A Korean Odyssey (2017)

When I finished this drama I had mixed feelings about it but after much thought I realised that it was definitely one of my favorites. The plot was quite thrilling even though at times I felt like things could have escalated much quicker. Overall there was always enough pressure on the characters to keep the audience interested. My favorite part was the relationship. Rarely can I find original types of relationships in korean dramas, however A Korean Odyssey did not dissapoint. The romance grew gradually, it did not rush anything and had a unique twist. I will not say more as to not spoil you but trust my words ,when I say the couple was absolutely adorable. The only thing I did not like was the ending. It felt extremely illogical and as if the writers simply could not come up with an alternative. Final episodes were painful to watch but I endured out of my love for the characters. In conclusion, the main points of the drama are comedy, romance and fantasy. The comedy and romance aspects are quite strong, hiwever the fantasy part lacked a few finishing touches. I wish the writers had put more thought into the ending and the consequences of some characters' actions. Despite all of this, I definitely recommend the drama.
Thank you for reading!

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A Korean Odyssey walks in the footsteps of Goblin, but with less cinematic value. Where the Goblin rocked with the visuals and special effects, creating the exact atmosphere for a fairy tale story, Korean Odyssey lucks good special effects and those scenes that would have made it perfect. They do make up with the mythology of the world they are introducing. Korean Odyssey has so many stories embeded in it, and whether the main story was just so so, with some intense romantic moments that were lost in the length of the drama, as they were too thinly spread out, the many characters that were likable and interesting helped keep it entertaining. Again, though, the romance was a bit tiring after a while and the drama itself is tiring as well. Finally, the performances were really good, as well as the costumes and settings, part of the special effects again. Also, the twist in the end was very original, so kudos for that too, as well as for the soundtruck.

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The reason I watch this drama is because of Lee Sung Gi and the fact that this drama is based on my favorite tale, Journey to the West. To be honest, I nearly drop this drama in the beginning.

In the beginning, the story feels like being dragged and I can't find myself to like Sun Mi (I dislike her passive-aggressive nature it makes her lack any backbones). The romance was pretty off in the beginning and forced. I was also disappointed with the drama because I have my OWN expectations, especially the Sun Wo Kong's portrayal. In this drama, LSG did a good job in portraying the angry monkey king but he failed to add the monkey characteristic. (Maybe I'm being harshed because of my love of Journey to the West 1996 which has the best monkey king ever). LSG is too stoic here (even his previous act as Kang Chi in Gu Family Book is more lively). However, I can't put all the blame on LSG. I think the Hong sisters and the directors also have some share of faults here. Sun Wo Kong is strong, troublemaker and really really smart. He always able to find unusual solutions which I can't find here.

Another thing I don't like is the fact they put the usual CEO/Rich/Celebrity sprinkle in the drama. :(

What makes me continue:

After a while, I realize I should approach this drama from a different perspective. The Journey to the West original story is about a journey to go forward from many tribulations and used to teach children about kindness and perseverance. However, this drama is fully intended for romance. ROMANCE. YES>

Second, is my love for all the sides characters. Esp Ma Wang. He truly steals the show, for me. Cha Seung Won performance was brilliant. I can see the bull demon king character from him. His stubbornness especially! I also like Buja and PK story.

Third, Sun Mi finally shows more backbones and become a more loveable character after some character growth.

Last, the story does get more interesting after half of the story. Even if you already know the tale of Journey to the West and you are able to predict most of the story (like I did), you will still be hooked with the story about Sun Wo Kong's and Sun Mi's story end.

Overall, its a good drama. I will recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy romance.

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Story-wise, it had so much potential. Being an adaptation, there are plenty of material to go by. I have no problem with many sub-plots as long as the narration good and essence of the story is conveyed. That's not what happened here. The drama itself is convoluted with unnecessary sub-plots. Case in point, what was the dragon prince's purpose in all that? A sacrificial lamb so PK doesn't die? His existence in the drama itself is useless. Second, peddler and her grandson. I know the grandson is really Ma Wang's son, and then? I'd say having the GGG to make the great sage love Seon Mi is genius move but the gravity of it being relevant just sort of faded. And then there's Bu Ja and her entire story. After being possessed by Ah Sa Nyeo her existence just vanished. There were many redeeming points, the comedic strips, the love-line, but boy was that not enough to off-set every horrible thing going on in this drama.

Acting/Cast: As far as the actors go, this cast probably has the best performance and chemistry I've seen in a while. Many viewers (myself included) are kept from dropping the show solely to see an exceptional portrayal from the cast. But even then, the lousy story telling cannot be carried by great acting alone.

Music: The OST of this drama is great. As a music enthusiast myself, I'd put it up to my favorite OST's joining (Scarlet Heart, It's Okay That's Love, Cheese in The Trap, Just Between Lovers, to name a few). Song's where on point. I love it.

Rewatch Value: It's not a drama I'd go for a marathon for. I wont even recommend it to friends for first viewing. That's how bad it had been. After the emotional investment I had for this show, that sloppy ending and lazy story narration was a total slap in the fans faces. So, no rewatching for me.

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absurd, wonderful and heartbreaking

The Korean Odyssey/Hwayugi is the 11th script of the Hong sisters. 2018; 20 eps at 1hr20 mins ea. Hwayugi (HW) was one of the first few kdramas I ever watched. It is absurd, wonderful and heartbreaking; an indelible memory. The comedy/romance/supernatural fusion combined with sophisticated filmmaking and an absurdist/surreal panache was enchanting but difficult to ease into; it made me an instant fan, obsessive and curious about the Korean industry and its history.

And yes, I bawled buckets the first time... and the second....and...
Please, please give it a try and become a Hong Sisters fan too!

I was amazed at this remake of/take on the chinese buddhist novel Journey to the West (one of the six classic pre-modern chinese novels), whose characters permeate pan-asian cultural products of all kinds.

That premise is essentially a comic set-up. The 3 companions from the novel, the monkey King, the pig, and the fish king are like Homer Simpson -- they are driven by human appetites to constantly get into trouble. It is the job of this motley crew to protect the Monk, Sam Jang (Tang Zang/Xuansang), on his journey to the West, but even he cannot save them from their own idiocy.

But in Hwayugi, Son Oh Gong (SOG) tricks a little girl who sees spirits into releasing him from heaven's punishment of imprisonment. So heaven punishes her by forcing her to take on the dharma of the Monk in modern times. Is this fair, no. Is this a tale of the supernatural, yes, so fairness does not pertain.

The monk in the novel is looking for texts, but in Hwayugi she/he has become a sort of "sin-eater" who has to bear the burden of human evil. Her flesh still has the monk's fragrance of lotus flowers and even a tiny bite of it grants immortality. Meanwhile she grows up plucky and resourceful and turns her spirit-seeing ability to good commercial use as a real estate agent.

The Bull (Demon) King, Ma Wang (MW), who had sent her on the original errand and gotten her into the situation with the Monkey King, ends up remorseful when they all meet later on, He is no longer the novel's villain but a more ambiguous figure, a media mogul, a celebrity show host. The group moves into his house. Including PK (the pig) and the elusive CEO, they all pity her but also cannot stay away from her fragrance. Thus the comedy.

Even SOG is uneasy at what they have done; he refuses to admit it but has kept an eye on her all along ever since she was a child when he tricked her and lied to her. Deities are fundamentally different from us -- but the Monkey King is a demi-deity; in an ambiguous position, he can fall in love and he does so unwillingly.

There are some cool props: the slave-love bracelet the Geumgango; the Onggi of prophecy in the little shop--as soon as the FL lifts the lid out of curiousity, a pandora's box situation occurs; the Doom Bell and the Love Bell. Spoiler alert, there is no HEA.

ps. The scriptwriting duo of the Hong sisters set the bar if not the entire tone for the kdrama industry renaissance overseas -- not primarily in the West, mind you, but across South, East and West Asia. They are famous for being consistently commercially successful.

Each HS drama stands on its own, rarely repeating genres. The HS use literary tropes and texts with abandon, reinventing them, combining them, with a mastery that is hard to describe. Not only do they always catch the wave of audience interest with their creative wildness, but they also appeal to all different sorts of viewers who can tune into the dramas at differing levels of meaning and complexity.

first posted july 31st 2024 on Viki
On my top ten best ever kdramas list as of 12/24, joined by: Tomorrow, Alchemy of Souls, Just between Lovers, the K2, Goblin, Doom at Your Service, Mr. Plankton and Because This Is My First Life.

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My heart sang with happiness and sadness watching this series

I have to first say, I am a huge fan of this show. To the point that I have the monkey stuffed animal that Oh Kong gives the female lead! but I will say, for me, the ending left me heart broken and sad. I will advise anyone who is searching for happy ending, to not watch this series since I still haven't fully recovered and I still tear up listening to "when i saw you" by bumkey since it just brings it all back lol.

Even with all of that though, I still loved this show, it was the most amazing mix of fantasy and comedy that leaves you hooked watching every episode back to back since its hard to be left on the cliffhangers at the end. I enjoyed how much the female lead was a badass on her own and the male lead respected her strength and would offer his own only if she needed it or asked for it.

Each of the characters were amazing, so i didn't mind when the story didn't focus on the main leads and we got to learn more about the side characters and their pasts. Some of them were absolutely heart breaking, and made you empathize with some of the scariest characters.

I truly wish they would make another season, or a spin off since It was just a great series that fully immerses you into this fantasy world and definitely leaves you wanting more.

On a side note, I am completely in love with Oh Kong's first hair style (the long hair he had in his prison) vs the one he had for the rest of the show... so sad he didn't keep that hair cut the whole time.

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This is a fun and fantastic chimerical fantasy drama. This is a modern Korean interpretation based on the book Journey to the West. The acting is amazing! The cast did a great job bringing these complex and enigmatic characters to life, especially Cha Seung Won (as Woo Whee) and Sung Hyuk interpreting both male and female siblings. There is great chemistry and romance among the lead couple, the “frenemy” relationship between the lead males is priceless, and the rest of the cast kept the chemistry going. This drama evokes all sorts of emotions and leaves the viewer with a good feel. Enjoy it!

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My favorite Korean drama yet to date and I've seen probably over 100. Lee Seung Gi is one of my favorite Hallyyu stars and major eye candy. The coats he wears in this are pimp. I've seen the majority of his dramas and this is by far my favorite although I'm enjoying his newest one Vagabond. The bromance was epic! It reminded me of Lee Dong Wook and Gong Yoos in Goblin, a major love/hate relationship. The chemistry between the leads was HOT, especially the kiss scenes. It was a slow build romance but so worth the wait. The ost was bomb AF. I even added the main song to my YouTube playlist. PK (Lee Hong Ki) was one of my favorite characters. The CGI could've been better towards the last half but still pretty good for a Korean drama. All the acting was brilliant by every main and supporting characters.

Rewatch value... definitely imo

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Hwayugi proves that I should never pick up anticipated or over-hyped dramas. While touting a star studded cast, a legendary production team and adored source material, this drama left a lot of potential on the table.

After a few very turbulent weeks for the production crew including blatant CGI issues, debacles in this drama’s airing schedule and a terrible on set accident that threatened to stop production all together, Hwayugi finally seemed to get somewhat back on course. Even so, this drama was never able to establish a consistent tone or pacing. Most weeks it was a garbled mess with a Monster of the Week format. Each new arc and challenge that our protagonists have to face are all resolved before they can have any greater significance to the lead couple. This setup prevented me from becoming at all vested in the story, its characters and its romance. This drama is chalk full of filler just not a lot of substance here.

This drama’s saving grace is certainly the magical and impish Lee Seung Gi in his role of Son Oh Gong! Here Seung Gi is so charismatic and playful. The only reason I continued to watch this drama, was to see this monkey in his natural environment. Lee Seung Gi truly shines here championing all of his hallmarks. His performance as Son Oh Gong kept me watching even with the subpar plot.

I can’t really recommend this drama due to how it is lacking in its story, pacing and tone, but if you are an avid fan of Lee Seung Gi, you may need to weigh your options again.

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This drama was a roller coaster ride. I watched this when it was still ongoing and I was hooked from the first episode. loved all the characters and the cast was just PERFECT. The main leads were cute together and it was great seeing Lee Seung Gi back in action after a long time. I feel that it started out great but the last few episodes felt a little lacking for me. I loved the ost especially the song when I saw you. Personally, I didn’t really love the ending of it but when I gave it another thought I realized that the ending kind of suited the story considering most of the characters were immortal. This drama was a good escape from reality and it was fun having to tune in to this show every week. Overall, this drama may not be everyone’s cup of tea and may be lacking in a certain areas but it sure is interesting and captured my heart in its own special way with its humor and lively characters.

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