Mudo

Great leads, great - albeit underused - supporting characters, decent second female lead, but one of the most useless third wheel guys I've ever come across. He has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I wish there was less of him. Much less. As much as they did right with the ballerina, they did wrong with him. Her guy was with her for years and suddenly marries another. Of course she has trouble accepting it. - But Daniel went after a married pregnant woman. Yeah, so it wasn't a love marriage and she and her husband haven't figured things out just yet. That doesn't mean that your services are being needed. Go find your sister or a girl who's actually available. I'm sure unwed singles visit the confession booth as well...

I was somewhat excited for this show before starting it: Decent MDL rating (for whatever that might be worth these days), leads who atleast weren't horrible in other roles I've seen them in, a writer with a couple of shows I liked (though not loved) and a premise that was certainly my cup o' tea.

However... Four episodes in and I'm considering to drop this already. The episodes are 90 minutes long without anything of note happening. There is no pacing. There is no content. The writing is a joke, especially the characterizations.

I don't understand the ML at all. He hates his wife to the point where he wants her to die from cancer? But it's a romance? How does that make sense?

Meanwhile the FL has no depth. I can enjoy an icequeen as much as the next guy, but there needs to be more than a hidden smile or two per 90 minutes. Why isn't she closer to her husband? Show us something. Give explanations. Or atleast ask questions. Right now there's nothing.

The villain is entirely unnecessary and truly hurts the drama. Have him be an ex who makes her heart flutter. Who gets close after she learns of her husbands divorce intentions and his desire for her to die. Why is he yet another k-drama psychopath?

The chaebol family has potential, but is currently being underused and TBH I'm not expecting much. I think this premise would've worked much better as a 50 episode weekend family drama with all the necessary adjustments (no villains, fleshed-out supporting characters, etc.).

And finally...why is the ML, a married man, behaving like a twelve year old virgin? We are to believe that he succesfully knocked up his wife in the past, but I don't see how, considering he would likely fall into a coma if he ever saw as much as a bare shoulder of hers. My "man" nearly suffered a heart attack when they had to share a bed she suggested a snuggle. I get that the rules are different in dramaworld, but c'mon!

8 out of 16 episodes in and this has suprisingly turned out to be one of the worst shows I've ever come across. Nothing works. The writing is atrocious, the acting is a joke, and the dialogue is embarrissingly bad. Meanwhile the time-wasting is the stuff of legends. Out of 60 minutes per episode perhaps ten are necessary. Rather than a 16 hour show, this should've been a motion picture. Or - you know - never been made in the first place.
I'm not a critic and writing reviews is not my thing (especially not before actually finishing something), but some ranting was required.

I just started this. It reminds me of 'Leverage' - which is interesting, since there's also an official korean adaption of that show. While I have never seen the korean version (nor the continuation without T. Hutton), I happen to be a fan of the original (which always seemed like a modern-day 'The A-Team' to me), so we'll see if 'Mad Dog' can measure up (or move in its own direction).

It is true that I do not/cannot rule out the possibility of them dating while KSR was a minor (and potentially below the age of consent). KSH denies it, yes, but that's par for the course. Regarding the "evidence" presented from both sides, including texts, letters, pictures, and I believe even clothing that allegedly can be dated to specific times - I stay out of that. I cannot verify it either way. Nor does it really interest me, to be honest. For me, two things are important here. One, there are allegations but it's far too early to convict and hang. Two, even if guilt is well established, the allegations do not warrant a "death sentence".

Personally I do have a serious problem with the publication of private correspondence and images. In my opinion this very much warrants criticism. That "research institute" YouTube channel appears rather questionable, and atleast seems to be milking this whole thing as much as possible. It's less journalism and more bloodsucking. If you have proof of wrongdoing, go to the police. Don't start a smear campaign while monetizing the tragic death of someone in their twenties.

Finally, I understand your frustration regarding celebrity suicides. And like I've stated in an earlier post, I do hold the "netizen mob" partly responsible. However, I believe there are other, equally contributing factors to those cases. For example, people have always been judgmental. Yes, the anonymity of the internet - and even moreso its connectivity - has changed things to a degree, but even those things have been around for a while now. To be honest, I would argue that nobody sane enters the world of entertainment. Certainly not in a market/society as hostile and judgmental as the korean entertainment scene. Just look at idols: Abused as trainees for ten years. Then - if they're lucky - they get to promote for five years while making zero money. And if they do as much as sneeze wrong, the mob tears them apart. - Who in their right mind would ever want that?

