Zogitt

A witches' brew that turned into banana milk

EDIT: My original review was a little rant after watching the first 12 episodes. I have since completed the series. The following is an edited version of my original review plus my final thoughts on the last 4 eps and the Show as a whole.

I start watching this show because of Park Min-young (PMY). I loved her in Secretary Kim and Her Private Life is one of my favourites. Her more recent projects have been a mixed bag.

The first few episodes got me excited. PMY was front and centre showcasing her many talents. The zany plot looks like fun! This could be the PMY starrer I've been waiting for.

However, after the promising start, the plot became quite makjang by mid way and got more so as the show progressed.
Part of the problem is that the FL is a martyr to everyone's cause except her own. She sometimes sends the wrong message to the wrong people unintentionally. She can be very straight talking or very obtuse depending on the script. No wonder we are perplexed by the hole she is digging for herself.

Madam Yoo is an opaque and unsettling character at this point. Her concept of identity and affection is totally warped. She ruined PMY’s life 13 years ago and she seems to be doing it again. It beggars one's mind when you consider the FL is 30 years old.

The 2ML is a man-child. An entitled, low EQ, ill adjusted top star. His idea of love is a crush which turned into an obsession. His earlier actions and behaviours made him unlikeable.

Parachuting the ML’s ex-wife into this witches' brew was the last thing we need. Even after ruining their marriage, she still thinks he has feelings for her, and they deserve a second chance.

I cringed when the Show drops moments of comedy in the midst of piled on angst and horrible machinations. There is an unpleasant and dissonant note to the script.

This is my impressions up to ep.12 and I was considering dropping the show.
Then ep.13 happened.

It is like the writer-nim had an epiphany and realised that the show is heading to story hell and hit the brakes. Within the span of several scenes, the Show has flipped on its axis and gone full rom-com again.

All the funny, sweet and swoon-y bits are back in the show. Almost all the characters are realigned. I don’t mean the usual redemption arc but a full rehabilitation. Madam Yoo became a caring but eccentric lady who was just misunderstood. The 2ML became an obedient son and a top business executive without a trace of his top star baggage. The ML’s ex is now his biggest supporter with no hard feelings. The list goes on. Even the main antagonist is bundled out of the way without making a fuss. It was as if nothing nasty ever happened and no serious repercussions to all concerned.

I’m happy that the OTP’s love line remained sweet and engaging. The ML is no longer deadpan and their growing love filled us with joy. Their skinship is heartfelt and swoon worthy. It won’t be a k-drama if we didn’t have a mini breakup but it didn’t last long and both characters grew from the experience.

The FL’s gay flatmate is sensible and sensitive. Unfortunately, he usually ended up being the punching bag. What really annoyed me though is that he is not allowed to be gay openly, he is in limbo. His sisters still harangue him and his parents considered him their failure. That is until they found out that he might become an idol singer. What kind of message is that? He is still living a lie. There is potential for greater harm to befall him once he is famous.

In the end, this Show is better than Forecast Love but the Show as a whole doesn't sit comfortably with me. The tonal shift and character rehabilitation later in the show was jarring. I’m glad that I didn’t drop the show, but it did leave me with a sour taste that is only partially remedied by the last few episodes and the sweet HEA ending.

As a fan of KMY, I loved her performance but as a jaded drama viewer I am disappointed. Her recent script choices is also concerning.

While the makjang plots took half the show to develop, they literally disappeared with the snap of a finger. Those plots were troubling and uncomfortable to watch but they were there for a reason . . . I hope. Am I short changed? It is good to end on a high note, but the path there feels inelegant and forced.

The production quality is high, but the number of PPL is also high which can be irritating. OST is good. I can’t sit through the whole show again but a swoon-y highlight reel would be nice.

I have increased the show's final score. :)

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Go hard or go home!

On paper, this show should be a slam dunk. Strong cast, interesting premise and high production value are the holy grail of any drama. This is watchable but with caveats.

The cast is the dream team. Top stars and veteran actors formed the core. The problem is that they are mostly one dimensional.

The ML is a human punching bag. He takes a lot of punishment but return them 5 folds. His boyish good looks and winning smile is his trademark. He has a very strong moral compass but he is impulsive to a fault.

The FL is smart and capable but she shows very little emotion and keeps her cards close to her chest, that is until she fell for the ML. Our leads are obviously the OTP. In fact, he has been chasing her for years. It feels a little stilted. They are cute together, I'll grant you that. It is a bittersweet romance.

The 2ML is the brain of the team. He is the FL’s ex but we know very little about their backstory. He plays it straight. The discus thrower is the standard issue gentle giant. The bumbling Captain rounds out the ensemble. He provided most of the slapstick humour. The Olympic Avengers (their words) is assembled but there is not a lot of team building. Their damaged psyche complicate things as well. It is the classic Band of Misfits.

Speaking of bumbling, the commissioner is ineptitude personified. I still have flashbacks about his role in When the Stars Gossip. (Groan)

Unsurprisingly, the antagonist stands out. He has been hiding in plain sight and is the mastermind of a Cartel of Evil (I'm getting MCU vibe). He is cold, calculating, ruthless and remorseless. He looks ordinary but some of his scenes will give you nightmares. Kudos to the actor. His interaction with the team is . . . peculiar. He could and should have taken all of them out and then take a vacay in the Bahamas. I suppose the show must go on . .

