#seol kang woo
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scorbleeo · 7 months ago
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Drama Gossip: Parasyte: The Grey
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Source: Google Images
When unidentified parasites violently take over human hosts and gain power, humanity must rise to combat the growing threat.
Source: Netflix (2024)
I Did Not Expect to Enjoy
I really just watched Parasyte: The Grey because I needed something slightly more interesting but still a background sound for me. Little did I know, from episode 2 onwards, this was going to be a tough drama to treat as background noise. I enjoyed it so much, I am even considering the movie (although not the anime, not because I hate anime, I just almost never watch them).
I did not like that first episode. However, looking at it with objective lenses, it was a passable first episode. It introduced the main characters as well as their distinctive characteristics, and it let its viewers know the premise of this drama. Unfortunately, it felt almost like a textbook introduction, not exactly boring but definitely monotonous.
However, things really did pick up from episode 2 onwards. The storyline built in a pace I appreciated. The action was definitely a huge win for me. Even the suspense and lacking comedy played well into Parasyte: The Grey.
I especially liked the arc of Junkyeong's thoughts towards the alien species. It was a good balance between her distrust and subsequent (albeit reluctant) trust. Good thing was, her distrust did not lead into a horrible tragedy like so many same-ish shows like to do. I only wished she wasn't so sarcastic to Heidi right till the end.
The friendship/relationship between Suin and Heidi along with Kangwoo with either of them was part of the reason this drama grew on me so quickly. Lets all be real, if it wasn't for Kangwoo, this drama would have been quite dry. If I thought Suin's life was sad (especially after that scene with Cheolmin), Kangwoo's life is equally as tragic.
I would have liked for more "happy ending" scenes but if there are plans for a second season, then I understand fully why there was a lack of "happy ending" scenes.
All in all, a solid Korean drama without the romance bullshit or a redundantly large amount of slow plot progression scenes.
Rating: ★★★★☆
More production(s) from South Korea here: All of Us are Dead | The Silent Sea
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sqjxnnie · 10 months ago
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night has come icons
✰ please, like if you save
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gozdziak · 2 years ago
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My favorite couples of 2022
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stuff-diary · 11 months ago
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Night Has Come
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TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2023
Night Has Come (2023, South Korea)
Director: Im Dae Woong
Writer: Kang Min Ji
Mini-review:
I've been obssesed with the Mafia game for years, so I was really excited when this sort-of-adaptation was announced. But tbh, it's nothing extraordinary. While it's very fun and it keeps you glued to the screen, it's also very silly. What's more, pretty much all the characters are incredibly dumb and frustrating. Although I have to say that's part of what makes the show fun. You just can't help but stick around to see how these characters mess things up even more. Hell, they make so many stupid decisions that I actually found myself screaming at the TV more times than I'd like to admit. Some of the twists did catch me by surprise, but the ending was... not good. I had already guessed the writer would pull something like that, but it was actually worse than I expected. Anyway, Night Has Come isn't good, but I had a fun watching it and it kept me entertained, so that's something.
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dramastream · 7 months ago
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WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Jeong Su In & Seol Kang Woo, Ep. 06 Parasyte: The Grey (2024) dir. Yeon Sang Ho
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kdramaspace · 1 year ago
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🔁 please consider reblogging to increase our sample size
as always, if you’d like to submit a potential POTW question, you may send in your submissions here.
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love-me-a-lotta-whump · 2 years ago
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택배기사 - Black Knight - Whumplist - 🇰🇷
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Whumpees: (GIF) 5-8 played by 김우빈 (Kim Woo Bin) and (Yoon Sa Wol) aka 5-7 played by 강유석 (Kang Yoo Seok)
Synopsis: In 2071, toxic air pollution had devastated the world, leaving only 1% of the population alive. People rarely leave their homes without gas masks, and delivery drivers known as knights protect and deliver packages. One legendary knight, Knight 5-8, meets a young refugee named Sa Wol who dreams of becoming a knight. With the help of Seol A, an officer in the Defense Intelligence Command, Knight 5-8 trains and mentors Sa Wol, helping him achieve his dream in a dangerous and harsh world. (MDL)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Found Family
Watch On: Netflix (Original), DramaCool, KissAsian
CAUTION: Episode 1.02 has a s**cide attempt in it, please watch with caution. This drama has s**cides relatively frequently so please be careful if this is a sensitive issue for you. Be safe!
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS DOWN BELOW
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5-8
1.01 : fought ::: at gunpoint, fought
1.02 : shot at, fought ::: semi interrogated ::: sorta sparring
1.03 : (flashbacks: in an explosion, shot at, fought, shot, collapsed, unconscious, woke up) ::: (flashbacks: bandaged shoulder, teary eyed) ::: sparring
1.04 : shot at, fought
1.05 : none
1.06 : shot at ::: shot at, shot, at gunpoint
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5-7 aka Yoon Sa Wol
1.01 : fought ::: fought ::: shot at, fought ::: shot
1.02 : found unconscious, bleeding ::: in the passenger seat of a car, unconscious ::: asleep, woke up, head bandaged, IV, bloody, holding his head, head pain, traumatic flashbacks, defiant, manhandled, struggling, drugged, passed out ::: emotional, comforted, emotional, crying ::: asking to be beaten, allowing people to beat him, hit on the back of the head, concern for him, collapsed ::: asleep, bloody and bruised face, looked after
1.03 : sparring ::: fought, bloody, bruised, growing weaker, traumatic flashbacks ::: shot at
1.04 : fought, beaten, bloody face ::: fought, thrown, beaten, face bandaged ::: fought ::: wound reveal, bloody, bruised
1.05 : traumatic flashbacks, bloody nose ::: medically examined
1.06 : grieving his friend ::: knocked out, taken ::: captive, struggling, fought, restrained, drugged, held down ::: unconscious in a hospital bed, blood taken from him ::: put in a wheelchair while still unconscious, taken ::: concern for him, saved ::: unconscious in the passenger seat of a car ::: helped to walk
———+———
MORE WHUMP LISTS >>> {x}
Title Note: Directly translated, 택배기사 (Taek-bae-gi-sah) means Delivery Driver or Delivery Man.
