First Look: October/November/December K-Drama Premieres

Bad Guys
Tag Line: Criminals catching Criminals for the Police
Thoughts: Not surprisingly, this OCN production is a crime thriller with the same dark gritty setting that we saw in Reset and Cheo Young.  The story focuses on the inability of the police force to capture violent crime offenders because they are understaffed and under-trained. After a high ranking officer's son, also a police officer, is murdered while chasing a criminal, he seeks out the help of a former officer to put a team together capable of catching the worst-of-the-worst criminals. The result is a task force assembled from prisoners: the gangster, the contract killer, and the serial killer. The first episode is action packed and the task force is veritable pressure cooker of personalities just waiting to explode. This isn't a genre that I personally like but I can attest to its watchability and wow factor. It's not a thumbs-up but I'll watch to see where it all goes.

Birth of a Beauty
Tag Line: When Prince Charming looks for a new princess... Cinderella fights back.
Thoughts: This is the story after the happy ending. An average man marries an average woman that can help him achieve his goals. But as soon as he achieves success, he dumps her for a hotter woman. The average woman gets an extreme makeover to become hotter than the hotter woman that stole her husband and seeks revenge. That is the tale of Birth of a Beauty. It's not terribly original and feels like a repackaging of Cunning Single Lady, which also starred Joo Sang Wook, with a little stolen plot from the film 200 Pound Beauty. It stretches the viewers ability to suspend reality with an extreme makeover involving head-to-toe plastic surgery and 100+ pounds of weight loss in just 49 days. But I'm willing to roll with it if it can sell me on the relationships. There have been some very real and touching moments in the first two episodes and my heart went out to the character Sa Geum Ran. I want her to win. I just hope the lesson learned, when it's all said and done, is that physical beauty is less important than one's character. And, that love shouldn't come with the condition of having super model good looks.

The Legendary Witch
Tag Line: Ex-Cons Start a Bakery
Thoughts: The first two episodes in this k-drama have been somewhat underwhelming. It starts with the arrival of the newest inmate on the block and then we enter the flashback. At the end of episode two, we are still working our way through the flashback. There have even been flashbacks in the flashbacks. I'm ready to get back to the present but I suspect that we'll be subjected to one more episode set a year prior to the prison scene. There's nothing super compelling about the story thus far. They are all women that have been manipulated and set-up to take the fall for crimes they didn't commit (or intend to commit). They all have a mysterious connection to one another as if they were destined to meet in prison and then start a bakery together. The writer and director will have to work some overtime to throw in an unexpected twist to a plot that, at this point, seems very predictable. I'll keep watching for Han Ji Hye and Ha Yeon Soo. But my expectations are fairly low at this point.

Liar Game
Tag Line: Hunger Games meets Truman Show meets Survivor
Thoughts: I'll preface my comments by admitting that I have never read the manga or seen the Japanese television show off which this k-drama is based. As a stand alone production, I have really enjoyed the first two episodes. This k-drama follows the reality program "Liar Game" as contestants are forced to lie, cheat, and/or steal in order to win a large sum of money. Shin Sung Rok is devilishly delightful as the MC of the Liar Game and Lee Sang Yoon has shed his good boy image from Angel Eyes to become an ex-con. The female character is a rather bland role and any actress with a pretty face can easily pull it off - she's not what sets the show apart. It's the creepy Hunger Games vibe of man vs. man set under the lense of reality television that makes this series compelling. The fall line-up of k-dramas has been rather disappointing thus far so I'm really excited to watch this one progress.

Love Frequency 37.2
Tag Line: Dear Abby... Sincerely, Frustrated K-Addict
Thoughts: This is a strange series that doesn't quite fit the mold of a k-drama. The working premise of the drama is that mysterious DJ hosts a pirate radio program to help others with their relationship issues while playing a few tunes. The bulk of the episodes are spent reenacting the content of his audience's e-mails asking him for advice. From one episode to the next, the same troupe of actors are assigned new characters with new stories to tell with the DJ being the only constant element to connect it all together. It ends up feeling more like a collection of short stories than a cohesive piece built around the life of the DJ. He is the only true thread in this this k-drama but the show has yet to provide any details that would make the audience care about him and his radio show. It just needs something...more. The actors are competent but the writing and direction could use some tweaking. This one is a bust for me.

