#kbs drama special
Text
DRAMA REVIEW | Like Otters (2022 KBS Drama Special)
Two lonely and neglected high school seniors find friendship, love and a family in each other when their respective difficult circumstances bring them together. The tittle comes into play as they study otters in the biology class and they learn how when adrift in the ocean, otters hold hands to be less scared and stay together.
It's the perfect metaphor for our leads and what they are going through. For them life is as big and scary as the ocean, and the lack of support from their respective families leaves them to be adrift in it, with no one to turn to when things go from bad to worse. So when at first glance this might look like a story about teenage angst, it couldn't be more far from it. Neither of the leads has a safe place to go or a sense of what a true family it's like until they find each other.
The performances are really good. Shin Eun Soo delivers a strong performance as the always in the move kinda of character, for her this is essential because staying put means thinking how bad things are for her at home. On the other hand, Kim Jae Won delivered a great deal of contained emotions. His performance is more subdued, until it comes to a turning point. Both actors share great chemistry and managed to make me believe their character's instant connection through shared pain and frustration that slowly becomes something more positive, full of warmth and eventually love.
Most of the drama was shot at night, under cool tones, which fills the story with dark vibes and sometimes a gritty feel. It gives us a glimpse at a time of day that doesn't seem fit for two kids to be walking around the city, delivering alcohol and condoms. Which is exactly the point the drama it's trying to make visually: the world these kids live on is cold and dark. Except for the scenes at the school, when they can disconnect from their families and connect with each other. Those scenes are shot under a warm color palette and full of light, sunny and happy days.
The conclusion of the story is somehow bittersweet because in order for our leads to be happy, they have to come to terms with the fact that family is not always the one you were born in but the one you choose. Abuse it's not always physical and people need to recognize this in order to move forward and start holding on tightly to those who care for your well being and happiness.
#like otters#kdrama#review#drama review#drama recommendation#shin eun soo#kim jae won#kbs drama special#2024
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
Overlap Knife, Knife is a lot more mind-boggling than I thought it would be! The twist after twist after twist after twist got my jaw dropping to the floor!
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Short Kdramas/Drama Special/Web Drama
Part 1
From time to time I go through the well-known "drama hangover". Even if I try to balance my backlog, don't start too many dramas with diversified stories at the same time, even if I choose only one favorite to follow... it doesn't matter, the routine will run over all my plans and I end up not having the courage or the will to watch anything. Usually when this kind of thing happens, I look for short dramas, with plots that I don't need to think too much, just watch, smile, fall in love and that's it, move on. So I remembered to list these short dramas I've seen and give my recommendations.
Part 2 here
Part 3 here
Splash Splash Love
Splash Splash Love, the 2015 minidrama with only 2 episodes made me so immensely happy. The story is about a high school student Jang Dan-bi (Kim Seul Gi). Running away from a maths test she finds herself in a playground. Unconsciously, she goes into a puddle and is suddenly transported to the Joseon period. There she meets King Lee-do (Yoon Doo-joon). My review here.
After the Rain
Kim Kang Woo is my soft spot and this 2 episode drama special seemed to call to me. And good thing too because this show is excellent. This is a comedic human drama about Bong Gil who is forty years old, single and tired of taking care of his 90 year old father. My review here.
The Reason I'm Getting Married
Two very good reasons to check out this drama - Song Jun Ho and Hong Jong Hyun. 😍 The story is about a woman (Park Hee Bon) who is about to marry her long-time boyfriend and meets a friend from the past who has a crush on her. My review here.
Came to me and Became a Star
This story is about Gang Seok (Kim Ji Suk) and Ha Jin (Jung So Min). Both are struggling to stay afloat in life when they meet and fall in love. Review here.
Review Notebook of My Embarrassing Days
Another KBS Drama Special starring Jeon So-min and Park Sung-hoon. Do Do-Hye (Jeon So-Min) is a mathematics teacher and has an overly honest personality, which makes her face embarrassing moments. She keeps a diary where she writes down all these embarrassing moments and reflects on herself. My review here.
Handmade Love
Because this web drama has Lee Soo Hyuk as the lead actor, I had to go see what it was all about. This is about Woven (Lee Soo Hyuk) who is a god who sinned by touching the coat of a goddess and his punishment is to live on Earth and make clothes that cure humans of their sadness.
I think Lee Soo Hyuk is perfect for the role of a god with that perfect elegance and ethereal looks. And I want to thank whoever thought he should wear high collars and fluffy pullovers. ❤️
The first thing that struck me was the luxurious appearance of the small shop. The clothes were beautiful and the furniture looked wonderful and magical.
I liked the stories of the humans he had to heal as they seemed solid and with good messages but I also felt they were rushed, maybe because it was only 8 episodes. So the concept was very cute but the execution was not very efficient.
The Universe's Star
"The Universe's Star" is written and directed by Kim Ji Hyun, known for "Splash Splash Love". That, and having my beloved Suho/Kim Jun Myeon in the cast made me want to watch this drama. This is the love story between a talented singer-songwriter Woo Joo (Kim Jun Myeon) and Byul (Ji Woo), a 19-year-old student who turned into a grim reaper after dying in an accident.
This show has stayed in my heart forever because although it only has 6 half hour episodes, it has more depth than some regular length dramas. Each episode had the ability to make me think and feel, and themes such as the meaning of life, self-worth or appreciating the present came up regularly in my thoughts.
While I can't say that the acting of the main actors was excellent I really enjoyed the OTP arc. The ending is quite emotional and moving and although it left me crying it also left my heart full.
I also have to mention the friendship between Byul and Gakshi (ghost). Though they should be "enemies" a friendship is formed and it is a pleasure to see them together.
Queen of the Ring
It's a cute and romantic mini-series of only 6 half-hour episodes. It's perfect for those who don't have time to devote to an entire series of 16 episodes or more and the content is light and heartfully.
Story is about an ugly girl, Nan Hee (Kim Seul Gi) who one day receives a ring that holds a family secret. Due to the magic ring, she dates Se Gun (Ahn Hyo Seop) who is a handsome guy but has a cold-blooded personality and struggles to see her as his ideal type.
I have a crush on Kim Seul Gi and I thought she gave Nan Hee a spunky personality even though she's so insecure about her physical appearance. And, as always, the emotional moments of this drama were delivered by her in a touching way.
I didn't feel very good about the premise of this drama and the idea of the "ugly girl" liking a boy who was only interested in physical appearances was not winning me over. However, the drama showed me that it had a message behind the original idea that left me quite satisfied with the end result.
Romance Full of Life
It's about In-Sung (Yoon Si Yoon) who is preparing for the exam to become a police officer for 4 years. He fails the exam 8 times, but he still has a positive personality. He then applies for the high paying part-time job which is titled "Full Life Experience". And then his life changes.
Of the Three Colors of Fantasies trilogy, this was the weakest for me. What I liked: I loved Yoon Si Yoon in this drama. I thought he looked adorable as a geek with those chrome glasses and that ruffled hair.
I liked that he turned into some sort of superhero and stopped being a weakling but I hated some of his actions and the way it changed him for the worse.
The OTP was okay.
Two Lights: Relumino
For three years Seo In-Soo (Park Hyung-sik) has been facing partial blindness. Looking for a new leisure activity, he joins a photography club for people with visual limitations. That's when he meets Ahn Soo-Young (Han Ji-min) - a young woman who is part of the group of students.
The story shows the daily struggles each has to go through due to their physical limitations, as well as the bond that is developed between them as they get to know each other better.
This short film is to make people aware of Samsung's Relumino device so the running time of the film is only 30 minutes, so the story is developed quickly but manages to be sweet, sensitive and beautiful.
And I liked the message of hope, inner strength and independence in the midst of darkness.
#splash splash love#after the rain#the reason i'm getting married#came to me and became a star#review notebook of my embarrassing days#handmade love#the universe's star#queen of the ring#romance full of life#two lights relumino#short kdramas#kbs drama special#web drama
49 notes
·
View notes
Text
Let’s Meet In An Unfamiliar Season (2022)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Plot:
A drama that tells the story of COVID-19 confirmed patients in 2020 who enter a residential treatment centre, communicating through windows and comforting each other during unfamiliar and fearful quarantine times.
