A new must-watch show like Breaking Bad
As promised, I am writing this blog to talk about a show that I think is almost as good as Breaking Bad.
After seeing Breaking Bad, I almost lost interest in other series. It took me quite a while to accept any.
Breaking Bad was that good. The only series that I liked after watching it was Game of Thrones. Again GOT was a different type of show featuring dragons, demons, and magic but, there was none like Breaking Bad.
Then there were other series that I enjoyed watching. I have listed a few in my earlier blog. The link is at the bottom of the page.
I am also making sure that this doesn’t turn into a spoiler. However, I will be discussing certain characters and events from the show.
After watching the Korean series Squid Game and Alice In Borderland, I developed an interest in this segment. My Netflix too started suggesting me other Korean dramas. So, I decided to watch Extracurricular.
If you haven’t seen these, check out the review with the title, Which is better: Squid Game or Alice In Borderland? You’ll find the links at the end of the blog.
About the series
Extracurricular is a South Korean show released on Netflix on April 29, 2020. It has one season with ten episodes. It can also be considered a miniseries. However, by looking at the season-ending, it seems that there should be further seasons.
As per Wikipedia, “Extracurricular was the ninth most-watched South Korean series on Netflix in 2020”. Looking at that rating, many must have seen the show.
The show is like Breaking Bad in many ways.
Synopsis
It is a story about a teenage boy abandoned by his parents, who masterminds a prostitution business. As per him, he provides security to the sex workers who work for his organization.
There are a lot of similarities between Breaking Bad and Extracurricular. Let us look at some.
The Story
The story itself has a lot of similarities. Mr. Walter White of Breaking Bad has cancer and has only a few months to live.
He has a respectable job as a chemistry teacher and works part-time at a car service center, earning enough to sustain his family. Still, he seems insecure about their future after him.
He plans to start an illegal Meth manufacturing and selling business to earn an enormous amount of money. That’s the only way he could get a lot of money in a short time.
Oh Ji-soo of Extracurricular is a child abandoned by his parents. Father has a filthy habit of gambling. His mother, tired of his father’s addiction, leaves both of them.
Ji-soo needs a lot of money to complete his schooling and graduation. And later to start a life as a regular job-going person. He can’t earn that much just by doing a part-time job.
AI Plays God
Science Fiction That Might Become Reality
(Book 1)
Will Artificial Intelligence annihilate us? Will it need a weapon? Or will it be a weapon in itself? What kind of perception shall it hold about God and the intelligence of human beings? Will it accept our belief in God as its God, exploit it, or declare itself a God? Will quantum computing, mathematical algorithms and big data make AI a new God? Or will it accept the human as its creator and God?
Usually, AI learns from past data, predicts the future, and acts accordingly.
What do you think AI will do in the future after analysing our historical data? What exactly have we been doing all this time? Do you know most of our actions are getting documented and analysed, as simple as our shopping, touring and browsing habits?
Even the good and evil deeds of human ancestors in the past. These historical and current data are widely available on the internet, and most are accessible to everyone, even to AI.
Will it not analyse all this information if it can?
The analysis of humans destroying the ‘only’ world with wars, hate, civil rights violations, and crime to satisfy their ego and greed, and human’s intolerance towards other human being and their beliefs, what will AI do?
Find out in this exciting and thrilling science fiction.
The Characters
While watching Extracurricular, I could easily relate to a lot of characters from Breaking Bad. I am listing a few here.
Oh Ji-soo and Walter White
Both the characters are almost the same. They both are geniuses, cunning, and masterminds whom no one could ever imagine as a villain. They both are protagonists and antagonists at the same time. And that’s quite interesting.
Also, as mentioned earlier, both have their specific necessities to start the illegitimate business.
Oh Ji-soo and Gustavo “Gus” Fring
The character also has strong similarities with Gustavo Fring. Both live dual lives and both have exceptional management skills.
For the world, Gus runs Los Pollos Hermanos, a fast-food chain. But in the underworld, he runs an empire of the meth business.
Ji-soo for the world is a simple, down to Earth nerd who is never involved in any unlawful activities. But in reality, he is also a pimp known by the name Uncle.
They both meticulously manage their business without jeopardizing their true identity. It is only when someone else involves due to which things get bad. I do not wish to disclose the details as that may ruin your show.
Mr. Lee and Mike Ehrmantraut
The two are a lot alike. Both are loyal right-hand hitmen whom their respective bosses trust.
Mike is a retired policeman who works for Gus Fring. Lee is a former US Army soldier who uses his skills to protect the Uncle and the prostitutes.
Brilliance
Let us look at other things that make the show a must-watch.
The Hidden Message
After every end of the episode, there is a social message displayed. It says that in case a child needs help, one must seek help from a trusted adult. There are also help numbers provided.
Children, especially teenagers, most of the time use the wrong methods to solve their problems. It is often due to immaturity, inexperience, and hormonal changes at that age.
This story and the message can help a child understand the consequences of their irreparable actions. They should seek help instead of acting on their own.
Bae Gyu-ri is another main character of the series with wealthy parents. They are overly concerned about their social status. This behavior of her parents abets her to attempt suicide.
There are times when one could feel that her mother probably has obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The story also has a message for those parents who do not prioritize their children’s future over their addictions and egos.
Had the parents of Ji-soo did not leave him alone and the parents of Bae Gyu-ri given her time and importance, they would not have ventured into the dirty world.
Acting and Direction
A great story without great acting and direction cannot craft into a masterpiece. We have seen that in Breaking Bad. It is a masterpiece because everyone gave their best into it.
The same goes here. Kim Jin-min directed the show brilliantly.
Actors Kim Dong-hee as Oh Ji-soo, Park Ju-hyun as Bae Gyu-ri, Jung Da-bin as Seo Min-hee, Nam Yoon-su as Kwak Ki-tae, Choi Min-soo as Lee Wang-chul, Park Hyuk-kwon as Cho Jin-woo, and Kim Yeo-jin as Lee Hae-gyoung performed exceptionally well.
So, if you want to watch a show that is more like Breaking Bad or a must-watch Korean show, I’d suggest Extracurricular. There is a lot more that I cannot mention here in a blog.
More must-watch series
When we talk about a good must-watch show, there are many. I have listed five must-watch evergreen series on Netflix. The link is at the end of the blog.
If you want to see a must-watch series with loads of action, martial arts, thrill, suspense, and drama, then join our new Facebook group with the name Netflix Series and Flicks.
Here is the link to five must-watch Korean series
- 10 Best K Dramas on Netflix
Looking for the best K-dramas on Netflix to binge-watch? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of our top 10 picks that cover a range of genres and feature some of the most acclaimed shows from the Korean entertainment industry. From romantic comedies to historical dramas, sci-fi thrillers, and more, there’s something for everyone on this list. - Kenga Ashura: A Review of Thriller
Kengan Ashura is an action-packed martial arts anime that follows the story of Tokita Ohma, a powerful fighter who enters the Kengan matches to represent his employer, Nogi Group. The series features intense fight scenes, unique and diverse characters, and compelling storylines that keep viewers engaged. With stunning animation and a well-developed plot, Kengan Ashura is a must-watch for fans of the genre. - Baki on Netflix: A Review
Baki on Netflix is a thrilling anime series that follows the story of a young martial artist who strives to become the strongest fighter in the world. With intense and exciting fight scenes, detailed animation, and well-developed characters, Baki is a must-watch for martial arts and anime fans. - China vs Taiwan: A Historical Overview of the Ongoing Conflict
Tensions between China and Taiwan have been on the rise in recent years, with China increasing military activities near Taiwan’s borders and the US pledging to support Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion. This article provides an overview of the historical and political background of the Taiwan-China conflict, including the split between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and the eventual retreat of the Kuomintang to Taiwan. It also discusses the current situation in the region and the potential dangers of a full-fledged war. As the world watches with concern, the hope is that a peaceful resolution can be found to avoid any further escalation of tensions. - Alice in Borderland Season 2 Review
A review of Alice in Borderland season 2. What was brilliant? Where it lacked? And what to expect in the coming seasons? - Eleven Stranger Things Character Synopsis
Eleven from Stranger Things. A complete synopsis of the character, who wanted to live a regular life like a child, but destiny plays otherwise. Using her superpowers, she fights with the ruthless humans and monsters and demons from the Upside world from the other dimension. - Ruth Langmore’s death proved she was a beautiful expendable loyalist
Ruth Langmore had always been loyal to the Byrdes, but in the end, the latter proved that she was expandable to them. And could bear her death as a loss. - Watch excellent series and movies in April
Watch excellent must-watch series and movies in April 2022. Check out the list. - Best Korean Dramas of All Time – 5 Amazing Must-Watch
Five must-watch and best Korean dramas of all time other than Squid Game and Alice In Borderland, you should not miss. - A new must-watch show like Breaking Bad
A Korean must-watch show like Breaking Bad. A student involves into an illegal business of managing prostitution. The show highlights the problems faced by teenagers.
