The Guest Review

Title: The Guest

AKA: Hand / Son

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Episodes: 16

Broadcast period: 2018-Sept to 2018-Nov

Cast: Kim Dong Wook, Kim Jae Wook and Jung Eun Chae.

When he was a child, Yoon Hwa Pyung (Kim Dong Wook) was possessed by a superior ghost. The possession led to the deaths of many people, accidently involving the brother of a priest who tried to exorcise him, Choi Yoon, and the daughter of a police woman who tried to help, Kang Gil Young.

As a grown up, Hwa Pyung is able to see ghosts, which he believes is because of the possession. He meets Priest Choi (Kim Jae Wook), while trying to find the superior ghost, Sohn, he believes is still out there creating havoc. And he meets police woman Kang Gil Young (Jung Eun Chae), who wants to find her mothers murderer. The three get involved in an exorcism, and soon they realize that they are all the children, victims of Sohn, the ghost that had possessed Hwa Pyung, repossessed Yoons brother, and killed Gil Youngs mother. At first, the three are at odds, but when they witness more than just one abnormal case of ghosts, they soon form an alliance…

Sorry for the weird summary, I recommend watching the trailer…

Dear lord! This is by far one of my favorite dramas, ever! I loved every single thing about this - maybe not the “Son” background story, but it was still pretty amazing. I loved the cast, their chemistry, and the entire build up. It had me guessing the entire time, and I loved every minute it. I can retell the entire drama, because I was taking every minute in. I was on the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed it. The plot was very intriguing, as in how and what, which has scary moments, but not the classic ones. It was very refreshing to see a different type of storyline - that wasn’t cliché. Likewise, the fact that there wasn’t a love story, made it so much better.

All in all, 100% recommend to people that like suspense, but also those who want to try a very different genre.

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Signal: Choki Mikaiketsu Jiken Sosahan Review

Title: Signal

AKA: Signal - Choki Mikaiketsu Jiken Sosahan

Genre: Suspense, (Time-travel)

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2018-Apr to 2018-Jun

Cast: Sakaguchi Kentaro, Kitamura Kazuki, Kichise Michiko and Kamio Fuju.

This is the Japanese version of the Korean drama with the same name.

Working freelance, Saegusa Kento (Sakaguchi Kentaro) spends most of his time getting scoop for random gossip magazines, though he’d finished police school. One day he gets picked up by the police, and reprimanded, but let go, due to lack of lawbreaking. While leaving, he accidently passes a garbage truck, and notices a walkie-talkie calling out to him. Confused and curious, he picks it up and starts talking to Oyama Takeshi (Kitamura Kazuki), who asks him about an abandoned hospital. Their call gets cut abruptly, and in order to soothe his curiosity, Saegusa visits the abandons place, only to find a skeleton. Surprisingly, a 15-year-old case that has haunted Saegusa with guilt in the past, has now resurfaced.

Bewildered, Saegusa reconnects with Oyama to ask about the case, but Oyama claims he’s from 15 years ago, and that the case had just happened…

After watching the Korean version, I decided to give this one a go, especially since I loved the original. Compared to the original, this one is shorter, and does not incorporate all stories you get from the Korean version. Thankfully it is the one story that I really didn’t like from the original that they didn’t add, so I was pleasantly surprised. I tend to like the Japanese remakes of Korean dramas, as the stories are good, without the “over-the-top” drama/dilemma. Its very clean cut, and it also is very well acted. Also, I like the two veteran actors, another nice surprise. The lead actor I don’t remember seeing before, but he did a good job, considering the original almost blew me away. So, another plus.

That said, I did feel the ending summed up too fast. I know it is because I had the original in my head, but I felt it being hurried, and little bit messy - not much, just enough for a kdrama fan to notice.

Anyways, I enjoyed it, and I liked it.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Misty Review

Title: Misty

Genre: Drama, Suspense, Mystery

Episodes: 16

Broadcast period: 2018-Feb to 2018-Mar

Cast: Kim Nam Joo, Ji Jin Hee, Jeon Hye Jin, Im Tae Kyung and Go Joon.

Go Hye Ran (Kim Nam Joo) is the top announcer, famous for her beauty and ability to stay relevant for seven years. This has taken a toll on her marriage with her husband Kang Tae Wook (Ji Jin Hee), a prosecutor from a wealthy family. The two rarely talk, and only stay together because of the title.

When her boss pressures her to step down, to have a younger announcer fill the seat, Hye Ran is given the last opportunity to save the seat, by doing a special on the famous American-Korean golfer Lee Jae Young (Go Joon). But when she meets him, she realizes that he is her past lover she had left, right before marrying Tae Wook. Jae Young has a vendetta against Hye Ran and to make matters worse, he is now married to her childhood friend Seo Eun Joo (Jeon Hye Jin).

Bewildered by the situation, unwilling to let out a scandal, afraid to ruin her position, and determined to keep her position, she decides to work with Jae Young, even if it means to be terrorized by him.

But when he is found dead, all evidence points to Hye Ran, so Tae Wook decides to defend her - and everything is turned upside down…

When I first heard about this drama, I really liked the premise, and it seemed to be a bit different than the usual k-dramas out there. Though I finished it, and I kind of did watch it because of the story, I didn’t expect it to be so dark and quite frankly twisted. The entire thing was made in dark colors, and the characters were much complicated than your usual k-drama. Unfortunately, that didn’t make this drama better, it just made seem like a spiral of cruelty and sorrow. You are not aware of this while watching it, but by the ending depression sinks in, as it really is a gloomy drama. The drama does give you small hopes along the way, only to crash in the end… And God I disliked the ending. Not because the ending was bad, but how it was executed…

Acting wise: good, even though it’s the first time watching Kim Nam Joo act, so I have nothing to compare it with.

So all in all, do I recommend? I don’t really know - not something I would watch again…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Massage Tantei Joe Review

Title: Massage Tantei Joe

AKA: Massage Detective Joe

Genre: Suspense, Comedy

Episodes: 12

Broadcast period: 2017-Apr to 2017-Jul

Theme song: Otsukare Sankusu by Nakamaru Yuichi

Cast: Nakamaru Yuichi, Koshiba Fuka, Baisho Mitsuko, Wada Masato and Ozawa Yukiyoshi.

“Until now, there have been countless kinds of detective. A primary school detective with the brain of an adult, a high school detective with a famous grandfather, a really interesting scientist, furthermore, housemaids, antiquarians, people with memory loss or music mania, a lawyer who uses even a 0.1% chance. No good concept for a detective has been left out. But, against all common sense, now a new type of detective was born.” (Intro of episodes)

Yabukihara Joe (Nakamaru Yuichi) is shy and has a fear of human eye-contact, but he is an amazing masseur. He works in a small clinic, with three other masseurs and their boss. After being pulled in to a case, while doing a massage, he starts helping the police solve crimes, by massage the suspects. Due to his talent, he is able to notice small movements in muscles - whether they are tense or not - but also hurts, pain and even heartbeats. As he helps solve cases, there is a sudden interest in him, by unknown people - and they seem to have to do something with his fathers disappearance as well… 

Considering the fact that I stumbled upon this drama, and that I had no idea this was out there, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This drama is another typical half comedy half serious Japanese drama, which I had no problem finishing - actually did it in one evening! Though I gotta emphasize, it isn’t a serious drama. It has moments, but the idea of the drama is to make you laugh, and entertain, which it does.

Nakamaru is fun and I love seeing him act, also the rest of the cast made it very interesting. The overall interaction and screenplay was very decent, even though the massaging sounds were a bit too much…

Okay! All in all, a nice drama that entertained me, and was not a waste of time at all!

☆☆☆½ / 3½ 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

The Host Movie Review

Title: The Host

AKA: Monster

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Origin: Korea

Release Date: July 27, 2006

Cast: Song Kang Ho, Byun Hee Bong, Park Hae Il, Bae Doo Na and Go Ah Sung.

Park Gang Doo (Song Kang Ho), a mentally slow man and father of Park Hyun Soo (Go Ah Sung), runs a street vendor with his father Park Hee Bong (Byun Hee Bong), right next to Han River. On the day of his sisters Park Nam Joo’s (Bae Doo Na) archery competition, tourists sight a weird creature near the river. The creature, swimming closer to land, gathers the attention of most people, and soon enough also Gang Doo. While everyone is intrigued, the creature jumps out of the water, and starts grabbing and killing people. In the confusion Hyun Soo runs out, and becomes pulled underwater by the monster.

The victims and survivors of the incident are evacuated, and the Park family, Gang Doo, Hee Bong, Nam Joo and the big brother Park Nam Il (Park Hae Il), gather to mourn Hyun Soo.

While the situation becomes noticed by media, and the government start covering it up, Gang Doo gets a call from Hyun Soo, giving him hope of her having survived, and the family decides to go and find Hyun Soo. The family manages to escape the military holding, but due to the cover-up, the entire family becomes wanted, and now must hide while trying to rescue Hyun Soo…

The summary might seem detailed, but I managed to only cover bit of the beginning.

