A drama that teaches: You matter — whether alive or dead.

If dramas can be ranked according to the beauty their stories tell us, Move To Heaven would be one of the top ones. What a beautiful, heartbreaking depiction of loss and grievance over people considered as the discarded ones by most. Yet we learn that these people who might have not had anyone to mourn for them were loved too. Right from the first episode, this drama tugs at your heartstrings. Absolutely loved the depiction of Han Geuru’s parents. He shared such a beautiful bond with both of them and I’m so glad that he got to have his father with him for longer and know that he was loved. In fact Geuru had such wholesome bonds with everyone around him, it warmed my heart to see him loved and treasured instead of ostracised for his difference. It was so nice to see his bond develop with his uncle too. Uncle had a tragic past linked to him, and I wasn’t that huge a fan of how his arc was dealt in the last few episodes, but that’s okay since it’s not the major focus.

Spoilers below — talking about things that stood out in episodes:

Episode 1 — Such a gentle portrayal of father-son relationship, Han Jeong U was a special man whose empathy made him connect the dots on an emotional level. Perfect first episode to set the mode, what a sad introduction. Special mention: Lee Je Hoon’s wild look bad boy entrance.

Episode 2 — an episode that highlights children neglecting their elderly parents, Han Geuru is alone now, but does such a wonderful job in making sure the last message reaches the son.

Episode 3/4 — another interesting case, this one highlights one sided love. My most favourite thing was when Han Geuru keeps repeating that the stalker didn’t love the kindergarten teacher, it was the children who did. If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t have forced his presence on her and scared her. Such a simple but so powerful message in a sentence. Geuru repeating it felt like it was needed for us to know the difference between love and obsession.

Episode 5 — I would say this was my favourite episode in the series. So well written. The love, the characters, the ache, I don’t have enough words to describe. You need to watch it to feel it.

Episode 6 — another reflection of how the elderly are service are treated unfairly by most of the society. This was a very look in the mirror episode.

Episode 7/8 — these focus more on Uncle Sang-gu’s journey, his childhood, his relationship with the people he treasured, both are another set of heart wrenching episodes.

Episode 9 — In Matthew Green’s story we shed a light on a part of oversees adoption which took place in Korean history. I think I liked this best after episode 5. It made me wish for so many things, and the sadness stays with you.

Episode 10 — the final journey, of course it makes sense who the last person Move To Heaven will be sending off. It felt like all the growth that Han Geuru goes through over the last three months is reflected in his decision and how things are done. We also we plenty of heartwarming flashbacks that make you want to reach out and hug the characters. This episode ends with just enough space for a new season. I do hope we get one.

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While there’s plenty of sadness in this series, I would not say it’s entirely heartbreaking. MTH leaves you with a feeling of healing. It tells you that these characters might have met death, but there’s more to their story. It provides each of them a beautiful closure which they couldn’t find in life. We as viewers mourn for all of them and remember them well. I really hope this is picked up for another season. We need more stories like these!

Leia Mais

Do not underestimate the angst.

I knew that Moon Lovers was one of the saddest dramas out there, and because i wasn’t able to avoid spoilers, I was also aware of certain events, despite all of it, it still took me by surprise and was intensely painful to watch. What I loved the most about this drama was how they’ve stuck to history and brought about the important events by making them revolve around/influenced by a character who may or may not have existed.

The first half of Moon Lovers is quite playful, it builds the set up, it lets you get attached to these characters who you know are going to suffer. Its from the latter part of eight episode that things really start to get intense. There are time skips as the episodes progress, some are well done and some could have been better paced out. The character development and the acting of the older Princes is too notch. IU’s acting was a bit botchy in the beginning but as the episodes start to get sadder, she seems to have levelled up. It’s in episode 11 that she really shines! And of course, it’s the episode with the umbrella scene which one can watch uncountable times!

The last few episodes promise you constant sadness and angst. What hurts you more is that their happy moments feel momentary and don’t give you any hope. “I came to sit by water. However the clouds had come.” Are the lines told by Wang So to Hae Soo, and it seems to perfectly represent them. They yearn to be together but things don’t quite allow them to be so. Even in their happier moments, there’s a sense of uncertainty.

The drama ends making you wish for a future, not quite promising or leaving you with hope. I can see why fans of this drama are still hung up over it — I’m a part of them now.

From love, greed, politics, bloodshed, well wrapped plot, great character development, layered antagonists, this drama is packed to serve.

Leia Mais

Emotionally driven.

For me, anything with Yoo Ah In is bound to be a masterpiece acting wise, and Secret Love Affair is no different in that scenario. The best thing about this drama was the acting that the leads portrayed. The awakening in form of confusion and happiness when they realise they are meant to be because their music resonates with each other. The yearning and desperation as the episodes progress because it has gotten more than platonic. This drama has some of the most frustrating characters and moments. It sheds a light on classism that exists in South Korea, the abuse of power, corruption in art industry, and solidarity and passion among those who really care and some amazing portrayal of friendships.

This isn’t a drama you can watch with preset morals because there are some things that make you question yourself. You might feel uncomfortable with infidelity but the background and certain relationships make it seem like it’s almost okay. It’s also incredibly slow moving. It’s more emotionally driven than plot driven. If you’re not invested in the main characters, you will want to stop watching it. It’s only in the last four episodes that you see things progressing faster than they did in the earlier episodes. In my opinion it could have been wrapped up in 12 instead of 16.

Leia Mais

Fanservice at its best

Bamboo Forest is a collection of short visual stories wholly lighthearted in nature. A perfect goodbye to the long-form drama. We see our favorites return in their roles and act splendidly in various shenanigans. There's no linear timeline to this - we get to see Kim So Yong before she was assigned as Queen, and though short, we get a look into her character and realise that she does have various similarities with Bong Hwan, perhaps this was the show creator's way to deal with how the drama ended (there was lack of closure after all). So as viewers, we get to convince ourselves that it was only the King's prejudice against that Kim clan that kept him from accepting So Yong. Apart from the King and Queen, we do get to see how life in palace existed behind all the turmoil. Fun, light, humour ingrained (couldn't stop laughing when they decided to go meta with Prince and Byeong's storyline.)

This is a very happy watch, especially if you are sad to say goodbye to the drama or little dissatisfied with the ending.

Leia Mais

Slice of life drama with mutual understanding and growth.

(Minor spoilers.)

Kkondae Intern starts off with quite a tragic first episode, we see a young intern being treat horribly by an older manager — it makes you wonder about the work culture in Korea and if this is actually the norm. However, there’s a quick five year skip and the tables are turned. We now see both the leads in a better capacity and as the drama progresses, their relationship grows from being unable to handle one another to working with and standing for each other. The supporting cast is amazing as well — they help in show the reality of an office dynamic. There is a tense subplot driving the drama, but overall it’s on a humorous take.

You can watch this if you’re not sure what to start then. A decent, almost light hearted drama to get you back into the rush of things.

Leia Mais

Mermaids, con-men, reincarnation plot, lots of humour, angst and more.

The Legend of the Blue Sea was a surprising watch. It too me a while to get to it because the blurb didn’t interest me initially, but after getting onto the Lee Min Ho wagon, I finally got around to watching it. This is definitely the best of his works. One of the things I loved the most was his character — LMH as a con-man with a empathetic heart does really well. His con buddies are a highlight as well. Each of the scenes where they pull elaborate scams with the music in the background where such a delight to watch.

I started watching for LMH, but JJH became a favourite as well. Her portrayal of a mermaid visiting the land for the first time, her shock and innocence at the world, her questions were so adorable. I know that there have been reviews which didn’t find any chemistry between the leads, and I was expecting that, but was so happy because i felt it wasn’t true. Both the leads were perfect together, their acting and romance felt very natural!

As to the rest of the plot, there’s just enough suspense and drama to keep you going. If you are a fan of fantasy, you will love the reincarnation plot and the flashbacks between the past and the present while you try to figure things out along with the ML keep you on the hook. The plot does get a little bit dragged on in the middle, but the cute interactions between the leads and the supporting characters doesn’t make it boring. Overall, it’s a great series to watch between intense realistic dramas.

Leia Mais

You’re the Zombie.

Underrated, extra, hilarious, suspenseful. Zombie Detective is a show that I stumbled upon and I’m so glad that I did. One would assume it to be a serious drama considering it’s written with a Zombie lead, but let me tell you something, it’s anything but that. There are probably many zombie dramas out there, but this is by far the most unique. Mostly because how relatable the Zombie turns out to be. He’s basically us. Has hilarious thoughts which we probably wonder while watching it too. The supporting cast is great as well. The backstory is engaging and keeps you hooked. You might feel a little annoying with the female lead because of how nosy her character is written out to be, but she begins to grow on you as you proceed further. I wish there were more than 12 episodes of this hilarious adventure.

Leia Mais

Recipe for a revenge drama

Slow paced but hooks you right in. One of the things that stand out in this is the way everything has been filmed and introduced, there isn’t much dialogue sometimes but the music and the lighting does a great job. Trigger warning: explicit content in form of violent bullying. Most of first episode is the FL being bullied in her teenage years. It was very difficult to watch this, but it only makes you root for her more in her adult life. The first part closes with eight episodes, but what a good base it sets up for what’s to come next. We see a little of each character and yet we can’t know how each will react to what’s coming for them. There’s a bit of romance angle to it too, but it doesn’t take up a major part of the storyline — there’s just insane chemistry between them!

I’m looking forward to the next part, it would be a long wait.

Leia Mais

Not the best, but watchable.

Strongest delivery man is the kind of drama that you watch when you’re bored of intense shows, something you take as a breather. There are many dramas which cater to such moods, and are easy to drop because there’s nothing happening, but with SDM you stick through the end because it does have some substance. The four main characters cover four different types of personalities — main male lead is an optimistic justice driven independent guy, main female lead is a cynic who wants to get out of Korea because she doesn’t see any hope for growth for people like her, the second male lead is a spoilt brat who is a shame to his conglomerate family with no meaningful purpose and the second female lead is someone from a rich family but who is tired of having her family make decisions for her and yearns for independence. Each of the leads are parallels of each other and it’s fun to watch them grow. The supporting cast is fun too, there were times when I was looking forward to their scenes more than the leads.

Even though there’s lots of things happening, many of them felt a little unrealistic. For example, everything that the ML sets his mind to comes into picture in a matter of few days, it’s not that easy to start a company and I found it unbelievable that he kept hiring people and signing with franchises with next to no benefit simply because of the good of his own heart while sustaining his company. But, it’s a drama that gives hope to youngsters and allows you to dream.

To wrap it up, I would say that this is a simple drama that you can watch when boredom hits you. At times it’s monotonous and predictable but it’s okay. There’s nothing very exceptional about it but it’s comforting in a way.

Leia Mais

Dropping it halfway was probably the best decision of my drama life. I began watching this for two reasons: 1. Webtoon, 2. Song Kang. I wanted to see how the main lead will be portrayed and if I would change my mind because I liked SK. Thankfully no such thing happened but his character was too infuriating. A proper fuckboi through and through. While I had similar experience with the webtoon, the frustration, there was a lot of realism in it. Sadly the drama spectacularly failed to incorporate that towards the end. The only redeeming factor about this drama is probably the OST and some of the supporting characters. The leads are insufferable together. Each of the episodes is painfully long with lots of slow motion shots, I had to take weeks of break because even one week of gap didn’t feel enough. However, the cinematography is pretty cool. I really wish they had landed the ending and stuck to how it plays out. Sometimes your happy ending doesn’t have to involve a guy. Anyway, watch this only when you want to feel angry. This is definitely not worth your time.

