Trolley

Everything about this S Korean drama is top notch. The story moves along with no slow boring bits, actors are believable and really invested in their roles. Camera work is nothing spectacular, but then again, this isn't an art house film. Technically, 100% right.

The story, which is basically all a movie/series needs to keep the audience invested, is well written, with intelligent, believable conversations even while watching with subtitles.

I won't go into all the details of the two main families, but it's all twisted political intrigue, with flashback explanation helping carry the story.

Episode 12 - the last: Reality. I found myself shrieking at my TV. OMG NO!! That did not just happen!! Why, but hey, that's good TV. Worthy of the 12 hours you'll invest and the 9 stars I gave.

I loved this story, every twist and turn of it. Wonderful writing, beautiful cinematography, and performances all around that knock your socks off. Where does Korea train all of their splendid actors? The woman playing Hye Joo is remarkable, with a performance so nuanced it breaks your heart. Themes of deception masked by earnest faces resonate, as do the explorations of people with initial good intentions losing their way in the thicket that is politics. Teenagers' passion, quests for what is true or real, play an important role in this drama, again handled exquisitely by the young actors. The treatment of sexual assault which motivates much of the action is raw and powerfully depicted. It's not "too much" as some might claim. Just ask anyone who has experienced this trauma, as have 38% of my friends and acquaintances and students. (And yes, when the ME TOO movement started, I took a random survey.) The casualness which the assaulters display about their actions falls in the "what's the big deal" category and is sickening. This is wonderful psychological thriller, carefully deliberate in pacing because these issues, and difficult, sometimes impossible, choices , require deliberation and a slower paced production.

The story was supposed to be a good one but the decision of Ms. Kim was so below par only thinking of herself, the thoughts and sentiments of only 2 people and not her daughter and the rest of the society in general. I for one can't accept her decision, I find it selfish and not right. She could have moved forward of her choice when everything had been accomplished, thus even her daughter not suffering the harassment of her clasmates because of it. With that, everything could have been better for all concerned. It's a pity, it didn't materialized and the core of the story wasn't achieved. That's a pity.

So far everything about this drama is just so gripping. I watched Park Hee-Soon in 'My Name' and absolutely loved him there (and the drama as a whole) he has not let me down in this drama either. I've only watched two episodes so far, the acting is fabulous, so much so that I actually don't know which actor to trust and believe are genuine. Can we also take a moment to appreciate the OST too. This drama is the first time I've come across Kim Hyun-joo, also great acting and I'm keen to find out what her secretive past is all about. All in all, if you like a drama that's a thriller, not too fast paced and definitely not too slow, showing a strong bond between husband and wife - this drama is for you!

The story telling is exceptionally good. They intertwine different parts of the story together very well, and also explores the two sides of every coin. However, the key concept behind the story was exceptional weak. It boils down to amending a particular law. No lawyers worth their salt, nor any sane persons would agree to whatever it was that this show was proposing or advocating. I just don't like it.

Fyi, if you charge a person with a crime, the accused must be alive to defend for himself/herself. If he dies during the 'investigation', he shouldn't be scapegoated into being the 'guilty' party.