Kim Hee Sun is perfect as loving and protective mom Jo Kang Ja as well as teenage friend Jo Bang Wool. I can't say enough about her acting. All of the actors were great from the young to the veteran actors. Regardless of Ji Soo's good looks, that boy can act. His emotional versatility as Go Bok Dong will take him a long way in the future. I look forward to seeing more of him. Kim Tae Hoon makes it easy and strangely sad to hate Do Jeong Woo. The person I felt the most conflict for was Kim Hee Won as Ahn Dong Chil. I wasn't sure what to think of him until the very end. I'm so glad the writer clears every thing up with him. His character was the link that held the story together. Besides the female lead, my favorite character is Go Su Hee as the quirky and totally lovable and ultimate best friend, Han Gong Joo. I adore her!!! I think the weak link is surprisingly Ji Hyun Woo as Park Noh Ah although I will say as the drama went on he got better. It may have been his character being that he seemed naive and weak that became stronger while remaining nice.
The music is really good.
I will probably rewatch this at some point.
I recommend this drama to everyone. It is really well written and acted,
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Kim Hee Sun rocked as a high-schooler believe it or not, I was surprised how good she looked in a high-school uniform. She was great at portraying a mother determined to protect her daughter, although a little naïve in the beginning her character grew throughout the drama. Even though she was a mother she matched so well with one high-schooler I couldn't help but ship them whenever they were together. and watching her fight with people was a plus.
Kim Yoo Jung as Oh Ah Ran was great a playing a teenager scared of the people that threatened her and her moms safety. I loved her moments with Hong Sang Tae played by B1A4's Baro - she melted his heart of ice.
Ji Soo as Go Bok Dong - this guy literally stole the show, not to mention my heart too <3 Every scene he was in was beautiful, dark, emotional, heartbreaking and brilliant! His damaged heart at the start of the drama was beautifully mended throughout the drama, with the warm touch of people who cared for him and those he cared for - his tears were wiped away <3 He was my favorite out of all the characters on this drama and the main reason for my checking in diligently every week! You'll fall in love with him too as you watch this drama.
Ji Hyun Woo as Park No Ah (whenever I say/hear his name I can't help but laugh a little inside "No Ah = Noah - the ark) anyways lol - I honestly can't think of any other actor who would pull off a naïve, sincere, honest, and "greatest fool" (quoting the drama words) "in the world." than he himself. I honestly got annoyed by his naivety in the beginning of the drama but it eventually ended up being his charm "after his eyes were opened". His fight to protect "his kids" was precious. & I enjoyed watching it.
Baro played a character who was caught in the prison of his dad's rules - Kim Yoo Jung tries to pull him out.
All the villains, supporting cast, guest stars were great.
The OST might not be up everyone's alley but it sure was right up mine! Most of the songs have a jazzy feel to them and are in half English/Korean - I loved each and every song! "Angry Mom" by Lee Juhan, "Sunny Side Up" by Ashbun, "Happy Magic" by Lee Hyun Woo, "Crying, Crying, Crying/I Love You, I'm Sorry" by ALi, & "Teleport Me" by Aberdeen Orange.
I would definitely re-watch this sometime in the near future and I highly recommend it^^
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This review may contain spoilers
High-end KDrama story-telling/performance quality - emotionally complex, captivating, touching.
Society in trouble. "Angry Mom" confronts viewers with some unloved topics. Bullying comes first and keeps the door open for one more... and one more... and one more... and one more... It's about the attitude of the parents when it comes to education and school, about prejudice, discrimination against women, male-dominated hierarchies, pedophilia, the power of the powerful...If it weren't for the comedy (even just the fact that the mother, in her mid-30s, puts on a school uniform again and goes to school), it would all be hard to bear. Also, the protagonist's former school friend was deliberately portrayed in an exaggerated manner. She and the gang of men she leads often look like they're straight out of a cartoon - she herself is sometimes reminiscent of the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. Her scenes always provide a breather with a little exaggerated fun, even if the bitter seriousness does not fall by the wayside.
The comedy has nothing to do with a charming blinking. It only serves as a channel for anger and dismay (of the viewers). The story itself isnt´t all too easily digestible. The daughter is being bullied, but no help can be expected from the official authorities. The mother does the work herself (absolutely marvelous: Kim Hee-sun!). Without frills, she stumbles right into a male-dominated snake nest in the high school environment. The further she courageously advances, the more unexpected help she gets. However, no one else would dare for themselves, although many do not like what is going on. ... If she would not be a mother with her child being affected, she would probably have given up too...
