[First Impression] Bossam - Steal The Fate

Since there is an unwritten rule that I need to have a sageuk among the pile of dramas I'm watching, this half of the year it's Bossam's turn to entertain. Although 'entertain' might be the wrong word for any historical that isn't explicit comedy (like Detective K).

2020 Sageuk

This is a list of expected or rumored sageuks in 2020. Some may not start this year because we are in the middle of pandemic, but I tried to compile a list of every sageuk drama I know of that is scheduled for the second half of the year.

[Review Part 2] Jeon Nokdu – The Hero of a Thousand Faces

Story can mend, and story can heal (J. Campbell)

Until the last episode I just suspected and had hoped for it, but the second half of it closed the story beautifully and in line with almost every great myth of a hero – he came back to the point of his beginning. After that, all elements fell into their right places and the story achieved its goal and its closure, although a little bittersweet. 

[Review Part 1] Tale of Nokdu

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." (Albert Camus)

The review is divided into 3 parts:

Review Part 1: Tale of Nokdu

Review Part 2: Jeon Nokdu – The Hero of a ThousandFaces

Review Part 3: The History

It has been a while since a tv series engaged me this much on every level. And I mean worldwide made series, not specifically Korean. It came at the right moment when everything felt as too overwhelming and too pressuring, so a space for breathing was all that was needed and nothing more. And I admit, reading the synopsis made me feel as if this could be a disaster – after all, we had projects in which women pretended to be men, but the reversal of it is almost always cringe-worthy (and I stand by this opinion, maybe Some Like It Hot was the best incarnation of the motif and that’s it, not Tootsie, not horrendous for me Mrs. Doubtifre). I also was hesitant seeing Kim Sohyeon’s haircut, thinking about fusion sageuk and the bizarre entourage it usually brings along, but a kind soul (Issy) explained it made sense in the story. Therefore, I gave up my suspicions and fears and reservations about the slapstick. Thankfully, it was not the case here and I’m glad I gave in and tried. The fan dance also helped. Up until that I only finished The Crowned Clown and Kingdom earlier in the course of the year. I’m seeing now a pattern emerging – both were sageuks.

TV Series Opening 32: The Black Sails

Oh man, that series was a blast! It had blood, treason, fights, sex, dirt! Everything that a growing pirate needs.