When it comes to writing stories from life's natural everyday situations, no one does it better than The Good Girl. Now she is telling all...touching, true-to-life, heartwarming tales that tell the world about her life, love, and lessons learned, with her usual delightful brand of humor and drama. Follow me @therealgoodgirl (Twitter) @talesofthegoodgirl (Instagram)
So #KimGoEun's pixie hair cut was for this role.
I just hope that, like #JiChangWook and #DohKyungSoo in #TheManipulated, and #KimYooJung in #DearX, matinding debriefing ang ginawa sa kanila to shake off the role/ character.
Mother Boksoon #JeonDoYeon is so fine as ever.
All 12 episodes of #ThePriceOfConfession are available for streaming at Netflix
#TyphoonFamily
If there were options, I’d vote for Pamilyang Binagyo ng Kamalasan (as in “binagyo talaga” or a family stormed by a series of misfortunes, or unfortunate events) as an alternate or a translated version of this drama's title 😁
After it made its landfall, Typhoon Family was indeed massive and powerful, with most viewers waiting for the return of the King (the Land), #LeeJunHo. During the initial episode/s, he was already showing off his 2PM idol swag and good looks (omg, his hair with blonde highlights). We missed him that much.
Synopsis: Kang Tae Poong's (Lee Jun Ho) father runs Typhoon Trading (you get it now? Tae Poong = Typhoon), a small but settled company. Known to his peers as the Gangnam Prince, Tae Poong was a carefree but kind-hearted young man, would sometimes get into trouble and fighting, and had no plans apart from maintaining a flower nursery as he was into horticulture. But when the 1997 IMF crisis hits South Korea, and his father passes away, everything changed for him. Determined and driven by a strong sense of responsibility, Tae Poong vowed to ensure the company's survival, whatever the cost.
Cast:
• Lee Joon Ho as Kang Tae Poong
• Kim Min Ha as Oh Mi-Seon
• Sung Dong Il as Kang Jin Young
• Kim Ji Young as Jung Jeong Mi
• Kwon Han Sol as Oh Mi Ho
• Kwon Eun Seong as Oh Beom
• Kim Young Ok as Yeom Bun
• Lee Chang Hoon as Go Ma Jin
• Kim Jae Hwa as Cha Seon Taek
• Kim Song Il as Koo Myung Gwan
• Lee Sang Jin as Bae Song Jung
• Kim Min Suk as Wang Nam Mo
• Park Sung Yeon as Kim Eul Nyeo
• Yang Byeong Yeol as Hwang Yun Seong
• Kim Sang Ho as Pyo Bak Ho
• Mu Jin Sung as Pyo Hyeon Jun
• Kim Do Young as Manager Ha
According to reports, Typhoon Family debuted on Netflix South Korea at No. 2 and has maintained the top position since. In the week of October 13–19, the show ranked No. 5 in Netflix Global’s non-English category and was Top 10 overall in 19 countries. In the week of October 20–26, it went up to No. 7 and was Top 10 overall in 8 countries.
However, despite the high ratings, halfway through the season, the audience was 50-50, asking when the unfortunate streak will end. Tae Poong, his family and friends and company Typhoon Trading suffered from an endless series of misfortunes. Bad things would happen one after another. Lahat na lang yata ng kamalasan. And lahat na lang ng pahirap (hardship). Hindi na natapos. And we wondered why Pyo Bak Ho (played by Kim Sang Ho), CEO of Pyo Sang Seon (Pyo Merchant Marine) and his son Hyeon Jun (Mun Jin Sung) were so G na G and persistent on destroying them, when the Kang family and the employees were not doing anything at all.
What was Bak Ho looking for, when he visited Kang Jin-Young, Tae Poong’s father (played by Sung Dong Il), in the hospital? Turns out that there was a hidden promissory note, where Bak Ho owed Typhoon Trading 40 million won, and in exchange for the loan, he would transfer a 30% share of his own company, Pyo Merchant Marine to Jin Young.
But until that promissory note is found, it was getting to be tiresome, and frustrating. Was it still worth watching and waiting for?
Other highlights / elements that I loved in the drama:
1. Emotional and meaningful story, layered storytelling, good character development, realistic setting and strong cast performance.
2. The recreation of 1990s South Korea, the affluent young people in Seoul known for their flashy, carefree lifestyles during that time, and the nostalgia and emotional weight it created – how we feared Y2K, how we survived the analog era - fax machines, pagers, pay phones, cellular phones, free TV, the desktop computer with diskettes and green or black and white monitors, cassette tapes, and the early beginnings of CDs, MP3 or iPod and CCTVs.
3. Lee Jun Ho does not disappoint. Once again, he delivers a compelling performance, with this role further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and bankable lead actor, following his award-winning performance in #TheRedSleeve and his popular role in #KingtheLand. His portrayal of Tae Poong exudes charm, energy and humor, injecting life (even a few dance moves) into the character even amidst the serious backdrop of economic hardship.