If you are a variety or drama watcher, you will at some point get to hear about this movie, as it is referenced and mentioned a lot. So, I kind of needed to see what the hype was about.

When I began it, I expected it to be a horror movie, but was pleasantly surprised of the fact that it is a monster movie (like Godzilla or like that). It’s been ages since I’ve watched one, and I really didn’t feel like another ‘The Wailing’. Of course, it has horror elements, where you get freaked out, but it’s more of a rescue mission or/and “clear image of the enemy”-kind of movie. I like the cast, and I like that the movie didn’t succumb the “American/Hollywood”-hype, though I disliked the beginning - where an American is to blame for the creation of the monster (don’t worry the first 10min of the movie shows this, so not really a spoiler).

I don’t want to comment that much, as this is a movie classic, where my opinion can change your judgement. So, I’m leaving it with this: a good movie with deserved reputation, though a few dislikable situations and I have to admit, weird backstory - I felt like the director sometimes took a bit of the intelligence of the audience for granted.

But all in all, enjoyable.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ ½ / 3½ out 5 hearts

Bokura no Yuuki - Miman City SP

Title: Bokura no Yuuki – Miman City Special

AKA: Our Courage – Miman City Special

Genre: Sci-fi, Mystery, Suspense

Broadcast date: 21 July 2017

Cast: Domoto Koichi, Domoto Tsuyoshi, Matsumoto Jun, Aiba Masaki, Kohara Yuki and Mukai Osamu.

20 years ago, Shindo Yamato (Domoto Koichi), Takigawa Takeru (Domoto Tsuyoshi), Eguchi Morio (Matsumoto Jun), Inagawa Akira (Aiba Masaki) and Okamoto Kiichi (Kohara Yuki) made a promise to reunite again at Makuhara. 20 years later, they meet again, but only Yamato, Takeru and Akira arrive, and the Makuhara they know, now looks completely different than it used to. The city has been trying to get on its feet after the cover up, and a lot of money has been invested in the rebuild.

One year later both Yamato and Takeru realize that something weird is happening with Akira, and while asking around they find out that he has been asking around for money. Morio had turned Akira down, and wants nothing to do with the past, so the duo decides to find him. Soon enough they realize that Makuhara isn't as safe as it is made out to be, but compared to before they might be too grown up to deal with the threat...

If you haven't watched the 1997 drama this summary might very well confuse you. I remember the drama being one of the first dramas I had watched in my early drama watching days, and I was so hooked due to the 'dark' elements of it. This special took me right back to those days, but it also took it up a notch. I was amazed that I didn't see 20 years of difference in their acting, and the reality of 'becoming a grownup' is so clear even in this special. Of course, I noticed things (such as lacking acting and lousy cover up) that made my eyebrows wrinkle, but it doesn't ruin the overall experience. It made me very nostalgic, and happy.

To sum up: a good special of the continuation story, of the 1997 drama – but I would recommend to watch the drama before the special.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Ouroboros Review

Title: Ouroboros

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Action

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2015-Jan to 2015-Mar

Cast: Oguri Shun, Ikuta Toma and Ueno Juri.

Growing up as orphans Ryuzaki Ikuo and Danno Tatsuya never had a place they called home, until they arrive at a children’s home run by Kashiwaba Yuiko (Hirosue Ryoko). The two grow very fond of Yuiko, due to her caring personality and big heart, and start seeing her as the only adult they trust.

Everything changes drastically when they one-night witness four men leaving a bleeding Yuiko, after shooting her. This leads them to vow, to find the men, take revenge, and kill them. Several years later, they both are grown: Ryuzaki Ikuo (Ikuta Toma) is a detective with a perfect arrest record, and Danno Tatsuya (Oguri Shun) is a don in the underworld. Waiting for opportunities and clues to find the assailants behind Yuikos killers.

After an alleged suicide, Ikuo arrives at the crime scene and becomes the partner of Hibino Mizuki (Ueno Juri). Soon they find out that the suicide isn’t a suicide, and suddenly the clues start dropping.

The two start their mission, now without caring about their capture…

This is one of the few revenge dramas that I’ve enjoyed in my 10+ years of watching dramas. It is a typical drama meaning a tiny bit cliché, but with good twist - had me wondering a few times. I like that it was delivered as it is, and was not apologetic about its characters. We were made aware from the beginning how things are, and how the situation will be. And yet we are wondering at the end, if there might be a better life for these guys in the future.

