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The title implies my opinion for the show
A new KDrama of 2023, Love To Hate You is a show which feels like it will make some valuable contributions to address misogyny in the society, restricts itself to a romcom show which is nothing new in a Kdrama world.Undeniably, the series got to a fair start with girl vs boy stereotype, but rather being an interesting turn of events in their romance, it was just a dull realisation of each other's feelings that made me disappointed towards the characters as well the story writing of the show. Well atleast it gave a happy ending within 10 episodes without dragging more unnecessarily than it already was starting to become.
My Rating : 5.5/10
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Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow
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Inferior to Season 1, but an ending quite a worth
Set 3 years later after the finale of Season 1, Season 2 starts slowly and brings all the characters back to the game. There are very few fantasy shows which make you invest in characters, and season 2 fits this description.Although the second season starts sluggish with everything that kinda replicates the first season, the last 3-4 episodes bring the real excitement and closure, with which I am pretty much satisfied. What still works for this fantasy drama is the star cast, the chemistry between characters and how magic is used to weave a tale of ambition, dreams, love and kingdom. What perhaps could have been better was a climax full of action. But again, the makers opted for a rather happy ending. Personally, the latter is inferior when compared to its predecessor, but all ends that ends well.
My Rating : 8.5/10
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Love stories behind the scenes
Shooting Stars offers a story about the different lives of people behind the cameras. Starting from writers, managers and PR’s who work hard to take care of the image of their artists.During the drama, these characters also unveil the hardships of their work especially in handling their actors. Even though they are immersed in their jobs, they also opened their hearts to the people whom they like. Shooting Stars shows that a well-balanced lifestyle would make one’s heart happy.
The background music and the pairing were effective, although the acting of the cast felt overdone and sometimes there was a lack of stability. The drama felt monotonous at times however the end result was not bad at all.
My Rating : 7/10
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Humans are worse than ghosts, the moral of this drama
Revenant, starring Kim Tae-ri who is known for her acclaimed projects The Handmaiden, Mr. Sunshine, Twenty-Five Twenty-One and more, is a supernatural horror drama that questions wishes that comes with sacrifice.Revenant’s supernatural chase has a beginning and hopefully an ending (that doesn’t end with many more deaths). The evil spirit that goes on possessing the characters is an outcome of inhumane cruelty and greed of the society which has to reap the seed it has sown. It is not just a tale about a supernatural mystery chase but a tale about regressive traditions, of unravelling the darkness that lies in being human, of denying the right to live.
Overall, the show is fast paced with thrilling and simultaneously terrifying scenes. The mystery lies in identifying the spirit while the spirit is aware of every step that one takes. And the stakes are high, especially when the professionals have been killed in the process. Needless to mention, the cast is doing a fantastic job especially Kim Tae-ri who changes into a different person in every episode.
My Rating : 9/10
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What started strongly, ended up falling hard
What started as a case study of an innocent looking evil character, becomes a dragged display of rising to the top and using everyone on the way.That's the story of Dear X - a psychological thriller story that starts with Baek Ah Jin's (Kim Yoo Jung) character study. The initial reception was very good, the way the characters were written and Jung's sociopath performance was absolutely terrific.
However, as the show progressed, it started losing it's grip towards the second half, due to it's tonal shift, logical inconsistencies and poor character development. For someone who was abandoned and abused, her character development was disappointing and somehow became a cliché villain towards the end.
The finale was something that could have wiped out the mess of the second half, but that too, was half-baked. The series is built on a foundation of cruel and nonsensical character actions, making it an emotionally exhausting and ultimately pointless watch, despite of one of the best acting performances in K-Drama I have seen this year.
My Rating : 3/5
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Second half was not even half of what First Half was.
Starring Seo Kang Joon and Jin Ki Joo, Undercover High School is a action drama that happens within a school, as the name suggests. With giving any spoilers, the drama starts strong, with some suspense and twists, good action and mature storytelling. The first half is engaging, although there are unserious moments at times.While the start was strong, the second half of the show falters to some extent, as there was not much fun left to the premise. I won't say the show is skippable, but it surely doesn't have a rewatch value.
While the show is a mystery-spy themed, the drama also focuses on tougher subjects like school bullying, student hierarchies, and the politics which govern the lives of both students and teachers.
A little romance with comedy elements in regular intervals somehow keeps the drama balanced. Maybe not strongly recommended as there are better dramas in this genre, but Undercover High School is a fun and watchable drama that does silly and clever things simultaneously.
3 stars for 'Undercover High School'.
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A tale of resilience and patience
A film about illegal immigration, seeking refuge, and the right to live, ‘My Name is Loh Kiwan’ aims at showing us the grim reality of immigration and life as a nomad. Loh Kiwan, played by Song Joong-ki, is a young North Korean defector who is forced to enter Belgium in a desperate attempt to survive. Enduring harsh conditions as the Belgian government determines his fate, he meets Marie, a drug addict seeking refuge from her troubled reality. Their survival amid the odds serves as the basic premise of the film.The film masterfully juxtaposes the main plotline with a secondary narrative involving Marie’s entanglement with nefarious elements. While this subplot adds depth to her character, it occasionally falters in its execution, with certain aspects feeling less compelling than others. While grappling with technical shortcomings, the film’s central message of hope and resilience shines through, leaving viewers with a profound sense of reflection and empathy for the struggles of refugees. My Name is Loh Kiwan stands as a testament to the power of love to transcend barriers and illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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Mashup of historical drama with VFX and monsters
Unlike several big-budget Korean series that have appeared in the wake of Squid Game, Gyeongseong Creature is admirably restrained in its narrative ambitions and never uses it's full potential.A historical drama infused with monsters and sci-fi stuff is brought down to some extent by poor quality CGI and ineffective chemistry between the leads. The pacing could have been better. The drama has some noticeable issues but it is still effective to please us, atleast to some extent.
Director Dong-yoon makes sure that while all the characters have their own little arc, it is Gyeongseong- the region that becomes a very important character in the narrative. The K-drama isn’t without its flaws. Every now and then, there are a few gaps in logic or parts of the plot that could have been explained better along with s better chemistry. But these are little things in the face of a drama that has used its solid production value to offer something out of the box, although it doesn't stand out completely.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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3 cheat codes to attain fame
Celebrity chronicles the journey of Seo A-ri (played by Park Gyu-young), who was born rich but is left to do part-time jobs after the family hits rock bottom. From not being on Instagram to becoming the numero uno ‘e-celeb,’ Seo A-ri’s brush with success and the horrors of it is what makes 'Celebrity' such an intriguing watch.The drama exposes that it is no secret that artificial intelligence and the virtual world are quickly dominating our lives, and will soon become the absolute reality for many, and the consequences that comes with it. Celebrity’s' screenplay and writing are refreshing and honest. You can see that the writer is not taking a stand or lecturing you on how social media can become a horror story if you don't set boundaries. Instead, it tells you the very benefits of the platform which is not without its faults. The world can be condescending and conniving without any set rules. But your journey is a result of the choices you make. Right or wrong, is for you to choose.
Apart from standout performance by Park Gyu-young, the rest of the characters were perfectly blended as well. The climax of the show is very fast paced, with all the pieces suddenly solving the puzzle but it was thrilling nevertheless.
My Rating: 8/10
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Exposure of delinquent juveniles
Juvenile Justice showcases the reality of underage kids doing crimes and escaping harsher punishment. The drama emphasizes on the requirement of strict law when it comes to underage kids involved in heinous crimes.The drama uses the premise and it's characters very well. Each episode, or rather, each story was built amazingly and the ending for each of them had a very important message in today's society. This crime courtroom drama deserves an appreciation for not only bringing this case to the limelight, but also making the show intriguing with twists and turns, and entertaining as well as educating it's viewers.
My Rating : 8.5/10
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Be strong for your tomorrow
Tomorrow is a different K drama than the usual ones we see. Dealing with sensitive cases like bullying, rumours that leads individuals to end their life is something that has become a harsh reality of the society, that is showcased in Tomorrow, in an effective way.A Team of 3 people (2 Grim Reapers and 1 Half/half) are on a rescuing spree of those who wish to give up on their life due to the harsh treatment in the society. Although it's not as serious as it should have been, considering the seriousness of the issue. However Tomorrow, handles the theme effectively and every episode is an emotional ride in understanding each individual's life and purpose.
Tomorrow finale bowed out with a sweet last episode as best as it could. Although some of the episodes in the series have been quite problematic, the series had its moments and the episodes surrounding the main characters were splendid. The soundtrack was good, the acting of the characters could have been better.
It had moments where it shone and considering some of its weaker episodes, the end was rather satisfactory considering the finale felt a little bit rushed, without exploring more about Re yeoon and Jung Gil.
My Rating : 8/10
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Comic yet so enthralling
When I started watching Mr Queen, I have to say that first 2-3 episodes was pure comedy and I was liking it but to a fair extent.However as the show progressed with more episodes, it became more interesting and enthralling. The mix of comedy with historical politics began to show its true colors and the whole premise suddenly became more engaging. The outstanding performance of Shin Hae Sun was the most positive factor of this drama. Also the overall soundtrack of the series was amazing, sometimes quirky sometimes intense.
The story was good, driven by strong performances of the cast, especially the lead female and execution till the final episode was swiftly delivered. Mr Queen has definitely made a place in my 'Top 5 Dramas of 2020'
My Rating : 8/10
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A new environment, a new group
Weak Hero Class 2 returns with a new environment, in a different high school. The protagonist returns along with some new faces.While the new season delivers a gripping continuation, I can't say it completely lived up to the raw brilliance of Season 1. Where Season 1 thrived on slow-burn tension and devastating emotional buildup, Season 2 sometimes trades that for spectacle. The fights are frequent, beautifully choreographed, and absolutely brutal - but they’re also a little too polished at times. The character arcs were not explored much as well.
That said, the performances are phenomenal. Ryeoun, especially as Hu-min, is magnetic while the rest of the cast does a good job too. The new season is still binge-worthy - tense and brutal; but it doesn't reach the heights of it's predecessor.
My Rating : 4/5
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A tale of memories and letting go
See You In My 19th Life is a beautiful tale about how one can freeze in time metaphorically and psychologically. There are times in our lives when we can be so deeply hurt by others that we choose to punish ourselves in a circular manner without realizing that we have become the source of our pain. The show’s message of ‘letting go and living on’, through the lives of the characters makes it a heartwarming tale of love, memories, trauma and healing.The show reverberates the message of healing your inner child, healing yourself from your past trauma’s in each of the characters’ stories. Coming to the characters, the chemistry was good between the leads while the supporting cast had their own hold. The first half of the drama was enticing, however the second half got a bit loose towards the climax/final episode.
Nevertheless, See You In My 19th Life is a mesmerizing kdrama that effortlessly blends romance, fantasy, and heartfelt emotions.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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Everything so good, but ended disappointly
Reborn Rich is another revenge drama, but with time and space involving memory transfer to another body which is quite supernatural. Another thing the drama does well is executing the ideas of the character through and showcasing many glimpses of early 2000s South Korea.There is very less romance in the drama, and for a reason I preferred that. The political strategy and the ups and downs in the country that has been utilised by the Soonyang family was quite intriguing. The best of the drama is the relationship between Jin Do Jun and his grandfather, is pure gold, it's just perfect and deserves a 10 just for it, the acting was on point even with the child actor was brilliant too.
Everything was straightaway gold until the last episode. The 15th episode changed the pattern of the show and the finale of the drama turned out to be messed up. Episode 16 throws out everything, every aspiration, dream, all the development and the beautifully crafted revenge plot, and turns into a train-wreck that looks conclusive on paper, yet lacking in feeling like a real ending. The character of Do Jun had the saddest conclusion and it felt a forced way out for Soonyang which made the conclusion unsatisfactory. Had it not been for the ending, the drama definitely had the best output of its potential.
My Rating : 8/10
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