I’m loving Taiwan’s revamped mandatory military service, which used to be two years for decades on end and has now been shortened to less than a year (and will soon go to a full volunteer military force by 2014 though all males as of the age of 18 must still complete four months of military boot camp). Such a drastic … Continue reading →
I tried watching a few episodes of School 2013 and while it wasn’t bad I was strangely disengaged from it all. I wonder if I’m currently not in the mood for a nice school drama? Whatever the reason, I’ll probably marathon it at some point if the mood hits, but until then I’m not invested in its ending this week … Continue reading →
For the first six-episodes Flower Boy Next Door has been decidedly low key, and just the way I like it. It was casual and playful, with an everydayness about it that made watching it a breeze. But a good drama doesn’t just stick with one conceit and beat it to death, it builds upon its premise as the situations presented … Continue reading →
Please tell me this is the drama god’s idea of a joke, because there is some symmetry to be had but the end result might be pain for drama lovers the world over. Cheongdamdong Alice proves yet again that two good actors with an interesting concept does not equal good drama if the writing is crap. But that doesn’t mean … Continue reading →
I’m sure slick and soulless mega-producer Yu Zheng was just savoring all the slings and arrows shot his way during the filming of The Swordsman last year, when he cast actress Chen Qiao En to play the male Big Bad character of Dong Fang Bu Bai and gave the character a love line with hero Ling Hu Chong, who was … Continue reading →
Most weekend dramas are of the longish variety so when I first heard Cheongdamdong Alice would be the typical weekday drama length of 16-episodes, I worried there wasn’t enough time for the entire story to be told properly. Turns out I was right but for the wrong reasons, there was enough time, the writers just wasted most of it on … Continue reading →
It’s weird how a disappointing streak with dramas can color even upcoming releases. With Cheongdamdong Alice wrapping up this weekend, its follow up drama has been quietly preparing for its premiere next week and released two teasers recently. As a die-hard Kang Ji Hwan fan I should be all over The Incarnation of Money like cat on cream but the … Continue reading →
The penultimate episode of Cheongdamdong Alice laid bare all its limitations (and then some) while confirming for me that I’ve wasted my time with this drama that doesn’t actually have a meaningful story to tell. It’s not entertaining anymore, and I’m not getting any insightful takeaways at the end of the day? Then what is the point? I’m finishing for … Continue reading →
I’m used to the 2-episode a week format for K-dramas, and the even more painful 1-episode a week format for TW-dramas and J-doramas. But when it comes to C-dramas, I’ve been spoiled on the 5-episode a week format so much that watching 2-episodes a weekend of Drama Go Go Go has been so so so painful because the drama has … Continue reading →
Cheongdamdong Alice was the first weekend drama I recapped since I started blogging nearly 3 years ago. That’s quite a feat since I managed to refrain from recapping Secret Garden despite being completely rabidly obsessed with it for the first 10 episodes (the second half drove me insane with hatred), which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I … Continue reading →
Yes, I am currently marinating in jealousy. Anyone want to get in, there’s room for more. In early January 2013, already-married celebrity couple Oguri Shun and Yamada Yu invited their friends and family to their beloved favorite vacation destination of Hawaii to attend their belated wedding ceremony. The couple officially married back in March 2012, which was revealed to the … Continue reading →
What the hell is this? I made a decision long ago to avoid Jang Geun Seok’s singing career, or rapping career, or clubbing career, or whatever the heck career he wants in entertainment aside from acting. But this new atrocity dropped on my lap and I couldn’t swerve fast enough to avoid it. With him choosing the somnambulant Love Rain … Continue reading →
There is a saying in Chinese “One smile covers three imperfections” (一笑遮三醜), which is really a way to encourage folks who are less than naturally blessed with good looks to use their learned talents such as a great personality to compensate for shortcomings one has no control over. Smile more and it’ll go a ways to enhancing one’s attractiveness. When … Continue reading →