[Currently Watching] My Roommate is a Gumiho

With all the hype that surrounding this drama even before it’s aired, it didn’t disappoint.

It’s definitely a must-watch on many people’s Wed-Thur nights.

The drama is definitely built on a tried and tested premise, this is not the first fantasy drama centres around Gumiho (the mystical fox) and it won’t be the last. The drama carries with it a relatively young casts; I wouldn’t dare say they are unknown. They are quite popular in their own right but they are definitely not the heavy weights of Gong Yoo or Kim Go Eun or Lee Min Ho but enough to leave a dent in the hearts of the many swooonies!

The funniest part of the drama for me is episode 2 when Lee Dam first ingested the red marble. She was cautioned to stay away from all the men born in the year of Tiger which includes the rich and popular sunbae, Gye Sun Woo. The length that Lee Dam went to avoid any physical contact with Gye Sun Woo is so hilarious that Gye Sun Woo himself couldn’t believe it. Lee Dam likely is the first girl that go to extreme lengths to avoid touching him. He is rich and popular and he was worshipped and all the girls at school seem to go googoogaga over him, except Lee Dam. This quirkiness definitely piqued the interest of Gye Sun Woo. It seems to also have the reverse effects of whatever that Shin Woo Yeo wanted or hoped for. How cunning! Clever play there!

Fast forward, the most draggy part of the drama would be episodes 3-4 and 5-6, the storyline didn’t seem to have moved much after 4 episodes. Things didn’t pick up! They are still at the stage where Lee Dam believed with all her heart that Shin Woo Yeo did not have any clue how to extract the red marble from her. And that he is still looking for a way.

I understand that the storyline has to stay with Shin Woo Yeo’s developing feelings for Lee Dam. He just couldn’t placed that emotions that he is feeling. Is that love? Is that simply him being caring since they are living together as human? He is caught in the web of lies that he had concocted himself and seemed to have no way out of this.

In that process, Lee Dam is increasingly confused by Shin Woo Yeo’s hot and cold and hot again emotions/treatment towards. If this is not drama, I would say girl! This is emotional abuse! Run for the hill, man!

Fast forward to episode 6, finally the plot thickens and the story moves along.

After much thought, Shin Woo Yeo decided to come clean with Lee Dam that he was lying all along and that he knew the way to get the marble from her. But, he was stalling for time so that he could keep her close. This is also where all of us are supposed to go all awww and weak in the knees. He has also battered the evil spirit who tried to trick Lee Dam into surrendering the marble.

Jang Ki Yong is quite skilled at depicting the different facial expressions in that split second…the innocent old man who had lived 999 years; the psycho and the dark eerie character. He is so good at the dark characters that I sometimes wonder if he is just playing himself *shivers*

The battle scene is definitely my favourite!

Indeed Jang Ki Yong is made for action!

In episode 7, the scene opens with Lee Dam back at her house and in her bed. Everything seems to be normal and it feels like life before Shin Woo Yeo came into her life and caused havoc that couldn’t quite be explained in words. But, as she made her way to school, she had a melt down from the reminders of Shin Woo Yeo. She like her mother, had strong energy that Shin Woo Yeo’s magic didn’t seem to stick. Her memories weren’t erased!

She remembers everything vividly but she had to live life as if nothing happens!

Shin Woo Yeo couldn’t quite live with the fact that life without Lee Dam will not be the same ever in his 999 years on earth, decided to pull a stunt which I am assuming he is using his magic to get a position as a Professor of History.

The look of Lee Dam’s face when Shin Woo Yeo sashayed into the class. It’s priceless.

The confusion on her face when Shin Woo Yeo came to her rescue with an umbrella. The knowing that cannot be acknowledged is indeed painful to bear.

This scene somehow reminds me of Goblin!

I am looking forward to more triangle between Shin Woo Yeo and Gye Sun Woo in the upcoming episodes.

[OST of the Month] All Day + Breaking Down

There are two OSTs that I really like this month.

So, I have decided to feature both here.

#1: All Day by Cha Ji Yeon

Taxi Driver is such a fun watch, fast paced and clever plot. Action comedy is really my thing and I could sit here whole day watching Lee Je Hoon here. He is not one actor that I really like to death. His dramas are usually melo and sappy so I have been staying clear from the dramas he acted in. But Taxi Driver is different and he should definitely try more action genre.

#2: Breaking Down by Ailee

2 episodes in so far, I can’t really say I like this drama or not. But, it’s definitely an interesting plot so far. It’s been awhile since we see Seo In Guk so it’s a welcome. Park Bo Young returns as cute and pretty as ever! She seems to be younger each time she appears on screen. Really love her style in this drama!

2020 – life in a vacuum

2020 came and went.

Waking up to the first day of 2021 feels surreal; nothing has changed but everything is not ever the same anymore. The sense of living in a vacuum. So much has happened in the last 365 days but at the same time, we are stuck in time; time barely moves. So much hope for 2020 but it didn’t deliver in the way we expected instead we were thrown into a place where we were forced to embrace things that were initially an idea.

