I can see why this drama is highly rated. It completely captures the complexity of human relationships to the…
Akana: The perfect example of a Genki Girl. Think Minori from Tora Dora. Rika lives her life freely and doesn’t let the judgment of those around her weigh her down. She’s someone who devotes herself to her partner but rarely gets that energy back. Rika also honors every feeling she has *except* anger towards others, which is unfortunate. Nagao didn’t deserve her, I think everyone agrees on this point. I’m happy that she forged her own path after the breakup. She was too radical for her time; career-driven, sexually aware, and forgiving. A breath of fresh air and joy to watch, brava!
Nagao: “Kanchi” was probably one of the more frustrating characters for me to watch. I love that he recognized Rika’s work ethic and wanted her to pursue her dream of working in LA, but this conveniently came up when we knew he had lingering feelings for Sekiguchi. He got the perfect escape route that would absolve him of any real accountability he owed to Rika. He didn't want to take the blame or be seen as a villain, which is a VERY common theme for “good guys” across the globe. BUT! Not saying the hard part out loud hurts harder than saying the truth, especially if you drag it out for too long. Even Mikami recognized this. Rika gave him so many opportunities to pipe up, but he couldn’t man up when he needed to.
I think that deep down, part of Nagao might have resented Rika for how freely she allowed herself to feel love. Had Nagao had an ounce of Rika’s self-assurance, he would have pursued Sekiguchi back in high school. I also think Nagao was a great display of how even the nicest guys are not free from the clutches of misogyny. It felt like he would go out of his way to subliminally accuse Rika of being a whore. I can’t look past how he obsessed over the idea of Rika sleeping with the Sports Store manager instead of plainly asking her if anything happened between them. Also, the sly comment about her being fine sleeping with anyone (relating to her relationship with the Manager) was very cruel for someone he proceeded to date of his own free will. Nagao is the kind of guy one might have to experience to recognize when you are not being prioritized. But to me, his actions always spoke louder than his words, so I would never have entertained him after watching his behavior with Sekiguchi.
Sekiguchi: Unfortunately, Sekiguchi was the worst character for me. She wanted both of these men all to herself. If she had her way, she would have loved to be in a 'friendship trio' with Nagao and Mikami until the end of time. But Mikami knew this arrangement could not last once they became adults; he made the first move and shook things up for the group by kissing Sekiguchi. Sekiguchi’s problem is that she idealized Mikami while overlooking his very real faults that he never hid from anyone, especially her and Nagao. Sekiguchi actively yearned for him until he categorically showed her who he was. Maybe his face card was distracting her too much. The only thing Sekiguchi did right was break up with Mikami, or else she would have cursed herself into a life of relentlessly being cheated on. But her setting her sights on Nagao after initially rejecting him for Mikami was something else. If I were Nagao, I would have scoffed at the idea of being her second choice. But he was blinded by his everlasting love for her. I can’t support Sekiguchi and Nagao as a couple because Rika became collateral damage for no good reason. Sekiguchi is a good example of why being listless is not a vibe. You should be an active participant in your life and speak the fuck up for what you want. I guess we should thank Mikami for treating her so poorly, or else she would have never changed.
Mikami: The hot guy you love to hate. I love Eguchi Yousuke, and this was my first time watching his younger self act. I fear he would have gotten me with those looks, but I am honest enough to admit that I would not have expected anything from him past a one-night stand. Why was Mikami such a womanizer? My theory is that because of his upbringing, he rejects anything that embodies a simple life. That includes being a married man with one wife, living with his kids; a nuclear family doing regular things. He feeds off of chaos, not only with women but in his work/studies. I was very shocked when it was revealed that he was a medical student LOL. Who chances getting bad grades and skipping class with the intent to become a doctor? However, I will say his journey with Naoko was fun to watch. She challenged him in a way he had never been challenged before. Mikami needed a woman who would stand her ground and speak up against him, and this is why I think they will work in the long term. I'm happy Naoko's parents turned around and accepted him. Shout out to Mikami for driving most of the plotlines in the story, either directly or indirectly.
I can see why this drama is highly rated. It completely captures the complexity of human relationships to the point where it was frustrating to watch at times. We’ve all experienced this before, whether it's with best friends, siblings, parents, or romantic partners. Humans are not perfect beings; we are flawed. I don’t want to write a formal review because there are things considered spoilers that I want to discuss. I will organize my thoughts by characters below (and behind a spoiler filter):
I was very pleased to find a progressive show like this coming from Japan! And I’m happy to see Tokui-san in another panel, he is hilarious!
The back and forth between Shun and Dai became insufferable for me. In episode 9 I thought it was completely unreasonable to paint Ikuo as the bad guy for encouraging Shun to talk to Dai. I honestly think a group conversation would have benefitted Shun because he doesn’t even realize that his standoffish behavior ruins the vibes of the house. Is Ikuo a criminal for wanting a peaceful group living situation? Also Dai saying that the interference grossed him out felt mean-spirited. If they were not living in the house together his friends would be the ones listening to the turbulence that is his relationship with Shun. Idk man, the whole thing turned me off. I couldn’t get into them as a couple as I don’t think they are gonna make it even one week out of the house. I guess it’s a good thing he is young now, because I can’t imagine someone getting away with this kind of behavior in their 30s. Shun can watch the footage back and see some places for improvement. Therapy even, seeing as he has been in toxic relationships in the past.
I wish we could have seen more conversations from Kazuto. Nearly everyone was in love with him but he was a man of very little words. I imagine his backstory has more complexity to it. I think a man like Alan balances him out well.
**EDIT** I wrote this immediately after I finished, and to my surprise Dai and Shun did indeed last more than a week outside the house together. Honestly happy for them as it's hard to find your person these days. But the rest of my points still stand lol.
Y'all, it took me exactly 5 months to finish this show because I couldn't get into the chaos. It starts off good then it turns into a conglomerate of drama tropes which distracts the audience from any real storyline. I just... don't waste your time with this one. I love Machida Keita but even he couldn't save this show for me. If you want well done Japanese D R A M A, I recommend Yakou Kanransha.
I have to agree... when she crawled back to Aguni it ruined the intensity of the final moments in Borderland.…
I honestly have no idea because I couldn't tell who the background characters were in the hospital. I thought the real world events determined the fate of people in the borderlands. I was satisfied with the show, I'll stop thinking because it's too much for me 😂
I have to agree... when she crawled back to Aguni it ruined the intensity of the final moments in Borderland.…
I gave it some more thought and I guess these characters didn't die to signify that their real counterparts made it in real life... But by this logic everyone is somehow connected in the inner mechanisms of their minds and they know of each others' existence/fates. But the show told us is not the case because Usagi had no idea who Arisu was. Too much thinking lol, I'm confused
i love how no one is questioning HOW TF akane survived an assault rifle spray point blank, bleeding out, and able…
I have to agree... when she crawled back to Aguni it ruined the intensity of the final moments in Borderland. All of them should have died except Arisu if we are being completely real. The ending still would have been just as satisfying!
I’m currently watching the first episode. Is it me or did they ramp up the romantic vibes between Arisu and Usagi? I know it’s been a year, but if I remember correctly they could barely speak to each other when they were camping out in that tent. Now he’s hugging her and calling her cute? Lmaoo, okay. As long as the plot stays good. I had to pause and comment to see if anyone else felt the same.
What a random ass drama... She let that man waste her prime years and for WHAT? I understand the social implications behind marriage especially in Japan. But no kids? No sex? Literally just roommates with that man... what a waste! 😭
The kiss between her and Mayama was so sensual omg. The lollipops and everything, gawd I loved that scene. This show really hates us because they set up such a juicy scene yet nothing gets to happen between Mayama and Jun afterwards. SAD!
This has to be some sort of propaganda to discourage women from leaving situations that don't serve them. That's the only way this madness can be explained. She wants to stay even AFTER a divorce? She's lost her mind lmfaooo. Anyway at least this show was short; I watched it at 1.3x speed LOL
EDIT: I also want to point out how often men are reluctant to go to the doctor for physical problems. Being unable to 'act' in the bedroom is an actual symptom, you shouldn't ignore it. It can be caused by a variety of problems; diabetes, anxiety, depression, you name it! Don't ignore these issues, please go to the doctor because it's their job to help you live your best and healthiest life.
If it gives you any kind of solace, cringey teens are everywhere. Fortunately most will grow out of it, don't let it get to you. I actually automatically skip over those kinds of useless comments so I had to scroll up to see what you were referring to. Unsavory indeed!
I agree, the success of Squid Game is not needed to validate the already prosperous Korean entertainment industry. It was nice to see everyone watching a show in a different language. (I think we all know at least one person who refuses to venture into the world of foreign entertainment because they are "too lazy to read subtitles")
Nonetheless, I still hope to see more breakthrough works on Netflix of all genres created outside of Hollywood/the American film industry. I'm hoping that the case of Squid Game will inspire executives to take a chance on other projects that also deserve a chance.
I'm wondering what you mean by unsavory folks. Do you mean more of the general public? People who don't regularly watch K-dramas?
I think it's great that a Korean drama got worldwide recognition, it truly emphasized the fact that entertainment is entertainment no matter what language you speak or what country you come from.
Alice in Borderland 2 is coming in Dec of this year - they've been working on it but covid delayed them for a…
Did you know the author originally wrote the story as a movie? I felt like the ending was a last minute add in, possibly added in when he adjusted the story into a series years later.
If you remove all the loose ends like Gi Hun miraculously catching sight of the Salesman *right* before his flight, and the uncertainty surrounding the policeman's fate, the show could have wrapped up nicely as a solid piece of social commentary on the exploitative nature of capitalism.
I guess I'm just trying to say that the show is incredible as a stand alone season. A lot of sequels try to continue the hype, but not all are successful; I don't want people to change their opinions on Squid Game as it deserves all the accolades.
Alice in Borderland 2 is coming in Dec of this year - they've been working on it but covid delayed them for a…
I'm definitely more excited for Alice in Borderland, it was perfectly set up to continue. I hope Squid Game 2 lives up to it's hype because you can tell it was supposed to be a "one and done" show
This movie was so cute and hilarious! It had a good amount of information on BDSM but I mainly appreciated the overarching theme of finding both love and acceptance in someone who cares about you. I was laughing the whole time. Seohyun and Jun Young did a fantastic job, bravo!
Nagao: “Kanchi” was probably one of the more frustrating characters for me to watch. I love that he recognized Rika’s work ethic and wanted her to pursue her dream of working in LA, but this conveniently came up when we knew he had lingering feelings for Sekiguchi. He got the perfect escape route that would absolve him of any real accountability he owed to Rika. He didn't want to take the blame or be seen as a villain, which is a VERY common theme for “good guys” across the globe. BUT! Not saying the hard part out loud hurts harder than saying the truth, especially if you drag it out for too long. Even Mikami recognized this. Rika gave him so many opportunities to pipe up, but he couldn’t man up when he needed to.
I think that deep down, part of Nagao might have resented Rika for how freely she allowed herself to feel love. Had Nagao had an ounce of Rika’s self-assurance, he would have pursued Sekiguchi back in high school. I also think Nagao was a great display of how even the nicest guys are not free from the clutches of misogyny. It felt like he would go out of his way to subliminally accuse Rika of being a whore. I can’t look past how he obsessed over the idea of Rika sleeping with the Sports Store manager instead of plainly asking her if anything happened between them. Also, the sly comment about her being fine sleeping with anyone (relating to her relationship with the Manager) was very cruel for someone he proceeded to date of his own free will. Nagao is the kind of guy one might have to experience to recognize when you are not being prioritized. But to me, his actions always spoke louder than his words, so I would never have entertained him after watching his behavior with Sekiguchi.
Sekiguchi: Unfortunately, Sekiguchi was the worst character for me. She wanted both of these men all to herself. If she had her way, she would have loved to be in a 'friendship trio' with Nagao and Mikami until the end of time. But Mikami knew this arrangement could not last once they became adults; he made the first move and shook things up for the group by kissing Sekiguchi. Sekiguchi’s problem is that she idealized Mikami while overlooking his very real faults that he never hid from anyone, especially her and Nagao. Sekiguchi actively yearned for him until he categorically showed her who he was. Maybe his face card was distracting her too much. The only thing Sekiguchi did right was break up with Mikami, or else she would have cursed herself into a life of relentlessly being cheated on. But her setting her sights on Nagao after initially rejecting him for Mikami was something else. If I were Nagao, I would have scoffed at the idea of being her second choice. But he was blinded by his everlasting love for her. I can’t support Sekiguchi and Nagao as a couple because Rika became collateral damage for no good reason. Sekiguchi is a good example of why being listless is not a vibe. You should be an active participant in your life and speak the fuck up for what you want. I guess we should thank Mikami for treating her so poorly, or else she would have never changed.
