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A Show That Is Not All It Seems - And It’s Very Good
The Light Shop is a magical tale that the Koreans do well. In some ways it is reminiscent of that very good kdrama remake Life on Mars. The use of a bus in this show also draws out some parallels with the fabulous CDrama: Reset. Not is all that it seems, little hints are dropped along the way of what show might be about and we are exposed to characters that the actors truly relish.As such, The Light Shop is very much a story in two halves. The first is mysterious with elements of horror. We are introduced to all the characters, and in a way that we want to know more about them. The second half provides an in depth breakdown regarding the role of each character. Questions raised in the first half, culminate in an explanation during episode 7 regarding the light shop that makes perfect sense.
Many of the social issues and tragedies raised in kdramas are in this drama too. This show deals with them in a way that is very different and at the same time, engaging. and perhaps a little bit less sad due to how the issues are resolved. Show concludes in a way that provides little surprises here and there - they are delightful. If possible, binge this show - I think it’s worth it.
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Enjoyable, Delightful, Uplifting
For Eagle Brothers is an enjoyable family drama, in fact, it’s delightful. It has been a long time since we have had a weekend Kdrama that was just nice. I think we need more of such shows.The cast is star packed. Apparently, the script is what got Ahn Jae Wook (ML) on board. Jae Wook is a former matinee idol and singer and long established in the theatre. Uhm Ji Won (FL) is a pure delight in this show. Her role is a nice contrast to her other two most recent dramas: When Life Gives You Tangerines and Dear Honrang. Both actors are superb as the OTP.
Although the story works through the ups and downs of each family member and those around them, it has a consistent theme and that is the sun will always come up tomorrow. This is due largely to Ji Won’s character CEO Ma. She is a never ending ray of sunshine, unless you upset her 😂
CEO Ma’s mum is played by another veteran actor Park Joon Geum. In Eagle Brothers, she is annoying at times to her daughter but she has a heart of gold and it makes a welcome change to the overbearing mother in laws she plays from time to time.
Each of the four brothers also go through the trials and tribulations of finding their better halves. The matchups keep the watcher invested. We have the convenience store couple, the financial management couple, the Zumba couple and the navy couple.
I know some were critical of the Zumba couple but honestly they truly do well together.
A special shout-out goes to the financial management couple and the professor’s baby daughter Ha Ni. She is the best baby you will ever see in any show. She will be a star one day.
The main villains are former employees of the Eagle Brewery. They are a husband and wife team that are a bit makjang at times but play their roles so well. Choi Byung Mo Is great in his role as the bad CEO. He deserves an award.
One of the other benefits of Eagle Brothers is showing us how traditional makgeolli is made. We get taken inside the traditional brewery and how it works compared to the machinations of the mainstream Silla Brewery run by Byung Mo’s character.
This show was popular at home. So much so, its 50 episode run was extended by four episodes. For Eagle Brothers will put a smile on your face.
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A Little Charmer
Is Love Sustainable explores the question of marriage against a changing backdrop of cultural norms. We see how, although Kayoka wants to launch her own yoga business, underneath it all she would like to get married. Show does tease out the traditional view of putting work first. Kayoka deals with this issue splendidly i.e. on her own terms. She will always put the right thing first - family, friends and relationships.Her father, a noted linguist and widower decides to respect the wishes of his late wife and get remarried. I enjoyed his journey very much. In fact, I liked his relationship with his new partner more than I did that of the lead couple. Kayoka’s father is a very decent human being. He loves his daughter, adored his late wife and easily got lost in his own geekiness but his level of responsibility is second to none.
As for Seita, he was painted as a bit wimpy. However, he’s not. He is the type of person who needs time to do his thing. He is very capable, a loving father and respectful towards his ex wife. When he discovers Kayoko, you are there urging him on. She knows a good thing. The SML was, thankfully, toned down compared to most love competitors. He gave it his best shot but at the end of the day was a nice guy.
