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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Tough job handled by a cool guy
I am quite late watching this drama as there were so many others that pique my interest first. But as I started watching it, it is like a good book that you cannot put it down.The Story:
No violence, no sci-fi, no love story. And I like the way it is as we see how an M&A expert did his job with his brains despite having so many oppositions. Am not knowledgeable of M&A, and this drama taught me how tricky it can be. Right words and right timing coupled with wisdom and patience are some of the elements that is in the M&A team. I like the M&A team's supportive attitude. The story won't be colorful without the villains, or antagonists.
The Actor:
Lee Je Hoon, I was pleasantly surprised by his appearance. In his other dramas like Taxi Driver and Signal (which I saw trailers only), he looks the tough guy, but here, he is way cooler with his white hair which fits him very well. I am having a hard time figuring out what else had changed since he looks more handsome here than having black hair. His acting, I should say fits well with the character - one who is careful with words, does not show anger or fear in his face despite of being played.
To me the rest are all supporting, though they played vital parts in how the story goes.
Am just thinking if the writer can think of a sequel - How Director Ha will play out now that he is on the other fence and what else will Ju No ask his senior to do. Am also wondering, if he is in good terms with his wife, will he return to her and adopted niece? But it can also end with just this and we assume, that the chairman trusts him now.
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Futuristically possible
This drama is fast paced yet so many mysteries needed to unfold in each episode. And as I am watching with a sub, I have to focus on the dialogs and trying to see the action at the same time. The beginning speaks of genetically made meat which is not too far from reality. But what is truly futuristic is the idea of generating organs without harvesting from a deceased patient. This must be a thought running through many medical researchers to answer the growing need of organ transplants. And if this truly comes true, they showed us how this can play politically and the desire for world domination. That would be scary!We see the plot thickens even more with the investigation being made by Chae Un who seem to follow orders from a former president, yet he had put up a wall so that no one will know his true intentions. Even his recruitment process as bodyguard to Ja Yu is odd - no intro, no instruction, all he needs to do is respond/react to what is coming. He is very guarded, yet he is protective and does what he is hired for. However, both Chae Un and Ja Yu are suspicious with one another throughout the story though they tried to give a little trust since not one of them had shown any double crossing.
All the actors did very well with the characters they played. Even I kept guessing who the spy is, just as Ja Yu also tried to solve it. Ju Ji Hoon is perfect for the role of a former soldier turned bodyguard - with his physique, his acting, who seemed trying not to show much emotion, yet you can see in his eyes the doubt without saying a word. He looks much older and bulkier here than in Trauma Code.
Han Hyo Joo showed quite a different character here from other dramas - saw her in W and in Romantics Anonymous lately. She showed strength of character as CEO, who tried to trust her bodyguard, despite knowing so little of him. Her facial expressions are just right for the role.
The other characters played harmoniously with the leads. You would wish that the villains, whoever you may think they are will get what they deserve in the end.
Great plot, kudos to the writer and the director who orchestrated the whole production. This is not an easy story to execute; the production seems to have a huge budget though some parts can be done with CGI and AI now. It is only now had I realized that there is such a huge building, but it seems too few employees coming and out of it. I understand the HQ is placed in a remote place, but how come this is known by the PM.
On the point of view of an architect, I saw some flaws in the production. If this building holds valuable research materials, how come there is not much security from the road before coming in the building. Sorry, am thinking as an architect, that is why I thought the building should have a perimeter security. And how such a forward-looking firm gets hacked and without a back-up?
However, I was so shocked with the ending. I have so many questions in mind:
1. What happened to Ja Yu at the operating table?
2. Did she survive?
3. What happened to BF and all its facilities since the PM was found in error after all the seizure?
4. When Chae Un opened his eyes, where is he located? Is he bionic already?
5. What happened to Chae Un's house and his cat? It is his property, why would they seize it anyway? Isn't that illegal?
I don't like open ended dramas. Are we supposed to make our own conclusions? With these questions, I think we need a Season 2 to give us some closure. Whether the leads die or not, we should at least not be left guessing.
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A Strong Motivation of Love
I primarily watched this drama because of the two leads - Choi Yi Hyun, whom I had seen in The Matchmakers and Choo Young Woo of Trauma Code. With the title Head over heels and promo photo, I just thought it was an ordinary young love, but there were so many twists in the whole story.The Characters:
1. Choi Yi Hyun as the Shaman Seong-A:
She is really cute and could really pass for a high schooler. As an actress, I believe she gave her best, showing different depths of emotion. Her face is very expressive, much more her eyes.
Her character started off as a young person who just carry on a side hustle of a shaman but not too attached to any of her clients until Gyeon-U came. You may say she is obsessed and her desire to save him is because he is her first love. For 10 episodes she is very actively involved with him, but we lost her after taking Bong Su with her. The character has a transformation, a maturity that didn't go to the dark side and kept her mission as what her spirit mom told her.
2. Choo Young Woo as Bae Gyeon U:
He played quite a different role here from Trauma code, and as a high schooler with dark secret. It is good to see him play two different characters which are extremely opposite to one another. Good acting as the melancholic Gyeon U and the playful young Bong Su, that made us guess his age.
Gyeon U thought that he is really doomed forever, and only Seong A was able to give him hope. He needs to find his purpose after his grandma died and that purpose is in archery.
Other characters that really played their parts very well are Seong A's spirit mom and Yeom Hwa. I love the tenacity of the General and the sacrifice she needs to do in order to save Yeom Hwa. And whatever is the future for Yeom Hwa, actually I don't care, at least she left them in peace.
Somehow, I felt the last 2 episodes jumped too fast forward many years without giving a story of Bong Su in Seong A, or what was Yeom Hwa doing within those years if she has already lost the power of a shaman. I had wondered when Bong Su left the body of Gyeon U and followed Seong A, where they went and was surprised later that he is in Seong A already. He is a boy and went in a girl, but acted like a girl? That seemed out of character for Bong Su. They could have made Seong A tomboyish instead if Bong Su is in her.
Am not really loving it. I only finished it to see if they were able to be free from being possessed. I don't usually watch stories of ghosts, with the exception of The Master's Sun. I wonder if Shamans are still existing in modern day Korea. I watched this because I was after redemption and the love story. I don't think I will rewatch the whole drama, perhaps just pick a few episodes that will bring joy to my heart.
What do you think?
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Could it be that ML and FL are both Masters and Suns?
I saw this series quite a long time ago but not fully. So, I decided to rewatch it this year. Actually, I really do not like ghost stories, but this one is quite different and unique in a way that the ghosts have unfinished business that only Gong Shil can help them.The ghost stories vary, and Gong Shil's reaction of fear is but natural. Even after so many encounters, she has not gotten used to them. And she only has peace when she touches Joong Woo.
What I like about this drama?
Both So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin did a marvelous job. It is just funny how Gong Shil treated Joong Woo, as if a maniac which makes the latter fear for his dear life. The facial expressions are so funny and not irritating. Their interaction is so cute. And we can see a transformation of character for both of them as they learn to depend on one another.
As this story is on the supernatural, we can expect a lot of special effects. The faces of the ghosts were terrifying at first, but later on as Gong Shil converse with them, they just look like ordinary people. This gives us the idea that there are people with unfinished business when they were still alive and they need someone to help them to fulfill them.
I was wondering about the title of this drama
Who is the Master and who is the Sun? I just think Joong Woo is both the master and the sun to Gong Shil - she follows him around and becomes the light to shoo the ghosts. Gong Shil can be the sun to the life of Joong Woo who helped him be freed of his past. She can be the master of her own life, that will not let the ghosts cause her to fear.
This is worth rewatching because of the two main actors and how the story unfolds quickly.
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Intense, no dull moments, inspring
I did not read any of the reviews nor comments here regarding this series. As I have watched many medical series such as Dr. Romantic, Doctor Slump and Doctors, I would expect lots of blood.However, this is in another level.
Sure, there is politics, yet somehow Dr. Baek has proven himself to be more than competent to head the Trauma Center. He is a no non-sense doctor who aims to save every patient who is under his care. He may be strict, or unreasonable to others, but he has compassion. He knows his calling and that what drives him.
As for Dr. Yang, or Anus or Number One, he has the biggest transformation in the series.
I love Nurse Gangster, being in the Trauma Center for quite some time showed her strength and determination.
