Feisty females
June 2025Overall a decent watch and I liked the cast; Wang Xing Yue and Liang Yong Qi are actors I like.
The fact this centres around a widowed woman who has single-handedly, and pretty successfully, raised 5 daughters, is already a bit different.
On relocating home, due to adversities, they arrive in the town where one already married daughter lives. The in-laws look down on all of them.
Once settled, the mother's sole purpose is to make money, provide doweries for her girls, and get them married off to as wealthy/successful/up-and-coming men, as possible. This is basically the drama's plot, with all the adventures, adversities, and comedy, built around it.
They open an establishment that goes through several incarnations, until becoming a kind of tea/snacks house come gift shop and meeting place, for want of a better explanation.
The episodes focus on their daily life, plus each daughter's story taking centre stage, as the drama progresses. There are challenges, conflicts, drama, crime/investigations, accusations, and in one episode, an attempted sexual assault.
The attitudes of the majority of the women of local wealthy families, to the mother and girls, is mostly unkind and snobbish. It's pretty infuriating, as it's not like the mother chose to be a widow! Family of the departed husband, just wanted her home and possessions. They are ruthless and aggressive, hence the family packing up and leaving.
The earlier episodes see characters more combined, but the latter becomes about the remaining, individual daughters, with several other characters taking a noticeable back seat. I was less keen on that.
It was a pretty fun watch, with every female in the family being resilient, resourceful, intelligent, and with different strengths. However, there were a number of occasions when it dragged on far too much and got very silly.
More than once I found myself disliking the actions of specific daughters; some I thought deserved their partners and others I felt didn't. What was put up with, I suppose, fit with the era; I'm sure there were hen-pecked hubbies even back then, although I'd imagine it was rare and probably dependent on familial power, or possibly just a man being besotted.
A decent filler, rather than one to binge (which I didn't). Not one I'd choose to rewatch, but would if someone hadn't seen it and wanted to watch together.
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Fun watch that held my interest
May 2025This is basically a lighthearted comedy, with some low-key romance, intrigue, mystery and rivalry.
I liked Xiumin in this, and whilst right at the beginning I thought his acting seemed somewhat unnatural, it wasn't, as it suited the character's often hesitant, and somewhat 'old man' way of speaking, perfectly. He also expressed a very endearing naivety and enthusiasm.
Heo Gyun was actually out of time in his own era, probably more so than the current one he time-jumped to. However, he didn't seem in the least shocked by any of the modern-day technology and culture he woke up in the midst of, though. That did bug me, as if I came from a time without electricity (so completely dark once the sun went down), horses for transport, no proper roads, with all low level buildings, and woke up in present day Seoul, I think my senses (and brain), would have a meltdown! Imagine how fast, noisy and bright everything would be! However, he hardly flinched and took it all in his stride.
I did like his character; principled, positive, gentle, intelligent and caring.
Eun-sil (CSJ), is feisty, has a hard exterior, and has a snobbish attitude to her mother's diner, where she grew up. Her relationship with her mother is sometimes strained, and a particular aspect ifcthe story that I liked, was how her understanding and attitude changed.
Heo Gyun ends up with them, and there follows all kinds of shenanigans with threat, culinary rivalry, a celebrity, a shady detective, and the question of why HG ended up here.
The rival is Yi Hyeok (Lee Sae-on), who is arrogant and sly. I almost didn't recognise the actor from his lead role in Light On Me, a drama I really enjoyed. He also acted along side Xiumin in idol drama CEO Dol-Mart.
Reincarnation figures, and the story moves pretty well towards its conclusion, which isn't a disappointing one.
It doesn't look like a large budget production, and doesn't have a huge cast, but it's nevertheless a pretty good one that works.
It's an easy watch, I didn't get bored, enjoyed it overall, and wouldn't say no to watching it again.
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Stories missed the mark
Dec 2024A quite poignant watch at times, which made me wonder what it might be like if this were ever possible. I'm honestly not sure it would be a good thing at all, especially after some of this film.
Memories can sometimes focus on the solely positive aspects of those we love and don'thave physically with us anymore. AI 'copies' would perhaps be nearer the wished for than reality.
The various stories of the diverse characters in this are quite different, with hidden elements. Not all the characters are likeable, the pace is slow and it isn't jolly, that's for sure.
It's hard to review really, without giving plot lines away, so I'll just say that I found it a little hard going at times and confusing at others. It was definitely held together by the excellent cast.
Bit disappointed overall, tbh, but I always think others should give stuff a go, as different strokes for different folks.
