“Kkondae Intern” (꼰대인턴)
If half the things that happened in “Kkondae Intern” occurred at a fraternity hazing, people would be incensed. But it seems to be accepted…at least in K-Dramas…that this is just how workplaces are in South Korea.
Tag: 2.5 stars
“Abyss” (어비스)
The serial killer element of “Abyss” is intriguing and holds your interest, even though it’s clear from the get-go who the murderer is. There is an accomplice. While you won’t be 100 percent sure who that might be, your first guess is probably correct.
“Hi Bye, Mama!” (하이바이, 마마!)
“Hi Bye, Mama” is a testament to mothers, who will sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of their children. This was Kim Tae-Hee’s return to K-Dramas after giving birth to her own two daughters.
“Extracurricular” (인간수업)
“Extracurricular” shows so much promise early on, before meandering into a series of violent vignettes that water down the plot.
“Suits” (슈츠)
The Korean adaptation of “Suits” is an exciting series that shows off Park Hyung-Sik’s acting range and beautifully expressive face.
“My ID Is Gangnam Beauty” (내 아이디는 강남미인)
“My ID is Gangnam Beauty” specifically tackles South Korea’s obsession with physical looks, but the storyline carries over to many cultures, where the standards of beautiful — especially for girls and women — is unrealistic.
“Encounter” (남자친구)
“Encounter” is a treat for the eyes. Besides the obvious attractiveness of lead actors Song Hye-Kyo and Park Bo-Gum, the scenery — especially in Havana, Cuba — is a lush, welcome guest star. Unfortunately, by the time the credits have rolled, I realized that most of the series was much ado about nothing.
“My Lovely Sam-Soon” (내 이름은 김삼순)
Near the end of “My Lovely Sam-Soon,” the titular character has an epiphany: “Even though I liked you, without you, I will live well.” Does she stick to her guns? Or does she relent and allow a man to boomerang back into her life?
“School 2013” (학교 2013)
I watched this series, because I was curious to see how well Lee Jong-Suk acted early on in his career. Answer: He was very good, even in a so-so K-Drama. “School 2013” tackles many serious topics — bullying, suicide, overbearing parents — but if you want to watch a superior film about Korean high school students, opt for “Once Upon a Time in High School.”
“Pinocchio” (피노키오)
I was going to review “Pinocchio” simply as I would any other K-Drama. But I started to write this at the same time that Soon-Yi Previn broke her silence about her relationship with Woody Allen (her husband) and Mia Farrow (her adoptive mother, and Allen’s former long-time girlfriend) — and that affected my take on this Korean drama. Is it wrong for family members who aren’t biologically-related to have a romantic relationship? If you condemn Allen and Previn, can you condone the two lead characters in this series?
“Lawless Lawyer” (무법변호사)
“Lawless Lawyer” is the first Lee Joong-Gi drama that I watched. And I can understand what all the fuss is about. Even in a drama where the plot falls apart several times, he is magnetic on screen.
“Hwarang” (화랑: 더 비기닝)
“You get to decide what kind of King you are going to be.” Don’t remember that line from “Hwarang”? That’s because it’s a quote from the blockbuster film, “Black Panther.” When the newly crowned king, T’challa, worries about how he will rule over his subjects, Nakia tells him, “You cannot let your father’s actions define your life.
“Somehow 18” (어쩌다 18)
Some might say that there is no way that a young man who looks like Choi Min-Ho (of the idol group SHINee) — even if he’s wearing glasses and having a bad-hair day — would be bullied. But what I liked about this casting was that it reinforces the point that no one is immune from being harassed. And no one is immune from being depressed and wanting to end their lives.
“Loving You a Thousand Times” (천만번 사랑해)
The heroine of this Korean drama is the epitome of a long-suffering doormat, whose life would’ve been so much better if she grew a spine and stood up for herself. Instead of being guilted into giving up her hard-earned money — that she had ear-marked for returning to college — to her ungrateful older half-sister, who is “studying” overseas in the United States; or giving up her own body, so that she can pay for her father’s surgery; or letting virtually everyone treat her like a servant … Eun-Nim just swallows her pride and accepts it as her life.
“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo” (역도요정 김복주)
If I were to rate this series, I would give it a 
for the first half. But the second half … wow. It was worth sitting through eight hours of meh to get to the satisfying ending. Bok-Joo is the top female wrestler at her school. In order to give the other women on her team a chance of medaling, her coach asks her to go up a weight class. The 5-foot-9 athlete weights roughly 127 pounds and must go up by about 10 pounds. Bear in mind that by U.S. standards, she would be considered thin. But much is made of the fact that she’s a big, overweight girl.
“Cinderella and Four Knights” (신데렐라와 네 명의 기사)
There are a some really great moments in “Cinderella and Four Knights.” But there was an element that made me uncomfortable. When we meet the female lead, she is not yet 18 and is a few months away from her high school graduation. It’s vague how old the Knights are, but since they are all clearly out of college, I’d guesstimate that they range from mid to late 20’s. Ten years isn’t a big difference when you’re a 30-year-old dating a 40something. But when one half of the duo is 17 … I don’t know. It just detracted from my enjoyment of the series.
“Doctor Crush” (닥터스)
“Doctor Crush” is full of bad characters full of bad intentions: the money-hungry father-son duo trying to take over the hospital; Ji-Hong’s uncle, who steals his inheritance and then dumps him off at an orphanage; Hye-Jung’s father, who abandons her; and even Hye-Jung’s raison d’etre for much of the series: revenge.
“She was Pretty” (그녀는 예뻤다)
If you were given the opportunity to be reunited with your childhood love, would you do it? Hye-Jin jumps at the chance, because she has nothing but good memories of Sung-Joon.
“Dream High” (드림하이)
“Dream High” is one of those series that starts off with a ridiculous premise. But, if you stick with it, you’ll be amused, angered and (at times) deeply touched. Yes, this is a glossy high school musical with a love triangle. But it also deals with child abandonment, sexual assault and the abuse of children by the system set in place to manufacture “idols.” This isn’t just a Korea thing. Think about all the American boy band members who have revealed how they were abused by their predatory management.
“Answer Me 1994” (응답하라 1994)
“Answer Me 1994” aims to leave viewers guessing as to which man Na Jung will marry. But more interesting is the lifelong friendship that these seven college roommates share.