Reviews

Confession. I picked this one up because of Jin Dong and I'm not disappointed. A departure from Jin Dong’s usual portrayal of the ultimate good guy alpha male, Guang Ming is loving, gentle and always believe in the good of others. His noble intentions and philosophical outlook lead to misunderstandings with his beautiful wife and ultimately caused the break down of his marriage.

This is a family drama full of touching relationships and matters of the heart, transforming human connections from foes to friends, from lovers to enemies and vice versa. It centres around the lives and tribulations of one family which includes the protective and loyal Grandma Qi and her grand-daughter Ting Ting. Pan Hong in the role of Grandma Qi is exceptional and steals the show with her relentless pursuit of family unity and her unconditional love for Ting Ting. Tong Lei as the fiesty, clueless and impetuous wife is fitting. A classic case of opposites attract but it is the story of Guang Ming and Ding Xue's journey that will bring tears to your eyes. It may be a touch melancholic but it doesn't drown you in sadness. Yes, there are villains and antagonists but you come to understand their actions and for the most part, you forgive them.

I started the show because of Jin Dong and left with an appreciation for the veteran actors in the show.  The acting was superb and will leave you wanting more. Keep your tissue box around for this one.

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Koreeda Hirokazu has another classic family drama. I have appreciated Koreeda’s works since I was in college. Our Little Sister has a similar feel as my favorite of his, Still Walking. Again Koreeda delves into the family theme.  I found this film very touching and sweet. It is amazing how again Koreeda is able to capture family life so organically. Seeing the four sisters joke and quarrel helped to illustrate how much they care for one another. As well as over time their bonds with the newest sister start to develop and bloom. Ayase Haruka leads another star performance as the oldest sister, Sachi, and the matriarch of their Kamakura residence. This is a beautiful film that explores the definition of sisterhood. I strongly recommend it.

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Loved the story because I have watched it previously from Playful Kiss (Korean version) and Itazura Na Kiss (Japanese version).
The acting of the cast was okay, the chemistry wasn't sizzling like the japanese version! However, I loved the second male lead a lot here. He wasn't annoying and did not over exaggerate his acting  like in the Japanese version (partially due to my bias for jiro wang keke). The male lead was also less cold than in the japanese version .
The music, well, I didn't pay much attention to the osts because they did not stand out. As for rewatch value, I think I would prefer rewatching the japanese version even though this couple was cute too.
Thought Itazura na kiss (Japanese version was better) but what I liked a lot about this version is that the female lead acknowledges the feelings of the second male lead.

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STORY 7/10
Up until episode 13, I was determined to give Protect the Boss a strong 8, as it was a highly enjoyable (if predictable) ride. But as other reviewers mentioned before me, the final 5 episodes (that could be easily reduced into 2) effectively assassinated the plot (and some of the characters). It's not that the series couldn't last for 18  episodes. It could. There was definitely enough material to work with. The problem was that the writing in the final episodes was all over the place, it concentrated on the wrong stuff and did very little for character development; it was like the writers suddenly forgot that some of the characters exist (Eun Seol's father appeared and disappeared in a blink of an eye; the grandmother became strangely passive during some major moments), forgot what their relationships are ("Gangster Chairman" Cha suddenly doesn't approve of the heroine why  again??? it didn't make sense), or that the characters were going to say  something  (Eun Seol promised Ji Heon to definitely tell him why  she did what she did next time they talk....I was really waiting for  it...it never happened); or that they have valid issues that need to be  addressed (it would be nice if Ji Heon was shown to be as supportive of  Eun Seol as she is of him).  

That being said,  Protect the Boss IS a good drama, one that defies many cliches and  offers many hilarious moments, not to mention that:
+  the male lead acknowledges that the heroine is much more awesome than  him, there is never the typical arrogant male lead moment "she is such a  loser why do I have to like her?"
+ family dynamics of the rich family is unusual and entertaining
+ the antagonists are more pitiful and funny than villainous
+ the second female lead is really a precious cinnamon roll and she eventually befriends the heroine

Negatives:
- as mentioned, the last third of the show was poorly written and boring
- the main couple was nice and their chemistry was decent...but lacking, somewhat. I don't know why, maybe it only seemed to me that way because Choi Kang Hee who played the heroine looked like she could be Ji Sung's older sister (not that she wasn't pretty, she was!), they just weren't convincing as a pair - they were cute, but not the OTP of the century

ACTING/CAST 9/10
I've never ever heard before about this Ji Sung guy, but he was amazing, he made his character truly three-dimensional and believable, and I definitely became his instant fan.  He was adorable! The rest of the cast was great as well.

MUSIC 7.5/10
Some catchy songs but nothing to write home about.

REWATCH VALUE 6/10
Big yes to rewatching my favorite moments, but I don't think I'll be able to get through episodes 14-18 as a whole ever again.

OVERALL 7.5/10

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Toire no Pieta explores how humans react to death. The story follows Hiroshi a 28 year old window washer who has just received word that he is dying. The movie follows him as he watches what those around him resort to to provide some solace to the pain of one’s impending death. Through these experiences, Hiroshi becomes acquainted with Mai, a loud brash high school girl who feels like there is nothing to live for. Through their limited interactions they end up both leaving quite an impact on each other.
I found this movie very poetic and subtle. I did enjoy watching it.  It is a lovely human drama exploring how we impact each other. The tone is very subdued. I disagree that this drama is a romance. I found this movie pretty touching. Though I think it is worth the time to watch it, I don’t think it can compete with the more acclaimed movies in this category e.g. If Cats Disappeared from the World (2016), Departures (2008).

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What makes this film absolutely fantastic but also terrifying at the same time is not how it portrays raw human emotions but the inability to escape the prison made of them.

We meet two characters who just CAN'T HELP IT. Jong Du suffers from a mild mental retardation while Gong Ju has a severe form of cerebral palsy, a terrible disorder that is incurable. Both of them are shunned by other people who are too afraid and disgusted to deal with them. However, they form a friendship and romance that helps them deal with loneliness. Dong Du is unable to fully comprehend the world around him (which sometimes results in him acting aggressively); while Gong Ju is exploited by her brother who uses her disability pension but leaves her all the time alone with only neighbors to look after her. Moon So Ri's acting is just brilliant, I've never seen anything like it.

There is one scene in the movie when we see how Gong Ju dreams about being normal and imagines having flirtatious interactions with Jong Du. Unfortunately, she is not able to move or even speak normally but still has a need to function properly like all other human beings. It is interesting to note, that all of all people, it is Jong Du who takes her on "adventure" and makes her experience just a bit of life that she has been depraved of.

This is a very difficult movie to watch and it isn't for everyone. There is no HEA for Jong Du and Gong Ju because there is no magical cure to help them be "normal".  But what this movie does is make you APPRECIATE YOUR LIFE MORE. It reminds you that there are people who got it worse than you, who can't eat/walk/talk properly and who depend on others' mercy to survive. So be kind to others who "can't help it" and live your life to the fullest.

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So firstly i want to say that i have watched all  seasons, and i was kinda not sure on which one should i write the review.
However lets begin.
First of all the story  was really cool, i  really liked the  crime part of it . The idea of having an organisation  full of murderers is just PERFECT. This drama kept me interested till the end. You never know how the story is going to  unfold.The thing that really attracted me at the begining was the portray of the female lead- she is not a typical chinese or any kind of drama lead. She is a  strong and undepedandant woman, who can fight for herself and the people she loves and really importat wasnt annoying which could have happened really easy . Not to forget all the murderers were fantastic presented , their charectrer and why they became criminals  was really good made.
So i am going to recommend this drama to all people who enjoy crime ,mystery with lots of love elements in it. It is definitely not the typical crime drama.And if you are looking for somthing with less drama in it ( i mean love drama,however  a lot of love figures were involved hahahah it was definitely not only a triangle hahaha) this is the perfect example - there is none hahaha
My rating is around 8.5~9  out of 10.
Highly enjoyable .

