Flor do Mal (2020)

Crime mystery with the usual suspects

Short review this time.

~Strengths~
This drama is OK, in terms of plot, characters and acting, everything falls in line, however do not expect anything to see something you have not seen before. The best part of this drama is Lee Joon Gi, damn his acting can make anything boring look interesting, and he made this somewhat ok plot feel more interesting than expected. He does well with psychopathic-ish roles, and emotes so well with his eyes. The love for their family and commitment to each other is warming.

~Neutral~
The plot was ok - not very logical jumps, but there are times where things seem farfetched. Other actor's acting, and directing, structure was not bad.

~Weaknesses~
The plot was ok but also a bit weird. Baek Hee Sung's family situation was odd but you went with it, yet question "so, ok why would they do this?" Again the plot was ok and I would have dropped this if it wasnt for Lee Joon Gi.

TLDR: Good drama to watch for chilling out at home but not if you want something more.

Leia Mais

WOWOWOWOWOW

The headline above is all I can think of when I think of this drama. I finished this in a record two days, and each episode just kept me wanting to know what happened next. Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won both did a magnificent job in their roles, especially the former. I'd never seen any dramas with Lee Joon Gi prior, but boy, it'll be hard to watch anything else with him in it since he was sooooooo good in this role (but also, of course, it makes me want to watch his other works as well).

This whole drama took me on a huge emotional and psychological roller coaster. It had me feeling angry, sad, happy ... you name it, I probably felt it during the drama. Without giving anything away, this is just one of those dramas in which you never know what's happening next or what anyone is thinking. As I went to bed last night, the drama scenes were still reeling in my mind.

The other standout cast member in my mind is Jung Seo Yeon who plays the main couple's young daughter. She was so adorable and did such a great job in her role as well. I can't wait to see how her career progresses.

Anyway, WATCH THIS DRAMA. You won't regret it (well, the dark circles under your eyes or puffiness from crying might make you regret...jk)!!! Oh, but do note that because of the dark nature of the drama, there are scenes that can be somewhat gruesome or triggering, but the drama does such a good job of portraying everything nonetheless.

Leia Mais

Something big has to happen if I get excited about a crime drama of any kind. That is not the type of shows that I gravitate towards. On the other hand I do find it hard to resist Lee Jun Ki and Moon Chae Won being together on screen. Those two were just excellent in these roles and just hook you in right away.

The story is dramatic and a bit of a tragedy at times (it's a melodrama after tell) and sometimes that does tire me out and after a while I tune out a a show like that towards the end and there are certain clichés like memory loss and evil rich parents and so on within the story that would a lot of times make me sigh. But Flower of Evil did somewhat manage to use those types of things to their advantage or do something interested with it that I didn't initially groan whenever those type of things happened.

The only real criticism I could sort of think of was that their child was almost just used as a plot device at times and if not the is conveniently with her grandma so her parents can run around doing whatever they need to do at night.

The story is very well layered and I could not predict non of the actions of the characters or what was going to happen for most of the story. Especially Baek Hee Sung, and Lee Jun Ki is really pulling one of his best performances here. I could not agree with every decision he did (he is a bit of a noble idiot at times) I could always understand where he was coming from and could see his reasons behind everything that he did. He, just like every other character, was just very well realized and well crafted. Non of the things that happened just felt like they were being done to drag the story.

The way the story talked about and explored his trauma and how it effected him as a child and as an adult and just his whole personal journey was really well done. They never really brushed over anything, they never slowed down or dumb down anything or any action that any of the characters did. The drama always felt very smart and well thought out.

The story was filled with suspense and mystery so you never really could tell where it was going. There were so many times I thought the drama was running out of story and it would start dragging it's feet a bit. But no, it just threw another cliff-hanger at you.

The romance worked surprisingly well within the story. I thought it might feel out of place or clash with the more thriller side of the story. But it and just the characters quest to feel love and belong somewhere and the tenderness of it all really was the heart of that story.

