Update!

 Hello Hello!

It's been so long since I have posted anything on this precious blog. I was a bit surprised that every month there are still people who come across my post even though my last post was in 2019. I haven't stopped watching K-Drama's but in recent years I just haven't watched as many as I used to. However, there are dramas that I want to chat about. The year 2021 has been a pretty nice year for dramas and I want to share my thoughts. If there are any dramas that you'd recommend let me know and I would love to review them. I started this blog because I wanted a place to make friends and build a community around the joy that Korean dramas have brought me. My desire is still the same. I will also introduce Turkish dramas into my review because they gave me a great source of comfort at the beginning of 2020. I hope everyone that reads this is filled with the joy and satisfaction that comes from watching dramas.

Happy Watchings blissed ones. 

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

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.

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! 

Just Between Lovers Review

Just Between Lovers

I waited until the last episode to read the comment section before I decided to watch this drama. I am glad I chose to wait because if I watched it on air, I would have been crazy with anxiety. However, I breezed through each episode in rabid anticipation of what else the plot had in store for me. The basic plot tells the story of individuals whose lives were tragically affected by the collapse of a mall in 2005. Each characters' identity has been indelibly shaped by this calamity. 

Jun-Ho plays the character of Lee Gang Doo. I've seen Jun-Ho play in the movie twenty and I thought he was a good actor then. He completely blew me away in this role. His character is volatile, aggressive, and childlike all in one. Gang-Doo is honorable in ways that are beyond his years. He has chosen to take on the financial burden of his family, which has left him debt-ridden for over a decade. He is quick to fight against injustice and he isn't afraid of conflict or confrontation. This character was amazing because he never had a victim mentality even though horrible things kept happening. Despite all the crap life hands to him he chooses to stand up for the weak, and his loyalty is unmatched. The only annoying character trait Gang-Doo has is that he doesn't know how to properly channel his emotions. We have to suffer a bit of noble idiocy which was grating to my nerves.

Won Jin-A plays Ha Moon-Soo, an architect helping the re-developing project that took her sisters' life. This girl is one HARD worker. She takes care of her alcoholic mother, she plays the go-between her parents who live separately, all the while she works hard on her own career. I liked her because, despite the obvious dysfunction in her family life, she still pursued the things that gave her satisfaction. Though her mother is a piece of work and we see some heartbreaking intimate scenes between mother and daughter, Ha Moon-Soo never wallows in the pain and agony of her past.

The secondary cast adds real flavor to this drama. Even the most hated character is humanized, and we are able to have compassion for characters that in another drama would be solely demonized.

I cried buckets of tears when I watched this. It's a very well done drama. While a lot of dramas in 2017 started with a bang and ended with a fizzle, this drama kept me intrigued from start to finish.  I recommend it to anyone who wants to let off some sad emotions!

Go Back Couple

Go Back Couple

I have to be honest, I am always reluctant to watch throwback k-dramas. If a drama is set in the 90's or so, I don't usually watch it because I miss out on that sense of nostalgia. The music, references, point of view etc make me feel less attached to the drama. However, heavy hitter Jang Na-Ra always keeps me on my toes, so I felt I owed it her to watch it. Boy am I glad I stuck to instincts. 

This drama is AMAZING. We are shown the angst and frustration of a couple who have lost their spark and connection to each other. As they finalize their divorce they are sucked into the past, where their love first started to bloom.and maturity to those who are important to her. 

Jang Na-Ra portrays an innocent housewife who is broken by the isolation in her marriage. As she navigates the young woman she once was, she shows immense compassion, love

I was also really happy to Son Ho Joon play a lead. He's been my lowkey crush ever since I saw him on an episode of "Three Meals a Day". He plays the character of earnest Choi Ban Do. Despite how sincere and hardworking Choi Ban Do is, he seems to fall short of his desired outcomes. Son Ho Joon performance was everything I could hope for, and I hope to see him in other leading roles in the near future. 

The second male lead, Jung Nam-Gil, was enough to give Second Lead Syndrom (SLS). This character seemed cold and aloof, but he was so sweet and tenderhearted. His performance was heartfelt and I hope to see Chang Ki Yong in other roles as well. 

The rest of cast was hilarious. I loved the depth of their individual stories and the illustration of their development and growth. 

I would definitely recommend to anyone who ready for a sweet tearjerker, be prepared to love on your mom!

The Package

The Package

I dove into this drama head first because my love CNBlue's Jung Yong Hwa was the lead. Like all of his projects, I was left completely satisfied.

 I got sucked in by the crazy range of Korean tourist taking their first adventure into France. This eclectic band of people made me laugh, cry and swoon. Not only are the tourist going through their own life metamorphosis, so is their tour guide. Yoon So So played by the beautiful Lee Yeon-Hee.  Yoon So So is sophisticated and charming as she leads her group to various locations. I loved her blunt, slightly scammy shenanigans. 

San Maru, played by Jung Yong Hwa is the heart and soul of this drama. This character is quirky, awkward and completely melts the heart. San Maru's journey to Paris is laced with sadness given that he was supposed to be on vacation with his girlfriend, who chose to work instead. He finds himself trying to balance his increasingly volatile work situation while on his dream vacation. His strange behavior and odd insights had me rolling with laughter and tears. This character is endearing, and I can't imagine another actor who could've executed this role with the amount of tenderness Jung Yong Hwa did. 

The chemistry between the two leads was palpable and we were rewarded with quite a grown, and steamy kiss. 

The rest of the cast was brilliant. The performances given were heartbreaking and gut-busting. Each backstory revealed how different, superficial first impressions are in comparison to the real story beneath initial impressions.

I definitely recommend this drama to anyone who likes a substantive rom-com. It leaves quite an impression. 

Voice

I had reservations about this drama, but I was in for a thrilling, action-packed, rollercoaster ride.

 Jang Hyuk's drama's are always hit or miss with me. When plays characters that are cold and calculating his execution is brilliant. Then there are other roles that make me cringe by the overacting and flamboyancy of the character. I'd seen his picture in the thumbnail and I decided that I would put it on the back burner.

Well I'm happy to tell you that from the first 3 minutes of the drama, I was sucked in! It was amazing, everything flowed together seamlessly. Jang Hyuk's character as Moo Jin Hyuk shows a tough cop who takes a heart-wrenching blow due to the murder of his wife. As he tries to get some closure during the court case, his hopes are destroyed by Kang Kwon Joo played by Lee Ha Na. Kwon Joo took the emergency call Jin Hyuk's wife made, and due to her superhuman hearing, she believes that the killer of his wife, murdered her father as well.              Years later the pair are matched together in the Golden Time

team to help victims who have just recently found themselves in danger.

Romance isn't necessary for this gory, take no prisoners, thriller. Any sensitivity to gory scenes might make this show a bit hard to watch. I've yet to encounter such a wonderfully evil character such as Mo Tae Goo played by Kim Jae Wook. I wish I could accurately describe how the many layers of intrigue in this drama, but I would be giving it away. The only thing that I can do is tell you that each actor delivered gut-punching performances.

The show illustrates the corruptions of people who have too much money, too much power, and a disregard for human life. It will not only stimulate blood pressure, it stimulates the mind. 

Hello Monster/I Remember You Review

Hello Monster

 Hello Monster

Hello Monster is one of the best thrillers in K-Drama! During this show I choked on laughter, bawled my eyes out, and was ready to jump out of my skin! The level of writing and creativity this drama expresses is exceptional. There were twists and turns and much needed comic relief. 

Heavy weight actress Jang Nara portrays the classic spunky detective trying to catch her bad guy. Drop dead talented Seo In-Guk does a stellar job of being a finicky criminal profiler. The way these two interact with each other is amazing.

Photo by Noona Over Forks

Not only do they have chemistry, they show an incredible report with each other. There is so much affection and play between their interactions, it seems as though the actors genuinely had a great time filming. 

While the leads are amazing, I'd be remiss not to mention Park Bo Gum, Choi Won-Young, and Do Kyung So (D.O). These three gave chilling performances. While they were on screen I could sometimes feel the chill running down my spine. I've seen each of them in other genres and I was not prepared for how dark, and scary they could go. Their story lines were beyond amazing. Major kudo's for the writer! These characters are some of the most creative I've seen. 

Photo by dramabeans

Photo by Noona's Over Forks

This Drama left and incredible impression

on me, and I would definitely recommend it!

 

Photo By Dramabeans

   

Queen for Seven Days

Queen For Seven Days

photo by:

dewanontons.com/queen-for-seven-days-season-1/

I stumbled across this beautiful show when I was in yet, another desperate search for a drama to keep me engaged. From the very first episode I was hooked!

The show introduces two young characters navigating their lives in the valiant attempt to validate themselves to their families. 

Lee Yeok  played by the impressive child actor Baek Seung Hwan, wants to emphatically prove that he isn't after his brothers throne, while Shin Chae Kyung played by the talented Park Si-Eun wants to close the distance placed by her parents. 

These children serendipitously smack into each other and they begin a life long love affair.

photo by: 

http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/06/seven-day-queen-episode-3/

Meanwhile King Lee Yoong played by Lee Dong Gun is brutal ruler who tries to prove to his deceased father that he can be a great King. This was one of my favorite characters. He had so many elements to his personality and to his decisions. Though he was bat crazy and beyond cruel... I couldn't help but love him.

Photo by:

http://www.hellokpop.com/tv-movies/queen-for-seven-days-debuts/

Yeon Woo Jin plays the adult character of Lee Yeok, and Park Min Young plays the adult character of Shin Chae Kyung. I couldn't have asked for better chemistry. These two expressed an array of emotions and thoughts in ways that I'm not sure other actors could've done.

 All of the characters engaged with each other in heartbreaking, and funny ways. There wasn't a single episode that didn't make me cry and then laugh hysterically. As a viewer I witnessed misunderstandings, characters being manipulated,  and characters disastrous attempts of resolving issues. Yet, the dialogue expressed empathy, yearning, angst a magical way. 

I adore this drama so much. My heart got shredded to pieces every episode, but it was well worth it.
The best thing about this show was the depth each character portrayed. I couldn't hate the King because I got to understand how his brain ticked. At his cruelest moments he was trying to protect the ones he loved. Even though Lee Yeok is a great male lead, we still got to witness his character flaws, which humanized his journey from prince to King. Chae Kyung was a character we got to see grow and mature, and it was all heartbreaking!

photo by:
http://www.dramapanda.com/2017/06/queen-for-seven-days-2017.html

Photo by:

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/seven-day-queen-episodes-19-20-finale-preview-shin-chae-kyung-face-jail-time-736326

This is one of the great Saeguks along with Empress Ki. I am thankful that I found it fairly late so I could binge watch it, I can't imagine the agony of waiting week to week, but definitely would bring a box of tissues, because this drama drags you through the feels.

Tomorrow With You

If you're ready for the craziest emotional rollercoaster of your life, watch Tomorrow With You. Heart throb Lee Je Hoon teams up with starlet Shin Min-A to deliver a mind-bending drama.

Shin Min-A plays Song Ma-Rin better known as Bap Soon. Ma-Rin tries to distance herself from the role she played when she was 10 years old, by  pursuing her dream of becoming a photographer.Though she is largely unsuccessful, due to her life seen as a cautionary tale of a child-actor,she tries to make the best out of her circumstance. 

Lee Je Hoon plays Yoo So Joon, CEO of a development company who happens to have the ability of time travel. Though his past is tragic, he navigates his life with a light charm.

When Yoo So Joon saves Song Ma-Rins life, he finds their lives are inexplicably entwined. Witnessing a tragic end to both of their lives, So Joon tries hard to manipulate the present so that the future is different.

I have to say, the episodes I watched I enjoyed. However, I got caught up in the comment section and would skip episodes to save myself some emotional angst. I also started watching this show while it was on air, and decided to wait until I knew there was a happy ending. Things were just a bit too tragic for my mental state, and I was concerned there would be a heart-rending close to the drama. I waited until the last episode was subbed, read the comments and picked up where I left off. The ending was so amazing, and even though I cried buckets of tears, it was definitely worth it.

I would recommend this drama for those who need a good cry, it's well written, and it the acting is superb.