Saddle bags of action
January 2024Loved it, from start to finish. Set in the 20s, with both Japanese and Chinese having a stake in ruling Korea. The main feud and emphasis of the action was with the former.
It bears no relation to fact and is an OTT action packed ride, but so good.
So much cannon fodder (actually showing that soldiers have to follow orders and not doing so in the midst of a battle, regardless of size, results in a shot to the head... that was reality and is for some present day soldiers), it can sometimes be a brutal watch and there are scenes of torture as well.
Korean turning against Korean, collaborators, traitors, opportunists, cowards, freedom fighters and bandits, they're all here. When there seems to be no tunnel, let alone a light at the end of it, this often shows humans at their worst. A tough end to the Joseon era.
With the mix of drama, action and humour, aspects really were reminiscent of classic Westerns and I couldn't help but think of the 1960 classic, The Magnificent 7, on occasion :~)
Kim Nam-gil is excellent as the slave turned soldier turned bandit, and the guilt he carries weighs heavy.
The supporting cast are great and Lee Hyun-wook, as the triple-sided character Lee Kwang-il, is really good.
I loved the main female characters in this, too. All very different, but all strong, intelligent and with balls! A great role for a favourite actress, Cha Chung-hwa.
Some laugh out loud moments, some very sad, some quieter and slower paced, but overall it's really about the action, as a fair few worms turn.
The OST was excellent, I thought, and fit really well.
Lots of articles about KNG 'looking favourably' on a return for S2... fingers very firmly crossed; although still waiting for Fiery Priest S2 as well! He's in demand and seems to, unfortunately, like making dramas that leave us hanging (Island is another).
A very enjoyable, if violent, watch.
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A very tough watch
November 2023The series kicks off with Ahn Joon-ho (Jung Hae-in), back in his unit following the close of S1.
From the start, the scenes of mistreatment, bullying and outright sadism, are anger inducing and often hard to watch.
The deserters being pursued in this, series 2, are not the central theme, which instead eventually fixes on a specific event and the efforts of AJH to expose the truth. He does this partly out of a sense of shame and guilt for things that happened in his past.
I found the injustices harder to stomach this time around and the fact several characters never get punished, left me feeling disgusted.
I really hope men about to embark on their national service don't watch either series... it would frighten them to death and rightly so.
Whilst many might go through their service and not experience or witness any such awful treatment, the fact is some will, and the thought it might be them? Well, I'm amazed more don't attempt to vanish before ever joining up.
The fact the series is based on actual experiences and reports (albeit with some poetic license for a drama), makes it all the more disgraceful.
For a country all about manners, respecting age and tradition etc, etc, it's so hypocritical that in real life stuff like this is covered up; physical and mental bullying is commonplace and ignored; people vehemently prejudge others and are cruel; the privacy and basic human rights of pop artists and actors are totally ignored and violated; mental and physical health issues are ignored and even made fun of. It's just horrible.
There is wrong everywhere, I know that, but rarely does it seem to get as ignored and even enabled by its own government, officials, police, laws and citizens, as here.
This series, more than any other, really exposes a very unsavoury side of life that is a tough watch, especially for not being pure fiction.
Excellent acting, yet again, (I was in bits over Jang Seong-min/Nina, brilliantly played by Bae Na Ra) and a fitting OST. Whilst it might upset many, it really is worth watching and there are some humorous scenes to dilute, a tiny bit, the much harder parts.
There may be imperfections, but it's nevertheless superb and, I feel, quite brave.
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Oppression, violence, humour & entertainment
There are some holes in the story and if the mutants had been explored more, even if needing a few extra episodes, I think the plot would have benefitted. Nothing is mentioned about life outside Seoul, so my imagination assumes all survivors of the comet strike that almost wiped out the entire population, headed there.Overall though, I found this drama a great watch. Being relatively short and all eps available immediately on Netflix, it made for an excellent binge and felt like watching a film.
I loved the entire cast and I cannot now think of one actor/character that let the story or production down.
The feel of a Seoul turned into a dull, dusty, sand covered desert with a highly toxic atmosphere, was pretty realistically conveyed. It felt grimy, oppressive and lifeless.
A class system exists that real life is beginning to mirror in many respects.
Living is segregated, where those with the money or background to live and work within Cheonmyeong's dome, have light and oxygen. The lower working class, regular soldiers and the deliverymen/women who transport goods and oxygen to those living outside, have purpose built, uniformed, secure, identical windowless housing blocks.
The lowest class are referred to as refugees. They eek out a living and have to fend for themselves pretty much.
Everyone going outside has to wear special oxygen masks and cover up against the dusty atmosphere.
The disparity is stark and with no prospect of things improving, life outside is dangerous, with gangs who pirate the deliverymen's juggernauts.
We meet various characters within the plot revolving around a battle that is brewing against the ruling Cheonmyeong company, whose heir is a Hitler like character that views refugees like vermin.
Several plot twists and surprises add to the compelling story.
At only 6 eps, you won't find much background or delving into the stories of the main characters (let alone supporting ones), but snippets are included and some flashbacks, that give enough info for the plot and characters to make sense.
I loved it. Kim Woobin was perfect for the role of 5-8. With just enough humour to stop it tipping into a depressing watch, there is also plenty of action.
The ending was appropriate to rounding things up and gave a glimmer of hope.
Definitely worth watching and an easy one to watch again when the mood takes... which I will.
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Enjoyable
Such a good cast who were a pleasure to watch.There were both witty and some very moving scenes, although I didn't often feel the tension that I think I should have.
It felt quite drawn out at times and became melodramatic, with some scenes being repeated (when used to reflect or for background on the story as it progressed), too often.
The plot was lacklustre and lacking somehow, although I can't quite put my finger on why.
I found myself losing concentration and interest during the overly long and repeated operating procedures and other scenes that didn't feel necessary to the plot. For a top hospital, too many of the surgeons and senior staff seemed incompetent and lacking in confidence.
I am not a fan of Uee, but this was one of her better characters, for sure.
Overall, this was not a bad watch, but neither was it memorable, or a drama I'd return to.
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Very witty and sometimes touching
An very enjoyable watch, that combines an attractive cast, witty dialogue, totally mad moments, OTT aspects and characters, some touching moments and lashings of cheese!It's a perfect watch for anyone wanting a light romance that has been seriously put together, but with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
The ML's upright character amidst all the shenanigans, slowly thawing, was fun to see.
The only aspect that spoilt it somewhat for me, was the total lack of any disguise used by the FL's character when standing in for her best friend.
OK, the assumed likelihood of her ever running into the blind date again played a part, but one would have expected her to have at least donned a wig in the same colour and style as her friend! She was, after all, impersonating her and for all they knew, he had some idea of what she looked like.
The outcome of a major element to the plot, later on, was also disappointingly concluded, like it was an after thought.
Small niggles though, in an overall very entertaining ride.
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Short and sweet
It always amazes me how a pretty good story, nicely acted, can make sense and be fitted into only 8 ,14-min episodes.I loved the characters of Shi-on and Hong-seok, nicely portrayed as: kind of wide-eyed and bubbly with a charming child-like innocence by Chu Young-woo for the former; and more sedate and deep by the very attractive Won Hyung-hoon for the latter.
Their interactions and chemistry were good, but the couple of more intense kiss scenes did not feel like they were entirely comfortable, so came off a little stiff.
A very nice and entertaining watch that also managed to grab at and pull my heart strings as well with tge more emotional side of the story. Definitely worth watching.
Maybe one day S.Korea will brave its 'only conservative when it's not K-pop' section of the viewing public and give us a full length BL drama. They're more than up to it.
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A simply wonderful story
A wonderful drama about what the word family is really about, and which is both tragic and at the same time heart warming.No cliché moments or over acting, but subtle yet hard hitting scenes.
The child actors are excellent, as are the rest of a very natural and believable cast.
There were times I was so angry with certain characters and others when I was frustrated and irritated by them. However, the outcomes and morals of the stories within a story, explain so much.
