Loved this film from start to finish, because I found the historical importance placed on the concept of Feng Shui fascinating! It is the final installment of Jupiter Film's trilogy on Korean fortune-telling traditions following The Face Reader (2013) and The Princess and the Matchmaker (2018).
Ji Sung's character, Heung Sun, was based on real life Heungseon Daewongun (Prince Gung), and yes, the prophecy was self-fulfilling.
As someone said below, this one quickly grows on you. Nicely done, and rather addictive! The forensic investigations are presented not just as mere cases, but as relatable human stories. Episodes 4 & 5 (Yuu's story) had me in tears. We are now getting closer to knowing more about Reiji's tragic past, and I can't wait!
I have just rewatched this prior to watching the sequel: The White Storm 2 :Drug Lords (2019), and I liked every bit of it as much as I did 5 or 6 years ago. The chase followed by the reunion scene at the dock, surrounded by shipping containers, remains my favourite part of the movie.
Great concept stemming from a true story, commendable performances, and superb scenery! The directing, unfortunately, fell short of my expectations when it came to the fighting sequences and the use of props. This negatively impacted my appreciation of the film as a whole.
Thanks for this review. I'm just on the 3rd episode and I find it interesting. I agree with the avant-garde riskiness…
You are welcome! I am glad you found it useful :-). KimuTaku's hair back then had a public persona of its own, and should have been remunerated separately in addition to what the actor was already earning for his performances, lol.
indeed ... actually one thing I am secretly worried about is when ren and yo get together. .I hope their chemistry…
The way Ryusei kisses, touches, and caresses Yo says enough about how ferouciously he'd tap that a** (pardon my French). That is why she cannot see through his bullsh*t, and his manipulative, possessive, controlling behind. Moreover, she hasn't gotten any in a long while, so we can understand her confusion, lol. Ryusei is insecure; he knows deep down inside who Yo truly loves. That insecurity is what translates into his possessiveness and control issues. I am also looking forward to Ren and her getting together to see how he'll fare in the sexy department compare to Ryusei.
Update: I have just finished the series, and oh yes, Ren can definitely keep up with Ryusei in the sexy department. Lucky Yo!
Ah Ryusei, love him or hate him, one thing is certain, THAT MAN CAN KISS!
Bummer, I was tricked into starting this! Since JDramas are usually between 10 and 12 episodes, I did not realize this particular one was still airing, and had 4 additional episodes to go. I'll catch up with the remainder of the series in a couple of weeks.
I did enjoy this more than I initially thought I would. This drama has the sexiest closing credits I have seen for a series; I am sorry, but those two leads walking about butt-naked turned me on. Now unto the Korean remake, Love Affairs In The Afternoon, for a comparison.
The revealing of the plausible main players, their roles and actual contributions, and the visualization of the process of creation of the "Hunminjeongeum" has reaffirmed my love for Hangeul as a language. The popular idiom is that behind every great man is a great woman. I'd say that behind every great man is an even greater woman, Queen Soheon.
I commend Director Cho Chul-hyun for giving credit where credit is due (the contribution of the Buddhists monks), rather than sticking with the annals and the historical perspective of Confucius scholars.
King Sejong The Great was a man with a vision, and his vision has transcended time. As the saying goes about the Korean alphabet and its 28 characters: "A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; even a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days."
If you were thinking about learning Hangeul yet was procrastinating, this is a good occasion to get yourself started.
Ji Sung's character, Heung Sun, was based on real life Heungseon Daewongun (Prince Gung), and yes, the prophecy was self-fulfilling.
Episodes 4 & 5 (Yuu's story) had me in tears. We are now getting closer to knowing more about Reiji's tragic past, and I can't wait!
And what were those awful kisses? Ugh!
The man isn't aging for shizzle! I'd like to have some of what he is having.
My take on the movie? A disappointment... Nothing like the prequel.
The directing, unfortunately, fell short of my expectations when it came to the fighting sequences and the use of props. This negatively impacted my appreciation of the film as a whole.
KimuTaku's hair back then had a public persona of its own, and should have been remunerated separately in addition to what the actor was already earning for his performances, lol.
I thought it was better than Train to Busan (plot, writing, and acting).
What do you think?
Ryusei is insecure; he knows deep down inside who Yo truly loves. That insecurity is what translates into his possessiveness and control issues.
I am also looking forward to Ren and her getting together to see how he'll fare in the sexy department compare to Ryusei.
Update: I have just finished the series, and oh yes, Ren can definitely keep up with Ryusei in the sexy department. Lucky Yo!
Bummer, I was tricked into starting this! Since JDramas are usually between 10 and 12 episodes, I did not realize this particular one was still airing, and had 4 additional episodes to go. I'll catch up with the remainder of the series in a couple of weeks.
Now unto the Korean remake, Love Affairs In The Afternoon, for a comparison.
JEON MI SEON, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
I commend Director Cho Chul-hyun for giving credit where credit is due (the contribution of the Buddhists monks), rather than sticking with the annals and the historical perspective of Confucius scholars.
King Sejong The Great was a man with a vision, and his vision has transcended time. As the saying goes about the Korean alphabet and its 28 characters: "A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; even a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days."
If you were thinking about learning Hangeul yet was procrastinating, this is a good occasion to get yourself started.