Enjoyable from one way to another
There was something so intriguing from the first episode. What a great story when so many subjects have been exhausted! After so many dramas when a girl cross-dresses, this time both main characters cross-dress! Nok Du was so funny as widow Kim! The mood of the drama slightly changed from cheerful to serious as episodes went by. But I'm glad the ending was a happy one.The actors did an amazing job and the music was beautiful!
Rewatch value - 9, such an enjoyable drama! After I finished watching it, I felt a bit sad because I got attached to the story and characters!
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Slightly better than first season
I honestly thought it was better in terms of humour and mood. Plot itself is a bit overboard but it was a good way to bring back the cast. It's a feel good show and the characters are fun.Acting is good and the chemistry between the lead male characters was great!
OST is suitable.
I would rewatch some moments from it only.
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Amazing overall
I wanted to watch this for a while and finally I had some time to watch, especially since the drama is not that lengthy. The first two episodes are slow paced but from episode 3, it gets so good! I don't know from where to start, the plot, the acting, the cinematography! Even the opening is mysterious!Acting is amazing, from Ju Ji Hoon who portrays so well the righteous Crown Prince and the other characters which are complex and bring so much to the drama as well!
Great OST.
Definitely to be rewatched.
The way it finished, can't wait to get to season 2!
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Pointless season
I have so many things to complain about that it's hard for me to talk about the positives, which weren't that many to be honest, except some interesting games.First of all, they should have stopped at the 2nd season. I really don't understand why they had to continue the story, everything was solved, we had a good ending! It made no sense for them to go back to the games. Again. And the ending annoyed me too... Really?
I don't have complaints about the acting/cast but I have so much to say about the characters! Usagi who I really liked in the first two seasons irritated me so much in this season! Ryuji too... I didn't like we had just cameos from certain characters that were really important in the 2nd season.
I hope someone will talk some sense into the screenwriters and not continue this. We are way past what could be done plot wise.
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Upgrade for season 1
Perfect follow up to season 1. More dangerous games and exciting episodes. Also there's an upgrade in cinematography and CGI. The last episode might be a bit confusing at first. To be fair, I think two seasons would have sufficed. We had everything in this season.Better acting in my opinion than in first season mostly because we get some character development but mostly because of everyone's story.
Best season so far.
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Captivating
What a ride this was. The careless vibes in the beginning make you relaxed and as soon as the games start, you realise how serious this is going to be. There are a lot of events that you think won't happen but they will. Most of the time you will be on the edge on your seat. It's quite a tough watch though.I liked the acting and the characters. Really like when the main character is vulnerable but still finds a way out.
Nice OST.
Definitely a show to rewatch.
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Unsettlingly good
What a ride this drama has been right from the first episode. Just the title alone tells you you're about to witness some unsettling events.The plot keeps you interested throughout the entire show and it culminates in the final episode. So much tension and the ending made me feel uncomfortable but it shows nobody is in control of their life in such environment. There are some scenes a bit gross but if you're used to horror movies, it won't be such a problem.
Acting was so good, Lee Dong Wook was so convincing in his role, Siwan was great too. Actually, kudos to all actors!
Music was great too. I'd rewatch this.
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What a ride
Main reason for starting to watch this was because SHINee's Key was in it. I was thoroughly entertained, each episode had a suspense, no filler moments! Action scenes were so well directed.Story: intriguing from the first episode, as soon as an episode finishes you need to see what will happen next, not to mention the plot twists at every corner!
Acting was so good, main leads stole the show.
OST was so well fitted for the action packed scenes and not just that.
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The best longest drama
When I saw this drama being aired again on TV, I had to give it to watch it again no matter the number of episodes.Story: absolutely addicting. You could think 81 episodes is a lot but the plot is so well built.
Acting: Song Il Gook's portrayal was amazing, his character growth was realistic and I loved seeing him grow into the Goguryeo's king. All actors did a great job, one of the reasons this drama is still relevant.
Music: touching and beautiful.
Definitely a drama to watch and rewatch.
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The female Robin Hood
I have to say I didn't know what the story was about before starting watching this and I'm so glad I didn't because I was pleasantly surprised. Enjoyed so much the approach of having a female heroine that hid well the appearances.The plot is well built for 12 episodes and it keeps you entertained.
I really liked the acting, Lee Ha Nee was funny as always but could portray different emotions. The actors did a great job!
The OST was good.
Even though it was entertaining, my rewatch value is 7.
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Consistent sageuk
First of all, the number of episodes might be a turn down for some people, even if we talk of an 1 hour episode.The way the drama begins is very intriguing and draws you in, you want to see what is going to happen next! Of course, we get our usual rivalries as expected and it's sad how misunderstandings make people suffer. More about the story: I have to say I really enjoyed most of it, 90% in fact but I believe the last few episodes were dragged, maybe too dragged for my taste. Everything was revealed way too late and the ending was way too rushed. I needed much more! Also, I wanted one particular character to have a different ending, it just wasn't right.
