Superficial film with a lot of guns.
The action scenes are filmed very well. We can enjoy chases and fight scenes, explosions, rifle fire and sniper hunts and at last handsome fighting boys.But it’s almost everything that I can say about this movie. The scenario is flat and not interesting. Something about a nuclear staff and there is a traitor in every room. The Korean style of the romance between enemies seems to be forced and unconvincing although the female lead Park Soo Ae is a real star here.
The cast is good (and pretty), the entourage in Italy and Japan are good as well.
The film is an attempt at a new approach to the theme of a gang war that is well known in Korean cinematography but the fighters have better guns and they work in secret service and they can travel around the world. I can say it’s a higher level of action entertainment.
The best part of the film is the title “Athena: Goddess of War”. I wish the rest were so good.
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Pure crime detective drama
ClassicIt’s a pure crime detective drama but with extra light characters and scenes that add some smile into this brutal world.
Insane plot
The plot is just crazy. It’s not easy to follow the story and understand what is going on. In every episode there is one new perpetrator and suspect or two. The story suddenly turns and goes into a different direction. I’m afraid the director teasing viewers, up to the last minutes we can’t say anything about what would be the ending.
Class actors
Jo Seun Woo is fantastic! I really don’t know how he was able to create such a vivid, bright and thrilling character. Amazing job!
Lee Bo Young is not my favourite actress. But I am surprised in a positive sense. Even her mannerism of acting looks okay here.
The chemistry between main leads is so intense! Although there are a lot of nasty bad guys and murderers, blood and violence, I watch drama with pleasure thanks to the main actors.
We can’t forget about the child actor who has a lot of job during the whole drama (though I still don’t understand how leads could lost the child about ten hundreds times)
Fighting
The director created fast paced story with unexpected elements but at the same time characters give to this story human dimension and profoundness. Mainly they catch the bad guys but also present touching relationship.
Cinematography is great. Fighting scenes are wonderful if I can say this about this.
End
Of course, perhaps someone would like the better ending, more realistic and probabilistic, something simple since the ending is complicated and twisted as a whole plot, but still, it’s a fine detective story, where the mother and ajussi try to fight against the evil.
Drama touches the serious problem of abducting and killing child and if you have the nerve for this and if you can keep up with the heavy plot – you probably will enjoy it a lot. It’s classic.
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Retro cool drama!
What a Cast! What a Story!It’s an old drama so actors have a retro hair style and old-school outfits. They walk and run around the island a lot. They smoke cigarettes and often lost their phones. The weather is sunny and windy, the ocean is shining, it’s an exciting trip due south of Korea.
It’s a beautiful, heartwarming, well played family story, but it also a melodrama and sliced of life, with a bit absurd humor. It’s so beautiful that it took my breath away.
Every protagonist has a flaw: Jang Hyuk is a jerk, Gong Hyo Jin is dumb and irresponsible, Shin Sung Rok is greedy bad boy, Ryu Seung Soo at this time is not a gangster, but eventually everyone reveals the other, deeper face. The busiest is 8 years old actress Seo Shin Ae who has a lot of lines to recite.
The pace is rather slow but never boring, because it’s for presenting the multidimensional relationship between members of family and neighborhood, especially around the little girl Bom. The character of Gong Hyo Jin is so dumb and pushover that not only you are nervous about it but also other protagonists, they were nagging her: be impudent! Be brazen! Don’t be silly! But some episodes later you start to wonder what is important and value in life? To be clever and cunning? Really?
There is the most interesting kaleidoscope of characters I have recently seen in dramas: Mr Lee – about his character you can write a book! Budda-nim – the worried matchmaker, the first and eternal love of innkeeper, the scenes with them are just wonderful.
If you like other dramas of screenwriter Lee Kyung Hee “Chocolate” or “I’m Sorry I Love You” – you may love this one too. This reminds me “When Camellia Blooms” in both there is a single mother played by Gong Hyo Jin, at the small village near the ocean, and in both the bright star is a child actor!
If you want to watch something good and classic, watch "Thank You". It’s a Masterpiece. Definitely.
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Good adventure series!
There is no drama.I mean there is no huge moral dilemma, revenge or redemption. There is no big tragedy in the past.
Well, yes, in the beginning it’s a bit, but only as an excuse for her to enter Military Academy. So, there is no drama, but there is every element of good adventure series.
It’s good played adventure story of a girl who stayed as a man in soldier academy in the 30s of XX century. The scenography is outstanding. I may say, perhaps there is no limit of their budget. We can enjoy the beautiful costumes, ladies’ outfits, military uniforms, oldschool cars and stylish environments.
It’s easy to watch till the end, because there is no psychological tense, great tragedy and so on. Generally it’s light, nice, fast and funny. It has a good balance between historical issues and romance-bromance. And I have to mention about sparky girl friendship! The moral decisions made by protagonists are easy to understand and nothing is odd.
Cast:
The best skills of acting has Wu Jia Yi who plays Qu Man Ting – the singer with a broken heart. She can steal every scene, she creates multidimensional character, sensitive artist, bit naive, with a big heart and she always has this hope for the great love.
In the review of “Arsenal Military Academy” it’s impossible not to talk about main leads, but for not to make spoilers I will not say who the main leads are :) Anyway, the military guys and girls play in satisfying way and for sure they have a lot of fun during the filming and we can feel the actors’ enthusiasm.
Music:
10/10. Absolutely.
Script:
Script is OK. In the second part of the series the action take places outside the Academy and we participate in gun wars, kidnappings, chasing and fighting. But the first one tells about living in the academy and this is very entertaining and funny with all gender-bender stuff.
It stands out from other China productions (that I started to watch) that lack good script and they were not able to tell about any reasonable closed story, and I give 9/10. I know that some fans will give 10, but I think it’s enough for light, entertaining series. Well, because we don’t wonder if Japanese will conquer China, but only who will be a sweetheart of this cute girl in military uniform.
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If you are looking for something intense, bloody revenge or emotional roller coaster –it’s not here.
There is no distressing drama, no mix genre: it’s a classic detective (or spy) comedy with a small, sweet romance without tragedy (“Fiery Priest” is also criminal comedy, but heavy, with tragedy in every episode, and I watch it with fear. “Call of the Country” is a nice change after my dark dramas of 2018).
The acting is great, especially female lead- the cop girl (excellent played by Lee Soo Kyung) is amazing. She is clever, brave, charming and funny. I can’t remember if I’ve seen so good written, NOT annoying heroine.
Has the cop girl a better chemistry with the second lead? No way, the main lead – NIS agent (very well played by Kim Sang Kyung) – is an opposite to her, because he is grumpy, stiff, and everything does by book. They have great interactions, dynamic dialogues and funny misunderstandings. The most interesting is how he tries to keep pace with her. He is forced to do unusually, ridiculous things that even he didn’t think about.
There are also some hilarious scenes and the spies’ family is the funniest idea ever!
If you want to lighten the grim mood or have a funny time I recommend this drama. At present there are some comedy dramas, but most of them are not light – they show serious problems, tragedy in the past and scriptwriters often break viewer’s heart. Then watch this drama and forget about the hardships of life.
It’s a good drama, well directed and well written, it deserves for 8,5 but I enjoy it much, because of the female lead, so I give 10/10.
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Drama Special Season 3: Do You Know Taekwondo?
1 people found this review helpful
The narration has a subtle humor, particularly in Do Hyeon’s philosophy of avoiding beating and hitting. He isn’t tall and that’s why there is no chance for him to win in taekwondo. Also the way of filming shows the funny side of the story. The director doesn’t follow the stereotypes so we are not boring of cliché.
I like the acting, especially short scenes with Choi Min Soo and the kid, the actor has really amazing skills to seduce the audience. Also Im Ji Kyu very well portrayed funny, amusing main lead.
It’s optimistic story with positive message build with small pieces of life. I highly recommend.
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Drama Special Season 5: The Tale of the Bookworm
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There are bookworms, a bookwolf and a bookpig. There are authors of their books, but also there is a book without the author, because he denied his book. There is also a living book. And bookthieves, and reading under the blanket in the night. All of this is a background for the strange story including murders, sword fights, bromance and of course books.
Scholar Jang investigates the murder case and tries to find the book. In the end will he love and protect the girl or the book?
I love this short drama, it is funny, intelligent and original. The places of filming are really beautiful. Han Joo Wan as a scholar Jang is lovable.
If you love books you must watch it :)
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Baek Jin Hee is undoubtedly the QUEEN of the drama and fits her role like no other. I was laughing every time, when I saw her face and her look, she was so funny! The handsome actors also did the great job, especially the evil one, In Gyo Jin.
It’s a light, nice and funny drama but in the meantime we have some issue of company, employment, workers, dreams and desires. And, yes, the main idea is the justice in work.
The music is fantastic and energetic.
Watching this you will be dragged into the time loop, so you may watch the drama many times. Enjoy!
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One word: perfect. “My Beautiful Bride” is perfect!
This is for everyone who loves fast pace action, gang wars, thriller, very good script and outstanding cinematography. But there is something more: this is a beautiful love story about eternal love and trust and longing and sacrifice.
I didn't expect such a remarkable drama. There is no useless scene or word. All characters are deep and real: bank ajussi, the girl who wants to start over, corrupt policeman, gangsters who act only because of fear and greed, sensitive and beautiful detective, gangster women who are not afraid of anyone.
Music is unforgettable! It creates a dark mood of gangster world and a sweet one in lovers scenes.
I love everything in this drama! Especially adamant Kim Moo Yul! I give 10/10, of course.
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The acting is incredibly good. Everyone gives a very good performance, maybe with the exception of sister and widow. Anyway, Jo Yoon Hee (Woo A Mi, the widow, supposed main lead) have no chemistry with Kim Jae Won (detective Ha) at all and she was left aside by the director and plays a really minor role. And it was a brilliant decision.
While noona (Jang Joo Ha played by Kim Gyu Ri) has a great chemistry with everyone.
This is a classic Korean drama, in the sense that it is a story of revenge, guilt and redemption and the fight against destiny, with a bit of humor. The end is very good. Filming, direction, cinematography and music are excellent.
Drama has a serious meaning, plot twists don't leave the viewer indifferent, you just need to know what will happen next and who will be the son.
Drama is for everyone who likes a good script, real, intelligent characters, serious questions and mature music – who tastes just a good drama. Then, just watch it!
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I like it because it is a good family drama with a positive message, that asks: what will you choose: money or family love? I think drama is optimistic and ends well. You will see.
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Everyone already left
The handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China in 1997 caused an emigration of citizens to the West. We see the very moment when the girl Wai prepares to leave the city forever, but she leaves behind not only home, school, but also people.
This is the story of the meeting of Tokio and Wai. They talk to each other clumsily in a foreign language, getting frustrated when they can't express their thoughts. We were drawn into their conversation, because we also try to understand what they are saying. Their friendship is a bit odd and uncommon.
A character of particular importance is Grandma. The director gently tells us the fragile relationship between the girl and her grandmother.
One of the visual themes of the film is emptiness. The director has styled the image through an intriguing play of light and shadow, showing in an overexposed photo abandoned city, a concrete pier, a house drowning in darkness and loneliness in a hospital. We see Hong Kong through the lens of a Tokio camera, and in this image everything becomes blurred, white, and without the detail. Against this colourless backdrop, the emotions of the characters are more apparent.
The film is a great visual journey through the love that takes on different forms: first youthful love of Wai, mature love of Tokio full of boring routine, love between granddaughter and grandmother. If you want to watch something slow, a small story with a artistic picture of the Hong Kong with a bit of sad nostalgia – Autumn Moon is for you.
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Frederic Chopin's heart and the journey in the grief
The film is beautifully shot, and the cinematography is natural and serene. The director is very impressive with her film experience. The scenes are not arranged chronologically, as they are like a journey through the feelings and desires of a human being regardless of age.An unquestionable value of the film is Warsaw and the Warsaw Uprising, which became the setting for the heroine's inner and spiritual journey. Frederic Chopin's heart, praying for the dead and giving someone’s life for his homeland become a motif that transforms her internally. The most important question of the story is whether it is possible to live after death. Is death the total devastation of everything we have?
We observe two stories, linked by the same theme of self-sacrifice. One story is about the grief of a wife, the other is about the grief of a boy after the death of his closest friend.
Not many words are said here, but the intensity of feelings engages the viewer every minute.
The music is beautiful.
I recommend it to anyone who loves deep stories in a minimalist style.
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Quite old school film, but warmth in the heart still remains.
It’s an optimistic, warm, funny and bright story. Are you tired of netflix grim monsters? Do you want to watch something real, sweet and deep? This film is for you.
Actors are just amazing! Yoo Ah In and Kim Yoon Seok create an original tandem of student and teacher. Their dialogues are so vivid and their dialogues with God are so funny!
I love it because the story presents the meaning of everyday life. The relationship of son and mother, son and father is told with vulnerability and with warm emotions.
Unique characters and entourage of old and cheap houses with a story of love, empathy and forgiveness make this film a piece of art.
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Exciting spy romance full of action and fights
Drama queen
There is no boring character and it’s due to an excellent script. It’s a kaleidoscope of different personalities and every one has its time on the screen. It was difficult for me to focus on the main leads because other characters were engaging a lot and amazing played, all of them. So we have a good spy and a bad spy, cruel boss, greedy mother, cringing gangster, kindhearted boxer, romantic detective, weird secretary, but my favourite is the father (Park Sung Geun). Sweet swindler and Christian neophyte who lives in reality he created himself. Nice.
But the queen of drama is our female lead Seo Hyun, definitely. I didn’t expect such good acting from her. I thought: oh, it’s just another idol star with a pretty face, but no! She created really captivating and attractive character. Her clothes, hairs, voice, kisses, tears – everything fits perfectly!
Undercover lovers and handsome cast
We can’t find here a fine bromance of detectives or spies, that we always waiting for, but don’t worry, we have a great womance. It’s rare to watch so intense relation between girls so drama gives you a unique impression. Kim Hyo Jin and Seo Hyun create an original couple and they are a distraction from the other handsome members of the crew.
Despite the spy-corruption-fighting-swindler theme, there is a lot of sweet romance here. Really, really sweet.
Social commentary about corruption
It’s impossible to avoid corruption problems when the story is about industrial and political espionage. So drama reveals the truth we often don’t want to see that politicians are figureheads but someone else has real power. The disgusting of the bad guys and politicians was so well portrayed that it was easy to hate them.
Fun, entertaining and Vivian
There is a lot of fun because the characters are involuntarily funny. And we can’t forget about Vivian! Bad dog.
Am I the only one who loves the drama? Hope not. If you are dreaming of something with fast action, mystery disappears, clever swindlers and sweet romance or you missed Go Kyung Pyo when he was in the army – everything is here. It’s the third drama of writer-nim Yoo Sung Yeol after ‘My Beautiful Bride’ and ‘Cruel City’. I love them all.
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