#jung dong hwan

[kooriyuki]

Movie Review: Ahjooma (2023)

Special mention that this is a film produced by my home country, Singapore! And yes, for our foreign friends who watched this movie, we do talk like that over here — the official name for this “language” is “Singlish”, which is a all-over mixture of English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and thrown in with dialects from various Chinese/ Malay/ Indian cultures. If you don’t live and stay here long…

[likeghostsinthesun]

Me about them:

[toastinthegrass]

Take Off 국가대표 2009 dir. Kim Yong Hwa

[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.

[dosa-sambhar]

This scene was so funny, had me SCREAMING and LAUGHING lmao

the reaction of their mother 💀

[passionforfiction]

Arthdal Chronicles

The first season of this fantasy story hits close to home. It depicts the cruelty and greed of villages that have the resources, food and technology to take advantage of others. The story doesn't waist time, the first episode starts with the Arthdal leaders asking the Neanthals to become part of their power. The Arthdal are afraid of the peaceful but strong Neanthals and pretend to negotiate, knowing they are not interested. And what do they do? The Arthdal leaders trick their own people and kill the Neanthals in order to take their lands. Asa Hon learns this when she is in the middle of the attack, and in order to safe Neanthal children, she leaves with a child and Ragaz, with whom she later has children with.

Arthdal continues to annihilate weaker villages, taking them as slaves for hard labor. It is Tagon, an Itgu in hiding, that makes all this possible for Arthdal. And even though he is loved by the village as a hero, his father and other leaders are trying to find ways of killing him, including making Mihol's daughter, Teaelha, into a spy. Even though Tagon is cruel, there is an innocence to his longing to be loved and accepted by the people. His relationship with Teaelha is of a love stronger than their ties to their families and interests. And even though we don't like what he does, some times we do wish him success in his endeavors and fight against the Arthdal leaders for power.

But it is the story of the Wahan Tribe that reminds us that Tagon and all Arthdal are cruel and greedy people that have no respect for others. This is a peaceful tribe in a far away land. They are more like Neanthals in their believes but they are also prejudice against Itgus like Eunseom, whose mother leaves him there before she dies. Eunseom's only true friend is Tanya, the daughter of the priestess and scientist of the village.

It is almost impossible to reach the place but Tagon and the Arthdal leaders find the way to reach the land, it takes them 10 years to reach it and less time to destroy it and take its people as prisoners and slaves. Here we see the struggle of these people who get separated, sold into slavery and fight with each other and their enslavers in order to survive. But it also shows the Wahan people mesmerized by the innovations and way of life in this civilized village.

Tanya ties Eunseom to her by naming him her dream and he will do anything to save her, but destiny takes them into two different paths. These two characters are also very naive, their innocence and sense of justice is what makes others follow them. They both want to forge a world where everyone is equal, no prejudice against people that are different, everyone on equal standing.

Tanya's relationship with Saya is a sad one at best. She is using Saya while Saya genuinely likes her. And even though, at some point she sees him as a friend and cares about him, she still uses his affection towards her. But she is not the only one using Saya, so is Tagon who separated him from his mother when he was a child and Teaelha who became his caregiver for Tagon. Still, Saya is not stupid and he knows how to play the game.

This first half ends with the downfall of the rule of the Arthdal leaders: Daekan, White Mountain, and Hae tribes; giving way to Tagon's rule under the name of Aramun; which damages the relationship he had with Teaelha. Tanya is now the high priest while Eunseom becomes a god for the Ago tribe and starts unifying weak tribes to end fights among them and focus on fighting against their common oppressor.

The second season starts 8 years after the final events of the first one. And the fighting is no longer centered on colonialism, but on taking down a threatening force that is not letting them continue with their expansion of territories. I have heard of people wondering why the change of actors for critical characters. I wouldn't have minded seeing the same actors since they are excellent ones and we got used to them. But I didn't mind the changes, I think that these new actors, brought some darkness to the characters that had been innocent and naive in the first season. They have learned to play the game and they are using what they have learned for their gain.

Tagon and Teaelha are no longer the close couple they had been, but they still love each other and have a son that unites them. Theirs is a tragic and powerful love story, tainted by the struggle for power.

In this half, we see Tagon's fall, and the rise of the ideology that drove Tanya and Eunseom into battle. But we are left with an open ending that promises more blood and restlessness. Saya wants Arthdal for his own since he can't have Tanya's love; and Teaelha wants to take Arthdal back as she promised Tagon; while Eunseom struggles to make Arthdal the land he and Tanya had envisioned.

It is the bloody story of a civilization in this fantasy world that reflects the truth about the history of our world so full of tyranny, blood and inequality.

It is not a story with clear lines and we will switch sides as their goals become twisted, but so is the story of rulers in the past and the present. This is a fantasy story, but it also criticizes what makes a country a country - it's bloody history of greedy men.

[myseaiu]

♡Kim Go-eun♡

[ramennoodler]

Dramas 2023

Just some of my thoughts for some of the dramas of 2023...

-KING THE LAND !!!!! The natural chemistry between the main leads is just so so soooo real that it makes it hard to believe that they're "just friends" in reality; However, at the same time it makes sense, as both Junho and Yoona have been in the entertainment industry and have known each other for a long time (2pm and SNSD go wayyyy back, IYKYK). I'm kind of surprised it took them this long to meet for a drama project, but as a fan of both 2pm and SNSD, I'm so glad to see them both working together again. There are so many funny moments in this drama and the added sound effects and acting make some of the scenes so funny. I also like the easter eggs added in the drama haha. Definitely a feel-good drama. I ship the main leads..!! They already know each other so well and they're also starting to look the same haha. -See You in My 19th Life This series is based on the webtoon, and the drama was surprisingly not bad. Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun both are great together, and I feel like recently Shin Hye Sun has been typecasted into these somewhat typical bold, fearless characters that are also seemingly reflective of her own personality but in this drama I was able to kind of see somewhat of a different side to her (hard to explain hahah). And Ahn Bo Hyun...he's very versatile as an actor. And finding out that he's now dating Jisoo of BP...super unexpected haha !! The drama itself is somehow comforting with all the characters meshing well together. Pleasant~~

-Celebrity Hmmmmm this one was great but something about the female lead I can't put my finger on.. While I do feel like her acting has improved over the years and I see that in some scenes of this drama as well, there were parts where it just seemed flat but I'm not sure if it's just how her character was written. The storyline itself was definitely interesting nonetheless, and I didn't have much expectations going into it, but it does touch upon the effects of social media in modern times and I liked the mystery/thriller type of vibe.

-D.P. Star-studded cast; haven't watched this yet but excited to pick up where they left off for season 1.

-The Real Has Come The cast is talented and there are strong characters in this drama and lots of twists and funny moments. It's light and funny, but there's 50 episodes so there are definitely times where it's a bit draggy but also that's typical of any family dramas. -Oasis Jang Dong Yoon!!! Hahaha I think the cast did a great job with their portrayals though I feel like Jang Dong Yoon just has such a baby-face and looks like he wouldn't hurt a fly but he looked so cool playing this role as Lee Doo Hak. I liked the old-fashioned style of this drama as it took place in the 80s-90s Korea, so it was really refreshing to see the type of fashion, dialects and overall atmosphere during that time through this drama, and think about how much has changed. There were parts of the drama that felt a little repetitive, but I think overall the cast made up for it. -Apple of My Eye (금이야, 옥이야) Typical family drama, a little predictable but expected haha.

[scorbleeo]

Drama Review: Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938

Source: Google Images

An unexpected case leads Lee Yeon back in time to 1938, where he reencounters Ryu Hong Joo. Once a guardian spirit of the mountain in the west, she's now the owner of a high-end restaurant in the capital city of Gyeongseong. He also meets his younger brother Lee Rang. Meanwhile, another former guardian spirit and ex-friend Cheon Moo Young has become hostile. Lee Yeon struggles to return to the present, to his loved one.

Source: MyDramaList (2023)

One of the Most Unserious Dramas Out There

Before we start: I did not watch the first one and am not planning to watch it at all. Going into Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 I admit I had to do a Q&A with my sister to understand what happened between the Lee brothers in this drama's modern world. However, one does not actually need to watch the previous drama to watch this and honestly speaking, from what I saw and knew about it, Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 is a whole lot more interesting and fun.

That being said, lets get on with how I felt about this drama. I am not kidding when I say, this is the most unserious drama for a drama anyone would think to be serious. Practically half of this drama was comedy and that is a praise. The comedy bit plays a part in making Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 so darn interesting and fun. Yet, this show also pulls on your heartstrings be it the brothers, the best friends or the best friends' righthand people.

I understand romance was a huge part of the first instalment but in this, it was just a tiny bit and I believe that is why I freaking loved watching this drama. In terms of what romance there was, I have no complains too. I mean, I adore the mermaid and the only complain I have is that I wished we could have gotten more scenes with her powers. When Rang said he liked someone who's stronger than him, he was not lying. The way Yeohee was written was right up my alley, she may not be as powerful as Rang but she saved him more times than he saved her and even when she was in danger, she still did not back down on a losing fight. For that reason, Yeohee is I really thought I would dislike the mermaid but nope, I love her.

Another thing I seriously love about Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 was the friendships. Any friendship in this drama was a pleasure to watch. Obviously, the friendship among our three mountain gods was my favourite. Don't get me wrong, Yeon is extremely lovable but in this trio, I need to worship my lady, Hongjoo and lovingly protect the cinnamon roll, Mooyoung. These three portrayed my kind of friendship where they were tight as children, still tight as adults and even with unfortunate circumstances, they might hate but they love each other more. Of course, the friendship among the roommates was a delight too. I only highlighted my top two favourites but I am not lying when I claim that this show did friendships so well.

Now, now. We have a problem though. At the beginning of this drama, Taluipa told Yeon even if he changes something in 1938, it does not affect 2023. I think its safe for me to say that we do not want that to be true, right? I am just willing to believe that what Taluipa said meant that Rang would still be dead in 2023, nothing Yeon did in 1938 changed Rang's decision in the future. I would even go as far to say that, everything Yeon did in 1938 further encouraged Rang to make that choice in the future. That is all I am willing to believe because I hear there's a third season and I need my best friends and roommates reunited to fight (without a doubt) the original mountain god. Yes, I know I said all I am willing to believe is that Rang is still dead but that's because I am sure there will be no Nine-Tailed dramas without both Lee brothers alive.

When the next instalment comes out, I will watch it as long as Hongjoo and Mooyoung are still around (if Jaeyoo, Miyeon and Yeohee are too, even better). I don't even care if there will be more romance although I wish there wouldn't be.

Rating: ★★★★★

P.S.: Anyone else felt that the big bad villains were so pathetic as compared to the smaller villains?

[olivierdemangeon]

PROJECT WOLF HUNTING (2022) ★★★★☆

      Les forces de police coréennes rapatrient, un groupe de dangereux criminels sur un cargo spécialement affrété et conditionné. Malgré la sécurité accrue, ceux-ci parviennent à s’échapper et massacrent les forces de l’ordre ainsi que les membres de l’équipage. Toutefois, un mal bien plus profond se libère également de la soute du bateau…     “Project Wolf Hunting” est un thriller d’action…

[adamwatchesmovies]

Peninsula (2020)

Peninsula isn’t as fresh, frightening, or memorable as Train to Busan. It also doesn’t quite follow through with its premise but makes up for it with something I bet you’d never see out of a zombie movie set in Korea: Mad Max-style action!

Four years after a zombie outbreak in South Korea, former Marine Corps Captain Jung-Seok (Gang Dong-won) and his widowed brother-in-law Chul-min (Kim Do-yoon) are offered a life-altering job. Inside the undead-riddled Peninsula is an abandoned truck filled with US$20 million. They've been hired to retrieve it as part of a team of four who will enter South Korea at night - when the darkness will hide them from the innumerable ghouls. Once inside, they're shocked to discover survivors in the ruins.

If you’re looking for a heist movie with zombies in it, you want Army of the Dead. Peninsula starts with the team going in to grab the money but within minutes, half of them are dead. Chul-min is taken captive by crazed militants who’ve established a society in the ruins of the city, while Jung-Seok is rescued by Min-Jung (Lee Jung-hyun), her father Kim (Kwon Hae-hyo), and her two daughters, Joon (Lee Re), and Yu-Jin (Lee Ye-won). Now, the ghouls are the least of everyone’s worries. Unit 631 roams the streets, looking for any strays to put in their arena. There, the people have to run away from hungry flesh-eaters while the soldiers bet on who will die. Chul-min needs a way out ASAP. Unfortunately, the satellite phone he would’ve used to call his Chinese mobster bosses has been confiscated. Now Jung-Seok needs to save his brother, get the phone, get the money and leave with the help of the family who rescued him… but things are on the verge of getting dicey. See, Jung-Seok’s met Min-Jung before. She asked him for help four years ago when the zombie plague began. He refused and left her behind. Oops.

