Moonlight Drawn By Clouds Review

Title: Moonlight Drawn by Clouds

AKA: Love in The Moonlight

Genre: Historical, Comedy, Romance

Episodes: 18

Broadcast Period: Aug-2016 to Oct-2016

Cast: Park Bo Gum, Kim Yoo Jung, Jin Young, Chae Soo Bin, Kwak Dong Yun, Kim Seung Soo, Jun Mi Sun, 

Hong Ra On (Kim Yoo Jung) is a young woman during the Joseon Dynasty who disguises herself as a man named Sam Nom to support herself by ghostwriting and giving relationship advice to lovelorn men. A love letter that Ra On writes for a client brings her in contact with Lee Yeong, who is the Crown Prince Hyo Myeong (Park Bo Gum), the first son of King Sunjo (Kim Seung Soo) and heir to the throne, as well as his trusted guard Kim Byung Yeon (Kwak Dong Yeon). Through a series of events, Ra On gets sold into the Royal Palace as a eunuch and is assigned to work for Royal Consort Soo Ki (Jun Mi Sun) and Princess Young Geun (Heo Jung Eun). Ra On becomes embroiled in a political power struggle with Queen Kim (Han Soo Yeon) and her father, Prime Minister Kim Hun (Chun Ho Jin), who somehow manage to keep King Sunjo in a perpetually weakened, hallucinogenic state. Prime Minister Kim is grooming his grandson, Kim Yoon Sung (Jinyoung), to take over the throne but that would put the young scholar in direct competition with his childhood friend, Lee Yeong, to become the next king. With Ra On and Byung Yeon by his side, can Lee Yeong fight the power-hungry ministers to claim his rightful place in history? 

This just became one of my favorite drama this year. 2016 has really brought alot of different kdramas, and i’m lovin’ it! And with those dramas, a lot of young, new and talented actors/actress’ are coming to the spotlight. The personal acting chemistry between Kim Yoo Jung as young, fearless and joyful Hong Ra On and Park Bo Gum as Crown Prince Lee Yeong is the heart of the drama. The youthfulness and impressive acting skills of Kim Yoo Jung ( who is only 17) interacting with equally talented Park Bo Gum (who is only 23) is a marvel that lingers in the mind long after we have turned off our computers. One thing this drama has teached me is that politics is a dirty dirty game, but our crown prince knew how to play it! I seriously loved everything about this drama, the acting, storyline, the directing and of course the OST! This is a drama I highly recommend, saeguk fan or not, this appeals to your every need ;)

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Angry Mom Review

Title: Angry Mom
Genre: Family, Drama, Human, School
Episodes: 16
Broadcast period: Mar-2015 to May-2015
Cast: Kim Hee Sun, Ji Hyun Woo, Kim Yoo Jung, Im Hyung Joon, Go Soo Hee, Kim Ji Young, Jun Gook Hwan, Kang Moon Young

Jo Gang Ja (Kim Hee Sun) is a young mother with a daughter in high school. She lives with her husband and mother in law and works all day in a restaurant. Her relationship with her daughter is not really smooth since the daughter; Oh Ah Ran (Kim Yoo Jung) shuts her mom out. Life goes on until Kang Ja finds out that her daughter is going through a hell of physical and emotional bullying at school. The daughter denies being bullied and refuses to say anything to her mom for some valid reasons from her perspective. Kang Ja loses her cool and tries all ways to solve the issue. She meets Ah Ran’s homeroom teacher, reports to the police and even tries to bring a suit. When she realises her efforts are all fruitless; she resorts to the last measure she could think of; enrolling in her daughter’s school. Once she’s in as Bang Wol, she takes ending violence in school and finding the perpetrators in her daughter’s case on as a life mission.

Recently I have been craving school dramas, I don’t know why or maybe it’s because of the upcoming exams, but it had led me to this recently completed drama Angry Mom. Wow, this is not an ordinary school drama, it takes up issues and problems that many people decide to look at with a blind eye. It addresses real issues in the Korean school system and in my opinion school in general. I find the main lead to have a well-rounded character that keeps me interested as she struggles to protect her daughter but also isn’t so strong against the corruption that surrounds them. It hits the feels spot to watch her struggle with the realities that most mothers in the real world most likely face daily without the determination our protagonist has. The other characters are also fun to watch and fall in love with as you find them crawling into your heart slowly as their stories get fleshed out, for example the delinquent that our Angry Mom first set out to deal with – Go Bok Dong. I definitely recommend this drama to anyone looking for a school life drama with a bit of meaning and plot mixed into it.
The reason I didn't give it a full heart is because the drama surrounds alot about politics rather than the school life behind the walls. Still interesting, but not what i'd look for in this drama.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Secret Door Review

Title: Secret Door
AKA: Uigwe Murder Case
Genre: History, Mystery, Political, Action
Episodes: 24
Broadcast period: 2014-Sep to 2014-Dec
Cast: Han Suk Kyu, Lee Je Hoon, Kim Yoo Jung, Park Eun Bin, Kim Min Jong, Kim Chang Wan, Lee Won Jong,

This drama is the historical remake of the conflict that occurred between the Joseon King Yeongjo (Han Suk Kyu) and his son the Crown Prince Sado (Lee Je Hoon). They had two very different ways of how to rule the country. King Yeongjo wanted to pursues the strong royal authority, and to strengthen his political power. While Crown Prince Sado insisted on the more ideal thought of equality for everyone. It was known that King Yeongjo, even after 30 years on the throne felt threatened by his son, and therefor he sentenced him to death. Nevertheless, mystery surrounds Crown Prince Sado’s death, even 100 years after. This drama will explore the truth behind one of Joseons greatest struggle for power.

This show takes Korean dramas to a whole other level. I have to start with saying I’m a geek when it comes to history, it’s one of my passions, so I really enjoyed this drama. Especially when I know that, it’s based on a real event.  Yes, this is a very powerful drama with an awesome cast line; if you are a saeguk fan (like me), this is a definite watch. This story has been tackled so many times in dramaland, that it makes it no easy job to bring an exciting and thrilling atmosphere to it. Just in 2014 there is already two works about king Sado, (Bonus info: Yoo Ah In plays King Sado in the movie!!!)
After watching the first episodes, I realized that this was a little different from the others; somehow, I was so confused I couldn’t continue, so I decided to research the background for this mysterious king. In addition, it definitely helped me get through it, and it opened up so many questions about him. Now I know why every historian thinks he is interesting.
I was surprised they casted Le Je Hoon as king Sado, and that’s because I’ve only seen him in Fashion King (2012), and he really didn’t make an impression on me, plus he really doesn’t have other projects, so he is kinda unknown. After watching him play this role, I see why they said he is the perfect fit. He really pulled out an amazing and interesting character I think only he can do, and the fact that he is kinda unknown in dramaland makes him perfect for this role. You’ll see why in the drama :b
All in all a very interesting drama, that I’m happy I decided to watch, the reason it doesn't get the perfect score is because of the lack of romance, in real life King Sado was known as the ladies man :b

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Commitment Movie Review

Title: Commitment

AKA: Alumnus / The Graduate

Genre: Action, Spy, Thriller

Origin: Korea

Release date: November 6, 2013

Cast: Choi Seung Hyun (TOP), Han Ye Ri, Kim Yoo Jung, Yoon Je Moon and Jo Sung Ha.

Living in North Korea as a wealthy son Ri Myung Hoon (TOP) had the dream of becoming a pianist, and hasn’t had a single harsh day of his life. Everything changes when his father is labeled a traitor after a spy mission in South Korean, and killed over there. Both he and his sister are put in labor camps, until his father’s boss Moon Sang Chul (Jo Sung Ha) pulls him out and sends him to special training.

Two years later Myung Hoon, now Kang Dae Ho, a North Korean defector, is adopted by a South Korean couple who in matter of the fact are North Korean spies. While joining school he meets a bullied girl Hye In (Han Ye Ri) who has the same name as his sister, whom he befriends.

When a series of North Korean spies get murdered Myung Hoon has to find the murderer and kill him, in order to get home to his sister. But when the government starts to change in North Korea, Myung Hoon soon becomes too big of a liability…

Uhm, okay? I am confused. Or not? To be honest I was kind of expectant, maybe too much, but this was just another spy movie with a somewhat understandable plot, and too much action. Okay, with too much I mean more “pow pow” less “blah blah”. This makes Korean movies seem lacking and uninteresting.

TOP does a great job, and the cast is good at making him fit (even though he looks amazing and like an idol), and it somehow becomes a decent movie.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but I really wouldn’t expect anything if you want to watch it. It’s really bad compared to “71: Into the fire”.  All in all, another spy movie…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Kamji's Verdict

So, what I don’t get is why the hottie from Big Bang, TOP, decides to accept this role as the North Korean agent. It seems like North Korean agents penetrate the Republic of Korea as casually as they might walk down to the local pub, and South Korean agents are horrendously slow to catch on or arrive on the scene. Nevertheless, the action and stunts are expertly handled, those scenes I was very contempt with.
I just think I’ve got enough of those spy/agents movies, so I really just watched this because of TOP, and just to ross it over my list. I don’t really recommend it, but go for it if you have time.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥ / 2 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