W - Two Worlds Apart (2016)

Esse eh com certeza um dos melhores - se não o melhor - dramas que eu ja vi. Desde o momento em que li a sinopse fiquei empolgada em ver, afinal, universo paralelo não eh um tema tao recorrente então fiquei bastante curiosa. De fato, todas as minhas expectativas foram atendidas, e até superadas. O enredo eh maravilhoso e me prendeu desde o primeiro episodio.

W possui um ritmo de narração bastante acelerado, sempre tem algo empolgante acontecendo o que motiva ainda mais a continuar assistindo. São poucas as cenas desnecessárias, o tempo quase inteiro ocorrem diálogos importantes e momentos decisivos fazendo com que 100% da nossa atenção esteja voltada à tela.

O show mescla muito bem ação, suspense, romance e uma pitada de comedia nos momentos certos deixando a trama um pouco mais leve.
E o casal tem uma química incrível, foram poucas as vezes que eu shippei tanto assim em um drama. E as cenas de beijo sao fantásticas.

Vale, também, ressaltar a maravilhosa atuação do Kim Eui Sung (o cartunista) que realmente fez um trabalho excelente.

Em suma, W eh um dorama pra quem gosta de uma trama mais energética, ja que possui bastante reviravolta e pouca enrolação.

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Fine un pò scontata però non è stato male.
Storia interessante, personaggi pure, luogo bè è lo stesso di molti drama che ho visto; ma vorrei dire che l'idea utilizzata mi è sembrata un pò troppo "americana" che è risultato una pazzesca. Complimenti allo scenografo e al produttore, che ha saputo gestire un coordinamento diverso dal solito; ideare una serie/fumetto che si può anche visitare, non è per niente male; i due personaggi principali non mi hanno fatto impazzire ma sono stati bravi. Per l'antagonista devo ammettere che sono rimasta stupita quando ho scoperto chi era, a parte l'altro "cattivo" che era stato creato del fumettista, personaggio del drama. Non è stato un granchè, per il resto del cast, secondo me serviva per riempire 16 puntate... lo so che è un brutto giudizio per il cast ma io la penso in questo modo.
Ora spero che nascano altri drama korean di questo stile anche per qualche altra storia.

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The first 9 episodes of the drama take you to such a high level that the lacking second half ends up being a fall that hurts more than it would otherwise. While watching the initial epsiodes you feel everything moving just right, infact a little fast but then the way everything is shown makes you belive you'll get your layers, reason and dimensions of the characters later. There, again lies the problem.. it went too fast, too soon and just ended up a diffused bomb instead. There's no depth of characters as you expect in the second, everything that made first half a success goes the wrong way, because there's no backing to keep the second half up. Nothing makes sense and all we see if a fantastic plot driven to an extent that there's only mindless solving and putting everything into place left. But even so, doesn't that process also need solid reason and logical explanations to back them up? When we watch a show, we expect it to make sense throughout especially after it ends, but even though I can't stop myself from re-watching the first half of the show, the same me, just cannot get myself to rewatch any of the later episodes.

The lead have such an amazing chemistry, potential whatever you want to call it. They make you fall in love with them, but then what after that? Where;s the character depth, how do you get where they're coming from, how do you relate to them? Everything just stps at 2 dimensions. Their backstory, and their current love. So disappointing especially when you rewatch it.

The side characters, though SO many, and so good and so much potential, were almost inexistent. This was so sad because they could havebeen used brilliantly to weave everything together.

The OST is beautiful though, especially the instrumental music for the lead pair and the various artist instrumentals. So good!

Over all I would say, they has a great exotic set of ingredients, all right equipments, even a great chef, but the recipe started out good but failed to take you to a level that is expected out of such a combination. I'm writing this a month after I watched this series, because I keep thinking of it, especially the first half. Sigh.

My verdict for a reccomendation would be - watch it, it's a good attempt, but do no, i repeat do not expect much out of it at all. It would be hard to do so though, especially since (I repeat again and again) the first half was so good!

PS - okay i'm editing it for the last time, because I cannot not mention that the romantic moments in the series are just so cute, it hurts. probably why I keep rewatching them lol. If you like sweet romance you'll love the romance, but hate it too because there's nothing beyond one dimensional romance, but hey, it's cute lol (this probably affects my credibility as a reviewer, but i had to mention it!)

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I have now seen around 170 dramas and this one, without exception, had the craziest plot twists of any I have ever seen. Just when you think you know where it's going...NOPE! Then, when you think you've figured out the new direction...NOPE! It's definitely a ride and a half. And in a way, that was something I didn't like all the time. Sometimes it was just a bit too much.

However, the actors/actresses all do an amazing job and the music is spot on perfect for it. I'm not sure it's one I would want to sit down and watch the whole thing of again, but there are probably episodes here and there that I might watch again.

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The story guys...It is the story that made me give a huge 9 for W \ Two Worlds..
Yes, it is different from any other prior dramas but it doesn't end here...If you have a thing for the thin line between fiction and reality or a thing for plotting a story, you should just go and watch this.
Telling about it will not do..
I was afraid of the ending and from time to time I got really impatient because of the narration and retros\realizations but then again this is not that important after all.
Both leads looked like they indeed were characters from a manhwa/cartoon and the writer Oh song mun, though he made me furious from time to time he knocked his role, So I give it to the ajusshi who played this role.
Be ready for ups and downs between the 2 worlds..;)

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Ambitious and Cool, But Ultimately Fumbled The Bag

The premise for this drama was very cool and unique. I was so excited when I first heard about it and doubly so when they casted Lee Jong Suk and Hyan Hyo Joo as the leads as they were one of my favorite actors in SK. The drama started out well, the plot moved at a fast pace and immediately got you hooked into the story. The first half was a marvel to watch thanks to the deft handling of the manga world VS the real world and the plot moved smoothly at a rapid pace making viewers sat on edge and gaped at their screen by the end of the episodes, dying to know what will happen next.

The drama was ambitious with their vision, perhaps too ambitious, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the writers ultimately fumbled the bag on the second half which was what prevent W from becoming what could have been a GREAT drama. It was obvious they had a grand vision but no resolution in mind as to how they are supposed to resolve all the plot points that they themselves had set up. A lot of hints and plot holes were probably dropped into the storyline on the fly. The ending felt rushed too and was poorly done.

This drama was still original, sleekly shot, fast pace, with cute and likable actors as the lead so it still earn a watch in my book. Han Hyo Joo was likable and so beautiful here. I really appreciate the fact that the writer didn't made her out as a "geeeeniiusssss" doctor but instead just a young & inexperienced doctor with average skill. That was very refreshing to watch. Lee Jong Suk was serviceable and typical as always; he's playing himself just in a different setting and story. However that was not necessarily a bad thing, he emotes decently and he has charisma in spades, hence making him to be a decent leading actor. Plus he has an eye for picking good projects which is why I am a fan of his lol. Interestingly enough, I liked Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo's acting when I first watched this drama but on my recent rewatch I find their acting cringy lol I'm not sure why.

Do I recommend this drama? 100% Yes. It is still miles better than your average k-drama.

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Well overall I liked the drama. Good Points: The characters along with the main leads had good chemistry. I loved the leads, the teachers assistant and the male lead bodyguard. I thought it would have been a great ending if the bodyguard and the secretary dated. Oh well. I was able to follow the idea of the two worlds storyline very well. I loved the intimate scenes between the leads. 1-2 good kissing scenes, the others awkward.
Bad Points: It irritated me that when other characters are talking to the female lead she would just stand/sit there staring at them and not say a word for a long time. I mean the other characters are talking for a long time and the female does not feel like replying even in between the other characters talking? It was awkward, irritating and made her seem slow and being scared to speak up. Also in the scenes where the leads had a do over and he came back, the female kept staring at him in an annoying way. I understand 1 scene of staring at him because she didn't believe it but constant staring is just creepy and not romantic. If they were going for romantic it failed on me. He doesn't remember you girl, get a grip, I felt like yelling to the screen. Stop staring, it is creepy. LOL. Also why does the female lead act all shy and innocent for a 30 year old in one scene and then decide to " flash naked" the male lead in another scene. I know she wanted to go for that shock effect but her basic character in those scenes gave me whiplash.
The storyline would have been much better if they did the first half of the episode in the real world and the second half in the other world. They also made the love feelings a lot more on the female side, in my opinion. She was obsessed with the male lead. He never told her he liked her and only at the end he said I love you, once. They didn't have him talk enough about liking/loving her. Did he fall for her because she showed up and is was part of his world? Who knows. They dropped the ball on his side of the romance.

