I think Mr. Sunshine will forever be the best drama to ever exist, at least in my opinion. I've watched this drama for the second time now; despite me knowing what happens in the drama, I still get surprised by how amazing everything is.

If you ask me what I consider amazing in this drama for you to watch it, I'd say everything is amazing. Have you ever wondered what a drama would look like without flaws? Mr. Sunshine is a flawless drama; from its cast, its storyline, how everything was directed, and everything in between.

I know that a lot of people tend to avoid historical genre dramas, but hear me out. While I believe that a lot of other historical dramas are good and have their own charm, Mr. Sunshine is in another class of its own. It wouldn't be boring as you might expect it to be, because this drama was set during the time Japan was conquering Korea and right before World War 1 (1914), so industrialization was already taking place; guns, trains, electricity, and whatnot were already being used. While certain elements of the story were fictitious, a lot of the story was still based on the true history of Korea; so you could learn a lot about their history and culture. Dramas like this tend to be slow, while Mr. Sunshine isn't necessarily a fast-paced drama, it isn't really a slow one either despite having 24 episodes. When you're watching, you won't feel the drama being draggy, and after watching all episodes you'll realize that not one episode passed by without having something meaningful happen.

Now let's talk about some of the notable things that made this drama so perfect:
1) The cast: The cast was perfectly handpicked. Every single one of them played their role perfectly. You could actually feel their emotions being displayed in full throttle as if they were actually living in this drama itself. I believe that all the cast in Mr. Sunshine deserves an award for their acting, and some of them did. Lee Byung Hun won the best actor award, and Yoo Yeon Seok won the best supporting actor award respectively, beating out other amazing actors from other amazing dramas that also have one of the highest ratings in My Mister, Mother, and Prison Playbook. Unfortunately, Kim Tae Ri didn't win the best new actress award, but she still deserves the praise and nomination nonetheless.

2) The plot: The story was so rich! The writers did an amazing job crafting such an amazing story, and I can't stress this enough. What's more amazing is how they managed to direct such an amazing story to make it even better. The whole drama was so smooth and I didn't feel like there was part of the drama that should've been removed. The cinematography was great and the production of the film itself deserves an Oscar. You don't really have to worry about non-essential episodes wasting your time because Mr. Sunshine did not have any filler episodes; every single episode was meaningful and contributed to the build-up of the whole storyline.

3) The music: Well, not much can be said about this but I just wanted to put it out there. The OSTs of Mr. Sunshine perfectly fit the theme, and highlights/magnifies the emotion felt of every scene perfectly.

Overall, as I said, Mr. Sunshine is the best. I've never been this attached to a drama ever, and I think I'll be forever scarred by it as well. Prepare yourself fully before watching this, as you'll have your emotional sensitivity automatically set-up on high during most of the drama. In certain scenes, I was trying to hold my heart in my chest as it literally felt like my heart would explode from all the crying. I kid you not, prepare yourself for one emotionally unstable roller coaster. Please do consider watching this masterpiece of a drama, I'm sure you won't regret it.

Read More

As described in the details of this drama, its genres are romance, comedy, family, and also crime/thriller, but what's amazing about it is how one genre does not overpower the other; everything is balanced and the romance doesn't feel stuffy and all over your face. Everything in this drama is well written and there's no reason not to watch this.

The plot is quite realistic and the whole story strongly emphasizes how important mothers are and that they can do anything for their children. This drama teaches you that family and relationships are very important and that you can get through any obstacles thrown at you by helping each other. When the Camellia Blooms is an incredibly funny, heartwarming, and at the same time heartbreaking drama coming from the relationships of the characters and their backstories.

The acting/cast of this drama was also perfect, each role given was perfectly suited to them. While all of them seriously portrayed their characters perfectly, I'd have to praise Kang Ha Neul for totally nailing everything! He did such a great job acting as some kind of over-the-top, straightforward, a bit idiotic character. Much love for you Kang Ha Neul!

Overall, this drama was an absolute treat! This is a must-watch drama! I wouldn't have ended the drama any other way; no loose ends, just perfect!

