zu_ai_grusz

If you've already watched a lot of sagueks and all revolving around the era with ties on the controversial 'crown prince sado' affair then you will definitely find this drama familiar ground. Not sure if this one was aiming to fictionalize the mystery surrounding the death of Sado's son, King Jeongjo, but the conspiracy presented in this drama has definite similarity to that one historical event. Though I commend it for presenting a tightly woven conspiracy, the experience was soured when it left me almost bereft of all hopes at the end. That after having fought ceaselessly, you have actually not collected any wins. It just leaves that kind of ending, so it's up to you if you want to give it a try.

I guess this is not for everyone or at least you have to be emotionally and mentally ready for this kind. It is definitely one of a kind. Its a great epic, dunno about it being true-to-life, but it was very painful with emotions running deep and running high all in very complex layers. After the first episode I seriously contemplated if I was going to continue with it. It was just that much painful on the onset. The atmosphere created for this drama is similar to watching a noon-time soap opera or watching the news showing violence deliberately veiled. In other words, its akin to watching a closer than life almost like an ordinary story unfolding before you. Herein lies a legend of great friendships, utterly true by its title.

Now for a longer watch...

Hmm.. 'Salaryman' is a great one, well-crafted, unexpected in so many ways. As I was very hesitant to watch it primarily because I wasn't a particular fan of the leads and the Synopsis didn't actually had any immediate pull for me. When I finally picked it up, it was because I was craving for some mystery/suspense/thriller which is what I was expecting it to be. Turned out so different but vastly enjoyable. So, I would highly recommend it, but not if you're main craving is Romance 'coz I don't consider it the central theme for that drama.

Here's what I would recommend for now to possibly satisfy your need of a romance drama:

Buzzer Beat
9 End 2 Outs
Spring Waltz

Hi Clara thanks for asking. I'm all good, just mainly busy with work but still keeping with my main addiction ha ha :D

I hope you're keeping well yourself.

To get you more in the mood, you might want to indulge first in these movies for a quick romantic watch:

I Will Teach You Love
200 Pounds of Beauty
100 Days with Mr. Arrogant

Got it some time ago, but I can't seem to find it in the usual places now, so you might try to watch it from here

http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x2b949_muhensisilim_kd-mbc-iwtyl-2010/1

My first exposure to Ninomiya and it did made me want to watch some of his other works. Not to mention that I've suddenly got a feel for more war movies after this. Though I've enjoyed the performances and the plot, I can't in equal terms admit that it left me with much emotional imprint or attachment.

This short drama special is really well-plotted with enough nuances demonstrated by these good actors, so that in just an hour you'd easily care and sympathize with these star-crossed lovers and their very sweet and tragic story.

Short with great impact, you won't go wrong with this one.

It's a normal fare for a Chinese fantasy, nothing too elaborate, but you still get the artistic cinematography. From what I've learned this is just the latest remake and reading from older movies and drama synopses, this one stayed relatively true to the story it was based on. Since I haven't really seen the older versions, all I can say is that I've enjoyed this one for Crystal Liu.

This movie had lost the SPEC appeal for me. The subplots were unoriginal, even reusing some from the drama. I've had expectations from this because the Special was great since it included a big revelation. Nothing awesome here, but seems to be a prelude for a new drama season.

Lee Jun Ki was not as captivating here as he was in Iljimae (more like he's in a refresher mode after coming back from the army). Individual characters were great, but I felt the chemistry wasn't that strong. I understand this is fusion sageuk, but I almost hated the scenes whenever rap music would sometimes play, it is too jarring and out-of-synch, not to mention, just simply out of place. Little girl in the ending was too adorable. Fantasy elements here certainly delivered.

Two-thumbs for the great improvement on the search interface! (^_-)-?

I feel like the drama had lost a bit of its sheen during the last 2 episodes. I was rating it an 8 until I got to the last 2 when I felt it dropped to 7. To say the least, it sparkles with the traditional kdrama melo-rom-com vibe. With an uber remarkable child star who steals every scene that she's in, I think that any ordinary drama watcher will likely appreciate adding this drama on their list.

Hi Bladey, been off site for awhile but never absent from drama land to be sure. Sent you a PM as well, not sure if I've done it correctly. Visited your wordpress blog, and I got kinda lost for a while in there, I have to say it does need some more design consideration and re-organization. But I think you've got good material to contribute with MDL's article system. So, why don't you try it as you've also got very good command of English. Of course, not unless you'd like to keep all you're drama theme and schemata in your blog. From what I've garnered you haven't really expounded on most themes there. But if you try to elaborate on one, perhaps your favored theme, it can be a good article for MDL :D

It is said there's a specific place where all roads in Tokyo branches out, or that you can start from that point onwards, and there stands a statue of a kirin with wings as a symbol of hope and courage. This symbolism is at the core of this 2hrs mystery-crime movie. It may seems slow-paced lacking a suspenseful tone for this is no crime thriller. This is more of an exposition of relationships in need of proper communication, personal edicts and their consequences. This one actually has a well-plotted mystery which was nicely executed in what I might describe to be warm and sympathetic. It's even good enough for a short drama break but I should mention that it would be so easy to tune-off sometimes while watching this precisely because there's really not much clues you need to miss while tagging along with the investigation.

OK, I'm not sure if I can still get it right as it was so long ago... And from that long ago I tried to learn and memorize the Polish alphabet :D The original (sur)name is "Gruszskzynski", correct me if I'm wrong with that spelling. So I gave my dog the name "gruszski" for short. Since I didn't want to use the shortened version for that name which would have been "grucha" that almost sounds like the word "bruha" in my native tongue which literally meant "witch" hahahaha

Speaking of Golden Time... I do have a few gripes about it which I'll probably rant on a review, but I'm enjoying its natural format, and am tickled by its subdued humor and there's splashes of wisdom as well as high-intensity medical action. Not sure if you've ever tried any medical drama before so this might not be for your plate. But it seems to me that we have similar take on Japanese dramas in general :)

Hi Bladey, I'm happy to make your acquaintance (^_-)
Didn't realized we've been exchanging comments recently :D
Now you're making me shy with all your pretty compliments (#^.^#)

Oh, and just 'Zu' is fine... "zu" is part of my name that's easiest to pronounce, "ai" is Chinese/Japanese root word for love, and "grusz" is a Polish-derived name of my pet shih tzu... so my pen name means 'zu love grusz' ^_^

Thanks Bladey. Glad my words don't come off too highfalutin :)

Way to whet the appetite! Great prelude for the movie, really can't wait for it!!! Awesome with the revelations. It also managed to pack another great SPEC case though I am not really charmed by some of those comical scenes. Nothing too annoying plus its been well prepared for the movie version.