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The Only Thing that Stops Us Is Ourselves!
Point to anyone on the planet, and you will find a deluge of problems, obstacles, challenges, disabilities, and differences. When our attention is on any of these things, we lose sight of what is truly important and beautiful. We lose the ability to maximize the potential of something wonderful.Most people do not realize that we are NOT our problems, obstacles, challenges, disabilities or our differences. What is needed is the correct perspective about who we are and the ability to communicate. Most relationships fail or struggle due to lack of communication.
This is a story that challenges the idea that two people from two different worlds (in this case, hearing and those who can't) can be together. Yes, the challenges might be more profound, but does that make any less worthwhile?
Mara is a young woman who has just failed to acquire her degree to become an architect. She begins to question whether or not it something that is even right for her.
Living down the hall in the same apartment complex is Gali. He is a young man who just happens to be deaf. He has a gift for teaching and working with deaf children. He aspires to go to the US to study so that he can return to educate more children and people due to a lack of facilities in the Phillippines.
What starts out as a wonderful friendship, soon turns into romance. Of course, it doesn't take a genius to know the challenges that are on their way.
Mara makes the mistake of leaving Gali alone at an office party. He quickly finds himself unable to communicate or even know what to do. Of course, the other people at the party have no idea about his disability, and he soon feels like a fish out of water.
Gali, on the other hand, has a troubled past where the woman he loved--a woman who could hear--broke off their engagement. Despite his best efforts to prove otherwise, he soon believes that his relationship with Mara will follow the same path. He comes to believe that someone who is deaf cannot be with someone who can hear. And so, he suddenly ends it. In short, Gali believes that his disability is who he is and that it cannot be dealt with by someone who doesn't have it.
The beauty of the story is how Mara and Gali come to realize that ANY relationship is work! And that it takes communication and effort. If two people want it badly enough, there is nothing that can stop them.
The best version of this type of story for me comes from the old TV show, "Life Goes On" which came out in the early 90s. It eventually takes on the question if a young girl can be in a relationship with a boy who is HIV+. Since then, we've seen a number of wonderful stories like this film that endeavor to tell people: don't give up on something just because it's hard! The rewards can be well worth it!
The performances from Carlo Aquino and Maine Mendoza are first-rate, and nobody can deny the chemistry between these two actors. The movie is moving, heartfelt, and profound. Anyone who questions being with someone they love because it might be too difficult, should give this film a look! And even if you're just looking for a beautiful and inspiring story, you can't go wrong with "Isa Pa, With Feelings."
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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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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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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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There Is Nothing So Precious or Comparable to a Mother's Love
This is a series involving a mother who begins to realize that her “Tiger Mom” philosophy is not the way to be an effective, loving parent and that being “strong” doesn’t mean being abusive. I’ve encountered many “tiger moms” in my job as an ESL teacher, having worked in Korea, China, and Taiwan. The most abusive parents I have ever encountered are tiger moms and the moms of the West who treat their children with indifference. Both are forms of child abuse. Believe it or not, there are worse forms of abuse than just physical.Unfortunately, in the case of tiger moms, these are parents who demand total, complete control. They will claim that it’s being a good, loving parent when nothing could be further from the truth. These are parents who map out their children's lives and deprive them of the ability to decide anything for themselves. In short, these are parents who live vicariously through their children. They use their children to feel better about themselves. Under such parents, children rarely have the chance to even be children.
Jin Young Soon is a widowed pig farmer whose son, Kang Ho, is born shortly after her husband’s death. She immediately decides that her son should become so powerful that nobody can hurt him. She already decides that he will be a prosecutor. He is forced to study at all hours, can only eat a certain amount of food because he might get sleepy and be unable to study, and he’s never able to go on class trips. When he breaks any of these rules, he’s soundly beaten to the point of severe bruising. When he uses some time to draw, his mother tears it up. When he plays on his computer, she throws the computer into the fire. Yes, at this point, she is a truly horrible mother. Such abusive tactics are born out of fear not love.
This series throws us a series of curveballs that might be challenging to predict, which is another reason why the writing is so taut and expertly written. Kang Ho in a final outburst to his mother, decides to leave her and find a way to increase his power by marrying Oh Tae Soo’s daughter and being adopted by Song Woo Byeok as his son—the local crime boss who is also Kang Ho’s father’s murderer. Of course, nothing is as it appears to be. The viewer is left to wonder if Kang Ho has really grown up so resentful of his mother that he is willing to consort with these horrific people. Oh Tae Soo was the prosecutor who swept Kang Ho’s father’s case under the rug and now has aspirations to become Korea’s new president.
