K-lover61
UK
Super powers, but not for kids (18+)
March 2024
This story started really well. I loved the characters, was captivated and felt the balance between the every day and violent action, was good.
However, as the episodes progressed, that changed and the violence intensified more and more.
Episode 11 was my breaking point. I actually had to skip through a fight scene, purely because it was way too relentless. This is something I very rarely ever do, for any reason.
The younger characters and the actors that portrayed them, were fabulous. I felt invested in their wellbeing and especially loved Bong-seok and Hee-soo, the former having the cutest smile and sweetest personality.
The adult characters and actors were not a broad mix. They were either goodies or baddies, even though that was actually dependent on perspective.
The story flits, a lot, between various key events in the past and present, from the lives of each of the characters. Sometimes I found this waring. For the depth of the stories from the past, I actually think the drama would have been better being told chronologically. Each time I got into an event, its time period and its characters, it would switch again.
There are some really vile officials in this and human life appears to hold little value for any of them. There is also High School bullying, which is ignored by other students (through fear I hoped to myself, not apathy) and ineffective teachers who dealt with it appallingly. It made my blood boil and, honestly, I'm sick and tired of seeing it, even if it was part of some plan. Name calling, a bit of pushing and shoving, is one thing, but the level I see in so many K-dramas, that has no recourse, or the wrong party gets blamed, and punished, is too much. It's inappropriate in stories with a modern setting, too.
There is also misogyny; plus one character is actually called 'Idiot', a lot, with even his episode titled that. The character wasn't an idiot. I found that offensive, to be honest and was unhappily surprised by it. A big no-no for me, again, this being a drama in a modern setting (fantasy or not; that's irrelevant).
Now and then the plot also went a little askew, because I don't think the writer knew a way around that, or simply got lost.
There were lovely, light and funny scenes, but as said, not enough of them later on. Prolonged violence and threat, with no let-up, is not my thing, it turns out.
However, I liked the idea of the story. The lack of choice or power, to not follow the orders or bidding of others, shown to be felt by both sides, was a bit different. I loved the cast and the soundtrack too. It had a high budget feel and the SFX were very good.
I thought the ending as a whole was OK; the happenings of S1 were tied up and I enjoyed the pre-credits closing scenes (more follow after the credits, too ).
If they decide to make another series, I'd watch it; but I'll be hoping it won't be as intense and heavy going for lengthy periods, without a break, as this one was at times.
This story started really well. I loved the characters, was captivated and felt the balance between the every day and violent action, was good.
However, as the episodes progressed, that changed and the violence intensified more and more.
Episode 11 was my breaking point. I actually had to skip through a fight scene, purely because it was way too relentless. This is something I very rarely ever do, for any reason.
The younger characters and the actors that portrayed them, were fabulous. I felt invested in their wellbeing and especially loved Bong-seok and Hee-soo, the former having the cutest smile and sweetest personality.
The adult characters and actors were not a broad mix. They were either goodies or baddies, even though that was actually dependent on perspective.
The story flits, a lot, between various key events in the past and present, from the lives of each of the characters. Sometimes I found this waring. For the depth of the stories from the past, I actually think the drama would have been better being told chronologically. Each time I got into an event, its time period and its characters, it would switch again.
There are some really vile officials in this and human life appears to hold little value for any of them. There is also High School bullying, which is ignored by other students (through fear I hoped to myself, not apathy) and ineffective teachers who dealt with it appallingly. It made my blood boil and, honestly, I'm sick and tired of seeing it, even if it was part of some plan. Name calling, a bit of pushing and shoving, is one thing, but the level I see in so many K-dramas, that has no recourse, or the wrong party gets blamed, and punished, is too much. It's inappropriate in stories with a modern setting, too.
There is also misogyny; plus one character is actually called 'Idiot', a lot, with even his episode titled that. The character wasn't an idiot. I found that offensive, to be honest and was unhappily surprised by it. A big no-no for me, again, this being a drama in a modern setting (fantasy or not; that's irrelevant).
Now and then the plot also went a little askew, because I don't think the writer knew a way around that, or simply got lost.
There were lovely, light and funny scenes, but as said, not enough of them later on. Prolonged violence and threat, with no let-up, is not my thing, it turns out.
However, I liked the idea of the story. The lack of choice or power, to not follow the orders or bidding of others, shown to be felt by both sides, was a bit different. I loved the cast and the soundtrack too. It had a high budget feel and the SFX were very good.
I thought the ending as a whole was OK; the happenings of S1 were tied up and I enjoyed the pre-credits closing scenes (more follow after the credits, too ).
If they decide to make another series, I'd watch it; but I'll be hoping it won't be as intense and heavy going for lengthy periods, without a break, as this one was at times.
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