#jo jin woong

[somanykdramas]

BELIEVER

GENRES: Action, Drama

SUMMARY: A dedicated, yet frustrated cop uses the inside knowedge of a bombing survivor to track down an infamous drug dealer and his crew.

THIS SHOW HAS EVERYTHING: Korean sign language, loyal dogs, disguises, accidental overdoses, resistant bosses, high-speed chases, drug labs, nudity, seminary graduates, plea deals, snowy roads, and guns. LOTS of guns.

HOT TAKE: I'm not sure if it's because I rarely sit down to watch movies these days or if this movie was just kinda 'meh' overall anyways. So many characters were introduced and then just killed off, ones that stayed around weren't really explored enough, and those that mattered to the plot were given minimal motivations.

I saw that Believer 2 is being released soon, but I'm still not sure if this first installment was enough to make me care about sitting down for more.

[pinkvxdka20]

2022 Korean BL Dramas (part 1)

Just wish they had more and longer episodes :)

[moonlightsdream]

Intimate Strangers 완벽한 타인 (2018) — dir. Lee Jae Gyoo

[junkobato]

Upcoming Kdrama August 2023 ❤️

4/8: My Dearest with Nam Goong Min, Ahn Eun Jin, Lee Hak Joo. 20 episodes; historical, romance. trailer

4/8: First Responders 2 with Kim Rae Won, Son Ho Joom, Gong Seung Yun. 12 episodes; action, drama. trailer

9/8: Moving with Han Hyo Joo, Jo In Sung, Go Yoon Jung. 20 episodes; action, supernatural. trailer

10/8: The Killing Vote with Lim Ji Yeon, Park Hae Jin, Park Sung Woong. 12 episodes; thriller, mystery, horror. trailer

12/8: Behind Your Touch with Han Ji Min, Lee Min Ki, Suho. 16 episodes; rom-com, supernatural. trailer

18/8: Mask Girl with Go Hyun Jung, Nana, Ahn Jae Hong. 7 episodes; thriller, comedy. trailer

21/8: My Lovely Boxer with Lee Sang Yeop, Kim So Hye, Kim Jin Woo. 12 episodes; youth, sports. trailer

23/8: Destined With You with Jo Bo Ah, Ro Woon, Ha Joon. 16 episodes; law, romance, fantasy. trailer

Just in time for my summer holidays 😅😅

Planning to watch at least 5 from these... What about you? ☺️

[cesowi]

Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-Jae in Hunt (2022) dir. Lee Jung-Jae

[stuff-diary]

Bloodhounds

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2023

Bloodhounds (2023, South Korea)

Director & Writer: Kim Joo Hwan (based on the webtoon by Jeong Chan)

Mini-review:

I'm gonna be honest: I'm not usually a big fan of these type of movies/shows and I only started this one because of the wonderful Woo Do Hwan. However, color me surprised, cause I ended up loving Bloodhounds. Sure, this story has been told a million times before, but the bromance, the incredibly lovable characters (and incredibly hateful villains!) and the showstopping action scenes take this show to the next level. I'm telling you, it's a really enjoyable experience.

On top of that, the cast absolutely delivers. The show is filled with knockout (pun intended) performances, there's not a single weak link. You can tell just how hard these actors worked to prepare for all the fights and action sequences. Oh, and I can't leave out Kim Joo Hwan's propulsive directing, which left me breathless in several episodes. I do think the final scene cut off way too suddenly, and the sort-of-time-jump in episode 7 is also rather awkward, but I guess it's understandable, considering all the trouble the show went through during post-production. Anyway, Bloodhounds took me by surprise, and I think most people who like action movies/shows focused on hand-to-hand combat will love this.

[taekwondolifemagazine]

Two (2) From Well Go USA

June 22, 2024 (NYC)– Two (2) from Well Go USA.   A Look at Two new international films, originating in South Korea,  distributed by Well Go USA, and hitting digital on June 25th.   Here is a synopsis and review of these Well Go USA Entertainment releases. HOPELESS Synopsis:       After spending his entire childhood in a town riddled with crime and violence, a teenage boy saves up his money in…

[passionforfiction]

Love Is For Suckers

It had been a while since I watched a nice romantic comedy. It had a little bit of everything and there was substance in the plot. I liked the characters and their stories. The friendship between Jae Hoon and Yeo Reum feels natural and genuine. And I like the quartet of high school friends: Yeo Reum, Jae Hoon, Dae Shik and Hye Jin.

You could say this series is divided into two parts. The first one is where we see Jae Hoon's love for Yeo Reum. The friendship that he doesn't want to cross, afraid of being rejected because she is still hung up on the finance who left her. Kim In Woo returns after living in the United States for many years. He now wants to get back together with Yeo Reum. She goes back to him mostly because she keeps thinking about how they were before he left. She doesn't want to face the fact that they have both changed.

The second half of the series focuses on how Yeo Reum realizes and faces the fact that she is in love with Jae Hoon. And this happens in the process of producing Kingdom of Love 2 where he became a participant to replace a person who left at he last minute. But in this reality show will also be participating the young woman his mother made him have a blind date with months ago.

Here we are introduced to another set of characters that also caught my attention. I became invested in Ji Wan's and Chef John's story. Chef John, who had been a jerk in the first part of the series, gets to show us a different side of him that makes us forget that first side we saw earlier.

I won't go into too many details, but I liked how each character faces their sadness, difficulties and move on. I like the fact that those characters we learned to care for have their happy ending.

This is a really sweet story and I recommend it!

Poster from AsianWiki - https://asianwiki.com/Love_is_for_Suckers

[k-star-holic]

'Breathing with G-Dragon' Park Myeong-su "My next song is Lim Young-woong" (Hookkamal)

Source: k-star-holic.blogspot.com

[movienized-com]

Our Blooming Youth

Our Blooming Youth (Serie 2023) #ParkHyungsik #SonheeJeon #PyoYeJin #JongSeokYun #TaesunLee #HeoWonSeo Mehr auf:

Serie / 청춘월담 Jahr: 2023 Genre: Drama / History / Mystery Hauptrollen: Park Hyung-sik, So-nee Jeon, Pyo Ye-Jin, Jong-Seok Yun, Tae-sun Lee, Heo Won-Seo, da-Eun Jung, Im Han Bin, Jo Sung-ha, Jong-Hyuk Lee, Soo-Hyun Hong, Dae-chul Choi, Kim Gi-du, Min-ji Lee, Jeong Woong-in … Serienbeschreibung: Eine Geschichte über einen Prinzen, der ein Buch mit Geistergeschichten erhält, die verschiedene Arten…

[theadusa]

Everything I watch in Jan 2024

I was going to post my annual everything I watched in 2023 post but I feel like I missed my opportunity, so here is my everything I watched in January 2024... (Be Warned there are some spoilers, I do try to mark them throughout the review)

My Lovely Boxer (2023, Kim Min-joo)

Main leads: Lee Sang-yeob, Kim So-hye, Park Ji-hwan, Kim Hyung-mook, Kim Jin-woo, Ha Seung-ri, Chae Won-bin

Country: S. Korea

Run: August 21 to Oct 2, 2023 (KBS2, Monday and Tuesday @21:45 (KST))

Episodes: 12, 70 min

Thoughts: Lee Kwon-sook (Kim So-hye) is a boxer who is forcibly thrown back into the world boxing that she has retired from by a sports agent Kim Tae-young (Lee Sang-yeob). I really liked how they balanced the characters. Lee Kwon-sook is a cheerful girl who is constantly haunted by her past. And she is allowed agency to do what she can do, despite the efforts of others. And the relationship between Lee Kwon-sook and Kim Tae-young, though slightly toxic, works in an odd way. I did have problems with how they reconnected her with her father.I personally wouldn’t have forgiven him. However, I loved the relationship with Han Ah-reum, and just how that story ends. I thought it was done very well. Overall I have really enjoyed this drama. Rating: 

Unlock My Boss (2022-2023, Kim Hyung-min)

Main leads: Chae Jong-hyeop, Seo Eun-soo, Park Sung-woong

Country: S. Korea

Run: Dec 7, 2022 to Jan 12, 2023 (ENA, Wednesday and Thursday @21:00 (KST))

Episodes: 12, 60 min

Thoughts: Oh wow, this is more enjoyable than I imagined. Chase Jong-hyeop as Park In-seong is so fun. He is adorable, down to earth but capable. Jun Se-yeon (Seo Eun-soo) was amazing and I loved her complexities as a character. And the trio of Kim Seon-joo (Park Sung-woong), Park In-seong, and Jun Se-yeon, was so fun and I loved the little family they formed. I literally cried so much during this show for no reason. Like the zoom into the phone literally made me sob each time for no reason. Rating: Who knew electronics can have that much range?

Night Has Come (2023, Kang Min-Ji)

Main leads: Lee Jae-In, Kim Woo-Seok, Choi Ye-Bin, Cha Woo-Min, Ahn Ji-Ho, Jung So-Ri

Country: S. Korea

Run: Dec 4,, 2023 ( U+mobiletv)

Episodes: 12, 35 to 40 min

Thoughts: This started off really good. A class gets thrust into a mafia game to the death. You along with the characters are wondering who is the mafia among the students and who is forcing this game. It is really interesting, but the episodes follow the same pattern. The end you find everything out, and it's kind of stupied. They had a classmate who committed sucide due to a badly edited image of herself on a skimply clad woman’s body. Which is yeah bad. Then her parents take revenge on the whole class. They are placed in this mafia simulator to repeat the game over and over again. It ends with Lee Yoon-seo able to remember everything, but still trapped in the simulator. Like where their parents are. People must be concerned right. Rating: Sisphyus boulder, I guess…

The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract (2023-2024, Go Nam-jeong)

Main leads: Lee Se-young, Bae In-hyuk, Joo Hyun-young, Yoo Seon-ho, Jo Bok-rae

Country: S. Korea

Run: Nov 24, 2023 to Jan 6, 2024 (MBC TV Friday and Saturday @21:50 (KST))

Episodes: 12, 70 min

Thoughts: This was a cute drama. It starts off with a cute romance between a progressive woman in Joseon and a sick scholar. However, it quickly becomes a tragedy and she is sent to the year 2023 with her hand maid Sa-wol (Joo Hyun-young). It quickly becomes a fish out of water for Park Yeon-woo (Lee Se-young), but luckly she meets the recacrante of her late husband Kang Tae-ha (Bae In-hyuk) and they make a deal. It is a cute drama and I loved the cast of characters. Yeon-woo is easy to root for. Sa-wol is adorable, and adapts quickly. Kang Tae-ha is prickly but has a heart of gold. It's dramatic and fun. It's nothing special, but oh is it so good. My favorite part is Yeon-woo and Sa-wol’s relationship. Literally there is a scene with those two that reflects a romantic scene in Perfect Marriage Revenage (2023) which I can’t stop thinking about. Overall I just really enjoyed my time. Rating: butterflies everytime I think about you…

Joseon Attorney: A Morality (2023,Choi Jin-young)

Main leads: Woo Do-hwan, Bona, Cha Hak-yeon

Country: S. Korea

Run: March 31 to May 5, 2023 (MBC TV Friday and Saturday @21:50 (KST))

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts:  This was a lot like Taxi Driver. In the way you have an episodic feel with a charismatic male lead seeking revenge and helping people. I had a lot of fun with this show, and I don’t use the comparison lightly either. I really had fun with it. The romance was okay, but I liked the different stories, and the main revenge plot was easy to follow along with. Woo Do-hwan is a great actor and meant to be a leading man. It's definitely  not my favorite and there are a few things that needed changing but it was fun overall! Rating: Who do you call?... Joseon Attorney!!!