Naeil's Cantabile (aka Tomorrow's Cantabile)
Tag Line: Joo Won's Beethoven's Virus
Thoughts: This South Korean adaptation of the Japanese-Manga-Live-Action-Drama Nodame Cantabile looks and feels very much like its predecessor. There were no striking differences coming out out of the first episode. Joo Won is believable as an aspiring conductor with a cold personality. There's no one better when it comes to sneering. But I struggled with Shim Eun Kyung in the Nodame role. Her performance often felt forced and there was no immediate chemistry with Joo Won. Nodame Cantabile is perfection so this cast has big shoes to fill. It will be interesting to see if the writer/director continue to follow the path of the original or take a departure to create something new and different. I'm not ready to condemn the series. Let's wait and see more.

Misaeng (aka Incomplete Life)
Tag Line: This is my life. =(
Thoughts: Siwan front-lines this k-drama about a failed-to-go-pro baduk player, Jang Geu Rae, that turns in his game board to work a 9 to 5 office job.  The first episode starts in the present with him in an exciting chase scene in a foreign country before it rewinds back to the year 2012. We then see our hero wearing his deceased father's too-big-suit as he shows up for his first day of work as an intern. The office setting is dreary and there is a sense of foreboding, like it could all go wrong at any moment. I'm intrigued! Siwan is an engaging presence on screen and really sells himself as an inexperienced office worker just trying survive day to day. It's easy to empathize with his plight. Throw in the parallels of office life with playing a game of baduk and it should be make for an entertaining series.

Modern Farmer
Tag Line: Green Acres is the Place for Me
Thoughts: What happens when a rock band takes up farming? That's the question that Modern Farmer hopes to answer.  ExSo was once a promising rock band with a bright future. But several years later, the group has disbanded and only its lead singer, Lee Min Ki (Lee Hong Ki), has held on to the hope of getting the band back together. When Lee Min Ki inherits a plot of land from his deceased grandmother, he decides to take up farming cabbages in order to finance their come back album. He recruits his former band mates to help him and the quartet sets off for a wild adventure in rural South Korea. Park Min Woo, Lee Si Un, and Kwak Dong Yeon round out cast. The first couple episodes have largely consisted of Lee Hong Ki yelling at people. Still, this role is a much better fit than his previous role in Bride of the Century. I'm not totally sold on this premise but there have been some legitimately funny moments and I can appreciate the lighthearted comedy. It's not quite worthy of a thumbs up at this point.

Mr. Back (aka Mr. Baek)
Tag Line: Holy-Age-Reversing-Meteor-Backman!
Thoughts: Any k-drama that involves aging an actor by 30+ years with wigs and make-up is going to get a thumbs-up from me. Choi Go Bong (Shin Ha Kyun) is the chairman of a large corporation. He's spent his entire life building up his company and his fortunes. But now that he is approaching the end of his life, he's found himself surrounded by people that only have dollar signs in their eyes as they wait for his death. His only son has no interest in running the company, either. By a twist of fate, he swallows a piece of meteorite and his age is mysteriously reversed by more than 30 years. The first few episodes have been fun and the cast is entertaining. Jang Na Ra co-stars as the potential romantic interest for both the elder and younger Choi men and I am really enjoying her in this role. This k-drama is perfectly timed for the holidays as we root for Choi Scrooge to learn the value of relationships and atone for sins of the past.

Pride & Prejudice
Tag Line: Not an adaptation of the novel.
Thoughts: I'm going to put this one right out there. If you name your production Pride & Prejudice, your production should have some relationship with the novel that bears the same title. I was kind of excited thinking that a clever writer had taken Jane Austen's classic novel and k-dramafied it. Sadly, that is not the case. Choi Jin Hyuk headlines this legal drama about a couple reunited as prosecutors after five years apart. It was an okay start but somewhat bland and has failed to catch my attention at 1 1/2 episodes. I'll keep watching for the obvious reasons (Choi Jin Hyuk & Lee Tae Hwan) and hope that it gets better along the way.

You're All Surrounded

Title:	You're All Surrounded
Alternate Title(s):	N/A
Genre(s):	Crime, Mystery, Suspense, Romantic Comedy
Episodes	20
Network:	SBS
Year Produced:	2014
Available to Watch On:	DramaFever, viki, Netflix, dramafans.org

Summary: This hard to define police drama follows Kim Ji Young (Lee Seung Gi), whose mother was murdered when we was a child. Twelve years later, he has returned as Eun Dae Koo and become a police detective secretly trying to unroot Seo Pan Seok (Cha Seung Won) as the corrupt detective responsible for his mother's death.  When he joins the Gagnam Police force to get close to Seo Pan Seok, he is inadvertently reunited with Eo Soo Sun (Go Ara), a childhood acquaintance from his hometown that has also become a detective. He must tread carefully in he presence lest his real identity be exposed. This wild adventure is a little bit NYPD Blue, 21 Jump Street, and Police Academy.

4 = Pretty darn good

Recommendation: You're All Surrounded is a surprisingly good k-drama. It may have initially given the impression that it was more akin to Police Academy than a hardcore police drama but it strikes a nice balance somewhere in between the two.While the primary story surrounds Lee Seung Gi's character, the drama really felt like an ensemble piece that gave every actor an opportunity to tell his or her story and find a resolution. The pace is quick, every episode is exciting, and twenty episodes was the perfect number to wrap-up all the loose ends. There aren't many k-dramas that leave me wondering what the future holds for its characters but this one is an exception. A second season that explores their lives as veteran police detectives with a new set of challenges would make for an interesting tale.

Three Days

Title:	Three Days
Alternate Title(s):	3 Days
Network:	SBS
Year Produced:	2014

Summary: Three Days is a 2014 South Korean drama produced for SBS. This dark political thriller follows Secret Service Agent Han Tae Kyung (Park Yoo Chun) as he races against the clock to prevent the financial ruin of South Korea and the deaths of innocent civilians. The story begins with the mysterious death of his father and quickly escalates into an assassination attempt of the S. Korean president. But as Agent Han discovers, those events are just the tip of the iceberg. Now, he must unravel a decades old conspiracy in search of clues to prevent another tragedy. The series also stars well-known actors Park Ha Sun, Choi Won Young, and So E Hyun.

2.5 = I really wanted to like this one...

Recommendation: Here's the thing: I feel absolutely nothing about this k-drama. I don't love it and I don't hate it. It's just kind of... there. It was difficult to empathize with any of the characters' plights and I was indifferent to the outcome right up until the end of episode 13. Sure, there were some exciting action sequences and staring at Park Yoo Chun for 16 hours isn't a bad way to spend my free time. But I want to cry, laugh, and feel emotionally invested in the fates of the characters when I watch a movie, television show, play, etc... So, I'm sorry to report that this k-drama is a no-go for me. If you like political-conspiracy-action k-dramas, it might be worth your time.

It's Alright, That's Love

Title:	It's Alright, That's Love
Alternate Title(s):	It's Ok, It's Love
Network:	SBS
Year Produced:	2014

Summary: It's Alright, That's Love is a romantic dramedy about family, love, domestic abuse, and mental illness. Ji Hae Soo (Kong Hyo Jin) is a psychiatrist that suffers from an anxiety disorder that prevents her from experiencing physical intimacy. But she's determined to overcome it with her own efforts. Jang Jae Yeol (Zo In Sung) is a famous author and radio personality suffering from OCD as a result of physical and emotional abuse experienced as a child. But he's accepted it and lives with the condition as a fact of his life. The unlikely pair meet when they serve as special guests on a talk show and their personalities clash both on and off the camera. When they are reunited as roommates, they come to realize that they may be more alike than different and set off on a journey of healing and self-discovery.

4.5 = Just About Perfect

Recommendation: It's Alright, That's Love is easily one of the best k-dramas of 2014. This is what a grown-up k-drama should look like once it graduates from the school of bathroom humor, love triangles, and social status conflicts. The dialogue is smart, sexy, and fast paced. The characters are complex. The writers manage to deftly sidestep the presentation of k-drama stereotypes while giving the audience relatable characters with realistically messy relationships. I am not familiar with Zo In Sung's prior work but for me this was a stand-out performance. He captured the essence of mental illness without going over-the-top. In fact, it was the "quiet" moments where he most often brought me to tears. While the director executed the plot perfectly from start to finish, I found one small miss. The final episode was a little too... happy. Yes, I want my k-dramas to end on a positive note. However, mental illness is a predominant theme in the series, which is a lifelong struggle. The ending should have been less, "...they lived happily ever after," and more, "...they worked hard to make each day better than the one that came before it."

Sorry! Really Behind...

The summer came and went leaving behind a bunch of half-written k-drama reviews. I am not joking when I say that I have about 40 reviews that were written and never published - in large part because I was too lazy to work on graphics/images once I got home from work. To summarize, my life this summer has included the following:

Next week, I'll be traveling for work and cooped up in a hotel room at night. My plan is to use this time to get caught up - as much as I can. I'll start with some of the early summer k-dramas like You're All Surrounded and round it out with late summer k-dramas like It's Alright, That's Love. Any older dramas (pre-2014) will get done whenever I find the time.

I may also try to finish watching some k-dramas that I lost interest in early on like Hotel King and Dr. Stranger. Is it worth it? Not sure.

If there's a series that anyone is dying to know about....leave a comment. I'll do my best to prioritize.

A New Leaf

 
Summary: A New Leaf is a 2014 South Korean series produced for MBC. This courtroom k-drama explores the life of an amoral hotshot attorney, Kim Seok Joo (Kim Myung Min), employed by South Korea's most powerful law firm. After he loses his memory due to a head injury, he's left with nothing but his skills as a lawyer and several unfinished cases. With the help of the law firm's intern, Lee Ji Yoon (Park Min Young), he tries to reconstruct his life and understand questionable choices he made in regards to personal and professional matters. With a clean slate in his head, will he turn over a new leaf and live a more honest life?

3 out of 5:  It felt unfinished!

Recommendation: I am 50/50 on this drama. It has a strong start and I think it poses some interesting questions on the nature of legal systems and the fine line between legal justice and fair treatment. The most interesting aspect of the series is the courtroom battles and the legal maneuverings of the various parties. But the script tries to accomplish too much and, with it being reduced by a couple episodes due to schedule conflicts, many of the sub-plots were rushed to a half-assed conclusion. Kim Myung Min carries the k-drama in a role that feels perfectly tailored to his skills. He's the best when it comes to playing complicated characters that require an inflexible personality and a high amount of disdain for others. Park Min Young was short-changed as the legal intern and potential romantic interest. Speaking of romance, there really is not much of it. Park Min Young more often felt like a supporting actress instead of a lead. Despite all this, I think A New Leaf is worth a watch, especially if you like dramas that explore the law, ethics, and the human capacity to change.

First Look: August/September K-Drama Premieres

Age Ending in 9 Boy

Tag Line:Beware the age ending in 9

Thoughts: The whole premise of this new series is that every age that ends in a 9 is a bad luck year. In one particular household, there are 4 males all with ages ending in the number 9 - 9, 19, 29, and 39. Each one will work through personal and professional obstacles over the course of several months to overcome their misfortunes. The first two episodes had an interesting set-up and I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between all the male members of the household. It's still unclear to me if the message will be that family support and love is critical in times of trouble or, whether, it will be more driven by the relationships with the various romantic interests. Though it seems, as of right now, to be more of the latter. I'm not ready to give it a thumbs up but I think this one is worth tracking for progress. It could be great or crash and burn.

Blade Man

Tag Line: Me. So. Angry. Me. Cut. Things. Arrrgh!
Thoughts: Part Edward Scissorhands and part The Master's Sun, I have to say this newest Lee Dong Wook k-drama is kind of a hot mess. BUT! It's intriguing. It's described as a supernatural romance, which isn't entirely off base. Though, it feels more like a dark comedy. Lee Dong Wook has taken on the role of Joo Hong Bin, an emotionally scarred man with a short temper that sprouts blades on his back when he gets angry. Odd, I know. But I already like this character better than the one he portrayed in Hotel King. There are several other familiar faces including Han Jung Soo and Lee Mi Sook. Shin Se Kyung is the real question mark in this drama because its uncertain if she has the acting chops to stand opposite Lee Dong Wook as his love interest. Update! Four episodes into this series and I have been charmed. These are the episodes that I am waiting for each week.

Boarding House No. 24
Tag Line: Baby Mama Drama Leads to Lost Child
Thoughts:  It is a television program and it is from South Korea. But it falls squarely in the sitcom category making it a k-sitcom. It even has a laugh track. Undoubtedly, this is a vehicle to showcase k-pop idols and it is not meant to be a thought provoking commentary on society. The premise is fairly simple: Twenty-ish years ago a playboy impregnated a woman he was dating but did not know it. Years later, he discovers that he is a father but is not sure which woman gave birth to his child. So, he tracks down every child born to a woman he dated during that time period and manipulates him or her into boarding in his home. All he has to do is figure out which one is his child. Every character is a stereotype - the jock, the nerd, the gold digger, the shop-a-holic, and fanatic. But if you are fan of slapstick comedy and k-pop than this might be right up your alley.

The Greatest Marriage 
Tag Line: Knocked Up! Minus the Pot, Plus No Min Woo's Abs
Thoughts:  What happens when a single professional woman gets pregnant and the father is a much younger and irresponsible man? I think we'll have to wait to find out. But the first two episodes have been a fun roller coaster ride of emotion. No Min Woo flaunts his stuff (shirtless) as an aspiring chef and food critic with a crush on anchor woman Cha Ki Young played by Park Si Yeon. The pair become romantically entangled and a kiss turns into a steamy affair that leads to baby drama. Meanwhile, Cha Ki Young's nemesis, Jo Eun Cha (Bae Soo Bin), is looking to return an anchorman after a failed career in politics. Her pregnancy could be just the weapon he needs to usurp her place at the top. This is a fun and exciting series with some sizzling hot chemistry between the leads. Park Si Yeon was one of the weak links in Coffee House but she's fully in charge of The Greatest Marriage. This one's a keeper.

My Lovable Girl
Tag Line: Rain playing a character that is just like Rain
Thoughts: I'll be honest. I let out a bit of a groan when I read the synopsis for this k-drama. Rain is playing a character that is a songwriter and music producer. Not much of a stretch for him, eh? But, I tried to keep an open mind as I watched the first episode. My verdict is that it was thoroughly underwhelming, particularly in comparison to his past works such as A Love to Kill and Full House. The story is recycled and there aren't any characters with which I immediately empathize. The whole episode was flat. I was more interested in watching the members of INFINITE drink it up during the party scene. At least two of them are currently playing high school students in another series (High School! Love On) so it was a bit disconcerting to watch them behave their age. Party on, boys! Now, I admit that I'll keep watching this one, just like everyone else, because it is Rain. But I predict this will my least favorite of all his dramas.

My Secret Hotel
Tag Line: The Wedding Planner meets Clue: K-Drama Edition
Thoughts: The first episode of this k-drama started with a bang. Or, should I say crash? Watch it and you'll see what I mean. This appears to be another divorced-couple-reuniting k-drama but with a splash of murder-mystery. We'll have to see how it all plays out and if this concept works. Yoo In Na is the leading female actress in this series and I like what I've seen so far. Her last few efforts were all in the bitchy-sidekick category so it is nice to see her in a role that gives her an opportunity to flex her acting muscles. She's joined by Jin Lee Han, who plays her ex-husband. He's coming off the series A New Leaf where, frankly, he wasn't given much opportunity to shine. The same goes for Namgung Min. His last drama was canceled due to poor ratings. I'm rooting for this one. The chemistry between these three actors has the potential to explode into k-drama awesomeness.

My Spring Days
Tag Line: Heart transplant recipient seeks out former owner
Thoughts: Taking over the Fated to Love You time slot, this k-drama about a heart transplant recipient and her fated encounter with the husband of the heart donor has big shoes to fill. I've only watched the first episode but my initial impression is that it has an Angel Eyes vibe. The story is similar and the lead actresses look very similar. There's even a good looking heart surgeon. Beyond the superficial, though, I found there to be some interesting and compelling moments - particularly between the widowed father and his children. I like the male lead because he seems atypical for a lead: older & a little grizzled. Though, the leading actress looks exactly like what you'd expect: young & beautiful. I feel good about this series and I hope it takes a more serious and thoughtful look at the healing process for both the transplant recipient and the family of the donor.

The Night Watchman
Tag Line: I'm a prince and I see dead people...
Thoughts: The first two episodes of this series have left me slightly bewildered, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Kings, Shamans, and Dragons! Oh my! I understand that this series is not a straight-up historical drama. It's genre is fantasy with a touch of the supernatural. Eventually, it will star Jung Il Woo as an exiled prince that can see ghosts. But he won't make his first appearance until episode 3. I hope, for his sake, that this project is better than Golden Rainbow. He really needs to redeem himself after being tied to what was a really disappointing production on all levels. I'm rooting for him!

Reset
Tag Line: Beware the prosecutor with a hypnotizing pen click.
Thoughts: I am only about 1 1/2 episodes into this OCN drama and it seems pretty much like what you'd expect from the network that brought us Vampire Prosecutor, God's Quiz, and Cheo Yong. This dark and moody drama stars Chun Jung Myung as a prosecutor suffering from repressed memories involving the death of his first love. When the memories begin to resurface, it sends him on a wild hunt for the man responsible for his girlfriend's death. It's been a chaotic introduction to the series and I'm feeling a little indifferent about it at this point. I don't feel super attached to any of the characters. But I think there is some potential for it to be interesting so I'll give it a few more views before I love it or leave it.

Secret Door
Tag Line: Father vs. Son: A Battle to the Death
Thoughts: Han Suk Kyu and Lee Je Hoon take on the challenge of depicting the conflict between King Yeongjo and Prince Sado in this historical k-drama. I'm not quite through the first episode but I can say that the first several minutes of it were very confusing. Not being familiar with the history of Korea, I did my best to keep up with the forward and backward jumps in time to set the stage for the conflict. I'm kind of indifferent to this one right at the moment but I'd like to get through 2-4 episodes before passing judgement. This is a large scale production with a huge cast so my expectations are pretty high.

The Surplus Princess (aka The Mermaid)
Tag Line:  The Little Mermaid Spring Break Style.
Thoughts: I'm a little on the fence with this one. There has been some clever humor and funny references to the animated version of this classic fairy tale. But I don't /love/ any of the characters just yet. The "mermaid" in this venture is too worldly and aware of her sexuality (she even has a cell phone in an underwater case). I typically like those attributes in a female character but it is at odds with my perception of the mermaid's mission to find true love. Still, I am a fan of Song Jae Rim and I am going to keep watching with cautious optimism. I really hope that this all comes together as something more than a series of mermaid jokes and Disney moment parodies...

The Three Musketeers
Tag Line: All for one! And, one for all!
Thoughts: Instead of trying to compare this series to the novel or other film/TV adaptations, I am going to view this drama as an independent effort. From what I understand, there will be 36 episodes that are broken down into 3 seasons. This is the first season. I have watched one episode and it felt a little Princess-Bride-like with the inclusion of a narrator and the tongue-in-cheek humor. It's certainly different from anything else that I've seen recently and I enjoyed it. This is my first time seeing Jung Young Hwa in a leading role and I am interested to see how he progresses. This is a thumbs up for me... for now.

Comments Wanted

One of the many reasons that I began this blog is because I wanted to engage with other people that share my love of all things k-drama. My opinions are obviously not representative of anything other than my own point of view and so I'd love to hear from the people that are checking in regularly - I know you are out there.

Am I totally off base with a particular review? Do you agree? Should there be more original artwork or less? More photos or less? Talk to me!

I will draw a personalized stick figure for the first person that posts a legitimate comment to any of the reviews that appear on this blog. Of course, I get to decide what is a legitimate comment. =)

I'm also still looking for ideas on how to represent "revenge" as a drama tag.

Happy commenting!

Angel Eyes

Summary: Angel Eyes is a 2014 k-drama produced for SBS. This 20 episode series follows the relationship between Yoon Soo Wan (Ku Hye Sun) and Park Dong Joo (Lee Sang Yoon). Their fairytale romance begins when they meet as teenagers and fall in love. Yoon Soo Wan is a lonely girl suffering from blindness and carrying the guilt of her mother's accidental death on her shoulders. Park Dong Joo is a hardworking teenager trying to help support his family after the death of his father. They find happiness and support in one another until they are tragically torn apart. Years later, Park Dong Joo returns to find Yoon Soo Wan, whose vision has been restored. Will she recognize her first love now that she can see? And, can they overcome obstacles from the past that are holding them back?

Recommendation: I liked Angel Eyes and I'm willing to positively recommend it to others. It has a strong start and it carries well through the first 10-12 episodes. But, in all honesty, they could have wrapped it up neatly by episode 16 with a few tweaks. I had figured out all the major players and how the story would resolve as soon as the adult cast was introduced. The main reason for continuing to watch was to see how the events would unfold and for the combined hotness of Lee Sang Yoon and Kim Ji Suk. I'm not a fan of Ku Hye Sun but I think she turned in a reasonably good performance for this series and her chemistry with Lee Sang Yoon was spot on. A surprising treat was Seung-Ri in the role of Teddy Seo. I know he's a pop star but this was my first exposure to him and I think he held his own against the more seasoned actors.

Gap Dong

Summary: Gap Dong is a 20 episode k-drama, loosely based on real events, produced for TvN. The central plot of the story involves the investigation into the serial killer Gap Dong, who is known to have committed 9 murders in the early 90s. Ha Moo Yeom (Yoon Sang Hyun), a child at the time, watched as his father was accused of the crimes and ultimately driven to commit suicide. 20 years later, Ha Moo Yeom has become a police detective living in the shadow of Gap Dong. When a new murder occurs that bears all the trademark characteristics of a Gap Dong killing, Ha Moo Yeom is forced to reconcile with his troubled past while searching for clues that will identify the "real" Gap Dong.

Recommendation: I am going to start off by saying that I really enjoyed this k-drama as a whole. It is a little difficult to write about it without giving away key details that will ruin the series for those that have not seen it yet. That being said, I will recommend avoiding my "Other Thoughts" as it will definitely contain spoilers. Without giving away too many details, I found the story to be complete, the acting good, and the treatment of the "catch the serial killer" genre very clever. It doesn't try to hide the identity of the villain(s) but still manages to maintain its unpredictable factor. As always, Yoon Sang Hyun is AMAZING. He is clearly the leading man and does his job well. But he is fully supported by an ensemble with a high level of talent. If not for the poorly written female characters, this k-drama might have scored better.

Series Alert: Nodame Cantabile

I happened to stumble across this by pure accident. But it looks like Joo Won's next project is confirmed to be a remake of the 2006 Japanese drama Nodame Cantabile. This is another manga-turned-live-action drama about a group of aspiring, and somewhat quirky, musicians attending a music academy.

The Japanese episodes are available for viewing on YouTube, with English subtitles, for those that are interested in what we might be seeing come October, which is when the remake is scheduled to broadcast. Search for "Nodame Cantabile episodes" and it should be at the top of the results.

I am pretty excited about this drama for a few reasons. First, it bears some striking similarities to Beethoven's Virus, which is in my top 10 BEST EVER k-dramas. But it is different enough to feel fresh. Second, Joo Won (Good Doctor, Bridal Mask) is a versatile and talented actor that I feel confident can fill the role of Chiaki Shinichi without losing anything in translation. Third, the drama brings classical music to life in an era where it doesn't garner much attention. The j-drama devotes significant time just to the performances (I've had goosebumps a couple times) and I hope the k-drama remake will do the same.

There are some internet rumors that Yoona (Prime Minister & I, Love Rain) is being considered for the female lead, Nodame, and I am a bit on the fence with that casting choice. She's an okay actress with a musical background. The latter may trump the former for this project. But I have only seen her in roles where she's required to be cute and I wonder if she can channel the necessary awkwardness needed to capture the essence of Nodame. Just my opinion.

As I learn more, I'll update this post!

Witch's Romance

Summary: Witch's Romance is a 16 episode 2014 k-drama produced for TvN. This romantic comedy explores the unlikely romance between Ban Ji Yeon (Uhm Jung Hwa), a jilted-at-the-altar 39 year old reporter with a difficult personality, and Yoon Dong Ha (Park Seo Jun), a 25 year old professional part-timer still grieving for his dead girlfriend. As they both try to mend broken hearts, they find the companionship they've been missing in one another and the courage to fall in love again.

3 1/2 Hearts for Lots of Laughs

 Recommendation: I loved this k-drama! It is so much fun that I often found myself giggling like a little kid as I watched each episode. The strength of this series rests entirely on the cast as the plot is fairly standard for this genre and doesn't offer up a lot of surprises. Park Seo Joon and Uhm Jung Hwa do most of the heavy lifting with great chemistry and an aura of playfulness that lights up the screen whenever they are together. Maybe I'm a little boy crazy because I'm a fan of all the bromances popping up in k-dramaland lately. Park Seo Joon and Yoon Hyun Min were completely adorkable as BFFs and roommates. I couldn't get enough of them. As expected, all the loose ends in this k-drama are tied up neatly by the last episode and the audience gets to walk away with a big smile.

First Look: June/July K-Drama Premieres

Endless Love
Tag Line: Murder and Revenge and Love Triangle, Oh My!
Thoughts: I just watched the first four episodes of this series and, while it was entertaining, I found some of the characters to be obnoxious. Hwang Jung Eum excels at dramatic roles but her character  is...well...dumb. She's been portrayed as smart but can't seem to understand that her life is in danger every time she opens her mouth to talk. I chalked it up to "youth" as the series starts with her in high school. Still, other characters are equally stupid. I'm not familiar with the political/social climate of 1980s South Korea so there's a chance that I'm misunderstanding something.. Still, I'm going to keep watching but with 40 episodes there is a high probability that I give up half-way through. I do like that the k-drama has been filmed with a 1980s soap opera vibe. It feels... vintage.

