Gye Baek Review

Title: Gye Baek

Genre: Period, Historical, Romance, Revenge, Melodrama

Episodes: 36

Broadcast period: 2011-Jul to 2011-Nov

Cast: Lee Seo Jin, Cho Jae Hyun, Oh Yeon Soo, Song Ji Hyo, Cha In Pyo, Hyo Min, Lee Hyun Woo and No Young Hak.

Due to the Queen being of Silla blood, an elite group of assassins try to kill her and the Crown Prince Ui Ja on a regular basis. This has prompted the King of Baekje to assign his most loyal and skilled swordsman Moo Jin (Cha In Pyo) to guard them.  But due to unforeseen events, the Queen dies to save her son, and Moo Jins wife dies while giving birth to a son, Gye Baek.

Several years later, Gye Baek (Lee Hyun Woo) now a youngster, works odd jobs, so he can take care of his drunk father. Here he meets merchant-in-training Eun Ko (Park Eun Bin), whom he immediately falls for. Moo Jin, who has lost his arm, has remarried, so the past is unknown, and Gye Baek believes his stepmother and stepbrother, are his real mother and brother. Though mourning, Moo Jin meets the Crown Prince Ui Ja (No Young Hak) again, now a regular Prince due to the new Queens (Oh Yeon Soo) son taking that title and sees right through his pretense, about not caring about the past.

While trying to uncover the truth, and helping Ui Ja, Moo Jin dies, while Gye Baek witnesses it. Filled with anger, Gye Baek blames Ui Ja for the murder of his father but ends up as a hostage of Silla. As years pass, Gye Baek (Lee Seo Jin) lives only for one sole purpose: to kill the man, who killed his father, unaware that there is more to the story than meets the eyes…

Yeah, I know this is very detailed, and yes, I did spoil a bit, but I tried to stay off the details, so if you decide to watch it, you will get several surprises and you will notice the details I left out.

Out of all the historical dramas out there, this one is the first one where I was in awe of the quality of the costumes - like the first 10 min seemed extremely well. I don’t now much about the uniforms of Baekje, but I know that the armor was iron, and it kind of looked like iron. In most dramas I can see that they are made of plastic (or whatever it is) but I didn’t in this one - at least not in the beginning. Also, it might be because I had the first episode in HD quality (I think 1080p), that might have something to do with it too. What I mean is, it was nice to see that there exist good costumes out there, like realistic ones anyways.

This is also one of my first dramas where the lead actors are over 30 years old, as they (directors, or whoever casts these actors) usually have young actors doing quality and popular dramas. And they were all ‘veteran’ actors, with skill, which was extremely nice to see. I have to admit, I was amazed by Song Ji Hyo. I never knew she could act mean or evil - she can officially do both. I liked her in this, and she is very good at acting. Though I noticed that she was tired (haha, blaming RM for that). The rest were good too.

The lacking thing in this one is both pace and extreme character development, which I couldn’t really comprehend. Though the fact that these developments are the reason the story end as it did.

But all in all, an alright drama that made me emotional, and confused at the same time.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Jumong Review

Title: Jumong
AKA: Prince of the Legend
Genre: Period, Historical, Romance, Melodrama
Episodes: 81
Broadcast period: 2006-May to 2008-Mar
Cast: Song Il Kook, Han Hye Jin, Kim Seung Soo, Jeon Kwang Leol, Oh Yeon Su and Song Ji Hyo.

This is the story about the creation of Kogoryeo, and the people who started it.
While trying to fight the corrupt noblemen, Hae Mo Soo (Heo Jun Ho) and the crown prince Kum Wa (Jeon Kwang Leol) get caught up in political turmoil. The king saves the crown prince, but Hae Mo Soo is caught and tortured. Yoo Hwa (Oh Yeon Su), the only survivor of her clan had always admired Hae Mo Soo, thus the two had become lovers, but after Hae Mo Soo gets caught, the crown prince saves Yoo Hwa, by making her his concubine, while carrying the child of Hae Mo Soo.
Several years later, the son of Hae Mo Soo and Yoo Hwa, Ju Mong (Song Il Gook), now all grown up, was raised as the concubine’s son. Earning the utter contempt from his two older brothers, who believe that the now king prefers Ju Mong, rather than the two older sons. Though a brat, and quite useless, Ju Mong tries his best to be seen at “a piece of trash” so that he won’t get attention, but the jealous brothers try to kill him numerous times. After being thrown out of the royal house, Ju Mong ends up on the streets and meets So Seo No (Han Hye Jin), daughter of a merchant, again, where the first time she had saved him, after his brothers had attempted to kill him.
He starts working for the So family and becomes familiar with the world. At the same time the two princes desperately want Ju Mong dead, though fate has other plans for him…