KBS Drama Special 14 (2023, Choi Ja-won, Yun Tae-woo, Cho Il-yeon, Choi Yi-kyung, Wi Jae-hwa, Kwon Oh-joo,Park Eun-seo, Jo Soo-yeong, Kim Ik-hyun)

Main leads: Lee Jae-won, Choi Seong-won, and Kim Kang-hyeon,  Kim Won-hae, Min Ji-ah, Ahn Se-bin and Park Ji-ah, Lee Min-jae, Kim Hyun-soo, and Kang Na-eon,  Moon Woo-jin, Park Seo-kyung, Park Ha-sun, Kim Joo-heon, Kim Do-hoon, Chae Won-bin, Kim Dong-hwi, Jo A-ram, Shim Yi-young, Joo Seok-tae,  Ren, Park Sang-nam, Hong Seung-hee, Hahm Eun-jung,  Kim Kang-min, Yoon San-ha, Baek Sung-hyun

Country: S. Korea

Run: OCT 14 to Dec 16, 2023 (KBS, Saturday 21:50 to 22:50 (KST))

Episodes: 10, 60 to 80 min

Thoughts: This is a yearly anthogolgy series that follows various characters in various time periods with various goals. I thought a lot of them were really cool and interesting. “Love Attack” was by far one of my favorites, but I also really liked “The True Love of Madam” which was shocking for me.  It was also hard to find any subs for “Overlap, Knife, Knife” so I had to rely on visual cues and the small amount of Korean I know. But I thought this was a fun anthrologie series, and the stories are fun and fresh. Rating: I love getting short and quick stories like this, its the reason I love short films so much.

A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023-2024, Baek In-ah)

Main leads: Park Gyu-young, Cha Eun-woo, Lee Hyun-woo

Country: S. Korea

Run: Oct 11, 2023 to Jan 10, 2024 (MBC, Wednesday 21:00 (KST))

Episodes: 14, 70 min

Thoughts: Apparently it is very different from the webtoon ( which I have never read), but I found it entertaining. It is cute and lighthearted. I always like when its past lives, I think it adds a fun element to romances. Though I do think the schedule of the show hindered my enjoyment, because it would be so long between episodes. They also lost me at the end, I can not lie. Rating/Spoiler: Also I would be so angery if I found out my family curse passed down for generations was over a misunderstanding. I would want an apology, reparations, and revenge. On another note, I would also be so pissed if I killed myself to save my servant's baby; then my boyfriend finished off the dying father, then cursed the child and its offspring. I would be pissed, like my scarfice was for not. Go off mountain spirit I guess…

My 20th Twenty (2023, N/A)

Main leads: Choi Yu Ju , Jung Su Bin

Country: S. Korea

Run: April 21 to may 27, 2023 (Wavve, Friday and Saturday)

Episodes: 12, 15 min

Thoughts: This show was good for what it was. It has the vibe of a college student film with a mix of those youtube series made by middle schoolers back in 2009. And I mean that with the highest praise. The sound mixing was off, they had limited cast (background actors is what you are looking for), no interesting lighting (but very well light- i.e the student film vibes), and the actors new to the scene. I loved every motherfucking moment. It was so cheesy, the script was bad, and nothing made sense. But I knew that it was made with passion. Rating: It would be horrifying being 20 forever

Taxi Driver Season 2 (2023, Oh Sang-ho)

Main leads: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin, Bae Yoo-ram, Shin Jae-ha

Country: S. Korea

Run: Feb 17 to April 15, 2023 (SBS, TV Friday and Saturday @22:00 (KST))

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: Back in action the second season is so much fun and entertaining. I actually like it better than the first. And I said this once and I’ll say it again Lee Je-hoon is made to be an action star. He’s as great as Kim Do-gi. I also liked that Ahn Go-eun (Pyo Ye-jin)  had a larger role this season. I also just love the friendship in the Rainbow Taxi service. Just so fun. Rating: imagine being taken down by a taxi service…

Taxi Driver Special (2023, SBS)

Main leads:  Lee Je-hoon, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin, Bae Yoo-ram, Shin Jae-ha

Country: S. Korea

Run: Feb 16 to March 4, 2023 ( KBS)

Episodes: 2, 60 -120 min

Thoughts: This was fun seeing the cast reflect on the episodes and their characters. Its also cool just seeing a reply of everything that happened. You could tell how much Lee Je-hoon loves playing Kim Do-gi. Rating: I am excited for the 3rd season…

Brain Works (2023, Park Kyung-seon)

Main leads: Jung Yong-hwa, Cha Tae-hyun, Kwak Sun-young, Ye Ji-won

Country: S. Korea

Run: Jan 2 to Fe 28, 2023 (KBS2 Monday and Tuesday @21:50 (KST))

Episodes: 16, 75 min

Thoughts:This show is weird. I think most cop shows are weird but this one especially. I did like the bromance in this, between Shin Ha-ru (Jung Yong-hwa) and Geum Myung-se (Ch Tae-hyun). I did think neuroscience was weird and defies logic. The only good thing about it was when they didn’t completely vilify Pyschopaths, because it tends to be more complicated than the mainstream likes to show. It still left a lot to be desired but it was there. Also when he lowkey kidnapped and torture that kid, oh my god, like he was a little punk and deserved to go to trail but my god. Rating: This is lowkey giving Minority Report tbh…

My Cuteness is about to expire!? (2022,  Tanabe Shigenori)

Main leads: Yamada Ryosuke, Yoshine Kyoko 

Country: Japan 

Run: April 16 to June 11, 2022 (TV Asahi, Saturday 23:30)

Episodes: 9, 23 to 47 min

Thoughts: Maruya is your typical male narcissist who works in sales. He uses his cuteness to stake by in life, to make up for his average skills. One day he is visited by his future self, whom he deems ugly, tells him that his cuteness is going to expire. He decides, after relizing his crush, the only way to prevent this is to date Sanada, a robotic newbie to the sales team. It is cute and Maruya and Sanada are fun as a couple, plus if you have the time you could watch this in a day. Rating: I’m Ichinose calling every single person every 10 seconds sobbing…

My Dearest Pt 1 (2023, Hwang Jin-young)

Main leads: Namkoong Min, Ahn Eun-jin, Lee Hak-joo, Lee Da-in, Kim Yoon-woo, Lee Chung-ah

Country: S. Korea

Run: August 4 to Sept 2, 2023 (MBC TV, Friday and Saturday 21:50 (KST))

