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More than the sum of its parts
This was the first kdrama that I watched and enjoyed, which is strange insofar as I know that it's not, strictly speaking, good -- but it is so entertaining! The third episode is, truly, among the funniest things I have ever watched.The show's strengths and weaknesses are kind of mixed so that there is not one single component that makes the show "good" or "bad". Taking them one by one:
1. The story is a little up-and-down at times; sometimes it makes sense and sometimes it does not; sometimes it's fast and sometimes it's slow. However -- the mood of the show (more comedic than dramatic) accommodates the inconsistencies. And the comedic scenes in the beginning of the show are absolutely brilliant.
2. The acting is a bit of a mixed bag. I admit to absolutely buying into and adoring the male lead and almost all of the supporting cast. The female lead and the Devil King are less to my liking -- but I think that a large part of that is the script / what they have to work with and the types of roles they have been cast to play. And there are scenes in which the FL and DK absolutely kill it!
3. The music: The songs in this are wonderful. The "dramatic" music sometimes is over the top -- but regarding the show as a comedy makes it work, weirdly.
So a lot of good mixed with some bad. But, really, I think that fixing the bad elements would take away from the lightness of the show and make it less entertaining.
Personally, I have already rewatched it a few times :)
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Daebak
I remember watching this for the first time, I really liked it.But to understand everything, I had to re-watch it. (That's what I do sometimes) And I liked it even more.
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The plot was interesting, I really enjoy watching supernaturals based dramas.
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The actors were great. I actually really enjoyed Ma Wang's character. I think some of his scenes were so funny to do. I don’t know how he did them. ??Amazing actor.
I also love Lee Seung Gi as an actor, he's amazing.
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I'd re-watch it maybe, or maybe only some scenes that I enjoyed more??
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I'm only writing this because I got zero info when I went online to find out if this would be a happy ending or not - if this would be worth investing 20 hours into. If you're into melodramas, a lot of 'will-they-wont-they', action/fantasy, steamy kisses and implied sex, watch this! The progress of their relationship was obviously frustrating because it's a melodrama and you know how long it takes for k-drama leads to make up their minds and say that they love each other. But hey, this was good! There were plenty of sweet and steamy moments to make the watching worth it.
Before starting the drama I read somewhere that 'everyone dies except PK' and that's total bullshit. Ma Wang, Son Oh Gong, Secretary Ma, PK, Sa Oh Jeong - they all live! Literally almost everyone lives except Jin Seon Mi, Zombie and the Prince possessing Alice. More importantly, Jin Seon Mi's soul even comes back from the dead for Son Oh Gong. The ending is a solid happy ending, or a heavily implied one if you're a pessimist. Ma Wang finds his son, Son Oh Gong gets to confess to Jin Seon Mi that he was actually head over heels in love with her even without the Geumganggo (that he takes off by himself in front of her), Son Oh Gong literally gives Jin Seon Mi the power of one of his eyes so that when he goes to the underworld he can find her easily and make her his completely. It was worth the watch. Go watch it!
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For me: This is quite good drama despite of the worst CG effect
This is the 1st time i'm writing a review (sorry for my bad english)I think this drama is QUITE GOOD and have great potential to be top drama but lost the steam when reaching the final episode.
STORYLINE is GOOD and i love it. (Although, there's a lot of people say that, this is a copycat of Goblin. Not at all, its totally different.) The thing that i HATE is the unnecessary scene, the drama duration is too long, so they add too much of unnecessary story.
ACTING is 10/10. Lee Seung Gi, Oh YeonSeo, Cha Seungwon & all other characters really save the show. I watched until the final episode because of their great acting skills.
MUSIC/OST: The OST IS GREAT. If you don't plan to watch this drama, i PREFER you to listen to all of the OSTs (Seriously, its Gold but very underrated, idk why)
WEAKNESS/LACKING:
1. Too much unnecessary scene (Might be because of long duration)
2. WORST Cinematography/CG EFFECT
3. The finale episode is slow
My advice is don't compare this to other fantasy drama, watch first then judge
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This Drama Gave Me Something That Made Me Want to Forgive its Flaws
I may be too late for a review but this I want to say what I have to say. I badly want to watch it when it was on-going but I'm so busy in my study back then that I stop watching dramas.This drama started of fun and is really intriguing. They open up the variables little by little and open up many loopholes for each character and feature new characters (plus the side stories) as the story progress that slows it until everything turns out devastating as you became aware of what tragedy might happen yet having a little hope that things will turn up differently. But it was indeed tragic that I ended up crying straight the last two episodes. I don't really expect a happy ending, like happy- happy ending since I don't expect much of that in genres like this but this is just too tragic and disappointing because things turn out just the way it really is, like you expect from the characters they build whilst the story process only to end up like all of those progress don't made sense. Another thing, a lot of loopholes still are left open that it just left you hanging
Acting was great! Lee Seung Gi and Cha Seung Won really pulled this one really hard. I'm getting curious why a lot don't like Oh Yeon Seo but I think she just build the character perfectly for it. The supporting characters are good, even though some of them needs improving. The romance line seems new to me but the tension between them is exciting and they don't fail to bring up the chemistry anyway.
OSTs are bomb it will end up playing in your mind. The cinematography, effects, etc. are good except for the CGI in the finale.
All in all this drama is really something that you can enjoy but don't expect much on the ending.
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Twisted Story from Original Chinese Journey to The West
A Korean Odyssey is a twisted rewritten story from it's origin story about Sun Wo Gong (The Monkey King). Growing up with the original Chinese story, this Korean so called adaption is really far from the original story. It twisted the original story about the journey of Sun Wo Gong with Priest Tang San Zang and other disciplines to find the sutras into a merely love story between Wu Gong and Sam Jang.I admire the creativity of the writer to twisted the story so much until lost the original meaning of the story, but on the same time it also make it lost the meaning of the story. TBH, if only want to write a love story, no need to take big name / character from ancient history.
On the original story the so called Sam Jang in Korean Odyssey is supposed to be a monk / priest, whom all evils / demons want to eat, as his meat can make them have eternal life. Well overall this drama still watchable, quite boring from episode 1-5, but picking up after with some funny scenes. And the thing that make me can continue watch this is the great acting from almost all of the casts!
My first impression: The story setting is similar with Cronicles of Narnia / Alice in Wonderland, when Sam Jang was a kid releasing Wu Gong.
Afterwards is just a RomCom Drama with some mystic factors. The most hilarious part to me was when the East Dragon prince sold in the fish market! And that Jonathan reminds me of Severus Snape on Harry Potter.
The ending is not really satisfying, maybe they wanted to have a 2nd season?
Conclusion: If you are not into the original Journey to the West story and watch this, I think you will find this drama entertaining. For those have watched the original Chinese story and not fans of any of the actors /actress, then maybe this drama will not be so satisfying.
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my one [big] issue.
this obviously has a LOT of issues but i actually had fun watching it so i don’t mind most of them, i finish it in less than a week and i enjoyed most of the time.however there is something that bothers me specifically and it’s that i just can’t be 100% on board with this romance when we know that his feelings were forced that way. like i do believe he felt some sort of remorse/guilt (and that’s a stretch) before the geumganggo because he abandoned her when she was a kid so he definitely does threat her differently (like him fixing the umbrella) but that’s still not love.
and it’s not that i don’t like her character (though she is so badly written, like she truly had the worst character writing). i wanted her to be safe and that’s why i understand that at the beginning she had to give him the bracelet, but she should have taking it off of him a couple of episodes later and simply go with the original deal they made in ep1 and afterwards he could had still fell in love her, it would have feel natural and more deserving of him feeling heartbroken.
or if they wanted to go with the whole “its necessary to use the geumganggo in order to protect her and save the world” they could have made someone else to put the spell/bracelet on him and make it so he would start loving her and therefore having to protect her, and also making so in a way that she can’t take the bracelet off even if she wants to, that way at least it means that she is not the one who has the control of the geumganggo.
but we instead have to watch how she doubts all the time whether or not his feelings are real yet we already know they are not real, at the end he simply gave up and the show wanted to sell us this as if it was true love. we are told several time how the bracelet can actually harm him or even kill him yet in every moment she refuses to take it off.
there is a time when he tells her that she must not love him enough because she doesn’t want to remove the bracelet and that for him the geumganggo is actually a prison, i’m sorry but after those lines how can i believe this a real love story?
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Son Goku
One of the main reasons why I watch this drama is because of the original story of the Monkey King. This drama does have a lot of extra elements but it does stay loyal to the original story. It's also very funny especially Wang Ma moments. The relationship between Wang Ma and Son is really genuine; even though they seem to be against each other they are always looking out for another drama. I really their bromance over the main romance between ML and FL. Maybe, because I saw many good actresses in the past, I found Sam Jang [Oh Yeon Seo] acting skills to be lacking particularly her facial expression which didn't fit some of the scenes. Otherwise, she did a fair job. I like the zombie girl [Lee Se Young] better as she really plays the role of innocent girl and evil concurrently to its potential. All other characters were very unique as well like Pk and Yoon Dae Shik which made it more fun to fun. This drama also seems to play heaven as the "bad guy" because of love but then again the heaven is meant to carry out destinies to balance the force between peoples' free will and the universe. Aso, not the typically happy ending but it was understandable because Son and Wanf seem be more expressive of one another at the end and Wang also found his son. Wang and Son are one of the best duos in K-drama. I really feel like there could be a season two for this as there were a lot of unanswered questions or reunions.Was this review helpful to you?
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An Epic Journey of Enchantment and Stumbles
As an ardent devotee of Korean dramas, I embarked upon the enthralling odyssey presented in "A Korean Odyssey" with eager anticipation. Released in 2017 and also known as "Hwayugi," this drama promised a contemporary reimagining of the revered Chinese novel, "Journey to the West." While it possessed moments of brilliance and charm, it also encountered stumbling blocks along the way.The crux of "A Korean Odyssey" revolves around Jin Sun-mi (portrayed by the spirited Oh Yeon-seo), a vivacious young woman blessed with the uncanny ability to perceive supernatural entities. Her destiny becomes entwined in a perilous prophecy involving Son Oh-gong (masterfully embodied by the charismatic Lee Seung-gi), a playful and enigmatic deity seeking redemption. The drama commenced with a robust start, harmoniously blending elements of fantasy, humor, and romance. Its contemporary setting breathed new life into the familiar tale, and the initial episodes brimmed with promise.
However, as the narrative unfolded, it became evident that the writing lacked a coherent trajectory. The plot meandered at times, introducing numerous subplots and characters without fully exploring their potential. Regrettably, this meandering approach impeded the story's pacing, resulting in certain storylines feeling rushed, while others languished unnecessarily. Although it showcased captivating moments, the overall story development proved to be a somewhat unfulfilled promise.
The drama's salvation lay in the exceptional ensemble cast. Oh Yeon-seo delivered a commendable performance as Jin Sun-mi, skillfully portraying her vulnerability and resilience. Lee Seung-gi's portrayal of Son Oh-gong was a captivating blend of charm, wit, and depth. The undeniable chemistry between the two leads drew viewers into their intricate relationship, while the supporting cast, including Cha Seung-won as the bullish deity Woo Hwi-chul, contributed their own unique flair to the drama's tapestry.
In terms of production, "A Korean Odyssey" boasted superlative visuals and impressive special effects. The fantastical elements were brought to life through vibrant colors and imaginative set designs, fashioning an enchanting world for viewers to immerse themselves in. The seamless integration of CGI and practical effects further augmented the drama's immersive quality. However, there were sporadic instances where the visual effects fell short, appearing lackluster or inconsistent, detracting from the overall production value.
The drama's original soundtrack (OST) presented a mixed repertoire. While it featured noteworthy tracks that aptly captured the emotional essence of pivotal moments, there were others that regrettably veered into generic territory, failing to leave a lasting imprint. The OST, while supportive in heightening certain scenes, lacked the cohesive impact desired.
Now, let us address the drama's shortcomings. As aforementioned, the storyline suffered from a lack of direction and occasional pacing issues. It failed to fully explore the potential of certain characters and subplots, leaving loose ends and unresolved conflicts in its wake. Additionally, there were instances where forced or misplaced humor disrupted the drama's overall tonal balance. Considering these factors, I would bestow a rating of 7 out of 10 upon the story of "A Korean Odyssey." While it possessed a strong premise and captivating moments, the overall execution fell short of its potential.
Regarding the actors and actresses, they merit a solid 9 out of 10. Oh Yeon-seo and Lee Seung-gi delivered commendable performances, their onscreen chemistry proving undeniable. The supporting cast equally contributed to the drama's allure, showcasing their talent and versatility.
Taking all facets into account, I would assign "A Korean Odyssey" an overall rating of 8 out of 10. While it possessed noteworthy strengths, particularly in terms of cast performances and visual production, the shortcomings in story development and pacing impede its full realization. Nevertheless, it remains a noteworthy drama within the fantasy genre, deserving of attention from fans of modern adaptations and captivating character dynamics.
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Am now a LSG pankha
I am writing this when am at episode 3, coz it hooked me up with its brilliant story. I wonder why it isnt in top 10 dramas of MDL.Am hell addicted to this drama. Well i heard this of jinx that when an actor comes back from military his drama dosent gain much popularity..
Even if that a true or false i pray this sdrama gets its recognition.
●Lee Seung Gi has made me his fan at last. I had watched his other dramas before but now am head over heels fallen for LSG.
Finished this after a marathon bingewatch am a bit sad the drama finished.but Hell yeahhh am now a proud fan of LSG.What a master of acting, with each expression and dialogue you made me laugh and cry thoughout the drama. Am next gonna checkout his other dramas.
●The story was fantastic, I hate spoilers and when I thought that that this drama has already revealed what will be happening, I came to know am totally wrong. It has all the twist I couldnt resist. It maintained my wntusisasm till the very end.
●The ost are just mind settlers. They all have ran to my playlist. Let me out, am always behind you, when i saw you these arent just lines of the song these actually built the best BGM for the show. It also had some great pieces of BGM with piano.
●I loved the lee se young as zombie character, she played 3 character was very well. From being simple Bu Ja to notorious ahn se nyeo she was performed very well. Ma Wang and Son Oh Gong bromance was very entertaining.
It was the icing on the cake for me. Because cherry is Music.
● Am already ready with popcorn to have another marathon session of Hwayugi. For me its a must rewatch 10/10
Note_ have read this somewhere now i dont remember
Its the Post Military First drama jinx
That when an artist completes his Military service and returna back. The very first drama aftwe that doesnt do well. True or not i wish this drama gains popularity in future.
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Love Hate Relationship
After a few months of off and on watching - I finally finished and I not sure what to think about it.It was a love-hate relationship. I loved how the drama started off with relationship building between Oh Gong and Seon Mi when they teamed up to go on demon hunting missions. I loved the creepiness of all the demons and the bantering between the two mains, but that is where that ends. I honestly disliked the relationship between the mains in the first 18 eps because of all the back and forth. Every time they took a step forward in their relationship, they would immediately take 3 back. But then the drama did a 180, and the last 2 episodes were extremely emotional and I was 100% in it to win it!
I think that is why I had a love-hate relationship with this drama, I loved the drama itself, but I disliked the characters. At first, I liked Seon Mi and admired that after having such a rough childhood and upbringing, she was this boss woman who used her powers to create this real estate business, but once she and Oh Gong were back in one another's lives, it was like she was this lost puppy dog and forgot her self worth and all the strength that she built over the years, just vanished. Then somewhere in the middle, I was just done with her. I also really didn't like how Woo Ma Wang was this comic relief character, but because of his selfishness, a lot of the issues that came to be at the end could have been avoided. It is weird though because I am not a fan of actress Lee El, but her character as Secretary Ma was my favorite in this drama - even though she was loyal to Ma Wang through all of his mischief, she was one of the only characters in this drama that stayed true to herself and never acted on selfishness. I didn't like most of the characters because they kept going back and forth with their actions and had no loyalty or communication with one another. Such as, I loved the relationship General Winter had with each character, but he had no problem throwing those relationships in the trash in order to gain something personally. But I must say, I really respected Sung Hyuk, Yoon Bora, and Lee Se Young for playing multiple characters in this drama. To be honest, I had no idea Sung Hyuk played both General Winter and The Summer Fairy until they literally said it in the drama about sharing bodies.
I am happy I watched this drama at least once. I finally got to watch something with Lee Seung Gi in it and I did love how this drama was, in a way, this ode to the god of mischief and his journey of retribution and I loved that his relationship with Seon Mi didn't change who he was, but it made him into a bigger person. And I understand why some comments say a season 2 is needed, and I would honestly love to watch a season 2 now that a lot of the cringyness of unknown feelings are now not an issue, but, I really liked how this ended. We got to see the god of mischief creating a plan to be mischievous, but we also see that he does have a heart of gold.
Not sure if I will rewatch this - but maybe for the first few episodes with their missions and not their complicated relationship.
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CLASSICAL LEGEND SUN GO KONG
I love this drama, a Chinese classical legend Sun Go Kong in Korean modern setting. Rather the regular boring story line, this one here recovering old legend in many different modern twists and turns. 1995 Stephen Chow's movie 'a Chinese Odyssey part 1 & 2: Pandora Box and Cinderella' is a good referral for Sun Go Kong legend, how unruly monkey king refused to take in his fate but has fallen in love with a dainty ZiXia. At the end though, Sun Go Kong realized he couldn't defy his fate and ZiXia died from loving him. Not exactly similar with Stephen's movies which has countless similar remakes...I love the character of Devil King Woo and his faithful dog companion Ms. Ma - they are enrich the character of O Gong and Seon Mi (Samjang). The Zombie girl Richie is a beautiful girl...her character build up overtime...she isn't a rotten smelly zombie but into a devious long hatred ambitious evil spirit priestess Asanyeo to the king 1,000 years ago, and now seeks to marry Son Oh-gong for power and love. I also like the character of brother/sister Summer fiery/Winter General...they are contradiction of sweet and gentle, kind and considerate, sibling love and friendship. I give credit to Lee Han-joo: A real estate employee who works under Jin Seon-mi - he put up alot of s**t from irregularity, Yoon Dae-sik / Sa Oh-jeong: CEO of MSUN, a mobile phone manufacturing company - who would love to take care of all the group - cooking, cleaning, pay the bills, taking care of their worldly businesses.I can understand the doubt Seon Mi has for O Gong's love...as he said casually...it's also Geumganggo, a magical bracelet that will ensure the obedience of anyone who wears it through the power of love, whenever O Gong feels the love it will squeeze his heart out. The original Geumganggo wore as a crown, whenever the feeling of deep love - it will tighten Sun Go Kong head to crucifying pain so he gave up his love to ZiXia. Of course, this drama didn't end up like that...
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