This is once again high-end KDrama story-telling/performance quality - emotionally complex, captivating, touching.
Don´t miss it.
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The plot is perfect. It won some kind MBC scenario award and while I don't know that is exactly, I can vouch that the script fully deserved it. The plot dealt with various school related issues and a lot more. It was so refreshing and hilarious. It never became stale even during the second half of the show (something that happens quite often) and just kept getting better and better. There was no romance but there were ships that didn't exactly sink (which was a huge surprise). This show has set a trend with shows like "Make A Woman Cry" and now "Second Time Twenty Years Old" coming up with similar situation.
The characters were wonderful. I have watched Kim Hee Sun in Faith and while I liked her there, this is where I fell in love with her. She was effortless! Park No Ah's character has received some criticism for being incompetent and useless. But he was somebody I could relate to. We're both "greenhouse kids" who refuse to see the harsh realities of the world but we're both trying to come out at our own pace. Kang Ja's friend Gong Joo and her minions were so awesome. I loved the guys' wigs. Bok Dong was my favorite. He was so cute when he fell for Kang Ja and the times he was like "Don't touch my body" XD Baro's character was completely in contrast with with his previous role in Reply 1994. But he was flawless here and those glasses really helped him look more like a bully (lol). Yoo Jung was her best as usual. She's a wonderful actress who keeps getting better and better. Rest of the negative characters and the supporting characters were great. The one negative character that stood out for me was Chairman Hong. After watching him as a funny character in Protect The Boss, it is really hard to see him do roles like this. He is an abusive person who gets a kick from hitting women. But the actor is versatile. Kudos to him.
The music is different from the typical OST and I absolutely loved it. People who loved shows like School 2013 and 2015 should definitely watch this. It's your thing. And if you're a drama addict in general and have enough time, you would breeze through this show in a couple of days without skipping stuff. That's the addiction level of this show. I'm so glad I watched this!
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Watch if you're looking for a drama with a good social critique but don't want to give up on comedy. Keep it for later if you're craving to see love stories.
THE STORY
Like many people, I started watching Angry Mom with a preconceived idea of what the show should be about – 50% comedy, 30% real/serious stuff, 20% romance. Angry Mom turned out to be far from my expectations – 60% real/serious stuff, 25% comedy, 5% romance – but I’m very far from disappointed. Yes, I can’t lie, I’m sad there was no love story for Kang Ja (the mom), because I think she deserved it and there was room for it in the story. But the drama is an extremely well-thought social critique of the Korean educational environment, with well-written, complex characters who, for the most part, evolve throughout the story, and relationships that evolve as well. There’s tragedy, there’s comedy, there’s suspense and a touch of action; all genres mashed up naturally so nothing feels forced. Most importantly, there’s hope. Angry Mom’s message is that we can against corruption and bullying, so we should fight against it.
THE ACTING
Great. Everyone was just great. I love Kim Yoojung and Kim Heesun, and Ji Hyun Woo is in my to-stalk list since Queen In Hyun’s man, so no surprise there. The villains, all good actors I already respected, no surprise there. But Ji Soo is a surprise, and one I’ll be stalking too. Even Baro and Lizzy were quite good. I liked them all!
THE MUSIC
Some people complained throughout the drama that the music was weird and did not fit with the story. I disagree. Or I agree, sometimes music and scenes were “mismatched” when we compare this drama to others, but it was clearly intentional, and I found it rather innovative and refreshing. I don’t need overly dramatic music in times of action or suspense, and sometimes I found that the music was a good indicator of what characters were feeling or of what would happen in the future. So…I liked!
REWATCH VALUE
Definitely high.
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The story is heavily focused on the influence of political corruption on familial relationships and high school life. Hardly surprising from a show called 'Angry Mom' because the drama is very much about anger and the intense emotions and conflicts of being a mother. The drama is by no means 'realistic' - you have to watch with this in mind, things are of course going to be exaggerated for dramatic value but nonetheless, there are little hints of truth in everything.
