Zogitt

This urban fairytale needs to come with a health warning

This show may not be a great drama, but it is a good textbook rom-com. It is totally divorced from reality and its characters are distillations of the classic Cinderella trope. It ticked all the boxes with workman like efficiency. Whether you love or hate this show will largely dependent on how much sugar you can handle before going into diabetic coma. DO NOT watch this show if any of the previous words is a trigger for you. You have been warned.

From start to finish, the show is an escapist fare. You have to accept this to enjoy it to the fullest. Hence the following checklist;
• Industrial strength rose tinted glasses ✓
• Left brain - disengaged ✓
• Comfortable loungewear ✓
• A tub of ice cream and 1 spoon ✓✓

To review this show as a serious drama is pointless. The performances are decent but most characters are one dimensional. There are many swoon worthy moments and a decent amount of skinship. Most of them centred around expensive and beautiful set pieces. Everything has been polished to a high gloss. Nothing is left to chance. It is the equivalent of a glamorous coffee table magazine.

Speaking of a glossy mag, this show also has product advertisements. So much PPL! Obviously expensive brands are prominently featured but wait, we can do a tin of paint as well. Oh, you want something bigger? Let's write a whole episode selling Bangkok and then continue to sell other Thai products in the next episode as well. It got to the point that I counted 11 PPL's in the last episode and that is not including a few implied ones.

However, all this PPL pales into insignificance when you consider the shiniest product on display, Mr Lee Jun-Ho. He is always impeccably dressed and groomed . A three-piece suit is his weapon of choice. It is cut so sharply that he should be declared a lethal weapon. The ML doesn’t carry the show, he IS the show. There are so many close up of him looking handsome, dashing, smouldering, sexy . . This is how you market a celeb, baby.

On the other hand, the FL only have a few glam moments. Most of the time she lives in his shadow, and she is almost always in uniform or loungewear. She plays the supporting role well. However, he is the Prince to our Cinderella. He literally comes to her rescue more than once.

While the ML is flying high in the business world, her goals are much more modest. It is a little unfair when you consider how capable she is suppose to be. It is further exacerbated by the ML pulling off win after win with ease and what appears to be minimal efforts.

The rest of the support cast is straight out of central casting. The ubiquitous BFFx2, sidekick secretary, executive yes-men, etc. The one antagonist is low impact and achieved little. Side plots are inconsequential and only serve to take up the slack. There is growth in some characters, but they are totally predictable and all paths lead to . . . the Happy Ever After Ending or HEAE™.

In fact, there are so many feel good moments in the last episode that it should come with a health warning. It is serious sugar overload. Every side plot is tied off with a huge pink bow and the thundering herd of unicorns are on drugs. Redemptions are handed out like free samples at the supermarket. There is no point in being judgey because this show exists in its own fairytale universe. All is well in this corner of dramaland.

You can certainly rewatch a few episodes on a rainy weekend and it will make you happy. Don’t expect to be touch in the heart but your dopamine level will rise. I did groan a few times early on before I gave up the fight and attack the ice cream instead and got comfy in my loungewear. If you can't beat them, join them with gusto is my motto!

P.S. I got to get my hands on that portable BBQ set. It is spiffing!

Read More

Watchable noona romance saddled with a lazy, transparent script

On the positive side, this drama has a decent cast, and you can't fault the visuals of the OTP. On top of that, the CP has good chemistry, some sweet swoon worthy moments and a decent amount of skinship. It is also relatively low angst and has no silly breakups. The two secondary couples are fine and did their duties occupying some of the screen time.

To distinguish itself from similar shows, the OTP are step siblings, but not blood related. I don't have any issue with that but some might.

Now we need to look at the other side of the ledger. What stood out for me is the lazy and transparent writing. This is evident right from the start. For instance, the ML recognised the FL immediately at the start of the show but pretended not to. The FL was clueless which was odd because she has been living with his mum for years. It is true that he has been studying and working overseas for some time but why doesn’t his mum have any recent photos of him at home or on her phone? No video calls, ever? Sure, it sets up the meet-cute but if you pause for 2 seconds you can see how problematic that is.

The show is also prone to parachute in characters and plots just because it can. The 3FL(Xia Xiaomian) is a young adult just arrived in a major city with no relatives nor friends, but she magically knew where the ML lives and latched onto him. I do find it a bit farfetched for c-drama.

The script writer likes to telegraph plot development way in advance as well. The FL has a boyfriend but he has to become the EX-boyfriend for the show to progress. To pave the way, we were presented with a laundry list of hints why they are incompatible. We have the co-worker who became a trophy wife but is treated more like a servant and her husband is a womaniser. Ouch! The BF shows up time and again with flowers even though the FL is allergic to them, and she told him so. Consider they have been together for 4 years; you’d think he should know. Similarly, she is portrayed as an ambitious career woman and all he talked about are his goals and how she can quit work and be a good housewife and so on. Was it a big surprise that she ditched him?

All the secondary CP’s are preordained. Yes, there are the usual push-pulls and misunderstandings, but their love lines are on rails. It is all nicely done but it is hardly original.

The pacing of this show is languid. Most plot developments are clearly sign posted in advance. The dreaded mid show drag is real and its length can do with a decent pruning.

The ending with the actors talking about love and how it relates to their characters is nice but is that a sign that they have run out of material and needed fillers?

Acting is mostly fine. Some roles like the FL’s father is very stereotypical. The younger actors is a bit rough around the edges but they earned their keeps. The FL did a lot of the heavy lifting, but it is hardly a breakout role. The ML is nice and handsome, but his delivery seemed a little stilted.

All in all, it is a decent rom-com. Its straightforward plots and low angst makes for easy viewing. There are better noona romances out there, such as My Fated Boy, so it is not high on my rewatch list.
OST is serviceable, nice but generic.

Read More

It might be unrealistic but the story will buoy you up

I do find some Japanese dramas tend to be quirky and larger than life. This show is definitely quirky and not very realistic but it was just so sweet, fun and swoon worthy. It is also short so that there is no drag and the pacing is spot on.
The premise of the show is simple. A young girl was smitten by a doctor after a chance meeting. She decided that she will become a nurse just so that she can pursuit him romantically. After a few years of hard work, she graduated and managed to get posted to the same hospital as a junior nurse. At first the cold and aloof doctor only see a silly young nurse who confessed to him on her first day at a new job. Over time, he saw her better side and fell in love. Oh boy, when he fell in love, he was a smouldering hot mess!
Yes, the story is tropey and there were more than a decent serving of clichés but the story was so uplifting, warm-hearted and the emotions were so pure and strong that you just have to hang on for the ride. The acting was good from everyone and you can't help but fell in love with the feisty FL. Speaking of the FL, instead of just being a bumbling damsel, she actually grew and became an excellent nurse and admired by everyone. The ML, on the other hand, changed from a cold and prefectist doctor to be a sweet and hot blooded lover. His confession scene when the FL was injured was so touching and heartfelt. Swoon!
Some will find it too sweet but give it a go before judging it. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a good rom-com.

Read More

Draggy drama with ambiguous characters and an obtuse A-plot

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate this show. It is acceptable both in terms of acting and production value. However, the longer I watch this show, the more frustrated and dejected I feel. This is rare for me and I can only put it down to the script.

The start of the show is engaging. A struggling FL who seems to get the raw end of the stick no matter how hard she tries. She ran into a super handsome ML by accident. He is totally out of her league and yet they are oddly attracted to each other. The chemistry of our leads is undeniable. Throw in a centuries old curse and a mysterious spell book and we should have an intriguing and engaging story. Unfortunately, the show drags out the plot to the point of exhaustion. To add to our woes, the A-plot is obtuse. Most characters are ambiguous and lack depth.

The show spends so much time on the ML and whether he is under a love spell or not in the early episodes. I don’t blame them because they obviously want to capitalise on his visuals and he acts so cute, but it does wear thin after a while. BTW, is the FL also cursed because by all accounts she is smart, diligent and sweet, yet she just can’t win a trick. It doesn’t make sense. They are trapped in narrative purgatory by mid show.

On the other hand, some behaviours are too predictable. The two-timing girlfriend of the ML (SFL) steadfast refuses to breakup with the ML for the most selfish reasons. The longer it drags on, the more toxic it becomes. Then we have the SML who rejected the FL even though he knew she has a crush on him. He then flips 180 degrees and chase after the FL even though he knew that the FL is in love with the ML by then. Forget couple therapy, the show needs therapy. It got to the point that the FL said on multiple occasions that she is so confused. So are we, sister, so are we.

Storylines from other shows might shuffle back and fore, but this show elevates it to an art form. The various plots just circles each other like a swarm of bees. A case in point, the ML finally confessed in the middle of ep.9 but the ML’s behaviour at work totally confused the FL but he never explains himself. Then the SML confessed in ep.10 which clears the air, NOT! We finally see the OTP’s first kiss at the end of ep.10 but the romantic spell is immediately broken by the reappearance of the ancient curse. It is unrelenting. We don’t even get to enjoy one tiny sugar hit.

Throw in an evil antagonist who appears to lust after the FL for no apparent reason and then teams up with the SFL to sabotage the OTP with glee. At first, I was baffled by his ability to put a curse on the OTP but then I have a lightbulb moment which took the wind out of this sail.

What I realised is that all the main characters are retracing events from their past lives. It is not just the OTP but every key characters. The SML was probably an acquaintance of the ML who has a crush on the FL but missed his chance. The SFL was likely to be a daughter of a rich family who got betrothed to the ML and then play merry hell with the OTP once she was rejected. If we play by the rules then the antagonist would be an evil shaman or a local magistrate who lust after the FL, etc. Mayhap he cursed the OTP like he did in the present and brought about their ultimate demise.

