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Gajok X Melo (2024)
Not Bad Lighthearted enough to watch with your parents
After being kicked out of the family for repeatedly losing money, loosing businesses and letting his family down, a divorced father returns to his family after an absence of 11 years. The daughter is deeply resentful and very angry. The son pleased. The mother unsure. The father (ML) is now wealthy and has purchased the Apartment Block where the family live so now he is their new Landlord. He aims to win his wife (and family) back.
The second part is the relationship between his daughter and the young security guard where she works who incidentally is the CEOs son. It's a toss up between the prodigal father and the angry daughter who gets the most air time and attention in this series. Occasionally the daughter was rather tiresome, yet understandable so, with her anger. She has taken over the protector role of the house looking out for her mother and younger neer do well brother. Her fathers' return makes huge changes to her life which her mother eventually acknowledges, recognising that she has to let her daughter be a young woman and not "the man in the house".
This is an interesting and different trope from the usual Kdramas. Yes there are other relationships including the Hair Salon owner and the Tax Accountant. Also the other residents in the other apartments in the Block. Most are middle aged, which is a blessed relief, and different, amongst all the usual hand holding young people. Whats interesting is they all have a past, that they either want to forget and move on from to live better lives. This series tries to show that it is recognised and acknowledged. At 50 yo you think carefully, deeper and acknowledge your own personal errors compared to being 30 yo and still screaming in fury!
The actors are not particularly brilliant or well known, but then again not bad. Only one I recognise is Kim Ji-Soo playing the Security Guard/CEO son and he is (IMO) not a very good actor just eye candy.
Although the Dads neighbours focus on where he got his money from, the writer clearly using this to drive the story along, the final information is a bit of a damp squid when told the truth!
The series end comfortably and quietly, no major melodrama.
I liked it but wouldn't hunt it out to watch again.
Korean audio with English subtitles.
Naui Wiheomhan Anae (2020)
What is Going On? Am Lost?
Found and started watching this accidently. No idea what it was going to be about.
Well it had my head spinning very quickly. Who was going to kill who? Who was getting revenge on who? Where is the money?
So many people after 5 billion won that it became impossible to work out who was actually entitled to it in the first place!
It seemed to be about a "perfect" married couple where the husband wanted out after 6 years. Wife was the one with the money. Perfect house. He from an impoverished background but has risened to Chef/Manager in his own restaurant, clearly funded by his wife. The dependancy has overwhelmed him and he wants to be free to carry on with his young mistress who genuinely is horrible and only after the money. The wife is the master of conniving long term punishments and using the two other men of her past.
The twists in this series just never stop, frequently lost as to who was telling the truth or outright lying. At times it was just far too many yet another lies and twists, including the involvement of the chief Detectives own wife. Why?
The worse part of this entire series was the end where the couple reconcile (after both tried to murder each other) and are back to living and working in the husbands mother second rate chicken bar. But the husband is remains inwardly cautious if not down right afraid of the wife.
There is a lot of wisdom remarks about marriage, mostly nonesense for the viewer to go "Ah right!"
May have to watch it again to get the gist of this.
Un-myeong-cheol-eom neol sa-rang-hae (2014)
Anything with Jang Hyuk is Worth Watching
Jang Hyuk is the ML in this and the only reason watched.
The initial start is all weird. A naive 'post it' girl wins a stay at a resort and takes the colleague who she has a crush on. A chaebol plans to propose to his long term girl friend at the same resort.
Misunderstandings and other shenanigans lead to the two in bed with each other accidentally and the one night stand sets the story rolling to eventual marriage.
The ML is rather manic initially but this disappears in the later half of the series when he developes into a more reflective thoughtful character.
The FL moves on from ditzy to quietly confident and more in control of her life. Its almost as though both these Leads become completely different persons, call it character delvelopment!
The triangle of love interests are the former girlfriend (Wang Ji-won). She seems to only specialise in having a tragic face and poor acting skills. And the peculiar tame friend of the Korean American (Choi Jin-hyuk ) who has returned to Soeul looking for his long lost sister. Choi Jin-hyuk was under utilised in this role and is in most of his roles. Yet to see him as a lead playing a roll with bite
Lots of comedy moments but the acting of Jang Hyuk when he realises that his has loved, lost and loved is quite touching.
Some bits of the story you just have to roll with as they are quite ridiculous. Personally loathe manic mothers who are intent on being loud and physically berating everyone around them! Gives all Korean mothers a terrible image!
Yes there is a HEA if thats important to you. I enjoyed this kdrama.
Bat-gwa Bam-i Da-reun Geu-nyeo (2024)
NOT SURE
This is supposed to be a rom com with a bit of supernatural and thriller thrown in. It ends up messy.
There are some funny bits but not enough to lift it. The idea of being one 50 year old in the day and then a 20 something at night just didnt work for me. Why she didnt tell her parents and get their support is strange.
The relationship was peculiar when and how did these two fall for each other was utterly confusing made worse by the disappearance at the end.
The cat ? What was that about? The killer being a woman was different but she was quite strong and determined and able to continue her spree for some time. Not feasible.
Yeah. Not sure about this one. If you want some easy mindless drama to watch and forget about when completed then this fits that category.
Jangsaui sin: Gaekju 2015 (2015)
HARD WORK. POOR SCRIPT & AWFUL DIRECTING
Decided to watch this because of the male lead, Jang Hyuk. No other reason! Well it was a struggle to get to the final 41 episodes.
About the merchants and the peddlers who carried the goods from town to ports to towns LITERALLY on their backs in "people wagons", in well organised Guilds (a precursor to Unions).
The series seemed promising at the start. Surely from a disastrous episode in childhood the three key children would become successful adults later? No. This was 41 episodes of death (rarely natural), murders, drownings, beatings, humiliations, scams, evil plotting, cheating in business and relationships along with horrendous abuse of women. Cannot recollect if there was one moment of fun and joy. Even the one couple's eventual love, was so momentary that it became a brief memory that could be forgotten in the mire of these 41 plodding episodes.
Also the one supposedly joyous moment of a wedding was full of angst as a protagonist was breathing venom next to the bride. Again the usual joyous moment of the birth of the child was so traumatic with the former husband waiting to kidnap it.
This drama was so full of misery, so many people including the fairly significant leads dying needlessly You just couldn't catch a break from this bleak, black, spiral of hell. No not once in the 41 episodes, and believe me when I say I hung in there thinking, "its got to get better at some point." But no the writer and Director were determinedly stuck on a road black tar and miserable hell with this drama. They stayed on that bleak road throughout.
The key women in this series initially had significant roles but the promising ones were killed off as soon as feasible, with the odd loyal female servant left with little to contribute. The one female who survived to the end was of course designated by the writer to be punished by a slow miserable life of unrequited love, leading to her becoming bitter, sly, malicious and unpleasant. And she was a FL. Cannot understand why the character of the older sister was killed off and so early too. Unnecessary imo.
This drama was supposedly set at the end of the 19th c, in Korea but I felt it could have been set 100 years before that, as the Korea depicted looked so very backwards. Not even horses for the peddlers, when Europe and North America was certainly quite industrialised with pack horses, wagons and of course trains. So that was bothering me. Surely the peddlers would have advanced at the very least to pack horses by the end of the 19c? It seemed to want to emphasise that Korea was backward in comparison
If you have the time and energy then watch it but it did not leave me with any joy or feeling of reconciliation at the end. I was just left wondering why I wasted my time on this dreadful Kdrama knowing that I will never get back.
Only plus was the brilliant acting of Jang Hyuk.
Hwanghooui Poomkyeok (2018)
HILARIOUS BUT THE MODERN COURT NOT BAD
First, the portrayal of a modern Royal Korea is pretty much what I could believe in. The mixture of women in Hanbok, with modern facilities. The scheming Dowagers still in existence and the bored spoilt princess - no change there! So yes 9/10 to the production for this portrayal.
The story is not half bad but then spread all over the place with way too many sub plots going on, that actually began to loose interest.
It is impossible to believe that the bodyguard was the same bumbling stumbling pathetic person in the first couple of episodes, who becomes the cool calm efficient slimline gorgeous man later.
The FL plays the same role always in every single drama she is in! Miss "wide eyed innocent cutesy plain but nice person" who finds inner strength later and everyone is rooting for her and she is sooooo NICE and ultimately boring.
The Emperor is gawd awful. Could think of at least a dozen other actors that could have done this role way better. He starts out loathsome and then personality switches over completely so that you are meant to be all empathetic towards him particularly once he sleeps with the FL.
Finally it was dragged out unnecessarily, 12 episodes could have wrapped this nicely.
