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Great start, rushed ending
A fantasy drama that blends comedy, history, romance and most importantly, food into a 12 episodes joint.The story centers around chef Ji Yeong, who is thrown into the past by some unusual circumstances, and is seeking to make her way back to the modern world from the Joseon Era she stucked upon.
The first half of the drama progresses steadily, with a ton of delicious food thrown in the front of viewers. The camera follows Ji-young through the process, focusing on the ingredient selection and the process of cooking as much as the final dish. The production was quite vibrant. Both the ML and FL had a great chemistry.
The political aspect had a lesser establishment in the first half, while it's focus shifted heavily towards the ending episodes, leaving us with many plot points unexplained. As with most of the drama, the palace politics come with a fairly simple narrative that splits characters into those who support the ML and those who don't. That's it, the political narrative.
The FL Im Yoon-a plays her with fantastic range, with an adequately hammy performance for the comic scenes and a heartfelt portrayal during the more emotional ones. While the ML doesn’t have the same range as Yoon-a, Chae-min offers an entertaining transformation from a tyrant to a soft-hearted king.
Overall, Bon Appetit is a lighthearted show to enjoy, even though the finale might pull down the overall satisfaction, due to rushed ending and unexplained plot points.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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Love and Grief are 2 sides of the same coin
Pavane seems like a romance themed movie, but is more than that. It deals with loneliness, loss,grief and fear of failure in life.The story centers around 3 characters - Yo-Han, Mi Jeong and Gyeong Ruk. While they seem pretty content with each other, there personal life has some struggles too.
The first act - romance between Gyeong-rok and Mi-jeong does not arrive with fireworks or dramatic confessions because this film understands that people who feel undesirable don’t flirt like normal humans. Their connection grows through small glances, long pauses, and the shared exhaustion of knowing they do not fit society’s idea of a perfect couple, which somehow makes their relationship feel more intimate than any cinematic grand gesture ever could.
The second half feels kind of rushed, with too many things that occur within a short period of time. The sudden loss of a character does felt shocking, although it was too abrupt. The secondary characters were of no impact and is the most conerning part of the movie. The film passes on a strong message though - Cherish what you have now, rather than regretting what it would become later.
Overall, the film is visually great, music is compelling and the aesthetics are catchy. While the pacing was inconsistent, the ending and the message it leaves gives a mixed vibe of 'getting hurt but moving on'.
A good-watch that pulls you towards the characters and their story.
My Rating : 3.5/5
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A ride that lost it's way
Tempest is a Korean series that centers around political tension between both Korea (North & South) and the U.S.A.The drama with 9 episodes, started strong but kept on diverging from it's path with every episode. Yes, it was ambitious. But it couldn't deliver the way it should have.
To be fair, the beginning was quite promising. The pacing worked, the intrigue kept me curious, even if things were already starting to feel a bit tangled. But the further it went, the harder it was to keep up. The political plot grew unnecessarily convoluted, conflicts felt rushed and half-resolved, characters lacked proper development, and the editing often lacked the quality. The drama repeatedly lost momentum. Tension would build nicely, only to fizzle out because of clumsy execution. Storylines were dangled like they’d pay off, but then they just dissolved into thin air.
Both the leads were not much intriguing. I personally found the act of female lead as pale and blank. The rest of the cast, instead, did a better job. The chemistry between the characters fell out of place. While the first half build strong plot, the second half got dragged a lot and left us with mixed feeling towards the show.
Overall, Tempest is a one-time watchable political thriller that dwelves into your senses, only to awaken nothing from within. Positive points for it's good international concept, but pulled down by weak execution.
My Rating : 6.5/10
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Unnecessary addition, but still intriguing
Although an unnecessary addition and maybe Netflix's cash grabbing opportunity, this original material got me excited nonetheless, although I didn't kept much expectation.Season 3 starts with an obsessed professor to have a near life-or-death experience. He lures Usagi to the game again, ultimately causing Arisu to join the game.
As we saw in the earlier seasons, this piece continues to give us high stakes game that are thrilling, although a bit sluggish at times. The new characters doesn't create much impact, except Rei. This season has less episodes compared to S1 and S2, however the slow pacing (especially in Eps 5 and 6) makes it less intriguing.
From games perspective, some were fresh while some were seen in earlier seasons which automatically diminished my excitement a little. The emotional aspect was given more weightage towards the final episodes.
Coming to the finale, I would say it gave us little answers and more questions. Although we got to take a look into Borderland's existence, we didn't get much insight though. Viewers maybe divided with the season finale in my opinion.
Overall, Season 3 of Alice In Borderland is an unnecessary addition, that still manages to engage it's viewers with high stake contests and the lead characters. An enjoyable season, if not fulfilling or relevant.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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Uninteresting and messy
With 12 episodes, Head Over Heels feels exhausting due to it's over-the-top execution and a story that feels all over the place.While the drama started well with it's initial episodes, the story kept on getting complex and stretchy. The positive aspects were the background score and good cinematography, however was let down by messy ending.
Tropes have always been a staple in K dramas but the magic had always worked before because they knew how to make things feel fresh but now?
We're past the middle of the year and once again I regret investing time in a rince and repeat story. It's yet another K-drama slop that puts lots of familiar ingredients in, but fails to put some soul into their main characters.
Overall, Head Over Heels is an over-the-top drama with weak characters and unpolished writing. There are many better dramas in my opinion to watch instead.
My Rating : 4.5/10
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Enchanting fantasy crafted with precision
With its fast-paced plotting, engaging characters and resplendent wardrobe, Alchemy of Souls was a compelling escapist fantasy that helped us fly through the sweltering summer.Plot wise, the show revolves around the lives of people residing in a place not known to regular humans, Daeho. There, mages, sorcerers, assassins, maids and all manner of other imaginable people ply their trade, helping the numerous areas of this restricted world function. Continuing, the whole series looks fantastic visually. Bringing life to this fictitious world, director Park Joon-hwa emphasises the expansive area he has to play with, immersing the viewer in every scene. Complete with some rather solid CGI, visual effects and use of pathetic fallacy, the show has some undeniably sleek appeal.
Overall, the first season of Netflix’s Alchemy of Souls was an enticing, consistently solid introduction to (and journey through) the complex world of Daeho. It might not have been perfect, nothing ever is, but there’s plenty here for anyone to sink their teeth into, as well as enough substance for those looking for something comprehensive to enjoy, with season 2 down the line.
My Rating : 8.5/10
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First half intriguing, second half mehhhh
Love all play started very well, giving us a glance in the past of the main characters and focusing more on the sports aspect. The situation that young athletes go through in their life, was visibly portrayed in the first half of the drama.The downfall started in the next half, wherein it became more of a love story and very little a sport drama. Undoubtedly, the main characters 'Park Twins' had a good chemistry on screen, however too much of an emphasis on their love life and not on their professional life as a badminton player, let me down in the second half.
The soundtrack was decent, however while watching the show, it felt like an Instagram filter thanks to it's weird production. Overall, Love all Play had good intentions but didn't stood upto the expectations as a sports drama.
My Rating : 5/10
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A beautifully anthology
Hometown Cha Cha Cha was one of last year’s best K-Dramas depicting the trials and tribulations of a small village and its inhabitants, and Our Blues does the similar kind of thing this year.Our Blues is a 20 episode K-drama that essentially works as an anthological slice of life series. The different episodes are broken up into different two or three parters, following residents on Jeju Island as they go about their day. There are a fair amount of people living on this island, and the 20 episodes certainly help to give this show enough time to introduce everyone and tell their stories.
Aesthetically, Our Blues is just as impressive and part of that comes down to the beauty of Jeju Island. From breathtaking sunsets to sweeping establishing shots, this K-Drama makes the most of its lavish, paradisiac setting, and the series is all the stronger for it.
Although some of the narratives didn't quite hit the emotional highs as others, the bright spots outshone the shades of grey. This is a beautifully written Slice of Life drama, with good storytelling and show-stopping visuals.
My Rating : 8/10
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Gripping and terrorizing
Through the Darkness pitches a riveting story that centers on how the minds of criminals work, how they plot their crimes and how oddly their behaviors are, and leading the formation of Behaviour Analysis Team.Through The Darkness delineates the hard work done by every department in catching the psychopaths and examining the behaviour and minds of these killers. Kim Nam Gil as Inspector Son Ha Young was an effective casting who delivered a good acting on his part.
Overall, this drama depicts the terror of numerous psychopaths during the late 90s and early 2000s, and study of these criminal minds.
My Rating : 8/10
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A light hearted drama with a right heart
When The Weather Is Fine didn't received much recognition like other dramas that aired in 2020, as it should have. A slice of life drama with a slow pace that tells us about the way of life through healing, loving and forgiving.The drama contains numerous thematic threads that are poignant and generally strikes a balance between melodrama and comedy. By exploring in great detail the relationships between characters, When the Weather is Fine underscores the small but precious responsibilities that come with love.
