Bali

This is a family drama that portrays the life of two families that get entangled through the Haesung Group‘s loss of their granddaughter Choi Eun Seok who ends up been raised by the Seo’s family for 25 years. The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life but there are too many subplots that don’t get enough time to be properly developed. The leading couple has good chemistry when they are together but their story became redundant as Choi Do Kyung (played by Park Shi Hoo) tries to maneuver his mother and grandfather’s antics to control his life as a “chaebol” and future leader of Haesong Group and constantly fails to explain and make sure that Seo Ji Ahn (played by Shin Hye Sun) understands his motives behind his actions; hence, for the majority of the drama, Seo Ji Ahn spends her most of her interactions rejecting his loving and caring proposals. Although the leading couple deeply cares for each other and are constantly lending a helping hand throughout the drama, they don’t get to truly the time together to put a united effort to overcome their vicissitudes and be together truly until the last few minutes of the drama that concludes with the most insipid ending.

Read More

This is a very well done romantic comedy set in a historical era. Although it is meant to be a comedy, the dramatic moments were effectively executed. The plot is about the unjustly implementation of a ban on marriage on all young single women and how the characters, main and supporting, get involved in complicated circumstances as a result of this prohibition. The cast did a phenomenal job bringing their characters to life and the relationship between the female lead and the two male leads is as beautiful as heartbreaking to watch. The friendships are steadfast and endearing and truly make this drama very entertaining. Overall, the drama is very well developed in just 12 episodes and offers action, comedy, mystery, and a nice romance. Enjoy it!

Read More

This is a very nice drama in matters of representation of the leadings couple’s lives and interactions with those around them. The drama has two different plot lines, the law enforcement life of the male lead as a member of the SWAT team and the medical life of the female lead as a member of the neurosurgical department at Renxin Hospital, intertwined with a slow burned and cute romance between the main couple. The main couple has a nice chemistry when they are going out and about on their playful interactions as well as when they truly decided to communicate their feelings and ongoing situations but their romantic chemistry lacks zest so, mainly, they were really cute together. Family and friends’ interaction were nice and well acted and, although the drama has some good action scenes, the romance could’ve been better. Overall, it is a nice show but not amazing.

Read More

A lighthearted pleasure!

This drama is really a breath of fresh air! Even though the leading couple bickers a lot throughout their high school years, this drama is not about a hate/love relationship. The synopsis describes it well: “A love story revolving around childhood sweethearts, Ling Chao and Xiao Tu, who journey through youth and share experiences in sadness and joy together.” The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and, every one of these characters had its own endearing qualities. The leading couple, each on its own and together, is a fantastic pair to watch and once they become a couple, they were adorable and delightful; their chemistry as friends and lovers is fantastic. Overall, main and supporting cast did great; the leading couple’s parents are a riot and so much fun together. Overall, if the viewer is looking for a lighthearted pleasure, this is the drama to watch. Enjoy it!

Read More

Review for Season 1 and 2 together.

Alchemy of Souls Part 1 and 2 are spectacular productions. This is a character driven fantasy Korean drama that has very well choreograph action scenes, conspiracy galore, great CGI’s, beautiful costumes, comedy, and a story of steadfast love and support from the leading couple as well as the friendship among the young generation of mages. The chemistry among the main characters is fantastic as well as the dynamics of the older mages which many times deliver many comedic moments. Alchemy of Souls has an original story line from the famous Hong sisters with many twists and turns, modern styles (costumes and hairstyles), references to pop culture, and a great OST. The entire drama would’ve have been better if season 2 was integrated with season 1 creating just one drama and viewers would not have been disappointed with some changes. The leading lady on season 2 did very well bringing her character to life as she was Naksu in the beginning of season 1, which I particularly agree with bringing her back with her own semblance, but the amnesia plot weakened her magnificent warrior aura. The second season is more about Uk and Naksu’s love story. Overall, even though this drama has n blend of genres (action, mystery, revenge, comedy,…), the drama is about Uk and Naksu’s relationship as Master and Pupil that evolves into a beautiful love story among the mayhem of a fantastical plot and the antagonists underhanded tactics to bring them down. This drama (Part 1 and 2) is very entertaining, enjoy it!