Cast & Crew:
Han Ji Eun as Oh Hee Joo
Kim Gun Woo as Myung Ki Joon
Supporting cast - Go Ae Ri, Oh Ji Yeon, Lim Ye Jin, Lim Hyung Joon
Director - Lee Min Soo
Screen Writer - Yeo Myung jae
Music:
This drama special had a couple of really nice OSTs, 낯선 고백 (Strange Confession) by Ra.L and I Can’t Stop Thinking About You by Lee Joon Hwa. The use of music throughout was well done, I especially loved the use of Sunwoo Junga’s Run With Me.
Overall:
This drama special totally had my heart fluttering. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
This drama special tells the story of two individuals who meet as next door neighbours in lock down. Stuck together in a residential COVID treatment facility in Seoul, in stuffy rooms with windows that open mere centimetres that allow them to interact with one another. The female lead is quarantined after testing positive as a close contact and the male lead tests positive upon arrival at Incheon Airport from Australia. On his journey to the centre his phone was smashed so he has no ability to contact the outside world or access to news or entertainment. This is the catalyst for our leads to “meet” and become each other's confessional, close confident, friend, and more.
The storyline is super relatable since we’ve all been through the pandemic and experienced the fear and stigmatisation of people with the virus from some perspective. At some point in our lives we have most likely experienced the sensation of utter boredom. It served as a sweet romance but also a thank you to the people on the front lines of the COVID-19 response.
It took me a minute to realise the male lead was the hot douchebag from The Glory AKA Kim Tak Soo from Fight My Way. So this was the first time seeing him in a not complete-douchebag role and he pulled it off! The female lead is the very adorable Han Ji Eun. They both did a great job bringing their characters to life.
The story used the short time frame well to tell the story and encapsulated the fear, boredom and budding friendship of the two who had never met face to face. I loved them going all analogue with a string telephone. The female lead picking the red string (of fate) from her handmade blanket to join the paper cups was a strong visual metaphor. I also loved the journeys they took through their imaginations. They had me smiling and crying along the way.
I enjoyed it a lot and would watch it again.
If you’re looking for something short and sweet or have been waiting for the COVID romances to roll out this is your moment.
Rating: 9.5/10
Watch it: KOCOWA and Viki in selected regions
#kdrama#review#kbs drama special#2022#The Stranger#Let's Meet In An Unfamiliar Season#낯선 계절에 만나#Han Ji Eun#Kim Gun Woo
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Throwback Thursday: (26092017) Kang Deoksoon's Love History Script Reading
"'Kang Deoksoon's Love History' is the sixth installment of the highly talked-about KBS drama series 'Drama Special.' It tells the coming-of-age story of Kang Deoksoon, a countryside girl from Chungcheong Province in 1926, who goes to Seoul to find her crush, Kim Seoksam, and the events that unfold by chance.
In August, at the script reading session held at the KBS Annex, the drama's main cast, including PD Hwang Seungki, writer Baek Soyeon, and actors like IOI's Kim Sohye, Kim Yejin, Oh Seungyoon, Shim Youngeun, Park Gyuyoung, and Park Seoyeon, gathered together.
PD Hwang Seungki mentioned, "It may seem like a light-hearted story, but in fact, the script carries a lot of meaning. Each character is precious, and I'm grateful that the actors, who have a fantastic synchronization, willingly participated in this reading."
The script reading scene on that day was filled with a lively and energetic atmosphere, as refreshing as the combination of the young and talented actors. Each actor showcased their unique charisma while delivering the distinctive gentle acting tone of Chungcheong Province, elevating the atmosphere of the drama.
...
The performances of the "mother and daughters" of the "Mother-Daughter Tavern" that Deok-soon encounters in the drama also shone brightly. Kim Yejin (Nam Heesoon) portrayed the calm but charismatic leader of the tavern with stability in her acting. The three sisters of the tavern, played by Shim Youngeun, Park Gyuyoung, and Park Seoyeon, showcased chemistry with Deoksoon, ranging from a girl crush charm to the bickering of real sisters.
