Re: Mind

I'll say this plainly, if you're an average American who watches mostly American/British television and movies don't watch this series. You won't like it, you won't get it. I'll quickly address the thing I've noticed several Americans complaining about. This show doesn't give a damn about the how any of this happened. How they disappear, how they were brought there. None of that matters, it's completely irrelevant in this kind of story. If you're expecting that kind of realism or explanation, you'll be disappointed. That's not what this show is about. The why is the only thing that matters.

For the actual show, it's surprisingly good for an idol work. The plot had substance, the acting wasn't utterly horrible, and the characters had some depth to them when you get to the later episodes. Since the culprit was rather obvious, I'm glad that they allowed the backstory to take precedence and hold the tension. It was definitely the right call and the story flowed properly without dragging at all. Even better, they kept the motive hidden for most of the show so I actually had something to try to figure out. That made it worth a rewatch. The ending also caught me by surprise, which is a nice change. The credits only made it more bittersweet and sad. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it does surprisingly well as a drama, despite its idol origins.

Honestly, main issue was the flashbacks. I really liked the idea of a show set in a single room and the flashbacks completely killed the effect and spoiled a lot of plot points early. If they were removed, I'd give this a 9 instead.

(No spoilers for this paragraph)

12 high school girls are locked in a room and left to find out why and who locked them in. They decide to delve into their high school history and we learn about some dark secrets the students had which shed light into their capture.

My review in sum: this captured my attention enough to get me to finish it. But I regret that it did.

----------

(Mild spoilers ahead)

----------

I agree with some reviews that the pacing was sometimes good enough to keep me roped in. However, a lot of the time it was dragged out or very rushed. The plot had some very loose ends.

I won't nitpick at the "holes" some people have mentioned because that didn't bother me as much as the pacing and some of the writing - especially how the series ended. I was left disappointed and slightly empty by the ending. This point essentially means I wouldn't recommend this show to people.

I will nitpick something and say that I wish there wasn't as much screaming. Some of the girl's reactions to the horrors in the room were either over dramatic or very drawn out. It made for unnecessarily long and hard to watch scenes.

There were also a lot of padding. Some episodes could have been shorter. This damaged the quality of the narration in this story. We learn about the girl's live almost purely from dialogue as we don't get to actually watch how most stories played out with our eyes. This in itself isn't bad. It could have just been done better. The extended bickering and arguing made me zone out sometimes out of disinterest. And so, it was difficult for me to notice when the girl's went into the story again.

So yeah, this is essentially what I mean by good premise but bad execution. Wouldn't really recommend.

If you want to see this show for the soap opera drama, go all in. If you like the people locked in a room genre, and considers understanding the mechanics of everything around as important as the drama, it will never happen.

Basicly that is it.

I think the low ratings are of those who want to watch something like American horror and than get this .. Anyway I am writing this after episode 1. And I might edit this if it takes a whole other turn.

The show was written for the members of the keyazaki46. An idol group that did really well.

This group had a late night program as well on TV. The first series were they got introduced actually was about their older sister group.

The older sister group has their series on amazon. (Who killed Daigorou Tokuyama) and that one is a blast. It is almost perfect television, murder mystery series.

So the cast of this they got introduced in season three if I remember correctly. With episodes being given to one group or the other and an occasional battle.

In season 4 the show was solely about them and than there was hiragana oshi.

The group itself had namechwnges. This is the first generation. Later on the second generation entered. And the third generation was just one girl.

Mao for example the first girl that went missing is often referred to by her last name Iguchi. And had a special episode where she graduated.

She was a tone deaf idol. Who wasn't the best in dancing as well but she had tons of energy and a heart of gold. This is shown when she has her own segment and introduces other girls from the group.

The sleepy girl . Is the cry baby of the group. This character is very quiet in the shows, not in the dressing room.

The girl who was not there plays basketball but was afraid of kasuga , a male comedian, when she could show her strength.

I can tell all sorts of stuff on the cast . The girl telling the rest to be quiet. Always had a rebel feel. And is well known for her low voice.

She pretends to be fearless , but is scaredy cat...

Between the late night shows and re mind . The show was better .

However for fans of the series this is a nice way to see them in a different setting.

I believe some of the girls now have active acting careers but this has to be one of the first series they starred in.

Anyway having this background, i am watching a series that is made for fans of the idol group.

Some girls have to play a stereotype of themselves.

Personally it would have been better if they just could be themselves.

The late night series is a good watch because the girls are either witty and or or are not afraid of making a fool om themselves.

As standalone viewing this can be hard a watch. So depending on your background this series is really anything between a two and a nine really.

NETFLIX really should consider getting the rights to air those shows or akbingo. Or any other idolgroup.

The format of those shows is unlike any other shows you have seen and have classic moments in it.

I am pretty sure the direction that these girls received is either very minimal. Or from a western viewpoint absurd. The girls carry out what is asked from them.

Testament to that are the things they do when they release a new single. They went bungee jumping for example even if they were crying out of fear.

From what I like in the movie medium. The editing and sound use is over the top. As are the poses of the girls sitting at the table. To the point that is almost seems unedited. It is too much in your face.

The conversations in episode 1 are to one-sided and similar. Kokodoko... shiranai... again here they should really trust this to the girls.

Normally I would give up on the series after episode 1.

However since the girl who is missing is great at making me smile. My curiosity takes over and I will see the entire series.

Going on the first episode and knowing the cast. I think it is a missed opportunity. Just give them a setting and let them say and do what they want.

That would have been more entertaining.

The series is well short of the who killed.. at this point. But I am going to watch this with an ganbare attitude. (I only saw episode 1) I gave it a middle rating so far. I like the cast. I didn't like the conversations or the editing.

It took me a while to get through this show.

Very serious, pessimistic reflection of how even the best intentions go sour. Intriguing but it isn't really about the mystery or logistics, it's just a way of propping up a long Socratic dialogue on the subject of justice and sorority. In short: one very long conversation sort of like 12 angry men except it's 12 victims talking about 1 juror.

The episodes are pretty good at not over staying their welcome but you need to be in a robust mood to take them. You eventually get flashbacks but they're not what it's about.

It's hard to really say what this actually about. I suppose...grey morality? The way we betray each other? Sending up the myth of female solidarity?

One thing that struck me is the zeitgeist of female bonding in high school and how the seemingly idyllic masks jealousy and domination just below the surface. How even seemingly the most harmless of company the very darkest of human tendency can cost lives.

There's is a lot to follow and untangle and I won't say it sort of feels like a chore by the end and it really is the process more than the conclusions here.

I have no real idea if this is genius and I just didn't get it, or whether this is just pseudo-intellectual drivel to make adolescent K-pop fans think they're edgy and thoughtful. Or is this a J-pop group? What even is the difference?

There's basically four characters: the smart girl in the glasses, the angry girl with deep voice, the mysterious capture who you wonder about from episode one and everyone else.

Ultimately I am not going to say that this hit the jackpot but it's a lot more watchable than a lot of generic TV dramas out there. The limited settings actually made it kind of neat.'

The final episode is special and I quite admire but I shall say no more here.