I've read the manga for quite some time, but never had the courage to watch the japanese version since I had a lot of disappointments in the past. So when I found that a korean version existed I watched it in one go. For those worrying about the plot, let me tell you this: you don't need to. This is a very stimulating dorama, quite different from the majority since its focus is not on romance (there's almost none) but on mind games. As the manga already had an incredibly good material to any possible game to be played in the tv show, I can say that you'll rarely get bored. In fact, the only period where the series dragged a bit was in the only original game that the dorama had -- the presidencial game. Other than that, it's nearly perfect. The music is absolutely amazing, and that's all to say on that matter. The characters are more realistic than their manga counterparts, and are better portrayed as human beings. The lead girl (Da Jung/Nao) is kind and too naive at the beginning but grows wiser as the series go on, and the lead boy (Woo Jin/Akiyama) is very smart and reserved, but also a good person. There are of course many others worth mentioning, and at the end you like a lot at least 5 people in total. The biggest difference that the korean version provides, and I believe what it sets it apart, is its main antagonist: Kang Do Young. He is the host for the Liar Game, a television show and not an underground event as the original, but he's a big player as well. He has the charisma, he has the looks, he has the intelligence to rivail Woo Jin, and more importantly (for all of the reasons) he has the psycho vibe. This dude is elegant and ruthless but it's his strained laugher that will make you truly uncomfortable (for fangirling reasons or not ;) Still, his true goals and story is like: woah! Did not see this coming, but I loved it! I just can't read the manga and not miss him anymore. Didn't expect this level of competence from the writers, I must say. Well, I don't know if it'll have a 2nd season. It's said that they brought the rights but it's already one year and no new rumour so who knows? But I honest to God hope so. I mean. The ending makes you really, really hope so. The biggest wtf, I think, is that it had low audience in Korea...