Live On (2020)

this drama...made me mad!

I was really enjoying the first half of the series.
it all takes place in a school where Bek ho rang, our protagonist, is an "insta celebrity" and has many eyes on her. she doesn't seem to be that approachable and often spends time alone while her peers idolize her or just straight up criticize her out of jealousy.
one day, someone from her past start threatening her to reveal something about her past and she freaks out but decides to join the school radio club to find out who This person is.

so far so good. the series starts hinting at something really "horrendous" that happened in Bek ho rang's past but when in the last 2 episodes the truth starts to come out.... I got really mad.

spoiler:
Bek ho rang was the victim of a bully.
and that is where I got mad.
first of all the "bullying" was not cool , of course, but is was not so horrendous as described.
during the series she meets her supposed bully and doesn't fling a bit.
admitting that she was bullyed would save her sooooo much trouble but she just lets people's mind run wild about what happened. so much so that people think she is the actual bully.
I get to a certain degree that it is humiliating to admit something so personal but Bek ho rang brings it to such an extreme that it made me mad.
she pushes away her only friend and stops talking to her because of that, she lets everybody talk shit about her, believe that she is a bully, she lets her comments online run wild which is insane since she is an actual Influncer and has contracts and cherry on top, people usually get expelled for this kind of behavior..
I don't really get it.
the second bully (yeah there is another one) is bat shit crazy and no one does anything to stop her.

at the end, the drama is not that bad but it's not that good.
I'd say the best characters are actually the secondary ones.
it's a cute story about a girl becoming more welcoming towards others but .... it's nothing groundbreaking.

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Disappointed in the writing

This show really frustrated me, mainly because the writers would have you believe that the FL would rather have everyone hate her for something that she hadn't done, rather than admitting what had happened to her. I wasn't able to suspend disbelief that far. She was cold, and mean throughout most of the show. I might have been able to forgive that from a secondary character, but not from the main character. I don't like mean girls and that was the focus here.

I thought that the ML was mis-written as well. He didn't look or act like a teenager, at all. He acted more like a teacher, so I had a hard time with connections between him and all the other characters.

To be honest, the reason I didn't rate this lower was because of the secondary characters. They were very enjoyable to watch. The secondary couple was cute, though their big break up made no sense, other than to serve to drive the story forward. I especially loved watching the third "couple" - Kim Yoo-Shin was bubbly, positive and spent most of his time following Ji So-hyun around. He was very outspoken about the fact that he liked So-hyun, but he was such a likeable character I found myself rooting for him.

I'm not a big person on revenge; however, I felt that with the seriousness of the topic that was the focus of the show, the perpetrators should have been dealt with more severely.

This drama had the advantage of being only eight episodes. That was long enough.

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Un drama sans surprise mais agréable

C'est le genre de drama qui permet de faire un peu la transition lorsqu'on finit un coup de coeur et que l'on ne sait pas trop sur quel autre série se diriger.
Le scénario est plutôt classique et le sujet sensible bien que traité de manière prude et en filigrane. On y découvre la violence scolaire, le harcèlement, le syndrome de la victime et l'importance et le poids du regard des autres.

[b]Baek Ho Rang[/b] fait parti de cette vague d'héroïne, forte en apparence, pleine de ressources, parfois méprisante et arrogante envers ses tiers mais avec un grand coeur blessé et caché. On adhère ou pas, tout est une question de préférence. J'avoue avoir eu parfois du mal avec elle. Elle m'apparaissait tellement imbue et ses mots étaient souvent durs et cassants. Son passé permet de comprendre la raison de ses actions et la dureté de ses mots. Si je n'ai pas réussi à adhérer totalement à ses souffrances c'est qu'il n'y avait aucune raison selon moi de se montrer aussi distante et horrible avec son amie [b]Ji So Hyun[/b] (et les autres). Qu'elle veuille prendre ses distances par peur du regard des autres est tout à fait compréhensible mais se montrer aussi cruelle? C'est un raisonnement que l'on retrouve souvent dans les dramas et auquel je ne cautionne pas vraiment. A d'autres moments, j'ai trouvé [b]Baek Ho Rang[/b] touchante et sa fragilité, en opposition à ce qu'elle veut montrer, émouvante. C'est donc un personnage que j'ai parfois aimé et parfois détesté.

[b]Go Eun taek[/b] est un personnage que j'ai particulièrement aimé : son aisance avec [b]Baek Ho rang[/b], sa franchise et son implication discrète en faisait un lead fiable sur lequel on aime s'appuyer. Le couple principal était mignon et sain (pas de rival à contourner, pas de disputes fastidieuses, des quiproquos légers...)

Les personnages secondaires étaient, une fois n'est pas coutume, attachants.
Le couple secondaire, [b]Woo Jae[/b] et [b]Jae Yi[/b], était mignon aussi. Leur dispute et réconciliation était adorable. Ici aussi peu de frustration.
Le couple [b]Yoo Shin[/b] et [b]So Hyun[/b] était mon préféré. La lumière de ce couple a été une bouffée d'air frais. [b]Yoo Shin[/b] a d'ailleurs était mon chouchou. Son sourire, sa simplicité et sa loyauté en ont un fait un personnage que l'on aime immédiatement.

On réalise très vite les dessous de l'histoire et la révélation du "vilain" n'a pas tardé dans l'avancement du scénario. Je trouve regrettable par contre que l'on comprenne peu ses motivations, car son acharnement à vouloir faire du mal au personnage principal me semblait un tantinet disproportionné (mais si on prend en considération que cela reste des adolescents, soit).

Ceci étant, cela reste un petit moment agréable dont on a souvent besoin avant un nouveau marathon.

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I loved it!

I started watching this drama with low expectations. At first, I was really debating on whether to watch this or not because of the reviews and comments. I'm also not a big fan of fluff, so i thought I wouldn't enjoy this.

However, I was pleasantly surprised! I never thought I'd like it, but I just do! Others said it was boring, but I slightly disagree. The drama was short and sweet, and it wasn't dragging, 8 eps was perfect.

The casting was amazing, I enjoyed how each of the actors/actresses played each role, and I found myself searching up all of the cast members. The music... was not bad, just forgettable, I didn't even notice the music.

The ending was nice. It left me wanting more, but it still felt complete. Overall, I think it's not bad at all! (P.S. I NEED A BYUNGCHAN MAIN LEAD NOW, AFTER SEEING HIM ACT)

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Esse é um drama que eu não esperava muito. Por ser um drama escolar eu não esperava um plot complicado, mesmo sendo um certo mistério a ser resolvido e tratar sobre bullying, não esperava atuações maravilhosas ou um roteiro perfeito. Não vou dizer que o drama foi perfeito, mas foi ótimo.

O fato de não ter triangulo amoroso foi ótimo, já que não vi como podiam encaixar algo do tipo ali, todos os casais foram ótimos, até o WooJae e a JaeYi que são meio chatos, ficaram mais ou menos.

O casal foi perfeito. Sério. Os dois atores souberam trazer bem o romance, e mesmo sendo um drama escolar, sem foco no romance, ainda sim deu pra surtar um pouco com a fofura deles.

O outro casal secundário, YuShin e SoHyun, demoram bastante pra ficar juntos, mas desde o inicio deu pra ver que ela também gostava dele.

Quanto ao plot em si, foi bem feito, e apesar de não ser extremamente complicado e cheio de plot twists, a revelação da vilã foi feita de uma forma interessante, o bullying foi tratado de uma forma boa também e a forma como a amizade foi retratada foi bom.

No geral, não foi um drama incrível, e nem sei se era o que se propuseram a ser, mas sendo um drama com foco escolar, que são geralmente mais leves, e tendo um certo foco em amizade e romance, fez tudo o que se propôs. Vale a pena assistir, especialmente se for maratonar.

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This drama was amazing, at first I was not expecting much out of this drama. I watched the first episode and I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. I love the way it was filmed because it was so aesthetically pleasing. I found the colors matched really well with the whole picture. I was shocked with the actors and the way the expressed the feelings. I was excited for this drama to end, because it was short and got to the point. There was not a point where I found it cliché, instead it had a strong meaning. Not just between love between friends, partner and even family. There really was not any big conflict between the relationship. I would recommend to anyone who loves high school dramas, and want something short. I fell in love with everything about it!

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this was so enjoyable to watch! my face rn- :D

I didn't know what to quite expect of this drama, but what it turned out to be was GREAT all the same! It was a really enjoyable watch, and as the plot unfolded I found myself becoming more and more invested. This isn't as romance heavy as the other few dramas I have watched so far so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it as much, however, I realised that things as well as the romance made me want to continue watching, which is a sign of a genuinely good plot in my eyes- I wasn't just watching for the cute moments but for the driving force of the entire thing, it wasn't annoying or tiresome or boring, but actually had me pretty damn hooked.

Aside from the fact that this is a legit really great story, we mUST ADDRESS THE CUTE MOMENTS EEEEE!!! Yup, super duper cute, we love to see it, I really loved the interactions between the couples, the characters were consistent and their personalities really shone through whenever they were on screen, they were SOOO well written and I love them all!!! I wanna be part of this friendship group it seems so lit omg. Also can I just say something: Eun Taek's hair in episode 8... when you get to it you'll know what I mean just YES the whole fit he really do be serving heck yea Eun Taek there's something for y'all to look forward to lol

I have to highlight a particular thing I really appreciate about this drama: how well the friendship develops amongst the main characters. I think that the friendship aspect of this drama is probably the most important and I have to admit the writers did a REALLY GOOD JOB with it. There comes a point in the drama where I was like "Hang on... I can't ever imagine you guys not being friends". Their friendship journey was sosososo natural that I didn't even notice it happening, it wasn't shoehorned in as a plot point, it just, *happened* like how it would in real life and I just loveeeee that.

ALSO THE SONGS ARE BOPSSSSSSSS OMGGGGG LIKE EVERY TIME THE EPISODE ENDED OR PEOPLE LOOKED INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES I PREPARED MYSELF TO DANCE IN MY SEAT I ACTUALLY LOVED IT LIKE BRUHHH 'YOUR LIGHT'>>>>>>>> SONG OF MY SUMMERRRRRR

I think this drama has the *perfect* balance of juicy plot, friendship GOALSSS and pure wholesome romance. Overall: a wonderful all rounder if you want a bit of everything!!! :))

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Worthy Binge!?

I watched this because it had Choi Yeonjun as a cameo (and as a baby moa and a k-addict, I couldn't resist). It unexpectedly had an amazing storyline and slow burn that I certainly craved. All that character development had me spinning in such a good way. The side characters were *chef's kiss*. It has 9 episodes of 1 hour and its such a good binge series! But I suggest watching this in one shot so you have no regrets. The only thing negative about this is that its an easily forgettable series that you will not remember while listing down worthy rewatches. All I can say is WATCH IT!

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Cute, short, and sweet

This 8 episode series was honestly just a delight to watch. It has a very cute romance plotline that did antagonistic romance well, and some good side plotlines as well. I really appreciated how much all the characters felt pretty flushed out, which is especially commendable to the show considering its episode count. All the characters, side characters included, really seemed like real teenagers with real problems, navigating their interpersonal relationships, and figuring out themselves.

**SPOLIERS**
I do have to say, I am pretty disappointed when we finally get Ho-Rang's full backstory. I try not to be too harsh since 1) I'm sure show didn't want to get too dark considering its breezy tone, and 2) people respond to traumas differently. However, I did feel like show could have gone a little harsher with Ho-Rang's bullying. It was just an extremely built-up plotpoint that, when it finally was revealed, you were just kind of like...that's it? Just considering the severity of the bullying we see in shows such as Who Are You: School 2015 or even True Beauty, this seemed a bit mild. But then again, I've never been bullied so I fully admit I don't have the best gauge with what can do irrevocable harm to someone. I would just have preferred a little more depth.
**END SPOILERS**

It's a short and sweet show that feels a bit like a hidden gem, as other reviewers have pointed out. I highly recommend for people who want to watch a sweet little high school romance with a light mystery plot and themes of bullying.

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Short, cute and very engaging

First things first, I absolutely like how to the point and straight forward this drama is without having unnecessary cliche plots to extend the episode count.

This feels like a warm hearted hug that envelops you in the cuteness of it all. The actors have all done justice to their roles. I'm new to all of these actors and it was very refreshing to see their work, all have been good. It's cute how all the three love stories are nice, not overdramatic or unreal and have no third party tropes like second leads. As for the third couple, the story itself revolves around her meeting many men, so I don't count that as second lead. It's multiple leads. xD

I also quite enjoyed the friendship between all the people and how their characters developed over time. It is very heartwarming to watch. I also enjoyed the true friendship between the three women and how you see them supporting one another at different times. Though my fav friendship has to be the one between Yoo Shin and Ho Rang. It is hilariously cute.

For a change, we see a cold and aloof female lead as compared to the usual male leads and I quite enjoyed it. They have nicely developed the story and shown her diversity and range. I liked her chemistry with the ML although I would've preferred more hands-on romantic scenes but with her being underage (apparently) at the time of shooting, I'm glad they didn't.

Lastly, I'm at crossroads whether I liked the way they handled the bullying plot or not. At times I feel like it was well handled because it was shown as real as possible with showing the difficult choices victims make when speaking about their experiences. It throws light on how it is not easy to open up and come clean, all of which people think is very easy when they keep asking people to report such issues. However, at the same time, I do not think the FL's attitude and behaviour at most times was justified because of her experiences. She might not be a bully but she definitely comes across as one which is not a good place to be in specially when you've experienced it yourself. There is a thin line between ignorance and arrogance and this one leaned very heavily on arrogance for me which is why this does not get the perfect score from me.

Overall it's a very pleasant and enjoyable watch, 100% recommended. Very underrated. :)

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