Reviews

This short series was very promising. The first episode was full of emotions, it had me that emotional that I was on the verge of crying. Autism is not a disease, it is a disorder and I am happy that they put this in the spotlight to raise awareness about people having it. We should not hate them, instead we should be patient with them...they are the most talented people in the world. I admired the pacing the story and the actors are very convincing.

I cannot wait to the next episodes to come. So far, I rated this as perfect, because everything about it is great.

This is one of the best Thai Dramas that I've seen so far.

Kudos to the whole production in this project!

Leia Mais

I began watching Gou-Himetachi no Sengoku because I am a really big fan of the history from Japan.Until then I have already watched a few historical asian dramas.But I didn´t find so many good japanese dramas.The most outstanding dramas were koreans;)
But I must say that I was really impressed by this drama!
When I am bored by a drama I usually skip some parts but this drama here made me so addicted ,that I didn´t want to stop watching it.I watched the first 10 episodes and then I always contined to wait exited for the next episode :D You never know what will happen next and it really moves your feelings.In the first moment you must cry and the next moment you just laugh out loud! Even though it isn´t a comedy,the Cast in the drama is performing really exeptionally.You can perfectly understand their point of view and because the story is based on a true story, it feels even more real.
For the plot;
Basically the story is about a princess who is used from the birth for political matters but in the end she becomes the wife of the Shogun whom she really loves.This drama shows her strong personality and how she fought through her life until she finally found happiness ;)
I can only recommend it for everyone who wants to learn of the japanese history and who wants to see an exeptionally played drama with outstanding actors! Even when someone might don´t prefer watching historical dramas , it is worth the lenghts of 47 episodes

Leia Mais

It kicked with a great start ! But gone to downhill in the middle. But it's still a drama worth of your time. KHJ returned after a long long break after his controversy. I thought it'd be a boring and not exciting one at first. But this story is quite good and had me hooked up to the finish.

I just wanted you guys to know that it's a good drama ! You've seen way way worse drama than this ! It's way better ! Specially what people are describing it from my point of view ! It has some peculiar theories ! lol ...
Casting was so good, everyone was professional ! And the music in it was a blessing <3 I really like those OST they were playing in drama !

#PEACE

Leia Mais

Growth, Time and Love

Sniper Butterfly was a drama I first heard about when I saw the trailer back in 2024. At the time, I remember thinking, “Maybe I’ll watch it someday.” When I came across it again in 2025, something just clicked I knew it was finally time to give it a try.

Themes & Story
At its core, this drama is about a man who yearns deeply, loves only one person, and keeps proving just how much she means to him. The female lead supports him through this time while also dealing with her own struggles, especially her divorce. Her kindness, emotional maturity, and resilience really stood out to me. One thing I noticed early on was that Cen Jin is very used to handling things on her own, and the drama actually shows this in subtle ways. I was really impressed by how she adapted emotionally and handled the changes in her life, even when everything felt unfamiliar or uncomfortable.

I know age-gap dramas aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally enjoy them. That being said, I did have doubts at first especially since he was technically still in high school. But the way the cast and crew handled this story genuinely surprised me. It was thoughtful, restrained, and done with a lot of care.
I also loved how the story blended the past and present together. Instead of showing the entire past first and then moving onto the present, everything was slowly woven together, like tying a bow. It felt different from what I usually see, and I really appreciated that.

Drawbacks
If I had one main issue, it would be the lack of communication between Li Wun and Cen Jin. Li Wun, in particular, rarely opened up to Cen Jin because he didn’t want to bother or burden her. I understand where this comes from, especially considering his childhood, but it’s something that could definitely affect their relationship long-term. He started to in the end which I was happy with.

Cen Jin’s emotional independence is shown in subtle ways, and while it’s a strength, it also creates moments where she doesn’t fully notice what Li Wun is carrying until his behavior started to change in obvious ways.

Supporting Characters
I loved Chun Chang she was easily my favourite.

It did take me a while to warm up to Shen Yi Yang as a romantic character, though. At times, he came across like he thought he was better than her or was judging her, and I really didn’t like that.

Cheng Rui deserves a special mention. Honestly, nothing bad to say about him at all. He was such a good friend to Li Wun — a truly genuine and loyal friend.

Acting & Standout Performances
Daniel Zhou wasn’t an actor I hasnt really paid attention to . I’d heard of him from Truth , but this drama completely changed that for me. His portrayal of Li Wun was really impressive. The way he went from a cute, innocent, awkward 19-year-old to a mature 26-year-old man felt natural and believable. Watching that growth over time was one of my favourite parts, and Daniel captured it perfectly.
And yes the boy can kiss 😉
The way Li Wu loves so deeply is honestly what every girl dreams of, after watching Sniper Butterfly, he’s definitely an actor I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Michelle Chen was just as impressive as Cen Jin. I’d actually never heard of her before this drama. And honestly, I still can’t decide if I prefer her long hair or short hair both suited her so well. Michelle really brought Cen Jin to life a woman going through a divorce who unexpectedly meets a young man who just wants to study and live a good life. She played the role with so much warmth and restraint.
Her chemistry with Daniel felt natural, and their kisses never felt awkward or forced, which is so important for a story like this.

Conclusion
Overall, this second chance drama was beautifully made, and I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. The OST was calming, emotional, and perfectly matched the tone of the story.

I would highly recommend Sniper Butterfly to anyone looking for a drama about growth, timing, and love.


ps (this review is all my thoughts but grammar and pacing was helped by chat gpt)

Leia Mais

Fantastic story captivating actors

This is one of my favorite K-dramas, I've watched it 3 times already. and each time added clarity to the complicated story. Will probably watch it again to figure out a few more characters. This is the first time I watch actor Lee Min Ho, and he is captivating. His portrayal of a King is eloquent and perfectly measured. A King's face may be taught to be stoic, but his feelings can't hide from his eyes. I ended up searching all his works on Netflix, Prime, Viki and YouTube and seem to watch him grow up from the time he was a teenager. What a delightful performer and actor he is. I look forward to seeing all his future work. The leading lady, Kim Go Eun, is naturally beautiful, she can show such strong raw emotions. I had delayed watching TKEM due to seeing some poor reviews, but I'm totally fascinated by this powerful fantasy movie. I saw many reviews saying the love between the King and plain Detective to be rushed and not believable. But I can understand why she would have developed caring and protective feelings for a King who had been orphaned from childhood. She, herself, having lost a Mother at age 5, would definitely have soft feelings for another soul who lost a parent at an early age. Perhaps some viewers just saw a powerful King living in a rich palace, but she would’ve seen a sad soul who had to appear strong, but had all the hurts and loneliness of being an orphaned child, as only those who have experienced it would know. Had you seen him from that angle, you would’ve given him a loving hug and understanding as well. She Immediately loved him, because they understood each other’s pain behind their masks. As a King, he must hide his feelings. As detective, she chose to be brave to hide her inner hurt as well.

For me, the concept of parallel worlds and existences was fascinating. Imagine if Korea fought off its aggressors in the 1800’s, avoided being colonized, and maintained its Kingdom till modern times. How different a world that may be. Why was it even compared to real world as we know? Who is to say how this fantasy world should be like?

We all think of other worlds and existences in various forms. I found it fascinating !

I am a retired from the US, with plenty of time to rewatch this drama, and others that touch the heart !

Leia Mais

To be loved like this! I'm trying to imagine it! This was truly a heart-warming story as it explores the relationship between a man and a woman handicapped by her illness. The romance between Kyoko and Shuji will remain deep in my heart for awhile. Kimura Takuya has now been added to my list of favorite Japanese actors. He so wonderfully portrays Shuji who unselfishly loves and cares for Kyoko regardless of the objections of her brother who only wants her to be happy. Takako Tokiwa as Kyoko, this was my first time seeing her but guess what, she is making her way on my list too! This is not a story for everyone but anyone who appreciates a good drama will recognize the beauty in this. Excellent!!

Leia Mais

This drama will be your "EYE-OPENER", and.. You'll be changed forever.

First, let me discuss its novel history. This novel was created in 1965 and has been adapted many times. The writer was "Yamasaki Toyoko". The one who created 'The Grand Tribe' and 'Fumo Chitai'. Her signature works or let's say.. Her theme was more of 'Power Struggle'. I noticed that because I've watched some of her works. It's obviously that this genre is not open or friendly seen to viewers, maybe? Perhaps, because her works were written in a depth-collision contents. Or maybe.. too harsh to be true? I hope I conveyed my point of view correctly because my grammar is not that good. :/

Okay, let's proceed..

Shiroi Kyoto is a glorious, addictive, brilliant drama though it's an underrated and very rarely seen with some viewers.. Oopps. Probably, because there's no teens idol. How sad. :(

This is not actually an episodic 100% medical drama that you'll often see doctor here and everywhere giving medical term and operations. The Hospital is just a setting here. Yes, there's so many dramas about power struggle but this one is a 'great exceptional'.

It portrays and highlights the controversy of conflicts, moral issues, ethics, power and humanity. Let alone the drama engage and allows you to peek into a world of rotten politics where you can see some nobles struggling to achieve their goal. And one of them is Goro Zaizen and the other, Satomi Shuji. The contrasting points between them made it feels like they can be hardly friends or whatsoever and yet, they respect each other capabilities even no words are spoken. Well, action is louder than words, ne? :D

Like this for example:

---- REALIST VS. IDEALIST ----
---- EMPIRICAL VS. PHILOSOPHICAL ---

My gratitude and applause to the writer for some of its great metaphorical context, very sophisticated concept and well-written script. This will remain a classic one and your timeless ambitious character-who-goes-higher-and-higher-up 'Goro Zaizen'. And... the very unorthodox charm and metaphor title that is --

"THE GREAT WHITE TOWER"

Oh how divine you are!! *music plays, "Amazing Grace"* (^o^)

About the OST, you may feel that it plays repetitive but its melody were actually referring to the one who's "The Great White Tower". Sounds heavy, huh? Characters are well-developed, it also views their motivation towards in their careers though I find some of them unrealistic but not 100% actually, so you can easily ignore it. :DD

The depressing, distress and stresses you'll feel in this drama may let you have an admiration and memorable one, that for every consequences of life, there will be a paved with indifference no matter how you look at it. This is a highly recommended especially for us who are entering the society one day. It will helps you realize that despite how messed up the world is, some around the corner.. you'll know how important the relationship between people-to-people. ^____^

Leia Mais

An Amazing Entertainment/Reality TV Show With an Amazing Casts

Where else are you going to be able to watch a show with so many amazing actors and actresses all in one? Look no further.

Every episode is either funny , interesting or purely entertaining. I just couldn't stop laughing at times. It's interesting to see the actors' genuine reactions to some unexpected situations.

I came for Kwon Na-ra (she's just sooo amazingly beautiful, funny and silly) and now I can't wait for more! Seeing the likes of Park Seo-Joon being so silly and funny is really a sight to behold. (Radio?? lol. Watch it and you will know what I mean).

It's really a show worth watching even if it's just for the sake of seeing popular actors and actresses interacting with one another, some whom have known each other previously whilst some whom are fans of each other but have never met. You might even end up watching their dramas (like me as I'm now a fan of Choi Sung-eun as well, lol).

This is one show that is definitely not to be missed!

Leia Mais

But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.

Patience is required for this drama that is unlikely to enjoy broad appeal. It is a Beijing Academy student production so don't expect high production values; indeed there is a distinctly amateurish and unpolished feel to the entire effort.

The shadowy and suspenseful plot is steeped in the supernatural and mythology and takes a long time to unfold. The synopsis, which already gives away much of the story adds to the impression that nothing is happening. Hidden forces conspire to release the demon Jiu Ying, that according to legend was sealed by five deities representing the five elements (metal, earth, water, fire and wood). This manifests itself in increasing hostilities between the You Kingdom and the Wolf Tribe that make war and chaos seem inevitable. These events bring the three siblings Hongxuan, Hongyi and Hongshou whose Baili family has long been the power behind the You throne; together with Ming Yefeng, the leader of the Wolf Tribe who also has a mysterious past with Hong Yi. They are linked by destiny and rediscover their powers so that together with other supernatural beings from a past lifetime, they can once again fulfill an ancient promise to keep the world safe. It is not a complicated or super original fantasy story that culminates in an epic clash between good and evil.

What is interesting about this drama is the characters and the acting. The actors are not given much to work with in terms of dialogue so they have to rely heavily on body language and subtle expressions to convey their characters. This makes the complex characters particularly difficult to get to know and nobody is as they originally appear. It is very difficult to tell who is friend and foe and what their motivations are. For most of the drama, Baili Hongxuan and Ming Yefeng were the most complex and interesting characters for me. While they are both quite grey, both turned out to be quite different from what I expected and almost opposite of each other. I really enjoy this kind of peeling of the onion approach in terms of how a layered character gradually becomes unveiled but many will find this kind of storytelling frustrating and boring.

I suspect many may be interested in this because of Wu Lei and Song Zuer. I admit I discovered this because of Wu Lei. While his character Baili Honsghou is quite one dimensional - the typical c-drama hero that goes through many common tropes; it is the best performance I have seen from Wu Lei since NIF. It is very nice to see how far he has come as an actor; that he is not just an incredibly athletic lean, mean, killing machine. As for Song Zuer, she is an actress that provokes strong reactions, especially when she plays the bratty young girl. I never minded her that much because I always noticed that she has screen presence that belies her small size and her performance in this also showed much progress and was actually quite nuanced towards the end. And it will be remiss of me to not mention how super hot Zheng Kai's Ming Yefeng is - I can't believe I have never seen this actor before!

The story advances much more quickly in the last 10-12 episodes although it appears a bit messy as many characters are introduced at once. But they are not interesting characters and all you need to really know is that they are either obstacles to be overcome or they are there to give some assistance along the way. All of the substantively relevant characters are introduced at the beginning. There are a few nice twists at the end with respect to the emperor as well as the mysterious man in the hood. The ultimate villain (to me was not Jiu Ying) was hiding in plain sight the whole time but their motive for unleashing evil on the world was pedestrian and lame. Most of the so-called heroes or deities in this show have feet of clay, do not have high morals and are not particularly enlightened beings. The story is very matter of factly callous in its treatment of spirits or demons. This is very typical of the genre so if you are familiar with Chinese mythology, you will not be surprised by any of this or how the story ends.

I enjoyed this drama but it is not for everyone. Watch at your own risk.

Leia Mais

I watched this on the plane and surprisingly it was really good. The story follows closely to the manga but still it's a movie so they have to cut some scenes. Honestly for me, the highlight of the movie is definitely the chemistry between the lead. Suda Masaki did a very great job in portraying Haru you can't help but fall for him. It is a very good coming age movie focusing more on the friendship between the students. I really like how this is not your typical shojo movie where the guy is a jerk and the girl is naive, this one actually holds the message to just be yourself. For music they mostly use Nishino Kana's songs because if I'm not wrong it's kind of some collaboration project? Definitely a rewatch I can totally swoon over Haru forever and please stay until the credit end scene.

Leia Mais

The show started off extremely promising - an exciting plot that leaves you anticipating future conflicts and the revelation of secrets. However, it slowly turned into a draggy soap opera with mediocre acting (namely by Zheng Shuang) and historical characters behaving uncharacteristically love-lorn. Hawick Lau did a fine job here, except that his default face was a frown and he lacked the aura of a great emperor as Kang Xi was, according to history. His female lead had only two expressions - a poker face and a depressed demeanour. I do have to applaud the acting of Vin Zhang (Rong Ruo) and Edward Zhang (Chang Qing), as they executed their roles very well, especially that of the latter. Overall, this show could have been much more dramatic and intense, given the refreshing storyline. Oh well :(

Leia Mais

As I'm thinking about what to write, I remember talking to my husband about this drama one night and trying to break it down for him and it got a bit messy. I guess that's a fair description for this drama. It started out really cute, then the love triangle gets thrown in, complicated back stories arise and, at last, there's a dramatic turn of events once everything is revealed. The whole thing was just a bit messy. Halfway through I couldn't really figure out where this drama was trying to go. The story wasn't horrible, just could have been cleaned up a bit instead of going in a bunch of different directions.

I did like almost all of the characters, with the exception of Panda and Won Il's mom and step dad. I really liked the scenes between Hedgehog and Grandpa and Hedgehog and Won Il. I think it's the first time I really could care less about the actual love story and liked the bromance between the 2 male leads better. Some people have mentioned Donghae's acting. I didn't think it was bad at all and definitely improved throughout the drama.

I only gave the music a 6 just because I really didn't pay attention to most of it. The only songs I remember from the drama are Owl City's Good Time since it's a song I actually know haha. And they also had Gangnam Style in there which I thought was funny bc of all the hype that song is getting. But other than that, I don't remember.

Anyway, I liked it but didn't love it. Kept me interested enough to watch it every week but not to the point that I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next episode.

Leia Mais

Hail Hail! The Gang's All Here.

West Incheon’s favourite good cops Kang Do-chang (Son Hyun-joo and Oh Ji-hyeok (Jang Seung-jo) are back again for another season of murder, mayhem and manipulation with the rest of the lads from Team 2 who are much more of a cohesive fighting machine than once they were. They are still led by Team Leader Woo Bong-shik (Jo Hee-bong), a perpetual nervous wreck whose timidity regarding what they're up against is only equalled by his fear of his wife’s nagging and their chief, Moon Sang Beom (Son Jong-hak) who lives for that holy grail promotion that’s just around the corner.

In this series the team tangles first of all with a serial killer in their neighbourhood with a fetish for young women in white. When they finally get their man they play a rather protracted, elaborate game of cat and mouse with a family-run conglomerate, TJ Group who seem to be at the centre of domestic violence and possibly crimes of passion. At the start the patriarch (Song Yang-chang) of TJ Group is spending time behind bars for dubious business practices and the company is left to the devices of his contentious offspring Cheon Sang-woo (Choi Dae-hoon), Cheon Na-na (Kim Hyo-jin) and son-in-law Woo Tae-ho (Jung Moon-sung). The half siblings duke it out for supremacy while Woo Tae-ho, also head of the legal team, is caught between their ferocious rivalry. Their story is both high melodrama and a psychological battle of wits rolled into one.

The thing to note first of all about this franchise is that this never purports to be a police procedural about the nobility of the boys in blue. Far from it. Indeed it is a show about cops — warts and all. The official English title is somewhat misleading and would be better translated from the original as The Model Detective. That said Do-chang and Ji-hyeok aren’t perfect men (Ji-hyeok comes pretty close) but they are the closest thing to diligence and smarts as one might get from this rag tag bunch of investigators. The two men are as alike as chalk and cheese but in very significant ways define what this abstract model detective looks like. Do-chang is all heart and emotionally driven. He sympathizes deeply with the victims’ families which is evidenced by his relationship with his adopted daughter and their relationship with the victim's grandfather. Having lost his father to a cold blooded killing, Oh Ji-hyeok isn’t just intellectually committed to cracking every case, he is absolutely determined to catch every single perpetrator that comes his way. He is depicted as the consummate detective and he’s earned the respect of his colleagues to the extent that his intelligence guides the discourse in the office. The maknae of the team Shim Dong-wook shows plenty of promise except that his Achilles’ heel seems to be his ne’er do well brother Dong-il who seems to fall prey to all kinds of schemes concocted by those whose aim is to divide and conquer.

Unlike your garden variety police procedural, getting to the bottom of the mystery isn’t the main thing here. There aren’t any intractable mysteries or supervillains here. If that’s what you’re looking for, you might want to look elsewhere. Like many K crime shows, knowing who’s responsible isn’t the end of the story or sufficient cause for an arrest because proof is hard to come by. Meanwhile the perpetrators are protected by layers political clout or vested interests which reflects how any kind of business is done in that part of the world. Truth isn’t just a casualty, it’s barely relevant in such a context. In the end one might appeal to self-interest, financial incentives, threats, and political expediency but very seldom is righteous fervour or a well-developed sense of justice part of the equation. Within this dog eat dog ecosystem, detectives see themselves as a link in the food chain and they might want to negotiate for a better deal than what the public service can offer them. It isn’t just a case of survival of the fittest but a submission to the status quo — to the way things are. Jang Ki-jin which is this season’s corrupt cop alongside Choi Yong-geun an ex-cop now enjoying the benefits of being a stooge of TJ group represents a sample of what’s wrong with the public service: It is dominated by capable but ambitious individuals who use their previous service as a stepping stone to getting in bed with the rich and powerful.

Woo Tae-ho, who is another new face in the franchise, is a morally enigmatic figure. Without his inclusion in the mix, the TJ Group would be just another feuding chaebol family. He’s a mediator, a broker and the protector in a messy situation. Somewhere along the way the former prosecutor got mired in that family’s misdemeanours to the extent that he became the family’s lap dog cleaning up after them. His moral compass has gone awry in service of the woman he married. Perhaps that’s why he became attracted to the deceased Jung Hee-joo, a subordinate, who was something of a misfit in that environment. Tae-ho’s dynamic with his wife Cheon Na-na is tragically compounded by layers of irreparable misunderstandings. From an outsider’s perspective, it looks like they’re two people who may lingering feelings for each other but an insurmountable wall has sprung up between them with neither wanting to make the first move to repair matters. There’s little trust on her side and there’s plenty of guilt on his. Na-na whose mental state is fragile despite the bravado clearly frames herself as the victim in the Cheon family dysfunction. She teeters back and forth on the edge of the abyss between stylish poise and wretched madness. It’s a masterful performance by Kim Hyo-jin. Without a doubt her chemistry with Jung Moon-sung is one of the more arresting parts of the show. Jung Moon-sung is one of those truly underrated actors who has the versatility and the charisma to be a male lead but for some reason that status has eluded him thus far.

In the end “Why was Jung Hee-joo killed?” is perhaps a far more difficult question to answer than “Who killed Jung Hee-joo?” The answer to the first question is far more psychologically complex than one might think. But at the end of the day, it’s a question that’s much more of interest to a viewer like me than the conspirators who are trying to misdirect and impede the investigation. For those of us who were raised on the teat of western crime fiction, it might be something of an anticlimax that the answers that her grandfather seeks can only be found only after a series of negotiations, accommodation and political compromises. However, such is the reality of that world. At least the cops can console themselves with the belief that the dead woman’s family can get some closure.

In an ensemble such as this with veterans and well-regarded character actors, it’s pretty much a guarantee that the performances will be stellar across the board. The actors contribute in large part to making this viewing experience an immersive one. It is a male-centric story and one of my great delights is watching the Team 2 camaraderie at work. The banter between the leads and among their colleagues never fails to amuse. Each deliver a punchline with flair especially when it's not heard by the others. What began to flower in S1 has developed into a bit of an art in this series. The dialogue spiced with wit and irony is music to the ears. Despite the ribbing and backhanded serves of chastisement, these men do really care about each other — they can be relied upon to have each other’s backs when the chips are down. Often it is a testosterone filled space that they occupy but I relish every single moment that I spend with these men.

It’s no secret that I’m slightly in love with Oh Ji-hyeok partly because of Jang Seung-jo and he does play the character in a thoughtful understated way. Despite his superior skill set, Ji-hyeok is a team player and the running gags about his good looks and his wealth oddly enough never gets old. His double act with the grumpy but passionate Kang Do-chan (Son Hyun-soo) is more often than not comedy gold.

This show is a fine example of how to do core characters well — to imbue them with distinct personalities and give them character arcs that often test their mettle. I don’t think it’s too much of an exaggeration to note that many crime shows do such a good job with the antagonists that often the protagonists fade innocuously into the background. Not so here. The drama is clear on what its roots are and where its focus should ultimately be right to its humorous ending.

Leia Mais

Perfect Chemistry

Our Skyy 2: Star in My Mind is an interesting case of the special episodes being way better than the series itself. The plot, while simple, managed to correct some of the series' mistakes. For instance, the supporting characters now have their own stories and relationships -- Typhoon got his happy ending, and the other friends had things to care about aside from Dao and Kluen's relationship.

Another highlight of the episodes was the important message about jealousy. In many BL series, jealousy is presented as hot, but it is not -- being jealous of your partner means that you are insecure in your relationship with them. It was so great to see Dao underscore this.

Most importantly, Joong and Dunk have more chemistry than a Chemistry textbook. If in Star in My Mind they had good chemistry, here it is through the roof. They are one of the few on-screen pairings -- not only in BL, but in movies and series in general -- whose characters I can genuinely believe love each other, are in a relationship, and have slept together.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by these two episodes. Even those of you who did not enjoy the series much might like them.

Leia Mais

It is not a fun movie, yet it is radiating truly positive energy in spite of its appalling topic

"Herstory" is an example of a highbrow KMovie, which has real life as its subject and at the same time influences real life as an impact of the movie reception.

It is about the lawsuit brought by a handful of "Comfort Women" from Busan - actual long forgotten/ignored sex slaves for the Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. The trial took place between 1992 and 1998 in Japan. This noteworthy trial set in motion the resolution of a rather dark chapter in recent Asian history.

It was about time to not look away anymore. The subject of "Comfort Women" was until then a taboo subject even in South Korea. The refered to court hearing in the 1990s was actually a milestone in the reappraisal of this chapter. Thus the KMovie "Herstory" is a poignant, publicly effective monument to this chapter in history and honoring the affected, victimized and long forgotten women (and their advocats).

"Herstory" is sensitively illustrating the painful path to this (no less painful) trial as well as its dramatic individual cases. The KMovie becomes the mouthpiecer of at least a few of those women´s fates and at the same time a touching memorial, arousing the awareness of the cruel war crimes committed against civilian women.

It is not a fun movie, yet it is radiating a tuely positive energy in spite of its appalling topic! I consider it in several respects highly valuable.

It is about empowerment and sisterhood. The cast ist outstanding.
This movie is confronting glorious ´his´stories with ´his´ rather tabooed ignominious behaviours... and thus make it ´her´stories.




---------------- SIDE NOTE --- Historical Comfort Women in World War II ---
For a long time, the fate of an estimated 200.000 Korean young women and girls, who were traumatized as sex slaves by the Japanese military during World War II, went unnoticed by the world. Until the 1990s their existence was a taboo - even in South Korea! In fact, Japan's government and military recruited (mostly) Korean young women and girls. They were used against their will in so-called "comfort stations" as "Comfort Women" for motivation of the armed forces - i.e. as sex slaves being abused by the sodliers.

Officially, this fact was (and still is to some extent) vehemently denied by the Japanese side and hasn´t been clarified for more than 5 decades, let alone talked about reparations. However, in terms of international law, what happened has to be considered war crimes, crimes against humanity, as well as slavery and trafficking in women and children - crimes they are. However, the war crimes tribunals after the end of the Second World War were more concerned with crimes against members of the Allies. So in public THOSE crimes against civilian women were forgotten.

With this particular court hearing the movie is refering to, for the first time a verdict in favor of the (comparably few) plaintiffs was at least partially reached. The ladies, who had meanwhile aged, were actually awarded a ridiculously small amount of compensation. So the verdict is still outrageous, but a verdict nonetheless. Nevertheless, as a result, the story of comfort women was publicized for the first time and an international reparation movement was launched.

Obviously the topic had appeared on the table ... but it was still not legally clarified. On the contrary. The issue as such (and its many and even more individuale cases) have still not been satisfactorily resolved ... while most of the actual victims have by now died of age.

Leia Mais