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My So Ji Sub fix while waiting for week 3 of Agent Kim Reactivated

This review is being written in July, 2026, thirteen years after The Master's Sun aired. I understand it was a hit when it aired and catipaulted the most excellent So Ji Sub's career. To be fair to the writer, neither Netflix nor Viki had great subtitles. Sometimes, I was confused about what exactly Joong Won was saying to Tae Young. Maybe my review is stunted due to the subtitles because I know the Korean language has much more depth than English with fewer words, causing cultural nuances to be missed entirely.

Before I continue, I have to stop here and say So Ji Sub has aged very gracefully ;-). I did watch this for So Ji Sub so I wouldn't go through withdrawl between episodes of Agent Kim Reactivated, and I stayed not only because of him but because I am a die-hard watcher who seldom drops a KDrama.

The story itself was good but not great (noting the subtitling issue). I have watched many dramas from the same time period that were much better in terms of character development, acting and overall storyline. Most of the characters in TMS were 1-dimentional, with the exception of KHJ whom I felt brought much more depth to Gong Shil than Ji Sub brought to Joong Won. Having said that, Kong Hyo Jin and So Ji Sub were both good in their respective roles - acting as the writer and director wanted. However, because of the stiffness of Joong Won's character, I wasn't convinced of the chemisty between SJS and KHJ. Ji Sub was stiffer than I've seen him in other dramas so I had to atribute his peformance here more to the directing than to him. I also didn't see much of a change in JW's character arc even in the last episode. Love makes people do crazy things, some that are utterly contrary to their character. I was expecting to see, at least a couple times, where he completely crumbled in her presence, casting all fear and/or pride aside. I actually didn't feel any attraction to Joong Won.

I remarked to my sister a number of times how Gong Shil was fearful but bold; (1) in her fearful reaction to the ghosts followed by her absolute need to help them in spite of JW's objections; and (2) how she touched Joong Won out of shear desparation regardless of his efforts to push her away. She even endured JW's aunt's lectures and Yi Ryung's bullying without backing down. I loved how she was comfortable with Kang Woo. To me, they were the better match. Yes, I had Second Male Syndrome. His warm, loyal, protective personality was no match for the abrassive, needy, empty Yi Ryung (Kim Roo Yi).

Gong Shil's mysterious past was mentioned enough times raising more than a little of curiosity about her - and in my mind, full anticipation that we'd find all thar out. With 17 episodes, almost no time was devoted as to why she was able to see ghosts. That would have been worth parts of 2 or 3 episodes to see flashbacks of her in the mountains, being rescued, and the ensuing recovery. In Episode 15 or 16 we should have seen flashbacks of her spirit traveling with photographer Woo Jin Woo (where is the most hansome Lee Chun Hee these days??). We needed more details to feel greater empathy for and understand of her. It would have been nice to hear Kang Woo (good early acting by Seo in Guk) or Secretary Kim (by the wonderful Choi Jung Woo) tell Joong Won what really happened to her 7 years ago and to see his reaction when he learned she spent 3 years in a coma. Scenes with these details are what would have brough greater depth to our ML's. As it was Won Jin Woo's introduction into the story felt like a weak segway into yet another delay to the final climax of them becoming a couple. WJW's character was more than just a segway, he was critical to the next part of GS's growth journey. He almost gave me Third Male Lead syndrome, BTW.

There were plenty of flashback (teasers) aboutJoong Woon and his past, and yet. not enough understanding about the deeper reason why he had no relationship with his father who appeard to be useless to the plot. The actress who played Han Na was utterly unconvincing which made the entire culmination of the main plot about Cha Hee Ju also unconvincing. The poor acting for me caused this part of the story to fall completely apart - and then we came to the immediate segway of Gong Shil leaving with WJW.

The production itself (cinematography, sets, camera angles, etc.) lacked, as the settings appeard to be actual film sets and not true offices, living rooms, or bedrooms. The costuming was also not up to par with other dramas of the same period. It appeard to me this drama was in production as it was being aired (like 3 or 4 episodes ahead of airing). The music itself was good, supporting emotions as appropriate and not distracting to the story, I can get through a mediocre production if the story and the acting are both good. However, the story had a good premice but the execution was mediocre. The acting by the cast as a whole was mixed as I didn't feel most of the actors' performances and interactions came off as natural.

You might like it better than me. because, well..., So Ji Sub is still So Ji Sub.

7/10

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One of Korea’s painful moments told with sincere honesty

The core story behind Ransomed is heart wrenching and inspirational at the same time. While the movie itself is a loose characterization of the facts, it is well executed and authentically presented as it pulls you in for a turbulent ride in 1987 Lebanon. IMO it is an excellent film. I dare say Hollywood could have done better.

The duo Ha Jung Woo and Ju Ji Hoon were funny, sincere, and believable as Diplomat Lee Min Joon and taxi driver Km Pan Su. They had great chemistry together and were supported by a wonderfully diverse mix of actors who held their own in each of their respective roles. I was impressed by the realistic use of several languages. None of the actors came off cheesy when speaking English, which so often is the case in foreign films.

While not attractive due to the film’s setting, the cinematography was excellent. The OST blended with and supported the film so well it was never a distraction .

Korea has a fascinating history including its recent, more modern period. This story is part of that and I appreciate and applaud Korea’s film industry for tackling even its painful moments with sincere honesty.

I highly recommend this film.

10/10

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What a ride it was!

I can’t critically review this one effectively. I agree with them, so can’t add any more to the other well written 9 & 10 star reviews.
All I can say is, for someone who shies away from horror and zombie movies, I loved Train to Busan! I highly recommend it to anybody who likes this genre.
The acting was perfect but honestly, the Zombies were the best. I believe the reviewers who said this is the best Zombie movie anywhere.

As a side note:
I cracked up during Episode 7 of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin) where Kim Sin and Eun Tak go to the movies to see Train to Busan. Kim Sin cannot contain his fright at watching Seok Woo trying to protect his daughter from the zombies.

I read where that scene was an inside joke by the writers. For those who are unaware, Kim Sin and Seok Woo are both played by Gong Yoo. The behind the scenes of that scene in Goblin are even more hysterical to watch.

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not for the faint at heart

This drama is not for the faint at heart and not one I suggest watching close to bedtime. it was highly violent and whenever PJH came out with a pen and used it, I gasped LOUDLY like I was standing right there.
the story did lack depth, though. we needed more story to be truly invested in the lives of these boys. Nevertheless, I was hooked to the point of wanting a positive resolution/ending. But I needed more to emphasize with their choices and actions - with all the flashbacks I don’t think I fully understood why Baek Jin chose that path.
I hate to pick dramas apart too much, but the idea that such a level of bullying along with all that violence could continually occur in a highschool in a fully developed country, especially one with such high academic standards, without the teachers, and other adults on campus (let alone the parents) not knowing is mind boggling. does this really happen to this degree in Korea? where were the police?
I have to say the acting was excellent. EVERYONE did a great job especially Park Ji Hoon, Ryeo Un, and Bae Na Ra, our main villain.
The music added to the overall tone and did not distract. I personally won’t be rewatching this one because of the excessive violence. having said that, the fight scenes were so realistic (props to the choreographer) I felt some of those boys should have ended up with brain damage or worse. I won’t wait with baited breath but if/when Class 3 comes out, I will watch it…., once.😉

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Park Ji Hoon is ahead of his time

I’m not into heavy violence but made an exception this time. i don’t very often watch highschool dramas but also made an exception this time. this is a really good story - the characters are fleshed out and the actors really brought life to them. PJH is ahead of his time. I think he is 22 or 23 in Season 1 - and his acting chops are like that of someone in their mid to upper 30’s. I love his character so much so that I wished happiness for him but I’m afraid he’ll have to graduate HS before he finds it because HS is definitely not going to be remembered as the good old days for him.
hats off to the whole cast and crew!!!
the fight scenes are very realistic - too realistic for me, but like I said I made an exception. I doubt that I will rewatch this one for that reason.

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Love may be sparked by feeling but Love is an action word motivated by commitment.

Queen of Tears is being re-released marathon-style this weekend (6/3-5/26) in Korea. This feels like the perfect opportunity to revisit and review one of my favorite dramas and also respond to some of the criticism I’ve seen out there.

To those who have thoughtfully articulated their criticisms on various sites, I respect you for clearly explaining your perspectives. However, to those who gave this drama a low rating after dropping it within the first three episodes, to keep ratings fair, I would respectfully suggest placing those early impressions in the comments section rather than the review section.

—The Acting

I believe the director of Queen of Tears used a restrained acting style between Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won for Baek Hyun-woo’s and Hong Hae-in’s characters. Meaning there was more silence and less dialogue, with much of the communication happening through eyes, facial expressions, delayed reactions, and unspoken emotions. I can see were this approach drew viewers into Baek/Hong's thoughts and feelings, making us experience their emotional journeys alongside them.

For me, much of the drama’s suspense came from these moments rather than from cliffhangers at the end of episodes. IMO, both Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun portrayed their characters with remarkable refinement and skill. Each displayed the wide acting range necessary to create truly multidimensional characters, the kind that we all love to watch.

Not only can Kim Soo-hyun portray profound sorrow, but he also excels at restraint. He masterfully utilizes subtle gestures and micro-expressions, communicating volumes without words. I’ve seen most of his dramas as well as Secretly Greatly. Never have I seen him display more varied gestures, expressions, or personality traits within a single character than he did with Baek Hyun-woo. As BHW, he convincingly portrayed boyish innocence, explosive anger, intense longing, devastating heartbreak, emotional collapse, and everything in between.

To the critics, how is that not great acting? But Kim Soo-hyun needs no defense from me.

Kim Ji-won has evolved into an exceptionally dynamic actress. I first enjoyed her performance in Descendants of the Sun, but there is a night-and-day difference between her acting range then and what she delivered in Queen of Tears. She gave us a subtly layered Hong Hae-in: a strong, uncompromising Type-A personality who is fiercely defiant but too proud to openly express emotions that might be perceived as weakness. Some of her funniest moments came through her indirect expressions of affection; asking leading questions, offering backhanded compliments, or scolding Hyun-woo before admitting he made her heart flutter. These moments, in my view, highlighted just how difficult it was for her to communicate genuine romantic feelings. As Hae-in’s journey with her illness and her relationship with BHW progressed, Kim Ji-won revealed her character’s deepest vulnerabilities at precisely the right moments and in exactly the right measure, making her both believable and relatable.

Queen of Tears would not have been the same story without both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. They were equals as actors, just as their characters were equals as man and wife. To reviewers or critics who say they had little or no chemistry is, in my opinion, to not have watched it or to have watched it with a heavy bias against one or both actors.

—The Character Development

*Kim Soo-hyun once remarked in an interview that Baek Hyun-woo begins the story as a loser. He was right. Hyun-woo was passive, submissive, and immature in his understanding of love. He believed enduring mistreatment without protest was an expression of devotion. Being constantly wounded by the Hong family—including his wife—became unbearable. He couldn't fight his circumstances so he convinced himself that he hated her as was revealed in the meeting with his psychiatrist (oh, the clever irony seeing Oh Jung Se as the psychiatrist. )

It would be no surprise that with that mindset, divorce was his only escape. Then came the shocking realization of Hae-In's impending death. We are to believe life with HHI and the Hongs was that unbearable. Again with his mindset, this would conveniently solve his problems. I agree with KSH and other critics, he was a loser and a coward.

*Hae-in sounded as though she understood what love was when she spoke to Eun-sung when he asked her about their relationship. In reality, she was every bit as immature as her husband. She seemed to believe that as long as Hyun-woo remained “by her side,” they would be alright. He said he would always be there, didn’t he?

At the beginning of the story, we see how thoroughly she has adopted her family’s arrogant sense of superiority, which justifies mistreating those of lower status for personal gain, even when that person is her husband. In the nursery removal scene, she hid behind that arrogance as a way of coping with the miscarriage.

These Baek-Hong warts are the foundation of QOT.

*While utterly foolish, Yang-gi’s suggestion that Hyun-woo pretend to love Hae-in in order to secure a place in her will became a blessing in disguise. Or…, perhaps it was a calculated move by Yang-gi to help his best friend see the truth beneath all the hurt. I doubt the latter, but it shows how much Yang-gi is in his BFF's court because he has witnessed BHW's life for the last 3+ years,

*Even though Hyun-woo cannot truly pull off hating Hae-in, he remained a coward by resisting the urge to start anything romantically with her. As her condition deteriorates, however, his resolve gradually crumbles and we see that buried love for her begin to reignite because, well, he never hated her to begin with. I loved when his mother scolded him later on when he confessed HHI's terminal condition. She was a strong woman with a gentle, loving spirit. If I had her for a mother, because I knew she loved me so much, that scolding would have been worse than any beating or rant.

*Of course, the pivotal moment for BHW comes in Germany. With both completely defeated, he deliberately provokes a divorce battle from Hae-in, not because he wants to leave her but because he desperately wants her to live. He gives her something to fight for, even if it is not with him. I believe this is where Baek Hyun-woo embraces what love truly is—not merely a feeling, but a choice and a commitment expressed through action.

In helping the Hong family escape to Yongdu-ri, Hyun-woo proves that love by devoting himself completely to protecting Hae-in and her family. We later learn that he contacted hundreds of cancer centers around the world in search of treatment options for her because he is desperate to keep her alive.

*Hae-in’s growth begins when she finally “wins” the divorce (props to Vincenzo / Song Joong Ki). It's at that point she begins to examine herself honestly and see Hyun-woo for who he truly is, the only man she could ever love. She realizes that he gives her a reason to live and that she cannot bear the thought of a future without him, in life or in death. For a fiercely independent and emotionally guarded woman, this was enormous character development.

When she found herself separated from the pressures of her corporate life in Yongdu-ri, Hae-in dropped her guard and, around Hyun Woo, she revealed a softer side she may never have known existed. The ultimate expression of her selfless love for HW came during the press conference, where she exposed Eun-sung's deeds in order to protect him.

Beyond Baek-Hong, the overall family relationships ultimately reinforced one of the drama’s central themes: that love outweighs money, status, and power. When they lost it all, they could finally see and appreciate each other.

*Beom-ja, although initially too eccentric to be taken seriously, became a scene-stealer, who consistently provided much-needed comic relief. She had been right along about Moh Seul-hee.

*Yang-gi also stole nearly every scene he appeared in (loved him). For me, his final scene with Hyun-woo in the car was one of the most memorable moments involving any supporting character in the entire drama. He was the friend to the end and he didn't want to lose him.

*Eun-sung’s, wonderfully portrayed by Park Sung-hoon,character arc never truly evolved beyond his obsession with possessing Hae-in and controlling Queens Group. He was still a juvenile wearing a 5,000,000 KRW suit. Despite the writers’ efforts, I don't believe viewers ever developed meaningful sympathy for him or for his mother, Moh Seul-hee. We were reminded how terrible a mother she was, more times than necessary.

Eun-sung did nothing to weaken the Baek-Hong relationship. If anything, he strengthened it. Despite all their resentment and misunderstandings, neither Hyun-woo nor Hae-in looked elsewhere. Eun-sung was never going to have a chance.

—The Story, the Second Half, HHI's Illness, Plot Extremes, and Valid Criticisms

Queen of Tears was approximately two years in the making, including about a year of filming. Across its roughly 23-hour runtime, Studio Dragon delivered a beautiful story about two people who had forgotten how deeply they loved each other and who rediscovered that buried love after a life-threatening tragedy nearly ended their relationship forever. It’s worth remembering that the drama was reportedly inspired, in part, by the real-life story of a Samsung heiress who married a regular employee.

Stories, fables, and even biblical narratives often use extreme or unrealistic circumstances to communicate deeper truths. I view many K-dramas through a similar lens. Not every detail needs to be realistic or true to life if the emotional truth resonates. This is why I can accept some of the more exaggerated elements of Queen of Tears. Even if one could dismiss parts of the story as unrealistic (real life often proves stranger than fiction, by the way), as someone who loved the drama, I can acknowledge its flaws.

* IMO too much screen time was devoted to the mechanics of the conspiracy against the Hong family. The writer and director likely felt it necessary to illustrate the lengths psychopaths will go to in pursuit of power and wealth, but I was not heavily invested in all of the related side characters and their storylines. Some of that time could have been spent further developing the Baek-Hong relationship.

* The Hong family—excluding Hae-in—sometimes came across as baphoonery in their trust of people who clearly sought to exploit them. Also, I found it difficult to believe, at first, that Hae-in’s mother remained trapped in grief over her son’s death for so many years, but truthfully, some people never fully recover from such losses.

* Grandfather, who trusted every word Baek said, suddenly placed his faith in a complete stranger and eventually removed Hyun-woo from the board. That transition felt uncharacteristic and unrealistically abrupt.

* The collapse of Queens Group and the attempted destruction of Hyun-woo’s legal reputation is where some viewers felt the drama lost focus. With so many moving parts, keeping track of everything started to get challenging. Grace’s role as a double agent often felt like a wrench thrown into the machinery of the plot.

* The exile to Yongdu-ri introduced additional storylines, some of which felt unnecessary.

Yet, the central focus did remain the Baek-Hong relationship. Every major event either contributed to or reflected their gradual surrender to the love they had spent years suppressing, even burying.

* Critics who argue that Hae-in’s illness lacked realism make a very fair point. It did show some of her illness’ effects, but the drama could and should have done more to show more of the effects of her illness. She was in the hospital once, briefly, but recouped amazingly quick. But wait…., she’s dying, isn’t she she? Also, her post-surgery recovery was far more glamorous than reality would allow. Still, those shortcomings were not deal-breakers for me. KDramas tend to lack that medical realism unless it's actually a medical drama.

* The arrest in Germany, the kidnapping, the hit-and-run, Hyun-woo somehow leaving the emergency room in one piece, and the winter gunshot sequence all pushed the boundaries of plausibility. But most of these 2nd half plot twists or narrative devices were designed to intensify the emotional climax between Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in. They forced the building of a new relationship between two people who thought they knew each other but, in some respects, were strangers.

Alchemy of Souls was pure fantasy (one of my least favorite genres) yet audiences embraced it because they connected emotionally with the characters. The same principle applies here.

—Why I Still Rate It So Highly

Even someone who loves Queen of Tears can acknowledge its flaws and still give it a 9 or 10.

Why?

Because, taken as a whole, the drama speaks to the heart.

I have never been wealthy, nor did I marry into a wealthy family. Yet the relationship between Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in reminded me of my own marriage. Both our love for each other was immature in the beginning and we definitely experienced our share of dramatic and difficult moments. Then, in our sixth year together, my husband began suffering life-altering medical episodes while still appearing healthy on the outside. A year later, he died. Looking back on our life together, I felt like I could have been a better partner and blamed myself for a long time over mostly trivial things. What I wanted was for him to come back. Anyway, I eventually realized something important: he never held my shortcomings or my mistakes (big and little) against me. He had made plenty of his own. And I never held his mistakes against him either. In retrospect, we always understood that about each other, even during our worst moments.

That realization changed how I viewed Queen of Tears. Forgiveness and acceptance are two of the highest forms of love in action.

—Why is Queen of Tears a treasured story for many?

I am certain I am not the only viewer who found pieces of their own life reflected in this drama.

Queen of Tears may contain over-the-top moments, but many viewers accept them because extraordinary moments exist in ordinary lives. We just don’t read about them every day. In the end, despite its plot holes, detours, and occasional excesses, Queen of Tears succeeds where it matters most:

It reminds us that love is not merely something we feel. Love is a choice. It is an action word. And it is not for the faint of heart.

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The best modern era C-Drama Rom-Com I’ve ever watched

Mild spoilers - last paragraph plus a Product Placement comment

A Day of Becoming You is my all-time favorite modern era C-Drama. I’m writing this review after my 3rd watch in August 2026. I watched it the first time in early 2024.

Steven Zhang as Jaing Yi and Liang Jie as Shang Sheng were perfect. Perfectly funny, perfectly ‘each other’, and perfectly romantic. Steven Chang always made you believe he was both Jiang Yi and Sheng Sheng —- even in the same scene (note the last 10- 15 minutes of episode 16) !!!!!!’ His entire body, facial expressions, and tone were completely different for both roles. Liang Jie brought such beautiful warmth and positive energy to Sheng Sheng as well as a very stoic Jiang Yi who is yet full of wonder at the loving people that have come into his life. I don’t know of any other actors who could have pulled off these dual roles while maintaining such consistently great chemistry between each other as these two.

