strawxberrycake

a beautiful but realistic and simple story worthy of watching on Valentine's day

I tend to be very picky about the romance dramas that I watch. I don’t usually like them or find them that interesting majority of the time, as it has to be something that really grabs me.

Melo Movie was a drama that, even though it had everything to be something that I’d just find boring, strangely enough, it touched me. I’d give it up for its simplicity and realism. Now, it may not be the type of melo that people are expecting, and I get it. But I find it special the way it not only focuses on the couples and their romantic dynamics, but also on the character’s relationships with those around them, and how they deal with them.

It's a drama that represents what being a human really is. And that is learning. Throughout the episodes, we seem to grow up with the characters, they try to overcome their hardships, they try to accept themselves, and we begin to understand. Ah, everyone deals with their emotions differently and everyone’s walking a different path. I may be reading too much into it, but that's what I really felt as the meaning of the drama.

It is a movie themed drama and I loved that the most honestly. Especially the idea of naming the episodes after movie references (special highlight on episode 7: “Thanks For the Adventure, Now Go Have a New One” from the movie Up, released in 2009). With regard to the actors, I believe that the casting lived up to its potential. The chemistry was great. I recommend it. I would just like to finish it off by saying that this is a definitely a Valentine’s day drama for sure.

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It wasn't bad, but it didn't meet expectations

Realistically speaking, and considering not only how much I enjoyed it but also the plot in general, I was expecting so much more than what was presented. It was funny, romantic and I really enjoyed watching it, but I can't get over how much more they could have developed all of the points of the plot, such as the family drama, the second female lead and him being a demon. I felt like everything about the story was half-assed.

Starting with parts, the second fl was, quite frankly, useless. Although I found her annoying in her first few appearances, I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I eventually realized that her character doesn't go much further than that. In fact, she doesn’t add anything. We get a lousy flashback that's introduced randomly halfway through the story, but nothing more is done with the character. I’m someone who absolutely despises love triangles, but this just didn’t feel like one, as it was so one sided and painful to watch.

Secondly, I felt that the demonic aspect of the main character wasn't properly used to the advantage of the drama. Instead it felt like a sub sub plot, even though he tried to regain his powers for like half the story. Especially in episode 14, I felt like they realized that and tried to suddenly reinforce that he is indeed a demon and Dohee finally realizes it (literally 2 episodes from wrapping up the story?). It ended up creating a weird difference as they portrayed the character in a certain way throughout the story. It’s like they had been building up his personality and then just disregarded all of it like "Oh wait, the main character's supposed to be evil, he's a demon".

The family drama was basically a mess. Once again, I don't have much to say about it besides the fact that it felt like a failed copy of a crime/corruption motivated drama. It could’ve been much more interesting. Though I need to compliment the way that everything was connected (Madam Ju, Dohee’s parents death, and Guwon making a deal with her father).

Overall, it wasn’t THAT bad if you’re in the mood for a clichê with a lot of missed aspects. I liked the comedy, the Wild Dogs and Mr. Park were really funny, and Guwon honestly didn’t let down on that part either. But my long-lasting impression of this drama is that I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t find myself as engaged with the cast as I was with Youjung and Song Kang.

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a really great watch

I think everyone who likes a good mystery, thrillers, and an interesting plot should watch this. Honestly, it was time well spent, and what's more, for an 8 episode drama that covers a lot of characters (like a bunch), it's very well done. You get to understand why the characters were the way they were and what made them like that which to me is a really important part of understanding any story.

I'd just like to point out the physical ability of these people, like, how do you get hammered three times and the next second you're on your feet? That was funny. Still, the action scenes were equally great.
I hope it gets a second season because it really deserves it, even though I think the possibility of that happening is really high given the post-credits scene which, once again, was really cool. Highly recommend.

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an amazing but disturbing movie that will bring you to tears

I picked up this movie knowing that it was going to completely destroy me. I'd heard about it, but I had no idea it was based on true events. So I looked up the real case that took place in Gwangju Inhwa School, back in the 2000s. Aka the case that this movie dealt with. I must admit that, me searching and learning about it, contributed even more to how much impact it had over me.

In a general way, the aesthetics of the film, the music, the production were all on point. The acting too, I mean, all of them, including the children did an amazing job. I highly believe they did justice to the delicacy of the film. It was a "quiet" movie in the sense that every scene is handled with the utmost care (as it should be), yet it's not boring at all, nor is it slow. The movie practically rushes by, in a great way.

