First Impression: Reply 1994

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Expectation: Upon the mention of Go Ara starring, I became scared of the outcome whether it would be satisfactory or a complete letdown from the previous offering. Furthermore, I don't think this would live up to Reply Me 1997. So this drama is off to a negative impression for me. "But who cares?" whispered this show.

Episode 1: Is that Go Ara I'm seeing because first of all, I can't believe how much she's transformed from her looks, and down to the acting department. Wow I can't believe she could deliver those lines naturally. Well, she's still not the best actress for me but if I don't associate her from her other works, I think I could look at her on a different perspective so I wouldn't be this surprised with a bit of amusement. Lol. But yeah, she's improved or pretty much has worked hard for it. So I really appreciate her transformation.

Boy, this drama didn't fail me with cinematography which reminds me that it's the same set of crew that has worked in Reply 1997. They are as expert, or have even improved than the last time. I love the inserts of the city view during the beginning of the episode which exactly made me giddy I could jump up and down my seat. Grin.

Then of course I'm introduced to new faces that I would learn more in character as the show goes by. And my most anticipated character is 'Oppa' (Jung Woo) because he's so funny but more than anything, 'Who is he and why is he a good actor? Have I missed anything brilliant in the past that I'm only seeing him now?"

Well, he's not the best looking guy from the group but he has the appeal, you know. And he's hilarious as well so who wouldn't fall for him? Too bad, he's an oppa. He can't possibly be the husband, right?

Reaction Post: The Heirs Episodes 3 - 6

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Episode 3: I've expected way better than it was but I've forgiven them for its shortcomings because it's still too early to judge. One thing I noticed though - they are extending the family problem way too much that it has already become a melodrama  I'm complaining, more than you could imagine.

Episode 4: I'm throwing tantrums already but as you can see, I'm watching it for the sake of giving this drama multiple chances to redeem itself from the humiliation of the cringe worthy moments which they are full of. I assume, the oldies were paid higher than the kids because they have occupied the screen time longer than our high schoolers. They are way too overrated for the task, wish they hired non-existent dramatic parents and they would cut the irrelevant scenes off. In other words, cut the drama off if you can't execute it well.

Awkward scenes are excessive and the transition is all over the place.

Episode 5: Thank goodness Lee Min Ho never age with acting. He's still fresh and in character despite of the element of eccentric value of him and Park Shin Hye in this show. I just remembered how amazing he is to be in character always, and in return the character of Kim Tan fits him well. In contrary, Park Shin Hye has become so dull in my eyes that I'm not disrespecting her skills but I'm having issues with her character. I think, Cha Eun Sang is the most un-character-like for Park Shin Hye. I love the actress, I question the character. Seriously? As much as Eun Sang is complaining of her situation, double that for me. I just cannot handle it all at once. The drama is sacrificing the image of hers to fit in to what the drama or the writer wanted. They should have studied Cha Eun Sang as a character thoroughly, and the actress living that character instead of what not. I am in dismay with everything she's getting. Why does she has to submit to what you order her to do? It would be easier to dictate a robot than a person you know. Give the girl a break, she won't possibly deliver without the help of the much needed extra effort of the writer, stylist and the editing staff. Same thing goes with every actor in the series.

First Impression: Medical Top Team

Expectation: Kwon Sang Woo, Jung Ryeo Won, Joo Ji Hoon, and Choi Min Ho (SHINee) joining this league of awesome casts. Aside from them, I didn’t know much about the story other than the expected that is to set place most probably amongst medical professionals and all that kind of environment. I’m not sure about the writers or the production team of this drama as well, so there’s nothing that is helping me or to give me confidence of what to anticipate regarding that aspect. I didn’t even thought of watching this, at first but because I wanted to take a risk, probably because The Heirs is taking over the kdrama-verse now where the expectation is above the clouds, I needed a setback from all the hype. In other words, I needed you to be classy and to stand out.

In all fairness to Heirs though, I don’t even expect a quality story from them, all I want is for the actors to deliver and them to provide me entertainment. Hee :D

So, what was it all about? I’m curious as well.