TDOBY is a narrowly focused Romantic Comedy using the familiar body-swapping trope. However, it is played out In such a clever, hysterically believable way. It stayed true to a Rom-Com without going down rabbit holes or adding other tropes. If laughter is the best medicine, I got many times the recommended dose each time I watched. Watching was so good for my soul - I laughed so hard so many times. (I laughed just as much this third watch as I did the first watch.). TDOBY included several good life-points/lessons to ponder without being preachy.

I enjoyed watching their relationship progress. There were no spots in the story where I was bored - to me the story flowed effortlessly. Props to the writer, director, editor, and production team. The supporting cast were each great, adding to the story in meaningful ways - including Fatty, of course!

The music was great. It truly increased the romantic value of the story while also adding the necessary punches to the plot. I have a few songs in my playlist.

The visual and sound effects and how they perfectly supported the story are the best I’ve ever seen/heard.

I was not put off by the ending as some other people were. To me it brought everything back to the beginning and I appreciated their relationship all the more. The picture of them together, smiling at the end is beautiful and almost gave a sense that it was actually them, SC and LJ, a couple for real (Don’t worry, I’m not shipping them). [Not sure how true this is but when I first watched this drama I read that the ending was added to satisfy Chinese censorship.]

** Why I loved this Rom-Com and other comments - includes Mild spoilers **

Discovering they have switched - hysterical.
The walnuts!!! Unbelievably Hysterical
The switched Sheng Sheng giving instructions to the switched Jiang Yi on what he can and cannot do while in her body - hysterical
Sheng Sheng’s weight gain (all that led up to that) - hysterical
The variety show / game /interview - gut splitting
Sheng Sheng’s period. - there are no words 🤣🤣🤣
The Park scene overlooking Jung Yi’s boyhood home - heartwarming and oh, so romantic - one of the best executed romantic scenes in all the C-dramas I’ve watched.
The many scenes of JY and SS getting to know each other as a couple - so tender, romantic, and mature (probably too perfect for some - but great romances should include such ‘pillow talk’, right?)
Sheng Sheng’s protection of Jiang Yi’s image and privacy - we all should have a friend who cared about us as much.
Da Chaun - best friend no matter what who was constantly either worrying over or nagging Jiang Yi - just loved him
Tong Hua - best friend no matter what - Jiang Yi hanging out with the casually dressed Tong Hua and Tong Hau realizing, in retrospect, she was actually hanging out with Jiang Yi - so, so funny
Tong Hua saying good bye to her Idol - 😢😢😢
Sheng Sheng standing in the wake of poor Po Qing’s flatulence - what can you say 🥹🥲🤣🥹🥲🤣🥹🥲🤣
Jia Shu - a far nicer and wiser person than Jiang Yi or Tong Hau gave him credit
Li Ye - his character was well written to be so cute and endearing and funny without trying to be
Xu Shu Yi - she was his highly valued friend but I don’t think she would ever get past that place in Jiang Yi’s heart, even if he had never met Sheng Sheng.
The slippers! - what would they do without them - a funny, well-played exaggeration of a cultural practice
Jujubes!!! - I’d like to give them a try!

How much time away from work can a person have without getting fired?!?!? - biggest conundrum but not enough to lower my rating.

I will rewatch this drama again and again. If I can get a dvd version, all the better

Highly recommend!!!

10/10
A word about Product Placement

Yes, Jujubes were Product Placement (PPL), as were a couple other things. but IMO, the way TDOBY used them, even exaggerating them, within the story was well done.

Product Placement is a permanent fact in film and drama productions all over the world. We just don’t always notice it. What’s a production to do????

Think of all the cars, SUVs, and trucks we see in dramas. Chinese productions use a lot of American and European vehicles, whereas you see more Kias and Hyundais and less foreign vehicles in Korean productions, (not to mention Samsung phones, computers and appliances). It is how productions are subsidized which, theoretically, reduces costs to the production, some of which could not be made without them.

Agent Kim Reactivated made clever, exaggerated use of Kopikos in such a humorous way - and many reviewers made mention of that fact with some wondering where they could buy them. I even ordered some from Amazon.

In Perfect Crown, Grand Prince Yi An - at night atop a parking structure overlooking the city - leaning against his Mercedes 2024 AMG GT 55 4MATIC sports car with the door open and all its instrumentation showing - what a gorgeous scene that was! Mercedes supplied 13 models to TPC.

I’m guessing some of the outfits Kim Ji Won wore (she wore over 100) in Queen of Tears were PPL, not to mention the Bulgari wedding rings she and Kim Soo Hyun wore - and don’t forget the Mercedes 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 (R232) he drove. Mercedes actually supplied 9 models to QOT.

Other PPLs especially in KDramas: Subway (a fixture in K-dramas) and Nespresso.

If done right, PPL doesn’t have to be an irritant. They can and do bring realism to our viewing.

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Couldn’t stop watching.

Note: spoilers start in the 4th paragraph.

I watched Stranger and Stranger Season 2 back to back. I liked them both but TBH, I think the former was better.

