Doom at Your Service (2021) User Reviews

Hand Potential for Greatness....but just average.

[LadySpice · 7/10 · 20 July 2021]

The premise was uniquely interesting, and had the potential to be an epic Romantic Fantasy. Loved some of the characters...ML is an awesome actor (seen him before in "The Smile has Left your Eyes", "Hello Monster", and "Master's Sun". I've never seen the FL before but I was very impressed with her acting skill...very appealing and likable. I even liked some of the supporting characters.... particularly "God" and the Team Leader. Despite all its got going for it...this dramedy kinda fell short.

It's not a horrible show, but it just doesn't quite cut it.

The problem to my mind was not the acting...but the Story/plotting. There simply wasn't enough going on. Its like the only essential happenings and dialogue took place in the first 5min and the last 5 minutes of each episode...and the middle 40 - 45 min was just filler. There was long stretching of dialogue and multiple scenes in every episode wherein NOTHING happens. The ML and FL just wonder around and ramble on about nothing. We get multiple flashbacks of scenes that just happened in the current time frame which we really don't need to be reminded of. Other random flashbacks that don't tell the viewer any new information. Repeat scenes where we're literally just watching people walking and think with music montages in the background. Also, there were too many pointless characters:

1. Kevin, the aunt's husband. He's married to a Korean woman and he doesn't speak Korean and the Aunt, nor anyone else in the family speak English. There are whole scenes/conversations where he's speaking English and the other person is speaking Korean...and neither can understand the other..WTF?!

2. The CEO/Boss of the Publishing company and pretty much all the office staff...except the Team leader, he was interesting. The rest are literally just filler. They add nothing to the story. Their actions don't advance the plot. They don't provide much conflict or motivation. And its not believable that after FL finds out she's dying in 100 days, she decides to make a bold new commitment to a job she herself admits that she hates with a Boss who's an insensitive jerk. But the writer's had to fill her time with something.

3. The Team Leader's Father. What does he add to the story? Nothing but running time.

4. The Writers/authors...none of them added much of anything either. They seemed more like plot devices than characters

Why not just shorten the running time/Episode count and make a better drama? Why is *16* the magic number? This could have easily been cut down to 10-12 episodes and told a more concise, tightly woven tale of Doomed Love. Instead, we get a meandering mess that losing some of its magic along the way.

Not your usual Kdrama

[rominalou · 9/10 · 14 June 2021]

This drama is non-conventional in many ways. The drama starts right away with dark concepts - death, doom, and destruction. Succeeding episodes explore how the two main characters experience their world given their nature/situation. Both characters seem to be hopeless, but are trying to endure their fate. Myul Mang as Doom is a lonely being, his existence a bane to humankind. Orphan Tak Dong Kyung is dying but has no one to comfort her. Their meeting, and the contract they forged, changes their lives but also brings many conflicts. They push and pull because their nature/situation makes loving each other difficult, if not impossible. The push and pull makes the story circular and if you are the type of viewer who prefers a linear story with many exciting twists, you will find this story boring. This drama feels like musings of the writer about living, loving, dying, farewells, and other existential concepts. There are so many quotable quotes. There are numerous nuggets of wisdom in the dialogue of the main characters. So many symbolisms too in the drama. The meat in the drama is not in the events that transpire (there are not many) but in the little details - the contrast in their homes, the characters' thoughts, the location of the scenes, the props, dialogues, etc. If you want a drama that will allow you to escape the dreariness of your daily life and bring you to a world of giggles and marshmallows on a campfire, this is not for you. This drama will make you question the meaning of your existence when everything around you is temporary anyway and only death, doom, and destruction are certain. What is the point of loving and living when we all die anyway and in the end, nothing is really within our control? The story also makes you wonder if we are all just puppets whose fates depend on the whim of the gods. There is a feeling of hopelessness and despair that the drama gives. TDK is dying and of course, the god of doom can't save her. God is playing games on the couple and there is no indication that she is helping them. God, herself, is physically ill. What hope is there in the world when God is sick? MM continues to love TDK despite of her impending death, of repercussions to him and the world, and of his nature. He does not give up. He convinces her to stay with him in her last days. He is willing to risk everything for her. This love that is so difficult and so new to him has brought color to his world. For the first time, he is able to experience what he has longed for - to somehow be able to live and love in ways that human beings do. There is now meaning in his existence.

So I guess there is hope in the universe. Despite death, doom, and destruction, life can be meaningful and love is worth fighting for. As MM said, a bit of hope is still hope. Even if we are only able to love for a short period of time, that is still worthwhile. Even if we die anytime, life is still worth living.

CHARACTER DRIVEN. INTERNAL CONFLICTS.

[imdbnonymous · 9/10 · 10 June 2021]

This is such a poetic drama. I love the steady characterization and set up being PRIORITIZED. The cinematography, dialogue, and acting is on point!

Characters: DEPTH. Both lead characters are so complex, easy to sympathize with, and broken in a relatable way. Their flaws contrast one another perfectly. They learn from each other because their world views are challenged by each other. Which is imperative to both of character developments. The female lead's arc is about learning to face your emotions head on. The male lead's is about self acceptance. Both portrayed in such a powerful and unique way.

Tone: I love the tone. It has a different kind of balance between drama and fantasy than I've seen in other drama. It feels so grounded. Less extravagant than I was expecting, but that's a good thing. I even love the sudden tone shits from scene to scene. It speaks to the chaos within humanity.

Editing: I love the editing. Especially loved the beautifully shot frozen scene, reverse effects, and TRANSITIONS.

Acting/Chemistry: Solid. You can really feel the tensions, psychological conflicts, and longing for each other through their acting.

And most importantly, THE MESSAGE: It's SO IMPORTANT and SO TRUE. Suffering is what makes true happiness possible. Chaos makes the idea of peace appreciated. Death gives life value. Live in the present and make the most out of life.

How this drama manages to be fantasy, but still so character driven is amazing. Such a humane story about real conflicting emotions with a message about the value life. Uniquely written and portrayed. I loved the ending too. Wholesome. This drama has a special place in my heart.

I'm in love with this one

[promitiazad-01149 · 10/10 · 21 May 2021]

I've watched these 4 episodes more than 3 times. I'm in love with their chemistry, the story and everything. Can't wait to see more magic they've for us✨

My view

[evnzq · 10/10 · 30 May 2021]

Best ever Korean romance fantasy drama It can even surpass Giblin...

They deserve a whole time best Kdrama award!

[Sharkfinnlove · 10/10 · 9 July 2021]

I have never rewatched any kdrama when the series ended. But this one i repeat 3 times, totally stole my heart and still cannot move one even after 2 weeks. SIG & PBY chemistry is top notch, the acting, cinematography, the casting, the producing team, behind the scene are just perfect.. i love everything about this drama <3.

SEO in guk is the best

[reinlili · 10/10 · 15 June 2021]

I love this drama and seo in guk perfect actor i want see win awards 😢

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 6/10 · 19 August 2021]

Korean Drama 'Doom at your Service' has an intriguing universe that is not properly explored. The romance too had potential but ended up being boring and slow paced.

The world built was pretty interesting, first of all. The whole doom-god had plenty to give, especially doom's story and character. Unfortunately, the drama left everything on a superficial level. The romance was pretty great too, with a nice combination of two tragic characters finding salvation through each other, and with an all star cast to boot it all. Sadly, that too, ended up being boring, with many predictable twists and lots of cliches. Also, the female lead's character was annoying at times. The side couple, though interesting at first, was a let down as well.

Finally, the cinematography was on point and the performances from everyone in the cast were great and enjoyable.

So, overall, 6 out of 10.

OBSESSED!!!

[anisafitriz · 10/10 · 10 July 2021]

This is the first drama that I watched while it was still on going, I started when it was just 4 episodes and I was immediately in love with this drama 😭 Seo In-guk and Park Bo-young's chemistry is so perfect, they are so cute on-screen and off-screen, go watch their behind the scene if you haven't. The storyline may be kind of repetitive, but I don't think it's a bad repetitive, it just shows how 'fate' or 'destiny' works, and you cannot avoid it no matter what you try. That's the point of the whole story. This drama taught us about how important life, our time, family, and friends can be when our time is almost up. It taught us that destiny cannot be avoided and you will always meet the fate that has been destined to you. If you watch this drama from that point of view, this drama is actually very good. People tend to say this drama is boring because they didn't see this drama that way. This drama is full of beautiful quotes, and as a literature student, I'm loving it lol.

shift from one foot to the other

[rugby-13167 · 6/10 · 2 August 2021]

It was the first that caused my sincere wonder a wish of Tak Dong Kyung to eliminate all the world. I can understand her big problems but not this bloodthirsty. The scriptwriter has trying to create a philosophical tale with romance elements. On-screen, we see the senseless shift from one foot to the other of all storylines. I feel sorry for the poor results because that this cast has great skills.

Just 4 EPs are up and I m already head over heels in love with this!

