A reflection on society today

First I rewatched S1, as it's been ages since that came out. Sailed through it and enjoyed the watch all over again, especially knowing I could go straight into S2.
Yoo Ah-in was a tough act to follow, but I have to say, Kim Sung-cheol, picking up the character Jung Jin-su, was excellent.
There was a flashback to a pivotal scene from S1, which obviously couldn't just be edited in, due to YAI's sad departure. His acting in that scene was excellent and I would have doubted it could be replicated.
However, KSC was so good, and must have watched it umpteen times, to recreate YAI's part so faithfully, as well as accurately.
The dark and somewhat depressing society that emerged from S1, is by no means any better in S2.
As humans do, the supernatural events that unfolded in S1 have been manipulated by groups, with leaders determined to make money and/or rule over others. (It is exactly what some do with religion now; use it as an excuse to murder, control and wreac havoc.)
Their 'laws' are contrived and as seen in S1, often an excuse to abuse power, bully and use violence against others.
It is sickening how those groups, including the government, spout 💩 about sins and damnation, when they themselves are the most guilty.
The drama's Director has said he's used the drama as a vehicle to send a message about the state of today's society (he's not wrong, either, with how in S Korea for example, K-nutz judge, slander and even drive some to take their own lives).
The shocking 'Decree' given towards the end of S1, together with Jung Jin-su's revelation, and the new twist of resurrection, changes everything.
Groups fight for power as they also have different stances on what to do about resurrection.
Many characters are present from S1, but the dynamics have altered considerably.
It's a bumpy, sometimes confusing, and violent, frustrating ride.
A gripping watch!

Leia Mais

Rushed, but still highly entertaining

Sep 2024
I love the Sweet Home trilogy and whilst S1 is still my favourite, the 3 combined make for gripping viewing.
As much blood and gore as in S1&2, but far fewer monsters, as this final instalment focuses on the main characters that survived S2, together with a slight twist to the story.
Song Kang is brilliant in this, to my mind. He doesn't overplay the part, but exudes a kind of power and always gave me the feeling there was something more to his monster side.
Further characters lost in S2 are swiftly replaced by the fast moving storyline... a little too fast at times.
There are several surprises, but a couple could get lost in clarity and importance, if not getting enough concentration.
Couple of totally bizarre storylines as well... one being the little boy from S1, which definitely had me scratching my head.
The final scenes were a bit weird and in one instance for me, slightly disappointing, but at the same time not without emotion.
I might give it a break and then watch the whole thing (S1-3) from start to finish.
I really hate these stupid season breaks Netflix and other Western production companies, inflict on us. Really spoils the flow and when the gap between is ridiculously long, the story definitely suffers. Cramming the story's conclusion into the final 2 episodes, doesn't help either.
Having said that, I loved the cast, the premise and with how my imagination carried the conclusion forward, what I perceive as the intention behind the ending too.

Leia Mais

Pretty funny at times

Sep 2024
Bit of fun with a mildly darker element running in the background, as a "too nice to be true" detective (who tries to cover it up by being off-hand), from a somewhat haphazardly run crime team, meets a cold, but brilliant neuro scientist, who's fallen from grace and gets assigned to the team.
The team is overseen by an awful man, stuck in the past, who has a huge complex, using his senior position to verbally bully a mild and weaker character on his team. That's meant to be comical, but often fell very short.
There are very funny moments though, but also the overly silly ones so often included, too.
The idea that psychopathy can be mapped in the brain, is based in fact, but the methods in this make for the darker element, as does the mystery of the death of a main character's parents.
I liked the cast and enjoyed it overall. Would make a good filler whilst waiting for episodes of a currently airing drama.

Leia Mais

Disappointing story, but loved the cast

July 2024
I think I'm going to be in a minority here, as this really didn't do it for me.

I did like the cast a lot. As an aside, I have to say, I find the difference a head of longer hair makes to JKY's features, astonishing. It totally softens his appearance and he looks younger than he does in some of his other roles (which are quite diverse). Took me a minute to recognise him!

