#Jin-woong Jo

[pinkvxdka20]

2022 Korean BL Dramas (part 1)

Just wish they had more and longer episodes :)

[moonlightsdream]

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

[junkobato]

Upcoming Kdrama August 2023 ❤️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just in time for my summer holidays 😅😅

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

[cesowi]

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

[thepersona]

A non-romantic K-drama starter pack

If you're interested in K-dramas but don't know where to begin, and aren't interested in (or would like to take a break from) romantic storylines, then this is for you!

P.S.: Some of these dramas may contain romantic side plots that don't necessarily define the main storyline. List not sorted in any particular order, and only includes completed dramas.

Gifs not mine!

Stranger (2017; 2019)

A political crime thriller full of red herrings, "Stranger" (Season 1) follows an investigation into the murder of a man who has bribed countless officials from multiple levels and branches of government. Led by stoic prosecutor Hwang Shi Mok (Cho Seung Woo) and feisty detective Han Yeo Jin (Bae Doona), this well-paced, well-acted drama is full of twists and turns that will make you suspect everyone at some point.

Kingdom (2019; 2020)

Historical political drama meets zombie thriller in the 2019 hit "Kingdom" (Season 1). The story follows Crown Prince Yi Chang (Ju Ji Hoon) as he investigates an outbreak of a mysterious plague that turns average citizens into rabid monsters while fighting to keep  his rightful place as heir to the throne. The hit series has led to a second season and a prequel TV movie "Ashin of the North" (2021).

Signal (2016)

Featuring a mysterious walkie-talkie that links the past to the present, "Signal" is one of the most beloved police dramas of the last decade because of its refreshing take on the genre and the top-notch performances of its three leads: Kim Hye Soo, Lee Je Hoon, and Jo Jin Woong. 

The Uncanny Counter (2020)

"The Uncanny Counter" is a comedy-drama about four "counters", or grim reapers who have been lent superhuman abilities by a group of spirits. Their main job is to stop demons who possess violent criminals that become more powerful by consuming the souls of their victims. Funny, colorful, and action-packed, the show features wonderful performances from the main actors: Jo Byeong Gyu, Yoon Joon Sang, Kim Se Jeong, and (my personal favorite) Yeom Hye Ran. The hit series has been granted a second season.

Racket Boys (2021)

If you need a feel-good drama that's not too heavy on the tears, crime, and lovey-dovey tropes, then this may be for you. "Racket Boys" is about an underdog middle school badminton team that dreams to make a mark on the national level and beyond. The rural setting and endearing ensemble cast, led by the talented Tang Jun Sang, allow for lighthearted moments but are never too cartoonish. A puppy love storyline exists between the leads, but it's very wholesome and innocent, and given far less importance than the struggle surrounding the national tournament.

Squid Game (2021)

International smash hit "Squid Game" is about a mysterious organization that selects individuals with impossible debt to participate in a series of children's games to have a shot at winning 45.6 billion won. The catch: only the winner gets to live. Features an amazing ensemble cast led by Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, and impressive newcomer Jung Ho Yeon.

Dear My Friends (2016)

A slice-of-life comedy drama featuring a stellar ensemble cast of the most accomplished Korean actors and actresses over 60, "Dear My Friends" follows 40-year-old writer Park Wan (Go Hyun Jung) as she chronicles the stories of her mother, her aunts, and their families. There are two romantic side stories here but the overall plot is more invested in how your friends can become your family especially after you reach a certain age. Think "Golden Girls" but in Korea. Praise-worthy acting from everyone involved, especially the main quintet: Na Moon Hee, Kim Hye Ja, Go Doo Shim, Park Won Sook, and Oscar winner Youn Yuh Jung.

Live (2018)

"Live" is a slice-of-life, police procedural drama that tells the story of rookies and veterans at Hongil Station in Seoul, where there is no shortage of petty and violent crimes. The crimes featured examine the decisions that South Korean cops have to make especially in dangerous situations wherein the gray areas become even grayer. There are romantic storylines between the four leads but they never overshadow the cases. Wonderful acting, especially from Bae Sung Woo and Bae Jeong Ok who play the veterans Oh Yang Chon and Ahn Jang Mi, respectively. Also stars funny man Lee Kwang Soo and the angelic Jung Yu Mi (Train to Busan).

Vincenzo (2021)

Born in South Korea, adopted into an Italian family, mafia lawyer Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong Ki) flies back to Seoul after falling out with his adopted brother following the death of his boss/father-figure. His mission is to retrieve gold hidden beneath the dilapidated Geumga Plaza before it is ultimately demolished by the evil Babel Group that constantly harrasses its tennants to move out. Teaming up with the feisty lawyer Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Been, Vincenzo uses mafia tactics in his war against the conglomerate that thinks itself above the law. What sounds like a heavy premise is offset by the physical and witty comedy provided by the charismatic leads and supporting cast. There is romance between the leads (who share great chemistry nonetheless) but it is by no means the driving force of this story. They could have recasted this with two male leads as more of a bromance story and the outcome would be quite similar, but Jeon Yeo Been gives a unique, quirky flair to her character that makes her difficult to replace.

Hyena (2020)

I know I said this wasn't a list for romantic K-Dramas but hear me out. There's romance but it's not what you think (the leads kiss a grand total of 3 times, twice in the first ep then once a little later). "Hyena" explores the world of corporate lawyers who serve the South Korean 1%. It's a dog-eat-dog world where the most conniving and least picky hyena reigns supreme. The hyena in question would be the brilliant renegade lawyer Jang Geum Ja (Kim Hye Soo). Sparks fly as she goes head to head with the by-the-book, elite lawyer Yoon Hee Jae (Ju Ji Hoon), whose ideals are constantly challenged as his world unravels around him.  The cases are challenging and the solutions that the leads come up with are intriguing. Romance doesn't drive this drama, but the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. 

[stuff-diary]

Bloodhounds

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2023

Bloodhounds (2023, South Korea)

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

Mini-review:

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

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

[passionforfiction]

Love Is For Suckers

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

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

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

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

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

This is a really sweet story and I recommend it!

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

[wangmiao]

Photo stills of the awesome guest stars in Hunt (2022) (x)

[somanykdramas]

BELIEVER

GENRES: Action, Drama

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

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

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

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

[ellea-et-la-magie-des-histoires]

Happiness (Avis)

Avez-vous vu "Happiness" ? Ou voulez-vous le voir ? Venez en parler ! N'hésitez pas à "Aimer" ou laisser un commentaire !

[k-star-holic]

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

Source: k-star-holic.blogspot.com

[love-me-a-lotta-whump]

나쁜 녀석들 - Bad Guys - Whump List - 🇰🇷

Whumpees: 이정문 (Lee Jung Moon) played by 박해진 (Park Hae Jin) - 박웅철 (Park Ung Cheol) played by 마동석 (Ma Dong Seok) - 정태수 (Jung Tae Soo) played by 조동혁 (Jo Dong Hyeok)

Synopsis: To combat rising violent crimes, the Police Chief asks Detective Oh Goo Tak to form a team consisting of criminals. Oh Goo Tak gathers team members: Park Woong Cheol who is a gangster, Lee Jung Moon who is the youngest serial killer with extraordinary intelligence and Jung Tae Soo who is a contract killer. (MDL)

Genre: Cop/Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Action

Watch On: DramaCool, KissAsian

♥️: This one has been highly requested for so long. It was one I lost but there was no way I wasn’t going to restart it!

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW

이정문 (Lee Jung Moon)

1.01 : in handcuffs ::: fought ::: on the run ::: emotional, upset ::: ambushed, scared, using himself as a human shield, shot in the arm, jumped out of a window onto a car and fell, panicked, chased, in a wreck, blood on his face, knocked out ::: bandaged arm

1.02-1.03 : none

1.04 : captive, hood over his head, restrained, forced to kneel ::: fought ::: fought, stabbed while saving someone, concern for him, kicked, collapsed, helped to stand ::: helped to walk, groaning, helped to sit down, groaning, heavy breathing, in a lot of pain ::: found by the bad guys, heavy breathing, struggling to stand, fought, kicked into a wall, slowly collapsing, weak, cornered, saved, helped to stand ::: weak ::: helped to walk, in pain ::: wincing, wound irritated, helped to walk ::: helped to stand, weak, in pain, looked after, cornered, fought, beaten, fought, beaten, saved, weak

