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The Need for Compassion
The first time Gil Gu came across the Seon Ji's early morning devilish persona; I got a bit scared and don't want to continue. I really do not like watching horror movies, so I stopped.After a few months, I tried again. This time with a hope of redemption for the Seon Ji. And this movie gave me that.
Korean dramas reflect their culture - if not about shamans, or demons, then it is about reincarnation or bodily possession. The last is what it is. Just like Gil Gu, there is a belief that she might be possessed by a demon, yet as she conversed with him, there seems to be some logic. Demons do not negotiate or just possess a person for a certain time.
As Seon Ji learns to trust Gil Gu, the crazy part of Seon Ji revealed her past. Seon Ji may not have the memory of Moon's possession, but with Gil Gu, Moon found someone who help her be at peace. Gil Gu's compassion touched Moon.
I like how Gil Gu's character developed in this encounter with her. He started off afraid, but later on as he said he is a good listener, had compassion towards her. It was not exorcism that she needed. It was her peaceful abode. Gil Gu is such a gentle and kind person; however, he doesn't seem to have any direction in life. This sort of a job of watching over Seon Ji had shaped him and found his purpose
I applaud Yoon-A for doing two opposite characters in this movie. Ahn Bo Hyun is such a nice guy, and I think his real self is somehow reflected in Gil Gu. I am ok that the story didn't rush to make their character fall in love but gave us hope.
Would I watch this any time soon? maybe not as the whole story is still fresh in my mind. This movie is adorable.
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POLAR WARMTH
It was a beautiful reality show showing us:- the struggles to get to Antarctica - it took them so many days waiting to fly
- the shortage of ingredients - almost end of the year and the resources are only brought once a year, where can you find fresh fruits and vegetables?
- the harsh weather - Antarctica is more unpredictable than our own weather system.
- the scientists and engineers who stayed a year to help this world a better place
- the different nations coming together for a common good, In Antarctica, no one owns the land. They work together, help each other, regardless of nationality. Even as the 37.8 crew served the Argentinians, Uruguayans and Chinese aside from their own, there are exchange of gifts as part of appreciating one another. This show is overflowing with much warmth and love.
This reality show hits home because the people they served missed home. By cooking for them, they are bringing them to what they miss the most. Beyond the food they tasted, they felt the love, the friendship and compassion. I believe these four celebrities came out changed, a better appreciate of life and the people who serve wholeheartedly.
I love that Suho made a particular song for this travel. As he was narrating about their experience walking on the snowing slopes, they were instructed to step where others stepped. I feel like this is philosophical in a way - others came there ahead of them, and they are following into their footsteps. It is a recognition of the other crews who came before them and contributed to science.
Thank you for this show.
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Love through Food
I enjoyed the first season so much that I continued to watch the 2nd batch.Actually, I am missing Dae Hwan as he is such a hard worker and not a whiner. he accepts his mistakes and does better.
At first the new two guys - Soo Geun and Kyung Hwan are slow and complained a lot but towards the end they admitted that they are passive and need to step up. Kyung Pyo as he is much younger than all of them obeys though we can see his hardships.
What they did is no joke. Serving thousands of people who served the public is such a noble thing. I believe Paik Jong Won's expression of love is through his preparation of food. I am inspired by the way he planned and mentor his teammates. As Bo Hyung has been his partner before, he already knows that he can trust him with the desserts.
I like that they have a sizable truck already as they get to even add equipment and cooking implements into their trucks aside ingredients for their service.
Food warms us, but the making of good and satisfying food warms the hearts. Thank you for giving us this kind of show. I hope Jong Won will soon be able to get his business better and be able to have some kind of show - not just to show his love of cooking but also giving joy to those who eat them. Thank you to the producers, the crew who made this show possible.
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You and Me Against (almost all) the World
Thought of having this headline cause from the start of this series, there are many struggles already for both Kang Hee and Yeon Soo. They are not supposed to suffer for whatever wrongs their parents had done, however, society has a way of condemning the innocent with the guilty.With a small town like this, everyone knows everyone and rumors are inevitable. These two lead characters suffered much from the voices of the past. The oppositions to them being together brought a strain to their relationship. Though they had promised to ignore the noise, still Kang Hee struggled.
What can I say about the characters portrayed here?
1. Kang Hee - a complex character, talented and rose above the prejudices at work. When, finally, someone recognized her talent, then came the time to face her past. Towards the end, she learned something about her friends, her dad and even the other people in the town.