Episodes: 10, 60 to 90 min

Thoughts:  I was not expecting to like this more than I did. The angst in every episode is so insane. Episode 10 was actually unbearable. I also want to take a moment and appreciate Yoo Gil-chae (Ahn Eun-jin), she is such a complicated  character. She would do anything for her friends, she is willing to do the things that no other women (noble) are willing to do even during times of war. She will stab the man assualting her friend and cover it up. She would cut the amicable cord, she would stab the mother’s hand. She isn’t pure of heart, she neveer claimed to be. I love her so much. And her relationship with Lee Jang-hyun. The ending of episode 10. I was sobbing. Rating: I am trying to hype myself up to watch the next 11 episodes, people had to wait inbetween…

The Escape of the Seven (2023, Kim Soon-ok)

Main leads: Um Ki-joon, Hwang Jung-eum, Lee Joon, Lee Yu-bi, Shin Eun-kyung, Yoon Jong-hoon, Jo Yoon-hee, Jo Jae-yoon

Country: S. Korea

Run: Sept 15 to Nov 17, 2023 (SBS TV Friday and Saturday 22:00 (KST))

Episodes: 17, 70 to 80 min

Thoughts: This was an insane ride. Literally no one in this likeable except for a few, like I didn’t think Min Do-hyuk (Lee Joon) was as bad as the others but oh lordy. It is so melodramatic, which took me off graud for some reason. Going into it I thought it was going to be a serious thriller, but oh boy was I wrong. It was Makjang. Which is fine, and also coming back in style apparently. I’m sat for season 2, but not with much hope. Rating: I actually don’t know the timeline of any of these events, does it expand years months, idk…

My Demon (2023-2024, Choi Ah-il)

Main leads: Kim Yoo-jung, Song Kang, Lee Sang-yi, Kim Hae-sook

Country: S. Korea

Run: Nov 24, 2023 to Jan 20, 2024 (SBS TV,  Friday and Saturday @22:00 (KST))

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: I was excited for this drama. I really liked Doom at Your Service which promised to have a similar vibe. Which it did to an extent. I actually hate Song Kang in romances and only really like him in nonromance shows. However I think he did really well as Jeong Gu-won. I liked the overall Romance in the show. But I did think the revenge plot got uninteresting and confusing after a while. I do like the ending, I was pretty satisfied with where everyone ended up, which has been a long time since I’ve been this satisfied. 

Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023-2024, Kwon Hye-joo)

Main leads: Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hye-sun

Country: S. Korea

Run: Dec 2, 2023 ti Jan 21, 2024 (JTBC, Saturday and Sunday 22:30 (KST))

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This was cute and was far above my expectations. I am always uneasy with Ji Chang Wook, I can’t forgive him for the Melting My Heart drama a few years back, but I would do anything for Shin Hye-sun. So I gave this drama a go, and I liked it. I loved the vibes, and I didn’t mind that revenge wasn’t the main plot. It's like the one line “my enemies will take themselves out before you get a chance to swing.” It was heartwarming and I’m glad that Cho Sam-dal was able to find peace in her hometown. I loved the feel of community. I loved all the Friendships. It was very lovely. And I’m happy at the ending. I will also give my entire heart to Cho Hae-dal and Cha Ha-yul. I loved their mother-daughter relationship. I wanted more screen time for both. Rating: I’m glad there is a little piece of heaven…

 Game of Witches ( 2022-2023, Lee Do-Hyun)

Main leads: Jang Seo-Hee, Kim Kyu-Seon, Lee Hyun-Seok, Oh Chang-Suk. Han Ji-Wan, Ban Hyo-Jung

Country: S. Korea

Run: Oct 11, 2022 to April 14, 2023 (MBC, Monday to Friday 19:15 (KST))

Episodes: 119, 25 to 28 min

Thoughts: *Major Spoilers+ Rant ahead.* This show makes me unneccsarly angery. It is a daily drama and a Makjang to boot, so literally put any and all expectations in the gutter. Everything is nonsensical, and drawn out to reach the 119 mark. Storylines get dropped or move way too fast. It has a strange family tree and for a moment every single person was supposbly related. They have so much evidence agsaint the scheming Kang Ji-ho (Oh Chang-suk) and Joo Se-young (Han Ji-wan) but it goes nowhere. Speaking of Kang Ji-ho, he was just straight up dispicable. I would say more than Se-ypung of Ma Hyun-Deok (Ban Hyo-Jung). He was a terrible partner and father from the start. He literally tossed his entire family out the door for Se-young and eventual power. He only paid attention to his daughter Kang Han-Byeol (Kwon Dan-A) when she was able to benefit him. He was at best neglectful and at worst abusive towards her. Han-byeol was the true victim. Hye-soo (Kim Kyu-Seon) actually had a motive in the beginning. She was just pathetic and weak but once she returned they weirdly sidelined her. Also I don’t know why Kang Ji-ho never got prosecuted for trying to kill Hye-soo. Like I find that to be one of his more egregious crimes. Like that is the mother of your child. You gave your child so much trauma, for what? Power? Like when they tried to redeem him at the end I was just fed up. You can’t make hime out to be the big bad guy for 118 episodes, and then have him do one good thing. He is a bad father, and when Han Byeol grows up she will resent him. Rating: Fuck this show, like actually.

 My Dearest Part 2(2023, Hwang Jin-young)

Main leads: Namkoong Min, Ahn Eun-jin, Lee Hak-joo, Lee Da-in, Kim Yoon-woo, Lee Chung-ah

Country: S. Korea

Run: Oct 13 to Nov 18, 2023 (MBC TV, Friday and Saturday 21:50 (KST))

Episodes: 11, 60 to 90 min

Thoughts: More devastating than the first part. Gil-chae is probably my favorite character I have watched. Her journey in this part is absolutely devastating but she survives. I enjoyed the refutement from blame, that people who experienced the worst horrors known are somehow blamed. Gil Chae pushes back on this sentiment herself. This entire time I just wanted Jang-hyun and Gil Chea together. Which took the entire part for them to finally be happy. I do think the ending was kind of wobbly, and they only really needed 10  episodes not the 11. But who am I to say? Anyways I enjoyed the show overall. Rating: My Dear Husband… 

Kokdu: Season of Diety (2023, Kang Yi-heon, Heo Jun-woo)

Main leads: Kim Jung-hyun, Im Soo-hyang, Kim Da-som, Ahn Woo-yeon, Kim In-kwon, Cha Chung-hwa

Country: S. Korea

Run: Jan 27 to March 24, 2023 (MBC TV Fridays and Saturdays @21:50 (KST))

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: You must be wondering why did you watch this? It only has bad reviews- which is a lie, it is actually a polarizing show. And I can understand. If you go into this show with the lowest expectations imaginable and it might be fun. The scenery is pretty and they make decent use of it. Main Romance is actually not good, I felt no chemistry between Kim Jung-Hyun and Im Soo-hyang. I did like the romance between Tae Jeong-won (Kim Da-som) and Han Cheol (Ahn Woo-yeon) other than that The show overall fell flat. I did like the scenery and the setting. I thought it was fun. Also episode 16 was the most enjoyable episode, which is good for an ending. Rating: I would skip…

I am currently watching:

Marry My Husband

Doctor Slump

Because of Love

Do You Like Brahms?

The Real Has Come!

If you have any kdrama recommendations, please let me know!

[wysteriahigh-rpg]

⛧ A-B-C-D ⛧

Anatchaya Suputhipong (Natty) - Brekker

Anton Lee - Gaku

Bae Joo Hyun (Irene) - Aqua

Barbara Palvin - Stone

Cha Eun Woo - Garfield

Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten) - Kira

Cho Mi Yeon - Serenade

Choi Beom Gyu - Destrie

Choi Soo Bin - Labyrinth

Choi Ye Na - BILLIE

Choi Yeon Jun - BILLIE

Chou Tzu Yu - soul

⛧ E-F-G-H ⛧

Fukutomi Tsuki - Brekker

Han Dong Min (Taesan) - Helyg

Han Yu Jin - Mimi

Hanni Pham - Labyrinth

Hong Eun Chae - Hina

Hwang Hyun Jin - Avalond

Hwang Ye Ji - soul

Kai Kamal Huening - Wari

⛧ I-J-K-L ⛧

Jake Shim - Gaku

Jang Won Young - Wari

Jeong Jun Ho - Rancid

Jeong Yun Oh (Jaehyun) - Mei

Jo Yuri - Baptism

Johnny Seo - Riv

Kim Dong Hyun (Lee Han) - Iridescent

Kim Jennie - Labyrinth

Kim Ji Woong - Howling

Kim Ji Soo - Zodiac

Kim Jong In - Kazu

Kim Min Ji - Helyg

Kim Min Jeong - BILLIE

Kim Sun Woo (Sunoo) - Helyg

Lalisa Manoban - Starlight

Lee Hee Seung - Rancid

Lee Ju Yeon - Helyg

Lee Min Ho (Lee Know) - Shota

Lee Tae Min - AKJ

⛧ M-N-O-P ⛧

Myoui Mina - Wari

Nakamoto Yuta - Ganamides

Ning Yi Zhou - Sillhvee

Nishimura Riki - Wari

Nakamura Kazuha - Bambi

Park Gun Wook - Silvergray

Park Sung Hoon - Baptism

Park Won Bin - Pierrot

⛧ Q-R-S-T ⛧

Park Jong Seong (Jay) - Mimi

Scarlet Leithold - Stone

Seol Yoon Ah - sweet.bubbles

Shen Quan Rui (Ricky) - Pantenom

Shin Ryu Jin - Gato

Son Chae Young -Gato

Song Ha Young - sakura

Sung Han Bin - BLOSSOM

⛧ U-V-W ⛧

Wen Junhui - soul

⛧ X-Y-Z ⛧

Ye Shuhua - Kuromi

Yang Jung Won - Brekker

Yoo Ji Min - amnesia

Zhang Hao - Mimi

⛧ FAMILIAS CANON ⛧

Dracul - Wari

De Nile - Brekker

Emberfall - Rancid

Pierrot - Rivers

[drivingsideways]

SFD rewatch, episodes 1-5

One of the best first episodes of a series. Quickly and indelibly establishes the characterization of all the major players.

Love the kid actors, but mainly Lee Re as Boon-yi.

Piglet scene still as unacceptable as the first time. Come on.

Absolutely in love with the theatrical scene constructions, including how we meet Jeong do jeon (stealing a potato); the farce at Yi In geom's residence, Ddang-sae telling the story of "Viper", and the first time we see the Do Dang. I do love Jeong do-jeon inciting a riot (and Kim Myung-min's sexy sexy voice) but also? I think on the first watch and now, it felt a bit off. Mostly because the song becomes a swelling soundtrack over the scene- I wish they had just let it be Jeong do jeon's voice going hoarse and a few people singing it.

Got impatient with the segue into Gongmin's assassination, and at some points the name drops become tiresome. I know SFD was written for an audience familiar with these characters, and so this is on me, but having to pause every few minutes to look up wiki or bodashri's tumblr (seriously MVP of the SFD fandom) is not a great viewing experience for me.

Gil Tae mi -11/10 no notes, especially in that mango-yellow robe. Park Hyuk-kwon completely pussy out in this drama, playing twins who are polar opposites in everything except that they fight like ballet dancers.

Had to ffwd Yeon-hee's rape scene and aftermath. Yes, we get it, losing his mother and his lover are foundational to everything about Ddang-sae, but hoo boy, how about they'd...just not?

I just really, really enjoy Hong In-bang's villainy- his turn to it makes 50 times more sense to me that whatever is going on with that little psycho with his murder grove. [When he went on about justice preventing evil, my eyes rolled back in my head so hard. OKAY, you pathetic little meow-meow, if that works for you, I GUESS.]

Love that the writers re-used a line from TwDR- paraphrased, it's that "the people endure, while monarchies rise and fall". In TwDR, when Sejong says it to Jeong gi-joon, it's to refute his rather nihilistic view of the chaotic future where people are able to choose their own leaders; here Hong In bang uses it to justify raising taxes on an already overtaxed population. Writers nim, your minds.

Boon yi is THE BEST

Moo-hyul is a baby. Imagine watching the extremely boring Jo Jin-woong playing this character in 2011 and then waking up to Yoon Kyung-sang's adorable himbeaux portrayal in this.