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I generally love most Japanese detective comedies, but some are better than others. I was looking forward to Hello Harinezumi based on the cast and director/writer, and it did not disappoint!

STORY
I never read the manga, so I'm not sure how many story arcs were based on it, but the script was tight and had that perfect blend of (light) black humor, pop culture wit (and tons of riffing off old detective shows), parody and physical comedy to go along with sympathetic characters, intrigue, and heartwarming moments...which to me is a perfect sum of why this genre is such a pleasure to watch! I tend to be a poor judge of how much Japanese humor translates, but I think even people who don't catch all the cultural references (some are a bit subtle) would find the characters and situations entertaining.

The cases were diverse and unique, no matter how standard they were, thanks to the great characters and acting. The stories had heart, and were a really fun range, from family situations to a 50-year-old cold case, to matchmaking, to treasure hunting, to starring in a slapdash "hero show" play for kids. You won't see street fights or too many dead bodies (there are some, however!), but each case has just enough mystery to be compelling in itself, beyond the already compelling character and relational arcs. While it's episodic, as usual there is a definite progression that makes the whole season feel very satisfying and complete, even if you don't know all the characters' backgrounds and there's no unifying thread. Still, you can't help but want more when you get the end! And happily, it seems like there's going to be a season 2, which is a huge detective show triumph! Really hope it happens.

CAST/ACTING
As for the actors, you can't go wrong with Eita and Morita Go, who are both hilarious in their roles as quirky partners who both characterize the agency's motto—to be "compassionate and meddlesome." They had great relational and chemistry with Yamaguchi Tomoko as their boss, who I wasn't familiar with and was surprised to find out how few roles she's taken over the past decades. While her character is the typical smart, tough-yet-caring, independent middle aged single female boss (and I must say, I always love those characters), her zanyness is refreshing (she's always nursing some new drink, treats her employees like bros). She has major flair, and Yamaguchi pulls off her character perfectly.

Fukuda Kyoko's character...not so much. She almost always had on one of two botoxy kawaii-puzzled expressions, and her general over-selfconscious aren't-I-pretty aura made it hard for  me to warm up to her somewhat generic and distracting character. I've liked her in a few roles that forced her to be a little more complex (e.g. Second Love), but she tends to not have much range, and in that sense I think this was a casting error even if her character is a stock one. The contrast is just too stark, especially when someone with flair like Aoi Yu comes onto the scene and her interaction with Eita's character is just oh so interesting-fun that you wish she was a main character! However, eventually Ranko-chan becomes more useful to the team even if she's more of a foil, and I stopped being annoyed as the other characters somehow made her seem cooler. Nearly all the supporting and guest actors did fabulous jobs, and I felt each episode got better and better.

OST/REWATCH
I loved the music, which was one of my favorite detective show jazz soundtracks next to Take Five...thanks to RADWIMPS (eclectic band that is great with soundtracks)...and make sure you watch the end credits each time...especially in the last episode. Too fun. Even though I rarely rewatch dramas—and especially not anything mystery-related—I'll probably rewatch this one sometime in the future as it's such a feel-good drama. It definitely will go on my list of favorites!

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I already watched this for almost 8-9 times in just a span of 3 years. The first and only kdrama that I have rewatched. It is also the only kdrama that I have watched  I6 episodes continuously for 1 day. It is really very funny and entertaining. It has contradicting elements that made it more unforgettable and heartwarming. It  is  very realistic despite its fantasy elements. Still my most favorite kdrama of all time! It's not a perfect kdrama in terms of plot and other technicalities. But the acting of the actors and actresses especially the main leads and the execution of the script really captured my heart. Hajiwon and Hyun Bin really gave life to their characters; amazing portrayal!! The script is also commendable because it has the  right mix of lines/scenario that are  heartwarming,funny,witty,melancholic and most of the time metaphorical. I enjoyed the metaphorical lines pertaining to the fairy tale characters; it's a modern day /realistic fairy tale indeed. Many kdrama fans might not agree that this is the best but for me; I cannot find any other drama that touched my heart the most and made me feel so hurt,happy and so  in love. This kdrama also made me realize that true love really exists and for me their love story is the best example of what true love should be.It didnt portray the main lead actor as perfect and so crazily in love; it's very realistic that the main lead still thought of the consequences of his actions and tried to control his love for the main lead actress..But in the end, true love still prevailed. I hope Haji won and  Hyun Bin can still have another drama together or a season 2.. Still Hoping.. :)

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For anybody that's daunted by 85 episodes that are all an hour and a half each, don't be. It took me around 130 days to actually watch it all, and I regret nothing. Family Outing basically invented being funny. If there were compilations of everything from this show that made me laugh, the compilation would probably be very long, but very worth it. I watched the show when I was 14, so my humor was different, but the show would still be hilarious if I watched it again.
   For 'story', well, that was fantastic. They just house sat for 85 episodes, which is very kind! They were always extremely kind to the house owners, and thankfully took good care of the house while the owners were gone. The morning missions especially constantly put a smile on my face, but I also really loved them finding a way to make dinner each evening. The staff definitely knew what they were doing deciding on what missions to do in order to entertain. I can admit, the length of episodes can cause in some boring scenes, but everything was made up for in the end in my opinion. 
  The cast was spectacular. You can tell they definitely bonded a lot over the filming. Even though two members left mid-show, their replacements were just as enjoyable to watch.  They interacted well with the guests and you can tell the guests were rarely uncomfortable. Personally I feel that in a variety setting, Yoo Jaesuk and Lee Hyori are great people to lead and make everybody comfortable. Everybody either truly grew a variety sense or their variety sense was heightened during this period. I really felt a growth between every cast member and as an audience member. 
  The music was good, the editing was well enough that everything made sense. I won't spoil anything music wise...
  Rewatch value is high! Even though it will be the 10 year anniversary soon, I know of many who have rewatched and I myself would be very willing to watch just about any episode again. Family Outing is regarded as a staple of Korean variety, and from watching it, you will really understand why.

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Firstly, I didn't watch the Season 1 of this drama. Secondly, I don't know what really made me started to watch this drama. Somehow I watched this drama from first episode until the final episode. It's a good drama. I didn't exactly went crazy over this drama but I like it nevertheless. I'm not gonna spill the beans on the content of the drama. I will say that this is one of the best drama so far for 2017 and personally for me. I recognized some of the casts because I watched them in other dramas which I'm sure all of you would be the same as well and I tend to check their profiles. Actually there is one reason why I watched this drama in the first place. It's because of an actor, Son Seung-won, who played as Im Sung-min, a close friend of Song Ji-won, who played by Park Eun-bin. I've seen Park Eun-bin in some of her other dramas as well and one of the drama was the latest 2017 drama, "Father, I'll Take Care of You". Each and every characters in this drama has their own stories. A piece of advice to those who haven't watch this drama is please watch the first season of the drama or else you won't know what exactly happen. The second season is pretty much the continuation of the first season and more new characters. It's already terrible of me not watching the first season and already watching the second season, although I did get a bit of glimpse of the first season.

Another reason why I like this drama is because the stortyline of this drama. It felt like going back in time when I was in college few years ago. The close relationship I had with my dorm-mates were precious to me just like the girls at Belle Epoque. It definitely made me reminisce the good old days back at the girls' hostel. My dorm-mates and I doesn't have stories that alike the girls at Belle Epoque but we do go through the ups and downs during our youth. It also showed me to challenges and struggles in society that each of characters had to go through in the drama and I am somewhat go through a bit of that challenges and struggles as well. I can relate myself to Han Seung-yeon's character, Ye Eun. Her struggles of achieving her parents' and extended families' exceedingly high expectations and it always goes down to her showing that good impressions or else she will only give so much of disappointment. In this second season, there are a bit of unexpected things happened to Ye Eun and it turns out good for her.

I am looking forward to Season 3 of this drama. I might watch the first season so I will get a more clearer understanding of the drama. Enjoy watching!

