20_DramaQueen_23
Touch Of Mad Max!
There is quite a bit of action, a number of fight scenes and even one car race challenge that ends lives if mistakes are made or the driver is in the firing line of hunters.
The idea of delivery men in a dystopian environment didn't really do anything for me, but as I had nothing else lined up I thought I'd give it a shot and am glad to say I have no regrets.
There always seems to be good and bad guys in this type of genre so it is a bit of a cliche - I was crossing my fingers for something new to be brought to the table or an original twist and this didn't do too badly.
One of the main actors in this 6 episode series is also in The Heirs and is a bit of a kick a$$ character in Black Knight as well.
If you want a fast paced action filled series with a decent enough story line then this might be for you.
All I will say is I really enjoyed this one as it had 1% romance!
Re-watchable for some like me!!!
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Kill Or Be Killed!
I've only watched a few episodes so far and would binge them all if I could, but unfortunately its getting far too late.
No complaints, however.
It is well paced, there are no fillers and it gets into the nitty gritty from about 15 or so minutes in.
What could be better than that?!
This drama series is more or less about a part time working student, Lee Tang, who kills a man with a hammer near his work place (convenient store) late one night in self defence. The only witness is a blind woman and her dog only she plays dumb. Not long after the killing Lee Tang discovers on the news that the man was actually under an alias name and responsible for quite a few murders. To make it worse, however, the blind woman decides to black mail the poor lad for money and from there more and more things start to add on to make his life just that tinier bit colourful...
No OSTs have stood out for me at all or been noticed really although the sound effects used have been in the right places - perfect for the scene or situation.
I recognise the male lead from a few other drama series like Rooftop Prince (not finished watching) and some Summer one, I think. Didn't get too far into that one as it wasn't quite holding my interest.
With this drama it is quite straight forward, interesting and touches on the possibility of someone that is either about to lose their mind if not already or spiral out of control towards becoming a serial killer themselves. Too late!
I'm crossing my fingers that the remaining 6 episodes are just as enthralling with a few hanging on the edge of my chair moments.
Recommended!
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04/02/2024 (Feb).
Am really enjoying this so far as it is more about older adults (early 40s) going back 10 years to try and fix things whereas other drama series like: Twinkling Watermelon and A Time Called You are about adults going back to their teens to try and make changes to divert the future in some way.
Honorable mention:
Oh No! Here Comes Trouble -
This is another excellent drama series up there like TW and ATCY only it is about a teenage boy that survives a horrific bus accident with the same supernatural ability as his grandfather - no time travel in it plus it is about saving "souls" , however, it is just as fantastic!
Now back to Marry My Husband...
It is good plus each episode delivers something worth your attention - especially episode 10 which has whopper after whopper moments in it. Talk about getting what you want when it comes to revenge and cutting ties once and for all.
Am hoping this drama stays on track and doesn't digress as have been reading a few rumours as of late. No no no!
What I haven't liked in it so far is the overuse of someone liking someone else because of being smitten over something like a dog or kitten - why keep the kitten outdoors when it clearly has no shelter (at first) and also when it starts to snow?!?! It is totally cruel and makes no sense. Either take it to an animal shelter or home.
SPOILER ALERT!
I also don't like that the General Manager who is in love with Ji Won is doing nothing to save himself - when you think about it he is pretty much in the same boat as her and in order to LIVE the price is a "death for a death."
What else?
Although I don't think the female lead is attractive (plain face) she does nerdy, teen, mousy wife to a strong female really really well, however, becoming a strong woman due to a haircut or makeover is highly unlikely and especially overnight.
The female that plays her so called "best friend" does a good job of showing just how someone can be all innocent yet underneath is totally twisted and dangerous. Kind of like one character in "Beauty From Gangnam" (I think) only maybe a bit more over the top.
Am so glad I have never had a single friend like that in my life!
Anyhow, each episode is well paced, has no real unnecessary fillers and keeps you wanting more.
Well worth watching!
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Kim Moo Yeong!
18/01/2024Not a typical rom com cliched hashed out drama and am so thankful for that!
