Times (2021)

An okayish attempt of mixing too many genres ....or maybe it was just a political drama

Times starts as a fantasy plot where a daughter is trying to save her dad with the help of another reporter who’s also connected to them indirectly …..the first 4 eps were really to my liking …the thrill of changing the past and creating a new future keeps you hooked.
And then suddenly the writer changes from fantasy to politics….even though the change doesn’t feel forced, it feels a tad bit abrupt. For the next few episodes, it feels quite draggy and heavy ….all due to the sudden shift to politics and journalism. Slowly you adjust to it turning to a political mess and then you are again abruptly handed a change of perspective for I appreciate the idea of having the focus on only ML or FL at a time and giving them time to develop as individual characters who you grow affectionate towards; which is quite rare in drama land to see... but again if it wasn’t that abrupt. I would like to see something of this sort happening again where different narratives are given equal importance.

The actors did a great job knowing that they did not shoot together for most of the time ...they managed to bring us really good chemistry ….and no romance angle could be seen as perks of the show ….
To be honest, I don’t know what went so wrong ...it did have me hooked in the initial eps even after the introduction of politics as the main narrative ….though I am not a big fan of the genre in itself I still did want to continue the show ….but towards the end, I found myself uninterested in everything ...neither the characters seemed appealing nor did the storyline felt surprising... everything was down to okay ..yaa that was supposed to happen what next ….oh are we finally done ...good then let’s go watch something more interesting now.

It did have good points ….it felt quite realistic at times even after being a fantasy ….for it raises questions that you won’t be able to find answers to ...for everyone wishes to change the world ..to turn it into a better place but when you actually hold the power does the wish remain same ….? Is saving a life at the cost of another life right ? There exists a right answer but when it’s up to you to decide is the choice that simple ….let me not hype you so much when it’s not that great or maybe let me leave you to decide ….
In short, the drama had potential ...in terms of writing and the actors could have shined more if not for the plot that sadly dragged everything down even after having so many fresh moments and creative ideas ….
It wasn’t a waste of my time but I expect more from an OCN “thriller” ….but do give it a try for if you love political stuff as for fantasy and other things just watch the first 4 eps or find another show…that might be all I wish to say about the drama I hope you enjoy watching.

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When Does Power Begin to Corrupt?

I am going to start this review by saying that Times is a solid and well-written show. I love the way they applied the time-warp concept. I think the distortion that enabled the cross-times connection, the seemingly unpredictable and ever-changing future (or present reality, depends on how you see it) because of it, and the X factor that hindered the main characters from creating a perfect new reality (in which everyone is happy and well) were not merely treated as means to build the suspense.

The cross-times connection and the changing realities proposed a question about personal values and power; will you get swayed once you are in a close proximity to power, will you stay true to your values if you are in a position of power. While the show felt less enthralling once it entered the more political-drama-centered half of the show, it was still enjoyable. I personally think it was necessary as it served as the bridge between the two genres. The show also touched on abuse of power and technology. I think the show did a good job in weaving these themes to the plot.

The soundtracks are great, but I don't think they were effective in creating certain atmosphere or adding more depth to the experience. I like how the characters were all actively involved in the whole thing, regardless they were aware or not aware about the cross-times connection. The leads are amazing and I just love their connection!

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An understated entertainer!

Times starts out as story of a daughter desperately trying to save her father from assassinations with the help of time altering. Just when one expects it to drag out, it quickly resolves the issue and switches focus on other things like elections, journalism issues etc.

As it switches from one theme to another, it luckily avoids monotony. Unfortunately, in a way, it betrays the audience as well. For instance, someone who started watching for time altering might drop the show as it exhausts the theme somewhere in middle of the show. Or someone who doesn't like time altering might misjudge the show and miss out a good political thriller. (On a side note, why do people find politics boring?!)

Times episodes could be split into two parts- one where FL plays major role and other half where ML plays major role. Times works if you focus on these parts individually. Writer could have even made two different dramas by splitting the story.

This style of letting one lead be the focus for half of the show gives more insight into the character and also gives better scope of performance for the actors. Negatively, this makes in-person interaction between ML and FL minimal.

Despite the leads' interaction is mostly over the phone, the actors managed to portray it well. Too bad, that the story didn't convert this good work "chemistry" between the leads into maybe potential romance. In another perspective, glad that they didn't force any romance and kept things professional.

Ending was well done. One couldn't expect more. It did make me wish there were more episodes because I kept asking "That's it? What?!" Although you can predict the minor twists, main twist was unforeseen. Glad that the writer kept the best parts for the finale.

Times has its flaws. One, convoluted narration, if I were to start out to tell this story to someone, I might confuse myself. Two, sometimes the story progression and characters' actions simply feel random. Writer makes it seem effortless to write any implausible twist into the story and we are bound to believe.

Despite its flaws, Times is an understated time altering entertainer with heavy political thrills, journalism overtones, and subtle social commentary.
~~
I am going to vote in a week and I learned some new things about politics from this show.

Lire davantage

An all round solid show

Despite the many who earlier raised some concern that Times would only serve as a lukewarm reskinning of Kairos , the drama holds it own pretty well. Taking the same tropes we seen before and executing them satisfyingly enough to warrant an enjoyable watch. The actors all performed brilliantly and the leads worked well off each other, especially when you take into account that for most of the drama they are separated.

The time altering element of the drama was fitted to the more thriller like atmosphere and continuity issues if there were any went unnoticed by me. Some seem to have a slight issue with some character decisions with which I agree some what but overall those can be easily internally explained and dont really comprise the story overall. The show was in many ways aided by the decision to cut the episodes pretty aggressively to just around an hour and limiting it to 12 episodes a trend I hope OCN keeps to, to keep thrillers thrilling and not gasping for breath 10 episodes in with 6 hours to spare.
The final episode did employ a bit of a tropey undertone but this wasn't too off-putting.
All in all this one's probably gonna be on my list of favourites for this year and you should try it out too.

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Present vs. Past -- good first outing

I like Times' concept of a reporter with a president for a father. For as long as I can remember, people have said politics has no relation to morals. Still, I think Seo Jung In's father ( Kim Yeong Cheol) may have been the last honest politician. But that's not all that Times' about; it's more about the desperate need of a daughter played by Lee Joo Young to save her father's life, which leads to the uncovering truths that shake her and the country. In that sense, I completely understand why, when presented with the opportunity to turn back time, save her father, and reveal the truth, she jumped at it regardless of time and space. Who among us given that opportunity wouldn't take it.

There's always a reverence to watching time-crossing/travel dramas; if not done right, they can be downright confusing, and most of such dramas except for maybe Signal and Karios as time-crossers and Train as time-traveling have fallen in that pit. It's too early to pass judgment on Times as of yet, but I will say I was a bit confused halfway through the first episode as it wasn't clear to me whether the female lead was suddenly transported to the future or if the first half was a flashback from the past. That said, I liked Times' first outing, and I am interested in seeing how Lee Seo Jin plays into things but more so how the show will work the time-crossing element compared to the dramas I noted.

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A Cell Phone With Butterfly Wings That Can Reach Into the Past

This drama explores the butterfly wings effect and how changing past choices in one life influences present reality for all of Korea. I've read many of the reviews on this title after I finished watching the show, and I get how some people were disappointed when the theme of the drama switched from fast paced action to more of a political commentary. For me, the change was welcome. I got a little exhausted with the constant "save my dad" segments and was worried the drama wouldn't progress beyond that point. However, they did an excellent job transitioning at pretty much exactly the point where I was completely over them constantly trying to rewrite history to create the best possible outcome for themselves. I liked the moral conflicts of whether what they were doing was right or if they should stop trying and be satisfied with the present state of their world.

The story tackles multiple themes, including political corruption, but also the underlying current of how people change based on circumstance or new information. The suggestion seemed to be that everyone has the potential in them to either be great or corrupt and that no one is immune to the influence of power on their lives. It also really heavily tackles the topic of press freedom and why it's so important to have an independent press system, sheltered from the external influences of the powerful.

The interactions between the two main leads were really well done, made sense, and were filled with chemistry. I felt like they spent a good amount of time developing both characters and I liked that they characters had moments of uncertainty and confusion, where they seemed opposed rather than united. The side characters were pretty well developed as well, and it was interesting to see how different their lives were in each iteration of the timeline. However, toward the end there were for sure moments where I felt like different developing side stories were lost in the fray and not fully resolved.

The actors, in general, did a great job portraying sometimes vastly different versions of their characters in different timelines. The wardrobe and sets were also really well done to add an extra dimension to the timeline differences. The casting was really well done too, the characters you're meant to empathize with you find yourself becoming really attached to, and the villain characters are sufficiently horrible that you feel genuinely pleased whenever they get their just rewards in various timelines.

The ending was weird, I hope there's a second season so I can get some explanations. Initially the alternate timeline calls were linked to the specific phones used, but at the end a different phone comes into play and I want to know the situation that made that possible.

Overall, this drama was worth a watch and I rated it very highly. There were some slow points and a few plot holes that bugged me, so I didn't give it a higher rating. Basically, it was high quality, but not epic. I was satisfied with how the story progressed, in spite of these minor inconsistencies and sometimes dry and bland segments. I wouldn't watch it again because I do not feel like there are additional insights to unpack, but I would for sure watch a season 2, especially since the ending left the story open for one.

Lire davantage

its just enough to keep you intrigued

if your wondering whether to watch this or not then I say, yes watch it. I think its hard to find a lot of good time travelling dramas in this case more specifically time warp drama. although there are few glitches here and there overall this drama is neat.
at first I was confused. I was annoyed with them playing around with the timeline, but then when i kept watching it things started to pick and and the story got more and more interesting. especially when the two lead characters ended up in the same timeline.
the drama is not too intense and not boring either. its just enough to keep you intrigued. and 12 episodes is just fine. like one of those dramas where you sit back and watch in peace.
and most of the time time warp dramas I've seen spin around detectives. this is my first time coming across one that involves reporters and politics.
I like the chemistry between the leads, although there is no love story in the drama , their chemistry made me wish for one. the production is good and the ost is really good and yes also the acting too.

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WHAT HAPPENED??

Yes I watched the whole thing but "what happened", I don't get it.
After all the twists and turns in those first 6 episodes wow you think it'll
get better. They were very intense and found interesting this perspective,
So I view the next 6 episodes with great anticipation AND I fell
on my face, Did I not get it. Did I not see something? Or was something
lost because of the translation of the drama?
I like the fact that they didn't wind up a couple thing.
Lee Jin Woo was too impulsive a couple of times.
The passion for the job of the main characters was envious. It was an
intense drama. The funny parts (comic relief) played a mayor role, so I wouldn't
have a stroke. :) I watched this drama to see what role Mr. Lee Seo Jin
would portray. I was really pleased with his performance. He is a great
actor.

Lire davantage

Time Warp

One of the few series that has several vantage points,

First few episodes they capture the story of past and future, 4 phones where made that connect each characters on their respective roles, it was refreshing.

after the 2nd to the last time warp, the story did not focus on times, it was back to the same political and scandal story found on other series, the essence of the first half of the series was gone, the bgm and ost are not in sync with the story so the second half of the story is kind of flat.

nevertheless the first half of the story that got me hooked up and it was refreshing.
will i watch it again, I will watch the first half of the series again.

Lire davantage

This could have been great!

The first four episodes were epic with all the action involving the two journalists in two different times, trying to save the President (connect by magic phones). The pace in the beginning was fast and I enjoyed being confused, trying to figure out what’s going on. Then the action disappeared and the drama became politicy (invented word), about politics which I found b-o-r-i-n-g! I started fast forwarding all the way to the end. I felt bad as I am in love with Lee Joo Young and this was her first big lead role in a drama. I felt like I was betraying her. Did I mention I’m in love with Lee Joo Young?!?!

Lire davantage

well, it was a decent drama for me. it includes like 2 themes, time warp and political. so that itself is interesting for me. about the first 6 eps was great, it was intense, i want to know what happen in the next episode, i enjoyed it a lot. it might not as well written as other time warp dramas, but it was interesting enough to keep me going. then after that the focus slowly centred more to political and journalism thingy. at this point it was still okay for me i don't find it boring since i'm okay with watching political dramas, except for the fact that it's confusing sometimes. but then, the last few episodes, especially the last 2, i find it boring and hard to focus. i keep on looking and doing other things. hmm maybe because i'm actually not in the mood for heavy dramas? or maybe the storyline is not as good as the first part of the drama? idk. what i can say is that, it's not bad, but not so great as well.

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