The great mother vs. one-note villains

A story about the effort and sacrifices of Queen Im Hwa Ryeong to protect her royal family in the middle of palace intrigues

So, first of all, the good: I’m really happy to see a sageuk representing a strong female lead in the Joseon Dynasty. The acting is phenomenal. Kim Hye-soo portrays the Queen as a warm-hearted mother yet a strong woman who can stand up for herself and her loved ones well.

The story is so good up until episode 7. This drama is really compelling, and I’m already attached to the characters. Hwa Ryeong really takes action to protect her sons. She storms through the palace at a breakneck pace. The palace intrigue develops as fast-paced as her footsteps and I’m on the edge of my seat! I love how it highlights the claustrophobia of the royal court.

Afterward, I was severely disappointed with the very monotonous conflict resolution: all about survival in a cutthroat court. Although it makes an interesting premise, the plot is not satisfyingly executed. There's really not much to tell than the usual jealousy between Hwa Ryeong and the villain characters, it wasn't an equal match. They do not give threats to our heroes. Another thing, I don't understand what message they want to tell regarding the story of the prince who seems to be a transgender.

If you're not a fan of sageuk, this drama might catch your interest. For me, the conflict resolution is a bit lackluster, but the pacing is great. The side characters have their own unique stories. The political intrigue wasn't complicated; the writer does well showing what's going on.

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Gang Doo and Moon Soo shared traumatic experience when they were both young; They were trapped in the same area together when a mall collapsed on them. Thus, they both are severely traumatized and broken from this experience and later they reconnect as adults and this drama is about them working together to heal and pick up the pieces of their life. This drama has a gritty & grounded-in-reality tone to it. It's quite depressing but at the same time have a very uplifting hopeful vibe to it. The OSTs are gorgeous, they have such meaningful lyrics and give more depth and insight to the story.

Another thing I really loved about is the chemistry between the leads and their romance story. It was a beautiful slow burn, where two people grow individually and together. Acting is outstanding, the way the two portrayed their characters was so sincere and natural that it touched my heart. I think Junho as Gang Doo really carried the show. I liked the female lead, Moon Soo, a lot more in the beginning and as it went on I kind of lost a little bit of interest in her and really invested myself in Gang Doo. His story is also a little bit more interesting as he's definitely far more traumatized by the whole event. He's given so much character development. I also adored the other characters, especially the spunky grandmother, played by Na Moon Hee. She was such a wonderful and welcomed surprise. One thing I don’t like is the plot twist that happened around the finale, but the ending is fine.

Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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Almost paradise but not perfect!

19-year-old girl Eun Tak does her best to survive her monotonous life with her aunt and cousins. One day, she blows out her birthday candle and accidentally summons a goblin. Not just any goblin, but a world-weary 900-year-old immortal Goblin named Kim Shin, for whom she is fated to remove the magical sword from his chest and finally let him rest in peace, or else death will come to her instead. Kim Shin wanted to end his immortal life but in order to do that, he had to give up his only love and then he had to end his life to save her. Now, how can this end happily?

At it’s core, Goblin is a high-stake romance with unsolved past conflicts that centers around death, reincarnation, grief, and forgiveness. Not only it's hilariously charming, it’s also painfully soul-crushing. Watching each scene feels truly magical and for me it is thanks to the God-tier OSTs that are played in the scenes so flawlessly, it amplifies all the emotional beats. Other aspects are also top-notch: acting, characterizations, camera work and cinematography. My favorite part is, of course, all the bromance moments between Kim Shin and Grim Reaper, their funnies and their long-lasting bond. They gave fresh comedies that I love to rewatch and laugh again.

That said, I'll always be a little bitter that they wrote Ji Eun Tak as a high-schooler who wears her school uniform with her freaking bowtie most of the time! I never understand and I feel really bad about it. Plus, Kim Shin is just a very immature rude jerk at first. I see Goblin and Eun Tak as friends more than lovers. This is why romance is not my main enjoyment watching this drama, and while the chemistry between Sunny and Grim Reaper is unmatched, they deserve more couple moments! It’s a bit waste of potential and frustrating to watch them meet and part ways repetitively just for exchanging biodata and unrevealing a tiny bit of mystery. Regardless, I recommend Goblin to anyone as plot is uncomplicated and you’ll be amazed by the beauty of it.

Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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"I just can't wait to be king" Ta Gon and "I just can't wait to be queen" Tae Al Ha^^

Two tribes live in a mythical land called Arth; the red-blooded humans who can't dream and the blue-blooded humanoids who can dream, and who are also faster and stronger than humans. A war for resources breaks out between the two and the humans end up winning the war through some trickery. Years later, the struggles and greed of power continues...

This drama is unique, it brings you to the bronze age. There's a lot of knowledge on anthropology, evolutionary biology, politics, civilization stages, farming, domestication, religion/mysticism. More than just entertainment, they kept me occupied intellectually. I appreciate them to realize this daring concept into a drama. The story itself is using the common fantasy trope; like a prophecy, a mysterious barrier between two tribes, and it's very plot-driven.

The characters are a lot of fun, especially Tagon, the human leader, he's morally ambiguous and dignified, at the same time he hides a dark secret which is a real high stake. I have to say his younger self gave me chills more than the adult version, he had a very cool charisma; great job Moon Woojin, I always admire you, also in It's Okay to Not be Okay, The Devil Judge, yeah). This is also my only favorite Song Jong Ki drama so far, he's magical in his dual twin roles, together with the irreplaceable Kim Ji Won. There's a lot to enjoy within their relationships and dynamics.

Overall,I think it's a really darn good fantasy. I wanted to know more, the characters surprisingly got stuck with me personally, like I think about them when i'm not watching. The first season is laying a wonderful groundwork for the 2nd season.

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A promising premise but unfortunately the romance overwhelmed the mainplot.

After watching Extracurricular, I was intrigued to find a drama with a similar vibe. So I was excited to see this drama.
The first scene of episode 1 got me intrigued and I was ready to see more. However, when we got to investigate the lingering mystery and back story of our characters, I quickly got bored by the mundane fighting scenes or high schoolers' interactions.
There were a few beautifully shot scenes and warming family time that our male lead spent, which reminds me of Reply 1988 moments, but the execution of the main storyline is not as exciting to watch (for me). It doesn't build up properly toward the climax. The ending was also underwhelming and I finished the drama feeling so unsatisfied.
I'm sorry, but I just can't like it. The quality and character portrayals were not hitting me at all. If you know any shows with similar vibes that are executed very well, please let me know!
Have a nice day!

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Bloody horrendous hell! It can't be more disappointing and disgusting

A taxi driver expecting good luck picks up a mysterious passenger who offers him a an extra fare to drive him to the port. Eventually the taxi driver learns the man is a psycho on the run after committing murder.
!!! Trigger warning: it's very very disturbing and gruesome! Not for faint hearted!

I was intrigued by the cast but it is really underwhelming once I've seen the first few episodes. Plot progression is super slow, i think around 6 episodes are spent for backstories, with the present day timeline was just going through one night full of incidents. The fight scenes are annoying, felt like they're just showing off psychopacy.

Towards the middle it took a dark turn and every episode makes me feel sick. I just finished it because I was hoping for any satisfying redemption by the finale (+ so that I'm entitled to write my rant!), but it turns out to be a waste of time. The main conflict was resolved poorly and anticlimactic. Hands down one of the worst dramas I've ever seen!

PS: Sorry Yeo Yoon Seok, your acting is always top-notch, I want to remember you only as Gu Dong Mae, not Hyuk Soo. Wish to see you in better dramas next year!

Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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A gritty thriller with friendships involved.

Hyun Tae (Ji Sung), In Chul (Ju Ji Hoon), and Min Soo (Lee Kwang Soo) were three longtime best friends. One day, they teamed up to stage a robbery for an insurance settlement. A mishap in their actions lead their friendships to turn sour.

This is a pretty dark and gloomy watch. It didn't really deliver for me. When I think about the plot, I had a hard time filling in the missing pieces. Also, the friendship was not stressed enough and there was not enough character development. What went down among them felt jarring to me.

However, I love how it makes me feel. The action is great and the performance shows a lot of depth. All three leads did amazing, they really pulled my heartstrings especially at the second half. I know Ji Sung is great but so do Lee Kwang Soo and Ju Ji Hoon, well done, everyone! This movie left a mark, the ending was unexpected and it remains in my memory. I would recommend if you are in the mood for a serious, dark, rather noir-themed movie.

Fun fact: The three leads did spin-off in Runningman episode 202 – 203, it was smart and funny, watch this one anytime! I guarantee you’ll be entertained! I laughed so hard and actually was impressed with the teamwork. It was one of my fave Runningman episodes!^^

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A refreshing slice-of-life take on high school romance!

When Chinzhilla band is threatened to get disbanded by the student body president, Tinn (Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak), the lead singer of the band, Gun (Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul) is desperate to save his band. Unknown to Gun, Tinn has a secret crush on him and Tinn soon learns that Chinzhilla has a rule that the band members aren't permitted to date until they win the Hot Wave Music Contest – so Tinn becomes supportive of the band and will do whatever it takes to make Gun fall for him!

This show gave me all sort of entertaining jokes. It was funny, slap-stick, silly, cute, swoony, and just a bit of cringy. The plot is simple but the execution is refreshing that it's surprisingly hooking. The whole cast were so expressive and lively, some of the scenes were them imagining, dreaming or reenacting some situation, these scenes were ha ha hilarious! XD. It got a bit mundane in some serious aspects but for the most part was still very entertaining and fun.

Despite the premise hinting enemies to lovers, the enemies part were very mild and brief... The relationship progression of Tinn and Gun was healthy and innocent. They embrace first loves awkwardly, but always support each other through all their ups and downs. Their flirting was so cute and making me wish they went a bit spicier. Yes, this drama is not spicy, not that I mind it as I'm satisfied with their romance. Also, they have the most adorable wingman, Thiu! That's another plus point about this series, that each character was appreciated and wholesome.

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Such a short & charming drama, surprisingly educational

Dan Bi (Kim Seul Gi), a senior high school student who is losing her motivation to study ends up time-travelling to the Joseon period at the day of her college test. She appears right in front of the palace royalties who were desperately calling for the rain. The King (Yoon Doo Joon) gets intrigued by her presence and knowledge, so they made a deal in order to make it possible for her to go back.

It's an easy drama to get through. Perfect for days when you don't feel like watching anything or don't know what to watch next. I enjoyed the comedy, the romance and character arcs, it's very satisfying and made me so happy, lol ^-^ The time travelling aspect is simple, the couple get to know each other naturally, it happens exactly how I want it; strong chemistry, fun banter, with cute classic cliché scenes. No palace intrigue as there's no time for that, but it's surprisingly educational. There was a hint of history woven holistically and that's a high-quality storytelling not to miss. Like I mentioned, it's short, only two episodes, so practically a movie. In case you're curious, it's really worth checking out!

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Recommended if you like action, good acting and good villains

To execute his revenge, Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi) becomes a lawyer. With the cunning and skills from his gangster upbringing, he arises to become one of the highest winning rate attorneys of the country. A disbarred attorney Ha Jae Yi joins him and together, they are involved in the dangerous game of trying to expose the corrupt people in power.

Lawless Lawyer has a lot of action, comedy, and a hint of romance that developed quite fast. The premise about underdog heroes who have tragic pasts caused by corrupt people in power is quite familiar and there was not much unpredictable plot twists. While the story may not be entirely new; the non-stop action scenes were very entertaining, sometimes very funny. It has enough suspenseful moments and sweet romantic moments to keep me watching.

Every cast did a really good job, Lee Joon Gi gave a boost to Bong Sang Pil not only through his amazing action but also the micro gestures, his acting is just brilliant. And although I think Seo Yea Ji's character was too exaggerated, she perfectly embodied Ha Jae Yi that she disappeared into her role. Choi Min Soo was another highlight, as the slimy-underworld-crime-boss-turned-politician, he brought Ahn Oh Joo character to life, whose actions you both love and hate. Overall, I enjoyed it, this one is not a disappointment.

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Just relax and enjoy it

Yeo Mi Ran (Kim Ok Bin) is a lawyer by day and a street fighter. She has no interest in dating and is very competitive among men. Nam Kang Ho (Yoo Teo) is a movie star who doesn't have much faith in women. In his new role, he needs coaching to fight naturally, and Mi Ran gets to train him through them agreeing on a fake dating relationships. Despite their shared disbelief in love, their relationships grow as they spend more time together.

This is short, light, and has a lot of funny scenes throughout the ten episodes! A fake dating plot that fit perfectly with the enemies-to-lovers trope. The romance was nicely developed and gave a lot sweet and swoon-worthy moments. The friendships are fun to watch. Good job to all actor for their natural acting. They carried the show together, no one is more dominant than the others.

It’s nice that the drama also focused on some problems in society regarding the patriarchal beliefs about women. Even though Mi Ran was a feminist, the story was not at all anti women/men, they made it entertaining while still delivering their messages. Overall, delightful from beginning to end, filled with chemistry with some cute and sexy moments, and just a tiny bit of angst.

