Jiyuu
An ode to a mountain—lovingly researched and gorgeously captured for all the world to see
Coming from the acclaimed writer of Signal and Kingdom, expect a non-linear thriller with preternatural elements featuring a solid cast of actors. At its core, this is simply a love story about Mount Jiri and the people who risk their lives to protect it.Each episode provides glimpses of the various challenges rangers have to face in the course of their duties. There are short, funny anecdotes. And then there are the tragic, haunting ones. Bits of Korea's actual history are woven into the story, with sprinkles of wildlife trivia as well. There is an over-arching mystery following our lead characters that provides us viewers with that sense of urgency to understand what has happened and how to rectify the situation. I also like the very subtle, barely-there, thread of romance.
On the downside, the OST so far has been forgettable and there are some who have been complaining about the CGI.
But for someone who studied at the foot of a mountain reserve and volunteered for ecological activities hosted there, Jirisan is my kind of watch. Mysteries like this usually have a low rewatch value once you've figured out who's who at the end of the series. I think Jirisan will still be a compelling rewatch for me because of its gorgeous backdrop. Right now, it makes me want to go hiking again and join the rangers in their mission.
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Bleak and potentially disturbing. This is not for everyone.
Shows like this don’t usually make it to my watchlist because it’s too close to reality (TV for me is for relaxation and escapism). The first episode is particularly hard knowing what’s gonna come next. Impulsive actions, alcohol, drugs and a stranger looking for trouble—just two of these together is a recipe for disaster. What more when it’s all four combined.As expected, the overall production quality is superb and the acting is topnotch. The storyline really is all you need to decide on.
For me, my love for Cha Seung Won (though he looks old and sleazy here) compels me to complete this til its potentially dreary end. The series is short enough for me to put up with it. It helps also that his character is written sympathetically.
So if you’re a fan of either of the two leads (Kim Soo Hyun and CSW), then take a peek and see if it’s for you too.
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Slightly uncomfortable setting. Infinitely fascinating subject.
Imagine speaking a language so fluently but only few can understand. The chances of you meeting someone equally as fluent is so very small that when you do finally meet one, your eyes open wide in wonder and both your hearts race with joy.Math is that language here. It’s presented so fascinatingly that you really can’t help but fall in love with it and all its creative possibilities (even if we aren’t as gifted as the lead characters).
The setting in which we find our leads is the biggest problem for most viewers. On top of the age gap, one is (initially) still in high school and the other is his direct mentor. I managed to overlook and gloss through this because the beginning of their “romance” is more of a cerebral one. But I do understand why it makes some people wary.
The more painful part though is the confluence of events and malicious people that lead to their scandal. But like the artwork that the show's title is based on, it gets better.
I say watch this if you are fine with age gaps and are remotely interested in math and Lee Do Hyun.
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At times compellingly haunting and thought-provoking; at times slightly uneven and meandering
You need to be in a certain mood for this one. It is slower and more contemplative than other shows currently airing.I like that it's a family drama with touches of the familiar makjang elements (inheritance, arranged marriage/one-sided crushes, some disagreements) but done in a way that's refreshingly clean (no backstabbing, no evil family members, no hysterics). A bonus factor for me is seeing Ha Ji Won playing an elegant chaebol heiress for once.
This series is at its strongest when it focuses on the core story of the grandma, her grandchildren, and the legacy she has built. It is also at its most heartbreaking when you think of what real people had to contend with over the arbitrary splitting of a nation (a war that they did not start or even want).
What could have definitely been improved is the length (shorter would have made the story feel more compact) and the choice to focus more on certain characters (the real Ri Moon Seong should have had more moments). I am not too keen with how Kang Ha Neul portrayed Ri Moon Seong also. Maybe it was done on purpose to highlight how different he is from the real one but it did detract slightly from my viewing experience.
Bottomline: This was a good watch. Not flawless, but it did deliver some excellent messages across and it had some outstandingly heartwarming moments.
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The sageuk of all sageuks. Grand, sweeping, unforgettable.
Chuno (The Slave Hunters) will stand amongst the best of the best for years to come. It has a stellar cast, acting, story and pacing. It has well-choreographed action scenes as well as an OST that is both haunting and heart-pounding. The production is gorgeous and cinematic. All characters are provided with layers and depth—with shades of goodness and darkness—to an extent I haven’t seen in other dramas before.Chuno already has all the elements of a guaranteed epic: politics, drama, multiple interweaving storylines, character growth and heroism. But the combination of unique subject matter (sageuk from the perspective of the commoners, NOT the people in power), directorial execution, and Jang Hyuk elevates it to something else entirely. If this is your first introduction to Jang Hyuk, it might possibly ruin you for his other excellent portrayals because his Lee Dae Gil casts such a big, lasting shadow. He imprints himself in viewers’ hearts the way he keeps Un Nyun in his.