If this comes to pass, then the remaining episodes should see all the key players fulfil their destiny. This will necessitate even more troubles and angst for our OTP until we arrive at the final confrontation with the antagonist. A HEA ending will require the curse to be lifted and the evil doers getting their just desserts. It will give me no joy if my prognostication comes true.

This show is not without merits but for each nice moment, there are two negative ones. It really tested my patience. Hence without further ado, I shall bid our handsome ML and long-suffering FL adieu for now. I might revisit this show after it finishes its run.

Oh, if you are still reading. Production quality is fine, OST is decent. Rewatch? You jest.

Read More

A relationship black hole that sucks the joy out of everything it touches

This show is a melodrama build upon notions of love. Note that I didn't say a romantic melodrama because in a way, this show is the antithesis of romance.

I watched 11 episodes before deciding to shelve it until it finishes its run. After reading final comments and reviews, I’ve decided to drop the show as it is actually worse than expected.

The setting of the drama is rather claustrophobic. It is a suburban bank branch with about 10 workers. The work environment is not particularly harmonious. There is a degree of workplace harassment and obvious office politicking. The employees have a propensity to gossip. Dating rumours springs up all the time. In this melting pot we find our leads.

The FL is smart and capable but only has a high school diploma. She came from a poor family and has a tragic backstory. Possibly suffering from PTSD after her brother's untimely death. The ML is a bit bumbling and was trained by the FL and yet he was promoted ahead of her by deem of his college degree. They worked together for several years before the ML finally decided to confess to the FL but she rejected him because of her inferiority complex and it is her way to avoid being rejected later.

Into this already sad state of affair is airdropped the rich and entitled SFL who was a classmate of the ML. If this is not enough, they added a SML who is working part-time at the bank as a security guard while he tries to pass the police entrance exam. He is struggling financially and surviving hand to mouth while support his parents. You can imagine his outlook on life. It definitely does not involve rainbows and unicorns. This square shaped cauldron is fast boiling over.

The writer-nim gave this witches' brew a good stir and we ended up with two tenuous and unfulfilling entanglements and a two-timing third (up to end of ep.10). The relationship between the ML and the SFL is a cat and mouse game of desire, greed and loathing. The SFL showers the ML with expensive gifts and the promise of a fast track up the corporate ladder. The ML is on a rebound and the honeytrap is hard to ignore. Nevertheless, his pride is hurt and he knows that he is hitting above his weight.

On the other hand, the FL reluctantly accepted the SML because she needs someone to distract her from the ML. On top of that, she sees the SML being in a worse position than her and for once, she can help him and claim the moral high ground. In both relationships, love or its facsimile, is overshadowed by a plethora of mixed feelings and twisted rationales. Needless to say there is constant foreboding as we watch on with tenterhooks.

By now, the show has created a pressure cooker where all those flawed characters are forced to live and work. Is this realistic? I'm not convinced. It is overbearing and distorted. There are tendrils of reality but the weightiness is too much for such a small space so it collapsed into a black hole. It sucks all the joy from the characters and much of the viewing pleasures.
We are confronted with situations where lies, disdain, trepidation and regrets sour and poison relationships at every turn. This is angsty, frustrating as well as unrewarding for the viewers. The writer-nim baits us into shipping the CP's only to offer up heartbreaks instead. Cobbe could have used this show as case study for schadenfreude.

It is a real struggle to keep watching by the end of ep.11. The dread is palpable. I'd return to the show in a heartbeat if there is even a hint of a happy ending or a satisfying but sad conclusion to the OTP's love line. Alas, from what I learn from feedbacks, the writer-nim double downed on the tortuous plot and littered the rest of the narrative with sad, broken and disillusioned people. I gather the show is unsatisfying and ambiguous to the bitter end. I suppose when you are in a graveyard spiral, you can't expect a soft landing.

The sad fact is that both the production and acting from most of the cast are good, especially the ML. He got put through the spin cycle and have to slog through a range of heighten emotions. The FL is not wooden, but she has distilled the essence of self preservation into her pose. Not much chance of second lead syndrome, no sir.

In the end, the script is the main culprit. Too much is never enough for our writer-nim so we ended up with this tsunami of relationship woes that spreads and consuming all before it. Love, desire, longing and fulfilment are cornerstones of a romance drama and this show is largely an antithesis of that.

To those who has finished this show, Salut! Thank you for taking one for the team. Peace out.

Read More

Life is a bitch and then you become a plankton

This show is not your typical mainstream drama. It is a wild ride and has an indie feel. Some might say Tarantino-esque and I'd agree.

At its core, it is still a k-drama but it is quite subversive at times. It can be irrelevant and touches on subjects that will resonate more with its local audience. This is a double-edged sword though. If you stumbled onto this on Netflix and expect a quirky road movie then you might come away feeling a bit confused.

To wit, the concept of lineage runs deep in Asian cultures. Your family and your clan anchors you and grants you identity. This began to wane in the 20th/21st century as the concept of nuclear family takes root. However, if you look, you will find its influence and reverence still evident today. Similarly, we are made aware that being a single parent is tough. Being an orphan is even tougher.