Byun Yo-han is such a genuinely lovely actor; I just wish that Ddang-sae's whole trajectory wasn't unmitigated misery. It's harder on the rewatch because at least the first time I had hope. I think writer nims are fond of reminding us that being born poor , and consequently often powerless to resist constant degradation, is a lifelong curse that only a few escape- you see it in Kang Chae Yoon's fate as well- but I think Kang Chae yoon's fate felt like less of a punishment by capricious gods than Ddang-sae's.

Ok, but Byun Yo-han and that marketplace performance. LOVELY.

Ddang-sae's leaving Baek Yoon's dead body in the street like a prom invite for Sambong. (and then he went and left and actual note that says "whom do i kill next?") made me laugh. C'mon Sambong, take some time out from fulfilling your divine purpose to give this boy the railing he deserves. I feel like so many of both their problems would have been solved by this.

[boysplanetrecaps]

Boys Planet Episode 10: Recap/ Guide

Hi there, fellow Star Creator! This post will be a general recap of Episode 10 of Boys Planet. I’ll dive into more in-depth discussion of each team and its performance in separate posts, which will be linked within when they’re ready. So, click “read more” and let’s go!

As usual, all my time stamps are from the Viki version. 

Most of the time when people are talking, their name and current rank shows on screen. So, in case you’re wondering who’s saying what, here is a list of the current trainees in rank order, with their three mission songs to help jog your memory or make connections.

Sung Hanbin Love Me Right - K /Tomboy /Say My Name

Zhang Hao Kill This Love - G/ Tomboy/ Over Me

Han Yu Jin Back Door - K/ Law / Say My Name

Seok Matthew Kill This Love - G/ Love Killa /Say My Name

Kim Ji Woong Back Door - K /Love Killa /Say My Name

Kim Gyu Vin Love Me Right - K / Love Killa/ En Garde

Kim Tae Rae Back Door - K /Man in Love /Switch

Keita Kill This Love - G /Zoom /Switch

Park Gunwook Kill This Love - K /Tomboy/ En Garde

Kum Jun Hyeon Back Door - K /Gang/ En Garde

Hui Love Me Right - K /Tomboy/ En Garde

Jay Love Me Right - G/ Home/ Over Me

Park Hanbin Hot Sauce - K/ Law /Switch

Ricky Back Door - G/ Rush Hour/ Over Me

Yoon Jong Woo Back Door - K/  Home  / Switch

Haruto   Love Me Right - G/ Zoom /Supercharger

Yoo Seung Eon Very Nice - K /Home /Say My Name

Seo Won Very Nice - K /Love Killa/ Supercharger

Wang Zi Hao Kill This Love - G/ Law /Supercharger

Na Kamden Back Door - G /Law /Switch

Lee Seung Hwan Danger - K/Gang /En Garde

Chen Kuan Jui Kill This Love - G /Butterfly /Over Me

Zhang Shuai Bo Back Door - G /Feel Special/ Switch

Lee Jeong Hyeon Love Me Right - K /Gang /Over Me

Takuto Danger - G /Rush Hour /Supercharger

Cha Woong Ki Very Nice - K /Feel Special /Supercharger

Ollie Hot Sauce - G/ Zoom/ Supercharger

Hiroto Very Nice - G /Rush Hour/ En Garde

1:15 Checking In With the Boys

We start off with some “hang out with the boys time.” 

They’re rehearsing until late in the night. They’re so tired they can barely move. They’re eating snacks, they’re putting blankets over each other. There’s a budding bromance between Hui and Gyuvin.  Yoo Seung Eon farts at Keita, which (1) indicates that Keita is, in fact, good friends with the other boys contrary to how he’s been edited in the past and (2) ensuring that Yoo Seung Eon will not make Top9, per my theory about smells. Jay and Yoon Jongwoo compare notes -- Jay is sitting on a bed that has Na Kamden’s nametag on it -- and Jongwoo says he feels like he’s growing from this. He sounds exhausted. We see many of the trainees practicing their weak spots -- Z-Bo is working on his lyrics, Tae Rae is dancing in the stairway. It’s actually pretty interesting insight into their states of mind.

3:38 Back to Showtime

We return to the performance night. The judges are talking about how much better the trainees have gotten in general, and the editors use their conversation as a way to sort of review the first two performances of the night, which we say in the previous episode. They all agree that Supercharger did a great job. Their praise for En Garde seems focused mostly on Gunwook and Gyuvin.

5:41 Time for Some Filler

Star Master Key announces that before we can see more performances, we will be watching a video! Yay…?

The boys get sent somewhere for a secret mission, and someone comes out, already singing -- it’s Jo Kwon, the leader of 2AM and noted high heel enthusiast, I guess. If you’re not familiar with them, 2AM formed at the same time as 2PM. The idea was that 2AM would perform ballads and 2PM would do dance songs.  (You know at least one 2PM song -- “My House.”)  I don’t really know a lot about 2AM, and this is my first time “meeting” Jo Kwon, too. 

Jo Kwon is there to reveal a surprise mission -- the trainees will pair up and perform a scene from musical theater, specifically, a scene from the musical of The Little Prince.  

They have two special guests who will judge: Jung Dong Hwa and Nam WooJu, neither of who I recognized. The stakes are high -- the trainees will be given a rank out of 4 stars, and if they win 4 stars, they get a huge collection of cosmetics and promotion on social media. The best trainee of the day will get big posters of his face hanging in store windows all around Korea. That’s huge.

They pair up and have to hold hands with their partners, which is an opportunity for skinship, and for Matthew and Haruto to speak English, and this weird part where Hui is forced to choose between all the trainees who want to work with him, and he chooses Gyuvin. Relevant side note: Hui has actually acted in musical theater before, because he’s a 30 year old man who shouldn’t be on this show.

They see the scene that they’ll be performing, and it looks really difficult -- tons and tons and tons of lyrics to learn. You, dear reader, are going to learn a bit of Korean in this scene -- swibji ahna (sounds like they’re saying “ship-shee ahna”) -- which means “it’s not easy.” The performances begin at 20:45.

I’ll summarize the pairings and results below, because I don’t want to spend too long on this:

Yoo Seung Eon is with Lee Junghwan, and they both get 2 stars, mainly for not knowing the words. Wow, going last here is a huge advantage if you’re graded based on whether or not you’ve learned the lyrics. 

Park Gunwook and Han Yujin also both get two stars, I think

Yoon Jongwoo and Keita- Jongwoo raps (looking at the lyrics) while Keita beatboxes, and they both get 1 star, I think

Ricky and Ollie - they get 0 stars, probably have lyrics problems

Sung Hanbin is with Zhang Hao, and girls worldwide actually explode watching them hold hands. They do great, so great I almost wonder if the show gave them the lyrics the day or two before, I mean, wow. They both get All Star

Hiroto and Takuto - Takuto is stuck with the Fox role, and really can’t sing it at all, and this is a form of torture for all of us. 

Kim Ji Woong is with Kum Junhyeon - Junhyeon is stuck with the fox part and has trouble memorizing the lyrics, and they kind of go off the rails. 

Hui is with Kim Gyuvin, and of course Hui seems like a professional because he IS one, and shouldn’t be on this show, and they both get All Star

We don’t see: 

Haruto and Matthew  

Park Hanbin and Seo Won

Na Kamden and Jay 

Kim TaeRae and Chen Kuan Jui

Cha Woongki and Lee Seunghwan

Wang Zi Hao and Zhang Shuai Bo

It’s especially weird that we don’t see Kim TaeRae and CKJ because CKJ gets All Star. Also I wanted to see TaeRae doing things. I also especially wanted to see Woongki and Haruto. I get it that they can’t show the same scene 14 times in a row, but they could have put it online, and they didn’t, so screw you, MNET.

The winners get nice beauty products from Olive Young, which is like the Korean Sephora, a big deal kind of store with tons of locations. And Hui wins the top prize, which means he gets to have his photo up in stores all around the country. Fun fact: Olive Young already sells a few albums by Pentagon! So Hui’s photos have probably already been up in Olive Young stores! Because Hui shouldn’t be on this show! Sigh. 

I swear, I’m a Pentagon fan and I like Hui. I just… you know. You get it, right? 

30:00 Switch

The boys come out and introduce themselves as Smushies, here to smush our hearts. Consider my heart fully smushed already, you cuties. 

In the rehearsal footage, the focus is primarily on the trouble that TaeRae is having with the dancing. Yes, of course he is. He’s a main vocal. Main vocals traditionally need to work harder at dancing. Also, it’s hard to “dance powerfully” when hitting the B above middle C, a fact that the psychopath dance teacher seems completely unaware of, since the only things he knows about are (a) dancing and (b) completely destroying the emotional well being of others.

Park Hanbin takes over leadership from Na Kamden and teaches everyone how to dance. 

The performance is super cute and cheery, with a set designed to look like a video game. Their bright pinks and greens are such a nice change from the all black landscape of kpop these days.Even if the song isn't your style, I think the performance is so cute that it deserves a watch. I actually prefer the dance practice to the stage performance, because I feel like you can see the dancing so much more and they’re actually really great. Also, I actually kind of like the song, if you listen to the official audio. The mix in the live version doesn't do the song justice.

Afterwards, we find out that Zhang Shuai Bo got the low score, with an obviously punitive 402 points. Poor Z-Bo -- I think he did a good job in the performance, and it’s a shame that the audience just… hates him. The high score is obviously Park Hanbin, with 741 points.

For a more detailed description of the rehearsal and performance, click here (it’ll be ready soon). 

49:30 Say My Name

It’s time for the show to focus back on Soek Matthew for a while, and the whole Say My Name team. Well, we barely see Han Yujin but maybe that’s good. Keep that boy safe. 

The gist of what’s going on is that Matthew still isn’t handling it well that his team wants him to be Sub Vocal 2 instead of Sub Vocal 1, which they think should go to Yoo Seung Eon. Matthew is really defensive and upset for a while, and makes up some bullshit about wanting to sing in English for his mom (I’m sorry, but it is complete bullshit), but in the end he realizes that the team is what matters most, and he pulls it together, and good for him. I don’t hate the guy or anything, to be clear. It’s just that when something is bullshit, it’s bullshit, you know? 

In the end, they put on a cute performance with no mistakes. It’s not my kind of song, but it’s cute and they do a great job. Matthew is the standout in terms of stage presence, Seung Eon does a fantastic job with the vocals, and Hanbin wins the audience vote with 826 points. (We don’t find out who came in last.)

For a more detailed description of the rehearsal and performance, click here (it’ll be ready soon). 

1:09:45 Over Me

The gist of what’s going on is that Zhang Hao isn’t the best leader because he’s trying too hard to be nice and listen to everyone, so the team is getting frustrated. Also, it seems that they’re a little embarrassed about how sexy the song is. Then Zhang Hao requests a meeting with Solji, who advises him to be firmer and more in control as a leader, which he does, and then things get better. 

The performance goes fine, even if I think most of them hold back a little and don’t really pull off the sexy concept. I think Chen Kuan Jui is the only one who fully commits to what he’s doing, and I think that Jay’s vocals are a highlight when you’re listening to it. 

Then audience puts Jay in last place with 485 votes, which upsets me really deeply, like, I have been stomping around my house swearing I’m going to just stop watching. But of course that’s not really true. Zhang Hao comes in first place with 852 points. 

For a more detailed description of the rehearsal and performance, click here (it’ll be ready soonish). 

1:33:00 The final results

The boys gather to find out which team won the audience vote and will get the benefit. Heartbreakingly, Switch team thinks they have a chance to win, and hope to at least not come in last. But they come in last. 

When the Over Me team finds out they won, they’re, you know, exquisitely happy. Chen Kuan Jui pretty much breaks down.

Ollie, Woongki, and Z-Bo congratulate him.

Remember how I said, over and over again, that people vote with their genitals? People vote for the thing that gives them sparkles in their pants? Well, Switch team was cute and charming and I personally liked it, even if no one else did, but it wasn’t sexy, so it came in dead last. 

