veenonat
This review may contain spoilers
**This review was cross-posted on r/KDRAMA subreddit with a few changes
Messing with time is always a dangerous thing. Finished 365: Repeat the Year a few days ago and it took me some time to gather my thoughts. But if there's one thing this drama did to me, it would be leaving me with a lot of afterthoughts and tears. It wasn't the most mind-blowing drama, but it did keep me thinking for days, especially with that ending.
I just find it fascinating that the writers wrote a story about toying with the human mind, most especially with the fear of the unknown future/playing with death. We have characters that try to play God and "offer redemption." And then we have characters that were blindsided with wanting to change their fates by going back in time, that they never thought of the consequences it could bring, leading them to make some hasty and immoral decisions. Sometimes, it made me wonder if they deserved such gruesome endings.
The cast was amazing, and I was satisfied with the complexity they protrayed. They showed various shades of white and black, that there were times wherein I couldn't differentiate them. And I can't even recall a moment where I did not suspect every single one of them and the reasons on why they reset. On the other hand, Nam Ji Hyun and Lee Joon Hyuk's chemistry was on fire!!! Their strong sense of justice brings light amidst all the mystery and betrayal surrounding them, and I could truly empathize with their plights. Their dynamics was pretty compelling, too! Watching their relationship grow was so heartwarming. They started off as strangers, then friends, and eventually to the point where they cared for each other deeply that they were willing to risk their lives for one another. They complement each other so well that I wouldn't even mind if romance was part of the story . And finally... we got strong leads who are actually SMART this time around!
Pacing-wise, it was well-executed, ALTHOUGH I wish the writers could've expounded more, maybe even scientifically, on how the reset came to be, and more so on Professor Hwang's and Sun Ho's motives. I just find the latter to be a bit shallow and not really convincing enough, along with other plotholes + inconsistencies. Like who kills people for no reason? I'm not sure if this was a writing choice, but I do understand if certain limitations played an influence, which led some things to be better left unsaid than end up being lost, too dragging or worse, a writing mess. I don't mind 365: RTY as a 12-episode format, though.
But overall, 365: Repeat the Year was still a solid and beautiful watch. Like I said earlier, it wasn't the most mind-blowing drama, BUT its unpredictability, as well as my curiosity, kept me on the edge of my seat. When we think things are going one way, the show surprises us and introduces a different take on the situation. Moreover, I just find it intriguing that no matter how big or small an action or situation may seem, it definitely triggers a domino effect amongst all the characters.
The finale had me crying and left my heart in shambles. Bittersweet is one way to describe it. I can't imagine the pain Hyeong Ju must've felt when he watched Ga Hyeon die with his own eyes; and all the more for having to do the reset with Ga Hyeon having no recollection of anything. But then, I also felt that it was a more "realistic" and fitting ending amongst other alternatives. A part of me felt hopeful for our leads this time around, that they could build their relationship without the pressure or fear of someone playing games with them. It also made me think that they were truly fated to meet, no matter what the circumstances or timelines may be -- that what's meant to happen will happen.
365: Repeat the Year is definitely one of the most solid dramas to have come out this year (sans the inconsistencies, of course). Lee Joon Hyuk is a certified scene stealer in this one, and I'm just amazed with his versatility on the roles he portrays across various dramas. He's one of the only actors who I've gotten quite invested with when it comes to binge watching their catalogues. You can bet that I'll definitely have my eyes on his upcoming works!
Messing with time is always a dangerous thing. Finished 365: Repeat the Year a few days ago and it took me some time to gather my thoughts. But if there's one thing this drama did to me, it would be leaving me with a lot of afterthoughts and tears. It wasn't the most mind-blowing drama, but it did keep me thinking for days, especially with that ending.
I just find it fascinating that the writers wrote a story about toying with the human mind, most especially with the fear of the unknown future/playing with death. We have characters that try to play God and "offer redemption." And then we have characters that were blindsided with wanting to change their fates by going back in time, that they never thought of the consequences it could bring, leading them to make some hasty and immoral decisions. Sometimes, it made me wonder if they deserved such gruesome endings.
The cast was amazing, and I was satisfied with the complexity they protrayed. They showed various shades of white and black, that there were times wherein I couldn't differentiate them. And I can't even recall a moment where I did not suspect every single one of them and the reasons on why they reset. On the other hand, Nam Ji Hyun and Lee Joon Hyuk's chemistry was on fire!!! Their strong sense of justice brings light amidst all the mystery and betrayal surrounding them, and I could truly empathize with their plights. Their dynamics was pretty compelling, too! Watching their relationship grow was so heartwarming. They started off as strangers, then friends, and eventually to the point where they cared for each other deeply that they were willing to risk their lives for one another. They complement each other so well that I wouldn't even mind if romance was part of the story . And finally... we got strong leads who are actually SMART this time around!
Pacing-wise, it was well-executed, ALTHOUGH I wish the writers could've expounded more, maybe even scientifically, on how the reset came to be, and more so on Professor Hwang's and Sun Ho's motives. I just find the latter to be a bit shallow and not really convincing enough, along with other plotholes + inconsistencies. Like who kills people for no reason? I'm not sure if this was a writing choice, but I do understand if certain limitations played an influence, which led some things to be better left unsaid than end up being lost, too dragging or worse, a writing mess. I don't mind 365: RTY as a 12-episode format, though.
But overall, 365: Repeat the Year was still a solid and beautiful watch. Like I said earlier, it wasn't the most mind-blowing drama, BUT its unpredictability, as well as my curiosity, kept me on the edge of my seat. When we think things are going one way, the show surprises us and introduces a different take on the situation. Moreover, I just find it intriguing that no matter how big or small an action or situation may seem, it definitely triggers a domino effect amongst all the characters.
The finale had me crying and left my heart in shambles. Bittersweet is one way to describe it. I can't imagine the pain Hyeong Ju must've felt when he watched Ga Hyeon die with his own eyes; and all the more for having to do the reset with Ga Hyeon having no recollection of anything. But then, I also felt that it was a more "realistic" and fitting ending amongst other alternatives. A part of me felt hopeful for our leads this time around, that they could build their relationship without the pressure or fear of someone playing games with them. It also made me think that they were truly fated to meet, no matter what the circumstances or timelines may be -- that what's meant to happen will happen.
365: Repeat the Year is definitely one of the most solid dramas to have come out this year (sans the inconsistencies, of course). Lee Joon Hyuk is a certified scene stealer in this one, and I'm just amazed with his versatility on the roles he portrays across various dramas. He's one of the only actors who I've gotten quite invested with when it comes to binge watching their catalogues. You can bet that I'll definitely have my eyes on his upcoming works!
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