Absolutely recommended for jaded k-drama watchers and for those who are looking for a story with substance and heart.
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Interesting premise. Stellar acting. Uneven writing.
From the start, the core mystery reels you in. You root for justice to be served and for the bad guys to get their comeuppance. The cast is great so that even when the story gets questionable at times, they’ll make you want to stick through til the end.And there are certain parts where the writing is quite insightful, making the scenes exceptionally memorable and poignant. One example is in an early episode, when Jang Hwa Sa is trying all the food that are available on the menu.
Maybe if this were a slightly shorter drama (say, 12 or 14 episodes?) the writing would have been tighter.
My main complaint is there were several moments where I feel that the characters weren’t written solidly and they reacted to some situations in ways that don’t match how they were supposed to be. There were also plot developments that could have been avoided if the characters didn’t make frustratingly illogical decisions (like not moving out of the apartment!).
As for the romance, I think this is my first Kim Hee Sun drama where I don’t care for her leading man (the doctor) and was actively shipping her with someone else (the detective). A huge part of this is probably due to the way the doctor’s character was written. But I suspect that the inherent charm of Oh Dae Ewan (the actor playing the detective) contributed too.
Overall, I don’t regret watching this but I agree that there was a missing something and could have been better.
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Deserves the accolades. Great writing, excellent directing, excellent acting
This show is probably not for everyone. You’ll need to be at a certain mood and maybe even at a certain stage in life to savor this properly.It is also not your usual kdrama. The story and lives of our characters feel real and unpolished. They could almost be you and me, just going through the motions in life.
But while the poster and initial episodes look bleak and gloomy, you’ll find that as the story unfolds, it gradually blossoms to something warm and uplifting.
This rare combination of nuanced acting, thoughtful directing, fleshed-out storytelling, and overall message of hope and goodness elevates My Mister into an acclaimed and much-lauded series.
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KTH at her cutest and SSH at his romcom best. Together, they make one endearing pair.
First, the bad. The script feels uneven and wanders a bit in the middle part. The music sometimes doesn’t fit the scene. The director missed a bunch of things here and there (probably due to the live shoot system).But the good makes up overwhelmingly for the show’s flaws. Our main couple is adorable. They are extremely comfortable with each other and start off as co-conspirators and semi-friends. They’re sweet without being cheesy. They playfully argue without actual bickering. Their characters grow without losing their essence.
I've watched Kim Tae Hee's other romantic pairings before and her role here as a modern princess plus her pairing with Song Seung Hon is the best of all (for reference: she was good with Joo Won in Yong Pal but her character there wasn't; her pairings in Jang Ok Jung and IRIS were tragic). Also, I've seen SSH in his older melodramas and in 2017's Black and couldn't see the charm—until here.
If you like either of them, then I suggest giving this a try. This is one of those few older shows that I can absolutely rewatch and recommend (albeit with some fast-forwarding).
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Must-watch if you're a fan of the two Gongs
I didn't use to watch old dramas but I made rare exceptions starting with this and I'm glad I did.Definitely, it's not perfect. The fashion and camerawork are outdated. I wanted to shake Biscuit a lot in the first few episodes. And I fast-forwarded through some parts involving the students' lives (not as good as Gokusen) and most parts involving the "dry as a dishwater" second lead (the role, not the actor).
But man, Gong Hyo Jin and Gong Yoo together is such a sweet pair. I enjoyed all their moments and it's what makes this drama such a gem. So much so that I know I'll be rewatching their parts again even in crappy, illegal sites (since it's not available on the legal streaming sites I know).
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Charismatic performances, exciting plot-reveals and the birth of the Korean alphabet
TWDR is quite different from other sageuks. There's politics and plenty of scheming, yes, but at its core is a fascinating project and the challenges in making it a reality. I enjoyed the initial murder investigations and how most of the plot-twists are revealed when I didn’t expect it (not dragged on like in other series).Han Suk Kyu plays such a layered King Sejong, at times conflicted, at times happy and obsessive with publishing the Hangul. Jang Hyuk is a treat to watch as a street-smart royal guard with a knack for getting tangled in others’ schemes. I loved the martial arts fight scenes too!
On the down side, I do think it could have been shorter and that the romance could have been removed. This is a quality production but my interest did wane a bit in the last quarter of the series.
If you're curious about TWDR, give the first 6 episodes a try. I suggest watching ep 1, reading dramabeans' recaps of ep 2-3 and picking up again at the middle of ep 4 to save your time.
