I did good to download ‘Life’ on Netflix just in case my beach vacay needed some kdrama to spice it up.
Ep 1: felt a bit slow with too many close up shots and Lee Dong Wook looked very pale and distant.
Ep 2: this episode had me hooked. Definitely an intriguing set up. Coming from a family where there are both doctors and hospital management people this conflict was totally relatable.
Ep 3: Why is this drama so brilliant?? Are we supposed to hate Mr.Gu? Why do I love his character. Why do I want to watch every (micro)expression of his? Is it FoS hangover? OMG! Am totally into this.

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    Mr. Gu is EVERYTHING in Life. <3 I felt like Lee Dong Wook was the weakest actor, he's up against some pretty amazing veterans. I really wish some more of the supporting characters had been fleshed out further, this show could easily have been a 20-episoder. I still prefer Forest of Secrets over Life, I think FoS was far more complex and worked as a mystery much better, but Life is still excellent. Again–President Gu, the greatest antihero/antivillain ever. Jo Seung Woo is an acting god. And this screenwriter is great, too. I hope they make more shows together because I'll definitely keep watching! Enjoy watching the rest of Life!

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      Seung Woo is just brilliant. His body language his expressions and smirks everything is so effing awesome.
      I am slowly warming up to Lee Dong Wook and his character almost seems secondary so it’s ok 🙂
      Also I feel Won Jin A is kinda miscast too (too young?)for this role. Don’t get me wrong I do like her and really liked her in JBL.

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        I think it’s more that Won Jin Ah’s character just didn’t have enough to do. She might also come off a little “young” because of her lighter personality, which I attribute to her simply working with kids all the time. I do wish the show explored her logic and reasoning even more because at first she does come off as a little bit of a suck-up, even though (to me) she’s not and that’s not her motive at all. (I’m not sure how far you are into Life so I’ll refrain from any spoilers.) And I also really like her in Just Between Lovers!

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          I think I understand her personality and that she believes in the goodness in people, but I still think the initial encounters were a bit off. Since that was shaky the rest of the interactions did not have the impact it should have.

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    I’m going to do happy dance because there’s another beanie who pick this show up and enjoying it. 😊

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      Oh my!! This show is so awesome. And I can watch Gu and Kang all day 🙂
      Who would have thought hospital politics can be this good??

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    Yes! I’m always lurking in the background, but have to jump out and say I’m happy to see another beanie watching Life! Mr. Gu def is everything in this drama. His character arc is so satisfying to watch. <3

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    President Gu <3

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    @sunflowerdiva @gadis @strawberry @kudoran Finished the entire series! It was so freaking good!. Such a satisfying drama. Enjoyed all the characters and especially our Gu. And Director Oh was a hoot! I loved how the show surprised me by not getting into Cliche situations.
    And loved the realistic portrayal on being a physically challenged person. The brothers dynamic was another thing I loved about the show.
    I liked Lee Kyu-Hyung in FoS, but boy was he awesome in this drama? He played the little brother role to the T. Can’t imagine anyone else in that role.
    Its going to be awhile before I can pick up another drama. Its like am still lingering in the hospital life.

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      Aww, so glad that it stays satisfying for you till the end. This drama has one of the most memorable and true-to-life ending I’ve seen and I love it so much. I can’t wait to see what other stories this writer would give us in her next project.

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        exactly! there is no Good beats evil and everyone lived happily ever after. The system is corrupt and change is a constant and we keep striving for the better and fighting for what is right. Unfortunately, this is life. The little bit of revenge was satisfying enough for me. Director Oh telling our restructure team guy that she knows 40 ways of killing people without anyone finding out. Dr.Gu telling the guy that his attitude will hinder his growth. The restructure guy getting fired and his ID being trashed. Gu sending a apparel solution to chairman proving he is way smarter than the Chairman can ever be ; )

        And I was cheering at how well Team Leader Kang’s role was written. Here is a true to life ‘Executive assistant/secretary’ role. They are smart, capable, know the business and executives rely on them to provide value added information and at time even counsel. And Kang was exactly that. I think by far this is one of the best written female character. Even when her inner personality shines through, she never once stops being professional.

        Ending – I would have liked the mother to see the pics of the siblings and not Won Jin A. That was the closure I needed.
        Also, would have liked had they shown Kang and the driver still with Mr.Gu in his new role. Am assuming they still are.

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          Team Leader Kang is one of my favorite character too. How I wish more k-dramaland secretary and assistant are written as capable, complex, and compassionate as her.

          I like to believe that Kang and Mr. Driver is still working with Pres Gu since they clearly like and respect him (and even cheer him on in his love quest 😆). Pres Gu needs all the friends and trusted colleagues he has to keep himself sane and happy under the chairman’s tyranny.

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          Yay! I’m so glad you liked it! I remember some people saying they thought the ending of the show was weak, but after pondering it, I love it. Real life is like that, with no HEA and pretty bows that wrap everything up. Life goes on, but it’s the small triumphs that make it worthwhile. <3

          Team Leader Kang was probably my favorite character after President Gu. I don't think I've seen a secretary role like hers before in drama land. She really was wonderfully written! I also loved Lee Kyu Hyung in this, he had such a meaty part here compared to FoS and man, he almost made me cry a few times. So good and so underrated. Really, quite a few of these actors deserve so much more recognition!

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          YAS! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Tbh I went into this drama entirely biased bc of my love for JSW, but the whole cast is just great. Team Leader Kand is one of my fav characters too! Her sass and compassion won me over and reinforced my belief that Pres Gu is ultimately not the “bad guy”. She wouldn’t work for and be loyal to someone who’s a jerk. LKH’s character made me cry, just like he did in FoS AND Prison’s playbook. Can this awesome ensemble cast be in a rom-com next to make up for all the tears I’d shed? xD

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            I would love that! a light story with this cast!!
            I will watch anything with this cast again.

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      glad to see you liked it 🙂 , Life is a very good drama, a pity that the character driven plot and high expectations after Forest of secrets outshined the meaning of the drama : it was not a thriller (death of hospital director in ep1) but a drama about life : not black not white, people in between.
      President Gu was my fav’ , Cho Seung Woo nailed his role <3 , Secretary Kang was the breathe of air 😀 , Sun Woo Chang broke my heart , trying to find his way, just like many of us…

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        Every character was relatable. It was so ‘slice of life’. I loved Seung Woo – he nailed the role. And Kang!! and the organ donor doctor. Each of them had a story. I could watch these people for another 20 episodes!

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