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[lysieblu]

Hana Yori Dango Season 2 (2007, Japan)

Masochism brings me here yet again. This is a drama I love to hate. This drama is so ridiculous. I understand now where the Korean version got the bulk of it's material from. (30% from season 1; 70% from Season 2) The Korean Version is still the meanest.

Spoilers

To sum up this drama, two idiots fall in love, part 2. For someone who supposed to take over a conglomerate, Domyoji is a fucking idiot. He was too young to inherit such a big position. He lacked practical and/or learned business knowledge. F4 hanging out at the high school when they should have been in college, so fucking lame. Towards the end with the whole amnesia bit, I was triggered all over again. Burn it all down. The proposal. She had to run to the venue and was in uniform instead of a dress. The red dress Domyoji sent her was hideous. She would have rocked it but we never got to see it. This was so unfair. Even in the end she couldn't be on equal footing with him.

[lysieblu]

2020-ish from my drafts....

Things I'm looking forward to with Discovery of Witches Part 2 Shadow of Night series and Part 3

1. Gallowglass.. He's my favorite side character.

Philippe.... incomplete entry/thought.......

2025

Now that the whole series is on Netflix: Honestly, The first season was good but the second season didn't stick to the books and I couldn't enjoy it. It's out of order which compromises the original plot and character growth. I didn't get pass the first episode. Really disappointed. Will forever love the books and reread the whole series including the new one that just came out.

[lysieblu]

Personal Taste (2015, Korean)

Overall, I enjoyed this drama. It's much better than Full House, even with some of the same issues. Spoilers ahead.

Kae-In (Sound Similar to Gay)

Weak pushover FL, again. At least this time, it made sense. It's not an actual plot point, but it becomes obvious that she is the way she is because of her dad. Her mom died and he left, so she people pleased not to upset people and keep them near. She does this regardless of whether these people deserve to be near her. Her character lacks visible character development. ML (Lee Min Ho) softens and she should have hardened a bit. I wish she would have told everyone to fuck off; everyone being In-Hee and Chang-Ryul. (I remember you sir from When the Camillia Blooms.)

This is an issue I have with most dramas and it could be subtitles translation issue but I hate the lack of "direct-ness." Characters never directly apologize or take accountability for their actions or events. Never address the issue head on. Sometimes it's done to prolong the plot and drama. FLs dad never said, "you did not kill your mom." She didn't. It was a freak accident. It's actually more his fault for choosing weak glass for a child to play on. I know stronger glass and preventative measures exist.

Kim In Hee gave me all the villain I needed. I wanted to drag her. I find it hard to believe she could pretend to be a friend consistently for 10 years. There were probably signs but Kae-In was too naive to notice let alone set call In-Hee out on her shit or set a boundary.

The real tragedy of this drama is Director Choi (Ryu Seung Ryong) not finding love at the end. Seeing Ryu Seung Ryong was such a surprise.

[lysieblu]

Full House (Kdrama, 2004)

I'm cleaning out my Viki watchlist. I'm trying to but basically impossible. I decided to tackle older dramas first, which led me here. I went into this knowing I was going to be frustrated and let a lot go for the most part until the final 4-5 episodes.

Spoilers

The plot - if you can call it that - became so repetitive. The push and pull/break up to somewhat make up became so annoying. It wasn't clever or good writing at all. These characters are bunch of children playing as adults with no character development at all. Everything magically fixes itself in the end. 16 episodes is too much. This drama could have been resolved in 8-12 episodes. 12 is being generous.

The good:

Young Rain

Young Song Hye Kyo: The Glory was satisfying but heavy. It's nice seeing her in a lighter role. It's been a while since I've seen her in something light.

Min Hyeok (Kim Sung Soo): The only character that made sense most of the series. He told Hye Won, "you don't love me, you like the idea of me." His whole presence should have encouraged change in Young Jae. I wish the series would have leaned into his "blunt wisdom" so much more. He was the plot point. He does lose cool points in the end where it was hinted that he may go back to Hye Won. I need these characters to have more self-respect and enforce boundaries.

The bad:

Full House: This was a major plot point that fell flat for me. Ji Eun was scammed out of her house so there should have been a bigger deal made when she got it back. The constant cleaning was annoying. Was there nothing else to do in that house? It was also a means of control for Young Jae which diminishes its sparkle. This drama could have probably benefited from a village. People who could show our main characters what love and care for one another could look like. Also, the bad lighting and bugs.

Hye Won: they should have leaned more into to her being the manipulative vixen she could have been. She should have been a major trigger for character development for both leads.

Young Jae: Man Child. Ji Eun had to basically treat him like a toddler. The yelling and name calling was annoying. He was softer with Hye Won than he was with Ji Eun.

What should have happened (my head canon): Min Hyeok should have showed Young Jae how fickle Hye Won was by acting interested in her again. Just for her to leave/ignore him and try for Min Hyeok because he was always her first choice. That should have triggered the realization that Hye Won did not love Young Jae as much as he loved her and he should have been the one to let her go.

Towards the end, Young Jae should have focused on getting his life back on track versus trying to get Ji Eun back. That would have been infinitely more attractive.

Ji Eun: Push Over. I am tired of the "enduring" female lead trope and how women have to suffer for love. I just wish she would have stood her ground with her "friends," with Young Jae and Hye Won.

Ji Eun's friends: Scammers that should have went to jail. In the beginning when she was barely pregnant, I would have beat the breaks of these two. I don't give a fuck, judge ya momma.

What should have happened and how this story should have ended: At the press conference Young Jae had, he should have told the truth about his contract marriage and explained how Ji Eun got scammed. That would have taken the pressure off of Ji Eun and put it on the friends who would be investigated and sent to jail. (he should simultaneously press charges. The public court documents would have revealed the friends.) He should the declare his love and promise to be a better person for his fans and Ji Eun. (What's fucked is that in real life Korea/US/media would have blamed Ji Eun for getting scammed.)

[lysieblu]

The Geat Shaman Go Doo Shim

High school student, daughter of a Shaman, fights evil spirit killing the student in last place of mock exams. She joins forces with top student Na Woo Soo to solve the mystery and banish this evil.

Cute, easily bingable drama. A few moments of inconsistency but easily ignored. Not much to say just really enjoyable for what it is.

[lysieblu]

The Witch

I watched this one only for Jinyoung, but the story moved so slow I had to drop it. It's been over a month since I started it, and I just wasn't interested in finishing. I thought I had lost my love for kdramas. However, I finished Weak Class 2 over a weekend. I don't like to drop things. But I had to let this one go.

[lysieblu]

2024 Drama Review

Better late than never.

Death Game (Part 2, Korea) 9.5

Crash Landing on You (Korea) 10

I get the hype and also feel it's overrated at the same time.

3. Gyeongseong Creature (Korea) 8.5

Just finished part 2 and I love this drama. However, making me wait a few months for the continuation sometimes does more harm than good. The stunts towards the end did get to be a bit much

4. Doona (Korea) 9

5. Big Mouth (Korea) 8.5

6. A Shop for Killers (Korea) 9

Love it plot holes and all. The oppas in this.. IN LOVE (FYI I’m not much younger than Lee Dong Wook)

7. A Killer Paradox (Korea) 10

8. Revenant (Korea) 9.5

9. Why Her? (Korea) 10

10. While You Were Sleeping (Korea) 9.5

11. Start-Up (Korea) 9.5

12. Duty After School Part 1 & 2 (Korea) 8.5

13. At A Distance Spring is Green (Korea) 9.5

                Would have been a 10 had it been the BL it was supposed to be. Park Ji Hoon can do no wrong.

14. Queen of Tears (Korea) 9.5

15. Ikebukuro West Gate Park/SP (Japan) 6.5

                It’s so bad it’s kinda good? I don’t remember how I got here other than my obsession with Durara (Anime) which has similar themes and also take place in Ikebukuro

16. House of Ninjas (Japan)

Sequel please.

17. ATypical Family (Korea) 9

18. Age of Youth (Hello My Twenties, Korea)

Most realistic portrayal of young women I have seen in a kdrama.

19. Midnight Studio (Korea) 9.0

                My favorite genre of anything.

20. One The Woman (Korea) 9

21. Sweet Home (Korea) 8

22. Persona Sulli (Korea)

23. The Devil Judge (Korea) 10

24. Twinkling Watermelon (Korea) 9.5

25. Gangnam B-Side (Korea)

                I worship the ground Ji Chang Wook walks on.

26. When the Phone Rings (Korea) 8.5

                Episode 12, the first half does not exist because WTF

27. Squid Game Season 2 (Korea) 9.0

                At this point you can’t ruin the hype for Season two. However, I feel like the break for season 3 ruins the story telling.

Movies

Start Up (Korea) 8.5

Cheese in the Trap (Korea) 6.0

Does not do the drama justice

3. Marry My Dead Body (BL, Taiwanese) 8.5

4. To My Star (BL, Korea) 9

Excellent summary of the drama

5. Mouse: Theatrical Cut (Korea) 7

                This tells the story from the killer’s POV

[lysieblu]

Arrhdal Chronicals: The Sword of Aramun

Finally catching up with Arthdal Chronicals. Going into the last episode and I fear they are going to shove everything into this one episode or set it up for another sequel that will take 5 years to produce.

I need to know how Tagon and some of his army survived that fire without a burn.

Never got the answer to the above question and that ruins the believability of this world for me. I turned my brain off until now. I overlooked the weird blurring of the edges of scenes or the long dialogue in midst of a fight scene.

The ending was a bit rushed but not annoyingly so. I enjoyed all the characters. Lee Joon Gi did an excellent job picking up where the previous actor left off. The Lore didn't hold solid for me because it seemed as if the twins and Tanya would rule together, but Saya leaves the land and plans to come back to take over, like what? There is a light vs dark twin trope developing here, but the execution is lacking.

Despite my critiques, overall, I enjoyed the series. I loved the queen's styling. The headresses and gowns were gorgeous. They did set it up for another sequel, but I think it's time to let it go now. The whole series is based on a specific lore, and now that it's come true, anything else moving forward would feel like I have wasted my time. It would require impeccable writing, and this series is lacking a bit in that area.

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[Things sitting in my drafts]

Our Blues

It takes a village.

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It's been a while. Here my cat being my most unproductive co worker.

[lysieblu]

Big Mouth (Kdrama)

A lawyer who couldn't back his bravado up with facts gets entangled in white collar gang shit. We are met with Big Mouth who sucked as a lawyer. He finally gets a "big break" and plays his cards too soon thus landing him in jail to become Big Mouse. This is a interesting story. Hulu/Disney+ is really doing it when it comes to non-romantic dramas. I really liked the back and forth between the ML, Big Mouse, and the "Rich Assholes." The twist and reveals were perfect.

My main complaint was the ML aversion to Big Mouse. ML blames him for everything at first but it was the ML that got himself into this situation. The Evil Mayor was to blame also. Big Mouse was only dangerous to the rich assholes so I didn't get why he was mad. Big Mouse also saved his life multiple times. ML was so willing to be used by Evil Mayor (who was doing illegal shit too) but not Big Mouse. Was it the lack of perception of control? Did he feel he had more control working for Evil Mayor then Big Mouse? Or was it the not knowing who or what the entity of Big Mouse is? Big Mouse made him the important person he pretended to be so I didn't get why ML was so mad?

SPOILERS

I read a few reviews about being upset with the ending and that it felt rushed. I have conflicting views as I felt the ending was both adequate and rushed. I wish that the moment where the ML realizes that there is no way to legally win this war (because the legal system itself is corrupt) would have been emphasized more. I wished he would mourned his wife's death more dramatically to help emphasize that point. I wished the Evil Mayor's death was more dramatic. Like yea we have the pool scene but follow it up with him keeling over in public and them somehow tie that in to the toxic water the Mayor previously denied was toxic. I just wish we could have seen it be played out more in one or two more episodes. BTW Han Ja Ho never got punished for his wife's death. I don't like that. He's in jail but for a different murder. However, I am not mad at the ending as it is.

8.5/10

[lysieblu]

A Shop for Killers

Spoilers

Now that episode 5 has dropped, I want to take the time to say... I didn't trust that mf, Bae Jung Min, the moment he appeared on screen giving alibis and answering questions I didn't ask. His behavior has always been suspect. He offered to clean the crime scene. He took too long to return the phone he found in the bathroom. The comments when he made it into the mall. How did he know Brother was sensitive to light? By the time we got the computer/camera scene, my suspicions were confirmed.

After watching episodes 5 & 6, I don't think Jinman is dead. The explanation of his death has holes. I think he's faking.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, those holes never got filled in so I am praying for a season two.

Overall, good show with excellent characters and action scenes and the best female action stunts I've seen in a while. Niece, Jung ji An, finds out about her Uncle's (Jung Ji Man) past life after his "death" which puts a bounty on her head. The story unfolds to eventually explain "how we got here" except the very literal, "HOW WE GOT HERE." What specifically set off the reason why Ji Man faked his death? It wasn't just Bae's attempt to kill him. We don't really get Ji Man's point of view on this. What happened in that footage that was removed? I mean of course he set up the "death" but the why/how is missing for me. Of course I can guess or assume but I don't want to. This was all because of Babylon and Bale but Bale was missing from the action. Ji Man shows up not dead and injured. Are we supposed to assume he took on Bale? Fighting him off screen is a poor direction choice.

Overall, I enjoyed this. But I really need a season 2.

A moment for the Fan Girl

The ajussis were AJUSSHI-ING! Actually, factoring in my age more like... The oppas were OPPA-ING!!! Jin Man (Lee Dong Wook, my fav), Bale, Pasin, Honda. All handsome men.

So Min Hye.. did the damn thing.

Bae: I hated/loved his character. His arrogance and overconfidence led to his downfall. He wasn't as smart as he thought cause bro, read the room. You are not a killer.

Did anyone else see that once scene with Ji Man running? It looked so fake. How that make the final cut? People are using it in edits and it don't look weird to y'all?

[lysieblu]

K-Dramas 2023

Here is a list of the dramas I watched last year. I ordered them in order of my favorites to not so much. I based it on my MyDramaList ratings. I thought it was a lot, but MyDramaList counts Part 1 and 2 as separate dramas. How may reviews have I written?? Not many. There were so many great shows last year but I didn’t take the time to gather my thoughts. I’ll do better this year.

Dramas (30)

Moving (2023, Korea) 10

The Glory Part 1 & 2 (2022, Korea) 10

Weak Hero Class 1 (2022, Korea) 10

Signal (2016, Korea) 10

Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023, Korea) 10

Perfect Marriage Revenge (2023, Korea) 10

Soundtrack #1

Bad and Crazy (2021, Korea) 9.5

Death’s Game (2023, Korea) 9.5

The Worst of Evil (2023, Korea) 9.5

Twenty-Five, Twenty-Nine (2022, Korea) 9.5

D.P. Part 1 & 2 (2021-2023, Korea) 9.25

Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023, Korea) 9

Suspicious Partner (2017, Korea) 9

The Hymn of Death (2018, Korea) 9

Tomorrow (2022, Korea) 8.5

My Lovely Liar (2023, Korea) 8.5

The Uncanny Counter Season 2 Counter Punch (2023, Korea) 8.5

Bloodhounds (2023, Korea) 8.5

My Demon (2023, Korea) 8

The Guest (2018, Korea) 8

Sweet Home Season 2 (2023, Korea) 8

Forest (2020, Korea) 8

A Business Proposal (2022, Korea) 8

Just Between Lovers (2017, Korea) 8

Island Part 1 & 2 (2022-2023, Korea) 7.75

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016, Korea) 7.5

Because This is My First Life (2017, Korea) 7.5

The Heavenly Idol (2023, Korea) 7.5

Heartbeat (2023, Korea) 7.5

Movies (13)

20th Century Girl (2022, Korea) 9.5 (Cried like a bitch)

One Smile is Very Alluring (2016, China) [Love O2O the Movie]  9

The Door Into Summer (2021, Japan) 8.5

Love and Leashes (2022, Korea) 8.5

Spiritwalker (2021, Korea) 8

A bit like death game but not as profound

Jung E (2023, Korea) 8.5

Deliver Us From Evil (2020, Korea) 8

The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (2022, Korea) 8

The Mimic (2017, Korea) 7.5

Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Revenge Scar (2022, Japan) 7

The Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2019, Korea) 7

The Pirates 2: The Last Royal Treasure (2022) 7

Carter (2022, Korea) 5

Action for the sake of action

Other – No particular order (3)

J-Hope in the Box (2023, Movie)

Paik’s Spirit (2021, Korea, TV show)

BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star (2023, Korea, TV Show)

[lysieblu]

Sweet Home Season 2

If you told me that this was the prequel to Tokyo Ghoul or a Korean version Seoul Ghoul... I'd believe you. Cha Hyun Soo's monster form is reminiscent of Touka.

I was confused for a moment, wondering where this story would go. It managed to make sense and be interesting by episode 6. I dont hate it, but im not in love with it. It's not so grand to justify having to wait 6 months for the next season. I have nothing else to say just... nice ass.

[lysieblu]

Welcome to Samdal-di

Week 1: Episodes 1 & 2

So the overall premise is similar to Hometown Cha Cha Cha and has been done many times before. It's interesting that the scandal that brought the FL home to Jeju is similar to what happened to the ML from Cha Cha Cha in real life. He was deemed innocent and took a break from acting. It's unfortunate how easy and often this happens to innocent people. I'm intrigued to see where this story goes. Is the mom sick?

FL did nothing wrong and I will fight a bitch.

[lysieblu]

Kdramas leaking Into other areas of my life

I bought the new Hunger Games ebook years ago. The movie is coming out, and I'm thinking I should read it now. The story is focused on the Coriolanus Snow, the president who terrorized Katniss in the first 4 movies, his life as a young man. I hate his name and have been calling him, Corn Salad. Why? Because Vincenzo.

[lysieblu]

20 Century Girl

Spoilers

Beautiful, nostalgic, and sad story. I just need to know... HOW DID HE DIE? I cried like a bitch. I might cry some more in this shower. This is crazy. It's been a minute since I've mourned a fictional character.

I know we watch this stuff to escape the realities of life but I also enjoy the occasional reminder. Enjoy every moment you have with loved ones. Seriously... I need to cry some more.