The plot is fairly straightforward. Money + Greed = Corruption. Crime pays -> do more crime. Our team are earnest but they are mostly incidental heroes. The police is inept most of the time and is always one step behind. Hence the need for our Band of Misfits.

The production value is undoubtedly high. There are a number of very elaborate fight scenes and chase scenes. They are well choreographed and creatively shot. Mr Tarantino would be proud. In fact, the whole series is somewhat Tarantino-esque.

Such elaborate set pieces work great in a feature length movie. Your senses are overloaded and you hang on for the ride. When you have 16 episodes to fill, the pacing becomes an issue. The extreme highs and lows make the show feels choppy.

This brings us to the pachyderm in the chamber. The violence is egregious. There are lots of graphical violence and many innocent people are hurt in the making of this series. The show double downs on this. The body count rises and the fights gets bigger and bigger as we build towards climax. If you are thinking of recommending this to your genteel granny then don't, just don't.

Violence is no stranger to k-dramas, just look at the popularity of Squid Game. The difference with GB and Squid Game is we know dozens of faceless extras are going to die each ep. In this case, our team are the good guys. When they get beaten up, it is personal and visceral. The sheer amount of it does desensitise us.

Regardless, this show has good bones. It can soar like Icarus but also plumbs the depth of human depravities. It throws a lot of stuff at you from the start. It is like a challenge. "Can you handle this? Are you having fun?!" The show is not interested in the middle ground. Go hard or go home!

The last 2 eps is pure fan service. Our team can do no wrong. All the baddies fall like dominoes, but with extreme prejudice. ;) There are plot holes that a Big White Truck of Doom™ can drive through but who cares.

I'm sure there is an audience out there for this show. It failed to engage me completely and that's on me. The violence is excessive. The plot is surprisingly threadbare once you pare away the window dressing. It will leave you breathless at times but it lacks depth and resonance of the best in class. Peace.

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A wild ride which ends surprisingly timidly

Behind the glitz and glam of the Japanese entertainment industry there lies a dark underbelly. Host clubs have been known to use predatory practices on their female clients. Those clients can rack up huge debts in the name of supporting their favourite host. New Japanese law aims to counter this has been enacted recently.

Maybe it is this high-profile change that sow the seed of this drama. Our ML works as a host in a popular club. The amount of money being spent by "princesses" are staggering. We bear witness to some disturbing fallouts. Into this nefarious world bravely walked our FL.

Our FL is 35 years old and the pressure on her to get married is immense. She is inexperienced in love, but I won't say she is totally naïve. To be fair, she has a strict upbringing and leads a sheltered life as a teacher in a catholic girl school. Her value system is quite binary. There are not many grey areas in her life. You can imagine her discomfort when she was forced to visit a host club when one of her students became obsessed with the ML. She is totally out of her comfort zone.

What sordid tales are contained within those walls? There is an opportunity to make some hard-hitting dramas. Yet, by the halfway mark, we know there won’t be any serious exposé on the Host Club industry.

While I'm a little disappointed by the missed opportunity, I can't complain too much as the focus on our leads highlights some serious talents. Not only is our ML's appearance striking, he is also a singer and model in RL. He is perfect for the role.

Similarly, our female lead IS the meek and strait-laced teacher. She is not a particularly good teacher, yet she never gives up trying. She found a new purpose while teaching the dyslexic ML. Their growing attraction is relatable.

This drama doesn't hide the fact that the A-plot is tropey. Their meet-cute is essentially Opposite Attracts writ large. With a bonus serving of Good Girl/Bad Boy to seal the deal. Our leads projected enough sincerity to make it work.

In essence, this show looks at relationships from two opposing ends. On the one hand, we have the loveless social contract, akin to a lifetime of role playing. While on the other hand, we have pretended ones where a female engage a handsome host to live out a fantasy, billable by the minute. Neither one is ideal, but they are symptomatic of our time.

We find our FL faced with just such a stark choice. Will she accept a loveless but stable life like her mum or will she rebel? As expected, this leads to much soul searching and eventual growth for all. It is their journey we are buying into.

Is the drama perfect? Not quite. There are some minor pacing and narrative issues. However, my one real gripe is how the show bends over backwards to land the happy ending for everyone.

To wit, the show makes sure we understand the hosts are honest people just doing a job. The two timing SML plays cupid for our leads. Owner of the club is a kind, fatherly figure under his gangster facade. The FL’s old fashion, control freak of a father only wants to sing, I mean retire and be a house husband. Oprah Winfrey will be proud as the show dishes out redemptions like free trips to Australia.

The last couple of eps is a surprising wild ride. They packed some big highs and deep lows. Our leads really bring out their A-game. Their romance blossomed and then wilted. It is hardly an easy cruise to the finish.

The actual ending was a bit rushed and feels contrived. Maybe they ran out of time. At least, the writer-san didn't leave us dangling. The last scene with the FL calling out the ML for writing the word LOVE incorrectly is delicious. They then practise writing it over and over in the sand until the whole area is covered by LOVE. How poetic! Just wish there is more fan service.

