Flor do Mal (2020)

This drama was surprisingly so good.

How the story unfolded kept you in suspense but didn't make you feel annoyed as if it was being dragged out. The reveals were purposeful and linear so that each preceding mystery to unravel felt appropriate.

Let's just say that this cast and the acting was definitely topnotch. Some of the best K-Drama acting you could find.

When new characters were added to the mix, they played a key role but not meant to distract or cause chaos to generate false intensity. The intensity always stayed on the core plot and didn't divert into any secondary stories, or triangles, or just plain stupid people doing stupid things, that you see in lazy writing. This writer had a story they wanted to tell and they told it well.

For a story about people lacking in emotions, there were far more emotions than you get in drama plots meant to be tearjerkers.

Lastly, the writer really did want to give a statement on the state of humanity with its gossip, quick judgments, misconceptions, and the influence of social media with its group think, and cancel culture tactics. How good people are driven to do certain things because they know this dynamic and want to avoid it at all costs. Topping this aura out with the mistrust and maltreatment of people who have mental health issues based in circumstances and genetics completely outside their own control and the unfairness of it all.

I really truly appreciate that the writer made these cases in the drama without wielding a heavy hammer in doing so. They were blunt yet sophisticated in their subtlety as well that you could choose to take this drama at face value or open the message within in it. This way, you attract the respect of more viewers with differing POVs. Well done by the writer. I'm certainly impressed.

Leia Mais

Weird Science

There’s no actual serial killer-catching or mystery solving here until the last few episodes. The main villain, the male lead’s father, is already dead when the story starts. He had an accomplice working with him but this person does not play an active role until the last few episodes. The story mostly deals with the male lead Hyeon-su, and his trauma about his past and how he copes with it. This isn’t a bad premise and I think that exploring the stigma that children of serial killers encounter could be interesting, but they don’t really get into this.

I was confused about what the story was trying to say. Was it trying to say that children of serial killers could somehow inherit a psychopathic gene or that, when bullied by their communities, could eventually become psychopaths themselves? I get that a bunch of narrow-minded people mistreated Hyeon-su and his sister but it was a little unbelievable to me that not one person outside their community (not one person in the city, or even one doctor or person of science) thought he was innocent when there was really nothing to tie him to any of his father’s murders, other than the fact that he was this evil guy’s son.

Hyeon-su was so convinced that he could not feel any emotions and could not care about anyone…if so, why did he take the blame for what his sister did? If he was traumatized by the experience (if one can feel trauma then doesn't that mean he/she has feelings?) and became a ‘psychopath’, how come his sister wasn’t similarly affected? I don’t understand why he could suddenly see these visions of their father when his sister couldn’t . Given that SHE was the one who actually killed someone, why wasn’t she suffering and as traumatized as he was?

When he meets the female lead Jin-ha, he doesn’t really care about her, but decides to enter into a relationship because being with her made his ‘visions go away.’ Why did she have this effect on him if he didn’t have any feelings for her to begin with?

Later, it was pointed out how clumsy the killer’s accomplice (the ’second killer’) was and yet, nobody could tell what he looked like or find any clue about him. Also, the actor playing him was so over-the-top and deranged that even a blind man could have spotted him. The only person who met him in the past was Hyeon-su’s sister, Hyeon-ha…and yet she had to take hypnotherapy to remember him. In her hypnotherapy session, she still couldn't remember what he looked like because he was wearing a hat* in their father’s funeral.

A hat, not any kind of facial covering.

I don’t get why Hyeon-su later decided to take on the identity of a rich man’s son. This rich man’s son (Baek Hee Song) was in a coma, but was technically still alive, so what he did was completely unethical. Also, not one of them even considered what would happen if this guy woke up. Why didn’t Hyeon-su just do a Jean Valjean and assume a brand new identity with false papers?

