Chibi

Trailer is out, you guys! <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCVL3Z6JqU

haha, couldn't help but notice! xD

I have the exact same tastes & opinion! <3

Ji Sung keeps running throughout the show. To the point where i'm scared he'll accidentally trip, fall and break some bones!!! I can immediately see why the japs decided to pick this up for a j-remake! xD

The main leads probably have the straightest nose-bridges in all of j-doramaland! xD

I found the free Youtube episodes much later after I finished the tragic fansubs. Those seem to be more 'official' than the 'loosely-translated' version. I'd highly rec watching it on YT, because the acting is still brilliant, and it does, to a large extent, accurately convey the 'feels' which are, again, lost in translation.
Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5HpOyyXqAE&list=PLsohLcKXS7662A2dzjYXf-jnP3CGG8qRg
^^

I won't debate on the intricacies, because you're right.
However, that doesn't take away from the fact that the argument here itself becomes very meta, given the premise of the story. The fact that that 'belonging-ness' is up for a debate here, is just so, so funny to me! xD

His satoori definitely makes him cuter! Also he's so dumb, haha, bless his heart! 😁

"Because SK is very anti-communist, I'm less sold on the whole fck capitalism, revolution and all that the spanish version gave us."
Actually, it's when a far-right country produces a work of far-left, is exactly when you can appreciate the tones of revolution and rebellion. Or else, it's just pandering and propaganda. If a very pro-communist country produced Money Heist, you'd immediately appreciate it less.
Now, only if they were committed and delivered it right.
It's *because* SK is so patriarchial and anti-lgbt, which is why the homoromantic and pro-feminist tones from the original could have shone here. Netflix, instead, decided to deliver THIS. Setting the story in Korea is one of the least problematic elements of the story, when it comes to selling the believability of it.

Not me screaming in ep 5. xD i think I passed out in ep 6.

Yep, chingu, I feel you. It's not just you, but lots of others too who feel just the same. Discord, DB, YT... everywhere! :)
The clone w/o a heart is a legit problem with all remakes, haha!
They briefly address the problems in society tho, with Tokyo, & her analysis on how the 2nd hand car business was just capitalism exploiting NKs and wtih Rio's comment on how SKs inherit their wealth instead of class/ caste in NK. but I agree, not enough heart. I would like them to stir things up more, but I guess that ain't happening... :(

I'm on team spin-off too. Not cuz I didn't enjoy this. I did.... ! But I think I would have a far greater viewing experience if it weren't for the frequent comparisons brought up with the original, and the human tendency of not being objective.

The cast agrees with your observation! :)

You're right. I can't believe they STILL do not have one commonly agreed upon answer to why they chose the Dali Masks, when Dali himself was politically aligned with a dictator! xD
I can also see why people could make it out to be more profound than it was ever intended. But you cannot ignore the rife potential they had with setting the story on the Korean Peninsula, and having absolutely squandered that opportunity!

I'm reading more about the original, and what I think the OG fans mean by 'a sanitized version missing the magic'.... is in fact, the absence of revolutionary tones. Rebellion against a system. The disillusionment with capitalism and so on.
Here's the thing. They already did the unthinkable: a universe with the NK-SK economic coalition. With the background of 60 years of rich communist-versus-capitalist ideologies, which still are currently, in our world, at WAR. There is so much RICH potential to dive into, and drive the narrative that way.

Because of censorship, however, we get THIS. A poorly motivated call for a heist, that is in no way, anti-establishment, for fear of.... censorship. Fringe characters of the society incentivized to steal money, is superficial & shallow at the end of the day, if not backed by the correct ideology.
I see why the original resonated with so many across the world, despite the difference in languages, race & nationality. Because humans are bound by their collective experience of a history of abuse & exploitation. This is why, like the Professor said... we viewers, from the outside... cheer for the Heist. We cheer for... *robbers*.

In many ways, even Squid Games had a more solid message behind it, albeit in a more satirical & ironical sort of way. Money Heist: Korea tried to graze the surface of it with Tokyo & her snark 'Welcome to Capitalism' remark. They tried it with the Hahoe-tal Masks, fashioned after the iconic Guy Fawkes mask ( from 'V for Vendetta' an anarchist, anti-capitalist masterpiece & a cult-classic). Just like the original did, crafting the Dali masks in a similar fashion.

But symbolism can only go so far. The absence of supporting dialogue & a backing ideology is what makes this version safe & bland. I imagine we would have got a more exciting version of Money Heist: JEA, had it not been for the anti-NK, heavy right-wing politics happening in South-Korea right now. Anti-establishment messages are the last of its kind South Korea would want on Netflix Kr atm.

It's honestly SUCH a shame, because the KOREAN PENINSULA is the ONLY place in the world which has a geographical border separating the two ideologies, a country split apart amongst people who are inherently more similar than different, but still AT WAR.
Missed opportunities really... :/ A SHAME.

Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk.

The thirst is real. I was looking for this comment! xD
Ps. MDL passed the vibe-check. :P

I think Denver gets to go ahead with his romance from part 1, part 2 will be Rio + Tokyo getting together, & of course, the Prof & his gf will break up. How do you come back from that level of betrayal? :P

Hah, I can imagine WooJin's face when she finds out who the Professor is! Betrayal of the Century! Imagine, a bigger betrayal than Cutie Cop discovering who's the Masked Man in Squid Games. Ouch!
You're not alone, the dude playing Denver is hot to the cast members as well. Or anybody who has eyes, for that matter! Park Hae-Soo (Berlin) hit it up with the actor for Denver (they are super close in age)... and they decided 'Berlin takes care of the visuals, & Denver takes care of the sexy.' <3 <3
Ps. Denver & the mistress work out in the end! :')

They tried to be greedy and it backfired lol. Are they hoping a significant number of fresh-eyes won't like this, and instead go watch the original, which ALSO is on their platform, thereby boosting their sales? Would it be enough to offset the cost for the remake copyrights? I really need to know what kind of Acid the marketing team is doing, lol.

For those who did not hate this, and are interested in some promos! Swoon's promo on YT. :)
https://youtu.be/m61R8QLKMRg