Noctis

I will never understand why a drama like this is rated so low.. Yes 8 is low.. I am not saying the drama blew me away, but I was entertained and completely engrossed.. These are the kind of dramas that deserve 16 episodes.. No unnecessary drama, no love triangles.. Just friendship, love, personal growth and food.. Lots and lots of food.. Might even feel like one big ad for the Korean food industry..

The story unfolds in an uneventful yet remarkable way.. With a screenplay that feels raw, personal and utterly engrossing.. It focuses on the mundane lives of five characters.. The drama lingers, never too quick and never draggy.. Some might find the lack of build up disappointing.. But the slice of life approach works wonders here.. Honestly, it reminded me of Hospital Playlist..

Everything about this drama feels authentic.. The characters, their relationships, the world they live in.. Nothing is forced or sloppily arranged.. It all just works so well that I couldn’t help but grow attached to them.. Rather than leaning on sappy dramatic moments and sentimentality, it focuses on developing its characters in a natural, unhurried way..

I loved all five of them, they were all great.. And their stories were just as good.. Mun Jeong and her husband?? I absolutely loved their story.. He is the perfect husband.. Chang Won and Sang Gi’s stories were good too, though I feel they didn’t have quite the same impact as the other three.. And Ju Hyeong and Hui Ji?? I adored their relationship.. They didn’t overdo it.. The romance was subtle, but that worked perfectly because I loved their interactions.. They weren’t forced into a relationship because of their past, it just felt natural..

Overall, it’s a really good drama.. It doesn’t rely on big, dramatic twists.. Yet it never once feels boring.. I could nitpick moments in the script where it skips over sensitive issues a bit too quickly, but I don’t want to.. I just wish it had 16 episodes.. I would have loved to spend more time with them..

Read More

11 Hours of Entertainment Followed by 30 Minutes of What Was That??

I am going to start by saying this.. Everything apart from crying or kidnapping most of the happy or romantic scenes thats worth remembering are imagination in this show.. So much so that even the ending had me thinking, ' Wait.. Are they going to show this was just imagination too?? '

The story was solid.. And the cast was absolutely perfect.. I heard people complaining about CSB.. But I honestly didnt feel anything wrong with her acting atleast in this drama.. The chemistry between the leads was spot on.. And the OST added so much more to the drama.. The first two episodes were well crafted and paced and did the job of drawing me in and making me want to keep watching.. And I think we just got the best kiss of 2024 in this drama.. Thank the director for making sure we got all the angles.. If thats what you are in it for.. One more thing I liked about the drama was the abundance of parallels.. If you pay close attention you will notice plenty of them in the drama..

In my eyes.. Heejoo is the true hero of this story.. She has endured heartbreak after heartbreak from the ones who should have cared for her and loved her.. Yet she carried on with unwavering grace.. She is a character who truly deserves all the love in the world..

" If it was for you.. I thought I wouldnt mind dying..
But I miss you.. I wasn’t afraid of dying..
But the thought of never seeing you again was terrifying.. "

Ep 11 was filled with angst.. Some might say it was unnecessary because of everything that happened in the previous episodes.. But I think it was exactly what the story needed.. It pushed the story to its limits..

Her mother wanted her to stay mute for more than 10 years.. Gaslighted her throughout her life.. And then suddenly everything goes wrong and she is the mother of the year?? Honestly these redemption arcs in Kdramas need to stop.. Some people especially parents dont deserve forgiveness that easily..

Now.. The ending... What in the Descendants of the Sun was going on there?? The story completely strayed from its original plot.. And the first half of the last ep was a total disaster.. And why would you even touch a sensitive topic?? That was totally unnecessary.. Honestly its becoming frustrating to say this about every drama.. But Kdrama writers really need to learn how to write better endings.. Is it so hard to give us a one hour happy conclusion??

Overall.. Its a good drama that will keep you entertained for 12 hours.. But once again its a reminder that a strong start and captivating characters can only carry a story so far without a satisfying conclusion.. Still its worth the watch.. Best drama of 2024?? Hell No..

Read More

Mercy For None is a drama worthy of its title.. And it stays true to the genre.. With just seven episodes the pacing felt spot on.. Not too long, not too short.. Just the right amount to tell the story and give us those brutal bloody scenes and introduce us to Nam Gi Jun, the limping protagonist who is still more powerful than anyone else in the drama.. And I Absolutely loved the noir theme at the beginning..

Loved Lee Jun Hyuk’s vibe and attitude.. It really suited him.. He should definitely take on more roles like this.. Not cameos but a full fledged action drama or movie..
So Ji Sub absolutely nailed his role.. It’s a shame we don’t get to see more of him these days..

The story isn’t anything new.. Just your usual revenge setup.. The hero avenging his brother's death.. There’s a twist but its not hard to spot early on because like I said, the usual story.. Its obvious who is the brain behind everything.. Still, the script was well executed and the entire cast did an outstanding job " Dying "..

There were two deaths that were absolutely satisfying to watch, Gong Myung’s and Choo Young Woo’s.. The drama was good but I did have one major disappointment.. In most dramas, you meet the most powerful villain at the end.. The one who actually challenges the protagonist.. But here Nam Gi Jun takes down all the strong ones early and in the end he is left facing a wuss who really didn’t feel worthy of being the final villain.. It left the climax feeling a bit underwhelming.. Especially considering our ML dies after that..

Overall, Mercy For None is a solid drama that achieves exactly what it sets out to be.. A gritty, bloody revenge thriller.. Definitely a must watch if you are into the genre...

Read More

I was really hoping that I would love Koi Wa Yami.. But now that I finished it, I feel disappointed.. It’s riveting at times but structurally it doesn’t work for me.. The mystery is intriguing at first but they try so hard to make us believe the ML is the culprit that the story just falls apart..

I liked the ML’s nonchalant attitude in the beginning.. But I couldn’t tell if I should root for him or be worried about how much of a psychopath he might be.. Even though the first few episodes piled up proof pointing to him as the killer, I just didn't think he is.. There’s obviously something else going on.. They tried so hard to make him look guilty right from the first episode, it just felt off.. It was too forced.. If he is the killer, then the why needs to be really solid.. But the way the story unfolded in the first half, I didn’t think it would make for a satisfying thriller.. It was actually frustrating how they were twisting the dialogues to keep that suspicion alive.. It works for a while.. But after that, it just becomes tiring..

His relationship with the FL was charming.. Their feelings developed a bit too quickly but it didn’t feel out of place.. I think their chemistry was really solid.. It was actually the highlight of the drama for me.. And that’s why I really detest the ending.. He was punished and that was obvious.. And she said she would wait for him.. For 15 years.. That's not an easy thing to say.. Now that she said it, they should’ve given us that reunion.. A scene 15 years later or whenever they meet again.. That should have been the ending..

Now, the real killer.. It was obviously the nice guy everyone adored.. That wasn’t a surprise to me.. What did surprise me was the reason the ML was a part of his crimes.. The ML was shown as a smart, cunning man.. So it’s a bit hard to believe that someone like him would let it go on for so long..

Koi wa Yami is a decent thriller no doubt.. I may not love it as much as I wanted to, sadly.. Maybe others will appreciate it more.. I just wish they had ended it differently.. If there was no plan to give the main leads a reunion then the ML should have died from that stab in the final ep.. That might have left a stronger impression..

Read More

After putting it off for so long, I finally watched it.. I heard it was inspired by real event.. A weird one to be honest, but definitely not the weirdest out there.. Truthfully, there wasn’t a lot I felt for the drama emotionally.. Its just a decent one time watch.. Nothing more, Nothing less..

What I liked about the drama is how it explores morality.. It doesn’t just say this is right or this is wrong.. Instead it pushes you to think about the reasons behind each action.. Is it really wrong to break the rules if those rules are unfair to begin with?? Is love a crime if it means staying true to yourself?? I also liked how in this drama falling for someone wasn’t just a romantic moment, it was an act of courage.. And choosing to hold onto that love despite the consequences became a statement..

Miyase Ryubi was good and definitely charming.. Mikami Ai on the other hand, while she had her moments, she felt a bit unconvincing overall.. She felt too bland at times and She is a Bad Crier.. The rest of the cast did a solid job though.. For me, Sawa stood out the most apart from the main leads.. Her character growth, the way she recognized her own shortcomings and learned to accept them, was portrayed really well..