This drama has been one of those that I watched the beginning of, with interest, but accidently read about the evolvement of the story, so I had it put on hold. As time had passed, I’d forgotten about the evolvement, and I decided to watch it again, so when the “thing” I wasn’t interested in seeing appeared, I remembered it, but had an easier time sitting through it. After watching the entire thing, I had mixed emotions, mostly frustration due to the love story, but as many of the “older” dramas, the romance is usually the subplot, so it isn’t given the same amount of “care” as the main story. That said, I didn’t care for the romance aspect, as it made me annoyed, and I ended up going: whoever, just save the wife please.
The main story is very interesting, and one of the better Korean period pieces, as it is action packed most of the way through - though it has moments where I was bored. But it tries to keep you invested.
It was funny seeing Song Il Kook so young, but honestly, I didn’t see much of a difference. The rest was alright, though there is something annoying about the female lead, even if she was the most bad-ass female lead I’ve seen in a long while, but I can’t really put my finger on it.
To sum up: a great and interesting drama with a frustrating love-triangle, but still decent storyline.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Cinderella Man Review

Title: Cinderella Man

Genre: Romance, Chaebol, Melodrama

Episodes: 16

Broadcast period: 2009-Apr to 2009-Jun

Cast: Kwon Sang Woo, Yoona, Song Chang Eui and Han Eun Jung.

Oh Dae San (Kwon Sang Woo) sells clothes at a market, and dreams of turning his little store in to a big clothing line. He is smart and talkative which helps him when he need to butter up to customers and other salespeople. When a fellow store keeper, from the same market, falls ill, the daughter Seo Yoo Jin (Yoona) of the store keeper returns from Paris, only to have him pass away shortly. Due to the financial issues, and partly to blame for the financial issues, Dae San decides to help Yoo Jin and her mother get on their feet again. This leads Yoo Jin and Dae San to become close.

At the same time Dae San meets Lee Joon Hee (Kwon Sang Woo), a rich chaebol of a fashion empire, who looks exactly alike him. Joon Hee asks Dae San to impersonate him for a week, so he can leave the business without having to worry about his competitor and cousin Lee Jae Min taking his place.

Due to his natural ability to do business, Dae San becomes a bother to Jae Min. And when Jae Min befriends Yoo Jin, the empire doesn’t become the only thing they each fight for…

This drama was one of those I downloaded ages ago, but never really got around to watch. Besides it being almost 10 years old, I gotta say it’s alright. Though I felt it was very cliché and had the unnecessary jealousy. I mean most of the dramas that are like this one, are so male dominant. The lead actress only serves as the love interest for the two male characters, and to be honest both are boring love stories.  And the fact that it was Yoona, didn’t make the character better. The casting was also mediocre, mainly because the characters were 2 dimensional - even the male lead who did try but failed.

Besides that, I kind of enjoyed the storyline, though it was very cliché. I do like a badass revenge plot, but it must be well crafted - and this one is alright.

So, all in all an alright drama, to watch because of the story and not romance.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Joseon Gunman Review

Title: Joseon Gunman

AKA: Gunman in Joseon / The Chosun Shooter / The Joseon Gunman / The Joseon Shooter

Genre: Period, Revenge, Melodrama, Action, Romance, Suspense

Episodes: 22

Broadcast period: 2014-Jun to 2014-Sep

Cast: Lee Joon Ki, Nam Sang Mi, Jun Hye Bin, Han Joo Wan and Yoo Oh Sung.

“Third year of Emperor Gojong's reign. The Liberals and Conservatives were in fierce opposition in Joseon. The Confucian Scholars who advocated for Emperor Gojong's enlightenment policies and their doubts for gunmen holding a new type of gun were being brought down one by one...” (intro of drama)

Park Yoon Kang (Lee Joon Ki) is the son of the magistrate, but much to his fathers' dismay, he is quite the party boy. His father had taught him swordsmanship, but due to Yoon Kangs carefree life, he spends most his time entertaining gisaengs. The two don't see eye to eye, as Yoon Kang doesn't have any interest in his future, and his father spends most time away from home. All this changes, as notable people get shot in the middle of the streets, and the magistrate is unable to apprehend the gunman. Soon enough their family becomes a target, and the family goes into hiding with the Jung family. While there the daughter of the Jungs, Jung Soo In (Nam Sang Mi) and Yoon Kang, recognize each other, due to an earlier altercation, but soon they become close. As the situation with the gunman escalates and the magistrate dies, becomes labeled a traitor, and the rest of the family as well. Yoon Kang’s sister is sent into slavery, and while trying to run away with the help of Soo In, he is shot in the chest and falls into water - presumed dead.

Three years later, a Japanese business man called Hasegawa Hanjo, looking exactly like Yoon Kang emerges on the shores of Hanyang. Even though he is refuting everyone’s claim that he is Yoon Kang, Hanjo in the matter of the fact Yoon Kang - but has decided to pretend to be Hanjo; in order to clear his father’s name, save his sister from slavery, and exact revenge on his father’s death. But that is easier said, than done…

I started this drama because of Lee Joon Ki, since it was his first after military release, but it took me quite a while to finish. This drama reminds me of the typical Korean dramas that are too new to be ‘classics’ and too old to be ‘revolutionary’ - they are those ‘inbetweeners’ that bores both new and old crowd. While watching I expected it to be a “typical”, but they decided they wanted to make it different, and kind of ruined most of it. I felt that it dragged on for a very long while, and the ‘main story’ had a dumb ending. The second half was just unnecessary, and it ended, for me at least, as if the main cast were unlikeable antagonistic. I get what they were trying to do, but they were just unlikeable at the end, and I didn’t like any part of it - meaning I ended up not feeling bad for anyone at the end. They tried to make it reasonable and failed.

I didn’t enjoy Lee Joon Ki in this, and I felt that he was stuck in his bad old routine - I hope he snaps out of it soon. The female cast I forgot as soon as they left the screen - so I had situations where I forgot who the main actress it.

All in all, a drama bored people might enjoy, but not a drama to watch for excitement.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

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

Whisper Review

Title: Whisper

Genre: Legal, Chaebol, Melodrama

Episodes: 17

Broadcast period: 2017-Mar t 2017-May

Cast: Lee Bo Young, Lee Sang Yoon, Kwon Yeol, Park Se Young and Kim Kap Soo.

After covering a case with one of South Koreas biggest law firms Taebak, Detective Shin Young Joos (Lee Bo Young) father gets caught up in a murder trial. He is accused of killing one of his friends, and due to the overwhelming evidence against him, he is sure to get convicted. Refusing to believe her father could do so and confident that he is set up, Young Joo decides to investigate the case herself, and decides to meet up with the judge of the trial, as she is afraid Taebak might cover the whole thing. Lee Dong Joon (Lee Sang Yoon) is the judge on the case, and as fate has it, he is known to be honest and fair in his judging.

The two meet, and Young Joo finally sees hope, deciding to trust her most important evidence to Dong Joon. But soon enough Taebak begins to bother and threaten Dong Joon, and is unable to judge fairly. This infuriates Young Joo, and she decides to take revenge on Dong Joo and Taebak with all means possible…

So apparently this drama was hyped because of the lead couple - they acted in another drama together, and it was very popular. Considering the supposed chemistry, it wasn’t that great. As a whole the story is weak and so is the overall backdrop, even though the idea is good, but with such a weak story I wasn’t really satisfied. I think I was expecting much more than this offered, but once I got over that it was okay to watch. I still felt that those “oh yeah!” moments were either forced or just simply blown out of proportion. If you think about how ‘easy’ the last few episodes were, with the evidence piling up against the antagonist, the beginning seemed a bit dull. Luckily the chemistry was good, and it was interesting to watch, so it didn’t feel like a complete waste.

All in all an okay drama to watch, but has a bit too much seriousness for a casual watch.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim Review

Title: Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim
AKA: Romantic Doctor Kim
Genre: Medical, Melodrama, romance
Episodes: 20 + 1 SP
Broadcast Period: Nov-2016 to Jan-2017
Cast: Han Suk Kyu, Yoo Yeon Seok, Seo Hyun Jin,  Jin Kyung, Im Won Hee, Yang Se Jong, Choi Jin Ho,

Boo Yong Joo (Han Suk Kyu) is a genius and triple-board certified surgeon, who was once at the top of his field and used to work at Seoul’s top hospital, Geodae. After a traumatic incident, he disappears and changes his name to Kim Sa Bu (Teacher Kim) to work at a small hospital named Doldam, which is located at Gangwon Province. He guides Kang Dong Joo (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Yoon Seo Jeong (Seo Hyun Jin) to become great doctors there, teaches them to fight against power and money for the sake of patients.

I think this is the best medical drama I've ever watched. The ethical issues portrayed are excellent. Well, some are not that realistic but the story line itself is daebak! I loved how real everything felt, and how all the cases were at least somehow realistic. Medical dramas are my favorite genre, so for a change I actually looked every medical term up, so i learned alot, I could be a doctor and work alongside them. I love the character developement in this drama. Every single character had something to do in the drama, and the harmony between them was so good. The main couple was no joke either, they aced it. Yoo Yeon Seok and Seo Hyun Jin should stay in the medical field, and together! To sum it up, it had a little of everything, easy drama to fall in love with.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4 ½ out of 5 hearts

Uncontrollably Fond Review

Title: Uncontrollably Fond

AKA: Recklessly Affectionate

Genre: Melodrama, Romance, Comedy

Episodes: 20

Broadcast Period: Jul-2016 to Sep-2016

Cast: Kim Woo Bin, Bae Suzy, Im Joo Hwan, Im Joo Eun, Jin Kyung, Choi Moo Sung, Hwang Jung Min, 

Shin Joon Young (Kim Woo-bin) and No Eul (Bae Suzy) were a couple who were separated during their teenage years due to an ill-fated relationship, but later meet each other in adulthood. Shin Joon Young is now a top actor/singer while No Eul is a documentary producer.

No Eul had a tough childhood; her father died in a hit-and-run prompting No Eul to quit school and make a living for her and her brother. Shin Joon Young, on the other hand, had his life planned out for him. His mother wanted him to become a prosecutor; to follow the footsteps of his estranged father, but an awful incident caused him to quit law school and become a singer/actor. The two reunite when No Eul is tasked to film Shin Joon Young's documentary. Joon Young initially gives No Eul a miserable time before finally agreeing to do the documentary and even plans to win her heart back.

Throughout the drama I was still reconsidering whether to continue watching or stop. So as you’re reading this review, you know that I managed to finish it ;)  What this drama did was wrapping up all the sad terms in kdramaland, and putting it in one drama. From the begining it broke my heart, and for that accomplishment I would give to Kim Woo Bins extraordinary acting skills. This story is tragic as hell. This is like Secret level melodrama. Here I was expecting light and fluffy, but within two episodes it already had two traumatic car accidents, one terminal illness, loan sharks, corrupt politicians, birth secrets, and star crossed love. This isn't at all what I thought it was going to be. I can’t put my finger on what it was that did it for me, but I know for sure what didn’t. Suzy. I just can’t take that idol-actress, and yes, I can’t call her an actress, because that wouldn’t be fair. The directors knew who to pair her up with, because she’s toootally overshadowed by Kim Woo Bin when they together. All in all this drama is not one of the best out there, although its a must-watch for Kim Woo Bin fans. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥ (1/2) / 2 (1/2) out of 5 hearts

The K2 Review

Title: The K2

Genre: Melodrama, Political, Action

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Period: Sep-2016 to Nov-2016

Cast: Ji Chang Wook, Song Yoon Ah, Im Yoon Ah, Jo Sung Ha, Jun Bae Soo, Kim Kap Soo, Lee Soon Won, Uhm Hye Ran, 

Kim Je Ha (Ji Chang Wook) is a former mercenary soldier for the PMC Blackstone. While in Iraq, he gets framed for the murder of his lover, a civilian. As a result, he runs away and becomes a fugitive. He returns to South Korea and by chance, gets offered to work as a bodyguard by Choi Yoo Jin (Song Yoon Ah), the owner of JSS Security Company and wife of the presidential candidate, Jang Se Joon (Jo Sung Ha). He accepts the job in exchange for resources that he needs in order to get his revenge on another presidential candidate, Park Kwan Soo (Kim Kap Soo), who previously ordered the killing of his lover. In the meantime, Kim Je Ha gets assigned to guard Go Anna (Im Yoon Ah), the hidden daughter of Jang Se Joon, whose life is always threatened because of Choi Yoo Jin, her stepmother. 

Yes, ladies and gentleman, Ji Chang Wook is back, with nothing less than quality acting with a sprinkle load of hotness. I’ll guide you through why you should watch this. First of all if you have watched Healer (another Ji Chang Wook Gem) you’ll know that his action scenes are professional, and apparently he stepped up his game in this drama, so expect some moves :b. Secondly: do I really need to say more? Yes, as you can read I am too biased on the actor to actually write a helpful review. At first I really didn’t want Ji Chang Wook, to team up with an idol-turned-actress, it’s not that’s she’s bad but she’s not good either. However, the villain in this story, Choi Yoo Jin, portrayed by Song Yoon Ah, really took the audience by storm. Her acting was crazy, at one time I literally got chilled put by her. She was really impressive, she even took the spotlight from JCW when in the same scene (yes, that’s how crazy good she was). The storyline was okay, it became a little dull at times, and the romance was a little too much at times, but the suspense and political game kept it up. To conclude: JCW Fighting ♥

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

On the Way to the Airport Review

Title: On The Way to The Airport

AKA: Road to the Airport

Genre: Romance, Melodrama

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Period: Sep-2016 to Nov-2016

Cast: Kim Ha Neul, Lee Sang Yoon, Shin Sung Rok, Choi Yeo Jin, Jang Hee Jin, Kim Hwan Hee, 

A heart-warming story about two married individuals who meet by fate and become more involved in each other's lives. Choi Soo Ah (Kim Ha Neul) is an experienced AirAsia stewardess who is married to Park Jin Seok (Shin Sung Rok), a pilot who dominates every aspect of her and their daughter Park Hyo Eun's (Kim Hwan Hee) life. Despite protest, Jin Seok sends Hyo Eun to an international school in Malaysia where she meets Annie Seo/Seo Eun Woo, Seo Do Woo's (Lee Sang Yoon) daughter. Tragedy strikes when Annie dies while in an attempt to come back home and despite their denial, Soo Ah and Do Woo's lives get intertwined together.

How long has it been since I saw a drama that touched me in so many levels. Despite the plot hinting at an affair drama (which I hate the most, but end up watching anyway) it really is a story of pure yet forbidden love and also the complicated relationships of those who around them. This drama is absolutely different, modern, and deals with the affair storyline in a way that doesn't make you uncomfortable while giving you a realistic approach. The chemistry between the two leads is UHMAZING. The perfectly fitted OST was like a sprinkle of glimmer, that just made the drama more magical. I was head over heals after just the first episode. Kim Ha Neul, is such a beautiful, elegant and charismatic actress. I have loved all her work so far, she really is one of my favorites out there. A definitly all-around perfect drama for me.

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Age of Youth Review

Title: Age of Youth

AKA: Hello, My Twenties!

