AlphaGirlReviews
India
Hwarang started on a good note and went on well, till the story writers decided to ruin it all towards the end. I guess it’s a jinx that dramas that start well and have my attention and love, suddenly change the route and have a crash landing. But, even with a boring ending, this drama was fun with all the bromance and camaraderie between the lead characters.
Let’s weigh Hwarang on our show beam balance and see if this multi-starrer drama earns any stars for itself or no.
Good Weights
Bromance: The show has 6 guys around whom the story revolves which means there is a lot of bromance on this show. Of all the male bonding happening on the show, my favourite pair was that of archenemies Su Ho (Choi Min Ho) and Ban Ryu (Do Ji Han). From hating the sight of each other to helping each other in times of serious trouble, the two of them come a long way in the show. I loved their bonding as much as I loved their conflicts. Being secondary characters, their story did not get much screen time but the two actors did a good job with whatever little story they had. Sadly, the moment the bromance drops, the show becomes uninteresting and borderline boring which is a disadvantage for a pre-produced drama as it cannot alter the story on viewer’s demand. Had this show not been pre-produced I guess the director would have added some more male bonding scenes on the show which would have helped it garner more TRP’s.
Cast: The story may have failed the cast but the cast did not fail the story. The six boys suited their respective roles and played their part convincingly. I especially like Han Sung (Tae Hyung) and Ban Ryu’s characters a lot. Han Sung because he isn’t like any of the other boys. He is naive and childlike and a very happy character. I don’t think singer-actor Tae Hyung (BTS’s V) needed much of a homework to play the role of Han Sung because he is just as playful and cute as the character in real life. I also loved Ban Ryu’s character a lot because there was some serious character development in his case. There is a difference in his character before and after joining Hwarang which makes him the only guy to have benefitted from the Hwarang setup.
Direction: In a special episode of Hwarang, the cast had complained of the Director being a perfectionist who made them do scenes in the most realistic way possible. For instance, an actor would be slapped for real only to make the scene look realistic on screen. The director’s quest for perfection is what made the show look so striking. Some scenes on the show look spectacular and only a director with a vision could come up with such amazingly shot scenes.
Bad Weights
Story Loopholes: The show had an amazing director but sadly the story was lacking in so many ways that even good direction and cast couldn’t keep it from falling flat. The drama had a lot of mysterious storylines but sadly not everything was explained in the show. For instance, Sun Woo (Park Seo Joon) had some serious problem of fainting in the most crucial moments. He fainted in the first episode during a fight and some random episodes after that. I thought maybe he has some serious illness or maybe he suffered something in his childhood or maybe it is some hereditary ailment that makes him faint when he feels cornered but this problem of his was neither dealt with nor explained on the show. In fact, my first reaction after the last episode was, “Wait! What about the dizzy spells? Why would he faint in the most crucial moments? What the hell!!!” I observe shows very closely as a viewer and when certain points of a show are left unexplained it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It is frustrating when writers add characteristics to generate curiosity and then never bother to address them. Similarly, there are characters that come and go without any purpose. Yeo Wool (Jo Yoon Woo) is one character that was a big waste because I still don’t know how he contributed to the story. What’s worse is that they didn’t even show what happens to him in the end. He is one of the six main Hwarangs but still such a poorly written character. His introduction made him look mysterious but later on, he was just used as a filler. Then there was Han Sung’s elder brother who joins as an assistant Hwarang but then suddenly becomes a Hwarang after he murders a character on the show. What? Though accidentally, he did kill someone in the story right? Then why was he not punished? Why was he promoted to Hwarang?
The show is interesting but often falls flat and leads you nowhere. However, I really enjoyed watching the first half of the show which concentrated mainly on the boys bonding with each other. Even though the show has several romantic angles, none of it had my attention as my interest lay in how the warriors would discover the truth and how they would help each other in testing times. If you plan to watch this show then, do it only for some decent bromance.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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This review may contain spoilers
Legend of the Blue Sea was the much-awaited show of 2016 as it marked the return of Korean heartthrob, Lee Min Ho to television dramas after almost three years. Moreover, the show had Min Ho paired with Jun Ji Hyun who is one of the most popular and highest paid Korean actresses which meant a big deal. The hype around the show led to high expectations, which the show couldn’t live up to. Legend of the Blue Sea had a lot of things that worked against it including a dull storyline. Its paper-thin plot made the drama suffer and despite Min Ho and Ji Hyun doing their best nothing could help lift the drama beyond a point of stagnancy.Let’s weigh Legend of the Blue Sea on our show beam balance and see what was good about it and what wasn’t.
Good Weights
Funny Moments: With actors like Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun the one department you can’t go wrong with is, comedy. The two actors have good comic timing, which is evident in the drama. Scenes where Joon Jae is jealous or where he tries to act smart in front of Cheong are too funny. Similarly, when Shim Cheong is new to the city and innocently believes whatever people tell her or when she over thinks about Joon Jae’s actions are too adorable.
Bad Weights
Chemistry: Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun were good individually but as a couple, they just didn’t click for me. They did not look convincingly in love let alone be soul mates for past several births. It was only towards the end that I got to see some chemistry between them but by then I had lost interest in the show. Lead pair chemistry is pivotal for a romantic drama and when the main ingredient is missing the dish becomes too bland to taste.
Predictable: I wasn’t sold to the whole reincarnation scenario or even the history repeating itself angle. I felt the writers desperately tried to make the story interesting by constantly shifting the role of an antagonist from one person to another. I found the story twists too feeble to feel surprised by it. I could even see through some of the supposed twists that were there only to divert the viewer’s attention when in reality it had no greater purpose in the story. [[Spoiler]] For instance, Nam Doo suddenly seemed to turn evil be siding with the step-brother, Chi Hyun. It was so evident that the angle was added only to take the viewers by surprise. Nam Doo was a positive character all through the show, making him negative in the last few episodes for the sake of a twist would have been too lame.[[Spoiler]]
This drama has a lot of funny moments but sadly it doesn’t touch the highest point of entertainment. Even when it has a lot of things working for it, it still seems like there is nothing alluring about it. The drama wasn’t boring by any means. It just wasn’t enticing or engaging enough for me to want to catch up with every episode. Legend Of The Blue Sea could have reached greater heights with the kind of cast and budget it had. Sadly, the story failed the two actors who did everything they could to save the drama.
Legend Of The Blue Sea is a decent drama with several enjoyable moments. Watch this show only if you are a Lee Min Ho or a Jun Ji Hyun fan because these two are the only reasons to watch the drama.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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bawling in a corner
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is the sweetest, cutest and loveliest young love story I have seen till date. Bok Joo and Joo Hyung’s love made me want to go back in time and re-live my college years. (OK! I just remembered the boys in my class and now I do not blame myself for being single. Sheesh! Even time travelling would be of no help in finding a decent option in that desert of a class I was in.) This drama faced some serious competition from two popular shows but of the three shows, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo wins my vote for being the best. Hands down.
Let’s weigh the cutest romantic drama of 2016 on our show beam balance and see what makes the drama click with the audiences.
Good Weights
Bok Joo and Joon Hyung Romance: Though the main romance on the show starts in the latter half of the series the build-up to it is reasonable and entertaining. The circumstances under which Bok Joo and Joon Hyung fall in love may not be totally believable but it all makes sense in the drama world. Once the two start dating their journey becomes so saccharine that I wanted could put them both in my cup of coffee and sip it for a long long time. The nervousness in confession, fear in admittance of feelings, the rush of love, the excitement of initial days of dating, jealousy, possessiveness, bickering, fighting and then kissing and making up, all of these phases in love was shown in the most adorable and convincing ways. Lead actors, Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk may be four years apart but the chemistry they brought on screen was adorable to the point that I envied them for being so much in love.
Sportsperson’s Challenges: Sports is the backdrop of this drama and the show writers have shown as many hardships faced by athletes as possible. The drama is mainly about Bok Joo who is a female weightlifter. Weightlifting itself is an underrated sport and in such a case having a drama based not just on weightlifting but a female weightlifter is a commendable attempt. However, the drama focuses not just on the struggles of Bok Joo but also Joon Hyung who is a swimmer and Shi Ho who is a rhythmic gymnast. The drama shows how weightlifting is an unpopular sport compared to glamorous sports like swimming and gymnast. But popular or unpopular, every sportsperson has his own set of trials that we rarely get to see. Though the writers did a good job depicting Joong Hyung’s set of struggles, they took a rather obvious option of an eating disorder for a rhythmic gymnast. I am sure gymnasts have more problems than what’s on their platter. Nevertheless, that was the least of my concerns when it came to the overall content.
Bad Weights
Slow Start: The first few episodes go into showing the daily life of athletes. Though it was necessary to give a background of the characters, it was too bland. After episode 2, I was contemplating if I wanted to continue watching this show or not. The story picks pace after episode 3 and though it slumps a few times, it does manage to pick instantly and move forward with fervour.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo hits all the right notes of first love and makes itself stand out in a crowd of teen romances (though the characters in the show are not teenagers). I have followed this show religiously and waited impatiently each week for its telecast. I have fallen in love with all the characters on the show and have wished to be one of them.
This utterly sweet and delightful romance between two most unlikely athletes will make you want to fall in love for the first time, every time. Loved this drama. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh this difficult, forbidden love on our show beam balance and see if Moonlight Drawn By Clouds shines or not.
Good Weights
Kim Yoo Jung: When you see the drama, you will not believe the fact that the lead actress Kim Yoo Jung is only 17 years old. This little girl has acted so well that she can put much older actresses to shame. Her comic timing was impeccable. Ra On is a vivacious girl and Yoo Jung played it to perfection. She did falter in emotional scenes but she compensated for it by bringing Ra On as well as Sam Nom alive in several other ways.
Park Bo Gum: Park Bo Gum, this name broke the internet just like Song Joong Ki’s did following the stupendous success of Descendants of the Sun. Coincidentally, the two actors are close pals. Park Bo Gum was simply outstanding as the spunky Prince Lee Young. His full smile can melt your heart in seconds. The naughty smirk, the twinkling eyes, and his trademark lip quiver would make my heart beat faster. I wouldn’t be wrong in giving him 60% credit for the success of the drama.
Sweet Love Story: Aforementioned, this is a gender swap drama so the love story is quite predictable. Prince Lee Yoon somehow is always there to save her and she is always the one in trouble. However, instances that bring them close are so cute that it brings a smile to your face even after the episode is over. It is only because of the chemistry that Bo Gum and Yoo Jung share. They play their parts so convincingly that you will fall in love with them.
Bad Weights
Forced Love Triangle: Is it mandatory for every South Korean drama to have a love triangle? I do not understand how every heroine has two or three men fighting over her no matter how she looks or what she does. Even the clumsiest of women have at least two suitors ready to do anything to have her attention. This drama too has a nobleman in a one-sided love for Ra On. There was no apparent reason for such a nice man to fall for a regular girl who actually dressed like a boy. If that wasn’t enough then we have another girl madly in love with Prince Lee Young. She is so much in love with him that she agrees to help him by marrying him despite knowing that he loves another girl. Thankfully, the writers did not show bodyguard Byung Yeon in love with Ra On even though it was a possibility considering that they shared a lodging.
I do not have too many complaints from this drama. It may not have impressed me greatly but it sure wasn’t bad. No doubt, it was entertaining but towards the end, I started to lose interest in it. I did not feel eager to watch the next episode. I did not feel restless on missing a new episode. At the same time, I did not jump through any episode because the show was interesting enough to hold my attention. It just didn’t manage to excite me.
Moonlight Drawn By Clouds is that drama which will bring a smile to your face each time you think of it. It is funny, lovable, and highly entertaining. What more do you want?
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh You’re Beautiful on our show beam balance and see if it is worth any praise or no.
Good Weights
Hilarity – The major plus point of this show is that it is so damn funny. The show may not be perfect story-wise but what makes it so appealing is its humorous screenplay. There are serious plot lines too but most of Mi Nyeo’s encounters with Tae Kyung are so amusing that I would be in splits.
Acting – Park Shin Hye played the gawky Go Mi Nam to perfection. She was so endearing that I was forced to ignore the fact that she didn’t sound or look like a boy at all.
Jang Geun Suk as the smug and bigheaded Hwang Tae Kyung was simply superb. Initially, his sneering and pouting (not to mention his pathetic dressing) irritated me but as the story progressed I accepted all of that and even started liking him as an actor.
Bad Weights
Outfits – I don’t follow K-pop stars so I don’t really know their dressing style. But the wardrobe for the main cast was such an eyesore. Most of the stuff that Tae Kyung wore looked so feminine. Go Mi Nam is healthy so it must’ve been difficult to conceal her femininity and dress her to look like a boy, so they ended up layering her with multiple pieces of clothing that seemed way too much for a guy. And I don’t know why Jeremy was dressed in such loud colors. Was it to add to the comic element or just to further emphasize that he is the most vibrant of the three boys? Whatever the reason was it just didn’t suit him.
Storyline – Yes the story is heavily flawed. Few scenes here and there will leave you wondering ‘How did that happen?’ But then if you are enjoying the drama for what it is i.e. SIMPLY HILARIOUS then you will learn to overlook all of it. The only thing that disappointed me was that they never showed the real Go Mi Nam. I was looking forward to the reunion of the twins but that never happened. Of course, they did show a poorly shot scene of Go Mi Nam at the airport but nothing more than that. There was absolutely no interaction between Go Mi Nam and Go Mi Nyeo. Mi Nyeo helped Mi Nam to save his career and he couldn’t even thank her over the phone. Weird!
The number of weights may be equal on both sides but let me add that the weight of the acting and hysterically funny script weighs much more than the bad weights. If you are looking for some rib-tickling romance then do spare 16 hours of your life for this one.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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This review may contain spoilers
I will start this review with a confession. I am supremely impressed with Lee Min Ho and now I totally understand why he is so popular in East Asia. Initially, whenever I googled a K-drama or any Korean actor, Min Ho’s name or image always showed up in the suggestion list. On reading about him I learned that he is known as the ‘Ryan Gosling of Korea’. That caught my attention and I decided to watch his show hoping to know what all the fuss was about. His show ‘The Heirs’ is one of the most popular and successful K-drama of 2013. But somehow I wasn’t really impressed with Min Ho. The show lacked substance, so I dismissed Min Ho as just another pretty faced actor famous only for his good looks. But Google just wouldn’t give up. His name and images would keep appearing on my suggestion list. So I read some more articles on him and discovered that Lee Min Ho catapulted to fame following the success of Boys Before Flowers (BBF) and it still remains one of his most successful shows. So I decided to give Min Ho another chance and watched BBF. And boy! What a show! And Lee Min Ho… You earned a fan! From now on I shall not complain about girls going crazy over Min Ho. I think I understand what they feeNow that I have gushed over the good-looking Korean actor let me mention that Min Ho only served as a reason to watch the show. His presence has not influenced my review of the show.Let’s weigh Boys Before Flowers on our show beam balance and see if it is worth spending your 25 hours on or no.
Good Weights
Good Looking Cast – I know I had promised not to speak about the good-looking cast as a good weight but I cannot help it, F4 boys are so damn stunning. In fact, the Korean version has the best star cast amongst the different versions of BBF (There is a Japanese and Taiwanese version of the same story. There is an American version too but…lets not talk about it. I tried watching it and would suggest you keep an arm’s distance from that show.) Also, these boys are the central characters of the story and their good looks helped gain audiences attention.
Lee Min Ho as the arrogant Gu Joon Pyo stole the show with his awesome acting and handsome face. He would light up the screen by his mere presence. Kim Hyun-Joong was convincing as the handsome, introvert Yoon Ji-hoo (I am talking only about his looks and not his acting). Kim Bum as So Yi-Jung was just too cute to play a womanizer, but that hardly made any difference. He still is an eye candy.
Compelling Storyline – Despite the length (25 episodes) I never felt bored even for a second (I disliked the last two episodes but they weren’t boring, they are just patience testing!). The script was good and the story was gripping. Once you start watching it you want to know more and more about it. It’s interesting and addictive.
Beautifully Shot – Since the story revolves around rich boys and their lifestyle, the show was shot on extravagant sets and locations. Everything in the show was larger than life. The clothes, the houses, and sleek sports cars, were just over the top. All of it added to the lavish feel of the characters. Overall the show was well shot and looked very appealing.
Bad Weights
Poor Ending – The show was so good but the ending, ugh! The last two episodes tested my patience. ((Spoiler Alert!!)) I was hoping that maybe Jun Pyo is just pretending to have forgotten Jan Di because he’s probably still angry with her, but no! He has actually lost his memory. No not memory, he actually lost just HER memories. He remembers everyone but HER. Seriously? Is that even possible? I guess he has forgotten just the last one year of his life. How convenient! I wish they hadn’t dragged the show over two silly episodes. But then probably, that’s what happens in the original manga so the makers were just sticking to that.
Length – 25 episodes is too long for a K-drama. I am not complaining. I loved every episode (except the last two) but it could have been a little shorter.
Acting – There’s no doubt that Kim Hyun-Joong (Ji Hoo) was the best looking man in the story but he seriously lacks acting skills. Ji Hoo is the most endearing character of the show and Kim Hyun-Joong was aptly cast for his good looks, if only he could work on his expression, scenes would have been much more enjoyable.
One thing I really failed to understand was Geum Jan-di’s childish demeanor. Ku Hye-sun (Geum Jan Di) seems like a good actress but why was she walking and talking like a kid. Geum Jan Di is supposed to be spunky, not childish. I have watched the Japanese and Taiwanese adaptations of the story but neither of the actresses act childish like Jan Di. In fact, they are rather very feisty and gutsy girls unlike the overly silly Jan Di.
The show beam balance has an equal number of good and bad weights and if you ask me despite all the bad weights I really enjoyed watching the show. I was thoroughly entertained. There was no dull moment for me throughout the series (The last two episodes were simply patience testing not dull or boring!) Lee Min Ho may have been my motivation to watch the show but the show itself is strong enough to hold your interest. Lee Min Ho is just an added attraction
Boys Before Flowers may seem over the top but it’s not low on entertainment. It is for anybody who wants to watch some light-hearted romance.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh this popular Japanese dorama and see if it is worth the hype or no.
Good Weights
Story Conclusion: This one show stunned me with its exceptional climax. Like a lot of Asian dramas, this dorama also had two leads. I wasn’t rooting for any lead because until the very end I could not figure out who would be better for the heroine. And this drama surprised me with a very unlikely ending. I always complain about dramas taking off well but then nose-diving in the climax. This one is an exception as it turned out to be completely different than any other drama I have ever watched. I read somewhere that the dorama’s producers had an audience poll asking which hero they would like to see the girl go with and they had filmed two endings. In the end, they showed the ending the audience was looking for. No wonder it was such a surprise.
Sisters Over Misters: More than the romantic alliances I loved the camaraderie that Sakura shared with her two friends Miki and Shima. Personality-wise the three women are poles apart but they still understand each other and trust each other.
They have each other’s back as they always support their friends to overcome difficult times. This is what I love about Japanese dramas. J-dramas do not just focus on romantic relationships but also show a development of other relationships.
Miki and Kohei: Couples who believe that they are meant to be together, also face problems and that is what happens to college lovers turned husband and wife, Kohei and Miki. Miki and her husband are facing the seven-year itch and Kohei does not find his wife attractive anymore. They both stray away from their marriage and almost break-up. Their relationship develops beautifully in the dorama and I liked to watch their story move forward.
Bad Weights
Lack of Chemistry: I liked Sakura and Hiroto individually but sadly they had almost zero chemistry. And it was not even because of the age gap. Actress Shinohara Ryoko and actor Miura Haruma played their roles to perfection but together they just could not complement each other. Despite their ‘passionate’ love-making scene, they did not look like a couple.
Unexplained Love: When a drama is unable to convince me of the love that the lead couple shares, then there must be something seriously wrong with the love story. Even after 11 episodes, I still could not understand when and why Hiroto fell for Sakura. She reprimands youngsters like a granny, grumbles like a grandpa and is clumsy like a baby. So, of these main qualities that she exhibits prominently, I don’t know which one did Hiroto fall for. I would have said the same for Sakura but I don’t blame her for falling in love so blindly. At an age where she has given up on love and has no hope whatsoever, falling for a guy who relentlessly professes his love is very natural. Hiroto woos Sakura and she dismisses the 15-year age gap and easily accepts his love. But Hiroto is 24 years old and he has no such reason to fall for Sakura. I am not saying that falling for an older woman is unbelievable. Just, in this case, it was not conveyed convincingly.
