This review may contain spoilers
Like a Hollywood production in Soutk Korea
This drama is like a Hollywood production that, due to political correctness and several anti-government theories, was transferred to Korea without any concern for cultural or political realities. The drama is shot with a lot of panache and splendor - too much for my taste. It's nice that the action takes place in different places in the world, but it's a pity that the creators treated really different cultures very neglectfully. The idea for the story and ML - funny. Really, South Korea is not the US and moving Hollywood production to the other hemisphere without any adjustment is not for me. I watched this drama as an experiment, besides, I have a weakness for actors playing the main roles, and this drama made me feel bad. The scene when the Korean SWAT in downtown Seoul on a magically empty street starts shooting Korean citizens in broad daylight was the decisive moment for me, when I couldn't stand the drama's quirks anymore.Was this review helpful to you?
I didn't like the series a lot
The story didn't attract my attention. I wanted the drama to end faster so that I could start the next drama (happy I started Kill me Heal me and I loved it with all my heart!!).The acting was awesome, but the plot was confusing. There were a lot of plot twists and tens of characters (I don't liked dramas that have multiple characters. I just seem to confuse all of them together , oohhh and the names are so hard to memorize).
The drama just didn't feel right, maybe because there were a lot of political aspects to this drama and not a lot of things that are interesting at my age (17).
(the ending was so confusing as well, it even made me think I closed the tab in the middle of the drama).
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Great plot but the ending?
It's been such a long time since I've discovered such an amazing, interesting action Kdrama. Typically, action dramas all have around the same plot, but this one in particular, is SO good. It has romance, but not enough to make it annoying. I love how he remains a stable, revengeful mind throughout the whole drama and doesn't give up regardless of the fact they're literally fighting against the government. This drama gives off the vibes of "don't trust anyone" because that plot twist was something I never expected. Despite the amazing plot and storyline, the ending was fucking disappointing. I was 3/4 into the last episode and started to wonder, how on earth will these 20 minutes give us a proper and satisfying ending? The answer? It won't. For an ending like that, I'd expect a season two or something but no, it's been like five years. Truly an amazing plot put to waste just because of that ending.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Complete waste of time
Vagabond is okay. It's a typical action/thriller series: explosions, gunfights, scheming and corruption at the highest level of government. I actually liked vagabond for the most part, until i reached the end. The ending left a bad taste in my mouth for many reasons but the most obvious is that it was a disgusting cliffhanger. I like my k dramas tied up neatly with a bow on top by the end. This show left so many loose ends and plot holes. It is a show withoit a conclusion. In the description of this show on netflix, it says basically that a stuntman and govt agent team up to uncover corruption when his nephew "disappears". They should make a correction, he doesn't disappear - he dies. I don't believe i would have watched this if i had known that going in. But i still decided to give it a chance, and for the majority of the show i enjoyed it. They introduce heavy themes of grief and revenge. Words cannot express how completely unsatisfying it is that none of this was resolved. They could have wrapped this up in 4 additional episodes, and it would have a completely different reception. Instead, no revenge is served, the baddie is still on top, the MCs are not reunited, etc. This show was produced in 2019 and it is now 2024 with no second season on the horizon. Not even a whisper of a 2nd season. So no, i can't recommend this drama unless you like colossal wastes of time. I feel cheated and it is irresponsible to make a show with a 2nd season in mind unless that has been confirmed. Dont waste your time -trust me when i say game of thrones ended better than this.Was this review helpful to you?
However, there are so many different people involved in the conspiracy that it can be overwhelming. It was sometimes difficult to track how much time had passed. Sometimes events were occurring concurrently, but sometimes we'd be going back in time, flashbacks came into play every once in a while, and then other times days had passed? Towards the end, I especially felt more aware of plot holes, recklessness, and ridiculousness. I would have also liked to see more depth and layers for many characters. Overall though, very entertaining. I hope there's a second season to complete the story. The last episode didn't feel like a final episode at all but more like an American mid-season/winter finale.
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Besides the unsatisfactory ending to "season 1" of Vagabond...
I actually ate up this drama! I like the plot, the actors, and the OST! OST was beautiful and well orchestrated. The actors were well selected and portrayed their characters well. The plot was quick paced, action packed, and interesting. While I wasn't expecting the HUGE plot twist in the end of season 1, it *did* make sense (they play enough flashbacks to justify that it *was* planned).
