Chicago Typewriter (2017)

Be patient, this one will suck you in before you know what hit you!

This show was unbelievably good. I’ll be honest, it started out really slow and I’m not known for my patience. It wasn’t until about episode five when I felt completely invested, and then I had to go back and start it over, to give it the consideration it deserved. I’m not going to reiterate the storyline, but the writers have many, many reasons to be proud of their work here. This show moved effortlessly between the timelines of 1930’s Korea and present-day Korea, and it all made sense. One of the things I was most impressed with was that the mysteries in the show were revealed to us at the same time as the characters, so I felt like I was discovering the answers right along with them. The writing was excellent and managed to take me on a journey that seamlessly moved from drama, to comedy, to tragedy, to mystery, to fantasy, and all the while there was no need to suspend disbelief, because it all made perfect sense. I also appreciated the factual information that was given about the freedom fighters and what happened to Koreans in WWII.
Cast: Yoo Ah In as writer Han Se Ju was wonderful. He started out cold, self-absorbed and isolated. To be honest, I wondered if he was supposed to be the male lead, because he was not likeable at all. As we moved further into the story, his reactions, whether serious or funny, were spot on. And it doesn’t hurt that he is stunning to look at. Im Soo Jung as fangirl Jeon Seol played her part with the perfect degree of wonder and awe for Han Se Ju, without ever becoming stalker-ish or irritating. She had a positive outlook on life, even considering her somewhat dark past. Go Kyung Pyo as the mysterious Yoo Jin Oh was excellent. His part, more than any other, had the potential to become farcical, but he imbued the perfect amount seriousness into the role. I also have to mention Kwak Si Yan as Han Se Ju’s competition (both personally and literarily). Early on, he owned this role, giving it just a touch of possible sinisterness. Were you supposed to like him or hate him? As time went on and everything started being revealed, he literally made my skin crawl.
Cinematography and sets: Beautifully filmed! There was a clear delineation between 1930 and present. The close ups allowed you to really see and feel the emotions that the characters were feeling, whereas the far shots really gave a feeling of space and grandeur of the things that you were looking at. The play of light and shadow was used well to give a feel for danger in the 30’s and the positivity of present day. I loved how every place had different ways of showcasing books. His home, the other writer’s work room, bookstores, etc. Every place was very creatively put together, always reminding us that he was a writer. The set for his home was amazing!
Skinship: Two amazing kisses and some hand holding.
Camaraderie: This is where this show shone the brightest. The friendships of the past affected the friendships of the present and the writers/actors did a wonderful job of the slow, seamless progression of their relationships. They communicated well, they were honest with one another, and their experiences in both times cemented how they felt about one another. I love a show with a good bromance, and this was definitely one for the books!
Costumes: The clothing for both eras was perfect. Especially the clothes that Yoo Ah In wore – his clothes were classy, loose and fit him well.
OST: Hauntingly beautiful. There were times that just the music would shift your emotions before a word was even said.
I’m so glad I gave the time and attention to everything about this show that it deserved. It was amazing!

