This review may contain spoilers
Heartwarming and Heartbreaking
This is one of the few BL mangas that Ive read, and this is a very faithful adaptation with very little seasonal modification. To be honest, im not even sure if we should consider this a BL drama. This is not for everyone - so be warned.The series feels funny at the beginning but its masking a very sad, serious and depressing tale.
Koki saw an angel just as he was passing out after being stabbed. He woke up and recovered and when he went home he saw the angel - now devoid of his memory and with broken wings, the feathers falling off and is affected by koki's feelings. While spending the days trying to figure out how to heal the angel's wings, theyd'd discover the truth about themselves and become each other's strength. Later on they decided to date - and just as things cannot get any better, the angel felt that his wings are healed and is ready to fly, suddently diappearing. Was he really an angel, did he really appear to Koki, or was he just an imagination? Upon a visit by Koiki's mother, she saw a small feather - and that gave Koki the strength and hope that the angel wasnt imagination after all. he was real - and he will live his life. Or did he?
I was dreading to watch the last episode- after all, we all know from the start that this is a temporary setup. Seeing Takashina disappear and Koki realizing he is gone for real broke my heart. He knew that once he helped the angel heal his wings he will be gone for good and yet he cannot NOT help him. He loved him selflessly.
If not for the supernatural angle, the story between the main leads is a little suspect and can be uncomfortable at times- Koki was an adult man and Takashina is actually just in middle school so the age gap is a little concerning. The casting, however, is perfect! They pacing is as fast as the manga and everything was focused into advancing the story.
But like i said in the beginning, this series is heartwarming and gives hope, but it is also equaly heartbreaking. Its not for those looking for light and racy scenes, and if Im being honest, the ending could be translated into different things, but when the angel said he could have taken it slower - it could have meant Koki died too soon or he did eventually took his own life anyway.
Either way, im giving it a 9.0 for being different and for making me feel all lthese feelings i never thought id want to feel.
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*** Lovestruck was unbelievable, electric, and TRAGIC. Don't hate the ML and FM for their flaws
I have watch 100s of kdramas, american shows. Lovestruck in City first to hit my heart the way it does.You need to watch 15 straight episodes to see the progression. Every episode is entertaining because you get a perspective never seen before in kdrama concerning relationships. You will be mad, cry, intrigued the entire time. *****Don't judge you opinion about characters. They are flawed, relationships are messy.*******
I don't hate the FL (EUN OH/ KIM JI WON). She made me teary-eye the entire show because I know the feeling of hating yourself. She is selfish I agree, but her wanting to "FIND HERSELF, and to LOVE HERSELF", I completed understand. She abandoned him, but this relationship was destined to fail. She ghosted him and should have just dumped him properly. But ML himself was superficial in YangYang saying he wouldn't love her if she was not who she was without the tattoo and carefree style. She was scared and ML was superficial to start. Both made the relationship NOT WORK. *****Kim Ji Won is the most charismatic, expressive, and REAL female actress I have ever seen in this drama. The emotion she depicts in her eyes is .... incredible.
The absolute sadness that the ML (JAE WON/ JI CHANG WOOK) shows is real. You might not like it, but it is REAL. Dwelling over a girl he fell in love with, the anger for being abandoned. After every moment and flashes to the past, you root for him even though he is not perfect. ****Ji Chang Wook getting criticism for this drama is wrong. His electric chemistry with Kim Ji Won was breathtaking. Throughout show he was energetic because he is passionate and has anger problems, which I relate to. Many people I know have these spurts of emotions. Don't hate someone people they are displaying weakness in character. I appreciate the REALNESS OF IT.
But breakups are ALWAY messy. I have been ghosted in the past as well. Relationships ending in a flash. So I understand this. I have also ended relationships due to my own insecurities and still dwell about them.
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It has one of the best varieties of different characters representing different viewpoints. The supporting cast is not just a background for the main character to shine. They all have individual stories to tell that are well incorporated into the main plot. As much as they are shaped by Baek Seung Soo’s decisions and actions, he himself is also affected by people around him. It’s an amazing group dynamic that makes you care for every and each character.
For a drama focused on the sport, it deals with a lot of different, important topics like: women in positions of power and workplace, nepotism, disability, patriotism, family versus work. All in a really natural and not “in your face” manner. This way you can enjoy the depth of the story without feeling lectured and patronized.
The cast did an amazing job in bringing these characters to life. While I’m not the biggest fan of Nam Goong Min, I loved him in the role of Baek Seung Soo and I could not picture any other actor playing it. While at the beginning Seung Soo was a bit mysterious of a character, and it was not easy to figure out his motivation, as we progress more into the story, we can discover how gentle and simply good of a person he is.
I also truly enjoyed how much of a loser the main villain was. He was not this powerful, all knowing, smart and cunning mastermind. He was a power hungry man who was willing to give up his integrity to keep the social status he was able to achieve. Extremely scared, extremely cowardly, extremely desperate.
It had its fair share of character development, making me, by the end of the drama, love a character that I despised at the beginning. We see a truly natural and gradual change in our main character, as he slowly opens to people and is willing to let go of his fears and struggles.
Overall, I thought it would be a sure drop from me, and I gave it a chance only because I adore Park Eun Bi, and yet, I enjoyed every second of it. The strongest point of the drama is for sure the amazing cast and set of main and supporting characters. I fell for more than one character and will come back to at least rewatch some scenes from time to time.
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WHAT EVEN WAS THIS?
Fun first act, trainwreck second act, saved only by the pretty people.You know what’s worse than a bad drama? A drama that could have been fun but decided to trip over its own feet halfway through. The First Night with the Duke started off like a cheeky, isekai-flavored romcom with a modern girl stirring up Joseon life (cocktail bombs! bold flirting! brains and sass!). And then… it forgot all that and wandered off into fifteen other genres.
By the end, I honestly didn’t know what I was watching. Romcom? Political sageuk? Magical fantasy? Tragedy with evil kings and sad childhood backstories? Whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t cohesive.
Taecyeon did what Taecyeon does best: looked great in hanbok, swung a sword like he meant it, and oozed just enough charm to make you forget the script was falling apart. The female lead? She started strong as modern, clever, unbothered by all the prim-and-proper nonsense. But the second half turned her into a crying, rescue-me prop. Where did my bold heroine go? Did she swap souls with some other boring court lady when I wasn’t looking?
Let’s talk about that plot. The three brothers? Wasted. The second male lead? Might as well have been written out, only to reappear in the last five minutes like, “Surprise! I exist!” Eun-ae’s arc? Nonsensical, she did terrible things and got a happy ending anyway, no redemption needed, apparently. And don’t even get me started on the “OG” heroine slipping into modern life like she’s been shopping at Zara her whole existence. Computers, short skirts, and WiFi? No problem, she’s basically Gen Z now!
And then, twelve kids. TWELVE. KIDS. Look, I know it was meant to be “haha, cute, happy ending,” but all I could think was, “Girl, blink twice if you need help.”
If this show had leaned into being a silly, self-aware fusion sageuk, I would have rolled with it. If it had gone full romcom? Fun. But it wanted to do everything and ended up doing nothing. No theme, no proper character growth, no payoff for the chaos it created. It was like watching someone throw darts at three different boards and hitting none.
Watch it for the leads if you’re curious, or for Taecyeon looking devastatingly good with a sword. But don’t expect sense, consistency, or a satisfying ending. By episode 11, I was hate-watching just to see how much wilder it could get.