4. #KimMinHa is said to be a replacement for the female lead role. But it doesn’t matter, bare face, freckles and all, she is, for me, the perfect Ms. Oh Mi Seon. I remember the episode where she accepted Tae Poong’s offer to be his employee, when he couldn’t offer anything. When she said Yes, I couldn’t help but cry. She may not be the prettiest actress, but I find her acting natural and effortless. For me, her on-screen chemistry with Jun Ho feels organic, full of quiet tension and warmth. To recall, Min Ha’s breakout role is her critically acclaimed portrayal of Kim Sunja in the international hit series #Pachinko.
5. Tae Poong's mother adjusting to their life from being a spoiled wife living in comfort to being broke and homeless. And how she embraced the Oh family.
6. The combined support of his mother and Typhoon Trading’s loyal employees contributed further to his strength and resilience.
7. Same with the support system of Mi Seon.
8. The existence of “angels” on earth – the ones who helped him along the way (from his first textile case to safety shoes case, helmet case, surgical gloves case, Dabontech / cooling fan case).
9. At the same time, gigil na gigil na ko sa antagonists hahaha Ayaw tumigil, ayaw paawat. Ang yaman na nila, and ang laki ng company compared to Typhoon Trading.
10. The second lead couple Nam Mo and Mi Ho added charm to the story.
11. The flowers serve as a significant metaphor throughout the series, reflecting the characters' growth and their ability to find hope and build a "flower garden" (a fulfilling life and strong community) even amidst hardship: Roses for hope, representing Tae Poong’s optimism and ability to rise again; Cosmos representing resilience and strength, the ability to endure, light pink for budding love and dark pink for passion; Freesias carrying a message of small comfort and encouragement; Gerbera for passion and wealth; Lilawadi (Frangipani) conveying a heartfelt message, "Meeting you was luck"; and Lilies: respect.
12. The OST is also memorable, with contributions from the lead actors: "Eternity" by Min Ha, "Did You See The Rainbow?" by Jun Ho (the drama's opening theme song), and “Updraft” by Han (Stray Kids) which is a hint that something is happening in favor of Tae Poong each time Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh. Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh plays. There’s also an unreleased track featured during the train ride scene in the first episode, which goes like: "Strangers with flowers on a crowded train, smiled at me like you knew my name". The BGM perfectly complemented the visuals of the scene where the two leads who at the time didn’t know each other yet share a moment of unspoken connection on their commute.
13. Bonus: Jun Ho singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”
14. The episode titles are real names of popular Korean dramas from the 1980s and 1990s, with the writer Jang Hyeon-suk paying tribute to the classic K-dramas that laid the foundation for the industry today.
To simply say that the moral of the story is ‘Don’t give up’ is an understatement. Typhoon Family cannot emphasize perseverance enough. It also shows how one’s strength of family ties, holding on to values and hope in the face of hardship can help people overcome life’s difficulties. Frustrating yes, and you can’t help but wonder why there are people out there who will intentionally make your life difficult. The “silver lining” or the end of the rainbow seemed so impossible to obtain for Tae Poon and a lesser mortal would have given up or worse, died in the process.
We see in the last episode that Tae Poong told Bak Ho that while the latter’s son grew up knowing this world is a hellhole, his father on the other hand taught him that it was full of flowers and fruits.
I wish you luck, Bak Ho said. See if the world will wait for the flowers to bloom, and the fruits to bear.
Bouncing back, did Tae Poong go back to his flower nursery? He didn’t have to. Ultimately, his decision to stay on as Typhoon Trading CEO tells us that the people and their strong human connections, forged through shared struggles and support, are "more beautiful than flowers". His flowers are here.
The drama finished strongly with the final episode hitting 10.3% rating nationwide.
All 16 episodes of Typhoon Family are available for streaming at Netflix
P.S. Watch out for Lee Jun Ho’s next project Cashero, an upcoming South Korean superhero fantasy action series coming out also in Netflix this December. #BuhayKPam
Lucky 13☘️
My 13th Fan Meet
3rd this year and 2nd to the last for 2025
He is the good-looking young man in #CrashCourseInRomance #Hierarchy #SeeYouInMy19thLife #Crushology101
Who became a household name and a global rising star after #BonAppetitYourMajesty
Please stay humble, Chae Min ❤️
Nae gyeote isseo jwo
#LEECHAEMIN_TOUR_IN_MNL
#Chaemintoyou_in_manila
#LEECHAEMIN
#Chaemintoyou
#WouldYouMarryMe mini review
After Melo Movie, Rom Com King (a title given to him by his Wooga brothers) Choi Woo Shik is back!
Two years after I have seen him in person, I believe that #WouldYouMarryMe can boast of having the handsomest Woo Shik ever. I couldn’t help but mutter “Ampogi” every time he’s on screen. For a change, he comes from a chaebol family. Thanks too to the stylist and the clothing brands he endorses (Ami Paris and Project M), his casual yet elegant outfits mostly in brown, tan, and beige complement his good looks and height, veering away from the usual black and navy formals that corporate executives in dramas wear.
And so far, this is the only drama where I am so strongly shipping his character to the female protagonist. Or better yet, to Jung So Min herself (I like Park Bo Young as an actress, his partner in Melo Movie, but not for him).
Initially, I found it so problematic and chaotic. You can already see that Yoo Meri (played by Jung So Min, Love Next Door, Alchemy of Souls) has financial struggles, doesn’t have the happiest relationship with her partner, the first Kim Woo Joo (Seo Bum June, Hierarchy, First Night with the Duke), who is a cheater and whose side chick, it turns out, has a real fiancé. The mother-in-law and sister-in-law are troublemakers who don’t like her because she’s not rich enough. But she has her own design company, and her family loves her.
For the other Kim Woo Joo (Choi Woo Shik, Parasite, Our Beloved Summer, A Killer Paradox, Melo Movie), his parents died in a car accident when he was young and there seems to be a hint that they were intentionally killed. He has anxiety attacks, perhaps due to his childhood trauma. His uncle is a scheming man using underhand tactics to gain control of the family business and has an affair and a son on the side. Woo Joo’s aunt and cousin seem to hate him, maybe because of inheritance issues. He has a childhood friend who is forever in love with him, with automatic approval from his grandmother whose personal physician is the father. Upon his return from the US, he was given the marketing team leader position in Myungsoondang, a popular bakery chain in South Korea, where he is a fourth-generation heir. And there’s the typical back story of him and Meri knowing each other since kids. Turns out she is his first love, the girl he met after the car accident and gave him a plushie toy for hope and strength, and the one he has been searching for all his life.
By twist of fate, Meri, dumped by her partner and left technically married, won a luxurious townhouse in a department store promo for newlyweds. So as not to lose the prize, she “proposed” to Woo Joo to pretend to be her husband as he bears the same name. At this point, you would agree with me that everything would be chaotic, as pretense is unsustainable and you can only fake things up to a certain extent.
For the second lead couple, the childhood friend Yoon Jin Gyeong (played by Shin Seul-Ki, Pyramid Game) is a doctor who will do everything to win his heart; and Baek Sang-Hyun (played by the ever-busy Bae Na Ra, who has four dramas this year), a department store managing director who also has a back story of his own, including gratitude struggles with his employer.
There are so many subplots, and there’s so much going on that one would find it hard to track them all at once. There are annoying and unbelievable situations and characters, what can you expect from a “fake marriage”, but as a rom com, the chemistry between the leads and the second leads compensate for it, and Woo Shik’s presence and sense of humor is all over. You can tell that the director allows him to be his usual comic self, as seen from behind-the-scenes videos and photos.
And of course, all loose ends have been neatly tied up. Napagod siguro ang writer sa dami ng subplots.
Why “Would” instead of “Will?” While "Will you marry me?" sounds confident and direct, "Would you marry me?" is generally more hypothetical or conditional, polite and indirect, and because of the fake marriage setup, the question is if Meri "would" marry Woo Joo under these unusual, artificial circumstances. "Would" introduces an element of uncertainty and choice that "will" might not capture as effectively, emphasizing the conscious decision to choose each other.
Interestingly, I read that the drama's title is actually a clever linguistic blend of the character names, Woo Joo and Meri, which creates a hidden layer often lost on international audiences.
All in all, WYMM is one of those dramas with heart and humor, na hindi perfect pero you can live with it. It can be your companion after a hard day’s work, or even in the morning when everyone else is still fast asleep, and kayong dalawa lang ang gising, having coffee, looking out the window or listening to the sounds of the falling rain. It’s a drama that you can be comfortable with, in silence or in chaos. Minsan nakakatawa. Minsan nakakaiyak. Minsan wala lang. Minsan nakakainis, madalas may conflict, merong mga cast of characters na sumisingit. Minsan ayaw mo, minsan pinipili mo, but it’s always a conscious choice. And you get by. You get by.
Just like what being in a life partnership is all about.
All 12 episodes of Would You Marry Me are available for streaming at Disney+ PH SBS DRAMA #BuhayKPam
It’s one of those dramas that kept on popping on my feed, but I never paid attention until a colleague suggested watching it, saying there’s a surprise in the end. So, I gave it a try, and despite not being a sweet tooth person myself, I bit into the chocolate and was lost, as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine were released.
RA is an 8-episode Jdrama, a remake of the 2010 French film "Les Emotifs anonymes" with a Korean actress as female lead, played by #HanHyoJoo (#Always #Moving #Happiness #W). Male lead is Japanese actor #ShunOguri who at 42 can still give his younger peers a run for their money, with his good looks and physique.
Mentored by a brilliant chef, Kenji, who believed in her, Lee Hana is a genius chocolatier with scopophobia, an excessive and irrational fear of being watched or stared at by others, a type of specific phobia and is often linked with social anxiety disorder. Sosuke Fujiwara is the heir of a family-owned confectionery corporation, the number one in Japan, who has a fear of germs, dirt and contamination, owing to a childhood trauma where he felt guilty and has been blaming himself for the death of his older brother.
Strangely, they didn’t encounter these fears with each other. Hana and Sosuke share a comfortable intimacy: she can meet his gaze directly, and he is unfazed by her physical touch. But will they have a sweet ending?
Completing the foursome are the second leads, also Japanese actors, #YuriNakamura as Irene, a renowned psychologist and author; and #JinAkanishi as Hiro Takada, the dashing owner of the bar Brush.
As someone with an acquired mild claustrophobia, I discovered that I could no longer stay in crowded small tight spaces shortly after I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and MDD in 2021. I can totally relate to the two characters’ struggles, with the physical symptoms such as panic attack, difficulty in breathing, trembling, sweating, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain, among others, when triggered.
According to research, phobias are an anxiety disorder that can cause physical and psychological distress, interfere with daily life, and increase the risk of other mental health issues like panic disorder.
But as shown in RA, with professional help, support from family and loved ones, medication, lifestyle and home remedies, these can be managed and treated, although it takes time. We see Hana and Sosuke’s journey (individual therapy, group counseling, Kendo, supportive co-workers) to overcome their phobias as they fall in love, using chocolate as a comforting and symbolic backdrop for their healing relationship. While they are successfully confronting their respective social anxieties, they are still a work in progress, finding strength in each other.
I have previously seen Han Hyo Joo in her previous dramas, but I just found out that she speaks fluent Korean, Japanese and English. No wonder, she was chosen for this role. On the other hand, Shun Oguri is drop dead handsome and is said to have actively pursued a wide range of roles to avoid being typecasted.
I also love that the beginning of each episode features one of the 7 flavors in the Rainbow Palette, a special seven-piece chocolate assortment and the chocolate shop’s (Le Saveur) bestselling product.
The surprise at the end? Spoiler Alert: It’s the double cameo by Korean actor Song Joong Ki and Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi.
All in all, RA may not be perfect (I read that many found it disappointing), but for me, it is light, heartwarming, comforting, and delightful that I finished all episodes in one sitting. Sometimes we just forget the basics of human connection. Romantics Anonymous is a sweet reminder that kindness is everything and that real joy comes from life's small and simple moments.
Available for streaming at #Netflix
#BuhayKPam
It took me a while before I actually let go of #TheMurkyStream.
I took my sweet time to finish the remaining 2 episodes last Oct 17 because one) I know I would miss #Rowoon after this, 2) I couldn’t bear to see the bloody scenes and him getting hurt every time, and 3) I didn’t want to say goodbye just yet to one of the most moving and unforgettable historical dramas I’ve ever seen.
TMS is not your usual good vibes-feel good k-drama. No usual elaborate opulent royal palace set and costume design, this is a gritty portrayal of the lower classes and how they lived during that time. This is so raw, so real, so murky. I knew from the start that we may not get a happy ending, as the drama shows that dark lawless side of the Joseon era (1392–1910) along the Gyeong-gang River (now the Han River), specifically focusing on the area around the Mapo port. This location was the economic hub of the kingdom, where merchants, outlaws, and officials converged, creating a backdrop of wealth, power, and corruption.
Rowoon reportedly turned down multiple other acting projects to dedicate his time and energy to prepare for this drama before his military enlistment. He is said to have performed a significant portion of the action sequences himself, demonstrating his commitment to the physicality of the role; and underwent a demanding transformation, studying his character's lines to show a different side of himself. He lost 8kg and adopted a "stray cat physique" with a beard and ragged clothes to match his character, Si-yul. While his Calvin Klein ads showed a pretty Rowoon with visible 6-pack abs, Si-yul was dirty, wild and unpolished.
Who doesn’t dream of a beautiful world? Here, three individuals dared to dream differently to brighten up a murky world and live like humans at a time when the poor and common people struggled to survive.
• Jang Si-Yul, played by Rowoon (#DestinedWithYou #ExtraordinaryYou #TheKingsAffection), a decent man who hides his past and becomes a bandit / ruffian.
• Choi Eun, played by Shin Ye Eun (#TheGlory #RevengeofOthers), a smart merchant and a lady of principle and righteousness, and
• Jung Chun, played by Park Seo Ham (#SemanticError), an educated man who dreams of becoming an honest government official.
• If this is Rowoon’s last drama before he entered the military last Oct 27, this is Seo Ham’s first since his discharge in 2023.
But how can you win, how can one try to stand up for what is right when everyone else does not follow law and order, and at every opportunity would kill, steal, cheat, hurt others? Where the norm is to deceive, betray, take advantage of the ones who can’t fight back. Where greed, abuse of power, and unfair practices are rampant.
Even so, TMS doesn’t tell us to remain silent and let evil and darkness prevail. TMS doesn’t stop us from thinking good, doing good even if everyone else does otherwise.
Instead, in its subtle nuances, even if it hurts, even if it kills, TMS upholds the human dignity, that no matter what, deep inside every single person, there's a spark of undeniable worth—a human soul with its own story. It doesn't matter where they're from, what they look like, or what they've done. That value is built in. This means we all deserve to be treated fairly, like equals, and to be respected for who we are, not judged by things like our background or gender.
Every person also has the right to steer their own life and make their own choices. No one should have that control taken away from them. And we all deserve to be treated with kindness and care, with the security of knowing we won't be mistreated or abused. Ultimately, our shared humanity connects us all, and it's our job to honor that connection in our everyday interactions.
‼️Spoiler Alert: one of the three protagonists didn’t make it to the end. 😭
TMS may not be a drama that everybody would enjoy watching, but it is sincere, and strong, and beautiful. And tears will fall, I tell you. No matter how murky this stream called life can be, and everything that we hope for and dream of may not always be possible, we just have to keep on rowing harder for a good world, and never stop.
All nine episodes of TMS are streaming #Disney+PH
#BuhayKPam
Yung sa #BonAppetitYourMajesty ako nagprepare masyado
Andito pala ang k-trauma 😭😭😭
What the f 😭😭😭
#Tempest #tempestfinale #tempestondisneyplusph
#JunJiHyun #KangDongWon
Aside from Chae Min, another strength of the drama is the food preparation for each meal and in the cooking competition, showing the contrast between tradition and innovation; modern culinary knowledge meeting ancient ingredients and practices; the lavish palace banquets, the elaborate arrangements - all these are reflections of how food was used to project power, authority and status during the Joseon dynasty. Not a popular opinion, but for me, even if there was no romantic plot line, if they gave more emphasis on the culinary theme and the skills of Ji Yeong, BAYM would still end up as a feast, highlighting food as a powerful catalyst for change, with the king and his chief royal cook collaborating to challenge the court politics and corruption.
But of course, we cannot deny that the royal romance has more appeal, and to satiate that deep human hunger for love, we needed a more acceptable or believable way to soften a tyrant’s heart (on top of his stomach), providing a sweeter, more palatable ending.
And to those who wanted to know how the king time-traveled to the future, konting imagination na lang mga mhie, gusto ninyo pa ipakita bawat detalye, sabi na ngang secret eh hahaha naiwan ung punit na page, tapos paulit ulit si Ji Yeong sa pag-chant nung longing words sa Mangunrok:
"My dearly beloved, if you were to read this someday, may you come back to my side…"
Lahat na lang ba dapat spoonfeeding ihhhh mag-kimchi nga kayo, kaumay. Hahaha
📌BAYM is now tvN drama 's 7th drama with the highest rating of all time.
📌All 12 episodes of BAYM are available for streaming Netflix
#BuhayKPam
🍲The people who give you their food give you their heart.❤️
Every once in a while*, we are served with a k-drama that feeds all four: mind, body, heart and soul. Recall how we were saved and healed by:
• #CrashLandingOnYou, the star power and on-screen chemistry of Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin who later became a couple IRL;
• #HometownChaChaCha in 2021, starring Shin MinA and Kim Seon Ho, a feel-good story giving us hope and warmth during uncertain times;
• #LovelyRunner in 2024, offering a much-needed sense of comfort like a warm hug that resonated with many, significantly boosted Byeon Woo Seok's career, leading to his stardom, and gave Kim Hye Yoon her first ever Best Actress nomination at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards; and
• #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines this year, with strong performances from leads IU and Park Bo Gum, tackling parental sacrifice, family bonds, and enduring love.
Abovementioned dramas won not just viewership ratings but also the thumbs-up of its global audience. And before 2025 could end, we were given a Chef’s Special: #BonAppetitYourMajesty.
(*Note: I am only citing dramas from 2019 to present, which I have watched. I am pretty sure there’s more.)
A drama that they didn’t expect to be such a huge hit, what with controversies from the get-go - the original male lead being replaced by a younger newbie actor, alleged historical inaccuracies, accusations / backlash from C-netz, and the 10-year age difference between the lead actors, BAYM tells the romantic story of a modern chef who time-travels to the Joseon era and becomes the chief royal cook. The series, known as The Tyrant's Chef in Korea, quickly gained international popularity, topping Netflix's Global Top Ten chart after its first two episodes were released. The plot centers on the unexpected romance between 21st-century chef Yeon Ji Yeong (Im Yoon-A #BigMouth #KingTheLand) and King Yi Heon (Lee Chae Min #Hierarchy #Crushology101 #CrashCourseinRomance), a tyrant ruler loosely based on a notoriously cruel historical figure.
BAYM is a love story unfolding in a fictionalized version of Joseon history. While it draws on the reign of King Yeonsangun, 10th monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea, it takes creative liberties, interpreting historical events and characters to craft an alternate story, with food as a love language, the means through which the chef and the king - two people from completely different eras- connect.
While Yoona's performance has shown significant growth and her presence (being a member of Girls Generation, 2nd gen k-pop girl group) adding to its global popularity, it is really Chae Min's portrayal of the king that made the big difference, destroying the initial doubts on his last-minute casting and limited acting experience. This successful break-out role solidified his reputation as a rising star (reminiscent of what Lovely Runner did to Byeon Woo Seok, who incidentally is in the same agency, Varo Entertainment).
• Emotional depth: He skillfully executed the king's violent, angry side and his deeper, vulnerable side, marked by grief, sorrow and sadness.
• Charisma and intensity: His intense gaze, strong voice, and steady tone (and loud guffaw), aside from his height and strong visuals, captured the hearts of the viewers.
• Dedication and hard work: According to reports, he was given only a month to prepare for the role, and he used that short time to learn skills such as horseback riding, archery, and traditional dance.
I also loved how, despite the culture of venality during this era, loyalty and brotherhood can still grow and survive.
• At first, we hated Royal Secretary Im Song Jae (Oh Eui Sik), but in the end, he and his father Im Seo-Hong (Nam Kyung Eup), along with the Chief Eunuch Chang Seon (Jang Gwang) and Chief Court Lady Choi Mal Im (Park Jun Myun), died for their loyalty to the king.
• The friendship of Ji Yeong and Gil-geum (Yoon Seo Ah) due to shared hardships and experiences, and the transition of the royal kitchen crew into a team of innovation and harmony.
• With appearances from Ko Chang Seok (craftsman Jang Chun Saeng).
• And special mention goes to the hot yummy-licious court jester Gong-gil (Lee Joo Ahn) and Chief Royal Guard Shin Soo-Hyuk (Park Young Woon).
To be continued...
As a fan of #KillBoksoon, I was excited to see its spin-off, #Mantis (not to be confused with the ongoing drama #QueenMantis, also in Netflix). What, with #ImSiwan in the lead 🥰🥰🥰although I wasn’t looking forward to see the female lead. So far, wala ako nagugustuhan sa mga portrayals nya hahaha. O baka nga kasi effective 😂 Sorry na.
Just like its predecessor, Mantis is an action thriller film about a contract killer industry, and Mantis, his nickname, played by Siwan, is an ace assassin who comes back from a hiatus only to find a chaotic hitman world after its leader, Cha Min Kyu, dies.
I’m not sure if it’s me but I found the spin-off kind of tamer, or milder. Or was I getting immune to seeing violence and killings? Anyway, kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko ma-feel si Park Gyu Young who plays Jae Yi (Celebrity, A Good Day To Be A Dog, Sweet Home, Squid Game, Nine Puzzles), I’m sure though she is a good and popular actress and I admit I was impressed how she could speak English fluently, having studied the language when she was in high school.
Jae Yi has been harboring ill feelings against Mantis, or Han-ul, because no matter how hard she tried, she would always be 2nd place to him. Mantis, on the other hand, has been in love with her for ages, and this same love seems to be his downfall, as he will always prioritize her and do favors for her. Up to the end. We didn’t see much though bakit ganito ka-special si Jae Yi sa kanya. Kulang yung build up? And I will never understand why mas kinampihan niya itong si girl over his mentor. Nakakabulag talaga ang pag-ibig ano ha.
What I like about Mantis:
1. Siwan, as always, is charming on screen. Obvious bang Oppa ko siya? 🥰 LOL He is not as bad as the role may seem. In fact, Han-ul is portrayed as "a warm-hearted, human killer who hides his gentle nature." Despite what seems to be a limited material, very evident naman talaga ang ability niya to play a variety of characters, mapa-kawawa (Misaeng, Boyhood), mapa-villain (Unlocked, Emergency Declaration), mapa-weird (Strangers from Hell), mapa-rich kid (Run On), mapa-pogi (Summer Strike).
2. Cast is awesome. And before you ask yourself, saan ko nga ba sila napanuod, o eto na: Jo Woo Jin (Narco-Saints, Harbin, Happiness, Gangnam B Side) as Dok Go, Choi Hyun Wook (Twinkling Watermelon, Weak Hero Class, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Dearest Nemesis) as Benjamin, and Sul Kyung Gu (Kill Boksoon, Hyper Knife) as Cha Min Kyu.
3. Ok naman ang action hahaha a genre na I didn’t know I could enjoy as much as rom-coms. Yung paggamit ng “sickles (or blades)” as his weapon, sayang, parang kulang pa yung pag-highlight. Kaya nga siya Mantis eh. How he looks wielding those twin sickles, the character's visual signature or fighting style, resembles the way a mantis uses its forelegs daw. It was said that in preparation for this, Siwan underwent extensive training at an action school to get accustomed to handling the dual sickles.
4. And another trivia, namention na si Mantis sa Kill Boksoon, a role which, they said, was destined for Siwan.
5. Boksoon, played by the phenomenal Jeon Do Yeon, does a cameo. I literally gasped nung eksena niya, nagulat ako talaga. Although maraming references talaga sa kanya and sa original film.
So eto na lang muna. Nabitin ako kay Mantis hahaha it leaves me “praying” for more.
Catch #Mantis if you can Netflix
#BuhayKPam
‼️ contains spoilers‼️
Despite so much fanfare and publicity when it premiered, #Twelve ended quietly, living up to the conceptual idea that angels are messengers of divine silence.
