KDrama to Miss: Manny (2011)

Manny (2011)

Grade: C+

16 Episodes

Divorced mother Seo Do-young can't keep a nanny to watch her two bratty children while she works full time. The children's father is not in contact with them or sending support, so Do-young has moved in with her sister, Janice, a successful businesswoman who runs her own modeling agency. Through a chance encounter, famous “manny” - or “male nanny” - Kim Yi-han owes Do-young a favor. Unfortunately the manny was involved with a scandal during his last job, so all his assets are frozen and he cannot return to the United States for the time being. Out of her own desperation to find someone to watch the kids, Do-young asks Yi-han to move in. Soon Do-young starts to develop feelings for the handsome younger man, despite his commitment to never become involved with the mother of the children in his care. What will Janice and the children have to say if they find out about Do-young's feelings? What happens when the father tries to come back into their lives?

*Do-young is a bad mother all around, what with yelling at her children all the time instead of actually disciplining them and not even trying to explain things to them. She is also one of those weak, simpering female characters that cry all the time without stirring any sympathy on the part of the viewer. Yi-han was handsome, but his character was somewhat bland, and other times just plain rude to Do-young. I related the most to Janice's character – strong, driven, and confident – but even she couldn't carry the show all on her own. The worst part is the ending (spoiler alert!): what mother goes to school in a foreign country for two or more years, leaving her children ages 11 and 6 with their aunt who has a busy career?? Sure, Yi-han encouraged Do-young to pursue her ambitions because “if the mother doesn't dream, her children cannot have dreams,” but it's not okay to just leave your children for a few years to go after said dream! I would not watch this show again or recommend it to others. The characters were not endearing, and it was fairly slow overall.*

KDrama to Watch: The Producers (2015)

The Producers (2015)

Grade: B

12 Episodes, about 90 minutes each

Baek Seung-chan starts his career as a television producer (or PD) as a result of a college crush. It turns out the girl he liked is dating his boss, but he soon develops feelings for another PD, Tak Ye Jin. Seung-chan ends up on a variety show production, working with famous singer Cindy. She starts to fall for the young PD, but he is oblivious to her charms as he is too busy trying to catch the attention and affections of PD Ye Jin. What happens when his boss Ra Joon-mo notices Seung-chan's affections for his lifetime friend Ye Jin?

*This was a fairly slow, somewhat sweet show that starts off with a very similar feel to the American show “The Office,” since they do side interviews where the characters talk directly to the camera. There are some funny moments, and it was unique to have a relationship that was so old as the focus, but it was rather slow. Also, Gong Hyo-jin was at it again with her bizarre wardrobe choices. Luckily it wasn't as bad in this drama, but she did wear a denim hospital gown at one point, complete with ties knotted up her back. So distracting! I don't know if I'd watch it again, but it's fine for at least one viewing.*

KDrama to Watch: My Unfortunate Boyfriend (2015)

My Unfortunate Boyfriend (2015)

Grade: A-

16 Episodes

Yoo Ji Na is a girl from the country, applying for a big city job in marketing at the large IM corporation, all in an effort to make a name for herself and put distance between her and her parents. When the applicant pool comes down to Ji Na and one other girl, the company decides to give both women a three month internship to prove who is the better candidate. Meanwhile, the clumsy gardener with the nickname “Mr. Unfortunate” keeps crossing paths with Ji Na, much to her embarrassment. Will Ji Na land the job in the end, or will her connection to Mr. Unfortunate ruin her chances? What happens when her rival discovers Ji Na was hired under false pretenses, or when the rival notices her boss (and love interest) wants to date Ji Na?

*The first four episodes of this show were HILARIOUS! Yoon Tae-woon is the most aDORKable character I have ever come across – American OR Korean! He reminds me a bit of Harpo Marx, with the slapstick physical humor, his fluffy hair and his long face. Ji Na's character is pretty cute, too (the actress is also in “Bride of the Century”). The show slowed down near the end (which I dislike), but most Kdramas do that. A couple supporting characters disappear altogether about three-quarters in, and it was never clear how they were connected to Tae-woon in the first place (or maybe I missed it). Oddly, the most character growth actually happens to one of the secondary characters, so that gives the whole story line a strange vibe at the end, like it was never really about Tae-woon and Ji Na after all. Also, there were a few times I thought the antagonists were going to do something awful, but then they didn't. I'm not sure if that means they just weren't written well, or the writers simply didn't want to go that direction. Overall the show stayed fairly light, and aside from the few weird bits, I had fun watching it and I'd probably watch it again.*

ChFilm to Miss: Finding Mr. Right (2013)

Finding Mr. Right (2013)

(Chinese Film) Jia Jia, a beautiful young woman and mistress to a married Chinese businessman, becomes pregnant and travels to America to have the baby. Apparently the laws in China do not hold the man responsible in this situation, nor is the mother able to report the child or qualify for health care. When Jia Jia arrives in America, a scruffy-looking man picks her up and takes her to a house that is run by a Chinese woman who provides room and board for other pregnant women in similar situations, for a fee. Jia Jia soon discovers that the scruffy driver, Frank, is actually a former doctor that is staying home to raise his daughter while his wife earns the money. Will Jia Jia come to develop feelings for the doting family man, or will Jia Jia return to her former life with the businessman in China once the baby is born?

*I was surprised at how somber this film felt, since the poster made it seem like it would be funnier. There was a lot of American music, with the “Sleepless in Seattle” movie as a main source of inspiration for this movie. There is a lesbian couple that gets some screen time, there was NO KISSING in this movie, and I just couldn't like Jia Jia because of what she did to be in her situation. She admits feeling guilty “at first,” but the film glosses over the fact she slept with someone's husband; she never repents, yet she still has the picture-perfect ending. So for all those reasons, I wouldn't watch this again.*

KDrama to Watch: Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

Grade: B+

20 Episodes

Kim Yoon Hee is forced to impersonate her own brother as a means of obtaining income for their family. Yoon Hee learned much of the classics by eavesdropping on her brother's lessons when her father was still alive, so she is talented enough to take small jobs at the local book shop. There is an urgent need for something more lucrative, however, when the noble who paid for her brother's medical expenses tries to take Yoon Hee as a concubine to pay off their debt – something completely within his legal rights, since women were property at this time in history. Out of desperation, Yoon Hee agrees to be a stand-in for someone attempting to earn entry into the prestigious Sung Kyun Kwan academy by attending the entrance exam in someone's place. Upright Lee Sun-joon catches Yoon Hee in the act, but instead of turning her in, he challenges her to take the exam for herself (thinking she was her brother, Yoon Shik). Yoon Hee earns entrance to the academy – but will she be able to keep her secret while living in a school full of young men? What will she do when she learns the truth behind her father's death?

*This is the VERY FIRST historical drama that I have even remotely enjoyed. It has decent pacing, well-written characters, and even the music is engaging, with a good balance of variety and familiarity among the musical themes. I did not enjoy the gisaeng element, as it hearkens to a time in human history where women actually aspired to be glorified sex slaves since it often meant a more comfortable lifestyle, but luckily it is not the main focus of this drama. It was fun to watch the reactions of the guy friends as they found out, one by one, she is actually a girl and how they handle it afterwards. Gu Yong-ha played by Song Joong-ki was probably my favorite character overall, and while all the guys were fun to watch, the ending is somewhat lacking. The search for and buildup over the fabled document that would help the king reform Joseon wasn't resolved very well, and the series ends with Yoon Hee basically forever impersonating a man – not affecting any real change in their world, except from the acknowledgment of those few who agree to continue keeping her secret. I would probably watch this again, and I definitely recommend it to others.*

JFilm to Watch: Shall We Dance (1996)

(Japanese Film) 

 Shall We Dance (1996) 

Shohei Sugiyama works as an accountant, with a devoted wife and daughter waiting for him at home every night. Despite owning a home and his external show of success, he is depressed. One night, on the train home from work, he notices a woman staring wistfully out a window of a local dance studio. Overcome with curiosity and a longing for something more in his life, Sugiyama visits the dance hall and signs up for group dance lessons. Will he be able to keep his double life a secret from his wife and coworkers, or will he give up dancing in the end?

*I enjoyed this version better than the American remake from 2004. The characters are real and endearingly awkward at times. There is not as much music as would be expected in a movie based on dance, but older films tend to have more silence between dialogue anyway. When certain characters finally reveal their feelings, the dialogue is refreshingly transparent and genuine without feeling heavy-handed. I would watch this again.*

KDrama to Miss: Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010)

Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010)

Grade: C

16 Episodes

Wi Mary is busy evading debt collectors and hiding the spare few items she can at a neighbor's house, all because of her father's failed business ventures. She had to take time off from school to try and earn more money, but without a college degree and loan sharks chasing them down in the streets, there is not much hope for stability for Mary and her father. Their luck changes, however, when Mary's father runs into an old friend – a friend with deep pockets and a handsome son. The fathers then decide to arrange a marriage between their two children, and Mary must think quickly to avoid marrying the eligible owner of an up-and-coming drama production company, Byun Jung-in. She somehow convinces the indie rock band guitarist Kang Mu-gyul, whom she had accidentally hit with a car the night before, to pose as her husband in a fake photo shoot. What happens when Jung-in's father threatens to pull out all his investments if Jung-in does not go through with the arranged marriage? Will My-gyul continue to pose as Mary's husband to deter the fathers' efforts? Who will Mary choose in the end once feelings among the three start coming into play?

*I once wondered what would happen in a drama when it's not clear who is the lead and who is the second male lead; now I know the ambiguity makes for terrible writing. Mary ends up kissing both men, and then it turns out she actually has a history with the second male lead, as revealed in a flashback about their childhood – usually that is reserved for the relationship between the girl and the lead, not the second male lead. I have never had “second male lead syndrome” before, but this is one drama (spoiler alert) where it made NO SENSE for her to choose the musician. Mu-gyul never changed. He was still rude, he was still self-centered and moody all the time, purposely misunderstanding situations to make Mary feel bad, unable to provide for her, and just wasn't there for her. Jung-in, on the other hand, time and again proved himself a self-sacrificing man of action and extremely conscientious of her needs (while also being handsome and charming), saving her from physical harm as well as social embarrassment, yet she chose the guy who treated her like crap. 

I was so sick of Mary and Mu-gyul's self-centered “love” that kept hurting everyone around them – a relationship that did not make either one of them better people and had them resorting to childish antics like hiding in a dumpster to avoid Mary's dad. Sometimes kdramas can have funny moments like that, but between these two it just came off as immature and selfish. Yes, Mu-gyul needed the stability Mary's affections provided, but being with Mu-gyul did not make HER a better person. He couldn't even keep her happy – they break up 12 times in the following year (as revealed in the last few minutes of the show), proving they are not good for each other. Mary's character also had that annoying meek, mousy personality that I just don't appreciate. And even if it was an arranged marriage, Mary would have grown to love Jung-in, there is no doubt in my mind. She would have always been taken care of, with no fear of emotional strife with a gentle, loving partner. GAH! She chose the bard instead of the prince! Even the soundtrack was annoying after the first few episodes. I don't recommend this drama.*