Love and Law
I heard so much positive feedback about this drama that made me watch it. Each episode is packed with cases that are quite difficult to handle, yet the Litigation team have handled them with much hard work and teamwork. As we see the ending, I anticipate a Season 2 for this - how will the restructed Yullim look like and what will happen for the rest of the corrupt ones.What made me continue to watch is to see how the story of Seok Hoon and Hyo-min unfold, why they think that way and their interaction with one another.
I see why the title is Beyond the Bar - because it challenged their moral and ethical principles as well as how they view life in general. It shows humanity, mercy and love even in the hardest of cases they faced. There is compassion even when the sentence was pronounced.
The Actors
Lee Jin-Wook's demeanor is just right for the role of no-nonsense mentor. However, we also see a soft side of the character as he listens to the reasonings of his juniors and perhaps really a good reader of people. We see him transitioned for being 'all work' to enjoying his team, not just giving advise but also receiving.
I saw Jung Chae-Yeon in Family by Choice, and she looks so young there when in fact it was just last year. Here, she portrays a much older character, a genius, yet had some issues which only unfolded as the series progressed. Hyo-min is a breath of fresh air for the team and much more for Seok-Yoon who seem to be so stiff - as his teammates say their team is dry.
It is also good to see side stories of the other lawyers, both the good and the bad and how we all desire the good to win.
The 2nd lead lawyers' story added to the dynamics of love and law. In the end, love wins.
Should I rewatch it?
Perhaps after 6 months, when my brain cells can keep up with the terminologies... just kidding.
Overall, I rate this an 8.5, and wish that the Lead's story will continue to Season 2? Please season 2 soon.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love beyond life
I've been looking at some of So Ji Sub's series and movies. As I checked it out, surprisingly he is paired with Son Ye Jin.Rightly categorized as fantasy, as Su A mysteriously came back to life.
We have questions in life, the what ifs and missing a loved one who passed away in an untimely manner. The movie somehow gave some comfort to the viewer, though I myself do not believe in this kind of comeback especially not having memory of her previous life.
It gives them some time to express their love even for a short moment.
The actors were great - Ji Sub showed a vulnerable character, someone sensitive as he may be amazed, surprised or dazed at the presence of his late wife, now alive. Ye Jin's character is just as sensitive as Ji Sub's, that though she did not have her memories back, chose to stay with them. The kid's excitement might be the reason for their sensitivity.
But she did not stay. We may treat this just like a dream. Life goes on keeping the memories of our loves one in our hearts.
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Loving yourself
Each time I watch a movie or a drama series, I try to look into some kind of value.To some it is just light and cutie, and of course, it is a teen story. It is about first love. It is about all the insecurities that goes with growing up as a teen.
The FL is cute even with her Freezy hair, and just what Yun-Seok said, he likes her the way she is. I believe that there are plenty of adults who are still insecure in the way they look - hair, height, weight, complexion and many other things. The girl who tries to catch someone else's attention by changing herself eventually fall for someone else.
I only watched this to take a break from the other series that require much energy to process. Sometimes we need this kind of a break. And it is good that it ended in a happy note.
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Of Mental Health and Empathy
I usually look at trailers before I watch a drama or check out reviews. But in this case, I started watching it because the title is quite interesting and because of Park Bo Young.This Daily Dose of Sunshine is seen in our main character - Jung Da Eun. Someone we may think is so happy and perky each day that nothing bad can really affect her. I love how positive her character is and how much she really wants to understand each patient. I love how she finds friends among her colleagues. However, her empathy is quite at a high, that when she loses a patient, it greatly affected her. This goes to show that we can all be affected also mentally and emotionally when we care for someone who may not be emotionally or mentally stable.
This drama gives us a view of the reality of mental illness and in its many forms. We may see that mental illness is not easy to heal. It may cost a lot, but it needs more than just money - it needs carefully study, compassion, courage, strength and even wisdom.
I should say the acting is superb, especially with Bo Young. She is really good when it comes to this kind of emotional delivery. I hope all the actors are not affected by the story, as some do internalize so much their roles. It was only in this drama did I begin to learn about different kinds of mental illnesses. I think it is good for us to be aware of, and learn how we can help one who may be in such a state.
I am glad that in the end, there is a ray of hope, a ray of healing and a ray of sunshine coming back. I would not ask for a season 2. I think the 12 episodes are enough to make us aware that mental illness can be managed or even cured. Let us help contribute to the mental wellness of our society.
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Female Vigilante
Just like watching Mr. Queen, I did not look into any reviews about Knight Flower. I just got intrigued again by the drama title.Some would say that they irked at the thought of casting a much older woman and partnered with a very young male lead. Well, the story actually calls for that. I actually tried to compute the age since the FL was about to get married at the same time the ML lost his family when he was a young boy. So perhaps the FL was around 18-22 years old then and the ML maybe around 10 yrs old. Fifteen years later, we can assume the FL maybe in her 30s and the ML in his early 20s.