There was so much hype, attention and great expectations when Disney+ announced this K-hero fantasy series, with a star-studded cast line-up with no less than #MaDongSeok (or Don Lee of Eternals, Train to Busan, The Roundup, Badland Hunters) and #ParkHyungSik (whose Buried Hearts’ finale closed the season with a nationwide viewership rating of 15.4%), in his villain era.
The show draws on Eastern zodiac mythology, following 12 angels sent by the Light to protect humanity from evil. It is a high-concept action-hero series that unfolds a universe from ancient times to the present day. Losing 4 angels, the surviving eight angels also lost their powers when Hellmouth, a supernatural portal to hell, was sealed, along with the power of evil. They began living on Earth as ordinary people (loan sharks actually), with Marok, a human with special abilities, but are forced to fight the awakened demonic forces, this time in the modern world.
As a Park Hyung Sik (PHS) fan, I was confused why after 6 episodes, I still wasn’t connecting with the drama, for the life of me. Usually I get affected a lot, cry at the sad scenes, sympathize with the characters, rave about it most especially, and wait for the next episodes like crazy. I stopped and thought, why wasn’t I feeling anything?
How can it go wrong? The cast included #SungDongIl who is literally everywhere (The Art of Negotiation, The Tale of Lady Ok, Han River Police, Curtain Call) and #SeoInGuk (Doom at Your Service, Reply 1997). Is it bad acting? Slow pacing? Too much CGI? Lack of character depth? Wala akong emotional investment kahit na andami nang episodes, and I can’t think of just a single reason. Maybe a dozen? 🤔
Looking at the other “angels”, I don’t know why I couldn’t find them fascinating. I’ve seen the actors in other dramas, but they didn’t seem to have chemistry, despite their being together for many years. I didn’t like how they were exchanging lines with each other, so awkward and unnatural, the girls were not killing it; plus, the worn-out approaches or effects na showing their powers one at a time, hindi ba pwedeng sabay sabay na lang na lumalabas yung weapons nila hahaha and yung mamatay-matay na halos sa pagtakbo yung “victim” tapos yung humahabol na villain or evil eh cool na cool lang naglalakad. Typical. And then there’s Mirr, played by #LeeJooBin (Queen of Tears, Divorce Insurance, Money Heist Korea), who had the soul stone that the fallen angels wanted, for greater power. But all Mirr ever did in the final episode when they were supposed to be battling the evil spirits, fighting for humanity and saving the world, was to lie unconscious, oblivious to everything. Sayang lang hahaha Siya pa naman yung dragon angel. Naging jowa lang siya ni Ogwi (PHS). Nagising na lang siya nung tapos na hahaha
And here I am, writing a mini review (when I couldn’t do it for some of the dramas I have watched and adored like Mercy For None), dami ko nasabi for such disappointment.
Angels are supposed to be messengers, the medium for divine and spiritual communication. But...did we ever get the message?
All 8 episodes are available for streaming on Disney+ PH
#BuhayKPam
Political espionage pero kilig na kilig ako sa #Tempest
#JunJiHyun #GangDongWon 's chemistry is chemistry-ing.
Visuals na lang, 110% na 😍
Now streaming Disney+ PH
‼️May contain spoilers‼️
Synopsis: A young intelligent rookie lawyer joins a top law firm, navigating the complex legal world under a stern but talented mentor; aka Esquire.
Cast:
• #LeeJinWook as Yoon Seok Hoon– Squid Game, Sweet Home, Doona
• #JungChaeYeon as Kang Hyo Min – Golden Spoon, The King's Affection
• #LeeHakJoo as Lee Jin Woo - The Potato Lab, My Dearest
• #JeonHyeBin as Heo Min Jeong - Revolutionary Sisters
While many were disappointed because they were shipping the leads, hoping that the two would end up together in the finale, I was happy with the ending.
This is a legal drama after all (please, we have enough rom-coms and love dramas), and for me, any romantic angle between them was just a side dish, pang-kilig factor seeing that there is chemistry between the actors, despite their age gap - both in the story and in real life.
In an interview, LJW said the original script’s romantic line had been “softened”, and they thought if there was future relationship between the mentor and the younger colleague, it would be subtle and mature and didn’t have to be rushed, and that love is a process of growth, commitment, and mutual support.
Unlike typical dramas, the highlights of #BeyondTheBar were more on understated gestures of care and support, showing how love can be shown through action and shared experiences rather than grand or loud declarations. Case in point, when Jin Woo was proposing marriage to Min Jeong, he ended up not reading what he wrote and rehearsed but spoke of his love from the heart.
In Episode 7, the metaphor "Love is a rainbow" was used to describe how love evolves through a spectrum of emotions, with each color representing different feelings or stages in a relationship: Red for passion, Orange for warmth, Yellow for happiness, Green for peace, Blue for trust, Indigo for depth, and Violet for mystique. That even if we move from one color (or stage) to another, it doesn't mean our love is lost, or has disappeared.