1.05 : self sacrificing, telling someone to kill him, crying, shaking

1.06 : fought ::: arm slashed with a knife, scared ::: wound reveal, (flashbacks: arm slashed with a knife)

1.07 : (flashbacks: shaking, bloody, scared) ::: manhandled ::: stabbed, puts his hand on the wound before pulling it away to reveal blood, slowly collapsing, rolled through a hospital, oxygen mask, in surgery, barely conscious ::: asleep in a hospital bed ::: asleep, someone attempts to drug him, saved ::: woke up in the hospital, sat up, groaning, heavy breathing, weak

1.08 : anxious, in shock ::: (flashbacks: scared, crying) ::: at gunpoint, emotional, glassy eyes, telling someone to shoot him ::: chasing someone, suddenly stopped to double over in pain, puts his hand on the wound before pulling it away to reveal blood ::: someone stuck a needle in his leg, drugged, collapsed

1.09 : (flashbacks: interrogated, handcuffed, head repeatedly slammed on the table, heavy breathing, hair grabbed, scared) ::: (flashbacks: grabbed by the throat, pushed, kicked, at gunpoint, scared, heavy breathing) ::: (flashbacks: betrayed)

1.10 : unconscious, woke up restrained in a chair (rope), face grabbed, pills shoved down his throat, forcefully given water, struggling, heavy breathing, (flashbacks: drugged), dazed, out of it ::: asleep, woke up, bloody, scared, tased, collapsed ::: captive, restrained in a chair (rope), asleep, woken up with water splashed in his face, dazed, weak, manhandled, taken ::: in a car wreck, scared, pain in his arm, holding his arm, chased, stumbling, hiding ::: { (there are little breaks but this is all one scene) pistol whipped 2x, at gunpoint, hair grabbed, manhandled, beaten, forced to stand while he’s being beaten, bloody mouth, told he’ll be killed, heavy breathing, crying, preparing himself to die, crying}

1.11 : { (there are little breaks but this is all one scene) preparing himself to die, crying} ::: fought ::: talking about what happened to him, threatened ::: (flashbacks: drugged, under hypnosis), angry, scared, squeezing a piece of glass in his hand, angry, bleeding, emotional, shaking, held back from attacking someone, manhandled, screaming ::: holding his arm, bleeding

정태수 (Jung Tae Soo)

1.01 : arrested, manhandled ::: in handcuffs ::: fought

1.02 : (flashbacks: bloody, weak, stumbling, leaning against a wall for support, found, concern for him ::: woke up in the hospital) ::: fought, angry, shot

1.03 : fought

1.04 : fought ::: fought, saving someone ::: fought ::: fought

1.05 : fought ::: in a cell, handcuffed, in a police station

1.06 : fought

1.07 : fought, arm slashed with a knife, crying, screaming ::: emotional, crying, shaking

1.08-1.09 : none

1.10 : angry ::: emotional

1.11 : emotional ::: fought ::: fought

박웅철 (Park Ung Cheol)

1.01 : angry, protecting someone, fought ::: in handcuffs ::: fought

1.02 : punched ::: fought, slashed with a knife, hit in the head, fell to his knees, bleeding

1.03 : fought ::: kidnapped

1.04 : fought ::: thrown through a door, beaten, saved, concerned for someone, fought ::: fought, at gunpoint, saved ::: cornered, fought

1.05 : taken, restrained (rope) ::: still captive, restrained (rope), cut and bruised face, emotional

1.06 : still captive, restrained (rope), cut and bruised face, emotional ::: trying to escape, buried ::: escaped, crying ::: fought ::: saving someone

1.07 : saving someone, fought

1.08 : none

1.09 : fought

1.10 : grieving, angry ::: emotional

1.11 : emotional ::: fought ::: fought

-------

MORE WHUMP LISTS >>> {x}

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[theadusa]