Not particularly great but with popcorn you can pass a wet day indoors watching this.
Sseul-sseul-ha-go cha-ran-ha-sin-do-ggae-bi (2016)
The Goblin's bride (should be the title).
Finally after hearing so many positive reviews and praise for the Goblin Kdrama, decided to watch it. On Viki over three days, blitzed through the series (including the additional specials).
The synopsis has been written numerous times, so I won't repeat it. It is deeply touching in some places. Unnecessarily and tiresomely flashback of some scenes in others. One can see how the fantasy of everything coming right in one of the rumoured "four lives", is so attractive to many viewers.
Fantasy. Romance. Drama,and the Supernatural - are all present in this Kdrama. However, For me, it is ultimately a fantasy story. The Goblin's Bride (in my mind should be the title).
A Goblin waits 920 years for his bride to finally meet a bubbly senior girl who is destined to end his immortality. His best mate (a brilliant bromance) is the Grim Reaper and they all live in the same house with a nephew who is from a long line of the same family who serve the Goblin over the many years of his immortality. The secondary couple in the series is the Goblin's younger sister and the Grim Reaper.
The story is deeply touching. About Loss Life Love but most of all the epic LONELINESS of all the main protagonists as they struggle through more dealing with emptiness and monotony as they wait for the outcome of their future/fate, be it marriage, death or extremely heartbreaking BRIEF moments of love and companionship.
The love between the Goblin and his ultimate bride is painful in its slow recognition and realisation, but then everything in this series is about TIME. It all takes a long time to get to where you want to be, hope to be, and expect to be, whether it is love, marriage, or death. Some reviews have slated the age difference between the two leads, but I cannot see this as an issue as historically 15-year-old girls were married off to 40-year-old men all the time. Only slowed down when they started getting educated and anyway, he is nearly a thousand years old so if you want to reference the age difference of the ML & FL why not compare 1000 to 19!! It's a Fantasy not reality, so get over this. She marries him when she is 29!
The script is well written but was able to pick up on the frequent ad-libs! The cinematography is excellent and the costumes are very good - no ugly clothes! I can see why the Grim Reaper's outfit became so iconic and was rocked extensively on the fashion's global streets so. It is indeed striking! The music fits perfectly with the themes. The House was a perfect fit for all the peculiar residents.
The main actors were excellent but one has to give Gong Yoo 10/10. He is a phenomenal actor! Will watch anything with him in it. The others are not far behind.
Will have to wait a good while to watch this again, as it was deeply moving, occasionally disturbing and at times quite sad. Somehow just knew that the end would never be quite satisfactory.
However, the positive reviews are absolutely spot on! Certainly would highly recommend this KDrama.
Gooreumi Geurin Dalbit (2016)
Brilliant Funny Romance Historical
One of the earliest Kdramas I fell into during the Pandemic lockdown and I was totally hooked on historical Kdramas for life
A historical drama with the focus on the crown prince and a young female hustler disguised as a boy who eventually enters the palace as a Eunuch and the friendship between the two. One of the early "girl disguised as a boy" historical rom coms (now there are way too many!)
Park Bo-gum, and Kim Yoo-jung are both astonishingly brilliant actors in lead roles of this series. Bringing comedy, friendship and romance together slowly yet convincingly. Bravo to both these young actors!
The Prince Lee Yeong is spoilt and tempestuous, yet with an underlying sense of right and wrong coupled with compassion, and Hong Ra-on, cute, comedic, naughty yet devoted and caring.
Have watched this series several times and never got bored because the actors are so convincing.
Highly recommend.
Graduation (2024)
Baffling!
A romance between the Senior Golden Girl, long-time academy instructor, Seo Hye-jin, and her former student Lee Joon-ho, who returns after 10 years to teach at the same academy where he was previously the #1 student.
This romance is fundamentally of the older woman and young man genre. (But as there are ONLY 6 years between the ML & FL don't see it as anything to even be concerned about!)
The story is in the setting of after school cramming Academies. The rivalry amongst the teaching staff within, the incessant competition for students, and the disturbing unsettling power of the parents.
This is utterly baffling to those viewers from countries where the concept of cramming Academies and the competitive nature amongst them is non-existent, so the setting of this story is completely bewildering and it may as well be set on Mars in another future timezone!
