gsmarcom Reviews

Squid Game: The Challenge (2023– )

too much talking, too few actions

[6/10 · 26 November 2023]

I watched 5 episodes but then found out it's not finished, I hate the Netflix now likes to split a season in 2 parts and release separately. Come on it's only 1 season, release all together.

I love Squid Game so I had high expectations for this game show. The first couple of episodes are quite good, interesting games with some additional twist so it wont be the same as the drama. But then it gets more and more boring. First, there are too much talking, too much "interview sessions" of individual contestants, some of them even spoke again and again. It's good to get to know them better by listening to their background stories, but some just repeated spoke irrelevant annoying stuff. Second, the elimination of players by other players is not as exciting/ entertaining as elimination through games, and they did this multiple times in a prolonged way.

Moving (2023– )

good plot but a bit slow

[8/10 · 1 October 2023]

I have my good things to say about this drama. Good plot, good character portrayal, good acting by everyone, and the deeper meaning that the writer wants to deliver.

I just would like the pace to be faster, like the story introducing the background and history of every character take 2 episodes, which IMO is too long and too slow, many times the same thing is repeated again and again but its not necessary indeed. I think audience nowadays prefer fast paced / shorter dramas, and Moving could also benefit from cutting short to 16 episodes.

Seems like there'll be a season 2? Some things are not explained at the end, e.g. Why the school girl appeared before the NIS director and reprimanded him? Who killed the school principal? I would love to see season 2!

Mask Girl (2023– )

interesting story, good directing and acting

[9/10 · 5 September 2023]

A very interesting and intriguing story that draws you to binge watch. I finished all seven episodes in two days!

The 3 actresses that played the role of the female lead all did a extremely good job. Also the lady who acted the revenger, even the child actors.

But I think directing is the main reason for the success of the drama. The creative way in which every episode starts is really impressive, different angles to the same situation is shown, revealing hidden facts crucial to the story development. And many times it becomes so exciting and thrilling that makes you stop breathing.

Don't miss out this drama. It exceeded my expectation.

Prison Playbook (2017–2018)

heartwarming & touching

[8/10 · 5 December 2022]

I never thought a prison drama could be so heartwarming & touching. This is definitely the director and scriptwriter's fantastic work, the fact that they approached this topic in such a new way is already amazing. Each prisoner's story is brought out one by one, their problems explained, sometimes the issues could be fixed with the help of prison officers or other inmates, while some couldn't be solved, the sadness would bring out our sympathy. There is a well mix of different scenes: funny, exciting, emotional, sad... The director is really a good story teller.

The Korean prison looks clean & nice. And one thing I'm curious to know, why some prisoners can move around different parts of the prison freely, some (e.g. The errand boys who are also prisoners) can open the cells. I don't know if it's real.

The Law Cafe (2022)

above and beyond an ordinary romcom

[4/10 · 27 October 2022]

On the one hand the drama has all the elements for a romcom, handsome & pretty main characters, bickering, fall in love, lovey dovey moments, kisses & passionate scenes etc etc. On the other hand it is so much more, it touches on many hot social issues in korea and offers solutions & comfort to people, like noise pollution, bullying, sexual harassment, child abuse, inheritance fight... And these cases are well blended with the main story development, well handled by the director. So it's not cringey like the normal romcom where each episode is about do you love me, do you love you.

Main leads Lee Seung-gi & Lee Seyoung are both brilliant actors, they did a good job in delivering the characters, and had very good chemistry as a couple. The humorous / funs scenes are also perfectly played.

All in all this is a light-hearted, healing drama that gives you comfort. I highly recommend.

Breaking Bad (2008–2013)

exciting story

[10/10 · 23 October 2022]

5 seasons that's a lot of episodes. S1, 2 & 5 are awesome, while S3 & 4 are slow sometimes, like dragging a bit but I didn't skip and binge watched the whole series in about 2 weeks. The character Walter White got my sympathy in the beginning when he did what he did "for the family", but later he developed into a selfish, greedy monster that only cares about what he want even though that means sacrificing others. Despite all he did he got nothing in the end... The story is well-written and well-executed, exciting with twists and turns all the way and the psychological changes of the main characters are very well depicted.

