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.

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

First Look: September / October K-Drama Premieres

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

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

♥ = Bleh. Hate it!

♥ Awl

Tag Line: Workin' 9 to 5 So Take This Job and... Don't Fire Me.

Thoughts: When faced with the moral dilemma of whether or not to unfairly fire his team of employees, Manager Lee Soo In (Ji Hyun Woo) decides that he is going to disobey management's order and protect his people. But things go particularly bad when it is discovered that he's joined the local union to protest against management's actions. This ultimately leads to a 510 day protest by the affected employees. This k-drama is, apparently, based on both a true story and a comic book. Ji Hyun Woo takes the lead with Ahn Nae Sang, who plays a labor attorney. The first two episodes are riveting and I particularly liked the dynamic between the employees and management. The flashbacks were, perhaps, a bit too frequent but well done. Lee Soo In is nicely depicted in these scenes as a deep and complex character worthy of further exploration. I also never found myself counting down the minutes until the present timeline resumes. That's always a good sign. At any rate, this is one of the more promising fall releases. Admittedly, I am a fan of both Ji Hyun Woo and Ahn Nae Sang but I can say with all honesty that my admiration for them as performers has not influenced my opinion. Definitely include this one on your fall Must-Watch-List. 

♥ Bubblegum

Tag Line: Another Men & Women Can't be Just Friends RomCom

Thoughts: TvN is generally spot on when it comes to reinventing the romantic comedy in fresh ways that are humorous and touching. But this one feels like a miss. I'll have to verify if it is an original script or based off a webtoon but either way the first episode is thoroughly underwhelming. There is nothing immediately distinct and/or catchy about the story, the characters, or the setting. It's just another BFFs become lovers plot as far as I can tell. 

♥ Cheer Up! (aka Sassy Go Go)

Tag Line: U-G-L-Y you ain't got no alibi, you ug - Yeah. Not that kind of cheerleading.

Thoughts: Put the spirit sticks away and lower your sparkle hands because Cheer Up! is not that kind of cheerleading drama. It is, however, another drama about kids trying to find themselves and figure out life within the microcosm that is called high school. This time it is specifically centered around two competing school clubs that both identify themselves as cheerleading clubs, neither of them being exactly that. Baek Ho is a club for elite students looking to bolster their specs for acceptance into ivy league universities and Real King is a club for the worst students to get away from the stress of high school and dance to their hearts' content. Baek Ho, club #1, is headed up by Kim Yeol (Lee Won Geun), the son of a wealthy household with top grades. Real Kings is headed up by Kang Yeon Doo (Jung Eun Ji), the daughter of a middle-class household with terrible grades. Admittedly, I am struggling a bit with Jung Eun Ji playing a high school student. It has nothing to do with appearances. But she exudes a certain maturity as an actress that makes me feel she'd have been better suited in this role if it were set in college. That all aside, there's nothing surprising or earth shattering with this k-drama. It's lighter fare that blends romantic comedy with a public service announcement. I'll watch it because it's a genre I naturally gravitate to but I'm not expecting to be wow'd by it.

♥ Cheo Yong 2: Ghost Seeing Detective

Tag Line: I Can See Dead People...Again

Thoughts: Technically, Cheo Young 2 is an August premiere but since the episodes just started popping up for US consumption, I'm throwing it into September. This is a sequel to the k-drama that goes by the same name and centers around police detective Yoon Cheo Yong (Oh Ji Ho). He has the special ability to see ghosts, which is immensely helpful when you are trying to solve cases involving murder. He also has his trusty ghost-sidekick Han Na Young (Jun Hyo Seong), whose story we came to know in season one. The series begins several months after Cheo Yong's former partner, who was believed to be dead but was actually possessed by a demon, nearly destroyed the wide area search team. The remaining team members have been broken up and transferred into different units around the country. But when a strange series of murders take place, the team is reassembled for "special investigations." The rest is pretty much what you'd expect from an OCN crime/thriller drama. The production value is high and the cases they solve are interesting. Oh Ji Ho makes the fight choreography look easy and his fellow detectives add a bit of humor. This one has a lot of entertainment value.

♥ D-Day
Tag Line: Gaaah! Earthquake! I need a hot doctor to save me!
Thoughts: This medical drama focuses on a team of healthcare and rescue professionals as they work through the medical, political, and social aftermath of Seoul's worst natural disaster, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. The first two episodes are primarily an introduction to the characters and the politics of emergency medicine. In one camp, we have the doctors that feel morally bound to save a life if given the opportunity, regardless of the severity of the injury. In the other camp, we have the doctors that are only interested in tackling medical cases that have a probability of boosting profits and personal brand without the risk of medical malpractice lawsuits. Who will win? Kim Young Kwang is compelling in the role of Dr. Lee Hae Sung and Ha Seok Jin is taking a turn toward the darker side in his role as Dr. Han Woo Jin. The first handful of episodes are fast paced and deliver a nice buildup for the main event: the earthquake. The momentum doesn't stop from there as tensions rise and the scrappy band of characters must deal with aftershocks, failing infrastructure, and a lack of supplies. For me, this is the one series that leaves me excited for each new episode. This is my fall favorite for 2015.

♥ Glamorous Temptation
Tag Line: An Innocent Woman Fights for Justice - Maybe?
Thoughts: I am two episodes into this series and still a little confused on the premise. The accompanying description of the television show does very little to clarify it, either. The best that I can tell is that Shin Eun Soo (Choi Gang Hee) has been wrongly convicted of a crime she didn't commit, in part because of a conspiracy involving her presumed-to-be-dead husband and a well-known politician. Several years later, she is trying to rebuild her life and raise her daughter when she crosses paths with people from her past, Jin Hyung Woo (Joo Sang Wook) and Kang Il Joo (Cha Ye Ryun). At the same time, she is receiving phone calls from an anonymous person instructing her that her husband's death was not an accident and that it involves the former prime minister (Jung Jin Young). As she sets out to learn the truth, she will reconnect with her past and change the political landscape of South Korea. The first episode established Eun Soo's run-in with the law and the second was entirely a flashback establishing her relationship with Hyung Woo and Il Joo. It seems the third and fourth episodes will be a continuation of the flashback. There is potential for this drama just based on the cast but the episodes, particularly the flashbacks, are dull and predictable. Joo Sang Wook just came off the Masked Prosecutor, which for me was a dud, but he generally picks good roles so I am hoping this one is a winner, too. I'll keep my fingers crossed that things turn around when the story resumes in the present.

♥ The Merchant: Gaekju 2015
Tag Line: Money Money Money Money! Money! 
Thoughts: Jang Hyuk headlines this series about a merchant that achieves unimaginable success. The series starts with Chun Bong Sam (Jang Hyuk) as a child, who is accompanying his father and the merchant caravan to the international market. But things go terribly wrong and his father ends up dead. Chun Bong Sam swears that he will never become a merchant or the head of a merchant group and spends his days playing around until he's an adult, who ends up working as a peddler. The first handful of episodes are quick but I still found myself counting down until Jang Hyuk makes his appearance (episode 4, I believe). Merchant lacks the grandness of Slave Hunters and the pageantry of Shine or Go Crazy but our hero can always carry a scene with just his trademark laugh. I don't know if it will be enough, of course. Assuming that the ramp-up to action for our lead characters is nearly done, I fully expect things to get more interesting beyond episode 6. Consequently, this one gets the yellow light and I'll hope it improves.

♥ My Daughter, Geum Sa Wol

Tag Line: 2 Girls. 2 Boys. Who will date who?!

Thoughts: This k-drama is the brain child of the writer that brought us last year's mega-popular drama -  Jang Bo Ri is Here. So, it is no coincidence that the description of the show struck me as oddly familiar. Baby swapping? Back-stabbing siblings? Skeletons in the closet?! Yeah. You get it. Unfortunately, there's no avoiding a comparison with Jang Bo Ri. The first several episode of the series set the stage for what will come throughout the rest. The story largely revolves around a construction company and the two architects aspiring to be its next leader, Oh Min Ho (Park Sang Won) and Kang Man Hoo (Son Chang Min). Both talented, Min Ho has been earmarked as the successor and is set to wed the daughter of the owner, Shin Deuk Ye (Jeon In Hwa); and, Kang Man Hoo has been pushed aside because of critical flaws in his character. Man Hoo is desperately in love with Shin Deuk Ye and unable to accept defeat so he sabotages the company, frames Min Ho, and ultimately marries Deuk Ye. This sets the stage for the turmoil that follows and the revenge plots that develop. Ultimately, though, their children will be left to carry the burden of their parents' sins and stop the vicious cycle of revenge. Baek Jin Hee takes the lead as Geum Sa Wol, the daughter of Oh Min Ho and Shin Deuk Ye. And, Yoon Hyun Min plays her counterpart Kang Chan Bin, the son of Kang Man Hoo and his ex-wife. I have a lot of hope for this series provided the script and direction give the audience dynamic characters capable of expressing themselves. With 50 episodes, there is a lot of opportunity to go wrong, especially with the female characters. Give it a watch and I'll let you know if it takes a turn for the worse.

♥ She was Pretty
Tag Line: She was pretty. Now, she's not. But her BFF is...
Thoughts: This is tough. I have seen two episodes. It is pretty standard fare for a romantic comedy. However, it features Park Seo Joon, who is just the cutest thing ever. AND, it also stars Choi Si Won, who is one of my many not-so-secret crushes. This means that I will probably say good things about it even if it is total crap. But, I digress. She was Pretty follows Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jung Eum), a young woman struggling to find a job and self-conscious about her appearance. Out of the blue, she receives an e-mail from her old friend and first love, Ji Sung Joon (Park Seo Joon). He wants to meet. Hye Sung remembers him as the chubby boy next store that she protected from bullies. But Sung Joon is all grown up, slimmed down, and a total hottie. She, on the other hand, has gotten less attractive with age. At the last moment, she convinces her best friend to meet him in her stead. It goes as planned until he shows up as the boss at her new job. Sound like another well known story? Probably because there have been a hundred different takes on it since Cyrano de Bergerac was first published as a play in 1897 (thank you wikipedia). Sadly, even the combined superpowers of Choi Si Won and Park Seo Joon can't turn my heart green. Hwang Jung Eum has either made some bad character choices or received bad direction because her performance is ruining what would otherwise be a decent series. The physical mannerisms of the character are so over the top that they have ceased to be comedic and have become a distraction. It's painful to watch. What are your thoughts? Let me know.

♥ Six Flying Dragons
Tag Line: Not your everyday dragons. Flying dragons. (Dragons being important people.)
Thoughts: Kim Myung Min may be influencing my decision to flag this one green. I just can't help myself. It must be the voice. That aside, Six Flying Dragons is an historical k-drama set right at the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. It follows six characters, as some of you may have already guessed, as they work to achieve their goals during the tumultuous transition of political regimes. Three of the characters are based on actual historical figures and three are works of fiction created to enhance the store. Lee Bag Won (Yoo Ah In), Jeong Do Jeon (Kim Myung Min), and Lee Seong Gye (Cheon Ho Jin) are the historical figures. Boon Yi (Shin Se Kyung), Ddang Sae (Byun Yo Han), and Moo Hyul (Yoon Gyun Sang) are the made-up characters. The first four episodes begin with many of the characters being children and the series will ultimately leap ahead to their adult years. The first three episodes move at a steady pace and the audience is introduced to a dozen or so characters that are influencing the current politics of Goryeo. 

