In the current trend of crime, medical, or complicated dramas, this show shined because of its simplicity and sincerity. It has such a big heart (just like Kahoko), you can't help but fall in love with it.

From the moment I saw Takahata Mitsuki's transcendent performance as Kahoko, it was love at first sight. From her multitude of expressions to her voice acting to so many intangibles, I have no words. Screen-caps and gifs alone don't do her justice. She made a flawed character like Kahoko feel real and lovable.

I also now have a soft spot for Takeuchi Ryoma, he's such a natural actor, and esp. gifted in comedy. His chemistry and comedic timing with Mitsuki was spot on. Their OTP was too darn adorable. This was such a funny, heart-warming show composed of all these talented actors, who all did such a great job.

Coming of age dramas are usually about school or career, but this is about family, which resonated all the more with me, with life truths that will stay with me long after the show is done. Some may have found Kahoko's childlike innocence and naivety off-putting. But that continuous hunger to persevere, grow and learn, and not lose that endless optimism and positivity for life is the perfect armor in this current world full of troubles. I'll always remember Kahoko fondly for being the beacon of happiness when I needed it the most.

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The director has to juggle 5 plot threads in almost 2 hours. The movie handled this well, I appreciated the tales even with their limited time, as k-stories always shine when they’re simple relatable narratives of pure love and good humor. The film avoided getting messy which worked both to its advantage and its detriment. As it didn’t have time to delve into something deeper, it failed to tug my heartstrings, and left some unexplained things. The ensemble cast is stellar, starting with a good performance from ever likable Cha Tae Hyun. Overall Because I Love You is enjoyable enough to spend a few hours with, but you’ve probably already forgotten it once you pick up your next k-ent fix.

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Gurumi is a fairy tale. There's the dashing Prince Charming in Crown Prince Lee Yeong, who has to be the swooniest kdrama male lead character ever. Park Bo Gum has always been amazing, but he is simply epic here. Ra On is the poor Cinderella girl with a heart of gold, which made a Kim Yoo Jung fan out of me. There's the evil wizard and the evil queen with the Kims. Fairy godmother in second lead heartbreaker Yoon Sung. So if you love a dreamy romance with all the feels amidst breathtaking scenes give it a try. First half of the drama was utterly magical, though some momentum was lost on the second half because it tackled more politics. In its heart, this drama is essentially a feel-good tale about a coming-of-age story of a young prince you'll hopelessly fall for.

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Solid heartwarming family drama

What would you do if you can be young again and have a chance to re-do things you regretted in your youth? These are the life questions tackled in this show, and highlights that despite the hardships, fights, and imperfections, usually we don't realize what's the most important are those just beside us all along.

Lee Do Hyun was a charming standout, though a bit green in Hotel Del Luna. But here he totally impressed playing a 30 something father in a high schooler's body. Good all around cast, from the main cast to the comedic actors, and some newbie actors that look all promising (second lead syndrome is strong in this one).

I'll have to commend the PD, writer, and staff, how they depicted the transitions from past to present and vice versa, or even when Lee Do Hyun is onscreen to when he transitions visually to Yoon Sang Hyun is amazing and seamless. Umbrellas are already done to death in kdramas, but 18 Again's umbrella episode is one of the best kdrama episodes I've seen in awhile. It might not have done anything new, but 18 Again took the classic flavors we love about kdramas and executed it very well, and made me appreciate my family and what I have right now.

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Dysfunctional marriage with all the kisses

No major spoilers:
That is so satisying. When The Phone Rings' premise needs a LOT of suspension of disbelief...but who cares right? Those kisses(omg!) alone make it all worth it. We get a delicious male lead, a heroine we can root for, an 'it's complicated' marriage in the midst of it all, with a bit of psycho killer mystery and endless taboo family secrets thrown in.

Yoo Yeon Seok's looks are not typically what I go for as male lead, but he is amazing as Paik Sa Eon, who is the epitome of what all kfangirls go weak for---dashing 24x7 in a suit, each strand of hair meticulously arranged, so competent, ruthless, and unbothered, until you threaten his wife (yup, the one he's supposed not to care for). Then he goes all bonkers. Chae Soo Bin equally embodies vulnerable yet strong-willed Hong Hee Ju well, whose life has all been about sacrifices because of her selfish mother.

Someone likened this couple to the Flower of Evil dynamic, and I see the likeness. There's something delectable about watching a dysfunctional marriage, where they clearly care about each other, but all the secrets and miscommunications are on the way.