Kim Moo Yeong:
I really like the character of Kim Moo Yeong regardless of how flawed he is - maybe not his thrill of danger and living on the edge, but because he doesn't care about anything or anyone and calls a spade a spade. He also sees things that others don't and can sum a person up in a matter of moments, but in seeing what he sees he tends to use it as a part of his game playing and pranks to humour his dark sociopathic side. He is intriguing. However, he would have been much better had he been able to fight, do martial arts - something to fit the bad side of his character.
I think everyone should be more like him - as in not caring or getting so emotionally connected to people or situations because that in itself is pure freedom with no guilt to be had whatsoever.
It is a good series so far (on episode 10), but I really don't see the build up or development between the ML and FL - not really. Am also still guessing what happened in the past that connects them in some way or what really happened as to why he is the way he is - I think I've guessed, but am not going to give any spoilers.
I am aware that this has a really sad ending which is why I have put it off for well over a year
Yoo Jin Kang:
I really like Jung So Min in Alchemy of Souls and she is fine in this except her character is far too hot and cold. For example, moping and upset when she doesn't know where KMY is and then when he appears gives him the cold shoulder and tells him they should never see each other again. She does this more often than not
I don't know what he sees in her!!!
He is so simple and straight forward yet she is not easy to please and continuosly over complicates things.
For me a realistic rapport isn't really there so far as nothing about her is so extraordinary that it would blind sight a person like him - especially as he is supposed to be emotionally detached, lacking remorse with no feelings and is unhinged in some ways. It seems somewhat "forced" .... so what if she has a scar, was in a house fire and is an orphan like him, well - there are 5 million of her out there somewhere.
The writers could have done a better job to make me believe that something about her really caught his attention - her character and scar just aren't enough.
It might have been better had she given him an ultimatum and played mind games so as to teach him a lesson or two. Something more creative than a burn scar and few interactive glances to set the tone of a strong bonded connection with no development.
Just adding:
I watched a few more episodes and feel it is wrong for Yoo Jin Kang to be interested in her best friend's "so called love interest" especially after what Kim Moo Yeong put in to action just to teach the CEO a lesson - not to mention the CEO's sister who matches KMJ to a tee except she comes from money and he doesn't.
Between the brother of YJK and the sister of the CEO the future is looking rather bleak for KMJ.
Some lessons can never be undone!
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28/01/2024
A re-make of this would be AWESOME with some distinct changes!!!
Maybe less angst and more gangster material with a bit of love thrown in for good measure - like 1%.
The changes I would make personally:
a: A lot less crying whether male or female.
b: A bit more humour in each episode.
c: A different hotel manager than the one they had for this series.
d: A better stronger female character for the female lead to play out.
e: Improvement on the OST and music choices - Malmsteen would remain.
f: More action, drama, gangster scenes and fighting.
g: More native Japanese actors perhaps or bilingual/multi-lingual.
h: A totally different ending!
Not a big fan of romance, unfortunately, but am all for gangsters, fighting, revenge and action. I will say I've liked a few that had romance in them, but maybe because they were more on the mature side or didn't have so much angst or weak characters. Not many, however.
In regards to this drama series I have to say one thing - there should have been a one night stand at least between Oppa and Hana or a weekend away together as a "couple."
That is one major change I would make if this was ever made a second time and I'm no romantic.
Have to say, Park Shin Hye, is always the same in every drama I've seen her in - the same hair style, facial expressions, always rom com/rom genres and even the same type of character.
I've tolerated her until this one maybe which is either the 3rd or 4th drama I have seen her in, and despite it actually being her first, I found she got on my nerves quite easily.
This series has proven to me that she has no range or diversity.
Actually, in this she was too much of a cry baby plus too weak and needy for my liking. Made no sense as it was her choice to keep "Oppa" at arm's length not to mention she was going to leave for Tokyo without him to be with her senior (male). So, being clingy with her unrealistic expectations and behaviour two years after being apart seemed a bit over the top for me (cringe worthy) - had to stop myself from throwing up.
Am in it for "Oppa aka Yuki" and his new life which seems to be with the Yakuza or similar and also because of Malsteen's Icarus piece throughout Episode 5 and on.
I am now on...
The whistling tune thing is a bit creepy as well, by him (Oppa), and that seems to be throughout each episode.
What has been good about Park Shin Hye in Tree of Heaven is when speaking Japanese she wasn't too bad at all and she was able to pull off being a young adult despite being 16 years old when she acted in it. Unfortunately, she is the same in everything I've seen her in after this series. Furthermore, in Episode 5, it would have been better had her character not overreacted to seeing "Yuki" as that was overboard. It would have been better had she just kept cool.
The nausea pills I have aren't enough!
What else? Some of the music in parts wasn't right for the scene at all and I wish the OST was better overall.
Malsteen's Icarus in Episode 5 (and on) suited each scene although they should have just had his version only.
This should be re-made with a few changes I reckon as this could be right up there with some of the best!
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Giant, World Star & The Clown ...?
All I will say is that although there is alot of lounging around, sleeping and eating which is boring, I understood completely, so didn't mind.
When you live a busy life and are restricted by world tours or making tv series/movies it is a luxury to relax.
The bonding and friendship between all five guys is sweet and I would love to be hanging out with them given half a chance only not in the middle of Winter.
What I didn't like was the deep sea fishing part of it as it seemed like a lot of what was caught was simply dumped on the floor of the sea vessel with no care or consideration whatsoever.
THROW THE SMALL ONES BACK DUDES AND LEARN TO TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED!
Yet to watch the last two episodes, but am in no rush.
I think their main cook needs my assistance with his version of mashed potatoes as it wouldn't have been creamy I reckon. In fact, I'd teach him how to make this one potato dish that goes with steak that is way better than mashed potatoes unless those mashed potatoes are done in a certain way of course.
Is it re-watchable?
If you are a faithful fan of any of them - yes!
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28/02/2024Liking it SO FAR with Episodes 1 & 2 because:
a: No annoying immature weak females or males.
b: No overbearing mother in laws.
c: No cold males or females.
d: No ranting and raving aunts or anyone for that matter!
e: The main actors whether female or male are mature not childish.
f: There is chemistry between all of the mains and seconds whether as frenemies, friends, siblings or whatever.
g: The humour isn't too bad nor story line, but there are still 10 episodes to go to see how it all unfolds or not.
Funny moments like:
a: When the main female is trying to hitch a free ride back to Seoul with the younger brother from the hospital in episode 1 and he isn't exactly accommodating.
b: When the main female jumps out of the car in a children's zone (slow speed) only to knock herself out when she hits the street pole/light/post with her head.
The first few episodes have been enough to entertain me without having to fast forward in places - am looking forward to watching more of it and to finding out if this is a keeper or not.
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More Or Less...
Only Episodes 5 in and...
This would have been better had there been no hint of romance whatsoever as it seemed too sudden and undeveloped to be believable and ideal had there been more of the creature or creatures in the making.
Nothing like a good action fantasy series with a touch of drama and lots of fighting scenes in my opinion.
The ML isn't like he is with some of his other character roles and comes across as a bit "weak in the knees " for a person that survived poverty and living on the streets whereas the FL plays her part really well. I think he is meant to be like that, but it would have been better if he wasn't so giddy around the female like a school boy with a puppy crush.
Some of the fighting scenes are cool ONLY I wish there were lots of them.
I found that I fast forwarded parts here and there from the very first episode which isn't something I normally do when giving a series a fair go, but I did it as something either irked me, bored me or wasn't good enough to hold my attention. Parts like: The ML acting like a wide eyed puppy dog, one or two military scenes and parts that seemed to go on longer than they probably should have.
It isn't too bad, but isn't what I expected so will see how the rest pans out for part 1 before entertaining the idea of part 2 on its release in January 2024.
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Stand By Me, Immortal Samsara and Love and Redemption.
He is actually an excellent actor in all three although I appreciated his character, Si Feng, the most - in Love and Redemption.
L&R is still by far my top pick when it comes to Cheng Yi.
I have been waiting weeks and months for the MYSTERIOUS LOTUS CASEBOOK and finally it has been released!
What I like about this one so far (two episodes in) is that it leans more towards epic sword fights, physical battles, lots of action and adventure plus some good story telling rather than a drawn out love story or two which ruins it each and every time for me. 1%-5% is fine, but that is about it! However, this isn't original, especially if you have seen other dramas with murder cases being looked into and ultimately solved.