Genre: Melodrama, Comedy, Romance, Mystery

Episodes: 12

Broadcast Period: Jul-2016 to Aug-2016

Cast: Han Ye Ri, Han Seung Yeon, Park Eun Bin, Ryu Hwa Young, Park Hye Soo, Yoon Park, Choi Duk Moon

University students Yoon Jin Myung (Han Ye Ri), Jung Ye Eun (Han Seung Yeon), Song Ji Won (Park Eun Bin), Kang Yi Na (Hwa Young) and Yoo Eun Jae (Park Hye Soo) share a house. Jin Myung is busy supporting herself financially and studying. She suffers from lack of sleep. Ye Eun is devoted to her boyfriend, she is clear about what she likes or not. Ji Won has a bright personality and likes to drink. Yi Na is popular due to her beautiful appearance. Eun Jae is timid, but she has an unique taste for men.

At first I thought this was a short peaceful drama empathizing how university students has it, but that’s only the cover. Underneath it lies a web of mysteries involving all the girls. his is not only a drama. They showed the real life. I likes it, I got me interested right away, and it was nice to get away from all the melodramas, and suffocating love stories. The screenplay and story evolved smoothly and the suspense was kept all the way till the end. So yes a very entertaining drama. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

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

Marriage Contract Review

Title: Marriage Contract
Genre: Melodrama
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Period: Mar-2016 to Apr-2016
Cast: Lee Seo Jin, Uee, Kim Yong Geon, Park Jung Soo, Lee Hwi Hyang, Kim Young Pil, Kim Yoo Ri, Kim Kwang Kyu

Kang Hye Soo (Uee) is a single mother who struggles to raise her daughter while paying off her late husband's debts. Han Ji Hoon (Lee Seo Jin) is the son of a chaebol who seeks a contract marriage in order to save his mother, who needs a liver transplant. When Kang Hye Soo is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, she agrees to marry Han Ji Hoon and donate part of her liver to his mother, in exchange for enough money to provide for her daughter until she reaches adulthood.

This drama is one of those typical Korean predictable melodramas there is out there. However there is still a hint of something new, it was well written and executed. It didn’t get boring or dull, but rather after every episode it keeps you hunger for the next one. So yes, a very enjoyable and interesting drama. Uee’s acting has definitely improved throughout the drama; she really managed to get that motherly feeling from her, despite her young age. What is a review without mentioning the chemistry between the leads? Here I have to put my hands up and surrender. When I started it I had NO idea what I was expecting from Uee and Lee Seo Jin, mainly because I kept thinking of the big age-gap. After finishing the drama I must say they proved everyone wrong. They had one of the really good screenplay together, enjoyed watching them interact with each other and especially with that little girl! The reason why I’m not giving it full ratings, is because it had too many characters that was ignored or just needless.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Descendant Of The Sun Review

Title: Descendants of the Sun
AKA: Taeyangui Huye
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Comedy
Episodes: 16 + 3 SP
Broadcast Period: Feb-2016 to Apr-2016
Cast: Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won, Kang Shin Il, Kim Byung Chul, Park Hoon, Lee Seung Joon,

Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki) is the captain of a South Korean Special Force unit. He catches a motorcycle thief Kim Gi Beom (Kim Min Seok) with Sergeant Major Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo). The thief is injured during his capture and is sent to the hospital. Dae Young realizes his cellphone was stolen by the thief and goes to the hospital along with Si Jin to retrieve his cellphone. In the emergency room, Si Jin meets Dr. Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo) for the first time. He falls in love with her immediately. Mo Yeon mistakenly assumes Si Jin is part of the thief's criminal gang due to his nickname "Big Boss", which is actually his callsign. He proves to her that he is a soldier with the help of army doctor Yoon Myeong Joo (Kim Ji-won).

It’s been nearly three weeks since the finale of Descendants of the Sun, one of the reasons I enjoyed it, among the various lures, was the visual glory of the cast and location shoots. Descendants of the Sun might not be the best or most romantic or most exciting drama ever made, but it touches upon subjects that most asian dramas don't touch upon, and I really loved that. People who say this drama has no story, are obviously missing the point. Just because it doesn't deal with evil in-laws, revenge plots, star-crossed lovers, amnesia, or noble sacrifice, doesn't mean there is no story. The lovely supporting cast, the amazing chemistry between the four leads, the suspense and tragic disasters, the heartbreak and comedic moments, that even though you just shed a river of tears will still make you laugh. And, lastly, can I just say, the adorableness that is Song Joong Ki!!!!  I've loved him ever since Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and I am SO HAPPY he got this role! I whole-heartedly recommend this drama, and I assure you, if you appreciate the little and sincere moments and thoughts brought onto screen, you will love this.

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Cheese In The Trap Review

Title: Cheese In The Trap
Genre: Melodrama, Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Period: Jan-2016 to Feb-2016
Cast: Park Hae Jin, Kim Go Eun, Seo Kang Joon, Lee Sung Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk, Park Min Ji, Son Byung Ho, Ahn Kil Kang

Having returned to college after a yearlong break, due to her family's poor background, Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun), a hard-working over-achiever, inadvertently got on the wrong side of Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin), her senior who is athletic, good looking, gets good grades and has a kind personality, but also a hidden dark side. From then on, her life took a turn for the worse and Seol was almost certain it was all Yoo Jung's doing. After almost a year of weird behavior around her, such as getting dropped from important courses and others suddenly mistreating her, Yoo jung, the person she least expected anything from, suddenly is friendly towards her. He keeps asking her out, and help her around school, but somehow Seol doesn’t want to trust him. How will this shape their relationship?

Wow, what an unfair plot I just wrote there, I really didn’t know where to stop, I’m not quite satisfied with what I wrote, but oh well. You have to know that this drama is based on a webtoon, and has gained quite an audience, me included. I started the webtoon before the drama, so I knew what I was going into. I got to say that I think the scripters did a good job, staying true to the original story while still adding new details that gave something fresh to the drama. I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the drama. I would be the last person to question why someone feels the way they do about it. If someone felt it went downhill and was terrible, that's valid. If someone thinks the overall experience was amazing, that's valid, along with all the other opinions people may have. I belong to the later opinion. I loved this drama and everything in it (except for the ending, but I won’t comment on that!). An extremely realistic, slice-of-life drama depicting a love story in the context of university life. Since I’m a university student too, I could REALLY put myself in Seols shoes, and feel her frustrations. A pity that the drama experienced some controversial issues over the directing as well as bad publicity from the original webtoon. I didn’t read so much about the controversy, since I loved the drama and appreciated the actors hard work, and was afraid I would get influenced about the millions of opinions out there. To sum it up, I think this is one of the good dramas out there, and I really did appreciate it.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Kim Soo Ro Review

Title: Kim Soo Ro

AKA: Kim Su Ro / The Iron King

Genre: Period, Melodrama, Romance, Fantasy

Episodes: 32

Broadcast period: 2010-May to 2010-Sept

Cast: Ji Sung, Bae Chong Ok, Yu Oh Seong, Seo Ji Hye and Ko Joo Won.

As one of the kingdoms of the North is on the verge of destruction, the pregnant queen Jung Kyung Bi (Bae Chong Ok) flees in order to keep the royal line intact. While doing so she is hit by arrows and barely survives when she boards a ship sailing south. On the boat she gives birth to a boy, but due to her wound and being exhausted she passes out. The ship encounters harsh winds and crashes, leaving only ship wreckage on a shore. A maid from the Iron Masters house spots the wreckage and notices that the newborn baby is still alive, and decides to take him with her. Shortly after Kyung Bi wakes up, but unable to find her child she breaks down. At the same time the Iron Master wife gives birth to her third stillborn, and he is unable to tell his wife. The maid who found the child on shore tells the Master about the child, and in order to save is wife from depression, decides to make the child his son, calling him Soo Ro.

In the south the 12 tribes are having problems agreeing on trivial matters, so they go to the High Priest in order to get answers, this furies one of the richer tribe leaders Shin Gwi Gan (Yu Oh Seong) as the High Priest almost becomes the king, as he is liked by all but also deals with all the main issues. When a prophecy, which says that the future king will be a child born by a woman from north, is given to the High Priest, he meets Kyung Bi and finds out about her background. He decides to marry her, and makes sure that he will be in the same position.

Several years later Soo Ro (Ji Sung) now old enough to learn from his father’s iron crafts, is met with hostility from the High Priests son Lee Jin Ah Shi (Ko Joo Won) and Kyung Bi, since they fear of him being a 'potential' king. And the tribe leader Shin Gwi Gan refuses to let anyone take his throne. Will the real heir be able to become king?

I apologize for the long review; another period/historical story that starts late into the drama.

This is my second drama about the period before the Joseon era, my first being Faith. And comparing those two would not be all that fair, even though I liked this one better. This drama had the element of fantasy, as in magic – which Faith also had, just not the same kind – and prophecies, which apparently used to be quite normal then. I am really not familiar with the story of the pre-joseon era, but from what I know they are coming quite close to the actual story. Though I really don’t understand the use of the second lead – like she was quite unnecessary. I didn’t feel bad for her, and I honestly didn’t get her backstory – not that it was interesting. I get that they were trying to make it sad and heartbreaking, but I actually was waiting for her to leave already… I know: mean. But yeah, I guess people like these types… I just don’t.

Ji Sung was cool as always. I remember him in The Great Seer, which I watched fondly, but here he was younger, which is nice to see. And he just fits those mischievous characters, I dunno why. Also the lead actress was okay, though I don’t know her, she was quite good, but yeah, still a typical lead in period…

But yeah, I found it pretty interesting to watch, so all in all fairly good watch.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Horse Doctor Review

Title: Horse Doctor

AKA: The King’s Doctor

Genre: Period, Melodrama, Medical, Romance

Episodes: 50

Broadcast period:

Cast: Cho Seung Woo, Lee Yo Won, Son Chang Min, Yoo Sun and Lee Sang Woo.

Lee Myung Hwa (Son Chang Min) is the son of a known vet, who becomes an herbalist after a recommendation from a merchant. While studying to become a physician he meets and befriends Kang Do Jun (Jeon No Min) and a soon-to-be nurse Joo In Ok (Choi Soo Rin). The three become very close, but due to a plot by the royal queen, their lives take a drastic turn: she wants to kill the Crown Prince. In order to kill him she hires people to test a new way of killing: putting poison on needles and thereby killing the victim without leaving any evidence. This testing and the plot is noticed by a local, who in fear runs away and is saved by Kang Do Jun. Afraid something might happen, Do Jun leaves to meet the Crown Prince. At the same time the local man’s wife gives birth to a daughter. And shortly after, Myung Hwan is forced to point Do Jun out as a traitor in order to save himself.

As fate has it Do Jun’s wife is also pregnant, and due to the marking as a traitor, Do Jun’s child will be killed if he is a boy and put to slavery if it is a girl: unfortunately, it happens to become a boy. The local man then decides to switch the children and take care of the boy as his own.

Several years later, Do Jun’s son now Baek Kwang Hyun (Ahn Do Gyu) is a boy who dreams of big city, but the local man, now referred as father, tries to keep him safe and make him a doctor like Kwang Hyuns real father.

But fate again intervenes as Kwang Hyun (Cho Seung Woo) becomes a vet instead of doctor, though his interest for treating humans seems to lie in his blood…

I started this drama long time ago because I felt like watching a medical drama, and somehow this popped up. Not that I am a fan of period dramas, but I thought I’d give it a chance: and I really don’t regret it.

The drama is quite typical in the royal/political sense, but I enjoyed the main focus being on the medical part, as I always has the idea that they weren’t “up-to-speed” with the medical part, but I guess I was wrong. It really wasn’t that horrible to be a patient in the Joseon times apparently. Heck even animals had it okay – in the veterinary sense. Or this drama may be blowing it bit out of proportion – I will never know. BUT nonetheless, this drama has charms beyond expectations.

The lead actor is really a charmer, and I don’t really remember him in other dramas/movies, but till this date I remember his face and voice, and that itself is an accomplishment if you ask me. The female actresses are not horrible, but I have to be honest I am a bit bored with these type of female character portrayals – pretty and demure. They really do nothing except ruin the overall idea of woman in general.

As for the rest; story, screen-play and everything else, I really liked it.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

My Beautiful Bride Review

Title: My Beautiful Bride

AKA: Areumdawoon Naeui Shinboo

Genre: Thriller, Romance, Melodrama

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Period: Jun-2015 to Aug-2015

Cast: Kim Moo Yul, Lee Shi Young, Go Sung Hee, Ryu Seung Soo, Park Hae Joon, Son Jong Hak, Lee Jae Yung

The storyline is about Kim Do Hyung (Kim Moo Yul) whose fiance, Yoon Joo Young (Ko Sung Hee), vanished from the surface of the earth and he found himself in an everlasting journey between the past and the present in order to find her. There’s a violence and power hierarchy when it comes to the world of the underground. The first step are the loan sharks and if they can’t get the amount of money the debtor owes them the Shadows take charge of the overall situation. Everything started three years ago when the leader of Shadows, Song Hak Soo (Lee Jae Yong), was caught by the police force after a massive operation under the command of Cha Yoon Mi (Lee Si Young) and Park Hyung Sik (Park Hae Joon). While searching for his fiancee, Kim Do Hyung quickly finds himself against the Shadows.

OCN indeed! Cruel City style indeed. Bloody, intense, heavy, noir till the end. It's exactly what I adore and love. I decided to watch it impulsively and just fell in love with it. It gives you this happiness and a thought that I did well watching it.  Oh boy what a surprise it was, reading that it was the same director as the one behind Cruel City that directed this drama. It made me draw parallels between those two. The dark world there is deep in society, a man fighting for what he believes and a woman that is desperately entangled in that world. Damn was I impressed and freaking hyperventilating half the time? YES, because of all the fighting and racing. I didn’t know how cool a man in a suit riding a mountain bike after a car before I watched Kim Moo Yul in action. At first I was not sure why they picked this actor, I mean, I don’t know him (and that’s very rare!!! Unless he was a rookie/newbie), when I looked him up, he had a lot of work and apparently a well-known person (shock). Although he was kind of a stranger for me at first, I slowly fell for his acting! He is not that handsome when you see him at first, but he becomes more and more charming and real throughout the drama. The girl and the rest of the cast were amazingly good too, I don’t think there were one single person that didn’t give it their all because you could even feel threatened by the gangsters behind, so definitely thumbs up to them. One thing that bothered me was how they tried to prolong the drama, before I started I really wondered how they were going to fill up 16 episodes, with him trying to rescue the girl. And as expected it did feel stretched out in the end, but somehow you kinda overlook it because of all the action. All in all, great OCN.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Bunjis Verdict

Hmm, OCN keeps disappointing me. This is yet another one that I could have avoided watching.

As far as police and thriller dramas go, this one had a good starting plot, and then suddenly ended becoming a mafia/gangster/wanna-be-underground’ish war. It started very intriguing where any person watching would become very confused and even doubt your own eyes and yourself. I thought it was well-thought, until episode 4 (or somewhere after that). It just goes downhill, and ends with something as ridiculous as all-on war between gang mobsters. I know it was a sub-plot to begin with, but it ended by becoming the main plot? Also, I understand if you must do that, but it just feels like a desperate attempt to make it scary.

BUT! Besides that, I gotta say the acting was on point, so was the dialogue. So, if you like mobster movies, and like thrillers, this is a definite pick. Plus, it has a bit of mystery which makes it watchable.

To sum up: an interesting and intense police action drama, with a “bit” of gangster in it.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Mask Review

Title: Mask

AKA: Gamyun

Genre: Romance, Melodrama

Episode: 20

Broadcast Period: May-2015 to Jul-2015

Cast: Soo Ae, Joo Ji Hoon, Yun Jung Hoon, Yoo In Young, Hoya, Jun Gook Hwan, Park Jung Geum, Jung Dong Hwan

They say that some people has a doppelganger, and the first one who see ‘the other’ will die soon after. Byun Ji Sook (Soo Ae) has always had a hard life with her father constantly going into debt and being chased by loan sharks. She desperately wants to know what life is like if she was born into a better family and didn’t have to worry about money all the time. When a series of circumstances brings Ji Sook to Seo Eun Ha (Soo Ae), a woman from a wealthy family who strongly resembles Ji Sook, she grabs hold of the chance for a better life and assumes Eun Ha’s identity and begins to live her elite life. She meets Min Woo (Joo Ji Hoon), a chaebol heir who is mistrusting of the people around him. But when he realizes that Ji Sook is not like the other women he has met, he is drawn to her. How long can Ji Sook keep up the charade and hide her true identity?

Certainly, this has been a crazy 20 hour long yet interesting ride. First of all, the synopsis does not do any justice for the drama, but because I really didn’t want to spoil anything I kept it as minimal as possible. There is so much more going on politically, family stuff and revenge. To sum it all up, people with hidden intentions wearing a mask. After finishing it, it made me think a lot. Aren’t we all wearing a mask from time to time… Anyway hahah, I got carried away. The drama itself was really good, although it made me frustrated a lot in the beginning. The characters were so weak it made no sense, it portrayed a dark world were everything can be done with money. An over-dramatic melodrama, like serious, there were more than 5 different dramatic car chases, and two of them happened in the same episode, but I was hooked. The four main characters were all intense with a lot of hidden feelings, especially Suk Hoon/Yun Jung Hoon, he was so interesting and so despicable. One thing you can say about them all is, whether you hated them or loved them, you can’t deny what an amazing character they were. There were a lot of plot-holes for sure, but either it is strong enough to excuse them or it isn’t. In this case, it’s very close, but it was so intriguing you’ll actually be more concerned about how it would end.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Thank You Review

Title: Thank You

AKA: We Were There / There We Were

Genre: Social, Melodrama, Comedy, Romance

Episodes: 16

Broadcast period: 2007-Mar to 2007-May

Cast: Jang Hyuk, Gong Hyo Jin, Seo Shin Ae, Shin Sung Rok and Choi Kang Hee.

Min Ki Seo (Jang Hyuk) is an arrogant and cocky surgeon, who also is the son of a rich CEO. He lives every day with only the goal of being the best, until he one day, gets told that his girlfriend Ji Min (Choi Kang Hee) is sick. While visiting her, he finds out that she has last stage cancer, and that she has agreed to accept her fate, but this only furies Ki Seo who decides to take her back home to do the surgery to save her. Unfortunately even he is not able to save her, and this makes Ji Min decide to go to a small island called Blue Island. There she wants to meet a little girl called Lee Bom (Seo Shin Ae), whom she by accident gave HIV, by giving her infected blood. Guilt-ridden she wants to visit Bom and her mother Lee Young Shin (Gong Hyo Jin), and apologize, but dies while riding with Ki Seo.

Unable to get over Ji Mins death, Ki Seo decides to quit his job as a doctor and decides to help his mother in business. Here he meets Choi Suk Hyun (Shin Sung Rok), a hardworking manager of his mother’s company. In order to make Ki Seo become good, his mother decides to have Suk Hyun show Ki Seo the ropes, and one of the first jobs is getting all the land from the inhabitants of Blue Island.

This leads to Young Shin and Ki Seo meeting again, even having Ki Seo living with them, but things get more complicated as the father of Young Shins child happens to be Suk Hyun…

This is one of the few gems hidden beneath all the idol/pretty actors, with a good storyline and good actors, though it has one big problem: it is way too conservative. I’m not talking bed scenes or kisses, but conservative in the typical Korean drama. And what I mean by typical is the early 20s late 90s Korean drama with the loud boyfriend, jealous ex, overprotective male personas and most of all the long annoying stars with the hints of happy smiles (that take over 2 minutes of the screen time). I was hoping by the end it would change a bit, but it didn’t, so a little disappointed me.

On the other hand it has some things that I really like: Young Shin (I know she seems typical but I really found her more amazing than the rest of the female cast), the second female lead actually being nice and likeable and lastly the entire theme of the drama - social discrimination. Me likey! They really go beyond the casual discrimination, by actually talking about fear of the unknown, which by the way is so awesome.

Jang Hyuk and Shin Sung Rok are kind of the dull elements here, not because of bad acting but because I dislike ridiculous “jealous in love” characters. So yeah, whatever. All in all a good drama.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts