Typically, I wait until a series wraps up and then I write a long winded review expressing my opinions. But, for those that don't like to read and those that don't want to wait, I have decided to do a quick check-in on the new k-dramas hitting the scene. I didn't have the forethought to put these in alphabetical order so please bear with me.
Tag Line: Blind girl gets her vision back but can't see her first love. Oh snap!
Thoughts: Cheesy, right? Despite sharing a name with an 80s pop song, I took a chance on this k-drama and it was surprisingly good. Angel Eyes had me at episode one. The series smoothly transitions between the younger and older versions of the main characters without losing anything, which makes me very happy. I'm not a big fan of Ku Hye Sun but it feels like she's finally cast off the BoF persona and she's impressed me with her performance thus far. I'm 8 episodes into this k-drama and it keeps getting better.
Tag Line: Prickly prosecutor returns home...kind of.
Thoughts: There's romance, family conflict, and a murder/mystery going on in this k-drama. It's good so far but its an investment of time. It's slated to have 50 episodes so the plot is moving along at a steady but slow pace. Still, the cast is strong and the relationships between the characters are interesting. Come for the scenes that feature TaecYeon's abs but stay for a great ensemble piece featuring some superb talent.
Tag Line: Star-crossed lovers make a baby. Oops!
Thoughts: This is a series that I enjoy but it also has me nervous. It has the potential to turn into another Golden Rainbow (*gag*cough*). I'm 10 episodes into this k-drama and all the episodes thus far have been set in the past featuring high school aged versions of the main characters. There are also some side-plots centered on the adult characters that I find to be boring and largely just filler between the scenes with the teenagers. Overall, it's a good show. I just hope it can transition smoothly to the grown-up characters without losing any momentum.
Tag Line: Monopoly + K-Drama = Illegitimate son wants all the hotels
Thoughts: K-dramas tend to fail on the last episode. But this one failed on the first. Worst. First. Episode. Ever. I'm only 2 episodes into this series and, quite frankly, I don't like it at all. The characters are "meh" and the story is "whatever". I'll try to watch a few more episodes before giving it up entirely. But, beside Lee Dong Wook, I'm just not sure if this drama has any other redeeming qualities.
Tag Line: "Police Academy" meets k-drama.
Thoughts: This is a police dramedy, more emphasis on the comedy, featuring some of South Korea's most popular actors: Cha Seung Won, Lee Seung Gi, and Go Ara. I've made it through the first four episodes and I'm undecided on this one. It started out strong but has been meandering between the different sub-plots since the first episode. I suspect it will get better from here on out now that the "team" has decided to be a "TEAM!" But let's wait and see.
Tag Line: Cut-throat corporate lawyer loses his memory.
Thoughts: This is a series that I was super excited about when I read that it would airing soon. I'm a huge fan of Kim Myung Min, who has 2 dramas in my "Best Ever Top 10" list (King of Dramas & Beethoven's Virus). I was a little disappointed to see him in another "brusque-matter-of-fact-sociopath" role - even though he portrays it well. But, I will say, it has become exponentially more interesting post-memory loss. Kim Myung Min's performance as the amnesiac lawyer is very nuanced and I'm curious to see how the character evolves as he tries to figure out who he was prior to the accident. I'm going to stick with this to the end.
Tag Line: Unwilling heart donor turned heir.
Thoughts: This is another series that I was anxiously awaiting because it stars Kang Ji Hwan and Daniel Choi. The first episode was a little bit, "WTF?" And, as of the end of the 4th episode, I am struggling to empathize with any of the characters because no one is really likable. Blackmarket organ donations. Embezzling. Cheating. Bribing. It's a tough group to love. Still, it has some entertaining qualities My only other concern is Kang Ji Hwan's hair color. Is he a blonde? Is he a brunette? I ...don't know.
Tag Line: 40 something journalist finds 20 something true love.
Thoughts: This is apparently a re-make of a Taiwanese drama and, having not seen the original, I don't have anything to which I can compare it. As a stand-alone project, though, I am really enjoying it. Professional women get a bad rap in k-dramas but this one has a nice balance. Uhm Jung Hwa's character is tough but fair. The chemistry between her and Park Seo Joon is also very believable and its nice to see a sexy female lead in her 40s.
Tag Line: Legends of the Fall South Korean Style
Thoughts: This drama is a little bit Legends of the Fall and a little bit Casino. It starts slow but ramps-up quickly. Kim Jae Joong has come out strong in this role and it is nice to see him reunited with Lee Beom Soo after appearing together in the 2012 historical drama Dr. Jin. The director even managed to get in some gratuitous ab flashing already. I can't say no to abs. More, please!
Tag Line: Morally compromised doctor defects to the South
Thoughts: This is another k-drama where I have only seen the first episode. But, I will say that it moved along very quickly and ended with a bang. Literally. My curiosity has been piqued. Lee Jung Suk and Jin Se Yeon have a nice on-screen chemistry, as well. There seems to be a lot of buzz around this series and "drama of the year" murmurs. But that is still to be seen. Elvis hasn't left the building, yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment