W Review

Title: W

AKA: W Two Worlds

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Suspense, Melodrama

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Period: Jul-2016 to Sep-2016

Cast: Lee Jong Suk, Han Hyo Joo, Jung Yoo Jin, Lee Tae Hwan, Park Won Sang, Cha Kwang Soo,

What is real and what is made up? In a bizarre blurring of truth and fiction, Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hyo Joo) is a second-year cardiothoracic resident doctor whose father mysteriously disappears one day. Oh Sung Moo (Kim Eui Sung) writes the most popular webtoon series known as “W,” but his assistant artist, Park Soo Bong (Lee Shi Un), is in a panic because Sung Moo disappears on the day before he is supposed to finish the final episode of the webtoon. When Yeon Joo goes into her father’s drawing room to investigate, an unexplainable thing happens. A bloodied hand appears out of a tablet screen and pulls Yeon Joo onto a rooftop where Kang Cheol (Lee Jong Suk) is bleeding from a stab wound. Yeon Joo ends up saving Kang Cheol’s life, only to realize after the incident that Cheol is the main character of her father’s webtoon! The next day, Sung Moo just as mysteriously returns and is intent on writing the final episode of the webtoon and once again tries to kill off Kang Cheol. But when Yeon Joo tries to talk her father out of ending the series, she finds herself sucked back into the world of Kang Cheol.

Such a weird plot. I was schocked when I realized the webtoon aspect in it. First time I read it, I was so excited, because I thought it was some kind of 2 dimensions, like two worlds on the same planet (sci-fi stuff). As soon as I realized it was a webtoon world, it just didn’t work with me. I applaud the new fresh idea into kdrama world, but somehow I found it unfathomable. However the way it was filmed, and the drawing-style overlapping, was really enjoyable.

Regarding the love story of this drama. There were NO chemistry at all! I’m not sure why everyone were all over it, but seriously they did not manage to capture the essence of a relationship. I don’t know how I can explain this without spoiling anything. The love line came out of nowhere, and it progressed so quickly into “I’ll die without you”-love, that it made me feel awkward watching it. All in all, maybe some people liked it because of the acting (which were good), and all the romantic kiss scenes (this should have the award for most kisses in a drama), but I couldn’t enjoy it. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

MIRACLE: Debikurukun no Koi to Mahou Movie Review

Title: Miracle

AKA: Miracle - Debikurukun no Koi to Mahou / Miracle - Devil Claus' Love and Magic

Genre: Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: November 22, 2014

Cast: Aiba Masaki, Eikura Nana, Han Hyo Joo and Ikuta Toma.

Hikaru (Aiba Masaki) is an unsuccessful manga artist, who not only is unable to get a breakthrough, but is indecisive in everything he has ever done. His best friend Anna (Eikura Nana), a competent and rather successful sculpturing artist, has always been protective over Hikaru. She knows everything about him, and has had a one-sided love for him which Hikaru hasn’t grasped at all.

Though unsuccessful, Hikaru draws ‘Debukuru-kun’; Santa’s evil counterpart, and post flyers all over the town at night. This is his form of stress release, as he is the ‘sorry’-type – apologizing every time something happens.

One night he bumps into Tae Soo Yeon (Han Hyo Joo) whom he falls immediately falls for, and believs he is destined to be with. After explaining the situation and Soo Yeon to Anna, Anna realizes who that woman might be – her project boss. So she promises Hikaru she’ll help him. Will Hikaru meet his destined woman?

Again a movie I picked up from the Japanese variety, though this one has another factor for me watching, and that is mainly because of Aiba Masaki. I think I have almost watched everything available online of Arashi drama/movie and this is no exception. This is the first Aiba romantic drama – in the actual sense of romance being the center of the movie, so I had to watch it.

The overall idea of the movie very Japanese as there has to be a bit of an odd characteristic, in this case the animated Devil Clause who is always in Hikaru’s mind, but that doesn’t weight too much to the movie, not does it annoy you too much. Surprisingly you feel kind of like Devil Clause is Hikaru’s mind, which is also quite interesting. Aiba as Hikaru was okay, I kind of feel all his character’s overlap – they are all quite cowardly to some extent, but I guess that is his image? And Eikura Nana as Anna was quite good at keeping her character real... Maybe she growing on me?

Now to the good part: is the movie recommendable? Well, I half-enjoyed it, as I was half-bored with it. The movie lacks somewhat depth, which is translated in the overall story to be honest. But then again, the acting somewhat has a bit of charm… So I dunno, maybe? Haha..

