Unexpectedly Entertaining
When giving series/movie a first watch, I don't really dive into who the actors/actresses are. So seeing Cha Tae Hyun as a main was a nice surprise. He has the perfect expressions for comedy-dramas, my favorite blend of genres.The movie doesn't have the most complex or intricate plot but it has enough of an unpredictable essence that will keep you on your toes. Why was it unexpectedly entertaining? Because I do have a slight bias toward movies that lean too far into animated work as they tend to be poorly implemented and have even poorer dialogues. If you can stomach a few less than average actions scenes, this one was actually done pretty well. And although Cha Tae Hyun's story is a pretty basic tearjerker, it is one of those that will still jerk those tears. So if you looking for an easy watch with likeable characters that will also have you laughing out loud, definitely recommend. I'm looking forward to watching the sequel.
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Dropped It Once
The first time I tried watching this many months ago, dropped it relatively quickly after a couple of episodes. Mostly because at the time, I was looking for a series with actual substance. However, this is a perfect series if you enjoy the "mystical" genre and need something very casual to watch (i.e. don't care if you miss out on a conversation or two).The plot is simple/predictable, and that has its own entertainment factor, especially when the actors are still charismatic. Just go in without any expectations of a tightly-knit execution of a story. This is one where characters just drop in because it is convenient for the plot to progress. The fantasy/action visuals also have the low-budget feel but it does kind of tie into the series' overall comical theme.
Overall, it can still satisfy those days when you just want a couple of laughs, don't want to get in too heavy, and still catch a bit of feel-good moments.
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This is one where in addition to your fantastic mains, all of the other actors also did a great job with their roles so it didn't feel like anyone was pulling any heavy weight for the rest. The plot maintained enough suspense to keep the momentum going and the pacing worked well. Unlike many others in its genre, there wasn't any glaring or obvious issues with how the crimes scenes were managed and it doesn't rely on excess dramatization to keep it interesting. Although some actions/reactions didn't always seem to fit the characters, it's easy to overlook because we in the real world aren't always rational.
The minor disconnect I had was they tried to interweave too many players into the underlying plot without providing enough background/focus on some of them. They gave just enough for you to see the connections but not enough for you to really feel them, if that makes sense. Because of this, it can slightly feel as if the plot drags on for just a bit at times. Nevertheless, the character developments were done well and the dynamic between Shin Ha Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo in itself makes it worthwhile to check out.
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This review may contain spoilers
This one is difficult to describe because on the one hand, the suspense of the series was well laid out until it neared the end but it was also littered with plot holes. But despite the plot holes, it mostly flowed better than most with exception of the weak ending. I really wish they zoned in on some necessary areas that would have given it more depth:- It makes total sense for Kim Dan to mourn her Kim Ho Ki but really odd that she never mourned her real mother, not even when she was little. And no, the memory loss later doesn't justify this.
- They never provided any background on the children who were tortured and ended up as murderers, or even much about their interactions with each other. Sometimes it seemed they knew of one another and other times they didn't? How did the rest of the children end up where they did after the major event?
- The whole future vision aspect also didn't make much sense and there's only so much that can be interpreted if there's too many inconsistencies.
Having jumped into this one with just the brief plot summary, thought this one would be more episodic but it all revolves around peeling back layers from a past event. The comedic scenes were actual quite fun but it was awkwardly placed, and it sometimes took away what should have been more serious for the characters. However, what was great about this one was the actors and supporting actors. They managed to pull it together despite the flaws and poorly scripted character developments. And I really, really hope to see Kang Ji Hwan and Shim Hee Sub together again in better written/directed series. Both of them already bring their own charm individually, but they also have great on-screen chemistry. These guys deserve more spotlight in this arena and the higher score is mainly due to them.
