2021

Review: Yumi’s Cells

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

If I had to pick just one word to describe the watch experience of this show, it would be “fresh.”

Show is just really good at what it sets out to do. It’s great at mixing the live-action with the animation stuff, and it’s also great at shining the spotlight on all our human thoughts, reactions and foibles. And Show manages to be funny and entertaining, while remaining heartfelt and relatable. Really impressive, all-around.

I’d suggest putting this on your list, even if you were originally going to give it a pass.

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Review: My Name

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Slick, gritty, and with more than a dash of blood and violence, Show isn’t your typical nor traditional Korean drama, that’s for sure.

I think what Show does well, is tell its story in a manner that’s equal parts twisty, action-packed and emotionally compelling. In that sense, I feel like Show is quite well-rounded and perhaps therefore more able to reach a wider audience.

For example, you might not be into fight scenes per se, but you might be emotionally invested enough in our protagonist’s journey, to see it through anyway.

Very solid, and very bingeable, if you’re in the mood for a revenge tale with its fair share of grit.

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Review: Lost [Human Disqualification]

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Carefully written, tenderly directed and richly layered in every aspect, Show isn’t for everyone, but those who love it, will likely love it deeply.

Show explores themes like isolation and connection, and what it means to be human, in the slow unfolding of its narrative, and it all feels more like a compassionate exploration of our characters’ states of being, than a typical story, which might be more event-driven.

Our entire cast is strong, but the stand-outs are absolutely Jeon Do Yeon and Ryu Joon Yeol, who both inhabit their characters so well, that I often felt like I could understand how they felt, without them having to say anything at all.

Altogether thought-provoking and immersive.

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Dropped: At A Distance, Spring Is Green

| kfangurl

I had good intentions of wanting to like this one, particularly since it was enthusiastically recommended to me by Carulhein. She mentioned that she really enjoyed this one, despite Show’s low ratings, and that gave me hope that I might like it too.

However, 1.5 episodes in, I’ve come to the conclusion that while Show may have its fans (and said fans really do love this show a lot), I just don’t think it’s for me, unfortunately.

Hopefully this Dropped post will help you to figure out whether this one could work for you.

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Review: Hometown Cha Cha Cha

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

A breezy, laidback sort of show, Hometown Cha Cha Cha is kinda like a seaside vacation in drama form.

It’s meandering and sometimes it feels like not a lot happens in our drama world, but the charm of the small town of Gongjin, along with its equally charming residents, is such that it eventually gets under your skin, and then it doesn’t let go.

Show’s Main Event is the double-dimpled duo of Shin Min Ah and Kim Sun Ho, and their combined cuteness is arguably Show’s most lethal weapon. Show isn’t perfect, but the OTP Cute is so strong, that it got me to forgive Show for most of its missteps.

Perfect for when you’re looking for something light, sweet and feel-good.

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Flash Review: Bite Sisters [Web Drama]

| kfangurl

When I saw that Kang Han Na was starring in this as a vampire, I was immediately intrigued.

I’d loved her (so much!) as a ditzy ex-gumiho in My Roommate is a Gumiho, and this felt like it was in a similar enough space to tap on that same otherworldly fabulosity, while sounding different enough, to not feel like this was more of the same.

The good new is, my estimation wasn’t wrong. Kang Han Na’s role in this is similar-yet-different, when stacked up against her outing in My Roommate is a Gumiho. The not-so-great news is, this little show isn’t quite as fun or interesting as I’d first imagined.

Still, I do think there’s a niche sort of appeal to this, and I hope this quick review will help you figure out whether this one’s for you.

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Dropped: Taxi Driver

| kfangurl

Ok, so I know this is a controversial drop, because by and large, drama fans seem to love this show. Which is why I’d like to state upfront, that my decision to drop this one, has nothing to do with Show’s quality, per se.

In fact, I can see why lots of people would enjoy this one. I, however, only managed to watch one episode of this one, before eventually making the decision to call it quits.

It’s just.. not for me, personally. This is absolutely a case of, “It’s not you, Show. It’s me.” 😅

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Dropped: Monthly Magazine Home

| kfangurl

In the spirit of closure (partly because we are getting to the end of the year, eep!), I thought I’d officially call it quits on Monthly Magazine Home.

I’d actually really looked forward to this one, but, to be brutally honest, episode 1 just didn’t appeal to me very much at all. I’d then shelved it, with vague good intentions of giving it another chance, but.. that’s not gonna happen, after all.

Here’s the quick rundown of why this one didn’t work for me, even from episode 1. 😅

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Review: The Rational Life [China]

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

A low-key, slice-of-life story with what feels like a secondary focus on a noona romance, Show is likely not for everyone.

If you’re looking for a noona romance with a little more intensity and fireworks, I feel like fellow C-drama Find Yourself is a better fit. However, if you’re looking for something that’s both down-to-earth yet kind of escapist, this might work for you.

I say it’s down-to-earth because Show does touch on some themes which feel very relevant to modern society. At the same time, it feels a little escapist, because the speed and cleanliness of how things get fixed, can feel a bit like a Disney-inspired fantasy.

Overall, I liked this better in concept than in execution, but I do think that this could work well for some, given the right lens &/or viewing needs.

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Dropped: You Are My Spring

| kfangurl

Given that a number of people have told me that they enjoyed this show, I was expecting to like this one at least reasonably well.

I knew going in, that there was murder in this story, and I also knew that this murder stuff wouldn’t turn out to be Show’s main focus. Instead, the focus would be on the OTP and the mutual healing that they would bring to each other.

I didn’t mind the sound of that, and I also enjoy both Seo Hyun Jin and Kim Dong Wook – plus I do have a bit of a soft spot for Yoon Park, who’s our second male lead.

All the chips seemed destined to fall in favor of this being a show that I would be able to enjoy, at least reasonably well.

The thing is, though.. try as I might, I couldn’t get into this one – from episode 1. 😅

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