First Look: September / October K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

♥ = Eh. Wait and see.

♥ = Ugh! Hated it. =(

Drinking Solo (Let's Drink)

Set in a private teaching institute that prepares people for the civil service exam, Drinking Solo follows a scrappy band of instructors and students as they struggle to find professional success through education. Jin Jong Suk (Ha Seok Jin) is a nationally famous instructor with classes filled to capacity and study guides that fly off the shelf. He has recently been recruited to a new school for a large sum of money. Needing to cut back on expenses in order to afford Jong Suk, the school's owner hires Park Ha Na (Park Ha Sun), a teacher with some experience that he can pay a lot less. The pair, of course, immediately get off on the wrong foot and a comedy of errors ensues. While this series is similar to Let's Eat and Let's Eat 2, there is something wholly unique to it that sets it apart. The characters feel fresh and their interactions are fun. The chemistry between the leads is really nice but I'd expect nothing less from these two veteran actors. Making his debut is actor/singer Key, best known for being a member of the idol group SHINee. He plays a young man from a wealthy family that has chosen to live the life of a broke student. He's a natural on-screen and a nice counter to actors Gong Myung and Kim Dong Young. Their on-screen friendship is the stuff of bromance legends. Overall, this is a really enjoyable and lighthearted series that is more prone to make the audience laugh and feel good over anything else. I like it.

First Look: July / August K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

♥ = Eh. Wait and see.

♥ = Ugh! Hated it. =(

Cinderella and Four Knights
Tag Line: Cinderella? More like... Annie.
Thoughts: What if Cinderella were introduced to not one but four princes? Who would she choose? That just happens to be the situation in which high school student Eun Ha Won (Park So Dam) has found herself. Down on her luck and low on funds for college, Ha Won unwittingly becomes a pawn in Kang Hyun Min's (Ahn Jae Hyeon) ploy to ruin his grandfather's sixth wedding. Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il Woo) and Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung Shin) are skeptical of their cousin's mysterious fiancee and the whole thing blows up. But their grandfather is impressed with Eun Ha Won and decides she is the only one that can wrangle in the bad behavior of his grandsons. As the Chairman of Hanneul Group, he uses his extensive resources to investigate Ha Won and eventually convince her to move into Sky House where his grandsons all reside. The first few episodes of this k-drama are very slow and a little yawn worthy. I kept waiting for big moments to happen but when they did happen... they weren't that big. Eun Ha Won as a character is also frustrating. Initially depicted as a tough girl that can take down trash talking chaebols, she seems particularly weak now that she is living in Sky House. There have been more than a few scenes where I expected her to take down a Kang cousin for being a disrespectful smart-ass. And, she didn't... It made me sad. The series is finally gaining speed after four episodes but it just isn't happening fast enough. I'm not convinced this one is a winner, yet, despite all the hype for it's premiere. As much as I'd like to see Jung Il Woo recover from the Golden Rainbow disaster, I am not convinced this is the series that will do it. 

Doctors

It is always hard to gauge the future quality of a production when the first handful of episodes are spent in the past. That being said, the past is an interesting tale of miscommunication and jealousy that ruins friendships and alters the course of the lives of everyone involved. Park Shin Hye is more or less believable as Yoo Hye Jung, a roughneck high school student that is busy kicking ass and taking names. I have never seen her as an actress with the skill set of  "action star" as one of her credentials but she looked good in the scenes she performed herself. After Yoo Hye Jung is abandoned by her father at her grandmother's home outside the city, Yoo Hye Jung meets the people that will change her life. Hong Ji Hong (Kim Rae Won) is her young and handsome homeroom teacher, who inspires her to believe that change is possible. Jin Seo Woo (Lee Sung Kyung) is a high school friend that helps her study for their final exams and shows her what friendship can be between people. But when Yoo Hye Jung places first in the math exam and grows close to Hong Ji Hong, Jin Seo Woo lets her jealousy drive her to ruin the reputation of both Ji Hong and Hye Jung with accusations of an affair. Years later, they are reunited as neurosurgeons at the same hospital. Kim Rae Won is an actor that I like but I felt skeptical about him being placed opposite Park Shin Hye. It doesn't seem like a good fit but somehow it also works. Overall, I like this series. Thumbs. Up.

Jealousy Incarnate
All Pyo Na Ri (Kong Hyo Jin) ever wanted was to work as an announcer on the nightly news. But when she fails the interview, she accepts a job as the weather girl in hopes of beefing up her skills for the next interview. But four years have passed and she's still delivering the weather. Lee Hwa Shin (Cho Jung Seok) is a news reporter that was banished to Thailand for three years after calling out his brother for fraud in a special investigation report on national television. This odd couple reunites upon his return and it seems unclear whether sparks will fly between them or if Hwa Shin's jealousy of her budding friendship with Ko Jung Won (Ko Kyung Po) will burn everything down. I am totally baffled how this k-drama was not on my radar. Cho Jung Seok is a favorite of mine since his portrayal of "Chef" in Oh My Ghostess and I have loved Ko Kyung Po since Potato Star 2013QR3.  These two along with Kong Hyo Jin have a wonderful chemistry and I am excited to see how this story develops. If another face seems familiar, it is because An Woo Yeon of Five Children notoriety is also a member of the cast. The first two episodes are fun, engaging and, surprisingly, a little touching. I am curious how the breast cancer story-line will evolve, as much as, the romance. Love it. Watch.

Laurel Tree Tailors
Taking over the time slot vacated by Five Children, Laurel Tree Tailors is another family themed drama that is scheduled to air 50 episodes. The drama is focused on a family business that specializes in tailored suits. It has been in the same location for over 50 years. But the current owner Lee Man Soo (Shin Goo) can't convince his son to take over the business and continue their legacy. With no heir-apparent and declining health, he suddenly takes off and leaves the rest of the family to figure things out. Lee Dong Jin (Lee Dong Gun) has no time for his father's small shop and instead is focused on becoming the next CEO of Meesa Apparel. But nothing is going as planned and he finds himself continually mixed up with Na Yeon Sil (Jo Yoon Hee), whose wedding was ruined when her fiance was arrested for label swapping suits stolen from the same company. The plot thickens as the rest of the family struggles with personal issues and the disappearance of the patriarch in the household. The first several episodes have been unfolding very slowly. Its success thus far is largely a product of a great cast with a fantastic chemistry. They manage  to keep the series lively even as the plot meanders around town at a snail's pace. The story is predictable and the destination is clear but I still find myself tuning in each week waiting for the band of bros to unite under the banner of the Laurel Tree Tailors. I especially love Chae Won Young as a has-been rock star living in light of his former glory. He has captured the essence of the character so perfectly that it is full of humor without turning into a joke. Laurel Tree Tailors isn't a perfect replacement for Five Children but it can definitely fill the void that it left behind.

Let's Fight Ghost
TaecYeon and Kim So Hyun headline this k-drama about a college student that can see ghosts and uses his special ability to exorcise evil spirits from the world of the living. Park Bong Pal (TaecYeon) has been able to see ghosts since he was a young child. In order to save up for a procedure that will return his eyes to "normal", he uses his special vision to hunt ghosts. One night, he's offered a lot of money to remove a ghost from a girl's high school but little does he know the request has originated from a ghost - Kim Hyun Ji (Kim So Hyun). She has been living as a ghost for five years and has no memories pertaining to her death or the years she was alive. Oddly enough, they encounter an evil ghost in the high school and defeat it together. From there on out, a new ghost fighting team is born. The first few episodes are fun, fast, and sometimes a little frightening. With the addition of Kang Ki Young and David Lee as sidekicks to the ghost fighting duo, this drama is able to achieve a very nice balance between serious and funny. Kwon Yool helps step up the fright factor with his portrayal of man possessed by a demon and he's terrific at it. He has a way of subtly emoting the darkness that lurks just under the surface of his character. There is a certain level of suspended reality that the audience must accept, of course. Hyun Ji eats, touches, and otherwise seems like a perfectly normal alive person. Sometimes we get a glimpse of what it looks like to those around her that aren't gifted with Bong Pal's ghost-seeing-ability but it isn't quite enough to explain everything. Still, I really like this one and highly recommend it.

Our Gab Soon
It's the age old story of boy meets girl. They fall in love. And, ten years later, they are still unemployed and unmarried. Shin Gab Soon (Kim So Eun) has been dating Heo Gab Dol (Song Jae Rim) for over ten years. But despite their professed love, they just can't seem to get it together. They have both been trying to pass exams to become civil servants without much luck and their families oppose the relationship. But after a big blow-up, Gab Soon puts her foot down and ends the relationship with Gab Dol. Of course, they make-up and spend the night together resulting in one more hurdle to their relationship... Gab Soon gets pregnant. All around the young couple are family members struggling with their own personal relationships. As much as I adore Song Jae Rim, I am giving his first leading man role (on a broadcast network) a big thumbs down. Every single relationship in the series is depicted as abusive, co-dependent, and toxic. No one is happy. Gab Dol treats Gab Soon horribly and says things to her that border on verbal and mental abuse. Even if he immediately recognizes it is wrong, he does it over and over again just within the span of a single episode. Gab Soon seems to recognize the failings in the relationship but continues to stay. If this were reality and she were my friend, I would tell her to run away from him as fast and as far as she can... baby or not. Yet, her sister advises her to stick it out. What?! If there were at least one solid and stable relationship in the series to serve as a guide to the others, I could probably stomach it. But....no. It's all bad.

The Good Wife
This adaptation of the US television series that goes by the same name is very similar to the original. I am not a fan of legal dramas and, in fact, have never watched the US version of this series so I have no preconceived notions on what to expect from it. That being said, I really like it. Jeon Do Yeon headlines the series as Kim Hye Kyung, the wife of a disgraced head prosecutor that has been convicted for accepting bribes and sexual favors. In fact, a steamy video of her husband and a call girl is released to the media. With her husband in prison, Kim Hye Kyung returns to the work force as a lawyer at her friend Seo Joong Won's (Yoo Kye Sang) law firm. She must compete for her spot at the firm while still raising her two teenage children, dealing with the interference of her mother-in-law and processing her husband's infidelity. The first few episodes are beautifully crafted and Jeon Do Yeon is a powerhouse in the role of Kim Hye Kyung. The chemistry with fellow actor Yoo Ji Tae, who plays Hye Kyung's husband, is spectacular and a nice counterpoint to her growing attraction to Seo Joong Won. This series isn't a simple procedural with court cases that are won and lost. But a glimpse into the complicated lives of the characters involved. It's really well done and another feather in the cap for Studio Dragon, which also produced Another Oh Hae Young. 

Scarlet Heart Ryeo
It is the summer of adaptations! This one's origins, however, hail from China. Based on a Chinese novel and a Chinese television adaptation, Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a time traveling tale about a young woman that finds herself transported to an ancient civilization after an accident. In the Korean version, Go Ha Jin (IU) is sent back to Goryeo and right into the body of a woman known as Hae Soo, who happens to be an identical match. Believing she has possibly died, the transition from modern to historical times poses a unique set of challenges. Her struggles with language and customs, of course, attracts the attention of the King's fourteen sons. Among them, the 8th Prince (Kang Ha Neul) and 4th Prince (Lee Joon Gi) develop an attraction toward her. Just within the first few episodes, there are some noticeable differences from it's c-drama predecessor and I am still undecided on how much of it I like. The tone is certainly brighter and there is more physical comedy. That's okay. The politics between the brothers has been somewhat downplayed and the machinations of the queen stepped up. Also...okay. However, it is IU and her placement in this role that feels like the biggest departure from the original. She lacks the necessary gravity to really portray the character well. Lee Joon Gi and Kang Ha Neul are exceptional in their craft and she comes across as amateurish when sharing the screen. It is still early and there is a lot of ground to cover, which is my other concern. The c-drama took 35+ episodes at roughly 40 minutes an episode to tell a story that was spread across 10+ years. This k-drama is getting it done in 21 episodes. Let's wait and see. 

W
Lee Jong Suk takes the lead in this tale of dimension-crossed lovers. Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hyo Joo) is a doctor and also the daughter of a famous webtoon author known for his work "W." The main character of this comic book is Kang Cheol (Lee Jong Suk), an olympic athlete turned convict when his family is suddenly murdered and he is the only suspect. One fateful night, Oh Yeon Joo finds herself mysteriously pulled into the comic book world where Kang Cheol is laying on the ground wounded. She immediately goes to work to save his life and from that moment forward the two are bound by a strange connection. I won't go into much more detail about the plot simply because it is complicated and I don't want to ruin any of the "ah ha" moments. I was lukewarm about this series initially. It took 4 - 5 episodes for me to become intrigued with the direction of the story and all of its twists. I can now officially certify that this is a grade A k-drama worthy of viewing and probably one of the more thought provoking dramas to hit the small screen in recent years. However, there is something about Lee Jong Suk's performance that doesn't feel quite up to par with his prior works. It isn't bad, just not his best. And, Han Hyo Joo is good but not necessarily more remarkable than any other popular female lead. Together, though, they make a nice team that can carry the weight of this drama as it bounces through time and space to challenge our perceptions of reality.

Series Alert: Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

I guess I don't have a format for these posts.

Let's just get to it! I have been unemployed for several months and this has provided me with a significant increase in free time to binge watch dramas. I certainly prefer k-dramas but I'm not exclusive. Taiwan, China, Japan, and several other countries all produce really great programs so I do venture out.

This time around I made a trip to C-Dramaland (China!) and I watched Scarlet Heart. The series is focused on a young woman that gets into an accident in the modern world and then wakes up to find herself transported hundreds of years into the past. She quickly realizes that has landed right in the middle of a story with which she is very familiar because she studied it in history class. Knowing the fates of all the major players, she has to carefully navigate around any situations in which her choices might change the past and, consequently, the future. Most of these situations revolve around the emperor's sons , 14 princes to be exact, and their fight to succeed their father as emperor of the nation. But as the story progresses and the years pass by, she begins to realize that her presence may have already been accounted for in the history books.