Mikami: The hot guy you love to hate. I love Eguchi Yousuke, and this was my first time watching his younger self act. I fear he would have gotten me with those looks, but I am honest enough to admit that I would not have expected anything from him past a one-night stand. Why was Mikami such a womanizer? My theory is that because of his upbringing, he rejects anything that embodies a simple life. That includes being a married man with one wife, living with his kids; a nuclear family doing regular things. He feeds off of chaos, not only with women but in his work/studies. I was very shocked when it was revealed that he was a medical student LOL. Who chances getting bad grades and skipping class with the intent to become a doctor? However, I will say his journey with Naoko was fun to watch. She challenged him in a way he had never been challenged before. Mikami needed a woman who would stand her ground and speak up against him, and this is why I think they will work in the long term. I'm happy Naoko's parents turned around and accepted him. Shout out to Mikami for driving most of the plotlines in the story, either directly or indirectly.
The back and forth between Shun and Dai became insufferable for me. In episode 9 I thought it was completely unreasonable to paint Ikuo as the bad guy for encouraging Shun to talk to Dai. I honestly think a group conversation would have benefitted Shun because he doesn’t even realize that his standoffish behavior ruins the vibes of the house. Is Ikuo a criminal for wanting a peaceful group living situation? Also Dai saying that the interference grossed him out felt mean-spirited. If they were not living in the house together his friends would be the ones listening to the turbulence that is his relationship with Shun. Idk man, the whole thing turned me off. I couldn’t get into them as a couple as I don’t think they are gonna make it even one week out of the house. I guess it’s a good thing he is young now, because I can’t imagine someone getting away with this kind of behavior in their 30s. Shun can watch the footage back and see some places for improvement. Therapy even, seeing as he has been in toxic relationships in the past.
I wish we could have seen more conversations from Kazuto. Nearly everyone was in love with him but he was a man of very little words. I imagine his backstory has more complexity to it. I think a man like Alan balances him out well.
**EDIT** I wrote this immediately after I finished, and to my surprise Dai and Shun did indeed last more than a week outside the house together. Honestly happy for them as it's hard to find your person these days. But the rest of my points still stand lol.
The kiss between her and Mayama was so sensual omg. The lollipops and everything, gawd I loved that scene. This show really hates us because they set up such a juicy scene yet nothing gets to happen between Mayama and Jun afterwards. SAD!
This has to be some sort of propaganda to discourage women from leaving situations that don't serve them. That's the only way this madness can be explained. She wants to stay even AFTER a divorce? She's lost her mind lmfaooo. Anyway at least this show was short; I watched it at 1.3x speed LOL
EDIT: I also want to point out how often men are reluctant to go to the doctor for physical problems. Being unable to 'act' in the bedroom is an actual symptom, you shouldn't ignore it. It can be caused by a variety of problems; diabetes, anxiety, depression, you name it! Don't ignore these issues, please go to the doctor because it's their job to help you live your best and healthiest life.
I agree, the success of Squid Game is not needed to validate the already prosperous Korean entertainment industry. It was nice to see everyone watching a show in a different language. (I think we all know at least one person who refuses to venture into the world of foreign entertainment because they are "too lazy to read subtitles")
Nonetheless, I still hope to see more breakthrough works on Netflix of all genres created outside of Hollywood/the American film industry. I'm hoping that the case of Squid Game will inspire executives to take a chance on other projects that also deserve a chance.
I think it's great that a Korean drama got worldwide recognition, it truly emphasized the fact that entertainment is entertainment no matter what language you speak or what country you come from.
If you remove all the loose ends like Gi Hun miraculously catching sight of the Salesman *right* before his flight, and the uncertainty surrounding the policeman's fate, the show could have wrapped up nicely as a solid piece of social commentary on the exploitative nature of capitalism.
I guess I'm just trying to say that the show is incredible as a stand alone season. A lot of sequels try to continue the hype, but not all are successful; I don't want people to change their opinions on Squid Game as it deserves all the accolades.