This is as said one of the few ‘revenge’ dramas I like, and funnily enough it once again stars Ikuta Toma (the other revenge drama I enjoyed is Maou in which he stars in). Oguri and Ikuta are amazing actors, so the duo is actually perfect in almost every sense. At first, I didn’t really understand Ueno Juri had to be in it - they didn’t use her characters potential at all, but she is interesting to watch, and a great actress, so it’s not a complete waste.

To sum up: a great drama with good plot and great screenplay. Recommendable!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

God's Gift - 14 Days Review

Title: God’s Gift – 14 Days

Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Episodes: 16

Broadcast period: 2014-Mar to 2014-Apr

Cast: Lee Bo Young, Cho Seung Woo, Kim Tae Woo, Jung Gyu Woon, Baro, Han Sun Hwa, No Min Woo and Kim Yoo Bin.

Kim Soo Hyun (Lee Bo Young) had it all: a successful career, a prosecutor husband and a beautiful daughter Han Saet Byul (Kim Yoo Bin). Though a little rough, Soo Hyun is a loving mother and has a loving relationship with her husband. Everything changes when her daughter gets kidnapped. After a failed investigation, her daughter’s body is found by the river, and Soo Hyun becomes depressed. Unable to forgive herself, she decides to kill herself by drowning. At the same time former detective, now turned private investigator Ki Dong Chan (Jo Seung Woo), is caught by the mafia for investigating their boss. He is shot and thrown into the same river at the same time, but miraculously wakes ups, and saves Soo Hyun. The two emerge from the water, and soon find out that the world aren’t as they left it. They have both returned two weeks before the kidnapping of Saet Byul. 

At first Soo Hyun thinks of it as a dream, but as things seem to repeat themselves, she realizes that she needs to figure out how to save her daughter. And with the involvement of Ki Chan, they soon find out that there are more secrets behind the kidnapping than they initially thought…

This drama is one of those drama that took me so long to finish, mainly because the hype has settled down and the reviews weren’t that positive. When I started it, I was amazed by the acting (especially Jo Seung Woo, who I am a fan of) and the suspense, but very soon I noticed why it got disliked – the storyline just goes downhill fast. I don’t know what they were thinking while writing it, but it just was way too much. Too many secrets and too many twists, leading up to a climax which was dumb and completely out of the blue. Even the acting couldn’t save this one.

I remember finishing and kind of wondering, why did I watch this? I didn’t find it bad, yet it felt like a waste of time. But that is what you get with overly hyped drama I guess.

To sum up: not recommendable, but good acting from everyone involved.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥½ / 2½ out of 5 hearts

I'm Home Review

Title: I’m Home

Genre: Family, Drama, Suspense, Mystery

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2015-Apr to 2015-Jun

Cast: Kimura Takuya, Ueto Aya, Tanaka Kei and Mizuno Miki

“About half a year ago, I was in an accident. I lost nearly 5 years of memories. Everything is a blur. But there is one thing for certain. My wife and kid's faces seems to be wearing masks in my eyes.” (intro)

After an accident, Ieji Hisashi (Kimura Takuya) wakes ups with partial amnesia unable to remember the past 5 years of his life. While spending 6 months in recovery, he finds out that the woman he used to be married to is his ex-wife and that he got re-married to Ieji Megumi (Ueto Aya) and they now have a son. To make matters worse he us unable to see the faces of his wife and child: he sees them wearing masks. After losing the top position at his job and being demoted, he finds himself unable to get his life back without his memories.

In his possession, he had a bundle of 10 keys, which he has no idea whom they belong – so he decides to trace back his memories and return the keys, unknowingly that his life isn't as simple as it looks...

Hmm, I am not sure I got the real suspense explained in the summary, but if you watch the first 10 minutes of this drama you’ll understand it immediately.

This drama is what me and Jenji call “A Takuya Drama”, meaning it is perfect for him and he just makes the character his, so you will be amazed no matter what. The thing about this is that he only appears once a year with a drama, and every time he does he either makes a “what is this” or a “dear God yes” types. So, having him do a “Takuya Drama” is very nice to experience. I have personally loved Ueta Aya since her first dramas, so having her in the role as a mother/house mother is quite the difference – and opposite Takuya even better. The only thing I was annoyed about was that they weren’t great in hiding the actress’s pregnancy. I mean I could see her bump - even if they tried with ‘movie magic’ to make it look like she’s not, I could tell (blame that on my years of TV watching). But the general audience wouldn’t necessarily notice.

