy to follow the plot without any headaches. The romance between Dae Gu and Su Seon isn't cheesy and immature, so thank God there aren't any cringe worthy moments between those characters.
Seriously, if only more dramas were like that, I'm sure I wouldn't end up hating so many of them.
The cast is really well-chosen, so there's no surprise that the acting is one of the best I've seen so far. There are no awkward facial expressions or gestures, and the actors express the characters' feelings in a good, believable way. Only An Jae Hyeon's acting skills lack sometimes, but most of the time he isn't even that bad. So good job.
All of the main characters are likeable, which is kind of surprising considering that most dramas have many annoying characters. To be honest I was expecting Su Seon to be irritating, as almost every main female leads in dramas are, so imagine my surprise when I didn't end up hating her. And as you can learn from my other reviews, most of the time I hate main female characters. Also, I love how each character is different and special in a way. Thanks to that every character can add something new to the story.
This drama has its little flaws, but they're not very significant. I think the biggest flaw of "You're All Surrounded" is that a few of the last episodes are a little bit of a drag, but fortunately at episode 19 everything goes back to normal.
Overall, even if you don't like cop dramas, I suggest you give this one a chance. "You're All Surrounded" is something fresh, has an actual plot, and doesn't kill viewers with a cheesy romance. Seriously, we need more dramas like this one.
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I think that the wide collection of diverse characters and their individual stories is what drives the drama straight to the top. Each character feels well balanced and adds something to the story that another character couldn't. And all the intertwining relationships and background stories added to the overall enjoyment of this series.
All of the actors did an incredible job with their parts, creating dynamic and believable characters that not only tugged on my heartstrings, but also made my stomach turn with disgust and anger. Even the characters that were part of the side investigations (that didn't really have anything to do with the main plot, but rather bringing the main cast together) were particularly dynamic and brought incredible emotions to the table for the short time they were on screen.
The plot was just as amazing. When you thought the drama was going to turn right, it made a left. There was so much tension and heart in the side investigations alone, but the main stories were even more incredible and satisfying.
The setting, the music, costuming, etc. was also pretty good. Definitely one of the more visually pleasing dramas I've seen in a while.
Although this drama was pretty amazing, it's not without it's faults. The last few episodes did feel like a bit of a drag. It's regrettable, because I feel that it had to do with the main plot line (which, sadly, began to fall in excitement and love-abilty at about episode 16). Thankfully it picked up again on episode 19 and everything went back to the exciting nature of the drama.
Overall this was a completely satisfying and particularly amazing drama, one of the best I've seen all year. I will probably end up watching it again sometime in the future. I recommend this drama for anyone, even if you don't like cop dramas you should still give it a try (don't knock something before you try it, or you might miss out on this fantastic drama).
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I was in the midst of a pretty intense Kdrama slump when I started this drama. I am a huge Lee Seung Gi fan, and Cha Seung Won as Dokko Jin in The Greatest Love is one of my all time favorite male characters ever. And they definitely do not disappoint in this drama!
I think what surprised me the most about this drama was just how easily it was able to blend all of the different aspects of the show together. It was sad, but also funny, and then there were plenty of action scenes that ramped up the anxiety from time to time. There were several episodes that would take you from crying to laughing to gripping the edge of your seat, only to start all the way back at the beginning again.
The characters in this were all brilliant. Dae Gu was a stuck up jerk, suffering from a tragic past with a giant chip on his shoulder. Seo Pan Suk was the grouchy leader, unwilling to take a bunch of newbies under his wing. They both suffered from scars of their own, and it was just amazing to watch their chemistry together on screen. Soo Sun was a clutzy ditz, absolutely brimming with sincerity. Park Tae Il was charming and Ji Kook was a dorky, sweet guy. You couldn't help but love all of them and want for all of them to succeed.
I don't usually pay much attention to music in dramas, but I can't even begin to say how happy I was at the end of episode 1 when My Chemical Romance's Welcome to the Black Parade came on. It was poignant commentary on the whole situation, and it really was the perfect ending note for the episode.
I will say that I don't watch cop dramas, so if you also don't watch cop dramas, I hope that that doesn't keep you from trying this one out. While there was quite a bit to do with illegal activity and stake outs and arrests, it was so much more than that.
Seriously, watch this drama!
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You're all surrounded had ingredients to make it a entertaining and memorable kdrama. It was marketed as a comedy, had the right actors casted in the right place, and most characters were endearing and fun. However we start the story with a tragedy, which away from the comedy and it takes much of the drama time to get solved. I didn't like that at first, but accepted it as long as we get an interesting mystery and enjoy the character growth and romances. There was a lot of potential in the beginning. A lot of story threads were opened up in the beginning but left hanging and did not get much of a conclusion, so the conclusion we got was not satisfying. Many characters were set aside while the hero was put in the center, taking in one tragic revelation after another. Also a lot of things happening in the police station you just have to suspend your disbelief. Also, in the end, I'm just not convinced that any of the rookies learned anything, and that they are anywhere NEAR ready to take on the job.
The acting for most of the cast was superd. It was stunning at best (Cha Seung-Won) and serviceable at worst (Ahn Jae-Hyeon) with the exception of 1 actor (Jeong Dong-Hwan) who really was taking the drama down. He practically has 2 face expression, and both are too over the top to suit any of his scenes. One actress I don't remember seeing much before is Seo Yi-Sook, and I think her character was the most interesting, and her acting elevated it. My complaint here is just that we see so much potential for growth in the 1st half of the drama, but most characters were pushed to the background, and their character and relationship wasn't explored further. Mainly Seo Pan-Seok and Kim Sa-Kyung, and even Park Tae-Il's backstory was given like 10 minutes of revelations and thats it. All Eo Soo-Sun did on the second half is be a support to Eun Dae Gu, and that couldn't be helped since they put him from one horrible situation to another. Their romance was growing at a slow but sweet pace and I liked that, but one seen forced it to accelarate. I got nothing against how it went after but that scene itself was too forced in my opinion.
The final reveal of the mystery was well thought out in my opinion, even if most thought to be a little too far fetched, I don't because I know humans do worst for their greed. but by then all were left with is the boring annoying 2 dimensional villains.
Generally the music wasn't too outstanding, except for that one sweet guitar soundtrack, usually on when scenes involve Seo Pan-Seok and Cho Young Chul that I really loved. It added bittersweetness to the scene and made it beautiful.
All in all, I was disappointed in the beginning for the lack of comedy and overdose tragedy, but started liking the story and the growing potential set in the first half. Like most kdramas, the second half lost track of most story threads, and didn't know how to handle it. But still, I don't regret watching it, I enjoyed the acting and the characters were very likeable.
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The first few episodes were really weak. But as a drama fan I've learned that you need to stick around for at least 3 to 5 episodes before you make any hasty decisions. (Most of the time.) The show was iffy up to episode 5. And then it kept yo-yoing me back and forth! There were some magical episodes there, but then suddenly the next one or so would flop! You're All Surrounded really hits it's stride at 10 and then settles in at 11.
Now I said writing was an issue. And it's true the first episode was soooooo heavy handed that I guessed everything then and there. As it progressed I had to assume the writers knew it was too obvious, so even the twist wasn't that much of a surprise. The biggest problem is that this show is supposed to be a comedy. But I wasn't laughing until after episode 5, and even then the humor seemed so out of place. Because this is a drama about a boy trying to find the murderer of his mother. The writers had no balance. Many an overly wrought drama have been able to make some dark and scary plots seem humorous. Yet You're All Surrounded could barely put any comedy in, balance it with the Masan School Nurse mystery that was the whole purpose of the show, doing tiny cases to show the newbies learning the ropes, and all the other stuff that was tossed in.
