K-Drama Reviews

Review – Beautiful Gong Shim / Dear Fair Lady Kong Shim

/ Lady Divine / 4 Comments

Review – Beautiful Gong Shim / Dear Fair Lady Kong Shim

So, apparently it’s just been a really good year for dramas.  Especially romantic comedies.  I have fallen in love over and over and over this year.  And here we go again, with Beautiful Gong Shim… which is not only romantic, but hysterical!  I don’t even know where to begin to explain how awesome the main two characters are.  Gong Shim and Ahn Dan-Tae are such a bizarre, adorably weird, memorable couple.

Gong Shim wears a plain cut wig because her hair’s been falling out in chunks due to stress.  She has a beautiful, successful older sister, her mother is a former Miss Korea, and she is the black sheep of the family – the less attractive, invisible, oddball artist who can’t get a job.  She’s also hysterical, over dramatic, feisty and fearless.   On a personal note, I absolutely loved her style… everything she wore was so perfect on her.

Ahn Dan-Tae is the bum who lives in the upstairs roof room, wandering the streets in flip flops and capri pants, eating all his meals from the convenient store.  Though he’s a lawyer, he rarely charges his clients so he works as a driver at night to pay his rent.  He’s incredibly goofy, carefree, good natured, and honestly… totally adorable.  This is the same actor, Namgung Min, that just scared the pants off me in Remember with his mesmerizing performance as a psychopath, so it was awesome to see him turn his acting skills to this offbeat lovable performance.

The plot is about Gong Shim finding her footing in the world and falling in love, but it’s also got a great birth secret mystery with rich family shenanigans going on in the background.  There are so many great characters and never a dull moment… but I’m too charmed by the lead couple right now to properly review the actual storyline.  You can trust me, the story is great.  Everything about this drama is great.  It’s a winner.

The romance is… atypical, to say the least.  These two run around like crazed teenagers half the time and it’s really fun to watch.  There’s a lot of physicality in their performances – and you could tell they had a blast making this show.  They also both have extremely expressive faces and it’s a nonstop play of growls and frowns and pouts and smirks and smiles with them.  Gah, they were so ridiculously wild and cute!

Overall Rating – 10/10.  Maturity is Highly Over Rated.

A new all-time favorite.

Review – Flower, I Am! / Me Too, Flower!

/ Lady Divine / 4 Comments

Review – Me Too, Flower!

In which a show with a ridiculous name turns out to be ridiculously good.  A female cop struggles with depression and anger issues.  A high school drop out leads a double life as a penniless parking attendant and a wealthy handbag designer.  Throw in a magnificently glamorous CEO, a wacky therapist, a young rookie cop whose cuter than a puppy, and a free-spirited step-sister and you’ve got this unusual show.

Lee Ji-Ah and Yoon Shi-Yoon both shine in this show.  Lee Ji-Ah’s portrayal of a miserable, cynical, pissed off police woman on the verge of a breakdown was awesome.  I loved her immediately and her grouchy, funny, blatant demeanor.   Yoon Shi-Yoon did what he does best – a playful, cheerful, energetic enigma – except I thought his character was better in this show than in others.  He’s such a weird little dude, but there is something oddly infectious about him.  And his chemistry with Lee Ji-Ah was surprisingly on point.

This show made it to my Best Kisses of All Time list. So… you know… strap in!

I enjoyed every episode of this little gem.  I laughed, I felt genuinely moved by the characters, situations turned in unexpected but natural ways.  It took the usual “secret rich boy” motif and turned it on its head, handing us a shocking new version of this old chiche.  And… lest we forget… it also gave us the achingly, unnaturally gorgeous Han Go-Eun prancing around in amazing outfits.

In a lot of ways, it reminded me of Heart 2 Heart, in that it was just an unexpectedly down to earth story about mental health, families, and relationships.  Loved that one, too.

Overall Rating – 9/10 – Curing Depression With A 2 Billion Won Kiss.

Review – Secret

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Review – Secret

This is one of those old school melodramas that just punches you in the face repeatedly and you ask for more while weeping.  Talk about some sad, twisted fates.  I adored it.  Soap opera galore!  Stories about guilt are always fascinating – especially when you find an actor who can really pull it off.  But guilt mixed with remorse mixed with sheer desperate drive to push forward despite it all?  That’s the second male lead.  His performance wore me out.  He’s truly unlikable in every way, so of course I found him mesmerizing as a character study.  I do love my wretches.  Damn, he was damned.

Plot in a nutshell:  After an unfortunate accident, a young woman takes the blame for a hit and run accident, even though it was her boyfriend who was responsible.  Her boyfriend quickly, ruthlessly, abandons her to pursue his own career and ambitions while she rots away in prison with their child (oh yeah, you can have babies and keep them in Korean prisons, apparently!)  At the same time, the lover of the woman who was killed in the hit and run goes on his own quest for vengeance against them both, further complicating their already complicated lives.

This drama is drowning yourself in a bucket of sorrow waiting for that one redeeming moment… and it does come, but geesh… you’ll be swallowing that gallon of tears and human suffering for a long, long time.  You have to be in the mood for this kind of drama.  It’s awesome… but it’s also uber melodrama.  If you are in the mood for a classic melodrama – look no further.  Melodramas can provide some of the most intense emotions you can ever imagine, but they can also drain you dry like a vampire.  You have to be prepared going in.

I liked the main couple, and their romance was awesome and different… but I wouldn’t exactly call it a comfortable ride.  Think of the worst things that could come between you and your lover – that is what these people have between them.  It’s harsh.  And it’s wonderful.  IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD.  If you are… it’s like crack cocaine.  If you’re not in the mood for melodrama, don’t even bother.

Overall Rating – 8/10.  Being Responsible For Your Own Messed Up Life Is Ample Melodrama, Don’t Add Someone Else’s.

Review – Queen In Hyun’s Man

/ Lady Divine / 3 Comments

Review – Queen In Hyun’s Man

Though the first two episodes of this drama are notoriously slow, this is one of the most interesting (and romantic) time traveling between Joseon Era & Modern Times shows out there.  Why?  Because the two main leads are so interesting (and romantic).  They feel fresh… even though it’s not a new show (it came out in 2012).  Ji Hyun-Woo plays the thoughtful scholar who snickers at jokes, explores the new world with a reserved wonder, quietly observes situations before taking action, and is totally hard for his modern companion and doesn’t hide it.

Ji Hyun-Woo and Yoo In-Na are crackling with chemistry.

Yoo In-Na plays our leading lady, an adorable ditzy actress who’s won over by her time traveler almost instantly… oh the way he talks, she mutters.  Their banter is so refreshingly real.  It feels like an actual couple, not some k-drama construct.  She’s lying through her teeth, flirting, trying to show off, and he’s teasing her, testing her.  They make this show.  There’s really no other reason to watch it.  The plot is decent, but it’s watching this 300 year time gap couple cuddle in the library that makes this show stand out.  It literally made me feel like a giddy school girl every time these two were together, starting about episode three and kicking into full gear by episode four.

You will be helplessly charmed.  It’s not cheesy or gimicky or cutesy.  These are two grown people falling in love, just… head over heels in love.  And it’s magnetic.  Check it out if you’re in the mood for lots of PDA and heart melting romance.

Overall Rating – 9/10.  Dear God, Let Me Be Reincarnated As Yoo In-A In My Next Life.

Review – Legend of the Blue Sea

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Review – Legend of the Blue Sea

A profoundly unspecial fantasy romance.  Oh, how I wanted to love this show!  But every little thing about it was so enormously contrived and flat.  The “romance” was just a nonstop series of cliches and ridiculousness.  Just like in the show Tomorrow With You, the writers and director seemed to think that putting two attractive people opposite each other is all it takes for everyone around the world to collectively sigh.  Well, this gal groaned.  Loudly.  And because I wanted to like it, it just made it worse.  It was like forcing yourself to enjoy a treat way past its expiration date… it was just dry and a bitter reminder of all the other dramas that have done this better in the past.  You know, the fresh ones.

Plotline, basic version:  A mermaid comes to land following her one true love… but if she doesn’t win his affection in return, she will die.

Overall Rating – 5/10.  A Can Of Anchovies When You Ordered Fresh Salmon.

More Grumbling and Ranting and Spoilers follow….

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Review – Remember

/ Lady Divine / 2 Comments

Review – Remember

Wow.

Seriously.

One of the best shows I have ever watched, ever.  Anywhere.  And it seemed kinda “eh” starting out, but a few episodes in and I was hooked and then… I just ate it up.  The characters!  The plot!  Honestly, the last episode was so emotionally draining (good and bad) that I think it may be a while until I can write up a decent review.  So for now… I just wanted to put this placeholder in, saying:  WATCH IT.

This is a finely crafted work of art.

Plot Basics:  A young man’s father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, is accused of murder and sentenced to death row.  The young man, who has incredible photographic memory, dedicates his life to clearing his father’s name.  Add to the mix one of the most memorable villains of all time, and you have this amazing show… that just keeps getting better as it goes.

Overall Rating – 10/10.  The Truth Does Not Speak For Itself.

More about the characters and mild spoilers follow

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Review – Jealousy Incarnate

/ Lady Divine / 4 Comments

Review – Jealousy Incarnate

This show really shouldn’t have been as entertaining as it was.  The plot was kinda lame, the territory worn… but due to the amazing cast, it somehow managed to still be an enjoyable show for 20 something long episodes.  I think the reason this show appeals to people is because the premise is appealing.  Who hasn’t had a crush on someone who just didn’t feel the same way?  And how awesome would it be if they suddenly changed their mind – at the exact time someone as equally awesome came along and also liked you?  And… let’s shoot for the stars… how incredible would it be to date them both, with their permission, and even set up house together while they generously allow you to figure out your feelings?  Geesh.  It’s so ridiculous! It’s the realm of fantasy generally reserved for fan fiction, which is exactly why it was entertaining for twenty episodes.

The love triangle is really the only reason to watch it.  There are better shows about broadcasting (Pinocchio) and there are better shows about cancer (Padam Padam), though I will admit the male breast cancer angle was interesting.  The side story about the warring moms was funny and I enjoyed their love triangle as well.  The side story about the teenagers, eh.  I have a serious crush on Choi Hwa-Jung, who played the rich guy’s mom, Madam Kim, so I loved watching her prance around,trying to reign in her empire and heir… oh my God, she was rockin’ in this show.  Her stylist deserves a special award for fitting those curves to perfection.  Damn.

Overall Rating – 7/10.  Two Boyfriends Are Better Than One.

More musings…

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Review – Angel Eyes

/ Lady Divine / 3 Comments

Review – Angel Eyes

A perfect, classic romantic melodrama!  I say classic in that it got everything right – the pacing, the tropes, the love triangles, the side characters, the mysteries, the music (was stellar, great soundtrack), and the sigh inducing love story.  Just…  Achingly romantic story of first love… overcoming an obscene amount of obstacles – just thrown at them one by one.  Oh, the drama!  Oh, the tears!  Oh, the ridiculous joyously fun circles of coincidence and fate and connections.  God, I love melodramas.  It’s my favorite genre, so when I find a great melodrama it’s like a gift addressed to me.  Romantic melodramas are my favorite of course, because then you have the painful separations, the smoldering, the aching between two people as they are yanked apart over and over.  Sigh.  I ate that mess up.  Plus this drama balanced out all the sadness with lots of light hearted moments, comedy, exciting work stories, side stories, and more.  It was so well rounded!  I adored it!

This drama had two attractive leads:  Lee Sang Yoon was mesmerizing as the die hard for love… it was impossible not to fall head over heels in love with this guy… and Gu Hye Sun was adorable, plucky, and proved she could also bring it to the melodrama table with some outstanding emotional performances.  I also loved the teen versions of these two, whose story took place in the first two episodes.  Kang Ha-Neul and Nam Ji-Hyun were sooo cute together.

Overall Rating – 10/10.  Organ Donors Are Confidential For A Reason.

More About Angel Eyes and Why It Is Amazing (with spoilers spoilers)

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Review – Circle: Two Worlds

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Review – Circle: Two Worlds

A well done, high concept sci fi show about memories, responsibility, and identity.   The story revolves around two twins who discover a mysterious woman in the woods when they are children.  Is she an alien?  The woman disappears from their life, only to reappear again when they are in their early twenties.  At the same time a string of questionable suicides start occurring at the Health and Science College.  Who is she?  And how is she connected to these events and the lives of the twins?  Rotating between 2017, our time, and 2037, when the country has been split into “Normal Earth,” a wasteland of pollution and dust, and “Smart Earth,” a clean environment where all the citizens are on modified mood controllers and live peacefully.

There are plenty of spectacular twists in this drama and the plot was so unconventional, I had no idea where it was taking me from episode to episode.  The acting was incredible, especially from Yeo Jin-Goo… wow, that boy has an expressive face, does he not?  Murder, mystery, secret experiments, missing persons and aliens!   Who could ask for more? (Uh, I could!  sequel, please?)

As with all mystery shows – I won’t do a lengthy review since mystery shows are best enjoyed with the full mystery unraveling as you watch.  So… do yourself a favor and check it out.

Overall Rating – 9/10.  Blue Worms Are Not Your Friends.

Review – Let’s Eat

/ Lady Divine / 2 Comments

Review – Let’s Eat

This is a unique show focusing on food (oooh so much yummy food in ooooh so much detail) and how it brings people together.  The main character, Lee Soo-Kyung, is a divorcee who lives in a singles apartment complex and works as a legal secretary at a law firm.  I loved this character – her suspicious nature, her bristly demeanor, her begrudging acceptance of her single fate – she was strong yet vulnerable with a great personality.  Most of all, I loved her love of food.  She took pleasure in food the way children take pleasure in their new toys on Christmas morning.  It was divine to watch her eat, moaning and grinning and stuffing her face.

Around Lee Soo-Kyung are her best friend, a stay at home mom with two rambunctious children.  Her best friend’s husband, who is also a legal aid at the same firm.  The two lawyers who run the firm, the hysterically delusional Lawyer Oh and the petty, gloriously geeky Lawyer Kim.  We also are introduced to Lee Soo-Kyung’s two neighbors on either side.  One is a young lady whose father has gone to prison, her family fortune lost.  She’s naive, optimistic, good-natured, and was (in my opinion) the weakest link in the storyline.

The other neighbor is our second lead, Koo Dae-Young, an insurance salesman who is also a foodie.  I also really loved this character.  First of all, his job is interesting.  An insurance salesman?  He’s someone who knows every illness and disease and spits out scary little fun facts with a pleasant smile during conversation, ever the salesman.  He’s charming, carefree, and seems to just glide effortlessly through life.  When he does get himself into sticky situations – such as girls falling for him left and right – he’s actually quite mature in handling it face to face with no drama, setting things straight.  I also loved when people would set him off on one of his food rants – “What?!” and he’d go into a soliloquy about the history and beauty of some questioned nature of the meal.  It was hysterical and eloquent and just made an already cool guy ten times cooler.

This show decided to develop all its characters before it even bothered to get started with a romance, which was unusual.  I think we were about ten episodes in before any real flirting started.  And yet… I think that improved the plot greatly.

Overall Rating – 8.5/10.  Unique Characters To Be Savored.

Final Thought – I loved the main female’s dog, Vara.  Only our quirky female lead would chose to name a tiny Pomeranian dog after Che Guevara.