Kcdramamusings
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Quirky Characters With An Intriguing Storyline
I’m not a huge fan of dramas starring pop idols or where the storyline is based on the said idol’s ridiculous antics. I went into this show, expecting absolutely nothing. Surprisingly, despite its weird pacing and underrated performances from the actors, this “Underdog” story does manage to hold your attention. There is something charming about watching a band of misfits as they get together and decide to battle the odds to rewrite history. The show has star studded casting consisting of pop idols Xiumin (EXO), Hyung Won (MONSTA X), Lee Sae On (Produce 101 Season 2) alongside actors Lee Shin Young and Choi Won Myung. The first two episodes do a decent job of setting the premise and introducing the characters. It isn’t rushed, and we are given ample opportunity to explore their personas and current lifestyles.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/boss-dol-mart-first-impressions/
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Perfect Marriage Revenge
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A Revenge Saga With Fantasy Element
Adapted from the webtoon “The Essence of a Perfect Marriage” (완벽한 결혼의 정석) written by Young (영) and Lee Beom Bae (이범배), MBN’s latest makjang on the block is a revenge saga with a fantasy twist. Starring Sung Hoon and Jung Yoo Min in the lead roles alongside an ensemble casting that includes Jin Ji Hee, Kang Shin Hyo, Oh Seung Yun; the show uses the time-tested formula of “Contractual Marriage”. We have a conniving family scheming and plotting against their adopted daughter, a high-handed chaebol heir looking for an escape route from the arranged marriage scenario and a brother-in-law vying for his sister-in-law’s affections; seems like a perfect recipe for disaster, right? What makes this show exciting and spicy is obviously the revenge element; the natural chemistry between Sung Hoon & Jung Yoo Min is so flawless, you can’t help but root for them. Let’s talk about the first two episodes, so you can decide if you want to watch it!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/perfect-marriage-revenge-first-impressions/#more-260
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The Best Thriller This Year
Adapted from the novel “Auspicious Pattern Lotus House” (吉祥纹莲花楼) by Teng Ping (藤萍), Mysterious Lotus Casebook was one of the most anticipated releases this year, from the IQIYI flagship. Starring Cheng Yi, Joseph Zeng, Xiao Shun Yao in lead roles, this male centric wuxia drew attention because of its unique storyline and stellar casting. Directed by Guo Hu and Ren Hai Tao, the story focuses on the adventurous life of our main protagonist, Li Xiangyi (Cheng Yi). Once the revered leader of a powerful sect, Xiangyi falls from grace after an eventful battle with his arch nemesis, Di Feisheng (Xiao Shun Yao). Ten years later, he reemerges as a humble physician, Li Lianhua, while cutting all ties with the martial arts world. But as fate wouldn’t have it, his peaceful existence is disturbed when he accidentally gets entangled with Fan Duobing (Joseph Zeng), a rich young master who intends to work as a detective at the Baichuan Court.Mysterious Lotus Casebook raked in 4 million reservations on the date of its premiere. Audiences were ecstatic with the prominent casting, that includes some big names like Cheng Yi and Joseph Zeng. If you are an avid fan of the “Lost Tomb” franchise, then you will probably understand the charm. Both Cheng Yi and Joseph Zeng have been a part of this popular franchise; with Cheng Yi playing the lead role Zhang Qi Ling in “The Lost Tomb 2” and Joseph Zeng starred as Wu Xie in “Ultimate Note”. Those who are familiar with this storyline might know that Wu Xie and Zhang Qi Ling are an insanely popular fictional couple (known by their ship name, PingXie). As such, the excitement surrounding this show was high pitched. Cheng Yi was recently in news for his xianxia romance “Immortal Samsara”, while Joseph Zeng was cast in the recent wuxia romance “Heroes”; both being major Youku productions. Joining them on this crusade is Xiao Shun Yao, who is slowly gaining popularity after playing negative roles in “The Blue Whisper” and “Till the End of the Moon”.
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/08/19/mysterious-lotus-casebook-series-review-ep-1-to-40/
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A Fantasy Romance Between a Demon & a Heiress
A dangerous yet spicy romance between a devilishly handsome demon & a strong minded chaebol heiress!The tagline definitely fits the bill as we talk about SBS’s latest fantastical offering, “My Demon”. Starring Kim Yoo Jung and Song Kang in the lead roles, this was one of the most anticipated romances of the year and rightly so. While the concept of contract marriages is nothing new in Korean dramas, this show strongly hinges on the “Opposite Poles Attract” premise. The settings are beautiful, cinematography is lush while the CGI effects are mindblowing. It has been a long time since I watched a drama that instantly grabs your attention. Being a huge fan of Song Kang, this drama was on my “Must Watchlist” and I’m glad that it lived up to the expectations. There is something exciting about watching an immortal demon butt heads with a cold hearted heiress. They both have unique personalities which merge well and I’m totally enjoying the joyride. Without further ado, let’s dig deeper into the pilot episodes!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/11/26/my-demon-first-impressions/
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Park's Contract Marriage Story
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A Time Slip Romance- A Hit or Miss
Time travel romances seem to be in vogue these days. Starting with “Perfect Marriage Revenge” and “Story of Kunning Palace”, time slip love stories are creating a lot of buzz in both South Korea and China. They are setting a new trend in the fantasy genre and rightly so. MBC’s latest historical “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract” joins the ranks, portraying a somber yet heartening tale of lost love and reconciliation. Adapted from the web novel “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract” (열녀박씨 계약결혼뎐) written by Kim Neo Ul (김너울) and illustrated by B, the show stars Lee Se Young & Bae In Hyuk in lead roles. The show paints a not-so pretty picture of a strong minded woman striving to achieve her goals, while going against the Confucian ideals in the Josean society. Pilot episodes do a decent job of setting the premise and introducing the characters while keeping their personal agenda hidden. The melodrama will most likely proceed with lots of confrontations in the upcoming episodes as we learn about the protagonists and the ensuing battles they will be embroiled in.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/11/27/the-story-of-parks-marriage-contract-first-impressions/
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A Fantasty Thriller with abundant Bromance
Two things seem to be trending these days on the IQIYI platform- wuxia dramas & Zhang Linghe. Following the huge success of his recently ended romance “My Journey to You”, Zhang Linghe is back in the forte with his new mystery thriller “Tiger and Crane”. Definitely another anticipated release this year, fans have been eagerly awaiting the premiere of this show for almost a year. Starring a ginormous cast that includes Jiang Long, Zhang Ling He, Wang Yu Wen, Chen You Wei, Ye Qing, He Lan Dou in lead roles, the drama hinges on the strong bromance between Jiang Long & Zhang Ling He. For those who are still waiting for updates on Zhang Ling He’s BL adaptation “Eternal Faith”, this show can be a consolation of sorts. Set in a fantastical universe where demonologists exist, the show paints a dainty image of the ongoing war between sorcerers and demons. Adapted from Huang Xiaoda’s novel of the same and helmed by popular director, Guo Hu; the drama promises an intriguing battle of wits, power struggles and sorcery.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/05/tiger-and-crane-first-impressions/#more-185
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A Sweet, Endearing Romcom
A laughter riot indeed, it is so damn silly you can’t help but giggle in excitement!JTBC’s new Wednesday-Thursday offering “My Sweet Mobster” might seem lame but it isn’t. I wasn’t acquainted with either of the main leads, but they still managed to win my hearts in the first two episodes that premiered this week. Starring Uhm Tae Goo, Uhm Tae Goo, Kwon Yool, “My Sweet Mobster” is hilarious romcom between a reformed gangster and an avid kids content creator. What are the odds that these two meet? None, and yet they meet in funny situations, end up antagonizing each other before slowly love blossoms between them. Another interesting feature about this show is the galore of handsome men; like they don’t even look like gangster (especially Kim Hyun Jin, I spend far too much time swooning over his good looks). Let’s talk about the pilot episodes in detail!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/14/my-sweet-mobster-first-impressions/#more-933
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Strong Girl Kang Nam Soon
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Not Exactly The Strongest Comeback
The 2017 classic “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” was a sleeper hit simply because of the fantastic chemistry between the main leads Park Bo Young & Park Hyung Sik. It’s quite difficult to come across stories where a female lead and her superpowers are glorified. This edgy fantasy element became the reason for the show’s success. As such, I wasn’t admittedly excited about the new reboot. It may be attributed to the entirely new cast that has no connections to the characters in the prequel. “Strong Girl Namsoon” finally premiered last week. The million dollar question that piques our attention is this- Is the spin-off as well as the prequel? I will answer this question as we analyze the first two episodes and dig deeper into the storyline.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/10/09/strong-girl-namsoon-first-impressions/
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An Entertainment Revenge Saga
This is one of those dramas that I wanted to binge watch and I’m so glad about my decision!Adapted from the web novel “Marriage of the Di Daughter” (嫡嫁千金) by Qian Shan Cha Ke (千山茶客), “The Double” is without doubt, one of the most intense and entertaining dramas from the Chinese shores this year. Starring Wu Jin Yan & Wang Xing Yue in lead roles, the show is a political web of deceit, betrayal and deception. Not a single moment goes without one of the characters plotting; a husband who killed her wife for someone else, a crazy Eldest Princess who hates male chauvinism, a scheming stepmother hellbent on torturing her stepdaughter, a jealous stepsister who is obsessed with stealing her sister’s betrothed, and a delinquent Duke who enjoys watching their show. We have a potboiler of such diverse characters, there is never a dull moment; almost everyone has a maniacal sense of reality while our righteous female lead seeks retribution from these devils. Having a bold female lead is the major plus point for this drama; Wu Jin Yan breezes through her performance with a single-minded attitude that is unheard-of. I’m used to seeing Wang Xing Yue in supporting roles (One and Only, Story of Kunning Palace), so watching him portray an anarchist was shocking yet surprising. He is really living upto the expectations of his first major role. Let’s list the reasons to watch this show!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/18/the-double-first-impressions/#more-947
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A Must Watch Fast Paced Crime Thriller
What happens when a narcotics detective becomes a drug addict?The concept is intriguing, we normally watch detectives running behind drug dealers in most crime thrillers, apprehending them & bringing them to justice. When the tables are turned, will you apprehend the detective or save him? Ji Sung is back on our silver screen with a bang and it is not surprising given his varied repertoire. Starring alongside Jeon Mi Do, Kwon Yool, Kim Kyung Nam; we have an undeniably strong casting with an equally reliable storyline. It keeps you on your toes, the antagonists are mean, given their rich disposition but hidden beneath the veneer of friendship and dishonesty. The drama seems to revolve around Jang Jae Kyung (Ji Sung). He is the central figure who just got promoted for arresting major drug dealer, but this promotion leads to his downward spiral. How that happens, we will recount that!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/05/27/connection-first-impressions/
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A Small Town Romance With Quirky Characters
JTBC’s latest offering “Welcome to Samdalri” is a decades long saga of friendship, lost love and reconciliation. Starring Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun in the lead roles of Cho Yong Pil & Cho Sam Dal/Cho Eun Hye, the show transverses their journey as they reconnect after eight years of separation. The first thing that I noticed about this show is the scenic beauty. Shot in the backdrop of the beautiful Jeju island, the show banks on the small town life and its busy yet nosy neighborhood. Set in Samdalri (which is native to both Cho Yong Pil & Cho Sam Dal), the drama focuses on their reconciliation as Sam-dal returns to her hometown when her career plummets and she is at her wit’s end. The pilot episodes were pretty decent at introducing the individual characters and their current lives while keeping their past shredded in mystery. There is a lot going on in the backdrop that we are unaware of and these invisible issues have been adversely affecting their relationship for almost a decade. Let’s sit down and dissect the finer details relative to this small town romance!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/12/05/welcome-to-samdalri-first-impressions/
