Love Never Loves the Same Way Twice!

While Love is unconditional, constant, and unchanging, the WAY we love is always different. People should hopefully take comfort in the fact that that makes, not only way you love someoone unique, but YOU unique as well.

Unfortunately, people tend to also forget that many relationships are finite. It's been said, "It is interesting to note that people can easily recognize when a relationship begins, but are unable or unwilling to recognize when a relationship ends."

Mace is a broken-hearted young woman coming off an 8-year relationship with her boyfriend who is living in Rome. Angelica Panganiban plays the role so realistically, you can feel her anger, frustration, and sense of loss. I would wager than anyone, who has ever been where she is, has felt exactly how she feels.

Anthony is a young man also returning home from Rome, and he sees Mace struggling to lighten her suitcase in order to meet the weight criteria. He decides to help her. He's also there through her rants and outbursts, but somehow, we get the sense that he understands her plight.

This is a film that reminded me a lot of "Before Sunrise," a brilliant movie where two people walk around Vienna getting to know each other. However, in this case, it's about two people spending time together, helping each other to heal. While Mace's hurts are recent, we discover that Anthony is also carrying some old hurts and regrets as well, but he's able to find ways to help Mace.

Angelica Panganiban and JM De Guzman are simply brilliant, and more importantly, real. They know their characters inside and out, and they are also very relatable. They could easily be anyone who has been where they are, and because the story is told in such a realistic tone, it works tremendously well.

Perhaps Mace will realize that making someone else the center of your life is always a disaster waiting to happen. Unless you love yourself first, you cannot give what you do not have. Relationships are never about finding someone to complete you. They are always about sharing your completeness with someone else. That is the secret!.

In any case, you learn from past relationships to find what you want in future relationships. And hopefully, when a relationship ends, you are grateful to that person for the time spent and wish them all the best as they continue their own journey.

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Charming and Delightful Kim Ok Bin Gives Us A Strong Woman While Exposing the Hypocrisy of Society!

This is a simply delightful and incredibly hilarious romantic comedy that succeeds largely due to its originality and not going down the pitfalls of overused cliches. I haven’t laughed this hard since “Hospital Playlist,” and there are too many numerous moments that will either have you laughing out loud or possibly even rolling on the floor with laughter.

However, as with so many Korean shows, not everything is for comedic value as the writers expose the incredible sexism and hypocrisy of the entertainment world that is largely in place due to warped religious, societal, and cultural values that are in place because of male chauvinistic rules about what is proper and what isn’t. Sadly, society loves to build up a hero, but it loves to tear one down even more. Whenever anyone is placed upon a pedestal—which is always a skewed and warped version of the real person—expectations will always inevitably take a hit because people refuse to see such people as human.

Nam Kang Ho is on top of the world as far as the movie industry goes. He’s the top-billed star in the highest demand. What people don’t realize is that he has a fear of being intimate with women. Even doing kissing scenes with female co-stars causes him to have a negative reaction. Of course, as with all rumors, it’s assumed that he doesn’t like women.

Yeo Mi-Ran is a lawyer who is also a master martial artist. Nothing brings her so much pleasure as exposing men for what they are (or what she believes them all to be): liars and cheats who look down on women. She also has no compunction about beating them up if they push things too far. Her relationships never go further than one-night stands, and usually done to prove that men are exactly what she believes them to be.

Ironically, what we have here is a bit of a role reversal. In some ways, Nam Kang Ho behaves more like how a woman would react to relationships that never pan out. And Yeo Mi-Ran has almost masculine traits in how she deals with men. She makes absolutely no apologies for how she lives her life. And why should she? Because she’s a woman? Hence, the hypocrisy of today’s world which is always at the forefront for entertainers thanks to social media. So, a man can sleep with as many women as he likes, and there is virtually no negative feedback. However, if a woman is caught doing the same thing, a cascade of negative feedback is always inevitable. And this series beautifully exposes such insane and sexist views that are largely created by men and promoted by everyone.

At first, Yeo Mi-Ran has a strong dislike for Nam Kang Ho when she misunderstands something that he says to his agent and friend. She vows to destroy him and put him in his place. Before long, she’s hired by a law firm that represents people in the entertainment industry and—of course—she ends up working with and representing Nam Kang Ho. Thus begins a very cute and often hilarious relationship where both Yeo Mi-Ran and Nam Kang Ho begin to realize that all is not what each believes the other to be. One of the absolute funniest moments is Yeo Mi-Ran attempting to teach Nam Kang Ho how to fight so that he can properly do a fighting scene in his new film. Little does he realize that he’s dealing with an expert and quickly finds himself subdued and knocked out. Of course, we already know that Yeo Mi-Ran is no wallflower, no damsel in distress who needs to be saved by a man in any circumstances.

One of the all-time great scenes in the series is when Nam Kang Ho and Yeo Mi-Ran profess their feelings and proceed to make love. What makes the scene work so perfectly is because the characters are allowed to be who they are. It isn’t Nam Kang Ho who initiates things—as we’ve seen hundreds, if not thousands, of times in romance movies and shows. Believe it or not ladies, men actually also enjoy having their female partners take charge sometimes too! I actually clapped my hands when the scene played out because I was thrilled to see the female character take matters into her own hands—and in this case, literally!

Some of the greatest of entertainment stars live outside of the limelight. Now, I realize that this is much harder to do in a small country like Korea, but basically, no apologies or even explanations should ever be made for how they live their lives. If you care too much about what people think, then perhaps you’re in the wrong business. The life of any celebrity is always wrought with the highs and lows, the positive and negative views of the media and the public. You’re a hero one day and a goat the next. The courageous make no apologies and never feel that they have to explain themselves to anyone, for that merry-go-round is literally endless.

This is an absolutely terrific series that tickles the funny bone and warms the heart, and like so many Korean shows, has a heartfelt message to expound to its viewers. Be careful about putting people on pedestals for they will always disappoint you in the end. Just because someone makes their living in the spotlight doesn’t mean that they are any different or more special than anyone else.

Performances across the board were incredible, but frankly it is Kim Ok Bin who steals the series for me. She’s able to create a character who doesn’t come across as overbearing or some uptight man-hating feminist. Despite being tough and independent—a great example for women to follow—she also has a soft, feminine nature that she takes great pride in demonstrating. She also helps to change the outdated perception that just because she’s a woman, she’s hardly weak. In many ways, Yeo Mi-Ran is a champion for women to follow and also for men to help them realize that there is true strength in being a woman and exhibiting strong, feminine qualities. And Kim Ok Bin handles this masterfully. It was so refreshing and also inspiring to see this kind of woman portrayed in this series.

These ten episodes went by fast, as I was watching at least two per day, but it was just long enough to encapsulate everything the writers wanted to convey without the need to prolong things unnaturally. Even the end didn’t feel like the writers had to delve into the “romantic comedy” playbook to wrap things up. They stuck with the characters and allowed things to evolve organically and naturally. Such are the hallmarks of a great series!

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The Two Main Female Characters Make This Series Soar!

There is much to like in “A Business Proposal.” The story may seem a bit cliched, but it’s the execution of that story that makes it stand out from so many others. It’s smooth and the writers are careful not to change the character for the sake of the plot, which is too common of a mistake that I’ve seen. What really makes this series stand out is the strength of the two main female characters in Ha Ri Shin and Jin Young Seo.

