Zogitt

Farm/tree/seachange for everyone!

There are times when only a slow burn, mellow romance will hit the spot. This show fits the bill, but it also has a minor sting in its tail. We'll talk about that later.

The first couple of episodes is manic. Two already hectic urban lives are upended by life threatening illness as well as career setbacks. A double whammy you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. I can sense the "how low can it go" trope rearing its head already.

The daughter (YFL) finally had enough and ran away with her bestie to the sea. There she meets a handsome, helpful young man (YML) and his handsome, helpful father (OML). As luck would have it, the OML went to school with her adopted mother (OFL). There was definitely some entanglement back then.

One thing leads to another. Before we can say Tteokbokki, our female leads up sticks and moved to the small town where the male leads live. They made new friends and reconnected with old ones. They build a home and made a fresh start. Everything is going swimmingly except for the shadow of the YFL's illness.

As you'd expect, romance is definitely in the air. While there are two SFL's. They don't pose much of a threat.

The greater challenge lies in our leads sorting out their feelings and acting upon them. As per usual, this is quite a long and tortuous path. We got there in the end and everyone is happy until it is time for the YFL's operation. So much introspection and tears.

Now the sting I mentioned earlier. It is not really anything nasty but the show is unabashedly sentimental towards the end. Every trope related to relationships, found family, healing and growth are there. You might find it wholesome and sweet . . or not. I won't judge. ;)

However, the time skip in the end feels a little pointless. I see the need for the FL to heal, but it also implies nothing happen to everyone around her during the lengthy skip. Then everything rush ahead once the stasis is over. It feels quite arbitrary.

In the end, it is a pleasant watch. Several romances blossomed. The acting is good from the ensemble cast. Dr. Jung is a gem. Production value is on par. Ditto the OST. It might be too mellow and sentimental for some. Caveat emptor, chingu.

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J-pop Rulez!

It was a challenge to write this review. Not because it is meh. Quite the contrary, when it is good, it is amazing! However, in the cold lights of a post-concert low, you do notice issues. In that sense, it is . . uneven.

Firstly, the acting of our ML! While he is always good and dependable in his dramas, he is next level in this. He is the heart and soul of this series. Period. ;)

This is also where the phrase double edged sword takes on some significance.

With such a strong ML, there is little room for the other actors to showcase their acting chops. Not that they did a bad job. Each have their moments in the sun (or rain, for that matter). Yet they pale when Takeru-san is shining so brightly. He is also the executive producer. No pressure.

Secondly, the music! Any fans of j-pop, progressive rock and even jazz will rejoice. It is a roller coaster ride from start to finish. It runs the gamut from mega live concert to impromptu recital in a music store. While the actors are not professional musicians, they trained and practiced really hard for their roles and it shows. Add a bit of movie magic and voila! Awesome, believable performances. Salut! J-pop deserves a chance to blossom.

However, it does cut both ways. If you are not into the music, then this show will be opaque to you. You can still watch it as a fan of the star, but it will be a challenge to enjoy it to the fullest.

Thirdly, the script! Oh, what a glorious mess! There is an overarching plot of sorts. It mostly makes sense. It also reserves the right to do whatever it wants to move the plot along and take detours. There are the prerequisite angst, a dollop of romance and low-key family feud. In that regard, it has a hint of a mockumentary. It is a journey, for sure. There is much healing and growth in the characters. Just don't ask too many questions. The lows will come. Enjoy the highs while you can. ;)

Fourthly, the characters! This is a Pandora's box. Some characters have depth you can drown in, yet others are nothing more than one dimensional archetype. I don't want to pull each character apart because I'm not writing a doctoral thesis. ;) Every character is flawed. Some do feel a bit self-serving though.

My one real gripe is the nasty producer. He is portrayed as a megalomaniac star maker. You can almost imagine him waking up each morning chanting "if I can't control you, I'll destroy you!!!". Consider the industry they are in, and horror stories of exploitations. It feels oddly sanitized.

Lastly, the production! Wow! Just wow! Sure, there are some rough edges but where it counts, this show delivers! The direction, cinematography and staging should be studied in relevant courses. Performing on a moving boat is a challenge at the best of time, but on a wine dark sea?

The final concert is chef kiss! They have 5000 jumping and screaming extras! Even if all of them are volunteers, the logistics is still mind blowing. This is on top of sundry location and studio shots, both of performances as well as "regular" dramatic scenes. Many behind-the-scenes staff needs to take a bow. Bravo!

To be honest, I'm still a little giddy from watching the finale last night. I know the show is not perfect. Every time I try to recall some mental note I made on an issue, my mind is swamped by an earworm tune, and the afterglow of their performance.

Not to worry. I would be nitpicking anyway and we can’t have that! ;)

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A fantasy romance that ticked all the boxes

First, a confession, I have not read any of the novels and I'm only vaguely aware of the anime series on Netflix. My friend @Nelly recommended it to me and that is good enough. 👍🏼

As a standalone movie, it is fast paced and run through the extensive lore without a pause. That probably won't please the hardcore fans, but you roll with it as a casual viewer.

It is set in an alternate Meiji Japan circa turn of the 20th Century where “gifted” people with special powers try to hold off some kind of ancient evil. While the Gifted ones appears to be united in their noble task, it is far from the truth.

Our ML is one of them and a Captain in the special guards unit specifically tasked to hunt down the evil "insects". The FL is the daughter of one of the noble houses, but she doesn't seem to have any special power so she is treated like a servant as soon as her mother passed.

The similarity to Cinderella is obvious. That includes an evil stepmother and a nasty stepsister. Her life in that household is hellish. Her surprise betrothal to the ML offers her an avenue of escape.

If that is not enough, the Beauty and the Beast trope also joins the fun. The ML has a horrible reputation of being a beast to any female who tries to marry him in the name of political alliance. Just like in B&B, the FL tames the ML with her sincerity and "inner" beauty.

As a hopeless romantic, that is win-win right there. Throw in a handsome ML who looks dashing in uniform and a pretty FL who is vulnerable on the surface but has a backbone of steel, the movie can do no wrong.

But is it? I would be lying if I said the show is perfect. The world building is rushed and lack depth. No doubt a lot of lore and background information have been glossed over. It is understandable due to the time constraint, but you do occasionally feel that there should be more nuisances.

Speaking of the story, the Emperor's plot moves in mysterious ways. It is meant to be full of mysticism and symbolism but it is slow and stilted.

Also, the romance between our leads is very sweet but innocent. I'm sure they would die for each other but they always behave very properly. I'd love to see a bit of skinship. Fine, we'll just say their love is pure. (Grumble, grumble)

Finally, the production value is good, and the OST is very nice. The SFX is generally well done. There are many cinematic moments. However, its budget is limited, and it does show from time to time.

Don’t get me wrong, these are niggles rather than faults. In the end, the movie is an enjoyable romp with all the ingredients of a swoonworthy romance, Meiji style. The pseudo historical setting adds colour and novelty. Who can say no to some bonus fantasy actions?

The post-credit scene hinted at a possible sequel. I'd welcome that. More than anything, I want to see a traditional wedding ceremony. The bride in a fabulous kimono with all the trimmings and the groom in full dress uniform with a honour guard. Sweet!

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This show tripped over its own feet . . HARD

I only penned the review of A Dream Within A Dream a few days before I finished this. I mentioned will be a prize fight between ADWAD and this drama. Timing can be a bitch. Sadly, it was a no contest.

While there are minor wobbles early on, this series is watchable. Our leads did a fine job. I'm a low-key fan of both, just saying. Yet, I was surprised I can pinpoint the exact moment when the wheels fell off this show.

Ok, let's rewind and talk about the good bits. This drama started promisingly. The FL is a loner who is obsessed with one graphics novel which will cease publishing soon. She magically woke up as a secondary character in that novel after knocking herself out in a fall.

All the ducklings are lined up for a fun romp. For several eps, everything is on track and the OTP is a house on fire. This is helped along the way by the ML's acting. As the King's loyal attack dog, he is death personified. People only start breathing again once he leaves the room. The nice twist is how his whole demeanour changed once the FL melts his heart. He becomes a lovesick puppy, and we swoon. Woof!

While the FL makes random comments about plot devices and modernity, there is not a lot of actual leakage between the two worlds. Ahem, instead of promoting modern hygiene practices, the FL introduced cocktails and Soju bombs to the masses. That’s progress for ya.

Other than some petty jockeying for the ML's attention, most of the action is light. The odd danger the FL faced are used to bring our leads closer together. The plot armour is strong around the FL. ;) It is hardly a sophisticated script though.

The tone did finally change when the true antagonist returned to the capital. The minute he shows up, he basically told the ML “I'm your worst enemy and I'll destroy everyone around you!” Subtle.

That would have worked if he is pure evil, but I have a feeling the writer-nim is not sure how to use him. There are a couple of related subplots that seems to have died quietly, and his ranting and raving is inconsistent. It did solidify towards the end but there was a lot of posturing in the middle.

As I mentioned before, I can pinpoint exactly when the show went off the rails. It is when the FL go back to the present and have a conference with the original Lady Cha as well as cupid. Yes, the god of love. The OG cherub. He popped up here and there earlier and was an amusing distraction. However, in the present, he is playing hardball. He is no longer a literary device in a novel. He created the initial soul swap. How and why is unclear, other than both protagonists wished for a different life.

I mentioned in my review of ADWAD how most dramas in this genre have problem melding the two worlds back together. While ADWAD did a good job, this show stumbled badly. Be warned, the following is a rant. ;)

Don't get me wrong, the HEA ending is total (and I mean total) sugar overload. It should come with a health warning. Unfortunately, it also stopped making sense. Plots went either amok or nowhere. Evil people, good people, they are all dropped into a fairy meadow and told to frolic with the unicorns. It was bordering on bizarre when you consider the period it is set in, the backstory of those characters and the events preceding the virtual group hugs.

That point of inflection occurs when the FL told the ML to stop killing people and be his own man. Boy, did the writer-nim ran with that! The ML ends up playing Batman in the middle of a battle. While his men are being slaughtered, he used only nonlethal forces on his enemies. He also spared every wrongdoers when he returned to the capital.

