Il Gioco della Morte (2023)

Gripping show that ultimately falls flat

I don't really write reviews, but this drama had me thinking as soon as I finished it, and I really had to get my thoughts out.

First, the positives. Death's Game is a gripping show. It hooked me from beginning to end, and I binged the entire show in one sitting. The acting is phenomenal, although Death was a little one note, but what can you really do when playing the immortal personification of death itself? The serial killer subplot in particular was probably my favorite part of the entire show, but I mostly consume crime related dramas so that's no real surprise.

So, the negatives. Death's Game takes a very reductivist attitude to suicide in a way that bothered me quite a bit. If you boil down the main message the show seems to be trying to convey, it's essentially "Be grateful you're alive, your death would hurt the people around you." Or even something like "Keep living and trying just as the ones before you, look how hard others have it compared to you."

The sin Death spoke of very early on in the show is revealed to be Yijae not even thinking of how he hurt his mother (and Jisu, although Death only really seems to focus on Yijae's mother). Should Yijae have considered how his actions would affect those around him? Probably, but suicidal people are not in the frame of mind to be thinking of others. If you have reached the point in life where you are seriously considering jumping off of a building, you need psychiatric care, not the personification of Death cuffing your ear and telling you you're ungrateful and selfish. Death's trials were entertaining and made for a good story, but the ending really left a bad taste in my mouth, even if it was technically a happy ending.

One last thing, which is probably nitpicky but I'm writing this, so I might as well. Jisu's death was a part of a series of dominoes falling that led to Yijae getting his second chance. Yijae waking up and getting that second chance essentially means she will never be there to be hit by the psychopath (I honestly forget his name). This means the series of events changes, so Yijae will never get his second chance? Or will Jisu still die just as she did? Did the things Yijae do as others still happen, or do they not since he did not jump? Which means psychopath man 1 and 2 are still out there? I love time travel fiction. Unfortunately it is rarely done well, due to the nature of the concept. Time travel is incredibly difficult to write well due to the plot holes and impossibilities that always emerge. This show is no different, and I think the ending is so brief because the writer knew this. You are meant to take the ending as a happy moment and immediately move on, since thinking about it for even 5 minutes makes it fall apart.

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The first 4 episodes was a bang. I just finish the drama yesterday and my thoughts are quite out of place. The drama is packed with well known but amazing actors and actresses in the korean drama world. Seo In Guk is really good, though I can only see his face with death and their conversations. Every episode is a way to present how valuable life is. The most memorable for me is the baby episode, it was not expecting it so I enjoyed it. They put some light moments in the drama, which I like since it is really a dark drama. The ending is a cliffhanger so will see if it will live up to the first parts of the drama.

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Now that is an interesting adaptation

I have read the webtoon but the drama made it so much better. I am glad that they did not faithfully follow the webtoon but instead changed it a little to make the story flow better. The connection of the reincarnations to one person wasn't in the webtoon but was a welcome inclusion.

As expected, Lee JaeWook and Lee DoHyun slayed in their roles. I was quite surprised that Yoo InSoo would fit and play his character as the weak bully so well since I never imagined he could be like that at all. He really is the kind of actor that embodies the characters he play. I loved him in Alchemy of Souls, love-hate him in The Good Bad Mother, and utterly hated him in this drama.

I never thought that they would release only the first part of the drama so I am quite disappointed right now but still they chose a great cliff hanger. I hope they release the second part soon.

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More than words can tell

I waited all year for this drama, and I can say that this wait was welcome. I don't regret having to wait, because all the expectations I had were fulfilled and even more than that, Seo Inguk and Park Sodam were incredible, and I can understand why I love them. They are actors who make your drama have another level And, in addition, the story told, I can say that it is incredible and to this day I don't have words to say my feelings about this drama because they are more than words can tell.
The construction of the characters through other lives and also the construction of the protagonist's girlfriend makes people watching understand what led him to commit suicide and also understanding all the regret is very good because we have a vision that we cannot judge.
End the end of the 4th Episode gives us another vision of everything that has happened so far, it makes us question ourselves about everything we have seen so far and what could happen is a little indecipherable. We don't know how the protagonist can overcome death, but we know a path he can follow, maybe it's not enough for him to live, but maybe after all he just wants revenge and not to live.

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Mind you, this is just the first part!

Death's Game is a mind-bending show that had me hooked from the start.

So, Choi Yi Jae's life is in shambles, and just when he thinks it can't get worse, Death herself shows up with a twisted game. As Choi faces death repeatedly in 12 different lives, the storyline takes unexpected turns, making you question the value of life itself. In just 4 episodes the series brilliantly explores the ripple effect of one person's choices on the lives of others.

Of course, the top-notch cast delivers performances that keep you glued to the screen,
and the cameos are a delightful addition, giving their best performances.

Death's Game is not just about survival; it's a poignant reflection on the impact we have on those around us, making it a must-watch for anyone looking for a unique blend of suspense, drama, and a touch of existential questioning.

Now Im so ready for the second part.

I might need a box of tissue.

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what is this cast?

The producers were probably saving money for decades to get this cast. Even the supporting characters, appearing for few minutes are full blown actirs having their own drama. Man oh man.
The lead actors and the actors playing 12 lives alongwith the support staff is just fire.
I watched the first 4 episodes and its been awesome so far. The story has been good and the life of mc was more based on reality compared to ither dramas.
The death of that parachute guy was too good. Even though it was expected the way it happened , it will still leave you surprised.
Waiting for the rest of episodes.

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Magical !

After the first part, this is my review : It is without any doubt a wonderful series. You are not bored a second, it is always in motion, the casting is great, the plot is original. All this is made with several tough subjects, and they managed to deal with them pretty well.
Yi Jae will face several deadly situations (all of them are original), can he change this ?
Obviously some scenes are difficult to watch but this is the price to pay to have the maximum realism.
Seo In Guk is awesome, as expected, but the entire cast is compelling (always a pleasure to see Kim Jae Wook after Alchemy of souls).

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Philosophy and Penalties of Death

This drama is dark with a philosophical take on what it means to take your own life and the value of life itself. I felt it took a strong opinionated approach on the value and the meaning of a life despite how trapped, sad, and dire one's circumstances are. In a world that is becoming increasingly hyper competitive with the sociopathy of capitalism , more socially isolating but at the same time hyper socially connected in ways that can be superficial and heightens the loneliness we feel with our comparative social standing to others, the protagonist is a victim of these circumstances. He runs into a series of misfortune and mishaps for years, he seems to be unable to catch a break and feels stuck in a life where he is constantly hustling in several lowly paid and low status jobs while his youth is being sucked away from him. All he wanted was to make a decent living in a real job, marry his girlfriend and have a family but it seems even that "middle class dream" is out of reach. What is a man to do when he is grinded down to the point where he sees no hope, no future worth living for?

The drama seems to take a hard stance or at least Death does when she puts the protagonist through a series of tests in the bodies and lives of different people from all walks of life who are destined to meet their end unless the protagonist can figure a way to avert death. If he averts death, he can have his chance to live again. Death raises the questions: Was it a selfish decision he made to take his life? Did he consider the impact on his loved ones? Did he take his life for granted? While he took his life, there were others who had no free will when their lives abruptly ended.

The acting is good, the ML has taken unconventional roles in the previous dramas and the FL as Death was in Parasite. It also has an unconventional approach where the ML reincarnates into different people, multiple actors take the lead in different storylines.

The storyline is incredibly fast paced, engaging, and at times difficult to stomach with its traumatic dark themes.

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This series has a cast of millions, I'm a fan of the actors who were in this series!

This drama delivered everything!! bringing an indescribable social criticism. From my analysis, the drama didn't deviate much from the logic of the webtoon "Death's Game", but there are rumors and popular discussion of a possible new season, I honestly think there is no need but anything can happen, and could take a direction independent of the original work. The script brings with it a rain of reflection in analogy to life and its depth, not to mention the surreal feelings and emotions that are highlighted. What to say about this cast?! When I found out about the cast, I was already expecting a spectacular show - Park So-dam, Seo In-guk, Lee Do-hyun and Kim ji-hoon and go youn-jung are amazing at what they do and there is no shortage of charisma. I recommend it with your eyes closed, but be alert to triggers as there are sensitive approaches for some.

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It was not just a show, It was a life lesson.

Where should I start?
This story is written with ink made from tears, passion and love.
I still can't believe how much I cried watching this masterpiece and this is unusual to me.
This is with no question my new favourite fiction of all time.
I feel it was written for me as a gift, it got everything i like in fiction, every single thing, drama, fantasy , time travel, romance, serial killers, detective, highschool, bullying, action...
It open my eyes and made me remember my believes and even strengthen them.
As a writer i will Stand applause for the screenwriters for 8 hours straight for the 8 hours lesson they thought me on not just life but in writing too because they put all there passion in this great work of art so Thank you for your hard work.

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Stellar casting, meh drama

In the end, the casting saved the show from. An otherwise patronising show.
I'm so tired of school bullying scenes, I skipped that episode entirely.
The first half was more balanced, then it abruptly be one a crime show.
Kim Ji Hoon gets typecast as the villain too much, and his "crazy eyes routine" are not effective anymore, expecially when border parody, like in this instance.
You could tell Kim Jae Wook and Park So Dam were having a lot of fun in their part.
Oh Jung-se gets the most screen time so we get to empathise a bit more with him.
What it left in the end is the crazy moto chase and the serial killers duel.

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