Beyond Evil -- Beyond Well Done and Deserving of its Awards

I knew from the intense start of this drama that it would be a memorable one. And if anyone watching it has any doubts about the kind of drama Beyond Evil is, the opening scenes clear it up pretty quick. I was quite thrilled to have Shin Han Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo in a drama together. The last drama I watched Jin Goo in was The Crowned Clown, and he was excellent. Shin Ha Kyun, well, he's a beast of an actor and more than deserving of his best actor award in how he portrayed the tormented Dong Shik, but I think the best part of this drama was how Yeo Jin Goo and Shin Ha Kyun played off each other in their respective roles. Their chemistry on-screen is absorbing, and the fact that the drama is shrouded with mystery and hidden secrets added to its enjoyment. And as they say, a good actor is only as good as a well-written screenplay and direction, and without a doubt, Beyond Evil had that in droves. It's what made the drama as captivating as everything worked perfectly, from the dialogue to the storytelling and directing.

But as much as I loved both Shin Han Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo, I would be remiss not to mention Choi Dae Hoon in the role of Park Jung Je; his character that touched me the most, and it's probably in the way Dae Hoon portrays him and in the sadness that seems to always be in him, with him, and around him. The credit definitely goes to Choi Dae Hoon (I love the way he talks) for portraying Park so effortlessly, for making me care for him as much as I did. I felt his hopelessness every time.

All the important characters within this drama go through so much, and the best part is that they each had great development throughout the show, especially Dong Shik and Joo Won (Shin Han Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo). They go from practically hating each other to having complete trust in one another as they each lay their lives for the other, and in the process, learn the toughest lessons from each other. That punishment is not for revenge but to lessen crime and reform the criminal and that children are not responsible for their parent's actions. I love a drama with a message, and this one's major in it that out of adversity comes opportunity and sometimes the best of relationships and that one must stand up to the truth no matter who steps on it. Beyond Evil is beyond well done and is one drama worthy of the watch over and over again -- a perfect ten. I am not surprised this drama won best drama and screenplay of the year nor that Shin Ha Kyun won the best actor -- it was in the writing and the acting already. A standing ovation and thousand congratulations.

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An Amazing and Much Needed Journey

As sad as I was to see Extraordinary Attorney Woo come to an end as exhilarated to have been a part of this beautiful drama's journey that was very personal to me, and knowing a second season is on the way makes me bubble over with excitement. I enjoyed everything about this drama, from the different case stories and practical solutions and wins to the subject matter presented to the different personalities we encountered throughout the journey -- each bringing something special.

Without question, Park Eun Bin was beyond exemplary in this role. She deserves every award, as do her co-actors, and so does the drama. From the heartthrob Kang Tae Oh to Joo Hyun Young (Dong Geurami was one of my favorites) to Ha Yoon Kyung and Joo Jong Hyuk -- a real-life-like character that tries very hard at all the wrong things but isn't scared to admit his mistakes because it is never too late to do the right thing. But the one that touched me the most was Kang Ki Young as Jung Myung Seok.

But the one that touched me the most was Kang Ki Young as Jung Myung Seok. He won me over every time he came on screen -- a very special standing ovation to a fantastic actor. Kudos to the production staff but especially to the brilliant storyteller, director for bringing the story to life, and editor for the excellent choices, the animation/CGI, and cinematograph.

I love the message this excellent drama leaves me with: our choices and our past always have a way of catching up to us, no matter how hard we try to make them go away. Words are powerful. They can create, or they can destroy so choice them wisely. And just because someone is different doesn't make them weird, it makes them extra special. So treat others the same way you would like to be treated.

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The Strong Prey on the Weak

The strong prey on the weak, that's what the President believed his whole life, but he never once accounted to one day being the weak. Life is but a series of learned lessons, and if one pays close attention, they might be blessed enough to understand its power and the fact that every weakness contains within itself a strength. For me, the biggest takeaways from this drama are that one should focus on character, not reputation, and count their blessings rather than their misfortunes. In the end, revenge was a proper fuel to get Sae-yo-ri to where he needed to get to, and once he got there, he understood it was time to let it go because revenge only makes wounds fester. The value of life is in the people you choose to have around you. It is too short to waste on people who don't respect, appreciate, and value you.

