Reviews

Dramas with moms going back to school have been trending recently (not that I'm complaining). And with that thought you might consider Twenty Again to be unoriginal. But it's not. In fact, it's amazing. On the surface, it's a middle-aged woman, her failing marriage and her petty attempt to save it. But it is so much so much more. Just what you expect from a TvN drama.

The plot is predictable yes but it never works against the favor. You might consider you'll get bored while watching this show. That's what I thought. But before I knew it, I had breezed past all episodes and had joined the chorus of the post-drama depression. The approach of the show and the mood in which it is presented is very easy going. A husband cheating on his wife is the plot for every 50 episodes family melodrama in Korea. But Twenty Again presents it with a more creative, more youthful edge. You see everyone's side, feel everyone's side and realize everything happened for a reason. There are no bitter feelings for revenge. I never once felt mad at the husband or felt sad for the wife. Both gained so much from whatever they went through. It was worth it.

Coming to characters. Choi Ji Woo was the reason I started this show. I have seen her previous dramas (most of them classic) and I was very curious as to how she'll pull off this character. She did a solid job. No Ra's journey of self-discovery was absolutely beautiful, even if the overall tones for it were very light. I cannot imagine anyone else for this part, she was flawless.

The male lead, I loved him in My Daughter Seoyoung. He is so handsome. But he played a role I have never seen him in. He did not over-utilize that dimple (a first for me to see) and he played an agitated character. It was nice to see him play a role like this. The husband's role was wonderfully done. That balance between not liking him but still not disliking him was so marvelously done. The supporting cast was equally good. The son, the friends (such wonderful friends), son's girlfriend (she annoyed me but I get the need for her role). I felt Na Soon Nam and Park Seung Hyun needed more screen time and more depth though. They were great.

The ost was decent.

Overall, it was really good. I love the kind of vibe TvN dramas give me. They always experiment with new ideas, sometimes even setting trends. It makes me feel like they make dramas because they love making them, they understand them. Instead of making dramas based on what we want, they make us understand what we want. That's just amazing. And Twenty Again lived up to that.

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Let’s Talk About ‘ Love And Leashes’, Baby…

“Controversial”, “risky” and “unconventional” are some of the immediate buzz-words which come to mind when talking about Netflix’s South-Korean movie ‘ Love and Leashes’.

Directed by Park Hyun Jin( ‘ The Color Of A Woman’) and based upon the webtoon ( 모럴센스), ‘ Love and Leashes’ focuses upon office worker Jung Ji Hoo ( Lee Jun Young). Clean-cut, professional and adored by his female coworkers, Ji Hoo has always been able to maintain his prudish persona . However in reality “prim and proper” Ji Hoo hides a deep secret from his peers; he’s a BDSM enthusiast.

When bemused coworker Jung Ji Woo ( Seo Hyun) unknowingly stumbles upon his salacious desires through an open package, Ji Hoo soon finds his sexual fantasies awakened when he enters a consensual-contractual “slave and master” relationship with his coworker. However as their risqué relationship begins to play out, Ji Woo and Ji Hoo soon finds themselves questioning their sincere feelings for one another along the way…

Perhaps one of the most notable things which should be said about ‘ Love and Leashes’ is that it is a daring concept . Topics of sexual and amorous relationships have certainly been explore beforehand in South-Korean productions such as ‘ You’re My Pet’ ( adapted from its Japanese predecessor ‘ Kimi Wa Petto’), or more sardonically throughout ‘ The Handmaiden’ , ‘ Thirst’ and ‘ Happy End’ . However due to a respectfully conservative atitude towards sexual content in South-Korean culture and media , it is still slightly unusual to see this topic addressed in mainstream popular culture .

Despite its eyebrow-raising premise, ‘ Love and Leashes’ surprisingly starts off as a somewhat lighthearted rom-com and office drama. Jung Ji Hoo is established as a smooth-talker and highly liked by his superiors who tries to avoid conflict, whereas Jung Ji Woo is an “ everyday” office worker with a slightly stubborn streak. ( Helping viewers to understand the dynamic between the characters as well as foreshadow their later roles within their racy relationship.)

However despite the somewhat niche early setup, ‘ Love and Leashes’ wasn’t afraid to delve slightly deeper into some issues in the workplace- sexism , prejudice as well as several references towards homophobia and sexual harassment , bustling their way into the film’s early workplace vernacular .

Nevertheless whilst praise must be given towards director Park Hyun Jin’s open address of these current issues early on in the film’s narrative , it is hard to ignore that these references were rarely touched upon after their initial use. ( In theory this dynamic could’ve easily been explained more within the nature of the narrative.)

Yet ‘ Love and Leashes’’ seemingly mundane workplace setup soon begins to into an amalgamation of lighthearted and riskier comedy after main female lead Ji Woo stumbles upon the package.

For those expecting ‘ Love and Leashes’ to be a series revolving entirely around erotica and debauchery, it is noteworthy that ‘ Love and Leashes’ is predominantly a romantic comedy. Risqué and sexually suggestive jokes and setups were mainly used as the necessary pretext behind a surprisingly warm-hearted romantic love story for the main leads.

Naturally this isn’t to say that Park Hyun Jin wasn’t afraid to delve deeper into depicting the misconceptions and taboos surrounding fetishises, hedonism and casual relationships. The narrative would often diverge away from the typical tropes surrounding setups of sexual fantasies being “ nauseating”, “ unhealthy” or “ encouraging sexual abuse”, by instead shedding light into a fairly positive, consensual and healthy relationship between the main leads .

Yet when the film’s narrative wasn’t driving home messages about sensuality or comic relief, ‘ Love and Leashes’ did surprisingly touch upon some sentimental moments surrounding its main characters. In particular this became apparent through . Ji Woo’s uncertainty and gradually growing mixed feelings for her coworker , as well as Ji Hoo’s own struggles with his dating life. However whilst these elements of the storyline were present in ‘ Love and Leashes’, the backstories and problems surrounding the characters were often limited and subdued by the plot. As a consequence it could often feel as though our main leads were roughly sketched out as individuals; necessary plot devices for keeping the storyline afloat, but rarely being given definitive sentience also.

Of course it is hard to ignore the somewhat controversial casting choices also. Former U-KISS member Lee Jun Young ( ‘ Class of Lies’, ‘ D.P’, ‘ Imitation’ and ‘ Let Me Be Your Knight’ ; plays the unusual role of main male lead Jung Ji Hoo, whilst costar and Girl’s Generation’s Seo Hyun( ‘ Private Lives’) takes on the role as main female lead Jung Ji Woo. However despite the somewhat surprising and controversial cast decisions, Seo Hyun and Lee Jun Young were delightful as our main leads. ( Both actors also openly spoke in interviews about their initial surprise upon reading the context of the script, alongside their enjoyment at being able to take on different roles.)

Admittedly the onscreen chemistry between both stars felt somewhat stunted in early parts of the film. Initial “ role play” scenes came across as awkwardly delivered for audiences ( in particular one scene surrounding Jun Young attempting to literally embody a “ dog”). However as the narrative progresses and allowed opportunities for their characters to grow, their chemistry did become more apparent.

The pacing is admittedly tightly-packed in the first half. Whilst this did allow opportunities in order to delve deeper into the characters’ relationship and certain issues, it did provide to be a double-edged sword. This is mainly due to the fact that the second half downplayed the pacing with a notably slower and sharper focus upon the bittersweet elements of the characters; prominent but admittedly rushed in the course of the movie. The attempted climax served in the latter-half felt somewhat anticlimactic. There was little buildup or foreshadowing and whilst the ending did serve a somewhat cheerful resolution for the events of ‘ Love and Leashes’, viewers may feel a little disorientated in parts with the storyline.

Under the directing reigns of Park Hyun Jin, ‘ Love and Leashes’ was notably a multitude of slick and professional cuts, scenes, editing and gradients. Notably Hyun Jin placed heavy focus upon the contrasting tones of minimalistic everyday life and the office, against the lustful neon, vivid and lively palettes surrounding Ji Hoo and Ji Woo’s role play sessions. ( One of the most striking scenes of the film came through Ji Hoo’s birthday “ present” . Against the pallid tones of the room’s surroundings, Ji Hoo’s present in an unopened black box, a pair of patent ruby red heels, greatly sticks out for viewers to visually engorge.)

It is notable that the OST is sparsely placed in the movie. ( Aside from the opening credits, emotional buildup moments and the ending.) Instead under the directing reigns of Park Hyun Jin, ‘ Love and Leashes’ is predominantly focused upon the characters’ dialogue exchanges and interactions. When the OST is present it is climatic; helping to reflect the emotional scope of characters and situations.

Despite its unusual setup and premise , ‘ Love and Leashes’ was foremost a love story between its main leads. It is arguably one of Netflix’s riskier moves from South-Korean production in recent years. Nevertheless despite the somewhat expected controversy surrounding the movie’s casting choices, Seo Hyun and Lee Jun Young’s onscreen chemistry and performances were solid and dynamic. The themes surrounding ‘ Love and Leashes’ are versatile if somewhat stunted in parts, but surprisingly delivered a sweet and risqué romance along the way.

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make a wish or make a failure

have after having seen all the episodes without sub clear this. My appreciations are the following:
Angel krit started out as a curious, noble and enthusiastic character who wanted to experience what it was like to be human. But as soon as he got it we could see that selfish and vain side.
Doctor paphum, for someone who sees ghosts, takes it too well, the medical parts are good but they have their flaws and they were advised by a doctor.
Angel chan, what a great performance emanating all that aura that a superior angel must have, his dedication and sacrifice to angel krit was captivating.
Dr. Aries was surprising to see in his few appearances totally opaque angel krit showing all his emotions to the fullest. To the point of thinking that he should have been the protagonist.
The comedic scenes were good, a bit over the top, and the sound only made it more noticeable.
The good dramatic scenes especially that of the spirits of the girl and the lover. The death scene of Dr. Aries with his parents and memorable angel chan sacrifice.
The NC scene that I can say everything was going well until Pharm is cheating on dean with dr. Paphum? and there everything rotted. Just discarded. Because I no longer saw the angel krit but another fluke character.
In conclusion, other series the endings take a long time and with this it was the opposite, very fast, everything loses meaning. Enough with SS1 with SS2 would only make it look poorer than it already is.

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This show made you excited in the beginning, then you wonder halfway "How did they miss the mark?"

Head over Heels is one of those dramas that leaves you asking for so much more. It had a dynamic storyline with something new in every turn. The casting was great all around, and the plot gave such a dopamine hit when reading about it. I even digested and waited till I reviewed this one, simply because it was like a climax dream that you woke up from halfway in.

I’m not entirely sure if it’s because of the westernization of dramas through Netflix or what, but while the story offered a lot, it didn’t deliver enough emotional pull for all the characters, only for the main female lead. It missed the mark when it came to fleshing out the other side characters, and it also left you confused as to why major plot points were introduced at random peaks in the story. It wasn’t like these additions brought a new dynamic that changed the direction; it felt more like, “Well, we only have so many episodes, so let’s just slap this important information here now so viewers won’t be left questioning.”

The drama had so much potential with its story, actors, and viewership. It simply left me feeling like, Damn, this would be so much better as a novel or with a full, well-developed script that included emotional plot points to draw viewers more deeply into the entire story.

Don’t get me wrong—it was okay. But it had so much room to be something truly great. It kinda missed the fullfilment of fans for these drama types, honestly.

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Wow.

I thought Meow Ears Up had a weak plot, but at least in that nothing happening made sense. In this nothing happened nor made sense. I think it was supposed to be a parody or something, but I don't really know what it's parodying. I think it might have been making fun of the audience for watching it.

There is nothing positive to say about this, except Lee Long Shi who plays Dr. Pak has a hot body, but it's not worth watching the series as he shows it a lot more on his intagram. Here, I can save you 6 eps. https://www.instagram.com/_longlee7/ Pak Papungkorn does too but we already knew that.

Anyway, this is terrible. If you like Kim & Copter, you probably won't anymore after watching this.

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Straight to the point, I love the genre (comedy, romance and drama). I love the music (downloaded on my phones), I love the acting (especially the facial expressions) so hilarious and i love the actors too. The story is uniquely cliche. In general: boy meets girl, poor vs. rich, good vs. evil, love triangle, and damsel in distress are factors that making this underrated! guess what!

DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!!

It is unique in its cliche way! and way way to go!
I am trying to convince you guys! just watch the first episode and you will see!Am i being biased? of course I am! why wouldn't I!
i really love this drama and "love is blind".
In my perspective this is a perfect show regardless of what other drama looks like(better or the best out there). Unfortunately, i only watched dramas thrice or lesser whether it is my favorite or not.

Seriously speaking,
I was hooked by this drama because of the "sudden twist and unrealistic events that occurred so naturally". And for a change it was the first time I watched a drama that involved a good sports car racing. what else should i brag about... ow it is also my first time to write a review!...well, just watch and you will find out!

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I had expected this to be a successful second season to a beautifully written drama.. Even if not better than the first but at least close to it.. But honestly, it wasn’t.. And I totally understand the low ratings.. I really do.. I am not going to blame the story itself.. If this had been a standalone drama or not a continuation, it would have actually been an excellent one.. But it wasn’t.. After watching 34 eps and waiting 5–6 months, you shouldn’t have to sit through another 12 eps of push and pull between the main leads.. Especially letting someone like Liu Lang who is a complete nobody affect their relationship.. The court politics, the mutiny and everything else were solid, but most of what happened in the first 12 eps felt totally unnecessary.. The foundation for the characters was already built.. What they needed to do was move the story forward.. Instead they were still stuck in the same loop.. Repeating what had already happened in the first season.. Honestly I respect the commitment the writing shows, it knows what it wants.. But I didn’t quite get the fulfillment I was hoping for.. I am only whining because I expected more..

If it were possible to erase someone from the story.. It would be Liu Lang.. Enemies?? Yeah I hate them.. But what about people who stay close to you and backstab you?? He literally got his life back and is living well because of the FL and yet he tried to destroy her relationship out of jealousy?? He was supposed to be like a younger brother to her.. His sister did the same thing and now he followed right in her footsteps.. And the fact that this guy hit the ML and still got let off?? I was honestly disappointed at how easily he was forgiven and also how his stupidity and jealousy were sugarcoated as concern for the FL.. Sure he got his redemption arc but he didnt pay for his mistakes..

Liu Chang was pathetic in the first season but here he completely turned into a character unworthy of any pity.. He did some truly nasty things.. It was actually satisfying when the FL hurt him repeatedly, the stabbing scene especially felt good.. But honestly, he still didn’t suffer enough.. That’s why I wasn’t satisfied with how things ended for him.. He should have suffered more pain..

I actually felt sorry for Princess You Zhen.. The cycle of her life was truly sad.. Hurt by the men around her, including her own father.. I am glad she didn’t die in the end.. It meant she had another chance at life, another opportunity to start over..

Ep 19.. I think they were too hasty in confronting Prince Ning.. I mean he literally crushed their decade old plan in just a few days, it felt way too easy.. And the final confrontation, the war could have been handled much better.. It just goes to show how little attention was given to the parts of the story that didn’t have the FL on screen..

While I wasn’t completely satisfied, this was still a watchable conclusion to an amazing story.. In the first season even though Mu Dan was the anchor, the others mattered too.. But in the second season, it became all about her.. No one else had a satisfying storyline.. Even the ML felt underused and sidelined, just to elevate Mu Dan’s character to glory.. I really wished everyone had a meaningful presence..

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Poorly Executed Or Well-Written?; What’s Left To Say About ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ …

With a very short air time ( only five episodes), and an evidently cut duration length and budget by the producers of the fairly mixed-reception miniseries ‘ Multi Personality Girl’ ( the drama’s “ sister story”) , ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ was fairly predestined from the start towards having some evident flaws . However with its own take upon the “ revenge” cliche and incoherent plot twists in between, this does leave newcomers with one ultimate question; “is ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ actually worth watching? “

The drama’s initial premise was certainly interesting; a bullied girl Min Sun ( Park Min Sun) seems to change her appearance and identity to become Yeo Bin ( Jang Yeo Bin) and expose the sociopathic delinquent leader Ho Tae ( Son Ho Tae) as part of her revenge ploy.

The acting front of the drama was fairly good . Whilst admittedly certain line deliverances could be better than others, our main cast did add their own dynamic charm during key moments throughout the series. Yeo Bin’s darker secrets coming to light and her unreliability as a main character added a value of surprise for audiences by Jang Yeo Bin’s mannerisms captivating a sense of trust and believability within the female lead. Similarly Ho Tae’s sociopathic and megalomaniacal actions onscreen were captivated well by Son Ho Tae’s piercing gaze and sardonic expressions .

On the other hand ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ seemed to try too hard (even from the get-go )to brand itself as a “ shocking revenge tale” without always taking the time for the audience (and even the characters) to digest or understand the plot twists . For example there’s a major plot twist ( without spoilers) which occurs in the drama which whilst surprising , felt poorly-executed and lacked more drive and coherent plot reasoning .

In fact this was a major problem in the miniseries. Whilst it’s short duration length is arguably a pitfall for not having opportunities to expand out on these storylines in more depth, it’s undeniable that it doesn’t take a lot of time to interweave good writing techniques. ( One of the most evident throughout being foreshadowing. )As a consequence whilst the ending was certainly unforeseen, it lacked as much shock value due to feeling poorly-paced.

Ultimately with its short duration length episodes ‘ A Beauty of Revenge’ is easy enough to watch in one binge-watch sitting. Whilst the concept and of course the cast were undeniably the miniseries’ major fortes, the execution of storyline and plot twists lacked more finesse.

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I wouldn't have watched this web series if I hadn't seen a viral clip on it on twitter and I'm grateful and glad that I did.

While it's mostly an episodic series, it manages to tackle a lot of issues that I think is important for the youth to think about even if it means character development and story is pretty much stagnant. From the teaser you practically already know who these characters are because they pretty much stay the same throughout the show. Even though it's like this, you can't help but root for the characters and love them.

I think it's a must watch because it raises a lot of issues and point of views and serves them all in bitesized episodes that are easy to digest and binge watch. It may not be that popular of a web show but it's a damn important one.

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KelpiView : They are my secret love too.

Overall impression:
Hmm. My initial impression of the show is just that. Honestly, when it first started, it wasn't really on my weekly list at all. Though at this point, i do not know when i became so invested in it. The show itself starts slow, that i must say. getting past that slow start, is all it takes to make me into a obsessed fan and I truly appreciate the production crew in producing this gem of a show.

What I liked about it:
Great cast!
A good story meets a great cast, that is what i think My Secret Love is. Despite some of the cast member not having any experience under their belt like Bew (Park) and Por (Bear), as well as Kenji (Mai) and boat (Tim). They did exceedingly well portraying their characters. The leads are not very lovable at the start, that i must say. But the more i watch each week, the more that i like them for their character portrayals. However the supporting couples of this show totally stole my heart. all 3 of them lol.

Evolving Genre!
I initially thought this show could be tagged as a comedy due to the amount of laugh i had for the start of the show. As i mention, it started slow, but the only reason i continued watching it was because of the comedic elements that is present throughout the show. Tho, it was very comedy centric at the start which really helped in my opinion. As the story progresses, they showed glimpses of each couples backstory and trouble and that sets the mood for a concrete scenario in my opinion. The show should definitely be tagged as a rom com.

Awesome OST
As Im typing out this review, the ost from Jeff Satur (look) is playing in the background. That is how much i would love to give this song an honorary mention. It helps that its jeff satur. But the mood of the song itself fits well with the show that every time i hear the song, i would immediately associate it to the show.

What I disliked about it:
Slow Start.
No show is perfect in my opinion. as people we can never be satisfied fully. But that's really ok. One small detail that i wish could be done differently was the slow start, but that being said, its not a deal breaker for me as i enjoyed the comedy route that they begun with.

Inadequate ParkLee scenes.
Okay, this may be pushing it a little bit, BUT. hear. me. out. I just felt that there should be more ParkLee scenes in the show.... because.. just because.. i wanted more of them. lol. one of my favourite on screen secondary couple by far. their backstory was so cute. i wish they would make a story of park and lee in another series.