As a zombie movie, Peninsula disappoints. They don’t really play a big part in the film except at the beginning and then at the end. Mostly, this is an apocalyptic film. People scrambling for food, cobbling together equipment, setting up dodgy institutions where might makes right, that kind of thing. And of course, there’s the driving. If you’re going to check out Peninsula, it should be for the movie’s best scene, a spectacular race in the city featuring dozens of vehicles with our heroes in the lead and everyone trying to turn them into roadkill. Whereas the rest of the film barely uses zombies, this part of Peninsula brings the two genres together. The dead are obstacles to be dodged, they’re also weapons to use against those pursuing you. It’s fast-paced, expertly coordinated and loads of fun.

Plenty is going on in the film, which makes the nearly two-hour running time go by plenty fast… except at the end. During the conclusion, Peninsula tries to do too much. It pours on the drama as people have to make heroic sacrifices, there are double-crosses that make escape impossible, hope is renewed, then dashed, then renewed again, and so on. Some of this should’ve been cut, not only so we could end on the high we got from the driving scenes but also so the cheese could be kept at a minimum. Still, it works more than it doesn’t.

Peninsula is not a memorable zombie film and when we examine Seoul Station (the prequel to Train to Busan) we see that the terrific 2016 picture that spawned this franchise was more of an anomaly than a revival of the genre. You can still enjoy this follow-up if you love zombies and you want a bit of something new but anything more than the price of a rental is too much. (Original Korean with English Subtitles, May 21, 2021)

[k-star-holic]

Yi Dong-hwi: Hoyeon Jung ⁇ Seong Hae Eun ⁇ Jung hyun kyu 'Strong' Reality Intimate Relationship

Source: k-star-holic.blogspot.com

[the-strange-world]

Kpop Christmas/Winter Song List

Part 9 ❄️

My Favorite Winter - Jung Seung Hwan

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS - Standing Egg

Scent of yours - Son Dong Woon

When December comes - Lee Aram & Leetneer Project

Tangerine Love (Favorite) - NCT DREAM

Moon - NCT DREAM

Walk With You - NCT DREAM

Take My Breath - NCT DREAM

Snow on Christmas - Baek Juyeon

SNOW SNOW SNOW - Brand New Artists

HUGS - Brand New Artists

The Miracle of Christmas - Lee Su Jeong & LEEWOO

White Christmas- Lee Boram, Punch, & YEBIN

Christmas Last Awhile - KATIE feat. paulkyte

When Winter Comes - HA HYUN SANG

White - Jang Subin

Snow Prince - MIRAE

Grey Christmas - Hwasa

What I Want For Christmas - EXO

Holiday - Blase feat. lIlBOI & GIRIBOY

[toastinthegrass]

How do you feel about making the national team?

[araoppa]

توقيت سيء أم نصوص سيئة؟ 5 ممثلين كوريين تم الاستهانة بهم ويستحقون المزيد من الاهتمام

هل سبق لك أن شاهدت الدراما الكورية وتساءلت لماذا لا يحصل بعض الممثلين على التقدير الذي يستحقونه؟ هل يتعلق الأمر بالتوقيت السيئ أو اختيار السيناريو الذي لا يُظهر مواهبهم بشكل كامل؟ دعونا نلقي نظرة على خمسة من هؤلاء الممثلين الذين كان أداؤهم جديرًا بالملاحظة حقًا ولكنهم لا يحظون بالاهتمام الذي يستحقونه. 1. وو دو هوان (Lee Do Hwan) معروف بتعدد مهاراته، وقد عرض وو دو هوان مجموعته في الأنواع من…

[passionforfiction]

Big Mouth

This 16 episode long series had me at the edge of the seat from beginning to end. It kept me guessing and each plot twist made things more complicated. It was heart breaking in its injustice and there were things that were never really clarified. There were murderers that stayed unpunished and the mystery behind Chairman Kang was left in the air; but I still liked it. This is the kind of series that is best experienced without knowing much so I won't say anything else.

But if you like crime stories, i recommend this series.

Poster from Kepoper - https://en.kepoper.com/big-mouth-korean-drama/