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.
The best life lesson I got is this - YOUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. Anyone can make a turnaround as you put your mind to it. No one is too old to make new life choices or change in their career.
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? So many stories can evolve from this one - the new Hanyang Rugby Team, where does Coach Garam go after this, what happened to those who graduated and perhaps a grand high school reunion?
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Chaotic Mission
I had put off this drama for quite some time but decided to watch it when I learned that Seo Kang Joon and Jin Ki Joo are the leads. I am not into high school stories, but having an investigative story appealed to me.What I love about this?
1. The Actors - Kang Joon and Ki Joo. Both have already done many dramas and they deliver. At first, I thought there was no romance angle, especially Kang Joon coming in as a high school student. Kang Joon's visuals, action scenes and comedic parts are all on point. Jin Ki Joo is so cute, they truly complement each other. Kang Joon as Hae Seong the agent showed that he is good at his work, though he had a mishap. Jin Ki Joo as Oh Su Ah is passionate, though out of touch of the condition of her students. Their encounter with each other had taught them to trust each other and work together.
2. The supporting actors -
a. The villains - Kim Shin Rok did great in being controlling and later showing insanity over her greed.
b. The NIS agents - I love them, their banters are so funny. I like that Hae Seong finds a 'father figure' in An Seok Ho as he has no father at a very young age.
c. The students - they may be vying for honors, or rich kids, but they are still kids at heart. And I love how they reacted when they learned that Hae Seong and Oh Su Ah are dating. Dong Min found a friend in Hae Seong.
3. The Story - I like that it is fast-paced, giving us a background first of Hae Seong before diving into his new mission. Despite of the NIS head being a bad guy, they tried to uncover the truth. There are other side stories which I am glad had not been dragged throughout the series. But they have been some elements that revealed more of the characters of the other students and the manipulation of the Chairwoman.
I don't know if we need a Season 2 for this, as he has already exposed himself. To have a spin off perhaps - where would Hae Seong and Su Ah when they get married? Would there be new assignments which can complicate their marriage? Let us see if anyone thought of a second season or a spin off.
And congratulations to Seo Kang Joon for winning the Daesang and the Undercover High School Team for taking the Best Picture Award in the recent MBC Drama awards night! You guys rock!
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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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How Far would You Believe the Truth?
This drama dove deeper into the lives of celebrities that may be a reality check also for fans. Many celebrities in Korea do face much pressure with just a small rumor. And this drama showed an extreme situation - La Ik being caught in a murder case.And how far you will go as a fan? - Would you turn away from him no matter what? Would you not seek the truth? Would you only love him because he looks good and sings well?
And it is good that La Ik has one fan who does not believe in the lie. She went out of her way to defend him without revealing herself as a fan. She believed in his innocence and tried everything in her power to find the truth. It isn't what the majority she believed, she just believed in him.
The story went well, though there are parts which I think could have been presented earlier - like the checking of the cloud message of Woo Seong's phone. From the start they knew they cannot find the phone, and of all people, La Ik knew that he records everything and sync in the cloud. Was he too shocked or sorrowful that can't even think what he needs to do to get himself out of that trouble? Was it deliberately placed at Episode 11 so that the drama be longer?
I find this missing - their manager and producer failed to help him. Do they just use them for their own success? Is this reality now? I remember watching Sh**ting Stars where a public relations team help build and protect the image of their clients. Somewhat the drama has loopholes when it comes to protecting their stars. This goes to show the need for a strong trust between the managers and their stars.
This drama has redeeming factors:
1. Atty Kwak learned to stand on the truth and not just go with the flow with his father. In the end, he was able to find the real criminal.
2. La Ik learned to trust Se Na
3. And with the help of Chung Jae, Se Na's friend, they were able to gather evidence. I like this character, that though he knows Se Na loves La Ik, he did not stop supporting her. He is very grateful to her, for helping him out from his own troubles in the past.
4. Se Na finally pursuing the retrial of her father's case. Though it may look late, this character has been consistent in finding the truth.
