The Chinese noose tightening on Hallyu continues and the latest high profile casualty is K-actress Jeon Ji Hyun losing her endorsement campaign for Chinese cellphone brand Oppo‘s newest handset the R9. Jeon Ji Hyun landed the campaign just one month ago in October and Oppo is reportedly paying a hefty price for her to be the R9 spokeswoman, much like … Continue reading →
The ratings tide is headed in the right and upward direction for Legend of the Blue Sea, and rightly so as I liked this week’s two episodes more than the action heavy character thin episode 2. While the competition remained steady in the low single digits, Legend rose again in episode 4 to hit 17.1% AGB nationwide, a good sign … Continue reading →
I’m always impressed with stage actors even a step above their screen brethren, it takes an immense amount of confidence and practice to act live in front of an audience. I try to watch as many stage productions as available and always bemoan not living in a city with more offerings. Seoul is vibrant with theater culture in both stage … Continue reading →
Chinese drama-watching netizens can be hilariously snarky and in this case they overwhelming hate the K-remake of Bu Bu Jing Xin as much as I did. Moon Lovers doesn’t even hold up as a K-drama in its own right, much as as an adaptation of the source novel the Chinese did amazingly well already. Lots of viewers have been missing … Continue reading →
The reception for Legend of the Blue Sea doesn’t yet have the legs to show that it can be the vaulter hits like Descendants of the Sun and You From Another Star. So far I would be thrilled beyond thrilled that it break 20% but I’m relieved it’s staying steady as episode 3 came in at 15.7& AGB nationwide for … Continue reading →
I’m going to check out Shuttle Love Millennium for Puff Guo, and for all the pretty early Republic era costuming and set pieces in this just premiered new C-drama. It’s the so-called sequel to the Zheng Shuang and Jin Bo Ran hit drama Love Through a Millennium, which was the C-drama adaptation of the popular K-drama Queen In Hyun’s Man. … Continue reading →
It’s week two for Legend of the Blue Sea, with ratings to come in episodes 3 and 4 to show whether this drama is on the upswing or slowing down. I enjoyed the first two episodes but that was despite the seriously distracting elements of the modern day narrative. It was indeed too slapsticky for me, focusing too much on … Continue reading →
Oh my gosh does Goblin look ahhhhhmazing in the long 6-minute preview. I was making nnnngggg incoherent noises at every mesmerizing frame and couldn’t look away for a second. Whatever Kim Eun Sook has up her sleeve I’m certain it’s worth a first look on visuals alone rather than outright dismissiveness over some of her flaws in narrative and characterization. … Continue reading →
This casting will definitely limit the possibility the second leads will steal the thunder from the main leads, but will also double up on the visuals for this drama so overall a win-win. Yoon So Hee and L (Kim Myung Soo) are confirmed for next year’s sageuk drama Ruler: Master of the Mask, which has already inked leads Yoo Seung … Continue reading →
Lotte Duty Free is packaging a seven-for-one deal in terms of Hallyu stars and I find myself impressed with their ingenuity and willingness to go big. The poster is out for the brand’s tie-in web drama called First Kiss for the 7th Time, formerly First Kiss for the 6th Time but now one more K-actor has been added to the … Continue reading →
I love Yoon Si Yoon and if you do too then this post is a double treat. Yoon Si Yoon is reportedly in talks to do his first prime time network drama in three years, coming back in early 2017 with the KBS drama The Best Deliveryman, with the PD of Come Jang Bori and the screenwriter of Joseon Gunman. … Continue reading →
The level of likely fail headed our way with less than a month from the premiere of KBS sageuk Hwarang appears to be inching higher. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want the drama to suck and was quite looking forward to this tale of Shilla era pretty boy warrior scholars, but then it’s become impossible to ignore the ridiculous … Continue reading →
I’m not even surprised anymore when a drama becomes a hit and immediately encounters some sort of backlash. I do think this one may have some merit solely resting on the shoulders of the screenwriter. Netizens are buzzing about potential plagiarism issues with SBS drama Legend of the Blue Sea, and how valid it is depends on the degree of direct copying … Continue reading →
