Chinese dramas usually move more slowly that Korean dramas, but the plot about race cars helps rev things up. This one had me cheering for Chen Mobai. The ML is absolutely a charmer and a pretty good actor. He is obviously much younger than the FL, but I didn't mind because it adds even more contrast the pairing. It's a little hard to hear the FL constantly referred to the 'girl genius' but it is China and it is racing. I enjoyed how wonderfuly smart she was. Ms Shen was so sure of herself when she was running those equations! Two extremely handsome men fall hard for our genius who is battling some serious trauma AND an introverted personality. It's a tough character to nail and easy for the FL to seem stiff, especially when paired with someone as charismatic as the ML. That is the main draw back of the drama. Otherwise the supporting cast, especially the pit crew guys and her younger sister make this one fun and exciting. There definitely needed to be a 23rd episode. That car, crew and super sexy driver deserved a better ending.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Kill Me, Heal Me
(2015)
Could have been a 10 but at 8 it's great.
8 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is an incredible kdrama with a very different and important mental health subject. But, even with the serious topic of multiple personalities, it is full of the traditional k-tropes we love and come to expect; poor girl/rich guy, first loves, and who's your daddy questions. If we could just switch out that shrieking female lead with the God awful hair clip it's a 9...give us one more "Oppa!" scene, just because they were priceless, it's a 10.
The 8 is because of the simply great story telling, despite feeling beat over the head with some scenes. But maybe that is the writer's whole point. These scenes show the events that beat Cha Do Hyun's poor little brain into pieces. We really feel the pain of someone living with this affliction.
The 8 is also because the acting by Ji Sung is terrific! When he turns into another personality it seems to come from his very soul. Park Seo Joon holds his own in the comedic scenes with the amazing Ji Sung and is a steady second lead who breaks your heart. The Shreiking FL is unfortunate.
Even the totally unbelievable childhood trauma trifecta of abandonment, arson, AND abuse (wow!), is acceptable, so, yes can swallow that whole mess.
There's nothing you can do after watching Episode 1 except hold on and enjoy the rollercoaster ride to the end. It is well worth it because the inevitable but completely satisfying reveal and conclusion will stay with you long after it ends. Bravo.
The 8 is because of the simply great story telling, despite feeling beat over the head with some scenes. But maybe that is the writer's whole point. These scenes show the events that beat Cha Do Hyun's poor little brain into pieces. We really feel the pain of someone living with this affliction.
The 8 is also because the acting by Ji Sung is terrific! When he turns into another personality it seems to come from his very soul. Park Seo Joon holds his own in the comedic scenes with the amazing Ji Sung and is a steady second lead who breaks your heart. The Shreiking FL is unfortunate.
Even the totally unbelievable childhood trauma trifecta of abandonment, arson, AND abuse (wow!), is acceptable, so, yes can swallow that whole mess.
There's nothing you can do after watching Episode 1 except hold on and enjoy the rollercoaster ride to the end. It is well worth it because the inevitable but completely satisfying reveal and conclusion will stay with you long after it ends. Bravo.
King the Land
(2023)
3 points for Junho finishing this mess and 1 point for a super cast'
7 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Never in my life have I ever seen a k-drama burn through such a talented cast with such a frustrating script. Its hard to pull off the ultra rich CEO/ poor employee trope in this day and age,at least it is here in America. But this felt like a throwback to the 50s. At one point Sa-Rang (FL) eventually works to the epitome of her career...serving lunch in the big house. WHAT?? I give them a fake point for make even the character look depressed about it.
There were so many interesting story lines that were just wasted. MIA mom, an utterly vicious sibling battle, switch of gender roles in modern Korean marriage, Won's nephew struggling for love and affection in a household of super busy adults... all of family theme could have been braided a bit tighter together. But we got broad strokes and an almost episode wrapup. But anything was better than watching Sa-Rang serves coffee and pour drinks. When the most dramatic moment comes when a plate dropsand you know your screenplay is in trouble.
Thank God for grandma and the FAR more interesting 2nd lead romance. But even that got a little weird with the visit to Mom.
Nobody, not even the charismatic, shamelessly sexy, and utterly handsome Lee Junho could hold up 16 weeks of this uneven rom-com. There were some delight aspects to his character of Won that made him so appealing. He was a scaredycat, he had a temper, he was a man-child. The best scene were of him dealing with his flaws to learn to become a better boyfriend, conscientious boss, and grown up buddy. But the plot lines just went sideways, Sa-Rang banishment to the tourist gotel and ALL of episode 16 were just a big question mark. Well episode 16 was just product placement because the story could have wrapped in 30 minutes.
There are some truly great scenes sparkled thorughout the 16 episodes of King the Land. The entire company vacation episode was great. The cast was funny, the lovers were heating up, and the fake identity comedy was cute. The chemistry between Junho and Yoona was undeniable. But this k-drama needed more than than that.
There were so many interesting story lines that were just wasted. MIA mom, an utterly vicious sibling battle, switch of gender roles in modern Korean marriage, Won's nephew struggling for love and affection in a household of super busy adults... all of family theme could have been braided a bit tighter together. But we got broad strokes and an almost episode wrapup. But anything was better than watching Sa-Rang serves coffee and pour drinks. When the most dramatic moment comes when a plate dropsand you know your screenplay is in trouble.
