Flower of Evil (2020)

If you want to spread the K-drama virus to your friends and family this is a good pick.

This story was unique, it didn't waste too much time, and was rather enjoyable. This drama's genre didn't appeal to my psychographic which enjoys (mostly) fantasy-comedies, but this Drama was so undeniably good that I had to leave a good rating.
Lee Joon Gi was already an actor with enough star-power for me to try to follow each of his projects, but now methinks I found/was reminded of some more actresses that I'd be interested in seeing what they do next [See: Moon Chae Won & Jang Hee Jin].

Aside - The end of episode 11 really sold this show for me. That moment was a 10/10 for me.
P.S. Flower of Evil is a show that's apodictically very goods!

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It lived up to the hype. Intense suspense!

Likes: Right from the start, the intense suspense will grip you.

Dislikes: Maybe because the suspense was so high that in the middle, it felt a little draggy. I was like "Get to the point!" Admittedly, maybe it's just my impatience to find out what's happened, but I felt the scenes could have been edited down a bit in the middle.

Normally suspenseful thrillers are not my thing, but I decided to check this out due to the overwhelming reviews on MDL. I jumped in without knowing much about the story and was hooked from the first scene. It's gripping and sad and touching...keeping it vague as I don't want to unintentionally give out any spoilers.

The cast did a great job esp Lee Joon Gi. These are difficult characters to portray and have multitudes of emotional layers that I think the leads did well in showing. There were moments where things felt a little too theatrical, but it didn't bother me too much. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Glad I checked this out!

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I wanted to write a review for Flower of Evil but I held myself until I have finished the series today. The main story was really great and clever. No one is what everyone thinks. Besides, that's the amazing thing in mystery/crime series (the good written at least). The plot was good, but even if the Do Hyun Su/ Cha Ji Won relationship was reaaallly good written and developed, Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won has great chemistry, and it was realistic, something, just a bit was missing. And I don't know if I am sure about the solution and the end.

But, the main reason I wanted to write this review, is the talent of Lee Joon Gi. I am a big fan but always, in every role he played I felt it was similar to the previous one, especially in historical dramas. But he always had the talent to become the role, the charecter and you cannot think anyone else in his place. A great talent that a few actors/actresses have. And in Flower of Evil, he just blew me away. He portrays every side of Do Hyun Su/Baek Hee Song so perfect, realistic and to the point. He shows a lot of different sides and different acting, not even from his previous roles but from every different "personality") he has in the show. I really admire him for that and I am waiting a lot more.

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Do not miss this Drama!!

This series had me on the edge of my seat till the end, the story and the plot line was very intense and creative, this was one of the dramas which made me interested in watching more kdramas .... it had its mix of emotions, thrill, tragedy, romance, family love, crime... a complete package and their family is very beautiful the understanding and the love make my heart flutter...but the suspense was nearly killing me, and the the way the story builds up make it even more exciting with each episode, it was simply amazing and definitely worth it, I was glad I binge watched it the suspense would have blown my head if I had to wait for each episode to air ... want more dramas like this one

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Chapeau to a character-driven story

Many people enjoyed this one the same way I did, and I'm glad it did. Sometimes a hype can mislead you, but sometimes it can also display its actual value.

While trying to pick a hopefully good drama from that never ending list, this wouldn't have been my next choice if it wasn't for a recommendation of a dear friend. Someone who I'd consider one of the most critical watchers here on MDL. Even though my rating is highly likely more generous than hers, we do feel the same about a bunch of dramas when we actually hit a jackpot. Flower of Evil falls into that category.

Someone once told me that if you start to dream in a language you're currently learning, then you really begin to understand it.

In a way this drama is a language on its own, and it wants to tell a very sensitive and shocking story. A story, that made me dream about. I wasn't able to let go of the characters even after going to bed. The tension already tied me down after switching off the television. And I can't remember the details about the dream but I do remember the strange feeling after waking up the next day. My feelings were caught up in all these circumstances, and the more I got to know, the more invested I became.

The drama has so many strong treats, that I can't decide which one I should mention first. The main leads? The supporting cast? The acting? The writing?

Starting the drama, the first thing you notice is one of the most adorable married couples you've ever seen in the dramaworld, only completed with one the most precious little daughters out there. At first sight they look perfect. Too perfect actually. And as the plot summary already reveals, there's something you can't see right away. Something that starts to tear down those perfectly built walls from within. Being experienced with alot of crime tropes, I knew there was something fishy about that dark past, they wanted to sell me. Seriously, how far would a drama go with making the main lead the bad guy? That question constantly followed me while my suspicions changed all the time.

The script was fabulous in overthrowing my theories over and over again, only to make me realize that I was wrong from the very beginning. There were plot twists I'd never dreamt of. However in the later episodes I became quite suspicious of alot of scenes. But the precise draft of the plot kept my confidence high that everything would play out comprehensible.

No doubt, Lee Joon Gi pulled a big one here. I don't want to exaggerate but his performance was brilliant. The characters' writing was so detailed that I as a viewer was able to understand his whole nature even before he himself knew his true colors. Moon Chae Won was the perfect counterpart to disclose all the given layers, designed by a well balanced push and pull of both of them. I rooted for her character as well as I did for her husband. At some point though she kinda disappointed me, but... I guess that's what you call human nature. So, despite that one situation, I was glad that Do Hyun Soo (LJG) didn't let me down during that time. If he did, I would have questioned the whole concept of his character.

The villain was a league of its own. I don't want to give away too much, so let me just say, what an astonishing display of 'antisocial disorder' this was. My inner profiler screamed 'what a warped mind to study!'.

The side actors supported the story big time, thanks to a neatless writing and a well selected cast. Hyun Soo's sister Hae Soo, Reporter Kim and Hyun Soo's step parents got enough background story to become tangible pieces who you could relate with (whether you liked them in the end or not).

The members of the police force weren't given that much background, but each member made a perceptible contribution to push the plot forward. Usually I don't give much credit to police officers in dramas, because they keep messing up in unbelievable ways. These guys however, I can make an exception with a clear conscience. Their actions were always reasonable and well thought-out. Even though you don't know much about them, you could feel the teamwork and trust that was built over the years. I could accept their decisions, for better or worse. The few character treats they were given were used well enough to make them not look like brainless drama puppets.

Somewhere in the middle I realized that this was not the first drama with Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won working together. 'Criminal Minds' were another one, a drama I was highly disappointed with because it felt cold and lacked empathy. While that one proved once more that if a script sucks, the best actors can't save it either, Flower of Evil confirmed that great writing can pitch its actors to another level.

Thank you, Flower of Evil, for giving me such a delicious watch and such a remarkable and catchy OST (my next earworm indeed).

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One of the best Kdrama of all time!!

I love every single episode, every single scene, every character. Dang! I love everything about this series. It's been on my list since the trailer was released but I just recently finished watching it. I actually watch it just because of Lee Joon Gi and the trailer was really good and interesting. Though I don't really like Thrillers but this one is an exemption. I can't really put in words about how much I love this series but I'll try.

Here are the reasons to watch this drama! (I'm sure you'll love it too!)

1. Lee Joon Gi - yeah! Because it's LJG! His acting was insane. He really did portrayed his character well. The duality of being a good and caring husband to someone with antisocial personality disorder. Damn. Only LJG can do both.
2. Plot - brilliant! The story is so witty that I even got a lot of goosebumps even though I already read spoilers. (I love reading spoilers!) Watch it! Please. Every single episode is a Thriller!
3. Cha Ji Won and her love for his husband. Hands down! Her love for her husband is so admirable. I remember LJG's interview where he said that he felt bad for Moon Chae Won's character, which is his wife - Cha Ji Won. And yeah, I felt bad for her BUT she has a strong personality. She's good at her job, she knows what she's doing, she knows exactly what she wants and more importantly she knows and understands her husband best. Though there are times she doubted him but love is strong and so she believed what she felt.
4. Baek Eunha - Hee Sung and Ji Won's daughter. She's just too adorable. The last episode where she asked her Dad for her gift made me cry. When Hyun Soo (Hee Sung) told her he forgot, she then told her Dad that it's okay you're my gift and that she like/ love her Dad. Dang. My heart melts.
5. Supporting Characters, all the cast. EVERYTHING! I still have a lot more good things to say. But. Just watch it. It's too good for you to skip it.

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One of the best Kdramas ever! Watch it for the thrills and the emotions.

Just trust me and watch the Kdrama. It hits everything just right. Especially the feels. I never loved two leads more than I love the FL and ML of this drama. They were so so good and the the daughter too. Oh man The couple goals, the suspense, the family goals, the investigation and the thrills eveything keeps you completely engaged and you end up bingewatching like I did despite having exams in a month. Gonna have to take a break from watching such entertaining Kdramas.
All the characters are well thought and well acted and have depth.
Don't read any spoilers and just dive in for an amazing ride.
Except for a little of Ep 13 I loved each and every episode. Ep 13 is the only one which annoyed me a little especially on the FL's part but she is under a lot of stress so It's alright.
It's a Happy ending so don't worry about that.

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Really like reading the Journal from Gabbard (2005)'s visual version?

Tbh I can't skip this movie even it was just 10s sec during binge watching.. seriously this series so intense & make me amaze until the end..

Ohh once again, the director has succeeded in directing the ASPD character & the actors were so brilliant (i cried😭) especially their male lead, he has many skill to manage his mimic through the eyes also facial muscles (i think), so that it looks so real.. to female lead, she has melodramatic auras before & it can completed her act like created something amaze.

Idk who is the writter, but she/he deserve get a recognition for maintaining the plot's momentum.. Really the most intense series i've ever seen

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The best drama I've watched in a long time

So this is my first review, lets hope it is helpful.

Where to start. When I first started this drama I thought I can only watch one episode a day because of how deep and dark this storyline ran. When I got to episode 5 I seriously needed to know what happens next and it was such an emotional rollercoaster. I was very suspicious over certain characters from the get go but boy was I wrong about some of them.

This is truly one of the best drama's 2020 has brought so far. Lee Joon Gi and Kim Ji-hoon earned a lot of my respect with this drama. Lee Joon Gi showed a whole new side to him with what he is capable of portraying and that made me like him even more. How he portrayed his character's story was truly phenomenal for me. The way he worked with the little girl that played his daughter in the drama to the way he was when he was with his wife.

Kim Ji-hoon on the other hand. This is the first time I saw any drama of him and I must say he most definitely did not disappoint me one bit. From his earlier scenes in the drama I felt sorry for him because of what his parents did to him, but as I got more into this drama I felt like he deserved what he got but in a sense not. There was still a part of me that truly made me feel sorry for him because his character Baek Heeseong was also just another victim in a way to Do Min Seok. Even though he did most of the stuff himself and enjoyed it.

Kim Ji-hoon also made me feel uncomfortable with the way he portrayed his character Baek Heeseong but that is what truly made him earn my respect. He was so good in his acting that I most definitely am going to be on the lookout for him more and look for more of his drama's.

So I truly enjoyed this drama because of the way when I suspected someone it turned out to be exact opposite. The plot twists was so good. But one thing I would have liked more is for them to have shown more towards Do Min Seok and Baek Heeseong's relationship, how Min Seok turned Heeseong into what he was. How they came to do what they did. This drama could've been a 20 episode drama instead of 16 but it still is a insanely good drama.

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A beautiul, hunting and thrilling love story with lots of healing through it.

When I watched the first episode I didn't know what to expect, that's not to say I didn't like it, in fact I was really captivated by it, but I was worried they wouldn't be able to pull off an accurate representation of a psychopath through the whole story, wich I'm gonna say they got right but not the way I thought by just reading the synopsis for the show.
I like this story so much because for me rather than only focusing on being a thriller, the plot goes beyond that and delves on how trauma activates coping mechanisms in order to survive a harsh reality.
When I say it is a love story of course I'm referring to romance but also to all types of love we can experience in life and how healing and trusting can make a relastionship grow, even if you've been together (romantically or not) for a long time.
I'm gonna say the acting got the lowest score because even if I think Lee Joon Gi and Kim Ji Hoon blew it out of the water with their acting as well as most of the cast members, there were a few that disappointed me from time to time. I want to give a shout out to the very promising child actress Jung Seo Yeon, she stole my heart on every scene I watched her, also Choi Byung Mo did a wonderful job portraying Do Ming Seok and lastly Han Soo Yeon daebak, brilliant every scene she was on.
Music is very important for me when I'm watching a drama and even though the OST isn't as vast as others they used it very well, I liked every song.
Finally I would rewatch it no doubt, it is totally worth it.

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