Acting: really good. Lee Jae Ryong was my favourite by far, he portrayed his role so good, that's why he had a nomination! Honorable mentions: Seo Hyun Jin, Jeon Tae Soo (loved the character development for those two) and of course, Seo Woo, she annoyed me in a good way. All the other characters did a great job as well, but my very favourite character has to be Koo Cheon. Also, what was with the eyes' closeups?
OST: well, it was just one song played almost in every episode, I liked it, but you might get tired at one point. I honestly wanted more variation in the OST.
Rewatch value, not that big for me mainly because of the reasons above. It dragged a bit to get to the final point.
Overall, a really good sageuk, it has something of that older sageuks that nowadays dramas don't have and that's why I enjoyed it a lot in the end.
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Story: it is childish and most of the time it makes no sense. How can a girl disguise herself as an eunuch and nobody doesn't notice it? 18 episodes are way too much, I think 12 episodes would've been enough and we would've got rid of many filler scenes. The ending made absolutely no sense! The drama was so dragged and you rush the ending like that?
The acting: Park Bo Gum was so good, have to say one of the reasons for watching this was him winning an award and wanting to see why, he was great, he carried this drama. Kim Yoo Jung is an actress I've followed since forever, watching her in so many child roles and now having lead roles is an amazing thing. She's incredibly talented but here unfortunately she didn't shine and I didn't see at all the chemistry with Park Bo Gum, they looked like brother and sister most of the times, it's not because of the age difference, 6 years is nothing, it's just that I didn't feel it. I'm a BANA so seeing Jinyoung made me so happy; I've tried to forget the fact that he's an idol and I've seen him as an actor, he was really good! Wanted more fight scenes with him, he was so badass. I'm looking forward to see him in other dramas.
OST was alright.
3 is my rewatch value because there were some cute moments even if I didn't feel the chemistry and Jinyoung had short but great fight scenes.
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One of the best king portrayals in a Korean drama
I'm writing this review from a second viewing perspective. This show will always have place in my heart as it is my second Korean drama watched 14 years ago. Now, the national channel in my country reaired it and I watched it again. Even though I didn't remember that many things from it since I watched it a long time ago, I thought I might be bored but guess what, I enjoyed it so much maybe even more than the first time.The story is so good, the number of episodes is maybe a downer for some people but every episode is worth it! There might be some moments where the drama is a bit lacking but that happens only a little.
Lee Seo Jin was amazing, I really liked his growth as a king, absolutely terrific! Lee Soon Jae is always great, he had a spectacular performance. Han Sang Jin was great too. The friendship between the King, Song Yeon and Dae Soo was a friendship everyone would like to have. There were some very touching moments.
The OST was so beautiful, I remembered it even after 14 years.
I still have a high rewatch value, 9, even though I've just finished it. My grade will go up by 0.5 because of that.
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Cozy
I have enjoyed a lot watching this drama even though some of the length episodes is really long. The last episode had 100 minutes!First of all: the story. It is the same as in the other Reply dramas: students from various parts of South Korea join in a boarding house and the viewer also tries to figure who the female lead's husband is gonna be. Even though I think the drama was a bit dragged, the acting and the embarrassing situations made everything so entertaining! The chemistry between Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa is unmatched! I was so surprised by Baro's acting. The ending made total sense.
The OST was so good! Sung Si Kyung's cover of the Seo Tai Ji's song was my favourite. I think it's the first time I see so many actors taking part in the OST!
My rewatch value isn't that big because some of the episodes were quite long but very funny! I still recommend it.
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Heartfelt drama
This is a show I've wanted to watch for a while but not necessary because it is such a popular one. The fantasy genre is one I really enjoy so I had to give it a chance.I really liked the idea of parallel worlds; I thought it was a bit tiring in the beginning since they were showing scenes from the past back and forth and you were forgetting what was actually happening in the present but it made so much sense later! I'm one of those who think the drama could have had 16 episodes, there were so many scenes who could've been shortened. There was a certain warmth in some scenes that made me forget about some imperfections. The last 5-6 episodes were so good, a lot of suspense but the last episode seemed a bit rushed. One of the best parts was Nam Doo's storyline from the last part of the drama.
The acting was very good: as always Jun Ji Hyun is great in comedies! She had great chemistry with Lee Min Ho, he did a really good job too. Liked a lot the supporting characters (Joon Jae's friends mostly).
The OST was quite generic.
To be quite honest, I wouldn't rewatch it that much; it started a bit slow but then it really caught up! There were a lot of funny moments though; those need rewatching!
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