IU - KDramas Best

One of the earlier Kdramas I watched was Scarlet Heart Ryeo and so IU is one of the actresses I am always excited to hear about if she is going to be involved in the projects. I found that also I watched a lot of her dramas. Not all, I think I didn't watch Bel Ami and don't intend to either and few of her minor roles, so I will list down starting from what I think her least best drama to the best.

DREAM HIGH

Plot:-

Anyone who haven't watched it well, I don't really want other people to watch this either but it got Kim Soo Hyun, Suzy and Taecyeon . And I really like Suzy here. What is it about? Its about a bunch of kids who went into this sort of music academy with the intention of becoming top/pop/kpop stars. The leading star of this was the above I mentioned earlier and IU was the supporting actress actually.

Review:-

It is kinda silly sometimes but it does have its moment. Its kinda fun to watch though and the songs are nice to listen to.  Basically I went into it expecting nothing but was entertained, so it was good. Definitely not gonna rewatch this.

How's IU here:-

I think it was her first drama. You can see the awkwardness a bit but she seems mostly natural enough. It doesn't really stretch a lot of her ability though, so she was just OK in this.

Chemistry with her partner:-

Well, she was not there to be against the female lead, but more of a supportive role. She also have her own romantic storyline that is kinda cute and both do well together in a cute a way.

Best work?:-

Considering this is her first acting gig, I say she did fine but I was not blown away.

THE PRODUCERS

Plot:-

Here also is where IU is not in the starring roles but it does highlight more on her acting ability. It again featured Kim Soo Hyun who works in an entertainment dept of a television network and how he navigate working as a newbie there under the supervision of the 2 'sunbaes' Joon Mo ( Cha Tae Hyun) and Ye Jin ( Kong Hyo Jin). And from working there he have to work with the popular singing talent Cindy (IU). 

Review:-

This was actually a pretty good kdrama. It featured 2 very well talented actors who played their characters brilliantly. So Kim Soo Hyun and IU fared well against the 2 stars. It does not featured romance heavily since it is more of a workplace kdrama type. 

How's IU here:-

This is one of the drama that makes me think IU can act pretty good. She was particularly good in all of her scenes that deals with emotions especially. The bitchy part she still have to get that right, as I feel there was not enough oomph going on. (which she did later in Hotel Del Luna). 

Chemistry with her partner:-

She have loads of chemistry with Kim Soo Hyun. They should totally be starring in kdrama together again one day. They don't have anything much together romantically but most of their scenes together are sweet. I stan this upcoming kdrama couple. Make it happened!

Best work?:-

A better work. 

MOON LOVERS : SCARLET HEART RYEO

Plot:-

The female lead (IU) was suddenly propel to Goryeo time in a body of a 16 year old girl. On her time there due to her peculiar ways, she caught the eyes of several princes . Of course there would be princes! 

Review:- 

Aside from the nonsensical plot, it is a really good kdrama where it have the usual palace politic drama and also heavy on the romance. Most of it was IU being the objects of affections. It starred all the hotties of kdrama world and introduced me to Kang Ha Neul and I think he is simply marvellous. Watch it if you like since it is quite fun and dramatic and melo. 

How's IU here:-

I have to say this is not one of her strongest drama. But I think this is the first time she was the lead? She was great in the first half of the drama where she have to be the sweet bubbly girl. But during the second half, where the emotional toll of all this palace drama now taking place I find her less satisfactory. She did not hit the right note of emotional despair and sadness and most of the time look kinda blank. But I can't really blame her since I think she didn't have yet the life and actor experience to carry that. I think she realized that too because she gets miles better afterwards in the later dramas. 

Chemistry with her partner:-

She have good chemistry with all of the cast. To me there's nothing like explosively good, but she manage to have pretty decent chemistry with all of her interests. That is no small feat. 

Best work?:-

No unfortunately. I even think when she was in the Producers, she was better. But this was such a nice kdrama for me to watch, I am fine with that. She was not terrible. 

HOTEL DEL LUNA

Plot:-

IU as Man-Wol is a caretaker of a hotel to the dead. She hired Chan Sung ( Yeo Jin Goo ) as the hotel manager. (malas nak elaborate. This series is hugely popular enough)

Review:-

It was a delightful dark and sometimes formulaic drama. I like the myth surrounding the hotel and the mystery of Man Wol past. All of the casts did splendidly well and it was quite an excellent drama except that it gets too melo sometimes and the ending is a bit meh to me . 