First Impression: Boy, I thought the cinematography in Heirs was glorious already but upon seeing this one, I would have to give it to them. Well, I loved how rich they are with colors which I never expected, and blame it to my assumption that this will go through the serious tone and manner. The camera angles are sharp and I was really impressed at how they are able to sensationalize the scenes shot on the operating room. I knew that they are a bit of an exaggerated illustration though because in real life, we don’t get to hear doctors voicing their genius mind before an operation and all that kind of act. Most of the time, they are just relaxing and even playing music while the operation is going on. It may not look realistic to me, but boy I am impressed by the camera work and the editing of the finished product. Oh and by the way, in appreciation to the actors as well, Joo Ji Hoon has not forgotten his skills I could cry. He’s still part of this industry as I felt and as proved by his comeback on the small screen.

First Impression: The Heirs

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Expectation: I didn't expect a lot to make space for disappointment if there would be any. However, I had high hopes that it will deliver just enough to keep me looking forward. Since I took a peek at some of the filmed scenes in LA and I would have to thank those who took fancams of them, I already had an idea of what were going to take place right in their location but of course the sequence of events and the script are the things that I would have to watch. As I observed the atmosphere, I wasn't impressed of the casual outfits of our leads during the film, hence I found myself a bit unconvinced with the style that they were sporting in California. BUT I understood in the end, really because they focused on filming the scenes that comprises surfing, Park Shin Hye crying and Lee Min Ho being topless while taking a shower by the beach. So if we were to call them spoilers, I have known them beforehand. Adding to that, I've seen a 14 minute long preview of it and unfortunately, it didn't make a good impression on me and it made me build my doubts in the series. Regardless of all these things, I was excited because finally, this much awaited series is now available so let's take a look at what they got.

Episode 1: The sequence was a bit here and there but the biggest problem that this drama would have to face is that on how to give everybody (the actors and idols) who were part in the snapshot of character, that much deserved airtime without compromising the story. I'm almost familiar with half of that faces that appeared so far but it took me a while to tell myself that it is too much to handle. Seriously. It might even cause complaints from each and everyone's fanbases if in case that one character would be left unleashed fully. Though, I am still awestruck at the thought of how they were able to convince these people to join in the club. I mean, I myself didn't even had enough of Lee Min Ho but then I wanted more of Woo Bin, Choi Jin Hyuk, Park Hyung Shik and Min Hyuk as well. So woah, how do we squeeze in everyone in a composite screen so that there would be less headache of their exposure? I was even complaining already because Hyuk Shik didn't make an appearance for this episode and that means, I would have to ready myself to a higher probability of not having enough of him in this drama. Well, I came prepared but I'm a hopeful individual by nature so join me in crossing my fingers and in sending my well wishes to the writer and in the production team to make our impossible dream possible. Let everybody be satisfied and happy, I beg you.

Review: Petal Dance

In a Nutshell: A soul searching journey of four friends but not quite which was set through traveling in the direction of where the wind is headed.

Summary: The story started with Haraki (Shiori Kutsuna) as a university student who has a part time job and whose character was mostly comprehended by its background. The first scene was with a boyfriend namely Kawada (Shunsuke Kazama), whom along the way didn't have much significance in the story. They also showed the side of her life with her job and few noticeable interactions to a co-worker, a senior (Mariko Goto) who eventually bid goodbye after the boutique where they both worked with closed down. However, the most relevant event that inspired her soul searching is when she developed her curiosity towards the whereabouts of an old friend who suddenly disappeared without prior notice, as she learned that all along, the friend attempted to commit suicide. Hence, she wanted to know what compelled her to hurt herself and she wanted to meet her again whether or not she's alive.

The next introduction is with Motoko (Sakura Ando) who's first scene was through the reunion with an ex-husband Naoto (Masanobu Ando) – and  she asked him to lend them a car to borrow for a trip together with her friend Jinko to visit Miki (Kazue Fukiishi), a classmate from the university who was admitted in rehabilitation because of attempted suicide.

In Haraki’s decision to search for Kyoko (Hanae Kan), she happened to meet Jinko (Aoi Miyazaki) in a library where she borrowed a book on the topic of suicide. Then they came across each other again at the train station. However, Haraki was misunderstood by Jinko when she saw her swaying from back to front repeatedly like that of the starting position for a jump. Thus, thinking of what she might do to herself, she ran up to her and dragged her to the ground to stop her. Because of the event, Jinko injured her fingers and in return, as apologetic as she felt towards Jinko, Haraki accompanied her to the clinic. After that, they exchanged some friendly words while during the conversation, they talked about where are going after. Jinko mentioned about meeting a friend, borrowing a car, and not close to necessary, they needed a driver. After a moment, Haraki volunteered herself because she has so much free time in her hands.

This is where the trip of them together started. They traveled by land, with the objective to meet a friend whom Motoko and Jinko both knew from the university. Both are casually talking about her, saying things like they would never know what to say to make her feel better or to make the situation easier for her to manage. Following these ideas, they are also troubled by thoughts of what could have been done to prevent this moment from happening. Meanwhile, Haraki was driving and consciously listening to the conversation between the two while she has the thought of her friend in her mind. While on the road, the concept of the wind appeared in the conversation, and Haraki could somewhat relate to what the two are feeling because of too much familiarity with the situation. However, she didn't relate her situation to them. There she remembered a moment wherein Kyoko shared to Haraki that when you wish for something and let the wind carry it to its direction, it will come true. Hence, the same thought processes are unconsciously occurring amongst them.

Arriving to the place, they met Miki after so long. The moment was a mixed feeling of awkwardness and longing for one another. Anyhow, they realized that they must create something out of the position they are into. This included Miki bringing them to the places where she'd want them to be with. Then the next day, they exactly did what was planned.

I think that from this moment on, it would be better to anticipate of what's going to happen afterwards.

Review: South Bound (2013)

H

Rating: Highly Recommended

South Bound is a Korean adaptation to a novel originally written by the Japanese author, Hideo Okuda. In Japan, the said novel was also published through a film with the same title that was released in 2007.

Synopsis: It is about a film director whose works are inspired by his nature to question what the society dictates. For this reason, it provides him the concept of indifference from everything that is being sold by the media and the society to him. Through his own beliefs and efforts, he chose to live in Deul Island that was passed on to him by his ancestors. The said island serves as a prospect for economic growth and development to some politicians by building hotel and resort at the vicinity. However, as determined as Choi Hae-Kab (Kim Yun-Seok) is to fight for his ownership in the said island, he put all of his power and strength to protect the natural habitat of the people living in the area.

Commentaries:

I came across this movie in an accident and I was so happy, almost felt like finding a treasure without even hunting for it. Anyway, this film has uplifted my day in so many ways that later on, I will try to enumerate them. As you know, I'm not a picky watcher, so for as long as you've something interesting and new to offer, you've got high potential for my liking. I was really glad, I made it to this movie.

The movie is inspirational and insightful, most especially to me who has a very different take on everything that happens in my day to day life: from the moment I wake up till the time I say my prayers in my sleep. So in between these moments, there are handful of events that occur: some are happy and some are sad. And sometimes, when we focus on the things that are out of our own perspectives, we lose sight of our individual judgment. 

Review: Psychic

In a Nutshell: A science fiction drama about two extraordinary individuals. One  is characterized by the power to manipulate others through his monster-like eyeballs while the other has the ability to counteract such beguiling power through his mind.

Commentaries:

I watched this movie starring Go Soo and Kang Dong Won to familiar myself more on their works. Both are promising and established actors in Korea that makes this movie deserving to be watched by everyone most especially to someone like myself who's into kdramas. I thought that the genre was interesting as well to be seen so when I came across the opportunity of watching it, I grabbed it with full of anticipation.

The movie caught my attention at this line: "It's not my fault to be born like this. The fact that I'm different from others, you people will never understand. I, too, do not wish to mingle amongst you" which defined Kang Dong Won's character in the film. Aside from that, the mystery surrounding his birth really was the topic I was looking forward to be answered.

Review: Rich Man, Poor Woman

In a Nutshell:

A rom-com series that is poised to tackle the more important issues in the story such as the friendship between two individuals who are both inclined of the same interest in the business world. This humanistic drama will take us a ride of emotion through the good memories and bad times.

Commentaries:

The story was a pleasant surprise. It's because the title is deceiving me of what I should expect from it though it was expected from j-doramas already that they would never fail to exceed assumptions. I finished the series proudly for 3 days while I'm busy. It's a big thing for me since I've always felt productive after finishing a drama that I was curious about but never really got me interested until 3 days ago.

This drama is a heartfelt story of friendship. But if you are looking forward to the romantic side of the story, then you will not be deprived of it either. As for me, I was satisfied in both aspects.