Si Mok. Oh, what a character! I’ve thought about him the most of any KDrama character I’ve watched. What would it be like to live without emotion? What would it be like to know a person like him. I’d try to understand him. I believe I’d respect him for his brilliance and dedication but I also think I’d be just as frustrated as everyone else was. Cho Seong Woo embodied Hwang Si Mok to a T and didn’t falter in his portrayal through both seasons even though they were 3+ years apart.

I don’t think I’m smart enough to respond to some of the social issues brought up in both seasons, just to say I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about them since I finished watching both seasons. I believe that’s why I give Stranger a 10.

Spoilers

Seo Dang Jae should not have been given a pass for his assault on Yeong Eun Su. Sorry. I found it difficult to warm up to him after that, even in the second season.

I know it made the plot that much more realistic (maybe) and intense, but I was taken aback by Eun Su’s murder. Her death was especially sad.

Minister Yeong was a coward in the end, basically hiding in fear for 3 years. If he was such a great man, whom so many considered their mentor, surely he could have figured out a way to take down Chairman Lee. And then he lets his daughter go right into the fire pit, begging Si Mok to protect her. I wasn’t impressed with him at all.

Far too often KDrama culprits give a sob story about why they did what they did. And that’s pretty much all the viewer gets. Yoon did the same thing - but it was refreshing that Han Yeo Jin did not let him get away with excusing his revenge.

I’ve spent some time thinking about Prosecutor Yoon also. From his son’s death, the grieving he and his wife went through together and separately (not to mention the other families) the breakdown of his marriage which lead to their divorce, and the 2 years of investigating Park’s actions would have been a story in itself. Killing Park as he did, did nothing to avenge the lives of those innocent children. In the end Park (or the corporate thugs) never had to face the families and take full responsibility for his actions. Yoon actually robbed all the families of their opportunity to see justice served. If he had taken Park down through the legal channels, his son would have been proud. What a waste of Yoon’s life.

Chief Secretary Lee Chang Jun rightfully assessed his life when he laments over where his path to compromise and illegal alliances first started. Si Mok’s assessment was correct, he was a monster and IMO a coward for not facing the people and taking responsibility for his crimes.

This was my final thought about Season 1. Stranger depicts many issues with incredible realism. Does it also depict what the criminal justice system is really like in Korea, at least in part?

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Na Hwa Jin is Joe Clark on Steroids

in 1989 Morgan Freeman stared in Lean On Me as real-life Joe Clark who becomes the principal of completely failed, out of control Eastside High School in Patterson, New Jersey (USA). To quote one reviewer on IMDB, "He is loud, abrasive, arrogant, and effective. He didn't see pleasantries as a means of getting what he wanted, he only saw force and intimidation as the most effective method. He made friends and he made enemies and he made a difference."

Na Hwa Jin, with his team of Deputy Director Bong Geum Dan, and Im Han Rim, all under Ministry of Education Director Choi Gang Seok, was all that, only amped up several notches.

TYAL was gripping, jaw dropping, intense, and heartbreaking, balanced by laugh-out-loud hysterical humor. Our main cast was perfect in my opinion. Each Lead presented a unique and relatable character.
The relationship beteen Hwa Jin and Gang Seok was touchingly beautiful. I ached for both of them but was also inspired by their support for each other and their mutual determination to make their lives count in honor of Gang Seok's daughter and Hwa Jin's fiancé, Choi Ga Yun.
Geum Dan was adorable. His kind but reluctant, nervous nature coupled with his wit, wisdom, and computer savy were a pleasure to watch.
It was no wonder the humorous Han Rim, with her explosive but sensitive nature, was attracted to him. Their chemistry was so cute and so funny. I was rooting for them.
Each member of ERPB, sensitive to both students and teachers, were sincere and dedicated to their mission to make school a safe and happy place for everyone. Humor lightened their loads and, I believe, helped the viewer recover from the intensity of some of the hard to watch scenes.
While quite violent, I recommend this drama to anyone who is interested what should be a fun time in a young person's life and the teachers who sign up to educate and even mentor them. It would be a good watch for students teetering on the brink of making the wrong decisions before their life has even gotten started. Actions have consequences.

This story was compelling given the serious nature of each episode. We in the US share much with Korea in this area of school violence. I admit, our school violence is on a grander scale. Having said that, I wanted to know how much of TYAL was realistic to Korea and how much was not. So I asked Chat GPT for some help. Here's the Q & A for anyone interested. I ask anyone with direct knowledge to correct anything below since I am well aware that Chat GPT is just a BOT.

Where did the original creators get their ideas?

1. The collapse of teacher authority in South Korea
Beginning in the 2010s, South Korea saw increasing public concern over:
    •    Teachers being unable to discipline disruptive students.
    •    Parents filing complaints against teachers.
    •    Rising reports of classroom violence.
    •    Teacher burnout and resignations.

Many teachers felt that laws designed to protect students had unintentionally left educators powerless.
The issue reached a breaking point in 2023, after the death of an elementary school teacher in Seoul led to massive teacher demonstrations demanding stronger protections and reforms.

2. Real cases of school violence
The webtoon incorporated situations inspired by news stories involving:
    •    Bullying,
    •    Student gangs,
    •    Parents abusing their influence,
    •    Administrative cover-ups,
    •    Teachers being threatened by students or families.