Anyways, I believe the casting director took note of this, so I think it is not a miscast.
Lee Ha Nee did a great job living a double life. It is amazing how she remained undetected by her mother-in-law having a Ninja-like skills. I love it when women in this kind of era are presented not as powerless or just submit to the order of society, but as one who can make her own decision and fight injustice.
Lee Jon Won has a very expressive face. I think his role fits him well and though young was never intimidated.
For me the 12 episodes is good for the whole story, though the last episode seemed rush for me. Can this one have a season 2?
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Delightfully Comical
When I picked this drama to watch, I did not read any reviews. I was just intrigued by the Title. The promo photo looks like a period drama, yet the first episode is in modern times.What I like about the drama?
First it is Shin Hae Sun - really great acting, though in the eyes of the king she is a woman, her acting is that of a man trapped in a woman's body. I really could not stop laughing as she is no ordinary queen - very candid, open, expressive and perhaps her maids had thought of her as crazy and vulgar. Though you may look at her as distressed at her situation, her interaction with all her maids and even the king made it even more comical.
2nd, King Cheol Jong could not seem to control his queen. Even if this is a period drama, So Young and Cheol Jong seem to be equals in many ways. Perhaps the king was really perplexed to see her behavior.
Court Lady Choi was really fantastic, together with another maid who constantly try to control the situation. Their loyalty and love for the queen are undeniable. Then comes the royal chef who is so insecure with the queen. These supporting characters added to the comic leads.
Though we see a political struggle and violence, overall, the drama is easy and light to watch. And in the end, the order of things both in the Joseon era and in the modern times had some justice and peace.
Though we may see other dramas with time travel or body swap, this one is way up that category. Love the series, love the actor, won't change anything at all.
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Empathy and Healing
I had watched this series twice.First reason is because of Yoon Kye Sang and Ha Ji Won.
Second is to understand more deeply the main characters and the people surrounding them.
The whole story with flashback from their childhood reveals little by little who they were and the reason who they are in the present. Some people may think of it as depressing, too much opposition, the wicked powerful seem to win, the struggles of those who just want to accomplish their purpose in life but found so many hindrances.
The Actors
Both Kye Sang and Ji Won have displayed their characters as matured people who have been honed by the challenges of life. They are the type of people who seek to understand the people they interact with and along the way, found themselves more and more involved with each other. It is good that there was no hate between them, but perhaps some kind of misunderstanding only of their past. I love how their love story unfolded and how they were healed together.
The antagonistic relatives of Dr. Kang did deliver well their hateful characters that sometimes you would like to smack them to stop their whining and fighting.
I think the most transformed character is that of Lee Joon. All his life, he hated Lee Kang but didn't really understand why. As the story unfold, he gets to see the true colors of his parents and learn to make his own choices.
The Story
I think 80% of this series is focused on several people dying. It gives us a picture that death is inevitable. It shows how friends and family are important in one's life while we are living. It teaches us how to be compassionate and more understanding towards those who are suffering. It presents to us the value of life is far and above ambitions and riches. We may not have seen what will happen to the hospice as both Lee Kang and Cha Young are in Greece at the end of the series. It just gives us hope that together, they can help others heal also wherever they may be.
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So Many Life Lessons- of Perseverance, of Teamwork and Love
What drew me to watch this is Yoon Kye Sang since I have watched Chocolate a few months ago. I don't usually watch kdrama, as I would still need subtitles. But this one is such a gem.What do I like about the drama?
I should say this drama is promising, a lot of characters which will make you wonder how they will interact and figure out their challenges. It is full of life lessons - how to overcome failure, to rise above opposition, to stand your ground and live with principles. There are many types of sports featured in this drama. But what makes rugby different in this story, is that it needs a good relationship between the coach and the players as well as player to player. It is a team sports, unlike the other sports featured were more on solo victories.
I like how the characters of the young men evolved and how the coach inspired them. The actors have given life to the character - either you will love them or hate them, depending upon which side they are. Ju Garam is an inspiring coach, though his past was colored. He truly loved rugby and these boys. These men showed how to fight, how to love and play. As Garam said, "We are to unite 7 hearts to play as one." and they did. The turnaround of the Hanyang Rugby team is really a miracle, to get the gold in the Nationals. I love those rugby boys, they acted so natural, and they had great chemistry even with the adult actors.
In every drama, there are antagonists also. If you get so pissed off with the VP and the Head Coach for shooting, it means their acting is very good. However, I don't know if high school is really this political.
In the end, the good come out victorious and the bad gets bad karma.
We need more inspiring stories like this - even teaching parents to help their children find their path and not impose their own. Kudos to the whole production team - cast and crew. Can we have a season 2 of this please?
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