KDrama to Watch: I Can Hear Your Voice (2013)

I Can Hear Your Voice (2013)

Grade: B

18 Episodes

High school student Jang Hye-sung witnesses a grisly murder then testifies in court, helping to put the murderer in jail. The young boy, Park Soo-ha, whose father was killed, vows to find Hye-sung again so he can protect her when the murderer is released. Meanwhile Hye-sung has landed a job as a public defense attorney, and that's when she and Soo-ha meet up again. She learns that he has the unique ability to hear other people's thoughts when he looks them in the eye, and he helps Hye-sung win some of her court cases. But what will happen when the murderer finishes his sentence and is released from prison, bent on seeking revenge?

*There was an additional love interest for Hye-sung, played by Yoon Sang-hyun from “My fair Lady,” and he was probably my favorite character in this drama. This show is a good murder-mystery thriller, but it did go a bit dark for my taste and stay fairly serious. I liked some but not all of the music, and I didn't like how Soo-ha's abilities aren't really explained. It was an interesting reflection on the justice systems we have in place, how we are not perfect but we try our best to follow law and serve justice anyway. There are some romantic elements in the show, but it could have been cuter. Might watch again.*

KDrama to Watch: Dream High (2011)

Dream High (2011)

Grade: B+

16 Episodes

Go Hye-mi is an aspiring opera singer when she suddenly finds herself auditioning for a performing arts school, all in an effort to pay off her father's failed business debts. Her friend Yoon Baek-hee tries out with her, but much to Hye-mi's chagrin, Baek-hee makes the cut while she does not. Hye-mi is given special admittance if she can find two more students in time: the rebellious, unfocused Jin-guk who is a friend from the past, and the inexperienced country boy Song Sam-dong. Their fate at the school is also tied to the low-ranking teacher Kang Oh-sun – the same man who cheated with Hye-mi's mother before her untimely death. Will Hye-mi be able to pay off her father's debts and debut as a Korean pop star, working with people she despises, in order to reach her dreams?

*This was an interesting show – it had the potential to go quite dark, yet about halfway through, the characters started to change for the better. Not sure I liked the transition, or the reasons why the characters decided to change. I would have liked more romance and less teen angst overall, but there were some cute moments. Fun music, good choreography. Also, Kim Soo-hyun (“My Love from the Star”) is super cute and very expressive – I mostly watched this to see him. Might watch again, but not an instant favorite.*

InFilm to Miss: Break Ke Baad (2010)

Break Ke Baad (2010) 

Best friends Abhay and Aaliya break up after nearly ten years of dating, all because Aaliya wants to pursue a career in acting and travel the world. She also thinks that Abhay needs to “find himself” since he doesn't really seem happy working at his father's company, so she leaves to study in Australia for a year. Abhay won't let her break up with him, however, so he moves to Australia, too, discovering in the process his love of cooking. Will Aaliya take Abhay back, or will he move on before she gets the chance?

*I did not connect with any of the characters – I thought Aaliya was stupid for risking their love and taking Abhay's devotion to her for granted. Her pride and selfishness is what made her leave such a loving relationship, and while it did help Abhay find his true passion in life, he could have done the same thing with Aaliya at his side the whole time. There was also some language and promiscuous characters, making me dislike the film even more. Normally I like the films Imran Khan does, but this time his character was a bit dull. I probably won't watch this again.*

KDrama to Maybe Watch: Big (2012)

Big (2012)

Grade: B-

Episodes: 16

Gil Da-ran is engaged to a quiet, handsome doctor - the same doctor that treated her after accidentally knocking her down a flight of stairs. It sounds like a dream come true, except as the wedding draws closer, Yoon Jae (Gong Yoo) makes all kinds of excuses to not meet with her and finish wedding preparations. Da-ran finally calls him on it, asking if he even actually loves her or if Yoon Jae is simply marrying her out of a sense of duty. On his way to give her an answer, he is in a car accident with a young man - one of Da-ran's new students - and both fall into a resevoir. Yoon Jae reaches out for Kyung Joon, and Kyung Joon wakes up in Yoon Jae's body. Will Kyung Joon go through with Da-ran's wedding? When will he return to his body, and why were they switched in the first place?

