Pyramid Game (2024)

Not even four months into 2024, I think I've found the best K-drama this year

When I initially came across pyramid game on my TV, I completely ignored it, thinking I was tired of dramas with school settings but boy was I wrong for that. The interesting edits I came across social media ultimately motivated me to pick this gem of a thriller up and that was probably the best decision I've made all year.

Every week, in fact every episode left me on the edge of my seat, distressed about what could happen next. The story is well-paced, smart, intriguing and engaging, perfectly embodying the thriller genre. Another aspect I loved about this story was the fact it was female centric in an all girls' school, more than physical strength,mental and emotional strength were the key points used by our main character to overcome the abuse she faced in school. I also admire how the writer has shown us how miniscule things that we do even when we're children can manifest into something more sinister and eventually become a major consequence for us in the future(regarding jaeun being a bystander when harin got bullied as orphan when they were in 9th grade). Besides that, the representation of queer characters openly in a major K-drama like this one without censoring the original work also left me impressed, they definitely did justice to the webtoon on this one!

Can't submit this review without taking about the acting, Kim Bona outdid herself on this one. She's quickly become one of my favourite actresses even though it's my first time watching one of her works. The rest of the cast too, did such a good job! Each of them portraying their respective characters very well whether as bullies or bystanders, they all evoked many emotions within me when I watched the show. If I'm not mistaken, this is jang da ah's first role in a K-drama and I'm thoroughly impressed, she did so well despite Baek Ha Rin being a very difficult and complicated character that's quite the challenge to understand.

The review is getting too long but there's too much to talk about when the show is too good. I loved the music and ost they had on this one as well, higher by Ava grace and in the dark are both in my playlist now. They're fitting for the show and are catchy at the same time, it's not very often that I get interested in a show's ost but pyramid game has some stellar music and ost collection. The costumes and the set were also beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, very otherworldly and totally unrealistic to be a school but I loved it a lot.

I think there was no disappointment for me while tuning in on this one. However, I do wish they don't keep continuing the game lmao, I want my girls to be in peace finally ?

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Mindblown

For this series it will depend if it’ll suit your style, I am enjoying this series tbh and I can’t wait for the final two episodes 9-10. I’m not full on romance fluffy kind, I enjoy a wide array of genres from fantasy, crime, thriller, romance etc. What pulled me in the most is how well most of the Actors portrayed their character, and how intriguing it is wanting to read their thoughts but couldn’t.. how utterly creepy and scary the antagonist is. But also having thoughts of how ridiculous the whole thing was wherein Adults had very little to no say at all with all the crazy happenings. But again it’s a series some scenes are so realistic because it does happen in real life especially how bad bullying is in general.

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Perfect characterization!!

Considering the amount of casts they have in the show, it's amazing how every single one of them contribute to the plot with their own personality. Sung Soo Ji as the protagonist is just flawless (imo). The way she fought back against the entire system, we can't help but rooted for her. She was thinking about saving herself only at first, but I wouldn't call her selfish for that. Not after seeing how the other classmates gave her a cold attitude. But, Soo Ji changed and so were we (the viewers). We wanted them to succeed and destroy the pyramid. Their genuine feelings to be free from power abuse reached us.

Now, let's talk about the antagonist, Baek Harin! SHE IS FVCKING CRAZY [praise]. Idk why but I was reminded of Coach Kim from Sky Castle when I saw her character. She is calm and collected (most of the time) which is usually a BIG warning to not piss off people like them. She is violent but not doing it through brutal physical assault. She is manipulative and twisted. She showed no sign of guilt even until the end. Her presence in the show was what made this drama memorable and thrilling!

Gonna give my big applause to Jang Da Ah for bringing Baek Harin character to live. This is legendary for her acting debut.

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Pyramid Game: Unveiling the Layers of Societal Hierarchy

Pyramid Game is a thought-provoking TV series that delves deep into the intricate layers of societal hierarchy. This captivating show takes viewers on a thrilling journey through different levels of power, privilege, and social standing.

The series cleverly uses the concept of a pyramid, a symbol often associated with hierarchical structures, to explore the dynamics of society. Each episode uncovers a new layer of the pyramid, revealing the hidden truths and complexities that shape our world.

One of the strengths of Pyramid Game is its ability to shed light on the various aspects of societal hierarchy with great nuance. It examines how individuals and groups navigate their positions within the pyramid, the privileges and disadvantages they face, and the impact of their choices on others.

The characters in Pyramid Game are well-developed and relatable, representing different strata of society. Their interactions and conflicts provide a compelling narrative that keeps viewers engaged. The series skillfully portrays the struggles, aspirations, and conflicts that arise from the inherent inequalities within the pyramid.

Moreover, Pyramid Game prompts viewers to reflect on their own roles within the societal hierarchy. It encourages critical thinking and raises important questions about power dynamics, social justice, and the need for a more equitable society. By exploring these themes, the series serves as a catalyst for meaningful discussions and introspection.

The production value of Pyramid Game is commendable, with visually stunning cinematography and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the viewing experience. The attention to detail in depicting the different layers of the pyramid adds depth and authenticity to the storytelling.

In conclusion, Pyramid Game is a must-watch TV series that combines entertainment with social commentary. Its exploration of societal hierarchy is both thought-provoking and engaging, making it a valuable addition to the television landscape. Whether you're interested in understanding the complexities of societal dynamics or simply looking for an enthralling drama, Pyramid Game delivers on all fronts.

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WATCH IT!!!!!!!!1

this show was exciting from start to finish. it's a well-written story, with well-written characters and excellent acting! the only thing i didn't like about the story was the past of harin and jaeun. their storyline and connection seemed unnecessary to me, especially when harin burned down the school. i mean i get that's the reason why harin wants jaeun to stay in grade F forever. but still, i find this "shared past" storyline uninteresting in most kdramas.

other than that, i dont know how to feel about the ending. the students were responsible and they got what they deserved. but what about their parents? those kids turned out the way they are because of their upbringing. for example, dayeon. what happened to her father? will she be abused like this forever? kids learn from their parents and she learned violence from her dad. same goes to harin. yes she was a psychopath. but at the same time, she was a kid who never felt loved. she was always neglected by her parents. her mother didnt even consider her to be her daughter. her grandmother was manipulative and self-seeking, hence why she loved harin only until she fucked up. that old bitch liked her family members as long as she could benefit from them. so what happened to her? im not justifying harin's or other girls' acts. im just saying that adults were the real villains of this show. and ironically, nothing happened to them at the end. maybe that's the sad reality. we blame the kids but never ask how they turned out to be that evil.

i only criticised the drama but these parts couldn't make me dislike the show. i really loved it. i had low expectations but even after the first episode i was intrigued. i didn't know bona was good at acting, she really did a good job - i mean all of them did! i always saw bona to be very feminine and charming on stage but i like this genius student style on her too.

other than the storyline and acting, i also enjoyed yelim and eunjung's "friendship" too hahaha. they were lovely tbh

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it was not perfect, but it was perfect for me

this was what it exactly promised to be, not too dramatic, and not too unrealistic, I loved the characters, and their friendship
the bullying wasn't shown as too severe, the game was like The Genius/The Devils Plan, the girls made alliances, there were betrayals and there were great plot twists that warmed my heart

I really loved the cast and characters, each one had their charms and the friend group easily became a friendship everyone envied enough to want to join, not to break xD

the backstory of harin and jauen was predictable, I knew it from harin's first words "do you know the orphanage", and that story was too flat to explain why harin went crazy.. so the main problem was the teacher, I wish they dived deeper there, like yeah adults do effect kids, and yeah orphans are easily miss treated cuz the adults think they're teaching them survival skills
what confused me was, was that teacher the orphanage teacher or the schools? and why were they different
I also wanted more about her adoptive family, her grandma loved to play games, and the parents never treated her as their real daughter, especially since the dad/son was put in a coparision game against young harin

sooji always lived by a pattern, she never made any deep connections and always played a social game to fit in, and that's why in ways, she enjoyed breaking the pyramid game as much as harin enjoyed making it

jauennie was too precious, she was genuine, she was awkward and she had a heart of gold, I loved how her first impression seemed like the outcasted bully, I loved how sooji was sucked into that game
I wanted more of those things, more misunderstanding and more "mind" bullying, they didn't want it to be too graphic, so overall the atmosphere of the drama was youtful, though I do hate too much extreme gore, but still she was the daughter of an army guy, he should've taught her how to fight xD

so I wanted more tension, more side games, games they lost and games they won, and I really wanted more screentime for their friendships, I was lowkey waiting for that amusement park date

this became my "March" fav drama and easily joined my best of 2024
the ost was great, makjang drama lvl quality, and I wouldn't mind fast binging this again, I LOVE female centered plots, i feel like in the last year they became more scarce, especially diverse and well layered female characters
I'm also interested in the webtoon a bit, I read that many things were different, maybe it'll give the heavy angst this was missing, though I wouldn't change a thing

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If you're into school dramas, a must watch for you.

Wow. Literally this show gave everything I needed in a while. Nothing less, maybe a bit more. Pyramid Game brought me back to the Kdrama world. I don't really remember when was the last time I was THIS hooked for a drama . My main reason for wanting to watch was Bona, Kim Jiyeon. But after reading the plot i was looking more forward to this. Like everyone, I got worried about the acting, because of the many new names. And let me tell you something. Every one of them did great jobs portraying the characters. About the adaptation, I did not read the webtoon so I don't have much to say about it. But everyone should give this one a try. It's not that long, only 10 episodes. And episodes will go super fast, you won't feel how time passed.

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A Class Plays a Game

Hey everyone, welcome back to the K-drama Study. The last time I talked about Death Game, which started Seo In Guk. Today, I'll be talking about Pyramid Game One, which I've been looking forward to watching. The show stars Bona, one of my favorite idol actresses. I've been watching her since her first drama was released in 2017. Now, let's jump into the show and remember to read the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: There will be spoilers, so read at your own will

I remember seeing this show on my drama list, and the description made me want to add this to my watch list. Since 2014, I've been waiting for this show to air, and when it did, I was happy. This drama was the first that featured more girls as characters than males. I was curious to see what kind of character they would have Bona play in this show. After watching the first episode, I wanted another one cause it left off with a killer cliffhanger that pulled me right into the show. As the episodes kept airing, I loved watching Song Soo Ji craft a little team/friend group, which helped make the show more interesting. During the first episode, I felt terrible for Song Soo Ji, who had been tortured since she was in Grade F, thanks to the pyramid game. It did anger me from time to time that some people had a feeling there was school violence but didn't do anything about it. Ha Rin was the one who made the class play the pyramid game, and I hated her as a character cause she was mean to some of the girls. Seung-Yi was one girl who I wasn't a fan of, but I felt sorry for her cause her father beat her. I found it fun to watch Soo Ji and the gang come up with ideas on how they would stop the pyramid game. Getting the guy from the convenience store, Woo-ri's brother, to help them was a twist I didn't see coming. I loved how everything unfolded in the last two episodes, as I was happy the game was ending and people were getting what they deserved. The ending with the Twins left an excellent cliffhanger. I will see if there will be a Season 2.

Usually, I would discuss the OSTs, but since there are only two, I won't. I will be giving Pyramid Game an A for being one that kept pulling me back, wanting to know what was going to happen next and see what the characters would be doing next. I can't wait to see another Bona show and my next drama, so look out for that. I'll see you all next time in another review.

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WAAY BETTER THAN SQUID GAME!

Indeed, as the title aptly suggests, this series is a cut above the rest, even surpassing the likes of the globally acclaimed ‘Squid Game’. For those who are aficionados of anime, the name ‘Classroom of the Elite’ would certainly ring a bell. This series, in its essence, resonates with the same vibes that ‘Classroom of the Elite’ exudes.

It’s like a wild roller-coaster ride full of cliffhangers. Seriously, the production quality is top-notch, and the actors? Wow, they’re just amazing.

Overall, the series leaves no stone unturned in ensuring viewer satisfaction. The superior production quality, the stellar performances by the actors, and of course, the enchanting Original Sound Track (OST) that we all hold dear, collectively contribute to making this series a must-watch.

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It was surprisingly good!

A group of students engage in an hierarchical game where they vote for eachother and are graded in groups of ABCD and then F for the person who fails to get any votes...this person then becomes a victim of consensual bullying by the other members especially those in the top grades.....Our female lead becomes a victim to this bullying after she transfers schools and lands in grade F for not having any votes......and right there and then we witness her slowly learn about the rules of the game and how it has affected the students relationships and even the students psychology or mental health...things heat up when she discovers that the person who made the game is one of their class mates...and that's when the story heats off as she tries to get her classmates on her side in order for them to destroy the game....these students are placed in a psychological warfare with one another as they try to find a way to get rid of the game.

I loved the premise of this drama and I must say it's execution was done in a way that felt really entertaining and Intriguing to me as a watcher.

What did I loved about the show?

I loved the acting...I loved how every one delivered in terms of acting I was told that it was an acting debut for the girl who played the villain of the show and Iam suprised by how good she was..her micro eye expressions and body language always gave me chills...in addition to Bona our female lead who out did her self.....the support characters also did an amazing job.

I loved the way the characters were written most especially the main female lead and the villain of the show..I love how these characters mirrored eachother in terms of strengths and determination and strategies but what differentiated them was the fact that one was using them for good and the other for bad....I love how smart these two characters were made on top of being manipulative and strategists....I loved how the main female lead was a smart planner she did everything after giving it much thought and that made her character stand out for me...I enjoyed her inner monologues since they gave us an idea on what her plans were....either way she was smart and easy to root for......the other characters also blended in perfectly since they all had different personalities which added to the charm of the series.

I loved the story pacing which didn't seem fast nor slow but just alright and it kept me invested both physically and emotionally...it was an intense yet really satisfying and emotional ride.

I loved the osts and background music that added to the intensity of the different scenes....the osts gave me goosebumps especially the opening intro ost that hyped me up for the drama.

I loved the finale and how it wrapped up most of the things in a way that didn't feel rushed but rather they took time off to answer questions arroused and also tied up the different stories of the different characters...it felt satisfying and rewarding.

I loved most of everything about this drama to be honest..it might not have been the most perfectly written but it was entertaining nonetheless.

What I didn't like about it was the fact that it was too short...it ended sooner than I wanted it too but at the same time Iam glad the number of episodes were enough to introduce the story delve into it and then finale conclude it.

Do I recommend this?

YES, If you are looking for a short yet brilliantly written and thrilling drama.

Note: There are scenes of violence and they can be disturbing but they lessen with every episode so you don't have to worry about them being many.....

It's a good and entertaining watch!

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PERFECTION

This drama served in every department. Acting, production, ost, story, just everything was outstanding. I was already hyped for this because I loved the Webtoon and because of Bona being the main lead and somehow I was still shocked by how much I loved this. Whoever did the casting I want to thank you because this cast really was able to bring this amazing story to life. I was so pleasantly surprised by the acting in this show, some of the best acting I've seen in a while, even from the rookie actresses. Jang Da-Ah especially shocked me. I was initially worried about her first role being such a huge and complex one but wow she really brought the crazy that was needed for Harin. I love how the cast is full of women. Bona has impressed me in every single role but Suji has to be her best role yet, the way she portrayed this character was spot on and no one could do it as good as she did. I love how Suji isn't perfect and isn't always morally correct, we need more flawed main characters (that are still likable). One detail I loved throughout the story was the similarities the side characters would point out between Suji and Harin, the protagonist and antagonist. These similarities are so important because yes these characters are similar but have completely different end goals. I was also pleasantly surprised that they were so open with Eunjeong and Yerim's story. They made their feelings for each other more explicit than the webtoon. In conclusion, definitely one of my favorite K-Dramas ever and also the K-Drama that got me back into K-Dramas. I hope there will be a season 2 as they did end with a cliffhanger and a new cast member that I am very excited to see added to this already amazing cast.

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