It's hell on Earth to keep driving, knowing it's really just a wrong turn.

^Summary of Harumichi's life so far, JK.

STORY - 9 ⭐️
This drama has artfully weaved some historical events (including this COVID pandemic era), cultural references, even social and political issues within this story. About the love story, I wouldn't say that it is something new; there are some cliches; but what I like most are the scenes that made me curious and then find more about it scenes later. Every character was well written, making them real people and have their own depth. I am not sure very sold with the 'love story' between Tsuzuru and Uta but maybe I'm just invested with the main couple's story.

Although presented as a love story in the trailers, it also showed youth's goals and dreams and how some get to fulfill it, some not making it or just taking detours. Some scenes can get preachy about it but over-all, the story's execution is actually good.

ACTING/CAST - 10 ⭐️
There's no denying that the main couple are veteran actors. Don't want to spoil anything but there's this scene that really made me tear up. The young actors did well too and their chemistry suits the theme of first love. Despite not looking like alike, (at least we get the moles right) I can definitely see the young characters maturing into the adult counterparts. Even the supporting characters too had delivered a good performance.

MUSIC - 10 ⭐️
Aside from Utada Hikaru's songs, I find Tsuzuru's music and the drama's sound design and transition faultless. I am no sound or music aficionado but as I watch this with my headphones, I find everything seamless and cinematic. There were a couple of mellow English songs too and it fit well in the atmosphere of the whole drama.

REWATCH VALUE - 8.5 ⭐️
I am not someone who rewatches dramas but the cinematography and the cast's performance alone could easily make me watch it again if I have the time.

OVERALL - 9⭐️

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Friendship, Rage, and Revenge

Disclaimer: This is a short review of someone who haven't read the webtoon but enjoyed the drama.

As someone who hates seeing violence even in fiction, I enjoyed the story. Ngl, there are a lot of fighting scenes, however these are essential for the story. Violence aside, this 8-episode drama could easily pass dragged into a 16 episode drama. (and I'm glad it wasn't the former). I know this is an adaptation and usually the source story is better than the adaptation, but this is a good stand-alone drama. I haven't read the webtoon yet and I am planning to finish it before Season 2 gets aired.

The main character (the weak hero) is quite a unique character in the realm of high school dramas. Top students in such dramas are usually written like they are either just good or evil. I like how this character is written. I know Park Jihoon as an idol and have watched (At a Distance, Spring Is Green) his drama I had dropped but his acting is good here. I am uncertain of how well he played the character similar to that of the webtoon, but I was totally immersed in the story.

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Better than Season 1 (for me)

Show Concept & Design: 7/10 ⭐️ Aside from the timing of entry of new participants, comparing it to the first season, the mechanics of the show didn't change much. I personally not very fond of how staying in Paradise as a reward and form of a date, but it's just what the show is. If they are going to have season 3, they could use some modifications.

Cast & Couples Chemistry: 8/10 ⭐️ The cast is impressive in their own right but SI definitely have formed some archetypes in their participants. You may see parallels from season 1. Despite that, I feel more attached to most of them emotionally. Aside from chemistry from romance, this season seems to have formed nice friendships too.

Journey & Endgame: 9/10 ⭐️ This season has made the journey worth watching. Almost every person who has been part of the love triangle seems to have a proper conversation with the person. It could be just the editing but this one never avoided the feelings of people who is interested in them and with just that in my book is a mature way of dealing things. I would say parts of the endgame is unexpected but it could be interpreted as realistic or scripted. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this show.

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This is the happiest you’ll be. -Kim WonBin

Brutal, right? That’s the world of Duty After School feels like when you are watching the everyday mundane moments and those especially packaged in an epilogue.

Duty After School can be likened to any SHTF drama like All of Us are Dead or Sweet Home, but here, the 3rd year high school students and also the adult main characters are given the weight of responsibility for numerous people, not just your family and friends, which you’ll probably feel while watching. It has a couple of interesting characters and relationship dynamics that include friendship, competition and innocent love lines that makes their situation feel lighter.

The lines from the drama, not the web toon that I haven’t read yet, may sound too cliché especially when adults really want to impart ‘a lesson’ to the teens. It also felt like it is really adapted from a webtoon, because of some moments, especially in the first 3 episodes, wherein I do not feel as emotionally invested yet in the characters, but expected some despair to their outcome. There were also times that it tried too hard to give the viewers a laugh, when it is not the right atmosphere. It could have been the acting too, but as it went on, I (and probably the actors too) have warmed up to enjoy the camaraderie among the them. Having said that, there are a couple of promising rookie actors here too and I look forward seeing them in more dramas.

For the music, the first OST song played is kinda disorientating in the beginning but I think I’ll enjoy it better listening to it individually. Apart from that, I have nothing to complain.

I am not very keen in rewatching but will probably scan the last episodes before Part 2.

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Compared to S2, this is less toxic, less convincing, but their 'conflicts' are in no way less valid.

Disclaimer: This review might influenced by the fact that I watched this show already knowing the endgame and have already watched Season 2.

Comparing this from season 2, I would say I like the structure of this season better. The format of Season 1 probably had helped the final decision of the couples, with the number of couples and the way they choose dates.

About the final decision, the CC couple had greatly influenced other couple's decisions. I mean if Hongju didn't have that talk with Wooseok. He would probably written the letter to Sangmi. If she also had the secret date with Wooseok, there is higher chance a new couple is formed. (I mean, she definitely said from the first episode, she is just looking a chance to break up with him. ) And if 2 couples have matched, Sungho wouldn't be as 'thoughtful' of Sangmi in that last date with Minsun. Minsun also wouldn't have felt that Sungho is hinting about choosing their present significant other.

There's a part of me that believes they probably were honest, but I would say this show felt more scripted that I thought of other dating shows. First, I didn't think the camping car couple had a believable acting of how they are attracted to each other. Yes, their last date was already bad but the secret date is unconvincing. Second, the memorized lines from the movie and the atmosphere during that secret date was just not leaning toward the possibility of his heart wavering for her. Third, it makes no sense how Minsun came up with that decision. I mean, they had a fight the night before the selection right?

Anyway, they seem to have 'changed for the better' with the last episode, happy ending and all. That's why I think I am leaning more towards the 'scripted agenda'.

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Empowering

Story:
Miki, the main character has already embraced her sexuality but she has uncertainties and worries about how she will be living her life as she gets older. The dynamics of the friendship with Goto is really fun to watch. Although I do not condone cheating, I find the relationship between Miki and Yui very interesting. I also like the supportive atmosphere with her colleagues in her workplace. The characters are mostly likeable. It is only 4 episodes and I wish it was longer, but I guess the writer choose it to make it condensed to make it not draggy. Still, a special would be appreciated.

Acting:
Shison Jun really embodied this role well. The mannerisms and affectations were not forced, in fact it was very graceful. I think this is my favorite character that he played, so far. Machida Keita is such a puppy here that I can't believe he was the one from Alice in the Borderland.

Music:
I do not really pay too much attention to the music and usually I skipped the opening intro. It was an 8.00 rating because it did not give me trouble in focusing on the drama but I do not remember any music that made me search for the song. This is my first detailed review so maybe next time I'll pay more attention to it.

Rewatch value:
This will be a 10 if this was on Netflix and not just 4 episodes.

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