Even if highly anticipated KBS variety drama Producer wasn’t the blockbuster hit it was aiming for, the end result was still a qualified success in the current ratings landscape. I didn’t write about the drama despite watching it completely and liking it very much. It just didn’t hook me to the degree I felt the urge the pontificate over it. … Continue reading →
The nominated finalists are out for the 10th annual Seoul International Drama Awards, which doesn’t just fete K-dramas but includes popular or critically acclaimed dramas and shows from around the world. It’s less prestigious but slowly growing in international recognition and the ceremony does bring plenty of popular actors and actresses from within Korea and elsewhere to attend. This year’s … Continue reading →
Year end drama reviews always starts off like a looming chore, telling me to wash the dish one more time even though I’ve washed it thoroughly already. But then I grow to appreciate it, the added step may yield a dirty spot I missed before, or even the chance to slow down and enjoy the process rather than bemoan the … Continue reading →
Recapping a drama from start-to-finish is a genuine commitment. It’s not like dating and requires a break up since eventually the drama will finish on its own. But if the drama derails then the process takes on a a surreal meta quality of trying to muster enthusiasm and the analytic urge when none exists. That didn’t happen with Dr. Stranger … Continue reading →
Now that the torrents of frustration and/or vitriol towards Dr. Stranger has been unleashed, I’m rather curious to hear from folks who actually enjoyed the drama. I honestly have no jeers for anyone who liked it, the enjoyment of media entertainment is subjective and everyone’s got a guilty pleasure or ten in a hidden away in a video folder titled … Continue reading →
In the buddy movie Rush Hour, Chris Tucker’s brash American cop tells Jackie Chan’s quiet Hong Kong detective in a condescending way “Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?” It serves only to make the speaker look like a moron while the listener knowingly cringes at the imbecility on display. Dr. Stranger is full blown deluded Chris … Continue reading →
The written preview for the final episode 20 of Dr. Stranger is out. I thought SBS would not release one and keep whetting the appetite for whatever crazy its cooking up. Alas it looks straightforward wrap up time, and all of the final conflict to come is easily expected. The President turns out to be no better than PM Jang … Continue reading →
Dr. Stranger is a drama that not even a spell from a magic wand can save. If this drama ends with Hoon and Jae Hee happily every after and all the bad guys punished, it still wouldn’t be a good drama since the entire middle section was tanked by circular wheel spinning. If this drama ends with Hoon suddenly falling … Continue reading →
I’m going into the finale week of Dr. Stranger with complete carefree abandonment. I literally do not care anymore about what might happen, so without any invested emotion then there is no way the final two episodes will upset me. Of course if the insanity manages to outdo itself then the added insult to my intelligence might raise my ire … Continue reading →
I wonder if it’s as painful for the actors in Dr. Stranger to soldier on until the end as it has been as a viewer to stick with it. I am invested enough, against all reason, to want to know how the scriptwriter plans to end it all. Jae Joon finally does something in episode 18 but I have a … Continue reading →
The end is getting so close and the light at the end of the tunnel is either my salvation or Dr. Stranger done killed me and I don’t know that I’m heading towards the light. Episode 18 continues to be as nonsensical as all out but, and that’s a very qualified but, it actually didn’t leave me quaking with anger … Continue reading →
Dr. Stranger commits every narrative crime in the book, and then some, as it barrels its way towards an ending that portends everything that no one wants to see. Does it understand logic? It never did from the get go and later on it started to get amnesia on top of that. Does it have an emotional core? Not anymore … Continue reading →
This has been a head-scratching last few days for Dr. Stranger viewer. First there was the bizarre creative decision to repackage the drama into a two hour Chinese movie, with even the consideration of dubbing the voices since the Chinese audience hates subs and are totally A-OK with dubbing. Then the PD gave an interview where I swear he basically shat answers … Continue reading →
