Cinderella and Four Knights Review

Title: Cinderella and Four Knights

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Period: Aug-2016 to Oct-2016

Cast: Jung Il Woo, Park So Dam, Ahn Jae Hyun, Lee Jung Shin, Choi Min, Son Na Eun, Kim Yong Gun, Kim Hye Ri,

Eun Ha Won (Park So Dam) is in the third grade of high school. She hopes to become a teacher which her late mother always wished for. Ha Won has a bright personality and a strong set of morals, but she is unhappy at home. She's unattached from her father, step-mother and step-sister and also mistreated. Ha Won works various part-time jobs to pay for her upcoming university tuition fees. She knows she needs to make more money to pay for the storage of her mother's ashes at the cemetery. Meanwhile, Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il Woo), Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae Hyeon) and Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung Shin) are spoiled cousins and live together in the mansion Sky House. With their different personalities. After various accidents Eun Ha Won ends up working part-time at the sky-house. 

Sorry for the dull plot description, but I felt like if I said more or left something else out, it wouldn’t make much sense. One of the reason are the writers, (yes I blame them), because what’s up with writers forgetting the plot halfway through the drama. This was a preproduction drama, so it can’t be the ratings that changed the scripts. I won’t say what it Is, because that would spoil the drama, but I tell you it’s annoying. Now the actors, Jung Il Woo, you are soon-to-be 30-ish, why play a 20-year-old? Some actors can pull it off, you were sadly not one of them. On the other hand, he had great chemistry with Park So Dam (and she did a great job herself), so let’s call it even! The whole cast were great EXCEPT one. The whole 16 episode drama, I kept wondering why, oh god why, cast Son Na Eun. She was so bad she hit a whole new record on bad acting. Maybe that’s the award she’s after. All in all, it’s a good drama, to use as a hangover cure after watching a really good drama. 

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥ 0.5 / 2.5 out of 5 hearts

High-End Crush Review

Title: High-End Crush
AKA: The Greatest One-Sided Love
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Webdrama
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Period: Nov-2015 to Jan-2016
Cast: Jung Il Woo, Jin Se Yun, Yoon Bo Ra, Lee Shi Eun, Jung Sang Hoon, Moon Se Yoon,

Romantic comedy depicting the heartfelt and pure love story by a man, Choi Se Hoon (Jung Il Woo) a successful CEO with everything in his hands. He falls in love for the first time in his life with a woman, Yoo Yo Ryung (Jin Se Yun) who has been living in completely opposite circumstances from his and is a rising artist in his own company.

It's the same old same old ultimate jerk, falls for the naïve innocent country girl, being himself and ruins every chance at the relationship. Nothing new, but I always get sucked in anyway so... It helped that it only was a webdrama, so 20 min each episode. That was more than enough. Male lead was THE only reason for watching. Female lead was clueless for the entire time, zoned out to silly land, plus her acting was ‘blaah’. The other cast of characters were more childish than female lead (really overacting and silly). It wasn’t the best, but darn it, it gave me the warm and fuzzies. So if you're in that kind of mood I suggest this and say enjoy!

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars
♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Night Watchman’s Journal Review

Title: Night Watchman’s Journal

AKA: The Night Watchman / Records of a Night Watchman / Diary of a Night Watchman

Genre: Period, Romance, Fantasy, Action

Episodes: 24

Broadcast period: 2014-Aug to 2014-Oct

Cast: Jung Il Woo, Go Sung Hee, Jung Yoon Ho (U-Know) and Seo Ye Ji.

In a world where ghosts and dark magic are present, the ones that protect the country are the ones that hide in the shadows: The Night Watchmen.

Lee Rin (Jung Il Woo) is a prince who lost his throne at the age of 10, when one tragic night he loses both his parents. Ever since that night he has been able to see ghosts, but due to the outcast treatment from his older brother (now the king) Rin pretends not to see them, even if they talk to him. In order not to be ‘a burden’ to his king brother, Rin lives life as a playboy and pretends not to have a care in the world. But this all changes when he one day he is given the task to find the kings new shaman. This is where he meets Do Ha (Go Sung Hee) who is looking for her sister who had gone missing 12 years ago, and a mysterious man Sadam (Kim Sung Oh). After seeing the ghost of the woman who had taken care of him when he was the crown prince, Rin goes to the castle, and finds a book – The Night Watchman’s Journal.

The king being jealous of his younger brother makes his most loyal servant and best swordsman Kang Moo Suk (Jung Yoon Ho) tale and spy on Rin, however as fate has it the two and Do Ha become involved in not only the horrible politics of the human world,  but also the fights of the spirit world…

Okay, so the review is written so that I won’t spoil anything, but I ended up having it being kind of lame. The beginning is scary as I am not used to the entire ‘Dark Magic’ world. It’s a drama about curses, possessions and evil spirits, and to be honest, it freaked me out a lot. They can see ghosts, so I was expecting a bit of’ Arang and the Magistrate’, but comparing those two is like comparing Pororo and Hunger Games. Not that this drama is barbaric, it just brought tragic to an entire new level. Well the beginning of it. After the typical backstory, the rest is kind of a fight against evil, and the end cuts everything a bit lamely.

The cast was okay, however I was disappointed. They kind of were below average, and the female actresses were just bad, though the supporting actress freaked me out a bit. I am a Jung Il Woo fan, and I see why he is the prince character, however the screenplay and dialogues were so bad that I didn’t like most of it. The chemistry between the main couple was forced, and the bromance was overrated, like there were scenes where they were supposed to have ‘serious/deep’ conversations, but the dialogues were just written badly so it all became shallow. I was quite disappointed.

Now you wonder why the rating is so high. To be honest, when a period drama of 24 episodes is able to keep my interest for all episodes that is really an achievement. I think the theme was what made me addicted – even made me dream about it.  So I think that 4 stars, is very decent to give.

To sum up: a drama with thrill and somewhat acting.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

The Moon That Embraces The Sun Review

Title: The Moon That Embraces The Sun

AKA: The Moon Embracing The Sun / The Sun and the Moon

Genre: Romance, Period, Fantasy

Episodes:  20

Broadcast period: 2012-Jan to 2012-Mar

Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Han Ga In, Jung Il Woo, Kim Min Seo and Kim Young Ae.

The story of a very special crown prince named Lee Hwon (Kim Soo Hyun), who as a young teenager starts a friendship and special love with a young bright girl, Heo Yeon Woo (Han Ga In). In this time and age, kids are taught to be more than just kids, to achieve something greater. Lee Hwon and Yeon Woo meet on a special day: Yeon Woo witnesses the young prince trying to get out of the palace to meet his brother, but she mistakes him for a thief. Without revealing his true identity, the two separate, and it is not until later that they again encounter and grow greater feelings for each other. As the young crown prince is in the age of getting married, it is decided that there should be a crown princess election. As the bright girl of a minister Yeon Woo should join as well, though they know that in fact the crown princess has been pre-decided and the election is just a show as to show the people that regulations are followed. And if 'girl isn't chosen, she will live forever be forbidden to marry. The reason that she won't be chosen is because of the girl Bo Kyung the daughter of a corrupt minister, who alongside the old queen treacherously wants to get rid of Yeon Woo.

First of all I think this is my favorite king character! He is the perfect king. He is smart and nobody can play around with him. It's actually the opposite. Whenever the ministers think they have something on him, he turns the situation all around, he has them around his little finger (is that the wrong saying?) he can't be fooled and isn't weak. He wants the best for the people and often goes out to check the situation himself. I could continue forever. He is cool and hilarious, and his brother as well. And I absolutely loved that they would rather give up the throne than turn their backs on each other. I think the actors fit really well, especially the young crown prince. I just didn't really like the grown up girl. She was a bit awkward.. And that made the love story awkward as well.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Bunjis verdict

Hmm.. I can’t say I dislike this one, but it’s definitely not a favorite one of mine. I had the hardest time finishing it, and it seriously took me over 11 months if not more, to finish. My first ruin for this drama was the fact that I was seriously waiting for Kim Soo Hyun and Han Ga In to come, since I first of all KNEW that they would be this separated couple, and that she would die, since it says so in the introduction of the drama. That took about 7 episodes.. which was honestly the biggest reason for my wait, since it went on forever. Second ruin was the love triangle, and the ridiculous kid like feud between the two brothers, which most of the time is the older brother being jealous of the younger brother. But of course they have to have that in order to please the viewers.. (I was almost about to say stupid).. Then there is the main actress character.. Dull and “blaah”.. Lastly the king, Kim Soo Hyuns character, yes he was fair, but not at all just. I mean what.. Maybe it’s not his fault, but the Joseon have dumb rules, and I till this date really don’t care for these dramas. I really really really really don’t get period/historical dramas, and I have no idea why I keep torturing myself with trying to find out. Anyways.. Acting was great, I guess story too since everyone else seems to love this.. If you want an opinion, if you really like this genre, ask Jenji, I really give up..

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop Review

Title: Flower Boy Ramen Shop

Genre: Romance, comedy

Episodes: 16

Broadcast period: 2011-Oct to 2011-Dec

Cast: Jung Il Woo, Lee Chung Ah and Lee Ki Woo

Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah) is basically a failure at everything. She failed her teachers test a couple of times, and she busted her first love and boyfriend cheating on her after waiting for him 2 years, to get out of the military. On that same day she meets Cha Chi Soo (Jung Il Woo), a rich fella, who not only has loads of money, but only has the looks. Eun Bi falls for him, and decides to confess to him. On the day she is to start her teaching practice she meets him on the way up to the high school, where she embarrassingly confesses to him, only to find out that he is her student. Not only her student to the founder and funder of the school’s only son…

Let me sum up this drama: a rich brat falling for the person who doesn’t care for his wealth, the teacher not noticing it, and an idiotic third wheel. Or something like that. It’s confusing, because these Koreans are so obsessive, to the point of madness, seriously. This drama somehow ended up as an Japanese Shouju manga live action, maan.. But Jung Il Woo is cute, like my suga pie :P The main reason for me to watch, and its funny, like ridiculous funny, but not all the time though. I would not really recommend it, even though the screenplay was good sometime, but it just becomes too looooooong, like yeah 16 episodes, but that’s it. Like 16 episodes of push and pull (or 14 episodes of that the two last ones are the typical, ‘Can’t be with you/I want you so bad’).

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

The Return of Iljimae Review

Title:  The Return of Iljimae

AKA: Iljimae Returns / Moon River

Previously known as:  Iljimae

Genre: Historical, romance, drama docu.

Episodes: 24

Broadcast period: 2009-Jan-21 to 2009-Apr-09

Cast:  Jung Il Woo, Yoon Jin Seo, Kim Min Jong and Jung Hye Young.

This is the story of Iljimae, from his birth to his fame. Iljimae  (Jung Il Woo) grew  up believing he was the son of his Chinese adoptive parents, until one day, a man comes by an gives him a letter his real mother had written him when he was a baby. He leaves his childhood home to find his father and mother, but when he arrives in front of his house he refuses to see him as his son. To make things worse the man who said to be his friend, the one who told him about his parents, betrays him, leaving Iljimae in fury and decides to run away to the mountains. There he meets Dal Yi (Yoon Ji Seo) and her father; he falls in love with her and they live together for some time until the royal guards find them, and it’s found out that Dal Yi is the daughter of a noble man who betrayed the king and the man who was her father is that noble man’s right hand. The two get executed in front of Iljimae, which leads to him going out in rage. He destroys most of the city, and the police try and find him. As he runs away he hides in a house, and sees a girl, Wol Hee who looks exactly alike like Dal Yi. She saves him and he disappears.

Several years later, Iljimae re-appears, fighting against the corrupt, steals from the rich and gives it to the poor…

I have no idea why, but I really love this drama! I honestly hate most historical dramas, but somehow this one was amazing, and the couple was perfect. I remember finishing and somehow my heart dropped by the thought that I wouldn’t be seeing this couple anymore.

I think the reason I like this drama has to be that I’m able to follow, since there is someone updating me all the time (the narrator talks in between), and it switches from sad to light comedy to love story. Oh yeah, and I’ve fallen in love with Jung Il Woo too… My crush list keeps growing *sigh* Somehow he reminds me more of ‘Iljimae’ than Lee Jun Ki. (I did not say that out loud :P)

I would recommend it, but it’s nothing like the other Iljimae, nor does it have anything to with the other drama, so don’t expect that…  

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Lady Castle Review

Title: Lady Castle
AKA: Take Care of the Young Lady, Take Care of Agassi and My Fair Lady.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast period: 2009-Aug to 2009-Oct
Insert song: Hot Stuff by Davichi
Cast: Yoon Eun Hye , Yoon Sang Hyun, Jung Il Woo, Moon Chae Won and Lee Jung Gil.

The story revolves around two completely different people, Seo Dong Chan(Yoon Sang Hyun); a poor man and ex giggalo, who works three jobs in order to make a living. He lives with his aunt and childhood friend, Eun Jio(Moon Chae Won ), who secretly loves him. And Hae Na(Yoon Eun Hye); an international celebrity, who grew up with everything, getting everything she ever wanted. She lives with her granfather, and is EXREMELY spoilt: has never apoligized or used the words "thank you". She has a problem, by firering all her maids and butlers, if they do the smallest mistake.
The story takes a start, as she fires her last butler, and is taken to a marriage-proposal, where she acts up and leaves. At the same time, Dong Chan leaves the flower shop to do a delivery, where he ends up being hit by Hae Na. Dong Chan wants to hear an apology, whereas Hae Na wants to pay herself out of it, and get it overwith. It ends with Dong Chan taking it to court, and making Hae Na do 150 houres of community service.
The two bump heads again, where Hae Na wants to make Dong Chan pay, and alot happens, like Hae Na faking a kidnap, making Dong Chan being arrested. As Hae Na's garnfather finds out about these happenings, Hae Na tries to leave the country, but is stopped by Dong Chan, who fakes a kidnap, taking her home again. As she arrives home, confused, her granfather greets her, telling her that Ding Chan is hre new butler.

Fun, fun and extra fun! I really had fun in this one. Its "human/ordinary" fun, meaning none of those extreme with supernatural powers or supernatural wounds. I mean when the actors are good, anything MEANT to be funny, IS funny.. Lols, but really, I tend to laugh at bad acting, or stupid dialogs, but this is really good! Eun Hye is great a spoilt rich brat, suits her, and she looks amazing. Sang Hyun I've never seen before, and I was sceptical, concidering age difference, but he is ADORABLE!! iiih!! The other actors where passable (hihi).
The negative would be the focus. I mean the story is fun, and its good the first 12 episodes, but after that, it sort a looses focus. Too much confusion, and unnessecary scenes (Im not taking about the Hae Na & Dong Chan scenes, but the others). Its kind of sad, since I was hyper the first 12 eps, than the last 4 were not as interesting, but the 4 that were still on my mind as I recall the series..

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts