K-Drama Review: “The K2” solidifies Ji Chang Wook as an action hero but also establishes the fact that strong anti-hero females are a lasting trend

November 16, 2019November 19, 2019 ~ dramaindna

I saw some clips and action scenes of ‘The K2’ on YouTube and became interested in the show. I finished the show within a span of 1.5 days with ample sleep ofcourse. I have to say this is the most action packed K-drama I have seen thus far (DOTS, following second).

Image Credit: WordPress

I wanted to find out why the show is called K2, what is the significance. 15 mins into the drama and there is some punch packed action. My hopes rose, seeing how well it was choreographed. It’s safe to say the action didn’t disappoint and you find it packed around pretty much the whole drama. Although, the excessive pause made it unrealistic to some extent and fast pace of camera sometimes made it hard to follow through. I had to go back a few seconds sometimes to know what happened.

The background music and ending credit song caught my attention from the first go. I searched out for it and found it was the main theme for the drama, furthermore the words that I wasn’t able to grasp (other than all of the dialogues in Korean) were in German. The words had a lot of meaning attached to the story and for a Kdrama having a ost composed in German was much surprising (my initial guess was spanish since that’s where the story began). To tell you the truth, it’s absolutely catchy and is still ringing in my ears. Most of the ost is instrumental and pretty good depicting the mood of the story. Soft for emotional scenes and thriller for suspense or action. Few episodes into it and you could guess with the main theme playing that you will witness some action or dynamic transition in plot.

Spoiler alert!

Left to Right: Go Anna (Im Yoon-ah), Kim Jeha (Ji Chang Wook), Choi Yoo-jin (Song Yoon-ah), Jang Se-joon (Jo Sung-ha)

Coming to the story, it is not something entirely new to the universe. An agent (Kim Jeha) like no other, suffered a tradegy, gone rogue, fighting against the world but still being good and fair to the innocent. He fights for the right, wants revenge and along the way encounters love (Go Anna). However, the intricacies are what makes these stories and characters a bit more unique. It’s always interesting to watch these kinds of stories roll out every time. (Action with a purpose, as I call them are a favorite genre of mine).

There are some things I absolutely loved about the drama. If there was a damsel in distress it wasn’t without a strong antagonist and that too a female (Choi Yoo Jin). Not often do we see this gender being given so much authority and control to move the story.

I loved the character of Choi Yoo Jin even though she was evil, very evil but there was something about her that made her vulnerable and deserving of bit sympathy. Amazing acting by Song Yoon-ah, she ruled the show for me. She has so many layers and ultimately turns out to not so bad a character. Infact, she is better off than likes of Mr. Jang (father of Go Anna). I wanted to like this character, giving reasons for his shitty behavior of a playboy or towards his own daughter (he still loves her mother, he is trying to protect his own daughter) but even after his whole sacrifice at the end I haven’t been able to like him. I understand that his political career was the only thing he had left and it was to avenge his love. But you need to draw a line and not hurt and put the only thing you could possibly love through danger and much emotional turmoil again and again.

The character of Go Anna played by Im Yoon-ah is much in controversy. Some say her acting isn’t as strong as her kpop gig, some say she doesn’t compliment well with Ji Chan Wook and there is no chemistry, others say she has improved a lot. Well I have nothing to compare her with, neither her past works nor many actresses. I honestly found her acting well according to the role given to her. I felt the role demanded of her to show less emotions, to act aloof. I felt the sparks between Go Anna and Kim Jeha but I wish they burnt like fire, I wish for more scenes where the chemistry could be explored more. Nevertheless, it was great.

I also enjoyed the love traingle between Kim Jeha, Go Anna and Choi Yoo Jin. It touched upon a restricted topic of older woman loving a young guy. From the first go I felt that Choi Yoo Jin started liking Kim Jeha but it wasn’t very clear, the show makers deliberately kept it that way I guess and I loved it. The way she should stood strong, caught hold of her feelings amidst her goals and also the way she unfolded and exposed herself to Jeha.

Coming to the titular character, Ji Chang Wook, he has done some amazing work. It was my first drama of Ji Chang Wook. I am completely mesmerised by his ability to induce intensity and comedy equally well into the scene. He has performed some amazing action and was truly the wolf of show.

Few of my favourite scenes include the inital fight scene (episode 1), the car chase with Kim Jeha and Yoo Jin (episode 2), bathroom fight (episode 3), taking Anna to infirmary (episode 7), euroem and ding (episode 8), how Kim Jeha looks at Anna through CCTV and then his eye shades episode, all the tiny details make your heart melt, the ending (episode 16) and choi yoo jin’s role in it, she was literally the queen of the forest!

After finishing the show, it was difficult for me to imagine any korean actor that I famously know of other than Ji Chang Wook to play K2. He has done sweet justice to his role. The drama kept me engrossed throughout and due to the suspense attached I was constantly on my feet. The only disappointment I have from the show is not being able to K2’s real name.

The whole soundtrack of the show is so so good it be enough to make you want to watch the show. I love the soundtrack of the show so much that I usually have it playing on repeat. All in all, I love the show a lot and I do keep coming back to it.

Why Watch it?

If you are looking for an action packed Kdrama
If you are a Ji Chang Wook fan
If you are a Im Yoon-ah fan
If you are a Song Yoon-ah fan, trust me she’s too good in this
If you like action entangled with romance and suspense
Amazing Ost
If you like female anti-heros who move the story forward

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The Heirs: Kdrama Review

August 5, 2019August 4, 2019 ~ dramaindna ~ Leave a comment

“One who wears the crown must bear it.”

A crown does not only have weight, it is heavy as well. The story is about ‘heirs’ of various billion dollar businesses and companies and how their life is not all it seems to be. How their struggles and problems are just as ordinary as others. How money cannot buy you everything and there is price one has to pay for having a lot at birth.

Image Credit: Viki

Characters (Left to right): Choi Young Do, Kang Ye Sol, Cha Eun Sang, Lee Hyo Shin, Kim Tan, Chan Young, Jo Myung Soo, Lee Boo Na, Rachel Yoo

The starting of the show was quite interesting. For me usually korean shows take time to develop story and hence my interest but this one really got me interested from the first go.

Image Credit: weheartit

Slowly I realised that it is a high school drama with lots of cliche elements like a love triangle, jealous partner doing crazy stuff, the societal class and bullying. The drama has some really good sayings to offer. The back story they were trying to build was good but didn’t fully materialize.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Coming to the characters, I really liked Kim Tan saying “Do I like you?” “Did I miss you ?” Instead of I like you and I miss you. It adds such a mysterical and questioning element. I found Kim Tan relatable to the extent that to some people he is so sweet and to others he is so rude. The way he turns a blind eye to what he started makes me question if he really has become a good guy or even if he is a good guy. Lee min ho’s intense gaze is something in itself and he was looking handsome as ever but on the acting front he seemed like a poker face I couldn’t make out his expression many a times whether he is hurt, sad, angry or what. Maybe that was the demand of his character.

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I was touched by Cha Eun-Sang’s determination to give her mother a better life even with so many problems and her mother’s inability to speak gives a much deeper touch and connect. Park Shin-Hye’s acting seemed very natural to the character.

Image Credit: weheartit

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The chemistry between the lead was good but I think the couple could have had better scenes together. The intimacy could have been better like it was in the initial episodes. Another thing was the dream catcher, it kind of got the story around. I liked how Kim Tan looked through to EungSang via dream catcher symbolising she was his dream. I think dream catcher was one of my favourite characters in the show.

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Yoong do came off as so evil but later on I realised that he is so sweet and fragile from inside and is textbook case of parent neglect and bullying.

Image Credit: Facebook

This drama was not really about being perfect and the character flaws were in your face evident which I did like. However, there are a lot of loose ends. Like what happened to Yoong Do’s father, his mother? What happened to Won’s Girlfriend? Did Rachel and Hyo -shin materialize (which was kinda out of the blue to be honest) A lot of characters, since it was ensemble needed more time. It was more like blink and miss for many. I would have enjoyed if chanyoung and his father’s relationship was given more time. The thing I did not like about this drama is women were being pushed around a lot be Cha Eun Sang, Rachel or Kim Tan’s mother. Their destiny for some reason did not seem completely theirs.

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Somethings were beyond me like how Won changed suddenly when Kim Tan was trying so hard since the beginning. I wanted Won and his girlfriend to end up together they really deserved it. I wanted Kim Tan and Yoong do to reconcile, they deserved it. I wanted Rachel and Yoong Do to have a better end. I kind of pity them. Also when the show started I thought they might end up together but they were declared step brother and sister.

Image Credit: weheartit

The ost of drama is one of it’s strong points. The song ‘Here for you’, ‘Crying again’, ‘Moment’ are absolutely amazing. ‘Serendipity’, ‘I am saying’, ‘Love hurt’ by Lee min ho, ‘Story’ by Park Shin Hye are also great picks.

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Towards the end a lot started happening which was a little much for the end. All in all, it was like an okay drama. The underline theme was good but I wish it wouldn’t be shadowed by the love triangle. There were somethings I really liked. But sometimes it fell flat for me.

I would recommend this drama only if you have been into kdramas since before and you know how they work. Also, if you like things to be little cliché.

Why watch it?

If you are Lee Min Ho/ Park Shin Hye/ Kim Woo Bin fan
Park Shin Hye’s good chemistry with Lee Min Ho, Kim Woo Bin
If you like coming of age, high school romance drama with love triangles and cliché
If you like dramas with ensemble
The underlying theme, good quotes and good music

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Thai Drama Review: Kluen Cheewit (surviving the waves of life)

July 19, 2019August 28, 2020 ~ dramaindna ~ Leave a comment

This was my first thai drama. I actually came across it accidentally (or maybe there are no accidents) on YouTube. I saw some mini clips of the episodes in thai language that went beyond me. However, I was able to grasp what was on going on. Somehow I just kept clicking next after next until I became hooked enough to watch. I searched all the comments carefully to know the name of the drama. Then, I searched for the story and then started watching the episodes one by one.

Kluen Cheewit Poster — Picture Credit: mydramalist

Left to Right (characters): Daraka, Jade, Sathit, Jeerawat, Piak and Chayan

Thai drama are usually almost 1.5-2 hours long. With a drama generally ranging from 15-20 episodes. So it took me 5 days to finish watching. I made it in time to watch the finale with the rest of the world.

Kluen Cheewit: Jeerawat and Sathit — Picture Credit: facebook

Tradegy strikes within the first episode of the story and that forms the basis for the rest of the drama. The female protagonist (Jeerawat) is a successful actress who gets involved in a clear hit and run case. The victim of this hit and run case is our male protagonist’s (Sathit) girlfriend. She passes away and then revenge comes into picture and then Jeerawat.

The story plays around as to who to blame for, who is really at fault and how everyone is somehow a victim of something. It also sends out a message that life can give you second chances to love and to live. The waves of life will hit you in ways you don’t want and aren’t ready for, it is upto you how you sail.

Cast fits their roles perfectly, it’s the characters I have a bit of problem with. The thing with thai dramas is a lot of them are slap-kiss kind. A lot many times force and violence is romanticised and rewarded which is something I don’t really like. So it doesn’t top my favourite list but undeniable made an interesting watch primarily because it was my first step into Thai culture and the amazing chemistry between Jee and Sathit. Even with simple guy meets girl stories, you can’t argue the fact that they are not at all addicting. I feel the strong chemistry between the lead and the beautiful ost are the most favourable factors for thai dramas. This drama makes for a strong story if you place it in list of other thai dramas.

Kluen Cheewit Sathit and Jeerawat — Picture Credit: Pinterest

The thing I like about this one is that characters are not so much of black and white as is the case with most thai dramas. They are somewhere in between not only in their behavior but also their wishes for themselves and others. The leads have done some amazing acting and tried their best to justify their parts.

The character of Jeerawat is played by Yaya Urassaya commonly known as Yaya. She has put in her very best here. Her expression are all on points, her emotions very vivid. The character’s life seems to have it all but is actually filled with a lot of sadness. From being a diva on the outside, to being a next door girl on the inside who just wants to have a genuine love. It is an actual parallel to life that one can seem to have it all but be genuinely sad. You can see clearly what the character is going through. Both her resilience and her vulnerability are portrayed well and that is what I admire about the character. She is vulnerable in front of those she loves but equally determined and head strong in front of those who wrong her.

Kluen Cheewit Jeerawat — Picture Credit: Tumblr

The character of Sathit is played by Mark Prin. Many considered it his best one till date. However, his character Kob from Ton Ruk Rim Rua is still my favourite. Yet you can’t miss him here. He makes his ‘mark’ in every shot he is in. The thing I like about Sathit is that he is not all hero and righteous. He makes error in judgements, does wrong deeds and repents them. At no time I feel a hero/lead should be justified for doing wrong deeds but all I am saying is that his character is not far from being a ordinary human who is prone to making mistakes. Initially his beliefs are entirely based on what meets the eye. It is only later on when his heart wavers for, he brings perspective both wrong and right into the picture. This was so because he is blinded by getting the due justice which takes a bad turn for revenge.

As for rest of the cast too, have done a great job in terms of acting. Louis and Toey’s character of Chayan and Piak also manage to garner your attention as good as the lead because of their seemingly natural acting.

The direction is good as well, the storyline keeps you on your feet. The opening and ending ost are beautiful and make so much sense to the story. The background music fits in right places as well.

In the end, the drama depicts how people survive the ‘waves of life’. And try to live on even with scars and wounds of their own.

The drama explores the dynamics of friendship, love, revenge, guilt and redemption. It makes an interesting watch be it because of the chemistry, story, ost or being a remake of popular drama/ novel of the same name. If you are someone who likes slap kiss dramas, you won’t regret watching this one.

Kluen Cheewit End — Picture Credit: asianfuse

Why watch it?

The amazing chemistry between Mark and Yaya
Good Acting by leads
Good storyline (in terms of thai dramas)
Amazing Ost
If you like cliché revenge- love stories
Remake of popular thai drama, based on novel of same name

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Kdrama Review: My Love From The Star (Who loved a star)

June 23, 2019June 23, 2019 ~ dramaindna ~ Leave a comment

‘My Love From The Star’ or ‘You Who Came From The Star’. I looked into this drama primarily because of the hype around it.

The ‘other world mystery’ on the story contributed to my decision to watch it. When I first started with the series, I was not really into the old/backstory scenes. I wanted to know about the love story of the current time. And it isn’t a hidden fact that I take time to develop my interest in first few episodes, this wasn’t a exception. It took me a little more because in the initial episodes a lot of backstory was in the development.

The story is about an alien who is much like a human who has been stuck on earth since 400 years, because he doesn’t age he has to change his identity every few years. Now that he has a chance to go back to his planet enters a girl, an actress that gives him some hard time by landing him in troublesome situations but also a reason to not go. The plot is certainly different and is one of the reasons of popularity the drama has. Because of many elements that were patiently brought out, the drama keeps you curious until the end.

Characters from left to right: Lee Jae-Kyung, Lee Hee-Kyung, Cheon Song-Yi, Do Min-Joon, Yoo Se-mi, Cheon Yoon-Jae

Talking about the characters, Do Min-Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) was kind of poker face but I realised why he needed to be so. He was able to deliver relief in a scene even with his sincerity. Cheon Song -Yi (Jun Ji Hyun) is strong, she almost comes off as arrogant initially but slowly you realise how vulnerabilities surround her and how far her life is from being perfect. I didn’t realise before why Jun Ji Hyun is a hallayu star but her acting like crazy and expressing what she feels secretly to herself all in the apartment made me laugh off and at the same time presented her great acting skills. This kind of craziness in a female lead I did not observe in any kdramas I have watched so far.

Her acting seemed natural and effortless. I found the pairing quite unlikely in the first go. Maybe it was their personalities or the supposed age gap between characters, something was putting me off. But this obviously changed later on. Slowly I started rooting for them. But at the same time I was feeling really bad for Lee Hee-Kyung (Park Hae-Jin), he didn’t deserve what he went through. He sincerely loved Cheon Song-Yi and his brother but never was his love truly reciprocated. Mr. Jang’s friendship and this fatherly figure he was to Min Joon was really touching considering Min Joon didn’t have a family of his own.

Some of the characters weren’t really required according to me because I felt they were not doing a lot to the story. (For instance: The mother of the Lee Hee-Kyung.)

Initially they were a lot flaws I found like when he has superpowers why can’t he erase people’s memory when he has revealed himself, if he is a different species/alien why is he bleeding, where did he get his clothes from, how does he know korean? How was he born? Some of these were answered to me one by one, like that fact that he did not have a family, the people on his planet are similar to the people here (in terms of body, looks etc), he cannot erase people’s memory among other things. I was surprised and happy that some of my curiosity was answered and some wasn’t. (I realised then it is just a show and I analyse elements of drama like a scientific thesis). I really liked the concept of fillers they provided at the end of every episode. It rested the suspense and at the same time kept me curious till the end as to what filler will they provide. Some of the fillers I could predict and some I was surprised by.

Slowly I realised, Min Joon is more human then we think. He feels jealous, insecure (tiny bit), and he cries! Dammit!

This drama was different from others in the sense that I saw the guy cry more than the girl which is progressive and I wanted to cry with him and I did in the end.

When I read the synopsis for the last episode I was like hell! (Spoiler alert!) They will not have a good ending but when I saw I was a bit relieved that it was not exactly a sad ending and it gave a beautiful message.

The Ost was good. ‘My Destiny’ and ‘Welcome to the earth’ are my favorite from the album.

All in all, it was a good drama to watch, which I wanted to finish quickly because I was curious but didn’t also want it to end quickly.

Why watch it?

To not miss out on a drama that is on every kdrama fanatic’s list (there’s a reason)
To witness a fantastic effort by Jun Ji Hyun and her comic self
If you like an emotional love story along with some mystery and alien theme then this is for you
To explore the offbeat but good chemistry between Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun

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