This drama brings all this into sharp focus via our 3 leads. The ML had a wonderful early childhood but was casted adrift due to an IVF mistake. The FL was abandoned at birth. The 2ML is the sole heir to a 500 year old clan. He is their only hope of continuing this bloodline. So much pressure.

On the surface, the three of them are getting on with their lives but the pain and scars run deep. Especially for the ML. He was floored when he finds out he has inherited a terminal condition. He embarks on a mad race to find his biological father. It was a crazy idea from the start but it is amplified 10 folds when he impulsively kidnapped the FL on her wedding day. Not that the FL was in a good place herself because she is hiding a dark secret. It was like an indie black comedy has a baby with a tragic grand opera!

The pacing was manic for the first half and the mood and tone swings like a weathervane in a storm. It is a blast to watch but there are times when you have to turn a blind eye to the plot holes and the odd pacing issues. Ask no questions . . .

The chaotic ride comes to an end at the end of the surreal castaway island episode. It became much more introspective and tropey. I suppose the drama can’t sustain the breakneck pace and wacky storylines forever. It is time to take stock. The show almost seems “normal” going forward. The sadness and despondency can be overwhelming at times.

The last episode was bittersweet. The last road trip was like a quasi-honeymoon. We laughed and swooned at their antics, but we know the end is nigh.

The show has many impactful scenes and subtle messages scattered throughout but at the moment of finality, it was more like a sigh. It was a blessed release. There are no miracle cure in this dramaverse, chingu. This show really knows how to hit us in the feels, again and again.

However, the story doesn't end there. The FL's journey continues. They made a pact that they will drift on if he found a 4 leaf clover. So much is unspoken. We can only wish her safe travels and hope that she will find solace somewhere, some day. Maybe her wish will come true and experience motherhood. I envy her children. Her love will know no bounds.

Coming back to here and now, we have fantastic acting all around. The 2ML was perfectly casted and the veteran actor put in his all. I was disappointed with the FL when she starred in Strong Girl Nam-soon. She has redeemed herself with this role. The ML is just so watchable and charismatic. A strong support cast and a wonderful OST rounded out the roster.

The show is a little rough around the edges and difficult to watch at times but then again, Queen of Tears was polished to an inch of its life. Give me a diamond in the rough any day. Peace.

Read More

What starts with a murder and ends with a singalong?

Taken as a whole, it is a decent rom-com. However, if we look closer, we soon find cracks.

The show starts quite angsty with a hint of an exposé on the idol industry and (toxic) fandom. An unexpected murder hints at darker motives and conspiracies. Any sign of cuteness evaporated.

As it stands, the law and order subplot is laughable. There is little suspense. The revelation of whodunit towards the end has little impact. The inept police investigation and the "corrupt" prosecution process are groan worthy. They seems to have never heard of forensics. No finger printing, no DNA tests, blood splatters? It is borderline criminal negligence. Are Koreans numb to plots making a mockery of their police and judicial system?

Just to rib salt into the wound, most of the real detective work are done by the protagonist. Good on them, but that's cold comforts.

It is obvious that most of the subplots are there to push our leads together. The breadcrumbs all leads to their eventual HEA ending.

I'm not surprised that the last ep is largely fan service, but I was taken aback by how little substance there is. Did the writer-nim took an early vacay and left it to the intern to wrap things up?

In terms of acting, most actors are in their element. The support cast is largely from central casting. Our leads do look good together. They have chemistry and some nice skinship. Pretty much par for the course.

As a run-of-the-mill rom-com, it is fine. I enjoyed it. Fans of our leads will rejoice. Their romance is nice and cute. Just don't expect a serious crime thriller or any heavy hitting social commentaries.

It feels like an odd choice to start so heavy handedly and then reduce it to a fluffy romp by systematically paving over the darker elements with unicorn pastures. In the end, the rom-com bits are tropey and predictable. The rest feels half baked and tacked on. It is not a bad show, just a little underdone. I like the FL so the show gets an extra 0.5. ;)

One and done. Enough said. Peace.

Read More

A flame that burns twice as bright makes everything else seems dull

Doona is my definition of a Traffic Show. Bae Suzy has the titular role and all the marketing is focused on her. It is to be expected if you need to generate as much traffic as possible. This it succeeded, but it also sabotage itself.

Doona is a difficult person to deal with because she has little life experience. She has questionable interpersonal skills and has no filters. Knowing the idol industry, the bulk of her young life would be consumed by training and “being” an idol. This exerts a heavy toll on her health, both mental and physical. It is no surprise that she feels like she is drowning just before her breakdown.

Instead of giving her help and guidance, her manager dumped her in a share house full of college students. This is particularly heartless because he knew she has a crush on him. Is this tough love or punishment, you be the judge.

The start of the show sees our ML moving into the same share house. The ML is stoic and studious. Dull to be honest but he is just the rock Doona needs to anchor herself at this point in time. The start of their relationship is certainly tremulous. Doona holds all the cards. Teased and played him mercilessly. However, over time, she accepts his presence and let her guards down bit by bit. It took a while, but they sort out their confused feelings eventually.

