Angry Mom
Tag Line: My Mom Kicks Butt!
Thoughts: I love this k-drama! It is fun while tackling a serious topic. Kim Hee Seon is the front woman for this series in the role of Jo Gang Ja, a woman whose daughter is being bullied at school. Unable to find a resolution through the school and police, she decides to go undercover as a high school student and find the students responsible for beating up her daughter. Remarkably, she doesn't look that much out of place among the younger cast. Ji Hyun Woo plays the part of her homeroom teacher, taking on a much different persona than we last saw in
Trot Lovers. I give him credit for branching out and showing some range but he doesn't seem quite comfortable in the skin of Park No A. Some might disagree but he is a competent actor and within the next episode or two he'll most likely hit his stride and figure out to own this role. This series might seem simple at first glance but a lot of foundational plot points have been laid down and I think we'll see this story grow more complex and interesting across its 16 episode run.
Bluebird's House (aka House of Bluebird)
Tag Line: Wild Chives Re-Packaged
Thoughts: This one feels oddly similar to
Wild Chives and Soybean Soup
given that it involves the unique connections between three very different
families as the basis of the plot. The primary story focuses on the younger generation as they work
through the challenges of growing up, finding jobs, and handling romantic
relationships. The elder generation will likely be the source of the younger
generations heartache as sins of the past are slowly revealed (and or continue
to be concealed at all costs). Lee Jun Hyuk headlines the series alongside Lee
Sang Yeob as the eldest sons of the Kim and Jang families respectively. The veteran
cast includes well-known names like
Choi Myoung Gil, Cheon Ho
Jin, and Lee Hye Sook. The start of this k-drama is a little slow but
there are some immediately relatable characters and the foundation for what’s
to come is strong. I’m not in love with it but I think I’ll stick around for
more.
Divorce Lawyer in Love
Tag Line: I hate you. I ...love you?
Thoughts: This romantic comedy is an exploration of love, marriage, and the lawyers that can help you bring it all to an end. The first two episodes have been an interesting clash of personalities and philosophies with Lawyer Ko Cheok Hee (Cho Yeo Jeong) ready to help anyone that wants a divorce and Lawyer So Jung Woo (Yeon Woo Jin) wanting it to be a measure of last resort. Together, they strike just the right balance as something between allies and enemies. Shim Hyung Tak is a supporting character in another role as a lawyer, though this character is less inclined to actually practice the law. But he does take his shirt off. Overall, I have high hopes for this romcom. I enjoyed Yeon Woo Jin in
Marriage, Not Dating and I think this is a great follow-up project to cement his place as a leading man. Tune in! I will be.
Falling in Love with Soon Jung
Tag Line: New Heart Turns into New Love
Thoughts: This isn't exactly a new story. A man with a sick heart and sick soul receives more than be bargains for when he gets a heart transplant - some of its former owner's soul. Jung Kyoung Ho leads this series as Kang Min Ho, also known as James Kang. He's out for revenge against the Uncle that stole away his father's company but his heart is failing and time is running out. Jung Kyoung Ho is fascinating to watch on-screen because of the intensity he brings to his role. He is a nice contrast to the level headed Kim Soon Jung, played by Kim so Yeon. Jin Goo seems short changed in his role as the heart donor so I am curious how he will be incorporated after the death of his character. There is no denying this is an overdone plot that could easily feel derivative of other works. But, I found the first two episodes fast-paced and exciting. It never felt stale. I am looking forward to what is next and how this old tale receives a new heart of its own.
Heard it Through the Grapevine
Tag Line: Baby Mama & Baby Daddy & Baby Family Drama
Thoughts: Lee Joon headlines this melodramatic look at unplanned teen pregnancies. Drunk on hormones and away from their parents, Seo Bom (Ko Ah Sung) and Han In Sang (Lee Joon) take their relationship a step further than either of them planned. They agree to separate afterwards with a promise to reunite after the college entrance exams but Han In Sang is unable to locate Seo Bom at any point after that. He eventually uncovers her current address only to discover she is 2 weeks away from giving birth to their child. Chaos ensues... The first two episodes have been somewhat standard fare for the topic and genre. No surprises. Lee Joon is convincing as an oppressed teen with depression and self-confidence issues, wilting in the shadow of his successful father. At best, this will be a comedic romp through the trials of unplanned parenthood and crossing the bridge between lower and upper class. At worst, it will be a draggy soap opera that focuses heavily on a tragic love overcoming obstacles. I'll let it pass with an "okay" ...for now.
Hwajung (Splendid Politics)
Tag Line: The king is dead. Long live the king.
Thoughts: This historical drama centers around the ascension of Prince Gwanghae (Cha Seung Won) to the throne of Joseon and Princess Jeongmyeong's (Lee Yeon Hee) desire for revenge against him. The first two episodes have been fast paced and full of political intrigue. But one of our main characters is still a child and most of us are probably waiting for the story to fast forward. If the description of the series reads true, the Princess will be fleeing from the palace and disguising herself as a man. Let's be honest, here. The
disguise-yourself-as-a-man thing is a bit overdone. Most of the time, the actresses looking nothing like a man and then the audience ends up questioning the intelligence of the people around them. Still, I like Cha Seung Won and I'm willing to watch anything with his name attached to it. I'll yellow light this one until the direction of the plot becomes clearer.
Missing Noir M
Tag Line: Former FBI Agent with a Dark Past
Thoughts: I have said it before but the crime/mystery genre isn't my favorite. That being said, I have really enjoyed the series so far. The story follows former FBI Agent James Gil (Kim Kang Woo), who has returned to South Korea after resigning from his post. Being well-known for his intelligence, he's immediately called upon to help the police solve a difficult case. Kang Ha Neul guest stars as a seemingly crazy inmate in the first two episodes and it sets a nice tone. While it clearly bears all the hallmark traits of an OCN drama, there's something slick about it that I like. Park Hee Soon and Jo Bo Ah around out the Scooby gang.
My Unfortunate Boyfriend
Tag Line: No Min Woo's Abs
Thoughts: I really want to like this one because I like No Min Woo. He's a talented actor with a knack for picking interesting projects. But this one feels like a dud. This series has a similar premise as Ho Goo's Love, an innocent guy falls for a not-so-innocent girl. But the characterization of the leading man is completely different. Ho Goo is emotionally aware and chooses to be a good person. Mr. Unfortunate is an emotionally stunted adult that acts like a 10 year old boy. I find it hard to imagine how this character functions as an adult, much less falls in love with a woman. And, as much as I like seeing a toned six pack, I found all the shirtless No Min Woo moments way over the top. I know, right? The other characters are nothing special and there isn't anything that happens in the first two episodes that is intriguing. Maybe this will get better but it certainly is off to a rocky start. Thumbs down for me.
Who Are You: School 2015
Tag Line: The Prince & The Pauper - K-Drama Style
Thoughts: I understand that the "School" series has some precedence with tackling important issues facing the school system and students in South Korea. For that, I can appreciate it. In fact, I just finished watching
School 2013 recently and I was impressed with it. This season the series is covering the topic-du-jour of school bullying. Kim So Hyun plays Kim Eun Bi, a young woman being bullied at school because of her poor background. She's also playing the role of Ko Eun Byeol, a young woman at a respected high-school that goes missing during a class trip. Despite the rather dramatic plot turns that makes this feel more like a mystery than an exploration of educational systems, I found myself engaged with the story and the characters.
School 2015 might lack the star power of Kim Woo Bin, Lee Jung Suk, and Daniel Choi but I think it will still leave a memorable impression when it is all said and done.
Sensory Couple
Tag Line: He can't feel pain. She sees smells. Perfect Couple.
Thoughts: I briefly forgot that Park Yoo Chun is a great comedic actor.
Sensory Couple (aka
The Girl Who Sees Smells) has been a great re-introduction to his broad range of talent. Taking on the role of Choi Moo Gak, he is a young man struggling with the death of his younger sister, Choi Eun Seol, at the hands of a serial murder known as the Bar Code Killer. He quits his job and joins the police force hoping he can find the killer himself. Another young woman, also named Choi Eun Seol (Shin Se Kyung), escapes death at the hands of the same serial killer but loses her memory in the process. When she regains consciousness, she discovers that she has the ability to see smells. Their combined forces might just be the thing needed to capture a killer. I am not a big fan of Shin Se Kyung, in general, but she's tolerable opposite Park Yoo Chun. And, I've enjoyed the first two episodes. I smell success in the air - provided this series can stay the course and avoids relying the trappings of a superhuman ability as a replacement for a solid plot and good acting.
Super Daddy Yeol
Tag Line: Bachelor -> Daddy Boot Camp
Thoughts: I'll admit that I wasn't Lee Yu Ri's biggest fan coming out of
Jang Bo Ri is Here (review pending). She consistently committed the crime of overacting and only seemed capable of dialing her performance down to a 1 or up to a 10 while missing all the nuances in-between. That being said, I am pleasantly surprised by her performance thus far in
Super Daddy Yeol. She's showing much greater range in the role of Cha Mi Rae and has great on-screen chemistry with her leading man, Lee Dong Gun. This time around she's tackling the role of a single mother that has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and has one year left to find a suitable father to care for her daughter when she's gone. Out of options and short on time, she happens to cross paths with her first love Han Yeol, who has remained single since their painful break-up 10 years ago. Lee Dong Gun is convincing as an emotionally scarred former pro-baseball player that has been reduced to coaching for the team for whom he once played. Bonus, he dances in his underwear. This is a great series to welcome in the change of seasons with a lot of laughs, tears, and heart.
Unkind Women
Tag Line: Women Only!
Thoughts: The first episode of this series, quite frankly, is underwhelming. The story centers around a family consisting of only women - three generations of them. The men have died, run off, etc... And, each member is struggling with a personal issue that is hindering her quality of life. Blah. Blah. Blah. It was hard to care. I finally sat through the second episode and it started to come together, even intriguing me. The women in the family started to feel more understandable and the story took some interesting turns. On top of that, I got to see more of two of my favorite male actors: Song Jae Rim and Kim Ji Suk. The female cast is nicely dine and features some powerhouse talent. I think I'll give this one a go.
Coming Soon:
- Let's Eat 2 (2 episodes to watch)
- As a side note, I'm struggling to bring myself to watch this one given the absence of Lee Soo Kyung. =(
- Queen's Flower
- The Producers (May 10th)