I enjoyed this drama a great deal, with all its subtle difference in, or shades of meanings, expressions, and actions. Most importantly, I appreciated the writer, director, and actors for tackling sensitive matters such as racism, transgender, relationships, and love in all its forms. True love is to love with all of one's being -- provide support and love to that person through anything and everything. Love hard, with everything you've got. I also appreciate this drama for all the heated and passionate discussions and for helping me understand that the meaning of life may mean different things to different people. Still, we are all just trying to live to the best of our abilities.

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Unexpectedly Refreshing -- Enjoyable Ride

Vincenzo is not what I expected it to be; I'm not even sure what I expected, but when one hears Italy and the mafia, one immediately sets an expectation of mayhem, drugs, and murder. Vincenzo is nothing of the sort, well, at least not yet. It's crazily witty, entertaining, and thrilling all at the same time. I am refreshingly pleased by the writing style, the acting, and the directing. Vincenzo is everything it was hyped up to be and more.

I thought Vincenzo in Italy was brilliant; everything about it was sexy and beautiful, from the people to the buildings but most of all, Song Joong Ki speaking Italian. His subtle yet cutthroat demeanor is enjoyable to watch. But Vincenzo in Korea is where I fell in love with the drama, and the man, especially G Plaza. I can tell the plaza and its quirkily insane tenants (I love them all, even the annoying daughter) will be my favorite place/scenes of this drama. There is a lot of story behind Vincenzo, be it his childhood to what drives him at present, it will all be worth exploring.

Song Joong Ki is fantastic in his role; the last drama I saw him in was in 2016, Descendants of the Sun. It sure is good to have him back. It's also good to see the fine Ok Taec Yeon, the enormously talented Yoo Jae Myung. Despite not being too familiar with Jun Yeo Bin and slightly turned off by her unscrupulousness, I can tell I'm going to like her. I enjoyed her affectionate banter with her father, played by Yoo Jae Young.

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I loved this drama and sorry to see it end; glad both Seo and Kang survived and I am sure they end up happily ever after in Tahiti someday, at least that is my ending to it. I enjoy Kim Kang Woo in whatever he does as he is one of the most intense and brilliant SK actors I have seen to date. I am glad to know he has another drama coming out this year in Snowy Sun (2020), I look forward to it. A job well done to all involved and particularly to Jung Woong In (Psycho Husband) for his great acting as well as to Oh Na Ra (Hee Joo) ????????.
Congratulations to Cho Yeo Jung for winning the SGA awards last week for the best ensemble cast for the movie Parasite and for her excellence award for her portrayal of Seo-yeon in this drama

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Intriguingly Controversial yet Complicatedly Satisfying

A longer-than-usual review to a very complex drama. The simile between the mouse and the killer's sneakiness was definitely not lost on me from the drama's opening scene, which dictated the nature of the drama. Well done, show. I love crime shows, and to have Lee Seung-gi back as what seemed like a kind, honest rookie police officer in Jung Ba Reum after Vagabond (still waiting on season 2) was a wonderful treat. And as unassuming as Jung Ba Reum's character sounded, it's what happens to him when he one day comes face to face with the evil he probably didn't recognize at the time that completely impacts him, his life, the people around him, and career path that makes him interestingly complicated to watch.

On the other hand, having Lee Hee Joon as Ko Moo Chi; was my first encounter with Hee Joon as an actor, seeing how he navigated the persona of a hardened detective whose life was motivated by the tragedies he suffered as a young child and subsequently as an adult was intriguing to watch; a job beyond well done. I am a fan. I completely understood his obsession; guilt is a terrible burden.

As great as it was to have Kyung Soo-Jin in another reporter role after the outstanding splash she had with her short but powerful role in Hush but this time as Choi, Hong Joo a tenacious and a dedicated journalist who gives her all to her work as disappointing for not using the full potential her character could've made in the flow of the drama.

Park Joo Hyun was another new face for me, but the synopsis on her role as Oh Bong Yi, a troubled high school student scared by a decade-old incident who lives with her grandmother and would rather go to the gym than study, piqued my interest. All the characters had the most interesting development as the drama progressed in a very complicated kind of way, but then the same could be said of all the characters.

