#[also liking lee sung kyun in his role so far]

[aellyne]

PAYBACK: MONEY AND POWER (2023) — EP. 01

[sqewed0722]

The Fiery Priest

So I decided to join the bandwagon and check out what all the hype is about with this drama starring Kim Nam Gil and Lee Ha-nui.  

The story revolves around a Roman Catholic priest named Father Michael Kim Hae-il, who tries to put the demons of his past to rest by taking on the cloth. Father Kim used to be a soldier, and not just an ordinary soldier, but an intelligence operative.  During one of his missions, he ends up killing several children by mistake at the order of his superior and the incident caused him to give up his career in the intelligence bureau.  He tries to live a life as an ordinary citizen, but the trauma of what he has gone through propels him into self-destructive behavior.  He drinks indiscriminately and picks fights with strangers and in one of those encounters, almost loses his life.  An old priest named Father Gabriel Lee Young Joon finds him bleeding on the pavement and takes him home.  Father Lee nurses Hae-il back to health, both physically and spiritually, and inspires him to become a priest himself.  However, the process of healing is not easy, and Hae-il often finds himself losing control of his emotions, despite having taken the vows.  He is sent back to Father Lee but just when he is about to settle down and try to find peace again, Father Lee is murdered.  This sets Hae-il spiraling downward again into anger, and he decides to take matters into his own hands to investigate and bring to justice the people who killed his mentor and father-figure.  

Along the way, he encounters Prosecutor Park Kyeong Sun (played by Lee Ha-nui), Detective Koo Dae Young (played by Kim Sung Kyun) and rookie Detective Seo Seung Ah (played by Keum Sae Rok).  Prosecutor Park is an up-and-coming star prosecutor who somehow strives to be a good Catholic, yet her desire to succeed in her profession often leads her to act in ways that aren’t exactly in consonance with the teachings of her faith.  Detective Koo is an underachieving detective who tries to keep his head down amidst the corruption in his force, even as he strives to honor the memory of a partner who had been killed by the same corrupt people who controls the police.  Detective Seo is an idealistic young detective who courageously tries her best to uphold the positive values of the police, or at least what she believes them to be, despite the odds.

Together with Sister Kim, a religious sister who seems to be batty and scatterbrained, yet hides a past about as shady and mysterious as Father Kim’s, Father Han, a young priest who turns out to be a former child star, Oh Ha Yong, a cashier at the nearby convenience store who faithfully attends the church where Father Lee used to lead, and Song Sak, an immigrant Thai who’s best friends with Ha Yong and turns out to be an excellent fighter, these people form the rag-tag team of “avengers” called Team Tsunami in this drama.

The premise of “The Fiery Priest” is as outrageous as it is far-fetched.  A Roman Catholic priest would be suspended if he were to conduct himself the way Father Kim does, beating up people in broad daylight while in his vestments, complete with his Roman collar.  Regardless of how just or right he may be, the way he acts would totally go against the values of the faith he practices and preaches.  But I guess  in the interests of drama, they needed a fresh take on the anti-hero.  The premise of a former intelligence agent turning his back on his profession and living the life of an ordinary citizen but being forced by circumstances to use his skill again in order to defeat new enemies has been done countless times (think Bourne Identity).  So how does one put a fresh twist into this premise?  Why, turn the anti-hero into a priest.  A priest with anger management issues, PTSD, and killer instincts.

I guess what works for this drama is the fact that everything is done tongue-in-cheek.  Despite the underlying seriousness and gravity of the plot, as well as Father Kim’s emotional and spiritual journey (coupled with those of his teammates), the drama is executed in comedic fashion, sometimes with such hilarity that you end up suspending disbelief over their antics and just taking everything in good fun. It also helps a lot that the actors are so charismatic and effective in their roles.  Kim Nam Gil carries the craziness and volatile temper of Father Kim with such aplomb.  Same with Lee Ha-nui, whose facial expressions as Prosecutor Park are so funny and cartoonish yet without looking odd or overacted.  Same goes for the rest of the cast.  And they have such amazing chemistry together, maybe because they’re having fun doing it.

This may not be a popular opinion but I hope this drama doesn’t jump ship by making Father Kim give up being a priest in the end.  That would be tantamount to a defeat, because the journey from his old life as an intelligence officer who’s trained to kill, to a priest who gives hope and new life to others is a long one.  To my mind, such an end would belittle the sacrifices he made, along with those like Father Lee who believed so much in him and supported him in his journey.  It would be more radical and satisfying if he chooses to remain a priest in spite of everything - yes, in spite of his chemistry and sexual tension with Prosecutor Park and Detective Seung Ah’s crush on him - and for him to end up positively influencing the lives of his teammates in Team Tsunami and inspiring them to become better versions of themselves.  After all, if someone like Father Kim can do it, then they can do it too.    

In any case, he can always put his intelligence officer skills to good use by moving to the Vatican and working for the Pope.  ^_^

[ihsentertainmentlatest]

Come on, get acquainted with 10 actors in the Korean Drama Navillera (2021)!

Navillera is one of the Korean dramas that you must watch. The story is very interesting and touching. This is a story about the struggle of a boy who falls in love with ballet. Meanwhile, the family and the environment think that ballet for men is ridiculous and embarrassing.

However, those who initially looked down on ballet changed after this boy successfully demonstrated his ability in ballet. And, being able to become a ballet teacher for an old man who since childhood had also fallen in love with ballet but did not materialize because his father had strictly forbidden him.

Even though they are very far apart in age, they both managed to look stunning in a ballet performance in Navillera. So, who 's the lineup for the Navillera drakor players? Read on and have prepared the list below.

1. Park In Hwan In this drama, Park In Hwan plays Shim Deok Chul, a man in his 70s who suffers from Alzheimer's. Since childhood, he fell in love with ballet, but could not fulfill his dream because of strict prohibition from his father who thought that the man was not worthy to enter the world of ballet.

2. Song Kang Song Kang plays Lee Chae Rok, a high school student who loves ballet. Her late mother was a former great and famous ballet. She had to live alone and support herself by working part time on the sidelines of her busy life in ballet, as her father was imprisoned for mistreatment of his students.

3. Na Moon Hee Na Moon Hee plays Choi Haenam, the wife of Shim Deok Chul. This mother of 3 children at first strongly opposed her husband's desire to enter ballet . However, after seeing her husband's hard work, and knowing his husband's illness which had been hidden for so long, she began to support him. She also felt proud that her husband was able to perform well in the Swan Lake ballet in Navirella.

4. Hong Seung Hee Hong Seung Hee plays Shim Eun Ho, the granddaughter of Shim Deok Chul. Eun Ho works part time at the same place as Chae Rok. Chae Rok often helps him when he gets into trouble with his work. They get closer after Eun Ho finds out that his grandfather is Chae Rok's ballet student.

5. Kim Tae Hoon Kim Tae Hoon here plays the role of Ki Seung Joo. She is a former ballet athlete who has a private ballet school. Seung Joo specifically recruits Chae Rok as his student.

Although sometimes he is impatient with Chae Rok's character, but in the end he managed to make Chae Rok into a ballet who went international. Seung Joo is also willing to accept and train Deok Chul, although at first he was hesitant because Deok Chul was not young anymore.

6. Jung Hae Kyun Shim Sung Dan is the first child of Deok Chul, played by Jung Hae Kyun. Seung Dan is a dutiful child, only he is very strict with the rules he applies to his family, including his parents.

His intentions were actually good, wanting his family to live comfortably and happily. However, he forgot for a moment, that everyone has a dream that can't be changed just like that even if he pushes and gets in the way. Sung Dan finally had to be willing to see his wife working in his office, while he was forced to quit his job because of a problem with his job.

7. Kim Soo Jin Deok Chul's second child, Shim Sung Suk, is played by actress Kim Soo Jin. She is a wife who supports her husband's political career, even though he still has not succeeded in becoming an established politician.

She had given up on her not getting pregnant because she was already in her 4th birthday. However, thanks to her mother's support and seeing her father's hard work not giving up ballet at an old age, she was back on her feet.

8. Jo Bok Rae Shim Sung Gwan is the third child of Deok Chul, played by actor Jo Bok Rae. Actually, Sung Gwan is a surgeon. It's just that since the death of his first patient, he chose to give up his job as a doctor and chose to be unemployed. However, he has a dream to become a director.

Sun Gwan was the first person in the family to support his father in ballet. He was also excited to document every activity his father did during ballet practice. And, cares more about his father ever since Chae Guk revealed to him the secret of his father's illness.

9. Yoon Ji Hye Yoon Ji Hye plays Eun So Ri, the ex-wife of Ki Seung Joo (Kim Tae Hoon). She is also a ballet coach at the official ballet school. And reunited with Seung Joo after training Chae Rok and Deok Chul together.

10. Kim Kwon Kim Kwon plays Yang Ho Beom, one of the students on Chae Guk's father's soccer team. Because his football career was hindered by Chae Guk's father, he felt a grudge against Chae Guk. Wherever and wherever Chae Guk was, he always intimidated Chae Guk and mistreated him.

However, because he often gets advice from Deok Chul, he begins to change. Chae Guk's father, who was finally released from prison, has apologized to him and supported Ho Beom to return to football by gifting Ho Beom soccer boots. Ho Beom who at first looked down on ballet, through Chae Guk, came to know that ballet also requires hard work and the practice process is not easy.

[kaori04]

what do you wanna see park sung woong do next, who do you want him to work with?

I would really like to see him as a main character in a movie, not just any movie, but a really well-crafted one (I’m not saying Method was bad, I’m happy it happened too, but it was a low-budget and indie film). Like New World, The Wailing, Asura. Something big and very anticipated.

Answering your second question, if we are speeking about directors and screenwriters, then Park Hoon-Jung (New World, The Unjust, V.I.P.), Na Hong-Jin (The Yellow Sea, The Wailing), Kim Sung-Su (City of the Rising Sun, Asura), Bong Joon Ho, may be Park Chan Wook or even Lee Chang Dong?? That’s like the best case scenario haha. It could be someone less known, but still good (like Lee Soo-Youn, I liked Bluebeard very much), may be a new face that would turned out to be very succesful with their first work (I think it’s about a time for new promising director to appear).

If we are talking about possible costars, then given that I have already seen him working with Hwang Jung Min, Lee Jung Jae and Jeon Do-Yeon, now I would be happy to see him with any of my other favourites, like Song Kang Ho, Bae Doo Na, Shin Ha Kyun.

Speaking of the character he might play, I would like it to be somewhat similar to his roles in New World and For The Emperor, but I suspect he already got tired of that image, so I would also be glad to be surprised with something new as I was with his current role in Life on Mars. I didn’t expect him to carry such character so well and yet he did and I’m in love with him once again. But anyway I want his character to be morally gray or even evil, I want his story to raise difficult moral questions, I want to hate and love his character at the same time. I want it to be a thriller that will keep me on the edge of my sit and I want it to have an ending that will make you watch the whole movie once again with different angle. I want this movie to bring PSW’s career to the next level and make his fanbase bigger, I want him to be in-demand even more than he is now.

Despite what I said I’m pretty happy with what he is doing now, far more happy than with what he was doing few years ago. I think LoM was a great choice for him and his next drama project looks very promising too. I only wish he was more present on a big screen as well, not just in background supporting roles.

[hopeperspectives]

While You Were Sleeping: Memorables and other little thoughts

One of my favourite dramas of this season has finally ended (awwww... *tears*) Just thought I’ll put together some unforgettable moments and little thoughts I have. In short, just another way of doing an end-of-series review I guess. *Spoilers alert*

1. Suzy actually looks good in short hair

I’ve almost always known Suzy in long hair but she looks pretty adorable in short hair too! 