Too often, we see young women in K-Dramas act indecisively and like wallflowers whenever they face obstacles. They tend to be too easily influenced by their parents or peers, unable to make decisions for themselves. And when faced with hardship, they tend to wilt faster than a flower in the scorching sun. Not these two! Ha Ri Shin and Jin Young Seo are strong women who are decisive, mature, and can think for themselves. They are also not afraid to stand up for themselves, which is something very refreshing about this series!

My favorite series involving “young love” is still “Our Beloved Summer” but this one comes awfully close! My favorite shows of the older and more mature persuasion are too tough to call. With fantastic shows in “Mr. Sunshine,” “Crash Landing On You,” and “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” it’s tough to decide. ‘

The pacing of this show is perfect! Everything moves along smoothly without extraneous scenes or ridiculous new storylines to keep the story going. Therefore, I was grateful that the series ended after 12 episodes. Everything was covered, and there was no reason to attempt to stretch things out.

It’s really hard for me to decide which character—and even actress—I like more between Kim Se Jeong (Ha Ri Shin) and Seol In Ah (Jin Young Seo). Both are marvelous as two young women who initially set out to scheme their way through a blind date that neither of them wants to figuring out how to be with the men that they love. Both bring a refreshing strength and even feistiness to their roles. As I said, these two women are not wallflowers. They can take care and look out for themselves. I’ve seen Kim Se Jeong before in “Uncanny Counter”—and imagine my thrill to learn that there is another series of that one coming!—but this is my first exposure to the equally beautiful and captivating Seol In Ah.

The only characters I pretty much despised were Da Goo Kang, the grandfather, and Min Woo. Da Goo Kang, is a typical bully with nothing but selfish intentions. Meddlers always have that in common. Their attempts to control others under the guise of “love” is truly sickening. If it’s selfish, it cannot be love since love can never be selfish. I was thrilled to find Ha Ri Shin not giving into Da Goo Kang’s immaturity and selfishness. I was worried that she was going to cave into him. And Jin Young Seo was a true champion standing up to her own father, who was just as much of a bully as the grandfather. Bullies only get their power when someone gives it to them. At heart, they are gutless cowards.

Ha Ri proves her strength by not seeing herself as an inferior person just because she doesn't come from a wealthy family. And Jin Young Seo proves her strength by having the courage to break free of her father's iron grip.

Min Woo, a longtime friend and initial crush of Ha Ri, is a despicable young man who has a girlfriend, but behaves in a most insensitive manner when he demonstrates his feelings for Ha Ri right in front of her! I was initially surprised that Ha Ri would not call him out for this. I certainly would not want a “friend” who does something so vile and cruel to someone else. Fortunately, she finally does let him have it, even though it was a bit long time in coming.

The series is a step in the right direction if the aim is to project strong, female characters and demonstrate that they are people too as well as characters who will not yield to the cheap intimidation tactics that so many of their counterparts in the past have done. I was more than thrilled to see these characters did not take the road most others have traveled by, but instead, carved out their own road by showcasing empowered women.

As I stated before, I hope to see more series with strong women in the future!

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Justice Is Served!

***I am reviewing Parts 1 and 2 here***

The best revenge is when the person ends up digging their own grave. Moon Dong Eun is literally a master of strategy and orchestrating a revenge that sees these monsters taking each other out. What makes this so satisfying is that she uses their own acts of violence and cover-ups against them. In short, this may be one of the best stories of revenge I’ve yet seen, in which the revenge actually does feel more like justice. Moon Dong Eun doesn’t use acts of violence against them. She nudges. She prods. She pokes just enough to let them do the damage themselves. In some ways, the K-Drama “My Name” felt more like a revenge story than this one. That is not to say that “The Glory” is somehow inferior. It isn’t at all. And because Moon Dong Eun is able to create justice—disguised as revenge—I didn’t feel one shred of sympathy of those who ultimately caused and created their own downfall.

This story takes bullying to an extreme level. Not necessarily one that is unbelievable. In today’s world of bullying, it’s sad that nothing seems to shock or surprise us anymore. The first half of the first episode is tough to watch as we see Dong Eun enduring horrendous torture as her nemesis, Yeon Jin, take great delight on burning her with a curling iron. It doesn’t take long for the viewer to realize that Yeon Jin isn’t a typical bully. She’s a sadist, who is also very likely a psychopath. These days the terms “psychopath” and “sociopath” are now under the term “Antisocial Personality Disorder.” Yeon Jin doesn’t feel a shred of guilt or remorse for her actions. She smiles and even cackles with delight as she torments the girls at the school. Bullies rarely act alone, as Yeon Jin has five friends, including two boys, who also take pleasure in raping the girls. In short, these five people may be five of the most sadistic and diabolical bullies I’ve seen. Bullies are cowards, and it often takes someone of real strength and courage to fight back. By the time the first couple of episodes are over, you really can’t wait to see what Dong Eun has planned.

At first, Dong Eun’s plans don’t seem to be doing too much. But, ah! Just like the master tactician on a chessboard who moves his pawns to set up his other pieces, or in this series where the game of “Go” is used as means of illustrating Dong Eun’s plans, we see that her plans are carefully thought out as she sets each one of the five perpetrators up. She’s also like a master Judo or Akido fighter—using her opponent’s momentum against them. In other words, she knows the weaknesses of each of the five and how to exploit them perfectly so that they end up actually fighting against each other. By the time the second season begins, you can’t help but begin to marvel at Dong Eun and how she can weave such a complex tapestry to orchestrate a nearly flawless revenge!

If Dong Eun has a blind spot, it has to do with her alcoholic mother. Just because you give birth to a child or make a child, doesn’t make you a parent. Only a true parent raises their child properly with love and wisdom. And I found it a bit frustrating that Dong Eun gave in to her mother, yet again. But fortunately, she quickly realizes her mistake and rectifies it. No parent like that has any business being a part of their child’s life. None.

We quickly see how the rich and powerful believe that they are untouchable. Yeon Jin learns this at an early age from her own mother. And it’s quite obvious that the parents of the other four were likely no different. Spoiling a child is also a form of abuse, but as I said, we don’t feel sympathy for Yeon Jin and her sadistic cohorts! As each one of them falls, it’s hard not to feel that sense of justice because that is exactly what it is. In some ways, the other four get off somewhat easily compared to Yeon Jin, but that’s all right. Seeing Dong Eun speaking to Yeon Jin in prison was sheer perfection as Dong Eun gently smiles and outlines exactly how Yeon Jin trapped herself as well as the life she now has to look forward to. And the bully becomes the bullied as Yeon Jin now finds herself the target of her cellmates. Yes, justice is sweet!

This series is definitely hardcore, compared to most K-dramas I’ve seen. It’s dark, gritty, and it certainly doesn’t pull any of its punches. The writer really illustrates the point that nobody gets away with anything. Ultimately, the truth will always come out and justice will be served.

Performances in this series were all first-rate. I hadn’t seen Hye Kyo Song since “Descendants of the Sun.” I thought she did an incredible job of playing a character that was so different from the previous one. And I’ve been seeing Yeom Hye Ran in so many series lately! And that’s good because she’s an amazing and versatile character actress! She is fantastic at playing Dong Eun’s sidekick and intelligence gatherer as follows the five around taking photos. I also loved how she played Yeon Jin—which was almost even more satisfying than what Dong Eun had cooked up! I was waiting for someone to smack Yeon Jin a couple of times!

This series may not be for everyone, given its very dark theme, but frankly, it is a necessary one that doesn’t try to dilute the effects of bullying. People have no idea how many children take that abuse into their adult lives—both physical and emotional. Isn’t any wonder that Dong Eun has to take matters into her own hands when the judicial system, the parents, and the schools, fail to help protect them? It may have taken Dong Eun 18 years, but finally, justice is served!

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Cherish Your Loved Ones In Life While You Have the Chance!

First of all, before I begin this review, I need to make a recommendation for anyone who hasn't seen this series yet: get a box of tissues. You're going to need it.

"Missing The Other Side" brings a unique concept for this story. There is a staging area. A village that exists for people who have died but whose bodies have not been recovered. It doesn't really matter what your beliefs are, you simply have to just go with it. If you do that, you won't be disappointed, as this is one of the most beautiful, heartwarming stories I've ever seen. I had no idea that so many heartfelt moments would be in a 12-episode series.

Anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one, is likely to relate on some level. And even if you haven't, you'll very likely still feel touched by how the story-but most especially-how the relationships unfold between those living and those who have passed on.

The series is about a con man in Kim Wook, wonderfully played by Go Soo, who surreptitiously finds himself the unwitting witness of a woman who is being kidnapped. He soon finds himself the target of the kidnappers, and after a lengthy chase, he finds himself in a world he couldn't possibly imagine. A village where the dead live until their bodies are found. Of course, he has no idea why he can see, hear, touch, and communicate with them. The only other living person with this ability is Mr. Jang, a lonely man who has essentially stopped living due to the disappearance of his little girl years ago.

Detective Shin is brought on board, initially to investigate a construction company that seems to be tied to a series of deaths, both from the past as well as the present. Believing his fiancée to have dumped him, he quickly finds that she was the woman being kidnapped that was witnessed by Kim Wook. Unfortunately, we find out that his fiancée, Yeo Na Choi has been murdered, as she is the most recent addition to the village.

We also discover that there is a conspiracy tied to the construction company, and that there is someone else masterminding the disappearances, as well as the deaths, of so many people, including Kim Wook's own mother, whom he thought had abandoned him years ago. However, after seeing the locket on a village woman, Kim Hyun Mi, we quickly discover--as does Kim Wook--that she is his mother. At first, Kim Wook doesn't understand, as he's filled with resentment regarding his mother.

The interaction between Kim Wook and the villagers is nothing short of pure sweetness, as he finally finds a true purpose in life. The villagers are unable to leave the village until their bodies are found, and Kim Wook decides to help Mr. Jang do so. While Mr. Jang is still trying to find out what happened to his daughter, Kim Wook is also trying to discover who killed Yeo Na Choi as well as his co-worker Kim Nam Gook.

Some of the most powerful and profound interactions I've seen are scenes between Yeo Na Choi and Detective Shin as each--separated by death's veil--speak to each other but cannot see or hear each other. The amount of emotion that pours from their hearts and souls is beyond touching. It is something altogether more ethereal, soul-felt, and poignant that will have you grasping quickly for those tissues! That same is also conveyed between Kim Wook and his mother as each pours their heart out to the other. And while there is no interaction between Mr. Jang and his daughter, we feel his pain as he cries out in vain-at last finding some measure of closure-even if it isn't what he'd hoped for.

I am constantly amazed at how Korean actors can emote so easily and deftly. They are able to help us feel those deeper emotions through sobbing, as though their hearts are being torn open. When I lost my father in an accident when I was just nineteen, I suffered unimaginable heartbreak as though my whole world had been shattered. These actors and actresses are somehow able to tap into that emotional level. And I don't think it is as easy to do as people might think because I've rarely seen it done in western movies and shows. I think there is something that makes those actors hold back just a little. This entire cast is to be commended for such deep, complex, and profound performances!

I can't remember ever watching a series--aside from the classic show, Highway to Heaven--that had me tearing up as much as this one did. The story is compelling and enthralling as it is as much a mystery as it is in delving into what might be waiting on "the other side."

It's hard to feel grief when you know your loved ones are safe and well. Perhaps not in a way that we understand, but it still brings about some closure. More than that, you can't help feeling happy for each member of the village as they move on to another realm of existence as soon as their bodies are found. If only we had such clarity of knowledge when our loved ones do pass, it would perhaps make the grieving process a bit more bearable.

Watching movies and shows where children and women are victims of horrible crimes has always been hard. It breaks my heart. As a TEFL teacher, I don't even want to think of something like that ever happening to one of my students.

This series is nothing short of a work of pure art. Pure beauty. And perhaps also, pure hope. Hope that there is healing for those who remain behind as well as for those who have moved on. Perhaps the lesson here is to cherish those closest to us in life so that we may then cherish them in death. Don't waste a single moment to let your family and friends know how much you love and care of them. After all, there are only so many tomorrows, and you don't want to end up wishing that you could have said something when you had the chance. Let them know. Let them know now.

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Corruption, Mystery, Intrigue..."Stranger" Has it All!

There is nothing so beautiful as an intricate plot so deftly woven that it is literally a work of art. And there is nothing that compliments a masterful plot like deep and intelligent characters.

"Stranger" is one of the best series I've ever seen. And I've been watching shows for over 45 years. When I began Season 1, I was instantly hooked, and I found myself binge-watching the series.

The story has so many plot twists and turns that I doubt that even the most savy viewer will be able to figure it all out. It centers around what seems to be, a fairly standard murder. Hwang Shi Mok is, what would be our equivalent of an assistand district attorney, knows the victim, and takes it upon himself to investigate.

Shi Mok is like watching a master detective at work. He's like a Korean Sherlock Holmes. He is not only able to piece together events, but he does so in a way that makes you think of a master jigsaw puzzler who is able to put the 3000 pieces together within a short span of time. Shi Mok is smart, intelligent, and also calm and cool under fire. Why? Because he has a unique characteristic: he lacks empathy. Due to violent outbursts as a child, he had a surgical procedure done that literally prevents him from having such outbursts anymore. Therefore, to most of his colleagues and even strangers, he appears cold and aloof.

Shi Mok's sole partner in his investigation is Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin (Bae Doona). Bae Doona quickly became one of my favorite Korean actresses. She also successfully brings us a very intelligent and driven detective who is as determined to get to the truth as Shi Mok is. Of course, she has trouble figuring out why Shi Mok comes across as such a quirky fellow, but she soon develops tremendous respect for him and his ability to speak his mind (which he always does!).

It isn't often that I bring up the theme music for a show, but this one reminds me of Hans Zimmer's Batman score a bit! It's catchy, and it seems to sum up all of the excitement and intrigue that this series provides!

The plot is expertly crafted and multi-layered. Much like an onion, once one layer is exposed, there is another. This forces Shi mok and Yeo Jin to wonder just how far and how deep the conspiracy goes.

The British series "Line of Duty" is a show about police corruption. This show not only takes it much farther, but this story is far more taut and exciting! I cannot emphasize enough just how much credit the writers should be given. It's not easy to put something like this together. "Stranger" is nothing short of a being an absolute masterpiece! Master mystery writers like Agatha Christie would be proud! Literally from start to finish, "Stranger" keeps up the intrigue and never pauses even for a moment!

**I was so excited when Season 2 came out, and even more excited to find out that there is a Season 3 on its way!**

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The Power of Healing

"It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."

This line from "Rocky Balboa" seemed to ring loudly in my mind as this series concluded for me. Indeed, no one goes through life unscathed, and some take even greater lumps than most. However, no matter what we've suffered, it's perseverance that matters most. Not giving up. Always push on.

To my mind, K-dramas are dominating the television airwaves. While I have watched a few bad ones, most have been anywhere from great to superb. "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" certainly fits the "superb" bill for me.

As several reviewers have already mentioned, this is a very unique series that deals with the mental and emotional suffering that everyone has to deal with at some point in their lives. Perhaps that is what makes the series so relatable as well as profound with the central question: when do people finally acquire the courage to take responsibility for their own lives?

For so many people in this world, we blame our parents for our misfortunes and our sufferings. Why didn't they love us more? Why did they mistreat us? Where was that unconditional love we were supposed to be showered with?

Unfortunately, the answers we tell ourselves are filled with as many lies as the questions we come up with. Perhaps we weren't worthy of that love. Perhaps we simply weren't good enough. No matter what answers we contrive in an attempt to "makes sense of it all" we, too often, play the victim.

Gang-Tae is a caregiver at a local mental hospital. His body is riddled with scars given to him by patients who have lashed out at him. However, his physical scars pale in comparison to his emotional ones. In short, he truly believes he is not worth loving.

Sang-Tae is Gang-Tae's older brother with fairly severe autism. He suffers from a moment in the past when he was present for his mother's murder. The murderer threatens to kill him should he ever tell anyone about it. So scarred by the event, Gang-Tae placates his brother by making sure to move every autumn of every year. He somehow wants to be free of his burden.

Ko-Muen Young is a woman who was touted as a princess by her mother; someone who is head-and-shoulders above everyone else. And people should be treated with disdain and contempt for being so beneath her. This is a woman who has no idea how to interact with people. She had no filter, and therefore, speaks her mind and her feelings, both good and bad. She is a little girl desperately wanting someone to love her.

The irony is that all three characters, in some way, shape or form, represent some of the most common fears and desires of every single person on this planet: to be worthy of love, to be relieved of our fears and burdens, and to simply be loved for who we are.

The series masterfully navigates how all three characters are able to find peace with themselves, and perhaps, even some joy culminating in a last episode that will have you smiling and crying at the same time.

Yes, it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to fall. It is okay to be knocked down. It is not okay to give up and stay down. Everyone must find the courage to get up and keep going. That is the series' central message.

The performances in this series are top-notch all the way around. However, accolades must truly be given to Jeong-Se Oh (Sang-tae) who turns in a performance that easily rivals Dustin Hoffman's "Rain Man." In fact, to my mind, Jeong-Se Oh's performance surpasses it. He is truly deserving of any awards he might acquire for one of the best acting performances seen in a long time.

This series has almost everything: a mystery, laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt moments, cringeworthy moments, and plenty of relatable moments, depending on who you are.

I cannot recommend this series highly enough. It should almost be required viewing. For perhaps, you might find some "healing moments" of your own as you watch this show, and be presented with the question: will you blame others for your problems? Or will you find the courage to begin living your own life?

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I watched "Descendants of the Sun" and wondered if I'd see another series that could match it. Then, I watched "Mr. Sunshine," and thought, "there's no way I'll ever see another series like this." Imagine the joy of being wrong twice! Along comes, "Crash Landing on You," which may end up being my favorite of all of them. It's a toss-up between this and Mr. Sunshine. In short, this is one of the best series I've ever seen, and for me, the Korean Dramas I've watched have not disappointed at all as most are character and plot driven. In fact, overall, I've seen better quality shows out of Korea and Japan in the last several years than I have with American shows.

The writing, and especially, the editing is some of the best I've ever seen. The plot is intricately weaved, not using some of the typical cliches and devices as some shows do when trying to get the two main characters together. In this case, we're given the beautiful wise lesson on screen: happiness is in the journey. Not the destination.

Seri is a woman who owns her own company and is part of an extremely rich family. Her world, despite the money and success, is cold and empty. She sits alone in a massive penthouse. She has all of the luxuries that one could ask for. However, she has a family, especially her half-siblings, who are about as cut-throat as anyone could imagine. She doesn't realize what is missing in her life until a storm, while para-gliding, blows her across the border into North Korea.

Ri Jeong-Hyeok is a North Korean captain who comes across Seri. At first, he and his unit of men aren't sure who Seri is and why she's there. Ri Jeong-Hyeok was a master pianist before joining the military, and intent on solving the mystery of his older brother's death. At first, he seems very straight-forward and unassuming, while underneath is a man full of life, passion, and love.

The first set of episodes of Seri trying to adapt to life in a North Korean village are especially hilarious. Imagine a pampered woman suddenly having to go without electricity? How to take a bath...how to cook, etc. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, I know full well what this adaptation feels like!

Perhaps for the first time in her life, Seri not only finds a connection with Ri Jeong-Hyeok, but also with the village women and also with the members of Ri Jeong-Hyeok's unit. It's ironic that she had to cross the border to find a group of people who were more like family for her than her real family back home!

The best plots are ones that aren't forced or contrived, and this one doesn't use either one. We are taken effortlessly from North Korea into South Korea as Seri and Ri Jeong-Hyeok find themselves at the center of two sinister plots, each one contrived by people on either side (North and South Korea).

Of course, the biggest question is: despite the situations they must survive and unravel, can they spend a life together? Is it feasible for two people, from the only divided country in the world, be able to have a relationship? North Korea might as well be the darkside of the moon, as communications between the people of the two countries is non-existent. Finding the answer to this question is the beauty of the journey of this series.

The entire cast is simply terrific. They meticulously and effortlessly give us endearing characters who are absolutely hilarious at times and heartfelt at others. All are also able to deftly convey a range of emotions, especially the two leads in Hyun Bin and Ye-Jin Soon whose chemistry is much of what makes this series so incredible.

The editing is some of the best I've ever seen in a movie or series as we are given scenes in one episode, only to realize that we were only given a partial look at the whole. Each time, we are given a joyful surprise and many, "Ah-ha" moments when we realize what really happened!

Apparently North Korean defectors served as consultants on this series to try and make life in North Korea depicted as accurately as possible.

Some might feel that the ending isn't the most ideal, but that's why I like it. It's realistic. They end up making the absolute most of the time that they have. These contrived, formulaic "happy endings" simply do not reflect life or relationships themselves.

I have been watching movies and television series for over 45 years, and frankly, this series absolutely blew me away. It captured my imagination and my heart as I see a veritable "Romeo and Juliet" struggling to find ways to connect, love, and protect each other. They are such a short distance away from each other across the border, but as I stated before, the distance might as well be from the earth to the moon. I love stories about relationships, where the two people have to find a way to overcome the obstacles and pitfalls laid out before them. Two people with enough love and determination will always find a way. And that is why the joy of watching this series is in the journey and not the destination! And this journey was simply sweet, magical, and joyful. What more could you ask for in a great series?

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So far, I have seen three Korean dramas that have blown me away. "Descendants of the Sun," "Stranger," and now "Misaeng." "Misaeng" is about four interns, hoping to secure jobs in the Korean trading company, One International. Those unfamiliar with how Koreans do business may easily find themselves intrigued and sometimes disgusted with the Korean working environment.

Still mostly a male dominated work environment, you will see that it is still a difficult and challenging place for women to break into. Being verbally abused, and even occasionally sexually harassed, despite the company guidelines forbidding it, women take on the challenge of having to "put up with it" while trying to climb the corporate ladder.

