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Absolute Thrill Ride Despite Flaws!
When it comes to a series that has all of the twists and turns, the action sequences, and the intrigue like "24," you really can't go wrong with "Vagabond."Much like "24," nothing in Vagabond is as it seems. Characters aren't as they appear to be, and those that you figured to be the "villains," you suddenly find everything turned around.
A Korean airliner is taken down by terrorists, and the absolute distraught uncle, Cha Dal Geon, is determined to find out why as well as who is behind it. Of course, at first, nobody believes him until small pieces begin to fall into place. Geon is given some credibility as a movie stuntman who also teaches martial arts classes. However, he quickly finds out that martial arts rarely beats out a special forces soldier. I liked that they put some limitations on Geon. However, I was occasionally frustrated by how he took the lead in NIS investigations. That part was lacking in realism. I understand that he has a vested interest, but I doubt that NIS would give him such free reign and latitude. Still, Lee Seung-gi brings a character with a lot of charisma as well as genuine feeling to the role. He was excellent.
Go Hae Ri is the "rookie" NIS agent stationed in Morocco. I had a harder time with her character. Suzy Bae is a good--but not great--actress. She seemed to find a hard time treading the line between depicting an agent who is inexperienced but trained. There were times when I just didn't find her depiction believable. I was hoping more for a seasoned actress like Doona Bae (Stanger) who brings intelligence and presence to her roles. Half the time Go Hae Ri doesn't seem to know what she's doing. And too often, she took a backseat to Geon, when she is the field agent! If you're stationed in Morocco as a field agent, you can't be that green. I thought the writers could have done a better job here. Bae also needs to broaden her range. Too often, she has an almost blank expression or the same expression in most of her scenes. I also quickly tired of her "16-year-old" reactions to the small, intimate moments with Geon. If there is a "weak link" in the cast, it's definitely Suzy Bae!
There were a number of character errors in the series. Never implement a character error in order to move the plot. That's a rookie mistake, and it was used several times in this series to the point when you can't help but shake your head at such carelessness.
Several times, Go Hae Ri or Geon would return to their homes even when they know that they are targets. Do you really think an NIS agent would make this kind of a mistake?
There was an instant when Go Hae Ri is assigned to protect Geon. She's drugged and knocked out. When she comes to, she immediately goes to the bathroom rather than checking to see if Geon is in danger...or even worse, not knowing if the assassin is even still in the building! If she has enough state of mind to easily make her way to the bathroom, I doubt she was disoriented.
Another instant is when we have a sniper trying to take out a target. Geon and Hae Ri are protecting him. We already know that the sniper has orders to kill anyone, including Geon and Hae Ri. And yet, a professional assassin decides not to shoot them in order to kill her target?! I don't know many assassins who have such a conscience. It made no sense.
I also wondered if male prison guards are allowed to work at female prisons in Korea.
In any case, don't let these minor flaws prevent you from watching this adrenalin-boost of a series! There's scarcely a dull moment, and the rest of the cast, especially Kyeong-Yeong Lee (Edward Park) is nothing short of fantastic! I've seen him in several other series, and he's always tremendous!
What really got me, however, was the season-ending cliff-hanger! So unlike most of the Korean series I've seen where I now have to wait for Season 2! I absolutely can't wait!
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The Beauty and Tenderness of Love
Anyone who watches this series, hoping for a depiction of a torrid, passionate love affair will be disappointed.This series is handled with a certain delicacy; a restraint that doesn't prevent or hold back, but depicts the tender beauty of two people in love. I submit that a viewer may find it very difficult to pass judgment, for how does one justify judging love? Can love be judged?
To the naive viewer, Sunjae Lee is a young man, barely 20, who thinks and feels with his hormones. This is a gross misinterpretation and understanding of who he is. Sunjae Lee is a simple young man who knows how to do things in only one way: with love and passion. A gifted pianist, Sunjae is able to captivate his audiences, whether they be a concert hall or a few listeners, not with just the beauty of his play, but with the heart and passion he puts into it. Several viewers are so captivated by his play, that he moves them to tears. It is a bit ironic that a young man of 20 already knows the secret to love and living simply.
Oh Hyewon is a middle-aged woman, approximately twenty years older than Sunjae. A renowned pianist when she was Sunjae's age, she has now found herself pulled into the world of wealth and power. She works for a Seohan Art Institute as an executive/accountant. She loves the life that her money buys for her, and she has long forgotten the passion and her own love for music. She is married to a university professor, who also works for the institute. They share a house and a life that is more like those of roommates than of spouses. There is little tenderness or warmth in their relationship or in their house, which looks like a cold bastille atop the street. It is somewhat ironic that the only room in the house that has any warmth at all, is the music room.
Sunjae's talent is soon discovered, and he's asked to come over to the professor's house to play. Hyewon is asked to listen, given her musical background. Immediately, she is taken back to a time when she used to share the same love and passion for music that Sunjae has. Hyewon can't help but be enamored by the young man, unable to realize that she has already captivated him.
There is a certain degree of irony in their relationship, in which Hyewon attempts to teach Sunjae about her world; the world of power and treachery. It is a world that is completely foreign to Sunjae, and he already realizes that he wants no part of it. He is not interested in money or acquiring things. And yet, it is his simple and complete way of loving, that makes him Hyewon's teacher in that regard.
The acting performances are all first-rate, especially those of Ah-in Yoo (Sunjae) and Hui-ai Kim (Hyewon). The relationship between these two characters is handled deftly, like a piano piece...full of love, beauty, and grace. Viewers may find themselves longing for their own "Sunjae"...someone who can love so unequivocally and unconditionally as Sunjae can. His love is all the more profound in the little things that he does to ensure her comfort.
One cannot mention this series without the incredible musical performances. Nearly every episode has a piano piece that seems to perfectly coincide with the feelings of Sunjae and Hyewon. Watching this series is like listening to a long concert, and by the end, you feel all the better for it!
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There Is No Greater Purpose Than Service To Others!
As gentle, as simple, and as sweet as the gerbera flowers depicted in this movie, this little romance shares all of the beautiful qualities of those flowers. A vast array of colors and meanings, the gerbera flower, in its short lifespan, is able to convey the full spectrum of unconditional love. After all, it’s not how long you live those matters, but how well you live!This is a touching story about two people, both of whom are terminally ill. Hayasaka Akito is standing on the roof of the hospital, obviously contemplating suicide after learning that he has a year to live when a tumor is discovered in his heart. However, something catches his attention. A young girl (Sakurai Haruna) sitting alone on a bench on the rooftop, drawing in her sketchbook. It’s enough for him to pause and wander over to meet her. Thus begins an especially keen and poignant story of love, friendship, and above all, service.
Akito learns that Haruna has an extremely rare condition, and she has only six months left to live. What baffles Akito is Haruna’s attitude as she tells him that she is not afraid to die. Of course, he begins to visit her often, and he learns that he is her sole visitor. Seeing her bright and cheerful personality, despite her situation, he vows that he can never tell her about his own condition. His action is selfless as Akito realizes that virtually Haruna’s entire life has been mired in pain. He chooses to do all he can to bring some spark of joy to the last months. In this, he more than succeeds.
The true “gem” of the story is that secrets never remain secret for long. It isn’t until after Haruna has passed away and Akito is struggling to fight off the disease that will soon inevitably take his own life. But not before learning that the secret of his own condition was discovered by Haruna early on in their friendship. Determined to maintain Akito’s secret as well as the unconditional love and gratitude for the gift he gave her, she made her own vow to not let him know that she knew. Akito viewed Haruna as an angel, when in truth, both were angels to each other. Akito carried Haruna in Life, and Haruna carried Akito in Death.
It's been stated that there is no greater gift than simply being there for someone. The exchanges between Akito and Haruna are incredibly sweet without being melodramatic. There are no demands for sympathy or sorrow. Each learns to simply be in the moment for each other. Each learns to simply be there for each other. And each learns that there is no love without friendship or unconditionality, and that is the true beauty of this story. The magic of unconditional love. And even though Haruna conveys her love to Akito through the gerbera flowers, we also know that no words are necessary, and she knew that he loved her as well. Actions speak volumes.
Nagase Ren and Deguchi Natsuki have real chemistry on the screen. It’s conveyed in their eyes and smiles, which is a big reason why the story works so well. My other favorite character was the woman in the flower shop.
Love is actually very simple. We’re the ones who make it complex, no thanks to the egoic mind that loves to put conditions on everything. This film makes me appreciate the simplicity of love, much like the simplicity of the gerbera flower. Keep some tissues handy! You might need them!
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A Teacher Changing Lives, One Student At a Time!
I have been an ESL teacher for nearly 10 years. Many teachers will say that their primary job is to impart knowledge to their students. However, I have always believed that a teacher’s true job is to empower their students. To teach them “how to think” rather than “what to think.” The best teachers are facilitators and always encourage their students to find their own answers. This is the style of teaching that is pervasive throughout the Scandinavian countries.Rina Kujo is the homeroom teacher for a class of underachievers, and those who care very little about their education. For many, getting through a day is all that matters. She finds that on March 10, 2024, on Graduation Day, one of her students pushes her off a bridge to her death. She awakens to find herself on Opening Day a year ago. She realizes that for some unknown reason, she is given the chance to relive the past year and, perhaps, prevent her death. At first, this is her goal.
Rina’s determined to find out who pushed her to her death as she gazes at the sea of unhappy and unruly faces in her classroom. It then becomes apparent to her that it wasn’t just the students who struggled to get through a day, and soon, her focus shifts to understanding why her students behave the way that they do, and perhaps in doing so, she might begin to effect real change.
It begins with Ugumori Kanau, a shy but kind student who is being bullied by a number of students in the class. At first, Ugumori is very skeptical that Rina can do anything to help her until she finally asks Ugumori to summon the courage to face the class and tell them how their bullying has affected her. Courageously, she does just that, and very quickly, Rina has a staunch ally as she begins to help students one at a time. At first, the class stands against her, but soon, they begin to realize that Rina is truly trying to help them realize that they can live their lives a much different way than they have been. That there is hope, and that they aren’t quite as trapped in their life situations as they believe.
The themes attached to the students are all things that teenagers can relate to. Being bullied, being used by their parents, being an outcast among peers due to looks, allowing others to bully you, doing things you don’t want to do in order to be popular, and be a part of the “in crowd” despite the fact that you really don’t want to be friends with them anyway. These are all elements that are addressed. Rina, however, doesn’t lecture her students, but helps them realize that they are the cause of their own misery, but that they can change.
It's ironic how many people despair that any change is possible, and how they firmly believe that there simply isn’t any way out of their “hopeless” and unhappy situations, and so they take drastic measures, such as suicide, violence, or attack on others. As it’s been said, “Misery loves company.” Why else do you think bullies love a crowd? Their ploys don’t work without an audience.
This is the type of series that should be required viewing throughout high schools around the world. Students would quickly find themselves relating to one or more of the characters depicted here, and perhaps even be inspired to make their own changes.
Rina finds that she must change herself before she can inspire change in others, thus mirroring Gandhi's famous words, "Be the Change you wish to see."
Rina doesn’t just point out the problem behavior, but makes each student realize how that behavior affects others and how it’s so destructive. There’s no point in pointing out such behavior if the perpetrator is unable to see how it affects everyone around them. Empathy is something that is sorely missing from schools, and it’s something that should be required as part of learning.
There are some very problematic students in this series, and you wonder how Rina can possibly get through to them. But, where there was one voice, it soon grows into many, and even the most vicious students are suddenly finding themselves not only having to face Rina, but most of their classmates as well. They learn to accept and appreciate everyone for their talents as well as for their differences. It’s very hard to hate someone when you really get to know them.
There are some incredibly powerful moments in this series, at least one per episode, that you will find both moving and poignant. I’ve seen some great stories regarding teachers and students, such as “Freedom Writers” and “The Dead Poet’s Society.” This one ranks right up there with the best of them.
In a world where bullying is at its all-time worst, a series like this one becomes more paramount than ever before. This is a series that easily invites multiple viewings as we learn that it’s impossible for a student to learn something from a teacher without a teacher also learning something from a student. It always goes both ways. I learned so much from the students I taught. Things I still use to this day.
For any true teacher, you have to find a way to connect with your students. That’s half the battle. You can’t be afraid to get to know them and share things with them. This series endeavors to demonstrate what true learning is all about.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for some tissues! This series digs deeply, as well it should. After all, a teacher has to always let their students know that they are there for them. Teaching is one of those jobs that, if you don’t love it, then you shouldn’t do it.
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Compelling and Provocative Series About Moving Forward and Following Your Dreams!
Anyone who simply views this series as a story about a 31-year-old woman being in a relationship with a 15-year-old boy is simply not looking deep enough. The world is made up of religious, societal, and even cultural "rules" about how to live. Many of those "rules" involve telling others how to live.Wako is a young woman who has always lived her life under the premise of doing what everyone else expects her to do. I've lived in Korea, China, and Taiwan as an ESL teacher. I don't think many people understand or appreciate what it means to be a woman who is being told how to live her life. In many cases, they are told as children what they will do for the rest of their lives. This is no joke. I had a mother who'd already told her 8-year-old daughter that she was going to be a doctor. And, yes, if you're a woman at/near 30, and if you aren't married yet, you will undergo enormous pressure to hurry up and marry and have kids. Asian parents often live vicariously through their kids.
