Are You Human Too? (2018)

digital tears

(i dont rate rewatch value)

another day, another A.I x human romance kdrama. as tropy as these are getting now, i think we're at a unique point in time now (near-ish future scifi) where it's pretty much already cancelling itself out.

i'll stop myself before i go full simulation theory, going into questions like how much more 'real' human love would be opposed to this, if we.. ourselves.. maybe, possibly aren't 100% guaranteed authentic, that it's just chemical reactions anyway, and the whole process/condition of love is quite illogical (really just a flavor of self inflicted pain after a while) regardless of who or what you're loving on. --- butttt, i do think it's clear now that it very much is exactly these kind of existential real life questions that will continue to fuel, and validate the trend as it becomes normalized.

the best part is that the drama itself doesn't even have to go this deep into the details. we barely have to get technical here. the extremes a.. what word to use, relateable? understandable? sympathizable? human + machine romance brings are more than enough to fill in the blanks. the rollercoaster push and pull this is early on when she pretty much desperately tries resisting this.. is completely freakin understandable. to the point where we're the bad guys for wanting her to like.. give in, and dedicate herself to a robot, who keeps reiterating that he doesn't have emotions. cannot reciprocate. honestly it's gonna be interesting to see how and when more complex ones will begin diving deeper into the technical and philosophical side, considering just how much you already get out of a relatively simple story like this.

relationship story that is. and simple in the relative, cuz i did shed my tears a buncha times ofc. did feel all the things all the times, ofc. the twists and turns of the bigger story are their own convo, and they're what save this from fizzling out approaching the end. part of the blame is on me for putting these final 4 eps i just binged aside for a week, but sure enough, things reach outrageous levels for the final spurt, only to be tied together in a neat bow for a classic ending.

i will dock it that one star from 9, which marks transcendent level for me, just because of how the romance inevitably lost a bit of steam at times, being stretched over 18 eps from relatively early on. but this says nothing about how much i felt for them throughout this.* Gong Seung-yeon is awe inspiring in like every way (shoulda let her flex more of her martial arts tho) and you'll probably be hard pressed finding a more fitting representation of perfection fit for a humanoid robot than Seo Kang-joon. he literally may as well be superhuman at some points here. there is no flaw to be detected. big kudos for pulling the twin role off so seamlessly, i can't spoil what differentiates the human and robo version but.. they freakin different alright.

(*not to mention the top to bottom polish, production design, visual effects, OST, i ticked all them boxes. shazam failed me on the same piece of score twice. and did i mention how gong seung-yeon is literally the most beautiful?)

rest of the cast is great too. her family all in my heart, his mom, his hyun, even Yu Oh-seong who goes absolutely O.D as the villain, but then in like one 2 second facial expression.. yeah cant tell you more. if there's one thing i'm really starting to admire it's how kdramas will insist on rounding out characters that don't even deserve it come finale.

you're sent off without bitterness, and i love that.

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Sci fi thriller with enough novelty, twists and intrigue to keep me watching- no loss of interest in the middle. Sci-fi meets power melodrama with a slice of comedy. Good looking leads. The story really grows in meaning and it does raise (for anyone thinking beyond the story-line) important existential issues like where does the human "machine" end and consciousness and identity begin. Also how to reconcile the good and bad sides of human nature or is that even possible? or what do good and bad mean? and how far are we or human society prepared to go to ensure the "good" side prevails? who decides what is good? It passed my test of getting towards the end and putting off finishing it because I did not want it to end. Although the whole story was done very well and the plot well worked-out with twists at the end, I must say I found the first half or so, which focused more on the "non-human", better and more appealing than the second half. Without giving a spoiler, those who have watched may know what I mean. Music did have an impact. Re-watch - maybe at some time in the future. Overall must be another 10/10.

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An actor who LOOKS like an android...playing an android...

Full disclosure: I can't actually tell if this drama was good or if I just like dramas about robots.

This show super enticed me and I watched it ravenously and was super sad when it ended. I love the theme of an android trying to be human and falling in love. It had plenty of action and plot twists, several redemption arcs, plenty of mystery, some decent comedy, and some romance. The lead actor did a really great job acting as an android...low key I think dude might actually BE an android. His sort of blankly childlike accepting smiles as he's being dragged around the human world were perfect for his portrayal of a robot. His did a really good job keeping his reactions and expressions superficially amiable without adding all the angst and inner though most adult humans carry around. He looked genuinely confused and delighted by the human world and I 100% believed him as a robot.