Fated to Love You
Tag Line: One night stands leads to love....and a baby! Oops!
Thoughts: I've been vocal about my love of all things Jang Hyuk but that doesn't necessarily earn this k-drama a free pass. I have pretty high expectations after watching the Taiwanese production. The first episode had me a little concerned. Lee Gun, as a character, is more over the top and quirky than the T-drama's male lead and Jang Hyuk has put his unique spin on it (OMG! The laugh!). But, after the second episode, I felt the series coming into its own and I think Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra have the potential to surpass the performance of the original cast. I am super excited to see how the S. Korean crew continues to adapt the setting, characters, and plot of this drama.

High School: Love On
Tag Line: Did I die and go to heaven? Cuz, I see an angel!
Thoughts: There really isn't much to think about with this particular k-drama. It's a fun high school series that was written to showcase singers from the boy band Infinite. If that doesn't pique your interest, then you could always watch for the awkwardness that is casting a 13 year old teenage girl as the romantic lead opposite two 20-something pop stars. I'll admit that she's holding her own as a fallen angel and I think her age lends itself well to the innocence and inexperience of the character. At 20 episodes airing 1x per week, this show will be around for a while.

It's Okay, That's Love
Tag Line: The patient helps the doctor...
Thoughts: This series has me really excited. As of the 4th episode, there has been an unexpected twist in the story and I'm really interested to see where all of this goes. Every character has a story in this drama and the way the come together and interact is fun. Gong Hyo Jin is a proven talent, but this is my first encounter with Jo In Sung and I'm enjoying his work. How can I not appreciate a guy that can pull off sandals with a suit?

The Joseon Gunman 
Tag Line: The Gun is Mightier than the Sword
Thoughts: We are officially two episodes into this historical drama and I have to say it's been pretty exciting. Lee Joon Gi takes on the role of Park Yoon Kang, the son of Joseon's best swordsman. But after a tragic event, he takes up the gun to seek revenge. We haven't made it to the tragic event, yet. But I suspect it will happen in episode 3. Lee Joon Gi is charming, as always, and he has great chemistry with Nam Sang Mi. I'm looking forward to watching this series develop over the coming weeks. 

King of High School Life Conduct
Tag Line: Bros before..um...high school.
Thoughts: This is the newest Seo In Guk comedy series about which there has been generally positive reviews. He portrays the character Lee Min Suk, a high school student that is fulfilling the request of his elder brother to stand-in for him at his new job for a couple months. I have really enjoyed the first four episodes and there have been some surprisingly touching moments in what is otherwise a lighthearted script. Seo In Guk falls into that category of actors that can still do the high school thing believably despite being in his late 20s and I'm happy to see Lee Tae Hwan (After School: Lucky or Not) in a full length k-drama. Normally, I don't buy the hot actress as a nerd casting choice. However, Lee Ha Na has been convincing as a woman lacking self-confidence and struggling to find her inner diva. She's one of the few characters with whom I can truly empathize. I can't wait to see how she transforms.

Marriage, Not Dating
Tag Line: Fake girlfriends leads to real marriage?
Thoughts: This one is hot off the press. I finished watching the first two episodes last night. At this point, I'm feeling a little disgruntled with the treatment of female characters in this round of summertime dramas. They are EQ dumb, IQ dumb, and personality deficient. The series starts off with the female lead attempting to propose to her boyfriend, who immediately flees and attempts to break-up with her by avoiding her. She can't take a hint and proceeds to call him 300 times. Ultimately, she is accused of stalking and it segues into the main plot. I guess being overly idealistic about love is supposed to make the character likable. By the end of episode 2, her best friend is eyeballing the guy that dumped her via text. What?! WHAT?! I don't want to condemn the series at this point because there are still entertaining moments. I just want the stupidity to stop. Someone write me a decent female character....please.

Trot Lovers (aka Lovers of Music)
Tag Line: She's a little bit country. He's a little bit rock n' roll.
Thoughts: Trot Lovers has started off strong with some major star power tied to the production (Ji Hyun Woo, Jung Eun Ji, and Shin Sung Rok). The series follows Choi Choon Hee, a down on her luck fitness professional, and Jang Joon Hyun, a down on his luck pop-star, as they are forced to work together to overcome professional and personal slumps. Now, I'm always a little skeptical with any series that heavily involves music. If I have to listen to variations of the same song for 16 episodes, I'll go crazy - hence my rating of "Just Okay." If the series manages the music well, I will have no problem changing this to a thumbs up. The main characters are all very interesting and have great chemistry. The plot is evolving quickly, too. I'm also happy to see Shin Sung Rok back and rocking a new do, as well as, a non-serial killer persona. And, it goes without saying, I <3 Ji Hyun Woo.