From my #Seoul2017 trip! Beautiful background on a lovely day ❤ One of my favorite views in the city
CDrama Review: Mystic Nine
26 MarShow Length
48 Episodes
My Ratings
Theme Depth: ★★★★1/2
Uniqueness of Plot: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Technical Elements: ★★★★★
Genres
Mystery & Suspense
War & Espionage
Action & Adventure
Comedy
Drama / Angst
Historical
Cast
William Chan (Fo Ye – Zhang Qi Shan)
Zhang YiXing – LAY (Er Yue Huang)
Ying HaoMing (Ba Ye – Qi Tiezui) ~ LOVE HIM SO MUCH! ❤
Zhang Mingen (Lieutenant Zhang) ~ Great actor!
Zanilia Zhao (Yin XinYue)
Continue reading
KDrama Review: Missing Noir M
16 JunShow Length
10 Episodes
My Ratings
Theme Depth: ★★★
Uniqueness of Plot: ★★★1/2
Acting: ★★★★
Technical Elements: ★★★★
Genres
Mystery
Crime
Action
Drama/Angst Continue reading
KDrama Review: The Heirs
22 FebShow Length
20 Episodes
My Ratings
Theme Depth: ★★★★★
Uniqueness of Plot: ★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Technical Elements: ★★★
Genres
Mystery
Crime
Action
Drama Continue reading
KDrama Review: Pride and Prejudice
19 FebShow Length
21 Episodes
My Ratings
Theme Depth: ★★★★★
Uniqueness of Plot: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★★
Technical Elements: ★★★
Genres
Mystery
Crime
Action
Drama Continue reading
KDrama Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Weird
13 Jan
Show Length
Full Length Movie
My Ratings
Theme Depth: ★★
Uniqueness of Plot: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★
Technical Elements: ★★
Genres
Mystery
Comedy
Action
Historical
KDrama Review: The Grand Heist
3 JanShow Length
My Ratings
Uniqueness of Plot: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Technical Elements: ★★★★
Genres
Comedy
Action
Historical
Plot
My Thoughts
I always appreciate a unique plot; after a while if you’ve seen one Kdrama you start to feel like you’ve seen them all. And while this one has the old “the nobles are evil and a heroes needs to defend the poor,” much of the story is pretty darn unique or at least uncommon.
Of course, I just loved the chemistry between the two male stars – they bounced off of one another spectacularly. The straight man kept throwing off oddly perfect comedic moves, and the funny man would have strokes of gentle sincerity that worked perfectly. It helped that I loved the entire rest of the cast as well. They characters, their personalities, the collection – it all just worked for me. I usually have at least one character that I’m less fond of, but here I really loved them all.
I also appreciate (as I’ve said many times before) the fact that the romance wasn’t the ENTIRE story here. It was a side story that flowed perfectly into the rest of the film and only added to the comedy and action instead of detracting from it. It wasn’t something that sprung upon our heroes at first sight either, there was at least a little foundation for the romance making the story require less of a “leave your brain at the door” feel . . .
Funny Things I Love About Asian Dramas
20 MayRandom collection of funny things I love about Asian Dramas:
- That their plots can end up so intricate that they need maps.
Seriously, an honest-to-God sample plot might read:
“Instead of a love triangle, we bring you the love hexagon where two people are murderers (of each other’s parents, though they don’t know that), one is just coming back from America after being falsely accused of the others’ crimes, two girls are sisters but love the same man even though two other men love them better because that one man loves the girl who married his best friend for his money . . . . Oh and there is golden treasure from the ancient Joseon period hidden in a haunted well and protected by a bad guy who knows some badass kungfu and is protected by the mayor.”
- The fact that only really evil people or really cool people who studied in America (or just abroad) bring out guns.
Someone brings out a gun and everyone freezes in shock ~ apparently only trigger-happy American-trained people would ever bring a gun to the knife/pipe/bomb/chemical weapon fights that they usually have in the shows. There are two reactions: “Soooo Cool!” or “Do you want to die? Why would you even pack that!?! We’re all going to die!” The number of times I’ve watched a crime drama where all the police run out to a terrorist event with a baton and knife, but NO GUN, amuses me. And the really cool stars don’t need a gun at all. Apparently, it’s still more respected to fight mano-o-mano there.
- The Fact that Everyone is Remarkably Oblivious To People Tailing Them.
It doesn’t matter if you are a bad guy or a good guy, no one notices people tailing them. Driving right on my bumper in a giant yellow/orange van with ginormous logos on the side? Don’t see you. Sitting on my porch under a blue umbrella when I walk up into my house? Don’t see you. Wearing a white suit in a dark place hiding behind a skinny pole? Don’t see you. Standing creepily right behind me in the dark glaring? Don’t see you. Walking two feet behind me down seven different streets wearing a purple dress with giant orange polka dots? Don’t see you. It’s like watching a baby hide their face but leave everything else exposed – except the adult actually can’t see them!
The Legend (“Legend of the First King’s Four Gods”) ~ OST “Eternal Love”
29 AprGreat Drama! The lead is always excellent, the show was well-written, and the music stunning. You can find a translated version of the drama here.