The K2 (2016)

(idk how to rate rewatch value, so it's a neutral 5)

modern snow white story, all with an evil witch and a princess, an all-seeing tech mirror, dwarfs, the occasional poisoning incident, and of course, a prince!

who in one of their initial encounters literally awakes her with a kiss, lol. (well, CPR. but she swore it was a kiss!)

Ji Chan Wook was who kept me watching even after the initial opening in barcelona put me off a bit. he's basically invincible, as we can see straight from his amazing introduction in that tower, so his action scenes are always super exciting (relative to tv), while ultimately still finding ways to the stakes intact.

Yoona is amazing too. again, i don't know her as idol, don't know her group, but i may just check them out now. the two are a great fit and she knocks the childlike recluse performance out the park without ever falling too deep into the airhead trope associated with that. it's cute, but doesn't overdo it.

i appreciated the nature of their relationship as the show went on. no spoilers, but it was pretty much handled perfectly given this is meant to be an action/thriller show first.

all the sidecharacters were great too. lots of growth from everyone. seemed like a bad guy was turning to a friend every other ep during the first half. Lee Ye Eun caught my eye especially, so i'm gonna be hopping on her filmog/dramas asap.

Song Yoon Ah as the villain is nothing if not captivating. even when hating her you can't help but love. an excellently written & performed character all around.

the music is of course amazing again!! i'm loving these super memorable scores that k dramas put to work so effectively. big bonus for the fantastic ominous-old-timey-german-music (idk what else to call it lol) which set the perfect mood, every time.

this is GREAT fun. i ran through the episodes without stopping every time i picked it up. the finale, like Uncontrollably Fond, after initially feeling a wee bit rushed, given all the loose ends and storylines, falls perfectly into place once it all wraps.

now excuse me as i get to working out again so i can achieve this Ji Chan Wook bod. (after i start my next drama..)

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Both male and female lead is a visual, however, the chemistry was not that good. This is because of how the story perceives of the female lead as an overwhelming one. She may be trouble-making, impatient, but the antagonist in the story really did their part well. The story also discusses a social issue -- corruption, hierarchy, and such. Thus, it is actually very interesting

Watching this is like a set of Healer. I also recommend watching that after this or before this!

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Decent watch with a fairly action packed storyline

PROS
1. Really really good villain (made it really enjoyable for me). The villain had a well-rounded character which made me understand her more yet hate her.
2. Really interesting story (even though there was some dragging parts). I couldn't stop watching I kept wanting to know what was gonna happen next.
3. I really enjoyed the amount of action I witnessed.
CONS
1. While I love Yoona, the character that she was given made it slightly disappointing for me. Her role in the drama - running away, trauma, tidbits of cute moments. I really wish they gave her character a little bit more personality so that we can see her character and relationships grow in a smooth manner. Due to the lack of character growth, her relationship with the main character seemed a little forced and confusing. I noticed a few comments saying that Yoona's acting was bad. I personally think it's just because of the character she was given (I've seen some of her other acting stuff and she did well in those).
2. Some of the fighting moments seemed a bit weird/unrealistic to me but, this is not really a major problem unless you're really into action scenes.
Overall, I mostly enjoyed watching this and I would recommend you give it a try before making any decisions.

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Being an admirer of Ji Chang Wook since Healer, I thought I'd give something else of his a try cuz why not?
Not to mention, I assumed the aforementioned drama to be the peak of his, but hey to what do I owe this pleasure?
I'm talking about 'The K2'. Prematurely regarded it as one of those generic action-romance dramas, it pleasantly surprised me by deviating from run-of-the-mill kind.
It had a tight plot, a gripping storyline, a lot of things going on; winding and unwinding, inquisitive suspense, dirty politics, shrewd family games, along with Ji Chang Wook goodness. The ending was bittersweet but hell admirable.
Yet the one who won my heart legit in this drama wasn't this handsome af man, but a tremendous woman, Song Yoon Ah.
I can't say I've seen such phenomenal, intense acting from women, not just in K-drama but in general. There are rather shot-to-stardom female driven shows like 'Goblin', 'My Love From The Stars' but hell the less talked, the less appreciated, 'The K2' tops it all thanks to ajumma.
Sorry, Jun Ji Hyun, you gotta take a backseat this time.
Went in for Ji Chang Wook, stayed there for Song Yoon Ah. Take a bow!