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Don't come for me

As I am sure this review will have possible spoilers and will definitely contain unpopular thoughts, be wary.

I wish I could be one of those that are so head over heels in love with this drama but I honestly feel like one of the rare ones that only finished it out for Jong-Suk. I hate I didn't love this show. It makes me feel weird. Haha But, I have to show support to one of my favorite actors, right?

Don't get me wrong, it started out pretty promising. But as it went on, it was like: stop. go. stop. go. stop. go. stop. go. It went from making me curious and keeping my attention to down right just pissing me off. I feel like I know how a cat feels now when you dangle a toy in front of them and snatch it back before they can get it.

I admit I already am not a big fan of time jumping things and I feel like this was kinda similar since they are bouncing between 2 worlds they give me headaches. But I had seen so many people talking about how amazing this show was and when people found out it was on my TBW list for soooo long, they tend to stay on me for it to be the next show I watch. Lol (I can't say anything, I do the same. Haha) but sadly this show just wasn't for me.

All of the actors were really amazing, I just feel like the storyline was a mess. Which is probably how it was meant to be but I just can't stand a messy storyline that seems like it has no idea where it wants to go so the writer makes a ton of unnecessary things happen instead of taking a break and figuring out where they want it to go. Lol

While the ending was cute, I felt like I was losing my damn mind so I couldn't enjoy it. Honestly. I haven't enjoyed a episode since maybe episode 8 or 9. Even though I felt zero connections through the whole thing. over 16 hours of screen-time and you'd think I'd feel even a slight connection to the characters. But sadly, nope. and if I had to pick a favorite character, it would probably be Do-Yoon. Weird right? Don't ask. He is the only character I could tolerate.

But also because I felt nothing; that means the parts that should have ripped my heart out either left me annoyed or "here we go again". It sucks feeling that way. There was even a part where he was dying and asking her to come get him and she was more worried as to why he didn't pick up his phone sooner... Are you kidding me? What should he say "I'm sorry I was busy getting shot and dying." Just stupid stuff like that though the show just made me want to put a fist through my screen.

Please don't come for me, I know there are a lot of people that love this show and I know how fans can get when someone talks bad about what you love. Lol This is just how I feel and I know not everyone will agree with me.

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In all honesty, I really did love this drama. Is it out-of-this world spectacular? Certainly not. But it was interesting enough, with a unique enough story line and quite a lot of action in the beginning that it now holds a special place in my heart. Plus, there's always the added factor of Lee Jong Suk.

That being said, there were some parts where it was definitely lacking: An unfinished story line being the one to drive me insane. While the story was unique and creative, and it was interesting to jump between this manhwa world and the real world and see how they meshed and the certain factors that would draw certain people into each of the two worlds, the drama ended with me having more questions than I had answered, ultimately. I was hoping we'd touch base on so many things, but we never did! And so, in the end, because certain backstories weren't explored and certain questions weren't answered and had no intentions of being answered, the drama for the second half became quite slow and predictable; lacking its initial bang.

Of course, I still gave it such decently high ratings because I did really enjoy the unique twist, especially for a drama, and the unique story and array of characters. It didn't follow your typical action, fantasy, or romance dramas. It was a nice mix of it all.

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First things first, I'm biased about LJS. I'm quite aware about his flaws and yet I can't help it, his eyes and acting breaks through me and it wasn't different with W though his character really lacked development there, ironically. That being said, I had no clue what I was getting into when I started this show - I was just excited to watch my Sukkie back in action - and I was... overjoyed!
I don't usually read synopses so I was completely taken aback by the events in this drama and it has a way to have us on the edge of our seats, biting off our fingernails in anticipation for what comes next. It has a huge start and carries on hectically leaving us breathless until around halfway through.
By that time things start getting really messy with several plot twists that aren't well explained enough and the gaps begin to surface one after another. I didn't care much though because it was still succeeding to make my feels skyrocket but they are there and there's no point in denying.
As for the acting, Han Hyo Joo was lacking in the emotional scenes imo. They didn't feel natural for most part and the editing didn't help much with their constant come and go and - whoops - where are those tears you just had on? Where are those tears anyway. Her character was super cool at first but gets way annoying and passive past the second half as well.
I got a strange feeling from the ending that I can't shake though... no explanations on how the heck things turned out that way, too much going on and, as per usual, everything's left to the be solved in the final episode, which is tiring and ineffective. What about the loose ends? What about the other characters? How? Why? What the frick frack is going on here?
I couldn't care less about the happy ending, I just want it to feel final. And that didn't happen with W. Wish they had it extended to work around those gaps because it felt damned rushed and confusing now that I look back.