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This one definitely had a similar feel to Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People except the setting is in more modern times. As with some of the older series, there is an abundance of dramatics but it was done with care and done better than what newer series attempt to do. While it's heavy handed with politics, it interestingly didn't feel as redundant as one would think despite some repetitiveness in the back and forth competition. Likely because the actors were all really fantastic in their roles, particularly when they switch between various facets of being ruthless or kind. I also always appreciate when the plot takes the time to lay out the beginnings well because it only draws you in closer and has you rooting for them harder.
Put this one off for a while because it's not the typical plot that I'm immediately drawn to but it wonderfully exceeded expectations. Be prepared to be biting your nails often and quietly yelling at the screen, be prepared to grab a Kleenex for the successful emotional tugs, and be prepared to laugh out loud at some of those hilarious characters. Towards the end, it does attempt to heightened the drama by throwing in some even more unrealistic events but it wasn't enough to deter from the overall enjoyment.
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Season Two, Please
Decided to give this a try after it came up as a recommendation for another series, and really happy it did not disappoint.The atmosphere originally felt like a dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles visit for those who passed on, which made it intriguing right off the bat. One of the best aspects of this series is that it really isn't predictable. Every time I subconsciously tried to guess what was to come, it would throw me a curve ball, then lead me somewhere unexpected. And yet, it all flowed so naturally. There is minimal humor but so much gentle, heart-warming moments.
Although there is a relatively low number of episodes at only around half an hour each, it's quite surprising how many stories they were able to squeeze in despite it being slower paced. Although there is a bit of "gore" due to the nature of plot, it's not done in the way where they're trying to trigger or feed into the audience shock factor. Rather, it's just a matter of fact, as everyone passes away under different circumstances. I love that they didn't try to stuff drama in your face or spell out what you should take away from each story as many series do (where they assume you wouldn't get it, so they just shove it in your face repetitively). The stories are simply laid out for you with subtle reactions from the seemingly stoic team.
The only real negative I have is that there needs to be another season. Partially because there is still plenty of pending, unfinished business and partially because there is so much potential for more.
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Always have a soft spot for plots where someone who was wronged returns to the scene as a formidable adversary. This one was more unique because while it falls under the vengeance theme, it's quite calming and doesn't have the usual overwhelming woes or anger that is sometimes thrown in your face excessively. The slight overacting actually works really well here because it creates that special layer of humor over the darker theme.
While some viewers might not enjoy how the plot can ping-pong a bit, it actually does make it more realistic. In the real world after all, you don't take down corruption down in one fell swoop and then life is all peachy. People who are corrupted will fight back and fight even harder in their desperation.
There isn't the most intricate weave of plot layering but as mentioned, it's pretty unique (at least from what I've come across) and overall enjoyable. There is almost no romance, didn't feel like skipping through any parts, Namkoong Min was very likeable as the main protagonist, and against all odds, I totally fell for the Kim Jung Nan character.
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The story is summarized pretty well in the synopsis and it really is as simplistic as following two friends who belong to rival gangs. Both are loyal to their leaders and this creates inevitable complexity for the friendship. The differences in their characters and the way they communicate with each other non-verbally was fun to watch. One of the highlights for me in this was how vastly different their girlfriends were, and how each of them showed their loyalty to their men when faced with extreme circumstances.
I've always loved the gangster movies from the 90s. While this one has some holes with the plot and the decisions the leads made were questionable, it was still very unique and many of the scenes stayed in my memory even after years of not having seen it.
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Let's just say after the film was over, he turned to us with tears in his eyes and exclaimed how it was unexpectedly awesome.
I loved King of Masks in so many ways. So much of it was done with attention paid to factual elements of its era and every scene provided subtle meaning. If you pay attention close enough, you'll find many hints of humor as well that would be missed otherwise. I won't mention too much of its plot because it really will be a spoiler (although the synopsis provided some already).
The actors did an amazing job in their roles but the child actor was definitely the star. The very realistic and complex development of the bonds between our leads will tug hard at your heartstrings. And if you turn your nose up at older films with poorer picture quality, maybe get someone to force you to watch it as well and you may just become a fan like my friend's younger brother.