Long lengthy explanations are plentiful and meaningless for a viewer from the UK. But did grasp (1) that the object of Academys is to teach the student to pass the Exams, not necessarily to understand what you are learning in education! And do not for one nanosecond deviate from this method and whatsoever! And (2) that it is first and foremost a BUSINESS!
Sadly these well-known fine actors (Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-Joon) are totally and incredibly wasted, as the Director asks for clichéd performances. However the performance of Seo Jeong-yeon as the powerful Director of the rival academy was noteworthy. She acted out her nickname of "white-witch" with an appropriate amount of venom that one felt she didn't need the Director's suggestions!
Only one scene raises a smile - when the ML falls out the bed as he attempts to seduce the FL (fully clothed, of course, pleeeeze stop this at least a button-down shirt that can be unbuttoned I mean who gets into bed for obvious s*x with so many clothes on in 2024). The couple never seem to have fun together, quite unlike the other popular older woman/younger man genre "Something in the Rain", equally full of family angst and trauma, but where you could see that couple fall in love while having FUN, joyfully discovering each other together in the kitchen, the bedroom, or just walking!
At times it seemed as if this series was bordering on becoming a documentary about Korean Cramming Academies!
Just cannot recommend it.
Korean audio + English subtitles.
Kkot Pimyeon Dal Saenggakhago (2021)
A Love Story set during Prohibition
Started this last year and couldn't get past Ep 4. Returned some 9 months later with a grim determination hung on to get to the end.
Right up lets say this is no comedy. The few comedic scenes fall flat every time.
There is no chemistry between the ML and FL, but far more expectation of some kind of sensual frisson between the second ML and the FL, which was weird.
Lots of secondary characters in fact way too much to get exactly why there were so many at least three could have been deleted from the script.
The standard trope of historical Kdramas is an uncle/grandfather/ brother of the queen trying to seize power behind the throne via the crown prince by any devious means necessary. Its way too predictable now as the bad guy is too easy to spot early on.
The action is good and the FL and the other women have great roles. Enjoyed watching that. However the ML were reduced to comedic, foolish and very brainless men. None seem to have strength and backbone. That was very unrealistic.
Btw what happened to the ML father? He always seemed to arrive late to table!
Wouldn't watch this again.
Bimil (2013)
A Romance Revenge Tragedy with a Twisted Dark underbelly
Definitely not your usual Rom Com! I would have rename this "Secrets and Lies", there were so many right up to the very end! One incident and death on a stormy night impacts like a spider web entangling and changing the lives of the four families. And one person suffers the most deeply.
The character development of the two men in this series is the key. The twist of what seems like a "nice decent" ambitious middle class man (Bae Soo Bin) either hiding a dark personality behind his abmitious climb to prosecutor level and possibly a chaebol marriage, or maybe it was circumstances that cause him the descend into the nasty power hungry deceitful person he eventually becomes. With the contrasting ML (Ji Sung) who is originally an unpleasant arrogant nasty chaebol heir that slowly changes into a thoughtful caring loving man who the viewer eventually empathises with instead of hating on.
The FL (Lee Da Hee) is simply a young foolish girl blinded by her love for the prosecutor she takes the rap for his actions and goes to prison where the brutality is not faked. Some of the scenes in women's prison are shocking and unpleasant but necessary, although the way they all become friends on the outside takes some getting used to, but is somewhat understandable as they can only be honest and trust each other (the ex-prisoners).
The slow realisation by the FL that she was never really loved in return after she had suffered so deeply for her ex boyfriend. That he now only saw her as a millstone hanging on her ankle is deeply heartbreaking. The viewer really feels the grief (she cries constantly!) and can empathise with her lost love, lost time, lost child, lost family and lost life and mostly lost innocence. Only when she looses all that does she actually come out of her la la foggy land to reality about people and grow up.
But this is countered by the support and eventual love she receives from her former tormentor, the chaebol heir.
Well written it was a surprise series and would recommend it.
Camden (2024)
Dissappointing
Expected more from the people who live and work in Camden. Not the newbies and those passing through.
As someone who came to Camden as a student in the late 70s and hung out in Camden market practically every weekend, married, raised kids and still living in Camden, this is my backyard.
It was all about celebrities and wanabees, not much about those who have lived in the area for generations.
The Jazz Cafe is still seen by some of us as "new" (1991) and still call Koko, Camden Palace. The Electric Ballroom is hanging there and so too the Dublin Castle.
