Beef

This was a really good series. I sat down to watch one episode and I wound up on my butt for 5 hours until it was over. I think I would describe it as a dark comedy. I don't like anything but I liked this one. Although almost the entire cast is asian, there is no casting of non-Asians as bad. (I wrongfully assumed this was the direction this series would take.).

Now here's the part that scares me: as Netflix does, when they get a popular series they come back with a season 2, 3, 4, and maybe 5. DON'T DO IT!! There's very few places for a second season to go. If you do you're going to destroy the series.

I came into this completely blind. Never saw the trailer but knew it was going to be Asian American centered. I thought it was going to be a comedy since Ali Wong is in it! I was very wrong.

This is a gripping drama about two people living parallel lives in different circumstances. Money, status, and mental health are key topics covered in this series with a unique Asian American cultural twist. Steven Yeun delivers, as always, but I was also very pleasantly surprised by Ali Wong's performance! She excelled in this serious role.

I loved watching the unraveling of the two main character's lives as their lives become increasingly worse. Of course, they have been miserable for a long time, but the collision serves as an effective catalyst for these two who have completely "had it" with their lives. They have met their match in each other and use each other as punching bags as an outlet, even though they're experiencing similar issues. Something as trivial as a road rage incident evolves into worse and worse situations for the both of them.

The writing is effective and well paced. The viewer gets a great sense of why these people are the way they are. There is no clear cut hero and villain archetype but rather two humans dealing with more than they can manage - something everyone can relate to.

I had no idea whatsoever about this series, didn't recognize the actors, didn't like the name of the series, yet it kept being shown to me in my suggested "watch next" lists and sometimes they get it right. This is a fabulous series, it's all about being human in so many ways I can't begin to explain it. It's centered around an Asian American cast and there are a few things I suspect I didn't get but generally you can be any walk of life and totally appreciate this drama. I loved it and have recommended it to several friends if they haven't watched it yet. Very real life dialogue, some quirky "nothing but everyday life" moments, the actors are great. I can't recommend this more. Know ahead of time there is some sarcasm which I know some people don't appreciate, but it works well. Watch this now. DRAMA. It's not a comedy!!! Lighthearted drama though and great messages in this flick.

Kicking off Quickly, The smallest of interactions. Escalates into A full-scale beef very well paced. First episode makes you wonder will they be able to keep it up for the series. The beef is cooked perfectly lots of twists and turns. Netflix often have these filler episodes just to make 10. This doesn't feel like it has any filler with the new angle each episode and a cliff hanger making it tough to not binge watch the next one. This is a strong offering from Netflix with Steven Yeun from the walking dead and A lady, I formally known as a comedian Ali Wong proving to be quite the actress with a strong supporting cast one of the best things I've seen on Netflix for awhile.

On the surface, the premise of BEEF can happen to anyone, of any background, but to center the story around Asian Americans was the right move. We are born into a life of impossibly high standards and the immense pressure to uphold an image of success, to pay off our immigrant parents' sacrifices, to have our sht together.

But as human beings, the pressure comes with the most stubborn pride, and the shame of our shortcomings metastasizes into rage. This show may not be every Asian American's experience but this exploration feels authentic, uncomfortably honest, and revolutionary.

Even those rice cookers were such a funny and jarring clash of Asian and American culture. This series is comedic but it gets dark and these characters are messssssy. Episode 9 had my jaw on the floor.

Ali Wong was perfect for the role. Steven Yeun's Danny is completely different from his role as the father in Minari, yet the suffocating pressure stems from the same place and it bridges the generational gap.