Almost Incestuous: As an Indian viewer I find it difficult (read impossible) to digest incestuous relationships. It does not matter how romantic a couple looks if they are siblings (related by blood or by parent’s remarriage) they ought to act like siblings. Period. In this drama, there is a scene where Hiroto’s step-sister Chiyoko tearfully reminds him of how he ruined her life by causing an ugly scar on her back. He feels guilty about harming her and ends up pulls her blouse a little low to expose the scar and then kisses it while apologizing for his mistake. There are no more such scenes between the two siblings but this scene was enough to make me cringe each time I saw them together.
Last Cinderella is not a regular romantic dorama but no Japanese dorama is ever just ‘regular’. There are several layers to this dorama that makes it an enjoyable treat.
This Japanese dorama is not outstanding but is thoroughly entertaining. There is no dull moment in the drama and it is not bad for a binge-watching session over a rainy weekend.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Good Weights
Hatke Hyuga: Hyuga’s character is admiringly unique. He is good at his work and is arrogant as he sees himself indispensable. He is a simple man who has big visions for his company but hardly cares about himself. At the same time, he is trusting and forgiving and does not hold a grudge against people who stab him for their selfish needs. Despite being betrayed and humiliated by his closest comrade he doesn’t forget the good memories they shared in the past because of which he not only forgives him but also helps him make a graceful comeback. Where do we find such people? Only in drama land!
Compact and Precise: I am thankful to the writers for not stretching the ‘find biological mother’ angle too much. His mother did not care for him but he was stuck with her name and wanted to know more about her. When he does find her there is no typical mother-son reunion like in most dramas. He now knows what matters to him in life and goes straight after it without stopping in matters of the past. Similarly, all the other angles in the show were dealt with in a precise manner and nothing was stretched beyond reason so there was no scope for boredom.
Bad Weights
Production Value: I have this complaint from most of the J-doramas that I have watched. Even the latest doramas look like they are more than a decade old. Some doramas look like old Taiwanese shows. Is it just me or everyone who watches J-dorama feel that?
With less number of bad weights, the show stands as an average drama that isn’t bad for a one time watch. I started watching the show hoping for a light-hearted rom-com but it surprised me, in a good way. It wasn’t the cheesy office romance I presumed it to be and was a good watch. Producers of the show created a 2-hour long movie titled ‘Rich Man, Poor Woman in New York’, focusing mostly on Hyuga and his lady love’s life together as a couple and another short movie titled ‘Rich Man, Poor Woman Zero’ that shows how Hyuga built his business empire from the scratch.
If you want a break from K-drama’s then go for this one. Rich Man, Poor Woman is not high on romance but has a decent storyline that will keep you engaged.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh Cinderella and Four Knights on our show beam balance and see how well this rom-com fares.
Good Weights
Ah Jae Hyun: I liked him from his first scene itself. His chemistry with the Park So Dam was far more electric than that with Jung Il Woo. I was rooting for Hyun Min (Ah Jae Hyun) for the longest time despite knowing the fact that Ha Won will eventually end up with Kang Woo. I was actually hoping for the show makers to surprise the audience and let her go with Hyun Min. His chemistry with Hye Ji (Son Na Eun) was just meh… maybe because Hye Ji herself was so meh on the show. Couldn’t they have given him more screen time? He was so good!
Park So Dam: This new age Cinderella is smart strong, brave, and indomitable. So Dam may not be an exceptional Korean beauty but her tomboy looks helped her look convincing in the show. She isn’t the perfect Cinderella but most certainly was the perfect Ha Won. She acts well and shares good chemistry with all the three Kang cousins.
Melodious OST: I give the show’s OST a big giant humongous thumbs up! Ji Woon and Ha Won’s love song ‘For You’ (the ballad version) gives you the feels. Its beautiful lyrics ‘…you’re the only one for me….I’m the only one for you’ perfectly captures what Ji Woon feels for Ha Won. ‘My Romeo’ by Jessi always reminds me of the first few episodes that were dominated by Hyun Min. It is a fun and peppy song that suits all the amusing and mischievous instances on the show. Finally, the song played mostly when someone (read Hye Ji) was brooding on the show, Apink’s ‘Without You’ is a song that will stick in your memory even when you do not really get the lyrics.
Bad Weights
Too Farfetched: Now tell me why will a chaebol (extremely rich businessman) grandfather hire a young girl to change or reform his young grandsons? Why would a grandfather keep a young girl in a house full of testosterones ooops…. I mean young good-looking boys and not expect her to fall for even one of them? He is aware of how rebellious those boys are, so what made him think that a lame ‘dating’ ban will stop the girl from falling in love with any of the boys. Had Grandpa threatened them with disownment; they would have all come wagging their tails behind him and he would have to neither spend money on Ha Won nor face the threat of one of his grandsons falling in love with a poor helpless girl.
Too Clichéd: Actually, rom-com’s like these are always heavily clichéd. The hero is always there to help the girl under every circumstance. He always reaches her wearing a jacket so he can offer it to her. He will always be around her when she is lonely and upset. He will always offer a shoulder to cry on when she is sobbing. This show had it all. It is a typical romantic drama and is nothing out of the box.
Though the show beam balance tilts with good weights, Cinderella and Four Knights is not a perfect drama. It is not even an ideal drama. It is a typical clichéd drama where you know what will happen next. However, despite the predictability people watch such dramas only for the ‘aww’ moments. And this show has plenty of them. Its good-looking cast is the cherry on the cake. I liked this show because it was funny and sweet. There was nothing complicated was entertaining for me.
If you like predictable stories with lots of lovely moments to swoon over then go for this one. Binge watch it over the weekend. Trust me you will not regret it.
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Let’s weigh Healer on our show beam balance and see the reasons why I have been praising it right from the first paragraph of this post.
Good Weights
Ji Chang Wook: Ah! Where do I begin from? His pretty face? Hot body? Killer smile? Screen presence? Sweet-sounding voice? Magnificent action? Well, he has it all. (Sheesh! I am such a fangirl!) Okay, let’s get to the point. Ji Chang Wook is incredible as the Healer. He justly fits the bill of an action hero. His kicks are smooth and swift. His jumps are light and punches power-packed. I used to wait for his action scenes more than the romantic scenes only to see him effortlessly manoeuvre as the most wanted Healer. But that doesn’t mean he was bad at romance. In fact, he was exceptionally good at it. All his romantic scenes with Park Min Young were utterly fascinating. I also loved him as the fearful and wimpy Park Bong Soo. It was funny to see the fearless ‘Healer’ act shy and nervous when acting as Park Bong Soo. Chang Wook acts so well! If you are planning to watch the show, then let me warn you of his charm. I am very enchanted by this pretty and strong performer, especially after I saw him cry on the show. There are very few male actors that cry well on screen and Chang Wook is one of them. Actors who cry well always top my favourite list. I can easily dedicate two more articles purely to Chang Wook’s charisma but I better stop here for now.
Fiery Chemistry: Though an action-based drama, Healer has tonnes of romantic moments that will melt your heart. This is because of the great chemistry that Chang Wook and Min Young share on screen. The actors look almost perfect for each other. Do look out for scenes where Young Shin tries to dominate Park Boong Soo as his superior and he easily gives in to make her happy and live up to his fake identity. All Park Boong Soo scenes are my favourite on the show. Young Shin and Healer’s OTP (one true pairing) is one of the best I have seen in a K-Drama.
Apt Casting: Every character on the show is aptly cast. The supporting cast does a phenomenal job and I did not dislike any character in particular, not even the negative ones.
Flawless Action: Now I do not know whom to give credit for the amazing action on the show. Was it Chang Wook’s swift moves or the stunt director’s imagination that made the action sequences so damn good? I don’t know. But it certainly was a perfect combo of an agile actor and a capable director that made every action scene so enjoyable.
Bad Weights
Hasty Wrap-up: When the show is so cool, as a viewer I will obviously expect an extraordinary climax. The show does try to tie up as many loose ends as possible in the last episode but sadly it makes a mess out of it. The most disappointing scene was the way Young Shin was reunited with her long-lost biological mother. Young Shin’s mother has been grieving the supposed death of her only child for over two decades but their moment of meeting each other as mother and daughter is so subdued. Also, it is not fully revealed as to what exactly happens with all the antagonists on the show. It was a very hasty climax. If only they could cover these minor potholes, the show would have been perfect for me even with the other dents in the script.
The show beam balance evidently weighs heavy with good weights. Healer undoubtedly makes it to one of my favourite K-Drama shows list. I have an attention span of a gnat and get bored easily which is why I generally jump in episodes skipping scenes that do not interest me. Healer is one of those shows that had my full attention and I barely jumped through any episodes. So when a show manages to keep me involved it definitely must be something good.
Healer is a sleek and stylish action drama infused with lots of love and romance. It is a must MUST watch for every drama lover. I highly recommend it to those who love romantic shows.
Originally posted www.alphagirl.in
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Good Weights
Good-looking Cast – I think I should stop mentioning this point because this is common for almost all Korean shows. A good-looking cast is the USP for most Korean dramas. If not the cast then, at least, the male protagonist has to be extremely handsome to appeal to its target audience i.e. young girls. The Heirs does indeed score high on a cast full of eye candies. Lee Min Ho (Kim Tan) is an Asian heartthrob and has a huge fan following across Asia. It is said that The Heirs was in the news after Lee Min Ho was finalized as its lead. Fans kept a tab on minutest of development in the show. The female lead, Park Shin Hye (Eun Sang) is one of the most successful Korean actresses and has a loyal fan base of her own. Together they made a very interesting couple.
Competent Supporting Cast – The subplots of the show were reasonably interesting and the supporting actors did a marvellous job with the limited screen time they had. I simply loved Bo Na and Chan Young’s love story. Bo Na was the show stealer and her easy chemistry with Chan Young was really enjoyable. Kim Tan’s arch rival Choi Young Do’s gradual growth with each episode in the show was also very interesting. His character seems to grow on you and you eventually start liking him despite his rotten ways.
Amazing Outfits – Since the story is about rich kids, the cast flaunted some chic and classy outfits. Rachel Yoo’s (Kim Tan’s fiancee) wardrobe was the best amongst the girls. Sadly, the female lead was the daughter of a housemaid so she could not sport expensive dresses and jackets.
Bad Weights
Cliched Storyline – If the show was talked about then I am sure it must have been majorly for its cast because the storyline did not have much to offer. It is the same old rich boy falls in love with a poor girl, defies his family for her and they live happily ever after. There are viewers who still enjoy the Cinderella concept but it can be a drag sometimes.
Too Many Subplots – Though the subplots were interesting it could have been a little less chaotic. There were too many characters and each of them had a back story. I would often get confused trying to link the stories together. Most of the time I would be wondering who is marrying whom, who is whose mother, who is having an affair with whom and so on.
Pathetic Theme Song – The song ‘Love Is The Moment’ By Changmin would be played each time there was a romantic scene between Kim Tan and Eun Sang. I am sorry to lambast the song but it really killed ‘the moment’ for me. I wish they played some other song (actually any other song) instead of untimely hammering “love is the moment” in our ears. It’s really annoying to hear a man scream the same words at a very interesting and awaited point of the show. Actually, the song itself is not that bad. It just did not suit the show.
The show beam balance has an equal number of good and bad weights which means that I enjoyed the show as much as I disliked some aspects of it. It has many special moments that made me go ‘awww…’ at the same time, it also had me go ‘what the heck….’ more than once.
The Heirs is for those viewers who enjoy watching beautiful people fall in love and fight against the world to be together. If you are looking for some sensible power conflict amidst a love story then do not opt for The Heirs because it does not offer you that.
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This review may contain spoilers
In India when we like a movie we say that the movie is total ‘paisa vasool’ which means it was totally ‘worth the money’. That’s exactly what I felt after watching Descendants of the Sun. This show is total paisa or shall I say ‘time’ vasool. The show is a perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, humor, and grief. This was one show where I not only liked the protagonist’s love story but also enjoyed parallel storylines of the all the supporting characters.Let’s weigh Descendants of the Sun on our show beam balance and see what makes the show worth watching.
Good Weights
Good-Looking Cast – What? Did I promise not to mention this point as a good weight? Gah!!
Remarkable Plot – I still can’t believe Korean TV channels were sceptical of taking up this show only because it dealt with a controversial topic (by which I mean the military). I was hooked on from the first episode itself. And the episode cliffhangers made me so impatient I would often find myself binge-watching the show. This medical-military drama was so hatke(unique and different) that I am totally impressed by the writers who wrote it. The love story between people belonging to two completely different fields of work seems so unlikely but the story has been woven so beautifully that the scenarios and their growing fondness for each other seem plausible and convincing.
Well Defined Characters – Every character is well written and the actors have done full justice to their roles. Each character contributes in its own way to the development of the story. Another point I want to add here is that this is the first Korean drama (for me) where the central female character doesn’t have multiple suitors vying for her attention. And the guy is not a total jerk ill-treating his girl. Mo Yeon is intelligent, responsible, and ambitious. Si Jin is chivalrous (a rare quality in most K-Heroes), handsome (couldn’t help adding it here), committed, and brave. The characters in the show seem real and relatable.
Chemistry – Be it lead couple Yoo Si Jin and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon’s chemistry or supporting cast Ha Ja-ae and Sang-Hyun’s all the couples on the show are simply cute and interesting.
Acting – I loved Song Hye Kyo (Dr. Kang Mo Yeon) in Full House and after this show, I have officially added my name to her never-ending fan list. She was phenomenal. Her look in the show was plain and natural but she still looked breathtakingly gorgeous. Her acting is so effortless that you almost believe that she is a doctor in real life. Her comic timing is also perfect. Somehow I do not like her in romantic scenes as I fail to see any love in her eyes (I know that sounds strange). She always has this tight-lipped smile, even during romantic scenes, which looks a little fake. Other than that I do not see anything lacking in her acting.
Song Joong Ki (Yoon Si Jin), Dude! Where have you been all this while? This is the first show I saw of his and mahn! What a performance. He looks perfect as the charismatic and valiant captain. He is swift in the action scenes, soft in the romantic scenes and serious in the comic scenes. The stupendous rise in popularity of this actor, following this show is totally justified.
And not just the central characters but the supporting cast has also acted superbly well. There was not a single dull or boring moment in the entire show for me. And that I guess says a lot about the supporting cast and the sub-plots.
Bad Weights
Absurd Situations – Si Jin is a soldier with, what appears like, superhuman qualities. ((Spoiler Alert)) There is a scene where he is shot by terrorists with AK-47, he arrives at the hospital as a critical patient, suffers a cardiac arrest, receives shock treatment and boom he is back on his feet ready to take on the antagonist. Yeah right! But this is a K-drama yaha sab chalta hain (anything is accepted).
Now, that’s a landslide verdict. The show excels in cinematography and direction. The show has been shot in South Korea and Greece which makes it a visual delight.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh The Lonely Shining Goblin on our show beam balance and see what makes then show a praise-worthy, MUST watch drama.
Good Weights
Rollicking Comedy: Goblin is high on emotion and relationship but it is not short on comic scenes. Comedy scenes in the show were performed earnestly that it had to elicit rollicking laughter. Be it the grim reaper and the goblin’s banter or Eun Tak’s innocent demands from the goblin or Deok Hwa’s unreasonable needs, everything was hilarious. In a drama mostly depicting human values, the reasonable dosage of comedy provided the much-needed edge to the show.
