Yeah..so..um..It's crap!

Let me break it down for you like this:

concept: 9
writing: 5.5
directing & editing: 4
lead actors: 1.5
rest of cast:7

So, basically had they hired leads with more talent, a better director, and more competent editor this convoluded, melodramatic, barely passable murder mystery would have been much better. As it stands it's not the worse drama I've ever seen (that dubious honor goes to The Rose, another Joe Cheng drama..hmmm), but it's down there vying for the title. Speaking of Cheng, I don't know what people see in him, but he needs acting lessons. The man has not a clue how to emote. He's no better than he was when he first started. Kuo's voice is annoying. I couldn't stand to hear her speak.

Don't let the pretty good first 2 episodes fool you. Watch it at your own risk. You've been warned. There are a LOT of better dramas in this genre. Taiwan needs to step it's game up, big time!

Read More

Hands down Sign is one of the best tv shows I've seen from any country including the US. It's definitely the best Korean drama I've seen. I don't desire or need romance in everything I watch. It's fine in it's place like romcoms or melodramas, but not everything needs some deep romance. Sign has virtually no romance. It's the mystery/detective/thriller type not unlike old shows like Quincy or, more recently, Crossing Jordan where the medical examiner oversteps his/her bounds to get to the truth. Also like Crossing Jordan, Sign's lead has personal demons. Each episode has a new case, but there is a running theme and an old case from episode one. The cast led by Park Shin Yang is very good. Typically, I have a problem with Korean writing and production values, but not this time. Everything was on point. The writing made me a fan of the wife/husband team of Kim Eun Hee and Jang Hang Joen, who co-directed. Rarely, am I ever surprised or stumped. Sign did both. For anyone who is into detectives and mysteries, Sign is a MUST.

Read More

A little bit comedy, a little bit film noir lite, The Scent is an entertaining murder mystery reminiscent of classic Hollywood. If you're like me the whodunnit will be quite easy to figure out, however, the writing makes it fun to watch the detective fumble his way through. He's somewhat bumbly, but mostly a sincere hardworking cop (and P.I.) who probably should listen to his sidekick, Pong, much more.

The acting was very good. The leads were engaging and charasmatic. The supporting cast lead by the scene stealing Lee Kwang Soo (Pong) was strong. The writing is fairly solid as is the production (no outstanding continuity issues). The Scent is worth a watch. (8.5)

Read More