TheHallyuAddict
Vagabond: An Uncomfortable but Interesting Watch
Vagabond is probably one of the most uncomfortable K-dramas I've seen. It's not the cast or plot, but the corruption shown in the plot. I guess we're so used to the lovey dovey dramas that when a serious one like this comes along, it's hard to swallow. However, they did try to restore your faith in humanity by showing scenes where the people would come together and take a stand.Overall, I'd say it's an interesting drama. The plot, direction and acting we're amazing. I usually don't like Bae Suzy but she grew on me in this drama. Lee Seungi's portrayal of Cha Dal-geon screamed Lee Seungi. I was constantly reminded of his character in A Korean Odessy. Shin Sung Rok was an eye candy. I wish he'd get more starring roles like this.
The music was pretty mediocre except for one song (Breaking Dawn).
The end was weird. I understand cliffhangers but this was just unfinished. It was like It's Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (for those who've seen the movie). The drama felt like it ended in the middle of an episode. Unless, they're planning to return with season 2, the ending sucked and left us with many questions.
Conclusion: you'll like Vagabond if you can handle heavy plots. They laid out so many mysteries that I was forced to watch it till the end and find answers. It was interesting, but honestly, I doubt I'd rewatch it. Maybe if season 2 comes out I might.
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PLOT: - It okay. I can't be more straightforward than this. The beginning felt like the middle of the drama. It was confusing. Apparently, the male lead already knew the female lead, but we don’t know how. It’s a drama with HUGE loopholes. Plus, there’s no real substance to it. Yes, it’s slow. But I don’t mind that. One Spring Night was pretty slow, but it was also good. This, one the other hand, is not. You have a guy who is obsessed with his past love. That obsession is creepy AF. But he gets over it.
There isn’t any AI stuff other than a device which when given a sample of a voice turns into a brighter version of the person whose voice it is using. The device sort of becomes that person – with their memory as well. Being a computer science student, I honestly don’t get how this algorithm is working. How does just a sample of somebody’s voice give information about their past?
The romance is cute. It is also the only reason I’m still watching the drama. Both the leads are experiencing the world of dating for the first time. So, they’re awkward but also straightforward. It’s cute and the chemistry works well. Their romance is calming.
ACTING & CHARACTERS: - All the characters are obsessed with one thing or another. Moon Ha Won with Kim Jisoo, Han Seo Woo with Ha Won and Jisoo, Moon Soon Ho with Kang In Wook and Kang In Wook with Kim Jisoo. Overall, all, all except Han Seo Woo are weak. But I guess the worst characters are Kang In Wook and Moon Soon Ho. I just don’t get them. They seem forced characters and if you took them out, the drama would flow just fine. Kang In Wook is an extremely despicable character and Moon Soon Ho just needs to get a life. She has no role and no purpose of her own.
Acting wise, they’re all doing a good job with what they have. But I do feel like this is Jung Hae-in’s third drama playing a hopeless romantic. It’s a shame because the guy is capable of doing so much more.
OTHER STUFF: - The OSTs are all nice. The editing goes with the vibe of the drama. I love Han Seo Woo’s wardrobe. I also love how aptly they used the colour green.
Overall, I’m watching it for the romance only. I’ll update this after the ending, but I wouldn’t recommend. I honestly think Jung Hae-in made a mistake doing this drama.
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Hi Bye, Mama! is in no way a light watch. This drama, although a heartwarming story about the warmth of family/close ones, is also about the loss of somebody precious. And they go hard with that plot. It's one of those dramas that make you reflect upon your own life. (Side note: I ended up writing a note to my mom because of it. Just in case...) Every episode reminds you to treasure the everyday moments.
There isn't much fantasy to it except Cha Yuri coming back to life. It's mostly about the relationship between the characters, which by the way is admirable. The way Cho Ganghwa grieves is heart-rendering and pretty much realistic. However, if there's anything this drama taught me is that life goes on. It doesn't stop for anybody and as sad as it is, the remaining need to move on with it.
They do a good job at blending the past and present. This way we can understand what losing Cha Yuri meant to others. We can slightly realize their pain.
Acting wise, the entire cast did a superb job. The chemistry between characters is one of the best I've seen. You won't be able to hate any character. Everybody's amazing! However, I would like to point out that Lee Kyu Hyung and Kim Mi Kyung were exceptionally applaudable. They made us feel each emotion. Apart from these two, Go Bo Gyeol's Oh Min Jung is probably my most favourite character. I have so much respect for her. She not only loves Seo Woo like her own daughter but she also fights with Ganghwa for not treating her like a real mother.
Overall, I'd recommend it. It might seem like a sob story but trust me it's one of those with an important message in each episode. The writer doesn't try to be too creative with it. They don't take any risks so it's pretty smooth and consistent. The ending was bittersweet but it remained true to the plot. As for the music, there's one song that stands out: In The Night - Parc Jae Jung
P.S. Seo Woo Jin (playing Seo Woo). This kid is adorable! I loved him! Also, Lee Kyu Hyung really showed versatility as an actor with this one. I saw him in Prison Playbook and fell in love. His character is VERY VERY different in it.
