pammo1949

I finished this drama not realizing it was the final episode. Period dramas are my favorite but this one seemed to be a see saw. It wanted to be a period drama and wanted to be 21st century at the same time. In the end it failed miserably on both ends. The actors did their best but you can only say the lines handed to you and act according to the script. I actually feel for them because the potential for a great drama was there but you are distracted by its endless attempts to have this epic storyline that just not worthy of telling or anyone believing. Attempts to have twists, turns and misunderstandings were missteps from my viewpoint [please don't take offense by my interpretation]. The lead actors are two of my favorites --- I just wish the director, writer and producers did a better job.

Read More

I had to challenge myself to write a semi-positive review.. Initially it was just fun watching NG play a different type role and he showed his versatility and talent as an actor. What ruins most of these dramas for me is the costume design person. Annoyed and distracted by the leads wig and dress (based on her age) throughout each episode. The story telling was consistent until the 19th episode when the drama gets bogged down with nonsensical responses to the situations that were created for the drama. I kept asking myself "why?" Entertaining and funny in spots but just not an exceptional comedy or romantic drama K dramas can't remove themselves from cliches. You can watch for light entertainment if nothing else to d but don't expect this drama to end up as one of your "favs"

Read More

A wonderful journey from hell to heavenly love.

I am not a regular K drama viewer anymore so I cannot say this dama was a cliche type of drama. It was recommended by a friend so I decided to watch it since there appeared to be a lag in good dramas during the Xmas period. I was pleasantly surprised at the content and I just enjoyed every minute of each week. The storyline brought me back to savor the progression of the relationship and the consequences of their polar opposite that attract circumstances to overcome. Visually the drama was outstanding and the stylist did a great job on all of the characters something that always irks me when a CEO or financially privileged character is dressed like they were shopping in a bargain basement. This was not the case throughout the drama and it added to appeal.

The acting: Superb and worth a high rating. The chemistry was just HOT HOT HOT between the leads and their interactions were natural and did not feel forced. The secondary couple was cute and the actors that laid roles that were not the most appealing in the character they played had a compelling joy of contrasting evil vs good. Overall the FL and ML complimented each other which made this drama very satisfying to watch. Perfect casting. Excellent scriptwriter. CGI and Cinematography were all visually pleasing.

The music -- I was not distracted by music so it was fine and was not overdone or inappropriately injected into scenes as to make the viewer annoyed.

Rewatch value: Would rewatch since it was 16 episodes not binged. Some characters would be more enjoyable to watch the second time around -- the ML and FL assistants; the "gang members" the family members and their acting and roles. Very entertaining drama and I would recommend it to any viewers who enjoy love stories, push and pull situations, and overall pure romance situations throughout the 16 episodes (drama was appropriate length) -- no dragging or fillers.

Read More

Fresh drama and different prospective about love with light comedy included. However, no mistaking - this is a romantic drama and the writers had the guts to explore several levels of love through its outstanding cast of actors and actresses. Once you become hooked - the story becomes engaging to the point you become judgmental and critical or situations :out loud.:, I found myself talking to the television set without hesitation. What is the most intriguing for me is adult immaturity in the matter of love, life and consequences. - Add the word pride and sometimes lack of it you begin to enjoy each episode more and more. Ending did not disappoint and that is why the high rating

Read More

I have mixed feelings about this drama. It is very mature in its theme, but somehow it converted itself to a very immature ending and it catered to what it believed the viewers wanted in the end. I marathoned the first 14 episodes and truly enjoyed the way the story evolved and how the actors and actresses portrayed their roles. As usual, there is always the "Korean mother" - someone we all want to hate , but if this is a true depiction of life as an unmarried woman living with parents in South Korea then the story is given a higher rating. However, the story failed to really deal with true human emotions, especially when the parties have connected so initimately. Character flaws are really the highlighted themes of this drama. You keep asking yourself - would I do that? How would I respond? If only I had that chance? How far would I go to love someone? Would I sacrifice for the one I love? So for me the drama did merit a higher rating. It was not for the younger or inexperienced viewer. As an older woman you can look back at your own personal life and ask yourself these questions and focus in on mistakes or missed opportunities. The drama was a work of art. The painter drew the lines and colored it according to his/her feelings of what is love so I don't condemn this drama totally. I truly did not feel good at the end -- but was happy at the end. It is a judgment we all have to make after watching - and I do recommend watching. There are some wonderful moments in this drama that should not be dismissed because we disagree with the outcomes. Again, this is a drama about character flaws and I must add - love that is unyielding (even if it is by only one party in a relationship). The music was appropriate, but sometimes annoying.

Read More

This drama was the best K drama I have viewed in the past 5 years.   It had entertainment value but more importantly, its value was its vicarious desire for the viewer to reevaluate the life and decisions of each character presented throughout.  When you have lived a long time -- and if you have been married or consider getting married this drama is love 101 or a refresher course.   It was fun for me to watch with my husband of 28 years who was also a cat owner (multiple cats).  I've never understood his personality but watching this drama made me reflect a lot about life.  The balance of the 3 couples, the parents, and the additional character s - ex-boyfriends, girlfriends, potential liaisons, and expectations were weaved into the story in an organized way with resolutions and no loose ends.  The ending was perfect.  What I enjoyed along the way was the music -- it really was suited to the scenes and had added dramatic effect.  I have already some of the episodes twice.   A very good drama and one that is worth the time viewing.

Read More

The Injustice of Justice

Finished binge-watching this drama this weekend and on Monday and as I watched each episode the more I became invested in the final outcome. This is not a "heavy" analysis of the drama - just a recommendation that this is one that you watch soon or put on your playlist as a MUST-watch.

The Story; A story of a serial rapist who avoids the consequences of his actions because of several things: The worth of a woman in historical times; the influence of power, positions, and profits; the public condemnations of crowds in an open forum; and the lack of evidence because of fear of other victims to come forward.

The Director and the writer do a good job of interweaving the story with a background history of the lives of the many characters that are portrayed. There is not a replay of any old scenes to fill up the filming, but genuine investment in character development and storytelling of the past lives of some of the characters.

I rate this drama at a 9.5 because it starts with truths from the past and truths we can apply in the 21st century. It continues with the truth (although distorted at times) and it highlights the perseverance and value of unwavering friendships. There were so many life lessons that can be drawn from the past and applied to current-day living. I watched the drama asking myself -- Do we judge others too harshly without knowing the truth? Or are we crowdpleasers throwing mud from the sidelines? How often do we victimize the victim publicly or in our hearts without knowing all the facts?

The conclusion of this drama is something you must judge as Justice or Injustice? What is the ultimate cost of justice? But it truly challenges your personal assessment of how we judge victims and how we treat those who are the perpetrators of crime against victims.

Read More

Convuluted Beginning

This is one of these dramas that you watch and keep asking yourself - why haven't I dropped this hot mess? However, I am always one to take on a challenge. I could only watch this with outside help. I had to research the synopsis of the story from an independent blogger to even begin to understand what the baseline story was about. It began with too many characters, too many unexplained scenarios. However, with the synopsis, I persevered and finished finally getting a handle on the director, screenwriter and editors' goals. 60 episodes was a struggle but when you are homebound daily you have time to waste I would not recommend this drama if you are looking for substance - the one thing that it lacks and that is evident from all the mixed rating reviews on this site.

Story: A hodgepodge of plots and subplots and characters that represent evil and good. The problem with the story was the illogical choices of so many of the characters. I don't want to use the word stupid - but it bordered on it sometimes.

Acting: The actors should not be berated because of the work they were given. Most tried their best to give life to their characters. I believe that following each character and how their lives were entwined in the story was the chief motivation for pursuing this to an end.

Music: not relevant to love of drama. Just your average songs and melodies repeated.

Rewatch - NO REWATCH value!!!

Overall: Watched but wish writers would truly take the time to evaluate what is being released. A terrible beginning, good middle, and yes I will say this - a MUDDLED ending.

Read More

Gritty Movie - Not for Everyone

First: Some scenes may offend many. Second, don't read this review if you don't want spoilers - there are many. This is purely a recovery and revenge movie. Accomplished " BY ALL AND ANY MEANS NECESSARY". What is scary about this movie from a woman's perspective is to replace yourself as the victim. Who comes to your aide when you are being victimized. by every segment of society? I felt a sense of vindication watching this movie. When women call for help - little or no response and when you have slight or severe mental diseases as a woman you are easily preyed on and frankly as indicated in this movie - who cares?

I started this journey by accident - bored on a lazy evening I decided to check out Asian Crush. This was the first movie in the cue so I started watching without knowing anything about the storyline. I was quickly drawn in with feelings of outrage staring with the uncaring school associates allowing a mentally disadvantaged person to be abused and participating in the abuse. The first level of disgust.

Then my second level of disgust - other women clearly seeing her condition and participating in sexual abuse. A woman hero. Yes her sister is the hero - no holes barred - kickass - throw caution to the wind - recovery efforts that can only be described as supernatural.

The story takes on another level of disgust (my third) when the sister goes to the store based on a possible lead - only to discover MORE disgusting people. Her sister's sense of retribution and payback was pure satisfaction. Again, you have to ask yourself -- if the younger sister was not mentally disabled - who would help her?

Unable to quit watching because you have to find out the outcome, you are drawn further into human depravity. The common citizen doing their " I am not a good samaritan role. The only physical attempt by the victim to save herself results in nonchalant uncaring people on a bus filled with other women. No cameras, no heroes - no nothing - this was also disgusting. Watching her scream all the way off the bus and the door closing without a word brought tears to my eyes.

Yes, the fighting is over the top and bad sometimes - but the accomplishment of a goal and a lesson for all of us is taught in this drama. Your loved ones are sometimes your only lifeline. The actresses that played both roles were exceptional and I give them both A+ in their portrayal. Not a Man From Nowhere but close to it.

Read More

Based on true events I found this movie surfing for work by a specific actor -- Johnny Huang-- who I am enjoying in Love Designer. Not a fan of war movies because I always leave with a feeling of PTSD and asking myself why did I subject myself to these feelings. However, with no trepidation - bored with no historical dramas to watch -- I decided to give it a go. Well -- from minute one to the end of the movie you are pulled in to the extreme level of action. You become invested immediately in the characters and their missions, interactions and will to succeed. The appreciation of the life of a soldier and their sacrifice can never be diminished but only hailed and appreciated and honored at every stage of their lives--- this movie is pure reinforcement of this principle. The director and production staff did not spare a dollar giving the viewer a REAL LIFE experience of being in a battle, fighting for your life, and sacrificing o fight for the life of others. The viewer has to appreciate every aspect of the filming and action scenes. BRILLANT!BRILLANT! BRILLANT.! I can still internalize the feelings of pain 24 hours after watching. I highly recommend this is a Saturday Night popcorn treat -- but be prepared. The edge of your seat will be where you are sitting most of the movie.

Read More

This is one of my binge watched dramas after being "locked down" because of COVID 19. Binge watching a 16 episode drama is basically watching a drawn out movie that is told in slow motion. As a background I am sharing this information so you understand my bias and critique. During this period I have binged two Chinese historical dramas (Ming Dynasty and Serenade of Joy) both with King/Emperor - Queen/concubine issues.

It took less than 2 days to blow through this drama and the only thing I felt was good actress, good actor, poor portrayal of king, poorer portrayal of concubines and queen. The costumes were colorful -- an A+. You could write a summary of this drama in less than 2 paragraphs because of the simplicity of story telling. After trying to research whether this was a real Joseon King or a made up one for dramaland purposes -- I could only come to the conclusion that he was a made up King. So this story was purely a work of fiction.

There is a total lack of mature telling of a story. I felt I should have been in 5th grade watching this drama as opposed to being an adult. Other than a few steamy kisses, the lack of heartfelt romance -- which should have been the bases of this drama seemed "starved." The court officials seemed more powerful than the king and when the king finally decided to take power his actions were always "minimal". The description that calls him a peaceful king is really a description of ineptness e.g. woman over nation sacrifices and reduced punishments for gross acts of treason.

The question is always -- to watch or not to watch? Well, if you just have nothing else to do and follow the careers of the actor and actress I would say definitely. Their performances were really commendable with the material given to them. As a fan of historical dramas I am still waiting for the quality of SIx Flying Dragons, Jumong, The Moon Embraces the Sun, Jewel in the Palace,. Sungkyundwon Scandal, Dong Yi -- I can go on and on because I love the period dramas. The quality continues to fade and I truly wish for the "good old days".

Read More

I've hesitated writing a review but the ratings are all over the place. I thought I would add my two cents. This is one of these love it or leave it genre of dramas. Although, the storyline (revenge) is a commonplace theme in different dramas this drama does an exceptional job of depicting the execution of the plan for revenge and its accompanying hardships. It started with great cliffhangers which allowed you to have a desire to return, weekly to follow the episodes. The added bonus was the highly skilled unusual (pretty and strong) female actress who plays the female lead n this drama

In this dramas, the viewer's common sense was put to the test near the end. Instead of focusing on the story the viewer would have to start asking basic questions - like why did she do this/ or why didn't he do that? or normal questions like why don't you call the Police? why are you running down a road? Or why are you out of the hospital so soon after a near-death experience? and the list becomes endless near the end and distracts away from the initial quality of the drama. For some reason, Korean writers are infamous for killing a good drama with a bad or poorly thought out ending because of the cliche culture. This is definitely the case in this drama.

Needless to say, it is still a watchable drama and worth the investment of time. As a reviewer, I was disappointed by the endless "reflection" moments during the end. Before I end -- I must say I was TOTALLY disappointed in the development of romance in this drama. Logic could not even save these afterthoughts of "who in the heck writes these dramas?" Give it a go and you will love it, leave it or be muddleheaded after finishing.

Read More