All is well until the manager re-enters the scene. This is not a total surprise because the show hinted strongly that Doona needs to perform to feel alive. She has been channelling her energy into her love life but it is obvious that she can't be a housewife nor hold down a desk job.

I must admit I was worried about the manager’s role as she still has a crush on him and his influence on her is overwhelming. This was confirmed by the scene at the grandmother’s house. I understand why the writer-nim wrote it that way but I do wonder if it can be done better. I'm glad that Doona soon realised that the manager was only using her and ended her crush. However, more storm clouds are gathering.

For a nine episodes run, you would think that there is no shortage of plot materials but the A-plot is so focused on Doona that everything else seems to pale by comparison.

For instance, the ML has 3 separate romantic entanglements in three different stages of his life. The show managed to get all 3 girls to live in the same share house at the same time. You would think that there will be fireworks, but it is quite the contrary.

Both SFL’s have their backstories but they have very little impact on the A-plot. His high school crush should play a key role but by the time we find out about her troubled upbringing and her eventual confession to the ML, it was all too late. She just can’t compete with Doona. Ditto, the other housemates did little more than move the plot along when needed.

That is a shame because Doona is not as captivating as the show would've liked. Yes, Bae Suzy owns the role but her performance can be a bit stilted at times. She has her moments and some scenes are artsy and beautiful, but I won't call it a breakout role.

The same goes for the ML. He is laser focused on his studies and entering the coveted public service. He loves on cue and cries on cue. He plays the noble idiot card and made both of them suffer for years. He even acknowledged that. It is not a strong role. His delivery can feel flat at times. More than once I was willing him to do more, anything.

Now we arrive at the tricky part, the ending. There has been some chatter about whether the OTP reconciled or are they estranged? The show did not give us a definitive answer. However, the following is my take and I’ll die on that hill. ;)

Before I watch the last few minutes of the finale, I would've said that they are done. Both are in pain, but they are getting on with their lives. HOWEVER, after watching the emotionally charged scene in his room my view changed. He apologized without hesitation. He said everything she wanted to hear and more. They both knew that their love each other hasn’t changed. They hugged it out like desperate people clinging to a life preserver. You can't tell me that they walked away as strangers after that.

Yes, of course, anything is possible, but I would prefer to believe that they have learnt their lesson and reconciled. I'm not sure if it is all hush-hush but they can pursue their own goals and live parallel lives like some celebrities and their SO's. They love each other dearly and they will make it work.

BTW, the last scene is ambiguous but it is literally a chance meeting. She looked back because she knew he will be in Japan (as couples do). It wasn't a wistful look. The nonchalance could signal a deliberate separation of their public and private life. It is a "I see you" moment and that’s enough.

I have no doubt it will be the trending show for a while, the hype around Bae Suzy will guarantee that. It is watchable but not amazing. The swoon worthy moments are worth the price of admission. Peace out.

Read More

So much guilt. So many regrets.

I would be lying if I call this a fluffy rom-com. Forget about doubling down on angst. Our writer-nim quadruple it by having all the main characters simmering in an bubbling angst stew. It is seriously depressing. Definitely not a breezy weekend binge.

However, if you hang in there, it will draw you in as the story develops and characters grow and evolve. I hope you are prepared, it is going to be a bumpy ride.

It all starts with the family's matriarch suffering a serious injury in a car accident. She lost a foot and ends up spending the next 7 years guilt-tripping her family into a pit of despair. She withdrew into their family home and turned it into a prison, nay, a torture chamber for all who crosses its threshold.

To be honest, I don't understand why she did that. Her kids are decent people. Her husband is loyal and caring. She was in her (late) 40's when the accident happened. Options are there to achieve a good degree of mobility and independence. It is baffling why she chose such a destructive path.

By the time we enter the frame, their family cohesion is largely gone. Everyone is on edge around her. All it takes is the slightest provocation and it is on for young and old.

When she passed away suddenly, it triggers more guilty feelings and recriminations. Let's just say the first few eps should be avoided by anyone who is triggered by this type of events. Forget a storm cloud hanging over their heads. It is an extinction level event. Everything from shouting matches to stony silence are all weapon of choice.

Oddly enough, the breakthrough came when all three reach their nadir. They end up having to talk it out as none of them can claim the moral high ground. We finally have relative peace and a glimmer of hope around the halfway mark. The clock is ticking though.

It should come as no surprise when the angst train hit us several more times. It is a nonstop rollercoaster ride. It is a little less white knuckle with the passage of time.

I won't spoil the A-plot as a lot happened and much of it are interrelated. Some are tropey. They are all relatable. I just wish it wasn't so relentless.

Without going into specifics, the role of communication is front and centre. Some straight talking provided us with breakthroughs. Yet at other times, it would breakdown completely. The show is keeping it real. This is something we all need to work on.

