Slow, sweet, sweet revenge done right
It was worth the build up and wait. If part 1, was slow-paced and taking the time to introduce all assholes and to prepare for the world of pain awaiting them. Then part 2 has delivered and then some. The show itself, this time, seemed well-paced. Especially when compared to part 1, as it takes some patience to get through the bullying past. And yet the promised revenge came slow and sure.This is a pure revenge story, so if that's what you're looking for, no need to look further. And they wrapped up so well with all the characters that there's no frustrating incomplete feeling at all. Yet with a proper set up in case they want to go for a part 3 which I'd be totally down for!
A 9/10 for setting up the right expectations and then meeting all of them.
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Gripping and yet disturbing
Gripping? YES!! It’s one of those where you have to binge watch. I waited for quite awhile to watch both seasons at one go. Also, you have to be in the right frame of mind (ready to watch a revenge drama) to fully appreciate it.Disturbing because the scenes are quite graphic. It’s rated 18+ and has lots of vulgar language, sex scenes, and multiple violent scenes including using hot curling iron and domestic abuse. Most of these scenes I had to fast forward, because I myself couldn’t stand to watch. I couldn’t understand why and how those bullies could get away with it; plus the home room teacher who just slaps the victim multiple times in the staff room! I read that this drama was based on a true story. I’m not sure how justice was carried out, but if it was not, the police and education system in Korea need to buck up!!
The two actors that stole the show imo were Lee Do Hyun and Shin Ye Eun. LDH played the ML, a young doctor who lost his father in a very tragic way. Haunted by the perpetrator, he was living in hell and wanted to help the FL (song Hye kyo) with her revenge plan. He managed to pull off a variety of personalities in this drama- the professional doc, the caring and protective man and (this is the best part!) the devil in him who will seek revenge and dreams of killing the murderer. His acting was top notch!
Shin Ye Eun played the teenage Park Yeonjin, who is the ring leader of the 5 person bully gang. I read that the director chose this actress because of her smile, and man was he spot on! Her eyes and smile in the most eerie and condescending manner gave me the chills just watching her! Her acting was just right, unlike Lim Yi Jeon who played the adult Yeonjin, whom I felt overacted wayyy too much. In fact the 5 gang bullies were quite ridiculous and overacting most of the time imo. Too much cursing, shouting and throwing rich kid/ can’t get my way tantrums.
Another character I liked was Ha do Yeong, the husband of Yeonjin. He in all his sophistication did everything right- gave her many chances to repent, and be remorseful of her past actions- but all he saw was the devil in his wife. I’m glad he had a happy ending.
The production and music background was just fantastic! Very modern and updated, chic and sophisticated. The music is like those you will find in US dramas, extremely compelling and draws you in. There were times where the plot became quite predictable, whereby the good guys “always win” and even when it seems they were losing, they were somehow one step ahead. Haha..
It’s a very good recommended watch. Again, be in the right frame of mind when you start this. The first episode is the most difficult as it has 90% of the bullying school scenes. :)
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Song hye kyo just nailed it!!
Even tho i have watched worse things than this it was still hard for me to watch. I didn't finish it in one setting i took a break in between which caused me to forgot alot of things but somehow i completed it and it was worth it. It's was fun seeing Song hye kyo on the screen again.(sorry im pasting this again mdl wont let me post a review if it's not of 500words just ignore it)
Even tho i have watched worse things than this it was still hard for me to watch. I didn't finish it in one setting i took a break in between which caused me to forgot alot of things but somehow i completed it and it was worth it. It's was fun seeing Song hye kyo on the screen again.
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Perfect!
Just finished the drama and it was perfect! The ending satisfies me, their chemistry was just amazing. the revenge. Ugh! Don't even get me started! This kind of revenge is so good in a humane way. Revenging that will not make her go to jail thrills me.The second lead guy(kinda) was hot ngl🙈
I'm happy that Korean dramas have this kind of show now because sometimes when you watch a certain genre of drama, there are always those bitchy characters and I really want them to experience a source of pain and struggle. This drama helped me see that 🤣✌️.
It gives me VINCENZO. Which is good as well. That drama has more and better chemistry and interaction, however, on Dong Eun’s side It was acceptable and understandable as she went through pain and trauma that makes her not trust people.
The twist though. Omgod. I just love it! I did get lost as I forgot some scenes from the last “season”, but I'm more on the revenge moments so.
The antagonist people though! The way they portray it as a character was tremendous! The main bad girl, holy. I love her expression and emotion even though she's a pain in the ass in the drama. I first saw her in the drama MONEY HEIST. And I love her there. In this drama that she portrays, pissess me, but it shows how good of an actor she is!. I actually ship the two-second main lead people together.. And the third guy... Damn he's a keeper haha.
