Chinese Drama: Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos 浮世双娇传

Year Released

2020

Genre

Historical Fiction

No. of Episodes

40 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Aarif Rahman, Meng Ziyi, Li Yitong, Wang Zhuocheng

Storyline

Rumour has is that whoever marries daughters of Fu family will become the Emperor. The two sisters, Fu Yuzhan (Meng Ziyi) and Fu Jinzhan (Li Yitong) happens to get involved in a task set up by Emperor but this is actually to get rid of one of the sisters.

Prince Xue Rong (Aarif Rahman) is in charge of this task and leaves with no choice but to kill Yuzhan. Using her wits, Yuzhan manages to save herself. Xue Rong eventually falls in love with her and decides to marry her.

However, as Xue Rong is an adopted prince, he faces multiple obstacles from Emperor's sister as she only acknowledges the Xue's family bloodline. Due to an incident, he ends up marrying Jinzhan instead. Jinzhan is already in love with Jiang Shao (Wang Zhuocheng) who she meets up by accident when he tries to kidnap her during Emperor's task.

Little did anyone know except for the Emperor's sister, Jiang Shao is the Emperor's illegitimate son whom she wants to help him to ascend the throne. 

My View

The story is not too bad though in between a little slow but still okay. It should not be two sisters in chaos as I don't see them causing much trouble other than the two "princes". The ending was kind of sad by the way.  

Rating

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: You Are My Glory 你是我的荣耀

  

 

Year Released

2021

Genre

Romance

No. of Episodes

32 - running time of 35 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Yang, Dilraba Dilmurat

Storyline

Qiao Jingjing (Dilraba Dilmurat) had a crush on Yu Tu (Yang Yang) during their high school days but was rejected. Fast forward years later when Jingjing becomes a famous celebrity and needs a professional help in gaming as part of her job. She still keeps in contact with Yu Tu online but under another identity.

 

Yu Tu is having a difficult period in deciding if he is to quit as an aerospace engineer as his job does not pay him well. He is unable to afford medical assistance to his parents and feels guilty about it. He meets Jingjing while he is on a break away from his job and ends up being her teacher in gaming.

 

After Yu Tu gets to know Jingjing more, he decides to pursue her. Their relationship has obstacles due to the nature of their jobs.

 

My View

 

The plot is a simple and romantic one but because I'm someone who prefer ups and downs in a drama so I have to rate two stars. Really nothing much as compared to Love O2O 微微一笑很倾城. 

When I heard from a friend that on the day the episode of their wedding scene, the whole Tencent crashed I suddenly feel like ?? LOL!

 

2/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Listening Snow Tower 听雪楼

Year Released

2019

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

56 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Qin Junjie, Yuan Bingyan, Han Chengyu, Yuan Lilin

Storyline

Shu Jingrong's (Yuan Bingyan) father was 'Blood Demon' who killed a lot of villians especially those from Bai Yue Sect. After her father was murdered by Hua Lian, leader of Bai Yue Sect, she is saved by Xiao Shishui, Listening Snow Tower's leader. She was then sent to Sand Valley as Bai Di's disciple and named as Qing Ming. She has another two elder brothers under Bai Di, Qing Lan (Han Chengyu) and Qing Yu (Zhao Dongze).

Once out on a task to protect the Crown Prince, Qing Lan meets Ye Huo (Yuan Lilin) and she was injured by Bai Yue Sect's poison. Qing Lan brings her back to Sand Valley not knowing that Ye Huo is actually Ming He undercover from Bai Yue Sect. She is also the daughter of Sect leader.

Qing Lan sacrifices his life to save Qing Yu and Qing Ming during Sand Valley's attack and they both end up staying at Listening Snow Tower. After the leader was killed by Hua Lian, his son Xiao Yiqing (Qin Junjie) takes over the sect. He vows to take down Bai Yue together with Qing Ming and the rest of Listening Snow Tower.

My View

There is a spoiler where I'm skipping here and all I can say is the storyline is not too bad at some point. But most of them are so draggy and I literally fast forward most of the episodes. Why the need for side tracks? Why 56 episodes and not like 24? The two main leads are like getting sick, getting injured, saved each other, almost died and recovered a little and injured again then sick again. Over and over this cyle repeats itself. 

The scriptwriters seriously what is wrong with you guys??

Rating

1/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Sword Snow Stride 雪中悍刀行

Year Released

2021 - 2022

Genre

Action, Historical Fiction

No. of Episodes

38 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhang Ruoyun, Li Gengxi, Hu Jun, Qiu Xinzhi

Storyline

King of Northen Liang, Xu Xiao (Hu Jun) is feared by all epecially the Royals in Liyang City. In order for his son, Xu Fengnian (Zhang Ruoyun) to take over him and his 350,000 army, Xu Xiao manipulates everyone to be Fengnian's supporter.

Fengnian vows to choose a different way instead of following Xu Xiao's plans. Fengnian believes there is a best of both worlds path which he could take. That is to be in charge of Northern Liang and also to keep Jiang Ni (Li Gengxi) by his side despite her identity.

Fengnian learns swordsmanship from God of Sword Li Chungang (Qiu Xinzhi) throughout his journey to Wu Di City. Along the way, he meets up with various high skilled fighters and improves himself.

In the end, Fengnian manages to avenge his mother's death by killing one of her murderers.

My View

I have not watched such an awesome wuxia drama in a long time. I kind of enjoy watching anything with Wang Juan's as the scriptwriter as he introduces a million characters which keeps the story confusing but intriguing at the same time. Two thumbs up!

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Novoland: Pearl Eclipse 斛珠夫人

Year Released

2021

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

48 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Mi, Chen Weiting

Storyline

Ye Haishi's village was destroyed by corrupted officials though the villagers had risked their lives to retrieve pearls (from mermaid's tears) to be submitted to the Emperor. Fang Jianming (Chen Weiting) happens to save Haishi's life and makes her his disciple and renames her as Fang Haishi.

Over the years, the master and disciple grow fond of each other but Jianming often pushes Haishi away. This was due to his short lifespan by being Di Xu's (Xu Kaicheng) Baixi. The Liushang Fang's clan has a special bloodline where they can exchange the pain with another person after performing Baixi. 

This was how Emperor Xu was able to escape multiple injuries or deaths but all taken in by Jianming. Jianming was eventually let go of all these worries by ending his Baixi. His injuries over the years also being cured by drinking mermaid's blood with the help of Haishi.

My View

Pearl Eclipse has a pretty good story flows, no draggy scenes and only showing what are needed from the audience. I seriously like the ending whether it is good or bad because it kind of makes sense in that situation. 

Second leads Emperor Xu and Ti Lan Princess are a sad couple but I guess they were at least there for each other during difficut times.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Joy of Life 庆余年

Year Released

2019 - 2020

Genre 

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

46 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhang Ruoyun, Chen Daoming, Wu Gan, Xiao Zhan

Storyline

The entire plot is about a university student who writes a story about Fan Xian (Zhang Ruoyun) who has memory from the modern world though living in an ancient era. Fan Xian is constantly being assasinated starting from his birthplace Danzhou till when he reaches the Capital. 

His has the support from Emperor of Qing (Chen Daoming), Chen Pingping (Wu Gang) and his bodyguard, Wu Zhu. Fan Xian finds out the true identity of his mother, Ye Qingmei when he opens up a mysterious box which was left by her after death.

Fan Xian gets to know more about his mother when he escorts Xiao'en (Yu Rongguang) back to Beiqi. Little did he know, Xiao'en (under the manipulation from Pingping) mistakes Fan Xian as his grandson and shares with him the entire encounter years ago with Ye Qingmei. 

After rescuing hostage Yan Bingyun (Xiao Zhan) from Beiqi, Fan Xian begins his journey back to Qing but will be faced with multiple challenges.

