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Reviews
Nae Nampyeongwa Gyeolhonhaejweo (2024)
Sudsy drama a little over the top.
First, let me say that I really liked this show. My criticisms are intended to point out why it didn't get my highest rating. If you like soap suds with your dramas, this is a perfect fit. On that end, my complaint is that it became too sudsy near the end, where bad people turned into virtual cartoon characters of real people. In my view, a good sudsy drama has to stay a little farther from the line or its impact is lost. Once the former fiancée of the male lead enters the picture, it starts getting way too over the top. Still worth watching, just too much. The female lead shines, as always, just like she did in Ms. Kim, although I think she's gotten a bit too thin. The one who continues to impress is the female assistant manager who I have seen elsewhere. This actress has quite a range. The lead female villain plays the role in the only way it makes sense, a true psychopath. The former fiancé I found a bit bland, but, that is partly a result of dull writing which relied too much on plot events for her. Her dialogue deserved more snap. The other actors and actresses did there jobs, but this is not supposed to be so long. Nonetheless, a definite thumbs up.
My Man is Cupid (2023)
Excellent, but not flawless
If you like supernatural Kdramas with a light romantic feel, this is a very comfortable way to spend 16 hours. While not as creative as Goblin, and with different plot lines, it still carries that same "feel". It is also much better than the recently released My Demon. I almost always find the acting in these shows to be high quality, and this is no exception. I do wish there had been a better wrap up on the romantic secondary characters, and frankly, I would be willing to watch a show built around their quirkiness. I also wish the ending had been given more time to be developed. The serial killer aspect was cut too short, and the flashbacks could have been better. But, if you want a little happy time, go for it.
Amhaengeosa (2020)
Comparison to Secret Royal inspector & Joy
I would love to know how two different period pieces with the same over-arching premise could be coincidentally (or not) made in the same period. On Netflix, you will find Secret Royal Inspector and Joy, also with the inspector's retinue and eventual love interest, corrupt government officials and even an illegal mining operation (silver, not gold). Other similarities abound. Lead actors and actresses both excellent, and similar IMDB ratings. I liked this one a little better, but the other one had a grander vision and some slower moving parts. Both very very good. Was there a split up in the writing team? Did someone copy a draft?
Hoonryedaecheop (2023)
A light-hearted romp through Joseon matchmaking
I have watched a fair number of Joseon era shows, and this ranks with the best of them. (Add to your watch list: The Crowned Clown, 100 Days My Prince, The Red Sleeve and the Rookie Historian). It also beats out the only other Matchmaking show I have seen: Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency. The basic plot is fairly straightforward: a brilliant but nerdy scholar marries the King's daughter who dies on their wedding night, leaving him a prince but with virtually nothing to do. Through happenstance, he gets mixed up with a widowed matchmaker who is also from a noble family. Neither one knows the secret identity of the other. He is charged with finding brides within 2 months for 3 spinsters or he will be forced to drink poison. While winding through the archaic courtship practices of the day, we find the expected (but well done) mix of court intrigue, murder, situational comedy, and a small bit of action. In terms of acting. The two leads have excellent chemistry and are in good humor. Particularly noteworthy, in my opinion, are the villainess (mother- in-law) who seems to be making a career of these kinds of appearances (as in the Red Sleeve), and the youngest of the three spinster sisters who positively glows when she gets going and is on screen. The King is a superb performer who I think particularly steps up this time in his acting game. Everything about this show is excellent. Highly recommended.
Eojjeoda Balgyeonhan Haru (2019)
Not as Extra-ordinary As it Could Have Been
This is one of those Korean shows where the fundamental cleverness of the plot is let down by the execution of the writer. That is a particular shame in this case because there is a grain of truth to the plot. If you have tried to write a story with well imagined characters, you sometimes find that the plot you are trying to write doesn't always fit with what the characters want to do. Here, the author took that problem, which is not uncommon, and turned it into a creative plot line. Unfortunately, the writer didn't quite pull it off. As with many Korean shows, this one had a middle section which became boring and repetitive. The ending was a pleasant surprise, however, because it wasn't quite as sugary sweet as it could have been. Not unhappy, mind you, just not as syrupy as possible. Acting was, as usual, very good. I felt the female leads 2 friends were weakly characterized, one being too stereotypical, the other in need of better motivation. The plot could have been improved, I think, if the writer moved the characters into, say, 4-5 major books instead of 1 major book and two minor ones. So, while it is a good show, it is only a "contender" not the champ, it should have been.
