Moon Lovers:Scarlet Heart Review

This drama was a blockbuster that was wildly anticipated, and it left many fans drowning in their feels.

The star-studded cast was perfection. I'd be writing a dissertation if I spent my time gushing about how incredible each and every actor was. The chemistry between all parties was sensational. In the beginning, I didn't know who I wanted Hae-Soo, played by IU, to end up with. Toward the end, I was happy with her choice but I wished she'd had a bit more common sense.

The Drama starts with Hae-Soo in the present world, she gets into an accident and she is warped into Ancient Korean Civilization. She has to learn how to navigate this ancient world, and her modern talents go a long way to help incur favor. She is propelled into a world of 8 royal princes who are all entangled in royal politics. At first, she is a bystander, and then she becomes a tool to help certain brothers achieve their goals. I liked Hae-Soo's character. She was smart, endearing, and didn't put up with ancient chauvinistic nonsense. Watching her navigate her unfamiliar surroundings was enjoyable, and she starts off as an infectious character. Down the line, messed up things happen to her, and she becomes dour. The only thing I didn't like about her was her self-righteousness. This is more a testament to my personality, rather than the quality of writing. I don't believe you can apply modern ethics to ancient customs. Hindsight is 20/20, and while ancient practices maybe appalling in the modern world, those practices were the norm. Her character didn't seem to realize that you can't bend an entire civilization to your way of thinking. And you can't hold people to standards, that they can't even make sense of. I was understanding of her trying to interfere in certain situations, but her decisions ultimately backfired.

Lee Joon Gi portrayed outcast brother Wang So. This character was everything to me. He was like a rising phoenix from burning ashes. He stole my heart because he was the victim of circumstances he had no control of. In his quest to be his most honorable self, he is misunderstood and often forced to do things that go against his volition. I LOVED this character, and I was down with all of the decisions he made. I rediscovered my bloodthirsty (in drama's) thirst, and I liked how he was not above serving revenge dishes cold! This character was complex, and I want to see another drama's with a lead of a similar disposition.

The classic male lead Wang Wook is played by dreamboat Kang Ha-Neul. This character... man, he was amazing. I loved him, especially in the beginning. And while no character is perfect, his sweetness, kindness, and attentiveness made me look past some flags. When he started having to make certain decisions, I cried. I wanted him to live out the life he deserved to live, and it's unfortunate that he had to make sacrifices. I had a strange case of SLS. Most girls would want the kind of love and attention he had to give. On the other hand, he made decisions that like cutting off his nose to spite his face.

The brothers! Oh The BROTHERS!!!!!!!! I loved the dynamic between the brothers. They had such great chemistry, and the bromance was palpable. I loved their banter and the way the played off of one another. It was heartbreaking to see their relationship dissolve. The betrayals, were deep, and I kept wanting things to go back to the way they were in the beginning of the drama..

Overall, watch this drama. Prepare to get your heartbroken, the ending kind of leaves you hanging, but it didn't piss me off. Also watch the original chinese version, (I watched it, and loved it
). There is a sequel, but I haven't watched it, but I heard it was good.

My Secret Romance Review

This cotton candy romance, was a short and sweet treat, that I absolutely enjoyed.

For transparency sake, I have a major middle school crush on Sung Hoon. He's got a dreamy smile, 8 pack abs, and broad shoulders. He's something right out of a webtoon and the first time I saw him I was smitten. So, even if this drama was horrible, I don't know that I can objectively get over how much his performances give me the feels. Cha Jin-Wook is the typical chaebol we always see. He is arrogant, and out of touch with reality, and the guys a big softie on the inside. This character is textbook K-Drama lead, and I loved it!

Song Ji-Eun plays our hard knock life, Lee Yoo-Mi. This woman tries hard not to attract attention to herself. Her mother's career is quite scandalous, and Yoo-Mi doesn't want to be associated with it. She finds her way working a dietician (I believe, but she looked like a glorified cafeteria lady... so her job always confused me a little)

Jin-Wook and Yoo-Mi end up working with each other, and their steamy past catches up with them. They are hilarious as they try to navigate through their palpable chemistry. This drama is only 13 episodes, and though I'd love to go into more detail but it's a shallow drama. If you want something to help a heady dose of "Post-traumatic drama stress", this can help any ailments.


















Like the show, this review is short and sweet, but I hope you get to enjoy both!

My Wife's Having An Affair This Week Review

The title of this drama sucked me in! I thought this was going to be a melodrama the way "Secret Affair" was. However, this is a comedy, mixed with the heaviness of a marriage that doesn't have it's needs met.

Lee Sun Kyun plays the ever perplexed Do Hyun Woo. Hyun Woo is a sweet guy completely oblivious to the inner workings of his wife Jung Soo Yeon, played by Song Ji-Ho. On the surface, their marriage seems great. They have a beautiful son, they both have great careers, and it would seem all their college dreams came to fruition. Unfortunately, below the facade, there is a lot of stress and inner turmoil that needs to be addressed. Lee Sun Kyun suspects his wife of having an affair and his goofball methods of trying to catch prove entertaining. However, once he realizes that his wife is, in fact,   having an affair, the comedy turns into a touching family drama.

I liked this drama because it reveals the subtle ways we neglect the people that we care about. The heartbreaking ways and differences in which we keep silent when we are hurt. It would've been really easy to throw Jung Soo Yeon under the bus. In the comment section, there were lots of dehumanizing comments about how she was wrong because she cheated on her husband. Soo Yeon's character was more complicated than an unhappy wife cheating on her husband. Soo Yeon was not only neglected by her husband, but she also neglected herself. Trying to juggle work, being a mother, and a wife, she lost herself. I liked how they showed life from her perspective.

Ye Ji Won, Lee Sang Yeob, and Boa were downright magical in this drama!! Their characters were hilarious and touching. The side stories and their beliefs about navigating relationships were eye-opening. Overall the cast for this drama really executes the storyline perfectly.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good laugh, with a great morality perspective!

Third Rate My Way/ Fight for My Way Review

I knew I was going to watch "Fight for My Way" because Park Seo Joon stole my heart in the hilarious drama "She Was Pretty". The trailers for this show were pretty enticing and the drama didn't disappoint.

4 childhood friends go through adulthood trying to make their dreams a reality. Two of the friends make it a point to chase after their dreams no matter the cost. Ko Dong Man and Choi Ae-Ra assess their lives and realize that they aren't fulfilled. In their journies to achieve their dreams, they've been knocked down and humiliated. With no external promise that they will reach their goals, internally they are burning to prove that they aren't 2nd rate adults, but people who can accomplish just as much as their peers.

Kong Dong Man, played by Park Seo Joon, is an endearing meathead. His entire life had been centered around fighting until he is unfairly disqualified for cheating. He makes the best of it by becoming an exterminator. However enthusiastic as he is with his position, he longs to prove to himself that he could've been a great fighter. With the support of his long-suffering coach, he is whipped back into shape to compete. Dong Man is loyal and sweet. His interactions with Choi Ae-Ra were hilarious and I enjoyed their friendship. 

Choi Ae-Ra played by Kim Ji-Won, is one fiery lead. This hard worker has always wanted to be an announcer, but when she can't be one, she finds an occupation which allows her to use her skills. I loved how she was in her relationships. She was sweet, lovable, and a boss! The way she stood up for her friends was incredible. I loved her character and Kim Ji-Won's facial expressions were executed with perfection.

Song Ha Yoon was the gem in this show. I loved how vulnerable and open she was. All this character wants to be is a homemaker. She's made sacrifices for her boyfriend, and it was refreshing to see her stay true to herself. I loved this character, it was nice to see a woman allowed to want to be a homemaker not because it's a backup plan. Her character absolutely melted my heart.

I really enjoyed this drama, especially with all the special guests. I would definitely recommend this drama to everyone. 

My Mister Review

Welcome to another tearjerker! I was hesitant to start this drama because the poster looked sad, and I wanted a romantic comedy, but I was in a drama drought, so I took the plunge. I plunged into depths of despair and I loved it!

IU plays spirit broken Lee Ji-An. Life has handed her one crappy scenario after another, and the girl is shut down. She is our anti-Kdrama female lead. She's not perky and she's not optimistic. Ji-An is solely in survival mode. The typical kdrama archetype comes into play because Ji-An is in debt. She is stuck paying her deceased mothers' soul-crushing debt. Ji-An is also the only person left to take care of her ailing grandmother. I loved this character because she was smart and cunning. Though she gets beat up regularly, she still tries to do what is right. When faced with great temptations, she goes out of her way to make things right again. I loved that she was a threat, but she was able to wield her sword in all the right ways. I can't reiterate this enough, Ji-An was kick ass and dangerous and it was incredibly refreshing to see her handle all of the b.s bureaucracy!

Lee Sun Kyun plays the best ahjussi ever. I loved his character. This man plays the ultimate good guy. He was able to see Ji-An for the kid that she is, and there was never an instance in which he took advantage of her. The show allows us to know him in an intimate way. We get to see his most confounding moments, his saddest moments, and when he is livid. I loved his dynamic with his brothers and his family. The way he handles obstacles with such integrity is so admirable.

The brothers are hilarious in this! They are inept, lazy, and a little broken. When it comes to their family, however, they will rally and fight no matter the cost. It was great seeing them fall in love, and try to figure out ways to keep their family together.

Give this drama a try, it will really tug your heart strings.

Come and Hug Me Review

By the time I finished this show, my eyes were swollen from crying so much. Be prepared to cry every single episode. I cried, then I cried some more, and then I cried because my eyes stung from crying so much! If you want something light-hearted, skip this. If you want something real, you want something that will help you unload a truckload of unshed tears... this is for you. I waited until the last episode to start this drama. The synopsis was pretty dark, so I figured, I'd wait for the reviews to roll in before giving it a chance. While I loved this drama, I'm not sure if I should've watched it on-air or if binge watching it was better. It was a breathtaking drama, and I was worn out when it finished.

The drama is about Chae Do Jin and Han Jae-Yi. Chae Do Jin comes from a precarious background, comprising of a shady father, a violent older brother, a stepmother who works too much, and a precocious little sister. Han Jae -Yi, on the other hand, comes from an affluent family. Her mother is an actress, her father is a lawyer, and she has a devoted older brother. Outgoing and cheeky Han Jae-Yi pulls Chae Do Jin into her shenanigans, and Do Jin reluctantly befriends her. They find their fates intertwined by unspeakable horrors, and in their adult lives, they have to navigate their love for each other.

Chang Ki-Yong's performance was utterly stunning. I hope he wins awards for this role because it was brilliant. We never know how sane he is in this drama. He portrays a kindhearted brother and lover. He's a loyal and faithful leader in his police academy, but when he's interacting with criminals we get a glimpse of low-key insanity. The torture and harassment Do Jin has to put up with was heartbreaking. Every episode I wanted to hug him, and give a huge dose of unconditional love. Luckily he has a great support system in his stepmother and sister. We watch him navigate a truly painful existence with such kindness, and understanding and it touched my heart that he wasn't the least bit jaded. He was constantly putting himself in the shoes of others' and it was incredible to see. Do Jin has become my favorite k-drama character, displacing Lee Sang Yoon's Park Dong Joo character in "Angel Eyes"

Jin Ki-Joo plays effervescent Han Jae Yi. She works as an actress, and she tries hard to maintain a bright outlook. Despite losing her family, she keeps a sweet disposition. However kind she may be, she definitely isn't a pushover. She turns into a feisty firecracker when need be. I admired her strength and her commitment to love.

Heo Jun-Ho was electrifying in his role as the abusive father. I was filled with terror everytime he was on screen. His presence was menacing even when he was trying to be friendly. The dead shark eye stare he would give made me get goosebumps!

Nam Da-Ruem, this majestic kid, has struck gold once again! Every performance he shines with vulnerability and emotion. The depth to this kids acting is amazing. I was so happy to see him deliver once again. Ryoo Han-Bi was adorable. I loved how capricious her character was, it was incredibly entertaining to watch. 

Overall, I love this drama, this could be the best drama of 2018! 

What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? Review

The first episode of this drama was pure comedy genius. The audio in this drama added so much!!! I consistently laughed so hard almost every episode. The writing was witty, the dialogue was reminiscent of a 1940's screwball. For all of its hilarity, the mystery aspect of this show was thrilling. The serendipitous connection between the characters is typical of K-Drama's, but it added so much value to the story.

Park Seo Joon, one of the greatest kissing male leads of all time, plays narcissist Lee Yeong Joon. The quirks of his eyebrows, the tilts of his head... every minimalistic movement added so much to the overall delivery of this character. Seo Joon played the typical chaebol male lead, but he added a je ne sais quoi that I've never seen before. Yeong Joon is oblivious, persistent, thoughtful, self-sacrificing, a bulldozer wrapped into one. The romantic gestures were wildly over the top, the jealous inquisitions were hilarious, and the chemistry was off the charts. This unique character dragged me through the feels, despite myself. The smoking chemistry between Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young added gasoline to the hardcore ship I had of them.

Park Min Young plays Secretary Kim Mi Soo. Like the typical female lead, she is self-sacrificing and has a heart of gold. She is also the long-suffering secretary that delivers a solution before the problem is even addressed. Kim Mi Soo should be a director, a chairman, or something with a higher pay grade and more power because she is integral in making that company run. She's a doting baby sister, she's the bridge of communication between her boss and her co-workers, and she is the glue that holds everything together. I loved this character because she was willing to give up her career to focus on her self after a decade of making unimaginable sacrifices for her family. Unfortunately, her quest to find herself doesn't manifest to it's fullest potential but I think the way she grew in the series was phenomenal.

Lee Yeong Joons best friend Park Yoo Shik plays a heady comedic role in this drama as well. He delivered every line perfectly and helped to elevate some of the heavier emotions with his sardonic commentary. In a strange way, he was essential to this drama. Kang Ki Young always makes a lasting impression, and I'm really happy to see him consistently in the drama's that I watch.

The ensemble cast was just as entertaining as the leads. Each of them had a pretty developed storyline, but I will admit that I skipped some parts because the cringe factor was just too much for me to handle. However, I had a great time watching this drama and I would recommend it to anyone. They also had shoutout episode to "Because It's My First Life" and it made this drama all the sweeter for me.

Black (Korean Drama)

This drama sucked me in because of  Song Seung Heon. Every role I've seen him play, it's been an awesome ride! And bonus... he's the sexiest thirst trap in the K-Drama game (cheekbones, abs, chiseled jawline... this list can go on and on)

"Black" was this whirlwind adventure of mystery, love, and paranormal navigation. Black is a grim reaper played by Song Seung Heon. He's a rough, tough, bounty hunter type, who is trying capture all the souls who are trying to run away from their judgment date. He then posses Han Moo Gang (also played by Song Seung Heon) to find a runaway grim reaper-in-training. In the midst of searching for the runaway, he begins investigating Han Moo Gang's case and it takes us through an interesting ride.

Go Ara plays Kang Ha-Ram who plays the typical k-drama lead. She's spunky, she's smart, and she's got a heart of gold. She gets premonitions of how people are going to die. She teams up with Black to help prevent people from meeting their untimely death. She tries not to get involved, but inevitably she helps those who need help, which often times causes her to be in danger.

The romance in this drama is sweet and short. It's cute but it's not necessary. What makes this a gem of a show is the action and the mystery aspect. The deeper they get into the case, the crazier the story gets. The best way to describe it, is "Truth is stranger than fiction"

The ensemble cast adds a lot to this drama. The characters are filled and have a developed storyline. They also add to the mystery and intrigue of the show. While I enjoyed the ride, the ending wasn't nearly as amazing as the journey. It wrapped up nicely, but I wasn't really satisfied.

Chicago Typewriter

I thought that I had written a review on this drama, only to realize that...no, in fact, I had not written one about this creative masterpiece. So here we go!

If you haven't watched it yet, GO... NOW! It's amazing!!!

Yoo In Ah plays Han Se Joo who is a prolific writer. Though he has accolades, status, and money, he lives an isolated existence. Han Se Joo is skeptical, cynical and mistrusting of people outside of his small trusted circle. Throughout this drama, we get to see him evolve into a loving, and compassionate person. His hilarious antics often stem from suspicion and jealousy, and it was a pleasure watching him. We also get to see him reconcile to the supernatural elements of his world, and that was a great source of laughter. Han Se Joo finds that he has to navigate between his incarnated past and his present. He writes about these encounters with the hope of helping out his neighborly ghost, Yoo Jin Oh.

Yoo Jin Oh, (played by Go Kyung Pyo) is also a writer, who happens to be a ghost. His bar was instrumental for Korea to be liberated from the Japanese occupation. The only problem is, he doesn't remember how he died, and his soul has been captured inside a typewriter that happens to find it's way to Han Se Joo's desk. He makes his way back from Chicago to Seoul, and he's looking for the beautiful Jeon Seol. This character was lovesick throughout the series, and he had such beautiful puppy eyes. Go Kyung Pyo continuously pulled my heartstrings.

Jeon Seol played by the amazing Im Soo-Jung. Jeon Seol is an... unfortunate soul. She loses her father after being abandoned by her mother. Once she finds the talent for shooting guns, she begins having visions of the murder of someone of her past life. She then pursues a veterinarian degree but develops another scare. She's our typical spunky K-Drama lead girl. I adored the chemistry between Jeon Seol and Han Se Joo. They were electric and it was such a joy seeing them.

The story developed amazingly, the soundtrack was perfect, and by the last minute of the drama, I was completely satiated.

It's Okay That's Love

This incredible work of art is my all time favorite drama of all time. This includes American shows and every other Asian drama I've watched. This drama revealed my prejudice toward people who are mentally ill. Preconceived bias' I had, have been completely blown out of the water because of this amazing story.

"That's Okay It's Love"  introduces two of the most beautifully insightful, and honest characters I've ever seen. Prepare to have some unrealistic relationship goals after watching this male lead.
 Jang Jae-Yeol is an incredible writer with a turbulent past. He is witty, cunning, and very caring to those he considers family and friends. I adored this character so much. He was honest and vulnerable all while maintaining his playboy charm. He is also a love "Wiseman" with amazing insight on how functional relationships work. Watching him navigate through his mental journey was at times heartwrenching to watch. Reconciling his past with his present, was a pleasure to watch.


Ji Hae Soo is a prickly psychiatrist with a few scars of her own. As she tries to navigate her relationships, we see how difficult it is for her to be vulnerable. Her biggest scars come from her relationship with her mother. I liked this character because she never tried to be sweet. She had very human first reactions, and she felt really human. The love she develops for Jae Yeol made my heart ache. I loved the dynamic between both of them. They have such fun banter between the two of them. The depth of conversation and the way that they bared their souls to each other was a lesson of how love should work.

This blog would be a 5-page dissertation if I broke down the amazing the ensemble cast. Park Kwang Soo, Jo Dong Min were incredible. They executed their roles impeccably. I loved their chemistry with the leads. The conversations were sensational, and the impact and challenge that it made on me were beyond anything that I could've expected for a K-Drama.

I love this drama, and I hope that you can give it a chance. I assure you, it will change you.

Live (Korean Drama)

I almost skipped this drama because I wasn't impressed by the thumbnail. However, I noticed that Lee Kwang Soo and Jung Yu -Mi were on the cover and I decided this would need my attention. I hit the brakes again because I noticed that too many of the episodes weren't being subbed in a timely manner, so I waited until the whole series was subbed and then I decided to watch it. As usual, the writer Noh Hee-Kyung doesn't disappoint.

This show takes on the journey of two young people who take up a last-ditch effort at a career by becoming police officers. Initially, Yeom Sang Su and Han Jung Oh, are only there to work and get a steady paycheck. After time passes they begin to develop a sense of duty for their position. 

Yeom Sang Su is played by comical genius Lee Kwang Soo. I was first introduced to this actor in my favorite drama "It's Okay That's Love". He's also widely known from the variety show Running Man. Known to be silly and goofy, I find it shameful that his acting can often be dismissed. He absolutely breathes life into Sang Su. This character cares very deeply for his impoverished family, and he is absolutely resilient in his pursuit of a career. It was a pleasure watching this character fall in love with his job as well as fall for Han Jung Oh. While blossoming into a police officer of indisputable integrity and loyalty, Sang-Su is constantly getting injured and learning tough lessons. 

Han Jung Oh is a reserved character that has to consistently process the horrors that come with the job. She has been the caretaker of her single mother who suffers from panic attacks. It was nice to see her come into her own identity. She goes from a brittle angry woman who needs a career, to a powerful policewoman who can support her man without giving up her dreams.

While the leads are impeccable, the ensemble cast deserves a standing ovation! Bae Sung-Woo plays the hard to like (though eventually, I loved him!) Oh Yang-Chon. This character really drove the group performances, he had a difficult dynamic with his family and his co-workers, but he was the heartbeat of both groups. The captains, the mentors, the mentees all illustrated how difficult it was to navigate being a police officer. 

While I loved the characters... this show called into question several things that made me wonder if I was watching Korean societal issue's, social commentaries, or artistic license. The first thing I found disturbing was a lack of sanitary habits. There were several scenes where people didn't wash their hands after using the bathroom, a scene where Han Jung Oh has to clean throw up with her bare hands and other things that made me want to run some soap and water over my body. The second thing I found disturbing was (SPOILER) how the rapists' children were treated. Yeom Sang Su seemed to think it was okay that the family was being harassed by their neighbors, and the grandparents didn't want to take the children in because of their fathers' crime. The third thing I was perturbed by was the blatant disrespect of the congressmen toward the police officers. When watching these scenes I wasn't sure if this was a characterization of things that actually happen in South Korea, or if it was a dramatization. 

If you want a good cry, and some great laughs sprinkled through, I would recommend this drama for you!