My View

The whole drama is full of characters and almost everyone is a grand master in martial arts. Plot is extremely confusing yet intriguing. You need to follow every scene to understand and connect the story. I'mvery curious who is Chen Pingping's bodyguard "Shawdow". The ciffhanger is really my god... I was left in awe. Part two please start soon!

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Legend of Hao Lan 皓镧传

Year Released

2019

Genre

Historical Fiction

No. of Episodes

62 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Wu Jinyan, Nie Yuan, Mao Zijun

Storyline 

Plot depicts the life of Hao Lan (Wu Jinyan), Queen Dowager Zhao who is mother of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Hao Lan comes from the State of Zhao and is entangled with merchant Lu Buwei (Nie Yuan). She is later being presented to Ying Yiren (Mao Zijun) who is a Qin prince under hostage at Zhao.

With the help of Buwei, Yiren manages to escape back to Qin and later changes name to Zichu. Once Zichu becomes Qin's crown prince, he arranges for Hao Lan to leave Zhao for Qin to become his Empress. 

My View

For the first probably 20 episodes, it's all about Hao Lan being schemed and how she managed to clear her name. In between, also multiple love hate scenes of Princess Ya of Zhao (Hai Lin) and Yiren. I feel so sad for Hao Lan as no one truly loves her in her whole life except for Lao Ai I guess (Zhu Jian).

Most of her men may have loved her at first but in the end abandoned Hao Lan for their own prospects. Like Lu Buwei, Prince Jiao of Zhao (Hong Yao) and finally Yiren who dreams to unite the world.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Ancient Love Poetry 千古玦尘

Year Released

2021

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

49 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Xu Kai, Zhou Dongyu, Liu Xueyi

Storyline

There are only four true gods in the God's Realm and they are Bai Jue (Xu Kai), Shang Gu (Zhou Dongyu), Zhi Yang (Li Zefeng) and Tian Qi (Liu Xueyi). Borned to be the Chief of God, Shang Gu needs to master the power of chaos. Under the guidance of Bai Jue and the former Chief of God (who turned evil), Xuan Yi (Zhang Xiaochen), she managed to become one.

However, Shang Gu has to go through tribulation and sacrifice her life as this is her mission. Tian Qi happens to know about this secret and made a decision which costs him his life. After Shang Gu died from tribulation, Xuan Yi attacks God's Realm. Zhi Yang and the rest of the immortals gave their lives away too to kill Xuan Yi.

My View

As this drama is just too good, I have skipped out lots of detail and also second half of the storyline. You need to watch it yourself to enjoy every single scene. I especially love Tian Qi's character here though Bai Jue is as good. Both of them are willing to give up their lives for Shang Gu.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: My Little Happiness 我的小确幸

Year Released 

2021

Genre

Romance

No. of Episodes

28 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Xing Fei, Tang Xiaotian

Storyline

Wen Shaoqing (Tang Xiaotian) has been waiting for the love of his life ever since he was separated with Cong Rong (Xing Fei) during their childhood times. Fast forward years later, Cong Rong who is an intern for a law firm is assigned to Yun Ji Hospital. This is where she meets Shaoqing who is a surgeon there.

When Shaoqing finds out that Cong Rong is the girl he has been looking for, he starts to pursue her.

My View

I had great expectation as I watched trailer from the last episode during their wedding day. I guess I'm someone who enjoys heart-wrenching plot with ups and downs. So this short, calm and sweet drama is still okay.

Rating

2/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Oath of Love 余生，请多指教

Year Released

2022

Genre

Family

No. of Episodes

32 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Xiao Zhan, Yang Zi

Storyline

Gu Wei (Xiao Zhan) is the attending doctor to Lin Jianguo (Xia Zhiqing) when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Gu Wei then falls in love with Jianguo's daughter, Lin Zhixiao's (Yang Zi). Zhixiao is always there to encourage Gu Wei and help him overcome his trauma when he could not save his teacher's life.

The couple eventually ties the knot after going through multiple ups and downs.

