This review may contain spoilers
A Graceful Liar - Lies, Greed, Ambition, and Revenge Within a Family Dynasty
So overall, I didn't hate this drama. It could've been MUCH better, but I didn't hate it. The plot was pretty interesting, and I liked the unconventional FL we had. I didn't hate the ending either, because not every drama needs a happy ending, and this is one of them. It was bittersweet, just like I predicted.
That being said, I am LIVID that YC got a happy ending! WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT??? AND JW ENDING UP ALONE?! I feel like she got punished far more than YC did- just for stealing her identity and being ambitious & greedy for a little while? I mean, I don't mind that HN and JW didn't end up together- it's what I wanted- but writing it like that just makes me feel so bad for him! 😭 NS's ending felt so lazy to me. Also, there were so many questions unanswered? So those politician guys were introduced for nothing? The model ex & his fate? JW's ex? The drone video of YC killing the model ex? SH's bio dad? HELLO?!
However, the strongest parts of the drama were some of the character arcs and the acting. Everyone did a great job, and even Lee Shi-Ah's acting stabilized later on (it wasn't too great at first.) The best character development has to go to Nan-Suk, who turned around towards the end. Then Ha-Neul, who finally stepped up in the second half of the drama and became the MVP, and then Hye-Ra. While her character arc & storyline was confusing sometimes, her redemption (and Lee Il-Hwa's portrayal) saved it. Jung-Won fell somewhere in the middle, I honestly would've rather seen her become a villain than stay as an anti-heroine or become semi-good. The writers put her character through too much for her to not go completely dark. But I liked that she was introduced as someone who wasn't a good person and didn't take any BS. That aspect of her character was consistent, I loved it.
Worst characters/character arcs go to Se-Hun and Young-Chae. Young-Chae ESPECIALLY. She was a flat, BORING ass character from beginning to end. There was NOTHING likable about her. I hope the few YC fans are happy here, because she got pretty much everything she wanted. 🙄 When you have me liking the final boss more than YOU, that says A LOT! Se-Hun was slightly better, if pathetic at times. But he was a sympathetic guy from the beginning, deceived by everyone. I actually wanted him and JW to work out. I hated how he went dark and it just... went nowhere? Nothing to say about Tae-Seok, I hated him, his actor did amazing, and I'm glad his character is dead. Thank goodness! YIPPEE!
The cinematography was amazing though. This felt less like a daily drama and more like a weekend drama. Things were more intricate and real, there were outside/real location shots and the drama was aesthetically pleasing to watch. KBS2 daily drama budgets have clearly gone up! I love that! The music was also incredible! Especially the BGM, I hope it's released someday. The plot... okay, so the first half was amazing. The second half, not so much. Some parts dragged on. Didn't really mind the birth secrets, but the one with JW genuinely shocked me. It was a very good, well-executed twist. As for the themes, well, I think... they were examined well? Greed gets you nowhere, family can be chosen, and sometimes revenge can hurt you (the avenger) more than the person you want revenge on. Also, lies can destroy a family, your relationships, and people who love each other. Sometimes it's not worth to get power. Basically none of the characters are running Gun-Hyang Group anymore. There was no point in fighting over the company, all they did was destroy themselves in the process.
Would I rewatch this? Not really. Maybe some parts, but not everything. If the ending was a bit better, if some questions were answered, and if some character arcs were changed, then it could've gotten above an 8 rating from me. Nonetheless, a decent drama.
That being said, I am LIVID that YC got a happy ending! WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT??? AND JW ENDING UP ALONE?! I feel like she got punished far more than YC did- just for stealing her identity and being ambitious & greedy for a little while? I mean, I don't mind that HN and JW didn't end up together- it's what I wanted- but writing it like that just makes me feel so bad for him! 😭 NS's ending felt so lazy to me. Also, there were so many questions unanswered? So those politician guys were introduced for nothing? The model ex & his fate? JW's ex? The drone video of YC killing the model ex? SH's bio dad? HELLO?!
However, the strongest parts of the drama were some of the character arcs and the acting. Everyone did a great job, and even Lee Shi-Ah's acting stabilized later on (it wasn't too great at first.) The best character development has to go to Nan-Suk, who turned around towards the end. Then Ha-Neul, who finally stepped up in the second half of the drama and became the MVP, and then Hye-Ra. While her character arc & storyline was confusing sometimes, her redemption (and Lee Il-Hwa's portrayal) saved it. Jung-Won fell somewhere in the middle, I honestly would've rather seen her become a villain than stay as an anti-heroine or become semi-good. The writers put her character through too much for her to not go completely dark. But I liked that she was introduced as someone who wasn't a good person and didn't take any BS. That aspect of her character was consistent, I loved it.
Worst characters/character arcs go to Se-Hun and Young-Chae. Young-Chae ESPECIALLY. She was a flat, BORING ass character from beginning to end. There was NOTHING likable about her. I hope the few YC fans are happy here, because she got pretty much everything she wanted. 🙄 When you have me liking the final boss more than YOU, that says A LOT! Se-Hun was slightly better, if pathetic at times. But he was a sympathetic guy from the beginning, deceived by everyone. I actually wanted him and JW to work out. I hated how he went dark and it just... went nowhere? Nothing to say about Tae-Seok, I hated him, his actor did amazing, and I'm glad his character is dead. Thank goodness! YIPPEE!
The cinematography was amazing though. This felt less like a daily drama and more like a weekend drama. Things were more intricate and real, there were outside/real location shots and the drama was aesthetically pleasing to watch. KBS2 daily drama budgets have clearly gone up! I love that! The music was also incredible! Especially the BGM, I hope it's released someday. The plot... okay, so the first half was amazing. The second half, not so much. Some parts dragged on. Didn't really mind the birth secrets, but the one with JW genuinely shocked me. It was a very good, well-executed twist. As for the themes, well, I think... they were examined well? Greed gets you nowhere, family can be chosen, and sometimes revenge can hurt you (the avenger) more than the person you want revenge on. Also, lies can destroy a family, your relationships, and people who love each other. Sometimes it's not worth to get power. Basically none of the characters are running Gun-Hyang Group anymore. There was no point in fighting over the company, all they did was destroy themselves in the process.
Would I rewatch this? Not really. Maybe some parts, but not everything. If the ending was a bit better, if some questions were answered, and if some character arcs were changed, then it could've gotten above an 8 rating from me. Nonetheless, a decent drama.
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