A group of interns are working at One International with the hope of securing a permanent position through a contract offer. Of course, the four interns that the series focuses on, all come from different backgrounds and have differing personality traits. What makes them interesting is that they are all complex characters, causing the viewer to find certain things endearing about each one as well as things you may be turned off by. Sounds like real life, right? And that is just one of the charms that makes this series work so well.

First, we have Geu-Rae, a highly introverted young man, who doesn't have much of an educational background. His resume is full of small, part-time jobs that cause his fellow interns to contemptuously wonder how he got the internship in the first place. Especially contemptuous is fellow intern, Baek-Gi. Unknown to most of his co-workers and even his supervisors, Geu-Rae is a champion in the classic game of bad-uk (Go). Somehow, he is able to utilize bad-uk strategies to help him solve problems. He is also able to take criticisms without taking them personally. He knows he's there due to connections, and not because of any ability that he has. Geu-Rae, therefore, knows that he has to prove himself by working even harder than any of the other interns.

Next is Young-yi, portrayed by the beautifully capable So-ra Kang as the only female intern. She is dedicated, and she already has much knowledge about the trading business. She is also able to speak several languages fluently. However, she has to take the abuse from her male colleagues, forcing her to do nothing more than retrieve coffee, get their shoes cleaned, and so forth. Somehow, she is able to do these things long enough to prove to them, that she's highly capable and only wants to serve and support her team. I cannot imagine how it must be for a Korean woman trying to succeed in such an environment where she is derided and taking constant abuse. To make matters worse, her own father tells her that he regrets that she wasn't born a boy.

Baek-Gi is the ambitious intern who is a bit prim and proper. He's a bit arrogant, and feels that certain jobs are beneath him. It takes him a while to understand why there is a learning curve in place and also to learn how to be humble and supportive. When Geu-rae, at one point, appears to be getting more recognition than him, Baek-Gi doesn't take it well as his resentment builds toward Geu-rae...until he finally learns the truth about Geu-rae's past. Baek-Gi starts off as a very unlikable character, but he quickly grows on you.

Seok Ryul is the wild, passionate, and somewhat lazy intern, who'd rather spend his time gawking at girls than working. However, his strength lies in his knowledge of the working factory man; the blue collar workers who "slave away," often in unfavorable conditions and with outdated equipment, in the company factories. He's also a bit resistant to authority, especially if he feels that he's being taken advantage of. However, he loves his fellow interns, and his friendship with all of them is important to him.

The power of this series is in the relationships between, not only the interns, but also with their co-workers. These are people who spend more time with each other than with their own families. Comradery is important to them , and they often work late hours or go out for drinks together after work.

The heart and soul of this series, rests with Mr. Sang-shik Oh (stellar performance by Sung-min Lee, who all but steals the series!), who is Geu-rae's boss of Sales Team Three. At first, Mr. Oh is reluctant and even a bit hesitant to help Geu-rae learn the job due to his lack of qualifications and experience. However, upon seeing Geu-rae's willingness to learn the job as well as his determination, Mr. Oh relents. More than that, he takes Geu-rae under his wing, and we quickly find that the two characters have a love and a respect for each other that is quite touching and heart-warming. Geu-rae, who has been alone much of his life, finds a "father-figure" in Mr. Oh.

We see our cast of characters dealing with one obstacle after another, as they struggle in the workplace; a place that is sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile, and always competitive. The stories are first-rate as well as the actors who bring these fascinating characters to light. You'll laugh, you'll cheer, and you'll occasionally even find yourself choking back tears.

You'll quickly adhere yourself to characters that you love, and despise those that you don't. In the end, I think most people would love to have a boss like Mr. Oh who demonstrates wonderful integrity, despite the back-dealings, and money-grubbing traits of many of the greedy managers around him. He looks after all of the interns, and he has no problem "tripping" those who abuse them in very funny situations.

Misaeng shouldn't be missed or overlooked. This series has it all.

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Among All Couples, You Two Are the Dearest--Light and Shadow!

Of course, I had no wish to spoil anything in the title, so I modified the quote of Master Lee as he tells Jang Uk and Cho Yeong, "Among all the married couples I have seen through my entire life, you two are the dearest." That is a sentiment that I'm sure resonates with most viewers.

A light that embraces a shadow will never be lost in darkness. This may be the most profound piece of wisdom said throughout the entire series. Most people fear the darkness; fear the shadow, but only by embracing it—accepting it—can it be released and let go. Jang Uk is the light, and Naksu is the shadow, and both are equally important in maintaining that balance.

Season 2 was every bit as incredible as Season 1, and in some ways, even more so as we finally come to the culmination of this vast, deep, complex, and incredible story. While it may be sad for those who’ve traveled this amazing journey, we are grateful to have been a part of it at all.

This is an epic series that transcends just about every other series that I have ever seen. It’s beautiful, it’s deep, it’s revealing, and it’s vast in its wisdom. Like so many other Korean shows, it invites the viewer to take a hard look at the world around him or her as well as to take a look within ourselves. It’s another reason why I believe that Koreans—and a few others—represent the next stage in the evolution of entertainment. That people no longer wish to JUST be entertained, but this medium of TV and film can be used to bring about change and wisdom.

Jang Uk embodies the ice stone, making him pretty much invincible. And while others crave the ice stone for its power and immortality, Jang Uk merely sees it as a vehicle to do what is right. That is what makes him a true hero, in my book because he is truly selfless. The only real question is whether or not he can find some spark of happiness for himself. He began this journey as a somewhat lazy and selfish young man. And now, he represents all that is good and noble in man.

When we last left Naksu, her sole desire was to get her energy back. However, had it not been for the bells, one has to believe that her love for Jang Uk would have prevailed. As Mu-deok, Naksu was a bit rough around the edges. We could see her fluctuating between her desire to get her power back and get revenge to softening and dropping her guard to let love inside. As Jin Bu-Yeon—despite her loss of memory—we see a much softer Naksu who smiles a lot more and seems deeply infatuated with Jang Uk. And nothing can substitute Naksu’s finally embracing the light AND shadow of who she is.

Maidservant Kim is as lovely and handsome as ever! And seeing Park Jin’s attempts at mastering the art of cooking were hilarious! They make a cute couple.

At 30 episodes, this series easily goes down as one of the best of all-time for me. And the best fantasy series since Lord of the Rings—and in some ways—even surpasses that one. They are just about even, as far as I’m concerned. We’re given an incredible world of mages whom—despite their extraordinary power—fall to the same evils as ordinary men. The story and characters are vibrant and deep, and the special effects are state-of-the-art, but they never overshadow the characters or the story. The special effects do what they are meant to do: compliment and enhance the story.

I cannot think of a single flaw in the series. It was well-written, well-directed, and immaculately performed by the entire cast. Performances across the board were impeccable. The chemistry between Lee Jae Wook and Go Yoon Jung was fantastic, which is really saying something because the chemistry between Lee Jae Wook and Jung So Min was equally impressive. When I saw that Jung So Min wasn’t going to be in the second part of the series, I admit that I was apprehensive, but Go Yoon Jung more than impressed me.

At some point, I will definitely want to rewatch this series. I’m sure there will be details that I’ve missed or forgotten. Plus, I can watch all 30 episodes together rather than having to wait. Alchemy of Souls is a journey that has been more than a privilege to be a part of. It’s like being grateful that you were alive to see and watch Star Wars for the very first time, watch Sohyang, Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, etc. Those special people and moments that only seem to come around once in a lifetime. Alchemy of Souls is an unforgettable series for that reason.