*This is one of the most upbeat dramas I've watched, with some of the best ethereal, mysterious music to fit the fantasy storyline. The only reason this didn't earn a higher grade is because we never see Kyung Joon after he returns to his body, and we never find out Yoon Jae's answer or what happens to him after he wakes up. I loved the energy Gong Yoo brought to his character - an 18-year-old boy trapped in a 30-year-old man's body - and the villains of the show turning out to not really be all that bad kept this drama light. I'd watch this again. 

EDIT: I watched this again in 2019, and it dragged so badly for the last half. I probably didn't realize it the first time through because I hadn't watched as many Kdramas at that point, but this is not the best Hong Sisters work, and the ending is not satisfying.*

InFilm to Watch: Chak De! India (2007)

Chak De! India (2007)

Disgraced field hockey champion Kabir Khan volunteers to teach the women's national field hockey team – a position that most regard as a joke or cushy government job. The girls are all from different areas of India, proud of their individual accomplishments and unwilling to work as a team. Kabir does his best to unite the girls, even pitting them against him, but nothing works until he is about to leave and the girls defend one of their teammates from some sexual harassment. Then they must prove themselves to the Association in order to receive funding to attend the World Championship in Australia by playing the Men's field hockey team. Will they be able to defeat the men and go to the World Championship? If they do, will they be able to make a name for India while in Australia?

*This is your typical ragtag sports team story, but it was interesting to see how another country portrayed the issues common in a competitive sport. Entertaining. I might watch this again.*

ChFilm to Watch: Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Crippled, former soccer star Fung is humiliated by former teammate Hung and is determined to seek revenge. Fung then meets kung fu master Sing who wants nothing more than to promote Shaolin kung fu because he thinks it can benefit any and all who use it. Fung then gets the idea to use Shaolin kung fu in soccer as a way to beat Hung, and he convinces Sing to find and recruit his kung fu brothers. Will they be able to defeat Hung's team and promote the Shaolin way of life?

*This was a silly little film, with very slapstick, exaggerated and clearly CGI effects. Fun and clean. It comes with English captions, but the script is half Mandarin, half Cantonese – similar to the Indian films that are part Hindi, part English. Good for a giggle, might watch again.*

KDrama to Watch: Heirs (2013)

Heirs (2013)

Grade: B+

20 Episodes

 Cha Eun-sang is a poor, hardworking high school student who takes a trip to America to deliver some money for her older sister's wedding. Eun-sang discovers her sister is living a lie, working as a waitress and not attending college. Illegitimate son Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho), second heir to a large Korean company who had been exiled to America, witnesses the sisters fighting and offers to help after Eun-sang's sister runs off with the wedding gift money. Eun-sang and Tan develop feelings for each other, but they go their separate ways once Eun-sang returns to Korea. Eun-sang discovers they lost their apartment (the wedding money was the deposit) and has to move in with her mother as a live-in maid for Kim Tan's mother! Then Tan's father finds out about Eun-sang and sends her to Tan's private school. Will Eun-sang and Kim Tan be allowed to date? What will happen if the other students find out about Eun-sang's poor past?

*I love how the first few episodes took place in California, and it's always interesting to see how other cultures portray Americans (albeit in an unflattering manner). The drama had a more somber feel than I was expecting because of the soundtrack, but while it was dramatic, it wasn't too heavy or serious. Lee Min-ho is always adorable, but I wouldn't say this show is a favorite. Interesting back stories – I actually cared what was going on with the supporting characters – and decent pacing. Lots of familiar faces and the resolution was clever and cute (looking 10 years into the future, imagining how everyone might be doing). Not everyone gets a happy ending, though. Might watch this again.*