Spoilers
Where else can you see a distant couple who can only communicate their deepest secrets and repressed feelings behind a kidnapper's burner phone? Where a wife blackmails her husband to divorce her for 20 billion won?

I like it that Paik Sa Eon doesn't dwell too much on his hurt on Hee Ju's betrayal, he knows he wronged her a lot too, and he understood right away the reasonings behind her actions. Oftentimes it's easier to communicate behind the phone, things we cannot tell the other in person, and it was wondrous to see these two slowly fall more for each other as they open up their feelings.

Since childhood, Sa Eon found a kindred state with Hee Ju, amidst all the affluence surrounding them, they felt suffocated in a gilded cage, living a life forced upon them. There were probably some shortcuts so the story can fit into 12 episodes, so now I'm excited to tackle the webtoon and the source novel material. But undoubtedly, this is an easy recommendation, for those looking for a different spin on the 'dysfunctional marriage' trope, which I'm getting way addicted to.

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Sequels sure have a tough job ahead of them, following the success of a blockbuster hit. In this case, AWTG2 may have come up short in a few aspects, but it sure captured the spirit and the heart of the first movie.

Guiding another paragon, Kim Su Hong into the afterlife is just a side story here. It's about the much awaited back story of our 3 grim reapers, and it didn't disappoint. Didn't disappoint to tug at my heartstrings, that is.

Honestly before that last third of the movie, I thought ok this is still a good fun fantasy movie, but it doesn't quite capture the wonder of that first movie, the magic of going into this world as a newbie, meeting all these grim reapers, unforgiving gods, and lost souls.

To be frank, Kim Su Hong is quite annoying, and probably one of the last people you want to be rooting for. While the other part of the movie, was about 3 powerful beings figuring out how to get a mortal kid adopted, and Jurassic Park dinosaurs?

Before I realize it, the movie got to me, so be prepared to have the Kleenex ready. I love how the tale of our reapers tackles war, compassion, race, acceptance, repentance, and forgiveness. All in all, I adore this series (awesome acting and great cameos) , and I can't wait for more!

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JUNG. KYUNG. HO. He is THE reason to watch this drama. I never have interest to watch this drama based on the synopsis, or any of his dramas before, but boy am I having serious Kang Min Ho withdrawals right now. I even had a like-hate relationship with his character for the first few episodes, as he was being horrid to Soon Jung. It is a testament to the character's redemption, that I love him so much now. Such superb acting from Jung Kyung Ho, esp. doing comedy! He does the funniest expressions and physical comedy, oozing with charm to boot. I believe that is harder to see in the current Korean leads nowadays, it is way easier for the script/actor to make the audience cry. I do not know if how much percentage is it directing, writing, acting, or ad-lib, but the formula works perfectly for the character.

The story has its share of problems, mainly, the corporate stuff that went round and round until the end. There are also plot holes esp. on the last stretch of the drama. The villain also didn't come off as menacing enough for me.

The story itself is nothing revolutionary, but it won me over through its funny and heartwarming moments. All the acting are well done from an amazing cast---from Kim So Yeon to the adorable side characters. I can totally watch a comedy spinoff starring Captain Hook, Tinkberbell, and Wendy from this director/writer duo.

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Nice finale payoff but needs patience getting there

Train had a good payoff and finale but it was a bit of a slog getting there. For a suspense crime noir drama, the pacing was so off. It's only 12 episodes but the 'thrill' part is lacking, there were lots of fillers and rehash of past stuff. There's even not enough travelling between worlds to make the parallel worlds concept more exciting. The music is lacking as well.

I wanted to check this out for Yoon Shi Yoon. He played the dual roles well, but felt he can go a tad overboard at times. His trademark charisma is evident though even in such a serious role so I'm curious to see him in a comedic role next. The cast was more or less forgettable. The actor playing the villain was so bland. His background is interesting enough, but that actor lacks the villain gravitas. I liked that final twist though, and how it all comes together by the last 2 eps.

That romance is weird. Interesting concept but I wished the male lead did not like the girl instantly just because she looks the same as his first love. Hope the writer took time to develop the feelings first. In the end, this is a drama I can only strongly recommend to Yoon Shi Yoon fans.

