A story of "us"

I am glad I found this mini series "Ore no Ie no Hanashi (2021)" on Netflix, it is indeed a very good mini series drama. There is not revenge nor a girl pitting against another girl nor bullying, but purely a family story about ordinary people like "us".

It is a story of an early dementia dying Noh performer that is a 28th generation Noh Japanese traditional performer and a "Living National Treasure", Jusaburo Miyama. He has an oldest son, Juichi Miyama, that was once groomed by his father, to be a Noh performer and his father's successor. However, the son rebelled and became a pro-wrestler for 25 years. He comes back to his father's home to be his father's personal care taker when his father is diagnosed with early dementia and a wheelchair bound patient. Juichi has a son, Miyama Hideo, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Juichi also has a younger sister, Miyama Ma, a younger brother, Miyama Yosuke, and an adopted brother, Miyama Jugemu . Later on, Jusaburo Miyama tells the truth to his children that Jagemu is his son from another woman. Juichi is divorced from his wife, Miyama Yuka, and she wants to have the custody of their son, Hideo. However, after finding out that Hideo has talent in Noh Japanese traditional performing arts and the training helps his ADHD, Juichi tries to get custody of his son. It is shown that Hideo is able to stay still while performing Noh as well as enjoying Noh performing arts and is able to write stories in kanji. Juichi also notices that his father always compliments Hideo's performance that he never got when he was growing up.

Mai, Juichi's sister always speaks her mind, Yosuke is a lawyer and Jegume is a very talented in Noh performing arts. He always thinks he would be the next successor of the Miyama Noh Theater Japanese Traditional Performing Arts. He always works hard to support the Miyama House.

The ending of the "Ore no Ie No Hanashi" mini series is unexpected, however, I truly enjoy watching this mini series that is so heartwarming. I recommend "Ore no Ie no Hanashi (2021)" whole heartedly. Enjoy the show everyone.

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South Korean history lesson

"Oasis" is a dark/noir drama series since it is set in the era of the dictator Chun that set up a concentration camp for "purificatory education". It shows workers/college student movements (represented by supporting character Lee Jeong Ok [Doo Hak's younger sister] and second lead character Choi Cheol Woong) in the 80s and the hideous government education camps (character Choi Cheol Woong experiences the abusive purifying education). The story includes movie theaters in the 80s where movies were so popular (represented by movie theater owners/movie producers character Cha Geum Ok and main female leading character Oh Jung Jin / Sophia in "Oasis"). Historically, some movies became the most entertaining films that are still regularly watched today. It also tells the story of a former slave/servant that does whatever his former master wants him to do, including giving up his second son. I am saddened when Abeoji Lee Joong Ho died (the main character Lee Doo Hak's father, a farmer and a former slave/servant). The scene is so harrowing when his wife, Eomma/Eomoni Jeom Am Daek (main character Lee Doo Hak's mother) sobbing aguishly when her husband died and during the funeral and funeral procession. "Oasis" is a mini series that is a gut-wrenching portrait of the parental sacrifice and the oldest son's filial piety, a complete obedience to his parents (represented by male character Lee Doo Hak). It also tells a story of a manipulative woman Kang Yeo Jin ( "Cheol Woong'mother") that will do unapologetically by any means necessary including lying that "her" son, Choi Cheol Woong is her former lover (Deputy Hwang Chung Seong)'s son, and uses Deputy Hwang Chung Seong to cover her deceit. it also shows the authoritarian leader of Deputy Hwang Chung Seong that has complete control over his subordinate Team Captain/Prosecutor Coordinator Oh Man Ok.

There are many fighting scenes and also when South Korean government forcefully clear low income housing areas, as a strategy to impress the international attention and build sporting facility for upcoming Olympics event in Seoul, South Korea. It tells the story of the main character and his new career as a contractor purchasing land from low income people and the mushrooming of high rise apartment buildings around the Olympics center.

I really like watching and waiting patiently for the next episodes of "Oasis" mini series. It has South Korean history lesson that is interesting and educational for me. The cast are wonderful, including lovely actress Seol In Ah (role Oh Jung Jin), solemnly performed by actor Jang Dong Yoon (role Lee Doo Hak), skillfully performed by actor Choo Young Woo (role Choi Cheol Woong), veteran actor Jeon Noh Min (role Deputy Hwang Chung Seong), veteran actor Kim Myung Soo (role Abeoji Lee Joong Ho), veteran actress So Hee Jung (role Jeom Am Daek), and most notably "Everyman warrior" actor Jin Yi Han (convincingly portrays role Villain Oh Man Ok). Watching "Oasis" can be depressing since it is a noir/dark drama series that has intricate plots and gruesome story during the dictator/dark times era.

