This review may contain spoilers
The reason I found this K-Drama is because I was searching for the US version of Leverage and came found this remake. The original Leverage is one of my favorite TV shows of all time so I had to see what the Korean version would be like. My review may be biased because of my high hopes for this show. For the rest of the review I will be referring to the new Korean remake of Leverage as KLeverage and the original US version as just Leverage.First things first, the KLeverage shares the simplest plot elements with Leverage. Both shows feature a insurance investigator whose son dies. Both have a cast of five with roles of Mastermind, Grifter, Thief, Hacker, and Fighter. Both are based on a Robin Hood concept where the team tries to help the underdog in a fight against a corporation. That's where the similarities end. KLeverage's episodes are connected by the victims who are all related to the people that led to the main character's son's death. Leverage's episodes are isolated plots where each episode features a new victim whom the team helps. This is understandable because of the format of Korean vs Western TV shows. In 16 episodes, KLeverage cannot follow the same format that Leverage did. However, the story of KLeverage is uninspired with cookie cutter villains all willing to kill whoever bothers them.
KLeverage features an interesting group of characters who work well together. Without time to provide fully introduce each character's backstory, KLeverage is still able to show some growth. The actors also did a wonderful job as portraying each member of the team as likable in their own unique way. This is what I believe KLeverage did the best and what would keep me watching for a season 2.
In hindsight, KLeverage is exactly what it sets out to be. It is a Korean remake of an American show which means it is going to be similar to other Korean dramas. I should not have been surprised that it did not follow the same format as its 77 episode predecessor. As a casual watcher of Asian (and mostly love dramas at that), KLeverage did nothing to impress me. For someone who is more used to the Korean drama tropes, KLeverage may be an interesting crime show that can be finished in a short 16 episodes. I however, will stick to re-watching the original Leverage.
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This review may contain spoilers
I started watching this drama by chance one day when I was bored and I'm so glad I did! The plot was interesting, and I loved the cast and the characters. I didn't know it was based on a U.S. show, so I can't comment on how accurate it is compared to the original. I wasn't sure if whether I'd like this drama or not because I'm not the biggest fan of Lee Dong Gun's characters - I find that he's always typecast as these a-hole, morally ambiguous characters that you just really can't or have a really hard time sympathizing with because they get so extreme - but he was amazing in this drama! I loved his character, Tae Joon, a lot - he's charismatic and smart and funny. There's a tragic story with his son's death, but he doesn't wallow into it too deeply or have a sudden drastic change in personality. His character is well fleshed out and has depth, which propels the story forward; his son's death is his motivation, but the entire series doesn't solely focus on that explicit event.
I can't explain how much I enjoyed watching the con artist crew work together. Each of them had this certain image when they got recruited by Tae Joon, but as time goes on and they get to know each other better, you can see how first impressions might not be the most accurate (especially with Roy! I loved his character, he was so funny).
The only thing I didn't quite like is why Joon Hyung never had a good reason for what he did to Tae Joon; but then again, I guess the reality is sometimes people do bad things just for the sake of doing them. He got what he deserved in the end, but it was left with a lot of loose ends. Same with the Black Book incident. I'm really hoping this means that they're planning for a second season! I can't wait to see these guys pull more cons together :))
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.
Story:
Overall ->
It wasn't terrible or exceptionally good but it could've been better. First seven episodes couldn't keep my interest because it involved the characters solving one case after other. Only when they all combined to form one big picture did it become interesting enough for me to binge watch it ☆⌒(≧▽° )
What I loved ->
1) For someone who bore easily, this one was well done. It was nicely paced and kept up the excitement till the end.
2) Characters were funny, smart and not too emotional. Their friendship and care for one another (and the van in Tae Joon's case) was adorable. They really gave the sense of a family who loved teasing each other and making light of dire situations.
What I hated ->
1) Open ending. I hated it the most. They could've wrapped it up nicely but nah, they had to mention entirely new thing in the end.
2) Character development wasn't the priority in this. It could only be found in the cases of Tae Joon and Roy (only a tad bit).
3) They didn't explain why the bad guy hated our hero and why he did what he did. They could've explored his character a bit.
4) I was disappointed the way with which they dealt with Tae Joon's wife. They just brought her in the start and then she vanished altogether. I kept looking and waiting for her character when the 'big' case was solved.
5) Ok, there were hints of romance but they were so very subtle. I would've liked a proper hint by the end but nah, they robbed the viewers of that!