How's IU here:-

She was marvellous as the bitchy vengeful Man Wol. She really pulled of everything about the character quite well , especially the fashion she donned. The last episode leave me a little bit meh because they changed her to a sweeter nature unnaturally though I think it maybe more on the writing rather than the acting, but it feels a bit off to me. 

Chemistry with her partner:-

I know people love her chemistry with Yeo Jin Goo, but I feel it was great in a platonic way. She have pretty good chemistry with Lee Do Hyun though the man from her past. 

Best work?:- 

Not the best, but she is pretty darn good in here. She really is Man Wol and was entertaining to watch. 

MY MISTER

Plot:-

Ji-An is a struggling mid 20s years old working to support her ailing grandmother. Due to her past, she is a tough, morally flawed person who will do anything to survive. She worked as temp where (Lee Sun Kyun) Dong Hun worked as a thankless team lead engineer in a construction company. Dong Hun suddenly received a packet of money and Ji-An stole the money. In a set of circumstances, she ended up giving it back but found out through a series of events that Dong Hun wife is having an affair with Dong Hun boss. She takes advantage on that knowledge. 

Review:-

Writing that plot, makes it feel like I was writing of a JDrama plot. It makes me miss JDrama a bit. 

Anyway my review on this series, it is amazing! It is unlike most kdrama I had ever seen. It felt realistic in a slice of life way and harsh. My heart breaks for Ji An and Dong Hun. The music in this drama is outstanding, every cast is amazing and the life depicted feels achingly true. I feel like this is one of the best kdrama I watched if people can get past the heavy theme of the drama. It is serious, heartbreaking (but never veers to melodramatic), peppered with humours every now and then and feel so true to what you feel in life. 

How's IU here:-

This is after her role from Scarlet Heart, and I was blown away how good she was. She uses her eyes to show how tired, angry and frustrated she was with the world. Her body language is defeated yet defiant. She knows how to hold back and burst through a scene. After this drama, I am a staunch IU fan and will watch whatever she acted on. 

Chemistry with her partner:-

This is not the usual kdrama romance. It doesn't feel much of a romance either. It feels like a love story that you must start within yourself. But she had great interaction with Lee Sun Kyun and I wouldn't even mind if at the end it turned romantic. It seems almost natural. 

Best work:-

Most definitely is. Until I watched another drama/film, I say this is her strongest role and acting so far. Though I haven't watched Persona. That kinda film takes a mood and a determination I don't much have these days. 

Park Bo Young - Bests of

I love Park Bo Young. 

First of all she is so darn cute. Secondly she is the same height like me. So aku jua boleh bajet cute pendek like her!!! ( Ah let me have my fantasy) . 

I can't review all of her drama series since I didn't watch all of her works. Come on. I have my limits. 

So I will review the last 3 she was in... 

I won't go into much details. Just going with the flow here. So here... from worst to best. 

ABYSS

Plot:  
Cha Min ( An Se Ha) and Ko Se-Yeon (PBY) died, and they came back from the dead looking completely different from their old self. There is also the main mystery of the series - which is finding and catching the serial killer who killed Se Yeon.

Review: 
Absolutely a waste of my time. I hate it so much.  I wanna pile on it more but really, it is just not worth it. Just NO.

Was Park Bo Young OK in this?
She absolutely nailed it of course, especially when she have to play dual roles. But that's to be expected. She is a good actress.

Chemistry with the male lead :
Nada. I hate it. I don't know why but I am not feeling it. Maybe the guy damn kayu one? I feel like he is still finding his groove. You know who she had massive chemistry with? Lee Si Un. Yes, he is not that attractive in the usual pretty boy kdrama style, but when they banter with each other I swear I want them to hook up!

Best work? She did her best. But no. Because the script is such a massive pile of *****, nothing is redeeming.


OH MY GHOST

Plot :
Bong Sun ( PBY) who have a timid personality ,can see ghost ever since she was little. Then one day she got possessed by a ghost who is obsessed with sleeping with a guy because the ghost was convinced that she can't move on to the afterlife because she was a virgin. Suddenly the timid Bong Sun changes personality overnight to a brash impulsive girl and goes after the head chef/owner Sun Woo ( Cho Jung Seok). There's also a mystery involving some murders.