NONETHELESS...

W is an amazing and unique piece of work completely worth watching. It's very unpredictable and exciting, the romance chemistry is satisfactory, the story is singular, the acting is great and the entertainment is ensured!

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I'm always in for the crazy fantasy stories out there and W - Two Worlds takes fantasy on a higher level. W is about Kang Chul, a super genius chaebol main character of a manhwa written by Oh Yeon-joo's father. They somehow get to meet each other. I'm definitely with Yeon-joo fangirling over Kang Chul. Because you know, boys in books are just better.

The Story: As someone who is constantly updated with upcoming dramas, the premise of the story already had me hooked immediately. I'm a total fan of anything supernatural like time travel, superpowers, ghosts (in their most fun sense), etc so this drama is an addition to my list of must-watch dramas. I can very much say that I live most of life in the dramas and books that I watched and read. So having W portray what happens to my favorite hero when he actually came to life felt like a fangirl's dream coming true. I will not dwell much on how the plot unfolds because, surely, there are no words to describe what happens in the drama. You just have to see things for yourself. Just be sure to be ready for a roller coaster ride. This is unpredictable and way beyond words that I am capable of using to describe it.

Really, the drama is well executed despite having the complicated premise and scenes in both the real and manhwa world. I admire the director and staff for being able to realize a convoluted two worlds in this drama. It's really a stretch to shoot scenes with this kind of setup and they were able to do a good job.

The only fault I think there is in W is that it was soooo good in almost all episodes that the expectations have climbed sky high. Everything has been laid out and no new tricks were played so it became a bit flat towards the end. Despite that, I treat those times as the calm before the storm.

The Cast: Well. Well. Well. I can't believe just how amazing Lee Jong-suk is in his role as Kang Chul. I don't find him handsome, handsome but everytime he winks, smiles, and stares, I just die and fan myself just like Yeo-joo. I can surely say that being a cool manhwa character suits him well.

I love Han Hyo-joo in almost everything so there's not much to say. Most of the time, I can feel her acting the way I would in case I met Kang Chul. Her character, Oh Yeon-joo, is the perfect example of a fangirl who loves her idol through and through. I feel happy and sad with her with whatever she's going through.

Yeon-joo's father is so good as a loving father and a creator who wants to kill off his main character for going against him. He played such intense emotions for the drama and I want to credit him for making W a more suspenseful drama.

What's difficult with the set up in W is that we have two worlds that needs our attention. So the supporting characters in each of the worlds felt limited. When we are in the real world, I miss the manhwa characters and vice versa. Kang Chul and Yeo-joo takes most of the screentime, though I don't really mind. Really.

Ps. I love Soo Bong. He's hilarious!

The Music: I'm not good in this aspect but what I love about W is that they don't use that much background music during the scenes. There's no really need for W to rely with background music to pull emotions from the viewers. The intensity of the scenes unfolding is already enough to take the emotions out of me.

Rewatch Value: I watched through previous episodes while waiting for the next episode so there's no fault in its rewatch value. I was at the point where I thought that I should hold the drama until it was finished. I'll just rewatch everything now that it's complete.

Overall: The drama is amazing. Indescribable. Heart-stopping. Intense. (Off to the dictionary for more adjectives to describe the show!). And despite the craziness, I am unconditionally in love, hooked, and invested. It was a tough ride and there were a lot of ups, downs, and flats but that's just how love is, no?

Why did I rate it 9.5? That's the payment for breaking my heart countless times then forcing it to be fixed. Haha. Honestly, maybe it's because I was expecting something before the show leave me but didn't get it. I still love the show nevertheless. A drama like this is hard to come by

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