A whirlwind; NOT the usual medical drama!
Feb 2025This is an exhilirating, very fast paced and often incredibly human, drama.
Aspects of the storyline reminded me of *Dr Romantic S3. However, as the Naver webtoon Trauma Code is based on, came out in 2019, maybe some of their* ideas actually came from that! (Not the other way around.)
It is very graphic, but for some reason wasn't stomach churning, at least not to me. Even though, through the character of surgeon Baek Gang-hyeok, there's a superhero feel to it all, there are also enough more realistic aspects to keep it from being totally ridiculous (seeing as that isn't the drama's genre).
Very real and shocking attitudes, towards costs and targets taking preference over human lives, are central to the entire drama. It seems dramas like this might be an indication of where many S.Koreans fear their hospital care is heading.
We also get some of Gang-hyeok's colourful history, which could actually fill another drama in itself!!! A prequel, perhaps? 😉
There are many fresh aspects to this story, which I'd not seen in any of the medical K-dramas that I've watched before. I'd actually love to read the webtoon, if there's a translated version out there.
Many great supporting characters, and I particularly enjoyed Kim Won-hae's acting; as well as Kim Sun-young, who portrayed the Minister of Health and Welfare, just right!
As long as you don't expect everyday realism, and just let yourself get immersed in the tornado of a character that is fabulously interpreted by Ju Ji-hoon, then he's sure to sweep you into his world, just like he does all the suffering characters around him!
Laughs, the odd tear, and some anger inducing moments.
Apparently, the series was written with 3 seasons in mind and, as it seems to be doing well, I've read S2 is expected in 2026 ~ here's hoping! It will be criminal if we don't get it.
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Hugely enjoyable!
Absolutely loved it! I laughed in almost every episode, but also so enjoyed the action and double life of the excellent FL character.It felt unusual to cast a more mature actress in the role, but I thought she was brilliant.
Her maturity gave weight to the character's background, which was quite tragic.
A favourite actress, Kim Mi-kyung, plays her ascerbic, status conscious mother-in-law ~ whilst often overly harsh with Yeo-hwa, I couldn't completely dislike her. Her life wasn't easy and she had a lot to come to terms with, especially as the story unfolds..
Our ML character also had an unhappy back story, which led to him being a little different. I liked him a lot, too. LJW fit the character well, as he portrayed a vulnerable side at times, even though he was intelligent with strong convictions.
However, whilst very well played by LJW, the actor didn't really feel like the right match for the female lead actress, or vice versa.
This was not a character problem, but a casting one.
Never mind how well LJW and LHN acted in their respective roles, they just didn't gel in a romantic way, at all, in my eyes.
There wasn't that spark, especially from LHN. I thought their end scene really highlighted this, in a big way.
It would have been far better to pitch them as opposites-to-besties ~ a little flirtatious perhaps, but no actual love interest... then it would've been perfect!
Having said that, the romance aspect was relatively low key within the story in terms of physical contact, so it wasn't a huge bug bear, but I noticed.
The story really shows how unfairly women got (and get) treated; especially when it came to widowhood (or in this century, god forbid, divorce!)
The drama rides on how Cho Yeo-hwa handles her 'lot', and the actress conveyed every ounce of it with relish. I loved her!
There are shocking revelations, some very sad moments and great humour.
Excellent supporting cast and characters ~ I liked and enjoyed Su-ho's 'brother-not-brother', Park Yoon-hak, although not straight away.
The overall bad guy was loathsome and there was no level to which he wouldn't stoop.
A really great watch, that I thoroughly enjoyed, even with the mismatch.
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Messy
March 2024Time travel and solar event drama that, once started, I realised I'd actually watched before, but forgot about. So watched again and realised why, sadly.
It has a few exciting moments, but most of the roles, including the leads, are pretty bland really.
The acting is fine and I liked Jim Ah-joong a lot and her police detective character, Jung Sae-byuk, a straight forward, no nonsense, sensible woman, superior to all her male colleagues, yet not arrogant, although she could act that way if necessary.
Keo Sang-joon gave a good performance too; in fact there was no poor acting, just disappointing characters, as mentioned.
The plot is quite clever, but gets very confusing the more episodes into the story we get. All kinds of stuff happens and cracks in the plot start to show, when some characters remember things, whilst others don't. Logically, any changes made to the past should impact the future, not just in ways that are obvious, but in relation to countless butterfly effects.
However, there seemed to be no rules or consequences. The parameters kept changing and it just got too messy for me.
It wasn't a bad watch overall, but there were lots of unanswered questions and no real conclusion. It felt like a S2 is a fairly good possibility. I'd watch if that happened, but it's not something I'm bothered about really. It wasn't quite gripping enough for me and became too convoluted.
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Too much story for too few episodes
Feb 2024The story pretty much takes us straight into the mood of this gritty and dark drama, which is heavy, unsettling and pretty dreary.
There are no particularly nice characters at all.
Detective Choi Seong Jun is probably the only one I found ok, but his reaction to something in his past and lack of doing anything about it, knocked him down in my eyes, too.
There is zero humour in this, at all.
The creepy events that the death of the owner of land with a family burial site on it, sets in motion, are really mysterious.
There are gripping scenes and the feelings of threat rarely let up. It's not as violent as some recent dramas, by far, yet it still manages to shock at times.
The final reveal of the cause of the events following Yoon Seo-ha's inheritance, are a real twist.
I found her central character very hard to like. Some of her actions should have had consequences and her personality was so fake, just like her patience, which was actually supressed anger hidden behind a sycophantic lifeless smile. She stands up to her slimy husband, but not to someone she works for, who basically uses her.
Supposedly intelligent, yet her utter cluelessness and trust in people most of us would see as totally dodgy, was eye rolling.
I also got irritated by the character's stunted and emotionless response to things, which just wasn't believable.
Then there's the police unit tasked with solving the strange goings on, which like in EVERY other K-drama, it seems, cannot be totally effective.
There's a lazy does nothing but approve stuff Chief and an inept Police Captain, who has tunnel vision and history with Seong-jun. This creates additional tension to an already fraught relationship between the two and does nothing for the investigation either. I found it really frustrating.
Another plot line involving Seong-jun was unnecessary in its depth and only a vehicle for the main story. It just wasted time.
A lot (too much really), was crammed into 6 episodes, all less than 1 hour long. The story was told and concluded, but consequently lacked substance.
Overall it was an OK watch and pretty clever, but I was far from blown away.
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Harrowing at times
Feb 2024Another I watched in one sitting, because I was so into it. If I'd had to wait for eps, I would have been driven bat poop.
Set during the latter part of Japanese rule in Korea, when the country was whole (so mid 40s), you can expect the disrespect and appalling treatment of Koreans by many of the Japanese, and the resistance to it, that goes hand-in-hand with dramas set in that period.
Whilst a fantasy/action, it turns out that this is nevertheless also an incredibly provoking watch. I saw many obvious similarities between that treatment, and the exploitation and attitudes to Koreans as sub-human by the Japanese, and that of the Germans towards the Jews. There is no way of not seeing it, if you have any knowledge of WW2 at all.
Whilst the attempted systematic destruction of the Jews by Hitler's dictatorship is well catalogued and known about all over the world and by all ages; the mistreatment and horrors of what the Japanese rulers inflicted on Korea for over 35 years, is not. I honestly felt like this drama was also a vehicle to make people see it. They suffered just as horribly, if not worst.
Whilst it didn't overshadow the drama completely, it was never far from my mind.
Besides some harrowing scenes and images, however, there is also plenty of wit, action and low key (but lovely) romance.
The creature is something else and made me think a little of Alien at times. I would actually have liked to have seen a little more of it and it's conception/history.
PSJ's character is successful and tougher than he appears on the surface; intelligent, very business savvy and portrays a selfish, couldn't care less image. The pawn shop/business he owns is a veritable Aladdin's cave. His inner circle, who all assist in the business, are great characters and compliment him well. A favourite actress, Kim Hae-sook is amongst them.
Another, a trusted close friend (Wi Ha-joon, looking gorgeous as ever), he has a warm, but competitive relationship with.
I also really felt for the character of troubled, quiet and (I think), PTSD-suffering artist, Sachimoto (Woo Ji-hyun).
Tested loyalties, intimidation, manipulation, interrogation, emotion.... all the 'tions' are here! ;~)
The casting, characters, pace and script, are all spot on; only on a couple of occasions did I think "for God's sake get a move on!", when some just seemed utterly oblivious to the urgency of situations.
The acting is outstanding as far as I'm concerned. Some of the scenes must have been incredibly hard to do, for all involved.
A very satisfying watch and I have little doubt S2 will be as riveting, as long as they pick up the carrots left dangling to tempt us, from this run. Cannot wait and adding to my list of favourites.
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Positive, feel good, fun!
Feb 2024I absolutely loved every episode of this clever, joyful, positive and mysterious K-drama.