I woke up one day to the news that we are going into a lockdown like the rest of the world. Only difference is that we called it a fancier name “Circuit Breaker”. Soon, you see people running to stock up on toilet rolls, food and whatever else one thinks one needs during this period of CB. Since then I have been wondering why toilet rolls? Is it a commodity that could be bartered for freedom? Did I miss something here? Did I not receive a memo on this? What’s more interesting though, this is an epidemic across the globe well.. maybe except North Korea.

2020 has been a year where we forced to be in a place of contemplation; to reevaluate what’s the most pertinent thing in our short life.

While lockdown was in full swing, the korean drama god is in full swing too, doing its thing to dish out all the best dramas to keep our sanity in check. A benevolence it knew its people need. A place we can go to to escape our stinking reality. Korean dramas saved my life. While working in isolation is not the easiest thing for most people, having korean drama playing in the background as a white noise and distraction have helped me feel the sense of community. When I usually have colleagues to banter with or simply just tuning in to their mindless chatters, at times took me away from the intense task at hand. When this menial luxury could not be afforded anymore, korean drama came in to fill the voids.

2020 dramas that had in many ways entertained me while the world is going to goatshit:

#1 Crash Landing on You (CLOY)

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#2 It’s Okay to Not be Okay

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#3 Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

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#4 Mr Queen

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#5 True Beauty

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Since I am kind and also feeling benevolent on the first day of 2021, here’s a bonus for you!

You are welcome!

#6 Hyena

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#7 The King Eternal Monarch

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#8 Stranger 2

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#9 Flower of Evil

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#10 The Good Detective

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[Oppa of the Month] Lee Min Ho

I get it!

I finally get it!

I finally get what the hype is all about.

I finally get what Lee Min Ho is all about.

I confess I was never a fan of Lee Min Ho. I hardly watched any of his dramas except maybe The Heirs, even then, it’s because of Kim Woo Bin. I have dedicated lots of Kim Woo Bin airtime hear. But, after watching the Legend of the Blue Sea, I finally got it. I understood why Lee Min Ho is so so love by so many of you.

He is such a grounded person, hardly any airs about him despite being the mega celebrity he is. He is such a boy next door and funny one at that. I began to fall in love, and I began my journey of sleuthing in the deep abyss of this black hole called the internet. I could only find all the good things about him…well, after so many years people are still curious about his nose.

Lee Min Ho oppa,

This is the beginning of this love story with you and definitely won’t be the last.

Let’s take some time to just admire how beautiful this man is.

Just looking at this simple picture makes me so happy. Not the usual celebrity shit. He’s just a dude and wants his fun. #respect

Just take sometime to just admire how long his legs. Pictures are all from @actorleeminho

After scouring endless youtube videos and all the behind the scenes of his dramas, I came to realise he builds such good rapport with his co-lead and the whole acting thing feels so natural and easy. I love him more.

One of my favourite youtube videos of him would be his interview on Guerilla Date. I wonder how he pulls himself together after being closed in by so many fans. But, he not only handled himself well, he feels like your neighbourhood oppa that you have known for years. The sense of warm and goof that he exudes.

Oppa,

You truly deserve the success!

Hats off to you.

Have fun gais!

Will come back for you oppa!

[Drama of the Week] Good Job & Jung Il Woo

Good Job replaces EAW and nothing compares to the awesomeness of EAW.

EAW has made my Wed-Thurs so fun. Now I am constantly feeling the sense of loss while waiting for the second season of EAW.

Not sure, if Good Job is watched by many to be honest. I decided to pick it up because of Jung Il Woo. I have loved this man since 49 days and The Moon Embraces The Sun. He plays the characters so well that I couldn’t imagine someone else playing it. Oh let’s not forget him as Cha Chi Soo in Flower Boy Ramen Shop. That was so fun to watch also.

Jung Il Woo played rich chaebol and spoilt brat one too many times, and he got stuck in that stereotype. It feels like these things are a curse unto his career. In the last few years since The Cinderella and the Four Knights, High End Crush etc, he did not seem to play any good and memorable roles.

In Good Job, Jung Il Woo once again plays the rich chairman who sets out to catch his mother’s killer. He has organised his whole life around this and has a sidekick in the lawyer, Eum Moon Suk plays, Yang Jin Mo. These two I wouldn’t say they are not funny when together, but they just lack the camaderie and chaos that Eum Moon Suk shares with Song Sak, played by Anh Chang Hwan.

Yuri is a girl with super vision, she was recruited to form the trio vigilante.

This drama seems to be lacking in plot and the storyline can be draggy and confusing. There are also too many characters and at times it feels like it’s jumping through the different scene, as if the editors is on fast forward.

Jung Il Woo was supposed to carry this drama, but I don’t feel his charisma shining through this one. Maybe he needs to pick a better project? Maybe he needs a new manager?

The 5 currently watching dramas

K dramaland is churning out the dramas faster that I could ever catch up.

I am definitely not complaining now I have a reason to cozy up to my couch every night and waiting for the dramas to start. It buffers alot of separation anxiety I have waiting for the new episodes of dramas that I am faithfully watching to start.

This is of course on top of Extraordinary Attorney Woo!

Since there are so many that I couldn’t even remember the days they should be playing, I am just going to compile 5 here. These are ranked according to my fancy.

#1 Alchemy of Souls (5/5)

To be honest, I didn’t think I would like it. I tried watching it when it first premiered as everyone was raving about it. I didn’t get pass the first 10mins. The earlier scenes were so draggy while I know that the context of how Naksu came to be is important, but it’s just not doing it for me. It didn’t captivate and it’s dull.

The second time I tried at least a month ago when the series was already running for at least 10 episodes, I couldn’t put up it down. It was so good. It finally moved on and Naksu is now in Muk Deok who is so clever, quick witted and funny.

The trio of the mage also cracked me up to no end. And who would have thought we could get a bonus in the form of the Crown Prince. He was really so hilarious especially when he has proudly bestowed the nickname Dirty Muk Deok on her and in quick succession fell in love with her.

There are so many funny scenes that are my favourite but I think the scene where Muk Deok is trying to pass the examination to enter Songrim was the most memorable. The whole band of brothers including the Crown Prince actually tried to solve the questions for her. Instead of bad blood rivalry, they actually work together to get Muk Deok in. This was definitely a breath of fresh air from the usual cutthroat kill you scenes of rivalry.

While everyone is raving about the mage, I actually think that the Crown Prince actually carries the drama.

#2 Cafe Minamdang

This is a clever spin from the usual police/detective drama.

Nam Han Jun was a detective and he was framed and had to serve prison sentence for a crime that he did not do. After he was released from prison, he set up a cafe and became a shaman. He set out to use the cafe as a decoy for him to catch the killer of his best friend, Han Jae Jeong who turns out to be Detective Han’s brother.

Both of them are on the same mission but with different operandi.

Nam Han Jun is always a few steps ahead of Detective Han putting him in the her line of obsruction.

Nam Han Jun has a team of very capable people working with him. He has a hacker of a sister and steel-headed right hand man. These trios were a riot when they are together and they are definitely fun to watch.

The plot is escalating and after much fighting and finger pointing, Detective Han had inched her way into the Cafe Minamdang’s operation. And Nam Han Jun had no choice but to allow it otherwise, he had to be serving time in the lock up for obstructing justice through illegal means.

I don’t particularly enjoy these two leads together but they can be fun to watch.

The drama has so many shaddy characters that I am not even certain if Prosecutor Cha is a puppy in love with Detective Han or if it’s just his way of getting into their good books so that he knows what is going on. Could he actually be the mastermind behind the killing they were all looking for?

And, on a side note, I want to just leave it here that Kwak Si Yang played his role so well here. I didn’t expect ever to see him playing such a silly and fun character. I have always associated him with a more serious and stern persona. He likely would play a detective, spy or agent or even a psychokiller role well. But, this definitely is a bonus.

#3 Big Mouth

This is a drama that I am confused about but I don’t exactly know why I am confused.

Park Chang Do is a man who never has any luck. Lady luck abandoned him whenever he needs her the most and it has been like that through the course of his life. However, one day he thought he sniffed up some thing big and it would set the family to a good life. He thought finally Lady Luck shining upon him.

Only to find that actually he was set up and now he is serving time in prison for things that he did not do. However, what’s bizarre is that, he unintentionally racked up a reputation for himself. He was mistaken for Big Mouse, a profilic and mysterious killer that nobody has seen but heard so much about.

His luck in prison seems to have shifted. Even he couldn’t believe the shifting luck that happened when he was in prison.

He now becomes someone feared and revered at the same time.

I can’t wait to see how this plot twists and turns as they go along.

It’s been only 2 episodes, I don’t really have any opinion about this drama, but also has no qualms of ditching it if it’s unbearable to watch.

#4 Adamas

Ji Sung is back with a new drama.

I love Ji Sung oppa and I always always will push aside whatever I am watching at the moment just to watch him in drama.

Ji Sung plays a dual role essentially himself but he has an identical twin in this drama. One a writer, one a prosecutor. He sets out to steal the adamas, the weapon.

Ha Woo Shin, a mystery writer decided to accept the offer to be a ghost writer to write Chairman Kwon’s memoir. This was only a means to an end. What he really wanted was to gain access to the house that was so fortified with super security. He wanted not only to see the house and to understand the intricacies behind it but also to steal the adamas.

His twin brother, Prosecutor Song on the other hand, is chasing the tail of truth to find out who actually killed their stepfather? Was it their birth father?

Are they on the same mission or each chasing a different mission altogether?

This is only a tip of the iceberg and there is many more layers to peal.

On a side note, it is also good to see Seo Ji Hye back on screen again.

#5 Today’s webtoon

I am excited to see Kim Sejong on the small screen again after the successful A Business Proposal early in the year.

She plays this optimistic and athletic worker who aspires to have her own webtoon. She was a judo national champion and has little experience in life other than judo. Most of her life revolves around judo.

When she asked by her senior to stand in for a worker who didn’t turn up as a security at a webtoon event, she chanced upon Seok Ji Hyung, the webtoon company manager and other webtoon comic authors she admires.

This is a feel good and comedic drama. Of course in every feel good drama you just need to have a ninny that had everything in life figured out. He wouldn’t do anything more or less. He keeps to the line he supposed to tow.

While his specs are so much better than On Ma Eum, his spirit definitely is not.

I love Kim Sejong and she has a way of making you like her without trying. But, this drama is a drama that I am unsure I will watch until the end. It just seems too fluffy and lacks the it factor that draws you in and compels you to finish it.

[Drama of the Week] Extraordinary Attorney Woo

I love love love this drama.

It’s lighthearted yet leaving you with a warm and a fuzzy feeling like a good old blanket on a super cold day.

I started this drama by chance, didn’t expect much out of it. But, I was definitely drawn to the premise of the storyline. It’s a clever story line and I am heartened to see that the Korean writers are exploring territories that were previously unacceptable or a taboo.

Attorney Woo Young Woo is a person on the spectrum of autism. Despite that, he was loved by her father and her best friend. The friendship between the two is the cutest thing. The dab that they do is definitely the cleverest invention ever in korean drama.

This drama has a very easygoing plot not overly court room drama and leaves you sleeping in no time. I love courtroom drama and I will make sure to watch most of it if I could.

As the plot thickens, Attorney Woo unwittingly made Lee Jun Ho all blushy and fluttery. After seeing her in a bride’s gown, he just couldn’t take his eyes of her and I like that he was first drawn to her personality. While she is on the spectrum, she could be very concrete and insistent in telling whoever’s willing to listen about whale, he finds her simplicity endearing. No drama no game.

Park Eun Bin really did not disappoint in her portrayal of a person on the spectrum of ASD. She definitely carry the character very well to a point of endearment and cuteness overload. This also shows that the commitment and dedication put in place to study the behaviour and mannerism of a person with ASD.

I truly hope that people on this spectrum finds hope through this drama. Knowing that you too can achieve something in your life. That this is not about your disability but about what society can do to provide you the chance to showcase your talent.

It is not easy for people with ASD to live in a society that do not understand them and their needs. Often times, they are seen and labelled weird and peculiar. None actually took the time to speak to them and understand their struggles living in a society that is not made for them.

I have encountered my fair share of people on the spectrum. Most times I realised there are so much more I can glean from them.

So, Attorney Woo hwaiting!

[Drama of the Week] Doctor Lawyer

So Ji Sub is back after his last project, My Secret Terrius in 2018.

He also got married and has been living under the radar. Even before this, he seems to be an elusive superstar, he doesn’t use social media and he doesn’t put his life in the limelight at all. This only makes him more endearing to the fans.

I have been a long time So Ji Sub fan since watching the Phantom in 2012 where he acted as a hacker. The drama was so good, the pace so so so good and action filled. It’s never boring. I have to say that So Ji Sub seems to have a good eyes for projects. Prior to The Master Sun, most of his roles are action, or melodrama. I didn’t know he is capable of being cute until I see The Master Sun. That was one of my favourite dramas of all time.

Now, he is back with Doctor Lawyer.

This is a story of a doctor who were an ace in the hospital that he was working at until he wasn’t. He was also the ghost surgeon to Goo Hyun Sung, the son of the hospital Chairman, Go Jin Ki. Han Yi Han outlasts his usefulness and was framed for killing a patient and he thrown into jail. He was also arm twisted into admitting that he had a malpractice. That’s how he lost his license as a doctor. He faded away from the medical scene but was never living quietly. During this dark period, he got himself a lawyer degree, set up a practice and even represented people who have had medical malpractices perpetuated on them by the very hospital that he was expelled from.

Him returning ever so boldly caused so much ruckus and unhappiness.

In the background he was setting up a investigation into what exactly happened to him 5 years ago. He is intent on pursuing justice that was obviously miscarried.

Jayden Lee, another talented doctor from the US who Go Jin Ki intends to use as his beloved son’s new ghost. Somehow, Jayden seems to have known what went on 5 years ago and his appearance while still remain shrouded in mystery, increasingly added flavour to this drama. I can’t wait to find out why Jayden Lee is here and what is he planning. Is he also pursing the same thing as Han Yi Han? Did he know something too?

[Drama of the Week] Why Her

Two episodes in, I am in love with this drama.

There are so many dramas coming up this summer and I couldn’t keep up with most of it but I must I am spoiled choice. I am toggling between Kiss Sixth Sense which I did 4 episodes and absolutely love it too. I was halfway through writing Kiss Sixth Sense until I watched Why Her and fell totally in love.

Seo Hyun Jin is killing it in this drama. I have watched a fair shares of her drama throughout the years, some a hit and some a miss for me. But I like her most in Dr Romantic and again when she plays this cold and shrewd lawyer who started out hard but have learned to harden up so that she could have a footing in the men’s profession.

