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Lol, I seriously had to take a half day today because I finished this at 4 am last night and it has wrecked my body for the last four days. I've slept a total of six hours the last three days due to this drama and today I dragged my body to work and just completely felt burned out, I asked my boss for a halfday because I slept at 5 am yesterday. Sleep would not come after I finished this. Even now, I'm so restless despite finally not being glued to my laptop from binge watching.

Fuck, I finished and holy shit, what a freaking journey. I legit have never crossed a 40 episode mark, heck, I have only crossed the thirty episode mark ONCE, but I finished 54 episodes and it's shocked me completely how much I enjoyed this. This sucks, I am so picky, when in heaven's name will there be another drama that is this politically intriguing. Unlike a lot of people, I really favor political discourse and my gosh, this was not only interesting but actually well written. I'm so bummed, I should have prepared myself for the end, but the moment I clicked on this, I didn't think I would ever reach the end.

Empress Ki and Gu Family Book are on my worst list, lol. Gu Family Book is especially the dumbest drama I have ever lost brain cells over. Moon that Embraces the Sun was mediocre. I have yet to try Secret Door and still I haven't finished Queen Seon Deok, mainly because other than lady Mishil, I really did not care about anyone else. However, most of these are politically dumb and complete shite in the strategic department. The only exception being Lady Mishil. No one in Empress Ki or Gu Family Book could plan a good strategy for shit. Plus, so many stupid villains. Ugh, It's funny but today, I was creating my shitty drama list and they were both in there.

This seriously was not that complicated... I also love Sageuk's but most of them are pretty bad and very predictable. My favorite remains A Tree With Deep Roots.

At that point in time, he felt that was his only alternative. You can see it in his eyes. He literally had the look of this is the worst thing that could ever happen yet in his final moments, he still does not kill Sejong. I think, that Hidden Root doesn't want to kill the King shows that they are to some degree reasonable. I don't think I've ever watched a drama where I've described the "villain" as reasonable.

I disagree. For one, Ga Ri On isn't merely just killing for the sake of killing and he's not killing anyone who disagrees with him (In fact, he despised King Taejong for that reason). Other wise, he would have just downright tried to assassinate King Sejong, but he multiple times talks with him and explains his perspective (He also remember, knows the secret passage way to the palace). From Ga Ri On's perspective, King Sejong is destroying Korea. The reason he's killing the scholars is because they are the ones responsible for the creation of writing. You have to recall the initial stages. They both witnessed the reign of King Taejon but from very different perspectives. For Ga Ri On, his whole family was killed and he's developed not only a distrust for the king but he also genuinely believes what Sejong is doing will destroy the country. However, what makes Ga Ri On not a villain is that Sejong is quite similar. He's determined to create writing despite the fact that his scholars are ending up dead. He's also very much making sacrifices to attain his goal. In the end, sacrifices are made on both sides but Sejong is the “winner”. However, what really made me realize Ga Ri On wasn't a villain was that Sejong actually acknowledges that what he is doing may very well lead to chaos. However, he says let the future generations deal with it and sought it out themselves as they'll have the wisdom to do so and Ga Ri On's last words to him are “Now, I can only hope that the King’s words… will come true.” The writer's also cleverly have him die on the throne. To me, whether intentional or not shows that these are two blurred worlds. PS. Another key thing is Sejong's inner turmoil of whether or not he loves the citizenry but weirdly, it is Ga Ri On who makes him realize he does.

