Summer Drama Watching & Capsule Reviews
Mostly kdramas ...
1. A Gentleman's Dignity: Was obsessed while it was airing, now can see the flaws, but really enjoyed it. Never saw Jang Dong Gun before, didn't know what to expect. I thought he was sexy-cool, but still no idea what all the fuss might have been about. Great wardrobes for everyone in the cast, the stylist should get an award or at least a lot of free clothes.
2. Queen In-hyun's Man: Great chemistry, cutest OTP, amazing to have a hero who convincingly thinks his way through things. Ji Hyun Woo is the first K-actor I've seen look persuasively sexy in Joseon-era attire. His silly high crown hat looked much more cowboy than pilgrim (in a good way).
3. King 2 Hearts: Started off great, fell apart about 2/3 of the way through with an unconvincing depiction of Korea on the world stage plus really bad non-Asian actors playing people from all the other countries. Ha Ji Won remains awesome. Great chemistry with Lee Seung Gi.
4. Love Rain: So pretty, great acting, the historical parts and the beginning of the romance were the best. I think it suffered because of live-shoot requirements, but isn't that always the way. Yoona was surprisingly good and I think I will always love Jang Geun Sook.
5. Rich Man Poor Woman: Only jdrama on the list. Oguri Shun is reliably good. Mainly its kdrama qualities serve to point out how it's a jdrama. Lots of mind games, trickery, nobody plays fair.
6. Gaksital (dropped): Too much torture, not enough wuxia, seemed repetitive after a while. Looking forward to whatever Joo Won does next--he's very watchable.
7. Faith: Still in progress. Love this right now, in part because the cast is good, but also for the sf/f sheen over the whole sageuk thing. Also, lack of silly hats and bad wigs.
8. Arang & the Magistrate: So pretty, but filled with silly hats and bad wigs. But also has Shin Min Ah and as of ep 6, a pretty rocking plot.
9. Answer to 1997: Super sweet and fun. Have to read the dramabeans recaps to catch the pop-cult references (my son was born in 1997, I was NOT paying attention to Kpop), but in the meantime can just swoon over Seo In Gook, who is like a sexy, cuddly panda. Cast of mostly rookie idol actors totally doing a great job.
1. A Gentleman's Dignity: Was obsessed while it was airing, now can see the flaws, but really enjoyed it. Never saw Jang Dong Gun before, didn't know what to expect. I thought he was sexy-cool, but still no idea what all the fuss might have been about. Great wardrobes for everyone in the cast, the stylist should get an award or at least a lot of free clothes.
2. Queen In-hyun's Man: Great chemistry, cutest OTP, amazing to have a hero who convincingly thinks his way through things. Ji Hyun Woo is the first K-actor I've seen look persuasively sexy in Joseon-era attire. His silly high crown hat looked much more cowboy than pilgrim (in a good way).
3. King 2 Hearts: Started off great, fell apart about 2/3 of the way through with an unconvincing depiction of Korea on the world stage plus really bad non-Asian actors playing people from all the other countries. Ha Ji Won remains awesome. Great chemistry with Lee Seung Gi.
4. Love Rain: So pretty, great acting, the historical parts and the beginning of the romance were the best. I think it suffered because of live-shoot requirements, but isn't that always the way. Yoona was surprisingly good and I think I will always love Jang Geun Sook.
5. Rich Man Poor Woman: Only jdrama on the list. Oguri Shun is reliably good. Mainly its kdrama qualities serve to point out how it's a jdrama. Lots of mind games, trickery, nobody plays fair.
6. Gaksital (dropped): Too much torture, not enough wuxia, seemed repetitive after a while. Looking forward to whatever Joo Won does next--he's very watchable.
7. Faith: Still in progress. Love this right now, in part because the cast is good, but also for the sf/f sheen over the whole sageuk thing. Also, lack of silly hats and bad wigs.
8. Arang & the Magistrate: So pretty, but filled with silly hats and bad wigs. But also has Shin Min Ah and as of ep 6, a pretty rocking plot.
9. Answer to 1997: Super sweet and fun. Have to read the dramabeans recaps to catch the pop-cult references (my son was born in 1997, I was NOT paying attention to Kpop), but in the meantime can just swoon over Seo In Gook, who is like a sexy, cuddly panda. Cast of mostly rookie idol actors totally doing a great job.