Kcdramamusings
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The Worst Show of 2024, So Far
A hyped revenge saga that was bound to be good? Right?I was so wrong when I wrote the First Impressions for this show. Starring Xu Lu, Wei Zhe Ming in lead roles, the drama was meant to fill the wide gap left behind after "White Cat Legend" & "In Blossom" finished airing. I was like "here's a good drama with a stellar casting, don't mind the mediocre settings". I really hoped that this show would be as good as the premise; unfortunately "Lady Revenger Returns from the Fire” became a stable foible of bad storytelling and wasted potential. While the show does try its best to draw intrigue with murder mysteries and encore suspense, it fails. The script is all over the place, the main protagonists though daring don't know what they are doing half of the time and the antagonists are plain stupid. Didn't make for an easy watch. So, why did I persevere to watch this horrible show? Read to find out why exactly!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/18/lady-revenger-returns-from-the-fire-series-review/
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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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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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A Supernatural Thriller that Surprises
Yet again a ghost story, that was what I thought!A supernatural suspense thriller, Joo Won stars as Seo Ki Joo, a 7th generation photographer who runs a small photo studio, which specializes in storing the last memories of the dead. The camera he uses for this taunting task was stolen by his ancestor, as such it is a cursed object and the descendants belonging to Seo family line bear the brunt of the curse. They are unable to live beyond 35 years and die in mysterious ways. The overall synopsis spells the ordeal faced by our main lead on a daily basis. Imagine what he has go to through when a crazy attorney who was fired from her job is added to this mix. “The Midnight Studio” weaves a subtle romance in the midst of horror and supernatural suspense. Both the main leads have their own set of problems; Ki Joo lives from day to day hoping to survive while leading the dead souls to their salvation, Han Bom (Kwon Na Ra) is busy finding jobs while being ostracized in her own field. As each case unfolds, the storyline turns into a gripping tale of long-lost love & reconciliation.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/the-midnight-studio-series-review/#more-810
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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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An Easy Lighthearted Comedy, Fun Watch
What happens when you are fervently trying for a promotion and are stuck with bad luck instead? You can’t stop your inner thoughts from spilling out and end up getting demoted?No one understands this situation better than Song Ki Baek (Go Kyung Pyo). Celebrated as the phenomenal newsman, he has been devotedly working towards the aim of becoming the main news anchor. His boss adores him & his colleagues are jealous of his perfect lifestyle. Alas, everything crashes when he gets embroiled in an unwanted controversy caused by his colleague. Bearing the brunt of the scandal, Song Ki Baek’s life becomes hell. “Frankly Speaking” is a fun albeit toasty portrayal of the inner workings of a broadcasting company. While the male lead plays a news anchor, our bubbly, no-nonsense female lead On Woo Joo (Kang Han Na) is the head writer of a reality show. Adding to this chaos is the superstar Kim Jung Heon (Joo Jong Hyuk). The first two episodes are entirely chaotic, the pacing is slightly odd but it picks up by the second episode as the actors settle down in their character roles. Let’s dig through the storyline, so you understand better!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/04/frankly-speaking-first-impressions/
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The Best Watch of 2024 So Far
A fabulous journey of lost love, redemption and reconciliation.Words cannot express my feelings, as I look back at this journey of eight weeks. What happens when you are a stay in son-in-law and dying to divorce both your wife and her family. Before you sympathize with Baek Hyun Woo’s situation, you might need to hear about the said wife’s tragic life. Despite her ruthless demeanor, Hong Hae In is a lone camper who trusts no one. In times of utter despair, she desperately wants to lean on her husband, only he wants nothing to do with her and is seeking a divorce. Both are depressed at different levels; with familial pressure tearing them apart. When I first watched the pilot episodes, it seemed the show was more about their reconciliation. But “Queens of Tears” managed to deliver a beautiful script with a stellar casting that literally embodied the struggles faced by the variant characters. A couple cannot, will not be together until their families get along well. Marriages are made in heaven, aren’t they? Let’s talk about each & every character in this show, as we pay homage to this phenomenal melodrama!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/29/queen-of-tears-series-review/#more-777
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One of my Favorites in 2024, Surprisingly Impressive
There are very few dramas that actually hold your attention until the very end; I’m the kind of person who mostly fast forwards through the penultimate episodes because I can’t stand the angst or melodrama. I rarely did that with this show, enjoying each and every moment. I grew fond of the characters; it could be the sides or the mains. Adapted from the manhua “Wu Geng Ji” (武庚纪) by Zheng Jian He (郑健和) and Deng Zhi Hui (邓志辉), “Burning Flames” is a dystopian story with the MC seeking justice for the wrongs inflicted by the Immortal realm on the humans and the demons. It was peculiar that the antagonists in this show were actually Immortals who are supposed to protect the common people. From start to end, there wasn’t a dull moment as Wu Geng led the fight against the all powerful immortal while growing mature as an individual. Ren Jia Lun excels in his portrayal of Wu Geng/A Gou. Both are obviously varied personalities, and yet he embodies them effortlessly. Joining this ensemble casting are Xing Fei (Bai Cai), Zhu Xu Dan (Lan), Yan Yi Kuan (Zi Yu) and Zhu Zheng Ting (Ni Tian Er Xing), each of whom make valuable contributions to his arduous journey. There was character development for each of them and some more!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/28/burning-flames-series-review/#more-768
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My Favourite Watch in 2024
Adapted from the web novel “Xi Hua Zhi” (惜花芷) by Kong Liu (空留), “Blossoms in Adversity”, this drama isn’t a one man show. No, rather it chronicles the individual journey of each character. It could be the main leads, Hua Zhi or Gu Yanxi, each of whom had their own struggles; or it could be the female residents of the Hua Family whose sudden fall from grace led them to live a life of misfortune, something they could have never imagined before. Even though they had their disagreements, blood is obviously thicker than water. They argued, fought and yet stood together when the times were worst. How far can a bunch of women hold out when the Emperor of the nation is out for their blood? The story line beautifully weaves a redemptive recourse with a somber romance. Neither overpower each other, they exist in perfect harmony, blending through motions. For now, let’s talk about the main characters and their journeys!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/27/blossoms-in-adversity-series-review/
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Bringing the 1950s Crime Scenario To Your Screen
What happens when a small town policeman moves to Seoul, with dreams to make it big!Lee Je Hoon’s “Chief Detective 1958” is a rather unrushed story portraying the camaraderie between four men, who gather together to fight injustice and bring peace to the common folks. Starring alongside Lee Je Hoon, we have a formidable casting which includes Lee Dong Hwi, Choi Woo Sung, Yoon Hyun Soo, Seo Eun Soo. A farsighted prequel to the 1971 hit “Chief Inspector”, the show portrays the younger days of Inspector Park Young Han, a fictional legend. The storyline carefully weaves a spirit of brotherhood and companionship as Inspector Park teams up with subordinates, Kim Sang Soon, Cho Kyung Hwan and Seo Ho Jeong, all of them considered as outsiders in a police station buzzing with corruption. It was fun watching Inspector Park handle the evildoers in his own unique style; you might think he is increasingly reckless but his sense of justice is unquestionable. Let’s review the pilot episodes as we talk about the entertaining aspects of this show!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/21/chief-detective-1958-first-impressions/#more-753
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My Favorite Bromance This Year
They really outdid themselves; “Justice in the Dark” might be in the dungeon but the director made sure that “Live Surgery Room” surmounted the boundaries of Bromance!It was halfway through that I learned Qiu Zhong Wei (“Justice in the Dark”) was helming this project. For those who have read the novel, MC Zheng Ren supposedly has a love story with nurse Xie Yiren, which has been totally sidetracked in the adaptation. If you are wondering why, the answer lies with the director who obviously prefers bromance. So, we got a drama with lots of medical terminologies thrown in alongside oodles of delicious bromance. Must admit, I was afraid that the script might pair the male protagonists with the female leads who had a crush on them; but surprisingly they didn’t. The director makes no efforts to appease the censorship and the show solely focus on the budding relationship between the male protagonists. Also read somewhere, that the male leads spend months getting themselves familiarized with the medical terms and surgical processes. In short, this drama is a commendable artwork made possible by the hard work of a dedicated team that includes some talented actors/actresses.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/20/live-surgery-room-series-review/#more-745
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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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A Powerful Portrayal of Loss and Redemption
A heartbroken mother who returns home from imprisonment after killing her son’s murderer; only to discover more shocking & disturbing truths!I had commented on Kim Nam Joo’s acting skills in my “First Impressions” and I had like to take my words back. Daring and inspiring, Eun Soo Hyun might be murderer, but to many; she could be a source of strength. Both Kim Nam Joo & Cha Eun Woo have strong portrayals in this murder mystery that is centered around a forlorn mother who finds it difficult to accept her young son’s death. The first two episodes quickly steamroll through this catastrophe, so the remaining show is focused on Eun Soo Hyun’s journey as she seeks justice. Cha Eun Woo’s Gwon Seonyul is a character shredded in mystery; for the first half he plays an idealistic role and switches to antagonism in the second half. Gwon Seonyul is majorly a misled son who seeks revenge for his parent’s supposedly wrongful death; until he discovers the horrid truth that leads him on the road to redemption. This was one of those shows that leaves you guessing but beneath the veneer, it strongly supports the notion that “Justice might be delayed but it is never denied”.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/14/wonderful-world-series-review/#more-734
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A Heartwarming Romance between a Fan & Her Topstar
“What if you get a chance to save your favorite artist?”tvN’s latest time slip romance “Lovely Runner” asks this important question as our female protagonist, Im Sol fights time & tide to save her favorite idol, Ryu Seon Jae. This is not the first time where we have a storyline portraying the avid life of a diehard fan; the only difference being that Im Sol is disabled and Ryu Seon Jae is the only ray of hope & light in her gloomy life. What happens when that light is extinguished all of sudden? You need to watch this show to find the answer, as Im Sol travels back in time to protect Ryu Seon Jae and stop his tragic suicide. The first two episodes seem like two different timelines. The pilot was pretty confusing but by the second episode, the story line settles down as we get to know more about our quirky protagonist and her rather colorful teenage years. Fans can be quite weird at times (with their overflowing affections for their idol) and Im Sol is no different. It makes for a fun watch because her teenage self has no idea of how to behave around Ryu Seon Jae, when they were in high school. Let me spell out the details in our first impressions!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/10/lovely-runner-first-impressions/#more-722
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An Unforgettable Revenge Indeed
An Unforgivable Revenge!This quote reverberates throughout the series, turning it into a sediment that resonates hard. “The Impossible Heir” was one of those shows that constantly kept me on my toes; I was buzzing with excitement each week to see what kind of new trick Han Tae Oh would pull off. The irretrievable chip that worked in Tae Oh’s favor was Kang Joongmo’s intense distrust of his own family members. A gripping tale of deception and betrayal, the show stars a stellar cast which includes Lee Jae Wook, Lee Jun Young and Hong Su Zu. Their characters form an unlikely alliance which is tested by time; not so much by fate as by themselves. One of the most striking things about this show was the crisp script, no pitfalls or odd pacing. It was thrilling experience indeed and not one minute wasted. Let’s talk about their caricatures before reviewing this business thriller!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/03/the-impossible-heir-series-review/#more-713
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