The female lead, Jin-ha, had an unconditional love for Hyeon-su, which I normally would have appreciated but she crossed a line both legally and unprofessionally when she burned evidence that could be used against him. She was convinced he was innocent and that the investigation would clear him, so why did she have to do that? After talking to Hyeon-ha (who wanted to confess at this point), she insists that nothing be revealed. What kind of decent cop would insist that someone take the blame for another’s crime? When her detective squad discover that Baek Hee Song and Hyeon-su (the guy they’ve been looking for) are the same person and that she had been lying to them, instead of suspending her for a bit because she was personally connected to the case, they decide to believe in both of them and let them continue…based on nothing. In fact, the reporter working with the male and female lead who was once forcibly tied up and kept in their basement for a few days suddenly develops Stockholm syndrome and becomes a loyal friend to them.

One of the serial-killer-duo’s victims is a woman named Jung Mi Sook. For some reason, they decide not to kill her and predictably, she reappears later to add more drama. During all this time, she somehow ended up imprisoned by a human trafficking group. This group had no connection to the story whatsoever but they forced it in by making this gang have ties with the rich old couple and the second killer...who conveniently turned out to be Baek Hee Song! This means that by taking his identity, Hyeon-su got himself into deeper trouble..but it’s nicely resolved in the end because he has a lot of plot armor. Also, the rich couple try to get rid of Hyeon-su using this trafficking group.

One of the last dramas I watched had a man get up miraculously from a wheelchair. It also happens here, but the difference is that the real Baek Hee Song had been in a coma for more than 10 years and had not used his legs/muscles. How could he not only get up but outrun someone instantly? How can a maid, who was hired by the Hee Song's because she was deaf, suddenly hear and tell what is going on? It also turns out that Baek Hee Song killed his mentor, the main villain and the original serial killer, by bashing him in the back of the head. For some reason, people conclude that he committed suicide but how does one do that by getting smashed from the back?

The story actually ends at episode 15 but they decide to extend it by giving Hyeon-su amnesia. This is not a trope I care for, but some of the dramas I like have had it, so it was not a deal breaker. In here, they added it to prolong Jin-ha’s suffering over Hyeon-su, as if he didn’t have enough baggage to give her. He also spends 15 minutes crying in a self pitying mess over the fact that he ‘can’t have emotions.'

The reason I gave this drama a higher rating is because the actors Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chai Won performed well..but that’s it. It lacked more logic than anything I have ever seen before.

Leia Mais

Let's try to fit Romance anywhere under False Pretense

As usual, I'm gonna be completely honest,
I started this drama after reading the synopsis thinking it'll be a great thriller, A psychopath husband deceiving his wife and everybody.
Even the initial actions of the protagonist were fun to watch but then bam! *FLUSH*
The writer lost in her mind and converted it to a melodrama.
I'm surprised how so many people liked this drama, do you people don't even care if the writer tries to change the theme in b/w?
The acting was good, the script was terrible and the ending was super cliche'.
Decent enough drama I guess.

For people wondering how to easily describe my basic thought, It's like the writer started from Stranger from Hell and made it a melodrama xD
Absolutely Disgusting, right? xD

Leia Mais

A good dose of thriller, dark and gripping moments and a nice romance. Hugely entertaining.

STORY:
A perfect couple with a perfect life is caught up by the tragical past of one of them. They have to admit the reality they tried to ignore, escape and forget and fight hard the dangers which threaten their couple, family and loved ones.

I see the story in 3 parts:

- The Unveiling : One has to hide the truth when the other is slowly finding clues of the usurpation. Well written, fast paced, good sub plots to bring clues and inevitably unveil the truth.

- The Aftermath: The time of daze, anger, misunderstanding, self reflection about themselves, what matters for them, what is their red line, what can they do in the name of family, love, friendship, camaraderie...

- The Showdown: After the evil from the past found them. Dark, gripping, breathtaking, with schemes and confrontations which put me on the edge of my seat.

CHARACTERS/ ACTORS:
- Baek Hee Sung / Du Hyun So : A kid broken by events in his childhood. To escape the consequences, he built a web of lies but he will be confronted to his past and to himself to admit who he is and become who he wishes to be. Lee Joon Gi amazed me. I saw sides of his acting that I have never seen before. Great portrayal of a man inbetween being a nice lie and becoming the monster they say he is.

- Cha Ji Won : A strong policewoman who discovers the truth about her husband and has to question herself to know where she stands and what to do for the ones important for her. I left Moon Chae Won an aging not attractive not interesting woman in MamaFairyATW. Here she is stunning. beautiful, classy, to portray a stubborn, strong, determined woman shaked emotionally to her core but who will stand strong.

The secondary characters had their share of depth and complexity and their great moments.
- Adoptive parent: Annoying, scheming, despicable, pitiful
- Police team : Competent, incompetent, funny, friendly, understanding, committed, a nice brotherhood
- Kim Moo Jin: Enemy then fun and courageous sidekick
- The Evil from the past: An evil hidden perfectly and slowly unveiled until it unleashes its madness for revenge

MUSIC:
Perfectly adapted to the different situations to create the right mood.

REWATCH VALUE:
Often it is hard to rewatch when the story is known and the suspense is blown up but in this drama there are many excellent scenes to make it worth. From their romantic scenes as teens to the "explanation scenes" or " I will outsmart you" scenes, "my cops my family" scenes... The ones with the evil from the past are just great.

OVERALL: One of the best kdrama this year. In my top 2. Very well made, well written, lots of interesting and complex characters. Many intricate connections. A very human vision of people compared to the notions of good or evil. Totally recommended. 10/10 for being so entertaining, smart and human.

Leia Mais

AWESOME~!

Story: Can I just tell you that this has been the best mystery drama I have ever watched. Honestly, the plot, as far as I know, isn't like anything I've seen before and it's just so exciting to watch. You do die a little bit from all of he tension build up sometimes but that is what is enjoyable since you never really know what to expect.

Acting/Cast: Like, do I even need to say anything about the cast? They are all so talented and complete ~visuals~, I have no complaints. They did such a good job portraying their characters. Truly splendid.

Music: The music was honestly something that really enhanced the drama experience. It went with the occasion and always made the scenes better while keeping it simple and not overbearing the scene.

Re-watch Value: The only reason why I score it with a low re-watch value is because since the whole drama is about a mystery. So once you finish the drama the first time, you already know all the twists and turn the drama takes and you also already know all of the identities of the "bad guys". So, in it's original purpose to build up tension, the drama wouldn't do that anymore since you already know the plot.

Leia Mais

The overly dramatic scenes ruined it!

Thrillers, mystery and crime shows are my kind of thing. I think I have watched so many of this genre that I could always guess whodunit. I am always excited to watch these type of shows. Flower of Evil was quite interesting at first. It had a nice atmosphere and storyline. I was so into it up until the last few episodes. The overly dramatic scenes ruined it for me. It was just unnecessary and felt so contrived. I guess the writers wanted the audience to sympathize with the lead actors so badly. They were trying too hard! I know this is a melodrama but some of the scenes didn't go well with the initial vibe of this show. It didn't flow smoothly with this crime, whodunnit plot. The writing got lazy and it feels like they just threw all this heavy, crying scenes out of nowhere. This could have been one of my favorite asian mystery thriller. If only the writers were just consistent.

Leia Mais

It's rated too high lol

The drama started off on the right foot. The story of a son of a serial killer who's assumed to be like his dad got me hooked at first. It was interesting to see how he was hiding his identity from his wife. The thriller scenes from the beginning to the middle of the drama got me on the edge of my seat! Is our protagonist actually a murderer? What really happened in the past? Who is the accomplice? The cast was phenomenal, truly. I loved the professionalism of the police force. Like heck, I know I'd be in good hands if they're on the case. The little girl's also amazing!

But then I soon got bored of its pace. Don't get me wrong, the couple's chemistry is hella strong, I felt it to tears. It made sense to focus on the fact that someone with antisocial personality disorder feels nothing but his love for his wife. But the back and forth between the main leads' dialogues made me want to skip. The sister was my least favorite character because she barely contributed anything. Her romance with the reporter felt unnecessary.

I also didn't enjoy how it wrapped up at the end. I was very interested in the family and the accomplice more, as it would have been interesting to see his story further explained. There were also so many plot holes to be rated this high. Some things didn't make sense. They also really pulled a common drama trope at the end.

Leia Mais

A mind blowing drama

I have watched hundreds of tv shows and dramas , i can say that i have spent years of my life in front of the small screen and this drama is by far one of the best dramas i have ever watched. At the end of every episode ,you will just have mixed feelings , you will be overwhelmed , satisfied with that perfect acting and scenario , sad and glad... I recommend this drama for every person who is searching for something out of the box , for every drama watcher out there who is tired of those romantic cute cliché and wants depth in what he is seeing... This drama is just for you , It has thriller , action , love , melodrama and more in it.. It is as perfect as it can be and you will enjoy every single second of it...

Leia Mais

Its really hard to write this review cause i dont know how to describe... This Series is like... U eat something U know its delicious but after eating U were not satisfied... Dont get me wrong... I just have some "lost thoughts" of this series
1- On epi 6, when she found out abt his husband, she shows that she believes that he is "GOOD" but how could she torture him by bringing him to that crime scene...
2- Next, she broke up him saying 'I Hate U" & all those "HURT" words then following day she loves him again??? i dont understand how the writer play with the emotion
3- The scene were she was trying to catch him... she rum after him.. she is a "Detective" BUT she dont even have GUN??
4- Also epi 15, she is again DETECTIVE, why dont U answer ur phone.. hahahaha
5- When he lost his memory, legally she is his "Family" why did he not keep his husband in his house to bring back the memory??
AND... I hope they elaborate more on the Psychological Factor like why is his Father a Serial Killer.... till the END i did not understand why he kills people... or was it really him killing?? The Accomplish Killer, also i hope they did show more on why he turn out to be a killer when he has everything, thou i understand that it was that Serial Killer makes him like that but WHY?? whats behind him that he become a killer??
KUDOS to the Actors they were so good specially the Real Baek Hee Sung... goosh he is sooo damn bad but hot....

Leia Mais

BREATH TAKING drama

If there are more than 10 stars, I will rate it 100+. This is the best drama I have encounter in my life. It taught me how loyal true love is, and taught me many mystery surprise things. Ever since episodes 1 & 2 were released, this drama kept me wondering more and it became more interesting as new episodes release. I'm beginning to be addicted. Their chemistry is so intense, the storyline and plot are amazing! The male lead acting is out of the world, he became my favorite actor. the female lead acting feels so real, her voice is so gentle. ? I would watch it 10x over and over again if they don't have season 2. Such a fascinating drama like this, It a waste if its only 16 episodes. But please give us a surprise and a happy ending! our Hyun soo deserve a happy ending after all he has been through. I will wait if there are 100 episodes. I am breathless every episode. This drama deserves more attention. I am sad to see this drama is not on Netflix but it's their loss. Thanks for releasing this AMAZING drama. They deserve an award. Fighting, flower team!!??
♡

Leia Mais

One of the best execution of romance thriller genres, and hidden identity trope

I love this drama for all its' twists and turns, the creepiness, darkness, action and many thrilling / anxious moments, each episode adds momentum to the plot, which constantly evolving and stays unpredictable all throughout the end. The characters are smart, three-dimensional and contribute meaningfully to the story. I like the set up of the leads being a sexy married couple, it sets up the high stake immediately.

All cast are brilliant, but I really enjoy Lee Joon Gi's character, even when I was not sure exactly what his true intentions are, I find him incredibly emotional and caring, and I'm fully rooting for him. Moon Chae Won's character is very well-written, feminine and capable at the same time. Despite of what happened, she stays true to her character, I pro all her decisions with all of her flaws.

Truly one of the most beautifully acted, intense dramas. It sat with me for a few weeks after I finished, to this day I still rewatch it and fully felt the addiction to watch one more episode. This is one of the firsts kdramas I watched, and now... among around 250 dramas later, I still haven't found any drama which combine romance and thriller genres as well as this one. It is one of my very favorites, so memorable!

-July 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

Leia Mais