Something I would like to mention though - I didn't find myself tearing up with the actors. The OST really helped build the scenes, but I don't think that the grief-stricken scenes were filmed in the best fashion. Not to say that they weren't sad, but I honestly don't think they were filmed in a way to extract the most emotion from the audience and get us choked up, which I would have really liked.
I think my impression of season 1 will significantly improve if a season 2 releases that effectively ties up all loose ends. Until then, I will caution viewers against watching this drama simply for the lack of conclusion. I look forward to a season 2!
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Incomplete by design!
As per usual, such dramas start with abroad locations and a big budget just to serve us with whatever later on. While the drama had action later on but it wasn't on the same level of its earlier episodes. The plot itself couldn't compensate for that. There was a certain level of carelessness and ridiculousness in a non-comical setting from the director that's impossible to explain other than being intentional to maintain the dumb action vibes like a B grade action flick. It got progressively challenging to tolerate regardless of its "supposed" entertainment value. After what they had done in this 16-episodes runtime, they had the audacity to keep all threads as open as possible for a direct sequel, which will never happen! Was it some kind of a practical joke? Other than some of the action scenes and a handful of selected moments, I can't see much value in this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Kdrama Action Genre when it's peaks !!! Truly Action Cinematic Experience
Vagabond raised my standards in Action Dramas.
The drama is about a stuntman named Cha Dal Gun (played by Lee Seung Gi) who teams up with an NIS (National Intelligence Service) agent named Go Hae Ri (played by Suzy) in order to uncover the truth behind the plane crash that killed his nephew.
Action and Plot Work :-
Drama primarily runs with the investigation of Cha Dal Gun trying to reveal the truth of the plane crash, but in the background the story extends with big twists and turns power scandals of S Korea.
As an action lover, Vagabond is a great action epic drama for me. If you are into fights, gun battles, and car chases, then this is for you. I'm sure Vagabond wouldn’t bore you. Behind Every action scene there is a plot behind it and a convincing storyline for why things happen the way they do. The story looks small but after getting ep by ep the storyline unfolds a big puzzle. The drama has enough suspense and fast-paced action to keep us on the edge of our seats every episode, and that’s largely thanks to the incredible acting talent of Lee Seung Gi, Suzy and other co actors and also this drama offers a solidly entertaining take on the sub-plots ( government, politics, scandals, middle power, NIS).
Vagabond has an intricately crafted plot and decent production quality of Netflix and SBS.
Actors:-
This is my first Lee Seung-gi drama watching his action scenes can't control myself to fan for him.
He was fantastic by delivering so much intense emotion combined with some seriously awesome action. He was just impressive in every way.
Suzy ( Go Hae ri ) one of my favourite actresses after Vagabond, as a rookie NIS agent who is working overseas and fallen love with Cho Dal Gun ( Lee Seung-Gi) to try to help him given phenomenal acting, her raw characterization suited very well. Hopefully, she will return soon to the action genre again.
Primarily this is not a complete clean rom-drama, but the chemistry between Lee Seung-Gi & Bae Suzy carried the whole drama with action and swoon-worthy.
Also it already forms the outlines of a classic love triangle between its two leads and another male character.
Camera work:-
The filming took place in several locations; Portugal, Morocco and South Korea. The cinematography of ‘Vagabond’ was really well done. The action scenes were well shot. I love the fact that they hardly used shaky cams, yep shaky cam work in action chasing dramas is an important aspect, Watched first shaky cam work in kdrama in vagabond, it's really the best camera work.
Finally :-
I would recommend a watch for Vagabond despite its open ending. This Korean Drama is indeed an action flick that delivers excellent story telling ! The plot is brilliantly developed with solid climax and high octane twists and turns. With actors like Lee Seung-Gi and Suzy, it portrays a decently constructed plot, and gripping action scenes, Vagabond offers a reliably entertaining experience to K-drama fans.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great action but shaky cameras
Soo here I am once again to write a review about a great production that has amazing cast, a lot of work put in the scenario and the plot and yet again I feel somewhat angry at the end for 2 reasons. Let me back up from the start - the concept with the plane crash and discovery of the twisted truth with the help of a few NIS agents was great. Not knowing who to trust, who not to... it was very thoughtful. The cast did their job perfectly from sad scenes to sexy ones to the action ones. Everyone really. The plot twist in the last few episodes was something that I really enjoyed. Unfortunately what was not enough for me to give the drama 9 or 10 starts was mostly this - you cannot tell you have one of the most expensive productions ( 25 billion Korean won from what I've read) and have shaky cameras on nearly every action scene. I swear it was like the people behind the cameras were not shooting with professional cameras but with their phones with stabilization turned off. It really messed up with me and I couldn't enjoy those well-thought of fight scenes due to the fact it was all moving around like there's ongoing earthquake. The other, smaller though, reason I was disappointed is I am finishing this drama in 2024 and it is clear that they won't have season 2 so the ending really bugs me. If they do another season after all I will probably update my rating with some minor increase but still I cannot let go of whoever thought this camera works was good enough for the amount of money they were given. And I really have to ask the question, does Geon sells himself too? Cause I understand the concept about infiltrating and revenging but to be part of the organization and that deep into cover, he must have had to kill a number of innocent people too, so is he no longer innocent and goodie? I am really confused once again about the endWas this review helpful to you?
Vagabond
Perfect action type of drama. There are sad scenes, annoying villains, a little bit of comedy and a little bit of romance (personally I wished there was a little more). Lee Seung Gi and Bae Suzy's chemistry was on point. The only thing which is almost always point out is the ending. For many people open ending was the worst decision, personally it does not bother me. Also many people want second season, if there will be I will be happy, do not get me wrong, being satisfied with ending does no mean I do not want to watch more about charcters, although I am not sure if we will ever get next season.Was this review helpful to you?
I Spy ~ U Spy ~ They'll All Die ~ If We Try ✈ No S2 Yet? I Might Cry °Excellent°
This story begins with a crash: An airplane crash. Cha Gal-geon lost his nephew/ward - his son, really (CG was raising the kid) to this tragedy. CG travels with other mourners to Morocco, the site of the impact. As soon as he lands there, he recognizes a man that appeared in a video that his nephew had sent him from the plane, prior to the crash. If this man had been on the plane, he would/SHOULD be dead, not walking around Morocco.Go Hae-ri works at the South Korean Embassy in Morocco. She's actually a fledgling intelligence officer, and is assigned to the crew assisting the mourners. She meets Cha Gal-geon and they eventually work together to bring the baddies down.
V stars the wildly popular Bae Suzy (Start-Up-8, While You Were Sleeping-7.3, Anna: Extended Version-8.1) as Go Hae Ri / "Elsa”. Lee Seung Gi (A Korean Odyssey-7.2, Mouse) is our action hero, Cha Dal Geon. Superstar director, Yu In-Sik (Dr. Romantic series, Extraordinary Attorney Woo), is at the helm, and scriptwriters Jang Young-Cheol and Jung Kyung-Soon seem to work together on most projects. They're responsible for Empress Ki, History of the Salaryman, Big Mouth and other hits. This group hasn't failed their audience yet, and they didn't fail us here. However, one would think that 16+ hours would be enough, but more and more baddies surface. The show is not complete. Season 2 has not been announced yet, but they are looking into it, and they know the fans want it.
V is exciting and well scripted. It has action, intrigue, displays of the worst and best of humanity, and the unfulfilled promise of some romance. It's difficult to tell a thrilling tale without being a little outlandish. They didn't get so crazy that it gets in the way. The plot progresses without too many bumps in the road, yet it is still quite intricate. The action and fight scenes are good. Like most action thrillers, they should have been in ICU or dead several times over, yet they manage to keep going. It's the usual trope for the genre. Why fight it anymore?
The only lasting disappointment you are likely to experience after fighting villains and corruption with Vagabond, is that you'll have to wait for season 2. The wait will be a minimum of 15 mos but a maximum of....well, never. I hope they never do /that/ to us!
IMHO...
🎬8 🤔6 🎭7.5 ⚡8 💓5 🦋5
Suggested Age 12& up
In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:
Love to Hate You 8.9;
Crash Landing On You 9.1;
Oh My Ghost 10;
It's Okay Not To Be Okay 9;
Love Struck in the City 7.3;
Hospital Playlist 9;
When the Camellia Blooms 8;
My Mister 9.5
Action/Sci-fi/fantasy:
K2 8;
Private Lives 8.1;
Descendants Of The Sun 8.3;
Uncanny counter season 1 only - S1-8.4 S2-4;
Sisyphus 8;
Tunnel 8.1;
Signal 8.6;
D.P. 8.4;
The Cursed 8.3;
Flower of Evil 8.9;
The Man from Nowhere 8.9;
Black 9;
Squid Game 8.4;
Kingdom 8.3;
Sweet Home 8.4
Update May 2024 - Vagabond is filming a second season in the Philippines! No details on a release date.
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