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A Good Series That Should Have Been Great!

“Healer” kicks off like a massive thunderstorm, and by the time it ends, it’s just a gentle rain, which left me to wonder, “What the heck happened?”

Seo Jung Hoo is a man in his late twenties who is basically a sort of “hero for hire.” He has fancy gadgets supplied by his hacker partner, Jo Min-Ja. He’s hired to do any job except for murder A master at hand-to-hand combat as well as being able to evade pursuit and detection, he’s sort of a cross between Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne. Little does Seo Jung Hoo realize that he’s soon thrown into job that takes him back to his own origins from 20 years ago.

Chae Yeong Shin is a novice reporter working for an online tabloid news company. She’s tenacious when it comes to tracking down a story, but other than that, she has no real journalistic skills at all. This is coupled by the fact that she gets severe panic attacks whenever she’s in a violent situation; attacks that incapacitate her. Of course, why she never suffers an attack during her first confrontation with Seo Jung Hoo is never explained, even when he threatens to harm her if she resists. She, too, has a tie to 20 years ago.

Finally, we have Kim Moon Ho who is Korea’s most famous journalist. He’s nothing short of a celebrity, but thanks to Seo Jung Hoo and Chae Yeong Shin, he is quickly immersed in a massive cover-up that involves his brother and their friends from 20 years ago. Kim Moon Ho is the only one who knows Chae Yeong Shin’s true connection to his brother’s wife (who is Chae Yeong Shin’s mother who believes her daughter to be dead). This sets the stage for a sort of “David vs. Goliath” showdown in which our three protagonists struggle to uncover the truth, who is pulling the strings, as well as trying to stay alive in the process!

While this all sounds intriguing, and for the first twelve episodes or so, it is, but suddenly, there are just way too many plot holes to plug up by the final episode. It lacks the tautness both of story and character that were present in such thrillers as “Vincenzo” and “Stranger.” In those series, the writers and actors knew their characters backwards and forwards. If only “Healer” could have been done with the same attention to detail, this may have been a very different series.

As you may expect, Chae Yeong Shin is like a 7th rate Lois Lane. She soon finds herself falling for the mysterious Seo Jung Hoo, especially after he saves her (fairly typical of nearly every superhero movie ever made!). She’s soon behaving much like a swooning 18-year-old. Min Young Park seems to try her best to keep a handle on her character, but too often, she goes from a journalist with some degree of professionalism to a shy, don’t touch me in front of my father, little girl. Korea is a somewhat conservative country, at least when it comes to K-dramas. Their movies are something else entirely! I guess they want you to believe that Korean women are still innocent and the property of their families. When Chae Yeong Shin tells Seo Jung Hoo that he needs her father’s approval to date (after they’ve already spent the night together!), I cringed. Is this 1950 all of a sudden?! A late twenties woman hasn’t the guts to speak for herself. Wow!

There were a lot of key missing conversations that never took place in the series that had me scratching my head. At one point, Seo Jung Hoo is overwhelmed by the death of his master. Chae Yeong Shin finds his lair and attempts to help. She never asks him why he secluded himself. So much for journalistic attributes to say nothing about someone simply showing concern. Ever after she finds out about his true identity, there’s no real conversation about it.

At one point, Seo Jung Hoo runs off to help his mother who is in danger. He’s operating in the guise of Bong Su Park, who works undercover with Chae Yeong Shin. Chae Yeong Shin finds him unconscious on the rooftop. Bong Su is a bit of a coward, and yet Chae Yeong Shin never asks why he ran off in the first place after he recovers.

Chae Yeong Shin also seems to have strange mood swings. She’s upset one moment and then she’s suddenly okay. I’ve never seen characters with such speedy recoveries in my life! In one scene, she’s nearly catatonic, and by the time Seo Jung Hoo reaches the first floor of the coffee shop where she lives, she comes bounding down the stairs with a smile on her face as though nothing had happened. I wondered if she was bi-polar!

I also found it strange when Seo Jung Hoo is set up for a murder rap, and Chae Yeong Shin sees him covered in blood, she’s initially shocked until he runs off. She never once attempts to contact him. It isn’t until a couple of days later that she finally asks if he’s ever killed anyone. So much for trust and faith, eh?

Seo Jung Hoo is a man who is in tremendous shape, literally scaling buildings and running across rooftops. He and Chae Yeong Shin stupidly decide to try and have a “normal” life, despite the fact that there has been NO resolution to their situation. Suddenly, Seo Jung Hoo is sleepy and seems to have no energy in the office workplace. Give me a break! A guy in that kind of shape is suddenly struggling to stay awake?! Even after he’s already been working those hours as Bong Su? This wasn’t just laughable. It was absolutely ludicrous! It was bad enough that someone of Seo Jung Hoo’s intelligence would suddenly decide to hang up his “cape and cowl” when the bad guys are still out there and there hasn’t been a resolution. It was an insult to the intelligence of the character as well as the viewer to buy such a cheap ploy.

I was also a little surprised that we didn’t get a final “daughter/mother” reveal between Chae Yeong Shin and her mother in the last episode. Even though it’s obvious that they both pretty much knew, I was waiting for that moment which never came.

Also, I felt that the final ploy to bring down “the Boss” at the end was a fairly cheap one. I was hoping for something bigger from “the Boss,” and a guy who seemed almost unbeatable.

Performances are pretty good in this series. Kim Mi Kyung is easily my favorite character of this series. She’s just a fantastic actress! Ji Chang Wook did a good job with what he had to work with, and Min Young Park was decent who just had too many awkward moments. One, which was at the end when Seo Jung Hoo puts out his hand to her, and Chae Yeong Shin actually hesitates to take it! Right after she does, she immediately goes into a little thing about how she can never imagine being without him. Then, why the hesitation?! It made no sense!

While the music was good, I started getting tired of the same two songs always being played after nearly every scene! The vocalizing choir really got on my nerves after just the first few episodes.

Healer is a series that was good, but it really should have been great. I know this series has very high ratings. Honestly, I guess I just don’t understand why, especially with so many problems with the script and the characters. It made zero sense not to tell Chae Yeong Shin’s mother about her daughter. You really think that kind of new would actually kill her?! If anything, it would give her some well-needed healing and hope! That was just a horrible reason!

It's sad that after 20 episodes, they still couldn’t quite get everything right. It made me wish that Hacker Jo Min Jae could have hacked into the script and done some serious editing and fixing! Now that would have been worthy of the Healer!

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Castaway Diva is Mostly a Cast Away Series

Castaway Diva is a good story that does a lot of things right, while overlooking and dismissing a lot of things throughout the story. In many cases, a 16-episode story arc can run too long. This is a case where the series would have been better served with 16 episodes rather than 12.

The premise is a good one, in which Seo Mok Ha finds herself stranded on an island for 15 years, after trying to escape her abusive father. I didn’t know that there are over 3,000 islands within the Korean Archipelago, a fact that should have been mentioned to give the viewer some idea of why Seo Mok Ha was so difficult to locate.

Some suspension of disbelief is required for this aspect of the series. Unlike in the movie “Castaway,” which was well researched by Robert Zemeckis, Seo Mok Ha has suffered no psychological effects from being isolated. She isn’t suffering from malnutrition, and her teeth are perfectly white. Also, that far north, Korean winters can bring cold weather, even on that island, and yet, she somehow survives this without any ill effects as well. It plays out more like a Disney movie than anything resembling realism. And yet, despite all of this, I was interested in seeing more of “island” Seo Mok Ha and some explanations about how she survived and got through a day. The series spends little real time on this aspect.

