Lengthy Sageuk With Inspiring Character Growth

54 Episodes. This sort of thing likely works best watching weekly as watching the episodes in a short time frame all together highlights some definite flaws. There are plenty of filler episodes that could have easily been cut down or replaced with something different. For example, Jang Geum being sent off to a banishment section of the palace could've been stretched out longer as it seemed too easy to escape when no one else was able to. Have that replace some of the rather empty episodes and you have a more complete drama. The obstacles were a little one note. Jang Geum gets framed for something, she gets out of it with talent. It was basically like that. Some work really well such as Jang Geum, as a child, becoming a Court Lady through her wit and intellect despite not being allowed in the lessons was something that showed how great and worthy she is of her legacy bestowed upon her. However this was an excellent drama overall despite some of the flaws. This drama is split into a few sections, the introduction with Jang Geum’s parents, how they came to meet and her upbringing. Jang Geum’s first days as a court lady, her transition into a Doctor and then her junior into the King's personal physician. The best section of the story was the introduction, as it gives a unique and well written background for the world we are in and an inspiring story regarding Jang Geum’s parents and their sad demise. Jang Geum herself was a wonderful character. Pure at heart, modest, talented and earnest in her actions. Even her relationship with the antagonists is nothing short of respectful on her side. Her and Lady Han’s relationship was a true kinship that won't be replicated anytime soon. They truly felt together and made each other better. Lady Han tested Jang Geum’s skills and got the best out of her, while acting as her Mother would. Jang Geum was able to fill the gaping hole and guilt that Lady Han felt from the death of Jang Geum’s mum, Myung Yi (who is a dead ringer for Lee Young AE at times). The romance between Jang Geum and Min Jung Ho is a slow burn. Very natural and not forced at all - started off with a few Kind words and grew as they met more and more . That's where the long episode number benefits. The antagonists were somewhat understandable over their circumstances. Choi Geum Yeong and Head Lady Choi were forced into being Court Ladies and forced to act against the King by their families, so they are sympathetic initially, but there are vindictive actions in there which make them more hateable.

Overall this is well worth watching. It had some interesting stories based on factual history and folklore around Jang Geum. But ultimately this is a story about overcoming backgrounds, gender and other obstacles. This drama expertly delved into the system of the Court Ladies, their roles and expectations. If you want historical accuracy, this is for you.

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This was wonderfully weird and eccentric. If this was ever adapted into a US series, I think David Lynch would be perfect for this. That's the kind of strange this was. I can't fully explain what these Jellies were, what was happening and who the characters truly are and yet I was enthralled. Perhaps some of the episodes were better than others but this was a well rounded series overall. Each episode showed up some new interesting character and side-story with the one connective tissue being Nurse Ahn Eun Young. Jung Yu Mi was excellent as this school nurse who sees ghosts and other creatures. Her eerie smile and quirky style was instantly endearing was allowed for a living embodiment of what the show is about. Her and Nam Joo Hyuk, who plays the straight forward Hong In Pyo, were great leads to take us through the six episodes. The side characters and little plots were fun as well. I can't speak more love for this show. Watch it.

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This was pretty much a small budget version of Farewell My Concubine without the historical elements. The film is about two actors falling in love with each other while making a play about a tragedy love affair that ends in suicide. And, spoilers, Yoong-woo, one of the characters, tries to do just that only to just be saved by Jae-ha. Now this was not Farewell My Concubine though. This was just any interesting film that's rushed in crucial parts which prevent this from being anything better than intriguing. This has the appeal of being a LGBTQ film in Korea with a credible, mainstream actor, Park Sung Woong starring in the role. Oh Seung-hoon was immense in the third act, though. That’s worth watching.

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This was bleak. Every aspect of it. Park Hoon-Jung’s direction somehow makes a beautiful place like Jeju Island seem like a miserable place in this dark world that we are transported in. Let's give credit to Kim Young-Ho for the masterful cinematography. This was a well shot film with camera shots constantly focusing on endless roads through a forest or by the seaside.

This was a very unique, nihilistic portrayal of a Gangster Movie full of death, revenge and violence. The film opens up with our main character, Tae-gu (wonderfully played by badass Uhm Tae-gu) grimly talking with his ill sister and her daughter about potentially being stabbed - foreshadowing the ending - right before they die. There was a severe impending sense of death immediately and it stuck with us throughout until the closing credits. Tae-gu is on the run after seemingly avenging his sister's death where he meets terminal ill, mouthy Jae-yeon (Jeon Yeo-been), who is an incredible markswoman. Both of them experience pain and loss, and they bond together through company. Despite their short time together, they were a compelling unit that we care about deeply. The antagonists of the film were typical gangster villains but Director Ma had a rare honour to him that makes him stand out from the snake, Mr Yang.

The violence was incredibly excessive, with blood being in practically every scene. The action was exciting though. Even though the main character is going through dozens of bad guys, there is a dramatic sense of danger in those scenes, especially the car scene where Tae-gu is going insane, fighting for his life with a knife. Frantic as hell. The writing was quite clever as well. The use of gratuitous language can be a tad too much but there are a lot of off the hand humorous moments to off-set the sombre tone.

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This had many elements for you to enjoy. It obviously speaks to the teens of South (and North) Korea more than someone like myself, but I think you can find solace in the family-like community that Dong-Gu grows to appreciate in the end. The heartwarming bromance between Dong-Gu, Hae-Jin and Hae-Rang - all three is a joy to watch. The scenes when they are at dinner or the anchovie scene were beautiful. Dong-Gu. I like the the idea of them having to use their training in their fight scenes come later in the film. The scenes themselves were predictably brutal in Korean fashion. Although the exection of some plot points like Sang-Gu being evil or whatever felt really flat.

The ending was pretty sad with Hae-Jin and Hae-Rang dying from their sacrifices and Dong-Gu persumably being killed - at least there is a bit of hope.

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This was a very interesting film. An artist soon after being discovered dies only to come back to life because of something called the Lazarus syndrome after the value of her art surges. Good idea that the film is built on but The Artist: Reborn also gives us, the audience, a raw insight in the art world, the value of art, it’s meanings and how manufactured it all truly is - yes, sir, she definitely has been raped a lot. We learn that art only really means two things: what it means to the artist themselves (Does Giselle sacrifice her life and name or success?) and what sounds good to the public. There is a lot of meaning to the film, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. This was just an okay film to watch or an hour and a half. There is a lot left to explore regarding who Giselle is as a person. She was willing to die for the sake of her paintings. And Jae Beom himself. It’s heavily implied that Jae Beom and Giselle were attracted to each other in someway. and I would've liked there to be something more to explore that. Which would go a long way in making Jae Beom’s choice at the end more weightful. Some potential that gives us an above average film to watch at 2 am in the morning.

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I thought this was such a wonderfully crafted show. Seo Hyun Jin herself claimed that if the show failed to deliver then it'd be on the actors, and she's absolutely correct in that statement. The writing is tremendous. Another Miss Oh had many wonderful characters with vivid personalities and attributes and an original story that blended well-thought out fantasy with realism in our characters. Park Do Kyung has a precognition power, but it's explained in a perfectly logical way from a scientific point of view. There isn't a clear flaw in the theory of his visions and what they mean. It was incredibly tight. And Oh Hae Young was a brilliant character. She was a loveable loser who cried, complained and laughed all the way through. Compared to the pretty Oh Hae Young, she was worse in every regard but of course, we, the viewers, know the real truth, as does Park Do Kyung. The side plots were all engaging in their own right and added a lot of depth to the main plot thread, making this show as well rounded as need be. Excellent show. Eric Mun shone really well with his minimalist, brooding performance, even compared to the more eccentric Seo Hyun Jin.

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Sweet and fluffy for the romantic side. Inspiring with the personal growth story. Jiang Zheng Han's future seemed small compared to his intelligence. He was content on hustling his way through life before he found something to struggle for and got his life back on track. And he did it not only for love, but for himself. That's what I truly took away from this journey. The quasi non-linear style structure adds a refreshing stance, showing hints of what is a touching story of love and friendship which further make the obstacles out protagonists face even more pressuring.

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I think it's a credit to the actors, writing and story that I was able to resonate heavily with a show that's mostly young women and their problems. The men that were mostly familiar with are either vengeful or out-right creeps, although there are a few gentlemens thrown in so it's not totally bad. The stories and plot is super relatable in that way. The characters were all different and interesting in their own ways. Their relationships with each other were fascinating. They didn't all like each other and that was refreshing. Everyone went on their own journey's, discovering inner feelings and giving themselves new openings to life.

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This was very sweet. And funny. This was genuinely hilarious for the most part. Ko Bok Shil and Louis are two wildly naive characters who know nothing of the harsh world around them and they protect each other through trust and honesty. Now that's a warning relationship to witness. Louis is a sheltered baby, but he's loyal to a fault and Bok Shil is a hard worker who is nice and appreciative of the small things. The obstacles they overcome involve amnesia, kidnappings and petty spats and they do it together with a little help via friends and co-workers. King Shopping Louis is a simple show, but it's worth watching and super underrated in terms of getting you invested in the characters and their goals.

