KDrama to Maybe Watch: The Virtual Bride (2015)

The Virtual Bride (2015)

Grade: B-

12 Episodes

Pop singer Oh In-young is about to be dropped by her production company, unless she can make their idea for a television show popular. The program is a reality show “daughter-in-law experiment,” with In-young having to learn menial chores like cleaning paste pots and chopping vegetables for the family's kimchi business, as if she really were the new daughter-in-law. The eldest son of the family, Cha Myeong-seok, is a math professor at a local university and has little in common with the vapid entertainer and is reluctant to participate in any way. In-young's career is on the line, though – will she be able to win the hearts of her co-star and disapproving mother-in-law?

*I was really hoping for more interaction between In-young and Myeong-seok – they had decent chemistry, and the idea for the TV show they were filming seemed more entertaining than the drama between all the other characters. This felt less like a typical romantic-comedy drama and more like a family drama show, since it spent a nearly equal time on all the characters' relationships, thoughts and feelings. As a result, I did not connect as well with the main couple as I usually do. I was frustrated a few times when the meek daughters-in-law did not speak up against their overbearing, at times even cruel mothers-in-law; this annoyance could be contributed to a cultural difference. I had an issue with the male characters as well – they were either incompetent and buffoon-like yet well-meaning, or slimy two-faced deceivers. (The math professor was the exception.) Cute premise, decent story, but not my favorite. I might watch this again.*

KDrama to Watch: Flower Boys Next Door (2013)

Flower Boys Next Door (2013)

Grade: B

16 Episodes +2 Bonus “Making Of” type shows

Timid, single shut-in Go Dok-mi works as a proofreading editor, living a quiet, lonely life trying to hide from a painful past. Her window to the outside world leads to some casual spying on the handsome neighbor in the next building, and she would have kept on spying from her modern-day tower if the neighbor's brother Enrique hadn't been visiting one day and caught her in the act. Enrique is a genius, gregarious game designer with a soft spot for those in need of emotional healing. Will Enrique convince Go Dok-mi to finally leave her apartment and join the rest of the world again, or are some wounds too deep for even his happy touch to overcome? What happens when another of Go Dok-mi's neighbors attempts to woo her, or when Enrique's fans demand he return to Spain to continue his work?

*This kdrama was a lot more somber than I had expected for a romantic-comedy, especially considering Enrique's energetic character and the upbeat opening to the show. Enrique reminds me a lot of the Japanese anime character Naruto, with his childlike, happy-go-lucky demeanor and even his “yellow” hair – very cute. I did not like Go Dok-mi's character, though – the weak, soft-spoken type of young woman is very unappealing and frustrating to watch. I did enjoy the romance between two lesser characters – Oh Dong Hoon (Go Kyung-pyo from “Tomorrow's Cantabile”) and his editor; they represented a more realistic love. Overall, it was a slow, sad, sweet kdrama, which can be enjoyable if you're in the right mood, and it had a different pace because it did not stick to the “rich guy, poor girl” trope. I might watch this again.*

InFilm to Watch: Bang! Bang! (2014)

Bang! Bang! (2014) 

Bank receptionist Harleen has led an ordinary, dull life in a small Indian town, until the day she decides to go on an internet dating site. However, instead of her website match meeting her at the restaurant, international jewel thief Rajveer appears, and there is an immediate connection. Harleen reveals she has always wanted to travel and see the world. Rajveer advises her not to wait until that elusive "some day" to fulfill her dreams. Then, during the date, some men chasing Rajveer catch up to him, spotting Harleen in the process, and she is soon swept up in the fugitive's life. Will Harleen continue trusting the mysterious, charming man, or will she turn him in and go back to her ordinary life? And what is Rajveer's true dream?

*This is based off the American film, “Knight and Day” (2010), which I have not seen, but I might if it's similar to this Indian adaptation. The film is action-packed, with lots of explosions, gun fights, car chases, near-death escapes – everything typical to true action movies. It's so over the top, though, it's almost humorous. The actor, Hrithik Roshan, has an unbelievable physique, not including the extra thumb on his right hand, and especially including his striking, lime-green eyes and on-point dance moves. It was fun seeing Katrina Kaif again (“Mere Brother Ki Dulhan,” 2011), and she paired well with Roshan. There is more violence in the film than I prefer, especially the first scene which is used effectively to paint the antagonist in an evil light, but I'd watch this again – there's even a kiss scene!*

InFilm to Maybe Watch: Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (2013)

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (2013) 

Rich playboy Sriram desires nothing more than the latest car and to skirt his father's desires to pass on the family business, until he meets a beautiful, outspoken older woman. Dia is an outgoing activist, and Sriram indulges her for a while, even giving up eating chicken, but when he sells an abandoned monastery as part of his father's business, instead of allowing her to try and obtain the property for an orphanage, they end their relationship. Sriram is about to marry another girl, but in telling his fiance about Dia, he realizes he still loves her. Will Sriram be able to convince Dia to leave the village she has decided to champion and marry him?