In the end, I can't recommend this show unreservedly because there are caveats. If you have read this far then I implore you to sample a few eps and judge for yourself. You can do worse, chingu. Peace.

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Oh Mighty Drama gods, give me strength

This Show starts with a bang. We have murders, chases, fights and the ubiquitous death-defying escape. It is certainly a rollercoaster ride. If the first couple of episodes didn’t hook you then you are watching the wrong show.

We are introduced to intrigues both at the imperial court as well as on a personal level. The interplay between the leads is certainly a highlight. There is obvious attraction between them, and they spend the bulk of the Show exploring their feelings and dancing around each other, searching for clarity.

The problem here is that they really stick to the Joseon rules. Most pairing of the upper class is just a power game between dynastic families. Courting is a minefield and love has little to do with it, unless you count forbidden love which is theme du jour of so many historical dramas. This means the ML can only long for the FL but he is not allowed to express his true feelings. On the other hand, even if the FL confessed her love for him, she would need a miracle to see it to fruition. This is an impasse that dragged on for too long in this show. It might be historically “accurate” (heck, that didn’t stop other dramas from turning up the skinship dial) but as viewers, we are left dangling and more than a little frustrated. We waited and waited but there is little reward for our patience. Consider we didn’t get any fan service until the literal dying minute of the Show. It is very poor return for our dedication.

To be honest, the Show is too slow. I can accept the need to build up the mystery and allow time for all the clues to be found and the puzzle pieces to fall into place. The issue is that we are also watching from the sideline, and we can see the bigger picture. So, while our protagonists are expounding their nascent theories and being spoon fed more clues, we are way ahead of them. Maybe we don’t have the smallest details but the overall plotline is fairly obvious to us well before the final confrontation.

This is not helped by the fact that the show is 20 episodes long instead of the usual 16. Honestly, the Show would have been better off being only 16 eps long. There are easily 4 episodes worth of filler material that can be cut with minimal impact to the narrative.

In terms of acting, the ML carries the Show on his broad shoulders. His character has more depth and he certainly has a more challenging role. The FL is good but she spent too long cross-dressed as an eunuch. While she is reasonably convincing, it does makes it hard for us to adjust when she resumes her life as a lady. Your mind yo-yo between the image of the eunnch and her normal female form.

Unfortunately, most of the antagonists are straight out of central casting. Evil officials on one side while the good ‘uns are on the other. Their roles are about as predictable as you'd expect. We do get some twist regarding a couple of key characters, but the longer runtime dilutes the impact of the revelations as we already guess their hidden identities before the official reveal.

So far so sageuk, you might say but the sting is literally in the tail. The ending of this Show is definitely the weaker link. Good guys are rewarded, and the bad ones get their just deserts. All the loose threads are tied up, so, job done, right? The complication lies in the actual delivery. It feels awkward and uneven. We got there at the end but it doesn’t feel right. I get the impression that the writer-nim struggled to make the ending work within the allotted time and resources. The ideas are there but something is lost in translation.

Other than the less than stellar ending, there is one other thing that has been bugging me for some time. Byeokcheon is the key to the main storyline. An army was dispatch from the capitol to suppress a rebellion there which kickstarts the overarching plot. However, it seems to change from a district to a town to (in the end) nothing more than a village. The show even has the people of Byeokcheon gather for a “town” meeting at one stage and they all fit inside one simple room. The scale feels wrong and inconsistent. Maybe I fail at ancient Joseon geography, but the Show’s own interpretation also seems to be somewhat rubbery.

In the end, it is watchable and reasonably entertaining. It could and should have been better with a tighter script and a shorter run. If you are a fan of the leads then it is a must watch and you would be well satisfied. However, there is not a lot there to warrant a rewatch for anyone else. Peace out.

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A sagacious revenge tale ruined by the ending

I don’t think anyone would be reading a review of this Show for a precis of the plot by this stage. I shall stick to some key observations and my conclusion.

1. This is the Goldilocks role for Song Joong-ki. The production has to use some serious filtering to make him look like a young man because of his real age. They did well but it did take me out of immersion a few times.

2. The whole soul swapping device is pure fantasy and the Show never bothered to explain its rationale. The Show went to town with the time travel motif as well and left no stone unturned. The ML loves to weaponize historical events as part of his various schemes. It can be entertaining and fun to spot the historical references.

3. The interactions between Do-jun and his grandfather are highlights for me. They are fighters who have a mutual love and respect for each other. The old man accepts the thrown gauntlet from his grandson with glee. We lost that spark when Jin Sr passed and the subterfuges become more grubby and less machiavellian.

4. The romance of our leads is ill conceived. They have little chemistry, and their progress felt laboured and frankly perplexing.
To be fair, the machinations in the early stages are both engaging and clever but it gets old after a while as it is the only game in town.

Like all good things . . . the end cometh for us all! Oh, how cruel are the drama gods!

While the Show’s ending works on a basic level and pulls most of the threads together it also opens up a Pandora's box of contrivances and inexplicable plot holes. Thus exposing some seriously questionable writing.