Can I also say, Suzy has improved heaps since I’ve since her in Dream High. She was great as bubbly-weird-sassy Hong Joo! I also loved that Hong Joo was not your typical weak heroine. 

2. Lee Jong Suk does some pretty amazing kiss scenes

Exhibits as follow...

I rest my case... it’s his hands, head positioning...... EVERYTHING! 

It’s also to Suzy’s credit, but this guy has so many awesome kiss scenes under his belt! (I admit, I still remember most of W’s kiss scenes till today!)

3. Batman’s epilogue is the most heart-breaking thing ever

(*Plays OST and cries*) Batman needs his own heroine, I swear. 

It breaks my heart to realise that Woo Tak has a part of his heart carved out for Hong Joo that no one else can fill. Even then, he never plotted to become the standard third wheel in this relationship because he knew he never had a chance. Yet, he stands by Hong Joo like a guardian angel. And that’s what makes him such a dear friend, even to his “love rival” Jae Chan. If only it wasn’t Lee Jong Suk...!

4. Lee Sang Yeob is a better person than Yoo Bum

I was expecting to see Yoo Bum change possibly for the better since he did seem quite guilt-tripped by his actions. But NO!! WHY IN THE WORLD did Yoo Bum kill Ahjussi Choi for?? In the FULL view of everyone at the courthouse, I’m puzzled as to why Yoo Bum thinks that would a good idea.

That aside, Sang Yeob is quite funny himself. 

I totally forgot he was Hong Joo’s boyfriend for about half an episode. HAHA! I hope Sang Yeob gets some heartthrob roles in the future because I think he can do those too! (Hae In too!! My dear Batman!)

5. The cameos!

Why didn’t Yoon Kyun Sang and Lee Sung Kyung get their own case?!? They would have been so great and possibly as adorable!

And then there’s Kim So Hyun who was memorable as So Yoon. She and Suzy make a funny bickering pair (I’m glad Suzy held her part next to such a seasoned young actress!). It was also a nice surprise to see her back in the final episode! 

6. The non-existent bus stop

So, if you ever wanted to go to Korea to relive the bus stop scenes with a special someone, I’m sad to tell you that it was just a set (I can’t imagine how crowded it will be if it was a real operational bus stop though. It’ll be like Goblin’s breakwater!). But, there are other locations to be scouted if you are keen: (link) 

7. Nam Da Reum plays Lee Jong Suk again (and again)

You may also remember him as young Jong Suk in Pinocchio (and the movie No Breathing). I don’t think I can see him playing anyone else’s teenage days because he does have strong Lee Jong Suk vibes! 

8. What happened to Hong Joo’s special coverage of the prosecutors’ office?

Because we got interrupted by the IV drip murder case, it made me wonder where did all the wonderful footage of Jae Chan and Shin pro go? 

Sidenote: It my first time seeing Ko Sung Hee, she was pleasant but there was also so little of her. Hopefully we’ll get to see her around more!

9. Why (and how) did Hong Joo recover that fast?

The medical miracle of Hong Joo going from fully sedated and intubated to walking and talking happens in almost every other medical drama. I’m more surprised that with all the talk (and dreams) building up to Hong Joo’s impending doom, the writer’s approach was just to skip past all the potential goodness of having Jae Chan in angst and go straight to the hugs and kisses. I mean, I would love to see how Jae Chan would deal with Yoo Bum in the courtroom while Hong Joo is still fighting for her life. Somehow the hype is a lot more flat and the stakes are so much lower with Hong Joo being very much alive and testifying in court. Well, I guess their reunion was still very cute.

10. So, how do these dreams actually work?

There was an episode where Woo Tak, Hong Joo and Jae Chan were exploring how they get these dreams (including how they lick yogurt covers). There was also an episode where Woo Tak speculated the dreams are due to the dreamer feeling indebted towards their saviour. But never once did anyone conclusively answer the question.