The first few episodes are addictive.. But the story is just chaos by the end.. The subplots felt underdeveloped.. The rushed legal battle was unsatisfying.. And the finale My Life, My Rules honestly fell flat..

It was unsettling to watch the ML’s brother being intimate with a minor and his fiancee casually flirting with a student.. The fact that these adult characters were involved with minors and the narrative barely acknowledged how inappropriate that is, was really uncomfortable.. The fiancee's behaviour, It felt like the show treated it as something normal.. It doesnt make it any right just because they were not physically involved..

And why was the fact that Kanda leaked their images underplayed?? While Ayami admitted her mistake and genuinely tried to make up for it, Kanda literally backstabbed them.. And yet after that one scene it was barely addressed.. On top of that the fact that he was a total pervert who stalked her and took her photos was never brought up.. It felt like the story just brushed it off.. Which was frustrating..

Overall.. Chastity High has a unique inspiration.. But the premise and the path it takes are familiar and something we have seen plenty of times before.. Even the conclusion felt underwhelming.. In the end its just another high school drama with a rebellious edge.. Totally worth a one time watch but nothing more..

P.S.. Loved the OST.. The music was really good and definitely deserves some appreciation..

Read More

The Winning Try is a story that doesn’t just focus on the sport itself or the main leads and their past, present and future.. Instead it highlights the entire team and even several characters outside the team, that we grow interested in.. You don’t need to be a rugby fan or a sports enthusiast to understand or enjoy this story.. I have never watched rugby in my life, but the fact that I didn’t need to know even the basics of the sport to fully enjoy this drama makes it worth watching.. The drama follows the usual setup of a struggling team with little hope, until the arrival of a new coach who influences a transformation so remarkable it feels like a miracle.. Add in the petty politics and rivalries within the school itself and this makes for an interesting storyline that's brilliant to watch..

Easily the best aspect of the drama was the authentic performances from the entire cast.. Yoon Kye Sang, Kim Yo Han and the rest of the cast.. Yoon Kye Sang in particular, gave one of his best performances.. After finishing the drama, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in that role..

There were a few obvious plot holes.. Though this one isn’t really a plot hole, more of me nitpicking about something I didn’t like or understand why it was included.. Seong Jun and Seo U Jin were clearly bound to end up together, with their feelings for each other made obvious halfway through the drama.. So why make Moon Ung [the new addition to the team] create unnecessary tension?? The love triangle or whatever that was felt completely out of place.. Most people might have missed it, but even in the last episode when SJ was about to confess his feelings and all his teammates were cheering him on, there was this one guy sulking in the background.. Was that really necessary?? Like I said it’s a minor element, but why add it at all?? What’s the point??

Anyway, moving on.. I loved how the drama didn’t glorify a single individual by giving them the hero mantle to carry the entire team.. Instead it kept the team as a whole at the heart of the story throughout.. It was about the team, not just one person.. I especially liked how they stuck together through the highs and lows.. Yes, this is a sports drama but more than that, it’s about the triumph of one man’s confidence in his team and their ability to silence the doubters and the haters, giving us a feel good conclusion.. Some might find the drama a bit draggy at times but sticking with it definitely pays off.. With a solid storyline and strong performances, The Winning Try is an engaging drama from start to finish.. Overall, a very good watch..

Read More

I wish I had watched this earlier.. The drama’s premise is simple and perhaps for that very reason, deeply compelling.. Tomoko and Ryohei’s bond was beautiful.. Ryohei, even though he looked like a delinquent was such a sweet soul.. Caring for her came so naturally to him and I loved watching them grow close as they fell in love.. Their story is accompanied by emotional turmoil shaped by what they had to go through and what she has to face in her everyday life.. The drama is engaging, too short for my liking but still satisfying.. It’s one of those dramas that almost gaslights you into giving it high ratings because of how simple yet feel good it leaves you at the end..

Overall, this drama was beautiful, raw and romantic.. The story was so tender, no nonsense, just two souls falling in love and finding their way together.. Simply put, this was such an unexpectedly good watch..

Read More

Before I started this, I didn’t really want to compare it to My ID Is Gangnam Beauty.. But once I started watching, I found it impossible not to.. This adaptation just can’t hold a candle to the Korean version, which was far superior in both story and acting.. Honda Kyoya really carried the show.. His performance stood out the most for me.. This was the first drama of Ishii Anna I have watched and I found her performance a bit weak.. But I feel that had more to do with the script and her character than with her acting..

I don’t want to get into the whole plastic surgery topic or how people are judged based on looks.. We all know how shallow society can be.. Sadly this drama reflects reality more than fiction and it’s worth remembering that even conventionally good looking people face bullying too.. Personally I don’t think the surgery itself changed her life for the better.. What it really did was make her feel ‘Ah, I too can have friends and a social life..’ Even though she was beautiful, she still felt unworthy of the person she loved.. What truly changed her life was learning to accept herself and becoming confident about what she wants and who she wants to be.. She only seemed genuinely happy in the last few episodes..

I liked the ML’s characterization and how he stayed true to himself.. I was impressed by how he constantly stood up to everyone's sexist remarks.. The short runtime of under 5 hours was a blessing in disguise, there were no filler episodes.. I also wouldn’t say the drama felt rushed, they said what they wanted to say even if it wasn’t done to perfection..

Overall, it’s an okayish drama with many flaws.. But since it’s a quick watch you don’t mind them too much.. I think how people perceive this drama or even the other adaptations depends a lot on their perspective towards life.. So don’t worry about the ratings.. Watch it if you find the premise interesting..

P.S. I would have loved to see more of their dating era but it seems most writers don't really know how to write a proper happily ever after..

Read More

No Skiing in Ski Into Love..

First things first.. Why is the title Ski into Love?? And why do they use skiing instead of snowboarding in the drama?? They don’t even ski in this drama.. This can’t be a mistake right??

Anyway.. Ski into Love is actually a pretty simple, no nonsense kind of drama.. Such an easy watch.. No toxic characters, no pointless misunderstandings and the FL’s story outside of the romance is interesting.. Her career as an artist is treated with seriousness in the story..

I am not sure if the shorter length of the drama is a good thing or a bad thing.. On one hand, it worked.. There was no filler and nothing felt dragged out.. But at the same time, it also felt incomplete and rushed.. Esther Yu and Lin Yi had good chemistry yet we barely got to see their actual dating phase.. It all moved too fast.. Honestly a few more episodes would have been great.. Their separation especially felt unnecessary.. His decision was pretty dumb.. They could have easily continued dating while he tried to prove himself to her parents..

Her parents were definitely problematic.. They literally said their daughter raised herself.. No shame in that?? And why was her mother so desperate to marry her off?? On top of that, she kept belittling her career.. And insulting the ML for following his dreams, which honestly was pathetic.. They were being realistic?? In what realistic sense do you let your daughter raise herself and don't feel bad about it?? There’s a huge difference between protecting your daughter and controlling her.. But in the drama, the parents got redemption way too quickly.. They went from pathetic to overly supportive almost overnight.. Again I blame the shorter length of the drama for that rushed turnaround..

There were some really good supporting characters who were actually supportive and fun to watch.. Jiang Yi Ming was the perfect SML.. Honestly you don’t see characters like him often.. The moment he realized she loved someone else, he stepped back without hesitation and even went on to support them..

The ML’s sister Shan Shan and Dai Duo’s love story was also warm and satisfying to watch.. And I am glad that Jiang Nan Feng and Lao Yan’s story didn’t go anywhere.. She didn’t deserve him..

This might be a bit controversial but Esther Yu’s character felt pretty one dimensional.. There wasn’t much to her acting.. She mostly relied on her charm and being cute.. Honestly her characters tend to look the same across dramas.. The only real difference is the outfit and the timeline.. It almost feels like watching the same character in different settings.. The only exception I guess is My Journey to You.. Where she actually played a different role and was pretty damn good.. Her cute and bubbly style is fine at first and she does have good expressions that are fun to watch.. But after a while it starts to feel repetitive and a little boring.. I like Esther Yu as an actress but I really wish she would step out of the cute girl characters..

