20_DramaQueen_23
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Beauty Isn't Skin Deep.
08/01/2023
It isn't too bad as a 16 episode series, but some points being made I felt were not organic and seemed forced rather than au natural plus the character of Mi-Rae was difficult to like. She is most of the time socially awkward except with females and has no confidence with or without plastic surgery.
What do I mean by not organic or au natural?
Parts like the "pretty faced" freshman girls being exploited by making them serve alcohol at the college festival in tiny bright red uniforms or the owner of the cafe hiring pretty or handsome faces only to fire those ones not so attractive resulting in a loss of income for them due to being unfairly discriminated against. Even wearing tee shirts with bold statements like: "Boys and Girls should be raised the same." or "Girls don't give up!".
I am aware some found Do Kyung Suk stiff and lifeless as a character and the actor playing his part was labelled *eye candy* with "no talent" in a few places, however, I reckon DKS had Aspergers or a very high IQ which is why he was that way as a person. So, Cha Eun Woo acted in his role perfectly.
I have two male relatives similar to DKS with IQs over 160. Both are not too bad looking, but are so frustratingly robotic with no common sense and especially the oldest one who can't even boil a kettle! However, he did mastermind some banking system back in the day plus achieved a heck of a lot more so I can't be too harsh.
So, I could relate to DKS because of them.
I didn't like Sua very much as she played people and was a schemer, also, she was cute not pretty.
It pays to be honest because eventually one's lies will catch up!
What I did like is that this series showed DKS liking Mi-Rae for the person she was not for her looks whether she was pretty, cute or ugly. In fact, on a few occasions it was brought up that he didn't like "pretty girls."
In my own lifetime I have probably come across two or three men married to not so good looking women - this could have been for the same reasons as DKS or their personalities, career choices or maybe they came from wealth or a good educational background. Who knows?! Most times this wouldn't be the case, but obviously it happens.
Not a fan of the music in this series at all!
Beauty isn't skin deep, but in a world like ours where perfect flawless faces are splashed all over magazine covers and stunning Hollywood stars or famous singers are seen on tv or in movies on a daily basis it is hard to compete against all that no matter how one looks at it.
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This is a great drama series and I'm not exactly a fan of sports films or tv series.
In this drama, Badminton is the main sport plus we get a slice of life experience with a family that moves from the city to a country town along side all the people they interact with on a daily basis such as neighbours, friends and other Badminton players.
Most of the focus is on the teenagers as they are the Badminton players.
If anyone has ever watched movies like Ping Pong (Japan) or tv series like Friday Night Lights (USA) then this 16 episode gem in the making is for you.
It has a fantastic balance of humour, life's wonderful moments as well as everyday highs and lows that they all have to deal with at various times whether young or old.
If romance and love is what you are after then there isn't alot of it unless puppy crushes count and first time love.
The music throughout isnt too bad and is very well chosen when the Badminton tournaments are on. Well matched!
I don't have any favourites, but will say I did like all of the teenager characters and the youngest sister. There wasn't anyone I disliked really in the entire show although I was a bit annoyed and frustrated with the coach father once or twice.
This drama is perfect if you want something light hearted, easy to watch, not really boring, wholesome and angst free.
It is most definitely re-watchable!
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Took A Major NoseDive South!!!
14/04/2024Last Update:
SPOILER ALERT!
The last two episodes were boring and not so thrilling, but at least it left no loose ends.
Eun Woo was great in the earlier episodes, but not so much in the last 4 or so.
If this had stayed consistent with it being sinister and twisted like it seemed to be from the start with her being the target of revenge and and it not ending well for certain individuals involved - it would have been better.
Instead this turned out to be nothing more than political corruption at the core which is nothing new to movies or television.
08/04/2024 (April)
Update:
12 episodes in now and it seems this one borrowed a page or two from Sky Castle and stole a few chapters from Penthouse.
With this drama unfortunately there is a good measure of overused tropes such as: the cheating husband, a best friend's betrayal, the cover up of murder plus political corruption overload.
It did have some interesting moments, but not enough to really make it outstanding or original.
As for the extra marital affair side to it - that carried over through at least six episodes and still has a presence.
Something about it just hasn't t oozed enough oomph for me nor has it gone where it could have after the first 2-4 episodes. It could have hit the ball out of the ballpark if they had kept us guessing right until the end as well as her remaining the target.
Instead for me it has become a real hit and miss.
02/03/2024 (March)
I've really really tried to like this series, but can't stand Kim Nam Joo as something about her doesn't appeal to me as an actor at all.
To think I was looking forward to this drama being released!
Will still give it a chance, however, as there are other actors plus I want to see if it is worth continuing or dropping.
What has bothered me about her?
One example is her character, Eun Soo-Hyeon, at her son's funeral - it was hard for me to connect to her as a grieving mother as she simply wasn't believable or convincing enough for me - not one bit.
Another example - when rain starts to fall on her when she is sleeping at her son's grave situated on a hill, she carries on sleeping like it is a normal thing everyone does or something. It isn't a normal human reaction at all! No natural reflexes, flinching or twitching. When unexpected rain falls and you are sleeping it would most definitely trigger a physical response of some kind like being suddenly startled, maybe opening one's eyes and grimacing at the change of weather or instantaneously shielding one's head and face from getting too wet. Some kind of response! Not nothing.
Joo's acting has been over the top in some scenes and underwhelming in others.
Was her acting licence obtained from the back of a cereal box or what?
SPOILER ALERT!
About the drama itself:
a: The storyline isn't original.
b: Two episodes in and it is a bit slow going in parts and centres mostly on the aftermath of Eun Soo- Hyeon's son's death and her being in prison.
c: E.S.H took the law into her own hands and that is why she is in prison.
d: It seems the person she ran over mightn't have been the one that actually killed her young son.
Think I have worked out who the real culprit is, but if there are unexpected twists along the way anyone could be the guilty party.
Eun Woo's character is right at the start of episode one (suspicious as) and in episode two is teaching a choir "Oh Holy Night" as well as at the prison when she runs her hand under a sewing machine by accident, also, working at a car wreckers (I think) as well as eating there with his mates. Either he really is doing a number of part time jobs or is a secret Undercover Agent...
I really hope that he isn't going to be her new love interest if her marriage goes South. Not sure how young his character is supposed to be, but in this series it looks like he is in his 20's and she is in her late 30s-40s yet at times could easily pass as a 50 something year old. I think she is on the older side as it took years for her to conceive if the translation was right.
Am all for friendship and healing - just nothing more.
I will be watching more episodes to give it a fair go, but if Kim Nam Joo keeps failing to impress me with her mediocre acting...
Fighting!!!
EPISODE THREE:
SPOILER ALERT!
Bit of an interesting twist in this episode...
It seems it isn't a car wreckers, but possibly a junkyard.
When Soo-Hyeon finally found the "boy" that survived the fire, Seon Yul (Eun Woo), the closure she was trying to establish really was for the prisoner that died - not him. He said as much as well and it seemed like she opened up a can of worms - she should have just left him alone from there on instead of stalk him like she did.
Kim Nam Joo wasn't too bad in this episode plus the character Eun Woo plays is about 29 years old so I had it right about his age group.
What has taken an interesting turn is that someone is stalking her and her family - the son or relative of the one she murdered. There is a chance he might be connected to Seon Yul as there doesn't seem to be any photos of Seon Yul on his wall, also, Seon Yul seems to live a bit of a double life.
There might be an actual connection or it could be just a coincidence.
Is Seo Yul the real deal?
The husband having an affair is a bit cliche or an overused trope - it would truly be incredible had it not gone down that road.
Somewhat predictable especially as she was in prison for 6 years and wanted out of the marriage.
This drama may head towards Seon Yul saving a damsel in distress and becoming a hero if there are no ties between him and the murdered man's son. It all depends on what twists they want to introduce or not. The thing is - Seon Yul has something else going on (photographing people/school break in for documents) so there is a chance he may be working with the other younger man, on the other side of the law or definitely a secret agent.
He could still be something else altogether as well - someone quite sinister.
I wonder how predictable this one will be or not as it continues...
EPISODE FOUR:
SPOILER ALERT!
Maybe not as intriguing as the previous episodes, but what has been great is seeing a different side to Eun Woo's character - as in a darker side that is tormented by his past.
He may still turn out to be a hero after all.
Kim Nam Joo still keeps a poker face, but at least she isn't rubbing me the wrong way like she did in the first two episodes.
I think this series will become more and more predictable unless it switches back and forth to confuse it's audience - it isn't too bad and I do want to watch more of it to see how much further it keeps me entertained. However, it is Seon Yul I want to know more about as well as seeing him in more scenes then the stalker followed by everyone else...not so much Soo-Hyeon.
If this was mainly on Seon Yul, the stalker and small doses of poker faced Soo-Hyeon it would be one heck of a roller coaster ride I reckon.
EPISODES 5 & 6:
SPOILER ALERT!
The storyline is kind of so so and feels like it is a rehash of multiple tropes like the marital affair, death of a child, the want for revenge and others connecting from the past to present.
With episode 6 it did leave us on a cliff hanger at the end, but maybe it shouldn't be a complete surprise as there have been obvious hints throughout plus Seon Yul was in the car at the very beginning.
His character is becoming more and more interesting as the plot thickens though - either he is an up and coming secret agent/undercover cop or a serial killer in the making.
What we do know is - he isn't the person we were made to believe and therefore could be a total deviant hiding behind a facade. Also, it seems he might be the "actual son " of the man run over by Soo-Hyeon and the woman hospitalised in a coma.
Or... is he someone else?
There is some connection between the stalker and Seon Yul as I'm sure the stalker gave Soo-Hyeon the name of the woman in a coma.
Episode 1 didn't exactly leave anything to the imagination with Seon Yul in that car facing you know who.
Time will tell!
Somehow I feel the husband of Soo-Hyeon is connected to everything that happened from the very start for some reason because he isn't exactly clean cut or are we being mislead.
EPISODE SEVEN:
It is all coming out in the open now.
Seems the only connection between him and the stalker is that both want revenge and justice, but directed at different people.
However, the Politician husband has everything to do with it all, I reckon - just not sure to what extent.
Will there be any further twists to turn this around - am sure hoping so!
EPISODES 8-10
It is getting more and more boring and totally predictable.
Am so over the *husband having an affair or three" trope - the affair should have been wrapped up over a few episodes not been drawn out through episode after episode like a long lasting nasty smell that just won't go away.
Eun Woo has improved as an actor, but this drama series has taken a real nosedive South in the last three episodes or so and am not sure if it can redeem itself for the remainder of the series.
Who knows?
All I see is someone dying if he continues on the same path and no real winners because of what else goes on in the background with other players - something has to give at some point and someone will pay the price.
However, this doesn't make it original or unique as others dramas have been there and done that already with a similar tone.
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Kill Or Be Killed!
I've only watched a few episodes so far and would binge them all if I could, but unfortunately its getting far too late.
No complaints, however.
It is well paced, there are no fillers and it gets into the nitty gritty from about 15 or so minutes in.
What could be better than that?!
This drama series is more or less about a part time working student, Lee Tang, who kills a man with a hammer near his work place (convenient store) late one night in self defence. The only witness is a blind woman and her dog only she plays dumb. Not long after the killing Lee Tang discovers on the news that the man was actually under an alias name and responsible for quite a few murders. To make it worse, however, the blind woman decides to black mail the poor lad for money and from there more and more things start to add on to make his life just that tinier bit colourful...
No OSTs have stood out for me at all or been noticed really although the sound effects used have been in the right places - perfect for the scene or situation.
I recognise the male lead from a few other drama series like Rooftop Prince (not finished watching) and some Summer one, I think. Didn't get too far into that one as it wasn't quite holding my interest.
With this drama it is quite straight forward, interesting and touches on the possibility of someone that is either about to lose their mind if not already or spiral out of control towards becoming a serial killer themselves. Too late!
I'm crossing my fingers that the remaining 6 episodes are just as enthralling with a few hanging on the edge of my chair moments.
Recommended!
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04/02/2024 (Feb).
Am really enjoying this so far as it is more about older adults (early 40s) going back 10 years to try and fix things whereas other drama series like: Twinkling Watermelon and A Time Called You are about adults going back to their teens to try and make changes to divert the future in some way.
Honorable mention:
Oh No! Here Comes Trouble -
This is another excellent drama series up there like TW and ATCY only it is about a teenage boy that survives a horrific bus accident with the same supernatural ability as his grandfather - no time travel in it plus it is about saving "souls" , however, it is just as fantastic!
Now back to Marry My Husband...
It is good plus each episode delivers something worth your attention - especially episode 10 which has whopper after whopper moments in it. Talk about getting what you want when it comes to revenge and cutting ties once and for all.
Am hoping this drama stays on track and doesn't digress as have been reading a few rumours as of late. No no no!
What I haven't liked in it so far is the overuse of someone liking someone else because of being smitten over something like a dog or kitten - why keep the kitten outdoors when it clearly has no shelter (at first) and also when it starts to snow?!?! It is totally cruel and makes no sense. Either take it to an animal shelter or home.
SPOILER ALERT!
I also don't like that the General Manager who is in love with Ji Won is doing nothing to save himself - when you think about it he is pretty much in the same boat as her and in order to LIVE the price is a "death for a death."
What else?
