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Loving this series
Man, this one has me crying at the end of each episode. When they take that last photo. *tissue* The twins episode was so good and the kids acting was so touching. It’s amazing how well they acted on their roles. I am digging how this series the main girl is more outspoken and blunt. And her taking the lead on kissing him out of the blue was icing on the cake. I cannot wait to see what happens later in the series and what will end up happening with both of them. I hope the curse is lifted in the end.Was this review helpful to you?
My last memory - I want it to be you !
So I didn't really expect it to be this likable - ep 2 and i was shedding tears that tissues couldn't wipe - but when you start from the highest point there's no way up and I guess that's what went wrong with the show !The first half was well cut, top notch ideas and execution, the kind that creates a yearning for more - for the 16 eps to stretch till infinity but I guess the makers took this feeling otherwise. The second half is pretty much set in a different tone which is draggy and feels like a failed attempt of recreating the original one because the directions the story was progressing in didn't support that at all.
The storyline does try to answer the questions it had previously put forward but the things that couldn't possibly be explained were called miracles ...which is such a lazy choice as if I was just watching it with all my interest for it to be called a miracle. And then suddenly the plot shifts conveniently towards their romance with the villains waiting till the couple is all done with their lovey dovey, like really !!!
Not that the story wasn't well cooked but that it did taste foul before it was even cooked ! - The lead pair didn't have what we call chemistry, it was never butterflies and more often just were too awkward to even sit and watch. There romance was like spilled ink on a masterpiece. There was no mention of the villain (whom they apparently took as villain) in the initial eps but later they just take it so obviously that it's almost like taking the audience as a dumb kid who'll be fed with medicine in the name of molten chocolate.
The last few eps still manage to keep you hooked and somewhat bring it back on track - was I terribly disappointed with the events in the last episode - yes, did it make sense - no, did I see it coming - yes!
The side characters are consistently well written and are so relatable that even if you guess their plotline you still want to have them on screen, living it(pun intended) !
So as to sum up the show ruined itself with the romance but the bromance is what kept me going along with the very interesting and heart warming stories that made me cry rivers and oceans.
With ep 2 as my by far the most favorite one in all the ghost stories I have ever seen, this show is worth a shot if you can ignore or skim through the romance and like ghost stories and afterlife transitions!
-- spoiler -- would have been so nice if it was the police spirit helping him out of netherworld instead of twin- someone who shouldn't exist should have been done by someone who ceased to exist as well !-- also how is he carrying that sword if nothing is allowed in afterlife ? -- spoiler end ! --
The overall backdrop of the show is a marvel itself and I'd suggest watching it for there's so much to miss out on ! and not to get your hopes up would be my advice for you all.
Also tho I am in love with the ost they play it fucking everywhere ...like people be crying lalala people be happy lalalala evil spirit be winning lalala ....at one point you'll be like WHAT THE FUCK !!
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I'm sorry but what was this?
I'm not use to write reviews but I just have to say some things about this drama. I came to this show with high expectations because I saw that it had a certain similar vibe with Tomorrow and I loved that drama, one of the bests and I truly love this type of dramas that can make you feel everything, every single emotion at once and it really makes you think about life but I don't even know what to think about this one.First of all, I loved the first episodes, specially the twins ones I cried so hard, I truly felt it in my soul and I was expecting more emotional storys in each episode a different one but it didnt came. I wasn't really feeling it the relationship of the FL and ML, there wasn't any chemistry in my opinion and it just felt dull and just exactly like other 20 dramas. I predict a lot of the story, not the villain but specially the ending but I was not expecting the end for the two ghost friends of the ML. And its in the ending and in their story that I got really disapointed.
For the ghost cop, I thought that we were going to get an emotional conversation with his wife. I understood what they were trying to do but for me I preferred that they had a conversation and both could feel at peace and not that he was going to turn out an evil spirit. I felt that he deserved better then that ending.
And now the one that I was flabbergasted... why does the FL friend ends up with the ghost??? It doesn't make absolutely no sense and, I know that this drama isn't supposed to be realistic but I mean I preferred that they had send him, in peace to the other side then having him end up as a professor of the ghosts and in a relatinship with a human!!!
Overall, it was an okay drama, I will not rewatch in the future but I guess it was good to pass the time and if you want to cry.
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An Okay watch
This K-drama, reminiscent of shows like "Tomorrow" and "Hotel del Luna," revolves around supernatural powers and themes of the afterlife, akin to what I enjoy a lot. While it had the potential to be exceptional, it ended up being merely average.Merits:
- Eum Moon Sook delivered an incredible performance as Baek Nam Goo, portraying the character with depth and authenticity. Yoo In Soo's portrayal of Go Dae Ri was also commendable, adding layers to the character and contributing to the overall narrative. Both lead actors performed well, delivering performances that aligned with their usual range.
- The music was skillfully composed and added emotional depth to key scenes, enhancing the viewing experience. Additionally, the set designs were visually appealing and helped to immerse viewers in the world of the drama.
Demerits:
- Despite the strong individual performances, the chemistry between the lead couple was lacking, hindering the audience's ability to fully invest in their relationship. As a result, their parts felt less engaging and at times, uninteresting.
- The drama's pacing felt sluggish, with certain scenes and storylines feeling unnecessarily prolonged. Shortening the episode count to 12 could have helped to maintain viewer interest and made the drama more binge-worthy.
- While the overall storyline was engaging, there were some logic inconsistencies throughout the series. However, the last three episodes managed to address some of these issues and provide a more satisfying conclusion.
Overall, while the drama may appeal to fans of the genre or those interested in the featured actors, it falls short of being a must-watch.
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A memory for the dead, a price for others
It's an interesting concept, a studio in which the owner has to take photos of the dead.The first episode was really good and captivating, the others were also good and very emotional. But then, I felt somehow, it was a decent watch although the plot was still on-going and interesting. maybe I thought it could be enough to have only 12 episodes and not 16 in total but nevermind. I also think, although I liked the romance between the main leads, I would prefer they stayed friends because somehow, I felt more a friendship dynamic, I don't know but it's just a detail.
It's not really a spoiler but after finishing, I thought it was a bit illogical however, I still overall, appreciate the serie. However, I won't have the urge to binge watching it.
The production did a really good job in my opinion but wish the ghost were a bit more scarier (lol) and the acting was also good and for some others, impressived, they made me feel emotional.
And I really appreciate all the OST, it's emotional and beautiful to listen!
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A perfect blend of comedy and horror
Do you remember that hotel for ghosts run by Man Wool? It stole the hearts of people through its quirky lines and ghastly plot. Now, after five years, a narrative has appeared where an owner of a photo studio is here to tell its tale.Ki Joo is a photographer. He has his own photo studio. However, he does not click photos of normal humans but of ghosts. He is the seventh owner of the mysterious place and has been a diligent worker. And one day his path crosses with Han Boom who works as a lawyer.
Highs of the drama
Following the footsteps of the hit series Hotel Del Luna, the story successfully keeps the zeal alive.
Each episode dives into a fresh incident and tactfully brings in all for the solution, which is heartwarming.
Joo Woon the seventh owner looks convincing and fresh. His subtle romance with Na Ra is surely more beautiful than ever. The leads of the story share a subtle and soft romance.
Lows of the drama
In some scenes, it felt like the director was dragging the narrative. It could have been handle better.
The music score is not outstanding
Overall: It is a fun watch.
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Of Ghost and Curse and unfinished business in an unremarkable manner
Ghost/horror genre and ability of a human to see them is not new. ML has a fulltime job as a photographer of the dead prior to crossing over to afterlife. It's a cursed ability handed through generation in his family. His sidekicks are 2 ghosts (ex deskworker and ex cop) both with reasons of unfinished business and had stayed in the land of the living.The main selling point were the episodic telling of the stories of each ghost visitor. From child to elderlies, each with their final request. ML's role, often challenging but rewarding to see the visitors have a proper closing before sending off to the other realm. This worked well in the beginning.. I cried on episodes of grandma, the child, abd the courier deliveryman. Those were stories that were touching and memorable.
Enter my criticism. Later on its fixated on the overall big baddie ghost. And sidetracked by cop ghost's story about his wife (very skippable). That enjoyable nature of diff ghost diff story was abandoned.
Next the romance between our ML and FL. In the beginning I enjoyed how ML seem a lil antihero and FL was kind of bubbly and goofy. ML was just trying to survive the curse and escape the looming death. I felt their relationship never reached the height it should. If hot is 100C, theirs is like lukewarm. Cause of this I never felt the intensity of a love thats connected to life and death.
From execution of plot to casting of the leads, it never truly fulfilled what it was supposed to. Nothing truly disastrous, but isnt remarkable either.
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Great transition to afterlife drama
There have been several similar transition to afterlife stories. I liked the formula of this drama - they have a case of the week that our team has to solve and bring closure to the deceased. That kept the delivery each episode interesting. The 'rules of engagement' (ie rules governing how they operate together eg safe zone, Dae Ri jumping into a human host for 10 minutes at a time, etc) were established early on and stayed consistent, unlike some dramas that bent the rules just to fit the plot or to create dramatic tension or because they didn't know how else to conclude the drama.In terms of negatives, perhaps the weakest point was the romance between the main leads. There was no chemistry whatsoever and they looked awkward together especially when they had to call each other cutesy names, or kiss or hug. The second couple had far better chemistry (at least no awkwardness) but I'd rather the drama just focus on the cases! Second, the last few episodes were especially draggy when they were trying to develop the romantic relationships rather than resolving things. Third, the OST was boring - they had one song and used that to death for everything - sad, happy, dramatic, etc. I'm not expecting a highly listenable soundtrack like CLOY or DOTS, but we're basically going back to the early 90s with Autumn in My Heart and their one song-one-hit-repetitive-wonders.
In contrast, the chemistry between the four 'team members' was enjoyable to watch. I enjoyed how they worked together with a mix of humour, teamwork, and goodwill to overcome the villians. Overall, it was entertaining and I enjoyed watching it but I wouldn't call it the best drama of the year or even of the genre, not even close.
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A GOOD EXPERIENCE!!
I found the series quite enjoyable, although I must admit that other compelling dramas are currently airing. Despite this, the show's storyline captured and maintained my emotional investment, and the lead actors were particularly impressive. It is worth noting that the show is a work of fantasy and not based on logic, which may have contributed to its weaker aspects. Although I do not plan to re-watch the series, I found it to be a valuable experience overall. While the thriller and crime elements of the plot could have been stronger, the stories of the deceased characters were more intriguing. It would have been even more compelling if the show had focused on these characters, but I recognize that the plot revolves around the leads' quest to lift a curse. Rather than attributing the show's shortcomings to itself, it would be more appropriate to acknowledge that the genre often follows this pattern. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for an enjoyable and engaging viewing experience.Was this review helpful to you?
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A Supernatural Thriller that Surprises
Yet again a ghost story, that was what I thought!A supernatural suspense thriller, Joo Won stars as Seo Ki Joo, a 7th generation photographer who runs a small photo studio, which specializes in storing the last memories of the dead. The camera he uses for this taunting task was stolen by his ancestor, as such it is a cursed object and the descendants belonging to Seo family line bear the brunt of the curse. They are unable to live beyond 35 years and die in mysterious ways. The overall synopsis spells the ordeal faced by our main lead on a daily basis. Imagine what he has go to through when a crazy attorney who was fired from her job is added to this mix. “The Midnight Studio” weaves a subtle romance in the midst of horror and supernatural suspense. Both the main leads have their own set of problems; Ki Joo lives from day to day hoping to survive while leading the dead souls to their salvation, Han Bom (Kwon Na Ra) is busy finding jobs while being ostracized in her own field. As each case unfolds, the storyline turns into a gripping tale of long-lost love & reconciliation.
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/the-midnight-studio-series-review/#more-810
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What I expected but not really (to be edited until series ends)
I was interested in watching this after seeing the cast cry during the script reading and it had similar vibes to "May I Help You?"(which I recommend btw) so I was interested in seeing how the theme of helping the dead safely move on to the afterlife without having any regrets was going to be tackled. Plus, it being a photo studio was already I guess unique because how are they going to deal with providing such a service to ghost customers when living people may give them issues.the series has a solid opening. It gives basic understanding of how everything works and still leaves enough curiosity for plot development in future episodes. I enjoyed the stories of the deceased (ep3 was hilarious imo- the aespa cameo you didn't know you needed) and learning more about how our ML's family came to be cursed this way and how FL comes into play in everything especially the link to a ghost from the past. We get to meet all type of ghosts so not every story is the same/similar. Plus, not every ghost has good intentions and seeing how they deal with them ensures the interest in the story is maintained. The side character stories are also somewhat interesting, but I hope they are fully developed by the end of it all.
My problem with the series starts(?)/started(?) in ep7 when the romance plot finally takes off, that's if we can call it that. I am all for FL taking initiative but tbh it was more coercion than positive pursuit. She keeps crossing the line and not respecting his stance. My guy says no she hears try again (just because she felt embarrassed and feels like he is stringing her along which he isn't btw). We are blinded in seeing this because he is also interested in her, but oh well.
I am still struggling to wrap my head around why ML is looking for his uncle when he knows about the family curse but there is still time for clarity.
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My favorite genre. (Hoping that we'll have a happy ending for the leads at least)
I especially love the romance genre where one of the leads can see ghosts, but I had put this one on hold because it was a bit heavy compared to the recent light hearted dramas I had been watching.I love the ML, he is so adorable. What's more, he looks after the FL so much that even though he doesn't admit his feelings and rejects her, its hard to dislike him. The guy is sure he only has around 3 months to live, so, he doesn't really think he has much to offer. But he could at least just tell her that he is going to die. So far, I have loved episode 7 the best, despite rejecting the FL twice now, the ML was so damn jealous of her admiring another guy. Now that I have finally started the drama, I can't wait for next week's episodes.
Coming to the beautiful stories we have, each episode was created to make you cry. The deaths seem so untimely and we wish these people had another chance at life.
This drama gives me the same feels as The Master's Sun. (The romance and the ghost seeing lead (here both of them see the ghosts))
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