Overall it’s an okayish drama.. I think it will cater to a lot of people’s tastes.. But for me, it lacked real substance.. Worth watching if you like light romances but not something I would revisit..

P.S. His confession scene and proposal scene were both good.. He didn’t let an avalanche ruin his confession.. Respect!!

Read More

This will be a short one... There isn’t much to say in an extensive review anyway.. Double Love doesn’t quite reach the 'good' status for me and the MDL ratings make sense.. It felt a bit too simple.. Honestly felt like watching two different dramas.. The first 14 episodes were a waste of time and effort.. It just dragged on with poor screenplay and clumsy execution of the story and relationship development..

Unnecessary characters and scenarios just made it worse.. But things got better from episode 15 onwards.. Their relationship was cute, still not without its flaws but definitely enjoyable.. My rating is for the last 10 episodes.. The second half was entertaining to watch, but I wanted much more from it..

Their chemistry was good but why would they cut the first confession scene?? Made no sense at all.. The FL’s character was quite questionable.. Her hypocrisy was annoying.. If I dive into that, I would have a lot to say, so I would rather not..
I loved the sibling dynamic between Lu Wan Wan and her brother.. He was a fun character himself.. The rest of the supporting cast were alright..

Overall, it’s a decent one time watch.. It would have been much better as a 14–16 episode drama because there were too many fillers and unnecessary storylines..

Read More

I would say the first season in the series is the strongest.. Simply because it told a relatively complete story and offered a somewhat satisfying ending.. The sequels have felt more scattered and disconnected.. I admire the ambition but it just didn't work out.. This season is certainly the bleakest of the series.. Honestly it shouldn’t have existed at all.. The story could have wrapped up with Season 2 if they had just extended it to 10 or 12 episodes..

I wasn’t hoping for a happy ending, it was obvious there wouldn’t be one.. But I did wish for a good ending for a couple of characters.. That didn’t happen either.. If not for how good the first season was, I don’t think many would have even cared about this season at all.. It turned into yet another empty sequel made just for the sake of profit..

The games were good this time, especially Jump The Rope.. But I was really disappointed with the final game.. The first season’s finale was way better.. They should have tried to match that energy somehow.. Even the finalists were just meh..

They wasted a lot of characters, Jun Ho was literally in a boat the entire season doing nothing.. Hyeon Ju was killed off just like that.. Dae Ho didn't have any impact as well.. Park Gyu Young as Kang No Eul was the only character that brought any life to this rather dull story..

Another major disappointment for me was Im Si Wan's character.. I was hoping he would step up and show some growth.. But forget about character development, he just went from pathetic to despicable.. I mean forget killing his own child, how could he even think about killing a baby?? But I still have to give credit to Im Si Wan himself.. As an actor, he was incredible.. What a performance..

I don’t even want to talk about the climax.. It was easily the worst thing they could have come up with.. Squid Game went from awesome to dumb to ludicrous in just three seasons..

P.s.. They really thought they did something with that Cate Blanchett's cameo at the end.. Honestly couldn't care any less..

Read More

What Happens When A Good Concept Isn’t Enough..

The concept of the drama is insanely interesting.. But where it fails is in exploring and explaining that concept properly.. You get these really good first five episodes and watch the last one expecting it to bring everything together, give a conclusion that explains it all or at least tries to.. But it fails and it fails grandly.. The drama went from a Serial Killer Thriller to Bullying Revenge to Sexual Assault to Teen Romance to whatever that was in the final episode.. The last episode was a mess.. I guess the writer came up with a great concept but just couldn’t use it to its full potential.. Each episode kept switching genres but I was not at all prepared for whatever happened in the final episode..

I mean who was Lee Gyu Jin?? A mysterious entity born from people’s relentless urge to dig into the most private and intimate parts of others lives?? And this entity brings chaos and death in its wake?? Is that what it was trying to say?? I honestly don’t know.. The drama was never clear about the story it actually wanted to tell..

A few words about Lee Soo Hyuk.. It’s seriously disappointing how underrated this guy is.. Forget how good his acting is for a second.. Just with those looks and that voice alone, he should already have a long list of romance dramas under his name.. How is he being overlooked like this?? I mean, there are actors out there getting way better opportunities than him and their acting skills are a joke..

