A Unique Thriller That Will have You Instantly Hooked!
What I liked:The drama, especially the first few episodes, are incredibly fast paced with a large cast of interesting and well written characters. (My favorite was the reporter played by Seo Hyun Woo, who provided excellent comic relief throughout the drama and turned out to be surprisingly layered) Though some plot points were somewhat predictable, there were definitely certain twists that I did not see coming. The acting was all very well done, Lee Joon Ki's performance in particular really stood out. I also enjoyed the little flashbacks to the main couple's past that they showed at the beginning of each episode, showing how their relationship first developed. I can say for sure that those who are interested in the romance and relationship between the main couple will definitely be unable to stop watching this drama. The OST was also amazing and perfectly used, especially "Feel You" Shin Yong Jae, which brings back all the emotions I felt watching FOE whenever I listen to it! :)
What I didn't like:
Personally, I was more invested in the side characters' stories than the relationship between the main couple. It felt very predictable and almost 'too perfect'. I also felt that the story dragged in the middle and introduced a very unnecessary plot line towards the end. I do appreciate how the ending isn't exactly the typically expected unrealistically perfect ending, though it does wrap up most of the stories well enough. Though it might just be due to my lack of connection with the main characters, I found myself getting bored and even dozing off during some of the later episodes.
Overall Verdict:
If you're a fan of thrillers and/or the main actors, you should definitely watch this drama. The plot and twists are very well organized, and mostly logical, so you won't have to worry about suspending your disbelief too much or ignoring large plot holes. There is also some comedy sprinkled throughout, with the relationships between the police detectives, and Reporter Kim Mu Jin. The characters are also very easy to either root for or hate, making for a decently enjoyable watch.
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Feels like a warm hug
I was so invested in this drama that I stayed up binging the last couple episodes before immediately deciding to rewatch them so I could properly savour the story. I usually avoid these types of emotionally-focused dramas as I am not a crier and tend to get bored easily, but I found that this drama was anything but boring! I don't think I've ever watched a show that captures life and what it means to be human so perfectly. It doesn't shy away from the dark and gritty yet still carries enough hope and humour to keep it from being too depressing. The characters are all complex and layered with varying dynamics. My favorites are definitely the two brothers. They're so silly yet profound at times. In a way, they're some of the unluckiest characters in the entire drama, but they still manage to find joy in the mundane. I also appreciate how the writer didn't villainize some of the "bad" characters (except maybe Do Jun Young and his underling). The ending also wasn't unrealistically too good to be true, yet somehow still perfectly satisfying.The focus is definitely on the relationship between Lee Sun Kyun and IU, but I felt more invested in the various other dynamics and storylines, which is a testament to how good the writing is! I also can't go without mentioning the OST, which feels like its own character, and contributes greatly to the mood and warmth of the drama. My favorites were "Grown Ups" by Sondia and "Rainbow" by Vincent Blue. Of course, the acting performances were nothing short of stellar, especially IU, who expertly portrayed the complex emotions of a girl hardened by the world experiencing genuine kindness and love. This drama isn't for everyone, but I'd recommend it to anyone willing to experience a masterfully written and painfully human story about people trying to make it through life.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Perfect Kdrama - Hearfelt, Funny, Poignant
This drama is so good, it has me wanting to dissect the writer's brain for being able to come up with such a masterpiece. The way it blends humour, suspense, romance, and little nuggets of wisdom about life is just... *chef's kiss*. The only other dramas that have made me feel this way are Reply 1988, Oh Hae Young Again, and When Life Gives You Tangerines. It's one of those dramas that will have you rewatching it again just to take it all in and catch the little details you never noticed before while also wishing you could erase your memory so you can experience it for the first time again. The characters are all so layered, complex, and lovable, even the ones that seem shallow and easy to hate at first. The romance is so pure and adorable, and Yong Sik is definitely one of if not the best love interests in kdrama-land. The OST is also very catchy and well-made, and the acting is just incredible (especially the performance of the actress Lee Jung Eun)! My only complaint with this drama is that it dragged a little towards the end and had certain plot points that I thought weakened it as a whole. However, overall, this drama was amazing, warm, funny and is definitely one of my all time favourites! :pWas this review helpful to you?