Unfortunately, I've never bothered with Hana Yori Dango beyond the manga in my teenage years. I'm not sure I would like it much now so I can't say although considering it's a completely different genre with a different target audience, I doubt there's anything comparable. Empty, is the last description I would give this. For one, they do so many things so cleverly especially with the characters. It wasn't just Hanzawa but the antagonists. For example, it starts with the Branch manager completely screwing over Hanzawa and we are put in a situation where it's clear he's the antagonist. He's a total arsehole throughout the first arc but then there's the one scene where he's with his family. He's nice and loving and just a regular husband and dad and it humanizes him. He's not just an arsehole, he's also a pawn in this game who's trying to survive just like Hanzawa is. It's moments like those that layer the characters for me. The climax was also one of my favorite moments in the history of dramas. I don't say that lightly either. See, I'm getting rambly but I feel like this is one of those dramas that just is really well done. Hanzawa's character is also really complex and yet again, I wrote a super long reply about this below and I almost wish this conversation was face to face because I feel it is my duty to convert you. Lol. To drag you to the moments that I felt elevated this drama beyond entertainment. I actually think it's great that this is one of the higher rated dramas because it gives me hope. On this site, this is about the only highest rated drama that I finished and had very few problems with.

An Eye for an Eye YAASSS. Though it has its flaws. Han Suk Kyu remains my everything. I might do a stalker guide on that dude.

Funny for me, it picks up around the second half. The first half was really asking me to suspend belief. As in, he's in an unrealistic amount of debt and he is going to have flashbacks. You must swallow that part of the plot or get over it. So I swallowed that part of the plot as it was cleverly presented. The second part I was susceptible too because it's a rehash of the first part but the stakes are heightened, the dealers dealt the cards and in a world series of poker fashion is slowly revealing them. At the end, Hanzawa reveals his cards and there's a moment of joy because you think he's won. He's had his vengeance but the wolf always dresses in sheep's clothing. This drama is freaking clever, I don't care what anyone says about it. Though to be honest, judging by your complaints, you should have read my review. I did warn some of you cynics that the declarations of friendships and super-hero esque moments will induce some mega cringing. I speak no lies :p. *Sips tea*

PS. I've already written a gigantic and rambly reply to your other post and I would go into more details about the characters but heck, took me practically a page to explain at face value. The details might take pages. Especially in regards to how the characters are presented because I really think they absolutely present all the characters brilliantly, especially in terms of the antagonists. Ugh. I just want to get rambly about it because they did this so cleverly!!!

It's very comparable for me. For one, it has an extremely solid foundation. Definitely brain candy but these are well developed characters polished by a very well crafted plot. It's a touch over the top which is why I did not give it a perfect ten but I didn't fault it for that because those moments don't take away the foundation of this drama. It presents work place politics and thrills in some exaggerated moments but nonetheless, you take what you take from a drama. As my initial review states, this to me was about Hanzawa being embroiled in banking politics. Some entertaining plot developments and engaging characters elevate that very basic plot to brilliantness for me. The big one is the anti-hero that Hanzawa is. Essentially a nice facade coated with something that exists in all of us. This is pulled out by a thirst for vengeance. What you fail to see is that he's not trying to save the bank really. He's trying to get vengeance and the only way is to gain power somehow. Heck, he tells you that through his rambunctiously shouted phrases that for him, it's about payback. There really is only one twist here for me and that's the end. It was definitely entertaining to see him weave out of situations but they weren't really twists as we got to see the process and hold our breath knowing he would succeed but not sure how. To me those aren't twists so much as elevated suspenseful moments of what we know is to come. The end is the twist when it betrays our expectations and the show throws cold water at us in an almost realistically twisted method. So you worked hard and excelled? Well, guess what, it doesn't always work out. I think what prevents you from enjoying it is a cynical skepticism at the irrelevant details. It has its caricature like moments, no one can dare deny that but this is a fly swat detail to me. This reminds me of when I tried to get my friend to watch A Deep Rooted Tree. Long before giving the plot a chance to seduce her, she was nit picking at minute details such as the action scenes. Which is justifiable, they were horrendous and not exactly necessary but the synopsis is about King Sejong creating writing, a deep rooted philosophical discourse takes place before he has to do that. The action scenes feed into that and the moment, you focus on the action, you've already missed the plot. You missed those simple moments where he's breaking down at the stress of it all and if you hadn't you would know he was thinking about whether these sacrifices are worth it. Then he'll dust himself off and return to being king, shed away a little bit of that humanity. Though I suppose it's all a matter of interpretation. One of the most mediocre dramas I've ever watched is I Hear Your Voice and it gets amazing reviews here. *Shrugs* We can all take a bit out of the dish, it won't taste the same for everyone. This, still is one of my faves.

