crystalhydra
This review may contain spoilers
Wanted to experiment and write my thoughts while watching.
Thus this will be the first part after I watched first 6 episodes. It will turn into long and tedious review I guess (just like this show?)
PART 1: Metaphors, sub-plot, shallow&deep: attempt of the screenwriter, let's be artsy but then not, Pinocchio theory.
DAYS introduces a potentially interesting story about an unusual relationship between human Tak Dong Kyung and Doom, an entity that needs no introduction. Doom among other prays has heard loud and clear Dong Kyung's heartfelt wish for doom to befall on this world and because this wish coincides with what he wants he answers the call.
Dong Kyung seems typical and atypical heroine at the same time, we start off seeing her unexpected reaction when she hears news about her illness, but she doesn't cry, she even thinks it's a joke (like denial) and continues on with her life. But being involved in a story with a married man and several misfortunes falling upon her with pent-up emotions and a power of alcohol she wishes for this world to end. Her call is answered by the Doom himself, he comes and makes an offer, he grants her wish, both get what they want. From here on their relationship develops. But why I say she's typical and not at the same time has to do with her reactions to certain situations. It's a bit of "she's special" trope. Our initial impression of her is that she's like others, but she holds a lot of emotions inside her heart and if she gets emotional she doesn't want it to be seen (like the story of her childhood and crying alone or bearing humiliation but getting drunk at the end of the day). Leaves me with impression that she tried so hard to hide her emotions that she forgot how to react, enjoy and feel many things. Yet she still has kindness in her heart.
Sub-plot. Potentially promising main story, if the screenwriter stayed in line and continued on with this metaphorical, artsy style this drama has. But probably because screenwriter was scared that viewers will get bored they introduced a sub-plot.. that left me with one question - why is it here? I couldn't grasp the significance of it. At other times sub-plots and additional romantic relationships work, because both pairings more or less stay on the same level. Here on the contrary relationships are too different: one is godly entity of Doom and a human and another... Dong Kyung's friend, who caught herself between two men without an ounce of fantasy, it's even a love triangle. I would even joke that screenwriter pulls us from heaven back to earth. This left me with a strange feeling, it felt as if I'm watching TWO DIFFERENT dramas at the same time. Not all dramas need a second pairing/romantic story. We can have one, just make it good. But despite having two lines throughout the show I had a problem with the next thing. It wasn't bad in any sense, we just as well could have watched a separate drama, these relationships felt so different to me..
Artsy feels. While others say it's very good and for deep thinkers I find myself thinking that it's theatrical, level of a shoujo manga and "I'm 14 and this is deep" level all-together. Part of me felt a pity that the artsiness of this show was interrupted by parts that attempted to be humorous or the sub-plot. But I won't point the obvious that the drama has artsy side to it. My initial thought was - this feels thetrical. I mean, those obvious metaphors and all those dialogues (when no one talks like that) and almost like posing a staged drama. It may not be everyone's cup of tea. Especially when metaphors are a bit blunt. If they planned it like that though, otherwise I have too many brainholes in my own head. Giving few examples. Starting from the opening that reflect Doom's world - grey, depressing, which blooms with appearance of the girl. Doom himself shows what his world looks like when he takes Dong Kyung to a small garden and flowers die at each of his step. I mean even his surrounding always represent his state, from calm (like flickering street light) to falling frames, lights getting darker etc. when he gets more agitated (btw these details disappear for a period of "falling in love", so I have no idea either they were deliberate or skipped on it). The wish of doom to be loved is metaphorical in itself to me. The chosen period of time - autumn, stage before winter, more like a dying period, this is when Dong Kyung finds she's dying, she has 100 days and she may not see the spring. The pot. God's pot was also pretty obvious, especially that talk about not knowing what will grow out of it, pointing at Doom and his feelings. They even found a marble ball that looks like a universe, come on. Before the drama itself explains what is what through dialogues... what type of thinker do you want to be when you're explained everything. I'm not sure if this was intentional, though it was subtle, in one of the frames there's Pinocchio book, that's why I kind of think that Pinocchio theory works.
Pinocchio theory. Because this book appears among others I feel that those who picked it up in earlier episodes may be quite right. The only difference I think if it's applicable as in the role of Pinocchio himself or the story as a whole. The main parallel with Doom is the lies and his wish. Why I say lies.. but isn't it obvious. Although Doom acts like a snarky entity above all, but then contradicts himself with his actions. It's more of a push and pull, the ever-going contradiction of I want to find out about this human, but this human can't take control over me type of thing as if asking - will I choose the girl I'm slowly have feelings for or my wish that I had for a very long time will win over (hence, the God says that human love is a dangerous thing, because for love humans may sacrifice entire world). Even the story of the criminal and him going around listening to the thoughts of other people are there to draw an obvious contrast between them and her.