Everybody has a story, and from its first episode, Mouse gave the vibe of a drama, willing to take the dark path to not only capture a horrific serial killer but raise and explore the complex issues around psychopathic behaviors through the use of fetal genetic testing to predict or detect antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits in the womb and the suitability of bringing such a child into the world. Ahn Jae Wook as the demented Han Seo Jun was splendid, and he does for sure give credence to the issues the drama raises. Talk about the controversy and the drama stayed true to its complicated tone throughout its run and brought to the forefront the preconceived notions a society may have on what it means to be born with psychopathic traits and its effects on those labeled as such.

By the end of the drama, I understood how everybody felt broken for Yo Han (great acting by Kwon Hwa Woon) for the hopeless life he lived and how he died, but I am more broken for Jung Ba Reum. He never had a chance of becoming anything other than what they all perceived him to be from when he was born; everybody who crossed his life failed him desperately. The one good thing Ba Reum's father ever did for him was to give him part of Yo Han's brain, and that in itself was ironic. I am glad his end was at the hand of the very son he so willfully tried to save. Daniel Lee, in my opinion, was the culprit that started the whole mess that miserably directed Yo Han and Ba Reum's life. He planted the most atrocious seed in everybody's mind with the psychopathic gene.

And even if Daniel Lee wasn't responsible for how everyone behaved after, he was for sure responsible for the power of the suggestion. Not all psychopaths are criminals. It's a fact that some psychopathic traits link to success. So, rather than work so hard to try and pass into law aborting fetuses and whatnot, wouldn't it have been more meaningful if they'd worked just as hard at ensuring they became upstanding members of society as they did, making them into predators. All Ba Reum ever wanted was for someone to love him, hug him, and let him know he wasn't a monster. Kudos to Lee Seung Gi for a job beyond well done in one of the most complicated roles I have ever seen him do. And if Seung Gi was excellent, Lee Hee Joon was phenomenal. Despite how complicated this drama gets, I enjoyed it to the fullest, and I highly recommend it.

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Excellent -- Genius

Best time travel drama to date as far as I am concerned. I loved how the director transitioned between the two worlds, pristinely done. And even though all the characters had the same names and, in some cases, the same jobs with slightly different life choices, it didn't once get confusing. I enjoyed Yoon Shi Yoon in both worlds but more so as he crossed to the 2nd world, becoming calmer, centered, focused, and more thorough. On the other hand, I pitied drug addict Do Won for his choices; I am sure it wasn't easy living with the stigma of being labeled a son of a murderer. I found myself wondering how long he had been one and what drove him to it, as it didn't seem like he’s always led that kind of life. And liked how the drama seamlessly reveals the little aspects of how the two worlds formed. My guess is the killer may be a woman, but time will tell. I didn't want the episode to end, and I don’t want to wait a week for the next one, but as they say, beggars cannot be choosers.

Train as a drama excited me to no end. I couldn't stop thinking; now, this is how one does a parallel world drama. As they say, genius is making complex ideas look simple, and that’s precisely what the writer, director, and cast of Train gave us. I loved how cleverly transparent the show was in its build-up and delivery. I've enjoyed Yoon Shi Yoon as an actor in all of his roles, but I am beyond impressed at the ease by which he portrayed the dual roles of Do Won -- two similar yet somewhat wholly different and complex characters. Indeed great casting, as I doubt any other actor would’ve fit as perfectly to the role as he did. I am in awe of him. I think what I love most about this drama is how the writer seamlessly created two worlds, which at the core had the same people yet who acted so radically different separated mainly by the choices they made. Highly recommend this short but delightful to watch drama!

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Oh, Wow -- I cannot wait for Season 2

Oh, wow, I have enjoyed this drama. At first, I wasn't sure where the story was headed, but this episode settled me in and has me wanting more. The premise of it is so different -- a village full of the dead, waiting for someone to find their bodies so they can find eternal peace -- interesting but profoundly sad at the same time.

I quite fancy Go Soo (he looks amazing) as Kim Wook; he's like a modern Robin Hood, conning the conners to help the conned. I can't even imagine how it feels, seeing the dead—but providing them closure and peace, even if burdensome, must be rewarding, like finding the little boy's body and getting his killer. I love Jang Pan Seok (the role suits
Heo Joon Ho) even though I don't envy him his task of scavenging for the dead to give the everlasting peace.