Wako is constantly reminded of how old she is and how she needs to hurry up and marry and have kids. She is in a familiar and comfortable four-year relationship with a boyfriend with whom she no longer connects with. Of course, as with 99% of the people on this planet, we often prefer the mundane, shallow, and unfulfilling life to taking a chance on something better. In short, people settle. And perhaps there is nothing so sad as someone who settles. Someone once said, "Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there." This is why so many people lapse into doing things they don't love. Why? Because it's safe.
Iko represents a step out of that comfort zone for Wako. Of course, they are despised and nearly ostracized. Those who believe in the "rules" will likely say, "And rightly so!" But this series isn't about the relationship as much as it represents going against the grain. Swim up river even when everyone else is going down it. Don't be a lemming. Follow your own heart and your own dreams no matter how many people cry against you. Carpe Diem!
Of course, it does take courage to do this. To tell your family and friends that you aspire and want to do something that they all disapprove of. Wako finally understands why she isn't happy. She looks for "love" and approval in all of the wrong places, in everyone, and yet she can't understand why this does not bring her happiness. Love can only come from within. It can't be found outside of yourself. And it isn't until Wako finally realizes that the only person who is responsible for her love and happiness is herself.
The series is beautifully filmed, deftly acted, and the story is something that is sorely needed in today's world that loves to tell everyone what to do and how to live. The world wants followers. Masters dare to walk alone on a path created only by them. And yet ironically, people find them so compelling that they end up saying, "How did you do that? How can I do that?" The master can only respond, "Not by following me, but by following your Self. By being true to who you are! That is the only way!" Becoming absolutely vulnerable to your Self and others is the only true courage. And that is what this series represents.
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I watched "Oh My Ghost" a while back, and that series is infinitely superior to this one. It had intelligent characters, a great plot with some good twists, and a cast that was first-rate, led by Bo-Young Park, who is one of the best in the business.This series is a poor imitation by comparison. It actually starts out quite strong with interesting characters, for the most part, and an interesting story. However, much like a house of cards, everything falls to pieces in the last 4-5 episodes when one is expecting things to continue strongly.
Bong-Pal Park is a young college student living on his own, majoring in Economics, and yet he has an interesting ability: he can see, hear, and even fight ghosts. In fact, he's earning money by being hired as an exorcist. This isn't your "western" exorcist who recites prayers and performs silly rituals, but a man who literally beats up ghosts until they disappear/move on. Yeah, I know...it's a bit silly too. Bong-Pal is a loner who doesn't interact with anyone except for a disheveled and inept monk who feels responsible for Bong-Pal's situation.
Bong-Pal is called to exorcise a ghost at a haunted high school. It's there that he meets Hyeon-Ji Kim, a rather weak, vain, and pesky ghost.
After a fight, she begins following him all around, and they end up teaming up together to fight ghosts. Yes, she can fight them too.
Meanwhile, we have Professor Joon Hye-Seong, who has a way of making any girl sway in her shoes, but is far more diabolical than meets the eye.
There is a connection between all three characters which attempts to drive the story.
The series is intriguing while Bong-Pal and Hyeon-Ji are together. However, a twist unfolds that shakes things up. You can't very well have a K-Drama without a wedge that drives them apart, can you?
We find that, for some reason (unexplained) that Hyeon-Ji is an even weaker and more pathetic young girl than we thought. For some reason, her personality changes, and she's a 24-year-old woman living under the heels of her overbearing, controlling mother. Yes, she has no say in her life, which unfortunately, is very typical of Asian mothers. I ought to know as I've worked as an ESL teacher in China, Korea, and Taiwan. Hyeon-Ji may be 24, but she acts like she's 14, and her mother treats her as such. Some of the worst parents in the world are Asian and American parents. Neither one knows how to empower. One rules by complete control, and the other spoils their kids with everything under the sun. Both are pathetic.
To make matters worse, she's a typical 24-year-old woman who acts 10 years younger than she is, because she's so immature. She gets upset if calls/texts aren't immediately returned (also typical of Korean women) which are followed up with threats of being cut-off permanently if an immediate response isn't given, and she gets upset if all of the attention isn't on her. She pouts and constantly asks, "Did you miss me?"
A 24-year-old woman (who's actually a couple of years older by now) having to ask her boyfriend to ask for permission to date, is one of the saddest and most pathetic things in any culture. This isn't the 1900s!
Episode 15 finally gives us a silly, unconvincing climactic battle. At one point, Hyeon-Ji is asked to get the weapon that will kill the evil spirit. She sits on the ground for 5 minutes before being told again. She literally says and does nothing during the whole battle. The series should have ended here.
Instead, we're giving a completely useless and unnecessary Episode 16 that will challenge even the most hearty viewer to sit through as we are lulled to sleep because it took the writers a whole episode to sort things out with Bong-Pal and Hyeon-ji. We're given scenes that any decent editor would have scrapped! I couldn't even get through the final episode. I finally shut it off with, "Enough!"
If you're looking for a good series to watch, I highly recommend the vastly superior, "Oh My Ghost." Leave this one to the exorcists, as that's what it would take to sort through this contrived mess of a series!
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Letting Go
Life is a process of letting go. The futility of attempting to hold on to anything is that nothing lasts forever, and it’s the struggle to attempt to hold on to things that leads to unhappiness, misery, and suffering. As Socrates from “Peaceful Warrior” wisely stated, “When you don’t get what you want, you suffer. And even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold onto it forever.”“Missing: The Other Side” is one of my all-time favorite dramas. The first season yielded so many touching and heartfelt moments. Season 2 attempts to dive even more deeply into the reason why the villages for the missing exist, and what can be done about those poor souls who find themselves trapped in “limbo.”
Kim Wook and Mr. Jang are back and unwittingly find themselves in yet another village in a different place and with a different group of people. This time, the village is headed by a matriarch in Kang Eun Sil, or as she’s nicknamed “Captain Kang” by the villagers. The new village holds a special meaning for Mr. Jang who quickly finds out that this is where his beloved daughter, Hyun Ji stayed before moving on.
Mr. Jang quickly finds himself attached to the village, especially Hyun Ji’s friends Ha Yun and Young Rim who tell him all about Hyun Ji. He also finds that Captain Kang has kept mementos of many of the villagers who have since passed on, and he’s given a small, pink box with a letter inside addressed to him. Mr. Jang is a sweet man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and each time he breaks down in tears, we feel it. Such is the mark of an incredible actor in Huh Joon Ho.
Meanwhile, we find that the construction scandal from the first season was just the tip of the iceberg as Kim Wook and Detective Shin quickly find themselves investigating a drug ring, no thanks to Oh Il Young, a young man who is somehow able to traverse the land of the living as well as the village. In fact, we find out that he’s been looking for Kim Wook due to his ability to enter the village, and it’s through Oh Il Young that Kim Wook and Mr. Jang are able to find the current village.
We still have the beloved Lee Jong A and her amazing computer and detective skills which she uses to help Kim Wook and Mr. Jang as well as indirectly helping the people of the village.
Once again, Kim Wook and Mr. Jang set out to help the people of the village find their bodies. Some are tough because the victims are children. The diabolical, evil woman who’s been killing children and the elderly for years is easily the most disturbing. How anyone could conceive of harming a child is beyond my comprehension, and when Ha Yun and Young Rim finally transform into beings of light as they are on the swings and disappear is pure sweetness.
While I found that Season 1 had more tender and heartfelt moments, Season 2 is just as powerful and effective. It’s especially heart-wrenching when we find out what happened to Captain Kang as well as disturbing that one of the newest members of the village is a 5-year-old girl in Alice who quickly takes to Kim Wook and Oh Il Young. Still, the mere thought that someone killed this sweet, little girl is enough to make your blood boil.
This is simply an amazing series that certainly left us with a cliffhanger for a Season 3! If the writers continue to give us these kinds of stories, then I have no doubt that the next season will be just as amazing.
I’ve said in many reviews, but I still marvel at how deftly Korean performers can access their emotions and make us feel it. They aren’t afraid to let it all hang out and thank God for that! It makes their performances all the more powerful and effective.
Everything in this universe is made up of energy, including us. And if energy can neither be created or destroyed, what does that say about those who have “moved on?” Grief is for us, and it’s a necessary component that allows us to let go of our attachments and those who have moved on to another plane of consciousness. One has to wonder if the people in the villages exist because their bodies aren’t found, or if it’s simply due to attachment to their bodies. Either way, the premise for this series is intriguing, and I already can’t wait for the next season!
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Cherish Your Loved Ones In Life While You Have the Chance!
First of all, before I begin this review, I need to make a recommendation for anyone who hasn't seen this series yet: get a box of tissues. You're going to need it."Missing The Other Side" brings a unique concept for this story. There is a staging area. A village that exists for people who have died but whose bodies have not been recovered. It doesn't really matter what your beliefs are, you simply have to just go with it. If you do that, you won't be disappointed, as this is one of the most beautiful, heartwarming stories I've ever seen. I had no idea that so many heartfelt moments would be in a 12-episode series.
Anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one, is likely to relate on some level. And even if you haven't, you'll very likely still feel touched by how the story-but most especially-how the relationships unfold between those living and those who have passed on.
The series is about a con man in Kim Wook, wonderfully played by Go Soo, who surreptitiously finds himself the unwitting witness of a woman who is being kidnapped. He soon finds himself the target of the kidnappers, and after a lengthy chase, he finds himself in a world he couldn't possibly imagine. A village where the dead live until their bodies are found. Of course, he has no idea why he can see, hear, touch, and communicate with them. The only other living person with this ability is Mr. Jang, a lonely man who has essentially stopped living due to the disappearance of his little girl years ago.
Detective Shin is brought on board, initially to investigate a construction company that seems to be tied to a series of deaths, both from the past as well as the present. Believing his fiancée to have dumped him, he quickly finds that she was the woman being kidnapped that was witnessed by Kim Wook. Unfortunately, we find out that his fiancée, Yeo Na Choi has been murdered, as she is the most recent addition to the village.
We also discover that there is a conspiracy tied to the construction company, and that there is someone else masterminding the disappearances, as well as the deaths, of so many people, including Kim Wook's own mother, whom he thought had abandoned him years ago. However, after seeing the locket on a village woman, Kim Hyun Mi, we quickly discover--as does Kim Wook--that she is his mother. At first, Kim Wook doesn't understand, as he's filled with resentment regarding his mother.
The interaction between Kim Wook and the villagers is nothing short of pure sweetness, as he finally finds a true purpose in life. The villagers are unable to leave the village until their bodies are found, and Kim Wook decides to help Mr. Jang do so. While Mr. Jang is still trying to find out what happened to his daughter, Kim Wook is also trying to discover who killed Yeo Na Choi as well as his co-worker Kim Nam Gook.
Some of the most powerful and profound interactions I've seen are scenes between Yeo Na Choi and Detective Shin as each--separated by death's veil--speak to each other but cannot see or hear each other. The amount of emotion that pours from their hearts and souls is beyond touching. It is something altogether more ethereal, soul-felt, and poignant that will have you grasping quickly for those tissues! That same is also conveyed between Kim Wook and his mother as each pours their heart out to the other. And while there is no interaction between Mr. Jang and his daughter, we feel his pain as he cries out in vain-at last finding some measure of closure-even if it isn't what he'd hoped for.
I am constantly amazed at how Korean actors can emote so easily and deftly. They are able to help us feel those deeper emotions through sobbing, as though their hearts are being torn open. When I lost my father in an accident when I was just nineteen, I suffered unimaginable heartbreak as though my whole world had been shattered. These actors and actresses are somehow able to tap into that emotional level. And I don't think it is as easy to do as people might think because I've rarely seen it done in western movies and shows. I think there is something that makes those actors hold back just a little. This entire cast is to be commended for such deep, complex, and profound performances!
I can't remember ever watching a series--aside from the classic show, Highway to Heaven--that had me tearing up as much as this one did. The story is compelling and enthralling as it is as much a mystery as it is in delving into what might be waiting on "the other side."
It's hard to feel grief when you know your loved ones are safe and well. Perhaps not in a way that we understand, but it still brings about some closure. More than that, you can't help feeling happy for each member of the village as they move on to another realm of existence as soon as their bodies are found. If only we had such clarity of knowledge when our loved ones do pass, it would perhaps make the grieving process a bit more bearable.
Watching movies and shows where children and women are victims of horrible crimes has always been hard. It breaks my heart. As a TEFL teacher, I don't even want to think of something like that ever happening to one of my students.
This series is nothing short of a work of pure art. Pure beauty. And perhaps also, pure hope. Hope that there is healing for those who remain behind as well as for those who have moved on. Perhaps the lesson here is to cherish those closest to us in life so that we may then cherish them in death. Don't waste a single moment to let your family and friends know how much you love and care of them. After all, there are only so many tomorrows, and you don't want to end up wishing that you could have said something when you had the chance. Let them know. Let them know now.
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Power or Love In This Epic Fantasy Series!
First of all, I must say that Season 2 cannot get here fast enough! When the last episode ended, I literally groaned that I had to wait but was actually thrilled that this story was going to continue. Such a lush and beautiful story is too good to end here.Once again, the Koreans continue to prove why they are the most proficient storytellers in the world in film and television. I’ve been trying to think of another fantasy series that was heartfelt and full of luscious characters like this one. The “Lord of the Rings” film series is the only other one that comes to mind. That tells me just how incredible this series has been. And what makes this series soar is that it is story and character-driven. While it has some incredible special effects, they only enhance the core, which is what is supposed to happen in high-quality story-telling.
In a fictional kingdom populated by mages, we have a power struggle going on to possess the “ice stone,” a stone of magic that can bring people back from the dead. Of course, anyone who seeks immortality would have a strong desire to possess such a relic. There is also a differentiation between magic and sorcery. Sorcery is forbidden magic that goes against nature itself. And one of the main devices of sorcery is soul-shifting. This means that a person dies but shifts their soul into another body. In some cases, soul-shifting can also mean trading bodies. This, of course, is forbidden magic.
At the center of the story is Naksu, an infamous soul assassin who was hunted down by the mages of the kingdom. Mortally wounded, she is able to soul-shift into another body and take her identity; the identity of Mu Deok. However, because of her new body, she has no access to her energy in order to perform magic. In short, she’s a regular person. However, her drive and desire to reacquire her energy and carry out her threat of killing those responsible for the deaths of her family members, is still very much at the forefront of her mind.
We then have Jang Uk, a somewhat spoiled and lazy young man who is supposed to be learning various forms of magic, despite also being cut off from his energy due to an edict from his father. He’s given no reason why, and so he spends much of his time lazing around and doing nothing until Mu Deok shows up and gets a job as his maid. However, it doesn’t take Jang Uk long to realize Mu Deok’s true identity, and he asks that she train him and become his master.
One of the central themes of this story is what is more important? Power or Love? It’s ironic that most people find love to be a weakness. What they fail to realize is that power without love IS weakness. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. This is something that Mu Deok must face and decide, which becomes an important factor when she is ultimately forced to decide what she wants: her power back or Jang Uk.
The settings created for this series are absolutely incredible. I have to believe that most of the fictional towns are sets, and they are elaborate enough to rival any major film project.
There are so many amazing performances in this series, that it is incredibly difficult to pick one that stands out from the rest. Lee Jae Wook (Jang Uk) and Jung So Min (Mu Deok) are absolutely fantastic and they have great chemistry together. One of my personal favorites was Kim Do Ju (Maidservant Kim) who was too exquisite for words. She is such a lovely woman, and her performance really stood out for me. However, the performance of Jo Jae Yoon as the villainous Jin Mu was captivating, to say the least. More often than not, a story is only as good as its villain. Imagine Star Wars without Darth Vader or Lord of the Rings without Sauron. They just don’t work nearly as well, and Jo Jae Yoon gives a stellar performance as the villain behind the throne; the man pulling all of the strings. I’ve seen Jo Jae Yoon once before in “Descendants of the Sun,” but this role feels like it was tailor-made for him. He’s deliciously evil and corrupt with little smirks that make you want to hit him. What makes his performance so grand is that he never plays Jin Mu in an over-the-top way. We have no angry outbursts or rage-filled speeches. He’s calm, level-headed, and far brighter than people give him credit for.
Of course, as with so many Korean series, we have moments of love, humor, inspiration, and even wisdom. Koreans are masters of character. They are always multi-leveled and multi-dimensional, much like real people.
The fight scenes are all well-choreographed. Some of which reminded me a little of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I also like that they explain the magic. Robert Jordan, who wrote one of the most epic fantasy series of all time in his “Wheel of Time” series, is considered to have explained the science of his magic better than any writer ever. But Alchemy of Souls comes really close as we learn how magic and energy are used.
This series is grand on an epic scale. Even a 20-episode series with each episode at an average of 75 minutes went by at a clip because I was so vested in the show. As I stated before, I cannot wait until the next series comes out. They ended things on a great cliffhanger that made me keep looking at the clock and going, “Oh, no! It’s almost over!” Yeah, I didn’t want it to end. For me, this is one of the best fantasy series I have ever seen, and frankly, it was the central theme of love and power that kept me coming back for more. And yes, I can’t wait for more!
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The Pain We Carry
On the surface, "Our Beloved Summer" is about two unlikely high school students who are paired together for a documentary. Yeon-Soo is the top student in her class. She's driven and determined to be the best. At the other end of the spectrum is Choi-Woong, who is dead last in his class. He appears to be lazy, uninterested, and lacking in ambition.On a much deeper level, "Our Beloved Summer" is about the pain we all carry around with us. Much of it has to do with the past and how people are treated, whether it be from parents, other friends, or people from relationships. Pain is inevitable. Suffering, however, is optional. And it's amazing how much we suffer by holding on to the past. Yeon-Soo bitterly states in one episode, "The more you try to ignore the past, the more you become trapped in it. And the more you try to run away, the more it traps you." This is because the past needs to be released. Especially the pain. And much of this series is about that: letting go of the pain, and thus, coming to peace with the past.
Yeon-Soo is a woman who appears confident and doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks about her. This makes her appear cold and indifferent. However, this is what is on the surface, because underneath, she's a young woman in turmoil. She pushes everyone away from her because she feels she is not worthy of being liked or loved by anyone. The irony of pushing people away in order to avoid pain is that the person we really end up hurting is ourselves.
Choi-Woong is similar in his pain. However, instead of pushing others away, Woong chooses to barricade himself in his house, focusing on his art and having little contact with others. Why? Because he's been abandoned by those that should have loved him and been there for him. And so, just like Yeon-Soo, he also feels unworthy. And when Yeon-Soo breaks up with him the first time, it reinforces his feelings of unworthiness all the more. Woong is also a gifted artist. However, he draws only buildings, which seem to mirror his own feelings of trying to remain emotionless and distant from anyone else. We come to find that his true masterpiece of art is finally revealed in the very last episode in a most profound and touching way!
Ten years later, Yeon-Soo and Choi-Woong are asked to do another documentary, due to the success of the first one. Reluctantly, they agree. However, the more they begin to spend time together, they not only realize that the feelings they had for each other never went away, but they're able to finally confront their own demons from their past and put them to rest. They do this by acknowledging their fears and realizing what's been holding them back. They also realize that the goal of a relationship isn't to change the other person, but to change yourself. And this is why their relationship ultimately works.
The world is full of Yeon-Soos and Choi-Woongs. People who build up defensive walls, or hide themselves away because they believe what others have told them: that they are unworthy. Feelings of unworthiness truly rob us of our chance of having a happy, fulfilling life. And they exist only within our own minds.
This series is truly beautiful and uplifting in depicting the pain of these two lovable characters, and watching their healing finally begin to take place. What's more, they also learn how to lean on each other when needed. They begin to trust their own love and strength and use it for each other as well as for themselves.
