Good to see mental health being addressed in K-drama at last

December 2023
Not your usual K-drama topic, but the negativity and ignorance around mental health, as well as other topics that get swept under the carpet, seem to slowly be getting the stage they need, so spreading awareness and highlighting inappropriate behaviour / unfair treatment.

It starts fairly light heartedly, but later becomes more serious with each episode.

It is not, surprisingly, depressing, although there are both frustrating and emotional scenes.

Whilst some might feel it doesn't go far enough in addressing the topics involved, it must be remembered that attitudes there are very behind (generalising now), countries like the UK and USA. I feel it pitches just right to keep the domestic audience engaged, whilst hopefully making those viewers think, without turning them off.

I enjoyed it more than not, loved the cast and the pace suited me.

The romance aspect is rather lovely and the lead characters not typical. Various aspects of mental health are covered, but what stood out to me rather, was how those cases seemed to need a reason behind them, which was usually around family or work, or both.
There is not always a reason, or trigger, and some are unfortunate to simply be born with conditions that become more prominent and obvious, as they grow.

Patients were often spoken to in a cajoling manner, as though talking to kids, which I found patronising and irritating at times.

I did like the storyline around Park Bo-young's character and thought it quite unique. Her mother's chat with someone in a later episode, I thought very realistic and pertinent

Definitely worth a watch, though there is self-harm and suicide references, which may be an issue for some.

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Happiness is subjective.... and not a Horror.

A dark and tense drama surrounding a virus outbreak coming hot on the heels of a real one that the world's just recovered from.
Unfortunately, it's the greed and wealth of a powerful character that is partially to blame and they would never be held accountable; that's made clear early on. Perhaps because I've watched a few dramas recently, where the wealthy get away with so much, that I was a little disappointed by that aspect of the plot.
There are some truly awful characters in this and rather like Sweet Home, the different residents of the swanky new complex of apartments and shops, have their true characters brought to light, as the area is locked down.
Some really stupid decisions are made by some, like unbelievably so, but they move the drama forward and provide the tense scenes that work so well.
I loved the main couple/characters and thought Park Hyun-sik and Han Hyo-joo worked very well together. Their chemistry was natural and they made a realistic friends-to-couple pair.
She is tough, no nonsense and quite hard hearted when she feels it's necessary, whereas he is a little softer (though by no means weak) and more the archetypal good cop.
There was a fair bit of blood, but not ridiculous amounts. I personally wasn't moved to tears at any point, by any of the scenes though.
How some of the infected died and others didn't, from either being stabbed, bludgeoned or shot, was a little odd to me. I couldn't work that out at all.
The sets in the apartment blocks and their underground parking, were suitably claustrophobic and provided some jumpy moments... one never knew what or who was behind closed doors, opening lifts and lurking on stairwells.
To be honest, I wouldn't call this a horror drama, but a thriller, personally.
Overall a satisfying watch. It was great having PHS back leading a drama, and one of this genre at that.
Really liked the sound track, especially Isaac Hong's contribution. The minute he opens his mouth, I melt.

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The synopsis doesn't really do the story justice.

It's the things taken for granted, the life changing moments that can't be rewritten, feelings uncovered that can't be hidden away again and taking the time and having the patience to allow something special to blossom. That's at the heart of this gently paced, moving and warming drama.
There were times the malice and harsh words of some characters seemed unforgivable, but heat of the moment anger, or pent up frustrations lead to such things.
The underlying charm, throughout the angst, kept this story from being depressing... it's anything but.
It may not be exciting, fast moving or hilarious, but it is a strangely uplifting story.
The moments of simple pleasures shared by a rural community where news travels fast, bring light hearted smiles. The warmth of people that may argue and bicker one moment, but be there in times of need, the next.
Letting go of anger, resentment and hate is a key message I got from this. Being understanding of those who don't or can't so easily voice their feelings, instead trusting in their actions, is another. Being kind to and easier on, oneself, is yet another.
Family can wound as well as heal.
I loved it, although do wonder what happened with Eun-sub's Uncle, the conclusion to their issues was never revealed, although I guess answered in the rest of the story.

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What it is to be different

What an unusual and touching story. The loneliness and alienation felt by someone who only sees in mono can probably be well understood by anyone suffering a condition that sets them apart from the norm. For others it is a poignant insight into that loneliness.
I loved the cast and characters, which were fresh and natural.
I'm sure it would be welcomed by those who enjoyed this story, if the writers and producers felt it successful enough to expand on the plot and give us a full length drama that covered the characters' own stories that led up to their meeting, the search and investigation into Yeon Woo's mother and the evolving relationship between Yeon Woo and Yoo Han.
The 'R' rating is a mystery to me. I get that a same sex couple may be taboo, but the content really didn't warrant it. Gay relationships should be seen as a natural part of life in this day and age, especially in a progressive and modern country, and when it is portrayed as delicately as this.
Trigger warning for attempted suicide.

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I was hooked almost immediately. Stories within a story, lacing together. Suspense, violent action, nasty bullies, vengeance, abusive childhoods, friendship, loss, trust, love, tears and laughs. It's all here.
No character is perfect, but so many are more than likeable, flaws and all. The baddies really are evil.
So Moon, Mo Tak and Ha Na probably develop the most as the series progresses. One matures, one is able to find themselves and reconnect, and another is able to face up to a guilt ridden past and open themselves up again.
Ji Chung Shin was a character I couldn't help but feel for. Vulnerable to manipulation and a harrowing past, I didn't feel at all guilty about wishing he could somehow be redeemed and freed of his demons.
I also loved the OST, with tracks from the brilliant Isaac Hong, Dvwn and Sejeong.
I will definitely watch this again and eagerly anticipate series 2. Do NOT let us down, Netflix!

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We all should live near a hospital like that!

Series 1 was great viewing and I felt the same about this second run.
I never expected to love the cast and characters as much as those in the first series, but I did.
The relationships that were cultivated between characters were as warming as before and I loved Ahn Hyo-seop, as well as seeing Kim Min-jae again and my favourite characters wonderfully brought back to life by Jin Kyung and Im Won-hee. So liked the nosy and forthright Yoon Ah Reum (So Ju Yeon) and gasped with joy to see a matured Do In-bum (Yang Se-jong) too.
As before, there is greed, politics, back stabbing and scheming, together with patient stories and the family that is Doldam Hospital, wonderfully lead by Kim Sa-bu/Dr Boo Yong-joo.
It does get a bit cheesey at times and quite self-righteous, with lots of unexplained medical terms, but still makes a very enjoyable watch.

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Dark, quirky, surreal at times... SO good!

Just finished this on Netflix and so enjoyed it.
A very quirky, darkly amusing, slightly surreal crime caper. I also fell for Santa (Baek Sung-chul).
Lee Young-ae is perfect in the lead. A favourite mature actress, Kim Hae-sook, was great in a role the likes of which I'd not seen her play before; and I loved seeing Lee Hong-nae again, who was so good in The Uncanny Counter.
'K' is very vulnerable at times and it's often hard not to like her, until she starts to lose her purpose.
Totally felt for Lee Hong-nae's character at one point, although I wondered how much he was beholding to 'K' and how much it was for kicks.
A drama that is barkingly good fun at times.
The OST is a favourite now (and there are several Playlists of it on Spotify).

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SO outdated and clichéd

Dreadfully dated.
Bad soap opera feel to it, with cheap looking sets.
Outdated characters ~ supposedly 'hicky' working class family, with the usual debts caused by parents, reliant on the one sensible, more successful family member, who is pressured and leeched off; money grabbing mother of status seeking daughter, with long suffering father in another family; slapping of faces; class distinction (based on wealth, certainly not 'class'); controlling grandmother of wealthy family who seems sweet, but is cruel and callous; bitchy females; jealousy and vindictive characters; ffrom what I heard, a forgetful ost.
Just dreadful. I could not watch past ep4. The acting is so hammy, stiff and forced ~ almost farcical.
What was Ahn Jae-hyun thinking? I was so looking forward to seeing his first drama in too long, but whilst he isn't dreadful in it, sadly also not fabulous enough to make me stay. I hope he was paid well.
Anyone who loves soap operas, OTT characters and behaviour, with clichés by the bucket load ~ this will not disappoint. Sadly not for me at all.

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