Watching korean drama about corporate race etc always makes me wonder if the real corporate Korea is as toxic as what the dramas depict them to be.

The premise of this drama is also so beautifully thought out and beautifully written.

The pace is fast and the stories move in a coherent manner while not leaving any stones unturned. This is definitely captivating. Personally for me, I take great interest in how sexual crimes are being investigated and understanding the perception of this crime in the Korean society is definitely something.

While the #metoo movement definitely has opened up many doors for victims to seek restitution and justice, some countries are still behind in imposing fair justice and judiciary systems to the victims. Most times victims are being blamed and shamed and even slandered for asking for it. Most will blame victims for how they dressed and how this leads to unwanted attention and eventually sexual abuse. But, isn’t this a rather simplistic equation? By blaming and shaming victims, you are just indirectly condoning the perpetrators and in the process making them even bolder and pompous.

We are living the era of technology and we are the most educated generation, but we are still talking like we are living in the ice age when it comes to sexual crime. Policies are haphazardly made and too cumbersome for victims to activate. Societies are still clueless about sexual abuse and men still think it is okay to catcall a woman who walked by them. Some even stare unabashedly at you. We are a sexed up society where everywhere on medias, sexiness is hailed as the hallmark of 21st century living. Some even went on to say that men can’t control the biology of their arousal. Again, this is finding excuses to explain away why it is acceptable for men to behave like a barbarian who have not seen a woman in 200 years. This is sickness!

I am glad that this drama is covering this and amplify the sufferings of the victims and how perpetrators can be hauled to knees of justice.

Serious note aside, I can’t wait for next week for Oh Soo Jae to learn that Gong Chan was that very victim he represented and that she has inspired him to come back and do the same for the rest of the victims.

Can’t wait to see how this pan out.

[Drama of the Week] Crazy Love

This drama started off boring and slow and it didn’t help that it has the same screening time as Business Proposal. Business Proposal was so entertaining and got everyone talking while Crazy Love didn’t have that impact.

There was just too many things going on with this drama.

The story line is not the most original and creative. Some parts of it was fun and funny. Others were just draggy.

This formula has been tested and proven for so many dramas and I admit even using this as a premise for this drama, it will still garner the needed attention. Viewers would mourn for a little while and would move on from it.

It’s not a bad premise, it’s just not the most original.

And, of course, it has to be love-hate relationship between a boss and his secretary which in turn blossoms into a full love-love relationship.

The drama got exciting in the middle where Noh Gojin got into an accident and lost his memory. Lee Sinah then became his fake fiancee. She is taking the opportunity to avenge for the hurt and suffering Noh Gojin had inflicted on her. There was so many perfect comedic timing during this period (about 4 episodes of pure silliness and fun). And, it took a dark turn when Noh Gojin confessed that he did not actually lost his memory but he faked that just so that he could find out the real culprit behind his accident.

Of course, he has some ideas who the main culprit was but the motive was not fully established. Oh Se Gi is a despicable character; he turns vengeful because he believed the half baked lies Jo Jong Oh fed him. I mean I could understand that he wanted to avenge for the unfair and untimely death of his sister. No doubt about that. If put in that situation, I would do the same. But, what didn’t make sense was the fact that Oh Se Gi was so easily bought over. And, if he really knows Noh Gojin well and he had built the academy from scratch, wouldn’t he wanna find out a little more before he agreed to collude with the Baek Soo Young and Jo Jong Oh.

From the start of Bae Soo Young’s appearance, I want to believe that this time she plays a good person. She has a very shrewd and cunning qualities about her. But, I want to believe this time it’s different. Yet again, I was disappointed and she fell into the same trap of doing such roles too well that she can’t do other roles? She seems to be stuck at playing such roles most of the time.

Lee Sinah is another let down. I love Krystal and I always look forward to her project. But, I wish she could show a different side of her other than the bland girl waiting quietly by the man of her life and be that supportive girlfriend. Her person when she thought she was dying has more gravitas than her usual not dying self. I can’t even process what she is trying to portray actually.

Her dark side definitely adds edge to the whole drama and story line.

The screenwriters seem to lose the plot of this drama half through this drama. As the story unfolds, it’s getting more and more boring. If not because of the star powers of Kim Jae Wook and Krystal, I think this drama is not watching.

This again reminds me of why I hate dramas with “happy ending”. It doesn’t need to be perfect ending, it just to leave nicely with whatever it is. The last episode feels like a force. It’s obviously predictable that Noh Gojin will turn a new leaf and be the nice boss, lover and guy that everyone would love and adore. It is also predictable that he would forgive all the trespasses of the people that wronged him. It is also predictable that Noh Gojin and Lee Sinah will have a happy ending. And Baek Soo Young who still carries the torch for Noh Gojin will be left on the curb by the side.

It is not necessary at all to watch the last episode.

Pro tip:

Watch this drama at bedtime and let it lull you to sleep.

[Drama of the Week] I Wanna Hear Your Song

A fun summer drama took a dark turn quickly.

Kim Se Jong plays Yi Young, a cheerful and bubbly girl who was seemingly carefree and I am not surprised that her cheerfulness rubs people the wrong way.

Yi Young lost 3 years of her memories after she was met with an accident with her then boyfriend who turns up to be Jang Yoon’s brother. In the accident, her then boyfriend died. There were many speculations about the circumstances that led to his death; there was also mounting speculation that it was not merly an accident and that the accident could be staged. In order to find out the truth behind his brother’s death, Jang Yoon had moved in closer to where Yi Young was staying. Saved her on 2 occasions and in the process, befriended her and subsequently dated her.

The turn it took seems to be a typical korean drama plot twist.

While this drama runs only for 30 mins each episode and hence drags the drama to 32 episodes. The pace of this drama is painfully slow and choppy. Some episodes seem to have a better flow and it keeps the plot going. Some episodes seem painfully sluggish and it’s almost acceptable to skip a few episodes and you can still catch up all right a few episodes on.

Pace aside, the drama is also rather confusing with too many things going on. At some point, I was rather convinced that Joo Wan, the new conductor of the orchestra was behind the death Jang Yoon’s brother only for the theory to be thrown out the window with the new smoke bombs thrown in.

Joo Wan of course plays to the part of the conniving and insincere psychopath. He did not have any love or affection for anyone except herself. Out of no real reason, he confessed his love to Yi Young knowing that she is already the most hated figure in the orchestra. Eun Joo especially started to plot evil thoughts and revenge against Yi Young. She who also came from a sketchy background and was rumoured to be prostituting herself to afford her musical ambitions and careers. No one exactly knew what she is up to. One thing for sure is that she is in love with Joo Wan. They seem to have something or everything going on for them only for Joo Wan to pull the plug and left her in the lurch.

With Joo Wan’s confession to Yi Young, he is suddenly obsessed with her and paid insanely amount of attention on her. Despite Yi Young’s confession that she is in love with somebody else (ie; Jang Yoon). It did not slow Joo Wan down. In fact, that only propels him to be more competitive.

Joo Wan’s background is also unknown except that he was poor and that he traded something of his life for a position as a conductor in the orchestra.

Jang Yoon on the other hand came from money. He seems to have inner gift of music except he couldn’t sing. Alot of his presentation is very similar to his dead brother; as I watching, I have the feeling that his dead brother was indeed himself and he was back to avenge his own “death”. This is not a farfetched theory at all. Knowing how Korean drama works, this is totally possible. This whole scheme of notion is not something that has yet to be thought up by the drama PDs in Korea.

I stopped watching after a few episodes especially the part where Yi Young almost regained most of her memories and understood fully what the 3 years was like and how it had implicated many people.

Yeon Woo Jin plays the same old role again in this drama which I hope he would play something different. Somehow his persona here reminds me so much of his role in Dating not Marriage, a drama he played in 2014. I would like to see him breaking out of the test and prove formula but instead go against the grain and try something different. Like Nam Goongmin who is not afraid to play a variety of roles to increase his versatility. Although Woo Jin had too much casanova or puppy vibe in him to play a psycho but it’s a dream that I am willing to hold on to.

One thing for sure though, this drama has nice OST.

If you haven’t seen this drama, you should give it a try and tell me how you find this. If you have another alternative view to this drama, do share.

[Currently watching] Forecasting Love and Weather

I started on the Netflix drama starring Park Min Young and Song Kang, the most anticipated drama of 2022.

While office drama is nothing new to Park Min Young, she continues to shine in her role and her chemistry with Song Kang is definitely something. Park Min Young always delivers. She was so good with Park Seo Joon in What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Kim Jae Wook in Her Private Life. Between the two, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim is way way more entertaining.

The focus of this post though is not on Park Min Young or Song Kang, but Yoon Park.

I never took a liking to Yoon Park, granted it could be the roles that he played in most of his drama. He has never really played a role that I really really like. I was hoping he could pivot and go into a role that he has never played before, instead of keep rinsing and repeating the same villiany roles he played over and over again.

So, for this drama it is no different.

When I first saw his name as the second lead, I sort of have this feeling that it will go into the tried and tested territory; either he is very good at playing such role or he really has no versatility that he could only be offered such role and no other roles.

Yoon Park has this very shrewd look about him, the kind of face that you would not instantly take a liking to. Well, granted, he is up against Song Kang who is so cute and puppish here. But then again, must the contrast be so drastic. 2 episodes in, we all sort of know where this drama is heading. We all know that Yoon Park’s character, Han Ki Jun is a scum. He left Ha Kyung for Yoo Jin. He jilted her shortly before their wedding and married Yoo Jin instead.

Now he is having a second thought about his marriage. Not only that, he started to grow impatient with her. He also found out that she cheated on him with Si Woo. Of course Yoo Jin didn’t know about this until he confronted her with a photo of her and Si Woo while they were dating. I feel that he has no right to be angry at her because he did exactly that too with Ha Kyung. Well…they say what goes around comes around, I guess it is true.

While the speed of this drama is definitely fast, but the premise surrounding it is rather boring. Certain part of the drama is just a boring drone on of the weather forecast and the fog…the weather conditions basically. Viewers can last 2 episodes on weather but could we last 16 episodes of this. No matter how much we love Song Kang, we have our limits.

Song Kang on the other hand, I really think he is a very good method actor. He has been in different dramas and in each of them, he tried to change his styles of speech, mannerism, his gaits and even his stares accordingly. He is so likeable in this drama just because he looks so cute and harmless. He was not so much that in Nevertheless. I remember I hated his character so much. A good evokes different emotions in the viewers, and I think Song Kang has mastered that despite being such a young actor.

Song Kang the weather forecaster

Song Kang the playboy

Which version of Song Kang you like?

[Drama of the Week] Single Inferno

I am late to this inferno game.

I have seen its trailer on Netflix and has been putting it off, reasoning I am not a fan of reality tv shows. These shows usually lack substance and full of airheads that I didn’t want to waste my energy on.

After reading about the drama, and having everyone talking about it at dinner table from Christmas through the Lunar/Chinese New Year, I have no choice but to run home, hop into bed, turn Netflix on and flip to this show. I am gripped by it for 8 episodes. Not because this show was good but the cliffhanger placements and the drama of betrayals that unfold in it, kept me going. Now, 8 episodes later, I emerged and I am blasting my keypad hot with thoughts about it.

For those illiterates like me, this show is about 9 singles with hod bod and good looks taken to this island named Inferno so that they can fight it to win the heart of the person the most attracted to. So, this is like Love Island kind of vibe. The only difference is, being a korean production, the aesthetics are top notch. The tents that the contestants were sleeping is ala glamping style. Minimalist yet tastefully decorated.

A stone throw away from the sleep tents are the cafeteria, iced water hut, brunch hut and a gym. So, it wasn’t much of a survivor kind of vibe.

Enough rambling. Let’s go right into it.

These contestants are introduced to each other on the first day of the show, these single people are expected to stay in the island for 9 days so that they can develop romance and also get to know each other. Of course, we are not talking about aimless living together, we are talking about emotional bootcamp. These people will be put through constant test or rather opportunity to get into the good books of those they are attracted to.

I don’t expect much when I first started this series. But, as it slowly drawn on, I need to know what kind of a person Oh Jin Taek is. He appeared to me like a Casanova with his Romeo get up when everyone else is in normal casual get up. His fashion sense definitely caught alot of eyes and turning heads.

Soon, after the grand entrance and a round of introduction, they were broken up into a smaller group and they could have their own time getting to know each other. The first group being Hyun Joong, Kang So Yeon and of course our Casanova.

During the walk, Kang So Yeon and Hyun Joong were chatting animatedly while Jin Taek seemed to be a shy person hanging back with some distance from the chatters. He seemed a little socially awkward, I was wondering if he is thinking that he has intruded into the date of Hyun Joong and So Yeon since they were hitting off right away.

And, subsequently, he started making a move for So Yeon himself. He seemed single minded and he seemed only see So Yeon. He didn’t care about any other person. He only cared about So Yeon and earning her approval and attention seemed to be his priority. And, so they went for their first Paradise date where they get to know each other better. While the date was still more awkward he seemed like really a nice person.

I was happy for So Yeon. She deserves this.

Fast forward later, with the second Paradise vote, So Yeon and Jin Taek were put through the test. As they couldn’t vote to go with the same person again, they had to vote for somebody else. And, if there’s a mutual match, then a date will ensue. So Yeon voted based on what Jin Taek mentioned in passing that they should vote a person that they knew for sure won’t reciprocate with a match. And this is with the assumption that they both wanted to be left behind in Inferno so that they could spend time together. Unbeknowst to So Yeon, this idea although expressed by Jin Taek was promptly forgotten. He went on to vote to go to Paradise with Ji Hyeon. Lo and behold, they had a mutual match and off they went for the date.

During the date, Jin Taek seemed to show his real personality. He seemed to allude to So Yeon as a boring person and also a big eater. And, that they spent most of their time eating. Which was not true. This totally break my heart for So Yeon. I was hoping that Jin Taek will be kind of guy that walks the talk. Soon after his second date to paradise, he seemed to have difficulty having eye contact with So Yeon. And, when So Yeon asked for a talk and confronted him about it, he then externalised it to So Yeon not showing gesture or interest in him. Small things like sitting next to him, talk to him etc. At this point, I totally lost it. I couldn’t believe my ears. Is he senile or am I losing the plot here.

From hereon, I see So Yeon is walking a path of destruction for herself. In her desperation to prove that she is wanted and found attractive by other guys there, she seemed to be randomly targeting a guy and professed interest. In this case, Se Hoon took the brunt of it. It seemed that Se Hoon is not as clueless as we thought. He seemed to see through Se Yeon’s intention and seemed to also feel that her confession of interest towards him was a response towards Jin Taek’s second date with Ji Hyeon.