I cannot speak highly enough of Kim Da Mi and Choi Woo-Shik. Not only is their chemistry undeniable, but they are able to give us deep, complex characters using subtlety as a powerful acting tool. A look, a smile, a falling tear...all brilliantly showcased to make us feel every emotion that they are conveying.
I was also thankful that the writers didn't succumb to a "typical" ending in the last episode. I love it when writers dare to follow a more realistic path that suits the characters and the situation rather than force a "happy ending" that is contrived and unbelievable.
I rarely speak of the music in my reviews, but Kim Kyung Hee has quickly become a favorite of mine! His title song is something that I've found myself playing over and over again. I also loved his songs from "Crash Landing On You." He seems to capture Yeon-Soo and Choi-Woong in his song perfectly. I can't listen to it and not think of them!
This is one of my all-time favorite series involving "young" love. I cannot say enough about it. The series was cute, funny, heartbreaking, inspiring, touching, provocative, necessary, and deep. How many series can I say that about in over 45 years of watching shows? Not many.
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Power of Love and Healing!
The series works because it doesn’t try to be anything else than what it is. Too often, especially in romantic dramas, the writers always attempt to introduce some new conflict to keep the story going rather than simply let the characters guide them.The series is about love and healing. This is a touching and sweet series that endeavors to demonstrate that sometimes what we remember isn’t always what really happened, especially memories from childhood.
The series starts out with Seong Deok Mi, who is a curator at an art museum by day and a fangirl by night. Perhaps we get a glimpse of what it means to be a true fangirl. She and her best friend, Lee Seon Ju are obsessed with K-Pop singer, Cha Si An. They are both the masterminds behind Cha Si An’s biggest fan website, “Road to Si An.” Seong Deok Mi does her best to be wherever Cha Si An is in order to take pictures and then post them on the website. Her apartment is literally littered with pictures, drawings, and even pillows with Cha Si An’s face.
Enter Ryan Gold, a famous art director from New York who is brought in to take over as director of the art museum when the owner is caught in a scandal. He’s a bit stuffy and uptight, but he’s a good person. He also has a special interest in a series of bubble paintings by the famous painter Lee Sol. Ryan was abandoned at an orphanage at seven years of age, but he’s inexplicably drawn to these paintings, which seem to unlock pieces of memories with his mother.
In order to protect Seong Deok Mi from a personal scandal, Ryan Gold agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend. We’ve seen this set up numerous times, but it still works, as it’s obvious to everyone that despite the staged relationship, they’re drawn to each other despite not really liking each other initially.
The first half of the series is about how Ryan and Seong Mi become closer and finally enter into a loving relationship. However, the more compelling story is in the second half of the series when Ryan begins to discover who his mother is and how the paintings by Lee Sol help him to connect the dots from his broken memories. I’m not sure there is anything more painful than a parent who loses a child. In a compelling discussion, it’s pointed out that there are terms for spouses who lose one another, or for children who lose their parents, but there is no term for a parent who loses a child, perhaps because it’s simply too painful.
As the viewer, we wonder how a mother could possibly abandon her own child, and yet, we soon discover that things are seldom what they seem to be, as Ryan was left waiting at a playground while his mother went to a meeting nearby. She never made it as she was involved in a serious accident. Of course, Ryan doesn’t realize this until he finally meets his mother, who turns out to be Lee Sol, and that the bubble paintings were actually of him. This was an incredibly sweet reveal, which serves to remind us that a mother’s love never dies, even when it seems to be the case.
We also learn that Seong Deok Mi and her family her unwitting participants in how Ryan was left at the orphanage. The series is about love but also about healing and forgiveness. Ryan could have easily been resentful and bitter about what happened, but instead, he realizes that, despite the contrary, his mother never forgot him. The reunion between them is a powerful element of the series. People often forget that the only way to truly move forward is to let go of the past, and to realize that parents are people and that they often make mistakes too.
Once Ryan and Seong Deok Mi are together, and we also realize that Cha Si An is actually Ryan’s half-brother, it just seems a little creepy that Seong Deok Mi’s apartment is still filled with Cha Si An’s pictures to the degree that you wonder if Seong Deok Mi’s fangirling is pushing the boundaries, especially given Ryan and Cha Si An’s relationship to each other.
There were only a few things that I didn’t care for. First, Seong Deok Mi’s best friend, Lee Seon Ju just isn’t a very good friend, especially when it comes to giving relationship advice. Given her own marital problems, she’s the last person who should be giving feedback and suggestions. She was the only character who just didn’t work for me. A wife who cares more about being a fangirl than a wife is someone with a problem.
Second, when Ryan tells Seong Deok Mi that he has something to tell her (when he’s about to confess his feelings), she tells him that they should end their “fake relationship” and then stalks off without even giving him a chance to say anything, and also when Seong Deok Mi hides behind her brother when Ryan comes over to see her because she’s in her fangirl outfit, she behaves like a kid instead of a 33-year-old woman. Those scenes just made her appear cowardly and immature.
Park Min Young and Kim Jae Wook turn in stellar performances, and it’s largely their chemistry that makes the story work so well. Park Min Young has an absolutely captivating smile, and Kim Jae Wook has real charm. My favorites were Kim Mi Kyung, whom I’ve seen in a number of series, and this veteran actress just never disappoints! She’s so good in everything she does. And even though she had a smaller role, I also really liked Kim Sun Young as the quirky and self-absorbed museum owner. She’s another actress who is fantastic in everything she’s in.
This is a warm and sweet series that doesn’t go overboard. It says a lot when the last eight episodes are more intriguing than the first eight. A series should get stronger as it progresses, and this one does just that. This was definitely one of the better romantic dramas that leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart.
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Love And Embrace Who You Are!
I’ve been watching K-Dramas for almost eight years now. I’ve watched shows from Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and Taiwan. For my money, the Koreans are masters of the industry because they almost always incorporate some kind of meaning and wisdom. Not to mention that they are experts at putting different genres together and making them all work.This collaboration of Korean and American performers is incredible! Frankly, I was hesitant to give this movie a try until a co-worker came in the next morning and told me how much he loved it.
The film takes all of the best elements of K-Dramas and K-pop music to give everyone—no matter what your age—an absolutely magical thrill-ride and puts them front and center! Better yet, this movie presents an important message for both young and old.
A “demon” is nothing more than the culmination of your fears that originates within your mind. Of course, none of the things that your mind tells you about yourself are real. And yet, so many people allow those thoughts to tell you who you are. They can reveal no more about who you are than a freckle can at the end of your nose. Too often, we focus too much on who we are not.
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are three friends of the hottest K-pop band in Korea. They are also given the ability to fight demons. Thus, they provide entertainment, love, and protection. However, Rumi has a secret. She is also part demon, and she refuses to let anyone know for fear of everyone seeing her differently. Sound familiar? How often do people do all they can to cover up parts and aspects of themselves that they are too afraid to reveal? Guilt and shame are learned behaviors.
