Not bad, but not great sequel

I enjoyed S1 and had hoped the incomplete story of Ji-hyuk's past might have been expanded on, but sadly, whilst very lightly touched on, it wasn't at all.
I like the characters and Do-chang's sister was a much more pleasant person this time around.
Eun-hye has settled and whilst her past rears its unpleasant head, she is as mature and strong as ever. A very likeable girl.
The main story sees Ji-hyuk, Do-chang and the team once again struggling against a wealthy, powerful family (whose business is the backbone of the S.Korean economy), to put to rest a previously covered up shocking assault and latterly, murder. Of course, the family's influence is widespread ~ most will know what that means.
There are several other, quite unpleasant, murders that the team must also solve and similar to S1, they have to overcome attempts to apportion blame for unlinked events, to those perpetrators.
I actually preferred S1. I felt this time around the story was quite laboured and I lost interest and concentration on a few occasions. Usually, I would rewind to keep up with the plot, but tbh, that wasn't necessary for me with this and I don't believe I missed anything important; especially as I was still able to keep up with the storyline.
It isn't a bad watch and the casts' portrayal of their characters feels natural. The story, though, has been done before and I felt it was too similar to S1 in many ways, with nothing exceptional to match or add to it.

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Gritty but ultimately disappointing

Not sure whether this was made to shock more than thrill and have us biting our nails. That's how it turned out for me and the shock wasn't, sadly, in a compelling storyline, but the fact it is very different from the vast majority of K-dramas, with sex, nudity, swearing and sex talk.
Sadly the sex scenes felt too unnatural and gratuitous in several instances.
I found the plot very disjointed and one particular, very vulnerable, character's actions had me losing all sympathy for her situation and totally lost credibility. Utterly stupid decision making.
The Shamen was.... ??? Really, like, what was her purpose.
The police were a waste of space and screen time; inept and utterly useless.
The actions of supporting characters with the aforementioned vulnerable character in some latter episodes, were frankly unbelievable and totally ruined those scenes for me.
By the end, I was not at all surprised at how weirdly it was left.
The cast were very good (only reason this gets a 6 overall from me), but the story could have been so much more.
I would not watch this again.

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Enjoyable but underwhelming watch

I watched this as a filler and when the mood took; I enjoyed it, but it didn't make me want to binge the entire programme over other series.
Nice cast, with lively acting from the younger members.
For me, the drama encompasses adults (in parents and staff) that have regrets, missed opportunities and haven't always done the right thing, but through a team that refuse to give up when they look beaten, come good.
There is some intrigue around one character too, which added some mystery in earlier episodes.
The son who initially thought badminton a lesser sport (with a surprise for his team mates), was a character I liked; he grew through the episodes and his rough, surly exterior, belied a caring character.
A pleasant watch and heart warming at times, it did also drag on occasion. I did find it unrealistic how the main family's children were often left to their own devices and initially I actually thought they didn't even have a mother! Slightly bizarre.
Whilst not one I'd watch again, I don't regret having done so, as the young cast really did carry this story.

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Action and revenge

Loved the cast and characters; all the females were strong, no nonsense, smart and independent, ranging from truly wicked and heartless, to tough on the outside, soft on the inside.
I loved Do Bae-man's Auntie, Do Soo-kyung, brilliantly represented by Kang Mal-geum who often gave her mature character a feel of youthfulness.
This is an unusual drama, as it spans military, political and corporate crime.
There is all the usual scheming, intrigue, manipulation, abuse of power and threat.
It is a cleverly put together plot, very entertaining and gripping, though heavily fiction orientated, so if you want true to life, you might find many faults.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and really liked Ahn Bo-hyun and Jo Bo-ah together.
There is a tiny bit of romance (fitting I thought), but this is very much a revenge drama.
The character that I thought went through the biggest transformation was Noh Tae-nam; used by everyone, including his own mother, left to his own devices, totally lacking any moral compass or compassion (what happens when no love, direction or guidance have ever been provided), all his wrong doings covered up, selfish and repulsive.
However, I couldn't believe that by the end I actually felt for him and even liked him.
There is plenty of action, but also

**a nasty sexual assault case and also some quite distressing scenes of bullying in the Army**, which could affect some viewers.

There are some very moving moments too.
Nicely concluded as well, with no question marks or loose ends.
P.S. even though the actual Doberman, Bolt, wasn't in a huge amount, he stole the scenes he was in, completely ?

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A favourite trope. Loved it

Enemies to lovers is nothing new and with the usual short number of episodes (at least they were longer than 10 minutes), I went in with low expectations....
Well! What a turnabout.
A surprising amount of story, which flowed really well, was packed into those 8x25-min episodes.
Humour, candour, realism (to a point ~ I did wonder how a student was able to just make up their timetable as they went along... but hey, it is a drama ?), feels and a very likeable couple. Just what I wanted to watch.
I loved the whole cast, thought the acting was very natural and professional, loved the characters (especially Jae-young's peer, Yu-na) and could happily have watched more.
S.Korean gay romance dramas are certainly going in the right direction; one half of the leads in this is bi, too, which makes a change.
Very enjoyable.

