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was it worth it? yes

I wasn’t interested in this drama for a long time. the graphics of the cast for the title picture said to me ‘this one isn’t my cup of tea’. BUT one day Itaewon Class OST #6 came up on my Apple Music feed and I fell in love with that song. I don’t speak Korean but without knowing the words, that song grabbed me like few other songs have. I sensed it wasn’t love song but couldn’t find the words anywhere because I don’t know the actual song’s title. this is what made me watch it, to find out if it was a love song or not.
I liked the first 2 episodes but the vibe didn’t grab me - just as I had suspected. I stopped watching around episode 11. A couple months later I decided to finish it and am glad I did.
PSJ as PSY was great.
I know this sounds silly, but the ML and FL hairstyles were a turnoff for me. I was okay with PSJ’s hair cut as a youth and early years out of prison, but I think it would have been more realistic if his character’s aging arc to 2020 included a change of hair style. I’ll just leave it at that.
I was touched throughout the drama by PSY’s sensitive but determined spirit. the chemistry between PSY and JYS was realistic to their characters. PSY had zero romantic skills and PSJ played that well.
the music was excellent, especially #6 which I found out is entitled Someday Boy / with great lyrics - and no, it is not a love song. the ‘boy’ is yearning for something better for his life. it seems he is pleading for time and hope. Kim Feel sings this song so beautifully, he is one my favorite Korean singers.
I probably will watch select scenes again but not the entire drama again.

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You will want to watch it again

To me, this lighthearted comedy K-drama is a perfect 10 from the beginning quite literally through the last episode’s end credits. It was so clever and so much fun to watch that, even if I tried, I couldn’t come up with a single criticism. I honestly believe there are very few people who wouldn’t enjoy The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, regardless of their preferred genres or favorite tropes.

Park Ji Hoon, as Private First Class Kang Seong Jae (shouting here with a salute), was absolutely perfect for this role. He nailed every scene. I haven’t read the webtoon, but judging from the images I’ve seen, Park Ji Hoon looks remarkably similar to Seong Jae’s original character design. For those in America who remember—or still enjoy watching—The Andy Griffith Show from the 1960s, the scripting of The Legend of Kitchen Soldier feels surprisingly similar in its construction. The humor is warm, character-driven, and genuinely hysterical, often reaching that same timeless level of comedy.

Bravo to the screen writer(s) and director of this most enjoyable drama!!

WARNING: Spoilers from this point forward.

I especially enjoyed watching Seong Jae’s character arc evolve. He shows up at Kanglim Outpost as a lost, depressed, fearful young man, an outcast of sorts. But he gradually blossoms into someone far more confident, eager to serve his platoon, eager to learn, and determined to accomplish more. His sensitivity toward his peers, his immediate obedience to his leaders, his earnest desire to please Sgt. Yun in the kitchen, and his uncompromising loyalty to his responsibilities as a soldier first and kitchen assistant second all make him deeply endearing. Unlike many others in his platoon, he doesn’t have it in himself to complain about his circumstances. He has no choice but to accept where he is and make the most of it.

His sudden introduction to the Army Cook Quest voice—and later its screen interface—was an absolute delight to watch. Park Ji Hoon was completely convincing as he pantomimed his interactions while navigating the system. And whenever Seong Jae achieved a goal, earned points, or added another comrade to his cache, his smile practically lit up my screen. I couldn’t help but smile right along with him every single time.

Seeing him deflate, nearly reverting back to his old self at the cooking competition was heartbreaking. But then watching him realize he had not lost his skills and he could still do his best even if he didn’t win the one-on-one round was actually inspiring. I think it was one of the central themes of TLOKS; your mentors and teachers can take you only so far. If you have prepared well, trust yourself - your knowledge and your skills even if the circumstances seem to be against you. Do your best with no regrets.

I think we were all rooting for Seong Jae when military reporter intern and hometown ?girl?friend Jun Min (Jeon So Young) came running into his arms in front of both his peers and his superiors. Even though he was mortified by the attention, he needed that moment, not only for himself, but for everyone else to see that he was more than what they had assumed him to be: not a loser, but worthy of some level of respect. What a pleasant and fitting surprise to see them together in the end.

The rest of the cast was equally perfect in their roles, making this a truly unforgettable first watch. Lee Hong Nae’s lazy, incompetent, intimidating, yet ultimately loyal Sgt. Yun Dong Hyeon; Han Dong Hee’s deadpan, serious, but generously warm Platoon Leader Cho Ye Rin; Lee Sang Yi’s serious-but-maybe-not-quite trustworthy Company Commander Hwang Seok Ho who had his very funny moments; and Yoon Kyung Ho’s brash yet loving Major Sgt. Park Jae Yeong all delivered outstanding performances. Along with a stellar supporting cast, they created an ensemble that was impossible not to love. It was especially hilarious to watch these talented actors fully commit to the over-the-top music video sequences.

I enjoyed a fully satisfying ending including all the suspenseful buildup from episode 11 into 12. Everybody got their just reward, if you know what I mean, including the Outpost itself. I’m excited they left TLOKS open for a second season to find out what’s in store for Kang Seong Jae next.

I liked the Quest’s voice and felt the voice actress was perfectly cast. OST was just right for this drama and complemented every scene beautifully. This drama has already earned a permanent spot on my rewatch list.

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Three Years Later!?!?!?

For the most part, this was a nicely executed drama. The medical part gives you a lot to think about. The romance was slow and depicted realistically. Ji Sung (one of my favorite actors) and Lee Se Young had very good chemistry. I did enjoy watching their relationship develop.

I was disappointed in the “3-years later” direction the story took in the last episode. So much time was spent in this drama telling quality stories of each person’s pain or end of life issues. The writer failed to fairly deal with 1) the real struggles Yo Han was facing at the Cleveland clinic and 2) the emotional consequences Yo Han should have faced from So Young. Shutting her out for 3.5 years didn’t protect her. He robbed her of her desire to be by his side (to love him) through the difficulties he was going through. He robbed himself of the healing power of her love and presence during that time. Yo Han was the one who said without pain there is no life. The writer made this honorable, mature, reasonably realistic man out to be a liar. As much Si Young loved him, he gave her every reason not to trust him with her heart after that. I was pretty angry after investing 15.5 hours of a pretty great drama for the last 35 minutes to do this to me! I was going to give this drama a 9.5 but, frankly, the last 35 minutes were an insult to my intelligence not to mention my emotions.

The OST complimented the drama very well. I added Way Back and Look At to my playlist I liked them so much.
I will recommend this drama to anyone who likes medical dramas.

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Dramatic with Dark Comedy undertones

Review Date 6/8/2026

I truly enjoyed watching Doctor Stranger. 8/10

While the story felt heavy at times, a number of scenes and plot twists were so over-the-top that, viewed as a whole, they gave the drama unexpected and enjoyable dark-comedy undertones. For example:
1. Wait… what? She’s alive after being shot, dangling from a ledge for what feels like forever, somehow managing to pry which should by now be Park Hun’s slippery hand off hers so she can fall to her death, right? into the river below? never mind the bridge’s side wall was too high to begin with.
2. This is Episode 14+…, is she or isn’t she Song Jae Hee?
3. How does Song Jae Hee end up with no gunshot scar on her right shoulder, and why does she suddenly have two kidneys when she’s supposed to have only one?
4. The Prime Minister’s (comedic style) expressions of disgust at being “Number Two.” Every time he had to bow, show respect, or answer to the President, his facial expressions were priceless, or how he laughed or snickered at his stupidity.
5. The scene where the Prime Minister convinces himself the President is in a coma, confidently unleashes his pent-up resentment, and then watches in horror as the President’s eyes suddenly open.
6. Cha Jin Soo somehow manages to spy on PH and SJH everywhere. He’s disguised as a hospital employee, part of the Prime Minister’s security detail, or lurking nearby—and no one ever notices him.
7. Cha Jin Soo’s resurrection from the dead in Episode 18, and shoots PH and the both fall of over the edge into, wait for it, the river - and a year later there were still no bodies.
8. The endless back-and-forth from different angles over who would operate on the Prime Minister - who wasn’t even sick.
9. Dr. Oh (“Quack”) and Han Seung Hee lovingly debating which woman Park Hun should end up with.

There were more moments like these that cracked me up, but I’ll stop there.

Park Hun’s emotional scene describing what he was forced to do as a doctor in NK was gripping. I could feel his absolute feelings of shame, anger, and horror at what he did, mixed with inescapable grief. The story shows us how much he valued life at any cost he could give.

The story’s crazy momentum kept me fully engaged, and I found myself rooting for Park Hun to reunite with his first love. Dr. Han Jae Joon wasn’t truly evil, and one of the drama’s strongest moments was when he realized that revenge did not bring the satisfaction or closure he had expected.

There was no look-alike after all—it was Song Jae Hee the entire time. While the mystery surrounding her identity created effective suspense early on, I think the drama would have benefited from revealing sooner that Han Seung Hee was, in fact, Song Jae Hee. Some of the many flashback scenes could have been used to tell her story: what happened after she was taken away, how she became a North Korean operative, and how she convinced North Korea that she was not Song Jae Hee. That would have added much-needed depth to her character. As presented, it was often difficult to understand her true agenda and motivations. As it was it was difficult trusting her; whoever she was, was she there as a spy to destroy Park Hun or was she his true love whom she came to protect?

I liked Cha Jin Soo as Jae Hee’s North Korean partner. he just had the look of a comedic villain. However, as mentioned earlier, bringing him back during the final episodes stretched credibility too far for me. For a true drama, I think it would have been more convincing to introduce a new North Korean operative to take his place. The Prime Minister’s “lollipop” bodyguard certainly should have known better than to leave a body unrecovered after shooting someone and dumping them into a river. But then again, it’s a K-drama.

I liked the bodyguard.

I didn’t mind the various political and personal agendas surrounding whether Park Hun or Han Jae Joon should operate on the Prime Minister, but the decision changed so many times that it became exhausting (a dark comedy effect).

I also liked Dr. Oh. She was a sensitive soul and quite sweet. Park Hun sent her so many mixed signals that it was no surprise she began developing feelings for him. Han Jae Joon, on the other hand, provided mature stability, who was honest with her about himself and his mistakes with her. He knew her, and could see what was happening with PH. Although he didn’t like their banter, (and it was refreshing to see this) he gave her space to sort out her feelings without pressuring or dismissing her. He genuinely loved her. As she finally realized, he was a better match for her than Park Hun.

