Film Reviews (Index)
Click on the photo or the title to read my reviews. Enjoy!
Year: 2022
“Remarriage & Desires” (블랙의 신부)
“Remarriage & Desires” is a revenge drama that focuses on a woman whose husband is cheating on her. After he asks her for a divorce, he learns that his mistress embezzled money and set him up as the fall guy — and falsely accused him of sexual assault to further incriminate him.
“Alchemy of Souls” (환혼): Season 1
“Alchemy of Souls” revolves around a nobleman who was born a mage, but had his powers taken away from him by his father, who may or may not actually be his father. The secret surrounding his birth runs throughout the series and is a source of contention for Uk, and rightfully so. Everyone deserves to know where they came from and these secrets that supposedly are for the child’s own good rarely are.
Go Away With … Danielle Collins
“Australia reminds me of home,” said tennis player Danielle Collins. “I love the warm weather, beaches and friendly spirits. There’s something incredibly special about the way Australians live. They take their leisure time very seriously and, just like Florida, are obsessive about their water and water sports. The locals are kind, welcoming and made my stay feel like I was right at home.”
“Reborn Rich” (재벌집 막내아들)
Describing “Reborn Rich” is tricky without giving away the ending. Is this K-drama a time-traveling thriller? Or a revenge series with the poor battling the obscenely wealthy? Maybe it’s a tale of repentance? It’s all that and more. Smart and calculated without resorting to tired tropes, “Reborn Rich” offers powerhouse performances by Song Joong-ki (in two roles) and master actor Lee Sung-min (“Misaeng”), who at just 54, convincingly portrays the former’s grandfather.
“Bad and Crazy” (배드 앤 크레이지)
The premise for “Bad and Crazy” had the potential to be a really good crime procedural, where almost everyone is crooked. It stars two really great actors, Lee Dong-wook and Wi Ha-joon. So what made me stop watching? My latest K-drama notes…
“Business Proposal” (사내 맞선)
“Business Proposal” relies on the love contract trope, where a man hires a woman to be his pretend girlfriend. Almost all of the men are drop-dead gorgeous and would have no problem finding a real-life partner. But real relationships also come with real problems that these men don’t want to deal with.
Go Away With … Telvin Griffin
“Every summer growing up, my little brother and I would go to Dallas to spend time with our aunt and uncle,” said “Babylon” actor Telvin Griffin. “They didn’t have kids at the time so in a cool way, they were getting practice with us. We thought it was a whole new world because compared to Texarkana, Dallas was a huge place full of more fun things.”
“Doctor Lawyer” (닥터 로이어)
There are parts of “Doctor Lawyer” that are well done. The plot is intriguing. And this K-drama stars So Ji-sub (one of my faves). So why did I stop watching? The answer is in my quasi review. Let me know if you agree or not!
“Weak Hero Class 1” (약한영웅 Class 1)
Park Ji-hoon is almost unrecognizable from his Wanna One days. Leading this cast, which also includes Choi Hyun-wook (Twenty Five Twenty One) and Hong Kyung (D.P.), Park is so intensely good as a bullied boy who uses classical conditioning (Pavlov’s Dog) and Newton’s Laws of Motions to fight back against his tormentors.
“Behind Every Star” (연예인 매니저로 살아남기)
Based on the French series “Call My Agent,” this K-drama actually reminds me more of the U.S. show “Entourage,” but from the viewpoint of combative entertainment agents. “Behind Every Star” focuses on a team of elite agents whose clients include top stars who need to have their egos stroked on a regular basis
The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022
The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022, according to 79 journalists and pop culture writers … including me! My pick of the year? Jin’s “The Astronaut,” which preceded the BTS member’s military enlistment on Tuesday (December 13).
Go Away With … John Brodeur aka Bird Streets
“The first time I played in Los Angeles, my band and I took a day trip down to Tijuana, which went predictably off the rails.” said John Brodeur aka Bird Streets. “But I should probably save that story for the book.”
Don’t believe the K-dramas: Look to “Return to Seoul” for a more realistic view on Korean adoptees
In the superb “Return to Seoul” – which is Cambodia’s Oscar entry for the Best International Film category – French Cambodian filmmaker Davy Chou (“Golden Slumbers”) takes a look at what it means to be an adoptee who unexpectedly is reunited with her birth parents.
“Under the Queen’s Umbrella” (슈룹)
“Under the Queen’s Umbrella” is my top pick of 2022. If you’re looking for a fantastic series to watch, this sageuk/사극 (or historical drama) is difficult to beat. Kim Hye-soo is magnificent as a queen whose sons’ lives (and her own) are in danger if the Crown Prince dies. She is whip smart and almost always one step ahead of her enemies, who want to destroy her family to elevate their own.
The 11 Best K-Dramas of 2022 to Watch Immediately
The best K-dramas of 2022 were bookended by a pair of brutal teen-centric dramas that premiered at the beginning of the year (“All of Us Are Dead”) and the end (“Weak Hero Class One”). They frame a year of superb Korean dramas, so many that it was difficult to narrow it down to just 11 top picks.
Go Away With … Jaicy Elliot
Most people have nothing nice to say about airline meals, but “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jaicy Elliot loves them. “I know most people hate it,” said the actress. “But I eat healthy all year long, so when I travel I enjoy some heavily-processed airplane food with a twist.”
TV Reviews (Index)
Television reviews, K-Dramas and more! Click on the photo or the title to read my reviews. Enjoy!
“The Golden Spoon” (금수저)
If you could change places with a wealthy acquaintance, with the condition that you have to give your family to do so, would you? That’s the moral question behind “The Golden Spoon,” which stars BtoB’s Yook Sung-jae (“Goblin,” “Mystic Pop-up Bar”).
Go Away With … Jake Horowitz
“I’m pretty sure the first trip my parents took me on was to Niagara Falls,” said “Bones and All” actor Jake Horowitz. “I vaguely remember being on that boat that takes you close to the waterfall. I remember crying into my dad’s shoulder.”