4
KingC
Hyde and Me.
Based on a popular webtoon, Sweet Home received significant attention back while it aired last year. I did not have any prior idea about the story before I dove in. Only that the red hued poster hinted intense blood shed and an MDL article that introduced several "monsters' '. The hype doesn't lie: the Green Home apartments' residents face the nightmare of their life when an epidemic-like condition that turns people into monsters strikes them. Told through the eyes of Cha Hyun-Su, a 19-year-old boy who had just moved in, the series follows the residents as they struggle to survive and hope for an escape from their bleak future. All this whilst they fight monsters and risk turning into one themselves.
☆ The plot… Well, if you are someone who is familiar with post-apocalyptic or dystopian genres, then the basic background of the drama can be hinted right from the opening scene. There's nothing novel about it and I found the progress of 'that' particular subplot partly predictable. But, it did not suck away the thrill and anticipation. There is a high chance that further revelations arise in the future, so I'll give this one the benefit of doubt.
☆ The Characters are the real highlight of the show. And the poster lied. We meet a number of characters whose backstories are intensely explored. The name of the drama 'Sweet Home' from my perspective, doesn't stand for a safe and warm place to stay. It's rather the home that the remaining survivors struggle to build by slowly growing accustomed to their rough circumstances and starting to trust in each other. The plot lacked substance, but it did not lack in the character department. No one was present just as a plot device, but the very base of the story dumbs all of them together in a rather unfavourable manner.
All the cast were spot on. Their performances were incredibly good and overwhelmingly with the right emotions. The two child actors in particular were highly convincing.
☆ The entire story takes place in an apartment complex. The drama, as a result, is cramped, dark and bloody. It created the right ambience to feel the tension whenever necessary. The first two episodes were particularly disturbing, but the feeling disappears once we get the hang of it. Another plus side of the drama was that it did not have any gratuitous violence or scenes for the sake of it.
☆ While the background music was highly addictive, I'm sure that I wouldn't have chosen Warrior by Imagine Dragons as the ultimate battle song. It sounded cool in one or two episodes, but managed to ruin the mood, particularly at the end of EP8. It was supposed to be a highly emotional experience, but all I had in mind was how somebody thought to ruin the moment with such a terrible choice of song. The soundtrack in the final three episodes was perfect though.
☆ Despite all that, I felt that there was a distinct absence of purpose in the initial episodes. There was a repetitive cycle going on for a long time until something urgent pushed the leader 'four-eyes' into taking drastic measures. It was good for a single watch, but definitely not worth going all over again for a second time. The drama stressed a lot on the characters and their struggles individually for the first half of the episodes. The leading character, Cha Hyun-Su barely speaks or appears for an extended period of time. The episodes and screen time was equally distributed for multiple characters. The latter half of the drama is when things get into motion and the story gains momentum. It's finale was explosive and intriguing enough to convince me to give the second season a try.
☆ While there were scattered minor plotholes, one in particular was glaringly obvious. It was never brought up or resolved in the end. It shouldn't have been the case, but it almost felt as if the writers knew no other way to wrap up the arc and decided to neglect it. Also, the concept behind the 'monsters' was only mentioned in passing and never got any proper explanation.
There are enough details that are yet to be explained and I hope that the second season does this. It lacked the thrill I had expected, but it was an almost satisfying watch. I loved the various characters as they fought for hope. Though I don't think I'll rewatch it, the time that I spent was definitely worth it.
☆ The plot… Well, if you are someone who is familiar with post-apocalyptic or dystopian genres, then the basic background of the drama can be hinted right from the opening scene. There's nothing novel about it and I found the progress of 'that' particular subplot partly predictable. But, it did not suck away the thrill and anticipation. There is a high chance that further revelations arise in the future, so I'll give this one the benefit of doubt.
☆ The Characters are the real highlight of the show. And the poster lied. We meet a number of characters whose backstories are intensely explored. The name of the drama 'Sweet Home' from my perspective, doesn't stand for a safe and warm place to stay. It's rather the home that the remaining survivors struggle to build by slowly growing accustomed to their rough circumstances and starting to trust in each other. The plot lacked substance, but it did not lack in the character department. No one was present just as a plot device, but the very base of the story dumbs all of them together in a rather unfavourable manner.
All the cast were spot on. Their performances were incredibly good and overwhelmingly with the right emotions. The two child actors in particular were highly convincing.
☆ The entire story takes place in an apartment complex. The drama, as a result, is cramped, dark and bloody. It created the right ambience to feel the tension whenever necessary. The first two episodes were particularly disturbing, but the feeling disappears once we get the hang of it. Another plus side of the drama was that it did not have any gratuitous violence or scenes for the sake of it.
☆ While the background music was highly addictive, I'm sure that I wouldn't have chosen Warrior by Imagine Dragons as the ultimate battle song. It sounded cool in one or two episodes, but managed to ruin the mood, particularly at the end of EP8. It was supposed to be a highly emotional experience, but all I had in mind was how somebody thought to ruin the moment with such a terrible choice of song. The soundtrack in the final three episodes was perfect though.
☆ Despite all that, I felt that there was a distinct absence of purpose in the initial episodes. There was a repetitive cycle going on for a long time until something urgent pushed the leader 'four-eyes' into taking drastic measures. It was good for a single watch, but definitely not worth going all over again for a second time. The drama stressed a lot on the characters and their struggles individually for the first half of the episodes. The leading character, Cha Hyun-Su barely speaks or appears for an extended period of time. The episodes and screen time was equally distributed for multiple characters. The latter half of the drama is when things get into motion and the story gains momentum. It's finale was explosive and intriguing enough to convince me to give the second season a try.
☆ While there were scattered minor plotholes, one in particular was glaringly obvious. It was never brought up or resolved in the end. It shouldn't have been the case, but it almost felt as if the writers knew no other way to wrap up the arc and decided to neglect it. Also, the concept behind the 'monsters' was only mentioned in passing and never got any proper explanation.
There are enough details that are yet to be explained and I hope that the second season does this. It lacked the thrill I had expected, but it was an almost satisfying watch. I loved the various characters as they fought for hope. Though I don't think I'll rewatch it, the time that I spent was definitely worth it.
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