The Beauty Inside Review

I was pleasantly surprised by the trailer of "The Beauty Inside". I adored the movie version. The writing was so creative, and the soundtrack riveted me, so a drama version was most welcome. When I saw that Lee Min-Ki was the male lead, I was all in.

Lee Min-Ki plays a chaebol who is face blind. Seo Do-Jae compensates for his inability to recognize faces by remembering other features of a person so that his position as CEO isn't compromised. He works smart, and to the ire of his other board members, he is fiercely confident. I am a big fan of Lee Min-Ki. I love that twinkle in his eye and his beautiful smile. Every movie and drama I've seen him in has left an impressionable impact on me, so I was thrilled to watch it. His character did not disappoint! I love how charismatic, and oblivious Seo Do-Jae was. This deeply analytical man showed a softer side that melted me. Every time he smiled I could feel myself blushing. There was such an intimacy in the way that this character cared for the female lead. I almost felt as though I was peeping into an acquaintance's personal life. The exterior is the typical cold we see in most drama's, but that sweet, simple, entertained part of this character seemed deeply private and I love how Lee Min-Ki portrayed it.

I have a strange relationship with the works of Seo Hyun-Jin. I believe the actress herself is incredible. Hyun-Jin has this utterly captivating way about her that sucks me into each of her characters. Unfortunately, the type of characters she picks, I don't like them for very long. I once saw her speak in an interview in which she explained that she chose characters that were flawed in their own particular way. She is right... the characters she tends to pick out are deeply flawed, and the level of rage they can send me into... well let me just say it's irrationally deep. So while the character Han Se- Kye attracted me, I was eventually put off. I loved that this character was spunky, and had a slick mouth. I loved how this character went out of her way to help heal some of the pain in this world. I initially loved this character. However, as with every role I've seen Hyun-Jin in... Han Se-Kye pissed me off with the noble idiocy. This character reached very far to break up with her boyfriend so he could be happy. I ended up skipping episodes 13 and 14. However, by 15 and 16 everything was right on track and I adored this character once again.

I think most people have a higher stamina than me for noble idiocy, so with that said, I think this drama would be enjoyed by the vast majority of people.

Happy Drama Watching

Secret Garden Review

It took me three tries before I could start Secret Garden. If you've read this blog long enough you'll understand that I judge books (and drama's) by their covers. The cover poster for this wasn't intriguing enough for me. On my first attempt, I dismissed it as an action drama that I wasn't interested in watching. On my second attempt of watching I seemed to get bored in the first 5 minutes. The third time ladies and gentlemen was the charm. I ended up falling in love with this drama and it's in my top five drama's that  I adore. I binged this drama in 2 days and I don't regret the sleep I chose to sacrifice.

Ha Ji-Won is magnificent. Every single project I've seen her in, she's been a powerhouse. I adore her performances. Gil Ra-Im is a stunt double who is incredibly athletic. She is reserved, strong, and when pushed she becomes a bit prickly. I loved this character because she was my introduction to a physically strong female in K-Drama's. I loved the portrayal of endurance and fortitude in this role. Ha Ji Won also portrayed chaebol mannerisms excellently. Her acting sucked me into the story. I laughed with her, my heart melted with her, and I cried with her. Gil Ra Im is the typical broke female lead living in a shared studio apartment, but I never felt the despair in her lack of finances. She was able to fill every room with warmth and love.

Hyun Bin was the consummate match for powerhouse Ha Ji-Won. I was warped into his performance and though the character grated me, I fell deep for his charisma and charm. Kim Joo -Won comes from a Chaebol family. He is an elitist and he's completely out of touch with reality. I adored him because every new experience was met with shock and outrage. I liked his jealous side and I liked how he tried to analyze his heart when falling for the alluring Gil Ra-Im. I was very impressed by the mannerisms of Hyun Bin. In his portrayal of Gil-Ra-Im, his expressions were in incredible.

This drama gave me all kinds of feels. I shipped all of the side characters, and I loved how everything ended. My heart was full from this drama. This is an absolute classic that needs to be tried.

Happy Drama Watching

Misaeng

This drama was the first corporate drama I'd ever watched. It was an interesting insight into the corporate world in Korea. The types of challenges workers go through, and the type of work environment both positive and negative was different than anything I'd watched before. I wasn't familiar with any of the actors, even though it was a veteran studded cast. I really enjoyed this drama and the dynamics it explored.

The story centers around temp worker Jang Geu-Rae. Introverted, awkward, and earnest, this young man tries to navigate the corporate jungles despite having no experience. Siwan plays this character, and I can't applaud this performance enough. I was impressed by the style of this character and the nuances of his personality. There was a unique insight into the mind and life of a novice. I wanted to hug this character a lot, he looked as though he needed some extra support.

The team leader Oh Sang-Sik played by veteran actor Lee Sung-Min was amazing. He was the consummate leader, he guided his team, he supported them. he didn't take in bribes, he was a quality human being. I loved everything about this man. Oh Sang-Sik showcased the balance between a family man and a working man. He kept his integrity even when it benefitted him to be sketchy. I liked how he chose to be kind when he had the power to be mean. He was an incredible mentor throughout this series.

This show was my introduction to Kang So Ra. I absolutely love her, and I've enjoyed the majority of the projects that she's picked out. She plays fiercely intelligent An Young-Yi. She represents the journey of having to prove why you're the best. Though she was the ace of the recruits, her working life wasn't as smooth as it should've been. She was often reduced to doing menial tasks because she was a woman. Though she was smarter than people around her, and everyone knew she had a great educational background she wasn't treated the way she should've been.

I was also introduced to Kang Ha Neul, he legitimately has only been in projects that I thought were spectacular. I loved his performance, even though I hated his character. Jang Baek Ki comes from a privileged background. He's hyper-competitive, and he's got a stick stuck up his butt. I liked how his personality grew throughout the show. This performance was a testament to the range that Kang Ha Neul can play.










Overall be prepared to shed buckets of tears. This drama will take you to some dark places emotionally but in the end, everything works out the way that it should.

Happy Drama Watching

Marriage Not Dating

Marriage Not Dating is hands down the best comedic performance ever written, produced, filmed, and acted. This drama broke all the rules in all the right ways. The first moments of each episode depicted the most embarrassing scenarios one could be in, and the rest of the episode explains why that scenario happened and the aftermath of such a scene. This drama was impeccably executed and it's #2 on my favorite dramas of all time list.

Gong Ki-Tae is a plastic surgeon who comes from an affluent background. He is successful in every area of his life and his mother and family feel it's time for him to marry. Ki-Tae was a very special kind of chaebol. Though he's arrogant, stuck-up just like the type character, he's incredibly vulnerable. Yeon Woo-Jin did an amazing job playing this role. He was able to express the tenderness of Ki-Tae even though it wasn't written. The expressions towards Joo Jang-Mi, and even how he looked at the second lead Han Yeo-Reum, was with compassion and tenderness. I adored this male lead so much. He' another character that gives you the drama-realistic expectations in a boyfriend.

Joo Jang Mi is the best friend in my head. This character charged head first in every scenario and I adored her for it. This poor female lead was put through the wringer, but she maintained a great fighting spirit. Vivacious is the word that I would describe this character. Han Groo pulsated with life in this drama. Her performance was perfection. This drama was enhanced because of Han Groo. She was the magic, and spark that created a wonderful watching experience.

Han Yeo Reum was the dreamiest second lead I'd ever seen. This character was charming, sexy, a great conversationalist, in short everything I would want in my soulmate. Jinwoon oozed a kind of je ne sais quoi. The way this character wore his heart on his sleeve was beautiful. Though he had a few childish behaviors... he was sweet.

To be honest, this drama was sweet. There was a kindness to this drama that isn't often seen. Though the actions of these characters are extreme, there is a tenderness that is consistently expressed. GO WATCH THIS DRAMA RIGHT NOW hahahaha

Kill Me, Heal Me

This was one of the first drama's I tried on air. On one hand, waiting every week was a test to my patience, but if I'd binged watched it, I would've had to take a day off of work.

Cha Do Hyun is a man who suffers from multiple personality disorder. Though he is chaebol, he has gone through some horrific childhood experiences. In his adulthood, he enrolls the help of Oh Ri Jin. Ri Jin is a doctor who tries to help manage the symptoms her patient is having, and through the time they spend together, they end up falling in love. They also find they have closer ties to each other than they could've imagined.

The chemistry between Ji Sung and  Hwang Jung-Eum is classic magic. To be honest both actors could have chemistry with a rock. These two made this drama the heartwarming, gut-busting, tear-drenched drama that I would recommend any day of the week. Ji Sung's range was spectacular. He executed each personality with intimacy and care. Though some characters were more flamboyant than others, I grew attached to all of them, and I found myself reluctant of Cha Do Hyun's healing.

Oh Ri Jin was a beautiful lead. I appreciated the way her story unfolded. Though I am now aware of Hwang Jung Eum's typecast acting, this role was one for the books. I really enjoyed her antics in this role, and it was fun to see her try to manage Cha Do Hyun and all the chaos that comes with him.

This drama is amazing because it has great storytelling. I grew attached to each character because they offered so much to the story. It did a great job of portraying the different ways we deal with our childhood traumas. This drama is a couple of years old now, but I would still recommend it.

Happy Drama Watching

Hand: The Guest Review

Whew kids, grab your rosary, wrap yourself in a blanket, and keep on all the lights, because this drama was utterly terrifying. I loved how I couldn't watch this drama at night, and the few times that I did, I would press pause and say a quick prayer. If you get nightmares easily, or you get really scared... you may want to skip this.

Kim Dong Wook plays Yoon Hwa Pyung. Hwa Pyung is a taxi driver out to catch the demonic spirit (Park Il Do) that possessed him as a child. Park Il Do is responsible for a slew of horrific deaths. Most notably the people possessed by this spirit, stab themselves in the eye before committing suicide. Hwa Pyung carries a lot of guilt from his past, he believes that because the spirit initially possessed him, he is responsible for the deaths that incurred after the spirit left him. His tragic childhood pushes him on a relentless chase which causes him to rope in Priest Choi Yoon and police officer Kang Kil-Young.

Kang Kil-Young(played by Jung Eun Chae) is a brash young woman who is apart of the police force. She handles cases aggressively and she's consistently being reprimanded by her superiors. It took me a while to warm up to her, initially her character consistently got on my nerves. However, as time passed we learned more about her tragic past and how it affected her adult life. I still was annoyed by her, but around episode 10 she stopped being annoying, and by episode 16 I adored the character. In some ways she becomes the heart, and the glue in the group and it was nice to see that enacted even though she's not a warm or fuzzy person.

Priest Choi Yoon, aka Matteo is played by the ever gorgeous Kim Jae Wook. I loved this role for Kim Jae Wook. The way he can express repressed pain, fear, and annoyance was brilliant. Priest Matteo is cold, and awkward when it comes to softer emotions. The more horrific killings by Park Il Do affects Choi Yoon during his childhood, and he's forever scared because of it. This A-type personality priest has a hard time following the whims of the impulsive Yoon Hwa Pyung. Yet, their teamwork and support of each other were incredible. The bromance between the two alleviates the horror aspect of this drama.

I liked this drama so much, and I couldn't wait to write a review about it. It's one of the best drama's ever created and for me the best drama of 2018.  I would recommend this to anyone who likes the horror genre. This horror drama is hands down the best thing you'll watch.

Happy Drama Watching!