Wait_IsItNot
Purgatory
Kang Ha-neul sure knows how to pick up good projects
From the synopsis of the drama, I wasn't expecting much from this. I went in without any expectations. Going by the first episode, fingers crossed, this probably will be best non-romance KDrama of 2022.2022 has been the year of cheesiness so far. Dramas which did well this year had too much cheese. The reason might be KDrama going mainstream because of international OTT platforms like Netflix, Disney+ etc. This is good and all, except purist like me suffer. This Drama provides chance for us to reconnect to the reason we became KDrama addicts - the reason being great art of story-telling.
KYH is a trainee prosecutor. He has a sordid past due to absence of his father. Some circumstances conspire and he is working with senior prosecutors including MJH. Together they plan to bring some justice to justice system itself. To get key evidence, KYH is asked to voluntarily go in prison. Initially reluctant, he goes in. Inside prison, will the pivotal plot take place?
OST is okay-ish for now. Let's hope it's get better. Cinematography is excellent. In the episode 1 itself, the gambling house setup is outstanding.
Acting is all around great by veterans and of course by Kang Ha-neul. The subtleness of change in body language of KYH on getting ordinary cards during gambling house scene was inextricable. LYY has minimal role in the first episode. Going by the script, I don't foresee any big role for her in this drama. If they (I hope not) include some romantic side story, that would be different thing.
If you like solemn story with thriller overtone go ahead with it. I don't think you'll find any non-romantic drama (being redundant here) better than this in 2022.
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An old concept portrayed in a creative way
The story is centred around CCW, a magician by profession. He is also predestined steward of great 2000 years old spirit. Endowed with ability to see spirits, he has become quite famous. He has learned to use ghosts (which obviously only he can see) in creative and ingenious ways to perform his acts.GSH is a hard-working, high empathy cop working to correct wrong done to people. In my opinion, Jin Ki Joo has improved her acting a lot compared to last KDrama I saw of her (Secret Life of my Secretary). I wish she goes on to become top league actress.
OST wise, it's nice. Just not noteworthy till now. Cinematography is quite good. As it's shows about magicians, of course, they would some eye-catching sequences.
Overall, a fun enjoyable drama. If you are fan of Park Have Jin, of course, you have to see. If you are looking for something moderate serious tone, please go ahead and watch.
It was a stellar show till episode 10. Post that it has become victim of predictability. The historical arc, I thought there would be more substance to it. But alas, it doesn't.
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An iconic start followed by dismal second half
On the surface it looks like a common revenge theme drama, but it is a lot more. Case could made about various flaws of this - story too focused on main pairing, a simplistic story, not too much going on. In spite of these flaws this has been a mesmerising drama for me.I was already a lot excited as it was Pyo Ye Jin's first drama where she takes a spot among first 2 leads in MDL casting list. Needless to say I've liked her role a lot in Taxi driver, Our blooming youth. I wish her luck for future successes.
Now coming back to this drama. It starts with your usual bickering ML-FL, but it takes a sudden turn. And we are introduced to their past lives. ML is a military general mired in a battle against rebels. And FL of course is somehow related to rebels. This is the past connection. Story goes forward, ML dies and blames FL for his death. He takes a solemn vow to exact revenge on FL.
Now, it's not a typical revenge. And this non-typicality of it makes it such a decent drama.
I initially gave it a 10 after first 4 episodes, but was heavily let down by second half. Major flaws of the drama would be the:
1. The unnecessary storyline of Han Min Oh
2. The execution of the past foster father's revenge
After introduction of above 2 storylines, even the main romance plot lost its lustre.
If you want to watch this drama, it's very good in first half. Rest you can skip or skimp.
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A thriller amidst a futuristic vegan world
BF (Blood Free) is an organisation headed by ChaeWoon which manufactures cultured meat (man-made meat) and has monopolised its market. In the beginning you get the feeling that will cover various merits and demerits of vegan industry like its impact on livelihood of people involved in meat industry. Or loss of livelihood being one of necessary sacrifices need to stop the cruelty against animals. Or the side-effects of cultured meat.But, soon enough they take the drama in direction of thriller/mystery genre. There are 2 mysteries involved - one is ongoing which involves JaYoo and second one which happened in past involves ChaeWoon.
ChaeWoon is a former soldier who got pushed out of his original career because of mystery number 1. Solving mystery 1 is life's mission for ChaeWoon. And to solve it he has to become bodyguard of FL.
Story can take 2 directions - cultured meat or finding the culprit behind 2 incidents.
From the looks of things it looks to be going towards the latter.
Maybe to conclude they will hopefully show cultured meat related dilemmas at the end.
BGM is nice. Since, both ML and FL are veteran actors, as expected they are doing decent enough with their roles.
With just 2 episodes, it is difficult to exactly feel excited about it yet, Next few episodes will be make-it or break-it for me.
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