Read More

Honestly, this drama had a lot of potential. I have no problems with a drama being "slow", however, this drama started getting slightly unbearable after the first half. There were a few things that didn't seem to make any sense, like how some characters behaved and how the story progressed. The story had a lot of good elements but just didn't fit with one another. The first half of the drama was more intriguing and more relatable due to the storytelling of life's day to day struggles. There were a few characters that were very much unlikeable, and I feel like the romance part was a bit all over the place. Overall, this drama isn't bad, but it isn't all that good either.

Read More

Watched this show for Dex and I wasn't disappointed in regards to him.

First things first, everyone is complaining about the show claiming to be 'unscripted', but I think it's only natural for certain things to be scripted in order to create an interesting narrative. The cast probably have some kind of role or character they had to play but made decisions on their own based on their judgements. We have to keep in mind that this show wasn't meant to be the most realistic of zombie shows, it was meant to be entertaining. But was it really entertaining? Well, yes, to an extent. I found certain storylines and cast to be annoying -- to be specific, the characters they had to play were annoying.

I'll be rating the cast from this section onwards:

Dex - He was clearly the protagonist, which is surprising because the cast had quite a lot of famous people -- and I think this was filmed last December so Dex wouldn't have been famous at that point in time since Single's Inferno 2 was just being aired. As expected of Dex, along with all the shows he's been part of, he again managed to be entertaining showing how reliable he can be.

Si Young - She was relatively reliable as well, but I expected a bit more from her. She was immersed in her role but not to the point of being overly dramatic like some of the other cast.

Hong Chul - Despite being portrayed as a coward, he was quite useful in a lot of the quests and he honestly was thinking very rationally compared to some of the other cast that totally relied on their emotions to make decisions. His biggest contribution to the show was his wits and his ability to make serious situations funny.

DinDin - Dindin in most aspects was kind of hot or cold. He was funny in some moments but not in others. He was reliable in some moments but not in others. He's smart and dumb at the same time.

Jonathan - I actually expected more from him. I'm a big fan of him and I expected him to be a lot funnier. I guess for now, he's only good at 'talking' shows.

Patricia - She barely got any screen time and I don't think she did a lot on this show. She was at least not a nuisance for the most part.

Tsuki - She was unexpectedly high maintenance. Even though she was an idol, I didn't think she would be such a mess -- at least physically. She was just too over the top and was a nuisance in some situations, others had to pull her weight.

Na Rae - Okay, she was injured; so she was literally deadweight. The show managed to give her a role that could contribute despite her handicap. Despite that, others also had to pull her weight. She was funny at times, but a few times I felt like she was trying too hard to get a reaction and it felt a bit forced.

Seong Woo - He was a sidekick, that's all I can really say about him. He was reliable but his presence was a bit weak. He did contribute to being wholesome.

Conclusion:

- Should you watch this show? Would I recommend it? Probably not.

- Why you should watch it? Because of Dex or if you want to watch something zombie related.

- Honestly, if you want to watch something in the same vein, just watch the Busted series in netflix. It's a lot more entertaining and funny with a more star studded cast and a better story.

Read More

Timing is EVERYTHING

I haven't watched season 1 so this is probably my first time watching a reality show like this. I have to say, even though I was highly dissatisfied with the ending, I enjoyed the binge-worthy show and had a lot of fun and heart-fluttering moments. Watching a show like this is very refreshing but quite frustrating at the same time. You can't help but stay emotional and subjective rather than rational when watching this type of show. I wanted certain people to become a couple, and there were a few people I believed deserved better outside Inferno.

Almost everything I wanted to happen didn't happen.........
In a show like this, there are so many circumstances to be aware of if you're a contestant, and being ignorant of these circumstances can most definitely cost you. Staying true to yourself while being mindful of others' feelings seems to be what a contestant needs to do in order to leave Inferno with the one you have feelings for. Being indifferent and letting go of opportunities given to you served to be fatal to some contestants, and I hope things like these can serve as a lesson to not only "love" and "relationships" but to other things as well.

Read More

Just another rom-com

I'll make this a very simple and short review.