We know from the beginning that Seo Mok Ha has aspirations of being a famous singer, just like her idol, Yoon Ran Joo, going so far as to send Yoon Ran Joo a demo with the hopes of taking her first step toward a possible singing career.

One of the themes of this series is child abuse. It’s a disturbing crime, no matter the form it comes in. It was difficult to watch Jung Ki-Ho holding off Seo Mok Ha’s abusive father, as he’s being pummeled on the dock. It was far worse seeing people standing and watching while doing absolutely nothing about it.

Jung Ki-Ho relates to Seo Mok Ha’s plight as his own father—a police officer—is even more sick and abusive. 15 years later, we find that Jung Ki-Ho, along with his mother and brother, have found a way to live a new life away from Jung Bong Wan (their father) with the hopes of escaping the abuse.

There are many parts of the series that work well, but there are also many parts that are severely overlooked or just don’t really work at all. It was as if the writer had either forgotten or simply didn’t take such logic into account. As a result, the story suffers.

I was waiting for a conversation between Seo Mok Hal and Jung Ki-ho after his identity is finally revealed. I was waiting for Seo Mok Hal to ask him all about what happened on that fateful day on the dock; to find out what had happened to him, and all of the questions a close friend would have had running through their minds. No conversation takes place. They move on as if nothing had happened.

Jung Ki-ho goes to great lengths to expose his father for the abuser that he is, including setting up equipment to use as evidence against him, particularly when his father beats him yet again. And yet, when the evidence may be crucial in bringing Jung Bong Wan to justice, or at the very least, used to demonstrate to the prosecutor the nature of Jung Bong Wan’s character, the evidence is suddenly nowhere to be found, nor is it ever mentioned again.

Also, with the number of charges brought against Jung Bong Wan, how is a man like that allowed to roam freely? No explanation is offered regarding this either. It was as if the writer chose to dismiss these things in order to make the plot work---which is always a mistake, by the way.

I love Eun Bin Park. I think she’s one of the best young actresses in the business, but after “Age of Youth,” Hot Stove League,” and “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” this is my least favorite performance of hers. It was as if she couldn’t find the balance between the innocent, young girl stranded on an island, and the driven young woman striving to fulfill her dream! In short, she often overacts in a number of scenes, and at times when it’s just not warranted at all. It sounded forced. I like that Seo Mok Hal is a strong woman who is loyal, but her transition from stranded island girl to an ambitious singer was so fast that it was as if she’d never been on the island at all!

Another problem is that the chemistry between Eun Bin Park and Chae Jong Hyeop is literally nowhere to be found. The little “romance” never took off at all, not only because the two actors had no chemistry, but also because the amount of screen time devoted to them together was miniscule at best. There was nothing built up, nor was there anything taking off from when they were in middle school together. Frankly, the chemistry between the two actors portraying Seo Mok Hal and Jung Ki Ho in middle school was far more appealing!
Also, there are just too many times when characters quickly dismiss a conflict or problem and then it’s just magically resolved. The biggest glaring example of this was between Seo Mok Hal and Park Yong Kwan. They have tremendous friction between them, and he refuses to let Seo Mok Hal use his song. But suddenly within the space of a day, he does a one-eighty.

The songs are well sung in this series, but frankly, none of them caught my ear. That’s always been a thing about basing a movie/show on music. If the music doesn’t work, then it hurts one of the key elements. I can’t think of any musicals that I liked when I didn’t care for the songs or find them appealing.

Castaway Diva is not a bad series, but it’s not a great one either. Its sloppy writing and lack of chemistry prevented it from being a great series. There was more chemistry between Seo Mok Hal and Yoon Ran Joo. Perhaps if the writers had focused on that aspect more, the series would have been much better. If you spread yourself out too thin as a writer, you end up coming up short on all of your storylines. Castaway Diva is a perfect example of this.

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Whenever Your Heart Calls To Me, I Will Come To You

This is a very touching and innovative series despite some serious flaws in the story. Whenever you are dealing a “time travel” movie or series, careful attention to detail is necessary, otherwise, when you pull one thread that doesn’t quite work, the whole thing can come apart like a house of cards. Einstein once said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” This was his reference regarding time and space, which he scientifically proved, do not exist because it’s all relative.

The series is about love, time travel, and a chilling murderer, and how all three are intertwined and what can be done about it. Of course, some suspension of disbelief is necessary, but in many cases with this series, even that isn’t enough. This is a case where the series might have worked better had it extended the story another four episodes to give the characters time to be more grounded and realistic.

A big flaw in the series is how quickly everyone accepts the time traveling component. I’d wager that if someone approached you with this explanation, you’d laugh in their face with disbelief. Even if the person seems to have “changed,” time travel would likely be the very last thing you’d accept as a plausible explanation. Something else was needed to try and convince others about time traveling being the cause of a personality change.

In 1998, Kwon Min Ju is a lonely, shy high school student who walks around, staring at the ground and never really looking at anyone. She meets Nam Si Heon and his friend, Jung In Kyu, and she seems to come to life a bit, especially when the tall, handsome Nam Si Heon is around. However, he has absolutely no interest in her.

In 2023, Han Jun Hee is suffering from the loss of her boyfriend, who has died in a plane crash. She looks like Min Ju, except that she is outgoing, vivacious, and spirited. In short, she’s full of life, whereas Min Ju is a girl suffering from extremely low self-esteem. A mysterious tape player with a tape is sent to Han Jun Hee, and upon listening to it, she finds herself transported back to 1998 and in the body of Min Ju. However, it’s Han Jun Hee’s personality, and everything she is, inhabiting the body of Min Ju, who can only sit and watch from within Jun Hee’s mind.

Like many time traveling stories, this one is about attempting to prevent the events of the past in order to change the future. On the one hand, Jun Hee is trying to find a way to get her boyfriend back. However, a cold, serial killer is on the loose, and Jun Hee is also trying to prevent the murder of Min Ju.

For the most part, the story actually works, largely due to the performances of the two leads in Jeon Yeo Been (Min Ju/Jun Hee) and Ahn Hyo Seop (Si Heon/Yeon Jun). You might feel like you need to keep a notebook handy in order to keep track of all of the time movements and who is embodying whom! Jeon Yeo Been just an exceptional job of playing the dual role, so much so that it took me an episode to realize that she was playing Min Ju and Jun Hee!

Another big problem is the character of Oh Chan Yeong, the serial killer. Now, by the end of the series, Jun Hee is able to prevent him from inhabiting his brother’s body and going to 1998 to kill Min Ju. However, Chan Yeong is still alive in 1998, and very likely, he will still become a killer, and yet nothing is mentioned about this, and it’s something that should have been addressed.

The suicidal aspect of Min Ju doesn’t entirely work either. Someone who is that determined to commit suicide, even to the point allowing someone to murder them, is someone with severe problems. Min Ju’s issue with being “too hopeful” or having “too many expectations” are laughingly bad. Her issue has to do with incredibly low self-esteem and not feeling worthy of anyone or anything. If you deal only with the symptoms rather than the cause, then you aren’t doing anyone any favors, and Jun Hee is hardly a therapist who can easily diagnose Min Ju. A person with such a low self-esteem is highly likely going to attempt suicide again, especially when something bad happens in their life.

