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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”.Read the complete article here-
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!Read the complete article here-
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.Read the complete article here-
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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The Most Endearing Watch in 2024
I was so caught up in this drama, that I didn’t realise it was the last episode yesterday, that’s how much I enjoyed it!Fundamentally, this show piques the question of how lifestyle diseases could adversely affect a family with superpowers. We are led to believe that their decline began with Bok I-Na’s birth, it is a curse or vice versa. While the poor kid spends 10 episodes or so, battling her insecurities; the elders are at another level of bewilderment. Joining them on this charade of epic proportions is a family of scammers, who turn out to be less of cheating scums and more of potential bodyguards. The show is all about familial love or the loss of it; therefore it hits harder. Each of them are so lost in their own world, that they have forgotten how to be a family unit. That’s where the scammers come in and teach them the true meaning of being a family. Sounds cliche or unbelievable, right? Wrong, because this is the most important part of this storyline. The budding romance between Bok Gwi-Ju & Do Da- Hee is questionable on all accounts; I’m still wondering how the depressed and aloof Gwi Ju suddenly fell for Da- Hee after she decides to dump him. But that’s where the magic lies; knowingly or unknowingly, Da Hee brings this entire family of misfits together and gives a new meaning to their regretful lives.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/10/the-atypical-family-series-review/#more-906
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Could Have Been Better!!
This was one of those shows that starts interestingly, takes a nosedive in the middle and ends in a surprisingly weird way!I’m a huge fan of Zhang Yu Xi, especially her historical dramas, so it isn’t a surprise that I was going to watch this show. The storyline pans across two different lifetimes and the 40 episodes project the main couple in an ill-fated relationship. The fact that them being together could bring catastrophe to the world is a whole new conundrum. And even though, the male lead primarily focuses on the wellbeing of common people, his love for the female lead mostly clouds his judgements. Frankly, both of them are kind of obsessed with each other, so you can’t just blame one person. It does get tiring in the second half where both leads make questionable choices because of each other. Watching them act dumb despite the fact that they are both smart and intellectual was boring. But the storytelling is quite addictive, so it makes you sit around and take notice. Except for that annoying obsessive Demon Lord who keeps pinging on your radar and you just want him gone forever!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/destiny-and-saving-series-review/#more-1788
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One of my Favorite Watch This Year!!!
This was a laughter riot thoroughly and I have no qualms expecting a third season!When I watched the first season few years back, I couldn’t stop laughing hysterically. That’s the major highlight of this show- a foul-mouthed Catholic Priest, a comic police detective and a badass Prosecutor. They are entirely contradictory to the kind of the image that their professions demand. It made for an interesting watch; while the prequel was all about forging new ties, the sequel delivers on the promise of seeking justice, albeit with a healthy side dose of humor. Our favorite trio return to defy logic, amassing victories like bitcoin while they remain true to their legendary spirits. All three of them are like mad dogs, unpredictable and chaotic; but that’s what makes this show so intriguing. As our trio head to Busan, they set up a new base, tackle drug lords while forming fresh ties. This drama was my weekend go-to for fun and frolics, there wasn’t a dull moment. Sure, the show did seem to drag in some places (wish they had handled punishing the villains in a better way), but then this show was never about making “sense”.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/12/29/the-fiery-priest-season-2-series-review/
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One of My Favorite This Year!!
One man’s yearning to express his hidden desires to his loved one led to “the catastrophe of heaven”!“Love Game in Eastern Fantasy” premise boils down to one thing- authors can be pretty peculiar, as is Fu Zhou. Terminally sick, he wrote a novel in his childhood about his crush; in the current times, as a popular author, he published the same novel. The unexpected twist being that his supposed childhood crush, Ling Miaomiao is now his biggest fan and somehow she gets pulled into the novel where Fu Zhou himself acts as a supporting character paired opposite her. This show becomes a “revolving door” phenomenon, because of the said author’s vivid imagination; but it is by far the most entertaining transmigration story that I have watched in a long time. Esther Yu & Ding Yu Xi have a naturally affable chemistry, their romance is overrated or loud; their fights, arguments and bickering are epic. Not to be left behind, Zhu Xu Dan & Yang Shi Ze have their own somber romance that is mature and subtle.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/11/23/love-game-in-eastern-fantasy-series-review/
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An Endearing Romance Between an Ex-Mobster & a Sweet Content Creator
A bittersweet romance between a soft-hearted ex-gangster and a kid’s content creator!When I first started watching this show, I thought it was so silly. The female lead’s hijinks were epic and hilarious, paired with the other ex-convicts in the makeshift family she moved to, “My Sweet Mobster” was endearing and adorable. It was also my first time watching main leads Uhm Tae Goo & Han Sun Hwa in a romantic setting, and they didn’t fail to impress. The show might not appeal to those who like fast paced love stories, but the irreplaceable charm related to slow-burn romances is rather underrated. The same goes for “My Sweet Mobster”, our sweet couple take a lot of time finding the middle ground for their budding yet delicate relationship; and yet you can’t help cheering for them from the sidelines. They are just so darned cute, I fell in love with the whole concept of a gangster trying to reform his life and founding a new family. The strongest trait of this show wasn’t the romance between the main protagonists or the unwarranted love triangle they were caught in; it was the familial ties they formed with the other ex-convicts in the house; that sort of bonding is truly inconceivable.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/08/02/my-sweet-mobster-series-review/
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The Best Watch of 2024 So Far
A fabulous journey of lost love, redemption and reconciliation.Words cannot express my feelings, as I look back at this journey of eight weeks. What happens when you are a stay in son-in-law and dying to divorce both your wife and her family. Before you sympathize with Baek Hyun Woo’s situation, you might need to hear about the said wife’s tragic life. Despite her ruthless demeanor, Hong Hae In is a lone camper who trusts no one. In times of utter despair, she desperately wants to lean on her husband, only he wants nothing to do with her and is seeking a divorce. Both are depressed at different levels; with familial pressure tearing them apart. When I first watched the pilot episodes, it seemed the show was more about their reconciliation. But “Queens of Tears” managed to deliver a beautiful script with a stellar casting that literally embodied the struggles faced by the variant characters. A couple cannot, will not be together until their families get along well. Marriages are made in heaven, aren’t they? Let’s talk about each & every character in this show, as we pay homage to this phenomenal melodrama!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/29/queen-of-tears-series-review/#more-777
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