The true hero of this drama is its characters as they narrate their stories and show their perspective which feels quite relatable. Won't forget to mention the OST and BGM of the drama, it was one of the best soundtrack that I have heard in K-Drama. It was peaceful, soothing, melodious and at times, emotional as well.
This drama needs more attention and recognition that it received (stating on the basis of Ratings and # of watchers).
My Rating : 8/10
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This mystery is ridiculously amazing
Mouse got me hooked from the start. A murder mystery of a serial killer/psychopath, with numerous different storylines that ultimately connects to the same place.The plot was amazing, Lee Hee Joon as Moo Chi, the detective/policeman was just terrific. At 20 episodes, it didn't felt even once that the story was loosing it's grip. Rather, there was some kind of twist in every episode which made it interesting and kept me guessing.
The BGM was quite good as well along with the production of this drama. In the world of K Dramas that are usually filled with romance, comedy and Slice Of Life, Mouse serves the best thriller/suspense Korean show which should get more attention, just like the others. Mouse is without a doubt, among my Top 5 best Korean series/drama of 2021.
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A great action thriller, even though the ending could have been much better
Starring Ji Chang Wook, The Manipulated is an intense action thriller that centers around a man wrongfully accused of murder and who gets out to take revenge on the perpetrator.With 12 episodes, the series is tight, had a lot of action scenes and the pacing was very convincing. The characters could have been written more smartly, since a few of the characters (especially Tae Joong's friends) had no contribution to the story at all.
The action choreography were very good. The antagonist was way too overpowered and rich and the show failed to explore more of his past and how he became what he became.
The show takes a certain turn with the death racing game but it was not totally disappointing. The show focused too much only on the main character and his world, while keeping aside the side characters.
The finale was too crammed up, a lot of things happens in a span of 45 mins. There should have been atleast one more episode to have a proper ending. The ending though not disappointing, felt heavily tushed.
Overall, The Manipulated is a stylish action thriller that does many things right, if not all. And seeing Jichang Wook in action was genuinely refreshing. Not the best of the year, but definitely watchable drama.
My Rating : 8/10
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Slick & Stylish
A 6 part series about a competition amongst the Samurai towards their final days and with a cholera outbreak, to win 1,00,000 yen sounded an interesting concept. And to my surprise, it was, to some extent.The series seems like a combination of Squid Games, Hunger games and many other movies/shows based on competition. But what hooked me to the show was the clean production and the action choreography with many brutal fights that were very well done.
With respect to characters, their arcs have a small screentime except for Shujiro Saga, the main lead of the show. I wished the narrative and every character's arc was developed a little more. The pacing was sluggish, even with just 6 episodes. I saw either rigorous action or very minimal conversation among the characters, nothing in between.
The last episode veered into unrealistic territory which was jarring. Yet it also set up huge stakes beyond the contest for our intrepid little band of contestants. Surrounded by powerful enemies, it will be interesting to see how or if the writers can bring this to a satisfying conclusion when the second season rolls around.
My Rating : 3.5/5
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Good start, terrible ending
S Line is a dark and gripping mini-series that combines mystery, psychological tension, and social commentary in a unique and disturbing way.The story follows a girl who can see red lines above people's heads, revealing their sexual relationships. For others, the line is visible only if they wear some random glasses.
Each episode follows a different case where someone gets the glasses and their life takes a dramatic turn. What starts as curiosity often ends in tragedy, and the deeper the story went, the more disturbing it became.
The pacing was slow but reasonable. With only 6 episodes, the story was building effectively, however out of nowhere, the final episode takes a whole different path and the series ends up disastrously without giving a proper explanation of glasses, the girl's ability to see the red lines or the supposedly cult that was seen in the final episode. The show could have been so good, but the finale made it into a disappointing affair eventually.
Overall, S Line is a wasted potential, that had a great story, but went wrong due to it's confusing and unexplainable ending.
My Rating : 2.5/5
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Shallow and Disappointing
My Dearest Nemesis is another regular K-drama that follows classic overused pattern of romance that we frequently come across many korean dramas. While I was expecting something high from Choi Hyun Wook due to his recent selection of dramas, this drama is totally forgettable and full of clichés.To begin with, I didn't sense any actual chemistry between the leads in any scene. The plot was lacklustre as it followed common trope of enemies to lovers, but in this drama, it was too quick.
The geek side of the male character felt cringey and awkward, instead of cute and endearing. While the drama had some good moments, the rest were nothing special and even at 12 episodes, it felt a long stretch. Better watch 100s of better dramas in the same genre out there.
My Rating :5/10
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