Money cannot buy happiness, but it certainly helps and I liked that this drama never pretended one can survive on just love and fresh air; it's far more true to life. The saying about blood being thicker than water is also proven to not always be true.
A very apt and fitting soundtrack also accompanies this must watch series.
Now a firm favourite and one I will definitely watch again, as I'm already missing so many of the characters (Song Wei Long and Steven Zhang were especially good in theirs) and I honestly couldn't find fault with it.
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Frustrating
Lee Je-hoon and Shin Min-ah work really well together in this fight against fate, time travelling drama.The plot is pretty good, as dramas involving flitting around time are often messy, but this was quite well thought out.
The characters were ok, but I found constant references to Bap Soon irritating and Song Ma-rin was so needy at times. On the one hand she could be tough and quite arrogant toward So-joon in the early episodes and on the other behaved like a teenager. She also let Gun-sook order her around whilst at other times standing up to her. The character's behaviour was inconsistent.
Aspects of the story were a little too drawn out and given those characters 'in the know', the struggles to change the fate of the main two were not always as sensible as they could have been.
Not a bad watch, although for me, Lee Je-hoon made this drama work.
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Gripping
Wasn't until the very last few episodes that I realised who the demon was in. So many possibilities and the writer did well to conceal it whilst taking us through multiple possessions and torment.It is quite a scary story at times with mild gore... tbh I prefer horrors that are psychologically frightening, relying on atmosphere and tension, as opposed to gallons of blood and guts.
Loved the cast and most characters.
Sometimes a few of the smaller support characters were a bit overacted. I also found the constant doubts toward one another's advice and thoughts, by the main 3, a bit irritating at times (mostly further into series, when ecperiences should have taught them better). Plus, they individually went into situations, alone, when anyone in their right mind would have held off.
I liked the soundtrack too and found a scene in the last ep quite moving.
As there was often a lot going on in terms of a shifting demon and its side stories, I think it would also make a decent rewatch, which I might one day, with a friend :~)
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Ill thought-out storyline
Loved the cast, acting and accompanying music.Pace not bad, although it flagged a little around half-way.
What really let this drama down, was a poorly thought out ending. There really are gaping holes in it, which totally let down the entire story for me.
The relationship between 2 of the characters was ambiguous and I felt a little uncomfortable.
The character of Jin-gyum was so naive at times, about the cause and effect of time travelling and parallel universes. He really said and did some dumb things. Tae-yi could also be irritating, although she was pretty strong willed at times, whilst at others she's just stand there instead of assisting someone being throttled!
I also felt some characters were just there to fill out the cast, as they really served no other purpose.
It would have been so much better with a more plausible ending and it's not a drama I'd watch again.
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I'm Thawed Not Melted
Loved the cast and acting ~ some real favourites. Not blown away by the chemistry between JCW and WJA, although a couple of decent kisses in there!I liked the overall story, especially from the point of view of ageing and some discussions around that. There was genuine comedy at times and some very touching moments, however, for me these were marred by over the top, farcical scenes that made it messy. Either write a farce, or a serious bit of fantasy/rom/com.
A bench scene in the final episode was nuts given what the character involved had just gone through. A ridiculous, over-used cliché, was also shoved in for good measure... a bike ride. Aaaaagh!
I am pleased I watched this, but probably won't do so again.
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Messy.
Dec 2025Maybe it's a generational thing, but a Genie is not Satan (or Iblis in this case), and so the reference to that name just didn't fit, and bugged me throughout.
In folklore the Genie (or Jinn) was created by God/Allah, and could be good, evil or neutral. Naughty ones got imprisoned in containers.
All boxes ticked.
However, the merging of more religious content (as mentioned, plus the angel of death, angels at all, hell etc), ruined it for me, as it made the character nessy and blurred. If they wanted to make up a new fantasy character, then rename it.
What I also couldn't handle, was the way the FL lead character treated him. I get she was a psycho, but I found too much of it irritating and often uncomfortable.
The plot became frayed for me, and both the story and characters were often all over the place.
The personality of FL's grandmother was one of the biggest changes... yes we change/mature as we age, but her younger self was actually not easy for me to like at all.
