8/10
wonderful lead character, and a terrific performance from Kim Sun-Ah.
At the same, i find it a bit sad that she considers herself an old maid at 30.
Although 1t made me laugh, every time she said it.
The fact that she was considered fat is also to my mind ridiculus. I can see a reason for calling herself fat. I guess many women of even that size would consider themselves overweight. But it's the idea that others considered her fat is more troubling.
Also on her age-30. Well, it seems she was 30 in real life, but I bet there are ordinary korean women out there of that age who would love to look that good.
So even though I liked the show. To me it preached some bad messages.
(1) being thirty and not married is tantamount to being an old maid
(2) being a little overweigh is the same as being fat.
yalu river flows.
9/10
Well this is different for the most part.
quote from d-addicts
"The first co-production between Korea and Germany, made to celebrate the 125th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, 압록강은 흐른다 (Der Yalu Fließt) is not only a very faithful adaptation of the original (the first episode is more or less the novel's content, while the remaining two talk about the rest of Li's life in Germany), but also a throwback to the great period dramas of the early to mid 90s, like 카레이스키 (Kareisky) and 여명의 눈동자 (Eyes of Dawn). Its slow paced and poetic prose might feel out of place in today's K-drama industry, so preoccupied with shallow glitz and glamour, but it's with substance and narrative fundamentals that this drama succeed on almost all accounts, as one of the best overlooked gems of the year
“Yalu River Flows (German title: Der Yalu Fliesst)” is originally an autobiographical novel written by Korean ex-pat writer Li Mirok. Now the novel has been turned into a TV series co-produced by Korea’s SBS and Germany’s BR (Bayerischer Rundtunk). The drama portrays the life of Li Mirok, who fled to China and finally settled in Germany after fighting for Korea’s freedom while studying medicine in Tokyo during the Japanese colonial regime. The dramatic life of Li reflects the turbulent era of modern Korean and Germany history.
The role of Li is played by Woo Byeok-song, a Korean actor living in Germany, and Li’s parents are played by esteemed Shin Gu and Na Moon-hee. Its executive producer Lee Jong-han says the drama has been in preparation for nearly 30 years and it’s going to be his signature piece."
A lot of it set in germany, where some of the german characters speak korean, and the korean lead speaks german. Heck, there is also a snatch or so of a famous irish poem.
8/10
Beautiful performance by Ha Ji-won.
But I was troubled by the following.
(1) Why did the captain take so long to tell Jang, that Chai was his sister. Was it because he wanted him to kill him, so that he wouldn't have to kill the brother of the girl he was in love with.
(2) Jang was too quick to believe that Chai would have been involved in the masacare of the lepers. He had spent enough time with her in the cave to know, that she wasn;t the type of person to do something like that. Even if he did believe it, it wasn't in his nature not to have looked in her eyes before he lilled her. Obviously the idea was to make him believe he had killed her. but what happens if he ran into her afterwards. If it had been me, i think it would have been better to have threatened the life of the rebel girl.
(3) When Jang finds that Jai is alive, after he was supposed to have killed her, he doesn't seem too surprised
(4) The ending. It didn't get the tear ducts going. Maybe because, I knew that it was going to be tragic, But as far as I could see, she still stabs him, even after she finds out that he's her brother. Okay. maybe, she was just too blinded with the idea of revenge against the man who killed the captain.
Anyway, here's my ending.
The captain is not dead. He finds out that Jai has gone to kill her brother. As she delivers the death blow, he (the captain)cries out that he's her brother. But it's too late. She cries in aguish, and finally kills herself.
Oh, one other thing. The wuxia element. Exciting enough to watch. But in relation to Jai, because I can only think about in relation to her. Sometimes she used it, and sometimes she didn’t. Was it only effective in certain hours of the day or what? [Smile]
I liked this version better than the korean one.
Although I think I prefer the female lead in the K version.
The version has a more sympathetic male lead, who is also a better actor. I'm not saying he's great, but he's certainly more animated. In the K version, I could never understand what she saw in him. In this one I can.
This version is more wacky, but it also has it's violent moments.
My favourite character is probably the owner of the sweet shop, especially her stories about john lennon, and a certain person who goes around in a red suit at christmas.
Funnily enough, in this version, the male lead's hair is referred to as weird. Actually I saw nothing wrong with it. In the korean version, (unless I'm mistaken) no mention is made of the hair. Although inho, it is weird.
Note. The next winner of Miss World will be decided on a play of stone, paper, scissors.
9/10
8/10
I suppose heartwartming would be the best way to describe this drama. The cast are wonderful. Actually I would say the lead actor
is probably the weakest. He isn't bad. I just don't think he is in the league as the others.
Wonderful scenery.
Yes, parts of it are contrived, but usually the contriviance doesn't lead to the expected outcome.
I cried, I laughed, sometimes at the same time.
I liked some of the small details, such as the dirt on the seat of a child's pants after he had fallen down somewhere, or when the doctor gets a cold, and the wetness on his face.
Note.
I haven't seen the specials yet.
8/10
a six parter directed by
Takashi Miike.
If you are a fan of boys over flowers, you will love this.
No! I'm kidding.
How to describe this.
Gruesome, funny (although not very often, but I did laugh out loud at least once) bizarre, disturbing, wacked out.
White christmas
7/10
Maybe I should have given it an 8.
But I'll stick with 7.
It has a serial killer in it, but it's not about a serial killer. In a way he/she is the least important character.
The acting is okay, nothing outstanding.
The interplay between the characters is the most interesting thing,
The two leads were great. My other favourite charactor was Da Ren's teacher friend.
But what was the ending about.
They were supposed to have switched bodies back. But the ending didn't show that. Maybe Da ren was so used to seeing the kkj as the older guy, that, that's how she saw him as that,even when he appeared as himself.
8/10
If you want to watch a 11 ep drana that will certainly get the tear ducts going ,and with some brilliant performances,, I recommend this one.
Although the title is mother, it might been more appropiate to call it Mothers. Though the main story concerns a woman who takes on the role of "mother" for an abused child. It also tells of other kinds of mothers too. Perhaps some of it could be seen as a little bit contrived; overall I believe it deals with it's themes in an honest way.
10/10
This review comtains spoiler
This only the second costume drama, I managed to complete. The first being Kingdom of the winds, which I think surpasses this. Although this has some of the best characters I've seen in an asian drama.
Top characters
skylord. This character left the series too early. He is the most charismatic baddie, I have come across in a long time. He should have a series of his own,
Moosa Baek Dong Soo. Vicous, pathetic, funny
The queen. She looks like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but her heart is blacker than night.
jin joo. She's feisty as hell, and more interesting than who i presume is the lead female
Bubbling under
commander hong, who is as cunning as hell,
ga ok. She's probably the first character I liked, but found others more interesting as the show went on.
kenzo-enigmatic
Yes, all bit one are baddies
It;s a while since I've seen four wimds, but I think this series has more comedy. It has some great one liners such as one of the characters being referred to as a male gigolo,
It also has a nice little joke. that doesn't outstay it's welcome concerning ears being pulled.
A major theme of the drama would seem to be redemption.
The most moving scene is where jin joo tells the pirate chief exactly how she feels about him.
The thing I'm not sure what to say without just writing. The actress playing ga ok plays the mother of a charactor who in real life is only
8 years younger than her. I think the acress playing the daughter is supposed to be playing young.
The most actorly scene, is where skylord cries over the dearh of the woman he loved.
Another thing I liked was the grit shown by charactors it might not have been expected of eg the son of commander hong, when confronted by skylord.
my gripe. Although Im grateful for subs, it would nice if modern speech was not in it
best action scene. Where the two male leads take on a load of bad guys.
9/10
if you can leave your mind at home, and not expect too much in the way of logic, you are in for an excellent blend of mystery, action, and soap opera.
The fights for the most part are not what you would call eye catching. That is except for the last one, where 3 good guys take one bad guy. Many of the characters are not who they seem. Bad people do good things. People you thought were good, aren't.
Anyway I thought it was terrific, and enjoyed the interplay between the two lead characters.
Boys over Flowers.
8/10
terrific performance by the lead actress. A reviewer on dvd beaver said she was a cross between Stan laurel, and Guelita Masina. She does smile like Stan Laurel okay. Not too many scenes that brought a tear. I smiled more and cried. The level of violence in it caught me by surprise. Maybe it was the title that threw me. But then again I should have been prepared, when the series starts with an attempted suicide. I would describe as as a show about love, friendship, and the possible sacrifice of
one's own happiness for a friends. There is friendship between women, friendship between men, even if it sometimes leads to jealousy and violence, and friendship bettween mem and women ie f4 and Jan Di. Overall it;'s a series I admired more than liked, particularly for the lead actress. The rest of the cast are ok, but no real standouts acting wise. I do wonder why only 3 of the f4 members were given decent storylines.
An excellent crime drama. Anybody who saw seen the old b/w movie manhattan melodrama (the film john dillinger had been to see, before being shot) will recognise one of the threads running through tjhe story. I was also reminded of The Godfather. highly recommonded
10/10
funny japanese comedy crime drama.Each episode is a standalone.
The lead actress does all these over the top expressions. There are some very funny recurring comedy bits.
very enjoyablle
9/10
Very funny, very touching. For the most part, a wonderful screenplay. The chemistry was good between the two leads. Bit then I often find that in these dramas. It had cliches common to korean dramas. But I tend to overlook those. The two leads gave good performances, but there were no real standouts. It made me laugh, smile, cry.
My first thai lakorn to finish.
it's cheesy, compelling, heartbreaking.
It's definetly one to watch if you like a good cry.
it has ghosts, mediation, possession, a story set in the past, and the present, and some comedy as well.
8/10
8/10
This is a beautifully written intelligent series which will make you think.
for a longer review with spoilers
see if you want to read a fuller review by me with spoilers.
See last review at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481042/reviews for longer with spoilers. look for one by martin fennell
wonderful lead character, and a terrific performance from Kim Sun-Ah.
At the same, i find it a bit sad that she considers herself an old maid at 30.
Although 1t made me laugh, every time she said it.
The fact that she was considered fat is also to my mind ridiculus. I can see a reason for calling herself fat. I guess many women of even that size would consider themselves overweight. But it's the idea that others considered her fat is more troubling.
Also on her age-30. Well, it seems she was 30 in real life, but I bet there are ordinary korean women out there of that age who would love to look that good.
So even though I liked the show. To me it preached some bad messages.
(1) being thirty and not married is tantamount to being an old maid
(2) being a little overweigh is the same as being fat.
9/10
Well this is different for the most part.
quote from d-addicts
"The first co-production between Korea and Germany, made to celebrate the 125th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, 압록강은 흐른다 (Der Yalu Fließt) is not only a very faithful adaptation of the original (the first episode is more or less the novel's content, while the remaining two talk about the rest of Li's life in Germany), but also a throwback to the great period dramas of the early to mid 90s, like 카레이스키 (Kareisky) and 여명의 눈동자 (Eyes of Dawn). Its slow paced and poetic prose might feel out of place in today's K-drama industry, so preoccupied with shallow glitz and glamour, but it's with substance and narrative fundamentals that this drama succeed on almost all accounts, as one of the best overlooked gems of the year
“Yalu River Flows (German title: Der Yalu Fliesst)” is originally an autobiographical novel written by Korean ex-pat writer Li Mirok. Now the novel has been turned into a TV series co-produced by Korea’s SBS and Germany’s BR (Bayerischer Rundtunk). The drama portrays the life of Li Mirok, who fled to China and finally settled in Germany after fighting for Korea’s freedom while studying medicine in Tokyo during the Japanese colonial regime. The dramatic life of Li reflects the turbulent era of modern Korean and Germany history.
The role of Li is played by Woo Byeok-song, a Korean actor living in Germany, and Li’s parents are played by esteemed Shin Gu and Na Moon-hee. Its executive producer Lee Jong-han says the drama has been in preparation for nearly 30 years and it’s going to be his signature piece."
A lot of it set in germany, where some of the german characters speak korean, and the korean lead speaks german. Heck, there is also a snatch or so of a famous irish poem.
Beautiful performance by Ha Ji-won.
But I was troubled by the following.
(1) Why did the captain take so long to tell Jang, that Chai was his sister. Was it because he wanted him to kill him, so that he wouldn't have to kill the brother of the girl he was in love with.
(2) Jang was too quick to believe that Chai would have been involved in the masacare of the lepers. He had spent enough time with her in the cave to know, that she wasn;t the type of person to do something like that. Even if he did believe it, it wasn't in his nature not to have looked in her eyes before he lilled her. Obviously the idea was to make him believe he had killed her. but what happens if he ran into her afterwards. If it had been me, i think it would have been better to have threatened the life of the rebel girl.
(3) When Jang finds that Jai is alive, after he was supposed to have killed her, he doesn't seem too surprised
(4) The ending. It didn't get the tear ducts going. Maybe because, I knew that it was going to be tragic, But as far as I could see, she still stabs him, even after she finds out that he's her brother. Okay. maybe, she was just too blinded with the idea of revenge against the man who killed the captain.
Anyway, here's my ending.
The captain is not dead. He finds out that Jai has gone to kill her brother. As she delivers the death blow, he (the captain)cries out that he's her brother. But it's too late. She cries in aguish, and finally kills herself.
Oh, one other thing. The wuxia element. Exciting enough to watch. But in relation to Jai, because I can only think about in relation to her. Sometimes she used it, and sometimes she didn’t. Was it only effective in certain hours of the day or what? [Smile]
Although I think I prefer the female lead in the K version.
The version has a more sympathetic male lead, who is also a better actor. I'm not saying he's great, but he's certainly more animated. In the K version, I could never understand what she saw in him. In this one I can.
This version is more wacky, but it also has it's violent moments.
My favourite character is probably the owner of the sweet shop, especially her stories about john lennon, and a certain person who goes around in a red suit at christmas.
Funnily enough, in this version, the male lead's hair is referred to as weird. Actually I saw nothing wrong with it. In the korean version, (unless I'm mistaken) no mention is made of the hair. Although inho, it is weird.
Note. The next winner of Miss World will be decided on a play of stone, paper, scissors.
9/10
I suppose heartwartming would be the best way to describe this drama. The cast are wonderful. Actually I would say the lead actor
is probably the weakest. He isn't bad. I just don't think he is in the league as the others.
Wonderful scenery.
Yes, parts of it are contrived, but usually the contriviance doesn't lead to the expected outcome.
I cried, I laughed, sometimes at the same time.
I liked some of the small details, such as the dirt on the seat of a child's pants after he had fallen down somewhere, or when the doctor gets a cold, and the wetness on his face.
Note.
I haven't seen the specials yet.
a six parter directed by
Takashi Miike.
If you are a fan of boys over flowers, you will love this.
No! I'm kidding.
How to describe this.
Gruesome, funny (although not very often, but I did laugh out loud at least once) bizarre, disturbing, wacked out.
7/10
Maybe I should have given it an 8.
But I'll stick with 7.
It has a serial killer in it, but it's not about a serial killer. In a way he/she is the least important character.
The acting is okay, nothing outstanding.
The interplay between the characters is the most interesting thing,
Last story was the best, becauise it was the most affecting,
But what was the ending about.
They were supposed to have switched bodies back. But the ending didn't show that. Maybe Da ren was so used to seeing the kkj as the older guy, that, that's how she saw him as that,even when he appeared as himself.
8/10
Although the title is mother, it might been more appropiate to call it Mothers. Though the main story concerns a woman who takes on the role of "mother" for an abused child. It also tells of other kinds of mothers too. Perhaps some of it could be seen as a little bit contrived; overall I believe it deals with it's themes in an honest way.
10/10
This review comtains spoiler
This only the second costume drama, I managed to complete. The first being Kingdom of the winds, which I think surpasses this. Although this has some of the best characters I've seen in an asian drama.
Top characters
skylord. This character left the series too early. He is the most charismatic baddie, I have come across in a long time. He should have a series of his own,
Moosa Baek Dong Soo. Vicous, pathetic, funny
The queen. She looks like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but her heart is blacker than night.
jin joo. She's feisty as hell, and more interesting than who i presume is the lead female
Bubbling under
commander hong, who is as cunning as hell,
ga ok. She's probably the first character I liked, but found others more interesting as the show went on.
kenzo-enigmatic
Yes, all bit one are baddies
It;s a while since I've seen four wimds, but I think this series has more comedy. It has some great one liners such as one of the characters being referred to as a male gigolo,
It also has a nice little joke. that doesn't outstay it's welcome concerning ears being pulled.
A major theme of the drama would seem to be redemption.
The most moving scene is where jin joo tells the pirate chief exactly how she feels about him.
The thing I'm not sure what to say without just writing. The actress playing ga ok plays the mother of a charactor who in real life is only
8 years younger than her. I think the acress playing the daughter is supposed to be playing young.
The most actorly scene, is where skylord cries over the dearh of the woman he loved.
Another thing I liked was the grit shown by charactors it might not have been expected of eg the son of commander hong, when confronted by skylord.
my gripe. Although Im grateful for subs, it would nice if modern speech was not in it
best action scene. Where the two male leads take on a load of bad guys.
9/10
if you can leave your mind at home, and not expect too much in the way of logic, you are in for an excellent blend of mystery, action, and soap opera.
The fights for the most part are not what you would call eye catching. That is except for the last one, where 3 good guys take one bad guy. Many of the characters are not who they seem. Bad people do good things. People you thought were good, aren't.
Anyway I thought it was terrific, and enjoyed the interplay between the two lead characters.
8/10
terrific performance by the lead actress. A reviewer on dvd beaver said she was a cross between Stan laurel, and Guelita Masina. She does smile like Stan Laurel okay. Not too many scenes that brought a tear. I smiled more and cried. The level of violence in it caught me by surprise. Maybe it was the title that threw me. But then again I should have been prepared, when the series starts with an attempted suicide. I would describe as as a show about love, friendship, and the possible sacrifice of
one's own happiness for a friends. There is friendship between women, friendship between men, even if it sometimes leads to jealousy and violence, and friendship bettween mem and women ie f4 and Jan Di. Overall it;'s a series I admired more than liked, particularly for the lead actress. The rest of the cast are ok, but no real standouts acting wise. I do wonder why only 3 of the f4 members were given decent storylines.
10/10
The lead actress does all these over the top expressions. There are some very funny recurring comedy bits.
very enjoyablle
Very funny, very touching. For the most part, a wonderful screenplay. The chemistry was good between the two leads. Bit then I often find that in these dramas. It had cliches common to korean dramas. But I tend to overlook those. The two leads gave good performances, but there were no real standouts. It made me laugh, smile, cry.
it's cheesy, compelling, heartbreaking.
It's definetly one to watch if you like a good cry.
it has ghosts, mediation, possession, a story set in the past, and the present, and some comedy as well.
8/10
I'm still giving it an 8/10 though.
This is a beautifully written intelligent series which will make you think.
for a longer review with spoilers
see if you want to read a fuller review by me with spoilers.
See last review at
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481042/reviews for longer with spoilers. look for one by martin fennell