Review: Lovely Runner

THE SHORT VERDICT:

A little show that looks light and fluffy, but is, in fact, so full of heart, and so solidly smart, that it outshines its similar-looking drama cousins, by a long mile.

Smartly written and tenderly directed on the one hand, and sincerely delivered by a cast that feels pitch-perfectly chosen for this story world on the other, Show has a lot to offer, despite its relatively modest pedigree.

Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon are wonderful in this, individually and together, and were the highlights of my watch; I found them both entertaining and endearing in all the right ways.

As a bonus, Show boasts a great OST that just amplifies every feel that Show serves up.

Very much recommend.

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Review: Record Of Youth

THE SHORT VERDICT:

The story feels kinda meandering, and Show’s tone vibes Scripted Hollywood Rom-com rather than earthy slice-of-life drama, which is a decidedly rather odd combination.

Overall, everything in this show comes together in a way that feels a touch uneven, but if you love Park Bo Gum, Show is a solid way to get a nice dose of Bogummy, because this is basically all a showcase for him and him alone.

Everything and everyone else just happens to be there as varying levels of set dressing.

With the right lens, Show is a pleasant enough watch, even though it never grabs me in the way that I want it to.

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Review: Search: WWW

THE SHORT VERDICT:

A dark horse of a show that took a tiny bit of getting used to, but eventually surprised me by sneaking under my skin to grab my heart in a big way.

Search: WWW truly is a rarity in Dramaland.

First of all, it’s women-centric and puts the spotlight on the relationships among our main female characters, which in itself is a big plus.

But even more surprising than that, is that while each of our 3 main ladies has her own loveline with a perfectly matched love interest, those romance arcs never take centerstage in our narrative, even at their most melty.

Instead, the romances are positioned as just one aspect of our women’s very full lives. Seriously, how refreshing and cool is that?

Thoughtfully written, solidly directed, and brimming with consummate performances by the cast, this is one drama that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

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