Shin Joo Hyup

Review: Dynamite Kiss

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Show works really well as an homage to the golden era rom-com; it’s got a light, frothy sort of vibe, where the main order of the day is joy in spite of the ridiculous, and logic is quite optional.

Modern tweaks like a male lead who only looks like a golden era tsundere but is really a very easily persuaded green flag, and OTP sizzle that’s allowed to be front-and-center, definitely add to the sense that the classic rom-com is getting an upgrade.

My favorite thing that Show does, though, is how it works to stay faithful to the emotional throughline of its characters; our OTP in particular.

Show does wobble in the final stretch, but not enough to be a deal-breaker, in my experience. Some lens adjustments definitely help – which I’ll talk more about, in a bit.

Continue reading →

Review: The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Some viewers think that this show is brilliant, with its spotlight on the Korean education system, and the effect that it has, on all the players, including students, parents, and teachers.

Other viewers feel that this show is boring and slow-moving, and not worth their drama hours.

Still other viewers think that this show had flickers of promise, but ultimately didn’t live up to that promise, because it was inconsistent in its thematic focus.

I’m in the third camp, just so you know. But really, the only way to know whether this one will end up working for you, is to give it a try.

My advice: You’ll likely know pretty early if you love this one. If you don’t love it right away, better to walk away early, than try to make it work. (Take it from someone who’s been there. 😅)

Continue reading →

Review: Find Me In Your Memory

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Find Me In Your Memory does a rather unusual thing, by tapping into one of Dramaland’s favorite sources of dramatic tension – the stalker arc – and then using it as a platform for our main characters to work through the healing that they need.

In this way, Show sets itself apart from other healing dramas, which tend to be more introspective in vibe, by being comparatively more action-heavy instead.

Despite a tendency to use tropes in its narrative, Show manages to serve up characters and relationships that feel real and relatable, where growth feels earned and true.

The OTP relationship is portrayed as sweet and restrained, and taps nicely into the chemistry between Kim Dong Wook and Moon Ga Young, which feels sweet and natural. As a bonus, the secondary loveline between Kim Seul Gi and Lee Jin Hyuk is super cute.

Not groundbreaking by any means, but a solid watch overall.

Continue reading →