News 
for one thing I think it's really easily relatable, Go Ha Neul was just like any one of us, she was a job seeker that was lost and kinda desperate for that stable job, so everything was new to her, and that could be scary, but she handled it all so admirably~
Bae Ssaem was one of my favorite characters, he was easy going, simple and friendly, he really made everyone feel at ease.
Park Sung Soon was the shield for her team and the kids, she always tried to protect them and do what's best for them. and with Do Yun Woo's cool persona, the team felt so diverse and beautiful~
even characters like Kim Yi Boon who seemed like the selfish mean character turned out into a supporting sweet person.
the music was perfect, it fit really well with the atmosphere~
my rewatch values are always a 1 or a 10, and I was really satisfied with the ending and overall message~
Was this review helpful to you?
Every scene was made in a artistic way with a unique camera and music which suited the scene and was creating the atmosphere so you could feel the actual emotions. I would like to point out how logical was the plot. It happens a lot in dramas that some things don't fit together and it seems a bit weird. Here, every scene had a logical reason why to be put there. It was amazing to see that some scenes from the beggining were actually much more important at the end and had much more meaning behind it.
Also the acting was so beautiful. I can't find any other word how to describe the acting. See it for yourself.
After a lot of dramas which weren't good I've finally experienced the feeling when you finish drama and you feel empty the next day and the day after,....
If you're looking for an intelligent drama and has a hidden meaning which can be also interpreted to a real life - I wish you a pleasant and deep experience.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love Triangle with Impressive Characters & Story
Among the recent Chinese historical mystery and detective dramas I've watched, Under the Moonlight stands out as the most realistic. Unlike many other series that feature elaborate and sophisticated murders, this drama focuses on crimes driven by greed and corruption—reflecting a more grounded and plausible portrayal of society. The production quality is impressive, with exquisite attention to detail in the costumes and set design. The music and background settings are authentic, elaborate, and meticulously crafted.Plot Summary
Luo Shu (Hu Bing Qing) was sold to the Qin family and later to a brothel as a child after losing her parents in a fire. Ever since, she has attempted escaping, but a hidden force continuously prevents her from leaving. One day, with the help of County Commissioner Han Mu Zhi (He Peng), who is drawn to her intelligence and courage, she finally manages to break free. Recognizing her keen observation and wit, Han Mu Zhi enlists her help in solving a case where women seeking divine blessings for pregnancy are deceived and impregnated by men posing as disciples of the gods. Due to the shame associated with such crimes, no victims had previously come forward. Luo Shu plays a crucial role in bringing down the criminal organization, after which she requests assistance in restoring her status as a commoner to escape the lowest caste of society.
To protect her from being recaptured by the brothel while awaiting her official documents, Han Mu Zhi allows her to stay at the commissioner’s station. Over time, Luo Shu becomes an unofficial constable, using her sharp mind to assist Han Mu Zhi in solving numerous local crimes. They fall in love with each other.
Setting and Themes
Set in the Ming Dynasty, when societal norms were deeply conservative and women were discouraged from appearing in public, Luo Shu disguises herself as a man to conduct investigations. Although most people around her are aware of her true identity, Qi Meng Lin (Zhai Zi Lu), a spoiled brat from a wealthy and powerful family, remains oblivious, leading to humorous and endearing interactions. As the story unfolds, Qi Meng Lin eventually discovers her identity and falls in love with her as well, leading to a love triangle and delightful dynamic between the three.
Unlike many mystery thrillers that revolve around intricate and sensational murder plots, Under the Moonlight presents cases that feel authentic—crimes such as spousal murders, neighbor disputes, cheating, and human trafficking. The drama effectively portrays a rigid class hierarchy where the wealthy wield power with impunity while the poor are trampled upon with no voice. Luo Shu’s ability to solve these cases through keen observation and critical thinking is depicted realistically, making her journey even more compelling.
Characters and Acting
Since I am not very familiar with the lead actors, my evaluation is based purely on their performances in this drama.
Luo Shu (Hu Bing Qing)
Luo Shu is portrayed as brave, intelligent, and selfless. Hu Bing Qing brings the character to life, though at times, I find her facial expressions somewhat lacking. Certain emotional moments—such as fear, anger, and sorrow—could have been conveyed more vividly. It’s unclear whether this was a deliberate choice in writing or a limitation in the acting, but a greater range of emotions would have added depth to her performance.
Qi Meng Lin (Zhai Zi Lu)
Of all the characters, Qi Meng Lin is my favorite. Zhai Zi Lu delivers an outstanding performance, capturing the essence of a young, spoiled, and narcissistic nobleman who remains optimistic despite the challenges he faces. His interactions with his servant, Lian Shu (Yu Yao), are particularly amusing—Lian Shu, despite being a servant, essentially controls Qi Meng Lin’s finances and frequently reprimands him for his extravagant spending. Their dynamic adds a lighthearted and charming element to the show.
Han Mu Zhi (He Peng)
Han Mu Zhi is a principled and serious man who despises corruption and refuses to bow to the powerful. However, He Peng's portrayal comes across as somewhat rigid, with minimal facial expressions, making him appear almost robotic at times. Given He Peng’s strong performance in The Untamed as Wen Chao, I suspect this stiffness is an intentional aspect of the character rather than a flaw in the acting. Nonetheless, subtle moments of emotion—particularly regarding Luo Shu—hint at a deeper complexity beneath his stoic exterior.
There are several morally ambiguous characters whose true nature remains difficult to discern. The writers skillfully use both character development and acting performances to maintain this sense of uncertainty, keeping viewers engaged until the final reveal.
Final Thoughts
The historical authenticity enhances the viewing experience, making it one of the most visually immersive dramas. The costumes for all characters are carefully designed and highly believable, contributing to the overall realism of the show.
Among the contemporaneous dramas I’m watching (including Flourished Peony and Everlasting Longing), Under the Moonlight is my favorite. The story is highly relatable, and the acting, despite some inconsistencies, is the best among them. I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
Unfortunately, it remains underrated on kisskh, with only a small audience recognizing its brilliance. If you’re looking for a well-crafted historical mystery with realistic cases and compelling characters, Under the Moonlight is a hidden gem worth watching.
Highly recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A disaster movie, yet using emotional + vivid suggestive power in the tradition of anti-war-movies
"Pandora" is a disaster movie.I don't really consider myself a fan of this genre, which focuses on mass panic and adrenaline.
However, I consider this KMovie particularly valuable.
In this case I think the makers have succeeded in doing something similar to what anti-war movies try to achieve: deterrence by vividly conveying the threatening horror. In respect to the scenario of a nuclear catastrophe the movie applies emotional and vivid suggestive power, at the same time making people think and possibly question the sense and usefulness of highly dangerous nuclear power plants.
In view of the consecutive radical change of South Korea's nuclear policy six months after "Pandora" was released, one could say: the project was worth it. (It would probably be too daring to talk about causality, but it could be considered a noticeable correlation...)
The 2016 KMovie picks up on the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and, against this background, develops a story that is comparable by South Korean standards. South Korea is the country with the highest population density in the immediate vicinity of its nuclear power plants. However, due to its insular position, a realistic evacuation plan in the event of a disaster is a major problem. With the movie "Pandora" the lid of the legendary box is shaken. In this case, a nuclear power plant on the East Coast suffers earthquake damage and radiation leaks, similar to Fukushima 5 years earlier. The film fictionally exercises the processes in the event of such a catastrophe (or a comparable one) and comes full circle with a deliberately touching scene in which Kim Nam-gil makes an emphatic plea against nuclear power in his usual impressively passionate way.
Regarding such critically oriented material, the production obviously had difficulties with its financing - in South Korea the lobby of the nuclear industry is as powerful as anywhere else. Nevertheless, the ambitious project could be realized through crowdfunding.
------------------------ SIDE NOTE: --- Sobering facts/outlook on nuclear power plants in South Korea ---
"Pandora" was released in December 2016.
In early summer 2017, as one of the existing South Korean nuclear reactors was actually scheduled to be shut down, President Moon Jae-in announced that the country's nuclear-focused energy policy would be stopped and that the country would instead steer towards a nuclear-free era. Accordingly, plans to build new reactors or extend the life of existing ones have been abandoned. A sign of hope?
However, by the autumn of the same year already, the government's political commitment was no longer valid. The nuclear lobby has actually been able to exert such pressure (the President's faction not having a majority in Parliament....) and prevail that new power plants were going to be built again.
South Korea's nuclear companies make a lot of money by exporting their self-developed reactors. The companies want reference projects in their own country... it is as simple as that...
As far as the people are concerned: According to a survey by the polling institute Realmeter in 2018, 61 percent of adult South Koreans still firmly support their president’s original nuclear phase-out course. Another 10 percent tend to do so. Yet, the lobby as so often has more to say...
... To date, South Korea covers a third of its electricity needs with 24 nuclear reactors.
... There are always earthquakes on the peninsula...
------------------------
Was this review helpful to you?
I strongly recommend this, a love story that makes you flutter and cheer so much for the happy ending. One of my favorites for sure!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
<< Plot : 7.5/10 >>From the first few episodes, it appeared to be the typical clumsy damsel in distress who falls into misfortune and a smart, stoic yet charming prince charming waltzes into her life and coolly fixes all her issues. While the male lead, Han Che, does do a lot for the female lead, Nuan Nuan, Nuan Nuan actually grows a lot independently and a lot of credit to her growth should be given to her and pleasantly not the male lead.
It's quite refreshing to see the klutzy female lead have a storyline that allows her to grow and mature (because quite often, these cliche dramas leave it to the charming male lead to fix everything). Plot wise other than Nuan Nuan's growth in the fashion industry is pretty typical. Nuan Nuan loses her final chance at debuting as an idol due to Han Che misinterpreting his savior as Nuan Nuan's groupmate, Lin Jia Yi. He soon finds out that he repaid the favor to the wrong person and is determined to pay it back to Nuan Nuan by assisting her when she decides to pursue her fashion passion. As expected, Nuan Nuan and Han Che become close as they spend more and more time together and they eventually fall for each other, but the truth about Han Che causing Nuan Nuan to not debut comes out and it puts a roadblock to their relationship. Like the stereotypical romance line goes, Nuan Nuan forgives Han Che and they get back together.
** On the side note, biggest thing that I'm not a fan of the two are probably the kissing scenes. Reminds me of a truck ramming into a wall during some scenes.
Aside from Nuan Nuan and Han Che, there is some plot focus on some side characters including Nuan Nuan's best friend (who is also Han Che's older sister), Han Xue and Gu Li, who happens to be Han Che's subordinate and a long time "di-di" friend of Han Che's. Drama "villain" Lin Jia Yi gets some attention as well, and also Han Chen who has long harbored romantic feelings for Nuan Nuan.
Overall, the plot is cheesy and predictable, but that's what I signed up to watch. Brownie points awarded to the development story of Nuan Nuan.
<< Acting: 8/10 >>
I haven't watched much of Eleanor Lee, but she's quite natural and adorable. I wish she had a better hairstyle and makeup throughout this series because the hot pink lipstick definitely was not a good pick. But style wise aside, she executed Nuan Nuan quite flawlessly -- the clumsiness, quirkiness, happiness, and cuteness were all done so in a non-cringey way. When she was upset, it felt realistic as well.
I watched the Meteor Garden remake and got used to Leon Leong as the smiley sunshine boy, so the stoic genius role of Han Che took some time to adjust to. Regrettably, I must say that LL is probably the weakest of the acting bunch and it's quite lucky his character is stiff...to match with his acting. Still, he isn't a seasoned actor and his portrayal of Han Che wasn't terrible, so I still look forward to seeing him grow in the future.
From the secondary cast, Li Min Jun's portrayal of the adorable Gu Li was my favorite. He's actually my favorite character in the drama and I thought he conveyed his puppy-like character quite well. His chemistry with the actress who played Han Xue was quite believable as well. Xiong Yu Ting reminds me of another idol/actress who I can't remember right now, but I definitely liked her spunky and bold character. Her friendship and loyalty to Nuan Nuan was sweet and I love the BFFs together -- especially in the beginning when they crashed Lin Jia Yu's birthday party.
Lin Jia Yi and Han Cheng served their roles as the "villains" or "obstacles" to the main leads quite well, though I have to argue that LJY was a lot more annoying than Han Cheng. For a while I actually quite pitied her losing her friends for the chance to pursue her dreams, but after her learning that Han Che and Nuan Nuan were an item and still trying to interfere made me realize that her selfish character hasn't grown at all. As for Han Cheng, I feel like he's more of an obstacle as a villain; I feel bad for him and his feelings for Nuan Nuan that aren't reciprocated. The respective actor and actress played their role decently well, a bit stiff at times, but not bad.
TLDR: If you're looking for a cliche romance drama that has a relatively strong female lead then this is the drama for you. Nuan Nuan's storyline has you rooting for her from the get go and I don't remember a time when I stopped rooting for her. Second lead's Han Xue and Gu Li's romance is also quite cute and you'll most likely also be rooting for Gu Li to get the girl. Overall, probably will not rewatch but this drama put Eleanor Lee and Li Min Jun on my to-look-out-for actor/actress list.
Was this review helpful to you?
Scorched earth.
This is an artfully related dark crime thriller about a long, life blood sucking and soul destroying quest for justice. A body in a suitcase, a bomb scare, an incriminating old photograph and a looming terrorist threat captures headlines and puts acclaimed investigator Yan Liang on the case. He quickly discovers that these events are linked to a decade old cold case. The narrative navigates three time periods and alternates skillfully between the original team on the case led by prosecutor Jiang Yang (Bai Yu) and the present investigation led by Yan Liang as both investigations proceed down a parallel path. This is done so seamlessly it is not at all confusing; indeed all of the characters, events and clues flow fluidly and clearly. The pallete is sparse and dark toned consistent with the title and tone of the drama.While the mystery and suspense part of the drama is very well written and doesn't reveal itself too soon, this is really more of a character drama about Jiang Yang, a brilliant young prosecutor with a lot of fire in his belly. Without a doubt, this is Bai Yu's best acted role to date. His signature gigantic forehead was so well concealed I didn't recognize him for awhile. The way his Jiang Yang's indomitable idealistic youthful spirit is extinguished into a subdued, quiet desperation and almost but not quite defeated acceptance is one of the most moving and nuanced portrayals I have seen in a long time. He deserves to win awards for this role. I wish I could say the same for Liao Fan's Yan Liang but I was not wowed by his crime solving brilliance which is supposedly signified by pondering and obsessive ball bouncing. Despite some failed and misplaced attempts at humor, Yan Liang's present day team also lacks the rapport and chemistry that oozes out of Jiang Yang's "hot pot" team. Anchored by Bai Yu's powerful performance and a solid cast overall, there is still an unbalanced or somewhat lacking feeling. This is amplified by the fact that the adversary is just powerful with unlimited resources and tentacles everywhere. There is no well developed mastermind at work - all we see are a bunch of petty villains who employ rather crude tactics to suppress the truth.
The drama peaks at the end with the final reveal in a truly masterful and heart wrenching performance by Bai Yu. Yet I am left feeling unsatisfied; I am missing the satisfaction of a showdown and fitting consequences for the villains. Indeed the repercussions seem far worse for those who resort to scorched earth methods to uncover the truth. Thus to me, this is a dark drama - it far from glorifies the quest for the truth and justice. It leaves a lingering sense that it is far more worth while to just live a good and happy life.
This is an excellent watch but be warned, it is dark and sad. I don't consider it to be quite in the same league of the Bad Kids and give it an 8.5.
Was this review helpful to you?
That said, I also like the male lead. Like some characters in the series, there seem to be many "layers" to Xia Chun Yu. You just gotta keep watching to discover another side of him, which adds to the mystery of the entire story. The supporting characters and their respective stories are just as nice, as they compliment the main plot.
However, it does get a bit draggy towards the end... Regardless, I'd still recommend watching it if you're looking for something that's not too heavy (in terms of content).
Was this review helpful to you?
1A cacophony of crows.
The Story of Minglan is a leisurely and meandering account of how with patience and cunning, Sheng Minglan, the low born daughter of a concubine triumphs over many challenges to achieve both personal and social success. Minglan's father is a middling court official who over indulges his favorite concubine and allows her to turn his household upside down. The petty tyranny of harem rivalry leads to tragedy and Minglan ends up being raised under her grandmother's wing. Minglan's great misfortune has a giant silver lining because this formidable old lady is a force to be reckoned with. She sees to it that Minglan is well schooled and helps her navigate the many pitfalls of harem politics. Minglan blossoms into a quietly underestimated young lady who catches the eye of the most eligible bachelors despite her low status.This drama digs deep into what lurks beneath the genteel façade of Confucian propriety among the status conscious Song dynasty nobility. The deceptively sedate, mundane, humdrum of women living lives of quiet desperation, occasionally broken by shrill outbursts that crescendo horrifyingly in a cacophony of crows. My eardrums barely survived the assault of this panoply of nasty, caterwauling women. The early arcs on Minglan's childhood and coming of age are the best, most empowering ones. The drama climaxes at her vengeance arc, where I found her quiet scheming and utter ruthlessness chilling and impressive. After that the domestic bliss arcs drag on far too long with the couple dealing with repetitive villains with all too similar modus operandi. We really did not need to see version 2.0, 3.0 etc of essentially the same not very smart wicked women archetypes that are too handily dealt with by our power couple.
Zhao Liying delivers a credible portrayal of a docile, Song dynasty noblewoman with hidden depths. The way she digs into you with her eyes, the fleeting cunning smirk and brief flash of fury in her placid gaze foreshadows her evolution into a full-on temper tantrum throwing wife! That said, Zhao Liying is still best at fierce roles rather than as a docile still waters run deep kind of character. Zhao Liying and Feng Shaofeng paint the perfect picture of domestic bliss.Their chemistry is that of a long married couple in harmony and less of the sizzling kind that flared up between her and Lin Gengxin in Princess Agents. It is rare to see Zhu Yilong in a costume drama and I felt real sorry for his Qi Heng who unlike both Gu Tengye and Sheng Minglan, has no free will as he is unable to free himself from the social strictures of his time. The cast overall is very strong with many veteran actors that deliver comical parodies of the ridiculous pretensions of the Song aristocracy.
I am afraid I did not enjoy this very well made drama as much as many other people did. The 70+ episode narrative goes on for too long, conveying an unnecessarily realistic impression of how suffocating it was to be a Song dynasty woman. Considering Gu Tingye's incredibly modern attitudes with respect to polygamy and empowering his wife, I am convinced it was impossible to be a Sheng Minglan in those times. Some of the early arcs are worth 8.5 but the story climaxes too early and is bogged down by repetitive plots in the latter half. This weighs my overall rating down to 8.0. This is a drama that patient viewers with robust eardrums will enjoy more.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good show, bad ending. TW: Violence & Gore
Dark Hole is a zombie apocalypse Kdrama with a slight touch of supernaturalism and fantasy with ths likes of Sweet Home but unlike Train to Busan which is a typically pure zombie drama.T W: As the name suggests, the drama is dark, gore and scary. If your over-sensitive and fragile, watch it with precautions.
The drama is set up in a semi-urban South Korean city, Muji in the Jeolla province and involves a number of characters that includes major, supporting, minor to very minor ones just like a survival series should have. The drama focuses on a city mass-survival efforts of different groups of people. The main plotline mentioned above also includes few other major plots for the lead characters and numerous subplots to fit in the concept of compelling individual's interred angst for someone who has done injustice to them.
Dark Hole is about an extra-terrestrial being with unlimited power of rapid mutation. The method of changing people into mutants is the transmission of spore like black substances via a foggy smoke which turns people into monsters with immense power. The purpose is to gain control over human beings.
The most prominent character is a detective who comes to Muji to catch a serial killer, an ex-policeman who works as a towman, chief of a sub- police station, a failed shaman always seeking authority over people, a highschool girl, victim of tragic incidents and a 10yo girl who lost her mother in that incident; everyone commonly sharing a cataclysmic past. Unlike Sweet Home where everyone was stuck in the same building, Dark Hole has different group of people stuck at different places trying to run away from the mutants as well as the black smoke and escape from one place to another. And in that courses, they're separated and unified multiple times.
Most important part about this drama is that the plot development and twists at any instances will make you doubt about the genre of the drama. At a point you'll think it's zombie horror, but next you'll assume it to be sci-fi and after a while it will feel it's supernatural and so on. The fact that the writer kept us intrigued till the end proves how great he's as a screenwriter. FYI, the Jung Yi Do jakka-nim is the writer of dramas like "Save Me" and "Strangers from Hell". And for the matter of fact, Kim Bong Joo pdnim has done a very great job as the director even though it's his first, so a big round of applause for him.
The major cast has done their roles pretty well, specifically Lee Joon Hyuk, for whom a majority of people took interest in this drama has undoubtedly played his charismatic and daring character throughout the drama giving a satisfying result. Also, Kim Ok Bin noona's fierce character is such a treat; her acting, the stunt scenes and the moments she had to deal with the monster in the void, everything was accurate. Oh Yu Jin, the one playing the highschool girl had a difficult task to do but she has done a remarkable job too. Im Won Hae as a police officer is bit namby-pamby yet manages to handle things by risking his life for the honor of his job.
Screen editing, connecting plots, proper organisation of subplot are very good in the drama but some things are making me complain which I am pointing out. Even though the drama is a mixture of so many subplots to keep it intense and eventful, the cause of the drama seemed lost when the drama was heading towards the end; few of the plots perished into nothingness.
Around the midway of the 10th episode, the plot gradually started fastening that gave the feelings that they're trying to rush things but still manageable till the end of 11th episode. But what happenes in the 12th episode which is the finale was totally disappointing. They rushed the entire thing; given that so many things happened in just that episode, they could have extended it to one more episode giving it a smooth goodbye but Idk where did it go wrong. This very good drama just turned into an average thing just because of that episode. This indeed is an missed opportunity and could have been a lotttt better. They simply could have otherwise pur less content which would have not made it look rushed.
I am actually sad that it turned out be this after showing us it's potential during the entire thing but overally, it's not a bad show. I would rate 8.5 to it if I don't consider the last episode.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Hmmm........This is a super thrilling detective drama, with episodes leaving you thirsty for more action.
It's filled with twisted plots and the cinematography is just wonderful. Each episode has a different and unique plot, and the characters were wonderfully developed, each character development has a different background colour.
The music is the type that just keeps on replaying at the back of your mind, even after it has finished playing. I did really like to post the title of the track and all, but that would be a huge spoiler so.........
TEN is really a wonderful K-drama. Plus, it only has 10 episodes hehehe.
Was this review helpful to you?
office romance but better
let me preface by saying i love secretive romance, romance where couple has to hide that theyre together in a public setting, but in private everything is hot and heavy?? secretive eye contact that only they know the meaning of?? accidental but not really skinship??? them taking care of each other in their own way when no one else notices??? who doesn't love this!!!i love the actors hence the reason why i started watching them. was the high school setting needed when the actors are already in their 30s?? no i wish the cp age in the drama are set older instead of late 20s, dont be shy!! we need more proper adult romance!! i cringe watching the flashbacks bcs theyre just adults among teenagers buuuut it is cute nevertheless.
i think the romance is mature what with the start of the coupling, the eventual romance, incidents, third and many more parties interference, etc. they learn to become a couple eventually with better communcation with each other and not shying away from saying what needs to be said. the parents are good influence for them. this eventually helps them in their change of office dynamic where he becomes the direct boss and she as one of the employees. the characters have their flaws and problems yet it doesnt hinder their relationship, theyre supportive of each other respectful trustworthy. one of the better romance in cdrama
edit: finished and im glad the romance stays fluffy til the end. this is feel good romantic story with some (minimal) drama. ps: do read the webnovel its rly good!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The sparks and the spices
This dating reality show is so enjoyable. There are sparks but at the same time spices as well. The whole concept of the dating show is interesting especially the phone call to express the feeling part. The phone calls kept me at edge. Like I could never predict who each of the contestant would call. It was interesting and at the same time agonizing especially the phone calls involving the love triangles.WARNING: Major spoilers ahead!!
Honestly Junseong and Sungho are the best part of the show for me. I rooted for them since the very first phone call. "Roommate, hi" was what got me into the show and I fell deeper and deeper episode by episode. I couldn't help but cheer for Junseong. He was so sure about who he wanted and the way he expressed his feelings in the most sincere way whenever he got the chance to, every second of it was absolutely worth witnessing. On the other hand Sungho was sure about his feelings towards Seonwoo until he wasn't. He wavered ever since the first call from JS. From "friendship 100% love zero" to "Beside Junseong, others are like friends or colleagues to me", he came a long way. And damn their dates were an absolute delight to see especially the one after call match. The sparks were flying everywhere. They really stole the whole show for me,
Moving on to Seonwoo, I won't lie at first it really felt like he was leading everyone on and I wasn't quite a fan of it but as I watched more of him, he grew on me. And the love triangle of Hyun Joon, Minsung and Hyun Jin, it was a bit of a mess. For most of the part except Hyun Joon, the other two seemed confused. They were certain one moment and the next moment they were not. It was honestly agonizing to see but I do get it that none of them were actually at fault. However, I liked Min Sung and Hyun Joon together. Their date was cute. But it's commendable how Hyun Joon stood up for himself. Also, Yunghee damn he was so consistent and his efforts towards SW melted me. And Jeongwook this guy deserves nothing but happiness. He is such a softball mahn. I wish each one of them a happy life. I hope they live it to their best and also find the one they love and who loves them back too.
Overall an enjoyable show that kept me awake one whole night and even after I caught up to the recent episodes I could not stop myself from binge watching it. Highly recommended!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Humans are not black or white, they are shades of grey.
First I have to say I watched this because of the actor Matsumoto Leo who played the best side character in "I Cannot Reach You" in 2023. Also the two personalities on the poster intrigued me. But besides that, I went in blind.This is a story which was needed to be told. I applaud the creators to have the gall in Japan to tell a story which is against the conforming nature of japanese people. It teaches the viewers that man do not need to be masculine and even if they have feminin traits, it does not mean they are all gay. The same goes for the girl, who is on the tomboyish side without the typical expierence doing makeup and dessing up. I won't spoil the rest of the story here, but it was not earth-shattering, but quite nice.
It's more on the light side, telling a story of discovery and exploration especially for the girl. The only downfall is the story about Hikarus parents, especially his father who does not approve of his cross-dressing. We can assume the mother was on his side always and his father came around in the finale but maybe in this case they should have shifted the story more so we could have seen the wedding with the parents... as with many BLs the kissing was again just dead fish kisses which annoys me in EVERY romance.
Overall an atypically japanese romance with atypical people which is worth the watch in my book!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The abundance of (epic) tragedy is KDrama at its finest - meanwhile the Joseon empire is born
"My Country - The New Age" is set in the historical transition period between the Goryeo era and the Joseon era. The context is General Yi Song-gye, who for the next approximately 5 centuries tied the throne to his bloodline with a coup d'etat. However, this KDrama isn´t a history lesson as such, though historical figures get involved. Also romance is not the predominant matter. ... First and foremost it's about loyalty, unconditional male friendship and love as its basis. Secondly, it is about relationships between fathers and sons. Thirdly it is about romantic love, too. Besides and as a backbone for the storyline´s dramatic dynamics it its about political attitudes, visionary leaders and the throne. Overall, "My Country - The New Age" is definitely worth seeing, yet you should be prepared for makjang-like emotional roller coasters.The actors significantly contribute to the intensity of the story. Above all, the charisma of Jang Hyuk as Lee Bang-won (the 5th son of General Yi and later 1st Joseon King), as well as Ahn Nae-sang as the fictional Nam Jeon, whose political stances are reminiscent of the historical Jong Do-jeon (the historical Jong Do-jeon and chief chancellor, who set the political, administrative and legal course for the newly blossoming Joseon Empire.)
----------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Lee Bang-won (later King Taejong) and Jong Do-jeon (first chief chancellor of the Joseon aera) ---
These two crucial historical personalities (Lee Bang-won and Jong Do-jeon) were both driving forces in those early years of the new empire with quite lasting impact, and at their time fundamental adversaries.
Jong Do-jeon as the first Joseon King´s chief chancellor decided all matters relating to military affairs, diplomatic procedures, questions of education, new legislation and constitution (the once feudal state was now organized in a bureaucratic manner), new tax laws as well as new state religion (Buddhism became Confucianism). He ultimately moved the capital to Hanyang (now Seoul). He also named the districts of Hanyang and the 8 provinces in the country and caused many slaves to be freed. He was a man with strong visions for an innovative political system in the new kingdom - and consequently implemented those (quite unscrupulously).
His opponent was Yi Bang-won, who did not want an empire with ministers being more important than the king. Rather, he prefered a powerful monarch, a solidly grounded monarchy. He was also one of those who had contributed most to his father's successful coup d´etat. However, the latter had finally disappointed him by not choosing him as his successor. After the Queen's death, Bang-won took advantage of his father's period of mourning and invaded the palace. In doing so, he killed the state chancellor, all ministers loyal to him and the children of the deceased queen as well as the crown prince, too. So he (also) took the throne by force - his father could only abdicate and reluctantly hand over the crown. However, as King Taejong, Bang-won effectively contributed to a stable system of government in his own way. Among other things, he enacted a law allowing all citizens to register and established new Ministries: of Human Resources, Finance, Protocol, Defence, Justice and Public Affairs.
----------------------------------------------------------
With Jang Hyuk as Lee Bang-won and Ahn Nae-sang as the fictional Nam Jeon, who to a certain extent represents the ideas of Jong Do-jeon, the KDrama paints a strong picture of the crucial conflict between those political visions from the very beginning. The actors live their roles with high intensity. We get to know more about their character in their respective relationships with the two protagonists Seo Hwi, son of a once-legendary soldier of the Goryeo Empire, and Nam Sun-ho, the illegitimate son by Minister Nam Joen. Since childhood they are best friends. Then there is a twist of fate. (Here, again: two actors with splendid performance - Yang Se-jong and Woo Do-hwan.) Minister Nam Jeon alone is responsible for the twist of fate in this friendship, but Prince Bang-won becomes a free rider in this.
In short: "My Country: The New Age" offers an epic, visually stunning story with a lot of action and emotion, worth seeing sword fights (actor Jang Hyuk does the stunts all by himself), plenty of blood and even more emotion. Yes, of course there are also women and love involved ... The abundance of (epic) tragedy is KDrama at its finest.
Was this review helpful to you?
