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Two Exceptionally Principled Cops and One Exceptionally Weak and Compromised Reporter!

What is the price of integrity? What is the price of doing the right thing as opposed to the easy thing? And what is the price of compromising one’s integrity and doing the right thing? There have been a number of K-Dramas dealing with corruption. Some within the police force. Some within the prosecution. Some within the political annals, and several dealing with all three. “Stranger” is still the all-time best when it comes to dealing with corruption within the hierarchies of Korean judicial systems. “The Good Detective” is—for the most part—very solid with a few small issues here and there.

A senior detective who’s been stuck in the same position for many years finds himself not following proper protocols when dealing with a murder suspect. That suspect is up for execution and Sergeant Kang Do Chang comes across some new evidence from some suspicious sources that prove that his suspect is likely innocent and was set up. Kang Do Chang has many years of experience under his belt, and he soon realizes the toll of doing the wrong thing can do to a person. We get the sense that this is his first major blunder, but it would soon cost him, and now he endeavors to do whatever it takes to set things right and also to vow never to go down that road again.

Lieutenant Oh Ji Hyuk is the newest member of Violent Crimes Team Two, and even though he’s technically Kang Do Chang’s superior, he takes the subordinate role for some reason. While Kang Do Chang is savvy, Oh Ji Hyuk is the smarter of the two. His skills at deductive reasoning help him see things that even his senior partner is unable to grasp. He’s also got a tie to Kang Do Chang’s case, as the principal suspect is actually his sadistic and wealthy cousin, Oh Jong Tae (played by Oh Jung Se). It’s very hard for me to see actor Oh Jung Se as anyone other than his stellar performance of Moon Sang Tae from “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” which is one of the best acting performances I’ve ever seen.

The two detectives are principled and endeavor not to break the rules when it comes to bringing the truth to light. Little do they realize how stacked the corruption is against them, from prosecutors to superior police officers. to Civil Petition Division officers (Internal Affairs) and to the Ministry of Justice himself. Not to mention the press.

Speaking of the press, we have our third major character of the series, and easily my least favorite. Reporter Jin Seo Kyung is a selfish, immature, and weak person, who reaches for a bottle of alcohol more readily than she does her “mighty pen.” A number of times, we see her stumble and refuse to do what’s right. She compromises her own integrity because she’s afraid and doesn’t have the guts. She thinks little of anyone but herself and how a decision will impact her. In many ways, she’s the antithesis of our two detectives. Once, she withholds key evidence that might help save innocent Lee Dae Chul. And then she refuses to share the murder confession of her boss to the police, which unwittingly gets him killed. Oh, she finally gets around to doing it, but not before it’s too late. She’s a miserable woman who can’t see the forest for the trees. She easily discards the actions of her boss. She comes across as naïve, but she isn’t. She knows what he’s been up to and what he’s doing and the abuse of power he’s wielded as a prominent editor of a big-time newspaper. And yet, she does nothing. It’s been said that too often the biggest problem in the fight against injustice is for good people to do nothing.

It’s always been sickening to see how much disregard there is for human life, especially when they are pawns and victims being ground under wheels of corruption. Kang Do Chang admits his mistake but does his best to rectify the situation. Some of the most touching scenes in the series are between him and Lee Dae Chul’s daughter, Lee Eun Hye. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you’re partly responsible for what’s happened to a young girl’s father. It takes an even bigger person in Lee Eun Hye to forgive him and even thank him for trying to set things right.

As with many Korean dramas, the series is filled with suspense, touching moments, and outright humor. I’m not sure how a police officer could endure so much when they are trying to catch suspects and are—at the same time—fighting against the system they are a part of. How would an officer keep his sanity under such conditions?

I was glad to see several supporting characters realize their mistake and also try to find a way to redeem themselves, rather than simply being swept aside by the system. Yoon Sang Mi (Civil Petition Division) compromises her own integrity by lying in court in order to get a promotion. Kang Do Chang holds her in contempt and makes her face her own greed when he confronts her. Then we have Chief Moon who is also a part of the cover-up of the true crime. Fortunately, of all the characters to fall into the corruption pool, he does the most to try and set things right.

I’m not sure why Oh Ji Hyuk is held accountable for using his gun in the last episode. If there truly is a “rule” that prohibits an officer from using his weapon to save the life of another officer, then something is terribly wrong. I thought that wasn’t just silly, but insulting and offensive. Oh Ji Hyuk literally saves Kang Do Chang’s life. That was a stretch for me.

If it hadn’t been for such a deplorable character in Jin Seo Kyung, this series would have been nearly perfect for me. Her character was cringe-worthy. I’m not sure why the writer chose to make the female characters so unlikeable. Kang Do Chang’s sister drinks like a fish and snaps at him at every turn. I’d have kicked her out of the house. Her voice is even like nails on a chalkboard. I tend to prefer stronger female characters. They don’t have to be impeccable or flawless, but at least make them likable.

Acting performances—for the most part—are all rock solid. Again, I still feel that the two best performances were from Son Hyun Joo (Kang Do Chang) and Jang Seung Jo (Oh Ji Hyuk). These two have that good “buddy cop” vibe that you want to see in these types of stories.

Overall, this is a good series. However, I think I’ll wait a while before delving into Season 2, which I’ve already heard, isn’t nearly as good.

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Recuse the Judge!

“Hypocrisy is the audacity to preach integrity from a den of corruption.” It’s sad that we live in a world where this is far truer than we’d like it to be. Those in power who abuse that power to exploit those around them. Promises of fame, money or even power on some level are often all that is needed to put someone on the path. What is scary about people like Hitler, Stalin, Trump, and many others throughout history, is that they convince themselves that they are doing it for the people and the greater good. When, in fact, it is always for themselves.

The Lawless Lawyer sees Bong Sang PIl return to the city of Ki-Song after eighteen years to seek revenge against the kingpin of the local gang and the judge behind him for the murder of his mother, which took place right in front of him when he was ten years old. Now a lawyer, he’s determined to exact his revenge through the law. Bong Sang Pil doesn’t need to find out who is responsible because he was there to see everyone who was involved. But, he also knows that kingpin, Ahn Oh Joo and Judge Cha Moon Sook are too powerful to be taken down any other way. Oh, he could resort to petty violence, but he knows that this would only destroy him in the process. Bong Sang Pil, the nephew of another kingpin, has connections within the underworld, but he’s told by his uncle to stick to the law and not follow his uncle’s path.

Ha Jae Yi is another brilliant attorney whose ability in court is matched by her temper. After punching out a judge for his demeaning and derogatory statements about women, she’s suspended and return to Ki-Song to try and figure out what to do next. Ironically, Ha Jae Yi’s own mother disappeared the same night that Bong Sang Pil’s mother was killed. And we find out that Jae Yi’s mother was instrumental in saving Bong Sang Pil from certain death on that fateful night. We also learn that Jae Yi’s mother has powerful evidence of Ahn Oh Joo and Judge Cha Moon Sook, but she is forced to flee Korea in order to keep her husband and daughter safe.

I’ve seen several K-Dramas where the central theme is political and judicial corruption. “Stranger” was the best I’ve seen. “Chief of Staff” is another. This series is compelling because it deals with corruption within a town and how a corrupt judge rules with an iron fist, using people like tissue, and doing everything for the sake of money and fame. Actress Lee Hye Young gives a superb performance as a woman who simply cannot see that anything she does is wrong or hurtful. To her, people are there to be exploited, and we can’t help wondering how much of an influence her own father was; a man who’s hinted at being a corrupt judge himself.

For the most part, the series moves along at a great pace. What is truly impressive is how the writers are able to weave this tapestry, which is like watching two grandmaster chess players in Bong Sang Pil and Cha Moon Sook, trying to outmaneuver and outsmart each other. While Bong Sang Pil doesn’t have the power that the judge has, we quickly come to see just how smart he really is. And that is what makes his character so compelling. But, he quickly realizes that he can’t underestimate Cha Moon Sook or what she is capable of.

If the series has one major flaw, it’s this: Ha Jae Yi’s mother returns to help. And while it’s been 18 years, there is no way that Ha Jae Yi wouldn’t recognize her. Ha Jae Yi’s father runs a photo studio. The family photo sits prominently in the store window, not to mention the countless photos inside the house. And speaking as someone who lost his father, you never forget a parent’s face. I spent hours, days, and even years with his picture all around me, looking at it whenever I wanted. Ha Jae Yi would be of the same mindset. I understand that the writers did this for the sake of the plot, but it doesn’t work here. They should have come up with another ploy to make it work.

A subplot in Episode 14 also doesn’t quite work in which Ahn Oh Joo tells Bong Sang Pil over the phone that he intends to do something to Ha Jae Yi, and yet Bong Sang Pil doesn’t even bother to warn her or even Chief Tae of the threat. That made no sense either. Again, and I say this often in my reviews when I catch this: do not sacrifice character for the sake of making the plot work! In other words, don’t make a character do something that goes against their nature just to make a plot point work.

All in all, this is a highly entertaining and intriguing series. It’s my second time watching Lee Joon Gi after “Flower of Evil” and I can quickly see why he’s so beloved. The man tackles complex characters and emotions with ease. It’s clear to me that he’s a natural when it comes to acting. Even facial tics and flinches make him even more compelling. It is also my second time with Seo Yea Ji after “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.” Obviously, her performance in “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” has far more depth and complexity to it, which she handles like a master artist, but she’s no less compelling in this role. I love how she brings fearlessness to her character. Even when facing Cha Moon Sook, she’s got nerves of steel and won’t back down for a second. I love seeing people, especially Korean women who too often are treated like wallflowers, stand fast and stand strong.

This series has humor, wit, great characters, and a thrilling story. It reminds me a bit of one of the best detective series, “Columbo.” We know how the murder was done, and we even know who did it. What we want to know is how the detective will be able to prove it. In this case, we want to see how Bong Sang Pil will be able to catch Cha Moon Sook, along with everyone else who is responsible for destroying his and Ha Jae Yi’s childhoods.

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"Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold" In One of the Best Mystery-Thrillers Ever Made!

I have been watching movies and show for over 45 years, and I MUST start off this review by stating that Han So-Hee’s performance as Ji Woo Yoon is one of the best I have ever seen from any actor or actress. If she hasn’t literally won every single acting accolade and award, then something is seriously wrong. Yes, her performance is that good, and it’s also a big reason why this series is so good, aside from the stellar writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and pretty much everything else. This is one of the best series I have ever had the privilege to watch.

After watching mostly light-hearted K-Dramas over the past four or five years, this series is entirely different. It takes us deep inside the dank and dark underworld of Korean organized crime. A place ruled with an iron fist in Moo Jin Choi (another exceptional performance by Park See Soon). As with exceptional storytelling and one of the best thrillers ever made, we know the players, but we don’t know who is who and what is what. It plays like “24,” “The Departed” and a “Bronx Tale” all rolled into one with a bit of “The Professional” thrown in. The series is, indeed bigger than the sum of any of these parts. It is its own intriguing identity. And the writers do a terrific job keeping us on our toes. Just when you think you have figured something out, and another curveball is thrown our way to make think, “Okay, maybe that’s not it at all!”

Ji Woo Yoon devotes her life to seeking revenge upon the person who killed her father when she was in high school. Throwing herself into hand-to-hand combat training and learning how to use her wits, Ji Woo Yoon becomes what happens when someone is laser-focused on achieving their goal. She doesn’t smile. Her apartment is empty, except for her weight equipment, and her life is basically as empty and dark as the streets she patrols. She doesn’t engage in anything that takes her mind away from her ultimate job: to find and kill the killer. However, things are seldom as they seem, and despite her incredible tenacity—borderline obsession—smarts, and abilities, she’s not invincible or infallible. What is it like to watch someone with that kind of determination? I think of people like Bruce Lee or Kobe Bryant; people who will do whatever it takes to achieve a goal and not apologize for it. This is part of the intrigue of this series and also why Han So-Hee so deftly is able to give us this character and bring Ji Woo Yoon to life. I would be extremely curious about the training she must have had to go through. I have seen some amazing performances by Korean actors and actresses, but this one by Han So-Hee, just blew me away. When I looked at her profile on Mydramalist, I was like, “Wait, is that the same girl?!” A transformation from a beautiful model to a person you wouldn’t want to cross on your best day is something on par with Jodie Foster, Doona Bae, Helen Mirren, Cate Blanchett or Meryl Streep. Yes, I’m putting this performance of Han So-Hee on that kind of a level. I think it takes tremendous courage and dedication to turn in this kind of performance.

At only eight episodes, this series will make you feel like you’ve sat through sixteen or even twenty. You can’t help but watch the next episode after you’ve finished one, and by the time it’s all over, you might feel like you need a vacation or, at the very least, a few days to catch your breath.

I love movies that showcase strong female characters, and this one certainly achieves that. We need more characters like this one. Ji Woo Yoon is definitely not someone you’ve ever seen in most K-Dramas, and man, am I thrilled to death that they pulled no punches in this hardcore series. The violence is extreme, but there is no scene that doesn’t belong, no act that is out of place. It plays like a meticulous hard rock song that always pulls you in. I’m so glad that Netflix collaborated to bring this series to light as well as keep every element of the story intact. As far as mystery-thrillers go, you’ll be as hard-pressed as I am to find one that’s better. I can only think of two off the top of my head: The movies “Seven” and “Silence of the Lambs.” And, yes, “My Name” belongs in that company.