My View

A warm-hearted family drama which touched my heart at times. The chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi is definitely sweet and melts my heart. Good watch!

Rating

4/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Miss the Dragon 遇龙

Year Released

2021

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 35 minutes per episode

Starring

Wang Hedi, Zhu Xudan, Deng Wei, Pan Meiye

Storyline

Yuchi Longyan (Wang Hedi), a dragon demon who meets Liu Ying (Zhu Xudan) while he was injured due to being struck by thunder. Liu Ying mistook him as a white snake and nursed him back to health. Longyan wanted to return her favour for saving him by marrying her.

Due to the manipulation of Immortal of Fate (Zhu Zanjin), Longyan reluctantly watched Liu Ying went through another three lifetime of reincarnation as the lives of Ruan A'yu, Feng Chengyue and Gu Qingyan. He protected her for decades but just right to the last lifetime, he was badly injured by Xue Qianxun (Deng Wei) who was under Immortal of Fate's spell.

In the end, Qingyan sacrificed her soul to save Longyan.

My View

As a fantasy genre drama fan, glad that this xianxia turns out great and touched my heart. As much as Eternal Love 三生三世十里桃花 and Ashes of Love 香蜜沉沉烬如霜. A good watch with acceptable ending.

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Love in Time 约定期间爱上你

Year Released 

2020

Genre

Romance

No. of Episodes

24 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Ren Yankai, Cheng Xiaomeng

Storyline

Lu Boyan (Ren Yankai) and Su Jianan (Cheng Xiaomeng) known each other since high school. However, both of them were separated due to a series of misunderstanding. Fast forward ten years, Jianan is forced to a contract marriage with Boyan to avoid taking over her father's lingerie business.

The pair eventually patched up and fell in love but were met with multiple obstacles created by Han Ruoxi (Liu Yuqi).

My View

A short and sweet romantic plot especially when Boyan was trying to feed Jianan her medicine. Though not too much of ups and downs but still acceptable IMHO.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Court Lady 骊歌行

Year Released

2021

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

55 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Xu Kai, Li Yitong

Storyline

A story about how Fu Rou (Li Yitong) becomes a court lady and how Sheng Chu Mu (Xu Kai) turns into a general to the Tang Dynasty. Together they collaborate to assist Emperor and Empress when they are faced with obstacles from external parties planning to overthrow the Crown Prince and sow discord among the princes.

My View

A pretty good plot flowing throughout the entire drama though not a lot of ups and downs. As in some parts are just cut off abruptly with no continuation. I understand the reason was not to make the entire show too draggy. But I guess I'm not too used to this kind of style as of now.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Painting Heart Expert 画心师

Year Released

2017 

Genre

Fantasy, Historical Fiction

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 35 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhu Xudan, Xiong Ziqi, Sun Bohao, Bao Tianqi, Li Junchen

Storyline

Cen Huan (Zhu Xudan) is a painting heart expert who has been forced to leave her sect due to an attack from Jiu Si (Sun Bohao). Painting heart sect's mission is to protect Shi Meng Mo (dream-eating beast). The world that everyone is living in, is in fact a dream and once Shi Meng Mo is awake, everyone will disappear.

Jiu Si does not wish to see this happen as his mission is to protect Zhao Meng Shou (dream-creating beast). He has been controlling humans to get their rage so as to feed Zhao Meng Shou. Cen Huan happens to meet Physician Ning Wei Yu (Ziong Ziqi) and his assistant, Sima Kong Kong (Li Junchen).

The trio often work together to cure people filled with rage so as to destroy Jiu Si's goals.

My View

PHE gives me an anime-turned-drama vibe with multiple hilarious moments which I can only find from animes. Overall, story is not too bad with individual cases which painting heart expert manages to resolve. 