The drama was great to watch, and very enjoyable. I felt his frustration and hers – and I liked how everything made sense at the end. So, this drama I most defiantly would call a great drama with a good story and superb acting.

☆☆☆☆ / 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

Train to Busan Movie Review

Title: Train to Busan
AKA: Train for Busan
Genre: Action / Suspense / Thriller / Zombie
Origin: Korea
Release date: July 20, 2016
Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yoo Mi, Ma Dong Suk, Choi Woo Sik and Kim Soo Ah.

Seok Woo (Gong Yoo) is a divorcee, working as a fund manager. After getting divorced, he and his ex-wife share custody of their daughter Soo An (Kim Su An). Being a workaholic, Seok Woo usually leaves Soo An with his mother, and rarely has time for his daughter. When Soo An wants to go to Busan to celebrate her birthday at her mothers, Seok Woo has no other choice but go with her as he is afraid to let her take to train alone. At the same time, Seoul is havocked by mass riots, which the NEWS keep repeating.
After arriving on the KTX a woman collapses in front of the train attendant, who while trying to help her gets attacked by the woman, by getting her throat slit. Soon havoc begins on the train as the train attendant, who was presumed dead, gets up and starts attacking other passengers.
The noise wakes up the dazed off Seok Woo, noticing that Soo An is missing from her seat. While going towards the hall he notices people running and screaming, and soon realizes that people who get attacked and die, wake up as zombies. Now the remaining passengers can’t get out as the train runs on full speed, and are headed towards Busan…

I do apologize of the summary looks bleak at the end, I tried not spoil anything.
How on earth do I even explain this movie? I mean I had my fair share of Zombie movies AND TV Shows, but this one left me shocked and amazed. Though there are several moment I could complain about, I‘ve decided not to, because they don’t really ruin your overall experience of the movie. And honestly, I can pretend to know what I would do in those situations, but I bet I would be the first one to die anyways, so I am not going to act like a know-it-all. All actors involved are just perfect for each given role, though some annoyed me occasionally, I didn’t have time to dwell on it, since the pace is out of this world.
So, I recommend this 100%, as this is one of the best Korean movies ever, AND one of the great zombie movies of all time.

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Kamji’s Verdict:
Yes! Wow! What?
That’s how this movie left me. I can’t describe what this movie did to me. I’m not a big fan of zombie/ disaster movies, but this was more than that. I understand all the hype there was about it. The story, the acting (ALL of them!) and the details were so on point, I got shivers down my spine several times! Applause to all the zombie actors, damn they left me speechless. Gong Yoo definitely was the right pick, and that little girl playing his daughter needs an award right now!
I sincerely hated some of the characters and loved the others, but that just shows the quality of this drama. I don’t think I need to say more than, go watch it, if you’re one of the few that haven’t yet ;)

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Yokoso, Wagaya e Review

Title: Yokoso, Wagaya e

AKA: Welcome to my home

Genre: Family, Suspense

Episodes: 10

Broadcast period: 2015-Apr to 2015-Jun

Theme song: Aozora no Shita, Kimi no Tonari by Arashi

Cast: Aiba Masaki, Sawajiri Erika, Arimura Kasumi, Minami Kaho and Terao Akira,

Kurata Kenta (Aiba Masaki) is a coward who avoids confrontation and disputes. Due to his upbringing he never bothers other people or does he trouble people, and uses preferably the sentence “I’m sorry” in any given circumstance. His father is the same way, and his mother is a happy person who never stops smiling. The only one in the family with a serious personality is the daughter, who is the complete opposite of everyone else.

The family is happy and loving family, until one day Kenta finds his courage and tells off a man who bothers people at the train platform. Here he also meets Kandori Asuka (Sawariji Erika) a woman that always speaks her mind without holding back.

After the situation the man runs off in embarrassment - but when Kenta takes the bus home that very man appears in the same bus. Creeped out Kenta gets out of the bus only to be followed by the man and it escalates with the man running after Kenta. Kenta runs around the neighborhood, and manages to lose him. The next morning though the flowerbeds in front of their house are ripped out. Unsure whether or not it is that man, Kenta wants to figure out who he is, and by pure luck meets Asuka again, who introduces herself as a journalist willing to help finding out the stalker.

But as it turns out more and more things start to happen to the family, continuously bothering them. Who can it be, and why the Kurata family?

My reason for watching this was mainly Aiba so I did not really read the summary of the plot. But I think that did kind of the good part here, not know what to expect.