[Giselle1710 · 10/10 · 21 May 2021]

As a kdrama cdrama fan, I hv such a long list of dramas I want to watch that even if I want to I don't usually watch an episode twice. But THIS DRAMA! I watched every episode twice. 3rd episode THRICE! IT'S THAT GOOD! I hope they keep this thrill, amazing chemistry and storyline all through the rest of EPs! It's gonna be fun and fulfilling to wait weeklong for each episodes.

Okay

[wheatley-20230 · 6/10 · 7 September 2023]

There are things to like about this series, especially if you like a good romance, which I do. The plot gives us a dilemma giving our two lovers a need for the ultimate sacrifice, which can usually be relied upon to ratchet up the viewer's emotional investment. And I particularly liked the depiction of God, who was for me the most satisfying character in the whole thing.

However, there was a big hole in the middle of the drama, which was the failure of the two key protagonists to generate any real traction. Perhaps this was due to the script (or its translation), although I was aware of some clever lines. So more likely it is the two actor's concerned, who did not get me involved in their characters. But then again, the female character is supposed to be hiding her emotions and the male character starts with few emotions to hide.

More engaging was the secondary romantic plotline, which illustrates the problem.

Nary a tear was shed by this viewer at least. But I did watch most of the final episode with a smile on my face, so it's not without some merit. But I fell asleep 10 minutes from the end and couldn't be bothered to rewatch that.

Mediocre Kromcom

[Snootz · 5/10 · 13 July 2023]

While I love Kromcom and I love romances, this is basically a 6 hour miniseries done in 16 hour-long episodes. Even for me this was a bit much.

I understand why people like it. Good directing. Good acting. Tearjerker moments. It has all the elements you'd expect in a series like this... except it just draaaagggss on.

The plot is predictable and has been done oh so many times before (and better). The love triangle sub-story is blase. I was ready for it to be done by the 8th episode... but it went eight episodes further. There are a large number of repeated scenes, the same song used over and over in each episode, and a canned, recycled plot.

Oh, and evidently the primary reason to fall in love with someone is because they're "handsome" or "beautiful"... as this is stressed repeatedly throughout the series. I hope there aren't many ordinary-looking people in the audience, because it's quite clear we're all bottom of the barrel romance-wise.

The actors are good in their parts, but the characters are cookie-cutter 2-dimensional. The main actress is cute and versatile but mercurial. The main male actor plays Doom well enough, but has about 3 facial expressions (he surely is capable of much more if the director would just use his abilities better). The supporting actors are good in their parts, but the younger brother is annoyingly hyper-cliche immature (I got so tired of him crying I wanted to strangle him. Is that "funny" in Korea?). Some of the parts are totally unnecessary to the show, evidently thrown to stretch the one-trick-pony storyline to 16 episodes.

So no, I don't find it "the best Krom ever", I don't have any desire to watch it again, and despite my love for this genre found myself repeatedly wincing after the first few episodes it as they pulled plot element after plot element out of the major-cliche bag, re-used the same scenery in the same way (how many trips to the beach does one show warrant?), and made me hope they would pull it together in the end. That's never a good sign.

Look, I love this genre. I watch Kromcoms regularly. Production-wise it was impeccable. But story-wise, it could have used a lot more imagination and originality. With this subject matter and acting talent, they could have been a whole lot more creative and produced a much better series. So 5-star mediocre. Some incurable romantics might find it 10-star worthy, but honestly, there are better series out there.

Note: some viewers may find the "fictitious religious presentation" of God objectionable. I won't go into details due to spoilers, but be forewarned. Neither the role of Doom nor God is well-defined in this series, and some will find the roles even ill-defined.

About the drama

[bagmitanaug-93083 · 10/10 · 26 May 2021]

Best Romance Drama of 2021,awesome story plot, great chemistry between the lead casts and supporting lead casts,already hooked over on this drama💓Highly recommended 💓💓💓

Slowly-Burning-Hot Romance with Dark fantasy

[snehasehrin · 10/10 · 17 June 2021]

In one word it's a masterpiece . I started watching it cz after watching Goblin, only it could give me that vibe ! But storyline is completely different! If I say truely, I am loving it more than Goblin! There were different types of plot like Historical,Bromance,comedy,romance in goblin but here Our Doom couple's romance is the main charm of the drama! The creepy scenes,Myul Mangs Character,The background musics, the cinematography,the romance,the dialogues actually the full plot is perfect!!! The hot chemistry between leads r unbeatable! I also love 2nd leads & their love triangle! I got confused & bored about their love triangle but it gets better after epi 12! Epi 12 is the turning point & we got back our Doom couple again! I love love love this Drama! If u r dropping it than u r missing a masterpiece!

