Doom at Your Service (2021)

beautiful and heartbreaking story with a sweet ending

I've just finished watching Doom at your Service and it was a delight. The actors, the cinematography, the story--it was all great. There were so many loveable characters and seeing them interact with each other was truly heartwarming. Also, the story provided enough twists and turns to keep me interested and while it did use some common tropes and clichés, they were executed in a unique and genuine way (imo ofc).

Tak Dong-kyung was the definition of a kind-hearted person and to see her suffer through so much was really hard. Ever since the first episode, this girl got no break. From her ex-boyfriend cheating on his wife with her without her knowing, to the wife blaming it on her and causing a scene, that scene causing her trouble at work, and her brother asking for money, etc. Who wouldn't get drunk and wish doom upon this world?

One of the many sweet moments were the conversations Kevin had with Dong-kyung and Sa-ram/Myeol-mang. You can tell that family is very important to Kevin and that he is happy to welcome anyone into the family and offer support (even though he might not understand them at all times xD)

This Kdrama also offered a lot of humour and comic-relief without it being too over-the-top or out of place. Especially when you are dealing with such heavy subjects (e.g. death), it's important to not lose oneself in the seriousness of the situation and make the viewing experience unnecessary gloomy and dark (e.g. Dong-kyung comes to the conclusion that she would just fall in love with Sa-ram so he could die and not her brother or anyone else she truly cares about was unexpectet and funny. Also his reaction being "sure, let's do it" was pure comedy.)

The scene--that is also in the top 10 best scenes is the dream-sequences--we got with Dong-kyung and her family and friends all sitting in this restaurant eating and showing off their gifts Dong-kyung got them. All happy and together and bittersweet feeling you get that this will most likely not come true. Then, later on you get hit with that exact scene, when Dong-kyung finally was able to make this dream come true (but without Sa-ram :`().

My favorite scene that will forver live rent free in my mind is definitely the beach scene, where Dong-kyung finally breaks down and is a sobbing mess, opening up to Sa-ram about how she truly is feeling about her situation and that she actually wants to live and doesn't want to die. And to see how all these feelings she bottled up to not burden anyone with it (and probably to not speak her nearing death into existance) truly hit hard.

A few things I do want to critizice though are:

- Sometimes the story feels dragged out. The Kdrama would've benefited from it being a little shorter. While I really appreciate that in most Kdramas almost all character seem to have something going on, it does drag the story sometimes, especially when this side-plot doesn't tie into the main plot and it feels disconnected and unnecessary. The first half of this Kdrama was really great, I would even say up until episode 10, but after that it felt a little repeptitive. Like yeah, we had to built up tension, to show how much these two tried to fight their fate and eventually gave in and accepted it, but does this really need to be streched over so many episodes? The back and forth with Dong-kyung running away, coming back, them breaking up, them getting back together, Dong-kyung accepting the deal of the Deity just to go back to square one... etc. etc. etc. It's all important for the characters and to present the overal tragedy of their situation and to show that no matter the circumstances they would've made the same choices, but it did feel a overly lengthy at times. Many things that took this Kdrama two episodes to tell, could've been easily told in one.

- Too much love triangle drama without tension. I'm not really a fan of love triangles and DAYS (really love the abbreviation) really dragged out this one. Na Ji-na got together with Cha Joo-ik in the very last/second-to-last episode. The love triangle was one of the things I least enjoyed about this Kdrama. It was just a constant who will she choose in the end and there was no real tension, since it was clear to me from the start who the "lucky one" would be. This just made it all the more frustrating and almost pathetic, to watch these two men risk everything for their crush and just aren't able to move on although it's been YEARS. Also, there was just too much whining from Lee Hyun-gyu and Joo-ik and all this "well I won't give up and fight for her" that eventually broke up their friendship... tragic.

- Childish men. Also, once Dong-kyung was together with Sa-ram, there was this constant annoying (almost child-like) jealousy and pouting at every male character (apart from Kevin, her brother and surprisingly Hun-gyu for some reason). Like my guy, this dude is a child, why are you so pressed about him having a crush on this woman who clearly isn't in love with him. And he kept pressuring her to get married, even though she clearly wasn't ready for that commitment after only knowing him for a few months. And I know it's a trope and woman in Kdramas aren't allowed to euphorically engange in intimacy, but I am really tired of this. Would it really kill you to make a Kdrama where the female lead shares the same excitement over intimacy than her male counterpart?

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Wanted to experiment and write my thoughts while watching.

Thus this will be the first part after I watched first 6 episodes. It will turn into long and tedious review I guess (just like this show?)

PART 1: Metaphors, sub-plot, shallow&deep: attempt of the screenwriter, let's be artsy but then not, Pinocchio theory.

DAYS introduces a potentially interesting story about an unusual relationship between human Tak Dong Kyung and Doom, an entity that needs no introduction. Doom among other prays has heard loud and clear Dong Kyung's heartfelt wish for doom to befall on this world and because this wish coincides with what he wants he answers the call.
Dong Kyung seems typical and atypical heroine at the same time, we start off seeing her unexpected reaction when she hears news about her illness, but she doesn't cry, she even thinks it's a joke (like denial) and continues on with her life. But being involved in a story with a married man and several misfortunes falling upon her with pent-up emotions and a power of alcohol she wishes for this world to end. Her call is answered by the Doom himself, he comes and makes an offer, he grants her wish, both get what they want. From here on their relationship develops. But why I say she's typical and not at the same time has to do with her reactions to certain situations. It's a bit of "she's special" trope. Our initial impression of her is that she's like others, but she holds a lot of emotions inside her heart and if she gets emotional she doesn't want it to be seen (like the story of her childhood and crying alone or bearing humiliation but getting drunk at the end of the day). Leaves me with impression that she tried so hard to hide her emotions that she forgot how to react, enjoy and feel many things. Yet she still has kindness in her heart.

Sub-plot. Potentially promising main story, if the screenwriter stayed in line and continued on with this metaphorical, artsy style this drama has. But probably because screenwriter was scared that viewers will get bored they introduced a sub-plot.. that left me with one question - why is it here? I couldn't grasp the significance of it. At other times sub-plots and additional romantic relationships work, because both pairings more or less stay on the same level. Here on the contrary relationships are too different: one is godly entity of Doom and a human and another... Dong Kyung's friend, who caught herself between two men without an ounce of fantasy, it's even a love triangle. I would even joke that screenwriter pulls us from heaven back to earth. This left me with a strange feeling, it felt as if I'm watching TWO DIFFERENT dramas at the same time. Not all dramas need a second pairing/romantic story. We can have one, just make it good. But despite having two lines throughout the show I had a problem with the next thing. It wasn't bad in any sense, we just as well could have watched a separate drama, these relationships felt so different to me..

Artsy feels. While others say it's very good and for deep thinkers I find myself thinking that it's theatrical, level of a shoujo manga and "I'm 14 and this is deep" level all-together. Part of me felt a pity that the artsiness of this show was interrupted by parts that attempted to be humorous or the sub-plot. But I won't point the obvious that the drama has artsy side to it. My initial thought was - this feels thetrical. I mean, those obvious metaphors and all those dialogues (when no one talks like that) and almost like posing a staged drama. It may not be everyone's cup of tea. Especially when metaphors are a bit blunt. If they planned it like that though, otherwise I have too many brainholes in my own head. Giving few examples. Starting from the opening that reflect Doom's world - grey, depressing, which blooms with appearance of the girl. Doom himself shows what his world looks like when he takes Dong Kyung to a small garden and flowers die at each of his step. I mean even his surrounding always represent his state, from calm (like flickering street light) to falling frames, lights getting darker etc. when he gets more agitated (btw these details disappear for a period of "falling in love", so I have no idea either they were deliberate or skipped on it). The wish of doom to be loved is metaphorical in itself to me. The chosen period of time - autumn, stage before winter, more like a dying period, this is when Dong Kyung finds she's dying, she has 100 days and she may not see the spring. The pot. God's pot was also pretty obvious, especially that talk about not knowing what will grow out of it, pointing at Doom and his feelings. They even found a marble ball that looks like a universe, come on. Before the drama itself explains what is what through dialogues... what type of thinker do you want to be when you're explained everything. I'm not sure if this was intentional, though it was subtle, in one of the frames there's Pinocchio book, that's why I kind of think that Pinocchio theory works.
Pinocchio theory. Because this book appears among others I feel that those who picked it up in earlier episodes may be quite right. The only difference I think if it's applicable as in the role of Pinocchio himself or the story as a whole. The main parallel with Doom is the lies and his wish. Why I say lies.. but isn't it obvious. Although Doom acts like a snarky entity above all, but then contradicts himself with his actions. It's more of a push and pull, the ever-going contradiction of I want to find out about this human, but this human can't take control over me type of thing as if asking - will I choose the girl I'm slowly have feelings for or my wish that I had for a very long time will win over (hence, the God says that human love is a dangerous thing, because for love humans may sacrifice entire world). Even the story of the criminal and him going around listening to the thoughts of other people are there to draw an obvious contrast between them and her.

Relationship. I have a question about where do the romantic feelings start, because it felt a bit strange like where is the prerquisite for romance. As for Doom, we know that his interest might be dated when he saw her for the first time. Coming back to nowadays, he sees that Dong Kyung doesn't have reactions like others, she even openly contradicts him etc. Tbh this has such a strong YOU CAUGHT MY ATTENTION, WOMAN feel. Many things start from a small interest, not all love starts like Ji-Na's at first sight. But it is a spark and it is allowed to live. But while watching I tried to catch why would Dong Kyung fall in love. At first she said she would fall in love, but it was more like a task, but then was a moment when she really felt something (him protecting her from harm). It felt like love and hate at the same time. After all let's be honest, some of his actions were toxic (like threatening lives of her loved ones) and she openly wanted to tear him down and at other times it feels like she saw through him. I'll see how it goes next, because I don't see why such love should not exist, even if the romantic feelings might have grown because he brought her what she didn't have or maybe they're similar in a way.
But after watching it I realized one thing, while watching I felt like I'm not enjoying the drama in a usual way, but my brain is bent to analyze things and interpret them.

Acting note: Everyone does a good job, but I was unlucky in one thing, I saw Project Wolf Hunting before DAYS and it took me some time to get rid off In Guk's image in it.
Music note: The main theme makes this show too melodramatic imo. So I don't like the music choice.

Let's see how it goes.

PART 2: artsy stuff continues, you're special, love me/don't love me, cheesiness
Because I finished the previous part of review when I only watched 6 episodes, if I prevailed a bit more then I would have known that Pinocchio theory is not baseless, they basically use it bluntly. Since during the day Dong Kyung disappeared Doom came to God's ward and saw the Pinocchio book opened and we hear a part of it narrated.

The way God and Doom react to Dong Kyung is as if I'm seeing the old trope of - she's so special. After all she banters and talks back. I don't know how to feel bout it. First of all I don't think she should have been scared, her character setting is like that and there was no premise of showing God's power and Doom won't do anything to her as well. But I can understand why God might like her, it is partially her who pushes the situation between DK and Doom, remember the scene in the garden? Told you that marble looking like universe is not for nothing. Either love or the world.

But because of God's action and DK's risk of taking off the bracelet that should ease her pain, it makes the Doom appear again. Which is followed by the cringiest shoujo-type line ever - what is this feeling~. Anyway, if it was not obvious before, he has feelings for this human girl and DK.. looking at her she has feelings too (sometimes in this obvious girly way).