Hunt (2022)

complicated story line

[7/10 · 10 October 2022]

I think the story line is too complicated for a 2 hour movie, may be better for a 6 episode series so that the story can develop at a slower pace and viewers have the time to process and understand. Maybe it's ok for Koreans, but for me as a foreigner with little knowledge of their history, I find it difficult to take in the whos and whys. I have many questions while watching, why he is doing this, why he is suspecting them, etc etc.

On the whole this movie is not bad for a first time director. Action scenes and acting are great. I like the 2 male leads and other supporting actors are good too.

The Zone: Survival Mission (2022– )

extremely boring

[1/10 · 9 September 2022]

The games are not exciting or funny, the pace is slow, the editing is not interesting, I watched ep.1 and it didnt even make me laugh once. So even though it features 2 top variety show celebs Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Kwang-soo, this show is a failure in my opinion, extremely boring. Yoo and Lee also did not perform their usual funny sides like in Running Man, while the femail host does not impress at all. I also think that 3 hosts are inadequate for a survival game show, it needs more funny people in order to create funny interactions. There are so many variety shows in south korea, it is extremely competitive and takes a really good production to stand out.

Twogether (2020– )

best travel variety show ever!

[10/10 · 20 July 2022]

I've watched many Korean variety shows and this is definitely the best! The best ever! It has many interesting elements: fun games, challenging tasks, beautiful scenery, bromance, touching moments with fans... The hosts are adorable and did a good job, especially Lee Seung-gi, he's so witty and humorous, and he's the one who created most of the fun parts. I'd say he's a natural in reality shows, and he's hot too! Combining boyishness and manliness. Jasper Liu is not bad for a first-timer and I really look forward to Season 2!

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021– )

Overrated IMO

[5/10 · 11 July 2022]

The story is cliche, a very cliche romantic comedy with a beautiful seaside village as setting. It's not a bad drama but I think it's very much overrated considering the average storyline and average acting of the main characters. Both the male and female leads are a bit unnatural and always forcing big dimpled smiles because it's considered charming , it looks good but when it happens too frequently it's just too much. On the other hand the supporting characters did a very good job, the mosey woman, the seafood restaurant owner, the old ladies, the cafe owner, and all the kid actors! I enjoyed their parts a lot.

Money Heist (2017– )

Love the plot but not the ending

[8/10 · 4 July 2022]

Finished part 1&2. Like the plot but not the ending. Don't agree with the director's message that the robbers are hero. And the inspector doing all those crazy stuff for someone she's known for 5 days / "loved" for 1-2 days? Not convinced.

Hyena (2020)

good on the whole but the leads don't match

[7/10 · 15 June 2022]

I like the story, lawyer & courtroom drama is always interesting and this one too. I also like the 2 main actors, there's no doubt about their acting skills but the chemistry isn't not that great due to the huge age gap and that's why the love line is not v. Convincing.

Vagabond (2019)

extremely good production

[9/10 · 15 June 2022]

Love the fast pace of the story and action scenes which IMO comparable to Hollywood production. Not to mention that the male lead Lee Seung-gi performed 90% of the stunts himself. That's amazing for a non-action star. The plot is intriguing and well-written, while thrilling & exciting, the producer managed to put in a little romance, so subtle and natural that it won't damage the whole vibe of the drama. The ending is definitely NOT the ending, I'm pretty sure season 2 was planned then but delayed due to Covid. We need season 2 NOW!

Mouse (2021)

best Kdrama ever

[9/10 · 23 May 2022]

I watched this series 2 times. It was so exciting that you can't help but binge watch. After finished the whole drama, you'd be amazed at the scriptwriter! How can someone create such an mind-blowing plot! The 2nd time I watched I noticed more details and hints that the producer gave the viewers, so the clues were there but I didn't notice. Another amazing thing is the actors' performance, especially Lee Seung-gi. His role is very complicated but he nailed it. From facial expression to body language to voice, he did a perfect job!