HPL is very special for me and it did teach me a lot. The main theme of a fangirl is something so close to many of our hearts. I especially loved how they chose an older heroine - this generation created the fan culture we know today, so that was a big bonus in my book. Also, I head no idea about the sasaeng world, that was a new experience.

The drama starts out very strongly. First couple of episodes are phenomenal, the first half of the third episode made me fall in love with the drama like nothing else. The tempo was there, there was also a lot hinted at and besides one of the best romcom couples on screen, it was interesting to unwrap all the mysteries. Unfortunately, the writing became a bit weak in the second half of the drama, notably after episode 10 or so. Writers used a couple of shortcuts that did a bit of harm to the drama in my opinion.

Also, HPL has some of the best developed relationships between all of the side characters out there. It was a shame, that one of the shortcuts was not exploring these further. in the later episodes. Mostly because in this drama, the minor characters don't feel like props at the beginning, as they mostly do in this genre in other dramas, they come off strong from the start. It is just a shame that they did not keep pace with main couple.

Now, Deok Mi and Ryan are strongest part of HPL. Their relationship is so well done and explored through patience, kindness and nurture. Also, the chemistry is just mad - I kept thinking that my screen is going to burst into flames. almost every episode.

The music, colours and overall playfulness are also a huge strong point of HPL. I was pleasantly surprised that both PMY and KJW went for it fully in this one - some of the humorous scenes got me by surprise. They both balanced the emotions so well, a joy to look at.

I think that I will come back to HPL to look at my favourite parts. However, I don't think that I will rewatch it as a whole. It is worth your time, though. I looked forward to it every week.

Read More

RIABB is a drama perfectly fitted for the period when the winter has been going on for too long, you want to something to warm you up and you are tired of tea and soup. It has a lot going for it – nice characters, great chemistry, interesting themes – but ends up only slightly above average.

At first, the drama is defined by Kang Dan-i and you root for her since the beginning. Joining back the job market after a break is a worldwide theme and when you are confronted with the heartbreaking truth of what was really going on with her, you cannot help it but be on her side. One thing this drama does so well is showing the unspoken in relationships, the things that hurt so much yet belong behind closed doors and women are often told, that that’s just how things are. I found myself crying over one of the stories of the side characters that got also divorced - her situation was so ordinary yet touching in a profound way. And the writers not only showed these things but presented us with strengths for these characters in friendships rooted in understanding and patience. There is plenty of good female friendships and bromances as well.

The core of the drama slowly shifts toward the relationship between Dan-I and Eun-ho and it’s a delight. What I loved the most was that it was shown through the everyday life, built on strong foundation, acceptance, nurture and care. The other romantic relationships formed in the drama felt also really nice and natural.

The workplace is a major part of RIABB and it’s a dream to work in. I also felt like the actors themselves had such a good time filming the drama that it showed through. There was also one mystery which I felt was a bit extra but tied into the story comprehensively. It’s a character driven drama which makes the tempo quite slow and it makes you feel the length of some of the episodes.

Overall though, I liked it and looked forward to every weekend to watch it, thanks to Netflix and the quick upload with subtitles. But I don’t think that there were those memorable moments worth coming back to that soon.

Read More

Disclaimer: This review is very long, it might take you a couple minutes to read it. In this review I don’t go into the details of the JJY scandal, I just mention it for context. I don’t mention the KJH and CTH allegations because as a foreign viewer, I don’t think it’s my place to comment on this case which is very specific to circumstances in Korea (and as far as I’ve read, they have been both declared not guilty).

Edit for context: I now see that KBS World is un-priveting the episodes and majority of them are slowly coming back. This review was written during the period when the scandals were relatively fresh.

When I discovered S2 of 2D1N at the beginning of last autumn, I did what I always do. I went into a rabbit hole of articles trying to read up on it and to see the current state of the show. I wanted to watch the new episodes as they air while catching up. And to my surprise, the show was on hiatus due to the astronomical scandal that was the talk of the internet. Therefore, after finishing S2, I decided to keep my hands off of S3. Time went on, I rewatched my favourite S2 episodes a couple times, dipped my feet into S1 and then I heard that, thankfully, S4 is going to be launching as well. And as the new episodes aired, one a week was just not enough.

The famous YouTube algorithm kept suggesting to me the few S3 episodes that were left there and not privated by the KBS and my greed for them rose exponentially, especially because I was head over heels for the show. So, I was faced with the dilemma – do you discard 5+ years of hard work of several hundreds of people just because of one bas****? At the same time, I kept on reading more about the show and looked up the lists of favourite and best episodes of 2D1N as a whole (mostly because I felt overwhelmed by S1 and wanted to see a select few episodes for now) and you know what? All of the lists feature mostly episodes from S3. Tumblr, blogs and comments were also just buzzing with S3 and somehow in a weak moment, I clicked on the Quit Smoking Project Special, one of the most acclaimed episodes of S3.

After that, S3 became my dirty little secret. I sporadically clicked on the recommended further episodes and I realised that this is (was) something else. Then lockdown/quarantine happened, I was stuck in my tiny apartment for almost three months and this was the only thing that provided me with somewhat of an escape.

Such a dramatic intro to a review of a variety show? Well yes. The circumstances why this season was dissolved were dire and I was, like many people I saw in the comments of various episodes, searching for a reason to justify watching it. Now, let’s move on.

The fact that the show was almost a year out of existence provided me with (I hope) a unique perspective. Let’s just flat out say, that because of JJY this show did “not age well”. Some segments of some episodes, in the light of what we know now, left a bile aftertaste and some are just tough to watch (like the one where they in honour of Joo Hyuk’s mom, who passed that year, do a summer vacation at a friend’s house and visit the mothers or close family members of the cast – the episode with JJY’s mother is simply heart breaking). There are also some inside jokes about JJY that were innocent when first broadcasted, but now are just scary to think about.

So, is this a review or what?

Let’s look closely at the season as a whole. I really have to praise Yoo Ho Jin PD, who did remarkable things with the show during his “reign”. It’s almost as if the first year of S3 is some kind of world building of their own universe. They very quickly develop nicknames and “characters” (almost), as well as plenty of running jokes and scene stealers from the crew are introduced. Yoo PD and his team also come up with excellent specials, some of which become a repeated/upgraded versions of themselves the following years. My favourites include the annual health check-up, food tours or races with throwing the dice. All episodes from the first two years of this season are very special – even if the members are asked to reflect and pick something memorable, they usually come back to these. The beginning also introduces some legendary “guests” from the citizens. The fact, that they came up with ways to incorporate their appearances in later years, is remarkable (like in one of the races, the teachers recorded short informational videos for the members to ace the quizzes). The last thing I want to mention here is the incredible trust Yoo PD developed with the members. Just the fact that he let them shoot some parts without the crew or made a special where they choose what they are going to do, is amazing. Not only is it entertaining, but the members truly make the show their own and those are some of my favourite parts.

Just to close this off, I want to mention that somewhere here the editing really improves, compared to the earlier seasons. Yoo PD makes small changes to make the show more dynamic, which also has to do with the fact that they just have so much footage. I remember the members (this was not intentional) from earlier seasons always worrying about the footage, if there is enough of it. In S3 this really is not an issue anymore.

The switch to Yoo Il Yong PD is very smooth, since the members themselves chose him. This change happens a few episodes into Dong Gu’s addition to the show, which was also a nice transition (I do believe that this made his “blending in” a bit easier). Il Yong PD rules with an iron fist at first, but as with most directors, they soon wrap him around their fingers. His run at the season is also very creative and the quality is very stable, there are also some ambitious and quite expensive specials, which proves that the higher ups were willing to invest resources into the show as well. The only downside is that after two full years of superb specials, his are just a bit less memorable. But nonetheless, still excellent. My favourites include Kim Jong Min special, Emotional trip with the poets or the Panmunjeom (the closest village to North Korea). I also have to mention, that some of the funniest bokulboks of his “reign” are hidden in seemingly boring episodes. Like when they were exploring the fall colours, hiking and then for dinner they played protect the fish (toys) in a bowl while spinning on an office chair. I almost peed my pants.

There is one more thing I want to mention that both of the above-mentioned PD’s did so well and that were the “member specific” specials, as I like to call them. Like when Kim Jun Ho had a terrible year within his private life when he got a divorce and at the same time kept losing everything on the show, they prepared a special where he was lucky the whole day. Or the episodes where they recreated some old family photos unknowingly – those were my absolute favourites. The PD’s showed the members as real people and that’s partially why this cast is still so very much loved.

The story of Kim Sung PD is heart breaking. After being on the show for almost seven years, his reign as the main PD came to a quick ending. And it is indeed a shame because from the few episodes we got, they were incredibly creative and something new.

The members who are this season

When I decided to seriously get into S3, knowing full well what happens, I told myself that I won’t get attached and especially not to Kim Joo Hyuk. Well, he was my absolute favourite since the first episode I’ve seen. I frequently cried during random episodes when he mentioned something about what he wanted to do with his life, and I was deeply touched by his authentic presence. He brought me so much joy, and in many ways, he was the ground rock this season stood on. When he decided to leave the season, he left such big shoes to fill. No wonder it took them so long to find someone to add to the cast.

Kim Jun Ho makes this season what it is, in a lot of ways. You can see how he slowly falls in love with the show and he completely lets himself go. The infamous Yaps, the one always causing mischief, chronic cheater, bender of the rules and a cute man-child. He has an excellent feel for the audience, I really liked it when he tried to steal/hide stuff they were finding during some missions and his rotten luck is a thing for a whole another review. He brought dynamic into every team he was in and I liked that a lot.

Cha Tae Hyun is an asset to every team, he is steady and always works hard. I really liked how he almost never interfered with other’s petty wars and revenges. I think that he has a lot to carry in his everyday life and it was fun to see how he could escape it all for two days and one night due to this show. He is also the one that is a close friend to every member and he knows them really well.

Defconn is, as they said, the anchor of S3 and the members trust him. He has a unique talent in making everyone feel comfortable and welcome, which in some episodes makes the biggest difference. He also possesses the “too much gene” (he sometimes doesn’t know when to stop doing something or talking), so I get that he’s not everyone’s favourite. However, I liked him here quite a lot. He also kept the season on point with references to current popular idols and actors, some of whom ended up on the show because of that.

I always root for the team Kim Jong Min is in. He is the chaotic good of this show. It looked to me as if he was the most comfortable with this cast, which I get since the majority of them are close to his age. I loved how he adored Kim Jun Ho and always bickered with him (if you don’t know, they now started a YouTube channel together called Kim Dumb, check it out). I am rooting for him in the new season as well, he is one of my absolute favourite human beings.

Yoon Dong Gu (I’m sorry, it’s just difficult to address him as Shi Yoon to me) is a breath of fresh air for this season and I think that he brought a lot of perspective and reflection at the time he joined. In his first episode, when he decided to play rock-paper-scissors fairly, I knew that he would be something else. Yet, he fits the show like a glove – he is very human, often fails, and he is very, very, very sweet. He is also quite affectionate with the members and holds them in high regard, it was nice to see.

Does JJY deserve anything nice to be said about him? To be honest, knowing what I know now, it gave me the freedom to rewind his parts when they were separated from each other or simply scroll my phone without regrets when he was on. As a whole, I don’t think he would be my favourite anyways since he presented himself, at least at first, as quite arrogant and I really don’t like that. When he came back from his hiatus (which we now know the reality of) I think I finally saw his place in S3. It wasn’t the same without him and he belongs to this season, however heart breaking that might be.

I also want to comment on Lee Yong Jin, the intern who never got to be the member. He was like a flash from the clear sky, when he first appeared on as a guest, I just knew that he belongs there. He is hilarious and the few episodes with him that we got, were excellent.

In conclusion, since we never got one

I cried like baby watching the last episode of S2. If S3 had a similar final episode, I would end up in the ER with severe dehydration. This is a bad joke, but the fact that we are left without a conclusion, a full send-off, is bittersweet, heart breaking and frankly, this season deserved better. On the other hand, leaving it on a high is a small gratification. I am sad, that the power to make and ending was taken from them.

I am not a fan of comparisons and of the attitude of not moving on from stuff. This season was overall very excellent and had elements that the previous seasons of the show didn’t have. It was almost as being an insider in the coolest group of people at your school, that everyone wants to be friends with and seeing them for who they are – just regular (and super funny) guys. I will root for every cast member and I sincerely hope that the system won’t fail JJY and he will recognize his wrongdoings, correct his behaviour and realise the burden of what he’s done to his victims.

I will of course support the new season of the show, since the idea of it is more than just the members. It’s all inclusive and about the beauty of Korea, learning about the culture, food and life (while having some fun).

I will remember these members forever.

Read More

I started this review a few times hoping to relay a message across, that is hard to describe. What I want to say is that we all watch dramas for a different reason and giving ratings to these light, fluffy dramas the same way as to the highly constructed ones should be done carefully. This drama is meant for you to switch your brain off, root for the characters, laugh out loud and love every minute of it. And I certainly did just that, which is why I rate it so highly.

Where this drama shines are definitely the characters. Not only the main couple, but especially the side characters. I loved every single one and their relationships.

KJR and OJS are the best. There is something special about the dramas where the female lead falls for the male lead first and it was done to a perfection here. She pulled the best qualities of KJR to the surface and it was a pleasure to watch them. Not to mention the great chemistry between the actors. I was sometimes afraid that my screen would burst into flames.

TYH is a character driven drama so you shouldn't expect a lot of various cases to be explored. They were utilised mostly as a background story but kept with the flow of the show. One of the plot points that was hinted at the beginning fell just a bit flat. I felt like it could have been utilised more.

The music is awesome, "Make it count" will be stuck in your head for hours. Believe me.

Overall, I loved this. And I will come back to it very often. I already miss all of the characters.

