SunOh

“The Fool of the End” was such a powerful title, but I'm not surprised they changed it in English. Thankfully, the few scenes removed from Yoo Ah In didn’t hurt the drama, since I think I know what was removed and it's not much (maybe some less important scenes too, no idea tbh). Like one of the top reviews said, it allowed for a stronger focus on the protagonist played by Ahn Eun Jin. Yoo Ah In was amazing as everyone else, and I hope he is doing okay. South Korea absolutely needs to change, but that's not the topic here.

It’s definitely not a drama for everyone, but it reminded me of recent real-world events like the covid lockdown, Korea’s sudden martial law, and, on a more personal level, the sense of community my grandma shares at the church. The timelines were handled well (so I was quite confused about the criticism, because the drama was giving you clear hints like showing the date and changing the color), and it was satisfying to learn about each character and connect everything together. I loved the unsettling but also calm atmosphere despite the chaos, how it kept my mind engaged, and how it moved me. It can sometimes feel ambiguous and require thinking and patience, but to me, it was in a (very) good way. I genuinely think this drama is a timeless masterpiece and it holds a very special place in my heart. Popularity and ratings are meaningless in front of such unconventional stories. What Goodbye Earth offers is a deeply human story with a portrayal of hope and despair. I was hit so deeply in some of the scenes, even if it wasn't loud. That's why this drama is haunting.

The drama focused on the perspective of ordinary people whose lives suddenly became extraordinary, and on what the catastrophe meant to the protagonist. The script wasn’t bad—the worldbuilding and storytelling were fascinating, and the introduction was great. Hae Chan (one of the kids) narrating the story to the audience as if you just opened a book? Perfect. I've read that the pilot was bad (pilot = first episode), but I couldn't disagree more. I got chills right away and was more hooked than with most dramas. This, to me, is a great thriller. This is far beyond a simple slice-of-life, as suggested by others. Anyone looking for raw intensity and complexity should definitely give it a chance. Every character has a meaningful place in the story and is given truly beautiful development. (That's not to say everyone is likeable, obviously... I however loved that one female villain, she had an amazing presence.) Despite the vast cast of characters, that was also handled well as I felt closer to them along the way.

The directing was amazing, and in terms of cinematography, it was the best. So much meaning in every frame and every scene. From the start, I loved how the lyrics matched the ending scene of episode one, and how the flashbacks used black and white along with other cool effects. The soundtrack was also a masterpiece, and the performances were incredibly raw and compelling. Revolution by Hwang Sang Jun and Pre-holiday is not just an OST, it's an hymn. Gloomy Day is my second favorite. Pray is also a great song, and the BGMs fit perfectly.

On top of all this, the drama was also progressive in more than one way, and I salute the screenwriter for that.

One flaw for me was the fact that I didn't understand In Ha's military storyline... I felt a bit lost with some of the military stuff. Maybe it was just me and hopefully I understand it better upon a rewatch. It definitely looked cool.

Side note: As stated in the opening, Goodbye Earth is the adaptation of a Japanese mini-bus novel, which is a first.

I will comment about the ending below.