Bulk (2024)

Gangnam B-Side (2024): A Forgettable Disaster Masquerading as a Drama

"Gangnam B-Side (2024) is a masterclass in wasted potential and generic storytelling. From start to finish, it feels like the writers threw together every cliché they could find, sprinkled in some overly dramatic moments, and called it a day. The plot tries to be deep and meaningful but ends up being a confusing mess that fails to engage or make sense.

The characters? Cardboard cutouts at best, with no real development or chemistry to speak of. The lead performances are either painfully overacted or so flat that you wonder if they’re just as bored as the audience. The dialogue feels like it was written by someone who just Googled 'how to sound cool in 2024' but skipped the part about making it authentic or relatable.

Visually, the drama looks like a YouTube vlog with a slightly better budget—uninspired cinematography and lazy direction throughout. Even the soundtrack, which could have salvaged something, is forgettable.

In short, Gangnam B-Side is the kind of drama you’ll forget as soon as the credits roll—if you even make it that far. If this is the 'B-Side,' I don’t even want to know what the A-Side looks like. 2/10, and that’s me being generous."

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A NAIL BITING GRIPPING ACTION THRILLER WITH STELLAR PERFORMANCES...

Gangnam B Side is a nail-biting action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its captivating casting, storytelling, impressive acting, and direction. While the plot starts out a bit slow, you might find yourself a bit confused around episode one. However, by episode two, it really settles in and becomes fast-paced, filled with action and thrills that get your adrenaline pumping.

The acting is, without a doubt, impressive. Ji Chang Wook, as always, embodies his role perfectly. I actually see a mixture of two of his previous roles in this one: first with his character in The Worst of Evil and then his role in Revolver. He has the aura and charisma that makes his character exciting to watch. His acting is nothing short of perfect, as expected from the king of action in K-drama land. Other actors and actresses, like Bibi, also deliver impressive performances that complement the already exciting plot.

The story does contain violent scenes that may be triggering for some viewers, but they are definitely interesting to watch and contribute to the overall excitement. Overall, so far, this is a nice crime thriller that is worth the watch for action fans.

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Gritty, raw and messy

I'm reviewing this because the synopsis is sketchy and doesn't explain what the show is about. In short, it's about human sex trafficking set against the seedy drug underbelly. Ji Chang Wook fans will be disappointed because we hardly see him and I'd call him more of a supporting role here than the main lead. He's also very roughed up and not the pretty rom-com boy we're used to, so if that's your thing, look away now. He even looked better in Worst of Evil and that's a similar genre.

Overall, I find the show very messy, but maybe that's to reflect the messiness of life in this tier of society. I can't say it's my favourite genre either but I'd rate Worst of Evil much higher for more coherent editing and storyline. This one has too many time skips back and forth to explain things but the viewer has to go 'huh????' for a while first. And there were a lot of characters introduced in the first episode so it was hard to keep up.

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A Gritty Crime Thriller Where Revenge and Corruption Collide

*Gangnam B-Side* (as of Episode 6) has proven to be a gripping and intricate drama, blending intense character development, dark themes, and a maze of morally complex choices. Set in the underbelly of Gangnam, it explores the dangerous world of power, corruption, and the exploitation of vulnerable people. The show does a great job of painting its characters as deeply flawed yet compelling, particularly with its leads, who are constantly caught in the tension between seeking revenge and protecting those they care about.
The central plot revolves around the criminal activities of Gangnam Trading, led by Joon-seo and various other powerful figures, including Choi and Tak. The illegal trafficking of drugs like Neon and the exploitation of escorts add a sense of urgency and suspense to the narrative. Characters like Dong-woo and Gil-ho have become somewhat tragic figures, driven by guilt, revenge, and a sense of justice, though often falling short in their attempts to protect others.
The pacing has been relatively well-balanced, with the first few episodes establishing key relationships and tensions, while episodes 4 through 6 really ramp up the stakes. There’s a delicate interplay of personal vendettas and larger criminal conspiracies, and the show delves deep into the emotional toll these secrets take on its characters. Episode 6, in particular, marks a turning point with a huge revelation regarding Gil-ho’s past and his identity, which adds another layer of mystery to his motivations.
The themes of power, betrayal, and guilt are consistently explored throughout the episodes, with each character’s arc being carefully developed. While the show can be dark and at times a little slow in its buildup, it rewards patience with intense moments and twists that keep the viewer invested. The cinematography, particularly the use of neon lights and the atmospheric tension of the scenes, also contributes significantly to the show’s tone.
There are hints of resolution in the near future, but with two episodes remaining, it seems that *Gangnam B-Side* still has plenty of dramatic developments to unfold. The final episodes are likely to tie together the fates of its main characters, who have been caught in a web of crime and vengeance, though it’s unclear who will come out on top in the end.
In short, *Gangnam B-Side* is a tense and thrilling watch that pulls you into its gritty world of crime and power, while exploring complex character dynamics and deep emotional stakes. If you're a fan of dark crime dramas that blend mystery with intense personal conflicts, this show is definitely worth a watch.

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"Oh my, this drama really affected me. The acting, the use of music, the production—everything was almost perfect. I especially need to give special praise to Ji Chang Wook because he just keeps rising with every drama. He’s truly an amazing guy.

As for the drama itself, the first episode might be a bit hard to understand at first, but by the second episode, the story starts to become clear, and you really get immersed in it. I heard that this story is inspired by a scandal that happened in Korea in 2018, which certainly makes the topic more intriguing.

Especially the action scenes in the series are absolutely fantastic.

I really think this drama isn’t getting the attention it deserves, and it makes me sad. This drama focuses on the nightlife in Gangnam and the issues of drugs, rape, and crime that happen there. It also includes individual revenge stories. The excitement and action in the series are truly breathtaking, and it carries a lot of emotional weight as well.


It will break your heart with many of its scenes. In fact, it might even make you cry at times. I definitely recommend watching it.

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initial thought i will clean it up after watching the rest of the show

As of November 15th, I finished watching the first available 4 episodes. Here are some of my thoughts.
I'm happy to see my old friend Jo Woo Jin as the main lead. Even though he's a police officer, I'm still pleased to hear his voice and enjoy his presence.
Also im Sung jea is hear and very happy to see him but I want to break the fingers of whoever thought it's a good to make his beautiful face a sketch book but anyways besides that he is as amazing as ever a bastard and a huge piece of shit and I know he is a supporting cast but still when he appeared on my screen I was so surprised and happy to see him since I didn't check out who will be on the supporting cast but ugh he is talented at making me hate his guts and also be very excited to see what will he do in the rest of the show and I'm looking forward to that
Also, my baby Ha Yoon Kyung is here and she is in the role of a prosecutor. I'm glad to see her in a different role. But why are people disrespecting my girl? Like god men are just in the way when she does her job. Fucking hell.
Also bibi is here i don't have anything against her but I think it's very early in her career to have a lead role now this my third time watching her performance and she is getting better and I enjoyed her acting her more than in the worst of evil and i think it also better than in hopeless but I think what makes me kinda ehh about her performance is she doesn't bring anything unique to this character but I feel she is interchangeable and if any actresses plays this maybe she will make it better but anyways glad to see her and i hope and pray that her character doesn't die yet
And finally the main guy the one that I'm still not impressed by his performance ji chang wook I'm not a fan of this man and now I watched three works staring him and I wasn't there for him i was there for his co-star like in here and hard hit i was there for jo woo jin and in the worst of evil i was there for wi ha Joon so I thought by know i will warm up to him but no still not impressed and I think his latest project getting gritty and darker is something I noticed and I don't think he want to be typecasted and i don't blame for wanting to get away from that but he is still the main lead so it's not that worst for him isn't

I didn't have any expectations for the show and I'm glad that I don't rise any hope for it since the writing is run of the mill and formulaic full of cliché and predictable plot the dialog is so straight forward and doesn't leave a room for imagination and interpretation so what you watch is what you get

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