Wanted - The Reality Show Review

Title: Wanted – The Reality Show

Genre: Thriller, Crime, Action

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Period: Jun-2016 to Aug-2016

Cast: Kim Ah Jung, Ji Hyun Woo, Uhm Tae Woong, Park Hae Joon, Lee Moon Shik, Park Hyo Joo, Hun Hyo Sung, 

"Wanted" is a television program about a television program named "Wanted". In the course of this drama-within-a-drama, missions are assigned by some controlling intelligence, spawning an increasingly complex web of investigative reporting. In the course of these investigations, injustices are exposed. But the web of investigations is built upon "Wanted"'s purpose is the kidnapping and ransom of a child. Justice is embedded within a greater injustice. 

I really do not understand why this drama had such low ratings. Amazing drama. Very complex and suspenseful. An adult drama for adults who don't mind having to work a little to understand or figure out what is going on. The script  was very well done! There are of course some minor oversights, but don't really matter. The cast was amazing, everybody fits perfectly in the role. It is a smart drama, no unnecessary things included. It was really well prepared. So far I haven’t seen Kim Ah Joong in a drama, but she didn’t dissappoint, I liked the fresh aura from her.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Bunji's Verdict

Okay, so this is such a weird drama, I don't even know where to start. These actors are amazing actors, but unfortunately, they were given such lacking characters and stupid dialogues, that the delivery becomes half assed. I don't understand why it had to be 16 episodes, and I don't understand what this director and writer were thinking while doing this. I bet even the actors were confused at some point, because hell, I was. The beginning is really good, and the storyline unfolds slowly, but at some point, it just became too much, and I felt like they had to add stuff in order to make it more interesting. It took me forever to finish, and if I wasn't as stubborn as I am while watching dramas, I don't believe I would have finished it.

To be fair, as I said before, the actors are really trying, but it just ends up seeming like average acting. I felt that a lot of characters were unnecessary, and their involvement with each other completely dumb. But the intensity is one of the few things that does make the drama watchable – also the hope of a sudden betterment in dialogue and story...

So: under average acting, with a somewhat okay story, but unless you are hooked, you might get bored. I know I wouldn't recommend it.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥½ / 2½ 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

Queen In Hyun's Man Review

Title:  Queen Inhyun's Man
AKA: Queen and I
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast period: 2012-Apr to 2012-Jun
Cast: Ji Hyun Woo, Yoo In Na, Kim Jin Woo and Ga Deuk Hi.

1694: the 20th year of the reign of Joseon Dynasty's King Suk Jong.  The Queen, In Hyun was dethroned by the king, and lady Jang Ok Jung was crowned as the new queen. All those against it, were tortured. But due to her tyranny and the peoples request for her return, the king had another change of heart. Queen In Hyuns reinstatement was planned in secrecy, but the Right Deputy Prime minister Min Am took a note of it. Thus began the conspiracy for the assassination of Queen In Hyun, but she was managed to be saved by  Gim Bung Do (Ji Hyun Woo) who under the order of the king has to help her. This is found out by Right Deputy Prime minister Min Am who orders his assassination. At the verge of death, he suddenly disappears, leaving the assassin in utter confusion. Bung Do wakes up in present Seoul, where he is met with modern technology, and he meets Choi Hui Ji (Yoo In Na) who mistakes him for a fellow actor.

Hui Jin is a bubbly girl who dreams of becoming an actress, and when she is chosen for the lead role of Queen In Hyun in a drama, she is more than ecstatic. Her only problem is that her ex, now a huge Hallyu star is opposite her in the drama, who not only provokes her, but plays with her.

When the two meet for the second time, he happens to kill a man in front of her, making her faint. In the confusion he loses his talisman, the one that makes him jump through time. Now he has to find her to get it back…

This drama is almost perfect! Like, a realistic reason for two people not to be together (even though it’s fantasy), amazing chemistry, great action, and never a dull moment! Though I have to admit I was confused when it was about the political and historical stuff, had no idea what they were talking about, but on the other hand, it was great, not really draggy. I fell in love with both leads; she was way adorable and he was kind of cool, complete opposite from his ‘Mr. Idol’ movie. The humor was good as well, and the relationships, no confusion there or annoying ‘two-way-love-stories’. It might be historical incorrect, and somewhat weird when it comes to the time-travel, but if you are able to look passed it, you would be able to enjoy it : )

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
Seriously I don't know if I have anything bad to say about this drama. It's like a perfectly made  portion with just enough of everything, not too much of anything. The couple was perfect as well! He is so charming and cute and everything and so is she,  I really liked her too, she was so cute but not like "argh.." cute. She's just lovely and you cant hate her or anything. And he is like so perfect and "old-type-good-man"-ish. Like those real man MAN.. And there was just enough excitement it wasnt something you would get tired of. And thank God! there wasnt any annoying messed up relationships, I even liked the second lead! (not sure why though lol) . But I really agree with Bunji about the beginning, it was a bit confusing, but also probably because I did no backstory chech or anything. Anyway, reeeeaalllyy cute, lovely romance drama, I really really enjoyed it. I dont see any reason why not to give it 5 stars compared to other 4 star dramas. >.<

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Mr. Idol Movie Review

Title: Mr. Idol
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Origin: Korea
Release date: 03 November 2011
Cast: Park Ye Jin, Kim So Ro, Ji Hyun Woo, Jay Park and Im Won Hee.

After the live suicide of the main vocalist, Mr. Children had been forgotten for years. The group dissolved and the PD Oh Goo Joo (Park Ye Jin) alienated herself from the world. Three years later she returns in the hopes of bringing Mr. Children back to the lime light. She assembles the group consisting, Ji Oh (Jay Park), Hyun Ie(Jang Seo Won) and Ricky (Kim Randy) but has one issue: no vocalist. After an audition she finds the one she wants, Lee Yoo Jin (Ji Hyun Woo) a working fella, who loves music, but also loyal to his band, which is the reason he refuses. Later that evening, two band members leave due to personal reasons. Goo Joo tries to change his mind by following him everywhere, and finally manages to make him join, by paying for a hospital bill, and telling him to pay her back.
This is the beginning of the rebirth of Mr. Children…

I watched this movie mainly because of Jay Park and because the trailer looked neat, honestly trailer is better than the movie. It’s not bad, it’s just not great. I felt that there should have been more about the group bonding, instead of the PD and leader bond. It’s unnecessary, and honestly, not that interesting. Though I liked the overall theme, I found myself confused a lot of times, and I still can’t figure it out.
On the other hand, the storyline is good, pretty typical, seen it a couple of times, but not bad because of it.
All in all, an okay movie…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
This is a very "thin"(?) movie. I get the story and all, but it's a bit ridiculous because this is almost just about the PD and her mistakes and so on. Yeah we get to see(kinda) the band bonding and stuff and I think it tries to show that it's important to have those specials bond when you chose to sing in a band/group.  But then again I felt like I was watching a movie about two different bands twice with just a different ending, I get it if thats the purpose but then it was quite badly done. In my opinion. I didnt learn much. I was just watching Jay Park and others lol. And this is probably my problem but I had a hard time concentrating because of Park Ye Jin and Kim So Ro because I kept thinking of Family Outing and other variety. The movie could have been better with some better focus on other things, there was too much waste-movie. I feel like I'm dissing this movie a bit too much, but I've seen much better movies. Then again this is all MY opinion HAH!

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts