Shine or Go Crazy (2015) User Reviews

Gaebonga, you rascal

[lmerana · 7/10 · 10 April 2019]

A lot of times Jang Hyuk can be annoying but other than that he is a really good actor. The story was interesting and it has a realistic ending.

Shine

[nicnik6 · 10/10 · 16 January 2021]

Between "shine" and "go crazy" I choose "shine." Although the theme of the cursed prince is not new in Korean dramas (see The Kingdom of the Winds, for instance) and the talent of Jang Hyuk pulled at my heartstrings ever since I first saw him in Chuno, watching Shine or Go Crazy was such a joy! The humour of this series, the unexpected turns for the better in some of the antagonistic characters, the hope that is nourished and demolished and then flourishes again, all these make it special among period dramas; all these make it a little bit (just a little bit) less heartbreaking, all these make the ending more tolerable; all these set a lighter, more pleasant tone than other stories of the kind. I was so nervous and worried about watching the last episode that I couldn't believe I actually felt at peace with it. It was so rewarding to watch!

I agree with the ( only to date) other reviewer here that "Gaebonga, you rascal" is the leitmotif of the film, but isn't it a great one? Doesn't he utter it so lovingly? Jang Hyuk annoying? Oh, no, he is just so so ( or shall I say So So?) into his role, which he plays brilliantly. He shines. We, as his audience, can only go crazy. ( For him and not only.)

Couldn't shine, remained mad and crazy!

[Park_Min · 3/10 · 9 December 2023]

Ignore the ending, the prologue itself was appalling and distasteful enough to eliminate my expectations despite the drama having Jang Hyuk on deck. Speaking of which, once again, Jang Hyuk is playing the same character from The Slave Hunters (2010), if you've seen that one then you know what's up. Characters, while initially intriguing, suffered from inconsistent development. The pacing felt uneven, with moments of rushed storytelling followed by prolonged and uneventful sequences, disrupting the overall momentum of the show. The whole poison plot was painful to tolerate and sit through. The story was so terrible it just kept getting worse with every episode. The last 4 episodes in particular were poorly planed, marking them as the worst part of the drama. Once again, Jang Hyuk wasn't enough to save this drama although he was the only highlight.