Baek Joo Hee

Review: Doctor Cha

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THE SHORT VERDICT:

Show is a pretty engaging second-chance, underdog sort of story, where it’s easy to want to root for our protagonist to do well and flourish, as she sets out to rediscover herself and her mojo, despite her efforts being frowned upon by her husband and the world at large.

What Show lacks in terms of nuance and elegance, it more than makes up for, with heart.

That said, I found Show stronger and more naturally engaging in its first half than its second, which leaned a little too hard into family dramatics for my preference.

In the end, Show still brings it all together in a way that manages to land as satisfying, and overall, I’d say this worked out to be a solid watch.

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Review: Happiness

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THE SHORT VERDICT:

This is the zombie show that I didn’t know I needed, in my life.

Show is basically sharp, thought-provoking social commentary, dressed as a zombie drama, with a healthy dollop of (absolutely delightful!) contract marriage on the side. Not everything makes sense, but just roll with it, because Show’s social commentary feels like the main course, while all the other details that may not add up, feel incidental, almost.

Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo are absolutely wonderful in this, both individually and together, and just the two of them, make this watch more than worthwhile.

I highly recommend this, even if you’re not typically into zombie shows.

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Review: My Name

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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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Flash Review: Lawless Lawyer [Lawless Attorney]

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Sometimes patience does pay off, you guys.

After feeling pretty underwhelmed by Lee Jun Ki’s dramas in recent years – namely, 2014’s Joseon Gunman, 2015’s Scholar Who Walks The Night and 2016’s Moon Lovers – I was starting to seriously wonder if I would get to see Lee Jun Ki in a show that I truly enjoyed, ever again.

(I didn’t check out 2017’s Criminal Minds, but I heard that I didn’t miss much.)

Now, I’m really pleased to report that I did enjoy his 2018 outing, Lawless Lawyer, and quite thoroughly too. This, when I’m not even usually that drawn to the action / legal genre. Not bad at all, I say.

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