Review:
It was good. It changes from fun to dark quite suddenly but it doesn't feel like completely out of the left field. I love all of the actors here actually, they all played well with each other and are so so good at their characters. The transition of Bong Sun coming onto her own frustrated me a little, because I think they should have emphasized on it more so it does seems the romance is a bit  " Really?" . But still a highly recommended watch.

Was PBY great in here? 
Yes. Like I said she played dual roles well, and in here she absolutely shines. I love her more as the brash ghost personality though.

Chemistry with the male lead?
They did ok. It was reasonably romantic but it is also confusing to the male lead and the viewers in where exactly the affection lies with. The ghost or timid Bong Sun. Like I said before, it makes the romance seems off a bit because in my view the real interaction was when Sun Woo was interacting with the ghost. But honestly I think they tried their best there so I am fine with it.

Best work?
She is good here but I feel like there was still something quite lacking.


STRONG WOMAN DO BONG SOON

Plot:

Bong Soon (PBY) was born with a supernatural strength ability. She is ridiculously strong in a superhero way in a cute way, and because of that during her run in with a mob, Min Hyuk (Park Hyung Sik) a CEO of a game company who happened to witness her ability was hopelessly besotted and impressed. Which leads to him offering Bong Soon a job. There's also a mystery involving series of kidnappings. I am seeing a pattern here with PBY

Review: 

It was great fun kdrama. It was funny, Park Bo Young looks like she is having fun with this role and Park Hyung Sik and Ji Soo was also equally charming. The dark mystery kinda spoiled it a bit but it doesn't go really dark all the way, only the last few eps. 

Was PBY great in here? 

She was at her best. She absolutely shines in this role actually. She pouts, sulks, fall in love and kicks ass effortlessly. I really believe she enjoyed every second of it and it showed in her work. 

Chemistry with the lead? 

Hell to the YES! This couple gives me tingling butterflies! Park Hyung Sik could look at anyone so meltingly. Even Ji Soo is so achingly great in his interaction with PBY in this drama. My heart breaks for him a bit. 

Best work? 

Her best drama to date where it was fun and we love seeing her in it. 

Extra:

I had also seen the movie On Her Wedding Day. I think it was a really good sweet poignant movie. A must watch to appreciate Park Bo Young talent fully in a movie where it is less rigid compare to a kdrama. 

Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency

I have a fondness for Gong Seung Yeon and seems to want her to do well, so after watching her acting in Are You Human Too , I was delighted that her new drama will be coming out soon. 

Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency seems to be what they called it as fusion sageuk, where they don't really adhere to the strict segeuk style and stick much to historical accuracy. 

The story is about low class citizens of Joseon Soo and Gae Dong whom are butchers and errand girl who acquired the service of the popular Flower Crew ; a matchmaking service, to get married. But then Soo suddenly became a king and enlisted the help of the Flower Crew to marry his first love. 

The Flower Crew consist of Ma Hoon (Kim Min Jae) who is a perfectionist and know it all, Joon who is a playboy and can tickled information from anywhere and Yong Soo who is a stylish guy who specialized in beauty. 

asianwiki

Review? 

When the trailer first came out people are confused who is exactly the Male Lead, but after the first episode it is apparent it is a story of Gae Tong and Ma Hoon. So I am a bit pleased that it is not about the king but still the story centered on Soo a lot which led to the unstableness of the series. 

The drama kinda totters in between palace intrigues and flower crew shenanigans while it sometimes intersect, it took quite sometime to get the momentum going. And one of the downside of the drama is how it seems to throw the 2 leads into weird situation for no ryhme or reason. I guess they wanted to generate more chemistry but the leads managed it enough that it should not be a forceful meeting. 

It was fun though and the crews and king are beautiful. You can see they enjoyed acting with each other and it shows in their scenes. But it never quite hold my interest or joy especially later on. 

Romancewise?

7/10 . They get it right. Kim Min Jae can have a melting gaze and that little smile. Ooof. Gong Seung Yeon seems to interact well too. They have chemistry but not off the charts, and still cute. 

Acting wise?

I think this is the first Kim Min Jae lead role and he hold himself well. Looking forward on more for his projects. The other actors and actresses are also pretty ok. Nothing rage inducing. Not the best role for Gong Seung Yeon but I think it is more on how she portrayed the character.

The best moment for her was at the last episode and she did wonderfully well that I know why I am fond of her. 