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RISING ABOVE LIFE'S CHALLENGES with those who believe in you.
This is a story of not just Mok-ha but also of Ki-ho's survival and how they rose above their difficult situation.Though Mok-ha's survival is miraculous and much more the way she was discovered by the very people she once knew, it gives us hope that anyone can rise above life's challenges.
The Story:
The story may have started with heartaches as the two leads tried to survive abuses. It gave us a picture already of their background from the start unlike other dramas that start in the present and go back and forth with their past. I think many Korean dramas run this way, highlighting only a little of the past to connect with the present.
It is amazing how Mok-ha was able to get to the island alive without knowing how to swim. That is something, we can say as a miracle in order for her to reach her dream.
I like the development of the story; it was not slow nor too fast. It walked us through the story of each of the character and given us the answers little by little without making us itch to get it to the bottom of it. However, the time span was not that clear to me from the time that Mok-ha was found till she became a superstar. We can only infer that eventually, as they became tenacious and strong in the middle of intrigues and threats, each of the Lee family and Mok-ha achieved their goals with much love, peace and joy. For me, the story is full of love which is expressed in different ways.
The Actors and their characters:
1. Park Eun Bin - Many say that she is overacting in this drama. Perhaps we need to analyze why she acted that way. First off, she left her town when she was just 16 and grew up only with her abusive dad. Then lived for 15 years in an island alone. So, perhaps she did not grow up with any guidance how to be a lady but merely trying to survive. She didn't know how to interact with people her age and with the changing society.
2. Jong Hyeon as Bo Geol /Ki-Ho - I like the calmness of the adult Ki-ho, just like the younger version, despite of the abuses he received from his dad. At first, He isn't cold, he is just trying to protect himself and his family.
3. Hak Hyeon as Woo Hak - I wondered at first why he is trying to figure out if he is Ki-ho. The character is compassionate and one who doesn't want to break the law.
4. Ki-ho's dad - I did fear for Ki-ho's life and his family by the way this character behaved. and I think we live in a world that there are still people like this who treat their family like possessions.
The Music
I think this is the first time I would comment on a Korean drama OST. I love the songs and was surprised how beautiful Eun Bin's voice is. The songs are beautifully written, and the music is great. And each song tells a life story- of hope and love.
Will I rewatch it? I might perhaps after a year but will skip the violence.
My overall rating it an 8.
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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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Joy and Love in Chocolates
It is an interesting story revolving around chocolate and its power over people's lives. I like that the episodes are named according to a certain chocolate product.I like how the transformation of the two leads, how they learned to get over their individual struggles and found love in the end. I am a sucker for love stories and so much also with chocolates.
I think the 8 episodes are enough and won't need a 2nd season.
All the actors did very good. I can feel the anxiety of the two leads as they are faced to do what is not common to them. I can feel the love and the joy as Hana makes her chocolate. I can feel the love of the Le Saveur team and had not discriminated Hana. I also like that both Sosuke and Hana went personally to different partners and because they had done it, they had their support. This goes to show that even in business, the care for partners is essential. It is not always about money, but the value we give to the people we work with and the people we offer our products to, is far more significant and impactful. I hope others see this value in this drama.
The sceneries are lovely. I was hoping that they made the running Leads from the wedding the ending. It seems anti-climactic to end the Anonymous Circle with a special guest.
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Conflicting yet Desiring
Period dramas always bring various conflicts that heightens to an uprising or a war. My Dearest may be such a tender title for it gives us the story of two people who had pushed and pulled their feelings for one another, not admitting that they are attracted to each other.Like any Korean period drama, it depicts the women to be more desirable if one has various talents while the men being scholars or of high-ranking official. There is a caste system which causes the singles to choose only those within their societal levels. But Gil Chae isn't your typical leading lading. In fact, she is not the 'artistic' type and is somewhat mischievous and manipulative. She knows she is beautiful and can attract any man, except the one her eyes delight in. Jang Hyeon, rightfully described in the synopsis is mysterious. No one knows his roots, or his abilities. What people think is that he is a playboy, enjoys the company of women without being married to. Both Gil Chae and Jang Hyeon have already pre-conceived ideas of each other. They may be drawn to each other, but what they say is not what is in their hearts. The circumstances surrounding them, the Qing invasion, the war, the survival, the escape all contributed to the push and pull of their relationship.