But be not afeared, it's not all doom and gloom, the writer is absolutely brilliant at weaving in comic relief. I lived for those hilarious moments among the darkness that seemed to envelope every character. The thing that struck me the most when watching the drama was the character progressions. Each main and significant secondary character had their moment to shine and develop. This is simply not a one-woman show about a mock-heroic attempt to enact justice on behalf of the weak and unrepresented. It is a drama about developing awareness and tackling the problems head on with others. Problems simply do not go away if you do nothing about them, and it is up to you to make a difference - but also, the fight is not a lonely one. It is all about creating honest relationships, maintaining them, and working together to achieve the ultimate goal. This drama is filled with poetic and moral messages that make you realise that this was very much a writers piece. The directing was also great, but for me, the writing was just the star of the show.
The cast were also perfect for this drama. I have never seen Kim Hee Sun act before but my god, she can act. Her portrayal of this loving mother with a troubled past trying to protect her daughter was just so brilliant to watch - and you just can't help but love a strong female lead. She has shown so much versatility with her emotions that I cannot help but admire her and look forward to her next project. All the other cast members - villains and all - were all very well acted and I have nothing but praise. When an actor makes me hate a villain with great intensity, it means that they're doing a pretty darn good job at acting convincingly. I cannot write this without mentioning our breakout star Ji Soo, I don't think I know anyone who dislikes Go Bok Dong. He was a bad guy with a soft heart and I think everyone will have a soft spot for him. This was a wonderful breakout project for Ji Soo and it clearly displayed his potential. There are so many others who I want to mention and praise, but I think the one who left the strongest impression on me was Kim Hee Won - Ahn Dong Chil. I could never get myself to hate his character, and boy, Hee Won was perfect for Ahn Dong Chil. He begun as such a complex character and it was a real treat to see him unravel and in some ways, peel off the hardened layer bit by bit to see what he was truly like. I cannot go on without spoiling so I will leave it at that.
As much as I want to give this a perfect 10 just for sheer enjoyment and roller coaster ride over the past 8 weeks or so, I felt like it just missed the mark. I set the rewatch value slightly lower because I don't think I can handle watching this again because some aspects of the drama just make you angry. It's not about the execution of the drama itself, but the cruelness of reality really kicks in at times. But saying that, I will always be happy to skim over to the fun, adorable, and out-right hilarious moments for sure :)
Overall, I am very happy with how this drama went. I definitely recommend it because it provides a lot of food for thought for how we should view life and our experiences that will definitely be worth considering!
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Kim Hee Sun is a gem! I have not seen any of her work prior to this and was thoroughly impressed. Not sure how many actresses can seamlessly transform from an overprotective mom to high school kick ass heroine and make it believable. Her stellar performance was supported by superb casting all way round. No one seemed to be out of character which is a huge credit to the production for the coherent ensemble.
The mother daughter chemistry had the right amount of banter and sappy moments. There were a few tear jerker scenes which any mother with a teenage daughter would understand and cherish.
The family dynamic was also superbly done and not over the top. The kdrama staple of the evil mother in law plot device and undeserving husband get a nice twist; very pleasant surprise here.
All other protagonists were equally stellar. Kim Yoo Jung as Ah Ran was both strong and vulnerable; wanting to protect the people she love against the evil force but at the same time feeling lost and powerless.
Ji Soo is clearly the new heartthrob but as other reviewers have said, he can act and is not just a pretty face. His portrayal as the lovesick teenager was endearing. His struggles between wanting to protect Bang Wol and wanting to hate her guts were masterfully acted.
Kim Hee Won must be a pro at playing the villain. I saw him in Misaeng and he made me cringe and he successfully delivered here too. His Ahn Dong Chil character was a conflicted one and the writer did a phenomenal job bringing out his humanistic side in an explainable and meaningful manner.
At first I was afraid Princess Han and her minions would make me cringe at their shenanigans but again, this show proved me wrong. Go Su Hee as Han Gong Joo was the perfect fit as Kang Ja’s best friend and confidante and her role was pivotal to the story.
Ji Hyun Woo as Park No Ah did his part but he definitely was not the standout as the top male lead. Perhaps the writer did not give his character enough substance or others simply outshone him. Same goes for Kim Tae Hoon as the ultimate villain Do Jeong Woo. He did make it easy for us to hate him.
