2
kdramajudge
Yohan Gaon fandom
I like the over-the-top energy level in the music, as well as our four main leads for their own complexities. Love Park Jin Young's character as Lee Ahn, obviously. I came over this show from The Devil Judge because I'm impressed by him and would never miss the chance to watch him act. Not only does he portray that very light-hearted, very youthful energy very well but he also has a couple hard-hitting moments. There is one where he finds a puppy and brings the puppy home and I legitimately teared up. Another thing, since he needs to make skin-to-skin contact to pick up a psychometry, he always wears long baggy sweater sleeves that passes his hands. I just think it’s a nice detail that explains his personality that he's not picking up psychometry randomly while he's living his day-to-day life.
The story was interesting and also heartbreaking. I caught myself questioning so many things throughout... Although I enjoyed the conflicts, a few dark and gruesome scenes were hard to watch. I got a bit bored by the ending because the suspense felt rather flat and dull. I'm glad that we somewhat got a hopeful ending, though. To sum up, the drama is worth watching for the original plot as well the skilled actors, but could have been much better plot-wise.
-Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
Was this review helpful to you?
It scratched the surface of juvenile justice without taking risks.
This drama handles criminal cases protected by the Juvenile Act. At the center of every ruling is a judge who is vehemently biased against juvenile criminals, Shim Eun Seok. Her colleagues who believe in remorse and rehabilitation constantly demands for her tolerance as he thinks her rulings are too cruel.Juvenile Justice was dark, thrilling and suspenseful — dedicating approximately an episode and a half to cover each case from murders, domestic abuse, to sexual harassments, etc. The episodic nature hinders the narrative from delving deeply into many of the societal issues that lead to criminal acts. Personally, I was disappointed for it to be that way, that it didn't focus on Juvenile Act. Rather, it was more about the judges' struggles and trauma. I found that the victims, the perpetrators and the parents were more like some plot devices for the judge's stories, which I never was really touched by, the judges were the ones who need rehabilitation, in my opinion.
The actors were great, no doubt about this. The most admirable was Judge Shim Eun Seok, very well-portrayed by Kim Hye Soo. Her screen presence brought a unique shock and awe. Whoever is on screen with her, good luck being seen. Finally, I have no clue about the ending, honestly. Why is it that weird?! Nevertheless, if you like a serious law drama with a lot of thrills, you might find this one enjoyable.
-Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
Was this review helpful to you?
Does not deliver its promising premise and instead digresses into the utmost bonkerness...
When a PD makes a variety show about a cryogenics experiments, Ma Dong Chan and Go Mi Ran, a part-timer struggling with family debts, participates in the "24-Hour Frozen Human Project.", but they are accidentally frozen for 20 years. To survive, they must maintain a body temperature below 33°C, while seeing all of their loved ones aged 20 years!The premise about two people being the sole survivors of a truly unique traumatic incident, is a creative premise, but I can’t enjoy my drama if I can’t get on board with the story and the characters. To me, Melting Me Softly does not deliver its’ potential and instead digresses into the utmost bonkerness... I got really bored when the show becomes more of an office romcom with a jarring murder mystery in the latter part. Of course, it can make an interesting subplot, but shouldn’t they focuses mainly on the characters and their love developing firsthand?
Ji Chang Wook, being our male lead Dong Chan. Honestly, his character doesn't leave very much of an impression, and my liking for his character is truly driven by the actor. Even though he is so cute, act so well and have good chemistry with Won Jin Ah, their romance feels forced since they both have no relationship outside of colleagues, I am not seeing any buildup towards them as a couple. I feel the true love story would be between Dong Chan and his previous love Na Yeong, rekindling a true love story that transcends age differences and experiences. I would love to see them finding each other again after time apart and forgiving each other. To not end this on a negative note, I got to give a shout-out to one kiss scene, which is pure brilliance–in order to keep their temperatures and heart rates at a safe level–Dong Chan turns on the shower and kisses Mi Ran, with both fully-clothed. Talk about one of the most steamiest kdrama kisses out there.
-Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
Was this review helpful to you?
Love the storyline, not so much the romance storytelling
This is a-3-hour-miniseries of a tragic romance between a genius stage drama writer and an opera singer. "Hymn of Death" a remake of the 1991 film "Death Song," based on real-life events. For those who are going in not knowing the story, trigger warning of suicide! So if you know that suicide is a trigger for you, you need to prioritize your mental health and just not watch this show. Even though it's done implicitly, characters' emotions and the vibe gave me much anxiety. There's a part of it that I wished I hadn't seen it. Thus, rewatch value is low, once is enough.The visual is very artistic: from the luscious costumes, to the very well done cinematography. Maybe it's just me, but I feel the music feels a bit overpowering, it could have benefited from a lot more quieter moments especially for this genre. The show does well in showing their family dynamics, though I think the romance is far too rushed. The first two hours go by way so quickly, and I'm left with snapshots of their lives. I wanted to dig deeper and explore the relationships and how they develop, but it's just not shown.
Overall, this drama is a beautiful tragic void that left me feeling empty... and that is a good point. I want to feel devastated because I appreciate the characters even more that way. I just think I would like it much more if we were given a little bit more time with the characters, to tackle both a powerful romance and the powerful dynamics between the families.
-Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
Was this review helpful to you?
Park Jin Young is the real MVP!
'A Christmas Carol' is a story about a twin brother who goes to a juvenile detention center on his own to avenge the death of his twin brother. It's not Christmas-themed, more about an incident that happen during Christmas time. It's an intense movie filled with very VERY painful scenes, I felt a slow-burn suspense consistently. It looks very dark and gritty, a lot of beating and cursing so trigger warning. The flashbacks scenes are not confusing and it flows well with the plot. It's not just a movie about a crime investigation, it is also asking about whom and what do you take for granted in your life, how important revenge is and how far can you go.By the climax, I got so angry and sad. It's a very unsettling reveal, so proceed with caution... it’s not a movie that leaves you feeling okay. For this reason, I won't recommend this to all, unless you want to see Jin Young's amazing acting nuance, at the same time ruining your inner child's fantasy on Santa Claus...
Though it’s great that I felt really emotional throughout, I had to suspend my disbelief for the real cause and execution of the main incident. It explains the meaning of foreshadowing scenes leading up to this climax, but I expect this particular scene could have been written better or more realistic. Nevertheless, I think this is a great movie because it manages to grabbed my heart and ruined it to pieces. I will need some time to heal and by re-watching Jin Young's other works. Hats off to you, Park Jin Young, I respect you very much!
Was this review helpful to you?
I only recommend the first 6 episodes
A con-artist Joon Jae meets a Shim Chung and he tries to steal her beautiful jade bracelet. However, they ended up crossing paths from then on and had to face a lurking danger. Can Shim Chung survive the human world while keeping Joon Jae safe?I enjoy the beginning the most for the many memorable and laugh-out-loud funny moments. Thanks to Jun Ji Hyun for portraying her characters as a literal fish-out-of-water meeting a con-artist and learning everything about human world. Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun is a great match together when they're bickering but not as lover. From the beginning I see them as strangers to friends and can never see them as lovers.
When the plot thickens, they showed mysterious and repetitive flashbacks that I found very predictable but drags for many episodes, that by the time it is revealed, there is no surprise anymore. I remember being more interested in the supporting cast scenes more than the leads because the main plot is just not emotional and feels so underwhelming.
After I paused watching it for many months right after the reveal, I ended up finishing it just for the closure. The ending is decent but fail to bring back the excitement I had in the beginning. I only recommend the first 6 episodes, the part where most of the comedies are landing perfectly. They really could benefit had they wrap up everything quicker.
Was this review helpful to you?
This one takes a while for me to finish. I seldom drawn to high-class society themed drama, but I was drawn to it from a friend's advice, Lola, as well as the actors Kim Seo Hyung and Lee Bo Young. Although the first 4 episodes were grand, I wasn't sold yet. I was on and off watching it because it has an intriguing concept, script and visuals. The architecture of the house they are living in... Can only be said extravagant. It’s more a hotel than a house to me. The main plot never drags for too long and it is carried so artistically through recurring scenes of an art piece, animals, their behaviors and the discussion around them. They contribute meaningfully to the drama themes on what it means to be a woman, a mother, family, someone with power, someone with privilege, and even someone with nothing aspiring to have more. One of the highlights that got me reeling for a while is that nothing in the world is never really yours except for yourself, your words and your actions… Inspiring!
Every single character own their scenes, the maids, the polices, the sons... But shout-out to the ladies of MINE elevate the drama that without them, MINE wouldn't be as good as it has become. Kim Seo Hyung always become a highlight for me no matter her role is. She thoroughly embodies the layered character of Seo Hyun so brilliantly. Not to spoil you on the character but the positive gay representation is so hilarious and entertaining, not for being sexy or flirting, but though his organic portrayal of being gay. You just have to see him yourself. He become my favorite adult male character because everyone else were trash #hehehe. Also, Lee Hyun Wook played the whole arc of Ji Yong so satisfyingly.