One Of The Best Dramas I've Watched

[btswinsatmama · 10/10 · 14 June 2021]

I am addicted to this drama from start to finish. There are NO skips and that's a rare for me. Every episode engrosses you further into the story and there isn't one scene that is dull. The plot was very interesting. The leads had amazing chemistry. They looked so natural as a couple and overflowed with chem right from the very beginning even when they were on rough terms with each other. It's really beautiful and heart warming to see how their relationship develops and how they find comfort in each other amongst all the pain they are put through. :((( You can rly see how their walls just crumble when their around each other and the actors have done an excellent job of portraying the complex feelings of their characters. I feel like there is clear antagonist in this drama, it's just how fate brought them together but is also what will stand between them. Seeing how their love develops into a both danger as well as saving element for them is really beautiful as well. Rather than pinning the blame of their mishappenings on one particular being, the drama successfully emphasizes how evil/darkness is just the way it is and the only thing we can possibly do is find our light within it (ie myul mang and dong kyung for each other in this case) I am very captivated and mesmerized by this drama so i really hope it receives the appreciation it deserves.

Love series and actors from Iran

[tsaeidi · 10/10 · 30 May 2021]

I love this series...we watch only 6 episode but I already can said that this series is going to he the best series I have ever seen😍👌🏻especially for the best actors ever😍😍

Needs savage editing

[robertcairnduff-56748 · 6/10 · 21 July 2023]

There must be a reason why KDramas are 16 episodes long. I can't figure out why. There's SO much bland and meaningless chatter. Often thoughtful philosophising is welcome, even quite moving. But please, so much unnecessary padding which adds nothing to characters or story.

I hope all those 10/10 marks are not industry plants, but rather people who have only recently discovered Korean drama.

The actors are fine, especially the female lead, and we have come to expect the very high quality production standards.

But please hand someone a blue pencil and draw heavy, angry lines through endless dialogue meanderings.

Poetic. Loving. Best Drama

[aralilly · 10/10 · 16 June 2021]

This drama is different as it has a essence of poem. All the actors are great and experienced. Seo in-guk and Park bo young are the best couple so far. The story have great twists and turns. Waiting for remaining 4 episodes.

Storyline too boring...

[Catarina_511 · 7/10 · 26 July 2021]

There are no chemestry between the two main characters and the storyline are too boring.

I think that Park Bo-Young didn't do a great job on this one.

It's just an average serie that could have been much more.

Highly recommend

[cdimla · 10/10 · 14 June 2021]

This is amazing drama!!! Main characters are portraying their roles perfectly. The development of their love is so unique, not your typical lovey dovey shallow lines.

If you want a worthy drama to watch then you're on the right page.

An okay affair with simple execution

[pranayjalvi · 6/10 · 14 August 2021]

Doom At Your Service started well, with the interaction of two leads, and how things are deemed to happen. The characters were intriguing along with the supporting casts as well.

The story was simple, yet with a little twist, I felt like it being dragged deliberately, just to complete in 16 episodes. I thought that it would have been better if finished within 12 episodes, since at certain moments, the scenes were stretched which were not required.

The last couple of episodes were meh as well, with everything sorted again and concluding towards a happy ending. The best part of this drama was it's OST, which I felt was pretty amazing and melancholic and the lead pair, which I felt were perfectly cast and did justice to the characters of Kim Human and Dong Kyung.

Although Doom At Your Service is neither great nor trash, it had it's highs and lows and is watchable enough for the first time.

My Rating : 6.5/10.

Sad

[caroeb · 3/10 · 6 September 2023]

So irritating! I watched 10 episodes and gave up because I couldn't believe I could stand to watch 6 more episodes of nothing particular happening. If you asked me to tell you the plot, I couldn't. What happens on screen is like a dream in which you meander here and there and when you wake up you wonder where you've been. There's no chemistry between the romantic leads and no discernible reason for their characters to claim to be in a relationship anyway. None of the characters make me wonder what happens to them in the last 6 episodes. What a waste of production efforts and my time. I'm on to the next South Korean drama on my list.

One of the Best Dramas Ever

[sdrxjwfw · 10/10 · 14 August 2021]

Loved this Drama!! The actors did a fantastic job in portraying the characters. I laughed and I cried with them. One of my all time favorite shows!! Thank you!!

Episode 1-10

[marycris_segovia · 10/10 · 14 June 2021]

The story is so beautiful it reminds me how the creator's relationship with each person,ho hiw the love is so mysterious...