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Hwayugi's comedic approach to what would otherwise have been a highly melodramatic topic, helps it stand out. Initially, the drama did not seem to have any direction. It had a scattered storyline. What helped it get through were the absorbing sub-plots. The romance, let's be honest, was cringy. However, the bromance between Ma Wang and Son Oh Gong is probably the best one I've seen since becoming a K-drama fan.
Overall, the character development was definitely evident. But, there were poorly written characters. From the primary cast, Son Oh Gong was the only satisfying character. He is a powerful notoriously self-serving mystical creature who is feared by many. The character's mischievous personality resembled my image of Lee Seung Gi.
While Ma Wang's own story seemed incomplete, he was important as a support for Son Oh Gong, regardless of their differences. Ma Wang's extraness could only be acted this smoothly by Cha Seung-won. Even though disliked by many, it was exciting and hilarious. Viewers were also cynical of him backstabbing Son Oh Gong, however let’s keep in mind that the two weren’t supposed to be on very cordial terms from the get-go. Cha Seung-won's character may not have been up to the mark, but his acting did not fail us. He managed to pull it off superbly, which made us admire him all the more.
Though part of the main cast, the most disappointing character and performance was of Oh Yeon Seo's Jin Seon Mi. Jin Seon Mi, despite being the female lead, was a stiff character who mostly just complained. She was expressionless. That was especially frustrating in comparison to how active Lee Seung Gi was. It won’t be wrong to call her the weakest of them all.
This drama has a star-studded cast with some of the industry’s major names. While the primary cast receives the spotlight, in A Korean Odyssey, it is the supporting cast that steals the show. Lee Se Young, in particular, shocked the audience with her transformation from a dim-witted zombie to a charismatic seductress. Her performance was applaudable, especially when compared to her work in Hit The Top. Lee El as Ma Wang’s secretary is probably the most underrated of the lot. Kim Sung Oh's Lee Han Joo had me laughing till my stomach hurt with his unintentional comedy. Lee Hong Ki and Sung Hyuk are honourable mentions as well. Sung Hyuk plays two roles – General Frost and his sister the Summer Fairy with whom he shares his body. I have to say, not only was he convincing, he also looked gorgeous dressed up as a woman. Some even compared him to AOA's Seolhyun!
Overall, I’d rate the drama 3.85/5. The initial setbacks faced by the drama left many (including myself) sceptical of it. However, apart from a few glitches here and there, A Korean Odyssey is quite captivating. It is far better than the first impression left on the audience by the production team. The soundtracks if put together would make a good album. Nevertheless, its re-watch value for me is pretty low, probably somewhere around 1.5/5.
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Romance Full of Life is a six-episode drama starring Yoon Si Yoon as its main lead, So In Sung. The drama circles around So In Sung, a slow, weak and clumsy character who has been failing the police academy exam for four years. In Sung participates in a high-paying medical experiment which changes his life.
So In Sung has a very positive and beetle-like personality which Yoon Si Yoon portrays very well. I don’t think anybody else could’ve done a better job. I loved how even after he changed there were minor things that kept him linked to his original self. For example, his eyes had the same dreamy/carefree look as before.
Jo Soo Hyang plays the female lead in this drama. Her character, Wang So Ra, perfectly and realistically balances So In Sung’s optimistic and dorky aura. She shows the frustration, anger, confusion and fear of a struggling unemployed person – something that was missing in the other characters. Even though I understand why, Wang So Ra was a pretty dead character. She was too worn out.
From the supporting roles, Kang Ki Young stole the show with his role, Jo Ji Seob. It is no lie that this man literally brings any role to life with his comedy.
Generally, the acting wasn’t outstanding but commendable. Kang Ki Young and Yoon Si Yoon stood out as they nailed their comedic side. They also proved that they can work the bromance magic with absolutely anybody. Jo Soo Hyang was mediocre. She left a mark on the audience when she starred in School 2015, but I wouldn’t be surprised if anybody forgot she acted in Romance Full of Life.
I DEFINITELY loved the Kim Seulgi cameo and how it linked to Queen Of The Ring – another series in the Three Colour Fantasy trilogy.
I loved the gist of the drama and the message that came with it: “Real success is when you work hard as yourself and achieve your dreams – not when you use shortcuts to get what you want in life.” An applause for the attack on people who use their parent’s names and sources to get a position (Claps). That was a well-timed and laudable strike. However, I felt like they dragged the entire main leads longing for each other concept too far. Instead, they could’ve given us more insight on what So In Sung can do now that he’s strong. But then again, this was primarily a rom-com.
Overall, Romance Full of Life is undeniably worth binge watching. It has the comedy, the romance and, obviously, the plot for a good drama. Although, most of the time I wish a web-drama was a full twenty-episode one, in this case, it would’ve lost its charm had it been a full series. On my blog, I rate dramas out of 5. For Romance Full of Life, it’d be 3.5/5.
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