Aaron
Canberra, Australia
A good series to reflect on life, no matter how tough it is
This is an unlikely moral tale of how wrongful actions, bad decisions, and most of all, the cowardice/stubbornness of staying that way can run the lives of many, but most of all one's self and beloved. Innocent playful student love that gets complicated real quick, but thankfully comes to a reflective conclusion. A recommended watch for the storyline, but docked a few stars only because I felt the two leads didn't show romantic chemistry. Nonetheless, it does make one reflect on what best to include on one's bucket list, if it should come to that, and what memories one would hold most precious.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
Childhood kissing-gourami sweethearts lost and found
The theme song says it all "shuai dao fen shou" (handsome until we have to breakup) -- a thoroughly amusing and addictive simple plot of prince and (childhood-first-love) fishing-village mermaid, who mysteriously can't swim... the side characters lend depth to the storyline too.the leads and swim teams had great acting and humorous lines, but for me it was the convincing scariness of the Fei family that stole the show.
Minor spoiler: the opposing team's "black" coach was also quite scary, but she turns out to be a fair, reliable ally in the end.
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The Little Mermaid, Kdrama not Disney
Take my favourite childhood cartoon, stretch it by ten times its duration, remove Ursula and all the lovely Menken melodies, replace it with the stomach growls of a perpetually hungry Gianna Jun, throw in the neuralyser from Men In Black, and you've got this Legend of the Blue Sea. A tad too formulaic in many spots, but one is tempted to overlook them all, as the pleasant young official always has. The parallel storylines, and seemingly inevitable historic doppelgangers raise a lot of questions, but ultimately, it all ties together all right. The fishy bits were rendered quite well too.Was this review helpful to you?
Medical thriller with a historical political twist
A cautionary moral tale, about ethics, politics, promises, and duty of care. Surprisingly deep despite the sometimes shallow characters (like the playboy resident), this heart-pumping, oft gory drama about one of the top cardiology departments in Korea shows how far politicians, soldiers and doctors and prepared to go in order to ensure they reach the very top and remain there as long as they can. Pretty solid acting by all, especially northern side and the seemingly cold dad. A surprise sleeper hit which kept our pulses raised till the very end.Was this review helpful to you?
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quiet howler, this one
when tame siberian huskies put on sheep's clothing masquerading as a dangerous pack of wolves, you kinda realise the Jungle Book Disneyfication that's coming -- wait, except the Jungle Book is Disney. Amber is right in character as the scatter-brained older sister, but I think pouty Katie played her role better. The rest of the series is just a bare-chested Derek vehicle, which is probably why viewers embarked on it which begets the obvious question, why did I? perhaps it was for the cute fluffy canines, which were obviously mamalutes and huskies, not wolves.Was this review helpful to you?
When serendipity strikes, or crash lands...
As the desolation of isolation hits, this modern day Classic is a heartwarming distraction. From Toto-we're-not-in-Kansas-anymore to sullied-consciences for Das Leben der Anderen, to Casablancan self-sacrificial charms in the unlikeliest of minefields, this hopeful hilarious romcom shows love may extend beyond our virtual, internally-or-externally-imposed confines and perhaps transcend even the unbridgeable chasm of the 38th parallel, causing viewers to rethink what happiness, honour, duty-of-care, compassion and community mean in today's world, no matter the sociopolitical and technological trappings.Was this review helpful to you?
An insightful delve into Kyoto traditions
This short and sweet j-drama about of all things, traditional japanese sweets, or more specifically the challenges of being born into a family business spanning four centuries, is thankfully a delight, with a pleasant aftertaste. The protagonists are three single girls who are expected to take over the confectionery shop (and what visually delightfully confections they are), along with all the societal and familial encumbrances that are attached. The proprietress, and each of the vastly different daughters, are spot on in their acting, as is the head chef who is expected (in turn) to marry all of them. Hilarity and heartbreak ensue, not before the romantic complications of a banking salaryman, and the perpetuator of another centuries-old profession steeped in japanese culture.Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable period drama
About brothers, history and time travel. What if one had the benefit of hindsight, and is made a key character in a historic palace? Drama ensues, with bloody court intrigue due to sibling rivalry and failures at securing succession. Nonetheless, it was a tad more entertaining than I expected, given its shaky premise. Basically 15 or so brothers vie for a venus de milo of sorts from the future who appears in their pool. Each of their strengths and weaknesses are progressively revealed like an onion, and mostly end in tears.Was this review helpful to you?
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Lucid dreaming at an unreal level
Nothing like the Sandra Bullock movie of the same name, this dreamy romance of intertwined lives by saving-indebtedness is sweet and heartwrenching at parts, with pretty solid acting particularly by the neighbourly mom who provides daily breakfast, and the investigator sidekick. Bae Suzy carries off her bob with panache, but what was most endearing was that scattered throughout the series' cutscenes were lil furry inserts of the neighbourhood cat and indoor corgi. One liner non-spoiler summary of the series: "If you could dream the future, what salvific changes would you effect, and how would you live with the consequences of your (in/)actions"Was this review helpful to you?
A comedic retelling of the Gumiho tale
Not since the radically different k-drama Forbidden Love (2014) have I watched a retelling of the legend of the nine-tailed fox from east-asian folklore. This one does well as a comedy as 500-year old Miho is totally unfamiliar with modern life, and almost like an obliging canine, she wags her tails in glee when she's happy. My main gripe with this series is the inordinate amount of time she spends trying to pass the fox-bead around. I mean, is it a source of power or a ticking time-bomb? one is left puzzled all the way till the end.Was this review helpful to you?
When 949 years you reach, look as good you will not... yes, yes.
And many more yesses for this melodramatic goblin-reaper drama that will spook you out for a few centuries, at least. The tension between the reaper and chicken-restaurant owner is fun to watch, and brings balance to the teeny-bopper crushes and tears of the main protagonists. A plodding, philosophical drama on life, the supernatural, and our timely existence. Breathtaking views of the walled fortress of Quebec City bring back fond memories. Good acting by all, though I preferred the supporting couple.Was this review helpful to you?
