Kim Jae Young

Review: Idol I

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THE SHORT VERDICT:

A warm, character-driven melodrama that wears a murder mystery on the surface, but is ultimately far more interested in healing, identity, and love — and the quiet courage each requires.

The plotting can be convenient and the thriller elements tend to be serviceable rather than sharp, but importantly, the emotional throughlines remain steady and sincere.

While it never quite recaptures the early spark, Show stays consistent in tone and delivers a tidy, heartfelt finish that feels earned, if not dazzling.

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Review: The Judge From Hell

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THE SHORT VERDICT:

Given this show’s title and promotional material, I’d expected this story to be all about rogue justice, meted out by our titular judge from Hell.

However, I’m happy to say that while there is rogue justice in this, our story is actually very much focused on personal journey, relationships and community.

Additionally, Show has an unpredictability about it that makes for a watch experience that keeps you guessing, which I personally liked a lot.

As a (big) bonus, Park Shin Hye is in her element as our judge from Hell, and it was fun watching her have fun, in the role.

A solid ride, all in all.

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Review: Love In Contract

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THE SHORT VERDICT:

Love In Contract boasts some pretty great key ingredients for a shiny rom-com in the tradition of Hallyu: a good-looking OTP that shares decent chemistry, a tropey-but-potentially-cute premise, an easy-breezy soundtrack to make everything pop.

Unfortunately, I do think that Show is stronger in its first half than in its second, which is where I feel it gets rather lost in the melodramatic backstory that it builds for itself.

However, Show is not without its bright spots, the biggest of which, I feel, is Go Kyung Pyo as our stoic, socially awkward, dorky and endearing male lead.

Nothing to write home about, in the end, unfortunately, but serviceable, for when you want a rom-com, and aren’t opposed to using the FF button for stuff that doesn’t interest you.

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Review: My Country

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THE SHORT VERDICT:

At its heart, My Country is a polished, beautifully-shot tale of star-crossed brotherhood, and the search for acceptance, meaning, and self.

Granted, Show has its flaws. Sometimes the logic stretches require more suspension of disbelief than I would like; sometimes the emotional tension feels like it’s stretched out for too long and gets tiring; sometimes Show feels like it’s cycling in place, just a little bit.

On the upside, though, Show is filled with strong performances from its cast, knows how to take us on our characters’ emotional journeys, and is scored with a consistently evocative soundtrack that is by turn gloriously epic and plaintively poignant.

If you’re able to roll with Show’s shortcomings, it’s not hard to get sucked into this one.

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