Shewrites

It's worth watching in commemoration of Women's Month

Set in the 1950s, this drama follows Ae Sun, a young woman raised in poverty, whose life is marked by hardship, much like the tangerines (the sour and challenging circumstances) surrounding her. Her mother, a struggling haenyeo (female diver), works tirelessly to provide for her family, including two younger children and a second husband, yet barely scrapes by. Ae Sun harbors deep resentment toward her mother’s circumstances and dreams of one day lifting her out of misery. Fierce, determined, and unafraid to stand up for what is right, Ae Sun traverses a world that offers women few choices, resigning them to lives as maids, divers, or housewives.

Watching this story unfold has made me profoundly grateful to be a woman in the 21st century, where opportunities and freedom are far greater. IU delivers a compelling performance, making Ae Sun’s struggles feel deeply personal and poignant. The drama also explores the timeless notion of love as an unwavering force—the idea that two people, bound by devotion, can withstand any adversity together. In the past, love seemed simpler: you fought for each other and stayed together no matter the obstacles. Today, such ideals alone are rarely enough to sustain a relationship.

The first four episodes have been great, and for now, I’m eager to continue watching.

UPDATE: I finally finished it, and I must say, it’s such a heartwarming story. It was a series of laughter and tears following Ae Sun’s journey from her childhood to her later years. Life truly has its share of tangerines, but the challenges we face only make us stronger because every cloud has a silver lining. Kudos to each cast member for their outstanding performances throughout the show.

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It was such a drag.

The story had too many twists and it just dragged on for too long that it made the ML along with the whole police force look incompetent. There were too many useless characters and scenes that could have been excluded. There were also too many unnecessary flashbacks. There were some funny scenes but it became too painful to watch as it became dull and repetitive. The only character developed here was the main antagonist who did a good job btw in his role. I wanted to drop this drama but opted to watch it on maximum speed just to finish it. I like Johnny Huang but he keeps on playing the same roles that it's making it difficult to watch his performance. The female lead's messy hair all throughout the show also bothered me. I mean, why would a doctor have unkempt hair?

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ordinary yet insightful

I've always admired Choi Woo Shik's natural acting style, but this drama feels like déjà vu for him. He has played a similar role before, so nothing about his performance really stands out this time. The story itself is pretty ordinary, following the familiar trope of former lovers trying to reconnect. It also shows how young professionals navigate the competitive world of the movie and music industry. For me, episode 7 was the highlight—it could have told the entire story on its own. The dynamic between the brothers was more compelling, and their chemistry felt stronger than that of the main leads. While the drama didn’t bring anything fresh to the table, it served as a reminder that open communication in any relationship is crucial to avoiding future regrets.

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unexpectedly fun to watch

I had low expectations for this drama initially. From the title alone, I assumed it would revolve around high school students, bullying, and, inevitably, revenge. However, the story follows an NIS agent who infiltrates a high school in search of a long-lost treasure to salvage his reputation at work, only to become entangled in a web of unforeseen events.

I was skeptical about the ML, an NIS agent, convincingly posing as a high school student. While he is undeniably charming, he simply looks too mature to pass as a teenager. The same can be said for the antagonist in the first episodes, who plays the role of a bully but appears far too old for the part. The FL, on the other hand, comes across as somewhat frustrating—she adopts a teacher-like demeanor with other students yet treats the ML differently, to the point of being obsessed with him, which feels inconsistent.

That being said, the blend of chaos, action, and comedy works surprisingly well, making all the characters amusing to watch. My main gripe so far is the overused story of the male and female leads having a shared past—a cliché that seems almost mandatory in Korean dramas. I can't understand why this element is so frequently included, but so far, the drama remains entertaining.












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wasted potential

I honestly feel like I wasted my time watching all 10 episodes. Initially, I thought it had potential since space and astronaut stories feel relatively fresh, but it ended up being an over-the-top drama despite having big-name actors. Surprisingly, I found the minor characters more engaging than the leads. The constant stream of issues felt forced—like a "space tourist" freely wandering around the spacecraft, doing whatever he wanted. Then there was the whole bizarre subplot about fertilizing an egg cell in space, along with the cringey "romance" between the main characters. I could go on and on, but, anyway, this drama just isn’t for me.

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a cliché romance drama that is a nice way to kill time

This drama follows a familiar Korean romance formula, revolving around childhood trauma that secretly connects the main leads. The story centers on a strong-willed female CEO navigating the ruthless corporate world. She appears cold and withdrawn, burdened by unresolved issues with her past, yet deep down, she longs for companionship. Enter her new secretary—a handsome, capable man who seems like the perfect partner, except for one detail: he’s a single dad. Together, they face life’s ups and downs while maintaining their relationship. While the plot is predictable, it remains engaging without being overly dramatic, cringeworthy, or pretentious. The lighthearted tone makes it an enjoyable watch, and even the supporting characters add to the entertainment with their witty banter. It’s the kind of drama that may not be groundbreaking but is perfect for passing the time.

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a misplaced main character

I recently watched the movie, and while it was a touching story, it seemed to me that the focus of the plot was rather misplaced.

Mi Yeon aka Audrey, a graceful, middle-aged woman, leads a peaceful life running a small neighborhood noodle shop with the help of her devoted adopted son, Ki Hoon. Their bond is warm and supportive, with Ki Hoon proving to be a caring and dependable presence in her life. In contrast, Mi Yeon's biological daughter, Ji Yeon—a popular Kpop idol remains estranged from the family due to a troubled past marked by rebellion and unresolved grief. A pivotal moment in their fractured relationship stems from the early death of Ji Yeon’s father, who was tragically struck by a truck during a heated argument with her.

Despite Audrey (Mi Yeon) and Ki Hoon’s sincere attempts to reconnect with Ji Yeon, she keeps them at arm’s length. As time passes, Audrey begins to exhibit signs of memory loss, eventually receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Rather than fully exploring the emotional weight of this development in the story, the narrative introduces another dramatic twist: Ji Yeon is diagnosed with leukemia. Ki Hoon is unable to be a donor to her due to their lack of genetic relation. In a moment of clarity amidst her cognitive decline, Audrey consents to the procedure, becoming the donor who ultimately saves her daughter’s life.

The film concludes with a poignant scene where both Ji Yeon and Ki Hoon sit on a bench with Audrey in the middle, now in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, sharing a tender moment of connection and love with the woman who shaped both of their lives.

The movie was okay, but it seemed like, yes, Audrey is framed as the main character, especially given her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, plus the movie title is Beautiful Audrey, but Ki Hoon receives more screen time, character depth, or narrative focus—making him feel like the actual protagonist.

Ki Hoon’s story was, in many ways, far more captivating. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by Audrey’s family and raised with care. As he matures, he becomes a kind-hearted and devoted son, choosing to forgo college, despite his intelligence, to dedicate himself fully to supporting his mother. Throughout the hardships, especially when both Audrey and Ji Yeon fall ill, Ki Hoon remains their steadfast pillar, quietly carrying the emotional weight of the family. His character felt incredibly relatable; I could genuinely sense his pain, admire his perseverance, and appreciate the quiet strength he showed in the face of so much adversity. Honestly, it felt like the film should’ve been titled Beautiful Ki Hoon instead!

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I watched it twice.

I thoroughly enjoyed binge-watching this fast-paced drama, which delivered a series of gripping scenarios that kept me completely hooked. I particularly appreciated its portrayal of the realities within a trauma department, from interdepartmental competition for funding and insubordination among colleagues to the unfortunate neglect of this vital hospital unit. Even the exaggerated moments were a delight, thanks to Ju Ji Hoon’s effortless and compelling performance. The dynamic between the main leads was highly entertaining, and Ju Ji Hoon’s remarkable versatility made every scene a joy to watch. With only eight episodes, it felt far too short—I truly hope there's a second season!

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don't exactly know why the title is sorry, not sorry

The drama Sorry, Not Sorry begins by showcasing how the female lead’s life has turned upside down following her divorce. As the story unfolds, chaos surrounds her, with each character dealing with their own personal struggles, pulling her into their drama as well. It has a slice-of-life feel, tackling issues such as divorce, single parenting, and even bullying among parents—yes, adults—who ostracize others for not meeting their standards of “proper” parenthood, passing these attitudes down to their children. A particularly frustrating aspect is how the characters go to great lengths to hide their embarrassing secrets out of fear of judgment, only to create more misunderstandings due to their lack of honest communication, ultimately hurting one another. I’m unsure how I feel about this drama, but despite my mixed emotions, I can’t stop watching because well, I guess it started growing on me. Some characters are very relatable and I like how the love story isn't so cringe and mature. There are definitely some life lessons from this drama.

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curiosity killed the cat

The drama feels quite sluggish, and I couldn't help but think it doesn't really need 10 episodes — the whole story could have easily been condensed into less. Still, I kept watching out of intrigue, wondering whether the FL is indeed a witch, cursed, or simply a victim of gossip.

The ML, a data miner known for his logical mindset, quits his job to uncover the truth about his high school first love — whether she's really a witch or not. Determined to find answers, he collects data and even risks his life investigating why men seemed to die or get injured whenever they got close to her. Eventually, he arrives at a seemingly satisfying hypothesis that explains the incidents and vows to help her without her knowing.

To me, the ML's behavior feels quite ironic — you'd expect someone so logical to be well, more rational, yet here he is, obsessing about someone who’s practically a stranger to him. His actions really bring to mind the saying "curiosity killed the cat." He had no real connection to her life, yet he willingly quit his job, started stalking her, and even put himself in danger several times just to test out his theories. Honestly, who goes to such extremes for someone they barely know? I just hope all his so-called "efforts" don't end up being pointless.

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a heavenly ever after featuring hell and other confusing elements

This drama starts with a promising premise: a married couple dies and goes to heaven. Once there, they’re given the chance to choose how old they’d like to appear. The wife decides to remain as she is—80 years old, for some reason—while the husband chooses his 30s. This creates a mismatched pairing as they begin a new chapter of life in heaven, adjusting to its quirks and daily adventures.

The show presents a fictional take on what heaven might be like, but some parts felt a bit strange to me. In this version of heaven, there are rules you have to follow, and if you keep breaking them, you can actually be sent to hell. When you misbehave in heaven, you can repent by going to church or doing volunteer work to atone for it. Beings from hell can even sneak into heaven and live there until they’re caught. People who aren't clearly “heaven material” might be transferred to hell later. I mean… what?!

The story not only focuses on heaven but also dives into grim territory in hell. Maybe the creators wanted to highlight the contrast between heaven and hell, or maybe they just want to stretch out the series. Honestly, I’m not sure where this drama is headed, but since I’ve been so starved for good content lately, I’ll stick with it—for now.

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