Oh Min Ae

Review: My Royal Nemesis

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

A show with a fun concept that largely manages to deliver on its promises – quite a rarity in Dramaland these days, yes?

Im Ji Yeon sparkles in this and I absolutely love her, but I have to admit that it’s Heo Nam Jun who truly surprises, by infusing his character with layers and fun quirks – and the best swallowed leaked smiles that I’ve seen in quite a while. 😍

Our OTP is sparky and great together, and combined with Show’s blithe first half, make for a watch experience that feels both fun and satisfying.

Show’s final stretch does let up on the fun hijinks in favor of dealing with bad people and bad fates, but I do see this as par for the course, since these are built into the narrative from the beginning.

Stops short of being amazing because of some missteps, but I’d still say this is very, very solid.

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Dropped: Pro Bono

| kfangurl

I always hope to love the dramas that I start, but I can say that this is one time where that was even more keenly true that usual.

That’s because so many of you loved this, that we had more than 100 – ONE HUNDRED! – comments on this show in the Deep-dive Zone alone. I do think that that’s a new record that you’ve set, my friends. 😁

And so of course FOMO poked me – hard! – and I decided that I wanted to join this party too.

Unfortunately for me, this party-joining hasn’t gone the way I’d hoped, and here I am, tapping out after watching 8 episodes of Show’s 12. 😅

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Review: When Life Gives You Tangerines

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This is a case of Show living up to the hype.

Everything about this show, from the writing, to the direction, to the delivery, speaks so deeply, of genuine tenderness, and I just love how it all comes together, to become something that’s even greater than the sum of its (already impressive) parts.

Our story is simple and approachable, yet so profound in its humanity and compassion, that one cannot help but find it affecting.

Our entire cast is fantastic, but in my opinion, our core cast, IU, Park Bo Gum, Moon So Ri and Park Hae Joon truly stand out, playing our OTP in different timelines. They deserve all of the awards, and then some. 🥲

A masterpiece that’s well worth your time.

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Review: Dr. Romantic 3

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Season 3 is comparatively more dramatic, and perhaps more case-focused than our previous seasons, but I do think that we get enough of what makes us love this series, to make this worth the watch.

Alongside – and often, in the midst of – the bigger cases that Show serves up, we get to see our characters grow in themselves, and in their relationships with one another, as they wrestle with the various challenges that come their way.

And, along with all that, Show does give us the warm, hopeful feels, along with lashings of poignance, that we’ve come to know and love, from this series.

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Review: My Liberation Notes

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This show really isn’t for everyone, I think.

It’s slow, meandering, slice of life, and our characters take time to become more understandable and endearing, all of which are things which I think can work against this show.

However, at the same time, Show is thoughtful, thought-provoking and quite meaty, if you are so inclined to engage.

It’s not quite an escape from real life, like many of us tend to look for in our dramas, but instead, it’s a pretty great gateway through which to reflect on life.

Different, and worthwhile.

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