What's your greed?

Flash news: I watched this on normal speed and no skips.

I never thought I'd enjoy watching this from beginning to end. Admittedly, the first few episodes are seemingly confusing and nonsensical but trust me it gets better. I was intrigued because I couldn't seem to pick out who my fave character is, who'd I root for or the real villain. As you go along, it would make more sense, and it was a pleasant surprise and experience.

9/10 acting for Mo Ran and Ok Sun's character actors. Hyun Woo is probably the least I like character in this show.

My advice is keep watching because it gets better. I love the ending since it wasn't forced. It is not a fairytale or cliche kind of ending that you expect. A part is sad but it ends on a good note.

The plot twists will surprise you. If you are watching it now, keep going because I myself is grateful that I made it until the finale.

One memorable quote I got is from Mo Ran when she said that when you're on top, be careful because you might be really standing on a cliff.

Leia Mais

A Very High Five!

I really enjoyed the movie. The acting, special effects and scoring were on point. The story is ordinary but it could be more interesting if they flesh out a bit more on the backstory of each of the main characters, even the villain. I know it was mentioned in the plot but I felt it was lacking to make the audience feel the gravity of why they decided to abandon all to become space sweepers. I’d also like a little bit more story of how the Black Foxes were formed. I also would like to know more about Kot-nim’s family. These are just my wishes to see but they’re not a big deal.

Overall, the movie was amazing and I won’t mind a second watch. It was truly enjoyable. It was a rollercoaster of emotion, you name it, you’ll feel it here. Go ahead and watch, it is worth your while.

Hats off to the four main characters, you did really well! Congratulations to the staff and crew for a well-produced movie.

Let us all do our part. We only have one Earth and we should take care of it. We are only borrowing it from the next generation.

Leia Mais

What happened, writer PHR?

This show’s pilot week episodes (1&2) roped me in. 10/10. Beautiful cinematography especially the cherry blossoms.

This show had great potential only to disappoint me in the second half. But the Hackaton /Demo Day narratives were enjoyable. But this is the show’s fatal flaw: it milked too much on the romance subplot.

I have issues with the character development of NDS and SDM: weak and inconsistent. Nam Do-san has too many red flags esp. his violent tendencies and stalking. He also cries a lot esp. on the second half, which I find unnecessary and an overkill. He was likeable to me on the first few episodes but I totally got turned off when he punched his mentor (which doesn’t make sense to me) then begs for help. He smashes a CEO’s nameplate, almost went to jail but HJP’s advice to SDM to record the meeting got him out of the woods. But I never got to see how NDS took responsibility for his mistakes; even in a simple way like thanking or apologizing to people. He’s full of angst and arrogance more evidently on the second half. He never suffered any consequences for such actions like when he recklessly signed the Acqhire with 2STO, he got rich and became a hotshot in return? How come punishment doesn’t get back to bite him through consequence?

NDS is lucky because he’s got a plot armor working for his advantage. SDM was too hard to read on the second half. Narrative is almost quiet to her POV after the truth about the letters was revealed. But I can never forgive the writer for the emotional injustice and cruelty she brought to Han Ji Pyeong’s character. The show presented him too well with a strong backstory, only to throw him off in the second half. He was overused but nothing really worked for him despite his efforts. Won In Jae was a letdown, underutilized character.

The letters, as a literary tool, was not given a proper send-off. They should’ve at least respected the sincerity, comfort and warmth that went with the letters. HJP and SDM wrote quite a lot but there was never an instance they talked about it at least and gave a proper closure. I also strongly feel that SDM should end up with HJP; if only HJP was given a plot armor for an even fight.

I also have a problem with how underutilized Won In jae’s character. She has so much potential. I’d love more side stories on how she’s winging it as a Lady Boss.

The male and female lead’s love story is too hard to root for. I can never support what the writer is shoving down my throat. A “true love” that is too forced and lacking in chemistry is what I got. In my two decades of KDrama experience, this is the first time I didn’t like the leads coming together. Really, I didn’t find their romance fluttering. No amount of kissing scenes and skinship between the NDS and SDM has convinced me. Too hard-sell romance.

I also find the morals in question: sailing off without a map vs wisdom that comes from experience. As an older audience, you really can’t sail off without a map in real life when lives depend on you. There’s a thing in life called calculated risk.

If you want to watch this, go and just watch the Start-up (business) dynamics or end at EP7. Or if you are curious of the excellent fleshing out of roles of Kim Hae Sook and Kim Seon Ho. A+ for their chemistry. Solid acting from both actors who played grandma and HJP.

The show’s greatest and heartwarming scenes are from grandma and HJP. I am always in tears watching them together. It is very raw, sometimes funny, yet sincere. Get some Kleenex ready. I always look forward to their set.

Character development dark horse hands down is Kim Yong-san of Samsan Tech —low key but flawless. Nothing forceful. But I find his mini-revenge plot unnecessary.

I liked the supporting characters: Sa-ha & Chul-san, and HJP’s hoobae Park Dong Chun.

I barely have time to make a review, so take my word on this. Watching this is like watching your car crash and burn in slo-mo especially the second half. This drama gave me pain and frustration over wasted potential because the foundation was done right but for some reasons, the plot did not make sense towards the end. I will never watch this a second time.

The 7/10 score I gave for its story is all for the first half of the show that is interesting and beautifully made. Rewatch value — I have no reason to see it a second time in full unless I missed Halmeoni and Good Boy (but I’ll go straight to their scenes only). So the 2/10 score is for them.

I place great importance on rewatch value since I also like watching a lot of American series and movies, and I still repeat some feel-good ones like ‘13 Going On 30, ‘ ‘Legally Blonde’, Never Been Kissed.’

Even funny ones like ‘Home Alone’, tearjerkers like ‘Me Before You’, or ‘If Only’, or long series like, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, or ‘Starwars’, I can rewatch anytime despite knowing the plot like the back of my hand.

Start-up is definitely not a 1 or a 10. So a piece of advice, read those who reviewed rating this with 6-8 because they make sense.

Leia Mais

A Glorious Comeback

Wow, just finished binge-watching this and I thoroughly enjoyed the first half. To be honest, I never really liked SHK’s past two recent dramas, I dropped Encounter, and Now We Are Breaking Up, because they’re so boring and their plots didn’t impress me. I am glad that she made a good choice of drama this time; hopefully can sustain it until the end.

While I still have an issue with her acting on The Glory, I somewhat want a stronger translation of anger and rage in her acting after seeing what the character she was playing as went through. Sorry to say but I still don’t feel the emotion with Hye Kyo. You can disagree with me but it still felt bland for me for now. I am looking for burning rage in the midst of her calmess. I want the gaze that could send chill down my spine. I look forward to the next part, maybe it will be shown there.

But overall, I like the storyline, and the other actors are doing, they’re great.

Lee Do Hyun, wow, that acting at the end of EP6 after seeing her scars, just wow!

The scoring and cinematography are superb!

I am looking forward to March, hope it delivers. So far a 9/10 since I enjoyed it a lot.

Leia Mais

Is it a nice watch? A big YES! It was a joy watching this, especially the maid leads, Hi Soo and Seo Hyun as sisters-in-law. I really loved their dynamics and chemistry as leads of this show. It was heartwarming, empowering and inspiring to watch. It kept me on the edge of my seat guessing who’s who until the the last episode.

I totally liked the ending, have no complaints because everything had a closure.

The show’s biggest CON: The maid-young master subplot which did not add much value to the plot as a whole. I think it was too ambitious and unrealistic for a subplot since it did not connect with me. Was it the acting or what? Was it love at first sight? Their scenes are cringey and cliche. Lack of build-up and connection. Not the type that you will root for. If I have my way, I’ll edit them out, or at least the maid (has to go, not even good at acting) and give the young master more time to flesh out his motherly love for Seo Hyun, not in the context of the maid.

Overall, just don’t mind the maid-young master love line and you will totally enjoy the show. I even enjoyed the fashion more than seeing their uninteresting love story.

Leia Mais

Alchemy of Greed

I have mixed emotions about its finale last night. I think the last two episodes that were aired this week were mostly fillers, only to get salvaged by the last few minutes of the finale.

It is very evident that the production value is massive. I am greatly impressed with the CGI and special effects; and actors delivered very well.

What the show’s failure for me is that the writers have become greedy and introduced so many plots and subplots. They failed to maintain balance by at least giving closure to a few points. There were moments the writing’s juxtaposition is off-beat, and I am very sensitive to this when there’s body switching involved.