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A Breezy Time Travel Romance
Time travel romances seem to be in trend and joining the foray is tvN’s latest offering “Twinkling Watermelon”. If you are wondering about the title (as I’m), maybe it is a mere connotation to the storyline which sparkles with youthfulness and has varied tones of friendship/love. Starring Ryeoun, Choi Hyun Wook, Seol In Ah, Shin Eun Soo in the lead roles, the drama premiered to high expectations and certainly it was worth the hype. The first two episodes set up the premise decently while introducing intriguing characters as well as the time travel element which pops up randomly. The storytelling is little out of place and at times without context (when they randomly switch between two timeframes), but the chemistry between the characters is reckoning and it manages to tide over those discrepancies. For now, I’m invested in this drama simply because the storyline is interesting and I’m hoping for some solid character development in the future episodes.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/27/twinkling-watermelon-first-impressions/
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A Historical With A Funny Tone
Rowoon (“Destined with You”) is back onscreen with his next romcom, which happens to be a historical. Starring alongside Cho Yi Hyun, “The Matchmakers” is about two widowers, Shim Jung Woo & Jung Soon Deok, who are pressured by the royal family into marrying three maidens representing the spinster problem in the Joseon dynasty. Both of them have varied personalities, with Jung Soon Deok leading a double life that is closely guarded. The drama relies a lot on the customs and traditions that tied down widows in ancient Joseon. Now, widowers weren’t specifically affected, but Shim Jung Woo suffers because he has a special identity. You can’t question the absurdity of their situations because we are talking about times that were orthodox and fanatical. The first two episodes do a good job of introducing the main characters, as we get a glimpse into their lives. Soon Deok leads an exciting, satisfying one while Jung Wook’s is dull and unfulfilling.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/11/01/the-matchmakers-first-impressions/
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Impressionable With Mystique & Intrigue
The latest entrant on JTBC’s mid-week block, Destined With You, has a lot to offer. With a stellar casting that includes big names like Jo Bo Ah, Rowoon, Ha Joon, Yura; the drama premiered to high ratings on Netflix. I have been closely keep a tab on JTBC’s official accounts, since the day this drama was announced. It has got nothing to do with my thirst for fantasy dramas, and everything to do with the fact that this show has both of my favorite stars. I’m a huge, huge fan of Jo Bo Ah and she is nothing short of adorable here. Following close on her heels is our handsome hunk, Rowoon, whose character has streaks of mystique and intrigue. The first two episodes do a decent job of setting the storyline, which is gripping and exciting. There is a lot happening in the pilot episodes; shamanism plays a pivotal role in this fantasy and the show is as riveting as the trailer that promises a love story that spans over 300 years.Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/08/26/destined-with-you-first-impressions/#more-91
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She Is Different Day and Night
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An Entertaining Watch with a Strong Casting
What happens when a 28-year-old woman suddenly ages into a 50-year old during daylight?JTBC’s latest show “Miss Night and Day” offers a mix of intrigue with a side dose of mystery & fantasy. Focusing on the struggles of an eager jobseeker, the storyline pans out as our female lead, Lee Mi Jin literally ages while trying to find a job for herself. Add the persistent yet stubborn prosecutor Gye Ji Ung with a mysterious cat to this mix, and we have an interesting show at our hands. Starring Jung Eun Ji, Lee Jung Eun, Choi Jin Hyuk in a atypical romance, the drama promises fun-filled moments between our main leads. The script is slightly slow paced but it picks up in the second episode as we end up with a serial killer on loose. While the show is solely focused on Mi Jin’s sudden change in appearance, the story is tied to Gye Ji Ung’s decades old search for the murderer who possibly massacred his mother. Let’s understand the characters better first!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/17/miss-night-and-day-first-impressions/
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