Zogitt

Inception, Chinese style?

When it rains it pours. A while ago we have the BFF to Lover prize fight. Now we have the "embedded world" showdown between this drama and First Night With the Duke. There are obvious similarities but they are also quite different. Let's focus on this show for now.

Dropping a modern boy/girl into a fictitious ancient world is hardly original. Most are based on the fish out of water trope. This series is no different. If anything, this drama never lets us forget that. We are constantly reminded of the link between the worlds. The in-jokes are everywhere. When the FL asked one of the random merchants his name, the reply was NPC A. The FL names their humble abode "Male Lead's Manor". Say no more!

Sure, the FL uses all her wiliness to fit in into the script world, but she also subverts it at every opportunity. She even educates the ML in the minutiae of plot devices and the power of the god like Scriptwriter. ;)

Alright, maybe the reference to Inception is a bit loose but it is not way off base. The title is a giveaway for starters. The ML also questioned whether the FL is part of a higher level script. A story within a story, so to speak. Her present-day reality is no more real than the ancient city surrounding them. Intriguing!

This is clever writing as most shows in this genre have trouble melding the worlds once the main story arc finishes. The lead might wake up from a nap in the dying minutes of the show. S/he then magically runs into the other lead in the present and is gifted the HEA ending. It is usually rushed and contrived. In this case, the ending is sweet and rewarding, but it is consistent with the overarching main plot so there is none of the crash landing back to reality malarkey.

So, does ADWAD deliver? Other than a few minor niggles, absolutely!

The basic plots are as old as time. The cleverness comes from the bending and blending them into Weapons of Mass Diversions.

You just never know when the cliché plot devices will be turned on their heads, and be totally subverted. This is particularly true in the last few eps. When most shows are winding down, this drama shifts up a gear and doubles down on the crazies!

More than once, I sat staring at the screen wondering whether the writer has been smoking a certain type of medicinal herb. The twists come on thick and fast. We recognise them individually, but the totality left me dazed. It twists the dramaverse into a pretzel. The audacity! Did they hire Doctor Strange as a consultant?

However, I think it did trip up a little mid show. It seems to be having too much fun with one particular cliché trope and got a bit carried away. Thankfully, the writer pulled back just in time.

One other minor niggle relates to the plot about the beloved Queen. Once the historical misunderstanding was resolved, the tone changed within minutes. When you consider the ML was castigated for 20 years, it feels . . off. Let bygones be bygones. Kumbaya, anyone?

In terms of acting, our leads are in their element. The romantic Force is strong with them. There is a decent amount of skinship as well, and they feel right. The support cast earned their keep. I’m sure they had a blast making this series.

The production value is consistently high. Most sets are lush and elaborate. Special effects are of good quality. The OST is pumping. It has everything. From classics to pop to hip hop. There was a bit of imbalance in the volume level in the beginning. It was soon corrected.

This show surprised me repeatedly and in a good way. This show is very self aware and indirectly fourth wall breaking. I certainly had more than the odd chuckle. It was a struggle to decide if I should rate it higher. In the end, I have to accept that It is close to, but not perfect. Kudos to everyone involved though. Its subversive nature might cause purists to roll their eyes. I for one, give thanks for this unconventional gem. Peace.

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A solid noona romance with a touch of déjà vu

If I were to blank my mind, then this is a sweet noona romance/healing drama. However, while watching it, I can't escape a sense of déjà vu as I recall another j-drama called Silent as well as Move To Heaven(Korean). Both are excellent but more focused on their main theme. I suppose good storylines are timeless. ;)

Let's start at the beginning. The FL is 10 years older than the ML, but it is not too obvious. The show doesn't call it out specifically as an issue. Most of their friends and family accepted it readily. Our leads do tease each other about it. Quite cute. This adds to their chemistry, and they don’t shy away from skinship either.

The genre bending comes from the ML being deaf since birth. He is well adjusted and does not see himself disabled. In fact, he has a particular insight into human nature which gave his character added depth. It is nice to see our FL making a big effort to integrate into his world. C’est amour, mon ami. ;)

Speaking of romance, it progresses quite quickly. Yes, the meet-cute is forthright. It would be non-PC these days. Many older movies/shows have used this trick to signify the raw attraction between the leads. For what it is worth, it gave their relationship a momentum lacking in similar dramas. In fact, the general pacing of this show is spot on.

Both leads confessed their love for each other within a relatively short span of time. No silly word games while they dance around each other. Drama gods be praised! Our OTP looked at each other intendedly as they signed their simple yet heartfelt confessions. Is it easier to confess in sign language? Interesting.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple in dramaland. We must deal with unrequited love and dark pasts. Old wounds reopened and inner demons braying for attention. Thankfully, the show doesn't weaponise the angst until we beg for mercy. We do see their pain and aggravation as the show progresses.

Acting is solid from the ensemble cast. Kudos to the actors playing deaf roles and to those who learn the sign language just for this show. The support cast is a mix bag of quirky characters so typical to j-dramas. One or two are a bit over the top but the majority are worthy inclusions.

In hindsight, this series didn't go down the rabbit hole as deeply as the other two shows and the medical side is a bit lightweight. It is still a solid presentation. Good effort by the writer-san to incorporated multiple themes into one script. I enjoyed it and I would not hesitate to recommend this to any fan of this genre

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A sagacious revenge tale ruined by the ending

I don’t think anyone would be reading a review of this Show for a precis of the plot by this stage. I shall stick to some key observations and my conclusion.

1. This is the Goldilocks role for Song Joong-ki. The production has to use some serious filtering to make him look like a young man because of his real age. They did well but it did take me out of immersion a few times.

2. The whole soul swapping device is pure fantasy and the Show never bothered to explain its rationale. The Show went to town with the time travel motif as well and left no stone unturned. The ML loves to weaponize historical events as part of his various schemes. It can be entertaining and fun to spot the historical references.

3. The interactions between Do-jun and his grandfather are highlights for me. They are fighters who have a mutual love and respect for each other. The old man accepts the thrown gauntlet from his grandson with glee. We lost that spark when Jin Sr passed and the subterfuges become more grubby and less machiavellian.

4. The romance of our leads is ill conceived. They have little chemistry, and their progress felt laboured and frankly perplexing.
To be fair, the machinations in the early stages are both engaging and clever but it gets old after a while as it is the only game in town.

Like all good things . . . the end cometh for us all! Oh, how cruel are the drama gods!

While the Show’s ending works on a basic level and pulls most of the threads together it also opens up a Pandora's box of contrivances and inexplicable plot holes. Thus exposing some seriously questionable writing.

A) The ending basically undo what the ML has worked tirelessly towards for 17 years. He was at the cusp of claiming total victory and winning back the FL when he was murdered. Why, sweet Petunia, why? Most viewers would expect the show to just keep moving along that well plotted trajectory and use the last episode for some much-needed fan service.

B) How did Hyeon-Woo survives being shot by a hitman at point-blank range, falling down a high cliff and drowning in the pounding surf? Each event can and should be fatal and yet he survived all three. He spends one week in a coma and walks out of the hospital with barely a scar. Is he immortal?

C) Do-jun's timeline and Hyeon-Woo’s is separated by twenty years. Just before Do-jun was killed, both Jin brothers were being investigated for criminal acts. What happened to those investigations? What about Do-jun’s death? Is the FL that incompetent?

D) The aging and de-aging of the main characters are immersion breaking. For instance, by the end of the Show, the FL should be pushing 50 and yet she looks not a day older than when Do-jun was alive.

E) After all the damning revelations, dirty laundry lists and a public hearing at the National Assembly, the whole sorry saga is finally signed and sealed by one 20 years old phone recording. How and why did the young Hyeon-Woo record his call to Director Kim when he was supposed to be in a highly distressed and confused state. Even more incredulously, Kim forgot to hang up the phone and allow the most incriminating statement to be recorded. It is beyond contrived. The audacity is jaw dropping. This is the deal breaker for me.

In hindsight, I can see that they wanted to close the soul swapping loop and it becomes a redemption arc for Hyeon-Woo but what did that achieve? Hyeon-Woo’s family is happy that he is alive and he has his revenge. On the other hand, Do-jun would have achieved the same goal but the ramification of his death is so much worse. The FL became a lonely and bitter workaholic, Do-jun’s family is broken, and the worst part is the conglomerate carries on for another 20 YEARS! How is that a better outcome? I could go on, but you get the picture.

I freely acknowledge that some of the acting is superb. Some can be considered breakout roles. The bulk of the storyline is intricately crafted and engaging but . . .

Reborn Rich could have been one of the best dramas in 2022 which makes it even more baffling why they deviated from the webtoon ending and crash landed within sight of the runway.

One time watch for me. Peace out.

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Don’t judge, just enjoy. :D

I remember clearly after watching the first episode I told my friend that I might have to drop it because it is a train wreck. But like witnessing an accident, there is a certain morbid fascination. I was undecided, but the show was whispering, “watch me . . . watch me . . .” So I watched the next episode and before I knew it, I binged all 4 available episodes in one sitting and I was hooked. Yes, I have the number for Drama Addicts Anonymous on speed dial. ;)

There is not much point in reviewing the show in detail because there are just so many things going on. It would be like running through a scrapbook of memes. The following comments will be general in nature with one exception.

First of all, the Show is beyond zany, it can be next level crazy at times with a mix of slapstick, sitcom and rom-com all mixed in. It is totally non-PC with more than its fair share of people behaving badly towards each other but mostly towards the ML. It was a challenge to watch the first episode because it is rude and crude but once you get to know the ensemble cast, you will start to see their better side or at least their more “normal” side. They are still offbeat and quirky but they are very human.

This bring us to the next point, the show races along at a thousand km an hour so there is a lot of gags, plots and office shenanigans that flash past each episode. Not all of them hits their mark and some are opaque due to cultural differences but when they do, they are a blast. You just have to take the hits with the misses. Once in a while, we’ll get a more contemplative scene to fill in backstories or the character's motivations. It keeps you on your toes as you never know what will happen next.

While there is a strong comedy streak running down the middle, romance is a close second. There are three pairings. The OTP who are quite cute and swoony once they fall in love. A 2OTP with the highest confession/rejection ratio known to me but hope is eternal. Finally, a surprise 3OTP that actually made my jaw drop. In a sea of same-same rom-com's, different is good. ;)

One aspect that I was both surprised and pleased about is the inclusion of a foreign actor. Like a lot of Asian countries, Korea is quite homogenous. Foreigner stands out and stands apart. If they are used in dramas, they are usually there as the token diversity with few scenes and little impact. When Aziz was introduced to us, I was thinking that he would be just another waeguk-saram who will be the butt of a few jokes and then be forgotten. I was pleasantly surprised when he was treated fairly. The show actually put up some stereotypes and then proceeded to tear them down. As the Show progressed, he was seen as insightful, knowledgeable and is given some of the better scenes. Hats off to the writer-nim and director-nim. Bravo!

Acting wise, when you first watch the Show, you would think that there is a lot of overacting. With time, you will see the nuances in their acting and the comedic timing involved in pulling off the gags. It was particularly nice to see Kwak Dong Shik getting the lead role he deserved. He definitely shows another side to his acting abilities. There is no doubt it is an ensemble show and the roster is filled with whimsical characters which allowed the actors more freedom to play their roles.

Of course, this Show is not for everyone. There are moments when I'd cringe. Their unapologetic use of crude humour can be off-putting. If you get offended easily, dislike lowbrow humour or hate slapstick comedy, then skip this show. Otherwise, give it a go. Once you get past the first couple of episodes, it might grow on you.

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The bang became a whimper

This show started as promising as you'd expect. Decent actors, interesting plot premises and genre hopping opportunities.

The Show has potential, to be sure. Different ideas worked for a few episodes and then fade away. Just when you thought this is getting interesting, it’d change tack. Case in point, the idea that magic acts were done by ghosts manipulating the props was cute and clever. That soon changed to talking about magic tricks rather than doing the deed. Similarly, several crimes were solved by communicating directly with the recently deceased. That is not new but the potential is there to create some engaging subplots and it did work for a while but that too petered out. The idea that the ghosts have their own set of rules was intriguing but towards the end, the ghost just behave like normal people. Probably the most disappointing aspect is the overarching Big Evil Spirit revenge plot which was so diminished by the end that it was more like little evil.

The Show also suffers from tonal shifts. I get that it is a rom-com at heart but it also tried to include fantasy, sageuk, crime/corruption and other social issues. A lot of the time, the impact of these themes is diminished because the show would suddenly switch to slapstick comedy or a sweet romantic scene just after a poignant moment. It does make you wonder what’s the point of the transition.

Speaking of romantic scenes, the leads do have decent chemistry but the Show swings from heavy push-pull to aegyo overload in record speed. You want it to happen but you also feel that it was not very natural. The 2OTP was a done deal and they are cute together.

The last couple of episodes were largely fan service. Most threads were closed with pink bows. I like the way they provided the ghosts closure and reward them justly. It was as sweet an ending as you could ask for but it got messy towards the end and added more plot holes. Some scenes are shoehorned in with scant logic. While some closures are heartfelt, others are farcical. The final demise of the Big Evil Spirit was a cop out.

To be fair, it is a decent, enjoyable show but it could have been better. IMHO, it felt like the writer has good ideas and they tried some out but whether it was budget constraint or difficulties in tying the various threads together, the show decided to play it safe, watered it down and fall back onto the standard rom-com tropes in the end. Am I being harsh on this Show? In a sense, yes, but not because I hated the Show. Quite to the contrary, I really liked the Show and the beginning hooked me straight away but I can also see where and how it changed over the course of the run and it wasn't for the better. The Show could have ended with a bang but, in the end, it was a sugar coated whimper.

It is not a rewatch for me. I’ll let those ghosts RIP.

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Awkward rom-com saved by a heart transplant mid run

I know some of you will think that I judged this show too harshly but please allow me to explain.

For a rom-com to be good in my book, I have to care for and want to ship the OTP and the story has to be engaging. That might sound like platitude but the more rom-coms I consumed, the more I felt that this is more elusive than we take for granted. For me, Moonlight missed that mark.

On paper the OTP was a decent pairing. A cute, idealistic new grad in her first job meets a prickly but handsome writer. The issue here is that the setting was very contrived. The FL landed an editor job in a publishing house without an interview and no relevant qualifications, in Shanghai, of all places. Does that really happen in RL? We have seen all the tropey meet-cutes with the ML running over the FL on a bike or the FL trip and fell into the ML's lap with a hot drink, etc but this is the backbone of this script so it needs to be believable and plausible. Of course she overcame every challenge placed in her way. Her storyline was not exactly subtle.

The ML's story was the standard handsome, awkward, egotistical man-child. The writer also threw in a "fated" backstory just to seal the deal. I can accept cliché characters and we all know that Chinese rom-coms have more than its fair share but these were not characters endearing to me. Especially the ML who had a crush on the FL but at the same time did his best to deny this (point blank to the FL's face) and pushed her away repeatedly. Not only was it cliché but the way it was done was wearing. The ML would then pulled a face that said "what have I done?!" and I have to ask that same question too.

The pacing for the first half of the show was glacial. Nothing reached any real highs or lows. Stuff happened and sub-plots came and went. We knew where the show was heading but it just took its sweet time. Honestly, it was just as well that the leads were good looking and they could act. At least they made it bearable. Even then, I was seriously considering dropping it by the halfway mark. Then something happened around ep.19/20. At the start of that "turning point", the plot got so bad that I was having WTF moments. Then it felt like someone sat the writer down and had a "good chat" and the tone, pacing and plot just changed overnight. By the end of episode 20, it was as if a new rom-com was born with the same characters but most of what happened before was a dream.

The last few episodes were sugar sweet and tied up all the loose ends. Just about everyone had a happy ending and moved on in life, love and career. It also meant that it was quite tropey but I can accept that as reward for sitting through the first half of the show. IMHO, if they condensed the first 19 episodes, add it to the last 16 and made it a 20 episodes drama, it would be a decent and very watchable rom-com.

Moonlight wasn't bad, it just didn't resonate with me. Rather than being immersed in their budding romantic journey, I was mostly bored and a little annoyed for a good half of the show. I can't, in all honesty, score the first 19 episode a high mark but the last 16 was a solid 8.5 so in balance, it ended up being a 7.5.

On a positive note, I do like the use of the actors' real voices and ambient sounds. Dubbing can be overused in c-dramas especially if the same voice actor is used for many shows. OST was good. The FL also sang the title song. Rewatch value is low for me. 

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Mostly harmless college rom-com

It is actually hard to write a review for this show, not because it is particular good nor bad but it is just uninspired. An apt description would be mostly harmless. ;)
There are cute moments, a bit of skinship, the odd tears but basically, it is a lazy wet weekend type of binge. You can cook lunch while the show goes on in the background and you won't miss much.
The OTP is ok, cute enough to carry the show for the most part. Cold ML, fun FL, tick! There are even a 2OTP and a 3OTP but they are all obvious pairings. Lots of tropes are used to no great effect (nor ill effects for that matter). I don't know if the writer is inexperienced or lazy or under time pressure but there is almost no depth to the story. Everything is telegraphed and/or predictable. If someone sneezes then someone will be taking care of the sick one and that advanced their relationship to the next level, etc. A case in point, they threw in the cliché separation of the OTP towards the end of the show. Normally, if I was fully invested in the OTP/plot, I would be annoyed and rolled my eyes. However, in this case, I just sat through it and didn't really mind. It wasn't badly written and it moved the story along towards the final conclusion but it was meh for me.
In the end, the show was like a nicely packaged, clearly labelled meal with cooking instructions. ;) I finished it and "enjoyed" it in a low key, easy-peasy kind of way. Your mileage will differ.

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Oh Mighty Drama gods, give me strength

This Show starts with a bang. We have murders, chases, fights and the ubiquitous death-defying escape. It is certainly a rollercoaster ride. If the first couple of episodes didn’t hook you then you are watching the wrong show.

We are introduced to intrigues both at the imperial court as well as on a personal level. The interplay between the leads is certainly a highlight. There is obvious attraction between them, and they spend the bulk of the Show exploring their feelings and dancing around each other, searching for clarity.

The problem here is that they really stick to the Joseon rules. Most pairing of the upper class is just a power game between dynastic families. Courting is a minefield and love has little to do with it, unless you count forbidden love which is theme du jour of so many historical dramas. This means the ML can only long for the FL but he is not allowed to express his true feelings. On the other hand, even if the FL confessed her love for him, she would need a miracle to see it to fruition. This is an impasse that dragged on for too long in this show. It might be historically “accurate” (heck, that didn’t stop other dramas from turning up the skinship dial) but as viewers, we are left dangling and more than a little frustrated. We waited and waited but there is little reward for our patience. Consider we didn’t get any fan service until the literal dying minute of the Show. It is very poor return for our dedication.

To be honest, the Show is too slow. I can accept the need to build up the mystery and allow time for all the clues to be found and the puzzle pieces to fall into place. The issue is that we are also watching from the sideline, and we can see the bigger picture. So, while our protagonists are expounding their nascent theories and being spoon fed more clues, we are way ahead of them. Maybe we don’t have the smallest details but the overall plotline is fairly obvious to us well before the final confrontation.

This is not helped by the fact that the show is 20 episodes long instead of the usual 16. Honestly, the Show would have been better off being only 16 eps long. There are easily 4 episodes worth of filler material that can be cut with minimal impact to the narrative.

In terms of acting, the ML carries the Show on his broad shoulders. His character has more depth and he certainly has a more challenging role. The FL is good but she spent too long cross-dressed as an eunuch. While she is reasonably convincing, it does makes it hard for us to adjust when she resumes her life as a lady. Your mind yo-yo between the image of the eunnch and her normal female form.

Unfortunately, most of the antagonists are straight out of central casting. Evil officials on one side while the good ‘uns are on the other. Their roles are about as predictable as you'd expect. We do get some twist regarding a couple of key characters, but the longer runtime dilutes the impact of the revelations as we already guess their hidden identities before the official reveal.

So far so sageuk, you might say but the sting is literally in the tail. The ending of this Show is definitely the weaker link. Good guys are rewarded, and the bad ones get their just deserts. All the loose threads are tied up, so, job done, right? The complication lies in the actual delivery. It feels awkward and uneven. We got there at the end but it doesn’t feel right. I get the impression that the writer-nim struggled to make the ending work within the allotted time and resources. The ideas are there but something is lost in translation.

Other than the less than stellar ending, there is one other thing that has been bugging me for some time. Byeokcheon is the key to the main storyline. An army was dispatch from the capitol to suppress a rebellion there which kickstarts the overarching plot. However, it seems to change from a district to a town to (in the end) nothing more than a village. The show even has the people of Byeokcheon gather for a “town” meeting at one stage and they all fit inside one simple room. The scale feels wrong and inconsistent. Maybe I fail at ancient Joseon geography, but the Show’s own interpretation also seems to be somewhat rubbery.

In the end, it is watchable and reasonably entertaining. It could and should have been better with a tighter script and a shorter run. If you are a fan of the leads then it is a must watch and you would be well satisfied. However, there is not a lot there to warrant a rewatch for anyone else. Peace out.

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Female empowerment but at great costs

I am going to break from my usual writing style because if I wrote everything down, this will be too long (it is already long!). There are dozens and dozens of reviews already. So just a few quick observations and we'll move on.

Firstly, I'm so glad that there is going to be a S2. While the show did end on a positive note, many threads are unresolved and left dangling. In hindsight, it is obvious that the production planned this from the start so that the show would end mid stream. We are left with more questions than answers. Which leads us to . . .

Secondly, I have a love-hate relationship with the OTP. On the one hand, I love the leads and their journey. There is no question about their chemistry and it is simply wonderful. I would go as far as to say that it is stronger than Go Go Squid because both actors have honed their skills since and the FL is definitely an equal to the ML now rather than just a naive younger love interest. They are true partners in this show.

However, this is where I have to say some choice words about their romantic journey. Why in the name of all that is holy would the writer drag this out for so long? It is still inconclusive after 32 eps! The ML is totally smitten yet the FL is still sending mixed messages. She just can't believe that he would fall in love with her because of his superior status. She always uses their "fake" relationship as a shield. She'd gently kept him at arm's length and make sure everything is a business transaction. Grrr, it is getting old. Just one kiss, one confession will keep me swooning until the next season arrives. Alas, we have nothing but vague hopes.

Thirdly, the SML is quite complex. He started as a cold, heartless man but he turns out to be very righteous and idealistic. He paid the price for his convictions though. He is starting to turn to the dark side at the end of S1. It will be interesting to see how his character changes as his moral compass is smashed and he gives in to corruptions.

Fourthly, this is related to my pet peeve, the lighting of costume dramas. Time and again, we find night scenes lit up like broad daylight in idol costume dramas. It is even more egregious when they use floodlights and downlights indiscriminately. It is laughable when you consider what light sources are available in ancient times.

Hence, I'm very happy that this show gets it. Night scenes are mostly lit with candles and oil lamps. They added some soft indirect lights to make sure the actors are sufficiently illuminated but still looks natural. Bravo! Ditto the sets, makeup and costumes are lush and beautiful. Quite appropriate for the time period. I'm sure there are thesis written on this by more learned members so I'll say no more.

Finally, the female empowerment message comes across loud and clear. Probably based more on 21st century values than Tang Dynasty ones. It is engaging storytelling but some subplots are tropey. Not unexpected but makes the progression more predictable. Oppression, abuse and virtues are weaponised.

What else can I say? Please schedule the next 28 eps ASAP. I think they have to observe the mandatory wait between airing of two seasons though. Inner peace. . . Inner peace . . .

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One of the best healing/redemption dramas

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. This Show is unabashedly sentimental. Time and again, its plots are designed to pull at our heartstrings until there is not a dry eye in the house. It is also a challenging watch as it races through all kinds of personal and societal issues. Everything from child abuse, abandonment, modern slavery, self-harm, suicide, organised crime and more. Not everything is treated equally nor resolved realistically but it is a bubbling witches’ brew. Unfortunately, most of the time, these topics are used as backstory or plot devices to propel the story forward. If you are looking for a hard-hitting, earnest drama on such topics then this is not quite it.

On the positive side, the story is well structured. It dropped you into the pit of despair but showed you the handholds to climb back out. It is all about healing and redemption. Crime and punishment is secondary. The key motifs are regrets and missed opportunities. There are flashbacks hinting at a rash decision or a slight deviation may change someone’s destiny forever.
Most characters in this show carried wounds both physical and spiritual. The unwritten charter of Team Genie is to provide someone their last chance to do what is necessary so that they can shuffle off this mortal coil without regrets. This, the show excelled.

Another positive aspect is the love line of the leads. It is definitely not a smooth ride, but it is quite realistic and swoon worthy. Rather than the typical passive damsel, the FL put up a good fight for the ML’s affection and to leave nothing to chances or misunderstandings. Bravo!

Ji Chang Wook has not scored many hits of late but I’m happy to report that he has got his mojo back. His agitated, rambling delivery and hangdog demeanour is perfect for this role. We rejoice in his growth and development as the Show progressed. Choi Soo Young might be a super idol but over the years she has amassed quite a filmography. She certainly did a good job here. The role is hardly glamourous but her acting felt natural and on point. The senior cast members more than pulled their weight and quite often stole the show. To fault the acting would be to nit-pick.

There is a lot of death and sadness on display, but the Show is fundamentally uplifting and counterbalanced the negatives with a steely resolve to do good. Amor fati!

Rewatch the whole show might be a bit challenging even if it is rewarding. The last two episodes is definitely worth a rewatch plus all the swoon-y and heart warming moments.

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Comfort zone ≠ safe space

It is a small space t-dramas occupy nowadays. They can't compete with mainland China for sheer volume of drama output nor their varieties. They don't have the hype/star power of the Hallyu Wave. They can’t compete with J-dramas for sheer quirkiness. T-dramas just don't have the clout to muscle into the global market so the few shows they produce each year are mostly for local consumption.

This can lead to a kind of creative stagnation. There are telltales, for instance, over reliance on certain tropes and settings. To wit, this series is set in a coastal village with its own cadre of aging villagers and urban refugees. As a counterpoint, we have the taciturn top star being exiled to the sleepy village to escape prying eyes after yet another damaging scandal.

If I am being honest, there is nothing new to the A-plot. There are minor variations, but it is a well-thumbed playbook. We knew who are the OTP and the second leads right from the start. The ML is the agent of change and the growth of the various relationships is the raison d'etre. Totally serviceable but hardly thinking outside the box.

The senior villagers are played by veteran actors, and they earned their keeps. Particularly the FL's grandmother. She is the rock that anchors the show. Everything is as it should be, and it is a solid production that made good use of their limited resources. Some of the scenic shots are picture perfect.

Puff Kuo is in her element. In fact, she has been doing similar roles for some time. Maybe she decided to leave the glam idol roles to rising starlets as she approaches middle age. Her portrayals of earnest FL's are finely honed and resonate with her audiences. The OTP has good chemistry, and we can ship them with ease.

However, I am a little disappointed with the tepid ending. When it should have been confident strides to the finish line, it felt more like a series of awkward little stumbles. We got there in the end, but it is baffling. This is particularly true for the 2CP. Every sign points to a done deal and yet they failed to launch, at least officially.

As I mentioned before, I have watched several recent t-dramas which are quite similar, and I can sense that they are in their comfort zone. They know their audiences and their preferences. What can go wrong?

That is a core issue with some t-dramas at present. They are decent shows. Well-acted by and large and skilfully made (within a limited budget) but they can feel quite introspective and hemmed in. If it is not Taipei-centric urban/business tales, it will be set in a quaint village that feels more like a travel vlog with a hefty dose of nostalgia. They are watchable, but also forgettable.

I can understand why some t-dramas have retreated to this comfort zone, but it is not a safe space. Death by a thousand cuts is still a slow death in the end. One time watch for me. Peace.

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It is all about the payout

You don't see many 12-16 eps c-dramas. Sure, there are short form ones that are basically chopping a mini series into 8-10 minutes segments. Then you have ultra short vertical dramas dominating phone screens nowadays! It is rare to see one that seems to share DNA with k/j-dramas though.

As A-plot goes, it is old school. It is centred on a 40 years old bachelor who is set in his ways. He reads like a thesaurus for a zero EQ personality. Taciturn, self-centred, opinionated, and that is him before breakfast! It gets worse, much worse. If I'm honest, it was exhausting to watch him in the early episodes. He is not evil or malicious, but you will thank your lucky star that he is not your friend, better yet . . your neighbour!

