Sunnyelf's blog review of Asian Dramas and Movies.
This blog is a personal labor of love in a constant flux of improvement.
Please Note:
One * = Didn't like it, Don't recommend. Two ** = Typical. Worth seeing at least once. Three *** = I enjoyed it! Worth seeing more then once. Four **** = It's great! Add it to your all-time favorites list! Five ***** = Epic! Highly Recommended. A totally memorable drama/film.
The Moon That Embraces the Sun/ The Sun and the Moon/ 해를 품은 달 / Haereul Poomeun Dal **\ (Korean)
20 episodes
Jung Eun Pyo as King's attendant Hyung Sun
Ohh the dramatical Drama! the Intrigue! The convincing characters and storyline that keeps you moving along with interest! This drama is a creatively-written story about an all-consuming love to last the years, and... its also about just how badly things can get mired in political ambition and manipulation.. with just a touch of mysticism thrown in for measure. Favorite character(s): well lessee how to shorten such a long list? Hyung Sun, for his big comical smiles. Jan Shil for being just odd enough to make for an exceptional best friend/sister. and Prince Yang Myung, for finding a way to support his brother when there was much need.
Crown Prince Lee Hwon fell literally for Yeon Woo at first sight. But it was a relationship doomed for a several year fail. For unbeknownst to the two, there was a hidden wrest for power going on that would quickly tear them asunder with forbidden black magic.
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University student, Natsuki, still suffered panic attacks from a 'mistaken identity' kidnapping in her youth. Even as she attempted to let go of her reliance on her best friend, Kentaro, He had thoughts of making more of their relationship. Then one day, the school had a new teacher, and strange and rather inexplicable things began to happen to Natsuki. Prof. Tatsumi, it seems, has been desperately hopping back and forth in time looking for a perfect ideal that would keep someone very close to him alive in the future he knows.
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Kim Mi Kyung as Detective Jo
Yoo Ji Tae as Kim Moon Ho
Park Min Young as Chae Young Shin
Ji Chang-Wook as "Healer"
The story was involved and interesting from the start clear to the very end. The comedy is light and in context. The romance is beautiful and slightly clumsy. Even the acting and music were spot-on. A truly well put-together drama that not many review descriptions have managed to live up to imo. Tragedy should be expected. Favorite character(s): The Hacker behind the Healer and patience/love itself in the form of an adopter dad.
The story got underway with the formation of a group of budding journalists running illegal broadcasts concerning a subject of well hidden length. They truly had no idea how big the iceberg was when they first took a chip,.. or just how far the hidden enemy was willing to go to keep those chips hidden.
There is a rather famed reporter, still rather bitter/guilty for staying quiet for so long concerning that past time and looking for a child many years grown by now. He utilizes a night errand man to help him. The infamous Healer, who is the best in his business, discovers the sought-after girl, with a bit of help from his boss and master hacker, Ajumma Jo. and there is this woman, a famed reporter wanna-be who chases after a bag thief, only to eventually be caught by her own heart.
This mutual love could prove to be a rather dangerous one though, as the enemy is a large wasp nest of manipulation and string-pulling and seeks their weaknesses to either pull them down completely or change their allegiances to something a bit more favorable.
"Eternal Love"
by Michael Learns to Rock
Is it a blank spot? Click to listen & then
mouseover to see player controls.
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Vampire Flower/ Vampire's Flower/ Flower of the Vampires/ 뱀파이어의 꽃/ baem-pai-eo-ui kkot **\ (Korean)
6 episodes
Nice Vampire tale. Could have been just a tiny bit longer.. But not that bad for only 6 episodes. Favorite scene(s): Boys and their house pictures, moving in, and the contract kiss.
Girl passing through a flower shop catches the attention of a vampire who makes a contract to protect her while she looks for a special flower that might ensure a lord's position. An elder vampire, gunning for the throne, then kidnaps her, thinking she already knew of the flower's location.
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Slow moving drama, with a fairly good story to tell. although, I did wonder exactly what became of all of the vampires hoping to put blame on the one's drinking the blood of animals and living in the human town. I also wonder, just how Jae Min (and Ma Ri too) came around again. Even withstanding the idea of repressed memories of another lifetime, It was hundreds of years gone by. Favorite character(s): Ma Ri's family for being such a supportive family, even in diversity.
There was a time, in ancient history, when Jae Min and Shi Hoo were very good friends. Then, after the formation of a special attack squad to deal with a vampire uprising, Shi Hoo is mortally bit. In desperation, Jae Min went looking for a cure. While he is gone, Shi Hoo is given vampire blood from Ma Ri, to complete the transformation, Ma Ri, with her family, have been hiding in plain sight from the hunt.
Eventually, over many generations, Jae Min, suffering a few mental issues, is introduced and attracted 'once more' to transfer student, Ma Ri, through music.. and beside her, is Shi Hoo the rebel.
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Blade Man/ Iron Man/ 아이언맨/ Aieonmaen *** (Korean)
18 episodes
Lee Dong Wook as Joo Hong Bin
Seems a good combination of drama and a superhero tale to me... Which certainly seems fit with Hong Bin's occupation as CEO of a game company. He seemed rather like a cross between the Hulk and Edward Scissorhands, with the super attributes of the former and the looks-style of the latter. Favorite character(s): Secretary Ko, the best of comical sidekicks if ever there was one.
As head of a large game company, Joo Hong Bin, is in the worst need of anger management. The fury just seems to eat him up inside resulting in a pincushion display of sharp pointy cutlery in random spots over his torso and arms. This seems particularly apparent when confronting his father, who he blames for the death of his relationship with Tae-Hee, whom he finds hard to believe at first, is dead.
Then he gets a run of surprises, There is a woman who smells just like he remembers his love smelling like. He receives and has to care for his and Tae-Hee's son. And then there's the rumor that says, counter to what everyone is saying, maybe Tae-Hee is still alive but hiding.
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A Frozen Flower/ 쌍화점/ Ssanghwajeom/ Blood & Flowers ** (Korean)
133 min movie
Lee Poong-Yoon as a youthful King
Yeo Jin-Goo as a young Hong-Lim
Jealousy can be such a powerful motivator and story-maker, can't it? One could see the fated message of tragedy written across the wall of the library part way through the film. Favorite character(s): the film does a wonderful job of introducing us to the character's personalities from the very start, causing good empathy with most of them. Rating this as a hard R/soft X so bear it in mind before watching.
A king who took care to grow and train his own personal guard, is pressured to gain an heir in order to keep his royal seat. There is also an issue with killing a plot to overthrow him in favor of a new replacement. Having no want to be with the queen, he instead orders his lover, the captain of the guard, to do it instead. This results in complete disaster for them, as, jealousy and mistakes spiral out of control.
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Black Butler/ 黒執事/ Kuroshitsuji (Japanese)
119 min movie
Hiro Mizushima as Sebastian
Ayame Gouriki as Earl Shiori
Not too bad for a live action rendition. That butler was sure wicked quick with a butter knife, wow. Favorite scene(s): the Butler dance of death in a room full of enemy targets.
The young Earl of the corporation is a watchdog or investigator of sorts for the western side queen. In the Earl's company is a proficient butler/bodyguard who holds a demonic contract for when the Earl dies. The earl is put on task in trying to find the reason why one of the nobles was found recently mummified in his car.
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Marry Him If You Dare/ Mi Rae's Choice/ The Future Choice ** (Korean)
16 episodes
Light comedy, odd melancholy style ending. Another of those rare one-takes-neither kind of drama's. I liked both male leads and the female one's too. Even as it seemed they all just kind of got tired of the games about half-way through the drama. Favorite scene(s): working together in dire subway action, for the betterment of all.
Woman from a possible future travels back in time to change the course of fate for her younger self. Younger her though, is a bit reluctant to believe older her, and even less willing to deny her own growing feelings of affection for the announcer of the media company that she works as a writer for... even though there is a warm and handsome VJ looking her way with interest. She just cannot get as into him as he is toward her. And then, just to add further complication to her existence, the older and wiser her faces sudden frustration at the lack of changes showing in her journal, her dear brother has fallen ill and she knows her time in this generation is limited. What to do?
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The Three Musketeers/ 삼총사/ Samchongsa **\ (S.Korean)
12 episodes
Jung Hae In as Ahn Min Seo
Jung Yong Hwa as Park Dal Hyang
Lee Jin Wook as Crown Prince So Hyun
Yang Dong Geun as Heo Seung Po
A rollicking good re-telling, Joseon style, of a French novel by the same name. Well worth seeing imo, even if the King was a bit... too-much a lot of the time.. and really, Dal Hyang (D'Artagnan) should have been added to the musketeer roster at the end imo. Well acted and good adaption. Favorite character(s): Seung Po (the comical Porthos)
There was a conspiracy well in works already, by the time Dak Hyun made it to the city in time for the test. He was quickly put in the thick of things when one of his letters was apprehended, questioned, and lost to the conspirators. A fast and solid friendship is formed just in time to save the country boy from failing the test due to the skewered rump of a mis-targeted horse. Then the prince's mysterious past entanglement of the female kind comes to the forefront along with the King's angry decree to kill the envoy and send a message to the as yet-distant invaders to hurry the call of war. It's really all they can do to be wary of the lady's poisonous touch and protect the envoy's head past the border. What will they do when their very lives and loved one's are brought to task for the secrets that must be kept?
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My Lovely Girl/ My Lovable Girl/ She's So Lovable/ Song for You/ The Woman Who's So Lovable to Me/ 내겐 너무 사랑스러운 그녀/ Naegen Neomu Sarangseureowoon Geunyeo ** (S.Korean)
16 episodes
L as Shi Woo
Not a bad story I suppose. The plot seemed so typical it was almost cliche of the word... drama. I felt for Shi Woo. Poor guy just couldn't catch a break. and I could understand Hyun Wook, He felt horribly responsible for a past accident. After the first 3 or so episodes though, I found I didn't like Se Na's personality at all. Way too .. depressed, really, and it only got worse the longer the drama went on. Favorite character(s): The golden retriever.
An emotionally scarred son of an entertainment business owner is forced to take on the mantle of president when his father faces health issues. He gets to know an aspiring song writer and helps to boost her career while keepin a secret of his intent of being her daddy-long-legs for the sake of her deceased sister's (and his past love's) sake. Attraction is unplanned and mutual though and causes uproar in their personal lives as well as in business.
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My Unfortunate Boyfriend/ 나의 유감스러운 남자친구/ Naui Yoogamseureowoon Namjachingu **\ (S.Korean)
16 episodes
Yang Jin Sung as Yoo Ji Na
No Min Woo as Yoon Tae Woon
A rather adorable love story. I enjoyed Mr. Unfortunate's child-like simplicity and how well he seemed to fit with Ji Na's stubbornness (rather in spite of her frustrated denials). Even the campy nature of the comic sound effects never quite got old for me. The ending as well, was lighthearted and sweet.. if 'just a little' melancholy. Favorite scene(s): Lose the call, dress em up, and head on out game.
A girl, Desperate for a good job, passes an interview for an advertizing agency having omitted the truth of her background schooling. She is put in competition with another newbie for a permanent position. As she tries to create innovative ideas, she gets to know the company's outcast going by the name of Mr. Unfortunate who tends the company's vast gardens. It's a hearts match, but not an easy road, as the company lead has plans to use the situation for his own benefit in taking over the company.
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(Yoon Tae Woon/MR. Unfortunate
/Dr. Seed) No Min Woo
My Love From the Star/ You Who Came From the Stars/ You Came From the Stars/ My Lover From The Stars/ You From Another Star/ My Love From Another Star/ Man From the Stars/ 별에서 온 그대/ Byeoleseo On Geudae **\ (S.Korean)
21 episodes
Kim Soo Hyun as the alien Do Min Joon
First episode for me was a pass. Came back for another round and was hooked. Good story! Ok, so the whole goodbye thing seemed to drag a bit, but they managed to keep it moving along with the twists of the plot and the handsome/beautiful faces of the characters in the story. And Yes, I did laugh and giggle at all of the E.T. references. Prickly and impassioned meets apathetic tenacity equaling a worthy mix.
Favorite character(s): The lawyer, friend, and 'father' figure, of Do Min Joon.
Favorite scene(s): The drunken moments of the Alien and that of the actress in turn. The kiss aftermath, expected but no less funny for the frustrated yowls of the girl at having to suddenly bear his weight.
An Alien, having lived in South Korea for over 400 years, is getting ready to leave on schedule, when he chances across a woman who looks quite remarkably like a girl he once knew long ago and he falls in love while seeking to protect her from a wealthy and near untouchable killer.
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Heart to Heart/ 하트 투 하트/ Hateu Too Hateu ** (S.Korea)
16 episodes
Choi Moo-Sung as Butler Aun Byeong Yeol
Kind of a weird start for this story. I warmed up to it by about the 4th episode and glad I did. It was worth watching. Not to be a sorry spoiler but.. Favorite scene(s): A chat-back heart to heart with grumpy ol grampa.
A girl with a couple of.. embarrassing quirks preventing her from confessing.. or from having any sort of conversion at all with her crush of the last 7 years, has, first, a run-in with, then, an agreement with a published psychiatrist (with issues of his own) to help her 'fix' them. If, that is, she will help him with one of his own rather debilitating issues.. a fear of his patients.
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Sweden Laundry/스웨덴 세탁소/Seuweden Setakso ** (S.Korean)
16 episodes
Song Ha Yoon as Kim Bom
Chang Jo as Yong Soo Chul
It started out kind of light and meandering but quickly became a bit more focused of the central plot of Bom's family and friends revolving around the laundry location. I felt a bit sorry for the somewhat star-sighted and abused love of Soo Chul in spite of all the energy he put into into the possibility. Favorite scene(s): sleeping together in the shop and the many conversations with grandma.
An independent girl opens a laundry and is gifted a special sight or insight to her customers problems by her passed-on grandmother. These visions are then useful in helping to solve the issues. She is joined there by a guy who has dreams of becoming an illustrator, who uses the laundry as a 'home base'. This also enables him to better help with Bom's adventures as well as to get to know her better.
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Cute concept. Light comedy romance story. Could have been expanded upon, I feel, It was so short I couldn't quite catch the purpose of the drama.. other then to showcase the dancing talent of musical JYP groups? But still, it was fun. favorite scene(s): The girl waking up to find four good-looking guys resting beside her.. and their insistence on staying as it was their home too.
A girl, having a seriously hard time in her life, due to illness and death, is given a bit of magical support by 4 dream knights and taught to dance for a school competition. But then the knights run afoul of 3 ex-knights who give them difficulties.
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Yamada and the Seven Witches/ 山田くんと7人の魔女/ Yamada-kun to nananin no majo ** (Japanese)
8 episodes
Cute story. Putting excessive number of smooches aside for the moment, it was a funny light romantic romp with a bit of adventure thrown in just to keep the short story moving along. Favorite scene(s): splatted and unrolling at the foot of the stairs. the heart of a Pomeranian. and the exuberant buddy kiss.
Rebel goes to an elite school and in an effort to ask for help with a failing grade, learns of the legend of 7 witches... each with a spell passed from one person to another through a kiss. After a bout of the switchero gains him the needed help with his test, and curious about what spells each has, he and his new-found friends begin a quest to find the other 6.
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The Night Watchman/ Night Watchman's Journal/ Records of a Night Watchman/ Diary of a Night Watchman/ 야경꾼 일지/ Yakyungkkoon Ilji ** (S.Korean)
24 episodes
Wonderful story! ..right up until about the 17th episode, when the good guys somehow became incredulously dim and for a time there, I totally lost connection with the tale and began to howl in frustration at the unbelievability. Particularly the female shaman, who seemed to walk brainlessly into the enemy's hands, not once, but more then three times! This in spite of having been told beforehand that the powerful snake priest was wanting to use her for his plans. I also didn't understand, Knowing this bad guy was super bad and powerful, and Knowing they -had- to have more people to help, did they try repeatedly, to go against him with but a single person? Even givin their tendency for self sacrifice, this was the equiv of throwing their lives away for the achievement of nothing what-so-ever. The child who played Rang Yi did a wonderful performance. Favorite scene(s): the introduction of the grown prince, enjoying his time with a ghostly guarded prostitute.
The good king, in efforts to right the wrongs committed by several vengeful ghosts, obtained a special flower at the cost of his sanity and eventual death of much of the royal family and court. The dowager and prime minister lift up the second of the two princes for king, in spite of knowing full well that only the one being ousted from the palace could be the rightful king. Years later, the prince, now grown, is enjoying a life of purposeful ignorance when the dreaded snake priest shows up and worms his way into the palace with intent to re-raise a dragon to smite those who stood in his path. The prince is brought to the 'reality' of the situation and revives the legendary night watchmen to help battle the corrupted spirits plaguing the palace and thwart the priest's evil schemes.
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Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
Master's Sun/ The Sun of My Master/ The Sun of the Lord/ 주군의 태양/ Joogoonui Taeyang ** (S.Korean)
17 episodes
Choi Jung Woo as Secretary Kim
Fun drama. Nice to see the character announce the passage of time in context instead of the usual '3/5/2/4/1 years later' plastered across the screen. Good to mix up the routine a little bit once in awhile. I do kind of wish there was just a little bit more info on some of the characters, particularly on some of the ghosts,. and just what kind of accident Gong Shil was involved in.. and whether or not this also somehow involved Yoo Jin Woo.. or was he just 'a somebody' with his own random accident? Tragedy is naturally involved. Favorite character(s): the coffee-loving ghost Joon Suk and the two little boys whose too-busy mother gave them a needed and concerned hug.
A girl is involved in an accident and wakes years later with an ability to see and hear ghosts. Being afraid of these constant and abrupt appearances in her life, she eventually develops insomnia. One wet evening she is picked up for a quick (and rather unwanted by him) ride by a Hotel CEO who, when she touches him, makes the ghosts temporarily dissipate. Viewing this as something of a miracle, she works really tenaciously to stay within reach of her perceived lifeline. Half believing in her words of having seen a ghost from his past, he agrees to be her anchor, hoping to learn the truth to the events of his past kidnapping which left him unable to read and eventually led to the estrangement of his father.
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