Still, people keep entering that business with both eyes closed. Should they really be surprised if it backfires? Should KSH be surprised they're now coming for him? I don't think so. They love to built up, turning their stars into saints and gods - but lord forbit if you get as much as a scratch. As soon as those sharks smell blood in the water, they'll rip you to shreds. They love to built up, yes. But they love to tear down even more. That's not a secret and anyone willingly putting themselves out there, is, to a degree, asking for it.

Now, there are of course people like KSR who enterted the business at a very young age. And this probably includes most trainees. I'm not a fan of infantilization, but I think it's fair to say that many young people starting out in the entertainment business probably do not have the awareness and maturity to understand what exactly they are getting themselves into. Both regarding their contracts and the public scrutiny that comes with "promoting". - But that's where the parents come into play, isn't it? Except any parent worth their soul would smack their kid left and right for wanting to become a star. Obviously that doesn't happen. Not all the time atleast. Some parents fail to protect and teach. - Hell, a lot of them likely smell the money that could theoretically be earned. And, of course, many aspiring entertainers and celebrities come from broken homes, their need for the love and admiration of the masses an indication of the things they are lacking at home.

What the mob does is wrong and should not be excused. But I also believe that people are responsible for what they get themselves into. And if they do so at a very young age, it's their parents, their families, and other guardians, who are responsible. A lot of things must go wrong, and a lot of people must fuck up, in order to create a situation where someone ends up taking their own life.

Thank you. Like I've stated above, I don't expect to change anyone's opinion - nor do I claim that mine is more valid than anyone else's. But I do think that it's important to state viewpoints that differ from what might be the common believe. Certainly in a case like this where so far there isn't much beyond some smoke and a lot of hot air. Whether or not people care to read it is up to them.

Sure, no problem. I've said my piece. I'm not expecting to change anyone's opinion.

Grooming is a buzzword that mostly applies to children. KSR was allegedly around the age of consent (15 instead of 16) when their relationship began. I don't know when they did what, but based on what's been alleged, they at worst started a couple of months early. If they waited until she turned 16 their might have been no crime commited at all (I'm not familiar with korean law regarding romantic but non-sexual relationships with people below the age of consent).

Maybe KSH broke the law. Could very well be. But it's the law I care about and not the moral beliefs of an outraged public. In SK you become an adult when you turn 20. However becoming an adult is not the same as reaching the age when you - by law - can give consent to engaging in sexual activity with others. As previously stated that age is between 13 and 16. Without having read up on it, I would assume the age difference would mean that in the given case it would be 16. That means that if a 16 year old was engaging in sexual activity with a much older (by more than ten years, IIRC) person, it would be lawful activity - and therefore nobody's damn business.

Perhaps KSR was 15 instead of 16. If you want to call that grooming and grounds for 'cancellation' - be my guest. I call it blowing things out of proportions, jumping on the bandwagon, moral virtue-signaling and overall disgusting behaviour by you and all like-minded people. Pitchforks and torches based on what is at best one-sided, unproven 'evidence' by people with unclear motives.

I'm totally fine with putting KSH into question and demanding clarification. I'm also aware that being a public figure is viewed differently in SK than in my country for example. But this need to pile on instead of sitting back and waiting for the proof to come out is something I don't get and cannot agree with. In my mind, what the media and the mob are currently doing to KSH is potentially worse than anything he might have done to KSR (or Sulli). And that's often the problem with 'cancelations': One, the verdict is spoken way too early before all the facts are in and proven, and two, the punishment does not fit the (alledged) crime.

So allow me to be perfectly clear: To me people with your mindset - especially when voiced publically - are just as much responsible for celebrity suicides as any other contributing factor. Stop killing people.

Maybe take a deep breath before you bring out the pitchforks? What exactly has the guy been a) accused and b) found guilty of?

1. Relationship with a minor. There's been vague evidence supporting that (I saw some screenshots of alleged private messages that got stolen and published. I can neither verify nor translate them - but let's assume they are real.), now what? It's not clear what - and when - the relationship entailed, but I just checked Wikipedia, and apparently the age of consent in SK is 13 restricted and 16 unrestricted. Now assuming they had sex when she was 15, it would have been (at most) a year to early. If so, sure, punish him according to the law. But if she was 16 or older and it was mutual - well... You don't have to like it, but punishing people for lawful behaviour one does not agree with is evil.

2. Demanded some (a lot of) money (back). Again, let's assume they/he did exactly that. Shitty thing to do to someone you dated for six years? Probably. Illegal? Hardly. Cruel? Well, I don't know about SK, but where I live you can simply declare bancrupcy and lose your debt within a couple of years. - Also let's not forget that it was her drunk driving that got her in trouble to begin with. Or do we wanna blame the ex for that as well?
To me, this boils down to contracts. The agency was only able to make demands because the actress signed a contract that gave them that power (or so I would assume). Maybe don't do that. Or if you do, don't create the circumstances (here: drunk driving) where that money becomes due. Yes she died, and yes, that sucks. But that doesn't mean she lived as an innocent victim.

3. Allegedly "coercing" an actress to appear nude on camera and lying about a double. First of all doubles suck. But that's just me. To the point: Again, this is about a contract and about adult people making decisions for themselves. Sulli wasn't a little child. She was a grown woman. She signed a contract, giving the producers etc. a certain amount of power. And then, when asked (let's say out of the blue) to appear naked - she did. She could've walked away. Perhaps she, too, would have owed a lot of money. Perhaps it would have been the end of her career. I don't know. But she made a choice. - And if she didn't, if there was a gun to her head, that left her with NO acceptable alternative, then this needs to be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt.

4. Cheating. If true it's something I disagree with, but hardly worth getting cancelled over. Not my business, nor anyone else's who isn't directly involved.

5. Being (partly) responsible for someone's death. Well. Partly perhaps. But I'm not certain of it. Assuming all the allegations are true, Kim was in a relationship with someone who had (almost) reached the age of consent. Over the course of six years he cheated with atleast two other women. After the breakup his ex, who was still professionally tied to him (part of his agency) had an incident (DUI) and ended up owing a significant sum to that label. Pleas for leniency were allegedly ignored. At some point the actress took her own life.
Looking at the actress, she began acting at a young age. Often people who enter the entertainment industry early develop serious problems like drug addictions. The reason for choosing such a career path can also be an indication of something lacking in their upbringing.
At 15 the actress entered a relationship with a man almost twice her age. Where was her family? Why not remove your child from a dangerous environment?
IIRC correctly, shegot married in January of 2025 - to a man she had known for two months. I might be slightly off, but either way, this is a clear indication of someone who had deep issues. There have been allegations against the widower as well.
It is my opion, that when it comes to depression and suicide, there is usually more than one contributing factor, and that the root of the problem is found early in people's development. Why did the actress date someone twice her age? Why did she not dump him when he cheated? Why did she suddenly marry a stranger? Where and when and why exactly did her life go off the rails? Was it when she got together with the accused - or was it perhaps even before that?

Like anyone else, KSH isn't a saint. I'm sure there are thing he can be criticized for. But I for one think there should be more proof for ACTUAL wrongdoing (and sorry, demanding money that is being owed isn't wrongdoing - even when the debtor takes their life over it) on a level that warrants "cancellation". I don't get that horrible trend to begin with. It's perfectly fine to ignore someone and their work if you dislike them for any reason. But going out of your way to ensure they get removed and fired and all of that seems vicious to me. It's just as wrong to put celebrities on some kind of pedestal, as it is to tear them down the very moment they begin to show flaws. What is it with that need to show moral superiority (and no, I'm not lost on the irony, that I am essentially doing the same thing right now), and why does it have to involve the tearing down of others? If you want to be/appear superior, strive to become better - instead of pointing your fingers at those you deem below yourself (again, I get the irony, don't worry).

Personally I don't care about KSH. But I very much disagree with cancel culture. Certainly in an uncertain case like this, where nothing substantial has actually been proven.
Something, I have not brought up till now is the role of the media and the public ("netizens") when it comes to KSR taking her own life. Sure, KSH is a nice scapegoat, and perhaps he indeed did some shitty things, but before we burn him at the stake, let's remember, that we did the same to KSR. We lit the fire and now she is dead. PERHAPS lern something from that instead of turning around and starting the next witch hunt. Just a thought.

Thank you. I'm not quite sure what to make of that, but in the end I don't think I can be the judge of it. I've just googled the topic a bit, and for the most part all there seems to be are allegations. She was cleared by the district attorney's office in one case, and settled out of court in another. I'm also not familiar with any of the work she supposedly stole from, which includes a webcomic, an obsure, short-lived US tv series and an unproduced movie script. Regarding the person claiming to have considered suicide (not sure if there was an actual attempt) - that's unfortunate, if true, but I cannot consider it to determine Park's guilt regarding plagiarism, nor can I blame Park for the other writer's decision.

There's another writer, who's work was alledged to have been stolen. By chance I later watched the work they alledgedly copied, and while there were some small similarities, the allegations proved to be blown out of proportions in my eyes. I like to take allegations in general with a grain of salt, and prefer to wait if a lawsuit is being filed, and what its outcome is.

I will give First Responders a shot. MDL lists it as being on D+, which is not one of my regular subs, but now and then I order it for a month or two.

9-1-1, which is also on D+ - or atleast was when I watched those four episodes two years ago (I just checked my notes) - is a different story. I don't like to skip stuff, so I would have to sit through everything.

And yes, AFAIR Britton played some dispatcher. I also read that she only did the first season, but of course my issues weren't only with her. I was actually pretty surprised I didn't like the writing, considering the names involved.

Rather than trying 9-1-1 again, what I might do, however, is give Lonestar a shot. It's a bit unfortunate, though, that Gina Torres only debuts in the second season. If anyone was able to make me power through, it'd be her. Assuming the spin-off manages to grab me, I might then go back and give 9-1-1 another shot.

Can you elaborate?

Alright, but, what if someone REALLY disliked 9-1-1? Would you still recommend this?

When I started 9-1-1 I was ready to love it. Tim Minear had been a favourite since his Angel-days and I also really liked what Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk did with Glee and Scream Queens. Mainly, however, I wanted to watch 9-1-1 before watching its spin-off, which in turn I wanted to watch because of Gina Torres, who's been in half a dozen favourites of mine (Firefly, Angel, 24, Alias, Hannibal and Suits come to mind, although Suits isn't a favourite, but she was great and - again - the reason, I watched it).

Additionally, at that time, I was watching shows like SWAT and The Rookie, so I was more than ready for another action-driven procedual with some nice character stuff to mix things up. Instead, 9-1-1 turned out to be an action-light drama about a bunch of rather unlikeable characters. I dropped it after a couple of episodes, because there was no fun in it at all.

I'd also like to mention that even thinking about Connie Britton's passionless acting is sucking the life out of me as I write these lines. She ALWAYS looks tired and depressed, no matter what show she's in. After Friday Night Lights, American Horror Story and Nashville, 9-1-1 was the fourth show of her I tried. They really need to stop casting her in stuff I want to watch.

Interestingly enough, "The Negotiator" is one of my go-to movies, which I watch every couple of years and could probably watch daily for a while before getting bored (nothing beats Kevin Spacey in his prime), whereas "The Negotiation" is a 2/10 waste of time to me.

It's a mini-series. If anything he'd win an Emmy or Golden Globe.

I'm in the middle of watching this movie. 50min in, 55min to go. But... I can't. I hate not finishing movies, but it's just too ridiculous. It's TV level, and not in a good way. The killer is a cardboard cutout I've seen in atleast three dramas and would've seen in more, had I watched more. Same look, same mannerisms, same everything.
The police is your standard incapable korean (fictional) police with an IQ of 100 AT BEST. The acting is stereotypically bad. There are good korean actors out there. But the bad actors often act very alike. Must be the training, or they copy each other, or the directors tell them to do it because they have no clue.
There is also no suspense. People acting stupid doesn't make up for a weak script. I have no idea why this is currently rated 8.4 - but to each their own, of course. For me, continuing to watch this movie is a scarier thought than being targeted by Do Shik. So, with a heavy heart, I'm going to look for something better to watch. And since this is the second korean fail for me in a row (after "The Hunt"), I'll probably look somewhere else.

FKK FTW!

Sounds like I should skip it and perhaps watch "Hustle" instead. I loved US-"Leverage" because of how much it reminded me of "The A-Team". I love 'found family' concepts like the tv shows of Joss Whedon (I originally started watching "Leverage" because of Christian Kane from "Angel"), or "One Piece". "Leverage" without teamwork seems pointless to me.

While searching for the korean drama "Reunited Worlds" I - for whatever reason - was presented with this profile as one of the search results. Talk about a blast from the past! I remember her destroying everybody during the 9th Annual WWF Survivor Series back in 1995.

"A behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry's PR teams, managers, and reporters as they scramble to clean up the messes created by their stars."

This sounds like dead hookers in trailers to me. Are there any dead hookers in trailers in this show? (Please mark as spoiler if you answer, thank you.)