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Lavish and very watchable
Dec 2024This period action, adventure, revenge, romance C-drama has everything, and overall I found the story enjoyable and captivating.
There are almost always lots of characters in C-dramas, with lavish sets and costumes, especially if fantasy (xanxia/wuxia). Whilst this drama wasn't a fantasy story at all, it did have all the production values of one.
The slavery aspect early on was pretty unpleasant, with the usual wealthy, yet greedy, pearl farm owners being up to no good, involved in shady dealings, and using/abusing their captive workers in the process.
Our FL escapes that life, finding out some shocking secrets as she does, which lead her on a journey.
She collaborates with an unlikely person, who's on their own (yet linked) path, but for very different reasons.
There are not as many annoying female characters as I usually come across, and I enjoyed the lead actors very much. There's also some great and diverse supporting ones, with the relationship between Yan Zi Jing and his right-hand man, Kang Ju, being a favourite of mine. I especially loved the latter character.
It kept my attention and there was enough wit, action and an appropriate level of romance, that I thought melded well for a balanced watch.
I have to admit that I wasn't happy with the ending though; but that's to do with me and not the story. It did fit, I have to say.
Definitely worth a look, and if nervous of the number of eps, it could be used as a 'filler', whilst watching dramas that are currently airing.
It kept me happily watching and was a little different to the usual C-drama period stories.
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Pretty funny at times
Sep 2024Bit of fun with a mildly darker element running in the background, as a "too nice to be true" detective (who tries to cover it up by being off-hand), from a somewhat haphazardly run crime team, meets a cold, but brilliant neuro scientist, who's fallen from grace and gets assigned to the team.
The team is overseen by an awful man, stuck in the past, who has a huge complex, using his senior position to verbally bully a mild and weaker character on his team. That's meant to be comical, but often fell very short.
There are very funny moments though, but also the overly silly ones so often included, too.
The idea that psychopathy can be mapped in the brain, is based in fact, but the methods in this make for the darker element, as does the mystery of the death of a main character's parents.
I liked the cast and enjoyed it overall. Would make a good filler whilst waiting for episodes of a currently airing drama.
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Slow start
July 2024I found the first episode chaotic in terms of setting the story. I had no idea where it was going and didn't feel engaged at all.
I always give a show at least 3eps before I decide whether to continue or not, and overall, am pleased I carried on. The more episodes that play out, the better it gets.
There's a little of everything here; showbizz setting of a successful acting agency, frienemies, work colleagues, friendships, relationships, love and some family stuff too.
The work environment is often hectic and seems most devoted to dealing with negative press and rumours/scandals, before they create too much damage. Lip service is paid to other aspects of the business. There is a fair bit around actors shooting their dramas, plus recruiting rookies in that profession and training new agency staff.
There was a definite message often projected, I felt, that famous people are also human. It gave examples of partially overheard conversations being misinterpreted and spread across social media, causing the inevitable 'scandals'. The Agency is then shown issuing warnings of legal action etc, etc. There's even an unlikely sasaeng type character.
Unfortunately what they don't do, is show those types getting punished.
There are some genuinely funny moments in this, where I had a good laugh; there are also some touching bits too. A lot of really daft stuff as well, which did make me cringe on a few occasions.
The romance is pretty immature at times, but then with little to no romantic relationship experience of the characters, it's not surprising and age isn't then relevant.
I like the cast a lot and thought Kim Young-dae portrayed the often dual personas of his mega star character, well. He's dedicated to his work and fans and professionally mature, but immature in other ways. It's interesting.
Have to drop in that on Gong Tae-sung's photo shoots, he looks 🔥
I like Lee Sung-kyung, too, and have seen her in a number of dramas. In this, she has a definite RBF (resting b***h face) and her character only just managed to stay on the right side of being too irritating for me, especially in earlier eps.
I rarely mention looks, but I can't not say that whenever she wore short skirts, I could not overlook how skinny she is, in this role. Not slim, but very thin, especially her legs. This really stood out to me and I found myself being distracted by that.
Also, one major aspect of the drama's story that suddenly popped up, was dealt with too lightly for me. For such a serious issue to be dropped in and then concluded so lightly, left me very unimpressed. A subject that has far too big a foot in reality, should have had a larger chunk of the plot's time, instead of repeated silly moments of bickering and running around. I think it would have added to the story and given it some gravity.
Even so, I did enjoy this, even if it lacked that depth to some of the characters. It's not a bad, or difficult, watch and often quite sweet. I wouldn't watch it again, but neither would I say don't bother.
