Cinema that marries intelligence with emotional depth

The Spy Gone North offers a very finely crafted cinematic experience, blending nuanced storytelling with deeply emotional undertones that resonate long after the screen fades to black.

Set against the backdrop of a politically charged era, the film masterfully navigates the complex landscape of the National Intelligence Service's shenanigans as well as the intricate and often tense relations between North and South Korea. This is espionage storytelling at its finest—deciding to forego the typical high-octane action sequences for a more intellectually stimulating and magnanimous approach. The screenplay is a work of art in itself, demanding the viewer's undivided attention; a momentary lapse of looking at that Whatsapp message could mean missing a crucial piece of the intricate narrative puzzle.

The performances are nothing short of stellar, with the cast delivering their roles with a compelling authenticity that adds depth to the already rich narrative. Complemented by a great musical score, the film not only entertains but also provokes thought, making a significant statement that lingers .

In summary, "The Spy Gone North" is not just an exceptional film within its genre but stands as a formidable entry in the espionage genre. It holds its own alongside classics like "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," and I fully believe it has the makings of a future cult classic. This film is a must-watch for aficionados of the genre and anyone who appreciates cinema that marries intelligence with emotional depth

Read More

Should have been called The Chairman and solely focused on him- maybe it would have been a 10

Despite my initial excitement and high hopes, "Reborn Rich" left me feeling disappointed and underwhelmed. As a dedicated viewer of K-Dramas, I was eager to dive into its storyline and characters, anticipating another captivating addition to my watchlist. However, despite my genuine desire to like it, I couldn't overlook its shortcomings.

From the outset, I found myself struggling to connect with the plot and characters. Especially the main character played by Song Jong Ki. The rest of the cast, though brilliantly consisting of solid veterans in K Drama world, did not have a deft script to give them nuance and flair.

Despite the intriguing premise, the execution felt lackluster, leaving much to be desired in terms of depth and development. Chaebol families have incredible nuance and intrigue that regular families do not have and the fact that this drama failed to exploit this was bewildering. As the episodes progressed, I hoped for improvement, clinging to the possibility that the drama would find its stride. Maybe Song Jong Ki would show some bite , maybe psycho cousin will have more nuance than being 2 dimensionally psycho , maybe the ill inserted romance will find its stride.Unfortunately, my enthusiasm waned as the storyline failed to engage , and the characters failed to resonate with me on an emotional level.

There was a useless thread of a romance that was strangely inserted which also just added a bad taste to everything.

BUT I must mention the incredible Lee Sung Min who played the amazing Chairman.With his commanding presence and nuanced portrayal, Lee Sung Min breathed life into the character of the chairman, elevating every scene he graced with his talent. His impeccable delivery, whether conveying authority or vulnerability, added depth and complexity to the character, making him the most compelling figure in the entire drama. Maybe the drama adaptation should have just focused on the Chairman instead of the grandson.

Overall, "Reborn Rich" is a disappointing K-Drama that fails to deliver on its promise. While it may have had potential, its lackluster execution ultimately makes it forgettable and unremarkable in the crowded landscape of Korean dramas.

Read More

Cute filler show

Umm , this show is strange but in a unique way , it’s also cringe but it in a charming way . I really enjoyed dutifully putting it on everyday after a couple tasks . It’s a really cute filler series as well for when you need a nice fluffy inbetweener or a break from a heavy drama you may have on rotation . Or just a good ole binge . It won’t take long .

The leads have great chemistry and deliver cute performances that make you root for their characters' budding romance. Their on-screen dynamic is filled with charm, and their interactions are both funny and endearing.
This show doesn’t even make sense like how they fell in love sooo unrealistically quickly but I rolled with it unabashedly and SKINSHIP helped too. wink wink

Side bar : sometimes shows are good for the charisma even though they have zero plot and Shanai is such an example.

Read More

A Classic that has left an indelible mark on the genre.

