Kcdramamusings
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A Fantasty Thriller with abundant Bromance
Two things seem to be trending these days on the IQIYI platform- wuxia dramas & Zhang Linghe. Following the huge success of his recently ended romance “My Journey to You”, Zhang Linghe is back in the forte with his new mystery thriller “Tiger and Crane”. Definitely another anticipated release this year, fans have been eagerly awaiting the premiere of this show for almost a year. Starring a ginormous cast that includes Jiang Long, Zhang Ling He, Wang Yu Wen, Chen You Wei, Ye Qing, He Lan Dou in lead roles, the drama hinges on the strong bromance between Jiang Long & Zhang Ling He. For those who are still waiting for updates on Zhang Ling He’s BL adaptation “Eternal Faith”, this show can be a consolation of sorts. Set in a fantastical universe where demonologists exist, the show paints a dainty image of the ongoing war between sorcerers and demons. Adapted from Huang Xiaoda’s novel of the same and helmed by popular director, Guo Hu; the drama promises an intriguing battle of wits, power struggles and sorcery.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/05/tiger-and-crane-first-impressions/#more-185
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An Entertaining Crime Thriller Indeed
My Monday’s & Tuesdays are surprisingly full, thanks to the onslaught of new dramas. Alongside “My Lovely Runner” & “Dare to Love You”, joining the bandwagon is ENA’s latest offering “Crash”. With a formidable ensemble casting that includes Lee Min Ki, Kwak Sun Young, Heo Sung Tae, Lee Ho Chul, Choi Moon Hee; the show depicts the story of the Traffic Crime Investigation Team (TCI), which tracks only car crimes such as insurance fraud, retaliatory driving, self-harm blackmail, leka, call jump, and autonomous driving. I know it doesn’t sound interesting; I mean who would be interested in traffic crimes; but the fact that there is an insurmountable load of case files waiting to be solved is the crux of this crime thriller. Repeatedly ignored by the entire task force, Traffic Crime Investigation Team has long been reeling in obscurity. That is, until a genius new investigator joins the team. The first two episodes were pretty decent and the storytelling is commendable. Let’s get to know the team members and learn their quirky traits!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/16/crash-first-impressions/
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Not Exactly The Strongest Comeback
The 2017 classic “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” was a sleeper hit simply because of the fantastic chemistry between the main leads Park Bo Young & Park Hyung Sik. It’s quite difficult to come across stories where a female lead and her superpowers are glorified. This edgy fantasy element became the reason for the show’s success. As such, I wasn’t admittedly excited about the new reboot. It may be attributed to the entirely new cast that has no connections to the characters in the prequel. “Strong Girl Namsoon” finally premiered last week. The million dollar question that piques our attention is this- Is the spin-off as well as the prequel? I will answer this question as we analyze the first two episodes and dig deeper into the storyline.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/09/strong-girl-namsoon-first-impressions/
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A Decent Watch for the Weekends
The first thing that comes to your mind while watching the pilot episodes is the strong, yet uncanny resemblance to X-Men or maybe Marvel (the villains actually joke about this, so the evidence is substantial). The first two episodes have a slightly depressing tone, as they set the stage for a possible romance blooming in the midst of thievery and deception. The star of the show, Jang Ki Yong plays Bok Gwi Joo, is a man with the ability to time travel to the past, but only the happy moments in his life. That piques the question, will you want to revisit the happy moments in your life again & again, won’t doing that make them lose substance and meaning? Bok Gwo Joo was torn apart by the same question in the past & as such, he was willing to use his powers to help people in need. Unfortunately, an unwarranted car crash causes his beloved wife’s death, making him depressed and that results in the lose of his powers. Apart from him, the Bok family is full of individuals who have lost his superpowers because of lifestyle problems. Makes you wonder, how that is possible? We will answer this question and some more in this review!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/06/the-atypical-family-first-impressions/
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I'm Loving This A Lot
You put Kim Hee Sun into a drama and I’m bound to watch it, no matter what!A human black dramedy, MBC’s “Bitter Sweet Hell” is off to a great start. Coupled with a stellar casting, the clever script keeps you guessing, never a dull moment in sight. When I first read the synopsis for this show, I thought that this would be another “Mother-in-law & Daughter-in-law” melodrama. Obviously it is, mother-in-law Hong Sa Gang (Lee Hye Young) isn’t a huge fan of her popular daughter-in-law, No Yeong Won (Kim Hee Sun). Married into a household where her father-in-law dotes on her and her husband obeys her every whim, Yeong Won leads a rather comfortable & cherished life. That is, until her father-in-law dies in a tragic accident and his old belongings open a Pandora box full of doubts and regrets. The storytelling is rather riveting, because every single individual in this show is questionable (except for Yeong Won). It could her mother-in-law who revels in her husband’s sudden death or her husband who could be cheating on her or her young son, Choi Do Hyun (hello Park Jae Chan, from Semantic Error) who has been acting odd after his grandfather’s death. This show is all about finding out who are Yeong Woo’s real allies and who all are plotting behind her back.
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/26/bitter-sweet-hell-first-impressions/#more-854
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A Small Town Romance With Quirky Characters
JTBC’s latest offering “Welcome to Samdalri” is a decades long saga of friendship, lost love and reconciliation. Starring Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun in the lead roles of Cho Yong Pil & Cho Sam Dal/Cho Eun Hye, the show transverses their journey as they reconnect after eight years of separation. The first thing that I noticed about this show is the scenic beauty. Shot in the backdrop of the beautiful Jeju island, the show banks on the small town life and its busy yet nosy neighborhood. Set in Samdalri (which is native to both Cho Yong Pil & Cho Sam Dal), the drama focuses on their reconciliation as Sam-dal returns to her hometown when her career plummets and she is at her wit’s end. The pilot episodes were pretty decent at introducing the individual characters and their current lives while keeping their past shredded in mystery. There is a lot going on in the backdrop that we are unaware of and these invisible issues have been adversely affecting their relationship for almost a decade. Let’s sit down and dissect the finer details relative to this small town romance!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/12/05/welcome-to-samdalri-first-impressions/
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A Breezy Time Travel Romance
Time travel romances seem to be in trend and joining the foray is tvN’s latest offering “Twinkling Watermelon”. If you are wondering about the title (as I’m), maybe it is a mere connotation to the storyline which sparkles with youthfulness and has varied tones of friendship/love. Starring Ryeoun, Choi Hyun Wook, Seol In Ah, Shin Eun Soo in the lead roles, the drama premiered to high expectations and certainly it was worth the hype. The first two episodes set up the premise decently while introducing intriguing characters as well as the time travel element which pops up randomly. The storytelling is little out of place and at times without context (when they randomly switch between two timeframes), but the chemistry between the characters is reckoning and it manages to tide over those discrepancies. For now, I’m invested in this drama simply because the storyline is interesting and I’m hoping for some solid character development in the future episodes.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/27/twinkling-watermelon-first-impressions/
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A Historical With A Funny Tone
Rowoon (“Destined with You”) is back onscreen with his next romcom, which happens to be a historical. Starring alongside Cho Yi Hyun, “The Matchmakers” is about two widowers, Shim Jung Woo & Jung Soon Deok, who are pressured by the royal family into marrying three maidens representing the spinster problem in the Joseon dynasty. Both of them have varied personalities, with Jung Soon Deok leading a double life that is closely guarded. The drama relies a lot on the customs and traditions that tied down widows in ancient Joseon. Now, widowers weren’t specifically affected, but Shim Jung Woo suffers because he has a special identity. You can’t question the absurdity of their situations because we are talking about times that were orthodox and fanatical. The first two episodes do a good job of introducing the main characters, as we get a glimpse into their lives. Soon Deok leads an exciting, satisfying one while Jung Wook’s is dull and unfulfilling.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/11/01/the-matchmakers-first-impressions/
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A Must Watch Fast Paced Crime Thriller
What happens when a narcotics detective becomes a drug addict?The concept is intriguing, we normally watch detectives running behind drug dealers in most crime thrillers, apprehending them & bringing them to justice. When the tables are turned, will you apprehend the detective or save him? Ji Sung is back on our silver screen with a bang and it is not surprising given his varied repertoire. Starring alongside Jeon Mi Do, Kwon Yool, Kim Kyung Nam; we have an undeniably strong casting with an equally reliable storyline. It keeps you on your toes, the antagonists are mean, given their rich disposition but hidden beneath the veneer of friendship and dishonesty. The drama seems to revolve around Jang Jae Kyung (Ji Sung). He is the central figure who just got promoted for arresting major drug dealer, but this promotion leads to his downward spiral. How that happens, we will recount that!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/27/connection-first-impressions/
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Impressionable With Mystique & Intrigue
The latest entrant on JTBC’s mid-week block, Destined With You, has a lot to offer. With a stellar casting that includes big names like Jo Bo Ah, Rowoon, Ha Joon, Yura; the drama premiered to high ratings on Netflix. I have been closely keep a tab on JTBC’s official accounts, since the day this drama was announced. It has got nothing to do with my thirst for fantasy dramas, and everything to do with the fact that this show has both of my favorite stars. I’m a huge, huge fan of Jo Bo Ah and she is nothing short of adorable here. Following close on her heels is our handsome hunk, Rowoon, whose character has streaks of mystique and intrigue. The first two episodes do a decent job of setting the storyline, which is gripping and exciting. There is a lot happening in the pilot episodes; shamanism plays a pivotal role in this fantasy and the show is as riveting as the trailer that promises a love story that spans over 300 years.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/08/26/destined-with-you-first-impressions/#more-91
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A Reincarnation Saga with Fantasy Element
Adapted from the webtoon “The Moon that Rises in the Day” (낮에 뜨는 달) by Hye Yoom (헤윰), ENA’s new drama “Moon in the Day” is a heartbreaking, remorseful romance that transcends over centuries. Starring Pyo Ye Jin and Kim Young Dae in lead roles, the storyline depicts the story of a vengeful spirit seeking retribution for his wrongful death. The main actors portray two different characters, from variant timelines. It has been an eventful week with quite a few new premieres like “Castaway Diva”, “Perfect Revenge Marriage” and “The Matchmakers”. Certainly, the show has a tall order to compete with when compared to those recent releases. What works in its favor is the rustic chemistry between the main actors. The script is slightly odd paced, but that doesn’t take away the fact that the characters are intriguing and their backstory is equally riveting. We are given glimpses of their past lives as the first two episodes concentrate on the character’s present lives. As unlike as they are, Kang Young Hwa and Han Jun Oh aren’t peas in the same pod. Let’s dive into this narrative and learn more about them!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/11/03/moon-in-the-day-first-impressions/
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A Funky Romance With Quirky Characters
The show opens with a confession scene and it is one of the most hilariously aggressive ones I have ever seen!The cue to start this romcom was obviously Kim Myung Soo; having watched his recent thriller “Numbers”, I was intrigued with finding out how he would fare in a romantic comedy. So far, so good, Kim Myung Soo does a good job portraying a 21st century Korean Confucian man with a rebellious streak. As for his co-star Lee Yoo Young, I read a lot of comments on MyDramaList, talking about their age gap & how she looked too older than Kim Myung Soo. Is the age gap that viable? Yes, it is but it really doesn’t deter the romance happening in the background and I wasn’t bothered by their age difference. It may be because the female lead didn’t strike me as an odd counterpart to her younger co-star. They make a formidable team while facing their individual problems; the story is not just about their relationship. You can draw your own conclusions after watching the pilot episodes; for now, I’m enjoying the drift!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/15/dare-to-love-me-first-impressions/#more-817
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Gangnam Style Crime Thriller
Set in the crime-ridden streets of Gangnam in the 1990s, “The Worst of Evil” promised power packed performances by its stellar casting which includes popular names like Ji Chang Wook, Wi Ha Joon, Im Se Mi. Probably one of the most anticipated releases this year, the show premiered to high expectations and the succinct storytelling is definitely worth the wait. With a three episode premiere and three episodes finale, the show will release two episodes henceforth. Starring Ji Chang Wook as local policeman Park Junmo, Wi Ha Joon as gang leader Jung Gicheul and I’m Se Mi as security officer Yu Euijeong, “The Worst of Evil” is a complicated love triangle set in the midst of a sprawling crime syndicate. Directed by Han Dong Wook, Park Geun Beom and written by Jang Min Seok, the compelling cinematography is resplendent of the 1990s era, which renders a melancholic feel to the melodrama transpiring on screen. The first three episodes do a decent job of introducing the characters and setting the stage for future confrontations. This show isn’t for the fainthearted and it depicts explicit violent scenes (so, drop it if you can’t stand watching fight scenes every 10 minutes, because that seems to be the norm for this show).Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/29/the-worst-of-evil-first-impressions/
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A Beautiful & Emotional Journey
What will you do if you are left stranded on a deserted island for 15 years?tvN’s latest musical sojourn “Castaway Idol” attempts to answer this question in a lighthearted yet emotional manner. Starring Park Eun Bin, Kim Hyo Jin, Chae Jong Hyeop, Cha Hak Yeon, Kim Joo Heon in pivotal roles, the drama chronicles main lead Seo Mok Ha’s (Park Eun Bin) journey to normal life as she returns to the mainland, after being stranded on a deserted island for 15 years. The precociousness of the storyline, coupled with some excellent performances from the leading cast, lends a beautiful vibe to this somber melodrama. I have been religiously following the social media updates by tvN since the drama was announced. The initial posters and the trailers created enough buzz to keep this ship floating. The first two episodes are high on emotions, as we are introduced to the two main characters in this drama- Seo Mok Ha & her classmate, Jung Ki Ho. Now, you won’t find any information about Ki Ho, simply because the character’s current whereabouts are still under wraps. The drama heavily leans on the emotional trauma faced by these two characters as they fight for survival. Now, let’s get to know more about them before we dive headfirst into the storyline!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/30/castaway-diva-first-impressions/#more-251
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Could Have Been But The Acting is Good
MBN’s latest weekend offering “Missing Crown Prince” has started airing. This show is a spin off to their popular prequel “Bossam: Steal the Fate”. Starring Suho, Hong Ye Ji, Myung Se Bin, Kim Min Kyu, Kim Joo Heon in lead roles, the story is a political espionage portraying a Crown Prince on the run. There isn’t much happening in the first two episodes and the pacing is pretty odd. I loved watching Hong Ye Ji in the recently concluded “Love Song of Illusion” and felt inclined to watch this show. Alas, it feels like she is playing stereotypical roles because her Choi Myung Yoon feels quite similar to Yeon Wol (Love Song for Illusion). Suho does try to impress with his rendition of a carefree Crown Prince, but the script seems to be working against him. The pilot episodes’ kind of drag on, without giving a clear picture of the plot. Let’s declutter and review!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/missing-crown-prince-first-impressions/#more-743
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