I honestly never expected an intricate sci-fi plot from this show, and for that matter any other kdrama ever. So I was pleasantly surprised and stumped when this show proved me wrong. A great sci-fi plot should keep you guessing till the very end, only to supply the right logical answers at the right moment, according to the rules it has established in its world. It is also a definite plus if it makes you ask certain existential questions, and ponder on them. For instance, what makes you, YOU? Is it your memories? or the way you look or your actions perhaps ? This is exactly what the show manages to do.
There were episodes early on, where the plot gave the impression that it was predictable, because it seemed to be going in a direction that I thought it would. But immediately after, it completely turned upside down and exceeded my expectations. So make sure you stick till the end to get all those delightfully gratifying answers to the no doubt numerous questions you will have and trust me it will be like sweet honey from nectar :P (I am not exaggerating). I would rather reveal no details of the plot and have this review make no sense than spoil that satisfactory moment in the show, when things fit in like a puzzle !
Yeo Jin Goo's acting was a hit and his lead character kept me engrossed and not just for the obvious reasons :P
The background music especially during suspense scenes was well planned and I really liked the score. Even the high attention to detail in the scenes in the future was appreciable and made the show look way more realistic.
To be fair, there were some usual kdrama filler scenes (** insert bunch of board members arguing when an incident happens) even in the future, which were questionable both for their necessity and general annoyance. But I feel the good parts of the show managed to cover that up for me.
The ending of the drama tied most of the loose ends as a good show should do and at the same time left leeway for new questions that I think a second season might answer. I for one, would surely lap it up if they came up with a second part.
So go on, it is worth the 1 and a half day you will spend marathoning the show !
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There were a couple unexplained plot points, but even when the story stuttered, it still worked on an emotional level, so I don't really mind. I definitely plan on rewatching.
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This was in my watchlist for a long time. Now I feel like how big sin I’ve done by not watching it. It’s been months since I got that excitement to finish a drama as soon as possible. This is a drama you should watch in your amateur days of kdrama marathon; I mean when you first get into kdramas, you should watch it to know the plot quality of kdramas.
I don’t want to give any type of spoiler cause then it will be a crime to spoil someone’s excitement.
Maybe in the first few minutes, you will feel that it’s not something special. In the first few episodes you won’t get what’s going on, but believe me as you’ll keep watching, you’ll get experience you haven’t ever experienced watching any series. And at the end you’ll get everything.
Plot is good, the casting is good, mystery is at it’s peak.
Now stop reading reviews, just go and enjoy the series. Happy Watching (:
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The Story line: Was confused in the beginning, because of the 2/3 fases of the story. But slowly and without showing to mutch everything will get in the line. I like that, and what they did, they they put everything together.
Bu they talnk about something important to, you memories and what they are to you, why is important to have them, even if they hurt you or make you sad they are important.
Acting / Casting: Perfect! Kim Kang Woo was once again perfect. I did not know much about Gong Seung Yeon, but she was excellent at every stage of the plot, wow I have to keep an eye on her.
Rewatch Value: over and over again.
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Each episode of alomost every drama would have either suspense or thrilling ending .The stand out thing in this drama is each & every second is just like that!!
This is the First drama i'm giving 10\10.
P.S. Han Jung Yeon is DAMN PRETTY.
And im waiting for her next Drama "Are U human too"!!
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I started watching because of Gikwang, but I didn't know what to expect because I had never seen any dramas with him in it before. I was scared I would face the same disappointment I had with Hwarang, the show that I started watching because of Taehyung or V of BTS. The story lacked a lot and V's character could've been developed/shown way more. I was scared to face the same situation with Gikwang but luckily this didn't happen.
This show got me on the edge of my seat from start till finish. Waiting for new episodes every week was such a pain because these cliffhangers were the worst. The story was really interesting, especially because it takes place at two different times. I was really getting sick of those cliche romcom drama storylines and luckily this drama was so refreshing in comparison! Of course there was some tension between some characters, but it felt very natural and not at all like those unrealistic love at first sight storylines which romantic dramas tend to have.
The characters and actors were great. Everyone has their own backstory which you slowly find out about together with the other characters. As I said, I had never seen a drama with Gikwang in it before and I wasn't disappointed in his acting at all. This was also my first time seeing a drama with Yeo Jingoo in it, and I was so impressed by him as well. He's really great actor so I've started watching other dramas and movies with him in it too. I wasn't sure about Kim Kangwoo's character in the beginning but this changed very fast and I think he did such a great job! I won't spoil anything but his and Yeo Jingoo's character made me tear up near the ending. I'm not someone to cry that easily but their acting + the story was so sad which made me emotional as well. In my opinion, feeling connected this much to the characters is something that makes a show great.
They also added a sort of ethical layer to the story as in how far you can go in using technology on humans and about taking responsibility. Nowadays people seem to try to avoid suffering as much as they can, but this drama kind of shows the importance of pain and taking responsibility for your actions, even though that might hurt.
I don't really have much to say about the music. Not that it was bad, it was completely the opposite, but this drama didn't seem to focus on music that much. I can mainly recall the intense intro and outro music which were great and really suited the drama.
Overall this drama was great. The story was really refreshing and the acting was amazing. I was really sad when I found out there were only 12 episodes but the story fitted perfectly. I would recommend this drama to everyone. It's relatively short, has a very interesting plot and a unique way of storytelling with great acting. A must see if you like Korean drama!
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Story - The story is a masterpiece. Whoever the writers are, you are genius. Plot twists after plot twists. I honestly did not expect some twists there. I was like, shocked at every point because I didn't that to happen or what. The plot is very original IMO. I have not seen it before. So I'm gonna give a 10.
Acting/Cast - The casts did a very good job. Every characters acted so well that I was in to it. I also love the antagonists. I can feel the emotions. Even though the characters are not so popular compared to the others, they were so much better than the popular ones.
Music - I gave it a 8 because I think what lacks the most in this kdrama is the OST that will catch your heart you will surely remember. The background music were perfect on every scenes. I like how that music suited on the scenes. But I think they should had an OST thay every watcher will remember. But I believe that's not the most important on a drama tho.
Rewatch Value - Well I think if you want to understand drama more, you just watch it again maybe. Because there are so many informations on every episode, that we may not have seen. But I think, not everyone will rewatch it because it is not that light series.
Overall - 9.5/10 This is not your typical kdrama feels, but surely it will blow your mind. It it not perfect, but in my opinion, this is the BEST KDRAMA I've watched in terms of plot, characterizations, and life lessons. This is a one in a million kdrama. This worth of your time. Worth watching for. I strongly recommend it, specially to those whose love sci-fi because because I believe this is even somehow better than american series.
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Story: The story sounds interesting with two different years at the same time. Why I didn't gave the story a 10 but a 9 is the aspect with the sci-fi genre which is an important aspect in this drama. But the fact that there isn't comedy makes up for it. People who are looking for a romance in the first place are at the wrong place with Circle, because there isn't much. You can guess who like who when you watch the whole drama, but the romance genre isn't included and in my opinion it is the best for the drama.
Cast: At first I watched the drama because Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Kang Woo. I love both of them as Actors very much. Yeo Jin Goo is a very promising Actor and it breaks my heart when I think about the year he will be gone for two years. YJG played the Role of Kim Woo Jin who lives in the year 2017 and is a student at the university. He has to work part time because of his Grandmother who is in a nursing Home and that costs money. So he takes every opportunity to get Money and he wants to research at the university where he isn't very popular because of some things his peers can't understand or doesn't want to understand. Jin Goo plays his role authentical and very realistic. When he cried, my heart broke, but when he laughed I smiled. Woojin is a nice young Man,who loves his grandmother and his twin Brother and who was played by a perfect young Actor who has a promising future ahead of him.
Ahn Wooyeon played his older twin brother who was a bright child but an incident in their childhood changed him completely. Kim Bum Gyun is a young Man who thinks the world was taken over by an Alien, but he loves his younger brother more than his own life. AWY played this role really good. I know him since Five children but in my opinion he played this role better. His Chemistry with Jung Insun (Park Minyoung) was very nice to see, but the Bromance between the Twin Brother were the best. Hearbreaking and sad, but also funny at some times.
Kim Kang Woo played the other Male Main Role. Finally a great role. I loved him in Goodbye Mr. Black, watched a few Movies and I love him very much. Like Yeon Woojin I think Kim Kang Woo is one of the most underrated Actors out there. I mean he is 38 (in two days 39) but he doesn't seem to age. Back to his acting. In my opinion his role (Kim Joonhyuk) was the most pitiful in the whole drama. Kim Joonhyuk lives in the year 2037 and works as a police officer who gets into the peaceful new world (Smart Earth) to uncover an incident and because he want to finde someone. Joonhyuk cried a lot in this drama. When he cried I cried too His chemistry with Kikwang and his relationship with Chief Hong were so good, I don't know how Kim Kang Woo could be acting so good. Like I said he is too underrated.
Gong Seung Yeon played the Female Lead Role Han Jungyeon who lives in both parts. She is a student who studies alongsinde Woojin and is the daughter of professor Han. Jungyeon is a mysterious young Woman who seems to be a normal student. The whole time i was curious because she acted normal but I thought she must have a secret. Seung Yeon plays her role excellent. She played a young woman here and an genious who love science and who seems to like Woojin for some reason.
Last but not Least: Lee Kikwang (Member of Boygroup Highlight/formerly Beast) played Lee Hosoo, a government employee of Smart Earth who doesn't have any Memories of his past. I didn't watched many shows with Kikwang (or I don't know if he was there^^) but his acting was good. I didn't liked his role at first but later I came to like him a bit. Kikwangs acting was decent for an Idol.
Music: I love the Song Alive by Uji (Bestie) the most. It is played when it fits and her voice is very good. Totally underrated.
Rewatch: This drama has 12 Episodes so I will watch it again in the future. The Episodes fits very good. It wasn't draggy and it wasn't boring.
I would recomend to watch the first episodes, because you have to like the concept of two parts per episode. If oyu don't like it the drama might not fit you but I would recommend it when you like sci-fi and mystery (aliens and so on).
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