I must say I am impressed with actor Choo Young Woo's performance in "Oasis" He is only in his early 20s and is able to deliver a solid complicated and hated character Choi Cheol Woong in "Oasis". He will be the next generation great actor. Also, it is worth noted that Actor Jin Yi Han really immerses himself in his role as a villain Oh Man Ok and he lost so much weight , 11 Kgs, for his role to look more "sinister" in "Oasis (2023)". Additionally his deep resonant voice and intense different facial expressions show he is an excellent actor and is able to deliver his thorough and fine performance.

I rate a 9 out of 10 for the mini series, I highly recommend watching "Oasis (2023). Enjoy the mini series.

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"Parents' unconditional love when their children break their hearts” – Unknown

I like the director of this Drama Series, Mr. Kim Dae Jin, and found his other long slow-burn drama series "My Life's Golden Age" after watching slow-burn heartwarming "Golden Pouch". "My Life's Golden Age" does not disappoint me.

It is about a middle class family, a Korean language teacher, Mr. Lee Man Se. Formerly, he was a widower with two small children, a daughter, Lee Hwang and a son, Lee Ki. Later on, Man Se wedded a woman, Bok Mi Ja, that had an adopted daughter, and they named her Lee Geom.

Lee Hwang is a web designer and she is married to a wealthy medical orthopedic's son, Yoo Tae Il. Before they were married, Lee Hwang was pregnant, and the father of the unborn child emigrated. However, Tae Il was madly in love with Lee Hwang and wanted to marry Lee Hwang and be the child's father. Lee Hwang agreed to marry Tae Il after he pleaded earnestly. To return his love, Lee Hwang worked and supported Tae Il when he was completing his study. However, when they came back to Korea, Tae Il had a extramarital affair and it made Lee Hwang furious. She decided to have an affair with Dong Hwan that always loved Lee Hwang, but she only did one time affair to calm her down from her anger, and rejects Dong Hwan after the affair.

Lee Geom works as a athletic coach at a prestigious private high school and she is also diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Lee Geom's compassionate oncologist notices her commitment and dedication to her student-athletes while suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia. The oncologist introduces a documentary director, Go Kyung Woo, to Lee Geom, for a documentary story. They know each other from a disaster "Blind Date". Initially, Lee Geom refuses to work with obnoxious Kyung Woo, but she accepts the offer so that she can support her student-athletes. While filming the documentary production, they fall in love and decide to get married. Kyung Woo's mother opposes the marriage and fights tooth and nail to prevent the union between Kyung Woo and Lee Geom.

Meanwhile, Lee Ki finished his medical school and completed his internship at the hospital but quits his residency. Instead, he enrolls in a dance academy to pursue his dream to be a musical actor, much to his parents' chagrin. Lee Ki even ridicules his father that his father is only a regular teacher, working a 9 to 5 job, with no ambition and challenges. It hurts his father so much and Lee Hwang notices his father cries in despair. Will Lee Ki fulfills his dream or his father's hope to be a good son?

I highly recommend "My Life's Golden Age" if you like to watch a Korean Family story that dwells around Traditional Korean Culture that clashes with the dreams of young generation. Superb performance by veteran actor Jang Yong as teacher/father Lee Man Se and actress Kim Hye Ok as mother Bok Mi Ja. I cry when they are in despair. The on-screen chemistry between this husband/wife couple is notable. I am rather disappointed that actress Kang Se Jung's sweet supportive character cousin Soo Kyung is not developed. She is always there for her cousin Lee Geom.

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An epic memorable story that spans several generations.

I strongly recommend "Toji" "Land" if you are interested in Korean historical drama. The screen writer Lee Hye Seon and Lee Hong Goo did a good job in writing the script that was adapted from the well known famous novel "Land" (토지) by Park Kyung Ri (박경리).

Lady Yoon is the matriarch of the Choi noble clan that owns a very large area of land in the countryside. She has a son, Choi Chi Soo, and another illegitimate son, Kim Hwan, resulted from a rape that she experienced when she was mourning the sudden death of her husband. Choi Chi Soo has an only daughter, Choi Seo Hee, that is intimidated by her cold and stern father. Chi Soo wishes he had a son instead of a daughter, however, he is infertile after he suffered syphilis from his interminable drunken carousals when Chi Soo went to Seoul to visit his ambitious cousin, Cho Joon Goo. Kim Hwan comes back to his mother's estate and works as a servant. Kim Hwan is attracted to Choi Chi Soo's lonely wife, and they run away. In his rage, Chi Soo buys a shot gun and learns how to shoot from a well known hunter. He fails to shoot his "half-brother, Kim Hwan. The intrigue that is instigated by Chi Soo's maidservant, Gwi Nyeo, declined poor gambling aristocrat, Kim Pyong San and villager Pong Yim goes astray. Also, the story involves people and farmers that live in the estate and their story enriches the story line.