Although I don't think the female lead is attractive (plain face) she does nerdy, teen, mousy wife to a strong female really really well, however, becoming a strong woman due to a haircut or makeover is highly unlikely and especially overnight.
The female that plays her so called "best friend" does a good job of showing just how someone can be all innocent yet underneath is totally twisted and dangerous. Kind of like one character in "Beauty From Gangnam" (I think) only maybe a bit more over the top.
Am so glad I have never had a single friend like that in my life!
Anyhow, each episode is well paced, has no real unnecessary fillers and keeps you wanting more.
Well worth watching!
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Beaches : Bette Midler+Barbara Hershey.
06/02/2024 (Feb).
This is a decent watch, but not what I would consider "soulmates" - just a very strong friendship and sister like bond.
How can I put this - the connection between JiWoo and Miso, to me, was more of a soul connection - seriously, each time they met, their interactions and from the first time they crossed paths. The necklace she wore was a massive give away and Ha-run knew it when she spotted it, also, Ji Woo. Miso was actually a threat even though it wasn't the intention. It was her friendship and loyalty to Ha-eun that she put first above anything or anyone else.
SPOILER ALERT!
I also don't think Ji Woo really made any mistakes - even the cave scene wasn't a "betrayal* really because of Miso. No lines were crossed as she saved the situation although she took the necklace for protection.
I know this is meant to be all about Miso and Ha-eun and them being soul mates, but I found it wasn't done to perfection like it was in Beaches with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey - that truly was one friendship that outshone any other relationship including boyfriends and husbands.
Lastly, it is one thing to keep a pregnancy and death from an ex boyfriend or ex fiance, but it is something else when you keep those kind of things from family and especially when that family is good even if not perfect. Actually, I think Ji Woo had every right to know about the pregnancy as he was the father and didn't do anything wrong except tell Ha-eun that her drawings should be treated as a hobby. He did everything to set it right between him and Ha-eun.
With Soulmates, it is similar to Beaches with the back and forth between the past and present and the triangle relationship ONLY I think Beaches is far superior and the flashbacks were more interesting and also quite humorous at times.
This is good to watch to pass the time - it is a bit slow and boring in parts.
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28/02/2024Liking it SO FAR with Episodes 1 & 2 because:
a: No annoying immature weak females or males.
b: No overbearing mother in laws.
c: No cold males or females.
d: No ranting and raving aunts or anyone for that matter!
e: The main actors whether female or male are mature not childish.
f: There is chemistry between all of the mains and seconds whether as frenemies, friends, siblings or whatever.
g: The humour isn't too bad nor story line, but there are still 10 episodes to go to see how it all unfolds or not.
Funny moments like:
a: When the main female is trying to hitch a free ride back to Seoul with the younger brother from the hospital in episode 1 and he isn't exactly accommodating.
b: When the main female jumps out of the car in a children's zone (slow speed) only to knock herself out when she hits the street pole/light/post with her head.
The first few episodes have been enough to entertain me without having to fast forward in places - am looking forward to watching more of it and to finding out if this is a keeper or not.
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More Or Less...
Only Episodes 5 in and...
This would have been better had there been no hint of romance whatsoever as it seemed too sudden and undeveloped to be believable and ideal had there been more of the creature or creatures in the making.
Nothing like a good action fantasy series with a touch of drama and lots of fighting scenes in my opinion.
The ML isn't like he is with some of his other character roles and comes across as a bit "weak in the knees " for a person that survived poverty and living on the streets whereas the FL plays her part really well. I think he is meant to be like that, but it would have been better if he wasn't so giddy around the female like a school boy with a puppy crush.
Some of the fighting scenes are cool ONLY I wish there were lots of them.
I found that I fast forwarded parts here and there from the very first episode which isn't something I normally do when giving a series a fair go, but I did it as something either irked me, bored me or wasn't good enough to hold my attention. Parts like: The ML acting like a wide eyed puppy dog, one or two military scenes and parts that seemed to go on longer than they probably should have.
It isn't too bad, but isn't what I expected so will see how the rest pans out for part 1 before entertaining the idea of part 2 on its release in January 2024.
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Stand By Me, Immortal Samsara and Love and Redemption.
He is actually an excellent actor in all three although I appreciated his character, Si Feng, the most - in Love and Redemption.
L&R is still by far my top pick when it comes to Cheng Yi.
I have been waiting weeks and months for the MYSTERIOUS LOTUS CASEBOOK and finally it has been released!
