#TheMurkyStream mini review

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

#Twelve mini review

‼️ 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

#LawAndTheCity mini review

 ⚖️ 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

#NinePuzzles Mini Review Part 2

• At some point, it dragged, it could have been shorter than 11 episodes. And they didn’t show in flashbacks how each murder was done. For some oohs and aahs moments. But I guess, the focus was more on why and who.

• I liked that they didn’t add a romantic angle. Some dramas should be left like that, please don’t force something that shouldn’t be there. True, Han Saem changed her mind about Ena, and he started to be concerned with her and her safety. He even brought her back to his mom’s place. But that’s it. She’s more like a younger sister to him and a colleague whom he started to respect.

• I loved the ending scene, though. Spoiler alert: Looks like Ms Yoon will re-join the force. 

Some would say that the series ended "flat, weak and rushed" and that it was "underwhelming." That the twist wasn’t that mind-blowing. Ah ok, is that it? In the Phils, we'd say: Yun na yun? 

Well, a little, maybe. But Suk Ku’s smile made it all worthwhile. And these eccentric and cop roles really do suit him to a nine (pun intended).

Nine Puzzles is streaming at Disney+ PH 

#BuhayKPam

#NinePuzzles Mini Review Part 1

Synopsis: 

Ten years ago, Ena (#KimDaMi) was a suspect in the murder of her uncle, a high-ranking police officer. Now a profiler, she was forced to collaborate with the same detective Han Saem (#SonSukKu) to piece together the truth, one puzzle piece at a time. 

For someone who has anxiety and panic disorder, it’s a puzzle why I love this genre – suspense/thriller/mystery/crime. Even the books I’m reading and love to read tell the same thing. Maybe I was a cop or a detective, or a forensic science expert in some other life, or in a multiverse. 

I am not exactly a fan of Da Mi (#ItaewonClass #OurBelovedSummer) but I am of Suk Ku (#MyLiberationNotes #AKillerParadox). I find him charming. He has this strange appeal and quirkiness, and he seems to hide a soft and tender side under that stoic stance. Suk Ku, incidentally, speaks good English having studied abroad and initially wanted to be a basketball player but eventually fell in love with acting. His years in the US and Canada, he said, enabled him to outgrow his shyness, in fact, his MBTI is ENFP.

What I like about the drama:

• Stellar cast / star-studded. I love the familiar faces. Some behind the scenes photos of the cast in their Instagram accounts show that they had their bonding moments during the filming and even gorgeous handsome #LeeJunHyuk who is Suk Ku’s friend IRL visited them on the set.

• Looked forward to the brief reunion between Itaewon’s Da Mi and #LeeJooYoung (who plays patrol officer Nam Na Ri).

• Han Saem’s signature move - when he takes off his beanie and reveals his messy hair – means he’s mad and exasperated.

• Please take note that I’m not a female lead hater, but not a fan either of #ParkGyuYoung (#SquidGame #AGoodDayToBeADog) who plays Dr. Lee Seung Joo

• Intricate plot – the kind that you like to untangle, every detail should be noted and remembered because you want to find out for yourself who the killer is. Usually, I have my own theories, and I can name the culprit even before the lead characters do. Here, the “killer” was one of my guesses, but I wasn’t giving much attention to the character. It was in plain sight. But I chose to look the other way (which was what the writer wanted) and there were a lot to choose from, until they die one by one 😅😅😅

To be continued >>>Part 2

#BuhayKPam

#BuriedHearts mini review

‼️Spoiler Alert‼️Buried Hearts mini review After his successful stint in Doctor Slump in 2024, #ParkHyungSik’s #BuriedHearts (aka Treasure Island) ended with 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. #DoctorSlump is still one of the best I’ve seen, with our Oppa playing a handsome and warm and goofy and charming and sweet Dr. Yeo Jeong Woo (not so unlike his real personality, and with a bonus track Lean on Me in the drama’s OST at that). And he keeps on getting better. This time, he is Seo Dong Ju, a brilliant strategist who hacked into a political slush fund worth 2 trillion won, dodging multiple murder attempts; and also a brokenhearted man who lost a partner (Eun Nam - Hong Hwa Yeon) to an arranged marriage; lost his mother, his foster sister (Sister Agnes - Han Ji Hye), and later on, his biological father (Huh Il Do - Lee Hae Young) and half-brother (Taehyun - Yoon Sang Hyeon) - all in tragic deaths. Revenge is what kept him alive and going, he rose to become the President of Daesan and made his enemy (the hateful villain Yeom Jang Seon - Heo Joon Ho) give up all his wealth to be free. But revenge is also what has left him empty and perhaps regretful in the end (with his “I don’t think I know what’s wrong anymore” line to Eun Nam, and to the corrupt Elder (Lee Cheol Yong - Choi Kwang Il) : “What happened to you?”) that he believed he needed to step down from his post, take a break, and search for his old soul and whatever goodness that is left in him – the one who was loyal, passionately in love with the woman he wanted to marry, ambitious but still humane. Notes: 1. I liked that they did not force Dong Ju and Eun Nam to get back together – at least not yet. Maybe later, but not in this season hahaha They still love each other but I was glad that they were given time apart, especially after Eun Nam’s divorce as respect also to her ex-husband, prosecutor turned private lawyer Yeom Hui Cheol - Kwon Soo-Hyun who, while not entirely a good person, was given a chance to redeem himself in the end. Love that permed bangs hahaha 2. The loyalty of (also hateful) Chun Gu Ho - Joo Yeon-Woo to his boss Yang Seon 3. The loyalty of Dong Ju’s group - Madame Pi - Son Ji Na (one of those who supported him and Sister Agnes when they were young), Myung Tae Geum - Kong Ji-Ho (rich techie friend and owner of the instrument shop) and Bae Won Bae - Lee Yoo Joon (the one who saved him after he was shot). 4. The loyalty of Secretary Gong – the family’s lady butler who knows all the skeletons in their closet 5. I didn’t like how things ended with Taehyun, who seemed to be the nicest character in the drama. For him to be a sacrificial lamb just to show that evil does not stop, and what greed and lust for riches and power could do to a person, or in this case, to mother and son tandem of Ji Yeong Soo - Do Ji-Won and Ji Seon Woo - Cha Woo-Min. I was disappointed, I was hoping that the Chairman’s illegitimate-turned-legitimate son would turn out to be a fine man, with us seeing them on a heartwarming bike ride one evening. I was hoping that people with humble beginnings like them could remain unaffected despite their newfound status and money. Sad also that the Chairman appeared to be holding on to his last memories of frequenting the cafe/bakery to catch a glimpse of Yeong Soo and Seon Woo - at a time when things were simpler and I guess, more dear. And then again maybe Taehyun’s death and effect on his mother (Cha Dok Hui - Kim Jung Nan) is to show us once again that crime does not pay, and in one way or another, you will suffer the consequences. Dok Hui, together with Il Do, plotted to kill her 1st husband Seon Ho, Dong Ju’s mother Gyeong-Won, and Dong Ju as a young boy. 6. Nice casting touch – the young Dong Ju played by Yoo Young Woo. He was able to get Park Hyung Sik’s approach to the character, how he spoke, little things that matter. 7. Missing in the finale was Dong Ju’s neurologist and her father (friend of Il Do and Seon Ho) who were also helpful during the time the Dong Ju was struggling with his memories; and while Cha Guik Hi became Daesan Volt CEO, her neurosurgeon husband was also missing in the last episode. 8. “Not like”– why would you want the viewers to think Dong Ju and Eun Nam have the same father? Ewwww – not with those love scenes! 9. Watching Reborn Rich, The Impossible Heir, Flex x Cop, I am thinking, don’t we have a good chaebol family? Is this how things work with wealthy families really, the power struggle? And why is the title Buried Hearts? More like twisted hearts but I guess, you prefer these family-corporate warfare stuff to be buried hahaha literally. 10. What happened to Dong Ju – Did he kill himself? Will he and Eun Nam reconcile? When will the power struggle in Daesan stop? The evil son is going to destroy what his chairman grandfather and chairman father have built, and what Dong Ju has fixed. With the chairman having dementia, it's likely that the same dynamics will persist. Even though Dong Ju tried to tie up loose ends, some say it was a hurried ending, too many unresolved plots, which is not befitting of a most-watched revenge drama series with an average nationwide rating of 15.0 percent, that puts Park Hyung Sik further on top. Rumored to be paid 500M KRW per Doctor Slump episode (or 8B KRW for 16 episodes), PHS embracing a dark role seems to be a smart move. His acting here in BH, they say, is career-defining. I was thinking, can anyone be in his place as Dong Ju? Nope, he is Dong Ju all right. He worked hard for this drama. Just a trivial observation, don’t mind me, you don’t have to believe it, but there’s one scene in the end that reminded me of Park Seo Joon. That move, when he turned around to walk towards Eun Nam for that one last kiss, it reminded me of PSJ. Oh well, I guess I am just a Wooga devotee after all. (Sorry Woo Shik I finished your Melo Movie in one sitting so I could focus on Hyung Sik.) Should there be another Season? Personally, I am fine and I don’t need another. My imagination can deal with the unfinished business or details that were left hanging. To hell with what will happen to Dong Ju and Daesan. While there are lessons learned, life goes on. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and it will never be perfect. And there are stories that, no matter how compelling or well-loved, must rest after they are told. No need to dig deeper to make new memories - just buried inside our hearts. You can still catch Buried Hearts, streaming on Disney+ PH #BuhayKPam

#HopeOnTheStreet

 #HopeOnTheStreet signing off

A six-episode dance docu-series featuring j-hope's humble beginnings and love for dancing as he begins a new journey on the 12th year of his professional career. This was also shown in time for the release of his special album ‘HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1.’

