Viewers prosecuted

Usually, you would expect AT LEAST from the pilot first episode, some kind of "urgency" to give the viewers the motivation to look after a TV Show or drama. But there is nothing like this in this pitiful drama, only saved by the acting and actors, which are by the way incredibly effective to make the characters as unlikeable as possible (not their fault, I think it's all part of something supposedly called a "scenario" which is missing here). But that alone can't hide the previously mentionned invisible scenario, rhythmed by the worst piece of occidentally cloned music I've ever heard (and given that the original occidental piece is already horrible, that's not helping). Believe me, the music alone get me wondering why I was struggling to continue watching this drama till it ends, painfully.

Maybe it's all part of the project, with some kind of high level dark humor, but in this case, it's totally missing its point.

Ah right, I almost forgot : humor. Sometimes, the drama intends to look like a comedy, with bad jokes and grotesque effort to make us laugh, all included.

Read More

The alien was not who you think

If it wasn't for Jun Ji Hyun lead role interpretation, this drama would have been nowhere that good. In all honesty, while pretty close I'm not entirely sure this drama deserve its 8.8 rating (at the time I'm writing this) but since it brings up a lot of passion and interest (from what I've heard), maybe that's enough in itself to justify it.
As for me, this drama success is clearly related to Jun Ji Hyun : she depicts a character borderline lunatic, superficially arrogant and ... amazingly funny to watch. Not that Kim Soo Hyun is not any good (he's actually quite subtle and believable as an alien), but to me the alien here in this show was clearly Jun Ji Hyun.  
While the romance seems the main focus (and is quite good at that), comedic scenes and situations rhythmed the drama so well that there is not so much room to loose interest. And again, the exact moment where you understand that Jun Ji Hyun 'Chun Song Yi' character is not exactly the superb arrogant idiot she seems, you're screwed. Jun Ji Hyun is just imperial in this drama and get you hooked - line, sinker and all - in no time.
Still, there are inconsistent details and poor choices too. There are too many to point them all out, but at the same time, of too little importance to take them seriously. This is not actually bringing the show down, since at best it gets a little annoying from time to time.
So in the end, what remains is an overall very well-written drama, asking interesting questions, answering cold hearts with warm feelings, and along the way providing some action to entertain the malicious villain (who is by the way quite good at being a villain, thank you Shin Sung Rok).
Maybe that's enough to justify the 8.8 rating, after all ? That's not for me to decide. You go watch this then you tell us.

Read More

Don't feel guilty about it

'Falling for Innocence' is typically the kind of drama that quickly starts as 'not bad' and end up quite enjoyable overall, even if far from perfection. While the story is not exactly the strong point of the drama, that's still a story worth following, considering the surprises to the viewers along the way. There's some kind of mix between clichés and 'not so clichés' scenes and situations there, that will keep up the greed and desire of the audience to the last episode. So that's already some kind of success for any drama, isn't it ?
One thing to notice, as minor as it is, is that the female lead being a little older than the male main role seems to bring something a bit refreshing and challenging. As if the others characters around her have to keep up with her, doing their very best to stay on her path. I really liked it, although I'm not entirely sure as to why exactly.  
And since the drama is done without too much technical issues (here and there, for example, forgiving a mic that comes into camera view for a few milliseconds ^^), that was quite an enjoyable show.
Then, this drama is an easy recommandation, especially if you're not expecting too much from it and if you miss the thrills of some other popular drama you've just finished before.
I think you will spend some good time, and if that's all you're wishing for, 'Falling for Innocence' could be the right thing to fall for.

Read More

sticks fighting in the sticks

What a catastrophe that was. A childish, shameful and pitiful piece of television unfortunately fated to hurt its viewers eyes and ears since it's so very lame, that the word 'lame' itself feels ashamed.
But before starting to better explain why, maybe I should start with the few praises I can come up with regarding this drama since there are ... so very few.
The actors were amazing. And... well, that's about it. They were even more amazing, as you realize as you're watching them closely, that they seem to have the most painful time of their career trying to save this incredible piece of sh*** of a drama.
I honestly think that it's the first time, in my life, that I felt heartbroken for the actors, not because of their acting, or the actual scene they're playing, but because this ungrateful demonstration of their talents could never totally cover up the flaws of this terrible drama and the absolute incompetence (or motivation maybe ?) of whoever came up with the thing. You can almost feel their struggle, probably because of the seemingly absence of a planned direction, which only makes the flaws of the show more obvious.
But truth is - despite what I've said earlier - this show is not lacking work or talent, it's lacking 'intent'.
It's perfectly fine for any show not to follow its source (which is already not that great), since it will usually provides a new story or setting for anyone to appreciate the show. But seriously, how could this become *even worse* than the original story is beyond me. Basically : the show use some major events from the original source, but wrap them up, cutting corners everywhere it shouldn't and making it barely comprehensible, when not almost utterly absurd. Special mention for the (not intended hilarious) transitions from time to time from one scene to another, edited so badly that you can barely undestand what is exactly going on.
Whatever the reason is in the first place, this demonstrates a lack of intent, motivation from the staff that create this drama. Therefore, since the staff don't care, I had no reason to struggle watching this any longer and dropped this after 24 episodes, so far. Please don't tell me it gets better after that. I've heard that complaint before. There is absolutely no way that this drama could suddenly become a masterpiece after 24 very, very, VERY fastidious episodes. And even if it were to become better, the damage is done.
I can't recommand this drama to anyone, unless you're incredibly patient, forgiving and naive. In this specific order.