I actually WANT to give this 10 stars cause it was so much fun to watch...but in all honesty the plot was a little predictable and several of the supporting cast were eye-rollingly banal. There were some notable exceptions that made the drama really stand out in my mind and helped elevate the show, Kim Won Hae was really great in this drama as the female lead's father (but let's be honest is that weird looking old dude every NOT great in any drama he's ever been in?). Overall, if I'm fair and pit it against other dramas I've rated as 10s, this one is super good but probably not epic...so I give it an 8.

The ending was emotional and well conceived, though again it was a little predictably "everything works out in the end and the dead people come back to life", typical of Kdramas. Basically, this is similar to that movie with the android boy, A.I. Artificial Intelligence and just about every other android based movie/show/book...robot wants to be a real boy Pinocchio trope. I didn't hate it, I'd probably watch it again even, but it wasn't any sort of new take on the already well represented theme.

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OK, não posso dizer que esse drama superou I not a robot (meu favorito nessa tematica), mas foi ótimo conhecer esse robô super fofo chamado Nam Shin III.

Se tem coisa mais fantasiosa do que ver um ser humano se apaixonar por uma máquina, sinceramente desconheço. Mas por alguma razão misteriosa, sou apaixonada por esse tipo de enredo. Ainda mais quando os dramas fazem questão de nos apresentar robôs da dar inveja: gentis, fofos e maravilhosos.

Seo Kang Joon fez um ótimo trabalho em interpretar um ser humano normal e um robô ao mesmo tempo, sua atuação estava excelente nesse drama. Me arrisco a dizer que esse foi o melhor papel que ele interpretou.

A protagonista me ganhou desde o primeiro episódio sua personalidade era ótima, as cenas dela com o pai renderam boas risadas.

Infelizmente não posso dizer o mesmo em relação ao humano Nam Shin. O sentimento de ódio pelas atitudes dele veio desde o primeiro momento e assim continuou durante todo o drama.

Um certo botão de "auto destruição" me deixou bem aflita na reta final, o velho jogo de interesses tomou conta de vários personagens, e a ameaça ao nosso latinha parecia vir de todos os lados.

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Let's start with my overall view:
To my eyes, as a mere kdrama fan, this drama was made with serious budget. The visual effects (CGI) were quite seamless and beautiful. I liked how smooth the switching takes between human-robot Nam Sin were, and I loved the action scenes! All-in-all, put this in your watch list if you haven't done so ^_^
Story:
Now, I'm a fan of sci-fi. I have seen the classic "AI" and "IRobot" and I loved them, so I would say that the story itself is not entirely original. However, I do find the screenwriting interesting - thumbs up for the screen writer - though I find many of the "decision" made by this cyborg can, in fact, only be made by human ^_^
Cast:
I love them! All main casts' acting was very good, I enjoyed seeing them portraying the characters. Kudos to Soe Kang Joon, as he successfully played two characters of opposite traits. At certain points, he managed to made me feel like punchin' the human Sin in the face *lol* That's how successful he was in playing the characters.
Music:
OSTs are beautiful and the scores fit the scenes well enough.
Rewatch value:
Well.. I never rewatch drama series.. ever.. so no comment on this one. hahaa..

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My likes and dislikes in this drama

It's really a great drama... hats off to the writer for his imaginary level..
It's totally different from other fantasy dramas...

But the only thing I feel it's negative is the plot where a human and a robot developed a relationship...tough the robot is a positive character, it doesn't fix the reality for such kind of relationship. It makes the female lead look too naive .

It's also their relationship... that made this drama a fantasy one...Since it can't happen in reality.
Still I loved the story plots and this drama a lot....
This team has done a great work that made this drama outcome as a positive one.

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Spirited Entertaining Robot Tale

In this spirited entertaining tale, the production deftly weaves the Kdrama’s narrative between “technology”, family values, greed and a seemingly believable love story between a human and a robot. The start seemed slow with the first episode, but excitement from Episode 2, builds more and more each episode till the end, I almost didn’t want it to end! Cutest, lovable, smiling face robot I have ever seen. The FL is not really likeable, her acting is a bit on the cheeky, irritating side, as she is type-casted, as well as the “anti-hero”, but great support cast, especially the 2nd ML, and the FL’s father and gym family. Pleasurable, over-all.

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ADDICTING KDRAMA NAM SHIN 3 FOREVER !!

This is the 3rd time I watched this drama in my life and this drama has always have a special place in my heart, among with I am not a robot Circle , Move to Heaven , My husband Oh Jak Doo , Love in the moonlight, Signal , Mr. Queen and many more Forever Favorite K Dramas I have, this will never be not included ! I can clearly remember how I felt when I first watched this way back 2019 , from the first episodes I got excited and thrilling what's gonna happen next bonus was the adorable brown eyed leads Gong Seung Yeon and Seo Kang Joon ! they became one of my Favorite Actors since then and now that I finished re watching this again, all of those memories came back and I am so happy and in tears, this drama is one of the reason why I am so addicted and K drama is a part of my life.
STORY
Thrilling, Exciting, Amazing that's what I ever think about it terms of the story of this drama, Oh Baksa creating a Robot that looks like her Son, those Idea is what makes me excited and this kind of genre is what I am really into ! I am always excited what's gonna happen next in this drama and how So Bong fell in love in a robot, Okay, so many people are thinking that this is an absurd Idea, a Human falls in love with a Robot, but the Idea of this drama is that this is a Robot that is like a Human, enough to act and pretend to be one ! and is it possible? yes ! in this drama ! so why do people expect that this will be like in the real life when this is a fantasy drama or a Sci Fi drama ?! Do they really understand what does Science Fiction means ?? Okay going Back, Kang So Bong's tendency falling in love with a Robot that is a Thing is I think has a same tendency with me, I mean if a Robot is like Nam Shin 3 it is not impossible for me to fall in love with that thing ! I really like the fact that Nam SHin 3 has to pretend to be the Human Nam SHin and secure the position at the PK Group while Kang So Bong and Nam SHin 3 overcomes all the trial with Mr. Seo , the suspense here is a Blast, whenever Nam SHin 3 almost get caught--that he is not the Human Nam Shin and the Romance is so good too ! just enough for a Sci Fi Drama. I am just a bit sad that in the later part Human Nam Shin seems to be the bad guy until Oh Baksa dies. I understand him for being annoyed to his mother for leaving him but it was him who want his mother go away in the first place ! at the beginning episodes right ? so he is really acting immature here and everything he did to Nam Shin 3 is really bad. Nam SHin 3 is an Angel and A dream guy for me ! I really want to have a robot like him. I wish I have a Robot Lee Je Hoon. I remembered the Part where David Told Human Nam shin that the Abilities of Nam SHin 3 -- the lie detector, the Disaster mode and the Hugging rule is Nam Shin humans real personality so Nam Shin 3 is really Human Nam shin ! and it was sad that he treated him like that but for some reasons I understand.
The Plot Twists is everything in this drama ! like every thing what we viewers thought was not everything ! love the fact that there is always a behind of everything that has happened and those were really fast that some times I tend to not believe and even some times I get Confused as Kang So Bong if that was the Human Nam Shin or the Nam Shin 3. I cried in this drama specially when Oh Baksa Died and Nam shin 3 has few hours left before the Kill Switch. All in all super love the story , love the suspense the romance the thrill EVERYTHING !
ACTORS/ACTING
Seo Kang Joon is a Legit one of the good actors of Korea , like could he ever do those fast changing of facial expression, He was really able to portray Human Nam Shin and Nam SHIn 3 like he was a different person ! I am so impressed. Gong Seong Yeon so love her and She is so beautiful! If I were her everything she did I will do also ! Love his Family and the two HyeongJe she has . Mr. Seo was so great also ! love his facial expression , Love Oh Baksa , she reminded me of my mother in the last part, Love David ! love everyone here !
OST/MUSIC
It is 2024 and the songs here still breaks my heart and brings me back to the world of this Drama ! love the sound effects
OVERALL
Addicting K drama ! 10 out of 10 for me! this drama is the reason why a single like me find happiness , this will be forever my comfort drama and gonna miss them Nam SHin 3 forever and Kang So Bong . I wish I will be Kang So Bong here and be with my Robot forever and surely will re-watch this one many many more times in my life 안영 남신 3 ! 안영 강소봉 !

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I have always wanted to watch this drama because of Seo Kang Joon and because of his facial and figure <3
For Gong Seung Yoon, I did not recognize her till ep30+ that she was the girl from 'My Only Long Song', that drama was good too. I'm sorry, :(
Anyways, this drama was epic and crazy. Each episode made me laugh hysterically and made me fall in love. This is my third show about a human and a robot, and in my opinion, this drama was very well done that is made really different from the other Non-human and Human show. Seo Kang Joon's acting was DAEBAK!!!, He really portraited his two-characters significantly and whenever he shows those smiles, it makes me go crazy over him!! Sometimes I want to see his arrogant bitchy face and when we do... I DIE!!! LIKE WTFF!!! WHY YOU DOING THIS TO ME!!
Every episode makes me want to punch my screen and touch Him!! HAHAHHA I'm a Physcho.
Overall, the plot of the story was astonishing. THE TWIST and turning points was out of my mind, there was at least more than 2 of those twist and THEY FREAKING KILLED IT!
The interaction between Nam-Shin and So-Bong was soo thrilling, they may be mad at each other but their chemistry was good, their fight tho.. I love it! <3
Sometimes whenever they do a switch-a-roo... it makes me kilig!!
For the ending... I just find it weird because it's so different from the other Robot-human dramas, but isn't that the point? but at the same time... I was hoping that they were going to be together... buT... I guess that's not the expectation... I still loved it tho, the ending made me cry non stop because of the "TEAR" ...if ykow u know.
Nonetheless, this was an exceptional drama filled with ROM-COM and thriller.
The antagonist really pissed me off, but that's what makes the actors good!!! And I'm proud of that.
This DRAMA REALLY MADE MY QUARANTINE AMAZING!! I may have finished it right away... but this will always be in my heart and my head(BARF).. ESpecially... you... SEO KANG JOON <3 <3<3<3
SARANGHAEYO!!
THAnk you, cast and director for this amazing drama.
I feel bad that I did not watch it a long time ago.. but I did... I may not have written a review.. so.. i am still grateful. <3<3<3
6:45pm 4/9/20

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I keep saying I'm not into these AI/Robot shows but somehow I keep coming back into it. Lol.

The story starts off with a mother and son that are in unfortunate circumstances because of a selfish grandfather and they get separated and honestly the rest is history. The mom loves her son to death and just yearns endlessly on being reunited with him and honestly; he grows up to be a piece of shit lol (is this a spoiler? Lmk) he honestly is just your average spoiled chaebol and ugh. lol. Because she's a genius scientist, she does what any average mom that misses her long lost son would do and makes a robot duplicate of him and because of a freak accident, the robot comes into play and I really just sympathized with him. I know robots don't have emotions but I think anything or anyone can sense when someone doesn't care for you and your just an object and I thought that was honestly just really shitty. Then he meets someone that actually understands loneliness and even though your like "how can a robot and human FALL IN LOVE" I'm with ya but I really liked the two together tbh. More than anyone else, I mean I like the Hyung/assistant and all but like everyone else was kind of just assholes. Except for the FL family really; they were entertainment. lol

I just want to say I love Seo Kang Joon and I love Gong Seung Yeon so they're basically the main reason I watched this whole show and I was not disappointed at all. He played such a great robot, when he showed emotion, didn't show emotion, how affectionate he was but it wasn't over the top. And she was annoying right off the bat lol she was almost TOO annoying but she redeemed herself well when she started to sympathize and be more understanding. I liked that. I liked Lee Joon Hyuk, because he really kept me on my toes, I didn't know if he was good or bad hahahah other than that, hate everyone else. Idiots.

The music as actually nice, what a good OST tbh.

I probably wouldn't rewatch it but I don't regret watching it at all. It made me emotional in the aspect of just feeling lonely and not understood, being the side burner but still trying your best. Overall, just an all around good AI show tbh.

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I cannot get over how unsatisfying the ending was!!!
I wish the epilogue was way longer - especially since some scene with the mean character were just frustrating and unecessary.

However, I LOVED that drama, it had me smiling, crying, bawling my eyes out and laughing really hard.
I absolutely adored Nam Shin III and So Bong, never felt annoyed or angry at them nor their romance.
All the actors were fantastic and this show is definitely worth watching!

The music was not God awful but could have been improved 100% - but that doesn't affect the drama to much.

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