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Mostly fresh and fun—but the main OTP bored me
I understand why people like this. It is easy to recommend for those who like forced cohabitation/school romcoms with bits of fantasy.I enjoyed nearly all of the various relationships and interactions in this series (the friends, the two sets of siblings, the secondary and tertiary OTPs). I liked the production as a whole (the colors are nice, the animations are funny) and didn't mind the paper-thin fantasy. Our leads Jang Ki Yong (as Shin Woo Yeon) and Lee Hyeri (as Lee Dam) also make one good-looking pair.
However, as the show progressed, the main OTP (and their issues) bored me. So much so that somewhere from the middle of the drama until the end I was fast-forwarding most of their angsty/contemplative/sugary moments and just wanted to see everyone else instead.
I'm sure a lot of people loved their swoony moments the way the writer intended them to be. But it just didn't work for me. Woo Yeon was written way too calm, passive, and dull for my tastes. He ruminated by his window too much and he kept Dam in the dark a lot of times. I only looked forward to his moments with our ditzy ex-gumiho Hye Sun (played by Kang Han Na) because he comes alive every time with their petty arguments.
As for Lee Hyeri herself, I liked her in the little bit I've seen her in the reality shows before (We Got Married bits and House on Wheels premiere). Her brand of comedy here is rarely seen in dramaland nowadays. She reminds me a bit of the (slightly) embarrassing FLs in older kdramas like Lee Da Hae in My Girl and Kim Sun Ah. I liked her here but I hope she chooses more diverse projects after this so she won't be typecast.
Anyway, all the supporting characters and their story arcs were fun and interesting so I'll probably rewatch this for them. I'll just be fast-forwarding through the scenes of the OTP.
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Great action, acting, and story. Deserves more love and more viewers
Decibel is a fast-paced and gripping bombing flick that has a bit more depth than other action movies I've watched. The casting is great and everyone's acting was on point. Lee Jong Suk delivered well the emotions needed and Cha Eun Woo improved by leaps (since I last saw him on True Beauty). There are several cameos too. I'm being vague on purpose to avoid spoilers or overblown expectations.This is ultimately Kim Rae Won's movie and he's in his element here. As an important side note, he looked nice in his white navy uniform and apparently all the stunts in the movie were done by him. Fantastic as always!
I hope this gets streamed on Netflix or some other global platform. It deserves to reach a wider audience.
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Your usual zombie fare (teen oriented). Can be enjoyable—depending on your mileage
Show doesn’t actually bring anything new to the table. If you’ve watched or read enough post-apocalyptic flicks and books, then you can fairly predict many things. There’ll be jump scares, bits of love interest, in-fightings, and that they’ll whittle down the characters until the end (including the ones you're rooting for).Directing and production values are good. The library chase is one scene that stands out as fresh in particular. The large cast and multiple storyline keeps you guessing who'll survive, with some characters (and actors) standing out in particular.
While certain parts are gratuitously violent or gory (or both), this might not be a problem for hardcore fans of the genre. Young adults and/or those new to dystopian action might probably enjoy it.
As for me, All Of Us Are Dead is one of those casual watches. It's not one I'll rewatch again but I've got no reason to dissuade others from seeing it.
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Flaming hot. Real fire on set and in a young CSW.
Libera Me is a 20+ year old blockbuster film that’s surprisingly still watchable, I can hear it’s thumping background score days later.The story is straightforward but compelling, it really made me think of the dangers firefighters face everyday. The director (same one as 2009’s IRIS) didn’t take any shortcuts and used real buildings and real fire all throughout. I really wish I could have seen this in crisp HD.
Admittedly, I checked this out initially for Cha Seung Won but ended up liking it enough to rewatch a second time.
And if you’ve only seen CSW in his more “recent” dramas (Hwayugi, The Greatest Love), Libera Me is a treat. He’s way younger here but just as fascinating. In certain scenes he’s clearly dangerous and unhinged, in others he could pass off as innocent and make you hope that he can still be redeemed.
Choi Min Soo’s role as protagonist didn’t require much nuanced acting but he’s riveting just the same. I’m glad these two got to act in one movie.
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High-quality but not something I would watch again
Mother’s story and theme is not something I normally would watch. But I recently saw Kim Hye Ja in “Radiant” and wanted to see more of Won Bin on screen so I checked it.If you are a fan of either of them, their acting does not disappoint. In Won Bin’s case, it’s such an interesting role to take side by side the gritty hard-action “Man from Nowhere” which was released in the same year. His limited portfolio is fascinatingly diverse in range.
Story-wise, there were plot developments that surprised me and though I’m not an expert, some shots were quite beautiful (more than your average cinema-pretty quality).
It’s just that the story and theme is so… morose? Which brings me back to my point that despite the film’s quality, the story and theme is really not for me and I definitely won’t be rewatching this nor actively recommending it to others.
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