KFilm to Maybe Watch: Woochi (2009)

Woochi (2009)

Aspiring Taoist master and local mischief-maker Jeon Woo-chi is trapped in a painting for 500 years after a trio of lesser wizards suspect him of killing his master. His master was in the process of recovering a magic flute that would either subdue monsters or give them greater power if it fell into the wrong hands. Will Woo-chi be able to navigate the modern world and stop the plot to release monsters into the mortal world again?

*Full of action, some suspense, a little mystery, and a healthy dose of humor, this fast-paced film was difficult to follow at first, as it hopped between present and past without much transition. The rate of speech also seemed faster than normal, and it was a little difficult to keep up with the dialogue in the beginning when the movie's plot is being set up. Not too violent, not too deep - once viewers begin to think about the plot it doesn't hold up very well. Other than that it was a decent film and I might watch it again.*

KDrama to Maybe Watch: Bride of the Century (2014)

Bride of the Century (2014)

Grade: B- (former grade: B+)

16 Episodes

Chaebol Choi Kang-joo is in an arranged marriage with Jang Yi-kyung, and he couldn't care less for his future wife. Yi-kyung's family business is in trouble, however, and the marriage will save their company. There is a rumor about the Choi family, how the firstborn son's first wife always dies, but the Jang family proceeds, hesitant but ready to take the risk. Meanwhile, Yi-kyung's half-brother Yi-Hyun randomly encounters a girl who looks identical to his half-sister. It is then that Yi-kyung's mother plots to use the doppelganger, Na Doo-rim – at first as just a one-time stand-in, but later as a sacrifice to the restless spirit that protects the Choi family (if there truly is such a curse). Will Doo-rim be able to fool Kang-joo, and for how long? What will the ghost have to say about all of it?

*This is an epic-feeling fantasy romance, with lots of humor for the initial “meet cute” between Kang-joo and Doo-rim. It did drag in the middle and felt heavier and darker than I prefer, but it has a good, solid ending, and the soundtrack definitely matches the epic feel to the show. It's interesting how the generally accepted cultural belief is that everyone is reincarnated eventually. Also, I had a hard time taking Kang-joo seriously, simply because I had first seen the actor Lee Hong-gi as Jeremy in “You're Beautiful,” and he plays the comic relief in that show. The girl who plays Doo-rim is pretty adorable, and I think she managed both her roles (as the evil Yi-kyung too) quite well. I'd watch this again.*

UPDATE FALL 2020: This drama is about 5 episodes too long, with such a slow, heavy, dark pace and several character inconsistencies, that I actually changed its rating! This is the first time I've changed a previous rating for a kdrama. I did not enjoy watching the antagonists try to destroy each other, and one of the "good" characters is actually an adulteress, so it doesn't feel terribly satisfying for her to win. I won't watch this again. 

KDrama to Watch: Healer (2015)

Healer (2015)

Grade: A

20 Episodes

Aspiring journalist Chae Young-shin is accosted one day by the infamous, mysterious night courier Healer when he forcefully takes a sample of her DNA for a client. Healer's one goal in life is to make enough money with his jobs to buy a private island and retire there alone, but Young-shin intrigues Healer, and he learns more about the girl as he takes more assignments. The client is famous reporter Kim Moon-ho – but why is he wanting to learn more about this adopted girl? When Young-shin starts to realize she has feelings for the dangerous courier, where will that lead? How are their pasts linked, and will they be able to sever the bonds to the mysterious powers controlling and destroying the lives around them?

*This is an amazing action thriller with a hefty dose of romance. It is a bit dark in places, as the heroes encounter truly evil people, those who will murder and manipulate for their own gain and then cover it with layers of blackmail and lies, and it shows the characters actually dying on screen. The show has a great pace, and just when politics start to bog it down, something exciting happens to catch the viewer's interest again. Healer's character is intriguing, and the actor does a great job with his undercover personality. Young-shin's character is a little weak at times, but the show does emphasize her bravery in other ways. I also loved Healer's hacker partner, played by Kim Mi-kyung – an actress I've seen many times now in these dramas. She reminds me a bit of Emma Thompson, in that she is about the same age and does a great job playing diverse roles. I'd definitely watch this again, despite the violence in places.*



BONUS: I try to post the music videos to any KPop songs that are referenced in these KDramas, so here is 2NE1 and their song "I Am The Best" (which Min Ja refers to as a pat on the back when she pulls off some especially impressive hacking :P ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_lSP8Vc3o

InFilm to Watch: Bewakoofiyaan (2014)

Bewakoofiyaan (2014)

Mayera and Mohit are two young professionals in love, but when Mohit asks for Mayera's hand in marriage, her father isn't willing to give his approval. When the recession hits and Mohit loses his job, will that ruin his chances altogether of marrying the woman he loves? Will their relationship even survive as pride takes its toll?

*This movie takes a somber turn when Mohit loses his job. It is detrimental to one's pride to be unemployed, especially for men, and it was sad to watch that wear on their relationship. Overall, I liked the music and the obnoxious father-in-law character actually is quite endearing. Not my favorite Bollywood film, but I might watch this again.*

Doppelgangers!

Korean and American Actor Doppelgangers!

I noticed something strange while I was watching my most recent Kdrama... Several of the actors looked familiar, and not just because I've seen them in another show before! Either that or I'm just crazy :p

Here are the pairings I thought of while watching "Cunning Single Lady" (2014):

Joo Sang-wook and Scott Porter (from "Hart of Dixie")
Lee Min-jung and Allison Scagliotti (from "Warehouse 13")
Hwang Bo-ra and Rose McGowan (from "Once Upon a Time")

KDrama to Watch: Cunning Single Lady (2014)

Cunning Single Lady (2014)

Grade: B+

16 Episodes

Computer programmer Cha Jung-woo relies on his wife Na Ae-ra financially to support them while he chases his dreams of starting his own company, but when the power is shut off and he comes home without investors once again, after four years of marriage, Ae-ra asks for a divorce. Three years later, without a word from Jung-woo, Ae-ra discovers her ex-husband is now the CEO of an up-and-coming software company worth millions of dollars. She then decides to interview for work as an intern, all in an effort to seek revenge. Will Jung-woo fall for it or see right through Ae-ra? And what happens when a younger man starts to take interest in Ae-ra?

*This was a pretty cute, fun Kdrama with a good pace that has a slightly different rhythm than usual. I do think that Ae-ra needed to do more to win Jung-woo's affections, and the issues discussed that surround divorce hit close to home making for some sad moments, but it wasn't a total downer. There are some great giggle-inducing moments as well – the acting and absurd situations combine in a believable manner. The only reason this doesn't have a higher grade is because it wasn't heart-flutter-inducing like the A grade shows. I'd probably watch this again, though.*

KDrama to Miss: Gu Family Book (2013)

Gu Family Book (2013)

Grade: C-

24 Episodes

Wol Ryung is a legendary, immortal creature, living in the mountains of South Korea. One day he meets a mortal woman during the Joseon era, and decides to pursue a course that will make him mortal, too. This mortal, Seo Hwa, witnessed her father's brutal murder – Jo Gwan-woong had framed her father, his friend, for treason, all in an effort to sleep with her. (Noble families who are disgraced are sold as state slaves – gisaengs, or glorified prostitutes.) Wol Ryung saves Seo Hwa, and she marries him, but she doesn't know his true nature. Seo Hwa ends up betraying Wol Ryung once she sees his beast form, turning him into a thousand-year demon, and she then gives birth to their son alone. The half-human, half-monster baby is found by a benevolent merchant and raised as a human for 20 years. When the same villain that destroyed his mother's family threatens Kang Chi's adoptive family, will he choose to become fully human like his father tried to do, or use his gumiho powers to stop Jo Gwan-woong once and for all?

*I really like the fantasy aspect of this story and how it uses the “Beauty and the Beast” theme, but I would not watch this drama again. The first two episodes are filled with lust, murder, rape, violence, betrayal and intense tragedy – R-rated material if I had to guess - and nothing in the subsequent episodes makes up for that (assuming the idea of showing such evil will make the good appear more good later on). I also predicted the ending – it was not happy, it was realistic and predictable based on the number of other dramas I've watched. I liked Kang Chi's character (Lee Seung-gi, who starred in “My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox,” humorously enough), and the supernatural elements were enjoyable, but I still don't like historical dramas. Too violent, too much depravity, and too much of the bad guy winning before he is finally dealt with (which was not even satisfying). I know this was a popular show, but it is just not my taste and I wouldn't watch it again or recommend it.