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This Remake Surpasses the Original
Thru Ep 10 update - no spoilers
The remakers hit a home run. These last few episodes don't try to just replicate the events and situations in the original Japanese version but instead add lots more backstory to the main characters which gives an extra measure of satisfaction.
And the set up for the last two episode teases more (and different from the original) backstory and added characters. Very much looking forward to the ending, and hoping that this is just the first season a several more to come.
This show is a fine example of how to do a remake.
Episode Five Update - No Spoilers
No spoilers but in this episode the divergence between the characters the Demon Doctor and the Snake becomes stark.
I suspect that in making the Demon Doctor X the makers early on hit upon a formula that worked so well (ratings for the severn seasons average just over 20%) that they stuck hard and fast to it not venturing out. And the stark contrast coming out of this fifth episode is this - in the seven seasons and the movie no one ever was afraid of the Demon (despite her nickname). However, the Snake has venom and the will to use it. In a prior episode we saw a hint of this difference when the Snake exited an elevator, stopped, and pointed to her own eyes and then to each of two doctors who had been verbally attacking her. She was warning them and telling us, the audience, that she could react in ways as yet left undefined. In this fifth episode we see some definition taking shape. Early in the episode we see a flashback in which she threatens a Russian soldier - a pretty strong hint and then in the latter half her venom is applied to an old adversary. Nothing like this in the Japanese version and this sets the two apart. The Korean version charts new story telling territory for the Doctor X character.
They're different enough to make both worthwhile.
*********************
This Remake Surpasses the Original. The Korean writers studied the Japanese version and made significant and successful improvements. However I enjoy watching both.
The Korean writers took situations from the original but expanded and elaborated in imaginative ways. The plotting is more interesting, and in particular the characters have more depth. In other words the 'bad' guys are not all bad and often, so far, have background stories that add to the story.
Basically, if you liked the Japanese series at all you'll probably like this more. It keeps many of the elements that made that one work and adds a more pleasing texture. The dialogue, music, camera work, directing, handling of characters are all upgraded. In the third episode there is a situation lifted from the original, but how it's handled is more nuanced. The conflict scenes have more detail and the post operative discussion conflict far more interesting to listen to.
An obvious difference is in the physical attributes of the two leads. The Japanese Demon has long legs and wears 3" heels to emphasize that feature (see logo). The Korean Snake is height challenged and the remake couldn't play up such features. Maybe that's why they went the opposite direction and put her in those boots. In any case no one is going to sit through 7 seasons and a movie because of long legs and nor is anyone not going watch the Korean version because of the boots.
The Japanese lead often came across as lacking basic common sense and childish. Here the writers have made subtle adjustments. The childish side is way toned down, but she is still obsessed with food particularly of the sugar heavy variety. The Korean Doctor X comes across as much more serious. Both characters refuse to submit to the social hierarchies. The Japanese one seems to do so more out of choice, i.e. she's aware of them, but refuses to accept or participate. In the Korean version it's unclear whether she's even aware they exist (note the glazed look in her eyes when confronted).
The Japanese creators hit a successful formula for episodes and for seasons, and copied ruthlessly. I'm in the 7th season and realized the background music seems to be exactly the same. For example that spaghetti western resonating sound for her surgical struggles. I'm not saying it's bad but after listening to some of the Korean which sounded fresh the formulaic quality of the Demon Dr version became obvious.
I recommend watching both. So far the Korean version hits upon similar story situations but adds enough original storytelling and upgraded character development to make comparing the two enjoyable without detracting from either.
The remakers hit a home run. These last few episodes don't try to just replicate the events and situations in the original Japanese version but instead add lots more backstory to the main characters which gives an extra measure of satisfaction.
And the set up for the last two episode teases more (and different from the original) backstory and added characters. Very much looking forward to the ending, and hoping that this is just the first season a several more to come.
This show is a fine example of how to do a remake.
Episode Five Update - No Spoilers
No spoilers but in this episode the divergence between the characters the Demon Doctor and the Snake becomes stark.
I suspect that in making the Demon Doctor X the makers early on hit upon a formula that worked so well (ratings for the severn seasons average just over 20%) that they stuck hard and fast to it not venturing out. And the stark contrast coming out of this fifth episode is this - in the seven seasons and the movie no one ever was afraid of the Demon (despite her nickname). However, the Snake has venom and the will to use it. In a prior episode we saw a hint of this difference when the Snake exited an elevator, stopped, and pointed to her own eyes and then to each of two doctors who had been verbally attacking her. She was warning them and telling us, the audience, that she could react in ways as yet left undefined. In this fifth episode we see some definition taking shape. Early in the episode we see a flashback in which she threatens a Russian soldier - a pretty strong hint and then in the latter half her venom is applied to an old adversary. Nothing like this in the Japanese version and this sets the two apart. The Korean version charts new story telling territory for the Doctor X character.
They're different enough to make both worthwhile.
*********************
This Remake Surpasses the Original. The Korean writers studied the Japanese version and made significant and successful improvements. However I enjoy watching both.
The Korean writers took situations from the original but expanded and elaborated in imaginative ways. The plotting is more interesting, and in particular the characters have more depth. In other words the 'bad' guys are not all bad and often, so far, have background stories that add to the story.
Basically, if you liked the Japanese series at all you'll probably like this more. It keeps many of the elements that made that one work and adds a more pleasing texture. The dialogue, music, camera work, directing, handling of characters are all upgraded. In the third episode there is a situation lifted from the original, but how it's handled is more nuanced. The conflict scenes have more detail and the post operative discussion conflict far more interesting to listen to.
An obvious difference is in the physical attributes of the two leads. The Japanese Demon has long legs and wears 3" heels to emphasize that feature (see logo). The Korean Snake is height challenged and the remake couldn't play up such features. Maybe that's why they went the opposite direction and put her in those boots. In any case no one is going to sit through 7 seasons and a movie because of long legs and nor is anyone not going watch the Korean version because of the boots.
The Japanese lead often came across as lacking basic common sense and childish. Here the writers have made subtle adjustments. The childish side is way toned down, but she is still obsessed with food particularly of the sugar heavy variety. The Korean Doctor X comes across as much more serious. Both characters refuse to submit to the social hierarchies. The Japanese one seems to do so more out of choice, i.e. she's aware of them, but refuses to accept or participate. In the Korean version it's unclear whether she's even aware they exist (note the glazed look in her eyes when confronted).
The Japanese creators hit a successful formula for episodes and for seasons, and copied ruthlessly. I'm in the 7th season and realized the background music seems to be exactly the same. For example that spaghetti western resonating sound for her surgical struggles. I'm not saying it's bad but after listening to some of the Korean which sounded fresh the formulaic quality of the Demon Dr version became obvious.
I recommend watching both. So far the Korean version hits upon similar story situations but adds enough original storytelling and upgraded character development to make comparing the two enjoyable without detracting from either.
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