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For those who are wary of picking up a crime procedural drama, be rest assured. This is one such drama that has the right dose of drama, comedy, psychological thriller, and a pinch of romance/bromance. Crime procedural is also not my first choice in watching any kind of show. I was not engrossed right away by the first 2 episodes, but I slowly got into the drama more and more as the likable cast tackled each case. Each case is connected to the characters and further our understanding of them, and of psychopaths, for that matter. With each episode, I found myself getting more infatuated with Seo In Guk (who looks at his most gorgeous here), admired Ji An more and more (played adorably by Jang Nara), and getting more and more heartbroken for the tragic bromance. The OTP romance did suffer a bit, because of the many things the drama is trying to tackle, but I really loved their relationship. It is very solid and based on friendship, mutual trust and respect. So give it a try, you are missing out on one of the most epic bromances in kdrama.

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Aww I love my happy endings! That finale makes up for all that long (very loooong) unnecessary noble idiocy shennanigans of ep 15 (I expected more from you writer-nim!) I initially thought, the story took out the bad guy too fast, but that satisfying finale makes up for it, oftentimes kdramas are caught up in their own twists and cliffhangers, then we'll just get 5 mins of happy times or none at all!

I've a soft spot for Kim Soo Hyun since loving him as Sam Dong in Dream High so I'm a bit let down that he is the straight guy here as Moon Gang Tae, as compared to meaty roles of Seo Ye Ji as Ko Mun Yeong or Oh Jung Se as Sang Tae. But when a drama is produced so well, you know you're in good hands.

A healing drama with fairytale elements and mysterious gothic feels, how did it all work so well? And for those who are curious, the psychological issues are tackled thoughtfully and there's nothing too depressing or graphic.

This drama might have catapulted Kim Soo Hyun, esp. Seo Ye Ji to more fame. I wanted to fall head over heels over the OTP (they look so good though and those kisses!), but maybe I expected more fire from KSH in some acting aspects (he remains the best crier though), and SYJ in the comedic aspect.

It's probably a blasphemy for IOTNBO fans, but
Sang Tae is the runaway best part of the drama for me. Oh Jung Se is a gem. That bromance is so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. That scene when Sang Tae confronted Gang Tae about a painful 'icy' encounter between the brothers from the past. Drama GOLD.

Aside from the OTP role reversal, the story might be nothing new from starcrossed lovers, to ill fated brothers. But Jo Yong's writing make you care for all her characters, even the supporting ones. It was so satisfying to go through their growth, with each tear and each laugh. It all came full circle. The whole ensemble cast is precious. Kim Joo Heon as CEO Lee Sang In is a great discovery!

This is another drama that will now fall easily as one of the kdrama romcom classics. 2020 has been tough for all of us, and IONTBO came at the the right place at the right time, like the Moon-Ko family, telling us it's ok to not be ok.

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This was loads of fun to watch! This was more of a mysterious whimsical adventure to the underworld, than horror. The 'big' reveal may have been a bit rushed and predictable, but personally the ending left me satisfied.

Li Lan got into a kind of Beauty and the Beast situation saving her dad. I'm pleasantly surprised by the humor and the slow burn romance which was done well, and totally ship it! Admittedly, the drama can be thought of as Li Lan choosing between 3 unlikely suitors lol.

I adore the distinct Malay-Chi identity of the drama. We may be from different cultures, but I felt a familiar bond in timeless practices like serving food and burning incense for loved ones to still care for them even beyond death. The Ghost Bride just portrays a theme of love that transcends culture and mortality.

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Wasted potential

Oh Alice, you have such an intriguing overarching scifi thriller mystery, why that messy ending that is hard to overlook? Oh well, the writer already showed his fixation beforehand, I was just too stubborn to drop it.

Spoilers:
Joo Won is good in action, I really wished the show just stuck to be a straightforward thriller, and did not insert all those almost 'otp' scenes between Jin Gyeom and Tae Yi. It's plain weird and the worst part of the show for me, which is sad as they are the main leads and the focus of the show. Why show?! Such a waste of Do Yeon and Min Hyuk too.

Jin Gyeom was a bit uninteresting until that twist, which of course Joo Won always delivers. He is wasted on goody goody straight roles. I felt the show lacked the right comic actors too. I also felt more scared with that young evil Jin Gyeom, than the old teacher one (probably because of that weird makeup). 2020 Jin Gyeom warring with young evil Jin Gyeom inside 1 body was so fascinating, the show should have stuck with it more.

Well, all those can be forgiven, but that last part where they have to force the Jin Gyeom-Tae Yi OTP when it doesn't even make sense anymore, just NO.

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