For instance the romance lost some of it's time here. They created some pretty cute ones with plenty of cues. It's fine that You're All Surrounded isn't one, I just hate that they setup all these ideas and places to go then take it no where. In the end I was happy with the romance, it was sweet. But the chemistry wasn't happening until later and then it would be forgotten.
This show couldn't multi task all of the plots for the story. Which is a true shame. And a lot of things were added into the mix, but then never explored and simply forgotten. The big twist didn't come until the last two episodes! Leaving some big questions for characters. Which in that time could never be answered. Not to mention the drama about Detective Seok! While moving it was not comedic, it was sad and heavy.
Another thing is the shooting of the show was awkward. The director was trying some new view points, but it didn't always work out. Fight scenes had this glass effect and even the most tenderest romantic scene had it. Where the camera was moving behind what seemed to be glass and there was a seam that would glare. It was distracting.
Also I feel like the STELLAR cast that I have been talking about was limited. Or more correctly held back by the director/writing. Most noticeably Lee Seung Gi's. I understand that his character became cold because of his mission and such. But as I watched Lee I felt like he was trying to add more, but couldn't until the end. Which is a shame because I ended up not liking his character for half the show. He was given dramatic fist clenches, angry shirt grabs, single tears, boring dramatic stares, and limited smiles. It was painful to watch. Thankfully his character developed in the other half.
The actors here are impressive ones. Which despite the limitations that seemed to be put on the characters, they shined. Even the newbies! Which I'm looking forward to seeing in other dramas. (Ahn Jae Hyeon, yeah. He rocked.) Cha Seung Won was noticeably the best.
Maybe it was because Cha Seung Won's character, Seo Pan Seok, was given the most development and growth. It was crazy because he was this annoying and depressing boss telling these kids they would never become detectives. He would do everything he could to make them quit! Then once they earned his grudging respect he did a 180! He became overly moody, with a tragic past! So tragic that he tosses himself on the ground a lot. Strangest thing is that he became the comedic relief. Which was good considering all of his painful scenes. Cha made me feel his pain and then laugh at his goofiness. And I've never seen Cha so freaking cute. No really. So cute. Adorable even.
The music was excellent. The OST is probably what definitely helps You're Under Arrests likeability. Good music can make a lot of things better, especially when well placed.
You're All Surrounded is definitely a rush. For being 20 episodes it flew by! Especially after the first 5 were behind. Only a few scenes got drug out, but then the rest was a breeze. Which is probably why the bad plotting, predictability, and inability for this show to blend its multitude of ideas together didn't seem quite that bad. It's fun, and when it finally actually had some comedy the laughs were great. Especially the ending scenes. The amazing talent of the actors here made the most shallow of characters interesting and it's a shame the show couldn't develop them and the links they all had more. It was fun.
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Good drama. Not great, but still above average. Watch if you're looking for 1) enough action to keep you sticking around, 2) a few laughs, 3) light love stories that recede to the background. Do not watch if you're 1) looking for a detailed, fully-developed love story or 2) expect lots of action (IRIS style).
THE STORY
The show has action and comedy from the beginning to suck you in and centers around the experiences of the maturing detectives, as well as the blossoming friendships and flourishing romances in the police station, which would make for a killer drama...expect that the story starts fading away towards the middle, and loses what was making it great (the focus on the relationships and the growth of the characters as detectives) in favor of what was background action in the first half. Relationships become neglected and all the fun of the initial episodes disappear. It won't make you want to give up on the show, but it's enough to make it lose charm.
THE ACTING
Good, good, good. Nothing else to say...except that I like Lee Seung Gi a lot better playing a cynical loner than the usual prick he likes to play, and it really goes to show that he can be a versatile actor. Go Ara is of course perfect in her role, and Cha Seung Won, there's nothing he doesn't do well - Action, comedy, drama, you name it, he does it - but really, the other ones were good too.
THE MUSIC
It was cool and fitted well the drama. Sometimes different from what you'd expect, but nothing I felt the urge to download afterwards.
