Traitor Hong Gil Dong Review

Title: Traitor Hong Gil Dong

AKA: Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People / Rebel: Thief of the People

Genre: Period, Melodrama, Romance

Episodes: 30

Broadcast period: 2017-Jan to 2017-May

Cast: Kim Sang Joong, Yoon Kyun Sang, Chae Soo Bin, Kim Ji Suk and Lee Ha Nui.

Ah Mo Gae (Kim Sang Joong) is a slave, living and working for a nobleman, with his wife and two sons. Their lives are a common slave life, and as life goes, Ah Mo Gae soon notices that being a slave not only halts his life, but limits any hope of a future besides being a slave for his two sons. Even though he is a slave, Ah Mo Gae has the mind of a business man which his owner uses for his advances, and every single time Ah Ma Gae is to be set free, the nobleman finds a way to postpone it. His sons start to realize themselves what it means to be slaves, as the oldest Gil Hyun isn't allowed to read and the youngest Gil Dong is forced to keep his opinions at bay. Soon Ah Mo Gae realizes that Gil Dong isn't just your regular child, as when he gets upset he becomes unnaturally strong. Even though Ah Mo Gae does everything he is able to, so that Gil Dong's powers aren't known to anyone, destiny has other plans and the family ends up having to run for their lives.
As a grown-up Gil Dong (Yoon Kyun Sang) has changed: he cares more about girls and how to earn easy money – much to his fathers' dismay. Ah Mo Gae on the other hand has become a leader of an outcast group of people outcasts like him, dealing with illegal trade.
Even though life seems harmonious, the tension between Gil Dong and his father has shifted, and unfortunately the noblemen have gotten an interest in the dealings and wealth of Ah Mo Gae. And soon enough their past comes to haunt them...

I was waiting for this drama the moment I had heard it was in consideration: at that time the leads weren't even chosen – but I was 100% sure I was going to watch it. This story is one of my favorite stories of Korean literature, due to its creativity, but also because of historical accuracy. Even though this isn't exactly like the original novel, it is very close to it – and the fantasy aspect is also great and fits the story perfectly. Yes, it might be different, but the moment you accept it, it becomes such a nice way to portray the strength of Hong Gil Dong. Another thing that was amazing was the lead couple: I don't remember watching a couple which fit better than these two – even though 'how' they got together might not be great, but the relationship that 'happens' is a delight to watch. The only reason it isn't a 5 stars, it because of the crying scenes of Kim Sang Joong – which you'll have to watch on your own to understand. But that is also it.
Honestly, I don't know how to not spoil anything, and how to explain how much I enjoyed it, without ruining it for you or make you over expectant, except saying: I recommend this drama.
To sum up: an awesome drama with great acting, and amazing story.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Doctors Crush Review

Title: Doctors Crush

AKA: Doctors

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Medical

Episodes: 20

Broadcast Period: Jun-2016 to Aug-2016

Cast: Kim Rae Won, Park Shin Hye, Yoon Kyun Sang, Lee Sung Kyung, Kim Young Ae, Jung Hae Kyun, Han Bo Bae

Yoo Hye Jung (Park Shin Hye) has had a tough childhood and difficult life. She has dealt with the life challenges by becoming emotionally guarded and acting like a tough bully at school. When Hong Ji Hong (Kim Rae Won) meets Hye Jung, he recognizes her intelligence behind her gangster facade. However revenge sets her on a path to become a doctor in a neurosurgery residency at a major hospital. Hye Jung works alongside fellow residents Jung Yoon Do (Yoon Kyun Sang) and Jin Seo Woo (Lee Sung Kyung). But when Seo Woo becomes Hye Jung’s biggest rival both professionally and personally, can Hye Jung overcome yet another major obstacle to her own personal happiness? 

I’m still not quite sure whether to like and recommend this drama, or to dislike it. I don’t wanna sugarcoat it, so i’m just going to put it out there. I loved it at some points, but hated it towards the end. I fell for it’s charm in the beginning, the cute innocent love story, the attractive characters and especially Park Shin Hye. I’m amazed by her development from the childish actress she was in Beautiful You, till the confident her in both Pinocchio and this one. It showed us a different side of Park Shin Hye. The cast was strong and the story was very promising. So what went wrong? Well, first of all they could have made Ji Soos part bigger, I mean a hot delivery guy… Why not :b On a serious note though, the storyline got dragged, every episode had it’s own mini-stories, but the overall background story went so slow, and at times you even forgot it. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but there was too much romantic stuff between the lead couple, you kind of get wearied of it. In the end I started supporting the second lead, because I felt that would be more convincing! The first few episodes were probably the best part of the drama. I kept watching till the end though, because of the character developement in the beginning. The director did a good job with hooking us on the drama till the end, but he leaves you dissapointed! Overall this drama lacks a strong plot. This is not the drama for you if you're hoping for a complex plot.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥½ / 2½ out of 5 hearts

Bunjis verdict

As a start I have to say this: my rating might be a bit ‘nicer’ than Kamjis, but that is not because I disagree with her. It is because I can bring myself to rate harshly – it is quite hard expecially since I enjoyed a bit of it.

Okay that said, I have to almost totally agree with Kamji. Though I already at the beginning knew this would be one of those dramas: weak. This drama has the thinnest plot every, and the weakest story EVER. I mean 20 episodes of doctors crushing at each other, and a bit of bickering here and there does not make a drama. This drama actually had potential; with some of the most amazing characters written – and with some of the wittiest dialogues ever made (in Korean drama world that is). But that is where it ends. As a medical drama there was a bit too little – or at least not enough – of medicine. Patient story were too short and few if you ask me… even if they were good, there weren’t enough. Then again that is MY opinion.

I enjoyed this drama mostly because of Kim Rae Won and some of the supporting characters – other than that I was bored. Like this drama is generally boring with a few laughs (because of the clever lines) here and there.

So all in all, a drama that will very soon be forgotten, even if it was hyped and had a lot of viewers.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Six Flying Dragons Review

Title: Six Flying Dragons
AKA: Roots of the throne
Genre: History, Politics
Episodes: 50
Broadcast Period: Oct-2015 to Mar-2016
Cast: Yoo Ah In, Kim Myung Min, Shin Se Kyung, Byun Yo Han, Yoon Kyun Sang, Chun Ho Jin, Jung Yoo Mi, Park Hae Soo, Ahn Suk Hwan

Set in the fading days of the Goryeo Dynasty, this drama depicts the lives and aspirations of six characters in establishing a new country called Joseon, with Lee Bang Won (Yoo Ah In) as the central figure. A fusion of saeguk and fiction, the story follows the conflicts of those 'six flying dragons' with the deep-rooted powers set against them, as they attempt to realize the dream they all share of a new nation founded on Confucian principles, which would eventually last for 500 years.

It’s been one hell of a journey, and Six Flying Dragons delivers a solid finale for an altogether solid, engaging show that I’m still not ready to let go of just yet. I have been following this drama from the very beginning when they announced Yoo Ah In were casted to this drama. I even mentioned it in my Secret Door Review (A great drama too). Words can’t describe the roller coaster feelings I have been through because of this drama! It’s really hard to break down a 50-episode drama, I need to make a full 50 pages analyze to make sure you get every little detail in why you should watch this drama. Believe me, there has been no 10 boring minutes throughout the whole drama. No time to breathe or get used to the awesomely-written script or the out-of-earth acting. There’s that heart throbbing feel about the whole drama it’s insane. How can I not like Lee Bang Won when it’s Yoo Ah In acting him? The ultimate Yoo Ah In! His gloomy eyes hide varieties of emotions, and that’s what makes Yoo Ah In who he is. You swim in those eyes but you lose yourself instead of finding answers. Well, I do. I can’t really find the words to sum up this review, because I haven’t even started yet. If you haven’t watched the drama yet… What are you doing then?

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts