Torturously realistic to the point of pessimism

This is a very well-written show with well-developed characters. None of the characters are shown to be particularly good or particularly bad - but as human beings, which is something I greatly appreciate as a writer and avid drama-watcher. The realistic themes covered here will definitely get the viewer to think long and hard about our societal framework and how that can either help or hinder our happiness.

Another thing I like is the acting of the main four. Though all of them are subtle with their emotions, they still form distinct personalities which make for great performances overall. Understated acting is perhaps one of the hardest types of acting to accomplish, so I believe the lead actors did a superb job with their characters, being neither overdramatic nor wooden.

A warning for those who want a happy ending: you will be sorely disappointed. The ending is an unconventional one which feels like a missed target. Especially with the emotionally-draining situations the characters are often stuck in, not experiencing even one moment of true happiness, the ending feels like somewhat of a waste, especially for viewers like me who watched the drama as it aired. If you decide to watch this show, be careful to not get too emotionally invested in the main characters as I did.

To close, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys rich character development and unpredictable, yet realistic outcomes. The best part of this show is how incredibly human the characters are, which is something I believe needs to be shown more in movies and TV.

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Your classic revenge plot, influencer edition

The plot isn’t something to be wowed by. We’ve all seen it—the underdog trampled on by the more fortunate, the rich being a nasty group of people with no conscience. In TV everywhere, especially in K-dramas, there is no shortage of those kinds of characters.

The acting is well done, but there were no performances that particularly moved me. Everything was as it should have been—not too cringey, not too over the top. However, it wasn’t stale, either.

As for the writing, it’s not sloppy. There would have to be more complexity in order for a risk like that to be possible. Though I enjoyed the show visually, I couldn’t connect with any of the characters except Yoon Sihyeon. If you do decide to watch the show, make sure to be on the lookout for her.

Overall, Celebrity is typical in its format. We have the world of the rich which is filled to the brim with individuals who will stop at nothing to get their way, and then we have the main character who is different from the rest—determined to hold on to her morals and shield herself from the evil that awaits her.

If you’re looking for a light thriller without much depth, then this is the show for you. It doesn’t require you to think—instead, it allows you to sit back and watch events unfold as characters descend further into madness and others take advantage of that, securing their places on top.

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