The drama series tells the horrendous death of Choi Chi Soo, an outbreak of a contagious disease and the death of Lady Yoon. It also tells the love, conflict and betrayal between the characters that shows the spread of new culture that further undermines the Confucian values, the loss of the farmland, and independent freedom fighters against Japanese occupation in Korea. The drama series also displays the growth of intellectuals in Seoul, Tokyo, and the Manchuria, the activists fighting against Japanese occupation in Hadong, Jinju, Jirisan Mountain and Manchuria. It portrays the second and third generation characters' conflict, love, and hate, when Japan surrenders. The drama series "Land" is so engaging with fascinating plot, the actress Kim Hyun Joo that portrays adult Choi Seo Hee is exceptional and delivers her character's struggles convincingly. I especially fond of the child, teenager and adult pansori singer Bong Soon and her story.

I really enjoy this epic historical drama series that spans several generations. Wish the big broadcasting companies such as MBC, KBS or SBS would create and make epic historical drama series again.

I hope screen writer Lee Hye Seon would come back with another epic historical drama or heartwarming drama series soon. I love her excellent screen writing such as "GOLDEN POUCH as well as TOJI".

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Sadly ending of a majectic tiger and the extinction of tigers in Korea

"The Tiger" is a beautiful movie with amazing cinematography with Mt. Jirisan as its "spine" of movie theme. The character Cheon Man Deok (portrayed by actor Choi Min Shik) is a tiger hunter that killed a tigress, however, he saved the tigress' two cubs and let the forest take care of its cubs. One cub died and the one eye cub lived and grew up to be the majestic tiger that roams Mt. Jirisan. I do not want to tell this sad story about the extinction of tigers due to over hunting. I would recommend to watch the movie to be mindful and to educate us to stop hunting that include their preys to preserve tigers, a key role in the conservation strategies of tigers.

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A classic drama of lasting worth and timeless quality

Conspiracy in the Court.

A classic drama of lasting worth and timeless quality, well-made with great acting, original soundtrack, and superb dialogue.

I recommend critically acclaimed mystery thriller “Conspiracy in the Court” wholeheartedly for its fine substance and art direction. It has a good intense story plot with a newcomer young and promising talented actor charming "everyday hero" Jin Yi Han as Police Officer Park Sang Gyu and Lee Chun Hee as the leader of merchants, also Actor Ahn Nae-sang as King Jeongjo and Actress Kim Ha-eun as Lee Na-young and other group of newcomers with their impressive acting.

Park Sang Gyu was the only son of a noble Park In Bin and a servant, he suffers the pain and discrimination growing up due to his vague social status. He meets and falls intensely in-love with Lee Na Young, the only daughter of Minister Lee Cham Pan. Lee Na Young teaches her family's servants, including Yang Man Oh, how to read. She believes in “Silhak”, a Korean Confucian social reform movement in late Joseon Dynasty. She encourages human equality and believes that society will change someday. Yang Man Oh leaves Lee Cham Pan’s noble home and becomes a wealthy merchant as well as the leader of merchants that has a painful unrequited love for Na Young. In the meantime, Na Young inspires Sang Gyu to go to China to study about “Silhak” and he comes back after 4 years. Upon his return to Korea, he cannot find Na Young. While Sang Gyu studying in China, Na Young’s father is accused of conspiracy and her mother later dies after banishment. Na Young becomes a slave, and she suffers tremendous hardship including repeated rapes and sexual assaults by her owner(s). Eventually, she meets Hwang Jip Sa, who teaches her acupuncture and how to use herbs, and ultimately, she is trained to kill using her skills in herbs and acupuncture.

Park Sang Gyu becomes a police detective. While investigating a serial homicide, awkward and clumsy detective Park Sang Gyu seizes a bunch of wild star anise herbs from a smuggler and suspects the odorless star anise herbs are the means for homicides. In the meantime, Sang Gyu receives guidance from Mentor “Hyeong-Nim” Seo Joo Pil to unlock the homicides. Under “Hyeong-Nim-Mentor” Seo Joo Pil’s guidance, Sang Gyu grows true confidence as a detective. He even gets promotion from the King Jeongjo and becomes State Tribunal Inspector after saving King Jeongjo’s life from an assassin. However, he has disagreement with his mentor regarding his father, the Noble Park In Bin. Mentor Seo Joo Pil believes Nobleman Park In Bin is involved with the smuggling activities with Merchant Yang Man Oh. Sang Gyu feels so tormented after “Hyeong-Nim” Seo Joo Pil was ambushed and killed by the smugglers led by Merchant Yang Man Oh. Then, as Park Sang Gyu begins to solve the homicides, he discovers that Lee Na Young could be involved with the homicides, and he ends up in agonized disappointment in Silhak.

