Kizzy

I have so much faith in tvN dramas. I'm really thankful this is Kyungsoo's first drama as a lead. Fingers crossed it exceeds our expectations.

Absolutely stunning movie. I always wish the ending hadn't been so open-ended... anyone have an idea whether the two main leads survive the ambush? Or is the fact that they are in a still frame, suspended in air, a symbol of their freedom from both the rope and the abyss (ground)? Only then are they truly free from the cruel tyrannies they faced in life... There are so many layers to the story-telling that every time I re-watch this film I discover something new. A sign of a masterpiece. :)

I believe this film was less about a traditional love story and more about the kind of bond that's found only once or twice in a lifetime. Regardless of the time that's passed, the circumstances that may have changed, or the distance, there are people who touch your heart in a way in which they become a part of who you are and will become... We love them on a deeper level, they are family regardless of the blood in their veins. The two main characters in this story were meant to meet, meant to go through the struggles they faced, and, ultimately, meant to arrive at the conclusion they reach. However sad it may be... We all have those people in our lives that are our own definition of family, those people who you think of first on a sad day, and we often take them for granted or fail to see their value until they're gone. This was bittersweet... but beautifully shot and acted. Please watch if you're considering. A gem.

This is the kind of film that requires a re-watch in order to fully understand and appreciate.. unfortunately most won't take the time to do that because it's just - too - draining. It was shot in such an interesting, refreshing way. The music was simply beautiful... but the subject matter was so dark and twisted.
Did anyone else deal with an adolescence like this? I was bullied... I felt very low and had some dark moments alone, and I certainly had an odd cult-like following with some bands at that age. Maybe because everything is very confusing when you're growing up.. But my God... I never dealt with the kind of issues these kids dealt with. I felt for the main boy. The one we followed the whole movie who got pushed and shoved and manipulated like putty. I pitied him. I felt empathy for him. What could he have done differently? I don't know because Ive never dealt with such daunting conflicts at that young age. He was obviously pushed to his limit, and like anything, he snapped.
It's been said already, but this movie is simply not for everyone. It's slow-paced and hard to stomach. Sickening at moments... the contrast between the way it is shot, with long stretches of little to no dialogue - Debussy’s Arabesque playing lightly in the background throughout to convey an almost ethereal feel - contrasted TOO much to the dark, unbearable reality these kids faced... and it could be too much at times. In my opinion. And honestly, I feel more empty now than I did before watching it. Take from that what you like.
I think it takes a person who's suffered with mental health to fully understand the pain put into this film. Or someone who's suffered a lot period. And certainly whoever made this film must have felt that level of pain at some point in order to convey such a dreary depiction of youth. Anyway, this will not be a film easily forgotten. And I don't know if I'm happy I watched it... but it was interesting. I wasn't bored. And that's that.

I found this movie to be so refreshing... and then I see people giving it scores of 5! Good example of how diverse people's tastes in movies can be. I prefer a slower paced style of story telling... one that is more realistic but rich with life lessons or an overarching message. This certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it was MY perfect cup of tea. :) Please don't hesitate to give it a try!

He looks so young! I thought he was a baby in Queen for Seven Days... haha he's only a few years younger than me.

Really enjoy this actress. She's a breath of fresh air. Looking forward to Mr. Sunshine.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Yeah... okay. I don't agree with your points and you don't agree with mine so let's agree to disagree. I seriously don't want to debate this anymore, never intended to. Have a good day...

You want very specific details? Well... I can provide you with one that resonated with me long after the show ended.
"It doesn't mean someone's in bigger pain just because he cries louder." From a convo with granny and Lee Kang-Doo in episode 4. It's a simple lesson, but one that we often forget. In this convo, Granny was trying to help Gang Doo understand that we can't simply judge a person's level of grief to our own experiences or expectations. Everyone deals with trauma in their own unique ways. We tend to notice those who suffer more loudly (Ha Moon Soo's mother) and we quickly and easily label sufferers or judge them for acting one way or another out of grief. I think it's plausible that a mother could react the way Moon Soo's did. I've actually seen it occur in my own life, unfortunately, and it's one of the saddest outcomes but isn't unrealistic. Truthfully, not all people handle a trauma eloquently, (mothers included.) Again, a reason I commend this drama. It was not pretty to watch at points... but felt real.
And the overall message from the show? I think you may have overlooked this, or looked at it very surface level, but it was to embrace your struggles. It is these struggles that help build our resilience and help us grow as people who can feel compassion and empathy for those who surround us. When embraced and understood, our own obstacles can become tools in strengthening our spirits. And when we learn to embrace these "faults" as strengths and truly love ourselves, we can accept love from those around us, begin leaning on them, and let them support us in our road to recovery... slowly but surely. This lesson was one that both the main characters had to come to terms with throughout the entirely of the show.. and at the end they express the relief they feel in having found each other... in understanding each other. And ultimately, the trauma the main characters deal with may never fully subside, but having been vulnerable and surrounding themselves with people who love and support, they could take steps towards lightning the loads they carry. Hope this satisfies. Is it obvious I cherish this drama?

Also... just wanted to mention this: I have ADD so I could never finish a 16-20 ep show in three days. Again, offering a different perspective here. Not everyone watches dramas in the same way you might... they might not even be able to watch it in one sitting, but it doesn't mean they didn't enjoy it.

I'm not trying to convince you it was a good show... if you didn't like it, I respect that. However, you likewise should be open-minded in acknowledging that other people may have loved it, and that's okay. I did give reasons why I enjoyed this show. Please see my first response. I'll expand a bit: It's character driven. It focuses on the development of it's main cast more than any overarching storyline... which I enjoyed. It had a beautiful soundtrack, beautiful cinematography. It felt *real* in its depiction of mental health, trauma, and the affects it can have on a family and never once sugar-coated any of the real-world issues it addressed. I was genuinely moved by the struggles the characters faced, partly because I've dealt with similar issues. I also believe the cast did an excellent job in delivering lines that were hard and gritty to film. I believe most (most) of the cast did a great job in their respective roles. And like with most shows, there were aspects that I didn't enjoy, (and yes there were some cliche moments,) but these faults weren't a hinderance to my overall enjoyment of the show. Lastly, it taught life lessons. The talks characters would have, especially between Granny and others, were enlightening, refreshing, and heartfelt. I liked how it highlighted the wisdom older generations can offer us, and really gave it a spotlight throughout the show. And while I agree to an extent that a rating should not be without reason, people CAN and should rate based off of the emotional response it gave them. Finally, you believing this drama is not deserving of its score is, ultimately, your opinion. The rating is not misleading if someone actually did enjoy the drama.... which it looks like a lot of people did. You are using your opinion as the end all be all... when in reality a drama can be rated based on a plethora of reasons and isn't contingent on the set of guidelines you prescribe. One person can give it a score of zero, one can give it a ten for various reasons specific to their tastes, and we have no control over that. Again though... you have every right to dislike it. I'm just trying to explain why a rating on a drama can be high, even if you dislike it. And on that note I think I'm done! I didn't want to get into a debate really, I was just offering a different perspective. Have a good night!

You don't have to like it... but don't assume that just because you don't like it that it's a bad drama. I've found plenty of dramas I didn't enjoy, even hated, but I could look objectively at it and see how it could appeal to others. This drama has a high rating for a reason. Enough people enjoyed it to give it that score. It earned that score... Anyway, I hope you can find a show you like next time.

And that's okay... we all have differing opinions. I'm glad you at least tried it out.

You see this kind of reply in the comment section of a lot of high-rated dramas. People not understanding why a drama is so loved when they did not enjoy it themselves. The simple answer is that everyone has different tastes. I can certainly understand why you may have disliked this drama. It's slower paced, focuses mainly on characters and not story, and is very heavy to watch in one sitting. However, character driven shows are some of my favorite things to watch. I want to feel invested in the people I'm watching. I loved how focused this drama was on its cast and the finer nuances of everyday life. It was realistic, in its depiction of mental health and trauma (something I relate to highly) and wasn't afraid to showcase the grim repercussions that can have on a person and their family. It's not everyone's cup of tea... and that's okay. If you still disliked it after finishing it, try determining what you do enjoy in a show and look for genres more similar to your unique taste. :)

Kin Tae Ri is an amazing actress. So excited to see her in more roles. <3 This drama is right up my alley. Very excited.

Completely agree. If nothing else, this show paves the way for future romantic realism in k drama.

I feel like the song almost belittles men actually. There's a line "cause after all, he's just a man." As if a man needs a woman to function. I sort of dislike the song in all aspects. Wish it wasn't so overplayed in the drama.

This is exciting!

Prison Playbook (while I haven't finished it) is an excellent drama. I have heard a lot of praise from drama watchers. :D

Some of the recent dramas (Prison Playbook, Just Between Lovers, Something in the Rain) have really started to hone in on this natural/laid back vibe that feels... right. It's like a breath of fresh air in the midst of an otherwise stale rinse and repeat formula other asian dramas follow. These shows have a richness to them that seems unparalleled? It's like I'm drinking a fine wine every time I tune in to watch a new episode... and I really savor it all. I'm just so happy I get to enjoy some good quality shows this year. Thanks for a great article!