Each character brought something to the story. Most were high school students, with supporting adult characters, many of whom could learn a thing or 2 from the youngsters!
As the time-travelling mystery centres around a group of high school students that form a band, eventually called Watermelon Sugar, expect a fair amount of music, as the group and individuals rehearse, play and write.
I loved the cast, who were believable in their roles, had excellent chemistry and sucked me right in.
The present day characters within the central family are warm, challenged, close, but not without their issues.
Characters from the past are very varied; ranging from mysterious, to goofy, aloof, mean and frankly evil.
There are references to child abuse, bullying, threat and suicide, but those scenes sit within a story that is overwhelmingly positive, often funny and also emotional. I laughed, wanted to punch people's lights out and cried, throughout the 16 episodes, which flew by.
This drama can just be enjoyed for what it is, a feel good, happy and positive watch; but within it there are also several messages that can be found if wanted and related to, as well.
Very few plot holes and any I noticed were easily forgiven within an overall well thought out and refreshingly positive watch.
I also loved that the issue of deafness and mutism is so maturely addressed. It didn't seek to make a pity party out of the drama, with the emphasis far more on the family attempting to fit in, support themselves, and be accepted as equals.
Of course, there were characters who attempted to take advantage, bullied and treated them as though they were stupid, but there were also positive friendships too.
There is a scene near the end where a female mature character has travelled back to S.K. from abroad and remarks that things are improving [in how those with deafness are responded to/treated]. I found that very telling.
The romances (yes, plural) are very sweet. A main feature, but at the same time not in a way that overshadows the rest of the story, even though they are an integral part of it.
One of the best characters has to be Grandma, fabulously played by Go Doo-shim. Her personality, attitude and relationship with her grandson, were a joy! Loved the name of their guesthouse too.
Choi Hyun-wook as Yi Chan, was probably my favourite character overall. He just grew on me and I totally loved him.
If I had to name something I thought could have made it even better, it would be more of the latter part of his young story with Cheong-ah. Also a little more of their lives in the present day, after their return from the past (especially that of Se-kyung).
Choi Won-young made a great Dad and I loved Chun Ho-jin (a favourite mature actor), as a music shop owner. The kids who played younger versions of central characters, were great too, especially Jung Hyun Joon (as Ha Eun Gyeol).
There are flaws, but for me, none that I couldn't forgive. I really loved that actions had consequences and that parent/child relationships were widely covered.
Would very happily watch this again and I LOVED the soundtrack (link attached for msin tracks).
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Loved the cast; lots of favourites. Soundtrack fit. Nice sets. Some been-here-before characters. A few very unnecessary tropes.
Overall I really enjoyed this. I so like Song Kang's acting ~ his eyes convey a lot of emotion, more than his voice sometimes and I love that.
Kim You-jung was very good; I liked her character, which is strong, smart and she picks her battles.
There was definitely chemistry between these 2 and they came across as pretty natural together.
I love supernatural stuff and this drama didn't skimp too much on that side of it, but at the same time there's also a very human story with it.
A totally dysfunctional family, with some ridiculously horrible and irritating members. One, whilst thoroughly bat poop and psychotic, I couldn't help but feel sorry for ~ a product of his environment.
Loved Cha Chung-hwa's role, which gave her somewhat important character, a very different (and surprisingly philosophical) take (she's so good too).
Quite a few twists, turns and surprises; occasionally what's possible (even for a fantasy) is thrown to the wind, to move the story forward, but all pretty forgivable for me.
There are a number of tropes I balk at when they turn up out of context and, unfortunately, some of these were SO obviously dumped in the latter episodes of this. Infuriated me, as unnecessary and it undermined the drama, at that point, I felt.
I also dislike childish humour shoved into genres in which it doesn't fit. There are so many dramas with clever, dark and/or well-timed naturally funny scenes, that show it isn't needed. Yet so many of the dramas I've watched recently seem to feature it. This really irritates me.
But, I got through this pretty quick and enjoyed it far more than not.
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Saddle bags of action
January 2024Loved it, from start to finish. Set in the 20s, with both Japanese and Chinese having a stake in ruling Korea. The main feud and emphasis of the action was with the former.
It bears no relation to fact and is an OTT action packed ride, but so good.
So much cannon fodder (actually showing that soldiers have to follow orders and not doing so in the midst of a battle, regardless of size, results in a shot to the head... that was reality and is for some present day soldiers), it can sometimes be a brutal watch and there are scenes of torture as well.