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This drama had SO MUCH potential but unfortunately so many things just went south and lead to major disappointments. The plot was very unique, or at least the focus on the 1930s era was. I've yet to see a korean drama that was set at that time, and I just WISHED they had stuck w/ that because it was, start to finish, flawless. It was perfect and it would've easily stood on its own. The present-day storyline was so forced and awkward even tho it started out alright but later on I found myself really done w/ it. It almost felt like the writer thought that the 30s plot was too heavy and serious so he/she threw in that twist to make it sorta lighter. It was awkward and every time they talked about their past life nonchalantly I cringed a little.Everything from the comeradery to romance to just plain random actions all made so much more sense in their "past life" and the character development, tho was portrayed in little scenes, was phenomenal, and goes off to prove how much effort was put in writing. But the "present" was so bland and the romance between the leads and how their feelings developed made no sense. There was just something wrong with the pasing. And maybe if equal parts were given to both eras with focus on their main purpose of writing the novel and remembering their past life would've been better. Instead of adding fillers and a lot of meaningless plot twist dwelling in the "present" and repeating flashbacks.Speaking of the leads; the female lead was nothing special at all. They tried to fill her present-time character's background w/ all of these events and traumas but it just falls flat a couple of episodes later. Even in the "past" I wasn't that impressed w/ her performance but it was decent. It wasn't the acting as much as it was just a character I didn't like. But yet again it was well developed and understandable.Unlike many, I actually liked the buzz haircut on the male lead, something fresh and new. His "past" character was phenomenal and he performed so well along side the other two. He also did really well in the "present" I just blame the writing.The second lead did wonderful. He was the same all throughout, and not in a bad way. Some how it felt like he was the main character and I enjoyed his scenes so much. He brought in a very natural humor to the story and kept things exciting whenever it got dull. Despite the obvious gaps in the writing quality b/w the two worlds, the transitions were so smooth and top notch. And the sets and cinematography were wonderful. It also had one of the best kissing scenes out there.Despite all what I've said, I really liked this drama. I made an account specifically just to write this review cuz I was just that touched with it. I could almost swear that the 1930s was first written on it's own, it was so good. Do I recommend this? Highly! It was very refreshing and new. The experience was like no other and I just desperately want a remake even tho it's impossible. I will definitely rewatch this in the future. Maybe lower expectations will help me enjoy it more.

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The show is definitely interesting and very different from other Korean dramas I’ve seen. It moves along at its own comfortable pace. There’s a lot of eye candy in this show and a lot of men who like the heroine. I loved Go Kyung Pyo and Yoo Ah In – they were so captivating. Their characterisation is very well done. Their bromance is also one of the best.
The secondary characters are suitably quirky and warm as well. They served their role to entertain and not bore the hell out of me.

There are so many layers to this show and so many layers to the characters – I appreciated the slow reveal of the storyline and what happened between the people involved.
The music also gets a tick from me. It used some very unusual soundtracks. A lot of English! My favourite is Satellite.

Go Pyung Kyo
This actor is wonderful in his character portrayal. He completely stole the show.
He is so cute! My sister described him as a “smol bean” - a character that despite being big and tall, always evokes feelings of pity or adorableness.

Jeon Seol
Heroine starts off stereotypically bubbly and dense. Her past character is quite marvelous, but again, takes a while to warm to. She is really nothing special in terms of protagonists. The way she cleans up the end is impressive. That’s definitely the stand out point for me.

Han Se Ju
Yoo Ah In’s portrayal of the arrogant male, is perfectly eccentric. It has a different spin to it that is charismatic and appealing. He is consistently calm in the face of enemies and super zen about people attacking him. He is also quick to figure out the bad guys’ schemes. You can’t fool him!
His development as his past self, Hui Young – is quite tasteful as well. He seems very cool, on top of the game and strategic, in the past.

Romance
Present day romance is really built on the romance from the past. That’s what sold it for me.
Also, despite being too little too late, this show has one of the best “I love you” scenes. Really beautiful and heart breaking.

If I think about the ending too much, I’ll probably lose it.

Leggi di Più

this drama is truly one of the best dramas i have seen. it made me feel all the emotions there is! so beautifully written!
the story writers did such a good job at weaving this story so perfectly. There is not even one moment where i was bored. The actors did such a wonderful job,i was already a fan of Im soo jung,this just made me like her more. Yoo ah in,just got himself a fan for life,such an outstanding actor and a beautiful man indeed! Go kyung po really got out all the emotions in me. there is nothing i would change in this drama, no issues at all!! thank you so much writers,directors and cast for this beautiful piece of art :)

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At first I didn't expect much...

I thought and felt like this was going to be a very depressing story full of politics or the drama will go down the path of super cheesy comedy/romance drama just to get more views and better ratings. While also being about one of the darkest times. But I was pleasently supraised. I could tell with each episode as the story progressed that it was written with passion and love. The drama unfolds slowly in the start but it really quickens its pace after 2-3 ep. I knew I was watching a drama but I also felt like I was reading book ... Its like a story unfolded withing a story... perfect balance between the past and present. It has it all... The word maybe perfect for this drama is heartwarming.
I have great respect for the writers,cast and crew. The music was great, the clothes, sets and everything was truely impressive. I'm sure or at least I hope... that this drama will win an award this year.
Unlike many drama this one I would love to rewatch a hundred time and more... It doesn't focus on romance as much as the sole feelings of the characters( all of them) towards eachother. I even cried a couple of times while watching. A big plus is that the characters are smart, they didn't give me headaches. The drama has so many good quotes I wrote them in a small note book and I plan to rewatch it soom maybe with hot chocolate in my hand during a rainy/snowy day... but since its summer I will settle with ice tea in my basement :-'(.

