This review may contain spoilers
The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.
The 2025 Korean supernatural film, «검은 수녀들» («Black Nuns»), is the sequel to the 2015 Korean supernatural movie, «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»). However, anyone who wants to start with the sequel has no need to watch the first as «검은 수녀들» («Black Nuns») is a standalone movie, and the two are almost identical in plots, twists, and execution.NOTE: The things written below were made in comparison with the prequel «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»).
The Good:
1. They gave the demon more dialogue.
2. The things the demon said are more in line with what's in the Bible, and more direct.
3. They gave the possession more screen time.
4. Less on the supernatural and more on realism. (No silly roaches; no "the demon finally started to use its power after it was caught")
5. Handled well the issue of "medical vs religion" when it comes to demon possession.
6. Brought into focus how skeptics handle witnessing demon possession.
7. Balanced relationship between Roman Catholicism and Korea's Shamanism.
The Bad:
1. Many scenes were a repeat of the scenes in «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»). They could've thought of something more unique.
2. Some dialogues were the same from the prequel. It doesn't have to be the same simply to pay homage to the original. It can be something else altogether since the sequence were the same already, thus the audience already are already aware at that point.
3. They didn't provide a clear background story to the primary character just because she'll sacrifice herself in the end. They should've done so to make the audience attached to her character. Her sacrifice was shallow, "I don't have a choice, I'll die anyway, so I'll die on my own terms and not because of this cancer". Surely, there was a very deep story behind her quick decision to sacrifice herself, it wasn't just because the same demon killed her mother.
4. The secondary character, while she was given a clear background story, they did not give her much to do. She was just an extra. Less than an assistant. While her role was important in the exorcism process, the film itself did not give her justice. Since they planned to let her character survive and join with the Priest from «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»), they should've given her more things to do, say, and screentime.
The Ugly:
1. The ending city sequence was totally unnecessary, especially those rats. It was so weird especially since two streets across everything was business as usual, no rats, nothing unusual. The timing was also weird. They were somewhere on the outskirts of the city, and they had to drive back in the middle of the city to get to a church? It was probably a 30-minute drive. Even if there were no Roman Catholic churches near the hometown of the possessed kid, they didn't have to find a church right in the middle of the city. They even showed the city's skyline and established how the kid's home was not in the city proper.
2. Why did they use the Snake again but different name? It was already the Snake in «검은 사제들» («Black Priests») for one of the twelve major demons, and that one was defeated. The one in «검은 수녀들» («Black Nuns») should've been a different one. Are they all Snakes? Or, trying to avoid the Dragon? If they're not afraid in offending Roman Catholics, then they should not be afraid in offending those who worship the Dragon.
That's all.
Oh, bonus, the numbers the demon mentioned were not random. However, I'm not sure if the writers intended that or had no idea about it. 😝
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm not ready for this to end, any fanfiction?
Wow. The wrap-up wasn't rushed. Usually plots like this end up suddenly in the finale episode, leaving you hanging and wondering, "that was it?" But not this one. They even chose to have it an open-ending to let fans formulate their own conclusion (or fanfiction).10 stars from me!
Now all I need is to find fanfiction to continue the open-ended finale. I can see where it will go but that's my own story. I want to know what other fans have in mind. Any volunteers? It doesn't have to be long. It can be a short-story, more like a sidestory that we wished was in the show but it won't fit the overall plot.
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This review may contain spoilers
Once again, Kim Tae Ri has proven why she's a Rank 1 actor. Special mention was her portrayal of the ghost desperate to live yet Tae Ri's character was forcing her to burn the final key object to banish the spirit.I played that scene multiple times because I can't get enough of the out of this world acting by Kim Tae Ri. I felt compassion on the ghost in that scene. She only wanted to live because she was wronged when she was still alive. And her very strong desire to live, by trying to fight back San Young (Tae Ri's character), was delivered by Tae Ri in a very powerful way. I think Tae Ri's theater acting training and exposure greatly helped her at that moment. She knew how to act the ghost's desires and desperation to live without overdoing it.
Of course, I also commend the director and the cameraman for perfectly capturing that moment, up close and personal. It magnified what Tae Ri wants the audience to feel: this ghost, she was a victim, while it doesn't justify the ghost's murders, it is us humans who turned her that way.
Which is true. Many of humans only think of their own desires and greed, and doesn't care if another human being turn evil because of their actions and words. Yes, we cannot blame others for our own actions, but we also cannot deny the fact that we are who we are because of our experiences.
For me, the moral of this story is that we should always strive to do good. If you truly want to be selfish, then keep your mouth shut instead of speaking hurtful words behind other people's backs. For example, San Young realised how she was killing herself in the final episode because of how people said hurtful words, like that scene with the convenient store manager. If one did not notice, Tae Ri showed her "evil face" at that time, and she was not yet influenced by the ghost then.
Many of us probably reacted that way too after hearing hurtful words from people. Our faces probably showed how we want "kill" them for looking down on us as if us struggling in life was our fault (when it was just what we're given). Or, like it was a sin to have been born in that situation. And that moment was when San Young, without her knowledge until the final episode, that she started to slowly kill herself.
I've been there, too, without me realising what I'm doing. You gave up. You just try to live every day, but you no longer have any desire to live. You are just waiting for death to collect you, and you'll even welcome death with open arms. And the ghost that possessed San Young, she was right. San Young was wasting her life, and she (the ghost) wants to live.
The show may have been about ghosts and suicide. But if we look deeper into it, it is sending us a message that we should strive to live no matter what. Why? Because there were people whose lives ended not out of their own will, rather, they were forced to it. They were victims.
So, to you and me, this show is a strong and powerful message. Fight to live. It is hard. I know, I am struggling myself. I want to give up. I had enough of this life. But, let's fight to live another day. Let's show this world, let's show this evil society that we have today, that we can. If we know people whose lives ended early, either through suicide or they were murdered, let's live for them. They have desires and dreams, let's live for them, and maybe, through us, our society will become better.
Thank you, Kim Tae Ri, to the cast, the staff, the director, the writer, for this very timely story and message. I hope you'll win awards for this, you 100% deserve to grab all the awards.
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You don't have to imagine you are with them, the editing, camera shots, the way they talk, laugh, you are easily immersed. It's like playing and having fun with your family and friends. There are teasing, there are jokes. It's casual enough to feel there is bond.
You wouldn't even think they're filming a variety show. You wouldn't even think they're doing it because it is their job, and it is expected of them.
Even if you remove the cameras, it will be the same fun and bonding moments.
That's make this show amazing and worth watching for almost 2 hours every week.
Keep giving us this natural laughter and real bonding. More power.
(And I hope you visit the Philippines, too. Drop me a line too, I want to meet you all haha.)
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In memory of the original 10
This is actually good! It's slow at first, building the story of the group of assassins. Then it picks up and showed us amazing sword choreography. Great acting by Ueto Aya and even though she looks beautiful and pretty, she was able to exude her character's fierceness and one-mindedness of a true assassin. I can not help but compare her to Battousai whenever Azumi the Assassin shows up.In memory of the original 10, and the perfectness of the production, story, and cast, I give this a perfect 10.
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An impactful lesson-filled short story
"Dear My Name" (2019) was a 6-episode web series for 10 minutes each which was later re-released as a 2-episode show. However, do not get distracted by it, not every good story has to be long just as how short stories can be as awesome as novels, "Dear My Name" was as awesome as any other full-length TV drama.The acting was simple and the production and direction captured the spirit of the plot. A story about soulmates, liking each other, rejection, moving on, courage to confess, and having the freedom to choose who we want to spend our lives with. Having presented these "stages of relationships" in a total of one hour tells us the talent of the actors, actresses, the writer, and the director.
Could it have been done longer? Sure. But it won't be as perfect as what it is with its current format.
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A 花より男子 (Hana Yori Dango); Meteor Garden show with political sibling rivalry
I. StoryIn a story with many important characters, it is important to tell it clearly, they did well in doing that. The political war between the brothers were interesting, they also picked a good period for the Korean version of a Chinese novel.
Sadly, the romantic aspect of the story was delivered poorly. It did not elicit any emotional reaction. There was no built-up. This is primarily a story about sibling rivalry gone to the political level.
II. Acting
It was lacking in some areas, there were also scenes which looked like they were practicing. There were also memorable scenes, from pure laughter to serious where their acting were very natural.
III. Music
The music, unfortunately, did not make an impact. There were scenes where a powerful music fits but instead it did not have any or a weaker music was used. They should've used more.
IV. Production
The production was very good. They spent for quality materials and designs for the wardrobe of the actors. This is specially true for IU where she was able to wear historical wardrobes yet with a modern touch which fits her aura. Great job in blending the two eras.
However, close-up shots were overused to the 5th power. It wasn't needed in many of the scenes, it became annoying. In the boat scenes, there was too much backlight glare from the sun the actors (again close-up shots) can be barely seen.
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The ups and downs of human relationships
School 2021 is shaping up to be the best in the School franchise. It's focused on human relationship, not just between students but between father and daughter and the adults.It's taking on serious topics without going too deep yet remains powerful and relatable.
The soundtrack is also good, very fitting for the powerful message they want the audience to absorb. And even the main characters are mostly newbies in acting, they are delivering their lines and emotions at the right place and at the right time.
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A real reprsentation. True-to-life stories
As expected! She knows her husband is having an affair. For an experienced divorce attorney such as herself, it is highly unlikely she doesn't know, much less a single suspicion.I mean, even ordinary people, they can know if their partner is cheating on them.
The problem is, you don't have proof. And even if you can get a solid evidence, you don't want to do it.
You'll think:
1. We can still fix this.
2. All I have to do is this and that and s/he will come back to me.
3. Maybe s/he just got lost temporarily, I trust him/her.
4. Keep praying and hoping.
5. Our career and reputation is at stake.
6. Our kid will suffer if the affair comes out. It's better to keep it buried.
The one who is faithful and with the suspicions, they start to weigh things. Who will have the most to gain if the affair comes to light? If you're on the losing end, it's better to keep it in the darkness and learn to live with it. Or, if you start thinking about your kids (if any) then even more so to keep the affair in the shadows.
Even IF you have an undeniable proof, it still comes down to: who'll gain the most if the affair is revealed. Is the cheating spouse? If the suffering spouse will gain the most, how about their children? How about your career and reputation, especially if you're in the field where you are a divorce attorney or a writer/author/blogger/vlogger who give relationship advises and tips?
I love how the writer, who herself is a real-life divorce attorney, exposes these things, these truths, to the audience directly, without softening it or making it dramatic. It's just the plain truth.
Yes, right from E01, it was already hinted that Attorney Cha is fully aware her husband is having an affair. The clues were all there. They simply sealed it in E02. It explains why Attroney Cha is the way she is.
We are who we are today because of our experiences. Attorney Cha is who she is today because of her experiences, and that includes how her marriage is broken.
Remember what she said in E01? Once a glass has cracks, you can never fix it. That is one such clue. You can never have such wisdom if you haven't experienced it yourself.
This is why the 2FL is the way she is. She still is living in a “paradise“. She still lacks the wisdom of truly living your life.
And… I've been there. LOL. I had my suspicions, and those suspicions were right. Those cracks? It is true your relationship will never be the same again because of it. What you'll do after, or how you'll handle it, is the only thing that matters from that point on.
Is it possible to restart fresh for the couple? Yes, it is possible. However, it only works if both are on the same page and have the same level of desire and maturity. Which, we all know, is rarely the case for us human beings.
So once again, 100 out of 10 for this show. It truly pays that it was written by a real-life divorce attorney. In addition, the writer demonstrated how important it is to consult with a person who actually is in that field or living such a life, or “grassroots” instead of consulting so-called “experts”.
This is what I call real and true representation.
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Did I watch a theatre play or a TV drama?
What a masterpiece. «Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born» («정년이») gave us an unforgettable finale, and Kim Taeri (김태리), Shin Yeeun (신예은), and Woo Davi (우다비) absolutely delivered. These three? My absolute favourites.Here's why it stood out:
1. The editing? Flawless.
2. They filmed the theatre scenes as if it was a real performance. It didn’t just feel authentic—it _was_ authentic.
3. Every scene mattered. No fluff, no fillers. Just storytelling that hits hard.
4. They focused on what’s real: the relationships, the struggles, the rawness of being an actor, singer, or dancer. It wasn’t just about glitz and glamour. It was blood, sweat, and tears.
Now, about that finale. If you’re going to watch it, do it right. Big screen. Full volume. No distractions. It felt so much like a real theatre experience I caught myself clapping with the fictional audience, tearing up, and giving them a standing ovation.
Honestly, I don’t know if I just watched «Jeongnyeon» or an actual stage play. That’s how good it was.
100 over 10 stars to the cast, crew, writer, and everyone who brought this story to life. And a huge salute to every artist out there who pours their soul into their craft. You are seen. You are celebrated.
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This review may contain spoilers
Learning. Personal Growth. Building Lasting Relationships.
The Season 01 season finale was very good. They balanced well the different things that happens in a hospital especially on New Years Eve.- 2 deaths
- 3 newly borns
- 4 first-year residents growing and learning
With surprise comedies and a "karmic" conclusion. And best of all, the mainstays were all present (not like in S01E11, one mainstay was absent).
However, as is Korean drama tradition, it was written in a way that it truly ended, not leaving anything for a possible new season. It was so perfect, you wouldn't ask for more as it brought proper closures and immense satisfaction.
Still, I do hope there'll be a Season 02 because I like the entire cast and their acting. They did not outshine one another, instead, they complemented each other's acting. A weakness of one actor was hidden because of another actor filling in. Was it intentional? Maybe, maybe not, and that's what made the cast awesome. Who cares if they're support or main or a guest? They were all there to have fun and bring joy to the audience.
Final words. We want Season 02!
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