Korean turning against Korean, collaborators, traitors, opportunists, cowards, freedom fighters and bandits, they're all here. When there seems to be no tunnel, let alone a light at the end of it, this often shows humans at their worst. A tough end to the Joseon era.
With the mix of drama, action and humour, aspects really were reminiscent of classic Westerns and I couldn't help but think of the 1960 classic, The Magnificent 7, on occasion :~)
Kim Nam-gil is excellent as the slave turned soldier turned bandit, and the guilt he carries weighs heavy.
The supporting cast are great and Lee Hyun-wook, as the triple-sided character Lee Kwang-il, is really good.
I loved the main female characters in this, too. All very different, but all strong, intelligent and with balls! A great role for a favourite actress, Cha Chung-hwa.
Some laugh out loud moments, some very sad, some quieter and slower paced, but overall it's really about the action, as a fair few worms turn.
The OST was excellent, I thought, and fit really well.
Lots of articles about KNG 'looking favourably' on a return for S2... fingers very firmly crossed; although still waiting for Fiery Priest S2 as well! He's in demand and seems to, unfortunately, like making dramas that leave us hanging (Island is another).
A very enjoyable, if violent, watch.
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A very tough watch
November 2023The series kicks off with Ahn Joon-ho (Jung Hae-in), back in his unit following the close of S1.
From the start, the scenes of mistreatment, bullying and outright sadism, are anger inducing and often hard to watch.
The deserters being pursued in this, series 2, are not the central theme, which instead eventually fixes on a specific event and the efforts of AJH to expose the truth. He does this partly out of a sense of shame and guilt for things that happened in his past.
I found the injustices harder to stomach this time around and the fact several characters never get punished, left me feeling disgusted.
I really hope men about to embark on their national service don't watch either series... it would frighten them to death and rightly so.
Whilst many might go through their service and not experience or witness any such awful treatment, the fact is some will, and the thought it might be them? Well, I'm amazed more don't attempt to vanish before ever joining up.
The fact the series is based on actual experiences and reports (albeit with some poetic license for a drama), makes it all the more disgraceful.
For a country all about manners, respecting age and tradition etc, etc, it's so hypocritical that in real life stuff like this is covered up; physical and mental bullying is commonplace and ignored; people vehemently prejudge others and are cruel; the privacy and basic human rights of pop artists and actors are totally ignored and violated; mental and physical health issues are ignored and even made fun of. It's just horrible.
There is wrong everywhere, I know that, but rarely does it seem to get as ignored and even enabled by its own government, officials, police, laws and citizens, as here.
This series, more than any other, really exposes a very unsavoury side of life that is a tough watch, especially for not being pure fiction.
Excellent acting, yet again, (I was in bits over Jang Seong-min/Nina, brilliantly played by Bae Na Ra) and a fitting OST. Whilst it might upset many, it really is worth watching and there are some humorous scenes to dilute, a tiny bit, the much harder parts.
There may be imperfections, but it's nevertheless superb and, I feel, quite brave.
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Enjoyable
Such a good cast who were a pleasure to watch.There were both witty and some very moving scenes, although I didn't often feel the tension that I think I should have.
It felt quite drawn out at times and became melodramatic, with some scenes being repeated (when used to reflect or for background on the story as it progressed), too often.
The plot was lacklustre and lacking somehow, although I can't quite put my finger on why.
I found myself losing concentration and interest during the overly long and repeated operating procedures and other scenes that didn't feel necessary to the plot. For a top hospital, too many of the surgeons and senior staff seemed incompetent and lacking in confidence.
I am not a fan of Uee, but this was one of her better characters, for sure.
Overall, this was not a bad watch, but neither was it memorable, or a drama I'd return to.
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Very witty and sometimes touching
An very enjoyable watch, that combines an attractive cast, witty dialogue, totally mad moments, OTT aspects and characters, some touching moments and lashings of cheese!It's a perfect watch for anyone wanting a light romance that has been seriously put together, but with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
The ML's upright character amidst all the shenanigans, slowly thawing, was fun to see.
The only aspect that spoilt it somewhat for me, was the total lack of any disguise used by the FL's character when standing in for her best friend.
OK, the assumed likelihood of her ever running into the blind date again played a part, but one would have expected her to have at least donned a wig in the same colour and style as her friend! She was, after all, impersonating her and for all they knew, he had some idea of what she looked like.
The outcome of a major element to the plot, later on, was also disappointingly concluded, like it was an after thought.
Small niggles though, in an overall very entertaining ride.
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Made me happy, made me laugh, made me anxious
The pace isn't fast, there is only mild unpleasantness, no action and the acting is sometimes short of totally natural...But...
It is one of the best dramas of this type I've watched for quite a while. I fell in love with it.
I always moan that BL dramas out of S.Korea are not long enough and it feels like the genre isn't taken seriously, but seen as popular and therefore shows should be produced. This changed that completely.
The characters are so likeable and the actors came across as genuine friends.
Their different personalities were realistic, as were the problems some faced.
A lesson in fitting in, being different, learning to be true to ones self, taking responsibility for our own actions, forgiving and mending fences.
The cast fit their roles and I loved them. Lee Sae On played Woo Tae Kyung, so well; a loner by choice, socially awkward, disarmingly honest and (as described in one very funny scene), pretty. He was also strangely confident in who he was and I thought showed courage on several occasions.
I also thought Kang Yoo Seok made Noh Shin Woo into a character whose brusque personality was understood immediately; I liked him and wasn't put off by his behaviour.
In fact every main actor made me feel invested in the characters they portrayed so well.
My personal favourite was Namgoong Shiwoon (Go Woo Jin), whose effervescent, slightly crazy, yet actually mature outlook on things, was the glue that kept their student council group together and helped his friends to develop.
The teacher in charge of the Student Council was a model for real teachers ~ supportive, non-judgemental and frank.
Some might feel that it was too fluffy to seriously portray life in an all boys' school and tackling issues of coming out, being harassed for being gay and online bullying. However, whilst there are extreme cases of that in real life, I also believe it happens on a more low key scale too and those instances shouldn't be ignored or undermined because of it.
I laughed a lot and found scenes that were emotional and heart warming too. I also had no idea who Tae Kyung would choose to be with, until he did.
Would it win awards? No. Could it make you happy you watched? I hope so... it did me.
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Compelling
If anyone watches this gritty and hard hitting drama without feeling some kind of emotion, they are not human. Mainly because its core lies in the realities (for possibly a few, but that's still too many) of military life (not just in S.Korea).Fear, powerlessness, helplessness, abuse, bullying, trauma and cover ups, are all presented in a tight, excellently paced and acted drama.
I feel this series is quite brave, as it doesn't pussy-foot around so many of the wrongs Koreans know exist in both their national service and culture.
Excellently written and produced, with an OST that never did anything but compliment what I was watching.
All the darkness and hurt is tempered by sublimely introduced sarcasm, wit and affection.
So many characters are pit against one another, through no fault of their own and with no choice, in an environment where seniority holds all the power and with no easily accessible recourse. Cascading down from the top of command, all the main characters are subject to being humiliated and mistreated by their immediate superior.
The closing 2 episodes are shocking and heartbreaking, as that helplessness and despair bursts out in an explosive finale.
The dialogue and story of the Series 1 closing scenes, should really make the real-life powers that be wake up, feel ashamed and strive to clean up their house.
I am so needing S2. A must watch.
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Short and sweet
It always amazes me how a pretty good story, nicely acted, can make sense and be fitted into only 8 ,14-min episodes.I loved the characters of Shi-on and Hong-seok, nicely portrayed as: kind of wide-eyed and bubbly with a charming child-like innocence by Chu Young-woo for the former; and more sedate and deep by the very attractive Won Hyung-hoon for the latter.
Their interactions and chemistry were good, but the couple of more intense kiss scenes did not feel like they were entirely comfortable, so came off a little stiff.
A very nice and entertaining watch that also managed to grab at and pull my heart strings as well with tge more emotional side of the story. Definitely worth watching.
Maybe one day S.Korea will brave its 'only conservative when it's not K-pop' section of the viewing public and give us a full length BL drama. They're more than up to it.
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Frustrating
Lee Je-hoon and Shin Min-ah work really well together in this fight against fate, time travelling drama.The plot is pretty good, as dramas involving flitting around time are often messy, but this was quite well thought out.
The characters were ok, but I found constant references to Bap Soon irritating and Song Ma-rin was so needy at times. On the one hand she could be tough and quite arrogant toward So-joon in the early episodes and on the other behaved like a teenager. She also let Gun-sook order her around whilst at other times standing up to her. The character's behaviour was inconsistent.
Aspects of the story were a little too drawn out and given those characters 'in the know', the struggles to change the fate of the main two were not always as sensible as they could have been.
Not a bad watch, although for me, Lee Je-hoon made this drama work.
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