wavy3
USA
This movie is not a comedy. Although there are some funny moments, it is a very deep, beautiful, and touching story. I don't think anyone but Yeo Jin-Goo could have so thoroughly brought Soo-Myung to life - his every expression is PERFECT and seriously this boy tells stories without ever opening his mouth. His character is the perfect foil for Lee Min-Ki's Seung-Min, and their bromantic chemistry is just amazing.
The way the two main characters interact and influence each other leads to perfectly executed character development. I'm trying to write a serious review here but all I want to do is gush endlessly. This is very much a character-driven movie, but the pacing is just right, and you certainly won't ever be bored!
I have a weakness for stories focusing on friendship and another weakness for anything psychology related. I think the way the film handles the topic of mental illness is appropriate - it shows you hardships but it also doesn't leave you feeling hopeless.
It doesn't get too into detail with the side characters and their problems, but instead focuses on Soo-Myung and Seung-Min's issues and growth, which I actually think is a good thing, because it allowed them to fully develop - which is not to say the supporting characters are flat, because they aren't, and they are able to shine in their own right without taking the spotlight away from the mains.
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I started this hoping for action and serious topics. I wanted plot and not romantic shenanigans. The drama starts off being pretty much all about a cop looking for his kidnapped daughter. This guy, however, is far from likable, and I found it difficult to sympathize with him in his plight. Why? Because he was, to put it simply, crazy, violent, and screaming. Lots of screaming. Lots of swearing. Lots of beating up suspects without evidence, heavy police brutality. This dude cared for nothing and no one but his daughter and wouldn't hesitate to brutally assault anyone he perceived to be in his way.
That's where Clone #1, Sung Joon, comes in. Don't worry, I won't spoil anything. He has no memory of who he is, but Chief Jang decides poor Sung Joon is the key to finding his daughter. When these two meet, this is when the story really kicks off. I hated the detective for the first 2 episodes, but he does become more tolerable thanks to Sung Joon, who is kind and warm and patient where Chief Jang is crass, rude, and prone to fits of random rage.
So for the first part of the drama, I watched because I was invested in the development between Jang and Sung Joon. I thought they were a great pair and really balanced each other nicely, and I'm a sucker for any kind of non-romance relationship focus. Chief Jang treated Sung Joon like a tool at first and didn't see him as a human being at all, and I wanted to see that change. There was some mystery and plenty of action for the first 6 episodes, but then it slows down and becomes mostly just drama and mystery with action sprinkled in.
Eventually, the plot moves away from the father-daughter focus and we realize that ultimately this is a story about two clones. It's a sad story. Don't watch this if you don't want a ride on the rollercoaster of emotions. One clone is "evil," selfish and out for revenge and the other is kind, selfless and willing to put his life on the line to help near-strangers. But the characters are not simple, and evil clone is not actually just an "evil clone," but is a deep, complex character that will remain in my mind pretty much forever.
What is the story really about? It's about clones learning to be human. It's about a father and his daughter. There's also an evil dude who wants to cure his illness and there's his evil spawn who aren't really worth mentioning but the story isn't really about them. No romance, just friendships and family relationships. Yay!
Without Yang Se Jong, this drama would be nothing. His portrayal of three characters is something you really have to see for yourself. But let's say I had to keep reminding myself that it was the same actor. He brought the clones to life in a way that made me feel like I personally knew them. The other actors are good too. And JJY is so much more tolerable when he's not screaming his head off.
It's not a perfect story, and there are aspects I wish had been different (more interactions between the clones, more father-son bonding with Jang and Sung Joon, less of the secondary cop characters), but these factors don't change my love for this drama. I can't stop thinking about it and have already rewatched most of it 2-3 times.
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Unlike most Asian dramas, they actually act like they love each other. They are very touchy and the female lead actually admits her attraction to the male lead. The characters are all quite unique and interesting.
There are some twists and turns, some angst, and the most adorable male lead of all. Acting is on point, especially Chen Zhe Yuan. He totally became Zhen Jun and brought him to life. I cried and suffered and smiled and felt happy with him. I don’t cry watching dramas, but dang, this boy ripped out my heart. Anyone who has ever said anything negative about his acting, know that during the filming of this he got so into character during a dramatic/sad scene that he actually passed out. That’s dedication.
I highly recommend giving this a try. The music is amazing. And the opening sequence and song are so good I could just sit watching it on repeat. I’m going to miss this drama so much.
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Moving on to Hu Yi Tian. I'm sorry, but I feel his acting is not up to par. He cannot emote with his eyes. But I won't blame him entirely for making the character of Huq Wu Que so boring. In the novel, HWQ is actually more interesting. He is capable of smiling, of understanding the concept of humor, and of actually being funny himself in a weird way that may or may not be intentional. The drama decided to cut out all of his interesting dialogue, though, probably because it was usually in response to XYE saying some things a little too "rude" to be broadcast. But in the novel I feel HWQ is more self-aware and far more interesting. In the drama he seems a bit more oblivious, like he has no clue what he's doing most of the time. Only occasions he lights up at all are scene in which he's interacting with XYE. XYE can bring anyone to life, I guess.
It must be said that there is zero chemistry between Xin Lan and Hua Wu Que, but thankfully any romance there was very limited. Speaking of Xin Lan...she is not a favorite character of mine. Too wishy-washy and incapable, too dramatic, not entirely intelligent, but not unlikable overall.
This is a story with lots and lots villains, like an endless revolving door of villains. So this may take some getting used to if you're not familiar with stories like this. I was really angry the first time I watched this drama. The villains always outwitted people, and "people" seemed to believe every word any evil person said. Hua Wu Que's "aunts" are my favorite villains. But there are lots to choose from. Jiang Yu Lang is kind of amusing, I won't lie. I couldn't take him seriously at all, but he is great in the role. His scenes with XYE are hilarious.
Overall, I ended up enjoying it much more on my second watch, I guess because my expectations were different. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the climax, partly because it felt a bit rushed, but mostly because Hu Yi Tian's acting during that scene was horrendously unimpressive. He seemed almost unaffected but the insanity unfolding around him--no expression in his eyes at all unless he was directly interacting with XYE. Maybe Chen Zhe Yuan's charisma rubbed off on him during those times. Just...wish they could redo that whole scene and have HYT try to look like he gives a poop, instead of letting CZY carry everything.
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