It is a long and epic journey that can be beautiful and heartbreaking. I really enjoyed it. Cecilia Liu, Nicky Wu, Kevin Cheng and all the other actors developed a phenomenal rapport with one another and depicted the politics between the brothers as something that could be savage and compassionate.

Needless to say, I was really startled when I stumbled across the news that Lee Joon Gi and IU would be staring in a k-drama re-make of this series - set to be broadcast on SBS at the end of August. I have confidence in Lee Joon Gi to capture the quiet brooding of the 4th Prince. But IU will have to work hard to meet the quality of Cecilia Lui's portrayal of the young time traveler.

It is difficult work adapting a series that has previously found success. As an audience member, I want all the great qualities of the original to be present but something that is just different enough to keep my attention. I'm excited!!

Let the countdown to August begin and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I am employed by then!

Share your thoughts!

First Look: May / June K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

♥ = Eh. Wait and see.

♥ = Ugh! Hated it. =(

38 Task Force

Tag Line: The "Bad Guys" are not "all surrounded." They are helping the good guys.

Thoughts: Did you like that? Eh? It was my silly play on words related to prior k-dramas Bad Guys and You're All Surrounded. Plot wise, it certainly feels like it lands somewhere right in between the two. Seo In Guk takes a leading role in this comedic k-drama about a team of con-men that go to work for the Tax Evasion Department (Division Three) in city hall. Baek Sung Il (Ma Dong Seok) is the team leader for a group of city workers that track down tax evaders and collect the money. But after experiencing the corruption in city hall first hand, he teams up with con-man Yang Jung Do (Seo In Guk) in order to get the millions of dollars in back taxes owed by a wealthy businessman that knows how to game the system. The first two episodes are relatively fast paced and set the stage for a disgruntled Baek Sung Il, who has tried his hardest to ignore the inequality of the tax system. Seo In Guk is naturally charismatic on screen so playing a swindler-with-a-heart-(kind)of-gold doesn't feel like a stretch for him. But he pairs nicely with Ma Deong Seok and I am really looking forward to how their relationship evolves over the course of the series. I see a lot of potential here. The "task force" will be finalized with next week's episode and I am excited to see how it shapes up. This is all thumbs up for me. 

Another Oh Hae Young 

Tag Line: Same school. Same grade. Same name. But very different lives.

Thoughts: Let's start with the important stuff. I love this drama. The first episode threw me for a bit of a loop and I wasn't too sure about it. But I was hooked by episode four. Everything starts the day before Oh Hae Young (Seo Hyun Jin) is to be married. She returns home after meeting with her fiance and informs her family that the wedding is canceled because she has doubts. Naturally, it causes problems. Park Do Kyung (Eric) is a man that was left at the altar by Oh Hae Young (Jeon Hye Bin) a year ago and still hasn't recovered from the heart break. She ran off without a word and no one has heard from her since. By chance and a strange twist of fate, the first Oh Hae Young and Park Do Kyung become inextricably intertwined when he accidentally interferes in her life - leaving her devastated and him with strange clairvoyant visions. As the pair become closer, will he come clean about how he did her wrong or let his emotions get the better of him? I tried to summarize the story without revealing some of the bigger plot twists. The crafting of this story has been rather delicate and seemingly unimportant details become very important as it progresses. Eric is phenomenal, as always, and I especially like him paired against Kim Ji Suk as his best friend. I am always down for a good bromance in k-dramaland! Initially, I had doubts about Seo Hyun Jin but she is wonderful in the role of  "just" Oh Hae Young and her chemistry with Eric is right on point. This has been a great series to kick off the May / June releases and I give it two thumbs up.

Beautiful Gong Shim
Tag Line: Y'er smart enough. Y'er pretty enough. An' gosh darn... people like you.
Thoughts: I feel your pain, Gong Shim.  I, too, have an older sister. But our relationship is more Reply 1988 than Beautiful Gong Shim. I digress... Beautiful Gong Shim has been a total surprise for me.  Namgung Min is absolutely killing it in his first leading role on a major network. And, I am happy he finally gets to shed his serial killer/jealous brother/love rival image in the role of Ahn Dan Tae. He smiles. He is bubbly. He has an infectious charisma on-screen, particularly when he is opposite Minah. As the title would suggest, the story centers around Gong Shim (Minah), who is the second daughter in her family. But with an older sister that is beautiful, smart, and successful, Gong Shim is often overlooked and/or criticized by others. She unexpectedly comes into contact with Ahn Dan Tae (Namgung Min) and Suk Joon Soo (On Joo Won), who both fall for her quirky charms. Even with her sister's backstabbing machinations, Gong Shim still finds a way to pick herself up and carry on... There might even be a happy ending for her at the end of the journey. The overall story is fun. It is a great summer romance and the cast has such a great chemistry. I can't fault anyone for being a weak link. I love it and I hope this opens up more leading roles for the main cast. 