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junkobato · 2 years ago
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Upcoming KDrama March 2023 ❤️
1/3: Delivery Man with Bang Min Ah, Yoon Chan Young, Kim Min Suk. 12 episodes; fantasy, comedy. Trailer
4/3: Divorce Attorney Shin with Cho Seung Woo, Jung Moon Sung, Han Hye Jin. 12 episodes; law, drama. Trailer
6/3: Oasis with Jang Dong Yoon, Chu Young Woo, Seol In Ah. 20 episodes; historical, youth, romance. Trailer
10/3: The Glory part 2 with Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun, Park Sung Hoon. 8 episodes; thriller, melodrama. Trailer
11/3: Pandora: Beneath the Paradise with Lee Ji Ah, Lee Sang Yoon, Park Ki Woong. 16 episodes; action, thriller, drama. Trailer
20/3: Romantic Guest House with Shin Ye Eun, Kang Hoon, Jung Gun Joo. 18 episodes; historical, romance, mystery. Trailer
31/3: Joseon Attorney with Woo Do Hwan, Bona, Cha Hak Yeon. 16 episodes; historical, law, romance. Trailer
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Reblog for updates! 😇
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odanurr87 · 1 year ago
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Alchemy of Completed 2022 Kdramas - Part 1
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Last year I watched a bunch of kdramas, too many for me to properly review at the rate I write about them. As a result, I'm gonna try something different and quickly review those dramas that released in 2022 that I watched, and maybe recommend a few alternatives here and there in those cases where the show didn't live up to the task. Considering it's been a while since I watched some of these dramas, I binged a couple of them again to better inform my commentary. If you're short on time, or just want to add kdramas to your ever-increasing watchlist, you'll find a ⭐ next to the titles I wholeheartedly recommend, and a 💀 next to those I feel should best be avoided, but you do you. If you still haven't watched some of these shows, this list will hopefully give you some idea of whether you'll enjoy watching them (or not).
A brief note on my rating system before we begin. I use bins for my 1-10 scale in the following way:
Anything between 5 and 6 is considered average
Shows between 7 and 8 are considered above average
Shows in the 9 to 10 range are the cream of the crop
Anything between 1 to 4 is considered below average, with the 1-2 range reserved for the worst offenders.
Thus, I have two possible scores for the average, above average, and cream of the crop categories, what I believe makes my life a little easier when rating shows. I have occasionally given half point ratings (e.g. 7.5) to certain shows when I feel they're halfway to a better grade, but that has been the exception rather than the rule.
So without further ado, welcome to my Alchemy of Completed 2022 Kdramas - Part 1!
A Business Proposal⭐
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Episode count: 12
Where to watch: Netflix
Rating: 8/10
Verdict: "You know I'm good at a lot of different things, right?"
We start with one of my favourites and the best short romcom of 2022. Based on the manhwa of the same name by Haehwa (original story) and NARAK (art), Taemu Kang (Ahn Hyeo Seop) plays the 'perfect CEO' stereotype who ain't got no time for love so, after several hilarious events, he eventually hires Hari Shin (Kim Se Jeong) to play the part of his girlfriend to fool grandpa. Unbeknownst to him though, Hari is his employee. Will their fake relationship turn into a real one? You bet your ass!
The show ticks almost all of the required tropes, subverts some -what was a pleasant surprise- and entertains throughout, making perfect use of its runtime. The second lead couple, played by Kim Min Gue and Seol In Ah, also turned several heads, not to mention the latter had great BFF chemistry with Kim Se Jeong. Week after week, I was looking forward to every episode of this show, especially considering how disappointing another romcom that aired around the same time turned out to be, and that you may or may not find in this list. You could say this show aired just in time for Samantha and Rachel to cure my FLAWless disappointment.
Again My Life⭐
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Episode count: 16
Where to watch: Viki
Rating: 8/10
Verdict: Lawful Lawyer is back!
The better Lawless Lawyer of 2022. Kim Hee Woo (Lee Joon Gi) is a prosecutor who travels back in time to put the people who murdered him behind bars while the audience wonders which female lead he should date. And between Kim Ji Eun, Hong Bi Ra, and Veronica Park Kim Jae Kyung, well, he's definitely not lacking in choices. Fortunately, time travel is merely used as a trigger to tell the story (similar to 365: Repeat the Year in this respect), so we don't have to worry about kdramas' rather abysmal track record with sci-fi. The show keeps you hooked episode after episode, finding a good balance between the scheming, putting people behind bars, throwing some punches (has those trademark LJG action sequences!), all the while going after the next big fish. Last, but not least, it does an incredibly good job at managing an ensemble cast of characters, and there are a lot of them! If you're a fan of Lawless Lawyer or Lee Joon Gi, you can't go wrong with this one.
