t is a very unique drama that really needs to be appreciated. It was a big step to produce a full-length drama tackling about different mental health disorders. This drama is very psych-heavy but I guess people need to be aware of these disorders too. They need proper treatment and not judgement. The story is a bit cliche but they really added a unique touch to it. Since this Psych-themed drama shows how their thoughts run in their minds, I love how they portray these thoughts using animation and exaggeration (for differentiation from reality). People with mental health disorders might not be able to distinguish reality from their imaginations, thoughts, or fantasies, but the people around them could. We should show them that we understand them and we care for them (Just like how Gang Tae does it). It's good that they get treatment. I just wish Mun Yeong will also get treated. I know her character will still develop so let's wait for it. However, we must not romanticize her inappropriate actions. She has anti-social personality disorder which make her not being able to distinguish between right and wrong. This must not be tolerated and Gang Tae is doing a great job correcting her. This is still ongoing but it already made us feel different emotions. It's good that people are becoming more aware of different mental health issues and the triggers that can be associated with it. Thank you, It's Okay To Not Be Okay :)

Read More

The opening starts with an intensity that I’d argue most dramas don’t have. Many dramas lead you in with a slow and sluggish start or start off fast and decline, however this is one of a kind. It had me gripping my seat every week as the story unfolded.

What I love about this is that it keeps you guessing at every turn, analyzing each characters perspectives as well as their actions. So detail oriented that you can’t miss anything otherwise you miss a clue. What makes this show so eerie is the facial expressions, and the impending suspense that you get from them.

Read More

Itaewon Class is a beautiful well drawn out drama. It's not a masterpiece, it's not perfect, but it still continue to be interesting and enjoyable.

Most people hate it because their hate stem from their dislike to the female lead. You will see despicable phrases to describe her, but don't worry it's not true or entirely true. They completely wiped out all other parts of her character as if those qualities don't exist. The writer is a pro. Now the writer may lack focused on other areas (nobody is perfect), but do you really believe the writer will make his FL so despicable? You see only a few people hate our female lead (if all the people who view this drama positively were to comment, not a single negative comment will be visible in succession). Don't worry about what they say about the FL, she is fine.

Anyway what do I like about this drama?
1. Story Flow. In the first episode, I already knew I was going to love this drama. Itaewon Class is well paced and keeps you interested.

2. Acting. Everyone in importance did super well. There's something about Park Seo Joon that's really captivating haha, I think the answer is he's so good at acting and at the same time maintain this air of charm. And thanks to this show, I get to see a new talented face: Kim Dami. She's pretty amazing. And of course our villains, they were awfully good at being evil.

3. Characters. We have a wide range of characters that reflect society to some degree. There are interesting leads with touching backstories/thoughts/actions that makes you care about them. Realistically, in life not everyone in a relationship are good saint like people. Even the people who had bad attitudes based on the environment they grew up in can eventually change and find love. All kinds of people exist in this world, and for Itaewon Class to show a quite opposite female lead was refreshing and interesting.

4. A bonus: Devoted Lover Character. We got FL who is devoted to the morally path ML. Who doesn't want a person who love them a lot (but will try to respect your values (assuming you are a moral person) as long as you say it)? And kinda cool, but there's like a direct opposite relationship. I guess you could say there's one other character A who is devoted to another character B, but character B is not morally path.

5. Cinematography. The shots are beautiful. You will be well fed.

6. Music. We got a lot. The musics are really good too and served their purpose well.

What I don't like about this drama?
1. Villains. I'm just not buying some of their characteristics that the author implanted to them because based on their history/achievements/orlackofachievements it just doesn't seem plausible. But I realized in the end there is a chance for the villain to become that way, it's just that it wasn't a high chance imo...so maybe if the chance was higher (by adding more compelling reasons or showing that a reason was compelling), I would accept it more.

2. Some weird meetings. character A meets character B, but if you think about it character B could have denied the invitation but why did character B accept the invitation or why was character B not notified of the invitation or be surprised???...idk so it's kinda like forced meeting by the writer.

3. That one plot device. The author made a certain event too easy to occurred, that it doesn't seem realistic. Without spoiling: at the end of episode 15.

However, I really like the drama overall, so I can overlook these things.

What I wished was included (but it does not affect my rating)?
1. expand the episodes to 18. The pacing will still be the same, with the ending of episode 16 occurring in episode 18, but I want more scenes of interactions between characters and of course between our leads. I believe in their character development, but adding more scenes will create a stronger foundation. And like I said about the villains, make a bit more scenes to explain why they're so twisted because I'm not really buying it. idk maybe I'm not supposed to understand the villain because their mind are twisted and that's why this don't affect my rating.

Read More