Did I enjoy it?:
I really enjoyed this one. as i mentioned, it started slow but really stuck on to me and i really enjoyed the ride.

Would I recommend it to others?:
Definitely. Though some people might be a lil bored of the university setting, but if you are ok with that and like a multiple couple show like me. and appreciate a good show, i think you should definitely give it a try! To me, a certain setting might not deter me to try a show because even though the setting is the same, its the cast that brings the character and story to life and that makes a whole lot of difference. So, if you have time and wanna be emotionally invested, give My Secret Love a try!

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the script and acting went hand in hand and made this an interesting watch.

This was genuinely such an unexpectedly wonderful surpriseof a short drama. The whole premise being Stockholm syndrome × psychiatrist/patient × a weird 2nd chance romance kinda trope was honestly not expected. Like I don't really know how to explain it but as someone with a psychology background this was just-

Both the characters being survivors of SA and dealing with the trauma in their own fked up ways was portrayed so intricately. How they both were each others medicine but also making each other worse, and just their codependency and the FL's struggle with the ML messing up her carefully structured "normal life" after escaping from him the first time. The ML being obsessively in love with her even when it was unrequited and a sllolid burden weighing on her did not stop him from trying to keep her to his side was done showing just enough crazy to make you realise that he's fked up without overdoing the crazy.

Nan Xiang (FL) played by Lin Zilin was such a traumatized, complex character and the way she portrayed it was top notch. Her trauma still making her a patient herself, she went on as the ML's psychiatrist, i feel that was coz girlie had some sort of a savior complex coz she did take it on as a challenge, but she just didn't expect to fall for him and his obsession was something she wasnt prepared for. The actress did such a good job, especially in the parts where her trauma surfaced and she had anxiety. She knew she messed up as she had taken the initiative in their relationship but she was alsothe one to back off when she realised how troubling it actualy was. I honestly liked that they gave her some sort of redemption here and there, like her jumping into the pool to save him once she got to know his trauma, and also when she came back for him even though she knew he was more than capable and that it was all his plan just to get her back.

Yu Tiandong (ML) played by Zhang Chi, as an actor this dude was fkn great, no lies. The portrayal of a character as complex but still simple in a way is genuinely not easy, but this man did a phenomenal job. First of all, i gotta say i have a crush on him, that hairstyle suits his crazy so well. Yu Tiandong being an SA victim and having developed bipolar disorder and fear of water was portrayed so well. And also the love this character had for the FL had me in the feels. Him wanting to in a way help her root out her past was honestly a bit messed up the way he went about it but also it was needed. I feel it was more of his guilt at having taken the money after his assault that was more traumatic for him, and he was just trying to protect her in ways he'd have liked to be protected i guess.

As a short chinese drama, the script was honestly so unexpected, especially since i watched it on YouTube titled "She fell for her psycho CEO patient, trapped by his love, escaped only to be stolen again and spoiled" so i guess you can see how i was expecting to have like 2hrs of brain rot, but instead ended up with one of my new favorites. I'm not gonna watch this again anytime soon since it is quite emotionally charged, but its something I'd recommend even with that title.

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My rating criteria for dramas is based on how much emotion they give me and this drama certainly shook me quite a bit.This was the very first serious war fiction that I ever watched in my life as I always kept well away from them owing to the large amount of suffering involved. However, I was well awarded for braving through this very harsh and realistic portrait of the Korean War of 1950 as I was left with images that I will most certainly not forget.

I was sorry to find out that this drama has not had high ratings in Korea and has not been viewed by many viewers outside Korea either. Although I can understand the basic reason of not wanting to watch people suffering I can say that it is a real pity not to appreciate all the effort that obviously went into the production, filming and acting of this drama. I think this is the best acting I have seen of So Ji Sub so far (and I have seen most of his well-known dramas) and especially in the last episodes he gave a performance that would have been higly worth an Oscar award if he had been in the US. But I also have to mention the other two main actors and in particular Yoon Kye Sang who played an incredible character who was strong and very generous.