As with any kdrama, there are always exaggerations, over-dramatizations and loopholes but these were easy to overlook and forgiven. For example the characterization of the vice principal for an elite high school a tad unrealistic? Not a big deal.
Overall, the pace was excellent; the layers were revealed in appropriate dosages keeping the audience interested without frustrating them. In spite of its dark subject matter depicting many gritty, dirty humanity, it has brilliance of light hearted humour nicely woven into key moments. The level of suspense and cliffhangers, typical of dramas, were not out of place and tastefully executed.
The music did its part by blending in seamlessly and making the scenes impactful but I wouldn’t say they were memorable. It was not the star but accomplished its feat.
Angry Mom is a highly, highly recommended watch for first timers. But for someone like me who loves sappy romantic moments, I will probably not re-watch it again for nostalgic reason but will happily re-watch with friends and families for none other than social reasons.
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I was a little nervous starting this one having heard of violence and intense bullying. I guess you could say I have a weak stomach. But as always, when Kdramas pick a topic, they dig into it and explore it and twist it upside down and analyse it under a microscope.
I found Ah Ran pretty annoying throughout the drama although she has the cutest smile. Even after finishing it, I'm not exactly clear why Ah Ran was acting so mean towards her mother.
Plot-wise, it's actually quite slow. But the slightest development in the drama made me sit up and pay attention. This happened again and again. By the halfway mark, I was wondering what would be the next thing that would capture my interest and all the drama had to do was rearrange the seating plan in the class and bang, I was back on board. Haha.
If this was a book, I think I would be really depressed. There are a lot of bad things that happen but it's like I didn't realise it until I sat back to count them up. The main characters throughout the drama are continuously banging their heads against a brick wall. It's fail after fail so it's unusual for me to be able to be able to stick with the drama and actually appreciate it.
Kang Ja
I knew I was in good hands with this heroine. Her school days were equally as violent but she was the one dishing it. She was quite the legend. The contrast of the sweet and naive mother with Kang Ja's actual personality is really interesting. Ah Ran is the one person who can walk all over Kang Ja. But it's also great how being a mother is part of Kang Ja's personality too. She's bossy and empathetic and wants to look after everyone.
I think the fun part about this is that there's a lot of maturity to this heroine that is lacking in the other characters because she's twice their age. And she understands where they are coming from even though they might present with a false front to appear cool or to remain in the school hierarchy.
When Kang Ja's secrets starts spilling out I like that she doesn't make any apologies. She believes in what she's doing.
Go Bok Dong
I liked him from the start. He's a forced baby gang member and he owns it with his whole tone, language and body demeanour. He's like, really vicious. But most of the time it's his attempt to steer people clear of danger. His actions speak much louder than his words.
I was so tickled pink when he was worried that Jo Kang was ruining her life. It was the sweetest thing ever.
When it comes to romance, Bok Dong has zero swag.
Go Bok Dong really broke my heart actually.
I've never felt so sorry for a character.
He really gets the short end of the stick.
Some of his most emotional moments, are really quite comical and yet it's so important to him I felt doubly bad all at once even while I was laughing.
The actor Ji Soo is really amazing. I was so convinced of his adolescence. His portrayal of a teenage boy unable to deal with letting his heart feel and the way it comes bursting out at random moments is brilliant.
My favourite moments were when he was being scary. He uses his face so effectively to convey his vehemence. He is also really good at crying.
No Ah
He's such a harmless and gentle teacher. I get a big kick out of seeing him scandalised by the other side of the tracks. As his dad says, “You were beaten as a kid and now you're a teacher you're still getting beat up by the other students.”
Of course he has a big heart but generally I was scoffing at his ineptness. He fails miserably at cracking the kid code. But he perseveres. And when his kindness shines through at some moments of the drama, it's very touching.
Hong Sang Tae
This kid seems like a predictable character but he was full of surprises as the spoiled poor little rich boy.
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I decided to watch because I have no problem suspending disbelief and I'm a huge Kim Hee Sun fan, I think she's brilliant and this drama is no exception. She has no business being THAT good at acting like a teenager - she's amazing and believable.
The story is great, complex, fast moving for the most part and entirely believable. It's a bit slow in a few episodes in the middle, but that doesn't ruin anything. It tackles big issues like corruption, and high school bullying well and with feeling.