Alchemy of Souls - Part 1
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Episode count: 20
Where to watch: Netflix
Rating: 6/10
Verdict: Watch a fantasy cdrama instead
Alternatives: Fights Break Sphere, Fighter of the Destiny
When I watched the character promos for this show I thought this could be Korea's answer to some of China's fantasy dramas, possibly Xuanhuan dramas, and I was all for it! I liked the male actor, Lee Jae Wook, in other dramas I'd watched with him (he was great in When the Weather is Fine and Search: WWW), and Jung So Min playing a master assassin and mentor in a fantasy drama was quite appealing. Of course, I was a bit worried when the teaser dropped, with its emphasis on some weak comedy, but I decided to give the show the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, Part 1 didn't live up to the task. It meandered a lot, definitely under-using its 20-episode order, focusing on every romantic relationship under the sun and then some, ultimately delivering an unsatisfactory hero's journey for the ML, while the antagonists played ping-pong with the alchemy of souls. At times, I was reminded of Hwarang, a show I have reviewed very poorly and that seems to have relied on the idol factor to garner popular appeal.
I've previously compared Jang Uk's journey to that of Xiao Yan from the cdrama Fights Break Sphere, in that I expected the former, from the previews, to undergo a similar rise to power as the latter, rigorously training under his master, slowly climbing his way back to power, but with the additional appeal of developing that romantic relationship between Jung So Min's character and Lee Jae Wook's, what would've made for a more rewarding journey for both the character and the audience. This is a tried-and-true formula, also used by the popular anime The Rising of the Shield Hero, to mention but one other example. Unfortunately for us, Jang Uk can hardly be bothered to train (supposedly, he "trained" with twelve masters for years and didn't learn a damn), except at the very specific, and limited, times that the script dictates, instead relying on luck and plot contrivances to "skip ahead" his way to power, what makes for far less memorable scenes. Additionally, the cdrama nails the master-student relationship thanks to the great rapport between Baron Chen's Yao Chen and Leo Wu's Xiao Yan, but there's hardly such a bond between Mu Deok and Jang Uk.
In the end, Part 1 of Alchemy of Souls should've been about Jang Uk's rise to power under the guidance of his master, and later love interest, Mu Deok, but it's too unfocused, its attention constantly diverted by comedy, love polygons, or caricaturesque villains doing dumb things under everyone's noses. Perhaps its only saving grace was the character of the Crown Prince, brilliantly played by Shin Seung Ho, who was able to nail both the comedy and the drama when called for. However, if you're looking for a good fantasy drama with a more traditional (or any) hero's journey, watch Fights Break Sphere instead, with the caveat only the first season has been released, and it's doubtful there'll be a second. I'd also recommend Fighter of the Destiny, with Lu Han. It probably doesn't have as good CGI or sets, but it has a better grip on the hero's journey than Alchemy and nails the camaraderie aspects.
Alchemy of Souls - Part 2
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Episode count: 10
Where to watch: Netflix
Rating: 7/10
Verdict: Works better as a standalone watch
I should've probably left Part 2 of the show for Part 2 of my list, but I'm going in alphabetical order so that's that. This is one of the shows I decided to rewatch to refresh my memory and, to my surprise, it fared much better the second time around. Why's that? Read on to find out!
Part 2 of Alchemy of Souls starts strong, much stronger than Part 1 did, something many were doubting when the news hit that Jung So Min wouldn't return for Part 2, instead being replaced by the original Naksu actress, Go Youn Jung. Fortunately, she does an excellent job throughout, but especially in the beginning of Part 2, which comes across as more of a fairy tale (Rapunzel's), and where the show decides to embrace some of the typical marriage contact tropes, as Young Jung's character fake-marries the now uber-powerful Jang Uk in order to escape from her mother's tight grasp. Honestly, I wish the show had started with Part 2, in media res, and used the material from Part 1 for flashback storytelling, in a similar vein to how The Untamed did it. God, that would've been so good! Precisely because Jang Uk has become sort of a demigod he can boss around all of the useless supporting characters from Part 1 (I'm looking at you, Pathetic Assembly of Evil), and pretty much do whatever he wants, so it's quite commendable to see him return smarter and more measured in his decision-making.
As someone who watched Part 2 live back then, it started to lose its initial glimmer when an inevitable reveal kept being delayed episode after episode, hinting that it would obviously occur the next one. Of course, this never happened, but what made matters worse was the fact that the ML was kept oblivious while everyone around him found out and chose not to tell him because... reasons? I can understand one person keeping the secret for his own agenda, maybe a couple, but I find it astonishing that even Jang Uk's friends and family shared this same agenda, as they also kept the truth from him. Additionally, the more this delay continued the further the narrative possibilities were constrained and, thusly, certain scenarios conjured up by fans never came to pass. However, this will not be much of an issue for people coming in blind to Part 2 (or with a healthy distance from Part 1). Perhaps even the fact that the noble idiocy card is played, or that the main antagonist is obstinately preserved by the writers until the very last episode to little effect (when he shouldn't have made it past Part 1), won't present much of an issue to newcomers.
Having said this, I still feel the final battle for the fate of the world remains rather underwhelming and anticlimactic, not helped by the fact that certain characters are resurrected right before said battle. After all, if the show outright establishes death is not permanent, minutes before "the end of the world," why should I fear for any of the characters? Even Jang Uk himself, during this final battle, doesn't show an ounce of worry that maybe this time he will not make it out alive, regardless of his powers, making the fight seem entirely mechanical and perfunctory. The writers even throw in some half-baked plot device about the King's Star being powered by seven other stars, and since it had never been explained throughout the show a character has to exposition-dump it on our laps (there's quite a lot of exposition dump going around in Part 2, what helps newcomers to the show). It's a plot device prominently featured in the cdrama Fighter of the Destiny, which I previously recommended, so maybe it was inspired by it?
