Riveting

April 2024
The Worst of Evil, 18+, 2023, 12eps, Disney+
Synopsis and cast attached.

Very intense, violent and multi-layered drama with excellent pace, characters and acting. The script was intelligent and apart from 1 character's antics, very believable.

A stubborn, relentless, but 'good' police officer (Ji Chang-wook), with a no nonsense and short fused personality, goes deep undercover. Watching how his personality changes with almost every episode, is often an uncomfortable and anxious watch.

The rules by which organisations operate, whether they be gangsters or the establishment, are all basically for totally selfish reasons, although often disguised as being for the good of others, or a better life.

It comes across strongly in this, how just about everyone uses others, or gets used, purely to meet their own agendas. Characters are incredibly fickle, with making and holding on to money and power, plus kudos, being the nr.1 motivators.

There are lots of links between characters, with some being quite a surprise. There is a weird, but unstoppable, connection and bond between the main characters, as they are forced to cover the backs of their targets, yet also find themselves being protected and trusted by them. This impacts on outcomes, in so many ways.

I found that the most irritating, vile, and stuck-in-the-70s character, was Detective Hwang Min-gu, excellently played by Yoon Gyung-ho. I absolutely detested him! A real bullying sleaze ball! Why his character was allowed to constantly get in the way and jeopardise such an important international police investigation, was beyond me.

He was subtle as a brick and openly turned up at scenes already under surveillance. Yet at no point did any higher ups reign in him or transfer him out of the way, until the operation was concluded. I found that ridiculous.

The ending was conclusive and not surprising at all to me, but was confusing in one pretty major aspect. I did not understand JCW's behaviour at all and say why further on.

An exciting watch and whilst not something I'd see again, it certainly captivated and entertained me.


** SPOILER AHEAD **


The part that confused me, was Jun-mo shooting Gi-cheol, rather than letting him kill himself, as he was about to do. If Jun-mo had shot him in the arm, shoulder, or anywhere else, to incapacitate and prevent him from shooting himself in the head, I could have understood it; but not shooting to kill him. It seemed pointless and actually turned it into murder.

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Not happy with assumptions around suicide

March 2024. Watched Parts 1 & 2 together on Prime

I thought the casting for this was incredible. So many actors I love, in one drama, was frankly too good to be true and the acting was, predictably, great.

I really enjoyed the ways in which events began to expose a troubling connection. It wasn't obvious what that was to be, however, and even when revealed, was still far from final.

There are shocks, tragedies, grief, unfairness, manipulation and the old favourite, money and power.

The struggles are real and I don't think anyone could blame Choi Yi-jae. Having said that, there were numerous times his character didn't speak up, or did some truly stupid things; where his mother was concerned, especially. It numbed my mind.

There were also moments of brilliance in the plot though, but it did vere sharply between that and "What?!", at times.

Apart from Seo In-guk, I absolutely loved Kim Jae-wook, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Do-hyun and Kim Mi-kyung in this. None of them overacted and given LJW's part, he could have. His scenes were the most visceral for me.
Nice seeing LJW and Yoo In-soo acting together again, although in vastly different roles to Alchemy of Souls.

I do wish the story had focussed less on Yi-jae as being cruelly punished and more on his realisations, growing determination and self-worth, through the trials, as being healing. Those are positive lessons to drive home.

However, I found myself getting incredibly angry at times, because instead, to me, it really felt like they were saying suicide is a selfish choice, made with no regard for those left behind and should be a punishable act.

Selfish? Perhaps that is true, but only to a point. The reason being, it is a decision very, very rarely made by someone in a normal state of mind. Suicide isn't something a happy, mentally stable, rational person, would commit.
If life has become painful, terrifying, utterly hopeless, everything else becomes irrelevant in that person's mind. Death is, indeed, no longer frightening, but an escape.
So why portray it as though it was (is) done as a normal, conscious decision, with no care for loved ones? In that frame of mind, rationality has long departed, together with being concerned about the impact on others.
Were they trying to send a message, due to the frighteningly high number of suicide cases in S.Korea? I sincerely hope not, because it's cruel (especially to those left behind) and it's wrong.

The ending was totally perplexing, to me, for one huge reason... for time to have been reversed so Yi-jae is back on the ledge before jumping, means everything that happened originally, to that point, still happened.
Therefore, without his influence and knowledge as the soul in all those bodies, the crimes committed by Park Tae-woo and Jeong Gyu-cheol would go unsolved and continue happening.

Whilst I enjoyed the many actors, characters and their stories, the plot, therefore, fell a little short and I wasn't happy, at all, with the unkind assumptions made around suicide.
I haven't seen the webtoon of the same name that this is based on and, therefore, don't know how close to it this drama is.

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Unhappy about a couple of aspects

March 2024. Watched Parts 1 & 2 together on Prime

I thought the casting for this was incredible. So many actors I love, in one drama, was frankly too good to be true and the acting was, predictably, great.

I really enjoyed the ways in which events began to expose a troubling connection. It wasn't obvious what that was to be, however, and even when revealed, was still far from final.

There are shocks, tragedies, grief, unfairness, manipulation and the old favourite, money and power.

The struggles are real and I don't think anyone could blame Choi Yi-jae. Having said that, there were numerous times his character didn't speak up, or did some truly stupid things; where his mother was concerned, especially. It numbed my mind.

There were also moments of brilliance in the plot though, but it did vere sharply between that and "What?!", at times.

Apart from Seo In-guk, I absolutely loved Kim Jae-wook, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Do-hyun and Kim Mi-kyung in this. None of them overacted and given LJW's part, he could have. His scenes were the most visceral for me.
Nice seeing LJW and Yoo In-soo acting together again, although in vastly different roles to Alchemy of Souls.

I do wish the story had focussed less on Yi-jae as being cruelly punished and more on his realisations, growing determination and self-worth, through the trials, as being healing. Those are positive lessons to drive home.

However, I found myself getting incredibly angry at times, because instead, to me, it really felt like they were saying suicide is a selfish choice, made with no regard for those left behind and should be a punishable act.

Selfish? Perhaps that is true, but only to a point. The reason being, it is a decision very, very rarely made by someone in a normal state of mind. Suicide isn't something a happy, mentally stable, rational person, would commit.
If life has become painful, terrifying, utterly hopeless, everything else becomes irrelevant in that person's mind. Death is, indeed, no longer frightening, but an escape.
So why portray it as though it was (is) done as a normal, conscious decision, with no care for loved ones? In that frame of mind, rationality has long departed, together with being concerned about the impact on others.
Were they trying to send a message, due to the frighteningly high number of suicide cases in S.Korea? I sincerely hope not, because it's cruel (especially to those left behind) and it's wrong.

The ending was totally perplexing, to me, for one huge reason, which I can't actually say, because it would be a spoiler... unless all the things he went through were indeed part of an elaborate game and not 'real'... but then, he wouldn't have been standing on the ledge.

Whilst I enjoyed the many actors, characters and their stories, the plot fell a little short and I wasn't happy, at all, with the unkind assumptions made around suicide.
I haven't seen the webtoon of the same name that this is based on and, therefore, don't know how close to it this drama is.

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I need this shop, Seok and Go-bi, where I live!

Fenmb 2024
A very gentle, easy going, slow paced drama, centering very much on the daily comings and goings of a small, independent, traditional café with no gimmicks.
The story focuses on the growing friendship between the café owner and a young man who, once he falls for the coffee, the shop, plus the skills and knowledge of the owner, decides he wants to work there and become a skilled Barista.
Then there are the cafe's regular and very loyal customers too.
Added to this, each episode introduces a different, new customer, together with their own story.
I think many might find this drama too slow, but I thought it charming and nicely written.
The less mature attitude and different outlook of the student Barista, coupled with the experienced and set in his ways owner; the two actually learn from each other.
I loved the character of Kang Go-bi (played just right by Ong Seong-wu), whose impatience and low-key temper often get the better of him. He is quick to learn, however, from the more experienced Park Seok.
When another approach to and possible explanation for, customers' sometimes annoying behaviours are pointed out to him, he has no problem seeing his mistake, or their side of things and apologising, or reaching out.
He also instinctively feels when he's handled something less than well.
This is a perfect drama to watch in stages, possibly between more gritty and/or emotional ones, for a little respite.
A lovely cast too, with several favourite support actors turning up.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.... as I do my coffee :~q

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Romantic

Feb 2024
Not fast paced, but a gentle, quite emotional and different romance.
Sometimes saying what bothers us, when loved ones act selfishly, is the only way to prevent that happening again and again. On the other hand, that can be difficult if we are made to feel it will be perceived as controlling, or if we think it will drive the other away.
That doesn't imply a healthy relationship at all.
Such issues and more, are warmly faced up to in this rather lovely and very romantic drama.
Our 2 male leads are very attractive together and at times it felt like watching real life.
There are not many characters in this production, but those who are were so good.
I was kept engaged throughout, as the thoughtful yet simple plot slowly unfurled.
I would very happily watch this again.

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Quite stylish, very attractive, dreadful incidental music

Feb 2024
Quite choppy at times, when scenes cut back too suddenly to Lee Jun's Idol days. I never got what happened back then; was just LJ sacked, was the group itself not good enough, or did he choose to stop?
Even though several scenes were a little stiff, overall I thought this was a sweet and yet often quite mature drama. Whilst LJ was very unassuming, lacked confidence and was naive/innocent, Choi Jun was accomplished, confident and assertive.
I thought the chemistry between them was very good and both actors came across as comfortable and relaxed in their roles. Their kisses as they became a couple, were lovely, affectionate and natural.
In fact, refreshingly, the weaker portrayal of characters came not from the gay roles, but straight ones.
I really liked that there were no vicious, delusional or overly jealous characters. Often in gay dramas, at least one female part is mean, nasty, clingy and a total bitch. There was a tiny inkling of that at one point, but it went in a different direction, thank goodness.
I loved both the supporting characters of Song Hyun-jae and Simeon, plus the actors who played them.
In fact the whole main cast were good.
It was a sweet watch, with one memorably funny scene that was also mature in its content.
I particularly liked that no big deal was made of being gay. It was a romance; 2 people, both eventually being deeply attracted to each other and going for it.
A really enjoyable watch with a very attractive cast. Keep this standard up, SK and start making them longer with more in-depth stories, please!

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Clever but became too much so at times

Feb 2024
Corporate shenanigans, with a greedy, power crazy Director using accounting, company law and number crunching to realise a shocking dream.

Opposing him are characters out for revenge and others closer to home.

Loved the cast and the characters were a decent mix. No whiney, ineffective, needy females either. All are intelligent and their own women.

It was a gripping story, intelligently written and presented, although towards the end there were some, frankly, ridiculous scenarios.

There is some action, but most of it centres around trying to stay one step ahead using brains not brawn. There are times that focus becomes too heavy and tedious.

Not the most satisfying of endings at all, with the usual message that corruption and worst, can be buried by money and power, which should be totally unacceptable, not the other way around.

Whilst this story was concluded to a point, the ending has left a door ajar, should a S2 ever be considered.

It was OK overall and whilst I wouldn't watch it again, the excellent cast and the plot, did keep me engaged.

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Gripping

Feb 2024
Long awaited S2 picks up 8 years after the story of S1 closes. As well as cast changes, there are new characters and a shift in the dynamic of some main characters from S1.

I loved S1 and was really disappointed when it was revealed that Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won would not be reprising their roles in S2.

However, I have to say that Lee Joong-ki, who took on the dual roles of Eun-som/Sa-ya, was really good and easily filled SJK's sandals.

I like actress Shin Sae-kyong, but didn't think she portrayed Tan-ya quite as well as KJW did; the latter gave the role more depth and feeling, I thought.

The story is fast on action and there are some very emotional and violent scenes, just like in S1. A thirst for absolute power, built on a foundation of deceit, and madness fuelled by paranoia, make for a riveting watch.

I loved it almost as much as S1 and would happily sit through both, in one long binge, in the not too distant future!

I think the ending fits with the feudal times of the setting, but some might not agree.

My favourite race remained the Neanthals.

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Bit all over the place

Feb 2024
Bit of a romp, with a pretty bloodthirsty side, a naive-romantic side and a slapstick-style comedic side too. That mix didn't always work together.
Really liked OK Taec-yeon and Kim Hye-yoon as a pair; very cute. Refreshing to have such a positive, practical, smart and opinionated LF role in a period drama, who often took the initiative.
In fact the majority of women in this were strong; no 'princesses'.
Lots of fun, annoying, wicked and some barking mad, characters, join them. I thought Ra Yi-eon's long suffering Grandma was pretty funny.
It did go all around the houses on occasion (and then some), with a few aspects of the story becoming a bit laboured. There aren't multiple crimes being investigated, but one overall mystery that once Yi-eon gets his teeth into it, becomes a huge can of worms.
Plenty of manipulation and there were also a couple of quite moving scenes, too, which were well done.
I liked that some just deserts were visited upon some of the worst characters, although what became of one, I wasn't sure.
Overall a pretty good watch, even though not perfect.

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Charming and frustrating and lovely

Finally got around to watching this and I totally fell for the simplicity, tenderness, even the frustration, of this lovely drama, which starts in 1994 and then jumps in years as the story plays out.

Jung Hae-in is a top actor for sure and is like a chameleon, adapting to seemingly any role, with ease. I like how his character in this, refuses to be defined by a key moment in his youth.

The role of Min-soo fit Kim Go-eun like a glove, too. The character was mature, forthright, open and outspoken, which I loved. That balanced JHI's role, who was trying to bury a part of his past, which leads to him often shutting her out.

It really is like fate, the heavens and everything in-between, is trying to scupper their future together.

There are no ridiculously mean, cruel or bitchy characters in this film, which for me, made a welcome change. There is drama and life dishing out some really bad luck, but it feels very normal and more like real life.

Misplaced loyalties, dark shadows, guilt, acceptance and love is the journey.

The story is made by the cast though, for sure. Well worth a watch.

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Saddle bags of action

January 2024
Loved it, from start to finish. Set in the 20s, with both Japanese and Chinese having a stake in ruling Korea. The main feud and emphasis of the action was with the former.

It bears no relation to fact and is an OTT action packed ride, but so good.

So much cannon fodder (actually showing that soldiers have to follow orders and not doing so in the midst of a battle, regardless of size, results in a shot to the head... that was reality and is for some present day soldiers), it can sometimes be a brutal watch and there are scenes of torture as well.

Korean turning against Korean, collaborators, traitors, opportunists, cowards, freedom fighters and bandits, they're all here. When there seems to be no tunnel, let alone a light at the end of it, this often shows humans at their worst. A tough end to the Joseon era.

With the mix of drama, action and humour, aspects really were reminiscent of classic Westerns and I couldn't help but think of the 1960 classic, The Magnificent 7, on occasion :~)

Kim Nam-gil is excellent as the slave turned soldier turned bandit, and the guilt he carries weighs heavy.

The supporting cast are great and Lee Hyun-wook, as the triple-sided character Lee Kwang-il, is really good.

I loved the main female characters in this, too. All very different, but all strong, intelligent and with balls! A great role for a favourite actress, Cha Chung-hwa.

Some laugh out loud moments, some very sad, some quieter and slower paced, but overall it's really about the action, as a fair few worms turn.

The OST was excellent, I thought, and fit really well.

Lots of articles about KNG 'looking favourably' on a return for S2... fingers very firmly crossed; although still waiting for Fiery Priest S2 as well! He's in demand and seems to, unfortunately, like making dramas that leave us hanging (Island is another).

A very enjoyable, if violent, watch.

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Fast and fun

December 2023
Wow! I love fantasy and action, which this has by the bucket full.

Very fast paced once the action starts (that doesn't take too long), violent, at times gory, but it gets away with it, as it's such comic hero stuff.

I loved the bizarre characters, the weird fashion of Yusuke and Kazuma (kind of 80s) and the quirky feel that J-dramas like this almost always have; I mean, a pacifier sucking Jnr God? Fabulous.

I read a lot of on-line Chinese fantasy novels and many include Beasts that can transform into human form, which are also in this, so really my thing.

Aspects (a gambling part especially), reminded me of Squid Game (or perhaps that should be the other way around, seeing as the Manga debuted in 1991 and the anime a year later), but only for that relatively small content.

The VFX are sometimes a little bumpy, but overall it's pretty good.

I just loved that it's fast, furious and fun. The 'hero', Urameshi Yusuki, is labelled a delinquent, but is a perfect example of attitude, and the book's cover, not representing the true story. People are quick to judge and lump people together (especially when in the negative, or different/more powerful, which leads to fear and hate) and that's certainly addressed here. Keiko, Yusuke's childhood friend, can certainly hold her own too and isn't the usual simpering female we often see in certain J-dramas.

I ended up besotted with the character Kurama / Minamino Shuichi (Shison Jun). Totally delicious!

At only 5 episodes, it's certainly worth a go. I wonder if there will be more.

(I've not read or seen them, but understand the manga and anime, sadly, got wrapped up quite suddenly in 1994, with less than satisfactory endings, due to affects the pressures put on the writer by his publishers, had on his health.)

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Feelgood series, perfect for Christmas viewing!

December 2023
First off, I like that Netflix has started calling one-off dramas that won't have a S2 or more, 'Limited'. As they seem to be pushing the western style of multiple series onto many K-dramas they make, it helps distinguish those made in the traditional K-drama format of 1 series (although they often seem to have fewer eps per series; 12 or even less, not 16).
I do wish they wouldn't mess with stuff!

So, on with the review :~)

I loved this; the cast were great and Park Eun-bin has yet to disappoint. I also loved both young actors (Moon Woo-jin and Lee Re) who portrayed younger versions of older main characters. Chae Jong Hyeop and Cha Hak Yeon were both a pleasure to watch, too.

It is very funny at times, but there are also moments of true angst and some tears.

Seriously far fetched, but it somehow gets away with that and I am sure it's totally down to PEB's acting and how she (and her young counterpart) portray the character stranded on an island, plus the other MCs and supporting cast.