There are moments where you cheer and moments where you tear up. I loved the daughter dad dynamic and the father son relationship. Show draws you in, explores key issues in a pleasant way and leaves you wanting what’s best for all involved.
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A Schlockfest That Will Please Zombie Fans
Newtopia is not for the faint hearted but those who like zombie themed shows and movies will enjoy it. Show is a send up of the zombie genre and it does this extremely well.The thought of an anti aircraft battery on top of a luxury hotel was interesting. It opened the door on those many kdrama taglines regarding incompetence, clashing with the classy people and how we are all the same when the chips were down.
It is fair to say that the first couple of episodes were a bit wobbly, which is why I marked it down a fraction. However, it quickly unfolds into a show that has its theme the importance of sticking together in a crisis.
The special effects, makeup and sets are first rate. What they achieved with the budget was phenomenal. Some scenes were very clever and well done.
At times, it was frustrating regarding the soldiers reluctance to use their weapons. However, it could be argued they were scared witless! The two female heroines were superb. One with their engineering skills, the other a crack shot.
Aaron Park almost stole the show. The drunk, zombie infected hotel manager really lifted the show and became the beacon of light that pulled the main team together.
The FL’s journey to find the ML was well done. In my view, one of the show’s strengths was showing each others path, their journey to a greater understanding - isn’t that what we all love about kdramas?
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It’s not a bad show, just needed a bit more care from the writers
Nothing Uncovered is named after the investigative program hosted by the FL. Initially, this had a strong and meaningful aspect regarding the story. The tension of producing and hosting such a show was quite good.The thriller and mystery aspects started out strong. Even the villains. However, something along the way saw them watered down and recycled in a way to try and distract us from finding out who the real culprits are.
The relationship between the FL and her writer husband was tedious at times. The writers tried to pull our heartstrings regarding the husband. He was mopey, forlorn and deceitful. He said he loved the FL but his actions say otherwise.
The OTP is worth the time. My only criticism is the on again off again behaviour of the FL. It detracted from the story in the second half. The ML does well. We have seen him in a number of good shows now and he shows he can be both goofy and serious.
Despite its shortcomings, I found myself watching this show from the beginning to the end. It’s not a bad show. The cast is good. However, some had drawn out and quite boring roles. The direction was good. The writing too loose and boring for 16 episodes. Ten or twelve episodes would have been enough.
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Delightfully Delicious
What is touted as a revenge drama is more akin to a cross between Leverage and The Pretender (or perhaps The Institute).. This premise is both interesting and dare I say, better than most kdramas of a similar theme. Ultimately, I binged it.There is a lot to like about this drama, a show that I wasn’t aware of until two years after it originally aired. The first half was a delight, a delicious morsel that had the level of intrigue, tension between relationships and portrayal of characters just right.
Our main pair were superb. There is definitely something there between them. The evil characters were good. The notes of intrigue in the first half were classic and very good.
Show does have its brutal moments. They catch your attention. Each member of our Scooby Doo gang are suffering in their own way. Our heroic lawyer suffers from an empathetic illness that appears to threaten his life, a new one on me.
Three episodes from the end, my suspicions became clear and I wasn’t too happy with how the story was turning. The ultimate evil, mysterious, chairman was ho hum and in my view undermined what was a cracking story.
Chun Woo-hee Is an acting powerhouse. Her next drama: A Typical Family is proof of this. Kim Dong Wook is an actor I like very much and did a good job here. Then there is Yoon Park - his versatility knows no end - think Introverted Boss, For Eagle Brothers and Birth Care Centre.
Show overall, is delightfully delicious. If you like intrigue, morally grey characters with redemptive arcs and growing connections between a Scooby Doo gang, then this show is for you. Don’t be put off by the MDL rating.
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A Missed Opportunity
Double Happiness is a show that started off with a particular premise but changed direction in the second half. In essence, it was told from the heroine’s perspective. As her purpose in life change, so did her views on relationships.In some ways, this show is a refreshing take on blended family situations. However, the significant focus on the second couple meant that this was undermined quickly. Not enough story time was devoted to how two families came together.
Our main couple are delightful and warm. Both are respectful of one another where the chances of one on one time are sabotaged regularly. They also have challenging work/business lives but both are very pragmatic and successful in what they do.
The second couple are, in a word, vile. Yet, the writers try to make us feel sympathetic to them. I’m sad to say, I belonged to that group that fast forwarded the rough their scenes 80% of the time.
The third couple were okay. Again an interesting take on a couple that have like each other forever. She is the owner of a second chance relationship agency. He, a supposed playboy.
In many ways, I enjoyed the fourth couple, that wasn’t a couple, the most. We got to see an interesting insight into a cemetery that is a final resting place that even I would like to be found.
The parents in this story, except Aunt Lily, are beyond frustrating.
Be warned. There are topics in this show that aren’t pleasant.
My final thoughts are Kitty Zang is a delight. She carries any show she is in and she does that here too as a single mum who sticks to her guns. Our ML is also very good but he makes it look easy. Both were great together.
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Go Find Your Popcorn And Strap Yourself In!
For a micro drama, The Princess, for most of its run, is a good one. I enjoyed the repeated scenarios, the reoccurring plotting to split the leads apart, the ensuring heartbreak, them getting back together and the politics of the Republican Era.This drama has a very good cast, great costuming and tantalising sets with good production values. Like all micro dramas, the end of each 15 minute episode ends in a cliffhanger, so, yes, we get certain plot lines repeated time and again. Reaching for the popcorn during these moments will help you get through what happens next!
However, I found that during the last 20% of its run, the rehashed happenings to our leads undermined the story. Some would argue - what story, it’s a typical Republican Era plot. Even though it is, the early episodes had interesting developments regarding Chinese opera at the local theatre, good family mysteries and interesting characters.
There is plenty in the romance department for fans of the leads, who have both done some very good shows to date. The number of face eating, passionate kissing scenes and other amorous moments (that you don’t see in standard dramas) would keep most very happy 😂🤣😂
If show hadn’t gone down the path it did in the final 8 episodes, I would have given it 9.5 instead of 8. It’s worth a peek, even if it is for the first ten episodes 😊
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There is Much To Like About Brocade Odyssey
There is much to like about Brocade Odyssey. The acting was very good, the costuming was of a high standard (it has to be because show was all about brocade). The sets were also good. The OST was enjoyable and so was the story for the most part.Right from the get go, we see how determined and resourceful Ji Ying Ying.is. I feel that this is one of Seven Tan’s best roles. Zheng Ye Cheng put in a fine performance as the newly minted Brocade Officer who is at odds with his family. Together, both leads are a wonderful OTP. In fact, this is one of the show’s strengths - the commitment that they have throughout regarding what became a tumultuous journey.
The early episodes gave a good appreciation of the ancient Chinese brocade industry. This including understanding silk, the weaving process, the dye process and how the colours are set using the local water fall and natural pool. We also get to see the conflict between the great brocade houses and the small independents ended up by Ms Ji.
For the most part, each of the story arcs were quite good. The acting certainly made this possible. However, I felt the last two episodes let the story down. In fact, the final episode spent too much time on the villains rather than on giving show time to wrap things up better. I also have to agree with some commentators how disappointing it was regarding what happened to some of the key characters. Some characters just disappeared.
Brocade Odyssey is worth your time. The leads are worth watching just for their relationship alone.
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A Roller Coaster With A Big Heart
The General’s Daughter is 183 episodes of a full on Filipino roller coaster ride. It is emotional, funny and heartwarming, with both lovely and despicable characters and with leads tormented by their past. It deals with corruption and injustice and is a homage to the need for a better Phillipines.Angel gives a powerhouse performance as the almost Nikita type character and deserves the awards she received for this role. The veterans deliver strongly as well - it almost seems without effort. The actor who played Elai also deserves a special mention.
Some might find TGD too repetitive - our heroes and heroines are in over their heads time and time again. This doesn’t matter as the show is aimed at entertaining its audience.
We get to see Filipino communities as I know them to be. People who are humble and making the most of what they have. The evil drug lords are painted very much as in it all for themselves while misleading those who benefit from their largesse. The military and police are painted in a helpful light, although they are divided within.
I’m glad I watched it. Show has a big, emotional, heart. Prime does not have all the episodes but the television company that produced the show does and can be found on You Tube.
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A Lavish Production With Great World Building
Shooting Stars is a lavish and well made production that promises much. The acting is first rate and the world building regarding the Republican Era, second to none.At its heart is a very strong theme that people and relationships matter. Camaraderie is important and working together to achieve the greater good is a worthy goal to aspire to. Family in its different forms is shown too. The conflict between brothers a vital cog in how the plot unfolds.
The first 16 episodes were superb. There were a range of scenarios regarding who might be good and who might be bad. It was also intersecting re the portrayal of the police force at this time, the rise of the different political factions and the evilness of the Japanese menace. Show used actual footage from events that occurred at that time, deftly weaving our characters into what happened.
However, in the second half of the story, the patriotic fervour was a bit overdone. On some occasions it was over sentimentalised. Chen Hao as the face of such idealism was overdone. I was wasn’t convinced of his relationship with Miss Shi, but she was a fabulous character. His friendship with Yuan Sheng was a key part of the story, but I found its execution so so at times.
Our lead couple were very good. I liked their relationship. So much was against them, but their genuineness shone through. Min Min was a delight: delicate but strong and very loyal. Yuan Sheng needed to lighten up a bit 😂
Overall, Shooting Stars is worth a look. The set design, wardrobe and old vehicles are worth watching for these aspects alone.
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Ski into Love has a lot going for it
I like Esther Yu very much. However, despite her very good performances, I have not been able to finish a number of her dramas over the last two years. Despite this, I am pleased to say Ski into Love is a show that I enjoyed from start to finish. The premise in itself was interesting and I think it gave good exposure to both the artistic side and challenges regarding both creating on-line comics and success in snow sports.At the end of the day, this show is about betrayal, failure, redemption and succeeding against the greatest of odds i.e. oneself.
Some commentators on MDL were critical of Esther’s performance as Wei Zhi. I found though, she delivered in spades. And, if you are watching closely enough you can see little gems here and there regarding her nuanced performance. She is kind, a little bit ditzy and cute but there are moments that show a much greater depth. As always, her timing is immaculate.
Lin Yi as Shan Chong was good but I found he was too much of a cardboard cut out for me at times. Perhaps his best moments were his interactions with children. I felt we got to see a performance less guarded during these moments. The sister Shan Shan was delightful. Show needs to be applauded for dealing with her condition in a very thoughtful and considered way by those around her. If you want an in depth drama regarding someone who has the same disability, then take a look at Born to Run, a show that is 10/10.
I liked Wei Zhi’s and Shan Chong’s relationship. It’s one that is very supportive of one another, once they get through the usual conflicted beginnings. We did get to see those tropes re the differences in the parents of both Zhi and Chong. We also got to see how they treated their children respectively, including their fears and concerns and how they celebrated moments of aspiration and achievement.
The moments of snowboarding on the ski slopes were well done, especially the competition aspects. I have read comments by some snowboarders that although the community aspects appeared spot on, some of the more technical aspects of snowboarding were underdone. Perhaps, this may be due to the number of episodes cut from the show, which is something I haven’t looked further into.
Wei Zhi was very much the healer in this drama and Esther portrayed this aspect exceedingly well. Show is worth a look.
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The moon is beautiful tonight
Reborn is a rare show. Its exploration of the human condition is both harrowing and beautiful. Great writing, great acting and great settings all come together to deliver an unforgettable show. This is one of the best shows, ever.Qing Yu is an amazing human being. She has the most pragmatic view on life. She has suffered, suffers through most of the story but explores her life through trying to understand what people are about. Then in the ultimate tribute to humankind, she gives back to all around her in spades.
Ming Sheng is both rebellious, unbending, loyal and someone who can’t stand his father and yet Qing Yu opens his eyes. These two together show how, as young actors, with so much experience behind them, can deliver a performance beyond other actors their age.
The writing is so respectful. The subject matter not easy I would think in that part of the world but full marks for tackling a number of key health and social issues on many different levels.
Qing Yu’s mum, a brilliant actress, who we have seen deliver great performances in other shows, is superb yet again. She deserves an award as does Zhang Jing Yi. We see a mother who is devastated, depressed, but determined to survive - because that’s what you must do.
Qing Yu’s wider family are the pits. The writing doesn’t hold back on how traditional village and family values make life tough. We cheer for her and her mum as they tackle the father’s family both head on and through doing the right thing.
Ming Sheng’s family is seen through the eyes of juggling a professional career. This is where the writing is brilliant. It has us thinking a certain way, with prejudices until we see subtle changes make us realise that his father is a decent human being.
Then to top it all off, the show reveals what love really means: the moon is beautiful tonight. That is to say, to share life with someone, with all its ups and downs but for you to be behind one another right up until the very end.
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This review may contain spoilers
Marie Kondo Would Be Proud!
My Housekeeper popped up on my Netflix feed and I had a feeling straight up I would like it - and I did. So much so, I finished show overnight.So, what’s to like. Firstly, the characters. Each character is given room to breath. There is no over the top character, which is a welcome relief regarding this type of jdorama. The blend of senior actors and the younger actors works.
Secondly, the workplace. It seemed normal, supportive and deals with the current issues - psycho social health. We see how leading up to this, the pressure on workers, the lack of time and a key stress indicator - super messy apartments - it felt like home, actually!
Thirdly, I felt the story addressed a very real issue in Japan: that marriage is still valued and that age gaps are no barrier to this. I did have thoughts of papa katsu running through my mind but show is not that. We have two lovely people who somehow, bit by bit, fall into each other’s orbit.
Fourthly, it deals with family separation in an even handed way. It even shows how it is possible to mend fences, to bridge that gap.
Lastly, I liked how the focus was on that it was okay to have a job that suited you. There was no need for everyone to aspire to be a professional corporate, a lawyer, a doctor and so on. In fact, hiring a housekeeper is a smart move because it gives you your life back and room to breath, to be human.
Take show for what it is - it’s a nice show. Enjoy 😉
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This review may contain spoilers
Superb viewing - don’t let the logic gaps put you off!
Legend of the Female General is superb viewing. The show has very high production values, great aesthetics, superb acting and logic gaps aplenty but they don’t matter. This show is top notch entertainment.Our OTP is great together. From the initial moments of subterfuge, through to relationship challenges, flashbacks, sweet moments and side by side on the battlefield. In fact, the final battle scene to this series is top notch. He Yan is superb on her white charger shooting arrows in an effort to rescue her beloved. The best horse scene since Jeremy Tsui.
There is the full range of villains and one in particular who really doesn’t seem that bad but lets his romantic attachment cloud his judgement. He tends to interfere more than he should.
There are many other highlights: He Yan’s indomitable spirit as she rejoins the army and makes her way back to the top, her increasing affection for the ML, typical tropes that are dealt with quickly (yay) and Huai Jin who, as the perfect male general, has a hard exterior but a soft heart.
Viki does have the bad habit of only releasing one episode per day towards the end of a series. Although frustrating, Legend carried itself very well at one episode per day.
So, what is the show’s message? It would seem to be: stay true to yourself, even if you have to hide who you are from time to time.
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