The creators essentially asked: “What if there were an agency that could do what ordinary teachers legally cannot?”
That question became the fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB).

3. Wish-fulfillment fantasy
This is perhaps the most important influence.
The series is not meant to be realistic procedure. Instead, it taps into a fantasy many frustrated adults have had:
“What if someone could finally step in and stop the bullies immediately?”

Na Hwa-jin isn’t written like a normal educator. He’s closer to an action hero or vigilante operating inside the school system.
Many Korean readers described the webtoon as cathartic because it punished wrongdoers swiftly in ways real institutions often cannot.

4. Influences from Korean revenge fiction
You can also see DNA from other Korean stories:
    •    Juvenile Justice — frustration with youth crime and legal limitations.
    •    The Glory — school violence and revenge.
    •    Taxi Driver — vigilante justice when institutions fail.
    •    Older Korean action manhwa where corrupt systems are corrected by extraordinary individuals.

Why did it become controversial?
The webtoon eventually crossed from “social commentary” into territory many readers found problematic.
Critics argued that some story arcs:
    •    endorsed corporal punishment,
    •    relied on stereotypes,
    •    oversimplified complex social issues,
    •    and promoted authoritarian solutions.

One particular arc involving racial stereotypes generated significant backlash, leading Naver to remove the English version of the webtoon.  
So what is the true source material for Teach you a Lesson?

If you strip away the punches and action scenes, the real source material was:
    •    South Korea’s crisis over teacher authority,
    •    public anger about school violence,
    •    news reports of institutional failure,
    •    and a very Korean genre tradition of imagining a powerful outsider who restores justice when the system cannot.**

That combination is what gave Get Schooled/Teach You a Lesson its unusual mix of social realism and comic-book fantasy. It explains why some viewers find it deeply satisfying while others find it unsettling.

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loved the brotherhood of friends

it was a good drama overall. the 4 friends since high school was a pleasure to watch - including the snippets or flashbacks at the beginning of each episode of the specific moments of their lives over the years.
my favorite character was Tae San. he was an intentional man. he chose to love Se-ra and committed himself to her - while he struggled over the marriage issue he still wanted her.
Do Jin - difficult to watch him try to win Yi Soo over. but between Do Jin attempts and YI Soo’s seemingly immature responses/rejections, both of them left much to be desired in the first half.
Lee Jung Rok - what an idiot to cheat on his wife. I don’t have words for his kind. mi seek was just as weak - she actually enabled him by threatening to but never following through with the divorce
Choi Yoon - he always had a pained look on his face regarding Mi Ra. you never got to see him as a successful competent lawyer. mi ra’s many childish ways were annoying, especially her crying. Yoon and Mi Ra’s story arc was the least compelling evincing.
the show got better and ended well.
this drama offered som good insights guys and plenty of truly funny moments.

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Instantly hooked - you will be too!

June 22, 2026
For those who are conflicted about watching this excellently executed Comedy /Drama…., don’t be. THERE IS NO ROMANCE. **

Eight episodes in and all I can say is WOW! Lee Jun Young is perfect as 70 year-old Chairman Kang in Hwang Jun Hyeon’s 20-something body. There is no question that we are watching old Chairman Kang in action. LJU is just that convincing embodying Kang’s entire personae right down to his posture, furrowed brow, incredulous stares, outbursts of anger, and raspy, older man’s voice. The supporting characters equally great, especially the main villain, Kang Jae Gyeong, who is supported by other equally great villains, brother Jae Seong, his wife Na Eun Se and her father Chairman Na. The way the story is going, I’m expecting a fully satisfying, suspenseful remaining four episodes.

This drama is hilarious and at the same time intense and suspenseful - all while showcasing the consequences of the decisions one makes in their three score and ten (+/-) years on this earth. Among other questions Reborn Rookie asks: What is the true definition of success and What is the true measure of a person?

** The chairman’s youngest daughter, Kang Bang Geul, is understandably confused about her feelings over this young, handsome, smart, fearless intern, but the infolding events and her overall goals keep her from focusing in that direction for too long at a time. And along the way, Chairman Kang, who underestimated the daughter he loves, gives her plenty to dislike about Intern Hwang Jun Hyeon..

I can’t give it a 10 rating yet as there are 4 more episode to go. But if it ends as well as it has been going so far, I’ll up my rating.

7/6/2026

Reborn Rookie was a great, suspense filled dramadie with exciting twists all the way to the end. The much needed, truly funny comedy and pacing remained consistent for the duration. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat every episode. The last two episodes brought everything to a satisfying conclusion allowing me, anyway, to say goodbye to these great characters - knowing the protagonists endured much and came out better people than when they began while all the villains got their just ‘rewards’.

This was a story was about Chairman Kang more than it was about Hwang Jun Hyeon. It was subtle but still noticeable when, after the body switchback, Lee Jun Young’s presence diminished for a bit so we could see Chairman Kang’s character arc come full circle. Sans his daughter’s well earned demise, it was the ending the Chairman Kang was hoping for where things could be reset for him. his family, and Choiseong.

He truly, deeply lamented over his mistakes as a father accepting his role in how his daughter came to her current state. Still loving her as his own flesh and blood, he offered her an olive branch to turn things back. And again, his love for her caused him to literally risk his own life for hers in the end. He was relieved (unable to find the right word here) in learning Jae Seong had finally found his conscience. He was humbled by and felt undeserving of Bang Geul’s unconditional love for him.

Each parallel between Kang and Hwang taught Kang more about himself. He experienced, and I believe realized the life he could have had in his own family, the simple but loving life Hyeon had with his spunky and fully alert grandmother. Looking at all Jun Hyeon’s awards and shirts in his tiny, cheap flat, Kang had to have seen Hyeon as similar to himself. A young man, laser-focused on giving everything he had, daily, to achieve his dream of being the next Messi or Ronaldo. Over the many times he pulled out that crumpled cashiers check, we watched how he came to understand and grieve over Jun Hyeon’s permanent loss of his soccer carrer and the depth of what that loss meant to him.

Even though not a hard man to his employees, Kang became even more empathetic in general giving the reigns of Choiseong to the deserving Lee Jae Sang and Bang Geul.

I enjoyed seeing Jun Hyeon’s real charming and respectful, and out of his element, personality after the switchback. What a contrast to Chairman Kang’s personality and LJY made us believe in that contrast.

Bang Geul was tough, sharp, and no nonsense on the outside but beautifully soft hearted on the inside. How clever of the writers to show how Jun Hyeon got to know Bang Geul while he was in Chairman Kang’s unconscious body!!! Viewers would have fun filling in the blanks of what probably transpired between them over the next 2-years. I’m sure that would make a great story in and of itself.

I loved Materials Team Mgr Park all throughout the drama. He brought balance in both funny and serous moments.
Lee Jae Sang was the mainstay to all the chaos. Both Lee and Kang were mutually true and loyal friends in life and in business who shared the same goals for Choiseong. Kang in Hyeon’s body could not have accomplished his goal for Choiseong without Lee.

Cho Sun Hui - the woman who loved and supported the Chairman, his children and grandchildren. This love and a healthy positive attitude about life in general allowed her to maintain her dignity throughout all that was thrown at her.

Kang Jae Gyeong - the one you love to hate, although it was sad watching her spiral. She couldn’t accept her father’s olive branch. She was in too deep because, psychologically, she had lost touch with reality itself. It’s no wonder she lost her mind.

Kang Jae Seong - from the beginning he had a shred, just a shred, of decency. But…, he was salvageable if he wanted to be and thankfully he was. He was finally able to embark on becoming the man he wanted to be.

Chairman Na - no hope for a man steeped in and blinded by his own self importance.

Na Eun Se - what a selfish, misappropriated life.

Min Seok Do - what was he thinking when he married Jae Gyeong? Thankfully he was honorable to his profession and to his father-in-law. He loved his wife (at least we think he did) but he couldn’t let her evil intentions succeed.

At the point of the story, the two grandsons owed their upbringing to their step grandmother, Cho Sun Hui, not to their parents.

To the Reborn Rookie cast: You each were so perfect for your characters. We couldn’t see you, we saw them, and loved and hated each one of you respectively! WELL DONE!

Can you tell how much I liked Reborn Rookie? I upped my rating to 10/10. As this drama unfolded, I can’t see any significant flaws. The OST was great and will be playing it again many times. I’ll be rewatching RR again.

If there’s a second season we will have to wait a few years since Lee Jun Young’s military service begins this month. Best wishes to you.

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An excellent, excellent Drama!!!!

the perfectly cast Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Yae Ji, and Oh Jung Se literally became Moon Gang Tae, Ko Min Young, and Moon Sang Tae respectively. The brother relationship between MGT and MST is the best I’ve seen after watching 150 +/- K-dramas. The tender moments and the fight scenes were worth every minute. KSH and SYJ had excellent chemistry. What began as Eye Candy to KMY and repulsiveness to MGT bloomed - through craziness - into a lovely romance. KMY did not have disassociative personality disorder. She needed to know what it felt like to be cared for, and loved for who she really was inside. MGT needed the same as he was slowly burning out emotionally.
I loved the way they all three became family. The three actors blended exceptionally well in every scene they were in together. it’s a toss up who dominated the screen between SYJ and OJS. they were equally great. It was KSH, though, who carried the whole drama from beginning to end so beautifully! His MGT character arc was critical to the arcs of KMY and MST and he nailed it. the breakdown scene in Episode 9 was a jaw dropper. I felt his emotions deep in my heart. all the supporting cast added depth and emotion to the entire drama.
The story itself was cleverly told; an unlikely romance told with the use of fairy tales in a mental health hospital - with great sensitivity in telling each person’s story.. The well earned ending for MGT, KMY, and MST was delightful and bittersweet at the same time. I didn’t want them to leave. I even teared up watching the last few minutes. the story did start to go over the top with the revelation of the villain which is why I rated the story itself a 9.
The art work and cinematography were excellent. the fields and colors were beautiful. the ocean view at the hospital was so peaceful. the cursed castle was creepy - as it was supposed to be. the OST was perfect. I’ve played it many times while working.
it’s rewatch value is a definite 10 - I’ve watched it probably 4 times already.
I loved this drama. it was probably my 10th K-drama.

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