Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts

Cheese in the Trap (2016 TV Series)

Friday, June 11, 2021 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

 A cute, twisted little uni drama! 


“Hong Seol: Others might not know, but I know... the truly scary face hidden behind that fake smile.”


The Rundown

Behind the name: Based on the Webtoon: 치즈 인 더 트랩 

Country: South Korea, 2016

Genre: Rom-Com

Production: Lee Yoon-Jung

Network: tvN

Director: Lee Yoon-jung

Cast:   Kim Go-Eun (as Hong Seol), Park Hae-Jin (as Yoo Jung), Seo Kang-Joon (as Baek In-Ho), Lee Sung-Kyung (as Baek In-Ha) Nam Joo-Hyuk (as Kwon Eun-Taek), Park Min-Ji (as Jang Bo-ra)

Compare to: Boys Over Flowers

Hate it or Love it?  Enjoy it


Synopsis in a Sentence: A manipulative ‘angel’ makes life a living hell for those around him... undercover, so what happens when you get to be the cheese in his trap?



On Writing: The Plot

Oh, where to start. The writing is quite remarkable for capturing the nuances of complex characters, the double layers behind their motives, and the insecurities that fuel their actions. That’s the first thing. 

The second thing is that… it is sooooo cute! From a female perspective. Both cute and toxic at the same time. But layered and nuanced and at some levels, absolutely astounding! 

Great writing, great plot, not-so-great impact? 

(4/5)




On Acting: The Cast 

A very well cast crew! 

All hail Park Hae-Jin, the handsome heartthrob who is stoic, dangerous and angelic at the same time. We’re really talking about his character. That’s how good he is as an actor. 

Kim Go-Eun is female lead and of course good! She plays the innocent, childlike university girl well, of course, so great work on the acting. As a petition to the writers, can we please get a real, well rounded female lead? Not an emotionally stunted 15-year old masked as a 20-something year old woman? Little rant here, but this character, as portrayed, is so extremely cliche in the Manhwa/K-drama space! 

Seo Kang-Joon is Beak In Ho and quite the hooligan! A job well done as we haven’t quite seen him in this role before. 

Beak In-ha is such a character! And she plays her effortlessly, believably and wonderfully! Fabulous acting from the larger-than-life Lee Sung-Kyung!  

And honourable mention goes to Nam Joo-Hyuk, who plays friend to our female lead along side Park Min-Ji and honourable mentions to the full cast of “college kids” that come together to make this a binge-worthy guilty pleasure! 

A very well cast team! Great characters, glorious portrayals! 

 (4.5/5) 


On Production: The Creativity

The creativity is perhaps mostly on the plot and character side, but production does not let us down. Good work overall, and a great addition to portraying and relaying the story.

(4/5)                                              


On Resolution: The Conclusion

The ending is quite unlike what we’ve seen before. The resolution? Deserved a re-watch, but for the innovation that springs past the expected K-Drama ending, the conclusion deserves some props!  

(4/5)


The Verdict: An absolutely cute, lovey dovey portrayal of a toxic relationship, with a twist of an ending that perhaps redeems the story… a bit...  


Overall Score = 16.5/20







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Review - Memorist (2020 TV Series)

Sunday, March 21, 2021 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

 I went in blind and unsure about the plotline, but was pleasantly surprised! 


“Choi Kang-Sue: When you get mad, it’s anger, but when I get mad, it’s an inferiority complex?”


The Rundown

Behind the name: Memory scanner  

Country: South Korea, 2020

Genre: Thriller, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery 

Production: Studio Dragon

Network: tvN

Directors: Kim Whee, Oh Seung-Yeol, So Jae-Hyun

Cast: Yoo Seung-ho (as Dong Baek), Lee Se-young (as Han Sun-mi), Jo Sung-ha (as Lee Shin-woong), Ko Chang-seok (as Gu Kyung-tan), Jun Hyo-seong (as Kang Ji-eun), Yoon Ji-on (as Oh Se-hoon), Kim Yoon-hee (as Jung Mi-ja)

Compare to: Signal

Hate it or Love it?  Love it


Synopsis in a Sentence: Celebrity detective has the supernatural ability to read minds by power of touch, but soon gets thwarted by his match—a villain on the other side of the law! 


On Writing: The Plot

It’s an action-packed detective/psycho thriller with depth and excitement and some good old bad-guy hunting! It captures society-wide issues from institutional corruption, to individual evil, and really does it with heart and reason in good measure, despite the “supernatural” bits! Great plotlines, good character developments, and an all-round good story! 

Too many times good stories are riddled with an obligatory “romance,” but thank goodness, this series knows its identity and doesn't bother with any such ill-developed plot lines! 

A job well done; and a bold move! Hats off to the writers! 

(4.5/5)


On Acting: The Cast 

The cast is really well suited! 


Yoo Seung-ho is supernatural celebrity detective, Dong Baek, and like his character in I am not a Robot—in which he’s probably being type-cast—he delivers a credible, convincing and charming performance with psychological depth! 

Lee Se-young plays genius profiler Han Sun-mi, and it’s refreshing to see an excellent, intense, effective female lead not mired in a trite romance! And of course, Lee plays this role to the T! 

Ko Chang-seok is lovable supervisor, Gu Kyung-tan, and he’s a joy to watch! A legitimately charming performance! 

And former k-pop star (from the girl group, Secret), Jun Hyo-seong plays Kang Ji-eun and she’s a great addition to the cast! 

Overall, a very well played cast, and very well delivered acting and action! 

 (4.5/5) 


On Production: The Creativity

Production is intriguing, dark and mysterious! 

It takes the detective plot line into different layers that capture the darkest, warmest, and sickest parts of our society, and does well to balance the supernatural elements of the story. 

Transitions are electric, scenes are hair-raising, and camera work is creative genius. A fabulous job to the very competent production team!  

        (4.5/5)   

                                           

On Resolution: The Conclusion

It ends so well, we’re wondering if there’s a season 2, and we hope there is, but even if there isn’t, it’s a realistic resolution, and it’s very well done. 

(4/5)


The Verdict: An enlightening, thorough, nuanced, and gritty rendition of society!  


Overall Score = 17.5/20





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Review - When the Weather is Fine (TV Series, 2020)

Monday, February 15, 2021 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

 It’s winter so I found this cozy little series to sink into!  


“Mok Hae-won: Trust is like glass; once it’s shattered, it can’t be returned to its original state.”


The Rundown

Behind the name: 날씨가 좋으면 찾아가겠어요. Based on the book: I'll Go to You When the Weather Is Fine by Lee Do-woo

Country: South Korea, 2020

Genre: Drama 

Production: Ace Factory

Network: JTBC

Director: Han Ji-seung

Cast: Park Min-young (as Mok Hae-won), Seo Kang-joon (as Im Eun-seob), Moon Jeong-hee (as Shim Myeong-yeo), Jin Hee-kyung (as Shim Myeong-joo), Kim Hwan-hee (as Im Hwi),Lee Jae-wook (as Lee Jang-woo), Im Se-mi (as Kim Bo-young)

Compare to: Forest

Hate it or Love it?  Appreciate it


Synopsis in a Sentence: A woman leaves the hustle and bustle of Seoul to spend some time in the countryside, and has to face the pain of her past...and as unsaid family secrets unravel, so does a frosty love prospect... 

 


On Writing: The Plot

Think understated, picturesque, and deliberate drama. 

As one viewer commented, “It’s like turning the page of a book” A well-read, intentional, leisurely read, but with the heaviness of an anvil released slowly into water. It’s a nuanced, gradual slow burn, with characters full of intentionality and perspective. 

It’s a good watch, but you have to be in the mood for this one. 

(3.5/5)

On Acting: The Cast 

The cast is quite well suited to this pictorial drama. 

Park Min-young is Mok Hae-won, the lead and center of the story, through whose life we see the drama, bitterness, simplicity and sweetness of country life.

Seo Kang-joon plays Im Eun-seob, the bookstore owner, and he relays the quiet understated nature of the character quite well. 

Moon Jeong-hee depicts Shim Myeong-yeo, the memorable, yet lovingly scathing aunt.

Kim Hwan-hee brings the colourful Im Hwi to life, and we’re glad for this spirited character of Eun-seob's little sister, as she lights up the screen. 

A good team and cast overall. 

 (4/5) 




On Production: The Creativity

Production is deliberately pretty, and muted, and made to capture the wonderfully mundane yet beautiful prosaic of life in the countryside to life. I’m not sure how they managed to do it, but production in fact succeeded in capturing a book in film form, and perhaps this makes the production the star of the show! 

(4/5)                                              


On Resolution: The Conclusion

It ends quite alright, despite the tough realities presented. Good job bringing a new story to life, only the slow-release story makes for a slightly unremarkable ending. 

(3/5)


The Verdict: A thoroughly slow, utterly deliberate production; watch when in the mood, on a snow day!  


Overall Score = 14.5/20








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Review - Start Up (TV Series, 2020)

Monday, January 18, 2021 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

 I wanted a drama for the new year, and this one was buzzing! 


Granny Choi:  "You're a cosmos flower. And it's still spring. Wait until fall, and you'll bloom beautifully. Be patient."


The Rundown

Behind the name: 스타트업 

Country: South Korea, 2020

Genre: Rom-Com, Drama 

Network: tvN

Production: Studio Dragon

Director: Oh Choong-hwan

Cast: Bae Suzy (as Seo Dal-mi), Nam Joo-hyuk (as Nam Do-san), Kim Seon-ho (as Han Ji-pyeong), Kang Han-na (as Won In-jae), Kim Hae-sook (as Choi Won-deok), Song Seon-mi (as Cha Ah-hyun)

Compare to: Itaewon Class

Hate it or Love it? Love it!


Synopsis in a Sentence: A girl starts a “pen pal” friendship with a guy she ends up falling for, and 15 years later, she sets out to find him... will she fall for her childhood crush or the new guy in the picture? 


On Writing: The Plot

Shoutout to writer, Park Hye-Ryun for churning out this original, multi-layered, depth-filled series! There are so many plot lines and layers and nuances that it feels like a bunch of series in one. We get a bit of drama, a bit of comedy, a little romance, and of course, the love triangle that turns out to be not your typical rendition!  So we laugh out loud a little, shed a tear or two, and see the innermost regrets, shames, and lessons that only life can really teach, all from the comfort of our homes! 

The storyline captures nuanced, yet relatable perspectives from the struggles of the rich, the poor, and the in between, to young ambition, failure and success, to the struggles of the engineering world, and the entrepreneurial one as well. Despite the wonderful production and acting, the writing just might be the star of this one! A fabulous job! 

(4.5/5)




On Acting: The Cast 


Cheers to the cast and crew! 

Seo Dal-mi, the lead role, is played by Bae Suzy and she is of course, charming, convincing, and credible! As expected, Suzy delivers the role with heart, relatability, and talent! 

Nam Joo-hyuk plays Nam Do-san, the insecure geek, yet brilliant genius and he does so well delivering this character! A job well done! 

Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-Pyeong is the new love of the silver screen! This is perhaps his most popular role to date and we can’t wait to see what project he chooses next. For now, he’s back to his first love; the theatre! 

Kim Hae-sook plays the lovable granny, Choi Won-deok and we can’t love her enough! She’s fierce and real and strong and cuddly and Mme. Kim does an excellent job of making us want her as a granny! Arguably the star of the entire series! 

And then there’s Song Seon-mi, who plays money-loving mum, Cha Ah-hyun. And even though we want to judge her, Song makes this character so amiable and alluring that we just can’t! 

All other actors do such a great job of this, that we believe every bit of it! It’s so true-to-life that we totally relate! A fab job to the visible cast, and invisible crew behind this great production! 

 (4.5/5) 


On Production: The Creativity

Production is really very pretty and of course, well executed! The transitions are quite noteworthy and the overall picture is just gorgeous!  

The epilogues are a wonderful addition that enrich the overall story! A well-done effort! 

(4.5/5)                                              



On Resolution: The Conclusion

The resolution is wonderfully woven together, although, given the unique tilt of the story, I’d hoped to have gotten a nice little twist to the love triangle, but… nevertheless, all other plot lines are amply resolved, so a good conclusion overall!  

(4/5)


The Verdict: A fun, interesting, layered series that delivers depth and delight in equal measure!  A great watch! 


Overall Score = 17.5/20


                            









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