Perfect marriage
MBC will forever be to me the channel that doesn't do things halfway. They either have awful dramas or really good stories, I am glad to say The Story of Park's Marriage Contract is the latter. Another good example of why 12 episodes long dramas are sometimes better, no time to waste and unnecessary conflicts.Lee Se Young and Bae In Hyuk gave great chemistry. They delivered solid performances and nuance characters. There is no perfect relationship but the leads of this drama come very close through proper communication, team work and love. Particularly when you take into account there's time traveling and corporate spies trying to take them down.
Joo Hyun Young, Jo Bok Rae and Oh Yu Jin are scene stealers. Every single interaction between each other or the leads is gold comedy with the added attribute that they are actually super cool characters that have full lives, apart from the main story. So, it's interesting to see well developed secondary characters. Same goes for the rest of the cast.
The story per se it's really fun and the mystery well done. Every week, I wanted to a new clue to resolve what was happening but also find out what new adventure leading lady was going to have. Her charm and openness to the world was invigorating. Definitely one of the best characters of 2024.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable story and I recommend it.
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A step in the right direction!
Netflix has being trying to adapt to live action manga/anime stories for a while and after the incredibly mild version they released of cult classic Cowboy Bebop, I was unsure if I should give One Piece a chance.Based on the long-running story by Japanese mangaka Oda Eiichiro, the first season is a somewhat faithful version of the first 100 chapters of the original work. We meet most of the main characters, their backgrounds and motivations, as they come together to become the Straw Hat Crew.
This “new” version of the beloved series is primed to be a commercial success, make fans happy and bring a new audience. The story is entertaining, the characters incredibly charming, their chemistry off charts, and the world building super interesting.
The show it’s not perfect but you can see they did their darnest to make it fun for everyone. Overall, I think it‘s a step in the right direction of live action adaptations.
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Beautiful and uplifting
When I Fly Towards You manages to capture the fleeting moment in life when possibilities are endless. Back when we say goodbye to childhood and we become young adults going out into the world to expand our understanding as we discover ourselves through others.On a technical aspect the cdrama is shot digitally but there are snippets filmed with an analog camera, visually making you understand you are being told this story from the POV of someone remembering. This adds a layer of nostalgia. Smart and beautiful to watch.
The acting is what I expect from a youth drama that understands itself: good natured, solid and well-rounded performances of characters growing up as we see them going through different every day experiences involving school, friends, family and love.
Overall, I fully enjoyed this cdrama that features an easy to cheer for characters, with good chemistry, learning about life and themselves. This is why I love youth dramas, they can be a source of joy and energy.
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Good acting carries a seen before story.
You have probably seen this story before: young love torn apart by adults who disapprove of the relationship, leaving two people forever changed and pinning for each other for years. Until they are reunited and now they must decided if fight for their love and move on.Story-wise, the script brings nothing new to the genre. There's the angst and pinning, unreasonable and manipulative parents, the flashbacks to happier days, the depressing present life of two adults who can't move from that time in their lives. Almost every decision made it's based on that brief time in when they were happy.
The first half of the drama we must meet the characters to understand their motivations and why they must heal first before contemplating whatever or not they want to be together. It's very frustrating. Particularly because of how manipulative leading lady's mother is. She has no absolutely no redeeming qualities and it's been a while since I wanted to strangled a fictional character so much.
The second part of the drama is less frustrating. Characters start to snap out of it and becoming far more proactive into trying to build the life they want for themselves, with the support of friends and peers.
Yang Yang and Wang Churan carry this drama with their performances. Their chemistry is off charts and they deliver a strong melodrama full of action, angst, personal trauma and romance, heightened by the life or death situations the leads find themselves in because of their field of work.
Overall, a solid story.
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Meeting and letting go.