Geuraeseo Naneun Antipaengwa Gyeolhonhaetda (2021)
A warm sweater on a cold day
When I watch Kdramas I have certain expectations. I expect the leads to start off hating or at least disliking each other, but by the end get together. The fun part is the journey, not the destination. That pretty much sums up Antifan. Nothing to be sad about, like the ending of Mr. Sunshine (a more compelling drama, by the way). No insanity, like the Red Sleeve, where the leads die, but happily get together after death (also excellent). Instead, you curl up with a basic plot line, enjoy the interactions, knowing this will end in some manner like Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. Now the so-so. I felt the second male lead's performance was over the top; it should have been toned down. The second female lead was passive. I don't know if that reflected limited acting skill or very good acting, but it worked for me. The two main leads did nicely, but nothing extraordinary. On the other hand, the female lead's father and mother cracked me up. They could support their own show, and they had relatively limited roles. The "high school" girl should have figured more into the plot. Her views on the male lead's fibs, and later, his return, deserved screen time to help the audience better feel the supposed public reaction. I did not like the female lead's first employer, which was probably intended, so I found her rehabilitation at the end just plain wrong.
If you want to curl up with the equivalent of warm cocoa, enjoy it. If you are hoping for something unique, exhilarating or terrific fun, go watch Vincenzo. In fact, watch it anyway.
Eoneu Nal Uri Jib Hyeongwaeuro Myeolmangyi Deuleowassda (2021)
Strong basic plot, too much filler
I'm a big fan of K-dramas in general and those, with a supernatural element in particular. So, I understand the basic conventions and elements they share. The basic plot here is strong: the personification of "the ending" or Doom, as compared to death, and a woman who is destined to die, fall in love. That isn't giving much away; you can figure it out in the first episode. But like all K-dramas, what makes them fun is the journey, not the destination. The leads are strong, and so are a lot of the secondary characters. The female lead, whose name I cannot pronounce (my fault) is someone I have seen before and have liked. Perky. Same here. The male was someone new to me, but played the role perfectly. I particularly liked the 2 secondary male leads and the writer's characterization of them (as well as the acting). No villain there. Except for the over-the-top portrayal by "the boss", all the acting was well done. So why only an 8? Too much suds and not enough action. I understand that emotions are a big part of all-Kdramas, but by the second half, the whining got on my nerves. There should have been a tertiary romance going on, or at least something more interesting than the "bromance" between the male secondaries. If not, then the leads should have been given more to do, or more side twists, like the background story on "god". So, while I would recommend it, you will find better Kdramas (like American Typewriter or Crash Landing on You).
Byuti Insaideu (2018)
Should Have Been Better
All in all, there are worse ways to spend your time. You could, for example, be unclogging a toilet, or watching reruns of Three's Company, which are on a par with each other. But, if you're running out of things to watch, on Netflix, like Hotel Del Luna, Mystic Pop Up Bar, Vincenzo, or Crash Landing on You, then give it a whirl. As with too many K-Dramas, this one packs 12 episodes worth of plot into only 16 episodes, resulting in too much cheesy romantic dialog, filler plot and that music I am growing to dread. The basic concept is a good one, but I think the 2 leads' weaknesses should have been linked to each other, where the plot seemed to have headed. As with most of these shows, the acting was good-yes, even the first male lead whose personality was supposed to be that of well-meaning cardboard. Grandpa was a pistol who usually stole his scenes, as was first male lead's sis, very well played, too. I didn't feel any chemistry between her and second male lead, but curiously, the only two compatriots who don't hook up, the female lead's manager and the first male lead's assistant, generated more romantic sparks then the others, all buried in their K-drama sweet roles. So, give it a shot. But, if you're growing tired after about 10 episodes or so, you can skip the rest, knowing with confidence where the plot is headed and avoiding too much fluff.
Binsenjo (2021)
Black humor, with a Kimchee bite
If this show keeps up the pace after 8 episodes, it gets a 10.
What could be more "fish out of water" than a native Korean raised in Italy who is both an attorney and Consigliore to the Mafia? Yet from that seemingly absurd mix comes a basic plotline that makes complete hash out of any lawyer show you have ever seen, mixes serious violence, mayhem and murder with humerous come-uppances to the bad guys, and has an undercover cop deciding that our hero isn't Mafia at all--but a heroic version of Che Guevera? The first few episodes need a bit of time to shake out, but when they get going, it's wonderful. Favorite scene to date--the corrupt judge who is stung by hornets in his classroom. I'm no good at remembering their names, but the female lead overdoes it a bit, particularly in the beginning. Vincenzo is terrific right from the beginning. Co-stars and regulars are also wonderful. The actors are all having great fun, and it shows. I hope there is room left at the end for another season-or 10.
Tian Xun Zhe (2020)
Has potential, romantic angle is stale
I confess to being a fan of Korean and other Asian supernatural romantic comedy/dramas, so I am favorably biased here. With that said, the basic premise is a good one: the Ghost King, whose job is to catch errant ghosts and demons, is drawn to earth when an evil ghost escapes from the underworld and drags the King's seemingly unrequited love interest with him. So, the setup for action, romance, comedy and friendship, with various introduced humans, is all there. But, the pace of the inevitable love triangle is too slow, and more action would help. I particularly do not like the failure to include enough subtitles-too much dialog passes without knowing what is said. It's pretty good now, but could, in fairness, fully earn that 7 I gave it when it outgrows its growing pains.