The drama is a mellow family story with a psychological twist to it, as it is very disturbing to know that due to a little confrontation you can become a victim of severe stalking and what I call ‘chain-stalking’.  And to be honest, even though it isn’t all horror, it made my mouth dry quite a few times. Just the thought of ‘what-if-it-had-happened-to-me’ made me shiver. As I said: dirsturbing.

As a general it doesn’t isn’r scary, and the family is so adorable and fun to watch, so you don’t get that bored, but to be honest it is a bit too ‘chain-stalkerish’… you’ll get what I mean when/if you see it. And I wasn’t all that excited to find out the ending. Aiba is great as always, and to be honest everyone was good at acting, even Sawariji whom I never really liked before.

All in all: a good and interesting family drama with a hint of suspense.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo S04 (Neo) Review

Title: Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo Neo

AKA: Files of Young Kindaichi Neo

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Episodes: 9

Broadcast date: 2014-Jul to 2014-Oct

Cast: Yamada Ryosuke, Kawaguchi Haruna, Daiki Arioka, Asari Yosuke and Narimiya Hiroki.

This is the fourth season of the drama following young Kindaichi Hajime - the grandson of the great detective Kindaichi.

Kindaichi Hajime (Yamada Ryosuke) together with his friends Nanase Miyuki (Kawaguchi Haruna) and Saki Ryuta (Daiki Arioka) have joined the school Mystery Club. As always they are an unrepeatable trio, but school isn’t easy when being Kindaichi Hajime, as murder is always around the corner, even in the club next door. And when the Hell’s puppeteer Takato Yuichi (Narimiya Hiroki), a crime producer - making plans of how to commit the perfect crime for payment, seems to be behind a lot of the killings, Hajime can’t keep still and decides to fight him directly and uncover the tricks the way he knows - in the name of his grandfather…

Finally at the fourth season of this drama and I know I should have expected it, but the deaths are way too circumstantial for Hajime to be there every single time. I mean more people die in this drama than average, and those three are witness to too many murders compared to the regular high school student.

That said, besides the acting not a single thing was even interesting, and yeah I count the murders in too. I didn’t know who the murders were a lot of the time, but usually I could guess when a famous/known actor/actress guest starred there was a 95% they were the killers, and sometimes the way of killing was just ridiculous. Also after the murders, and confessions of course, Hajima had this idea of ‘understanding’ the killers and talk to them - which was bull. I mean the way these people are killed is just coldblooded, why would you need to talk to them? Sorry I don’t see remorse or regret, so yeah.

All in all an interesting drama with loop holes.

☆☆½ / 2½ out of 5 stars

♥♥½ / 2½ out of 5 hearts

Tobo Bengoshi Review

Title: Tobo Bengoshi

AKA: Fugitive Lawyer

Genre: Suspense, Law, Crime

Episodes: 11

Broadcast date: 2010-Jul to 2010-Sep

Cast: Kamiji Yusuke, Ishihara Satomi and Kitamura Kazuki.

“In Japan criminal trials, the probability of being found innocent is less than 1%”

Narita Makoto (Kamiji Yusuke) is lawyer at the Axle Law office, working under his mentor and idol Ninomiya sensei.  One night while going home, he is called up by Ninomiya who is looking for a file which Narita by accident has taken with him. On the way he meets the secretary whom he chats with, and notices that she seems a bit distant. Arriving at the office he notices that Ninomiya is on the floor covered in blood, where after he is hit on the head and loses consciousness. Waking up he is on the ground outside the office which is now in flames. Shortly after he is in the hospital, and interrogated by prosecutor Mafune Joe (Kitamura Kazzuki). He is accused of murdering his boss, even the secretary says that they didn’t meet up. This leaves Narita no other option than running away and finding the real murderer himself. But for some reason everything seems to circle back to the Axle Office… 

This is a hidden gem amongst the idol dramas out there. Yes it is quite cliché with the framed guy looking for the real murderer theme, but somehow it is pretty adorable. I really like the fact that he helps other people while trying to solve his own case, and that he touches people around him whilst he does so. I like that we aren’t sure who the bad guy is, and the fact that they managed to fool me.

Besides that it kind of makes you tired and you kind of just want the main story to get moving, because they are really bad at that. Yeah, it does move, but with a slow pace - so slow that finding a witness takes around 8 episodes… But yeah, I guess 11 episodes is kind of long for a regular Japanese drama.

