Introducing the Makjangiest Makjang of the season – a rollercoaster ride of drama, fun, and pure absurdity! Now, let me break it down for you and why I have mixed feelings. But hang on for the awesome finale before jumping to conclusions!
Cons:
The first half of the season had my brain crying, "Can it get any more ridiculous?" It was filled with repetitive misery, losing some of its initial charm. Don't get me wrong, the shock value still packs a punch, even though it becomes a...
tad predictable. And the dark comedy had me laughing manically, albeit a bit morbidly. It's like junk food – you know it's bad, but you can't stop devouring it, hoping for improvement.
Being a Makjang, it's expected to be over-the-top and exaggerated. Season one had a solid direction and well-developed characters, offering nuance behind the chaos. No wonder it became a hit! However, the drama creators got greedy, extending the story unnecessarily for two more seasons. The cliffhanger ending of the last season definitely roped us back in, hungry for justice. But boy, did they disappoint us! The writing took a nosedive, becoming nonsensical and laughably bad. It felt like they threw a bunch of plotlines against the wall and hoped for the best. There's no purpose behind the madness, and the once-charismatic villains now feel hollow and one-dimensional.
It's the same story repeating over and over – bullying, murder (but not really), revenge (but not really), and repeat. And it's exhausting. We're stuck in a loop without the wow factor of the first season. The worst part? The protagonist, Yeon Hee, is brainless to another level. She annoyed me in season one, but season two took it to a whole new level. Half a brain cell and endless whining – that's her contribution. The writers had a few plot twists up their sleeves that ended up being hilariously unfunny and reeked of amateurism.
Yes, the antagonists still shine. Cheon Seo Jin's performance is on point, as always. But what's the point when you stop caring about the story and characters? The show becomes a cycle of mindlessly evil adults and teens being pointlessly cruel, greedy, and annoying. The direction remains top-notch, the luxurious setting adds to the allure, and the music is brilliant, but we've seen it all before.
For a show to work, the good guys need to match the bad ones, but here, the bad guys overpower the protagonists. Even when the villains suffer, it's mostly because of their own stupidity. There's a severe lack of badass moments for the good guys, leaving you longing for some epic justice. At one point, you just wish they would all annihilate each other to end the frustration.
Pros:
Now, you might think I've said it all, but trust me, there's more! In the second half, the show finally picks up its pace. The writing remains bogus, and the plot is unrealistic, but here's the twist – we finally get a character worth rooting for! This part of the show will have you on the edge of your seat, hooked and ready for action. Episode 10 is undeniably satisfying as the good guys gather their strength to kick some serious ass.
Throughout the series, there are touching moments depicting parent-child relationships. Some scenes are executed beautifully, evoking genuine emotions despite the overall inconsistency in pacing and writing. And the ending, while both satisfying and frustrating, will leave you yearning for more.
Is this show wacky? Absolutely. Does it try to be anything else? Nope. Will I be watching season three? Oh, hell yes! This is the kind of addictive crack that runs through my veins. Don't expect too much, switch off your brain, and enjoy the wild ride to the maximum!