Blood
Tag line: He's a vampire. He's a doctor. What's up with that?
Thoughts: The first word that comes to mind is...
Twilight. I'm sorry, Mr. Director. But if you have a vampire running through the woods and killing a deer the comparison is inevitable. The good vs. bad vampires and the moody film quality aren't helping either. That being said, I confess that I enjoyed the first two episodes
(and that I read the Twilight series). The premise of this k-drama is that a virus has infected people and turned them into vampires. Now, a secret battle is being waged between those looking for a cure and those that would use their supernatural powers for evil. One man stands at the center... Park Ji Sang. This role is played by Ahn Jae Hyeon and I found him believably vampirish. Ku Hye Sun, however, felt wrong for the role of Ji Sang's love interest. She's one of my least favorite actresses so I'll be watching with a critical eye.
Family is Coming
Tag Line: A Battle Royale for Billions ($$$)
Thoughts: I had put off watching this one despite the presence of Park Won Sook, arguably one of the most diverse character actors in k-dramaland, and Jin Yi Han (
Empress Ki,
My Secret Hotel). Frankly speaking, the premise sounded a bit cheesy and uninspired. It goes like this: A wealthy woman returns to the family she abandoned 50 years earlier in order to select the person that will inherit all the money she has earned while living abroad. Naturally, there are schemes-a-plenty as family members vie to inherit billions of won. After working my way through the first four episodes, I was mildly surprised. The series is lighthearted and enjoyable. It's more comedy than drama with the right amount of goofiness. Jin Yi Han takes on the role of the family's eldest son, who is something of a disappointment to them all. He's chosen to put the pursuit of his dream before financial security. Throw in a fake lawyer and an adopted son and the madhouse is complete. Happy viewing.
Fool's Love (aka Ho Goo's Love)
Tag Line: We kissed. She had a baby.
Thoughts: This is one of the more fun romantic comedies to hit the scene as we work our way through the winter season. Choi Woo Sik is adorable as Kang Ho Goo, a shy and lonely young man that is struggling to find success in his life. Thus far, he's failed at nearly everything including his love life. He randomly comes across a young woman he knows from high school (Uee), who also happens to be a national celebrity because of her status on the national swimming team, and they spend a fateful night together. As they part, they agree to meet several months later on Christmas day. Coming off the travesty that is Golden Rainbow, I am glad to see Uee take on a project like this. She felt like a completely different person as Do Do Hee and I enjoyed the on-screen chemistry with Choi Woo Sik. I am really excited to see how this series progresses!
Healer
Tag Line: Hottie in a Hoodie
Thoughts: While technically, the first broadcast was in December, I've decided to list it in January. This k-drama is fun and just a little bit addicting - in large part because of its leading man, Ji Chang Wook. There's no denying that he oozes charisma and has great presence on the screen. But the story is good and he's surrounded by a cast of talented actors that includes Park Min Young and Yoo Ji Tae. The basic premise of this action/thriller is that a young man works as a night courier called "Healer" - a person that will take any job spying, stealing, etc... as long as no one is physically hurt. When a job goes bad, he is framed for murder. The circumstances grow more bizarre as he investigates those responsible for the false charges and realizes they may have been involved in the death of his father. There's a little romance, mystery, and abs. Something for everyone.
Heart to Heart
Tag Line: Psychiatrist goes Psycho, Treats Patients Anyway
Thoughts: This particular k-drama is undeniably the product of TvN, following in the footsteps of similar romantic comedies such as
Marriage, Not Dating and
Flower Boy Next Door. The first episode starts with a bang and introduces us to a band of quirky characters: the shut-in, the police officer, and psychiatrist. Through a twist of fate, they all come together when the psychiatrist, played by Chung Jung Myung, is accused of stabbing his patient with a pen. The shut-in, portrayed by Choi Gong Hee, happens to witness the tail end of the event when she goes to his office seeking treatment - hoping to overcome her psychological issues to pursue a relationship with the police officer, played by Lee Jae Yoon. While this k-drama is...interesting..., I have trouble finding other words to describe it. It's lacking the cute factor of other TvN RomComs and the characters aren't immediately likeable - just weird. But I'm not giving up...yet. I think there is potential here.
Kill Me, Heal Me
Tag Line: WTF?!
Thoughts: This must be the season of weird in k-dramaland. My tag line summarizes my initial impression of the first two episodes. This series is so over-the-top-ridiculous that I have no idea if it is intentional or just bad directing/writing. The story, thus far, is about a young man that has developed multiple personalities after several traumatic events in his childhood. The strongest of these personalities is attempting to stage a coup and take charge permanently. This isn't a serious look at mental illness and when there is a shift from one personality to the other it is accompanied by silly special affects - such as a colorful flash in the eyes or the sudden appearance of tattoos that weren't there previously. Despite all this, the cast is fairly seasoned and talented with people like Hwang Jung Eum and Park Seo Joon. I'll keep watching if only because this is a bit like passing by a major accident and not being able to look away.
Maids
Tag Line: Riches to Rags
Thoughts: After the first two episodes, I am intrigued by the premise. A woman of nobility during the Joseon era finds herself forced into slavery after her father is convicted of treason. She must learn to accept her new position in life while letting go of a love from her past. Starring Jung Yoo Mi and Oh Ji Ho, I have a lot of high hopes for the production.
My Heart Twinkle Twinkle
Tag Line: Modern Re-telling of Beauty & the Beast
Thoughts: I could be entirely wrong about this series as only the first two episodes have aired. But it bears a lot of similarity to the fairy tale
Beauty & The Beast. Let's recap the series to date: A cold and heartless young man is ruthlessly running his kingdom of chicken restaurants. He's surrounded by luxury but takes no joy in it. A father in town is struggling to support his family while his eldest daughter has taken on the burden of managing her sisters in the absence of a mother. When disaster strikes, the father seeks out the beastly young man to strike a bargain. I'm right, aren't I? Either way, Bae Soo Bin headlines this series with other popular actors such as Jang Shin Young, Lee Pil Mo, and Nam Bo Ra. So far, I'm hopeful for this series and I expect good things. But 50 episode runs are difficult to navigate. I'll know by episode 20 if this is a winner or loser. Still, I recommend this as a watch.
Seonam Girl's High School Investigators
Tag Line: Move over Babysitters Club. Hello, Detectives!
Thoughts: Surprisingly good. This k-drama only airs one episode a week so it requires a bit of patience if you are used to a weekly dose of two episodes. But its refreshingly funny and just quirky enough to make the wait worthwhile. Jin Jee Hee headlines this drama as An Chae Yool, a smart high school student with mommy issues. An Chae Yool has just transferred into Seonam Girl's High School at the urging of her grade-obsessed mother in hopes of boosting her GPA. But on her very first day she's attacked by the "biting man" and consequently wooed by the High School Investigators club to help them solve the mystery. From test-stealing to bullying, the amateur detectives solve it all. This cast of off-the-wall characters will keep you guessing and laughing at the same time. It's a must watch for the winter season of new releases.
Shine or Go Crazy
Tag Line: Bad-Luck-Guy seeking Good-Luck-Girl
Thoughts: Loosely based on history, this k-drama is a mix of fact and fiction. Starring Jang Hyuk, the series explores the life of Prince Wang So, who is prophesied to bring bloodshed to the royal family at the time of his birth. When the prediction proves true, he is cast out of the palace as a young boy. He grows up in isolation on a mountain until he is eventually called back by his father, the emperor, to help him lead the country into the future. Wang So is reluctant to accept the offer but after a botched assassination attempt on his father he finds himself on the hunt for the attackers. It eventually leads him to a woman named Shin Yool (Oh Yeon So), who is one of two women destined to reverse his unlucky fate. The first two episodes have been fun with a lot of action. It certainly leaves the audience wanting to know more. Jang Hyuk adds the necessary flare to this drama with his big laugh but the rest of the cast is equally solid. This is a series that I'm looking forward to watching.
Spy
Tag Line: Son Spy vs. Mom Spy vs. Girlfriend Spy?
Thoughts: This k-drama headlines, the always handsome, Kim Jae Joong as a covert agent for the South Korean intelligence agency. By day, he's a special agent and by night he's the eldest son of a perfectly normal family - or so he thinks. But, as it turns out, his mother is a former spy for North Korea living under an assumed identity. Doh! Thus far, my instincts tell me that his girlfriend is a spy for North Korea, as well. But it is still TBD. Considering this is an action/suspense genre k-drama, I found myself just a little bored and checking the timer for how many minutes were left in the episode. Again, my gut instinct tells me that once we get through the plot set-up and character expositions that it will be non-stop action from episode to episode. It just isn't there...yet.
