Kcdramamusings

There are very few historicals that start out strong and still manage to maintain the momentum until the end; this show is one of those exceptions!

The show’s success could be attributed to the main lead’s, their chemistry and camaraderie shines through the first episode and it only gets better with time. I’m a huge fan of Yook Sung Jae, but he mostly prefers taking on serious roles. His Gang Cheol is a far cry from any of the characters he has played before. Being an immortal deity, he is arrogant, insolent and obeys no one; not even the King, because clearly he believes that his position is higher than that of the King. Frankly, I think their friendship was one of the main highlights in this show. The King who is aggrieved because of a haunting presence in the Palace and the fallen deity who is anything but malevolent. Apart from the subtle romance between Gang Cheol and his dear disciple, Yeo Ri; his budding friendship with the King was delightful.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/06/09/the-haunted-palace-series-review/

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The Most Entertaining Watch of this Year!!!

My Wednesday’s & Thursday’s are going to be so boring!

When I started with this show, it didn’t enamour me. The storyline seemed slightly dry with excessive emphasis given to exercising. But with time, the characters slowly grew one, especially Do Hyeon Jung. He might seem like a dim witted guy who nothing except training his clients, but underneath he is a kind-hearted man who cares for one of his customers. He caters to their needs, prepares them training schedule according to their body needs and even if they themselves give up, he doesn’t. To me, exercising is a religion, and he is the fitness fanatic. His entire life revolves around his 24 Hrs Gym and its members. I liked how the show didn’t entirely focus on the romance between the main leads, it was subtle and unhinged; instead the storyline was focused on their individual struggles. It shaped them and their choices, but in a way it made the show so much more enchanting!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/06/06/pump-up-the-healthy-love-series-review/#more-1871

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If you have watched “Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact” and felt dissociated with reality, then the sequel “Love in Pavilion” will make you feel a pain of epic proportions!

The couples in this storyline are perpetually doomed, they go through trials and tribulations, their love is tested and yet in the end, they don’t necessarily end up together. Wangquan Hong Ye & Dongfang Huai Zhu should have been happy on the day they got married; but the ceremony was saddened by the loss of their near and dear ones, both numb and almost emotionally distraught. It is the way, this storyline builds up the love stories to end them tragically that leaves you devastated. Because the characters are intriguing, the actors literally embrace them and as audiences, you can’t help but fall in love with them. But the ending tears them apart and you never know what went wrong and where? It’s like torturing yourself for 30 or 40 episodes, expecting a “Happily Ever After” only to be met with a disappointing ending. I’m so exhausted after watching the finale episodes, maybe even numb myself!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/love-in-pavilion-series-review/#more-1800

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Quite Rushed Finale, Do We Have to Wait for S2??

Istg, with the number of ups and downs, twists and turns that this show had, I still don’t know if I liked it or hated it!

At its heart, “Buried Hearts” is a tangled mess of distorted truth, messy relationships and one ruthless man seeking to overpower everyone. Yeom Jang Seon lives and breathes money and power, he has no other motivation, and he is more inclined to die himself than give up on either. Park Hyung Sik’s Seo Dong Ju makes a perfect archrival, they are on par when it comes to being ruthless or unapologetic. While Dong Ju seeks peace, Jang Seon is out for blood; mostly because Dong Ju is the only factor he could never control. And Jang Seon doesn’t like uncontrollable factors, he rather loathes; in every game he plays, endeavors to be the King. This show is a game of chess between these two men who in their own way control powerful dynasties, literally. In between, we are taken on a brief detour to the past where we unravel Dong Ju’s rather complicated memories. Frankly, this show was like a roller coaster ride, you never know what will happen next!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/04/16/buried-hearts-series-review/#more-1738

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A Painful Reminder of How Close Ties Can Betray You

Revenge is best served cold, especially when it is against a ruthless father who is prone to killing his own family members!

The storyline hinges on the antagonist trajectory between Zhuang Hanyang and her father, Zhuang Shiyang. At first, they seem like a loving pair of father and daughter who were torn apart by fate and misguided destiny. But as we dwell into the storytelling, we unravel past wounds and deceptions that run deeper than most family politics. The misogyny is because Hanyang spends her entire time fighting family members who are supposed to love and protect her. She battles her stepmother, stepsister and lastly her ghastly father who is insufferably deceptive and brutal. “The Glory” isn’t about Hanyang’s journey to self discovery but her sufferings at the hands of her own family. The story is gripping from the moment you set your eyes on Zhuang Hanyang. Born in a noble family, she is abandoned after being branded as a barefoot ghost in a downtrodden countryside. Her foster parents treat her cruelly and when she reunites with her birth family, she suffers unimaginable torture at their hands. It is battle of wits from there, she has to fight off both internal and external forces for survival; this show is one women’s battle against a society that demands subservience from women. Zhuang Hanyang is anything but submissive!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/04/10/the-glory-series-review/#more-1709

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Not That Good, Neither That Bad!

I really didn’t want to joke about the crossdressing but it becomes regrettably painful when everyone except the main protagonist know that his love interest is actually a woman & not a man!

It was awfully hilarious watching Prince Muyeong aka Lee Eun Ho struggle with his feelings for his so-called nemesis Hong Deok Su. Deok Su for her part knew that there were two men pinning after her and even though she reciprocated Eun Ho’s feelings, she still kept her identity tightly under wraps. So, apart from the mystery centered around the golden key, the show spends a lot of time playing second fiddle to a complicated love triangle that is equal parts intriguing & exasperating. “Check in Hanyang” capitalizes on the grandeur of modern hotel chains to create a fictional world where the Grand Proprietor of the said hotel has a bigger influence than the Joseon King. It is actually laughable because the King actually rose to the throne after being responsible for the death of his own brother. Which brings us to the question of why the younger brother was crowned as the next King when the late King left behind his son, the now deposed Crown Prince. There are many discrepancies that will make your head roll but then you should learn to never question them and get along with the flow!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/check-in-hanyang-series-review/#more-1541

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Overall, A Disappointing Watch Indeed!

The show was a decent watch but something felt amiss and I can’t put my finger on it!

The concept of a 70 year old grandmother reverting to her younger self and getting a second chance at life wasn’t anything unique; Korean fantasy dramas mostly munch on these tropes. Albeit the actors were supposed to carry the narrative forward, and they did try; but there is only so much that they could do. The uncanny transformation from O Mal Sun to O Du Ri was commendable. But there were glaring loopholes that made the overall storytelling quite confusing. Despite being a pop idol herself, Jung Ji So had to act and behave like a 70 years old grandmother who doesn’t understand the inner workings of the music industry; she had to tone down her idol image and that would have been difficult (especially in those scenes where she acts like she can’t dance). But as the show moves forward, Jung Ji So doesn’t shed the grandma image and after sometime, it gets boring. O Du Ri does achieve her dream and even reconciles with her daughter, but at what cost?

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/01/25/who-is-she-series-review/

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An Entertaining Watch Indeed, Ending Not So Much!!

There are very few dramas that manage to grab my attention and then aggravate me, this was one of those shows!

The likelihood of this adaptation being fully developed as per the original context in the novel Soul Land written by Tang Jia San Shao was zero. One of the most popular Chinese novels, this storyline has inspired a manhua, game, anime and two live-action adaptations. Given the popularity, it’s obvious that this story will be adapted and remade umpteen number of times. First as “Doulou Continent” and with the recently concluded “The Land of Warriors”; a fair attempt was made to fully incorporate the twists & turns that make up the Soul Land universe. It was a commendable effort, the show was immersive, casting was exemplified. But the ending not so much; as with the prequel, the sequel ended on an unexpected note, and we were left hanging about the future prospects of any new adaptations. The other question that piques your attention is whether the same ensemble casting will return to reprise their characters? Or there will be another brand-new casting involved? I hope not because it can be pretty confusing to get along with a new casting everytime, an adaptation or remake is announced!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/12/22/the-land-of-warriors-series-review/

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One of my Favorite Watch in 2025, Truly Entertaining!

One of my favorite watch ever, Bai Lu & Ao Rui Peng’s strong chemistry won me over!

I must admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of the prequel “Ancient Love Poetry”. I dropped it midway and never picked it up again. However “The Last Immortal” was a different story,I relished the storyline and enjoyed watching Zhao Lu Si romance Wang An Yu. Bai Lu & Ao Rui Peng live upto the precedent set up by their predecessors and lead the storytelling in a exemplary manner. There are very few shows that actually manage to keep to invested till the finale and “Moonlight Mystique” was one such romance. Everything from the storytelling to cinematography, costumes, settings and direction bears resemblance to the popular fantasy shows that China specializes in. Without wasting much time, let’s delve into the mechanics of this story and its variant characters!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/01/26/moonlight-mystique-series-review/#more-1523

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A Befitting Sequel to 2022's Sleeper Hit

Disney+ is back with the sequel to its 2022 hit “Soundtrack”. Starring Park Hyung Sik and Han So Hee in a “Friends to Lovers” romance, the show was well-received because of its heartfelt story and the natural chemistry between the two stars. “Unrequited Love” seems to be the recurrent theme in this series. Banking on this premise, “Soundtrack #2” stars Geum Sae Rok, Steve Noh and DEMIAN in a surreptitious love triangle that is equal parts exciting and intricate. With Director Kim Hee Won’s return, you can expect great things and honestly, I wasn’t disappointed with the pilot episodes. Despite the short format, the first two episodes weave a somber tale encompassing the main lead’s past affairs and their present trajectory. It is as slow burn as it can be and yet, the characters are so quirky; you can’t help but fall in love instantly.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/12/07/soundtrack-2-first-impressions/

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The Most Endearing Fairytale Romance of the Year

The Prince wed his Cinderalla and it was happily ever after!

Hinting at an impossible romance, “Cinderella at 2 AM” had all the makings of a fairytale. Cinderalla/ Ha Yun Seo unknowingly falls for the Prince/chaebol heir Seo Ju Won. His rich mother intervenes by trying to buy off Yun Seo. Instead of declining like most female leads would do, Yun Seo accepts the money because she is closer to reality and doesn’t believe in fictional romances. Unfortunately, things don’t go as they planned, because Prince Charming decides to pursue his wayward Cinderella even after learning that she took money from his mother to breakup with him. One thing that remains consistent throughout this show is Seo Ju Won’s unwavering love and affection for Yun Seo. Even though she sets clear boundaries and his mother continously meddles in their relationship, Ju Won never gives up on Yun Seo. It is this loyalty that wins in the end, both Yun Seo and his mother are forced to change their ways and thinking. This show wasn’t that much about the female lead as it was all about the male lead’s dedication to win his lady love at all costs.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/09/23/cinderella-at-2-am-series-review/#more-1205

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Not on Par with the Prequel

Keeping up with its popular first edition, “The Uncanny Counter Season 2” truly packs a punch with upgraded versions of both the protagonists and antagonists. With evil spirits pooping right and left, our favorite gang of Counters have been training their psychokinesis skills, under the able leadership of So Moon. The show has been in making for almost three years and is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated releases in 2023. With a casting that is comparatively bigger than the prequel, “The Uncanny Counter Season 2” delivers on its promise of some exciting demon hunting coupled with the effervescent familial love that is so typical of this show. Doing a short rehash of the prequel, The Uncanny Counter (adapted from the webtoon “Amazing Rumor” (경이로운 소문) by Jang Yi (장이) describes the story of evil spirit hunting heroes who are known as Counters. Each of them have different abilities and they are paired with their afterlife counterparts who exist in Yung (the boundary between the afterlife and the world of the living). The first season was well received and as such, the anticipation for the sequel has been building since then.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/08/24/the-uncanny-counter-season-2-counter-punch-first-impressions/

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A Poorly Written Script With A Great Casting!!!

In the end only she survived and everyone else died!

That was my conclusion after watching this show. Baek A Jin is literally a one woman army; self-destructive, anti-social and callous. In the first episode, the interlude describes her as someone who uses men to her advantage and then discards them at will. For most parts, she remains true to this description. She is venomous and only cares about herself. Her whole personality screams alluring yet dangerous, like a poisonous vine set to kill you even at a slight touch. Joining her on this journey is her supposed step-sibling, Yun Jun Seo, her self-appointed bodyguard, Kim Jae O and three other men she used for various advantages at different points in her life. Even time, she uses someone and discards her, her only logic is that her life is difficult and so, she is exempted from feeling any kind of guilt. She is certainly incapable of feeling any sort of remorse, even for people who loved her selflessly and sacrificed themselves for her sake.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/12/06/dear-x-series-review/#more-2191

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A Powerful Portrayal of Loss and Redemption

A heartbroken mother who returns home from imprisonment after killing her son’s murderer; only to discover more shocking & disturbing truths!

I had commented on Kim Nam Joo’s acting skills in my “First Impressions” and I had like to take my words back. Daring and inspiring, Eun Soo Hyun might be murderer, but to many; she could be a source of strength. Both Kim Nam Joo & Cha Eun Woo have strong portrayals in this murder mystery that is centered around a forlorn mother who finds it difficult to accept her young son’s death. The first two episodes quickly steamroll through this catastrophe, so the remaining show is focused on Eun Soo Hyun’s journey as she seeks justice. Cha Eun Woo’s Gwon Seonyul is a character shredded in mystery; for the first half he plays an idealistic role and switches to antagonism in the second half. Gwon Seonyul is majorly a misled son who seeks revenge for his parent’s supposedly wrongful death; until he discovers the horrid truth that leads him on the road to redemption. This was one of those shows that leaves you guessing but beneath the veneer, it strongly supports the notion that “Justice might be delayed but it is never denied”.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/14/wonderful-world-series-review/#more-734

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A Crime Thriller That Will Peg Your Attention

So, when I googled for the meaning of “Evilive”, I found it literally means “to pay back evil with evil”; which pretty much sums up the gist of this storyline. Starring Shin Ha Kyun, Kim Young Kwang, Shin Jae Ha in pivotal roles, “Evilive” depicts main lead Han Dong Soo’s slow yet steady descend into the evil world of crime. What leads him there and will he survive the ordeal remains to be seen? I just got done with watching “The Worst of Evil” and was unsure about starting another noir action. The only reason to start this drama was Shin Ha Kyun and Shin Jae Ha; both are fabulous actors and this show having a male centric casting drew my attention. It isn’t an easy watch, must add that. Manipulation, lies and deceit seem to be at the centerfold of this thriller, and each twist or turn is profoundly bewildering. You can expect the unexpected with this drama. Set in the 1980s, the cinematography is picturesque and reminiscent of the era where desktop computers were still in use. We are talking about them, because the show majorly focuses on the advent of online gambling. The first fours episodes are evenly paced, the storytelling is intriguing and indulgent. Let’s drive into this world and learn more!

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/28/evilive-first-impressions/

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