2. Yeon Soo - a quiet and gentle man who chose to stay in their hometown and loves Kang Hee no matter how difficult she may be. I think he has the most development, as Kang Hee said that he had changed. He may not fully understand Kang Hee, but he patiently waited for her to be ready.
3. Chun Pil - a man of few words, misunderstood by his daughter, kept his sanity in managing the motel despite of his own personal struggle. He did not let his daughter be burdened. This character has a big heart for caring for the boys who were not cared for by their own parents.
4. The Gangsters - despite of the struggles these leads had, they have good friends who stayed with them up to adulthood. Each has their own struggles, all because of the prejudices from other townspeople.
5. Yeon Soo's mom - she is one of the characters that you would hate. She does not see her own mistakes and points the mistakes of the elders upon Kang Hee. She is selfish and not really after the happiness of her son.
6. Kang Hee's colleagues in Seoul - they are the ones who had supported her in her journey as a designer.
This series does not have the loud wailing and shouting battles, except for Yeon Soo's mom. Both Lee Se Young and Na In Woo have delivered a rollercoaster of emotions as they fight for their love for each other and rise above their challenges. Even their young versions did great in their acting. People can be unforgiving, but what needs to happen is to forgive oneself first in order to move past the struggles. And it is not all You and Me Against the World, for there a few who had supported them either silently or partially.
Kang Hee said as a child, that to love is to hold one's hand or to hug someone. It may be such a light idea for a child, but it conveys comfort and protection to the one we love. And towards the end, there is forgiveness and reconciliation - as they open up their hearts to love and acceptance.
Reflecting on the series lessons:
So let us love unwavering, keep holding the hands of our loved ones no matter how hard life can be. Let go of the past and use them to strengthen our resolve, our faith in God and men. Live in the now free of regrets and move forward to be the better version of yourself.
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To Live Well Despite of a Loss
Those who have lost a loved one can relate to this series. It truly hurts to lose someone in a very untimely manner - that you didn't get to say goodbye before he/she dies. Regrets, guilt or losing the will to live can haunt us. And we see that in the life of Hee Wan and Hong Seok who for the past five years still feel the hurt.The series gave Hee Wan and Ram Woo to spend at least a week and view life beyond the loss. But in reality, no one gets to spend a week with the person we lost in an untimely manner. The story with its going back and forth to present and past slowly unfolds how their relationship started, how this exchange of name affected them and even expanded their sphere of friendships.
Kim Min Ha did exemplary in portraying the adventurous girl in high school and later on the directionless college student. As for Gong Myoung, I still remember him in Love Untangle, where he also played a high school student. It suits him to be the serious and kind young man. I would like to see him do a more challenging role to see the extent of his acting.
It gives us also a view of the importance of family and friends, that though we have lost someone so dear, their support, their life, are also important to move forward and live well.
Our life moves on, even when we lost someone dear. And the grim reaper didn't take her but rather saved her. In view of this story, we should then reflect the importance of being intentional in building our relationship for good.
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Finding One's Path
Somehow this movie gives me the feel of "When the Weather is Fine" but on a lighter note.The different seasons reflect the different thoughts of Hye Won's life.
Winter ... when almost everything is freezing, or hibernating ... and her life seem to be frozen also in time, not knowing what to do but returns to a life she once escaped from.
Spring ... when new sprouts come alive and gives hope ... shaking the blues of winter
Summer ... when planting and reaping is at its peak ... it is also a time of seeing the fruit of her labor ... and what she is trying to understand, her mom, even her future, what she really wants in life becomes clearer.
Fall - when the dried persimmons are ready to be kept for wintertime ... ready to face where she left off ...
She did leave without saying goodbye to her friends ...
Then returned ... now on a happier feeling as someone came back before her.
All along these seasons, she remembers her mom, coupled with what she cooks that suits the season. She learned them from her mom. As she plants, it shows patience and expectation of her harvest. This gives me a deeper appreciation of planting as it cultivates a character of patience, hope, and love. There is so much introspection in this movie. The alone time, the quiet planting and harvesting are times of reflection.
Somehow, the seasons represented also her own season of maturity - of finding clarity, of contentment, and of hope.
I have dreamed of living in a countryside, slower pace of life, with fresh air, no smoke or traffic. Many people think that life is better in the city and the movie tells me, it is a matter of seeing the beauty of where we are planted. It does not matter if it is the city or the country, what matters is - is it home?