My heartaches when Ryang Eum had not been truthful to Gil Chae. Does he not really want her to be with Jang Hyeon? Does he not want to part from him? Is it bias or selfishness? There are unspoken reasons for the actions of Ryang Eum. The timing of their meeting was really bad. And I can feel Jang Hyeon's pain as he heard and saw who the bride is. Gil Chae chose to marry someone else - was it for survival of her family? or was it out of gratitude to save them? or was it to save face as everyone knew already of this engagement? Will there be even a reason for Jang Hyeon to fight the Qing? Will there be any reason for him to hope in reuniting with Gil Chae?
What I love about Gil Chae is her courage that shone when she tried to save her friend. She is ingenuous, and a creative person which made her good in business. She learned that from Jang Hyeon. She does not know how much Jang Hyeon had to go through in order to survive, even to be an instrument to save the king, despite not his aim. She does not know how skillful he is in combat and all along, she thought someone else saved her.
Namkoong Min is right in saying that he does not consider Ahn Eun Jin as a junior but an equal (when he accepted his best actor award). We have seen that Ahn Eun Jin embraced her character and is an equal of Namkoong Min 's character. Their characters unfolded and little by little developed as they continue to find each other.
About the production, this is immense. Locations, costumes, the Korean army and the Qing army may not be the main thing but surely completed the feel of a period drama. The music, especially Ryang Eum's singing is haunting. I wonder if Kim Yoon Woo really sings.
This drama also shows that those who go to war also fear - fear to die and they depicted this especially for the scholars who were never trained in battle. So, we should be reminded to honor those who defended our countrymen in the past for their sacrifices.
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Love conquers all
What draws me to this drama?First, are the two leads - Kang Tae Oh and Kim Se Jeong. I have seen them acted in several modern-day drama and have consistently delivered. Both have been successful as singers and actors, navigated the entertainment world separately. To partner them was genius. It seems their individual personalities matched the original characters they played. But what made them more attractive is to act the other's character. Both have shown a range of emotions not just by their words, but also with their facial expressions. I believe that both of these actors will go a long way in this industry and find more challenging and fulfilling roles in the future. Both of them look so good in their hanboks.
Second is the story. Body swaps may not be an original idea, but the way it happens at several times and discovering how it happens contributed to how they navigated the political, social and personal struggles they were in. This drama gave us love, joy, anger, anxiety, revenge and finally victory. Each character contributed to how the story unfold. Each episode has a cliffhanger which makes you wait for the next to see how things will go.
Third, the supporting characters which I like. The villain itself is a crucial role who had manipulated and dominated the king. His weakness was his love for a woman he could never have. His greed for power, for control, brought him to a road of no return. Because of him, many have suffered and died. His death was somewhat too dramatic for me.
The story and some of the characters have flaws at some point, but in the end, I should say this drama will be remembered for a long time. I love the setting and the costumes.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Moon River!
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You and Me Against (almost all) the World
Thought of having this headline cause from the start of this series, there are many struggles already for both Kang Hee and Yeon Soo. They are not supposed to suffer for whatever wrongs their parents had done, however, society has a way of condemning the innocent with the guilty.With a small town like this, everyone knows everyone and rumors are inevitable. These two lead characters suffered much from the voices of the past. The oppositions to them being together brought a strain to their relationship. Though they had promised to ignore the noise, still Kang Hee struggled.
What can I say about the characters portrayed here?
1. Kang Hee - a complex character, talented and rose above the prejudices at work. When, finally, someone recognized her talent, then came the time to face her past. Towards the end, she learned something about her friends, her dad and even the other people in the town.
2. Yeon Soo - a quiet and gentle man who chose to stay in their hometown and loves Kang Hee no matter how difficult she may be. I think he has the most development, as Kang Hee said that he had changed. He may not fully understand Kang Hee, but he patiently waited for her to be ready.
3. Chun Pil - a man of few words, misunderstood by his daughter, kept his sanity in managing the motel despite of his own personal struggle. He did not let his daughter be burdened. This character has a big heart for caring for the boys who were not cared for by their own parents.
4. The Gangsters - despite of the struggles these leads had, they have good friends who stayed with them up to adulthood. Each has their own struggles, all because of the prejudices from other townspeople.
5. Yeon Soo's mom - she is one of the characters that you would hate. She does not see her own mistakes and points the mistakes of the elders upon Kang Hee. She is selfish and not really after the happiness of her son.
6. Kang Hee's colleagues in Seoul - they are the ones who had supported her in her journey as a designer.
This series does not have the loud wailing and shouting battles, except for Yeon Soo's mom. Both Lee Se Young and Na In Woo have delivered a rollercoaster of emotions as they fight for their love for each other and rise above their challenges. Even their young versions did great in their acting. People can be unforgiving, but what needs to happen is to forgive oneself first in order to move past the struggles. And it is not all You and Me Against the World, for there a few who had supported them either silently or partially.
Kang Hee said as a child, that to love is to hold one's hand or to hug someone. It may be such a light idea for a child, but it conveys comfort and protection to the one we love. And towards the end, there is forgiveness and reconciliation - as they open up their hearts to love and acceptance.
Reflecting on the series lessons:
So let us love unwavering, keep holding the hands of our loved ones no matter how hard life can be. Let go of the past and use them to strengthen our resolve, our faith in God and men. Live in the now free of regrets and move forward to be the better version of yourself.
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Rise above the Challenge
This must be one of the first Korean drama I have watched 2 decades ago when it was aired in my country. My friends and I had been waiting for each episode and even had exchanged notes.What draws me to this drama are the cooking elements. Jang Geum has an exceptional talent in cooking, even when at the time she lost her sense of taste. She proved herself to be the best in that field even though someone wants to sabotage her. We may think everyone is against her, but having someone supporting her gave her the hope to rise above the challenge.
It is amazing how she transitioned from being a cook to a doctor. In Korean dramas of this period, we do not see women as the lead physician. However, we see her wisdom and talent in cooking came handy.
As this is a period drama, the production had prepared well from the costumes, the sites, the cooking methods and utensils. It is amazing, how Korea had tried to preserve their history with this kind of drama. This is something they should be proud of and hoping the next generations to come will cherish and embrace their history as well.
As this reached more than 50 episodes, I do not think of rewatching it. Though I have watched this 2 decades ago, I remember the faces, specially of Jang Geum who did not seem to age, now that she has a 2025 drama with a younger actor.
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To Live Well Despite of a Loss
Those who have lost a loved one can relate to this series. It truly hurts to lose someone in a very untimely manner - that you didn't get to say goodbye before he/she dies. Regrets, guilt or losing the will to live can haunt us. And we see that in the life of Hee Wan and Hong Seok who for the past five years still feel the hurt.The series gave Hee Wan and Ram Woo to spend at least a week and view life beyond the loss. But in reality, no one gets to spend a week with the person we lost in an untimely manner. The story with its going back and forth to present and past slowly unfolds how their relationship started, how this exchange of name affected them and even expanded their sphere of friendships.
Kim Min Ha did exemplary in portraying the adventurous girl in high school and later on the directionless college student. As for Gong Myoung, I still remember him in Love Untangle, where he also played a high school student. It suits him to be the serious and kind young man. I would like to see him do a more challenging role to see the extent of his acting.
It gives us also a view of the importance of family and friends, that though we have lost someone so dear, their support, their life, are also important to move forward and live well.
Our life moves on, even when we lost someone dear. And the grim reaper didn't take her but rather saved her. In view of this story, we should then reflect the importance of being intentional in building our relationship for good.
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Finding One's Path
Somehow this movie gives me the feel of "When the Weather is Fine" but on a lighter note.The different seasons reflect the different thoughts of Hye Won's life.
Winter ... when almost everything is freezing, or hibernating ... and her life seem to be frozen also in time, not knowing what to do but returns to a life she once escaped from.
Spring ... when new sprouts come alive and gives hope ... shaking the blues of winter
Summer ... when planting and reaping is at its peak ... it is also a time of seeing the fruit of her labor ... and what she is trying to understand, her mom, even her future, what she really wants in life becomes clearer.
Fall - when the dried persimmons are ready to be kept for wintertime ... ready to face where she left off ...
She did leave without saying goodbye to her friends ...
Then returned ... now on a happier feeling as someone came back before her.
All along these seasons, she remembers her mom, coupled with what she cooks that suits the season. She learned them from her mom. As she plants, it shows patience and expectation of her harvest. This gives me a deeper appreciation of planting as it cultivates a character of patience, hope, and love. There is so much introspection in this movie. The alone time, the quiet planting and harvesting are times of reflection.
Somehow, the seasons represented also her own season of maturity - of finding clarity, of contentment, and of hope.
I have dreamed of living in a countryside, slower pace of life, with fresh air, no smoke or traffic. Many people think that life is better in the city and the movie tells me, it is a matter of seeing the beauty of where we are planted. It does not matter if it is the city or the country, what matters is - is it home?
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"The present is the past to your future"
I have watched many time-travel series, but more of a different era for no apparent reason. But this drama, has given the ML the purpose to travel back when he was not even born.The first episode felt long because it tried to establish the connection of the two leads.
The Story
First, we should not take it seriously as in changing history. It is fiction, so I take it as a creative work of the writer to use the time-travel to solve various crimes. As the ML is from the future, he knows what may happen, but as he tried to save lives, somehow, what was the original time and scene of the crimes committed were altered. And there is no way that they can keep their secret be revealed to a few. Somehow there is redemption in the end, an understanding of their past parents/ grandparents and the hope of a better future. Somehow their "meddling" made a positive difference to their families.
The Actors
I like Jin Ki Joo. She never disappoints me in her acting. I have seen her in several dramas, and she has the right expressions in each situation.
As for Kim Dong Wook, it is my first time seeing him. I think he is suited for this kind of drama - investigative and crime solving. I just don't feel so much the love between these two leads. Perhaps it is because of the family background before they went to 1987.
The supporting actors - played vital roles in the story. We may not understand the why's of the bad characters in this drama, and somehow it is implicitly told that they became like that because of their own family's ways.
For me this time-travel drama is just for entertainment. But we can learn from it on how we live our lives in the present. I like what Yoon Young said to Mi Suk - that she can be better, "the present is the past to your future." We should not beat ourselves over past wrongs. Instead, we live today with better choices to be a better future self.
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Inspiring Turnaround
I am always looking for inspirational movies. And this one did not disappoint. And I love stories of mentor-mentee, teacher-student as I am also a teacher of some sort. Here we see not just a passing of knowledge, but rather a teacher investing his life for someone who has a potential to be great and get out of the wrong path.The actors - Lee Je Hoon and Han Seok Kyu did a wonderful job, had shown a wide scale of emotions throughout the story. Their characters may have resisted at first, but eventually something click within themselves. It may be a hope for a dream to come true, a hope to get out of the wrong path, the joy to invest on someone's life. Though I may not agree with the way the teacher treated his student, it was his tough love that set him straight. And the last song showed how much the student loved his teacher as well.
The timeline when he was in school to get the break may be too short, was he lucky? However, this goes to show that we all desire dreams fulfilled and celebrate success of someone in one way or another been part of that journey. I just wonder, who is the singing voice of Je Hoon?
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