danisdiary

It all ends the way it started. With grown men getting a beating from a tiny little woman, but this time around there’s two of them and the mobsters still run in fear and tears. Also, they were their babysitters.

Personally, I through-fully enjoyed the mobsters storyline from beginning to end, and it’s so like them to get conned and end up in embarrassment yet again. In their defense, they are like a phoenix that keeps on rising from the ashes, again and again. And despite their ways, they were kind of good guys once you got to know them and kept them in line.

Another incredibly funny storyline were the neighborhood kids, who I was sorry to not see at Bong-soon’s wedding, and just kept brining laugher with every scene they were at. Their journey was equally enjoyable as the mobsters, sometimes even more because theirs was a love story with their Noonim. And I love how they went to have a little talk with Min-hyuk to know more about his intentions with their boss. I love even more than he had no idea Bong-soon had this group of high-school kids patrolling the neighborhood too. HAHAHAHA!

Also, it was good that the show clarified that Mom didn’t use physical violence against Dad *that* time around. I still believe that the show didn’t portray this woman in the right way and that her journey wasn’t all that. She’s still the bully she was at 19, the only difference is that she doesn’t use her fists. Should I be applauding this? And I would have like for Dad to make an stand other than to leave the house, for example, how about a real talk between them? He was such an endearing, honest and good character thorough out the show that I grew to love him as I love our leads. He is precious. It gives me hope that the last scene between him and Mom was much more peaceful than usually when Gook-doo’s mom was involved.

I’m also happy awesome bro Bong-ki got some screen time too. This was such a good character, just like Dad, and I was sorry we didn’t get to see more of him. I also think his storyline with Hee-ji was a little rushed at the end. And it doesn’t seem like it because Bong-ki spent a lot of time healing broken bones (thanks to his sis) but this relationship was really put to a test: Gook-doo found out not only that he had been lying through out their entire lives by keeping Bong-soon’s secret but also that his girlfriend was attracted to his best friend. So I appreciate how their friendship remained strong even after everything they went through.

As for other characters like Secretary Gong and Mr. Oh, they were another great comedy act. Especially when they were together and I love how their bromance was born by getting to know each other better through their shared experiences with Bong-soon’s abilities. Pffft!

Finally, Min-kyuk really changed through the story: started as a lonely guy looking for protection from his own family and ending up as a man with a family to protect. He was smart, honest and assertive from day one, and not once he tried to change Bong-soon into something she wasn’t. The greatest attribute Min-hyuk had was that he never made Bong-soon feel that she had to hide from the world, what’s more he even encouraged and helped her to be more like her true self and come into her powers. He always tried to be there for his girl but was more than willing to be a proud onlooker when the time called for it and let Bong-soon do what she had to do.

Bong-soon’s journey was also something to witness. When we first met her she was hiding from the world, afraid of her powers and by extention herself. These abilities she was born with had made her an outcast despite her spunk and outgoing personality, she was confident but had insecurities. Some of them born out of crush and others from the idea society holds on how a woman should be and behave.

I liked how the show connected her personal life with the city’s problems, because in a way they are one and the same, by having her best friend being kidnapped by the resident psycho. It was a good move since she was already gaining the confidence to do more with her powers by watching the news, her interactions with the mobsters and the neighborhood’s kids and Min-hyuk, who knew from day one about her powers and didn’t rejected her. He thought she was sexy! All of these factors made Bong-soon want to become the heroine of her life (beyond a video game) and I really loved to see her grow into a truly strong woman ready to take on the world.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon wasn’t a perfect show but it was really entertaining and sweet, made me swoon and laugh out loud more than twice per episode, and I’m going to miss these characters and their shenanigans!!

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Long live the sisterhood!