Relationship. I have a question about where do the romantic feelings start, because it felt a bit strange like where is the prerquisite for romance. As for Doom, we know that his interest might be dated when he saw her for the first time. Coming back to nowadays, he sees that Dong Kyung doesn't have reactions like others, she even openly contradicts him etc. Tbh this has such a strong YOU CAUGHT MY ATTENTION, WOMAN feel. Many things start from a small interest, not all love starts like Ji-Na's at first sight. But it is a spark and it is allowed to live. But while watching I tried to catch why would Dong Kyung fall in love. At first she said she would fall in love, but it was more like a task, but then was a moment when she really felt something (him protecting her from harm). It felt like love and hate at the same time. After all let's be honest, some of his actions were toxic (like threatening lives of her loved ones) and she openly wanted to tear him down and at other times it feels like she saw through him. I'll see how it goes next, because I don't see why such love should not exist, even if the romantic feelings might have grown because he brought her what she didn't have or maybe they're similar in a way.
But after watching it I realized one thing, while watching I felt like I'm not enjoying the drama in a usual way, but my brain is bent to analyze things and interpret them.
Acting note: Everyone does a good job, but I was unlucky in one thing, I saw Project Wolf Hunting before DAYS and it took me some time to get rid off In Guk's image in it.
Music note: The main theme makes this show too melodramatic imo. So I don't like the music choice.
Let's see how it goes.
PART 2: artsy stuff continues, you're special, love me/don't love me, cheesiness
Because I finished the previous part of review when I only watched 6 episodes, if I prevailed a bit more then I would have known that Pinocchio theory is not baseless, they basically use it bluntly. Since during the day Dong Kyung disappeared Doom came to God's ward and saw the Pinocchio book opened and we hear a part of it narrated.
The way God and Doom react to Dong Kyung is as if I'm seeing the old trope of - she's so special. After all she banters and talks back. I don't know how to feel bout it. First of all I don't think she should have been scared, her character setting is like that and there was no premise of showing God's power and Doom won't do anything to her as well. But I can understand why God might like her, it is partially her who pushes the situation between DK and Doom, remember the scene in the garden? Told you that marble looking like universe is not for nothing. Either love or the world.
But because of God's action and DK's risk of taking off the bracelet that should ease her pain, it makes the Doom appear again. Which is followed by the cringiest shoujo-type line ever - what is this feeling~. Anyway, if it was not obvious before, he has feelings for this human girl and DK.. looking at her she has feelings too (sometimes in this obvious girly way).
And thus their tug continues and thise is what wore me out. It is still artsy style, reminded me of Japanese shoujo manga too much, where they begin their - don't love me, you can love me, I love you. At first their attempt of "love" was not based on good feelings and was more like a lie (again reference to Pinocchio?) and now they want it to become true. This true love becomes their drama, after all she finds so much fun in life during this short period of time, but the end seems inevitable. But this back and forth really started dragging things out to me. Because I, as a viewer, couldn't feel the stakes, couldn't feel anything else except everything brewed down to a simple 'love' and nothing more.
Interruption to release some tension: "Liking you was wet for me, every day" by Na JiNa. Honestly, I know it's not about it, but I couldn't stop laughing.. my head so spoiled at times :'D
When the love came around the corner, well, it was simple love... really like s houjo manga, the cheesy dialogues made my skin crawl though. And by 10th episode the sub-plot of Na JiNa also takes form of a strong triangle and I still couldn't wrap my head around what to look forward to in it and why should I even care. Basically, my head by this time was drained by artsiness of cinematography, metaphors and dialogues, while it switches to simple "human" things, thus I couldn't feel much about the story/characters.
I want to wrap things quickly. I am really tired. To whoever who might ever read this review in full I'm sorry. It wasn't in my intentions to bore you, I bored myself, but I don't want to leave it unfinished.
On a final note: Tbh I wouldn't have minded if such series would have been simply fantasy/mystery, only one pairing, more delicate and even had BE. For HE something/-one must have been sacrificed and for HE it should not be either of them (no wonder I felt that God acted more like Jesus with all the suffering for the people). Probably that is why the reverse card exists in the end, because at first you have Doom disappearance, but to make everyone happy he returns.
The only part I might applaude is Na JiNa tbh, although her romance was in sub-plot, but she moved on from ill-fated relationship, not everything ends with a happy end and not all love can be re-built on the ruins of the previous one. And although first love will stay it, it may not be resurrected.
