This review may contain spoilers
“You have to trust me.”
what can i even say about this drama? should i even call it a drama? it’s a piece of art. it’s a masterpiece.i’ve cried more times watching this drama than i’ve ever cried in my entire life. this drama is so raw and makes us realize how humans actually behave when they need to achieve something. it shows us what are we driven by, what makes us accomplish stuff, what makes us obsessed, what makes us sad, happy, angry and the list goes on. the amount of emotion this drama makes you feel is just unbelievable and the casting team for this drama really deserves a raise (i hope they got it) because i’ve never seen such a perfect group of actors act in something.
i wish i was a better reviewer because i can honestly talk about this drama for hours on end….. but still wouldn’t be enough to explain how i felt watching this show.
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REALISM IS THE KEY WORD HERE
This show is a punch in the guts. Emotional with plot twists and breathtaking acting.The show didnt hold back and went all in showing how the educational system works or better dont work.
The characters were well written with diversity and many layers that we got to explore more and more as the show progress.
I truly believe that SKY Castle is probably one of the most important shows to watch if you want to watch how the Korean culture is treating children.
Amazing acting by everyone and beautiful scenery.
Please have in mind that this show has some strong scenes that can trigger some people.
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I wish there could be a better happy ending
But the writer of this drama is a killer..
She always kill someone in his story either hero or any special character
In bridal mask she kill heroin, in snowdrop she kill hero
But the writer of this drama is a killer..
She always kill someone in his story either hero or any special character
In bridal mask she kill heroin, in snowdrop she kill hero
But the writer of this drama is a killer..
She always kill someone in his story either hero or any special character
In bridal mask she kill heroin, in snowdrop she kill hero
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Overall, I’d you wanna take a roller coaster ride than come on join it .
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This review may contain spoilers
Human Nature At it's Best
Who else shipped Woojoo and Yesoo? Okay, let me start by saying that although I knew how some parents were about their children's education, SKY Castle showed me a more intense and deeper understanding of Korean educational system.SKY Castle had realist characters. I enjoyed the Kang family in comparison to the Hwang family. The Hwang family was rather too good for their own good especially Uju. Although Chani was great with his emotions, there could have been a balance in the way he looked at Yesoo and the other girl ( I forgot her name).
I appreciate the depth of the drama and also the comic relief. I loved the twins, the Harvard daughter and the Professor. It is really one of a kind.
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This review may contain spoilers
Ok before we start, I need to tell you how much I really loved this. I watched Hotel Del Luna prior to this and thought that no other drama could top it because of the amazing visual effects, storyline, cast and OST but oh my I was proven wrong. Sky Castle is that one drama you should watch especially if you are Asian because it debunks sooo many misconceptions and myths held within the Asian society and I could highly relate. Sky Castle was such a thrilling ride throughout the 20 episodes. Maybe the 20th episode got a little boring because it was wrapping up all the drama that had happened in the past 19 episodes but it was tolerable and understandable. I personally thought the ending could have been slightly better as Woo Joo completely dropping out of high school was a bit extreme to me. I thought it would have been better if he took a gap year instead because he is a talented and smart kid who is capable of doing so much and not having his high school diploma is a bit of undervaluing himself? Because let's all face it, we need at least a high school diploma to do something in life afterward. So I thought that decision of his was a little extreme and misguiding. I mean totally go explore yourself / backpacking around Europe but maybe do it after graduating from high school and taking a gap year? I think that's really the best time for any individual to take a break and think about what he wants to do in the next phase of life with college and work. Besides Woo Joo's a little extreme decision, I thought that the ending neatly tied up everything. So my rating remains a 10.
I especially loved how Yeh Suh's family changed towards the end and finally realized that grades really don't matter as much as the Asian society makes it to be. Doing your best and being happy is way more important in life because we all live once so we might as well live our lives to the fullest. I also loved Seung Hye's role like can a mother get any better? She is so brave and willing to protect her kids from her own husband when she sees that his views for his children's education are not really in her son's best interests. I aspire to be like her - to stand up for what I believe in be it whoever I need to stand against.
I could go on writing about each character's importance in the drama and especially when it comes to the flaws in not just Korea's but Asia's competitive society but that would essentially mean the next 10 hours for me and juicing out the whole drama for those who intend to watch it and leaving none left to anticipate. Therefore, I will stop here. I really hope those who are reading this will try to watch this drama. It is just so much more than just a drama. Finally, hats off to the cast!
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Gripping cautionary tale about elite education
TL;DR: Neighborhood/family dynamics like Desperate Housewives; extraordinary plot development like Quartetstory about how a tutor can change the whole family like Kazoku Game.
With some take-home messages for parents who put too much stress on their kids.
(and if you grew up with that sort of stress and overbearing parents, then it might be slightly triggering--
This was much more than what I imagined it to be.
Parts of it are super relatable to any person in the modern education system, and then there are extra plot points that are just friggin' wild (yet completely believable given the main characters' backgrounds)
And I love it.
It was 19 episodes of intense development
then just as I was about to complain that the 20th episode was a letdown, the writers bring back some themes to make it go full circle
I love the foreshadowing and the way they would show some scenes to briefly insinuate points that don't need detailed explanation
makes the whole story just so much more intense because whatever scenes they do show, they are necessary to our understanding of the characters.
The acting too. I think all the roles are very well-done, and it's no wonder why SKY Castle swept 4 prizes at the Baeksang Awards. Ofc the veteran actors are great; but young actors-wise I'm particularly in love with Kim Hye-na's actress -- you'll see why as you watch on.
As someone who grew up in a high-stress environment, a lot of the dialogue is relatable and slightly triggering
but at the same time I was just happy to see that some of the crazy myths I grew up with are discussed and debunked in this show
And I really hope that more people would watch and learn from this show.
So yup. Would recommend to anyone looking to kill 20 hours with something addictive and exciting.
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Although I was really into this drama, due to the very difficult subject matter, as well as the many despicable characteristics of many of the main AND support roles , I feel I have to admit I found it somewhat exhausting.
At one point, I went to check which episode I was watching, thinking (hoping?) I was nearing the series' conclusion, only to discover I was still early into Ep. 15! I had that PLUS five more episodes to go! I wouldn't judge anybody watching this series if they decided they needed to take some breaks. There's a lot of serious, heavy stuff with which to contend!
There was a relentless, revolving door of issues such as physical & mental abuse, greed, devastation, suicide, oppression, corruption, jealousy, fear, class prejudice, shame...all orbiting around the immense pressures of the current, Korean education system.
In parallel with the problems of the aforementioned education system, you see much of the same happening to the adults both at work & in their personal lives.
After reading what I just wrote, even I find it hard to believe that I enjoyed this series, but I really did! I was invested early into the story, into the characters, & it continued for the duration.
I guess there were enough instances of more positive things such as compassion, patience, reason, humor, perseverance, justice, redemption, forgiveness, kindness, etc. to keep all of the negative aspects from drop kicking me "This. Is. Spartacus"-style into the abyss of "Humans freaking SUCK!"
I think this is an important series. It confronts important issues, & it well deserves being seen.
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Full of juicy drama and I was kinda living for it.
This show was actually very well put-together and even though it was long they kept finding ways to gag me. I loved the commentary on the selfishness of the rich and how they're willing to do anything to maintain their reputation. It also discusses the insane amount of pressure put on students in order for them to "succeed". The story and acting were definitely the best part. The twists and turns were gripping. Visual-wise it's not very unique but that wasn't really needed here. The ending was a bit on the weaker side compared to the rest of the show, but that's definitely because it started off very strong. Because of the length I wouldn't rewatch this so it's a one-time watch series for sure.Was this review helpful to you?
How did the writers manage to make me hate all these characters and then root for them at the end? To some extent, I really wanted to see them wreck themselves. I was certain 11th hour redemption would have fallen short, but here we are.
The one thing I felt wasn't fleshed out well enough was Seo Jin's motive, according to Coach Kim. Coach Kim's actions could be explained if it were true that Seo Jin really was the monster pushing Ye Suh to focus on academics. However, it is proven time and time again that Seo Jin didn't think SNU was worth working with Coach Kim. But Yeh Suh was the one who refused, because she herself was so driven to succeed. I think it's fair to believe that some kids really are intrinsically motivated, or otherwise have goals for themselves. I believe that Seo Jin was consistent in her motives: to do what was best for her child, and help Ye Suh achieve her own goals. You could argue that Ye Suh was a product of her upbringing, but at the same time... sometimes, kids really do focus too much on the structure of the system and their perceived notions of "success" all on their own.
I wasn't too happy with the fate of all these kids at the end either. I'm not convinced this was the strongest message to send, nor the most realistic. I think Woojoo tipped the scales here. I can see how his upbringing and his inflection point caused him to make the decision he did, but it doesn't add up considering how self-motivated he had been to that point.
This review isn't totally cohesive. Overall: the story was great, minus a couple plot points. It was a bit too long — I think episodes 17 and 18 could've practically been cut out altogether, and the drama would've been better for it. But all of these actors and actresses truly KILLED IT, and it was a pleasure to see them embody such unique characters. I will always expect "We All Lie" to show up during any suspenseful moment (it was practically the only song in the whole OST!). "Hero" by Family of the Year was the other notable song to me, and it was the perfect soundtrack to wrap up this story. SKY Castle was crazy and intense, so I don't think I'll rewatch it any time soon. This also made it incredibly difficult to binge watch. But at the end of the day, it was entertaining, different, and a spectacle to watch. What a roller coaster.
PS: I will forever ship Suh Joon and Ye Suh. Ki Joon, take the hint!
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Ambition and Entitlement are a helluva drug!
This was my third time trying to watch SKY Castle. Twice before I dropped it during the first episode. I just don't find dramas about blind ambition and shallow social circles that interesting without a compelling story, so I didn't understand the high ratings. After finally giving this drama a real chance, and making it to the end of episode 1, I realized that this story builds pretty slowly, and getting to know the families and their dynamics becomes important in caring about what happens later on. If you were raised in an environment where getting amazing grades in school was prioritized over everything else then this drama and its message may resonate with you more. I would almost call this a lite melodrama, because of its comedic and silly scenes, but It's the mystery part of the story that actually kept me watching. If you weren't raised with that pressure (like me), the attention put on grades and college may seem super exaggerated and hard to take seriously, but it was the dynamic between parents and their kids that affected me the most in SKY Castle. It's taken to the extreme for sure but was easy to empathize with. The cast is also great, even if the majority of the characters often aren't likable. Some characters are ridiculously over the top too, but it all works with the satirical style of the drama.This is very much an ensemble drama too. Most of the story focuses on Yeom Jung Ah as fierce "Tiger mom" Seo Jin, but each main family in SKY Castle has its own interrelated stories and some really great performances. However, the standout for me is Kim Seo Hyung. I wish I could go more into why without spoilers but I'd rather you learn by watching. The mystery of her character is the glue that holds all the pieces together and she made a strong impression on me while doing it. Also, don't let these slightly campy characters fool you, there are some super emotional moments that I didn't expect that lead to real tears quite a few times.
Would I watch this again? Probably not, but not because it's a bad drama. Not knowing what to expect is what kept me intrigued and there were a lot of unexpected twists from the first episode, despite its slower pace at times, and I just don't think I would have that same excitement watching it again and knowing what to expect. It's also a pretty sad drama, even with its more comedic and catty moments, so it's not a "fun" rewatch either. I do think knowing the characters better would make the earlier episodes seem less boring, especially the first celebratory dinner scene, but I couldn't rewatch it all. I can maybe see fans of any of the actors wanting to watch this again, or people who relate more to the high achiever plot and find this cathartic rewatching. I would be much more interested in a sequel instead, although I can't imagine where the story would go from here. I felt this drama did a good job of bringing closure to all the characters even with the provocative ending.
Overall, I see why this drama was so popular. It really is well-written and never gets too melodramatic to make a real emotional impact. It's more than a look into the secret lives of the rich and entitled, which is what I expected (and why I kept dropping it), and is more about examining and challenging the pressures put on young people to succeed. I'm sure watching it from a Korean point of view is different from my American perspective, but once I was drawn into that high-pressure world of SKY Castle, I empathized more than I ever thought I could. If you're bored by the beginning like I was, just know that the pace picks up, and the story gets addictive. The world of SKY Castle is realistically unreal. I don't think it's perfect, nor would I add it to my favorites list, but like one of the major themes in this drama, it doesn't need to have perfect grades to be appreciated.
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Strong Moving Drama
This drama was a social commentary on the dangers of pressuring your kids educationally. And it did a damn good job! I was absolutely invested and even enjoyed the somewhat melodramatic nature of storytelling. I enjoyed the comedic moments too, those were mostly well timed. I think the best part was the performances of the acting cast, especially the kids. The emotional weight their acting was able to pass across the screen to me made me choked up multiple times. The OSTs were mostly good too; though I am not much of a fan of a few placed within the eps, the ending one always goes well with the episode endings and leave you anticipating the next. My only complaints are the way the drama ended and consequently, some plot holes- or should I say conveniences- that were left behind. I understand what they were going for, however their choice of having a more peppy end felt a bit unnatural and left more wanting in my case, so that's why I give this an 8.5/10. However, looking at the entire run, I am glad to have watched such a well-acted and moving drama that brings awareness to what many children may be suffering.Was this review helpful to you?