Overall, the drama was good until it wasn’t.. The concept is intriguing but ultimately ambiguous.. I did like the visuals though.. The quiet, haunting atmosphere really worked.. There were some creepy stuff and a few well placed twists.. That's why it never got boring..
That said, the writing messed up.. No offence, but if the story had been written by someone more capable, maybe the outcome would have been very different.. They didn’t even bother to explain what that place was in the last episode.. Hell?? Purgatory?? Some kind of special club for the S Line Glasses cult?? Who knows??

Read More

I Would Just Be The Catcher In The Rye And All..

Was it as good as the first season?? No.. But sequels rarely are.. However, if you watch this drama without comparing it to the first season, it might not be a masterpiece but it's still a well executed drama that evokes a range of emotions.. The friendship remains a standout element as it was in the first season, but this time with new characters..

Park Jihoon is an outstanding actor.. The way he portrays sadness, agony and melancholy is crazy.. But in this season, it’s a bit hard to say Park Jihoon was the true main lead.. Two other characters completely outperformed him, Baku and Na Baek Jin.. They were the highlight of the drama for me.. Si Eun was the anchor of the drama.. But thats it.. This whole season was carried by Baku and Na Baek Jin.. This season had a genuinely talented cast and they delivered.. These are the kind of actors the industry should be promoting, not those overrated ones riding on the hype of obsessive fangirls.. It’s the truly talented people who deserve the spotlight..

Ryeo Un's performance was incredible.. He brought so much heart to the scenes with his friends and undoubtedly he totally owned the action scenes..
Bae Na Ra.. Wow.. He was exceptional.. Really gave those villainous vibes.. The fact that they showed there was goodness in him was a nice touch.. He had a past.. But that doesnt justify his actions.. [ Major spoiler incoming ] I wish they hadn't killed him off at the end.. If there is a third season I hope they build on that.. Because that was such a loss..
Lee Jun Young, even with limited screen time he just gave another really strong performance.. The bad guy rebel vibe is something he pulls off effortlessly as we have seen before.. But man he was thrilling to watch..

This drama had an amazing roster of talented yet totally underrated actors.. I hope we get to see more of them in future dramas.. It’s unfortunate that the industry often chooses overrated actors over true talent..

Jo Jung Suk's cameo was a surprise.. While I liked the cameo and it was nice to see him in that role, he didn’t leave much of an impact.. I felt the character could have benefited from a stronger, more commanding negative presence.. Which unfortunately didn't come through as powerfully as it could have..

In Ep7, Si Eun says sorry to Beom Seok when he was in a coma like situation after his accident.. I honestly don’t understand why.. Beom Seok is one of the main reasons Suho is in the hospital and yet Si Eun says sorry?? What's the logic here??

This might be a bit of a controversial opinion.. But if there is a season 3, I do wonder what role Suho would play in that circle.. Now that we have Baku who I would say not only filled his place but did it even better.. It’s hard to see how Suho fits into the dynamic from here on..

Overall, I can't deny that this drama did everything it set out to and to a very high standard.. I do wish the finale was a bit stronger.. The final clash felt underwhelming.. But it was a thrilling watch.. I am confident there are more compelling stories to tell in the Weak Hero Class Universe, so expecting a third installment as well..

I should mention Park Ji Hoon again.. The nuance with which he creates such a melancholic character who you can't help but feel sad about is awe inspiring..

P.S.. The drama started off with a quote from one of my favorite books.. The catcher in the Rye..

Read More

Let me start off by saying this, Newtopia deserves more than a 7.5 rating.. Sure, May not have had a unique storyline or offered anything different from what we have seen from other dramas except the comedy maybe.. Had way too many flaws and had issues with the screenplay and the pacing.. But still this drama is worth the 6+ hours you spend watching it.. It’s got this vibe that makes it feel different in a good way.. This might be a funny show but it has some serious undertones.. I started this drama without much expectations but ended up feeling it was short.. It deserved at least two more episodes..

Park Jeong Min and Ji Soo were were solid.. Ji Soo felt bland at times but honestly she was pretty fun to watch.. And I absolutely loved the supporting cast.. Kim Joon Han as Aaron Park was super cool..