We find out later down the road that everything was a ploy in an attempt to bring down Song Woo Byeok and Oh Tae Soo, except that it backfired and nearly cost Kang Ho his life. After his attempted murder, Kang Ho’s mind is reduced to that of a child, and his memories are lost. Now back with his mother, they are both given a second chance. Kang Ho’s chance is to recover and hopefully be able to finish what he started as well as mend the bridges he’s burned. For Jin Young Soon, it’s a chance to maybe be a better mother than she was before. Much of it is a bit of trial and error as Jin Young Soon still has much to learn about how to be a good parent. She still resorts to abusive tactics, but down the road, she finally realizes how her abusive methods have hurt Kang Ho as well as others around him.
Jin Young Soon and Kang Ho live in a small, remote farming village made up of some of the quirkiest and most delightful characters you’re ever likely to encounter! Son Yong Rak (Kim Won Hae) is the village head, and this actor has a true gift for comedy. Having seen him in several other series, I smiled as soon as I saw him because I know how good he is! He’s married to a very odd, woman who is always wearing a facial mask and has a knack for saying things at the worst times.
Jung Gum Ja (Kang Mal Geum) is Jin Young Soon’s best friend and ironically has a daughter (Mi Joo) who was born at the same time as Kang Ho. Mi Joo is Kang Ho’s love interest, and it’s very heartbreaking how he leaves her in order to pursue his goal of taking down Song Woo Byeok and Oh Tae Soo, because he believes it’s too dangerous for her, but of course, he doesn’t tell her that. Little does Kang Ho realize that Mi Joo’s twins, Ye Jin and Seo Jin are, in fact, his children. This was one of the few parts of the story that wasn’t a surprise. By the way, Gi So Yoo (Ye Jin) and Park Da On (Seo Jin) are delightful little performers! What talent these two have! I enjoyed their scenes together so much, and I was amazed at how good they are!
Lastly, we have Sam Sik, who is the dimwitted son of Jin Young Soon’s neighbors. He falls in with bad crowds, gets thrown into jail, and ends up indebted to a loan shark. He’s also in love with Mi Joo, even though she has absolutely no feelings for him at all. Yoo In Soo does a fantastic job playing the funny but not very bright Sam Sik who is always in some kind of trouble. However, his heart is usually in the right place which makes him likable despite his obvious flaws.
Performances are outstanding across the board—in addition to the great performances already mentioned above—Ra Mi Ran (Jin Young Soon) is incredible, but frankly, Lee Do Hyun gives us a mesmerizing performance as Kang Ho, especially during his depiction of Kang Ho with a childlike mind. Lee Do Hyun deserves every accolade.
The series is an endearing story about the mother/son relationship, on the one hand, but it’s also a fantastic thriller as well, as we are left to wonder after the first episode, how the despicable Song Woo Byeok and Oh Tae Soo will finally be brought to justice. We also learn why Kang Ho is such a great prosecutor as he devises a perfect plan to trap them both. Kang Ho’s biggest mistake at the outset of the series is that he tries to do everything himself. The second time around, he knows that he can’t tangle with these two criminals alone. He needs help, and he gets it. And perhaps, that is one of the essences of the series: everyone needs help, even mothers as Jin Young Soon also realizes that Kang Ho’s recovery wasn’t just due to her efforts but to everyone in the village who helped.
We have a heartfelt ending in which Jin Young Soon finally succumbs to her stomach cancer, and she leaves a beautiful letter for Kang Ho, apologizing for being such a horrible mother and declaring that she will do better next time. Her last wish is to be his mother again in another life.
As children, it’s often a painful realization to know that parents aren’t perfect. There is no manual or book to help. They make mistakes. A good parent admits to their mistakes and helps their children to understand that. The best parent is one who provides their child with the freedom to be who they want to be, as well as help them create and cultivate the tools and wisdom to make the best choices for themselves. But then again, children obviously make mistakes too, and parents have to learn to be understanding and compassionate as well as to let them know: I’m always here for you if you need me.
This is a beautiful series that confirms that there is nothing so precious or comparable to a mother’s love. Make sure to let your mothers know how much you love and appreciate them.
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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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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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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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Navigating the Pitfalls of Love and Sex
One of the age-old questions is put front and center: Is love sex? Or is sex love? People might be surprised at the answer. Sex is not love, as Kenichi puts it. However, sex is/can be an expression of love. This is where Kenichi and his wife Kumiko run into trouble.It is clear that Kenichi and Kumiko both love each other. However, they have a difficult time adjusting to the fact that they cannot have conventional sex. Now, it can be dangerous to view this series with the eyes of a westerner. You have to understand something about Japanese culture. I'm not saying you will agree with it, but you will understand why Kumiko and Kenichi do not handle the problem in the same way that others might.
Japanese people are among the sweetest people I have ever known, but they also tend to have one glaring issue (one that even they admit to!): they are never very direct in their communication. There are even some wonderful, and even funny, youtube videos posted by Japanese people who address this.
Kumiko is an extremely shy young woman, who never really speaks up about anything. She keeps her problems and dislikes bottled up within her. It doesn't help that she has a domineering mother who is clearly ashamed of her. Remember that "shame" is not something that Japanese people take lightly. Western viewers are likely to show frustration and say, "Why doesn't she go and see a doctor? Why doesn't she talk about it with her husband?" Again, it's the culture, for better or worse. And, I daresay, there are those around the world who take issue with some of our cultural ideas too! I should know as I was a Peace Corps volunteer for four years and have also lived and worked in five different countries as well!
The bottom line that is addressed in this series is a failure to communicate. This is a universal problem in marriage and relationships, not just an Asian one. And we see the damage that is done by not talking things out. Both Kenichi and Kumiko attempt to avoid the issue by finding solace in other people. As we know, avoidance and denial never make a problem go away. If anything, it exacerbates it, which is one of the things this series addresses.
The series is very well done, with exceptional performances from Aoi Nakamura (Kenichi) and Natsumi Ishibashi (Kumiko). They give us a couple that clearly love each other but are unable to figure out how to address the issue of not having sex.
What is sad is that intimacy is a necessary ingredient for a happy marriage. And intimacy doesn't necessarily mean sex. There are many ways for a couple to BE with each other. There are ways to make it work, and my only issue with the series is that there really isn't much mentioned about how a couple can be intimate without sex.
Marriages don't fail because of a lack of sex. They fail due to a lack of love, communication, and intimacy. This series does a pretty credible job of addressing this, especially in the "communication" department!
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Usagi The Foolish "Rabbit"
Too often throughout the history of TV series, people decide to keep a series going instead of leaving well enough alone, or to push a series, despite the fact that the well has been run dry of good ideas. "Alice In Borderland " joins the fraternity of shows that should have “quit while it was ahead.”The first two seasons of the show gave us some of the most powerful and thought-provoking storytelling that I have ever seen. Season 3 fails to even measure up to the first two seasons, largely due to the fact that we got some silly ideas to keep the story going, and the games aren’t nearly as interesting or creative. In fact, some of the games are downright dumb. We also don’t get nearly the same level of focus on the characters or depth of the story, either.
Don’t ask me why the writers decided to go off on such a stupid tangent. Perhaps they couldn’t come up with anything else. Usagi is having nightmares about her father’s suicide, and she’s obsessed with finding a way to reach him. We’ve seen this premise before in The Flatliners and other similar stories. She and Arisu are happily married…well, married, anyway. Anyone who’s truly happy would learn to let go of loved ones who’ve passed. Instead, her pain and suffering drag Arisu into the problem as well.
Usagi meets Ryuji Matsuyama, a man who’s obsessed with finding out what’s beyond death, and she’s tricked into taking a drug that takes her back to the Borderlands by placing her body in a debilitating coma, which she’s not likely to survive. There is one last card to defeat: the Joker, and Matsuyama is promised answers if he can bring Arisu back, and is instructed to use Usagi to achieve that goal. Of course, once Arisu finds out what’s happened, he doesn’t hesitate to head back to the Borderlands to find her. Ann, from the previous series, helps acquire the drug to help Arisu.
The games are much different this time. Players are simply instructed to play random games with the hope of getting to the Finals, and potentially getting back to their world. There are no visas. They simply have a day or two to get to the next arena. Obviously, there are no suits of cards left to defeat, and it seems that there aren’t nearly as many players this time either.
For most of the series, Arisu and Usagi are separated. Never mind that Arisu is doing all he can to find Usagi, while Usagi never even questions Matsuyama about her goal of finding her father and why it seems she was tricked in the first place. Also, never mind that after Arisu sees Usagi, he worries endlessly about how to get back to her. Not once does Usagi show even the same level of passion or concern. In fact, she never mentions Arisu again until they finally meet up for the final game. It’s clear we have a very unbalanced relationship between the two.
The Final ends with a few survivors, and Arisu meeting with “The Watchman (expertly played by Ken Watanabe), who gives Arisu a choice: Life or Death. He can let it all go and choose Death, or he can continue the inevitable struggle and pain by going back to his world. There is no suspense, as we already know which one Arisu is going to choose.
Back in their own world, Arisu is fine, and Usagi is brought out of her coma. Of course, there is no explanation, apology, or anything at all from Usagi, who brought the entire situation upon herself and Arisu for really no reason at all. Rather than seek help, counseling, or a number of other choices, she chose the most reckless and dangerous choice, because she thought so little about her own life as well as Arisu’s.
The premise of this season is the meaning of Life. Ultimately, this is a meaningless theme because the meaning of Life is whatever meaning a person gives it. This didn’t have nearly the same effect as the last episode of the second season, when Arisu battles the Queen of Hearts, who profoundly tells Arisu that life is choice, and you decide how to experience something.