So to summarize this drama focuses mostly on what friendship, comradeship and patriotism are all about but it also describes a very intense love story. I highly recommend the viewers to have a strong stomach and go through all the hardships that these poor soldiers went through and in the end...you will feel higly rewarded like I did!

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that life can be meaningful if we’re brave enough to let ourselves be vulnerable.

How do you cope with the loss of a family member? How do you tear down the walls you’ve put up to protect yourself from the outside world without crumbling under the weight of all the pain? And how do you ultimately learn to open up to the world again, and to form new connections and be vulnerable, with the awareness that, one day, they might leave too? Screened in competition at the 2021 Torino Film Festival, Aloners (Hon-ja-sa-neun Sa-ram-deul) deals with these and many more themes, from the struggles to process grief to the ghosts of the past that still weigh on our shoulders; from all the repressed anger that comes from a lifetime of buried emotions to the need to set boundaries with toxic family members; from how difficult it is to reach out and ask for help to the universal truths we keep hidden, such as the fact that life is often devoid of meaning and that we don’t really enjoy being alone all that much. Aloners is filmmaker Hong Sung-eun‘s (also the film’s writer and editor) feature directorial debut, but you absolutely wouldn’t think it was, judging by the complexity of its themes and by the sensitivity of a screenplay that effortlessly draws you in, crafting an atmosphere that is drenched in intrigue, mystery, emotion, and subtle irony.

The film centres on Jina (Gong Seung-yeon, also in her feature debut), a woman in her late twenties who leads a repetitive (and highly relatable) existence: Jina works at a call centre, where she spends her time apologising to entitled clients who are often in the wrong, ignoring their insults, and accommodating their absurd requests. On her way back to her apartment, she walks on her own, her eyes glued to her mobile phone. At home, she lives by herself, and avoids interactions with her neighbours. She eats her dinner on her bed while watching TV and falls asleep not long after that, only to wake up the following day and have the exact same experience over and over again. In fact, not only has Jina managed to survive such a monotonous lifestyle for so long, but she’s also become exceptionally good at it: she’s currently the top employee at her workplace, due to how many phone calls she manages to answer (and endure) each day. But there’s a reason why Jina is so successful at being alone: quite simply, she has lost all interest in having interactions with others, be it her neighbours, her coworkers, or even her own family. Instead, she has chosen a life of seclusion and embraced the fact that her existence has no meaning.

But Jina isn’t the only “aloner” in the film. Her father (Park Jung-hak, of The Land of the Waves) also lives on his own, due to Jina’s mother’s recent passing, which left him a widower. His way of coping with his wife’s death is the opposite of Jina’s: he spends his days attending religious functions and turning his daughter into a scapegoat, guilttripping her into keeping him company and unloading all his guilt onto her to avoid facing the fact that he wasn’t present enough in his wife’s life. Also alone are Jina’s neighbours, a mysterious young man (Kim Mo-Beom) who attempts in vain to have a conversation with her every morning until he dies in mysterious circumstances, and a new neighbour, Seonghun (Seo Hyun-Woo, of A Taxi Driver), who rents the former resident’s apartment after his passing, and who’s temporarily on his own because his girlfriend believes his new flat to be haunted.

And then there’s Sujin (played by newcomerJung Da-Eun), a new employee at the call center that Jina has been given the task to train, and who keeps trying to befriend our protagonist, having just moved to Seoul from Chuncheon, where all her friends are. Through all these figures, not only does director Hong Sung-eun alert us of just how many people are living alone nowadays – so much so that the Korean term holojok has been coined to describe the people in the country who “prefer to be left on their own,” but also presents us with a story with more than one protagonist, each with their own distinct lives and points of view, and each with their own truths to keep hidden.
And there are quite a lot of unexpected things happening in Aloners, some more puzzling than others. There are tensions at Jina’s workplace, even more so after the balance is altered by the arrival of Sujin, as the newcomer’s enthusiasm and curiosity clash with the disillusionment of seasoned call centre workers who stopped trying to find any meaning or enjoyment in their job a very long time ago. There’s a demanding boss (Kim Hannah, of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) who can still relate to her employees, underneath it all, and there’s a neverchanging routine that is turned upside down the moment Sujin arrives, bearing gifts that will come to assume different connotations later in the film. But there’s a lot more than that. There are wills that don’t make sense, people who secretly spy on others but aren’t able to communicate without placing or receiving blame, and people who are trying their hardest to open up to others but don’t know how. And then there are things that might or might not be happening in places that may or may not be haunted, mentally ill time machine-builders who might actually be geniuses, and people who are gone but still very much present in the memory of others.

