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What a good way to ruin a completely fine story.
If you haven't watched Squid Game, then I'd recommend watching only the first season. Don't bother to watch the whole series; don't even think about it.This season comes off as a disappointment because many would agree that Squid Game S1 itself was such a good story and didn't need a continuation if they were going to do it like this. While I was grateful for the 2nd season announcement and seeing the list of actors and actresses, now it's all just become a big why, because most of them didn't even make an impact to the story.
The writing is very meh. While the 2nd season actually made a nice hook, the 3rd season feels like an abandoned draft that you come back to just for the sake of giving an ending. What's worse is that this whole season seems like only an introduction to the US spin-off. Which is another why.
I really don't understand why Gihun would be so eagerly hunting Daeho and blaming him for what happened, show no remorse after killing him, but then feel bad about killing other players that are actually worse than Daeho. God forbid a guy having a fear of being killed in an obvious situation that they'll lose. Even after this unnecessary witch hunting, I thought that he'd talk about Youngil or Jungbae more, as their impact throughout his journey was undeniable, but no, he just doesn't talk at all.
One of the other things that should not have happened is Junhee's giving birth in the middle of the game. It's just a weird approach. At one point when Junhee's water broke, I did predict that the baby was going to survive because some stories like to push the "parents will do anything to save their baby" narrative. Like, I don't have a problem until it's going worse with Hyunju's death, and the next game is a jump rope. Hyunju's death feels like a bigger throw-off even, because she has been a great addition, and it doesn't make sense that she died that way because she has served in the military and has a very good survival instinct in the 2nd season, and they just slide it off.
Don't even get me started with Myunggi. They wanted to make a second Sangwoo so bad, and I'm glad it failed. Was he really supposed to be the villain all this time? He literally shows a few times of going back and forth, not sure about what to do next, easily swayed. He has no resolve, just a no-brainer, a disgusting character.
I know they want to show that there's still humanity left in that place after what they're going through, but leaving a baby alone in that place was a mistake, a selfish choice, because under whose care would that baby even grow up if not with the people who know her background there? I kind of hope that at least Junhee, Hyunju, or Gihun will win and raise the baby, but then they killed everyone and forced Junho into parenthood, omfg. This guy has failed in what he was supposed to do the entire series, mind you.
While the game's whole plot is beyond help, kudos for the soldier sub-plot, though. Noeul did what she had to. She was one of a few great characters in the series. Also, shout out to Geumja and Yongsik too; their story was actually great and heart-wrenching that they had to end that way.
Anyway, I still think that there are a lot of better options for the story. I don't know why the hell they decided to go with this half-ass writing, God bless.
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This review may contain spoilers
Once a woman acknowledges it, she loses; but is it really a competition?
I am not a big fan of the cheating trope, but I tried my best to stay neutral throughout the show.'Asura' is a story about four sisters' lives after knowing that their dad was cheating on their mom. From this, I actually expected that there would be a lot of things that irritate me (I was right). Regardless, I really enjoyed the first 3 episodes, before my interest slowly faded away. So, what I like:
1. The cinematography—I did a little research, and apparently the director, Koreeda Hirokazu, is famous for it. And so, I agree that the visual was one of Asura's strongest weapons.
2. The acting—The actors did very well in their roles. Everyone nailed their cast. Ono Machiko (Makiko) left the strongest impression on me, as well as being my favorite character. I originally started this drama for Hirose Suzu, and as Sakiko, I think she is really the best one for the job.
3. The story revolves around womanhood. The drama showed how women always have to put up with everything. Enduring their feelings, grief, truths, and betrayal. It hurts to see, but it's the reality we live in.
4. The portrayal of the sisters' relationship. Makiko was the glue of their sisterhood, showing how she was trying to set Tsunako right, being there for the sisters, and helping them when in need, while having to put up with her husband's alleged affair. It's also nice to see the envy and jealousy between the two youngest was resolved after not bearing to see one of them hurt; they are sisters after all.
Now what I don't like:
1. The men in the show get away with almost everything. Their cheating dad never apologized about his affairs, not even to his wife, who deserved it the most.
2. Tsunako having no development. I'm very disappointed at how she keeps carrying the affair to the end, being in the position of a woman that their mom once despised.
3. No resolve for the cheating problems.
For the most part, I think the show did a good job in visuals and casting; I only wish the story had better development.
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A perfect 16-episode-show
The Haunted Palace has become one of my favorite 2025 K-dramas so far. They have it all: story, acting, music, cinematography—everything is being handled very well.I love the plot overall. How it doesn't shift the focus from the start that their purpose is the 8-ft.-tall ghost, how the characters came and blended together so well with their past history—it's so well-written, and I like how they didn't really drag it out. This drama is perfect as a 16-episode show.
The story also skillfully incorporates a subplot of ghosts, giving them a purpose and significant impact on the main plot. The only subplot that left me feeling a bit "eh" is Bibi's arc. Maybe because it didn't really give me a big impression, as it became forgettable after a few moments.
The casting nailed their characters. My favorites were definitely Sungjae. He suits this kind of character a lot and didn't make the comedic scenes become too cringey. And of course, Jihoon as the king left a strong mark that I don't think this drama will be the same without him.
There might be a little plot armor towards the ending, but since it gives a good happy ending, I'll leave it as it is. And I want to give credit for the OST; those were really some good ones. :)
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Take the revenge into your own hand and finish what you started.
I found it romantic how every episode title is based on Eunsu and Huisu, showing how strong their bond is. Huisu, as a light and savior to Eunsu during her depressing high school days, now became the one being helped by Eunsu, who tries to break the cycle of domestic violence she witnessed, as she couldn't stand by anymore after doing so all her life.This drama perfectly nailed the suspense of a thriller; the thrill is getting me on the edge of every episode. The way the drama portrayed the realness of domestic violence is very unsettling; it feels so raw and real that at some points I get anxious myself. It was a very hard watch, but I’m glad I picked it up. I hope all abusers die and go through the same hell they gave to their victims.
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Wasted Potential
Tastefully Yours kicked off as a promising story up until the 4th episode, then everything went downhill after the ex & sapporo arc that didn't even have an impact on the plot overall. They could've made it as time to explore jungjae & beomwoo & yeonju's relationship more. Like if you want to include yeonju's past about how she fell in love with cooking, just extend her story at the temple with the monks. I honestly think it's more than enough. Instead, you made them go to japan for absolutely nothing? They made them go through all that fighting because of those unnecessary problems, then forced them to just say "i love you" to each other in the last 15 mins, and that's it??? I thought this was supposed to be a light rom-com.7/10 solely because i love minsi and haneul, jungjae's team story, and for the first half of the show (yeah, this is biased)
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