In the end, if you still want to get a taste of the Alchemy experience, I wholeheartedly suggest you treat Part 2 as the original show, with Part 1 being the prequel made to cash in on the show's success that, ultimately, you may not even need. Thus, as a standalone, I'm revising my original rating for Part 2 from a 6/10 to a 7/10, bumping it into my above average bin.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
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Episode count: 16
Where to watch: Netflix
Rating: 6/10
Verdict: Better luck in S2
Alternatives: Good Doctor, Again My Life
Woo to the Young to the Woo started off with a bang and had me sold after binging its first four episodes (I had a bit of an offset), making me hopeful this could be one of my favourites from 2022. Sadly, it was thereabouts that the quality of the writing slowly started going downhill for me. Woo lost me on two fronts: the weak framing and execution of the legal cases, and the underdeveloped cast of supporting characters, who were mostly neglected in favour of Park Eun Bin's Young Woo. Don't get me wrong, Park Eun Bin nailed the character, and her conversation with her mom in Episode 8 was particularly poignant and well executed, but it wouldn't have hurt to give characters like Min Woo or Jun-ho a case that resonated with them, like "The Strife of the Three Brothers," which was relevant to Young Woo's BFF Geu Ra-mi.
I'll take Min Woo as an example because, out of the whole cast of supporting characters, he showed the most promise. The show mentions in passing that Min Woo is his family's sole breadwinner, what could explain why he's so competitive and regards Young Woo as a threat rather than a boon, but the show never tries to explore this when it has the perfect medium to do so in the form of the legal cases. So why not give him a case that echoes some of his struggles trying to support his family while making headway into the competitive legal world, thus allowing us and his teammates to get to know him a little better? In essence, show us, don't just tell us. How am I then supposed to buy his sudden change-of-heart in "The Blue Night of Jeju" when you've given me nothing to support the fact he's bonded with anyone in the team? (besides Jun-ho who was already his flatmate) Perhaps not surprisingly, this particular episode throws a bunch of arcs left and right for the supporting characters to try and grab hold of, but too little too late.
As a procedural, I feel Extraordinary Attorney Woo is pretty average. It either didn't know how or never intended to handle its supporting cast of characters and successfully integrate them into the narrative, similarly to how a show like Again My Life did. To draw a curious parallel, the final episode of Again My Life gathers all of "the good guys" at the restaurant of Hee Woo's parents. There are 14 of them in total, not counting Hee Woo and his parents, and I feel like they've truly become one big extended family by show's end. Extraordinary Attorney Woo has a similar scene, gathering everyone at Min Shik's place that is meant to convey the same feeling, but they don't quite feel like a team yet, let alone a family. Maybe in Season 2?
If you're looking for a show featuring another savant autistic lead, but with a better grasp on developing an ensemble cast of characters, as well as a romantic relationship between the leads, then Good Doctor is the show for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a kickass lawyer, well, you probably already know who I'm talking about.
Fanletter, Please⭐
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Episode count: 4
Where to watch: Viki
Rating: 8/10
Verdict: A lot of heart in a small package
The first among three shows in these lists that feature Choi Soo Young and Yoon Park as either main or supporting leads. I'd only previously watched Choi Soo Young in So I Married an Anti-Fan, a show not without its share of issues, but her as the female lead wasn't one. Indeed, she was one of the highlights and I was looking forward to seeing more of her work. As such, I was looking forward to this mini-series, more so when I realised Yoon Park would play the role of a father willing to move heaven and earth for his daughter, what is not a typical setup in kdramas (in my watching experience, mind you). Off the top of my head, I can only think of Marriage Contract and Lie After Lie as similar shows, in terms of how much of a protagonist the child actor is. Both are shows I would wholeheartedly recommend.
As for Fanletter, Please, I was positively pleased by how much content and social commentary this show was able to fit into its 4-hour runtime without harming the storytelling, something that even full-length kdramas struggle to achieve. Having said that, I would've welcomed one or two more episodes to let it breathe a little bit more and, of course, to watch some cute family moments! This is definitely a case of so good you want more of it. Still, Choi Soo Young and Yoon Park make it work within the available runtime, what's a credit to them and the script. CSY was on a roll last year (as you'll find out in Part 2!) so I'll have to keep an eye out for more of her dramas, and it was very welcome to see Yoon Park play this devoted father character after the disappointing Forecasting Love & Weather (though he was pretty good in it). Give me more short dramas!
Forecasting Love and Weather
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Episode count: 16
Where to watch: Viki, Netflix
Rating: 6/10
Verdict: Couldn't forecast love and I have my doubts about the weather
Alternatives: She Would Never Know, The Rational Life
I have a soft spot for Park Min Young, having watched romcoms like What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? and Her Private Life, or even melodramas like When the Weather is Fine. And who can forget Healer, where she played the part of Lois Lane to Ji Chang Wook's Clark Kent (watch it, it's a classic). I couldn't remember a drama with her that I didn't enjoy watching, so it broke my heart a little to see what a disappointing mess Forecasting Love and Weather turned out to be. I should've heeded a friend's advice to steer clear of Song Kang dramas, even though the script was clearly the worse offender by far.
