Web Kdrama to Miss: My Runway (2016)

Web drama

My Runway (2016)

Grade: C+

6 Episodes, 20 minutes each

Viewing Platform: Netflix

High school student Han Seo-yun wants nothing more in life than to be a top runway model. Unfortunately, she has a major obstacle: her short stature. At a local tryout, she meets top male model Na Jin-wook, and the egotistical guest judge refuses to let her through the preliminaries. Later that night at the karaoke, Seo-yun and her friend console themselves with Jin-wook and his crew in a nearby room. What happens when lightning strikes as Seo-yun kisses the screen displaying her favorite male model?

*I like the mystical body-swap plot, and the actors manage to portray each others' characters well, but I didn't like the whole backdrop. The entire model scene is the epitome of vanity and selfish pursuits, so while the characters do show some development, it is limited because it feels like they only love each other as far as the other person happens to satisfy them. This setting also lends itself to some sleazier aspects of life. Other than that, it's a somewhat fun, short drama, but not my favorite.*

KDrama to Miss: My Shy Boss (2017)

My Shy Boss (2017)

Grade: C-

16 Episodes

Viewing Platform: Dramafever

Small time, minor role stage actress Chae Ro-woon quits acting in order to work at a PR firm – the same firm at which her late older sister had worked. The CEO, Eun Hwan-ki, is distant and cold, with his own employees fearful in his presence and not even sure what he looks like. Ro-woon gathers quite a lot of “telling” information about the reclusive CEO once she begins working, all in her quest to find revenge for her sister's suicide. But what happens when Ro-woon realizes that Hwan-ki is simply shy and misunderstood, not a snob or cruel, and unlikely to be the cause of her sister's death? Will the co-CEO Kang Woo-il be as charming as he appears when Ro-woon puts him under scrutiny as well? And what does Hwan-ki's sister have to do with the secretary's suicide?

*I had a difficult time enjoying this drama, as the entire plot revolves around a young woman's suicide. It's a complex issue, and while the drama does have its lighter moments, like all good kdramas have, it felt like the writers were not treating the topic with enough solemnity. The soundtrack and cinematography are all high-quality, but it wasn't enough to make me like this show: the characters are incredibly messed up. One of them had been cutting herself in secret – another serious mental health issue – and she slits her wrist in front of a girl when she thinks that girl is stealing her man. Plus there is infidelity, which nobody bats an eye at, and some premarital activity. It just felt too much like an American TV show, and I watch kdramas to get away from all of that. This drama also touches on transgenderism, referring to it as a person “wanting a fresh start” – another example of the writers misunderstanding mental illness (although most people don't see it as a mental illness to begin with, so for some viewers, that wouldn't be a reason to skip this drama). But for all of those reasons, I won't watch this again.*

InFilm to Miss: Chocolate (2016)

Chocolate (2016)  

Platform: Netflix

Police officer Rana is working an undercover operation when he receives a phone call from his demanding fiancee Ria. He is distracted and takes off the flashy ring she had given him, just as it's time to move in on the target, and a thief takes the ring. Raju, the thief, is chased all across town, as Rana is determined to recover that special ring. Raju ends up hiding it inside a box in a warehouse, thinking he can come back later to collect his prize, but much to his dismay, Raju had put the 50 lakh ring (worth about $75,000 US dollars) inside a box of chocolate-flavored condoms! So with the authorities breathing down his neck, Raju follows the box around as it is delivered and keeps changing hands. Will the cop track down the thief before he has to meet with his fiancee? What happens when Raju realizes who the ring really belongs to?

*This is a campy, raunchy film – sleazy even by American standards (but that becomes apparent as soon as the viewer realizes the ring is hidden in a box of condoms...). There are so many plot holes as well – what cop worth his salt answers a phone call in the middle of a sting? And it wasn't believable that the thief would be shy or discreet in any manner about stealing the condom box once it was delivered, especially with a prize worth that much. The torture room at the POLICE STATION was also very disturbing. The film is Bengali; perhaps that explains the different standards. I definitely won't watch this again, and I strongly urge others to avoid this film.*

KDrama to Maybe Watch: Let's Eat (2014)

Let's Eat (2014)
Grade: B-
16 Episodes
Platform: Netflix

Lee Soo-kyung is a divorced office worker living alone in a small apartment with her cute pet Pomeranian. She's not interested in a new relationship ever since her painful divorce, but Soo-kyung loves eating out at delicious restaurants and can't bear to eat alone - a true dilemma for a foodie such as herself. One day a younger, cheerful girl moves into the vacant studio apartment next to Soo-kyung (the previous tenant had choked to death - all because she lived alone) and draws Soo-kyung back out into life. Yoon Jin-yi and their other neighbor - Goo Dae-young, the fast-talking, charming insurance salesman - form a "food club" so none of them will have to eat alone anymore. What happens when a dangerous series of random assaults on women starts up in their neighborhood? Is this sudden interest from her neighbors connected in any way? Why does her boss treat her so poorly? And how will Soo-kyung react when she discovers the true identity of her favorite food blogger?

*I loved seeing all the different kinds of dishes that are available in Korean cuisine. I thought I already knew the primary meals that Koreans typically enjoy, but there is a much larger variety than that. If people smacking their food while they eat bothers you, then do not watch this show, as at least twice per episode, they have a food-eating sequence lasting several minutes. There was a slight element of mystery thrown in to spice up the drama, but it came across as so dark that it threw the overall tone of the show out of balance. It also took several episodes before the story finally drew me in at all (I only finally did because of the cute dog). I don't know if I'd watch this again, but it was okay for one view.*

KDrama to Watch: Goblin: The Great and Lonely God (2016)

Goblin: The Great and Lonely God (2016)

a.k.a. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Grade: B+

16 Episodes, 70 minutes each

Viewing Platform: Dramafever

Ji Eun-tak has been able to see ghosts for as long as she can remember. It is why on her ninth birthday she is able to say goodbye to her mother, why she can see a Grim Reaper, and how she hears the whispers from ghosts that she is the Goblin's Bride. She then lives a difficult life with an abusive aunt and cousins, yet she manages to stay upbeat and does well in school. One day the high school senior runs into a mysterious, slightly annoyed gentleman, unaware that she herself summoned him. This man, or rather, this demigod has spent nearly an entire millennium wandering the earth, seeking the one person who can help him rest in peace. Why is this immortal so miserable, when he has all the money and time the world has to offer? What sin did he commit that made the gods punish him this way? And is Eun-tak the answer he's been seeking?

*This drama is sad and romantic, yet lovely. Typically I do not enjoy shows like this, but it is a top-notch production with a well-written score and an intriguing supernatural element. There is even some lighthearted humor sprinkled about. I did not love the inordinate amount of product placement, though. I also didn't love the historical flashbacks as I dislike the historical dramas in general, and that did slow the pace quite a bit towards the middle of the show. The ending was somewhat lacking, as it leaves the viewer with some important, unanswered questions about the workings of this fictional world. How is it that ** spoiler alert ** Kim Shin comes back and retains his powers after the sword is removed? The script indicated that it was the only thing keeping him alive, but now that he has returned sans sword – his only means of dying – does that mean he really is doomed to walk the earth for all time? Aside from that, if I feel the need for a good cry, I'll watch this again.*

KWeb Drama to Watch: Spark (2016)

Spark (2016)

Grade: B

12 Episodes, 14 minutes each
Viewing Platform: Netflix

Son Ha-neul finds a part-time job working on the crew for Dexter, a hot male singing group. The leader of the group, Yoon Ga-ohn, hears a suspicious noise while on break and investigates. Instead he finds Ha-neul, who was relieving herself by some trees and making wishes on stars (it was a bathroom emergency, but still a gorgeous night). Ga-ohn starts to accuse Ha-neul of being paparazzi, but then a bright light envelops them both and they fall to the ground. What happens when Ga-ohn awakens the next day, only to find he can't touch anything metal or electronic, because sparks shoot off him? Will he be able to write his song in time for the concert? How will Ha-neul react when she finds out she is the only one who can neutralize the arrogant Ga-ohn's electricity?

*I'd have given this a higher grade but there is NO KISSING. Other than that, it's a cute story line, with a touch of supernatural and some fun music. It's also short, making it easy to finish in one sitting. I'll probably watch this again.*

InFilm to Watch: Dear Zindagi (2016)

Dear Zindagi (2016)

Viewing Platform: Netflix

Kaira is a young, single working girl, busy trying to make a name for herself in cinematography. She has fun with her friends but seems unable to keep a man in her life – either from poor communication of her own feelings or from pushing them away. After the latest relationship failure, Kaira is kicked out of her apartment through no fault of her own besides being single and has to move back home to Goa. She treats her parents very rudely and is evidently unhappy with her life, but her biggest immediate problem is she can't seem to get a good night's sleep. When she accidentally overhears a mental health lecture at the local hotel while filming a small potatoes commercial for a family friend, Kaira decides to seek therapy for her insomnia. The talented, slightly unconventional psychologist Dr. Khan starts meeting with Kaira, and her past is revealed. How does Kaira's relationship with her parents now interfere with her love life? Will Dr. Khan be able to help Kaira be free from her fears and sorrows? And what will others in her life think about her therapy?

*Kaira is obnoxious in the beginning of the movie, but as the viewer sees more into her life and hears her story, it's easier to understand that all of the self-centered behavior and anger towards her parents were symptoms of her emotional pain. I also saw the film as an attempt to normalize therapy in a culture that still talks of counseling and meeting mental health needs as a “hush-hush” affair – an effort to give a glimpse into what actually goes on in a therapy session. I'm glad that they handled the affection Kaira develops for her therapist in a realistic manner, instead of having them run off together. Shah Rukh Khan did an excellent job in that role. Overall, it isn't the typical type of movie I watch, but it was pretty good, and I'd probably watch it again. Oh, and “zindagi” means “life” so she's saying “dear life” in the end, reflecting on everything she's learned.*