Korean Drama: Mr. Queen

Year Released

2020 - 2021

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 1 hour 15 minutes per episode

Starring

Shin Hye-sun, Kim Jung-hyun, Choi Jin-hyuk

Storyline

Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk), chef at Cheong Wa Dae met with an accident and fell into a pool at his apartment. In the process, his soul was swapped with Kim So-yong (Shin Hye-sun), Queen from the Joseon Dynasty. Unable to fathom what was happening to him, Bong-hwan had a number of hiccups during his stay at the palace. King Cheol Jong (Kim Jung-hyun) is attracted to So-yong as she doesn't behave like the usual maidens. Meanwhile, So-yong's soul is trapped inside her own body hiding somewhere trying to find her way out.

My View

Mr. Queen is a totally bizarre fantasy drama which I sometimes could not believe myself either. Overall a hilarios plot and I quite like Kim Jung-hyun here compared to Welcome to Waikiki. 

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama: Dr. Romantic 1, 2 & 3

Year Released

2016 - 2017 (Season 1), 2020 (Season 2), 2023 (Season 3)

Genre

Medical Drama

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 1 hour per episode (season 1), 16 - running time of 1 hour 10 mins per episode (same season 2 & 3)

Starring

Han Seok-kyu, Seo Hyun-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Joo-heon, Jin Kyung

Storyline

Dr. Kim Sa-bu (Han Seok-kyu) has a triple board certification and he impresses everyone with his medical skills and knowledge. He acts as a mentor to all the doctors and nurses who aim to become like him. Kim Sa-bu's passion in saving lives touched everyone around him.

My View

Dr. Romantic is pretty dramatic in its plot but at the same time engaging. I watched 3 seasons at one go until a point where I don't feel disgusted anymore. I could literally dine and watch them operate at the same time. Looking forward to season 4 and hopefully Seo Hyun-jin will be back. I loved her.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama: Wok of Love

Year Released

2018

Genre

Food

No. of Episodes

38 - running time of 35 minutes per episode

Starring

Jang Hyuk, Lee Jun-ho, Jung Ryeo-won

Storyline

Seo Pung (Lee Jun-ho) dedicates his whole life working as a chef in a Chinese restaurant at Giant Hotel. Not only did he not receive a promotion to Head of Chef (which he has been dreaming/promise of) but he was also betrayed by the hotel's owner, Yong Seung-ryong (Kim Sa-kwon). Seung-ryong has an affair with Pung's wife way before Pung was even married.

Pung leaves Giant Hotel vowing to seek revenge against Seung-ryong by snatching away his business. He becomes a chef at Hungry Wok situated right opposite of the hotel and serves the same dishes but with 1/8 the price. With Pung's superb cooking skills, he eventually won and became Head of Chef at Giant Hotel.

My View

Apart from the cooking scenes, the rest of the story is just not worth watching. I secretly shipped for Jang Hyuk and Jung Ryeo-won though.

Rating

3/5 Stars

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