Anyways, I love the friendship of the antagonist people. I love their betrayal of each other. It shows that in reality, regardless of how close you are with people, and how long you've known them, they will always backstab you and gaslight you. Good drama! Worth the time and pain!❤️🫶❤️
3/15/23
5:42 pm
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SATISFYING!!!!
It was a great revenge drama. Whenever I felt the plan is falling out I was glad it did not. SHK's portrayal was really good and I am happy she 'BLOOMED' in the last episode and spring came into her life. The old scarred Dong-Eun transformed into a beautiful flower and she could pursue her attending classes in architecture. I think she should open a company for taking good revenge...HAHA!The revenge for Yeon Jin was satisfying nothing is better than taking away the dream she has always aspired for. Everyone was repaid two-fold by their karma. The acting of every character was super. I hated Yeon jin but Im Ji Yeon deserves applause man!
I only hated that they divided it into two parts like this...part 1 was used for the introduction and building up the plot for part 2 but I don't feel it's necessary to divide it into two parts!
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It is everything what we need in a revenge drama.
Song Hye kyo is a queen and she has proven this yet again especially after all those dramas that came before it and she was taunted for her acting. I felt her every emotion in this drama. Her pain, agony, guilt and her efforts to hold back her anger. It was a long journey for her character to achieve what she wanted and unlike many dramas where it all ends with revenge, I loved it that she felt remorse for everything. That makes a difference between a pure evil and a pure hearted human being. I couldn't hold back my tears in which she remembered her past when she was not involved in bullying.The story continues from where we left and it felt great to see karma hit all those bullies who made her life a living hell. But big applause to all the negative characters of this drama. Their acting was so good that I hated them to the core. It was satisfactory the way it ended. The music was great, cinematography was mesmerizing and as I said acting was top notch even those adorable kids.
Now that I have said all the good things, it's time for all the negative points.
First of all I felt no depth in all the negative characters. They were just pure evil. There was no grey side in them. I could understand if they had some traumatic past that turned them into this kind of people but we don't see anything that could explain their psychotic behaviour. The same goes for the man who killed ML's father. I mean the REASON!!! It was so dumb that I still cannot digest it. If he had some sort of past with him or anything along those lines I could atleast teeny tiny bit understand that behaviour but seriously 😒... Correct me if I am wrong but as far as I have read even Psychopaths don't kill someone who tries to save their lives. I dunno perhaps I was expecting little bit more from his story as he looked pretty interesting character and could add extra depth in ML's story. ML's character was fine and pure relief tbh whenever he came on screen it was like a fresh breath in all the dark and emotional mayhem of FL's life.
Another psychotic character was FL's mother. I just can't....sigh. Why just WHY was she so damn annoying. Not an ounce of love towards her very own child. What was the reason? Nothing! She just doesn't care at all. I really thought towards the end she might change. I thought when she will see her scars and all she would change just for once but ...nope no character development.
I didn't see any guilt in any negative character in this drama.
There is one more thing that I found really unnecessary and people might not agree with this. But I really want to point it out because it seems that it has become a trend in many Kdramas to have all those s*x scenes. I just don't see in what manner do they add anything in the storyline. Not that I find it bad or something but I am so tired seeing naked people in most of the western dramas these days already. Coming from an Asian family these kind of scenes are big no if you want to watch shows with your family. I love watching kdramas with my fam and just because of such scenes I just can't do that.
To conclude it all it is definitely one heck of a drama that you would not like to ignore. I am so happy that Song Hye kyo chose this role. She was amazing in this.
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A good revenge show
The story flow is smooth and keeps you hooked till the end. Most roles were delivered decently.It’s a breakthrough role for Song Hye-kyo and she seemed to do her best. Hope she will take on more challenging roles like this. Been a fan of Lee Do-huyn since Hotel del Luna. A bit sad that he only plays a supporting role here. Still find several of his scenes mesmerizing. Impressed with Jung Sung Il here, very captivating with minimal acts. Yeom Hye-ran does not disappoint, hope she gets some awards from this role.
Besides, the romance part is not convincing in my opinion. Have to say I like the revenge formula of the writer. Overall an enjoyable show to binge watch if you are in the mood for revenge genre.
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Needs to be watched Twice to fully appreciate
Don’t go in expecting 11/10 and you will be fine.That was my mistake which is why I will give it a 8.5/10.
*edit - rewatched and giving it a 9.5/10. I appreciate it more now but still not a 10.
Rewatching allows you to appreciate all the nuances and easter eggs. Worth the time.
Story & Plot:
It is a good revenge story with a pretty tight, and slightly unrealistic plot. The last 2 episodes were a little rushed too.
Unrealistic because she wouldn’t have been able to achieve her goal without her rich doctor boyfriend. Let’s be honest. Also, everything she does is not new. We can kinda predict.
I did like the buildup and how each episode ends with a cliffhanger that does not immediately get explained within the first minutes of the subsequent episode. You need to be patient and watch through their flashbacks.
For the good parts - she’s smart, she’s determined, she’s hardworking, and she knows her strategy.
Acting & Emotions:
This gripped me. Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun both made me cry with their acting. More of SHK. I love how calm she is facing the abusers (most of the time) but put her mom in front of her and she loses it.
The last episode attempted suicide scene was one of the more heart wrenching and unexpected scenes to me (also, unrealistic how she got saved). It just hits so hard.
SHK also carried a lot of emotional and challenging scenes by herself. Kudos to her.
Cast & Chemistry:
The Abusers are fun and hilarious to watch but they probably should stop screaming so much.
Dong Eun/Yeo Jung - they make a nice couple. The age gap was a little glaring to me but not a major issue or problem.
Dong Eun/Do Young - I ship them. It’s wrong, but I wholeheartedly ship her with this oppa. His gaze, my god.
Park Yeonjin - I want to rant that her bitter end was not harsh enough considering 16 episodes of buildup.
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I'll be that missing 1%
Honestly this has become one of my favorite dramas. Throughout the entire thing you experience so many emotions and there are tons of plot twists and suspense. I do understand this drama has been pretty controversial but it honestly shines a bright light on bullying and just how serious it can get. Ofc it is a bit unrealistic when it comes to the revenge part but it's still interesting to see. There's everything from suspense to cute love interests (if im being real, Yeo Jung is THE standard lol). It was like watching HUGE domino affect.The entire story honestly made me feel so many emotions and getting to see Dong-Eun get her revenge in the best way possible was so satisfying. The ending is FAR from disappointing but really I hope we get a sequel for Yeo Jung.
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You can't hurry love and you can't hurry revenge but you can turn down the volume
Part two of the story keeps teaching us that revenge takes time, you can´t hurry love and you cant hurry revenge... However you can apparently scream a lot so before you watch this you may want to turn down the volume or keep the mute button close as there is more crying, yelling and screaming than dialog in this season of this drama, that I yet again do not get why they had to split in to two...The cast is lovely, scenery lovely there is a bit more blood and splatter than there was in season one and also more of Lee Do Hyun (but not nearly enough), the development of the story is pretty interesting some twist more predictable than others, but I would say it is a well paced, well thought of story with very few plot holes and unnecessary turns that create a beautiful web of revenge and friendships gone all over the place. Having the most unnecessary part of this drama be splitting it in two.
I hated the mothers voices in this drama but loved every single portrayal of motherhood here, letting some moms be selfish, others selfless, and some more of the found family type. Giving us a lot more evil than good.. And honestly I love it.
While there is some romance in this, it is not nearly enough to satisfy a romance lover like me but than again it is not a romance, so I guess the pebbles of romance we get should be considered a bonus to the otherwise thrilling screaming plot.
All in all a really decent story, easy to bing (an afternoon will do) and fun to watch... Just mind the screaming.
P.s. I hate to say this but Song Hye Kyo had better chemstry with Jung Sung Il than Lee Do Hyun, almost making me forget that his character (Ha Do Young) is a superficial sexist jerk deep down inside.
Also what I said about part one (linked as a comment) still goes
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Revenge served a bit too cold
After the massive setup done in part 1 I have to say I was expecting some more extended suffering for some of the offenders. I was hoping Yeonjin would have something done to her face, both because her beauty was clearly important to her and Yeojung being a plastic surgeon, I was just hoping for more from that scene when she's at his clinic. Speaking of Yeojung, we never see him do anything too psychotic and so I was also expecting more from his character in this second part. After learning more of the awful thing Myongoh did I wanted his character to go through it more. I loved that the development of each individual's downfall never directly implicated Dongeun, because it shows how smart and well crafted every step of her plan is, there were just moments I wanted to see more be done. I still massively enjoyed this show and appreciate Dongeun having a chance at being happy.By far my favorite scenes in the second half of the show were: Jaejoon pummeling the pedo teacher, then Doyoung beating him up; Hyunam slapping Yeonjin 2x; and Dongeun making Yeonjin's mother betray her.
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So Dam3 good!
I devoured this final 8 episodes of part two. The first part left us full of suspense and dying to know if the tables were about to finally turn and if Yeon-Jin’s true colors were about to be revealed. Gah! I don’t know how it’s possible but the second part was even better than the first! Hands down this is definitely one of the best revenge drama’s I’ve watched, it’s currently in second place on my list. I loved it, its heart poundingly thrilling. I couldn’t wait for them to get what they had coming to them, and at the same time the ending had me sweating. It was beautifully done. I definitely bawled at the end and I’m so happy with how everything turned out. I have to say it’s HyeKyo’s best work yet! Great Job Netflix!Was this review helpful to you?