From my perspective, the main theme boils down to the old adage, carpe diem. It is not a panacea though. It offers a path forward for those willing to help themselves and seize the day.

In terms of acting, the ensemble cast did good. There is nothing fluffy about any of the roles. The FL and her father are first amongst equals. The weakest link, for me, is the FL's brother. He plays the angry young man with a touch of toxic masculinity. It is a one trick pony though. The mother deserves a special mention. She has a smallish role, but a very challenging one.

Oh, I almost forgot, the local priest is a delight! He is a contemporary of the FL and definitely not your typical parish priest. He is fed up with his flock using the confessional as some kind of free life coaching/financial advice/relationship consultation. His hands-on approach is a breath of fresh air. ;)

Does the show have a happy ending? I won't go that far. It is more of a promising one. Life goes on. There will be trials ahead. Their revitalised family unit will give them strength. I wish them the very best. Hwaiting!

P.S. One thing has been bugging me. The FL should have told Daniel she will buy him a ticket back to Korea as soon as he turns 19. I think that would be a more satisfying way to conclude this major branch. Those who have finished the show will know what I am talking about. ;)

Read More

This drama pulls no punches

What a gem of a show! It is totally non-PC and full of triggers. I would stay away from this show if you are sensitive to just about anything to do with bullying, swearing or unbridled antisocial behaviours. We haven’t even mentioned blood soaked fighting and torture scenes. You have been warned!

Yes, this show is all about winning arguments with your fists. While the members of the study group are good kids, they are bullied and pushed around mercilessly by the school toughs. Of course, this means they have to push back at some point. This is when the fun begins.

To make this more palatable, most of the main characters are quite engaging. Yes, some are tropey like the studious boy who can't fight or the gifted fighter who can't study. It is the classic ying-yang team building which allows team members to complement each other.

They are an easy bunch to cheer on and you'll need to. The show is a challenging watch as you push through difficult scenes one after another. Life is not meant to be easy is an understatement here. There is so much ugliness. It would be so simple to take the easy way out and some did. To be honest, it is a school from hell.

In the face of all these adversities, the series still managed to inject a decent amount of humour and heart. We have to thank the ML for a good portion of it via his earnest deadpan delivery. It is a class act for a young actor. It is a pleasure to watch our study group grow closer and mature together.

While the show is totally in your face, I am fully engaged and happily hang on with white knuckles for the wild rides. Even a normal day can descend into utter chaos for our protagonist. It is a blast to watch the staged fights. They are gory but a little cartoon-y which lessen its impact. Some scenes are actually quite funny. It reminds me of the quirky Hong Kong style Kung Fu movies of yesteryears. Secret mantras and forbidden techniques rulez!!

The OST is loud, pumping and catchy. The production value is par for the course and suitably low rent when you consider the school is more like a slum than a centre of learning. Rewatch is subjective as this style of show is most impactful on first viewing. Your mileage will differ.

It is troubling that organised crime is endemic in this universe. Corruption is accepted as norm. Gangs control large corporations and play merry hell with people's lives. While our protagonist are changing their small corner of the world, the bigger picture remains largely unchallenged. Could there be a hint of a sequel? Bring it!l

Read More

This drama is stuck in purgatory

This show is not bad. The real problem is that it doesn’t know when to stop. The initial premise is interesting enough. Multi-generational curse is nothing new but it is functional. The show pushed it for all its worth though. There are plot holes here and there but the show has enough momentum to push through most of them, at least initially.

Once it gets started, it gives off a similar vibe to several other wish fulfilling style fantasy shows such as May I Help You. While other shows are more focused on the “clients” and their backstory, this show used them as fillers when the main plot needs to take a breather. The overarching plot is focused on the ML and the curse he inherited. In that sense, it is a nice change from other series where the leads tend to fade into the background and only pops up at key moments. Our OTP is definitely in the fore.

However, this is a double-edged sword. With the focus firmly on the ML, this series struggles. As the saying goes, the tank is running dry. It seems to slice and diced the same plot into different combinations and pad things out. What was novel at the beginning become rather passe by the half way mark. Several times the show seems to have reached its logical conclusion only to be dragged back into the fray just to stretch it out a bit more.

On the positive side, not only are our leads more in focus, his two ghost helpers also have their moments in the sun which is rare in such shows. I appreciate that because they are both interesting characters and they deserve some growth and attention. Deputy Go does fairs better than Mr. Baek and I'm keen to see Yoo In See in other roles.

Acting wise, the ensemble cast did a decent job with what they are given. The ghostly makeup is rather low rent though and more Halloween than scary.

The last episode is probably the most problematic. It really ties itself in knots with its own DIY mystic mumble-jumble. A case of narrative purgatory, I suppose. It all ends well which came as no surprise. The series is watchable but could have been better and tighter. If only it ended 2 or 3 eps earlier while the going was good. One time watch for me.

Read More

In the race of chicken or the egg, the mother hen wins!

Let’s just get the easy bits out of the way first. This series is watchable and entertaining at times. The OTP are well matched and they have good chemistry. However, this is where things get complicated.

As one of my friends commented after finishing the show, who is the FL of this drama? Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but she does have a point. While there is no doubt Yang Zi is the FL, her mother’s role is more titular. In fact, so many of the subplot radiate from the matriarch that her screen time and presence more than rival the FL’s. Furthermore, a lot of the time, most characters are placed in a reactive roles due to her machinations and has little agency.

I can understand that this will resonate with a lot of Asian viewers because they are probably living in a similar situation or knows someone who is. It is a reasonable premise to kick-start the show and give the FL reasons to grow. In that sense, the first half of the show is the best. This is helped by the sage like grandmother who sees all and pulls the strings to get our OTP pass the frenemy stage. Her presence counterbalances the mum’s and provides a safe harbour for our leads.

It all changes after she passed. The FL’s mum’s presence looms larger than ever before. Her interference reaches new heights once we factor in the grandma's legacy. I understand that it is an effective way to introduce some angst as the official antagonist was a bit light weight. However, it also means that the show becomes unbalanced and lacks focus. Everyone is tiptoeing around the mum and keeping secrets from her which set up more confrontations later. It is a vicious cycle.

In the meantime, the mum continues to meddle in people’s affairs and guilt trip her family regularly. It is tiresome to watch and might trigger some viewers. It distracts us from our CP’s romance. When love is in the air, it is sweet and swoonworthy, but they are like deer in the headlight. After more confrontations and some heart-to-heart talks, the mum finally tones down her actions, but it is an uneasy truce.

The problem from my perspective is that we can't really hate the mum because she is not evil in the literal sense, but her constant meddling is annoying and very harmful to her closest and dearest. Yet she always falls back to the old chestnut of “I’m doing this for the good of ….”. Hence all the characters are in a no-win situation.

This shunted several characters into the margins. Chief among them is the ML. He should have a much stronger presence but between helping the FL in her business and being the peacemaker to her family, he became just the nice guy putting out spot fires. In fact, the mum casted such a big shadow that no characters are spared. This is even more dramatic in the last 3 eps when it is all about the mum.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for a mother centric show and there have been some excellent ones. However, in this case, it felt like the mum was initially used as a catalyst for change but ends up taking over the show. The series is still watchable, but it can be very trying at times.

Ultimately, if you are looking for an escapist rom com then this might hit too close to home to be fun. If you want a family melodrama then this is inferior because it is just a hotchpotch of tired tropes. Throw in the PITA matriarch and we have an inverse trifecta. One time watch for me.

Read More

Welcome to Ji Chang-wook!

Fans of small-town dramas will feel right at home here.

To be fair, the village based plot doesn't start in earnest until a few episodes in but once in place, all the typical elements are on full display. Bucolic setting, tight knit community and "colourful" locals all slot in seamlessly.

It doesn't mean this drama is all sunshine and sea breezes, quite the contrary. The first few episodes can be titled, "How low can the FL go?". The simple answer is very low. Not only did her professional and personal life collapsed in Seoul but her troubles follow her back to her hometown on Jeju.

To be honest, the first few episodes are hard to watch. Not because of bad acting but it was an endless series of setbacks, angst and tears. There is little concrete reasoning behind her fall from grace other than the A-plot demands it. The problem is that the shouting and crying only got worse when she arrived home because now it involves the whole family unit and sundry other characters. It was surprisingly relentless when you consider this is supposed to be a rom-com.

Fear not, Ji Chang-wook is here! Our ML is the soothing influence, the voice of reason and the mirror for the FL to see the truth behind all the ill feelings and maltreatment she has suffered for years. Members of the 5 Eagles Brotherhood helped as well. They might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but their total dedication to Cho Sam-dal is a sight to behold and woe to anyone who stood in their way.

Thankfully, the feel of the series changes completely once the OTP acknowledge their feelings for each other. There is nothing a united village can't handle and while they still face challenges, we know they are just speed bumps on their road to success.

Speaking of romance, the OTP is always going to be front and centre, but it is relatively uneventful once they clear the air. The shaky romance between the eldest sister and her ex-husband is more engaging. Props to the actor playing the ex-husband. He could have been a typical spoiled heir, but he is so earnest and sweet that you just have to love him, warts and all. The scene with the cockroach is unmissable.

As I mentioned before, the show is angst heavy, but it is not well balanced. This is largely because the antagonist is light weight. There is no dastardly master plan. She got desperate and the fourth estate took care of the rest. She rode the tiger but have no idea how to get off. This also means the resolution, when it came, felt underdone. It closed the chapter but there is not a lot of satisfaction to be had.

The last EP is total fan service. There is a lot of lovely scenes that wrap up the various threads but the best one is probably the photo exhibition. It is a lot more about the ensemble cast of locals than the weather and it was very touching and uplifting.

All in all, it is an uplifting story that ticked a lot of boxes. Fans of JCW will rejoice. He is such a versatile actor nowadays. Honourable mention must go to Kim Mi-kyung. The veteran actor really gave us her all. Bravo!

