Secretly Greatly Movie Review

Title: Secretly Greatly
AKA:  Covertness (Literal title)
Genre: Action, comedy
Origin: South Korea
Release Date: June 5, 2013
Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Park Ki Woong, Lee Hyun Woo, Son Hyun Joo, Kim Sung Kyun, Park Hye Sook, Go Chang Seok, Jang Gwang, Shin Jung Geun, Hong Kyung In, Lee Chae Young, Park Eun Bin, Choi Woo Shik, Joo Hyun . . .

A group of youngsters have been trained by the North Korean elite forces since they were kids, in order to become a secret spies, whom even the people at the top do not know about. Lieutenant Won Ryu Hwan (Kim Soo Hyun), a top agent, is on a mission in South Korea, he disguised himself as the village idiot Bang Dong Gu, and has spent two years, pretending to be a fool, while monitering the situation, though there is not much to monitor. He has amazing fighting skills as well as speaks 5 languages, yet he doesn't get to use them very much. All of this he does only because he believe that his mother is being protected by the government. As two years passes, another member of the secret spy group arrives at the same village, Rhee Hae Rang (Park Ki Woong). Hae Rang disguises himself as a rock star, yet to make his debute, so he goes around auditioning to become a star. As soon as he arrives, Ryu Hwan thinks there is something wrong, why would they send a spy where there is another spy, unless there is something going on. Things get even more fishy when their student/dongsaeng spy Rhee Hae Jin (Lee Hyun Woo) is sent to the village to check upon both of them. What is going on suddenly after no notice for 2 years? Is there a great mission coming, or are they in danger?

This movie starts of with comedy, however! (you know where im going with this) - It certainly changes your mood halfway through. It's very light in the beginning but you end up really wondering about their lives. And yes of course, it's typical since this is a north korea vs south korea movie, and yes north korea is not portrayed very positively. It get's really tough and almost meaningless. You just end up thinking "what the heck!". It is pretty terrible, especially since these "boys" are so young, and yet have these lives. The positive about it, ehmm hello~ pretty handsome boys/young men. What do I say, I loved Park Ki Woong's acting again, brought me back to bridal mask. And Kim Soo Hyun of course, amazing job. I really feel he is getting better and better at acting. This is only my second time seeing Lee Hyun Woo (first time in Equator Man and liked him since that) well I dont know how much I can say, I wasnt super impressed by his acting. The fighting scenes were great EXCEPT for those typical flying jump scenes that ruin the whole thing (for me!) and yeah dont you break your arm if it gets hit by a metal pole!? I guess not if you're Kim Soo Hyun. I recommend it, it's funny most of the time, with a serious note, it shows the lives of young agent.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

King 2 Hearts Review

Title: The King 2 Hearts

AKA: King / The King

Genre: Romance

Episodes: 20

Broadcast period: 2012-Mar-21 to 2012-May-24

Cast: Lee Seung Ki, Kang Han Byul, Hi Ji Won, Jo Jung Suk, Yoon Je Moon, Lee Yoon Ji, Lee Sung Min, Park Gun Tae, Yoon Yeo Jung, Lee Soon Jae, Jung Man Shik, Kwon Hyun Sang, Choi Kwon ..

The relationship between North Korea and South Korea has always been tense, even today. But they both have a wish for uniting though through different principles.  At the WOC competition between different nations, the South and North want to show the rest of the world that they can win as one team. And to show just how much they want to be unified the South decides to send their prince Lee Jae Ha (Lee seung ki), though it is more because his brother, the King, wants to teach him a lesson. Lee Jae Ha protests but uselessly, and he is put in a team with 2 other south Koreans and 3 north Koreans, two male and one female. Kim Hang Ah (Ha ji Won)’s reason for joining is only as a favor so she can find a husband. She is tired of not being seen as a feminine woman and misses having a relationship. Lee Jae Ha is a lot after her and believes she isn’t qualified but she will fast prove him wrong. The two of them quickly develop feelings, but their love is like a forbidden love. Kim Hang Ah is someone the north is proud of and a representative, while Lee Jae Ha is from the royal family. During the tension the king and his wife are murdered and the blame is put on the North. Lee Jae Ha has to step in as the king to lead the people, but at the same time he also wants to be with Kim Hang Ah. Will he be able to fulfill both? Will he lead the people without acting selfishly and will the people be satisfied with him as a king, and can he have his love?

I actually surprisingly really loved this drama. I’m not sure I have anything bad to say about it. I absolutely loved the couple actually. And I was SO surprised by Seung ki and his role, his character, his acting and everything. I didn’t mind Ha Ji Won either, I’ve heard some people weren’t satisfied but I really don’t have anything negative to say. Again she has a role where she fight a lot lol but yeah it fits her I guess, even though she isn’t quite like that in real life, she does a great job. I loved his older brother the king. He is really cool as a brother. And the whole thing I kind of really understand, the tension and the reason for everybody’s actions and all. It’s a romance where it’s about fighting for love when it’s really tough and supporting one another. It’s not the kind of love that gets interrupted by other people and all the three/four-sums.. And the second lead couple was so nice as well. I really really liked them. I enjoyed the drama especially the male actors (HAHAHA!) 

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ stars out of 5

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ hearts out of 5

Bunji's Verdict

It took me unnecessary long to watch this one, but that was honestly because I really dislike the entire north vs. south theme, and especially when the army is involved. The reason(s) I started was the actors, even though I don’t really LOVE Ha Ji Won, but I adore Lee Seung Gi. The idea of following a married royal couple was kind of good as well, so I gave it a shot. I was fairly surprised, not because the north vs. south thing changed, but because of the amount of emotions this drama gives you. Not only the love story, but also the general family issues and problems, and the intense tension in EVERYTHING. I also felt the two leads were really cruel to one another, like they were really mean when they tried to hurt the other.

I never judge a drama by its Gominams (pretty men) but here the gominams are AWSOME, not just pretty faces, but actually good actors - so yeah a well-acted drama.

In order not to spoil more, I will end and say good drama, with good action and whatever you need in a drama like this.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of hearts