Sunshinewrits

a quirky and fun ride

Life does not go planned always. But when it takes the biggest twist you start valuing your life a little more....

Haejo has been living carelessly and carefreely till an accident revealed a chapter of his life he was unaware of. Jae Mi's free spirit nature faces roadblocks as a very precedented incident appears early.

Three twists make the journey eventful and rewatchable.
1. The past

Korean drama makers use a heart-wrenching past which builds the character graph with the progression of the story. The past of Hae Jo and Jae Mi keeps them from living through their present. As Hae Jo gets to know he has only a few months to live, his craving for having a real family starts overwhelming him all of a sudden.

Jae Mi's craving for having her own family and children seems to move far away as she tries to cling to it. Hae Jo tries to confront his past but the pain of betrayal comes in every time. The pain of being abandoned by his own family keeps on taking peace of his mind.

2. The Love

As Jae Mi finds herself falling apart, she finds love by her side. We have witnessed different love across Korean drama universe but this love track is going to take the peak spot. Falling in love when you are at your best is easy. But have you met someone who is there for you when you are at your lowest. Jae Mi has that one, who saves her from falling apart.

3. The Pain

It is the most irrevocable and unconditional emotion that stays with us thoughout. Everytime people fall apart they even count the not happened birthday coral from years ago.

Jae Mi did not fall out of love. But the pain of being abandoned again kept on haunting her, pushing her away from herself.

This mini right series is a must watch because of its unique plot and twists.

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A little tale of love

Another nemesis to the love story got a fairytale ending.
After a tumultuous ride for twelve episodes, Su Jeong and Ju Yeon got their happy ending.

The narrative has been strong since the inception. Though makers selected the most cliche niche of Korean dramas, they never stick to the formula. Every twist brought a surprise element alive. Even the graphs of Su Jeong and Ju Yeon met a new twist with their progression and development. Their interaction was never monotonous.

The story maintains an arc throughout the tale. Instead of presenting a regular sad masochistic ML, they gave a sad man who is cowering behind his life. Though FL is older to him, the age gap is not an issue here. Also, the journey of Ha Jin did not reflect much on breaking stereotypes. It is okay to live freely more than often.

This is not just a love tale, but a soft ride of self evolution and conquering personal demons.

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Monotonous watch

The trailer put me in spin as romantic comedies are my go to stories. The star cast drew my attention as Mr. Queen has been teaming with K2 for the first time.
Once upon a time, a boy and girl was entangled in love fate as soon they were born. Their love story bloomed by the shore of Seoul but a cyclone paid an uninvited visit to the long stretches of Jeju only to wash the blooming love. So, did they leave each other or did they fight for their love.

One thing is annoyingly becoming common in romantic comedies which is a love connection happening when leads are growing. This may used ignite spark at the beginning but now it is the biggest turn off. This is the biggest loophole for Sam Dal and Young Pil story. They have been unconditionally and irrevocably in love only to break up at the age of thirty. Love does not fade and enmity does not make them sour. You know what's happening next.
Penned by the person responsible for cult classic like 18 again and Hi Bye Mama, this story is just an elongated drag of some of 208 or 2019s sweet stories. Director Cha Yeong Hoon who is known for making joker in When Camellia Blooms failed to bring the allure. The cinematographer did a wonderful job in snapping the beautiful shores.
Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Soon fit perfectly in the shoes of the leads. But their chemistry did not make butterflies. Kang Yeong Sook as Bang Do tried to turn heads but attention mostly vanished before the yellow car.
Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Soon fit perfectly in the shoes of the leads. But their chemistry did not make butterflies. Kang Yeong Sook as Bang Do tried to turn heads but attention mostly vanished before the yellow car.
The story is a perfect amalgamation of love, enmity and humor. The friendship of the five who gets along even after staying apart all these years will tear you. Even though it is a love that we know, watching the journey through various nooks and holes makes it a beautiful watch.

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A perfect blend of comedy and horror

Do you remember that hotel for ghosts run by Man Wool? It stole the hearts of people through its quirky lines and ghastly plot. Now, after five years, a narrative has appeared where an owner of a photo studio is here to tell its tale.


Ki Joo is a photographer. He has his own photo studio. However, he does not click photos of normal humans but of ghosts. He is the seventh owner of the mysterious place and has been a diligent worker. And one day his path crosses with Han Boom who works as a lawyer.

Highs of the drama

Following the footsteps of the hit series Hotel Del Luna, the story successfully keeps the zeal alive.

Each episode dives into a fresh incident and tactfully brings in all for the solution, which is heartwarming.

Joo Woon the seventh owner looks convincing and fresh. His subtle romance with Na Ra is surely more beautiful than ever. The leads of the story share a subtle and soft romance.

Lows of the drama

In some scenes, it felt like the director was dragging the narrative. It could have been handle better.

The music score is not outstanding

Overall: It is a fun watch.

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The Perfect Ending we were waiting for

It is the end. Finally, the chapter has come to an end. The journey of a passionate salesperson and a sensitive brewer has reached its happy pinnacles after going through tumultuous ups and downs.

As Ms. Chae learned to accept the feelings she has always kept within her, Brewmaster learned to accept his true self. Masculinity is not about being hard and tough. Expressing emotions and crying their heart out is also part of being a man. They also successfully brought out the best of themselves in making the best beer.

Park Seon Ho, the man behind the camera also propelled stories like Business Proposal, Wok Of Love, and My Strange Hero is becoming a new master in narrating Cinderella stories. His way of defining love never gets cliche or pathetic. As Min Ju and Yong Ju traverse through their character arc, they also develop their bond in a different light. Love is not about being lovey-dovey but accepting each other through flaws.

Lee Jong Won is doing a critical job after successfully flying his third lead drama this year. In every one of his performances, he successfully stands out. His chemistry with Kim Sejeong is the only factor that often fell apart. We really miss our Business Proposal pair. The chemistry failed to hit the perfect balance. Shin Do Hyun as beautiful Ae Reum is the much-needed balance in making the perfect beer. The supporting cast did a brilliant job of pulling the story. Brewing love is a refreshing romantic comedy that can be loved by all.

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The bilingual story is a sadistic tale of masochistic romance

A slow love story starts when Korean student Choi Hong bumps into Aoki Jungho. They start living together at a very early stage, and every moment they spend together is full of oh-so-love. But one day, Hong asks for a breakup, and she leaves.
One of the biggest perks of a slow-burning love is that it takes time to build. In the case of this love, the continuous travel between past and present sometimes made the audience wonder. Sometimes the past seemed too happy, thus confusing the audience about the demeanor of Hong in the present life.

The performance of Lee Se Young after donning the marvelous The Marriage Story of Park is quite gloomy and nonchalant. Maybe it's the character graph that drags her more down. Every time she came on the screen, I felt more sad than hers. Kentaro Sakaguchi in the role of sad Jungo is less expressive than he was needed. His calmness made everyone around him uncomfortable.

For the first time in my life, I really wanted a sad ending to make the love less bulletproof and more logical...

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Will Justice prevail?

Nowadays, Korean dramas are centering around heartbreaks and hardships. The latest installment is Cha Eun Woo starrer Wonderful World. The story explores the pain of a parent after losing a child.

The story starts with a happy chapter, unfurling the wonderful world of Soo Hyun who is busy adoring her miracle child Geon Woo, and her supportive husband Kang Su Ho. She is a psychologist and also is busy warming up to the success of her new book. But her wonderful world crashes as her son dies in a hit-run accident. Immersed in grief and guilt the mother ends up killing the perpetrator as he was spared of punishment. As Soo Hyun is convicted of murder., she secludes herself from her remaining life and drives her husband away.
Enters another chapter of the story, Seon Yul who works multiple part-time jobs to make a living. He encounters Soo Hyun in jail where he offers voluntary service. His character builds the suspense that is responsible for the smooth running of the story.

The story was built on a strong plot. However, the director failed to hold the narrative. The inclusion of impossible coincidences and pathetic twists is responsible for ruining the story of 5th episode. The addition of political villains seemed unnecessary as it dragged the title away from its theme. The caricatured villains do nothing but spoil the game of every commoner like they have been doing for every drama. Constant flashbacks and a prolonged '90s scene seemed to have been elongated without any entail. Creating obvious villains is responsible for sprawling the game.

Kim Nam Joo's portrayal of a bereaving mother- oscillating between fury and numbness is the sole survivor of the tale. Her journey from a happy mother to immersed in pain got lost behind a thin plotline. The series failed to decipher her acting spree. Cha Eun Woo - it is good to see the beautiful face of K-pop trying a new genre this time. After his venture into the Island, his enactment of Seon Yul was quite a challenge. He delivered his best shot to date but it seemed luck was not in his favour.

It is really disappointing to watch such a solid cast show drifting apart due to poor direction and cinematography. It is just another series embroiled in a loose storyline and loose narrative.

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Ski into Love is all about lost and found in love

Ski into Love encapsulated the tale of Shan Chong, a ski coach who meets Wei Zhi, who is riding on a scandal. In the path of redemption, they start finding love.
Adapted from a web novel, this story is not a childhood romance, which gives a fresh start. ML and FL are at their lowest when their paths crossed. The healing journey is soothing and comforting. The love feels like fresh air as they start finding their soul.
A fresh take on romance, normal life, drawn twist,s and crackling yet soft chemistry. Ski into Love redefines love in a calm and composed tone.

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A much known story served in a new glass

Min Min has paired with Eun Sang finally after a long period of 10 years. for this medical drama. The biggest element of this medical fiasco is, it is not revolving around patients and hospitals. It focuses more on life of people behind the white coat and their struggle.
Jeong Woo, a successful plastic surgeon has faced jeopardy in his career as a patient dies in his hand at the operation table. To save money and pay off the huge debt that has been piling up. And he meets his arch-nemesis as he returns to Busan.

There is a certain charm in love stories which encompasses the journey of childhood friends to lovers. The director wanted to use the old storytelling style here to draw the attention of the audience. As Jeon Woo and Ha Neul are against each other. during school days, their hearts fell as they met again in their thirties. School scenes are quite beautiful and warm. Ha Neul who is struggling with her depression is the only support that keeps Jeon Woo going in his hard time. Isn't that too cliche...
Park Hyun Sik and Park Shin Hye could not stir up the interest of the audience. Neither their romance nor their jealousy was worthy to put a big smile on parting lips. They tried to look convincing but the chemistry of Hyun Sik with Park Bo Young still tops the chart. Yong Park and Kong Seong Ha could have performed better if the director had given them better screen space. They deserve a story together. Their short story was better than the leads themselves.

The story offers not a single surprise element. Every twist can be easily guessed. Even the moment of Jeong Woo falling for Ha Neul is not that sweet. Oh Hyun Jong who made an epic Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo failed in putting hearts in our eyes.
Other than a few scenes, the story is like rewatching an old drama of 2016 in a new case.

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The new horror series will make you want for more

In the latest series on Netflix, the Korean entertainment industry has decided to give the audience a taste of the new form of aliens.

I still remember Do Min Joo as my favorite alien ever since I watched My Love from another star. The powerful alien whose heart beats for humans has never even thought about harming innocent lives. He tried to save innocent lives and catch criminals.

Cut to 2024:

A bunch of slug-like parasitic creatures have landed on our earth. From using humans as their hosts to transforming their bodies into whimsical forms, it is not just scary but nerve-wracking. This Korean series is finally planning to dethrone the forever favorite Train to Busan.
Based on a Japanese manga which released in 1989, the story has been making headlines whenever brought alive in celluloid.

It was just another normal day in Seoul. But all of a sudden mysterious parasites start falling from the sky. Humans curious by nature, cannot let the scene go past and go close to those differently-looking balls. These creatures take over them thus forcing humans to form an army to fight against these vicious creatures. Su In ends up contracting a parasite as she faces an accident while returning from her job. But the infection could not contaminate her brain forcing her to cohabit with the creature. The parasite can change humans into hideous monsters with an exploding head, eyes, and ears stretching and making them look like half-alien and half-human. You cannot miss the pressure intensifying the transformation.

Jeon So Nee who was previously seen in pivotal roles in the drama "Our Blooming Youth", "Encounter" steps in the shoes of Su In. She balances the half-human,half-alien role victoriously. She enacts her struggle painfully beautifully. Her continuous battle with the parasite inside builds an essence of horror. Lee Jun Hyun is back again as a task force officer after his successful rendezvous in D*P. His camaraderie with Su Min is the sunshine of this dark series.

Encapsulating some best fight scenes and the continuous transformation of humans makes it a must-watch dark tale. So, stop thinking and try a new alien who will break your nerves from the other side of the screen.

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The second installment of the scientific horror is not only dull and mundane but a cold watch.

Song Kang starrer Sweet Home is back with fresh new episodes. Stemming from where it ended three years ago, the story is still delving through monsters and political threats. But the latest version fails to catch with the viciousness and suspicion that the first one played to keep the audience hooked.
The series which starts where it ended in the previous season. The monster series has returned with special infectees and a headquarter who is running test to develop a vaccine. Hyun Su who has been abducted by monstrous Sang wook is not ready to give up on his humanity yet. But with numerous people standing on brink of life-will humanity survive the wrath time?

No, no, no, no, no....

Ever since the trailer dropped audience has been waiting with bated breath to catch on where they left. But the fresh season seemed to have lost track of time. Untimely death Ji Soo followed by Eun yoo searching for Eun Hyuk frantically, the story goes disarray every second. As the uninfected people are made to shift to a complete new location and made to undergo test, conflict about saving them or discarding them comes in fore. At the end, only matters is who is going is make it alive. People are losing sanity and its just not monsters but living who are attacking others. Let's see who gets to survive till the end-

The latest installment is a huge disaster. From losing narrative to over dragged performance, it could not offer a single element to make the audience stay.

1. Plotline: The story felt dragged since the second episode. The old characters are moving through the old curve. The director did injustice to them by giving nothing new to do. The new characters re not warm and entrusting like the previous set. You often fail to understand= what they are really planning to do. The story goes like a brake failed vehicle on loose. It lacks the necessary grip which helps in keeping the story aligned.

2. Characters: Characters of s story play a decisive part in holding interest of audience. Adding fresh set made nothing new in the story as proper narratives are not given. Lack of proper grid and poor availability of background story makes the characters lost in the concrete jungle full of monsters.

3. Monsters: They are the hero and also villain of the story. IT was necessary to build them with utmost acre. But they are less vicious and more dirty in this installment.

After watching All of us are Dead, Sweet Home and Duty After School, its okay if you want to skip this story.

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A well known tale in a new envelope

It is the story of the Grand Prince who has been held captivated by the Qing dynasty. HE wants to learn about their war tactics and defeat them. But,.....
The opening episode is a wholesome. The director successfully traversed from the Joseon to Qing dynasty. The subtle difference in terms of culture, belief and work has been captivated. The Prince returns with a happy heart to his Kingdom only to be stopped at the door by guard. Here begins the the quest where the throne rightfully goes to Grand Prince and the incapable prince needs to step down. Like other historical dramas, it is also tells the tale of blood thirsty kins aiming for the crown. The capable Grand Prince needs to stay put and the incapable King wants to hold the throne even if at the cost of his beloved brother. The spare heir is benevolent and like always the crown keeper is the curse.

In the process of delivering historical stories, one of the key aspect is to malign the King. This is becoming so typical of the period pieces. A conniving Queen and the puppet King screams while carving path for Grand Heir to the throne.
The intriguing point of this historical drama fiction is the plot. Its fighting over the crown but the unusual suspense will keep you hooked. Helmed by Nam Gook, the male and female lead of the story is bound by play of Baduk. That Glorious game which made audience hooked last year with its subtlety. This time, the surprise is no miss. Hee Soo is determined to take down Lee In but her heart betrays her every minute. Lee Shin Young, whom you have seen as the dignified North Korean soldier in Crash landing on You is back as Myung Ha. He successfully triggers audience sentiment for him as the lone survivor of traitor father, who wants to teach the King lesson. His chemistry with Shin Se Kyung is soft and spicy, just essential for the gruesome plot.
Cho Nam guk, the man behind Good Detective leaves a taste of mystery throughout the story as character finds themselves developing with the story. Till the end, you don't know what is waiting for you....

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Why Chief Detective 1958 is a must watch

Who loves quirky crime thrillers....please raise your hand here as Detective Young Han is here.

