Korean Dramas

[Deleted]

I marathoned Squid Game over the weekend. When I read the premise I was surprised that it had become such a worldwide phenomenon, since it's a story that's been done several times already. Poor and desperate people fighting to the death for money for the entertainment of the extremely wealthy, and it's all a metaphor for capitalism, and also commentary on human nature and will human beings help each other when the chips are down or do we all become animals fighting for our own survival, we've seen that in a couple of Japanese horror films (Battle Royale, As the Gods Will) and The Hunger Games.

But I liked it more than I thought I would. The world building is great, the sets are super creepy (that doll in the first episode, omg), the characters are fleshed out, and the series leaves a lot of open questions. Massive spoilers below:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}What happened to the cop? How did his brother become the Front Man, and why? I guessed the thing with the old man being behind the games and playing for fun, but I didn't see it coming where the missing brother was the Front Man. And is Gi-Hun going after the game runners? What's the deal with the salesman?

I'm also really interested in the story behind the staff. I feel like it's kind of implied that, even though they aren't facing death the same way the players are, they're still prisoners, and they still are under threat, as evidenced by the one guy being executed (and looking very resigned to his fate) when he removed his mask.

I hope there's a second season. There's more than enough material to work with.

[magazinewhore]

I watched the first episode of Squid Game after I'd heard about its premise, so it wasn't shocking to me. I also watched it with the English subtitles and was underwhelmed. It seemed "meh" at best. Did I do it wrong? Do I need to give it more episodes or is it ruined for me?

[Millis]

Oct 4, 2021 19:23:16 GMT -4 magazinewhore said:

I watched the first episode of Squid Game after I'd heard about its premise, so it wasn't shocking to me. I also watched it with the English subtitles and was underwhelmed. It seemed "meh" at best. Did I do it wrong? Do I need to give it more episodes or is it ruined for me?

I had the exact same reaction and question! If it weren't such a phenomenon I would definitely not bother, but I feel like maybe it gets better since everyone is raving about it so much?

[Deleted]

It does get better, but again, it's not a unique premise, and there is absolutely some plot armor that certain characters have. I would maybe suggest watching up to episode 4, and then deciding what you think. Episodes 4 and 6 are the best IMO, so if you make it to one of those and you still don't like it, then it's probably time to drop it.

Fair warning: episode 6 is super sad though. That's the point where the show starts killing off people that the audience actually cares about.

[Deleted]

Oct 5, 2021 9:17:58 GMT -4 @ximena said:

It does get better, but again, it's not a unique premise, and there is absolutely some plot armor that certain characters have. I would maybe suggest watching up to episode 4, and then deciding what you think. Episodes 4 and 6 are the best IMO, so if you make it to one of those and you still don't like it, then it's probably time to drop it.

Fair warning: episode 6 is super sad though. That's the point where the show starts killing off people that the audience actually cares about.

Is it very gory, because gore makes my stomach turn.

[Deleted]

Oct 5, 2021 12:24:33 GMT -4 @livingfortheweeken said:

Oct 5, 2021 9:17:58 GMT -4 @ximena said:

It does get better, but again, it's not a unique premise, and there is absolutely some plot armor that certain characters have. I would maybe suggest watching up to episode 4, and then deciding what you think. Episodes 4 and 6 are the best IMO, so if you make it to one of those and you still don't like it, then it's probably time to drop it.

Fair warning: episode 6 is super sad though. That's the point where the show starts killing off people that the audience actually cares about.

Is it very gory, because gore makes my stomach turn.

It is. If you are sensitive to gore and violence, I would avoid it.

[Deleted]

Well I finished all 120 episodes of Be My Dream Family a few couple of weeks ago. This weekend I started Mr. Queen because I love Shin Hye Sun. 3 or 4 episodes in, and I like it. I have avoided sageuks in general but I figured I'd try something different. I also fell down the rabbit hole of Korean family clans.

[americanchai]

I am usually allergic to saeguks but I'm watching The King's Affection and enjoying it so far. I think it's doing the gender thing in a relatively sensitive way.

I'm almost done with Nevertheless and I actually like it but understand why some don't like it because it is so accurate when it comes to the types of relationships you have when you're young and meet the wrong person.

I've actually been watching a lot of Chinese dramas lately. Loved Wait, My Youth and Put Your Head On My Shoulder.

[cabbagekid]

There’s been a few good K-Dramas the past few months:
1) 2521 - I know most people didn’t like this because of the ending but the ending was spoiled in the beginning of the drama. I’m not sure why viewers thought it would end any other way. I honestly really enjoyed this, it was a story on young love and take it for what it is.

2) Currently watching Business Proposal - really enjoying this. I’m on episode 6. This drama doesn’t take itself seriously and embraces all the check-off list of everything that usually happens in a K-drama. It’s a bit quirky and gives me vibes of “what’s wrong with secretary Kim?” The main male lead could be the offspring of the 2 characters in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (or at least that’s how I picture him, lol).

3) Hometown Cha-Cha - this was a feel good drama. It was light and easy watch. I would find myself smiling while watching the episodes and it was refreshing to watch a drama where the 2 leads had good communication with each other (for the most part).

4) Thirty-Nine- I’m also currently watching this drama but it’s a bit heavy, it’s why I started watching Business Proposal, I needed something to offset the heavy emotions. This drama is about the friendship of 3 women who are almost in their 40s. Obviously there is some romance involved but overall it solely focuses on their friendship. The acting is superb! I’m loving Seo Ye-Jin’s acting in this.

ETA: I’m also watching Shooting Stars on VIKI. It just started this past weekend. I wish I didn’t start this drama right away, it’s one of those that I’d love to just binge, similar to Business Proposal.

[americanchai]

1) Loved. So well done.
2) I like even though the male lead is boring (also, I will never forgive him for Abyss, which wasn't bad because of him, per se, but he was the male lead in it so he's culpable for the lost hours I spent watching that piece of garbage) but I love Kim Se Jeong. She's awesome.
3) Hometown Cha-Cha - I don't like either of the leads. The female lead in particular - other than being pretty, there's nothing to recommend her character to the male lead. I've never been a big fan of Kim Seon Ho, though I think he does look great in this drama. The eye candy and smalltown drama is kind of cute though.
4) Haven't seen yet.

I'm actually digging Forecasting Love and Weather. I have a soft spot for Song Kang and Park Min Young and I actually like the first half of it. I suspect it might be drifting towards the end but I actually am enjoying the fact that there is some schadenfreude for the "second" couple who are actually, like, the worst.