PART 1: Metaphors, sub-plot, shallow&deep: attempt of the screenwriter, let's be artsy but then not, Pinocchio theory.
DAYS introduces a potentially interesting story about an unusual relationship between human Tak Dong Kyung and Doom, an entity that needs no introduction. Doom among other prays has heard loud and clear Dong Kyung's heartfelt wish for doom to befall on this world and because this wish coincides with what he wants he answers the call.
Dong Kyung seems typical and atypical heroine at the same time, we start off seeing her unexpected reaction when she hears news about her illness, but she doesn't cry, she even thinks it's a joke (like denial) and continues on with her life. But being involved in a story with a married man and several misfortunes falling upon her with pent-up emotions and a power of alcohol she wishes for this world to end. Her call is answered by the Doom himself, he comes and makes an offer, he grants her wish, both get what they want. From here on their relationship develops. But why I say she's typical and not at the same time has to do with her reactions to certain situations. It's a bit of "she's special" trope. Our initial impression of her is that she's like others, but she holds a lot of emotions inside her heart and if she gets emotional she doesn't want it to be seen (like the story of her childhood and crying alone or bearing humiliation but getting drunk at the end of the day). Leaves me with impression that she tried so hard to hide her emotions that she forgot how to react, enjoy and feel many things. Yet she still has kindness in her heart.
Sub-plot. Potentially promising main story, if the screenwriter stayed in line and continued on with this metaphorical, artsy style this drama has. But probably because screenwriter was scared that viewers will get bored they introduced a sub-plot.. that left me with one question - why is it here? I couldn't grasp the significance of it. At other times sub-plots and additional romantic relationships work, because both pairings more or less stay on the same level. Here on the contrary relationships are too different: one is godly entity of Doom and a human and another... Dong Kyung's friend, who caught herself between two men without an ounce of fantasy, it's even a love triangle. I would even joke that screenwriter pulls us from heaven back to earth. This left me with a strange feeling, it felt as if I'm watching TWO DIFFERENT dramas at the same time. Not all dramas need a second pairing/romantic story. We can have one, just make it good. But despite having two lines throughout the show I had a problem with the next thing. It wasn't bad in any sense, we just as well could have watched a separate drama, these relationships felt so different to me..
Artsy feels. While others say it's very good and for deep thinkers I find myself thinking that it's theatrical, level of a shoujo manga and "I'm 14 and this is deep" level all-together. Part of me felt a pity that the artsiness of this show was interrupted by parts that attempted to be humorous or the sub-plot. But I won't point the obvious that the drama has artsy side to it. My initial thought was - this feels thetrical. I mean, those obvious metaphors and all those dialogues (when no one talks like that) and almost like posing a staged drama. It may not be everyone's cup of tea. Especially when metaphors are a bit blunt. If they planned it like that though, otherwise I have too many brainholes in my own head. Giving few examples. Starting from the opening that reflect Doom's world - grey, depressing, which blooms with appearance of the girl. Doom himself shows what his world looks like when he takes Dong Kyung to a small garden and flowers die at each of his step. I mean even his surrounding always represent his state, from calm (like flickering street light) to falling frames, lights getting darker etc. when he gets more agitated (btw these details disappear for a period of "falling in love", so I have no idea either they were deliberate or skipped on it). The wish of doom to be loved is metaphorical in itself to me. The chosen period of time - autumn, stage before winter, more like a dying period, this is when Dong Kyung finds she's dying, she has 100 days and she may not see the spring. The pot. God's pot was also pretty obvious, especially that talk about not knowing what will grow out of it, pointing at Doom and his feelings. They even found a marble ball that looks like a universe, come on. Before the drama itself explains what is what through dialogues... what type of thinker do you want to be when you're explained everything. I'm not sure if this was intentional, though it was subtle, in one of the frames there's Pinocchio book, that's why I kind of think that Pinocchio theory works.
Pinocchio theory. Because this book appears among others I feel that those who picked it up in earlier episodes may be quite right. The only difference I think if it's applicable as in the role of Pinocchio himself or the story as a whole. The main parallel with Doom is the lies and his wish. Why I say lies.. but isn't it obvious. Although Doom acts like a snarky entity above all, but then contradicts himself with his actions. It's more of a push and pull, the ever-going contradiction of I want to find out about this human, but this human can't take control over me type of thing as if asking - will I choose the girl I'm slowly have feelings for or my wish that I had for a very long time will win over (hence, the God says that human love is a dangerous thing, because for love humans may sacrifice entire world). Even the story of the criminal and him going around listening to the thoughts of other people are there to draw an obvious contrast between them and her.
