simmetra
Sensitive topic handled well
S Korea has the highest suicide rate in the OCED. It is therefore unsurprising that some brave souls have decided to explore this sensitive subject. Without pontification or moralistic judgement, the show explores the motivations for suicide and takes a sympathetic look at the personal life histories, as well as societal pressures and judgements surrounding the would-be suicide victim.
To achieve this sensitive exploration, the show takes a step back and relies on the introduction of the supernatural - not the Grim Reapers but a protection team that goes in and tries to stop the suicide from even occurring. How nice that Heaven would think of that (and this is addressed at the beginning of the series!) To do so, they delve into the victim's past. Although they're not allowed to change the past, they help the victim to come to terms with a turning point in their lives that caused great regret and thus led to repercussions for the rest of their lives.
The drama could very easily have been a pseudo time-travel cum afterlife show, and we've also seen many Grim Reaper shows where someone tries to help the deceased resolve his/her last wishes or right an injustice that cause them to lose their lives. However, this show is a fresh take on the genre of supernatural Grim Reaper/karma shows. Each episode or so deals with a different victim, so the show is kept fresh because if you find a certain story boring (some stories are quite draggy), you know that it'll end. Also, always stay tune for the Epilogue at the end of each episode.
I enjoyed watching the show because the ups and down kept me entertained. There were humorous bits that made me laugh, touching bits that made me cry, as well insightful ponderances by someone on the verge of death that left me reflecting for days about the meaning of life. My favourite episode was episode 7, about an old man who spent his life collecting recyclable junk. Without giving too much away, that was my favourite episode as it was extremely meaningful.
Kim Hee Sun has chosen good scripts throughout her career, and this one hasn't disappointed either.
To achieve this sensitive exploration, the show takes a step back and relies on the introduction of the supernatural - not the Grim Reapers but a protection team that goes in and tries to stop the suicide from even occurring. How nice that Heaven would think of that (and this is addressed at the beginning of the series!) To do so, they delve into the victim's past. Although they're not allowed to change the past, they help the victim to come to terms with a turning point in their lives that caused great regret and thus led to repercussions for the rest of their lives.
The drama could very easily have been a pseudo time-travel cum afterlife show, and we've also seen many Grim Reaper shows where someone tries to help the deceased resolve his/her last wishes or right an injustice that cause them to lose their lives. However, this show is a fresh take on the genre of supernatural Grim Reaper/karma shows. Each episode or so deals with a different victim, so the show is kept fresh because if you find a certain story boring (some stories are quite draggy), you know that it'll end. Also, always stay tune for the Epilogue at the end of each episode.
I enjoyed watching the show because the ups and down kept me entertained. There were humorous bits that made me laugh, touching bits that made me cry, as well insightful ponderances by someone on the verge of death that left me reflecting for days about the meaning of life. My favourite episode was episode 7, about an old man who spent his life collecting recyclable junk. Without giving too much away, that was my favourite episode as it was extremely meaningful.
Kim Hee Sun has chosen good scripts throughout her career, and this one hasn't disappointed either.
Was this review helpful to you?