Beautiful Mind
Tag Line: Hospital o' Death. Arrrgh. Frankenstein.
Thoughts: Jang Hyuk returns to the present as a gifted, albeit emotionally stunted, brain surgeon in this k-drama that is loosely based on the Frankenstein story. At this juncture, I have seen exactly one episode and I don't have a feel for where it is going or whether or not I even like it. The story begins with the return of Lee Young Oh (Jang Hyuk) to Korea after completing a fellowship in the US. He's known to be a gifted surgeon. Gye Jin Sung (Park So Dam) is a policewoman that witnesses a man hit by a minivan and she is convinced it was intentional. When the hit-and-run victim dies during a difficult operation, she questions whether someone intentionally caused his death during the surgery and suspects Lee Young Oh is the culprit. That is all I have for you folks. I can't say specifically how it may be similar to Frankenstein.... I can't even say for sure if Jang Hyuk is the Frankenstein or the doctor that creates him. The whole thing just comes off as a little bizarre. For now, I'm tagging it yellow and I'll consider upgrading next week when I have digested more of the craziness and made sense of it. 

Doctors
Tag Line:  A teacher changed her life. A student changed his life.
Thoughts: Doctors is perhaps one of the handful of dramas that fans have been looking forward to for months now. Park Shin Hye returns to the small screen as Yoo Hye Jung, a once troubled teen that turns her life around and becomes a doctor. Her dramatic transformation is largely due to the influence of her homeroom teacher. Hong Ji Hong (Kim Rae Won) was a once promising doctor but after a fatal slip-up in the operating room he has turned in his scalpel to teach. Young and handsome, he is a favorite among the girl's at the high school. When Yoo Hye Jung is kicked out of her home and sent to live with her grandmother, she finds herself sharing a space with Hong Ji Hong, who rents a room in the house. Their attraction is innocent and Hong Ji Hong treats her well and encourages her to turn her life around. But their friendship outside of the classroom becomes fodder for the rumor mill that is an all girl's high school. Feeling jilted by the handsome teacher, Jin Seo Woo (Lee Sung Kyung) makes a report that he is involved with Hye Jung romantically. What happens next? I don't know. But I did enjoy the first two episodes. There is a nice build up around Hye Jung's bad girl reputation and her fight scenes are no joke. Those high school girls throw punches like bad asses. Lee Sung Kyung's character is too similar to her Cheese in the Trap role so it is hard not to compare. But that is me nitpicking. Overall, I like this one and I see promise. 

Mirror of the Witch
Tag Line: True Love: Conquers All. Never dies. Breaks curses.
Thoughts: Mirror of the Witch has certainly been a hot topic of debate among k-drama fans, who disapprove of the age difference between the leads. All that aside, this series has been a spooky drama full of witches, curses, and handsome heroes making it perfect for summer viewing. The story begins with the conception of twins using black magic to overcome the Queen's (Jang Hee Jin) infertility. But when the babies are born with a curse upon them, the wicked shamaness (Yum Jong Ah) informs the queen that one of the babies must die in order for one to live.  The curse is transferred entirely to the Princess and she is put to death, or so it seems. Years later, a young woman by the name of Yeon Hui (Kim Sae Ron) is discovered to be living deep in the forest behind a wall of protective spells and talismans. Her fate becomes entangled with the life of Heo Joon (Yoon Shi Yoon), who suffers from a curse of his own. He is the illegitimate son of a nobleman and a slave. He happens upon her by chance and is immediately smitten with her innocence and beauty. But there are obstacles to overcome if both Heo Joon and Yeon Hui want to each defy the circumstances of their births and find a happily ever after. I understand why k-fans were all up in arms over the pairing of a 15 year old actress with a 29 year old actor but the "characters" are written to be similarly aged and the romance isn't physical. It's more akin to the romance found in a Jane Austen novel or a Disney film. It is intellectual, spiritual, and emotional - innocent. It is the true love counter-spell to the black magic curse. Needless to say, I am enjoying the series. It suffers a bit from a timing issue with most of the major characters traveling separate paths through the first handful of episodes. The audience has to trust that it will come together and it does.

Wanted
Tag Line: Extreme Reality Television
Thoughts: The premise of Wanted isn't exactly new. I've seen a similar concept in the series Black Mirror and Liar Game. Like its predecessors, Wanted uses the format of reality television to force its participants to act in a way that fulfills the desires of  the proverbial wizard-behind-the-curtain. Jung Hye Jin (Kim A Joong) is a famous actress with plans to retire so that she can be better mom to her son. But on the day she makes the announcement, her son is kidnapped and she is forced to do the bidding of the kidnapper if she wants her son returned safely. The kidnapper demands that she air a reality television program that captures her completing missions that s/he provides. She enlists the help of Shin Dong Wook (Uhm Tae Woong) and Choi Joon Goo (Lee Moon Shik) to help produce the show. And, Detective Cha Seung In (Ji Hyun Woo) gets involved when this case connects with another kidnapping he is investigating. Overall, the first two episodes are fast moving and build up nicely to the first mission. There's already a handful of suspicious characters, too. I'm a fan of Uhm Tae Woong and Ji Hyun Woo so this is a win for me regardless of the production's quality. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be an issue. I like what I've seen so far and I'm curious about what is coming next. 

First Look: March / April K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

♥ = So-so start. Might get better. Might get worse.

♥ = Bleh. Hate it!

♥ Daebak

Tag Line: Tazza + Historical Baby-Daddy Drama

Thoughts: Jang Geun Suk makes his return to the small screen as Baek Dae Gil, a Joseon era gambler (i.e. Tazza). This complicated story involves a few players all with motivations related to the throne. Prince Yeoning (Yeo Jin Goo), eventually King Yeongjo, wants to protect the throne and be a good son to his father. Baek Dae Gil (Jang Geun Seuk) wants to bring it down to appease his resentment surrounding the death of his father and the mistreatment of common people. Dam Seo (Lim Ji Yeon) wants to exact revenge on the man she believes killed her father. Lee In Jwa (Jeon Kwang Leol) believes the system is rotten and only he can fix it. As each of these individuals seeks out their own path toward resolution, they clash in a battle to prove what is right... and what is wrong. The first couple episodes are spent predominantly in a flashback, not unusual for an historical k-drama. They are beautifully filmed and very cinematic in nature. The story is engrossing and well acted by the cast. That lustre, though, is lost as the story transitions back to the present. It is difficult to pin point but something about the pacing and arc of the plot is failing to keep my interest. I tune in each week because I admire many of the actors for their talent and there are "moments" that shine and catch my attention. But overall it is falling short of the greatness that was glimpsed in the first two episodes. It's not absolutely terrible. It just isn't... daebak. 

♥ Entertainer

Tag Line: Knife. Back. Stab. Ouch. Start over. Do it right this time and avoid knives.

Thoughts: I was quite excited for the release of this k-drama after watching the trailer with Ji Sung and Hyeri dancing around to Taylor Swift's Shake it Off in a convenience store. It was fun, spunky, and had a great energy. But the actual production has been underwhelming and lacking the same good-feeling vibe. I think it is still too early to write this off as a spring fling and move on to the next one, though. The story is centered around Shin Suk Ho (Ji Sung) and his efforts to recover from a catastrophic fall-from-grace at the entertainment agency where he was once employed. In attempt to regain some of his dignity and start fresh, he discovers a young talent to promote. Ha Neul (Kang Min Hyuk) has the voice of an angel and the face to match. Unwilling to sing without a band, Suk Ho must find Ha Neul some guitarists and a drummer to make the group complete. But it is one obstacle after another - including a single Dad guitarist and a lead singer with a sexual assault charge. The story has a lot of potential and the casting for the band is well done. Kang Min Hyuk, Gong Myung, and Lee Tae Sun all have a very different charisma on screen that becomes more captivating when they are all together under the leadership of Ji Sung. My prediction is that once they all converge in Seoul the pace of the plot will quicken and the audience will feel a stronger connection to the underdog band of heroes. It's yellow, for now. Still, there is some hope... 

♥ Marriage Contract

Tag Line: Wife for hire. Brain tumor included. Liver optional.

Thoughts: Marriage Contract is the big surprise for me this season because I wasn't anticipating anything special after reading the premise. It seems like a story that has been told a dozen times over in k-dramaland. But Lee Seo Jin and Uee have an interesting chemistry that makes it hard to look away and keeps me tuning in religiously for new episodes. The story revolves around Han Ji Hoon (Lee Seo Jin), who is the son of a wealthy businessman and his mistress. When he discovers that his birth mother will die without a liver transplant, he exhausts all options to find a donor. Ultimately, he forms a contract with Kang Hye Soo (Uee), who agrees to donate her liver in exchange for enough money to support her young daughter until she is grown. But as the two work together to trick the hospital that they are a married couple they inevitably develop feelings for one another. Admittedly, this is a slower moving series with a heavy focus on character development and relationships. But their struggles are heart wrenching and it is easy to empathize, hoping all the while the journey ends in a happy place. Among this cast of veteran performers there is also one new face that tends to steal the scenes. Shin Rin Ah, who portrays Kang Hye Soo's daughter, is a delight to watch. I am totally sold on the mother-daughter bond. This is easily one of my top two dramas among the March/April releases.

♥ Master: God of Noodles (aka Master of Revenge)
Tag Line: My parents were killed and all I got was this lousy revenge plot...and noodles.
Thoughts: Moody and intense, Master: God of Noodles is one of the the last k-dramas to debut in April. This dark thriller centers around the misdeeds of a man by the name of Kim Gil Do (Baro / Cho Jae Hyun). He has spent his life lying and killing in order to claw his way to the top of the pecking order - changing his identity several times over to escape punishment for his crimes. While on the run, he crosses paths with Ha Jung Tae (No Young Hak), a young man isolated in the woods trying to master the royal court style of noodles. Ha Jung Tae takes him in without any questions and teaches him the basics of making noodles. But it all goes wrong. Kim Gil Do attempts to kill him and steals both his identity and the notebook with the secrets of Ha Jung Tae's work. Many years later, Kim Gil Do, now a successful chef, discovers the real Ha Jung Tae is alive and makes a move to eliminate the threat to his fake identity. But he makes a mistake and leaves a survivor, Ha Jung Tae's son (Chun Myung Jung). He grows up in an orphanage under the name Moo Myung, to protect his identity, all the while plotting to bring down the man that ruined his life. The storytelling in this drama is exceptional and beautifully done. The tone of the series is set by dark looming shadows and the overcast and dull scenery surrounding the characters. Everyone has a secret. Everyone is wounded. They are all struggling to survive. And, they'll each take a different road in order to do that. The characters provide narration that is well written and often a touching commentary on the state of affairs. Artistically, this is one of the strongest dramas that I have seen in a long time. It is moving a little slower than is typical but I find it really enjoyable and I highly recommend it. 

♥ Monster

Tag Line: My parents were also killed and I also got a lousy revenge plot. No Noodles.

Thoughts: Kang Ji Hwan headlines this series alongside k-drama favorites Sung Yu Ri and Park Ki Woong. It is a simmering pot of corporate thriller with  a heaping side serving of revenge. Kang Ji Hwan takes on the role of Kang Ki Tan, a young man whose family was murdered under the guise of a car accident that also left him blind. Under the care of his Aunt and Uncle, he leads a closeted life as the spoiled heir that trusts no one... including his caregivers. He ultimately discovers a plot to steal his fortune but it is too late. His life is ruined and he finds himself homeless and penniless. Years later, he is provided with a second chance at life and an opportunity to reclaim his fortunes by attacking those that plotted against him. So, I'll start with the one "flaw" of the opening episode, though calling it a flaw is a bit of an exaggeration. Kang Ji Hwan looks ridiculous. I need to write that again: RIDICULOUS! I get that he is portraying a man that is homeless and dirty, doing whatever he can to survive. But his appearance is borderline comical and takes away from the gravity of the situation. Once the story slides back in time to set-up the plot, the audience can easily forget the leper-like appearance of our hero's future self and focus on the crossing and double-crossing taking place. It's fast. It's intriguing. The chemistry between the young-versions of the leads is fantastic. I am sorry to see them go. Hopefully, the momentum is maintained across all 50 episodes and the revenge dish that we are served is as tasty as it looks. I'll green light it for viewing but it isn't my favorite new release. 

♥ Neighborhood Lawyer, Jo Deul Ho
Tag Line: Disgraced prosecutor becomes a lawyer for justice.
Thoughts: March was a great month for new k-dramas and this one in particular took me by surprise. I am not a huge fan of crime/law genre television programs but I am really enjoying this series. Park Shin Yang takes the lead as a down-on-his-luck lawyer named Jo Deul Ho. He was once a star prosecutor but after disobeying his superiors and challenging a well-connected CEO his career is ruined with accusations of bribery. He loses his job, his wife, and his daughter in the aftermath. Three years later, he is living out on the streets and homeless. When an old case he worked on as a prosecutor reappears, he picks himself up and heads back to court to fight for those that can't fight for themselves. Park Shin Yang is mesmerizing in this role and has a charisma that is complimented by cast mates Kang So Ra, Park Won Sang, and Hwang Suk Jung. Each episode is a perfect blend of comedy and drama that leaves the audience laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time. I highly recommend this one.

First Look: January / Febuary K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

♥ = So-so start. Might get better. Might get worse.

♥ = Bleh. Hate it!

♥ Cheese in the Trap

Tag Line: She's the cheese. He's the trap. Or, is it the other way around? Hmm.

Thoughts: I'm sure I have some but I can't seem to find any right at this moment. The first two episodes were slow and somewhat underwhelming. I'll write more after next week's episodes air and see if I can produce some worthwhile first impressions.

