This review may contain spoilers
A decent thriller that falls very short of its potential.
"Gold Land" for me was one of those types of shows that you find easy to get into. So much so that you ignore the many dimwitted people or characters. At least at first. Because you hope that their character arcs will grow and things begin to feel less frustrating. It was just one bad common decision after another. Yes, Kim Ju wasn't about that life at the start, and quick thinking and decisions were needed. But that doesn't take the place of basic self-awareness and safety. Woo Gi, or "Woogy," was a low-key MVP. Even with a small part of the "dimwittedness," overall it was the character GOLD that had the arc and control.
It brought out the worst in all of the characters, from the gangsters to the main lead thieves. I found the story about the mother to be touching and a small break from the overall narrative. (Even though low key I feel the writer added the cancer and hospital situation to keep the FL conflicted about leaving) IMOP GREED was the enemy to all, and it cost them dearly. Greed gave energy to their lack of clarity to plan and navigate their way. Keeping the gold or not. Maybe Kim Ju buries the gold and leaves the area completely for 6 months. Or maybe the initial plan after getting the many 1 kg bars and cash is to separate from Woo Gi for several weeks or permanently after giving him his share.
Move 2 or 300 miles away. I know it's easy for me to say after the fact, but come on. Those gangsters didn't have ALL of the facts on who was responsible until the leads wondered about the area constantly. Yes, her mom was in the hospital. Kim Ju decided to keep herself and her family at risk by keeping the gold and hanging around as the gangsters gathered evidence. It's a dangerous game, and the stakes grow higher. As the clock ticks, every decision becomes critical, and the weight of her choices looms over her like a shadow, threatening to unravel everything.
Even at the very end, great move but that place would have been a fortress with dogs, guns and a saferoom.
"Gold Land" for me as thrillers go, a slightly above average watch.
It brought out the worst in all of the characters, from the gangsters to the main lead thieves. I found the story about the mother to be touching and a small break from the overall narrative. (Even though low key I feel the writer added the cancer and hospital situation to keep the FL conflicted about leaving) IMOP GREED was the enemy to all, and it cost them dearly. Greed gave energy to their lack of clarity to plan and navigate their way. Keeping the gold or not. Maybe Kim Ju buries the gold and leaves the area completely for 6 months. Or maybe the initial plan after getting the many 1 kg bars and cash is to separate from Woo Gi for several weeks or permanently after giving him his share.
Move 2 or 300 miles away. I know it's easy for me to say after the fact, but come on. Those gangsters didn't have ALL of the facts on who was responsible until the leads wondered about the area constantly. Yes, her mom was in the hospital. Kim Ju decided to keep herself and her family at risk by keeping the gold and hanging around as the gangsters gathered evidence. It's a dangerous game, and the stakes grow higher. As the clock ticks, every decision becomes critical, and the weight of her choices looms over her like a shadow, threatening to unravel everything.
Even at the very end, great move but that place would have been a fortress with dogs, guns and a saferoom.
"Gold Land" for me as thrillers go, a slightly above average watch.
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