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A thriller done right.
This series for me was that sweet snack you need, not too short but needlessly to say not too long either.The cinematography from the very beginning is good and OST fitting, i didn't think much for the series as i began watching last week but i was subdued within a few epiodes and it crept up on me when i wasn't watching. The conclusion was good, in terms of how you'd like a short series to end. I'm a sucker for the Thriller, Mystery, Psychological tropes and genres and ofcourse this ended up being right up my alley. I can't stress enough how well the actors did their jobs right, and while the plot had its basis one can never know until you see it for yourself. The human psyche and what us humans can really do to one another for money is truly disturbing, and the show portrays is throughout the whole show- it felt as each step of greed and envy from every character, well more specifically the upper floors is what laid the groundwork for this series to eat my thoughts up. The little detail of not sharing their in show names to each other was really cool too, it added a layer of mystery and reality to it.
Floor 2 (Joo Young) was my favorite, she held her own, took beatings but from start to finish she shows true growth aswell as strenght. Our Main character (Floor 3, Jun Yeol) can be described as stupid and overcaring which to say aren't bad traits to have, but in this kind of environment it can lead to a bit of too many predictful choices that (me) the audience can see coming an episode ahead. Floor 7 and 8 are most despicable (but well done) characters and i won't write too much about them. Floor 6(Jeong Min)... Oh if only you were the main character but i understood that the series would have finished within 4 episodes if he was.
Giving this a 9.5 can for the right audience make sense and to others a headscratcher, for me personally it was great! The rewatch value is there too but i wouldn't hold it too high.
If you're looking for a short but exciting Thriller, you're at the right place.
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Tragic and brutal, but quite superficial
A great representation of the social ladder within a limited setting, it was able to fit in huge social commentaries that were remarkably brutal and precise. The plot however is slightly superficial for most of the time, even though it was psychotic enough to raise enormous emotions, it lacks the logical sense that could realistically reflect against the outside world, and the excessive use of abstract concepts can only serve that much for its artistic purpose.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
Soraya Nur Aina
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Belum pernah nonton drakor sejorok ini. Ngebayangin semua pemain games berhari-hari ngga mandi, keringetan, kena darah, pupita cuma dilap tisu. NEMBUS baunya sampe ke layar?? Tapi akting semua castnya bikin betah nonton sampe akhir. Rasanya ngga apple to apple mau comparing sama Squid Games tapi kalau ngacu sama poin yang sama (read: power of money). This one is better for me.
Drakor ini nyindir realita kehidupan yang dianalogi sama 8 lantai. Si kaya makin kaya dan si miskin yaudah makin terhimpit miskin.
Drakor sinting. Pemain sinting, sutradaranya sinting, yang nonton ikutan sinting??
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Radiography on society
This show deserves much more than a 7.7 lol. The people that has rated this drama poorly is because they cannot stand violence and sadism, which is, if course, valid, but it is not an objective criteria for rating it so low. I hate musicals with my whole soul but I wouldn't say that all musicals are terrible because I simply do not like them and I cannot stand people singing instead of talking.Of course the drama has its plotholes, and it does not explain who or how they did what they did to them, but that is not the point of the drama. The drama through the game/show portrays society, human behavior and how privileged people oppress middle and lower classes.
The people that says that human would not behave like that in such small scale needs a reality slap. Search the Jail Stanford experiment for example.
Overall, very good drama with on point actors and satisfying ending in my opinion.
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well...same concept as all the other survival games but nothing new
I finished this show in a few hours cause honestly you can x2 speed it and watch...there wasnt any strategic plays or smart tricks so if you were hoping for those kind of shows you can skip this. This show was mostly just surviving and and once again showing how greedy humans can be. I guess one interesting thing about this show is that apart from other shows where games are set of the participants here its a blank canvas and they have to do everything themselves.If you are bored and just want to watch something you can watch this but there isnt much of a deep plot or anything.
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YOU SHOULD WATCH IT
this is a really nice short fun and good series to watch it’s fairly brutal but really good and I recommend I’d say it’s like a cross between squid game saw and maybe like the platform it’s really good I do recommend I binged it in 2 days so it was really enjoyable the story line is SOO GOOD don’t listen to what others are saying I thought it was really good and you should definitely give it a shotConsiderați utilă această recenzie?
Offers a gripping and thought-provoking experience
>>>Story and Themes"The 8 Show" centers on a reality competition where eight participants endure harsh conditions for a significant cash prize. The show's premise initially draws comparisons to survival games, but it sets itself apart by focusing more on psychological and moral dilemmas than on physical violence. The series explores themes of greed, desperation, and the impact of money on human behavior, offering a nuanced look at how different personalities cope under extreme stress.
>>>Characters and Performances
The characters are diverse, each bringing unique backgrounds and motivations to the game. Ryu Jun-yeol's portrayal of Bae Jin Soo and Chun Woo-hee's performance as Song Se Ra stand out, providing depth and relatability. The actors deliver strong performances that help the audience empathize with their struggles and moral conflicts. The character development throughout the series is compelling, showing a broad spectrum of human emotions and reactions.
>>> Direction and Cinematography
Directed by Han Jae-rim, the show is visually striking with a high level of artistic direction. The use of classical music as the background score adds an unexpected yet effective layer to the storytelling, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The cinematography captures the bleakness and intensity of the game, making viewers feel the isolation and pressure faced by the contestants.
>>> Pacing and Structure
With only eight episodes, "The 8 Show" is tightly paced, ensuring that each episode is impactful and contributes to the overall narrative. This concise structure is a strength, as it avoids the common issue of unnecessary filler episodes. The series wraps up its storyline effectively, providing a satisfying conclusion without dragging on.
>>> Critique
While the show excels in many areas, some viewers might find its focus on psychological tension rather than action to be a drawback if they were expecting more traditional survival game elements. Additionally, the moral and ethical questions posed by the show might not resonate with everyone, particularly if one prefers more straightforward storytelling.
>>>Overall Impression
Overall, "The 8 Show" is a standout addition to Netflix's Korean drama lineup. It combines strong performances, a thought-provoking narrative, and high production values to create a memorable viewing experience. It's a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and those interested in stories that delve into human nature and morality.
In conclusion, "The 8 Show" is not just another survival game drama; it’s a deep dive into the complexities of human behavior under pressure. Its unique approach and artistic execution make it a notable series worth watching.
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A thought provoking drama that is not a Squid Game clone.
My first disclaimer is I fully embrace my bias toward Ryu Jun Yeol so of course I was going to watch this (I know nothing of his dating scandal life because he is my Bae in my head and that's all that matters lol). I also love "Squid Game" and while anxiously awaiting the sequel I was excited to see anything even remotely similar. I never heard of the webtoon so I started watching knowing nothing besides assuming it was another twisted game scenario, so I will try to continue this review with as little spoilers as possible. I think this drama works best if you go into watching this with as little info as the participants. Just know that no, this is not just a "Squid Game" clone, even though the outfits are just as iconic, and the characters are just as "yell at the screen" worthy. This is a very small cast who did a great job of keeping me engaged and invested even when the story seemed to drag a little. If you like stories that explore human nature this is an intriguing, infuriating, and hilarious one.Ryu Jun Yeol as Bae (appropriate name lol) Jin Soo doesn't disappoint. His adorkable awkwardness makes him the perfect lead to balance out the intensity of the plot. I think every single actor nailed their role, and I will be vague about the specifics because of how much their relationships and personalities drive the story, but the definite stand out in the cast to me is Chun Woo Hee as Song Se Ra... If you watch enough K Dramas you learn to feel a certain way about "Se Ras" and she is definitely on brand. The show focuses a lot on relationship dynamics more than deep connections so to some the characters may seem 2 dimensional, but I think that's what makes the story work so well. The characters don't even go by their names which makes them feel more like archetypes you can easily root for or against. This isn't about their individual stories as much as it's about society reflected and that may be a turn-off for some, but I found it super interesting and even fun to watch until the end.
I agree with many reviews that said the story starts to drag in the last 2 episodes. There is definitely a shift and things get a bit more abstract and surreal but I still think the story is well done as a whole. Maybe the ending could have been stronger if more questions were answered but some of the open-ended things just made me keep thinking about this show long after it was done. They definitely wrote this with the possibility of a sequel in mind so I am curious if it's the same ending as the webtoon or not.
Would I watch this again? Definitely! I'm curious to see if there are any details I missed initially. I was able to binge-watch the whole show in one day so it's the perfect length for a second watch. The performances are also entertaining enough to keep me engaged even knowing what will happen, especially Ryu Jun Yeol's cute antics.
Overall, I am surprised this show isn't more popular. I think it would be unrealistic to think it would match the appeal of "Squid Game", but it is certainly a show worthy of massive viewer numbers and discussion. If you like thought-provoking yet disturbing stories like "Parasite" I would definitely recommend watching "The 8 Show". If you are more of a romcom or light-hearted family-friendly Kdrama watcher then this is not the drama for you. There's no real shocking gore or explicit sex shown but the story is very dark. I look forward to hearing more reactions to this drama as time goes on. I think the brilliance of this drama, and others like it, is that it makes you wonder what you would do in a similar situation, and I finished this drama not quite sure, to be honest. There is also a guilt you start to feel as a viewer that may be the key to why the last episodes aren't as fun, but I feel like even that is saying too much. There is so much I want to comment on but the less you know watching the better.
Want a drama that's conversation-inspiring? "The 8 show" delivers. It may not be 100% unique as far as the premise but it is certainly a memorable stand out in its execution. As much as part of me would love a season 2 if the concept was right I feel like this show was the perfect length for what it was.
And on that note, I should end this review before I am tempted to say too much about what I think, how I feel, and why it works so well... and to me, that's the sign of a great drama!
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want something like squid game or Alice in borderland? then this is definitely your cup of tea
to be honest I did not expect this to be this much good ..I don't even know where should I start from ..first of all this drama definitely highlights human nature ..greed ...and jealously...also it's a bit different than squid game and Alice in borderland because in those dramas the people were killed ,forced to kill each other and forced to play to ....this one started off as a simple one. .everyone had to stay there. .increase the time and well get rich ...until they learned about hierarchy ..everyone was satisfied with what they were getting until they learned there was someone above them and will always be ... jealousy arose between them ..the greed sparked ..and most important the sense of pride and power appeared for the number eight ..when those things arose ..they started violence even though there was no need for that...hunger for more made them hurt each other..the psychopath lady who loved to spent money ..she was crazy from the start ..the intelligent man ..he was good at heart but had to join hands with the mafia for his survival ..the poor nurse who had an immense soft heart .. everything was perfect to be honest ..the 5 floor who was constantly changing her sides all due to fear and of course for her own benefit too ..this was a very good drama conveying true human emotions and behaviors ..Considerați utilă această recenzie?
Achei um drama muito interessante, trouxe muitas nuances de criticas sociais e de manipulação social, mas que para mim não foram abordadas de formas tão inovadoras e que me chamaram tanta atenção. Gostei muito da fotografia do drama e a forma como o cenário da "praça" foi construído, tentando sempre voltar remeter a vida dos jogadores antes de entrarem no show.
Não gostei de forma alguma o plot-twist do final, não acho que foi tão impactante e que mudasse as coisas, apenas era deduzível que eles so sairiam daquela forma e o objetivo do 1 não seria concluído, por inúmeros motivos mas que não vou comentar para não dar spoiler.
Pra quem vai assistir ainda, acho legal ressaltar que os 4 primeiros episódios fluem muito bem, tem elementos que te fazem quere resolver o programa junto deles. Porém os 4 últimos episódios são arrastados e não são criveis de acontecer de forma alguma. Não levei em momento algum a serio o final, apenas parece que são duas series no lugar de uma bem estruturada.
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Very Interesting perception of society
This show was well written.I don't understand other people how they say boring, disappointed etc etc, even tho I respect their opinions.
I found this very interesting because, they portray how society works. I mean upper floors(which were richer) controlled lower floors (poor people)
as the dhow goes on, we see how money changes people, how they control people and anything you would do for money. It's really sad, touched hearting to see that out there is just how the world is, how selfish, inhuman, animal, psychotic human can be for living, money, health, time etc. etc.
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The most realistic show ever
The 8 Show might seem like a pale nod to Squid Games, but to an extent it’s more nuanced and extravagantly structured, sans all the unflinching fatality because the small sample size naturally precludes elimination by death. rather than being packed with conflicts that highlight the friction between the good and bad, T8S is thematically predicated on class demarcations in a controlled microcosm of the society. far from being a mere depiction of moral erosion by virtue of greed, it simply mirrors the hierarchical propensity socially wired into us through eons of evolution. the paralel is uncannily resounding, as much as it’s painfully redolent.my interpretation of such parallel is as follows:
Floor 8: The wealthiest, holding in possession an abundance of resources, and given the scarcity of the resources, vested with shot-calling powers and the authority to dictate everything underneath them.
Floor 7: Government/Legislator, formulating laws and regulations at the behest and in the interest of the affluent few.
Floor 6: Police, enforcing brutality in the event of opposition or protests in service of its tyrannical government.
Floor 5: Pacifist who tries in earnest to strike a happy medium and go to bat for the common weal, but mostly stuck in between with resigned helplessness.
Floor 4: fence-sitting, slimy sycophant who’s ready to jump on the coattails of the dominant when it benefits them.
Floor 3: the down-and-out proletariat who works their fingers to the bones only to be perpetually trampled upon.
Floor 2: the heroic and altruistic figure who wants to defend the weak but finds themselves powerless anyway against the domineering coalition up top.
Floor 1: the physically disabled, habitually scorned and considered dregs of the society.
Ranking the Characters from Best to Worst (Spoiler Alert: None of Them Are Good People):
Floor 7: He may be the smartest in the room, but he's not very clever. There were plenty of solutions to problems that he was too lazy to consider.
Floor 3: Pure neutral. Despite being guilt-tripped into taking Floor 1's place, he shows his strong moral compass during the King incident.
Floor 8: A controversial opinion, but the group's initial alienation of her led to their downfall. She was overly helpful at first, figuring out how to add time and contributing the most to the talent show. Yet, they voted to punish her the next day? She was right to rebel against the system, in my opinion. Floor 6 is to blame for turning it into something more sinister.
Floor 2: Despite what eventually happens, her villainizing of Floor 8 set the tone for discord. Throwing a tantrum when free money is being thrown at you came off as petty.
Floor 5: She wasn’t fully aware of her choices.
Floor 4: Made her decisions to survive.
Floor 6: Self-explanatory. Horrible character all around.
Floor 1: This character frustrated me the most because everyone gave him so much grace. He's worse than Floor 6 because he knows what it's like to feel helpless and still chooses to act selfishly. Plus, going after Floor 4 instead of Floors 6 or 8 shows his lack of moral character since she clearly wasn’t the brains of the operation.
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