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Brilliantly fascinating
Manhole was such a brilliantly fascinating drama, despite the first two episodes being quite rocky and slow. The story was full of surprise twists and turns, was complex enough to keep the viewer guessing whilst also not being too complex to follow, and the characters were all interesting in their own way. Manhole was also decently edited and directed, and it felt like the entire cast had an absolute blast filming this. I really enjoyed the cast, and whilst I wasn't familiar with everyone, I have now became a fan of everyone. The OST was also addictive. The re-watch value is decently high for my average standards despite the aforementioned rocky first two episodes. I think this is due to two reasons. The first being that it had a time loop/time travel trope, which is my favourite trope. The second being that the story contained lots of little pieces that had its' own airtime, meaning I was kept interested throughout.Any negatives? A couple of minor parts to the story (i.e. a certain male character should have ended up with a certain female character, when you see the last part of the final episode, you will know exactly to who I am referring to). Any other negatives? Not any that really stand out to me, except from the odd occasional 'comedy' scene that fell a little flat.
Do I recommend this? Definitely.
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Mixed bag...
It's difficult to write a review for 'You're Beautiful' as it's one of those dramas that doesn't take itself too seriously, so I also feel my review shouldn't be too serious either. If I had to give five words to describe this drama, they would be: decent (with an awful pace). The pacing was really slow, which is why the re-watch value has been scored so low here. However, it must be noted that slow does not mean boring for this drama. The story was interesting, it just could have been condensed in half (or even a quarter!).I did like the main elements of the story, and the unpredictability of the story here too. There were some impressive twists and turns throughout which I did not expect, but was pleasantly surprised with. I also really, REALLY enjoyed the OST. Every song was really catchy and there were a bunch of songs, all perfect, with their own different versions or covers, which I thought added such a nice touch to the overall story which was amazing.
The acting and cast were mainly decent, although there definitely was a clear level of different amount of capability and skills. Again, I don't like to name any particular names as we are all human beings, but if you do watch this, it'll be pretty easy to spot those who acted well compared to those who did not do so well.
Now, would I recommend this? That's a difficult question considering the awfully slow pacing this drama has. So, here's how I'll answer this. If you like dramas with a slow pace, watch this. If you prefer dramas with a faster place, don't watch this.
P.S For a 2009 drama, the quality was surprisingly good!
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Why... just... why?
High Society is one of those dramas that is basically some hot garbage, that for some strange reason, keeps you wanting to watch until the end. I disliked most things (although the SML and SFL by far saved the entire drama). By the end of it all, I was only really interested when either the SML/SFL were shown. I hated the main couple, although their acting was at least better than their awful personality traits. I also disliked the over-philosophical dialogue and direction. I also liked the OST, although this too became way too repetitive by the end. I started to get bored by this drama from about episode 5 or episode 6. I decided to stick with it because I loved the SML and SFL. I started to enjoy it better, until about roughly episode 14, where it fell off dramatically and I was glad it ended. I could've easily dropped this drama but I just wanted to see how things ended.If you can easily drop dramas, I'm positive that you will drop this. If you are like me and you find it difficult to drop this, I would honestly suggest not even starting this. Or, if you are a watcher who doesn't mind skipping scenes (again something I can't do), I suggest that you only watch scenes that involve the SML and SFL.
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Better than I had expected
Ghost Doctor was definitely better than I had expected. Although I do think there was quite a bit of unnecessary filler, the main story was thoroughly interesting and always caught my attention. I liked the balance of different characters, and the acting from everyone was almost pure perfection. I thought there were some unusual editing techniques, but to balance this out, there were some amazing directing cues and cinematography. If the filler was cancelled out, the story would have received a higher rating.I also really enjoyed the OST which is quite addictive. The only problem I had with it was that it was slightly overplayed. I also liked the general aesthetic this whole drama gave. I actually at one point almost put this drama on 'not interested' - roughly the time it came out to be aired. I'm glad I eventually decided to try this as it was worth the watch.
I recommend watching Ghost Doctor. Despite unnecessary filler, it's still worth the watch for the main story.
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Disappointing
For me, Circle was disappointing. The first half of episodes especially were quite weak and I was considering dropping it at many times. I decided to keep on watching because of the great acting and cast, despite the poor story which I felt was really boring (and when it was enjoyable I kept on finding little plot holes). I'm glad in one way that I kept on watching because the characters were interesting enough for me, which meant that by the end I was more interested with what was going to happen to the characters compared to the actual story.I must admit however that the second half of episodes were stronger than the first. This drama mainly is split into two 'different' parts. For pretty much every episode, I preferred the second part over the first. I also liked the moral questioning of the technology and I thought the OST was nice, although there were times when there was too little, and then times when there was the odd placing of music.
Re-watch value is extremely low here, but it's because of how boring I found the story. The acting by the cast however I really did enjoy.
I think it's a predictable thing to say, but I do not recommend watching Circle. Yes, some great performances by the cast and the characters were interesting, but the story is simply too boring, and plot holes are present.
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Is it about the journey or the destination?
Padam Padam is one of those dramas that gets you thinking about which is more important: the journey or the destination? No matter your answer, however, it still is a great drama that should be watched. It has 20 episodes, and actually, I think it should've been the usual 16 kdrama-length episodes, because episodes 17-20 were unfortunately my least favourite. I think Padam Padam is a drama with a great journey but eventually becomes a tad repetitive and too much of a 'slice of life'. However, episodes 1 to 16 were absolutely amazing.The acting and OST were pretty much perfect, almost faultless. I really enjoyed the different types of characters and the mix of different genres in the storyline. I think the crime based storyline was my favourite but I still thoroughly enjoyed the other parts, too. I really liked the bromance and family-type friendship and bonds the character eventually came to have.
I wasn't a fan of the directing, and the English sub translation provided by Viki was unusually weak, but that gives me more motivation to learn Korean. On the positive side, I now have some new favourite actors thanks to these great casting choices, and I also have another great OST to add to my playlist!
All in all, I recommend Padam Padam.
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Big Bet 2? Big Yes 2!
Big Bet carries the greatness of the first season over to this second season. Big Bet Season 2 has a fantastic story which was structured almost perfectly (a few complex points which were a little difficult to understand), an amazing unpredictably story that kept this thick mystery in every episode, some great acting performances alongside editing, cinematography and directing. Again, with the first season, every episode felt like a blockbuster. The one glaring downside I think for this season was the repetitive dialogue, especially with the first half of episodes. The SFX was very hit-or-miss, too.Even though I loved all the episodes, I feel like the second half of episodes were stronger than the first. The bromance between certain characters was a joy to see, and it was also nice to see, in my opinion, a phenomenal final episode, which I think was a perfect ending.
I suggest everyone to watch Big Bet Season 2. Of course you should watch the first season before this one, just in case anyone asks that!
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Big Bet, Big Yes
Big Bet is a very good, unpredictable, interesting and gripping drama that is very loosely based on real events. While I do know it is loosely based on something, whenever I know something is 'based' on a true story, it does help me focus on it more than usual. I'm saying this here because I actually found (I believe) the second and third episodes were a little slow, but I wanted to power through. From episode four onwards, each episode was really interesting and easy to binge watch. I actually really liked the first episode too, although the 'going back and forth' timeline was way too much (and confusing at points too).The characters are really good in Big Bet. All have great big personalities and feel blockbuster-movie level. Each character has their own story, and the way they intermix with one another is really interesting to see. I also really like the presentation, costumes, SFX, directing and cinematography in this, I thought they were outstanding.
Nice OST and a high re-watch value is also with this.
All in all, Big Bet is a really great drama.
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Great Start, Boring Middle, Decent-ish ending
Sandglass had a great start, a boring middle, and a decent-ish end. There is a political theme throughout, which I think was more interesting when this was inter-mixed with action and slight romance, but when this wasn't present, was quite boring to follow. Another thing that I wanted to say: Sandglass has EASILY my most least-liked FL (so far at least, although I think this will be very hard to beat). The FL's character is absolutely awful. The actual actress is good, so nothing against her. But the character she played... will, no matter what, be one of my least favourite characters in general forever (I think, anyways!).Apart from this, I really found the bromance between two of the ML's an absolute pleasure to watch. I also found the politics (when done right) really interesting and gripping. The action scenes were absolutely amazing too, whoever co-ordinated some of those scenes especially must have received some applause after this came out back in 1995. And I really did enjoy the characters in this (except the FL) and all the different relationships and dynamics each had with one another. The OST was legendary, just too overplayed throughout.
All in all, however, I do recommend this. Sandglass is a definite watch. But the first portion is definitely the best.
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Great acting, questionable 'story'
Warrior Baek Dong Soo thrives in having an amazing cast, likeable and/or brilliantly written characters, some really good acting performances, great bromance, great sismance and greatly built relationships. It also has a story that at times is quite confusing, whether it is because there is not enough story, the story is confusing, or that there are too many plot points which then makes it feel like there's no real story at all - if that makes sense. So, it's one of those dramas that doesn't really thrive in story, but the acting and characters make up for it.I also wanted to point out that I really enjoyed the action scenes in this drama. The action scenes here felt really innovative at points. They must have hired some real pros in the stunt co-ordination scene.
This was 29 episodes long, and whilst some episodes felt quicker more than others, I don't think it will necessarily be something I will re-watch anytime soon. However, I gave it a little higher than anticipated because the unknowing direction of the story would probably lead me to want to watch a certain episode or two (basically, I wouldn't have to watch this methodically if re-watching).
All in all, I do recommend this. Whilst the story is questionable, the acting performances were a sublime delight.
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Great Acting, Story wasn't
Connect succeeds in having a great cast that give great performances, alongside great characters that are well-written or mysterious enough to like to an extent. However, the story is easily the big let down here, with almost plot-hole filled plot twists that almost ruin the story? I mean, I didn't really notice this pop up until the final two episodes, which, as you can tell, where the reason why I put this in. If the two final episodes were different, there could be a chance of this having a higher overall rating.Other positives include the cinematography, directing and the majority of the SFX (although some of the SFX were not that good at all). The OST was pretty nice too, although a little repetitive. Some other negatives would be an uninteresting opening credit scene, some repetitive dialogue, and repetitive action scenes.
I also really liked Kim Hye Joon's character, and the characters in the 'Gang' the most, they were both mysterious and well written (from my perspective, at least).
I would still recommend this, but do not expect a masterpiece.
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Almost like Clue/Cluedo
This drama reminded me of one of my favourite board games of all time - Cluedo (aka Clue). There was so much mystery, so much tension, so much animosity, it was so close to perfection. I love it when a murder mystery keeps the viewer on their toes for the near entirety of the whole drama. Unfortunately, the police/investigation logic is the reason why the overall score did not get up to a 10/10. Apart from that however, the story was faultless. Normally with these types of mysteries, I know who the culprit is within the first few episodes, and then wait impatiently for the drama to tell the viewer who the killer is. This is why I felt so refreshed watching this. But the actual story was amazing too. The story made sense in the end with the way it involved the characters, which by the way... the characters! Amazingly developed, and by the end, showed that whilst money means alot and is very important, there are still things more important than money.Acting and OST were marvellous, and I wanted to give a special shout out to the way this had been filmed, not only with the scenery and the setting, but the way everything had been planned. Another positive I wanted to mention: the dynamic between each different sort of character. I could probably give so many more reasons, and so many more sentences about how I feel like this is like the Cluedo board game, but I'll leave it at here so you can start watching.
I highly recommend this drama.
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Good, but..
This is one of those stories where it's good on paper, but there's something missing. The story was pretty much solid for the first half, but then a few glaring plot holes appeared, which then in turn made the characters go from strong with individual purpose into a sort of 2D mess. However, the second half wasn't a total mess. The last episode was strongly emotional, and made me realise I had some lost love that was once again found. It's really difficult to pinpoint, because the acting was superb, so it kinda made me (at times) care less if there were problems with the story. For example, the reactions of someone who suddenly came alive from being dead were very bizarre in my opinion.However, like previously mentioned, acting and cast were superb, so even if there were parts of the story I didn't like, the acting and cast were so good that it always kept me invested. Also the OST was really good, although a slight-bit overplayed. And the first half of the drama was mainly very interesting and the characters were really good and strong.
Whilst the first half is stronger, I think it's still worth to stick too, especially with that heart-wrenching final episode.
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Stop...Start...Stop...Start
Lost Romance is one of those dramas that is stop-start. It started slow, then became interesting. Then it became slow, and then it became interesting again. I really liked the concept of the overall story with the two worlds thing, and the ways in which it made itself original. I also liked the cast and characters a whole great deal, too. I think the whole 'romance' and 'business' parts of the story worked well but it sometimes felt like I was watching a different drama for each storyline, they didn't really complement well with one another.OST was very good, as was the SFX and editing. Some things I thought weren't great (although not bad either) were episode lengths and number of episodes - I think instead of 20 x 70 min episodes, the story could have done better with 12 x 60 min episodes. Some acting performances weren't the best, however, the majority of the cast were very believable in their roles.
Overall, I do recommend this as long as you don't mind dramas that are slower paced.
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Speechless, it was sensational
Navillera is one of those dramas that comes across only once in a generation, a drama so magical that makes you lost for words. It is something so perfect that it will be right there in your heart for the rest of your life. When you need comfort, when you need motivation, when you think you are not enough, Navillera will be there in your heart. Navillera will be there to guide you through the sometimes heavenly and sometimes harsh road known as life. A sometimes tear-jerker but always wholesome production. Everything was sensational: story, acting, characters, OST, production value. Literally everything and every person in this or who was a part of this production needs to be praised for a lifetime. I cannot find any fault with this drama whatsoever.Think you're too old to start your passion? Never. You are never too old. We only have one life, so we need to live it, no matter our age. If you want to go for it, go for it!
A timeless classic in the years to come, and a new dynamic to my heart and feelings for the rest of my life.
Please watch Navillera.
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