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.
♥ 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.
♥ 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.
