Ghiocel (2021)

Worth Watching

Highly recommended. It's not the usual kdrama you expect to see. The acting its really great too but what i liked the most its the story. Different, old but new. It depicts a time in the history of korea that its difficult to see on screen during these years. Of course its not perfect and of course its not depicting the actual historical events or situations but its so well made that you can enter the screen throwing back to that time and feel in someway the pressure and the strict and controversial politics of that korea . Every episode seem to last 5 minutes and you want only to go on and on with the story to know more about the characters and the end, imagining the wrost and the best scenario you can. Loved the bonus scene at the end of the episode for me its like given more dimension to the characters. Hope for an happy ending even though its quite unlikely.

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Too ambitious for its own good...

I'm not going to lie; I dropped this drama after episode 9 and kept myself updated through clips and spoilers. As of now, two episodes are left to be shown. If they should miraculously change this hellish journey to one that seems like a worthwhile experience (at least in retrospect), I might rewrite my review. But if I don't, this is my final verdict on a series that had lots of potential but didn't live up to expectations.

First of all, I feel that for a lead character, Youngro is too passive and useless. Not going to elaborate further on that, you're going to read many comments about how the women of this show are hard to like and how they don't drive the plot forward as much as the male characters. Admittedly, one could say that the men of this show are not exactly likeable either and most of them are power-obsessed and fickle douchebags. But then again, with the majority of the plot playing out in an all-female dormitory, it's disappointing how the screenwriter, who is a woman, decided to turn all the dorm girls into whiny extras. Like I said, even Youngro seems like a side character.

Secondly, while in the beginning I disagreed with people saying they were growing tired of the dorm setting where 90% of the show takes place, by now I've come to feel bored myself. And I'm usually all in for returning to the same locations throughout a drama or a movie because, if efficiently done, that's a perfect way of evoking emotions and bringing depth to a story. You show the same places, but the people inside those walls are subtly different every time which you notice even more because they are set against a space that has remained unchanged. And that space itself becomes iconic after a certain time. Think of Central Perk from "Friends", as an example. But you need well written characters for that and engaging dynamics between them. In "Snowdrop", those are sadly missing and there is nothing else that is interesting or exciting enough to make up for the fact that we are confined to a handful of locations for over 14 hours with such boring company. Neither the political schemes, nor the romance, the friendships, or the personal agendas of these characters make me want to stick around until the end.

That being said, I can only bid this drama farewell with much disappointment because the writer-director duo as well as the actors and actresses (who are insanely talented, don't get me wrong) had made me set my expectations too high. I was especially hoping the show would eventually be able to bury the initial controversy surrounding the project by turning out amazingly thought-through, masterfully directed, cleverly written and politically on point. It didn't do all that for me and I would have been satisfied if at least one of the genres this drama picked up had worked in the end, be it action, romantic melodrama, espionage thriller, political satire, or coming-of-age. Guess the show was too ambitious by trying to be all of that at the same time. Then again, why didn't it work? Did the writer have to change her script midway due to the controversy? Did the production team suddenly realize they would receive an angry response over the politically messed up premise? Did they change the genre from drama to a "black comedy" (or whatever else this strange genre salad is) because of that but didn't have enough time to execute that well enough? I guess we'll never know.

~ Update after knowing how the last two episodes went: Sadly, I'd have to give this an even worse rating if I were to include my thoughts on the finale. But I'll just leave my review as it is and leave the final judgment to those who have watched this from start to finish.

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I’m pretty excited about this show at first, but…..

(Sorry for my bad english)

I watched this drama because this drama was Jisoo’s debut drama as an actress. So I’m pretty excited when the first episode came out.
At first (i think eps 1-5) were really good, but the rest eps they were just in a dorm???? I feel like it was too long to just being in a dorm.
And i’m very disappointed with the ending. Since the first episode, I already knew that this drama is going to have a sad ending, but i didn’t expect that the sad ending is this kind of ending (sorry i’m not trying to give spoiler).
So overall, I rated this drama for 6.

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a potentially great love & story, snatched

I wanted to like this more than I did. Jung Hae In's acting is what kept me watching ultimately. His character went through some serious ethical dilemmas and development, and I felt Jung Hae In portrayed it exceptionally well.

This had potential though in terms of story. There were significant points and moral dilemmas being illustrated throughout, but ultimately it just didn't hit the mark aside from Jung Hae In's character (and some characters in relation to him). Though I even attribute that more to his acting skill than the script itself. If they had focused more on the issues/storyline and less on the characters themselves it would have come off a bit better maybe. They spent so much time on the political figures and obnoxious rich scheming mothers / side characters; it was honestly over the top (and without a clear point).

The love story was sweet and had very good chemistry. Though the female lead spent most of her role sobbing. And understandably so, because past the first few episodes...they just made the female lead's character more and more pitiful -- to the point where it seemed like she was just there solely for the male leading character's development and love interest.

They totally extinguished or minimized all of the female lead character's motivating goals and ambitions...and then literally killed off every. single. good family member/friendship/important person in. her. life. Then it didn't really end up giving you any notion of if she was able to go on to lead a content life despite losing literally every. single. thing. Talk about unsatisfying.

I was most disappointed with how they managed the female lead character; it just didn't feel like it did her justice, and it ultimately made the love story less compelling. Because--aside from the male lead's character development in specific ways (and torturing the female lead + all of us viewers)--what was the point really?? There wasn't a strong enough reason for the romance with respect to the story and backdrop of the issues being presented, in the end. Unless the point was to depict tragedy purely, stir moral/inner conflict, or simply pad time.

Not terrible, but not something I'll probably re-watch. You may enjoy it if you like political dramas and tragedies.

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Watch it!!!

First of all, it was very very very good and I recommend you guys to watch it. The ending was very sad. I was kind of expecting this ending but I hoped I was wrong. I cried while watching most of the episodes I wished the ending was more like a happy ending.
Second of all, I heard a lot of people criticizing Jisoo's acting can I know why? Her acting was amazing I really enjoyed this drama, I enjoyed her acting too I hope she act in another drama soo.
Last but not least, Hae In Oppa's acting was amazing as always. We don't have to explain how amazing and wonderful he was. He was perfect as always. I cried a lot while seeing him suffer in the drama and especially the last scene when he died I wish he didn't die, but the drama was amazing thanks to him and his amazing acting skills.
I'd like to think all the actors for their acting skills they were amazing.
love you guys, and watch it definitely watch it.

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Phenomenal series - a heartbreakingly beautiful love story

I just finished watching this kdrama, and one thing I can say is... WOW, what a masterpiece!
The kdrama leaves you sitting at the edge through every episode and plays with your emotions like a roller coaster, which is something not a lot of kdramas succeed in doing.

The last episode left me completely devastated because of Suho's death (and his two comrades), however, it was pretty much expected since he did not go to the ship to leave with Dr. Kang.

I started watching this series with no expectations of Jisoo since this is her first work (?), but I was pleasantly surprised by her exceptional acting. One would never guess that she is a rookie actress.

The only thing I disliked was the fact that about 80% of the series was in the dorm. We did not get a lot of scenes with the ml and fl outside the dorm.

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One way ticket...

I began watching this drama because of jisoo and hae in (my favourite actor). It was every thing I was expecting but not at the same time (those who watch will understand). I will began my review with the acting. We all know well how talented at acting Hae in is, going from a cute, express charcter to an emotionless, seen all the wrong things guy, in this drama he expressed so many emotion. He expressed the emotional power struggle within him, trying to choose his country or whats right. Its often hard to show this internal pain and struggle but he presented so well that caused the viewers to sympathize and try tell him what side to pick even though they are on the other side if the screen. Jisoo shocked me with her powerful acting, we often see with idols them playing roles that have more of a cutsy feel, but jisoo went full out with an emotional performance. Her pain of seeing everyone she loved be ripped apart from her, is shown so well it cant help but cause pain to those watching. Her scenes presents her inner struggle for the man she loves but hates, or wishes to hate but cant due not so simple emotions, love. The side characters also did and amazing job, some parts they added to the emotional pain of the viewer and other times the added comic relief. The duality some of these actors show are truly amazing. One thing in this drama I really appreciated was the forshadowing of events, especally with simple things as talking about Romeo and Juliet and Youngro singing the beloved song 'one way ticket'. For some reason this show reminded me of a quote from the outsider; "two of my friends died that night: one a hudlum the other a hero" it reminds my of how sooho sacrificed himself to save so many but will be potryd as an evil murdering communist which we all know he isnt. Even though this drama isnt perfect, at some points the plot began yo drag and the ending traumatised me, i dont regret watcing it is well done and would recommend it those interested in watching. Instead of continually rambling on ill end it my review with one more thing, a poem called "snowdrop" written by Louise Gluck which i think suites this drama;



Snowdrop

Do you know what I was, how I lived? You know
what despair is; then
winter should have meaning for you.

I did not expect to survive,
earth suppressing me. I didn't expect
to waken again, to feel
in damp earth my body
able to respond again, remembering
after so long how to open again
in the cold light
of earliest spring--

afraid, yes, but among you again
crying yes risk joy

in the raw wind of the new world.

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What can i say?

At first i was looking forward to watch it cause of Jisoo, but after reading the synopsis i just knew this will not gonna be a typical romance drama. The story is so unique and complicated that i don't even how it will progress. The 80's setting and the students living in a dorm makes me feel nostalgic even tho i didn't experience it. watching it makes me feel like have lived in that era. All the actors are excellent and did an amazing job with their respective roles. Also kudos to the director for choosing Jisoo and Jung Haein as the lead actors, their chemistry is one of the best. Before it was released, i was already expecting it will be tragic but as the story goes on i was hoping all of them will have their happy ending, but then i know it wil not be possible given the situation. I really enjoyed my experience with this drama, waiting for each episodes weekly and watching the livestream. i will miss it.. idk if i can rewatch it knowing how it ended but i will never forget this drama for the rest of my life. Will still support all the actors who participated on this especially Jung haein and Jisoo ❤️❄️

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They just ruined it... It had lot of potential. With the cast they have and overall story it could have been made much better. The leads were so so. At first when they introduce the ML as a very smart spy whose face is also not known by anyone. Then suddenly in a simple mission he is caught. Through the drama, I didn't see his smart side or any spy characteristic at all. The FL character had nothing interesting. She is much below average. Through out the series, her contribution is nothing.

Other characters were more interesting than the main leads. And man how many spies are there in a dorm. That grandfather who helped ML in the beginning is spy then why didn't he send out the message when ML was in the dorm that he is alive. I had more fun when Nam Tae il and those 3 wives were having a conversation than main leads.

When it comes to Romance, where was it? Only one kiss and three hugs when they are going through soo much. And the worst twist in this would be ML's Parents. That was pathetic.

Overall, I don't think I am ever gonna watch it again.

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if's & PLOTHOLES

HOW MANY TIMES LIM SOOHO COULD'VE USED EUN YOUNGRO :
- sooho could've taken youngro along with the northern agents in the last ep.
- sooho could've used youngro as a shield in the last few minutes so that those swat team wouldn't have shot at him.
- i mean youngro has no family left anymore, so atleast she could've depended on sooho if he took her along with them, GODDAMNIT.
- also when youngro returns, they could've gone out the same way youngro came and joined ms.pi and lee gang-mu. you may that the swat team entered thru there. but they had enough time and lee gang-mu and sooho could've easily taken those swat team down.
- isn't sooho an veteran agent?!! how could he leave huge trail of blood along the way?!

PLOTHOLES:
- what happened to comrade kang after she left the port?
- did comrade kang go north korea and save the other agent's families as she promised sooho?
- and after that did she live happily in another countries?
- what happened in NK after the whole election scheme was leaked?
- what happened to choi suyreon?
- they showed us ms.pi and kye boon-ok but what happened to the other roomates of youngro in room 207? and also their boyfriends?
- who was seol-hui's father?
- what happened to man-dong's son?
- they showed us what happened the bad 3 and their wifes but what happened to their posts? who's gonna takeover?
- also they should have shown us if youngro makes up with friends, or if she vists her brother's grave?
- also what happened with sooho's body? is cremated or buried alive? or shown to public (publically shamed) or what else?
- what happened to suhui?
-many more....

*i still can't digest the ending even though i excepted but with these many plotholes how can finish this kdrama?!!
p.s also is my side couple over?!!

Citeste mai mult

*contains spoilers*

Loved the show very much!❤ the chemistry of main leads, music , cinematography, acting was just top notch✨. However, will never rewatch as i can't go through that trauma again :((i've never cried so much for a show). I waited a year for the show and it left me in a complete mess ,gah:(((. I was rating the show 10/10 literally everywhere but after going through that brutal ending, i don't think i could give 10/10 for rewatch value. I'm still broken😭 i honestly prefer both the leads dying than one grieving for the others loss:(. Ugh, i don't think alot people can move on from that ending. It was just unfair:( they barely had romance in the show, it was just their chemistry what kept me going:(((.sigh,after all they went through they truly deserved a happy ending 😔. Yeong-Ro and Sooho were honestly the most unfortunate female and male lead ever!😭💔 I really hope haesoo will be there in a rom-com with a happy ending 😔❤

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HIGHLY Recommended!!!

(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!)

I just loved it!🤌🏻No other words!!! Speaking ABT snowdrop - This drama bought me to kdrama world! that's how huge of a impact it had on me! This drama is such a rollercoaster of emotions ! A moment I was impacted with their love n chemistry while the other I was crying oceans of tears! yeah a Lil spoiler- "IT DOESN'T HAVE A HAPPY ENDING"although its still worth the watch! For Young-ro (Kim Jisoo) a rookie actor with her first main lead drama - She just bought out the Young-ro character in herself! I just can't believe She did such a great acting starting from showing LOVE,CARE,HATRED, JEALOUSY, BETRAYAL all at the same time! godd!!!! She just outside herself! def gonna look up for her future works! and who brought me to snowdrop - yeah, it was JISOO from BLACKPINK! I EVERYTHING ABT HER ! she's the Best ACTOR, IDOL, AMBASSADOR, FRIEND,UNNIE, DAUGHTER,AND EVERYTHING! SHE SCREAMS PERFECTION ❤️‍🔥🌷

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