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This review may contain spoilers
Felt like a different drama
From the first time i saw the trailer, I was scared that it would be too different from the first season. The whole feel of the drama felt forced, not just the storyline but also the shots and pacing. Because of the change of directors, the season felt like a whole different drama compared to the first. While the first season had more of this lighthearted, comic feel to it, this season had a more serious, adult vibe. At first, I thought this would be appropriate since this is where they mature but it lost some of the dramas charm. Even though the first had this lighthearted vibe, it didn't take away from the seriousness of situations. This season made the maturity and seriousness feel forced.The setting are also all different than the previous season which made it further feel like youre watching a whole different drama. The school, the houses, the convience store. Like, they had to change the CU to a 7-Eleven. Even though it had 2 episodes less than the previos, the pacing made it feel longer. And the OSTs was forgettable, unlike the first.
Eventhough I dont agree with the ending, i didnt like that the relationships weren't developed that much and it made me not sympathize with Jojo unlike the previous season. The drama didn't solve Jojo's real problem: running away. From the very start, when things get hard, she runs. She said that she put on the sheild to "protect" Sunoh, at first sure, i can see that, but when Sunoh found out about it, "all she can think about was Hyeyoung". Like, girl, you gave this guy that was so in love with you, hell for 4 years, and now he knows about it, you can't even think about how you've hurt him. She didn't give Sunoh the proper apology that he deserves. She said she loved him, but she loved herself more, leading to both their suffering. And with all this, unresolved problems, she runs to Hyeyoung. It felt like just because he's Hyeyoung, she should end up with him.
With all this, I think the story and especially the direction the director chose in filming this season is really disappointing. I think even if the story turn out the same but had the same style, or even the same colour palette of the first season, I would have enjoyed it more because it would connect; but from the first episode, I already knew this wasn't the same drama I waited for. I felt like it wasted the 2 years I waited for this drama. It made me hate Jojo and made me feel bad for Hyeyoung and Sunoh. I'll just pretend this season never happened.
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realistic. relatable. refreshing.
ik we are here for the "dimple couple" Shin Min Ah and Kim Seon Ho (atleast I am) so I'll skip the introduction. I haven't seen the original work so i won't mention any comparison to it. the plot seemed like something new to me and trailer gave fresh vibes so I didn't hesitate to start (nor do I regret). I'd discuss some aspects in the drama I particularly loved so you may relate to it or consider watching :)PLOT/PALETTE:
so. back to the drama. a girl leaves her job and goes to some rural place and sees a guy who's... everywhere? I thought it would be cdrama style cliché but it's actually far from that (thankfully). color palette of episodes are really relaxing to watch. I'm not an artsy person and I don't know much about palettes but it's really calming and definitely suitable for the picturesque sceneries.
CHILDHOOD CONNECTION DONE RIGHT:
what i really loved in the drama is that despite the leads having a couple of childhood interactions, they don't give much importance to it and (rightfully) move forward because it was simply a part of their past. it was refreshing to see such an arc because in most dramas, the leads who hate eachother suddenly fall in love because they "vowed to marry each other as 3 yo kids" or whatever, you get the idea.
BEST PORTRAYAL OF LOVE TRIANGLE:
the characters are written realistically and mature. props to the crew for including minor details that may seem unimportant but really adds on to reality. there's no over the top cheesy lines and exaggerated portrayal as seen in many other rom-coms. every single arc (including love triangles) is carried out so well that no part of the drama bores the viewers. I simply can't stop admiring how beautifully the love triangle was carried out because in most case it would simply ruin the overall drama experience.
SIDE CHARACTERS HAVE THEIR OWN LIVES TOO:
the side chracters had their own story to tell, not just being comedic clowns or matchmakers for the main leads. ofc their story slightly depends on the leads because they are centres of the drama but we can agree the writer gave justice to the supporting casts by not always placing them in scenarios where leading characters need them. EVERY character had their own situations and struggles but the way each person grew through the story made me happy and proud.
overall, the drama kept it charm throughout. 100% worth the watch! long story short, start watching now!!
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1家和万事兴 (Jiā hé wànshì xīng) Prosperity Starts from Harmony at Home
家和万事兴 is a motto that is embedded in every Chinese people’s heart. This philosophical adage reflects in their everyday life and is vividly portrayed in this outstanding story. The Story of Xing Fu is partially adapted from Chen Yuanbin's novella The Wan Family's Lawsuit (万家诉讼) which was also made into a movie in 1992, Qiu Ju’s Lawsuit (The Story of Qiu Ju), directed by the acclaimed Zhang Yimou and acted by the gorgeous Gong Li. The earlier story was set around the 1980s when rural life was harsh, and the country’s economic miracle was still at its infancy.In this new story, The Story of Xing Fu, set in the late 2010s, viewers can see the marked improvement of village life compared to the 80s, but the rural-urban differences are still very distinct with the sophisticated urbanites looking down on the poor villagers; the divide is even more brazen now than the old days.
Xingfu (Zhao Liying) is a rural woman who is strong headed and lives life guided by her uncompromised principles of honor and integrity; right and wrong for her is black and white. Though not well educated, she would go all out to find justice when a person’s right is being infringed, for she is a person who would go all out to help whoever needs help. She is fearless to take on the rich and powerful if she needs to, because she believes the rule of law will always prevail. After she marries to a farmer, Wang Qinglai (Tang Zeng) from a neighboring village, she comes to live in the Wan Family’s Hamlet.
The Wan Family’s Hamlet is a settlement founded and led by Wan Shantang (Liu Wei) as the respected village head. The residents there are mostly Wan Shantang’s relatives with Wan (万) as their family name. Hence, the Wang (王) family, Xingfu’s in-laws, becomes an odd-one-out and feels like an outsider. For this reason, the Wang family always keeps a low profile and tries to please everyone especially Wan Shantang, hoping with the village head on their side, they would blend in more easily.
All disputes by villagers in rural China are usually settled out of court through intermediaries such as the village heads. Local police may be involved as a mediator to bring the disputing parties together to come to a settlement. This drama carefully portrays this side of life for most of the Chinese population (majority of the population still lives in the rural areas and small cities).
Therefore, when Xingfu’s husband was accidentally kicked by Wan Shantang in the groin, she is unhappy with such settlement and files a lawsuit against Wan Shantang, something that is out of the ordinary. As things eventually turn out, Xingfu is indebted to Wan Shantang, and the lawsuit is forgotten. But as everything is going smoothly for all, the law catches up with Wan Shantang and he’s imprisoned. Outraged by her action which is seen as being ungrateful by the villagers, Xingfu and her husband are forced to leave the hamlet to avoid their awkwardness at home and become migrant workers in the city.
Chinese families often sacrifice themselves and send family members who have the most potential to the cities to work or for higher education, in the hope that the ones that ‘make’ it would reciprocate and help take care of the rest of the family. The concept of investing in one person and when the person gets wealthy, he/she would help bring up the rest of the people, permeates the whole society. Wang Qinglai and his family work hard and send Wang Qingzhi (Liu Yanchen), Qinglai’s younger brother, to study and work in the city. When Xingfu and Wang Qinglai come to live in the city, Wang Qingzhi is expected to take care of them.
‘Guanxi’ (connection) and ‘renqing’ (favor) are deeply rooted practices of the Chinese tradition. As the government tries to weed out nepotism and corruption, such practices become prohibited especially in the cities. Wang Qinglai doesn’t realize the pressure and predicament he has put his brother in, as such tradition is viewed undesirably in the city. The drama tries to portray realistically the conflicts between the brothers in the job finding process.
There has been massive rural – urban migration in the last 40 years in China, causing unsustainable pressure in the cities. Rural farms are being deserted, children are growing up without their parents, and elderly parents are being abandoned by their city-bound grown-up children. Wan Shantang tells Xingfu that, though it’s a must to leave the village to see the world sometimes, she must not ever forget where home is. After all, life is meaningless if one loses one’s family. These heart-felt words are meant not only for Xingfu, but for all viewers alike: do not lose your family in the pursuit of wealth and materialism. In the end, you may end up with nothing. Silently the writer is telling the viewers that, wherever we may be living, family is where home is.
In this drama, Zhao Liying is not that glamorous girl. She's a typical village woman with unflattering hairstyle and old-fashioned clothing that is worn by most women in rural China. Her growth after living in the city helps her look more sophisticated later as an inn keeper, but most of all, she becomes more flexible and articulate for the well-being of all the residents of the Wan Family’s Hamlet. Zhao Liying’s portrayal is convincing, bringing alive the Xingfu character who initially has a one-track mind and later develops into a savvy business woman with compassion and understanding. She learns that not everything is as clear cut as in black and white; at times, there are the grey areas and she needs to be flexible enough so that everyone can live in harmony, as it goes, “Prosperity starts from harmony at home” and Wan Family’s Hamlet is home.
I really like the amicable, but straight-shooting Wan Shantang character who is kind and upstanding but occasionally impatient and explosive, and Liu Wei’s portrayal is so wonderful and authentic. Acting as his son Wan Chuanjia, Cao Zeng’s portrayal is equally good and believable.
Luo Jin plays a supporting role here as Guan Tao, the lawyer. As always, Luo Jin exudes an affable demeanor and though he’s not the lead here, his character is well loved, and his chemistry with Zhao Liying is wonderful although their relationship is only platonic. All in all, the whole cast puts in the best of their acting and every character has its flaws, and is realistic and believable.
My Verdict
Just as the brutal treatment of the Tangshan (China) girl’s incident came to the attention of world media recently, the airing of The Story of Xing Fu is timely. The beginning episodes of this drama almost eerily replicate what happened in the Tangshan incident and its handling by the authorities. It is sad to see how many similar cases swept under the carpet, each condoned by the society. There is a lot of injustices, class differences, and gender supremacy, which is an on-going issue, and is not unique only to China; it happens in many societies, including in the open west. I'm glad that Zhao Liying took up this project to bring awareness to the injustices in the rural Chinese society where women are constantly suppressed, discriminated, and wronged.
Director Zheng Xiaolong, who also directed the Legend of Mi Yue, one of my most favorite historical dramas, together with Director Liu Xuesong have brilliantly portrayed the lives of ordinary people in everyday rural China where much of the population lives, bringing out their challenges, ironies, and resignations in facing a changing world. The picturesque scenery of the village is breathtaking. This drama has no romance, no nail-biting plots, no mysteries, just plain slice of life. Many viewers may find it boring, but that's missing the point.
Sacrificing individual’s rights for greater good is touted in the Chinese society; benefits for the community is more important than for personal gains, and this value is repeatedly reflected in this drama. Hence, all conflicts here are being resolved through the concept of “prosperity starts from harmony at home” in mind. It is perhaps such simple value that brings the Chinese societies together, and they become united and great overall for the world to envy. This, is the point of the story.
This drama is for viewers who want to learn more about the real face of China, and for viewers who appreciate the beautiful countryside and its tranquility with a laid-back simple lifestyle.
GREAT WATCH!
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Facing the realities with courage and bursting the lock of patriarchy
I promised myself that I was going to write a review immediately after this drama ended. What can I say? Nothing but thirty is such a beautiful and well written contemporary drama. It’s a drama that breaks stereotype and shapes multidimensional women image (Not every time one size fits all)My emotions are still raw because this drama was so relatable from high point to low point of each character.
The storyline which depicts the life of three women (Wang Man Ni, Gu Jia & Zhong Xiao Qin) who are approaching their thirties and all the struggles/uncertainties that comes with the age.
Wang Man Ni (Jiang Shuying) is an independent, career-oriented sales assistant who is driven and hardworking. Her immediate goal, at least at the start of the show, is to achieve professional success. Throughout the show, her resilience is put to the test, personally and professionally.
Gu Jia (Tong Yao) is a capable businesswoman turned full-time housewife In many ways, she seems like a perfect wife and a strong mother: well-educated, capable, and thoughtful. But, eventually, she too has to face life’s challenges.
