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Major Leads w/ NO chemistry and recycled storyline
As many reviewers mentioned, this is not worth the time unless you're looking for a new xianxia drama or you're a huge fan of Zhao Lusi. I skipped a through a lot. It was ok since there weren't any other good dramas to watch. But I won't rewatch it.The Good:
- costumes
- production quality was decent
The Bad:
- plot/storyline was literally recycled and blended copy cat parts of Ashes of Love, Eternal Love, Love & Destiny. Too many similarities it was distracting
- the main issue I have is the utter lack of chemistry between the lead couple. I really like the ML and FL actors in their other works. But they just fell flat in this one. I just didn't feel the emotional yearning to root for them as a couple, which is essential for these types of dramas (i.e. Ashes of Love, Eternal Love)
- the ML (Wang An Yu) : I've only seen this actor in one other series To Fly w/ You, his acting was so good and his chemistry w/ the FL (Song Zu Er) was off the charts. In this Last Immortal series he just could not pull off the screen presence of a stoic, larger than life High God of Chaos. He came across as goofy and too soft hearted, and his acting lacked depth.
- the FL (Zhao Lu Si) - tends to be type-casted w/ as the cutesy, gutsy female lead. Which she played that part well as A Yin. But when she became the Lord Phoenix Feng Yin - she was not likeable at all. She didn't quite have the depth to play the jaded, badass female heroine w/ conflicted soft yearning heart for her true love (for example Yang Mi in Eternal Love). She jsut came across as an icy statue.
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Will ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ Treat Your Expectations?
TVING originals have long been held in regard by critics and viewers alike for slick cinematography and shots. However, ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ was an odd anomaly. The series’ shaky camera shots and editing presented the series as surprisingly mediocre for a TVNING original; a low-budget sitcom which whilst heartwarming in necessary parts, often struggled to truly deliver the last laugh.
Adapted from former doctor Jang Bong-Soo’s popular webcomic, the series revolved around Doctor Park Won Jang ( Lee Seo-jin); a seemingly third-rate doctor who has just opened his first medical clinic.
Despite constantly worrying about his recent onset of alopecia and his wife Sa Mo-Rim’s ( Ra Mi-Ran) overspending , Doctor Park’s dreams of becoming an affluent doctor are soon scuppered when his patient numbers begin to dwindle. Determined to turn things around, Doctor Park decides to do his utmost to save his clinic, even if it means unintentionally making things worse along the way…
Perhaps one notable thing to comment about the series is that ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ is a fairly lighthearted series for the most part. Whilst the series does delve into some darker and angst-ridden subject areas at times ( especially by the latter-half), screenwriter and director Seo Joon Bin was able to uplift the mood of the series with regards to one of the drama’s most questionable presences; the comic relief.
Admittedly it isn’t out of the question for a comedy series to experiment and diversify between different formats. This can often allow a series to reiterate satire, offer angst-free respite or even play around with wry comedy.
However one of the most apparent faults with screenwriter Joon Bin’s style is attempting miserably to strike a balance between being a jovial sitcom (fourth wall-breaking and comical setups ) and a more bittersweet , satirical brand of comedy ( particularly with its jokes surrounding capitalism, brands, medical condition and South-Korean work and social culture) but ended up doing both formats a disservice.
Admittedly ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ did attempt to offer viewers some emotional punches- a revelation from Dr.Park’s “tragic” past, several angst-ridden moments as well as a surprisingly uplifting and crisp ending along the way were specifically placed to evoke a twinge of sympathy and pity for viewers. Nevertheless, heartfelt moments were admittedly less impactful in the the long-term memory of viewers who will likely forget these moments after completing the series.
Lee Seo-jin ( ‘ Damo’, ‘ Yi San’ and ‘ Marriage Contract’) starred as main lead Park Won Jang, whilst costar Ra Mi-Ran ( ‘ The Himalayas’ ’, ‘ The Avengers Social Club’ and Black Dog ‘ ) played Won Jang’s wife and main female lead Sa Mo-Rim. Respectfully whilst both main leads’ performances could across as somewhat corny in parts, Ra and Lee offered solid performances throughout, with Ra Mi-Ran notably adding a surprisingly endearing charm to her onscreen persona.
The supporting cast offered decent performances. Whilst there were admittedly some strained deliverances of dialogue and acting, the supporting cast were able to offer some surprising charm during other moments in the drama.