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Surprisingly great. It had a lot of small bits and pieces that would usually be enough to be a drama - shy character, murder, ghosts, family style business, etc - on its own combined together . All of which were presented superbly, filled with depth and colour. Our main character Na Bong Sun is a shy, introverted person at heart, who is unable to look her co-worker in the eye half the time but after she gets possessed by a horny ghost, her personality and relationships with coworkers begin the flourish, especially with Chief Kang Sun Woo. The personality switches are so vast that the character gets diagnosed as bipolar by a doctor. However both sides of the character were fascinating. Seeing Bong Sun begin to grow in confidence without Shin Sun Ae possessing her, was a tremendous story. When watching it, I couldn't help but prefer the real Bong Sun which is where a lot of similar dramas fall flat. But of course, Shin Sun Ae was amazing. Not only where the comedy was concerned but the more darker aspects of the character regarding her past and death. One of the best aspects of Oh My Ghost(ess) was the chiefs. They were all a tight knit group that gelled together in a funny and realistic way. They were a pleasure.

The cast was so good. All of them. There were a wide range of characters with distinctive personalities and plenty of time to develop them and everyone held up to the same great standard. Kim Seul Gi was terrific as always as Shin Sun Ae. Just as quirky and quick witted as she usually is. Park Bo Young not only had to channel the same energy as Kim Seul Gi, but she had to keep her main character’s energy too. Jo Jung Suk was just as good regarding his performance. If you want a kind, driven character, cast Jo Jung Suk because he gives that to you perfectly. Now onto the MVP of the drama, Im Joo Hwan, who played Choi Seong Jae, the seemingly friendly Police Officer who is hiding a secret. Somehow he was able to be sympathetic, yet dark at the same time. Im Joo Hwan is definitely a strong second lead character to have. You're going to get a good effort out of him.

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Definitely a tearjerker at times. I didn't cry at the emotional scenes but they sure left a big impact on my feelings at the time. That's where this drama excelled. Compelling characters that mostly have a lot of depth - Shin Joon Yeong and Assembly Man Choi for sure - met with emotionally driven scenes. Our main character is dying so we are stuck with this inevitable sense of dread. The character doesn't go with the easy choice of simply ending his day's with the women he loves. Shin Joon Yeong instead decided to give No Eul the justice she deserves while making up for the guilt he has for his previous actions. It leads to some frustration but it turns out to be necessary and it shows how great of a person he was.

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I think the best way to review Encounter is to talk about episode one. Absolutely phenomenal opening episode (in fact, the show is pretty amazing until episode 13-ish). The best I've ever really seen from Korean Dramas. The rich cinematography is right on display with the beautiful scenery of Cuba and South Korea. The great introduction for our main leads, allowing us to learn their motivations and dreams outside of the environment we'll typically see them in. Soo Hyun and Jin Hyuk's introduction and how two opposite people are able to connect so beautifully in a neutral zone and develop intense feelings for each other. Despite age, class, circumstances being worlds apart. It was a strong beginning and Encounter is able to mix usual K-Drama tropes, such as disapproving rich in-laws, themes on social class and the typical break up at the end only for the couple to get together, with good storytelling, great down to earth acting and scintillating chemistry. And not just sexual chemistry either because it's not that. It's certain chemistry that makes you feel like they make each other happy as human beings. It comes off so well and makes the show worth watching without factoring other plots and characters. Encounter is far from one-note. Don't get me wrong. There is plenty to love in this series. And while the finishing episodes aren't quite as strong, There is a good chunk of quality.

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'While You Were Sleeping' very good, easy drama to watch. The inital premise of 3/4 of the main characters being able to see into the future, saving each other from their doom, could've got tiresome but the sub plots allowed for an engaging viewing that showcased everyone's characters in an interesting light. Jae Chan is smart, clever and handsome but he is flawed in his job and I love how the series focuses on that. He is the least competent of his co-workers and is very slow at doing his job. Sometimes that helps with the cases we seen but it's always mentioned in a badway when talking about other cases that aren't on show. That gave him a good hook. He wasn't perfect. Same with Hong Ju. She is great at her job and smart but she is a clutz and so weird. They were great as a couple that cared for each other as well. Han Woo Tak has small hints of a crush on Hong Ju but he seens how great they are together and let's it simmer. That's who Woo Tak was. A loyal man with a strong sense of justice. Lee Sang Yeob as Lee Yu Beom was the best character of the lot. Total A-hole and dislikable even in his nicest moments. The side characters were all a laugh and were more significant than you'd initally think. Can't go wrong with this.

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