An entire year and a half without a movie, and also an entire year without a drama on top of that, and still top Hallyu star Gong Yoo leads off the first 2018 Korean movie star poll rankings ahead of two heavyweights. Coming in second place is Ha Jung Woo starring in the biggest box office hit drama in years … Continue reading →
The end of 2017 feels bittersweet to me, with nary a K-drama or performance that truly touched me like previous years past. In particular some of my faves rather let me down and I’m primarily talking about Lee Jong Seok in SBS drama While You Were Sleeping. He didn’t put in a bad performance but conversely it was like all … Continue reading →
The year end 2017 SBS Drama Awards was really the Ji Sung and Lee Bo Young show, with the married acting couple basically turning the event into their own lovey dovey showcase and honestly that’s fine with me. They are so low key for so long, let them enjoy the limelight for once when both do deserve it. Ji Sung … Continue reading →
It’s pretty hilarious that the top four (4!) vote-getters in the just released Galluop poll of Korean drama viewers on the best drama actor/actress in 2017 did not actually star in a K-drama in 2017. Well, one of the top four had a 2016 started K-drama end in January 2017 but otherwise it’s clear that star power on a super … Continue reading →
I’m not angry or upset that SBS Wed-Thurs drama While You Were Sleeping didn’t end up meeting expectations. Unlike other K-dramas which vexed me so, this one was just placid enough I watched with increasingly detached interest and was even pleasantly surprised that the final two episodes managed to wring a tear out of me. But it was never about … Continue reading →
I’m still watching SBS Wed-Thurs drama While You Were Sleeping but with a judicious use of the FF-button and a bit of surprise that this was the penultimate week of airing. The drama ends next week and I didn’t feel any emotion probably because the leads have been in life threatening danger so many times it’s starting to be comical. … Continue reading →
I finally figured out the flaw of SBS Wed-Thurs drama While You Were Sleeping, and the reason why ratings aren’t higher and are in fact fading again. The drama’s two flaws are familiarity, both in screenwriter Park Hye Ryun‘s writing style and storyboard, and in how the male lead Lee Jong Seok feels like he’s playing a copied version of … Continue reading →
I’m always leery of my faves getting an Esquire spread because I have to gear for the possible the faux edgy that veers on the sleazy stylings. Unfortunately my concern is merited for the November Esquire Korea pictorial with Lee Jong Seok that looks like early 90’s Calvin Klein crossed with American Apparel sensibilities. Even worse is that his entire … Continue reading →
The level of star power at the 2018 Fall Seoul Fashion Week shows really hammered home the strata of star power. While the A-listers have been hitting up overseas couture shows in Paris, Milan, and New York, this week the home show in Seoul saw a less glittering but recognizable enough gathering of stars in attendance. Kim Yoo Jung as … Continue reading →
It’s been a good streak for me, if you consider two straight K-dramas that I love a streak. Sadly the quality of K-dramas has gone down overall in the recent years and with it comes lower expectations. So to have followed tvN drama Live Up to Your Name avidly in the end of summer rolling straight into loving SBS drama … Continue reading →
My verdict is out on the first two episodes of SBS drama While You Were Sleeping which is total and complete love. Its what I wished Uncontrollably Fond was, and I love Sleeping this much for the same reason UF failed to engage me at the start, namely Suzy. She was awkward in UF and played a difficult to connect … Continue reading →
September officially wrapped up yesterday and it’s undoubtedly a good month for K-actor Lee Jong Seok. His new SBS drama While You Were Sleeping debuted to high single digit ratings, not ideal but also not terrible in the current drama ratings landscape, but the positive critical and audience reception bodes well for the drama as it heads into a 7 … Continue reading →
Sorry for the late post on newly arrived SBS Wed-Thurs drama While You Were Sleeping but in between watching the first episode and then having tickets to Hamilton last night, it was a sensory and entertainment awesomeness overload. I love While You Were Sleeping, love love love it! This is the first drama since Goblin that has roped my excitement … Continue reading →