Jang Uk and Mu Deok’s love story, surprisingly did not make my heart flutter. Surprisingly, it was Park Jin and Maidservant Kim’s love story I find most entertaining and lovely.

I have a lot of questions left unanswered. This is why I felt betrayed and annoyed than happy and excited.

1. In the trailer preview for S2, the OG Naksu’s body is back. How is this possible when we all saw how they burned her dead body in EP2.

2. Where is Jin Bu Yeon/Mu Deok’s soul? Did a soul switch happen? If not, why did Mu Deok’s body get petrified if she was indeed a powerful priestess?

3. Who is Jin Bu Yeon’s real father? Is it really Choi U Tak or Jang Gang?

I also think the writers (Hong Sisters) were fans of Game of Thrones since I found a striking similarity with the Red Wedding and The Unburnt Queen.

I understand cliffhangers but this one’s became a bit greedy that it made me feel annoyed and unsatisfied. They could’ve pulled off an Atty Woo kind of closure to keep the viewers happy while waiting. I will still watch Season 2 as it airs in December and see if I get the closure I need.

I find the drama still enjoyable and decent to watch. Let’s see how it goes in total when the series ends.

Leia Mais

Motherhood: A Beautiful Destiny

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I am suddenly reminded of this show after seeing Green Mother’s Club on Netflix. I wish Netflix carries Birthcare Center on the platform because I think this show is underrated.

I watched this while it was airing about two years ago and I still feel all the feels this show has brought. It made me teary-eyed and warmth my heart as well. I wish more people would appreciate this show, but I think all the married and mothers who are Kdrama fans appreciate this show a lot for raising the many issues many women face, including husbands when a child comes to the world.

In Korea, I believe this is also a social issue, even to the actresses who maybe facing discrimination just because they are not “marketable” now than they used to be as single. I remember Park Ha Sun’s interview before how she faced this challenge after marrying and child birth.

Sohyang’s “Beautiful Destiny” OST is on another level and it will always remind me of this drama.

Anyway, I highly recommend this show. I won’t mind seeing it again another time. This will always be one of my sentimental favorite Korean dramas of all time.

Leia Mais

Find Your Happiness Again

If you're looking for a light, easy-going Kdrama, this is for you. The plot is fairly predictable, nothing much plot-wise would excite you or look forward to each episode. I am not a fan of ahjumma-young rich guy love stories but since I like the male lead (I love him from On Your Wedding Day opposite Park Bo Young), I can give this a pass. However, I did not find the romance between the leads heart-fluttering. Their romantic chemistry did not reach me. But I find it a bit appaling when she suddenly gave him attention as soon as she finds out that he is the son of the chairman, which would make me doubt her intentions if it happens in real-life.

I have no complaints with the acting. The cast delivered well. The story is just so-so. Hello, Me! will just be one of the many dramas on my shelf, nothing extraordinary or an important drama to miss out on.

I love the father-daughter story though and the Lily of the Valley. If you're looking for a light, no-brainer drama, you can give this a shot. One thing I will remember though when I hear the name of this drama is the Joa Exercise routine. That was hilarious!

Leia Mais

Overrated Revenge Drama Show

I enjoyed the first half but the second half became repetitive, draggy and predictable. Kang Hera employs the same style to expose and execute her revenge of going live all the time, which I found boring since it’s repetitive until the end. I had a lot of “I am so annoyed” thoughts while watching this show.

I know this is a fictional show but some unrealistic and dumb things I cannot give a pass:

-Organ Auction - seriously? The people in that room were thugs! They are sneaky, calculating and I refuse to believe they are that dumb not to see that camera phone in plain sight!

-Cha Min Joon getting stabbed in the sight of policemen and a prosecutor! Like WTH! Tae On was walking with a big glass shard and they just stood up? I don’t think law enforcers are that dumb when someone was walking with a dangerously sharp weapon!

One thing that calms me everytime is Ga On! Such a lovable, handsome boy who are in the midst of crazy adults! This show is overrated. It was a happy ending for all but I don’t know why I didn’t feel happy after I watched the finale.

Leia Mais

Disappointing and Boring

I am officially dropping this after the 7th episode. Watching it became a chore and I am not enjoying the plot anymore. The acting is bad, both from the female Woo ri and male lead Raphael. How can a chaebol son act like that as if he is some spineless dude? Zero chemistry too. Sorry but I really didn’t like their acting.

The show tried to inject comedy but also failed. Scenes were corny. Glad I have saved time and moving on to other more interesting dramas. Music? Nothing special.

I don’t recommend this show. Much better see the original Jane the Virgin.

P.S.

Sorry but I just need to get this off my chest. I am distracted by the FL’s nose that looks like Voldemort’s. It takes away my concentration on her facial expressions and acting on screen. Just an opinion.

Leia Mais

This show is a good watch and I enjoyed the ride. Every episode is something I look forward to seeing on weekend nights. But just like any other shows, this one is also not spared for some criticisms despite the fact that I loved it.

My major complaint is the last seven minutes of episode 20. It is very clear that the meticulous and badass Vincenzo suddenly disappeared into thin air when he could've saved Han Seo. How in the world did he walk into that place without any back-up plan at least? This is a major character regression. With all his expertise, for sure he knows Cha Young's shot isn't that fatal. And here goes Cha Young acting overly as if she's dying. Just because of what? Love? So cliche.

I feel like Han Seo's character is the best in development in this series. I still believe that his death could've been preventable and him dying is really unnecessary. It was a heroic one, yes, but I'd rather keep him alive and give him a chance to run the company straight. They quickly got over his death. Did they mourn for him off-screen? I wish there was a scene like that for a bit.

The death of the two pyschos were gruesome but very satisfying. Two thumbs up for this.

I wish the show fleshed out more on how Vincenzo became a member of the Mafia. What's with the lighter?

Even though I feel satisfied with how this was wrapped up, I still have a lot of questions in mind. There were some loose ends I need an answer.

I don't think a season 2 is needed. Maybe just a spinoff.

Nevertheless, it was one enjoyable ride and Vincenzo is a good watch. Kudos to the whole Cassano Geumga Fam, and the production of Vincenzo.

Leia Mais

It takes a village to raise or abuse a child

I just finished watching this about an hour ago and I’m glad to say that I didn’t press the speed button nor skipped some parts. This is a good sign that I enjoyed the drama and the thrills it gave me.

STORY
The show is engaging enough to keep me until the finale. It gave me a good dose of all emotions. This season’s theme is about the importance of the family, its role in making or breaking a society. I loved how they emphasized the responsibility of both young and old in our dealings and relationships. It also tackled about our mental health. One quote I’ll always remember is “Stalking is a murder foretold.”

Overall, I love how they presented their point and they drove it impactfully.

ACTING
Acting was really onpoint, from all characters, mains and villains so I couldn’t say more. Hearing real fluent English speakers and other languages in Kdramas is very interesting and a very much welcomed ingredient. Perfect 10 for acting. Everyone delivered.

MUSIC
I am giving a 7/10 not because of the memorable OST but for the scoring. It really gave me the creeps.

REWATCH VALUE
I’d probably see it again in the future if I do want to marathon the entire Voice series but not this one as a stand-alone drama.

Was this worth a watch? Definitely, esp. if you are following the Voice series! I think even if you didn’t watch the other seasons yet, it is still watchable since they don’t refer to the previous seasons a lot that it would make a viewer lost.

Voice 5 is definitely coming, too after seeing the S4 finale.

To close this, I always remember what Mother Teresa (Nobel Prize for Peace 1979) said, “If you want to attain world peace, go home and love your family.”

Leia Mais

Overcome Evil by Good

There are a lot of anti-hero Korean dramas this days like Vincenzo, Doom At Your Service, and this one, Taxi Driver. I thoroughly enjoyed this show from start to finish. All the actors were amazing at their given roles. There were a lot of thought-provoking themes that would challenge your ethical standards and morality. Having said this, I really enjoyed all the lessons and takeaways this drama gave the viewers.

I am looking forward to another season. I just couldn’t get enough of their dynamics. I am also very satisfied with the ending. It was wrapped up very well and it would leave you with no regrets.

This is a good drama and you won’t regret spending this seeing it. It is definitely worth it.

Thank you and congratulations to all the cast, crew, and the entire production for giving the audience a stellar show. One of the best this year has to offer.

Leia Mais