This drama is giving me early 2000s japanese drama vibes like Itazura and Hana Yori Dango. The ML is so condescending. Not hating the actor; hating his character. The way he thinks he's above everyone else just because he's a genius is so annoying. And if he slightly helps someone, then he's nice?! It's basic courtesy to help people.
I was happy to see a smart female lead in a cdrama after long time, since most FLs don't even know 2+2. But she is so dense omg. Her roommate betrayed her and she is still talking to her like nothing happened ?! Like come on, grow a spine.
I was hoping for this drama to be different and good. But well it doesn't seem like that anymore.
Do you think the 16f test, if administered by a proffessional, is more reliable? Also, korean people LOVE the…
It actually is hilarious to see their obsession. I mentally smack myself whenever I see kpop idols talk about the MBTI. I mean I wouldn't really trust korean reality shows. They had a show called Hello Counsellor, with no cousellors. Kpop idols and actors would give advices.
I can't help to agree with you at some point - just not everything ;)It did cringe me a little by how serious…
That's an interesting point you made there, regarding the 'obasan' and "obaasan" thing.
I also understand why you gave that rating. I guess for me, after having seen many doramas with wierd plots, I've just grown immune to the way Japanese dramas are made. So I filter out the weird things lol.
So I saw this drama twice and here are some thoughts - 1. The biggest thing that irked me was, how everyone was okay with Issei having a crush on Hayame. People even supported both of them. I don't think I would've had a problem if Issei was maybe 18-19-20. If this was real life, then it surely would've been a huge problem. The reason why I'm saying this is bec, when we were teenagers, we didn't really know much about people and the world. Now that I am an adult, I look back and seriously judge some of the decisions that I made as a kid. So I don't really think, Issei had the maturity to make that decision. 2. That being said, I liked Issei's redemption arc. He did mature a bit, which was nice, but I was still uncomfortable. I feel like if he were maybe 20, then we could've seen Hayame teach him how to be a proper adult, learning more about herself in the process. 3. Loved Hayame's character. Apart from the usual trope of poor woman-rich guy, I felt like she was an independent and a strong woman, who wouldn't take people's shit. 4. Again, she was pretty violent with Issei. Plus he was a minor. Their relationship was pretty violent which made me uncomfortable. 5. Kikuno was actually a pretty good villainess. I really despised her, which shows how good of an actress Matsui Rena is. The writers could've given more time to Kikuno's backstory bec the ending felt rushed. I really wanted to delve deep into her mind and know the reasons for her actions even more. 6. Seigo was just... meh. I liked him better when he was a kid. He grew up to be pretty twisted himself. 7. What I liked about this drama was that, there were morally grey characters. Usually, the leads have that holier-than-thou attitude, which is pretty annoying. But over here, we see the ML as not perfect and the FL as trying to be strong, but failing sometimes. So it was relatable at times. 8. Also vvvvv imp. What the heck is wrong with these people? Why are they referring to Hayame as an Obasan? She's just 27. Plus, even Hayame referred to herself as '30s something woman'. Dude you're in your 20s. And even if were in her 30s, so what?! People live upto their 80s. This just shows the narrow standards japanese society has for women. I knew it already, but it is very sad.
Would I recommend it to other people? I'm still confused about that. But if you can ignore the whole minor-adult relationship, then this actually pretty good watch. I'd give it a 8/10.
This article was a much needed one. Thank you so much!
However there is one thing that I would disagree with you on which is the portrayal of a queer man on Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. It was downright mean and very stereotypical.
I haven't really seen a lot of modern dramas with cross dressing. Or for that matter, people from one sex wearing clothes of the opposite sex, because, well, everyone is free to express their gender in whatever way they want to. Would love to see that more often.
One more thing that I would like to add is that, while cross dressing can be fun to watch on the screen, it's not so much in real life. Clothes is a way for many people to express their gender (freely), when society doesn't accept them otherwise. I know it's too much to ask for, but I hope one day we'll get kdramas focussing on the lives of such individuals, who are fighting for their survival.
I think it was the wife who killed the police officer and then she hung herself. Same with the mother and daughter. The daughter killed her mother and then drowned herself. The tape definitely hypnotizes (stimulates?) people to do that. The hallucination of the lady probably tells people to kill others. The tape and that wierd sign I think. So there's definitely the cult involved.
The question is - where does Jo Kyung ho and Jo jung Hyun fit in? Also I think Jo Kyung Ho might be helping them to find out the real person behind it? Or maybe he himself was brainwashed when he carried out the terror attack? Or maybe he didn't carry out the terror attack but he took the blame because they were threatening to hurt his family? And his daughter found out and she was trying to catch the culprit herself. Aghhhhh I don't know anything anymore. But it's a shame such a good drama was written by a bad person. I feel guilty watching this drama.
Why do I feel like Dushik is going to turn out to be the guy who went to Seoul National University (or some other fancy uni) and got a degree in chemistry (because of the soap and the candle) but came back to Gongjin because of his parents?
Had to rant about this show. Honestly, one of the best shows of 2021,hands down. Extremely raw and graphic. I hope the show doesn't face any problems with the military, because how realistic the portrayal was. Now coming to acting. JHI surprised me with his acting. I loved his acting in Prison playbook and was very happy that he was able to display his acting prowess. He has such a wide spectrum of skills. I hope he does more varied projects in the future. Safe to say, I'm his fan now. This was my first time watching KKH, but loved his character. I really wanted them to expand more on his background, because I feel like there's more to it. So I hope we get a second season. Nonetheless, his character was like a breath of fresh air to the dark environment of the show. The dynamics between JHI and KKH was great to watch as well. Loved how one was logical and the other I'm-actually-smart-but-I-pretend-I'm-not. Would love to see them bond even more. KSK did a wonderful job here. I loved him in the reply series,so I was quite surprised to him play a serous role here. But he did a brilliant job as well.
Coming to the drawbacks - they could've shown us more about the backstory of each characters,esp KKH. I really hope they have a second season. Plus that cliffhanger?? I need a second season (how many times did I say that already?) Bullying the in the military is not a new thing. And it's not just Korea that faces this problem. It's like they know there's a huge problem and everybody else knkwd there's a huge problem. But nobody is doing anything to change it. It's really sad.
Okay this became too long. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
I was happy to see a smart female lead in a cdrama after long time, since most FLs don't even know 2+2. But she is so dense omg. Her roommate betrayed her and she is still talking to her like nothing happened ?! Like come on, grow a spine.
I was hoping for this drama to be different and good. But well it doesn't seem like that anymore.
I mean I wouldn't really trust korean reality shows. They had a show called Hello Counsellor, with no cousellors. Kpop idols and actors would give advices.
*smh*
We need more representation.
- a psych grad student
I also understand why you gave that rating. I guess for me, after having seen many doramas with wierd plots, I've just grown immune to the way Japanese dramas are made. So I filter out the weird things lol.
1. The biggest thing that irked me was, how everyone was okay with Issei having a crush on Hayame. People even supported both of them. I don't think I would've had a problem if Issei was maybe 18-19-20. If this was real life, then it surely would've been a huge problem. The reason why I'm saying this is bec, when we were teenagers, we didn't really know much about people and the world. Now that I am an adult, I look back and seriously judge some of the decisions that I made as a kid. So I don't really think, Issei had the maturity to make that decision.
2. That being said, I liked Issei's redemption arc. He did mature a bit, which was nice, but I was still uncomfortable. I feel like if he were maybe 20, then we could've seen Hayame teach him how to be a proper adult, learning more about herself in the process.
3. Loved Hayame's character. Apart from the usual trope of poor woman-rich guy, I felt like she was an independent and a strong woman, who wouldn't take people's shit.
4. Again, she was pretty violent with Issei. Plus he was a minor. Their relationship was pretty violent which made me uncomfortable.
5. Kikuno was actually a pretty good villainess. I really despised her, which shows how good of an actress Matsui Rena is. The writers could've given more time to Kikuno's backstory bec the ending felt rushed. I really wanted to delve deep into her mind and know the reasons for her actions even more.