This drama isn't without it's flaws, it might've been better with lesser episodes. I found the self-effacing rich people scenes are overdone. I wouldn't recommend this show to someone who wants a good mystery, but I truly recommend MINE to anyone who wants to see female characters find power among one other and use it to their advantage in critical situations. Nothing was more satisfying to me than watching the people who felt trapped by their circumstances, gain the strength, or find a reason of their own to take what they deserved. The end climax is the true momentum, unassuming plot twist which was greatly executed and resolved!
Was this review helpful to you?
Cinematic masterpiece worth binging
In search of answers for his father's illness, the Crown Prince and his guard, Moo Young, set forth to locate the last physician who might be able to treat his father. But the two end up stuck with Assistant Physician Seo Bi and a mysterious man named Young Shin in a village plagued with a terrifying disease - zombies.This drama instantly drew me and each episode kept its' momentum. The twists around the zombies and the characters were unexpected and made me root for our heroes even more. I also like that the show was not only about survival, it has an allegory of human instinct, that people could bond together in time of crisis but can deviate for their own needs. Kingdom is stunning in it’s production quality. Every single scenery shot looks magnificent, with a lot of breathtaking scenery, aerial views, fast-moving and slow-moving camerawork. They used fog, shadow and lighting perfectly. It's a cinematic masterpiece!
If you're wondering whether it’s scary…Although there was blood, violence, head-rolling @.@ …it's not a jump-scare type of horror, more like a thriller. Kingdom 2 is everything I wanted from Kingdom 1, it’s the true climax of one story. So if you're in the mood for an engaging watch, just binge both season altogether!
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
Was this review helpful to you?
Despite the flaws, it’s entertaining and has memorable characters.
Soo Yeol, the ambitious policeman often cheats in his cases over justice, in favor for his promotion. When a mysterious crazy man entered his life, these two boys join forcesBad and Crazy is a very funny and gruesome crime thriller, with a sprinkle of personality disorder trope. Also, It is violent. I mentioned it firsthand, in case it’s a trigger for you as it was for me during my experience while watching it. I wasn’t a fan of the character introductions and set up. It start quite bad but also crazy. A lot of scenes were thrown together with loud rock music, as if they’re telling me how to feel. I still want to watch further because I heard some friends are gushing about this drama, and I have faith in Lee Dong Wook from his past works. Himself alone is enough to intrigue my curiosity to push through.
However, I wasn’t excited about the story throughout. It deals with the stereotypical “Hero uncovers mystery from his own past" issue. A lot of twists require suspense of disbelief, while few things were left unexplained. The best part about this drama is the acting and the dynamics between our two male leads. I enjoy their bromance, I am laughing the whole time seeing their slap-sticky comedy. Their first and last scenes together are surprisingly emotional, they’ve given me a lot of feelings. This is one of the rare drama which shows good character development despite its’ shortcomings. I don't regret watching it at all
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A real-life legend who created a martial arts guild in Joseon Dynasty. His group that defends the King is fighting against a mysterious organization of assassins who plot to kill the King... We got all wonderful friendships, bromance, brotherhood and painful rivalry. A lot of sword fights between enemies and comrades who has just silently sitting next to each other. The acting were so moving and beautiful! All the kid actors enchanted me in less than 4 episodes and I wanted to see their journeys. Also their teen actors, all of them portrayed their characters very well and distinct. It has a stunning choreography and epic OST. The politics are quite confusing and complicated, but I ignored it and focused on the characters and their bonds, it works!
Despite my strong praises, there are shortcomings which actually bothered me throughout, plot is quite messy with a lot of unrealistic twists, with long drags in the middle. (SPOILER!) At a point I lost interest when there’s a twist that really diminish the relevance of the leads, and this infuriated me, why they end up to be so unimportant to the story? So I wasn’t enjoying watching the last quarter episodes and finish it just for the goodwill for the characters, as I really loved them in the beginning of the drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
Summer Strike highlight the importance of small daily happiness, beyond the hustle culture
"Summer Strike" follows a young woman who quits her office job and moves to the countryside after her mother's sudden death. Then, she meets a mysterious librarian and develop an interesting relationship.I was interested on the premise set upon criticizing the hustle culture while highlighting the importance of various types of relationships and daily happiness. However, I would have prefer more discussion touching on the hustle culture and more conclusion on them.
From the production and acting, it was great. Visually, Summer Strike is beautiful, they used the environment they were filming in to its full potential. Kim Seol Hyun improved greatly since her debut, and Yim Si Wan is one of the best idol turned actors. I enjoyed was their romance from their hilarious firsts encounter and the natural and slow-burn development. There was no culminating intimate skinship, but they’re so peaceful to watch.
I wasn’t a fan when the plot became muddled with a mystery murder storyline, even though it did serve a purpose for our lead’s character arc. Who likes a healing show about a timid female lead who moves away from the toxic environment to end up in another toxic environment? Not me. So in the end, the show is not really relaxing and warm, and I can’t feel myself learning anything from it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great acting but not gripping enough
Na Moon Young’s (Lee Bo Young) husband, Cha Sung Jae (Lee Moo Saeng), goes missing and is discovered to have died in a car crash, leaving problems to his family. The more Moon Young investigates her husband's past, the more conflicting stories are revealed, leaving her unsure of whom to trust.The first two episodes sets up a good momentum; it was intriguing with the fast-paced plot. It was thrilling when most characters were suspicious, that I couldn't trust anyone besides Moon Young. It was also nice to see Moon Young was a strong female lead who fights back with her smart and cheeky moves, that led towards few satisfying winnings for her early on. But with that early twists, the suspense plateaued it was not exciting anymore. Every moment, every motion that the characters made, it was obvious on how everything was going to work out, even if there was some major twists. I'm tired with the plot and I'm tired with everything that happens around the husband. Despite everyone's great performance, I did not connect at all with any of the characters. In the end, I don't think it was worth it for all the predictability and tropes.
Was this review helpful to you?
Oh No Here Comes Trouble takes the theme of people's inner struggle towards loss and how to deal with it. The best part of this series for me was the three lead's friendships; Yi Yong, Guang Yan and Chu Ying. Their distinct personalities which seem to not match well at first develops into an understanding and faith. Yi Yong being the most empathic, Guang Yan - smart and genuine, and Chu Ying driven and motivated, perfectly balance one another and ultimately become the heart of this drama. This only thing I couldn't vibe with them was the deadpan humor that didn't feel that funny to me.
The episodic ghosts stories were entertaining and heartfelt, with good backstories... but this episodic nature becomes a double-edged sword because it takes out my focus to the main overarching plotline, as in I did not feel the angst or the curiosity to know what happen or to watch the next episode. Nevertheless, the reveal in the end was great and it was a beautiful healing journey.
April 2024,
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
Was this review helpful to you?
Bartering as the new trend during hardships
We are presented with the apocalyptic event right away, not as a mid-climax like the usual apocalypse-themed movie, so the horrifying apocalypse events is not the focus. Instead, it highlights the post-apocalypse social conditions, where tenants and the non-tenants fight for one apartment as the sole livable space and the limited resources.I feel it has a few plot holes, so much blood and misfortunes but not enough suspense within the social conflict. The sequence of events happening felt a bit flat, no such strong push and pull and interesting dynamic among the characters. I definitely had seen this being the butter of the story, as I’ve seen in other similar-themed movies. Then, it wrap up very quickly and just like that is ending. Probably, it would be better if we are presented the background of what has been happening in the past and also the characters relationships before and after the disaster.
The CGI is not the best, it's a bit funny: despite the strong winds are blowing, the characters' hair and clothing are not moving. Acting was very good, there is not really any romance here. Even though I appreciate the performance, the movie overall is not that groundbreaking.
Was this review helpful to you?
it's very engaging but overall not so great
Due to personal crisis, Joon Sung and Jae Hyo made a deal to kidnap their friend Min Woo, asking for ransom from his wealthy family. Right away I was excited for a suspenseful thriller experience. On the production side, it is almost perfectly executed! From camerawork, music, and the acting. I was impressed with the powerful acting of our leads and the mother! The use of classical music in few critical situations are strangely fun, it's the best treat for my sensory. The opening credit is very creative, it tickles my imagination and I never skip it.It is dark and serious tone throughout and the first half kept me on the edge of my seat. I feel bad for Min Woo and what he's going through during the kidnapping is slightly psychologically unsettling, knowing your trusted friends suddenly tied you and pinned you down in their closet. While episode 1-5 provide great momentum, the storyline fell flat afterwards. It's getting weirder and weirder the more the trio try to execute "The Perfect Deal". I found them making illogical decisions for the sake of keeping the plot going. I don't get why don't just help one another if they're friends? The resolution was also unrealistic and left me unfulfilled. Overall, not so great but I enjoyed. For any thriller fan, it is still an engaging watch due to its' short and fast pacing, there's no boring or drag part.
Was this review helpful to you?