Supercharger was a tiny bit sexier, so it came in second. En Garde was trying to be sexy, and had Gyuvin and Gunwook, who people find sexy, so it came in third. Say My Name was “cute sexy”, like NCT’s Touch. But Over Me was overtly sexy, and won. 

Remember, when I say “sexy”, I don’t necessarily mean that I find it sexy. I mean that it supposed to be sexy or is likely to be perceived as sexy. 

Consider, what was the sexiest performance of the following lists: 

Backdoor, Hot Sauce, Kill This Love, Love Me Right, Danger, and Burning Up 

It was Backdoor, specifically the one with Kim JiWoong lifting up his shirt. That’s also the song that won the night.

Tomboy, Man in love, Limousine, and Not Spring? 

Tomboy was the only one that was at all sexy. And it won. 

Love Killa, Home, Feel Special, and Butterfly

It’s pretty obvious which one is the sexiest -- Love Killa -- which, not coincidentally, won. 

Law, Zoom, Gang and Rush Hour  

Law was definitely the sexiest of that group, and it won. 

Before this battle started, I predicted that Over Me or Say My Name would win. I wasn’t totally sure if sexiness could overcome Sung Hanbin, Matthew, Kim JiWoong, and Han Yujin all in one group, but it did. That’s the power of sexiness. 

I don’t know, my friends. I liked Switch best, I guess. Is it because it had Park Hanbin and Kim TaeRae and Keita? Maybe? But I genuinely like the song (the studio version) and it was so cute to see bright happy colors for ONCE. It was never going to win, of course. 

I liked Over Me too, of course. And I’m glad they won, because those 200,000 benefit points will help ensure that Jay makes it into the finale. 

I think at this stage of the show, the trainees are all tired and anxious, and it’s starting to show in their performances. I also think the audience has largely already made up their mind as to who they’re voting for. 

I still like all these trainees as human beings, yes, even Matthew and Z-Bo, and just want all of them to be ok. 

And that’s about it for this recap! We’re at the home stretch -- the finale is on April 20th!  

I’ll see you in the next one! It’ll be another elimination episode, featuring hours and hours of filler! Whee!! (And those individual song posts are drafted and should be up soonish.) 

🥰Thanks as always for reading! 🥰Right now, though you can't see, I'm holding up a handmade sign with your name on it! 🥰Yes, you! 🥰You! 🥰The one reading this! 🥰RIGHT NOW! 🥰

[dear-indies]

hi cat and mouse! I've got a bit of an issue. I was using Steven Yeun as a fc in a rp but after seeing the articles I'm uncomfortable using him now. Do you have any good suggestions for replacements? Thanks in advance! I appreciate any and all help

Ji Jin Hee (1971) Korean.

Rick Yune (1971) Korean.

Shin Ha Kyun (1974) Korean.

Lee Sun Kyun (1975) Korean.

Cha Tae Hyun (1976) Korean.

Bae Soo Bin (1976) Korean.

Jang Hyuk (1976) Korean.

Jo Jin Woong (1976) Korean.

Ji Sung (1977) Korean.

Gong Yoo (1979) Korean.

Ryu Seung Beom (1980) Korean.

Kang Dong Won (1981) Korean.

Lee Si Eon (1982) Korean.

Joo Ji Hoon (1982) Korean.

Jung Kyung Ho (1983) Korean.

Yoo Yeon Seok (1984) Korean - in Mr Sunshine where he has facial hair.

Ki Hong Lee (1986) Korean.

Yoo Ah In (1986) Korean.

Christopher Larkin (1987) Korean.

Lee Seung Gi (1987) Korean.

Eric Nam (1988) Korean.

Justin H. Min (1990) Korean.

If anyone has more suggestions please feel free to send a message and I'll update this ASAP!

[namjhyun]

Our Blooming Youth Review | Episode 01 and 02

The drama throws us in the middle of a political war already underway and the script is smart to give us enough information to catch up. You can feel the stakes are high and how betrayal, murder, conspiracy are all breathing down at the Crown Prince's neck.

Lady Min (Jeon So Nee) is smart and resourceful. I am already looking forward to see her solve her family's murder and how it's connected to whoever is threatening Crown Prince Hwan (Park HyungSik).

As we learn about the Crown Prince’s true face and insecurities, Lady Min proves to be an outstanding and wise adviser. Now that it has been stablished their enemies are probably the same, I think they will be a force to be reckoned with.

I'm keeping my eye on Sergeant Han Sung-on (Yun Jong Seok) and Lord Kim Myung-jin (Lee Tae Sun). I don't think they are directly involved in the murder of Lady Min's family or the threats to the Crown Prince but perhaps their families are since their respective fathers are Ministers.

I think Lee Hwan wants to trust Sergeant Han but since becoming the Crown Prince it has become difficult to do so, even if he is a childhood friend, because of whom his father is. I admit Minister Han (Cho Seong-ha) is cryptic AF. He looks like ally but is he?

If Minister Han is working against Crown Prince Hwan, it would make sense that he would send someone to kill Governor Min to keep the letter secret and since his son was engaged to their daughter, it would give him opportunity. But, what would be his reason to depose Hwan?

Minister Jo (Jung Woong in) seems like the obvious choice. He’s not trying to hide his dislike for Crown Prince Hwan and wants to depose him to put his own nephew in his place and take control. I think he might be some kind of red herring to distracts from the real person moving all the pieces.

I also don’t trust the Queen (Hong Soo-hyun). I think she might be playing the long game to get her way through her uncle’s machiavellian ways.

Meanwhile I can’t read Minister Kim (Son Byung Ho) at all. I am pretty sure he will become a bigger player later in the story but I’m still not sure for which side. I hope the drama shows a little more of him at court and his relationship with his son.

Crown Prince's bodyguard Tae Gang (Heo Won So) and Lady in waiting Jang Garam (Pyo Yejin) both seem pure and loyal. I am already praying nothing happens to them through the course of this drama because my spidey senses tell me main character is dying in Our Blooming Youth.

Technically speaking, the cinematography is beautiful to look at, the costume design really well done, the directing and performances fun to watch but also set the seriousness of the problems our main characters must overcome. The best part it's the script, which I found to be very smart and well paced.

Overall, I think this drama has the potential to be a great sageuk!