Review: Motel California

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This show isn’t for everyone – is, I think, the most accurate and important thing I could say about this drama. 😅

Characters and relationships tend to develop in ways that can lean messy &/or perplexing, and that is kind of reflective of real life, in a manner of speaking.

How well you take to that, will largely determine whether or not this show is for you, I think.

Additionally, Show works out to be a slow burn, but there’s ultimately a reward of warmth and contentment, for the patient.

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Review: Marry My Husband

THE SHORT VERDICT:

When Show is at its best, the writing feels smart, thoughtful and inspired, and Show is cracky fun to watch. When Show isn’t at its best, however, the writing feels paint-by-numbers and pretty lazy, to be brutally honest.

The good news is that Show has more good moments than not-so-good ones, in my opinion, and overall, works out to be a solid ride.

Our leads are great, and this is absolutely a worthy comeback for Park Min Young, but it’s also true that it’s our second leads, Lee Yi Kyung and Song Ha Yoon, who end up stealing very large chunks of the show.

Worth a look, with the right lens adjustments – which I’ll talk about shortly.

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Review: Mr. Queen

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Show took a while to settle, for me, and Show’s chosen ending also isn’t my favorite choice that writer-nim’s made, but by and large, Show had me firmly by the heart during the course of my watch.

Shin Hye Sun is simply outstanding in this, putting in a tour de force performance that makes this show watch the watch, all on its own, and Kim Jung Hyun is fantastic as well, making his character Cheoljong someone that I really wanted to root for, both as a king and as a person.

The chemistry that our leads share is of the deliciously cracky variety, and I found watching their burgeoning connection a true delight.

Aside from this, there are also a nice handful of supporting characters that I found myself growing very fond of, as well.

Not perfect by any means, and Show does require some hefty lens adjustments, but still so worth it, in my opinion.

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Review: Mystic Pop-up Bar

THE SHORT VERDICT:

A warm, heartfelt little show, Mystic is sometimes a little (or a lot) sillier than I usually like, but is, on the whole, so sincere and full of heart, that I can’t quibble with it too much.

Hwang Jung Eum is quite wonderful as our protagonist Wol Joo, and importantly, displays zero screechy tendencies in this role.

Choi Won Young and Yook Sung Jae round out the little Mystic team really nicely, and these three make a surprisingly endearing trio, as they strive to help their customers resolve their grudges – for heavenly credit, of course.

The overarching backstory is bittersweet and poignant, and Show does a nice job tying it in with our grudges of the day, with an impressive degree of consistency.

Importantly, Show starts strong and manages to end strong as well, making for a solid and satisfying watch, overall.

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