This review may contain spoilers
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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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. This is quite realistic.
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 be 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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