Thank God for grandma and the FAR more interesting 2nd lead romance. But even that got a little weird with the visit to Mom.
Nobody, not even the charismatic, shamelessly sexy, and utterly handsome Lee Junho could hold up 16 weeks of this uneven rom-com. There were some delight aspects to his character of Won that made him so appealing. He was a scaredycat, he had a temper, he was a man-child. The best scene were of him dealing with his flaws to learn to become a better boyfriend, conscientious boss, and grown up buddy. But the plot lines just went sideways, Sa-Rang banishment to the tourist gotel and ALL of episode 16 were just a big question mark. Well episode 16 was just product placement because the story could have wrapped in 30 minutes.
There are some truly great scenes sparkled thorughout the 16 episodes of King the Land. The entire company vacation episode was great. The cast was funny, the lovers were heating up, and the fake identity comedy was cute. The chemistry between Junho and Yoona was undeniable. But this k-drama needed more than than that.
Numbers
(2023– )
Finally the Accountants are the heroes
3 August 2023
As a CPA I enjoyed the financial machinations immensely. Any writer that can make submitting an audit report to quality control dramatic gets an automatic 5 points. However, there no way a first year staffer could running around a firm of that size. I also found that minuscule library for a two tower firm hilarious. And how the heck could a new kid figured out stuff the Director didn't. Whatever.. just let it go and enjoy the ride.
I appreciated the toned down romance cuz this boy just wasnt ready for that and the twist of the 2nd lead's ex showing up was super sexy. I loved every single actor in the secondary cast. They were needed because the lead isn't the strongest actor but he was a trooper to be the lead of that incredible cast. I look forward to his next film.
Things get totally cra-cra by Episode 8, and you know what? I'm not mad at them. I was screaming, yelling, and cheering. Give it a watch, if nothing else you may appreciate accountants a little bit more.
I appreciated the toned down romance cuz this boy just wasnt ready for that and the twist of the 2nd lead's ex showing up was super sexy. I loved every single actor in the secondary cast. They were needed because the lead isn't the strongest actor but he was a trooper to be the lead of that incredible cast. I look forward to his next film.
Things get totally cra-cra by Episode 8, and you know what? I'm not mad at them. I was screaming, yelling, and cheering. Give it a watch, if nothing else you may appreciate accountants a little bit more.
I Believe in Santa
(2022)
Wow, just wow.
18 December 2022
I knew from the log line that this would be corrny, but so what. I love corny Christmas movies. Corny is a Christmas movie definer. But, this movie was altogether something else.
First, I was sorely disappointed that Assan was not the boyfriend! TOM she fell for Tom??? I agree with a few other comments that Tom and Assan made a more compatible couple. I also agree that Lisa looked spooked the entire film.
I rated it a 3, a point for Assan who had the best lines, a point for Ella's who was a cool kid, and a point for the sister who played ( just don't get me started on the trope of the minority friend with no life of her own) Lisa's friend for watching her girl go through this foolishness without judgement. Okay, they did finally show her family... and Assan's at the end.
The rest of it was purely ridic.
First, I was sorely disappointed that Assan was not the boyfriend! TOM she fell for Tom??? I agree with a few other comments that Tom and Assan made a more compatible couple. I also agree that Lisa looked spooked the entire film.
I rated it a 3, a point for Assan who had the best lines, a point for Ella's who was a cool kid, and a point for the sister who played ( just don't get me started on the trope of the minority friend with no life of her own) Lisa's friend for watching her girl go through this foolishness without judgement. Okay, they did finally show her family... and Assan's at the end.
The rest of it was purely ridic.
Inventing the Christmas Prince
(2022 TV Movie)
Finally, a Black Prince!!
13 December 2022
Ronnie Rowe leaves the Starship Discovery to wow me in this super cute movie. Ronny ironically plays a rocket sciientist who is a rayed as a bad manager because he cant bond with his staff. But when a staffer's precious daughter mistakes him for the Christmas Prince of her favorite bedtime stories, he's forced into the penultimate bond...a little girl and her Christmas hero.
I enjoyed the way Ronnie played an introvert struggling to be more extroverted. My only question is...why should HE have the change for everyone else? Why couldn't some people cut HIM some slack. But that's another movie. I absolutely loved the ending, even if it was completely over the top.
Oh, kudos to hair and make up. This is the first Hallmark movie where the black women hair styles were on point.
I enjoyed the way Ronnie played an introvert struggling to be more extroverted. My only question is...why should HE have the change for everyone else? Why couldn't some people cut HIM some slack. But that's another movie. I absolutely loved the ending, even if it was completely over the top.
Oh, kudos to hair and make up. This is the first Hallmark movie where the black women hair styles were on point.
The Horse Soldiers
(1959)
This was the best Hollywood could do for Althea Gibson???
27 September 2020
While this movie is all that as far as Ford and Wayne and the Blue and Grey I give it a 7, it irks me that Gibson, a celebrated Wimbledon champion get the real Hollywood treatment. They couldnt find some Pat and Mike like romp? No, a slave. SMH
An amazing story of inspiration and revelation.
20 June 2020
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