I thought the latter half of the drama was better, as the pace picked up, but none of the characters grew on me. Bok I-na got a pass because she was young and surrounded by a selfish bunch of supposed adults, in her terribly dysfunctional family.

Every character in that family annoyed me. All wrapped up in themselves, cold and narcissistic. Whilst they may have lost their powers, it quickly became evident they did nothing wortwhile with them before. The poor father figure was nothing more than a servant and completely taken for granted.

I have only ever watched 2 dramas that involved time-travel, where the plot didn't either cause confusion, or lose its way, and this isn't one of them.

There was just too much of Gwi-ju revisiting specific scenes, refusing to give up on trying to alter events, which his 'superpower' doesn't allow him to do.

He himself seemed to begin to question reality / time, as did Da-hae and to be honest, I was in there with them!

Da-hae's 'family' were unpleasant as well, running a sauna and ruthlessly scamming people on the side. I thought they were all made for each other.

The story attempts to salvage all their personalities, but for me it was too late. I did feel a certain amount of sympathy for Gwi-ju, but more for poor I-na. Regardless of the past, he had a duty of care, but instead wallowed in self-pity. The Grandmother was no better and probably my least favourite character, together with Baek Il-hong.

I found a fair bit of Gwi-ju's bouncing around his past very confusing and most of the time, pointless. The plot feels made up as it goes along at times, with no explanation of why certain things are possible. What lies in the future is another can of worms.

Considering they were born with powers and grew up around them, one would have thought they, and definitely Man-heum herself, would be used to her dreams and how to interpret them; but no.

I found the ending bizarre and simplistic, as well.

The very point of their powers was never touched on either and I certainly couldn't work that out.

Very disappointed; I expected more.

Leia Mais

Every instalment of Himura Kenshin's life is epic!

I watched, back-to-back, in this order:
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, 2021
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, 2012
Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, 2021
I watched the first 3 ages ago, but decided to watch all of them again, in story, not release, order, which I recommend doing.

I absolutely love these films to bits. The life of the main character is a mix of almost aimless at times, tragic, enlightenment and atonement.

The fact the film about Kenshin's origins, was made 9 years after the character first appeared on screen, is amazing. The main reason being, when watched in the order I did, it is a seamless story.

Many cast members appear throughout, pieces from the earlier, film 1, are blended in so when watching the next instalment, it makes complete sense. I was honestly blown away.

Satoh Takeru is brilliant in every film. The sword fights are incredible and they must have taken all the cast involved, a huge amount of work and energy.

The pace of each film is excellent, with a balance of action, everyday life, love, friendships, fighting for a cause (sometimes blindly) and defeating not only enemies, but those taking advantage of the powerless. Some sad elements too. There is also humour and a growing camaraderie between some characters that began as enemies.

I love Himura Kenshin and how he evolves. Supporting characters are varied, some villains are pretty OTT, strong female characters and the cast in all the films is great.
Films are rarely, if ever, perfect, but these just do it for me. Firm favourites.

Leia Mais

Every film in this epic saga is an amazing watch.

I watched, back-to-back, in this order:
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, 2021
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, 2012
Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, 2021
I watched the first 3 ages ago, but decided to watch all of them again, in story, not release, order, which I recommend doing.

I absolutely love these films to bits. The life of the main character is a mix of almost aimless at times, tragic, enlightenment and atonement.

The fact the film about Kenshin's origins, was made 9 years after the character first appeared on screen, is amazing. The main reason being, when watched in the order I did, it is a seamless story.

Many cast members appear throughout, pieces from the earlier, film 1, are blended in so when watching the next instalment, it makes complete sense. I was honestly blown away.

Satoh Takeru is brilliant in every film. The sword fights are incredible and they must have taken all the cast involved, a huge amount of work and energy.

The pace of each film is excellent, with a balance of action, everyday life, love, friendships, fighting for a cause (sometimes blindly) and defeating not only enemies, but those taking advantage of the powerless. Some sad elements too. There is also humour and a growing camaraderie between some characters that began as enemies.

I love Himura Kenshin and how he evolves. Supporting characters are varied, some villains are pretty OTT, strong female characters and the cast in all the films is great.
Films are rarely, if ever, perfect, but these just do it for me. Firm favourites.

Leia Mais

The complete saga is an amazing & gripping watch!

I watched, back-to-back, in this order:
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, 2021
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, 2012
Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, 2021
I watched the first 3 ages ago, but decided to watch all of them again, in story, not release, order, which I recommend doing.

I absolutely love these films to bits. The life of the main character is a mix of almost aimless at times, tragic, enlightenment and atonement.

The fact the film about Kenshin's origins, was made 9 years after the character first appeared on screen, is amazing. The main reason being, when watched in the order I did, it is a seamless story.

Many cast members appear throughout, pieces from the earlier, film 1, are blended in so when watching the next instalment, it makes complete sense. I was honestly blown away.

Satoh Takeru is brilliant in every film. The sword fights are incredible and they must have taken all the cast involved, a huge amount of work and energy.

The pace of each film is excellent, with a balance of action, everyday life, love, friendships, fighting for a cause (sometimes blindly) and defeating not only enemies, but those taking advantage of the powerless. Some sad elements too. There is also humour and a growing camaraderie between some characters that began as enemies.

I love Himura Kenshin and how he evolves. Supporting characters are varied, some villains are pretty OTT, strong female characters and the cast in all the films is great.
Films are rarely, if ever, perfect, but these just do it for me. Firm favourites.

Leia Mais

Gripping and SO watchable... all 5 films together!

July 2024
I watched, back-to-back, in this order:
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, 2021
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, 2012
Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends, 2014
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, 2021
I watched the first 3 ages ago, but decided to watch all of them again, in story, not release, order, which I recommend doing.

I absolutely love these films to bits. The life of the main character is a mix of almost aimless at times, tragic, enlightenment and atonement.

The fact the film about Kenshin's origins, was made 9 years after the character first appeared on screen, is amazing. The main reason being, when watched in the order I did, it is a seamless story.

Many cast members appear throughout, pieces from the earlier, film 1, are blended in so when watching the next instalment, it makes complete sense. I was honestly blown away.

Satoh Takeru is brilliant in every film. The sword fights are incredible and they must have taken all the cast involved, a huge amount of work and energy.

The pace of each film is excellent, with a balance of action, everyday life, love, friendships, fighting for a cause (sometimes blindly) and defeating not only enemies, but those taking advantage of the powerless. Some sad elements too. There is also humour and a growing camaraderie between some characters that began as enemies.

I love Himura Kenshin and how he evolves. Supporting characters are varied, some villains are pretty OTT, strong female characters and the cast in all the films is great.
Films are rarely, if ever, perfect, but these just do it for me. Firm favourites.

Leia Mais

Enjoyable overall.

May, 2024.
A time travel mystery rom-com, which has laughs, intrigue, threat, tragedy and romance.

Park Yun-woo (LSY), is not your typical Joseon woman and when she can no longer avoid getting married, her life takes an unimaginable turn. The emotions, characters and her life during this time, make for an entertaing watch, with the usual variety of characters from that period.

After finding herself in modern day Seoul, she becomes embroiled with a chaebol family, but holds her own. Faces are familiar, but out of time, and she has to adjust to modern life, whilst trying to find a way back to her past one.

This part of the story has the most intrigue and mystery, plus the most laughs. Her intelligence and tenacity help her adjust, but a big dollop of 'just accepting', is needed, in how well!

As the synopsis details, she meets a man who is the double of her deceased husband (BIH), with whom she enters into a marriage contract. There are times she feels like history is repeating and begins piecing things together, as so many links to her past begin to emerge. A strange but familiar character makes random appearances, guiding her, but rarely succinctly.

Her deceased husband was a lovely character, very different to his doppelganger; but they share a secret.

I really enjoyed this drama. It's classic romance, with many of the usual elements of the genre, plus some twists.

What I was disappointed with, and frankly didn't understand, was her attitude towards a key charscter, near the end of the story. It made no sense to me, given her feelings in the first part of the drama. I felt so bad and sorry for that person. It is possible to love 2 people, especially in this context.

Don't expect it to be logical throughout, and just embrace the fiction; then you might enjoy it, as I did.

Leia Mais

Gripping ~ needs S2 to continue monentum

May 2024
Not a limited series, therefore a S2 expected, dependant on ratings I assume, so fingers crossed.

I loved the pace and the characters. At 6 episodes there is little room for depth, but to be honest, personally I don't think a series always needs it. If the aim is thrills and entertainment, that's not the point anyway.

There is enough background to understand main characters and the action starts fairly quickly.

Jung Soo-in (actress Jeon So-nee) is a somewhat tragic character; when her Parasyte, whom gets named Heidi, comes to the fore, Soo-in 'sleeps' and vice versa.

That's not a new concept and has been used in many dramas about multiple personality disorder (Hyde, Jeckyll, Me; Kill Me Heal Me). However, with an alien cohabiting Soo-in's brain that can't be psychoanalysed away, it gives things a totally different feel.

The SFX are pretty good and some scenes of confrontation are excellent.

There are sad aspects to the plot, but perhaps due to the lack of episodes, I didn't feel connected enough to characters to get emotional; I was more shocked on a couple of occasions.

I actually loved the character of Heidi (but I am sure we are supposed to) and Jeon So-nee effortlessly carries off switching between the two.

Seol Kang Woo (Koo Kyo Hwan) is a witty, cocky character on the wrong side of the law and self-serving. Circumstances bring him together with Soo-in and he slowly becomes more protective of her, although not always out of choice! KKH is perfect for this role (loved him in D.P.).

Choi Joon-kyung could be a pretty arrogant and annoying character, and whilst a part of me got why, her actions in relation to someone parasitised, I found unforgiveable, considering their identity. I found her very hard to like or empathise with.

A good supporting cast, with familiar faces and no obvious over acting.

I didn't find the look of the Aliens to be scary at all, in fact I found them pretty odd really. I'd love to know exactly where they came from. Their view of us humans is basically as food and a 'home'; fair enough ~ as the apex predator on our planet, we're actually no different in our behaviour towards pretty much all other species. I can only imagine what designs some would have on inferior life forms, if we ever found any from another world.

There are some twists in the story and it's pretty thrilling at times, but not strong on tension.

The close of S1 is actually pretty neat, so whilst it would be disappointing if no S2 was to follow, the story would still have been a decent viewing in itself.

Kept me glued and I wanted more; so, worth watching and I'm hoping for a S2, when hopefully more will be revealed.

Leia Mais

Riveting

April 2024
The Worst of Evil, 18+, 2023, 12eps, Disney+
Synopsis and cast attached.

Very intense, violent and multi-layered drama with excellent pace, characters and acting. The script was intelligent and apart from 1 character's antics, very believable.

A stubborn, relentless, but 'good' police officer (Ji Chang-wook), with a no nonsense and short fused personality, goes deep undercover. Watching how his personality changes with almost every episode, is often an uncomfortable and anxious watch.

The rules by which organisations operate, whether they be gangsters or the establishment, are all basically for totally selfish reasons, although often disguised as being for the good of others, or a better life.

It comes across strongly in this, how just about everyone uses others, or gets used, purely to meet their own agendas. Characters are incredibly fickle, with making and holding on to money and power, plus kudos, being the nr.1 motivators.

There are lots of links between characters, with some being quite a surprise. There is a weird, but unstoppable, connection and bond between the main characters, as they are forced to cover the backs of their targets, yet also find themselves being protected and trusted by them. This impacts on outcomes, in so many ways.

I found that the most irritating, vile, and stuck-in-the-70s character, was Detective Hwang Min-gu, excellently played by Yoon Gyung-ho. I absolutely detested him! A real bullying sleaze ball! Why his character was allowed to constantly get in the way and jeopardise such an important international police investigation, was beyond me.

He was subtle as a brick and openly turned up at scenes already under surveillance. Yet at no point did any higher ups reign in him or transfer him out of the way, until the operation was concluded. I found that ridiculous.

The ending was conclusive and not surprising at all to me, but was confusing in one pretty major aspect. I did not understand JCW's behaviour at all and say why further on.

An exciting watch and whilst not something I'd see again, it certainly captivated and entertained me.


** SPOILER AHEAD **


The part that confused me, was Jun-mo shooting Gi-cheol, rather than letting him kill himself, as he was about to do. If Jun-mo had shot him in the arm, shoulder, or anywhere else, to incapacitate and prevent him from shooting himself in the head, I could have understood it; but not shooting to kill him. It seemed pointless and actually turned it into murder.

Leia Mais

Not happy with assumptions around suicide

March 2024. Watched Parts 1 & 2 together on Prime

I thought the casting for this was incredible. So many actors I love, in one drama, was frankly too good to be true and the acting was, predictably, great.

I really enjoyed the ways in which events began to expose a troubling connection. It wasn't obvious what that was to be, however, and even when revealed, was still far from final.

There are shocks, tragedies, grief, unfairness, manipulation and the old favourite, money and power.

The struggles are real and I don't think anyone could blame Choi Yi-jae. Having said that, there were numerous times his character didn't speak up, or did some truly stupid things; where his mother was concerned, especially. It numbed my mind.

There were also moments of brilliance in the plot though, but it did vere sharply between that and "What?!", at times.

Apart from Seo In-guk, I absolutely loved Kim Jae-wook, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Do-hyun and Kim Mi-kyung in this. None of them overacted and given LJW's part, he could have. His scenes were the most visceral for me.
Nice seeing LJW and Yoo In-soo acting together again, although in vastly different roles to Alchemy of Souls.

I do wish the story had focussed less on Yi-jae as being cruelly punished and more on his realisations, growing determination and self-worth, through the trials, as being healing. Those are positive lessons to drive home.

However, I found myself getting incredibly angry at times, because instead, to me, it really felt like they were saying suicide is a selfish choice, made with no regard for those left behind and should be a punishable act.

Selfish? Perhaps that is true, but only to a point. The reason being, it is a decision very, very rarely made by someone in a normal state of mind. Suicide isn't something a happy, mentally stable, rational person, would commit.
If life has become painful, terrifying, utterly hopeless, everything else becomes irrelevant in that person's mind. Death is, indeed, no longer frightening, but an escape.
So why portray it as though it was (is) done as a normal, conscious decision, with no care for loved ones? In that frame of mind, rationality has long departed, together with being concerned about the impact on others.
Were they trying to send a message, due to the frighteningly high number of suicide cases in S.Korea? I sincerely hope not, because it's cruel (especially to those left behind) and it's wrong.

The ending was totally perplexing, to me, for one huge reason... for time to have been reversed so Yi-jae is back on the ledge before jumping, means everything that happened originally, to that point, still happened.
Therefore, without his influence and knowledge as the soul in all those bodies, the crimes committed by Park Tae-woo and Jeong Gyu-cheol would go unsolved and continue happening.

Whilst I enjoyed the many actors, characters and their stories, the plot, therefore, fell a little short and I wasn't happy, at all, with the unkind assumptions made around suicide.
I haven't seen the webtoon of the same name that this is based on and, therefore, don't know how close to it this drama is.

Leia Mais

Unhappy about a couple of aspects

March 2024. Watched Parts 1 & 2 together on Prime

I thought the casting for this was incredible. So many actors I love, in one drama, was frankly too good to be true and the acting was, predictably, great.

I really enjoyed the ways in which events began to expose a troubling connection. It wasn't obvious what that was to be, however, and even when revealed, was still far from final.

There are shocks, tragedies, grief, unfairness, manipulation and the old favourite, money and power.

The struggles are real and I don't think anyone could blame Choi Yi-jae. Having said that, there were numerous times his character didn't speak up, or did some truly stupid things; where his mother was concerned, especially. It numbed my mind.

There were also moments of brilliance in the plot though, but it did vere sharply between that and "What?!", at times.

Apart from Seo In-guk, I absolutely loved Kim Jae-wook, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Do-hyun and Kim Mi-kyung in this. None of them overacted and given LJW's part, he could have. His scenes were the most visceral for me.
Nice seeing LJW and Yoo In-soo acting together again, although in vastly different roles to Alchemy of Souls.

I do wish the story had focussed less on Yi-jae as being cruelly punished and more on his realisations, growing determination and self-worth, through the trials, as being healing. Those are positive lessons to drive home.

However, I found myself getting incredibly angry at times, because instead, to me, it really felt like they were saying suicide is a selfish choice, made with no regard for those left behind and should be a punishable act.

Selfish? Perhaps that is true, but only to a point. The reason being, it is a decision very, very rarely made by someone in a normal state of mind. Suicide isn't something a happy, mentally stable, rational person, would commit.
If life has become painful, terrifying, utterly hopeless, everything else becomes irrelevant in that person's mind. Death is, indeed, no longer frightening, but an escape.
So why portray it as though it was (is) done as a normal, conscious decision, with no care for loved ones? In that frame of mind, rationality has long departed, together with being concerned about the impact on others.
Were they trying to send a message, due to the frighteningly high number of suicide cases in S.Korea? I sincerely hope not, because it's cruel (especially to those left behind) and it's wrong.

The ending was totally perplexing, to me, for one huge reason, which I can't actually say, because it would be a spoiler... unless all the things he went through were indeed part of an elaborate game and not 'real'... but then, he wouldn't have been standing on the ledge.

Whilst I enjoyed the many actors, characters and their stories, the plot fell a little short and I wasn't happy, at all, with the unkind assumptions made around suicide.
I haven't seen the webtoon of the same name that this is based on and, therefore, don't know how close to it this drama is.

Leia Mais

I need this shop, Seok and Go-bi, where I live!

Fenmb 2024
A very gentle, easy going, slow paced drama, centering very much on the daily comings and goings of a small, independent, traditional café with no gimmicks.
The story focuses on the growing friendship between the café owner and a young man who, once he falls for the coffee, the shop, plus the skills and knowledge of the owner, decides he wants to work there and become a skilled Barista.
Then there are the cafe's regular and very loyal customers too.
Added to this, each episode introduces a different, new customer, together with their own story.
I think many might find this drama too slow, but I thought it charming and nicely written.
The less mature attitude and different outlook of the student Barista, coupled with the experienced and set in his ways owner; the two actually learn from each other.
I loved the character of Kang Go-bi (played just right by Ong Seong-wu), whose impatience and low-key temper often get the better of him. He is quick to learn, however, from the more experienced Park Seok.
When another approach to and possible explanation for, customers' sometimes annoying behaviours are pointed out to him, he has no problem seeing his mistake, or their side of things and apologising, or reaching out.
He also instinctively feels when he's handled something less than well.
This is a perfect drama to watch in stages, possibly between more gritty and/or emotional ones, for a little respite.
A lovely cast too, with several favourite support actors turning up.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.... as I do my coffee :~q

Leia Mais

Romantic

Feb 2024
Not fast paced, but a gentle, quite emotional and different romance.
Sometimes saying what bothers us, when loved ones act selfishly, is the only way to prevent that happening again and again. On the other hand, that can be difficult if we are made to feel it will be perceived as controlling, or if we think it will drive the other away.
That doesn't imply a healthy relationship at all.
Such issues and more, are warmly faced up to in this rather lovely and very romantic drama.
Our 2 male leads are very attractive together and at times it felt like watching real life.
There are not many characters in this production, but those who are were so good.
I was kept engaged throughout, as the thoughtful yet simple plot slowly unfurled.
I would very happily watch this again.

Leia Mais