Not sure what this drama was trying to be
Nice cast, with well known supporting actors.It didn't actually feel like there were main male & female characters at times (not a bad thing).
It had an ensemble feel, with the lives of all the characters in the 'team 2' of this small provincial Prosecution Service, taking centre stage, at some point.
There are 2 characters, which more of the scenes revolve around, however, and their strained relationship with each other.
The dynamics of a small, close, often overworked, under pressure group of colleagues, is interesting.
We get to see the cases they have to handle, from less significant fallings out, to more serious crimes.
The effect a new team member, transferred from Seoul, has on all of them, but mostly on the main male character, is also interesting.
The ML is a fairly gentle, principled person, good at what he does and intuitive. He doesn't seem particularly ambitious, nor does he suffer the politics sometimes involved when dealing with high profile, well-connected suspects, easily. He is likeable and personable.
His feathers get ruffled, however, with the arrival of the transferred female prosecutor.
She takes an immediate dislike to him and he cannot work out why.
Their bickering, barely concealed, sometimes out in the open, animosity towards each other, which fuels his competitiveness, is a central theme; as is the slow reveal of why she dislikes him so much.
There are light and amusing parts to the plot, including a totally bizarre side one that involves 2 members of staff and an online game. Sadly, it just didn't fit for me, and I found it totally odd, to say the least. Perhaps the writers were going for quirky, but for me, it really didn't work at all. It just made the drama seem a bit all over the place.
The central female character of Cha Myung-joo, is also the only reason that I couldn't watch multiple episodes in one sitting. I absolutely loathed her, so I just couldn't stomach more than 2 eps at a time, and couldn't even watch every day! That meant I took ages to finish this, but I didn't want to drop it just because of that.
I found her stuck-up attitude, arrogance and petty vindictiveness, really hard to watch.
She's great at her job too though, but because of how riled up she gets Sun-woong, he often jumps to the wrong conclusions and gets paranoid at times, which affects his judgement and usually good intuition.
She is completely unlikeable for me, even when more of her background is revealed, or when she shows a rare, softer side. It's not enough. I suppose the actress did well, seeing as I reacted that way, even though she's not a favourite!
I can't believe for one minute, that this is in any way a remotely accurate representation of the prosecution service and if it is, God help them! 😆 So if you're looking for realism, give this a wide berth.
The usual mistreatment of subordinates, money and power providing protection, looks the other way and outright incompetence, is all in this drama.
It isn't memorable, but an OK watch. There are, however, far better legal dramas out there, both in terms of wit and characters.
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Went on too long
I thought the cast was great and the leads fit well together. Rowoon is an actor who's really growing on me. He is very good at playing gentle, thoughtful, yet no characters, but they aren't pushovers.The friends, family and colleagues surrounding the MC were a diverse bunch with only a few stereotypes.
I loved Kwon Sung-yeon (played by Ahn Se-ha), a member of the Klar cosmetics team. I also liked Chae Ji-sung, 1 of 2 sisters of the ML, who was intelligent, considerate and pretty independent ~ also very classy.
I did feel for the FL, Song-ah. A strong and capable character who was deceived and messed about, but, after taking ages to make a decision, she then backtracked... she didn't seem to think anything through, or know what she wanted. My sympathy evaporated.
Characters I honestly had a major problem with, but were so well portrayed...
• The company director's sister, Lee Hyo-joo ~ utterly delusional. What she puts another character through and then complains to about their attitude, is eye rolling, to say the least. She totally needs professional help!
• Whilst I felt a little sorry for her partner, it was hard because although he is used and abused, he did also deceive others.
• FL's mother ~ The way this character was developed and handled, I found really weak and annoying too; it so played down the affects of her condition and personalities like that, on those closest to them and almost made it seem like that's just how it is, so put up with it.
• ML's other sister, Chae Yun-seung ~ married with a precocious daughter (fabulously played by a great child actress, Park So-yi), who spends all her time making snide, hurtful remarks and berating her siblings, telling them they need to marry EVERY TIME she's with them. She gets loud and petulant or plays hurt and childish, if she finds out they meet without her. She has a blunt, thoughtlessly nasty mouth with everyone, but is annoyingly enabled by those around her, as they just take it. How her character is developed, is just weird. It was like by making her acceptance of a situation, as though she was some open-minded saint, would make all the other stuff ok... nope. It did feel like divine retribution to be honest. I really like the actress who played her so convincingly, however (she's just been in See You In My 19th Life).
It was an OK watch. I wasn't blown away by it. Sometimes I just got so bored though and it took me ages to get through it.
The later story arc around the FL, felt a lot like it was just to pad out the drama.
I guess it's mostly about relationships (not just romantic ones, but familial, work and personal as well), following instinct, not being dictated to by society's 'norms'.
I didn't hate it and was happy to dip in and out as the mood took, but was so glad to finish it.
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Not the average sageuk drama
I was gripped from ep1 and found this drama a cut above the rest of the more like-real-life based historical dramas.The characters are wonderfully diverse, considering they are almost all Royalty, politicians or servants.
Of all the many dramas of this type I've watched, not many actually make me contemplate the polar acts of revenge and acceptance, or of putting the desire for a peaceful, unified future first, ahead of personal feelings of hate and injustice.
This was, at times, very violent and hard to watch. Not because it was particularly gory, but more because of the way people were used as pawns; ripped from peaceful lives to be tortured and villified, with entire families wiped out, purely to suit a desired outcome.
The same reason that different characters have, to murder and plot, are revealed through each episode. It is a vicious and cruel circle.
Yet only 1 character seems to identify this and it changes the course of their own path, which underpins the story.
There is plenty of action, not all of the sword fighting type either. It's a well thought out and intelligently written story.
I did feel that as the series neared its end, however, things got rushed in comparison to the early to mid episodes. If limited to 16, it's understandable, as apart from hugely pregnant pauses between characters at times, I couldn't think of anywhere that earlier scenes/eps could be shortened.
Jang Hyuk is so good at portraying the type of character that he does in this drama. There were odd occasions when I felt his signature booming voice, when raised in anger, was used inappropriately, which made it lose its impact. That, however, is not down to his acting, but to direction.
(I honestly feel actors are too often blamed for the poor choices and decisions of Directors in how they want the MCs portrayed. A great actor will struggle in a badly directed drama or film; the Director, not the Star, is the boss on a set.)
He is very good at adding weight to a character and at times one can almost feel how the character does, through him, and Park Gye-won is really something. Traumatic and horrifying experiences, a total loss of trust in any King's ability to rule without indiscriminately spilling blood and certainty that his resulting actions are for the greater good, leads to yet another tyrant being in control. What he was willing to sacrifice (and force others to) and do, to have his perfect Joseon protected, was cruel, selfish and heartless.
Lee Joon is very good at playing characters who veer from sensitive and caring, to deeply cold and frightening, in a split second. His malevolent stares are second to none (with Jang Hyuk's matching on several occasions). His tragically steep learning curve from the idealistic, naive young Crown Prince, to becoming a King that's forced to live in constant fear for his life, controlled and manipulated, again produces a character who trusts no one and believes his means to attaining revenge and stability, are justified. Due to the aforementioned rushed final episodes, I did feel his character's personality suffered a bit of whiplash, but his reaction to the loss of a significant character kind of brought it back in check. There was the odd occasion, however, where I wondered what on earth was going on with him! Again, that's no reflection on Lee Joon's excellent acting, but on the writing, pace of the story, and its direction.
Kang Han-na was well cast as the FL; Yoo Jung's lot was really hard and yet she presents with such dignity, patience, strength and foresight. This character, to be honest, felt too good to be true and would give Mother Teresa a run for her money. Yet, I still bought into her and admired what I felt the story was getting at, in her choices and decisions. Revenge has to stop somewhere and irl, history is full of examples of the bloodshed and lost lives caused by living in the past and seeking revenge on the future generations, of those who committed the crime, regardless of whether they were involved, or pose the same threat.
Of the other characters, I thought the Queen Dowager (Park Ji-yeon) was another example of personal hatred, jealousy and fear taking a person over. The surface is a lot more beautiful than what lies beneath, although she was used by a character for whom her love never really died, but consumed her. Another, Gye-won's wife, Lady Yoon (Seo Yoo Jun) was the epitome of loving someone more and putting her duties as supportive wife, mother and family protector, before all else. I wonder how he would have been, if she'd been more like Yoo Jung.
The relationships between and types of other characters, were pretty well done, even if not as in-depth, I got a sense of the dynamic, affection and type of people they were.
As mentioned, the ending felt somewhat weak in comparison to the rest of the drama (if it hadn't been so good, maybe I wouldn't think that), but at the same time, it didn't ruin it for me. I'd just rather have had more. Some things were over simplified to fit, I thought, and what becomes of several characters, after everything that happened, was what stopped me giving this a 10/10. More thought should have gone into it.
Jo Yeon-hee (Minister of War's daughter and Royal Concubine also in running to be Queen), was vile; she hadn't had a hard life, but was totally spoilt, with no regard for people below her ~ she saw them as chattle and their lives were hers to take if needed. She felt no remorse, no guilt, nothing at all ~ only that she might be in danger herself as a result and be hated by the King, whom she adored and coveted. Her actions, schemes and desires should never have gone unpunished; I was livid!
The end marked a beginning and I interpreted it as alluding to the fact that their future would not be easy. Their decisions made, to not cause more bloodshed, would likely create danger and plotting against them in the future, but they would deal with them as and when; and not take the easier path of their forebears, murdering, creating cover ups and scape goats to cover their tracks, 'just in case'.
This drama is really well worth watching; a classic.
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Totally OTT but an engrossing, exhilirating watch.
Full of great action, with many genuinely funny scenes and a tongue planted firmly in cheek. Such a good cast with Do Kyung-soo heading it perfectly. I love his acting and how he always seems to really immerse himself into character. His role in this reminds me a bit of 'K' in Bad and Crazy.Some typecasting in the form of Kim Chang-wan as CE, Seo Hyun-kyu, as well, as I'm sure I've seen him in a very similar role, but I just can't think of the drama.
Whilst it's total fiction, there were a few occasions when I felt the writing became lazy and how characters behaved in some scenes was eye rolling; like walking into situations alone and seemingly unprepared, or going to a secret rendezvous with no concept of being tailed (which she was).
I liked the character of Ah-ra, but got irritated when she was made out to be defenseless, when in fact she was an excellent fighter. So, when she sat back and did absolutely nothing in a rooftop fight scene, even when the baddies had legged it and the others were desperately struggling to pull someone back from falling off said roof, I got very irritated. No one would do that.
Ep7 had the most flaws for me and I noticed more weak writing (or direction?) after that.
However, overall I still really enjoyed the action and entire cast.
Totally OTT at times, but a great ride! Worth watching for sure.
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Gritty and consuming
A very dark, sometimes shocking and visceral drama. TRIGGER WARNINGS definitely needed, as torture, abuse and rape (that bit isn't graphic, but obvious) are included.A prosecutor with a tragic past, up against an intelligent, sadistic serial killer who carries all the text book trade marks of a psychopath.
The story had a strong start, but as the episodes unfolded, some aspects became overdone and too much; from the often inept police, that seemed almost comical in their approach, to the obvious connection that several characters and places obviously had to the perpetrator, being woefully overlooked, even when visited.
Several characters were too quickly 'marked' and other avenues that should have continued to be investigated, weren't. It was all a bit haphazard at times, especially given the severity of the case.
However, this was the 90s ~ the era being well portrayed I thought (even if I don't come from Taiwan, I recognised the vibe), when perceptions were different (and sadly still exist in too many cultures).
The acting of the MCs carried the story, however, and so it still made for a compelling watch.
The lengths the prosecutor ended up going to, to get his man, were life changing and cathartic; the transformation of that character was very cleverly done.
There was some overacting at times, but overall, many characters were excellently played. The actors that stood out for me, head and shoulders, were Chen Bo Zheng as a victim's grandfather (I so like this older actor ~ he always plays his characters in an understated way and is good to watch even if the drama isn't!); the actor who played Chris Wu's character's Uncle, so convincingly; and Chris Wu himself in the leading role.
The plot did leave a lot to be desired at times, but it was still a very watchable drama.
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Very watchable
I'm a big fan of Cho Seung-woo and he didn't disappoint in this role as a divorce lawyer .His background story is unusual, as is his amazing ability to come up with winning strategies in the court.
Few characters have substance and the portrayal of S.Korea's attitude to divorce (with the women always being the mistreated party in this drama, yet still getting the worst attitude for going down that route), is massively out of step with modern times. The country is too often portrayed as misogynistic with attitudes more at home in the 70s. It really does not do any favours.
With the crap some of the women are living with, anyone who still believes all divorce is wrong, needs to live that life. Bet they wouldn't last a week.
The marriages depicted are all too real for many, so I can hear a lot of shouting at the TV when the women are looked down on.
Perhaps with this drama they are trying to show that divorce is better than living in misery (and let's not forget that men get abused too).
However, for me, it wasn't the tragedy and personal fight in Shin Sun-hang's life, or the stories of the women he represented, but the wonderfully portrayed friendship between him and his long-time (and suffering) friends, Hyung-geun and Jung-shik, that totally made the drama for me. 3 very different characters, who bicker, drink, eat and laugh together. They are always there for each other though and take the kind of liberties only true friends could.
With an ending that made me happy, this drama is not a difficult watch at all and I certainly enjoyed it.
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A Blast!
I so enjoyed this action packed, intriguing and very amusing caper.It is not perfect, but, it got a 9 from me purely for how much I enjoyed every episode; I totally binge watched it.
I did work out the key aspect fairly on, but was still gripped all the way through.
Loved Soo-yeol (LDW) and how, whilst a pretty sycophantic and underhand detective in (perversely) the Anti Corruption Unit, he still had a conscience and couldn't turn a complete blind eye to certain crimes (especially once influenced by K).
K (perfectly played by Wi Ha-joon) was stunning ~ like OTT, action hero stunning ~ and that fits totally (especially as the story unfolds).
Character, Hee-kyum, is feisty, by-the-book and very capable of handling herself; but she was also often too headstrong and didn't listen, which irritated me.
Rookie Kyung-tae, was a total sweetie, stuck by his guns and refused to ignore the signs that all was not as it should be, with the investigation and conclusion of a certain serious crime. This put him in danger, but he never gave up.
Ji-ru (Soo-yeol's boss) was actually very supportive, considering SY's previously compliant attitude to do what he was ordered, changed pretty drastically.
There is a lot of violence and some very uncomfortable scenes, but there's also wit, sarcasm and "that could never happen" scenarios, which still fit nevertheless!
This isn't 'real', isn't to be taken too seriously and needs a certain amount of imagination (because it's hard to portray the subject of this drama ~ which you'll know what I mean if you watch it), but it really is terrific fun and very touching on several occasions. Loved it.
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Not bad, but not great sequel
I enjoyed S1 and had hoped the incomplete story of Ji-hyuk's past might have been expanded on, but sadly, whilst very lightly touched on, it wasn't at all.I like the characters and Do-chang's sister was a much more pleasant person this time around.
Eun-hye has settled and whilst her past rears its unpleasant head, she is as mature and strong as ever. A very likeable girl.
The main story sees Ji-hyuk, Do-chang and the team once again struggling against a wealthy, powerful family (whose business is the backbone of the S.Korean economy), to put to rest a previously covered up shocking assault and latterly, murder. Of course, the family's influence is widespread ~ most will know what that means.
There are several other, quite unpleasant, murders that the team must also solve and similar to S1, they have to overcome attempts to apportion blame for unlinked events, to those perpetrators.
I actually preferred S1. I felt this time around the story was quite laboured and I lost interest and concentration on a few occasions. Usually, I would rewind to keep up with the plot, but tbh, that wasn't necessary for me with this and I don't believe I missed anything important; especially as I was still able to keep up with the storyline.
It isn't a bad watch and the casts' portrayal of their characters feels natural. The story, though, has been done before and I felt it was too similar to S1 in many ways, with nothing exceptional to match or add to it.
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Enjoyable but underwhelming watch
I watched this as a filler and when the mood took; I enjoyed it, but it didn't make me want to binge the entire programme over other series.Nice cast, with lively acting from the younger members.
For me, the drama encompasses adults (in parents and staff) that have regrets, missed opportunities and haven't always done the right thing, but through a team that refuse to give up when they look beaten, come good.
There is some intrigue around one character too, which added some mystery in earlier episodes.
The son who initially thought badminton a lesser sport (with a surprise for his team mates), was a character I liked; he grew through the episodes and his rough, surly exterior, belied a caring character.
A pleasant watch and heart warming at times, it did also drag on occasion. I did find it unrealistic how the main family's children were often left to their own devices and initially I actually thought they didn't even have a mother! Slightly bizarre.
Whilst not one I'd watch again, I don't regret having done so, as the young cast really did carry this story.
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A favourite trope. Loved it
Enemies to lovers is nothing new and with the usual short number of episodes (at least they were longer than 10 minutes), I went in with low expectations....Well! What a turnabout.
A surprising amount of story, which flowed really well, was packed into those 8x25-min episodes.
Humour, candour, realism (to a point ~ I did wonder how a student was able to just make up their timetable as they went along... but hey, it is a drama 😉), feels and a very likeable couple. Just what I wanted to watch.
I loved the whole cast, thought the acting was very natural and professional, loved the characters (especially Jae-young's peer, Yu-na) and could happily have watched more.
S.Korean gay romance dramas are certainly going in the right direction; one half of the leads in this is bi, too, which makes a change.
Very enjoyable.
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Surprising angle on a drama based on suicide prevention
I will be honest; I was not grabbed by the first couple of episodes, but as the drama progressed, I enjoyed it more and more.The subject matter is not an easy topic to work into a drama in which it's also the main focus. One would expect it to become overly sentimental, depressing, or down right unwatchable for 16 episodes.
However, it was nothing like that. Yes, there were very sad moments, but also giggles, warmth, hope and a message.
It did occasionally get a little too sentimental for me personally, but overall I found the subject dealt with in a way that made me ponder and not feel smothered in grief or misery.
Many messages can be taken from this series. A biggie for me, is that people often cover up their depression or misery.
It made me think that people struggle, to varying degrees, some every day of their lives. It can take one day of an accumulation of those struggles, during which, just one more bad word, experience of bullying, disrespect or unkindness, could potentially push them to the point of no return.
Suicide was not romanticized nor sugar coated; those judging it as wicked or cowardly, were confronted on those views. It did attempt to show that life is precious, actions have consequences and reaching out to people, or asking for help, can make a difference.
Some of the stories were better than others and several really touched me.
I liked the inclusion of the Crisis Management Team's stories; how the mystery between Park Sang-hoon and Koo Ryeon was introduced and then ran in the background, culminating in the final episodes.
The acting was pretty good overall and, as always, Lee Soo-hyuk's mannerisms, 'eye acting' and overall presence, were it for me.
Rowoon acted his character well; the young, naive and idealistic temp new addition to the team (I did get irritated with how he never took notice of instructions though).
Yun Ji-on was great, giving the right balance of a bit odd with kind of vulnerable/alone and I found his character the most fascinating and intriguing.
Kim Hee-seon was mostly good too, but at times I found her a bit stiff, like her whole body, as though she wasn't relaxed in the role.
I LOVE actress Kim Hae-sook and her character, the Jade Emperor; I'd not seen her in a role like that before.
I thought the latter eps were the best and would encourage anyone struggling with it early on, to persevere ~ I'm glad I did.
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As Great as the First Time I Watched It
I know tastes differ and respect other's opinions, but I honestly don't get this whole "it's an idol drama" thing, which I see in a lot of other reviews, at all.It has a large cast, with some much loved and excellent other main and supporting cast actors. Out them all, only 3 are idols and 2 of those are also credited actors.
Whilst set in an actual Korean kingdom (Silla) and Hwarang being an actual organisation, the drama is not serious, nor is it based on any actual events.
There is a lot of wit (it really makes me laugh), plus plotting, camaraderie, romance, action, intrigue and tears.
The characters are made up of fun, nasty, sad and dark ones. The acting fits the script, which I think is very good, and overall concept.
I love the entire cast and it felt like they had a good time making it.
It is not deep, meaningful, historically accurate or serious; it's what it's meant to be, very entertaining.
The only thing that irritated me, was how often, as the episodes progressed, Ah-ro would cry. She was a confident, principled, feisty, warm and witty character, yet once she fell for Moo Myung, she seemed to cry at the drop of a hat!
I watched it years ago and just finished my second viewing. It made me laugh and cry all over again; as fresh and fun as the first time I viewed it. Plus, unusually for me, definitely one I know I will watch again and again.
Fabulous.
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A feast for the eyes and ears
It really was a drama with a magical feel, containing eye popping set moments and, of course, a very attractive lead male cast.The story is a definite, quite sharp dig, at the S.Korean culture of many parents pushing their kids academically (at the cost of their childhoods), being fixated with 'powerful' jobs and their associated higher earnings, and moulding kids even if they don't fit. All at the risk, or cost, of their mental health.
The acting is fitting and the characters mixed, with one female being truly slappable.
The story gets far darker than the trailers and look of the drama depict, with a very unpleasant character in a thriller/crime element of the story.
It wasn't perfect and some aspects had me scratching my head; but, I was captivated and thoroughly enjoyed the singing in this musical, too. Ji Chang-wook is very talented, even though he doesn't always pick roles that make his talents shine.
Worth watching.
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Fizzled out somewhat after a strong start
Overall not a bad watch.I liked the cast and, initially, the characters too, but as it progressed, I found some really irritating.
Emotional scars linking the main characters and a pretty tragic story would have been sufficient to carry this drama, but the feeling of threat, mystery and intrigue, were swept away by other superficial storylines.
The reveal was clumsily handled and, to be honest, so obvious.
I still enjoyed it for the most part, but was disappointed in the plot progression.
Still worth a watch.
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The Pirates 2: The Last Royal Treasure
1 people found this review helpful
Comical shenanigans
Very pleasing cast, who all threw themselves into their roles and seemed to have fun making this film.Perhaps it was a lack of concentration early on, but I found the start a little confusing at times. I also couldn't work out how a main character changed their location so suddenly, a little later on, too.
On these occasions I felt scenes were inconsistent and I thought I'd missed something.
The early part of the film was, for me, a bit slapstick, although those kind of laughs were used more sparingly, in latter scenes.
The SFX were at times a little hit and miss, yet at others very good.
Overall, it's a bit of fun and I did laugh. If taken for what it is; a flamboyant, haphazard, swashbuckling adventure with some giggles, then it's an enjoyable, even if imperfect, watch.
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