Did it stumble and fall? 

Not exactly, but it never quite fly high either. 

IMPORTANT ASPECT OF KDRAMA ESSENCE :

BOYFRIEND LEVEL:

Pretty good. I am giving it a 7/10. Not perfect but mainly because he is too busy playing saviour instead of boyfriend. Did I mention Kim Min Jae have the most nicest (I meant sexiest ) voice I heard recently. Ehem. 

HEROINE AWESOMENESS: 

6/10 . She is a strong character but not featured well enough and sometimes relegated to the background. It gets annoying when the plot decided to go that way.

SECOND LEAD GAME: 

Strong. I was almost disappointed Soo/The King didn't get his girl. Seo Ji Hoon got the most potent puppy dog eyes and when he was imploring Gae Tong to go with him, I don't think I would have the same resolve. 

Seo Ji Hoon reminded me strongly of Park Bo Gum, and I wish he would have similar success. 

VILLAINERY: 

10/10. I like it. I like it when the villain went all out. Go big or go home I say. 
Last time I saw Park Sa Hoon was his role in My Mister and this role is such a different one that I am delighted on how wonderful his acting is. 

CHEESINESS:

Not so much. Ok enough la. 

Final Verdict...

Recommended? 

Yes if you like sageuk fusion and pretty boys. We don't really go .... "daebak!" when watching though. 

My ID is Gangnam Beauty

 My ID is Gangnam Beauty. I went into it because I was intrigued on a story about a girl who decided to have plastic surgery to make herself pretty before heading into college. In college hoping for a fresh start she was dismayed to find out that someone who used to go to her school are also in the same course. 

From Viki

Review? 

It was pretty good tbh. It tried to get into the Me Too movement but not really getting into it. We only got a shallow depth of it disappointingly which makes the series; instead of a powerful moving story, turns into a pink puff piece which kinda reprimands guys on how they treat women and how women treat themselves. 

Storywise/Did it stumble and fall? 

It never really gets off high to fall mightily. I guess it was ok. A meh for me. I was having problem finishing it because the leads does nothing for me. The high point of the dramas is everyone but the lead. I love the depiction of college life and friendships. 

Romancewise?

The leads are very sweet in a 2 puppies fall in love sorta way. No passion or chemistry that stands out for me. 

Acting wise?

Maybe it was the direction, not sure since I haven't seen the leads in other series before but they irritate me with their bland expressions. The girl always have this stupid surprised look on her face while the boy have this look like he just woke up from a nap. 

BOYFRIEND LEVEL:

4 /10 . No chemistry for the feel and he acted possessive for no rhyme and reason from day 1. A bit of a jerk sometimes to the people around her too. I would have run on the opposite direction. Just throw in some points there for some handsomeness and loyalty. 

HEROINE AWESOMENESS: 

5/10 . She is not considered as a strong character right from the start and the self esteem issue is maddening but understandable. But she can have strong resolve when the occasion calls for it and she comes into her own towards the end in her blank aimless way. So point for that. 

SECOND LEAD GAME: 

4/10. He doesn't stand a chance . He is a great character nonetheless and wished he have a romantic ending that deserved. 

VILLAINERY: 

8/10. The villain of the drama is the biggest pull for my continued watch. I love her story. I love her conniving little self because I understand her so much. She is a little bit like myself and also some girls I know in my high school and college years. I love how the character is written, since she is the one that showed the most layers tbh. 

CHEESINESS:

Not so cheesy, because it all very shy and tame love. This is a plus. 

Final Verdict...

Recommended? 

OK if you like college drama since it factor majorly in here and if you like puppy like romance. 

The old dramas that sizzles and fizzles.

Lets delve into old dramas that are more than 5 years long. I don't particularly like watching old kdramas, but I sometimes get into it if I saw people keep on commenting how awesome that drama is. It is not really helpful because it builds up my expectations, so most of the drama seen were like Meh even if in hindsight it is probably great.

Anyway I will start with the classic sageuk Moon Embracing The Sun.

Which is about a young girl who suppose to marry the king to be met with a terrible fate and ended up almost dead. 8 years later she appeared as a shaman with no recollection of her past and a king who tried to let go of his past love but not succeeding. Great dramas ensues.