When it comes turn for the winners of the fight in the ring to vote for their dates in Paradise, I was pretty sure at this point that if he had voted before Se Hoon did, he would likely voted to go with Ji Hyeon. Fortunately or unfortunately, Se Hoon went first and chose Ji Hyeon, he had no choice but to settle for So Yeon. So Yeon became his back up plan or emergency plan. I feel the indignant for So Yeon at this point.

At their second date in Paradise, when So Yeon instinctively asked Jin Taek if he would have voted for other girl instead, he denied. But, there is no conviction in his tone of voice. He wasn’t telling the truth. He could not even look at her in the eye when he said this. He looked uninterested and he seemed to be going through the motion. So Yeon seemed to take his answer without further question. While they seemed to be having fun at the second date, I feel that So Yeon’s excitement should not be returned with a halfhearted gesture by Jin Taek.

The star of this drama is actually Hyun Joong and Se Hoon.

I really rooted for this two. Despite and in spite of everything, they were firm with their decision and spend no time in experimenting in the name of “getting to know others” or at the disguise of “giving myself opportunity”. Nothing like that. Instead, both were steadfast. They were hurt and felt wounded by things they couldn’t control, but their ability to just be a puppy and wait seem to have paid off.

Se Hoon had consistently voted for Ji Hyeon in all the chances he got. While he didn’t get any chances with her in the earlier votes, he subsequently succeeded and managed to win her heart over. In the beginning, Ji Hyeon wasn’t very keen on Se Hoon. She felt that they lack chemistry and she seemed to be always answering to his ballistics of questions. He did not seem to frazzled. In the later episodes, when there were additional new faces added to the scene. It did take the attention and heat of Ji Hyeon. Anyway, Ji Hyeon at that point in time was attracted to Jin Taek, after their date in Paradise. There was undercurrent between her, So Yeon and Jin Taek.

With the addition of Min Ji and Su Min, Se Hoon seemed to have moved on from Ji Hyeon. The date with Min Ji seemed to be going well although they were the polar opposite of each other. Se Hoon somehow managed to bring out the fun and silly side of Min Ji. His date with Su Min on the other hand seemed to be mechanical. A comfortable rhythm but their chemistry lacks sparks. It is also obvious that Su Min is more interested in Se Hoon. Se Hoon had us fooled when he chose Ji Hyeon for his date in Paradise when all of us include Min Ji and Su Min thought it would be one of them. They were so dumbfounded that it was not either of them.

Se Hoon is a one woman man. The fact that he made a disclaimer to Ji Hyeon that he is doing this more for himself than for her. I thought it is a mature thing to do. I am so proud of Se Hoon.

The couple that I was rooting so hard for and didn’t materialise was Hyun Seung and Yeawon.

She seemed to have left a dent in his impression but unfortunately they didn’t get to explore this side of his interest more before he went back to his preoccupation with Jia. It’s such a shame. This couple could have such a potential.

[Drama of the Week] Bulgasal

A supernatural drama on Fri-Sat run on Netflix.

The first things that struck me the most when I first started on this drama was how good looking the entire main casts are. Don’t believe me, see for yourself.

The second thing that struck me was all the OSTs are so nice. It’s so well composed, sang and paired for this drama. Almost as perfect as Goblin. Every single OST is perfect. Needless to say, I have been playing these OSTs on loop to death.

While the entire crew of main casts are good looking and so perfect, the star stealer for me is Lee Joon. I first saw him in Gap Dong, there he played a psychopath killer. And here he plays the psychopathic Bulgasal who has no empathy and does not give a hoot about others. He is here for revenge and he is here to get the revenge. Pronto.

While his character is not someone you can warm up to instantly and easily, you cannot deny that he is made for this character. It is so well executed. Like it or hate it, it’s nonetheless, a performance that you can’t forget or dismiss. The actual leads are Lee Jin Wook and Kwon Nara who are definitely a good looker, there is no need to even mention this disclaimer.

But Lee Joon is different. He seems to possess and embody the character so well it feels like he has turned into the evil character himself. In one of the interviews, Kwon Nara admitted that she was fearful of Lee Joon on set. Unfortunately, his scenes with her are antagonistic scenes, leaving no room for them to warm up to each other properly.

Lee Joon also said in one of his interviews that he aspires to perfect his skills in thriller genre. He felt that he was not suited for romcom due to his gaze. He felt that his gaze is better suited for more antagonistic or dark genres. Needless to say, his acumen in assessing his own strengths works out for us.

His decision to focus on acting and perfecting the craft in this area is a gain for all of us. He was a vocalist for MBLAQ; although there is some success there, it was not memorable. He is definitely born to be an actor and a method actor for one. While I think he has had a few memorable characters, I do wish to see him break his comfort levels and risk some projects that would be quite out of norm for him. Not the tested and proven route, not the only trick pony route.