♥ The Village: Achiara's Secret
Tag Line: I'm supposed to be dead. My sister's supposed to bead. We're alive. Or, not. What?
Thoughts: This is a pleasant and seasonally appropriate addition to the fall line-up of k-dramas that have premiered over the past month. Set in the small community of Achiara, this murder mystery focuses on death of an unknown person whose corpse is found in the woods by a newly hired middle school teacher, Han Soo Yoon (Moon Geun Young). At the same time, Han Soo Yoon is trying to solve her own mystery involving the death of her parents and her sister in a car accident when she was five years old. She has lived in Canada for as long as she can remember and there is no record of her existence in South Korea. The more she discovers the more she realizes that things aren't as they seem. Is there some link between her and the corpse in the woods? Why is everyone in the town so weird? These questions and many more will get answered across this 16 episode run. The first three episodes have been just creepy enough to be engaging and there's a feeling to the production that rings of an M. Night Shyalaman film. The dark... the foreboding.. the hint of something otherworldly at play. Moon Geun Young is excellent, as always, but I can't help feeling that the styling choices between hair and wardrobe have aged her by 10 or more years. That aside, I am really enjoying this series and I hope the build up of the mystery and the resolution are handled in the same manner as the introduction. I'm looking forward to seeing more! 

Coming Soon

Because It's the First Time

First Look: July / August K-Drama Premieres

Again... pretty pictures to follow. I'm still setting up the new computer and transferring everything post-vacation!

The Guide

♥ = Love it! Watch it!

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

♥ = Bleh. Hate it! 

♥ All About My Mom
Tag Line: I Hate My Mom. I Hate My Mother-In-Law More.
Thoughts: Eugene stars in this family-themed k-drama alongside hottie Lee Sang Woo. Part comedy and part melodrama, the story centers around the Lee family and their relationships with one another. This slower paced series is one of a handful of k-dramas exploring mother-daughter and mother-in-law-daughter-in-law interactions. The first handful of episodes in this series have established a suitable foundation of family dysfunction worthy of psychiatric evaluation. But it has been a bit slow. At eight episodes, I am still waiting for the proverbial sh** to hit the fan. Our leading lady is still single and the pace of her relationship development with the leading man is slower than a snail. I think there is potential here but it will require some patience. I am still going to green light this one because the cast is more than enough compensation for the gradual build up of the plot.

♥ Assembly
Tag Line: Out-of-Work Welder Goes into Politics
Thoughts: Coming Soon

♥ I Order You
Tag Line: Divorced Man Falls in Love...Again.
Thoughts: This Monday-Thursday food drama is adequately portioned with just enough idols and models to keep things light and refreshing. U-Know Yunho headlines the series as a divorced chef that owns his own gourmet lunchbox service.

♥ Last
Tag Line: Riches to Rags. The Wolf of Seoul Goes Bust.
Thoughts: Jang Tae Ho (Yoon Kye Sang) had it all figured out. He'd play the stock market, make it big, and then run off to the US with his beautiful girlfriend and a pocket full of cash. But when he manages to lose 35 billion won in a handful of minutes, he finds himself wanted by both the police and gangsters. There's nowhere for him to go except to the streets - with nothing but the clothes on his back. Now that he's homeless, he's desperate to reclaim his old life any way that he can. And, that means defeating the seven bosses of Seoul's underworld. The first two episodes are exciting. Yoon Kye Sang is always flawless on screen and is the perfect anti-hero. Surprisingly, Lee Beom Soo takes his turn as the bad guy this time around, which I'm excited to see. The premise for the series, though, feels a bit like a video game adapted for TV. "Beat the seven bosses and you win!" Naturally, each boss is more difficult to beat than the next. But, never fear, Jang Tae Ho has a trusted teacher (Park Won Sang) showing him how to kiss a$$ and take names. Still, I feel good about this one. Give it a watch.

♥ Mrs. Cop
Tag Line: She's a mom. She's a cop. Shouldn't she be Mom Cop?
Tag Line: Coming Soon

