Tina Chakraborty
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A well known tale in a new envelope
It is the story of the Grand Prince who has been held captivated by the Qing dynasty. HE wants to learn about their war tactics and defeat them. But,.....The opening episode is a wholesome. The director successfully traversed from the Joseon to Qing dynasty. The subtle difference in terms of culture, belief and work has been captivated. The Prince returns with a happy heart to his Kingdom only to be stopped at the door by guard. Here begins the the quest where the throne rightfully goes to Grand Prince and the incapable prince needs to step down. Like other historical dramas, it is also tells the tale of blood thirsty kins aiming for the crown. The capable Grand Prince needs to stay put and the incapable King wants to hold the throne even if at the cost of his beloved brother. The spare heir is benevolent and like always the crown keeper is the curse.
In the process of delivering historical stories, one of the key aspect is to malign the King. This is becoming so typical of the period pieces. A conniving Queen and the puppet King screams while carving path for Grand Heir to the throne.
The intriguing point of this historical drama fiction is the plot. Its fighting over the crown but the unusual suspense will keep you hooked. Helmed by Nam Gook, the male and female lead of the story is bound by play of Baduk. That Glorious game which made audience hooked last year with its subtlety. This time, the surprise is no miss. Hee Soo is determined to take down Lee In but her heart betrays her every minute. Lee Shin Young, whom you have seen as the dignified North Korean soldier in Crash landing on You is back as Myung Ha. He successfully triggers audience sentiment for him as the lone survivor of traitor father, who wants to teach the King lesson. His chemistry with Shin Se Kyung is soft and spicy, just essential for the gruesome plot.
Cho Nam guk, the man behind Good Detective leaves a taste of mystery throughout the story as character finds themselves developing with the story. Till the end, you don't know what is waiting for you....
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The new horror series will make you want for more
In the latest series on Netflix, the Korean entertainment industry has decided to give the audience a taste of the new form of aliens.I still remember Do Min Joo as my favorite alien ever since I watched My Love from another star. The powerful alien whose heart beats for humans has never even thought about harming innocent lives. He tried to save innocent lives and catch criminals.
Cut to 2024:
A bunch of slug-like parasitic creatures have landed on our earth. From using humans as their hosts to transforming their bodies into whimsical forms, it is not just scary but nerve-wracking. This Korean series is finally planning to dethrone the forever favorite Train to Busan.
Based on a Japanese manga which released in 1989, the story has been making headlines whenever brought alive in celluloid.
It was just another normal day in Seoul. But all of a sudden mysterious parasites start falling from the sky. Humans curious by nature, cannot let the scene go past and go close to those differently-looking balls. These creatures take over them thus forcing humans to form an army to fight against these vicious creatures. Su In ends up contracting a parasite as she faces an accident while returning from her job. But the infection could not contaminate her brain forcing her to cohabit with the creature. The parasite can change humans into hideous monsters with an exploding head, eyes, and ears stretching and making them look like half-alien and half-human. You cannot miss the pressure intensifying the transformation.
Jeon So Nee who was previously seen in pivotal roles in the drama "Our Blooming Youth", "Encounter" steps in the shoes of Su In. She balances the half-human,half-alien role victoriously. She enacts her struggle painfully beautifully. Her continuous battle with the parasite inside builds an essence of horror. Lee Jun Hyun is back again as a task force officer after his successful rendezvous in D*P. His camaraderie with Su Min is the sunshine of this dark series.
Encapsulating some best fight scenes and the continuous transformation of humans makes it a must-watch dark tale. So, stop thinking and try a new alien who will break your nerves from the other side of the screen.
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Monotonous watch
The trailer put me in spin as romantic comedies are my go to stories. The star cast drew my attention as Mr. Queen has been teaming with K2 for the first time.Once upon a time, a boy and girl was entangled in love fate as soon they were born. Their love story bloomed by the shore of Seoul but a cyclone paid an uninvited visit to the long stretches of Jeju only to wash the blooming love. So, did they leave each other or did they fight for their love.
One thing is annoyingly becoming common in romantic comedies which is a love connection happening when leads are growing. This may used ignite spark at the beginning but now it is the biggest turn off. This is the biggest loophole for Sam Dal and Young Pil story. They have been unconditionally and irrevocably in love only to break up at the age of thirty. Love does not fade and enmity does not make them sour. You know what's happening next.
Penned by the person responsible for cult classic like 18 again and Hi Bye Mama, this story is just an elongated drag of some of 208 or 2019s sweet stories. Director Cha Yeong Hoon who is known for making joker in When Camellia Blooms failed to bring the allure. The cinematographer did a wonderful job in snapping the beautiful shores.
Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Soon fit perfectly in the shoes of the leads. But their chemistry did not make butterflies. Kang Yeong Sook as Bang Do tried to turn heads but attention mostly vanished before the yellow car.
Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Soon fit perfectly in the shoes of the leads. But their chemistry did not make butterflies. Kang Yeong Sook as Bang Do tried to turn heads but attention mostly vanished before the yellow car.
The story is a perfect amalgamation of love, enmity and humor. The friendship of the five who gets along even after staying apart all these years will tear you. Even though it is a love that we know, watching the journey through various nooks and holes makes it a beautiful watch.
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Could have been better
The trailer promised a feel-good story -A rich heir asks his struggling actress best friend to marry him so that his grandfather cannot have things in his way. Enters the good-looking, bit childish younger brother who falls head over heels for his to-be sister-in-law.
Enemies to lovers ...check
Good-looking hero, good-looking heroine...check
Girl in rags and a rich hero....check
It is like watching a Lee Min Ho drama served in a new bowl. The plot is the narrative of Korean dramas released this year are losing the plotline with the seventh episode. The narrative is going haywire and the director is forcefully dragging the story. Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, the story had a promising premise, but a loose adaptation format.
It is again fairy tale coincidences, excessive hardship running to a smooth life, and an impossible love enveloped with denial.
After historical fiction, Under the Queen's Umbrella, and the zombie story After School Duty, Moon Sang Min is back with a romantic comedy. His portrayal of Ji Han is careless and would have been better if he had been more focused. Jeon Jong Seo as Na Ah Jeong is an unnecessary flower girl. Her struggle is real as she is entangled in a triangle where the third angle does not exist. Kim Do Wan gave a warm performance in last year's Doona. His Lee Do Han is the only logical in the entire mess. His subtle yet confident delivery put sense into this fiasco. Park Ah In, Kwan Hae Hyo, and Bae Yoon Kyung add the needed motion to this story. The director could have used them better to make the storyline strong and entertaining.
The cameos in every alternate episode are only fun. You can not miss that out.
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Song Kang starrer Sweet Home is back with fresh new episodes. Stemming from where it ended three years ago, the story is still delving through monsters and political threats. But the latest version fails to catch with the viciousness and suspicion that the first one played to keep the audience hooked.
The series which starts where it ended in the previous season. The monster series has returned with special infectees and a headquarter who is running test to develop a vaccine. Hyun Su who has been abducted by monstrous Sang wook is not ready to give up on his humanity yet. But with numerous people standing on brink of life-will humanity survive the wrath time?
No, no, no, no, no....
Ever since the trailer dropped audience has been waiting with bated breath to catch on where they left. But the fresh season seemed to have lost track of time. Untimely death Ji Soo followed by Eun yoo searching for Eun Hyuk frantically, the story goes disarray every second. As the uninfected people are made to shift to a complete new location and made to undergo test, conflict about saving them or discarding them comes in fore. At the end, only matters is who is going is make it alive. People are losing sanity and its just not monsters but living who are attacking others. Let's see who gets to survive till the end-
The latest installment is a huge disaster. From losing narrative to over dragged performance, it could not offer a single element to make the audience stay.
1. Plotline: The story felt dragged since the second episode. The old characters are moving through the old curve. The director did injustice to them by giving nothing new to do. The new characters re not warm and entrusting like the previous set. You often fail to understand= what they are really planning to do. The story goes like a brake failed vehicle on loose. It lacks the necessary grip which helps in keeping the story aligned.
2. Characters: Characters of s story play a decisive part in holding interest of audience. Adding fresh set made nothing new in the story as proper narratives are not given. Lack of proper grid and poor availability of background story makes the characters lost in the concrete jungle full of monsters.
3. Monsters: They are the hero and also villain of the story. IT was necessary to build them with utmost acre. But they are less vicious and more dirty in this installment.
After watching All of us are Dead, Sweet Home and Duty After School, its okay if you want to skip this story.
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Impossible to watch
The premise of the story was simple-A poor-born boy learns about his real bloodline and decides to take what is rightfully his. He seeks the help of his childhood friend Han Tae Ho to seize their spot in this blood-lusting world.
An exciting confrontation was promised between two worlds whose people never unite. But the interaction is the worst scenario possible.
The opening was quite intriguing. Tae Ho finds himself in a murder scene while holding the weapon. Soon, it shifts backward with In Ha crossing the path with Tae Ho. And the narrative starts losing strength. The known conflict between leads and a bunch of unexplained narratives. The director fails to keep hold of the multiple tracks thus making it difficult for the audience to understand whom to follow. The narrative shifts from school to University fails to maintain a smooth transition. The story seemed like a bother as it progressed.
Lee Jae Wook who has previously impressed the audience with his performance in Alchemy of Souls and Extraordinary You seemed too confused and lost throughout. It appears the actor also does not know what he is doing just like the audience is unaware of the situation. Lee Jun Young who was recently seen in Mask Girl as Kang In-ha has delivered a disappointing performance as the main antagonist. His revenge holds no ground and his tools are indecisive throughout. Choi Hee Jin and Hon Suju are side cast despite being leads of this thriller piece. Poor storytelling style and lack of knitting in the story makes the journey more cliche. The impossible heir seems impossible to watch.
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A much known story served in a new glass
Min Min has paired with Eun Sang finally after a long period of 10 years. for this medical drama. The biggest element of this medical fiasco is, it is not revolving around patients and hospitals. It focuses more on life of people behind the white coat and their struggle.Jeong Woo, a successful plastic surgeon has faced jeopardy in his career as a patient dies in his hand at the operation table. To save money and pay off the huge debt that has been piling up. And he meets his arch-nemesis as he returns to Busan.
There is a certain charm in love stories which encompasses the journey of childhood friends to lovers. The director wanted to use the old storytelling style here to draw the attention of the audience. As Jeon Woo and Ha Neul are against each other. during school days, their hearts fell as they met again in their thirties. School scenes are quite beautiful and warm. Ha Neul who is struggling with her depression is the only support that keeps Jeon Woo going in his hard time. Isn't that too cliche...
Park Hyun Sik and Park Shin Hye could not stir up the interest of the audience. Neither their romance nor their jealousy was worthy to put a big smile on parting lips. They tried to look convincing but the chemistry of Hyun Sik with Park Bo Young still tops the chart. Yong Park and Kong Seong Ha could have performed better if the director had given them better screen space. They deserve a story together. Their short story was better than the leads themselves.
The story offers not a single surprise element. Every twist can be easily guessed. Even the moment of Jeong Woo falling for Ha Neul is not that sweet. Oh Hyun Jong who made an epic Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo failed in putting hearts in our eyes.
Other than a few scenes, the story is like rewatching an old drama of 2016 in a new case.
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A perfect blend of comedy and horror
Do you remember that hotel for ghosts run by Man Wool? It stole the hearts of people through its quirky lines and ghastly plot. Now, after five years, a narrative has appeared where an owner of a photo studio is here to tell its tale.Ki Joo is a photographer. He has his own photo studio. However, he does not click photos of normal humans but of ghosts. He is the seventh owner of the mysterious place and has been a diligent worker. And one day his path crosses with Han Boom who works as a lawyer.
Highs of the drama
Following the footsteps of the hit series Hotel Del Luna, the story successfully keeps the zeal alive.
Each episode dives into a fresh incident and tactfully brings in all for the solution, which is heartwarming.
Joo Woon the seventh owner looks convincing and fresh. His subtle romance with Na Ra is surely more beautiful than ever. The leads of the story share a subtle and soft romance.
Lows of the drama
In some scenes, it felt like the director was dragging the narrative. It could have been handle better.
The music score is not outstanding
Overall: It is a fun watch.
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2023 has been a year of short yet sweet dramas and the latest Casteaway Diva gives a sweet tale while dealing with serious issue of domestic violence.
The first episode opens with Mok Ha dreaming to become singer and share the stage with her idol Ran Joo. She seeks help from her fellow classmate Ki Ho who even takes charge for sharing his bike with others. Life in Chunsam Island does not seem like a dream as violence erupts in the life of these kids anytime.
Mok Ha gets lost in ocean while trying to run away from her abusive father. She lands up in a deserted island and her wait to meet her dreams starts.Pen behind the lovely story has gifted us beautiful tales like Pinnochio, While You Were Sleeping and the recent Start Up. Park Hye Run always makes a strong girl but holds her back with an unprecedented weakness. Mok Ha is no exception. She sings like a diva. Her talent earns her a spot with Ran Joo when she was sixteen, but destiny betrayed her mercilessly.
The biggest twist is the confusion of Woo Hak and Bo Gyeol. Audience were waiting eagerly to meet Ki Ho, but the twist with the entry of Woo Hak in the frame who has forgotten his childhood memories puts us in dilemmas too. As we try to read eyes of Bo Gyeol, our heart gets drawn to innocent Woo Hak who tries to bring in his memory. The sweet revelation at the end will tear your heart.
Love, a small yet such an important emotion which rules our life. Why has been divorce increasing this days, is it because life has become tough or we are changing into worse? The answer is varying from one to other. But definition of violence has always been the same. People who hurts their own person does not deserve a second chance in life. They are responsible for causing emotional damage and nothing can explain that.
Director Oh Choong wan, who previously helmed tales like Big Mouth or While You are Sleeping always reflects on a major social trouble while sketching a heart warming love behind. Casteaway Diva, glammer through the light of stars that shines across stage. But he did not limit himself in the light. The lens brought alive the darkness that fades the singer as they cross the age bracket. People do not stop living because failure but the darkness eats them through and makes them feel hopeless.
The Director brings in a musical satire with the viciousness of entertainment industry that tends to forget talent over age. But is age everything and even dominates over talent. What if you are a great singer and you find your stage at the age of thirty? Why it is said that audience will not resonate with you because you are old now.
We are living in 2023, isn't it time to tell the world to put the bracket away and give warm embrace to the talent or the abilities?
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A brutal watch
The Korean drama industry always makes sure to deliver two to three stories yearly on school violence. All of Us Are Dead or the Glory has been wowing international fans with their killing game.Song Su Ji transfers to Baekyeon Girls’ High School in Seoul. Students of this cynical game indulge in a deadly game of ranking to determine who will be the punching bag of the month and who is going to be the top dog of the place. Oblivious to this cruel scene, she finds herself in the den of wolves soon. And soon everyone starts walking all over her.
Appears Beak Ha Rin who is the mind of this torture play. As the story progresses battle between Ha Rin and Su Ji intensifies as none of them wants to let go of the leash.
Bona as Su Ji delivers a strong graph throughout the season. She establishes herself as a maestro in drawing the attention of the audience on an emotional note. Compared to her performance in Twenty-five Twenty-one, she comes out as a stronger player in the ring. As her character suffers she starts replying more cruelly. Jang Da a as Ha Rin delivers a cream performance. Her effortless enactment of the vicious character has made the audience forget all the cruel queens from the past.
Korean Dramas are sharpening their hands in making thrillers. Each and every character are arch nemesis of each other and variances in character layers never make the story monotonous. The pain dripping from the face of Su Ji to the remarks of Ha Rin- the audience lived on edge throughout the ten episodes. It is important to eradicate this type of cruelty from educational institutions once and for all.
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Will Justice prevail?
Nowadays, Korean dramas are centering around heartbreaks and hardships. The latest installment is Cha Eun Woo starrer Wonderful World. The story explores the pain of a parent after losing a child.The story starts with a happy chapter, unfurling the wonderful world of Soo Hyun who is busy adoring her miracle child Geon Woo, and her supportive husband Kang Su Ho. She is a psychologist and also is busy warming up to the success of her new book. But her wonderful world crashes as her son dies in a hit-run accident. Immersed in grief and guilt the mother ends up killing the perpetrator as he was spared of punishment. As Soo Hyun is convicted of murder., she secludes herself from her remaining life and drives her husband away.
Enters another chapter of the story, Seon Yul who works multiple part-time jobs to make a living. He encounters Soo Hyun in jail where he offers voluntary service. His character builds the suspense that is responsible for the smooth running of the story.
The story was built on a strong plot. However, the director failed to hold the narrative. The inclusion of impossible coincidences and pathetic twists is responsible for ruining the story of 5th episode. The addition of political villains seemed unnecessary as it dragged the title away from its theme. The caricatured villains do nothing but spoil the game of every commoner like they have been doing for every drama. Constant flashbacks and a prolonged '90s scene seemed to have been elongated without any entail. Creating obvious villains is responsible for sprawling the game.
Kim Nam Joo's portrayal of a bereaving mother- oscillating between fury and numbness is the sole survivor of the tale. Her journey from a happy mother to immersed in pain got lost behind a thin plotline. The series failed to decipher her acting spree. Cha Eun Woo - it is good to see the beautiful face of K-pop trying a new genre this time. After his venture into the Island, his enactment of Seon Yul was quite a challenge. He delivered his best shot to date but it seemed luck was not in his favour.
It is really disappointing to watch such a solid cast show drifting apart due to poor direction and cinematography. It is just another series embroiled in a loose storyline and loose narrative.
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The director has woven the story with fine narrative. Till midway, the audience kept on wondering if the hero is the real perpetrator or if someone else is behind the master plan. A subtle yet sweet love tale is hiding perfectly beneath it.
The journey is propounding warm yet suspicious.
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Fairy Tale
A 900 year old Goblin bumps into a teenage girl who can sees ghost. Waiting for her bride, the Goblin finds himself drawn to the girl. Grim Reaper unaware of his past life, lives in the same house with Goblin falls for young restaurateur Sunny.Constantly taking detour between Goryeo Dynasty and modern Seol the story keeps audience at the edge, making them wonder how the sword will be removed.
Lead characters show an amazing chemistry. From Eun Tak to Sunny to Goblin all shares an easy camaraderie that makes audience cry and sad at the same time.
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A ghostly watch with a beautiful love unfolding
Have you watched So Ji Sub drama before. Great than, because he will make you fall in love not instantly but slowly.It's a ghost story and as promised there's scary ghost as well as funny ghost.
What's the difference from other ghost stories, it will show you through the heroine a different phase after death. Some time, the on-off relationship between hero and heroine will tire you. But the crackling chemistry will be there making you wander what the maker wants to do.
Music is not much memorable. There's a second lead in the story. But Seo In Guk as Kang Woo doesn't bring much change in the story. You can rather consider him as a treat to eyes. Popular singer L from Boy band "Infinite" has played a pivotal role. Look forward to it. Gong Hyo Jin, well my first drama with her in the centre and she is such an intriguing performer. She alone can pull the story on her shoulder. That is her charisma.
What are you thinking? Delve into this ghostly journey if haven't yet,!!
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Snob yet awesome
Snob, arrogant, obnoxiousThis Demon holds no respect for our endearing Goblin, charming Grim Reaper and nor to evergreen Vampires (He dismisses them as mosquitoes). But his perfect arrogance hits a roadblock named Do Doo Hee in whose hand his cross sign goes away. What follows are a constant rift between a rising business woman and a non nonsense demon who gets entangled in marital bliss even! But is there anything more to that...
Well, the ragged woman whose tethered smile ignites spark about entwined fate, but how they are connected!!!!
The last two episode reflected on a whole new segment. From unfurling connection between D do hee and demon to emotional change of Doo hee witnessing the hell by her own eyes raised many question.
Demon ends up as Do Doo Hee's personal hell, but isn't that true for every human...the personal we love most is the one we loathe most!!!!
The series has been a fun ride. The cute banter between Do Do Hee a nd Demon in the beginning gave the much needed base audience expect in their favorite couple. Song Kang and Yoo Jung is a fresh couple whose both on screen rapport made the show more delightful. Kim Hae Sook as Ms. Ju and Jin Ga Young as Star Jin add the glamour quotient in the fantasy tale. Star Jin's elegant exit outlined a new graph for female second lead. Kang Seong Ho as eccentric Noh Do Gyeong successfully piques interest. Lee Sang -yi is becoming delicious second lead more and more. After playing hard boy in Bloodhound, he is again returning to his soft boy era.
The storyline is not a surprise but the overall presentation made it a fun watch.
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