The last couple of eps is a maze of plot holes and inconsistencies. For instance, I accept the modern girl slotting into her Joseon life easily because she knew the novel back-to-front. However, I’m baffled how Lady Cha becomes a 21C girl. Not only is she thriving but she remodelled her room, goes to college, uses a computer and mobile phone like a pro. Was she given a VR manual on How to Survive in Modern Seoul (I want one)? Quite baffling if you pause and think about it.

Don't get me started on the empty palace just before the climatic fight scene. How? Why? My brain hurts.

In the end, we are told our leads live HEA in a spin-off novel. They have 6 kids (consecutively by the looks) and wants 6 more! Hooray for them, but wait! What kind of novel is this when all you read about is happy, bucolic existence and making babies. Ah! There is that . . . I suppose . . . I need a line of soju bombs and a good lie down. Peace.

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Standard healing drama with a very confused message

This is not how I wanted to write the review, but this is one confused puppy and I just don't feel comfortable watching it. Let's get the standard stuff out of the way.

This drama has a big ensemble cast and chock full of veteran actors. Our leads are good actors, and they are in their element. The OTP has good chemistry and there is a bit of skinship. The usual village ajummas can be loud and nosy but you roll with it. They are least of our problems.

OST is fine. Production value is par for the course. With the show set in a country town, most sets are rustic but feel lived in. Perfectly fine.

What is not fine is the conflicting messages being delivered. The basic premise is supposed to be the evil of the Korean drinking culture. This piqued my interest as this is a pet peeve of mine. I lost count the number of times writer-nim uses drunkenness as a device to either create a situation or to move the plot along. It is a miracle that more people don't get into serious trouble, especially young ladies. If this is a reflection of reality then I'm afraid . . very afraid.

Unfortunately, after watching the first few eps, I’m more confused than ever. Sure, the ML runs a clinic treating alcohol addiction and the FL shows all the sign of being an alcoholic so we have the instant connection. That's one tough meet-cute though. Their interactions are naturally fraught. We soon learn that they were each other's crush in senior high school but became estranged later on. Let’s just say the title gives the rest of the plot away.

You might think, so far so good, right? Not so fast, chingu. While the show seems to be promoting the abstinence message, it also gives us every excuse why people “would/should” drink to excess. This is not just about the FL but many people in her circle of friends and family.

Sure, we soon learn why she was hitting the bottle, but she is surrounded by enablers with drinking problem of their own. This is not just at the beginning to set the scene but went on all through the show. Every time the FL tries to be abstinent, someone will tempt her or challenge her. Hwaiting?

Heck, you would think the show is serious about this issue when one character dies from alcohol poisoning, but it never feels . . right. Their resolve seems to ebb and flow from one scene to the next. It might be lecturing us one minute but shows us people having a blast drinking the next. Yes, I know it is part of their culture, but why highlight it then? It feels so inconsistent. Is excessive drinking their sacred cow?

Once you dilute the central tenet, the show feels hollow, contrived. I was hoping the writer-nim would finally flip the narrative but we got something much less convincing. Sure, they listed all the ills, including unable to donate your organ but what's the chance of that in RL compared to the effort required to order another round of soju? Talk about low hanging fruit.

Without a strong core message, it is just another standard issue second chance story with a weak 2CP noona romance. Competent and watchable but what's the point? Very odd.

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Perfectly sweet, perfectly inoffensive. Totally . . . fine

To hate this show would be like kicking a puppy. To like it would take no effort but that’s a low hanging fruit. If I was new to drama watching then I'd scored it higher and posted a page full of ❤️ but I'm too jaded and grumpy so I ended up writing a review instead. ;)

This show reminds me of several other dramas in the same genre but with the angst dialled down and the sugar level hitting WHO daily dosage level. Is that a bad thing? For some, this is their sweet spot. However, it really does nothing for the genre. To be brutally honest, it is samey and forgettable.

The writers seem to go out of their way to minimise the impact of any angsty tropes. If there was a chance of misunderstanding, then the other party would just happen to walk past to overhear the relevant conversation. If there was a hint of danger, then someone would happen to be in the vicinity just in time to defuse the situation. It is nice to be harmless but it can also be a path to extinction.

In terms of acting, the ML is playing the same nice guy which I thought was perfect in Perfect and Casual (2021). I suppose it is better to be typecasted as Mr Nice Guy than a serial killer. He is totally besotted with the FL for years and she can do no wrong. While it is great to see them get together, there is not much push-pull.

The FL is sweet and innocent. She is well casted in that role, but it is hardly a challenge either. The rest of the support cast are standard issue and I, for one, am glad that the parents are so nice and supportive. As I said before, inoffensive.

The 2CP is fine. Has a bit more kinks in their path to happiness but we know they are the 2OTP hence it is so written so it shall be done. The 3CP is more about social commentary than the pursuit of happiness. Thus, they are a bit inconsequential. Everything is . . . fine.

I would be lying if I say that I didn’t enjoy this little romance, but I would be hard pressed to recall its storyline in a few weeks’ time. It is a classic popcorn flick. It is fluffy, harmless and forgettable. That is a shame because the potential is there. The show just has no desire to push any boundaries. This is odd as the underlying storyline is all about the FL trying her best to succeed in her career.

BTW, there is a 30mins “epilogue” which is total sugar overload. It largely consisted of bonus scenes that didn’t make it to the actual release. Sweet, so very sweet.

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Some shows are created great, some achieve greatness, this one needs to try harder

Let’s start with the good bits. This Show is watchable. It is not too long. It has swoon worthy moments and a bit of skinship. The ML is handsome and charismatic. The use of antique restoration is an interesting backdrop. If those statements feel a bit like faint praises that’s because while the Show does nothing drastically wrong, there is little substance to sink your teeth into.

Now let’s move on to the not-so-good bits. While the Show is watchable, the plot is tropey and uninspired. It started well enough and there are some nice plot developments early on but then it got tedious and is not helped by some loose storytelling.

There is an overarching thread about antique fraud, but it is not hard hitting at all. To be honest, it is fairly amateurish in execution. Any twists are telegraphed well in advance. Some side plots and scenes feel like busy-work as if they are drawn randomly from a shoebox of plot ideas. Can a show suffer from FOMO?

While the ML is handsome and charismatic, his role suffers towards the last 1/3 of the show. After his confession, his character becomes a bit capricious. I get that people can behave a bit “funny” when they are in love, but his portrayal is stilted and hammy. I’m inclined to blame the director for some iffy instructions. The personality shift does not sit comfortably with his style.

The FL has the feisty, street-smart girl role down pat. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the experience nor the range yet to give her role real depth. She can smile and cry on cue, but you can sense that she is being told what to do rather than owning the role. This contributes to my next point.

I don’t ship the OTP wholeheartedly. The script would have us believe that they are madly in love, but I don’t sense a strong chemistry between them. Yes, they went through all the typical rom-com tropes, and they say all the right things, but it is not convincing. I also dislike the script’s propensity of leading the actors to the brink of confession and then pull back hard only to have the leads suffer from some misunderstanding in the next scene. All that can be avoided if their feelings are clear. Once more around that blasted mulberry bush we go. As someone who wanted to ship them, it is frustrating and unrewarding.

Speaking of CP’s. I can see the writer wants to push the opposite attracts trope so 2CP is a mismatch and tiresome to watch. Of course, they will get together in the end, the drama gods have spoken! I get more chemistry while watching dough rise.

Sometimes, a show can be lifted by a good ensemble cast but the secondary characters here are problematic. The 2ML won’t take no for an answer and is delusional. The cousin of the FL is the main troublemaker. He is not evil, but he is stupid, greedy and inept. Yet the Show paints him as a loveable rogue. Even though he does so much damage, he is always forgiven and handled with kid gloves. Most of the secondary characters are one dimensional and farmed out to actors with limited abilities. It is not a happy confluence.

The antique restoration theme is largely used as a plot device. They try to make it educational, but the titbits of information soon feel superfluous. They should put a disclaimer before the show to make sure viewers DO NOT try this at home.

Am I being harsh? Yes. I’m not mincing words because the Show is not trying to do better. You can find B grade shows that is hitting above its weight or really awful shows that should never be made. It is the crowded middle that is a quagmire for mediocre shows to sink out of sight.

I don’t believe in dismissing shows just because it doesn’t have top stars or a big budget. I have been pleasantly surprised by a number of second or even third tier productions. Nevertheless, It is a waste when you pair decent actors with a decent production and you still ended up with an insipid mishmash.

OST is serviceable. Rewatch? You jest. Peace out.

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Tropey melodrama that was buoyed by the acting but hamstrung by the script

The promise of this show is old school tropey. Rich, controlling patriarch ruining his kids’ lives. Misunderstandings, forced separation, single motherhood, the works. Classic melodrama from go to whoa. Hence, I would focus on what worked and what didn’t.

What worked:
The acting: All the key actors were superb. This is a perfect vehicle to test their mettle. Many scenes were done without OST or even dialogue. It is all about projecting the longing, penned-up emotions, hatred and confusions to the viewers. It could be a challenge for some but not this ensemble. My heartstring was bow tight by the end of many episodes. Have tissues handy.

The production: It complimented the story very well. It is realistic and believable. Gritty when it should be. It does not dress everything up in glitz. In fact, a lot of the mood is set by the lighting, especially in the hospital. Shadows and lights all played a role. It was a complete package.

Direction: Good actors need a good director. When the team is firing, the scenes were off the chart. The bathroom tryst, the drunken “apology” in the FL’s hallway, the return to their hometown during his regression, and more. Each of those scenes are worthy of rewatch and classroom discussions.

The young actors: Thank goodness for them. I can’t imagine the older leads dressed up in school uniforms. The young actors pulled their weight. Well done!

The son: Finally, a child is allowed to behave naturally. There are meaningful dialogues but no wisecracking one-liners. When you pair that up with an adult voice actor trying to sound like a kid, it is cringe worthy.

No dubbing: Hallelujah! The emotional impact of this show needs that connection and expert dialogue delivery. A floating voice will ruin it.

The Script: A win and a miss. At times, it is a wonderful script and allowed the plot to play out slowly, but steadily. The story is grounded. It is not over the top. At least for a good 2/3 of the show.

What didn’t worked:
The Script: Ahh, I see, all the old tropes have taken up residency here. There is enough directorial and acting firepower to make it work but the script really developed cracks in the later half of the show. It is almost as if the weight of the tropes has overwhelmed the writer.

Case in point, the mental illness trope. It allows for some light and breezy scenes which was great fun to watch and showcased the acting of the leads. But the tone abruptly changed. Why bait us? Ditto the business shenanigans towards the end. It changed the feel and dynamics of the show. It was a plot looking for a story. There were hints of something more but it just ended up toeing the line. (see below)

The Ending: It really pains me to write this. Almost everything to do with this show was on point and then the ending happened. After 29 episodes, the show basically says, we can’t deviate from the clichés/tropes. Every loose end tied with a regulation approved knot. Yes, job done but it felt rushed, awkward and unsatisfying.

To elaborate further; Sheng Fang Ting’s story could have ended much better. Considering Sheng was portraited as driven and angst filled but not evil. He could be kind and caring. He has a hidden agenda and an axe to grind but what if the writer takes the high road, let the brothers have the private chat but instead Sheng said, “I was going to take everything away from you but you are not like father. I respect you as a man. Now we shall fight side-by-side and save OUR company.” The ML was so touched that he signed the company over to Sheng because he has the business mind and is the worthy successor. Shu Qin overheard it all as per the script but now she is even more in love with Sheng. All the elements are there. The show could have pivoted at that point. After the relentless groom, this is one little sugar pill I shall gladly accept.

Similarly, there was a lot of communication between Sheng and Shu before the wedding. All that stopped. No scenes of them talking or arguing. Sheng could have told her his past and how he suffered. She can decide if she’d forgive him. That is logical. But the trope (or censors) demanded a morality tale. Revenge might be sweet, but the price you pay is much, much worse in the end. We get that but do we want it?

The last straw was the resolution of the puzzle of the FL’s father death. It was farcical. It is the key reason for the barrier between the leads and caused multiple deaths. The whole plot was wrapped up in moments with only a deadpan voiceover about crimes and punishment. Is that it?

Elephant in the room:
The timeline: The leads broke up 7 years ago and the actors looked to be in the 30’s (they are actually in their 40's!). But the leads should be in their late 20’s (school/college/pregnancy). We seemed to have lost 10 years. It is not a deal breaker but it can pull you out of immersion.

Negative comments abound about Wallace's accent but diversity is a fact of life. Dubbing and homogeneity has a lot to answer for.

To be honest, this show was tracking a perfect 10 for the longest time but some script issues and then the ending gave me pause and it lost its shine. I would rewatch parts of it for the superb acting but not to the end, especially the ending.

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In space, no one can hear you facepalm

I have finished this series and here are my final thoughts;

I don't think the ending substantially changed my views nor my rating. In the end, the show becomes an existential tearjerker. I wasn't surprised by this development but it has certainly taken plot development to infinity and beyond. The FL could have returned to Earth but they are not getting off the ISS that easily. It is a narrative mess. Is it a dream? Did the writer-nim OD on special herbs? Obviously, it is hard to diss the ending as I don't want to speak ill of the dead but it is very tempting. My original comments stands, with minor edits. Peace.

~~~ my original comments ~~~
Rather than a rambling rant I'll hit you with some salient points. Here goes;

1) While the show is billed as a rom-com, there is a disassociation. Yes, there are comedic moments but they are largely at the ML's expense. The astronauts also gets up to some whacky stuff as well. They are more cringey than funny. You can feel the show labouring to make it work and it has largely given up by mid show.

2) Taking itself seriously is a fundamental problem with this drama. If it was written as a spoof then I can excuse many issues. As it stands, there is a serious disconnect between the hyper realistic setting and a fanciful plot. So much effort is devoted to reproduction in space. Yes, the story does come full circle but is that really the whole point of a multi million dollar production?

3) The series is full of pseudo science yet it laughs in Newton's face and do whatever it needs to move the plot forward.

4) Cue The Space White Truck of Doom™. Let's be real, the ISS is designed to function for years in the most hostile environment known to human and every system is designed with fail-safe and redundancy in mind. I don't have a problem if they did something dramatic with a failed valve or some such but they face catastrophic failures on multiple fronts as soon as the ML arrives.

5) They kept referring to the morula. That is BS because it is only called a morula on day 4. In another ~24 hours it will become a blastocyst as the cells divides every 12 hours. They are still looking at the same 16 cells after days in the incubator. My head hurts.

6) While I touched on the comedic aspect, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. The ML only met the FL a few times before the launch and she is always cold and aloof. There is no hint of any chemistry/attraction. Flash forward a few days after launch and he has the biggest crush on her but why should she reciprocate? Ah, yes, finding your man sleeping with your boss can do it. So . . she has revenge sex? Once they are back on Earth, the romance does progress as expected. I can sense the writer's desperate attempt to sustain the romance.

7) Which leads us to the relationship between the various protagonist. What a mess! There are so many unrequited love, crushes and toxic relationships. That is a recipe for disaster even in a normal k-drama, let alone in a space opera.

8) Chairman Choi is a caricature. His lording over everyone is so cliché. It is painful to watch and he gets away with it.

9) The whole lottery ticket plotline is like a game of Whack-a-Mole. It kept popping up every ep. The 3 astronauts just look pathetic. The scene where they wave the ticket around outside a restaurant is beyond stupid. No words.

10) The KSA is not a quasi space police. They can't interrogate people and confine them. The ownership of the zygote is very grey. Riding roughshod with science is bad enough, very iffy about their interpretation of extraterrestrial laws.

I have a feeling this series relies on star power and CGI extravaganza to paste over narrative gaps. It's a huge gamble and they lost, big time.

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Team Hanmin female dormitory assemble!!

To hate this show would be like kicking a puppy, but to give it a glowing review would be misleading as well. I'm torn.

I had planned an in-depth review, but having just finished it, I can't do it. Oh the pain!

This show is watchable and has a big heart. Lots of social justice messages. Doing the right thing is noble after all.

I'm going to be blunt, the A-plot really can't sustain 16 X 70 mins eps. Cut the number of episodes or trim it down to 45 mins would be more workable. It did get draggy at times.

The big drawcard is the FL going undercover as a 20-year-old. To be fair, the FL is not one who shies away from challenges. Her titular role as the The Judge from Hell was delicious. This script, however, is probably more pain than gain.

To be fair, the FL gave it her all. There are a lot of sight gags and in-jokes while she is forced to act like a girlie girl. They tried to milk it for all it is worth. Unfortunately, it is a one gag pony.

Similarly, the revenge/business shenanigans could have been sharp and biting. I thought we are finally getting somewhere around ep.9. Even when all the ducklings are lined up and quacking loudly, the show just mills around the water cooler. We have seen it all before. Overbearing chairman, inept/criminal senior staff, slush funds, rigged shareholder meeting, etc.

The ending is "satisfying" as in everything that needs to happen, happened. Everyone got their just dessert. Surprisingly, there is no real romance. Nada, no OTP nor second CP's. At least there is no Big White Truck of Doom™. We give thanks for that.

In the end, this show is not for me, mea culpa. Your mileage will differ. It is not a bad show per se. You will enjoy this more if you are a big fan of the leads. The social justice angle is appealing. Setting the show around the IMF Crisis is interesting. (BTW, Typhoon Family did it better, just saying.) Caveat emptor, chingu. Peace.

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Death by a thousand cuts . . with a dull scalpel

Makjang and melodramas are a staple of k-dramas. Most of the time they are well sign-posted. Once in awhile you'll stumble across a show that looks harmless on the surface but a makjang in disguise. May I present to you, Dr Cha.

At its core, this show is about the struggles of a middle-aged woman stuck in a loveless marriage, her identity and the fallout of an affair. Our FL has an epiphany after recovering from a very serious illness and wants to break free from a closeted existence. Everything is on track for several episodes. The antagonists might be circling but the expectation is that our FL will overcome.

Not so fast, my eager friends. She was soon relegated to the peripheral while the antagonist takes centre stage. I'm not saying that the FL didn't try to push back but it is as if the Show is determined to beat her down with every cliche gender stereotype and societal/familial coercion. This is not helped by the tyrannical behaviour of her husband.

While Korean audiences might tsk-tsk at the horrid husband, they are more likely to accept it as typical patriarchal behaviour. Essentially, this show is a graveyard where all the makjang tropes come to die. Caveat emptor if you stumbled across it on Netflix and thought that it is a heartfelt romance.

The fact that the bulk of the show's pacing and flow are dictated by the antagonists made it hard to watch for me. The FL's growth is stymied by one person's illogical behaviours and interference. She is trapped in a no-win situation with the weight of the world on her shoulders. It is draining and unrewarding to watch. There is no hope, just despair.

Even with all the trials and tribulations, we still get a HEA ending. The last episode is total fan service, on steroids. Everyone gets redemption. There must be a 2 for 1 offer at the wholesaler. Honestly, if you jumped in at this point, you'd never guess what happened in the first 15 episodes. Even the herd of unicorns are falling over from sugar over dose. The sentiments are rooted in traditional values, quite inoffensive and banal. The reason why Dr Cha rejected her suitor is so old fashioned that it should be delivered in a calligraphy scroll.

Having said all that, the acting of the various leads is very good. Especially Dr Seo. You end up with a love-hate relationship with his character. He steals most scenes but at the same time, his character is so unlikeable that you just want him to go away. Well done, sir! The FL is good, but she only has moments of highlight rather than a dominating presence. Sadly, Dr Roy is relegated to cameos most of the time. He should be given more screen time. What a waste.

In the end, Dr Cha is a show that will resonate strongly with some but polarising for others. It is not bad, per se. Acting and production is up there but it doesn’t work for me because I'm not the target audience and I don't agree with their world view.

This brings us to a growing concern of mine. While the Hallyu wave have netted us some amazing dramas, the pressure on the various streaming platforms to find more k-dramas is ever growing. This in turn creates a buy-first-ask-later mentality. We might end up with a constant stream of patchy but hyped dramas with little quality control. Peace out.

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A healing journey disguises as a noona romance while masquerading as a sports drama

I am in two minds about this show. I keep swaying between the pros and cons.

On the one hand, it is very well written for the majority of the show. The plot keeps moving at pace and there is always something new happening on multiple fronts. There are mini cliff-hangers which keeps you wanting to see a little bit more. Misunderstandings are not allowed to fester and generally speaking, there is good communication between the leads.

Unfortunately, like many c-dramas that runs to 30+ episodes, it does flag towards the end. It is not quite a mid-show drag but you can feel the momentum draining away. The last few episodes mostly coast along rather than being propelled by some unstoppable plot. We got there at the end, and it is an ending that fans would appreciate but it is not a grand finale and feels more like a collection of footnotes.

It is clever of the writer to distribute the fan service fairly evenly once the couples are confirmed. In fact, some of the best CP moments are found around the 2/3 mark. From then on, we get dollops of skinship here and there to spice things up. It is nice and sweet but there is a lack of intensity.

In terms of acting, the ML is great and he carries the show. He is all singing and all dancing. He trained hard for the role and he is very good both as the impulsive young man as well as the maturing sports star by the end. His acting is animated as well as nuanced. On the other hand, the FL turns in a measured performance which is par for her. To be honest, I feel that she is often cast as the super competent professional who is hyper-focused on her work and her private life suffers. She has more or less given up on romance once she turned 30. Of course, her well ordered world is turned upside down when a handsome young suitor enters our noona’s life. The problem is that she can sleepwalk through such roles by now and it shows. We are also familiar with how a noona romance flows so we need more from her to lift this above the rest. Unfortunately, the show pushes too hard on the business side so she appears more often as the cool and calculating club manager and less of a romantic lead. We get a scattering of swoon worthy moments which rarely feels truly passionate.

On the other hand, the healing journeys undertaken by several of the casts, while low key are well written and rewarding to watch. They are nice character studies. There are no instant redeemption but a steady growth of the characters throughout the show. In time, they learn to deal with historical wrongs with maturity. This is gratifying to watch.

To the show's credit, the bulk of the support casts is actually quite good. The ML’s dad, Coach Zhang, Jiaojiao and Luo Nian are interesting characters in their own right. There are still the odd one dimensional characters such as the FL’s boss and her mum who are mostly there as naysayers. In the end, they did little damage, but it is distracting and repetitive.

This goes for the secondary couples as well. The Jiaojiao and Liang Tao couple is cute and has good chemistry. However, I have to wince a little when I realised that the coach has been passive/aggressive chasing Luo Nian for well over 2 years before she shows him a hint of acceptance. That’s playing the long game!

Finally, the sports aspect is very good in the beginning and engages us with the ML’s struggles. It showcases the ML’s dedication, intensity and physicality. It kept our interest for good part of the show but once again, that aspect becomes little more than window dressing later on. We get montages of “random” match play and then the final results. It moves the plot along, but you don’t sense the earlier "fight to survive" urgency anymore.

Is the show any good? Yes, it is. It is well written and well-acted on the whole but the show does peters out towards the end. The story is engaging and the noona romance is sweet. We have a decent amount of fan service and a HEA ending that will satisfy the fans. It would have been an even better show if it sprints to the finish rather than just jog past the line.

The OST is nice and I wouldn’t mind a casual rewatch.

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Short and sweet fluff or two hours long ad?

When they said mini drama they meant it. It is about 2 hours total in length. I have seen it presented as 20 x 6 mins episodes or 3 longer episodes each about 42mins long.

The premise is quite straightforward. The ML knew the FL when they were younger and there was a hint of first love but they lost contact. By some cliché plot device, the ML was transported into the future and met up with the FL again and they are now both working adults. He ended up living with the FL for a while and they fell in love all over again.

The story is fairly straightforward. It has a tropey plot but there was no nasty surprises. The OTP had good chemistry and they made a cute, good looking couple. A big negative was the egregious product placements. It wasn't just the usual jar of cosmetics by the sink or drinks in the fridge. They actually wrote the ads into the script so that the actors pushed one company's products relentlessly. At one stage, the ML got a job selling the products in a shopping centre and, of course, he has to demonstrate the products and tell us all about their benefits.

On the whole, it was a harmless show with a decent plot (point deducted for all the PPL). Cute and fluffy with minimal investment in your time and emotions. Think of it as a palate cleanser between two must watch shows.

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Hard hitting drama that punches above its weight

The start of the show is impactful and really hits you in the feels. There are so much latent angst and comments on our value system. Does winner really take it all?

This show is not for the faint of heart. There are angst and pain on multiple levels, both physical and psychological. It impacts on an individual as well as societal level when it broadens to involves organised crime.

There is a hint of Itaewon Class in this show even though the core subjects are quite different. The David vs Goliath battle is all too real. I must give credit to k-dramas for their ability to make this type of impactful drama without padding it out with meaningless tripes.

This is not an idle boast as acting, writing and direction are all top-notch. Key actors put up wonderful performances. These are demanding roles. Most of them are flawed, damaged, and hurting. The direction is great. It is effective both for the pensive scenes as well as the action scenes. This is rounded out by a script full of textures and nuances. The show’s main theme of healing is universal though. It is not hard for this drama to resonate with its audiences.

To emphasize this point, the show is full of confrontations. Both in and out of the boxing ring. There are lots of metaphors and life lessons to work through as we peel back the layers. Of course, it would be a rare k-drama to do without any romance, and this is no exception. There are several, both past and present but the one between our leads is the most poignant.

While the pacing overall is good and lively, it does slow in the last quarter. The earlier build up to the big fight seem to deflate the closer it got to the actual event. This is to be expected as the show must shift focus to address the match fixing plot. However, the resolution offered feels superficial. Consider the ML is a hapless victim for the bulk of the show, his one-man crusade completely turns the tide and supplants police investigations. It is too fantastic to be believable. Of course, that is not the end of this sorry saga. This is when the show goes all in for the impactful and explosive finale. To say the show hits you in the feels would be like calling Ali just a bruiser.

I really don’t want to spoil the last episode, so I’ll just say go watch it. However, the actual last few minutes feels a bit disjointed. It is as if the ending was changed due to reactions after test screening. Watch it and see if you agree with me and my friend, Love movies. ;)

It is only 12 eps long and it is more than worth your time. Acting, production and OST are all a cut above. Rewatch is possible but I think a highlight reel will be more palatable for me as I need to watch my blood pressure.

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A stark contrast of two cultures

I like this show very much and a lot has to do with the first half of this series which was set in Helsinki, Finland. The snowy cityscape is very appealing. The use of local actors in key roles helps with immersion and let us know that it is not a token effort.

Whether it is the setting or the fact that the ML has been living abroad for several years made him very forthcoming in his pursuit of the FL. Similarly, FL is also surprisingly receptive when you consider most romantic c-dramas will spend a good deal of time wandering around the garden path while the leads assess and reassess their feelings. Forget about skinship, a mere accidental touch is all you'd get.

Not so here. The ML knew what he wants, and he is going for it. He taking no prisoners either. While the FL was initially hesitant, she soon fell into his warm embrace, and we have an explosion of skinship mere days after their fateful meet-cute in a snowstorm. They were hugging and kissing at every opportunity while enjoying the delights of the city.

This is so refreshing that I commented to an online friend that it feels like I'm watching a western romance. The progress is steady and meaningful. None of this endless longing and confusing double speak. We are not in Beijing anymore!

I was praying that the show will keep going down this path and they can be HEA in Finland. I'd have given this show 11/10 on the spot! Alas, this is not to be. China happens.

Yep, both leads relocate back to China after a time skip. The change in tone is stark. Gone are the carefree days of love and be loved. Now it is all about rules, status, obligations and respect.

The OTP are still madly in love, but they must hide their relationship and tread carefully. PDA quota went over a cliff. The ML puts on a mask and behave like other ML's in a typical c-drama. All hail the status quo.

It is not all bad. The relationship between the ML and his teacher was mended and it was beautifully done. There was not a dry eye in the room when the elderly gentleman passed. However, this just triggers another round of scripted role playing and more conformities.

To be honest, this was disappointing for me. I harboured hopes that this drama will dare to be different. Yes, it was that and more for 2/3 of the show but as soon as the ML arrives back in China, it was like a different show. It became a tropey Chinese drama poured from the same mould. Family issues, youthful transgression, societal obligations weighting everything down. The core is still there but you can barely see it from the tropes. If anything, the writer seems to double down on them. They really labour the teacher/disciple relationship as well. It feels like you're watching a wuxia drama rather than billiards! I guess they are trying to promote the positive aspect of Chinese cultures but it was a bit heavy handed.

The flag waving event where China won many gold medals in billiards is over the top. Huzzah!

It makes any talk of spreading the game to the masses seems farcical. It all comes down to prize money, world ranking and a creche of elite players.

Eventually, we get the HEA ending we craved. It was telling that the passing remark from the ML after 3 years in China is that he wants to be "free and easy" again. Guess where he went? ;) Is that a hidden message from the writer? It certainly rings true for me.

Acting by the leads are on point. There are so many sweet and swoon-y scenes. The tender moments felt real. I ship them unconditionally. Forget RL dating rumours, I'm waiting for the wedding invite! This makes the scenes back in China feel all the more like excess baggage.

Support cast earned their pay, but they have little to do. There are no real second leads nor secondary couples. A few minor distractions but it was the OTP's show from start to finish. There is no real antagonist either but there are angsty moments when the leads are back in China. As I mentioned before, the change in tone is stark.

I'd have given it 10/10 if it was a 20 eps run focused on their wonderful romance in Finland. The rest pulled me out of my happy place which lead to a re-evaluation of my final score. That is a shame.

I could rewatch parts of this show but I'd skip tracts as well. The OST is very good.

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