Set in late 1950s Korea, it is the story of Young Han who gets promoted to Seoul after catching a maximum number of cow thieves in his hometown. As the upright, fun-loving straightforward 27-year-old steps feet in Seoul, he finds the world in the gutter. Instead of losing focus, he teams up with mad dog Guk Jin, and powerful Kwang Han to save the innocent.

Now after giving an insight of what the theme is, let's dive into facts that will keep you hooked to the story.
1. The period

You have to agree period piece stories exhume a different essence. The costume, the vibes, the music- everything exhibits a time that makes us smile and feel lost at the same time.

2. The storyline

Writer Kim Young Shin has left no stone unturned in penning a prequel to "Chief Inspector." You know the biggest element of a period piece is to keep the aura alive. You are watching 1958...you want to feel the era yet you do not want to feel left out as this is 2024. The director understood the assignment he had been shouldered with and each corner and nook of the story will surely make you feel nostalgic but not left out.

3. The cast

As I heard the name Lee Je Hoon, I heard awesomeness. This man does not settle for less. From his role as the inspector in the time capsule series Signal to his effervescent performance in Taxi Driver, he is the OG actor of the Korean drama industry. His subtle chemistry with Youth of May girl Seo Eun So is soft and warm. Lee Dong Hwi, and Choi Woo Sung in pivotal roles add the necessary layer to this tiny series.

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A love story which fits the taste of modern time

Introduction

A modern fairy tale where Prince Charming is obnoxious and only focuses on protecting his money. Cinderella is not hard-working but is focusing on finding his Prince Charming to leave her sad and pathetic life.
Jae Rim is suffocating in her poverty-stricken life. She lives with her stepmother who is expecting a child with her late father and two step sisters who are not vicious. She joins as a manager of the social club run by Cha Min to meet a prospective groom. But she ends up finding herself falling for the confused and irrational Cha Min who has been shelved due to his own demon.

Review

Helmed by Kim Min Kyung, the modern-day take on the fairy tale is the perfect sauce to serve with a main dish. Jae Rim is not a no-nonsense heroine but is realistic. She admits to being not good at anything and looking for a shortcut to change her life. Her outlook towards her grief-stricken life justifies her action when she goes beyond the limit for the director who enters through the door. But she is not a poor judge of characters. Cha Min who was scarred at a very early age of his life is dragged down by his grief-stricken father who demotivates him every time he looks for love. His confusion builds up his hesitation which forbids him from feeling truly happy.



This modern take on fairy tale keeps true to the new arch. Cinderella does not have a vicious stepmother, but instead, someone who is more busy living a peaceful life. Stepsisters do not invest energy in ruining their lives, they are building their own stories in the process. As Prince Charming is not looking around for Cinderella with shoes, a snob yet solace-seeking second hero takes in the scene. The director and scriptwriter make the story logical and sound given it is 2024. People do not fall in love blindly anymore but look out for the person who feels them and makes them feel better as humans. Cha Min and Jae Rim both have been broken by the challenges of life. It is peace and comfort which their heart has been seeking. They are looking for the person before whom they can be real.

Pyo Ye Jin, the Moon in the Day girl is back with another heartbreaking love. She fits in the shoes of modern-day Cinderella who does not wait for the prince to come and take her away. She goes to find him on her own. Like her previous character, Ye Jin adds a nuance in her Jae Rim who does not flinch. She makes the heroine adorable and challenging at the same time. Lee Jun Young got a lightheaded graph after his grey shade in The Impossible Heir. His Cha Min is wronged and he is still harboring that wounded child inside him. He illustrated the strength of Cha Min in the scene of his interaction with his mother who has been seeking forgiveness after all this while. Kim Hyun Jin who donned the second lead again after his successful rendezvous in Cheer Up did a brilliant job in his few minutes of screen space. From a ladder-riding director to love smitten hero, he leaves a charm that makes you want more of him. Supporting casts of Song Young Joo, Kim Chae Eun, and Ryu Seoong Soo did a great job in pulling the story.

Conclusion

This is a time when we do not believe in fairy tales anymore. As our hearts are getting hardened, stories like freaking fairy tales come in as breakthroughs. Meeting Cha Min is not just our secret desire but a fresh wind that reminds us to breathe wholeheartedly once in a while.

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