Reviews

Honestly, this drama was a bit of a fiasco. I mean, trying to improve on the original Princess Hours is impossible, and then no kiss scenes... When I watched this, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and watch it as a stand-alone drama, not a remake, because I loved Full House and liked Kiss Me. But I didn't like it even as a regular drama.
STORY: Story? What story? There was a story? There really was very little storyline in this drama. They sort of had the evil lady, and something about Tao getting taken away, or something along those lines... Honestly, the "story" felt like filler scenes in between the sweet scenes. The sweet scenes were really well done from a directing/script standpoint, but with no story to accompany them, the drama just felt kind of like a music video.
ACTING/CAST: Tao and Patty do a pretty good job, I especially liked Tao a little later in the drama after he relaxed into the role. He did a really good job of showing that his character isn't necessarily mean, just quiet, and that he doesn't hate Pat. Patty was pretty good too, but she really didn't add any depth to her character. Everyone else was pretty mediocre.
MUSIC: Cute, but unmemorable and choppy. It didn't contribute to the flow of the drama at all.
REWATCH VALUE: The only reasons I'd ever rewatch this is to watch Tao as the dreamy prince, or to watch the love scenes. There's not really much to watch besides those two things.
All in all, this drama was an utter disappointment, even by regular lakorn standards. The directing, costuming, and design were wonderful, but couldn't compensate for the almost nonexistent storyline and lackluster script.
I hope Ananda and the director learned that in order to make a successful remake, you have to improve on the subject material. Korean Goong was already perfect, so they couldn't improve on it. I was just hoping it'd give up a better fight...

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if you are appreciating a character full of layer and emotion to overcome their struggle in the workplace world ala Misaeng, but with a darker tone, you might be like this drama alot. Who said a love story can't mix with realism and as your way of telling a good message ala THe dancing the waltz alone?

Once again, not alot of writers is dare enough to throw character reggresion/redemption on viewers .  The character struggle in here is real and the writers write her/his own character with heart,  and far from conventional drama we are used to. They are  trapped in their own anxiety and fear due to the pressure from the world they live in. The plot never defined what path you should take, more about the result decision in your own making.

The metaphore between the waltz dance and relate it to their relationship is just a billiant touch from the writers.

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What a gem little drama. The writers is dare to throw a flawed character on us with unlikeable personality (while if you think about it, they will become a total villain in a another drama) make them become the centre of the story in one family.  a Wife who is unfaithful ? check. A daughter who is a total reckless and inconsiderate? check. A son who is so weak? check. This drama fill with black comedy that will make you laugh due to their of behaviour and different point of view from people surrounding them, because deep down, at times you will agree with them.  

One flaw with this drama? This drama is too short, This drama deserve more episode! These character deserve it.

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If you ever wish to visit France, then watch The Package without fail because France is what this drama mostly is about. If you do not have plans to visit France then certainly watch this drama as you will get a tour of this breathtakingly beautiful city from the comfort of your home. Additionally, you also have CNBlue’s hottie lead singer, Jung Yong Hwa to keep you company. If that doesn’t lure you then let me add here that the director has added a shirtless scene of Yong Hwa pondering over some serious issue. How can a hot hero think with his shirt on? He has to take off his shirt to think clearly, right? The Package is a short drama with some interesting characters and lots of funny moments.
Since I have changed the look of this website, I have also tweaked the outlines and presentation of most of my posts. Hope you like it. :)
 
Good Weights            
I enjoyed watching The Package because…
…the storylines depicting complications in different kinds of relationships seamlessly blended with the theme of the drama. Every character in the drama is at the crossroad of a certain relationship and this trip makes each one of them realise what he or she wants from the other person and from oneself. It is fun to see so many stories fall like puzzle pieces to form a larger picture at the end of the drama.
…the cast was really good. Actress Lee Yeon Hee who plays tour guide Yoon So So was totally into the character. She very easily adopts the tour guide tone and looks very convincing as a professional guide. I am sure Yeon Hee has put in a lot of hard work to get into the skin of her character. Similarly, every other cast member did a good job and played their parts well.
…of the brilliant cinematography and the beautiful foreign location. The director has spared no pains in capturing France in the most exotic frames. All the locations visited in the drama look amazing and this is the perfect way to promote tourism.
…it was funny. San Maa Roo encounters with So So’s stalker is hilarious. The way he dodges him and gets into scuffles with him made me roll on the floor with laughter. Do watch out the two men fight for So So’s attention. Even his initial encounters with So So are amusing.
 
Bad Weights
I did NOT like The Package because…
…it is a threat to my savings. Two episodes into the drama and I was yearning for a vacation. The drama reminded me that it has been years since my last long holiday. By the end of episode 4, I decided to go on a trip no matter what. I started to look up holiday plans online when suddenly I heard my bank passbook chuckle in a corner. I went to it and opened it to see what made it laugh so mirthfully. What I next saw brought tears to my eyes. I quietly returned to my laptop, this time equipped with 3D glasses, and clicked on the next episode because I had realised that it was going to be the only way I will be seeing France for at least another decade. Damn you poverty! Damn you!
…there is a dip in the story pace in episode 6 but the drama eventually picks up. The dip is justified as it is a point in the drama where characters explore the depths of their relationship. It shows how couples behave after they have spent a considerable amount of time together.
…Jung Yong Hwa was a little dull. There are several scenes where he could act a little more energetic and whimsical but his restrained (read limited) acting makes him look dull. He is a handsome guy but when it comes to acting, I think he can do better.
 
The Package has more of good weights which makes it a good watch. Its cast, story and location together make it a very enjoyable drama. If your bank account balance too mocks you the way mine does, then do not miss this drama as it is the cheapest way to have a trip to France.

I give The Package 3.5 out of 5 rating. The Package is an easy breezy drama. It throws some light on the complexities of different types of relationships against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful France. Do watch this one when you want to watch a fun and light drama.
 
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in.

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Korean John Wick.

Such a good movie. Action was top notch. I liked how they didn’t show you in the beginning how kickass he was, really drew out the anticipation of seeing him fight. This movie was so dark! Don’t watch if you don’t want to be reminded of what a crappy world we live in and how it’s filled with so many crappy people. But I can appreciate it’s realism. I can appreciate the gore. In both those aspects, the movie really wants to captivate you. 

The MC can act! Apparently he’s an all star actor but since I’m newer to kdrama, I hadn’t seen him in anything yet. I’m definitely going to search for his other work. They touched on his past and his character just enough to help you understand where he’s coming from and why this girl matters ????  

The pacing was well done, no lulls. I don’t like slow paced stuff, I frequently get up and take breaks. Didn’t pause this movie once though ????

Oh! And the closing theme song was so beautiful!

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Ended on a strong message that we cannot close our eyes and cover our eyes to the damage we are causing to our planet. That if we care about our children's future, we must face down fear of the unknown with hope and dedication. 

The movie was really well done. Great cast and special effects. The storyline was crafted together well. Power plant meltdowns are not easy to explain to the general public but I thought they did a good job without making me feel bored.

I took a class on how government in the U.S. operates during natural disasters and I couldn't help but think about all the ways the government in this movie went wrong. It was an interesting thought experiment that added to the overall depth of the film. I feel like something was lacking in the film that is keeping me from running out to the store to buy it. I think the characters weren't fleshed out enough. If they had spent just a little more time on developing them and their relationships, I think the movie would've been a smash hit.

But I definitely recommend  watching it. My heart was racing the whole time which is truly the mark of a great thriller.

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Despite what the visual poster and the beginning of the summary suggest the cursed romance angle did not play as large a role in the show as I was expecting. I was disappointed. It took me a while to finally get through those last three episodes because I felt they were stalling for time by throwing all sorts of problems at the characters.

What did I enjoy? I enjoyed some of the supporting cast such as the female doctor best-friend to the male lead. She was a very good friend and seemed to be a well-balanced person for most of the show (unlike the male and female leads). The Japanese restaurant owner who was a friend to the female lead was also good as supporting cast. The juvenile (sometimes sexually suggestive) comedy and the close friendship between the men, Wang Nuo and Bruce Li was good. There were some cute moments so you won't be waiting until the last episode for a kiss and relationship. I enjoyed the song choices and had to look a few up.

But there were problems. The female lead is incredibly immature. I'll be critical of myself and say I have seen Cindy Lien in "Better Man" and her character in that show was annoying to me and her role in this drama reminds me of her in Better Man. It's possible I am not being a fair judge. I don't know if this is the writers, director or the actress or some combination of the three but her character was a frustrating mess to watch especially when you compare her to some of the supporting cast women who played much more well rounded characters. I'm still trying to understand the purpose of the reincarnated, cursed lovers angle because the show could have gone without these moments and been fine, it feels like it was added to appeal to people and not to be a major part of the show. Some of the supporting cast characters were your stereotypical melodrama style characters who annoy and disrupt.

Would I watch it again? I doubt it.

If you like Lego Lee and his acting you might be happy watching his character grow. He has some funny moments, jealous moments and he shows some range in his acting. While I can see his appeal, I still struggled to get through it.

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Story: The plot wasn't intricate, and pretty much straight forward. This drama is based on the Legend of the Yang Generals, which is based on true stories (I believe). Out of all General Yang Ye's sons, his 6th son (in the legends) portrayed by Hu Ge is the most intelligent and follow his father's foot steps to protect and serve the Song Dynasty. The Yang family will face several antagonists throughout the drama.

The storyline can get somewhat "annoying" with all the love triangles, there are many love storylines in here and it's too interwoven at times, and too "convenient" that some of our brothers fall in love with the same girl their nemises is in love with.  Towards the end of the drama, I was sick of 6th son love drama, on how the girl he was friends with went psycho. I skipped past most of the scenes with her in it, it was too much for me. However, some of the love scenes are quite cute. I was fond of Peter Ho and Ceciliu Liu's roles, as well the General Yang and his wife.  If you like a drama with lots of intense emotions, this one will suck you in. Every scene that involved 4th son w/ his parents had me on verge of crying.

Acting: This drama has a superb cast. It's not as big as the 1980's version made by TVB (which featured TONS of TVB actors at the time), but it's pretty decent. I thought the 1,2,3 sons and their wives were pretty plain and not memorable. 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th sons are played by Peter Ho,  Chen Long, Hu Ge and Eddie Peng, excellent cast for the younger bros. Their little sister, played Zhao Zi Cun is just adorable!! She's probably one my favorite characters in this drama.

The actors that portray General Yang and his wife take the cake on this drama. You would think Hu Ge is the main actor in here, but nope. Those two did a fantastic job of their parents. Dad is strict, stoic, and often torn between family and state affairs. Mom is strong and the backbone to the family. Such a awesome couple. 

Overall, it's a pretty good drama. Don't expect too many happy endings because in the legends and in history, there were no happy endings.

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