This show is a masterpiece. The plot and characters are so well written. The direction, cinematography, setting, and soundtrack all are spectacular. The acting is the main highlight though. The cast has done such an amazing job. This is Jung Kyung Ho's best work. he has played his character so phenomenally. And the character itself is beautifully written. He's enigmatic, intense, ruthless and surprisingly charming.The drama is dark and moody and deals with various themes like betrayal, revenge, survival etc. It's full of mystery. It's very well-formulated and executed. There are twists after twists. When you finally think you have things figured out it throws another twist at you and you're back to square one. It would take some patience to watch the show but if you're into crime, suspense related shows then you know how these kinds of shows go. It's gritty and violent. If you're looking for comedy or a full-fledged romance then this isn't the show for you. The romance is there but it isn't given as much attention. It's still an important part of the plot though. The best thing about this drama is the focus given on the relationships between characters. The characters are complex with dynamic story arcs of their own. It's a kill or be killed world. It's about surviving in the world of crime. And the ending is poetic justice. You'll know at the end that it's the only way the characters could find peace. Once you're in, you're in for life. This drama is pure art and I cannot recommend it enough.

Read More

Just how long did they have to stretch the story? It could've been done in 16 episodes max. So many unnecessary twists and turns. No proper attention to detail. The story and characters are great. They could've developed the plot in a better way. 1/3rd of the scenes seemed like filler.
The comedy is good. The acting of the cast is superb. I adored the characters and their camaraderie. The romantic relationships in the show are pretty good though they get a little confusing (at least for me because I swear to god there was some tension between Eo Soo Sun & Pan Seok and Park Tae Il and Kim Sa Kyung). I loved that it explored the lgbt+ theme a little. Instead of turning into a stupid comic factor they showed us the reality of how families take it. I loved that his friends weren't willing to judge him when they thought he was gay. Also it showed healthy relationship between guys. How they can be touchy feely and like candles, wine etc. and just a general healthy intimate friendship.
It's a good drama overall even though it tends to drag a little. You'll enjoy it. Especially how everything connects in the end. A lot of plot twists that just leave you shook.
The actors did a great job. Leave it all, I would recommend watching the show only based on the cast.

Read More

This was such a great show. I absolutely loved it. And the fact that it explores everything so realistically and without rushing things is the best thing about it. The bromances are the highlight of the show. And I absolutely loved everyone's story. How teenagers' issues and feelings are explored is refreshing. How it shows that adults can't always relate to or estimate the trials and pressures adolescents go through. They think it's trivial just because we're "kids". One should think about how it's even harder to go through things when you're an adolescent because you don't have the mental capacity, tools or experience to handle them.
Best part was the character development and growth in everyone. It was at a realistic pace. And very beautifully written and executed. Every single person's story was important. The actors did a great job.
I would have had a better experience in school if I had teachers like Jung In Jae to help me. I loved her. She genuinely wanted to help and gave it her all. Teacher Kang's character development was a delight to watch.
Plus there's no romance complicating or overshadowing the plot. It makes it even more realistic and better. There's possibility of it but they didn't push into it preemptively. It felt natural.
The ending was beautiful and I cried a lot. This show kept it very real and showed us how real life is not as ideal and not everyone has a happy ending. It is important to build healthy and close relationships with good people. These friends will be there for you when you need them. School life is one of the most important phases of one's life. Teachers play a huge role in the character development of the students. They should be compassionate and understanding. Also kids already know how hard life is and how cruel the world is. School is a place where we grow and learn how to navigate the world. We need people who can guide us and nurture us. Not punish and torture in the name of readying us for the real world. You don't comfort a child and don't give them affection and they'll just grow up to be bitter and emotionally starved individuals who contribute to make the world cruel. You need to show them care and affection, teach them kindly and comfort them when required. So that in the real world they'll have the good memories to get them through hard times and remind them that the world isn't always this cruel and not everyone is bad. The drama shows us the glaring flaws in our education systems and sheds a light on the different hardships faced by students.
It's a great show, you must watch it.

Read More

THIS SHOW WAS EVERYTHING
I loved it so so so effin' much. As a psychological drama it blew away my expectations. I don't usually enjoy crime dramas but this show got me hooked from the starting. I enjoyed it so much.
The acting of the actors was superb. Their portrayal and interpretation of the characters is flawless. It's damn amazing actually. The actors do the characters justice.
And the plot is very good. The show didn't have any dull or boring moment. It kept me on my toes. It is truly very interesting. Neither the plot or the acting was lacking anywhere.
Also kudos to the writers on the writing. The dialogue was good and the theories about crime were pretty amazing. The plot is engaging and brilliant. The characters are so amazingly well-written.
The amount of romance was just right. It didn't take away from the main theme of the drama. The drama was deep, asking hard hitting questions about how monsters in society come to be. Are they born like that? Or does society and circumstances twist them up so much that they turn into monsters?
And the ending was just right too. Open to interpretation but fitting. I think the ending should satisfy everyone.
Honestly, the best thing about the show was the brotherly bond and love. The evolution of their relationship. It's pretty heart-touching.
Also I loved the OST.
Anyway, it is a great show. I loved it. It is a must watch.

Read More

I just binge watched this show in 2 days (yes I have no life). I have a lot to say so bear with me. Okay guys *cracks knuckles*
Note: The plot seems promising at first but it eventually turns into your average kdrama plot. My rating is not good because of the plot but because of the brilliantly well-written characters and the amazing acting by the main cast. It's a one time watch. Have fun watching it and don't take it that seriously. Before watching it throw out all your expectations and assumptions (especially if you've read the book or watched Dangerous Liasions (1988) or Cruel Intentions (1999).

First of all, the cast is amazingly good. The acting is phenomenal. Woo Do Hwan did a great job portraying Shi Hyun. He had the whole melancholic, guilty and conflicted vibe of the character down to a T. Also he oozed sexiness and cuteness as required by the scene. He was perfect to play this character. Now, Moon Ga Young was the one who stole the show. She portrayed Soo Ji's character so perfectly. Joy also did well. I didn't expect much from her but she exceeded my expectations. All the other actors too played their characters very well.The characters are so very well-written. They are complex characters with deep flaws and fears. They pull from you the reactions they desire. The characters are multifaceted and you can't just only hate or love them. You come to identify with them, sympathize with them despite their faults and feel what they are going through. Honestly though, it's hard to find such truly well-written, complex, flawed characters that truly seem human.The plot is loosely based on the French novel 'Les Liaisons dangereuses'. I've read the book and seen the American adaptation. So I was very apprehensive to be honest. 4 episodes in I got so attached with the characters that I mentally prepared myself to bawl my eyes out. Anyway, it's a very loose adaptation. The plot was very good in the beginning. The whole mystery factor coupled with suspected betrayals and twisted games was very interesting. It gave you high hopes. Though the plot seems obvious and the twists predictable but it was still enough to get you hooked. Though I was sorely disappointed when they didn't turn out as I expected. I expected it to be more dark, twisted and gritty. A true tragedy. It wasn't though. It started lagging in the middle. Most plot reveals were milder than we had been lead to believe. It picked back up in the ending. I was really surprised (in a good way) by the ending because I was expecting something very different. But the ending was good.Honestly, what made this show worth watching was the amazingly well-written and beautifully portrayed characters. The acting was the best thing about this show. The plot failed to meet the expectations it created in the starting. But at least it wasn't that disappointing. Many kdramas have worse endings and truly lacking plots. It was still a good watch. It gets you hooked and you just have to see it through to the end.

Read More