We then find out Ahjussi Choi also has dreams about Jae Chan which is by far the best portrayal of how these dreams can be used: to repay someone despite knowing that you will die doing so. And so proves Woo Tak’s theory to be correct. 

But what about Hong Joo’s dreams? Maybe it JUST happened. And then there’s a bigger question: Are Woo Tak’s dreams really colourless? 

I don’t know exactly what I’ll do if I have such dreams. It can be rather stressful trying to get restful sleep and save the world (if I even remember my dreams after I wake up!). I just hope I have such friends to share my moments awake with. Give me a batman!

[obsessivedilettante]

Dramaland Forecast: November 2017

 Previously: 2016 - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - June - July - Aug - Sept - Oct

Completed:

Woman of Dignity -- considering how much I’ve hated this writer’s previous works, I went into this with negative expectations. I just wanted some background noise while I appreciated drama queens Kim Sun Ah and Kim Hee Sun. To my surprise, I got totally sucked into this saga about the “Desperate Housewives of Gangnam.” The gothic murder-mystery also definitely helped me to goggle at every cliff-hanger and queue up the next episode, and I ended up binging the series in a matter of days. Despite my low expectations, this has become one of my favorite drama-watching experiences of the year.

Currently watching:

The Package

Black

Dropping/skipping:

Mad Dog -- the lack of Leverage style capers was definitely a disappointment, since based on the first couple of episodes I thought that this would be that kind of show. I also really hated Woo Do Hwan’s character and wanted to punch his smirky face whenever he was on screen. Considering I fell asleep in the middle of an episode and then decided it wasn’t worth my time to rewind, it’s clear this is not the show for me. Sorry, Yoo Ji Tae! Hopefully your next drama is more to my liking!

Upcoming dramas of interest:

I’m Not A Robot -- a man who falls in love with a woman pretending to be robot because he has an allergy to other people is definitely an interesting concept, although I’m instinctively wary of any love interest that puts a woman in a category of “robot.” The cast is excellent, though, but that’s probably me thinking Uhm Ki Joon can do no wrong.

Meloholic -- OCN has made its name with gritty thrillers and cerebral mysteries, so I’m very hesitant when they try to branch out into more comedic or romantic fodder. There’s also a lot about this show that puts a few strikes against it, such as a director who’s very hit or miss with the quality of his shows (mostly miss with me) and, y’know, it stars U-Know Yunho (who, to be fair, I actually really enjoyed in the mini-drama I Order You, but historically he hasn’t exactly been one of those idol-actors that command a strong thespian presence). I’m curious if it will be as... ah... mediocre... as I presume it will be, but doubt I’ll make time to actually watch it.

Nothing to Lose -- considering the quagmire of legal shows that make me sigh if I have to deal with yet another prosecutor trying to save the day, the concept of a legal drama about two judges with completely different personalities somehow seems novel and refreshing, even though I’m sure it will be no different than anything else we’ve seen before.

Doubtful Victory -- the premise is vaguely compelling in that “one sentence synopsis that may set up false expectations” way (a man escapes jail and becomes a fake cop), but I’m really liking the production team. The director previously worked on Tree With Deep Roots and Six Flying Dragons, which were both visually stunning, and 3 Days which, well, wasn’t terrible but I mostly remember being disappointed that it didn’t live up to my Kim Eun Hee fangirl expectations. The writer previously did School 2013 and Pride and Prejudice, which means I have faith that the script should be pretty decent. I also like the leads, Yoon Kyun Sang and Jung Hye Sung, although I haven’t heard about the supporting cast yet.

Untouchable -- this could be a dark horse drama, because it’s JTBC, I like this director, and the cast is pretty decent (Eunji! I’ve missed you!). But this writer is... eh... hit or miss, to put it nicely (oh the RAGE I still feel about the hours I spent in vain hope that Masked Prosecutor would somehow live up to its potential), so this will probably be one I skip and binge later if it doesn’t sound as soap-opera frustrating as it could be.

Two Cops -- I don’t think I have anything new to add so I’ll just say: Jo Jung Suk! Kim Sun Ho! Lee Shi Un! HOYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Bad Guys: City of Evil -- I don’t care about the complaints that it’s not a true sequel, it looks awesome and that caaaaaaaaaaaaast.

Jugglers -- Daniel Choi is coming back! And he’ll be starring with Kang Hye Jung (aka Tablo’s wife) who usually seems to prefer playing quirky/offbeat characters. Even though I’m still unsure about the premise, this cast definitely has my attention (and how shallow am I to hope for some lame excuse to show-off the post-army abs?).

Wise Prison Life -- the latest drama from Reply series PD Shin Won Ho, which means of course everyone’s favorite papa Sung Dong Il is in it. Also starring is Yoon Kyung Ho (and cutie-patootie Jung Hae In, who I’m happy to hear is getting lots of attention from his role in While You Were Sleeping, which I didn’t watch but I’m always pleased for my pet actors to gain the glory they deserve). The premise is vague so far (prison life), but the strength of the production team and cast means I’ll be tuning in.

Just Between Lovers -- my instinct is that this will be a low-key real-life character-based drama that JTBC does so well, so fingers crossed it lives up to those expectations.

The Most Beautiful Goodbye in the World -- I never saw the original, but it’s Noh Hee Kyung’s remake of her 1996 drama of the same name, which starred (and will once again star) everyone’s favorite granny, Kim Young Ok. I’m not sure if I’m ready for a gut-wrenching story about family and Alzheimer’s, but for Noh Hee Kyung, I’ll endure it.

Return -- I adore Go Hyun Jung so I was already vaguely interested in this legal-mystery-thriller, but now that there’s a rumor Park Ki Woong will join the cast, I’m definitely adding it to my watchlist. I adore Park Ki Woong but have not been impressed with his choices post-enlistment (in fact, I’ve been actively ignoring them), so hopefully this will be the drama to remind me why I’ve been his fan for so long.

Let’s Eat 3 -- really? REALLY??? I love foodie Goo Dae Young to bits but after season 2 completely writing out Soo Kyung noona as though she never existed, and the fact that the foodie scenes weren’t even all that appetizing, I’m going to be watching this with a very negative “prove me that this is all worthwhile” attitude (but of course I’m still going to watch, because dammit Dae Young, I can’t quit you).

[blackhatclubblog]

