I don't understand why this drama gets so much hate from the comments and reviews. I think it was pretty great.…
The first half was solid (especially the first few episodes), but the end became so utterly ridiculous that it was just mortifying to see how much the writing dropped off.
so i just finished episode 4 and I’m liking it a lot, but I can’t shake the feeling that i wont enjoy the…
I was prepared for the train wreck of an ending due to the many comments about it, but it still disappointed me even more than I expected. It was so bad, which was frustrating since the first few episodes were so amazing. 😂
It was very subtle, but it was there. Many people who watch this genre often don't want romance in their dramas…
Yes, I see what you mean! I find the framework and predictable formula of Kdrama romances cozy, too, and agree that it's nice to know what to expect; the familiarity is comforting! I hope you enjoyed the other elements of the drama, though. It's a good one in so many other ways! I loved the family emphasis which is unique to this drama amongst other dramas of this genre. It gave things a fresh spin in my opinion.
Just found an interview with Uhm Tae Goo since I was curious if his raspy voice was his actual voice or an affectation for his role, and not only is his voice indeed raspy (he would make a good Korean Batman), I was shocked to see his interview self. He was shy, soft-spoken and honestly kind of adorable. So different from the tough guy aspect of his role in this. 😂
And oh my, I just got to the playground scene in Episode 3, and Tae Goo is a riot. His drunk cuteness paired with his raspy voice makes it so he's legit channeling adorable toddler energy. 😂
So does the mother never get better? Because I've only watched 3 episodes before needing a break because her behavior…
I think you understand her behavior and choices better as you watch farther, but she's still pretty flawed. I don't think by Episode 3 you have the full picture of what's made her who she is, if I remember correctly. As you keep watching it's easier to at least see where she's coming from, even if you don't sympathize with her. It's titled the good/bad mom for a reason.
She's a mother who deeply loves her child, but acts on that love poorly, and has allowed her love to become twisted due to her fears and struggles that caused her to have a skewed view of reality and to make irrational decisions. She's very broken, but I think that's what makes her relatable. I'm not condoning abuse (NOT what I'm saying), but it's easy to judge flawed parents until you inevitably become one. Most parents try really hard to raise their kids correctly in the best way they know how. But all thoughtful parents hit a point where they look back and see the big mistakes they made and the consequences those mistakes had on their kids, because every parent will make mistakes. I think that's why this drama resonated with so many people.
It also clearly shows how much pain and hurt she caused her son. There was fallout from her choice of parenting, so they weren't saying he turned out fine and well-adjusted. He only starts doing better after forgiveness and healing starts to take place between them.
It was very subtle, but it was there. Many people who watch this genre often don't want romance in their dramas…
Yes, these are good points. I guess I figure romance doesn't always have to look the same or be manifested the same in order for it to be present in some fashion (kind of how bromance can feel romantic, like in Devil Judge, withiut anything ever being said or communicated between the leads), and in this it worked for me though it definitely won't satisfy anyone expecting--or watching mostly for--romance. I wonder, does MDL have slight romance or light romance tags? I'm trying to think if I've seen them before. If it does, "slight romance" would be a much more appropriate tag, I think.
I don't think I have anything concrete to cite regarding your request, and it's been so long since I saw this so I'd have to rewatch before I could even remember specific scenes, but here's what I wrote in a comment from months and months ago that is my impression of the romance piece or lack thereof:
"It has romance but it doesn't distract from the main plot. I can see why people said the leads had no chemistry, but I think it's because the romance shows more as a deep admiration and companionship that grows between the leads as they work tirelessly to save people and improve everyone's future. That's why we see no lovey-dovey behavior in this; it would have immediately given the drama a different feel and tone, and shifted the emphasis from its main focus. There is another romance in this story that actually sometimes becomes more of a focus than the one between the main leads."
I just remember thinking, where would they have inserted a well-developed romance line into the beats and rhythm of the plot?
If you love good romance don't watch this.The romance was very sudden without proper progression and the only…
It was very subtle, but it was there. Many people who watch this genre often don't want romance in their dramas at all, so they would probably throw a fit if they were expecting zero romance and got the hints and undertones found here. You only have to read a few comments to discover that the romance is not super overt.
Enjoyed it very much! Though the ending was a little bittersweet for me. Does Season 2 explain the last minute of Episode 16?
I think my favorite parts were what Yeon did after the Hell of Knives (or whatever it was called, something like that) and when he went into the Darkness to save a certain beloved character.
I loved that there was no, "I can't be with you!" due to noble idiocy for more than an episode. Ah, so refreshing! And when Ji Ah said she was willing to give up her memory of Yeon to save him, I thought, "Oh no, not that. No amnesia trope, please!" Thank goodness the fortune-teller didn't take her up on that.
