beatriz
over the rainbow
(I’LL WARN WHEN I INCLUDE SPOILERS!)
This was the most controversial drama I’ve ever watched. Controversial in the sense that I went from wanting to rate this 7.5 stars, to giving it 8.5 stars, and then 9 stars and finally settling on 9.5 stars (even though I feel like I might change this to 10 stars later, depending on how I digest it). When I was on episode 4, I read a review on mydramalist that gave 7.5 stars to the drama and listed this show’s flaws (mainly when it comes to the representation of North Korea). At the time, I agreed with that review and even commented that I was afraid my review and my rating would be similar. I also thought they were making this drama way too “pretty” and unrealistic, since it took place in such a scary and mysterious place, known for public executions and complete isolation. But as I kept watching the drama and watched some videos of North Koreans talking about the show’s representation of their country, I realized they really did the best they could. They obviously wouldn’t show the worst sides of the North Korean system but they still showed how corrupt and power-driven some people are, as well as some small details about the “normal” citizens, that lived their daily lives a bit differently than what I personally am used to seeing. I came to appreciate the way they didn’t make North Korea the villain but instead showed us different facets of the country and the people living there. What I also loved is that they showed a lot of flaws in South Korean’s characters, like Seri’s family, proving that there are bad people everywhere. My perception of North Korea ended up changing thanks to this drama. It’s easy to forget the “normal” citizens of this country when the leader is that scary and the system so revolting. So I’m thankful the drama focused on giving these people a voice and a life.
I often wanted to roll my eyes at the “coincidences” in the show (or fate?) but I came to appreciate them. Even when I wasn’t loving the show (around episode 4), I couldn’t help but tear up at some scenes. I think I cried at least in 80% of the episodes hahaha. The “coincidences” were there to make your heart break even more, and I love it.
Honestly, we wouldn’t have gotten this amazing drama if they had tried to be more “cruel” in their representation of the country and hadn’t included “unrealistically good” characters that would help the female lead. Thankfully, I realized that and now I can deal with the improbability of the plot and love the story for what it is.
Now I’ll list some of the things I loved about the show:
-The women in this drama. The village ajummas? Queens! Seri? Although I didn’t really like Son Yejin’s acting in the beginning because I thought it was TOO much, I still ended up loving this character. What a badass!! Seo Dan? You can’t help but like her by the end of the show. I even liked Seri’s brothers’ wives, but that’s probably an unpopular opinion LOL (I liked them as characters, not as people).
-The variety of themes. Poverty, corruption, friendship, leadership, family issues and jealousy, the hardships of a military life etc. And, of course, how terrible the separation of the two Koreas really is! They’re very different but have a lot of history in common too. It’s sad that they live in constant rivalry.
-The production and the beautiful scenery choices. Switzerland and North Korea are completely different countries but both of them are full of nature and there’s green everywhere. I don’t know about North Korea (they filmed in South Korea, obviously) but they definitely captured the best of Switzerland (I live in Switzerland so I can confirm). They even mentioned Heidi in the show; you can’t get more realistic than THAT. So pleasant to watch. And what surprised me the most is that the show made me want to visit those places (I don’t remember ever going to those locations) and made me appreciate Switzerland a lot more, which is amazing. I’ve always wanted to study abroad and I thought I wouldn’t even miss this country but after watching this show I’m already missing it! I’m still here, why am I missing it?! Hahahaha
(THIS PART MIGHT INCLUDE MINOR SPOILERS)
-The characters. All of them. The good and the bad. I loved them all. Seri’s character development was so satisfying! She learned how to not be afraid of loving others and showing her emotions. Ri Junghyuk was simply perfect, wasn’t he? Caring, smart and... comforting (which we don’t always get from MLs). The most beautiful quote in the drama is when he says that waiting is the only way to handle loss. It’s stunning. The soldiers squad!! When they went to Seoul I couldn’t stop laughing. Our favorite scammer, Gu Seung Jun, who wasn’t black nor white. The villains actually had motives (as bad and selfish as they were) and weren’t complete idiots! No character was empty.
This drama gets 100 stars when it comes to characters, without a doubt.
(END OF SPOILERS)
-The humor. I laughed so much while watching this, I’m very thankful.
Anyways, I’m not sure if my review does justice to this drama but I write reviews for myself, so that I can remember my feelings months and years later. And I wrote about the main things I loved and felt while watching it, so I’m satisfied.
I don’t think this drama is overrated at all, and I’m very glad that it took so many risks because dramaland was needing it, wasn’t it? A lot of recent dramas have been good but forgettable, not quite epic enough. Finally an epic one, that I certainly won’t forget.
This was the most controversial drama I’ve ever watched. Controversial in the sense that I went from wanting to rate this 7.5 stars, to giving it 8.5 stars, and then 9 stars and finally settling on 9.5 stars (even though I feel like I might change this to 10 stars later, depending on how I digest it). When I was on episode 4, I read a review on mydramalist that gave 7.5 stars to the drama and listed this show’s flaws (mainly when it comes to the representation of North Korea). At the time, I agreed with that review and even commented that I was afraid my review and my rating would be similar. I also thought they were making this drama way too “pretty” and unrealistic, since it took place in such a scary and mysterious place, known for public executions and complete isolation. But as I kept watching the drama and watched some videos of North Koreans talking about the show’s representation of their country, I realized they really did the best they could. They obviously wouldn’t show the worst sides of the North Korean system but they still showed how corrupt and power-driven some people are, as well as some small details about the “normal” citizens, that lived their daily lives a bit differently than what I personally am used to seeing. I came to appreciate the way they didn’t make North Korea the villain but instead showed us different facets of the country and the people living there. What I also loved is that they showed a lot of flaws in South Korean’s characters, like Seri’s family, proving that there are bad people everywhere. My perception of North Korea ended up changing thanks to this drama. It’s easy to forget the “normal” citizens of this country when the leader is that scary and the system so revolting. So I’m thankful the drama focused on giving these people a voice and a life.
I often wanted to roll my eyes at the “coincidences” in the show (or fate?) but I came to appreciate them. Even when I wasn’t loving the show (around episode 4), I couldn’t help but tear up at some scenes. I think I cried at least in 80% of the episodes hahaha. The “coincidences” were there to make your heart break even more, and I love it.
Honestly, we wouldn’t have gotten this amazing drama if they had tried to be more “cruel” in their representation of the country and hadn’t included “unrealistically good” characters that would help the female lead. Thankfully, I realized that and now I can deal with the improbability of the plot and love the story for what it is.
Now I’ll list some of the things I loved about the show:
-The women in this drama. The village ajummas? Queens! Seri? Although I didn’t really like Son Yejin’s acting in the beginning because I thought it was TOO much, I still ended up loving this character. What a badass!! Seo Dan? You can’t help but like her by the end of the show. I even liked Seri’s brothers’ wives, but that’s probably an unpopular opinion LOL (I liked them as characters, not as people).
-The variety of themes. Poverty, corruption, friendship, leadership, family issues and jealousy, the hardships of a military life etc. And, of course, how terrible the separation of the two Koreas really is! They’re very different but have a lot of history in common too. It’s sad that they live in constant rivalry.
-The production and the beautiful scenery choices. Switzerland and North Korea are completely different countries but both of them are full of nature and there’s green everywhere. I don’t know about North Korea (they filmed in South Korea, obviously) but they definitely captured the best of Switzerland (I live in Switzerland so I can confirm). They even mentioned Heidi in the show; you can’t get more realistic than THAT. So pleasant to watch. And what surprised me the most is that the show made me want to visit those places (I don’t remember ever going to those locations) and made me appreciate Switzerland a lot more, which is amazing. I’ve always wanted to study abroad and I thought I wouldn’t even miss this country but after watching this show I’m already missing it! I’m still here, why am I missing it?! Hahahaha
(THIS PART MIGHT INCLUDE MINOR SPOILERS)
-The characters. All of them. The good and the bad. I loved them all. Seri’s character development was so satisfying! She learned how to not be afraid of loving others and showing her emotions. Ri Junghyuk was simply perfect, wasn’t he? Caring, smart and... comforting (which we don’t always get from MLs). The most beautiful quote in the drama is when he says that waiting is the only way to handle loss. It’s stunning. The soldiers squad!! When they went to Seoul I couldn’t stop laughing. Our favorite scammer, Gu Seung Jun, who wasn’t black nor white. The villains actually had motives (as bad and selfish as they were) and weren’t complete idiots! No character was empty.
This drama gets 100 stars when it comes to characters, without a doubt.
(END OF SPOILERS)
-The humor. I laughed so much while watching this, I’m very thankful.
Anyways, I’m not sure if my review does justice to this drama but I write reviews for myself, so that I can remember my feelings months and years later. And I wrote about the main things I loved and felt while watching it, so I’m satisfied.
I don’t think this drama is overrated at all, and I’m very glad that it took so many risks because dramaland was needing it, wasn’t it? A lot of recent dramas have been good but forgettable, not quite epic enough. Finally an epic one, that I certainly won’t forget.
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