A) The ending basically undo what the ML has worked tirelessly towards for 17 years. He was at the cusp of claiming total victory and winning back the FL when he was murdered. Why, sweet Petunia, why? Most viewers would expect the show to just keep moving along that well plotted trajectory and use the last episode for some much-needed fan service.

B) How did Hyeon-Woo survives being shot by a hitman at point-blank range, falling down a high cliff and drowning in the pounding surf? Each event can and should be fatal and yet he survived all three. He spends one week in a coma and walks out of the hospital with barely a scar. Is he immortal?

C) Do-jun's timeline and Hyeon-Woo’s is separated by twenty years. Just before Do-jun was killed, both Jin brothers were being investigated for criminal acts. What happened to those investigations? What about Do-jun’s death? Is the FL that incompetent?

D) The aging and de-aging of the main characters are immersion breaking. For instance, by the end of the Show, the FL should be pushing 50 and yet she looks not a day older than when Do-jun was alive.

E) After all the damning revelations, dirty laundry lists and a public hearing at the National Assembly, the whole sorry saga is finally signed and sealed by one 20 years old phone recording. How and why did the young Hyeon-Woo record his call to Director Kim when he was supposed to be in a highly distressed and confused state. Even more incredulously, Kim forgot to hang up the phone and allow the most incriminating statement to be recorded. It is beyond contrived. The audacity is jaw dropping. This is the deal breaker for me.

In hindsight, I can see that they wanted to close the soul swapping loop and it becomes a redemption arc for Hyeon-Woo but what did that achieve? Hyeon-Woo’s family is happy that he is alive and he has his revenge. On the other hand, Do-jun would have achieved the same goal but the ramification of his death is so much worse. The FL became a lonely and bitter workaholic, Do-jun’s family is broken, and the worst part is the conglomerate carries on for another 20 YEARS! How is that a better outcome? I could go on, but you get the picture.

I freely acknowledge that some of the acting is superb. Some can be considered breakout roles. The bulk of the storyline is intricately crafted and engaging but . . .

Reborn Rich could have been one of the best dramas in 2022 which makes it even more baffling why they deviated from the webtoon ending and crash landed within sight of the runway.

One time watch for me. Peace out.

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Don’t judge, just enjoy. :D

I remember clearly after watching the first episode I told my friend that I might have to drop it because it is a train wreck. But like witnessing an accident, there is a certain morbid fascination. I was undecided, but the show was whispering, “watch me . . . watch me . . .” So I watched the next episode and before I knew it, I binged all 4 available episodes in one sitting and I was hooked. Yes, I have the number for Drama Addicts Anonymous on speed dial. ;)

There is not much point in reviewing the show in detail because there are just so many things going on. It would be like running through a scrapbook of memes. The following comments will be general in nature with one exception.

First of all, the Show is beyond zany, it can be next level crazy at times with a mix of slapstick, sitcom and rom-com all mixed in. It is totally non-PC with more than its fair share of people behaving badly towards each other but mostly towards the ML. It was a challenge to watch the first episode because it is rude and crude but once you get to know the ensemble cast, you will start to see their better side or at least their more “normal” side. They are still offbeat and quirky but they are very human.

This bring us to the next point, the show races along at a thousand km an hour so there is a lot of gags, plots and office shenanigans that flash past each episode. Not all of them hits their mark and some are opaque due to cultural differences but when they do, they are a blast. You just have to take the hits with the misses. Once in a while, we’ll get a more contemplative scene to fill in backstories or the character's motivations. It keeps you on your toes as you never know what will happen next.

While there is a strong comedy streak running down the middle, romance is a close second. There are three pairings. The OTP who are quite cute and swoony once they fall in love. A 2OTP with the highest confession/rejection ratio known to me but hope is eternal. Finally, a surprise 3OTP that actually made my jaw drop. In a sea of same-same rom-com's, different is good. ;)

One aspect that I was both surprised and pleased about is the inclusion of a foreign actor. Like a lot of Asian countries, Korea is quite homogenous. Foreigner stands out and stands apart. If they are used in dramas, they are usually there as the token diversity with few scenes and little impact. When Aziz was introduced to us, I was thinking that he would be just another waeguk-saram who will be the butt of a few jokes and then be forgotten. I was pleasantly surprised when he was treated fairly. The show actually put up some stereotypes and then proceeded to tear them down. As the Show progressed, he was seen as insightful, knowledgeable and is given some of the better scenes. Hats off to the writer-nim and director-nim. Bravo!

Acting wise, when you first watch the Show, you would think that there is a lot of overacting. With time, you will see the nuances in their acting and the comedic timing involved in pulling off the gags. It was particularly nice to see Kwak Dong Shik getting the lead role he deserved. He definitely shows another side to his acting abilities. There is no doubt it is an ensemble show and the roster is filled with whimsical characters which allowed the actors more freedom to play their roles.

Of course, this Show is not for everyone. There are moments when I'd cringe. Their unapologetic use of crude humour can be off-putting. If you get offended easily, dislike lowbrow humour or hate slapstick comedy, then skip this show. Otherwise, give it a go. Once you get past the first couple of episodes, it might grow on you.

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Awkward rom-com saved by a heart transplant mid run

I know some of you will think that I judged this show too harshly but please allow me to explain.

For a rom-com to be good in my book, I have to care for and want to ship the OTP and the story has to be engaging. That might sound like platitude but the more rom-coms I consumed, the more I felt that this is more elusive than we take for granted. For me, Moonlight missed that mark.

On paper the OTP was a decent pairing. A cute, idealistic new grad in her first job meets a prickly but handsome writer. The issue here is that the setting was very contrived. The FL landed an editor job in a publishing house without an interview and no relevant qualifications, in Shanghai, of all places. Does that really happen in RL? We have seen all the tropey meet-cutes with the ML running over the FL on a bike or the FL trip and fell into the ML's lap with a hot drink, etc but this is the backbone of this script so it needs to be believable and plausible. Of course she overcame every challenge placed in her way. Her storyline was not exactly subtle.

The ML's story was the standard handsome, awkward, egotistical man-child. The writer also threw in a "fated" backstory just to seal the deal. I can accept cliché characters and we all know that Chinese rom-coms have more than its fair share but these were not characters endearing to me. Especially the ML who had a crush on the FL but at the same time did his best to deny this (point blank to the FL's face) and pushed her away repeatedly. Not only was it cliché but the way it was done was wearing. The ML would then pulled a face that said "what have I done?!" and I have to ask that same question too.

The pacing for the first half of the show was glacial. Nothing reached any real highs or lows. Stuff happened and sub-plots came and went. We knew where the show was heading but it just took its sweet time. Honestly, it was just as well that the leads were good looking and they could act. At least they made it bearable. Even then, I was seriously considering dropping it by the halfway mark. Then something happened around ep.19/20. At the start of that "turning point", the plot got so bad that I was having WTF moments. Then it felt like someone sat the writer down and had a "good chat" and the tone, pacing and plot just changed overnight. By the end of episode 20, it was as if a new rom-com was born with the same characters but most of what happened before was a dream.

The last few episodes were sugar sweet and tied up all the loose ends. Just about everyone had a happy ending and moved on in life, love and career. It also meant that it was quite tropey but I can accept that as reward for sitting through the first half of the show. IMHO, if they condensed the first 19 episodes, add it to the last 16 and made it a 20 episodes drama, it would be a decent and very watchable rom-com.

Moonlight wasn't bad, it just didn't resonate with me. Rather than being immersed in their budding romantic journey, I was mostly bored and a little annoyed for a good half of the show. I can't, in all honesty, score the first 19 episode a high mark but the last 16 was a solid 8.5 so in balance, it ended up being a 7.5.

On a positive note, I do like the use of the actors' real voices and ambient sounds. Dubbing can be overused in c-dramas especially if the same voice actor is used for many shows. OST was good. The FL also sang the title song. Rewatch value is low for me. 

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Jekyll & Hyde show that is doing my head in

To say that I'm torn about this show is an understatement. I have seldom seen a series that managed to succeed in one key area and yet screw up another. Please allow me to explain.

This series is built on two drama staples. Swoon worthy romance and the time traveling do-overs.

It nails the first with aplomb. Our leads' chemistry is undeniable and when it works, it is meltingly good. Time and again, when I start to suffer, the writer-nim would bring on the amore and we are floating on a pink cloud. . . until we crash back to earth due to the ham-fisted way the show handles the timey-wimey stuff.

The problem is not that the show tripped up on some high temporal concept but rather simple plot management. To wit, the show used weaponised time travel like a blunt instrument. Internal logic and intersecting plots be damned.

It worked ok the first go around but after each do-over, the narrative got more convoluted. It basically tied itself in knots. Did events change? Did time correct itself? Does someone know or cares?! I'm sure the writer doesn't. Forget about time traveling taboos, it was a road kill right from the start.

Another contributor to this mess is the serial killer/kidnapper subplot. How I wish k-dramas would stop using this trope, but I digress. As before, his first couple of appearances was impactful and fits within the context of the central premise. However, one of the fundamental purposes of a do-over is to change the timeline so that history does not repeat itself. In this case, the plot around the killer is more like a rubber band. It is a millstone.

It doesn't help when the antagonist is a "faceless" bogeyman. I get that he is obsessed with the FL, but the rationale is lost in the mist of plot disarray. He has a name but no backstory, no motivation for any of his actions. They shouldn't have met, or he should be in jail as each timeline changes. Then what happened to him in the 15 years since he may or may not have kidnapped the FL? Did he killed more girls or just looked for the FL all those years. What are the police doing? Watching reruns of Dr. Who?!

The antagonist finally got his just deserts in the last EP but how I wish it happened 6 eps earlier. The last EP is total fan service on steroids! It speed-run through a stack of dating tropes and it is total guilty pleasure. It compensates for some of the mid show confusions.

There is a decent amount of skinship throughout the run and they felt right. Not the most passionate I have seen but swoon-y nevertheless.

In terms of acting, it is the same split personality. I love the leads to bits, but the support cast is all over the place. The grandma is sweet. The mum is bearable. The ML's dad is a buffoon who goes for the cheap laughs. The FL's bestie and her brother are so cringy. Their roles get more and more exaggerated as the show progresses. Are they 13 or 30? I groan during some of their scenes.

The kidnapper deserves his own paragraph. He is so one dimensional. Basically, a cardboard cutout. He shows up, does the Death Stare with bonus grimace and retires to a dark corner to await his next money shot. So little effort yet so pivotal a role.

In the end, if they do a director's cut of our leads’ romantic journey, it would be 10/10. I would be a happy couch potato watching it on repeat. The rest gets a 6/10. In view of balance, the show gets an 8/10.

I can totally understand the hype and attention surrounding the show but I also get why some would defer as well. I need therapy.

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One of the best healing/redemption dramas

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. This Show is unabashedly sentimental. Time and again, its plots are designed to pull at our heartstrings until there is not a dry eye in the house. It is also a challenging watch as it races through all kinds of personal and societal issues. Everything from child abuse, abandonment, modern slavery, self-harm, suicide, organised crime and more. Not everything is treated equally nor resolved realistically but it is a bubbling witches’ brew. Unfortunately, most of the time, these topics are used as backstory or plot devices to propel the story forward. If you are looking for a hard-hitting, earnest drama on such topics then this is not quite it.

On the positive side, the story is well structured. It dropped you into the pit of despair but showed you the handholds to climb back out. It is all about healing and redemption. Crime and punishment is secondary. The key motifs are regrets and missed opportunities. There are flashbacks hinting at a rash decision or a slight deviation may change someone’s destiny forever.
Most characters in this show carried wounds both physical and spiritual. The unwritten charter of Team Genie is to provide someone their last chance to do what is necessary so that they can shuffle off this mortal coil without regrets. This, the show excelled.

Another positive aspect is the love line of the leads. It is definitely not a smooth ride, but it is quite realistic and swoon worthy. Rather than the typical passive damsel, the FL put up a good fight for the ML’s affection and to leave nothing to chances or misunderstandings. Bravo!

Ji Chang Wook has not scored many hits of late but I’m happy to report that he has got his mojo back. His agitated, rambling delivery and hangdog demeanour is perfect for this role. We rejoice in his growth and development as the Show progressed. Choi Soo Young might be a super idol but over the years she has amassed quite a filmography. She certainly did a good job here. The role is hardly glamourous but her acting felt natural and on point. The senior cast members more than pulled their weight and quite often stole the show. To fault the acting would be to nit-pick.

There is a lot of death and sadness on display, but the Show is fundamentally uplifting and counterbalanced the negatives with a steely resolve to do good. Amor fati!

Rewatch the whole show might be a bit challenging even if it is rewarding. The last two episodes is definitely worth a rewatch plus all the swoon-y and heart warming moments.

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Hard hitting drama that punches above its weight

The start of the show is impactful and really hits you in the feels. There are so much latent angst and comments on our value system. Does winner really take it all?

This show is not for the faint of heart. There are angst and pain on multiple levels, both physical and psychological. It impacts on an individual as well as societal level when it broadens to involves organised crime.

There is a hint of Itaewon Class in this show even though the core subjects are quite different. The David vs Goliath battle is all too real. I must give credit to k-dramas for their ability to make this type of impactful drama without padding it out with meaningless tripes.

This is not an idle boast as acting, writing and direction are all top-notch. Key actors put up wonderful performances. These are demanding roles. Most of them are flawed, damaged, and hurting. The direction is great. It is effective both for the pensive scenes as well as the action scenes. This is rounded out by a script full of textures and nuances. The show’s main theme of healing is universal though. It is not hard for this drama to resonate with its audiences.

To emphasize this point, the show is full of confrontations. Both in and out of the boxing ring. There are lots of metaphors and life lessons to work through as we peel back the layers. Of course, it would be a rare k-drama to do without any romance, and this is no exception. There are several, both past and present but the one between our leads is the most poignant.

While the pacing overall is good and lively, it does slow in the last quarter. The earlier build up to the big fight seem to deflate the closer it got to the actual event. This is to be expected as the show must shift focus to address the match fixing plot. However, the resolution offered feels superficial. Consider the ML is a hapless victim for the bulk of the show, his one-man crusade completely turns the tide and supplants police investigations. It is too fantastic to be believable. Of course, that is not the end of this sorry saga. This is when the show goes all in for the impactful and explosive finale. To say the show hits you in the feels would be like calling Ali just a bruiser.

I really don’t want to spoil the last episode, so I’ll just say go watch it. However, the actual last few minutes feels a bit disjointed. It is as if the ending was changed due to reactions after test screening. Watch it and see if you agree with me and my friend, Love movies. ;)

It is only 12 eps long and it is more than worth your time. Acting, production and OST are all a cut above. Rewatch is possible but I think a highlight reel will be more palatable for me as I need to watch my blood pressure.

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Come for the food porn and stay for the clichés

It pains me to pen this as this show starts promisingly. (Why does it sounds like a curse?) However, like our amateur attempt at cooking a soufflé, it only looks good when it comes out of the oven and then it goes flat.

Similarly, this series serves up a table full of typical dynastic/dirty business clichés but they lack impact. The bark is worse than the bite.

