Thrilling, Fast-Paced, and Keeps You Guessing
This show is really one of the best I've watched lately, and I tend to be a picky viewer. I really love all the layers to this show and although I won't give any spoilers, this story is really something incredible!
Story: 9/10
This storyline is very intriguing, two genius neurosurgeons who are both off their rockers insane. The story follows a master and pupil and the various ups and downs in their relationship, as well as explores their morality. A great quote from this show that encapsulates it is "I saved one person so I killed another". It's not exactly a new idea that doctors (especially prestigious surgeons) have their egos, but what exactly can a person do to protect their ego? And what happens when such a selfish, cold-hearted person meets someone exactly on their wavelength? Do they become enemies or allies--or both at once in a twisted way that only makes sense to them? I also feel that this show indirectly explores the idea of what it means to be family as well; is family someone that you kill for or someone you die for? Is family someone that's close to you by blood relation, or someone whose mind works like yours--someone who understands you and relates to you in a way others can't? That being said I LOVED the dynamic between the main characters, although I do wish we got to see more of what led both of them to become neurosurgeons, as it's only really hinted at intermittently. Overall, the story is full of lots of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and my only real complaint with the story is that I wish they had made this show 12 episodes instead of 8 in order to give us some more depth to the already amazing relationships and cases within it.
Acting/Cast: 10/10
Now, I must admit I am a new-found fan of Park Eun Bin, having watched her in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Castaway Diva. Every role I've seen her in she absolutely nails, but I found myself loving how she portrays the ruthless Dr. Jeong. Although you never really get a clear understanding of what Dr. Jeong (or even Dr. Choi)'s diagnosis is, I would bet it's most likely Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) due to her ruthlessness, her manipulative nature, and her sense of everything/everyone she cares about "belonging" to her. And although I don't really have a deep understanding of ASPD, based on what I read she takes an already very well written plot and uses her acting to make the character come to life. In all honesty, I can't think of many actresses that could pull off this type of explosive and layered character as well as her. Truly love her!
As for Sul Kyung Gu who plays Dr. Choi, I have only really seen him in the movie Kill Bok Soon, which I haven't watched since it came out 2 years ago but I do remember liking his acting in that, too. He also plays the cutting-edge Dr. Choi very well, pulling in the similar ASPD traits but making them his own, giving his character a haughty but somewhat-controlled air---someone that plays a "show" to the world while still showing the viewers how twisted his character is on the inside at the same time. I found it very impressive!
As for the side characters, I felt they all did a great job in their roles, especially Dr. Han (played by Park Byung Eun), Seo Yeong Ju (played by Yoon Chan Young) and Ms. Ra (played by Kang Ji Eun). My only real complaint, which I touched on above in the story section, is that we don't get to see the roots of those characters. For example, where they came from, what their inner motivations are, how they ended up in the positions they do. In that sense the show feels very much like a blockbuster movie but longer, and again, makes me wish they made the show 12 episodes instead of 8 to give us more insight into the characters.
Music: 8/10
Like I say in all of my reviews, I'm really not an OST person. The music was good so it gets an 8/10 for me as always.
Rewatch Value: 9/10
Like I usually say, I'm not a big re-watcher of shows but I did enjoy the fast-paced storyline and the phenomenal acting in this show so I can see myself re-watching this later on.
For people that are on the fence about this show, I would definitely say to give it a try, but to be careful as there is quite a bit of violence and blood in it. But if you can stomach that, this show is a really great (and quick!) watch.
Thanks for reading :)
Story: 9/10
This storyline is very intriguing, two genius neurosurgeons who are both off their rockers insane. The story follows a master and pupil and the various ups and downs in their relationship, as well as explores their morality. A great quote from this show that encapsulates it is "I saved one person so I killed another". It's not exactly a new idea that doctors (especially prestigious surgeons) have their egos, but what exactly can a person do to protect their ego? And what happens when such a selfish, cold-hearted person meets someone exactly on their wavelength? Do they become enemies or allies--or both at once in a twisted way that only makes sense to them? I also feel that this show indirectly explores the idea of what it means to be family as well; is family someone that you kill for or someone you die for? Is family someone that's close to you by blood relation, or someone whose mind works like yours--someone who understands you and relates to you in a way others can't? That being said I LOVED the dynamic between the main characters, although I do wish we got to see more of what led both of them to become neurosurgeons, as it's only really hinted at intermittently. Overall, the story is full of lots of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and my only real complaint with the story is that I wish they had made this show 12 episodes instead of 8 in order to give us some more depth to the already amazing relationships and cases within it.
Acting/Cast: 10/10
Now, I must admit I am a new-found fan of Park Eun Bin, having watched her in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Castaway Diva. Every role I've seen her in she absolutely nails, but I found myself loving how she portrays the ruthless Dr. Jeong. Although you never really get a clear understanding of what Dr. Jeong (or even Dr. Choi)'s diagnosis is, I would bet it's most likely Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) due to her ruthlessness, her manipulative nature, and her sense of everything/everyone she cares about "belonging" to her. And although I don't really have a deep understanding of ASPD, based on what I read she takes an already very well written plot and uses her acting to make the character come to life. In all honesty, I can't think of many actresses that could pull off this type of explosive and layered character as well as her. Truly love her!
As for Sul Kyung Gu who plays Dr. Choi, I have only really seen him in the movie Kill Bok Soon, which I haven't watched since it came out 2 years ago but I do remember liking his acting in that, too. He also plays the cutting-edge Dr. Choi very well, pulling in the similar ASPD traits but making them his own, giving his character a haughty but somewhat-controlled air---someone that plays a "show" to the world while still showing the viewers how twisted his character is on the inside at the same time. I found it very impressive!
As for the side characters, I felt they all did a great job in their roles, especially Dr. Han (played by Park Byung Eun), Seo Yeong Ju (played by Yoon Chan Young) and Ms. Ra (played by Kang Ji Eun). My only real complaint, which I touched on above in the story section, is that we don't get to see the roots of those characters. For example, where they came from, what their inner motivations are, how they ended up in the positions they do. In that sense the show feels very much like a blockbuster movie but longer, and again, makes me wish they made the show 12 episodes instead of 8 to give us more insight into the characters.
Music: 8/10
Like I say in all of my reviews, I'm really not an OST person. The music was good so it gets an 8/10 for me as always.
Rewatch Value: 9/10
Like I usually say, I'm not a big re-watcher of shows but I did enjoy the fast-paced storyline and the phenomenal acting in this show so I can see myself re-watching this later on.
For people that are on the fence about this show, I would definitely say to give it a try, but to be careful as there is quite a bit of violence and blood in it. But if you can stomach that, this show is a really great (and quick!) watch.
Thanks for reading :)
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