Personally speaking, it was KWB that carried this drama.
The acting overall was good, it was the story/script that totally let it down.
Lovely to look at/visually, but very disappointing for me and I wouldn't rewatch.
KWB and other cast members, have been in far better dramas than this. It could have been superb ~ but wasn't by a long way.
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Amusing at times, but over all not for me
May 2025Generally, this was an OK watch, but I have to admit that if the ML had been someone less watchable in my eyes, I might have dropped it.
KJW is a great actor; he can do anything, from silly, shy, naive, to mean and terrifying. His side eye and comic timing is great, too. All (and only) that, kept me engaged.
Many of the characters were hard work, and it went on too long, with some scenes feeling unnecessary.
The FL character went from insanely put upon, to manicly fierce, and I didn't find it believable. Her ability to carry on functioning pretty much as normal, given her diagnosis, was a step too far. Even with that, I found her hard to like. No problem with the actress, though.
Not awful, but not memorable either. I completed it a short while ago, but am behind on reviews... have forgotten much of it already!
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Good to see mental health being addressed in K-drama at last
December 2023Not your usual K-drama topic, but the negativity and ignorance around mental health, as well as other topics that get swept under the carpet, seem to slowly be getting the stage they need, so spreading awareness and highlighting inappropriate behaviour / unfair treatment.
It starts fairly light heartedly, but later becomes more serious with each episode.
It is not, surprisingly, depressing, although there are both frustrating and emotional scenes.
Whilst some might feel it doesn't go far enough in addressing the topics involved, it must be remembered that attitudes there are very behind (generalising now), countries like the UK and USA. I feel it pitches just right to keep the domestic audience engaged, whilst hopefully making those viewers think, without turning them off.
I enjoyed it more than not, loved the cast and the pace suited me.
The romance aspect is rather lovely and the lead characters not typical. Various aspects of mental health are covered, but what stood out to me rather, was how those cases seemed to need a reason behind them, which was usually around family or work, or both.
There is not always a reason, or trigger, and some are unfortunate to simply be born with conditions that become more prominent and obvious, as they grow.
Patients were often spoken to in a cajoling manner, as though talking to kids, which I found patronising and irritating at times.
I did like the storyline around Park Bo-young's character and thought it quite unique. Her mother's chat with someone in a later episode, I thought very realistic and pertinent
Definitely worth a watch, though there is self-harm and suicide references, which may be an issue for some.
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Happiness is subjective.... and not a Horror.
A dark and tense drama surrounding a virus outbreak coming hot on the heels of a real one that the world's just recovered from.Unfortunately, it's the greed and wealth of a powerful character that is partially to blame and they would never be held accountable; that's made clear early on. Perhaps because I've watched a few dramas recently, where the wealthy get away with so much, that I was a little disappointed by that aspect of the plot.
There are some truly awful characters in this and rather like Sweet Home, the different residents of the swanky new complex of apartments and shops, have their true characters brought to light, as the area is locked down.
Some really stupid decisions are made by some, like unbelievably so, but they move the drama forward and provide the tense scenes that work so well.
I loved the main couple/characters and thought Park Hyun-sik and Han Hyo-joo worked very well together. Their chemistry was natural and they made a realistic friends-to-couple pair.
She is tough, no nonsense and quite hard hearted when she feels it's necessary, whereas he is a little softer (though by no means weak) and more the archetypal good cop.
There was a fair bit of blood, but not ridiculous amounts. I personally wasn't moved to tears at any point, by any of the scenes though.
How some of the infected died and others didn't, from either being stabbed, bludgeoned or shot, was a little odd to me. I couldn't work that out at all.
The sets in the apartment blocks and their underground parking, were suitably claustrophobic and provided some jumpy moments... one never knew what or who was behind closed doors, opening lifts and lurking on stairwells.
To be honest, I wouldn't call this a horror drama, but a thriller, personally.
Overall a satisfying watch. It was great having PHS back leading a drama, and one of this genre at that.
Really liked the sound track, especially Isaac Hong's contribution. The minute he opens his mouth, I melt.
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