As for her father and brother, they deserved a good Korean slap several times throughout the series.

At times, it felt as though the writers threw absolutely everything at Park Hun except the kitchen sink—another source of the drama’s accidental dark-comedy vibe.

Park Hun endured an extraordinary amount of trauma throughout his life, yet he remained fundamentally optimistic. That resilience was essential to his survival. His father was a remarkable man who taught him how to live despite his circumstances rather than be defined by them.

I feel most everyone did a great job in this drama. The three standout performances for me were from Lee Jong-suk (Park Hun), Cheon Ho-jin (Prime Minister - dark comedy villain), and Kim Sang-joong (Park Cheol).

The soundtrack was good, though not great. At times the music was mixed so loudly that it became distracting during emotional scenes.

Overall, Doctor Stranger was an entertaining watch. if I hadn’t pick up the dark comedy vibe from the occasional descents into outright absurdity, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. It truly kept me invested from beginning to end. I can see myself revisiting some episodes in the future.

8/10

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hard to take seriously

I tried to like this drama but had a hard time taking anything about it seriously. To be fair to other viewers who liked it, dramas that are about shamans do not appeal to me. I guess I don’t fully understand the whole shaman ‘lore’ - whenever I watch a drama that heavily relies on shamans, their meaning and purpose have very weak roots to begin with. I know it involves the spirit world, but it seems to me that, depending on the writer, anything goes in this genre, that’s why I can’t take shaman genre’s story line seriously.

I watched Head over Heels because of the very talented Choo Young Woo. This is the 5th drama of his I’ve watched and it very nicely showcases his wide range and I was not disappointed with his acting here. He was able to shift characters smoothly making it easy to know when he was Gueyon U (with a depressed flat affect) or Bong Su (who was mean, murderous, and abrasive for most of his arc).

My favorite character CYW has played so far is the carefree storyteller, Chen Seung Hwi, in The Tale of Lady Ok, followed by Dr Yang Jae Won in Trauma Code - both excellent dramas…, but I digress.

Back to HOH -
Cho Yi-hyun’s Sung-ah as a High Schooler by day - Shaman by night was very likable and truly well acted. Cha Kang Yoon’s Ju Hu, the loyal friend (with a late and misplaced confession to Sung-ah) to both Sung-ah and Gueyon U was great even if a little cringy a time or two.
The other Shamans - I can’t critique them because I was confused half the time.
I do agree with another reviewer, the lack of accountability for grevious acts was disappointing. Maybe that’s part of the Shaman ‘lore’.

I try my best to take a story as it’s presented and rarely rate a drama poorly just because I didn’t like it. I’m writing a review this time because, beyond the shaman theme, I just could not follow the story. I wonder how many other viewers felt the same way. It seemed there were too many elements and motives of the various characters to follow that the story of the two main leads kept getting lost- so much so that it made the drama was too long.

I did like the budding romance, and I’m aware they needed to figure out issues but, again, a lot of the sub-stories at times were unnecessary interruptions to its progression.

I’m neutral on the music, it neither added or subtracted from the story itself. Nothing stood out to me. 75% of the time I’ll download and listen to OSTs at least once, but don’t feel compelled this time.

I personally would not recommend this drama.

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Love may be sparked by feeling but Love is an action word motivated by commitment.

Queen of Tears is being re-released marathon-style this weekend (6/3-5/26) in Korea. This feels like the perfect opportunity to revisit and review one of my favorite dramas and also respond to some of the criticism I’ve seen out there.

To those who have thoughtfully articulated their criticisms on various sites, I respect you for clearly explaining your perspectives. However, to those who gave this drama a low rating after dropping it within the first three episodes, to keep ratings fair, I would respectfully suggest placing those early impressions in the comments section rather than the review section.

—The Acting

I believe the director of Queen of Tears used a restrained acting style between Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won for Baek Hyun-woo’s and Hong Hae-in’s characters. Meaning there was more silence and less dialogue, with much of the communication happening through eyes, facial expressions, delayed reactions, and unspoken emotions. I can see were this approach drew viewers into Baek/Hong's thoughts and feelings, making us experience their emotional journeys alongside them.

For me, much of the drama’s suspense came from these moments rather than from cliffhangers at the end of episodes. IMO, both Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun portrayed their characters with remarkable refinement and skill. Each displayed the wide acting range necessary to create truly multidimensional characters, the kind that we all love to watch.

Not only can Kim Soo-hyun portray profound sorrow, but he also excels at restraint. He masterfully utilizes subtle gestures and micro-expressions, communicating volumes without words. I’ve seen most of his dramas as well as Secretly Greatly. Never have I seen him display more varied gestures, expressions, or personality traits within a single character than he did with Baek Hyun-woo. As BHW, he convincingly portrayed boyish innocence, explosive anger, intense longing, devastating heartbreak, emotional collapse, and everything in between.

To the critics, how is that not great acting? But Kim Soo-hyun needs no defense from me.

Kim Ji-won has evolved into an exceptionally dynamic actress. I first enjoyed her performance in Descendants of the Sun, but there is a night-and-day difference between her acting range then and what she delivered in Queen of Tears. She gave us a subtly layered Hong Hae-in: a strong, uncompromising Type-A personality who is fiercely defiant but too proud to openly express emotions that might be perceived as weakness. Some of her funniest moments came through her indirect expressions of affection; asking leading questions, offering backhanded compliments, or scolding Hyun-woo before admitting he made her heart flutter. These moments, in my view, highlighted just how difficult it was for her to communicate genuine romantic feelings. As Hae-in’s journey with her illness and her relationship with BHW progressed, Kim Ji-won revealed her character’s deepest vulnerabilities at precisely the right moments and in exactly the right measure, making her both believable and relatable.

Queen of Tears would not have been the same story without both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. They were equals as actors, just as their characters were equals as man and wife. To reviewers or critics who say they had little or no chemistry is, in my opinion, to not have watched it or to have watched it with a heavy bias against one or both actors.

—The Character Development

*Kim Soo-hyun once remarked in an interview that Baek Hyun-woo begins the story as a loser. He was right. Hyun-woo was passive, submissive, and immature in his understanding of love. He believed enduring mistreatment without protest was an expression of devotion. Being constantly wounded by the Hong family—including his wife—became unbearable. He couldn't fight his circumstances so he convinced himself that he hated her as was revealed in the meeting with his psychiatrist (oh, the clever irony seeing Oh Jung Se as the psychiatrist. )

It would be no surprise that with that mindset, divorce was his only escape. Then came the shocking realization of Hae-In's impending death. We are to believe life with HHI and the Hongs was that unbearable. Again with his mindset, this would conveniently solve his problems. I agree with KSH and other critics, he was a loser and a coward.

*Hae-in sounded as though she understood what love was when she spoke to Eun-sung when he asked her about their relationship. In reality, she was every bit as immature as her husband. She seemed to believe that as long as Hyun-woo remained “by her side,” they would be alright. He said he would always be there, didn’t he?

At the beginning of the story, we see how thoroughly she has adopted her family’s arrogant sense of superiority, which justifies mistreating those of lower status for personal gain, even when that person is her husband. In the nursery removal scene, she hid behind that arrogance as a way of coping with the miscarriage.

These Baek-Hong warts are the foundation of QOT.

*While utterly foolish, Yang-gi’s suggestion that Hyun-woo pretend to love Hae-in in order to secure a place in her will became a blessing in disguise. Or…, perhaps it was a calculated move by Yang-gi to help his best friend see the truth beneath all the hurt. I doubt the latter, but it shows how much Yang-gi is in his BFF's court because he has witnessed BHW's life for the last 3+ years,

*Even though Hyun-woo cannot truly pull off hating Hae-in, he remained a coward by resisting the urge to start anything romantically with her. As her condition deteriorates, however, his resolve gradually crumbles and we see that buried love for her begin to reignite because, well, he never hated her to begin with. I loved when his mother scolded him later on when he confessed HHI's terminal condition. She was a strong woman with a gentle, loving spirit. If I had her for a mother, because I knew she loved me so much, that scolding would have been worse than any beating or rant.

*Of course, the pivotal moment for BHW comes in Germany. With both completely defeated, he deliberately provokes a divorce battle from Hae-in, not because he wants to leave her but because he desperately wants her to live. He gives her something to fight for, even if it is not with him. I believe this is where Baek Hyun-woo embraces what love truly is—not merely a feeling, but a choice and a commitment expressed through action.

In helping the Hong family escape to Yongdu-ri, Hyun-woo proves that love by devoting himself completely to protecting Hae-in and her family. We later learn that he contacted hundreds of cancer centers around the world in search of treatment options for her because he is desperate to keep her alive.

*Hae-in’s growth begins when she finally “wins” the divorce (props to Vincenzo / Song Joong Ki). It's at that point she begins to examine herself honestly and see Hyun-woo for who he truly is, the only man she could ever love. She realizes that he gives her a reason to live and that she cannot bear the thought of a future without him, in life or in death. For a fiercely independent and emotionally guarded woman, this was enormous character development.

When she found herself separated from the pressures of her corporate life in Yongdu-ri, Hae-in dropped her guard and, around Hyun Woo, she revealed a softer side she may never have known existed. The ultimate expression of her selfless love for HW came during the press conference, where she exposed Eun-sung's deeds in order to protect him.

Beyond Baek-Hong, the overall family relationships ultimately reinforced one of the drama’s central themes: that love outweighs money, status, and power. When they lost it all, they could finally see and appreciate each other.

*Beom-ja, although initially too eccentric to be taken seriously, became a scene-stealer, who consistently provided much-needed comic relief. She had been right along about Moh Seul-hee.

*Yang-gi also stole nearly every scene he appeared in (loved him). For me, his final scene with Hyun-woo in the car was one of the most memorable moments involving any supporting character in the entire drama. He was the friend to the end and he didn't want to lose him.

*Eun-sung’s, wonderfully portrayed by Park Sung-hoon,character arc never truly evolved beyond his obsession with possessing Hae-in and controlling Queens Group. He was still a juvenile wearing a 5,000,000 KRW suit. Despite the writers’ efforts, I don't believe viewers ever developed meaningful sympathy for him or for his mother, Moh Seul-hee. We were reminded how terrible a mother she was, more times than necessary.

