SKY Castle (2018)

It's been years since I watched a drama with such high quality. It delivered everything, from comedy thriller angest friendship etc...
Sky castle was for me a masterpiece because it made the viewers want more of it, expect more of it. It makes you stop and think about each and every scene. Memorize the dialogue and even put yourself in the characters' shoes.
There were never a 100% black or white character. Pure evil and pure good. All the characters are gray, you can choose a favorite and root for them but it doesn't mean that your choice was the default for someone else.
There were a lot of mixed opinions about the final ep but honestly speaking, as unrealistically some points of it were I was glad that the drama ended that way. In the end nothing is perfect, even Sky Castle.
As I rewatched many scenes while waiting for the next eps every week I am sure that I'll end up rewatching this drama a lot.
And as each episode ends with it of course I can't end this review without dropping the iconic "We all lie~"

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Leia Mais

I think this kdrama it's both a necessary story that everyone should watch and also one we have to watch with a grain of salt. Even though the first episodes are what you would call a more "realistic" representation of the korean education system, the further you go into it, the more it's about a sudden "murder investigation" and less about things that i was looking forward to watch.

I would say, if well written, instead of a murder investigation, the more realistic scenario would be mind manipulation made into suicide... cause that's what happens when kids are pushed to be the absolute best in a broken environment. There's many cases of suicide within students, and if something extreme needed to be showed in this particular kdrama, then it would be that... no one wants to see it, but it needs to be talked about more often.

We start this kdrama hating absolutely every character, and that's just right for the type of story it is. The murder investigation was what made possible for us to see how far some of these parents are willing to go to see their kids at the top, but somehow i wished this was showed without the kdrama-murder plot. Because i feel like in real life, parents do a lot to see their kids at the top and play dirty too, without being involved in murder cases.

The last episode... it's a joke. From beginning to end. Had to drop a star and a half just for that. Some people will live in a broken household all their lives, will hate their family all their lives, will run away from home for good... the sudden happy endings for every household is a total break of character for almost everyone. In reality that wouldn't happen. Even the "good" parents would still make you finish at least highschool, and the not so good parents would not suddendly become good just like that, not even when threatened.

For this kdrama to be as perfect as the high ratings indicate, they would have to show at least 1 ending in which some of these family's would be broken or unfased for life, because that's how it actually goes.

Leia Mais

WE ALL LIE swell in each cliffhanger is dope! dislike most characters, love their fantastic acting!

The drama showcased societal issues and the pressure on schooling, focusing on families living in a luxurious residential area SKY Castle. Students were expected to spend over 16 hours a day studying to get admitted into one of the 3 big Korean uni: Seoul, Korea, and Yonsei, hence the title SKY Castle. A new simple family moved into this area, it becomes a major upset to their neighbors. Thus, the motivated parents compete another in their best way as possible...

I've rarely watch shows about rich people, but I applaud the crew for the craftsmanship of SKY Castle. The masterful use of sets levels up the whole experience of watching it. The sets look rich, with luxurious costumes. The camera work is amazing: there are lots of reflections and unique angles that make the vibes much more dramatic (and comedic for the twin fam). The family photos you can see on the next photos are very meaningful to represent each family. However, the only fitting OST is We All Lie, there rest are not memorable.

The story itself is not very exciting to me overall and I hate most characters, but their acting is fantastic! The only family I'm rooting for is the family with the twins. LOVE the twins; Seo Joon and Ki Joon, whoe are always there for each other. Their dad was so messed up in the worst and funny way possible. Frankly, I don't like the new family mother, she keeps meddling with other families' business. But I like the ambiguity of the coach. Overall, I enjoyed the dramatic family melodrama, but not so much when it reach the latter crime incident (no spoil!)

Leia Mais

This one is a surprise. The plot had so many layers, with comedy, drama, tragedy, even crime and especially mystery, taking over and keeping the interest high throughout the whole drama. The tension was just right as well as the thrill that it provided to be entertaining. The characters, moreover, where unique and dynamic, each one different from one another and helped built a nice story. So, unsurprisingly, the performances were top notch from everyone, but I should give special credit to the kids, that were remarkable. Finally, the cinematography had an odd shooting way, but it was okay overall. So, 9 out of 10.

Leia Mais

This is a real Kdrama

This show is nothing I have watched before, it will keep you taped to your scene. The amount of suspense that is in each episode is CRAZY. I have watched a lot of kdrama, but this one is special it focuses on a different part of society not that normal Romcom kind of stuff, but how detailed students behave in high class. The ost is actually really good to it got pretty catchy "we all lie". You can really feel this show, you will be like I want more or i need to know what happens next. The story is crazy good super enjoyable, I can't imagine skipping a show like this.

Leia Mais

Sky Castle will remain a must watch drama for its quality as a show. The character development throughout the show was hopeful and allowed viewers to gain a layered perspective of all the key characters. This is a show consisting of characters anyone who experienced high school can relate to and reflect upon. It deals with critical issues in such a well, thought out way that is not common among dramas. Sky Castle portrays the teenagers as actual, three dimension people who grow, develop and constantly change with the experiences they endure throughout high school. The humor within the drama lightened the tone of the drama and gave viewers a breath of fresh air with all that was happening.

The story will endure. I can definitely see appropriations and manifestations of this show in the future.

The acting and cast was amazing. I have seen works consisting of most of the actors such as A-Teen, Come and Hug Me, Dokgo Rewind and School 2015 and none of them let me down, despite the atrocity of Dokgo Rewind. Although the character overload in the beginning can be quite overwhelming, its gets easier and you get used to all the characters throughout the show.

Music was great, and Ha Jin's We All Lie will remain a classic. I would re-watch this any time and with anyone who views kdramas as lighthearted. If I could, I'd write an essay on it.

Leia Mais

There is no limit to push your children's welfare when prestige is everything

A drama with a theme that is personally important for me: education and how it is seen as social status. This drama revolves around injustice in the education world and -unfortunately- those who come with privilege can go far because their starting point is at a different level. It is rich with socio-political issues. If you are not Asian, I think, this drama can give a glimpse of how (most) Asian children are pushed to do everything to go to the most prestigious university, sometimes at all cost as if there is no other way to be successful. Children are their parents’ pride and therefore children have almost no authority in their own life.

As a newbie in kdrama, I feel the story is being way too stretched. I didn’t realise that most kdrama tend to be like that. I pushed fast forward quite often from episode 14 onwards. I was too impatient and I don’t think I missed a lot. I don’t have the need to see every single scene, I feel like I know what will happen anyway. I like the balance of serious and humorous stories. There are parts where I feel frustrated because I know the real world is cruel to the poor and less fortunate people.

I really like the cast. All of them are strong characters and played by skilled actors. Such a pleasure to watch them. There is a strong chemistry among the cast. Kim Seo Hyung and Kim Byung Chul left a strong impression.

We All Lie fits well as the soundtrack. The melody and lyrics give the mood for the drama.

This is quite a heavy drama. I don’t suggest binge-watching. Savour it, perhaps a few episodes at a time. A good drama to watch as reference to social issues discussion.

Watch: mid year of 2020.

Leia Mais

As a drama binger, I usually stay away from airing ones but keep an eye out for interesting ones. At first, I'm sorry to say, that SKY Castle didn't seem like it was anything special. I had watched the trailer and it seemed very ordinary. In every high school drama, they cover the fact that Korean students have to study really hard and be outstanding in every aspect of their life. So why was this so special?

One day, during a conversation with a friend (which was more me goading her to watch a show), I mentioned how Reply 1988 was the highest-rated drama to date, and she told me I was wrong. Cue *shocked face*. And I had been a strong supporter and admirer of that series, so seeing it dethroned hit a nerve.

And so, I decided to give it a try. And half an episode in, I was hooked, line and sinker. There was a charming surreal feel to the whole thing. My first impression of it being like a darker version of "Desperate Housewives" was quickly demolished. This was better.

This was the best.

It was well-paced, well written and for a while, I was mesmerized by the sheer number of topics it covered and what was even more surprising is that despite it having so many main characters and so many storylines running simultaneously, it did them all justice.

Needless to say, my initial irritation had quickly turned into love and now, I fondly remember this as one of the best dramas of this year. If not, ever.

So, in case, I wasn't clear about it. Watch the drama. I promise you, it's worth it.

Leia Mais

First of all this is a very basic, spoiler free review and more just my level opinion on Sky Castle. The acting for me personally, for the majority, was absolutely fantastic.. I felt every emotion and I truly felt as is if I was watching their story unfold and even cried a few times throughout. The start of the series was better for me than the latter and I couldn't fault it but as the story progressed I personally felt like the narrative started to lack in substance more and more. I do understand why certain shocking decisions were made but in some ways it felt the biggest character decision was only made to further the story as it began to struggle. After that the story definitely picked up again and more things were resolved but I did feel like at times, the story was let down by the writing. I really enjoyed the show but I have definitely watched shows that I have enjoyed more, which is why I gave it an 8.5 overall. It's definitely worth a watch but I think it's better to go in with an open mind for this drama and take it for what it is, while trying to avoid a lot of the hype around it, it'll be much more enjoyable that way.

Leia Mais

A bit like a slowly lit firework, the type that risks exploding in your face.

To be honest he first episodes did not live up to the high ranks this drama has. Some parts where fun others reminded me of 90s soaps. The plot evolved in a slow pace and the characters where not very lovable. So you are going to need allot of patience.

But after a while the episodes got better a slow acceleration towards a big bang that made all the slow acceleration worth it and necessary for the plot. I'm not really in to re watching series but this one is probably better the second time if you have the time and patience.

Looking back every episode is genius, from the lightning, the sounds, the looks and the angels. And leaves a bitter sweet taste.

The first time you hear one of the characters say "I'll whack your jaw open" you will probably feel nothing but after a while it will become your favorite insult/threat.

The sight of a pyramid will make you wonder if you have ever been truly loved and you will probably find yourself laughing at the oddest things while you wonder how much are these people willing to put up with. Are they really human?

This was however followed by me wondering how far would I would go in a situation like this. The genius in this series is in the bitter sweet of first thinking that there is no way I can relate to any of this at all and then realizing I can...

It’s easy to judge but if we turn this down a knot am I really that much better? So get ready for a really really really slow start (did I mention the slow start) followed by an amazing ride.

Leia Mais