Cruel City Recent Discussions
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Cruel City Episode 1 Reactions
While I don't shy away from older dramas, whenever I start watching one from 5+ years ago I always wonder what I'll find and the differences that will stand out.
I was extremely happy to see that Cruel City is holding its own extremely well and it seems to be a drama that can do well no matter the year it's watched in.
It was for sure a very strong pilot episode with lots of backstory that I'm extremely curious to find out more about, characters that seem fleshed out and have a lot of depth and a plot that will keep the action going for many episodes to come.
Definitely recommend it!
I was extremely happy to see that Cruel City is holding its own extremely well and it seems to be a drama that can do well no matter the year it's watched in.
It was for sure a very strong pilot episode with lots of backstory that I'm extremely curious to find out more about, characters that seem fleshed out and have a lot of depth and a plot that will keep the action going for many episodes to come.
Definitely recommend it!
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"Those streets..."
"Let's swallow them all ."
"Let's swallow them all ."
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This is pretty much my thing: underground organization, thugs, street fighting, crime, cops, special unit, bold and tough male lead and action: Can I ask for more?
This is the combination that can make me want more; I will be sure to enjoy this to the fullest. Now, I need to watch the second episode.
This is the combination that can make me want more; I will be sure to enjoy this to the fullest. Now, I need to watch the second episode.
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To simply put, this episode was amazing. It was like a really good hook - AMAZING cinematography, shots and music! Makes it seem like more of a movie - when compared to other dramas. You can tell that this drama is going to be quite a ride, as everything is set at night and in the dark.
I can't wait to see how this evolves, and ends...I already have too many speculations - let's hope I'm not right. Episode two, here I come ;)
I can't wait to see how this evolves, and ends...I already have too many speculations - let's hope I'm not right. Episode two, here I come ;)
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You don't realize as you finish the episode that you were already captured by the first seconds. The opening with the city lights and the police you're hooked already. It didn't take long to realize that this show is different. It has a different sort of a vibe flowing around. It's ridiculously realistically gritty. I love every character in this drama and you want more character development because every character has a story. A big hand obviously has to go to our mysterious Doc Son. A drug lord. Who is the main lead. You don't see that often especially in kdramas. What a character. He pulls in you hard. As the episode progresses you see how Doc Son's character evolves. At one point he's following orders and then next he's running to become the organization king pin. Let's swallow those streets. The journey begins and were hooked. We want him to actually become the drug lord and swallow the streets when it should be the opposite. The antagonist is the lead that's what you get.
Definitely the drought for 2013 is over. I would say the drought for many years. This not only is my favorite drama of the year, but my all time now.
Definitely the drought for 2013 is over. I would say the drought for many years. This not only is my favorite drama of the year, but my all time now.
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Everything've been said below.
I was on my guard during the whole episode, as if someone would attack me from behind lol
The athmosphere created in this drama is amazing, and same goes with the cast ! I didn't know Lee Jae Yoon and Kim Yoo Min but I have to say that they're doing a great job, not to mention the fantastic Jung Kyung Ho !
Fighting Cruel City !
Fighting Cruel City !
I was on my guard during the whole episode, as if someone would attack me from behind lol
The athmosphere created in this drama is amazing, and same goes with the cast ! I didn't know Lee Jae Yoon and Kim Yoo Min but I have to say that they're doing a great job, not to mention the fantastic Jung Kyung Ho !
Fighting Cruel City !
Fighting Cruel City !
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When I finished episode 1 of Cruel City my jaw was basically on the floor. I just cannot believe how good this show is. The directing and cinematography are out of this world. The acting is spot on (especially Jung Kyung Ho who I knew was a good actor, but now I think he might be one of the best in Korea). And the writing and plot are just too awesome for words.
I love when a writer makes you empathize with the antagonist (which is rare in Kdramas) and this writer has done it with aplomb. It's really fresh and fun to spend so much time with the "bad" characters and not just the cops. I think cable channel shows have this tendency towards being much fresher, faster paced, and better at telling a story organically than the networks. I don't need endless flashbacks and character info-dumps to enjoy a good story. Just reveal info about the characters organically as the story progresses. That's great writing.
I love when a writer makes you empathize with the antagonist (which is rare in Kdramas) and this writer has done it with aplomb. It's really fresh and fun to spend so much time with the "bad" characters and not just the cops. I think cable channel shows have this tendency towards being much fresher, faster paced, and better at telling a story organically than the networks. I don't need endless flashbacks and character info-dumps to enjoy a good story. Just reveal info about the characters organically as the story progresses. That's great writing.
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Intense! I like it! There is no substitute like a great crime drama! It's funny when you know the crooks are bad but when you see the police do stuff just as bad, it's hard to remain sympathetic! But let's just say, I am going to enjoy Shi-Hyun (Jung Kyung-Ho). He is one bad-mother..shut your mouth! But we can dig it!!
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It doesn't reinvent the noir wheel, but it's a reverent addition to the genre right down to the bleak shadows, the seedy nightclubs, and the cold atmosphere. The directing is deliciously moody, and the soundtrack is perfectly placed.
Storywise, there is very little time spent on character exposition; we are instead plunged right into the thick of the action, which is a welcome change to the usual k-drama clunky setup episodes. And, thanks to Jung Kyung-ho's mysterious "Doctor" character, we are not given a traditional cop vs. kingpin setup; picture a twisted but possibly redeemable third party and you're somewhat there.
These characters are still largely ciphers, but we are given enough flashes of Ji Hyung-min's (Lee Jae-yoon) idealism and Lee Kyung-mi's (Go Na-eun) doggedness to make the cops sympathetic and easy to root for. The kingpin Scale is a rather one-note villain as are his henchmen, but this is easily abated by Jung Kyung-ho's burgeoning anti-hero, who, while still being rather inscrutable, is hugely interesting and acted well if not superbly (he'll have plenty of time for improvement as the drama pulls back his meaty character layers).
Overall, I'm so exicted about this one. Could it be that the 2013 drama drought is finally over?
Storywise, there is very little time spent on character exposition; we are instead plunged right into the thick of the action, which is a welcome change to the usual k-drama clunky setup episodes. And, thanks to Jung Kyung-ho's mysterious "Doctor" character, we are not given a traditional cop vs. kingpin setup; picture a twisted but possibly redeemable third party and you're somewhat there.
These characters are still largely ciphers, but we are given enough flashes of Ji Hyung-min's (Lee Jae-yoon) idealism and Lee Kyung-mi's (Go Na-eun) doggedness to make the cops sympathetic and easy to root for. The kingpin Scale is a rather one-note villain as are his henchmen, but this is easily abated by Jung Kyung-ho's burgeoning anti-hero, who, while still being rather inscrutable, is hugely interesting and acted well if not superbly (he'll have plenty of time for improvement as the drama pulls back his meaty character layers).
Overall, I'm so exicted about this one. Could it be that the 2013 drama drought is finally over?
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Just completed this episode and, despite this not being my usual genre, all I can say is "wow." What an incredibly stylish drama! The cinematography is top-notch and I'm already convinced I want the OST; the only word that comes to mind when considering the two elements is "elegant." There was a bit of violence in this episode, but that's to be expected.
The first five minutes will get you hooked if you're anything like me; the mystery and suspense is palpable even from the word go. I'm not sure about the characters yet, but I love the atmosphere (am I the only one that feels a sense of oncoming tragedy *already?*) and solid story foundation this first episode sets. A promising start; if it can keep this up, Cruel City should be great.
The first five minutes will get you hooked if you're anything like me; the mystery and suspense is palpable even from the word go. I'm not sure about the characters yet, but I love the atmosphere (am I the only one that feels a sense of oncoming tragedy *already?*) and solid story foundation this first episode sets. A promising start; if it can keep this up, Cruel City should be great.
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