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List of KDramas and Their Grades

To make your next drama selection a little easier, I have sorted all the Korean dramas I've watched into one list, ranked by grade. They...

Saturday, April 25, 2015

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.*

Friday, April 17, 2015

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.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

InFilm to Watch: Kismat Konnection (2008)

Kismat Konnection (2008)


Out of work and out of luck architect Raj decides to seek the advice of a fortune-teller to turn his fate around. She tells him he needs to find a lucky charm, and to his dismay it is the outspoken human rights activist Priya, a girl he had bumped into accidentally. He soon observes that just like the fortune-teller said, every time Priya is in his life, his luck changes for the better, even landing him the chance to have his proposal for a massive shopping mall taken seriously. But when he lies to Priya in order for her to help him, will everything work out?

*This movie was funny more because it took itself too seriously at times, in addition to genuine humor. I didn't like all the musical numbers, and the whole film takes place in Canada (not exactly exotic for American viewers), but it is a great example of a classic Bollywood romantic comedy – as in lots of romantic, longing looks and meaningful hugs, but NO KISSING. Might watch again.*

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

InFilm to Watch: Daawat-e-Ishq (2014)

Daawat-e-Ishq (2014)


Gullu (Parineeti Chopra from “Ladies vs Ricky Bahl”) is a feisty shoe store clerk who can't find a suitable match in all her father's marriage pairings. The widower can't afford to pay a large dowry, which means Gullu is stuck with losers for suitors. After watching a news report, Gullu hatches a plan to pursue her dream to study in America while collectively getting revenge on every greedy, dowry-hungry family she's had to face in the past. Concerned that his daughter will be left alone in the world, Abdul agrees to pose as a wealthy businessman to lure a greedy husband for his daughter. Gullu will then use India's anti-dowry law to sue or blackmail the man who marries her. But what happens when the man they decide to go after doesn't want a dowry?

*This was a cute film. The main guy wasn't physically attractive to me at all, but his charisma still comes across well, and while the two NEVER KISS, it's a clean, fun movie. Lots of bright colors, decent dance numbers, and the food looked amazing. Some of the words didn't translate well, as in I could have used more explanation for certain phrases, but that was only a little distracting. Might watch again.*

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

KDrama to Maybe Watch: It's Okay, That's Love (2014)

It's Okay, That's Love (2014)

Grade: B-
16 Episodes

Proud psychiatrist Ji Hae-soo crosses paths with arrogant author and radio DJ Jang Jae-yeol (Jo In-sung, very handsome) while discussing his latest thriller on a talk show. The two despise each other at first, but they keep being thrown together and a mutual interest develops. Jae-yeol soon discovers that Hae-soo has anxiety related to intimacy and sex in relationships, and she discovers he has OCD and has to sleep in a bathtub at night instead of on a bed. When one of them discovers they have a serious mental illness - in addition to their current issues - will their relationship survive?

*This had a lot of what I would call “adult content” - not that anything much was shown, but since Hae-soo has a sex related anxiety disorder, there is a lot of discussion about it. Jae-yeol's troubled past involves domestic abuse and violence, some of the patients Hae-soo treats also have sex related issues, and there's a lot of promiscuity in the show. It's a strong PG-13 for those reasons. As for the rest of the content, the flirtation between the two main characters keeps things light for the first two-thirds of the show, but once that serious illness is revealed, it immediately feels heavy and more real than I prefer. I really liked the ending, however – very nicely tied up without feeling too heavy-handed. Might watch again.*

Friday, February 20, 2015

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.*