All the acting was fabulous, everyone did a great job with complex and interesting characters. There was great personal development from everyone. Almost all the characters were likeable and by the end even some of the bad guys had my sympathy and i'm sure much of this was due to the brilliant performances put in as well as the well written characters.
Watching Ji Hyun Woo play bumbling, ultra caring, teacher Park Noh Ah grow a backbone was so satisfying. He was such a great character played so well. Kim Yoo Jung as Oh Ah Ran and Ji Soo as Go Bok Dong were both brilliant. These are two young actors I'll follow closely. Both of their performances were nuanced and believable. Kim Hee Won as gangster Ahn Dong Chil was so wonderful, my feelings towards him changed slowly as he changed as a character, it really was an excellent performance. The standout, of course, was Kim Hee Sun. I really love how expressive she is without huge gestures, no screaming, over the top crying which is all too common for Korean "mom" actresses. I felt her pain when she hurt, I felt her exhilaration. I thought she was fantastic.
All of the side characters were really well built characters and all of the actors put in good work to bring them to life. Han Gong Joo and her two stooges, and secretary Joo Ae Yeon had interesting stories, brilliantly portrayed
Where this drama loses points is the same place most dramas lose points for me. An over-played, too evil bad guy (or two). I just can't believe their motivations because they're too bad. It happens so often and I'm so tired of it. In this drama it's extra jarring because all the other characters are so good, and all the other acting is wonderful. I wish writers would stop writing bad guys like this and hiring such bad actors to portray them.
The music was used well in the right context.
I think rewatch value for this is quite low, I can't imagine watching it again now that I know the resolution and have watched the plot play out.
I highly recommend this drama. The story is solid, the acting is excellent. If you haven't already, give it a go.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama had all the qualities that makes a drama perfect. It was meaningful, intense, realistic, comic relief and exceptional actors. I never saw a story that was told like this and I congratulate them for having the best scenario of 2014. Alll the cast members, directors, actors and writers did an amazing job in pulling off such an amazing drama.Plot- Yes, political corruption and school corruption are not unommon themes for k-dramas, but using the perspective of a parent who took matters into her own hands was definitely new. I applaud Kim Hee Sun for her splendid execution of her role as the mother. This drama defined the role of a true educator, a parent love for her child and the meaning of true courage. The best thing about this drama, although it showed the atrocities that most people usually turn a blind eye to, it was not a freaking sob story because it showed that people did not live their life to be pitied. They all just wanted to be heard!
Cast: I saw a lot of actors that I was not familiar with, but it did not stop me from watching it because each actor/actresses seriously displayed their acting abilities. Lastly, it was fun to see a cast where everyone complimented each others abilty.
Romance- If you are looking for a simple basic romcom, please don't watch this drama because it sheds the truth that their is nothing romantic about life. Yes, the drama is intense and don't get me wrong there is a cute snip of romance in it because in life everyone needs to be loved. Any love that formed was engaging to watch because it just happened naturally and I won't give any hints because then that would be a spoiler. Lastly, remember that romance does not play a major role in it because with or without it the drama is still exceptional!
The best thing about Angry Mom was its fast-paced speed, no loop holes and a nice flow. Worst thing was that I watched it while it was airing, so it was painful waiting for the next episode. I loved it and I definitely recommend it for others to watch:)
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'Angry Mom' also suffered when it came to setting the tone; the drama was verging on being dark and melodramatic to being slapstick funny, the show didn't actually set its tone until we reached the halfway point. Less patient viewers would have probably have already dropped the show by then as the messed up tone made AM feel like it didn't have any sense of direction, and it actually became quite boring during episodes 6, 7 and 8.
I didn't actually get a feel for the show until the second half of the drama, which, although not perfect, was defintely the best part of the whole show. The tone was solid, the twists were genuinely surprising, the pacing was swift and the tension was rife. It kept me on my seat, and I didn't feel the need to fast forward any of the scenes in order to make the 70 minutes go by faster.
Alas, the first half of the show was an utter bore and suffered from too many problems to make it earn a score higher than 5.0.
It was fun watch during the second half, but 'Angry Mom' really isn't anything special. If you want a good high school drama, skip this, and watch Shut Up! Flower Boy Band instead.
NB: Dear Angry Mom,
Thank you for introducing me to the perfectly adorable Ji Soo. I am utterly grateful.
- akisame
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