Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“Move to Heaven” is a beautiful and at times brutal series that tells so many touching stories. One of the most important aspects was in how the series showed respect for the dead, even when the supposed loved ones of the deceased don’t seem to care.
“The worst vacations are the ones where they’re so packed full of excursions and things to do that you need to book a recovery vacation after your first vacation,” according to “The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals” host Megan Batoon.
For septuagenarian Shim Deok-Chul, his unfulfilled dream is ballet. As a child, he had wanted to take lessons, but his father stopped him. There was the lack of money. But there was (and still is) also the prejudice against men who participated in the artform. For many close-minded people who fear the unknown, dancing isn’t a masculine hobby to take up.
“Love Alarm” was one of the first Netflix series that split a K-Drama into two seasons. They need to stop doing that. This second season is a disappointing mess.
“Tomorrow, With You” has so many wonderful elements — especially the adorable chemistry between the two leads. But the frustrating part was watching just about everyone in the series keep integral secrets from each other in an attempt to change — and protect — their future.
“Sweet Home” has some incredible highs. But unlike “Kingdom” or “Uncanny Counter,” where action supplements the storyline, “Sweet Home” has too much mediocre filler to make it a truly great K-drama.
Most of the characters in “Lovestruck in the City” would’ve benefited with some therapy to work things through and move on from unhealthy relationships that should’ve been severed early on.
Like “Train to Busan,” “Kingdom” was released well before the coronavirus outbreak cause pandemonium worldwide. Both are sociopolitical projects disguised as zombie horror thrillers, where those in power don’t try to prevent the outbreak, so much as they try to stop news of the outbreak from being released. The public’s ignorance suits their own needs.
There are several subplots percolating in “Run On,” but the most interesting was the bullying, especially in light of the accusations of real-life bullying scandals surrounding idols and actors. This K-drama offers a perspective that bullying is a part of Korean hierarchy, and those with wealthy and powerful parents won’t be punished. Those who are poor and powerless won’t get justice.
While “To All the Boys” author Jenny Han may have no desire to write a fourth book in this series, wouldn’t it be fun if Kitty got a spinoff? She could move to Seoul to become a K-pop trainee, learn Korean, and reunite with her crush Dae (Jeon Ho-Young). TATB doesn’t have to end with Lara Jean and Peter. With a little bit of tweaking, it can go on always and forever.
Well written and terrifically acted, “The Uncanny Counter” is suspenseful and heartwarming. And in a rarity for Korean dramas, there is no second lead syndrome romance to mess with the plot.
“I had planned to go to a wedding in Jamaica after completing all the work on ‘A New York Christmas Wedding,'” said Otoja Abit. “That was going to be a much-needed vacation. And also all the film festivals – Miami, Martha’s Vineyard, North Carolina, Wichita, Kansas! I missed a lot of opportunities to see our film play on a big screen with local audiences.”
Former Girls’ Generation member Jessica Jung tackles the world of K-pop in her Young Adult novel, “Shine.” “I took a lot of inspiration from what it was like for me,” says Jung. “I wanted it to be entertaining and authentic at the same time, so there’s a balance of real details and escapist fictional elements.”
What “Misaeng” does so very well is that it depicts how difficult life can be when everything is stacked against you, and you begin to believe that you don’t deserve more than the scraps people are willing to throw at you.
The masterminds behind the superb “Reply” anthology produced another hit series with “Hospital Playlist,” centering around a quintet of long-time friends who are all doctors for the same prestigious hospital.
“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” shows so much promise early on, before meandering into a series of violent vignettes that water down the plot.
A couple months after the series finale aired, I still find myself missing the characters in the superb K-Drama, “Crash Landing on You.”
What “My Holo Love” gets across is that people are lonely and long for human companionship.
“Itaewon Class” is one of those rare K-Dramas where I disliked both female leads for different reasons. But it just goes to show that a good series doesn’t need a loveline to hold the viewer’s interest.