The most ridiculous game was the last one, in which players are in 25 rooms in a square grid and have to find the exit. Along the way, they are shown what their futures might be, given the choice of which door to go through. It’s funny that there are still people out there who believe in fate; that their futures are somehow pre-determined. No future is set. It is impossible to predict the future. Only possibilities based on where you are now. The idea was that, instead of players simply ignoring the images and trying to find the exit, we have players only thinking about trying to manipulate the game to ensure a good future. It was bad enough that this one game took up most of the last two episodes. And where we were supposed to cultivate some sympathy, there was none to be had.
Alice in Borderland should have left well enough alone. If I choose to go back and revisit the series, you can be sure I’ll only watch the first two seasons. Overall, a series that was a huge “10” for me has now taken a big hit, no thanks to this lackluster and uninspiring third season that should have never been made.
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Appreciate the Brilliance of Shin Hye Sun in This Incredibly Entertaining Series!
I have seen Shin Hye Sun in three series before this one: Oh, My Ghost, Stranger, and most recently in Hymn of Death. All of the above are dramatic roles, and all I can say is, “Oh, my God!” Her comedic chops are off the charts! She is nothing short of brilliant, stealing virtually every single scene that she is in! I compare her to Lucille Ball. While the rest of the cast is absolutely fantastic, this series doesn’t work without Shin Hye Sun’s incomparable performance!Most body-switching movies and shows are same-gender switches. I’ve seen just a handful of cross-gender switches, and while they tend to go for comedic effects, the actors tend to overcompensate. The man exaggerates female characteristics such as speech and walking while the woman does the same. Shin Hye Sun, instead, goes for more subtlety and realism as a man who’s suddenly been thrust into the body of the Queen. Jang Bong Hwan is a chef from the future, so he not only has to figure out how to live in the body of a woman but also a woman who also happens to be of royalty!
What we end up getting is some of the funniest and zaniest roles I’ve ever seen. Shin Hye Sun brilliantly doesn’t even alter her speech very much. Just to the point in her smirk, the way she sits and communicates, which is Jang Bong Hwan’s style. In short, she gives us a very masculine queen as well as one from the future, who isn’t afraid to inject current idioms, terms, and ideas into her speech, often causing hilarious confusion among the Joseon people from 200 years ago who have no idea what she’s talking about. King Cheol Jong even begins keeping a Dictionary of the Queen’s Language in an attempt to understand her. He also has no idea why his once docile queen is now far more aggressive and direct in her speech and manners!
We are taken back to Joseon about 200 years in the past when a puppet king is being controlled by nearly everyone around him, but most notably by the Grand Queen Dowager, the Queen Dowager, and Kim Jwa Geun (the Grand Queen Dowager’s brother). It did take me a few episodes to get the names down because there are so many. Basically, you have two rival families in the Kim’s and the Jo’s who are vying for control of the country. The Queen is of the Kim family while the King is of the Jo family. Little do they realize that the King is far stronger than anyone realized or anticipated as he struggles to find a way to bring balance and contentment to his subjects, who mostly live in slavery and poverty. But the wild card in this drama is the Queen. No longer meek and docile, Jang Bong Hwan quickly decides that the Queen is nobody’s puppet and nobody’s fool. Instead, he figures out a way to understand his new role but also how to help the King gain power to stand up to those who would use him for their own purposes.
I’ve said this in numerous reviews already, but Koreans are masters of storytelling and always find a way to convey an uplifting message or something to think about to improve things. This series is no different. Overall, the series is comedic, but it does have some dramatic moments, some heart-wrenching ones, and also some inspiring ones too. In the end, we find that both King Cheol Jong and Queen Kim So Yong (after she’s reverted back to herself without Jang Bong Hwan) have both changed (even if Jang Bong Hwan left behind a few seeds of influence!). Jang Bong Hwan, himself, realizes that he is no longer the same, self-serving man that he was before either. He wisely states, “Perhaps it isn’t about trying not to be rotten, but instead cutting out what is rotten.” And that such an idea might—in fact—help to change the world, but it first begins with changing yourself. Gandhi himself stated as much when he said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
This is simply one of the most delightful series I’ve seen, and it is literally rock solid from beginning to end. I kept waiting to see if the story would begin to falter or drop off slightly toward the end. It didn’t. It kept me completely invested from beginning to end.
Unfortunately, the government in Joseon from 200 years ago proves that not much has changed in the world since that time. The rich still oppress the poor. The powerful still exploit the weak are always in search of ways to retain even more power. Mr. Queen gives us some food for thought; that just because that is how things are, it doesn’t mean that nothing can be done or that they must somehow stay that way. King Cheol Jong and Queen Kim So Yong give us two examples of what can be done if will, determination, and courage are vested. Or perhaps one of my favorite quotes from Lord of the Rings: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
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