Korean Drama: Move to Heaven

Year Released

2021

Genre

Family, Slice of Life

No. of Episodes

10 - running time of 52 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Je-hoon, Tang Jun-sang, Ji Jin-hee

Storyline

Right after Cho Sang-gu (Lee Je-hoon) was released from prison, he was tasked to be the guardian of his late half-brother Han Jung-woo's (Ji Jin-hee) son, Han Geu-ru (Tang Jun-sang). Jung-woo and Geu-ru have been running a trauma cleaning business "Move to Heaven" whereby they cleaned up after one's death. However, they do safekeep those memorable and important belongings to be passed on to family members/loved ones who would cherish them. Now, it is Sang-gu's turn to grow together with Geu-ru as a family and friend.

My View

Speechless this drama, every single episode I cried without fail. Highly recommended!

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: Forever and Ever 一生一世

Year Released

2021

Genre

Family, Romance

No. of Episodes

30 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Ren Jialun, Bai Lu

Storyline

Shi Yi (Bai Lu) takes interest in Zhousheng Chen (Ren Jialun) as he bears the exact same name as a male lead character in a story she dubbed. Both of them keep in touch via emails for six months. Fate brought them together when they met up in Xi'An. 

Shi Yi only knows Zhousheng Chen is a Scientist, but unaware that he comes from an extremely wealthy family. Zhousheng Chen proposed to Shi Yi in order to inherit his family's properties. Shi Yi has a difficult time dealing with Zhou's family internal power struggle and puts her life at stake.

My View

Plot consists of bitter and sweet scenes, but I prefer part 1 better. The romance is still as slow as part 1 and all proper. No overly kissing & touching scenes which I think is a fresh perspective.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : SKY Castle

Year Released

2018

Genre

Family, Slice of life

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 1 hour 30 mins per episode

Starring

Yeom Jung-ah, Kim Seo-hyung, Lee Tae-ran

Storyline

A group of rich families trying to outshine each other by forcing their children to be the best in their studies. The parents' desire gives a chance for their children's tutor to brainwash and break their families' relationships. Sometimes, it is at the cost of one's death. 

My View

Quite a good plot here telling all parents that grades don't mean everything in life. What matters most is at the end of the day, family is there for you.

Rating

3/5 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

 

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 : 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 : 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 : 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

 

Korean Drama: The World of the Married

Year Released

2020

Genre

Family, Romance, Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 + 2 specials - running time of 80 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, Han So-hee

Storyline

The plot starts off with a perfect life follows by suspicion, betrayal, lies and manipulation. After which is a comeback, revenge and fear. 

Then there is emotional breakdown, dilemma and suicide. Finally, the show ends with reflection, letting go, a lot of patience and forgiveness.

My View

The first episode left me swearing a lot. If betrayal by your other half is not enough, there are those people who keep their silence about the truth.

Another part that makes me curse was when Lee Tae-oh (Park Hae-joon) and Ji Sun-woo (Kim Hee-ae) had a fierce fight which landed Tae-oh a police's constraint order.

In the end, all of them realise what is the most important thing in their lives. Eventually, they get to move on in peace.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : The Suspicious Housekeeper

Year Released

2013

Genre

Family, Black comedy

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 65 minutes per episode

Starring

Choi Ji-woo, Lee Sung-jae, Wang Ji-hye

Storyline

Park Bok-nyeo (Choi Ji-woo) is the only housekeeper who is willing to work at Eun family's house due to their large members. After Eun Sang-chul's (Lee Sung-jae) wife Woo Sun-young (Kim Hee-jung) died, he is left with four children.

The eldest son Eun Doo-kyul (Chae Sang-woo) detests Bok-nyeo as he thinks she is here to replace his late mother. The second daughter Eun Han-kyul (Kim So-hyun) and third son Eun Se-kyul (Nam Da-reum) are neutral. Youngest daughter Eun Hye-kyul (Kang Ji-woo) loves Bok-nyeo the most.

Though Bok-nyeo looks cold and mysterious, she actually cares a lot for Eun family. She uses her ways to guide the children to face their failures. Bok-nyeo also happens to find out about Sang-chul's affair with Yoon Song-hwa (Wang Ji-hye).

Song-hwa is the one who drives Sun-young to suicide.

My View

The entire drama is captivating and I have to keep on watching the next episode.

Bok-nyeo's magic bag has almost everything you can think of.