Zhong Xiaoqin is a kind-hearted woman -sometimes to the point of being a pushover -, and has spent years at the same company without rising the ranks. Though her story might seem simple/ordinary at first, her peace is disrupted as her marriage takes a turn for the worse when communication problem arises.
Everything single thing is so put together from the interaction at work (especially Wang Man Ni’s job as a sale assistant/ luxury buying) to the set and the cinematography. The pacing is really good, too, not too slow but not super fast.
And the most beautiful part is, of course, their story which brings them all together as they face uncertainties together. It resonates the power of sisterhood and the importance of Feminism. Even if you are not a fan of contemporary c-drama I’ll recommend that you give this a try. If you are a fan of ode to joy, you’ll most likely love this.
The acting was spectacular, Tong Yao (Gu Jia) did a fantastic job as well as the other two leading ladies Jiang Shuying & Mao Xiaotong
You could feel every emotion they felt. Li Ze Feng did well too because you almost forget this is a drama and you want to hate him in real life so bad. The young actor who portrayed Gu Jia’s son deserves an award. So adorable and intelligent.
Every other character had their own unique personalities and portrayed it nicely. I mostly could relate to Wang Man Ni. You either love them or you hate them. Lol. I loved the small family that was shown at the end of each episode. It reminded me of those small neighborhood stalls in big cities that everyone comes across each day (either you interact with them or not). How sometimes you have to find your own happiness even if you are not in the best of situations. Keep working hard. It paid off at the end.
It seems like everything about the drama is perfect even its music is so apt. The entire OST is so enchanting played at right timings. (My favorite thing to listen these days). You’ll definitely be in your feels every time they come on.
Rewatch it? Definitely. It says “To be Continued” at the end so I’ll definitely be expecting a sequel (with the same characters) and I’m excited at the thought.
This drama is literally one of the best drama of 2020 and If you haven't started it yet then YOU should do it RIGHT NOW!!
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My guilty pleasure of 2020
OMG I loved and hated this drama so much!The story is pretty great, and shows how simple actions have big impacts on life.
This drama is about family. The dynamics, the relationships between parents and children, brother and sisters, and even in-laws.
It was a crazy ride, and the FL is such a strong woman, so compassionate and forgiving (a bit too much forgiving, if I may say ... I got really angry about how mistreated she was by her family).
The main couple was super cute and mature. After they fell in love, there was no going back, no stupid break up, just a pure and strong bond. So cool and refreshing to watch!
There are a lot of other side stories that are really good too, and they are responsible for the different perspectivesyou get in the drama. There is always a story that makes you sympathize with a character. They are about redemption, about being too proud, and even blind to the reality. All characters have such a nice growth throughout the drama, it's really nice and it did not get boring. The plot doesn't drag at all.
I definitely recommend it! (I don't remember commenting so much on the comment sections... hahahahah)
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This review may contain spoilers
Is the cultural difference really so huge?
I started to watch the show with high expectations, so the disappointment was all the bigger. First of all, the ML is absolutely intolerable. Because he used to be a good hacker 10 years earlier, he is arrogant, extremely rude, and keeps bullying other people. The FL, who is supposed to be an IT prodigy and a popular online singer, has no sense of pride or self-respect and chases the ML to the verge of ridiculousness, even though he openly told her that he wasn't interested and treated her like garbage most of the time. So painful to watch! But the worst is still to come. At the beginning, we learn that ML's former team leader did some horrible thing, which resulted in the team being disbanded. You know what that horrible thing was? It was his commitment to fatherhood and responsibility for his unplanned child. His new GF, a team member, was too much of an immature !@$%^ to support him - she preferred to dump him and that's how the whole team broke up. Is the Chinese culture really so different from European that decent behaviour and responsibility are seen as vile and wrong? While rudeness, immaturity and hatefulness are seen as virtues? I don't get it.What I really liked were the charming supporting characters. I continued the show for them.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Normal One!!!!
I saw the Reviews before I start the drama and saw the people saying the drama is not that great and story line is not good . Yes I agree with that cause it is one of the most common old stories where the poor and Family and Leads pushing each other . But In a diff way it's been so long that I saw this troupe again so I saw it and It was good and I really like first and second leads but I did not get the second leads story.I suggest you to watch because it is not that great to some but it will be good for some on the whole it would be a one time watch as per stroy wise but if you want to see it for Actors then yes even I might watch it.
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Do you want to watch a drama that makes you laugh at loud ?
Do you want to watch a drama in which even supporting characters are good ?
Do you want to watch a drama that treats about difficult issues whithout being cheesy ?
do you want to watch a drama that makes you laugh at loud by its excellent actor play an characters and without being cheesy ?
WATCH DON QUIXOTE !!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT !
I swear, i was laughing all drama long, and always subjugated by Matsuda Shota's playing. I was forgot it was just playing, and not reality.
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Thrilling performance as always, oof!
I am someone who watched all 3 seasons of VOICE starting the first week of June, back to back, just because I can finish this season in real time. I undoubtedly got traumatised at points due to this but VOICE from s1 to s4 has been a super-thrilling experience all along, I must say.Talking about Voice 4, honestly, It didn't feel as good as the previous seasons to me even though I am not displeased or something. So I am rather not that much pleased considering how amazing plot the other seasons were. Anyways, It was a good watch which thrilled me and was also frustrated because of the cult stuff features (which mean the drama served that part well).
STORY & PLOT:
The story follows the 112 emergency call centre team (Golta team) headed by Kang Kwon Joo with superhuman hearing ability and her team who move to Vimo Island Police Station with the purpose of catching a probable serial cyber killer by utilising their vacation time. An LAPD cop Derek Cho visiting South Korea on an operation joins them as the dispatch team leader due to circumstances. Together, they try solving a case and catch the serial psychpath killer with Dissociative Identity Disorder and similar hearing capabilities as Kang Center.
Just like the previous seasons, Voice 4 has one major case going on, on the background that involves a serial killer and with that there are multiple minor cases that the Golden Time Team solve which somehow also helps them in profiling the major case. One difference is, s1-3 involved brainwashing cult stuffs that were instigated by the murderer which was due to bloodlust but in Voice4 there is an actual religious cult where people are brainwashed to protect each other despite own's fault.
Personally, I am not very pleased by the story development because I had had very high expectations and anticipations from the 4th season since they've evolved through 4 years since 2017 and I feel they should have offered us something extraordinary. But I am not unsatisfied either because it was still good and me thrilled even awe-strucken by many twists and revelations. It has some really good plot devices that are worth anticipating for.
The story had a good & interesting starting and the first episode is good. It has a steady development till the end of 9th but the 10th episode felt a lil blunt at some moments but then it picked up the acceleration and ended with some cliffhangers. The lead antagonist character could have been a lot better. He somehow felt a lil less powerless and did some stupid things as well.
CAST & ACTING:
Umm... Well, we have been seeing the major cast acting since the season 1 and they are as good as before. Lee Ha Na as Kang Kwon Joo/Kang Center has always impressed with her acting and dialogue delivery. I can always witness the kind of aura in her eyes. Song Seung Hun as Capt. Derek Cho did a good job and he's definitely experienced in the industry but the thing that I noticed is he never wore his cop jacket while everyone else did. I mean we know that you're from America and very skillfull in the field but still, HAHAHA.
Son Eun Seo as Officer Park Eun Soo did good too but I think her part is a bit reduced in this season than the previous ones. Kim Joong Ki (Park Joong Ki) and Song Boo Geon (Koo Kwang Soo) are absolute eye candies for me and I have been loving them since the 1st season. I was actually surprised to see Kang Seung Yoon bcs I didn't see the cast before starting. Also, Baek Sung Hyun (Shim Dae Shik from s1) 's comeback in s4, that too as a freaking hot adult, was a delight to witness and there was definitely a solid character development for him. I was also happy to see the familiar faces like Lee Yol harabeochi and Kil Hae Yeon ahjumma in the drama.
Now the antagonist. Don't think of it like a spoiler because the production itself is openly bragging about it plus it was revealed in the 4th episode only. Lee Kyu Hyung as a psychopath serial killer with DID, did a very good job as he was given, BUT! IDK whether I am the only one or not; I think his character as the lead antagonist could have much more to do. He as the antagonist didn't seem as powerful as the serial killers of the previous seasons. The blame is to be shot at Ma Ji Won jakka-nim citing it was not a very strongly written antagonist. Anyways, I have loved his acting skills and been a fan for a long time and undoubtedly loved this too.
DIRECTION & SCREENPLAY:
I think I have already mentioned above it more or less before so let me keep it short. Voice have had amazing direction and production work since the season 1 even though they kept changing for each season. The way they edit the deja vu things or past sequences and try to connect and interpreting through the screenplay is very nice. The sound editing is apt as well that tries to have the audience thrilled all along the show. Voice is undoubtedly Ma Ji Won jakka-nim's best creation which he has been successfully pulling off to make the year's best thriller. Voice 4 for me somehow isn't as good as the previous ones, still a good show to give it a go.
ENDING:
It has a good ending. I was afriad they'll end it with a plothole or something illogical and unreasonable will happen but it was just fine, so I appreciate that. However, it felt a bit rushed starting from the 2nd half of the 12th episode. They were clearly trying to wrap up some minor plot devices so that they wouldn't have to worry about them further but that was absurd. In fact, the main antagonist was caught sonner than expected which somehow made it a bit unintersting but I think they had many revelations to do so they did rush it. In the last 2 eps, they basically tried to solve the puzzles of this season plus gave clarifications about some things which were left on hang in the s3. But again, few unexpected things happen which left me questioned. In fact, the epilogue of s3 showing a sneak-peak of Bang Jae soo (Kwon Ryul) with some mysterious woman which was expected to be answered in s4 has been extended to s5 and that thing will be the main story of next season. I am not sure what the writer is thinking but I assume they'll go for another season for sure to explain whatever they left hanging. It's A HUGE WIDE OPEN ENDING which raises plenty of questions and what happened at the very end scene is enthralling and frustrating at the same time. Won't spoil.
Anyways, they could have make 2 more episodes and give it a smooth ending by not rushing it even when they had a plan for s5.
CONCLUSION:
Overally, this season of Voice is a good thriller and definitely worthy an one time watch so go ahead and finish it. Despite some drawbacks, it was actually enthralling to watch, though I ended up with mental disturbance at some points so I had to drop it for few days and then I went back watching.
I don't how others interpreted it, but when the news about this season came, from the title "VOICE 4: JUDGEMENT HOUR" , I thought this season is a good-bye to VOICE, one of the longest running Kdrama franchise. The phrase "Judgment Hour" is something like the final verdict/decision hence implying to the end of this series. But the way it ended with the introduction of some new plots now I think I was wrong and there will definitely a next season. Well, as long as the jakkanim offers his talent and we tend to enjoy it, then why not? HAHAHAHA Let's wait for the updates from the production team.
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You have to take it with the context, there are only 3 episodes so the story does not go into great detail, but with the time that they had I thought they nailed it! What made this drama as great as it is was the casting, Benz and Prom's chemistry between their characters had me blushing the entire time I was watching. I mean look at Praram's smile how can you not just melt.
I hope they either give Benz and Prom another series together or possibly redo this story but a full series so it can go more in depth into the storyline!
Benz's acting really made this drama to be honest, he is a very talented actor and I constantly found myself forgetting that he was both Pralak and Praram and that he does not actually have a twin. I will definitely be rewatching this drama as I cannot get enough of these characters, my favourite of the En of Love's so far probably!
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