At the beginning of the episode it is quite curious what the sequel to each episode will be like, a lawyer who looks cold on the outside seems to have a dark past meets a gangster who has a lot of criminal records, whether they will later unite as allies to work together on criminal cases or something like that, because it looks like the storyline will be tense and there are lots of hidden secrets behind this lawyer. The actors are also classy, all of them have played in several crime thriller genre dramas like this and the story is also quite good. Hopefully in this series they can execute a good story and create a touching atmosphere for the audience.
6 Reviews
Good Enough
PennyReviews12 January 2024
Korean Drama '' Evilive '' is the journey of a man towards embracing his inner darkness.
The drama is a complex psychological thriller, without getting too complicated for the viewer to follow. With excellent performances by all the cast members and, especially, the three main leads, the drama manages to pull off a difficult plot, as it presents a story of a man who comes from nothing and starts descending deeper and deeper into darkness, after getting a taste of it. In the end, it makes you think about what it takes to turn someone into a monster anyway.
The pace of the drama, in addition, was masterfully managed, although there were some times that things got a bit too slow. Also, the gore was just enough to provoke but not to disgust.
So, overall, eight out of ten.
The drama is a complex psychological thriller, without getting too complicated for the viewer to follow. With excellent performances by all the cast members and, especially, the three main leads, the drama manages to pull off a difficult plot, as it presents a story of a man who comes from nothing and starts descending deeper and deeper into darkness, after getting a taste of it. In the end, it makes you think about what it takes to turn someone into a monster anyway.
The pace of the drama, in addition, was masterfully managed, although there were some times that things got a bit too slow. Also, the gore was just enough to provoke but not to disgust.
So, overall, eight out of ten.
Transformation
dumsumdumfai1 January 2024
Technically 8+, even 9. Story wise not that unusual. We've seen it before. Trajectory very similar to Breaking Bad. In the beginning, the outward appearance/mannerism of the lawyers' is a bit too stagey to me. And there's a lot of violence.
It's a rabbit hole of no return once you take the pill kind of plot. Even the character has real doubts before life events force the hand. And the usually corruption runs deep in a Korean political climate.
However, no other secondary meaning or redeeming qualities of note that I can see. Just one upmanship after another. Yes tension is pretty high and consistent. Dialogue is pretty pedestrian also. Well, at least the kept the diabolical transformation to the end and did not compromise the character.
It's a rabbit hole of no return once you take the pill kind of plot. Even the character has real doubts before life events force the hand. And the usually corruption runs deep in a Korean political climate.
However, no other secondary meaning or redeeming qualities of note that I can see. Just one upmanship after another. Yes tension is pretty high and consistent. Dialogue is pretty pedestrian also. Well, at least the kept the diabolical transformation to the end and did not compromise the character.
i love the concept villains vs villains
lgiam2 November 2023
This is one of the best noir kdramas this year. Its not about a good guy vs bad guy. But its more liked villains vs villains, because its about a good guy turned evil because of the situation he was in n forced him to turn to evil for revenge..because in no way that he could win from those higher ups (who have wronged him, accused him) in a rightous manner..justice couldn't done in the right way when the higher ups often abuse the justice system.. he should become villain in order to punish who have wronged him. Excited for the next 4 episodes..
And not to forget of all the casts are amazing in portraying in each of their characters. Shin Ha Kyun is a veteran in acting field..he has performed the best in each of his works. Kim Young Kwang is considered a veteran as well where he debuted in more of romantic comedy type of dramas, it's a delight to see him explore more in his acting skills in various type of roles and he nailed it so much with this villain character after the previous work as lonely & depressed guy (Call it love).
Also Shin jae ha..he used to be supporting roles in most of his works.. and he used to do villain roles in his previous two dramas..excellent as well..n glad to see him as an ordinary but smart IT prodigy in this drama.
The last 4 episodes are mind blowing!!
And not to forget of all the casts are amazing in portraying in each of their characters. Shin Ha Kyun is a veteran in acting field..he has performed the best in each of his works. Kim Young Kwang is considered a veteran as well where he debuted in more of romantic comedy type of dramas, it's a delight to see him explore more in his acting skills in various type of roles and he nailed it so much with this villain character after the previous work as lonely & depressed guy (Call it love).
Also Shin jae ha..he used to be supporting roles in most of his works.. and he used to do villain roles in his previous two dramas..excellent as well..n glad to see him as an ordinary but smart IT prodigy in this drama.
The last 4 episodes are mind blowing!!
K-drama with K-movie quality
salmaawhed17 November 2023
Usually I prefer watching gangster and action k-movies over kdrama of that genre because the drama, no matter how good, always moves on the idealistic side. BUT NOT THIS ONE
It starts off kinda normal and expected, but as you go you realize there's more to it.
Rather than character development, you get character unboxing, it's subtle at first but enough to make you keep a judgmental eyebrow raised throughout the episodes.
The ending was superb, unexpected only because it's a kdrama, but once you see you it, you realize you had been expecting it all along and it makes perfect sense.
Shin Hakyeon served, as expected. His acting is beyond perfect. All three male leads matched each other very well, it felt balanced.
My favorite part is the things I thought were cliche while watching, until the ending hit me and turns out they weren't just for cliche but actually part of the character.
All in all, I went in with high expectations, and though it was different, it didn't disappoint.
Rather than character development, you get character unboxing, it's subtle at first but enough to make you keep a judgmental eyebrow raised throughout the episodes.
The ending was superb, unexpected only because it's a kdrama, but once you see you it, you realize you had been expecting it all along and it makes perfect sense.
Shin Hakyeon served, as expected. His acting is beyond perfect. All three male leads matched each other very well, it felt balanced.
My favorite part is the things I thought were cliche while watching, until the ending hit me and turns out they weren't just for cliche but actually part of the character.
All in all, I went in with high expectations, and though it was different, it didn't disappoint.
Has its moments, but is a downer
janstue19 December 2023
The show has a high quality production, no doubt. Story-wise, it has a bit of a Breaking Bad feeling to it. What I'm rating here is the overall feel I've had while watching it - my personal watching experience. Even while the story was progressing, I kept waiting for the knack; the development that I was hoping for. There certainly is lots of development, but to me it often felt like I missed the process itself, and the results were just there. It's hard to describe. It's all there and fairly understandable. Besides that, the show is extremely dark - to the point where it's hard to continue the next episode. I don't mind dark atmosphere, but there could've been a breather here and there, for me personally.
Still, the show is very high quality. And the 5/10 stars might just reflect that it is a banger for some and not for others.
Still, the show is very high quality. And the 5/10 stars might just reflect that it is a banger for some and not for others.
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