♥ My Eccentric Wife (aka My Virtual Bride)
Tag Line: A Down-on-Her-Luck Celebrity Gets a 2nd Chance at Fame & Love
Thoughts: This is the k-drama that I needed to round out the seriousness of Assembly and Last. It is pure goofy fun wrapped up in a package of reality television and k-pop idols.  Oh In Young (Dasom) is an idol whose market value has been decreasing for years. In a last ditch effort to reclaim her former glory, she agrees to star in a reality television series where she is "married" to the eldest son of an established family in a traditional house. She must cope with all the daughter-in-law duties and navigate the politics of the family with no skills or experience to handle it. But when sparks fly between her and the eldest son (Ryu Soo Young) will her mother-in-law sit still and let her precious son fall for a k-pop idol? Chances are... no. The series strongly focuses on the relationships between the daughter-in-laws and the mother-in-laws with an emphasis on outrageous borderline crazy behavior. It's one k-drama in a series of them on the subject that have been unleashed this late summer/early fall season. I hope it isn't a trend... but it looks like it might be. Vampires out. Crazy mother's...in. That said, I like it for the laughs (fart jokes and all) and the chemistry between Oh In Young and Cha Myeong Seok. If it stays light and quirky, it's a shoo in for a bump to green.

♥ Oh My Ghostess
Tag Line: Virgin Ghost Seeking Sex... Or, so she thinks.
Thoughts: If I have to pick a hit for 2015, I think this is the one. Park Bo Young steps up her game in this suspenseful thriller about a young woman that makes a strange connection with a ghost that is trying to resolve her grudge before ascending to heaven.

♥ Scholar Who Walks the Night
Tag Line: Vampire Conspiracy in the Palace
Thoughts: This vampire k-drama follows on the heels of Orange Marmalade and Blood but adds the twist of also being an historical drama. Lee Joon Gi headlines the series as Scholar Kim Seung Yol, who has befriended Crown Prince Junghyun. When he learns that an evil vampire named Gwi (Lee Soo Hyuk) is threatening to kill the Crown Prince if he doesn't swear fealty, Seung Yol vows to help his friend rid the palace of the creature. But the plan goes wrong, the Crown Prince is killed, and he finds himself a newly made vampire. The series fast forwards 120 years and then it just gets confusing. It's like reading a Robert Jordan novel where you need a companion book just to keep track of the character names and how a person is relevant to the story. Now, some of it may be the translations. I made the mistake of watching the first two episodes when they were about 80% translated and I missed critical pieces of information that I had to pick up with a 2nd viewing. Overall, it's not a bad series but it won't blow your socks off. WARNING: There's definitely a "cheese" factor to this series with all the fangs and the fake blood. The camera is constantly zooming in to catch eyes that flash red and lips quivering at the sight of fresh blood. But, what can I do? I am a sucker (pun totally intended) for anything with Lee Joon Gi's name attached to it.

♥ The Time that I Loved You, 7000 days
Tag Line: "When Harry Met Sally" K-Drama Style
Thoughts: Coming Soon

♥ Twenty Again
Tag Line: The unplanned pregnancy...20 years later.
Thoughts: 

♥ Yong Pal
Tag Line: I work at this stinkin' hospital and I can't get a discount!
Thoughts: This is arguably one of the more anticipated series of the year with its powerhouse combo of Joo Won and Kim Tae Hee. The story is centered around a young doctor struggling under the weight of debt he acquired to pay for his sister's medical expenses. In order to pay back the loan sharks, he makes "house calls" to gangsters and other unsavory characters that need to avoid the hospital and, ultimately, avoid being arrested. He's known among that crowd as Yong Pal. By day, however, he is Kim Tae Hyun, a gifted surgeon at Hanshin Hospital. The chief physician of the exclusive 12th floor ward, which is reserved for the rich and famous, discovers Doctor Kim's secret and uses it to draft him in to help manage the ward. Doctor Kim soon finds himself at the center of a conspiracy to eliminate the comatose heiress of the Hanshin conglomerate, allowing all her assets to pass to her half-brother. This sounds riveting and there are some very flashy action scenes in the first couple episodes. But the progression of Dr. Kim's relationship with Kim Tae Hee's character, Hanshin's absentee heiress Han Yeo Jin, is inadequate. It's missing something. I don't see the sparks flying. Throw in some other corporate machinations and police investigations and things get hazy. It suffers a bit from "Doctor Stranger" syndrome - trying to do too much and losing focus of what's really important. I want to love this series but I'm feeling just okay about it. I don't want to discredit the performances of the actors, though, because they are good. But the writing and direction are pulling things down a few notches.