More Horror, Less Comedy, Good Lessons
Daebak Real Estate is the kind of rare Horror Kdrama which has more horror side to it unlike many other horror comedy Kdramas where even the ghosts are part of the comedy and the scenes are clearly over-edited. Some horror scenes in this were really scary. In fact, every horror scene felt intense.About half of the story is about the basic steady plot that's going on smoothly & slowly, gradually involving more characters, one by one along with many connecting plots which are more or less related to the central story.
The story involves 4 major characters: Hong Ji Ah (Jang Na Ra), a skilled and stupendous exorcist, continuing her family business of exorcism through a real estate agency, Daebak Realty. Oh In Bum (Jung Yong Hwa), a conman disguised as exorcist who later turns into a psychic to help Hong Ji Ah. Together they discover the past about their families, that they had forgotten in the course a tragic incident. Joo Hwa Jung (Kang Mal Gum), the real estate agent at Daebak Realty. Heo Ji Chul (Kang Hong Suk), Oh In Bum's partner-in-conning who also joins Daebak Realty as a Chief.
The storyline is a good one and the direction is well-organised. One or two episodes felt a bit slow as they were just busy investing stuffs but manageable. Have some tissue paper by your side as at many instances, it will be too overwhelming because there are lots of crying scenes. Also, watch it with a minor TW because there are some triggering scenes which are obvious for a horror drama. Every character did their acting well, especially Jang Na Ra again proved her skills.
Romance part of the leads in the drama is almost zero yet some conversations seemed like flirting but who is complaining about that? Not me! Hong Ji Ah's character is cold yet very very strong but she's soft from inside too. She'll make you cry more than anything else. I can't just see NaRa noona crying. Also, my Yong crying few times made it worse for me TT.
Another thing to point out is cinematography. In most of the cases, the horror dramas hugely rely on VFX and editing even for the horror scenes to look scary but in this drama, they used cinematography to keep the atmosphere simple and look natural and at the same time give off the horror vibes.
OSTs of this drama aee good too yet it felt under-utilized a bit but I think that's fine because their intention was to keep it intense. The bg themes are thrilling and melancholic I must say. And Jung Yong Hwa's OST is definitely a catchy one.
Note: If you're expecting anything very extraordinary, you've come to the wrong place; but it's not bad at all. It's worth giving a watch because the story is definitely a good one :)
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Easily One Of The Best K-dramas of 2021…
Supernatural K-dramas have been done countless times before in K-dramas, so, just what makes " Sell Your Haunted House" stand out? Well, it’s important to be honest by saying that like most dramas out there, it does have its ups and downs. However, “ Sell Your Haunted House” has a beguiling charm due to its cast, storyline and themes.
As a character, Ji Ah could have easily become irksome for viewers as the archetypical ” angst-ridden orphan female lead adorned in black”, but, actress Jang Na Ra undeniably brought a dynamic ambience around her role as our mysterious psychic. (Which is hard to imagine any other actress being able to imitate.)
This is shown case and point during one of the most emotional scenes of the series when, the emotionally conflicted Ji Ah, comes face to face with her mother Hong Mi Jin (Baek Eun Hye). The battle of tears behind Jang Na Ra’s eyes became one of the most beautifully emotional and poignant moments of acting throughout the entirety of the drama.
Although , it’s important not to turn a blind eye towards some of the show’s downfalls either;not least with Jung Young Hwa’s performance as In Beom. This is not to spark hatred towards the actor as he is undeniably really good. ( As shown in previous roles such as “ The Three Musketeers”.)However , Jung Young Hwa’s performance honestly lacked zest at the best of times- sadly not helping to truly authenticate his character via performance alone .
Every cloud has a silver lining and this certainly became prominent by the character development of Young Hwa’s onscreen persona In Beom. Whilst In Beom’s introduction did seem to establish initial warning bells that he could go down the road as the tiresome " comic relief" , however, the male lead was offered the chance to escape this trope by using screentime to explore his conflicted emotions ( especially over his " gift") and his ambivalent morality surrounding later events of the series . This did not seal In Beom as being ”heinous" or "bad"; he is a kind-hearted person, just refreshingly not a "flawless hero" or the " perfect love interest" either.