Hwa-sun is a location manager based in Busan. Her ex boyfriend, Do-young, a former film student with aspirations to become a successful director left many years ago for Seoul, where the film industry is bigger. She didn't want to go and he didn't want to stay, and despite the love between them, their relationship came to an end.In present day, they are reunited through Do-young's new project. He's back in Busan for it and believes Hwa-sun is the right person to help him finds the locations he wants. It's obvious they have both kept themselves busy and achieving success in their respective fields. While Do-young choose the fast lane and became an up and coming director, Hwa-sun has slowly build a reputation and renown name among the industry insiders.
As they walk together the streets of this city that once saw their love bloom and wither, they find themselves revisiting their shared history, they also contemplate their choices and where they are at now. What happens when growing up means letting go? Would they have done any different? Can they find closure to this open wound?
Cinema Street it's a beautiful love letter to that one love that helped you grow as a person but also pushed you to want to become a better version of yourself. This rhythm of the script is contemplative but never boring. Han Sun-hwa and Lee Wan deliver good performances, nuance and mature, as two people finding themselves (perhaps for the last time) in front of the one that got away. The cinematography is what you would expect from an indie film set in Busan: beautiful to look at.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film and I hight recommend it to anyone.
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A very sweet and mature youth drama!
Desk mates. Friends. Lovers. Through growing pains, separation and reconciliation, Si Yue and Ding Xian remain earnest to what they know to be true: their relationship. They are each other's constant through everything and a love based on mutual respect and understanding is meant to last a lifetime.Yes, the story follows a pattern and it has troupes. But I can overlook all that thanks to good story development and performances. Besides, Chen Zheyuan and Xu Meng Jie have GREAT chemistry. If you are looking a drama to relax to, this is it.
The teaser trailer for Our Secret is accurate but also misleading af. It has all the sweet moments but the story is more mature than what is shown. I was pleasently surprised.
Overall, this was a very endearing youth drama, with solid character development and performances. The story is sweet and if you are looking for a drama to relax and smile to, this is it.
I recommend it!
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Generic romcom
Blinded Kiss is yet another jdrama that begins with a creepy leading man that ends up being a keeper once you get to know him. I don’t know how else to describe it.Look. I am all for these lighthearted, surface level romcoms but can’t we just present all the characters as healthy options from the start?
Once they are together, their relationship is very healthy and respectful of each other’s interest and feelings. I just think leading lady didn’t need to be “tricked” into living together with a man for her to fall in love with him.
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This review may contain spoilers
What is the point...?
The premise of All of Us Are Dead is simple: a group students try their best to stay alive while being trapped in their school through a zombie apocalypse. When I first heard about this drama and saw the talent attached to the project, I thought this was a promising story.After watching it, I feel mostly lukewarm about it. Sadly, most of the developments that don’t sit well with me are major spoilers, so I won’t be sharing it. Instead, I will be talking about what I liked about it and what didn’t quite reach the potential it had.
What I like the most was that I got to watch the story from several perspectives, from desperate teen survivor, detective and the framed science teacher, to military and political government. The different points of view on what to do in this situation was very interesting.
The first half of the drama was very compelling. Its rhythm fast paced and adrenaline infused but also took its time to develop characters and their inner and outer demons. In the final six episodes the story shifts and the drama suffers from it a little.
The acting is a mixed bag. The adult performers do a solid job but it’s the young talent where it flattered. I personally think what is really attracting people to watch this drama, more than the story, is the charming new actors and actresses. Particularly Park Solomon, whom I admit is a find and probably the next big thing. I can see a little of Go Soo in him and that should tell you everything you need to know. Lee Eun-saem and Ha Seung-ri are another two really strong performances. But the most impactful presence is Lee Yoo Mi who demonstrates the meaning of the word range.
The zombie action is top notch, no surprise coming from a korean production. It is gory and blood thirsty. Their origin story, however, it’s one of the things that just don’t sit well with me.
The school violence, bullying and sexual abuse display in this drama is far more disturbing than the actual zombies. I am sure this was the intention, so we as an audience can understand and empathize with the logic behind the creation of the zombies. The adult solution to the problem is anarchy and destruction. From this situation, a group of kids is left to figure out what’s morally correct, ethical behavior, justice, the importance of kindness, and so on. Lord of the Flies: Zombie Edition.
This is the point where I am left wondering if this is what of All Of Us Are Dead is actually about. Is this a gore fest showing me the worst a human can do? People so detached to what others feel, so already dead inside, that everything they do is worse than what a zombie does? Is this a brutal bullying survivor story? But then why none of the main characters were part of the bullied? Or someone who stood up to the bullies before the zombie apocalypse? Or part of the bullying storyline at all?
As I mentioned before, I found the conclusion of this series lukewarm, up in the air, as I am sure it was the intention since Netflix or the powers at the studio who produced this drama are probably wishing for a second season. Or more.
Overall, if you like zombies stories, you might as well give it chance.
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What a waste.
It gives me absolutely no pleasure to tell you this drama was a hot mess. So much so, I don't even know where to start so I can properly explain myself as I am still reeling from what can only be one of the most underwhelming endings I have seen in a while.At the beginning, I was all in. Motel California starts with a funeral, a bang and a slap; and I was ready to fight for Kang-hee after seeing the way the town's people treated her. I liked her spirit and refusal to backdown and bow down. Everyone expected her to be meek at their hurtful comments and prejudices but she didn't let any of them get away with it. No matter if it was her boss, a rich kid, or even an elder. I also liked all the secondary characters and the story seemed to be very interesting.
The cinematography through the entire run of the drama it's beautiful to watch. From the daylight landscaping to the snowy nights, the neon lights and the warm bedrooms keeping secrets. Each scene a reflection of our characters' most private emotions, and there's a lot of that. It's not so much a story about introverts but mostly about repressed emotions and the ongoing effects of trauma when people don't communicate properly. The performances from everyone in the cast were perfect, each did their absolute best.
And because of all the things I mentioned before, I was seated the first few weeks of Motel California... but then the drama didn't seem to know what kind of story wanted to tell. Every episode was a repetition of the one before. I got whiplash even on the last two episodes when Kang-hee breaks Yeon-soo's heart, walking away from him, only to ask him why he didn't call the next time she sees him. The entire drama was like that when it came to the leads.
Putting aside my deep empathy for Kang-hee and everything she went through on that town, every week, she became more unlikeable thanks to her constant overemotional tantrums and complete disregard of other people's feelings. She would spat whatever she wanted, without thinking how it would affect others, leave town and then come back, say sorry and move on as nothing. No, that's not how you develop a character with deep emotional scars regarding her childhood, abandonment and a complicate family history.
Yeon-soo, her love interest, was basically her doormat for most of the drama. When he finally pushed back, I was happy because I thought there would be some kind of change but sadly very little happened. He stood up to his mother, good. I wish he would have done it for himself instead of Kang-hee. The woman was an absolute nightmare and every time she showed up I wanted to scratch my eyes.
Chun-pil, her father, would never actively defend his daughter from the towns' worst gossip or even explain himself in regards of the drift between them. His own trauma, that was mostly the root of Kang-hee's trauma, was left underdeveloped and the drama's scriptwriter decided to go with such an old-fashioned resolution that it made me want to scream.
As for their friends group, they were all really interesting characters with stories ready to be full fleshed but the drama centred so much around the Kang-hee and Yeon-soo melodrama, those secondary characters never really got their moment to shine. Not truly. Instead we got glimpses of what could have been wonderful stories about overcoming the trauma of child abandonment, domestic abuse, parents' expectations and cheating husbands.
Motel California had all the right elements to be really good and, for a brief moment, it was. Until it wasn't anymore and that was more than half of the drama. A complete waste of talent, in front and behind the camera, on a script that never figured itself out.
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Entertaining and heartwarming.
I always trust Ju Ji Hoon to deliver and he has done it once again! I thought I was going to see him starring in a medical drama but turns out he Tom Cruise-d the hell out of this role. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call had me hooked from the very first episode and kept me glued to the screen until I finished the entire kdrama.The story takes you into the chaotic, adrenaline-fueled world of trauma responders with every episode packed with nail-biting emergencies, heart-stopping moments, and stories that hit you right in the feels. But it's not just about the cases-it dives into the lives of the heroes behind the scenes, their struggles, relationships, and what keeps them going when the pressure's sky-high.
I also thought it was accurate how the drama portrays what all the South Korean medical residents were protesting about last year. So, while The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call it's in extreme in some ways (to drive the point home), the situations are grounded on reality and creating well-rounded characters.
On the technical aspects such as the soundtrack and cinematography are perfectly complement the story and what the characters are going through. You can feel the tension when the alarms go off, the heartbreak when things go wrong, and the triumph when lives are saved.
If you're into shows that make you laugh, cry, and sit on the edge of your seat all at once, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is IT. Trust me-once you start watching, you'll be recommending it to everyone you know.
Absolutely binge-worthy!
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Certified to make you laugh
This drama won't change the rom-com genre but if you are looking for a comfort watch, full of smartly use troupes and solid performances, then Love Your Enemy is for you.Directed by Park Joon Hwa (What's Wrong with Secretary Kim) and written by Im Ye Jin (The Tale of Nokdu) the Love Your Enemy tells the story of two childhood friends who fell in love during their teenage years, only for a series of misunderstandings separating them. Almost two decades later, they find each other again and quickly realize their feelings for each other never went away.
The problem is that their families have been feuding for generations and their reunion happens because one family business is buying the other's. Hilarity, more misunderstandings, clarification and drama ensues.
I think Love Your Enemy managed to mix all the troupes in the best way possible thanks to a smartly developed script and really good performances from the entire cast but, particularly, from the leads in both versions as teens and adults.
It's really the teen version, played by Hong Min Gi and Oh Ye Ju, that bring all the heart to the story and make you want to root for their second chance as adults. Leaving the heavyweight lifting of having to emotionally deal with past and present events to Ju Ji Hoon and Jung Yumi, whom both bring a maturity to the roles. They also manage to display the same chemistry their younger counterparts built their relationship on.
There are, however, some issues with the story thanks to an unnecessary subplot that thankfully doesn't take up much for the drama but it plays a prominent part in the last two episodes. There was no need for it, the main couple having to deal with their feuding families was enough but I suppose a common enemy justifies bringing them together.
The sound designs it's really well done and use in certain scenes, particularly for comedy effects. The soundtrack it's outstanding, full of bops that complement the characters' emotions.
The cinematography it's really pretty, particularly on the flashback scenes, which makes sense because it's a reminiscence of when life was full of possibilities but, at the same time, it can get dark to complement the struggles of each character.
Overall, I think this was a good watch, certified to make you laugh.
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In the mood for laughter and love
If there's one thing I appreciate about cdramas it's that, from time to time, they manage to produce a story with characters behaving their age but also showing a pleasantly surprise maturity to their actions. In recent years, youth dramas like Love O2O, Our Secret, You Are Desire or When I Fly Towards You come to mind. Everyone Loves Me falls into this category. We are presented a group of characters who are young enough to make mistakes, but old enough to be aware of their limitations, of their missteps, and learn to grow from them.I really liked both leads. Particularly Ling's spitfire personality, which is a breath of fresh air and I loved every minute she made Gu Xun sweat. But he didn't lose against her. Gu Xun was charming and overall had a great presence, boy needed to be taken down a notch tho. And thanks to the fact both leads are written as equals through their entire journey together, at the end of the drama it feels like they have come out as better people. I even dare say, it feels like their story it's just beginning.
Lin Yi and Zhou Ye have great chemistry and managed to portray their characters really well. They clearly had a lot of fun working together and with their character's development. I would love to see them work together again in the future.
The rest of the cast was also very good. The supportive characters hace each a function in pushing forward the story at the workplace and the leads's personal lives, which made for some very interesting office tension and hilarious interactions out of it. For example, at the beginning of the story leading man it's arrogant enough to know a good quantity of girls are crushing on him but for someone who claimed to be so popular, he spent a good portion of the story dealing with loves rivals from right to left, up and down. Everyone Loves Me? More like Everyone Loves Her. The results were awesome.
This was a very fun and easy going drama for me, with lots of re-watch potential. Every time I watched a new episode, it put me in a good mood and that's enough for me to recommend it.
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This drama 100% deserves the hype
In a time when we are suffering from a over-saturation of content and less than mediocre stories, particularly related to people with superpowers, South Korea has released MOVING and proved there's still hope for the genre.Like its tittle the story is in constant move, not only pushing forward but going back to different timelines to give us context o our main characters and how the things happening in present time are a direct consequence to the past. Technically, MOVING is perfect. One of the strongest points is definitely the editing and this can be seen in the way the story jumps from one year to another but you never lose track of what's happening nor leaves you confused. There are gaps to fill but with other episodes that will give you answers. The score complements the actions and emotions of the characters to perfection.
The performances are top notch and it's not surprise considering this drama is stack. If you have been watching korean dramas or films for a while, you will recognize even the most random character or one-episode-cameo it's performed by an award winning actor or actress. These people have a reputation for a reason and they deliver in every scene, with a look, a touch, a smile or a punch that will push you through a wall. For some characters in the drama literally speaking.
Zo In Sung hasn't starred in a drama since Dear My Friends (2016) and I am so glad this is his return to the tv format. In MOVING he delivered a nuance, charming and badass performance that in the hands of another would have fell flat. His character's entire existence it's what pushes most of the story forward: a person used as a weapon to kill but all he ever wanted was to live. The big mystery of the drama it's to find out what was his fate after he got separated from those he loves.
Ryoo Seung Ryong remains one of the most compelling actors of his generation, giving us the incredible story of a good man lost in life until he found his purpose and redemption. His storyline, full of gore and violence, was actually a tender love story about how far a man will go to protect his family. Marvelous.
Han Hyo Joo's character could have easily fallen into the Smurfette principle but no. She's an equal to the men who love her and those that want to kill her, with a very strong motivation to keep herself on the top of the game. This character's loneliness comes through every scene she's in, bottling everything up in order to be strong for her family but you can tell she's waiting for a chance to be free and, most importantly, for her son to be able to live freely.
Ko Yoon Jung, Lee Jeong Ha and Kim Do Hoon are really promising actors, particularly considering they hold their own while performance with so many household names. I think Kim Do Hoon and Kim Sun Kyun probably gave one of the most heartbreaking yet beautiful stories in the drama.
Like I mentioned before every single actor in this drama brought their A+ game face but I would be doing a disservice if I didn't mention Kim Hee Won, Cha Tae Hyun, Ryoo Seung Bum, Park Hee Soon, Yang Dong Geun, Jo Bok Rae, Park Kwang Jae, Kim Joong He and, of course, Kwak Sun Young. She in particular was SPECTACULAR.
None of these characters are one-dimensional, they are not defined by the label society wants to put on them. They are all joined together by the experiences, hardships, love, motivations and ambitions they share. At the end of the day, related or not by blood, they are a family. Even the so-called enemies.
MOVING it's absolutely worthy of the hype that surrounds it through all social media and news outlets putting in the category of one of 2023 best tv shows. I only regret I didn't have the time to watch it sooner so I could have add it to mine.
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In addition the film questions whether people are capable of change, as well as whether we can change people’s impressions of us.
Chung’s unforgettable family drama promises both to devastate and uplift audiences in any country where this masterpiece stands a chance at being released.
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I honestly didn't think it could get worse...
But here we are. After my rant about the first part of this story, I went and watched the conclusion of this adaptation because I was hoping now that the characters were going to be university students, perhaps the story would pick up. I was wrong.Not only Megami Korin: After has all the same issues as its first part, it also has the nerve to brush off bullying and stalking as things you for for someone else’s sake. It’s a new level of delulu I hope to never see in a jdrama or jfilm ever again.
PART 1 REVIEW: https://kisskh.at/profile/namjhyuns/review/497366
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