I also like Dr. Park, who showed his true reason in getting close to Dr. Baek.
And let us not forget Dr. Han who became his ally later on.
All the actors did a great job.
Every episode was intense, though there may be quiet and slow moments, those were important to break the intensity of the accidents and hospital chaos. There are funny moments which I also enjoyed that added color to the series. I like that every episode is under a hour and I think 8 episodes is just right to see the turnaround in the hospital.
This is an inspiring series, not just for doctors, but for every professional who had chosen a certain career - to find the why behind their choices.
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I thought it was a parallel world
I started this movie and halfway through jumped to the ending.... and because of that I got confused. I thought there was a parallel world. So, I rewatched it in full without skipping.The movie depicts the difficulty of having a relationship that neither of them had been open about with others. The slimmer Hyeok never told anyone he has a girlfriend back home which led him to entertain the temptation and the suspicion.
We may say that the Jang Hyeok and Dae-un both had lost their way because of their failure to communicate honestly. The moment the man started to lie, he is sure to hide something and later on yield to temptation.
Perhaps we may wonder now, what will happen to the chubby Hyeok and Dae-un, about the baby Dae-un carries and the slimmer Hyeok.
The last part of the movie which is a sort of a recap of all the events from the beginning of Dae-un's encounter with the first Hyeok up to going to the airport with the second Hyeok clarified everything.
Figuring what is the sweet part? Perhaps the start of the relationships that brings butterflies to each other.
It seems that more of the movie tends to the sour part - a relationship gone wrong, cheating, too late to realize she is the one and losing her to another who now benefited the Christmas time in Jeju.
I wonder why the writer thought of this title anyway.
No need to rewatch, as it didn't give me a positive life lessons. sorry.
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Hope turned to Sorrow
I was just looking for something light and happy movie, however, this brought sadness at the end.I usually make reflections on the tv series or movie I watch and try to pick life lessons. In this case there are a few:
1. a true friend goes the extra mile though it may hurt her the most.
2. true friendship was tested in the matters of the heart
3. if you have good memories of someone you've not seen or will never see anymore, cherish them.
I was just left hanging, not knowing what really happened to the ML in detail. It seems they kept that from us, whereby it is just the brother who relayed to her. No matter what, a death just killed all the hope of meeting again, of continuing their journey together and even perhaps having a family.
I really do not like sad endings. However, we all encounter one way or another some sort of "sad" moments in our lives and what is important is how to deal with it and move on with life.
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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 in this movie.The Story:
Rightly categorized as fantasy, as Su A mysteriously came back to life. The story somewhat stemmed from a faith of a child that he will see his mom again. The brief moment of reuniting with her was precious for both father and son. But it is heartbreaking to part with her again. It gives them some time to express their love even for a short moment.
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.
I feel sad that she has to go. In a way, the brief return can be treated like a dream. Life goes on keeping the memories of our loves one in our hearts. The boy grew up, the father didn't remarry, but they are ok, somewhat having a peace in their hearts even in her absence.
The Actors:
1. 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. This is quite different from his other roles who fight for justice and protection.
2. 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.
3.Ji ho is such a cutie. He portrayed a child with such faith on what his mom told him and really anticipated her return. The kid's excitement might be the reason for the parents' sensitivity.
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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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Spring Heals Two
I just finished this drama, and I am already missing both Sun Jae Gyu and Yoon Bom. I don't usually get to memorize the characters' names, but here, their names hold a certain significance in the story.What do I like about this drama?
1. The Story - It started off with lots of mystery for both these leads. Each episode carries new revelation and there were no dull moments. I love how each misunderstanding and rumor had been resolved little by little with the people they trust. It gives us hope that though some people could be harsh at times because of a wrong accusation, there are some who would trust and love to find the truth. I am glad it has a happy ending. The story has a lot of life lessons on facing the controversies, on finding truth, on trust and on love. It teaches also how to live without getting trapped in the past. I love how the people learned to get passed their bias towards Jae Gyu.
2. The Actors - I like Ahn Bo Hyung, not just an actor but as a person. Him acting as Sun Jae Gyu brought some of his true self. Joo Bin is such a lovely lady who has a good chemistry with Bo Hyung. Whether it be on screen or off screen as seen in BTS, they worked together well. The actors as teachers and students were equally great with their accent which added flavor to this drama
3. The characters -
a. Sun Jae Gyu: From the promo, he may be scary but actually he is like a macaron - tough outside, but soft inside. I love Jae Gyu being straightforward, unpretentious and unassuming. He may be curious at first with Yoon Bom from his first encounter with her. Everyone in their town knows him and are afraid of him, but Yoon Bom doesn't know him at all. He may come off as strange to her but not intimidating. Jae Gyu may be a simple man, may not have reached college nor eligible for military service, but he is hardworking, strong and dependable. I like what he told Bom (as she cried) "When you are down, sweets are the best cure." And another thing he said to Bom when he had allergy, "Food taste best when you eat it together." These may be simple thoughts, but we all can relate to. It speaks of a caring heart. And because of this, I am also warming up to Jae Gyu. I like how Jae Gyu had transformed as he finds comfort in Bom.
b. Yoon Bom: she ran away from her past, vowing not to smile nor to interact with anyone, especially with any parent of her students. But she warms up to Jae Gyu, even in many misunderstood encounters. Another quote I picked from this drama is from Yoon Bom, "Scars aren't always a bad thing. They're proof of what you've endured." Just like Yoon Bom, I am also curious about Jae Gyu's scars. Jae Gyu has a hidden past also which he may not want to recall. Yoon Bom also had transformed from that quiet and secretive person to someone who boldly faced her past with Jae Gyu by her side and her atty. Choi I-jun. Yoon Bom also have thoughtful quotes which I would like to highlight. She told Jae Gyu this, "When life gets overwhelming and complicated, think simple." And at the last episode she said this also, "the truth can only be protected with courage, not with time."
4. The Location: The place where they shot most of the scenes are lovely. It feels like a refreshing restart for these characters.
As this drama is light and breezy, it is easy to rewatch it. Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of Spring Fever!!!!
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The Way to a Man's Heart and everybody else
From the trailers, my curiosity peaked and as I waited for every episode each week, this drama did not disappoint me.Each episode is titled according to a particular dish, and each dish has a meaning to someone who ate them.
What do I love about this drama?
The Story - yes, it is another time travelling experience and it involves food like that of Mr. Queen. Conveying childhood stories through food resonates to every race on planet earth. It captures not just the taste, but the memories of loved ones of the characters.
I believe 12 episodes are just enough to put us in different waves of emotions - of wonder, of fear, of joy, of anger, and of love. I am not a scholar on period dramas, but the production looks immense, well researched and prepared. Even as Cook Jeon thinks through each recipe, especially during the competition, there are recollections of what is existing and what is not during that era.
I had fun watching the special effects whenever the king eats Cook Yeon's food. The drama gave us a balance of comedy, drama and action.
I just find one episode that the acting is too much, much like theatrical.
The Actors
Yoona - superb acting. I love her in King the Land, and though how grim the situations sometimes, you can still see a ray of hope and joy in her face. From the time I watched Jewel in the Palace, I had always taken note how Kdramas showed emotions just by their facial expressions. There may be moments that I question - "What the heck?!" when a character seemed acting foolishly in such an extremely violent situation.
Chae Min - though young, he really is a good actor, conveying different emotions. His stature is befitting of a king; his eyes speak even if there are no dialogues. It is quite difficult to see him in modern clothes, when you have seen him how majestic he is in period drama.
The jester and the king's bodyguard - it is funny how people swoon over these two men when they don't have any romantic scenes. What I love about these characters are their unwavering support to the king, their masterful use of the sword and how they escape death.
The villains - they are just great how they put so much flavor into the drama. And somehow their deaths had given us viewers the hope of good winning over evil. Prince Jesan and 4th Consort's facial expressions truly pictured evil plotting.
The other cooks - I love these bunch of Cook Yeon's team, and good to see them again in the modern era.
The inventor - he is so cute, Cook Yeon and him jived and comes in when you need him the most. Can we have him in the modern era too?
What do I dislike about the drama?
Actually, I am not a fan of killing scenes. I usually turn away from it. But what can we do, it is part of the story that can't be ignored.
Overall, I love this drama. Thank you for all the cast and crew who poured out their time and efforts. Their dedication to producing and even preparation for the roles is applauding.
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