Even that description doesn’t do Aloners justice, as there is just so much condensed into the film’s 91 minutes screentime, and Hong Sung-eun’s assured direction and delicate writing ensures we are always shown, not told not just what happens in the film, but also what remains unsaid. Different viewers will get a different message out of the film, depending on their own experiences and mindsets as they go into the screening. There’s social commentary on modern life, as you might expect, but there are also moments of irony and mystery to keep you entertained, as well as fantastic performances by Gong Seung-yeon and Jung Da-Eun that will haunt you long after the credits roll. There’s the occasional twist you won’t see coming, and there’s a very well-crafted, complex father-daughter relationship that perfectly encompasses the kind of baggage that affects our every interaction with our family members. Aloners is a film about processing grief, learning to let someone go, and letting yourself feel, with the awareness that, once all the walls you’ve put up are broken and your defences are gone, there’s no going back.

Yet, to me, the film is first and foremost about the burden we all silently share as human beings, and the kinds of truths that often remain unsaid just because it would tarnish the facade we’ve spent all these years perfecting. We have become so accustomed to not having a reaction when someone hurts us, apologising when we should be insisting on being treated with respect, and defending ourselves when we should be apologising that we’ve forgotten how to be vulnerable, and how to accept ourselves for who we are. Most of all, we’ve forgotten that we’re all alone, underneath it all, and that every single one of us shares the same fears and uncertainties. By taking on a journey with Jina and the other “aloners,” the film ultimately shows us that honesty and acceptance are the answers, and that, if we are brave enough to share our baggage with the right people, we might be able to find this existence of ours a little more meaningful, after all.

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THIS IS ME BEING NICE

Cute cast - check! Unique storyline - check! Good location - check! But what started out as a promising fantasy rom-com slowly fell flat, and then fell harder on its ass with that lousy ending. Im giving it a 6 out of 10 and this is me being nice!

The fantasy theme hooked me initially- after tens of high school and university themed BLs, I thought it was a breathe of fresh air. However, after the first episode when they tried to incorporate some cheap special effects, it became evident that they didn't really know how to utilize what was supposed to be its strength. The supernatural element was minimized that you almost don't feel it, until that brief moment in that episode when the cupid, Nite, disappeared completely (and that wonderful pink glow appeared again). By the end I was almost thinking if maybe the main characters Tae and Namwhan were just high on something and they just imagined the whole Cupid thing.

I love how cute the main actors were - Tee as Tae and Peace as Nite are so easy on the eyes and although the acting were a bit amateurish, i think they at least carried the show. Noey as Namwhan was also adorable and I loved that they didnt write the main female character as an annoying side show.

Also to be fair, although the story wasnt fully developed, I had a more pleasant experience listening to their lines - the script was written in a way that feels like the characters are real people, not actors acting in a drama.

Another good thing is the setting - Khon Kaen was such a wonderful background, and although at times it felt like a tourism ad, i still loved the way they showcased the city. Also, that brief moment in Chang Mai was mesmerizing to say the least. There was however, quite a lot of distracting establishments and product placements. I cant remember how many times they showed the Emma house model signage with its 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 parking - i thought it was part of the cast.

I heard production was hindered by the pandemic, but I think what they should have done is waited a bit, to wrap the story properly with the same cast. The last episodes felt so detached and was filled with so many flashbacks to extend time- it was so obvious that they were just made to complete contractual obligations without really caring for whoever was left still watching.

And no, there was no real resolution to the story. When Cupid disappeared I was left heartbroken, and my heart hasn't healed properly, up to now. Id recommend skipping this one, unless you really, really need to watch something and there's no other option.

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