Full of potential but unfortunate execution
This title I honestly had high expectations for, as I do for any production that Namkoong min is a part of , as he is a wonderful actor, picking scripts with emotional flair and fun scenes and is someone I would say this role is perfect for.The show started off with great promise. But honestly, it required a 16 episode run time. After a while, we stop seeing any episodes of actually legal drama, which is what the show is about, and the product placement is somehow the worst I’ve seen thus far.
Not to mention, the entire past flashback sequence was incredibly out of place and contrived. Post flashback story was rushed, and I didn’t think they’d wrap up the story until half way through the twelfth episode, which is the last. It was handled poorly as well.
Now as for things I liked, namkoong min, obviously. His performance as always was stellar. Baek Ma-ri was a fun character, as was her mother. I really liked prosecutor Na Yejin, and I thought Seo Minhyeok was a good character as well who deserved if not more screen time, then at least more character development.
I also was unreasonably in love with the opening intro song and the accompanying animation. This would have been great as a long running short animation tv show.
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The age gap distorts a otherwise heartwarming experience
This story was actually wonderful. To everyone concerned about the age gap, not much romance actually takes place between the two characters, explicitly but there were some weird moments for me personally- for example, the male lead saving the child female lead when he was fully grown- sparking a ten year long crush… and a couple more.There is not actually a lot of romance stuff that goes on from the male lead’s side, as he is pretty passive in the relationship. I feel like this would have worked better with the female lead moving on in the end, and going forward with her life.
One thing I dislike is that they fail to go into detail about the past- for eg, the story of the female lead’s father and How he met the first and second male lead, etc…..
Overall a decent show, but the extreme age gap was unnecessary. 8 years could have been 4 at max, and the story wouldn’t have changed at all.
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Feel good, heartwarmingly good
Is this a sports movie? Kind of. But honestly, this is more of a heartwarmingly beautiful story. I would have watched this even if it was a 16 episode show- and it honestly could have been.Park Seo Joonhas to be my favourite part of this movie. He does amazingly well in such roles, I think this is one of my favourite performances in a kdrama. The vibe reminds me much of fight for my way, which also was amazing.
Indeed IU is wonderfully good in this too, and I loved her banter with Park seo joon.
I honestly was left wanting for more and will probably watch more sports dramas.
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The most fun I've had in a while watching a movie
This was such a great movie. Watch it with no regrets.Kind of wish that it was a tv show, because it would have been great, the main leads are hilarious and have such great chemistry, not to mention that they simply are, extraordinary people.
Loved it.
The story was not very long, and though I wish it could have been longer, the writer clearly knew the sweet spot for an ending, which was so refreshing. There's not a moment I would have cut out of the movie, except maybe the fight scenes and even those add flavour.
Such a refreshing movie
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Dynamic characters, satisfying plotlines
A fantastic mix of Taxi driver, self righteous court dramas, think titles like Witch at Court, Suspicious partner and Beyond Evil this was an amazing ride.The female characters are some of the most well written in all of the kdramas I've watched so far. Jung sun ah is unparalleled in her range, and her story line, plot arc, and general wonderfulness made her the most ferocious female villain I've seen so far. Some may say that she played a character, but I personally think that her performance was the highlight of the show.
We all know that Ji sung did a great job as Judge Kang. I thoroughly enjoyed his story and arc as well, and his relationship with his niece Elijah.
This is a must watch. Highly recommended.
The plot was wrapped up satisfyingly, though I do feel like the last episode was very very jam packed.
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Thrilling, fantastical… murder?
This was a genuinely fun watch. Even though I think they kind of liar the plot in some of the middle episodes and it seemed super compressed due to the short run time, I thoroughly enjoyed some parts a lot.I think many of the stories of the victims of the victims of Lee Tang’s murders had their story told phenomenally, in an extremely touching way. The narrative did a great job of getting us on people’s side, getting us to see things from others perspectives. Some of the stories were enough to make me tear up a little.
What I did think lost a little of v the magic was the chase sequences, simply because I think we could have embellished our fine detective with more than just a wonderful amount of facial hair. We only see the detective’s inner working mind and thoughts in the later episodes, and I would have loved to see far more of him.
Roh Bin was an interesting character. I was extremely surprised when Song Chan’s flashback sequence actually had me seeing things from his viewpoint.
All in all, enjoyable. I did thoroughly enjoy the ending sequence.
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Wonderful thriller
Good thriller, even better acting. I do feel like there could have been more resolution to the plot line but I really loved the performance of Ha Seok-Jin in this drama as Ryu Sung hoon. Ok taekyeon was also phenomenal.The female lead in my opinion is just the best character ever. She is strong, has a great sense of morals and just. One of my favourite kdrama female leads.
The story was very dark I feel. What the children of this story endured was extremely sad.. and their situation was extremely difficult as well. I hope the real life victims of such abuse also escape these circumstances.
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Plot twist… revenge?
Everytime I think I’ve watched every genre of Korean revenge thriller, they make a new and more exciting one.. Namkoong Min is simply phenomenal in this title as the main character. Although I struggled with some of his decisions morally, it was an intriguing and excellently executed drama.There was never a dull moment with this show. Each character was grandiose, larger than life. It was akin to watching a chess match between two grandmasters, with each twist and turn outdoing the last.
One thing I love about Korean shows is the focus on the character development and plot. Namkoong min as Na I Je had a phenomenal run, going from a sweet doctor, to a cold and calculating morally grey man… but who somehow still made you root for him. Director Sun’s constant backstabbing was a treat.
If anything, one plot line I wish was better handled was Han so-geum and Han Bit’s.
Lee Jae-jun, the big bad was creepy, larger than life and wonderfully acted. He managed to make me feel a wispy sadness and regret for him, all while scaring me with his actions.
All in all, a phenomenal drama.
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Glory is the way to live
This was a wonderful drama. I usually avoid watching Chinese dramas but this had an interesting synopsis so I caved…. And I couldn’t be happier. This was definitely not a waste of time and honestly thought the series is so long at no point did I feel compelled to watch simply because I had started watching.The plot lines and character development is tip top. My one critique is that Ye Xiu was a bit of a Gary Stu, a little too perfect, and we never really in the first 30 episodes see him doubtful or have any negative emotions- but what was unexpected about it was even so, Yang Yang as Ye Xiu was probably my favourite character. I loved him on screen.
Tang Rou was a nicely developed character, as was Wei Chen. Personally disliked An Wengyi’s character plot line, but I adored the show.
I wonder how much the show spent on visual effects, because they were marvellously good somehow, it was easy to tell the difference between all the player’s avatars, not just by their clothes, but even the facial features resembled the actor counterparts.
Sun Xiang, the primary ‘antagonist’ was a little over dramatic in the start, but I loved how he developed as well.
Some people may find the drama cheesy, but I loved it and am looking for more of the same.
I did like the ending, and honestly could watch more of this show, for at least another season.
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