Rating

3/5 Stars

Korean Drama: Penthouse 1, 2 & 3

 
Year Released

2020 - 2021 (season 1), 2021 (season 2 & 3)

Genre

Family, Melodrama, Mystery

No. of Episodes

21 - running time of 1 hour 25 minutes per episode (season 1), 13 (season 2) & 14 (season 3) - running time of 1 hour 15 minutes per episode 

Starring

Uhm Ki-joon, Kim So-yeon, Eugene, Lee Ji-ah, Yoon Jong-hoon, Bong Tae-kyu, Shin Eun-kyung, Park Eun-seok

Storyline

Soprano Cheon Seo-jin (Kim So-yeon) dreams to be the successor of her father's Cheong Ah Foundation and Cheong Ah Art School. Pinning her hopes onto her own daughter, Ha Eun-byul (Choi Ye-bin), Seo-jin forces Eun-byul to win against her peers especially Joo Dan-tae's (Uhm Ki-joon) daughter, Joo Seok-kyung (Han Ji-hyun).

Seo-jin's world collapses when Oh Yoon-hee (Eugene) and her daughter Bae Ro-na (Kim Hyun-soo) appear in her life. Both Seo-jin and Yoon-hee had extremely bad past together back when they were in high school. Seo-jin snatched away Yoon-hee's title to be South Korea's best soprano as well as her then-boyfriend, Ha Yoon-chul (Yoon Jong-hoon).

At the same time, Seo-jin is jealous of Joo Dan-tae's wife, Shim Soo-ryun's (Lee Ji-ah) luxurious life as the Penthouse's owner at Hera Palace, the richest property in South Korea. Wanted to be the next owner, she had an affair with Dan-tae. Their affair was accidentally found out by Min Seol-a (Jo Soo-min). 

Soo-ryun happens to find out her real daughter that she had with her dead ex-husband was Seol-a. However, before Soo-ryun could reunite with her, Seol-a fell to her death at Hera Palace. Soo-ryun vows to search for Seol-a's murderer and little did she know every member of Hera Club seems to be involved in this crime.

My View

Initially, I wanted to write the storyline of all three seasons but I realise I would have provided the entire spoiler. Anyway, first season was acceptable all good. Then come second season, I was totally mind blown at some point. During the finale season, I became very angsty and cried so much towards the end. All I could say is the scripwriter is pretty creative and dramatic.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama: The Ghost Detective

Year Released

2018

Genre

Horror, Mystery

No. of Episodes

32 - running time of 35 minutes per episode

Starring

Choi Daniel, Park Eun-bin, Lee Ji-ah

Storyline

Lee Da-il (Choi Daniel) and Jung Yeo-wool (Park Eun-bin) have a common goal that is to look for the ghost who killed Da-il's mother and Yeo-wool's younger sister. Seon Woo-hye (Lee Ji-ah) had a bad childhood and died after her suicide. 

Woo-hye uses the selfishness in humans to make them turn against themselves. Da-il eventually makes her realise her wrong perception.

My View

Plot is all good with a litte twist here and there but in the middle it starts to get kind of boring. But the ending is overall not too bad so I have decided to rate a 4 instead of 3.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Cute Programmer 程序员那么可爱

Year Released

2021

Genre

Office, Romance

No. of Episodes

30 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Xing Zhao Lin, Zhu Xu Dan

Storyline

Lu Li (Zhu Xu Dan) admires Jiang Yi Cheng (Xing Zhao Lin) as he is a genius programmer and they both played games together anonymously back in the school days. Due to betrayal by fellow girl programmer Li Man (Sheng Lang Xi), Yi Cheng only recruits male employees into his Co. 

Lu Li had no choice but to disguise herself as a male. She was recruited but her identity was eventually exposed by Yi Cheng. They somehow got involved into a contract marriage. Yi Cheng began to fall in love with Lu Li but was still entangled with his previous love, Li Man.

In the end, Lu Li divorced Yi Cheng and left him for good. Yi Cheng vowed to chase Lu Li back when he realised his true love was actually Lu Li all along.

