August 28, 2017April 24, 2018 by AgentP

The cause of my sleepless night.

Mini-Review: Man To Man

Image credits: Wikipedia/JTBC

First of all, I’d like to thank my good ol’ friend Charity for recommending this drama. She was raving about our sentimental favorite Park Hae Jin’s performance and let me browse through Episode 1 during an impromptu O-nite with some of my Voltes friends. I super-liked what I saw and promptly asked for the files but didn’t start on it until a week later, for maximum focus.
I can’t remember the last time I did a sleepless-night marathon for a Korean drama. I did remember almost doing it with Goblin, but work and migraines got in the way that I finished it in several installments. With Man to Man, I finished it in two installments for two consecutive days, with the second installment finishing at almost 5:00am. I just couldn’t stop watching it.
One reason why it took until early morning for me to finish this drama: there were several instances where I had to pause for a minute or two because the scene affected me so much (in local parlance, hindi ko kinaya). It’s either I had to stop to swoon at Hae Jin, or because I was laughing too much that I can’t concentrate on the next scene so I had to press ‘pause’.
This drama is classified as “action-thriller-melodrama” by Wikipedia, but I don’t know exactly where the ‘melodrama’ part is. I do know that the one thing that impressed me with the story is that you won’t know who exactly was the villain until around Episode 14 or so. You thought you already knew, but you don’t. It has many surprises along the way until the very end.
Dare I say it? Despite the many similarities with Descendants Of The Sun (the writer of Man To Man is the second writer of DoTS, after all) I liked this more than DoTS. I’m talking story- and storytelling-wise.
The only thing in favor of DoTS per my tally is the leading lady. Sorry to any Kim Min Jung fans here, if any, but I really don’t get her. She’s actually annoying in this drama.
Then again, ALL the female characters in Man To Man super-pale in comparison to all the men. They only acted as decorations or plot machines here for me. Otherwise, you can take them all out and I’m perfectly fine with it.
May I just rave about the men some more? It’s not even because they’re hot men (most of them are old hahaha), although Park Hae Jin is incredibly cute and hot here in a very Song Joong Ki way. It’s the way the male characters interacted with each other.
The sense of humor and sharp wit of the creators of this drama are the type that I like. The random genre switches didn’t look nor feel off at all. They make viewing more interesting. Of course, there are loopholes and goofs along the way but that’s normal for even the most critically-acclaimed films and TV dramas.
As mentioned above, Park Hae Jin is the main reason why I watched this drama. He is the Voltes team’s sentimental favorite, having met him twice in two of our trips to South Korea. I started liking him in Family Outing, then I started loving him after we met him the first time at a random office supplies shop in Seoul. It was an ambush meeting and he was on his private time, but he was gracious and kind to us. My love for him was cemented after he showcased amazing acting chops at My Love From The Star. Thus, it didn’t come as a surprise that he gave a performance with so much depth and versatility as Agent K. The only part that surprised me is his physique. He used to be reed-thin and frail-looking. Now, he’s lean and smokin’ hot.
Random comment coming up: I read on Wikipedia that GMA-7 already got the rights to air this drama. It seems the network execs like Park Hae Jin? They’ve already aired some of his dramas, ie., My Daughter Seo Young and My Love From The Star. Once Man To Man starts airing here, I most probably will be taking out my photos with Hae Jin again.

July 30, 2017July 30, 2017 by AgentP

Two less lonely people.

image credits: Google

Mini-Review: Kita Kita

With all the hype surrounding this year’s surprise box-office hit, I felt that I *must* see Kita Kita. You know, just to see what the fuss is all about. Also, to see with my own two eyes if people are really coming to theaters in droves just to see the movie. Well, we saw its last full show at Megamall, and the theater is full. The hype is real, people. No paddings there.

I’ve read several socmed posts about the movie, analyzing it using deep prose and profound meanings. You’re not going to see that here. See, the main thing about Kita Kita is it’s simplicity. It’s very Japanese, and I’m not just talking about the filming location. The story, the execution, the “feel” of the entire film is very Japanese. If you have seen a Japanese romance movie, you’ll get what I mean. I can’t even describe it as “Korean” because Korean romance movies tend to be on the dramatic, borderline hysteric side. Japanese romance movies are simple and subdued. Kita Kita has a very simple story with a very simple execution, but that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s the type of movie that will make you cry and laugh and cry and laugh and then stab you right through the heart. And then, when the end credits roll, your thoughts about the movie will be reduced to one word: AWWW.

The movie only has two major characters and a smattering of supporting ones. Alessandra de Rossi, an actress who is famous for her indie-type underacting is perfect for this. Her characterization of Lea is just flawless. As for the newest heartthrob in town, comedian Empoy Marquez as Tonyo stripped down his usual antics and came up with a performance that will, for some reason, make you fall in love with him. It’s strange, but true.

On the technical side, the cinematography is breath-taking. It captured the beauty of Sapporo – Hokkaido, in general (thanks to my friend Mavic for the correction) – that you’ll just find yourself adding it to your bucket list.

I won’t be elaborating much further. Just give in to the hype and see it for yourself.

February 6, 2017February 6, 2017 by AgentP

“Goblin”, in bullets.

I’m using the above photo as my featured image, because those three made “Goblin” such a viewing pleasure. At least, for me.

I’m using the above photo as my featured image, because those three made Goblin such a viewing pleasure. At least, for me.

I don’t remember the last time I actually lost sleep because of a K-drama. While I didn’t exactly do a marathon viewing because work and migraine got in the way

I know that if I could, I would’ve done it. It’s that engrossing.

This is one of those K-dramas where you kinda knew how it would end, but for some reason you want to know exactly how they would end it. You thought you already knew, but na-ah! There’s a twist in there, somewhere. This is what got me hooked for all 16 episodes.

I was never a fan of Lee Dong Wook – actually, if you search through all my old entries, you’d find that he’s the subject of one of the biggest rants I’ve ever written on this blog – but I find him to be super-adorable on this drama.

And at the same time, he delivered some pretty brilliant acting on some of the latter scenes. I won’t specify which is which for the benefit of those who haven’t seen it.

It’s kinda weird how Gong Yoo is not your traditional Korean pretty boy leading man, but he’s attractive in a lot of ways. His charisma here reminded us why everyone went gaga over him at Coffee Prince.

There were quite a lot of downright laugh-out-loud moments, and you would laugh louder if you’re familiar with the references. Watch out for the movie house scene.

I share this observation with my niece: Gong Yoo doesn’t exactly nail the sageuk look.

I’m familiar with the age gap issue that some viewers have with this drama. I didn’t quite mind because Gong Yoo’s character Kim Shin is 900+ years old in the first place, so he’s basically much older no matter how old the leading female character is.

I did feel a little grossed out at the ending.

One big factor that made Goblin work is the chemistry among the cast. They seem to have gotten really close and it radiated through the screen.

I absolutely love the OST.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook in another project together.

September 3, 2016 by AgentP

Ten things I learned from “Train To Busan”.

Movies, Reviews
Korean movies, movies, reviews, Train to Busan
5 Comments

Image credits: Google

I will try my best to make this spoiler-free, but just in case:
***SPOILER ALERT***

10 Things I Learned From The Korean Zombie Movie ‘Train To Busan’:

1. A zombie apocalypse won’t stop people from taking video footage and uploading it to social media before they die/become zombies themselves. Expect Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat posts with hashtag #zombies #brainssss and the like.

2. A zombie apocalypse won’s stop Koreans from searching it on Daum/Naver and complaining about it on internet bulletin boards.

3. Koreans never watch zombie movies (because apparently, Train to Busan is the first ever Korean zombie movie), so they don’t know what the heck to do in the event that a zombie apocalypse happens.

4. Helicopters and trains can work in Korea even if they’re not manned by a pilot/driver.

5. Korean zombies can see and hear, but cannot smell. Therefore, even if you’re reeking of kimchi and/or soju, you’re good as long as you hide yourself and be very, very quiet.

6. As in all Korean dramas, Koreans can outrun moving vehicles. Including KoRail trains.

7. It doesn’t matter if they’re human or a zombie: an asshole is an asshole, no matter what state they’re in.

8. It is possible to hate on a child and wish she becomes zombie chow. (Sorry. I tried not to hate. I couldn’t stop myself.)

9. Always carry a coat or jacket. It might become handy in case zombies come-a-crashin’.

10. Learn a hula song. Who knows, Pearly Shells may end up saving your life.

===

Random comments, in bullets:

1. Gong Yoo never seems to get old.

2. Out of all the zombie movies I’ve seen, this movie has got to have the coolest zombie swarm scenes, ever.

3. If you’re into zombie films for the gore, you might be disappointed. But since I’m perfectly fine not being grossed out, I’m ok with it.

4. I won’t tell you exactly how it ends. But prepare to be heartbroken.

August 30, 2016August 30, 2016 by AgentP

Finally: Descendants of the Sun.

Reviews, Television
Descendants of the Sun, DoTS, Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won, Korean drama, reviews, Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki, television
6 Comments

Image credits: KBS/Wikipedia

I don’t need to put a **SPOILER ALERT** on this, right? Since I think I’m the only one on my side of the fandom who hasn’t seen DoTS until now?

Thanks to the four-day weekend and the fact that I’ve finished all my reports, I finally found the time to watch Descendants of the Sun in its entirety. I’ve seen it here and there when my niece watched it, but this is the only time I managed to sit down and watch it religiously.

Since everyone has seen it and I’m very late, I’ll just do my usual bulleted list of random comments.

1. The production values are definitely top-notch. They didn’t scrimp on the budget for this, and it showed. The cinematography, production design, even the camera angles were well-thought out.

2. The story is actually quite simple if you remove the disaster/military conflict aspects of it. It’s just couples bickering here and there, as normal couples would. The fact that the characters involved have complicated jobs allowed the story to move to 16 episodes. Having said that, I think the simplicity of the plot and its execution are the ones that lured the audience hook, line and sinker. The script was very relatable; they spoke like they’re normal people, just like the rest of us.

3. Song Hye Kyo has definitely cemented her mark as a prolific actress on this drama. I love that the Kang Mo Yeon character has a strong personality. She’s not a damsel in distress. SHK has truly moved on from her old characters where she’s always weak and helpless. All of her roles since Full House are that of a strong woman, and she definitely has the chops to pull them off.

Some of my favorite scenes in the drama are those of Dr. Kang trying to control her emotions because she is in the middle of a situation where she cannot afford to break down. There’s this one scene during the earthquake rescue where all her facial muscles moved as she was on the brink of tears but she tried to control them. It’s very raw and natural, as if she really was in distress. And then that other scene when she finally broke down after she finished attending to all those patients. Hye Kyo was able to convey the grief that she kept all along in the most heart-wrenching way.

4. I know you’re all waiting for me to comment on Song Joong Ki. First of all, I get it. I get that his charm was like, level 100000000 on this drama, reminiscent of Full House‘s Lee Young Jae. I still think he’s too pretty, though, so I didn’t fancy him that much. I fancied Jin Goo more.

I must commend him for his delivery of English lines. It’s not perfect, particularly on the delivery (it could’ve been more natural), but at least we didn’t need subtitles and he didn’t sound like Donald Duck. I didn’t cringe at all. He’s not a native speaker, but I’m not surprised that he has that skill because I am aware that SJK is one of those Korean actors who not only has high IQ scores but is also street smart. His Running Man stint showed me that.

5. Truthfully, the one couple that I liked most on DoTS were the old doctor and the nurse. They’re so cute.

6. Is it just me, or Kim Ji Won has a strong resemblance to the-princess-that-must-not-be-named?

7. To sum up, I understood why this drama is a hit. I’m not sure, though, if it will warrant a repeat-viewing from me. It did suffer the K-Drama Fatigue on me because everyone has demanded that I see it, so I kinda expected a little bit too much. To be fair, it’s one of those dramas where I can actually recite scenes and dialog even if I’ve only seen it once. It’s like a pop song that will stick to your ear whether you like it or not.

8. PS: I know people will bomb me for saying this. Nope, I didn’t feel any electricity between the leads. They’re more like best buds to me. Yep, feel free to throw stones at me now.