REWATCH VALUE
Something I'd rewatch when I don't have anything else to watch. Didn't so far, but who knows.
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Story - I thought the story was handled very well. There were lots of twists and turns that turned me into a "tv detective". You know - where you are sitting in your comfortable spot, watching your show and making guesses as to the "real" culprits and motives. :)
The only criticisms I have for this is that the cases handled by the detectives were too neatly intertwined (but it's a drama - not real life. We all know coincidences like this are not reality!), but they had to do this to move the story along. And also the Chief's backstory arc could have been stronger -I thought the concept was a little weak. Other than that, this show kept me very entertained and kept me intrigued about the mystery. The writers did a good job at drawing out the suspense and keeping you on your toes. I don't want to give away too much and spoil the enjoyment. I don't feel like there were any lagging or boring episodes and that every episode moved the story forward. There was a little bit of romance, but it was not the main focus of the story in any way.
Acting - The acting by the main cast was well done. Cha Seung Won did a wonderful job in this, as did Lee Seung Gi and Go Ara. I thought that the characters of Ji Gook and Tae Il were a little on the weak side, but I understand why their roles were not stronger stories. I think they did an okay job of acting out their roles as they were given. Tae Il was given a little bit of a backstory - but just enough to explain why he became a detective. Ji Gook wasn't given much of anything at all. They were just mainly there to help along the plot, so very much supporting roles and nothing else. The other side characters were well used and played their parts well.
Music - The music was not standout, but it served its purpose as a backdrop to what was happening on screen.
Re-watch value - I didn't mark the re-watch value very high because of the nature of the drama. Once the mystery and suspense are given away, then the second round doesn't have the same punch. However, it was very enjoyable and may be worth the RW regardless.
Overall - This is a fun and suspenseful show, and I think it's a worthy recommendation for drama lovers or even new kdrama watchers.
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I hope my review can convince you to watch this because trust me- you won't know what you are missing out on unless you do. Although it is a standard kdrama with it has multiple genres all in one. It will give you a bit of everything and yet leave you wanting more. I have to commend its excellent and versatile cast for bringing life into the drama and playing it so well until the end. They make you forget that these are the actors we've seen before. Even the child actors are lovable and play emotional parts with ease.
The story is complex and there are bits of it which seem random at times but tie up really well as the plot progresses. The emotional parts of it are very touching and might bring you to tears. Apart from that the comedy is really the laugh-out-loud type. Plus the friendship between the four young detectives is absolutely delightful to watch. The at times dysfunctional relationship with their Team Leader and others at their workplace is another fun aspect with an equal amount of emotional depth.
The other great part (and very memorable) is the romance. It's not the in-your-face kind of romance that Kdramas usually have but it has the right amount of scenes and a good build-up till the end. Lee Seung Gi and Go Ara are both talented actors and they'll make you fall in love with them as their characters fall for each other. Their pair was believable and cute at the same time.
While most dramas that start off well get lost midway or towards the end- this drama is pretty consistent in story telling as far as kdramas go. Every episode is good and I never felt like skipping much. The main reason I am giving this drama 10 isn't what I mentioned above but because of its ending. It is hands down THE BEST ending I have yet seen in a kdrama. It is fulfilling, sweet and leaves you wanting more.
As for the OST I loved most of the songs and my favourite ballad is sung by Taeyeon (one of my favourite singers).
I usually never give high ratings to dramas for rewatch values because I hardly ever do but this one has a decent value. I am not going to rewatch the entire drama but I surely can relive the scenes of one of my favourite pairs of all-time again. If you're done reading this- go and watch NOW. You won't regret it. :D
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Story: was good - it had a good beginning & end
Music: was good - I liked Lee Seung Chul's song best
Re-watch Value: possible (b/c of Lee Seung Gi)
yeah...I guess I don't have much to say other than that lol - I did like this drama, but it wasn't my favorite...