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"The present is the past to your future"
I have watched many time-travel series, but more of a different era for no apparent reason. But this drama, has given the ML the purpose to travel back when he was not even born.The first episode felt long because it tried to establish the connection of the two leads.
The Story
First, we should not take it seriously as in changing history. It is fiction, so I take it as a creative work of the writer to use the time-travel to solve various crimes. As the ML is from the future, he knows what may happen, but as he tried to save lives, somehow, what was the original time and scene of the crimes committed were altered. And there is no way that they can keep their secret be revealed to a few. Somehow there is redemption in the end, an understanding of their past parents/ grandparents and the hope of a better future. Somehow their "meddling" made a positive difference to their families.
The Actors
I like Jin Ki Joo. She never disappoints me in her acting. I have seen her in several dramas, and she has the right expressions in each situation.
As for Kim Dong Wook, it is my first time seeing him. I think he is suited for this kind of drama - investigative and crime solving. I just don't feel so much the love between these two leads. Perhaps it is because of the family background before they went to 1987.
The supporting actors - played vital roles in the story. We may not understand the why's of the bad characters in this drama, and somehow it is implicitly told that they became like that because of their own family's ways.
For me this time-travel drama is just for entertainment. But we can learn from it on how we live our lives in the present. I like what Yoon Young said to Mi Suk - that she can be better, "the present is the past to your future." We should not beat ourselves over past wrongs. Instead, we live today with better choices to be a better future self.
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Inspiring Turnaround
I am always looking for inspirational movies. And this one did not disappoint. And I love stories of mentor-mentee, teacher-student as I am also a teacher of some sort. Here we see not just a passing of knowledge, but rather a teacher investing his life for someone who has a potential to be great and get out of the wrong path.The actors - Lee Je Hoon and Han Seok Kyu did a wonderful job, had shown a wide scale of emotions throughout the story. Their characters may have resisted at first, but eventually something click within themselves. It may be a hope for a dream to come true, a hope to get out of the wrong path, the joy to invest on someone's life. Though I may not agree with the way the teacher treated his student, it was his tough love that set him straight. And the last song showed how much the student loved his teacher as well.
The timeline when he was in school to get the break may be too short, was he lucky? However, this goes to show that we all desire dreams fulfilled and celebrate success of someone in one way or another been part of that journey. I just wonder, who is the singing voice of Je Hoon?
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Tough job handled by a cool guy
I am quite late watching this drama as there were so many others that pique my interest first. But as I started watching it, it is like a good book that you cannot put it down.The Story:
No violence, no sci-fi, no love story. And I like the way it is as we see how an M&A expert did his job with his brains despite having so many oppositions. Am not knowledgeable of M&A, and this drama taught me how tricky it can be. Right words and right timing coupled with wisdom and patience are some of the elements that is in the M&A team. I like the M&A team's supportive attitude. The story won't be colorful without the villains, or antagonists.
The Actor:
Lee Je Hoon, I was pleasantly surprised by his appearance. In his other dramas like Taxi Driver and Signal (which I saw trailers only), he looks the tough guy, but here, he is way cooler with his white hair which fits him very well. I am having a hard time figuring out what else had changed since he looks more handsome here than having black hair. His acting, I should say fits well with the character - one who is careful with words, does not show anger or fear in his face despite of being played.
To me the rest are all supporting, though they played vital parts in how the story goes.
Am just thinking if the writer can think of a sequel - How Director Ha will play out now that he is on the other fence and what else will Ju No ask his senior to do. Am also wondering, if he is in good terms with his wife, will he return to her and adopted niece? But it can also end with just this and we assume, that the chairman trusts him now.
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Futuristically possible
This drama is fast paced yet so many mysteries needed to unfold in each episode. And as I am watching with a sub, I have to focus on the dialogs and trying to see the action at the same time. The beginning speaks of genetically made meat which is not too far from reality. But what is truly futuristic is the idea of generating organs without harvesting from a deceased patient. This must be a thought running through many medical researchers to answer the growing need of organ transplants. And if this truly comes true, they showed us how this can play politically and the desire for world domination. That would be scary!We see the plot thickens even more with the investigation being made by Chae Un who seem to follow orders from a former president, yet he had put up a wall so that no one will know his true intentions. Even his recruitment process as bodyguard to Ja Yu is odd - no intro, no instruction, all he needs to do is respond/react to what is coming. He is very guarded, yet he is protective and does what he is hired for. However, both Chae Un and Ja Yu are suspicious with one another throughout the story though they tried to give a little trust since not one of them had shown any double crossing.