King The Land was honestly an enjoyable and easy watch. It’s not one of those bad rom-coms that you watch til the end just for the sake of finishing it. Everything was simple, cute, and light. I liked the cast, acting, music, and whatnot.

This drama’s biggest flaw is its lack of plot conflicts or the lack of depth from the conflicts. There were barely any conflicts throughout the drama and it felt like the director and writers were living in a perfect idealistic world where everyone gets to live a happy and fulfilling life – which sadly is far from the real world. I honestly think the drama could’ve been better if the protagonists faced more challenges.

Overall, this is a good watch for your daily dose of rom-com dramas. It’s an easy watch if you’re having trouble looking for a drama to watch or if you’re looking for a light drama.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The rest of this review is just filler that was generated by ChatGPT just to achieve the minimum word count requirement of MDL reviews:

"King The Land" delivers a refreshing dose of lightheartedness that's perfect for unwinding after a long day. The engaging storyline, coupled with endearing characters, adds to the drama's charm and appeal. The chemistry between the lead actors is palpable, making their interactions a delight to watch.
The drama's picturesque setting serves as a backdrop for the unfolding romance, transporting viewers into a world where every scene feels like a page from a storybook. The attention to detail in the set design and costumes adds an extra layer of visual enjoyment.

However, as much as the drama excels in its simplicity, some viewers might find themselves yearning for a bit more complexity. While the absence of intense conflicts maintains the drama's light atmosphere, it also prevents it from delving deeper into the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies intricate plotlines.
In an idealistic portrayal of life, the characters seem to effortlessly overcome hurdles, leaving the viewer with a sense of positivity. Yet, this portrayal can sometimes detach the drama from the realities of life, as challenges are a part and parcel of personal growth. Incorporating a few more substantial obstacles for the protagonists could have added a layer of relatability to their journey.

Despite this slight shortcoming, "King The Land" remains an enjoyable choice, especially for those seeking a breather from heavy dramas. Its ability to put a smile on your face and warm your heart makes it a go-to option for a casual binge-watching session.

The drama's soundtrack deserves a special mention, as it perfectly complements the overall mood. Each musical piece enhances the emotions portrayed on screen, further immersing the audience in the world of the characters.
In conclusion, "King The Land" offers a welcome escape into a world of light-hearted romance and endearing characters. While it may lack the depth of some more emotionally charged dramas, its simplicity and positivity make it an excellent choice for relaxation. So, if you're searching for an easy-to-watch drama that will leave you feeling uplifted, this one is certainly worth adding to your watchlist.

Read More

Let's state the obvious first, among a lot of incredible things in this drama, the cast stands out from the get-go. There's nothing more to explain about the cast; their acting was impeccable and I don't think anyone else from the list of actors/actresses can be replaced.

All of the music used in this drama was nice! I think most of the songs were covered, but nonetheless suited the drama best. I'd say even non-watchers of this drama would stumble upon the songs from this drama in youtube and add them to their playlists. So good in fact that one song sang by Jeon Mi Do managed to top the charts for a short moment at a time when IU, Taeyeon, Chungha, BOL4, and other musicians released comeback songs.

And lastly, the most important part, the story. The story was superb! I just want to clear things out, this is a light drama. Don't expect heavy episodes where you feel suffocated, and that's a good thing. I personally think that friendship-comedy dramas are arguably the best genre combinations out there. I just felt a bit weird that there was barely any turmoil and strife in the drama --mostly because I haven't watched enough dramas to watch something similar to this. The story was light but quite impactful, especially during times like this where medical workers hold a lot more responsibility than they usually do (COVID-19). You'll appreciate them more and get a taste of how medical workers sacrifice so much to live a life of saving people.

Honestly, this drama was just so nice and heartwarming. I actually cried a bit which usually entails that I watched a masterpiece. But the strange thing is, I didn't cry from something painful; I cried from how warm the story was -- which says a lot. Overall, I would definitely recommend this drama. The worst thing about this drama is that you'd have to wait a year for season 2 upon finishing the drama on May 28, 2020 ㅠㅠ ㅠㅠ ㅠㅠ

(One thing's for certain, Jo Jung Suk has solidified his spot as my all-time favorite actor after this drama <3)

Read More