Enjoyed it enough the first time that a year later I watched it again. Didn't quite hold up as well the 2d time. Usually my rating of TV goes up with the second watching, probably only 30-40% get a second watching; and then there are the gems that can be watched over and again-
I enjoy Korean romance dramas, their sensibility around family and love are so different than Americans, at least portrayed on TV, though I did have confirmation of this when I had the chance of working in S Korea for 3 months around 2001. My impression was they were somewhat like American culture in the 40's and 50's, not as worldish as we all are now, and with a very strong family system where you were expected by one and all to be married early, ideally by your mid-20s.
Anyway- the over-dramatization of feelings, much as we'd characterize in this country as being childish, is more the norm in these S Korean dramas, esp for the women, so no problem there, I'm used to it and like seeing this different cultural take of vulnerability. But it did get on my nerves a bit watching it the second time, the main female lead was even more childish than ever, lost interest a bit there, but I suppose with the story being what it was, that wasn't inconsistent with the traumas both of the leads under went.
It was 12 episodes, it could have easily and more dramatically been done in 6-8 episodes. I often bemoan how movies will overly condense a story and appreciate the long form of TV episodes. But in this case the story and unfolding didn't have enough depth to warrant 12 full episodes, I began losing interest as it went on and on.
Chairman Baek was right out of mythology, he played the villain well, his face an almost cartoonish mask of greed and raw power. Most S Korean dramas I've seen have portrayed the corruption of the top firms, which makes for a good anchor point, though it's become a worn out trope using the seemingly endless squads of goons that show up every time.
Also enjoyed the advanced tech, esp one designed to look out and care for the end user. We're not terribly far from what was shown, perhaps 5 years? I look forward to an always with me digital assistant and companion! Someone to talk to, share problems with, learn from, etc. Etc. I found the movie HER very moving. Hopefully these shows will give the tech industry some bright ideas!