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Epic final to a great saga... I still want more!
I watched, back-to-back, in this order:Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, 2021
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, 2012
Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, 2021
I watched the first 3 ages ago, but decided to watch all of them again, in story, not release, order, which I recommend doing.
I absolutely love these films to bits. The life of the main character is a mix of almost aimless at times, tragic, then enlightenment and atonement.
The fact the film about Kenshin's origins, was made 9 years after the character first appeared on screen, is amazing. The main reason being, when watched in the order I did, it is a seamless story.
Many cast members appear throughout, pieces from the earlier, film 1, are blended in so when watching the next instalment, it makes complete sense. I was honestly blown away.
Satoh Takeru is brilliant in every film. The sword fights are incredible and they must have taken all the cast involved, a huge amount of work and energy.
The pace of each film is excellent, with a balance of action, everyday life, love, friendships, fighting for a cause (sometimes blindly) and defeating not only enemies, but those taking advantage of the powerless. Some sad elements too. There is also humour and a growing camaraderie between some characters that began as enemies.
I love Himura Kenshin and how he evolves. Supporting characters are varied, some villains are pretty OTT, strong female characters and the cast in all the films is great.
This final instalment brings us full circle, with Kenshin's bitter past, rearing it's painful head.
Films are rarely, if ever, perfect, but these just do it for me. Firm favourites.
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Incomplete
Watched March 2024A pretty gory, violent, tense, gripping and thrilling watch.
Jung Hae-in is excellent, as always, and Go Kyung-pyo's character is very unnerving and he plays it really well.
A lot of very unsavoury characters in this and the nothing-new trope of anyone different being ostracised, victimised and, where possible, cruelly used for financial gain.
There are a lot of adult themes, so not one for [young] family viewing.
JHI's character is a mystery. Alone, a loner and seemingly without family or history/background, which is almost completely non-existent in the drama. He is sweet, kind and sometimes comes across as vulnerable, but he has an edge when he becomes protective of others. He is totally unaware of his 'situation', too, until the trigger point; which raises many questions. In fact, how certain characters exist at all, whilst hinted at a tiny bit, remains a complete mystery as well.
A very dark, seedy, mony powered and selfish side of life is portrayed, with aggressive and brutal people and police.
I did like the pace, feel and the soundtrack to this. There is also a sound effect used for a specific 'thing', which I found rather cute, although I am totally unsure as to whether that was intended, tongue-in-cheek, or just me perhaps!
S1 ends with a wide open door for a S2, which is desperately needed to make any sense of this drama at all. Without it, it's really just a vehicle for gore and shocks.
Sadly, it seems nothing has been confirmed on that front. I absolutely hate it, when American backed productions don't film/air a complete story, and release a S1 without committing to a S2, at the outset.
It happens all the time now. Island, Move to Heaven, Moving, Song of the Bandits, to name a few... none of these provided conclusive endings and many also lacked the depth needed to explain why/how things became the way they are in the present.
It is frustrating, and, is honestly making me think twice about starting Netflix, Disney+ or Prime short-episode K-dramas at all. It totally spoils the viewing experience and story.
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Fasten your seat belt!
March 2024Wow. The brilliant Lee Dong Wook has made many action dramas and films over the years, and this is a stonkingly good addition.
From the moment he turns up at his family's home after a long absence, one just feels things might not be quite right.
Another where there is a lot of story, incorporated into a relatively few number of episodes. However, with this drama I didn't feel like there were any gaping holes. There was sufficient depth and character backgrounds (connections, experiences etc), relevant to the plot, to make it feel very solid.
It's an adrenaline, nerve fuelled blast, with totally OTT fight scenes that are off the scale exciting, but very easily bought into. I never found myself thinking 'that's ridiculous'.... far-fetched? Definitely. But totally fitting for a fictional roller coaster that's bang-on entertaining for every single second of exciting, nail-biting, viewing.
Brilliant cast, some very tough and clinically ruthless characters, and some harrowing scenes. Balanced, as I so like it, by laughs and buckets of dark humour, which never detracted from the feelings of threat.
I will definitely watch this again. FAB-U-LOUS. I stayed up all night because I couldn't stop watching and didn'teven feel tired... until after
;~D
That doesn't happen often.
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Bit too laboured
Jan 2024Overall a fairly enjoyable watch, although it took me quite a long time to complete. I couldn't binge-watch this.
I liked most of the cast and am a fan of Park Hae-jin, although I find he often carries the dramas he appears in. I like his action stuff more and this isn't the best thing he's done.
The pace, or just the writing perhaps, was pretty laboured for me, with certain scenes from the past being replayed too often.
I do really like the idea of this story, I just wish it had been better executed.
Unfortunately, the modern day lead female character, I found really irritating; the way she spoke (often too loudly), too brash at times and overly headstrong; Jin Ki-Joo also seemed to me to be kind of ungainly at times, in her portrayal. Weirdly, she suited and played the dual role much better, which therefore means it may well be the Director's fault. Her chemistry with PHJ, however, was just 'off' somehow, to me.
Some overly silly parts to this, but also a few genuinely funny, also gripping and quite sad scenes, too. However, I did find it ridiculous when characters known to their colleagues/friends, started behaving totally out of character and no one seemed to notice enough to do anything about it.
Not one I'd want to watch again, but I don't regret having given it a go; even if only to see PHJ on screen!
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Shocks a plenty
Dec 2023Well! I knew S2 would be very different to S1. For a start they'd left Green Home Apartments and there were fewer characters than when S1 started out.
I found ep1 of S2 to be quite shocking at times (especially the monster and then its baby scene ~ I found it really upsetting). I wondered whether they might be going for the shock factor over the plot/story.
However, it did not get any worst and the story was portrayed as well as in S1.
There is a time jump after several episodes, which was needed to move the story forward without exceeding the number of eps they appear to have decided on.
Why have they split it again, with a S3 scheduled for summer 2024?... 🤔🤷♀️ Seeing as it was filmed at the same time, I just find it irritating, tbh. Spoils the flow too.
S2 introduces us to lots of new characters (we did lose a lot in S1), familiar faces and not a few surprises.
Song Kang's character, Hyun-soo, is not the focal character and missing from a number of episodes, but I think that fits (not to everyone's liking, I've read).
The human beings in this run, are worst overall, than in S1, to me. Some truly horrible characters and I more often than not, find myself on the side of the 'monsters' that have also retained some of their humanity.
As usual all are tarred with the same brush, which really is just like real life.
Many of the soldiers overreact and the levels of violence in their treatment of both people and monsters, is sickening.
There is no compassion or feelings that these were people once. Many seem almost gleeful in the act of stamping down on defenseless and weaker targets.
However, I thought it a captivating watch, even though it was emotionally hard going at times and could also be frustrating.
Left on a really surprising cliff hanger ~ again.
Is it as good as S1?.... it isn't far off, but I thought S1 was more atmospheric; it felt more claustrophobic and threatening, especially with the possibility of people turning at any moment. There was less of that this time around.
I liked most of the OST, but it didn't impact the same as in S1.
To really judge the story though, all the series needs watching, so...
Looking forward to S3!
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Hell hath no fury....
Nov 2023TW: Sexual assault, suicide references
Very fast paced, violent, bloody, with a couple of real "OH!!!" moments.
The background story is provided whilst playing out in the present. The character of the Ballerina in question, Min-hee, is sweet, quirky and never came across as weak, but an incident in her relatively young life proved too much.
I got a strong feeling that the seemingly lonely girl she befriended, Ok-ju, actually loved her. There was just something in the way she looked at her at times.
That friend, an ex bodyguard with no ties and seemingly nothing to lose, takes up a challenge left by her friend and, basically, WW3 breaks out not long after!
At its heart this is purely an action thriller, not deep or realistic. However, the seedier side of life that Min-hee gets tangled up in, over the last few years in S.Korea (and elsewhere), has proven to be all too real, in one form or another. That makes for a very uncomfortable and quite sickening watch at times.
In many ways it's also quite a satisfying watch, especially when the main characters are women who take no 5hit, are tough, capable and exceptionally determined.
My brain didn't even have time to register when things got OTT, because it was too busy being stunned!
Jeon Jong Seo, as the Best Friend, Jang Ok Ju, was superb. God she must be fit, as it was a very physical role. She rarely smiled, wasn't noisy or overly emotional, yet neither was she miserable, depressing or emotionless. Her immediate reaction to loss was very real to me.
Kim Ji Hoon, as Choi Pro, is an actor I've come to love. He is so much more than his looks and unlike many actors, isn't typecast, so when he appears, one doesn't know if he's friend or enemy. He has no qualms taking on really unpalatable characters, or sweeter, fluffy roles.
Whilst adding a little dark humour to proceedings, which I like, at the same time I found the weapons dealers suggested to Ok-ju by her ex-boss, to be a bit daft in terms of what they were offering; was her ex-boss trying to get her to fail?! It didn't sit right, even though it was amusing. Great supporting role for Kim Young-ok, however. I love this senior actress.