On this front, it is important to admit that tastes may vary upon the " romance" between our leads; for the most part, it is incredibly platonic. Without spoilers, the link between our leads is similar to being " soulmates", rather than having a passionately romantic undertone . Admittedly whilst this did serve a refreshing break from the cliche-ridden romanticised relationships of dramas, tastes will evidently vary for viewers. ( Therefore if you’re expecting a particularly passionate romance in this supernatural drama , then " Sell Your Haunted House" isn’t for you.)
Even our side characters grew in different ways. Joo Hwa Jung ( Kang Mal Geum) seems to start off the series as Ji Ah’s pompous and self-righteous assistant, however, the series helped to explore her complicated backstory and bond with Ji Ah . Heo Ji Cheol ( Kang Hong Suk)- the self-proposed “ Chief”- and one of In Beom’s closest friends Kim Tae Jin ( Heo Dong Won), seemed to be established as the " comic dead weights" in the series, however, they did provide themselves to be more than cliches with their actions during moments of tension . However, it was equally entertaining to spend time with our cynical detective Kang Han Suk ( Kim Sung Bum) gradually developing credulity and respect for our psychic Ji Ah’s help during crimes. To top it all off, Kim Mi Kyung’s guest appearance in episode 13 ( as the Blue Salt Owner/exorcism supply craftswoman) was short, but, her added charm and sassy tone during line deliverances helped to establish an unusually respectful relationship between Ji Ah and the craftswoman.
Yet whilst "Sell Your Haunted House" had some formidable tour de force moments and characterisation , it did seem to struggle with establishing a more profound antagonist. Now, arguably ( without spoilers), there are two major antagonists here, however, the one which should be mentioned is certainly Do Hak Sung ( Ahn Kil Kang). Let’s be honest. Yes, he did serve his purpose as the " driving force" of events in the series. But , for our trio of screenwriters ( Ha Soo Jin, Jung Yeon Seo and Lee Young Hwa) to have otherwise created profoundly-developed characters , Hak Sung was the ultimate anomaly by fitting the trope as the "moustache twirling villain" of the series.
On the other hand, the one thing which ‘ Sell Your Haunted House’ truly authenticated was tackling difficult subjects as a social criticism of the South-Korean housing system through the differing backstories of the dead.From a vengeful spirit yearning for unearned incomes, property evictees and more , " Sell Your Haunted House" builds onto a fresh premise with a mixture of horror, supernatural and thriller genres.
The ending was fairly appropriate for the genre. It’s easy for some viewers to feel a little underwhelmed by the anticlimactic battle, however, the series did use time in between to wrap off storylines and permit an appropriate farewell to our main characters.
So, is it worth watching? In between a spine-tingling OST and a generic villain," Sell Your Haunted House" offers an oddly dynamic take on the supernatural genre. It isn’t without its faults or flaws, but, its intriguing characters and a fairly stellar cast easily establish it as one of the few good dramas to have come out of 2021, so far...
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Give Me A Second Season Right Now!
I never really intended to watch 'Sell Your Haunted House'. Being still relatively new to the K-world, I wasn't aware of either of the leads of the story or their works . It was just one fateful night when I really had nothing to watch, I accidentally stumbled upon it thinking it would be an okay-ish pass time for a while BUT one episode and I was just hooked. SYHH proved to be the best out of all the on going shows for me.One important thing that needs to be noted is that this show might be 'horror' but it's not meant to scare you off. I agree the CGI/graphics were pretty solid but still, the story behind every one of those unrested spirits stirred up so many emotions in my heart that sometimes it was difficult to hold back the tears. The right amount of comedy was always there to mix the heavy emotional scenes with the lighter ones. The dynamic duo- Ji-Ah and In-Bum were fabulous with zero unnecessary misunderstandings and 100% pure faith and friendship. Plus, all of their exorcism scenes are so well-executed and their chemistry is worth rooting for.
This is that one show that that started with a bang and ended with one as well while maintaining its quality throughout. If you like a show with an actually strong/badass female lead, amazing partnerships, a sweet bromance, blood-boiling antagonists , emotional and action packed exorcisms and overall something that's worth f every minute of your time, this is the one for you.
I really hope there is a season 2.
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This review may contain spoilers
Jang Na Ra is Refreshingly Magnificent - Always
Sell Your Haunted House is one drama I'm really, really going to miss. I got so used to the magnificence that is Jang Na Ra every Wednesday and Thursday that I'm not sure what I will do for the next couple of weeks. But that said, I truly enjoyed this finale for its unexpected ending. I have to say I didn't foresee Do Hak Sung (Ahn Kil Kang) as an unrested spirit, so kudos to the writer for that very well-done twist. His exorcism was brilliant, one of my favorites of the series.Week after week, I found myself continuously saying the same thing repeatedly about the cases and the exorcisms -- this episodes' case of exorcism was the most fulfilling until I finally realized each case and exorcism were special on its own, be it for the message in them or the method. I don't think I exaggerate when I say besides having Jang Na Ra, the exorcisms and the stories they carried are the best parts of this drama.
As for Do Hak Sung, he wasn't so much of a villain as more of a thug and criminal who, to the very end, did not dare to recognize the errors of his way and let greed rule his life, destroying countless other lives in the process. They say greed is a bottomless pit that exhausts the person carrying it in an endless effort to satisfy a need without ever reaching satisfaction -- greed makes a man blind and foolish and makes him easy prey for death. I don't think better words would have described Do Kak Sung. Sealing his unrest spirit to eternally feel the pain he caused is a fate he more than deserved.
Kudos to all the actors in this drama, from the lead to the support, guest appearances, and production team -- a job well done. From Jung Yong Hwa to Kang Hong Suk, Kang Mal Geum, Baek Eun Hye, Ahn Kil Kang and Changhwa Restaurant owner Baek Hyun Joo. They each completed this drama, driving its ultimate message of letting go -- only when one lets go of past anguishes, grudges, and sorrows can they forgive themselves and find joy and love in the people around them. And what a lovely voice Jung Yong Hwa has - his rendition of the I Got You OST is excellent.
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The Ghost Whisperer
Evocative, provocative, poetic, unforgettable. Daebak! Sell Your Haunted House is a tale of modern day urban fantasy featuring themes of the occult and spiritual healing that had captivated me from start to finish. Watching this drama has been an unexpectedly enthralling and almost surreal experience. From the ingenuity of the plot and characters, innovative approach to the storytelling, quality of the technical execution, compelling portrayals, expertly-engineered CGI, and finally to the beautiful music compositions, all the necessary ingredients for a well crafted production are present in abundance.I see much resemblance to Hotel Del Luna and the US series The Ghost Whisperer, where the similarities lie in the following aspects:
- A premise that’s based on assisting wandering spirits or lost souls (referred therein as ghosts), comprising mainly the malevolent as well as some clueless types, to “crossover to the other side” via supernatural means. A shamanistic approach is adopted for this show, although the practice is completely different from what I’ve seen in The Cursed, Dark Hole and others.
- The crossover process is led by a captivating FL character who is dauntless and resolute in the face of emotional adversity as she struggles to break free from the shadows of a much troubled past.
- The FL is ably assisted by a likeable and endearing ML who, in the grander scheme of things, provide balance not only to the partnership but also the spiritual zen for the both of them. It also helps immensely that their interactions give rise to such charming chemistry.
This drama showcases a unique process for clearing out ghosts from haunted buildings. Creative, innovative, distinctive and incredibly dramatic. The tools of the trade include a prodigious amount of salt, an antique brass incense holder (the incense being the key item along with the name of the dead), a “force field” gun (which looks conspicuously like a nail gun), a hairpin dagger, a protective amulet and a (un)willing psychic. The final step in the process is the exorcism itself.
The drama starts off being a case-by-case procedural that runs between a single to two episodes. There is an underlying plot concerning both the FL and the ML’s enigmatically intertwined past that manifests into the convoluted turn of events in the present day. As the story develops, the cases become unrelentingly darker while the main mystery slowly unravels via a series of wicked twists that culminates in the shocking truth of how the leads are connected to each other.
Joining our dynamic duo in their day jobs (actually they operate at night) as well as the search for the truth are the endearingly supportive secretary of the FL, and the ML’s sidekick. Both characters contribute some of the more lighthearted and comedic as well as the heartwarming moments in the show.
As far as the portrayals are concerned, this drama was made for Jang Na Ra in the lead role of the shaman, Hong Ji Ah. While initially projecting a mostly stoic and tough exterior coupled with a heart of stone, her character eventually becomes more compassionate and sympathetic. We get to witness her icy cold disposition gradually thaw to reveal a deeply vulnerable, fragile and emotionally scarred human being. There are more than a few notable scenes where Jang Na Ra shows us her impressive range, especially that powerful and heart-wrenching scene in episode 14. She truly deserves recognition for her efforts in those scenes.
In his first drama since being discharged from military service, CNBLUE’s frontman Jung Yong Hwa plays the ML Oh In Beom. His charisma makes him the perfect choice for the role of a conman who scams the unsuspecting and gullible with cleverly made-up paranormal sightings under the guise of “academic research”, which he injects with absolute fun and glee. He makes it effortless for viewers to be captivated by the quality of his portrayal that comes with a refreshing blend of levity and maturity.
Among the supporting cast, I truly appreciated the performances by Kang Mal Geum and Baek Eun Hye who play Joo Hwa Jung and Hong Mi Jin respectively. The former has a few notable emotionally-charged scenes as well as quieter poignant moments together with Jang Na Ra particularly towards the final third of the drama. The latter, on the other hand, demonstrates remarkable versatility despite her limited screen time. She delivers two markedly different portrayals of the same character, one of whom does not even have any dialogue. I think generally the women outperform the men in this drama.
The entire soundtrack is absolutely amazing. There are a total of 10 songs, with each having its own instrumental versions. My personal favourite is of course the main theme performed by Jung Yong Hwa, I Got Ya, which gives me somewhat of an 80s vibe. Jang Na Ra’s sweet vocals can be heard in the pop number DAYDREAM while NIA gives us an emotive rendition of her beautiful love ballad, Only One. Here’s the complete list:
1. Jung Yong Hwa – I Got Ya
2. Shin Minjung – Don’t Ask
3. Jang Joonghyuk – Don’t Cry
4. Jang Nara – DAYDREAM
5. NIA – Only One
6. Jung Yi Han (The Nuts) – Someday
7. Damu – In Dream
8. Want – Home
9. Amin – If i could
10. Ju Ihyun – Again
Truth be told, Sell Your Haunted House utterly caught me by surprise. Among all the K-dramas that I had been anticipating during the first half of this year, this drama wasn’t on my priority list. In fact, I did not even have such high expectations for this one. But I’m glad that it proved me wrong and delivered a truly memorable viewing experience instead. Just in case you’re wondering, it’s not that scary (for me anyway) and it has an extremely satisfying closure. This was time well spent indeed.
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Zany drama that offers a fresh approach to the supernatural and a few well-meaning lessons of life
If you are hesitant to watch "Sell Your Haunted House" because you are not a fan of the horror genre, don't worry. Even though the ghost effects are really well done, they will likely do no more than startle you when you first see them. This is a show worth watching or at least try out because it checks all the checkboxes when it comes to great entertainment. It does a superb job drawing the viewers into each episode while keeping a good balance with the overarching mystery that ties the fates of the ML and FL together.* STORYLINE
This series stands out from the large repertoire of supernatural K-dramas because of its unique premise and different take on the subject. The drama follows Hong Ji Ah, a real estate agent who makes a living by performing exorcisms to rid spirits from haunted properties, after which her office manager, Joo Hwa Jung, will then sell those properties. It is actually kind of a genius move.
The crux of Ji Ah's story is that she is unable to send her mother's ghost off since her tragic death 20 years ago, and it is during her attempt to do so that led her to cross paths with Oh In Beom. In Beom and his sidekick, Heo Ji Cheo, are conmen who set up fake apparitions to scare and scam people. However, the story drops hints that these guys are actually not that bad as they mainly target people with ill-gotten gains.
A temporary partnership is formed after Ji Ah discovers In Beom's ability as a special medium who could help her exorcise her mother's spirit. At the same time, Im Beom realizes that his past could be related to Ji Ah's mother. That is when the plot takes off.
Interestingly, as the drama weaves through the episodes, it touches upon social issues like problems affecting older people, the terror of stalking, and others more pertinent to real estate, like lives ruined and lost through real estate speculation.
Each vengeful ghost's story is compelling, some of them more poignant and sadder, but each exorcism rights the wrongdoing against the ghost and provides a sense of satisfaction for the viewers. I like how the show presents the exorcisms in different ways and views of the spirit world, preventing it from becoming formulaic and predictable.
This drama offers a little bit of everything, and it will even make you feel hungry as many episodes feature delicious-looking Korean food! There is light and dark comedy, mystery, drama, and fantasy. You will probably shed more tears than expected, feel sympathy, and relish the character growth of the leads as one learns more about the converging backstories of Ji Ah and In Beom. There is an underlying romantic current between the two, but the show is not obvious about it. Instead of spending too much time on the romance, the show focuses on the main narrative. The hints are there, though with the witty bantering, the glances and stares, and the definite awareness of each other's presence and importance.
What I appreciate the most is that, instead of relying mainly on "shocking" plot twists that end up being predictable, the show teases the viewers from the start about certain revelations while effectively keeping us guessing about what will happen next.
* CINEMATOGRAPHY & MUSIC
KUDOS to everyone that worked on this show, including the screenwriters, director, cast, set designers, stylists, CGI production team, music producers/editors, and songwriters. You can tell that everyone brought their A-game. The level of attention to detail is incredible - from the camera work and lighting, the set and the props, the characters' styling – everything is well-thought-out and results in masterful storytelling. Just the way Ji Ah performs each exorcism is done so meticulously, and in general, every detail is there for a reason.
The music track is terrific, and the background music appears to be carefully composed for effects and emotions. I particularly love the instrumental piece that plays during many of the emotional and dramatic scenes. Melancholic and sentimental, this is the most touching piece for the whole drama. The OSTs are also memorable, and I always like it when the actors contribute to the soundtrack. In this case, Jung Yong Hwa sang the opening credit song, "I Got Ya" and Jung Nara sang the catchy tune "Daydream". For posterity, I listed the songs from the soundtrack at the end of my review.
* CHARACTERS & CAST
The casting is spot-on, with the lead actors portraying their quirky characters well. For the cast who has a great rapport with each other, this drama provides an opportunity for them to show off or expand their acting abilities.
I love that the characters are shades of gray. There are the antagonists who feel justified in their actions, and we also have the protagonists who make bad decisions, say and do things they do not mean in the heat of the moment. The show scores points with dynamic characters who struggle with their actions, who are not always clear if they are doing the right thing or what the right thing even is.
Notably, the more recent dramas are undergoing a welcome shift to featuring more substantial and more admirable female leads. Jang Na Ra as Ji Ah is no exception; you should see her take down the living and dead. I read that she did Parkour training, and it shows - she looks amazing doing the stunts and fight scenes! Her personality is as caustic as it is endearing, especially when we know about her complex and dark past. Her online shopping habit, which constantly frustrates her mother, is a nice bit of comic relief. I love her black focused outfits and her make-up. Seriously, Jang Na Ra has proven her acting chops over and over again. Just watch her in "Fated to Love You" with Jang Hyuk (love that guy!), and you can see the contrast in characters. Even the way she grieves in each show is subtly different, or at least to me, it is. Hah! Perhaps my bias is showing.
Jung Yong-Hwa does an excellent job as the smooth yet goofy In Beom. I liked Jung Yong-Hwa's performance in "The Package", and in this show, he has shown that he can match up to Jang Na Ra's screen presence, except during the more emotional scenes. In all fairness, though, it would be hard for most to cry as amazingly as Jang Na Ra. He has fantastic chemistry with her, and the dynamic between them is captivating. The romance is not the main focus, but I find myself shipping them. However, if they do get together, that means In Beom cannot be a medium. Oh, the dilemma! If you are wondering what do I mean by that, watch the show!!! Minor spoiler - it's cute to see In Beom as Ji Ah's personal heat pack, warming her up not only physically but also mentally. Her character development is heart-warming as she slowly opens up to In Beom.
The supporting actors also deserve praise! Including Kang Hong Suk as In Beom's extremely loyal sidekick - Chief, Kang Mal Geum as Joo Hwa Jung, who pulls off being so gray that she stresses me out throughout the show, and last but not least, Baek Eun Hye as Hong Mi Jin, Ji Ah's mother. Baek Eun Hye did such a great job emoting as a ghost who is silent throughout the show.
The weak link for me is Do Hak Sung, the shady developer. He is rather lacking as the ultimate villain and his cronies pretty one-dimensional. That's the main reason why I did not rate this show a 10. That said, Ahn Kil Kang as Do Hak Sung really does present a physically imposing presence.
* OVERALL
"Sell Your Haunted House" is a show done right, one that manages to take a fresh approach to the supernatural genre. The writing is excellent, the story is interesting, entertaining, funny, touching, sweet - basically all the feels, the cast is commendable, the directing and editing is nicely done, and the music track is well selected. Give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.
* Sell Your Haunted House OSTs
1- Jung Yong Hwa - I Got Ya
2- Jang Jung Hyuk - Don't cry
3- Shin Min Jung - Don't ask
4- Jang Nara - DAYDREAM
5- NIA - Only one
6- Jung Yi Han - Someday
7 - Damu - in Dream
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A Ghost Ride
To summarise the drama, it is a female exorcist partnering with a psychic lad, helping to dispel the spirits from the haunted buildings. Similar to all the other ghost-themed dramas, it also has various short stories within, however a different way of exorcism.To me, this is not the most special supernatural drama but the overall plot was pretty okay, good story pace and great acting (especially Jang Nara). I personally think the main storyline is just ordinary, as I find the villain not as scary as I thought and the climax was a bit weak, as compared to the other similar dramas, but definitely worth the watch if you like this genre. I love the parts where they were fighting with the spirits though, quite nerve-wracking!
Talking about acting, I really enjoyed watching Jang Nara in action, her performance was kind of smashing, not just cry when she is sad or yell when she is angry; she can just talk but you can see tears in her eyes or she can just whisper but you can feel her anger, simply amazing.
Talking about chemistry, I like the main leads :) However this drama has no romance story, the two main leads are more like noona-dongsaeng partners that bicker and joke around.
As many might ask, yes you might need to be aware that there will be ghosts popping out here and there, and it all came out when the setting was pretty dim and quiet, so be sure you anticipate them coming so you won't be freaked out.
Overall, not the best but definitely a good piece to recommend to those who enjoyed supernatural genre drama!
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A haunted house real estate expert is pretty genius.
"Sell Your Haunted House" is a supernatural thriller with a strong female lead, which for me is the perfect setup for a new drama favorite, but even though I did enjoy watching every episode of this drama I was also slightly disappointed. I loved the whole exorcism world and Jang Na Ra's character being like an angsty superhero. What I didn't love was the anti-climactic relationship between the leads. This drama definitely tells a great and emotional story while still leaving room for humor, but when it comes to the leads this drama seemed to play with my emotions. It does make some sense according to the lore of the show to not have an actual romance fully develop, but I would have enjoyed it more if it did, since it was constantly implied. This is one of the main reasons why, for me, "Sell Your Haunted House" felt like a season one drama. Like an origin story.Jang Na Ra as bad@ss Hong Ji Ah and Jung Yong Hwa as psychic fraud Oh In Beom definitely work well together in a dynamic duo way. Ji Ah is a psychic Batman, and In Beom is her Robin, and although there is some flirting chemistry, mainly they are there to balance each other out. I did really like the non-traditional gender dynamic with Ji Ah taking the kind of role usually reserved for male leads. She's strong, she's intimidating, she's guarded, but also vulnerable, and as usual Jang Na Ra gives an amazing performance. She rarely disappoints, and I think this is my favorite role I've seen her play. On the other hand, Jung Yong Hwa is an actor I've been pretty indifferent to in spite of liking many dramas he's in. Matching him with such an established older lead could have easily faded him into the background but he holds his own in the story. He also has some fun scenes where he gets to play with variety. I won't overlook him again after this.
For me, the true star of this drama is the story. Yes, It's part melodrama, so there is a haunted by the past element (literally lol) that could have been very cliché but I thought it was extremely suspenseful and interesting. If you've ever lost someone in an unexpected death it'll be hard not to empathize with the storylines, especially the main one, and the themes of guilt and wanting to hold on. The realty angle is also a nice twist on the whole lady ghostbuster theme. The writers really do a good job of marrying suspense with some over-the-top campy moments and characters. The main villian was a little too extreme sometimes but it was also fun to have a character you could absolutely despise 100 percent. It helps that the entire cast is great, although some of the sillier characters made me lower my cast rating. I do have to mention Kang Hong Suk and Kang Mal Geum who help complete the main team, and I really liked them both.
The director was also exceptional and really made this ghost world feel fun like a comic book but still realistic and extremely cool. I'm curious to see what drama he does next.
Would I watch this again? Sure. It would be a little less exciting the second time around, knowing the full story, but it was fun, visually exciting, and touching enough to still be entertaining. I'm more curious about whether or not there will be a season two, which seems very possible by the ending, but I was very satisfied with the ending as is too... aside from the platonic leads.