I also didn’t think that Si Heon would so blindly accept Min Ju’s explanation about “making up Jun Hee” when the handwriting is still the most solid evidence against such a whimsical attempt to explain her.

Also, the emotional depth could have been much deeper than it was. I was disappointed in the scene when Jun Hee finds Si Heon at the morgue, having just been murdered by Chan Yeong. She lost of the love of her life, then briefly got him back only to lose him yet again. She should have been far more distraught than what we’re shown. Anyone else in that situation would have been completely devastated. Now, it’s all right for her regain her resolve to try and set things right, but in that immediate moment, I was waiting for a deeper and much more realistic reaction. I just didn’t feel it all from the usually sound performance of Jeon Yeo Been. I think that part of the problem is that there simply wasn’t great chemistry between the two leads. It was good, but not great, and you can always easily tell when chemistry exists. There are a number of youtube videos from actors/actresses who speak to this. I’ve seen Jeon Yeo Been and Ahn Hyo Seop in a couple of series now, and their acting chops in this one is very good. I was just hoping for more.


The series starts out strong, but by the end, it felt a little rushed and a bit contrived as well. It also needed more heartfelt moments which could have served the overall story even better. While this is actually a very good series, it felt like a missed opportunity to be even better. I haven’t seen the original series from Taiwan, but it made me wonder if that version filled in many of the gaps that this version left. A good series, but in the end, it also felt like a letdown, a missed opportunity.

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Korean Beauty And the Beast?

If the goal of the film was to demonstrate how many people treat others as less than human, then the film succeeded in its goal. If the goal was to demonstrate that we should treat everyone with a level of love and respect as human beings, the film comes up a bit short.

Kim Sun Yi is a young, and rather sickly girl, living in a very small, rural village with her mother and sister. We can see her life is rather mundane, and she finds small pleasures in writing until she comes across a South Korean experiment gone wrong.

Enter Cheol Su, a young man in his late teens who has been locked up and used in some kind of backward experiment with animal and human DNA. Initially, all Sun Yi sees is a wild animal who eats like one and largely behaves like one. Her mother takes the boy in, and cleans him up, even though she’s unsure of what to do with him.

Sun Yi is initially disgusted by Cheol Su’s lack of table manners until she finds a book about how to treat dogs. She uses this book to train Cheol Su to only eat upon her command. We find that Cheol Su can understand Korean, due to the professor who was raising and experimenting with him. Whenever Cheol Su does something correctly, he gets a pat on the head, much like a dog.

Seok Ji Tae is the town rich boy and thug. He owns the house that Sun Yi’s family is living in. He’s a largely uninteresting and rather cliched villain of the story, which tends to play out like a Korean version of “Beauty and the Beast.” Of course, Ji Tae attempts to brazenly demand Sun Yi’s affections and becomes violent when he doesn’t get them, making him a far greater monster than Cheol Su could ever be.

The film is a touching one and the performances, especially by the film’s two leads in Bo Young Park and Song Joong Ki are especially poignant. However, the chemistry goes little beyond the affections of two people, but rather a woman and a man she perceives as an animal (even if a benevolent animal at that); like a beloved pet.

The story would have been better served had Sun Yi begun to see Cheol Su as a person, and yet she’s never really one hundred percent sure. In the end, she says that she doesn’t care if he’s a monster. It would have been more powerful if she had told him that she knew he was a human being and not a monster. His violent actions are always done to protect her as well as those around her, but she’s unable to truly see past his animalistic qualities.

In the end, despite living alone, we see just how wrong Sun Yi was about Cheol Su. Just because a person doesn’t speak, doesn’t mean that they can’t, and perhaps she learns something about how to treat others. This film had the potential to be so much more than it ended up being.

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Dysfunction and Technology Are a Dangerous Combination!

This series serves as a reminder that people impel, but they do not compel, and that all actions have consequences. While people are not responsible for other people’s actions, they do have influence, which is why it’s important to understand that how we treat others is essential because it also reveals so much about ourselves.

This is a superficial world in which so many people seek adoration from outside of themselves. You don’t need to look any further than today’s social media and how it impacts people’s lives. Look at Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and others which utilize and prey upon the insecurities of others. Eckhart Tolle may have said it best: Technology amplifies egoic dysfunction. In other words, it provides the means to keep dysfunctional behaviors going and make them even bigger.

Mask Girl is about a young woman, Kim Mo Mi, who has the talent and the physical attributes to possibly succeed in the entertainment industry, save for one: her facial features. She is quickly dubbed “ugly” by her classmates in school, all the way up to her job where she scarcely gets a second look from anyone, especially men. She finds a way to entertain without using her face. She wears a mask, performs through live webcams, and suddenly has the adoration she craves. Such superficial success often unlocks its own vile problems, as she finds herself the target of stalkers, sex addicts, and men who are as psychologically damaged as she is. People fail to realize that they often attract what they perceive in themselves. And Kim Mo Mi is soon caught up in a world of lies and murder.

Kim Kyung Ja could go down as one of the worst mothers. Her son is a recluse who spends all of his time online, dreaming of women he could never have. When he viciously rapes Kim Mo Mi and is killed for his trouble, Kim Kyung Ja turns into a vengeful, sadistic monster whose sole desire is to see Kim Mo Mi suffer and put to death. Her first attempt fails, and nearly at the cost of her own life. However, she finds a second chance by exploiting Kim Mo Mi’s daughter, Kim Mi Mo, and using her to exact her own revenge: she will find a way to kill Kim Mi Mo and record the act on video. Stuck in prison for the murder of Kim Kyung Ja’s son, Kim Mo Mi vows to do whatever it takes to save her daughter.

The series is told from the perspective of different characters, featuring them in their own episodes but correlating with the other characters and what has already transpired. We end up with the pitiful, misfit people society has cast aside like trash. People starving for attention and adoration to the point where plastic surgery is one of the focal points.

You may or may not be surprised to find out that 1 out of every 3 Korean women will have had some form of plastic surgery done before they are 30 years old. That’s a staggering number, and the series demonstrates the extremes that people will go to for the smallest amount of attention.

What is truly sad is that, unless you find a way to love yourself, there isn’t enough attention in the world to ever make you feel happy. It simply does not exist outside of yourself. Yet, the world has reached a point where attention and fame are so addictive and desired, that people will do anything for it. However, what they fail to realize is that all fame and glory are fleeting.

Now, this series may represent a somewhat extreme depiction of what is going on in the world, but it’s actually not as far off as one might believe.

There are scarcely any truly “likable” characters in this series. They all represent degrees of indifference and dysfunction with Kim Kyung Ja being the most severe example of a person who has become so unhinged that she ends up truly being the monster of the story. I’ve seen Yeom Hye Ran (Kim Kyung Ja) in a number of series now, and this woman is a true genius as a character actor. She never fails to disappoint.

I will say that the last episode is a bit over-the-top when toning it down would have served the story better. It got just a bit ridiculous and unrealistic, but overall, it didn’t hurt the story very much, and we already get a sense of how it would ultimately end.

It’s of the utmost importance for people to learn how to love themselves and not be so caught up in what other people think. It’s also important treat others with dignity and respect, for we never know how our actions may cause a person to respond. In other words, don’t poke the cat. You may find that you’ve poked the cat and ended up with a tiger coming at you as a few characters in this story found out the hard way.

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