I am not sure if there are a lot out there who would bawl their eyes and hearts out after watching a dance docu LOL But I did. 

By humble beginnings, j-hope or Hoseok, his real name and as he is called then, returns to his roots, reunites with his former dance instructor, popping champion and popular South Korean street dancer, Boogaloo Kin or Kim Hak Nam. They meet in Osaka, and dance their way to Seoul, Paris, New York and j-hope’s hometown, Gwangju, along with other guests (Hak Nam was also his guest DJ in his Jack in the Box listening party almost two years ago) Akihito “Gucchon” Yamaguchi, legendary Henry “Link” McMillan, 1st gen hip-hop dance pioneer, and Neuron, the dance crew where he started.

I mean, we all know how great a dancer j-hope is, he is after all the dance captain of BTS. But we are still in awe. Alam natin na magaling na siya, pero omg, ang galing niya huhuhu He’s a perfectionist when it comes to choreography and execution. Sometimes, may napapanuod tayong performances related to BTS (case in point, SUGA’s dance crew in his D-Day Tour), and napapansin natin ang choreo and moves and steps, we ask ourselves, Papasa ba / Papasa kaya ito kay Hobi?

I am also awed and touched and moved by the way everyone seemed to agree that he is still the Hoseok they have known all these years. He was still the always smiling Hoseok. In fact, all his mentors said it for us, something like, “You can be cocky, you can be arrogant, but you’re not.” Talagang nasa DNA na yata ng BTS ang humility. Walang yabang.

And Hak Nam’s “You grew up so well” super tore me up. No wonder, j-hope also took care of his maknaes. Because that was the way he was also brought up, treated and mentored. 

The way he would always cheer us up ARMY, even while having issues on his own. How he was telling us how he struggled with hip-hop in Episode 5. And that sometimes he doesn’t know if he is enjoying his work or not. Our sunshine also has his dark days, too.

Isa pang super Like ko in this docu is the styling. Galing ng stylist. The colors, the outfits, super j-hope talaga. The way he and Hak Nam, including the guests, are dressed up and styled, ganda. Ang consistent.

Indeed, you grew up so well, Hoseok. And thank you for the hard work you put into this docu-series.

Hope on the Street Vol.1 track list:

• on the street (solo version)

• i wonder (feat. Jung Kook)

• lock / unlock (feat. benny blanco, Nile Rodgers)

• i don't know (feat. Huh Yunjin)

• what If (feat. Jinbo)

• Neuron (feat. Gaeko and Yoonmirae)

HOTS is available in 2 versions: VER.1 PRELUDE and VER.2 INTERLUDE. Contents include a CD, Zipper Bag, Photo Zine (80 pages), Lyrics Book (8 pages), Poster, 2 Photo Cards, Sticker and Hang Tag.

If you miss Hobi like we do, catch Hope on the Street on Prime Video. #BuhayKPam

Vigilante

 Eto na naman tayo ihhhhh

⛔️SPG⛔️

#NamJooHyuk 

#Vigilante

His last project before entering the military

Disney+ PH #BuhayKPam

Worst of Evil signing off

 #TheWorstofEvil signing off. I have only watched JCW in #TheSoundofMagic and #YoungActorsRetreat (na variety show pa). Mas marami pa nga akong napanuod na drama ni WHJ (#18Again #RomanceIsABonusBook #SquidGame #LittleWomen #SomethingInTheRain). Pero hands down, ang galing ni #Wookie dito, I hope he gets nominated for this 👏👏👏 and I hope enough ang naging debriefing (at disinfecting sa sobrang yosi) sa kanila as actors nung natapos nila itong i-film. Matindeh mga mhie!

#JiChangWook #WiHaJun #ImSeMi #BiBi

Catch #TheWorstofEvil in Disney+ PH  #BuhayKPam

#Moving signing off

 #Moving signing off‼️Spoiler Alert‼️

Stay for the post-credits scenes

Get ready for Season 2 📢📢📢

#Moving

 #Moving

#movingepisode11 

#Romanticist

Kaya naman pala mabait si HuiSoo #GoYounJung 

Mabait pala kasi ang mama nya...

#KwakSunYoung as JiHee

Grabe tulo ng luha ko dito 😭😭😭

#RyuSeungRyong as Jang JuWon

Yung isa, laging naliligaw

Tapos etong isa, lagi naman siyang nahahanap...

"You must have had a reason." Basta inaccept na lang nila ang isa't isa...

Catch it on Disney+ PH 

#BuhayKPam