*I did not like the opening number of this movie, as it had rude lyrics and scantily clad women in a night club setting – no doubt to emphasize Sriram's immature, self-centered nature - but it can easily be skipped. There were some funny moments, however, and it was sweet to watch him undergo some growth in the process of trying to win back his love. No kiss scene, though, and it isn't so compelling of a story that I would want to watch it again right away. It wasn't too bad though, so I might recommend it.*

KDrama to Watch: Oh My Venus (2015)

Oh My Venus (2015)

Grade: A-

16 Episodes

Overweight, overworked lawyer Kang Joo-eun suddenly experiences terrible stomach pains while on a flight back to Korea. A handsome, mysterious man trained as an EMT is on board as well and comes to her aid, cutting off a corset in the process, embarrassing Joo-eun to no end. Soon she discovers his real identity: trainer to the stars John Kim. In exchange for keeping his secret, Kim Young-ho (John Kim) agrees to become Joo-eun's personal trainer so she can regain her “Venus” figure. What will happen between coach and trainee once Joo-eun's boyfriend of 15 years dumps her for an old friend turned nemesis? Will Young-ho's half-brother sit on the sidelines when their grandmother tries to make Young-ho the new hospital director?

*The best part of this show is the emphasis placed on “healthy” and “strong” as beautiful, not simply skinny. I did not love the music, as it sounded too American (with a hearty nod to the swing and early rock and roll music of the 1940s and 50s), but it kept this a relatively light-feeling drama. There is a point in the drama where the two main characters are separated for a year, which I dislike – when two people who love each other are struggling with some burden, they should lean on each other, not isolate themselves. I liked the sidekicks in this show as well. The show did slow down a bit near the last few episodes, as all the major complications had been resolved, but it wasn't boring, just low-key. I was concerned at first with Shin Min-a as the female lead opposite So Ji-sub, as he has such a dominating presence on screen, but it struck me how well she really held her own with him. I'd watch this again, if for no other reason than to watch So Ji-sub being sexy, haha! *

KDrama to Miss: Nine: Nine Time Travels (2013)

Nine: Nine Time Travels (2013)

Grade: C

20 Episodes

Park Sun Woo is a television reporter who is called to the Himalayas to collect the belongings of his deceased older brother – a troubled man who had died mysteriously while in Annapurna. Sun Woo finds among his brother's things a slim canister of 20 incense sticks. When he lights one up, he discovers he can actually travel 20 years in the past, and Sun Woo decides to try and change his family's sad fate. But what happens when his decision turns his girlfriend into his step-niece? And what will happen when he learns of his brother's involvement in their father's death?

*This is an intriguing idea for a story – a means of time travel that only allows the user to go back 20 years from their current position in time. However, this was not a fun show to watch. The characters' lives are all so sad, full of misfortune, and I didn't even like the main character and his girl until the last two episodes. It just felt long and drawn out, since each time line was explored, which meant there was quite a bit of repetition. Most dramas have at least some flashbacks, which can help explain a character's development, but since they weren't that endearing to begin with, I didn't like those repetitious journeys. Too sad overall, and while parts of the show were mysterious, it took me a long time to sit through this show. I won't watch it again, but others who enjoy a good mystery and an ambiguous ending might like it.*

InFilm to Miss: Queen (2014)

Queen (2014) 

 Rani is devastated the day before her wedding when fiance Vijay decides to cancel their engagement, with no real explanation. Rani decides to go on their honeymoon to Paris anyway, by herself, because she has always wanted to go, and a change of pace would be good for her. Along the way she meets a half-Indian single working mom, a pole-dancing Indian prostitute, a friendly Italian cook, a lonely young man from Japan and his friend, a Russian street artist. Will the timid, conservative Rani “find” herself and enjoy life as a single young adult or return to a repentant Vijay?

*This film had a lot of foul language, drinking and smoking, talk of recreational drugs, as well as promiscuous behavior that was sold as perfectly normal and acceptable, even celebrated. It had a”coming of age” feel to it as the demure, quiet girl met people from all walks of life, helping change her world view, which I appreciate. While it was good for Rani to see during moments of reflection that her husband-to-be was actually a misogynist who constantly belittled her, it wasn't worth watching all the smut in between. The music wasn't the typical Bollywood type music either, with very little presence in the film. I did like the guys she met at the hostel in Amsterdam, they were cute, but I wouldn't watch this again, and I don't recommend it.*