☆☆½ / 2½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Love 911 Movie Review

Title: Love 911
AKA: Bandage, Band-aid
Genre: Romance, comedy
Origin: South Korea
Release date: 19. December 2012
Cast: Go Soo, Han Hyo Joo, Ma Dong Seok, Kim Sung Oh, Juni, Jin Seo Yeon, Oh Soo Min, Lee Do Ah, Yang Dong Geum, Jo Min Ki, Jung Jin Young . . .

Mi Soo (Han Hyo Joo) is a young doctor who makes a fatal mistake when she sends home a woman who is in life danger. A rescue team is called out when the woman passes out on the street. When she arrives at the hospital and is pronounced brain dead, her husband starts getting violent, wanting find Mi Soo and make her pay, he then hurts one of the firefighters Kang Il (Go Soo) who tries to stop him. As a consequense Mi Soo might lose her license but she might be able to stop it if Kang Il sues the man for violence, but unfortunately for Mi Soo, Kang Il has no intention whatsoever to do that. Mi Soo keeps bothering him, trying to convince him, and as a last resort she figures that seduction is the way, so she starts working voluntarily as a rescue team member.

The movie is a great comedy romance! Had me laughing so much, while still having that nice serious romance. It wasn't boring at all and very nice acting and story. Not a too heavy love story, just between the two leads, and the seperate second love story was cute as well. Even though yes you can figure out a lot of things, you enjoy watching it. I don't know how I didn't watch this movie earlier. Def. going on my favorite movie list. A nice relaxing movie you can enjoy alone or with friends. It might be more of a girl movie though, can't complain about the rescure team members, ehm ehm, good looking guys. Recommended!! My kind of movie!

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Bunji's Verdict

First things first: I get why Jenji is all over this. It is so like her; a romantic “drop-dead-of-laughter” comedy that stays on your mind. I liked it, but I it probably THE most typical storyline in Korean film industry. ON the other hand, that doesn’t make it bad. It’s honest, sweet and heartbreaking. And if you are like me, crying your brains out every time you see firefighters, you will cry here too.

 I don’t want to spoil much, so I’m not going to talk storyline, but acting wise, great. Perfect actors for perfect roles and on screen chemistry good too, except maybe too fast? But then again, 2 hour movie…

All in all, decent movie :)

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Iljimae Review

Title: Iljimae
Genre: Historical, Romance  
Episodes: 20  
Broadcast period: 2008-May to 2008-Jul
Cast: Lee Jun Ki, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Young Ah and Park Shi Hoo.

Iljimae is a thief whose face is unknown: he steals from corrupt government officials and gives it to the poor. The people love and support him, but the King and his nobles hate him, and want to catch him.

Several years ago the nobleman Lee Won Ho was assassinated, with his son Geom watching it from inside a closet. The assassination was ordered by the king, after he was told a fortune: that in the nobleman Lee Won Ho’s house there is a person who is as bright as the sun, and will be adored by the people. Thinking it is Lee Won Ho, the king orders the assassination. After the incident, Geom is adopted by a retired thief, and when he meets his mother once again, he sees that she is an outcast and she encourages him to act like he doesn’t know her, so he doesn’t become an outcast like her. Because of these misfortunes, Geom loses his memories, and forgets his young days.

In our current time, Geom now Yong (Lee Jun Ki) is starting to get his memory back, and sets out to find his older sister, only to see her captured and hanged. By this he swears revenge, to find the people responsible for the murder of his father and sister. The only thing he remembers is the emblem on the killer's sword, which leads him to disguise himself as Iljimae and find justice for his destroyed family.

After 4 years I’ve finally finished the drama. Wow, it really has taken me this long! Not because it’s bad or anything, I just didn’t love it. Well, historical drama isn’t really my thing… Even though the love story is sweet I didn’t like or agree on the main couple. And that might have something to with me loving the supporting actress. Bong Sun. Seriously, she was my favorite in the entire drama that might also be the reason for me not really liking the ending. Sort of half assed, but on the other hand, the rest of the people’s lives are pretty cool… Hmm, my rating is based on the overall drama, even though I’m biased..

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
Contrary to Bunji I really like historical dramas, and this one was definitely one of the good historical dramas. Even though yes of course as usual there is the guy and the girl who is his best friend and she loves him but he loves another one, typical yes, but still good. The ending though was a bit weird, but not THAT bad. I like the story and the people in it and I actually finished it in a few days, which means it keeps you interested (or me at least). Considering its from 2008 I really enjoyed it because I seriously cant watch "old dramas" even though its just 4 years. I dont think I have anything bad to say about the drama, it was a bit slow in the beginning, I mean they show a bit of the ending, and they you are like waiting for that to happen but it only does in the end, lol. But its a slow, relaxing drama. Nice historical.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts 

Always Movie Review

Title: Always
Genre: Romance, Drama
Origin: Korea
Release date: 20 October 2011
Cast: So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo.

Always
Cheol Min (So Ji Sub), a mysterious and quite man, is an ex-boxer, who lives life working small jobs as a deliveryman and a parking attendant. On his first night as a parking attendant, a girl walks into his pay booth and start giving him snacks. She talks and talks, confusing Cheol Min. When Cheol Min asks her what she’s doing, she is startled and asks who he is. It turns out that the girl Jung Hwa (Han Hyo Joo) is blind, and had mistaken him for someone else. The both are awkward in the beginning, but after some time, they soon change each other’s lives..

Sorry for the lousy summary, it’s hard writing a summary for this movie without revealing too much. Anyhow, So Ji Sub never lets me down, nor did he do this time, greatest actor so far. Han Hyo Joo I remember from Shining Inheritance, and she does a brilliant job as a blind person, fits very well with Ji Sub in this movie. The only minus is the storyline is, well for me, typical. BUT still original, in its own way.
I would most defiantly recommend this movie, to all. Those who love romantic movies are going to be thrilled watching this; it is a cry out loud melo dramatic love story, but a good one : )

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
First of all I want to say that Bunji did a great job with the summery because it made me want to watch it but it didnt reveal much, which was great because it was very different than I had expected. It was really nice relaxing movie, romantic but not one of those heartbreaking romantic ones. The actor of course was great , so ji sub again did an extraordinary job and made it all so much better. I dont think there are many movie with a story like this one though it is the same concept. Its a really nice romance and thank God no 3 sums or 4 sums or anything. Really nice romance. Recommend.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Shining Inheritance Review

Title: Shining Inheritance
AKA: Brilliant Legacy, Beautiful Legacy
Genre: Romance, Family
Episodes: 28
Broadcast period: Broadcast period: 2009-Apr to 2009-Jul
Cast: Lee Seung Gi/Ki, Han Hyo Joo, Bae Soo Bin, Moon Chae Won, Kim Mi Sook and Bae Hyo Jung.

Being the daughter of a wealthy business man, Go Eun Sung (Han Hyo Joo) lived life without worries. After the death of her mother, her father re-marries and adopts the daughter of the woman. Go Eun Sung, her father, little brother with autism, her stepmother Baek Sung Hee (Kim Mi Sook) and her stepsister Yoo Seung Mi (Moon Chae Woo), have been a family for seven years. One day, Eun Sung returns from the states, where she studies cooking, and by accident switches bags with a fellow passenger. The passenger happens to be Sun Woo Hwan (Lee Seung Ki), the grandson of multimillionaire business woman Jang Sook Ja (Bae Hyo Jung), and the oppa of Seung Mi. Not alone does he have a weak temper and is EXTREMELY spoilt, he also keeps bugging and accusing Eun Sung for, in his opinion, stealing his bag, which ends up making Eun Sung miss out meeting her father for the last time, before he suddenly dies.
After the father’s death, Sung Hee throws out Eung Sung and her little brother, making them homeless, mainly because of money. Shortly after that the younger brother goes missing, which Eun Sung blames Woo Hwan for, since the little brother would have called her on her cell, if it wasn’t for Woo Hwan breaking the phone, before leaving the house.
At Woo Hwan’s home, the grandmother is fed up with her useless grandson, her daughter-in-law, who doesn’t know how to cook or clean, and her granddaughter, who uses her hard-earned money on useless stuff. So she decides to go out, dressed like a poor woman, to remember the times when she didn’t have a huge company. She ends up falling down a staircase, and hitting her head, losing her memory. Eun Sung happens to be there as it happens, and takes care of the old woman, and lets her stay at her place. Meanwhile, Woo Hwan’s counsin, Park Joon Sae (Bae Soo Bin), befriends Eun Sung, and slowly starts to fall for her...

This drama IS 'shining', from the very beginning to the ending. I loved how the characters are portrayed, how they interact and the pace. I remember watching episode 4 and was worried that there were only 24 episodes left! I was worried that it would have a 'loose-ends' ending and I didn't want the story to stop. I liked that all the problems are shown in episode 1 and 2, and there after it just goes on to solve them. The issues in this drama are beyond saving, I mean, a mean stepmom, death of a loving stepfather, the missing of a little brother, jealousy, hatred and not to mention money.. The fight to get money. As I was checking out the drama, I read a review somewhere, about the stepmom being "super-evil", and I have to say, I was stunned as well. She is a villain, a smart villain. She knows people, and is able to read them, which is insane. She plans everything, and is able to ruin several relationships, in order to get what she wants, crazy! Not to spoil anymore, I have to say definitely a favorite!

☆☆☆☆½ /4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts