#bulgasal netflix

[beri-allen]

ao3: beriallen she/her, 18+

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls 1. a little more and i'll go (dan hwal/min si-ho; t; 1/1) 2. if our lives are ours, what shouldn't we do (dan hwal/dan sol, dan hwal/min si-ho; t; 1/1) 3. we had so much going for us (dan hwal/dan sol, dan hwal/min si-ho; g; 1/1)

Crash Landing on You 1. i carried you for aching (seo dan/gu seung-jun; t; 1/1)

Hannibal 1. only grab air (will graham/beverly katz; t; 1/1)

House M.D. 1. calendar girls* (allison cameron/thirteen; t; 1/1)

Memories of the Alhambra 1. room 601 (yoo jinwoo/jung heeju; t; 1/1) 2. magic hours (yoo jinwoo/jung heeju; m; 1/1)

Once Upon a Time 1. the human (wooden swan; g; 1/1) 2. memory serves (wooden swan; t; 1/1)

Please Come Back, Mister 1. wish i were here (han hong-nan/song yi-yeon; t; 1/1)

Queen of Tears 1. 5 times hong hae-in died (baekhong; t; 1/1)

Running Man** 1. might just as well (monday couple; g; 1/1) 2. four times jihyo holds gary's hands and one time she doesn't (monday couple; g; 1/1) 3. no good unless real (monday couple; e; 1/1) 4. another night (monday couple; t; 1/1) 5. fine (monday couple; t; 1/1)

School 2017 1. 3 times taewoon confesses and 1 time he doesn't (ra eunho/hyun taewoon; t; 1/1)

Search WWW 1. the theory of time (song ga-gyeong/cha hyeon; g; 1/1)

Story of Kunning Palace 1. the dreams of butterflies (jiang xuening/shen zhiyi; t; 1/1)

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 1. born liar (snowbaird; m; 1/1)

Twenty Five, Twenty One 1. we call it something different, something wrong, and something right (ko yurim/na heedo; t; 1/1)

Wednesday 1. slow, long, and excruciatingly painful (wyler; t; 2/2) 2. you have shrunk to the size of my thoughts (wyler; t; 2/2) 3. i predict a riot (wyler; m; 5/5) 4. the gift of the magi (wyler; t; 1/1) 5. the rite of spring (wyler; t; 1/1) 6. stop (wyler; e; 1/1) 7. the long game (wyler; m; 1/1) 8. the devil and the deep blue sea (wyler; t; 1/1) 9. interrupted remembrances (wyler; t; 1/1) 10. technicolor glasses (wyler; t; 1/1) 11. i put a spell on you (wyler; e; 7/7) 12. oh god, i think i'm falling (wyler; e; 2/2) 13. joyeux noël (wyler; t; 1/1) 15. in the heat of the moment (tynid, wyler, minor petroclair; e; 2/2)

*imported from lj **rpf header & icon image credit: x

[lifeondramas]

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021)

Bulgasal: Almas Imortais (2021)

like or reblog if you saved

don't repost :)

[cineflections]

Kdramas are all about the twist and turns and add to that ill-fated relationships across several lifetimes and blood galore, and you get a series that manages to engage the viewer for the full 16-episode count.

I'm, of course, talking about Bulgasal - immortal souls on Netflix.

This had been on my list on Netflix for ages it feels like. I love costume dramas, court intrigue and what not, and I truly thought this was going to be one such, the 2 first episodes fooled me enough that the first 5 minutes in modern time didn't put me off. But the switch to modern times was well done and served the plot well.

Having gotten a new hobby in embroidering, it was easy for me to get through the 16 hours without getting bored and itching to look up episode summaries that I often do with C- and K-dramas. Ofc, the plot itself is right up my alley.

Halfway done with this, first time cross stitching for like almost 20 years (damn, I feel old now) so I will accept any mistakes I make on this.

I was really impressed with the cinematography and costumes in the first 2 episodes (in particular, it was quite stellar throughout), it felt grounded and real, and having the monsters be "humans" (with modification) added to this grounded style. The series uses make-up and prosthetics rather than cgi (although i did notice some here ans there) for the monsters and "monsterfication" effects on our protagonist and I always appreciate when a show/movie does that.

The cast of characters are quite small and they are reused for the different times shown in the story - showing where each character ended up reincarnating. And the reason why they're connected each life is because like our Bulgasal Hwal has said a few times (paraphrasing heavily): ties of destiny are not easily broken, and will endure across time. We have two characters that start as siblings, become mother and son, to lastly be platonic roommates (happy surprise by this tbh, I thought for sure the show would make them lovers even to the last 5 minutes).

The beginning made it so easy to root for Hwal who has had to suffer throughout his whole life, and at the end of a particularly harrowing experienced left him with nothing except his life - which he, too, wanted to lose at that point - but immortality was forced upon him. Cursed to become Bulgasal - a monster that has no soul and drink human blood for sustenance.

The beginning of the show was so effective at making me like and sympathize with him and the people he loved, that the whiplash was quite hard when we are thrust into the POV of the woman who cursed him to become a monster, this time reincarnated as a young girl.

The girl in question living her life with her mom, twin sister, and younger sister, somewhere in Korea. The twin sister almost never leaving the apartment and forcing the girl, Sang-un, to wear a mask to cover her face "Because Bulgasal will come for them". It's a direct parallel to how Hwal grew up. Always afraid that Bulgasal would come and get him.

The viewer has followed Hwal on his quest for revenge, but then following the POV of the girl he hunted, I just couldn't get behind him killing them. I felt that him murdering the whole family would really sour him as a protagonist for me. I actually wondered how the show was going to justify him going through with it.

Spoilers: he didn't.

But we don't really find that out immediately. The show smartly continues the main POV of the girl Sang-un, now grown up, with some switches back to Hwal as we find him seemingly looking for the one who got away from his murder of Sang-un's twin sister and mother.

And when they finally meet, we find out that he was actually not responsible for their deaths. He was certainly aiming to kill the twin sisters and their entire family, but someone got there first.

The show at this point starts the classical enemies to lovers trope and starts bringing up the questions on how this apparent blood feud started. Why did Sang-un, as Bulgasal, kill his entire family and then curse him so she could become human? Why is Sang-un important when it was her (now dead) twin sister that remembered all of her past lives? And the eternal question: why is no one talking to each other about their issues.

Which is my main critique of this drama. It often hinges itself on characters acting from misunderstandings and ignorance. A character would not explain anything to another and then be surprised when that character doesn't listen to them. Again and again I felt like if they would just talk we wouldn't be in this situation. And then, in the last episode, we find out what started it all - and it's a misunderstanding! And it just escalates from there. It felt so cheap. The resolution to all the conflicts, I feel, was good enough to satisfy me. But when the show really tried hitting me with the "emotional damage", I guess I was partly checked out and didn't feel anything in particular. I would've loved a good cry.

The conflict resolution was bittersweet, but the ending montage made it just sweet. And while the "how" can be questions and critiqued, I find it was good it did end like that anyways. Makes its easier to let go.

Overall, I liked this drama, it was not as bloated with unnecessarily long shots every scene (tho it certainly could've have trimmed the almost Naruto style flashbacks and One Piece style reaction shots), and so the pacing felt quick and each scene felt like they had purpose. The music was reminiscent of HBO's Westworld at times (especially the softer notes) and I really liked the drums that signified the arrival of Bulgasal. The acting felt mostly genuine and real, with some exceptions (I kinda dislike the excessive "whining" or "aggressiveness" characters sometimes act when talking to each other, which happens in every kdrama I've watched, is that how they act in reality or is it for "TV-drama"?).

I wouldn't recommend this one if you're looking for a romantic story, there is a romance, but it's very toned down and develops naturally over the course of the series, but the romance is not the point of the story and conflict.

But I do recommend this one if you like a good plot with reincarnation and recurring destiny. With some twist and turns that feel earned and not like bullshit.

[tifa-and-rinoa]

"Even if hundreds of years pass by… and it's just the two of us in the world."

® Bulgasal: Immortal Souls

[jepretpress]

Napak Tilas 2022 Kdrama Versi Jepretpress Part 2

Manusia memang boleh membuat rencana, namun Tuhan lah yang menentukan. Aku sudah berniat untuk membereskan tulisan ini di bulan puasa kemaren. Namun apa daya. Laptopku bermasalah dan harus keluar masuk tempat service untuk dirawat inap. Bahkan sampai aku menulis ini juga, laptopku masih bermasalah, namun aku masih belum bisa membawanya ke tempat service. Jadi ya sambil menunggu aku menyelesaikan…

[diversamenteintelligente]

(via BULGASAL: ANIME IMMORTALI)

Tutto inizia in un tempo antico, quando il mondo era popolato anche dai mostri, i quali vedevano gli umani come alcuni di noi vedono gli animali: cibo. In questo periodo una storia d'amore inizia a intersecarsi, nei secoli, con la storia.

[guangyaw]

[影視戲劇] Bulgasal: Immortal Souls 不可殺：永生之靈

[影視戲劇] Bulgasal: Immortal Souls 不可殺：永生之靈

之前介紹了邪惡與瘋狂， 屬於比較現代化的韓劇， 今天要介紹的則是跨越了千年的故事 [影視戲劇] Bulgasal: Immortal Souls…

[these-are-the-first-steps]

Hey so here is my running Rec list for Reylo fans- we knew what we saw when we first witnessed it on the screen in Dec 2015, so why can't we keep enjoying it?

Bulgasal (netflix)

The Rise of Phoenixes (netflix/kisskh)

Shadow and Bone (netflix)

Ummmm....anyone else have some good ones to add? I'm blanking because I've been in TRoP hell, but I'm sure I'll remember more. Please comment, and if I like them too I'll add it to this master list!! Let's make a long one!!

[coreancitizen]

2022 Year in Review: My Korean drama recommendations

2022 went by so quickly, and I think that's partly because almost every week I had new episodes of shows to look forward to. I'm a bit of a contradiction: I don't have the patience to wait for a new show to be completed so I could binge it, but I (maybe not-so) patiently wait for episodes every week, haha. TBH, I find I'm more invested in a show and its characters when I watch a drama weekly. And there were so many characters worth the investment in 2022: Woo Young Woo, Queen Im Hwa Ryeong, the Oh sisters, Kim Yumi, Jin Do Jun and Jang Uk, to name a few.

I just want to make clear that, as in previous years, this is by no means a list of the best Korean dramas of 2022. These are merely my favorites among the ones I watched that premiered in 2022 (or ended in 2022).

You can find my previous roundups here:

2021: Year in Review 2020: Year in Review

YUMI'S CELLS 2

New season means new love for Kim Yumi (Kim Go Eun) as she begins a romance with co-worker Yoo Babi following her breakup with video game designer Goo Woong. TBH, I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about the new pairing — I have a soft spot for Ahn Bo Hyun — but Jinyoung charmed me even before the series started. He and Go Eun have a sweet and natural chemistry that made me root for Yumi and Babi, even knowing how the relationship ended in the webtoon. Another thing I love about the series is its portrayal of Yumi's pursuit of her dream to be a writer — from the frustrations of earlier rejections to keeping it positive while faced with criticisms and the satisfaction of another job (book) well done. That shot of her jumping on the bed toward the end of the series was cathartic and the perfect cap to Yumi's growth. (Viki)

LITTLE WOMEN

This is NOT Louisa May Alcott's famous novel though it does share some themes and puts sisters at the forefront of the story. The Oh sisters — In Joo, In Kyung and In Hye — just want to live a life not steeped in poverty. So when 2 billion won falls on In Joo's lap, their problems are over, right? Nope. A multitude of troubles arrive as the sisters get entangled with a rich, powerful and corrupt family with a lot of unscrupulous allies. This series got me on the edge of my seat from the very first episode and the thrills and tension never let up until the end. I absolutely love how messy and chaotic the sisters and their relationships with each other are. They love but they also fight, annoy and block each other, LOL! Now please cast Kim Go Eun and Wi Ha Joon in an action comedy series or film and give them the ending on the sunny beaches of Greece that their characters deserve. (Netflix)

BULGASAL: IMMORTAL SOULS

This is the first drama that caught my attention last year, a fantasy with monsters, past lives, immortal love and families. It's the story of how the lives of a man (Lee Jin Wook) who was turned into an immortal monster 600 years ago and a woman (Kwon Na Ra) who has been dying and reincarnating for centuries have been intertwined. The world building is quite interesting and the central mystery keeps you guessing until the very end. Keep an eye out for familiar faces as people from the past emerge in the present. (Netflix)

A BUSINESS PROPOSAL

This romcom is adorable with a capital A. Shin Ha Ri (Kim Se Jeong) shows up to a blind date pretending to be her best friend and does her best to turn off a potential match by behaving outrageously. It's a schtick she and her chaebol best friend had cooked up a long time ago to discourage suitors. Unfortunately, the blind date turns out to be Kang Tae Moo (Ahn Hyo Seop), the young president of the food company where she works. And even more unfortunately, he's interested and now wants to marry her! Hilarious chaos ensues, abetted by the couple's adorable best friends (the second couple), her zany family and his kdrama-loving grandfather. You'll never look at an archaeopteryx (bird-like dinosaur) the same way again. (Netflix)

TOMORROW

This is a lovely, heartbreaking, oftentimes cathartic drama about people desperate enough to consider taking their own lives and the team of resolute grim reapers who work very hard to prevent their deaths. Comatose Choi Jun Woong (Rowoon) is the newbie in the Risk/Crisis Management Team led by Koo Ryeon (Kim Hee Sun). Lim Ryung Gyu rounds up the team. Head of the Soul Collection Team Park Joong Gil, despite being a fellow grim reaper, is a thorn on the team's side — he has a special animosity for Ryeon that may have something to do with the past. Fortunately, the team has a stalwart supporter in the Jade Emperor (Kim Hae Sook). (Netflix)

MILITARY PROSECUTOR DOBERMAN

Legal action drama with a touch of comedy is probably the best way to describe this series and it's the perfect leading man vehicle for Ahn Bo Hyun. Do Bae Man passes the bar with basically just a GED and so finds himself unable to find a spot in a decent law firm until he gets an "offer he can't refuse" from corrupt lawyer Yong Moon Go: Serve in the military for five years as a prosecutor and then join his prestigious firm after. The plan is going swimmingly until he crosses paths with another military prosecutor, Cha Woo In (Jo Bo Ah), who is targeting some members of the military brass for revenge after her beloved father's suspicious death. After long-buried secrets begin to emerge, Do Bae Man finds himself reevaluating what it is he really wants to do with his life. (Viki)

EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO

Woo to the Young to the Woo! The series follows Woo Young Woo, a young lawyer on the autism spectrum. She's got a brilliant legal mind, able to see different angles of a case but struggles with day-to-day interactions. Fortunately, she has the people looking out for her, like her dad, her boss/mentor, her law school friend and, of course, the handsome support team member who might just have more than friendship in mind. Park Eun Bin is brilliant as Woo Young Woo, she truly gets you invested in her challenges and triumphs. The legal maneuverings are fairly interesting, especially when they involve a rival law firm and somebody from WYW's past. (Netflix)

ALCHEMY OF SOULS

In the land of Daeho, an assassin trapped in a blind woman's weak body encounters a young lord from a powerful family who needs help to unlock his powers. Interesting lead and supporting characters, solid world-building, fantastic sword and sorcery action? I was sold from the very beginning. At the end of the second ep, I was absolutely in love with the feisty Mudeok and her rather bratty young master/pupil Jang Uk who just wants his gate of energy opened so he can do what everybody can — cast spells and use a sword. There's a twist at the end of the 20-episode first season, and I guess your enjoyment of the second season would largely depend on how much you accept the change. But in both seasons, the crown prince remains quite the scene stealer and he's possibly my most favorite character of all. (Netflix)

UNDER THE QUEEN'S UMBRELLA

A truly female-driven drama — from the queen and the queen dowager down to the concubines and, yes, even the court ladies. The series begins with Queen Hwa Ryeong's biggest problem being the four grand princes' rather relaxed approach to their education, lagging behind the other sons of the king via his numerous scheming concubines. But tragedy strikes and the queen and her sons suddenly find themselves fighting to make sure they don't lose not just their positions but their very lives. Kim Hye Soo makes it so easy to root for the embattled queen who wields her position and her eyebrows skillfully to thwart ministers, concubines and her mother-in-law, the queen dowager. I also love that her sons, the four grand princes, are unlike other royal brothers in sageuks — they are close, affectionate and loyal, leaving the dirty tricks to their half-brothers. This series probably has the most satisfying ending among the ones I watched last year. (Netflix)

REBORN RICH

Yoon Hyun Woo is a hard-working, loyal, no-questions-asked employee of the powerful Jin Family, which controls the Soonyang Group. One day, on an overseas errand to retrieve some secret money, he is betrayed by someone in the family and murdered — but promptly finds himself "waking up" in the body of the youngest grandson of the Jins, back in 1987. How, you ask? I finished the series but that part is still unclear. What's clear is how charismatic and believable Song Joong Ki is as the twentysomething investment whiz Do Jun. And what an amazing actor Lee Sung Min, as Soonyang chairman and patriarch Jin Yang Cheol is. The push-pull in their relationship is what made the series work for 15 episodes. Not that the supporting cast members are slackers. This is one of the best ensembles I've ever seen, the actors really working to make these characters ones you'd love to hate. Some of the business stuff might put off viewers but I found the whole thing fascinating and easily understood. I cheered when Do Jun/Hyun Woo used his knowledge of the future as well as his relatives' greed to take pieces of Soonyang. I'm recommending this series but with a caveat: I found the ending a bit of a mess and rather unsatisfactory. BUT the previous 15 episodes are fantastic and definitely worth a watch. (Viki)

Bonus recommendations

I recently started dipping my toes into Chinese dramas, even though I'm still intimidated by the episode count. "Love Between Fairy and Devil" is sweet and hilarious and has fantastic special effects. (Netflix and Viki)

But my heart truly belongs to Li Wei and the sixth young prince of Xin State as they figure out family, politics and love as their "New Life Begins." (Viki)

Last but certainly not the least, "Pachinko," which even though it stars some of the biggest names in Korean entertainment is not considered K-Drama by its creators. Based on Min Jin Lee's critically acclaimed novel, the series — Youn Yuh Jung, Lee Min Ho and Kim Min Ha are key parts of the ensemble — follows the trial and tribulations of a Korean family over four generations. The story begins in Korea, moves to Japan and eventually spreads to the United States. The story is rich and emotional, the direction precise and the acting superb. It has been recognized in a lot of year-end lists and recently won the Critics Choice Award for best foreign language series. (Apple TV +)

[rj-anderson]

Well, I finished Hotel Del Luna at last. The ending was fine, and I think narratively the story hung together well, but it just wasn’t quite engaging enough to hold me. IU knocked her character arc out of the park as expected,  especially in the last few episodes, but I feel like My Mister was a far better showcase for her talent as an actor (even if it didn’t do nearly so much justice to her beauty -- the style Man-Wol has in this show, I wanted to buy fully half of those dresses).

Anyway, now I have to decide what to watch next. I'm two episodes into both From Now On, Showtime! and If You Wish Upon Me, but neither one has really hooked me yet so they’ve been sitting neglected for over a month now. I watched the first episode of Gaus Electronics but the humor was too broad and slapstick for me, so I don’t think I’ll continue.

Currently in my Viki watchlist are Summer Strike, Cheer Up, Love in Contract, Lighter and Princess, Silent and Reborn Rich. Currently on my Netflix list are Little Women, The King’s Affection, She Would Never Know (which I’ve already read as a webcomic), Reply 1988, Bulgasal: Immortal Souls, and Abyss.

Any recommendations for what I should pick?

[v-arbellanaris]

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[veoveoquever]

«Alchemy of Souls»

Algunos detalles:

Títulos: 환혼 / hwanhon (Temporada 1). 환혼 : 빛과 그림자 / Light and Shadow (Temporada 2).

Título en inglés: Alchemy of Souls.

Título en español: Alquimia de Almas.

Género: Drama, Fantasía, Histórico, Romance, Comedia.

En Netflix: Sí (Argentina).

Temporadas: 2

Final Feliz: Sí.

Entre tantos géneros abarcados por los doramas, el de fantasía es uno de mis favoritos y que hasta el momento nunca me ha decepcionado. Ya he hablado aquí, por ejemplo, de dramas como «Tomorrow», y le debo su reseña a varios más, de estilo similar, que recomiendo sin lugar a dudas: «A Corean Odyssey», «Hotel de Luna», «Goblin», «Bulgasal», «Doom at your service», «The bride of Haebek», entre otros.

Sin embargo, así como «Mr. Sunshine» merece, a mi opinión, un párrafo aparte en el género dramático, por tratarse de un dorama de nivel cinematográfico, «Alchemy of Souls» logró separarse en mi mente del resto, destacándose por su originalidad.

La historia transcurre en el país imaginario de Daeho, en una época que se asemeja a la de Goguryeo o Joseon, pero que, a diferencia de otros doramas de fantasía, sólo se inspira parcialmente en este; la historia, así como la ambientación o la vestimenta, conforman un universo ficticio completamente original, en el que la magia forma parte de la vida cotidiana de las personas.

El protagonista, Jang-Wook (Lee Jae Wook), es un joven noble que no debió haber nacido, pero lo hizo en condiciones tan especiales, rodeado de secretos, que lo transformaron en un peligro latente para los sedientos de poder; aunque casi nadie sea consciente de aquello. Con pocas excepciones, lo único que todos saben es que, por alguna razón, a pesar de ser un mago, nacido en una de las cuatro familias de magos más poderosas de Daeho, no puede practicarla como sus amigos y compañeros, ya que su padre, antes de abandonarlo, desactivó su centro de energía cuando era apenas un bebé. Su comportamiento rebelde se debe a esa necesidad de ejercer aquello con lo que nació y que es después de todo su derecho, pero siempre encuentra oposición de sus mayores por razones que desconoce. Busca sin cansancio un maestro, alguien que le enseñe y le ayude a reactivar su centro energía, sin embargo, nadie parece poder ni querer complacerlo. Todo cambia repentinamente cuando entra en su vida una criada fuera de lo común.

Nak-Su (Go Youn-Jung), es una guerrera y asesina que busca venganza. Sus objetivos son las cuatro familias de magos más poderosas de Daeho, pues culpa a estos del asesinato de su familia. Nak-su es una maga muy poderosa, capaz de realizar la «Alquimia de almas», un hechizo que, además de darle el nombre al dorama, intercambia las almas de dos personas. Encontrándose a punto de morir, tras una pelea contra Park Jin (Yoo Joon Sang), líder de la academia de Songrim, Nak-Su intercambia su alma con una muchacha humilde (interpretada por Jung So-Min) que termina, tras algunas vueltas del destino, trabajando como sirvienta de Jang-Wook. Este, al descubrir que se trata en realidad de una guerrera cambia almas, atrapada en un cuerpo débil con el que no puede usar sus poderes, insistirá hasta lograr que se convierta secretamente en su tan ansiada maestra. Él, a cambio, promete ayudarle a recuperar sus poderes. Claro que ambos se enamorarán en el proceso.

Este dorama tiene dos temporadas, una de 20 capítulos y una segunda de 10. Durante la primera temporada disfrutamos de la graciosa actuación de Jung So-Min, quien debe interpretar simultáneamente a dos personajes: la sirvienta, aparentemente ignorante pero muy decidida y aduladora, que se gana el favor y hasta el afecto del príncipe Go Won (Shin Seung-Ho), poseedora de un marcado «satori», es decir, acento campesino, y por otro a la asesina cuya alma ocupa aquel cuerpo, el que le da su verdadera personalidad y que, estando sola, piensa en voz alta las formas en las que matará a su joven amo (o a cualquiera que se interponga en su camino) en cuanto recupere sus poderes.

Es casi imposible evitar encariñarse tanto con ella, como con la complicada relación que mantiene con su nuevo aprendiz, por lo que, admito, temía que durante la segunda temporada (que muestra lo que sucede tres años después), me costara aceptar su reemplazo por la actriz Go Youn-Jung, quien interpreta a Nak-su, a su verdadero cuerpo, en un inicio. Afortunadamente, la historia se desarrolla de manera que todos los cambios encuentran una explicación «lógica» y lograron que me acostumbrara de a poco a la nueva actriz, así como a la renovada relación que surge entre los protagonistas. De todas formas, tanto él como los demás personajes, sufrirán una transformación notable tras los terribles sucesos con los que finaliza la primera temporada.  

Sin dar más detalles, les recomiendo que vean «Alchemy of Souls», especialmente si gustan de la fantasía pura (muchas veces admiramos la gran imaginación de las escritoras). Es graciosa durante muchos momentos, trágica durante otros, pero siempre interesante y entretenida.

A veces es lindo imaginarse parte de un mundo mágico en el que todo es posible; así es Daeho, y para llegar allí no necesitas moverte de tu silla… ¿Qué más pedir?

Más información:

[mousieta]

2022 Drama Rankings: Dropped Shows

Bulgasal

Year: 2022 Country: Korea Platform: Netflix Episodes watched: 2/16 I so wanted to like this one, I was quite excited for the cast as I enjoy Lee Jin Wook, Kwon Na Ra and Lee Joon quite a bit in other shows. The premise, also, felt very Guardian-esq in a good way. I enjoy a good immortal series and Korean fantasy with a dark gritty edge? Yes, sign me up.

