It's been years since I last watched an old-school epic sageuk, with no fusion/comedy/parody elements embedded in most recent historical kdramas, and it was a refreshing, kind of rewarding experience. With a cast full of great veteran and child actors, a tight plot and a well-written script full of quotable lines, this may be a heavy on politics and scheming story, but it is also a fascinating journey of a charismatic leader. Undoubtedly, Han Seok Kyu -with his superb, heartfelt performance- was the star of this drama. Jang Hyuk, though some times overly dramatic, was charming as always, while for Shin Se Kyung (probably because her lines weren't that much) this was one of her best roles.
It's been years since I last watched an old-school epic sageuk, with no fusion/comedy/parody elements embedded in most recent historical kdramas, and it was a refreshing, kind of rewarding experience. With a cast full of great veteran and child actors, a tight plot and a well-written script full of quotable lines, this may be a heavy on politics and scheming story, but it is also a fascinating journey of a charismatic leader. Undoubtedly, Han Seok Kyu -with his superb, heartfelt performance- was the star of this drama. Jang Hyuk, though some times overly dramatic, was charming as always, while for Shin Se Kyung (probably because her lines weren't that much) this was one of the best roles.
An unusually weird but charming and very japanese-like manga adaptation. Unique concept, absurd structure and outlandish outcome, with a bittersweet and nostalgic feeling.
A bittersweet, slow-paced healing drama that tackles some serious social issues in a positive way. In spite the awkward beginning, the unbalanced tone, some over-the-top characters and a few questionable situations, it had many heartwarming and touching moments about birth and death, friendship, found family and making amends, that makes this an interesting watch.
Though the story is quite simple and the genre (youth-borderline school romance) is not one of my faves, this was a very pleasant, cute and bingeable drama with high quality production and music, well-written characters, no unnecessary angst, toxic subplots or fillers, and two adorable and very talented main leads with remarkable chemistry. An easy, enjoyable summer watch.
Just like René Magritte's painting 'La reproduction interdite' showing different angles of a man's figure without identity, this based on a novel film tells the story of people changing their identities in order to escape their demons, social discrimination and family traumas. With a solid and compact narration, multilayered storytelling, exemplary acting and impressive setting, this is an intriguing mystery, a piercing social commentary and a profound psychological study on love, trust, deception and acceptance.
penel, Have you seen DEPARTURES? I highly recommend it, along with Yamapi's FROM FIVE TO NINE.https://kisskh.at/515-departureshttps://kisskh.at/15460-5-ji-kara-9-ji-made
Thanks a lot for the recommendations! I've watched them both and liked them a lot! Different feelings, but both beautifully made and very memorable.
An entertaining fast-paced action flick full of punches, slapstick violence and a few laugh-out-loud moments. Though predictable and rather superficial in therms of plot and character depth, watching Ma Dong Seok throwing his signature punches here and there and body-slamming all villains is reason enough for this movie to be engaging and an easy weekend watch.
A fashion/entertainment makjang at its finest, full of extravaganza envy, ambition, revenge, scheming, shouting, backstabbing - and some wonderful outfits. Fast-paced direction and top-quality production of a fully clichéd story with unbalanced acting and some far-fetched situations but, admittedly an addicting, guilty-pleasure watch, very entertaining but easily forgotten.
A strange story of love and bonding, centered around a family tragedy, a sad love story and the concept of reincarnation, which is widespread in many asian countries. Though the cast did an excellent job portraying their roles, -especially Oizumi Yo, child actress Koyama Sae, as well as Arimura Kasumi and Meguro Ren and their strong chemistry- the messy editing and the confusing switching to different timelines, made this bittersweet movie difficult to follow and connect to.
I expected more from this movie with its star-studded cast and the promising premise. Not that it wasn't entertaining, it was - especially for IU and Park Seo Joon fans-, but it wasn't something special or memorable. The story was rather predictable, the pacing quite unbalanced, the comic and emotional scenes felt like being too much and trying too hard. Not bad, just a light watch.
An intimate, affectionate and bittersweet love story, based on an autobiographical novel. Beautifully filmed and acted, with a unique and thoughtful approach of grief, loss and family bonding, and a wonderfully layered performance from Suzuki Ryohei, this is a powerful, emotional and hauntingly absorbing journey of a heartbreaking love.
A bizarre and unbalanced multi-genre drama about a love story between a vampire and a human, mixed with a police investigation concerning a series of murders. Unfortunately, and in spite of the great cast involved, the lack of character depth, the sloppy writing and the rough switch between fluffy, comic and intense scenes resulted in a lukewarm, subpar outcome. Sometimes the talented cast and the great chemistry between them aren't enough to overcome a mediocre storytelling...
Atmospheric, dark, tense and gripping from start to finish. Eerie cinematography and music, laconic storytelling, intriguing plot-twists and a combination of great directing and acting quality that made me feel drawn to all characters' stories, even though I found every single one of them dislikable. There might be some mishaps here and there but, overall, a surprisingly entertaining thai drama.
An underrated family drama about loss, reconciling, forgiving, comforting, as well as bonding with and taking care of our loved ones. With a delicate approach of some heavy issues, full of emotions, affection and warmth, and a wonderful performance from Yamapi, this was an engaging, rewarding watch.
With a unique theme and approach, this is a soothing, feel-good short drama about daily train trips of an otaku train enthusiast enjoying beautiful rural scenery and wonderful photography. Though it's slow-paced, with minimal dialogue and encounters, not much of a plot, not much character depth and an awkward introduction theme, every episode feels like a healing experience full of picturesque countryside places around secluded or abandoned train stations, with vivid forest, sea and train sounds, delicious food, and interesting information about new and old train models, routes and destinations. Great for a relaxing weekend watch.
A historical epic about the life, rise and fall of warlord Oda Nobunaga, heavily focused on his marriage and love story with lady Nohime. Lavish costumes, rich settings, impressive music and cinematography, and an undeniable chemistry between Kimura Takuya and Ayase Haruka in a not-so-accurate story based on one of the most recognizable historical figures of Japan. With characters that could have been fleshed out better, a romance that could have been less subtle, and sequences showing the whys and hows of Oda’s transformation that could have been more informative and less disjoined, it was a movie with a unique approach worth watching.
Intriguing time travel/crime investigation premise, which soon started focusing more on the family bonding, making amends and healing side of the story - and that wasn't bad at all. It had some really strong moments, some well-embeded plot twists, and though there were some pacing problems and weak plot elements that could have been handled better, overall it was an enjoyable watch.
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With a cast full of great veteran and child actors, a tight plot and a well-written script full of quotable lines, this may be a heavy on politics and scheming story, but it is also a fascinating journey of a charismatic leader.
Undoubtedly, Han Seok Kyu -with his superb, heartfelt performance- was the star of this drama.
Jang Hyuk, though some times overly dramatic, was charming as always, while for Shin Se Kyung (probably because her lines weren't that much) this was one of her best roles.
With a cast full of great veteran and child actors, a tight plot and a well-written script full of quotable lines, this may be a heavy on politics and scheming story, but it is also a fascinating journey of a charismatic leader.
Undoubtedly, Han Seok Kyu -with his superb, heartfelt performance- was the star of this drama.
Jang Hyuk, though some times overly dramatic, was charming as always, while for Shin Se Kyung (probably because her lines weren't that much) this was one of the best roles.
Unique concept, absurd structure and outlandish outcome, with a bittersweet and nostalgic feeling.
In spite the awkward beginning, the unbalanced tone, some over-the-top characters and a few questionable situations, it had many heartwarming and touching moments about birth and death, friendship, found family and making amends, that makes this an interesting watch.
An easy, enjoyable summer watch.
With a solid and compact narration, multilayered storytelling, exemplary acting and impressive setting, this is an intriguing mystery, a piercing social commentary and a profound psychological study on love, trust, deception and acceptance.
I've watched them both and liked them a lot!
Different feelings, but both beautifully made and very memorable.
Though predictable and rather superficial in therms of plot and character depth, watching Ma Dong Seok throwing his signature punches here and there and body-slamming all villains is reason enough for this movie to be engaging and an easy weekend watch.
Fast-paced direction and top-quality production of a fully clichéd story with unbalanced acting and some far-fetched situations but, admittedly an addicting, guilty-pleasure watch, very entertaining but easily forgotten.
Though the cast did an excellent job portraying their roles, -especially Oizumi Yo, child actress Koyama Sae, as well as Arimura Kasumi and Meguro Ren and their strong chemistry- the messy editing and the confusing switching to different timelines, made this bittersweet movie difficult to follow and connect to.
Not that it wasn't entertaining, it was - especially for IU and Park Seo Joon fans-, but it wasn't something special or memorable.
The story was rather predictable, the pacing quite unbalanced, the comic and emotional scenes felt like being too much and trying too hard. Not bad, just a light watch.
Beautifully filmed and acted, with a unique and thoughtful approach of grief, loss and family bonding, and a wonderfully layered performance from Suzuki Ryohei, this is a powerful, emotional and hauntingly absorbing journey of a heartbreaking love.
Unfortunately, and in spite of the great cast involved, the lack of character depth, the sloppy writing and the rough switch between fluffy, comic and intense scenes resulted in a lukewarm, subpar outcome.
Sometimes the talented cast and the great chemistry between them aren't enough to overcome a mediocre storytelling...
Eerie cinematography and music, laconic storytelling, intriguing plot-twists and a combination of great directing and acting quality that made me feel drawn to all characters' stories, even though I found every single one of them dislikable.
There might be some mishaps here and there but, overall, a surprisingly entertaining thai drama.
With a delicate approach of some heavy issues, full of emotions, affection and warmth, and a wonderful performance from Yamapi, this was an engaging, rewarding watch.
Though it's slow-paced, with minimal dialogue and encounters, not much of a plot, not much character depth and an awkward introduction theme, every episode feels like a healing experience full of picturesque countryside places around secluded or abandoned train stations, with vivid forest, sea and train sounds, delicious food, and interesting information about new and old train models, routes and destinations.
Great for a relaxing weekend watch.
Lavish costumes, rich settings, impressive music and cinematography, and an undeniable chemistry between Kimura Takuya and Ayase Haruka in a not-so-accurate story based on one of the most recognizable historical figures of Japan.
With characters that could have been fleshed out better, a romance that could have been less subtle, and sequences showing the whys and hows of Oda’s transformation that could have been more informative and less disjoined, it was a movie with a unique approach worth watching.
It had some really strong moments, some well-embeded plot twists, and though there were some pacing problems and weak plot elements that could have been handled better, overall it was an enjoyable watch.