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Killing Gives Birth to Hatred, and Hatred Kills In Its Turn

Himura Kenshin is a samurai and former assassin who has killed countless times. He soon discovers that each time he kills, it costs him a piece of himself.

Vowing to live by a new code. A code in which he refuses to kill, Kenshin becomes a very unorthodox and yet inspiring character who uses his incredible fighting skills to help those who can't fight or defend themselves.

The Wanderer finds himself coming across young Miss Kaoru who owns a fencing dojo. Her dojo is wanted the new town bureaucrat who finds that in the new Japan, money is power. Not the samurai. He buys what he wants, and sends his own paid thugs and assassins to deal with those who refuse to sell.

Kenshin finds his new vow tested to its limits. For someone who has killed countless times, what's one more? And what does it matter if it's done to protect or save someone?

The fighting choreography is probably the best I've ever seen. The speed and skillset of each move is so lightning-quick that if you blink, you'll miss a sequence.

And yet this movie is so much deeper than a mere "samurai/martial arts" film. It's about love. It's about redemption. And it's about realizing that it's never too late to change. "No one is not worthy" Kenshin reminds one of his opponents. He's not only speaking about his foe, but also reminding himself that he's not lost.

The best pearl of wisdom is spoken to the high police official who believes that Kenshin is insane for applying a code that--in his mind--is ludicrous and can't possibly work. Kenshin replies, "Killing gives birth to hatred, and hatred kills in its turn. To break that chain, I carry a sword that will not kill." Indeed, Kenshin carries a blade that is backwards to help him prevent killing.

This series is simply a work of art. It has mystical elements, bordering on the "superhero" genre, but at its core, it's about the power of justice. There are elements of humor as well as a lot of flamboyance, but I believe that this is intentional, as I'm guessing that manga series it hails from is much the same.

I watched "The Beginning" and "The Final" before Netflix finally gave us the other three films. So far, none of these films have disappointed me at all. Two hours and twenty minutes seem to fly by.

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Like a Yellow Box, All of the Important and Beautiful Elements Can Be Found in this Series!

"Move to Heaven" is a little gem of a series that is fulfilling and uplifting in its short 10-episode story arc. The show is like a yellow box that has all of the important things in it, leaving nothing out, and putting no extraneous or unnecessary plot devices into it.

The story is about trauma cleaners. Don't know what trauma cleaners are? Neither did I until I watched the show. Trauma cleaners are hired to go into a deceased's dwelling and clean it. Sometimes, it is not very glamorous, especially if the body of the deceased has been there for an extended period of time. But the key element of the job is to collect those important and necessary items that the deceased has left behind and give them to a relative or someone who was important to the person who died.

Han Geu-ru--who is masterfully portrayed by Tang Joon-Sang and should win every actor award that he's nominated for--is a 20-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome who is gifted with unique and special insight. Not only is he able to remember anything with a momentary glance, he is able to piece things together in order to learn more about the person who died. Of course, Geu-ru's world is strictly ordered, and any deviation from that order brings him into hysterics.

After his father suddenly dies from a heart condition, Geu-ru is put into trial custody under his uncle, Cho Sang-Gu, a man who's just gotten out of prison and is an ex-MMA fighter. Cho Sang-Gu is rough around the edges, to say the least, and the last thing he is initially interested in, is taking care of a nephew he doesn't give a hoot about from a brother he hated and despised. Part of the beauty of the story is in how these two grow closer together.

Move to Heaven reminds me a little bit of "Highway to Heaven." It seems like the kind of show Michael Landon would have done. The show runs much deeper than two men packing up items. In each episode, we learn how the deceased lived. There are some truly though-provoking stories of people--who may seem unremarkable--but end up being remarkable in their own, unique ways, that in real life, might not garner much attention. But we quickly learn the invaluable truth" Every life is precious. And every life has a story to tell.

Don't be surprised if a number of episodes has you reaching for a tissue or a hanky. There are many beautiful moments that will have you doing just that!

The story implores people to think about how they treat others. To think about what is really important. We see our share of greedy, selfish, and vindictive people who clearly don't give a hoot about their fellow man. Even when that fellow man is a relative. The story begs us to prioritize and remember, not only WHAT is really important in life, but WHO!

I was more than happy to see that the writers seemed to leave the door open for a second season. Ten episodes went by a little too quickly for me. But it's also a series that I loved so much that it invites repeated viewings.

In short, the world desperately needs more shows like this one!

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"Ships Are Safe in the Harbor, But That Is Not What Ships Are For!"

This is a fascinating character-driven series that I feel that many people will be able to relate to. So many people have suffered unimaginable suffering that they choose a life of solitude in order to prevent something like that from ever happening again. In short, the "defense mechanism" kicks in and the walls go up.

We have two such characters in Nan-Do Ko, and So-yeon Han. Nan-Do is so traumatized by his mother's suicide, that he prefers a world of computers. He locks himself away, immersing himself in his latest project: an AI.

So-yeon is also traumatized, but for another reason in which her memory blocks out the event and also causes her to have facial-blindness, also known as prosopagnosia. In short, she is incapable of recognizing someone by their face. To her co-workers, she comes off as cold and rude because of this.

Little do we know that Nan-Do's invention brings a light to So-yeon, who is pretty much a social outcast. She spends her free time up on the roof of her apartment building, drowning herself in alcohol...her only means of coping with an essentially empty life.

We also find that there is much more to the story than meets the eye, as a tragic event is responsible for Nan-Do and So-yeon's current states of self-loathing.

So then, how are two anti-social people able to come together? You can only imagine the bumps and pitfalls of two people ineptly attempting to navigate the social awkwardness that exists between them, despite their obvious feelings for each other. Uniting them is Holo (Nan-Do's AI) who is only able to express himself honestly as well as unconditionally. In short, he is what many humans aspire to be--not only for themselves--but also for each other. Holo is the ideal version of the best version of a person, no matter how unrealistic he may be.

Love is the simplest thing in the universe, and yet our egoic minds make it the most complex thing in the universe. It requires us to take a chance. It requires us to have trust and faith. And it requires the ultimate form of courage: to be absolutely vulnerable.

Would people love to have their own "Holo?" Of course! But that is not a relationship. It's a fabrication for those who wish to play it safe; for those who do not want to risk being hurt; for those who wish to remain safely entrenched within their walls; for those who prefer to remain in the harbor. It's funny and sad how much our technology today has crippled people's ability to communicate genuinely face-to-face.

"My Holo Love" is only twelve episodes long, but they are rock-solid episodes! I was grateful that the writers didn't attempt to stretch things out.

