Not even Gray, just Cloudy Murk
It seems I'm going to break the momentum here from the many comments praising this drama. Admittedly, I should have done more research before starting it. Just in case anyone is going to start this due to the gushing comments, here are some things you might consider first...
I've decided I don't enjoy shows/movies that clearly set you up to root for villains (instead, the villain in this drama (portrayed as an anti-hero) drove me bonkers, and I couldn't stand how they kept trying to make them sympathetic; there is no way one human working alone can wisely, objectively and accurately determine who is worthy of death *shudder*). I also did not find any of the characters very likable (even Santa was just alright). I like to have someone to root for when I watch things, and no one surfaced for me in this drama. I have no idea how I finished it! Maybe I was curious to see if it would get better? (It didn't.)
If an indie, dark comedy movie that wanted to play with your mind in artsy, satirical ways was a drama, this would be it (and like some indie content, tries to appear "profound" and "poignant" when it really isn't). I don't usually mind nuanced or layered protagonists or villains who operate believably in the gray, but I draw the line at the cloudy murk these characters operated in. I also felt like it focused more on mood, vibe and aesthetic than plot and character development.
Also, Signal is on the "recommended" list, but please know it's a completely different vibe. If you loved that, you won't necessarily love this. The Devil Judge in some ways feels more reminiscent of this drama in tone and vibe (and flip flop the somewhat queer bromance in that for the sismance in this), but I still liked that better than this because TDJ made more sense, was less disjointed, did a better job fleshing out characters and showing you why you should root for them and had several, genuinely likeable characters.
To conclude, this one takes the cake for being my least favorite drama of all time (as of now). NOT my cup of tea.
I've decided I don't enjoy shows/movies that clearly set you up to root for villains (instead, the villain in this drama (portrayed as an anti-hero) drove me bonkers, and I couldn't stand how they kept trying to make them sympathetic; there is no way one human working alone can wisely, objectively and accurately determine who is worthy of death *shudder*). I also did not find any of the characters very likable (even Santa was just alright). I like to have someone to root for when I watch things, and no one surfaced for me in this drama. I have no idea how I finished it! Maybe I was curious to see if it would get better? (It didn't.)
If an indie, dark comedy movie that wanted to play with your mind in artsy, satirical ways was a drama, this would be it (and like some indie content, tries to appear "profound" and "poignant" when it really isn't). I don't usually mind nuanced or layered protagonists or villains who operate believably in the gray, but I draw the line at the cloudy murk these characters operated in. I also felt like it focused more on mood, vibe and aesthetic than plot and character development.
Also, Signal is on the "recommended" list, but please know it's a completely different vibe. If you loved that, you won't necessarily love this. The Devil Judge in some ways feels more reminiscent of this drama in tone and vibe (and flip flop the somewhat queer bromance in that for the sismance in this), but I still liked that better than this because TDJ made more sense, was less disjointed, did a better job fleshing out characters and showing you why you should root for them and had several, genuinely likeable characters.
To conclude, this one takes the cake for being my least favorite drama of all time (as of now). NOT my cup of tea.
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