♥ Come Back, Mister
Tag Line: They died. They came back... with a twist. 
Thoughts: Arguably, this is one of the February drama launches about which I was the most curious. I like Rain. I think he's a phenomenal entertainer. But his last acting gig was a total crash-and-burn affair (See: She's So Loveable). This time around I was hoping for something smarter with a better cast. My wish was granted with the better cast. Kim Su Ro, Kim In Kwon, Lee Min Jung, Oh Yeon So, Honey Lee, and Choi Won Young are all talented actors and stars in and of themselves. The smarter script? Based off a Japanese novel, the story focuses around two recently deceased men that decide to bail on the trip to Heaven in order to return to Earth and take care of unfinished business. But there's a catch. Han Gi Tak (Kim Su Ro) finds himself in the body of a beautiful woman (Oh Yeon So) and Kim Young Soo (Kim in Kwon) wakes up as a handsome man with an impeccable physique (Rain). They can't reveal their true identities and they can't exact any revenge. This is promising and there have definitely been smart "moments." The biggest flaw with the first few episodes is that they feel like a drama written for Rain's muscles and rely heavily on physical comedy. Normally, I like both of these things but in this instance it is overpowering other aspects of the production. There are fleeting moments of real connection and emotion between some of the characters and when they show up they are powerful. I even shed a few tears. It just isn't coming together as a total package (no pun intended...seriously). All that said, I'm not giving up hope!!  There are signs that the "unfinished business" of these two men are beginning to merge into a joint venture and that should unify the elements of this series that currently feel disjointed.  Let's wait and see where this all goes... Yellow for now.

♥ Descendants of the Sun
Tag Line: He's a soldier. She's a doctor. Can they find love in a foreign land?
Thoughts: Song Joong Ki headlines this series as his first job out of the military. Oddly enough, he's playing the role of a soldier. Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki) is the commander of a special forces unit that has been sent to the made-up land of Uruk as part of a UN peace keeping mission. It is there he reunites with his almost-ex-girlfriend Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), who has been sent as part of a medical team. They dated briefly back home but were unable to reconcile the top-secret nature of Shi Jin's work with Mo Yeon's personal views regarding the saving and taking of lives. The first handful of episodes were better than I expected and quite riveting. Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo have a natural chemistry that plays well on-screen as they try to reconcile their differences. The secondary characters are also interesting and keep the pace of the series moving along at a nice speed. Of special note is Jin Goo, who takes on the BFF role alongside Song Joong Ki. He's a great acting talent so it is nice to seem him in a role that offers substantial screen time. And, if you happen to get tired of staring at sweaty-muscley-shirtless soldiers running around a military base, there is also the stunning Mediterranean seaside view to enjoy. This drama spent several weeks filming in Greece alongside clear blue waters and white sand beaches. I think I should go plan my next vacation now. 

Thoughts.... Coming Soon 
Moorim School
Neighborhood Hero
Signal

First Look: November / December K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

♥ = So-so start. Might get better. Might get worse.

♥ = Bleh. Hate it!

♥ Oh My Venus
Tag Line: Woman Gains Law Degree and 50 lbs, Loses Boyfriend
Thoughts: This is the RomCom that I've been waiting for to round out the newest collection of winter k-dramas. So Ji Sub makes his small screen comeback after The Master's Sun as John Kim, a personal trainer living in Hollywood. When he's caught in the middle of a scandal involving a celebrity, he flees back to his hometown - Seoul. During the flight, he connects with Kang Joo Eun, played by Shin Min A. Kang Joo Eun was once the "Venus" of her high school with hordes of adoring teenage boys flocking to her. But years later, she is an overweight lawyer that is struggling both personally and professionally. To make matters worse, her boyfriend of 15 years just broke up with her when she was expecting a proposal. I think we can all figure out what happens next when a personal trainer and an overweight lawyer hook up. They exercise. Duh! The first two episodes are solid and the pairing of So Ji Sub and Shin Min A has just enough sizzle to leave the audience curious about how their relationship will evolve. I also appreciate the subtle humor worked into the dialogue regarding body image and the means by which woman achieve the "ideal" shape. Yu In Young has a humorous scene in which she proclaims, "I don't eat food for the taste," before she consumes a single kernel of corn with great effort. Overall, I like the direction the series is going and this is one to watch. I highly recommend it.

Remember
Tag Line: Coming Soon
Thoughts: Coming Soon

♥ Reply 1988 (aka Answer Me 1988)
Tag Line: The 80s called. It wants its hair styles and clothes back.
Thoughts: This blast to the past is the third installment in the anthology series "Reply."

Sweet Savage Family (aka Sweet & Sour Family)
Tag Line: Coming Soon
Thoughts: Coming Soon