In particular, the supporting cast included Cha Chung Hwa ( ‘ Harmony’, ‘ Black’ and ‘ Pawn’) as witty head nurse Choi Mi Young, Shin Eun Jung ( ‘East of Eden’, ‘ Faith’ and ‘ Navillera’) starring as angelic-faced yet acerbic- tongued Dr. Sun Woo Soo Jin , Kim Kwang Gyu ( ‘ Friend’, ‘ Scent Of A Woman’ and ‘ I Can Hear Your Voice’) playing mixed coffee-enthusiast , obstetrician and gynecologist Ji Min-Ji, Jung Hyung-Suk ( ‘ A Mystery Of The Cube’, ‘ The Banker’ and screenwriter and director for ‘ The Land of Seonghye’) as director of the urology department, whilst Seo Bum Jun ( ‘ Nevertheless’, ‘ Rookie Cops’) played the head nurse’s son and Joo Woo Yeon as well as child actor Kim Kang Hoon ( ‘ Mr Sunshine’, ‘ When The Camellia Blooms’ and ‘ Racket Boys’) took on the roles as Park’s two sons.
Due to the short length of the series, ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ is able to maintain a pacy speed throughout its duration. Naturally, the expedited narrative pacing did create a double-edged sword; fast-pacing helping to deescalate potentially tedious setups and scenarios, whilst sadly rarely giving opportunities and time to explore its odd array of characters and potentially tour de force moments either.
The cinematography of the series is notably a mixture of amateurish and surprisingly basic shots, as well as some insightful glimpses into the lives of our main characters. Whilst simplicity isn’t always necessarily bad per say, it could sometimes reduce opportunities in order to explore the intuitive shots or boast slick and unobstructed editing and cutting. The OST is also notably faintly memorable for viewers; helpful for promoting emotive moments and tones, but rarely delivering an impactful presence either.
Uplifting, lighthearted and melodramatic in parts, ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ is specifically what it says on the tin: a social comedy about a mediocre clinic with an array of eccentric characters being introduced onto the scene. The acting performances are decent enough but the deliverance of comic relief is admittedly variable. Perhaps the comical exchanges will generate a few laughs for audiences, whilst others may be dissatisfied by the generic setups and comical elements along the way. Overall, ‘ Dr Park’s Clinic’ is a decent binge-watch; watchable but lacking a certain memorable edge also.
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It was too short!!
This drama had the potential to be better, but it was decent. Although the drama was too focused on the Grandpa storyline, we didn't get much information regarding the ml's trauma of the dark. I enjoyed the FMC plot, she seemed very relatable, but DAMN that Grandpa was annoying.Such an interesting plotline, which was the reason that I binged the whole show, but I felt like they lost me near the end. Focusing too much on the other characters that we barely got proper development, it was too rushed, in my opinion.
Definitely still recommend the drama, it was fun and refreshing. Also it still had the cliches we all love in kdramas!!
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This review may contain spoilers
It SHOULD have been the BL of the year, but...
My Extraordinary was heavily advertised as the first BL in The Philippines to be aired to a primetime national audience.I was so excited from watching the trailer, it appeared to be a drama that would hit all the right chords and send a great message. Sadly, this was not the case.
Here is my list of pros and cons:
PROS:
ACTORS. The actors really brought it. Each one of them played their roles to a T, with special mention going to Yayo Aguila (Monica, Ken's mother), who gave a powerhouse performance and made me absolutely hate her character for most of the series.
MUSIC. Probably the best part of the series for me. The theme song is one of my favorites and Kenji Exaltacion's singing of everything was perfect. Also, hats off to director Vincent deJesus, who also composed the music.
ATYPICAL LEAD COUPLE. For once we have a lead couple that doesn't look like two Ken dolls (not that there's anything wrong with that... ). It was refreshing to see two pleasantly average looking guys as the leads, rather than the perfect teeth and skin, chiseled gym bodies, etc. Same with the actors that played Heaven and Romeo.
CINEMATOGRAPHY. The outdoor scenery was so nice and the wishing tree was beautiful.
ESAW. Although the thought of eating chicken intestines sounds absolutely revolting to me, it was nice to learn that "Esaw" is a delicacy in The Philippines.
CONS:
THE STORY. My biggest problem with the story was not the sad ending (although that is a factor, which I will explain later)... it was with the whole supernatural/Sandee sees dead people nonsense. The story would have been just fine -- and much better, in my opinion -- without it.
WRONG MESSAGE. Homophobia is always worth fighting against. But, let's face it, dramas about homophobia have been around for years. It's 2020, folks. People know very well that bigotry is wrong... that's not news. Especially, for a primetime (mostly straight) audience, it would be nice to show how great (and yes, NORMAL) same-sex couples can be. THAT'S the message that needs to be delivered these days... enlightenment, not negativity. As it is, what message does this send to young gays thinking of coming out of the closet? "Stay in the closet, kids. Your parents will freak out and if you think your life is bad now, prepare to be REALLY miserable!" Horrible message.
KEN/SHAKE RELATIONSHIP. Yes, they were adorable. But there was no progression of their relationship shown. One moment they barely know one another and suddenly they're majorly flirting. Huh? And, although I absolutely disliked the "together in the afterlife" deal, the bottom line is that they barely knew each other. They were just two people about to get together and see where it would lead, -- they never even had a real kiss -- yet, the series portrays them as the romantic couple of the century. Couldn't buy into that, sorry.
HE LIED: Director Vincent deJesus said, in the comment section of a reaction video, that no one would die in the series. He didn't have to say anything, but he chose to tell this blatant lie. NOT cool. I'm pissed about that.
I can't say I did not enjoy My Extraordinary. I DID enjoy it... mostly. For me, the best line in the series was this one (Ken to his mom): "Mom, I'm your son. You've always known. You were just the last to admit."
Too bad it was a dead gay character saying it to a mom that couldn't hear it.
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The drama deals with teen problems, friends ,crush, love, in search of personnality. The story was not that original, only the way storyline was told was interesting. I mean sometimes you think that somes scenes are predictables but not brh, they tried to make it different even if the story was ordinary and deja vu
Characters : I really love all the characters seriously, from the saint to the b*tsh, everything was well done. I hate some charcters.. that means they did a good job haha
The End was not as expected but yea, objectively, the drama is worthy ! The OST was HOT! *-* Can't wait for the 2nd season
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garo and kunou are fruity
i'm not the type to write a review but this series is just so good and everyone deserves to know about this!! i decided to watch this because of suda and the iconic hair of his character but i didn't expect the story to be this good! the acting is on point, every character has an interesting background, and it's just really fun to watch. you can feel happiness, sadness, chills, excitement, etc while watching this show so i really recommend it!! while watching, i feel like i'm also a detective haha! there's a lot of lessons you can get from every episode and i cried several times. i hope there will be a season 2 asap bc garo and kunou are fruity af!!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Okay as filler drama
This is just an OKAY drama. The political stuff was not interesting. The sets and costumes were very nice. Visually appealing. The ending was happy and it reflected the nature of the romance in the show which is the main reason I was able to finish this show.The ML falls first and hard and remains loyal to the end. It is a matter of fact kind of romance. He stays by her side through everything but not in a white knight complex kind of way. He just stands by and is there if she needs him. In fact there was a whole scene dedicated to him literally waiting for her and her just taking it all in stride as is the nature of their relationship.
The FL is smart. Has a life goal and states more than once that romance is great but she must complete her goals. I like that messaging and the strength of the character.
This drama has over ones of Romeo and Juliet. Watch for those themes and how they portray them.
Other thing I enjoyed was the sword play and wire work. There was enough for those of us who enjoy these scenes. The beauty of the swordplay without the gory violence.
The ending almost feels Perfect for a sequel or a series with each episode showing the intrepid couple solving mysteries. I would watch them.
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One Of The Best Korean Dramas In Years....
There has been a noticeable recent wave of South-Korean horror shows in recent years, and there’s no denying that OCN’s The Guest (2018) is not a byproduct of this recent trend.Yet despite this label as a contemporary drama, The Guest truly plays upon something timelessly classic within its universal horror theme of primeval and the unknown through suspense and dread.
The story premise revolves around our main Male lead, psychic Hwa Pyung ( Kim Dong Wook) chasing after a malevolent demon called Sohn who disturbingly drives people insane. Under the non-conspicuous job occupation as a taxi driver, Hwa- Pyung’s journey to finding Sohn seemingly becomes closer when he is invariably connected with the mysterious Catholic priest Choi Yoon ( Kim Jae Wook) and cynical detective Kang Gil Young ( Jung Eun Chae) ; all of whom have mysterious links to Sohn through their pasts.
As our main lead,Kim Dong Wook seems an unlikely choice to play our main hero,however, his sense of genuine sincerity and anguish in his performance truly captured the essence of Hwa Pyung as a sincere and scarred individual. Alongside Dong Wook costar Kim Jae Wook’s role as the aloof and taciturn Catholic Priest Choi Yoon, truly captured the intrinsic and deeper questioning of a man shaped by traumas. Although less in the limelight than her fellows costars, Eun Chae channelled also the genuine cynicism and doubt of one of the few female officers in her department as well as an individual led by logic.
Yet beyond some more questionable acting performances by some members of the cast, The Guest’s beauty lay within its characterisation; Choi Yoon initially distrusts Hwa Pyung just as much as Eun Chae is doubtful of the “ mumbo jumbo” beliefs of the “ superstitious” duo on their first initial meeting. It is only when the entire trio are forced to rely heavily upon one another, that they begin to develop genuine friendships and bonds, trialed and tested repeatedly throughout the drama’s later revelations.
Adding to theme of horror , The Guest refreshingly did not rely upon cheap jump scares to generate the genuine bloodcurdling moments when demons transcended beyond the realms of nightmares to reality.
In one scene in particular when Hwa- Pyung is walking through a hospital, the specific usage of lucid lighting and an eery blue glow in the background will truly send shivers down your spine before the climax of the scene. In another scene in the show, Yoon’s quick walk down a district street in Seoul becomes contorted with distorted streetlights, a clear and purposefully ironic homage to The Exorcist (1973).
Although not flawless from several moments of lacklustre acting and undeniably slow pacing in earlier episodes, The Guest was undeniably a brilliant show filled with intriguing storyline, characters and true spine tingling moments as well. Certainly one of the best Korean Dramas in a long time.
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Not for everyone.. but interesting nonetheless.
I acknowledge that this drama is not universally popular or liked, but has value or merit in its own way.It is quite a tricky feeling to watch the backstory of annoyingly criminal minded villans. or rather how they became villans. if given another choice will they still be devilish? I was thinking about the Female villan.
The series is cleverly crafted in a way that makes you think it might another typical repeating drama and you start predicting it and start betting who is the criminal.. because of this reason I find it interesting to watch. I don't understand why it recieved low ratings. It deserves a little better rating.
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Cause I loved the Lake House & it is one of my favorites movie at all & when I knew I had to see the original & 2000 movie that I watched in 2010 it was wonderful !
I loved the story, the way they talked to each other .. I loved the house , the acting , the whole time thing was nice!
Its one of the most lovable romantic movies I've seen
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It shouldn't be a spoiler to say that there's murder and suspense in this drama. now it's not the main focus of this and they don't try to investigate, but that tension adds alot to the structure of the story..
the simple version of the story is "power struggle", good vs bad, greed, and the basic "they are trying to steal our money"..
that tension and the characters are what made me stay, I honestly love how layered and realistic the characters are, Lee Hye Joon is the most level headed normal female lead in dramaworld.
Lee Sung Min is honestly such an amazing actor! I mean maybe korea always knew/admit that, but in some ways I feel like he's underrated or maybe he just focuses more on movies. but his character here was just so beautiful.
it's like the events of this drama didn't just randomly taint him, and I feel like that happens alot of characters like him, they are like driven by hate/evilness...
basically, no one was the "bad" guy, no one was evil, but also no one was pure good/righteous. they were just people driven by their background. their past made them who they were and that just means the writers did a really great job making them. I first gave the story a 8.5 becasue the business aspects were lost on me, but the characters actions and words/dialog made me change it.
and yes, Eugene Han.. rather than saying he's the reason I continued this drama, I prefer to say "he was the cherry on top". he's such an intriguing character, and I'll only say this as a fangirl, but he is the cutest xD
also, the pace of this drama is actually really nice, like by ep12 usually most dramas go downhill, but here it actually feels like a solid 12eps have passed and we have enough time for the rest of the story. it doesn't feel draggy or rushed.
and I'd actually either love a 2nd season, one episode of romance based plot with these characters, or a romance drama written by these writers. honestly, if only they focus on their characters in a romance genre instead of following the usual patterns xD
the ost of this drama is gold! I mean they have Elaine singing the main song so~
I rarely rewatch things, but I kinda have a nostalgic feel about this, I miss the characters so I might rewatch it one day xD
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There are actually two story lines in Roosevelt Game: one concerning the ailing manufacturer Aoishima Seisakujo, the other its beloved but struggling promotional baseball team. Both are written solidly enough to stand alone, but complement each other so well why should one want them to? Together, these plots form an exciting masterpiece—though I avoid using that word if it can be helped. Often the events in one half relate to those in the other—but without the heavy-handedness this narrative device often carries. Some parallels are so subtle as to create a feeling of “Ah!” in the viewer when they are realized. And, as one might expect from the team behind Hanzawa Naoki, an overall atmosphere of intensity and forward motion permeates both elements—business and baseball alike. It has all the intrigue and heart-thumping one could wish; several times I found myself exclaiming aloud or nearly jumping upright, no exaggeration.
Because they share an author in Jun Ikeido and even directors, it is impossible to talk about this drama without referencing Hanzawa Naoki. But please, do yourself justice before coming in: don’t expect another Hanzawa Naoki, even though certain components may resemble that excellent series. Roosevelt Game, I felt, was actually an improvement on the model in many essential respects. For one, the human element was decidedly more powerful here—there were even brilliant touches of the life drama Japan so excels in. Thematic components found themselves better applied across the board, creating one solid arc rather than two. But perhaps most telling, Roosevelt Game concludes its 9-episode run satisfyingly self-contained and complete…with one less episode, and no need for continuance. As wonderful as Hanzawa Naoki was and still is (I’ve both marked highly), there’s no reason to allow it to overshadow this rare discovery in its impressive enormity.
I mentioned cinematography earlier; let me conjure it up again briefly. There are indisputable similarities to Hanzawa Naoki (again, same team); you've got the intense close-ups, dynamic angles, and unique shots. However, Roosevelt Game again sets itself apart with brighter lightning and softer colors. I also don’t believe another drama exists with such brilliant baseball footage! Though it isn't my favorite sport, I would be a liar if I said these games were not as exciting or remarkable as any action sequence in Asian television. If they used body doubles for the players, I definitely couldn't tell.
Speaking of players, what a uniformly talented cast! Enough are worth mentioning that I could write another few paragraphs on performances alone—but I won’t do that to you. Karasawa Toshiaki portrays President Hosokawa, an unpopular choice for this important seat; I am unfamiliar with him in a leading role, but he caught my eye right away. There is something of the tiger about him, his method is quiet and understated—but when he strikes, you know. Next is Kudo Asuka, another relatively new face to me and in actuality, as ace pitcher Okihara. A simple and sweet character, Kudo draws the viewer in with a mixture of gentle heroism and unassuming relatability. Be warned you may leave this drama affectionately referring to him as Oki. His wonderfully eccentric coach Daido is a scene-stealing gift via Tezuka Toru, while an executive officer occupies a similar space in the form of Sasai (a delightfully complex and stormy Eguchi Yosuke). So many more I’d love to mention, but please meet them in the drama instead!
For the lack of a more elegant term, the soundtrack is killer. The compositions, exquisitely arranged by Hattori Takayuki (Hanzawa Naoki, Shinsengumi!, Nodame Cantabile) are to absolutely to die for. I am not joking when I say that I've scrambled to find the Roosevelt Game soundtrack for purchase. Though almost entirely instrumental (with a few dramatic exceptions), the songs cannot be stopped from creeping into the brain. They are of an almost universally cinematic quality, from the stirring introduction and intrigue themes to anthems of crushing defeat and spirited victory. If you love string instruments, you’ll be in heaven especially.
One final warning: Roosevelt Game is frighteningly addictive. I finished the entire thing in one sitting—on a work night no less, and I almost want to watch it again right away. Take care when you start!
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Who run the WORLD! GIRLS
This is a story of 3 women that refused to accept their tragic fate and pursue their dream to be successful businesswomen. Pan er who's witty and a very good manager, San Niang who's a good cook, and Yin Zhang a pipa master. Together they embark on the journey to the Capital to be one of the most respected business owners out there.Strength:
1. Character growth- All their struggles and hardships became the window of their character and attitude to face those people who belittle them.
2. Natural act of love- Definitely my standard drama on how to act like a normal couple. ZP and GQF show how to deal with the problems, how to support each other as well as the physical contact between them. Just a perfect way how a couple hugs and a kiss. YES, viewers! They kiss like they are deeply in love with each other.
3. Aesthetic view and costume- Every scene was perfect even and the costume really fits them well..
Weakness;
1. I think they can stretch it until 50 episodes just to tie up the relationship between GQF's father and Minister Qi, it looks like they rush it since it has a limited number of episodes.
But overall it was an enjoyment to watch... I purchased the express just to finish it and it's worth every penny. All the characters really did a great job!! :)
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