Even Seok Hoon, having gone through a divorce, has his version: “I think marriage is based on love. Over time, that love just changes shape. Love between a couple starts with passion, goes through reality, and ends in solidarity. Losing passion doesn’t mean losing love.” Solidarity. Loyalty. Belonging. These are all different forms of love.
The drama series was popular, that not even the old scandal that resurfaced involving the male lead could affect the high ratings. The cases were all interesting and I loved how they were tied up and connected to each episode’s theme.
For Hyo Min, from their cases, she was able to learn about love – love between a man and a woman; love of parents for their children; love of children for their parents; and the love between spouses. Even the love we show to others. Love takes many forms, and that wounds that come with it can be healed.
While she was enumerating these, this wrapping up brought me to tears - with all their clients being shown how they are now, how it’s going, how they’re living their lives in the present – after their legal entanglements.
This ending wrapped things up nicely and in a heartwarming way, leaving us with a conclusion that Beyond the Bar is one of the better K-dramas this year.
Law and Love – are they mutually interdependent?
Love should not be blind to the Law, and Law is the guide for love…love should not disregard defined standards; in the same way that such standards are designed to establish the norm for appropriate conduct, and demonstrates how love ought to manifest itself in tangible ways.
All 12 episodes of Beyond the Bar is streaming Netflix
#BuhayKPam
Queen Mantis, a remake of the French series La Mante, is now streaming at Netflix.
A detective reluctantly works with his serial killer mother, known as "the Mantis," to catch a copycat murderer. The drama stars Go Hyun Jung as the titular Mantis, Jung Yi Shin, and Jang Dong Yoon as her estranged son, Detective Cha Su Yeol.
Knew from the start
That this would cause a tear in our hearts
But still we watched
Still we watched
😭😭😭
The awesome Lee pair
All 14 episodes streaming at Disney+ PH
#LeeDongWook #LeeSungKyung
#TheNiceGuy
Signing off...
I will miss you, my miracles, my yummy-licious team
#TheWinningTry
#YoonKyeSang
#KimYoHan
#KimEJun
#LeeSuChan
#YoonJaeChan
#HwangSungBin
#WooMinKyu
#KimDan
I don't know pero gandang-ganda ko, siguro nga dahil gusto ko ng mga underdog triumphs eme hehehe
Don't have a favorite or bias sa cast, but maraming yummylicious 😂😂😂
#TheWinningTry currently streaming Netflix
⚖️ I am an LA Law fan for many years (late 80s to early 90s), never mind if I had to wait once a week (Tuesdays) for a one-hour episode on free tv. And up to now, this is a genre that I totally enjoy, be it movies, tv, or books.
Among popular K-legal dramas, I’ve seen Law School, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Divorce Attorney Shin, Vincenzo, Big Mouth...and there’s a whole lot more. There's also an ongoing drama, Beyond the Bar, in Netflix.
In his comeback drama, we see #LeeJongSuk (I Can Hear Your Voice, While You Were Sleeping, Romance is a Bonus Book) in #LawandTheCity. I waited for the series if only for him and #KangYouSeok (Black Knight, When Life Gives You Tangerines). After Big Mouth, LJS returns to a character who at first appears to be aloof, distant, but later, shows his compassionate and tender side. KYS plays a lawyer after being a doctor in Resident Playlist. Although I have seen #MoonKaYoung (MGY) in True Beauty and The Interest of Love, I find her somewhat cold on screen. Not sure if the holding back is intentional on her part, but she wasn’t really “chemistry-ing” with her male leads. And initially, I wasn’t shipping her character and that of Jong Suk. However, surprisingly I felt it on Episode 6, and there was no turning back.
LATC is set in Seoul’s Seocho-dong Law Town, and we meet five lawyers and share their joys and sorrows as they navigate not only the demanding legal world, but also their personal struggles, friendship, and growth.
• LJS – Atty Ahn Ju Hyeong
• MGY – Atty Kang Huiji
• KYS - Cho Chang Won
• Ryoo Hye Young – Atty Bae Mun Jeong (Reply 1988, Law School, Gangnam B Side Nice Guy)
• Im Sung Jae – Atty Ha Sang Gi (who always plays villain roles Gangnam B Side, Worst of Evil)
And of course, when you see Yum Hye Ran (Glory, WLGYT), you know it can't go wrong.
What I like about LATC is it’s pure and simple - no need for complicated plots, disgusting bad guys or irritating love triangles (although we felt that Atty Cho seemed attracted to Atty Kang for a while, but gave it up when Ju Hyeong and Huiji admitted they were dating). Legal cases were nicely written and presented, and for someone who enjoys watching courtroom scenes, most were heartwarming, interesting and touching. As always, I would find myself tearful during emotional moments, with superb performances from the cast. I find the OBB so cool and one of my favorite scenes was when they were waiting for Huiji in the elevator as they leave for court to hear the decision on her father’s case. See last photo.
Watch out for their lunches-catch up meals, you will end up hungry and craving for Korean food. It’s illegal! And I object Your Honor!
All 12 episodes of LATC are streaming Disney+ PH
tvN drama
#BuhayKPam