I liked the Express Bus Terminal Arc, thats the final episode.. Her illusion about that Bus terminal staff which leads her to safety and a moment of peace on her journey to Jae Yun.. The team not giving up on Aaron park.. The ML, who spent most of the drama fumbling his gun suddenly started nailing every shot as he got closer to finding her.. And The friends going back to save Jae Yun and Yeong Ju.. I think the final episode made me feel that even in the middle of madness there are people who still try, still care and still show up for one another..

Overall Newtopia is a good drama that is underrated.. I don’t think it’s just a comedy or horror.. I think its about people who feel a little lost, a little weird, a little clueless and are doing their best anyway.. The script doesn’t try to judge or solve anything.. It just captures that messy, stubborn will to keep going.. Even when the world’s gone to hell.

Read More

Stories about terminal illness in dramas and movies often face a tough challenge, we already know how they will end.. The real test lies in what makes us want to stay and watch.. What’s new here?? What makes this version of sorrow worth sitting through??
For me, without question it’s the main leads.. Namkoong Min and Jeon Yeo Been.. You just know they are going to blow you away with their performances.. Because that’s what talented actors do when they are given well written scripts.. Our Movie draws most of its emotional power from them.. They have delivered performances that easily rank among the finest of their careers.. Their talent hardly needs reiteration anymore, yet they still manage to impress..

When dealing with subject matter like terminal illness, it’s easy for a story to slip into emotional manipulation.. Many dramas lean into that.. Using the pain to play on your feelings.. But Our Movie doesn’t do that.. Instead it lets the characters situation speak for itself and the emotions never feel overdone or artificial.. To me, very few dramas manage to make emotion feel truly genuine and the ones that do are often some of the saddest dramas I have ever seen.. Our Movie is one of them..

There is a certain beauty to this drama that’s hard to put into words.. It’s all held together by a masterful display of acting from the main leads.. The drama handles the themes of love, friendship, sacrifice and commitment with such quiet grace..

What I also loved about the drama was the supporting cast.. They weren’t just props, their presence felt meaningful.. This story wouldn’t have hit as hard without them.. Every single character had a role to play, no matter how small and each one left an impact.. It wasn’t just the FL who made us cry, the others did too.. The SFL, her agent, the FL’s manager, her friend, the Assistant Director, the Producer.. I wish I could name them all, but there are just too many.. They were all wonderful, supportive, graceful and full of heart..

Even the love triangle or whatever that was, was handled with surprising maturity.. Albeit unnecessary but it was there, briefly.. But it was handled maturely.. Even the guy, there is no way anyone can hate him.. He was just the final push the ML needed..

There is a scene in ep 8, a transition where the black and white noir shifts to color as the ML opens the curtain while talking to the FL on phone.. I don’t know if it’s just me, but there’s something about that moment, something that feels magical.. And then he runs, runs faster and faster toward her.. For the first time in the whole drama he moves faster than a snail.. The scene flows between him running and her waiting.. Everything about it, the aesthetics, the sunset, the lighthouse, the bridge, pure visual poetry.. And then he confesses.. And they kiss.. The kiss itself will go down in KDrama history as one of the best.. That whole sequence was my favorite part of the drama..

I was satisfied with the ending as well.. Her death, we knew it was coming from the very beginning.. I just wish she had lived long enough to see their movie.. I really liked that the drama took time to show how everyone’s life turned out in the end.. That felt satisfying to watch.. And the fact that her dad and the ML are still close, watching movies together?? That was a lovely touch.. The ML starting his next project, that’s exactly what she would have wanted.. It was good to see him move forward, even though we know he will never truly move on from her.. Like I said, a satisfying ending.. With no unanswered questions..

Overall, it was a really good drama.. They got a lot of things right with this story.. Our Movie isn’t here to shock us.. Instead we realize that it’s the journey here that matters, not the inevitable outcome.. Thanks to a terrific cast and a script full of earnest storytelling, we get to watch these characters grow and struggle in ways that feel real.. And in the end, her dream came true.. She became an actress.. Their movie was completed.. She was loved by so many people.. She found romance.. She found her Male Lead. And now, he will live for her..

Read More