Eun-sung did nothing to weaken the Baek-Hong relationship. If anything, he strengthened it. Despite all their resentment and misunderstandings, neither Hyun-woo nor Hae-in looked elsewhere. Eun-sung was never going to have a chance.

—The Story, the Second Half, HHI's Illness, Plot Extremes, and Valid Criticisms

Queen of Tears was approximately two years in the making, including about a year of filming. Across its roughly 23-hour runtime, Studio Dragon delivered a beautiful story about two people who had forgotten how deeply they loved each other and who rediscovered that buried love after a life-threatening tragedy nearly ended their relationship forever. It’s worth remembering that the drama was reportedly inspired, in part, by the real-life story of a Samsung heiress who married a regular employee.

Stories, fables, and even biblical narratives often use extreme or unrealistic circumstances to communicate deeper truths. I view many K-dramas through a similar lens. Not every detail needs to be realistic or true to life if the emotional truth resonates. This is why I can accept some of the more exaggerated elements of Queen of Tears. Even if one could dismiss parts of the story as unrealistic (real life often proves stranger than fiction, by the way), as someone who loved the drama, I can acknowledge its flaws.

* IMO too much screen time was devoted to the mechanics of the conspiracy against the Hong family. The writer and director likely felt it necessary to illustrate the lengths psychopaths will go to in pursuit of power and wealth, but I was not heavily invested in all of the related side characters and their storylines. Some of that time could have been spent further developing the Baek-Hong relationship.

* The Hong family—excluding Hae-in—sometimes came across as baphoonery in their trust of people who clearly sought to exploit them. Also, I found it difficult to believe, at first, that Hae-in’s mother remained trapped in grief over her son’s death for so many years, but truthfully, some people never fully recover from such losses.

* Grandfather, who trusted every word Baek said, suddenly placed his faith in a complete stranger and eventually removed Hyun-woo from the board. That transition felt uncharacteristic and unrealistically abrupt.

* The collapse of Queens Group and the attempted destruction of Hyun-woo’s legal reputation is where some viewers felt the drama lost focus. With so many moving parts, keeping track of everything started to get challenging. Grace’s role as a double agent often felt like a wrench thrown into the machinery of the plot.

* The exile to Yongdu-ri introduced additional storylines, some of which felt unnecessary.

Yet, the central focus did remain the Baek-Hong relationship. Every major event either contributed to or reflected their gradual surrender to the love they had spent years suppressing, even burying.

* Critics who argue that Hae-in’s illness lacked realism make a very fair point. It did show some of her illness’ effects, but the drama could and should have done more to show more of the effects of her illness. She was in the hospital once, briefly, but recouped amazingly quick. But wait…., she’s dying, isn’t she she? Also, her post-surgery recovery was far more glamorous than reality would allow. Still, those shortcomings were not deal-breakers for me. KDramas tend to lack that medical realism unless it's actually a medical drama.

* The arrest in Germany, the kidnapping, the hit-and-run, Hyun-woo somehow leaving the emergency room in one piece, and the winter gunshot sequence all pushed the boundaries of plausibility. But most of these 2nd half plot twists or narrative devices were designed to intensify the emotional climax between Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in. They forced the building of a new relationship between two people who thought they knew each other but, in some respects, were strangers.

Alchemy of Souls was pure fantasy (one of my least favorite genres) yet audiences embraced it because they connected emotionally with the characters. The same principle applies here.

—Why I Still Rate It So Highly

Even someone who loves Queen of Tears can acknowledge its flaws and still give it a 9 or 10.

Why?

Because, taken as a whole, the drama speaks to the heart.

I have never been wealthy, nor did I marry into a wealthy family. Yet the relationship between Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in reminded me of my own marriage. Both our love for each other was immature in the beginning and we definitely experienced our share of dramatic and difficult moments. Then, in our sixth year together, my husband began suffering life-altering medical episodes while still appearing healthy on the outside. A year later, he died. Looking back on our life together, I felt like I could have been a better partner and blamed myself for a long time over mostly trivial things. What I wanted was for him to come back. Anyway, I eventually realized something important: he never held my shortcomings or my mistakes (big and little) against me. He had made plenty of his own. And I never held his mistakes against him either. In retrospect, we always understood that about each other, even during our worst moments.

That realization changed how I viewed Queen of Tears. Forgiveness and acceptance are two of the highest forms of love in action.

—Why is Queen of Tears a treasured story for many?

I am certain I am not the only viewer who found pieces of their own life reflected in this drama.

Queen of Tears may contain over-the-top moments, but many viewers accept them because extraordinary moments exist in ordinary lives. We just don’t read about them every day. In the end, despite its plot holes, detours, and occasional excesses, Queen of Tears succeeds where it matters most:

It reminds us that love is not merely something we feel. Love is a choice. It is an action word. And it is not for the faint of heart.

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Do you recall the story of how William and Kate got together?