Read More

Evil Vermin Is Lurking

The Guest is a very modern drama, with a contemporean feel and modern filming, looking back on old fears and traditions in its scenario. This anachronic setting might somehow take you by surprise here and there, looking at the show in front of you, and ...
... casually looking behind your shoulders from time to time. But no, this drama is not absolutely terrifying : for anyone who had his fair share of horror movies, you're not going to end up midway hagard and sleepless because of the show, but still the old fears are there : an unfamiliar presence in the dark, a will waiting for your awareness...
Which resumes some of the good points of the show : one of the best thing about this drama is its ambiance. The lightly dark and ever present sense of a dread and imminent danger was carefully instilled along all the episodes, keeping the viewers on their toes, but without getting them to run away as far as they can.
To help with that, the acting cast was amazing, and you could honestly almost watch the show for Kim Jae Wook's "Choi Yoon/Matthew" interpretation alone. Not that the others were any less good, really. While his role in this drama stands out a bit, the three main leads, along with the support roles very well-directed were quite impressive.
But with all that ... also comes some flaws to this tv-drama that I can't explain without considering that they had sometimes to sacrifice rational aspects of the background the characters live within in order to push the story further.
Like, for example, leaving the house of a potential victim unguarded - with a very young and sick girl inside at that ! - to run around aimlessly after a suspect. And there's a cop in this lot running around !
This is the kinda thing that can throw you out of the show in a split second, and it's not exactly a rare occurence (while, thankfully, not exactly a common one either).
Obviously it's not exactly sending the show straight to the hell where only the worst k-dramas belongs (with a few authors), but I can't help but think that it was these few mistakes - along with a story stretching out a bit too much - that prevents me to further praise the show, even though I also had a good time watching it.
Still, it's a good drama, with a very good setting and a cast that worked hard to make our knees go soft.
I can only recommend it, and will stop my review right away...
03:00 AM is close.

Read More

Spy on meh

What a mess. A cute and enjoyable mess, but a mess nevertheless. Terius behind me is clearly a comedy, through and through, to the point that there's a chance to laugh even to the more serious aspects of the drama. If you're expecting a spy drama of sorts, I highly suggest you find yourself a safehouse somewhere and hide from this drama alltogether : the focus is elsewhere. As it happens, that's also the enjoyable bit : a sweet comedy, relying on a spy background to provide quirky scenes and situations (still with some action, bland as it was), and misbehaved cute children for some endearing moments.
So here's a spy trade secret to enjoy this drama : don't expect anything from the scenario, overly simplistic. It's merely a pretext to the scenes and situations mentioned previously. It's still enjoyable, but way too weak to entertain even the less experimented detective tv-show fans.
Along with the bland and predictable twists of this script comes the sentiment of unrealistic behaviors the show gives off, quite often. It may not exactly be a serious issue - don't forget, it's almost a comedy - but that still could affect your "immersion" into the show. At times, the unprofessional and idiotic behaviours from the members of an intelligence agency (emphasis on intelligence) could most likely ruined the entire emotion that the scene was supposed to provide.
Eventually, what remains enjoyable in this show is, in a single word, relationships. The interaction between the main leads and their support. From the extravagant but honest housewives information network, a mother and her children, a spy and these children, and eventually everyone that cross their path. The relations between a single man with an extraordinary but lonely life into the ordinary life of a friendly widow.
To that aspect, the performance from both the main actors (equally, despite what others may say) and support was quite good, and maybe even slightly better from the support characters, since an important part of what makes this drama enjoyable, clearly comes from the tenderness, the cuteness of their respective roles.
Since these relationships and the feelings that followed were to me a better and more enjoyable surprise than the investigation scenario itself, I can't exactly spoil the only bits of enjoyment this drama could provide to you, so ...
it's up to you if you care enough to follow Terius, moving behind him and past this review autodestruction in 1 sec.