I am not going to tell the story, however, I whole heartedly give a ten out of ten to “Conspiracy in the Court”, it is a beautiful mystery and love story, for its fine substance with lasting worth and timeless quality, and excellent performance by the cast and artfully directed. I really enjoy the usage of figurative language and proverbs dialogues in “Conspiracy in the Court” that is enthralling and enhancing the historical drama series charms. The Original Soundtrack “Seoul’s Sad Song” is so enchanting, it is truly a beautiful song. I would give a ten for rewatch value as well. Wish Broadcasting studios would make more historical drama series like this one.

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Family and Brotherhood

The Faceless Boss is a family and brotherhood noir gangster movie that is different from all the violent and bloody gangster movies. The movie is slow moving and focusing on organized syndicate brotherhood inside/outside the prison and family relationship. It is very touching movie but it is filmed in dark cinematography, probably to deepen the depressing outlook of a gangster life. The actor Chun Jung Myung plays so well as a dignified young Boss Gwon Sang Gon is a son of a construction company. His father wants him to stay in his business and forgo his affiliation with organized crime syndicate. However, Sang Gon is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for a homicide committed by one of his "brothers". After ten years, he takes over his father business but continues with his organized crime activities. Charming actor Jin Yi Han portrays as Sang Gon's Loyal Consigliere Goo Chul Ho that would do anything to protect his "Hyeong-nim" Sang Gon. Actress Lee Shi Ah is worth mentioning, she is so perfect portraying a lawyer Jung Min Jung, Sang Gon's wife. The story is captivating and soul searching. At the end of the day, I would say the movie is made in documentary style for the purposes of education and entertainment, Last but not least, the movie would make us ponder about the meaning of living a life.

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A Glimpse of Living in High society and High Heels

My secret hotel
I just started watching "My Secret Hotel" that parodying mystery drama, because of the talented actor Jin Yi Han/Kim Ji Han is one of the lead characters, Goo Hae Young.
The satire story is about a young prodigy architect Goo Hae Young that falls in love at the first sight with a waitress (Nam Sang Hyo portrayed by Yoo In Na) in a restaurant in Las Vegas. They get married after 6 weeks of dating because they are really in love with each other. However, the story indicates that being in love (can fade over time) is not really loving someone (accepting the weaknesses and strengths of the partners) that is needed for a long-lasting marriage. When Hae Young’s architect partner calls and needs his presence at work in New York, Hae Young pleads Sang Hyo to come with him to New York. In the mean the time, Hae Young notices that Sang Hyo must deal with sexual harassment at her workplace. But Sang Hyo declines to go even though the air ticket is given to Sang Hyo by Hae Young. Sang Hyo cries for days feeling sorry for herself and angry at her husband when he leaves for New York. In my opinion as an outsider, Sang Hyo character is selfish and not even wants to see how the job opportunities in New York and be with her new husband. They could talk about job opportunities in New York instead of stubbornly wants to work in Las Vegas.

After 7 years Sang Hyo meets Hae Young again in Korea because he is getting married at the hotel where Sang Hyo is employed at as a wedding planner. Hae Young intends to get back to Sang Hyo. I am watching episode 1 to 3 with dismay as Nam Sang Hyo keeps on beating Goo Hae Young whenever they meet up. She must still be in pain and angry at Hae Young that is getting married to the point of physically abusing Hae Young. I notice there are no parents during the wedding ceremony between Goo Hae Young (episode 1), the prodigy-son, and his young “daughter-of-wealthy-family” future wife, Ha Yun Joo. Usually in Asian cultures, parents are the most important individuals especially for wedding ceremonies. Hae Young is so relieved that the wedding is disrupted because there is a murdered body falls into the wedding hall.

In the meantime, the managing director, Jo Sung Gyum (portrayed by Nam Goong Min) at the Secret Hotel where Sang Hyo is working is attracted to Sang Hyo. The attraction is mutual, and Sang Hyo is trying to flirt with Sung Gyum to make Hae Young jealous and to show that she is dating too. To make the story short, Sang Hyo and Sung Gyum can convince both Hae Young and Ha Yun Joo to have their second wedding ceremony at the Secret Hotel (pleasantly, both the groom’s and bride’s parents are present at the second wedding ceremony). Lo and behold, Ha Yun Joo runs away with her lover chauffeur on her wedding day. Hae Young persuades Sang Hyo to be his “substitute wife”, even both groom’s and bride’s parents agree to this idea. For the sake of her job performance, Sang Hyo accepts to be his “substitute wife”. After the wedding though, Sang Hyo leaves Hae Young to be flirting and dating Sung Gyum again. Hae Young’s intense pain in loving Sang Hyo is so palpable. He realizes that Sang Hyo really loves her job more and wants to perform well at the Secret Hotel instead of loving him. The story is depicting Sang Hyo as not even interested in trying to take the time to start courtship with Hae Young and talk about their failed relationship, fears, successes, career during their “fabricated honeymoon prepared by the Secret Hotel for the Secret Hotel promotion”. The Secret Hotel emphasizes to much on flashbacks and daydreaming about ‘what ifs”. I do not see the Secret Hotel employees and Architectectural and Design Company employees working hard; the hotel looks so empty. It is always a breath of fresh air whenever I see Goo Hae Young wearing his optical eyeglasses working hard at his desk. I am not going to spoil and tell the story.

I would recommend this drama since the murder case in the Secret Hotel is made into satire, and the talented veteran actor Ahn Kil Kang that is portraying Chief police Kim Geum Go, is an excellent catalyst in this series that is parodying a mystery drama. Whenever I am getting fatigued from this round-and-round “love triangle” (even though I am sympathetic to Sung Gyum, and feel sorry for Hae Young), Chief Police Kim appearance on the screen erases overloaded “love triangle” in the Secret Hotel. I can feel tender on-screen chemistry between Sung Gyum and Sang Hyo, Sung Gyum always maintains his lingering eye contact with demure Sang Hyo whenever they are together. But I do not feel any on-screen chemistry developing between Hae Young and Sang Hyo. Probably Sang Hyo always physically beats and caresses Hae Young whenever they are together. The appearances of adorable actress Yoo In Na and both actors Jin Yi Han (fresh from “Empress KI”) and Nam Goong Min (from “Hur Jun, the Original Story”) are pleasing to the eyes. There are many new up and coming young actors (including Ahn Bo Hyun) in the Secret Hotel that are eye candy as well. Actor Choi Jung Won that is portraying architect Yoo Shi Chan is rather entertaining. Finally, too many scenes are taken inside the hotel that make the series look cold and distant. The Secret Hotel is enjoyable for weekdays drama and a glimpse of living in high society and high heels but does not exude heartwarming story.

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Emotionally Rewarding Story

"Welcome" is an uplifting movie that warms our hearts while watching it. It is a story of three youngster friends, Hye Sook, Gi Joo and Taek Gyoo, that grew up in Andong. Hye Sook is a chef that is married to a loser and she is running away from the loser husband. Gi Joo is a struggling author that is getting a divorce. Taek Gyoo is married happily and he is the one that works as a catalyst that glues the friendship back again. I really like Hye Sook's mom and Hye Sook's daughter, they are the guardian angels for Hye Sook. Also, Taek Goo is really a good friend, he saves Gi Joo from committing a suicide and guides Gi Joo during his struggles. I cannot forget to mention that the scenery in Andong is truly beautiful.

I really enjoyed watching the movie, it is a heartwarming story, it would be a wonderful daily drama or weekend drama series. It has a lot of potential to be a memorable drama series since it warms our hearts and not making us stressful, while watching it on weekends or on weekday evenings.

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War Trauma

I was hesitant to watch any war movies, but I started watching "The Front Line" movie out of curiosity. The story was attention grabbing with strong performance by all actors, budding actors and/or veteran actors across the whole generation spectrum. To say the least, I could not stop watching it until the end.

I am not going to tell the story but I would just say that the movie tells the story so vividly that generals or leaders from both North and South Korea decide to start a battle or a truce/ceasefire but the ground troops are the ones that have to deal with the casualty of war or death. The war itself is the enemy of any soldiers. The war scenes are so terrifying and dire to say the least. Each individual soldier experiences war trauma and also each one of them uses their own defense mechanism to deal with their own trauma.

There is a scene that is so heartwarming when character Kim Soo Hyuk (portrayed by Go Soo so convincingly) saw a snapshot of character Cha Tae Kyung and says "I am going to marry this girl" . It makes our hearts flutter because he keeps on looking at the picture so tenderly. But destiny and fate cannot be predicted and determined. There is a brutal scene where the platoon led by Soo Hyuk literally sacrifices a young new enlisted teenager to be shot by the sniper, almost like a sacrificial giving, so that Soo Hyuk could pinpoint the location of the sniper.

In my humble opinion, character Kang Eun Pyo (portrayed by Shin Ha Kyun) should have shot the female sniper Cha Tae Kyung (portrayed by Kim Ok Bin) when he knew he should do it, but he let the pretty and wounded sniper go. At the end, Eun Pyo is so pitiful and sorry that his inaction causes his college friend to be shot by the sniper.

I would give an eight out of ten overall because I cannot stomach to re-watch it, but I definitely give a ten out of ten for the performance by actors.

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A father is forever a father, but a mother saves the day

"Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" is really a good movie, it tells a story of an ordinary man, Heo Sam Gwan, that wants to marry the most beautiful woman, Heo Ok Ran, in the village. However, eleven years after they get married and have three sons, the rumor starts that he is not the father of his first born son, The heartbreaking story begins after it is confirmed that his first born son, Heo Il Rak, has a different blood type than his blood type. Heo Sam Gwan becomes enraged and ignores Il Rak and wants Il Rak to call him "Ajeossi" instead of "Abeoji". I do not want to tell the story, but all characters in the movie act and perform so well to deliver this heartwarming story. The young Nam Da Reum that portrays Heo Il Rak, interprets his character so well with Il Rak's quiet demeanor, and accepting the cold treatment from Sam Gwan. As usual Ha Ji Won that portrays Ok Ran and Ha Jung Woo that portrays Sam Gwan tell the story and take care of the loose ends beautifully. I would recommend "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" without any hesitation.

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A parody/satire

I love the story of "Capital Scandal", but it is disappointing when they made a parody/satire out of liberation movement story. Personally, I would prefer if they made "Capital Scandal" in a drama story telling. I must say, all the actors and actresses perform well and interpret the characters cleverly. I especially like the character Seo Woo Wan (portrayed by Kang Ji Hwang) probably because Actor Kang Ji Hwang can interpret the character so well and makes Seo Woo Wan so gullible and lovable. He makes the story keep going. Also Actress Han Go Eun is fun too watch and entertaining, she is convincing portraying an underground liberation fighter, Cha Song Joo, with nothing to lose attitude. The original sound tracks are excellent and go well with the parody/satire mini series.

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Time Will Heal All Wounds

The screenwriter So Hyun Kyung does a good job and she delivers and writes a beautiful story; "My Golden Life" covers mental health issues and the gift of giving. I am not going to tell the story, but it is a lovely storytelling Kdrama to watch with strong performance by the lead actress Shin Hae Sun and actor Park Shi Hoo.

The main female character, Seo Ji Ahn (portrayed by actress Shin Hae Sun) is a struggling part-time employee and intern that has an on-and-off love relationship with the third generation conglomerate Choi Do Gyung (portrayed by Park Shi Hoo). Do Gyung exudes strongly a third generation chaebol character that was born with a silver spoon in his mouth flawlessly. I cannot imagine other actress or actor to play these two leading female and male characters. They look good together on-screen and convincingly interpret their characters; they show their raw emotion and inner turmoil so well. The audience will be able to palpate Ji Ahn depression and her will to get back on her feet again. Also, the audience is able to feel the will of Do Gyung to be worthy of Ji Ahn's love.

I do not see any on-screen chemistry between the other leading characters Sun Woo Hyuk (portrayed by Lee Tae Hwan) and Seo Ji Soo (portrayed by Seo Eun Soo). Woo Hyuk seems to be not interested in the lovely Ji Soo from the beginning to the end. Woo Hyuk did so well in the initial episodes when the character runs away from adoring Ji Soo, but he has a hard time to interpret the character Woo Hyuk that is in love with Ji Soo in the subsequent episodes. His expression does not show any inclination toward loving Ji Soo. He tries hard but does not deliver.

I really enjoy the secondary supporting characters Seo Ji Ho (portrayed by Shin Hyun Soo) and Choi Seo Hyun (portrayed by Lee Da In), they almost steal the show. However, the strong performance by actress Shin Hae Sun and actor Park Shi Hoo save the day and our focus is still glued to the painful Ji Ahn and Do Gyung on-and-off love story.

I find the character Seo Ji Tae is made for actor Lee Tae Sung, the actor fits so well to play as the first son of Seo family and an Oppa/Hyeong to his siblings. I do like these following characters , firstly, Kim Ki Jae [Do Gyung's best friend) character, he is truly a devil advocate friend of Do Gyung; secondly, Lee Yong Gook [Dorm owner] character is a guardian angel for Do Gyung; last but not least, Secretary Yoo [Do Kyung's secretary] is a real soul mate of Do Gyung. These three friends are always there to guide and comfort Do Gyung through his "angst". Salute to actors Kim Sa Kwon, Kim Sung Hoon and Lee Gyu Bok that work as catalysts in this wonderful story and keep the story going.

As usual all the veteran actors Chun Ho Jin and Jeon Noh Min and actresses Kim Hye Ok and Na Young Hee show strong performance as the parents of Ji Ahn and Do Gyung. However, when Seo Tae Soo (portrayed by the great Chun Ho Jin) is angry and depressed, and lives in his parent' hometown, it feels like he is throwing tantrums. But Seo Tae Soo comes back strong when he saves Choi Do Gyung and his company. He works as a catalyst to keep the story moving. The original sounds tracks are excellent and I would give a nine-out-of-ten for "My Golden Life". I am incline to give a five-out-of-ten for re-watch value because "My Golden Life" is a storytelling Kdrama and re-watching it may diminish the charm of the story. But do not take my word for it.