Performances are fantastic across the board. Especially from Hyun-Min Yoon, who must be given the highest accolades for being able to deftly play two distinct characters. That is not nearly as easy as many people might believe.

My only issue was that the "stage" was almost too small. Such a technological breakthough would not only bring notice from a rival company as well as local law enforcement, but would easily bring the scale to nationwide attention. The National Intelligence Service as well as the government would undoubtedly be involved as well. Still, this is a minor point as the story is well written.

I was also pleased that we didn't get the typical, cliched storylines involving the romantic aspects of Nan-Do and So-yeon that tend to flood most Korean romantic dramas. It not only felt fresh but also much more realistic. I'm glad that there are writers who are still able to think outside the box in this regard.

If you want to immerse yourself in a wonderful series, you really can't miss with this one!

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Rock Solid Romantic Comedy With an UpLifting Message!

This is my first foray into Filipino cinema, and I wasn't disappointed. A great story and wonderful chemistry between Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla make this a wonderful film. Little did I know that these two have collaborated on several movies and are an "item" in real life. Makes sense.

Jackie is an angry young woman who doesn't like her life or anyone in it. Her dream is to go to New York to study photography in order to leave home. However, she is unable to stay out of trouble and ends up in jail. Her mother pleads with her father to let her come to a small, rural village to do some volunteer work for a week. Her father relents, against his better judgment.

Kiko is a responsible young man, who finds himself caring for his younger siblings while his irresponsible mother is out galavanting with any man she can find. He is also one of the coordinators for the program that provides help to the village.

Jackie sees only what has been done to her. In short, she plays the victim. One can understand her anger and resentment once her mother confesses what happened to her when she was young, but Jackie has trapped herself in a miserable situation. Playing a victim will always do that. Kiko, however, who has a number of challenges of his own, elects to fight through them. He doesn't play the victim, which demonstrates why he's a much stronger and more mature person.

Of course, Jackie is resistant to the volunteer program, and even devises plans to escape. Once locked in, she finds herself in a village without electricity, so she can't be on her phone 24/7 as she likes.

I'm a former Peace Corps volunteer, and there is nothing quite like having all of your luxuries and comforts stripped away, which forces you to deal with whatever is in front of you. Jackie learns this lesson as well. She learns quickly that there are people out there with much tougher situations than she's got. In short, she finally begins to mature and grow up. In short, service to others can induce a powerful healing, which is exactly what Jackie needs.

The film is truly beautiful in how the volunteers work with the villagers. So much of it reminded me of my own service. However, the film doesn't end there. As one easily surmises, it becomes evident that Kiko and Jackie have developed feelings for each other.

It is here that I wish the film hadn't decided to use a cliched scenario to set up the "big ending." Too many films do that. I thought that the confrontation between Kiko and Jackie, when he didn't show up for the wedding, would have been perfect, followed by family resolutions after that. I would have been much more practical and unique. However, I can't complain as the movie still works very well. Still, my heart (and my favorite part of the movie) is when they are together at the village.

And I also have to love one of my favorite songs from my high school days, Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and how it's used so brilliantly. I'm looking forward to watching more films like this one!

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Dare to Fulfill Your Dreams!

There is only one person who stands in the way of fulfilling your dreams: you. Anyone who tries to be an obstacle to your dreams is probably not someone you'd want to be in a relationship with. The person you do want to be in a relationship with is someone who believes in you; not only will they not stand in your way, they'll encourage and empower you to do whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.

Ethan is a young, hot-shot producer of shows. He's eagerly awaiting a promotion to production manager, that he feels that he's entitled to and has earned. However, to his disappointment, the job is given to someone else. He's told that the one area he's not very good with, is working with people. He's sent to Bacolod, a small town where he's told that if he can produce a successful show, then he will get the production manager job.

Audrey is a warm, caring young woman who dreams of making shows. She uses her small video camera to record everything for her boyfriend, Tristan, who has been comatose from an accident for over 150 days.

We learn that before the accident Audrey had a chance to go to Manila to learn about making shows. Tristan, of course, objected. In fact, we quickly find out that Tristan is a very controlling boyfriend who spends much of his time telling Audrey, "what to do" and "what not to do." However, it is clear that Audrey loves him...until she sees love for what it truly is!

Love is never about control. It is never about possession. It is about giving the other person the freedom and the space to be who they are. Ethan shows Audrey this type of love. Audrey, of course, is torn between her newfound love for Ethan and being true to Tristan.

Now, one might think that things become a bit cliched at this point, but that doesn't really happen. What makes this story work so well is that Ethan demonstrates and unconditional and selfless character who will simply do the mature thing; the right thing. They say that love conquers all. Well, Ethan is certainly an example of this.

There are a number of touching moments throughout the film, and I love the fact that Tristan is shown as being a "bad" guy. He's not. Despite his ignorance, it's hard not to sympathize with him.

The performances are all first-rate, and you end up feeling good about having watched this film. While many people believe that love is about being true to your partner, it's even more important to be true to yourself. And never let anyone or anything stand in the way of your dreams!

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You Might Be Hard=Pressed to Find a Sweeter and More Loving Film Than This Masterpiece!

With all of the complex love stories that come out of Hollywood these days, you sometimes enjoy the refreshing feeling of a love story that is simple. I am not necessarily stating that one is better than the other, but you often find that many complex love stories just don't completely work. The Road Home is a beautiful, simple love story that is as simple as the time and location in which it takes place, and the pieces fit together like a simple jigsaw puzzle.

The son of Zhao Di has come home to the village where is mother is from. He learns that his father has passed away. While the son grew up in the village, he has spent much of his adult life in the city. He has come home to be with his mother and to help her makes plans for his father's burial. His mother insists that his father be walked from the city hospital back to the village. Understand that this is no easy task since the village is good distance from the city. Her son tries to talk her out of it, but she is adament. And it is in the re-telling of how Zhao Di met her husband that convinces both the son and audience to understand why she wants to walk her husband back to the village.

The film takes off from here as the talented Zhang Ziyi portrays the young Zhao Di. She is an eighteen year-old girl living with her blind mother. She is a beautiful young woman with many suitors wishing for her hand in marriage. She has turned them all down. We don't know why except that we can guess that she hasn't found what she's looking for in a husband. Enter Luo, the new school teacher who has come to the village after living in the city. Zhao Di is immediately captivated upon first seeing him.

The sweetness in this film is in the simplicity of the village and the time. Water must be fetched from nearby wells. Looms are used to make clothing and cloths. And even the "courtship" that is done more by Zhao Di than by Luo is sweetly simple. She uses her culinary talents to make the best dishes with the hope that Luo will eat from her dish. She waits by the road for one glimpse of Luo. She walks to the well that is near the school for the chance that she might see or hear Luo.

People often make the mistake that the more primitive a technological country, the more unhappy the people must be. And yet,Zhao Di is not an unhappy girl. She is an excellent cook, and she enjoys looking after her mother. You get the sense that she does this not out of a sense of duty, but because she wants to. Zhao Di never lives anywhere else but in the village. The village is where she is happy.

Zhang Ziyi is simply brilliant is capturing the sweetness and determination of Zhao Di. She portrays Zhao Di with a fierce persistence to win the heart of Luo at any cost. You will see several scenes in which she demonstrates this.

I must mention the cinematography. The locations and colors that are captured reveal an almost magical world with golden leaves on the birch trees and snow-swept hills of winter.

Director Yimou Zhang does a great job of incorporating the technology of the time period. In many ways, I was as captivated by the use of the loom, the sweatbox used for cooking dumplings, and the walk to the well as I was of the sweet love story. I like his use of black and white in the future, and then the use of color for the past. Most directors would do it the other way around. And yet the color used for the past seems to show that it is revealing a happier time when young Zhao Di was in the fullness of her life, and the black and white showing how life is swiftly coming to an inevitable close for her after the loss of her one true love.

The Road Home will capture your heart with its story and your eyes with its images. Many saints, masters, and philosophers over the course of the centuries have stated that love is actually very simple; it is we who make it complex. This beautiful film seems to truly capture that idea.

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A Truly Loving And Unique Romantic Series About Life Itself!

What is the difference between creation and destruction? Is there a difference? Can one exist without the other, or they merely two sides of the same coin. For creation to occur, there must be destruction, at some point, and the same can be said of destruction. A star is born from material from a supernova, which is the death of a star, which provides the basic building blocks for creating new stars.

In The Lion King, we get a similar explanation for the Circle of Life. Lions eat the zebras, but when lions die, it creates the necessary components for zebras to be able to live.

It has been said that “God” is the Alpha and the Omega, as well as being neither the Alpha nor the Omega. In the Hindu religion, you have Vishnu (God) who creates Brahma, which is the creative force and Shiva as the destroyer. In short, what this is about is Life itself. And this is what this series is about.

Tak Dong Kyung is a young book editor who finds out that she has an inoperable brain tumor and that she only has a few months to live. A young woman with her whole life ahead of her, in her anger and despair, wishes for doom to fall upon the world. What she doesn’t anticipate is Doom responding. And much to her surprise, she finds herself the object of Doom’s interest. He is the destroyer, the entity who makes things disappear, as he puts it in order to maintain the balance of Life. However, Doom’s response plays an integral part in his story as his fate as well as Tak Dong Kyung’s are now tied together.

Doom promises Tak Dong Kyung that the remaining 100 days of living will be painless so long as she wears a small, red, string bracelet. The more time that Doom spends with Tak Dong Kyung, the more he becomes enamored with her, and she with him. As an entity, he has no need to eat or sleep, and he is also able to hear the thoughts of people around him. He also professes that he is incapable of love, although we begin to doubt this claim as the story progresses.

Meanwhile, a lone, young girl occupies a small hospital room, and she appears to be ill. However, we soon learn that she is the one who created Doom in the first place, and she has a mysterious pot with fertilizer but no plant. She waits patiently to see if it will bloom for her Garden. The girl represents “Life” or “Vishnu” or “God.” She represents the Observer and the Observed. Her sole desire is for the happiness of humans and nobody—not even Doom—is beneath or notice or her love. She recognizes and even acknowledges that Doom is a necessary component of Life, but even Doom is given the greatest gift: freedom of choice. He can choose to remain as Doom or “fall” and eventually become human.
Meanwhile, Tak Dong Kyung, who appears to be a strong woman, finds herself facing her own mortality, and it is with Doom’s help—despite him being a force of destruction—still possesses wisdom. As with many people upon finding out that she has a terminal disease, Tak Dong Kyung runs away, and vows never to love anyone. Even Doom knows that this is a supreme act of cowardice and that a person who cannot love, is essentially dead already. This forces Tak Dong Kyung to finally cry out, “I want to live! I want to live and love everyone!” which is an incredibly touching and powerful scene.

Equally powerful is the moment where Doom and Tak Dong Kyung must make a choice: either she dies and secures his place as Doom, or she lives, and thus makes Doom inconsequential or non-existent. Doom sweetly takes the burden from her, as he states, “I am here to save you and to ensure that you live.” And in an act of supreme, unconditional love, Tak Dong Kyung is spared the awful prognosis that had awaited her. But, at what cost? Before he disappears, Doom implores her to live and be happy no matter what, and she does her absolute best to do this.

Having faced her own mortality, Tak Dong Kyung has acquired some Life wisdom of her own, telling her indecisive friend, Na Ji Na, that she doesn’t need more time, she needs courage because you never know how much time you have left. And perhaps, for the very first time, she is able to open up and profess her love for Doom as well as for her family. It’s ironic how many people in this world are literally afraid to love, and yet, it is the only way in which true happiness can be experienced.

Aside from being an incredible love story, this series is a deeply moving and engrossing spiritual journey as well. “God,” “Doom,” and “Tak Dong Kyung” make up the trinity that exists. We find that “God” is not fearful or vengeful, nor is She a dictator requiring unswerving loyalty and obedience. She is the Loving Mother who only desires the best for all humans everywhere. And her love is no less even for those aspects—like Doom—who are simply there to be a vital process of Life itself. She tends a Garden of a sea of flowers, which is a representation of all humans. She is sweet and loving, but also non-interfering, knowing that each person must walk his/her own path. Such is the power of the freedom of choice.

Bo-Young Park is one of my all-time favorite Korean actresses. She was among the first I experienced when I began my foray into K-Dramas, and she’s never disappointed. First with “Oh, My Ghost!” and then “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.” She’s fearless in her display and expression of emotions. What she feels, we feel. She can also be cute and sassy.

While the rest of the cast is superb, Seo In Guk (Doom) and Jung Ji So (“God) are equally dynamic in their respective roles that truly make this series work.
This isn’t just a feast for romantics, but a magical journey that just might give you food for pause regarding your own beliefs regarding Life and death. Life has no opposite. The opposite of Death is Birth. Life is endless.

In truth, I’ve never seen a series like this one, and it certainly did not disappoint. The writing, directing, and acting were all first-rate. It is a truly touching, poignant, and moving experience to watch this series. And perhaps, the series begs the viewer to ask the question: are you living Life? Or are you simply caught up in the current of Life? Yes, there is a difference.

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South Korea is the New Hollywood!

All Hollywood can do anymore is give us CGI-fest films with no depth in character or story, or remakes that are almost all worse than their originals. Typically, the films tend to mirror the demands of their audience; people who can barely sit through anything that actually requires some attention.

Korea gives us a great space story that is a bit of a mixture of Wall-E, Firefly, and Blade Runner. The film also gives us a great balance of story, character, and action. Why does the story work so well? Because like all great storytellers, they focus on the story and the characters.

George Lucas once stated, "a film with special effects and no story is a pretty boring thing." Funny how he would actually end up going against his own proverb, and it is also true of what has happened with much of western filmmaking, as stated above.

The film also has a lot of heart, which will make the viewer all the more appreciative that it isn't just an action movie. This is enhanced by veteran actors like Joong-Ki Song (Descendants of the Sun) and Tae-Ri Kim (Mr. Sunshine) as well as Jin Seon-Kyu.

The movie isn't perfect, but if you want a good story, some laughs, and some great action sequences, you won't be disappointed.

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Power of Family

There are many people who believe that you don’t choose your family. There is nothing that happens in anyone’s life where choice isn’t a factor. You are continuously choosing and creating. The greatest gift we’re given is choice, and nothing occurs in your life without it. Nothing.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is an especially powerful and exceptional epic tribute to family. There isn’t a single family that has ever been that hasn’t experienced laughter and tears, joy and tragedy, and ease and hardships. Oh, it may appear sometimes that some of the elements do not exist, but they do.

Perseverance and steadfastness can be counted among the most powerful traits a person can have. Life will knock you down. Life will throw your curveballs, but it’s how you respond that matters. Do you get back up and keep going? Or do you give in to your situation and begin blaming others for what’s happened? While all of these things involve choices of the individual, having family gives you the ability to lean on someone when needed. Of course, the true purpose of any family is to help empower each member to love and be with themselves. Only then can true love and happiness be shared.

The story follows a multigenerational family from the early 60s up to the present. The series opens with a young O Ae-Sun, the daughter of a poor haenyeo mother who works herself into an early grave. Ae-Sun is sent to live with her indifferent uncle and his family who treat Ae-Sun like a stray dog. We quickly find that despite her situation, Ae-Sun is a strong girl who knows her mind and what she wants, and no matter how often life knocks her down, she gets back up again and keeps going. Sometimes, we quickly forget that hardship is often a blessing in disguise.

In Ae-Sun’s corner is a Yang Gwang Sik, a young boy who loves Ae-Sun the moment he meets her. Even at an early age, Gwang Sik confesses his love for Ae-Sun and vows to do all he can to protect her from any harm. Gwang Sik embodies all it means to be a true, loving husband and father. If there is such a person as “Prince Charming” Gwang Sik more than fits. Seeing how these two navigate trials and tribulations of early love, struggling to make ends meet, to dealing with the loss of a son, is nothing short of pure inspiration.

Gwang Sik is a hardworking, loving man who never complains about anything, even when most other people would. He absolutely adores his wife and family, and as far as he’s concerned, he will do whatever he can to try and make their lives a little better. Ae-Sun is no less strong. She is equally hardworking, and she’s a woman full of love and passion. These two make such a beautiful couple that I’m hard-pressed to think of another that matches them. True love and true friendship are what make this couple so inspirational, and each does their absolute best to always try and be there for the other.

The family reminds me much of the Thachers from the American family show, “Life Goes On” which is about a low/middle-class family constantly trying to get by. Gwang-Sik works tirelessly on his fishing boat, trying to provide for his family. Ae-Sun does her absolute best to raise their children and create a warm and loving home. Both succeed.

Life would be pretty dull without challenges. We can only imagine what it must be like to deal with the loss of a child. Many people carry the guilt around for years, allowing it to wreak havoc on their minds and hearts. I know because I carried the same guilt for ten years after my father passed, and yet, each person must grieve and be given the space and time to process that in their own way.

The story also follows Ae-Sun and Gwang-Sik’s children, Yang Geum Myeong and Yang Eun Myeong. Geum Myeong is clearly the favorite, despite being a bit headstrong. She’s a strong woman who simply won’t allow herself to be anyone’s doormat, and when she finally breaks up with her wallflower of a fiancé, I was relieved! Eun Myeong is the son, who appears to be neglected. From an early age, he demands attention. In short, he feels he needs to act out in order to get some kind of attention from his parents. People sometimes forget that we never love the same way twice. The love we have for each person is unique and different. That doesn’t mean that we love a person less. Of course, Ae-Sun and Gwang Sik struggle to demonstrate this with their son, who ends up being a troublemaker

As children, we often don’t fully appreciate our parents for what they do for us, but at the same time, we also have a tendency not to be very forgiving of them when we discover that they are just people; people doing the very best that they can. As parents, we often struggle to give our children the time and attention that they need. I still remember my father, despite being exhausted from work, always found time to come into our bedrooms and talk to us. Little did he realize that that meant more to me than anything he could have bought for me. It’s interesting to note that in ancient Native American cultures, the elders raised the children because it was thought that the biological parents hadn’t yet acquired enough life wisdom. However, given some of the grandparents in this series, I’m not sure that would have proved to be a good choice.

The series is about family and how this family navigates the pitfalls of life. Of course, as with most families, they lash out at each other, blame each other, and do all of those petty things that every family does. But, in the end, when all of that is stripped away, there is nothing but love, admiration, and gratitude, as it should be. The last two episodes are tough to watch as Gwang Sik finds out that he’s terminally ill. The love between him and Ae-Sun is nothing short of magical and precious. And we also find that dreams do come true. They just might take a little longer to manifest as we see how the “ring” ties in all the way back to the early episodes, and Ae-Sun is finally a published poet.

Performances in this series are all top-notch. It’s actually very difficult to pick out a favorite because they are all so good! However, IU tackling the dual role was beyond impressive, and if this young lady doesn’t win every acting award for the year, then something is terribly wrong. It’s easily her best performance.

Family is about love, forgiveness, support, gratitude, and doing our best to be there for each other. If this series doesn’t serve as a blatant reminder of these things, then perhaps nothing will.

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Terrible Writing, Acting, Directing and Story...So, What Is There to Like?

“I Hear Your Voice” is a series that never seems to be able to figure out what it wants to be. Unfortunately, this becomes even true of the characters, who don’t know who they want to be either. The writer took many liberties for this story, even going so far as to make up things just to make the story work. This is one of the cardinal “sins” of writing. Always write about what you know. And never change a character for the sake of the plot.

Many K-Dramas successfully blend various genres such as comedy, drama, romance, and even thriller-aspects. Most of the series I’ve watched do this extremely well. This is one of the few series that does this very badly. It uses comedy when something isn’t funny. It uses romance when things are cheesy and not even romantic, and it completely undervalues the killer of the story, causing him to tap-dance around in order to prolong his presence in the series for no real reason. At first, he seeks to kill. Suddenly, he completely changes tactics and wants to be understood. I've never even read about REAL killers doing things like this!