Read More

Less is more, more or less

Bridal Mask is a great adventure, a great ride with strong feelings along the way. But while others shows usually fails on some aspects because they lack 'something', Bridal Mask is doing the opposite : it's overdoing it.
Don't get me wrong : For the points this drama was striving to make it look right, it was done amazingly right : decors, costumes, characters ? Amazing. Interior scenes ? Exterior scenes ? Excellent filming. So why am I still under the sentiment that Bridal Mask is overestimated here in MDL ? Well, if you remove all the drama "furnitures" and "accessories" around it, only the script remains.
And here lies the annoying flaws, but maybe the only flaws, to the show : an improbable love triangle on trouble times, surrounded by the most incompetent and crude side characters, themselves surrounded by over intelligent support characters, all making strange and confusing decisions about what to do next... And failing at it. And having countless flashbacks about it. Multiple times.
Quick example of an annoying scenario element : the 'back-and-forth-is-he-bridal-mask-or-not?'.
« Is he bridal mask ? No he's not. But wait ! yes it's true , I think he's bridal mask ! Are you sure ? Ah ! Sorry, no he's not. Wait ... I think he's really bridal mask. Noooooooo wayyyyyyy ! Aaaaah nope, sorry, wrong again.»
Oh come on, please put whoever you think is bridal mask in jail and let's get over it, shall we ? Thanks (...)
Honestly, while Bridal Mask can get quite annoying at times, and long enough to capitalize on that, it's a very good drama, provided that you're presently looking for some strong emotions. In that aspect, you could even get a bit more that what you bargain for. The direction and the actors performance will get you there in a split second, as a lot of thoughts and efforts were put in this drama to make the viewers feel, resent and struggle along the characters.
While Bridal Mask sometimes feels like a korean super hero tv-show, it's actually a bit more than that, good and bad things all included. And as a k-drama lover, I can only recommend it.

Read More

A thousand words

There's some tv-dramas in Korea that can get a little bit hard to rate. If I were to review The Greatest Love on individual criterias, without considering the whole show, I don't think I would get anything close to its final rating here in MDL. Take the plot script for example :
It's not exactly anything we haven't seen before. Annoying / arrogant / jerk MC falls for the 'straight-man' played by a lovely woman, which in turn falls for the 'growing-not-so-arrogant-in-progress' MC. Remind you of something else already ?
Filming ? Not even that great. From the pitiful CGFX to the very unoriginal view angles, nothing stands out. So what does, exactly ?
As it happens : dialogs.
Dialogs in this TV-show (especially between the male/female leads) are ones of the best I could hear - correction - see (subtitles, since I don't understand korean ... yet). It makes up, hands high, for anything less well-written, and it's a real asset here since the story focused on very few characters. Most of the dialogs are snappy, fluid, sometimes a little too fast, while some lines are so violent that you can almost hear the slap on the face of the interlocutor.
Of course it helps when someone like Gong Hyo Jin is one of the actress to play those lines (and yes, I'm fanboying, so what ?)
Still, dialogs are not a trivial matter on this drama, and you have to follow carefully to fully understand what the characters are actually meaning. Which is great. Well, it's always great, when writers respect the viewers and don't take them for passive fools.
Another point of interest in this drama is the way the story unfolds. The development, of sort. Authors/writers must have enjoyed this part quite a bit, since they've played with it as often as they could. Here's an example : this drama is, more often than not, quite funny. The thing is - most of the time - you can see the joke coming a mile away. It's quite highly predictable. But as predictable as it is, you will still laught at the end. Since you expected the joke, the writers moved it just slightly elsewhere (the minor accident in the parking lot, for example).
This is one of the thing I love about this drama : predictable/unpredictable moves transformed into minor/major events, which in turn push the show a little further. It's not actually that original, or that unpredictable, in any way, but the show in its whole gives you a comfortable feeling, while remaining just snappy enough to pin you on your chair and complete it.
So at the end of this review, you, as a potential viewer, could enjoy this drama as I did. This drama may not please everyone, but if you're not waiting for it as your next masterpiece, this TV-show should provide a brief, good moment, comfortable, while not exactly "inoubliable", which results in a 8.0 rating.

Read More

Supernaturaless

It's a bit refreshing to see a romance drama not relying on super powers, ghosts, supernatural events, vampires and the like to add to the love story. And since this one here is quite simple, that's exactly what makes it - in my opinion -  a little bit special.    
I had a really good time trying to figure out what would come next in each episode : since the setting of the show is close to our every day life, you don't feel the distance others K-dramas tend to put on their viewers as unnatural forces get involved. While for some shows there's a real "plus-value" to get 'bigger than life', I'm sure you've also experienced some amazing train wrecks along the rail ^^
Here's a tv-drama with a simple setting, and some colorful characters trying to get along and getting hurt, loved, hated and everything in between in the process.
This kind of show is perfect to renew some love for K-dramas (if it is ever needed). If you're feeling a bit bored, this drama is offering a nice change of pace.
I can only recommand this show since it came at the right moment for me, maybe it could do the same for you ?
Then your only conclusion will be, hopefully, the same : that was a good show, I had a good time and I hope others will have, too, watching "Marriage, Not Dating".

Read More

Good Human On Supernatural Tv-show

All things considered, there's not much to say about "Bring it on Ghost". A very easy story to follow (to the point it's actually not really creative nor original in any way) surrounded by young, talented actors, provides an entertaining show that would, subtetly, make its way in your mind.
To achieve this, there's not so much involved (essentially, this drama rhythm is quite good, if you except the useless yet funny comic duo scenes) yet it proves there was some work from the writers/director to carefully craft this show into something valuable for the viewers.
So while there's not much to expect from this drama, there's a very good chance you're going to spend a good and entertaining moment, and if that's all it was ever needed for you, this show is a must-see.

Read More

Not much to buy

You have to give some credits to the writers and scenarists of this drama, and recognize their relentless efforts to pull off characters and context that will pissed you off almost certainly every 25 sec. And I can tell, I've timed the thing ^^.

More seriously, this is, all things considered, a good drama. Not exactly a very good one, but still entertaining and easy to watch. It's also the typical kind of drama that is a bit hard to give a fair rating : Acting and cast was great, while not unforgettable either. Scenes and sequences were directed flawlessly, while not especially mind-blowing, at any rate. Story is simple, a bit exagerated...

Eventually, I think this drama falls short of a strong background, motivations, desires that could have put the show on a whole different level. Everything in here was all about some small fights that finally let the main characters have their way, as if this story took place in a fantasy world far from us.

Then ... while I enjoy (a bit) watching this drama, I can't exactly recommend it to anyone looking for an "incontournable et inoubliable chef d'oeuvre".

Pas de quoi fouetter un chat, en somme.

So here's you have it : an overall 7.5 rating, which is pretty much a "I-have-no-idea-what-to-put-there-so-lets-go-for-nothing-less-than-7" rating.

Read More

Nope. Not a chance.

Almost unwatchable, especially for anyone who knows the anime or the manga. Sure, adaptation is not that easy, but when the source material is great, one could hope for something ... not that cheap, because here lies the problem here : Everything is cheap in this movie.

From the poor cast choice (while the acting is not really the problem here) to the actual filming, it lacks in every way, and we end up unable to get a good grip to the characters chemistry. Which is a real issue since the story focus especially on that point.

So, don't be surprise if you stop the movie midway because you're bored. That's perfectly fine.

I can only encourage you to watch it again from where you left by 10 min steps each time, then end this torture and actually forget it fast. Really fast.

Too bad, I was looking for this.

Read More

The Cat on the Mat Is Flat

That would have been a good drama, all things considered, if this show has been made 10 years earlier. But it's a 2016 TV-show. And as a modern entertainment, Kaitou Tantei Yamaneko is not even close to provide anything to the viewers, in any way. Everything in this drama is exaggerated, and when it was not, incredibly boring : The comedy, playing with redundancy, repetitions and clichés, felt so old that I actually believed, at first, that I was watching an old drama (and a very old one at that).
Were action scenes any better ? Well, in truth, quite... But The MC is so annoying (an exaggerated trait presented to the viewer as a proof of the MC intelligence... !) that any action involving him is treated as a way to showoff his "wow" skills.
But the rewarding gem, the trophy, indubitably goes to the scenario. Well at least as soon as you able to find one here. This very absent scenario leaves everything, - again -, in the MC hands, which in turn leaves us very few things to better appreciate the MC smart methods and choices while it will, in the end, got you bored out of your mind, totally uninterested by the events that happened in this drama.
Now don't get me wrong : there's a goal and the means to reach it, and along the way some very nice ideas and concepts that would have been very interesting if they were pushed further. But here lies another issue : when the rhythm in this drama seems to reach a peak, the inept comedy reaches out and wrecks all in one swift punchline.
Some may say this drama is a tribute to earlier 80's TV-shows (with some winks to US, even). That's probably true, but there was a lot more to do before reaching out to the 80's : make it a 2016 TV show first before trying to reminisce anything, because as it happens, most will already forget everything about this drama.

Read More