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This review may contain spoilers
I just finished the show and its like the middle of the night but I just had to write a review to gushhhhh about how frikin amazing this it was! It was my first show that wasn't strictly a rom-com or melodrama and I was a bit weary at first but damn am I glad i watched because I absolutely loved it. It had so much emotion, so much story, so many feels. An all round complete and perfect show with a little bit of everything.Story: The story was supposed to the the heart of the show and of course it was.. There was a new twist and turn almost every episode and you just had to keep watching until your eyes couldn't stay open any more. I don't want to say much because anything I do will probably be a spoiler but in my opinion it was a great story. I would have loved a few more side cases and a little less focus on the main case but thats just if I had to pick faults. The only real problem I had with the story was how tragic they had made poor Daegu's life by the end of it. I understand he was a phenomenally strong character but it became a little to unrealistic. Personally I felt a real life Daegu experiencing everything screen Daegu did would have had un healable scars that he probably wouldn't be able to live with. But i've read a few reviews that have criticised the writing, it may have gotten a bit confusing at points and a little to obvious at points but overall I think they did a great job. The way they made you feel for the characters, the way there didn't use all the typical cliches but slightly more intelligent plot devices.. I was thoroughly impressed.
Characters: Before we get to the obvious let me just express how much I love the team. They just complimented each other so well and made me want be a part of them so badly. They way they had each others backs whenever something went wrong was just heartwarming. They were above everything the heart and soul of the show and kudos to all the actors for the amazing portrayal. I secretly still believe that this is a very real group of people working rn in the Gangnam police station but shhhh. Now lets get to Eun Dae Gu. The most interesting yet tragic yet endearing character I have ever come across. I have never been more impressed by an actor than I was by Lee Seun Gi. He was beyond mind-blowing. Im not one of those critics that even focuses enough to tell the difference between bad acting and good acting but boy you can tell when its this good. He is by far my favourite on screen personality like I can't even express I just want to squeal when I think of him. And it doesn't hurt that he is beyond cute. The piercing gaze and pouty lips awwwwwwwww. Though it was an ensemble cast Eun Dae Gu was definitely the star and he deserved to be.. He's a character thats going to stay with me for a long time.
Daegu & Soo Sun/Relationships: I doubt this is a spoiler as its obvious from the second they become 'path-uh-ners' that they are destined to be together. I am a hard core romantic and I have to admit the speed at which this relationship developed bothered me in the beginning but the way the writers pleasantly surprised us with Daegu initiating and being the open one made up for it all. I just wish we could have seen a little more of them. You must understand that it is difficult for a romantic to admit this but I must say that the heart of this show wasn't their relationship but the building bromance/father-son relationship between Daegu and Detective Seo. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen on screen and it successfully brought tears to my eyes numerous times.
So if it isn't already obvious from my gush-ing.. This show is a MUST MUST watch with you want some yum boys, interesting story and heart warming moments!
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The story has everything you could ask for. There's romance, mystery, drama, bromance, comedy, everything I like in a drama. The chemistry between the leads was great both the older and the younger version. And it really made you want to look forward to each episode. I've thought back to other dramas I've seen and this one didn't disappoint me one bit. I've had dramas where everything started out great and then they decide to add useless scenes or end it on a different note than what I would've liked. But this drama gave me feels all through out.
The cast is amazing. Lee Seung Gi...I've loved the dramas I've seen with him so far. And Go Ahra is so good in this drama too. She was my favorite character from Reply 1994. Cha Seung Won one of the few guys I can call oppa XD. I love his deep voice. And Ahn Jae Hyeon...he's so dreamy. The bromance between him and Seung Gi and Park Jung Min was really awesome. I love their camaraderie.
The music is good. I love the OST. I sorta wish Lee Seung Gi sang a song. But at least we got one from Ahn Jae Hyeon.
I would definitely re-watch this one. I recommend this, TWO THUMBS UP!
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