We also have some of the absolute worst acting performances from an ensemble cast that I’ve seen in a very, very long time. Everything from hamming up scenes to overacting, to being completely disingenuous are just a few of the major mistakes this cast makes. Usually, it’s only one or maybe two actors who are weak. In this series, only one or two actors are actually strong and believable.

The story is an intriguing one in which Park Soo Ha and Jang Hye Sung are brought together one fateful night when Min Joon Kook slams into Park Soo Ha’s car and proceeds to brutally murder Park Soo Ha’s father right in front of him. Park Soo Ha himself was about to be killed as well until a young Jang Hye Sung witnesses the crime and proceeds to take photos and be a witness to the crime. This brings about an ominous threat from Min Joon Kook who swears revenge upon Park Soo Ha and Jang Hye Sung, whom he attempts to strangle to death in the courtroom.

Years later, Park Soo Ha is a high school senior who has never forgotten Jang Hye Sung and what she did for him. It’s also obvious that he’s very smitten with her. Park Soo Ha is also a young man capable of reading people’s thoughts. Obviously, this can be very unnerving for anyone who knows of his ability. He trains hard in fighting, knowing that one day, Min Joon Kook is likely to come looking for him as well as Jang Hye Sung. Coming across her, he begins to follow her, especially after learning that Min Joon Kook has been released from prison on “good behavior.”

Jang Hye Sung becomes a public defender. Not because she feels any sense of responsibility, but because she feels she can do the job. And “doing the job” entails lazily arguing for a lighter sentence. She never believes her client and simply feels that her only “duty” is to get a reduced sentence for them. She’s incredibly immature, conceited, and believes that the whole world revolves around her. She’s vain and has no problem showboating when she’s defeated anyone in court. If something goes wrong, it’s always the other person’s fault. She loves playing the victim. If someone lies, she holds a grudge. If she lies, she feels justified. She’s a true hypocrite in every sense of the word. There isn’t much that’s likable about Jang Hye Sung.

Cha Kwan Woo is a mousy, sheepish man who’s dropped out of the police force in order to become a public defender. He seems to have high values despite being a very wishy-washy shell of a man. He constantly looks as though he’s on the verge of tears, and he’s immediately infatuated with Jang Hye Sung. A real head-scratcher is why anyone would be enamored with Jang Hye Sung! And we’ve got an absolutely ludicrous triangle involving these three characters, when none of them are worth it.

There are some serious plot problems in this series. At one point, Cha Kwan Woo feels compelled to defend Min Joon Kook when he’s caught for murdering Jang Hye Sung’s mother. Of course, Min Joon Kook comes up with a ridiculous story, and Cha Kwan Woo buys it. The real problem, however, is that at this point in the story, Cha Kwan Woo is dating Jang Hye Sung. And yet, at no point, is a “conflict of interest” raised by anyone! Mr. Shin, the veteran of the public defenders, cowardly removes himself from consideration rather than realizing that it’s his job to take the case. Of course, Cha Kwan Woo is so gullible, one has to figure out how this man could ever be a public defender, let alone a police officer. He also has zero police skills! At one point, he sneaks up on Min Joon Kook to capture him—from the side! Anyone with peripheral vision (and supposed police training) would never do that!

Another ridiculous point in the story is that Min Joon Kook cuts off his own left hand—with a 15cm knife! I’m not sure the writer had any notion of just how painful and difficult it would be for anyone to try and cut off their own hand with such a blade. They try to justify it with a pitiful demonstration that nobody with a brain would ever buy!

At one point, when Min Joon Kook is suspected of being murdered by Park Soo Ha, a witness claims to have seen Park Soo Ha, and yet nobody goes out to speak with the witness or even bring the witness to court until nearly after the fact. Talk about lawyers not doing their job! I had no idea they were so incompetent.

We have judges who roll their eyes and show emotion in court (something judges are not allowed to do!) during testimonies. We also have jurors who constantly nod their heads at every, single thing. I’ve served on juries. Jurors don’t do that, and certainly not all of them at the same time!

The courtroom scenes are just about the worst I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot in movies and TV shows. It all played out like a bad soap opera by directors and writers who haven’t a clue what really goes on in a courtroom and what court proceedings and protocols look like. I especially laughed at Jang Hye Sung wearing miniskirts to court. Somehow, I don’t think a judge would allow that kind of attire.

This is the first series I’ve seen with Lee Bo Young, and she is just plain awful. She can’t seem to find the fine line between being comedic or being dramatic. I understand that her character is supposed to be haughty, but she comes across like a spoiled high school prom-queen, constantly flipping her hair and giving snide remarks. In short, she’s just not believable in any aspect of her character. She’s absolutely clueless. She also has zero chemistry with anyone in the series. She reminded me of Denise Richards, one of the worst American actresses (or any actress!).

Yoon Sang Hyun (Cha Kwan Woo) is almost as bad. He often says his lines with a wooden expression as though he’s reciting a poem in front of a school class. I understand that his character likes Jang Hye Sung, but acting like a 15-year-old milksop is hardly the way to endear the viewer. He’s simply pathetic despite his ideals as a lawyer being very noble.

This is the second series I’ve seen with Lee Jong Suk (first being “Hymn of Death”). He’s easily the strongest of these three. He reminds us that his character is a good six or seven years younger than Jang Hye Sung, but he also comes across as easily the most mature of the three. While he’s prone to losing his temper, he’s also the most levelheaded. However, his age and lack of world experience prove to be his weaknesses. Lee Jong Suk juggled this complex character rather well.

I’ve seen Jung Woong In (Min Joon Kook) in a number of series. He’s good a playing the villain or the antagonist. However, he really hammed up and overacted his role in this series as he was obviously trying to find the line between a sadistic killer and a sympathetic victim. He’s prone to shouting way too much—especially when his character wouldn’t—and spewing ridiculous nonsense in his tirades. I would have preferred a calmer and cooler killer who revels in his intelligence rather than some madman.

Yoon Joo Sang (Mr. Shin) and Kim Hae Sook (Jang Hye Sung’s mother) were easily my favorite performers of the series. We had some peripheral characters, such as Park Soo Ha’s high school companions, who brought absolutely nothing to the story. I had a hard time figuring out if Kim Choong Ki was his friend or not, since they were constantly engaging in fist fights. So much for being friends.

The writer was clearly making it up as you go along without any notion or idea about how things actually work in the real world much less the courtroom. Perhaps the writer watched too many dramas and thought, “Hey, I can do this!” Wrong.

The music was equally bad, playing light, fluffy songs at points when something dark and sinister was about to happen. That made no sense either. The series failed as a romance, failed as a comedy, and only barely stayed afloat as a thriller. This “ship” should have been sunk before it ever left port.

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Among All Couples, You Two Are the Dearest--Light and Shadow!