I have started watching the chinese drama Ode To Joy because I heard a lot of good things about it and I was curious as to how they would represent a show with five leading ladies. Especially because in the past I have come across some really silly, self-centered, only seen by her parents as marriage material or man-dependent women characters in chinese television. Of course none of this wouldn’t be a problem for me if such woman has an actual storyline that defines her beyond her romantic interest but that was not the case. So, I approached Ode to Joy carefully but hopeful because the whole premise of the show is that this is a story about five strong-willed and independent women making their way trough the world on their own terms.

Our story takes place in Shanghai and Ode to Joy is an apartment complex. Floor 22 has five residents: ANDIE, a smart and aloof business woman. Next door there is FAN, YING YING and GUAN sharing the space. And at the end of hallway lives spitfire XIAO XIAO. These are our leading ladies, they could not be more different from each other, and yet due to a elevator malfunction and shared loneliness, the five quickly form a bond that takes them from acquaintances to sisters.

The reason behind why I chose to write this review from episode 01 to 16 is because up until now there has been no romantic entanglements. Sure, there was that one nasty boyfriend but it was only a plot devise in order to push the friendship between the ladies to grow even stronger. And I can really appreciate a show that takes it’s time building up the friendship between women and trying to make us understand who these people are, instead of throwing us into a full-time romance from the set-go. This way we get to know our characters and fully understand their actions, their motivations, ambitions and dreams. On this the show has a slow pace but there’s always something happening, leading up to a storyline that eventually will play a bigger part in the life of one of the girls and by association on the others.

ANDIE (Liu Tao) has a very interesting storyline. Owner of apartment 2201, Columbia graduate and Wall Street genius, she couldn’t do better professionally. But we slowly find out she doesn’t like to to touch, and this social anxiety has crippled her in more than one way when it comes to building human relationships outside and inside the office. Until her neighbors come into he scene, her only friend is TAN (Jing Dong), who also happens to be her boss and is helping her find her brother who she lost touch with after they were both sent to an orphanage at a very young age.

But Andie also has an online friend, who she finally meets at one point between episode 5 and 10, and so we are introduced to who is probably the first real romantic interest of the show. WEI (Ding Yong Dai) is a middle aged man who so far has been trying to gently break down Andie’s walls in order to get her heart. Is she interested? She cares for him, sure, but she has her reservations and I think she’s right to have them. It could be due to her fear but it could also be her instinct telling her something is off about Wei.

Personally I don’t know if this character is truly sincere with her, and very much like Andie, I find myself doubting him. It feels like we are not getting the entire story and something will go wrong any minute.

FAN (Jiang Xin) works on the HR department of a big company. She is a good person with those she cares about, she also has a lot of experience on life and with people so she actually gives excellent advice to her friends on floor 22. But, at the same time, she’s also very interested in getting married to a rich man in order to achieve her dream of ending all kind economical struggles. My first impression, and I am going to be completely honest, was that she is a gold digger but the show slowly let me see through her and understand that she doesn’t want to a kept woman, she wants someone to share her burdens and struggles with. But she is going for the wallet instead of good intentions or heart, judging men for what they wear or the kind of car they drive. I can understand what her character is trying to say: having money makes life easier, and to a point, in we are being completely real, she might be right. When you don’t have to worry about things like getting enough money for rent, groceries and such, it leaves time to enjoy the things you like and give yourself presents. But is the way she’s going about it that is worrisome.

I’m particularly looking forward to see the development of her friendship with WAN (Zhang Lu), the owner of a small company and her former classmate who just moved to Shanghai in order to expand his business. It’s clear he is very much interested and she is letting him believe he’s got a chance, I wonder if it’s true or if there are other intentions.