Maybe a Part 2 will address the locals.
Sunbae, Geu Libseutik Bareujimayo (2021)
LOTS GOING ON WITH ALL THE SIDE STORIES
Really liked the stories here. The 'third' lead was absolutely hilarious when he fell in love at first sight so I hung on and focussed on his story as the others were quite predictable. The ML was an excellent actor but there was no chemistry with the FL until the last episode! Weird. Hate bland face women, need a bit more animation.
Never get used to the paranoid, hysterical manic interest in other peoples relationships in office settings in Kdramas - Is that really the case?
Loved all the variety of family dynamics. Instead of a regular Mum and Dad, we were given numerous other family scenarios. Siblings who love each other and are there for each other through rain and thunder, a widowed mother who has become utterly dependant on her daughter for time and affection, orphaned brother and sister subject to a chairman grandfather's threats, a 'boring' married man whose daren't be real to his parents about his questioning 'sexual curiosity', and finally an abandoned man whose parents never wanted or loved him- that is painful. All these families make the drama interesting.
However the "star" of this Drama is Ro Woon as ML. Superb acting! Great character development as a boyfriend, brother, Uncle and work colleague. Even as a Son in law, he filled each roll admirably.
Audio Korean + English subtitles.
Chugakusei Nikki (2018)
So Much Wrong With This
To summarise:
New Qualified teacher for middle school catches the eye of a 15 year old lad (he looks like 21 in reality). Usual uproar. She leaves goes to another school/town and 3 years later they meet up again with even more angst. With him confess love and she hesitent the parents and staff and his cohorts all get involved to the point where she quits teaching again and everyone works towards keeping them apart. A few adventures, to the point o accusations of kidnapping and police involvement, they separate and five years later meet up overseas still very much in love.
No matter how much love is painted in this story. Facts are facts. She is the responsible adult and he is a minor and there and laws in most countries against these teacher&student relationships.
The sub plots of his mother depriving him of contact with his birth father. The child being neglected by her mother because she committed adultery and the ex fiancé getting his girlfriend pregnant, and she deciding to raise that child by herself.
The teen friend group are just that a bunch of noisy teens trying to have to best days of their lives at school. The teen angst of the ML is palpable yet the acting surprisingly good. He matures slowly but gets there.
The FL is weak and slow realising she has fallen in love with the young student. Does she really understand that it is illegal? But it all works out in the end. The cinematography is exceptional. Lovely wide sweeping shots of the countryside with facial close ups only when absolutely necessary.
It will always be a puzzle to non asians to comprehend Confucian edits on filial piety and respect. The control of parents over the children is bewildering.
Don't recollect and comedic scenes.
Japanese Audio + English subtitles.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)
SCHOOL STORY IN HISTORICAL DAYS or SONS AND FATHERS
Where do I begin.
The basics were fine. Once again a girl pretending to be a boy enrolled in a boys only college and has to room mate with two boys. She is clever, so clever she learns and becomes and expert archer in a matter of days, learns and plays field hockey and tops her class academically.
One of the roommates falls in love with her (and one of the others too) and turns out she likes him too. Yeah! One finds out acciddently that She is a She and the other just guesses. The ML has to discover this much later.
Again like all the other girl pretending to be a boy dramas, the Actress playing the role doesnt even remotely look like a boy! But you have to roll with it!
Its a simply good humour story with the bad guy always one step behind. The driving filial piety towards parents is constant in this KDrama, alongside the reality of sons having to come to terms with their fathers' ruthless past.
Have to say this, the fighting scenes were very poor quite stiff.
Otherwise, just enough comedy, lightheartedness, drama and HEA to not get bored even though you know exactly how it will end.
Watche in Korean audio and English subtitles.
Not that much kowtowing to the King (why not?) and mysterious mysteries to solve, before the ML & FL live happily every after.
Naui Haebangilji (2022)
Stick with it.
Attracted to this as Ioved "My Mister" and saw this was the same writer.
About a family with three siblings still living at home - way outside Soeul - with parents who have a small piece of land they farm and the dad also has and runs a Kitchen sink factory. There is one employee, Mr Gu, the viewer is slowly but definitively drawn to this outsider.
This family have no warm, tons of long silences and no praise for each other. They seem to be merely existing going through the physical motions with no fun or love, too tired to talk to each other.
The employee, Mr Gu, (Son Suk-ku) is an alcoholic drowning himself alone in bottles of soju nightly. Son Suk-ku literally steals this drama from the other actors. His frequent long silences are not easy to portray emotions through, yet he he does this brilliantly. Watch and appreciate! Watch and learn!
Lots and lots of (unnecessary) scenes of eating food. The overworked parents, particularly the mother who literally never stops working alongside the clearly bored adult children make this a very slow series and it can be easily abandoned but hey stick with it. There are some surprises.
Watched in audio Korean with English subtitles.
Rimembeo: Adeul-ui Jeonjaeng (2015)
A Sleeper and Certainly Worth watching
The trope of the underdog family being crushed by the son of a wealthy chaebol son, whilst the underdog son seeks revenge - Yes, but with such a different twist.
A father accused of murder while he is suffering from Alzheimers, is defended by his attorney son who has Hyperthymesia syndrome (an ability to remember life experiences and items of his surroundings in precise detail.
The character development of the main leads stands out in the KSeries. Well done to the the scriptwriters!
The acting of Namgoong Min and Yoo Seung-Ho just excellent.
The ending was phenomenal, whilst heartbreaking it was reality. Although justice was achieved the final touch was so real it was heartbreaking.
Supporting Brilliant Acting right across the board.
Watched in Audio Korean and English subtitles.
Sejak (2024)
Had Potential in StoryLine But Zero Passion
Really looked forward to watching this. Waited until all the episodes were available to start watching so could blitz to the end.
The "accidental" king who takes the throne when his brother the King is poisoned falls in love with a wannabe spy/traitor who is disguised as a man. Let me say right here right now the she/he does not even pass as a boy! Not even a twinkie. Ayway, Yeah the she/he falls for the king too.
There is all the usual Palace intrigue with the women stuck in there at their very best at being devious. 10/10 to the Dowager Queen, but you can't really act that role badly
There has been a spate of dramas with girls pretending to be boys and confusing the ML who begins to think he is Gay and so here is another one.
The story is basically good. But the absolute lack of PASSION between the ML and the FL literally ruined this drama. It was like watching a Kdrama from the '80s - stiff and unemotional. The FL, Shin Se-kyung, was absolutely dreadful, just one expression dead-pan, occasionally she threw in dead-pan with tears. Will certainly avoid her in anything in future! Not once was I convinced these two Leads were in love or capable of being intimate.
This Director should watch "My Dearest/Lovers" for tips on how to film deep affection/love in a historical context! Even "Mr Queen", was way better at filming believable affection between the leads. Can't believe this was released in 2024. Not tepid or tame, just ice cold!
The cinematography is feeble. When they finally have one night together where the king discovers she is a woman, the light in the room was like a DOZEN led bulbs! Ridiculous.
This is okay to pass the time if you are looking for a historical drama but I had to leave it a few times as I was getting so frustrated with the poor acting. And we know that Jo Jung Suk is a brilliant actor but in this he was so wooden I was baffled. Maybe this was the directors plan? Didn't work for me.
Oh and there is no secondary relationship to ease the boring moments and zero comical moments.
Finally have to mention; watched with Korean audio and English subtitles. The absolute WORSE subtitle translations! So much American modern slang that was totally wrong for the status of the leads. Someone who couldn't comprehend that Royalty do not speak like working class bums and translated as though everyone spoke 'street'. Ugh.
Nae Nampyeongwa Gyeolhonhaejweo (2024)
SO HILARIOUS!
Kang Ji-Won (Park Min-Young) is married to Park Min-Hwan (Lee Yi-Kyung), who is very lazy and in debt with a useless father and appaling mother. Kang Ji-Won discovers she is terminally ill then catches her husband and her only friend Jung Soo-Min (Song Ha-Yoon) in bed together. She accidentally dies and is re-born ten years previously. She decides to change her "new" life by making Jung Soo-Min marry Park Min-Hwan. She also gains in confidence and determination.
Now what I have not seen anywhere in any of previous reviews is the comedy of this series. Touted as a Revenge drama - yes I suppose it is. BUT I never stopped laughing as it was so totally unreal and the brilliant acting of the husband, Park Min-Hwan (Lee Yi-Kyung), is just so good. Don't know how they managed to keep a stright face even filming this as I was just folded over in laughter. As far I am concerned its a COMEDY!
Korean audio English subtitles.