Read More

A very sweet rendition of Three Meals a Day

I really love the concept of Three Meals a Day and this one is not only a great successor to the concept, but is an especially sweet one, if you followed Hospital Playlist (which I did and really loved). If you watched the series, please give this programme a chance as well. Not only because of an awesome IRL friendship of the group, but they actually watch two episodes of the drama during it's premiere (in episode 4 of this show they watch episode 11 of the drama and in episode 8 they watch the finale - if you don't have much time, please watch at least these two).

But let's make this review in an orderly fashion, shall we?

The location of this season is on point. The mountains and small village suit the group very well and the house where they reside is located on a pretty much perfect spot. There is a lot of room, they were never cramped inside and had plenty of good equipment outside as well. The addition of a woodworking open shed was also very welcome and interesting.

As for adaptation of the concept itself, the crew continues to be very strict with the cast and this show is a very classic representation of Three Meals a Day. They go around working to earn money for extra ingredients (only the basic ones are provided) and the tasks are quite difficult. I really loved that the guests helped as well.

The food looked absolutely delicious and it was great that they introduced the element of a surgeon for each meal that was the responsible one. I was afraid that because of such a large number of cast members, there would be chaos, but this made everything go so smooth. I really enjoyed the addition of the U bench that Yeon Seok created to go around the fire. It looked like in a restaurant and it seemed to me like it made it easier for the crew to shoot as well.

The cast it great, but we all know that. What made it so special was that we were able to take a look into their friendship and see their regular selves. Kim Dae Myung was absolutely hilarious and he made laugh so hard in almost every episode. Jung Kyung Ho is also very funny and with a special brand of chaos that follows him everywhere. Jo Jung Suk is... I don't even know how to describe this. Made by an artificial intelligence? Everything he touches turns to gold, he knows always what to do, how to lighten the mood, how to assist his friends. He's just great.

Jeon Mi Do has a calming presence among them, always ready to provide and opinion, advice and diligent work. I loved how they showed that after they all went to sleep, she just pulled out her new script and continued to work. She has some real role model qualities and I wish to be more like her. I really appreciated how Yoo Yeon Seok made time for this project and tried to contribute his absolute best. He was very sad that he could be with them only for a short while, but he made an impact and was his usual sweet self.

The guest were so well chosen and I was blown away by the variety of them. Seven guests for eight episodes and with each of them they shared valuable moments. They were also motivated to entertain them which resulted in some pretty hilarious moments (if you know what I mean and I mean outdoor yard musicals). I was looking forward to Jung Moon Sung the most because he was my favourite in the drama and he did not disappoint. I enjoyed everyone, but Kim Hae Sook was a nice surprise for me and when they all started to call her omma, damn, my heart melted.

I usually rewatch Three Meals a Day at random when I have trouble falling asleep. It's a healing show, and this one is just so sweet, I can see myself rewatching it often. This is absolutely worth your time.

Read More

This is one of the best documentaries out there. It is made out of a unique cross between real reactions of the two hosts (or as they are referred to - subjects) and vlogging "a day in my in life" type of videos. It also centres around a very important theme, happiness.

SJS and PSH were so good here, the creators really picked excellent subjects. They contrasted each other so well and seeing them fulfil the missions in their own way was not only entertaining but almost satisfying. I loved them both so much. PSH was so playful and took all the missions heads on, sometimes making them in her own rules. SJS was so hilarious. Sometimes he just did everything without a fuss and other times he sat around thinking how to approach it in such an entertaining way. I must also say that he is probably the sweetest man on this planet, having that kind of weather and still cracking jokes with the crew all the time.

I also really liked how they tailored the missions to the subjects and their reactions were sometimes priceless. When PSH had to turn off her off phone was just pure gold, as well as when SJS had to create something artsy.

LHITF is much more than a documentary. The prolonged shots of nature create unique atmosphere and the topics of small happiness warm your heart quite a lot. I did not mind the 1,5 hour per episode, it flew by I don't even know how. I got a bit teary during the last episode as well, since they showed some behind the scenes interviews and PHS became very emotional.

Being happy in your life is so very important. In the past I did not believe in happiness but I learned to find it small things, which is also represented in the spirit of this show and I agree with it strongly. I think that I will come back to this documentary quite a lot. Rain will probably remind me of it on a frequent basis.

Read More

This drama is just excellent. It has so many strong points - the cinematography is on a whole new level, the props and locations are flawless and everything is wrapped in mesmerizing music. The fact that the story and acting are there as well, is just a cherry on top.

I can't stop praising Yeo Jin Goo's acting enough. He made this drama for me and carried it so well. There are so many distinctions between his portrayal of both characters that is hard to believe, that he plays both. I also enjoyed his interaction with Kim Sang Kyung, Jang Gwang and mostly with Lee Se Young. I am a sucker for these kind of, almost innocent, love story.

There are so many motives here that deserve praise and attention. This drama uses things that are so often used in historical dramas, yet makes them interesting and shows them in a different light. In a way, the audience takes a journey with Ha Seon and the deeper he gets into the role of the king, the more you see and understand. The political aspect of the drama therefore is not as boring as it is in some others of this genre.

There are lumps and bumps in the story, some aspects feel rushed as it draws to a close, but it's not something that would ruin the overall well made drama. I enjoyed it very much, was looking forward to every episode and I will think about it for a long time after it ended.

Read More

I love watching these shorts, it's like an advent calendar - small chocolates before the main event, New Journey to the West. Athletic Genius Ahn Jae Hyun is just great, mostly because he is the sweetest, most hardworking man and watching him trying something out of his comfort zone makes you root for him. I really enjoyed myself, looked forward to every episode and in my opinion, they chose the sports for him to try quite well.

My absolute favourite was the first sport, I think that it gave an excellent start to the series. There are also some appearances in later episodes by familiar faces, which is very rewarding. I loved this show, you will too.

Please, watch this series on YouTube to give them views (plus, there are free subtitles).

Read More

The best one yet

Hats off to the Great Escape team. Another great season all around. The scale of the show is amazing, but it works because they got the best cast together. The episodes were so well balanced and varied that everyone got their moment. I especially liked that they developed the world of the show a lot, but it still remains a show that you can get straight into without seeing the prior seasons (they explain the context or provide enough of new plot, that you don't miss the past story).

The production and creativity for this season is a whole new level. Every time I get around to watching a new season of the Great Escape, I am in awe of how the production team is capable of coming up with new incredible sets and stories that the cast, and the viewers alike, get totally sucked into the episodes. This season especially, I would like to praise how the production team steps it up to developing abilities of the cast. They got to know them quite well in the past two seasons and are starting to use the advantage of their weaknesses (like English, for example) to make challenging concepts and riddles.

The cast also leveled up. When I think back on how they got stuck for hours in that small room in the first episode of the first season, I laugh out loud. Now they are like small bulldogs in turning the sets upside down when looking for clues, they developed a system of assigning certain people to certain types of riddles/tasks and work collectively so well. They are in fact, one giant brain at this point.

Once again, I would like to point out that my favourite thing about this cast is that they don't play heroes, or are mean to each other in scary situations. They really do work well together, congratulate each other on everything solved and when faced with a difficult situation, they find a solution (or who to send in first) after lengthy discussions and overall satisfaction of everyone included.

This season though, I would like to point out Yoo Byung Jae's involvement - damn, he's so smart and quick on his feet. I would not be surprised if in the next season they would keep him separately from the rest of the cast in one of the episodes, and everyone would just enjoy the mess that this would cause. But seriously, he is the soul of the team, the most trusted member and rightly so. He also makes perfect pair with Shin Dong - those two together can crack almost anything.

Strangely, this season, the brains are often joined by Kim Jong Min who had an excellent run. He randomly cracked difficult puzzles or discovered something incredible. He was simply at the right place at the right time this season. He was praised by others often and he was the centre of this season's funniest running jokes, including the ridiculous nicknames that he got. If you root him, like I do, you will not be disappointed this season.

As always, the heart of the team is Kang Ho Dong and rightfully so. He has this excellent quality of supporting his younger brothers, he roots for them and is always ready to take one for the team or to do the difficult stuff. Kim Dong Hyun is supposed to be the muscle of the team but he often panics in intense moments. My favourite moment of this season was when in the ghost episode he spotted the stray cat that randomly entered the set and he lost his marbles. PO is the sweet member, he always helps his hyungs and has good ideas.

This season also features spectacular plots and ideas. The introduction of the new plot line is very refreshing and the revisiting of the old ones is still highly entertaining. Even in the last two episodes, when they featured a repeated element and the cast was like "this again", they managed to make one of the highlights of the show - they were spectacular and highly emotional, the cast was in awe. This element (I am really trying no to spoil it here) also opens wide possibilities for the upcoming seasons.

The editing in season 3 is very swift, you don't feel the length of the episodes. This season has a nice tempo and is really playful. They often lead you to believe that the members will crack a puzzle and progress and it's a fail. This makes the show very entertaining and makes you feel for the cast, as well as builds a direct relationship with you, as you try to figure out the solution along with them.

A great season all around, I am so excited for the next. This series is exceptional, give it a go.

PS - I would very much like to thank the people who did the subtitles for this season, although I know that they won't read this. Such tricky translations, you guys rock!

Read More

This edition of 3MAD was incredible. The four guys really adapted the programme into their own and you won't even notice the absence of guests. Every episode is very entertaining and I was thinking to myself: "This just cannot get any better, this is the peek." And yet, I was wrong. The hosts try to do as many things as they possibly can, not to amuse the viewer, but to have genuine fun themselves. They explore the area of Gochang, work hard, play hard and eat a lot of delicious food.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between the youngsters and the veterans, as well as between the cooking department and the facility department. They kept joking constantly and had a good time. CSW and YHJ kept a nice tempo in the show, mostly because they cannot just sit still. I loved when they played ping pong, even baseball and also the inside jokes they developed during the night time conversations.

The added benefit to this run of 3MAD is the rural area this takes place in. I can imagine that people from cosmopolitan areas have only a rough idea about how the fruit, vegetables or rice shows on their plates or in their supermarkets. The hosts do various jobs in the area and it's interesting to watch and to learn with them. They usually reward themselves with and adventure, which is just a cherry on top.

Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village is just amazing. If you want to invest your time only into one of this series, I would pick this one.

Read More

Great cast, great guests - the best season yet? It was for me.

How is it possible, that when you finish the current 3MAD season, you find it the best season ever? Is it just me or was this one actually the best one to date? All jokes aside, I think that this was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed every single episode and it was the highlight of my week. So let’s get into the review.

First of all, I would like to praise the crew for showing us that everyone was filming the show in safe environment and circumstances. South Korea is the pioneer in the fight against COVID-19 and it was nice to witness it even in entertainment such as this show.

This season brings back the legendary trio – Cha chef, Mr. True Sea and Mr. Ho Jun (he is too old to be just Ho Junie now :) ). And damn, they age like fine wine and are true living icons. They are in sync by now and you can see it especially when Ho Jun arrives a bit later on in one of the episodes and they feel the void of his absence acutely. I really enjoyed all the jokes about getting old together, the constant mischief and running jokes for the dedicated viewers.

I also want to praise Cha Seung Won and Yoo Hae Jin for being not only good colleagues to Son Ho Jun, but being trusted mentors as well. He often confides in them on camera about his insecurities and they give him good advice and assure him, that all will work out in the end. To me, all three of them portray healthy masculinity which is quite rare to find on mainstream TV these days.

They have so much to do this season that you don’t even notice the length of the episodes. That is mostly because they cannot sit still, but also because of the location. Jukguldo is smaller in comparison with Manjedo, but it has so many nooks and crannies and opportunities for things to do. I enjoyed watching the morning run with Yoo Hae Jin, picking up abalones with Ho Jun, walks with the guests and the misty morning on the last day of the shoot through the helicam was pure magic. Maybe it was because I was stuck inside for too long in lockdown, but the scenery was almost liberating to see and it eased my feeling of stuffiness.

Fishing Village 5 opens with a tough first couple of episodes. The sea was not calm enough for comfortable fishing and the nets were not bringing in plenty of fish either. The cast therefore suffered quite and a bit and created the instantly iconic P (potato) a SP (sweet potato) fancy restaurant gag. I laughed so hard when in the next episodes Cha Seung Won smuggled in some meat from home, just to be sure. But, as it often happens, lows are followed by some spectacular highs. I kid you not, when Yoo Hae Jin, after struggling so much for years, caught that giant fish (that was getting bigger and bigger every time they mentioned it), I applauded and made a loud cheer. He really did well and was at the right place this time around. He caught plenty of seafood and it results in some pretty interesting cliffhangers. Yes, cliffhangers about fish. Only this show can do that.

The guests are phenomenal this season. Every single one was compatible with the hosts. It is quite rare to get out of the house for a trip this year, so you could tell that they really enjoyed themselves. Gong Hyo Jin’s warm laugh, her desire to keep everything sparkling clean and her ability to be satisfied with whatever they were able to put on her plate makes her a superb guest. She was the first female guest with this ensemble and she was very pleasant. Lee Kwang Soo felt like a fourth host, he was always ready to help and he was so gullible, that he made me laugh out loud a lot. I enjoyed his presence. Lee Seo Jin’s signature sass was just a cherry on top. He is the complete opposite of this hyperactive trio and he was just perfect here. Truly, the guest everyone wanted. Also, please, Na PD, when the restrictions end and we will all be safe, please do the Middle-aged Men over Flowers (with Ho Jun as the porter) as a real show for us, I would love it.

The hosts are amazing and the fact, that this is their fourth season on this format of the show makes it a special experience. Cha Seung Won is an inspiration in the kitchen. I really enjoy his style of cooking, he prepares even simple meals deliciously and you can learn a lot from him. He develops his style and was quite ambitious this season as well, for example with the tofu. He also praises everyone often, which is my favourite thing about him. Son Ho Jun’s ability to predict what will be needed, and hand it to Cha chef even before he asks for it, is remarkable. He pays attention and adores his older colleagues. He is very endearing and although unsure of himself, he is truly valued.

Yoo Hae Jin always does his best and goes above and beyond. He is incredibly creative and so funny while trying to improve their island lives. Atelier Muscle, How strong, Jabajo and other inventions of his are not just practical, but they are instant running jokes. I was hoping that this season he would finally get lucky with fishing and I was so satisfied when he did. You just have to root for him. He is one of my favourite people on this planet. If he decided for his next project to read a phonebook out loud, I would still watch it.

I really enjoyed this season. It was a perfect escape from all this, every single minute of this season (including the final debrief) was just pure joy. I would love seconds, this cast is my absolute favourite. Well worth my time, I will rewatch it for sure.

Read More

We all had this situation happen to us. We are far away from home and suddenly, we start to miss even the little things, but mostly home cooked meals. The premise of Boarding House in Spain is just that, to provide the traveller with some comfort and it leaks through the screen to your home, wherever it may be.

And oh my, this variety show is very difficult for the hosts. They had so much to do and were quite understaffed (Hae Jin had to get help from on of the on-site producers several times), that I think, if it were any other hosts, they would not make it. All three of them are so hard working, so entertaining and so sweet, I just can't.

The first couple of episodes reflect this. They are all battling jetlag (which they don't mention, but you can see it quite well) and they get to know the hostel and its surroundings. As a European who recently made a visit to Korea, I could totally understand their baffled expressions around some of the differences in produce, but they work around it excellently. Also, hat off to Jung Nam for taking notes on everything and practicing his Spanish enough to get by, and even make fast friends with some of the shop owners. He might be a scatterbrain in the kitchen, but he was very well organised when it came to the though stuff. At first I didn't know what to make of him, since he is a lively person and the dynamic between him and the other two was different than what I'm used to from the other varieties they have done, but he is very endearing and likeable.

After a rocky beginning, the hosts get a much need needed injection of positivity from a great group of pilgrims on the fifth day. After that, I felt that Seung Won became his usual self and he started to be interested in his mischief, and the responsibility of cooking that much every day got a bit lighter on his shoulders.

As for Hae Jin, his job was very varied, plus he had to make some impromptu stuff out of wood for the hostel as well. I admired that about him and mostly because he carried the humour and good spirits around him even when the situation got rough. I just love this man, and the crew adored him so much as well. They just laughed around him all the time and it makes you genuinely curious about what he is up to. Also, he is just so charismatic outside of the format of the show and makes parts of every episode a sort of video diary of his own, when he explores the surroundings during his exercise routine.

To make a kind of summary, the show settles into a nice groove after the first two-three episodes, but as a whole, it's excellent. I wanted to keep it as a casual watch, but instead, I gulped it down in 5 days. You will not regret investing your time into this one, it is worth it.

Read More

This show is a solid ten from me. The concept is very good and I think it reflects the reality in a lot of countries - children just don't have the opportunity to run around and explore nature freely in our time. Little forest takes this issue and blends it together with well chosen hosts, some very sweet kids and excellent setting - summer is just oozing from the screen.

The first episodes, although very entertaining, focus more on the struggle of the hosts, who have limited experience with taking care of children of various ages. However, then the show finds a nice groove, placing the children at the centre of it. You get to know them better, the hosts prepare games, experiences and adventures for them and in the middle of all of this, the kids gain new knowledge and grow up a lot.

I have to give my admiration to all four of the hosts, who grew their skill set for this show as well. The kids in the show were all great and it was fun to see how they formed they relationships with the hosts. It all wraps up in quite an emotional finale, but you won't be disappointed investing your time into this.

Read More

Another amazing season is behind us and I can’t believe that we are at the point of waiting a year for another one (again). The Great Escape 4 holds up to the quality of its predecessors, however, it’s increasingly difficult to follow the show without at least a surface knowledge of the DTCU universe.

Let’s start with something that kept bothering me this season and I couldn’t put my finger on it exactly. First of all, let me say that I love the show, and I still think that it’s very unique and unbelievably high quality. However, this time around I at first thought that maybe the editing is a bit different because some parts were difficult to follow or to focus on. As the series progressed, I realised that it’s just that the immersive element for the cast sometimes translates as too much information for the viewer. That being said, it’s probably the only downside I would point out this season.

I like the fact that there is a lot to build on and the universe keeps expanding. I also applaud the cast for “studying” before every season to refresh their memories. In my opinion, this creates quite a unique bond with the fanbase since they’re looking up old clips and episodes before shoots and often cite quotes of comments from the viewers.