Unfortunately I could never get past the first two episodes. It fell victim to the trap that immediately kills my desire to continue watching a show: I started rewriting the whole thing *as* I was watching it (at least with Love in the Air the rewriting didn’t start for me until I’d seen the whole thing). But once my writer brain kicks in to redo it all, the show is done for me, its no longer fun, it is work and frustration.

I just didn’t care for the writerly choices as they felt poor and led to the overall tone of those first two episodes being very flat, emotionally. I just didn’t care about any character enough to make the flaws worth it.

Business Proposal

Year: 2022 Country: Korea Platform: Netflix Episodes Watched: 2/12 This was sharp and slick, and very cute. I made it, again, through about two episodes before I realized I just didn’t care enough to keep going. The cute felt a little too much, as though the show were depending on that and its bag of tropes rather than believable characterizations and moving plots.

The writing of what I saw seemed fine, the acting was fine, the directing was a little to into itself but it was fine. Fine, fine, fine, and in a lineup of much more compelling shows, I just didn’t feel like spending my time with fine.

F4 Boys over Flowers

Year: 2022 Country: Korea Platform: Netflix Episodes Watched: 3/16 I think I may just be Boys Over Flowersed out, y’all. Again, like Business Proposal, it was cute and fine. I made it through three episodes and just kept forgetting to watch more. I guess I don’t love BrightWin enough to watch heterosexual shenanigans.

The casting seemed spot on and I love that Thailand now has their own version which seemed to do well. I have the Korean version which was my first and the Chinese version which is my favorite and I think that’s enough F4 for me.

The Wind Blows from Longxi

Year: 2022 Country: China Platform: Viki Episodes Watched: 9/24 Of all the shows on this list - and maybe any other on my Dropped list this one and the next make me the saddest. I got quite far as well, nearly halfway. On paper, this has everything I need. The writing is good and intense with layers of conflict and constant guessing at the twists and turns of the plot. It is slick and well-directed and the acting is phenomenal. It also has a delicious staple: a tense and fraught m/m love/betrayal dynamic. This should have been catnip but for some reason I was  always either too mentally tired to engage, or would get distracted watching other things. Dropping this was definitely an ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing. Hopefully, someday I’ll have the capacity for it because I think it would be an excellent and captivating binge watch.

Heroes

Year: 2022 Country: China Platform: YouTube Episodes Watched: 19/38 This is another one that dropping made me sad. It was delightful and has Baron Chen!! An OT3 Romance! Delightful DMBJ connections!! All I can say is what did it in for me was likely the platform. I don’t have the fancy YouTube so watching commercials made it impossible for my ADHD brain to keep focused on an episode, I kept getting lost in the plot (which isn’t why I was bothering to watch but would have been nice to follow) Now that it is on Viki I might give it another go when I’m in the right mood.

Strangers from Hell

Year: 2019 Country: Korea Platform: Netflix Episodes Watched: 5/10 This was so, so good. Amazing. Gripping. Twisted. Lee Dong Wook was terrifying and compelling, Im Si Wan was as good as he ever is. Everything about this was good. I am just a great big old scaredy-pants who cannot tolerate anything suspensful or scary (I never have been able to).

I did my best: I only watched on brightly lit weekends in the middle of the day, and only one episode at a time. With those restrictions I managed to make it to episode 5 before I just couldn’t take it anymore. Highly recommend if psychological horror is your jam, you will be very pleased with it, I think. I just…can’t watch anymore. Dong Wook I still love you though! I just love sleeping through the night more.

2022 Drama Reviews Masterlist

[tifa-and-rinoa]

Dal Hwal x Sang Woon || I Wish You Well

“We've met before in your past life.” -  Dal Hwal

[showclubpod]

Next week, we'll be talking about the Netflix series Bulgasal: Immortal Souls. Get your watch started!

[byebyeballoon]

Not my dad saying, “I don’t do science fiction movies,” after my mom asked him if he wanted to watch 65 on Netflix and me immediately going, “You just asked if he was the dude from the Star Wars movies. Hate to break it to you but that’s scifi.” 💀

PS mom and I just finished See You in My 19th Life and it’s going on the watchlist bc Alexis adored the re-incarnation aspect of Bulgasal and we like both lead actors in it. She was introduced Shin Hye-Sun in Mr Queen, and to Bo Hyun Ahn in the Young Actors Retreat, plus I sent her clips from Yumi’s Cells.