Jealousy Incarnation Review

Title: Jealousy Incarnation

AKA: Don’t dare to Dream

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Family, Drama

Episodes: 24

Broadcast Period: Aug-2016 to Nov-2016

Cast: Gong Hyo Jin, Jo Jung Suk, Go Kyung Po, Lee Mi Sook, Park Ji Young, Lee Sung Jae, Seo Ji Hye, Moon Ga Young, Ahn Woo Yeon,

Weather caster Pyo Na Ri (Gong Hyo Jin) and news anchor Lee Hwa Shin (Jo Jung Suk) are long-time colleagues at SBC broadcasting station. Pyo Na Ri has had a crush on Lee Hwa Shin three years ago but things change when she meets the perfect man Go Jung Won (Go Kyung Pyo), a chaebol heir and close friend of Lee Hwa Shin.

Meanwhile, Sung Sook (Lee Mi Sook) and Ja Young (Park Ji Young), who are rivals in both love and career, gets entangled with Kim Rak (Lee Sung Jae), a restaurant owner and landlord of the building where Pyo Na Ri lives.

The most bizarre drama I ever encountered. From the description alone you can’t possibly expect how this drama unfolds. I liked it though, despite it’s bizarreness, it portrays some problems in society that’s not being mentioned. This drama might be a way to direct some awareness into the situation. I loved all the characters, except one. I’m not a big feminist or anything, but the way Pyo Na Ri was portrayed, was really pathetic for us woman, I really didn’t enjoy that part, more likely on the verge of uncomfortable. However, I more than enjoyed the fight between the two male leads and their childish jealousy. This drama made me laugh so much I felt like I was watching a variety. All in all, a really weird, different, all-around hilarious, and thought provoking drama. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥(0.5) / 3.5 out of 5 hearts

Fugitive of Joseon Review

Title: The Fugitive of Joseon

AKA: Heaven’s Order / Mandate of Heaven / Heaven’s Will

Genre: Historical, Thriller, Medical, Political, Period

Episodes: 20

Broadcast period: 2013-Apr to 2013-Jun

Cast: Lee Dong Wook, Kim Yoo Bin, Song Ji Hyo, Im Seul Ong and Park Ji Young.

When the ill king decides to abdicate from his position, the crown prince (Im Seul Ong) is left in a dilemma: if he takes the throne he’ll be seen as a bad son by not waiting for his actual time to reign, and if he denies he’ll be seen at a traitor for not accepting the king’s order. All his life the crown prince had been fighting every minister, and ill-fated people who were trying to kill him, leaving only a handful of people he can trust. One of the people he trusts is Choi Won (Lee Dong Wook), the grandson of the crown princes’ doctor who was executed after making a mistake. This has left Choi Won with resentment and disappointment in the crown prince, also not being able to forgive him for not helping him then. Working as a doctor in the royal clinic, Choi Won has been known to be a ‘quack’ for not wanting to do his job, as he is too busy taking care of his sick daughter at home.

When the king passes out, the royal clinic sends out their best acupuncturist, but the crown prince refuses him, asking for Choi Won, whom he knows is a talented doctor. But knowing the consequences if he makes a mistake, Choi Won declines, leaving a bad impression on everyone, especially Hong Dain (Song Ji Hyo) a royal nurse who is more talented than many of the male doctors in the palace. She became a nurse due to her being saved by a doctor she doesn’t remember well, but dreams of meeting.

After the crown princes’ royal doctor is murdered, evidence are starting to pile up against Choi Won, and for some reason he is not able to prove his innocence, in order to save his daughter he makes a the decision of becoming a fugitive…

Besides the fact of having an amazing cast, this drama is an incredible piece of work. I have to say I was sad that it finished, made me feel a bit empty at the end. The characters and the storyline grow on you, and you cannot take your eyes of the amazing screenplay. I know I’ve said this before, but I really am not a fan of historical dramas, because honestly I don’t understand any of it, especially everything about the king and his royal court. But I think I didn't mind this because it was very clear, also most of the story was outside the court (though the things happening inside I really didn’t understand, I didn’t really care). On the other hand, it really ends up being all political and confusing in the end, making the rating drop - they REALLY drag it out at the end.

All in all, a recommended drama.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts