Nice cast, with Nam Da-reum and Kim Sae-ron working so well together in their lead roles. Their chemistry was just right for these characters.
Supporting cast were very watchable too and the show is a great platform for its young actors to shine, as they have the majority of roles and screen time.
Should carry a trigger warning for references to suicide really, I feel though.
The stresses of high school exams and grades are taken to a whole new level in this.
I found some of the adults scarier than any ghosts or demons!
Nicely done and an enjoyable watch.
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Thought provoking
A very unsettling drama, as one can imagine that if something like this ever became possible, there would be power crazy dictatorships and wealthy countries happy to abuse and use engineered humans as weapons.After all, with cloning, growing a human ear on a mouse and even working on growing human organs in pigs, this drama is not total fiction.
There are many very unlikable characters and the usual abuse of and arrogance towards, ordinary people, by those with power and money, is a key part of the story.
Ji Oh reminds me of Frankenstein's monster; lonely, naive and innocent. Sadly that also makes him vulnerable and easy to manipulate by those he mistakenly thinks know best. It's people's abuse and cruelty that leads to the monster emerging. Kim Rae-won was so good in portraying the role.
The character of Gu Reum was really well acted by Lee Da-hee; tough, principled, but ultimately, I found her to be fickle. Ji Oh never hurt her, but loved her and only ever wanted to protect her; yet, at crucial times she listens to those very people that cause all their problems and no end of pain.
To think that she could protect something precious alone and that Ji Oh would be OK with that, was crazy. There were so many things she could have said to him to compromise his mistaken beliefs, but she didn't even attempt it. There are ways around memory loss.
I found every episode gripping and the story well thought out, but the final one was bizarre. That Gu Reum would rather leave something hidden, risking it not surviving, than to tell Ji Oh where it was, I found unbelievable.
L.U.C.A. is the beginning of something altogether quite horrifying ~ not the super humans themselves, but what most likely would happen to them and ultimately, us.
Well worth watching and very thought provoking.
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It's all about the girls
This is such a good series and I love the characters. It's a great message for women of any age, in that the different views, levels of experience and personalities, of the 3 main female characters, are so different, but respected within the story.No judgement is passed on a chosen lifestyle, but via the series, the assumptions and rumours of others about them, are explored.
I loved how supportive each woman became of their friendships and that no pressure was put on, or fun made, the more naive and inexperienced character.
There are also very valid points made about the importance of sex and sexual health education, plus the need for easily obtainable routes to qualified, empathic and sensitive advice.
A really nice watch.
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What does happen when a father raises his 3 kids after the loss of their mother, allowing them to do what they like and then at a turning point in his own life, rebels against them?
The problem for me at times was the ridiculous dialogue between characters, seemingly written just to move the story into evermore convoluted realms.
It veered sharply between farcical sitcom and melodrama.
I loathed the middle son; a cold, ungrateful, arrogant, self pitying, snob. The actor (Yoon Park) did well to make me dislike him to much. I couldn't warm to him even when the story tried to redeem his character later on. Just unforgiveable.
The massive slice of Korean large family life portrayed in this series, would have me running away. Never before have I seen such nosy, intrusive, manipulative, selfish, immature and thoughtless characters wrapped up in 3 main families, in one drama!
It just went on too long, for me, as well.
Not one I would watch again.
Was lovely seeing a young Seo Kang-joon and Park Hyung-sik though.
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Money, manipulation and murder
I was gripped almost immediately. Powerful figures are top of the food chain and the mistreatment of those below cascades down, very painfully. Those bullied from above, take it out, often with relish, on those below.Even when it began to dawn on me who the main culprit was, I found myself doubting whether I was right. That's great character writing.
Jun is excellent on his portrayal and acting, as are all the cast. Top marks though, to the younger cast members, who all gave credible performances.
The family dynamics of the powerful were as often seen before, with parents using their money, position and contacts to further their children's futures. The green light this gives them, in terms of feeling a right to mistreat and manipulate their fellow students though, is a lesson this drama, I feel, attempts to teach its viewers.
The pace was good, although each episode covered too much ground from the end of the previous one, so I found myself FF each one.
The outcome for several characters was too clipped at the end and I wish they'd made more of the final court room scene, for realism.
I still thought it was a decent finish though and would happily sit through it again. Recommended.
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This review may contain spoilers
A lovely, complicated but not impossible, film
I loved this film. It needs watching a couple of times to really get the plot, as the subs are not great and, as the film is a little complicated already, that doesn't help!Hye-Joong has no memories before the age of 4 because they've been suppressed. She consequently suffers nightmares that are beginning to affect her actual life and at times (when she has the urge to harm herself) is actually possessed by the spirit of a character that's introduced later.
Soo-ryun was hired as a nanny, because Hye-joong's mother was sick and when she arrives, has with her, her own baby, Hwan. There's no incest as the lead characters are not related (it would have been impossible for her Dad to have fathered Soo-ryun's baby and it be born, in such a short space of time!)
The tragedy, I felt, happened because a character had misunderstood something they witnessed and what they were told about it, in an earlier kitchen scene.
Attention needs to be paid to the scene towards the end of the film, directly after Hye-joong is separated from Hwan, because the things that are shown at the site at which she ends up (baby Hwan's grave), explain how its possible for the film to end the way it does.
The fairytale like qualities of this film and the lead actors, Hong Jong-hyun and Jung So-min, portraying their characters so well, made this a magical, if at times very sad, film. I found the character of her Aunt pretty irritating; she asks a Shaman for help (in fact forces her), but then proceeds to completely ignore her advice at the most crucial times! I liked the Shaman character and thought Lee Seung-yeon portrayed her well.
There is blood and ghosts (I didn't find them scary), but everything fits and doesn't feel like it's been plonked in purely for shock/effect.
This is only my take on the film and I've left a lot out so as not to spoil it completely with this review, but as so many posts have indicated that the film is impossible to follow, the few semi-spoilers I've written will hopefully be enough to help explain the story.
I recommend watching!
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Near perfect drama
It's quite hard to put into words just how excellent in every way, this drama is.Screen writer Jo Yong and director Park Shin Woo really nailed it, together with a cast who so eloquently brought their characters to life.
Gang-tae, who becomes a care giver at the OK Psychiatric Hospital, seems completely balanced and together, but has closed off the life he shares with his autistic older brother, Sang-tae. Moon-young, a children's author, is totally self absorbed, feisty and used to getting what she wants.
The meeting of these characters and the journey they embark on, played out in the drama, to understanding themselves and others, feels like a dark fairy tale at times, however it is very real. Their emotional stories and those of the hospital patients, are both very funny and moving.
I especially liked a guest appearance by Kwak Dong Yeon as patient Kwon Gi Do, who had me reaching for tissues.
A favourite actress, Kim Mi Kyung, plays Kang Soon Deok (Joo-ri's mother) so well; she was actually a linchpin, to me.
There were no clichés that I can think of at all and no overly sentimental scenes either. It was actually adult in its presentation and very honest.
A scene in the final episode, shows how grown ups should be portrayed in a relationship... it can be done.
Every actor was great, but for me, Oh Jung-se deserves an award for his perfect portrayal of Sang-tae. He made the character very central, important and one that evolved possibly more than any other.
This is one of those rare dramas that I cannot imagine anyone saying they did not like it at all.
I am going to miss this so much and will definitely watch again.
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What I loved: the cast were all excellent and I so enjoyed Shin Sung Rok's portrayal of the churlish, phobia and allergy ridden lead male! He played it really well and shone at the times when he was acting shy, awkward and at odds with himself. He comes across as younger than his actual years.
The message I took from this drama was a positive one; that one doesn't need to be slim or beautiful to be loved. Self belief, self respect, self love all need to come first, as this provides self confidence. It's also how we make others feel about themselves that can affect their feelings toward us.
There was comedy and sadness, with some touching moments.
What I didn't like: the story became too drawn out and I felt like the writer lost their direction. Too many scenes were repeated and some scenarios were ridiculous, even for a fantasy.
Whilst a lot of it was good, the music was all over the place and veered too quickly from moment to moment. (One song that stood out for me though, was Queen's 'Lily of the Valley', a 1974 B-side single that I never expected to hear in a K-drama!)
I loved watching Sung Rok, but this isn't a drama I'd revisit.
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Gripping
Very apt, relevant and thought provoking.The mysteries surrounding what happened in the research station on the moon, who was responsible and more, are shockingly brought to light.
It really is gripping stuff and in the slightly claustrophobic, creepy environment, everyone is on edge. The different personalities of the crew and their strengths/weaknesses become apparent.
It is very rarely light hearted, can be shocking and gory, and the ending might disappoint some, but I thought it was fitting and so good.
I felt it was as much about portraying a warning of sorts, as telling a neatly packaged story.
Great cast; I loved Gong Yoo's cool, level-headed and accomplished Capitan figure. Typical military achiever who unquestioningly follows orders. Events see his character grow, however, and his view of Bae Doona's Scientist, changes too.
She is great ~ as always, and created a believable, detached (but for a reason), yet compassionate, strong and stubborn personality, who is brave and not afraid to ask questions.
I was so happy to see Lee Joon back in drama. He can play a range of characters and I feel is a little underrated. Very much enjoyed his acting and character in this. He had me!
The mission was riddled with problems from the start and I could not help but make guesses about characters, almost from the beginning.
It was a solid story, but some aspects raised questions about 'how'.
Also, if there was an abandoned research station on another planet, that might carry the answer to saving our earth, one would think it would be guarded by those that set it up. Satellites would surely pick up any other space craft heading its way.
If an operation were so hush-hush, crew would surely be searched (regardless of reputation etc) before setting off.
Strangely, I can't really place the music now. Maybe that is a good thing, as it means it never 'got in the way' or spoiled my viewing.
Sci-Fi aside, the catastrophe of earth drying up could one day be a reality. I'm relieved I won't see it.
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Who watches the watchers?
Seo Kang-joon and Kim Hyun-joo back together (they were boyh in 'What Happens to my Family'), with Han Seok-kyu, making a really good team fighting corruption within the police and prosecution service.It's not a light watch, so concentration is needed to follow a story that twists and turns. Never have so many characters looked guilty!
Well written and acted with a decent soundtrack too.
There were several occasions though, when I felt that, given the circumstances, characters blindly entered into dangerous situations far too naively.
I wonder if we'll get a season 2? I shall definitely watch if we do.
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Simply beautiful story
Such a believable story, understated acting, superb characters. Moving, emotional and funny at times. All aspects of relationships and human frailties and strengths are explored. Just perfect.Jung Hae-in is a wonderful, natural actor.
The entire cast were perfect and give the viewer wonderfully varied, 'real' characters. A joy.
With 12 episodes, this is shorter than most dramas, but the story never felt rushed or packed in and neither was it dragged out. I felt the pace was perfect.
The locations were unusual too and it made me want to visit the coffee shop, buy a eucalyptus plant and a ticket to Oslo!
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This is one of those dramas, where the storyline can be taken as light, or as meaningful, whichever way you want to see it.
On the surface, it's a comical, sometimes mildly angsty, young romance, with a decent mix of characters ~ including a good % of quirky ones, which I like.
If wanted, it can be viewed more deeply... a gender stuck in the wrong body. That's something, which is experienced irl, possibly by more than are able to admit it.
It wasn't perfect, and there were some cringe moments, but personally I was hooked by it! I enjoyed every episode and thought the acting fit the concept, and young fresh vibe.
The female characters were an interesting mix, and Kang Min-ju was as annoying as she was doubtless intended to be! Well played by Chuu.
Yoon San-ha was very believable as the intelligent, slightly nerdy, supportive and sensible boyfriend, Yun-jae. Arin was perfect for the role of girlfriend Ji-eun; and Yoo Jung-hoo was so lovely as 'The Man!' of the title, Ji-hun.
No overacting or hamming it up, which I was grateful for. Disliked Yun-jae's mother and sister ~ 2 annoying characters in one family... poor son/brother!
A favourite was Ji-eun/hun's grandpa, fabulously played by Yoon Joo-sang - criminal that he doesn't seem to appear in any cast listings.
Several other storylines run alongside the main one, which meant this drama rarely got boring, and quite a bit was packed into 12 episodes.
I actually rather loved it ~ and Yoo Jung-hoo/Ji-hun.
Well worth a look.
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Feisty females
June 2025Overall a decent watch and I liked the cast; Wang Xing Yue and Liang Yong Qi are actors I like.
The fact this centres around a widowed woman who has single-handedly, and pretty successfully, raised 5 daughters, is already a bit different.
On relocating home, due to adversities, they arrive in the town where one already married daughter lives. The in-laws look down on all of them.
Once settled, the mother's sole purpose is to make money, provide doweries for her girls, and get them married off to as wealthy/successful/up-and-coming men, as possible. This is basically the drama's plot, with all the adventures, adversities, and comedy, built around it.
They open an establishment that goes through several incarnations, until becoming a kind of tea/snacks house come gift shop and meeting place, for want of a better explanation.
The episodes focus on their daily life, plus each daughter's story taking centre stage, as the drama progresses. There are challenges, conflicts, drama, crime/investigations, accusations, and in one episode, an attempted sexual assault.
The attitudes of the majority of the women of local wealthy families, to the mother and girls, is mostly unkind and snobbish. It's pretty infuriating, as it's not like the mother chose to be a widow! Family of the departed husband, just wanted her home and possessions. They are ruthless and aggressive, hence the family packing up and leaving.
The earlier episodes see characters more combined, but the latter becomes about the remaining, individual daughters, with several other characters taking a noticeable back seat. I was less keen on that.
It was a pretty fun watch, with every female in the family being resilient, resourceful, intelligent, and with different strengths. However, there were a number of occasions when it dragged on far too much and got very silly.
More than once I found myself disliking the actions of specific daughters; some I thought deserved their partners and others I felt didn't. What was put up with, I suppose, fit with the era; I'm sure there were hen-pecked hubbies even back then, although I'd imagine it was rare and probably dependent on familial power, or possibly just a man being besotted.
A decent filler, rather than one to binge (which I didn't). Not one I'd choose to rewatch, but would if someone hadn't seen it and wanted to watch together.
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Exceptionally disappointing
May 2025Oh dear. Amazed I didn't drop it, but I like Kim Jung-hyun, and the rest of the cast; plus I wanted to see the outcome.
Pretty awful, sadly, with dreadful dialogue, lots of shouting, plus one of the MOST irritating, unlikeable, STUPID, FL characters ever!
The actress (whom I liked in 'My ID is Gangnam Beauty'), was pretty bad too; very unnatural and poor acting in this part.
I did like the character of Kokdu (which KJH brought to life wonderfully), and his 2 assistants (plus the actors; Cha Chung-hwa as Gak Shin looked great!)
Totally underwhelming, I've forgotten a lot already (reviewing late). Too few characters that I liked, mostly stupid humour and I don't even remember the ending, but think it was poor.
I do not recommend this, sadly. Not even the wonderful Kim Jung-hyun could save it!
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Stories missed the mark
Dec 2024A quite poignant watch at times, which made me wonder what it might be like if this were ever possible. I'm honestly not sure it would be a good thing at all, especially after some of this film.
Memories can sometimes focus on the solely positive aspects of those we love and don'thave physically with us anymore. AI 'copies' would perhaps be nearer the wished for than reality.
The various stories of the diverse characters in this are quite different, with hidden elements. Not all the characters are likeable, the pace is slow and it isn't jolly, that's for sure.
It's hard to review really, without giving plot lines away, so I'll just say that I found it a little hard going at times and confusing at others. It was definitely held together by the excellent cast.
Bit disappointed overall, tbh, but I always think others should give stuff a go, as different strokes for different folks.
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