Of course, I had no wish to spoil anything in the title, so I modified the quote of Master Lee as he tells Jang Uk and Cho Yeong, "Among all the married couples I have seen through my entire life, you two are the dearest." That is a sentiment that I'm sure resonates with most viewers.

A light that embraces a shadow will never be lost in darkness. This may be the most profound piece of wisdom said throughout the entire series. Most people fear the darkness; fear the shadow, but only by embracing it—accepting it—can it be released and let go. Jang Uk is the light, and Naksu is the shadow, and both are equally important in maintaining that balance.

Season 2 was every bit as incredible as Season 1, and in some ways, even more so as we finally come to the culmination of this vast, deep, complex, and incredible story. While it may be sad for those who’ve traveled this amazing journey, we are grateful to have been a part of it at all.

This is an epic series that transcends just about every other series that I have ever seen. It’s beautiful, it’s deep, it’s revealing, and it’s vast in its wisdom. Like so many other Korean shows, it invites the viewer to take a hard look at the world around him or her as well as to take a look within ourselves. It’s another reason why I believe that Koreans—and a few others—represent the next stage in the evolution of entertainment. That people no longer wish to JUST be entertained, but this medium of TV and film can be used to bring about change and wisdom.

Jang Uk embodies the ice stone, making him pretty much invincible. And while others crave the ice stone for its power and immortality, Jang Uk merely sees it as a vehicle to do what is right. That is what makes him a true hero, in my book because he is truly selfless. The only real question is whether or not he can find some spark of happiness for himself. He began this journey as a somewhat lazy and selfish young man. And now, he represents all that is good and noble in man.

When we last left Naksu, her sole desire was to get her energy back. However, had it not been for the bells, one has to believe that her love for Jang Uk would have prevailed. As Mu-deok, Naksu was a bit rough around the edges. We could see her fluctuating between her desire to get her power back and get revenge to softening and dropping her guard to let love inside. As Jin Bu-Yeon—despite her loss of memory—we see a much softer Naksu who smiles a lot more and seems deeply infatuated with Jang Uk. And nothing can substitute Naksu’s finally embracing the light AND shadow of who she is.

Maidservant Kim is as lovely and handsome as ever! And seeing Park Jin’s attempts at mastering the art of cooking were hilarious! They make a cute couple.

At 30 episodes, this series easily goes down as one of the best of all-time for me. And the best fantasy series since Lord of the Rings—and in some ways—even surpasses that one. They are just about even, as far as I’m concerned. We’re given an incredible world of mages whom—despite their extraordinary power—fall to the same evils as ordinary men. The story and characters are vibrant and deep, and the special effects are state-of-the-art, but they never overshadow the characters or the story. The special effects do what they are meant to do: compliment and enhance the story.

I cannot think of a single flaw in the series. It was well-written, well-directed, and immaculately performed by the entire cast. Performances across the board were impeccable. The chemistry between Lee Jae Wook and Go Yoon Jung was fantastic, which is really saying something because the chemistry between Lee Jae Wook and Jung So Min was equally impressive. When I saw that Jung So Min wasn’t going to be in the second part of the series, I admit that I was apprehensive, but Go Yoon Jung more than impressed me.

At some point, I will definitely want to rewatch this series. I’m sure there will be details that I’ve missed or forgotten. Plus, I can watch all 30 episodes together rather than having to wait. Alchemy of Souls is a journey that has been more than a privilege to be a part of. It’s like being grateful that you were alive to see and watch Star Wars for the very first time, watch Sohyang, Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, etc. Those special people and moments that only seem to come around once in a lifetime. Alchemy of Souls is an unforgettable series for that reason.

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We All Need Someone to Listen to Us!

Life is about two things: connecting with your Self and connecting with others. In the end, you find that they are both the same thing. However, until you are able to connect with your Self, you will find that it is impossible to connect with anyone else.

Mystic Pop-Up Bar is a delightfully sweet series about Wol Ju, who is sentenced to resolve the grudges and grievances of 100,000 people to avoid eternal damnation. Yes, you just have to go with the Judeo-Christian spin on things. Responsible for committing suicide, destroying the Sacred Tree 500 years ago, and inadvertently causing the deaths of 100,000 people, she’s required to make amends. Chef Gwi, the bar's primary cook, serves with her. The bar pops up on various street corners, hoping to bring in customers who have grudges and grievances to be resolved.

Wol Ju is a somewhat temperamental woman, who finds her task to be tedious, especially among humans, whom she appears to have a great disdain for. However, we quickly learn that she cares much more than she lets on. She’s simply blinded by her own resentment and grudge from her lifetime 500 years ago, in which her mother was murdered, which caused her to commit suicide. She also harbors a grievance against the Crown Prince of that time period, a man she fell in love with, and who promised to protect her.

Chef Gwi is a lighthearted and kind man who endeavors to do all he can to help Wol Ju achieve her goal and avoid eternal torment. It’s fairly obvious that there is something between the two, but this doesn’t come out until the end of the series. We also find out that Chef Gwi is also a reaper who occasionally assists in the capture of evil spirits.

Finally, we have Han Gang Bae, a likeable but fairly naïve young man who works the customer service counter at a local supermarket. Whenever he touches someone, he compels the person to share their innermost thoughts and feelings in a completely truthful way. As soon as Wol Ju finds out about his abilities, she recruits him to help her find people who have grudges to settle. Wol Ju promises to help Gang Bae get rid of his ability in exchange for his services.

The episodes are beautiful as the trio begin to find and help people in dire need. The series reminded me of “Tomorrow” another wonderful K-Drama in which a trio helps others. There are a number of touching and heartfelt moments. People enter the bar, have a drink, along with some food, and find themselves disclosing what is troubling them most. It’s not nearly as superficial as someone walking into a bar, settling down for a drink, and then disclosing their problems to the local bartender, or perhaps someone wandering into a church to talk to a priest or minister for the same reason. In short, we realize that everyone needs someone to listen to us, and that is the focal point of this series, and why it is so thought-provoking and relatable.

We also come to realize that the real reason Wol Ju is so determined to make her goal is to stop the pain and suffering of her child, who was conceived by herself and the Crown Prince, and who was an unintended victim of Wol Ju’s suicide. It’s ironic how things always tend to come “full circle.” Wol Ju learns that Chef Gwi was the Crown Prince in their previous incarnation, and Gang Bae is actually their son. Families are never formed by accident.

This is a truly uplifting series that demonstrates that, no matter what “sins” we’ve committed, nothing is truly unforgivable. We must also remember that our thoughts, words, and deeds are like boomerangs and will come back upon us at some point. Such is the Law of Karma. Mystic Pop-Up Bar endeavors to show us that we should appreciate those who are in our lives, and not waste a single moment. Learn to love and appreciate all of them!

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