The show hooked us in with the initial romcom elements, and then decided to veer into slife/melo territory, as the relationships between the different couples started to fray, with conflict being driven at an accelerated pace by the issues that arose from poor communication, or an outright absence of it, and how the different couples handled (they often didn't) the results of their miscommunication. I didn't much mind at the time because I felt they were being somewhat mature about it without overplaying their hand, and because my weekly romcom fix was being delivered by A Business Proposal, but they were treading a fine line... that got utterly ground into dust in the last six episodes. At this point in the show, the nonsensical drama was amped considerably, to the point it could've given Young Lady & Gentleman a run for their money, setting us up for the inevitable breakup. Why? Because the kdrama gods have written that a breakup must inevitably occur in Episode 14 or thereabouts, and this show is not about to subvert that trope!
Like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Forecasting Love and Weather failed at properly handling its ensemble cast of characters, trying to juggle five relationships to some very mixed results, when it would've been better off simply focusing on the main and secondary couples. As a result, by show's end I could've cared less what happened to the main couple, and was actually a bit more invested in the secondary one, played by Yoon Park and Yura, possibly because they at least tried to talk to each other and work things out. Honestly, Yoon Park's Ki Jun got the better deal out of all the characters in the show. How do you make Ki Jun, the guy who cheated on his fiancée with Si Woo's girlfriend, a more likable, or at least interesting, character than everyone else? You have him grow from an immature baby into a more or less responsible adult. You could argue that the main leads experience growth of their own, but it struck me as a bit aimless, a bit hollow. I mean, 16 episodes for Ha Kyung's boss to tell her you learn more from your mistakes than you do your successes? Seriously? Just go to r/GetMotivated for that.
Would I recommend this show? Unless you want to learn a little about what goes on behind the scenes of a weather forecast, not really, but maybe it's my fault for having high expectations due to PMY. It's not a bad show though, just average. If you want far better executed takes on this concept, check She Would Never Know on the kdrama side, and The Rational Life on the cdrama side.
Glitch💀
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Episode count: 10
Where to watch: Netflix
Rating: 3/10
Verdict: Watching an episode of Ancient Aliens on the History Channel would've been more exciting and a lot shorter too
Alternatives: Circle
Can I get away simply by saying watching this show was a glitch? No? Dammit. I should've known better than to watch a Netflix-produced kdrama, even if it does star Nana, 'cause they've all been a bust for me, but Glitch was one of the privileged few shows I watched in 2022 that made me feel I had utterly wasted my time, with no redeeming qualities about it. 500 minutes to tell a story that lacks focus and is all over the place, perhaps stretched thin to meet a Netflix episode quota, with a FL that is not particularly interesting to follow, as she goes through a midlife crisis and teams up with Nana to investigate a UFO cult that may or may not have kidnapped her ex to sell his kidneys. Okay, maybe I made up that last bit about the kidneys.
The comedy doesn't land, the mystery doesn't land, the drama doesn't land, and the UFO doesn't land either. Undoubtedly, the finale is the better episode of the show, not least of why because it marked the ending, but also because the show didn't have any more time to dawdle as it had been doing for the past nine episodes, what gave it some much needed focus. To make matters worse, the surprises and twists at the end of each episode just weren't good enough to keep you hooked, nor, I'm afraid, were the leads. I was tempted at the time to give this show my first ever 1/10 for the way it wasted my time over the span of those 500 minutes, with a story that was infuriatingly inconsistent and lacked a lot of common sense, but it's probably not that bad. Still, I would only recommend watching it to my enemies, probably alongside something like Sisyphus.
Good Job
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Episode count: 12
Where to watch: Viki
Rating: 7/10
Verdict: Good fun
Alternatives: Secret Royal Inspector
Another ENA network show, like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, but shorter and more entertaining, as we follow the crazy antics of Eun Soon Woo (Jung Il Woo), a chaebol CEO who doubles as a private detective (think Bruce Wayne/Batman), and Don Se Ra (Kwon Yu Ri), his newly-recruited superpowered assistant, as they aim to solve a 20-year-old cold case while uncovering other, smaller, cases, helping people and rectifying injustices along the way.
Good Job is just a fun ride overall, even if the comedy can be a little hit-or-miss sometimes, especially when it drags on for too long or tries the Marvel route of undermining certain scenes. The writing too could've benefited from another revision, as some events feel gratuitously delayed, like when a character refuses to reveal a certain name only to do so a few minutes later, while others are forced to a head, like Se Ra discovering Soon Woo's batcave. Oh, yeah, he has a batcave, of sorts, and even an Alfred, in the form of Lee Joon Hyuk's Director Hong, whom you may recall from Mystic Pop-Up Bar. He also has a talented sidekick and comedic support, Jin Mo (Eum Moon Suk), both a lawyer and a hacker, who also gets into a romantic entanglement of his own with Se Ra's best friend, Na Hee (Song Sang Eun). This is the mini-Justice League you'll see play dress-up (these scenes are so over-the-top fun!) from episode to episode, as they go undercover to solve cases and get one step closer to their goal. In this sense, this show could be compared to something like Taxi Driver, but, unlike the latter, Good Job doesn't take itself too seriously and neither should you for maximum enjoyment.
While the resolution of the final case felt a bit underwhelming, and perhaps a tad perfunctory (I did appreciate the brief redemption arc for one of the antagonists though), Good Job achieves in 12 episodes what Extraordinary Attorney Woo could not in 16, making its cast of characters grow into a team, one I would not mind accompanying in more adventures in future seasons. Will that happen? Probably not, so if you're looking for more fun adventures of the sort, and don't mind traveling to the past, I would not hesitate to recommend Secret Royal Inspector, with Kim Myung Soo and Kwon Na Ra.
Grid💀
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Episode count: 10
Where to watch: Disney+
Rating: 4/10
Verdict: Another nail in the kdrama sci-fi coffin
Alternatives: 365: Repeat the Year, Reset, Circle
Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres, but kdramas have had a rather lousy track record at delivering good quality sci-fi and, sadly, Grid does nothing to change that. Our story starts in 1997, when a mysterious time traveler known as "the Ghost" laves a program for an energy grid to replace Earth's failing magnetic fields. This Grid is now managed by the Administration Bureau who intend to track down the Ghost and unlock the secrets of time travel... eventually. The show's comprised of only ten episodes, yet the pacing of the first half is slower than it has any right to be given the events depicted (hint: they aren't that exciting) and the dialogue isn't stimulating enough to sustain such a slow burner. This "season" could've been compressed into 5 or 6 episodes and it would've been stronger for it. Of course, then it would hardly qualify as a "season" (though Netflix seems to think it does).
The main plot line focuses around this serial killer and the fact that the Ghost is helping him evade capture. Why is this time traveler aiding and abetting a criminal? Honestly, this question was never interesting enough to fuel ten weeks of watching (the pain!) and it shows. Additionally, it is not answered conclusively, although there are some bread crumbs for the viewer to put the pieces together. In fact, this statement captures the show in a nutshell; it raises questions, but never provides any conclusive or satisfying answers, playing on the viewer's knowledge of other (better) time travel stories so they can come up with their own. Perhaps the worst example of this is the season finale, which is only meant to set up events for a possible S2 (in your dreams, or nightmares), thereby raising even more questions.
The writer behind this, Lee Soon Yeon, is apparently quite good, having written for Stranger and Stranger 2. I haven't watched either show so I can't comment on them, but time travel stories aren't for everyone. Having said that, the "mysteries" that are supposed to keep viewers hooked were also underwhelming. I remember reading an article that recommended Grid as a show that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I suppose it's possible to fall off your seat while asleep, right? If you want a show that uses time travel well, though in very limited fashion, merely as a trigger for the plot to unfold, watch 365: Repeat the Year. The cdrama Reset is a great exponent of using a time loop and one of my favourites from 2022. If you want kdrama's best exponent of sci-fi to date, watch Circle (review on the way).
If You Wish Upon Me⭐
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Episode count: 16
Where to watch: Viki
Rating: 8/10
Verdict: The genie from Aladdin would be proud
First things first, there is a better version of this show if you take out the gangster storyline, which was entirely superfluous, and better integrate the sister storyline into the main plot. You can also drop the jealous doctor who added surprisingly little beyond being jealous at the required times (what a waste of a perfectly good character). Repackage it all into a shorter, 12-episode, season and this show could've reached 9-10 territory for me. Those are pretty much the weakest aspects of the show.
With that out of the way, it's a very good show. People have compared it to Chocolate given that it takes place in a hospice ward but, for my part, I dropped that show after 5 or 6 episodes, partly because of the ML. No such problem with Ji Chang Wook's character here, an orphan and ex-con with a heart of gold, and a cute dog he's named "Son." Despite all the abuse he's been subjected to throughout his life, he slowly starts to open up as he does community service at the hospice. Paired with Choi Soo Young's flirty Nurse Seo (love her!), these two alone make a powerful case for watching this show. Sung Dong Il also delivers a great performance and has some wonderful exchanges with Ji Chang Wook's character.
The show follows the "case of the week" formula for the most part, certainly during the first half of the drama, as Team Genie tries to fulfill the final wishes of the hospice's patients and often positively impact other people's lives in so doing. Be prepared and have tissues at hand. Beyond the gangster detour that wasted our time towards the end, and drew dangerously close to upending all the good will the show had garnered throughout its run, the final episode really brings it home, coming full circle and delivering a really satisfying conclusion to our story, one final surprise as Team Genie brings down the curtain on their show and bids us goodbye.
In short, yes, it could've been better with a tighter focus but, as it stands, it's one of the better shows to have come out in 2022, and perhaps Ji Chang Wook's best work since Healer (with the caveat that I have not yet watched Suspicious Partner nor Lovestruck in the City). And Choi Soo Young is now 2 for 2! (this girl's on 🔥🔥)
Jinxed at First💀
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Episode count: 16
Where to watch: Viki
Rating: 4/10
Verdict: Oh, it's jinxed alright
Alternatives: My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Goblin, Scripting Your Destiny
I had measured expectations for this drama. Na In Woo had previously worked with the same director in 2021's River Where the Moon Rises, a show I enjoyed a great deal, though mostly because it was the first time I delved deep into the history behind the drama, namely the tale of Princess Pyeonggang and On Dal the Fool, and the history of the Three Kingdoms' period. He was brought in late, with production underway, to replace Ji Soo; he barely slept, had to adlib a lot of his scenes, and still managed to have great chemistry with Kim So Hyun and, to my mind, had the better grasp on the character of On Dal. I'd hoped Jinxed at First would give him another opportunity to shine, but, alas, that was not the case.