I am very late to the Goong party . Goong is far from being my gateway drama like it is for others , in fact I come in watching Goong with more than 50 dramas under my belt and it has been A WHILE , since one has kindled the warmth and love within me as Goong has. It's not just claiming a spot in my top rankings but is actively dethroning other contenders. A word of advice: savor it with top-notch subtitles, a point I'll delve into later.

Now , lets get into the review.

Story- Goong, undeniably, crafts a compelling narrative. I go beyond calling it good; it's exceptionally well-woven. Rich in elements and diversity, it fearlessly ventures into risky territories, setting a benchmark for dramaland. As a seasoned drama aficionado, spotting nods to the Goong playbook in other dramas was also an added delight.

The story navigates light plot points and dramatic turns .The drama's turns can be so dramatic that it might lead to frustration, and I see why others even dropped . The story, at first glance is a bit hampered by a continual repetition of conflicts but the characters explain why because it really is a loop of an evil fate being displayed and our younger protagonists need to rise to the occasion of defeating the generational trauma . These are 19 years olds forced to play a role that is nothing of their choosing or hearts desires . The messy road becomes coherent when one realizes the extreme weight placed on the shoulders of these youngsters forced into roles against their will.

Another point on the story - many things happen off screen and are inferred by the characters on screen in a highly nuanced dialogue that if you are not paying full attention or don't have good subs- you will miss it and call the drama illogical and wonder "how did we get here? Why are we still here???" but the intricacy is intentional. Goong, with all its pomp, is ironically subtle and understated, drawing from Joseon-era conventions. Recognizing these nuances in hindsight enhances the viewing experience, turning seemingly ordinary moments into beautiful revelations.
( i.e- some "first" realisations shown on screen are not happening for the first time and perhaps some "first" moments are not actually happening for the first time too. A lot is inferred but the viewer is sneakily given easter eggs to see this.)

As for the characters - they are wonderfully developed, capturing the realism of their young age. Immature inclinations, stubbornness, warmth, and empathy are seamlessly woven into their personalities, a commendable feat for the writers. The adults truly were dolls trapped in the palace and truly did not know any better and the inference of that makes their actions understandable.

Now for the acting - Its crazy that this is the debut of Ju Ji Hoon and Yoon Eun Hye .They really owned and bodied their roles especially Yoon Eun Hye.She is such a breeze to watch and the unrefined edges of her acting added to the charm of Chaekyung wonderfully . She did great justice to her role . As for Ju Ji Hoon- very good and his portrayal is the gold standard for the cold , mean male lead with a lot bubbling under the surface. The chemistry between the pair was very easy , not forced and quite pleasant . Dare I say - it was their ease that helped the sad conflicts be less burdensome. The supporting cast exceptionally excels, leaving no room for complaints.

Music/ Costumes- ahhh CHEFS KISS. One of the best OSTs in dramaland , one of the best insertions of it too that emotionally heightened scenes . Perhaps Love is so amazing and crazy that all this was released almost 20 years ago . The costume choices, though campy, contribute to the drama's charm.

Rewatch - A definite yes. This drama brought me so much happiness and truly crept into my heart . I really went in with low expectations but was beautifully rewarded .It will be fun trying to pin point when Shin fell in love , what really happened off screen and look at the beautiful quotes they all say with the benefit of hindsight . Plus ,there are some iconic scenes that are worthy of a hundred rewatches.

Observations- While the length is justified given the character development and moral exploration, 24 episodes might be excessive. Trimming it down to 20 could have improved the pacing, but it doesn't detract significantly from the overall score. For that it misses getting a full 10 marks from me though its a 10 in my heart .

Overall- as evident , I really recommend . Goong has that THING that makes K Dramas especially special .It is so sweet, and quietly understated and has more than meets the eye. Ideal for those who relish slow-burn romances, appreciate moral dilemmas, and enjoy the dynamics of push-and-pull coupled with character growth.

I also encourage viewers interested in the historical legacy of K-Dramas to dive into Goong. It serves as a dramatic screen playbook from which subsequent works, including those of Hong Sisters and Kim Eun Sook and others, seem to have drawn inspiration. Avid K-Drama enthusiasts will likely find these connections intriguing and enriching.