It is quite obvious who is our OTP from the start. As expected, they start off on the wrong foot. It is their romantic journey we are invested in.

This is where we can truly appreciate the acting abilities of our leads. They are handsome/attractive. As far as I'm concerned, their maturity gave them an edge over young idols. This is a double edged sword though . If you are in the idol drama demographics then this show might not appeal to you.

Of course, the ML took his time to grow into a "human being". It is just as well his progress is measurable or you will be tempted to rage quit by the half way mark. ;)

While there are the odd second leads, they are low angst and have minimal impact on our OTP. In that sense, they are their own worse enemy. With all the prevarications and heartfelt scenes, you would expect them to progress faster.

Thankfully, our dear writer didn't go down the j-drama path and leave them in limbo. Picture this typical j-drama scene . . they look longingly at each other . . across a bridge . . snowing . . fades to black . . (Shudder)

Hence my comment about the pay out. The second half of the last EP is the ultimate reward for our patience and forbearance. It was dreamy, sweet and swoon-y. I haven't felt that way about a c-drama for a while. There have been some great romantic c-dramas, yet this one just creeps up on you and hits you with the swoon-y stick when you least expected! LoL

In the end, it is a good drama. Hardly original, yet better than expected. A lot of that comes down to the acting of our leads. There is also a hint of k-drama structurally, and it worked. The storyline is not cluttered. The pacing is on point. The support cast earned their pay. You gotta love the old bikers. ;) Production value is solid. OST is nice. A neat and tidy bundle, if I say so myself.

I can recommend this drama . . as long as you can put up with the behaviours of the ML or . . hit the skip butron. ;) Peace.

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Jekyll & Hyde show that is doing my head in

To say that I'm torn about this show is an understatement. I have seldom seen a series that managed to succeed in one key area and yet screw up another. Please allow me to explain.

This series is built on two drama staples. Swoon worthy romance and the time traveling do-overs.

It nails the first with aplomb. Our leads' chemistry is undeniable and when it works, it is meltingly good. Time and again, when I start to suffer, the writer-nim would bring on the amore and we are floating on a pink cloud. . . until we crash back to earth due to the ham-fisted way the show handles the timey-wimey stuff.

The problem is not that the show tripped up on some high temporal concept but rather simple plot management. To wit, the show used weaponised time travel like a blunt instrument. Internal logic and intersecting plots be damned.

It worked ok the first go around but after each do-over, the narrative got more convoluted. It basically tied itself in knots. Did events change? Did time correct itself? Does someone know or cares?! I'm sure the writer doesn't. Forget about time traveling taboos, it was a road kill right from the start.

Another contributor to this mess is the serial killer/kidnapper subplot. How I wish k-dramas would stop using this trope, but I digress. As before, his first couple of appearances was impactful and fits within the context of the central premise. However, one of the fundamental purposes of a do-over is to change the timeline so that history does not repeat itself. In this case, the plot around the killer is more like a rubber band. It is a millstone.

It doesn't help when the antagonist is a "faceless" bogeyman. I get that he is obsessed with the FL, but the rationale is lost in the mist of plot disarray. He has a name but no backstory, no motivation for any of his actions. They shouldn't have met, or he should be in jail as each timeline changes. Then what happened to him in the 15 years since he may or may not have kidnapped the FL? Did he killed more girls or just looked for the FL all those years. What are the police doing? Watching reruns of Dr. Who?!

The antagonist finally got his just deserts in the last EP but how I wish it happened 6 eps earlier. The last EP is total fan service on steroids! It speed-run through a stack of dating tropes and it is total guilty pleasure. It compensates for some of the mid show confusions.

There is a decent amount of skinship throughout the run and they felt right. Not the most passionate I have seen but swoon-y nevertheless.

In terms of acting, it is the same split personality. I love the leads to bits, but the support cast is all over the place. The grandma is sweet. The mum is bearable. The ML's dad is a buffoon who goes for the cheap laughs. The FL's bestie and her brother are so cringy. Their roles get more and more exaggerated as the show progresses. Are they 13 or 30? I groan during some of their scenes.

The kidnapper deserves his own paragraph. He is so one dimensional. Basically, a cardboard cutout. He shows up, does the Death Stare with bonus grimace and retires to a dark corner to await his next money shot. So little effort yet so pivotal a role.

In the end, if they do a director's cut of our leads’ romantic journey, it would be 10/10. I would be a happy couch potato watching it on repeat. The rest gets a 6/10. In view of balance, the show gets an 8/10.

I can totally understand the hype and attention surrounding the show but I also get why some would defer as well. I need therapy.

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Come for the food porn and stay for the clichés

It pains me to pen this as this show starts promisingly. (Why does it sounds like a curse?) However, like our amateur attempt at cooking a soufflé, it only looks good when it comes out of the oven and then it goes flat.

Similarly, this series serves up a table full of typical dynastic/dirty business clichés but they lack impact. The bark is worse than the bite.

For instance, the central plot is a young and beautiful chef who left a famous restaurant in Japan to start her own diner in a backwater Korean town. She struggles to even pay the rent most of the time. Yet within days of the ML joining the restaurant, they became the talk of the town. When you consider the food hasn't changed one bit, it is very . . convenient.

Ditto, the whole concept of a restaurant being bootstrapped to amazeball just by repeatedly stealing other chefs' recipes is dubious. It takes a lot more than just yummy food to reach the pinnacle.

Put it another way, it would work if it is the FL's restaurant as she puts her heart and soul into it. If you just drop her dishes into a glass and chrome palace, there would be a disconnect. Dammit, you need that special sauce and backstory!

This extends to most of the other subplots. They are mostly trope du jour. The queen bee role is front and centre. While she is the puppet master and more than happy to pit her sons against each other. It feels like they are just going through the motion. Their roles are shallow. Everything is skin deep.

The same goes for the "antagonist" chef, who is also young and beautiful (where are the old crotchety ones?). She is just a pawn in the power game with little agency. Of course, she has her own redemption arc.

This lack of depth runs deep. While the noona sous chef appears to have the most interesting personality, we know so little about her. She does her job and then what? I would love to know more about her.

It is not all tepid dish water through. The romance of our leads does has its swoonworthy moments. The nuns and monks are chef's kiss. Full of wisdom and humanity. Blessed are their scenes. Same with the food porn. More chef's kisses!

BTW, the cameo by Yoo Yeon-seok is a highlight, but you can also see it as a cynical ploy to give the show a rating boost just when the storyline starts to flag. Thank you! Come again!

The final do-or-die cook-off feels contrived. When you consider the FL wasn't even cooking during the competition, what's the point? The inevitable ending arrives and we definitely have mixed feelings.

In the end, this rom-com feels like reading an old style Chinese restaurant menu. 100 dishes but nothing new. The decor is gaudy yet tired, samey. It is hardly a gourmet feast and more like Uber Eats. One time watch. Peace.

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Colour me surprised!

Marry My Husband: Japan came out about 13 months ago which is 1.5 years after the original k-drama first aired. I didn't jump in at first because the memory of the original was still too fresh. I don't want my experience tainted. I think it is time.

First thing first, comparisons between the two are inevitable. I'll try to give my opinion on the j-drama first then reference the original. As the show is over a year old, I won't be doing a structured review. Apologies to any readers who are looking for my regular in-depth review. I think this missive is long enough as it is. ;)

Where to start? Hmm, one of the first thing that strikes me is how "J-drama" this feels. I believe the budget is lower. They did skipped a few expensive set pieces and the sets are less grand. It is still a solid production. The usual 10 eps length is a plus for me.

The core tenet remains the same. The do-over theme is front and centre. Ditto, all the key characters are there. The use of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the backdrop is clever. The shorter runtime means this is not a scene-for-scene reproduction. I appreciate that. J-dramas has its own je ne sais quoi anyway.

The JFL is a quintessential Japanese woman and not a PMY clone. She is a good actor but her vibe is quite different. Our JFL's transformation is more low-key compared to the KFL's. It feels more like a liberation than a phoenix rising. ;)

One thing I was really looking forward to is the JML. The KML is handsome and a rock for the KFL, but the JML is next level. This is hardly surprising consider he is none other than Takeru Satoh. One of the best and most charismatic Japanese actors today.

In hindsight, I think this is a wise move. It is a tall order to sub in a Japanese PMY and that comes with its own pitfalls. Their workaround is to deploy a ML who can lead from the front.

This allows the show to amp up the emotional tie between our OTP. Satoh-san is definitely the man for the job. He became the focus of the last few eps. The outpouring of emotions from an outwardly cold character is something to behold. That is his super power. We also get some heartfelt skinship. All these fine-tuning help to elevate this go-around.

Another area that received some attention is the plotline. As expected, many filler subplots have been pruned. I'm not complaining. ;) One of the biggest adjustment concerns the second leads. I won't spoil it for you. Let's just say it deviated from the original where it counts. ;)

So, is it any good? The answer is a resounding YES! On most levels, the Japanese version is "unique". They preserved the heart and soul of the original, but fine-tuned it. Maybe it is in hindsight or out of necessity. Regardless, they did good.

The fruit of their labour is a tighter script with fewer side characters and filler subplots. It just feels more coherent. It is also more grounded and less sensational. I won't lie, I do miss that amazing wedding in the finale.

For me, both are excellent dramas and I can recommend them wholeheartedly. It is pointless to compare them forensically. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. ;)

In the end, I think the Japanese version give our leads a stronger emotional bond and rebalanced their roles in a good way. The story also flows slightly better. Maybe hindsight is 20-20 after all. Peace.

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