First Love (2022)
Was surprised, this is actuall a delightful drama of First Love
Right of the start let me say this is a perfect example of how it is just fine and certainly possible to have a drama/series of less than 10 Episodes and still have a pleasant conclusion.
This is about First Love, coupled with a dramatic loss (amnesia trope used) interfering parent and a firm belief in Fate. The struggle to continue with life and living after the loss is very real.
It was a pleasant drama and well acted by the ML & FL playing Yae and Harumichi WITHOUT inserting an equally secondary love story.
The FL was good but not as good IMO, however the ML certainly acted very well. The younger counterparts were surprising good.
Would have been interesting if her son had turned out to be the ML and not to nerd she was briefly married to.
Wo xi huan ni (2020)
Gentle rom com with the usual tropes
This is about a CEO who falls slowly for a much younger woman, a chef, through their mutual appreciation of food. Although I fail to understand how stone cold (or reheated) special friend rice can change a CEO decision to buy or not to buy a Hotel. Like Really?
The couple are so poles apart, that it is a slow realisation and acceptance that the couple really have feelings for each other before they go any further.
They are at completely different social and class levels and have to meet and learn about each others friends and family.
The drama focuses more on HER cohorts who are entertaining down to earth, rowdy, lively and genuine, her grandfather has a food stall. His are the usual stiff necked business people, with the possible exception of his driver, particularly his mother who is determined that he should not marry "down". Throw in a semi neer do well younger brother and it speeds up.
The ML is very good and the FL has some way to go but came across as genuine with a huge amount of potential. She would be fabulous in a historical drama.
The script could do with a little/lot more work. The filming of the food was clearly given priority and done very well but over all it a good drama to pass the time when bored at home sick in bed.
Yes it is a HEA ending.
Yeon-in (2023)
A MASTERPIECE. The Acting is "Chefs Kiss"
It's the second Kdrama I have ever given 10 stars! (The other was Crash Landing) Many have written synopsis on the story so I will refrain. Except to say this is absolutely no GWTW copy.
Have no idea why I started watching this and confess at the second Ep ready to abandon it, but suddenly it picked up in Ep3 and really took off. Through the horror of war and hunger, I settled in for the ride and became mega-hooked. Appreciation sank in as I watched masterful acting and took a personal interest in the outcome of almost all these characters' lives.
The lead actors are both utterly astonishing! Both the ML and FL: Min Nam-koong and Park Jeong-yeon, are a dream together. They both take my breath away with the skill and genuineness with which they interpret the scriptwriter's intent with this plot of love and loss in a difficult time in Korea's history. The Director deserves applause and a bouquet for his direction.
The cinematographer comes in bang on target with stunning wide sweeping shots, magnificent colour and moving scenes. (The kiss in the field was excellently shot).
Never have I seen a historical bedding scene so beautifully shot regards lighting and close-ups. Able to translate a deep affection finally being consummated with such dignity, as opposed to "camera to black!" Just Exceptional. Other Directors please pay attention and learn from this master.
With yet another massive bouquet for the Casting Director. Nearly forgot (slap wrists), the Costume Designer! The Qing Dynasty outfits are astonishingly beautiful and don't look like some fake Halloween get-up, but genuine clothing. You can see the research that went into creating them. Altogether the production is a rare joy. I cried, laughed, was anxious and lived alongside the joy, war, tears and escapades of this historical Kdrama series.
Whilst waiting for the Second Series to be aired I rewatched the first 3 episodes to comprehend the intent of the scriptwriter as the foundations It helped get me ready for the airing of the 2nd series.
The ML initial inability to seriously commit to a relationship and the growth of the FL which I found compelling; once her teenage immaturity, silly flirting and feisty outspokenness passes, she comes into her adulthood with a compelling inner strength during the war, and later when she initiates and run a business, whilst becoming responsible for providing for her family and servants. The ML makes it clear it is her "brazenness" that he admires.
Absolutely no hesitation in declaring My Dearest/Lover is easily my favourite Kdrama. I highly recommend it for viewing.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Viewed: English subtitles + Korean audio.
Him-ssen yeo-ja Do Bong-soon (2017)
Rom Com thats actually funny
Bong Soon the FL, comes from a long line of super strong women with the caveat that the strength must only be used for good and can be lost if used incorrectly.