Sang-chul's sister-in-law Woo Na-young (Shim Yi-young), is just so clumsy and silly all the time.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Graceful Family

Year Released

2019

Genre

Family, Mystery

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 80 minutes per episode

Starring

Im Soo-hyang, Lee Jang-woo, Bae Jong-ok

Storyline

Mo Seok-hee (Im Soo-hyang) is the only daughter of MC Group which is founded by her grandfather Mo Wang-pyo (Jun Gook-hwan). He is the major shareholder of MC and Seok-hee's father, Mo Cheol-hee (Jung Won-joong) is the President.

When Seok-hee was still a teenage girl, she was forced by her father to move to the United States after her mother was murdered. Fast forward to 15 years later, Seok-hee returns back to Korea upon learning that her grandfather is in coma.

Heo Yoon-do (Lee Jang-woo) is a lawyer who helps the residents of his neighbourhood. He has a makeshift office at his adoptive father's restaurant. When Seok-hee meets Yoon-do at a police station, she decides to hire him as her lawyer. Yoon-do starts working for TOP Team at MC Group. TOP Team which is led by Han Je-kook (Bae Jong-ok) manages Mo families' affairs. 

Seok-hee finds out that Yoon-do's mother is a housekeeper for the Mo family. She has been convicted of murdering Seok-hee's mother. Convinced that Yoon-do's mother was framed, the pair join forces to reveal the truth behind Seok-hee's mother's death. During their investigations, they slowly uncover the secrets that Je-kook and TOP hide. 

My View

GF is worth a watch and I intend to re-watch if I really can spare some time.

This is a modern day power struggle with mysterious twist to it.

Rating 

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Brilliant Legacy

Alternative Title

Shining Inheritance

Year Released

2009

Genre

Family, Romance

No. of Episodes

28 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Seung-gi, Han Hyo-joo, Moon Chae-won, Bae Soo-bin

Storyline

Go Eun-sung (Han Hyo-joo) used to lead a carefree life until the death of her father. Eun-sung's stepmother Baek Sung-hee (Kim Mi-sook) chases both Eun-sung and her special needs younger brother Go Eun-woo (Yeon Joon-seok) out of the house. 

When Eun-sung's personal belongings are being stolen at a jjimjilbang, she resorts to working as a waitress in a nightclub. There she meets the arrogant heir to a food company, Sunwoo Hwan (Lee Seung-gi). 

The pair initially had some misunderstandings due to their luggage bags which had been exchanged by mistake. Hwan and Eun-sung gets into argument which leads her to lose contact from Eun-woo.

When Hwan's grandmother Jang Sook-ja (Ban Hyo-jung) is met with an accident, Eun-sung happens to save her. As Sook-ja loses her memory, Eun-sung takes her in. After Sook-ja's memory comes back, she requests Eun-sung to move in to her house. 

Sook-ja announces to her family that Eun-sung is to be the new heir of her company. This makes Hwan detests her to the core.

My View

One of the dramas that makes me weep soso much.

We tend to take things for granted.

Rating 

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Angry Mom

Year Released

2015

Genre

Family, Teen, School

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Hee-sun, Kim Yoo-jung, Ji Hyun-woo

Storyline

Jo Kang-ja (Kim Hee-sun) has a daughter Oh Ah-ran (Kim Yoo-jung) in her late teens. When Ah-ran gets bullied in school, Kang-ja disguises herself as a fellow classmate and attends school with her.

There, Kang-ja finds out on the severity of school bullying. Teacher Park No-ah (Ji Hyun-woo) lends a helping hand and together they fight against corruption involved as well.

My View

I'm not sure but I think school bullying is very serious in Korea.

So what the entertainment industry is trying to show is not to encourage this behaviour but for the society to be a better place for children.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Reply 1988

Year Released 

2015 - 2016 

Genre 

Comedy, Romance, Family, Slice of life

No. of Episodes 

20 - running time of 90-110 minutes per episode 

Starring 

Park Bo-gum, Lee Hye-ri, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol, Lee Dong-hwi 

Storyline 

A family drama involving five families living together in the same neighbourhood.

Lots of fun, laughter and warmth holding everyone closely for years. 

My View 

Each family has their fair share on good and bad in life. I like it how everyone is being connected somehow.

Do not miss even a second of the drama because it is that good. 

Rating 

5/5 Stars