Even after the script reading ended, the production team and actors didn't easily leave their seats. They continued to discuss scenes that involved the historical context and checked details of dialogues, displaying their "affection" for each other. The drama is set to air on KBS 2TV on October 5th at 10:00 PM, coinciding with the Chuseok holiday."
as Na Aehyang in Kang Deoksoon's Love History, 2017
Full Article: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0003626742
0 notes
Text
there's this one special drama I really really like even though the ending was sad — came to me and become a star
the dialogues were amazing and so the acting
truly felt the innocence of their love when they still didn't know each other's true circumstances, then the pain after they knew — it was so realistic and brutal
but honestly, the whole drama just felt cathartic
it was a really good one
#came to me and became a star#jung so min#kim ji suk#kbs drama special#hmm or maybe the reason why I actually ended up not minding the ending was because I already knew that it was sad 😅
1 note
·
View note
Text
The Stranger
(Korean - KBS Drama Special)
My mom and I came across this one when I was switching random channels on Christmas day. 10 minutes in and we are hooked. Did I mention we're romantic movie suckers? Maaan it was like destiny.
And so we watched it and it was really cuuute! Totally in the romantic fiction genre by the way cos boy, there aint no way you're gonna come across a cute and renowned patisserie who recently worked in Australia and you're both single and you're both hot and you both got quarantined because of COVID.
It's ridiculous! Yet we love it!
Totally enjoyed it, 10/10 would recommend.
0 notes
Text
the strange cohabitation | 기묘한 동거 (2013)
1 note
·
View note
Text
"It took me 8 years to read him. How long will it take... to forget him?"
KBS DRAMA SPECIAL: THE LONG GOODBYE 이토록 오랜 이별 (2018)
dir. song min yeob
#the long goodbye#KBS Drama Special 2018#lim ju hwan#jang hee jin#asiandramasource#asiancentral#kdramadaily#kdramasource#userdramas#dailyasiandramas#cinephile#contemporary#relationship#love for passion#이토록오랜이별#장희진#임주환#asian cinema#korean movie#dailycinema#korean cinema#south korea#love story#mubi#kdramas#short dramas#2018#2018 dramas
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
DRAMA REVIEW | In My Ashtanga Class (2022 KBS Drama Special)
Do you know Ashtanga is a hit with me. It delivers everything you want from a young adult story: it's funny, sexy and has some really well done classic rom-com moments.
Nara, our leading lady, is best described as a complainer. She's at a point of her life where things seem to have stuck: her personal and work life are not good, she compares herself to others and and even judges them.
I really appreciate a drama special centering around a young woman, in her thirties, still trying to figure out things. After quitting a well paid job and following her passion, Nara is not even close to have an answers about life and has to deal with her own insecurities, which are mostly what's holding her back, and that feels true to life. Nara goes through a journey of accepting life as it is and learning to change what she doesn't like about it. Letting go of her expectations might be the hardest part, especially when society has programmed you to be a certain way and have certain things, at certain age.
To say she's at a low point emotionally it's an understatement. That's when she experiences an adorable meet-cute with Tae-joon, the son of the wealthy family from whom Nara rents the studio where she teaches yoga.
Tae-joon likes Nara immediately, thinking of her as the perfect combination of cute and cool. He is polite, nerdy, eager to help and respectful. His attraction to Nara is based on the fact he likes how she holds herself trough life... he might be one of the greenest flags I have seen in Dramaland.
He also deals with his own insecurities about his economic status, being self-conscious about people seeing him as a spoiled rich guy having grown up with a family that it's rather snobby and not a fan of his views on life. For example, his mother berates him for collecting items to donate for the needy and insist for him to start wearing luxury brands instead of buying clothes at the smaller shops at the neighbourhood. It's clear people have misjudged him before because of his money.
The story might be full of tropes but is in the performances where this story shines. Both leads deliver their lines with such an easy chemistry, dry humor and comedic timing that's impossible not to smile at every interaction they share. The story is so well written that it feels well rounded and the world lived in, the characters full of colour.
I absolutely recommend this sweet and fun rom-com that might give you some food for thought.
#review#kdrama#do you know ashtanga#in my ashtanga class#kbs drama special#2024#asian drama#drama review#drama recommendation#joo jong hyuk#bae yoon kyoung
2 notes
·
View notes
Photo
6 notes
·
View notes
Text
Short Kdramas/Drama Special/Web Drama
Part 2
These short kdramas fit in nicely when my drama capacity is challenging. Since some of you may experience a similar drama challenge, I thought I'd share these kdramas with you.
Part 1 here
Check Out The Event
Ha Song Yi (Bang Min Ah) and Park Do Kyum (Kwon Hwa Woon) broke up after five years of dating. It wasn't what she wanted, but he is determined and doesn't intend to explain his reasons very well. Meanwhile, Song Yi ends up winning a promotion that the two signed up for together while they were dating, worth an all-expenses-paid trip to Jeju Island. Not to miss the opportunity, she asks Do Kyum to accompany her, and, surprisingly, he accepts.
This is a short drama, with only four episodes and wonderful cinematography. A melodrama with a touch of comedy. All this with the beautiful landscapes of Jeju in the background.
It tries to pass on an interesting message, especially with regard to communication in relationships.
You Drive me Crazy
Eun-Sung (Lee Yoo-Young) works as a French interpreter. She is friends with Rae-Wan (Kim Sun-Ho). They have been friends for 8 years, since they were both college students. One night they sleep together and their relationship is never the same again.
It is a short and amazing drama. In my opinion, what made this simple story so beautiful is the impeccable chemistry between the protagonists. I know it's a pretty beaten plot, friends/lovers, but what's different about this one is that the protagonist is very unpredictable and conquers in a unique way. It's really funny to watch their relationship develop. She really drives him crazy.
One of my favourite short stories.
Page Turner
It is a three-part KBS Drama Special starring Kim So-hyun, Ji Soo and Shin Jae-ha. It tells the story of a piano prodigy Yoon Yoo-seul who goes blind after a car accident, and struggles to get her life back together with the help of Jung Cha-sik, an aspiring pianist and Seo Jin-mok, her former rival who later becomes a supporter.
This one is so good too. Again, I feel like watching more episodes because we need more time with them. I wanted to know more about their dreams and their achievements. And that's the only cons of this drama.
Quick shout out for the mums. Yoo Seul’s mom (Ye Ji Won) and Cha Sik’s mom (Hwang Young Hee). I loved them.
The Taste of Curry
Another KBS Drama Special. The curry restaurant "Cat's Restaurant" is run by Yu-Mi (Jeon Hye-Bin). She doesn't have many customers and one day, the restaurant is vandalized. Yu-Mi knocks down a suspect with her groceries and he passes out. When he wakes up, the guy (Hyun Woo) is unable to remember his own name. Until he regains his memory, the man helps out at Yu-Mi's restaurant.
This drama is about finding mutual healing and is quite sweet and emotional. Hyun Woo is a very charming and talented actor who proves here that he definitely deserves a leading role of his own.
If We Were a Season
It tells the story of Hye Rim (Chae Soo Bin) and Gi Seok (Jang Dong Yoon) who was born on the same day and grew up together being close friends. Their friendship is genuine and it looks like it will lead into a deeper relationship but then, one day Dong Kyeong (Jung Jin Young) came to their school and shake Hye Rim's world.
At only an hour long, I think this show did a solid job of telling its story. A quick highlight for the positives: Hye Rim and Gi Seok are adorable together. The way they bicker and tease each other and how they care about each other. Jung Jin Young, as the destabilizer of this relationship looks great, with those perfect features and charming smile.
The ending is open-ended and bittersweet but leaves with the hope that there is more to come, that there will be a new beginning.
Individualist Ms. Ji Young
Yeong has lived her whole life as an individualist. One day, she meets a man who is a totally opposite version of her. He lives for other people. Then these two very different people fall in love.
This is a cute romance between two people of polar opposites who change for the better after they meet. Even though it's only a two hour Show, the development of the story is well accomplished and the characters are very well constructed.
Min Hyo Rin is talented and the role is perfect for her, while Gong Myung...is such a sweet puppy and I can't imagine another actor in the role.
The Hymn of Death
The Hymn of Death tells the true story of Yun Sim-deok (Shin Hye-sun), Korea's first professional soprano singer, and her romance with playwright Kim U-jin (Lee Jong-suk). There are six half-hour episodes.
I don't really like dramas with unhappy endings but knowing it was a true story and knowing I would get to see two actors I love, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. And of course Shin Hye-sun and Lee Jong-suk were perfect.
Kiss Goblin
12 episodes of 15 min. Ban Sook (Bae In Hyuk) is a 160-year-old goblin who wants to become human above all else. But to do so he must assume human form and kiss 10 different women to acquire different emotions.
I mainly got into this show because I liked some gifs I saw and found Bae In Hyuk quite attractive as a goblin. Bansuk is unnatural at first but becomes warmer, sweeter and more dreamy from the sixth episode onwards and I really loved it.
One of my favourite tropes is the forced closeness by living under the same roof, so I was quite pleased when Bansuk started living in Yeon Ah's flat and found the hyper-awareness parts quite delicious.
One Sunny Day
This drama is 2 hours long and is about Kim Ji-ho (So Ji-sub), a heartbroken man who goes to Jeju Island for work and meets this girl (Kim Ji-won) several times. They both get robbed and have to sleep in the same guest house. While staying on Jeju Island, she heals his broken heart and they fall in love.
It's a very sweet story although simple and restrained but I loved this little drama mainly because it had my beloved So Ji Sub as the lead actor.
Plus it's a drama that shows the wonderful island of Jeju in a way I've never seen it before in any show.
You Are Closer Than I Think
On their wedding day, a bride leaves a text message to the groom and she goes on their honeymoon alone. The groom tries to find his bride and learns something about her that he never expected. My review here.
#check out the event#you drive me crazy#page turner#the taste of curry#if we were a season#individualist ms ji young#the hymn of death#kiss goblin#one sunny day#you are closer than i think#short kdramas#kbs drama special#web drama
19 notes
·
View notes
Text
Like Otters (2022)
Genre: Youth, Drama, Romance
Plot:
The story of a precarious and affectionate first love between two nineteen year olds who carried each other's dropout letters and sold banned items together.
Cast & Crew:
Shin Eun Soo as Kim Jae Young
Kim Jae Won as Seo Woo Kyu
Supporting cast - Lee Chan Hyung, Jang Ha Eun, Kim Ji Woo
Director - Kim Soo Jin
Screen Writer - Go Woo Jin
Music:
The chosen music fit the mood of the drama special. The one OST track My Sea by Nine9 was quite moving.
Overall:
This drama special tells the story of two teens on the verge of graduating highschool who become like otters to one another. It’s not a light and fluffy story, but not completely dark either. The story begins as both teens run to the police station to find the waste of oxygen who has impregnated both Woo Kyu’s mother and Jae Young’s sister in custody for the “theft of condoms”. Jae Young threatens Woo Kyu to keep quiet.
It’s hard to believe that we can move forward from this to develop a friendship but the writer wrote characters that are able to communicate well with and understand each other.
The posters make this look like it will be a warm and sweet romance between two teens but it is a story about teens facing reality and surviving in the best way they can. Although there are sweet moments it is very clear that the writer wrote it to console those going through a tough time and feel less alone.
I quite like Shin Eun Soo, I’ve seen her in a few things now. At first I couldn’t disconnect her from her character Bom in Summer Strike which I’ve been watching lately but eventually the differences appeared. I thought both of the young leads did a good job in their roles.
This drama also made me laugh, there was some serious condom PPL going on. I did appreciate the jokes about the teenager who didn’t know teens could legally buy condoms pointing out the flaws in the sex education of teens.
Overall, it was a decent watch with a meaningful story and some nice imagery. Also if you are watching for the otters alone you won't be disappointed (unless you were expecting 19 of them).
Rating: 8/10
Watch it: KOCOWA & Viki in selected regions
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
White Christmas (2011) || Ep 6
#white christmas#kbs white christmas#화이트 크리스마스#Drama Special Series Season 1: White Christmas#esom#kim young kwang#im sry these r so choppy and disgusting but i had to screen record due to no hd files disease. you know how it is 🤮#I'll do better lmao
17 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
chicadpresiva-blog
chilena sad
galacticknightstudios
GalacticKnight Studios.
istaili9
Istaili9
defencecolonyc147
Yellow Line
aneatzombie-blog
Sin título