Overall this is a great supernatural drama that isn't too scary or too silly. It stars such a clever and unique main character and that's enough for me to recommend this drama! Romance fans will probably feel a little disappointed but there are a few cute moments so it's not totally romance-free. It also got me a few times in the feels without being too heavy, although some parts of the story really broke my heart. I can see this show's format having so many possibilities for continuing the story, so if there is a "Sell Your Haunted House: Season 2" I'm Sold!
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Now there's no romance though, despite me seeing the connection and chemistry between our leads. I did wish for at least some scenes for this but at the same time I was okay with it as well because the story was the main focus for this drama.
Music wise, the osts were good but not one I would add to my playlist. I kind of wished multiple osts were played often in this drama. Instead, I think I heard more of the same song in each episode.
Overall, this drama is definitely one of my favorites for 2021 just because the plot was well written, ending was well pace and not rushed, and the scenes and visuals looked very cool. Everything was well thought out.
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Heart warming in a different way
So you start watching this because of the cool scenes and to see the character's strong personalities collide, but you het pulled in by the weekly stories and them BOOM you're invested and there's no going back.This is a story about grief and how tricky it is to navigate it. The actors all did a great job with their characters balancing all the complicated and overlapping emotions they had to deal with.
But Jang Na Ra is the high point of the show TRULY! Her performance in the show was out of this world. Never felt this much sympathy for a character I have nothing in common with. Episode 12 hit hard and I felt like I was drowning right there with her. One of the best bits of television I've seen in years.
A must see for thise who like mystery and/or family themes. I'll surely miss watching this every week. Also bomb soundtrack used in all the right ways. ♡
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It takes more courage to let go than to hold on…!!
The show in itself does not come up with a plot that you might have not come across ….ghosts, spirits, exorcism ….they make up the everyday of drama land, but then you get something unique in every show ….and here as well you come across a different way of exorcism ….you’ll know when you watch it ….and I hope you do ….All the characters did a great job with their respective roles and here I am including the ghost ( I mean guest ) appearances as well ….the only issue I have is, with the villain ….somewhere I felt that the extent of villain’s heinous deeds felt too much for the actor to bear ….as someone who’s been in drama land for a while I must say the villain here was really flat in terms of acting ….he couldn’t grab my attention and most of the time I couldn’t reason with him, probably because of the portrayal …..I really felt that the motive given wasn’t enough to do what he did ….and I think I’d blame it on the actor …..more cuz he isn’t a beginner in acting ...so maybe I was expecting a bit more, for I have seen the same motive being justified through solid acting, so maybe they picked the wrong person.
As for other things I was actually happy with everything, even after having watched so many ghost dramas I was happy with the freshness in the narrative.
With all those sub-stories knit together through the main story, with no unnecessary romance angle being introduced between the leads, with flawed characters trying to make things work ...with complex emotions conveyed in simple ways …this was definitely a worth watch.
With fantasy plots I usually feel that they often lack detailing but this time the show does a decent job …. Things related to the rules and working of the ghost world and exorcism were explained well …and the ultimate message of letting go was strongly focused throughout the show. Also there is something I must mention ….as someone who loves to kick annoying characters out of the screen ….I was actually looking for characters that I can skip through ….but surprisingly none of them were annoying …it’s actually something I really appreciate in a drama-side characters appearing when required and not uselessly fooling around for the sake of screen time…!!
So to summarize if you are new to k-drama world ….well this show is really a good pick ...and I’d strongly recommend it to viewers who adore fantasy and horror plots. The villain might not be up to the mark but even then the show is really something you should try out, at least once .…cuz you always have the option to drop it ...but in my opinion that option won’t be needed
I hope you enjoy the show and have a good time watching …!!
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Surprisingly bland
I had higher expectations for this drama, ngl.This drama felt boring to me from the get go. I wasn't fond of the first few episodes, but I persevered since I'm a fan of both Nara and Yonghwa. The plot also seemed really interesting. And once I got past the first 2-3 episodes, the drama picked up. And I thought, maybe I was right to stick with it anyway.
Sadly, I lost that conviction a little past the half way point. It has taken me a lot longer than usual to finish this drama. I've procrastinated it so much. Because it is just too boring. It is a very episodic drama, the only overarching plot point there is doesn't really kick in until the last few episodes.
At first I thought that I didn't want it to be episodic. Because all the episodes followed a similar structure, and it got quite repetitive. But then when the main plot finally started I found myself missing the more episodic episodes. At least those were entertaining.
Though it does appear I'm in the minority. Most people like this drama, but to me it was very boring and not worth the time spent watching.
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