Fiery Hot Chemistry with Love and Care!
I watched Hyena with a frenzy, I didn't stop and I didn't sleep. My eyes were glued to the screen episode after episode and all I can say is WOW!I could tell you about the high quality cinematography, or the fantastic soundtrack and the thrilling storyline, but I won't. Instead I'll review the Fiery-Hot and passionate romance between our two main leads.
Jung Geum Ja (Kim Hye Soo) and Yoon Hee Jae (Ju Ji Hoon).
Firstly, these actors know how to act. I have been following Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon/Joo Ji Hoon for a while and these two seriously know hot to pull of a role. Throughout the entire drama I was completely convinced by their characters. I felt their complicated feelings for one another. I felt their competitive spirits reaching out to me through the screen.
The director seriously did a good job casting Hye Soo and Ji Hoon because their chemistry is off the charts. From the beginning you could feel how well they fit each other. Just instant electrity. I have never been more convinced by a kdrama couple. An absolute match.
Despite their initial setbacks and especially the harsh actions of Geum Ja, I love how Hee Jae always respects her in the drama.
This drama portrays perfectly how a female lead can be strong, intelligent and fierce and how the male lead respects that. And how they both can be strong and witty and most of all EQUALS!!!!
This is how female characters should be written, this is what feminism looks like!!!! TAKE NOTES HOLLYWOOD!
An equal power dynamic in the relationship, they're constantly in a power battle with each other, yet they still care for one another and they have this perfect synergy.
They didn't need a lot of kissing scenes, romantic music, or cutsie couple shots for you to feel the tension and passion between them. Even when they were at loggerheads with each other it was just so thrilling.
They work well together not only romantically but technically, in the plot, in the story and in the action and law/court scenes.
Honestly if they hadn't had such chemistry this drama wouldn't have been so good. Their thrilling, passionate yet caring relationship is what pulls this whole thing through.
What I like most of all about the power couple in Hyena is that they are a POWER COUPLE!
They kick ass individually but they destroy it together. Honestly I ship them so hard.
What more can I say, bravo. They were fantastic and I hope to see Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon together on more projects. Their chemistry was just too hot.
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Well worth watching, and watching again!
I'm reviewing this now only because I've just re-watched it and enjoyed it as much as the first time. I VERY SELDOM rewatch KDramas.But don't get me wrong. The first time I tried it, I abandoned it, because I hated the male lead - I found him deeply unattractive both physically, with a face always set in a sneer, and as a person - unwaveringly arrogant and dismissive of everyone except his senior in his firm.
I have no idea what made me return to it, but at my second run up to it I allowed him more time. It became clear that he was not what he seemed at all, simply hurt and still struggling with his feelings for the FL.
That said, other reviews here have noted just about everything I want to say. The ML and FL are unconventional, but adorable - once you et beyond her aggressive pursuit of success and money, and his apparent arrogance both in the courtroom and outside. They each have warm relationships with colleagues, but apparently no real life outside of work. Both are more generous than they seem, and more supportive than you might expect. And loyal - and loyalty and betrayal are recurring themes.
Other characters are engaging - one reviewer felt they are not well developed, but - while I agree to an extent - this did not work against the drama for me. In most cases, every character is shown as multi-dimensional, even the incredibly annoying "old friend" of the ML redeems herself when she tells her boyfriend to choose loyalty over betraying his friend for his career. I found them all, even quite minor characters, engaging
There is a strong thread of feminism and domestic abuse running through this drama. If you dislike the idea of that, this is not for you. There is some violence, but none of it gratuitous or graphic.
Similarly, if you want a conventional pretty FL, this is not for you. Kim Hee Su, who plays FL, was 49 when she made this - 10 years older than her ML. She doesn't look it, is absolutely beautiful. However, her role has a weird personality, both flirtatious and sexually assertive, but also very daunting at times. She is also incredibly brave, and refuses to be intimidated by authority or physical threat.
I felt throughout the drama that the story as really all about her, and the ML eventually comes to accept her for what she is, and to respect her sometimes "underhanded" (but are they?) tactics. They break some of the ethical rules for lawyers, but cut through lots of constraints that actually protect wrong-doers or those in authority, and are effective in getting her clients what they want. But sometimes she is well over the line - though increasingly as the series goes on, this is rare.
It interesting - given the feminist content f the drama - that the ML heads the cast list. Why, for goodness sake? His character is great, but the story would be nothing if Kim Hee Su as Jung GeumJa were not there. She is the real star.
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OH-MY-GAAAAAD!! This isn’t an ordinary drama I expected to be
You know, after watching this drama, I kinda regret WHY.ON.EARTH.I.ONLY.HAVE.THE.GUT.TO.FINISH.THIS.But it now I also realized. It’s good to don’t go on trend for just watching dramas. For me, this is the perfect timing to discover this hidden gem HYENA.
I just found myself FELL INLOVE WITH BOTH LEADS AND CHOONG LAWERS. Omyghaddd!!!
At first I was actually hesitant if I would be able to finish this and if this worth watching. But guess what, it totally exceeded my expectations!!!
Tbh I was actually expecting romantic ending between leads but well to tell you know, you’d find yourself enjoying it more than that.
I just love how the overall story goes, especially how they executed the political/law + romance + comedy in a single drama!
It amazes me to witness the well planned and written story. Plus the OST!! It hype me whenever I hear if esp in the exciting part of the drama.
Now, I am expecting for PART 2!!!!!! Does anyone is also with me?!
Well, I felt like it ended pretty fast. Can we just have a part two! I wanna witness how the both lead’s relationship will go, the trial pil sung and if ever the FL bought the building….
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I came for the chemistry and stayed for the Female Lead!
I was looking for a drama featuring great chemistry and Hyena came highly recommended. I wasn't excited by the rival lawyers synopsis, which I thought would be boring, but Kim Hye Soo as Jung Geum Ja is so dynamic that I was never bored. This is the epitome of a strong female lead drama. She's a grown woman and she does whatever she wants! It's refreshing to see it, even when her methods are super sketchy. It took a few episodes for me to really get into the story but once I did I was hooked. Yes, this is a romance with great chemistry too, but it's mainly about Jung Geum Ja being unapologetically bad@ss and unconventionally sexy. Almost Sexy-"Signal" lol"Hyena" doesn't quite reinvent the wheel and follows the usual cliché of rivals turning into teammates and more but it does have a unique beginning. Their initial scenes together truthfully didn't seem all that interesting, but soon it all comes together in a way I didn't expect, so I won't spoil it. Sure, some moments are a little corny, but it was fun watching the leads play off of each other. Geum Ja is ambitious, ruthless, and rulesless and is matched with Joo Ji Hoon as Yoon Hee Jae an arrogant and blunt high-end lawyer who is not used to losing. I loved that he also has a clear sensitive/petty side as well, which made him feel less like a stereotypical character. They are definitely well matched, and both characters I wanted to root for, even when on opposing sides.
Another plus this drama has is that the entire ensemble is great! There are many memorable supporting cast members that I liked, even with much smaller parts, especially as they learned to work together as a team. Some of the clients and rival lawyers were less interesting, but once Jung Geum Ja was involved no scene was ever boring. I definitely have to shout out Oh Kyung Hwa as he secretary Lee Ji Eun who was my favorite of the supporting cast, and a great side kick/ride or die character. I loved her subtle reactions from the sidelines too.
If you are not the biggest fan of courtroom dramas or business corruption dramas, like me, don't worry too much since most of this story is character driven there's an even balance. It's not just about the cases and clients and is often more about how the main characters rise to each challenge. It did help that their cases involved the same related characters, so there's no overload of unnecessary new storylines. There are some scenes that I didn't care as much for but they were never long enough to make the story drag. I do wish Geum Ja's personal story got a little more attention, but what they did show was still enough to understand her. The pacing of the episodes are really good and actually get better as the story progresses, building up to a satisfying ending.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. The banter between the leads and Geum Ja's antics are good for a second viewing, but I would be tempted to skip too many scenes without them since I know how it all turns out. There aren't many specific rewatch worthy scenes either . However, I would definitely be interested in this writer creating a new strong female lead drama. We need more!
Final verdict? This drama met my chemistry expectations and surprised me with a character I won't soon forget. I didn't love it enough to add it to my favorites list but I would definitely recommend it as worth watching. This is a grown up drama for people who like to root for a flawed anti-heroine. It has some suspense elements but it's still mainly a rom-com as much as it's a court drama. I didn't mean to binge watch this so fast but I could not stop watching! Did I care about who worked where, and who owned/lead what business? Not even a little bit. Neither did the Geum Ja though... which was fun to watch. She cared about winning, and win this drama does.
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KIM HYE SOO IS THE MF BOMB DOT COM
I don't even know where to begin with this. I only started to watch this from scratch since I was bored during the quarantine period. I also know that Song Hye Kyo was the original fl. And boii I was sooo glad that she turned this down because I don't think that anyone can deliver or portray Geum Ja like Kim Hye Soo did. Okay for starters, the acting... Everyone was soooo daamn good from the leads to the supporting casts. Ju ji Hoon was magnificent here. And then Kim Hye Soo... Oh my god Kim Hye Soo she is literally the queen of range... She really delivered a one-of-a-kind performance here. Istg the chemistry between the leads are off the charts. I mean, the sexual tension is just *chefs kiss* 100%. The OSTs in hyena are to dieeee for i mean they are just so damn good. If y'all haven't watched hyena, watch it right now. I swear you wont regret it.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
WHAT A SHOW. I loved the satisfying ending.
Ju Ji Hoon, what a sweetheart, he was so amazing at portraying the sexiest ace attorney EVER at a prestigious law firm. His charming aura, his manly fashion, his calm and collected dialogue delivery, his steadfast acting, it all was so GORGEOUS to watch. He really truly was in love with the female lead, without ever stifling her, or trying to change her, he truly only wanted two things from her, an apology, and then a relationship, which I hated to watch (bc FL was kind of a bitch) but it was ALWAYS heart-fluttering instead of cringy. JJH has this way of making literally ANYTHING look good.I was so hurt on his behalf after episode 1, because I really wanted to punish the despicable girl who broke his heart, THAT'S how good he was at showing how taken he was with the girl.
The FL used people and left them for dead, like a hyena, and that's the show! And she stays exactly the same all the way to the very end. In that sense, she was brilliant. She never swayed an inch no matter who cursed at her for her background, for her lack of education, for he lack of class, she just marched on. She really said 'Fuck me if you can' and walked away with victories in her arms. I loved that, truly I did.
BUT her actions never had ANY consequences, which I HATED, and also how every male was completely enamoured with her for no reason at all, which was just annoying to watch.
The background characters in the show had just the right amount of screen-time, they were so good, and were there exactly when they were needed, no more no less.
The story was paced well, and the villain got a good end, exactly what he deserved. All the featured cases in the show were interesting to watch and decipher, and the arc with JJH's father was really intriguing to watch.
Easy 10/10. Highly Recommended!
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A GREY DRAMA FOR GREY PEOPLE!
If you're looking for righteous, heroic protagonists and evil, filthy antagonists, then this drama is"not for you"!A strong FL who remains"strong until the end" is a trope very hard to find in Kdramas. A hot yet adorable cinnamon roll kind of male lead is also rare to find right? This drama assures you this.
The antagonist characters were also very well written, they were calm yet manipulative, you will hate them yet pity them.
The side characters were not just there for fillers but had a good role in the plot.
Many people didn't like the FL and I just want to say one thing for them, that they were not open-minded enough to watch this show. She was not playing foul with innocent, middle-class people, she was being ruthless with dirty, rich people and there is nothing wrong with that. And none other than Kim Hye soo could have played this role, she nailed it!
The chemistry between the leads was a bomb, like literal fire, so good that I don't think I can see Joo Ji hoon with a younger FL in the future (just my opinion.)
Not even one minute of an episode was boring at all, when the episode was completed there were many things shown. I never wanted this drama to end. I was so in love with it, that I learned much more than they wanted to preach.
In short in the drama, no one is "holier-than-thou" everyone is grey and that is what makes the drama relatable, raw, and unique.
You will love it if you accept and learn from it!
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This review may contain spoilers
I had high hopes for this drama after the first couple of episodes but I became less enthusiastic as I kept watching. First, Jung Geum Ju’s antics and tactics started bothering me as she stepped up the lying and coercion and criminal activity. i know that the drama is a satire but it also seemed to be touting her prowess and skill and showing that the ends justify the means. Plus she never developed as a character. Second, I didn’t like the way that Yoon Hee Jae kept pursuing her after she rejected him. If someone says no, the other person needs to back off; it doesn’t matter how sexy or attractive he is, he needed to respect Jung Geum Ju’s wishes. I do think, however, that Ju Ji Hoon’s acting was amazing. Kim Hye Soo not so much, especially her cringe-worthy overacting at the hotel suite towards the end. There’s a way to do that over-exaggerated acting and make it funny (I’m thinking of Han Ji Eun in Be Melodramatic) but Kim Hye Soo’s was too much. Was this review helpful to you?
A MUST WATCH
hyena is definitely one of the most underrated kdramas out there. It has one of the most interesting and engaging storylines in the courtroom genre. The lead characters are the strongest point of the drama. Both Jung Geum-ja and Yoon Hee-jae are competitive, selfish, money-minded and egoistic lawyers who will go to any lengths to win cases and establish themselves as competent lawyers. Jung Geum ja shines in the series with her intelligence, fearlessness and manipulative behaviour with immoral tendencies. Each case in the series is gripping and puts you on an edge. This is not your typical kdrama and is a must-watch for all the kdrama fans out there.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
When I first started watching the drama, I wasn’t hoping for too much comedy. I thought this would be more of the serious law type of drama with a bit of romance in it. I was so WRONG. This drama has not only make me laugh non stop, but also make me feel the tension like I was actually experiencing it live. I’ve never supported casts with big age gap, but this drama cast is just perfect! Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon are the perfect match, and they’re just WOWED ME EVERY EPISODE.The story might be a bit predictable, but I’m sure no one would feel bored watching this. Not even slightly. The comedy was excellent, the romance isn’t too much and just perfect. The only thing missing is just the fact that Jang Geum Ja and Yoon Hee Jae didn’t get the chance to perform together at the court for the last time!! I was hoping for one, but the last scenes were enough though!! BEST COMEDY LAW DRAMA I’VE EVER SEEN. TOTALLY A MUCH WATCH. 100000000000/10 ⭐️
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If you love a woman who knows what she wants in life and refuses to let anyone tell her any different: you'll love this drama.
Her only match is the slick, smart and just as ruthless hotshot lawyer whose the typical well-brought up male lead. Except, not? He clearly wears his heart on his sleeve and I don't think it's much of a spoiler that he pines over the FL the entire run, but he isn't portrayed as any less vicious or clever because of it.
I think if you're more used to run of the mill type dramas where the leads are very straight-cut, unproblematic hero types, this one isn't for you. The cast has wonky morals and aren't very nice, but they still have a whole lot of heart too. If you don't mind your main leads coming with a bit of spice - I recommend! Not the most perfect of shows maybe, but definitely up there.
(and as a side note: has a surprisingly unexpected feminist thread lowkey running throughout about the way women in positions of power are dismissed, disrespected or cast aside in favour of their male counterparts just because they're women.)
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Great potential, fell flat on its face
It was kind of frustating to show watch this show, because I could see the amazing potential it had and what the showrunners were going for, but it was still somehow lacking. It was still an interesting show to watch. However, in my honest opinion, it ultimately fell flat.Imagine seeing your favorite pastry and it looks so beautiful and shiny and delicious, but when you go to take a bite... it's stale. That's what watching this show felt like to me. Great potential, fell flat on its face.
More into specifics:
• Despite the age difference of the lead couple, they were really interesting and hot together. I ship it. And it's always a pleasure to see my guy Ju Ji-hoon on screen ♥
• Jung Geum Ja's hair... Why? Just why? Whoever decided on that hairstyle should go to jail. Kim Hye Soo is beautiful woman, but that hairtyle does absolutely nothing for her, it was hideous. I spent most of the show whishing they would just put the wig from the first episodes back on her.
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