Leia Mais

A dating show that doesn’t feel like a dating show

What in the kdrama is this but also feels so organic and refreshing? I haven’t watched many dating shows because they doesn’t usually give, but Transit Love 2 is such a good surprise. From the very first episode, the cast holds your attention and you begin to get curious about them. Their interviews are fun to watch and one thing I love is how interesting their dates are. There’s awkwardness sometimes, of course, but it feels very natural. There were few cast members I ended up cheering for and I’m glad that they found their happy endings. For some others we get to see how they change, and no all words in their interviews show in their actions. So honestly it’s up to the viewer to analyse the subtle behaviours despite the editing to frame the story.

Few things to take away from? Noona love can be cute af without being overbearing, and introverts selectively enjoy doing things with people they like and those don’t will probably never get to see their personalities, it’s easier to be a toxic partner and still be a good friend, toxic traits in relationships are not noticeable when you’re the one in it,

I tried watching the first season after this and it didn’t quite hit the same, I don’t know how the next season will top this. Added an extra star for the final few episodes and the story execution. How massively difficult it must have been to wrap it all up!

Leia Mais

No depth, just vibes

All right, the story begins with such an interesting premise and it’s an intriguing beginning, but unfortunately the initial episodes are the only bit of excitement you might feel as a viewer and the plot makes sense to an extent because after that, it moves based on how hot and sensual each of the characters are. The drama is wholly explicit, which isn’t a problem if there’s a story backing it but it might just be soft erotica with a romanticised version of a serial killer. The cops in this drama have got to be the stupidest team ever — everything done in the plot is motivated by how sexy the characters can be. Of course the acting is spectacular and so much could have been done with a well written story, but we barely get to see anything but their visuals. I did love the music in this drama though, it set the mood and added to the tension which wouldn’t have existed otherwise. Overall a disappointment, you can still give it a watch as it’s only 8 episodes.

Leia Mais

Emotionally breaks you down and heals you

Our Blues is a unique take at slice of life drama. Following an omnibus format, we get 20 episodes with various arcs belonging to the characters of this island community.

The drama covers taboo topics, estranged relationship between a parent and a child, two friends, toxic relationship between siblings, and building up of a new relationship when you’re impacted by trauma. There are lots of triggers too — depression, suicidal thoughts, bullying (abuse.)

Each actor shines in their segment. The OST perfectly compliments the story and the characters in it. Though every arc ends on a feel good note, it doesn’t feel forced. It’s very well done and makes you genuinely feel hopeful about living.

One of the best things about this drama is the disability rep that we have been given. I hope more dramas takes this as an inspiration and make their stories more diverse!

A beautifully, aching drama which will break you down and patch you back up.

Leia Mais

Extraordinary You is so overwhelmingly cute. The best time to watch this is when you’re in need of a serotonin dose. I began watching this because I was missing Rowoon but started to enjoy the FL’s character more. High school dramas can be so cliched but EY does an interesting take on them by parodying the tropes that exist in high school version of dramaland. I loved, loved the self awareness that the characters had in the shadow world and how they were forced to behave on the stage. Dan Oh is such an endearing character with bursts of energy. Her interactions with Haru are the cutest, I also loved the childhood relationship gone bitter/one-sided over the years arc with Baek Kyun. More than the romance, I enjoyed and waiting for the friendship scenes between Dan Oh, Haru and Do Hwa. Do Hwa became such a scene stealer after a point, a character whose observations would leave you laughing.

I didn’t think this drama would be my type, but it was a pleasant surprise. Light hearted, cute romance, bromance, parody level humour and intriguing plot that keeps you wondering what’s next even though it feels like you know it already.

Leia Mais

Yikes, didn’t expect it to be this disturbing

Came across this movie because of LJS, and wanted to see him in a negative role and wow I got ore than what I bargained for. VIP is an unsettling movie that makes you question if this much gore was really necessary. The plot is fairly decent, a little bit confusing in the beginning with respect to the timelines but once you figure out the characters there clarity. The cast does a pretty good job and Lee Jong Suk takes it to another level with his feeling less stares. I appreciated the fact that they didn’t glorify him or his actions which could have easily happened. At various points we get to see him as someone pathetic who deserves to be punished for his sick actions. Overall a decent movie, there’s lots of trigger warnings but (rape, murder, torture) so watch it if you can put up with such heavy content.

Leia Mais