6. Seigo was just... meh. I liked him better when he was a kid. He grew up to be pretty twisted himself.
7. What I liked about this drama was that, there were morally grey characters. Usually, the leads have that holier-than-thou attitude, which is pretty annoying. But over here, we see the ML as not perfect and the FL as trying to be strong, but failing sometimes. So it was relatable at times.
8. Also vvvvv imp. What the heck is wrong with these people? Why are they referring to Hayame as an Obasan? She's just 27. Plus, even Hayame referred to herself as '30s something woman'. Dude you're in your 20s. And even if were in her 30s, so what?! People live upto their 80s. This just shows the narrow standards japanese society has for women. I knew it already, but it is very sad.
Would I recommend it to other people? I'm still confused about that. But if you can ignore the whole minor-adult relationship, then this actually pretty good watch. I'd give it a 8/10.
However there is one thing that I would disagree with you on which is the portrayal of a queer man on Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. It was downright mean and very stereotypical.
I haven't really seen a lot of modern dramas with cross dressing. Or for that matter, people from one sex wearing clothes of the opposite sex, because, well, everyone is free to express their gender in whatever way they want to. Would love to see that more often.
One more thing that I would like to add is that, while cross dressing can be fun to watch on the screen, it's not so much in real life. Clothes is a way for many people to express their gender (freely), when society doesn't accept them otherwise. I know it's too much to ask for, but I hope one day we'll get kdramas focussing on the lives of such individuals, who are fighting for their survival.
The question is - where does Jo Kyung ho and Jo jung Hyun fit in? Also I think Jo Kyung Ho might be helping them to find out the real person behind it? Or maybe he himself was brainwashed when he carried out the terror attack? Or maybe he didn't carry out the terror attack but he took the blame because they were threatening to hurt his family? And his daughter found out and she was trying to catch the culprit herself.
Aghhhhh I don't know anything anymore.
But it's a shame such a good drama was written by a bad person. I feel guilty watching this drama.
This ep gave me butterflies in my stomach. Ngl I was completely blushing during their wine filler conversation. I think my cheeks were hot too lol.
But it's going to be interesting with the entry of Lee Sang yi. I pray that there is no love triangle.
Also damnnnn that kick girl!!! Love me a strong female lead. But I felt really sad for Mi Seon too and the fact that this was not her first time facing sexual harassment. And the fact that she had kind of internalised shows how no one had stood up for her before. I'm glad that the pervert was put behind bars.
Super excited for next week's episode and curious for Chief Hong's back story. I'm assuming he's got PTSD because of the fact that he lost his close relatives when he was young (but that just might be the psychologist in me talking lol)
Also someone on twitter had pointed out that the coat could be from his wedding. Bec in the 1st or 2nd ep, there was a pic of Dushik wearing that coat and standing with a woman. So if this theory is true then, maybe even his wife/fiancé also died? Because of which he doesn't let living beings inside his house?
But still I'm enjoying the show a lot.
Honestly, one of the best shows of 2021,hands down. Extremely raw and graphic. I hope the show doesn't face any problems with the military, because how realistic the portrayal was.
Now coming to acting. JHI surprised me with his acting. I loved his acting in Prison playbook and was very happy that he was able to display his acting prowess. He has such a wide spectrum of skills. I hope he does more varied projects in the future. Safe to say, I'm his fan now.
This was my first time watching KKH, but loved his character. I really wanted them to expand more on his background, because I feel like there's more to it. So I hope we get a second season. Nonetheless, his character was like a breath of fresh air to the dark environment of the show.
The dynamics between JHI and KKH was great to watch as well. Loved how one was logical and the other I'm-actually-smart-but-I-pretend-I'm-not. Would love to see them bond even more.
KSK did a wonderful job here. I loved him in the reply series,so I was quite surprised to him play a serous role here. But he did a brilliant job as well.
Coming to the drawbacks - they could've shown us more about the backstory of each characters,esp KKH. I really hope they have a second season. Plus that cliffhanger?? I need a second season (how many times did I say that already?)
Bullying the in the military is not a new thing. And it's not just Korea that faces this problem. It's like they know there's a huge problem and everybody else knkwd there's a huge problem. But nobody is doing anything to change it. It's really sad.
Okay this became too long. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.