I recommend this drama.

Leggi di Più

Wow. What can I say about this show? I finished it a while ago and have been sitting on writing a review because I loved it so very, very much. It has a great cast, wonderful atmosphere, and a really interesting story line. It's interwoven lives - past and present - and is set in both modern day and in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation. Yo Ah In plays Han Se Joo, a Stephen King-esque level writer in the modern day who finds himself struck with writer's block after a stalker almost kills him. He meets Im Soo Jung's Jeon Seol in the present life, a veterinarian and former Olympic level athlete in shooting, who is also his number one fan. Introduced to this is a ghostwriter Yoo Jin Oh (played by Go Kyung Pyo) who has a secret. The three (and most of the important people around them) are all linked by their past lives in the 1930s as resistance fighters during the Japanese occupation. The story kept me guessing quite a bit of the time, which is not always the case in k-dramas, and the atmosphere was spectacularly done. All the modern day characters have abodes that overflow with books, which was a visual touch that I found very appealing, while the historical segments brought that past era to life. There is love, intrigue, scheming, conflict, struggle, loss, and triumph. The music in this drama was also wonderful and engaging. I really can't recommend this drama highly enough.

Leggi di Più

Alright.

First of all, I want to say one thing.

I didn't expect this.

The story was really really good, why do we write ? What's the meaning of our past ? How history make our society ? The leading questions were a big part of my answer of "Why did you like this drama ?"

I'm fond of history and books. And watching something that talk about the two subjects was really good.

The 3 leads actors were very good in their roles. And for the actor Yoo Ah in, he was prettiest in the past, god, his hair... (sorry sorry)

The way that the scriptwriter made the drama was really good too. We learn the past really slowly and fluidly, each episode was a little surprise...

Musics were very good, nothing more about thaht.

For a personal note, the past story of Korea (japanese occupation in korea) is something that I can rely to my story. France knew a periode like this (not as long as korea but...), and I used to ear my grand parents talk to me about that time of my history. So this drama touch my in an other way, anyway, a story like this touch everyone.

Watch it. Please.

(I WANT TO FORGET THAT I SAW THIS DRAMA FOR REWATCHING IT AND REDISCOVERING IT)

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There have been great dramas airing this season, but tvN hit it once again. This may have become one of my top favourites of all time.
I love stories that deal with great human questions such as what it means to live, to love, our role in (our own) history, the need to make amends with your own past and being the ruler of your own fate. All of this graced with supernatural and spiritual elements such as karma and reincarnation as well as a lot of symbology and metaphors turns it into a refreshing and touching story about love, friendship and loyalty through time.

Besides, all the three main choices for the main roles are perfect. Yoo Ah In, whom I recently watched in Secret Love Affair and mesmerized me with his talent, has easily become one of my Top 5 Korean actors. Im Soo Jung, for whom I have a soft spot ever since I watched Park Chang Wook’s “I’m a cyborg but that’s OK” (I strongly recommend that movie!). And Go Kyung Pyo, for whom I also have a soft spot ever since I watched Reply 1988.

Chicago Typewriter is an amazingly written drama. Plus, it feels like a movie, as if everything was already planned in advance and it finds its perfect closure at the end. I mean, it must have obviously been planned in advance, but you know how TV series work sometimes: depending on how the audiences respond some things from the original script might be altered along the way. But in this case, beyond the usual commercial concessions the plot feels perfectly drawn.

The soundtrack is great and the music is perfectly used in every occasion to match the dramatic intensity of the scenes.

Summing up, this is one of the great dramas this season, and as such, it’s a must.
Oh, and I want Han Se Ju’s mansion!!!