I feel like everyone shined this season and their abilities got a lot of spotlight. There are two main brains though, so let’s start with them. Shin Dong often says that this is his favourite gig in his whole career and he is always so into the narrative. And also, damn, he’s so smart! This season he also has one shocking moment that steered the course of an entire episode, which showed exactly why he is such an asset to the team. Yoo Byung Jae is another cast member that often finds solutions to seemingly impossible situations. He usually reads all of the instructions and I loved how he said that he often speeds through the text just to be the first one to solve it.

Kim Dong Hyun has incredible moments this season. It blows my mind how one can be a massive scaredy cat and at the same time a genius in the most important moments. When I think about Kim Jong Min in this season, there are plenty of hilarious moments (one certainly comes to mind right away) that happened which made him a complete scene stealer. On the other hand, he usually is just that. The thing is, he is basically a variety show trained machine, goes head first into everything, finds the most important clues, is strangely calm in high-tense situations yet if you ask him contextual questions about the episode’s story, he has only a vague idea. But somehow, he just fits perfectly here.

I don’t know about you, but I always root for Kang Ho Dong to find something epic in the episode, because his enthusiasm then becomes infectious and everything somehow goes smoother. He also holds the team together the most, he is the glue they need to be as awesome as they are. I think that P.O. is a member, who is simultaneously the biggest fan of the show. He often remembers minor details from the past stories because he rewatches the episodes over and over again in preparation. He also had a lot of good moments this season, I think that his growth as an escaper is the most visible.

A cast with this kind of chemistry and good vibes needs just challenging concepts to get through. And oh boy, they had plenty of those this season. There were several concepts where they thought one thing and it turned out to be something completely different, with epic moments scattered throughout or unbelievable finales. I think that at least two episodes (concepts) of this season should be marked as ones of the top five of the whole series.

I really hope that the fifth season will be out soon. And I also noticed that they developed a label for their cinematic universe, so I keep my fingers crossed for something additional. Because I would gladly watch more any day.

Read More

New word for meaningful and awesome should be Navillera

Once in a while you come across a drama that is not only well written, superbly acted out and has a powerful message, but at the same time it’s also a drama that comes into your life when you didn’t know you needed it and packs such a punch, that it makes you to re-evaluate your life. This was Navillera to me.

The story is incredible – it creates an amazing contrast between a coming-of-age story, and “let’s give it all I have when I still have some time left” story. Navillera shows the perspective of two very specific heroes, with such a different view on life and experiences in it, that it’s just incredible that it manages to work so well. It’s also a prime example of inter-generational learning and shows how beneficial it can be for one’s life.

I found the charm of Navillera mostly in the small things. The dialogue is written very realistically, and the characters interact with one another the way real people would. There is one scene where haraboji receives a gift and he automatically replies: “But orange is my favourite colour.” That made me laugh so much and miss my family in a way – it’s something so familiar to have “assigned” your favourite colour to make picking out gifts easier. The drama also leaves small messages for attentive viewers to pick up on, as well as it does a good job in tying everything together at the end.

Most of that is thanks to a reasonable tempo and twelve episodes. Everything feels just right, there are no filler episodes, and every scene has a meaning. The acting is nothing short of spectacular, even the side characters have their moments. It’s very rewarding to see fully fleshed plot lines and developments in this setting of high-level acting. Not to mention the sheer amount of preparation that both Song Kang and Park In Hwan had to do. I was in awe at some of their scenes. This drama also featured several strong female characters and that made my heart melt.

It will be a long time until I come across a drama like this. It was deeply meaningful and made me look at my life with a different eye. It’s amazing, honestly, how they created this drama in a way that it feels natural for you to do so. It’s almost as if you are a part of the conversation.

Navillera also shows some aspects of family life in such raw state, that I got emotional several times in moments without the main characters present. I would also like to comment on how tasteful and respectful the creators were towards some scenes involving the main heroes dressed in ballerino outfits. Honestly, it was just beautiful.

I liked the OST as well – the contrast of modern music and classical ballet music was excellent.

I know, this drama might trigger a lot of people who have or have had a similar health situation with a family member, myself included. However, it made me think a lot about that certain dear person, I returned to some memories that I have not thought about in years. It made me find a bit of peace and it was healing. On the other hand, be ready to maybe stop watching Navillera for a couple of days when things get though (I did for two weeks) – but please, stick to the end. It’s the most rewarding drama you’ll ever see.

Oh, and P.S. you’ll cry a lot. So switch from handkerchiefs to toilet paper roll. It saves a lot of hustle. You’re welcome.

Read More