Tag: 3 stars

“Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon” (힘쎈여자 도봉순)

Jae-Ha Kim

“Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon” came out around the same time as “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo.” And that was one reason why I waited so long to watch it. While the latter was a cute drama, it wasn’t great. “Strong Woman” is a wonderful series that started off with so much potential. The first few episodes were so great that I thought I might be awarding it four stars. But I ended up docking it a point, because of the cringe-inducing way it treated gays.

“BTS: Burn the Stage”: Episode 6

Jae-Ha Kim

The men in BTS are still so young. But I get the impression that they are not oblivious to the passage of time. They know the half life of a musician’s career isn’t forever. Far from it. And while a part of me feels sad that they had to grow up so fast in the music business, the other part is grateful that they appear to be making plans for the future, even as they are enjoying what they have today.

“BTS: Burn the Stage”: Episode 5

Jae-Ha Kim

I was delighted that Chicago was so beautifully prominent in this episode. Late one night back at their hotel, they’re trying to figure out how to perform on a tiny stage for their first U.S. television appearance. I used to do a little work for JBTV way back when, and I can tell you that the stage is tiny. It’s fine for most of the bands that pass through Chicago. But most bands aren’t BTS.

“BTS: Burn the Stage”: Episode 4

Jae-Ha Kim

The argument between two members of BTS was hyped up as being a shocking revelation in the previews. But for anyone who has a sibling — or who has ever been in a serious relationship — speaking the uncomfortable truth is par for the course. Arguments often aren’t about what you’re addressing at the time, but rather all the little things that have built up to make you reach that boiling point. What was more interesting to me was watching Jin and V dig to the bottom of the real issue: respect.

“Call Me Mother” (마더)

Jae-Ha Kim

A common element running throughout the plot is that you are not a “real” child if you don’t share your parents’ DNA. One of the central characters views herself as superior to her adopted sister, because … adoption. The emphasis on a family’s pure bloodline is still in effect today in Korea. And though more adoptive families are telling their children about their adoption stories, many still let their kids assume they are biologically related to their adoptive parents.

“Fight for My Way” (쌈 마이웨이)

Jae-Ha Kim

One of the things I enjoy about Korean dramas is that many tend to focus of the main characters’ childhood friendships and how that camaraderie evolves into their adulthood. Such is the case here, where four friends grow up with each other and, eventually, end up falling in and out of love with each other.

“Boys Over Flowers” (꽃보다 남자)

Jae-Ha Kim

I had a difficult time reconciling myself with the fact that I enjoyed “Boys Over Flowers,” while being disgusted that the showrunners never addressed how cruel the main characters were to kids outside of their circle.

“Ode to My Father” (국제시장)

Jae-Ha Kim

In a review that ran in the New York Times, film critic Jeannette Catsoulis gave “Ode to My Father” a big thumbs down for being “syrupy” and for having “packaged pain … likely to leave Western audiences cold.” While there is no doubt that director Yoo Je-Kyoon would’ve loved for American audiences to embrace his movie, it’s also undeniable that this film was not made with Western moviegoers in mind. It was made for Koreans.

“Running Man (런닝맨)”

Jae-Ha Kim

The combination of slapstick humor and witty banter makes “Running Man” a fun viewing experience, even for those who don’t understand Korean. For instance, there is a recurring game where participants will stand in front of mike stands that are rigged to blast air in their faces if they answer incorrectly. My son, now 8, has no comprehension of what’s being asked, but he will search these episodes out to laugh at the slo-motion expressions on the cast members faces when they are “punished.”