A-M-A-Z-I-N-G is an understatement, the show hit me in all the right spots. I loved the teasers, preview, poster and casting so my expectations for the show went high and the show didn't come close to disappointing me, it was absolutely brilliant, the kind of drama that feels too good to be true. (and I like that feeling hehe) *ps this is coming from someone that has NEVER seen the japan version's movie nor tv series, have never read the comic and has never heard of the story prior to this so it's a brand new story and experience for me*
THE CHARACTERS
Kim So Eun as Nam Da Jung
Da Jung leads the "Cinderella" kind of life, her father left home after owing many people money so she works really hard to attempt to repay his debts. She is nice, friendly, innocent and kind (candy type of girl), I'm sure everyone at one point or another will get annoyed by her extreme kindness and her innocence (also how much she trust people), I got annoyed by her in the beginning because her kindness and innocence turns into stupidity. BUT towards the end and at the end we realize that it's her kindness, innocence and her ability to trust others that makes her special and that it gives her a advantage above everyone else no matter how smart they are, she also manage to melt the hearts of others (no spoilers), and i'm sure viewers will agree with me that they are glad Da Jung remains as Da Jung in the end.
Kim So Eun did a fabulous job as Da Jung, she made Da Jung extra likable despite her sometimes annoying stupidity and she made Da Jung so memorable that i'm sure Da Jung will remain as one of the most beloved drama character I've ever seen. (as much as dramas always show that you have to be smart to survive in this scary world, Da Jung shows that being innocent, nice and caring may not lose too). I've liked Kim So Eun since her Boys Over Flowers days, she and Kim Bum was the reason why I even stick through half of the show but I've never watched Kim So Eun in anything else until Liar Game so i'm really glad to see her in a lead role and obviously i'm hoping to see much more of her.
Lee Sang Yoon as Ha Woo Jin
Ha Woo Jin is a young professor of the top school, Seoul University, he is extremely smart and plays psychology really well. The show started with Ha Woo Jin getting arrested for murder and then continues with him being released from jail a few years later, in words, he doesn't sound like such a great character (ex smart murderer?) but HA WOO JIN IS SO PERFECT FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP FROM RIGHT TO LEFT FROM BEGINNING TO THE END. He is loyal and don't trust people easily, with the exception of Da Jung though, he went on helping Da Jung in the games (not going to say why because it's a spoiler).
LEE SANG YOON IS PERFECTION. I liked lee sang yoon in angels eye (his dimples are too cute to be ignored) but I love him so much after Liar Game despite barely showing his dimples in the drama. He barely smiles throughout the drama and glares fiercely most at the time (he looks at Da Jung warmly though *screams because it's too cute*), I love him as Ha Woo Jin and now I love them both equally. When he first got casted, I saw many NOOOOO and WHY HIM kind of comments, I've never watched nor saw the original so I don't know how the original Ha Woo Jin is supposed to look like but for a first timer, I absolutely adore Lee Sang Yoon as Ha Woo Jin. I think he manage to give the kind of charm Ha Woo Jin has and he manage to make viewers go gaga over him and his character, so isn't he successful? *ps LSY is a huge smarty in real life too, he is a physics graduate of Seoul University in real life, he is perfect sniff*
Shin Sung Rok as Kang Do Young
Kang Do Young is the MC of Liar Game, he is a mysterious character that's really smart and calm. He has many secrets of his own and a hidden past which will be revealed during the drama.
Shin Sung Rok not being evil is weird, he was the evil killer in You Who Came From The Stars and he was so successful and good at it that it's weird seeing him play mr nice guy in Trot Lovers but he is back to his evil kinda character and he is really good at it. Shin Sung Rok pretty much have the face of evil since his YWCFTS character so seeing play a mysterious and dark character was well expected and well done, I find his character here actually more memorable than the YWCFTS one, maybe he should stick to evil characters haha.
Jo Jae Yoon as Jo Dal Goo
Although Jo Dal Goo isn't really considered the leading cast but he was so memorable and great that it's a pity not to mention him. Jo Dal Goo is a gangster that works for a loan shark company whom Da Jung's father owe money to, he follows Da Jung around and even goes her house for breakfast haha. His goal and work is actually to get back the money owed by Da Jung's father but as he starts interacting with Da Jung, he starts to pity Da Jung and tries to help her because he clearly knows how innocent and kind Da Jung is, he is also the one that made Da Jung find and ask Ha Woo Jin for help as they were cell mates in jail. He is loyal, decisive and he truly and sincerely cares a lot for Da Jung, he is like the older brother figure in Da Jung's life because without his help, Da Jung clearly won't be where she is now. I'm really thankful for Jo Dal Goo's existence as he clearly stands out as one of the most memorable supporting character in drama land this year and i'm sure everyone loves him as much as I do.
Jo Jae Yoon is a great supporting actor, he caught my attention in Gu Family Book as a gangster (he has the gangster kind of face haha), his role there was much smaller but however memorable, he has a much larger role here and he did it sooooo well, he certainly did Jo Dal Goo's character justice.
STORY AND DIRECTING
Synopsis
A story about an innocent college student with a debt (Kim So Eun) and a genius con man and a former psychology professor (Lee Sang Yoon) who participate in the liar game reality show, where only the one that succeeds in tricking the opponent wins the game.FROM DRAMAWIKI
The show was smartly, tightly written with unique and memorable characters (even each contestant for Liar Game was memorable, from Jamie that confuses viewers in a good way to the smart lawyer Go to the pervert, fierce looking Bulldog). They were all more than just characters to me when i was watching, they were all nicely and thoroughly analyzed and introduced in the show. The writing credits has to be given to the original comic book/manga writer because he/she manage to write such a gripping story with barely any major flaws or anything that dissatisfied the viewers (i'm impressed by the writers ability to think and write this way, how does someone's brain manage to think of all these.... i can't even recall what i had for breakfast). I saw this line somewhere (sorry i can't credit because i read it a few months ago and i can't remember the site..): a story like this definitely deserves being remade into 2 movies and 2 drama series. I totally agree with the author who said this because the story is perfection, it was much more than just a silly game which i thought and was expecting.
This is my personal view but i think people whom watched any version of the drama/movie or read the comic won't enjoy this as much as a first timer because the story relies a lot on it's twist and turns and the surprises it gives (and loads of spoilers throughout) so if the surprise element is gone, the drama may not impact as much as people like me whom is constantly surprised and confused in a good way.
The two leads have excellent chemistry, they didn't exactly have a love line in the drama but there are hints of them together (i want, i mean NEED A LIAR GAME 2 plsplsplsplsplsplspls), there are practically sizzling chemistry even when Lee Sang Yoon just looked at Kim So Eun (LOOK NOT EVEN TOUCH!!!), Lee Sang Yoon have more chemistry with simply just looking at Kim So Eun than the many kiss scenes he had with Goo Hye Sun in Angels Eye (his chemistry with Goo Hye Sun was quite good too though but Kim So Eun and him are practically sizzling and filled with explosively cute chemistry in the drama)
IN CONCLUSION
This drama will definitely stay in my heart and mind for a long long time, the characters are so memorable, the cast has great chemistry, solid acting, well twisted and penned story, excellent directing, gripping and addicting throughout the 12 episodes. LIAR GAME 2 PLEASE *im practically begging for it*
Personal Ratings: 10/10
How much it deserves: 9.5/10
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