Is it the best example of this genre, not quite. There are shows which nailed the formula better and/or the ensemble cast turned in better performances but it is good enough to earn my recommendation, for now. Enjoy!

Read More

I have a wish too . . please shorten this series by half

The premise of the show is interesting. A demon who can grant a wish to anyone in exchange for eternal damnation. We were shown a few tantalising examples to whet our appetite. It also serves to demonstrate the ML’s demonic powers. It was entertaining while it lasted.

The wheel starts to fall off once the Demon gets his powers back. We are attacked by a herd of drunken unicorns. We have a whole episode of them being lovey-dovey. So sweet, my teeth are aching. Other than a couple of key scenes, it is utter meaningless fluff. This happened again and again. Sugar overload or deepest melancholia, choose your poison.

But wait! There's more. Why stop at unicorns? Let’s throw in a psycho killer, a deranged young man and a power-hungry evil mastermind. That's what I call a party! Some show can pull this off, but this drama wasn't even trying. Most of the characters are one dimensional. Many side characters are just canon fodders. There was minimal creativity. It is a smorgasbord of ideas mashed together and spread super thin.

This is not helped by plot holes, bad pacing and whiplash change of tones. We literally have filler episodes inserted into the middle of the show just to pad out the runtime. Throw in lengthy recaps and repetitive flashbacks to the 18th century and we have a lot of dead space in between the key plot developments. I can only credit this to a need to keep our leads in play for as long as possible so that the production company can capitalise on their star powers. The amount of PPL is quite egregious.

Unsurprisingly, the 2OTP is a lazy caricature. Their "romance" was a 5 sec joke that went on for 5 hours. Those seasoned actors have my deepest respect. They took one for the team.

I also feel sorry for the fans of the two leads. The potential is there. Their pairing could have been magical but there is very little spark here. The script is so heavy handed that you stop believing after awhile. They still look good together, but it feels like they are models sashaying through the glamourous sets.

Sadly, the paper-thin plot and lazy writing makes the rest of the show barely watchable. As soon as the Demon regained his powers, the tension is gone. If that is not enough, they throw in a god who can override everything. Who needs narrative logic when you have god's will. I do have to give the show props for their version of God. It is certainly an interesting take and a brave choice from a Korean perspective.

O Daemon, I beseech thou! Grant me mine wish. Pretty please?

Read More

A perfectly engineered drama for mass consumption

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed this show very much and I binge watched it from start to finish even though I have every intention to take it slow. That got me thinking, why did I do that?

It might be serendipity when I just saw a YouTube video about fast food and how they are created by science to give us dopamine and endorphin hits as quickly as possible. The amount of salt, sugar, fat, etc are precisely controlled. It even goes as far as using highly processed ingredients that requires minimum effort to digest so you don’t feel sluggish after a meal. You just feel good and want more . . with fries.

So, if we were to engineer a drama equivalent for the massive Chinese audience what would we need?

• A lead that is long suffering, but s/he has a strong, righteous personality, and a backbone of steel so that s/he can rise above.
• A romantic counterpart who is the rock for the main protagonist to shelter against the worst. S/he will do enough to make his/her intention clear, but it will be a slow burn.
• An antagonist who is despicable but not totally evil. Just bad enough that we look forward to his/her fall from grace.
• A bunch of one-note side characters who will do the dirty work of the antagonist or trigger events and move the plot along.
• The main theme shall be growth and redemption. Angst will be under a tight rein. Hope and despair will be in fine balance. The big payoff will be at the end.
• It should not be an all consuming revenge drama as that will corrupt the leads. However, wrongs will be righted, and the wrongdoers will get their comeuppance.
• Solid actors who can breathe life into their roles.
• Above average production.

To put it simply, this is Alliance in a nutshell.

There are minor deviations. For instance, the 2FL is a little surprise package as she flipped from the classic SFL to become the BFF of the FL. I liked that and it was good to watch her grow and mature. However, some of her subplots are contrived. More suffering for the sake of suffering.

The despicable antagonist is front and centre. The array of side characters are armed and ready. There are some social commentaries, but none are particularly hard hitting nor unique.

Add solid actors, a quality production and we have all the ingredients for a binge worthy drama and that is exactly what we got.

The story of Alliance is ageless and boils down to watching the FL struggle up a greasy slope. She will slip back down and skin her knees repeatedly. We all know that the reward is at the top of that hill so we wait in anticipation.

This is where a good script helps. There is despair but it is not soul destroying. Emotional scenes are well acted but mostly at 7/8th level with rare boil-overs. There are occasional sparks of joy to keep our hopes up and swoon worthy moments to let us know romance is not dead.

It ebbs and flows but the outcome is largely preordained. Plots are designed to hit us with the feels, and they get the job done.

Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. As consumers of dramas, we crave those type of shows. Maybe they are formulaic, and leaves only a fleeting impression but we shall be hungry for more . . . with fries.

Read More