latteholic

The plot is predictably familiar and doesn't bring anything new to the table, but the action and comedy aspects, a la Ma Dong Seok, really make up for it. It's a matter of expectations, really. If you're hoping for a movie with deep social commentary similar to Concrete Utopia, you might be disappointed. However, if you're just in need of something for pure entertainment, then this will be an enjoyable watch.

Also, I read that Ahn Ji Hye did most of her stunts, mad props for her!

if you already know it's not to your taste then there's no point to continue
just my 2 cents

I missed catching this in theaters last year, but discovering it on Viu's new film release roster was a pleasant surprise, and it didn't disappoint. The movie is a captivating blend of thriller, mystery, and horror, and I appreciate how it kept me guessing until the end. The uncertainty and unreliable narrators might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I personally believe that the quality of the filmmaking here really stands out. The narrative is tightly woven, and every scene is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, leaving no space for dull moments. Jung Yu Mi's acting is fantastic, striking a balance between humor and terror. Despite the plot getting a bit predictable in the third act, I like how the film's mix of eerie elements and suspenseful moments keeps the ride thoroughly enjoyable for me.

Absolutely, I can understand your perspective. I just commented because I don't fully agree with the idea that a mystery/thriller fan wouldn't enjoy it, it's not a universal rule. Personally, I appreciated the character development each main character underwent. There was a meaningful reconciliation among the main characters, and it showcased a subtle form of growth without completely changing their personalities, which I believe fits well within the story's scope. The FL character development (esp her role in the university) resonated with me because I know firsthand how toxic academia can be, and so I probably liked the ending more than others and the conclusion she reached in the end.

Again, I'm not discounting your opinion; I'm just disagreeing with your statement that generalizes anyone who likes this genre.

I disagree. I enjoy mystery and thriller genres, and although this drama is not mind-blowing, I thought it was a good slow burn thriller. It doesn't rely on quick-paced action or immediate shocks, if that is something you look for. The tension simmers beneath the surface, with a focus on character development, atmosphere, and the gradual unfolding of the plot.

I've been eyeing this one on VIU for a while, but I saved it for days when I needed a good laugh. Finally got around to it after watching Sleep, and it's a fantastic palette cleanser! Tbh, it's been a minute since I saw the first movie, so comparing them is a bit tricky (plus, Idk why I need to do that, just noticed that seems to be the theme in the comments here), but I can say that I enjoyed this one just as much.

The premise feels familiar, but throwing Daniel Henney into the mix sets it apart. I loved the My Name is Kim Sam Soon reunion, especially how Daniel Henney still managed to make Hyun Bin jealous, forcing him to reluctantly spill his feelings. The humor and petty rivalry between Hyun Bin and Daniel always crack me up, and Yoo Hae Jin's obliviousness just adds to the comedy.

The only hiccup I noticed is that the main conflicts and the villain characters weren't really fleshed out; they felt more like plot devices to bring the trio together. But overall, it's a blast of a ride as long as you jump in without expecting much other than to be entertained with the awesome action scenes and laugh your way through it.

yeah, you nailed it with "a show without young, good looking oppas as mls, unhappy or bittersweet ending, no romance and moral ambiguity then it's guaranteed not to reach a high rating on this site". And don't get me wrong; it's totally fine if that's what some people enjoy. The only thing that personally irks me is when folks watch just a few episodes, realize it's not their cup of tea or not what they expected, drop it, and still give it a low score, even though they knew from the start they don't vibe with that kind of story or dramas.

That was such a power move at the end of episode 22

lol, yeah, I should know. Some of my favorite dramas/movies score lower than 8 on this site. So, I don't really trust the rating system anymore, especially for dark psychological thrillers like this one or Mask Girl. Some people score lower either because the drama was not what they expected going in or because they found the subject matter disturbing, which I think is not a very objective way to rate something, but well, each to their own.

I should watch more shows rated below 8 here...

The university storyline is merely a subplot used to provide background to the FL's actions in the main plot. I don't think we are supposed to get resolution there, but I don't consider it filler, as the events that occurred there made her desperate enough to eliminate any obstacles to sell the burial ground, even if it meant abducting her half-brother.

Almost sounded like you don't like character arc in drama....

I squeed more when the king personally went to Gang Gam-chan's hometown to get him back, just in time to see him defending his king... lol

forget the romance in this drama...

I really liked "The Silence of The Bones" by June Hur! I fan-cast Ha Ji Won while reading it because, well, she's Jumo. And "The Red Palace" is on my TBR pile...

Anyway, I think "The Inheritance Games" and "Thieves' Gambit" would make interesting k-dramas...

I kinda loving the palace politics that is brewing now...

It puzzles me that Netflix is listed here in the 'Where to Watch Korea-Khitan War,' but I don't see it anywhere on Netflix. Maybe they will eventually air it after it has finished?

- Main gripe: Lack of backstory about the relationship between Lady Maeda and Chae Ok's mom.
- So Chae Ok's dad blew up the basement of the hospital, yet Lieutenant Kato somehow avoided getting hurt and even assisted in delivering Akiko's baby (or maybe he just cut the baby out).
- Did Chae Ok really wait for four days before telling her dad that she saw her mom?
- How is it that Ishikawa is not the first person that Akiko killed after she turned (it's okay, though; it only takes another episode to see his comeuppance)?
-I'm pretty sure that Chae Ok died, judging from Tae Sang's crying. So even if her mom then brings her to the water to transfer the Najin, wouldn't that mean it's the zombie version of Chae Ok (since it controls the brain) instead of the immortal version?
- Lady Maeda only suffer from having half of her body burned in that explosion. Seems like she doesn't need what's in the cup. She's already invincible.

So, hmm, I'm a bit disappointed with the last three episodes. I'll stick with the rating I had for the previous seven episodes: 7/10. It's still entertaining if I don't try to overanalyze things, but I think it still suffers from the same pacing issue: slow in some scenes, then rushed in the final episode. However, my biggest gripe is that they didn't flesh out the backstory for one of the main characters crucial in this part 2. I was hoping to see a flashback scene at the beginning of an episode that would narrate the character's past, helping us better understand their motives, similar to what was done in the previous episodes. Unfortunately, it lacks that here. Also, there are several plot holes that bugged me, but more on that in the spoiler section.

Perhaps a surgical scar to extract something from his brain (the Najin)? This made me speculate that in Season 2, we will revisit the past to depict what happened between Season 1 and the post-credit scene