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A beautiful story that can be expanded to a beautiful weekend Kdrama series.

I really love this love story between a mail-order-bride, Lena, and her green tea farmer husband, Soon Goo. The story starts when Lena, a Korean Russian born woman, accepts an offer to be a-mail-order-bride and flies to Korea. However, she is not honest in answering a questionnaire about her health; she only wants to go to Korea to bury her deceased parents in their homeland, Korea. The parents were transported to Russia by Japanese before or during the World War II and worked in the coal mines. Also, it seems that Lena second intention is to die in Korea due to her terminal illness without any expectation about her future life with her husband.

However, Soon Goo, her green tea farmer husband is an honest man and is eager to please and learn to love Lena earnestly. He encourages Lena to go to Cultural Center and learn about Korea. Soon Goo teaches Lena how to properly drink green tea and supports Lena wholeheartedly to learn photography from a traveling well-known photographer, Han Seong.

The interaction between Ajeossi Soon Goo is awkward in the beginning, as Soon Goo is trying hard to welcome Lena. Lena is at ease knowing Soon Goo genuinely wants Lena to feel welcome in Korea and accept Soon Goo as her husband. I like watching the uneasy interaction between these two lovely individuals that tells the story of the initial encounter between a husband and his mail-order-bride, it is so touching.

After Soon Goo knows about Lena’s terminal illness, he tries very hard to help Lena gets proper treatments with no regret. I would say the ending is open ended, however, my conclusion for the ending is that Lena survives the surgery since we are shown Soon Goo smiling brightly at the end of the film.

The film cinematography is breathtaking, the photography is remarkable, and the tea plantation scenery is breathtaking. I really love this movie and recommend “Dear Lena” wholeheartedly. I give ten-out-ten for the story, and I wish the story can be expanded and make into a weekend Kdrama Series.

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An Oedipus Complex Love ruins a heartwarming story.

In the beginning I really enjoy watching “A Good Supper” daily, it is very engaging. It really seems like watching a life story where they have crushes on their playmates while they are young, and crushes on their high school mates while they are growing up. Eventually painful break ups and an intense suffering of loving someone. The children and young adults (high school and college years) actors/actresses are great in showing all emotions. I also appreciate all the authentic Korean cuisines and dishes served on the program. The youngsters and their families eat supper every night at the diner. It is so touching to watch them eating supper together as a warm loving diner family. It is so heartwarming.

The story starts in a tiny diner that belongs to “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo (portrayed by Actor Jae Hee) when he decides to take in an 8-year-old youngster Kim Young Shin and raise the youngster. In this tiny town, the young orphan Kim Young Shin meets three other youngsters, Lee Da Jung, Jang Ok Bok, and Park Jung Hoon. These foursomes tell the story as they become playmates; the audience get to know their backgrounds, wishes, wants, characters and demeanors while they grow up from elementary school all the way to adulthood.

The story becomes compelling when a love triangle happens in high school, Lee Da Jung begins to fall in love with Park Jung Hoon after she learns that Park Jung Hoon (portrayed by Actor Kwon Hyuk) is going to medical school. However, Jung Hoon likes Kim Young Shin deeply; Young Shin is a very compassionate person and shows so much empathy to Jung Hoon.
After some time, Park Jung Hoon wants Young Shin (portrayed by Actress Jung Woo Yeo / Ryu Hyo Young) to come with him, but Young Shin is undecisive. Of course, Young Shin misses the train that takes Jung Hoon to another city to study medicine. She is crying forlornly at the train station missing Jung Hoon dearly.

The Actress Kang Da Hyun that portrays Da Jung performs so well in the subsequent episodes; she convincingly tells a story of Da Jung character that loving someone is a painful experience. It hurts her so much to see Jung Hoon cares about Young Shin. Da Jung becomes so obsessed to ruin and destroy Young Shin.

Eventually, Young Shin works as an intern in an authentic high end Korean Restaurant “Royal Palace”. The restaurant belongs to Chairman Kang Jong Gwon, he is very fond of Young Shin and wants to adopt her. Chairman Jong Gwon’s infectious smile brightens the small screen, his smiling facial expression is so contagious. His wife, Choi Sook Jung, and the rest of his family work at “Royal Palace”. The audience will notice that Sook Jung is the main evil character in the story, however, she is connected to Gyung Soo. Sook Jung (portrayed convincingly by classy Actress Kim Hye Ok) uses Da Jung as her tool to spread a rumor about Young Shin and “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo living together. The rumor becomes reality and triggers “Oedipus complex” love between “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo and Young Shin. Out of nowhere, suddenly “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo and Young Shin have romantic feeling for each other. It is really a sudden dramatic turn of events that I do not expect to happen.

A notable winner is Actor Han Jung Ho in "A Good Supper", he is worth mentioning. It is certainly not an easy task to act as a simple man Jang Yong Goo. Yong Goo’s unconditional love to the love of his life, Pil Sun, touches our heart. After Yong Goo is rebuffed by Pil Sun’s brother, we painfully notice him walking in the blooming cherry blossom park while repeating “I am 43, my name is Jang Yong Goo, I am a sane person”; that beautiful scenery has become very poignant as well as heartbreaking. That segment in episode 75 steals the show. I earnestly hope actor Han Jung Ho that portrays Yong Goo get a nomination for the Supporting Actor in a Soap Opera in 2021 MBC Drama Awards for "A Good Supper" and wins the Award.

Jung Hoon character is one of the lead characters, but he seems to appear as a supporting character and only has a brief period on the screen in each episode. After Young Shin has feeling for “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo, a compassionate/kind Young Shin becomes so cold toward Jung Hoon and ignores Jung Hoon completely. Usually, a character in a daily drama maintains a consistent demeanor regardless of the situations. Truthfully, it is a very uncharacteristic protagonist lead character of a daily drama.

It is so unfortunate that "A Good Supper" does not show the hardship of Jung Hoon medical school and internship training as well as his intense pain in loving Young Shin. I am sure it would give some flavor to the “monotonous moving in circle-go-round-and-round” story. I feel so much empathy for Jung Hoon. Jung Hoon is honest to say what he thinks about Da Jung and her bad intentions (even though all diner family want him to come back and date Da Jung) and dares to say in Gyung Soo’s face that the relationship between Young Shin and Gyung Soo makes Jung Hoon uncomfortable. I give ten-out-of-ten points for Jung Hoon’s honesty and his decisiveness, Jung Hoon is maintaining a consistent candor and decisive demeanor regardless of the situations he is facing. Jung Hoon shows his real love for the person he really cares about (Young Shin) and her best interest. It is so disappointing that the protagonist male lead Park Jung Hoon is cornered by Gyung Soo, Ok Bok and Da Jung regarding Jung Hoon’s love for Young Shin; Jung Hoon is said to be having unstable mental/irritable state.

I would give “A Good Supper” story an inflated “three out of ten” for the story, it is engaging in the beginning with heartwarming meals served daily, but the story becomes dull. I am not inclined to give any scores for re-watch value. Firstly, it is so troubling to re-watch a twenty-three-year-old Gyung Soo raises an eight-year-old youngster Young Shin, and later when “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo is 40-year-old and Young Shin is 25-year-old, they have romantic feeling for each other. In my opinion, there are social norms in society that provide us with an expected idea of how to behave in a particular social culture. It is not a sin, but it is a deviation from social norms and violates unwritten rules about what is acceptable in a particular society. Secondly, there is no “on-screen chemistry” whatsoever between “Ajeossi” Gyung Soo, and his protegee, Young Shin. They look like two lovely porcelain puppets put together on the stage. No palpable emotion nor tender feeling for each other.

The twist of events that a guardian is falling in love with his protégé is so alarming and makes me uncomfortable watching “A Good Supper”. I would urge MBC and other major broadcasting companies to put forth a summary that indicate a romantic relationship between a guardian and his/her adoptee so that the audience would be able to choose to watch or avoid this type of love story. Not everyone is comfortable with the love story between a guardian and his adoptee.

I am so displeased with the script of “A Good Supper”, the bad written script does not allow Young Shin character (Actress Jung Woo Yeo/Ryu Hyo Young) to perform a continuous engaging character. My humble opinion, the actress has a difficult time to interpret how to act in a tender loving romantic relationship with her “Ajeossi”. I decide to watch “A Good Supper” because I like the actress Jung Woo Yeo/Ryu Hyo Young in “Golden Pouch”. She is fun to watch and really engaging from episode 1 to episode 122 in “Golden Pouch”, her creative acting performance is exceptional in showing the different phases of Geum Seol Hwa emotion. I hope actress Jung Woo Yeo/Ryu Hyong Young will find many good scripts in the future and bloom in her acting performance. I miss that spunky lively “Geum Seol Hwa” with long powerful dialogues that actress Jung Woo Yeo/Ryu Hyo Young convincingly portrays in “Golden Pouch".

Lastly, I find almost all Korean actresses and actors act very well either in a small or big screen. Good actors/actresses can create the sense of occasion; however, veteran actor Jae Hee cannot make a difference in creating any sense of occasion in “A Good Supper”. I shudder as I watch the lead male protagonist’s dismal performance. Jae Hee’s performance is truly monotone. Gyung Soo’s facial expressions, (either glaring with hostility or smiling sweetly or looking longingly) and his body language are laughable. A very lifeless performance by experienced actor Jae Hee. I would give an inflated “one out of ten” for his performance.

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