Thanks for writing about this! Such a worthwhile read! It's been ages since I got to rewatch Ring series and other Japanese horror classics. Not sure if Ring (1998) was released here but I remember watching the American remake in theater. When I got home, the phone suddenly rang and I didn't want to answer it. Turned out my mom was trying to call me xD For the latter versions, I've only seen Sadako 3D 2. I have yet to catch up the others^^
I finally got to watch this on Tubi! There are few things I find unexplained like the church and the circles which I thought might be significant... and when the fiancée felt betrayed, but didn't confirm it... but then I thought better off that way if she doesn't want to get involved with a partner suffering from psychological issues...
The film might appear confusing, but to me, it was something unusual. Exclude the support cast and acting was carried mostly by Jun Ji Hyun. She was so gloomy and traumatized here, not over the top or bland, but in immersed and believable way. Added to the fact that she was only 21 then, yet they made her aged in that character.
I find the drama great with its impressive unpredictable plot, well-defined characters, and commendable finale. The character I liked the most is Cha Gwan-woo. He started off as an optimistic, trusting, humble person that some people took it for granted then the dilemma hit them so hard causing him to quit his job. He was so disheartened on how the things turned out that he spent some time repressing those and when he realized the reason why he chose that profession, he regained his once enthusiastic self. With wiser decisions, he was back again at helping people, particularly the antagonist that until the end, he didn't neglect despite how awful that person did. Though the main guy Park Soo-ha worked on his emotional maturity, the compassion in Gwan-woo's character was clear from the start.
lol who accidentally defribillates someone's crotch? and will volunteer to feel that? now that's... normal rhythm xD
Anyway, great acting from the cast, and I like how the story was done. The only gripe I had was the last 30 mins like, okaay... I forgot what the synopsis is about, got bored with all the shootings. Too long, and I was waiting for it to be over... But in fairness, the story redeemed itself with that plot twist in the end.
I must say how striking Kim Seo Hyung's character was! Coach Kim is already an ambitious person to begin with, so having a genius child added up to her pride coz that will be a slap against her former colleague. Then the incident happened so regret, anger, and guilt mixed up. The guilt together with the ego lead her not to admit the crime but rather created a sense of superiority and denial. She thinks she need to do these things in behalf of the brightest students who are struggling. The thing is, her regret upon the incident is shown every time she looks at her daughter BUT chose to justify her plans by all means BECAUSE her anger towards herself projected towards other parents who do the same pressuring she did, and by doing that, she is also torturing herself. Encountering a smart kid like Ye Seo (who is willing and desperately wanting) gave her the extra benefit to avenge the unfairness in her life. About dispatching the blackmailer, again, with Kim's pride that leads to aggressiveness, what could a mere out of wedlock get upon blocking her way, right? I think the complexity and misery of the character was done well. One that completely knows the consequences of their actions but the inner torment still dominates oneself therefore continuing the action.
I wish I would have known it was based on a real life person before I started watching it. I only found that out…
I looked it up also after watching and didn't read anything that it was based on a true story. The female lead was working in a broadcasting company so I guess the note in the end was from the station's perspective - their way of saying to the public what the guy's life has been, not to us real viewers.
Haha! Yes, Mayu is pretty. Not only that, she's very likable too. I remember her saying in an interwiew how Kirin Kiri (co-star in Shoplifter) told her that her face is forgettable but advantage is, she can deliver any character without recognizing/comparing her to previous roles. Mayu admitted she got hurt at first but took it positively as the veteran pointed out.
finally! got to bingewatch the last 4 episodes! episode 7 bored me out, but ep8 strikes back with freaking intense! 9? oh gosh, how I love the transition! from pulling something out of the mouth to offering some meat... from Camera 3 to ahjumma's performance level in karaoke lol you just couldn't help but to be excited with the finale! and alas! wasn't disappointed, this drama was excellently done!
damn that girlfriend of yours, writer wannabe! she pissed the hell out of me in episode 5 then the next thing I know, she scared me to death with that bloodshot eyes!
everyone who has been keeping updates abt this drama since its pre production days knows that LDW was one of the…
oh.. I thought LDW was just teasing and that was Siwan's reaction at the moment.. but yeah, the mirror scene, I didn't notice.. interesting theory.. will rewatch them tomorrow.. do you know what time the Eng-subbed will be released?
Also is it normal that his coworkers pisses me off more than his psycho cannibals cohabitants lol
even the other police officer is annoying.. his girlfriend's boss is somehow tolerable lol maybe more on creepiness from those boarders rather than annoyance
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For the latter versions, I've only seen Sadako 3D 2. I have yet to catch up the others^^
saw it on Amazon, too... and yes, it wasn't translated yet
The film might appear confusing, but to me, it was something unusual. Exclude the support cast and acting was carried mostly by Jun Ji Hyun. She was so gloomy and traumatized here, not over the top or bland, but in immersed and believable way. Added to the fact that she was only 21 then, yet they made her aged in that character.
Anyway, great acting from the cast, and I like how the story was done. The only gripe I had was the last 30 mins like, okaay... I forgot what the synopsis is about, got bored with all the shootings. Too long, and I was waiting for it to be over... But in fairness, the story redeemed itself with that plot twist in the end.
Coach Kim is already an ambitious person to begin with, so having a genius child added up to her pride coz that will be a slap against her former colleague. Then the incident happened so regret, anger, and guilt mixed up. The guilt together with the ego lead her not to admit the crime but rather created a sense of superiority and denial. She thinks she need to do these things in behalf of the brightest students who are struggling. The thing is, her regret upon the incident is shown every time she looks at her daughter BUT chose to justify her plans by all means BECAUSE her anger towards herself projected towards other parents who do the same pressuring she did, and by doing that, she is also torturing herself. Encountering a smart kid like Ye Seo (who is willing and desperately wanting) gave her the extra benefit to avenge the unfairness in her life.
About dispatching the blackmailer, again, with Kim's pride that leads to aggressiveness, what could a mere out of wedlock get upon blocking her way, right?
I think the complexity and misery of the character was done well. One that completely knows the consequences of their actions but the inner torment still dominates oneself therefore continuing the action.