The kings of the underworld are horrible, and the rules of this world are cruel and terrible. The afterlife rulers of Korean drama folklore are rigid killjoys who make the stupidest rules imaginable. 😂
They didn't quite address the problematic actions of Ki Yu Ri and Lee Rang to my expectations; they did some pretty awful things but seemed to get a pass as the story progressed because they are gumihos and they're expected to be largely indifferent to human life (then what happened to Shin Gu? He was the sweetest gumiho ever! Was he just a gumiho anomaly?). Definitely cheapened the value of the lives that were lost, in a way I wasn't a huge fan of (also with the plague in the last few episodes), so, few gripes, but enjoyable overall!
Also, Gu Shin Ju is such a sweetie. What a great friend! I love how compassionate and gentle he is. Darling!
All the characters on Team Yeon are awesome; the only characters who feel like plot devices and devoid of development are Ji Ah's parents. They make the story feel kind of plasticky, and they were dealt with the most poorly of all the characters.
Lee Yeon and Lee Rang are giving me major Thor and Loki vibes. Though I think Lee Rang is a bit more attached/close to Yeon than Loki is to Thor.
Also, I get lots of Goblin vibes. Maybe not quite as iconic, and Episodes 12, 13 and 14 felt a bit filler (they at least showed the characters exhausting their options for saving Ji Ah and Yeon), but still interesting and solid. While I get a sense for what will happen in a large scale/arc, the details are keeping me guessing. The Korean folklore and fairytale piece is also super fun (wish I knew more), but also a bit creepy and dark at times; it's my only issue with this so far. Almost done with it!
That's cool, very few people (especially celebrities) don't have it.
Of course; that, too. :) But people (especially online) can also be super toxic, and fan love is surface-level anyway. I think it's smart of him. Fame is overated! This way he can also avoid the gross fans ("sasaengs," I think they're called?). :)
And oh my, I just got to the playground scene in Episode 3, and Tae Goo is a riot. His drunk cuteness paired with his raspy voice makes it so he's legit channeling adorable toddler energy. 😂
She's a mother who deeply loves her child, but acts on that love poorly, and has allowed her love to become twisted due to her fears and struggles that caused her to have a skewed view of reality and to make irrational decisions. She's very broken, but I think that's what makes her relatable. I'm not condoning abuse (NOT what I'm saying), but it's easy to judge flawed parents until you inevitably become one. Most parents try really hard to raise their kids correctly in the best way they know how. But all thoughtful parents hit a point where they look back and see the big mistakes they made and the consequences those mistakes had on their kids, because every parent will make mistakes. I think that's why this drama resonated with so many people.
It also clearly shows how much pain and hurt she caused her son. There was fallout from her choice of parenting, so they weren't saying he turned out fine and well-adjusted. He only starts doing better after forgiveness and healing starts to take place between them.
I don't think I have anything concrete to cite regarding your request, and it's been so long since I saw this so I'd have to rewatch before I could even remember specific scenes, but here's what I wrote in a comment from months and months ago that is my impression of the romance piece or lack thereof:
"It has romance but it doesn't distract from the main plot. I can see why people said the leads had no chemistry, but I think it's because the romance shows more as a deep admiration and companionship that grows between the leads as they work tirelessly to save people and improve everyone's future. That's why we see no lovey-dovey behavior in this; it would have immediately given the drama a different feel and tone, and shifted the emphasis from its main focus. There is another romance in this story that actually sometimes becomes more of a focus than the one between the main leads."
I just remember thinking, where would they have inserted a well-developed romance line into the beats and rhythm of the plot?
I think my favorite parts were what Yeon did after the Hell of Knives (or whatever it was called, something like that) and when he went into the Darkness to save a certain beloved character.
I loved that there was no, "I can't be with you!" due to noble idiocy for more than an episode. Ah, so refreshing! And when Ji Ah said she was willing to give up her memory of Yeon to save him, I thought, "Oh no, not that. No amnesia trope, please!" Thank goodness the fortune-teller didn't take her up on that.
The kings of the underworld are horrible, and the rules of this world are cruel and terrible. The afterlife rulers of Korean drama folklore are rigid killjoys who make the stupidest rules imaginable. 😂
They didn't quite address the problematic actions of Ki Yu Ri and Lee Rang to my expectations; they did some pretty awful things but seemed to get a pass as the story progressed because they are gumihos and they're expected to be largely indifferent to human life (then what happened to Shin Gu? He was the sweetest gumiho ever! Was he just a gumiho anomaly?). Definitely cheapened the value of the lives that were lost, in a way I wasn't a huge fan of (also with the plague in the last few episodes), so, few gripes, but enjoyable overall!
All the characters on Team Yeon are awesome; the only characters who feel like plot devices and devoid of development are Ji Ah's parents. They make the story feel kind of plasticky, and they were dealt with the most poorly of all the characters.
Also, I get lots of Goblin vibes. Maybe not quite as iconic, and Episodes 12, 13 and 14 felt a bit filler (they at least showed the characters exhausting their options for saving Ji Ah and Yeon), but still interesting and solid. While I get a sense for what will happen in a large scale/arc, the details are keeping me guessing. The Korean folklore and fairytale piece is also super fun (wish I knew more), but also a bit creepy and dark at times; it's my only issue with this so far. Almost done with it!