Reviews

Money Can't Buy Happiness!

An old man presents an interesting premise. He asks, “What does a person with no money have in common with a person who has too much money?” His response is, “Neither one can have any fun. Having too much money soon becomes boring.” Such is the delusion of money. It cannot buy fun, love, happiness, or anything else that isn’t materialistic. It can only buy things. And things have a highly delusive quality to them. Why? Because people suffer when they don’t get what they want. And even when they get exactly what they want, they still suffer. Because they can’t hold onto it forever.

The same old man reminisces about his childhood days of being able to play with his friends seemingly forever without any rules or constraints. People are very much like children in their attachments to things. A child gets a new toy until he plays with it enough, and then he’s bored with it. Adults are no different. The World of Delusion promises only fleeting moments of happiness that always has the same result for everyone: the feeling of emptiness.

Squid Game is about human greed and how deep and low a person will stoop for a chance at 45 Billion Won (just over 33 million dollars). The target participants in these games are people who are in dire an desperate financial straits. People who owe such a debt that it’s all but impossible for them to get out from under. How they got into these situations isn’t really the issue compared to the fact that they’ve found themselves stuck in a hole they can’t get out of—until they receive a card; an opportunity to not only pay off their debts, but to possibly have enough money to secure their futures. However, nobody explains to them that nearly all lottery winners or people who win exorbitant amounts of money almost always end up broke. Such is the pitfall of “never having enough.” Even Ebeneezer Scrooge once stated, “There is no such thing as rich enough, only poor enough.”

Seong Gi Hun is a man in severe debt. He’s borrowed incredible amounts of money. He’s a divorced man living with his mother and trying to be there for his estranged daughter. He goes so far as to steal money from his mother in order to bet on horse races, with the hope of winning enough to treat his daughter to a birthday dinner. The people he owes money find him and threaten with severe bodily harm if he doesn’t come up with the money soon. He receives the invitation; an opportunity to play a game for money. More money than he could dream of!

Of course, nothing is as it seems as Seong Gi Hun and 455 other participants are whisked away to a strange island to play six games. Winner takes all. What Gi Hun doesn’t realize is that the games played to the death. He watches in horror as 200 people are killed playing, “Red Light, Green Light.” And as with all aspects of human greed, shaky alliances are formed for protection as well employing means of disposing of the competition. Sleepless nights are common as participants fear attacks in the middle of the night, and we wonder just how strong the initial bonds of friendship and comradery will last when lives and the money are on the line.

We find out that this entire game is an instrument of the incredibly rich from various countries and walks of life. Why? For entertainment. For the ability to revel in some “fun.” Never mind that that “fun” comes at the high price of human lives. Nobody cares. Not the people sponsoring the games nor the participants, no matter how much they may cry “foul” they still play. Ironically, after the first game, the participants vote to end the games, but after more time of suffering financial woes, they reluctantly agree to play again. Like people who frequent casinos, they will lose, but they will always come back. Strangely enough, even if they win, they will also always come back. That’s why they say, “The House always wins.”

I watched “Alice in Borderland” right before this series. While both series are incredibly well done and thought-provoking, I found “Alice in Borderland” far more insightful and sublime in its premise that it’s an allegory for life; that the joys and horrors of this world are not real. “Squid Game” is more specific in exposing the level of human greed and how base human “morality” becomes when money is the goal. As the Bible verse states, “For what does it profit a man should he inherit the world but lose his soul?”

It's not hard to guess that Seong Gi Hun wins the games, but interestingly enough, he refuses to use any of the money he’s won. Survivor’s guilt? Blood money? A final conversation with one of he masterminds behind the games causes him to think about his life, as he’s lived a full year without spending any of the money. Finally, after coming across another “participant” it’s clear that the writers have set up a “Season 2” with Seong Gi Hun vowing to expose the people behind the games.

This isn’t your typical “K-Drama.” It’s vicious and brutal without apologizing for it. There are characters you cheer for and others you immediately despise. There are also some you may find yourself cheering for, but in the end, you are hopeful for their downfall. And there are still others you initially despised but find yourself rooting for. Isn’t that very much like how people are treated in the real world? How ironic that most people love to pull a hero up, but not nearly as much as they love tearing one down.

The series was nearly perfect, except for one big flaw. The police officer who is able to sneak onto the island and uncover what is going on. Somehow, the police officer is able to follow a van in the middle of the night along a dark road to an exchange point. I’m not exactly sure how the driver of the van didn’t notice a single car trailing him the entire time. That was really far-fetched. I also didn’t see how the police officer was able to prevent his cellphone from running out of battery power (as he spends much time recording and taking photos). He certainly didn’t have a charger with him! The whole scenario with the officer should have been handled differently. Instead, like too many of the participants, he just had an incredible run of luck!

Performances across the board were fantastic with Lee Jung Jae leading the way. He was fantastic in “Chief of Staff” so I was already excited to see him helming this series. Even the pink hair got a laugh from me!

Squid Game endeavors to say a lot about people and the imbalance that exists in this world between the 1% and everyone else, and how that chasm is getting wider all of the time. It’s been stated that there is only one, true joy that you can have when you have “too much” money. And that, of course, is to share it. To use it to help others who are in need. The irony of money is that it can never buy happiness nor can you take it with you.

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They're back, baby!

Even though this review is late and won't probably add much to the already present lineup of recommendations, if there's one drama I will go back to for seconds (pun intended) is this one.

After a bit of a letdown with the movie (I reviewed it as well), this story came back to its drama format, which I think is the best vehicle for it. The episodic nature allows the vibe of it to be as it is, without it dragging and without plot points going around in circles.

This season finds Kenji and Shiro with a common thread of looking for permanence (at work, at home, with friends, with family, especially with each other), which was hinted in the movie but gets well developed here. I do think the movie is a necessary viewing between the two seasons (and special), a bit of a stepping stone into the themes of this season, even though the narrative of it isn't as tight as in this season.

Conversations about middle age problems, about how to find a permanent family with someone you can't legally name as such, about parents and their perceptions of their sons' lives, plus the side characters we know and love coming back, makes this one a great season and a very well written step forward for these two.

The acting is always *chef's kiss*, but this season really goes to emotional territories that allow Shiro to show more vulnerability and Kenji becoming more mature. All of this, of course, with amazing food, as always.

This adaptation came back to where it shines best and I hope this isn't the last we see of them!

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Not bad at all, satisfying ending

I started watching this show based on a friend's recommendation and a few episodes in, I came to MDL to see what the folks here were thinking. Somebody said that the middle of the show was boring and that worried me because I was approaching the middle of the show but I soon realized that that wasn't a problem for me.

Rather, it wasn't boring to me. I thought it was interesting and well-paced. There were setups needed for later and I liked all the planning that went into this. It's not the most complicated storyline ever but it was fun to see these characters uncover secrets and exact their revenge. It's not as good as The Count of Monte Cristo, the most classic of the classics as far as revenge stories go, but it holds its own.

I'm also usually big on romance but I found the subtle hints of romance here suitable and extremely fitting for the vibes and characters of the drama.

Overall, I'd recommend this for a weekend watch. It's fun, interesting, and plays with the idea of justice and power. These characters are interesting and new and fresh. I think you'll enjoy this show.

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Leads saved the show

I had so much expectation for this because it’s a Japan-Korean collaboration but the story just fail to deliver. My biggest issue with the story is how the big challenge to overcome revolve around the fate of the picture book. To me, it just doesn’t make sense why everyone is so concerned about the main lead becoming the fate as written in the book. It can just simply be brushed off as a coincidence that some other girl with the same power met with misfortunes. Everyone life path is different, why would the characters assume that same thing would happen to the main lead?? If the story was some mystic guru foretelling the main FL that she will have misfortune happen to her bf, I would take the main challenge more seriously.. and also the plot didn’t explain how the old professor link the picture book story to the Tae-o and Yuri and assume for the worst?? I find it hard to believe he can make the far association. And in the end, the reveal that the Korean girl’s bf died because of a childhood condition rather than the girl’s power felt so underwhelming. It felt like everyone is making a molehill out of a mountain. The chocolatier relationship with the researcher was also unnecessary imo.

The only plus to this is the main leads. They are so cute!!! And yea I love their interactions and chemistry. Though I like the other male character who like the FL as he was really nice and not an asshole but I felt he gave up too easily like as if he don’t even like her… overall it’s just a show with a lot of plot hole saved by the leads.

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Perfect Casting and Most Beautiful Costumes I've ever seen

I'd rate the casting and costumes as 10000/10! Truly a perfect casting, not one is miscast. The costumes are also so beautiful probably one of the most beautiful I've seen in movies and also the sets?. As for the story overall its a masterpiece, however as I was watching it, there are some parts I find boring. The action scenes are well choreographed and the directing of each scenes made it more intense and entertaining. While the story should've a clear ending for me, i didn't dislike the part that they gave a cliffhanger in hopes that it could have a season 2. Looking forward for it and I hope they will continue the story and with the same casts if possible.
The reason I watched this drama is for Zhang Linghe and now that i finished the drama I can say that he did fine, not spectacular but at least he did give justice to the role. Ester Yu is quite a surprise and she was one of the things I really enjoyed watching in this drama. This type of role is clearly different from her past roles and she nailed it!
Overall, I really enjoyed the drama and I hope they get a Season 2, w the same casts?

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No chemistry and WHY THE FUCK MEW GOT INTO THIS SERIES?

Honestly I have high expectation on this series. I thought it would be a good series judging from the promising trailer. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad series since I do enjoy them but somehow the chemistry is missing. I dont know if it’s because of K BLdrama has this kind of pattern but the romance is boring. I only stay because of Mew’’s acting. I used to dislike him because of the rumours but hell with them!! He is such a good actor, i dont understand why people hating on him??!?? And also, the series plot is weak but its not an eye sore. I actually found it to be fun. :) anyway, i wont rewatch it but to give this series a low rating is really unfair. Please watch it and judge by yourself

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Even Though the Name is Unknown, the World Should Know About This Drama

I really don't know how to express it fully; this is my personal opinion and may differ for others. I want to talk about it non-stop now. For those who came to check the review before watching, I'll keep it short. These are the main points I want to discuss:

1. Never judge a book by its cover (brother tag).
2. You are going to get addicted to the characters.
3. Best Taiwanese BL to date.
4. Awesome cast, direction, cinematography, and story.
5. Excellent execution.
6. No boring stuff; all to the point and precise.
7. Rewatch worthy.
8. This is my fourth drama that I will give a 10/10 after watching thousands (very biased opinion).
9. It released on my birthday (so special).

I can go on talking. Initially, when I watched the trailer and read the synopsis, I was afraid of the forbidden relationship and thought of not watching. Once it was completely aired, there weren't many dramas that week, so I simply started watching because it was the only completed show on my watchlist. I thought if it wasn't worth it, I would stop. However, the first episode itself made me realize: never judge a book by its cover. That started my binge-watch. I completed it in one day and couldn't get enough of it. I need season 2 (there is scope). Now, I am recommending people to watch it. Yesterday, I rewatched it again and felt the same emotion the second time too. It's awesome, awesome, awesome. Well done, crew.

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This one intrigues me...

Chinese subbing of a Thai drama. I wasn't sure how I was going to like it but, I got hooked. Love the casting - it is strong. Love the music. Love how the characters interact with each other. And, I appreciate that even though they don't know each other well enough - they still look out for each other's wellbeing. I saw we can't find the original Thai version but, I will stick with the Chinese one to finish it.

One major irritation: The female chosen to voice for the FL was pulled off her anime duty. Typical grown women voicing in a way to make our FL sound like she is 7 years old with a mentality to match. The more she is on screen the more you hate her.
How do these people even get into college?

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Queen of the Tears of Baek Hyunwoo, The Family and then the Audience

Progressing into love? Nope, put it in reverse. Queen of Tears starts with the intention of filling us into a swirl of being a third person in the middle of broken married relationship (marriage! right away! phew, I am not even started dating yet!) How to make a painful marriage ends? How to successfully cut ties with the family of your toxic wife as a lucky middle-class guy coming from the rural area? Surely, there is not many romance drama that started with falling out so quickly like this one.

With the thought of freedom is the only thing you want, I think Hyunwoo just put us being so empathetic with him so quick. Surely, shoved with how unlikeable Haein's family is and how they are so so so rich draws this huge gap that we are on his side quickly. That until we started to see that both of the characters sharing the same quality, also until we shared the common enemies.

I root for the main characters as time grows because the direction of the drama is really good. We are given the reasons to approve Hyunwoo idea's of divorce but then also realize that the key is only to revive the communication and terms between them. Anyway, isn't it natural to losing 'sparks' after all that love is not exercised? What starts to begin as enduring divorce as Haein heals has become how to revive both Haein's health and as well as the romance. One strong point this drama has is also how the side characters are charming and we all can see the growth of them making the happy ending are relieving news broadcasted through TV (literally.) At some points, it gives me as the audience that I am following a big gossip through infotainment (with the spices and hint from people inside.)

My friend told me that the making of Queen of Tears has exceeded many years that some of parts are not relevant to the present. I can see the similarity Queen of Tears shared with the common soap operas in my country that 1.) The family is really rich, it quite gives the boring idea that they do not have any struggles until they are being tricked into crime and lose all of their assets, 2.) The erasure of villains as conclusions and how black and white the characters seems. And so it has become my disturbance that Hyunwoo is so clean at the end. He has been abused, overworked (but I don't think he's underpaid), restricted from his rights, put in jail, almost get in attempted murder and HIT BY A FREAKING CAR yet his only concern is to live with the love of his life. I think it is given that way to par with Haein's incurable tumor, being lied to and tricked to lose everything he has worked hard for, wait also being kidnapped by a sicko obsessed guy...probably it was necessary to ripped all over their walls like that to see that they only need more time to be together to understand their love and fix how being a family was...but still I think it is not fair compared to Eunsong who we only known his motive was growing from being a traumatized child and ended up being so evil (alongside with his mother who we know so little the background of.) The weight of black and white this story has somehow leads to happy ending we expected but we need to get through to sooo many circling ways. The focus change in the drama is good as it expands to discovering many conflicts for character buildings but I think this drama could have less episode while making use of the characters background a little more.

