[Short Review] The Witch's Diner

A short review of a short drama (8 episodes, some even 40+ minutes only) from Tving. This is most certainly a Song Jihyo's drama as her character is the gravitational center and creator of the plot that flows not too dramatically, not too snoozy. And drama shows that most of the things we want, we get not by magic but through tests and tribulations.

[First Impression] Police University

I realized not so long ago that more and more of my so-called "reviews" are rather musings, throwing theories here and there, based rather on personal feelings than any notebook of cinematography/screenwriting/whatever craft. If I like it, then I like it and may be the only person liking it.

I am probably the only person liking this drama then.

[First Impression] On The Verge of Insanity

I understand this might not be everyone's cup of tea, because it tells the story of workers trying to survive during mass layoffs and uncertainty because of their job. As side stories, this drama adds other social issues that we usually don't like to think about.

 

[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).

[A Very Serious Not-A-Review] Dark Hole

 

Oh ye of little faith who dropped this drama somewhere along the way! How could you NOT appreciate this intricately symbolic, and allegoric, and allergic show? My mind is completely numb blown away just by the sheer amount of issues this drama touched upon. 

With the subtlety of a water buffalo.

[Not A Drama Review] Hello? Me! ... Oh Damn

This, as the title suggests, will not be a review, but rather some loose ruminations on the drama I thought would be my background for doing things, but it turned out to be a really delightful journey.

[First Impression] Missing: The Other Side

 

 

From the first episode there was an eerie feeling about this series, and after 4 episodes this feeling has not subsided. And if it continues the same quality as since now, this might be the best from OCN up to date in 2020.

 

TV Series Opening 49: Hotel Del Luna

 

It's on my list, I'm getting there, don't haunt me.

Oh wait...

SF8: The Prayer

 

Finally, a sci-fi show to watch.

 According to Asianwiki:

 8 film directors participated in "SF8," with each person directing a 1 episode TV special. The genre of the specials deals with science fiction, including AI, AR (augmented reality), VR, and robot games.

Which reminds me a bit of Black Mirror series. Now, as I'm one of two people I know who don't sing sky high praises of BM, I hoped it would be sci-fi but with a Korean twist that is giving the characters some emotions and thus - making us care about them.

Drama Stage 2020: My Husband Has Kim Hee-Seon

The previous episodes, sans nr 5, were much heavier in themes they explored, however this one is perhaps as relevant to people in any kind of a relationship as it can be. This episode deals with problems that stem from the lack of communication in the marriage.

Drama Stage 2020: Big Data Romance

It was a really cute and sweet episode about finding love, overcoming obstacles on the path to it and if there is a lesson to learn from it is that love appears when we least expect it.

And that dating apps are rubbish.

[First Impression] Train

Now, many plot devices here can be wonky as for now, even though we are in the 1/3rd of the series so far (12 episodes in total), but one thing this series has superior to every other now - the cinematography. The shots, especially at the abandoned train tracks and the station, the transitions and the colors are both eerily beautiful and unsettling.

[Review] She Knows Everything

This mini drama is based on the script that won 2019 MBC Script Contest, which proves that the fate of crime writers and crime dramas in Korea is rather safe. This 4-episode long story is full of twists and turns, well defined and full-bloodied characters and also a scathing social commentary.

[First Impression] The Good Detective

It's less a crime story and more a story about how monolithic, and internally stifling police organization can be. It shows the tension and lack of camaraderie among two crime divisions with every result it entangles. It's a musing over what does it mean to be a competent journalist in times of post-truth and manipulation? It also paints a bleak picture of what happens to a cog in a machine when it's deemed expendable.

Drama Stage 2020: My Uncle Is Audrey Hepburn

This was probably the most optimistic and uplifting episode so far. And it dealt with heavy (like gambling addiction) and "controversial" topics.

I purposefully used the quotations mark here, because - as this episode shows - the transgender people's issue is not even an issue if everyone else treats people as people. Simple as that.

Drama Stage 2020: Woman With the Bleeding Ear

This whole story is a parable. It is a harsh critique of the Korean society, and in extenso, any society to be honest.

Drama Stage 2020: My Wife's Bed

There was something deeply uncomfortable about this one. It featured (post-drama) a quotation from Charlie Chaplin saying "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot." It was supposed to put the events in perspective here, but the episode with its indifferent narrative didn't assure us the events will ever be viewed as comedy.

Drama Stage 2020: Ogre

Since it's kind of a spring cleaning, I'm starting lots and lots of dramas that are occupying my virtual space. Among them, I finally got to start Drama Stage 2020 - a series of 10 short movies made for tv. A similar concept to KBS Drama Special, but here we do have a merging of cinematic experience with the format made for tv.

And since tvN is a big fan of long episodes, this even feels like a real movie.

The third year of Drama Stage has  even its own name, the episodes are assembled as Color of My Life.

[First Impression] Team Bulldog

I will be honest - once again I went into watching something blind. I watched one teaser, true, but kdrama teasers say little or purposefully mislead the viewers. The very first episode made me sure I will be sticking with this one. It has a great mixture of crime, comedy, and satire as well. Sprinkled with great chemistry between the characters, some of them we meet in the middle of a dangerous operation which proves their story goes way beyond the acquaintance with us. And some just meet and... well, annoy each other.

Kdrama Trailer Part 1: My Country

Some people know I am a slightly unhinged consumer of trailers and openings. And one of them suggested I should maybe post them. 

Blame Mexochi.

Ano no, the first one isn't Tale of Nokdu. I will strike the least everyone expects.