On the grand scale of K-dramas big and small, the decidedly ordinary rom-com Sly and Single Again (Cunning Single Lady) has turned out to be not that bad. It’s not overly shrieky and keeps even the hint of makjang at bay, taking only an acrimonious divorced couple who are clearly not over each other and giving them a second chance … Continue reading →
[Please join me in giving a warm welcome to jomo, a long time drama friend of mine as well as a delightfully effusive and witty commentator here at the Playground. I think she’s been sucked deeper into the world of this secret love affair than I am, but that’s the power of Yoo Ah In on the biggest acting roll … Continue reading →
Good gracious was this an unexpected turn of events culminating in a wholly awesome episode of Bride of the Century. At this point it’s four episodes left until the end and everything remains thrumming at the right intensity with all plot threads clicking away. It was so delightful of episode 12 to take a turn to the funny courtesy of … Continue reading →
With a flurry of Spring dramas starting next week onward, it’s yet another press conference season and kickstarting it all is the upcoming MBC weekend drama Hotel King with Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae leading a huge cast. It’s predecessor Golden Rainbow wraps up this weekend so Hotel King isn’t premiering until next weekend on April 5th, but … Continue reading →
I’m wondering to myself now if there could have been enough plot to fill 20-episodes of Bride of the Century. I never am in favor of extensions, but the conflicting episode counts for this drama between 16 or 20 does leave me a little bit sad that the drama is ending at 16 instead of 20. Narratively it’s probably for … Continue reading →
Bride of the Century makes a decisive turn into the crescendo latter half of its run remaining firmly in control of its narrative rather than the other way around. This drama isn’t about to be led around by the balls of trying give certain actors screen time or accede to fan clamoring for certain plot directions. This baby is crazy … Continue reading →
Episode 19 of In a Good Way felt a little wonky, but in ways that were amusing rather than disappointing. It’s very college-era daily life construct makes for lulls in conflict and challenges to interject a bit of off kilter entertainment, and this episode was all about the random stuff. In terms of everyone’s cutest couple of Jia En and … Continue reading →
I’ve written too many recaps to count but it all starts from one common impetus – a drama that hooks my heart snugly in its entertaining embrace. Be it a rom-com with potential for romantic swooning, an action thriller that launches with rollicking tension, or a melodrama that promises tears and catharsis aplenty, I have to really connect to want … Continue reading →
Keeping myself busy all week has been a godsend in terms of not going loony from the wait for Friday to arrive. It’s double the dose of drama goodness and there’s an early peek at what episode 19 of In a Good Way has in store with the just released written preview. It’s funny how there is no mention of … Continue reading →
Bride of the Century appears to have finished filming, a good two weeks in advance of it’s last episode. That’s a feat more dramas need to emulate since it avoids the actors looking half dead by the final stretch and the drama coming across as haphazard and choppy. I don’t know if this drama just managed to be efficient with … Continue reading →
When I read Tong Hua‘s other novels, it was easy to have favorite chapters and even favorite volumes, but that didn’t happen with Lost You Forever. There is always something to savor in each chapter, each with a crescendo and a comfortable lull that is pivotal to building the narrative. That probably also comes with loving all the leads so … Continue reading →
I’m still scratching my head about Korea’s remake of My Queen, the popular TW-drama that was good but not great enough to really deserve the story getting retold in the upcoming tvN drama Witch’s Romance. I suppose if you told me that Koreans weren’t going to watch the original with subs and needed a K-version to check out the story, … Continue reading →
The wildly fun plot and snappy execution of Bride of the Century gives so much fodder for discussion that the acting of the leads hasn’t been parsed as much. Lee Hong Ki is doing a fine job but lucked out on playing a great character in Choi Kang Joo – all the chaebol arrogance with plenty of quick-witted banter that … Continue reading →