GUAN (Yang Zi) unlike the other two is a recent collage graduate who moved to Shanghai in order to pursue a career. She’s probably the most introverted and soft-spoken of the girls, slowly trying to push through in a job she doesn’t like at all and in which she has to work overtime almost every day. Even though Guan is very capable and I’m sure she would do just fine on any job, she cares deeply about what her parents think of her and this, I’m guessing, will be a important point in her story. They are the reason why she choose this particular job and this particular company. Her father wants her to work at a big city and a big company in order for her to gain life experience, on the other hand, Mom wants her to comeback home, get a easy job and get married. On this, I agree with Dad since she is indeed rather green on life and job to the point of not knowing much about human dynamics or realizing when someone is giving her attentions in a special way. Guan has taken Andie as her role model and with he advice of Fan, you can already see her slowly growing into an amazing, caring and smart young lady. Looking forward to the day she actually gets to work on something she likes.

YING YING (Qiao Xin) is the most naive to the point I sometimes wonder if she’s not plain dumb but then BAM! she surprises me with a smart move and then I have to apologize to her character because she did so well. Doesn’t mean she won’t screw up again, this character is the kind that learns through crashing and burning which -as you can imagine- can be quite frustrating but her innocent personality makes up for it. I would say she will have a lot of growing up to do through the entire season in all aspects of life.

Finally, but not least important, we have XIAO XIAO (Wang Ziwen) who has recently came back from studying abroad (she was actually partying) under the request of her mother. Turns out Mom is afraid her father will name Xiao Xiao’s half brother the heir of the company. Yeah, she’s rich, well connected and crafty. Her story doesn’t concentrate much in the family drama, tough, it centers around how she’s building up her reputation as a business woman who is capable of taking the lead in her father’s company if ever needed to. But to be completely honest I’m not even sure if she truly wants to inherit he father’s company… I’m not even sure if she wants to work at all. It feels more like “business” is the only language her family understands, so she communicates her worries and desires in a business like manner, and making strategies to look good in front of her parents. Is she a fake? No, I don’t think she knows how to properly express herself when it comes to the people she loves and it’s only until you get to know her that you understand how caring she is for everyone.

I’m really excited about the new romantic storyline she’s starting because I want to see more personal development from her, apart from the sisterhood, and a romance with DR ZHAO (Wang Kai) seems like exactly what she needs. He takes no BS from anyone and she is full of it.

Overall and so far, Ode to Joy is a really good show with strong storylines and characters, and a slow pace where you learn something new with every episode. Like peeling an onion, one layer at a time.

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The friends we make along the way.

I was fully expecting an office romance but I found so much more, as a matter of fact, this aspect of the drama takes a step back and portrays a more real and nuanced reality about how corporate South Korea operates. I was pleasantly surprised.

If I had to pick a genre for this drama, instead of office drama, I would go with slice of life instead because -at the end of the day- that's what it is. A portrait of adulthood and what's the best way to move through the world for each character. That happen to work for a big company.

The dynamics between the characters never get melodramatic or borderline makjang, instead we are presented people with different ambitions, social status, experiences. And they all merge in their common goal.

I really liked the friendship aspect of this drama, it is portrayed in a very mature and wholesome way, among people of the same age but also among different generations. They communicate with each other properly and respect what the other is working towards in their respective personal and professional lives. Even when they have their differences, they still are there for each other through everything.

Another highlight of the drama was the second female lead, portrayed by Moon Soo Ri, who is levelheaded, kind and humble. Her story arc was really fascinating to see develop in the screen as we think, at first, she's a woman who puts ambition before anything but by the end of the drama we can see there's more her decisions.

Technically speaking, the drama also excelled with the color palette chosen for each location/set and visually deliver what the characters are going through. A very nice complement to the solid acting given by everyone on this show.

If you are interested in dramas of these characteristics, I think RACE might be for you.

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Soldier and Spy.

I imagine intelligence work is probably very much like portrayed in this drama. No thrilling chases or big action scenes, but rather a group of weary men, drinking tea or alcohol, in a series of conversations that circle an enigma. This doesn't mean the story it's not fascinating to watch, after all we are looking for a double agent who is more likely to be among our lead characters than in some far away location pulling at strings.