I also enjoy Joon Ho (good to see Ha Joon again after Black Dog) as the hardened type cop whose only mission is catching criminals. I figured the girl Kim Wook saw with the phone was JH's finance. That ending scene where she sees JH, but he couldn't see her was heartbreaking. And I can already tell Kim will have his work cut out trying to convince the girl she's dead, to begin with, let alone telling JH. Whatever this village is, I am sure it's where Kim will find his mom.

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The Best Ever Made

It cannot be overstated, how masterful the acting performances were in this drama. Each and every actor, no matter how large or small their role had moments where they moved me in some way. IU may as well have been Ji-an, she so perfectly embodied Ji-an’s misery and loneliness which eventually gave way to acceptance and peace. The way she let go of her unhappiness after Grandma’s funeral was so subtle yet so powerful, I had to stop and collect myself before I could go on watching. Jang Ki-yong as Kwang-il made a similarly deep impression on me, somehow making me care even for such a violent man, even if it was mostly to mourn for the loving person he could have been if he hadn't trapped himself in his unfortunate circumstances. And of course, Lee Sang-hyun, Lee Ji-ah, and the rest of this amazing cast gave what I would call performances of a lifetime, each bringing something special to the characters that made me fall in love with each and every one of them (Okay, maybe not Joon-young). But even he did a stellar job with his role.

It may seem overly dramatic to those who haven’t seen My Ajusshi, but I think that those of us who have been graced by this beautiful drama will understand when I say that this drama is a precious gift. It reminds us that what’s important in life isn’t material things, or appearances, or even whether we find perfect happiness. It’s the relationships we share with others, whatever shape they may take, and how we treat those around us that give our lives meaning. As Grandma said: “If you think about it, each and every interpersonal relationship is quite fascinating and precious. You must repay them. Live a happy life. That’s how you can repay the people in your life.” I don’t think it can be said any better than that.

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It shouldn’t be acceptable to be abusive to someone just because they’re different

I loved what this movie addressed, how it addressed, and why it addressed. It was bold, without being vulgar in the sense that would offend anyone. More importantly, it cleverly manages the stigma and shame associated with non-traditional practices, and the risk it poses to practitioners who wish to disclose their interest in a closed and judgmental society. Desipte it only scratching the surface, I appreciated that it made the attempt. It emotionally drew me in how the two leads interpreted and approached the complexity of the practice in the non-dating situation, where they both try to balance their desire for appropriateness with the desire for connection and honesty. I liked the writer's approach of humor in handling such a serious and complicated issue. It especially worked well in some of the more sensitive moments of the movie. Great writing, directing, editing and storytelling.

As for the actors, I have to say this movie would not be the same without Seo Hyun and Lee Jun Young, and particularly Lee Jun Young a thousand and one kudos for his brilliant, brilliant acting — everything from his facial and bodily expressions and how he uses his eyes, and practically all his senses. I was totally and completely drawn to him from the minute he gets on screen. I was reminded why I fell for him in the drama Avengers Social Club. I commend them both for taking on such bold roles and giving it their all. They were both fantastic in how they interpreted their individual characters and in their chemistry together on screen. They made a life-long fan out of me. As much as the drama was centered on our leads, I have to give kudos to Baek Hyun Joo as Ji Woo's very progressive mother. I loved her character and mother, and Lee El as a friend and kindred spirit. A job well done on both fronts.

I commend this movie for the message it sends to the many who feel they don't belong or think they've done something wrong because of their non-traditional practices. It lets them know loud and clear that they are not alone. They didn't do anything wrong, and being different doesn't mean they are bad, so what if people call them perverts. What’s wrong with being a pervert; come to think of it, what is a pervert? A pervert is defined as “a person with unusual or abnormal sexual tastes.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve done anything wrong. Someone with a shoe or hand-fetish can be seen as a pervert. It doesn’t make them evil, just different. So in that sense, I like that the movie brings awareness to the deplorable acts of discrimination against those who are different for simply being different, while assuring them they are not alone. We must be the change we want to see.

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The King's Affection: a Sageuk Done Right

I decided to watch this drama firstly because it's a sageuk, and secondly because of Rowoon and Park Eun Bin, and the story at its opening did not fail me. I don't think I felt this much admiration for a character in a historical drama, as I did for Yeon Seon/Lee Hwi/Dam Yi, and all the credit goes to Park Eun Bin. She was brilliant in this role and worthy of an award. The King's Affection wasn't only a good script, but also riddled with many brilliant talents.