I’m not disappointed in this drama but so far it’s difficult to rate it beyond an 8. We need more plot structure. Also their Chsracter arcs have yet to be developed. it’s a fairytale romance for sure and if the story is strong and the acting supports the story I will have watched a very satisfying drama.
Constitutional Monarchies do still exist. But for Korea, this is just fun fiction. As I started watching it, for some reason I was reminded of Willuam and Kate’s real-life romance - starting with their college days. Just like in a good K-drama, they each have their own interesting backstory, especially Will. IMO, their’s has been nothing short of a fairytale - and 15 +/- years later, in spite of all the palace intrigue, they are still madly in love. With that in mind I look forward to watching Perfect Crown unfold.

Correction: this review was written after the first 2 episodes (not 12). the edit feature will not let me correct the number of episodes watched.

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Loveable characters - sweet story

The Great Show is a well told, tender hearted story. Even with its predictable plot, it was told realistically and with sincerity. The very talented Song Seung Heon brought Wi De Han to life in a charming, realistic, believable way. We’re given enough backstory to understand how WDH’s youth shaped him in the present day. He was on his way back to the National Assembly but had to navigate the shock of a lifetime to get there. WDH’s journey showed how difficult it is to maintain integrity in the cutthroat world of politics.

He’s probably one of the most imperfect yet transparent guys you can’t help but like. He just couldn’t get a break on his road to the NA. Yes he had a temper. Yes he said things he’d later regret. Yes he made decisions that could cost him that goal. But he humbly owned his mistakes and that set him apart from every other politician.

I loved the contract between Da Jung and WDH as well as the household constitution.

“A happy household isn’t made by perfect people, but it’s made when people with weaknesses try to fill in for each other’s weaknesses. We all have weaknesses, but in order to become a perfect family we should try hard together.”

Da Jung’s siblings were charming including Tak. Soo Hyun was an excellent friend/confident/support to De Han, Da Jung and the children (well played by Lee Sun Bin). All the supporting characters added to the story. I was pulled into the market community so much, at times, I found the student of business in me thinking of ways to help if I were there.

I would agree it’s a predictable drama, but TGS’s evolution still had the element of surprise when most of those predictable moments did happen. I felt the story was well paced. Each episode was eventful and I didn’t feel it dragged anywhere too long.

I liked this story so much that tolerated the ads on TUBI to watch it. I recommend The Great Show to anybody looking for a light but meaningful slice of life story with lots of heart.

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My So Ji Sub fix while waiting for week 3 of Agent Kim Reactivated

This review is being written in July, 2026, thirteen years after The Master's Sun aired. I understand it was a hit when it aired and catipaulted the most excellent So Ji Sub's career. To be fair to the writer, neither Netflix nor Viki had great subtitles. Sometimes, I was confused about what exactly Joong Won was saying to Tae Young. Maybe my review is stunted due to the subtitles because I know the Korean language has much more depth than English with fewer words, causing cultural nuances to be missed entirely.

Before I continue, I have to stop here and say So Ji Sub has aged very gracefully ;-). I did watch this for So Ji Sub so I wouldn't go through withdrawl between episodes of Agent Kim Reactivated, and I stayed not only because of him but because I am a die-hard watcher who seldom drops a KDrama.

The story itself was good but not great (noting the subtitling issue). I have watched many dramas from the same time period that were much better in terms of character development, acting and overall storyline. Most of the characters in TMS were 1-dimentional, with the exception of KHJ whom I felt brought much more depth to Gong Shil than Ji Sub brought to Joong Won. Having said that, Kong Hyo Jin and So Ji Sub were both good in their respective roles - acting as the writer and director wanted. However, because of the stiffness of Joong Won's character, I wasn't convinced of the chemisty between SJS and KHJ. Ji Sub was stiffer than I've seen him in other dramas so I had to atribute his peformance here more to the directing than to him. I also didn't see much of a change in JW's character arc even in the last episode. Love makes people do crazy things, some that are utterly contrary to their character. I was expecting to see, at least a couple times, where he completely crumbled in her presence, casting all fear and/or pride aside. I actually didn't feel any attraction to Joong Won.

I remarked to my sister a number of times how Gong Shil was fearful but bold; (1) in her fearful reaction to the ghosts followed by her absolute need to help them in spite of JW's objections; and (2) how she touched Joong Won out of shear desparation regardless of his efforts to push her away. She even endured JW's aunt's lectures and Yi Ryung's bullying without backing down. I loved how she was comfortable with Kang Woo. To me, they were the better match. Yes, I had Second Male Syndrome. His warm, loyal, protective personality was no match for the abrassive, needy, empty Yi Ryung (Kim Roo Yi).

Gong Shil's mysterious past was mentioned enough times raising more than a little of curiosity about her - and in my mind, full anticipation that we'd find all thar out. With 17 episodes, almost no time was devoted as to why she was able to see ghosts. That would have been worth parts of 2 or 3 episodes to see flashbacks of her in the mountains, being rescued, and the ensuing recovery. In Episode 15 or 16 we should have seen flashbacks of her spirit traveling with photographer Woo Jin Woo (where is the most hansome Lee Chun Hee these days??). We needed more details to feel greater empathy for and understand of her. It would have been nice to hear Kang Woo (good early acting by Seo in Guk) or Secretary Kim (by the wonderful Choi Jung Woo) tell Joong Won what really happened to her 7 years ago and to see his reaction when he learned she spent 3 years in a coma. Scenes with these details are what would have brough greater depth to our ML's. As it was Won Jin Woo's introduction into the story felt like a weak segway into yet another delay to the final climax of them becoming a couple. WJW's character was more than just a segway, he was critical to the next part of GS's growth journey. He almost gave me Third Male Lead syndrome, BTW.

