This review may contain spoilers
What did I just watch?
I was very excited to watch this season as it has been a long wait, but after binging it the entire day it ended with a very unsatisfying ending.I'm happy that the ending was a happy one even though a lot of characters died for absolute no reason, the main trio did deserve their happy ending together. That's also where the problem lays within this season, I feel like only the trio got their happy ending and all the characters from the first season which we loved very much, had a sad ending for no reason.
In this review there will be a lot of bad points but the story also had some good points: surprisingly it was fast paced, each episode flew by, literally. The acting was also good, especially how Eun-yu's and Yi-Kyung's characters had been played out but then there were also characters that felt a bit monotone. I'm sure there's more but the bad points, for me, are the ones that weighed more than the good ones.
First of all, why is Eun-hyeok a robot?
In the first season he was also kind of a robot with no emotions as he only wanted his sister to be safe and then at the end, we finally see him crack a real smile and even tears! I had hoped to see him again with a bit of more character development but it actually got worse... we also didn't get to see his process of monsterization, only the end product . He was the only character I was so excited to see again but he basically didn't have any personality which was very unfortunate.
Second, lots of characters in the second season were added which was a bit complicated to understand at first but it's normal since the season 1- crew step outside into the open world. It's normal to meet new characters and it's also normal that some of the characters just exist and others actually have a purpose but I feel like almost every single new character that had a bit of potential just died off or just wasn't worth a few more scenes...
For example, we get introduced to Chief Ji, the lady who was in charge at the stadium before the army arrived. She is very mysterious and seems to be a badass character but in the end she's just a coward who feeds her monster son humans and because of the guilt decided to end it.
Another one is the priest, he acts very calm and had potential to actually become someone important but in the end ran off searching for the crazy lady to end up running away with her but wait where is their story? We only get to see him in a car accident and that explains how they have such a strong bond...
Another frustrating one is the old man with the girl on drugs. He's a very strong character who's very calm and seems to know what he's doing and could get very far in life but suddenly he becomes a monster and end ups dying because why?
All these and more characters that were introduced in the second season could've become something that could have had big impact on the ending but it seemed to me that they were only there so both seasons could be more than a few episodes.
Third, why did they do the season 1 characters all so bad? Did they not deserve a happy day at all?
Yi-Kyung who had been fighting since day one, trying to find her fiance, giving birth to a monster and raising it, fighting its psycho father, .... did she really have to die off?
Sang-wook was just there to be possessed by the villian and his existence was basically wiped away, the only proof he was actually in the two last seasons were the appearance of his body and one time he tried to fight back the monster inside him but oh! suddenly in the end he comes back to life! only to burn to death the next second ...
I'm gonna stop rambling now... it was just a very dissapointing day for something I had been waiting on for so long... I'm gonna go cry now
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Acting: They’re having their own personalities as characters. DoJin is a cool handsome lonely man, Taesan is a warm-hearted friend, Yoon shy nerd, and cute attorney, and Jungrok is the hottest playboy on earth haha. Actually, I just want to tell you guys that I’m smiling while typing these because they’re so funny. Kim Haneul and the other 3 divas also did a very good job in supporting, although you saw these divas fighting each other sometimes, I bet they failed to get on your nerves. they’re pretty too. In each of the opening episodes you better get prepared because these F40’s will make you laugh like crazy except when Yoon’s wife's death moment. I didn’t realize I cried my tears out, those without-word scenes really touch my heart deeply, I never cried that much after Secret Garden.
These F40’s really did an excellent job in acting, flawless, cutest, funniest, and great chemistry between the cast especially Dojin, Taesan, Jungrok, and Yoon. You’ll miss Dojin's Betty, Taesan's cursing skills plus Hwak!!, Jungrok's ring and Yoon's nerd glass.. They made my day. AGD is a mixed-feelings drama, funny, sad, dreamy and desires, exciting and loving and this is really the best romantic comedy ever aired. From my personal view, although ImMeahri can be irritating sometimes I pity her. Her relationship with Yoon makes me cry so many times, the cutest forbidden love story. The way Yoon hides his feeling toward her sometimes can be frustrating at a moment but luckily they live happily in the end.
Music: Every time I hear High High, I just imagined the 4 of them gathered and making havoc everywhere. LOL. That song really makes my heart jump excited every time I listen to it and Jonghyun’s song called “ My Love” is in an acoustic version, omg he really has an angelic voice.
Rewatch value: I did rewatch them and I will rewatch them after this, especially the opening of each episode.
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1DEATH'S GAME - A MUCH NEEDED PERSPECTIVE TO LIFE !
I still haven't processed this drama through and through and ig in the hope of being able to make the most out of it I am writing this review. To say that it's a MUST WATCH would be such an understatement because you'll sincerely be missing out so much.I am not a webtoon reader so I didn't know what was in stock for me but to say that I am overwhelmed by the amount of emotions I felt in such a short span would be the most just way of saying I LOVED IT TO EVERY BIT!
I don't know what other people are feeling about it but to me most of it was unpredictable even tho I guessed the last episode correct it didn't really drag me away from the drama I give that to the acting because I don't really fan girl predictable stuff.
THE CAST - IS MAGIC ! to all the cameos, all the episodic narratives, to all the emotions that they bring out to the screen it just pure treat to every drama lover there is.
The perspective to every character was so beautifully done that it felt like I went through all the 12 lives and that I was just given a piece of their memory and told to live out the rest. I became an assailant, a victim, a survivor, a savior and most of it all I became a human!
I realized that meaning of life is not in being able to live as the wealthiest person or as anyone else but you. There's no one else like you and to think that you are the only one suffering and every other being seems to be having a fate that you would wish for, is the most useless thought to ever exist.
The narrative is so tightly packed that every death has a significant contribution to the story even the ones that seemingly exist in almost parallel worlds are connected to ease and perfection.
This drama does make you rethink about all you are and all you have, it makes you grateful and aware of the true miracles that god has given all of us!
I might have more to say about it later but for now I just hope whoever is reading this review does watch the drama and spares a minute to think about all the tiny miracles that surround.
my fav lines from the drama would be-
"A persons character is determined not by the belief they hold, but by the actions over the course of their lifetime ."
"As i disappeared from this world, my death remained behind with those who loved me . "
"Your sins will end up finding their way back to you so don't ever commit them ."
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1Bow down for love.
I finally finished it. I ended up taking a lot of time pausing and trying to make this drama last longer. I was reluctant to say goodbye.Song Zuer captivates with a natural charm that blends playfulness, wit, and vibrant energy. Xiao Qiao, in contrast, embodies quiet strength and intelligence. She faces adversity with deliberate care and unwavering courage, always thinking ahead. Her deep understanding of Wei Shao guides her every move, and she stands by his side as an equal—never idle, never reckless.
Rather than allowing him to face danger alone, she shares the burden, fiercely protecting him, herself, and those she loves. She gently challenges him to see the Qiaos in a different light—an idea he struggles to accept at first. Yet she holds no resentment. Aware of the wounds he carries, she responds with patience and empathy, slowly helping him release the past and find peace—to truly bury the hatchet.
Liu Yuning’s Wei Shao commands attention without a word—his presence alone shifts the air. With sharp features and a cool, unreadable expression, he doesn’t chase the spotlight; he is the spotlight. He’s not the man you run to, but the one you instinctively follow—back straight, breath held. Yet beneath the warlord’s cold exterior lies a flicker of warmth. When he breaks down before Xiao Qiao, the depth of his love, pride, and pain bleeds through every glance.
Liu Yuning delivers a performance both fierce and tender, capturing a rare duality—dominant yet vulnerable, righteous yet enigmatic. His understated intensity, commanding voice, and raw martial edge give him a wolf-like energy that’s magnetic and nearly impossible to imitate.
These two demeanors create this electric “wolf and fox” dynamic. Both characters are written to extremes, and these two actors push those extremes in a way that makes their chemistry almost untouchable. Their on-screen connection feels fated.
The Wei brothers were an absolute delight to watch, each bringing unique personalities that lit up every scene. They truly embodied the Wei clan’s reputation for strength and spirit.
At first, I wasn’t particularly fond of Wei Yan, but over time, he grew on me. His personal journey—coming to terms with his past and striving to become better—added depth to his character. He played a key role in strengthening the bond between the wolf and the fox, acting as a catalyst for their relationship. Over time, he proved himself to be a sharp-witted companion and a dependable ally during the final conflict. I gained a newfound respect for him; he’s undeniably flawed, but he owns those flaws and integrates them into who he is.
Of course, can’t leave out Wei Liang and Xiao Tao, who were an absolutely charming pair. Their relationship started off with playful bickering, which quickly became their unique love language. As the story progressed, that lighthearted banter blossomed into one of the most heartwarming romances in the entire drama.
What made their dynamic so endearing was how effortlessly they matched each other's energy. By the end, they had become a couple you couldn’t help but root for—sweet, sincere, and impossible not to smile at.
The women of the Wei family—Wei Shao’s mother and grandmother—were standouts during the final conflict. Both displayed remarkable strength and resilience. While Wei Shao’s mother initially clashed with the main couple, she eventually transformed into one of their strongest allies. She is not an amazing character, but she changed for the better.
In contrast, his grandmother was a steady force from the beginning. She was the voice of reason and the key figure without whom the relationship might never have been possible. Wise and composed, she never boasted about her insights, yet she approached every serious matter with gravity. Most importantly, she supported Xiao Qiao from the very start, despite her ties to the rival clan.
I found the power struggle within the Qiao family interesting, particularly between the leader and Xiao Qiao's father, who was one of my favorite characters. He reminded me in some ways of Wei Shao's grandmother.
Da Qiao and Bi Zhi’s story is parallel to that of Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao. I really enjoyed their dynamic, although some of Bi Zhi’s choices sometimes felt off to me. Da Qiao was almost always supportive of him. While Bi Zhi might have become a general, deep down he was just trying to give the woman he loved a peaceful life. They were also one of the couples that demonstrated the most mutual understanding and care for each other.
As for the villains, they were strong but came off as a little too easy to win against at times.
The story’s pacing is sharp and well-balanced, with both narrative arcs—political drama and romance—equally engaging and never overshadowing one another.
The plot unfolds in the aftermath of a devastating betrayal between two once-allied clans. Wei Shao, who witnessed the tragic loss of his loved ones at a young age, harbors deep hatred toward the Qiao clan. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself falling for Xiao Qiao, a member of the Qiao family. She enters the Wei clan through a political marriage intended to halt an impending revenge plot and initiate peace talks.
The heart of the story lies in their romance. What begins as mutual hostility and manipulation gradually transforms into a deep bond rooted in trust and empathy. Their growing connection becomes a challenge for the main antagonists, as Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao develop an unwavering understanding of each other. Remarkably, they never blame one another for the actions of their families. Wei Shao is able to see Xiao Qiao as an individual, separate from the clan he despises, choosing not to project his anger onto her. In turn, Xiao Qiao respects his role as a leader and forgives the difficult decisions he must make under the weight of his responsibilities.
The romance in this story blossoms at a gentle, unhurried pace, skillfully weaving together light-hearted humor, tender exchanges, and a powerful, slow-burning chemistry that draws you in. It’s not a tale driven by a consistent trope of a relentlessly toxic or overbearing male lead. If you’re looking for a drama built around emotional manipulation or cold indifference disguised as passion, this is not it.
At its heart, it is Wei Shao’s deeply personal and emotional journey. He begins as a proud, battle-hardened leader, defined by his authority, sharp instincts, and the weight of past grievances. But as the story unfolds, we witness the transformation of a man long guarded by resentment and power. Slowly, he begins to dismantle the emotional walls he has spent years building.
This isn’t just a love story—it’s a quiet surrender. Wei Shao doesn’t simply fall in love; he bows to it. Not in defeat, but in reverence. He lays down the armor forged from pain and pride and kneels at the altar of love—not out of weakness, but out of strength and trust. In Xiao Qiao, he finds not just a partner but a safe haven, someone worthy of seeing his vulnerability. And in doing so, he chooses tenderness over vengeance, devotion over pride. His submission to love becomes the most courageous act of all.
Now, about the visuals—I absolutely loved the artistic direction they took with the drama. The color palette and gradients used in the sets and costumes, especially the wedding attire, were stunning. The title card shots for each state were also beautifully done, showing just how much attention to detail went into maintaining visual consistency throughout. It was a visually captivating experience with fantastic cinematography. While there weren't many large battle scenes, that didn’t matter much, as they were never the central focus of the story.
I also really enjoyed the background music during the emotional scenes—it added a lot of depth. The opening theme, sung by Liu Yuning, was excellent, and overall, the entire soundtrack was well-chosen and perfectly fitting.
Overall, this was one of the most put-together and well-written dramas of this year so far. I know it has its flaws, but it is a story I enjoyed, with moments that vary from touching to laughter-inducing. It's a drama that I could easily see myself rewatching in the future.
"Dripping water wears through stone; with a beauty by my side, sorrow and hatred dissolve.
With gentle affection and tender grace, even a noble man bends his will for true love."
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This review may contain spoilers
This one needs to be eng subbed, so more people can enjoy this. This was like a mesh of Healer and City Hunter. The cast was full of beautiful people. There was a perfect balance between the fluffy romance and the intense bloody action scenes. I loved that no one suspected the HMH to be the skilled masked fighter because he looks like such a cute puppy. The writers also did a good job in making me debate on who the good guys and who the bad guys were.
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Great characterization but unable to engage
The story had some great characters. I really like how each character was represented, their conversations, the themes the show represented, visuals and overall feel of the story. I enjoyed overall positive relationships. I liked all the couples and also enjoyed the main character's journey to find himself and how he becomes agent from an athlete.At the same time, there wasn't a point where I got deeply involved in the story. I never waited for the next episode and never really had any urge to complete the story. There were good elements but it didn't get to me. I also wish they had spent more time on the athlete/track side of the story and his growth. That would have been more interesting. It gets very slow sometimes and conversations between characters seem all over the place. There were many times I didn't understand what the characters really wanted to say. Also, the show doesn't really show the difference between selfishness and self-love. The terms are used interchangeably.
Overall very interesting characters & themes, coherant relationships, but not a great story telling.
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Ep 1 to 20 was just so good. You watch effortlessly seeing the sparks fly between Jia Yang and Qiao Fei. The ingenuous ways he come up to make her life miserable and try to make her quit as trainee in the field of French interpreter. They clash and butt heads but Fei was resilent and refuse to give up her dream.
Then all that mess from the brother being the old flame and has a obessive nature when it comes to Fei. To the second female lead who was a tad pathethic in her love for Jia Ming but then retracted to wanting to be with Jia Yang.. mess and more mess
Then comes the mother who does extreme things like ruining her own son just to break up Jia Yang and Fei. Who does that? And to such extreme. It felt like this drama plot purposefully over inflate itself to generate angst, to fill in episodes? To drag it to pass 40episodes?
I felt like a masochist sticking with this drama to the end. Ep 28 to 36 was so hard to watch. Like 45mins of episode and only 10minutes or less worth watching.
I tell myself i need to see off Jia Yang and Fei's ending so i stuck with it til the ending . but oh boy instead of being awarded with my patience (which really is painful and teeth grinding). The last episode (heads up) isnt satisfying. It was rushed, cramped and jumbled. Didnt flow well and they try to make it dramatic but not believable. Its hard to believe the ending episode is rushed when the last 15or so episodes were so draggy. I still believ the first half that was good was written by another team of writers. If there are the same people then someone must have zap out commonsense from their heads. Like they run out of ideas what to do with the second half of the drama.
If you are wandering to watch or not. I recommend no for several reasons.
The last 1/3 compeltely deviates from the original story of being interpreters
The cliche part of being sick and the high noble road of sparing your loved ones from grief was not written well. Yes alot of dramas commit the same mistake but the way Fei did it just felt wrong. I felt it create needless grief for Jia Yang. Personally i think its selfish when you run away from your loved ones without sharing the truth and deliberately lets him misunderstand you. Her love didnt respect Jia Yang and made that decision for both of them without his knowledge.
Jia Yang's character actually went backwards in terms of growth. Yes it was nice to see him being less demonic and so loving to Fei. But then he became unprofessional when it comes to his work and career. And it was also annoying that he kept saying their love can survive it but i didnt see real actions to solve the problems. Your girlfriend keeps saying there's a big gap between them and that he didnt understand her difficulties.but he carries on as is and with regards to xiao hua and her dad. Although yes his words that their love can withstand it all, there was no action ... It was like him allowing the realtionship to fail eventually.
Jia ming, xiao hua and the guy he married. All characters i dont care for.
Qiao Fei bestfriend was ok but her love line was also not properly developed. Theres too much childish behaviour and they left it too late to the end to show changes.
If you do want to give this a try because the truth is Huang Xuan was really good and engaging as Jia Yang and sparks do fly when he sparrs with Yang Mi's Qiao Fei. Then i recommend you watch the front half of the drama up until he confess and they start dating. The second half will only make you scratch and then bang your head in frustation. So please dont suffer as i did..
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Im happy to report the opening two episodes i was swept away. The opening theme is one of the best ive heard in awhile (its a trademark sound similar to CSI) and the cinematography was so nicely done. Those drawings adorable and gorgeous. Finally i now couldnt imagine Ji Bai as none other than Wang Kai and Xuxu none other than Olivia. They both suited the roles to a T.
Yet there is a but after putting out these praises. Of all the 3 novels from Ding Mo i find the love relationship in When Snail falls in love to be the cutest and sweetest. And just the right balance with the crime solving bit. But the production crew in this drama has opted to tip that balance and scale down the romance. I understand roles get magnify or diminish and plots do change in adaptation. But i cant really agree its for the better with some of the changes. Nevermind that its more centric on police detective skills, crime solving and profiling and character growth for Xuxu.
Just to name a few: Xuxu's pursuer was scraped off. Xuxu as the solo disciple to Master Ji scrap off. The JiBai pursue first got a 180degree treatment. The reason why JiBai went to Myanmar changed. Yao meng character changed but since its for the better im ok with that.
Lets just say cause i read the novel there were certain things i was waiting for and came up empty waiting and watching from beginning to ep 15. Nothing. Then we go from nothing to suddenly 75% in their romance development. I get it thats its snail" but that sudden development didnt have time in earlier episodes to plant and bloom properly.
Then episodes 18 to 21 was so epically good and bolstered up by such commendable acting from both our leads.
This drama could have been a solid 10. All the more cause we know the chemistry between our leads is powerful and that i felt was not fully unleashed. Ive been left in vain wanting that bit more for our lion and his snail. To the point i wish theres a special episode to see more of them as an item.
Il definitely miss Wang Kai as a detective n that man rocks the white shirt blue jeans look. Again want to note awesome casting of him n Olivia. This among the best C dramas have to offer in 2016. DO WATCH and if you love more romance development Do READ the novel.
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This review may contain spoilers
I had to sleep on this one before writing this review (as I'm sure anyone who's seen this has). I'll come right out and say that I don't love this drama. It's not a genre I particularly care for. It's not especially exciting. It's not very pretty to look at except of course for the 4 leads themselves, who are blindingly beautiful. Watching it made me feel kind of squicky and dirty. And by the end I don't care so much about the characters except in a "Hey, look at that horrible train wreck. I wonder how mangled the bodies are" kinda way.BUT, and it's a BIG BUT, this was one of the most unique, compelling and batcrap crazy Kdrama joyrides I've ever been on, and I can't recommend it enough to those who aren't afraid to feel dirty, take a walk on the darkside, and see something they've never seen before in a Kdrama. Because this drama turns everything you know about Kdramas on its head and it did so 9 years ago, which makes me wonder why hasn't anyone else done it since? *(More on that at the bottom.)
Some of the common Kdrama tropes that get turned on their heads are the Cinderella story, the Candy/Mary Sue female lead, the spoiled chaebol son, and most notably the OTP concept.
Without trying to spoil anything, I will just say that even to the end I never really knew who loved whom, and how much and whether any of it was love at all. The truth behind all the lovelines in this drama was so well hidden behind the directing, the very good writing, and the fantastic acting, that even at the end the lovelines were still a confusing mess. And I loved that about this drama because it was so much more realistic. Contrary to Kdramaland, in real life, people can be conflicted about whom they truly love. A person really can love two people at the same time and love is icky and messy. That this drama embraced this fact was so refreshing.
In fact, not only was the romance totally unpredictable but the show itself was, which is why I say it is so compelling. Even someone like me who usually needs either action or humor to keep watching a drama, absolutely could not take my eyes off of this train wreck. This show is ultimate drama-crack, and I owe all of that to the writing and the acting. How many times have you watched a drama only to be pretty sure by about episode 4 how everything is going to play out? Well, not with WHIB. I had some guesses, but they were really just wild guesses and I wasn't confident about any of them. It was that uncertainty that kept me glued to the computer all day yesterday to marathon the last half of this drama.
WHIB is best known, probably, for its ending, so if you want to watch this drama, whatever you do, don't spoil yourself. It was hard for me not to because I am a bit of a spoiler addict, but I avoided it and was the happier for it. Some people, I've read, hate the ending, and some people love it. I LOVE IT! The more I thought about it the more I realized that it was not only totally earned, it was also perfectly fitting. It made sense in every possible way, and that is a rare bird for Kdramas because if there is one major complaint I have about most Kdramas it's that the endings are usually dissatisfying at best and just plain crappy at worst.
Finally, I'll just say that if you do decide to watch this drama, be prepared for a wild and sick ride. Starting WHIB is like going down the rabbit hole. As I said before, this drama made me feel dirty. But it also was exhilarating, with each episode heaping tension upon tension and crazy upon crazy until I couldn't tell which way was up or right from wrong. There is no black and white here, only many shades of dirty gray. If you choose to watch WHIB, enter at your own risk, but I don't think you'll be disappointed.
*(In truth, I think that the abomination that was Fashion King was trying to achieve something like WHIB, but failed miserably on every level but shock value. I chock it up to terrible writing, awful characterization, and mostly to not having a clear idea of what kind of drama they really wanted to make. One of the best things about WHIB that I neglected to mention earlier is how unapologetic it is about being purely character driven. Every event occurs just to put the characters where they need to be, making the choices they need to make, in order to up the tension and tangle the lovelines a little bit more. Normally this kind of artificial maneuvering is a flaw, but because WHIB has no doubt about what kind of drama it is, it works. Characters and the decisions they make are all that matter in this drama. Everything else is irrelevant.)
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Hands up for the Best Lakorn of 2020
First of all I never expected it'd be that good because of that very toxic trailer.It keep saying that hate the FL but I ended up pitying her and her Character Development is realistic. I love her
STORY (☞ ಠ_ಠ)☞ It was all about Paeng an spoiled girl who's desperately looking for the Sunshine on her life. She found it on Arthit a Nice man that treat her like his own Sister. Paeng doesn't allow it and causes Arthit on the accident that changes his life and personality. When the time goes by Paeng changed herself for a better and new person. But everyone around her didn't believe that she really changed especially Arthit.
ACTING / CAST (☞ ಠ_ಠ)☞ Mark and Kao's Acting is so On-point. And their Chemistry is perfectly fantastic it was very sweet but kinda toxic.I love the way when Arthit is jealous and possessive but sometimes he's too much. I like the Second Couple which is Ling and Non they're very cute. I hate every character who doesn't like Paeng especially that Nang She doesn't even deserve Kot to be honest.
MUSIC (☞ ಠ_ಠ)☞ Absolutely Nice to ears from Intro and Ending OST. I even downloaded it on my phone. I'm more in love with the Ending OST (Male Version).
REWATCH VALUE (☞ ಠ_ಠ)☞ I will definitely Rewatch it but I will start from Episode 5 and I will definitely skipped Khun Mark not Prin scenes cause it was very annoying.
OVERALL (☞ ಠ_ಠ)☞ It went up and down,It was sweet and toxic,It was pleasing and annoying,It was happy and sad. It was a very good Drama with great Romance and average comedy.
You will not just liked it but you will love it for sure.
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This review may contain spoilers
An (erotic) melodrama whose melodramatics were brilliantly captured
"Obsessed" is an erotic movie about a passionate affair in South Korea around 1969. It is a melodrama whose melodramatics were brilliantly captured - with a Song Seung-heon, who absorbs the drama in his particular passionate manner. What is new in that context, is how he is allowed to act almost shamelessly here.However, "Obsessed" is also an exciting KMovie as it touches on a not so well known chapter in recent South Korean history: the time of Vietnam War.
------------------------- SIDE NOTE: --- South Korea and the Vietnam War ---
It is always the USA that come to mind. But South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the Philippines also fought in Vietnam. South Korea was the country most involved after the USA. Between 1964 and 1973, around 48.000 Korean soldiers were each year drafted into this war. They had all volunteered, not least because their monthly wages brought in almost twice as much as a normal annual salary would have at the time. However, the South Korean army has gained a dubious reputation with a few massacres (including among civilians) in this war - a chapter from the time of the military dictatorship that has not been fully processed by now. The KMovie gives at least some space/thinking to this aspect - in connection with the consequences of the post-traumatic disorders, including the protagonist.
-----------------------------------------
"Obsessed" conveys some impressions about those 1960s/70s. The already strictly authoritarian context of South Korean every day life becomes even more so during dictatorship at that time, let alone in military itself. Thus every spark of vitality is nipped in the bud by the stiff corset of an immaculate facade. With the affair, an erotic tension is built up that one is not used to from the KDrama orbit. For the protagonists, however, this tension opens up a forbidden, yet addictive space to breathe, love and feel alive - and this precious moment of feeling alive has more value for the distressed male protagonist than anything else - as he has already seen and brought way too much death into this world...
Provoking. Gloomy. Beautifully done.
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You Taught Me All the Precious Things
41 people found this review helpful
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Unfortunately, I found the world surrounding the lovers to be less fleshed out and compelling. While I understand that the awfulness of most of the other major characters is meant to highlight just how terrible Hye Won’s life is despite its surface luxuries, I would have loved for there to have been more layers to the antagonists. Their universal loathsomeness did draw sympathy to the protagonists, but it also undermined the realism of the show and simplified its conflicts. It’s not hard to cheat on a husband with no redeeming characteristics, but that felt like an easy out for the screenwriter (and the audience) rather than an honest exploration of the challenges of marriage.
The directing of the show is carefully composed and the pacing slow. This allows for some lovely, unhurried emotional beats, but it can also feel a bit stifling. There were times I would have liked less precision and more abandon. The technique mirrors Hye Won’s fierce control, but when the fissures open in her life I wish the show had cracked open more deliriously as well. The main couple and the music are amazing. Everything else feels well worth losing for their stolen moments of joy.
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Pluses and Minuses
Overall: I enjoyed how we had working adults (I think these are the first lawyer characters that I've seen). Unfortunately a very cliche plot point towards the end was unnecessary and disappointing but the numerous cameos (especially the enjoyable final episode) knocked my score up to 8.5. Watched on Gagaolala/Viki.Content Warnings: 2 slaps (kind of acting), fight scene
What I Liked
- the opposite personalities, Fu is more serious and careful, Zheng is more goofy/player and carefree (but I did like that they showed he isn't always super happy go lucky because in real life even really positive people have times when they are sad/angry)
- that they have less common drama jobs (lawyers, laundromat owner, bartender)
- how Zheng apologized to his dad
- the acting, especially you can see how Fu is conflicted and not sure what to think/react
- good production value
- episode 12 moved quickly but was great
- the daughter did a good job and the story she read in episode 12 was adorable
Room For Improvement
- that the sister was recording them
- the cliche of forgetting doing a certain something when drunk
- the cliche plot point at the end especially after Fu talked to Zheng about never doing that (and what terrible timing too)
- the female bartender's cliche plot point
- sometimes the pacing was too slow
- the side couple didn't really hook me, I didn't like the aggressive pursuit/attraction for virtually no reason
- some nonsense things, like tons of lights when camping, lounging around at home in suits
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Just like a dream...
This drama has not been advertised properly as you might start watching it simply because you are browsing for a new drama... just like that..And then... surprise 😮 the unconventional first episode literally throw you into a dream world and you cannot yet recognise what is a dream and what is reality. Then, in a complete state of mental confusion, i decided to watch the second episode, and that dream was getting weirder.. and then.. no more doubts, i was hooked!
I didnt know the team here is the same as for A Familiar Stranger which other short drama i love! Amd it makes sense as the athmosphere here is similar, with some dark magic elements and a couple indeniable attracted to each other.
Do not skip the initial OST as mesmerizing, has reminded me of the OST from a League of Nobleman.
A must watch! Shame it is too short.. 😕 😔
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