From the Crown Princess/Queen Jang Sun, played by Han Chae Ah, who is beyond impressive in her limited but impactful cameo appearance, to Bae Soo Bin as Jung Seok Jo and Jung Ji Woon's (Rowoon) father in how brutally and precisely he fulfills his duties to the royal palace, and the same goes to Yoon Je Moon, who is phenomenal as the demon grandfather. So is Choi Myung Bin in the dual role of young prince Lee Hwi and princess Dam Yi, but the actor who stole the show for me was Nam Yoon Su in his unshaken stance to protect those that mean the most to him, regardless of who he had to go against to do it.

As I continued to watch the drama, I wasn't sure if I should be enraged at the royal place for believing twins were abominations, or for the measures they took, or laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. But then I reminded myself of the era and the deeply knitted beliefs of the times, and felt utter sadness for the many lives that must have been lost because of those beliefs. Some elements of the story reminded me of Mirror of the Witch, but unlike it, this one was cruel with its carnage. But it stayed true to the idea that choices make people who we are -- people are the culmination of their past actions, which have a way of creeping back up to them unannounced and when least expected in their present. No evil deed goes unpunished.

At the core of it, this drama is a story of courage in face of adversity, but also about immense cruelty, betrayal, treason, and unconditional love. The most impressive parts of this drama have been in its loyalties. From misplaced loyalty, to firmly edged subject to royal loyalty, to loyal love and brotherhood. Even the unrequited loves in this story are engulfed in loyalty. At the same time, the story is also about greed, fear, and the injustices committed in the name of loyalty. But most of all, it's about courage and how an unsung hero born out of circumstances rose to the occasion when she could no longer coexist with the hypocrisy that was the royal palace, and gained the respect and loyalty of many, even her enemies, but also the love of her life, hence the title: The King's Affection.

The King's Affection is a drama that stayed solid to the end, which was fitting to the story it told, from suppression to betrayal, love, and the fight to be acknowledged, as a human being worthy of the life she was born into, a twin and a princess, who through her trails and tribulations came to understand her worth, which made her powerful. Her world gravely needed a hero, so she became that, a strong woman disguised as a man who took no nonsense from anyone. A thousand and one kudos to the writer, director, and all the cast, production team for a job beyond well done. A drama worthy of your watch!

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We Can’t Always Measure The Other Person’s Love For Us By Our Love For Them

I am not going to say I appreciated Nevertheless's mixed ending, but at the same time, it's quite realistic in that there are many out there who fall for people they know will not make them happy in the long run but can't help but be with them. In that sense, it was as realistic as can be. I know, I've been there, and it was real for me, but it also didn't last that was real too. If I can commend Nevertheless for anything, it would be the compelling way it shows viewers that relationships aren't easy. It also clearly described each couple's fear of loss, the conflicts regarding freedom and possessiveness, honesty and deception, trust and jealousy, togetherness and separateness, satisfaction and sacrifice, and even judgments of unconfirmed love.

It was relatable in the way it portrayed the all-consuming experience from that magical match that includes: sexual attraction, mutual enjoyment, emotional knowing, social compatibility, sensitive consideration, physical affection, friendship feeling, and romantic excitement, all combining to create a sense of caring, commitment, and completeness that make that other person the only one for you even if not the most ideal. Still, it failed to deliver the overarching message because it is a fairytale ending at best, following one's heart when undoubtedly knowing it won't lead to happiness. I say this because I know how it ends from a personal experience, but maybe that was the point, and if it was, then I guess it delivered.

In a way, it made sense that Nabi ends up with Park Jae Eon despite everything or maybe because of it and that she chose to be with that magical love even if it wasn't one she believed would give the eternal happiness she wants. Because in the end, and this is the message I chose to take from the drama since I wasn't really sure if it had one -- is that love is risky because the person we love the most can hurt us the worst. Love that feels forever does not necessarily last forever, but it's worth the risk. And we can’t always measure the other person’s love for us by our love for them.

As for the cast, I think they all did a great job in their individual roles, some more than others. Yoon Sol's character completely and utterly overtook me, which is a testament to Lee Ho Jung's acting. Nam Kyu Hyun was another character that had me invested in his story, and again it speaks volumes to how Kim Min Gwi portrayed the role. Kudos to him for that. Chae Jong Hyeop was a blessing, a much-needed breath of fresh air from the heaviness of Nabi and Park Jae Eon -- again a great testimonial to Han So Hee and Song Kang. A job well done to the whole team.

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We wanted more Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim, and we got what we wanted, thank you to the powers for this marvelous take on Season 2! Han Seok-kyu reprises his role as the eponymous hero, and we’ve got Lee Sung-kyung and Ahn Hyo-seop as the two good-looking youngsters who need a mentor more than they realize. The overall story is very well done and has a thematic feel to it, addressing different controversial issues each episode, but my favorite part is this idea of Teacher Kim and Doldam Hospital as a doctor rehab, of sorts. It is very easy to get invested really fast in the new characters while maintaining loyalty to the veterans. I continue to adore Master Kim and his amazing team at Doldam. And I can’t wait to watch our good guys outsmart (and out-heart) the foolish doctors that try to trample them.

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Through The Darkness Comes Light

I loved that this drama focused on the profiling techniques to identify and help capture vicious criminals, and the heavy weight and darkness the profilers carry with them. Kim Nam Gil had me deep in my emotions. I can hardly imagine how it must be to live day in and day out with the viciousness of the crimes we've witnessed in this show in real life -- the secondary stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, post-traumatic stress, and everything else in between. As someone once said, the expectation that one can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to walk through water and not get wet. Ha Young reaching that burnout point and wanting to escape the darkness is only natural, but wanting and actually being able are two completely different things. Kim Nam Gil and this drama make all the other current dramas pale by comparison.

Just like how I enjoyed the depth Kim Nam Gil brings to his role as Song Ha Young. I loved the passion Kim So Jin brings to Tae Goo. A top-notch police officer disregarded her for her gender. The more I watched Through the Darkness, the more respect I gained for Kwon Il Yong as the first ever South Korean criminal profiler, and for pouring his all into looking inside the hearts of monstrous criminals at the time when the term criminal profiling and the idea of serial killers was nonexistent. And what I like more is that the drama focuses more on those who chase serial killers, rather than the serial killers themselves. I liked that the drama was unapologetic in its realistic depiction of the events at that time, the overt contempt and ingrained prejudices of male police officers at all levels towards their female counterparts even more than I did the serial killings, and I abhorred those. I understand the behavior is reflective of the times, and despite it having gotten somewhat better, the sad truth is that the battle between feminism and deep-seated misogyny continues to this day and is perpetuated by historical practices. I love that this drama doesn't shy away, nor skims through the dark issues.

What affected me most as I watched the events of this drama unfold is how Kook Young Soo, Yoon Tae Goo, Jung Woo Joo, Reporter Choi Yoon Ji, and particularly Song Ha Young struggled to come to terms with the senseless abuses and murders each case and interview brought to the forefront. I would be remiss not to mention Kim Nam Gil's brilliance in the role of a man and police officer who feels too much, so much so that he distances himself from everyone as a way to cope. There were many scenes that touched me deeply, and in particular the scenes where the team desperately searched for a murdered child's missing fingers. When Ha Young wishes in his sleep, he could've puffed her killer away before he committed the most atrocious act against. What I like most about Ha Young is that he doesn't fit nor does he try to fit. And the more I watched the drama, the more I realize that serial deviant behavior flows from a hard heart. One choice leads to many, many choices until the conscience is so hardened that the predators forget they even have one. and no longer in operation.

When one is fully immersed in a show 12 episodes seem so short. The end came a lot faster than I expected or wanted, and just when I started to get used to Ha Young's smiling face. I loved the rapport and camaraderie Song Ha Young, Kook Young Soo, and Jung Woo Joo persistently built together, helping each other through what may have seemed like endless darkness. They went from being marginalized for their grandiose ideas to becoming the most sought after criminal profilers. My biggest takeaway from this drama is that through the darkness comes light, through fear comes love, and through pain comes triumph, as someone once said. No doubt Kim Nam Gil, Jin Seon Kyu, Kim So Jin, Ryeoun and the many other brilliant and talented actors made it seem a lot simpler and sexier than in real life -- the true heroes are the likes of Kwon Il-yong, who encountered evil time and time again and persevered through it all. Kim Nam Gil in The Fiery Priest was awe-inspiring, so much so that I thought he wouldn't be able to top that role, but I was wrong. He did again, and I am sure he will do it again and again. A thousand and one kudos to those who penned, directed, and brought this profound drama to life -- a job beyond well done. Kim Nam Gil definitely leaves a void, and I pray this is not the end, but the beginning of many seasons to come.

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Unexpectedly Delightfully

I am a huge Kim Ok Bin fan. The first time I saw her was in The Villainess, and she was brilliant -- a true villainess. And I have since enjoyed her in everything she's done, especially Children of the Lesser God. I have seen her master all kinds of roles, from an assassin to a future foreseeing police officer, to playing Tan Ya in the Arthdal Chronicles series, to a zombie-fighting detective. She is perfect in all of them, and what I love most is that she always plays a strong, badass female lead. Having read the premise of this drama, I wasn't sure if the role of Yeo Mi Ran would suit her, but I needn't have worried. She plays her so naturally that it is almost hard to separate the actor from the character.

Yeo Mi Ran is similar to many other female roles Kim Ok Bin has played in many ways. She is tenacious, headstrong, and righteous and does not let any man walk all over her or get too close. She is a lawyer, and by all accounts a very good one, but in her personal life is a true philanderess, never faithful to one man, and it goes back to her home life more than anything until she meets Nam Kang Ho (Yoo Teo), a famous actor in South Korea due to his handsome appearance, intelligence, and kindness. He is sought after to work in romantic movies but doesn't trust women, and he cringes at the mere thought of their touch to the extent that it leads to severe panic attacks controlled only by subscription medication.

Love to Hate You is a romance drama about a woman who detests male chauvinists and meets a borderline misogynist with a prejudice against women who at first hate each other, but as they slowly get to know each other, they are drawn to each other. Before they know it, they fall in love. And in many ways, their difference brings them together to make them the perfect couple. In a way, it's the typical hate-to-love drama, with a twist of a contractual relationship that leads to a full-blown romance. But what's different about Love to Hate You is that it intelligently handles sexism and prejudices against women, whether in the workplace, at home, or in relationships, and how society disguises it as culture or tradition, making it socially acceptable to keep women at a lower social status than men.

But what's intriguing about Love to Hate You is that it not only addresses misogyny but also brings awareness to manizing (women who pursue multiple casual relationships with different men) and the sexual double standard of a patriarchal society that glorifies, rewards, and even praises men for their womanizing way. In contrast, women are derogated and stigmatized for similar behaviors. Love to Hate You doesn't just stop there; it also sheds light on the complex landscape of the cancel culture and how fans are crucial stakeholders in the entertainment industry. Their passion, excitement, and involvement are pivotal in making or breaking the celebrity they have a significant hand in creating. In a way, holding them accountable for their actions, but in some cases, it can be extreme.

Many celebrities deserve to be canceled, mainly if the wrongs they engage in or have engaged in the past reflect their character (sexual assaults, bullying, prostitution, sex trafficking, emotional, mental, or physical harassment, abuse in the workplace or at home, etc.). Other than that, in my opinion, who a celebrity chooses to sleep with, love, marry, spend their time with, or how they live their personal lives is their business. As such, I loved how Love to Hate You addressed Yeo Mi Ran's manizing past and how Nam Kang Ho stands up for his love and doesn't give in to the pressures of his agency or fans. I hope some celebrities similarly and unfairly impacted by the cancel culture could learn a few things from Nam Kang Ho.

It would be a real mistake to assume that Love to Hate You is just another rom-com; it's far from it. Yes, it has some silly and funny moments, but it also has some profound moments that refreshingly push the boundaries in K-drama to question ridiculous, if somewhat offensive acceptable social norms; this elevates the show from your typical, expected rom-com to delightfully unexpected. Aside from the powerful message it sends, Love to Hate You brings some beautiful visuals in actor Kim Ji Hoon as Do Won Joon Nam Kang Ho's agent, protector, and friend; Go Won Hee as Shin Na Eun as Yeo Mi Ran best friend and fierce protector; Lee Joo Bin as Oh Se Na Nam Kang Ho's first love and many others who did a fabulous job portraying their different characters. Highly recommend it.

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