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"Chicago Typewriter"  aired April 07, 2017 to June 03, 2017 with a total of 16 episodes on TVN.  This Fantasy, Romance, Comedy drama starred Yoo Ah In, I'm Soo Jung, Go Kyung Pyo and Kwak Shi Yang.  Now I have never seen I'm Soo Jung or Kwak Shi Yang in any dramas so this was my first rodeo with the two of them. Yoo Ah In and Go Kyung Pyo, on the other hand, I have seen many of a time. I have to say the cast for this drama was top notch.
The story of "Chicago Typewriter" is very intriguing, however, I think that the synopsis for the drama on wiki.d-addicts is a little misleading, and on Viki, so you might want to stray away from them. I thought the plot for this drama was very unique and I loved the use of two different timelines to tell the story. The 1930's plotline is the one that truly got me the most, the present is great obviously, but the past is where the real emotion came out. I think the story of the three of them in 1930's is a tad bit more compelling and was where I found myself crying the most. Now I didn't cry throughout this entire drama, until the last two episodes. Those two episodes really just yanked my heart out of my chest. However, I do think it has some pretty emotional scenes throughout the drama, so if you cry before then, I don't blame you.
There are a couple things I want to point out as well. The OST for this drama, at first, was a little weird. The use of English songs in Korean dramas nowadays is pretty jarring to me. Apparently, there are 5 songs in this Original Soundtrack, but I can only remember4 of them. I know that some people did not like the music all that much in this drama, according to the harsh and sometimes ignorant comments on Viki which I truly suggest turning off. I hadn't watched a drama on Viki with the comments on for years but I thought I'd give it a swing and man it's hit or miss on there. Some of those comments are gold and some of them are just of some of the most clueless and rude people I have ever met, so be warned about that. I think it took me a while to be okay with this OST for the most part. The song "Writing Our Stories" by SG Wannabe is the one that truly stood out, more than the English songs. The lyrics to "Writing Out Stories" is something that goes so well with the drama and by the last episodes, just the music to that song had me in a puddle of my own tears.
Like I said before, the acting in this drama was pretty top notch. Yoo Ah In never really lets me down,  except for Fashion King, but we don't ever talk about that drama. This gorgeous 30-year-old man is doing wonders. He brought me to tears with his acting and I love him so much. I thought he did a fantastic job portraying both this characters in this drama. I preferred the Seo Hwi Young character more, but he did a fabulous job all around. It was my first time seeing I'm Soo Jung, she is more of an actress who sees herself in movies rather than dramas and this was her first drama since 2004. I have to say she did a fantastic job. Her crying scenes in this drama, especially towards the end where you can see the real raw emotion and heartbreak and just pure pain from what is going on in the show, really was amazing. I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan of her character at first, but after a few episodes, I fell for her. I'm kind of sad that she isn't in more dramas, only 2 others, and I hope that in the future she shows up more in the drama scene because she is fantastic. I haven't seen Ko Kyung Pyo since Flower Boy Next Door, and that happens to be one of my favorite dramas to show people who haven't watched a Korean drama before, and I was very happy to see him again. Obviously he has been in a5 other dramas since 20013, but I took a few years break and haven't gotten around to seeing any of his other work. So from that point of view, he has improved so much. I loved his character and his struggle.  Seeing him in this drama really brought back a lot of memories for me, and seeing how well he is doing now really put a smile on my face. I hope to be able to go back and watch some more of his dramas and to see his newest drama "Strongest Deliveryman".
Overall,  I thought this was a pretty amazing drama and is one of my favorites of the year, from what I have watched. I thought the plot line and the way it was written out was fantastic. The acting was amazing and the OST after a while really complimented the drama as a whole. There were a few editing choices throughout the drama, cuts and what not, that had me questioning things, but that may have been Viki. So that aside, I thought it was pretty flawless. It had my interested from the first episode and I found myself totally addicted to the drama. I hope to see more dramas like this, obviously not just like this, but more with dueling timelines and creative plots. I'm rooting for this drama to be my favorite drama of 2017, but we will see. It will be a hard one to beat for sure.

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