The first episode alone is a hectic storytelling mess (and, incidentally, River Where the Moon Rises alumni reunion), rushing through a lot of backstory and setup for the rest of the season. We're introduced to Soo Gwang, a bright student with a promising future and powerful friends, whose life takes a turn for the worse when he meets Seul Bi (Seo Hyun), a woman imprisoned since birth by his best friend's dad because of her strange ability to see a person's future through a single touch. Cut to a year later, where we find Soo Gwang working as a fishmonger under a different name, only for Seul Bi to track him down again, determined to remain by his side.
Honestly, I'm not sure what genre this show wanted to be, but I'm pretty sure it failed at most of them. For the first 6 or 7 episodes it tried to resemble something like My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, as Seul Bi is just as innocent and naïve as Miho was (even if Miho sold it better than Seul Bi did, to my mind), and both male leads were resolved to get rid of her. This is perhaps the strongest portion of the show, as Seul Bi adapts to her new environment and neighbors, making new friends while at the same time helping Soo Gwang get rid of his (never explained) bad luck. I even enjoyed some of the comedy. However, unlike My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, there is not enough chemistry between the leads to have them fall in love with each other over the course of 6 or 7 episodes. Well, not in Soo Gwang's case at any rate, as Seul Bi has been infatuated with him for years. Upon falling in love, the trope that naturally follows is a break-up, after which point the show starts to resemble more of a makjang, turning to corporate and chaebol intrigue and infighting. This is also around the time Soo Gwang's best friend, Min Joon (played by Ki Do Hoon, from Scripting Your Destiny), decides he's in love with Seul Bi (what?), something even more out of left field, especially when he's already engaged to Lee Ho Jung's (Soljiwan!!!) charming character, Ja Kyung, who effortlessly stole every scene she was in. Min Joon, if you don't want her, I'll gladly take her off your hands!
Seemingly having exhausted the depth of its narrative well, the show dragged its feet for several episodes, eventually deciding the story was better served by turning a character into a psychopath, who also wanted Seul Bi for himself and was willing to kill anyone in the process, an eye-rolling set of circumstances eventually resolved thanks to Seul Bi's expansive (aka nonsensical) repertoire of supernatural powers. And, of course, in a show of this caliber, the amnesia trope could not be absent, a card that is dealt in the very last episode and resolved at the very last minute. What a payoff.
When I first learned of this drama I recall reading an outline that went something along the lines of, "Unlucky man meets a goddess of luck." Would it have been too much to ask for a show fitting that description, but in the vein of the excellent Goblin instead? Or maybe something like Scripting Your Destiny, which is certainly not as good as Goblin, but is still way better than this, and much shorter too. If you want to watch a show that features a romantic relationship between a god and a human, I encourage you to give those a try instead, as well as the aforementioned My Girlfriend is a Gumiho.
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filthy-mudeoki · 1 year ago
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Business proposal 사내맞선
Review and rambles
3. Business Proposal (8/10)
(12 episodes) (2022)
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[Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-kyu, Seol In-ah] 
Synopsis: 
The series follows Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong) as she goes on another blind date in place of her best friend Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah). The girls have hatched up a plan in which Shin Ha-ri goes on blind dates that Young -seo’s father sets up for her in order to get rejected by them. She does this by going all out crazy on these poor dates. However this plan goes horribly wrong when the latest blind date is Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop), who turns out to be Shin Har-ri’s boss. Kang Tae-moo is being pressured into getting married and despite Shin Ha-ri’s best attempts to get him to reject her, he decides to marry his blind date so he can avoid going on further dates. Chaos and comedy ensues as, Kang Tae-moo and Shin Ha-ri (using a fake identity) begin dating. It all comes to a head when Kang Tae-moo finally discover who she is but its almost too late and he is already very much in love with her. 
Review: 
The relationship between the best friends in this show is so wholesome. They’re funny and messy and so chaotic it’s absolutely relatable. Shin Ha-ri and Young-seo are absolute goals. They’re both head strong women trying so hard to be independent and successful but also secretly wish to be wooed (a secret I think most of us share these days). 
The main couple themselves (Kang Tae Moo and Shin Ha-ri) are so sweet. While Kang Tae Moo might start off as the typical cold-hearted mean spirited boss, it doesn’t last all too long as he opens himself up in a way that is both endearing and funny. The series presents plenty of wonderfully light-hearted moments intermingled with drama. Shin Ha-ri’s family dynamic is realistic and its what makes her so likeable as a main lead. She has an embarrassingly loud but loveable mother and a brother who is simultaneously always there and yet never around when needed. Kim Se – jeong does a remarkable job of portraying Shin Ha-ri, as she is sometimes clumsy and awkward around Kang Tae Moo but somehow it’s never cringey. A defining moment for me in the series was that at some point both female characters found themselves in an embarrassing situation and both male leads stepped up to help without blinking an eye. More over the fact, once it was over, they didn’t speak about it again. They made it so the girls were allowed to keep there dignity. Many shows would not have given them such a courtesy. The show is filled with moments where the characters learn to lean on each other – a particularly endearing episode sees Shin Ha-Ri realising one of Kang Tae Moo’s fears and subtly helping him through it. She’s rather masterful in how she does it and you can’t help but love her for it. It’s sweet and one hell of a green flag moment. 
An important point to note (for me at least), is that unlike in What’s wrong with Secretary Kim, the female lead here does not sacrifice her own ambitions for the male lead. Shin Ha-Ri’s an ambitious and exceptionally smart woman and in both cases (Shin Ha-ri and Jin Young-seo) they follow through with their own goals. It’s hearty and wholesome and a completely perfect comfort show. It does not disappoint in the romance or drama genre. I only wished it was longer. 12 episodes didn’t feel like it was enough for these characters and I would have loved to see more of Shin Ha-Ri and the grandfather bonding towards the end. Another time jump last episode but it wasn’t as painful as you’d think. 