The episodes flew by and the story is neatly told in the less-than-usual number of them; I'd have happily let it be stretched out for one or two more... I rarely say that!

Definitely worth watching, especially over Christmas, as it's such a feel-good series about having faith, self-belief, never giving up and staying true to one's self.

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Hell hath no fury....

Nov 2023

TW: Sexual assault, suicide references

Very fast paced, violent, bloody, with a couple of real "OH!!!" moments.

The background story is provided whilst playing out in the present. The character of the Ballerina in question, Min-hee, is sweet, quirky and never came across as weak, but an incident in her relatively young life proved too much.

I got a strong feeling that the seemingly lonely girl she befriended, Ok-ju, actually loved her. There was just something in the way she looked at her at times.

That friend, an ex bodyguard with no ties and seemingly nothing to lose, takes up a challenge left by her friend and, basically, WW3 breaks out not long after!

At its heart this is purely an action thriller, not deep or realistic. However, the seedier side of life that Min-hee gets tangled up in, over the last few years in S.Korea (and elsewhere), has proven to be all too real, in one form or another. That makes for a very uncomfortable and quite sickening watch at times.

In many ways it's also quite a satisfying watch, especially when the main characters are women who take no 5hit, are tough, capable and exceptionally determined.

My brain didn't even have time to register when things got OTT, because it was too busy being stunned!

Jeon Jong Seo, as the Best Friend, Jang Ok Ju, was superb. God she must be fit, as it was a very physical role. She rarely smiled, wasn't noisy or overly emotional, yet neither was she miserable, depressing or emotionless. Her immediate reaction to loss was very real to me.

Kim Ji Hoon, as Choi Pro, is an actor I've come to love. He is so much more than his looks and unlike many actors, isn't typecast, so when he appears, one doesn't know if he's friend or enemy. He has no qualms taking on really unpalatable characters, or sweeter, fluffy roles.

Whilst adding a little dark humour to proceedings, which I like, at the same time I found the weapons dealers suggested to Ok-ju by her ex-boss, to be a bit daft in terms of what they were offering; was her ex-boss trying to get her to fail?! It didn't sit right, even though it was amusing. Great supporting role for Kim Young-ok, however. I love this senior actress.

There were references to corrupt police and powerful people in this, but they were not seen or, more annoyingly, held accountable, as is too often the case in K-dramas and film. That, as usual, irritated me.

Overall, it felt like a very quick watch and, I felt, quite different in its story and vibe; but it certainly won't be for everyone.

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Tough and nail biting

Oct 2023
The very early episodes that lay the foundations for this very violent, gripping and fast paced drama, go from causing feelings of mild anxiousness to all out threat, fairly quickly.
It is not easy watching ordinary people being strong armed out of their livelihoods, all their savings and conned into crippling debts they'll never be able to repay.
The ferocity with which the strong-arm gangs operate is sickening. That people could do this to others, totally blows my mind (gang wars happen in real life).
We are then moved on to Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and his new found friend from boxing, Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), getting drawn ever deeper into conflict with the legitimate business fronted, highly successful and wealthy loan shark, Myung-gil (Park Sung-woong ~ always a brilliant villain).
The story sees them joining forces with someone whose past has a strong connection to Myung-gil. Then, together with characters involved with one another as veterans and members of the Marines (their military service), they decide they have no choice but to take him and his entire organisation, down.
The fight scenes are something else and the efforts both WDH and LSY must have gone to, to get as fit as they look in this, don't bear thinking about!
In terms of how characters are dealt with by the drama/writer, it reminded me of the early days of The Walking Dead... no one is safe and there are shocks aplenty. The sudden departure of one character in particular was very odd but might be to do with the actress.
Excellent writing, as some very witty dialogue and interactions pepper most episodes, which counters the angst and violence.
I love the cast and was really surprised to see Choi Siwan (didn't even realise he was in it), in a very different and [to me] surprising role for him.
Much of it is very OTT in terms of being a long way from what's possible, but, this is an action and justice/revenge drama, not a slice- of-real-life story or a documentary. It's entertainment and I loved it!
The ending held some shocks and I wasn't disappointed, but (why's there always a but?
;-D ), I would have loved to see some characters actually suffer the consequences of their disgusting deeds, and get legally punished by the system, with a nightmare life behind bars!
The most hateful character for me was In-beom, MG's muscle and right-hand man... what a mindless neanderthal. One of my favourites was the quirky and unflappable Oh Da-min, who makes her appearance in later episodes.
If the brutal treatment of others and quite high levels of threat are not for you, then the drama probably won't be either, but otherwise, it's a great and compact watch.

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