There were references to corrupt police and powerful people in this, but they were not seen or, more annoyingly, held accountable, as is too often the case in K-dramas and film. That, as usual, irritated me.
Overall, it felt like a very quick watch and, I felt, quite different in its story and vibe; but it certainly won't be for everyone.
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Truth or Lie ~ sometimes it was hard to tell
Oct 2023I find Hwang Min-hyun a joy to watch, so I'll be honest, I've a feeling I might have got a bit frustrated with parts of this, if the lead hadn't held my attention quite as much! (and no, I don't follow him as an Idol).
Nice cast; loved both Seo Ji-hoon and Yun Ji-on's portrayals of their characters too; the latter especially. Both tugged at my heart strings.
The ladies held their own as well and whilst I am not a big fan of Kim So-hyun (I can't quite explain why there are aspects of her acting, that just don't click with me), I quite liked her in this. A favourite character was Cassandra / Yoon Ye Seul (a Tarot reader and friend/colleague of Sol-hee in their coffee shop). Character Hwang Cho-rok was definitely my least favourite. I just found her irritating and the drama wouldn't have suffered without her 🫣 The mothers of both lead characters were awful, too. Do-ha's should have been locked up! :~D Sol-hee's was yet another leeching parent who blames all her woes on her daughter. I am honestly so tired of K-drama parents that use their kids (and kids being targeted for things their parents did, like owing money, or going to prison). The originality is gone, it's old and writers need to up their game.
However, the story is both fun at times and touching, with a murder mystery, pinch of corruption and some threat thrown in for good measure. Several episodes into the drama, I had an inkling who the culprit might be, but I was never 100% sure about it, which is good.
I wasn't convinced by the leads' chemistry, but they were not a dreadful match either. I have to say, HMH's somehow vulnerable and withdrawn character in this, captivated me and sometimes he reminded me a teeny bit of Cha Eun-woo.
I did find the sound effects for when Sol-hee heard the truth or a lie, to be very confusing; maybe that's just me though. Also, there were times when Do-ha's anxiety around wearing a mask got forgotten completely and it got a bit silly; I was glad when he got rid of it altogether.
The OST fit nicely and HMH also sings a track in it (it's called Alarm).
At the end of the day this is a light drama that makes an enjoyable enough watch, with a neatly wrapped up ending.
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More fun than not
October 2023I so enjoy watching Lee Min-ki; like Han Ji-min; Suho was suitably unreadable with a dodgy edge; and a nice supporting cast.
I didn't find myself laughing out loud very often and did cringe a couple of times. Overall though, it was an enjoyable watch and the hunt for the serial killer managed to keep me guessing until the moment their identity was revealed.
There were some plot holes, due to either lazy writing and/or compromising to fit the story's direction. I'm never sure which, or even if it's purely that they know many viewers (with different tastes to mine), will still be happy.
I do get really frustrated when the realms of what's actually possible (even in fantasy), are chucked out the window... no one that gets repeatedly punched in the face during the same fight, or throws multiple punches themselves, will escape without a mark on them... including knuckles. The killer, however? Not a blemish. Seemed the only way their identity could be hidden in favour of many red herrings.
That's all OK really though. What wasn't, however, was Jang Yeol's far too aggressive and violent behaviour towards Ye Bun, early on in their acquaintanceship. I do not find it at all funny to see a man almost twice the size of the woman, flipping her on her back to the floor and almost throwing her around like a rag doll. The fact writers and directors seem to think that's OK and funny, is also a problem to me. I do get context and if these scenarios were based around defense, or a fighting lesson with humour etc, it would work. Not in this context, for my taste, though.
I loved the OST, especially Joohoney and Jemma's contributions; all songs are now on my playlist.
All in all, an OK watch. It got better, but some aspects were drawn out. The cast made the story for me.
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Well written, gripping thriller with fair bit of fighting and some gruesome, disturbing murders.
Seung-ho can read people's memories and so is employed by the police to help identify criminals. He's quite an angry character when he 'sees' the crimes committed by felons and reacts by regularly attacking them, which would never be a good or helpful reaction really.
The story connects him with a profiler, the past and re-emergence of serial killings from years ago.
I love watching this actor; he's a favourite and looks good in this. He always acts well, but for me this isn't the best character he's played.
Good cast, with a few of my favourite support actors (M & F).
I found the reactions of the main characters and police, on a number of occasions, quite frustrating.
However, it kept me glued, although the pace of the drama isn't exactly fast. That didn't bother my viewing pleasure though.
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