Sweet quiet movie. Wonderfully relaxing to watch on a cold winter evening. Nothing much to it really, no surprises. Just nice to join in the lives of these people for a couple hours. Definitely the kind of movie you wouldn't mind watching again just for the atmosphere of it. 7.5/10
Really good movie for me. Brought up a lot of memories of being in a similar situation. I think that helps. If you can relate to the story, the feelings, the emotions these people are going through, this movie becomes so much more. The Very realistic portrayal of how a relationship can stagnate and how, as a result of misunderstandings, failures in communication, failure to understand the other person's needs, and just plain starting to take that other person for granted, thinking they will always be there, can lead to errors in judgement, sometimes irreparable damage or breakups. The acting in this was very good and very realistic. I loved the pacing, the dialogue, and how well the writer and director were able to show so much of this relationship and what happens to it in such a short amount of time. I really hope they try again and this time, with knowledge and maturity and the pain of loss and regret, hold on to their love this time. I think there is a stronger chance of them making it now because of his obvious changes and obvious regret and longing. She will need to not be so guarded though. 8.5/10
Great article, as usual! I too love the relationship between Chan and Kang Soo. It's pretty obvious that relationship extends past the show. As a mom, watching his little face, you can see the trust that little guy has in this big, gentle man. He goes to him so naturally. And it is so sweet how his arms naturally go around him and he will pet or play with Kang Soo's hair. It is very touching because Kang Soo needs all the love he can get.
And, if you have not watched Choi Jin Hyuk in I Need Romance (ripping his shirt off in a bed scene...it's cable), and his adorable relationship in Emergency Couple, then you MUST put those 2 on your list.
wow 3 for the price of one! Of Course I saw Carnival, twice because I'm a glutton for pain and agony. Amazing performance from JIS...as usual! I would swear I saw 6 Years, will have to watch some of it again to remember. And I will watch the other this weekend! Thanks!
I find it odd that some of the reviews say it was hard to figure out why Ki-tae dies (this is the beginning of the film so not a spoiler). I thought Yoon and Lee Je-hoon (as Ki-tae) did a fantastic job of showing exactly why he did. Their ability to portray the complex feelings of this boy, his desperate need to be loved, accepted, admired, and be the leader.... all covered in his false bravado; all of it done so subtly yet so painful to watch as you see him self-destruct and destroy the only 2 things precious to him, his best friends. It's as if they had lived or were living that boy's life right in front of us.
The split between Ki-Tae and Becky is more subtle than Ki-tae's split with Dong-yoon. But Ki-tae, bit by bit destroyed those relationships. The flashbacks make it harder to understand, but he was unable to stop himself from constantly testing and pushing the boundaries of their relationships. The scene of him 'ordering' Becky to stand as lookout for he and his new buddies while they smoked in the bathroom was only a snapshot of where the relationship was going. This scene was there to show how far Ki-tae had gone in discounting and taking advantage of that relationship. He sees Becky's reaction on his face and suddenly seems to realize that he has gone too far and tries to apologize, but, he has not once nor twice humiliated Becky by this time. He then takes Becky's backpack and makes him beg to get it back, then tries to pretend it's a joke, all the while demeaning and belittling a lifetime friend. As Becky retreats further and further in depression and resentment, Ki-tae tries alternately to apologize and, when faced with Becky's rejection, reverts back to his out of control behavior. The beginning scene where he and his new friends are brutally beating Becky show how far out of control he has gone. Then he faces Becky and asks him how his face scars are doing! He cannot seem to stop himself and continues to use words that are at once flippant and uncaring, yet also seem to hide his true desire to apologize. When Becky tells him he is transferring because of him, you can see the blow this deals Ki-tae as he realizes what he has destroyed will now never be repaired. His inner panic and fear are so apparent it is heartbreaking to watch. He knows he is responsible, he knows he is self-destructing, but he is now helpless in the face of the repercussions.
What happens with Dong-yoon is clearer. As he proceeds to rip apart the reputation of the girl that Dong-yoon cares about, to Dong-yoon's face and in front of his gang, In Ki-tae's jealousy and need to hurt the one he loves most for failing to see how out of control he is and failing to understand and stop him (as if Dong-yoon could), we can see Dong-yoon's face as he slowly closes the door on Ki-tae and their lifetime friendship. As DY continues to sit there and encourage Ki-tae to go on, Ki-tae takes on a snidely 'friendly' role as he continues to spew hateful rumors against DY's girlfriend. Next we see the repercussions, as either Ki-tae or his friends have obviously started spreading the rumors, DY's girlfriend senses the change in him and says goodbye in the tragic scene with the watch. We next see the final repercussions as she is in a hospital bed, wrists bandaged and doctors working to save her. And DY in the hallway knowing that Ki-tae and his friends' words and his cowardice to stand by her have brought her here.