Everything I watch in Jan 2024

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

My Lovely Boxer (2023, Kim Min-joo)

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 12, 70 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 12, 60 min

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

Night Has Come (2023, Kang Min-Ji)

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 12, 35 to 40 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 12, 70 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 16, 70 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 10, 60 to 80 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 14, 70 min

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

My 20th Twenty (2023, N/A)

Main leads: Choi Yu Ju , Jung Su Bin

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 12, 15 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 16, 70 min

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

Taxi Driver Special (2023, SBS)

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 2, 60 -120 min

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

Brain Works (2023, Park Kyung-seon)

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 16, 75 min

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

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

Main leads: Yamada Ryosuke, Yoshine Kyoko 

Country: Japan 

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

Episodes: 9, 23 to 47 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 10, 60 to 90 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 17, 70 to 80 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 16, 70 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 16, 70 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 119, 25 to 28 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 11, 60 to 90 min

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

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

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

Country: S. Korea

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

Episodes: 16, 70 min

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

I am currently watching:

Marry My Husband

Doctor Slump

Because of Love

Do You Like Brahms?

The Real Has Come!

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

[movienized-com]

Our Blooming Youth

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

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

[wysteriahigh-rpg]

⛧ A-B-C-D ⛧

Anatchaya Suputhipong (Natty) - Brekker

Anton Lee - Gaku

Bae Joo Hyun (Irene) - Aqua

Barbara Palvin - Stone

Cha Eun Woo - Garfield

Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten) - Kira

Cho Mi Yeon - Serenade

Choi Beom Gyu - Destrie

Choi Soo Bin - Labyrinth

Choi Ye Na - BILLIE

Choi Yeon Jun - BILLIE

Chou Tzu Yu - soul

⛧ E-F-G-H ⛧

Fukutomi Tsuki - Brekker

Han Dong Min (Taesan) - Helyg

Han Yu Jin - Mimi

Hanni Pham - Labyrinth

Hong Eun Chae - Hina

Hwang Hyun Jin - Avalond

Hwang Ye Ji - soul

Kai Kamal Huening - Wari

⛧ I-J-K-L ⛧

Jake Shim - Gaku

Jang Won Young - Wari

Jeong Jun Ho - Rancid

Jeong Yun Oh (Jaehyun) - Mei

Jo Yuri - Baptism

Johnny Seo - Riv

Kim Dong Hyun (Lee Han) - Iridescent

Kim Jennie - Labyrinth

Kim Ji Woong - Howling

Kim Ji Soo - Zodiac

Kim Jong In - Kazu

Kim Min Ji - Helyg

Kim Min Jeong - BILLIE

Kim Sun Woo (Sunoo) - Helyg

Lalisa Manoban - Starlight

Lee Hee Seung - Rancid

Lee Ju Yeon - Helyg

Lee Min Ho (Lee Know) - Shota

Lee Tae Min - AKJ

⛧ M-N-O-P ⛧

Myoui Mina - Wari

Nakamoto Yuta - Ganamides

Ning Yi Zhou - Sillhvee

Nishimura Riki - Wari

Nakamura Kazuha - Bambi

Park Gun Wook - Silvergray

Park Sung Hoon - Baptism

Park Won Bin - Pierrot

⛧ Q-R-S-T ⛧

Park Jong Seong (Jay) - Mimi

Scarlet Leithold - Stone

Seol Yoon Ah - sweet.bubbles

Shen Quan Rui (Ricky) - Pantenom

Shin Ryu Jin - Gato

Son Chae Young -Gato

Song Ha Young - sakura

Sung Han Bin - BLOSSOM

⛧ U-V-W ⛧

Wen Junhui - soul

⛧ X-Y-Z ⛧

Ye Shuhua - Kuromi

Yang Jung Won - Brekker

Yoo Ji Min - amnesia

Zhang Hao - Mimi

⛧ FAMILIAS CANON ⛧

Dracul - Wari

De Nile - Brekker

Emberfall - Rancid

Pierrot - Rivers

[drivingsideways]

SFD rewatch, episodes 1-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boon yi is THE BEST

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

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

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

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