The most underrated K-drama of the year thus far has to be The Blade and Petal (Sword and Flower). There is no accounting for taste but this one is absolutely a work of cinematic art and acting prowess regardless of whether it’s your cup of tea. I spend two hours a week captivated and mesmerized by intensity and passion that … Continue reading →
This drama is absolutely batshit insane. Crazy……but good. So I guess its crazy good then? I don’t know beyond episode 1 but so far I am soaking up everything I see. Unless I really love or hate a drama, nowadays I have no time nor inclination to write about it. Even a first impression review since I’d rather summon the … Continue reading →
In anticipating the upcoming Sword and Flower (The Blade and Petal), part of the excitement stems from knowing this drama has the potential to be all about the quality acting. Setting who looks hot or not, this sageuk will be about visuals stemming from the direction rather than the actors faces. Korean entertainments predilection for facial conformity these days make … Continue reading →
There is something so darn familiar about Sword and Flower (The Blade and Petal) that draws me to it literally like a bee to a flower. The familiarity stems from this drama feeling and looking and sounding like a typical C-wuxia drama than anything K-drama-esque. The star-crossed lovers, the military coup, the stylized fighting, the sleek aura, it all serves … Continue reading →
When watching a drama live, and keeping an eye on the proceedings ahead of time, it’s impossible not to form an opinion each step of the way. The initial casting creates either an optimism or pessimism depending on the cast, the first stills and teasers give a glimpse of the quality and mood, and the first episode can either be … Continue reading →
The second teaser for Sword and Flower (The Blade and Petal) was released today after Mandate of Heaven and I almost flipped out of my chair in excitement. It looks sooooo good. And not just good in that trifecta possibility of acting excellence, directing prowess, and narrative intrigue, it also looks good in ways that mirror the best period dramas … Continue reading →
Have you guys ever played “One of these things is not like the others”? It’s an awesome teaching tool because visually children pick up differences quicker than by being told something is different. When I saw the latest stills for the upcoming sageuk Sword and Flower (English romance novel-y title The Blade and Petal), I burst out laughing and that … Continue reading →
I confess to finally succumbing to sageuk fatigue. Even someone like me who grew up on period dramas and love sageuks big and small (as long as its done right and stays good) is finally hitting that tipping point. It’s not necessarily caused by the double crap of Jang Ok Jung, Live in Love and Gu Family Book, though those … Continue reading →
I can’t tell you how many names have been bandied about for Sword and Flower – Kim Nam Gil, Song Seung Heon, Park Shin Hye, Song Joong Ki, Yoona, Song Dam Bi, the list goes on – but now the cast is finally set its pretty much so powerhouse people will need to take tranquilizers to calm down from watching … Continue reading →
Uhm Tae Woong must be in a sageuk mood, because he’s trading one for another just to satisfy that craving. He’s been attached to the SBS remake of the biography of Admiral Yi Soon Shin for what feels like forever, and clearly something was up with that drama because the production was definitely taking forever. Uhm Tae Woong may be … Continue reading →