Korean Drama: Hospital Playlist 1 & 2

Year Released

2020 (Season 1) & 2021 (Season 2)

Genre

Medical Drama

No. of Episodes

12 each - running time of 1 hr 30 mins (Season 1) & 1 hr 40 mins (Season 2)

Starring

Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Jeon Mi-do, Kim Dae-myung

Storyline

Plot revolves around a group of professors from Yulje Medical Centre. They are also university best mates who gather during weekend to jam with songs. Lee Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk) from general surgery specialises in liver transplant, Ahn Jung-won (Yoo Yeon-seok) one of the few paediatricians in Korea, Yang Suk-hyung (Kim Dae-myung) an experienced gynaecologist, Chae Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do) a calm neurosurgeon and Kim Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho) a cardiologist with an attitude.

My View

I'm not a fan of medical drama but Hospital Playlist series make me cry so much that I have triple eyelids with swollen eyes after watching. Written by the same screenwriter from Reply series and Prison Playbook, Hospital Playlist is love. So much love and tears.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama: The Devil Judge

 

Year Released

2021

Genre

Legal Drama

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 1 hour 15 minutes per episode

Starring

Ji Sung, Park Jin-young, Kim Min-jung

Storyline

Kang Yo-han (Ji Sung) is appointed by those in power to host a live trial show and citizens to vote if the accused party is guilty or not. His crazy actions and ideas often lead people into thinking if he was actually a devil. Yo-han is actually seeking revenge for his brother by making use of the show. 

Even Judge Kim Ga-on (Park Jin-young) is being used by Yo-han on a few occasions. Ga-on helps him out in the end as his parents were victims of scams in which the real culprit scot-free due to manipulation from Minister of Justice, Cha Kyung-hee (Jang Young-nam).

My View

Ji Sung's dramas do not disappoint me as always. Loved some of the scenes how Ji Sung deals with those in power. I need to re-watch a few times to enjoy it. Park Jin-young just melts my heart.. lol.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama: The Uncanny Counter

Year Released

2020 - 2021

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 1 hour and 10 minutes per episode

Starring

Cho Byeong-kyu, Yoo Joon-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran, Ahn Suk-hwan, Lee Hong-nae

Storyline

Plot depicts a group of humans selected by Gods as a counter to hunt down demons in human world. So Mun (Cho Byeong-kyu) becomes a counter by accident and decides to continue being one despite the danger in fighting demons. He accepts the task in exchange to see his dead parents once he completes his mission. 

So Mun finds out much later that his parents' souls are trapped inside a serial killer host. He vows to seek revenge and save their souls before they dissipate.

My View

I have great expectation of this drama as I have heard good reviews. Wanted to rate at least a 4 star, but the plot just falls short. Artistes' acting are awesome though even for those evil spirits. *applause*

Rating

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: Till the End of the Moon 长月烬明

 

Year Released

2023

Genre

Fantasy

Number of Episodes

40 - running time of 53 minutes per episode

Starring

Luo Yunxi, Bai Lu

Storyline

Li Susu (Bai Lu) was sent back to 500 years ago to stop Tantai Jin (Luo Yunxi) from turning into Demon God. Waking up in the body of Ye Xiwu, she needs to find a way to destroy Tantai Jin's Demon bone which was inside his body since birth. Xiwu and Tantai Jin have a love-hate relationship which leads to multiple misunderstandings.

In the end, Tantai Jin loses Xiwu and seeks for her in the underworld. Little did he know, she went back to her own body as Susu. When they both reunite, another huge obstacle awaits for them.

My View

Anything xianxia already earned at least a 3 stars. I'm okay with the ending though because it has to be that way or drama would be going round in circles.  

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: I Will Find You a Better Home 安家

Year Released

2020

Genre

Business, Office, Slice of Life

No. of Episodes

53 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Luo Jin, Sun Li

Storyline

Plot of how a group of people from different family backgounds come together and survive in Shanghai. It depicts the day-to-day life of property agents.

My View

Very down-to-earth and everyone can relate especially those who leave their hometown to earn for a living.

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

Chinese Drama: Destined to Meet You 别跟姐姐撒野

Year Released

2022

Genre

RomCom

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 13 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Ze, Lu Yanqi

Storyline

Gu Chongbei (Yang Ze) who was threatened by his stepbrothers to befriend Jin Rongrong (Lu Yanqi) to get information about her family business. Things did not go as planned and they got married in the end. The couple went through obtacles and overcame misunderstandings.

My View

Didn't expect this to be a web drama. Everything happened so fast before you knew it. I guess short stories is not my cup of tea though the plot is still acceptable.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: One and Only 周生如故

 

Year Released

2021 

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

24 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Ren Jialun, Bai Lu

Storyline

Zhousheng Chen (Ren Jialun) gains the name Junior Nan Cheng King as he has been winning multiple battles since young. He has been tasked to take in Cui Shiyi (Bai Lu) from the Cui's clan as his disciple. The pair becomes fond of one another but Zhousheng Chen once vowed to the Emperor he will never marry or have any children this lifetime to prove his loyalty.

Shiyi is engaged to Prince Guang Ling (Wang Xingyue) and has to leave Western District (Zhousheng Chen's territory). Due to political struggle, Zhousheng Chen was being framed of rebellion and put to death. Shiyi commits suicide thereafter when she knows she is unable to avenge for him.

My View

Short and nice pace of historical drama where love is always there though the couple did not end up together in the end. 

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: Master of My Own 请叫我总监

Year Released

2022

Genre

Office, Business

No. of Episodes

32 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Lin Gengxin, Tan Songyun

Storyline

After being secretary to Lu Jiming (Lin Gengxin) for three years, Ning Meng (Tan Songyun) decides to pursue her dream job to be an investor. Since she is unable to stay in Joint Capital (Jiming's company), she manages to get an entry position with its Limited Partner, Eaglestone Capital.

Jiming is interested in Ning Meng but refuses to admit his feelings. Due to multiple misunderstandings, Ning Meng ends up with her senior from college, Su Weiran (Liu Chang). However, Weiran is undergoing a trauma from his past relationship which leads him to mistrust Ning Meng.

At the same time, Jiming's business runs into problems (when he tries to save his father's business) and being forced to close down. Little did anyone know, Weiran plays a part in causing these issues.

My View

It all started well but halfway through the drama, I felt so bored. Feels like a typical plot where one could guess what's next. Watched this for Lin Gengxin though I'm not a Tan Songyun's fan. Kind of disappointed.

Rating

2/5 Stars