A bullying story breathtakingly retold
I liked the seriousness of the series, but I did not like its ethics. The idea of revenge is something I am against in terms of making things right yourself. Also, the first 4 episodes seem like a completely different show than the last 4: while the first half focuses on a typical kind of conflict (with unexpected touches), the second half is more emotionally oriented - it deals with trauma and the unexplainable things it gets you to do. I would appreciate it more if the characters took responsibility for their actions rather than just treating everything as the world forcing it onto them. The only character that does that to some extent is Yeon Si Eun. Moreover, the ending of this season made me feel cold, sad, distressed and confused.I am going to watch the second part as well, but it gave me a very weird impression and I can't really decide to what extent I liked it compared to which I simply got emotionally wrecked because of the continuous conflict of the show. Overall, I do believe it's a good series because of the effort to take on such a contemporary problem with new twists. Even if I do not agree with the way things are solved throughout the series, the fact that it's so messed up made it feel crazily real. That, I believe, is rare and it's what I most appreciate about Weak Hero Class 1.
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This review may contain spoilers
I lived an alternative life for a bit under two hours :)
Lately, it's been really hard to find something interesting to watch. Simply nothing seemed to make me live the story for real. That was, of course, before getting to this movie. While I can't say it's the best ever or something so exaggerated, it was a really good movie. For some reason I simply went with the story without the impulse to predict everything, which is new for me. I could just allow myself to be surprised and live every emotion.SPOILER!
Yes, it did break my heart and it took me a while to get emotionally better, but that simply proves it was good. It left a mark, it didn't just pass; it was the kind of story that stays with you.
I, for one, adore tragedies especially because of this lasting impact and also because they represent life more honestly than the "happy ever after". If you don't mind a sad twist, it will definitely be your type of movie.
It still hurts my heart to think about it, but I love that it could do that. I missed this feeling!
P.S.: I NEVER rewatch what i saw. Giving it an 8 for rewatch value proves its good enough to see again. It would be as if I was looking back on memories.
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THIS IS BEYOND LIFE OR DEATH...
HOW IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE?I must admit that I initially came to the drama because of the actors and also because I heard it was inspired by a real-life story, but this feeling as if my heart is burning...I don't remember ever experiencing it before.
My first thought when seeing how short it was was that it would probably have less impact than a classical 12/16-episode drama would have, however, I couldn't have been more wrong.
I am writing this review as soon as I have finished it because of the strong impact it had and because I feel I can only do it justice if writing form the heart. The depth I saw here was far from what I could have imagined. While the real-life story and the production altogether gives realism to the series, the acting is on a different level. The reason I say this is because it is not a basic love story with predictable twists and conflicts. While all the romantic dramas out there try to portray true love, I believe this does it more than any drama I have seen so far.
BEYOND APPEARANCE
Not only is the love story on a different level, but the other themes are beautifully portrayed as well: self-discipline, personal responsibility, familial duty, self-denial, suffering, self-discovery and the role of art - it simply feels like a page of history realistically and artistically presented.
Art is particularly prominent. Each of the characters has contact with art and their reactions differ - while some find life, joy and relief in their artistic endeavors, others are greatly pained by the seemingly shameless irresponsibility art encourages. Either way, the drama is a story of how art shaped people and gives them what the world around them failed to offer: comfort and freedom of expression.
TILL DEATH DO US PART AND AFTER...
Their acting made it feel like everything was real. Their devotion, suffering, joy and love felt all too real. Their connection was so strongly presented that I think the most-expected kiss was the least powerful demonstration of their love, whilst in other dramas that is the climax. To have such powerful portrayal of one's love that the most expected act seems rather insignificant, that is something I have never seen before! I remember thinking to myself at some point: "Even if they never kiss, their love was too beautifully displayed to claim there would even be need for that". I am profoundly impressed by the depth of feeling they could deliver. I can only think of two other times when a series has left such an impression on me. It truly is something else! This is something I will never forget...
It is at times like these that I remember why I love acting so much. Thank you!
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The devil is in the details...or in this case, brilliancy is
I was shocked to see people calling this a bad story. Why? Have we watched the same thing?It was great, but not in an obvious way. It was magnetic in a way that didn't feel evident. I found myself pulled into it like it was the most natural thing. That may be because it creates a state of hunger for the truth while only feeding you enough to keep you from starving.
I'd even go as far as to call it brilliant. That may be my personal bias towards things done differently. The fact that we don't get a definitive answer makes it marvelous. And it's all the more enthralling because it leaves you with a gap. It feels like you need answers, like you might have to become a detective, search for undeniable truths or at least save the world in some significant way or something.
What it does best is play with the unknown. It doesn't act like it knows what's happening. It's simply telling a story. It's pretty much corroborated evidence and educated guesses. But it's so magical that it makes you believe you've figured it out only to leave you guessing again. It really gives you the realistic feeling that we all get - uncertainty. Which is not satisfying in any way other than artistic. But it's done almost poetically.
Its commentary on life is impactful, but not loud. I'd say it's in your face, but respectfully? It definitely allows you to breathe. But it's thought-provoking without generalizing. I suppose one might take it that way sometimes, but to me it felt mostly like we were simply getting to know an enigmatic woman through shards of her past. Which makes it inherently subjective and not necessarily a moral judgements on her actions and motivations. I liked that a lot.
The series explains materialism very well and really takes its time portraying different sides of why people are materialistic and how that desire direct them in life. Great creative material for moral analyses.
And at the end of it I feel I'm in muddy waters. I can't see clearly, sounds are muffled and I have no sense of direction whatsoever. I don't feel trapped, but rather it feels as if, if i stare long enough, hold my breath enough, sharpen my sense enough, I might actually get to the bottom of this (no pun intended).
Interestingly, though, it's not even that you don't get answers. Cause you do. What you don't get is satisfaction - the kind that comes with certainty, the kind that makes punishment feel worthwhile. I guess in a way you could say "the only satisfaction in the world is the word 'satisfaction'" ;).
I don't believe that philosophically, but the show does make a great case of proving its premises. Inside its logical and philosophical setting, things really do make a surprisingly satisfying amount of sense. Outside, you have to turn your own brain on and analyze for yourself. And that's the perfect kind of tension and a delicious challenge.
Yeah, I mean either that or I'm just overanalyzing it because I likes symbolisms. I guess we'll never know...
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Twisted sense of justice
This is a good choice if you want to challenge your philosophy on justice and how it should be applied.Interestingly, the whole idea of justice is twisted here: she wants the truth to come to light, yet she conveniently hides it. I feel like the point is that her actions, in the end, are justified by the fact that she uncovered a bigger secret. Still, no one gets punished. I'd argue that deciding what comes to light and what doesn't is a very dangerous position. This ultimately depends on how you view justice. Should justice apply the same way to everyone, or should it be differential depending on the culprits and victims? Most would agree that it should be the same, but practically we tend to empathize with the oppressed regardless. The flow of the movie makes me agree with her, but apart from that, I'm not so sure the chosen approach is the best in terms of truthfulness. She does say her mother already suffered the punishment, but does that truly justify her actions? I'd say it doesn't, at least not fully.
Otherwise, the movie was a pretty good one, even though it does not really have closure... I'd describe it as an open ending. While the type of story is very usual, the take on it is unexpected. Messing with truth and leaving things "unfinished" is a new approach, at least to me.
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Left a surprisingly lasting impression
It's definitely not a 10, but for some reason, it stuck with me wayyyyyy longer than I thought it would.I just absolutely love Park Ji Hoon! Whatever he plays just makes sense. Their chemistry was also endearing, but he has an absolutely special way of portraying trauma. As someone who also watched Weak Hero Class 1, I can just say he is fantastic at playing broken characters that somehow still keep it together - a somewhat stable broken person. Truly fascinating!
I wish a lot of people watch it and appreciate the beautiful acting talent of this actor who somehow made his way into my heart. I respect and admire him a lot!
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