There were plenty of flashback (teasers) aboutJoong Woon and his past, and yet. not enough understanding about the deeper reason why he had no relationship with his father who appeard to be useless to the plot. The actress who played Han Na was utterly unconvincing which made the entire culmination of the main plot about Cha Hee Ju also unconvincing. The poor acting for me caused this part of the story to fall completely apart - and then we came to the immediate segway of Gong Shil leaving with WJW.

The production itself (cinematography, sets, camera angles, etc.) lacked, as the settings appeard to be actual film sets and not true offices, living rooms, or bedrooms. The costuming was also not up to par with other dramas of the same period. It appeard to me this drama was in production as it was being aired (like 3 or 4 episodes ahead of airing). The music itself was good, supporting emotions as appropriate and not distracting to the story, I can get through a mediocre production if the story and the acting are both good. However, the story had a good premice but the execution was mediocre. The acting by the cast as a whole was mixed as I didn't feel most of the actors' performances and interactions came off as natural.

You might like it better than me. because, well..., So Ji Sub is still So Ji Sub.

7/10

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One of Korea’s painful moments told with sincere honesty

The core story behind Ransomed is heart wrenching and inspirational at the same time. While the movie itself is a loose characterization of the facts, it is well executed and authentically presented as it pulls you in for a turbulent ride in 1987 Lebanon. IMO it is an excellent film. I dare say Hollywood could have done better.

The duo Ha Jung Woo and Ju Ji Hoon were funny, sincere, and believable as Diplomat Lee Min Joon and taxi driver Km Pan Su. They had great chemistry together and were supported by a wonderfully diverse mix of actors who held their own in each of their respective roles. I was impressed by the realistic use of several languages. None of the actors came off cheesy when speaking English, which so often is the case in foreign films.

While not attractive due to the film’s setting, the cinematography was excellent. The OST blended with and supported the film so well it was never a distraction .

Korea has a fascinating history including its recent, more modern period. This story is part of that and I appreciate and applaud Korea’s film industry for tackling even its painful moments with sincere honesty.

I highly recommend this film.

10/10

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Were was the attraction, exactly?

I watched this 2016 drama in June 2026. In many ways, it felt like two separate seasons rather than one continuous story. With that in mind, I don’t necessarily agree with reviewers who felt the first half was significantly better than the second. Instead, I saw it as two fairly distinct stories connected by the ADT/GS/SJS love triangle.

We meet Gong Shim at around age twenty-five, and I have to admit that I wasn’t immediately drawn to her character. At the beginning, nothing about her projects confidence. From her wig, which covers a temporary bald spot, to her wardrobe, which feels stuck in her high school years, to her overall physical posture, she comes across as someone who has never truly found her footing. These traits are supposedly the result of a stifling upbringing: parents who failed to nurture either her life skills or her genuine artistic talent. On top of that, she has an older sister who is outwardly beautiful but inwardly insecure, and who dominates and gaslights Gong Shim at every turn. Although Gong Shim wants to become independent, she lacks the guidance and confidence needed to navigate adulthood. She dreams of learning Italian and moving to Italy to pursue art, but as we see, that goal is easily derailed by life’s circumstances.

What disappointed me most was that I saw very little growth in Bong Shim's character throughout the drama. Her arc should have become more noticeable from around Episode 8 onward. Incremental changes to her wardrobe alone could have visually reflected growing confidence and maturity. Even if the wig remained, a different style could have symbolized development. Neither An Dan Tae nor Jun Su contributed much to her personal growth, which made her journey feel frustratingly static.

An Dan Tae, in his early thirties, is a happy-go-lucky, street-smart lawyer by day and driver-for-hire by night. Despite enduring his share of hardship, he has risen above it and dedicated himself to helping marginalized people, often for little or no compensation. He isn’t concerned with what others think of him—at least not until later in the story. He possesses a unique gift that allows him to perceive certain events in slow motion, enabling him to react to threats with remarkable precision. Regardless of his difficult past, he has made a conscious decision to embrace life and treat people with kindness—unless circumstances force his hand otherwise. I truly loved this character. This was my first time watching Namkoong Min, and I immediately found myself looking for more of his dramas and films.

Jun Su, twenty-seven, is the presumptive heir to Star Group, a large conglomerate chaired by his aging grandmother. He is a kind and introspective soul whose life path was determined for him from birth. Although he is loved by his parents, he was never given the freedom to explore his own interests or define his own future. Even though he constantly strives to earn his grandmother’s approval, he never truly receives her affection. Through no fault of his own, he recognizes the writing on the wall: he may never become Star Group’s successor. I appreciated that he sought independence by pursuing the possibility of building something of his own. I liked his character very much.

Fun fact: Ohn Joo-wan (Jun Su) and the adorable Bang Min-ah (Gong Shim) married in 2025.

As I watched the drama unfold, however, I began to view Gong Shim as something of a red flag. Comparing her to An Dan Tae, I simply didn’t see them as equals. We learn that they are only four years apart in age, yet their levels of maturity, emotional intelligence, and overall competence seem worlds apart. I honestly never understood the romantic attraction between them. Where exactly was it?

Their dynamic often felt like the classic “knight in shining armor rescues the pitiful damsel in distress” trope. They shared a wonderful friendship, but I never sensed strong romantic chemistry. Likewise, I didn’t detect much physical attraction from Jun Su toward Gong Shim either. In other words, the writer and director never convinced me why either An Dan Tae or Jun Su would become romantically interested in someone portrayed as almost juvenile in comparison. Nevertheless, if I had to choose, I actually thought Gong Shim and Jun Su were the better match.

Beyond my affection for An Dan Tae, the real reason I stayed invested in this drama was the relationship between Dan Tae and Jun Su. I loved watching their friendship develop. It felt natural and sincere. They respected one another, got along easily, and remained honest with each other until the Jun Pyo mystery took center stage. Even then, neither man truly wanted to oppose the other. Once Dan Tae’s true identity was revealed, I found it genuinely heartwarming when he expressed his desire for their relationship to return to what it had originally been. I ultimately became invested in Dan Tae’s efforts to uncover the truth behind Jun Pyo’s abduction and the revelation that he was, in fact, Seok Jun Pyo. I enjoy a good mystery, but if I’m being critical, the drama revealed too much too early to sustain genuine suspense.

The ending, unfortunately, was a major disappointment.

Sending Jun Pyo to the United States almost immediately after his identity was revealed felt abrupt and emotionally unsatisfying. If I were Grandmother, I would have wanted him nearby for quite some time. Surely there could have been a way for this highly resourceful lawyer-grandson to study business management in Seoul while reconnecting with his family.

Then came the final fifteen minutes and the “one year later” time jump. For me, it undermined much of the emotional investment I had built over the course of the series. In real life, there is simply no excuse for An Dan Tae and Gong Shim to have had absolutely no communication for an entire year. None. Likewise, there is no believable reason for Dan Tae and Jun Su to have had zero contact. Unless Dan Tae had been in a coma or had died, it made no sense.

Hiding an engagement ring inside a plant and never checking to see whether she found it—or how she felt about it—was just absurd. It’s late as I write this review, and I’ve run out of descriptors. I also couldn’t take Gong Mi’s last-minute confession to Jun Su seriously. Sorry.

The music, however, was quite good. I’ll definitely be revisiting the OST to add a few favorites to my playlist.
Overall, I don’t think I would rewatch this drama, nor would I recommend it.

Rating: 7/10

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What a ride it was!

I can’t critically review this one effectively. I agree with them, so can’t add any more to the other well written 9 & 10 star reviews.
All I can say is, for someone who shies away from horror and zombie movies, I loved Train to Busan! I highly recommend it to anybody who likes this genre.
The acting was perfect but honestly, the Zombies were the best. I believe the reviewers who said this is the best Zombie movie anywhere.

As a side note:
I cracked up during Episode 7 of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin) where Kim Sin and Eun Tak go to the movies to see Train to Busan. Kim Sin cannot contain his fright at watching Seok Woo trying to protect his daughter from the zombies.

I read where that scene was an inside joke by the writers. For those who are unaware, Kim Sin and Seok Woo are both played by Gong Yoo. The behind the scenes of that scene in Goblin are even more hysterical to watch.

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not for the faint at heart

This drama is not for the faint at heart and not one I suggest watching close to bedtime. it was highly violent and whenever PJH came out with a pen and used it, I gasped LOUDLY like I was standing right there.
the story did lack depth, though. we needed more story to be truly invested in the lives of these boys. Nevertheless, I was hooked to the point of wanting a positive resolution/ending. But I needed more to emphasize with their choices and actions - with all the flashbacks I don’t think I fully understood why Baek Jin chose that path.
I hate to pick dramas apart too much, but the idea that such a level of bullying along with all that violence could continually occur in a highschool in a fully developed country, especially one with such high academic standards, without the teachers, and other adults on campus (let alone the parents) not knowing is mind boggling. does this really happen to this degree in Korea? where were the police?
I have to say the acting was excellent. EVERYONE did a great job especially Park Ji Hoon, Ryeo Un, and Bae Na Ra, our main villain.
The music added to the overall tone and did not distract. I personally won’t be rewatching this one because of the excessive violence. having said that, the fight scenes were so realistic (props to the choreographer) I felt some of those boys should have ended up with brain damage or worse. I won’t wait with baited breath but if/when Class 3 comes out, I will watch it…., once.😉

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Park Ji Hoon is ahead of his time

I’m not into heavy violence but made an exception this time. i don’t very often watch highschool dramas but also made an exception this time. this is a really good story - the characters are fleshed out and the actors really brought life to them. PJH is ahead of his time. I think he is 22 or 23 in Season 1 - and his acting chops are like that of someone in their mid to upper 30’s. I love his character so much so that I wished happiness for him but I’m afraid he’ll have to graduate HS before he finds it because HS is definitely not going to be remembered as the good old days for him.
hats off to the whole cast and crew!!!
the fight scenes are very realistic - too realistic for me, but like I said I made an exception. I doubt that I will rewatch this one for that reason.

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