This review may contain spoilers
the plot was a mystery, even to the writer/director/editor
Overall: The chemistry and production was really good but it was ruined by the nonsense plot and confusing editing. Hope to see these actors again in something else. Aired on iQIYI.Content Warnings: murders, violence/fight, blood, non con kiss, kidnapping, stalking, manipulation
What I Liked
- the gritty/darker tone (though it did fall back on the silly comedy parts a few times, none of which I found funny)
- opening credits with appropriate heavy metal music instead of a pop song/ballad (Underneath The Surface by Tiger Gang)
- intro scene grabbed my attention
- a clear time jump
- chemistry between Lue and Ken
- that treehouse
- production value (especially the color grading)
Room For Improvement
- it was just too confusing and it's sad because they could have made it make sense (i.e. adding a location text in the first episode so we knew they weren't in Thailand, adding in when there are time jumps/location jumps how many days/weeks later it is, not having 2 different guys wearing the exact same outfit (all black), telling the story in a linear fashion instead of constant flashbacks)
- total nonsense things (how did no one ask about the gloves, why was he wearing turtlenecks in very hot Thailand, why didn't any airbags go off in that car crash, why was everyone knocked unconscious, why did Ken have zero sense of self preservation, how was Ken strangled and crying in practically every episode including his dream, why run after a bad guy when your friend might be dying, why is there a bath tub in the middle of a warehouse, why did they botch a very important casting so the plot makes zero sense, why can't anyone shoot in the final episode etc)
- continuity errors (Lue was missing a scar that he should have had, characters are injured and then suddenly not injured, etc)
- stupid characters (Din could have just pretended when he found out about that stuff and then reported it later, Ken makes the stupidest decisions considering what he's been through, Lue's "plan" made zero sense why couldn't the police have someone go undercover to get evidence, why couldn't Lue tell Ken????)
- bad editing/jumpy, scenes suddenly jumped or picked up elsewhere
- I had zero interest in the side couple, if my significant other did that to me during a business meeting then that might be the end of our relationship
- cartoonish villains (and it isn't human trafficking or drug smuggling??? in the final episode we learn more stuff why wasn't this shown before)
- why did a character suddenly have visions?
- please never kiss through a shower curtain again, also don't wear double underwear
- that open ending was bad, wasn't Lue acting in self defense and working with police why would he be on the run???
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1Authentic, Moving, A True Treasure of 夫妻一唱一和
"Destined" is like a breath of fresh air in the world of historical dramas, breaking free from traditional norms with its liberal ideas. Forget about bloodlines determining the monarch or sticking to one family name, this story embraces diversity and challenges the importance of lineage. Gu Jiusi toys with the idea of giving his children different last names, mixing it up like a name buffet! Talk about breaking the rules!Our leading lady is a timid girl who finds her groove and inspires others to do the same, even that "bad" boy who transforms into a remarkable person. And of course, we have the ultimate villain who's the result of a dysfunctional family. That's one twisted family reunion!
Let's talk about Gu Jiusi, the lovable slacker from the wealthiest family. Sure, he has a reputation which is not so flattering, but deep down, he's got a heart of gold. Bai Jingting nails the role, bringing a playful charm and an unexpected sincerity to the flamboyant Gu Jiusi. He's like a lovable troublemaker with a heartwarming twist!
Now, Liu Yuru, our girl-next-door. She starts off powerless, a puppet of fate. But as life throws her curveballs, she discovers her inner strength and uses it to help her family and support her husband's journey to greatness. Song Yi portrays her beautifully, capturing the delicate yet strong essence of Liu Yuru.
And let's not forget the rest of the cast! From the one-dimensional characters like General Zhou Gaolang to the weak and insecure Fan Yu, everyone brings their A-game. Bravo, folks!
My Verdict
The underlying theme of "Destined" is all about harmony, and they drive that point home! Forgiveness, unity, and letting go of hatred are recurring motifs throughout the story. It's all about finding inner peace and spreading good vibes. Gu Jiusi sums it up perfectly when he says, "Nothing is bad or evil in this world. Stay true to your heart, live happily, and leave no regrets behind." Wise words.
This drama is like a sweet duet, with every note harmonizing perfectly. Sure, there are ups and downs, but in the end, you're left with a blissful feeling. It may take its time to unfold, but hey, good things come to those who wait! So, grab some popcorn and dive into this world of good triumphing over evil, light conquering darkness. It may be slow at times, but trust me, it's worth the watch. Don't miss out on the "Destined" magic!
Bravo!
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STORY (No spoilers)
As a stand-alone movie, the way the story was told was choppy and incoherent - there was often little connection from one scene to the next, and from one character's actions to the next - so the viewer is often left confused and disoriented with what is happening and why the characters are behaving the way they do. Therefore, in terms of story-telling, this movie falls down pretty hard. For those who don't know the story behind the movie beforehand, the film would come across not making much sense, which, I can imagine, would be a pretty disturbing and disappointing watch.
Those who do know the story beforehand are generally able to fill in the blanks and insert all the backstory in between scenes but even speaking as someone who knew the backstory beforehand, I still found myself trying to figure out what was happening on screen and where the scene fitted in within the whole. It was terrible because your mind is having to adjust and place the characters and circumstances in the right place as each scene flashed by so you're always playing catch-up and whatever emotional connection you had with the characters ends up getting lost. You're no longer feeling the story or the characters any longer, you're playing catch up to what's going on.
It is worth noting that as the movie attempts to condense and reduce a very lengthy story into a 2-hour telling, the production team naturally had to make some changes to some characters and events which will inevitably differ from the original source material. While this is entirely understandable, it can also hamper the watch experience because in addition to the 'playing catch-up' process, the viewer is then also having to make sense of the changes within the movie-context in itself.
I personally found some changed plot-lines and new scenes baffling and bizarre, and to this day, still have no real idea why certain things happened, or what the director was trying to tell. A good example was the way the movie ended - haphazard, chaotic, baffling and bizarre.
In terms of pacing, the film was rather inconsistent. Some scenes were given plenty of space and air-time while other scenes flashed by so quickly that just before the viewer had time to absorb who was on screen and what was happening (especially for those having to read subtitles), it has ended and you're confronted with a completely different and new scene and your mind is having to adjust from the whiplash.
It made for a very scattered and disconnected viewing experience and I can't help but think that if the director or editor had spent less time dwelling on certain scenes (e,g, the long pan and introduction into Qing Qiu being one of them), there might have been more time to allow other scenes to breathe better.
I also found myself wondering why the director chose to use or dwell on certain scenes which do not really add value in advancing an already fast-moving plot e.g. there was an extended sequence of Ye Hua cooking for Bai Qian (let's not even go into how that scene was depicted). Precious minutes spent on a cooking class when there is still so much ground to cover.
ACTING/CAST
The choppy incoherent story-telling and inconsistent patchy pacing issues probably did not help (maybe even compounded to) the perception of underwhelming acting from the cast. Characters were not given enough time to establish their roles and personalities what more for them to show us their evolution throughout the movie. As a result, it made it difficult for the viewer to understand their motives and their actions as the movie progressed. With the lost emotional connection, it is easy to pan the actors/ actresses for bad portrayals of their characters. Perhaps some of it can be put down to lacklustre acting ability, but I do also believe that another part of it was down to poor scripting of the characters, and to poor directing and editing of the movie.
Yang Yang and Crystal Liu were suitable for their roles - looks-wise.
I thought Crystal was serviceable as Bai Qian but some key scenes which required her to exercise her haughty authority as the Queen of Qing Qiu did not have as much impact as I would have hoped for.
Yang Yang portrayed a rather different Ye Hua from the original source material in terms of personality and attitude. Some viewers might enjoy this fresh take on Ye Hua's character, while others like myself might have found it off-putting and borderline disturbing.
The rest of the supporting cast had too little airtime to really provide them with proper personalities therefore a lot of them came across as one-dimensional, one-note characters with a very set purpose to fulfil in advancing the plot along. They were there to do this, or do that, or say this, or say that, and their job was essentially done.
MUSIC
As I was too focused on trying to follow the plot and the happenings on-screen, I had very little time to appreciate the music score, except during that long pan of Qing Qiu.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Unfortunately, all things considered, I have to say that it was an unpleasant watch for me. There was very little I enjoyed or liked about this movie, therefore a re-watch is not even a consideration.
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super unique and hilarious drama
I notice that many people express negativity toward this, but I genuinely adore it. The humor is fantastic, and the storyline captivates me. Unlike other repetitive dramas, I hold a deep affection for this show and its cast. The criticism it receives in reviews seems unjustified. Additionally, I appreciate the infusion of various genres, including comedy, suspense, and occasional romance. I came across a review that criticized the female main lead having a the buttocks power role, but in a show as unrealistic as this, it shouldn't be a significant concern by any means... In my view, the show is fantastic. It boasts an excellent storyline, compelling characters, and a great sense of humor. I eagerly anticipate watching it every day, and I've already encouraged many of my friends to give it a chance. Please don't judge it before giving it a try!Was this review helpful to you?
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Tragically Beautiful..
Mr. Plankton was a total gem from start to finish.. It truly set a high standard.. Delivered quality in every departments.. From start to finish there were no bad scenes.. No bad characters.. And not a single bad performance from any of the actors.. Each actor brought depth and authenticity to their role.. Made them essential to the story no matter how small their screentime is.. Cinematography was impressive.. The romance was just chaotic.. Messy and yet strangely perfect.. They were a chaotic couple.. And funny even when they shouldnt be.. And come on what more can you expect from a drama that had two marriages in the first episode and The ML kidnapped both the brides.. It was a rollercoaster of chaos and fun..The first scene itself screamed ' No happy ending here '.. And that was actually the way to go.. The entire story leading to that last moment.. ' His Death '.. That was the perfect ending.. No miracle cure.. Nothing magical.. Just a journey filled with Love..
Comedy and Pure Messy Romance..
At one point.. I genuinely feared that WDH wasnt just acting.. Maybe he was actually going through something himself.. He was that good.. He was really living the character..
The scene where Jae Mi kissed Hae Jo at that the bus stop after kidnapping him from the hospital honestly didnt feel like it was scripted.. It felt real.. As real as it can be.. Such a perfect moment..
And the last scene..
" In the end.. You are the final scene of my life.. I guess that means i had a pretty good life.. "
What a powerful way to end the story.. The ending was expected but heartbreaking nonetheless..
Overall.. Another strong contender for drama of the year.. Loved the characters journey and their warm connection and relationship with each other.. WDH certainly deserves an award for his performance here.. And kudos to the writer for that ending.. This drama is going to stay with me for a long time..
They entered our lives so effortlessly.. And in just ten episodes.. They left us shattered and aching..
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By the end of the show, I was so sick of the repetitive emotional onslaughts I had to endure with my frail heart. With the noble idiot trope being repeated almost every episode, I was going to take a leaf from the battered protagonists and cough up blood myself. Unfortunately only Yang Zi and Allen Ren could pull off this stunt every episode and still look so damn good that you want to keep watching them ruin each other only to reunite in sweet, tender moments then repeat the abuse again.
After nursing my heartbreak at the end of 60 episodes, I look back on the experience with sudden realisation - WTF was I thinking? WTF was everyone thinking? There were too many plot holes, illogical decisions, haphazard pacing with no real climax and a lame antagonist that wasn't even a real threat since he was reduced to being a deranged lovesick puppy. In fact, all the antagonists were so useless they only served as props to set the stage for our OTP's wretched relationship. Even the side characters' storylines were equally afflicted.
What an epic waste! All the top stars, beautiful costumes, ethereal cinematography couldn't save our OTPs from their anguish. And I grieved alongside this state of absolute despair. If the intention of the show was to bring sorrow to all viewers, it definitely succeeded.
But why, oh why? After all that stupidity, I couldn't decide if all my suffering in my viewing was worth it, just like how the show couldn't decide if it wanted the characters' sacrifices to be worth it. The end was totally confusing and ambiguous. By then, I had no idea what was going on anymore...the journey seemed so meaningless. I could only feel relief all that ordeal was over so I could snap. out. of. it.
Well, at least there was good music and I could watch the beautiful OTPs enact all that glory cum misery. Watch only if you are a sadomasochist.
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1st half: So realistic, it makes you queasy — 2nd half: so clichéd, it makes you yawn (loudly)
This series is definitely for a more mature audience, now I get the 19+ rating. It's not your typical fluffy rom-com with a lighthearted tone, sweet more caricatural than real characters and heart fluttering moments.Well, this series does make your heart flutter, but for other reasons, namely, a) the sexual tension between the leads and b) the anxiety and unease that comes along with it. It initially is a realistic depiction of what dating nowadays looks like, of trust issues, fear of commitment, the struggle to really open up and the stress when you can't read your crushes' mind and intentions. When to call yourselves exclusive? Is there even such a thing? Nowadays, is there really the option of falling in love and staying in a monogamous relationship when there might always be 'a better option' out there? You might be one swipe away from an exciting rendezvous, the acknowledgement you lack from your partner, the distraction and escape you need (from yourself). The earlier episodes of the show really makes you ponder on all these things.
Also, you can really see that women are working on this show as they've captured the essence of what concerns and bothers women (in their twenties) so well. Be it the excitement, obsession and fear of rejection when having a huge crush on someone, the dejection when you try hard at university or work and are still left-behind, the urge to fit in and still feel disconnected with everyone. Really well-done.
The cinematography, pace, dialogues and background score also enhance the emotions and mood to a great extent.
As for the romance, the main theme of the plot, I think a lot of people might actually drop this series, because the story seems so relatable and doomed to be painful, too relatable even, for those who have experienced something similar and just can't cope with it anymore. And even if you might not agree with all of the female lead's actions and at times find her annoying and irritatingly irrational, she is still absolutely relatable, as you can literally grasp the train of thoughts that leads to these actions and decisions of hers. I further believe we've all either been in such a situation, were tempted enough or 'have this one friend' to/who despite seeing the red flags can't help overlooking them, knowing this might eventually crush us/them. Cudos to the cast for making our anxieties come alive.
Sadly, the earlier episode are by far better than the latter ones. At some point the story starts to feel repetitive and drained; there is no real progress and the authenticity and originality up until then slowly but gradually devolves into a clichéd run-on-the-mill romance, —outdated even — in which the heroine is (seemingly) stuck b/w two boys; although her final choice is blatantly obvious. Curious if there'll be an unexpected turn in the end. Also, there were some personal issues with an actor, wherefore his screen time was reduced drastically; reasonable, but unfortunately it took a toll on the quality of the drama.
All in all, this show had great potential — until the makers felt obliged to follow the 101 k-drama formula. Watchable only for the chemistry of the leads and the side stories, even though the ending is unfit imo and Song Kang's lack of emotions (blame the character) even make his pretty face boring.
And I urge you all to listen to the soundtrack, even if you don't want to watch the show: so fresh and SO good!
*EDIT*
If you've already seen the show (or do not plan on watching it) and would like to know why I felt the ending wasn't really fitting, see the comment section below this review. It's marked as a spoiler.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Sad People in Love
From the jump, Pavane feels like it exists in a slightly warped reality where everyone is lonely, underemployed, and quietly disappointed in themselves, which already makes it more honest than most romantic films. The story centres on three people working in the same department store, which is basically a factory for emotional suppression. Gyeong-rok parks cars while chasing dance like it’s a personality trait, Mi-jeong works in the basement like society physically pushed her underground, and Yo-han floats around as the charming, slightly strange friend who seems socially successful but radiates the kind of loneliness that comes from being liked without being known.The romance between Gyeong-rok and Mi-jeong does not arrive with fireworks or dramatic confessions because this film understands that people who feel undesirable don’t flirt like normal humans. Their connection grows through small glances, long pauses, and the shared exhaustion of knowing they do not fit society’s idea of a perfect couple, which somehow makes their relationship feel more intimate than any cinematic grand gesture ever could. It is not fantasy love, it is survival love, the kind that says, “You also feel out of place? Great, let’s be uncomfortable together.”
Mi-jeong sits at the emotional centre of the film, and instead of giving her a makeover or a glow-up montage, the story does something far more radical by letting her remain exactly as she is and demanding that the audience take her seriously anyway. She is repeatedly criticised for her appearance, as if her face itself is a social failure, and the film never pretends this cruelty does not wound her. But it also refuses to turn beauty into her redemption arc. Her worth comes from endurance, from continuing to exist in a world that keeps suggesting she should not. Go Ah-sung plays her with a quiet vulnerability that feels like someone constantly holding their breath, revealing trauma, fear, and the aching desire to be seen without ever turning Mi-jeong into a lesson or a slogan.
Gyeong-rok is gentle in a way that feels painfully realistic because he is clearly in love and yet emotionally illiterate, like a man who downloaded feelings without reading the instructions. He hesitates, misreads situations, and can be frustratingly dense, but that clumsiness makes him feel human rather than engineered. Their relationship never feels manufactured; it feels like something that grew by accident because neither of them expected to be chosen.
Yo-han is the most ambiguous figure, hovering between friend, observer, and emotional disruptor, adding a slightly surreal layer to the story as if he understands the characters better than they understand themselves. Sometimes this perspective deepens the film’s exploration of loneliness, showing how charisma can coexist with isolation, but at other times it pulls attention away from the central romance just as it begins to settle into rhythm, which raises the uncomfortable question of whether this imbalance is intentional or simply a flaw in the writing.
Visually, the film leans into muted colours and a faintly vintage atmosphere, turning the underground parking lot into an obvious but effective metaphor for lives lived outside society’s spotlight. The cinematography is restrained and elegant, and the use of classical music lifts certain scenes into something almost dreamlike. Yet the pacing in the second half weakens the overall impact, as transitions between emotional moments feel awkward and uneven, creating a pattern where the film draws you in deeply and then abruptly lets you go before the feeling can fully land.
Still, despite these structural issues, the film leaves behind genuine emotional weight because its sincerity about love, insecurity, friendship, and longing cuts through its imperfections. It is less about happiness than about the way even brief love can permanently reshape how people see themselves. These are characters who believe they do not deserve affection and slowly realise that being chosen once might be enough to sustain them for years.
Pavane is not a spectacle and does not trade in fantasy or transformation. It offers hushed pain, awkward tenderness, and the quietly devastating idea that someone might love you exactly where you are: in the basement, in the parking lot, in the version of yourself you assumed no one would ever pick. And somehow, that restrained hope feels more radical than any dramatic romance ever could.
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This review may contain spoilers
Expectations unfortunately not met
Dance is neither about technique nor stamina. Love is what makes it whole🕺🏻OK. Let's start with the good🕺🏻
The acting - The guys killed it. I have seen Keita before in Cherry Magic & Alice in Borderland and was excited to see him back in the BL realm. I knew he was good and my man; he did not disappoint. No notes
Ryoma is a new face to me, but he was amazing too. He expresses emotions so freaking well. It just grabs you. I could feel how much he hated Sugiki in the beginning, when he started wanting him; I was there with him—in that desire, denial, and confusion. And when Sugiki broke his heart, I felt that too. When he cried, when he made the choice to go back to competing after the heartbreak, when he struggled to walk away from Sugiki's honor dance, when he finally faced him on that floor. I felt it all. Hat's off to the man
The chemistry - My God!! It was palpable. Everyone has mentioned it, but that scene in the train... *fans self*. And the kiss scene towards the end. Also, I was mesmerised every time they danced together
Their type of dance matched their personalities beautifully - Sugiki does ballroom. Idk much about dance, but from what I saw in this, it's a very controlled type of dancing. Beautiful to look at, but rigid in its execution.
On the other hand, Suzuki is a free spirit. He also walks, breaths, moves like sex, and so is his dance style. It's fun and sexy, while Suguki's is very restrained.
Suzuki wants to have fun in his life, but Sugiki is very controlled and by the book. He knows what he wants, sees the goal, and will stick by it, everything else be damned.
How they dance spills into their personalities. Or is it vice versa?
The cinematography and the grandeur of it all - Are we surprised though? It's a Netflix production. You know the production budget be budgeting
🕺🏻What I didn't like🕺🏻
The title says it all. The movie did not match the expectations set by the trailer
When you watch the trailer, you expect the movie to be very sensual, very sexy. You expect their relationship to be very emotionally charged. A love that stems from hate, passion (for dance and Suzuki's hatred for Sugiki), desire, and an unwitting respect for each other's craft. I was at the edge of my seat waiting for such a story
Unfortunately, when you get to the story, this all kinda... fades away? A lot of the story is told in silence (?). There are a lot of looks to the other person, facial expressions, but very little in the way of actual communication. As the audience, you kinda have to connect the dots and guess what they are feeling and thinking. That removes the 'punch' of what this story could be
Their romance — if you could even call it that — doesn't progress much, and so by the end, everything feels unfinished. They kissed on the train. I thought things would get steamier, but they went their separate ways. Only to meet 2(?) months later in the UK with Suzuki thinking about how he wants Sugiki's eyes on him.... And then they break up
Girl... What?? What happened in the 2 months??? I have read some comments by the Manga readers that allude to what happened after the train, leading up to the breakup, and after, but if you're going to make a movie, shouldn't you include what happens in the source material in the show? I feel like cutting out major details does a disservice not only to the viewers who may not have checked out the book, but also to the readers who may want a better portrayal of a story they love
The ending was also very.... Ugh. It's open-ended. Not a fan of those. I hear it's because the manga isn't complete. Perhaps the manga shall end n we'll get a sequel. Hopefully, a better installation than this one
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Unique and Worthy
Moving is literally those extremely good, rare television dramas that come out every 5 years.I’ll be honest, at first I didn’t expect much as I thought that Moving would be a ‘recycled’ drama where the theme and some parts of the plot would be a copy and paste, but I was wrong. The fact that the creator thought of the way of starting Moving by showing the students perspectives as a ‘build-up,’ then slowly, but perfectly showing the parents history to lead up to the climax to combine both, is a job well done. Furthermore, the considerate amount of effort put into each character involved is amazing, and really, you can tell. Whether it be the main characters or the minor characters, or those with abilities or not, they are all involved in the story and have unique personalities and stories. Their stories impact the drama, and their history adds on to how the climax was created. Even the introduction of new characters wasn’t tiring because they all have a purpose. Every episode is thrilling, and every episode ends with a cliffhanger. My eyes were glued onto a screen the entire time watching Moving and I would not leave my couch because I wanted, no NEEDED more.
The line-up of Moving is truly a rare sight, in which even my parents were shocked at the amount of stars involved in a single project. Ranging from the legendary icons that brought Kdramas and KMovies global fame (Han Hyo Joo, Ryu Seung Ryong, Zo In Sung, Cha Tae Hyun), to the rookies that absolutely exceeded my expectations (Lee Jung Ha, Go Youn Jung, Kim Do Hoon), this star-stunning cast, portrayed their characters extremely well throughout the drama. Yes, you can be sceptical at once and even confused after seeing Han Hyo Joo playing a mother, but trust me, once you keep going forward, you’ll know that she is the perfect person for the role. I can’t say anything different for the rest of the cast either, because they did so perfectly well portraying their characters, their emotions, and their thoughts. Everyone involved is extremely talented, and their outstanding acting could even get you wondering just how talented they are.
The cinematography involved is outstanding, and so is the music. Believe me, I’m obsessed with one of the BGM because it’s just so perfectly made. The editor really knew when to add each sound in because they relate and fit into the scene so much.
I really enjoyed watching Moving as it’s a really amazing show. I’ll be down to rewatch it another, no, multiple times because it’s definitely those shows that you can watch again without getting bored. The drama is a well executed, well made masterpiece that the Moving staff and actors created what most dramas couldn’t do. Easily a 10/10.
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I have to say, this drama is one of the best dramas I've watched in a while. I haven't felt like this about a drama since Secret Garden. This drama is cute and romantic and the idea of time traveling back and forth from the Joseon Dynasty kept me interested. I really appreciated the way the writers explained everything unlike most dramas that leave you asking questions to as why something happened.
The actors/actresses were eye catching, especially the main characters. Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo are absolutely adorable together. The only thing that I don't agree with what everyone says is Yoo In Na's acting. Don't get me wrong, her sob scenes were really moving, but when she wasn't sobbing, and she was just crying normally, it felt like she was forcing it. But other than that, she was great.
Overall, it's a really great drama that I would recommend to everyone who just wants to watch a good romance. Words cannot describe how amazing Queen Inhyun's Man is.
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Screwed-up adults living in a screwed-up house
I'm probably going to get a lot of stick and downvotes on this review but I still want to share my dissatisfaction with this show.STORY (No spoilers)
This show is about 4 adults with various emotional and psychological problems living together and, as a result, messing each other up with their screwed-up-ness. And fair warning: there is sexual content in this show with issues of a sexual nature raised. If you're in the mood for a rather disturbing, ambiguous show with heavy sexual content but with no proper character progression or story development then this show is for you.
With 10 episodes at around 30 minutes each, this show has very limited time to address any of the deep, fractured emotional problems and psychology the characters have. Unfortunately, this ambitious undertaking falls far short of its mark because seriously, nothing really gets addressed. The show never really delved deep into the psychology of our screwed up characters, nor into their healing process. It's a glorified 'slice of life' show about dysfunctional people being dysfunctional with a sexual twist embedded, period.
I personally thought that this show could be really intriguing and even ground-breaking with the kind of issues it raised in the early episodes but was sorely disappointed with the lack of development, growth and progression of the characters as episode after episode went by. There was no effort made by the show to address any of the problems the characters were facing in a healthy and considerate way. These people need help - serious help - but the show doesn't tell you how to get it. This drama came across pointless and aimless and I have no idea what sort of message this show wanted to send but I was certainly getting nothing positive from it.
ACTING/ CAST
Serviceable. Nothing particularly outstanding because each character seemed to represent an extreme end of the spectrum of dysfunctionality.
I have to hand it to Masaki Nakao who plays the withdrawn and socially inept Hongyo though - the ability to deadpan some of what would be the most embarrassing lines under some of the craziest situations is noteworthy.
MUSIC
Nothing particularly outstanding or memorable.
RE-WATCH VALUE
I personally disliked the show. I have no problem with shows that introduce dysfunctional people who suffer from emotional, psychological and sexual problems but I do have an issue when a show does that without really addressing the problems it raised and simply lets its characters mess about with one another, stirring up pools of muddy water for the sake of entertainment.
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The ending truly ruined it all
This review will contain heavy spoilers for the ending.Revenge of Others was a fun ride, until the last two episodes that is. It's pretty rare for me to have the ending of a show completely change how I feel about it. There are good endings, meh endings and bad ones... but I've seldom felt that disappointed. Maybe I had too high expectations, maybe it was the straw that broke the camel's back. Revenge of Others' ending is cliché, lazy and basically just a middle finger both to the audience and the rest of the show. Early episodes were good, with flaws, yes, yet it was still solid. But nowadays, most kdramas are great at what they do, so you need the entirety of your work to be good, not just the beginning, not just the middle. It feels like Revenge of Others was half-assed, and any good this show had is overshadowed by the ending.
The most interesting thing about a TV show, as opposed to movies, is that you have time to grow attached to the characters. You become familiar with them and grow curious. You could say you actually care about them (especially if you're watching while the show is airing). That is the exact reason why you can't just dump a few lines on the viewers and call it a day. That's not only bad writing: it's like spitting in the face of said viewers.
So what was so wrong with that ending? To put it simply, the creators of the show tried SO HARD to give it a happy ending, despite it not matching the tone of the series, that they ended up... basically not giving it an ending at all. How did they do that? By not telling you anything and letting you decide what comforts you. Okay, let's be fair. They do tell you a few things, but not about what is important.
> Soo Heon has a brain tumor? Okay, he drops out to do his own shit for a while and you're free to imagine whatever pleases you after that. Did he die? Did his condition stabilize? That's up to you (who even cares, brain tumors are not that serious now, are they? It's not like he got his head banged way too many times. If the doctor is as qualified as his wife, he probably misdiagnosed him anyway). With it being such a central plot point, you'd hope for something a bit more conclusive than a "for now he's lucky". Truthfully, the tumor is just a plot device to make you doubt he is the killer because of the induced violent behaviors. So in the end, I just wonder what was even the point of us worrying about him?
God forbid they'd actually use his condition to truly talk about the hardships that come from it all. Not saying the show should've solely focused on that, that's obviously not the plot, but it would've been nice if it had been treated more seriously.
> Is Jae Beom in prison or not? You choose. Was there even any proof that he was manipulated by Gi O Sung? Did he completely take the blame? Does it matter? Should we care? Apparently not, since the show decided to completely erase his existence the moment he stepped in that police car. If he is lucky, the car was actually an interdimensional rift that took him far away from the land of trash ending kdramas.
Don't get me wrong, open endings are fine. I actually love them to death and dislike when everything is spelled out for you. However, this is not an open ending (and if it genuinely tried to be one, it's appalling). This is just a rushed, awful, uncreative and lazy ending that has (unfortunately) been seen again and again, either because the writers didn't know how to write a proper one, either because they were scared of negative reactions from the audience. Both options are bad.
This is an ending that screams that the writers had so little faith in their show, their characters and universe, that they believed viewers would lose interest the minute the mystery was finally solved, that they wouldn't be willing to give one more hour to properly say goodbye to the characters and learn what happened to them. And well, that's truly a shame since an entire episode dealing with the aftermath would've been a perfect way to wrap this up, because surprisingly the characters ARE interesting. As a viewer, I want to know what happens to these people, I don't want three fucking sentences from a narrator telling me: "this happened, oh and this too, everything was solved and we're living happily ever after, nothing is wrong in the universe!!!!"... For Christ's sake, either show me or actually write a proper open ending!
Those few sentences don't even cover everything that needs answers. I mentioned it earlier, but Jae Beom's story seems to end the moment he's taken away by the police, as if he wasn't a main character too. At this point I feel like they forgot to include him in the ending. Chan Mi vaguely mentions to Soo Heon that he confessed, but that is the last time we hear of him. Can you believe that we don't even know WHAT he confessed to? Did he confess to killing Park Won Seok only? Did he confess to the car shop murder too? What, you actually wanted to know that? Cope.
I don't understand how you can put so much care into developing an interesting storyline and characters, just to give up on giving it proper closure.
Seriously, I can't believe this. As far as I'm concerned, Gi O Sung is dead and Jae Joon supposedly disappeared forever, because that's definitely how DID works. That means Jae Beom literally has no choice but to take full responsibility, despite being taken advantage of and manipulated by the very person who tried to kill him. Because let's think about this for a second:
-He would first have to prove that he was pushed from the roof by O Sung. O Sung is dead, there's no way to prove it;
-He would then have to prove that he did indeed have a split personality, but since Jae Joon is gone forever after a few words from Chan Mi, good luck with that;
-Even if he managed to do that, he would have to prove that O Sung had gaslighted Jae Joon into believing Won Seok had pushed him, which led to his revenge, and that he, Jae Beom, wasn't aware of any of it. But guess what? O Sung is dead, Jae Joon is no more, so yeah, no doing that. They might have a few people testify, but I highly doubt that would lead to anything.
Not to mention, when talking about the car shop murder to Chan Mi, Jae Joon mentioned that Jae Beom would've covered for Soo Heon. Just because they are friends. Just because he is a good person. Which leads me to believe that after getting his memory back, he would be so guilt-ridden that he wouldn't even try to defend himself anyway. He seems like he would believe he deserves the worst punishment. At this point, the only thing that could save him is his parents' money, which I doubt he would agree to use to get himself out of this.
So while Gi O Sung got the easy way out, Jae Beom will be the only one to suffer because of his deeds. In a way, O Sung killed him twice: the moment he pushed him from that roof, and the moment he himself fell to his death. While I do believe Jae Beom should face consequences for what happened, I don't believe jail time is the right thing. He should be admitted to a mental health facility. Ultimately, I would've been more satisfied if he had managed to kill himself. That would've been easier for him. Honestly, I cannot understand for the life of me why kdrama writers always think that death is proper comeuppance for plain evil characters. Dying is easy, life in prison is hell. O Sung should have to live through that. He should have to deal with everyone hating his guts and have his freedom stripped away. Had the show not been going for a happy ending, maybe that not happening would've been fine, but since it's not the case it just doesn't sit well with me that one of the kindest characters is getting this treatment, while the worst one just... died.
Aside from that, there are other elements that don't really make sense to me. For example, it's never really made clear how Jae Beom and O Sung's fight at the stables ended. Jae Beom seemed like he was ready to murder or at least severely beat up O Sung for what he did to him, while the latter would do anything to cover his own ass. Yet, the following day O Sung is unscathed and Jae Beom is chilling on a boat. How did that happen?
And whose boat was that? I'm guessing it belongs to Jae Beom's family but then when he was reported missing... isn't it one of the first places that should've been checked? I know the police are all sharing one unique brain cell but that's like the ABC of investigating a disappearance. The show runners wanted us to believe O Sung had killed/abducted Jae Beom, but come on... They try so hard to confuse the viewers and play the reverse psychology card, yet most people could guess who had done what and why ages before the end anyway.
Then we have this scene where every single student learns EVERYTHING through various text messages and immediately believes it, then proceeds to suddenly realize that "oh yeah, gi o sung did this and that!!!!", as if they all used to be aware of that fact, but collectively forgot, because no one seemed to have beef with him before that. I guess they could only remember him being super manipulative after reading those texts. Sure. Then they all lie to the police because of course, there's not a single outcast out of the loop, or someone that's scared to lie. It's a TV show, yadda yadda, but how can I not laugh at that? They didn't even HAVE to lie! Gi O Sung's fall was not only an accident but also self-defense, he was literally threatening a student with a box cutter after having abducted another??? I get they reaaaaally wanted to go for that tacky “If everyone decides to corroborate a lie, then it becomes the truth”, but that was so bad.
I want to gloss over a few other things too:
-Ok Chan Mi started out as a good character but got dumber and dumber as things moved on;
-Shin Ye Eun's acting (and a few others) seemed awkward at times. I'm not sure whether that was the script or not, but I've seen her in other shows and I remember her being fine;
-I get Jae Beom was her friend for a long time and overall a good person, but would Chan Mi realistically get over "him" killing her brother that fast?;
-When she was on that call with her brother, how could Chan Mi not hear Jae Beom's voice as he talked to Won Seok?;
-O Sung wanting to kill Won Seok was stupid considering they both had dirt on each other. They could've just left it at that and no one would have talked. But I guess since Jae Beom is technically the one that killed him, O Sung just didn't care;
-Everyone always seems to fall for O Sung's lies for some reason, even after it was established he could not be trusted;
-Jae Beom's timeline at the time of Won Seok's death wasn't clear and it was annoying. Was he back to school full time? Won Seok was surprised to see him again, so was he not discharged from the hospital yet? Then how did he leave without being noticed?;
-Did Jae Beom actually have a twin or was it split personality right from the beginning? This doesn't necessarily need an answer but I would've liked to know for sure;
-Jae Beom's parents knew about his DID but never tried to do anything about it. Maybe because it would give them a bad reputation (who knows, they don't explain why), but wouldn't you try to at least discreetly talk to a doctor about it? I don't think it's that hard when you have this much money;
-No one else ever noticed it except for O Sung? How did he even know? That would've been nice to learn about. It's like they're trying to give as less details as possible about the manipulation part, as if it wasn't a major plot point that the viewers would like to know about;
-The evil alter ego plot twist trope needs to stop. There are ways this could be interesting, but apparently never in kdramas. The way DID is constantly misrepresented in these shows is so tiring. I haven't even researched the topic that much but even I know this is not how it works. It was so badly presented in the 12th episode that I wasn't even sure if they were actually going for that or for some weird ghost possession bullshit. At this point I'm not even certain what I'd prefer;
-I'm not an expert but I'm positive we now have means to determine whether someone jumped, fell or was pushed from a building.
A few positive things:
-The dynamic and chemistry between the characters was quite good, and their friendship was really compelling;
-Most characters were interesting, there wasn't anyone I was particularly annoyed with;
-As I've said, I haven't researched DID that extensively (I have given up on a decent portrayal anyway), but I thought the way Jae Beom and Jae Joon were differentiated was a nice touch. I found the scene with Jae Beom signing using the wrong hand + name smart. The moment he switched the gun to his other hand as he tried to kill himself was heartbreaking;
-The show is entertaining and gets you hooked easily, it's mostly the end that acts as a wake-up call, making you realize that overall, the writing wasn't that good.
In conclusion, this is another example of a show that could have been a good one if not for its ending. In my opinion, the ending of a show is one of, if not the, most important part of it. If you mess that up, then you leave people with a bitter aftertaste, no matter how good everything that came before was. On the contrary, a particularly good ending can completely blow your mind and turn around your perspective of a show/movie. So you can't and shouldn't ignore a bad ending just because the rest was okay.
I feel like many interesting questions could've been brought up too. The writers could've addressed the topic of the Korean juvenile justice system (which is apparently known to be particularly awful), with how easily characters seemed to get away with the crazy things they pulled. Or if a murder is caused by the manipulation of a vulnerable person, then who's to blame? What punishment should be given? Are mental health issues like these even taken into consideration by the court?
I don't know, this was such a waste. I really wish they hadn't rushed the ending like that, my rating would've been much higher otherwise. It could also be a bit lower, but I tried to keep in mind the qualities from the earlier episodes too (consider that 6/10 is only 1 point above average/mediocre).
Well, what is done is done. I don't think I would recommend anyone to watch this unless they are prepared to face the disappointment.
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Because trust me you not going to regret it!
Okay let me start with the most important thing. Plot/Writing. Which seems like a lot of people complain about. Now I'm not saying it was 10/10 however I was not bored for even one second or had any problems with how the story was layed out. We start off the whole drama with a lot of questions which I personally liked as it made it much more interesting. The action and the misery parts were truly amazing. It is a rom-com kdrama so I wasn't really expecting much of a twists and exitment but I gotta say that I've never seen such a well balanced kdrama. We got the right amount of romance, comedy, action and fantasy. Masterpiece.
Acting:
I gotta say that this was the first time watching a kdrama with An Hyo Seop and Park Bo Young ( because yes I did not watch Strong Girl Bong soon) and Oh my God. I am a fan. Totally. Without a doubt. I loved her acting as I feel like she was able to deliver emotion in a really professional way. She was truly impressing. As for Hyo Seop I kinda felt like he was a pretty face rookie actor and in the beginning I thought that would ruin his character however I felt like it suited his cute, clusmy and a little bit dumb character. A lot of people criticized Cha Min's character and I might have to agree with that a little bit as I think they could've give more to Cha Min. More charisma maybe more seriousness however I think it wasn't a big problem as his cute silliness suited the drama
Music:
I have nothing much to say about this. It was just truly amazing and I am usually really picky with ost as I get bored of listening to the same songs through 16 episode.
Ending:
Another element of the drama that I read a lot of hate comments about. And I seriously thought for a good 10 minutes that I'm gonna hate the ending. But obviously I didn't. To be honest it wasn't anything special we seen it before but sometimes extravaganza endings can ruin a drama. I'm gonna be honest this was the ending I needed. Sweet and chill. And nice refreshing ending after all the excitement.
Overall:
I seriously don't get why this drama is getting a lot of hate. If you are unsure of watching it, Trust me! It's a worth watch. Perfect plotwist. And it is just so entertaining!!!
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The first thing you should know about this show is that it's a sitcom. It's basis is humor. Different types of humor don't apply to everyone so its really a hit-or-miss with each individual. I myself wasn't sure about it in the first couple of episodes. However, as I continued to watch, I found myself liking it more and more as the characters and plots developed. The story follows the paths of many characters who all intersect with each other dealing with a variety of things like school, work, family, and romance. I thought it was great it all aspects including the music, acting, and story line. Though I love it to pieces, I gave it a five for rewatch value. Not to say it isn't good though. I gave it a five because of the amount of episodes. I wouldn't sit down and rewatch all 123 episodes, but I would catch an episode or two if it came on. That's the great thing about sitcoms, if you're familiar with the characters and story line, you can technically pick up anywhere to rewatch!
I haven't seen "Unstoppable High Kick" or "High Kick Through the Roof!" yet so I'm not sure how it compares to them. However, if you're a fan of comedies/sitcoms, I'd definitely recommend giving this show a go. :D
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