Leggi di Più

Chicago Typewriter is a show that epitomizes slow and steady character development. Though the plot goes back and forth from present-day South Korea to 1930s Korea under Japanese rule, the story is fairly easy to follow with minimal twists and turns in the first few episodes. Since I have an interest in stories based in the early 20th century and didn't have much knowledge of Japan's occupation of Korea, I found the past plotline to be intriguing to watch and learn from. I think I was an even bigger fan of the past plot because this particular period isn't often found in Korean dramas (at least based on my experience in the K-drama-sphere), so it was in a way, a breath of fresh air. Romance, action, and comedy are often exhibited in Korean dramas, and Chicago Typewriter is no exception. It does not solely focus on one of these three typical genres over another, rather the show has a small, balanced slice of each. What the drama focuses most on is the character development and the characters' relationships, mostly the friendship exhibited between the three main characters. The soundtrack and score blends quite well with the complications and emotions of the trio's friendship (i.e. ranging from "sublime reminiscing/remembering" to deep sorrow to pure joy). I've rewatched bits and pieces of the drama, the poignant and most memorable scenes, rather than rewatched the show's entirety; in doing so, I've realized that being well-aware of what will happen made the story appear much slower for me. I would definitely recommend Chicago Typewriter to close friends who value and appreciate steady character development and a well thought-out storyline over big and bold action and romance.

Leggi di Più

I just finished watching Chicago Typewriter around 45 minutes ago and I can't help not to post a review about it so here it goes:

I kind of "dropped" the drama after its seventh episode (when it was still on air). I found it boring and interpreted the twists as shallow ones. Well, my busy schedule could also be one of the causes why I had to stop watching this. In fact, my brother continued watching this without me so he was obviously ahead of the story but I did not really care at first. Until yesterday. I was running out of dramas to watch so I decided to finally resume watching this one. (NOTE: If you plan on getting yourself involve in Chicago Typewriter, learn how to refrain from checking your phone from time to time for it would distract your focus. One must have a full attention while watching this because he/she would probably end up having messy thoughts for not following the scene's direction. )

I was regretting that I dropped this for a while. I never knew this would actually bring so much joy and unfathomable feelings to me. I have since loved period dramas especially those with political and social struggles in it. And this drama was able to depict the 1930s Japanese Occupation in Joseon where the brave youth of yesterday stood up in order to regain their country's democracy. Through this, the audience was able to picture what it was back then, and how those heroes fought for the independence we are currently savoring. It was a story of hope.

This success would not have happened without the chemistry of the actors. Yoo Ah In and Go Kyung Pyo's tandem was really magical. They have portrayed Han Se Ju/Seo Hui Young and Yoo Jin Oh/Shin Yul well and showed their characters' uniqueness. This also goes for Im Soo Jung and Yoo Ah In's team-up. And of course, their trio really appealed and brought the audience root for them. Honestly, I did not even want them to be apart until the end.

All in all, this drama needs to be seen and be appreciated by the generation of today. Not only they would gain knowledge on history, but for them to admire what our forefathers have done in order for us to enjoy the liberation we are having now.

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Friendship and heartbreak in a time of liberation.

As I finished watching Chicago Typewriter I realized that I was riding that familiar rollercoaster of kdrama emotions… Heart fluttering, pulse racing, screen shouting, hope bearing, mind boggling, gut wrenching, friendship making, anxiety inducing, speculation tossing, tear producing, joy bringing, fearful musings, phone throwing, heart aching, addiction forming, time warping, Oppa Squeeing, ugly sobbing, romance swooning time.

To put it plainly, this drama looks terribly cheesy during the first episode and I almost put it down. The story relied on trope filled encounters, seemingly over the top storyline and a plot that you are uncertain what it is trying to be.

The closest I can come to describing the nuanced layered story telling is the American Movie "The Usual Suspects" While you are busy discounting the silliness of the characters and story ... lots of information is going on. Every scene is a build up to the end.
Before you know it you are intrigued and don't realize how invested you are in these seemingly annoying and flawed characters. I've read so many people say they fast forwarded past parts/ characters they "didn't like" but don't be tempted to do that because it all solidifies into some of the most poetic stories of friendship, love and sacrifice.

It is one of my favorite series and I can not say enough about the three leads chemistry between each other.

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