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Surprising angle on a drama based on suicide prevention

I will be honest; I was not grabbed by the first couple of episodes, but as the drama progressed, I enjoyed it more and more.
The subject matter is not an easy topic to work into a drama in which it's also the main focus. One would expect it to become overly sentimental, depressing, or down right unwatchable for 16 episodes.
However, it was nothing like that. Yes, there were very sad moments, but also giggles, warmth, hope and a message.
It did occasionally get a little too sentimental for me personally, but overall I found the subject dealt with in a way that made me ponder and not feel smothered in grief or misery.
Many messages can be taken from this series. A biggie for me, is that people often cover up their depression or misery.
It made me think that people struggle, to varying degrees, some every day of their lives. It can take one day of an accumulation of those struggles, during which, just one more bad word, experience of bullying, disrespect or unkindness, could potentially push them to the point of no return.
Suicide was not romanticized nor sugar coated; those judging it as wicked or cowardly, were confronted on those views. It did attempt to show that life is precious, actions have consequences and reaching out to people, or asking for help, can make a difference.
Some of the stories were better than others and several really touched me.
I liked the inclusion of the Crisis Management Team's stories; how the mystery between Park Sang-hoon and Koo Ryeon was introduced and then ran in the background, culminating in the final episodes.
The acting was pretty good overall and, as always, Lee Soo-hyuk's mannerisms, 'eye acting' and overall presence, were it for me.
Rowoon acted his character well; the young, naive and idealistic temp new addition to the team (I did get irritated with how he never took notice of instructions though).
Yun Ji-on was great, giving the right balance of a bit odd with kind of vulnerable/alone and I found his character the most fascinating and intriguing.
Kim Hee-seon was mostly good too, but at times I found her a bit stiff, like her whole body, as though she wasn't relaxed in the role.
I LOVE actress Kim Hae-sook and her character, the Jade Emperor; I'd not seen her in a role like that before.
I thought the latter eps were the best and would encourage anyone struggling with it early on, to persevere ~ I'm glad I did.

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As Great as the First Time I Watched It

I know tastes differ and respect other's opinions, but I honestly don't get this whole "it's an idol drama" thing, which I see in a lot of other reviews, at all.
It has a large cast, with some much loved and excellent other main and supporting cast actors. Out them all, only 3 are idols and 2 of those are also credited actors.
Whilst set in an actual Korean kingdom (Silla) and Hwarang being an actual organisation, the drama is not serious, nor is it based on any actual events.
There is a lot of wit (it really makes me laugh), plus plotting, camaraderie, romance, action, intrigue and tears.
The characters are made up of fun, nasty, sad and dark ones. The acting fits the script, which I think is very good, and overall concept.
I love the entire cast and it felt like they had a good time making it.
It is not deep, meaningful, historically accurate or serious; it's what it's meant to be, very entertaining.
The only thing that irritated me, was how often, as the episodes progressed, Ah-ro would cry. She was a confident, principled, feisty, warm and witty character, yet once she fell for Moo Myung, she seemed to cry at the drop of a hat!
I watched it years ago and just finished my second viewing. It made me laugh and cry all over again; as fresh and fun as the first time I viewed it. Plus, unusually for me, definitely one I know I will watch again and again.
Fabulous.

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A feast for the eyes and ears

It really was a drama with a magical feel, containing eye popping set moments and, of course, a very attractive lead male cast.
The story is a definite, quite sharp dig, at the S.Korean culture of many parents pushing their kids academically (at the cost of their childhoods), being fixated with 'powerful' jobs and their associated higher earnings, and moulding kids even if they don't fit. All at the risk, or cost, of their mental health.
The acting is fitting and the characters mixed, with one female being truly slappable.
The story gets far darker than the trailers and look of the drama depict, with a very unpleasant character in a thriller/crime element of the story.
It wasn't perfect and some aspects had me scratching my head; but, I was captivated and thoroughly enjoyed the singing in this musical, too. Ji Chang-wook is very talented, even though he doesn't always pick roles that make his talents shine.
Worth watching.

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Comical shenanigans

Very pleasing cast, who all threw themselves into their roles and seemed to have fun making this film.
Perhaps it was a lack of concentration early on, but I found the start a little confusing at times. I also couldn't work out how a main character changed their location so suddenly, a little later on, too.
On these occasions I felt scenes were inconsistent and I thought I'd missed something.
The early part of the film was, for me, a bit slapstick, although those kind of laughs were used more sparingly, in latter scenes.
The SFX were at times a little hit and miss, yet at others very good.
Overall, it's a bit of fun and I did laugh. If taken for what it is; a flamboyant, haphazard, swashbuckling adventure with some giggles, then it's an enjoyable, even if imperfect, watch.

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Not a fluffy romance and a different take on a different era

I binged this sageuk drama in less than 2 days, as I just got hooked.
I liked the fact it's based on real historical figures, even though the plot was largely fictional.
Fine cast and very good acting. Considering the vast majority of the drama took place within the palace walls, or immediately outside it, I felt the sets were wonderful and it gave a sense of how it must have been for those never allowed to leave.
This isn't a fluffy story at all. Whilst there are many light moments, the latter episodes contain tragedy and heartbreak.
The inner workings of palace politics, the personal maids and servants, tied for life to the King, who has total power and control over their lives, has been portrayed many times in sageuk dramas, but in Red Sleeve, possibly for the first time, I really felt like I got a glimpse into how hard and terrifying life could have been for anyone working close to the King; especially women.
In this instance, the ability to possess what one wishes, regardless, is taken advantage of. Though love is reciprocal, the effect this has on a previously bright, opinionated and free thinking character, I found so sad.
A King who in reality did a lot to reform policies at the time, but was overshadowed by his bi-polar, paranoid father, who was remembered for causing the deaths of a large number of his servants ~ although as the drama portrays, he and others felt Crown Prince Sado was purposely driven to madness.
At the end of the day, the King forced his will on the woman he loved, even though she'd explained why she didn't want to be his concubine.
A fated love story and not an easy ride. A little laboured at times, but overall a powerful watch. You might need tissues.

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Stories revolve around Jang Nara's exorcist character and Jung Yong-hwa's con-man character, who team up once she realises he's actually pyschic too, to help free vengeful spirits from properties people then want them to sell.
The different stories are often touching and pretty mixed.
There's also the mystery surrounding her own mother and Yong-hwa's character's past too.
A gangster property developer and shrouded memories all add to the mix.
It's fun, dark at times and an entertaining watch, with a good cast.
A little more on the romance front would not have gone amiss.

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Incredibly complex at times, this disturbing crime thriller goes all round the houses and then some.
I recommend paying close attention to all the various characters from the very first episode onwards, otherwise it is easy to get lost or confused about what's happening with who, later on.
Varied characters (though most are damaged through traumas), occasional humour and a dark plot with some real shocks along the way.
The story kicks off with the discovery of a DNA marker that characterises whether a baby will be born a psychopath. Testing is done on the pregnant mother and if detected a debate rages as to whether an abortion should be mandatory. It's argued that the difference between the psychopath and genius genes are so small that it's hard to differentiate.
The ethical consequences of this are very thought provoking. Where it takes the story is also very disturbing.
What isn't touched on is the fact not all psychopaths become murderers, let alone serial killers and for me, that made this drama quite judgemental.
Various tragic events in childhood tie many characters together, although they are unaware at first.
There is a lot of blood and violence at times, which occasionally felt a bit OTT or for shock value. The crimes of various psychopathic and mentally disturbed characters are pretty unpleasant, including children and animals. Not for the easily upset or squeamish.
I found this a gripping drama for the most part, but it really is very convoluted at times.
The relationships between characters are pretty realistic to a point, although how people seem able to stroll in and out of other people's homes and places meant to be secure, with such ease at times, isn't.
Very recognisable cast, who do a great job, my favourites being P.O, Jo Jae-yoon, Kwon Hwa-woon, Ahn Jae-wook, Kim Young-ok and all the main cast.
There is romance, but very low key and a lifeline in one respect.
Whilst it doesn't exactly glamorise serial killers, I felt it did try to make viewers sympathetic towards one, but given their cruelty, I honestly found it hard.
How Go Moo-chi kept his job as a detective is beyond me, to be honest, as he hits the Soju hard when grief stricken and spends a lot of time so full of hate and anger, it blinds him.
There are several times when characters are not listened to, either because of age or intelligence, which was frustrating.
I also really don't like this thing many S.Korean dramas have, of blighting children with the sins of their family ~ it's really distasteful and I see it a lot.
Some parts of the plot I just didn't get though, like why 2 mums appear to swap their babies... just couldn't figure that out at all.
Once all main eps are watched, there is an additional fun one featuring main cast members that also includes an alternative ending to the drama, plus 2 further episodes showing past scenes (in a confusingly jumbled up order though) with the unmasked serial killer's perspective central to them.
Whilst very messy at times, it's still a pretty good watch.

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Stiff (not just the corpses)

As with S1, I like the idea of the storyline, but at times, it's just too far fetched.
Also like S1, the killer is revealed slowly, before he's caught, so we know who the main bad guy is, well before the end.
I like Jang Hyuk as an actor, but Lee Jin Wook filled his shoes pretty well, with a character far more quiet and detached, with not a few personal problems.
The serial killer this time, whilst equally formidable, is not as evil or scary as Mo Tae Goo (he was the devil incarnate), but chilling nevertheless.
Again though, it gets very far fetched at times and there are real weak areas in the plot.
There were still some surprises too though and it's as violent as the first.
I did feel that at times some actors were literally just reciting the words, as on occasion their acting became stunted and kind of uncomfortable.
Unlike S1, this one will lead into S3, so I can't really comment on the overall ending, which left us in no doubt of more instalments.
I will watch the next one, but hope that the dialogue and realism will improve.

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