joncronin

This is an amazing series, in every respect. Acting, writing, realization and drama. The basis for the ABC series The Good Doctor, it is such a great idea, that it's natural that it would be adapted in the US. That said, it is superior in its execution and realization.

It treats Dr Parks condition more straightforwardly, with the expected opposition by fellow doctors, parents and the hospital administration in a more realistic fashion. No Hollywood-ization here: it's quite blunt, with more hospital corporate intrigue thatbits US counter-art (for the better IMO). The episodic (actually multi episode) dramas are very good, with cliffhangers, tension, moral quandaries and resolutions that are satisfying, if not always pleasant.

Performances are fantastic, with characters being given backstories, motivations and resolutions that ring true. You won't always know where they are going, but will be resolved (although not always happy) about how they conclude.

A really great series from the jump. Excellent!

A completely original take on teen rebels, that from the first scene shows it confident, comedic take. In almost every scene, every plot point there is are comedic touches that had me laughing out loud. Slapstick, puns, quick retorts, absurdity upon absurdity build pitch perfect zaniness.

Two transfer students decide (separately) to re-invent themselves as "delinquents', the first step of which (of course!) is to get a new haircut. Confident (?) in their new look, they go to first class and we are off.

They almost immediately get called out by the school bullies, and are (separately) challenged to a fight, a brilliantly staged, Marx Brothers-esque battle ensues and our hero's, somehow, emerge victorious, as friends and as the new kings of the school.

Subsequent episodes ratchet up the action, with challenges and battles from other schools, groups and others, and our hero's develop into fully rounded, surprising and compelling characters. This is a gem, well worth a watch!!

Just a tremendous drama, compelling from start to finish. It starts off with a student, who fall off a school rooftop, and left with a broken body and in a coma. With questions about whether it's a suicide attempt or not, the students parents question the initial findings, and the drama takes off. School bullying, reactions from students, teachers, administrators and other parents creates a really quite compelling story, that involves how each group reacts, accuses, blames and search for the truth. The performance from all are excellent, and the storylines, which run the gamut of the petty to the monstrous create really tension, surprise and outrage. The ending, particularly the last few episodes are thrilling storytelling, and leaves one with a sense of rage, remorse, satisfaction and, a surprising sense of grace.

Ceratinly one of the best shows on TV. Excellent revenge thriller, with an action filled world of mercenaries, hitmen, and killers. Clver. Heartbreaking, violent, surprising, compelling characters (both good and bad) and so much fun to watch.

It has everything: plenty of characters to root for (and against) in an entertaining and.clevrly told storyline. Uses time shifts to great effect, to tell a story of Jeong Jian, who loses her parents in an apparent murder suicide, and is raised by her uncle Jeong Jinman who seeminly runs an specialty hardware store. But all is not as it seems, with clever hints given out over the first episode that something more is a foot. When her strict, but stand offish Uncle apprently commits suicide, which Jian believes is too out of character. The thrill ride action starts, and frankly, never stops over the 8 episodes (about 50 minutes each).

TV really doesn;'t get much better than this, and stands in line with the really great South Korean actions series of the last year (Bargain, Worst of Evil, Moving, Revenge of Others)

The Christmas movie we didn't know we needed. A violent, funny, crazy movie, with great action. A drunken Santa, whose past is revealed in a fun way, is the star of this hysterical crime drama, that pays homage to the Die Hard series in a bunch of ways. All work really well, and the thrill ride is very well done. Evil characters are evil, the good guys are good. But Santa is the star. David Harbour is wonderful and commits totally (I mean totally) to this role. He's a blast. Vulgar, disillusioned, bitter but at the end of the day (his special day) Santa. Littered with actors you know, characters that are cartoons, but in the best way. The ending is emotionally satisfying. After all, it's Christmas!

This is a propulsive, superior Korean thriller about the impact of when justice turning into vengence. It's violent, distrubing at times, but always compelling and thought provoding.

Presenting Korean Justice system as corrupt, manipulated, the story uses todays technology (somewhat exaggerated for effect) as providing a solution that offers vegence as an answer to satisfy the grief/anger of the victims family.

Performances are excellent, quite believable; the storyline will keep you guessing, seconf guessing and even shock. The thrill ride makes it quite entertaining, up to and including the ending, and subsequent prologue/ that sets up what could come next.

What makes it better than most justice/Vengence thrillers (The Devil Judge is in my mind superior) is it doesn't shy aay of the consequences of seeking venegence.

Its a superior thriller, very well made and very entertaining.

This is a virtuoso execution of a dark, twisted story. The first episode grabs you with its one take, seemless camera work; But it gets even better after its cliffhanger ending (and there will be more of those!).

It is available in a dubbed version (which is very well executed), that allows one to follow the story and plot. Both happen at breakneck speed, which makes each episode fly by (there are 6 episodes). Performances are just fantastic, with both leads and secondary characters given the opportunity to shine. While quite dark, and even bleak, it has moments of humor that genuinely release the accumulated tension. One particular character/situation gets more and more absurd, and funnier each time.

Really hoping there is a second season, but this is a heck of a series if it's just a stand alone !

A stunning series, one of the absolute best of the year, that offers epic storytelling, masterful performances and superb production. As a TV series, it just not take a wrong step as it tells the story of a an undercover operation to break a 1990's International drug cartel, set in Korea. Think The Departed, Infernal Affairs, Prince of the City...and delivers in its 12 episodes in a gritty and quite emotionally involving execution. The tension is high throughout; the characters have compelling backstories that advance the storyline; it's full of action right through to the very end. Remarkable in many ways, but perhaps the nuance of the 'good guys vs bad guys' stock narrative is constantly turned on its head, in realistic and understandable ways, is truly remarkable.

Another entertaining Korean police procedural, taking place on the Han River in Seoul, following the River Police Squad.

A short series (so far), but each hour + long episode offers a great mix of action, humor, mystery all in service of an overall conspiracy storyline. The actors are great, with some familiar face's amongst them, who deliver sincere performances, often with surprising wit and humor. There is a good backstory between two of the leads, which reveals itself over the series. The action is quite intense at times, with quite good action set pieces to keep the episode moving at a very good pace.

While, it doesn't break any new ground, it does a great job at entertaining the viewer.

Imagine if Clint Eastwood made a Korean western. It's that good, perhaps even better. A history most don't know, this terrifc series is as good as it gets. Fantastic action, drama, acting and storytelling of actual history ( embellished as appropriate) make for very compelling and satisfying TV series. Netflix offers English soundtrack, but in any language this is an excellent drama.

For those who think peak TV is behind us, devour this retelling of the Korean-Japanese history at the turn of the century. Both familiar and exotic, this insurgent against the powerful drama offers a compelling story, expert direction and iconic performances that keep you glued to the screen.

Another series that make Netflix the true Global streaming platform.

Entertaining and involving sci fi series, with focus on characters. The three leads are quite wonderful and engaging as strangers who cope with their pasts while thrust 40 years into the future. The main idea (think Manifest, Lost) is very well executed, not overly complex but coherent. Only ten episodes, there is a real tension created throughout, with each episode moving the story forward with good pace.

Acting is quite good by all, and allows many of the secondary characters to develop their own stories (using both real time action and flashback character development) in interesting and story advancing ways, and adding both dramatic and comic ways.

The concluding two episodes do something quite remarkable: they cleverly (and realistically) bring the series to conclusion, often quite emotionally, and offer up a way to continue the story.

One of the best shows of 2022. A most entertaining, thoughtful and compelling series that tackles bullying and the vengeful hero in a clever way. Starts out simply enough, but as it introduces its characters and situations, it becomes a truly mesmerizing series. Set in high school, with cliques, privileged few, bullies, victims, and outsiders, it seems familiar. But with clever, twists; heartbreaking choices and terrific action, it becomes the story of an unlikely hero who uses his smarts, his innate principles and his fierce determination to challenge the status quo unfairness. Heartbreaking, quite brutal in parts and very well executed set pieces make the series immensely enjoyable.

Original take on the superhero genre, fully rooted in the real world (albeit, with superpowers!). The series asks what would superpower 'gifted' humans live like, and provides compelling case that they would be used (and abused) by state powers, intelligence services, and not for the typical 'save the world for alien apocalypse' scenarios posited by the Marvel and DCEU universes (think "Heroes" TV series). Instead, they present a world where the 'gifted' ones are set are misunderstood, marginalized and ultimately have to choose to be exploited by these institutions, or to disappear. The characters discover their powers realistically, with stops and starts with the mastery of the powers. They are also very well developed as characters, and the action set pieces both exciting and extremely well executed. Each episode is about 45 minutes, and moves the overall story along with good pace.

I loved the series and the end credits opens up possibilities for continuing this compelling series. Excellent!

Fans of Columbo, Pokerface, Knives Out etc will thoroughly enjoy watching this!

Exceptional in every way, with a series of overlapping mysteries. At the center is Totono Kuno, a curly haired, introverted college student who unwittingly gets involved in a series of murders. His keen attention to details, insights into human behavior, unorthodox thinking and inherent curiosity allows him to see what other don't, in a very compelling way.

Clever, charming, funny but also intense the series keeps drawing one into the mysteries, always keeping the viewer on their toes. Each episode overlaps with the next, adding to the refreshing take on the mystery genre.

Really hope there are more seasons to come.