It is a classic that has left an indelible mark on the genre.

If you have read this far - thank you so much .

Read More

Neo Noir done in a pop culture friendly way

"A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Such a victory negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress."

The Worst of Evil is truly a study of the psychology of a Pyrrhic victory.

It is a very , very, good watch and nothing to sniff at. I applaud the ease of the theme presentation and the accessibility of the watch , something that is very hard to do with morally ambiguous characters but this drama nailed it .

The watch is strenuous and far from a kick back watch . It is unrelenting in its brawn and dark in its resolve . I highly appreciate how all that unflinching and unrelenting darkness never let up for a second and was beautifully woven in the music , the acting and the dialogue.

I rate it an 8.5 because its definitely more than good but there is really nothing new being explored here. Its exploration is also not that novel but for what it is- its a wonderful drama worth a watch with standout performances by Ji Chang Wook, Bibi and Im Se Mi. I was not particularly blown away by Wi Ha Joon as I should have . I think he doesn't have the depth just yet to handle 4D characters like the gangster Jang Gicheul. I think a Woo Do Hwan (since they have a similar look) would have delivered that heart wrenching humanity coupled with a searing darkness. Wi Ha Joon made it very obvious he was playing a role.

Other than that - a very enjoyable drama with a lot of tension and thought provocation and soul stirring moments.

Read More

Blockbuster season with decent follow through from S1

Season 1 provided the depth , ruminations on civilization and tribalism with stellar commentary on how civilisations spin spiritual doctrines to suit their greed and ambition whilst season 2 ups the stakes in a very do and die manner with stellar action scenes and INTENSITY.

This season is a definite must watch for those who watched s1.The world building continues to be compelling and the commentary is stunning as ever . I have always appreciated Arthdal Chronicles for its commentary on religion and beliefs. And how both keep order and peace but ironically can cause conflicts and war.

The music was great and I never skipped the theme song , acting was stellar too with stand out performances from Jang Dong Gun who finished Tagon with such pomp and emotive flair. His portrayal is truly a best actor contender of the year for me along with the leads in My Dearest, Worst of Evil and Moving in 2023.

Overall- objectively speaking , there were some weak points but when Arthdal shines? It really shines. Some of the best tv episodes of the year and just in the fantasy genre are housed in ep 9 and 10 of season 2 alone hence why I score this a more than decent 8/10.

Read More

Truly is MOVING

I really thought that this was going to be your typical high budget super-hero drama. The high profile cast ahem Han Hyo Joo , Zo In Sung and co definitely must have cost a lot , and like many big budget shows – Moving was probably going to have typical poor writing with big special effects. Probably some formulaic hero show that we’ve seen before a la Heroes or Marvel/Dc vibes.

Boy was I wrong !

For sure its got high powered fight scenes but this show is more than that.This show prioritizes character development. Motifs galore with beautiful imagery and meaning too. The writing is excellent . The production and visual FX are crazy good too. It’s tugging on all the emotional strings with emotional bonds that are truly MOVING.

Now, some may be put off by the gritty violence . It really does get in there that a fast forward button may be needed for more sensitive viewers but I am one of those sensitive viewers and I can tell you that the violence has a sincere necessity contextualizing the gore. They fight for love and fear of loss .Everyone of them do this that it cancelles out any sense of gratuity .

Now why do I score it a 9 and not a 10? Theres something I cannot forgive about this really great show and that is the focus balancing .

Focus balancing is when there are plots and subplots and the editors , directors et al balance them .i.e - the main plot has the adequate focus that a main plot should have and a sub plot is noticeably sub to a main plot.

Now , Moving understandably has a holistic take on the anthology and all plots are actually main plots but I couldn't shake the feeling that there were plots that were better done and in hindsight ,too consummate to be a parallel to the one I felt the problem lay with . Just so you are not in the dark , theres a man whose backstory was waaaaay too much and killed the balance for me so no perfect 10 from me.

That aside , this show truly is something special .Its grounded in realism because well and truly , if superpowered people existed ,the trials the show explores would be the exact thing happening to them with governments using them etc. That is so self aware and brilliant of the script.

Also ,shout out to the best romance I have seen in drama land in a loooong time acted out by Zo In Sung and Han Hyo Joo and which also culminated in the BEST episodes of the show. They resonated with pure sincerity, cutting through misunderstandings and doubts, showcasing the genuine feelings between two people and successfully evoking deep emotions in the viewers . What Moving did with two episodes of romance is something that 16 episode dramas routinely fail at.

The highschool children were amazing too!

Overall- I highly recommend especially to those who like grit mixed with slice of life showcased in almost anthology style.

Read More

Now this is how you do a disaster movie!

The headline says it all. One of the best disaster movies in the entire game!

Emergency Declaration is an outstanding film that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. With a gripping storyline and exceptional performances by the cast, it's a must-see for any fan of suspenseful thrillers.It is well acted , well produced, screenplay to die for and pacing that is heartracingly sublime! I was a total sweating mess watching this and thats exactly what a disaster thriller should do!

On top of the thrills- it delves into complex moral dilemmas and the human psyche under extreme pressure. The movie does commentary and thought provocation searingly well and that is so amazing to pack in the high stakes of everything.

The visuals are striking, and the use of sound adds an extra layer of intensity to the viewing experience.The cast delivers outstanding performances across the board. Everyone is phenomenal and all convey the desperation,determination or greed of their characters brilliantly.

Overall - its a must watch. Truly a top contender in the disaster movie game because of its ability to create a palpable sense of urgency and emotional connection with the characters.

I can see this being a future cult classic of the genre.

Read More

Everyone is right in their own way about this show

This show really conflicts me.

Firstly - its a fresh take on a rom com and it actually wears well for a drama that is almost 10 years old. Its fun , snappy , sexy and jazzy. Enough to pull you in. It has your very OTT silliness with a great balance of seriousness. It becomes strikingly clear that there is a sound commentary on family trauma etc. So when people praise this drama for its high emotional IQ- it is very much deserved.

Now , for the conflict - the ride to resolve was highly aggravating. The female lead and the second male lead contributed to this aggravating ride. Furthermore , the story exposition was just off. Too much unnecessary suffering for the female lead . She took waaaaay too many emotional L’s and the concept of her whole self sacrificial schtick went on for far too long . Sure there is more than meets the eye with this drama and that is enough currency to watch but I felt the exchange rate was not fair . I didn't truly get my money’s worth though it pushed valiantly on.

So in the end , I watched on fast forward until an eventual drop to an indifference of even seeing how it ended.

Overall- would I recommend ? No . But for those who like their rom coms to have a spin , a realism and maybe even a sexy , there may be something for you.

Read More

Solid weekend movie

Hitman Agent Jun is a solid weekend blockbuster with action , wit and a whole lot of comedy!

The story is your typical usual agent trope of the retired agent with a family being forced back in to the fold by circumstances out of his control etc. Hitman Agent Jun plays on the trope quite well with sincerity and familial bonds galore.

The movie plays as very tongue in cheek which adds to the charm of the whole effort overall.

Maybe some weak parts in the middle but overall, a jolly watch that is really good for those weekend afternoons or nights.

Read More

Candy Floss Romcom with a tug of commentary

King the Land is one of those easy watches that will have you smiling like a kid in a candy store.

It makes no pretenses about itself and unapologetically commits to the fluffy rom com tropes with all the trappings of umbrellas, theme park rentals and magical appearances to save the female lead. And with all of that fluff - it still manages to touch on issues like classism, elitism and sexism in the service industry which I found so self-aware of the script.

While the ratio of plot to character is arguably thin ( those who say zero plot also have merit) the charm of the drama is the charisma of chemistry existing amongst all the leads and the drama makes very good use of this charm. The push and full factor runs very strong because of this making it an all round very pleasant watch that emits joy. Seriously - I was smiling throughout so top marks for that.

So why does it score an 8.5 and not a 9 or 10? Simple- though the show is a light hearted comedy at its core , I could not overlook that I felt baited at times into thinking it was going to get deeper into an issue/problem ( which were serious motifs by the way) only for it to fizzle out. Thematic resolution was thus quite weak and having the identity of being fluffy is not an excuse for not resolving pertinent themes presented.

Otherwise - the drama is amazing, Lee Jun Ho is captivating as Gu Won , Im Yoon A is greatly improved in her acting skills and the supporting cast was wonderful! No complaints. The music is great too and has entered my daily rotation too .And the visuals were top notch.

Shoutout to the presentation of Gu Wom and Cheon Sarang too- the most natural dating couple I have seen that was not prudish. Very rare in dramaland.

Overall- would not be surprised if this was a future rom com GOAT in time .

Read More

This is for the people who didn’t enjoy My Mister

I write this review amongst the glowing 9's and 10’s. I really do come in peace to just say that this is a very strong cup of tea that may not be a preferred cup as I have unfortunately found myself.

It is a hectic watch . It is a tough watch . It is also a pouty watch. All these attributes are also the charms of the drama but are also the aspects that make it a pungent tea to some. Two things can be true at the same time and that is okay too .

Unfortunately, the former overwhelmed the other . It truly is the drama I couldn’t love even though I wanted to . And I can see what everyone talks about , I’m sure it inspires personal healing and human warmth and everything a slice of life should be but it just was not a slice of life I wanted to have . The tea leaves of Lee Jee An with her pouty grimace and the dry lips of the male lead and the pitiful brothers and mother were not sifted through the drama sieve well enough .

And those are the redeeming charms to some but it’s a no from me .

Read More

Its stylishly good but its not great

This movie tried to be a lot of things. Tarantino meeting John Wick but falling off somewhere is how I can describe this.

The story is gripping and can keep you in for the duration of the movie but I personally found the first hour and a half ridiculously slow and boring which I cannot forgive at all. Furthermore, the story resolved into unneeded sappy territory which was disappointing too.

However, the cinephile in me recognizes the artistic winning aspect of this film which is stylishly delivered and that aspect is the only that save this movie from being a non watchable entity.

Read More

This drama gave me STRESS

This is a very good drama that is all types of twisty and bendy in the best way .

The plot device is not so much physical twists but more so emotional twists . All is not what it seems on the emotional front . I found that very novel and well done .

By the way / lots of romance . Lots of it . And it’s so wonderfully inserted . Dare I say it’s epic !

Acting is superb . Lee Jong Ki shows immense range ,control and sheer excellence . He is officially a favorite of mine . He made watching Moon Lovers bearable and in FoE he has a great script and brilliantly shines .

Moon Chae Won was brilliant too . Great emotive acting with the professional restraint that was needed for her cop role . Another one going in the fave actors list

Shoutout to the villains for actually being soooo scary . I was legitimately frightened of them . Dripping in scariness for sure .

So why the 9 and not a full ten ? Well , the show got a bit soap opera and melodrama like in a way that was trope leaden . It didn’t remain sober in approach . If you are looking for a Signal vibe in here , then that is definitely not in here .

However , atmosphere modulation is up there with the best in K Drama land . The choreography of scenes was just beautifully strung together . There’s an episode 10 that is just a masterpiece!

Overall: Happy to see it won Best Director at the Baeksang awards . It was well directed . 10/10 for the sheer stress I was constantly in . I had to constantly pause to give myself a break.It was too much . But sooooo much in a good way .

Read More

Park Chan Wook at his most accessible

Park Chan Wook is responsible for seminal works in the movie industry, and he is known as a plot twist deity .

The genius in his works usually make for an unstable watch and most times an inaccessible moment for moviegoers but in Handmaiden he condescends to make an approachable and accessible watch. The themes of colonial Korea and the tension with Japan are enduring as well as the other themes explored that include feminism ,liberation and sexuality.

Its beautifully shot and wonderfully acted too.

I do find Park Chan Wook a bit of a difficult pill to swallow so if he is your fave then you will surely love this.

If you are just starting out in watching his films , then this is the more accessible he has and great for beginners.

Read More