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You'll be thrown into a world of dark suspense right from the first episode and you'll find yourself wanting to get to the next episode even if to just unravel the mystery.
I want to commend this series for being able to highlight a number of facts. When surrounded by overwhelming gloom, even a brief glimmer of light can create dispute within the self. Whenever a sob story is heard about a shitty parent or loved one, that person usually blames all of their misgivings on that individual. But there usually is- whether it's the other parent, a sibling, a grandparent, etc who has been in the background trying to protect them them. People tend to take for granted any support structure they were provided and become ignorant of those who've had absolutely none.
They did a good job here at portraying life from the different viewpoints of each son. The internal and external struggles they are made to go through alone and together. The three main actors, despite their personality differences, really did mesh well together here.
It could have been better if there was more in-depth background on many of the characters but it is also an 11-episode series. Points were taken off because while the initial episodes kicked off with good momentum, it started to lag a bit during its mid-point before picking back up. From this mid-point, I already had a hunch as to where the plot was leading so the ending was a bit predictable.
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The female lead, Gye Jin Sung, started off as the type of protagonist I usually detest the most. Usually forgiven by the masses because of her "passion" despite being senseless and harmfully reckless. The type who selfishly create problems based on their own sense of moral but is usually forgiven easily for it. She does redeem herself a bit after finally siding with the right person but it also felt like her personality oddly did a sudden transformation which didn't keep with character. What helps her case here, is she'll seem like an angel compared to the ex.
What can I say about our male lead, Lee Young Oh? I've always enjoyed watching this actor on screen and he doesn't disappoint here. Let's just say you barely notice the lack of chemistry with the female lead because he is just that good.
There is a nice amount of depth built into the plot even if you only pay attention to the script of our antisocial genius neurosurgeon. The rest of the cast does a good job and the development between relationships are believable. I also appreciate that they kept the dramatics at a good balance and the pacing of the episodes was done well with just a tad of rush towards an okay end.
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Wow...
When I read the MDL summary for this series, I imagined a plot full of super hero tropes layered with flimsy super hero power action scenes, and some standard sappy Korean-esque backstory with the parents/children. But in addition to the high rating, it came up a few times as a recommendation for other series I've enjoyed, so I gave it a try. And wow... did it far exceed my initial expectations.Plot flow: Each episode was robust with action, excitement, and anticipation and it doesn't rely on ending on obvious cliffhangers or any particular over-dramatization. The care that was given to delve into the background stories of relevant characters is very much appreciated. The lore is believable and they did a great job between blending a slice-of-life feel with action/tragedy/politics.
Action scenes: Has to be one of the best ones I've come across when it comes down to showcasing superpowers. It was done so well, I didn't care to even make any attempts to even think about potentially critiquing whether it made sense or not (and still don't).
Characters: The characters (and their families) were uniquely interesting and with so many familiar faces in the cast, it's inevitable that they did a great job bringing the them to life. You will also sometimes find yourself rooting for both the protagonists and antagonists.
The only minor negatives were the scenes were sometimes slightly prolonged and the lighting could have been a bit clearer. The scenes shot in the dark weren't very easy watch when I was viewing some episodes during the day. And if it weren't for the obvious hint for a much needed season two, the ending would have been a discussion point.
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This review may contain spoilers
Very minor spoiler in this review:I came to this series with hopes for some badass supernatural in a historical period but ended up with mainly lighthearted comedy, heavy romance, and just a bit of drama. It had potential but it was cluttered with both hits and misses.
Felt a pang of wanting to drop this within the first two episodes because the initial love story just didn't make much sense for multiple reasons. I needed to fill in justifications many times in the plot to continue watching. Example: For a being that supposedly has lived thousands of years, why would he feel the intense need to save his first human who wasn't really suffering that much comparably or even deserving of it? Love at first sight? Instead of being wise in all his years, he was too foolishly naive.
There was also almost no background story to many of the key characters which was really disappointing. The excess time spent on the romance and interaction of the second couple should have been spent on giving others some more depth. Although their coupled scenes weren't bad, I still fast-forwarded through a good portion of it. Fortunately the female lead was actually likeable, although they did water down her character near the end.
The transformation of our supernatural beings was just sad and really not believable when those around them supposedly became overly fearful of their "monstrous" image. They verbally tried to portray their "powers" as being overwhelming but it really fell flat when none of it really came into play during the fights. But at least it didn't fall into the tacky category.
Although there was little explanation of anything and the plot didn't flow very naturally, what saved the series was the camaraderie of all of our characters. The development of the relationship with our second couple was done much better than the first one. It was still fun to watch and I laughed out loud plenty of times. It's a good one for those looking for romance/comedy but not great for those looking for something with more action.
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This review may contain spoilers
Having come off a couple of re-watches with Dong Yi and Jewel in the Palace, wanted to try a historical series I haven't seen before. And unintentionally, I started yet another series with the same director. A few episodes in, and it becomes quite obvious. So in this review, there will be a bit of a rant.Let's start with the positives. Right off the bat within the first two episodes, it had me in tears. What happened in these episodes triggered some tears later even during the flashbacks. This is probably also the first time where a spoiled princess (literally) became one of my favorite characters. The intention of the story was also pretty unique revolving around a horse doctor which is what initially had me intrigued. And as usual with this director, the supporting characters were the most likeable ones and did a great job in their roles.
However, because of the formula the director uses over and over again, it has exactly the same flaws as well. Dare I say his formula may have been great once but became outdated? The main leads in all his series are just over the top and dull, which is odd because the supporting characters are always much more lively. He tries too hard to emphasize this idealistic image and they are always portrayed as the underdog who is forever humble. But to me, they end up feeling arrogant because all you ever see is them being happy when someone offers gratitude. They accept it all and rarely ever passes along credit to those around them who've significantly helped them. Sure, they are the main sob story but they shouldn't always be portrayed as the ONLY capable hero. At some point, it is time to stop pitying them.
All three of his series I've seen so far all have similar plot lines as well. The royal family coming down with emergencies again and again, and the lead comes to the rescue. The plague-like disease that impacts the country occurs again and again, and the lead comes to the rescue. For this series in particular, there wasn't much chemistry between the main couple.
It was still enjoyable for the most part but I spent a lot of the series fast-forwarding or putting it on at least a 1.25x speed (which was done similarly with his other series). And as usual with his other series, I wish the vibe in the beginning was kept throughout. Nevertheless, still couldn't drop it so there's something to be said there. If you loved his other series, you should definitely check this one out.
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The concept of the story is great but having gone six episodes in, already found myself fast-forwarding through so many of the scenes. The only parts enjoyed was the brief period prior to the main lead entering the alternate world and his interactions with Kang Dong Cheol and Jo Nam Shik after. Unfortunately, our only female lead here is irritating to watch because she looks and sounds creepy most of the time. Although I understand that they are trying to emphasize how women were (are) treated in a male-dominated career and that she has much value to add to her team, her character just isn't done well at all. This really hurt the series for me as she has a lot of screen time. As for the pacing, it isn't necessarily slow but it isn't intriguing either and the repeated flashbacks that occur too often doesn't help.
A few reviews stated there was comedy to look forward to but unless it occurs after the sixth episode, I found none. Ended up reading a more detailed synopsis of the story and it does seems interesting but perhaps I've watched too many crime series in my time or had too many laughs just coming off of the last series, still can't find it in me to continue.
I will end this by saying there are some positives that this may be worth watching for. The portrayal of the world with the decade(s) difference is done pretty well which includes the emphasis on how different crime-solving is without the technology we have today. There is also a good development between the two detectives where one is old-school and used to getting around constraints by bending the rules a little while the other who is too focused on rules and evidence but not so much on the impacts of letting criminals get away because of them.
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