Enter the Saja Boys, a new K-pop boy group who secretly work for Gwi-Ma a powerful demon who wants the souls of everyone. Led by Jinu, he and his group are actually Grim Reapers—if you’ve watched enough K-Dramas, they are easily identified by their dark coats and black hats. Grim Reapers in Korean lore have the job of helping souls cross over. Some depictions have them as good beings, while others have them depicted as evil and serving evil.
Jinu uses Rumi—especially after finding out that she’s part demon—to get close to her with the hope of tricking her. It nearly works as Rumi is suddenly forced to face who she is and come to terms that there is nothing wrong with her, nor has there ever been. This is the core lesson that this wonderful movie is attempting to pass on to its viewers, and for my money, it more than succeeds. Children, teens, and everyone should take heed of this message.
The end of the film has one of the most inspirational songs and scenes that I have ever seen. I can only recall a handful of films that touch both the heart and the soul, and frankly, I can’t think of another animated movie that has done this. As the fans begin to snap out of Gwi Ma’s control, they begin to lend their own voices—and power—to Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. There are few things more inspiring than people coming together to fight for a common cause. Many viewers have been surprised to find themselves needing some tissues during this powerful climactic ending! And frankly, I can’t blame them in the least. This is a movie the world desperately needs right now, and it’s no surprise how much it's resonating with people everywhere.
The vivid colors and animation bring an amazing world to life, something that Disney could take some lessons from. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans deserve so much credit and praise as well as everyone who was a part of this project. I loved seeing Korean performers Ahn Hyo-Seop (Jinu) and one of Korea’s absolute top actors in Lee Byung-Hun (Gwi-Ma) participate.
As I write this review, I found that the soundtrack is ranked #1, and the song “Golden” is the number one song! I’ll wager that kids and adults alike are bopping to these incredible tunes as much as possible! I know I will be! Frankly, I haven’t seen a soundtrack this loaded with great songs since “The Greatest Showman.”
I hope the rest of the world takes a note from Korean culture and entertainment; that it’s not only possible to make entertaining movies and shows with a message, but that the world is desperately eager for them! I already know that I’ll be watching this gem of a movie again and again!
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People Are Not Possessions!
When you cage a lion, it no longer is truly a lion. The same can be said of people. People are not possessions, and too often, we live vicariously through others, for others, and make them responsible for our own happiness. Each one of these things is like a cage.Hiroto Komori and his brother, Michito, come across a small boy left outside of their home. They don’t know where he came from or even who his parents are. When asked what his name is, he responds, “Lion!” It’s his favorite animal, even carrying a stuffed lion with him everywhere he goes.
Hiroto works a city job in which he helps people on welfare. It’s quite obvious that he doesn’t really enjoy his job. It’s a means to an end. After all, he feels responsible for his younger brother, Michito, who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Every day is a routine, which is what most autistic people require. Anything that deviates from the routine can be very disruptive. Hiroto walks his brother to the school van every day. And every day, he picks him up and they walk home together along the sea as Michito enjoys kicking a stone.
We find out that Hiroto and Michito also have an adopted sister, Aoi. In flashbacks, we find that she was an especially unhappy teenager, who was abusive toward both brothers as well as being ungrateful toward their parents. However, despite the abuse, she remembers that Hiroto always treated her well. Fast forward to the present, and we find that Aoi fakes her death as well as that of Shuuto (Lion) in order to try and escape from the clutches of her abusive husband, who beats both Aoi and Shuuto. Much of the series is spent in watching Shuuto grow closer to his two uncles, as well as them trying to help their sister.
Aoi is also being assisted by the somewhat mysterious Mr. “X” who comes up with the initial plan for Aoi and Shuuto’s escape, also furnishing her with burner phones so that they can communicate. It’s through Mr. X that Hiroto finds out why his sister seems to acting so recklessly.
The series is a touching one, in which, perhaps for the very first time, Shuuto is able to enjoy a positive, family dynamic with his two uncles. There are many humorous and light-hearted moments as Hiroto and Michito attempt to alter their lifestyles around their new houseguest.
Aoi’s husband beats her and takes off with Shuuto, but Hiroto is able to track them down. I was pleasantly surprised that we didn’t get the typical “fist-a-cuffs” but instead, Hiroto tries to explain why Aoi’s husband’s abusive nature is doing more harm than good. Her husband explains that he can’t be alone and that Shuuto is all he’s got. Even among family members, possession always brings about negative repercussions. That is where resentment and anger tend to flare up, and her husband finally backs down.
However, throughout the series, we find that Hiroto has never truly lived for himself. His entire life has revolved around Michito, and after much soul-searching, he realizes—that for the good of both of them—he needs to finally venture out and create a life for himself. While it’s challenging for Michito to understand, he finally gets it, and it’s beautifully expressed in the black-tailed gull that he paints as a mural, and understanding that a gull has to be free to fly. In fact, that is the true nature of every, single soul: freedom.
Overall, the series is a strong one, but at only a eleven episodes, it didn’t quite reach its full potential. I was hoping for more interactions between Hiroto and Aoi. She never properly thanks him for getting Shuuto back, and given their tumultuous upbringing, I was hoping for a nice heart-to-heart. I also felt that Hiroto’s two friends, Mio Makimura and Youta Sadamoto, were relegated too much in the background. I would have liked to have seen even more scenes, demonstrating how deep their friendship truly is.
We also had a couple of side-character that could have also used more screen time, such as reporter, Kudo Kaede, and the police detective she’s clearly in love with, Takada Kaji. I won’t say that the series felt rushed, but rather, it could have delved even more deeply than it did.
Young Sato Tasuku is absolutely adorable, and he’ll easily find his way into your heart as soon as you begin watching this series. The young actor has a very bright future. Yagira Yuya plays a very calm, reserved Japanese man, and he plays it well. He perfectly captures the introverted but pained Komori Hiroto. And, of course, Bando Ryota is stellar as Michito.
This is an excellent feel-good series that should be a lesson to us all: don’t treat others like possessions. Let them be who they are. This is especially true and necessary among family members.
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Trials and Tribulations of the Insecure
This short series attempts to put into perspective the trials and tribulations of people suffering from low self-esteem and tremendous insecurities. However, the series isn’t very effective in convincing the audience that it’s most important to love yourself first before you attempt to love another. The characters are people we should ultimately be sympathizing with, but we don’t because they don’t learn from their mistakes, nor do they evolve, even though the writer attempts to make it seem as though they have.Katagiri is a college student involved in a long distance relationship with Osanai Sachi, a girl he’s been seeing for five years. There is little chemistry between the two, and it’s clear that the relationship isn’t balanced as Osanai clearly has deeper feelings for Katagiri than he has for her. He is rather distant and aloof around her, and it’s theorized that this might have something to do with being abandoned by all of the women in his life. However, the writers never take the step or time to explore this more deeply. Instead, it’s glazed over like a train flying by a station.
Osanai adores Katagiri and sends him letters regularly. However, the letters sit in Katagiri’s apartment unopened, and he never replies. Instead, he finds some kind of solace in his next door neighbor, Shino. She’s a married woman seemingly trapped in a loveless marriage. What’s interesting is that she is just as distant and aloof as Katagiri, but for them, the sexual relationship enables each to feel something. So many people in this world take to food, sex, drugs, alcohol, or anything else that either helps them to feel some sense of pleasure or to escape from their problems. The real problem is that all pleasure is short-lived and never lasts, and escaping from one’s problems is also only temporary as those problems are still there once the effect of the “drug” wears off. No wonder there is so much misery in the world!
Osanai is an innocent and rather naïve young girl. She’s nineteen but often acts like she’s thirteen. She simply has no idea how the world works, and she also believes that her love for Katagiri can overcome their distance and their problems, which she never realizes until it’s too late. Naturally, she finds out about Katagiri’s affair with Shino, but rather than getting upset, she tells him that it’s okay with her, as she feels responsible for initially turning him down during a past attempt at intimacy. Katagiri assures her that he feels nothing for Shino, which somehow, is okay with Osanai, at least, at first. Osanai is much like a leech who believes that a painful relationship is better than on relationship at all. She’s so incredibly insecure that she can’t bear to be without Katagiri, and she makes the popular mistake of making him the center of her universe.
After they finally make love, Katagiri starts to come out of his shell when it comes to Osanai, but Osanai begins to realize that she can no longer overlook his transgression, and she eventually breaks up with him instead.
The series takes a very strange turn toward the end when Shino’s husband, who has been wire-tapping his wife’s apartment, finally comes forward and confronts Katagiri, and blackmails him into paying damages for the affair. Shino’s husband, rather than talking things out with his wife, simply plays the voyeur as he sits and watches Shino and Katagiri. This made no sense at all. I don’t know many husbands who would do this unless they took pleasure from the voyeuristic act, which is never even brought up by Shino after she finds out.
What we ultimately have are four very cowardly and immature characters with virtually no appeal at all. Katagiri cuts himself off, using his past as an excuse for his lack of feelings for Osanai. Osanai makes Katagiri her whole world. Shino battles boredom and loneliness by seducing Katagiri (even though he’s just as responsible), and Shino’s husband sits back and watches while his wife carries on with an affair because he’s too obsessive and possessive for his own good. By the time the series ends, we end up rooting for absolutely no one. The only character who shows even an ounce of integrity is Osanai when she realizes her mistake and moves on from Katagiri but not before she condescends to make love with Katagiri, not because she loves him, but because she fears losing him, which is never a good reason for sex.
This isn’t a very enjoyable series to watch, and frankly, I’m not sure that it’s supposed to be. But, what we are hoping is that Katagiri, the main protagonist, might actually grow up and face his insecurities. Sure, he pays off Shino’s husband, but that has nothing to do with facing your insecurities and learning to love yourself. That’s simply making up for getting caught. The only thing that I was relieved about was that they didn’t try to put Katagiri and Osanai back together again. That would have been ridiculous, and so that aspect of the ending was at least believable.
This series played out like a bad soap opera, and I’m thankful that it was only twelve episodes at only 20 minutes for each one. It was barely tolerable at that.
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This intelligent and creative show is about five young women who live in a share house. Of course, they come from different walks of life, have different backgrounds, and much like most people, each of them carries a secret. Like any roommates who share a living space, they get along, they laugh, they cry, and they often argue and fight. But make no mistake. These girls truly love each other and do their best to be there for each other. That is truly the beauty of this show. It proves that a "family" doesn't have to be your nuclear family. In fact, it's a bit interesting and ironic, that in some cases, these girls seem closer to each other than with their parents.
There are some truly touching moments that might tug at your heartstrings, some incredibly hilarious moments that might get you laughing out loud for a spell, and even some thought-provoking moments. In short, this show has just about everything.
First, we have Jin-Myung Yoon. Yoon doesn't say much, but when she does speak, she is honest and sincere, even to the point of being blunt. She comes across as cold, but she really isn't. Her "tough" exterior hides the wounded woman suffering through the pain of believing that she's alone. She's cautious about who she opens up to, and when she does, Yoon speaks her mind. She has a challenge of truly connecting with people and showing them who she is. However, she loves her roommates, and will do anything for them. She works three jobs and goes to school. She is the most mature of all of them, and she is my personal favorite.
Next is Ye-Eun Jung, who is probably the most immature of the group and has some serious self-esteem issues. She adores her boyfriend, despite the poor way that he treats her. Everything is about status with her. She cares about how she looks, what she wears, how much she weighs, and what everyone thinks about her. She is prone to be thoughtless, but she is also cheerful, cute, and despite her clashes with Kang, she also cares very deeply for her fellow roommates.
Ji-Won Song is the most energetic and creative of the bunch. She also has absolutely no problem expressing herself. She's never embarrassed. She will also frequently take the initiative in activities where others are hesitant. She lives her life a bit on the edge, and sometimes gets a bit carried away with the "truth." She is rarely ever down or upset, and she is the one most likely to try and cheer up a friend.
Kang Yi-Na is the only one who doesn't share a room with anyone else. A woman with a tragic past, she works as an escort. She also has no vices about walking around with little/nothing on, which makes some of the other roommates uncomfortable. She has more "life knowledge" than the other girls, especially about how men behave. She isn't tricked by the antics that men play, and this gets her into fights with Ye-Eun over Ye-Eun's naivety about her own boyfriend. It's a toss-up as to who is tougher: Kang or Yoon.
Lastly, we have Eun-Jae, who is the newest addition to the house. She is also the youngest with the least amount of life experience. Coming from the country, she is a young woman who is extremely naive about how things work. It is also very difficult for her to speak her mind or even speak up about things until it's already reached a boiling point. Very sweet with a timid personality, she is very much like the "baby sister" of the group. All of the other girls feel a sense of "protectiveness" toward her.
Not only is the writing top-notch, but so is the acting. These five women have a certain chemistry that can't be overlooked. They know their characters inside and out, and they make the show work! Each brings something special to the table, but it's those moments when they are truly looking out for each other as well as being there for each other that demonstrates the true power of the show.
I would guess that many people would love to have a "family" like this! Why? Because no matter what happens, at the end of the day, they truly love each other, and isn't that what a family is?
**Netflix finally released Season 2, and the show is just as good as ever, adding a couple of new characters, and leaving me hoping and praying for a Season 3!**
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