My View

Quite an adorable drama and I kind of like Bambi here.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Korean Drama : The Third Charm

Year Released

2018

Genre

Romance, Slice of life

No. of Episodes 

16 - running time of 75 minutes per episode

Starring

Seo Kang-joon, Esom

Storyline

On Joon-yeong (Seo Kang-joon) and Lee Yeong-jae (Esom) met each other when they were twenty years old and fell in love almost immediately. An unfortunate event separated them and the pair reunited seven years later after clearing up their misunderstandings.

But their relationship did not last for long due to insecurity and difference in personality. Fast forward five years later, when Joon-yeong was about to get married and Yeong-jae suddenly re-appears into his life. 

My View

A simple plot but touched my heart a lot. Cried like mad till my eyes went swollen. I enjoy watching drama like this where a relationship lasts for a long time from young. As in everyone has different mindset at different age, like you don't know what you want. The ending was great as in something I'm looking at.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Reply 1997

Year Released

2012

Genre

Comedy, Family

No. of Episodes 

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Seo In-guk, Hoya, Jung Eun-ji, Shin So-yool, Lee Si-eon, Eun Ji-won, Song Jong-ho

Storyline

Plot about a group of schoolmates in the late 90s struggling between studies, first love and going after their favourite idols.

My View

Not too bad being the first of reply series with tears and laughters here and there.

Rating 

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Reply 1994

Year Released

2013

Genre

Romance, Family, Comedy

No. of Episodes

12 - running time of 1 hour 17 minutes per episode

Starring

Go Ah-ra, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Sung-kyun, Baro, Do-hee, Son Ho-jun, Sung Dong-il, Lee Il-Hwa

Storyline

A warmth story about the Sung's family who moved to Seoul and started a boarding house welcoming everyone coming from various countrysides. 

My View

Reply 1994 has a combination of hilarious, touching and sad moments. The plot twist is somehow unexpected at times and it's just heart-wrenching. I must say the scripwriter for reply series is extremely awesome.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Hwarang

Year Released

2016 - 2017

Genre 

Historical Period 

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik, Go Ah-ra

Storyline

A 'faceless' King Jinheung (Park Hyung-sik) who has been hidden since young by his mother Queen Ji So (Kim Jee-soo) after the late King Beopheung passed away. Moo Myung (Park Seo-joon) who is a cheonin and becomes Ahn Ji-gong's (Choi Won-young) son, Son Woo to avenge the death of his friend Mak Moon (Lee Kwang-soo). Mak Moon was the real son of Ahn Ji-gong but separated from his father since young due to Queen Ji So.

Both Jinheung and Son Woo join as Hwarang which is established by Queen Ji So to later on act as an army to support King Jinheung. They both fall in love with Ahn Ji-gong's daughter, Ah Ro (Go Ah-ra) who is a physician looking after the Hwarangs.

My View

While the drama has my favourite veteran actors Choi Won-young and Kim Won-hae, the stroyline just somehow falls short and does not have that much of an impact for me. It feels like the villian Park Yeong-shil (Kim Chang-wan) was easily defeated without a proper fight. 

I actually shipped for Park Hyung-sik and Go Ah-ra instead but oh well. 

Rating

3/5 stars

Korean Drama : Bad Guys 2: City of Evil

Year Released

2017

Genre

Action

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 65 minutes per episode

Starring

Park Joong-hoon, Joo Jin-mo, Yang Ik-jun, Kim Mu-yeol, Ji-soo

Storyline

Plot is about a group of prosecutors, detectives and an ex-gang member who team up together to crack down corrupted powerful connections within the government bodies.

My View

Loved all the fighting scenes and little of twist here and there. One part which touched my heart so much was when ex-prosecutor turned lawyer Min Tae-shik (Lee Yoon-hee) forgave Han Gang-joo (Ji-soo) for trying to kill him years ago.

