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Reviews
Gukyeongi (2021)
An Extraordinary Cat & Mouse Thriller
For some, this show may take a while to get into. The deep intricate (not weak) plot and constant switching back and forth between past and present; and between sets, requires one's full unflinching attention to fully capture its mosaic-piece revelations and contextualise the manic scene jumps.
Having freshly emerged from Saimdang into Inspector Koo, one needed to reset one's expectations to appreciate this completely different genre. Not something to watch whilst multitasking, especially when fully reliant on English subtitles.
Thanks to TheReviewGeek.com episode reviews, the lights came on and Inspector Koo turned out to be highly enjoyable kooky hilarious life manga cat and mouse thriller. The cast chemistry fitted well together apart from a really annoying hapless Santa. Both female leads were stellar. A
Lee Young Ae was very brave to have accepted this role, which goes to show her versatility and willingness to explore/ portray vastly different genre characters. Initially off putting to see her eccentric character, however in hingsight she fitted in like a glove. The showcase was Yi-Kung's character
Crime dramas are best told in 1-2 episodes but this has managed to pull off 12 hence a little protracted but highly engaging after all (on third take).
Actually rather entertaining with many cartoon moments which (if you flip the switch) can be hilarious.
Roboti Aniya (2017)
A Surprising Delightful Comedy.
I found myself in stitches laughing throughout the film.
A high quality romcom, situational comedy which isn't slapstick at all. Cleverly casted. Impeccable acting. The couple chemistry and entire cast came together beautifully.
I will go back to it for a good belly laugh once in a while.
A Highly Recomnended mood lifter. Leaves you smiling and bubbling with mirth. Watch it if you haven't.
Saimdang, Bitui Ilgi (2017)
An Extraordinarily Classy Drama Masterfully Woven & Undergirded With Valuable Life Lessons
Can't recommend this highly enough. We get a glimpse into the glossy world of art with a rare insight into traditional mulberry paper making and some masterful early oriental art, poetry and calligraphy by Saimdang plus outstanding landscape ink paintings..
This drama cleverly weaves together two time periods boldly spinning an extraordinary fiction around a historical figure. Audacious or not it is a class act with brilliant story telling and cinematography. Artistic licensed to the max.
With stellar performances from our leads who bring this to life. The exquisite romance between Saimdang and Le Geum. I am now a "pan" of Lee Young-Ae. Elegant portrayal of both female protagonists JiHoon and particularly, Saimdang.
The modern glossy artworld is where our female lead finds herself uncovering a fraud perpetrated by her professor when she was subsequently unfairly framed and dismissed. Her 10 year PHD goal at stake, she tenaciously fights back to uncover the truth, with the help of her her allies, an art vigilante and a art restoration expert amid relentless opposition. And we get a glimpse into art restoration & research.
The Bridge to the Joseon era came in the form of her chance discovery of a historical diary during her work trip to Italy. The diary was key to leading her to the truth.
The Joseon tale is spun as the diary is interpreted and an exquisite love story unfolds. Early teenage romance that blossoms but tragically, by the (twice) decree of a cruel monarch, led to the sabotage of their marriage plan or ever being together. Here we get a glimpse into dysfunctional Joseon corruption & politicking, and inept monarchical whims made at the expense of the dispensable masses. Our heroine is cast as a woman of high skills and virtue. The hard choices she made at many levels were exemplary and life's lessons can be drawn for audiences of al ages. Hard choices easily discarded today. On the other end of the spectrum, the poor leadership of an insecure whimsical king led to the misery and abject poverty of his subject. An oppressive system that took a lady of incredible courage who was able to find solutions along her life's challenges.
Applause to the characters portrayals, costumes and production sets and choice of location/ scenery. Spectacular!
This deserves a TEN. How it is eclipsed by other contemporary shows I do not understand.
This is A CLASSIC that should not be missed.
Perhaps the only qualification is that some might feel it inappropriate to spin fiction around a historical figure of national esteem.
Diamond Lover (2015)
A love story themed around identity and social acceptance
... With everything else thrown in. A love quadrangle or pentangle that contrasts the different approaches each uses to "win" their love interest.
The main character who undergoes a life changing surgery following a severe car accident which opens the door for her suddenly to pursue the man of her dreams
The admirably sacrificial selfless rock of a childhood friend whose life revolves around rescuing his damsel in distress
The actress who found unrequited love in an unexpected place
The rightful heir who, positioned for all the wins in life shows a disappointing shallowness of character in love; buffeted by family and business politics and naïveté navigating the emergence of his scheming old flame
The manipulative ex girlfriend who returned to reclaim the love she gave up for money and the shameless unspeakable lengths she went through to sabotage his relationships; her way to win him back?
The positional "heir" who manipulated and caused endless trouble for his brother whom he has made a rival of; and his relationships
The father who showed the wisdom to change his mind toward acceptance and forgiveness
A solid cast and Impressive wardrobe for MeiDuo.
The script had its Gems and shining snippets but not always believable nor made sense.
But then it's Chollywood. Storyline had pockets of gaps and the characters not always believable nor their actions but overall an cenjoyable drama
though the repeated twists and turns got tiresome towards the end.
Mi MeiLi/ Mi Duo's character was a triumph whilst XiaoLiang was a little shallow. The plots at times were outlandish and repeated offenders a great annoyance. But all good in the end though it came a little abruptly.
Script could've been further tightened. But well done if you've remade a 64 episode show into 24.
Xiao zi nv hai xiang qian chong (2011)
Highly entertaining... redemptive undergirded by solid values. Underrated.
Compliments to scriptwriter, production crew and the entire cast of stars for bringing the serious and slapstick together into an entertaining series that showcases the many and varied general challenges faced by young office girls, contrasts the choices they make with a dash of "Tollywood" for good measure. Great portrayal of office politics, rivalry in love and career, family responsibilities amid imperfection... cast with a good balance of lightheartedness and seriousness. Showcases the fallennsss of human nature with a redemptive note in the end. Champions good values that should be applauded.
A general rating - I would not hesitate to watch this with my teenage children for exposure.
Applause to a great cast.
Di-eo Ma-i Peu-ren-jeu (2016)
A Brilliant 10/10 Classic - Honest Heartwarming & Hillarious Satire on Twilight Years
An Outstanding Screenplay & Production With Stellar Performances by her all star cast. This shall be one of my all time favourites. Agree with a few of the other 10/10 reviews. An animated & lighthearted look at the lives of a community of ex classmates in their twilight years, who never lost their Joie the Vivre, but bravely faced the realities, laughed, cried and worked through the challenges, together. A Beautiful depiction of true inter generational friendship and community. Pure gold.
Heukgisa (2017)
The ending marred an otherwise rather unique fairytale
Supernatural themes is not our genre but have found this relatively easy to watch except for the ending. Felt hasty with an accelerated timeframe - the subtitles could've been used to show the passage of time.
The ending marred it.
Here to Heart (2018)
An Underrated Classic Which Will Be Ageless ... a 9.8
A Stellar Production All Round with a Brilliant Cast, Excellent Screenplay & Scripting ... showcasing the interplay & development of four Relationships played out amid the backdrop of sufficiently engaging Corporate intrigues & rivalry in modern Shanghai. Undergirded by a seamlessly executed OST which heightened the ambience.
The chemistry between the main lead couple is deliciously palpable. Meeting again after 7 yrs following a crushing breakup for reasons that remained nebulous, audiences are then drip fed the reason over the next 48 episodes. The angst, restraint, longing ... Exquisite. Yummy.
The FF Button was a helpful friend during the first viewing for a quick overview of the main storyline ... but this is where the rewatch value comes in, one then finds that one needs to go back to the other sections to mine for answers that are hidden "slow released" in the dialogue - to patch the holes.
May not appeal to every demographic, likely the over 30s set with a high urban bias with patience for dialogues. But there is good depth and thought in the scripting and storytelling. Artistic licence and a respect for cultural values.
Hair tearingly frustrating in parts with things left unsaid or the unhelpful naggings, hilariously funny in others, loyalties tested in friendships, dilemmas, melting tender moments, cunning moves, fierce competition, love. & corporate rivalry, sabotage & betrayal, personal insecurities and regression, regrets & resolutions ... there really wasn't any part in the script that was cringeworthy though admittedly the "again" breakup in Ep 44 18:17 was unnecessary I thought. A Hollywood ending in 30 episodes could've gained it higher scores perhaps. A little protracted. The ending was slightly flat (and corny) compared to the velvety crescendo midway. (Eps 28-30)
However in hindsight, true to intention in storytelling, one could see how the latter 18 episodes was "needed" for all the subplots to fully unfold and various relationships to ripen. Diverse, believable and relational content between love interests, siblings, family friends, colleagues, business associates and rivals...
Great script. acting, setting, hairdstyles, complexion & makeup, costumes, handbags ... A cinematographic billboard for goods & services.
Here to Heart sets the standard.