Web KDrama to Watch: Noble, My Love (2015)

Noble, My Love (2015)

Grade: B+

20 Episodes, 15 minutes each

Optimistic veterinarian Cha Yoon Seo works hard in her rural practice, trying to make ends meet and pay off student loans. One stormy night she has a run-in with a mysterious, attractive stranger. She finds the handsome man drenched from the downpour and nearly unconscious, clutching his bleeding torso on the steps of her animal hospital. He pleads with her to not call the police, so she stitches him up herself. The following morning CEO Lee Kang Hoon leaves before Yoon Seo wakes, leaving a business card behind. What happens when Yoon Seo doesn't call the handsome, eligible CEO to ask for compensation? Will Kang Hoon be able to get the poor but beautiful and spunky business owner off his mind? What will Yoon Seo have to say about his interference in her life?

*This is a pretty cute show, full of all our favorite kdrama tropes: the eligible, arrogant and handsome chaebol can't get the unusual poor but pretty girl off his mind, and in the process he comes across as totally possessive and crazy, simply because he doesn't know how to express his feelings very well. There's a disapproving mother, a female frenemy, a love rival, and some sibling issues thrown in for good measure. There are a few cheesy cartoon-like elements, like when the animals are given thought bubbles, or when the main characters blush, but I like that sort of thing! I really liked the actor who played Kang Hoon's assistant – he was like the wise, unseen hand that helped make things happen. The last couple episodes were a bit slow, but it does have a good ending and plenty of funny moments throughout. I'd watch this again.*

TDrama to Watch: [Drunken to] Love You (2011)

Taiwanese Drama [Drunken to] Love You (2011)

Grade: A-

30 Episodes, about 40 minutes each

Lin Xiao Ru's plans to spend her annual vacation in Las Vegas are derailed when her pilot boyfriend of 4 years suddenly cancels on her with only the statement that someone needs him more than she does for explanation. The distraught Xiao Ru ends up drinking all night with a stranger: successful interior designer Song Jie Xiu, who had attempted to propose earlier that day to his supermodel-turned-actress girlfriend of 8 years. With a ring in his pocket and two broken hearts between them, the intoxicated pair wake the next morning to find themselves legally married! Jie Xiu's girlfriend Tang Ai Wei discovers the marriage, but in order to keep her very first movie role, she asks the two to remain married until filming is completed. Meanwhile, Xiao Ru finds out the reason her pilot left was to take responsibility for the flight attendant he impregnated. What happens when Jie Xiu steps in to help Xiao Ru save face, gives her a shoulder to cry on, then goes out of his way to “lend” her some happiness? Will Xiao Ru grab hold of the happiness she's found, or will she surrender to Ai Wei, since Jie Xiu wasn't Xiao Ru's to take in the first place? How will Jie Xiu's estranged mother feel about the arrangement? Will the orphaned Xiao Ru ever find her own mother?

*For a Taiwanese drama, this was a VERY good show, on par with most Korean dramas and an even better plot than some, despite “cheesy” elements and tropes. The intro has cute animation and music (if you can get past the lyrics about "doing it" all night...), the fairly lighthearted script has decent pacing, plus there is great chemistry between the leads. Rainie Yang is a super cute actress with clothes I would love to own, and I really liked her character, aside from the tendency to be more self-sacrificing than necessary. Joseph Chang reminded me a little bit of Keanu Reeves as far as his looks, and my favorite acting moment is when the serious Jie Xiu finally allows his mother to hug him – he tolerates it for a few moments, but then he starts rolling his eyes and shaking with annoyance the more she fawns over him, until she lets go and he walks away in a huff. Hilarious! 

I will say this is definitely an ADULT show, as it covers topics such as abortion, premarital sex, and even rape, but they handled these topics without a lingering nasty feeling to it - not more than a PG-13 rating's worth. I definitely liked it much better than the **first show, “Fated to Love You” - better pacing and no awkward “several years later” separation between the characters. I'd watch this again!*

**This is supposed to be the second installment in a three-part series, with “Fated to Love You” (2008) as the first, but I could find no clear information about a third installment. Fun fact: I recognized FOUR actors from “Fated to Love You” in this show, and now I know why!

KFilm to Watch: The Huntresses (2014)

The Huntresses (2014)

Three female bounty hunters from the Joseon era work together to earn a living. Pocket sundials, expert archery, disguises, hang gliders, weaponized yo-yos and daring acrobatics keep these huntresses in business. There is the talkative, crazy, married Hong Dan; the tough and solemn Ga Bi; and the sweet, inventive leader, Jin Ok (Ha Ji-won from “Secret Garden”!). The girls stumble across a plot to overthrow the king while out on a hunt, complete with a mysterious artifact that reveals the enemy strategy. What happens when Jin Ok freezes at the sight of the noble responsible for her father's demise? Will the huntresses be able to save their country, and themselves?

*A little on the bloody side, but otherwise an entertaining movie. Some of the music gave the film a “Charlie's Angels” vibe, despite being set in the Joseon era. There was a little humor, a little romance, but mostly action and fighting. Not bad considering I don't normally enjoy period Korean pieces. Some of the special effects were a bit cheesy, but I'd still recommend watching it.*

InFilm to Miss: Singh Is Kinng (2008)

Singh Is Kinng (2008) 

The klutzy, unlucky Happy is a menace in his local village, constantly creating chaos and new property damage every time he “helps” a neighbor. Meanwhile, the famous gangster king Lucky is in trouble with Australian authorities, and the news causes his villager father to have an asthma attack. The villagers tell Happy it was a heart attack, leading him to believe it is imperative for Lucky to come home. Will Happy be able to convince Lucky to return, or will the villagers finally be rid of their menace? What happens when Happy meets the girl of his dreams along the way? Will Happy be able to change the gangsters' hearts?

*This film has a lot of gun violence and raunchy dance numbers, complete with casino chorus line girls in next to no clothing. Usually the lengthier running times for these films lends itself to writing deeper characters, but the lead female has next to no personality. Lots of hip-hop and rap influenced music, which is not my taste and I don't think it complements Indian culture very well. I won't watch this again, and I don't recommend it.*

KDrama to Miss: Me Too, Flower! (2011)

Me Too, Flower! (2011)

Grade: C+

15 Episodes

Police officer Cha Bong-sun completes her tasks as she should but ultimately is restless and unhappy. She even finds out she has depression, after attending a work-mandated psychological screening. One day, the youthful, exuberant Seo Jae-hee nearly runs over Bong-sun on his scooter. They run into each other again later, where she observes the young man working as a car valet at a high-end department store – a low-paying job with few prospects. Jae-hee teases Officer Cha, but then he overhears her leave a message on the therapist's voice mail. She feels worthless and unlovable. Will Jae-hee's heart be moved for this sad, lonely officer? What happens when Jae-hee's female business partner finds out he might have feelings for the female officer? And what will Bong-sun's non-blood related, gold-digging step-sister have to say about the entrepreneur in disguise?

*This drama really had a promising beginning, with plenty of tension between the main love interests for the first few episodes, but it soon fizzled out. There was a lot of American music, which felt out of place, and then the rest of the soundtrack was slow and sad – fitting for the feel of the drama, but not my favorite. The characters just weren't all that likable, most of their struggles were annoyingly self-inflicted (I think Bong-sun and Jae-hee break up three separate times over the course of the show, for arbitrary reasons they come up with), and the ending was too tidy. It felt like the writers ran out of material for plot so they wrote how every character ended up simply for filler. Definitely not the worst Kdrama I've watched but kind of boring. Also, kind of a weird title that had nothing to do with anything. I wouldn't watch it again.*

KDrama to Miss: Can We Get Married? (2012)

Can We Get Married? (2012)

Grade: D+

20 Episodes

After dating for three years, teacher Hye-yoon and small toy company employee Jung-hoon declare their intentions to marry. Hye-yoon's widowed mother only approves of the match once she discovers Jung-hoon's parents are wealthy, but his parents disapprove of Hye-yoon once they realize she does not live up to their standard of living, unable to gift them with extravagant in-law presents. Then Hye-yoon's mom disapproves because of the way they are treating Hye-yoon and because they plan to give all their wealth to charity, not their only child. Meanwhile Hye-yoon's sister Hye-jin starts the official divorce process with her husband of seven years, finally having enough of his serial adultery once the latest mistress confronts and challenges Hye-jin. Jung-hoon's cousin, chef and restaurant owner Ki-joong, breaks up with his girlfriend of five years, the girl who first introduced Hye-yoon and Jung-hoon, claiming he doesn't believe in it, only to get engaged for a business alliance. Will anyone get married in this atmosphere of posturing, social pressures, and insecurities?

*This was basically a plain old boring American soap opera, in Korea. No supernatural spin, just normal life and normal shortcomings, pride, arguments – SO MUCH YELLING – and misunderstandings. The only story line I enjoyed was the single 50-year-old aunt who lived at home with Hye-yoon and finally found love with a younger man after a test ride on a motorcycle. I would have watched a series entirely about that character. The music was boring, too. Really, I was just annoyed with how petty and mean everyone was to each other, as well as all the sleeping around. Lots of swearing, pre- and extramarital affairs with virtually no regret – none of the usual build up I expect and enjoy in kdramas. Don't waste your time. I won't watch this again or recommend it.*

InFilm to Watch: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

In a retelling of the classic tale “The Prince and the Pauper,” average, happy-go-lucky stage actor Prem Dilwale has a dream to someday meet and woo the princess Maithili, after witnessing her charitable endeavors once in earlier years. Meanwhile, the somber and doleful prince of Prem's own land, Vijay Singh, has his coronation coming and an engagement to that same princess Prem adores, all while dealing with family turmoil. The prince has 3 half-siblings, one half-brother and two half-sisters, who want nothing more than the prince's demise after what they perceived as unjust treatment of their mother from the queen when they were all children. Just days before his coronation, Vijay is thrown off a cliff and sent into a coma. What happens when the head of security catches a glimpse of Prem, the perfect princely doppleganger, at a local market? Will Prem finally meet his beloved princess and mend the broken ties between the prince's relations, or will Prem meet the same fate as the prince?

*This movie is close to 3 hours long, but the setting and costumes are absolutely stunning. I even enjoyed the many musical numbers, possibly because they were shorter than most musical numbers – only one or two minutes – and spread throughout the film, rather than 10 solid minutes of a dedicated song and dance every few scenes. There is a scene that shows a defenseless, frail 80-year-old man being hanged, which is very sad and disturbing, and it doesn't seem like the villains are punished for their despicable acts. The palace scenes are gorgeous, though, and it has a decent pace for such a long film. I'd watch this again, even though there is NO KISSING, but definitely skip the scenes with the poor guard being killed.* 



Here are a couple music videos to watch from the movie - the first one, "Jab Tum Chaho," is the princess replying to Prem what she dislikes about the prince. Basically she calls him out for making the relationship one-sided, with him in charge, always getting his own way. And the way the singer's voice trills is mesmerizing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib75N9WDOd8 

The second video, "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" Title Song, is a magnificent culmination of everything this film has to offer: gorgeous sets, intricate dance numbers, and amazing costumes.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPk9bSvQQoc