351
401
66
11
8
23
3
2
54
37
48
38
13
9
65
12
6
6
20
7
3
2
12
31
29
6
14
74
96
78
26
The cases are twisted, but the love is sweet.
After watching Coroner's Diary, I can't decide whether to rate it 8.5 or 9 out of 10, but I do understand why this drama is so popular. Not only is it a nice blend of romance, crime, and mystery, but it also doesn't shy away from exposing the darker side of humanity, delving into the uncomfortable truths and hidden secrets that society tends to turn a blind eye to. While the themes can be heavy and depressing at times, the writers are able to consistently and effectively lighten the mood with a balanced amount of warmth, sweetness, and humor.
What I liked:
• Strong protagonists: Shen Wan and Yan Chi are both genuinely good people. They are also mature, intelligent, and supportive of each other, and there is no angst or misunderstandings between them. They have so much trust and respect for each other that not once do either one of them question the other person's capability or character. I am usually not a fan of love at first sight or instalove, but I make an exception for them. They are the greenest of green flags when it comes to couples in cdramas.
• Engaging side characters: They are charming, loyal, and fun to watch — a much needed and stark contrast to the seriousness of the crimes in the drama. The story will not be what it is without them.
• High production value: I love the attention to detail the production put into the costumes, sets, and props. I'm not sure what the budget is for this drama, but everything appears lavish and meticulously crafted. The cinematography in this drama is also aesthetically pleasing. Every scene is like a painting.
• Ethical storytelling: Although the horrors committed against these victims are some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, Shen Wan always treats the victims with dignity and respect. She gives a voice to the voiceless. To her, the pursuit of justice is more important than the chase for prestige. This prevents the cases from being overly sensationalized, which I really appreciate as a viewer.
What I did not like:
• Conveniently placed clues and easy cases: Not all, but some of the cases require us as viewers to overlook the convenient placement of the clues and the ease with which the cases are solved. They are still enjoyable, but predictable.
• Pacing: A few of the episodes in the fourth quarter are quite slow and uninteresting, but thankfully the final episodes are exciting and fulfilling, giving us a satisfying ending.
• Comical villains: Towards the end, the villains become theatrical. They even have scenes where they perform exaggerated evil monologues, topped off with their own manic laughter. This makes them seem more comical than threatening, which I find disappointing.
Even with its flaws though, Coroner's Diary is still a great watch. Not every drama needs to be a critically acclaimed and flawless masterpiece in order for it to be enjoyable. Sometimes we watch dramas simply because we like the endearing characters in the stories and we want an entertaining escape from reality — and that is okay. Coroner's Diary checks those boxes for me. It is fun, intriguing, and an overall positive experience.
Coroner's Diary can be described as a cross between Apothecary Diaries and Bones. Viewers who desire a little crime and mystery in their romance will find this drama to be compelling. However, those who are sensitive to graphic content — such as gore, corpses / human remains, human trafficking, mass graves, domestic violence, SA against women and children, and necrophilia — should approach this drama with caution, as many of the cases in this drama involve such crimes against humanity.
What I liked:
• Strong protagonists: Shen Wan and Yan Chi are both genuinely good people. They are also mature, intelligent, and supportive of each other, and there is no angst or misunderstandings between them. They have so much trust and respect for each other that not once do either one of them question the other person's capability or character. I am usually not a fan of love at first sight or instalove, but I make an exception for them. They are the greenest of green flags when it comes to couples in cdramas.
• Engaging side characters: They are charming, loyal, and fun to watch — a much needed and stark contrast to the seriousness of the crimes in the drama. The story will not be what it is without them.
• High production value: I love the attention to detail the production put into the costumes, sets, and props. I'm not sure what the budget is for this drama, but everything appears lavish and meticulously crafted. The cinematography in this drama is also aesthetically pleasing. Every scene is like a painting.
• Ethical storytelling: Although the horrors committed against these victims are some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, Shen Wan always treats the victims with dignity and respect. She gives a voice to the voiceless. To her, the pursuit of justice is more important than the chase for prestige. This prevents the cases from being overly sensationalized, which I really appreciate as a viewer.
What I did not like:
• Conveniently placed clues and easy cases: Not all, but some of the cases require us as viewers to overlook the convenient placement of the clues and the ease with which the cases are solved. They are still enjoyable, but predictable.
• Pacing: A few of the episodes in the fourth quarter are quite slow and uninteresting, but thankfully the final episodes are exciting and fulfilling, giving us a satisfying ending.
• Comical villains: Towards the end, the villains become theatrical. They even have scenes where they perform exaggerated evil monologues, topped off with their own manic laughter. This makes them seem more comical than threatening, which I find disappointing.
Even with its flaws though, Coroner's Diary is still a great watch. Not every drama needs to be a critically acclaimed and flawless masterpiece in order for it to be enjoyable. Sometimes we watch dramas simply because we like the endearing characters in the stories and we want an entertaining escape from reality — and that is okay. Coroner's Diary checks those boxes for me. It is fun, intriguing, and an overall positive experience.
Coroner's Diary can be described as a cross between Apothecary Diaries and Bones. Viewers who desire a little crime and mystery in their romance will find this drama to be compelling. However, those who are sensitive to graphic content — such as gore, corpses / human remains, human trafficking, mass graves, domestic violence, SA against women and children, and necrophilia — should approach this drama with caution, as many of the cases in this drama involve such crimes against humanity.
Was this review helpful to you?