All in all quite good…

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Big Man Review

Title: Big Man

Genre: Melodrama, Romance, Suspense

Episodes:  16

Broadcast period: 2014-Apr to 2014-Jun

Cast: Kang Ji Hwan, Lee Da Hee, Daniel Choi and Jung Soo Min

Kim Ji Hyuk (Kang Ji Hwan) is a former gangster trying to live life right by cutting ties with the gangs, and getting part time jobs. After he finally getting the man responsible for a death he was set up on, Ji Hyuk wants to live as normal as possible. That is until one day the son of Hyesung Group Kang Dong Suk (Daniel Choi) gets into a car accident and needs a heart transplant. Trying to jump the transplant list, the Kang family is informed that they will not be able to do so no matter money or wealth. So they find illegal means in order to find the most promising match for a heart transplant, which happens to be Ji Hyuk. After ordering to attack Ji Hyuk the Kang family adds Ji Hyuk to the family register because that is the only possible way for the transplant to be given to Dong Suk. But when Ji Hyuk suddenly awakens at the hospital, where he was supposed to be brain dead, the Kang family has no other choice but to pretend that Ji Hyuk is their long lost son.

At first Ji Hyuk tries to accept his new found family, he is surprised to find out that there is something wrong with their story as well as the reason for “finally finding him” and tries to find the truth, but the president of Hyesung is not that easy to get around…

Another chaebol story: this time one that tries to become chaebol out of revenge. I think the idea and the storyline was very well thought off, even though very typical. And yet they were able to make me watch every episode every week. It was not too exciting; more of a good breather, in between all those stuffy dramas, this one was pretty okay to watch.

The one thing that intrigued me was the Kang family, who were so scary to starts with, but as I kept watching they were just scary and weak as hell. I like Ji Hwan, though he kind of bored me half way through, same with Da Hee.  Daniel Choi was scary like really, couldn’t recognize him, and Jung Min Soo was useless once again.

Lol, I’m trying not to give up too much, but to sum up: a typical Korean chaebol drama, with a twist of crazy/scary family.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

BORDER Review

Title: Border

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Episodes: 9

Broadcast period: 2014-Apr to 2014-Jun

Theme song: evil falls by Man with a mission

Cast: Oguri Shun, Aoiki Munetaka, Haru and Endo Kenichi.

As a passionate and enthusiastic homicide detective, Ishikawa Ango (Oguri Shun) is a lucky guy who once happened to catch the perpetrator in a case and has the idea that he will get lucky often. That is until he in his own arrogance forgets that they are dealing with criminals, and is shot in the head on duty. After miraculously surviving the head wound, the bullet resides in his head, and is the only link to the man shooting him. Not wanting to go under the knife again, Ishikawa decides to leave the bullet, but doesn’t admit that the bullet gives him severe headaches.

Returning to duty he is eager to start, but is shocked to see things: he is seeing the victims and they want to help him solve their murder. At first Ishikawa thinks it is him imagining things, but as he is able to talk to the victims and find important clues, he starts using the ghosts as help for his investigations…

I actually saw this by accident; since I hadn’t followed up on new Japanese dramas I was pleasantly surprised to see Oguri Shun in a new drama. I also started this without any pre knowledge, so I had no idea what it was about, which by the way worked in its favor, because I totally liked the story.

The entire theme with the talking to ghosts is one of my favorite, might be because I am a bit of ‘supernatural person’, but it wasn’t until the very end I understood what the title of the drama actually meant. For a 9 episode drama this was brilliant, I am not sure it would be as great of it were longer, and Oguri is without a doubt the actor for this character.

So all in all: worth every minute.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Unubore Deka Review

Title: Unubore Deka

AKA: Conceited Detective

Genre: Comedy, Detective, Romance, Suspense

Episodes: 11

Broadcast period: 2010-Jul to 2010-Sep

Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Ikuta Toma, Kaname Jun and Arakawa Yoshiyoshi.

“Unubore” means being conceited and overestimating your own abilities when it comes to wooing girls. Our lead (Nagase Tomoya) in this story is called ‘Unubore’ by everyone he knows, because he simply is thinking that every girl falls in love with him. After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend/fiancé, Unubore lives by falling in love with any girl after the 3 seconds stare - meaning after 3 seconds of they look at each other it means love at first sight. One day he enteres a bar where 4 other unubore guys are staying: actor that can’t get pass the corps role Honjo Sadame (Ikuta Toma), a narcissistic patisserie Matsuoka Seishiro (Kaname Jun), a glamour photographer Anai Kiichi (Yagahi Ken) and the leader/master who is over his 50’s Kurihashi Makoto (Bando Mistugoro). They all boost each other’s conceitedness, by overestimating themselves.

But surprisingly every time he falls for a girl she ends up being a criminal, so he ultimately asks them a question: will you sign the marriage papers or will you go to jail?

Yeah.. Uhm, this is so slapstick humor that I couldn’t even laugh. I think I kind of tried to see it as funny and ended up rolling my eyes even more. Though it has some scenes that make me face palm myself because of its ridiculousness, but someone these people are so dumb it’s not even funny. The huge and famous cast couldn’t even save this sinking ship, but you could kind of enjoy it because of the crazily conceited guys and their way of seeing life and women. The story though is so silly and yeah.. Ridiculous.. I can’t think of any other word.

So recommendable? I wouldn’t, but you can give it a try.

☆☆ / 2 out of 5 stars

♥♥ / 2 out of 5 heats

Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo 2013 SP Review

Title: Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo Hong Kong Kowloon Zaiho Satsujin Jiken

AKA: Kindaichi Boy’s Accident Files 2013 SP / The Files of Young Kindaichi 2013 SP

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Broadcast date: 2013 January 12

Cast: Yamada Ryosuke, Kawaguchi Haruna, Arioka Daiki, Seung Ri, Wu Chun, Kiritani Kenta, Vivian Tsu and Komatsu Takuya.

This is the story renewed once again with a different cast and storyline.

Kindaichi Hajime (Yamada Ryosuke) together with his friends Nanase Miyuki (Kawaguchi Haruna) and Saki Ryuji (Arioka Daiki) travel to Hong King when Miyuki gets chosen as a stand in for a model that refused in the last minute. Arriving in Hong Kong they are excited to sightsee, but it is not long lived as Miyuki gets kidnapped. While running after the kidnapper they end up in a ruin which has been made into a park, and they meet Yang Lan (Kawaguchi Haruna) who looks exatly alike Miyuki. They find out that she is the model that had refused, but for some reason was worried about Miyuki since people where after her. Hajime decides to take her to the model contest and make her pose as Miyuki so that they might be able to find the kidnapper.

At the contest they meet waiter Kim Yong Dong (Seung Ri), police officer Li Bai Long (Wu Chun), talent searcher Takigawa Ryuta (Kirirtani Kenta) who found Miyuki, designer Ivy Liu (Vivian), and Xin Li (Komatsu Takuya).

While dining a man at their table dies after drinking champagne which was poured by Yong Dong, and he immediately gets suspected for murder, but that’s when Hajime steps in…

Oh man, no matter which year these are, the mysteries are all just as weird. And the way they are made are just as messed up, and practically impossible if it were a real crime. Or that is what I think, but I guess that is what makes it interesting for viewer. Yamada is okay as Hajime, I sort of was not expecting him to be as good as he is, but I think he did a good job making everyone believe he is Hajime. The rest of the cast is great as well, though I really felt it was weird having the Chinese cast in a Japanese drama, but also some of the acting was really bad. It might have something to do with the script, but I was face palming myself almost all of the time.

The story was good, but had a lot of bad points which made me pretty bored most of the time.

All in all it is good if you are a fan of the actors, but don’t expect anything grand…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo Season 3 Review

Title: Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo Season 3

AKA: Kindaichi Boy’s Accident Files / The Files of Young Kindaichi

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Episodes: 9 + Special

Broadcast period: 2001-Jul to 2001-Sep

Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Naito Takashi and Suzuki Anne.

The third season is a new season all around with an entirely new cast, and the story spans as if the two first seasons didn’t happen.

While travelling with friends Nanase Miyuki (Suzuki Anne) greets a familiar face who seems to ignore her.  However once a murder occurs she remembered as Kindaichi Hajime (Matsumoto Jun) when he explains the trick of the mystery murder. The two haven’t met in over 5 years, so Miyuki is quite sure he came for her, but Hajime seems indifferent. They meet a row of accidental cases, and some of them even leave the police questioning how and who did it. This is where Hajime proves to them that he is the grandson of one of Japans most amazing detectives…

Compared to the other two seasons I have to say this one is a bit more interesting and realistic, and actually makes no sense since a lot of the murders are pretty ridiculous. I mean sometimes I just go “what?”, not because of the murders but because of the absurdity of the way of killing. I mean some of them just make you shake your head, and I say this as a fan, but somehow it just makes you shake your head.

I was very annoyed by the new version of Miyuki since I kind of liked her in the previous series.  Her character just was this loud girl that made me scowl every time I saw her. But Matsumoto was okay honestly, I mean I wasn’t really expecting and he didn’t really exceed the expectations, but it was fine like it was.

If you want to watch it, you can even without having watched the classic. If you like Matsujun this should make you happy to watch. He is kind of cute as a 17 year old.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts