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Reviews
Geunyeoro Malhal Geot Gateumyun (2018)
Gripping from start to finish
There are some series that grip from beginning to end and keep you wanting to watch the next episode. No wasted scenes, no frustrating draggy parts. Well written all round characters both good and bad. Twists that are not ridiculous but are plausible. And a satisfying conclusive ending with the villains getting their just desserts from the right sources not too much punishment and not too little. This series ticks all these boxes. A woman has plastic surgery to escape her unhappy life but she gets amnesia.
The cast is well chosen. Nam Sang Mi has played the wife in an unhappy marriage before and she does it well again. Kim Jae Won as the plastic surgeon who helps her is not handsome but he is earnest looking and believable. The handsome rich anchor husband with a dual nature is well played by Jo Hyun Jae because he looks so classy and decent. Chairwoman perfectly cast Lee Mi Sook. But the prize goes to expert antagonist actress Han Da Gam who plays Manager Jung, one memorable villain.
Domestic violence isn't often covered in K drama and this is quite a step in the right direction to cover the issue in a patriarchal society. 40 half hour episodes fly by because the show is well written and the plot is cleverly and thoughtfully constructed. Watch every scene because everything has a reason.
Hairaki (2024)
Luckily it wasn't too long
Good thing this series as only 7 episodes. A scholarship kid infiltrates an elite school to avenge his brother's death. There isn't a lot of story and they were resorting to repeats to fill in the gaps. There was a sombre sanctimonious tone that weighed down the show. Some humor would have helped along the way to balance the bullying. Takes itself too seriously. Also the characters are too one dimensional. Rich kids are bad, poor kids are good. Adults are all morally bankrupt and wrong. As a result there is no emotional connection with any of the characters which is unusual for K dramas. Most makjang soaps and family dramas have more of an immediate connection with the characters that keeps you glued to the screen. Even Gossip Girl initially had humor and endearing characters that made it engaging. Maybe because of the shallowness of Hierarchy the show is a relaxing undemanding watch and so it proved to be a big hit globally.
The production is quite glossy with slick photography and lots of fancy cars. The school building looked anything but.
Leading actress Roh Jeong-Eui is very pretty here. She has lost a shocking amount of weight from her previous roles in 18 Again and Kill It. Almost unrecognizable. She plays this unhappy looking person for most of the show with occasional flashbacks of laughter. Kim Jae Won as her love interest played the young version of a character in Our Blues. He tries hard to do the rich kid but somehow he isn't that believable. He might have been better as the scholarship kid. If you compare to Lee Min Ho in Inheritors you will see there is a quality missing. In fact the cast does suffer in comparison to Inheritors where the charisma of the stars just spoke for themselves. The supporting cast Ji Hye Won and Lee Won Jung are not quite attractive enough for this kind of glossy show. The older generation are well cast. Yoon Se Ah is a welcome presence as the mother of the rich guy. The scholarship student played by Lee Chae Min looks a bit like an actor Cha Hak Yeon who played an evil guy in another series so it's hard to be on his side. Somehow didn't sympathize with his character. Mostly the writer's fault.
The conclusion was fairly complete by K drama standards. Too many tears. The fact is the two rich leads weren't really that bad so all their apologizing felt a bit off. After all they didn't actually case the death. It wasn't a rich person at all who killed him. At the end there is an epilogue that paves the way for season 2 but frankly I don't think I would be interested in another season of this miserable lot. This show is no Inheritors for sure and that's not saying much.
Yonguijudo Miss Shin (2007)
Han Ye Seul sparkles in a comedy about a woman's choices
The title isn't that accurate. She isn't really out to seek a fortune from a man. It's more about choices between different types of men she is dating. The concept is quite good because there is a message in this movie about a woman's choices. The first is a wealthy man who is good to her and she acts all angelic in front of him. Her two faced nature is quite funny. Then there is a student struggling to pass the bar exam whom she cares for. Then there is an irresponsible rapper she finds sexy but has little prospects. Along comes a neighbor she turns out to be doing a business deal with in her work who sees through her. Things come to a head in a neat way. Han Ye Seul is fine in this type of role which is just right for her and not many actresses can pull off this kind of comedy. The casting of the men isn't great though. Lee Jong Hyuk is not romantic lead material as the neighbor. The others are okay because their roles are totally comic so being comically ugly is funny and part of the role.
This comedy isn't that light weight just the casting of the men isn't great.
Ti-kkeul-mo-a ro-maen-seu (2011)
An early SJK comic satire and quite funny
For Song Joong Ki fans this early movie of his should be quite a treat. He looks very young and gives an all round comic performance and acts naturally and confidently. In fact don't know why he doesn't do more comedy these days. Hid recent dramas like Reborn Rich and Vincenzo feature him with the same facial expressions and actually don't let him show off as much range. Han Ye Seul is a polished and versatile actress more natural and convincing than some actresses these days. They form an endearing pair and you want to see them through their struggles to make money in expensive Seoul. It was good when actors and actresses were willing to sacrifice looks for the story. Don't get that much these days. There is social commentary and some laugh out loud humor with the financial schemes. Lots of A list supporting cast like Ran Mi Ran and Lee Sang Yeob make an appearance.
Choi-gang lo-maen-seu (2007)
Funny and enjoyable cop comedy
Hyun Young is a comedienne with a distinct voice and this movie is built around her amusing persona. She plays a bumbling journalist who gets involved with a cop played by Lee Dong Wook. He acts well, he has always had comic timing and they make this show funny and enjoyable. They proceed to take down some drug dealers amidst the shady night life scene. The action sequences look quite convincing. Some of the cops and criminals look similar so you need to concentrate when they go undercover. Look out for some familiar supporting character actors and actresses.
This is a 2007 movie so some things feel and look a bit dated and the scenery looks old fashioned but it is quite entertaining still.
Eui-roi-in (2011)
Fast moving thriller good stars
The basic framework of this legal
crime thriller is familiar but the execution and stars are good. Lawyer gets client who looks guilty. Against all odds he gets him off but turns out after that he is guilty. Seen something like that before? There are some clever twists that are believable regarding the deaf witness and mother. Things aren't what they seem. Don't assume something straight away. No fingerprints is interesting. And a grand clever courtroom climax. Look at the door. Wish the ending had shown a bit more explanation like why he kept a tooth.
Good pair of lead actors as client and his lawyer. Hyuk is a good versatile actor and subtle enough to keep one guessing. Ha Jung Woo is enthusiastic and believable.
Worth a watch.
Hi-eo-ro-neun A-nib-ni-da-man (2024)
Different and original series, parts are brilliant
There is an original and different vibe in this series that sets this show apart from other K dramas. The music is sophisticated and unique. There is a bit of subtle humor running through the story and the relationships are touching. The supporting characters are memorable and enjoyable. Love Claudia Kim's struggles with weight and how her story was resolved. The young girl's story and mind reading is watchable too. Standout young actor and actress. The relationship of the old couple is like some married couples I know.
The series however was weakest with the main couple. His time travel got out of hand and impossible to resolve. So in the end the writer gave us a happy ending in that the kid brought him back but couldn't explain why he couldn't come back himself and where he was for so long. Writers in some shows including this one get themselves into a corner with their obstacles and cannot write a proper conclusion so that was ultimately unsatisfying.
Chun Woo Hee is pretty from some angles and her hard edge helps her character with the scam artist part at first but hurts the romance part. Didn't feel the love. Jang Ki Yong gives a passionate performance in a quirky difficult role but his hair and clothes are unnecessarily awful even for a depressed character.
This show is worth watching because it's different and original if only the end was written in a better more complete manner.
Dorihwaga (2015)
Interesting historical tale
Suzy Bae is watchable as always and tries hard. There have been criticisms about her voice. I don't know what a female pansori voice should sound like but her voice is her voice. Sweet not wailing and strident. Still who would watch a movie about pansori without an appealing star in it? The punishment seemed extreme. Why didn't she just give up? The story is quite interesting and is based on real people. Her love for the teacher seemed a bit icky given the age difference.
Frankly the pansori music does not sound that great and has to be enhanced with orchestral soundtrack. Still the story is interesting to see the historical events.
Inmineul wihae bongmuhara (2022)
Fascinating satire but too explicit
This is an explicit Korean movie adaptation of a Chinese novel, even more explicit than Obsessed. The setting is more or less N Korea. A soldier serving as a cook in a commander's house. When the commander is called
away his wife starts a torrid affair with the cook first by threats then they fall in love. There is some interesting background and psychology at play and romance even with nice music. Liked the hint of black comedy satire that runs through the movie. The raunchy scenes went on too long. Tiresome after a while.
Yeon Woo Jin is quite good as the country bumpkin soldier. Quite a grown up role for him. He is usually so PG. The actress Ji An is good but her character is a bit too bitter.
The ending was satisfying in that he is okay not killed or anything. Stay for the epilogue. But where did she go?
Saranghago issseupnikka? (2020)
Half baked
First part is ok but latter part is weak. It's not a total mess.
The first part is ok with the magical book and all those confessing to her. Funny explanation of the confessions. Very dated making Sung Hoon rude to her. The obstacle about being ashamed her mother and him having to leave for that is weak cliched and unconvincing. Just put her in a facility for a while. Then she just is okay about it and all is well.
The two leads are ok together. Sung Hoon looks slimmer than usual and young enough to play the role. Too bad he doesn't have better movie roles. He is actually a good actor. Kim So Eun is quite good and pretty enough.
Sunjae Eobgo Tweeeo (2024)
Way too much time travel
The story starts off quite involving. The first half is quite good. You want to see her save him from suicide and her from paralysis. The appealing cast helps. She is perky without being annoying. He inhabits this star making vehicle perfectly. He is a bit too tall for her. Some of the OST music is nice too.
Unfortunately there are too many travels back and forth so everything you watched before feels like a waste of time. It becomes confusing and hard to follow and ridiculous. Cannot keep track of what he or she knows or remembers after a while. The criminal guy going after her feels totally out of place. So many scenes and several trips back in time could have been eliminated.
If this series had been 8 or the most 12 episodes it would have been better. The repetitive storyline would have been avoided. And the childish unfunny jokes. The show was so successful but it just seems hype about the leading man.
Rimembeo (2022)
Satisfying vigilante movie
What a satisfying vigilante thriller. Involving immediately because of the age and illness of the hero.
The anti Nazi premise of the original movie has been perfectly adapted here to suit the Japanese collaborators and war criminals and their diverse crimes in Korea. From forced labor to comfort women. Completely on the side of the hero as he takes out each bad guy. Perfect ending too. I think it was even better than the original version.
Nam Joo Hyuk looks innocent and vulnerable so he is right for the role. Lee Sung Min acts old quite well. He is only in his 50s. The direction is clear and tight.
Highly recommended. All should watch this movie. It is now on viki.
Seoul-ui bom (2023)
Good when you can follow the story
You need to concentrate during this fact based historical movie about Chun's military coup in 1979. It is helpful I understanding the history of the time to see these events and people brought to life on screen with familiar actors.
The story is hard to follow at times. Too many different soldiers in each scene so it is hard to keep track of who is who and on which side. The movie as the title suggests focuses on the day of the coup. They did not show the assassination the preceded the events or explain the consequences of the military dictatorship. So it was hard to realize what was at stake and why the coup was so significant. But that would be too long for a movie.
When you can understand what is going on it is quite exciting. There are tense standoffs. Jung Woo Sung as the general who stood up to the coup is classy and refined as usual. And anyone can feel his righteous indignation. Hwan Jung Min is convincing and intense as expected as the military dictator who would become president. Moving cameo by Jung Hae In.
The good thing is this movie prompts interest in what happened to the characters and how dictators ruled the country for so long under the guise of democracy like some other so called democracies in Asia and around the world.
My Heart Is Beating (2023)
Funny and involving for the first 2/3rds
The first 2/3rds is funny and involving. I didn't think they could so vampire stuff in a funny way anymore but they managed to. But the writer got into a corner for which there was no resolution. So the ending was disappointing because they couldn't think of a clever way out. Didn't gel with the comic tone of the story.
Ok Taecyeon is a good comedian. Some
K actors can't pull off comedy but he can. The lead. Actress is feisty and funny but the romance part is not convincing because she just isn't quite beautiful enough for a romantic lead. Funny secondary leads fussing over a vampire.
If only they could have found a way to end things well. Still I don't regret watching it.
Do-ga-ni (2011)
Devastating and mesmerizing story - one of the finest abuse movies
This devastating and well made movie about abuse in a school for the deaf is tightly directed. Not boring for a minute. Unlike Western and Hollywood movies that have dealt with abuse or rape, there is no glossing over of the crimes. The acts are more explicitly shown than Hollywood movies even the recent one about Harvey Weinstein. The children act so well. But poor things having to act in those shocking scenes.
Gong Yoo does a fine job as the understated sympathetic hero. The actors who play the villains must be commended for willing to associate their faces with such monstrous roles.
One eye opening aspect is how the perpetrators were masked with respectability being prominent in their community and church. Hiding behind religious organizations is still happening recently in Korea with the cults.
After watching this you would want to read up about the true story that the movie is based on. Of course some characters and time lines are condensed but the gist of the story is painfully true.
Wonderful World (2024)
Spellbinding powerful and intelligently written story well acted and produced
This is a powerful emotionally involving tragedy drama about a little boy being killed in an accident. Revenge and justice follow in this spell binding tale. The writing and dialog are realistic so it never feels makjang. The story is plausible and believable and that makes it moving. The main characters are both wrong and right good and not so good. Lots of tears and angst do be prepared. Forgiveness revenge betray are explored in an intelligent manner. The ending is complete and satisfying enough for this kind of tragedy drama. The musical score is suitable quite operatic and grand at times. The direction is clear and classy and the cinematography is top quality. The acting and cast are very good. Kim Nam Joo plays the grieving mother without overacting so she is effective. Kim Kang Woo is good at playing the slightly flawed husband who hides something. Cha Eun Woo shakes off his glamorous rom com idol persona quite well to play the troubled and complex victim and avenger although the blue collar parts are a little like a fake photoshoot.
I wasn't bored with the 14 episodes because it was that good. Best non comical non romance serious drama in a long time.
Nunmuleui yeowang (2024)
Gorgeous couple but weak story
To start with the strong points of this drama the cast is as stellar as it gets. Also there is the visually perfect lead couple of Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun. The camera focuses on their faces and perfect hair and skin a lot. Sometimes it's like an extended photo shoot for them. Kim Ji Won looks stunningly beautiful. Her face has always been very pretty but here she is shown at her most glamorous. Her hair and skin and makeup and wardrobe are perfect.
The story was weak. It was an impossible task for the writer to live up to Crash Landing with the scope and grandeur of CLOY. I didn't expect it to be as good given the subject matter but even then this story was disappointingly thin and weak and not well structured. Terminal illness and memory loss are so overdone in the K drama universe. There wasn't enough story and there were repetitive scenes and predictable plot lines. The villains mother and son were not that well written and were one dimensional. Although it is great veteran actress Lee Mi Sook got a big role as the evil mistress. There are greedy mistresses out there and she did a great job. Park Sung Hoon the villain from the Glory is good at acting evil but his love for her seemed so unconvincing. The colonel's wife and rat from CLOY are a watchable and amusing secondary romance. There are some funny parts when he hides his divorce intentions in the beginning and later contrasting the conglomerate family and the village family. Kwak Dong Yeon brings some comic relief. This great cast couldn't save the weak material. The ending felt like a whimper and the shootout was so cliched. In the shoulder like CLOY?
As for the locations, it is great they filmed overseas again. But Berlin and Sans Souci aren't the most magical places they could have chosen. Rather grim compared to this writer's previous overseas locales. I get she wanted to get treatment in Germany but couldn't they have picked a prettier place?
It's sad this series wasn't better after such a long wait. I was actually bored quite often. I have seen way better makjang and family dramas. Maybe the episodes were too long.
Barbie (2023)
Not a single genuine laugh
Let's start with the good points. The production is pretty. Margot is picture perfect. Like a real life Barbie. But that is all that is good about this undeserving hit. This must rank as one of the worst comedies of all time.
There isn't a single good laugh in this movie. Unbelievably juvenile humor. The story does not seem to know where it is going. The music video like sequences are out of place. The feminist message is so heavy handed. Bad bad bad. Ryan Gosling looks painfully grotesque here. So sad. He never had a himbo look. So he is wrong for the role.
It's sad this is the top grossing comedy of all time. So bad it can't even be good.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Good points and bad points
I don't regret watching this blockbuster that delivers grand sequences. It's just somewhat ponderous at times. The entity - whatever. Too convoluted.
The good points. The train sequence towards the end is quite spectacular. The Rome car chase incorporates some familiar landmarks. How did they do it? Haley Atwell has some personality. Like to see her in the future.
Tom has aged naturally. No botox even!
Bad points: Takes itself too seriously. Entity is incomprehensible. 2 movies are unnecessary, just one would have been enough. Lengthy.
The way Rebecca was killed off seemed unnecessary. Why fight him? Why not have a better weapon?
Past Lives (2023)
Surprisingly held my interest
A Korean boy and a girl are friends but after she emigrates to Canada when they are 12 they lose touch till college when he finds her online. But they lose touch again and she marries a Jewish American writer. Later the Korean guy visits her in NYC. They have some touching meetings and their feelings are interesting for the viewer to see. Love? One sided or not? There isn't a lot of story but what is shown is surprisingly involving.
They cast as the Korean an actor who is taller and handsomer than the American husband so the viewer is wondering if she will leave her husband for him.
It's tense but not in bad way. The people are all nice and human. No over the top melodramatic behavior. Just a bit sad but quite realistic.
What was the point of the story? Was the point that emigres end up with a so so life and a hot asian girl ends up with an average white man thing? I guess it's up to the viewer to see what they want to.
Taget (2023)
A lot of thriller for your buck
You get a lot of bang for your buck in this thriller. Maybe too much. The ending would have been better if it had been simpler. Too murderous a villain and too resilient. The body count got a bit high for the amount of gain for the criminal.
SHS is quite good feisty then scared but still strong. She is a convincing lead actress now.
The story starts off quite relevant with lots of
E commerce insights. Also modern day stalking is so easily done online. How dangerous it can be so this a good warning for users of online shopping. Now I know to never buy a second hand washing machine. Things like appliances have to be tested.
1947 Boston (2023)
The most moving running movie of all
Thoroughly involving from start to finish this is the best movie about running I have ever seen.
This movie was more moving than Chariots of Fire. The race was more exciting. There were more obstacles to overcome than religion. Physical size, lack of training equipment, racism, politics bureaucracy and red tape. So many barriers. The win wasn't just for an individual but for a country that had been forcibly occupied by Japan for decades.
Im Si Wan is a totally convincing actor and he physically suits the role with his small size.
Ha Jung Woo is as always good in his role of 1936 Olympic gold medalist whose win was counted as for Japan instead of Korea because of the occupation at that time. Never managed to change the country.
Hope this movie gets to Netflix or Viki so more people can see it.
Bi-gong-sik-jak-jeon (2023)
Exciting and believable
What makes this thriller stand out is that it is a true story so you don't need to question the plot for being ridiculous. This story is engrossing in the way a true story is. A diplomat is kidnapped in Beirut and foreign service guy goes there to rescue him. He ha the help of a slightly shady Korean there.
It is more of a thriller than the Hyun Bin movie The Point Men about hostage negotiations. That one wasn't a thrill a minute.
The car chase is something else!
Ha Jung Woo of Narco Saints is always good in these Korean in trouble abroad movies. Ju
ji Hoon is good too and who knew he could play funny. The terrible situation in Beirut during that time is vividly brought to life. Great cinematography and directing so that there is hardly a dull moment.
Eobiseu (2019)
Sloppy writing and too long but cute stars
This series should have been 12 episodes or less. It felt so draggy towards the last third. Too bad because things start of quite exciting with body changes and a reincarnating ball. The ugly to handsome and beautiful to plain thing is quite funny.
The serial killer is a bit too successful at evading ane escaping. A few escapes less would have been better. Then the twist of the prosecutor felt tacked on and draggy. Should have ended after the main serial killer was caught. Too many kidnappings of the women who are always unprotected just right for kidnapping.
Kim Sa Rang is good too bad just 2 episodes of her.
The stars of this show have both done better things. AHS and Park Bo Young are quite fun together. Her cute talking character is cute for a while but that cannot sustain the length of this show. Fans of Han So Hee would probably like to check out her supporting role here before she became a lead actress. Her character here is irritating at times but she was tortured. This series just needed serious editing and shortening.
Dakteoseulleompeu (2024)
2 shining stars light up the screen
It's been a while since we had A list stars in a rom com. So it's wonderful to have the 2 pretty Parks back from thriller genre to this type of series. And these 2 are in their element here. Sparkling chemistry that is always pleasant never painful. Romantic comedy with lots of comedy.
The story starts off involving with both their respective career crises. She with a nasty boss and he with a malpractice suit. Immediately they get our sympathies. Funny flashbacks of them as students. And luckily they are still young enough to play themselves as teens. Their also is her funny family that is always in their business headed by Jang Hye Jin of CLOY and Parasite. The humour is spontaneous and laugh out loud funny. And it is touching the way they help each other.
One faults is they seem to encourage drinking alcohol to feel better. Quite wrong for people on meds for psychiatric problems. Hope it wasn't product placement by the alcohol industry.
The issues with his friends are quite realistic.
Recently K rom coms have lacked either a really funny story or uniformly top notch casting. This is a welcome return back to the funny and well cast shows of the past. Good thing no silly love triangles and other done to death cliches. Its mostly enjoyable. The last few episodes ran out of steam. Should have ended earlier.