The cast and performance: 
Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim Se-jeong give a brilliant performance as the main leads in this drama. But if you’ve been following this drama you might have heard about the secondary leads, Seol In-ah and Kim Min-kyu who basically steal the show at every turn. The actors delivered so well on the comedy and managed to balance it out well with the romance and drama. It was an all round brilliant performance. 
OST: 
Another great rom-com with an amazing soundtrack to match. 
Final thoughts: 
I personally loved with office romance over What’s wrong with secretary Kim? But that’s my own preference. There is plenty to love in this drama. Its sincere, heartfelt comedy that will melt your heart. It’s got some brilliant characters with great depth and the relationships in this are all top tier. From Shin Ha-ri’s relationships with Young-seo, to that she shares with her family and Kang Tae-moo, it will leave you wanting more. As I said 12 episodes was just not enough. 
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hottakesdutp · 11 months ago
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Side Character Showdown
Smash or Pass
Si-woo's Sight
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lee1504 · 1 year ago
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if My Lucky Strike was a k-drama
My Lucky Strike is a webtoon btw. this was all made of boredom.
Siru: Jun Ji-hyun
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Gibaek Seol: Kang Tae-oh
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Cheong: Cha Eun-woo
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seekdevotion · 1 year ago
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*          𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐘𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐒     𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐃          :          gimme     some     mw     fcs??
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ummmm everyone<3 some ideas are angela sarafyan, kwak dongyeon, ok taecyeon, d'pharaoh woon-a-tai, mikey madison, jung hoyeon, oscar isaac, robert pattinson, song joongki, archie renaux, laura harrier, ben barnes, oliver jackson-cohen, serena motola, lee yoomi, lee joobin, fah yongwaree, davika hoorne, gong yoo, hunter schafer, charlie rowe, sen mitsuji, hayley law, dev patel, xiaojun, lizeth selene, brianne tju, nam yoonsoo, austin abrams, alfred enoch, douglas booth, manny jacinto, ana de armas, kim taehyung, martin sensmeier, sonoya mizuno, anya chalotra, aaron taylor johnson, hande ercel, gavin leatherwood, song kang, adeline rudolph, tati gabrielle, lucy boynton, khadijha red thunder, chance perdomo, elodie yung, charlie cox, kim mingue, devery jacobs, demet özdemir, charlie hunnam, kiowa gordon, christian serratos, mia goth, amber midthunder, lakeith stanfield, algee smith, forrest goodluck, maude apatow, melisa pamuk, woo do hwan, paulina alexis, daniel sharman, evan mock, zion moreno, savannah lee smith, rahul kohli, alaqua cox, amita suman, danielle galligan, jessie mei li, freddy carter, kit young, cillian murphy, nico hiraga, adria arjona, bright vachirawit, lee dongwook, barbie ferreira, cara gee, jordan connor, damiano david, priscilla quintana, aslihan malbora, tom holland, yandeh sallah, jeon jungkook, chase sui wonders, seol inah, dominic fike, alperen duymaz, nam joohyuk. ok gonna go deep fry my brain now until it's smooth !
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kdramacrybaby · 1 year ago
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Black Knight (2023)
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Genre: Sci-fi, Dystopian, Action
Synopsis: In the future, earth has been all but destroyed by toxic air, leaving only 1% of the population alive. People must remain inside for the majority of their lives, and therefor rely heavily on the delivery of precious food and air. The amount of recourses is strictly controlled and limited, so the job as a delivery driver is dangerous, as thieves threaten to hijack the valuable cargo. But for people, refugees, living outside the richer society, becoming a delivery driver is the only way into the safe zones.
Episode info: 6 episodes / Runtime around 50 minutes
Lead cast: Kim Woo-bin (5-8), Kang You-seok (Yoon Sa-wol), Song Seung-heon (Ryu Seok), Esom (Jeong Seol-ah)
Link to watch: You can watch on Netflix for Dramacool
Drama rec masterlist | Drama rant thread (beware of spoilers)
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My very first thought was how much this reminded me of Silent Sea. But seen as both are short dramas about a dystopian world - both produced by Netflix - it doesn't really surprise me.
I generally enjoyed the drama. Amazing world-building, fantastic actors and characters - there is really nothing much to complain about.
But seeing as it's only 6 episodes, it does feel really short - I was on episode 6 with only 20 minutes left, and I could not see how they would be able to wrap it up before it would end... but somehow they did it anyway. And while I was impressed they managed to create a somewhat acceptable ending for the whole build-up they had created, I did feel disappointed that I wouldn't be able to stay in this world with these characters just a little bit longer.
Not sure if a season 2 is even possible, at this point I don't trust Netflix with anything - but I'd definitely watch a season two if it ever comes out.
But yeah, if you're looking for a quick drama to watch, and you don't mind all the dark themes that come with a dystopian drama, this is a must-watch.
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dramastream · 7 months ago
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Jeong Su In & Seol Kang Woo, Ep. 06 Parasyte: The Grey (2024) dir. Yeon Sang Ho
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kdramaspace · 2 years ago
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🔁 please consider reblogging to increase our sample size
as always, if you’d like to submit a potential POTW question, you may send in your submissions here.
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