First Impression: October 2019 Dramas

October 2019 is proving to be a lot more busy than I anticipated with new promising dramas kick-starting. I find myself immediately hooked on 3 straight away and am excited!

Flower Crew Joseon Marriage Agency

by Kim Min Jae, Gong Seung Yeon, Seo Ji Hoon, Park Ji Hoon, Byeon Woo Seok, Ko Won Hee

There are some cringe-worthy scenes by the boys, particularly from Park Ji Hoon (not digging the flowery costume and intentional aegyo) and Byeon Woo Seok (not digging all the cheesy seduction act). There are a lot cheesy scenes from OTP as well, but I’m happy to see Kim Min Jae being able to finally lead in a drama of his own, and that his character is very likable and smart. Yay to him also finally going to win the girl this time. Regretfully when there’s a winner, there will be a loser—in that I feel apologetic to Seo Ji Hoon since he’s also another actor I’m fond of.

If you’re in for some light, fun stuff with cute boys then this fusion sageuk may be your cuppa. I’m certainly carrying on because I’m enjoying Kim Min Jae’s performance (his deep voice turns out to suit sageuk tone really well, although as a non-Korean I’m not sure his sageuk tone is acceptable by the Korean viewers). I’m also expecting Ma Hoon and Lee Soo to work together because Soo needs Hoon’s intelligent and Flower Crew’s network if he wants to overthrow the queen and corrupted ministers, and judging by this week’s development it looks like my wish will come true.

Extraordinary You

by Kim Hye Yoon, Ro Woon, Lee Jae Wook, Lee Tae Ri

I used to ponder why comics weren’t adapted to dramas 10-20 years ago, and now I’m delighted to see all these creative comics are gaining more recognition. This show is one of them and I’m loving plot. It’s like W: Two Worlds but the light and fun version.

Episode 1 is less interesting for me because Eun Dan Oh (Kim Hye Yoon) is still figuring out everything. My favourites are in episode 2 when the mysterious hero, Number 13/Ha Ru (Ro Woon) saves Dan Oh twice, and when they finally meet face to face at the end. The scenes were crafty and so beautifully shot. Episode 3 and 4 are so AWESOME I can’t stop rewatching some scenes. Dan Oh is still programmed to chase after Bae Kyung (Lee Jae Wook) but she’s also actively interacting with Ha Ru, and I love how quiet his character is—lacking in many ways as Dan Oh puts it due to the lack of character backstory in the comic world, but the interesting bit is also seeing him slowly begins to change because of Dan Oh. I can’t wait to know more about Ha Ru too because he seems to already have noticed Dan Oh since episode 1, and curiously I notice for some reason he seems to expect Dan Oh recognise the palace or the waterfall. The comic world setup is cringy with many Boys Over Flowers-alike scenarios which is giving me goosebumps, I sincerely hope that can be tone down soon. I’m also looking forward to Bae Kyung’s transformation (heard he’ll really fall for Dan Oh later) because having watched Lee Jae Wook continuously play a jerk in all his dramas are getting tiresome.

There are still a lot of mysteries behind this comic world. Why are some of these characters gaining awareness? Jimiche (Lee Tae Ri) is probably the first to awake and knows a lot more than what he let on so far. What other “secret” does he know? Why those who had read the webtoon classified him into “A4”? Ha Ru may be the second to gain awareness, but had been really lonely not knowing who he is. He doesn’t even look like he has a home since he’s an extra “extra” character, so he spends all his time in the school. Ma poor boy.

I knew Ro Woon from Fox Bride Star but it’s only until now I find myself drawn to him. Sometimes it really is all about how a character is written and how he enters the story. I do have a soft spot for stoic, quiet but good-looking hero. The director’s execution and good use to his handsome looks and tall physique does play a significant part for my swooning. This drama is a keeper.

Rave: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Tale of Nokdu

by Kim So Hyun, Jang Dong Yoon and Kim Tae Ho

The Tale of Nokdu is another new favourite. It’s funny and fun to watch, I love it! See, comic/webtoon has really good materials! I was already excited before it aired after watching the teaser previews. The visual is usually cringy when the actor cross-dresses as a woman due to their manly features or physique, however, I must sing praises to Jang Dong Yoon being well-cast. His cross-dressing did not turn me off. He perfectly portrayed a woman when he cross-dresses, but still look dashing when he’s in man’s hanbok.

The secret behind Jeon Nokdu (Jang Dong Yoon) is probably not too hard to guess. He had to be a royalty, just not sure whose son—the previous king or the current. Right now it points to King Gwanghae’s own son, but it makes no sense why Gwanghae wants his own son dead. What happened to Dong Dong Ju (Kim So Hyun) must somehow linked back to Nokdu’s birth secret and I hope whatever it is, it doesn’t add conflict to their budding camaraderie/relationship. Dong Ju and Nokdu are so cute from the get-go that I was so disappointed at first that she discovered Nokdu’s identity too quickly. But I was happy again that there will still be co-habitation and the revelation actually makes them equal i.e. it’s no longer just Nokdu getting fluttered by Dong Ju and now Dong Ju will also see him as a man. It makes their interactions even more fun and heart fluttering. Watching this show makes me happy so yes, it’s definitely a keeper.

Rave: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Country: The New Age

by Yang Se Jong, Woo Do Hwan, Kim Seolhyun, Jang Hyuk

My Country: The New Age does not disappoint. I think I have Netflix to thank because if it’s advertised as a “Netflix Original”, it means Netflix have invested in the drama production. This also means bigger budget to make better quality drama. YES! The drama premiered steadily with increase ratings and has already earned positive praises locally and internationally for the execution of its fast-pace story development, cinematography and solid acting performances from all the casts. It’s such a pleasure to be able to see two very promising rookie actors of the same age battle it out with their acting on screen. The cells in my body are dancing with excitement. My next wish is in the next project they will meet Jang Ki Yong.

I was worried that I’ve lost my spark with Yang Se Jong after consecutive not-as-impressive dramas from him (the scripts/characters weren’t as great), but I’m glad to see that My Country has given him an attractive role. His action scenes are pretty decent and I was impressed with the spinning kick he did himself (I kept forgetting he was in Taekwondo demonstration team so naturally he can do some Taekwondo’s high kicks).

Currently I’m more taken with Nam Sun Oh (Woo Do Hwan) than Seo Hwi (Yang Se Jong) because I like the conflicts he faced and Do Hwan really put in an awesome performance in the scene against his father, Nam Jeon to save Seo Yeon. In contrast, Seo Hwi’s character setup seem less interesting although I was happy Se Jong’s acting still shone through his character. All will change starting episode 3 as Seo Hwi goes through another life changing journey. I really like that the story is set during the period of Lee Seong Gye and Lee Bang Won (Jang Hyuk). I’m lacking the background knowledge of this part of Joseon history and watching it in drama is the best and fastest way to attract my interest and makes reading up on their history a lot easier to absorb.

Rave: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Melting Me Softly

by Ji Chang Wook, Won Jin Ah, Yoon Se Ah, Kim Won Hae

Episode 1-2: The show was going well and steady. Ji Chang Wook’s acting was solid and he was nothing but gorgeous. I find myself swooning at him and thought maybe our non-existing flame may be rekindled.

Episode 3-4: I thought they could have been more interesting since the OTP is now in the present days. Episode 4 was way better than 3 because there were more interactions between Ma Dong Chan and Go Mi Ran. I didn’t like episode 3 as much because it was filled with exaggerated acting from almost all the side-characters. I was concerned when I found out this same writer wrote Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. The concern doubled seeing Im Won Hee joined the cast. I’ve done some research, sources are limited but it seems he’s a well-respected comedian in the industry, except I find his acting style annoying, exaggerated and most importantly, not funny at all. I enjoyed Strong Woman Do Bong Soon; it was promising at first but soon revealed to have no depth in its story and relied heavily on the chemistry between Park Bo Young and Park Hyung Sik. But even the OTP couldn’t fill up the whole episode with just being lovey-dovey so Show added a lot of filler scenes by Im Won Hee and Kim Won Hae that were irrelevant to the main story. I’m therefore worried Melting Me Softly would’ve the same fate. Sadly I’m identifying similarities in Melting Me Softly. I’m going to complete this drama no matter what, but I truly hope Show can prove me wrong and give me a good story.

Rave: ⭐⭐⭐

When the Camellia Blooms

by Gong Hyo Jin, Kang Ha Neul, Kim Ji Seok

This show is as quirky as the characters in it. I can’t figure this show out—is it a rom-com or mystery crime? Also, sometimes I enjoy it more than other times. It definitely has its ups and downs. Hwang Yong Sik (Kang Ha Neul) is such a cute country bumpkin I just can’t with him, especially in last week’s episode at the end. The crying scene is so funny. But there are also times he is super annoying with his persistence with Dong Baek (Gong Hyo Jin) and he needs to back-off when the lady says “No”.

I think Gong Hyo Jin landed herself a good role. It’s different to any of her previous roles. I like that even though Dong Baek seems timid and avoids confrontation at all cost, but she’s no candy or a push-over.

Graceful Family

by Im Soo Hyang, Lee Jang Woo, Bae Jong Ok

I picked this up because there were raves about how badass Im Soo Hyang is in. It was refreshing at first because her character Mo Suk Hee is the complete opposite of her role in My ID is Gangnam Beauty. I enjoyed it still until things got waaaay too makjang (like literally: birth secrets, scandals, affairs etc), and became so flawed. The biggest disappointment is how stupid a supposedly elite TOP agency that worked to protect the chaebol family, MC Group, whose network and resources are seemingly better than the government’s suddenly in various episodes became incompetent. Heon Yoon Do (Lee Jang Woo) and Mo Suk Hee had been meeting up regularly, visiting people that would immediately trigger red alert or snooping around but no one in TOP notice. It makes no sense. So now rather than giving my full attention to the story, I let the show run and watch the important bits because I still want to know the story and how it’ll end.

Vagabond

by Lee Seung Gi, Bae Suzy, Shin Sung Rok

After 6 episodes I’m starting to think the writer didn’t have an in-depth story planned out. Yes the actions were good at first, but it starts to become redundant when all we see is our hero, Cha Dal Gun (Lee Seung Gi), just repeatedly getting attacked and is no where close to unravelling the mystery or revealing the truth behind the truth of the plane crash. Plus, why do I feel that all of Lee Seung Gi’s roles are somewhat similar i.e. the character is always impatient and hot tempered? I automatically thought Shin Sung Rok would be playing the antagonist (again), but it appears this time he may be one of the good guys. Fingers crossed. In conclusion, at this point I’m losing my interest in the show if our heroes don’t start acting a bit smarter and if the main story don’t pick up.

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