And thus their tug continues and thise is what wore me out. It is still artsy style, reminded me of Japanese shoujo manga too much, where they begin their - don't love me, you can love me, I love you. At first their attempt of "love" was not based on good feelings and was more like a lie (again reference to Pinocchio?) and now they want it to become true. This true love becomes their drama, after all she finds so much fun in life during this short period of time, but the end seems inevitable. But this back and forth really started dragging things out to me. Because I, as a viewer, couldn't feel the stakes, couldn't feel anything else except everything brewed down to a simple 'love' and nothing more.

Interruption to release some tension: "Liking you was wet for me, every day" by Na JiNa. Honestly, I know it's not about it, but I couldn't stop laughing.. my head so spoiled at times :'D

When the love came around the corner, well, it was simple love... really like s houjo manga, the cheesy dialogues made my skin crawl though. And by 10th episode the sub-plot of Na JiNa also takes form of a strong triangle and I still couldn't wrap my head around what to look forward to in it and why should I even care. Basically, my head by this time was drained by artsiness of cinematography, metaphors and dialogues, while it switches to simple "human" things, thus I couldn't feel much about the story/characters.

I want to wrap things quickly. I am really tired. To whoever who might ever read this review in full I'm sorry. It wasn't in my intentions to bore you, I bored myself, but I don't want to leave it unfinished.

On a final note: Tbh I wouldn't have minded if such series would have been simply fantasy/mystery, only one pairing, more delicate and even had BE. For HE something/-one must have been sacrificed and for HE it should not be either of them (no wonder I felt that God acted more like Jesus with all the suffering for the people). Probably that is why the reverse card exists in the end, because at first you have Doom disappearance, but to make everyone happy he returns.
The only part I might applaude is Na JiNa tbh, although her romance was in sub-plot, but she moved on from ill-fated relationship, not everything ends with a happy end and not all love can be re-built on the ruins of the previous one. And although first love will stay it, it may not be resurrected.

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Cute except for the crying!

This was a totally illogical fantasy romance full of plot holes and impossible situations. Nevertheless, all the leads were absolute eye candy, the aesthetics were so pleasing, OST the right kind of cute, melancholic, funny as the situation required. This is not a show i could binge watch, as after half the series almost every episode had a lot of sadness, crying and angst. But even in those episodes there were pockets of cuteness and comedy which made it worthwhile. This is a show to be slowly taken in small doses over time if you want to enjoy it. Binging is next to impossible unless you are into melancholy.
The second lead couple kind of grew on me over time, as did every secondary character. Towards the end you feel part of a warm and loving set of family and friends. I expected more positive interesting things from the Deity character but hers was a sad sad story as well. All in all it was a different kind of drama with more sadness than I expected but the closure was satisfying enough to part with it on good terms.

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Disappointed

Doom at your Service

This was one of the series, I looked forward to but I was left utterly disappointed.

What I like:
The OST. Probably the first song that I kept listening on to repeat was Ailee's Breaking Down. The other tracks are just as good but I think this one stood out the most to me.

The second leading couple, Cha Joo Ik in particular. I never saw any of his work but I have heard a lot about him. I actually was surprised that I really enjoy the character he played here. He was a rather serious, straightforward guy who tells his feelings honestly. A lot of his lines caught my heart to flutter and chuckled. I also couldn’t stop staring at all the choices of clothes he had. Love them all!

The chemistry and playfulness between the leading couple. I think the behind the scene interview spoiled the chemistry as a couple on screen for me. I thought they were really cute, they look like they often were teasing and making fun of each other which I really like.

Seo In Guk, I haven’t seen any of his recent work but I think his acting has gotten better.

What I didn’t like:

I felt like a lot of the decisions that were made were just thrown in to make it more interesting. For example, the choice for her to forget everything that happened between the two of them and live her life as best as she can while she gets treatment….umm why did we throw that in there??? Just to get another episode??? I felt like it was a waste. There was more but I think this part probably disturb me the most.

Final thoughts:

I really want to like this series but there were many flaws such as how the story unfolds, often it felt like the plot and obstacles were quickly thrown together which I find it hard to watch. I felt like it was the typical drama to get you excited, fall in love with the couple, probably shed a few tears, and ask yourself why the heck am I crying and then try to remember why was this scene in here in the first place? I felt like it start out really nice until the writers couldn’t other obstacles to throw in their way that they randomly added their own plots. I just had a hard time following some of it. This is why sadly my rating isn’t as high as I like it to be.

Re-watch value: 2/10
I really want to see the two leading couple acting together again but I know I won’t rewatch this anytime soon.

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The Garden of life, death , and Love

*I would recommend that you watch this drama yourself and not be too swayed by the pool of negative reviews* But here is my review on Doom at your Service (2021)


Omg, I freaking love the drama I literally couldn't stop watching this show I had to force myself to slow down. First, I want to shoot out the artists that sang the ost in this drama. Every time I would hear them start singing The waterworks would immediately start to flow and I would start to sing along with the artist. Whoever created this show did a perfect job by getting the just right singer to sing in this drama. The songs felt as though they perfectly enhanced the scenes in the show; every time a song came on I knew without a doubt I would be crying by the end.

The chemistry of these actors is crazy It is rare that both the main and the secondary couple have chemistry but this drama makes it look so easy. It also helped that all the actors were really attractive (^v^) . They make you feel so invested in this character's storyline it makes you feel like you're living their life. When the characters felt sad I felt sad and when they were happy I was happy. And even though I never felt love like this before it felt as though I had experienced the joy and pain of Love. I feel myself relating to the female lead Tak Dong Kyung she is a lot like the except that she hides how she feels because she doesn't want to be a burden to her family and friends. But what I really loved about her is that even though she knew she was going to die soon she still thought about her family and tried to take care of them.

Maybe the genre of dramas is played out and maybe I didn't see enough of the drams to see that this isn't good. But I really enjoyed this show and I think that this show is in my top 10.

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This is a good drama that could’ve been fantastic if not for the “doom” undertone that permeated even through the best moments. The actors did a good job bringing their characters to life but the story became tedious and slow at times. Although the romance is nicely developed, it was difficult to watch when, even at their best moments, the leading couple could not look at each other without leaving the constants sense of doom that even makes no sense when Tak Dong Kyung says that been with Sa Ram is the happiest that she’s ever been! Also, the ending… for two people that not only wanted to spend a lifetime together but also went through the ultimate sacrifice and, by a miracle, end up together, there’s no passion about the reencounter. Her attitude about how she shows no interest in marrying him is also moronic, to say the least. So, the problem with this drama is not in the actors, it’s a great plot that went flat on the love story, sacrifice and all! It must be said that what the drama missed is ardor, especially from the female lead, since the male lead was constant on his feelings about Tak Dong Kyung. The drama is not bad, some viewers seem to have fully enjoyed it and it has some good entertaining moments, but it fell flat at the end!

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Too unbalanced...

Well, I will talk about the feelings that I get from watching this dramas. Usually I don't watch them because of the plot.

The main story is interesting but too long. It has some things that are useless and the pace is strange. How can she fell in love in few days? How can he transform from a deity that has no feelings to someone who loves her so much? Bit like the chemistry of the couple.
The family and friends are nice. Liked how they were portrait.
But... The problem for me is the Second couple.
They have a lot of screen time and I don't get it. I found myself lots of times watching some dramas most because of the second couple. Here it's the opposite.
Both men are awful and pitiful. The first is a coward, a stupid and childish men that leaves a girl because of insecurities and treated her so bad that I can't understand why the hell is he in the drama. The second one is also so stupid. How can both guys love someone for ten years?!?! Cha says he loves her and never met her after? He lied to everyone and still lived with the coward guy. I found myself not wanting that Cha end up with her, but the alternative was even worse.
I hated that relationship. And that ruin the drama for me.
I don't have a female perspective, but I think she (who I find interesting and strong in some ways) should end up with someone else.

OST - did the job but I don't loved it

CAST - most of them did a good job. I don't follow the actors and actresses, so I don't know if they are like that or only performing.

REWATCH - no! Not with the second couple in the way.

Summing up, cute relationship of the main couple. She is cheerful with a lousy life but, after finding him she begins to be and stay happy. Good chemistry and interesting dialogs.
The second couple was awful to me. Always love triangles (don't get it) but with 2 men very boring. The story here was bad, lots of incongruent moments. Didn't like it at all...
And that doomed the drama for me.

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Easy to watch with good cast and interesting story

I watched all episodes except one (I think it was episode 13 because the story was a little predictable at this point).

There were some really interesting plot developments (i.e. one of them must die for the other to live) which I didn't expect. I wrongly assumed that this would be a CEO story with the CEO being a deity. The twist made it very watchable and the casting was perfect.

I also enjoyed the secondary casting and storyline. All beautiful/handsome characters, especially Shin Do Hyun and Lee Soo Hyuk.

The music was good but the star song was, of course, Breaking Down by Ailee - a veteran OST artist with exceptional talent.

The only reason I began watching this show was because I missed Park Bo Young. I was worried that the this was going to be as ad as the previous shows after Strong Girl Do Bong Soon, but I was very Pleasantly surprised, She remains the epitome of cute (as well as being such a great actress.

Really liked the show, a bit slow and predictable in parts (eps 11, 12, 13), but a worthwhile watch nonetheless.

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I love Seo Inguk, I love Park Boyoung. And I'm really looking forward to this drama before it airs. I thought this drama would be a romantic comedy, because who doesn't know, Park Boyoung is an expert in this. But it turns out, this drama is actually a melodramatic. Crying in every scene and episode is a natural thing. At first I was only able to watch the first 5 episodes, for the sake of the actors I love, then I stopped for 2 weeks.

Finally I resumed watching this drama. Although some times I have to speed up. The story of this drama is unique, but the plot is repetitive, I often get bored. I love ML and FL acting, which I never doubted them, their chemistry is very strong.

In addition, the supporting casts are also very good. Several times I looked forward to the love story of the supporting casts between Na Ji Na, Cha Joo Ik, and Lee Hyun Gyu. Weird but interesting. I was more in favor of Na Ji Na ending up with Cha Joo Ik, and thank God it happened.

The soundtracks are great, my gosh I keep listening to the soundtracks of this drama on Spotify. The singers are also top class, no doubt about the quality.

Until finally I managed to finish this drama. Not my favorite genre but enough to spend time.

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Super good kdrama!

(I'm going to do my best not to write spoilers)
For me this was a super good kdrama so where should I start?

In the beginning the drama really takes you along with its feelings. probably the cinematography did the story so well that you really feel the feelings.

Second.
People behave strangely when they hear a clock ticking and become deeply afraid.
You can see that in all the "reboots" that the drama requires. It is quite understandable that this becomes boring for some people. but to me it made perfect sense. I don't want to spoil it, but if you've watched it, you can see these stages clearly.

The third layer. Myul Mang and Dong Kyung's journeys to living a fulfilled life. They are both depressed and wish the world could just end so they would never have to suffer again.
Both felt lonely and out of place.
One had to learn to love even when faced with the inevitable end, and the other had to be selfish even when faced with the inevitable end.

the fourth layer for me was the religious aspects, of having two gods, one the creator, one the destroyer, and both were created by and for man to explain the randomness of suffering. This is part of many religions. But Buddhism especially has had to endure the ethos of the same suffering in different ways until you accept the fate and learn the lesson in this life and grow. Here too the frequent repetition of their old patterns is explained. Especially the part in the middle where they can both see what they would have been if they hadn't grown together through their pain and their joy.
this drama was really a great drama
but I didn't like it that much because this drama made me cry a lot.

By the way, I these OSTs of this drama were really good. Normally I'm not a fan of that

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