Despite knowing how hyperbolic sometimes the plot is, Queen of Tears has offered something so good to experience, and that is to love and being loved is trully the most important thing in life.

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"Unraveled: The AI Enigma - A Cliffhanger Left Viewers Puzzled, Desperate for Answers... Why?"

"In a world where AI reigns supreme, Blood Free captivates audiences with its futuristic portrayal of a building controlled by chatbot. As drama unfolds, viewers are drawn into a thrilling narrative where the line between technology and humanity blurs. Experience the future on the big screen like never before!" So, let me come to point ; i like the production activities of Disney hotstar for set designs as well as the machines too, it was just awesome to watch the series. The plot is being left out in this whole series according to me, from last 3 episodes it is so hard to guess what is happening? As they wanted to have the sequel so they left us with many questions than answers. Especially, why did prime minister dad did this all(attack on military camp and also on his father in law) is too confusing. The screenplay was nice as well as it give us to watch the whole series at one go! Climax was so confusing i think so hero and heroine are alive somewhere and they have shifted BF building somewhere too! So, everybody think Yun(FL) died in Korea but not sure of it! Aah it is so much frustrating why can't they release sequel of this series too.

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More suitable as a "rewatch" than as a "special" episode

Yes, I agree that they get lazy by doing recap with little new scenes, but I still love it lol

Why? Finally, someone piled up all romantic and NC scene into one and do a recap on it! This gives a very warm sweet flashback of their romantic journey. I really love it. Perhaps, this is more suitable for a "rewatch" when we miss the couple, without having to rewatch the entire series. In that sense, it might not be that "special" an episode

It's also quite nice to hear Wela's POV and how he feels. Also, I love seeing the throuple again. I wish they have given us new NC scenes after they are dating lol

Overall, if you're looking for something new or special, there is none. But, if you just love the couples and trhouple and don't mind watching them teasing, bickering, kissing and all, then it's a pretty sweet little watch

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It's a good story, and it kept me entertained but...

... if you expect it to be like the BU, you'll be disappointed. I was very disappointed, I love the BU, and I've read and watched everything that is available, so I've been very excited about this series for years now... unfortunately, the series do not follow the original story. They take things from here and there, but they change a lot of things and skip/add things. Some things they add felt unnecessary.

I was very disappointed by Kim Jooan's (Taehyung) and his father's relationship, and the relationship they had.
But I was very satisfied with both Park Haru (Jimin) and Jeon Jeha's (Jungkook's) families and those story lines. I was on the other hand disappointed by the reason Cein was expelled, in the original BU, he ended up in trouble to protect Jeha (Jungkook), but they went a different route in this series.

I also felt like it was rushed, and the way the boys bonded felt equally as rushed, as if they bonded just because they had to for the sake of the plot. I never got that impression from the BU. The only ones I felt had somewhat of a chance to bond were Dogeon and Jooan (Namjoon & Taehyung), and Hwan and Cein (Jin & Yoongi). I loved those scenes with Dogeon and Jooan in Episode 1 and the scene with Hwan and Cein in Episode 2.

Episode 1 and 2 were both great episodes, because they focused a lot on the boys friendship, and I feel like we needed more of that before we introduced all the boys' struggles. Right now I feel like they more often faught than actually had fun together.

About Haru and Hosu (Jimin and Hoseok), the way they went with convincing the audience they are great friends was "all tell not show". They kept telling the audience what great friends they are instead of really showing us, because most of the time Haru tried to avoid Hosu.

So was the series bad? No, not at all, I did enjoy it if I tried to not compare it with the BU. But was it great? No, it wasn't great either. We need more happy scenes with them actually having fun together... we espeically need Hwan (Jin) to have more fun with the boys. I know they tried to convince the audience that Hwan cared about the others but I ended up wondering why he cared so much.
And the way they include the timeloop's twist so late, it made things yet again feel so rushed.

And there wasn't a satisfying ending, so we'll have to keep our fingers crossed for a season 2.

I would recommend it, it's worth watching, the actors really helped making the experience better, they are great! But nothing I would rewatch myself.

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