I think mature-slow-healing drama with characters brought to life by the actors are my thing
I usually don't write reviews for the drama. This is actually my 2nd review after 'guest the hand'. But I have decided to write reviews more often from now on. I usually don't end the dramas for various reasons. Due to which I end up leaving many dramas in the middle. But I think I love the mature-slow paced-healing dramas. I think they are my thing.So now getting down to the drama it may feel slow-paced but it isn't boring at all. You would not feel the urge to fast forward the scenes. The chemistry between the main couple is outstanding. They truly are the finest actors in the industry. The supporting characters also didn't disappoint and were fun to watch. The friendship between the characters is truly captivating and beautiful. I enjoyed Kang Da Jung's and Ahn Ga Young's characters. They were adorable. Watching them lit up my face with joy.
I think everything in this drama was great except for the thriller- murder part. I think that was unnecessary and was just there. Yoon park justified his role but his character was not written well. Well, apart from the thriller part everything in this drama was great. I personally enjoyed the drama. And since it made me smile and anticipate the upcoming episodes. I will rate it a 10/10. The actors really nailed their parts in this drama.
The Deliveryman delivered but the drama leaves room for improvement
If you look at the drama as a whole package. I think it was good. The VFX , action sequences and the Sci-Fi elements are chef's kiss. But the story never got me going from the start till the very end. And that made me a bit disappointed since netflix kdramas that are airing on a single day have been delivering in the past. But the same could not be said about the same for this drama.Our team of deliveryman were cool. They were like Batman in the gotham city. They were too overwhelming for the villains. They were Superman with no super power to be exact.
The concept of the drama was great. But you just want the drama to just end. Acting was good from the cast. But nobody left a lasting impression in this drama. Even though the cast is pretty good. The story couldn’t get the best from them. Still it is not a bad watch considering you love this genre or don't have anything else to watch.
At the end of the cliff I find who I truly am
It could not have been any more perfect ending to this beautiful drama. The second installment of the drama begins from where the first left off . Our players searching for the whole truth while competing in the card games. The games this time a lot harder and have a lot of bloodshed (gore) like the first installment. This time our players face against the king and queen cards. And while clearing those games they find out who they truly are and what meaning do their lives holds.This second installment of the drama has many characters getting a good screen time like Usagi, Chishiya and Kuina. I also loved the ending. It seemed quite believable and not forced.
Seeing as dramas like these are getting quite the warm welcome from the fans. It got quite a big raise in the budget of the drama. Which increased the quality of the drama. I loved this drama as it was something different from what the Korean or Japanese productions produce.
Life is long but we could only watch Na Hee Do for a mere 16 episodes
So I was watching a Netflix Korea clip on Twenty-Five Twenty-One during which Nam Joo Hyuk was asked his first impression of Kim Tae Ri to which he replied "Wow , that's Hee Do!". And I couldn't agree more. I have seen Kim Tae Ri in her past dramas and movies and I know that she is one of the very best out there. But I think that Na Hee Do's character was specifically made for her. I can't even imagine any other actor playing that character except for her. The way she brings out the character is just jaw dropping. She was just too good. She was innocent like a child for most of the drama but at times she was more mature than Yi Jin. I literally spent the whole drama simping over her.Looking at the posters of this drama one might feel that it would be a pretty boring drama and all. Don't judge a book by it's cover. The writers have done a great job in writing the characters here. I am truly in love with Na Hee Do's character. Her pure heart and innocence just melts your heart and her confidence just raises the atmosphere. I have seen many dramas but I think that Na Hee Do's character is one of the very best written character out there. Definitely the cutest character out there. And I have seen a fair share of kdramas to be able to just say that.
The another thing that I loved in this drama after Na Hee Do is this drama's female characters and the strong bond between our Main Characters. There was no weak female character in this drama. And I loved it. Na Hee Do, Go Yu Rim, Ji Seung Wan, Lee Ye Ji, Shin Jae Kyung and Yang Chan Mi were a joy to watch. The female characters were already too good at the beginning of the drama but they got even better as the story progresses.
Nam Joo Hyuk's character Baek Yi Jin is also quite well written. But I don't know why he gets these types of characters which are quite overshadowed by other characters.Although his character had a big character development at the later part of the drama. But in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo his character was overshadowed by Lee Sung Kyung's character. Similarly in Start-Up his character was overshadowed by Kim Seon Ho's character. And here it was done by Kim Tae Ri's character. Even though he is quite a good actor and visually appeasing too .Hopefully he gets better characters like these in the near future.
The story gets better with each passing episode and this drama depicts 'Youth'. The chemistry between Kim Tae Ri and Nam Joo Hyuk is off the charts. They lit up the scene just by being on it. They were there for each other. For the very first time I felt a bond so special between two characters that even if they didn't end together I wouldn't be much upset over it. That's how special their bond was. You just can't predict what is going to happen until the very last episode. Do give this drama an eye as I assure you won't be wasting your time.In the end i would say is that all I have is one heart, how many times are you (Na Hee Do) going to win it over.
A show to look up to.
After finishing the show i have only got one word for it 'MASTERPIECE'. If there is a show that had got everything perfect from the story to acting and cast it has to be this drama. A round of applause to everyone related to this drama. They pulled off something out of this world. Each and every episode keeps you tied to your seats. If you are thinking of watching this show don't give a second thought and just go for it. For those with a weak heart stay brave as it has lots of bloodshed. But still give it a shot.Wang Juan is the best Chinese fantasy drama screenwriter
I will start this review by talking about the GOAT (Greatest of all times) screenwriter of Chinese fantasy drama. Not many people would start there review by talking about a screenwriter first. But after watching his dramas I just had to first praise this talented screenwriter and his team for creating such beautiful Chinese fantasy dramas. I first saw Joy of life written by him. But at that point I didn't gave much thought to the screenwriter of that drama. Then I saw Douluo Continent as I was a huge fan of that novel. So I didn't gave much thought to the screenwriter here also. Then a few days ago I started watching Sword Snow Stride and I found it a bit of similar to that of the Joy of Life. Be it the ML and a supporting actor or the story felt a little bit similar to that of Joy of Life. So after completing the show the first thing I did was to check the screenwriter of the drama. And I was awestruck to find out that he have written almost all of the Chinese fantasy dramas I have seen. So from here I came across Young Blood again and binge watched it in 3 days.I am not gonna lie but I have seen Young Blood's poster before and I was not much hyped about this drama. I had only seen 4 Chinese fantasy dramas before. But when I came to know that 3 out of the 4 dramas that I have seen were written by the same person I had to see his remaining works also. So I picked this drama. And God oh God I was not wrong about this screenwriter. He delivered in this drama also. Also fellow viewers don't be like me to judge a book by its cover. Sometimes one can miss a gem if he judges a drama by its cover.
Young Blood has many characters that I loved. Wang Juan usually focuses on the ML while writing his dramas which I don't mind. But here he was quite thoughtful of the other characters too. We have got ourselves a strong ML(Yuan Zhong Xin) which the writer has written in all of his previous works. But we have also got ourselves a strong FL(Zhao Jian) here. He has written pretty decent FL in Joy of Life and Douluo Continent but I didn't found them that convincing as compared to this drama. Our FL is quite strong here and fights toe to toe with the ML. She came off as a cold woman at the start of the drama but as the story progresses she also finds the love of her life. I also loved Wei Ya Nei's character. He started off as a spoil rich heir but as our story progresses his character have a huge development. I think Wang Kuan and Pei Jing's character were the only characters that remained the same throughout the series. Even Xue Ying character had a character development. I want to point out about Yun Ni 's character. Even though she didn't got much of a screen time. But I fell head over heels for her. She was too cute.
I don't think I have rambled so much while writing a review. But this drama deserved it. It is nicely written with good character. I liked how most of the characters have a character development. In the end I would like to say that Wang Juan is the GOAT of Chinese fantasy dramas and do give this drama a watch as I assure you would also love this drama as much as I did.
Slice of life done right
I wasn't planning on watching this drama. I had put this drama on my list a while ago but I never went around it for quite a while. But since I had seen most of the good dramas available and due to the scarcity of the dramas left I finally thought of going over to this drama. And after completing this drama I don't know that whether I should be happy for watching such a great drama or feel sad for not going over it earlier.Firstly I would like to commend the writers for writing such a beautiful drama. I was hooked into the drama from the very first episode. The plot was like a roller coaster ride of emotions. I was laughing at one moment and crying at other. This drama is a pure depiction a slice of life done right. It made me happy see the daily life of the prosecutors filled with struggles and joy. Division 2 has my heart. The synergy they brought out when they were together was outstanding and a joy to be hold.
This drama has a long list of veteran actors. Lee Sun Kyun stole the show for me in this drama. Jang Ryeo Won’s character felt pretty obnoxious at the beginning of drama. But it was nice to see her character getting the growth it required towards the end of the drama. Kim Kwang Gyu, Lee Sung Jae, Lee Sang Hee and Jeon Sing Woo were Pleasant to the eyes.
It is funny how I was never planning to Watch this drama but now I have come to love it. It truly is hilarious. Don't make the same mistake as I made. And Just watch this gem of a drama. I assure you that you won't be wasting your time.
A slow-burning romance in a country side
I love slow-burning romance dramas that are executed nicely. And that is exactly what we have in this drama. Two great main leads with a great team of supporting characters, great cinematography, and a storyline that fully holds up this beautiful drama. First of all, I loved our dimple couple in this drama. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved how they slowly got to know and love each other.I liked how all the characters had an emotional side story. It helped me connect more with them and also get to know them better. Even though the drama is light-hearted and funny for the most part of the drama it is also emotional at times. And I rate emotional scenes over funny scenes any day. As it is easier to make a person smile rather than making them cry for a character. As the story needs to touch the heart of the viewer for them to become emotionally attached to it.
There is only one thing I disliked in this drama and that is the love triangle. I know that it was good, as it made the ML realize his love interest in the FL and made him more active in pursuing the FL during the story. It was like a wake-up call for him. But still, I don't prefer love triangles.
Apart from the love triangle, I loved the drama and its beautiful cast. The drama is still ongoing let's see how it turns out to be.
Living up to the expectations
Fans had huge expectations for this drama after viewing its' star-studded cast of Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat. After completing the drama I can finally say that they definitely didn't disappoint their fans and lived up to the expectations. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved them together. I usually enjoy slow-paced mature romance dramas. This too was a slow-paced drama with things building up slowly. But you would not feel the urge to fast forward the scenes as they are not boring at all.I loved how their relationship built up slowly yet into a strong one. They both came to understand each other and love each other. This drama revolves around the main couple only. The story doesn't have much of an impactful supporting character. But either way, the supporting characters played their roles quite well.
Coming back to the chemistry between the main couple, you would end up craving more of them. You can say it is a romance between an ML with high IQ and a FL with a high EQ. They both played their roles well. They ended up becoming our glory.
Welcome to a roller coaster ride of emotions
Before moving onto the drama I would like to ask a question that --Is KINDNESS reciprocated in this world or is it not? I would like to ask again that Is KINDNESS reciprocated in this world or is it not? Let's talk about this at the end of the review .Now coming back to the drama it was a roller coaster ride of 9 great episodes which contains the truth about a human nature. This drama tells us what we humans are capable off for the sake of money. How we can even go as far as killing and betraying someone we know for money. This is human nature.The only thing that is protecting us are those kind souls. Who even at the face of death helps someone else.
The story builds up in a way that helps the viewers understand the situation someone is ready to put their lives on the line. It tells us how our everyday life can be more of a hell than the real hell itself. And how the poor don't have the choice but to put their lives on the line to survive.
The cast of this drama did a pretty excellent job. They brought their characters to life.Jung Ho Yeon was outstanding in this drama in the way she portrayed Kang Sae Byeok. I loved her character. Also Lee Jung Jae nailed his character.
Now coming back to the question i asked earlier Is KINDNESS reciprocated in this world or is it not?
So the answer to my question is KINDNESS can be reciprocated back depending upon the person. It is reciprocated by another kind heart person. And through that we keep on living.
It is the beginning of something revolutionary
This drama was not much hyped. Even though it had one of the best Korean actor Kim Nam Gil in it. Even I came to know about this drama after it started airing. I usually start the drama from the first day it actually airs. So that I can be hyped for the upcoming episodes. But I just couldn't bring myself to start this drama as it was going to take a 3 week break because of the 2022 Winter Olympics. So I decided to start this drama when it was in its final week.The actual story starts from the late 1990's. At that time Korea didn't had the criminal profiling which the US has been using for the past 20 years or so. So Kook Young Soo decides to create a team for profiling criminals. And asks Song Ha Young to be the profiler. Song Ha Young seems to be a cold person on the surface who could even be a psychopath but he is actually hiding his deep emotions. He is a kind person behind the cold mask he wears around the show. We also have Yoon Tae Goo the captain of the criminal 2 division. She comes out as a rude person at the start of the drama but she gets better with the passing episode. She is willing to listen to logical talks unlike other people in the division. And we have many other good supporting actors in this drama. But I personally hated Kim Bong Shik's character. All he did was complaint through out the drama.Choi Yoon Ji's and Jung Woo Joo's character were soothing to the eyes Han Joon Woo looks like Lee Joon Gi. He was good too. Kim Jung Hee also did a terrific job in playing the psychopath. His laugh makes you feel disgust and tremble.
As I have mentioned above in the title that it is the beginning of something revolutionary. It wasn't easy for the Behavioral Analysis team to do there work. As many who were unaware of their work criticized them. And even questioned the need for such a department. But that didn't let our guys down who kept there heads up and doing what they thought was necessary. And producing results too which many thought was just pure luck.
In this drama we see how criminal profiling is actually done. It kind of is like the ABCD of criminal profiling.Where they approach criminal profiling from the basic level. How a profiler finds it difficult to control his/her emotions while interviewing and investigating the criminals.
I have seen almost every good crime related drama that is to be seen. Through the darkness is definitely good but it didn't had that good of a story but still I don't know why I am quite satisfied after watching this show. I even binge watched it. And loved every moment of it. So I am rating it a solid 10/10 drama. Hopefully it gains the recognition it deserves. Do give this drama a watch as I assure you won't be wasting your time.
Last episode ruined the show
Last season I started the drama without any expectations. The trailer and synopsis didn't got me excited for the drama. Even then I started the drama as I love the zombie/alien invasion genre. And man, it was just the best drama of this genre alongside Sweet Home for me. Yes you heard it correct it was better than All of us are dead. This got me thinking that being on a good platform like Netflix hyped up All of us are dead. And it also had a better known cast than Duty After School. Not that Duty after School was released on a bad platform but there was no hype for the drama. So this what one could say don't judge a book by it's cover.This season I came to watch this drama with high expectations. As the first one had set high standards for this one. And man what the hell was that. They started from zero and by the end of season 1 they were the IT drama And by the end of the second season they are again back to being zero. I haven't read the webtoon but from what I heard things don't end this badly in there. Its like the writers and directors thought that this drama wouldn't not be a big success so they just tried to finish the story in the first half. Guess what the first half became a big success in the international market. But they can't change the ending they have already shot.
The last 30-40 minutes felt like an eternity and just killed the drama for me. How great it would have been if the writers just ended the season at ep 9. And look at the good response the show is gaining and hen changing the ending they have decided for the show. It was a 9 rated drama till ep 9. And if anyone reading this is planning to watch this season. Never watch the final ep of this season. You will just be pissed off and annoyed.
I must say in a real world that would have been the most realistic ending. Now that I think this whole drama has been the most realistic one out there. But reality is often disappointing and this is what happened to this drama. We came to watch a drama but got hit by the hard reality.
What happens when High-Schoolers play Prosecutor and defense?
Firstly, I would like to commend myself for completing this one Hell of a show. It actually feels as if it was written by a high school kid. I understand kids being sad at the loss of their classmate. But why would they play prosecutor-defense. Just why?I think studying too much got into their brain. They probably would have never ever talked to So Woo all these years and now when he has died they show sympathy for him and are even risking their careers just to find out why he died. They start playing prosecutor-defense and brings in the school's bully as a defendant when the police have twice concluded that it was a suicide. They believe on a stupid letter written by a mad girl( I know she was bullied and all. But man I also hated her character. All she did was played victim ,cried and yelled). And what is funny is that the kids start finding evidence which were overlooked by the police. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Throughout the show I didn't understood just why was So Hoo so depressed that he committed suicide. The world is unfair. We all know that. If you are born with a silver spoon. You start at a different point than the one who is dirt poor. But I think he lives in a world of fantasy. Just because his high school was giving special privileges to some VIP students. He committed suicide. I get it that he was depressed before also. But I just couldn't justify why he was like that. If he was being a shut-in who didn't talked to anyone then it is not like the world would come and talk to him. O don't know at what point it started to feel all gibberish to me.
Also what is wrong with Kim Hyun Soo's acting in this drama. Her expression looks like that of a dead fish for the most part of the drama. She improved her acting quite a lot in The Penthouse. For the most part of the drama Han Ji Hoon's character was the only driving force that kept me going. But at the end of the drama even though I pitied his character. He too started to get on my nerves. So I am finishing this drama with probably nothing to like. If you have finished all the thriller/crime/mystery dramas and have time to waste then you may watch this drama. Even though I wouldn't suggest it though.
Will you give up on your morals to achieve your goals?
I had to write a review on this drama after completing it. Designated Survivor : 60 Days is a well written and delivered drama with a long list of wonderful actors. Usually one might think that a political drama is boring and stuff. But this drama is a lot different than one can imagine. A lot is happening in every episode which keeps you glued to your seats.The story doesn't give away in the middle and holds firmly till the last episode.One can not also easily guess about the main antagonist in the story. All the actors did a wonderful job in portraying there roles. I loved the drama, We see a great character development in Acting President Park Moo Jin who was a bit of a pain in the ass at the starting of the story made me fall in love with his character.
The drama asks the question 'Will you give up on your morals to achieve your goals?' on many occasions. So everyone I ask you the same question. What would you do if you were in Acting President Park Moo Jin's shoes?
If you are reading this review you would have probably seen its 1st season
This drama is one of a kind with no antagonist and only simple pure hearted characters in it. Such kind hearted characters can only exists in a reel life and not in a real life.Even though thks is not a makjang drama. You always find yourself wanting more and more from the characters in the drama. Well everyone knows how great the cast of this drama is but i was pretty impressed by the supporting characters. They were not neglected and shadowed by the writers, who did a great job.
This drama makes you cries at some moments and makes you burst with laughter at another.
There is simply nothing to hate in this drama and the story was not compromised in the 2nd season, if not improved.
At the end of all the rambling i would like to say that i loved Ik Jun's character. I always found myself looking forward to his scenes in the drama.
This is simply an amazing ,mind boggling (in a good way)drama. I enjoyed it to the full.