Kcdramamusings

The Most Entertaining Watch in a Long Time

This was a long stretch, and yet I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Adapted from the web novel “Marriage of the Di Daughter” (嫡嫁千金) by Qian Shan Cha Ke (千山茶客), the show tells the story of Xue Fangfei, the daughter of a honest county magistrate who takes over the identity of Jiang Li, Secretariat Director’s daughter, after a major upheaval, turns her life upside down. Starring Wu Jin Yan, Wang Xing Yue, Liang Yong Qi and Li Meng in lead roles, the entire show is like a clever game of chess between the two protagonists and the daredevil antagonists. While Xue Fangfei/Jiang Li remains at the center of this political melodrama, it’s her intelligent cosplay between two different identities that turns this show into an hightail adventure. While she does live and breathe as Jiang Li throughout the expanse of this storyline, at heart, our main lead still remains true to her convictions and old relationships. She fights for herself while also fighting for the noble girl who could have lived an entitled life instead of dying a miserable death in the far-off mountains. Duke Su is the icing on the cake, contemplative yet compelling and mysterious; he always reaches out whenever Jiang Li needs help but also gives her the freedom to conspire on her own. Let’s dive down the memory lane!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/07/10/the-double-series-review/#more-1018

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I'm Going to Miss This Show For Sure

Pegged as the second highest viewership ratings of any drama in ENA history following “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.”, Crash set a personal high with its ending episode!

This was one of those shows that unexpectedly turned out to be much more interesting than I thought. With a motley crew of veteran actors that includes Lee Min Ki, Kwak Sun Young, Heo Sung Tae, Lee Ho Chul, Choi Moon Hee, the show was surprisingly consistent from start to end. The cases were handled with a conviction that depicts the team’s intolerant attitude towards road accidents. They firmly believed that accidents are nevertheless murders and bought the suspects to justice, no matter who they were. I was invested in the show right from the bat and the storytelling didn’t waver throughout. My Monday’s & Tuesday’s are going to be pretty resolute without this crime thriller experience. Let’s talk about my love for this show!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/20/crash-series-review/#more-962

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Entertaining and Intriguing Indeed

I went into this show with zero expectations and came out thoroughly entertained.

There are very few shows that can boost about having a stellar casting alongside a solid storytelling. This show steals the lamplight right from the first scene, setting the tone for exciting cases hinging on the spidey senses of our Insect Detective, Tan Jin Tian (Gala Zhang). The guy has an odd sense of righteousness which always lands him in difficult situations (he totally empathizes with criminals if they were victims to horrible fates and tends to help them escape). Doesn’t make it an easy time for Sheriff Vorarit (Bie Thassapak Hsu) who joins our gutsy hero on his crusade in Season Two. Joining these two are Jin Ling (Chu Yue), Jin Tian’s official girlfriend/forensic entomologist and Ter (Nine Kornchid) whose unrequited love for his boss/partner Vorarit makes him jealous of his proximity to Jin Tian. While the cases were as intriguing as they could get, the underlying chemistry between the main leads drove the narrative forward. Let’s get started with this review because I can’t wait to share my opinion about this one!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/12/insect-detective-2-series-review/#more-918

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Could Have Been If It Was Short & Sweet

After “Welcome to Samdalri”, I had high hopes from “Doctor Slump”; not that the show didn’t meet my expectations. I just feel it frizzled out in the finale week. Focusing on mental health, we had two characters who are facing mid life crisis due to different scenarios. While Nam Ha Neul (Park Shin Hye) suffered depression because of the abuse suffered at her mentor’s hands; Yeo Jeong Woo (Park Hyung Sik) suffers from PTSD because he was falsely accused of medical malpractice. Their individual traumas bring them together; as they struggle with everyday life, being jobless and lonely. The first half of the show was fantastic as the show conceded to the main protagonist’s struggles. There was also the mystery of who caused the medical accident at Jeong Woo’s clinic. Their budding romance was another highlight; but the second half turned out to be entirely boring. This was one of those shows which should have followed the Netflix’s typical pattern of having eight or so episodes. Because beyond that, there wasn’t much substance in the storyline. Let’s review the better parts of this romcom!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/03/19/doctor-slump-series-review/

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A Mindblowing Tale of Revenge and Reconciliation

Following up on the three part prelude of “Arthdal Chronicles”, the sequel “The Sword of Aramun” is a fast paced, action packed thriller of events that happen eight years later. The first chapter that ended in 2019 had the lead characters TaGon, Tae Al Ha, Eun Seom/Sa Ya and Tanya perceivably assuming different roles. Eight years, the saga leads them on a different journey as TaGon is faced with the shocking challenge of protecting his dynasty. There is a lot of scheming and plotting happening at any given point of time; each and every character is cunning and searching for opportunities to bring someone else down. Even the dynamics between TaGon and Tae Al Ha who were each other’s strengths have vastly changed in this season. While everything else has changed, the one thing that remains unchanged is EunSeom’s righteousness and kind nature. Starring Jang Dong Gun, Lee Joon Gi, Shin Sae Kyeong and Kim Ok Bin in the lead roles, the sequel is bigger, grandeur and more complicated. Let’s dive into the character’s individual journey as we review this show!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/02/16/arthdal-chronicles-the-sword-of-aramun-series-review/

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A Sweet and Breezy Workplace Romance

I’m not a huge fan of Chinese modern dramas; I mostly steer clear of them. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will notice that I tend to lean more towards wuxia and xianxia dramas. As such, the only reason to start this one was- angst, lots of angst and more angst. Adapted from the novel “Dui Ni Bu Zhi Shi Xi Huan” (对你不止是喜欢) by Mo Yan Chuan (陌言川), the show stars Wei Zhe Ming and Huang Ri Ying in the lead roles, Tang Yu & Tang Xin. Yes, they share the same surnames, something that I have never seen in a Chinese drama before. I just started this drama on a wimp (because I had nothing else to watch) and surprisingly grew to like the characters as well as their individual stories. Technically, the show wades through different romances; but in the end, we only get two happy couples. The workplace setting, the premise of unrequited love adds a rustic touch to the story line and makes the characters even more intriguing. Let’s sit down and talk about my favorite moments in this sublime romance!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/12/14/i-may-love-you-series-review/

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Seven Lifetimes of Love

IQIYI’s highly anticipated wuxia drama “Love You Seven Times” recently finished its run and I’m still spellbound by the storyline. Adapted from the web novel “Yi Shi Chong Dong, Qi Shi Bu Xiang” (一时冲动，七世不祥) by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang (九鹭非香), the show stars Yang Chao Yue & Ding Yu Xi in the indomitable roles of the God of War Chu Kong & Empress Cang Hai. The storyline begins with an uncanny meeting between our main couple (in the present), where Chu Kong is trying to cure his damaged primordial spirit. Chu Kong had supposedly sacrificed half of his primordial spirit to vanquish the evildoer, Empress Cang Hai, in the past. If you are questioning the logic between pairing a protagonist and an antagonist, that’s where “Love You Seven Times” does a double take and gives you an effervescent love story that spans across seven lifetimes. The show (true to its name) has seven different settings and timelines where our main couple reincarnate, face various tribulations and return to the Heavenly Realm. Distinctly intertwined with these stories is the backstory, which dates back to 30,000 years where Moluo’s were the most powerful clan and Empress Cang Hai was the “Ruler of the Six Realms”.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/04/love-you-seven-times-series-review/

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Not So Good, Not So Bad

I had a love-hate relationship with this show, most of the time I was entertained; but there were moments when I absolutely hated it.

If we consider the casting, the show definitely deserves accolades; the storyline not so much. I was pretty miffed that a major chunk of the storyline focused on the unwarranted romance between Queen Dowager Min Soo Ryun & her lover, Choi Sang Rok. The fact that they were cheating was irredeemable. I understood their predicament, the late Emperor separated the engaged pair and made Min Soo Ryun’s life miserable. And yet, I could not reconcile with their regrettable decisions. Though not blood related, King Hae Jong & Crown Prince Lee Gon respected the Queen Dowager as the Elder of their family. She seems to have played an instrumental role in establishing Hae Jong’s reign; if she wanted to leave and live a quiet, untraceable life with Choi Sang Rok, the royal duo would have helped. The unnecessary scheming and plotting made no sense; but without it, the show wouldn’t exist, so there’s that!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/19/missing-crown-prince-series-review/#more-953

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A Supernatural Thriller that Surprises

Yet again a ghost story, that was what I thought!

A supernatural suspense thriller, Joo Won stars as Seo Ki Joo, a 7th generation photographer who runs a small photo studio, which specializes in storing the last memories of the dead. The camera he uses for this taunting task was stolen by his ancestor, as such it is a cursed object and the descendants belonging to Seo family line bear the brunt of the curse. They are unable to live beyond 35 years and die in mysterious ways. The overall synopsis spells the ordeal faced by our main lead on a daily basis. Imagine what he has go to through when a crazy attorney who was fired from her job is added to this mix. “The Midnight Studio” weaves a subtle romance in the midst of horror and supernatural suspense. Both the main leads have their own set of problems; Ki Joo lives from day to day hoping to survive while leading the dead souls to their salvation, Han Bom (Kwon Na Ra) is busy finding jobs while being ostracized in her own field. As each case unfolds, the storyline turns into a gripping tale of long-lost love & reconciliation.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/the-midnight-studio-series-review/#more-810

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An Entertaining Watch for a Weekend Binge

When I first started with this drama, it was solely for two purposes, first being Jeremy Tsui. I really enjoyed watching his recent dramas “The Autumn Ballad” and “Royal Rumours”. Secondly, because I had nothing else to watch and the fantasy element got me hooked. The show definitely had a strong start, I binged watched this on a weekend and was thoroughly entertained. Jeremy Tsui as Lu Shiyang has a meaty role; he is the Imperial Inspector tasked to arrest the female protagonist, Shen Zhen’s (Ouyang Nana) father. Yes, their romance begins from a full-blown war; the only catch being Lu Shiyan feels immense pain whenever Shen Zhen sheds tears. Their past life connection resonates throughout the storyline with Lu Shiyan remembering bits & pieces while Shen Zhen remains oblivious to his ordeal. It is this painful reconnection that makes them fall in love again. Let’s get down to reviewing the show in detail!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/03/16/yong-an-dream-series-review/

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The Best Romance in 2023- Beautiful & Entertaining

“What will you do, if I actually end up falling for you”

When I first saw the official poster for Doona, I was enchanted. It might be the ambience or the warm color tone or the way Yang Se Jong was looking at Bae Suzy. The trailer just added to my anticipation, and I was eagerly looking forward to the premiere of this web series. I do admit that I’m not a huge fan of Netflix shows where they drop all episodes at the same time on the release date. Rather, I prefer the biweekly format more. Despite that, foregoing on my beliefs; “Doona” was the exception to the rule. And, I’m so glad that I persisted with my choice. A nine episodic narrative of lost love, angst and painful separation, “Doona” spells a riveting romance between a fallen star and a young college student. Despite being similar in age, there is a wide difference in their social standing and lifestyles. “Doona” aims to bridge that distance while delivering a captivating love story that is bewildering and yet addictive. The focus obviously remains on Doona; she is the titular lead and the show depicts her unbelievable fate in a realistic manner. Let’s dig deeper because I’m dying to talk about this show!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/26/doona-series-review/

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Good in the Beginning, Frizzles out Towards the End

I guess a lot was lost in translation, because remaking a 40 episodes Chinese drama into 16 episodes Korean drama isn’t an easy feat!

I read comments and reviews on MDL before I sat down to write this review and there was one thing predominantly pointed out in them- that the Korean version lacks the subtleties and family dynamics which were the highlight of the Chinese original. Frankly, I haven’t watched the Chinese drama, so I can only base my review on the Korean remake. But it does seem like there were existent discrepancies which were viable even without the comparison. The first half of the show starts off strong, the tight sibling bond between the three main characters who have no blood ties is established early on; they are each other’s staunch support and comfort zone. Bought up by two fathers in a shared household, the children never lacked love and affection; especially Kang Hae Jun who had no significant ties to either families. The fathers acted as the parental units and the children had them as well as each other while they grew up normally. Now as the storyline descends into the second half, the plot goes awry. I was slightly disappointed with the later episodes as they felt too disjointed. I’m not even sure if the remake still remained true to the original!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/11/28/family-by-choice-series-review/

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Entertainer of 2024 Indeed!!!

Sometimes what we see might not be the absolute reality!

While “When the Phone Rings” started with a bang, charting through unraveled mysteries, I kept questioning the need for the “Almost” animosity between the lead couple. The pilot episodes led us to believe that Baek Sa Eon doesn’t care much about his fake wife, she is a mere replacement for her elder sister who ran away on the wedding day. None of the people in Sa Eon’s social circle have met her and no one knows about her existence; and yet somehow she ends up kidnapped. Makes you wonder how well Sa Eon kept her hidden. The plot gets thick when Hong Hui Jo decides to take things in her hands and starts blackmailing her own husband to get an easy divorce. Shockingly she doesn’t expect two things- one that her aloof, grumpy husband actually loves her and also his real identity is different from his public image. What drives the narrative further is deciphering these secrets and betrayals levied upon them by their so-called parents.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/01/08/when-the-phone-rings-series-review/

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An Intriguing Mix of Suspense & Romance

Set in a fantastical universe, My Journey to You reunites “Love Between Fairy & Devil” co-stars Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He. This drama is a long overdue treat for those fans who secretly shipped Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He’s characters in LBFAD and hoped to see them together in another drama. If you are one of those fans, then it is time to rejoice; because this show pretty much hinges on the natural & refreshing chemistry between Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He. Directed by Guo Jing Ming who is well known for helming fantasy artworks like L.O.R.D 1, L.O.R.D 2 and The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity, the show has the distinctive Guo Jing Ming signature. It is a big budget project with a high production value; set in a cinematic universe, everything about this drama screams opulence. Jing Ming never spares any efforts when it comes to building a fantasy world that is rich, divergent and intriguing; My Journey to You follows through on the same premise. You can’t help but gasp or swoon at the lush green locales or the snow-clad mountains; the settings are mesmerizing and beautiful. The costumes are resplendent and understated. Starring alongside Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He are Ryan Cheng, Lu Yu Xiao who have prominent roles as well.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/08/my-journey-to-you-first-impressions/#more-114

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Why Did I Watch This Show

I waited so long to watch this drama, but was sorely disappointed!

This show was by far the biggest disappointment of 2024. Having watched the trailer last year, “Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact” was one of my most anticipated dramas this year. A beautiful cast paired with some stunning CGI and a commendable story line, this show was expected to be a win-win situation. Unfortunately, it was anything but that. Spurned by repetitive cliche plots, subpar love stories and no chemistry between the main couple, the drama became boring with each episode that went by. The only reason to trudge through this horrible experience was to write this review. There were moments when I wanted to disconnect, scenes where I fast forwarded the track to get done with the entire fiscal situation and scenarios where I wanted to drop the show entirely. There isn’t much to talk about, so let’s get done with this review in a few words!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/13/fox-spirit-matchmaker-red-moon-pact-series-review/#more-925

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