Drama Digest
Amanza is about a 26 year old who is diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. He retreats into his imagination of a magical forest where he can find answers and miracles after realising that he has never truly lived. The mini-series is based on a Webtoon called Big See by Kim Bo Tong.
The Feel-Good Part
The show is incredibly heart-warming. The emotional aspect of the show is delivered with ease. The subject matter is quite heavy as it deals with terminal illness, which is handled with utmost care and subtlety. The emotions hit all the right spots as it conveys the heaviness of the subject and the character’s emotions without being melodramatic. There are so many life lessons that the audience can take away with them, which makes for a rewarding experience. The portrayal of terminal illness and how it affects people is phenomenal. It shows the main character’s anxieties and sadness because his life is filled with regret. It also shows how having an illness can take a toll on the patient’s loved ones, which brings out the complexity of the story as it shows the hardships from an external yet personal perspective. The most novel aspect of the show is the integration of animation within such a grim plot. The animation is a part of the protagonist’s dreams as a means of escapism and to show the impact of the medicines on his brain. The juxtaposition of the colourful dreams and the melancholic reality really help to land the emotional impact of the show and immerse the audience in the story. The show has great cinematography and music to go with the tone of the series, the artistic choices of the use of colours helps convey the emotions of the scene quite well.
The Disappointing Factor
The show is an emotional rollercoaster that may not be for anyone as it is a heavy subject to digest. The tone of the show is consistent. It is melancholic, sad and often upsetting, there are no attempts to give the audience more than that. There are no aspects of the show that try to lighten the mood in any way, which may be a problem as it remains heavy constantly to the point where the audience may get tired of watching.
In-Depth Analysis
The show is quite short and does a lot with its characters in a really short time, which is admirable. The integration of animation within a story like this is quite rare and gives the show a unique touch, which is memorable. The personal journeys of each of the side characters are articulated really well as their emotions are expressed in a complex way. The emotions run heavier than usual with no attempts to lighten the subject and tell it like it is may not sit well with everyone but it is realistic. The heavy reality of mortality is the core of the show.
Star Power
All the performances were excellent. Each character is memorable because of the unique portrayal delivered by the actors. Kim Ji Soo who is known for his role in Strong Women Do Bong Soon is at the centre of the show and clearly deserves to be there because of his heart-rending performance.
Overall Opinion
Amanza is a beautiful show that mustn’t be missed as it is well-executed and rare to come by.