Got the pic from Viki.com

Review?
Like many had mentioned before, the drama was setup nicely by the young teen leads. They bring humour and fun and levity towards the story and the role. I don't really like Kim You Jung because I found Love in the Moonlight is a bore, but she is really the star during the 6 -7 eps she is in. I should say a bright moon. And she was just a young actress then. I will give her drama a chance then. All the other young actors were also delightful and the stories moved quickly.

Then after the tragedy and they grow up, everything moves in a snail pace and it was annoying. They could have added more drama in and action, but there is a lot of gazing at the moon or at someone and I found myself doing something else. It speeded up a bit and ended in a stupid manner. Everyone got a happy ending, somewhat. It was meh for me.

I am gonna be SPOILER-ISH so those who are late to the game and plan on watching SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH. So the 2nd lead decided to be a sacrificial lamb and get killed when it was that guard was taking his own sweet time to hurl the obviously heavy weapon when he can just I don't know ask the king to duck or hurl another weapon instead of gazing stupidly at his own death. IT WAS JUST SO STUPID I WAS SO ANGRY.

Sooo

Storywise/ Did it stumble and fall? 
Could have been better. Interesting premise, great start, terrible middle, meh ending.

Romancewise? 
It is okay. I am not on board on the leads chemistry though.

Actingwise? 
Great all around from the young actors.
Kim Soo Hyun and Jung Il Woo was amazing. I wish Kim Soo Hyun cried a little less. Get a grip ffs, you are a king.
The terrible was Han Ga In. Someone commented she was a decent actress but cannot act in sageuk. I still don't know enough why sageuk acting is hard, but Han Ga In was a bad choice. She got no chemistry with Kim Soo Hyun and she have very little expressions.

Boyfriend Level? 
Every 14 years old would love that prince to be. But older king have so much hurdle. I gave out paltry 4/10 and even less if I am not a little in love with Kim Soo Hyun.

Heroine Awesomeness?
Big nope, since majority of the drama is the older heroine so I have to say she starts out ok and then just drips. Whoever direct the older actress to be so goddamn passive is also to blame, because it is unfair to just blame her.  I particularly hate she is being dragged around by the wrist every few eps.

Second Lead Game? 
Decent effort but it was hampered by how drippy the main heroine was.

Villainery:
Pretty great I have to say . 10/10!
The villain met with his justice too swiftly.

Cheesiness: 
They tried. I rolled my eyes a lot.

Final Verdict...

Recommended? 
Ehhh.... But Don't take my word for it since everyone seems to love it so you may have a different opinion.

Are You Human Too

A story of an android developed by Dr Oh who missed his son ( the enigmatic Seo Kang Joon) who was taken away from her.

The android was asked to impersonate his son who were involved in an accident and got into a coma.  A personal bodyguard (Gong Seung Yeon) was also hired to guard the son/android.

Review.

An interesting premise exploring relationships between humans and robots/AI.


Goddamn I had wrote a long ass review and blogger didn't save it. I wanna cry.

I will now wrote a short review because nobody is paying for this content.

Storywise? 
Almost great, almost had it if not for the motives of several characters.

Romancewise? 
Setup nicely and almost organically even for a human and non human romance. The leads have great chemistry.

Acting wise? 
Gong Seung Yeon was good as usual. Not her best drama though. Seo Kang Joon is a revelation. I will now be in a lookout for him. He manage to play 2 different characters while playacting as another character convincingly, subtly and effectively. Everything from the tone of his voice, facial expressions and body posture are being done amazingly well. I am now a fan.

Almost non human that look. 

Did it stumble and fall? 
Typical of kdramas where it always start off strong and then become tepid or just incredibly bad towards the end. This drama is the norm, where it started out strong then became a tad bit erratic but manage to pull back in the last few eps. But the last eps was wrapped up too quickly. It is not bad though, but it could be better.

IMPORTANT ASPECT OF KDRAMA ESSENCE :

BOYFRIEND LEVEL:
OFF THE CHARTS. 9.9/10 . 0.1 off for not being an actual human.

HEROINE AWESOMENESS: 
6/10 . Start out strong then becomes tepid towards the end. Such a disservice to an initial strong character.

SECOND LEAD GAME: 
N/A .

VILLAINERY: 
5/10. Too moustache twirly sometimes and few characters motives are vague and annoying and unnecessary. The weakest part of this drama tbh.

CHEESINESS:
Cheesy all around but leads pulled it off.

Final Verdict...

Recommended? 
Yes if you can get past human and machine romance.