BRomance: Though the romance on the show was decent it was the ‘bromance’ between goblin and the grim reaper that stole the show. I have not seen two male actors share such an easy yet fiery chemistry on-screen for a long time. Their banter and fights were hilarious. It broke my heart to see them hate each other for a brief period towards the end because I really enjoyed seeing them together.
Perfect Cast: I have to say that the experienced cast on the show did a phenomenal job towards making the show what it is. The sincerity with which the cast performed was evident on-screen and the results are well-deserved. Even the supporting cast looked convincing in their roles. The casting of this show was one of the best I have seen in Kdramas.
Magical Music: The show’s music is simply enchanting. In fact, the OST titled ‘Round and Round’ became such a big hit with the viewers that the show makers had to officially release it even when the producers had no intentions of keeping it in the original album. Of all the songs on the show ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Round & Round’ are my most favourite songs.
Bad Weights
Viewers may find loopholes in the story but as far as I am concerned those minor little things did not bother me a bit. The overall content was so stupendous that I have no complaints whatsoever.
I give The Lonely Shining Goblin 4.8 out 5 rating. I have never given any drama this high marks till date (not even my most favourite dramas) but Goblin deserves such high marks as it excels in every department be its story, screenplay, cast, direction, music and every single thing that completes this drama. I personally vouch for this drama. DO NOT MISS Goblin for anything. Go and watch it now.
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in.
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Let’s weigh this interesting historical drama on our show beam balance and see if the show is worth watching or not.
Good Weights
Lee Jun Gi (Prince Wang So): First let’s talk about the character Wang So. Wang So is the bad boy who generates fear in the minds of not only his enemies and but also his friends. He punishes all those who harm his loved ones but sadly ends up earning their fear. He isn’t a jerk. He is not mean. He is just a little misunderstood. Wang So is the quintessential good guy who hides under the garb of an evil, ruthless man only to protect himself and his people. He is aggressive and ferocious yet kind and loving. A dominating character like this required an ace actor to pull it off convincingly and Lee Jun Gi’s portrayal of 4th prince Wang So was simply flawless. The drama has several popular faces but lead actor Lee Jun Gi just stole the show not just because of his character but also because of his strong screen presence and fine performance. This may be because he is a much-experienced actor compared to the rest of the cast and Jun Gi can be credited for having kept the audiences engaged for 20 episodes. Even with half of his face hidden behind a mask, he manages to convey So’s feelings so effectively that I fell in love with both the character and the actor. The mask suited him so much that I liked him more with it than without it. Had it not been for Jun Gi I don’t think the drama would have been as interesting as I found it to be especially when we had a pale and expressionless face for a lead actress.
Direction: As you start watching the drama you will notice that every second shot is a close-up shot of the actors. The director seems obsessed with close-ups. Initially, I found these close-up shots annoying but then the same thing starting appealing to me. I especially appreciated these close-up when the scene had the stoic Wang Wook in it. Now, 8th prince Wang Wook is a shy, reticent prince who does not speak a lot. Actor Kang Ha Neul’s close-up showing his subtle expressions worked extremely well for the story. Similarly, Jun Gi as prince Wang So is often scowling or grimacing and the close-up shots effectively captured his not-so-subtle expressions. The only nightmare was lead actress IU, who plays Hae Soo. She is pretty but her face shows no variation in expression. Tears would trickle down her eyes and you still won’t be convinced that she is actually crying. You see, she was that bad. Other than that I think the direction was quite good.
OST: ‘Can You Hear My Heart’ by Epik High and Lee Hi is my favourite of all the songs used on the show. The music is stirring and emotional and suited Wang So the best. Then we have the mournful ‘Wind’ by Jung Seung Hwan and ‘My Love’ by Lee Hi. So melodious these songs are that you will love it even if you don’t understand Korean. That’s the power of Korean soundtracks.
Lee Ji Eun (Hae Soo): When you have bagged a role to die for don’t you think people will have high expectations from you? Scarlet Heart Ryeo revolved mostly around Hae Soo’s character but sadly actress IU was the weakest link of the show. Hae Soo is a complicated character as she goes through a lot of emotions in the story and at times it is difficult to understand her choices and actions. For such a character, it was very important that the actor portrayed emotions that would convey her inner feelings with only her face. Sadly, IU just remained a white face with big black eyes. What’s worse is that she had most of her scenes with actors Lee Jun Gi and Kang Ha Neul who are masters at facial expressions. IU often fell flat before such skilled actors further highlighting her lack of acting skills. I not only hated Hae Soo the character for being so fickle minded, but I also disliked IU for almost ruining the show for me.
Ending: This always happens to me. The dramas I love watching end in the most disappointing way. Previously it happened with Healer and now this drama. This show was so cool throughout but its climax was so bad I almost cried. Happy or sad ending didn’t matter I was just looking for a conclusion that made sense and did justice to the story. But all I got was a drab finale episode.
The show beam balance is heavy with good weights and I must add here that the drama isn’t perfect script wise but highly remarkable performance wise.I enjoyed every episode and loved every character on the show. Hae Soo did test my patience but I will let that slip as Wang Wook and Wang So managed to rule my heart through the weeks the drama aired.
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in.
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