Acting :
The reason I chose to watch this drama were Kim Kwon and Kim Sae Ron but gotta say, I loved Kim Kwon more in He is Psychometric. In this one, he was funny and a good fighter but I think the main purpose of his character's existence was fan service. Ohh we got tons of it ☆⌒(≧▽° )
Kim Sae Ron has grown and I loved to see her playing a badass (more rude tbh) character!! For someone who's an amazing actress, her character didn't do her justice or maybe she isn't like she used to be? I felt something missing in her part. The one who surprised me the most was Lee Dong Gun. Gotta say, I didn't like him in Angel's Last Mission but he was AWESOME in this one. His character went through number of challenges and gotta say, he portrayed the feelings of his character fantastically. As for the other two in the group, it's my first time seeing their work and they've done a remarkable job of a failed actress and a genius hacker (who's ignored a lot too...Poor guy (｀▽´) )
Music :
I LOVED the music!! OST : Con Artist was spot on and I loved Game Over by Dickpunks as well. Western tracks used in the credits were a bonus. The background tracks were perfection!! I know I'll be looking for them now XD
Re-watch Value :
I'd always rate this one low because I RARELY watch anything twice. While this drama can be a good re-watch for most of the people for its thrill and fun characters, I know I wouldn't so I'd stick with middle rating i.e 5!!!
P.S: This is my first review after years!!! So forgive me if its terrible or makes you confused more than amused or satisfied!! Adios! (●ゝω)ノヽ(∀＜●)
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While Kim Sae Ron's "Parker" was good enough to keep me hanging on, sadly, the same can NOT be said for Yeo Hoi Hyeon's "Hardison". How much of it was the writing and how much the actor, I don't know, but what I do know is that while Hardison in the original was awesome, and the complicated relationship between him and Parker was pivotal, in this version, the hacker character was just lame and annoying. Also, the Korean remake REALLY missed a great chance by not casting someone like Sam Okyere. I say that not simply because he's of African descent, as the original was, but because in the small roles I have seen him in, he gave off the same sort of amused detached outsider vibe of the original.
Some of the heists were fun in this remake, but the "big bad" was a big bore - seen it ALL before. K Dramas seem to have a fetish for mysterious cabals, and the EXACT nature of this secret plot have been used more times than I can remember in Dramas I've seen. The result was that I FF'd large chunks of this Drama to make sure I didn't fall asleep from boredom. Hence, 6/10 - and young Ms Kim is responsible for 4 of those 6.
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm like the few on here who wanted to see how this faired to the American version of Leverage.That is one of the few TV shows that I have enjoyed so much that I've watched all 5 seasons probably about 4-5 times since it aired and went off the air. I will even watch it if there's a marathon on.
The Korean version in my opinion held up on it's own. They do have the same premise: mastermind, thief, grifter, hacker, and hitter. Although some of the episodes from the Korean version was taken from the US version, the Korean version lasted about a episode and a half where as the American version each episode lasted only 40-42 minutes depending on the length of commercials.
The American version introduced each character with a mini story background as to who they were and how they got started.
The Korean version didn't need to do this. Each individual was introduced without a need for introduction or backstory.
At first I wasn't too thrilled with some of the characters. The hacker for instance, we know can't fill the role of Hardison but he had his own quirky way which he was able to pull off. I also thought I wasn't going to like the hitter but he grew on me.
My favorite was actually the female grifter. You could tell she was having the time of her life playing this role. One of the episodes I actually spit everywhere. It wasn't my intention to do that but I did. She was just that hilarious. I don't remember laughing this hard with the American grifter version.
I also didn't know what bromance was or what it meant until I started watching Korean dramas and the bromance was there between the guys. There was bromance between the American version between Elliot & Hardison. Their chemistry was just awsesome.
As usual this left off as if it was going to continue. I don't know if it will or not. I will say I am truly excited that there will be a American revival of Leverage that will stream on IMBD. The only downside is that Timothy Hutton won't be in it. I hope Noah Wyle can pull this off.
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Pure fun. No pretences.
That’s basically how I’d describe this drama.
Let’s get this out of the way. The villain was so obvious it hit me pretty much the second time he appeared on screen. Not because of his role, but the awkward placement of his role. I could help but think, “What is with this dude? He doesn’t seem like an important character, but he is already appearing too frequently. Is he the villain?”
Full marks to me for getting that one right.
Apart from this I think this drama is more about the interaction between characters and the joy their relationships bring.
I didn’t feel overly sad or upset, angry or bored. But it was enjoyable, I didn’t feel like dropping it.
You’d think the story of the lead and some of the situations faced are sad, but they didn’t turn any of it into a sob tale for viewers to cry over. It is appreciable. Tae Joon was an amazing leader, he didn’t jeopardise his team and was always good to them, unlike a lot of characters who tend to forget their friends and family when they are put on cases that affect them personally.
Most of the characters acted well, their roles were well portrayed. There is no false justification to their actions and the thin line between a do-holder and criminal that they like to skirt around. They are what they are and so is this drama.
No false promises, no pretences. They are fully aware of their own identity as criminals and cons and are able to use it to their advantage to help others, again without justifying their actions. I also like who none of them give up their core, they are out to help people, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thieves, cons, mercenaries, or even a law abiding citizen (or one that tries to be). They will help those who are in trouble and don’t mind making some extra profit out of the situation, because that is still something very important to them.
Check it out for some quirky characters and not-so-bad storyline.
Even if it isn’t top notch I wouldn’t mind a second season.
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May skip if you love the original!!!
As an avid fan of the original Leverage , i was excited to watch this one. The cast seemed ok and the trailer seemed promising, but the series ended being so-so.In the original leverage each con was well executed and even if they mess up the ending would be a positive twist. So it was a lot of emotions. Compared to it the Korean version looked bland. The con was poorly planned , action sequences were poorly choreographed and story seemed to be dragging at most places.
I also felt they could have done better with the cast. The grifter ‘s portrayal was caricaturish. The writers gave more importance to Go Na byul but the character was poorly written with often kiddish dialogues .
Overall if you love the original skip it ,!!! But if you have nothing else to do and you crave for a con related drama give it a try.
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First of all, as mentioned, the cases were interesting and very believable. I mean that the way our main cast completes their mission feels relatable. It's not very over the top or extremely swift like a ninja. The audience can totally relate to the cast members and their stints - even if they would stumble a little on their path. Because after all they are human. So this feels good. The episodes in the middle may feel a little stretchy. But towards the end, the drama regains its momentum.
In case of the actors, they all performed their roles well. However, I felt that the show lacked character development and a bond development. I mean, relationships are formed gradually. However, the entire team displayed the same level of attachment towards each other throughout the drama. It is good that they were friendly to each other and trusted each other since the beginning but if there is no development in the relationships, be it personal or professional, love or even hate, then the drama gets deprived of powerful emotions.
If you want, you can definitely give it a go but I highly doubt that you would opt for re-watching it.
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Review of "Leverage"
- First off, let me start off that my overall score is much lower than I thought it'd be. To be totally honest I thoroughly enjoyed this show. I mean, to begin with, I'm a total sucker for shows/movies with this type of plotline so I knew I was gonna enjoy it but it was more than that. The chemistry btw the actors when it came to their teamwork or their just overall mood when they were just chilling together was so nice and homey. It gave off that feeling like they had known each other for years before this. The revenge aspect was very nice to see too. It's something that's very common when it comes to action-based shows but I like how even though it was an important aspect for the show to move forward and for character development but it didn't become one of those "oh this again" topics; because while what happened was extremely depressing, it becoming a repetitive reason for why a certain character suddenly just starts to act every which way ruining it for everyone else involved.- The music was ok in this series, during the show, there were times when the music amplified the situation of a certain scene, and there were times when the music kind of just faded into the background. But my favorite part of the soundtrack were the songs that played at the end of the episode. I would always watch till the very end just to listen to that little bit of music.
- The only reason why I gave this show such a low re-watch value was that this is one of those shows that gets you excited and hyped because of the amount of twist and turns in it. So much unexpected shit happens in this show that before you know it you clicked the next episode button because you can't wait to see what happens next. And I personally just feel that a re-watch would make it lose some of that factor. But if you have no problem with knowing what happens already that you're free to re-watch it as many times as you want to.
- Overall, it was a great show, especially if your into this kind of genre and need something to binge-watch.
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The con artists story was entertaining and made right this time, as it was not tiring and never got boring. However, the final con was so so, not as good as the rest. But the team was good, with nice chemistry and interesting characters. Especially the ladies, were really good! Plus, the romance was subtle and was just there to add some light, funny moments so it didn't overshadow or took over the plot, as that would have been boring. The performances were really good too.
So, overall, eight out of ten.
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I loved sagikun's genre
LIKEI loved all their "cases" especially the one which they managed to trap Young Min
The collaboration everyone had to reach their goals
DISLIKE
Nothing much really
MUSIC
Nothing to my liking
REWATCH VALUE
Yes it's on my top tier re-watch list
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The concept seemed appealing at first but...
Clearly not much thought was put into it. Tacky, flashy and loud. Feels less than mediocre at times. I don't want to get a 2nd season of this manufactured environmental waste.Was this review helpful to you?