As for the story, it was incredible and very well executed. It's a story that touches us and is unfortunately very true, not just because it was a specific case, but because sexual abuse and child abuse is a huge problem that, however much we want to solve it, is often not solved as it should be. For that same reason, I think the ending of the movie was a good choice because the intention of it, I believe, was to convey a message, where not everything can be the fiction we would like. Of course, from a viewer's point of view, I would have loved a fair ending, where the perpetrators were punished as they deserved. But as I said, reality isn't always fair, and this movie, in my opinion, wasn't about entertainment. That's why it's such a real and heavy piece of cinema.

Rewatch Value: I put it at 1.0, but I can't really change the overall, as it would be unfair. It's a 10 regardless, great movie, but would I watch it again? Definitely not. I was already expecting it to be heavy, but when the first scene of abuse came along, I was really shaken. I could never bring myself to watch something like that again, as it really made my stomach turn. It's really not an easy movie to swallow for anyone, especially if you're sensitive.

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a failure compared to the first part

Let's just start off by saying that my rating was strongly influenced by the ending, because honestly, what the hell was that? Never had I seen something so unnecessary and out of context with the actual plot. But I'll get to it later.

I really liked the first half of Duty After School. The idea was so good with the same feeling of anxiety you get from zombie dramas, but with completely different creatures. I wouldn't say scary but rather interesting, curious. There was drama, terror, anxiety, funny and cute moments. It had practically everything. There was a whole plot that grabbed me from the very first episode, which made want to continue watching, feeling excited. The sixth and final episode left me with even higher expectations for the second part, however those expectations were far from achieved. As it only had 4 episodes I was already afraid that everything would feel rushed and incomplete, which I unfortunately was right about.

Part 2 wasn't bad but it wasn't good. I thought it started well, seeing the students with more maturity and more experience after a month has passed since Mr. Lee's death, but it all went downhill from there. 4 episodes where the main focus wasn't the spheres but more “mundane” things, if I can put it that way. The criminals, the deaths motivated by humans, etc. I thought it got away from the main idea, and I don't know if I didn't notice or didn't pay attention, but Wonbin simply evaporated after episode 6, along with those who were rescued. Maybe the latter I didn't notice, but as for Wonbin, there's no sign that he died which left me confused.

As for the ending, the best way to put it it's that it was one of those endings where you wonder if that's what you've been watching an entire k-drama for. Only 4 people survived, 4 of whom were, let's say, the “driest” characters. Don't get me wrong, because I like Kimchi and Nara, and I don't mind the other two. But they literally killed every single character that was once very important for the story to keep going, in seconds, not having any impact as individual deaths at all in the viewers except for the shock part. It was literally pointless.

2 years later, Kimchi appears doing the CSAT, explaining that they've supposedly created a tool to solve the problem and blah blah blah. What tool? How did they end the problem? We need more then just knowing that they somehow created something that helped. How did you get out that bloodied classroom? It's all made of loose ends. What were the spheres anyway? Where did they come from? Why did they attack people, because I'm certain that the reason behind that wasn't just like one of the criminals said, to wipe humanity as they are trash. We also can't know that for a fact of course since he only suggests. It deserved a third part, if it wasn't for that ending. The plot, the characters, everything was so good and it was capable of so much more.

I would like to say that I recommend it, however I would be lying. It's unnecessary to watch 10 episodes that give you expectation after expectation only to end up heartbroken and more confused than you were at the beginning. Sometimes, ignorance is indeed bliss.

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I think I've officially found my favorite bl

I loved loved loved this drama, mainly because of its level of authenticity. And realism. There are ten episodes that focus on the story of two characters, who fall in love little by little, but it also focuses on their individual stories, especially Seo Jaewon.
What I found most special about it was the way their romance was portrayed.

Watching it, you could feel the tension and the characters really falling in love, which I really appreciate in romances. I've always followed Thai bls and they lack that, most of them at least. The lack of authenticity, the exaggerated, funny and cute way of expressing the characters' love. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but I personally like this kind of romance better. It was something simple that we could tell even by the way they looked at each other. That's why the actors did an excellent job too. Their chemistry was amazing.

The editing choices were often not the best, although I realize that most of them were for cinematographic and artistic purposes. However, some of them didn't make sense, which I wouldn't exactly point it out as a serious issue.

Otherwise, I think this drama should have had either full hour episodes like regular dramas, or more episodes. Otherwise, it would have been good to have a second season that further developed Seo Jaewon's story, his depression, his relationship with his parents, etc. It was more of a secondary plot, although fundamental to the story, but it would have been interesting.

Regardless, I RECOMMEND IT. Please watch.

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