All the actors did very well with the characters they played. Even I kept guessing who the spy is, just as Ja Yu also tried to solve it. Ju Ji Hoon is perfect for the role of a former soldier turned bodyguard - with his physique, his acting, who seemed trying not to show much emotion, yet you can see in his eyes the doubt without saying a word. He looks much older and bulkier here than in Trauma Code.
Han Hyo Joo showed quite a different character here from other dramas - saw her in W and in Romantics Anonymous lately. She showed strength of character as CEO, who tried to trust her bodyguard, despite knowing so little of him. Her facial expressions are just right for the role.
The other characters played harmoniously with the leads. You would wish that the villains, whoever you may think they are will get what they deserve in the end.
Great plot, kudos to the writer and the director who orchestrated the whole production. This is not an easy story to execute; the production seems to have a huge budget though some parts can be done with CGI and AI now. It is only now had I realized that there is such a huge building, but it seems too few employees coming and out of it. I understand the HQ is placed in a remote place, but how come this is known by the PM.
On the point of view of an architect, I saw some flaws in the production. If this building holds valuable research materials, how come there is not much security from the road before coming in the building. Sorry, am thinking as an architect, that is why I thought the building should have a perimeter security. And how such a forward-looking firm gets hacked and without a back-up?
However, I was so shocked with the ending. I have so many questions in mind:
1. What happened to Ja Yu at the operating table?
2. Did she survive?
3. What happened to BF and all its facilities since the PM was found in error after all the seizure?
4. When Chae Un opened his eyes, where is he located? Is he bionic already?
5. What happened to Chae Un's house and his cat? It is his property, why would they seize it anyway? Isn't that illegal?
I don't like open ended dramas. Are we supposed to make our own conclusions? With these questions, I think we need a Season 2 to give us some closure. Whether the leads die or not, we should at least not be left guessing.
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A Strong Motivation of Love
I primarily watched this drama because of the two leads - Choi Yi Hyun, whom I had seen in The Matchmakers and Choo Young Woo of Trauma Code. With the title Head over heels and promo photo, I just thought it was an ordinary young love, but there were so many twists in the whole story.The Characters:
1. Choi Yi Hyun as the Shaman Seong-A:
She is really cute and could really pass for a high schooler. As an actress, I believe she gave her best, showing different depths of emotion. Her face is very expressive, much more her eyes.
Her character started off as a young person who just carry on a side hustle of a shaman but not too attached to any of her clients until Gyeon-U came. You may say she is obsessed and her desire to save him is because he is her first love. For 10 episodes she is very actively involved with him, but we lost her after taking Bong Su with her. The character has a transformation, a maturity that didn't go to the dark side and kept her mission as what her spirit mom told her.
2. Choo Young Woo as Bae Gyeon U:
He played quite a different role here from Trauma code, and as a high schooler with dark secret. It is good to see him play two different characters which are extremely opposite to one another. Good acting as the melancholic Gyeon U and the playful young Bong Su, that made us guess his age.
Gyeon U thought that he is really doomed forever, and only Seong A was able to give him hope. He needs to find his purpose after his grandma died and that purpose is in archery.
Other characters that really played their parts very well are Seong A's spirit mom and Yeom Hwa. I love the tenacity of the General and the sacrifice she needs to do in order to save Yeom Hwa. And whatever is the future for Yeom Hwa, actually I don't care, at least she left them in peace.
Somehow, I felt the last 2 episodes jumped too fast forward many years without giving a story of Bong Su in Seong A, or what was Yeom Hwa doing within those years if she has already lost the power of a shaman. I had wondered when Bong Su left the body of Gyeon U and followed Seong A, where they went and was surprised later that he is in Seong A already. He is a boy and went in a girl, but acted like a girl? That seemed out of character for Bong Su. They could have made Seong A tomboyish instead if Bong Su is in her.
Am not really loving it. I only finished it to see if they were able to be free from being possessed. I don't usually watch stories of ghosts, with the exception of The Master's Sun. I wonder if Shamans are still existing in modern day Korea. I watched this because I was after redemption and the love story. I don't think I will rewatch the whole drama, perhaps just pick a few episodes that will bring joy to my heart.
What do you think?
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Could it be that ML and FL are both Masters and Suns?
I saw this series quite a long time ago but not fully. So, I decided to rewatch it this year. Actually, I really do not like ghost stories, but this one is quite different and unique in a way that the ghosts have unfinished business that only Gong Shil can help them.The ghost stories vary, and Gong Shil's reaction of fear is but natural. Even after so many encounters, she has not gotten used to them. And she only has peace when she touches Joong Woo.
What I like about this drama?
Both So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin did a marvelous job. It is just funny how Gong Shil treated Joong Woo, as if a maniac which makes the latter fear for his dear life. The facial expressions are so funny and not irritating. Their interaction is so cute. And we can see a transformation of character for both of them as they learn to depend on one another.
As this story is on the supernatural, we can expect a lot of special effects. The faces of the ghosts were terrifying at first, but later on as Gong Shil converse with them, they just look like ordinary people. This gives us the idea that there are people with unfinished business when they were still alive and they need someone to help them to fulfill them.
I was wondering about the title of this drama
Who is the Master and who is the Sun? I just think Joong Woo is both the master and the sun to Gong Shil - she follows him around and becomes the light to shoo the ghosts. Gong Shil can be the sun to the life of Joong Woo who helped him be freed of his past. She can be the master of her own life, that will not let the ghosts cause her to fear.
This is worth rewatching because of the two main actors and how the story unfolds quickly.
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Intense, no dull moments, inspring
I did not read any of the reviews nor comments here regarding this series. As I have watched many medical series such as Dr. Romantic, Doctor Slump and Doctors, I would expect lots of blood.However, this is in another level.
Sure, there is politics, yet somehow Dr. Baek has proven himself to be more than competent to head the Trauma Center. He is a no non-sense doctor who aims to save every patient who is under his care. He may be strict, or unreasonable to others, but he has compassion. He knows his calling and that what drives him.
As for Dr. Yang, or Anus or Number One, he has the biggest transformation in the series.
I love Nurse Gangster, being in the Trauma Center for quite some time showed her strength and determination.
I also like Dr. Park, who showed his true reason in getting close to Dr. Baek.
And let us not forget Dr. Han who became his ally later on.
All the actors did a great job.
Every episode was intense, though there may be quiet and slow moments, those were important to break the intensity of the accidents and hospital chaos. There are funny moments which I also enjoyed that added color to the series. I like that every episode is under a hour and I think 8 episodes is just right to see the turnaround in the hospital.
This is an inspiring series, not just for doctors, but for every professional who had chosen a certain career - to find the why behind their choices.
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I thought it was a parallel world
I started this movie and halfway through jumped to the ending.... and because of that I got confused. I thought there was a parallel world. So, I rewatched it in full without skipping.The movie depicts the difficulty of having a relationship that neither of them had been open about with others. The slimmer Hyeok never told anyone he has a girlfriend back home which led him to entertain the temptation and the suspicion.
We may say that the Jang Hyeok and Dae-un both had lost their way because of their failure to communicate honestly. The moment the man started to lie, he is sure to hide something and later on yield to temptation. This is quite realistic.
Perhaps we may wonder now, what will happen to the chubby Hyeok and Dae-un, about the baby Dae-un carries and the slimmer Hyeok.
The last part of the movie which is a sort of a recap of all the events from the beginning of Dae-un's encounter with the first Hyeok up to going to the airport with the second Hyeok clarified everything.
Figuring what is the sweet part? Perhaps the start of the relationships that brings butterflies to each other.
It seems that more of the movie tends to be the sour part - a relationship gone wrong, cheating, too late to realize she is the one and losing her to another who now benefited the Christmas time in Jeju.
I wonder why the writer thought of this title anyway.
No need to rewatch, as it didn't give me a positive life lessons. sorry.
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Hope turned to Sorrow
I was just looking for something light and happy movie, however, this brought sadness at the end.I usually make reflections on the tv series or movie I watch and try to pick life lessons. In this case there are a few:
1. a true friend goes the extra mile though it may hurt her the most.
2. true friendship was tested in the matters of the heart
3. if you have good memories of someone you've not seen or will never see anymore, cherish them.
I was just left hanging, not knowing what really happened to the ML in detail. It seems they kept that from us, whereby it is just the brother who relayed to her. No matter what, a death just killed all the hope of meeting again, of continuing their journey together and even perhaps having a family.
I really do not like sad endings. However, we all encounter one way or another some sort of "sad" moments in our lives and what is important is how to deal with it and move on with life.
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