6
24
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
Great concept, less than great execution
This show had such a funny and different concept that I was immediately drawn to it, and the beginning of the drama had a great balance of humor and sadness that it was interesting. But then the quality really dropped, not on a technical level but just in their storytelling. It seemed like, and I do understand this, in order for the story to reach its conclusion, some time needed to pass between episode 1 and 12. Because the passage of time is very much a part of the message of this narrative. But then, the show didn't really have enough plot for the in-between time, or at least not an interesting plot for it so a lot of the show was just wasted on repeatedly showing sad parts of heaven with pets and animal-centric jokes that were not funny, and then alternating that with the serious plot that involved the main characters. It became exhausting. I'm sorry, I get that animals are cute and people love their pets but can we give it a rest?! I would have much preferred some funny shenanigans that actually built up the relationship between the main couple to show us their love instead of just showing their exasperation with each other, and maybe some plots involving the residents of heaven...you know, like the human residents, not the animals! Like, why were there two separate cases of the "rainbow path" opening?! Why did we get therapy sessions for mistreated pets? It felt like a cheap way to get tears out of viewers, and also it felt like they were forcing PSA messages in the middle of the show...I don't know but maybe we could do an episode on not mistreating children or ...god forbid people of other races?! *gasp*
Besides the pandering, the plot wasn't bad at all. It had a very meticulous web of connections. Everything connected so neatly to each other (I even appreciate the attempt to connect the animals to the whole thing), and the blending of reincarnation into the heaven/hell realm was very neat. I just wish we had gotten to that sooner. The story felt slightly aimless when it came to its belief system. Sometimes, it was too preachy that it lost the thread of the plot, other times it felt like they were just too excited to show off the heavenly gimmicks of their show. Seemed like they wanted to offend no one, but also they wanted to represent Korea's beliefs, so I guess this was only a heaven for Korean people?! The world-building was a bit flimsy, maybe...but if you stopped thinking too hard about it and just went with the flow, it was a small town with a few Korean people who reincarnated, but also there was a church?...and only a church! lol
Lore-wise, this was a cross between Howl's Moving Castle and the good place! And now that I'm saying it like that, it makes more sense, actually! Anyways, so after a strong start, a below average middle, the show finally makes its arguments on the philosophy of life, and the ending is better. At least, once I started fast-forwarding the animal subplots, it was interesting! And a real tear-jerker. I feel like I never stopped crying while watching this and maybe that's something to applaud this show for because the kind of jeong that is displayed in the relationships between the characters is truly beautiful, heartwarming and touching. How the show displays the essence of reincarnation and lingering regrets is thoughtful and emotionally devastating. And trauma naturally has to rear its ugly head too because (and I really appreciate Korea for doing this) Korean writers truly understand what trauma does to a person and they are always looking for more and more interesting ways to visualize that. I hope this helps their people come to terms with their issues. I hope they're healing.
Last but not least, this drama felt like old-school Kdramas in its homely setup of characters and its focus on nurturing human emotions while honoring human connections. Although, it still felt almost sterile in comparison to something like Hotel De Luna which was so similar to this but actually had more obvious elements of Korean mythology.
Acting: The cast here are stacked! This was an A-list drama as far as I'm concerned; they had strong, professional actors who were the main draw of the show. Even though I was disappointed that certified stud, Son Suk Ku, was portraying a man-child in this one, I think his character grows on you a bit as the show goes on. Kim Hye Ja and Han Ji Min, on the other hand, are a golden duo who really need to stop meeting like this in dramas (lol), and them being in the show was my main reason to watch this. But then again, I didn't love Han Ji Min's character or her portrayal of the character in this. She was incredibly annoying, both for her posture (I know that sounds weird but once you see how she stood, you'll get it) and for the ridiculous outfit she was wearing THE WHOLE TIME. Neither of which are her fault...well, the posture is, actually...but still, I think the cast was very strong. The cast was great, their characters weren't always written well, is what I want to say, I guess.
Music and Production: I don't know about the music, I guess it was fine, but the production was very acceptable. Everything looked as it was supposed to and all things operated as they should. I especially loved female lead's outfits while I HATED Han Ji Min's! lol
Rewatch: No.
Overall: Strong start, weak middle, okay ending. A real tearjerker. Subplots were bad but main plot was touching. I wouldn't go back and watch it, though. It was a bit of a chore to end it. I feel like this would have been better as a movie rather than a TV show.
Besides the pandering, the plot wasn't bad at all. It had a very meticulous web of connections. Everything connected so neatly to each other (I even appreciate the attempt to connect the animals to the whole thing), and the blending of reincarnation into the heaven/hell realm was very neat. I just wish we had gotten to that sooner. The story felt slightly aimless when it came to its belief system. Sometimes, it was too preachy that it lost the thread of the plot, other times it felt like they were just too excited to show off the heavenly gimmicks of their show. Seemed like they wanted to offend no one, but also they wanted to represent Korea's beliefs, so I guess this was only a heaven for Korean people?! The world-building was a bit flimsy, maybe...but if you stopped thinking too hard about it and just went with the flow, it was a small town with a few Korean people who reincarnated, but also there was a church?...and only a church! lol
Lore-wise, this was a cross between Howl's Moving Castle and the good place! And now that I'm saying it like that, it makes more sense, actually! Anyways, so after a strong start, a below average middle, the show finally makes its arguments on the philosophy of life, and the ending is better. At least, once I started fast-forwarding the animal subplots, it was interesting! And a real tear-jerker. I feel like I never stopped crying while watching this and maybe that's something to applaud this show for because the kind of jeong that is displayed in the relationships between the characters is truly beautiful, heartwarming and touching. How the show displays the essence of reincarnation and lingering regrets is thoughtful and emotionally devastating. And trauma naturally has to rear its ugly head too because (and I really appreciate Korea for doing this) Korean writers truly understand what trauma does to a person and they are always looking for more and more interesting ways to visualize that. I hope this helps their people come to terms with their issues. I hope they're healing.
Last but not least, this drama felt like old-school Kdramas in its homely setup of characters and its focus on nurturing human emotions while honoring human connections. Although, it still felt almost sterile in comparison to something like Hotel De Luna which was so similar to this but actually had more obvious elements of Korean mythology.
Acting: The cast here are stacked! This was an A-list drama as far as I'm concerned; they had strong, professional actors who were the main draw of the show. Even though I was disappointed that certified stud, Son Suk Ku, was portraying a man-child in this one, I think his character grows on you a bit as the show goes on. Kim Hye Ja and Han Ji Min, on the other hand, are a golden duo who really need to stop meeting like this in dramas (lol), and them being in the show was my main reason to watch this. But then again, I didn't love Han Ji Min's character or her portrayal of the character in this. She was incredibly annoying, both for her posture (I know that sounds weird but once you see how she stood, you'll get it) and for the ridiculous outfit she was wearing THE WHOLE TIME. Neither of which are her fault...well, the posture is, actually...but still, I think the cast was very strong. The cast was great, their characters weren't always written well, is what I want to say, I guess.
Music and Production: I don't know about the music, I guess it was fine, but the production was very acceptable. Everything looked as it was supposed to and all things operated as they should. I especially loved female lead's outfits while I HATED Han Ji Min's! lol
Rewatch: No.
Overall: Strong start, weak middle, okay ending. A real tearjerker. Subplots were bad but main plot was touching. I wouldn't go back and watch it, though. It was a bit of a chore to end it. I feel like this would have been better as a movie rather than a TV show.
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