Just to give a different opinion, I really disliked Signal. For many many reasons but as some time has passed since I watched it it is probably better not to get into any arguments😂
Since we’re being honest, I ff’d at least four episodes in the back half. I thought the ending was pitch perfect, which saves a lot of dramas for me. But I haven’t been interested in rewatching it. I thought the first half was excellent though.
SPOILERS:
I didn’t dislike it either, but I definitely think is very VERY overrated. It is neither a great crime drama nor a great time travel drama (they never properly explain the darned phone). I did not like the acting of any of the leads, except maybe occasionally the older male cop, Cho Jin-woong. I thought Le Je-hoon and Kim Hye-soo were both weak in their performances. And – argh – the romance. I never understand why romance is necessary. They could have kept it a perfectly fine sunbae-hoobae relationship, but nope.
I haven’t watched the Japanese version, but for those who might have, is that better or worse?
I will swear blind until the end of time that it was a sunbae-hoobae relationship and there was absolutely no romance. And until a season 2 comes along to creep me out prove me wrong then that’s the way it is as far as I’m concerned.
Haha that’s a good way to look at it.
I forgot to mention – I thought Watcher was a MUCH better crime drama than Signal, honestly. It was tighter, more gritty, and was truly suspenseful (and *phew, no romance). All of these factors I thought were missing in Signal. (I may also have been partial to the director because of his previous works…)
It’s possible I just prefer sci-fantasy premises but I found it hard to get into Watcher. I only watched the first episode or so. I didn’t drop it. I just forgot to watch anymore.
Signal was quite high up in my best list until a second watch a few months ago. By then, there were some other time travel thrillers / procedures to compare and I do think Signal had that first advantage to get all the fans when it was released. I had not watched all the other time travel dramas but Life on Mars, for example, is rated higher than Signal in my book in terms of characters depth, plot development and overall structure. Nonetheless, I do look forward to Signal S2.
I like Watcher but it’s a different genre from Signal despite still a detective story. An intense drama with great delivery from the three leads but what sets it apart is the ethical ambiguity as conveyed in the characters of HSK and KHC and how the different personal interests drive the story in unpredictable developments. It’s a pity that it’s not more appreciated in the DB community.
I was having a conversation with someone on Twitter and realised that there are no Sageuks on either list – not one. So I’m assuming this is because of the pool that voted and if the poll had spread out further the result might have been different. I think beanies in particular are very drawn to slice of life over Sageuks.
I’m sure of this. After becoming disappointed repeatedly over the years, I have learned that most shows that blow up on db are slice of life which I have a hard time connecting to.
SIX FLYING DRAGONS was in Round 3 I think, but didn’t make it to the final round.
You may have mentioned this already, but was the pool of voters composed entirely of beanies or did you aim further afield? If the former, the results reflect the fact that most beanies don’t gravitate towards sageuks, at least judging from activity on recap threads and the fanwall.
If we look at MDL or other sites, MOON LOVERS ranks high up for some reason (no idea why).
The poll was advertised outside of db but, yes, I’m pretty sure that the pool of voters would have skewed heavily toward db. I find it impressive that you remember more about my voting rounds than I do.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 10, 2021 at 1:12 AM
And finally! The last piece from the poll. Your Favourite Dramas of All Time – as voted by you!
Eazal
January 10, 2021 at 2:11 AM
Thanks for sharing.
I think I will have to give it another try to Signal. I watched episodes 1 and 2 back then, but dropped…
marina
January 10, 2021 at 4:30 AM
Oh, give this piece of gem another chance! Hope you find it interesting this time ^^
Midnight
January 10, 2021 at 4:35 AM
Just to give a different opinion, I really disliked Signal. For many many reasons but as some time has passed since I watched it it is probably better not to get into any arguments😂
miss h
January 10, 2021 at 8:37 AM
I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t think it was that great. I can’t even remember all of my issues with it. I know some of the acting bothered me.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 10, 2021 at 2:51 PM
Since we’re being honest, I ff’d at least four episodes in the back half. I thought the ending was pitch perfect, which saves a lot of dramas for me. But I haven’t been interested in rewatching it. I thought the first half was excellent though.
pickleddragon
January 10, 2021 at 8:52 PM
SPOILERS:
I didn’t dislike it either, but I definitely think is very VERY overrated. It is neither a great crime drama nor a great time travel drama (they never properly explain the darned phone). I did not like the acting of any of the leads, except maybe occasionally the older male cop, Cho Jin-woong. I thought Le Je-hoon and Kim Hye-soo were both weak in their performances. And – argh – the romance. I never understand why romance is necessary. They could have kept it a perfectly fine sunbae-hoobae relationship, but nope.
I haven’t watched the Japanese version, but for those who might have, is that better or worse?
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 10, 2021 at 9:26 PM
I will swear blind until the end of time that it was a sunbae-hoobae relationship and there was absolutely no romance. And until a season 2 comes along to
creep me outprove me wrong then that’s the way it is as far as I’m concerned.pickleddragon
January 10, 2021 at 9:53 PM
Haha that’s a good way to look at it.
I forgot to mention – I thought Watcher was a MUCH better crime drama than Signal, honestly. It was tighter, more gritty, and was truly suspenseful (and *phew, no romance). All of these factors I thought were missing in Signal. (I may also have been partial to the director because of his previous works…)
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 10, 2021 at 10:09 PM
It’s possible I just prefer sci-fantasy premises but I found it hard to get into Watcher. I only watched the first episode or so. I didn’t drop it. I just forgot to watch anymore.
pickleddragon
January 10, 2021 at 10:22 PM
Hah. My own preference for non-sci-fi is probably why I rate Watcher over Signal. Poor unwatched Watcher, though. It wasn’t that forgettable. 😂
Eazal
January 10, 2021 at 10:44 PM
You’re not helping to convince me…
PYC
January 11, 2021 at 6:22 AM
Signal was quite high up in my best list until a second watch a few months ago. By then, there were some other time travel thrillers / procedures to compare and I do think Signal had that first advantage to get all the fans when it was released. I had not watched all the other time travel dramas but Life on Mars, for example, is rated higher than Signal in my book in terms of characters depth, plot development and overall structure. Nonetheless, I do look forward to Signal S2.
I like Watcher but it’s a different genre from Signal despite still a detective story. An intense drama with great delivery from the three leads but what sets it apart is the ethical ambiguity as conveyed in the characters of HSK and KHC and how the different personal interests drive the story in unpredictable developments. It’s a pity that it’s not more appreciated in the DB community.
PYC
January 10, 2021 at 7:00 AM
My Ajusshi – Number 1 in Best and Favourite!
FlyingTool
January 10, 2021 at 7:15 AM
Thank you for all your time and effort!
bbstl 🧹
January 10, 2021 at 10:27 AM
Great! It’s a very different list from my own favorites so that deserves thought on my part, and thanks for all the work it took to do the whole poll!
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 10, 2021 at 11:02 AM
I was having a conversation with someone on Twitter and realised that there are no Sageuks on either list – not one. So I’m assuming this is because of the pool that voted and if the poll had spread out further the result might have been different. I think beanies in particular are very drawn to slice of life over Sageuks.
Midnight
January 10, 2021 at 1:21 PM
I’m sure of this. After becoming disappointed repeatedly over the years, I have learned that most shows that blow up on db are slice of life which I have a hard time connecting to.
WishfulToki
January 10, 2021 at 8:33 PM
SIX FLYING DRAGONS was in Round 3 I think, but didn’t make it to the final round.
You may have mentioned this already, but was the pool of voters composed entirely of beanies or did you aim further afield? If the former, the results reflect the fact that most beanies don’t gravitate towards sageuks, at least judging from activity on recap threads and the fanwall.
If we look at MDL or other sites, MOON LOVERS ranks high up for some reason (no idea why).
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 10, 2021 at 9:28 PM
The poll was advertised outside of db but, yes, I’m pretty sure that the pool of voters would have skewed heavily toward db. I find it impressive that you remember more about my voting rounds than I do.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
January 10, 2021 at 10:38 PM
I haven’t watched Moon Lovers, but can guess why.
bbstl 🧹
January 11, 2021 at 7:47 AM
The poll makes me think I really have to watch more of the suspense-y and police/law shows.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
January 10, 2021 at 10:40 PM
I wouldn’t think too hard about it.
parkchuna ❤️🍉
January 11, 2021 at 12:37 AM
I’ve seen 7 out of 10, not bad..