A new year, a whole new set of Asian dramas to look forward to!  Welcome to the first WWW of 2017!  We have some good kdramas; some weird cdramas mixed with good cdramas; half the time I don't even know with twdramas because sometimes I think, "Oooh, this sounds cool," and the rest of the time I think, "WHO WOULD WATCH THAT IT SOUNDS DEADLY DULL," but we have a couple for you to check out; aaaand no HKdramas. KOREAN: ~ Fireman AKA 'Naked Fireman' Empress: I'm dying...I just cannot understand...I...what...*cracks up again* Ambassador: City Hunter's gloriously tragic prosecutor LEE JOON HYUK, and since it's SK the modeling storyline can't be TOO BAD and I can look past the title- I'm interested enough to watch it... but I'm still cackling. Unni: -- ~ Chief Kim Empress: ....Nam Goong Min makes me a little curious...but not curious enough to watch it at the moment. Ambassador: Nam Goong Min and Nam Sang Mi sounds like an interesting combo.  The writer wrote Blood and God's Quiz- which I liked but wasn't terribly compelling- so given that + what this plot is so far, naaaah.  Far too many 2016 dramas for me to catch up on first.  The director did Page Turner, Empress. Unni: -- ~ Missing 9 Empress: Kang Ha Neul had me curious....Jung Kyung Ho Had me also curious but in a totally different way because he didn't seem like he'd fit the original story...then I found out the writer of Bad Guys was involved and it had possibly switched from comedy to thriller - I am absolutely going to check it out, and see if anything good manages to come from the mess that was this drama's making.   Ambassador: Nooooot really.  I was interested when it was called Picnic and was going to be a kpop band on a desert island- because I adore Swiss Family Robinson stories.  Then when it was renamed Gaia but the same plot and also KANG HA NEUL, I was definitely intrigued but I'm not any longer.  I'll check it out if the buzz is good but otherwise I'll focus on finishing my backlogged 2016 dramas. Unni: -- ~ Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People AKA Rebel Hong Gil Dong Empress: I have been forever meaning to watch one of the many Hong Gil Dong stories...this might be finally the one I watch. I was actually less interested in it when Ji Sung was considering it, but now that he's safely in Defendent where I wanted him, I can be excited for this one again. XD Ambassador: YESSSSS.  I'VE BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THIS DRAMA AND CAN'T WAIT.  YOON KYUN SANG AS HONG GIL DONG AND KIM SANG JOONG AS HIS FATHER. Unni: -- ~ Defendant Empress: hahahahah YES. I haven't managed to get through Entertainment yet...Ji Sung was horrendously miscast in that...but I am still in awe of him from Kill Me, Heal Me.   Ambassador: Ji Sung, Yuri, and Kim Min Suk in a prison break thriller.  ABSOLUTELY WATCHING IT.  Ji Sung is going to kill this role, I can already feel it. Unni: -- ~ Saimdang, Light's Diary Empress: I'm curious...time travel dramas either seem to be REALLY GOOD or really NOT (Queen In Hyun's Man is one of my favorite romances; Signal one of my favorite dramas...Moon Lovers...well...) so I might check it out if I can. Ambassador: After I get done fuming that this drama apparently gets 30 episodes and SCARLET HEART RYEO ONLY GOT 20 then yes, I'll probably check it out at some point, but it's not at the top of my list.  Kim Mi Kyung is in it, and she tends to pick great roles (Ahjumma or Lady Kim, anyone?). Unni: -- ~ Voice Empress: I have been liking the teaser trailers, and enjoyed a lot of the OCN dramas I've seen. AUGH, I'm still overwhelmed with 2016 dramas, and wanting to watch all of these does not bode well for my 2017 list... Ambassador: It looks pretty intriguing, OCN usually has good dramas and this is Jang Hyuk + Yesung and Baek Sung Hyun as secondary/minor characters so it's definitely going on my list.  The idea of tracking a person by voice alone is fascinating.  Multiple times I've recognized an actor in a drama by their voice more than their face so I'm really interested in this one. Unni: -- ~ Introvert Boss Empress: This is an odd drama that I've somehow managed to see mentioned in so many places I felt like it was already airing. Ambassador: Introvert vs Extrovert in a work place sounds hilarious but it's not something I immediately jump for.  Maybe at some point. Unni: -- ~ Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon Empress: ...I am literally watching Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, which is adorable and has me howling but which I can't picture being repeated with Park Bo Young. WHY do dramas come in groups like this? I like Weightlifting Fairy just fine, and don't feel like watching another version.   Ambassador: This one comes out at the end of the month or early next month and as a result there is little info on it yet but it sounds...odd?  *scratches it off list* Unni: -- ~ Justice Team Empress: Not much there, but 4 episode minidramas are nice to have around. (MINUS NUDE FIREMAN MODELS MAKES THEM EVEN NICER.) Ambassador: Messed up synopsis but enough to persuade me to try 4 episodes and Lee Joon Hyuk again apparently.  I'm glad he finished his weekend makjang drama so he is taking on other projects now.  HUZZAH. Unni: -- CHINESE: ~ Pretty Li Hui Zhen Empress:  *CRINGES* AHem. We're gonna finish SWP. But no way am I touching a Chinese version with a ten foot pole. Siwon was the only redeeming feature. XD Ambassador: HEH, China's She Was Pretty.  Well, since the Empress and I still have to finish watching SWP together and since we spend most of our time watching it yelling annoyance at everyone except for Siwon's character, NO.  I'm not sitting through the Chinese version.  There is only so much stupidity the human brain can handle before going insane or shutting down.  At least I now know how to torture some certain kinds of people... 'sit down and watch all 16 hours of this right now'.  (Obviously this does not apply to those who would like the drama.) Unni: -- ~ The General and I Empress: XD It could be describing any number of cdramas. I am intrigued by it (and the other any number)...but I am also buried under a mountain of kdrama... Ambassador: The plot sounds pretty cdrama typical but I have a weakness for this kind of plot- especially when one is a prince-general and another is a strategist.  There are a lot of names I know in this one: Angelababy, Madina Memet, Sun Yi Zhou, Wallace Chung.  There's been a lot of buzz around it online.  *adds it to list* Unni: -- ~ Magic Star Empress: This sounds like a video game...did I mention my impending suffocation by kdramas? Ambassador: The plot sounds pretty standard wuxia.  I'd be more likely to check it out for the actors than the plot: the detestable villain and fun third lead from Tornado Girl/Whirlwind Girl 2... but still, it's not very likely you'll find me watching this one. Unni: -- ~ Love, Life, & Lie Empress: Whatever happened to Live, Love, Laugh...I am not intrigued.   Ambassador: Ehhhh, too much standard rom com fare for me. Unni: -- ~ Xun Zhao Qian Shi Zhi Lu Empress: Okay, more intriguing..though I think I'd like to repeat what I said earlier about Time Travel...and maybe wait and see if the Ambassador ever gets around to it and what she thinks. XD Ambassador: This though, makes my ears perk up.  Time travel mixed with a backstory mystery?  *adds it to end of list* Unni: -- ~ Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossom Empress: Okay, based on a novel...a weird title that I actually completely love, unlike most "different" titles...it feels a bit melodrama, but sometimes I'm very much in the mood for that.   Ambassador: I've been planning to watch this one for a long time.  The title is beautiful, I've heard good things about the novel and now the drama plot, plus it stars Yang Mi, Mark Chao and Dilireba Dimurat.  Count me in! Unni: -- ~ The Chronicles of a Town Called Jian Empress: This reminds me of The Devi/Mawang, which is a drama I am positive I will like, once I get through the first 2 episodes. (Right up there with Heartless City and My Beautiful Bride and Bad Guys.) If this is a Chinese version of that, I am intrigued. If it's tarot cards and supernatural happenings...nope. Ambassador: Hmmm, it depends.  Generally I avoid anything with the use of tarot cards, but Asia tends to do that kind of thing differently, and the plot is just interesting enough that I might check it out.  Victoria, Yang Yang and Jiang Jin Fu star, and all three are good actors. Unni: -- TAIWAN ~ Close Your Eyes Before It's Dark Empress: I...haven't actually ever watched anything Taiwanese not a rom-com...well, I guess MARS was a little more on the dramatic/suspense side - and it creeped me right out a few times...so, while this is 7 episodes long and sounds exactly up my alley as far as dark, suspenseful, psychologically intriguing dramas go...I'm going to start it warily. XD Ambassador: Sounds like a mix of one episode of Vampire Detective and White Christmas.  *sticks it firmly on list* Unni: -- ~ The X Family 2 Empress: As is...nope.   Ambassador: *squints at it*  Whatever a Fenglongtie is, I think I want one to put on my brothers.  That said, I didn't see any of the other 6-8 dramas in the series and I won't be watching this one. Empress: *dying* yeah, maybe if we could get a few Fenglongties, I'd watch it. Unni: -- Empress: Cheers to wherever BHB goes in the next year! Ambassador: Hear hear, and we look forward to bringing you more reviews, WWWs, and other posts about the wonderful world of Asian drama! HAPPY 2017!!