Desqualificação Humana (2021)

Breathtakingly beautiful

This drama was just perfect, I rarely write reviews
but I highly recommend this to everyone...
starting from the story line, to the characters performance, the music, the script and their monologues.. everything about this drama was on point.

This drama teaches you more than you know, it gets through you and takes you to brighter places slowly and beautifully,
if you are going through hard times, if your down, this starts its journey with you and ends up giving you hope in an inexplicable way, its more than just two people meeting each other, its understanding of the whole image and the characters, its not something to expect as overly dramatic and misunderstandings but pure mature people and conversations that you would love. At least personally that what it was for me !!
Its been a really long time since I felt this emotionally invested in a drama, I was absorbed, immersed and fully engrossed by the whole set.

Leia Mais

Left me lost and wanting more

This is one of those dramas that lives up to it´s name delivering the feeling of loss to the fullest, showing a beautiful completion of loss without overcomplicating or overthinking things. A true feel lost, feel sad, feel real... Without hope and unnecessary positiveness.

The drama started of a bit weak, but wheeled me in and actually did manage to touch every part of your soul with it´s imperfections, portrayals of depression, loss and relationships.

It also had me wanting to strangle the mother in law over, and over again letting me feel the aggravation as a contrast to the rest of the characters who where mostly lovable, complex, interesting , no one was perfect, no one was pure good, all made mistakes. though I may not always agree with the characters dissuasions I could clearly understand what lead them to make the choices they made. I honestly fell in love with the way this drama portrayed all these different perspectives with stories that need to be told. Ironically enough this drama feels honest in a way though it portrays a whole web of lies and secrets that have been kept for a very long time.

I can not stress enough the slightly subtle but realistic and important portrayals of domestic abuse, depression, power abuse, power relations, poverty, and all round issues that effect women, elderly and the less wealthy in modern society.

Though the mother in law brought out my violent side the way she talked about her daughter in law was extremely spot on, full of prejudice and blaming her for her situation.

The way the father portrays hid deteriorating health, while trying to stay strong is just heart wrenching. I loved the conversations he had with his daughter as well as seeing him interact with the people around him.

The husbands first love almost double life, was also really well done, sometimes I hated her some times I loved her but most importantly I could relate to her and really appreciated the way she showed the perspective of a loved one slowly watching someone disappear, saying something like: To others it may seem like he is just lying there, but there are days when he smiles more,he gets sad when something bad happens in the ward... '

I also got a full blown crush on Ryu Joon Yeols character, the way he handled the situations around him, I loved all the bits where we got to hear his voice telling us his inner thoughts and then seeing what is shown to the outside. This guy was very subtle and good at reading the room and though he was not the typical male lead. He does have a charm it was hard not to fall for him, and that beautiful smile.

There is also something special about the way this drama portrays intimacy, with extreme attention to detail.Somehow even simple situations could get really intense and had my heart race...

So to sum it up this is may not be a feel good drama, but it is beautiful, intense and is sure to make you feel things...

Leia Mais

Tedious, Ponderous, Pretentious

There is no message here. Just vapid, bumper-sticker platitudes posing as poetic depth. For instance, a character says, "Youth is as lonesome as growing old," and yet neither he nor the show gives any explanation or insight as to why this should be true (in fact, it's flat-out untrue, because more elderly statistically live in isolation). The show's full of these bumper-sticker platitudes. But that's when someone in the show is actually speaking, rather than staring into space in utter silence.

The director seems to think that a character silently staring while another character is speaking to them, is tantamount to depth and meaningfulness. Indeed, a good 6 hours of this 16 hour show could have been cut simply by deleting all scenes of characters silently staring into space . Characters ask another character a question, and the other simply does not reply but, rather, stares silently. If someone failed to reply to my questions as often as the characters in this show do, I'd slap them.

When it's not utter silence it's only because, in lieu of dialogue, we're given long, circular internal monologues about how sad and confusing life is. Each of the characters gets to give one of these rambling interior monologues, and since they are all given in a low, lethargic tone of voice the viewer is supposed to assume that something deep and meaningful has just been stated. It hasn't. It's just a lot of mumbling about how life is bleak, empty and miserable. Why yes, it can be. Especially if strapped to a chair and forced to watch this freaking show for 16 hours. I only finished it because I wanted to know the answer to what was presented as a mysterious connection between characters who'd all met in a Suicide Club, only to find that the answer was as boring as the show itself.

As for the aforementioned Suicide Club, the show presents clinical depression as romantic. Let's just call it the "Sylvia Plath Complex," wherein legions of teenage girls have misguidedly romanticized this poet's suicide for decades. Worse, the show presents a 40 year old, unattractive woman's misery as the sole reason that a 27 year old, gorgeous-as-a-model man falls in love with her (it doesn't help that the real life actress is actually 50, and visibly twice her love interest's age). But age is not the issue, as lots of middle-aged women can be gorgeous and charismatic. The issue is that this particular woman is neither.

To the contrary, she has a pinched up, unpleasant demeanor. She is not depicted for one second doing anything generous, grateful, endearing, interesting, or realistic. Nay, she's so unrealistic as to sign a contract to ghostwrite a celebrity's book, but then stalks the celebrity demanding credit once the book becomes a bestseller (she clearly did not read her contract, because being a ghostwriter means, ipso facto, you get no credit). She is not only delusional, but so catatonically depressed as to warrant hospitalization. Yet according to the show's narrative logic, it's her very misery that attracts the hot, model 27 year old guy.

Sorry Mr. Director and Mr. Screenwriter, but I'd always thought only overdramatic teenage girls thought a display of misery was so poetic as to attract the attention of hot guys. Frankly, I was surprised an adult male directed this. Then again, it began to make sense when I discovered he'd never done a drama series before and that, moreover, his background is in arthouse cinema. In short, the director's background is in pretentious, artsy films and now, with this, he's been given 16 hours, instead of the traditional 2 hour film time, to bore the hell out of his audience. There's a reason this show's Korean ratings dropped to a mere 2% by episode 16.

If you want a K-drama with true depth, and genuine insight on what it means to be human, try the splendid series, "My Mister."

Leia Mais

Melancholy & moody

On May 6, 1937, the airship Hindenburg was incinerated in just under forty seconds.

Approximately twenty-five years later, a coal seam in a mine under Centralia, West Virginia, caught fire and is still burning. According to one report, it may continue to burn for another two hundred years or more.

These are handy references for a burn rate spectrum. As for the drama “Lost”, on the Hindenburg-Centralia Burn Rate Scale, it falls on the Centralia side. Way, way, WAY over on the Centralia side.

“Lost” is far less about plot than it is about mood. Some things happen. Not as quickly as the viewer might expect them to happen. Sometimes events appear imminent only to recede back to mere possibilities for a long stretch. As for mood, it’s not jovial. Somber? Yes. Melancholy? Definitely. Depressed? That’s where it gets complicated.

Jeon De Yeon’s Boo Jung and Ryu Joon Yeol’s Kang Jae are both emotionally distraught, distant from almost everyone they know and both with only one healthy relationship. Boo Jung with her father, Park In Hwan in a sharp portrayal of an elderly man in decline, and Kang Jae with his friend Sun Joo played by Yoo Soo Bin. Their careers are not what they imagined them to be. Boo Jung’s relationship with her husband is so distant it barely qualifies as a relationship. Kang Jae has lived his life measuring relationships by how much money he gets from it and, despite his natural attributes, has found such a life wanting for meaning.

Chance encounters lead to more meaningful exchanges and openness. As characters seeking human connection, these encounters become more by design and less by chance. Whether it will lead to an escape from loneliness and loss, well, that’s the journey they’re on.

There’s some deft editing as the show alternates smoothly between dialogue and narration. And the dialogue is quite good. The acting as a whole is very strong. Jeon De Yeon is convincing as a naturally quiet but talented writer with an inner fire. Ryu Joon Yeol is aloof and clever and charismatic. There is not a weakness in the supporting cast either. Of particular note, Yoo Soo Bin is a delightfully introverted and naive part-timer at an internet cafe. Son Na Eun is incendiary as a failed idol trainee who sometimes hustles with Kang Jae and has Sun Joo in her sights. Whether she is legitimately interested in him or sees him as a useful mark, her performance is sublimely ambiguous.

“Lost” is, however, a serious test of patience. There’s some long and some really long stretches of very little happening. One subplot involves a celebrity with a long history of abuse so vicious and dangerous that it could not credibly be kept secret. As the backstory is filled in and the arc progresses in the present time, the show doesn’t always telegraph how time is flowing. It’s a minor flaw for most shows, but in “Lost’ where so much is invested in creating this extraordinarily slow build of tension, it’s problematic.

For viewers looking for character study, none of the usual rom-com devices and lots of existential musings, “Lost” is the show. For those looking for comedy or spy thrillers, keep swiping.

Leia Mais

one of a kind

I think there are some things that could be done better in this drama but overall, i am satisfied with my watch. I initially started watching this because i just finished reply 1988 and couldnt let go of jung hwan. I searched through the works of ryu jun yeol and found this drama. I was a little worried about the chemistry of the main leads because of their age gap but still chose to watch nevertheless. I have to admit the the first two episodes were boring. it was very slow paced so i needed something to do in the background. i think what led to my boredom was i didnt understand or relate to the main characters feelings. i guess im still too young; i couldnt understand her complex thoughts. in the first two episodes, you can see the female character struggling through mental pain and thoughts of suicide, i guess it was slowly paced to bring in the feeling of loss and emptiness to the audience, it seems reasonable now that i think of it. i am so glad i didnt drop this drama because i later found myself unable to stop watching the next episode. the encounters that pull the main characters together is so unique. they are practically strangers but when things feel low, talking to a stranger just hits different. i am happy that the feelings of the main characters developmented slowly and steadily and two broken people were able to find each other and slowly heal together :)

Leia Mais

Amazing acting, Sizzling chemistry, Raw and Real struggles of ordinary folks

Completed - 8/14/2022

“Lost” is an underrated mature melodrama that could hit all the right notes for an older/mature audience who have already encountered life’s challenges. That is not to say that the younger audience will not enjoy this. I mainly want to watch this for a more mature romance and to see Ryu Joon Yeol again after "Reply 1988" (I was rooting for him!!!)

A few quick notes about this drama:
1. This is not a fluffy and sweet romance - not a whole lot of PDA either.
2. A slice-of-life melodrama about life’s challenges and setbacks.
3. Triggers: best check the tags (I don’t want to list them because it might be spoilery for some).
4. Slow burn (sizzling) romance but technically not the main focus of the drama
5. Could be depressing with few comedic moments
6. Has meaningful, quiet dialogs

Plot - The story of our two main leads who realize they have achieved nothing in life or worry they will not achieve anything and continue to stay in a rut. It tells of the life of the common folks - no fancy clothes, no fancy make-up, no fancy jobs or fancy cars. I really like that the focus is on those who work ordinary jobs. Each of the characters could be your next door neighbor. This makes their stories and struggles more realistic in a way. The drama also explores the different types of relationships - spouses, friends, neighbors, son/mother, daughter/father, in-laws, former lovers/spouses, neighbors and colleagues. “Lost” has the most beautiful story of Lee Boo Jung (FL) and her father. Her father is so lovely and understanding. A man of few words but witty and believes in her daughter. On the other end of the spectrum, the son/mother relationship is very different and provides quite a big contrast to the daughter/father relationship. Gosh.. I couldn’t stand the mom even though I know where she’s coming from. I am just glad she sort of redeems herself in the end.

Pacing - As a slice-of-life melodrama, the pacing is expectedly slower. The first episode did not immediately hook me in. The setup takes its time and viewers should be patient, give it a couple episodes to let the stories slowly unfold. By episode 5, I was fully invested in everyone’s story. Aside from the initial episodes, I found the drama to be well-paced even for someone like me who usually likes fast-paced drama and can be picky with slice-of-life’s pacing. However, there are a few times I was confused about the timeline of the drama. Sometimes, it takes a few episodes to cover what happened in one single day. Other times, a few months have passed.

Romance - Chemistry is off the charts! I am typically not a fan of noona romance, and I didn’t find the age gap to be very noticeable. Our male lead, Lee Kang Jae (played by the sexy Ry Joon Yeol) is an old soul and very mature for a 27-year old. When playing against our 40-year old female lead, Lee Boo Jung (played by the amazing Jeon Do Yeon), they have great slow burn chemistry. They actually don’t have that many scenes together, but when they are both on the screen, you can feel the intense tension especially when they are just looking at each other. They share deep and honest conversations and seem to have found someone who truly understands them. There isn’t a lot of skinship in this drama. But to me, the sexiest scene is when they were lying in the tent, and ML slowly pulled FL closer. You can feel the sexual, sensual and romantic tension. *sizzling* On the other hand, the rekindled first love between Jin Jung Soo (FL’s husband) and Lee Kyung Eun (former lover) gives off a very different vibe. Their chemistry might not be as strong, but the relationship is just as complicated. Their personalities are so different that they play off each other well, and you see a side of Jin Jung Soo that you don’t see when he’s with his wife. There are two more side couples but their stories are not as compelling. They do offer a different taste and stage of a relationship. All four couples are very different and if you are a romance lover, it provides you with some variety.

Acting - No complaint here. Top notch acting all around. There are a lot of subtle facial expressions or acting through the eyes. The quiet moments and dialogs are not drowned by music. Viewers need to pay attention to each subtle facial movement or gaze, as it can convey a lot without words.

Ending - I am satisfied with the ending and really glad to see an open and honest conversation between the husband (Jin Jung Soo) and wife (Lee Boo Jung). I have a hard time picturing them falling in love and getting married in the first place. Throughout the drama, they acted like roommates that don’t see each other often, instead of a married couple. The last conversation is what they really need. On the other hand, I wish Lee Boo Jung had a similar conversation with Lee Kang Jae. I felt that Kang Jae got the short end of the stick. They are ‘friends’ now and not talking to him seems wrong, especially when Lee Boo Jung has always been very honest with him. There is a difference between loving someone, and being in love with someone.

A minor criticism that I can’t fit in any category. There are many monologues in this drama. I enjoy them for the most part since we get different points of view. However, as a subtitle reader, it’s very difficult to read the monologue subtitle + the dialog subtitle + subtitles of certain text on, all at the same time. Maybe it’s just me *shrug* Of course, the drama is produced for Koreans, and they would have no trouble listening to the monologues while reading the text.

Other random observations:
1. I worry about FL’s father throughout the whole drama.
2. Lee Kang Jae plays with his long hair way too much (LOL). I actually find him sexier in his shorter retro hairstyle.
3. No one ever picks up their cell phone in this drama.
4. The last scene is open for interpretation and I would like to think that they live happily ever after because fate brought them together again.
5. As much as I like the song "Hallelujah", I don't want to listen to it again. It's a little overplayed.
6. Who is Ryoo Ji Hoon (who played Seo Jong Hoon)? I think he's the sexiest guy in this drama. LOL

Leia Mais

Stunning masterpiece (not eng speaker so excuses if there's mistakes i-i)

Let me express my feelings .... Okay ... Calmly burnt alot of emotions the craving .... I loved it alot the drama , I won't lie that I started first ep a while ago but didnt continue it , then after a while I returned coz I fell in love with ryul so watching all his works , and ofc he didn't disappointe , his acting is 100000/10 I loved it really , how the feelings was delivered , I loved all the way till it burnt , how it bult up the acting the chances the situations that all led calmly to the burn point I loved it all ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I really when I reached ep 15 and saw only one ep left for me I hoped it'll be so long ep I wanted the drama to get longer and even hoped for 2nd season , I know my hopes won't get true but just saying that how much I loved and enjoyed watching it , tbh it burnt my nerves everytime there was a rapprochement then it fades , the roof the wedding the hotel the camp and many .... I liked how it gives that calm craving feeling that what I liked the most , and ofc rjy killed me everytime he's on screen like he's a definition of handsomeness by just him being there jjj-jjj ,,, I wanna talk more but forget what to say i-i I'll add it later ,, ah also the osts so lovable going with the drama air ,...

Leia Mais

But is it really love?

I have mixed feelings about this story. Mind you, I can't stomach anything that gives off a depressing vibe. But strangely, this drama attracted my attention. This story has depth and mostly targets the 30+ age group. I can't comprehend the message the story is trying to give. There are two people of different age groups. One in his twenties and one in her forties. Both are at their rock bottom struggling to survive both mentally and physically. They meet each other and find comfort in each other's company. They eventually fall in love.

But is it really love?

Then there is the woman in her forties and her husband. The husband is in love with his first love ( who he meets with from time to time) and there is the wife who is in love with a random young man. But they refuse to take the next step. To them, their matrimonial relationship is an anchor of some sort. Although they have fallen out of love long ago, they still continue to live together, eat together spend their life together. like this, they continue to suffer together. They are more like friends than lovers.

Is that kind of life worth it?

Both are not bold enough to take the next step. Scared to go beyond their comfort zone.

Is this how it should be?

Leia Mais

If you start watching Lost just for eye candy Ryu Joon Yeol, buckle up! you´re in for a ride!!!!

Possibly one of the most compelling and wonderful shows in Kdrama land. It is truly fantastic! It exceeded my expectations. Very rarely do I find character driven series interesting from beginning to end. The intimate camera work reminded me of twisted Japanese series in sensibility, but LOST surpassed them by far. Japanese series have perhaps the most original premises in asian dramas and wonderful close up shots, however they usually fall apart midway and we´re left with a bad taste in our mouths. In LOST we get to go through an intimate and unsettling journey that resonates with the viewer from the start to the last scene. The writing, the directing and the acting of all actresses and actors are simply superb.

All characters were perfectly casted and totally believable in their roles. And once again RYU JOON YEOL will steal your heart!!!

Leia Mais

It is hurting... can't find the healing for this deep pain

When you can't find the right person to understand your pain but comes suddenly by coincidence.
This show extremely take the watcher deeply in the leads world of sorrow and agony. They make the watcher feel really that they feel empty inside and does not achieve anything in their life, not satisfying with their current situations.
I think the relationship between leads is original and unique. They have met a the time where they need someone who understand them and stands beside them in their hardships and come to heal each others
The story path and with watching one episode after the other gives for the watcher the feeling of curiosity to know if the leads will find the path of happiness and if they live a decent life and feel their human being sense.
The story has some sides of mystery and take the watcher to their world with professionalism acting and performance.
This kind of story has not been similar to any other drama, I think it deserves to continue watching till the end.

Leia Mais

Why do I no longer feel human? Do I deserve to feel this way?

This show has left a tear in my heart. Everything was so beautifully written. What does it mean to be human? Are we allowed to feel sadness, rage, or happiness? What gives us the right to do so?

Each character had their own sense of loneliness. Some characters went on with life living with that loneliness, while others fell into the darkness. Some characters chose death, some chose to ignore it, and others chose to face it and slowly learn. What does death mean? What does life mean? "Life without an illusion is not living." Waking up from a dream is what makes your reality.

This drama had some of the best most complex yet simple dialogue I've ever seen. The amount of care, thought, and wisdom in this series was amazing. If you want to gain a new perspective on life, then please watch this beautiful story unfold.

The relationship between the leads was so deep. It wasn't a romance, a friendship, or set of strangers, it was a bit of everything. They were connected by emotional intimacy and words, by souls. Being without each other made them less lonely. It was like they were lonely together, all alone, but alone together. Truly beautiful is every meaning of the word.

The father was also such a beautiful character with so much meaning. He brought some much love to the characters.

All I know is that this drama will stick with me for a really long time. I feel like it has created a scar on my heart; one that's sad but beautiful. In a few years, once I've reached a different point in my life, I'd like to come back and watch this with a new perspective. Maybe I'll view the drama a different way and learn something new.

Leia Mais