Relationship. I have a question about where do the romantic feelings start, because it felt a bit strange like where is the prerquisite for romance. As for Doom, we know that his interest might be dated when he saw her for the first time. Coming back to nowadays, he sees that Dong Kyung doesn't have reactions like others, she even openly contradicts him etc. Tbh this has such a strong YOU CAUGHT MY ATTENTION, WOMAN feel. Many things start from a small interest, not all love starts like Ji-Na's at first sight. But it is a spark and it is allowed to live. But while watching I tried to catch why would Dong Kyung fall in love. At first she said she would fall in love, but it was more like a task, but then was a moment when she really felt something (him protecting her from harm). It felt like love and hate at the same time. After all let's be honest, some of his actions were toxic (like threatening lives of her loved ones) and she openly wanted to tear him down and at other times it feels like she saw through him. I'll see how it goes next, because I don't see why such love should not exist, even if the romantic feelings might have grown because he brought her what she didn't have or maybe they're similar in a way.
But after watching it I realized one thing, while watching I felt like I'm not enjoying the drama in a usual way, but my brain is bent to analyze things and interpret them.
Acting note: Everyone does a good job, but I was unlucky in one thing, I saw Project Wolf Hunting before DAYS and it took me some time to get rid off In Guk's image in it.
Music note: The main theme makes this show too melodramatic imo. So I don't like the music choice.
Let's see how it goes.
PART 2: artsy stuff continues, you're special, love me/don't love me, cheesiness
Because I finished the previous part of review when I only watched 6 episodes, if I prevailed a bit more then I would have known that Pinocchio theory is not baseless, they basically use it bluntly. Since during the day Dong Kyung disappeared Doom came to God's ward and saw the Pinocchio book opened and we hear a part of it narrated.
The way God and Doom react to Dong Kyung is as if I'm seeing the old trope of - she's so special. After all she banters and talks back. I don't know how to feel bout it. First of all I don't think she should have been scared, her character setting is like that and there was no premise of showing God's power and Doom won't do anything to her as well. But I can understand why God might like her, it is partially her who pushes the situation between DK and Doom, remember the scene in the garden? Told you that marble looking like universe is not for nothing. Either love or the world.
But because of God's action and DK's risk of taking off the bracelet that should ease her pain, it makes the Doom appear again. Which is followed by the cringiest shoujo-type line ever - what is this feeling~. Anyway, if it was not obvious before, he has feelings for this human girl and DK.. looking at her she has feelings too (sometimes in this obvious girly way).
And thus their tug continues and thise is what wore me out. It is still artsy style, reminded me of Japanese shoujo manga too much, where they begin their - don't love me, you can love me, I love you. At first their attempt of "love" was not based on good feelings and was more like a lie (again reference to Pinocchio?) and now they want it to become true. This true love becomes their drama, after all she finds so much fun in life during this short period of time, but the end seems inevitable. But this back and forth really started dragging things out to me. Because I, as a viewer, couldn't feel the stakes, couldn't feel anything else except everything brewed down to a simple 'love' and nothing more.
Interruption to release some tension: "Liking you was wet for me, every day" by Na JiNa. Honestly, I know it's not about it, but I couldn't stop laughing.. my head so spoiled at times :'D
When the love came around the corner, well, it was simple love... really like s houjo manga, the cheesy dialogues made my skin crawl though. And by 10th episode the sub-plot of Na JiNa also takes form of a strong triangle and I still couldn't wrap my head around what to look forward to in it and why should I even care. Basically, my head by this time was drained by artsiness of cinematography, metaphors and dialogues, while it switches to simple "human" things, thus I couldn't feel much about the story/characters.
I want to wrap things quickly. I am really tired. To whoever who might ever read this review in full I'm sorry. It wasn't in my intentions to bore you, I bored myself, but I don't want to leave it unfinished.
On a final note: Tbh I wouldn't have minded if such series would have been simply fantasy/mystery, only one pairing, more delicate and even had BE. For HE something/-one must have been sacrificed and for HE it should not be either of them (no wonder I felt that God acted more like Jesus with all the suffering for the people). Probably that is why the reverse card exists in the end, because at first you have Doom disappearance, but to make everyone happy he returns.
The only part I might applaude is Na JiNa tbh, although her romance was in sub-plot, but she moved on from ill-fated relationship, not everything ends with a happy end and not all love can be re-built on the ruins of the previous one. And although first love will stay it, it may not be resurrected.
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