The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) is assembling a list call the Korean Actors 200 (includes both actors and actresses) to represent the top acting talent from the industry with an express aim to raise further international recognition of the breadth and depth in the Korean film industry. A sneak peak of 9 of the male actors on the list complete … Continue reading →
The Ji Soo debacle in River Where the Moon Rises has rekindled the gripe K-netz has with younger actor/actress casting in sageuk, which is held to a much higher standard thanks to the record breaking ratings in the early Hallyu days for 50-episode epics that required fortitude and intense acting prowess to create. I thought Ji Soo’s acting in River … Continue reading →
It’s episode 8 of River Where the Moon Rises and it’s now clear that the whole male lead swap debacle is merely one of the many problems this drama cannot seem to catch a break with. The writing is simplistic and the directing has no crispness or tension, even with the clearly inserted Na In Woo as Ondal scenes close … Continue reading →
There isn’t much to unpack with episode 6 of River Where the Moon Rises, in fact there just isn’t much “there” at all. Sageuks are about stakes, ever higher stakes and a real sense of inevitable heartbreak and sacrifice. I just don’t feel it with this drama and it’s probably 80% the writing and 20% the directing. I don’t think … Continue reading →
I feel like River Where the Moon Rises is a cliff notes version of a K-drama sageuk. I know there is a broader/deeper story in there but the execution jumps briskly from scene to scene without delving further into the threads that would render a compelling story. I still like it, leads Ga Jin and Ondal are so adorable together, … Continue reading →
After the cutest of cute first meeting moments between leads Kim So Hyun‘s assassin Ga Jin (memory lost Princess Pyeonggang) and Ji Soo‘s Ondal at the end of the first episode of River Where the Moon Rises, I was sold and in it for the long haul. She’s badass and just going through life’s motions she’s been dealt, he’s warm … Continue reading →
I think by aging down the leads of River Where the Moon Rises from the first concept when veteran stars were courted for the roles, it will end up having a broader I-audience appeal due to the Hallyu popularity of the younger leads. That’s great because sageuks truly have its own appeal and if done so an unforgettable pathos in … Continue reading →
The promos for River Where the Moon Rises has early on focused on the young leads Kim So Hyun and Ji Soo but a good sageuk needs the entire cast to rock and roll in order to work and I’m betting that second leads Lee Ji Hoon and Choi Yu Hwa are up to the task because holy do they … Continue reading →
Okay, the two cuties are just wayyyyy too cute, I think I may be able to watch this drama regardless of whether it’s written or directed well. The combo of Kim So Hyun‘s cool perfection and Ji Soo‘s hotheaded earnestness for upcoming sageuk River Where the Moon Rises feels like the ideal opposites attract in both their personas off screen … Continue reading →
Call it two birds, one stone, as the cast of upcoming 2021 sageuk drama Moon Rising Over the River (River Where the Moon Rises) gave fans a sneak peek at the filming and sent Christmas wishes. It must be so cold to be filming lots of outdoor action sequences right now during December not to mention it’s holiday season so … Continue reading →
Kyaaaaaa, I’m so excited, the drama still drop was so unexpected and looks sooooo pretty! The first official stills are out for early 2021 sageuk drama Moon Rising Over the River, re-telling the folk tale of Ondal the fool and Goryeo Princess Pyeonggang also known as the weeping princess. I love that this version turns her into a warrior princess and … Continue reading →
This is going to be a large scale sageuk so it’s reassuring to have the main cast confirmed this year. The drama Moon Rising Over the River has settled on it’s main cast and one high profile special appearance. Ji Soo and Kim So Hyun will play the leads Princess Pyeonggang and the fool Ondal, with Lee Ji Hoon and … Continue reading →
It’s the midway point for K-drama Dinner Mate (Shall We Have Dinner Together) and I’ve been watching intently but haven’t felt the urge to write it about until now. That’s probably because each episode feels like a bite, or perhaps part of a meal, so without the entire meal yet it’s hard to formulate a thoughtful review. It’s the midway … Continue reading →
