A modern take on traditional Korean storytelling

I hadn’t heard of “ Madanggeuk” - a kind of modern version of political folk theatre in Korea - but I have heard of Pansori folk music before and this film is a charming mix of folk tales, the mandanggeuk with its focus on injustice and righting wrongs as well as a supernatural bent. I love Kim Ok Bin and her martial arts skills were a treat to watch. This isn’t a rip off of wuxia - it’s a full on look at Korean storytelling with modern music. It has nothing to do with Chinese traditions. Quite frankly, that other reviewer is talking nonsense. So cool that the director was able to create this dream world using such easily found technology.

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For a simple high school drama, Monstar is surprisingly re-watchable. The plot of idol musician Yoon Sul-chan being forced to attend high school despite his "But I'm a star!" attitude makes for a lot of funny social interactions. There's the girl who remains unimpressed, his elementary school buddy-turned-enemy and the different social stratas of high school society - all competing for Sul-chan's mental energy and limited emotional space.

As Monstar was the first drama series produced by music channel Mnet, expect a lot of musical interludes and "Let's put on a show!" situations.

If this description has driven you off, don't leave Monstar quite yet. These kids all have broken emotions lurking under their cool or nerdy personas and teasing those true emotions out from the silly high school situations makes this a lovely, sentimental journey. With idols! And Kang Ha Neul as a second lead!

Lead girl Ha Yeon Soo really blossoms as the new girl to school and her soulful acting brought out the (limited) best of idol lead Yong Jun Hyung from Beast. And, have I mentioned Kang Ha Neul? Another actor I'd like to see more of is Moon Yong Suk as the class president and talented pianist Ma Joon Hee.

Music wise - this was the first OST I ever bought and it is great.

Rewatch - well, I watch an episode or two almost every week. It's not complicated, the young cast is quite charming and the music is great. Give it a try!

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I was really pleasantly surprised by this movie. I just couldn't imagine how the plot would progress from the first movie in the series. In movie one, financial analyst Cheng Zixin (Yuanyuan Gao), falls into a love triangle with down-on-his-luck architect Fang (Daniel Wu) and CEO Cheung Shen (Louis Koo) a playboy who also works in an office building directly adjacent to Cheng Zixin. In movie two, the soon-to-be married Cheng Zixin watches Cheung Shen try out all his old playboy tricks on her boss, played by Yeung Miriam.

It is very entertaining to watch Louis Koo play this aging playboy who finds a new partner who is almost as cool toward marriage as he is.

Eventually, though, this does turn back into another well played love triangle set in the financial district of Hong Kong. The director did a great job of making this fast paced and crowded city seem like a small community where everyone knows everyone else's business - personal and private. Cheung Shen's staffers and Cheng Zixin's family are also portrayed beautifully - I love a movie where character actors have as big a role as the beautiful stars.

Music wise, the soundtrack is a light classical to modern playlist. Nothing to complain about but nothing special, either. There is a listless side plot about favorite songs - if you are familiar with Hong Kong singers, this might make you laugh.

Light, entertaining, modern, fast paced and beautifully shot - I recommend this for a fun viewing. Rewatch value would be pretty high as well.

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