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If you are a Ji CHang Wook fan,this must be on your list

I watched K2 in 2024,for am in a mission to watch every Ji CHang Wook drama,am not even being paid to do so but the man is just mad talented that you wished he was on your screen everyday.
The story is not new for the pre-2020 action/political dramas but stellar cast makes it very interesting and it keeps on the screen wanting to know what next
Unfortunetly MANY VIEWERS expressed the need to pair the ML with the lady villain instead of the FL who was at the center of the story,and i saw why they all felt like that.
Arent we all tired of weak Female leads and K2 gave us the supreme leader of them all..Every now and then i wanted to reach inside my screen and say come on Ann speak up"or do this,but she was just following a script and the writers reall did hr dirty.Nevertheless if you look at this from a human point of view or a reality angle,two strong characters often crashes whenever they are paired together and this would have been the Case if there was a romance between K2 and ms Villain but for sure it would have mmade the drama more intensse adding the love triangle of Ms glasses a.k.a Secretary Kim.So they decided to give K2 a soft love interest that needed saving otherwise where would he have found the need to use and re-use the action scennes that honestly unless you are an action fan,they just became unreal as they progress.
This is an old drama and by 2024 the story tellers and directors have grown and are experienced,Am sure if this had a season 2,It would break the box office.

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I love Ji Chang Wook's character Jae Ha. He was so fearless and I guess a bit reckless too but I loved that about him. He had such a presence that if you saw him, you'd definitely think that he's that one man you should not mess with without facing some serious shit. I hated the change in his character later on but whatevs... He still kicked butt.
Yoona's character, An Na, she played her well. I just wasn't really fond of her character. She literally seemed like a pawn being thrown around and used by everyone. xD
The character who stole the spotlight was Choi Yoo Jin, played by Song Yoon Ah. Such an amazing actress. I didn't hate her and that's probably because I didn't view her as the villain. There were times where I wanted to smack her but when I thought about it, she seemed like a pitiful person when you know her entire story. Could you blame her? She used everything to her advantage and as a woman, seeing her character, I enjoyed it very much because she had men on their knees begging for their filthy lives and doing her bidding. I loved that! :D It was fun watching her and the other guys go back and forth with each other. Haha~

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This is only my personal opinion about "The K2"

At first when I start watching this drama it was quite good but after some episodes it was getting boring I even skipped a little....
I won't say it was a bad drama but it wasn't amazing either it was just a average drama

I know that there are people who must have liked it from first to last..but for me didn't I started to find it boring after the 10th episode The only thing I love a lot about this drama is because of its action..and Kim Je ha and Go Anna's chemistry it was sweet and sincere they really cared about eachother a lot...At first I thought Je ha and Choi yoo jin look good together but after seeing him with Anna I think they are even more good match then other ones!


Lastly it was my personal opinion so don't hate me for it please!! Ngl I also like The K2 ....and Ji Chang wook is one of my favorite actors 🖤

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A Thrilling Blend of Action, Intrigue, and Romance

The K2" is a mesmerizing Korean drama which took me on an unforgettable adventure. With its heart-stopping action, intricate political intrigue, captivating character development, stunning production quality, mesmerizing visual effects, and an enchanting soundtrack, this series left a lasting impression on me. From the moment I joined Kim Je-ha (Ji Chang-wook) on his tumultuous journey, I couldn't help but be captivated. Ji Chang-wook's portrayal of Je-ha was exceptional, as I witnessed his transformation from a broken man burdened by guilt to a determined and selfless protector. Je-ha's growth and his complex relationships with other characters added depth to the story, making it impossible for me to look away.

Im Yoon-ah's portrayal of Go Anna was equally remarkable. She skillfully portrayed Anna's emotional turmoil as she struggled to find her voice and confront the dark truths about her family. The chemistry between Ji Chang-wook and Im Yoon-ah was palpable, pulling me deeper into their characters' connection with every passing episode. Their tender moments and intense action sequences were truly captivating. "The K2" boasted stunning production quality, with visually striking cinematography that brought the story to life. I was in awe of the meticulously choreographed action scenes, where Ji Chang-wook's martial arts prowess shone brilliantly. The seamless integration of visual effects heightened the drama's intensity, making each action sequence more immersive and breathtaking.

One aspect that heightened my emotional experience was the captivating soundtrack. The music selection enhanced the suspense, romance, and personal growth throughout the series. It added depth to pivotal moments and allowed me to feel the emotions of the characters even more intensely.

While "The K2" has its moments of intrigue and action, I must admit that it fell short of my expectations in certain aspects. Despite its promising premise, there were several elements that prevented me from fully enjoying the drama. One significant drawback was the uneven pacing throughout the series. At times, the narrative seemed rushed, leaving little room for character development or deep exploration of the political intrigue. Conversely, there were moments when the story dragged, making it challenging to maintain engagement. This inconsistency in pacing hindered the overall flow and impact of the plot. Additionally, some of the supporting characters in "The K2" felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. Their motivations and actions often seemed arbitrary or predictable, failing to contribute significantly to the overarching storyline. This lack of compelling secondary characters weakened the overall impact and left me longing for more well-rounded and engaging personalities.

Furthermore, the romantic subplot, while present, felt underdeveloped and lacked the necessary emotional depth to fully invest in the characters' relationships. The chemistry between the lead actors, though palpable at times, did not receive adequate exploration or growth, leaving the romantic aspect feeling somewhat superficial and unfulfilling. Lastly, while the production quality of "The K2" was visually appealing, especially in terms of action sequences and cinematography, there were instances where the execution of visual effects fell short. Some effects appeared unnatural or poorly integrated into the scenes, detracting from the overall immersive experience.

As the story unfolded, "The K2" delved into the dark underbelly of politics, revealing the price of ambition and the complex web of relationships. The carefully plotted narrative kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly anticipating the next twist and turn. While the romantic subplot added depth, I wished for even more exploration of this aspect. Nonetheless, the momentum and suspense carried the series forward, captivating me until the very end. Taking all these factors into consideration, I believe a rating of 7.5 accurately reflects the strengths and the shortcomings of "The K2." Despite its potential, the inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped characters, lackluster romantic subplot, and occasional flaws in visual effects prevent it from reaching its full potential.

In conclusion, "The K2" took me on a thrilling journey of action, intrigue, and romance. The captivating character development, palpable chemistry between the leads, impressive production values, mesmerizing visual effects, and enchanting soundtrack all contributed to an enthralling viewing experience. This Korean drama is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys suspenseful narratives that leave a lasting impact.

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So i watched this because i had just watched another drama with the same actor just before and now i'm kinda obsessed lol

Story wise i really did not understand much of it, but the action, the acting, the music and cute scenes were worth it i feel lol. i'm not too disappointed because i only wanted to watch this for the actor as ell as have it as a background noise while i paint.

if like me you are not too fussed about story line when its one of your favourite actors then its worth a watch otherwise i would maybe think twice if you want to fully pay attention to the drama.

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For the sake of... action?!

I guess when I started watching this I wanted to see some action and I guess in terms of action it's a good drama. On the other hand it's not as thrilling as some other dramas with political topics involved (e.g. Mad Dog). The most interesting for me were the relationships between the different protagonists. E.g. between Je-ha and Yoo-jin. It's a rather weird and hard-to-describe relationship and there were even times I kind of felt sorry for them. I suppose it's a good thing if the characters are rather grey than black or white and I sometimes had to remind myself why a certain character should be rather disliked (or not).
On the other hand Anna disappointed me to some extend. You can't deny that she's a poor girl, but that's mainly all there is. She's poor and rather dumb/naive all the time which is pretty annoying (to me at least). At the same time she "soothed" Je-ha's character to some extend. Thanks to her he could find what he probably lost over time. Still the love story is a rather weak one, but it's sweet and serves for the sake of motivation.

I found myself comparing Je-ha to Kenshin. Thinking about the thoughts you have if you have the result but completely different reasons to do something. One was rather heroic, another felt more like a coincidence to either make a character more loveable or to enhance possible plot twists.

I have to confess that I liked the OST. On one hand it was weird to have that kind of "epic" soundtrack for this drama, on the other hand it reminded me of playing a video game. Certainly, this could've been a video game I guess. Je-ha would've been a proper protagonist for that I suppose.

Kind of funny was the way some wounds appeared and vanished (while others remained for a long time to suddenly vanish). Then they should rather use a plaster I think. Still I didn't regret watching this by any means and it was worth watching. What's the moral of it? I wonder about that even after finishing it...

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