When he faces Ki-tae and is beaten by Ki-tae's friends, we are not told if she dies. Ki-tae shows up at DY's home to try to apologize, to say it was a 'misunderstanding', but terrible damage has been done and it was Ki-tae and his friends who caused that misunderstanding with their ugly words. So DY uses words also in his anger and hurt. And, as only those who truly love one another can, he uses the words that will hurt most. One can hardly blame him. He has lost the girl he loved, been betrayed by the friend he loved most in this world, and for no good reason.
Most heartbreaking of all is how utterly useless and frighteningly unnecessary all of this was. All of it so avoidable IF ONLY! At what point could all of this have stopped? How far back would we have to go to have prevented all of this terrible pain? The cruel words of Dong-yoon that if Ki-tae had never been there, none of this would have happened keep screaming in my head...and will forever in DY's also. Now there are at least 2 other young men and a father whose lives are irreparably damaged, and in ways that could escalate into yet more tragedy. I fear for DY the most. His burden is immeasurable.
This was, without a doubt a mighty work. No one character was completely wrong nor completely innocent. All are irreversibly damaged. My heart is so heavy right now. It will take me a very very long time to recover from this one.
My guess....he will search out her first true love only to find out that it was him. Yeah this is going to be…
Poor Baby! ;) Here's how I think it would go. She had been on the periphery of his life in the past, watching him. The story will be told in flashbacks. He will find out bits of information from people as he searches for her first love in these flashbacks, but the guy they are talking about will always be faceless because none of these people really knew him either, only what she told him. Each person will send him to a new place where he will find one more bit of info until they get to the end of the movie when he finds that ONE person who puts the face on the guy he is looking for.. and it's him. It's the saddest thing I can think of, so of course that's why I think it will happen that way!!! Chinese movies are horrid that way, with such tragic endings!!! :) But we could all pre write our own scenarios like this and they would close down this page for overloading it!
My guess....he will search out her first true love only to find out that it was him. Yeah this is going to be just one big tear jerker. I hope though that the quality of this movie will be higher than Fragrance, since YEH is in it.
Great Review. Again. I went in to this drama not expecting much. In fact, thinking it will be one of those run of the mill, cliche scenario dramas, with chaebol jerks preying on sweet innocents. And Surprise. That is exactly what it is. A completely predictable story, with cliche scenarios I've seen 100 times. But. I am so hooked on this drama. And it's the people in it. Every one of them as individuals are interesting, relatable, and portrayed realistically, with really good acting and a surprisingly good script. There are little of the hysterics so prevalent in these types of dramas. And all of the bad guys have moments of doubt, tiny glimpses of 'reasons' behind some of their bad behaviors. I detest dramas with one dimensional bad guys where the writers spend all their time thinking up yet another vicious thing for them to torment our leads with every week. Here we get to see the little successes as our girls fight to first find their way in the new world of freedom and then see their strength as they fight back. No cowering, subservient, poor me girls these!! I love how Soo In won't take any crap off that family. How she doesn't pussyfoot around and cower in front of them. She gives it right back at them and says what should be said to them. Unbelievably refreshing in drama today! I look forward every week to this show. I am SO HAPPY we get to have 36 episodes with them. I think I'm going to love it!
couldn't get past the first 4 episodes. Not my kind of show or humor. Too corny for me. I was really disappointed too, because I just love Hong Ki and wanted to be supportive. Hopefully his next one will be more my taste? :(
Liked Antique Bakery, watched it long ago, and watched Girlfriend based on your recommendation. More than I thought it would be. Very cute, sweet movie. Memories is coming up on my Netflix list. Looking forward to it!
Wonderful. If I weren't already watching and madly madly in love with this show, I would start now. If YOU aren't watching START NOW!
Every moment I am watching this show I feel my insides are ready to burst. So much frustration, so many roadblocks put in the way of our heroes....I want to leap into the screen and punch our 'bad guys'. Yet, in each program I am so proud of how each of them in their own way continue their struggle to succeed. And how, even under the horrid weight of all the bigotry and put downs, their own sense of inadequacy, the continual realization that they are trapped in a life in a cube struggling against all odds for survival, there are still those small successes that give our heroes, and us, those few shining moments telling us that all is not lost and that through their own efforts and strengths, they can and will succeed. It's not a superhero show, but it is full of everyday lives of everyday people who survive by their own heroic efforts. It's a show we can all empathize with because virtually every one of us has experienced their own versions of it.
Also, every moment I am watching this show I continue to marvel that I am so passionately involved in the lives of these young people. This is a show set in an office environment, filled with dialogue about office procedures, and rarely leaves the confines of the office walls. Yet, each week, I am totally glued to my screen watching these 'Everyday Lives' being lived. It is a testament to the original material, the screenwriter, the director, and the marvelous actors in this that this show can achieve this kind of devotion. I am so happy to hear that it is getting great ratings and continues to climb in popularity every week.
Again...wonderful review! I hope many people give this show a chance and find themselves amazed also at how watching everyday people live everyday lives can be as thrilling and fulfilling to watch as any superhero blockbuster, or a melodrama!
And, if you have not watched Choi Jin Hyuk in I Need Romance (ripping his shirt off in a bed scene...it's cable), and his adorable relationship in Emergency Couple, then you MUST put those 2 on your list.
The split between Ki-Tae and Becky is more subtle than Ki-tae's split with Dong-yoon. But Ki-tae, bit by bit destroyed those relationships. The flashbacks make it harder to understand, but he was unable to stop himself from constantly testing and pushing the boundaries of their relationships. The scene of him 'ordering' Becky to stand as lookout for he and his new buddies while they smoked in the bathroom was only a snapshot of where the relationship was going. This scene was there to show how far Ki-tae had gone in discounting and taking advantage of that relationship. He sees Becky's reaction on his face and suddenly seems to realize that he has gone too far and tries to apologize, but, he has not once nor twice humiliated Becky by this time. He then takes Becky's backpack and makes him beg to get it back, then tries to pretend it's a joke, all the while demeaning and belittling a lifetime friend. As Becky retreats further and further in depression and resentment, Ki-tae tries alternately to apologize and, when faced with Becky's rejection, reverts back to his out of control behavior. The beginning scene where he and his new friends are brutally beating Becky show how far out of control he has gone. Then he faces Becky and asks him how his face scars are doing! He cannot seem to stop himself and continues to use words that are at once flippant and uncaring, yet also seem to hide his true desire to apologize. When Becky tells him he is transferring because of him, you can see the blow this deals Ki-tae as he realizes what he has destroyed will now never be repaired. His inner panic and fear are so apparent it is heartbreaking to watch. He knows he is responsible, he knows he is self-destructing, but he is now helpless in the face of the repercussions.
What happens with Dong-yoon is clearer. As he proceeds to rip apart the reputation of the girl that Dong-yoon cares about, to Dong-yoon's face and in front of his gang, In Ki-tae's jealousy and need to hurt the one he loves most for failing to see how out of control he is and failing to understand and stop him (as if Dong-yoon could), we can see Dong-yoon's face as he slowly closes the door on Ki-tae and their lifetime friendship. As DY continues to sit there and encourage Ki-tae to go on, Ki-tae takes on a snidely 'friendly' role as he continues to spew hateful rumors against DY's girlfriend. Next we see the repercussions, as either Ki-tae or his friends have obviously started spreading the rumors, DY's girlfriend senses the change in him and says goodbye in the tragic scene with the watch. We next see the final repercussions as she is in a hospital bed, wrists bandaged and doctors working to save her. And DY in the hallway knowing that Ki-tae and his friends' words and his cowardice to stand by her have brought her here.
When he faces Ki-tae and is beaten by Ki-tae's friends, we are not told if she dies. Ki-tae shows up at DY's home to try to apologize, to say it was a 'misunderstanding', but terrible damage has been done and it was Ki-tae and his friends who caused that misunderstanding with their ugly words. So DY uses words also in his anger and hurt. And, as only those who truly love one another can, he uses the words that will hurt most. One can hardly blame him. He has lost the girl he loved, been betrayed by the friend he loved most in this world, and for no good reason.
Most heartbreaking of all is how utterly useless and frighteningly unnecessary all of this was. All of it so avoidable IF ONLY! At what point could all of this have stopped? How far back would we have to go to have prevented all of this terrible pain? The cruel words of Dong-yoon that if Ki-tae had never been there, none of this would have happened keep screaming in my head...and will forever in DY's also. Now there are at least 2 other young men and a father whose lives are irreparably damaged, and in ways that could escalate into yet more tragedy. I fear for DY the most. His burden is immeasurable.
This was, without a doubt a mighty work. No one character was completely wrong nor completely innocent. All are irreversibly damaged. My heart is so heavy right now. It will take me a very very long time to recover from this one.
Every moment I am watching this show I feel my insides are ready to burst. So much frustration, so many roadblocks put in the way of our heroes....I want to leap into the screen and punch our 'bad guys'. Yet, in each program I am so proud of how each of them in their own way continue their struggle to succeed. And how, even under the horrid weight of all the bigotry and put downs, their own sense of inadequacy, the continual realization that they are trapped in a life in a cube struggling against all odds for survival, there are still those small successes that give our heroes, and us, those few shining moments telling us that all is not lost and that through their own efforts and strengths, they can and will succeed. It's not a superhero show, but it is full of everyday lives of everyday people who survive by their own heroic efforts. It's a show we can all empathize with because virtually every one of us has experienced their own versions of it.
Also, every moment I am watching this show I continue to marvel that I am so passionately involved in the lives of these young people. This is a show set in an office environment, filled with dialogue about office procedures, and rarely leaves the confines of the office walls. Yet, each week, I am totally glued to my screen watching these 'Everyday Lives' being lived. It is a testament to the original material, the screenwriter, the director, and the marvelous actors in this that this show can achieve this kind of devotion. I am so happy to hear that it is getting great ratings and continues to climb in popularity every week.
Again...wonderful review! I hope many people give this show a chance and find themselves amazed also at how watching everyday people live everyday lives can be as thrilling and fulfilling to watch as any superhero blockbuster, or a melodrama!