After the horror trainwreck that was Dr. Stranger earlier this year, which actually did respectable ratings vis-a-vis all the prime time dramas in 2014, it’s such a relief to see Lee Jong Seok end his year on a high note. There’s the currently airing Pinocchio, which I love and it appears the sentiment is shared by many others, and now … Continue reading →
This going to be one of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2015, at least by the K-media and industry insiders, to see if it can stave off the ratings slide that has seen K-dramas averaging half of what it used to garner even two or three years ago. Trendy upcoming dramas like Jekyll, Hyde, and I or Kill Me Heal … Continue reading →
This is such an unfortunate tragedy I have nothing to say really other than give my deepest condolences and provide a straight news update. In the early afternoon on Saturday December 13th, the warehouse filming set of the jTBC sageuk Maids erupted in a fast moving fire. Most of the cast and crew were not filming as it happened to … Continue reading →
A happy Koala is one that gets to see her baby Yoo Seung Ho on a regular basis. I’ll look back on the last two years like some sort of extended PMS whereby I was on suspended grouchy animation while he was in the army. He was released last week from the army to the warm embrace of his family … Continue reading →
I know K-dramas have been on a flower boy roll for the last few years, but recently I’ve really started noticing that all the leading men in K-dramas have gotten progressively taller and taller. Early Hallyu had quite a few leading men who can be considered actor-short (i.e. Tom Cruise level height), not short compared to the average Asian man but … Continue reading →
While it might seem like every K-drama wants to shove romance in even if it’s not romance-based, sometimes the love aspect ends up delivering in spades not necessarily in the male lead-female lead department. The Cruel City (Heartless City) bromance of Jung Kyung Ho as Jung Shi Hyun (aka The Doctor’s Son Baksa Adeul) and Yoon Hyun Min as his number … Continue reading →
Whether you like them or not, I think it safe to at least agree that the new generation of Hallyu kings are here and the overall consensus includes Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Min Ho, Lee Jong Seok, and Kim Woo Bin. Sure a few other popular around Asia twenty-something singer-actors like Lee Seung Gi and Jang Geun Seok could be included, … Continue reading →
I think Ha Ji Won is the cutest thing ever even though she’s north of 35 years old now and doesn’t quite fit the cute moniker. She just has this broad charm and hearty appeal that shines whether she’s acting or doing other aspects of her entertainment activities. This past week Ha Ji Won threw out the first pitch at … Continue reading →
Looks like the big three Korean networks are all set for the year end drama awards despite what has been unanimously labeled a lackluster year in both ratings and drama quality. There might be sterling outliers here and there but overall the audiences responded with a collective meh. If the networks couldn’t produce the quality then it might as well … Continue reading →
By all that is holy in dramaland it’s going to be a painful week to endure until the next episodes of Pinocchio. If this drama was already quite good, this week’s episodes vaulted it into truly excellent storytelling level. The quality isn’t necessarily award winning but what it does is just as hard by balancing the entertainment value with the thoughtful message. … Continue reading →
This latest news about the upcoming year end drama awards doesn’t surprise me but I am still disappointed. While the awards don’t validate what I think is good acting, I’ve enjoyed the year end drama awards for the parade of stars and the fashion. Hearing that what was to be the most star-studded banquet over at SBS will likely get … Continue reading →
So who’s ready for the headlining one-two punch of Ahn Jae Hyun and Gu Hye Sun for the upcoming KBS drama Blood? To say I’m so not is an understatement. I don’t even think potentially hate-watching this drama will be all that fun either, the snark level seems so low the jokes may just write itself. Like this one – … Continue reading →
The best way to describe what makes Pinocchio such a meaningful watch is that each and every episode is simply more – more than what I expected and even more than what I thought possible for this story. I’m constantly taken aback at the developments yet none of it feels exploitative like the story is going for twists just for … Continue reading →