Taken on as an intern by a Games company this slow burner Kdrama precise, is that she falls (round about ep 11) for her boss who initially hires her as a bodyguard when he witnesses her feats of strength. But our FL really wants to be a game developer in his company. The cute handsome ML. However she has had a crush of the second ML since elementary school and he apparently hasn't picked up on it. When he finally does its too late!
There are several subplots with the main one being a creep that is kidnapping girls from the FL home district.
There are loads of laugh out loud moments in this drama which was appreciated. The FL is a warm funny and loves her family although there are some relationship issues with her mother. However in an unusual twist for a Kdrama, instead of a mother hell bent on destroying her relationship with the ML, this mother is very active in encouraging the daughter to sleep with the ML. Going so far as to visit a shaman and praying at the temple to get them together, which sometimes is quite comical.
An actor criminally underused I was absolutely delighted to see the contrasting dual role played by the gifted veteran Kim Won-hae! (He also recently popped up in Lonely Runner!)
The FL has a twin brother who is a Dr in the main hospital where everyone ends up being treated by him as though there are no other Drs in this hospital (suspend your disbelief for a moment and roll with it!)
It can seem a bit slow and choppy with the sub plots of other relationships, the many thugs (who are all actually warmhearted), and the baffling appearance and disappearance of the ML family!! But bear with it.
It has a HEA, but for the life of me I couldn't work out why none of the ML family, not even the father, were not seen on such an auspicious occasion at the end, but every oddball thug was present. Someone tell me why please.
In terms of acting, surprisingly good all lead actors were up to scratch, didn't feel anyone had a botox frozen face!
If you want to chill and laugh then recommended this Kdrama.
Ballerina (2023)
Excellent Revenge Story
This is a surprisingly good action packed revenge movie. (nearly gave up as it is a slow start). A female body guard seeks a successful revenge on behalf of her dead friend who clearly got in with the Criminal underworld who are blackmailing her. Unable to see a way out she commits suicide. Her friend who sets out to avenge her death is The FL. She is very convincing in the action scenes. There is no waste of time, space or dare I say it dialogue in this movie. A kdrama series could have stretched it to 50 episodes, so it was an absolute delight that it was over in less than 1.5 hrs.
The ML & FL are brilliant actors 10/10 for both, with the ML, Kim Ji-hoon, just edging the other out for dead pan facial expressions!
The cinematography gets a straight up 10. Just brilliant photography.
Most Europeans will note the blatant action and the motorbike cribbing of Lisbeth Salander, from 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' or maybe its a homage!
Biggest gripe and totally unnecessary was the endless smoking. One scene about 20 men in a room over a invalid in bed all smoking! Come on! Thats so dated! Its 2023! Marked down for that. Second gripe was the ancient guns. Did I miss something, a significant reference there? Why were they so antique?
Watched in Korean audio + English subtitles.
Jinjjaga Natanassda! (2023)
Exhausting Tedious etc
The series depicts the story of an unmarried pregnant woman and an unmarried man who enter into a false contract which leads them to romance, pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing.
Suffice to say that despite this having 50 episodes it had absolutely no romance, No Comedy, No dramatic moments or anything memorable! Can't remember if anyone ever kissed despite several relationships within this series. (One or two seemed genuine).
Really bad script writing. Awful costumes (I mean ankle socks for the FL making her look infantile WTH was that about?!). Crap casting (fire the casting agents now!) Really bad acting. Alongside the boring stereotypical hysterical screaming idiotic/bullying females; mother, sister in laws and grandmother. And continues with the tiresome trope of grown up married couples living together under the grandmother's tyrannical rule in the 21st century in extremely pokey bedrooms. I mean please why would wealthy people live like that? Only finished this because I always finish what I started. This did nothing positive for the Korean film and television industry except to highlight how poorly constructed it can be at times. Cannot think of one single actor who was memorable or worthy of the term. In this series.
Some attempt to have a debate on Abortion but really sub par. The only angst and real reason it gets any stars from me was the genuine debate on infertility and IVF, alongside the distress of the couple struggling to conceive.
And please this is the third Kdrama I have watched where the pregnant FL never ever LOOKS pregnant at four or five months; boobs still small and tummy flat as a pancake! Still wearing tight jeans and tucked in shirts. Come on the entire series what about being pregnant, lets see that baby tummy rise.
Laughed once once once in the entire 50 episodes.
Do Not Waste Your Time Watching This Rubbish!