Rating 

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Team Bulldog: Off-duty Investigation

Year Released

2020

Genre

Crime

No. of Episodes

12 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Sun-bin, Jung Sang-hoon, Yoon Gyung-ho, Ji Seung-hyun

Storyline

A team made up of Detective Jin Kang-ho (Cha Tae-hyun), TV programme Fact Check PD, Kang Moo-young  (Lee Sun-bin), ex-profiler turned pyramid scheme sales person, Tak Won (Ji Seung-hyun), ex-pathologist turned funeral director, Lee Ban-seok (Jung Sang-hoon) and ex-gangster turned bar owner, Teddy Jung (Yoon Gyung-ho) where they solve crimes together.

My View

Overall an okay plot and I'm only impressed by the first case at how they managed to get the fingerprints of a murderer.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Graceful Friends

Year Released

2020

Genre

Family, Mystery

No. of Episodes

17 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Yoo Joon-sang, Song Yoon-ah, Bae Soo-bin, Han Da-gam, Kim Sung-oh, Kim Hye-eun, Jung Suk-yong, Lee In-hye

Storyline

Plot revolves around a group of university mates who are there for each other even if it means to cover up for murder. Their relationship seems to be going strong but some of them have past unspeakble secrets. Due to jealousy, one started to plan the unthinkable.

My View

Not too bad a drama and I enjoy watching with all these veteran artistes. Hope to watch more of such genre.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Watcher

Year Released 

2019

Genre

Crime, Mystery

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 65 minutes per episode

Starring

Han Seok-kyu, Seo Kang-joon, Kim Hyun-joo

Storyline

Detective Do Chi-kwang's (Han Seok-kyu) goal is to watch over other bad police officers and catch them. Kim Young-goon (Seo Kang-joon) joins Chi-kwang's team to find out his mother's murderer from fifteen years ago. Though his father, former detective Kim Jae-myung (Ahn Kil-kang) was imprisoned for being the murderer, Young-goon is still doubful about the truth.

Former prosecutor and now lawyer Han Tae-joo (Kim Hyun-joo) is determined to get her revenge when she was being attacked during her re-investigation about Young-goon mother's murder case. The trio work as a team to locate actual killer and a ledger about bad deeds of high-ranking police officers and prosecutors.

My View

Though the plot moves on steadily slow, I don't find it boring at all. The drama is so confusing that I don't even know what the confusion was. This makes me even more curious to find out what's next.

Watcher is well-written and you will definitely miss out the gist of it if you fast-forward a little. 

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : It's Okay to Not Be Okay

Year Released

2020

Genre

Family

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 1 hour and 15 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Soo-hyun, Oh Jung-se, Seo Yea-ji

Storyline

Moon Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se) and Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) lost their mother to a murderer since young. Due to Sang-tae's autism condition, the police could not take his statement as a witness to the scene. The trauma haunts Sang-tae for life and Gang-tae has a difficult time taking care of him.

Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji) was brought up without her parents' love. Her only way to communicate with the world is through her fairy tale stories. She longs for warmth and ends up living as a family together with Sang-tae and Gang-tae.

My View

A story about healing, love and warmth. Usually, the loneliest people attract each other as they understand the pain one is suffering from. 

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Dazzling

Alternative Title

The Light in Your Eyes

Year Released

2019

Genre

Family

No. of Episodes

12 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Hye-ja, Han Ji-min, Nam Joo-hyuk, Ahn Nae-sang, Lee Jung-eun, Son Ho-jun

Storyline

Kim Hye-ja (Han Ji-min) found a golden watch by the beach during her childhood days. She realised that she could turn back time by adjusting the watch. Downside was that she grew older whenever she used that watch to change her past and stopped for a while.

When her dad, Kim Dae-sang (Ahn Nae-sang) was met with a car accident, she turned back time multiple times until she saved his life. However, she changed into an old Kim Hye-ja (Kim Hye-ja) and no one recognised her.

Hye-ja learnt many life lessons while coping with her 'new' life in another perspective. She decided not to harbour any hope on going back to the past since it meant she had to exchange something precious from her life.

My View

Unexpected plot twist here and this drama made me teared so so much. I had to re-play some of the scenes multiple times each day just to have have a good cry again. Dazzling it's a gem hidden under a rock and you need to watch it.

Rating

5/5 Stars