"HOW we are living being more important than surviving" this is from the headline of the top reviewer, who's been my favorite for a long time, and for good reason. "Quietly gripping and complex" is indeed the best way to describe it.

Goodbye Earth is a beautifully crafted drama that offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human emotions in an apocalyptic setting. While the English title is fitting and I do like it, I personally prefer the Korean one, inspired by the Japanese novel The Fool of the End (or The Fool at the End of the World), on which the series is based. You'll understand the title later on.

The story is unique and has many layers, serving as an eye-opener to the reality of the situation, politically etc. Of course, with a drama like this, a critique of society and people is to be expected. The drama's atmosphere is distinctive, adding to the believability of its chaotic, end-of-the-world premise. The unique color grading further enriches the visuals, giving the story an added layer of depth. The characters' emotions are raw and complex, making the narrative deeply resonant.

The direction is top-notch, with excellent cinematography, clever symbolism, a stellar cast, and a powerful soundtrack. The epic introduction, which gave me goosebumps, sets the tone perfectly. That said, the series does require patience, as it is not strictly linear (the beginning foreshadows, then it mostly comes back to the sources from what I remember, and the timeline of the present starts at D-201) and there are many faces to familiarize yourself with along with how everyone is connected.

It’s worth noting that Yoo Ah In’s role was reduced due to his recent scandal, but thankfully it wasn't a problem while watching. Unfortunately, another thing to note is that the Netflix translation is not very good, at least in French... (I heard the English subtitles were based on the dubs.)

While the drama is classified as a sci-fi thriller (and it does deliver on that front, I was even more than pleasantly surprised), it feels more like a psychological slice of life. It follows the residents of a city as they navigate their final days and as we learn to know them, focusing less on action and more on emotional and philosophical reflection. Fans of fast-paced dramas may find the slower pacing challenging, but personally, I never wanted to pause (this often happens, even with my favorites, but for once it did not). And I am the kind of viewer who never skips a single second or uses the speed function. In fact, I even binge-watched the drama in two days with how immersed I was.

It’s a drama full of heart and soul, and I would go so far as to say it brings something groundbreaking to the genre. While it may not have been a popular hit, it will find its audience regardless. This is a story we need today, and tomorrow.

For a personal note, I'm not really a religious person, but I sometimes accompany my grand-mother to the mass, she has many friends there and the drama made me think a lot about her.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a series that blends human connection, existential themes, and stunning visuals, Goodbye Earth is worth your time.

P.S: Don't end Episode 11 too soon and let the credits roll to hear the different version of the OST. It is a shame I wasn't able to find it online.

* Ending spoiler in the comments

Side note :

For those hesitant to start this drama because of its low rating on MDL, here’s some context. This drama was unfairly bombed with 1/10 ratings right from the start by people who hadn’t even watched it (or pretty much skipped to the end). Of course they had to appease the tensions. Drug charges are so badly seen in Korea and many people would have felt uncomfortable by watching him apparently. It’s true that the drama isn't everyone’s cup of tea and most likely won't cater to many people's expectations from this genre. However, adding a negative mindset and zero willingness to understand the narrative or appreciate the drama as a whole only worsens the perception. Even without this context, ignore the ratings or reviews online and just watch what you want.

The claim that the chronology is extremely confusing in the first episodes is baffling to me. The timeline is literally written on the screen every time it shifts, there is no way you can say that unless you skipped or ignored those parts. You really need to be fully engaged while watching, as many things are conveyed subtly and not always through dialogue. Additionally, the structure of the story is unconventional. Nowadays many people are used to do something else while watching or easily losing concentration... Don't do that. Obviously, if you don't find it captivating, no one is forcing you.

As for the boycott, it’s counterproductive and, frankly, ridiculous (don't know if there were that many but, that's MDL community for you). The drama was already delayed from 2023 to 2024 and almost didn’t get released. If the goal was to support Yoo Ah In, boycotting the drama—like what happened in Korea—achieves the exact opposite.

It’s disheartening to see a drama like this receive a 6.4 rating when compared to so many others on this site. The score clearly doesn’t reflect the effort, quality, or storytelling delivered here.

In short, this drama deserves a fair chance, free from bias and preconceived negativity.