Insane drama casting say WHUT? I’m sorry but I can’t even wrap my mind around this upcoming drama concept and definitely not the pairing. Let me get the good out of the way first – Lee Bum Soo is returning to dramaland! Super yay. It would be an exclamation but for the big BUT in this casting – his leading … Continue reading →
I’m seriously waiting for the third shoe to drop with Lee Bum Soo. He’s one of the most capable and hard working leading men in the Korean acting world, easily disappearing into any role without a trace and making it memorable and scene-stealing. He’s taller onscreen than his height because of his presence and charisma. So it’s with disbelief and … Continue reading →
There have been plenty of disappointments this year already in the K-drama world, but none quite reach the level of IRIS 2. The biggest budget in the history of K-drama (consider it inflation from the IRIS and Athena: Goddess of War days), a sprawling cast, a hopping location shoot, and a franchise that is far from storied but did bring … Continue reading →
Finally! A press conference where the entire cast got a memo and actually followed through on it! Instead of the sprawling cast of IRIS 2 showing up at its press conference looking like extras from the Muppets movie, everyone donned their favorite sleek, chic, black-and-white ensemble to varying degrees of success. Yes, the whole spies and baddies always wear black … Continue reading →
The main three Korean networks continue their attempt to seep every last ounce of goodwill I have for them since there isn’t currently a single K-drama on MBC, SBS, or KBS that I wholeheartedly love. The second half downward spiral of Alice in Cheongdamdong has been painful to witness, and the less said about the new arrivals in Yawang (the … Continue reading →
I’m still interested in IRIS 2 because of the cast and the entire production history. Despite not feeling the love or IRIS, it was indeed an impressive production and the cast had great chemistry. It was the twists and turns and made it too convoluted for me, and without much logical foundation. To date the cast of Athena: Goddess of … Continue reading →
Much as I’m keeping my expectations way low for IRIS 2, I can’t help but avidly follow along with its big-budgeted around-the-world filming. The cast and crew spent last month in Budapest, Hungary filming extensive action and spy sequences for the drama that garnered even coverage in the local media. I just know this drama will be so pretty to … Continue reading →
In an attempt to procrastinate starting my year end reviews, I started wasting time pondering random thoughts concerning the 2012 K-drama landscape. Aside from good and bad dramas, I realized I could actually pinpoint the breakouts of this year (and the un-breakouts, those who were flying high only to hit a dud this year), which actually were quite a few. … Continue reading →
Hhhmmm, this is interesting. Not as bad as I worried it might be, though experience reminds me that stylized execution does not guarantee a decent story in K-drama. The first official stills and a teaser trailer has been released for IRIS 2 starring Jang Hyuk, Lee Da Hae, Lee Bum Soo, Im Soo Hyang, Oh Yoon Soo, Kim Seung Woo, … Continue reading →
Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby present you with the worst haircut in 2013. Yes, I can already award the prize because ain’t nothing going to top this sucker next year (by the way, Noh Min Woo won this award in 2012 for his style or lack thereof in Full House 2). The upcoming big-budget thriller K-drama IRIS 2 quietly commenced … Continue reading →
Now that 2012 is heading towards the end, there are really no more K-dramas left to premiere that haven’t been cast yet. Which leaves me looking into 2013 and oh boy it’s shaping up to be a doozy. First off comes the producers behind Giant and History of the Salaryman, truly talented subversive geniuses in my book, and they are … Continue reading →
Woah, Mamma Mia! To celebrate its 16th anniversary in publication, Vogue Korea rounded up a who’s who of Korean male actors ranging from the esteemed veteran (Ahn Sung Ki) to the youngest little wunderkind (that would be Yoo Seung Ho). Of course my I Lub You Jung Woo Sung was there, and of course gets he the post topping picture. … Continue reading →
Oh boy. This isn’t going to be pretty. On a fairly flawless weekend where I wandered around the City in magnificent late Spring weather, eating and loling around to my heart’s delight and only stopping to girl talk left and right, the only blemish came in the form of electing to watch the newly premiered weekend dramas. I started with … Continue reading →