In this one I wonder if it is Cheng Yi's real voice being used rather than a voice over - if it is dubbed over I prefer the person that did it in L & R. However, it isn't too bad even if it is Yi's own natural voice, but whoever did it for the character of Si Feng had the best voice ever.
With most dramas it seems it is normal to start out great for the first 10-15/20 episodes, lag in the middle then pick up again for the last 10 or so episodes. Mind you, I didn't find that with L & R or Ashes Of Love probably because they were my first real C Dramas.
I'm hoping that MLC is going to be just as good and hope it will remain interesting throughout without too many boring moments.
I believe this is meant to be more Wuxia style than Xianxia so there is a strong chance it will deliver 100% as long as there aren't too many weak females in distress with annoying high pitched voices or overdone cliches.
Currently, Cheng Yi in this drama series is nothing like his other characters except maybe one. I'm sure as each episode unfolds there will be more to him than meets the eye.
Have watched 8 episodes now and although I like it - it isn't one of Cheng Yi's BEST drama series at all nor is it going to be one I'd rewatch compared to others.
32 episodes to go!
Made it to Episode 10 and don't know if I will continue - this is most definitely not Cheng Yi's greatest choice when it comes to dramas. His acting is fine, but he reminds me of another actor who played a very similar role. That actor was Li Hong Yi in The Blood Of Youth.
This would have been somewhat tolerable had it stayed with the three main males rather than bringing in an old love interest from the past, also, if Cheng Yi's character had more charisma and exceptional fighting techniques rather than a mere shadow of his former self with no fighting abilities whatsoever.
Cheng Yi needs to find another role like Si Feng only more Wuxia than Xianxia with little romance - bromance is fine!
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02/04/2024Not sure if 50 episodes is something I will do all the way UNLESS this can keep up the momentum as well as my interest engaged.
The first two episodes have had cute moments as well as cringe worthy and embarassing ones, but at least the kids equate to adorable.
In it we have a mother with major debts and her three children surviving the best way they can only unfortunately the mother isn't the best role model and tends to step on people's toes. They all end up living at "Mr Romantic's" family home (short term) until the mother does the unthinkable.
As for her daughter (Beauty), she happened to bump into a teenage boy one day (Mr Romantic) and ended up having the biggest crush on him even to the extent of letting him know it and kind of stalking him right until they had to suddenly move.
15 or so years later when she is famous they cross paths again.
And this takes us into episode 4 mainly...
Before I forget - the child actors have done their parts really well!
Actually, the boy that played "Mr Romantic Junior" is a lot better looking than the adult male version of him that is for sure. It is a shame he isn't doing both parts as he would have got my approval - just being cool and a rebel got the thumbs up.
One little thing that irks me with the adult him is the cool rebellious boy teen of yester years seems to have been replaced by a fumbling awkward idiot.
Bring back Prince Charming is all I will say!!!!
If this drama could drop all the screaming interfering women and irrelevant scenes that aren't really about Beauty and Mr Romantic I would probably stay in it for the long haul.
Women that scream and scream and yell for the sake of it irritate me no end - so episode 4 has brought this down a notch or two from the NOT TOO BAD department to OH NO! MY EARS ARE BEING INDISCRIMINATELY ASSAULTED YET AGAIN.
Will have to to do a wait and see approach...
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The Mouse Is In The First Episode!
20/01/2023
The first episode in this series is simply the best!
Most will be on the edge of their seats experiencing tenterhook moments I reckon as it has one of the longest in depth graphic murder scenes, ever!
I just wish the other episodes that followed had been done in the same fashion not that they were terrible or anything plus I haven't finished the series yet.
Unfortunately, I worked out who the serial killer was early on as soon as I laid my eyes on him and that is why I haven't gone further than three episodes to date.
On checking to see if my suspicions were correct (they were) has more or less brought everything to a halt for me regarding Mouse.
I will get back to it and finish it at some point, but not right now.
What I will say is that the characters so far have been awesome as well as the story, but it would have been better had they misdirected or fooled me more.
I really wonder how many others worked it out like me?
Regardless, this still deserves recognition so comes highly recommended as it is a unique series full of suspense, gore and great story telling as well as characters that make it believable.
Most viewers will be eliminating potential suspects to get to the serial killer only what they know mightn't be right or who they think it is mightn't be the correct person...
Or...maybe it is the right one!
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