For instance, the central plot is a young and beautiful chef who left a famous restaurant in Japan to start her own diner in a backwater Korean town. She struggles to even pay the rent most of the time. Yet within days of the ML joining the restaurant, they became the talk of the town. When you consider the food hasn't changed one bit, it is very . . convenient.

Ditto, the whole concept of a restaurant being bootstrapped to amazeball just by repeatedly stealing other chefs' recipes is dubious. It takes a lot more than just yummy food to reach the pinnacle.

Put it another way, it would work if it is the FL's restaurant as she puts her heart and soul into it. If you just drop her dishes into a glass and chrome palace, there would be a disconnect. Dammit, you need that special sauce and backstory!

This extends to most of the other subplots. They are mostly trope du jour. The queen bee role is front and centre. While she is the puppet master and more than happy to pit her sons against each other. It feels like they are just going through the motion. Their roles are shallow. Everything is skin deep.

The same goes for the "antagonist" chef, who is also young and beautiful (where are the old crotchety ones?). She is just a pawn in the power game with little agency. Of course, she has her own redemption arc.

This lack of depth runs deep. While the noona sous chef appears to have the most interesting personality, we know so little about her. She does her job and then what? I would love to know more about her.

It is not all tepid dish water through. The romance of our leads does has its swoonworthy moments. The nuns and monks are chef's kiss. Full of wisdom and humanity. Blessed are their scenes. Same with the food porn. More chef's kisses!

BTW, the cameo by Yoo Yeon-seok is a highlight, but you can also see it as a cynical ploy to give the show a rating boost just when the storyline starts to flag. Thank you! Come again!

The final do-or-die cook-off feels contrived. When you consider the FL wasn't even cooking during the competition, what's the point? The inevitable ending arrives and we definitely have mixed feelings.

In the end, this rom-com feels like reading an old style Chinese restaurant menu. 100 dishes but nothing new. The decor is gaudy yet tired, samey. It is hardly a gourmet feast and more like Uber Eats. One time watch. Peace.

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Comfort zone ≠ safe space

It is a small space t-dramas occupy nowadays. They can't compete with mainland China for sheer volume of drama output nor their varieties. They don't have the hype/star power of the Hallyu Wave. They can’t compete with J-dramas for sheer quirkiness. T-dramas just don't have the clout to muscle into the global market so the few shows they produce each year are mostly for local consumption.

This can lead to a kind of creative stagnation. There are telltales, for instance, over reliance on certain tropes and settings. To wit, this series is set in a coastal village with its own cadre of aging villagers and urban refugees. As a counterpoint, we have the taciturn top star being exiled to the sleepy village to escape prying eyes after yet another damaging scandal.

If I am being honest, there is nothing new to the A-plot. There are minor variations, but it is a well-thumbed playbook. We knew who are the OTP and the second leads right from the start. The ML is the agent of change and the growth of the various relationships is the raison d'etre. Totally serviceable but hardly thinking outside the box.

The senior villagers are played by veteran actors, and they earned their keeps. Particularly the FL's grandmother. She is the rock that anchors the show. Everything is as it should be, and it is a solid production that made good use of their limited resources. Some of the scenic shots are picture perfect.

Puff Kuo is in her element. In fact, she has been doing similar roles for some time. Maybe she decided to leave the glam idol roles to rising starlets as she approaches middle age. Her portrayals of earnest FL's are finely honed and resonate with her audiences. The OTP has good chemistry, and we can ship them with ease.

However, I am a little disappointed with the tepid ending. When it should have been confident strides to the finish line, it felt more like a series of awkward little stumbles. We got there in the end, but it is baffling. This is particularly true for the 2CP. Every sign points to a done deal and yet they failed to launch, at least officially.

As I mentioned before, I have watched several recent t-dramas which are quite similar, and I can sense that they are in their comfort zone. They know their audiences and their preferences. What can go wrong?

That is a core issue with some t-dramas at present. They are decent shows. Well-acted by and large and skilfully made (within a limited budget) but they can feel quite introspective and hemmed in. If it is not Taipei-centric urban/business tales, it will be set in a quaint village that feels more like a travel vlog with a hefty dose of nostalgia. They are watchable, but also forgettable.

I can understand why some t-dramas have retreated to this comfort zone, but it is not a safe space. Death by a thousand cuts is still a slow death in the end. One time watch for me. Peace.

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Farm/tree/seachange for everyone!

There are times when only a slow burn, mellow romance will hit the spot. This show fits the bill, but it also has a minor sting in its tail. We'll talk about that later.

The first couple of episodes is manic. Two already hectic urban lives are upended by life threatening illness as well as career setbacks. A double whammy you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. I can sense the "how low can it go" trope rearing its head already.

The daughter (YFL) finally had enough and ran away with her bestie to the sea. There she meets a handsome, helpful young man (YML) and his handsome, helpful father (OML). As luck would have it, the OML went to school with her adopted mother (OFL). There was definitely some entanglement back then.

One thing leads to another. Before we can say Tteokbokki, our female leads up sticks and moved to the small town where the male leads live. They made new friends and reconnected with old ones. They build a home and made a fresh start. Everything is going swimmingly except for the shadow of the YFL's illness.

As you'd expect, romance is definitely in the air. While there are two SFL's. They don't pose much of a threat.

The greater challenge lies in our leads sorting out their feelings and acting upon them. As per usual, this is quite a long and tortuous path. We got there in the end and everyone is happy until it is time for the YFL's operation. So much introspection and tears.

Now the sting I mentioned earlier. It is not really anything nasty but the show is unabashedly sentimental towards the end. Every trope related to relationships, found family, healing and growth are there. You might find it wholesome and sweet . . or not. I won't judge. ;)

However, the time skip in the end feels a little pointless. I see the need for the FL to heal, but it also implies nothing happen to everyone around her during the lengthy skip. Then everything rush ahead once the stasis is over. It feels quite arbitrary.

In the end, it is a pleasant watch. Several romances blossomed. The acting is good from the ensemble cast. Dr. Jung is a gem. Production value is on par. Ditto the OST. It might be too mellow and sentimental for some. Caveat emptor, chingu.

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A solid noona romance with a touch of déjà vu

If I were to blank my mind, then this is a sweet noona romance/healing drama. However, while watching it, I can't escape a sense of déjà vu as I recall another j-drama called Silent as well as Move To Heaven(Korean). Both are excellent but more focused on their main theme. I suppose good storylines are timeless. ;)

Let's start at the beginning. The FL is 10 years older than the ML, but it is not too obvious. The show doesn't call it out specifically as an issue. Most of their friends and family accepted it readily. Our leads do tease each other about it. Quite cute. This adds to their chemistry, and they don’t shy away from skinship either.

The genre bending comes from the ML being deaf since birth. He is well adjusted and does not see himself disabled. In fact, he has a particular insight into human nature which gave his character added depth. It is nice to see our FL making a big effort to integrate into his world. C’est amour, mon ami. ;)

Speaking of romance, it progresses quite quickly. Yes, the meet-cute is forthright. It would be non-PC these days. Many older movies/shows have used this trick to signify the raw attraction between the leads. For what it is worth, it gave their relationship a momentum lacking in similar dramas. In fact, the general pacing of this show is spot on.

Both leads confessed their love for each other within a relatively short span of time. No silly word games while they dance around each other. Drama gods be praised! Our OTP looked at each other intendedly as they signed their simple yet heartfelt confessions. Is it easier to confess in sign language? Interesting.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple in dramaland. We must deal with unrequited love and dark pasts. Old wounds reopened and inner demons braying for attention. Thankfully, the show doesn't weaponise the angst until we beg for mercy. We do see their pain and aggravation as the show progresses.

Acting is solid from the ensemble cast. Kudos to the actors playing deaf roles and to those who learn the sign language just for this show. The support cast is a mix bag of quirky characters so typical to j-dramas. One or two are a bit over the top but the majority are worthy inclusions.

In hindsight, this series didn't go down the rabbit hole as deeply as the other two shows and the medical side is a bit lightweight. It is still a solid presentation. Good effort by the writer-san to incorporated multiple themes into one script. I enjoyed it and I would not hesitate to recommend this to any fan of this genre

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Is black romance a genre?

To say that this series sailed under my radar is the understatement of the century. It was released in 2021 but I have, hand on heart, never heard of it until a friend recommended to me. Cheers, @Nelly. :)

This show hits well above its own weight. It does not compute if you look at it clinically. It is a short form drama. 8x20mins. It is closer to movie length once you top and tail the intro/outros. The production value is passable but you know it is made with a small budget. No fancy costumes or CGI anywhere. Nondescript locations adds to the . . rustic charm. You can forget about handsome idols or traffic stars. Heck, they probably have to pack their own lunch from home. ;)

On top of that, the A-plot is about as non-PC as you can get! It is loaded with triggers and very questionable moral values. Which brings us to the obvious question. How did this series ever passed the Chinese censorship?! The only other one that came to mind is Rock it, Mom! If anything, this show is darker. 

The series certainly does not mince words when it present us with the dire situations our leads are in. One no longer wants to live (as compared to wanting to die) while the other survives on a razer's edge. Both are so damaged that they consider their continued existence as some kind of cruel joke if not outright curse. That is until their paths collided one fateful night.

I am not going to give away the plot as it is not exactly original although there are some nice twist early on. The writer managed to give the story a strong beating heart and a delicate soul. It is a rough ride and a tough watch. I'm serious when I said that this drama is full of triggers. The underbelly of this dramaverse is as black as coal. You have been warned.

Thankfully, our young leads gave us their all. It could have been an idol drama of little consequence but I'm thankful that we are spared that fate. With such a short run time, the pace is fast and almost breathless at times. Nevertheless, it managed to slow down at key moments so that we can take a breath and empathise with our leads as their perspective starts to change under each other's influence. Imperceptible at first but with gathering pace as their lives become more entwined. Their growth is surprisingly organic. You knew what is on the card but when it happened your heart sings as you give thanks to the writer. Who needs corny expositions when the storytelling is on point.

To be honest, this doesn't feel like a c-drama. It could have been a t-drama or an indie project from a Nordic country. It might be a bit rough around the edges but that's part of its charm. I salute the production team. Just getting it made and pass censorship is already an achievement. It has earned a place on my rewatch list. Peace.

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