Mar 2024, Yovita
me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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I recommend! an intense, fast-paced, revenge drama with a lot of scheming and backstabbing XD

Despite being the daughter-in-law of a chaebol family, Kim In Seok (Yeom Jung Ah) leads a sad life being tormented by her family members for 18 years. After her husband’s passing, she decides to fight back with the help of prosecutor Han Ji Hoon (Ji Sung), who was an orphan whom she adopted and nurtured into the man he is today. However, a mysterious incident leads Han Ji Hoon to become a murder suspect…

Royal Family is a revenge story full of treasons, confronted feelings, and satisfying twists & resolutions. It has a solid writing, fast-paced and superb acting. From the first episode, they showed enough plot happenings and questions that kept me hooked all the way. Was Han Ji hoon really a murderer? How is Kim In Sook going to have her revenge? Note that it’s a serious drama and the business long-talk were not always exciting to follow, but there were enough actions and plot twists to break the monotony. Also, despite hinting at noona romance, it was not the focus here.

As with many dramas, there is a mysterious past. With this one, it did not feel forced into the narrative; it made sense and helped to understand the character’s viewpoints and motivations. When it was revealed, I really enjoyed the emotional climaxes, it was beautifully acted. If it’s Ji Sung, performance is unquestionable. All the veteran actors also delivered a top-notch performance! Finally, the ending left me with mixed feelings, but it felt somewhat justified.

thanks for reading :)
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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Fun concept well-told and acted, surprisingly complex and emotional characters :)

29-year-old Tae Myung Ha gets transported into a virtual world game where he exists as his 19-year-old-self. He's given a mission to make Cha Yeo Woon happy, else there will be a dire consequence. Will Myung Ha accomplish this mission? Would Cha Yeo Woon be happy if he likes him, though?

A fluffy romance with thrilling twists. It has a unique concept, time-travelling to a virtual game world and using the game prompts to move the plot. I really appreciate that the mission was dropped right away, and that they explained the rules and world-building so well. I think those rules are very important to get me on board with any time-travel story. I also like that they added details about the “love supremacy zone”, debuffs, etc… which make for an exciting watching experience.

Among all characters, Myung Ha was the most engaging for me. His 29-y.o. confidence stays in his 19-y.o.-self, so he doesn't hesitate to speak up his mind based on the game prompts. I like how he initiate conversations to Yeo Woon. Furthermore, him being fish-out-of-water in this game allowed him to face his own internal struggles besides doing his mission, so it’s easy to feel sympathy and invested on him.

As the story goes on, the foreshadowing danger sneaked up when I wasn't aware of it and the way they do it felt thrilling.The last two episodes gets quite emotional, but also a little confusing, and I felt it ended a bit random. I know it's a weird word to describe an ending, but that's how I felt. Nevertheless, it was fun overall!

Mar, 2024
Find me on instagram: @kdramajudge

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Lee Wan (Lee Jong-hyuk) and Shin Gi tae (Lee Seung Gyu) were friends in school. Just before graduation, something happened and they went on their own way afterwards. Seven years later, Lee Wan, who is now an illustrator, gets to work together with Gi Tae on a new date-themed game project. Will their time together now lead into mutual feelings between them?

A simple fluff with almost no angst, perfect for this short drama, I appreciate each episode. It’s well-paced, well-acted, and has well-behaved characters. This is one of the rare friends-to-lovers tropes that I’m not feeling icky about. While it might be a classic story with well known tropes, the execution makes it fun and entertaining that I think many will enjoy. I loved how they utilize a dating game for storytelling at the epilogues, with spot on dialogues.

Thanks to the well-written script and natural chemistry of Lee Seung Gyu and Lee Jong Hyuk, both leads were equally exciting. Gi Tae is confident, positive, but not overbearing. He gave the right amount of playful teasing. I like how he puts Lee Wan on the spot and makes him flustered like how he did to him 7 years ago. I like Lee Wan, too, for how ‘realistic’ his character was. Introspective and hardworking, he value things that are important to him. They are just so lovely together. They made my heart happy.

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Twisty plot with full-blown crazy characters

This drama was chaotic and mysterious at first, but also intriguing. Many secrets to unfold, who is bad and who is not. None but one of the leads in this show are truly likable. I wasn't always felt connected with our female lead Jae Won, maybe because her mannerism and thinking process was hard to belief.

With each passing episode, there were satisfying moments, but the plot twists are annoying and becomes a hot mess towards the end. Just when you think it's time to warp up, the next scene is another drama and not everything of it makes sense. It was a quite enjoyable watch, though. Mainly due to Jae Won who is strong, bearing and still can attack despite being hurt a lot of times. Also, the villain, who is obsessive, borderline psychotic and selfish, carried the show's momentum and excitement. Great performances by cast all-around, especially So Yi Hyun, Jang Na Ra, Lee Ki Taek and Park Ho San. Despite not feeling head over heels over this drama, their acting kept me wanting to watch until the end.

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