The story is dramatic, and emotional and packs a punch in all the right ways. It's not going to be for everyone and some kdramas definitely go over the top with it. But Flower of Evil does not feel like one of those dramas despite how dramatic it can be. Because it's used to well, it's never predictable, it fits with the story the drama is telling and it feels so earned.

I got a lot of enjoyment and emotions out of watching the show. Much more than I ever thought that I would. I had my worries about it being very predictable and just a bit boring but just like I could never really predict where the story was going to take me I could not predict how much I ended up liking this show. I was at the edge of my seat pretty much the whole time.

Leia Mais

Wow.

Wow. I was so into the whole story and it was all so believable. Such a great story that really makes you feel engaged. I was crying a lot, im usually not into these love scenes in dramas but in this one it all felt so real. When they were crying I was crying haha. I usually know a drama is good when i start biting my nails a lot, I might be crazy tho. Never got bored and I would 100% recommened watching. I rarely give a 10 however this is a real masterpiece. Now when I listen to the OST i want to cryyyy ;-; I can be quite picky about my dramas however this one is worth it.

Leia Mais

This is a drama with a amazing characters and a well paced plot.
At first, I was a little apprehensive about the tone and the direction it was going in: the relationship seemed a little too perfect and superficial, Cha Ji Won and her police team weren't very convincing, and well I was really scared that it would have a sad ending (I hate sad endings). Fortunately with the power of Lee JoonGi I soldiered on and actually as soon as I started episode 3 I was hooked.

I loved the pacing of the reveal that Hyun Soo wasn't actually a bad guy. It was gradual enough that it kept you hooked and I think it was really effective that there wasn't necessarily one big point where the reveal happened. LJG's acting was amazing as well. I loved how he searched Ji Won's face and studied it to make sure of the emotions that she was feeling and little details like that. His delivery of Hyun Soo was exceptional.

At first I also wasn't very convinced of Moon ChaeWon's acting. It just felt like she was to bright, too naïve, and there didn't seem to be much depth to her acting. It was only after she found out about Hyun Soo's identity and didn't tell him that I was convinced. In fact she went on to deliver really powerful acting moments: I got goose bumps when she found him near the swimming pool and several other scenes.

I also really enjoyed the other characters too. I felt here was ta real sense of community within the police team. The writer really did a great job of making sure that each character had individuality and wasn't there simply as a plot device.

Kim Ji Hoon (phewwwww). They should have picked someone ugly to play his character because I spent way too long finding a psychopath attractive. Objectively, he also did an amazing job of portraying his character. I saw on his IG that he had several references for his portrayal and I could really tell that he put a lot of effort into portraying Baek Hee Sung correctly. Fully convincing!

There were slight issues I had throughout the drama though. First of all, it didn't feel like to me that Hyun Soo would be someone who sobbed, and constantly after a point too. I also felt some scenes were just so cheesy.
I almost wasn't convinced by the amnesia trope BUT I think it was important to see that even Hyun Soo wouldn't trust that he was being sincere to someone and it felt like they were able to reset their relationship so that they could start from a place of honesty and love. However, I'm sure they could have come up with a more convincing and organic was to show this.

Also think they sort of brushed his hallucinations under the rug when in real life such things are serious. To be honest he should be seeing a therapist bc of PTSD but alas, kdramas.

Overall, it was a great, compelling drama. Super recommend!

Leia Mais

Really lives up to the hype

I'm not a fan of thriller action dramas, so I was skeptical to watch it or not.
I dare say seeing a really high rating on MDL acted like an incentive for me to watch it, and I must say I'm glad I did.
Love Lee joon Gi and Moon chae won. Both are like the stars in the Kdrama world. Their acting was flawless, and so was this drama.

Story:
Technically, it's full of loopholes. But everything happens for a reason and the interpretations are vast. It's one of those dramas where every problem was resolved ( except for a few minor occurrences).
The writers did a marvelous job keeping everything on track.

Acting:
Flawless, with the least amount of cringe. Even the second lead's story was fully covered. It's not one of those dramas where you get angry over silly, absurd, and nonsense characters. Everyone is there for a reason.

Romance/relationships:
As someone who adores romance In kdramas, even though this drama's focus was elsewhere, the romance was depicted so purely and genuinely that deserves thorough applause ( thanks to the acting and story). You will love the leads, albeit their background story is hurtful.

Soundtrack:
It fits perfectly. The background music pieces composed are delicately embedded to match the stories.

Overall, an incredible choice to watch, even if you're not an Action/Thriller fan. You won't be disappointed.

Leia Mais

GO WATCH IT NOW

I wasn't expecting much out of this drama since I don't really like the mystery genre but dang this drama literally and figuratively swept me off my feet! It had me on my toes the whole time. My favorite parts were definitely the short flashbacks at the start of each episode!

Reasons why I liked Flower of Evil so much:
- The characters/acting: All the characters felt so real and well thought out and of course none of them were perfect. They were really well played and brought out by the actors.
- The story: It was really interesting despite my non-interest in mystery! Since our FL is a detective, the drama managed to pull the story along with just enough of mystery, romance, and family.
- The chemistry between Hyun Soo and Ji Won: No further explanation needed except IT WAS GREAT. Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won had great chemistry and their characters had a beautiful love story!
- The OST: Again, the music was amazing. It added all the right moods and emotions for each scene and made it more heart aching or happy.

I hope you guys give this drama a try and I hope it gets more recognition and love that it deserves!

Very good drama, highly recommend!

Leia Mais

A perfect show for the unperfect character

I’ve watch a few crime dramas but I rarely finish them or enjoy them ! Story :
FOE is different , each episode draws you more into the story and never makes you bored ! It’s really intense so I would recommend not bingeing it but watched it over a few days ! I really thought I predicted the villain but they managed to surprise me !
Acting : I’m speechless! Like how can the leads be this perfect ! I love the ML shows so I watched the show because of him and he was beyond amazing but I am now a fan of the FL , she had some amazing scenes and she was perfect !

Leia Mais

Mature Romance, Gripping Thriller

The writer is probably the biggest star of this production. Her storyline was carefully planned. The script was excellent (albeit some small loopholes but not so glaring that it disturbed the flow of the drama). The mystery was not dragging. The romance was just as solid from start to finish. The cliffhangers and plot twists were well placed. The director and editor were good too. There was good balance between the romance and suspense/thriller scenes. It flowed almost seamlessly. The cinematography and locations were not spectacular like other dramas but I liked their colour palettes when they do the romance scenes and then the thriller scenes. As for the acting, I am happy to say this drama was an acting master class. From the child actors, to the main cast, supporting cast to the antagonists. No acting flaw anywhere. The chemistry between MCW and LJK was great. They compliment each other well both in acting and visuals.

So if you would like a quality mature melo-romance that grips your heart and a thriller that engages your brain. This is the drama for you. Highly Recommended!!

Leia Mais

Perhaps the most gripping and unforgettable drama for 2020!!!

This melo/crime drama is mind-blowing – it’s real, gritty, suspenseful and has sizzling chemistry between the main leads. It’s, for me, the best Lee Joon-Gi drama to date, which is saying a lot especially when this dashing actor has been delivering consistently good performance all this while. In fact, The Flower of Evil comes the closest to another K-drama that i often re-watch: The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018). Both these dramas convey well the meaning of love and acceptance that emerge from pain and the feelings of inadequacy, abandonment and rejection. It also reminds me of William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies, in its exploration of the human psyche when bad deeds are committed, intentionally or otherwise. A must must must must must watch, people!!! You won't regret it, and don't worry, the ending's good!!!

Leia Mais

The Best Drama of 2020

Tons of spoilers ahead!

In short: absolutely fantastic.

MCW and LJG knock it out of the park with their acting. LJG especially–the scenes in which he breaks down and bawls his soul out, especially contrasted against his normally stoic and unruffled character, is brilliant and hits you right in the heart.

In terms of character, Hyun Soo and Ji Won are nearly perfect. They're an absolute power couple. Ji Won is smart and a capable detective, with seemingly unending love for her husband, and the trust she has in him is admirable. Hyun Soo is so painfully misunderstood. When I watched the first few episodes, I was truly confused about how they would make Hyun Soo a likable character (especially after he'd kidnapped the reporter), and the writer went above and beyond. They transform Hyun Soo from a frankly intimidating, cold manipulator into someone who's been manipulated his entire life, by his father, his neighbors, his fake parents, the entire country, to the point where he doesn't even know who he is anymore. His emotionlessness makes him a tool to everybody else's desires, destined to mold himself to satisfy others; in reality, it's a trait hammered into him over a lifetime, and it's heartbreaking to see him discover love and pain and sadness for the first time, and then latch on to them so tightly (to the point where the thought of losing Ji Won tears him apart and nearly pushes him to the brink). He's really internalized what everyone tells him, like how he gradually starts to imagine seeing his dead father because the villagers all think he's possessed, and isn't that feeling, that you care so much you believe what others say of you?

And then it's doubly heartbreaking that, after all of their emotional growth and the challenges they've had to overcome, Hyun Soo sacrifices himself to save Ji Won and loses his memories in the process. At first, I was frustrated–another amnesia plot? But it gradually made more sense as the episode ran: Hyun Soo has never lived for himself, /truly/ himself, before. And Ji Won has never had the chance to see Hyun Soo for who he really is and make her own choice. The memory loss gives them both a chance for a new start, and it's heartbreakingly sweet that they choose to take that chance with each other, together. They have to restart from day one, without 15 years of a life together, but the pieces are there in shared moments and memories. For all of Hyun Soo's lying and manipulation, he was lying to himself too, that he felt nothing when in truth it was always Ji Won for him.

The reporter is great too, an unexpected source of levity in an otherwise serious melodrama. And I was particularly surprised and impressed at the last speech he gave to Hee Sung's parents about being complicit in evil acts (I honestly thought he was gonna get killed lmao). Ji Won's police squad are all awesome: I came to love all of them (even the annoyingly nosy one), and I'm so glad there was not one bad, two-faced one among them. Hae Soo served her purpose and I'm glad she ended up where she did, but ultimately she was the one character I wasn't fully sold on. She just wasn't as compelling as everyone else.

Of everything, the one thing that frustrated me was the lack of communication, especially on Hyun Soo's part (and partly Hae Soo as well). He always had to do everything on his own without telling people about his plans, which often led to dangerous situations or misunderstandings, especially between him and Ji Won. It's understandable that he's been taught to trust himself and has deeply internalized it, and makes it even more of a significant achievement when he reaches out to Ji Won for help. But other times, even after they've established trust, he still goes behind her back, and the viewer in me wants to reach across the screen, give him a slap, and tell him to just share with his damn wife already!

The story really just kept chugging to the last episode, where it slowed down (but the last episode was still great in terms of wringing some really emotional scenes out of the main pair). I was so scared of reading spoilers because I legit had no idea where the story was going to go. The accomplice had me constantly guessing in the first half (even when he was finally revealed, I was still suspicious of other people lol). And then the accomplice turned out to be a master planner and DHS + CJW kinda let me down in their planning abilities but we just accept it lol.

Cinematography is bomb. The OST is BOMB. I've been playing Feel You by Shin Yong Jae on repeat for days. IT'S SO GOOD.

Overall, definitely one of the best dramas of 2020. Would I go through the wringer and rewatch it again? Idk, it's just such an emotionally taxing drama (in the best way possible). But if I ever need a tearjerker, I'll definitely rewatch the scenes when LJG and MCW bawl their hearts out.

A few remaining questions:
1. Hyun Soo said he didn't remember any of his life from before he was 10 years old. I wish they explained this more.
2. Ji Won did find a bloody zip tie in the basement when she first got suspicious, but it seems to have been just glossed over. Why didn't this prompt more suspicion / questions?
3. What happened to Jeong Mi Sook (the last victim) + her husband?

Leia Mais