What I like about this one so far (two episodes in) is that it leans more towards epic sword fights, physical battles, lots of action and adventure plus some good story telling rather than a drawn out love story or two which ruins it each and every time for me. 1%-5% is fine, but that is about it! However, this isn't original, especially if you have seen other dramas with murder cases being looked into and ultimately solved.
In this one I wonder if it is Cheng Yi's real voice being used rather than a voice over - if it is dubbed over I prefer the person that did it in L & R. However, it isn't too bad even if it is Yi's own natural voice, but whoever did it for the character of Si Feng had the best voice ever.
With most dramas it seems it is normal to start out great for the first 10-15/20 episodes, lag in the middle then pick up again for the last 10 or so episodes. Mind you, I didn't find that with L & R or Ashes Of Love probably because they were my first real C Dramas.
I'm hoping that MLC is going to be just as good and hope it will remain interesting throughout without too many boring moments.
I believe this is meant to be more Wuxia style than Xianxia so there is a strong chance it will deliver 100% as long as there aren't too many weak females in distress with annoying high pitched voices or overdone cliches.
Currently, Cheng Yi in this drama series is nothing like his other characters except maybe one. I'm sure as each episode unfolds there will be more to him than meets the eye.
Have watched 8 episodes now and although I like it - it isn't one of Cheng Yi's BEST drama series at all nor is it going to be one I'd rewatch compared to others.
32 episodes to go!
Made it to Episode 10 and don't know if I will continue - this is most definitely not Cheng Yi's greatest choice when it comes to dramas. His acting is fine, but he reminds me of another actor who played a very similar role. That actor was Li Hong Yi in The Blood Of Youth.
This would have been somewhat tolerable had it stayed with the three main males rather than bringing in an old love interest from the past, also, if Cheng Yi's character had more charisma and exceptional fighting techniques rather than a mere shadow of his former self with no fighting abilities whatsoever.
Cheng Yi needs to find another role like Si Feng only more Wuxia than Xianxia with little romance - bromance is fine!
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02/04/2024Not sure if 50 episodes is something I will do all the way UNLESS this can keep up the momentum as well as my interest engaged.
The first two episodes have had cute moments as well as cringe worthy and embarassing ones, but at least the kids equate to adorable.
In it we have a mother with major debts and her three children surviving the best way they can only unfortunately the mother isn't the best role model and tends to step on people's toes. They all end up living at "Mr Romantic's" family home (short term) until the mother does the unthinkable.
As for her daughter (Beauty), she happened to bump into a teenage boy one day (Mr Romantic) and ended up having the biggest crush on him even to the extent of letting him know it and kind of stalking him right until they had to suddenly move.
15 or so years later when she is famous they cross paths again.
And this takes us into episode 4 mainly...
Before I forget - the child actors have done their parts really well!
Actually, the boy that played "Mr Romantic Junior" is a lot better looking than the adult male version of him that is for sure. It is a shame he isn't doing both parts as he would have got my approval - just being cool and a rebel got the thumbs up.
One little thing that irks me with the adult him is the cool rebellious boy teen of yester years seems to have been replaced by a fumbling awkward idiot.
Bring back Prince Charming is all I will say!!!!
If this drama could drop all the screaming interfering women and irrelevant scenes that aren't really about Beauty and Mr Romantic I would probably stay in it for the long haul.
Women that scream and scream and yell for the sake of it irritate me no end - so episode 4 has brought this down a notch or two from the NOT TOO BAD department to OH NO! MY EARS ARE BEING INDISCRIMINATELY ASSAULTED YET AGAIN.
Will have to to do a wait and see approach...
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The Mouse Is In The First Episode!
20/01/2023
The first episode in this series is simply the best!
Most will be on the edge of their seats experiencing tenterhook moments I reckon as it has one of the longest in depth graphic murder scenes, ever!
I just wish the other episodes that followed had been done in the same fashion not that they were terrible or anything plus I haven't finished the series yet.
Unfortunately, I worked out who the serial killer was early on as soon as I laid my eyes on him and that is why I haven't gone further than three episodes to date.
On checking to see if my suspicions were correct (they were) has more or less brought everything to a halt for me regarding Mouse.
I will get back to it and finish it at some point, but not right now.
What I will say is that the characters so far have been awesome as well as the story, but it would have been better had they misdirected or fooled me more.
I really wonder how many others worked it out like me?
Regardless, this still deserves recognition so comes highly recommended as it is a unique series full of suspense, gore and great story telling as well as characters that make it believable.
Most viewers will be eliminating potential suspects to get to the serial killer only what they know mightn't be right or who they think it is mightn't be the correct person...
Or...maybe it is the right one!
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