I will erect a tombstone in your name for doing this. He's awesome. One of my faves.

One of the first dramas I ever liked. Before Park Yong Ha died. :( RIP.

Might go for Check it Out Yo cause I'm all about Ichihara Hayato.

Antique Bakery, YAAAASSS. I love bromance, always will. Bromance with pretty men, even better!

Favorites
The whole Warrior Baek Dong Soo OST made me forgive that drama a little.
Bucket List - JK Kim Dong Uk (Scent of a Woman OST)
Put it Back - Brown Eyed Soul (Athena OST)

Yet it never builds up on that and frankly it is somewhat about monsters. Heck, there's an actual monstrous figure constantly lurking in his shadow. However, poorly executed! It creates room for discourse but completely tarnishes it. I hold a grudge on this movie for wasting my time. I really cannot think of a better description than well packaged mediocrity. It is a film that simply looks good but lacks in substance.

I am here to save some poor soul two hours of their time. My review of Hwayi says all I feel about it. A convoluted mess with nothing strengthened. Themes are never developed and it is a mess that never goes anywhere. Nope, it does not philosophically approach the topic of monsters well or creatively enough. It serves a heaping of irrelevant deaths and action sequences before making you wonder, what did I watch all that for? Watch for the acting, nothing more. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up that there is actually a legitimate discussion going on in the movie about monsters. It has very few compelling moments and a lot of unnecessary additions for a cheap time lag. It never goes anywhere and the ending leaves you with a cheap feel good moment that has no place in this movie. The directing is also pretty foul. A decent gray blue atmosphere but awful chase and shooting scenes. To the pickies out there, skip it. It is merely well packaged mediocrity.

@anitaguida and @Rainruma, I really think it is stockholm syndrome. She sympathizes with her aggressor and yes, while fleeing from him due to the abuse, she goes back. Heck, knowing that he killed her father, she still agrees to marry him. As I said before, even though the aggressor is a threat, the victim does not see him that way. I'm realizing she's rather complex to define because yes she sees him as a threat but she enters a relationship with her father's killer to begin with. She then sticks around for a period of time as he abuses her and fools around. She stays with him... I'm quite tempted to re watch this just to mull over her character. I'm now starting to question what exactly you'd classify her as.

Bless your heart. I really always want to explain Le Jun Kai as it gets a horrible rating that it doesn't fully deserve. There are some brilliant moments in it. Yes, it is heavily muddled due to the lack of development but whoever wrote the script and directed this knew what they were doing (for the most part). The end for me is actually brilliantly done. It uses a very stereotypical scenario to simplify his feelings. When the guys were hitting him, as a viewer you pretty much already know he's dead. He protects her to not only make amends but to apologize to her. Also, heavy elements of theater in the directing. Another factor that makes that drama quite interesting. Not only does she recite a play throughout the story but the ending does something so clever and puts them both on a stage. It's funny the comments were berating the drama at this point. People were going "WTF, everyone just disappeared, what the hell?" I was captivated. That moment changed the whole drama for me. It is a moment that tells you a lot. First, that he's pretty much dead. Also whether unintentional, I thought it was clever that his death comes from being beaten down also that it comes full circle. However, the theme song summarizes how I feel about this drama, regret. There were way too many things I wanted to change and tweak. However, it has clever moments that made me forgive it.

My part 2 might be Rated Horribly with no Love. If you look at some of my reviews it's clear that I almost never like most of the top rated dramas. The same goes for movies too.