pokatuki Reviews

The Long Ballad (2021– )

A great watch!

[8/10 · 18 August 2021]

The only reason I'm giving it a 8/10 is because of the last two eps. Otherwise the whole drama was really well made and detail-oriented. The story was great, the acting and directing was superb, and no dragging.

Also no cringes, at least not with the main two cps. You'll still see budget constraint specially in the last two episodes which were rushed and some cringes with the sidekicks and obvious plots with the holes, but only in the last two episodes. And you won't actually disappoint with the ending, you'll just feel the rushing and a few witless rescue scenes, obvious deaths, silly fights and well, a bit dragging and obviousness. But The other 47 episodes were really really great.

Entertainer (2016)

A drama about finding yourself and becoming a true human!

[9/10 · 24 October 2020]

This series is different from other dramas I've seen and it is particularly great.

The main focus wasn't romance. They touched it very gently and realistically in a classical novel way. I like it. It felt real and heart-warming.

The main focus was hanging on to your dream, fighting your insecurities, finding yourself and the hardship that lies within. Also the harsh side of entertainment industry. It was an emotional roller-coaster. I cried a lot. I especially want to praise actor Jo Bok Rae. He is a true scene-stealer. Hats off.

There was a lots of fun too. All those bromance, not only between the band members but also with Ji Sung, everything was very entertaining. It was really a stand out drama for those who are not interested in rom-com full of puppy romances.

But Ji Sung's love for Hyeri, his agony, struggles, his backing off, his shutting himself off, getting wet in heavy rain, everything really made my heart ached a lot. He even portrayed very realistically how all these agony making him tired. But they didn't drag it too much. They just lightly touched them with mainly with Ji Sung's expression. Which is even better. And it's a happy ending.

My Golden Life (2017–2018)

vastly overrated!

[1/10 · 28 April 2019]

The more I tried to watch this drama, the more I felt, why am I watching this? At some point I didn't even want to know the end any more and drop the show. It wasn't anything new, the story doesn't even make sense nor makes you want to ship the main couple. Not even a good family drama with a warm message! It was a waste. But it still rated high, and the thought cross my mind, there always some new fashion trend that neither make you pretty nor attractive and that not even comfortable but still can make some craze for a while. That's must be it, it rated high in a hype! like if you really really have nothing better to do...

A Poem a Day (2018)

My respect and understanding for physiotherapist grew a lot after watching this.

[10/10 · 30 March 2019]

When I first saw the title, I thought "medical + poetry?", can't get along, so I shouldn't waste my time on this. But then I found a love story similar to mine, so I ended up watching it. And it was so refreshing that I fall in love with my Mr. Knightley all over again.

I like the fact that the female lead is not a pushover and the male lead is not a jerk. cause we get it all the time in Asian dramas.

It's a hilarious drama and a great mood-lifter. It's really well-made and well executed.

But this is a slow paced drama. It's nothing like other medic dramas with lots of thrill, rather it's a very poetic drama. The way they related a right poetry for the right situation and gave us different messages or a warm feelings is actually really impressive and quite beautiful. It is more like a "slice of genre" drama.

This drama realistically showed a lot about the life and struggles of radiologist which is really cool. My respect and understanding for physiotherapist grew a lot after watching this.

But this drama is probably good for more mature viewers, teenager may not really like it as much. But I had a very refreshing enjoyable time and I always go back to watch it time to time.

Pinocchio (2014–2015)

It lacks in direction and screenplay and it has lots of plot holes.

[5/10 · 27 March 2019]

I tried it because of Lee Yu Bi (a fine actress). But I get stuck every now and then simply because of plot holes. This drama surely had potential with a good story line and some good acting but... some serious lacking in direction and screenplay. It was poorly edited. They didn't gave damn to get the story straight or keep the fact right. A good story always need some research and survey. This drama totally lacks it. Funny how it's full of contradiction. You will get a fresh romance and some good thrill but not a well balance story.

Lookout (2017)

Some pretty skilled acting somehow made it worth watching!

[8/10 · 20 March 2019]

The drama has a cool plot and the actors are skilled enough to make you hooked up! Here, Kim Young Kwang can be compared to legendary actor Health ledger for his superb characterization of a very complex character. Park Solomon, the main antagonist is a minor yet delivered such a strong acting that can give you chills. Lee Si-Young was the real gem as an strong badass female lead. And the supporting roles were also pretty good. So it's a real deal if you care to watch some good acting! But honestly, even with this much strong points, the drama lacks proper synchronization. Korean dramas usually has some inevitable plot holes and dragging but their audiences rather likes it that way. But if that bothers you, it might not be your cup of tea.

My Only Love Song (2017)

A mood lifter.

[7/10 · 6 October 2018]

This movie absolutely has no logic. But somehow wrapped up pretty much okay. It also doesn't have too much complexity and its hilarious. The chemistry between two leads are lovey dovey beyond believe. It's clingy too, rather in a good way. Oh ya, please put your brain in the freeze before watching this, you won't need that one while watching. Ah, and the actor didn't hold it even a bit while ...., how should I put it in good words, showing his love towards the actress. So it has pretty steamy kissing scene!

Bring on the Melody (2017)

A lighthearted enjoyable movie about friendship and music!

[7/10 · 5 October 2018]

A very nice story. I came to know about brass band and understand their hardship and passion a little better and developed respect. You might also relate with your passion and club activities. Back in my college days, I was really enthusiastic about our computer club and made dynamic changes and also overcome hardship in contest. So it's a bit nostalgic. It's a feel good drama about friendship and the power of music. Cinematography is great. It's not really romantic but a hint of blossoming romance is even nicer.

Miracle: Devil Claus' Love and Magic (2014)

Great start with a disappoointing ending!

[5/10 · 5 October 2018]

It's a promising story, very unique concept, not cheesy at all. But I'm rather disappointed with the ending. The lead girl should've get a bit more respect in the end.

Spoiler: Ikuta Toma only appears as a guest. It's still a good watch though.

One Week Friends (2017)

One of my all time favourite Japanese Movie

[10/10 · 4 October 2018]

Japanese dramas/movies are usually adopted from manga (comic novel) thus have some unique taste. This movie is refreshingly unique. Yet, it's not cliche nor has that comic vibe like the other Japanese movies. But It's a story mostly about friendship. So might get disappointed if you are looking for teen romance. I love everything about this movie. It's a 10 on 10 for me.

My Teacher (2017)

This movie is all about Ikuta Toma's incredible acting

[9/10 · 9 September 2018]

This movie is all about Ikuta Toma's incredible acting. He even manage to portray such a controversial character and make it somehow worth it! That's surely something right!

There are lots of unnecessary scenes with the teens which were undeniably annoying and very poorly portrayed. But the main lead actor, Ikuta toma, nailed it. There were things in between lines. Like Mr. Ito's facial expression. In one time, he was lying but there was deep sadness in his face. Also, he did something which he normally won't do. As for relationship, he maintains a wall where suitors never got a space to enter yet that wall never really existed for Shimada! It was his acting that make it all sense. Even the guy friend of Shimada sensed that the love was mutual in their case. Here, Mr. Ito was workaholic, non-sociable and had some sort of complex in terms of relationship. But his heart melted by Shimada's innocence and he was grateful towards her, also apologetic for not being able to accept her or hurting her. That's why, that controversial relationship never felt wrong! And I'm not exaggerating anything. Mr Ito expressed everything in this tiny movie with his so little screen time and few dialogues! What I'm saying is I am totally knocked down by Ikuta Toma's acting. But the rest is pretty much slow and boring.