elodiehuynh Reviews

Lovestruck in the City (2020–2021)

A refreshing drama

[9/10 · 30 May 2021]

Finally, something different.

What I like most about this drama is that it's a realistic depiction of relationships in today's 21st century. Yes, people can, and will sleep with each other in the early stages of a relationship. I'm so sick of watching other k-dramas that treat 30yr old adults like they're 13yr old kids who have never been kissed before (or freezes during a kiss) let alone any other intimate activities. (In saying that, the last episode does ruin it by doing exactly that!) This drama is refreshing in the sense that it's not your typical love story romance and the filming is unique because it's done in an interview-style manner. I found this strange at first and it was hard to catch on but keep watching and you'll find it all comes together and the storyline becomes riveting. There were many scenes that truly captured the "moment" by use of sunlight and light rays to create the right mood and ambience, especially during the beach holiday or romantic scenes. Some scenes were like instagram shots with a perfect filter applied.

The lead actor is gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed his acting and looks. I will watch out for more work from Ji Chang Wook. All supporting actors and actresses were also very good and created a significant dynamic. I just found the cop and actress love story introduced in the last episode absolutely useless. They could do without those scenes.

Overall, I recommend this drama if you've watched a lot of k-dramas and looking for different. This is a new style, new age, and refreshing alternative to what you'd normally see.

Lovestruck in the City (2020–2021)

A refreshing drama

[9/10 · 30 May 2021]

Finally, something different.

What I like most about this drama is that it's a realistic depiction of relationships in today's 21st century. Yes, people can, and will sleep with each other in the early stages of a relationship. I'm so sick of watching other k-dramas that treat 30yr old adults like they're 13yrs old kids who have never been kissed before (or freezes during a kiss) let alone any other intimate activities. (In saying that, the last episode does ruin it by doing exactly that!) This drama is refreshing in the sense that it's not your typical love story romance and the filming is unique because it's done in an interview-style manner. I found this strange at first and it was hard to catch on but keep watching and you'll find it all comes together and the storyline becomes riveting.

The lead actor is gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed his acting and looks. I will watch out for more work from Ji Chang Wook. All supporting actors and actresses were also very good and created a perfect dynamic. I just found the cop and actress love story introduced in the last episode absolutely useless. They could do without those scenes.

Overall, I recommend this drama if you've watched a lot of k-dramas and looking for different. This is a new style, new age, and refreshing alternative to what you'd normally see.

Wrath of Man (2021)

Ah Jase, you old dog you

[8/10 · 29 April 2021]

Always the cool tough guy that noone can beat.

Full of suspense, gripping the entire time, intense, two stories in parallel that come together, somewhat predictable betrayals and twist, felt a bit dark at times, satisfying ending, not a huge amount of action but a solid storyline that keeps you on edge.

Watch it on the big screen with a good sound system for greater intensity.

Love O2O (2016– )

So bad it hurts

[3/10 · 7 February 2021]

It baffles me how this brain-dead drama could stretch out to 30 episodes and waste that much time. What's worse is that i watched it all to the end. Initially I was hoping it'd get better, and then later I was just in too deep and had to see it through out of pure commitment. My brain is still hurting and I wish I watched something else instead.

Why was it so bad? Here are a few reasons: 1) the lead actress was too skinny that it was cringe worthy and distracting. Especially when she was wearing game costume. The producers should have made her put on weight or not get the part 2) the male lead was too cool for school that it was unrealistic 3) too many cliches and the world was too perfect 4) the acting was robotic; more script reading than acting 5) the script and 'acting' were just trying too hard 6) a lot of unnecessary, non value adding stories and scenes. Emphasis was placed on things that went nowhere. Like whats the significance of the hacker being a chef? Why was a bromance insinuated that went nowhere. The 2nd couple romance was also weak and uninteresting

Just to name a few.

I seriously don't know how this rated so high. The only slightly positive feedback is for the group of male and female dorm friends who made the drama lively but a lot of the times it felt like they were overacting or script reading.

If you have time to waste and enjoy brain-dead eye candy then go nuts and watch this. Otherwise, don't even start, you might get caught up in it and regret it like I do.

The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)

Convoluted but pulled through in the end

[8/10 · 5 February 2021]

A highly anticipated movie for me, I was counting down the days and hours to watch this but I'm left a little disappointed. The trick could be to keep your expectations low and maybe the movie will turn out better for you.

I love Mark Chao and Deng Lun to death (the 2 male leads). After watching "Eternal Love -10 Mile of Peach Blossom" and "Ashes of love" I was thrilled these guys were teaming up. Solid acting from the both of them in this movie. Mark with his facial expressions on point as usual, and Deng Lun giving everything he's got, there was a scene even his pores were acting.

But the story was a little convoluted. For most of the first half I was asking 'who was who' and 'what was what'? Then all of a sudden there was an awesome monster fighting scene that came out of nowhere. I was captivated but still confused. They distracted me with a half naked Deng Lun that I momentarily caved into the storlines' ambiguity. Then some of the missing pieces were filled in via some flashbacks and we were back on track again to understanding what the hell was happening and why it was happening.

I binged watched a lot of Mark Chao's and Deng Lun's dramas but I won't be in a hurry to watch this movie again.

Overall, I would recommend this movie if you're looking for a captivating action fantasy with a good (albeit delayed) storyline.

Enter the Warriors Gate (2016)

Such a waste of a good cast

[4/10 · 28 November 2020]

Script and storyline is rubbish. There were many non-value adding scenes. I caught myself saying "what was the point of that" so many times. A waste of good actors such as Mark Chao and Dave Bautista. I can't believe these actors subjected themselves to this B class, no actually C class movie. I'm so embarrassed for them. Lack of flow to the movie, just a bunch of clichés, and odd bits and bobs thrown together. There were also a lot of different oriental accents, some artificial and forced that were just overbearing.

I would be angry with myself for picking this for a Friday night movie, if I wasn't so overwhelmed with disappointment.

Flower of Evil (2020)

In search of the 4th Prince from Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo

[9/10 · 11 November 2020]

I'll be honest, I'm not interested in crime thrillers, I much prefer romance dramas but I watched this purely because of Lee Joon-Gi (the lead actor). I watched him in Moon Lovers the week before and was mesmerised so I wanted to see more of him and support his projects. Well, if you're like me and hoping to find Prince Wang So in here then don't watch this. There is no chivalrous, cool, calm, overly handsome, deeply in love Prince... but there is an apathetic psychopath that still gets you hooked.

DEFINTELY WATCH THIS IF YOU WANT TO SEE GREAT ACTING FROM LEE JOON GI.

He also plays a loving husband and doting father which takes him to another level of hotness.

The storyline is gripping! I'm usually good at guessing the outcome but even i was blind-sided many times. The amount of twists in this series is out of control. In my opinion, the writers should have left out the last twist so it could have been a much happier and satisfying ending (and I would've given it a 10 star rating).

Therr were a couple of touching scenes were not so touching, felt a little overacting...like when they hug and cry, I felt like they were over-hugging and over-crying, however it's completely forgiven because I'm obsessed with Lee Joon Gi.

Overall, a very riveting series that will keep you on edge, you will enjoy it if you're into crime/suspense thrillers (think The Bone Collector style). Not as addictive as Moon Lovers if you're into Romance however a must watch if you want to see kissing scenes from Lee Joon Gi and imagine him as a hubby.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

Emotional roller coaster, just awesome

[10/10 · 19 October 2020]

I watched all 20 episodes in about 3 days, couldn't take my eyes away, it's that good! The characters are all well portrayed, excellent acting fron the lead actor Lee Joon Gi who plays the 4th Prince. His gazes and facial expressions are just amazing in this role. The other princes are also deserving of praise for their supporting roles, also all very well portrayed. The lead actress was adequate for her young character. The romance, my God the love and intense romance is palpable! A splash of chivalry, lust, brotherhood, betrayal, and regrets to make it all come together. I would've preferred a different ending, seriously it wouldn't kill the writers to give us a happy one! Overall, a very memorable drama series, addictively good and a must watch. In my opinion it's better than Legend of the Blue Sea which was also made the same year and also won awards that should've gone to this drama. Also, a very good sound track to compliment the drama!

It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)

Best kissing scenes in a k-drama to date

[9/10 · 13 October 2020]

A couple of really good kissing scenes that aren't as conservative as most k-dramas. Storyline is unique and there are a lot of powerful hidden messages. The only let down for me was that the 'twist' and 'culprit' reveal was short lived, it felt like the build up was highly anticipated but then it was all over in minutes. The main actor Kim Soo-Hyun was very good in this series, i didn't like him in "My Love from the Star" (as he seemed insignificant and overshadowed by the lead actress) but in this drama his acting was very memorable. The supporting actors were also very well portrayed especially the brother with autism, excellent acting from Oh Jung-se. Overall, a must-watch drama filled with a captivating storyline, powerful life messages, and sweet romance with great kissing.

My Love from Another Star (2013–2014)

Grow some alien balls and tell her how much you love her

[6/10 · 8 October 2020]

A mostly frustrating drama at times and somewhat predictable at others. Typical romcom with "it's on, it's off, it's on it's off" relationship, but this was way too much. It seemed maybe the producers dragged this on to get more episodes and ratings. The lead actor alien character was pretty insignificant and he looked like he was punching way above his average in the movie and outside. I think they could've chosen another hallyu actor more suited to the amazing lead actress, but as a result of choosing this guy, it lacked chemistry for me. The lead actress was portrayed phenomenology and all six rated stars go to her. In terms of the storyline, it was ok, some thrilling bits, good humour, some suspense, but it lacked that deep romance. The plot had some elements from 'Goblin / Guardian- the great and lonely god' as well as 'Legend of the blue sea' (also with the same lead actress), but overall it didn't stand in the same high quality league as these other two dramas.

The World of the Married (2020)

Disappointing- It was good but it wasn't THAT good

[7/10 · 31 August 2020]

Disappointing given it's at the top of the "highest rating ever list". I'm beginning to suspect that the high nation rating could be attributed to the fact that people were in lockdown and had nothing else to do but tune into TV dramas. Some episodes were riveting and but overall there wasn't enough guts to it on the whole. Goes back and forth a lot on the same issue with the same couple, therefore lingered and got stagnant. I had high expectations for the ending but it didn't deliver, I feel like I'm still waiting for an ending. There are other korean dramas out there that are soooo much better like 'Mr Sunshine', 'Guardian/Goblin: Lonely & Great God', 'The King Eternal Monarch', 'Descendants of the Sun'- just to name a few.

Mr. Sunshine (2018)

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 30 July 2020]

This had everything. Just brilliant! But seriously, what kind of ending is that!?! I'm outraged, still crying.

Crash Landing on You (2019–2020)

Did not land on the mark! Not as good as Descendants of the Sun

[7/10 · 25 July 2020]

Let's be honest, the lead actress played by Ye-jin Son really carried the team on this one, her acting was very good but the lead actor played by Hyun Bin could barely give us more than two different facial expressions. I found it so frustrating looking at his same blank dumbfounded look the entire time when there could've been more emotions. The love scenes between these two were not intense enough on screen (it could be because if the blank looks?). The supporting actors played by Kim Jung-hyun (the con man) and Yang Kyung-won (loud soilder) were very well portrayed, captivating, and amusing to watch. Overall, a good storyline, enough suspense and twists to be engaging, and some heart felt scenes relating to friendship and family love. I much preferred the love story, romance and love scenes from the series Descendants of the Sun.

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Best Korean Drama Series Yet!

[10/10 · 22 July 2020]

A lot of Korean drama storylines are repetitive (i.e., rich family, long lost parents, someone is terminally ill, love triangles, etc) but this drama series is unique and without those plots. The dialogue scripts are well written, amusing, and witty. One of the most romantic love stories that will undoubtedly leave a lasting effect on you. For me, it's just as memorable as The Notebook! If there was only one Korean drama you could watch, then make it this one! In my opinion it's better than Mr Sunshine, Crash Landing on You and Legend of the Blue Sea. Song Joon-Ki portrays the main character to perfection. Addictively good.

Arthdal Chronicles (2019–2023)

Korean Blockbuster

[10/10 · 18 July 2020]

Pretty Awesome. Starts off quite busy and hard to follow because there are a lot of characters to introduce and the foundation needs to be set, but be patient and continue watching, it definitely pays off and everything comes together. Some Parallels can be drawn with Game of Thrones, i.e., the fight for power amongst different tribes, but there are major differences in the plot compared to GoT. The 4 lead actors/actresses portray the characters impeccably and bring them to life. Joong-ki who plays EunSom is especially good and this series showcases how versatile he can be and his ability to play different types of roles. Overall, very unique for a Korean drama, worth watching. Looking forward to Season 2