I was going to write the exact same article, what is this? Now I can't write it!!! ;_; Feck, I have so many 1.…
I agree about Ouroboros. I love manga but some stories just don't translate well in dramas, because all the weaknesses in the story gets exposed easily since that's when we start comparing to the real world. I still think the two leading guys did great in their roles but the story, and directing totally failed them. It was totally abc level and all those important themes that touched upon on a shallow level but never actually explored. I could say the same about Alice's Thorn. I found it also messy and the ending didn't make sense with the way the story was going.
The topic itself is interesting. Lol most popular dramas I don't even attempt so I can't say much but I have to say I did enjoy Reply 1997. Generally I find you make interesting points, but for me reply had this nostalgia factor that was well incorporated in the drama.
The one drama I watched that got popular that I couldn't stand is Playful Kiss. The story was the usual has many adaptations, but the direction was pretty messy, and and the character growth just stopped 1/4 through the drama.
Another one: Hana Yori Dango - I just hate that story overall!
I like how you describe Healer "You won't die if you don't watch it but you also won't be disappointed if you do" that is pretty true. The writing was solid, and the acting did deliver from the whole cast. The directing and action scenes could've been better.
However it was my first time seeing Yoo Ji Tae and I have to say his character was the most interesting in the whole drama. Stuck in the middle of 2 generations, lost in the would've and could've, lost his beloved people, betrayed by others, guilt, doing everything in his power to set things, he couldn't be any more conflicted, and that's why I fell in love with both the character and the actor.
And that's when I started getting interested in him but didn't know where to start. That guy has a long CV lol. I'm not into gore and horror so I think I'll skip those, but now there are so many titles I'm interested in!
Star's Lover
The Tenor Lirico Spinto
Running Wild
Midnight FM
Libera Me (What a cast!)
One fine Spring Day
Ditto
& The Legendary Courtesan Hwang Jin Yi
I wish the drama have more time to develop the ending but overall excellent mystery. I enjoyed the portrayal of teens with all the pettiness while showing care when you don't expect it, among other things. I really like Matsuoka Mayu and hope to see more of her. The cast overall was good, but there was also Morikawa Aoi that stood out ;)
For a 4 hours movie, time flew by quickly. It was a pretty absorbing watch, and the acting was strong enough to engulf you. I haven't bothered with Nishijima Takahiro before but he's so excellent here I'm gonna start looking up his other dramas.
As for this movie, I found the first 2 hours excellent. A coming of age piece with important themes such love, perversion, self discovery, religion, hypocrisy, sin, violence, fakeness and truth, among others, intertwining perfectly in the drama, bringing the characters to life. Then came the focus on the cult, and I felt, while being frustrating (though it frustration might've been intentional in that setting it still decreased my enjoyment of watching the movie), but really I felt that all the themes were fading and the movie switched focus. The theme of love felt more like an obsession than anything else. It felt like another movie.
Great review!! IT certainly is a great drama. It's my 2nd sageuk I don't usually go for them for 2 things 1-their length 2-they get sidetracked by romance when their world is falling apart.
Now I don't know what made me start this drama. Probably curious about Kim Myung Min. I thought I'd probably drop it at one point, and oh boy was I wrong! This drama knows how to get you to the heart! Setting and story are intriguing, the characters are all nuanced and complicated, be it "good" or "evil". This drama teaches you not everything can be classified as such. Some characters became enemies, and that wasn't because they were evil. Probably just blinded from reality.
The acting though, from the whole cast is exceptional! The actors all working well together, making me fall in their with their characters. First time seeing Yoo Ah In and I'm totally in love. Byun Yo Han makes my heart hurt. Yoon Gyun Sang makes me smile. First time watching Shin Se Kyung as well and I think she's doing great with her characters. Chun Ho Jin he just makes this face where I want to tell him "it's going to be alright". Kim Myung Min though, he's a legend. It's as you say, he has a way of making you believe in him. I'm as pessimistic about the world as you are, but he makes me believe.
I agree with all the other actors you mentioned and their notable characters, and I'd like to add the actress who plays LBW's wife and the ajuma Mu hyol's grand mother.
Anyways great article you really nailed what makes it great! The writing, acting, pacing of the story, action. It breaks your heart in so many different ways, then revives it with touching moments. The chemistry between the cast is awesome as well :D
No but really this drama isn't without merit, but for the most part, for being a thriller, after the first case, it was a let down. The romance didn't impress me either, for the most part it was plain cheesy. I enjoyed Edward Zhang Xie Han though! Seriously he was fun to watch on screen and made a great villain. Wallace Hue didn't disappoint when outwitting villains, and looked so great at it too ;) Wang Kai was totally wasted here. The girl playing Jian Yao has that face that spells "stupid" lol that didn't help her character. I really wanted to like her, and I did at first. I was even defending her! But then I got bored of her. Fu Zi Yu was the best thing in the drama XD
I only agree with date. Some of the choices I have no say because I haven't seen said dramas or actors, but most categories I disagree. Then again it's my fault for not voting! (Well timing was bad at that time but wtv). Well at the end of the day popularity almost always wins!
Gotta say, I love it! It's very slow paced and reflective in so many ways! You have the focus on the mundane yet important things, the attachment to our childhood self and that how adult life can kill that side of our selves, today's never unchanging comfort and the need to move on and evolve, the adult we hope to become and that we really change to. The last episode brings me back to episode 2, and we see how easy it is to slip up.
Even when we do our utmost best hanging on to what is truly important to us, life throws a curveball (or several) that forces us to move. As humans we need to move on and evolve, but we shouldn't forget who we truly are, where we come from (the bed is used very subtly yet perfectly as an allegory about that point), and ESPECIALLY the warmth of being with those dear to us.
I really REALLY enjoyed it! The idea is kinda similar to the thai movie "Little Things Called Love" but I liked this one more. Here we see the leads develop the relationship beautifully, and the growth, fighting for what they believe in, being stupid, and earnest. The emotions all felt so real.
The beginning really depressed me, since it's kinda where I am in life, you could imagine how much I was cheering for her to change her life!
Watched 4 episodes at one go and now I wish I waited until it finishes airing.
Story wise, it's kinda similar to typical kdramas, but the direction and point of view are very different, making it very refreshing.
I never got into the hype of Yoo Seung Ho. I mean I've seen him before (just 2 movies), he didn't blow me away, nor disappoint me. Now he's a young man and, in this drama I can really appreciate his talent. He feels very genuine, when dealing with his annoying boss, when dealing with his frustration, and ESPECIALLY when dealing with the cat. I LOVE their "conversation" specially when each end up going opposite direction :P And that cat sure has the attitude! I love it! Of course if she was a woman she might've been annoying, but as a cat she's lovely.
His character though, has an unhealthy attachment to the cat. I say this because animals have different life spans than humans, so it's really worrisome how he'd deal with it.
Now I hope they give Jong Hyun a break and not stress him all the time. I really just want to see more of him and Buk Gil enjoying their time together ;)
Makoto is so perfect! My favourite is Momoe and Arthur's story.
And I can't help it I have this bias for Yamapi that I can be very forgiving, and appreciate any little effort he does. All drama long he was pretty robotic, I wasn't too sure if it'll work with the character, but it turned out pretty funny. In the last episode he actually showed emotions! My impression of Ishihara Satomi hasn't changed, she's as likeable as ever, though her character here is pretty similar to RMPW.
Last episode was annoying. Overall drama was cute. It could've been better, it could've been worst, but it certainly surpassed the manga in creating actually likeable characters (I dropped the manga early on but it was baaad)
As for grandma, I know they wouldn't satisfy me when it comes to her, since the only satisfying ending for her is seeing her begging in the streets :P
The fiance didn't leave any room for empathy, so I wish to have seen a worst ending for her.
What is it with Japanese dramas that, as light-hearted, childish or preachy as it appears, it always makes me think deeply about various things.
This drama made me realize how much our world changed in a mere century (or less), more than it had ever changed before. We still live in a violent world, and add to that the double standard and the hypocrisy, but it still made progression in a good way. The idea that we shouldn't take people's lives in our own hand, and a value of life itself. Yes today, we living comfortable lives (in peaceful countries) always taking everything for granted may be missing something, we feel aimless, but that is on us to change it and take control of our destiny. The fact we have such a choice demonstrate how different our world is.
Another thing that came to mind is how easily our ideas can be radicalized when we become desperate, or when things don't seem to make sense anymore. If someone act on their radical views, then all it matters is the result. However many radical views start out with good intentions. That is why we need to always be open to criticism and self reflection.
The ending of the drama could've gone for something great and intense, but in the end stayed true to its style
6 
1 
The one drama I watched that got popular that I couldn't stand is Playful Kiss. The story was the usual has many adaptations, but the direction was pretty messy, and and the character growth just stopped 1/4 through the drama.
Another one: Hana Yori Dango - I just hate that story overall!
However it was my first time seeing Yoo Ji Tae and I have to say his character was the most interesting in the whole drama. Stuck in the middle of 2 generations, lost in the would've and could've, lost his beloved people, betrayed by others, guilt, doing everything in his power to set things, he couldn't be any more conflicted, and that's why I fell in love with both the character and the actor.
And that's when I started getting interested in him but didn't know where to start. That guy has a long CV lol. I'm not into gore and horror so I think I'll skip those, but now there are so many titles I'm interested in!
Star's Lover
The Tenor Lirico Spinto
Running Wild
Midnight FM
Libera Me (What a cast!)
One fine Spring Day
Ditto
& The Legendary Courtesan Hwang Jin Yi
Thanks Ana this article was terrific!
Haven't decided yet which Japanese drama I'll be watching. There's also one with Nagase Tomoya that started in January as well ;)
Have you seen Gomenne Seishun and Samurai Sensei?
As for this movie, I found the first 2 hours excellent. A coming of age piece with important themes such love, perversion, self discovery, religion, hypocrisy, sin, violence, fakeness and truth, among others, intertwining perfectly in the drama, bringing the characters to life. Then came the focus on the cult, and I felt, while being frustrating (though it frustration might've been intentional in that setting it still decreased my enjoyment of watching the movie), but really I felt that all the themes were fading and the movie switched focus. The theme of love felt more like an obsession than anything else. It felt like another movie.
Now I don't know what made me start this drama. Probably curious about Kim Myung Min. I thought I'd probably drop it at one point, and oh boy was I wrong! This drama knows how to get you to the heart! Setting and story are intriguing, the characters are all nuanced and complicated, be it "good" or "evil". This drama teaches you not everything can be classified as such. Some characters became enemies, and that wasn't because they were evil. Probably just blinded from reality.
The acting though, from the whole cast is exceptional! The actors all working well together, making me fall in their with their characters. First time seeing Yoo Ah In and I'm totally in love. Byun Yo Han makes my heart hurt. Yoon Gyun Sang makes me smile. First time watching Shin Se Kyung as well and I think she's doing great with her characters. Chun Ho Jin he just makes this face where I want to tell him "it's going to be alright". Kim Myung Min though, he's a legend. It's as you say, he has a way of making you believe in him. I'm as pessimistic about the world as you are, but he makes me believe.
I agree with all the other actors you mentioned and their notable characters, and I'd like to add the actress who plays LBW's wife and the ajuma Mu hyol's grand mother.
Anyways great article you really nailed what makes it great! The writing, acting, pacing of the story, action. It breaks your heart in so many different ways, then revives it with touching moments. The chemistry between the cast is awesome as well :D
No but really this drama isn't without merit, but for the most part, for being a thriller, after the first case, it was a let down. The romance didn't impress me either, for the most part it was plain cheesy. I enjoyed Edward Zhang Xie Han though! Seriously he was fun to watch on screen and made a great villain. Wallace Hue didn't disappoint when outwitting villains, and looked so great at it too ;) Wang Kai was totally wasted here. The girl playing Jian Yao has that face that spells "stupid" lol that didn't help her character. I really wanted to like her, and I did at first. I was even defending her! But then I got bored of her. Fu Zi Yu was the best thing in the drama XD
Even when we do our utmost best hanging on to what is truly important to us, life throws a curveball (or several) that forces us to move. As humans we need to move on and evolve, but we shouldn't forget who we truly are, where we come from (the bed is used very subtly yet perfectly as an allegory about that point), and ESPECIALLY the warmth of being with those dear to us.
The beginning really depressed me, since it's kinda where I am in life, you could imagine how much I was cheering for her to change her life!
Story wise, it's kinda similar to typical kdramas, but the direction and point of view are very different, making it very refreshing.
I never got into the hype of Yoo Seung Ho. I mean I've seen him before (just 2 movies), he didn't blow me away, nor disappoint me. Now he's a young man and, in this drama I can really appreciate his talent. He feels very genuine, when dealing with his annoying boss, when dealing with his frustration, and ESPECIALLY when dealing with the cat. I LOVE their "conversation" specially when each end up going opposite direction :P And that cat sure has the attitude! I love it! Of course if she was a woman she might've been annoying, but as a cat she's lovely.
His character though, has an unhealthy attachment to the cat. I say this because animals have different life spans than humans, so it's really worrisome how he'd deal with it.
Now I hope they give Jong Hyun a break and not stress him all the time. I really just want to see more of him and Buk Gil enjoying their time together ;)
And I can't help it I have this bias for Yamapi that I can be very forgiving, and appreciate any little effort he does. All drama long he was pretty robotic, I wasn't too sure if it'll work with the character, but it turned out pretty funny. In the last episode he actually showed emotions! My impression of Ishihara Satomi hasn't changed, she's as likeable as ever, though her character here is pretty similar to RMPW.
Last episode was annoying. Overall drama was cute. It could've been better, it could've been worst, but it certainly surpassed the manga in creating actually likeable characters (I dropped the manga early on but it was baaad)
As for grandma, I know they wouldn't satisfy me when it comes to her, since the only satisfying ending for her is seeing her begging in the streets :P
The fiance didn't leave any room for empathy, so I wish to have seen a worst ending for her.
I know, I know I'm evil HAHAHA
This drama made me realize how much our world changed in a mere century (or less), more than it had ever changed before. We still live in a violent world, and add to that the double standard and the hypocrisy, but it still made progression in a good way. The idea that we shouldn't take people's lives in our own hand, and a value of life itself. Yes today, we living comfortable lives (in peaceful countries) always taking everything for granted may be missing something, we feel aimless, but that is on us to change it and take control of our destiny. The fact we have such a choice demonstrate how different our world is.
Another thing that came to mind is how easily our ideas can be radicalized when we become desperate, or when things don't seem to make sense anymore. If someone act on their radical views, then all it matters is the result. However many radical views start out with good intentions. That is why we need to always be open to criticism and self reflection.
The ending of the drama could've gone for something great and intense, but in the end stayed true to its style