This review may contain spoilers
Good starts promise a good watch, and this enraptured me from the get-go. I am not big on watching or reading things surrounding school; however, what captured my attention was the highlighting of adults’ struggles when it comes to school violence. This was not about students alone, but teachers and parents too, and I appreciate those shifts in perspective. Furthermore, it did not brush over any harsh details while discussing bullying; neither was it afraid to delve into the cruelty of children, because, let’s face it, some children ARE cruel. But it also prevented painting every occurrence in a black and white stroke.The life of this drama lay within the situation it had created that allowed the writer to explore the helplessness that is integral to human nature. It discussed how environments shape people, how parents shape children, and how the basic instinct to protect your offspring can have far-reaching consequences. It did not limit itself to calling bullies the scum of the earth, and unfolded their domestic situations and personalities. It depicted many kinds of bullies: one doing it for pleasure, one doing it under pressure, one attacking what they cannot have, and one acting as a bystander. There were also those who redeemed themselves and those that went on with life. Moreover, the relationships the writer had drawn were really heartfelt. My favourite was Moo Jin and his student Dong Soo's consideration for each other. The side stories and characters had a purpose, either acting as an insight into the characters or served to help them grow. Not to mention, I became attached to them, and so will any viewer, I am sure, especially to Dong Hee and Dong Soo.
This drama happens to be one of the rare cases where flashbacks did not become an intrusion because the transitions from present to past and back again were edited nicely. The imagery was great as well, for example: Joon Seok lived in a glass-like house, very telling of the prison-like environment imposed upon him 24/7, and then there was the warmth of Seon Ho’s home. The reference to The Catcher in the Rye was befitting to the topic at hand.
The pacing could be painstakingly slow at times, but it’s a melodrama, so it is a given. I think the writer could have stretched the show to two more episodes to cover the aftermath in a better way, or the given time should have been used more efficiently by cutting out repeated moments and adding in those worthy of being shown. I think Joon Seok’s redemption and new-found friendship with Dong Soo had great power and should have been explored further. Had Seon Ho gained consciousness earlier, the writer could have effectively handled this and could have made it a better story. Aside from that, there were a few questions they never answered, like Seon Ho’s password. I also noticed how the police felt a tad unprofessional with the way they treated the case earlier on.
Joon Seok was one of the most complex characters in the whole show, and I applaud the actor for bringing him to life; I went from hating him to feeling sorry for him till finally wanting a better life for him. The child actors did a brilliant job at their roles, and so did the adults.
The OSTs were soft and very pleasant to the ears, despite the tears they resulted in. I think they will go to my playlist. One of them, however, was a hip-hop sound and would have felt out of place had they used it as BGM, which they thankfully did not. Overall, a sensible choice of background score.
I don’t think this will be one in my rewatch list, mostly because it is a melo and I get impatient easily. However, a few moments tugged at my heartstrings and had great power in their subtlety so I might return to them.
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Keeping this the main theme, which I suppose the writer got inspired from the book Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, the dramatization took place with some usual dramatic formula. Although it ended with a little unexpected twist but still it maintained to retain its main essence till the end. As the very name of this drama, the makers also ended it in a positive note rather than making it into a heart wrenching one, signaled from the first episode. The story dynamics and the pace of progress per episode was interesting all through.
Also liked the little optimistic message it delivered in the end – to always keep our hopes up and only move forward in order to make everything beautiful around us.
Bullying is a sensitive topic and is a wide social problem in South Korea. No wonder they always try to highlight this issue through visual media to indirectly create awareness. The mood of this drama and story writing is commendable by Kim Ji Woo. She has a certain style of writing which I really love. It exudes somewhat similar feel like the drama Memory and later found out she is the screenwriter of both of them. I just did not like the camera work - the peeping style camera angle or the extreme close shot of every face - which actually gave me a headache. Directions, OSTs, acting by the ensembles all were praiseworthy. All the child actors were excellent, mainly Nam Da Reum and Seo Dong Hyun. Seo Dong Hyun was remarkable in playing the negative role. Unimaginable, how he could manage to pull the skill so maturely at such a young age. He was phenomenal in portraying the evil expressions. Nam Da Reum is always exceptional. They both have the brightest future ahead. The actors in their parents’ role all gave their best performance.
All in all it’s a well - written, directed and acted- drama no one should miss.
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100% Recommend
This drama is hands down one of my all time favorites. Everything about it is so good. The acting, the storyline, the OSTs, etc. I recommend this drama to anyone that is looking for something new to watch. I’m a sucker for dramas that can make me bawl my eyes out and this is one of them. If I had a list of top dramas, this one would fall in seconds place; right after Just Between Lovers.Of course everyone may not have the same option as me but I wholeheartedly believe that this is one of the best kdramas out there.
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The series overall was dark, packed with emotions and followed a thrilling mystery. The pace, actually, of the story was managed pretty well and that helped the story a lot. The characters and the performances by all actors and actresses were brilliant and added a lot to the whole drama.
One thing that I, however, didn't really like about this drama were the final episodes. The cases were almost solved and the drama didn't really have much to offer. Therefor those episodes lacked intensity.
So, eight out of ten.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is the first drama Nam Da Reum was place as main role and I was so excited and everything but his acting was so limited in here. I wish they had him wake up earlier than he did because it ended up rushing the last episode. Nam Da Reum Is my favorite child actor I watched almost all the dramas he’s been in and his acting in one point everywhere. I just wish he has woken up earlier than the had him wake up :( but in my opinion this drama is a 10/10 to me so many emotions, I cried every episode and the acting was one point for everyone ❤️Rewatch value: The reason why I rated it so low is because it too emotional to watch the whole drama again, but I will go back to some scene to rewatch. This is the first time I won’t be able to rewatch a whole drama that I really liked :( can’t really afford to cry so much again.
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A not so beautiful world....
What are my thoughts about this drama... hmm.... honestly I am conflicted with myself as the story was pretty good, most of the acting was on spot and the drama did keep me on my toes wanting to see what would happen next. At times making it a clear candidate for a 9, 9,5 but at some point the twists became just a little bit too predictable. The mother a.k. main leads acting and dialog became cringe and annoying, and they kept giving the suspects a heads up so they could collude and destroy evidence to the point of just too much...The main family here is just a little bit to good, you know the type to be to kind, to perfect, to loving.. Though they do try to seem human they still end up a bit too much... However the friendship and the found family bits here are really good,. Again making me conflicted within myself since on the one hand I loved to see them develop and care for each other almost forgetting that even these so called overly perfect loving humans actually slapped kids out of frustration...
People do not slap kids, especially if you are teachers!
There are some good lines here and there, as well as thought provoking scenes, where they actually put the responsabilaty for the kids actions where it belongs! Not bad! There is also quite a bit of absurd humour done right but most of all a lot evil corruption etc done well.. yes I am a sucker for evil , I really am.. However once people start to repent here and there the plot loses its foremost charm as the good vs evil is kind of meeh... While the pure evil here is just gold!
The villain played by Oh Man Suk is so perfect! With flawless acting from his part leaving me 0 room to feel for him as he was truly as evil as evil gets. Making me appreciate him even more and though I can not put him on my crush list I feel I need to give him some love and maybe make a great villain actors list where he would be on top, yes that is how good he is at being evil.
The kids acting here was also really good and each role was well balanced, well written and entertaining to watch!
Bingabilaty: High
Annoying characters: the female lead
A decent drama, but could have been bette and not without tis problems...
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This isn't a romance or a thriller or a comedy. It is a drama about family and corruption and crime. The characters are incredible every single one of them has an important role to play from the main family to the driver of the rich no one is a spare part. The way it is filmed also adds to it, the house that is designed to feel like a prison is the best.
This drama will make you cry and smile and seek justice throughout, the ending without spoiling is very well done, I bumped up the rating because of its incredible ending. It is a heavy drama that deals with many issues including suicide, bullying, sexual assault and more so do be wary.
I have to say my favourite character is the daughter she is so strong and mature her personality and the way she deals with things is incredible.
Please give this a try it deserves so much love for such a well made drama, everything is so well done.
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One of the best of this year and I'm not exagerate.
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Beautiful gem of a drama
This drama wasn't even on my radar to watch. But browsing through netflix, it popped out and I browsed through the reviews on mydramalist. It helped that it was rated an 8+.While bullying isn't something new in Kdramas, this drama actually went beyond the bullying issue. At first, you would think that this was where the story would revolve. But then, the last few episodes start to hint at something more.
I would recommend this drama if you want something more than rom coms and love stories. It is a family drama with depth. The characters are well-portrayed that you feel as if they truly are family.
As I do not wish to give out any spoilers or give anything away, I just want to say that I truly enjoyed and loved this drama. It may not have gained as much buzz as others but it is a worthy watch.
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I think the drama did well with the topic of bullying and how distressing it can be for the victim and their loved ones. On the negative side, this did not have to be 16 episodes long with a one-hour format. In the middle the story started to circle and got a bit tiring. The use of the main theme sound was too repetitive, I would have preferred an instrumental one.
This doesn't have a good rewatch value. For a 2nd time, you'll have to skip around to enjoy the gripping bits of the story again.
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This review may contain spoilers
It's actually a gripping mystery that deals with parent - child relationships
I love this show so much because it really digs deep into how parents forn their children, and even if the parent did a good job, bad things can happen, and even if they did a terrible job, the kids can get support from friends, relitives, and come out good. It was a plot twisting heart wrenching story, with the most awesome ending I have ever seen. Casting was perfect and I love all these actors now. I rewatch this every winter, because it just gives me the feels.The development of each character is so special. And the Brother sister relationship is so good and realistic.
Sean Ho is really an example of a hero, he's so good.
It's interesting to see his sister is pretty bratty, and hot headed. But she also fights for the truth, and believes in being brave.
The parents are so supportive of each other, and must go through the shock and grief about their son's accident. And realize what they didn't know about their children. And they have to believe in them and fight for the truth.
This drama is also an interesting view of what you might do when you see a crime committed, what is the first thing you think to do? And what would you do to avoid being blamed? How guilty would you feel? And how far can you take a lie?
Beautiful world is really about not how the world is beautiful, but weaving through the ugly to get to your loved ones, who make it a beautiful world.
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