This is a slow paced drama and it will ask things of you as a viewer. You will have to pay attention to details in the story because they might be important later on but, at the same time, you have to keep an eye on the bigger picture these characters are trying to paint. It's easy to get lost in the small things and miss out on the glaring obvious. The narrative can be a little confusing in the first few episodes but around episode 5 to 7 things started to take form as we got all of our players on the board, with different missions and objectives.

The strongest point of this drama is probably technical aspects. Superbly atmospheric in the hands of director Lu Yang. His camera work is implacable, its moves sinister, the rooms are filled with uncertainty, and the characters warily circle around — well, each other, really. The Wind Blows From Longxi looks, sounds and feels exactly right. The drama is faithful to the time period in all aspects, from the locations to set designs. The costumes, hair and make up are incredible tactile and you can feel the roughness of piece of fabric as you watch a scene. The cinematography, tho, it's the true star. The use of light and lenses in this drama are planned to the tee. It enhances and hides the characters' personality and true intentions, giving you clues through visuals instead of exposition. It's perfect.

The performances from all the cast are on par with the production, but particularly Chen Kun and Bai Yu. They prove to be at the top of their craft in this drama. The story asks a lot of them to be portrayed in a whisper, almost. There are times when physical conflicts happen and they are really well done but not as interesting as what came before and after.

I am aware this is is the kind of drama that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think you should at least try a couple of episodes and then decide because, I promise you, it's worth it.

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Lighthearted comedy about serious issues

At first hand, Rikokatsu comes across as a lighthearted comedy but I would think it twice before writing it off as just that. Personally, I think this drama presents itself as a easy to watch rom-com but it is full of social commentary about Japan's current situation in relation to their low marriage rates and high divorce rates among older people.

Saki, our leading lady, is a competent fashion magazine editor who comes from a progressive family. Because of this, she's not only committed to her work but values her independence and looks a partner who will respect these attributes. On the opposite side we have Koichi, leading man, who comes from a military family with traditional japanese values. Love triumphs over their differences, at the beginning, but cohabitation makes it impossible to look past some blaring problems in their every day life.

The drama never makes Saki say it out loud but she's clearly a feminist, this is one of the main reasons that catapults the problems in their marriage. Koichi expects from her what his mother did for his father: follow the man's rhythm of life, make all the meals, cleaning, etc. I want to make point out that Koichi it's not misogynist because he does respect Saki and sees her as an equal, in fact, when she calls him out on things he changes his behaviour but it's clear that it never occurred to him that a marriage could look different than the one his parents had. On the other hand, Saki doesn't know how to adapt to some of Koichi needs or behaviour that are absolutely normal as a couple because she's used to her parent's marriage where each person had their own thing to the point of not having family meals together once at home.

I found their situation as a mirror of Japan's society as a whole. Cosmopolitan, interesting, independent but also with a deep rich ancient tradition. These two characteristics seem to complement each other well, at surface level, but the social issues in the country it is proof of the imbalance between the two.

I mentioned that Japan currently has a high divorce rate among older people. Marriages of decades that "suddenly" crumble. Well, both leads' find themselves in the situation of having to deal with their parents' divorces because of all the reasons I wrote about before.

Most of the drama it's about a couple finding a balance and accepting there's not one way to be a family. That marriage can look very different according to the needs of the two people involved in the relationship.

Technically speaking Rikokatsu it's really good. The cinematography really beautiful and camera work a mix of traditional and more dynamic. The performances are really good from all the cast. The leads, Kitagawa and Eita, are full of charm and fleshed out their characters in a compelling way. There are no bad guys, just two people trying to figure out life.

For all of these, I fully recommend Rikokatsu.

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Perfect marriage

MBC will forever be to me the channel that doesn't do things halfway. They either have awful dramas or really good stories, I am glad to say The Story of Park's Marriage Contract is the latter. Another good example of why 12 episodes long dramas are sometimes better, no time to waste and unnecessary conflicts.

Lee Se Young and Bae In Hyuk gave great chemistry. They delivered solid performances and nuance characters. There is no perfect relationship but the leads of this drama come very close through proper communication, team work and love. Particularly when you take into account there's time traveling and corporate spies trying to take them down.

Joo Hyun Young, Jo Bok Rae and Oh Yu Jin are scene stealers. Every single interaction between each other or the leads is gold comedy with the added attribute that they are actually super cool characters that have full lives, apart from the main story. So, it's interesting to see well developed secondary characters. Same goes for the rest of the cast.

The story per se it's really fun and the mystery well done. Every week, I wanted to a new clue to resolve what was happening but also find out what new adventure leading lady was going to have. Her charm and openness to the world was invigorating. Definitely one of the best characters of 2024.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable story and I recommend it.

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A step in the right direction!

Netflix has being trying to adapt to live action manga/anime stories for a while and after the incredibly mild version they released of cult classic Cowboy Bebop, I was unsure if I should give One Piece a chance.

Based on the long-running story by Japanese mangaka Oda Eiichiro, the first season is a somewhat faithful version of the first 100 chapters of the original work. We meet most of the main characters, their backgrounds and motivations, as they come together to become the Straw Hat Crew.

This “new” version of the beloved series is primed to be a commercial success, make fans happy and bring a new audience. The story is entertaining, the characters incredibly charming, their chemistry off charts, and the world building super interesting.

The show it’s not perfect but you can see they did their darnest to make it fun for everyone. Overall, I think it‘s a step in the right direction of live action adaptations.

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Beautiful and uplifting

When I Fly Towards You manages to capture the fleeting moment in life when possibilities are endless. Back when we say goodbye to childhood and we become young adults going out into the world to expand our understanding as we discover ourselves through others.

On a technical aspect the cdrama is shot digitally but there are snippets filmed with an analog camera, visually making you understand you are being told this story from the POV of someone remembering. This adds a layer of nostalgia. Smart and beautiful to watch.

The acting is what I expect from a youth drama that understands itself: good natured, solid and well-rounded performances of characters growing up as we see them going through different every day experiences involving school, friends, family and love.

Overall, I fully enjoyed this cdrama that features an easy to cheer for characters, with good chemistry, learning about life and themselves. This is why I love youth dramas, they can be a source of joy and energy.

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Good acting carries a seen before story.

You have probably seen this story before: young love torn apart by adults who disapprove of the relationship, leaving two people forever changed and pinning for each other for years. Until they are reunited and now they must decided if fight for their love and move on.

Story-wise, the script brings nothing new to the genre. There's the angst and pinning, unreasonable and manipulative parents, the flashbacks to happier days, the depressing present life of two adults who can't move from that time in their lives. Almost every decision made it's based on that brief time in when they were happy.

The first half of the drama we must meet the characters to understand their motivations and why they must heal first before contemplating whatever or not they want to be together. It's very frustrating. Particularly because of how manipulative leading lady's mother is. She has no absolutely no redeeming qualities and it's been a while since I wanted to strangled a fictional character so much.

The second part of the drama is less frustrating. Characters start to snap out of it and becoming far more proactive into trying to build the life they want for themselves, with the support of friends and peers.

Yang Yang and Wang Churan carry this drama with their performances. Their chemistry is off charts and they deliver a strong melodrama full of action, angst, personal trauma and romance, heightened by the life or death situations the leads find themselves in because of their field of work.

Overall, a solid story.

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Meeting and letting go.

Hwa-sun is a location manager based in Busan. Her ex boyfriend, Do-young, a former film student with aspirations to become a successful director left many years ago for Seoul, where the film industry is bigger. She didn't want to go and he didn't want to stay, and despite the love between them, their relationship came to an end.

In present day, they are reunited through Do-young's new project. He's back in Busan for it and believes Hwa-sun is the right person to help him finds the locations he wants. It's obvious they have both kept themselves busy and achieving success in their respective fields. While Do-young choose the fast lane and became an up and coming director, Hwa-sun has slowly build a reputation and renown name among the industry insiders.

As they walk together the streets of this city that once saw their love bloom and wither, they find themselves revisiting their shared history, they also contemplate their choices and where they are at now. What happens when growing up means letting go? Would they have done any different? Can they find closure to this open wound?

Cinema Street it's a beautiful love letter to that one love that helped you grow as a person but also pushed you to want to become a better version of yourself. This rhythm of the script is contemplative but never boring. Han Sun-hwa and Lee Wan deliver good performances, nuance and mature, as two people finding themselves (perhaps for the last time) in front of the one that got away. The cinematography is what you would expect from an indie film set in Busan: beautiful to look at.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film and I hight recommend it to anyone.

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A very sweet and mature youth drama!

Desk mates. Friends. Lovers. Through growing pains, separation and reconciliation, Si Yue and Ding Xian remain earnest to what they know to be true: their relationship. They are each other's constant through everything and a love based on mutual respect and understanding is meant to last a lifetime.

Yes, the story follows a pattern and it has troupes. But I can overlook all that thanks to good story development and performances. Besides, Chen Zheyuan and Xu Meng Jie have GREAT chemistry. If you are looking a drama to relax to, this is it.

The teaser trailer for Our Secret is accurate but also misleading af. It has all the sweet moments but the story is more mature than what is shown. I was pleasently surprised.

Overall, this was a very endearing youth drama, with solid character development and performances. The story is sweet and if you are looking for a drama to relax and smile to, this is it.

I recommend it!

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What is the point...?

The premise of All of Us Are Dead is simple: a group students try their best to stay alive while being trapped in their school through a zombie apocalypse. When I first heard about this drama and saw the talent attached to the project, I thought this was a promising story.

After watching it, I feel mostly lukewarm about it. Sadly, most of the developments that don’t sit well with me are major spoilers, so I won’t be sharing it. Instead, I will be talking about what I liked about it and what didn’t quite reach the potential it had.

What I like the most was that I got to watch the story from several perspectives, from desperate teen survivor, detective and the framed science teacher, to military and political government. The different points of view on what to do in this situation was very interesting.

The first half of the drama was very compelling. Its rhythm fast paced and adrenaline infused but also took its time to develop characters and their inner and outer demons. In the final six episodes the story shifts and the drama suffers from it a little.

The acting is a mixed bag. The adult performers do a solid job but it’s the young talent where it flattered. I personally think what is really attracting people to watch this drama, more than the story, is the charming new actors and actresses. Particularly Park Solomon, whom I admit is a find and probably the next big thing. I can see a little of Go Soo in him and that should tell you everything you need to know. Lee Eun-saem and Ha Seung-ri are another two really strong performances. But the most impactful presence is Lee Yoo Mi who demonstrates the meaning of the word range.

The zombie action is top notch, no surprise coming from a korean production. It is gory and blood thirsty. Their origin story, however, it’s one of the things that just don’t sit well with me.

The school violence, bullying and sexual abuse display in this drama is far more disturbing than the actual zombies. I am sure this was the intention, so we as an audience can understand and empathize with the logic behind the creation of the zombies. The adult solution to the problem is anarchy and destruction. From this situation, a group of kids is left to figure out what’s morally correct, ethical behavior, justice, the importance of kindness, and so on. Lord of the Flies: Zombie Edition.

This is the point where I am left wondering if this is what of All Of Us Are Dead is actually about. Is this a gore fest showing me the worst a human can do? People so detached to what others feel, so already dead inside, that everything they do is worse than what a zombie does? Is this a brutal bullying survivor story? But then why none of the main characters were part of the bullied? Or someone who stood up to the bullies before the zombie apocalypse? Or part of the bullying storyline at all?

As I mentioned before, I found the conclusion of this series lukewarm, up in the air, as I am sure it was the intention since Netflix or the powers at the studio who produced this drama are probably wishing for a second season. Or more.

Overall, if you like zombies stories, you might as well give it chance.

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A good time

This is a really good comedy thanks to solid jokes, dialogue and situations in which our characters find themselves in. The chemistry between the actors is really good, Kang Ha Neul and Han Sunhwa are definitely the standout with the unhinged and savage performances, while Kang Young Seok delivers a very fun character and Kim Young Kwang some heartfelt scenes. The friendship is the best part of the story.

While I really enjoyed this film, I can't help but feel The First Ride missed an opportunity to properly develop mental health issues in the aftermath of a tragedy. In one hand, I am glad this wasn't a sob fest but, at the same time, sometimes this issues were used as a punchline and even forced the story to be more emotional when the set up was already touching enough.

Overall, this is a good watch and I recommend it.

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What a waste.

It gives me absolutely no pleasure to tell you this drama was a hot mess. So much so, I don't even know where to start so I can properly explain myself as I am still reeling from what can only be one of the most underwhelming endings I have seen in a while.

At the beginning, I was all in. Motel California starts with a funeral, a bang and a slap; and I was ready to fight for Kang-hee after seeing the way the town's people treated her. I liked her spirit and refusal to backdown and bow down. Everyone expected her to be meek at their hurtful comments and prejudices but she didn't let any of them get away with it. No matter if it was her boss, a rich kid, or even an elder. I also liked all the secondary characters and the story seemed to be very interesting.

The cinematography through the entire run of the drama it's beautiful to watch. From the daylight landscaping to the snowy nights, the neon lights and the warm bedrooms keeping secrets. Each scene a reflection of our characters' most private emotions, and there's a lot of that. It's not so much a story about introverts but mostly about repressed emotions and the ongoing effects of trauma when people don't communicate properly. The performances from everyone in the cast were perfect, each did their absolute best.

And because of all the things I mentioned before, I was seated the first few weeks of Motel California... but then the drama didn't seem to know what kind of story wanted to tell. Every episode was a repetition of the one before. I got whiplash even on the last two episodes when Kang-hee breaks Yeon-soo's heart, walking away from him, only to ask him why he didn't call the next time she sees him. The entire drama was like that when it came to the leads.

Putting aside my deep empathy for Kang-hee and everything she went through on that town, every week, she became more unlikeable thanks to her constant overemotional tantrums and complete disregard of other people's feelings. She would spat whatever she wanted, without thinking how it would affect others, leave town and then come back, say sorry and move on as nothing. No, that's not how you develop a character with deep emotional scars regarding her childhood, abandonment and a complicate family history.

Yeon-soo, her love interest, was basically her doormat for most of the drama. When he finally pushed back, I was happy because I thought there would be some kind of change but sadly very little happened. He stood up to his mother, good. I wish he would have done it for himself instead of Kang-hee. The woman was an absolute nightmare and every time she showed up I wanted to scratch my eyes.

Chun-pil, her father, would never actively defend his daughter from the towns' worst gossip or even explain himself in regards of the drift between them. His own trauma, that was mostly the root of Kang-hee's trauma, was left underdeveloped and the drama's scriptwriter decided to go with such an old-fashioned resolution that it made me want to scream.

As for their friends group, they were all really interesting characters with stories ready to be full fleshed but the drama centred so much around the Kang-hee and Yeon-soo melodrama, those secondary characters never really got their moment to shine. Not truly. Instead we got glimpses of what could have been wonderful stories about overcoming the trauma of child abandonment, domestic abuse, parents' expectations and cheating husbands.

Motel California had all the right elements to be really good and, for a brief moment, it was. Until it wasn't anymore and that was more than half of the drama. A complete waste of talent, in front and behind the camera, on a script that never figured itself out.

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