Read More

This is a nice romantic comedy with a small dose of secrets, rapidly solved misunderstanding, and a lot of familial love. The leading couple has some heart tugging moments as well as some really nice playful ones. The romantic scenes are not earth shattering but they are nicely done. The drama is very lighthearted and even the antagonist revenge plot doesn’t affect the relationship among the leading characters but, instead, makes it stronger. There is a secondary couple but their storyline is not one that develops nicely and steadily. The last two episodes feel rushed and the end, although nice and cute, is bland. The kids and the leading couple’s interactions with them are the saving grace to this drama. Although is not a great drama, it is pleasant and entertaining.

Read More

Back From The Brink is a very well done drama in matters of cinematography, stage combat, character development, camaraderie, nice OST and, although not perfect, it has a good storyline. The problem with the drama is that halfway it drags and the main couple loses momentum to introduce clichés and unnecessary difficulties. The leading couple has good, playful, and cute chemistry; their dramatic moments really give a tug in the heart but, for been so much in love as to sacrifice for each other, their romantic chemistry seems forced and not well performed. Having said that, if the viewer comes into the drama not expecting an earth shattering romantic chemistry, I must say that the cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and, even though the male lead could’ve been more expressive, he did quite well and the female lead was extraordinarily adorable and beautifully sentimental with very believable expressions. Overall, apart from the intimate scenes in the romance storyline, the drama is entertaining for the most part.

Read More

This is a very good drama with a mix of action, revenge, and a very good romance. I would not consider this drama a sequel because, although it has the same leading couple, it is a different story. It is not a continuation of the Mysterious Love plot and it is neither a sub plot nor a story of a character that comes from the drama Mysterious Love. The storyline of twin flowers is not unique but it is well presented and played well on this drama. The drama is not perfect but the cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has a fantastic chemistry. Enjoy it!

Read More

This is a great melodrama with a mix of suspense, crime, comedic moments that lighten the serious undertones, tragedy, and a strong and steadfast romance from the leading couple that has a great playful and loving chemistry. The story carries a strong theme of social justice that is well carried throughout the drama. There is an array of interesting characters that meet and become stronger together. Although there is some action in this drama, the story is about unveiling secrets of the past, revenge, and getting justice for the crimes committed by the antagonists for three generations. The cast did an excellent job bringing their characters to life and there is good character development with the leading couple. There is one character, which the actress portrayed very well, that made some parts of this drama almost unbearable to watch since she is very loud, annoying, and ridiculous. Overall, the drama is very good and entertaining.

Read More

Poong, The Joseon Psychiatrist is a very good historical medical drama with an excellent character delivery from the fantastic cast. The drama is about “Poong” (Yoo Se Poong / Yoo Se Yeop) stellarly played by Kim Min Jae as he meets Seo Eun Woo and joins a village clinic ran by the most hilarious, heartwarming, and very often mischievous individuals that bring about most of the comedy to shape the lighthearted tone of the drama. The acting on this drama is almost flawless by most of the cast but especially by Kim Min Jae (Poong) and Kim Sang Kyung (Kye Ji Han). Sadly, the female lead role, Kim Hyang Gi as Seo Eun Woo who did great as the despondent widow shunned by society and slowly but surely contributing to solve the conflicting cases presented in the drama, spent too much time with a stone face demeanor that downplayed her caring and tender nature. Although there is a romantic banter between Poong and Eun Woo, that storyline is left for the second season. The drama is very entertaining and the acting is top notch. Enjoy it!

Read More

This is a convoluted story of the path of a fairy to become human, the men who took advantage of her naïve nature, and the man who love her steadfastly until the end. Great premises but the amnesia twist after every rebirth made the female lead unbearable until almost the end. One thing is to be naïve but childish and dumb is another story. The female lead is surrounded by guys that never truly loved her; they were deceitful, self serving, and ended up betraying her trust as she seeks for a lifetime partner. The male lead really saved the drama; he was smart divine doctor, who continuously loved and tried to protect the female lead. Although there are dark characters with darker intentions toward the female lead, the drama is mainly about the female lead and her path to become human and find true love. The leading couple has good fun chemistry and average romantic chemistry due to her childish nature; even when she was taking the lead in the romantic scenes, it was more cute than romantic since many of their kisses were shown as just lips touching and fading in the distance. The drama got better when the leading couple got finally together just to throw another short amnesia twist at the end that, although it was quickly resolved, it caused a rift in the romantic flow. Overall, this is not a bad drama but it fell short of my expectations.

Read More