This drama is pretty much a westernised makjang trying to be gritty and "real" but forgetting to be entertaining…
It’s actually ironic that you say this, because the story is deeply rooted in real South Korean realities. Cases like Yu Menlong and Jang Ja-yeon highlight how these issues are not fictional, but part of a broader, troubling pattern—if you look into the circumstances and scandals surrounding their deaths, it becomes clear. What Climax is doing is offering a social commentary on this very crisis, rather than exaggerating it or westernising at you say. These are issues in the Asian entertainment industry.
I am currently watching and I’m absolutely relating to your review ! I am at the stage where I am also feeling like my intelligence is being insulted by the endless loop and uninspired makjang tropes
You made the list ! Yay . Can't say I disagree with your choices.
I am yet to actually watch a Cha Eun Woo drama but from the bits I have seen , he does look annoying . Glad to see Bae Suzy on the list , I should add her to mine . Very interesting you have Park Min Young . They call her Miss Chemistry because she allegedly has great chemistry with every male lead. To me , she is just okay .
I am also going to add Kim Se Jong . I have only watched one drama of hers and she was not good at all but I like to put people on the list when I have watched at least two of their dramas.
I’m glad we share a brain on this . There are many dramas that are soo overhyped for no reason . I’m curious…
Ooof - it has one of the actors I cannot stand in Gong Hyo Jin so I always procrastinate when it comes to watching it. So I am not at all surprised you found it to be a mess. I will attempt though!
Thank you so much for this review. I actually dropped it around ep 9.I will also add to your wonderful thoughts that this drama just had horrible focus balancing and sometimes felt like it should have been 3 dramas. And a 100% , the chemistry between the two leads was passable
I actually think Goong is really nuanced with some great themes explored . It set a lot of benchmarks in dramaland that many writers continually borrow from to this day . It does have an annoying start and its definitely too long but absolutely has its charms especially if you are partial to teen romance.
As for cringey old romance - I haven't really made a dent into the sub genre myself except for oldies like My Name is Kim Sam Soon which is my fave but other than that , I have dropped most . Do tell me when you find a good one and I will also tell you when I find a good one.
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I am yet to actually watch a Cha Eun Woo drama but from the bits I have seen , he does look annoying . Glad to see Bae Suzy on the list , I should add her to mine . Very interesting you have Park Min Young . They call her Miss Chemistry because she allegedly has great chemistry with every male lead. To me , she is just okay .
I am also going to add Kim Se Jong . I have only watched one drama of hers and she was not good at all but I like to put people on the list when I have watched at least two of their dramas.
As for cringey old romance - I haven't really made a dent into the sub genre myself except for oldies like My Name is Kim Sam Soon which is my fave but other than that , I have dropped most . Do tell me when you find a good one and I will also tell you when I find a good one.