Chicago Typewriter: Chicago Typewriter (Sikago Tajagi)

September 13, 2020 5:53 AM - Season 1 (Full Season)

A veterinarian and two writers have a mysterious connection to Korean independence fighters from the Japanese colonial period. (Netflix, tvN Korea)

Dramabeans show page

MyDramaList show page

The Kats Cafe review:"Anything that has a unique concept, whether it be science fiction or fantasy, is a soft spot of mine, especially as it is interesting to see how it will be executed as the show goes along. Sometimes, the main concept is just a convenient plot device or falls short of expectations, and sometimes, they manage to pull it off seamlessly. Such is the case with tvN’s 2017 drama “Chicago Typewriter”, which, although not perfect is a well crafted story with a well executed unique concept with powerful performances from the cast. Aside from this, it is a unique story about love and friendship that also reminds us that the liberties and freedoms we know enjoy today, no matter where you are from, were fought hard for by our ancestors."

TheFangirlVerdict review

KdramaKisses review

KdramaLove review

posted by oh yeah! (5 comments total)

Just finished watching this series last night, really loved it. I agree with all the reviews that there are some tonal/pacing problems with the modern-day storyline/characters that really bog down the first half of the season. But once they get past all that and start really digging into the mystery of what happened to everyone in their 1930's past lives, the show blossomed into something special.

Go Kyung Po and his puppy dog eyes, what a heartbreaker!
posted by oh yeah! at 6:15 AM on September 13, 2020

Given the subject matter, is it sad, depressing, or stressful to watch? Do bad things happen to good people? I've been giving it a pass because I watch mostly for mood management, but I've also been hearing good things about it so I'd be glad to hear if it's not too hard to watch.
posted by trig at 12:12 PM on September 13, 2020

I guess I'd say it's sad but not depressing? Like, the fates of the 1930's characters are tragic -- but you kind of know from the start that they're all doomed since the present-day characters wouldn't have been reincarnated if their past counterparts hadn't died, and one has been a ghost for 80 years but just doesn't remember how he died. So, there's an inevitability to the sadness in the last two episodes when all is revealed. Also, the 1930's characters often talk about what they hope for in a liberated Korea, for themselves or for their next life, so even though bad things happen to good people in the past, there's a redemptive element to what happens in the present-day storyline, since their deaths were not in vain - the liberated Joseon they fought and died for exists and their reincarnations get to have the lives they wished for.

I don't know. I cried hard in the last two episodes. But I didn't feel bleak afterwards, it was cathartic.
posted by oh yeah! at 1:08 PM on September 13, 2020

Good to know, thanks!
posted by trig at 11:38 AM on September 14, 2020

It's not really a hard watch (despite the first few eps of slowness, where yeah there's some of the typical spunky-female-lead-down-on-her-luck moments), but the ending is amazing and will break your heart in a good way.

Also it has the best fluffball of a dog in the early episodes so it's worth it for that just on its own.

Anyway, I think this is a very underrated drama and am glad that it's been given a new life on Netflix for people to discover and appreciate it.
posted by paisley sheep at 1:10 AM on September 15, 2020