I just skimmed your article in case of spoilers, but I will say I’m currently watching The Trunk, and one scene nearly ended me. It’s early on in Ep 1, I believe, when they are sitting down for their first meal together. He gets up, walks behind her, and it’s lights out.
OMG I still remember that!!!! Please come back after your finished with THE TRUNK and share your thoughts. I really liked it, but many of my friends positively hated it. lol
Well, I've found you here thanks to Upworthy sharing your tweet on Instagram (the social media landscape is too full haha), and I'm so glad I did! I spent most of the 2nd half of last year plowing my way through all the Korean shows I could find here in Germany, and I've enjoyed it immensely. I appreciate that a lot of them are formulaic in that the good people win and usually get a happy ending, but also that they are often times so emotionally mature and complex. I was definitely missing out! My favorites have included Oh My Venus (although having to definitely overlook the fatphobia there, but the chemistry of the two lead actors was incredible!), Doctor Prisoner (if only the ending had been better!), Hometown Cha-cha-cha, and Because This is my First Life. I wish Squid Game wasn't so gory, I'm not great with that, although I did enjoy A Shop For Killers. Will have to check out some more of your recommendations!
Johanna, wow! What a small world! I'm so glad you found your way here and will comment often about things you've seen and observed. I'm with you: I really enjoyed OH MY VENUS, but the fatphobia was unfortunate. Hopefully aspects like that will be handled more carefully as there is more awareness of how troubling that kind of depiction can be.
I’m going to be honest and say I had not heard great things about Queen of Divorce so despite being very fond of Kang Ki Young I hadn’t watched it yet. May be time to remedy that. I’m halfway through The Trunk and I think it’s outstanding. But I’m taking it slow because it’s so heavy.
It's all personal taste! So many people have said they hated "The Trunk," and were surprised that I liked it so much. I say just watch what you'd like to and take it from there!
I hope you are doing great! Just as we discussed earlier I am almost five episodes in into k2 drama and its such a captivating drama, Ji Chang Wook being the same person, appears so different in his every drama, here in the case of your article, Welcome to Samdal-ri was such a sweet treat for me, I watched it last month.
I'm so glad you are enjoying The K2, Fariha! Ji Chang-wook is one of my faves, because he can inhabit just about any role! He was really great in "The Worst of Evil" as well. Happy new year!
I enjoyed watching "The Trunk" as the acting was terrific and appropriate, and the story provided provocative thoughts about lasting relationships. I have not watched the rest you mentioned, but I am starting on "When the Stars Gossip."
I loved The Trunk, I actually think it's better than the book - well, definitely due to the awesome actors. Loved Samdal-ri and Doctor Slump. Watching The Producers now based on your previous review and starting When the Stars Gossip - it's fun to see 2015 and 2024 Gong Hyo-jin simultaneously! Waiting for your review of When the Phone Rings😂
I just finished watching "Love in the Big City," oh god I cried my eyes out. I don't know if there ever will be a sequel, but I'm going to believe Gyu Ho met Go Young after returning to Seoul and they lived happily ever after for my own sanity. It felt so raw and authentic.
I know what you mean! 😭 Young was just unable to be a good partner at the time that Gyu-ho left. Gyu-ho was willing to work through their issues, but Young never liked putting in the work...or was incapable of putting in the work. Not sure which. But hopefully a few years apart will have matured Young.
I’ve watched A Killer Paradox twice—it’s one of the absolute best Kdrama serials I’ve seen to date. It is a richly dark, nearly comedic and weirdly heart-wrenching exploration about lives lived on the outer edges where even murder may seem, paradoxically, okay. The direction, acting, cinematography, all of it, are superb.
Yes--not generally explored in a series but very Korean noir. I really appreciate the serial format because it gives more time to explore theme and develop character.
Love your lists, if only to validate our mutual taste of great dramas! I loved Trunk and Queen of Divorce, both for the content but also for the maturity of the leads, especially the women. They bring out the best in their male counterparts. Welcome to Samdalri was a lesson in cancel culture in Korea and while Shin Hye Sun is also an amazing actress, Ji Chang Wook never fails and so glad he is finally picking great dramas!
I'm going to finish "When the Phone Rings" today. Still working on "The Trunk" too. That one is a very slow burn. Took some time to finish "Squid Game" season 2 too. I loved "A Shop for Killers". Glad to see they are getting a season 2. Happy New Year!
I just skimmed your article in case of spoilers, but I will say I’m currently watching The Trunk, and one scene nearly ended me. It’s early on in Ep 1, I believe, when they are sitting down for their first meal together. He gets up, walks behind her, and it’s lights out.
OMG I still remember that!!!! Please come back after your finished with THE TRUNK and share your thoughts. I really liked it, but many of my friends positively hated it. lol
Are you a fan?
Of who/what? And I'm guessing this question is for Cynthia??
Happy new year!
Well, I've found you here thanks to Upworthy sharing your tweet on Instagram (the social media landscape is too full haha), and I'm so glad I did! I spent most of the 2nd half of last year plowing my way through all the Korean shows I could find here in Germany, and I've enjoyed it immensely. I appreciate that a lot of them are formulaic in that the good people win and usually get a happy ending, but also that they are often times so emotionally mature and complex. I was definitely missing out! My favorites have included Oh My Venus (although having to definitely overlook the fatphobia there, but the chemistry of the two lead actors was incredible!), Doctor Prisoner (if only the ending had been better!), Hometown Cha-cha-cha, and Because This is my First Life. I wish Squid Game wasn't so gory, I'm not great with that, although I did enjoy A Shop For Killers. Will have to check out some more of your recommendations!
Johanna, wow! What a small world! I'm so glad you found your way here and will comment often about things you've seen and observed. I'm with you: I really enjoyed OH MY VENUS, but the fatphobia was unfortunate. Hopefully aspects like that will be handled more carefully as there is more awareness of how troubling that kind of depiction can be.
ETA: For others reading this exchange, the Upworthy post Johanna is referring to is this one: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEsxlWLuJmb/
The Trunk was good!!
Agreed! So many layers to it!
I’m going to be honest and say I had not heard great things about Queen of Divorce so despite being very fond of Kang Ki Young I hadn’t watched it yet. May be time to remedy that. I’m halfway through The Trunk and I think it’s outstanding. But I’m taking it slow because it’s so heavy.
It's all personal taste! So many people have said they hated "The Trunk," and were surprised that I liked it so much. I say just watch what you'd like to and take it from there!
So cool to hear you on Pop Culture, Jae!! :)
Thanks, Sung! I love being on with them. Soooo much fun. Happy new year!
Hello Jae-Ha kim,
I hope you are doing great! Just as we discussed earlier I am almost five episodes in into k2 drama and its such a captivating drama, Ji Chang Wook being the same person, appears so different in his every drama, here in the case of your article, Welcome to Samdal-ri was such a sweet treat for me, I watched it last month.
Great effort and keep writing.
With love and appreciation, 🌹
Fariha.
I'm so glad you are enjoying The K2, Fariha! Ji Chang-wook is one of my faves, because he can inhabit just about any role! He was really great in "The Worst of Evil" as well. Happy new year!
I enjoyed watching "The Trunk" as the acting was terrific and appropriate, and the story provided provocative thoughts about lasting relationships. I have not watched the rest you mentioned, but I am starting on "When the Stars Gossip."
Thank you for letting me know, Marianne! I am always curious about what others like and are watching.
I loved The Trunk, I actually think it's better than the book - well, definitely due to the awesome actors. Loved Samdal-ri and Doctor Slump. Watching The Producers now based on your previous review and starting When the Stars Gossip - it's fun to see 2015 and 2024 Gong Hyo-jin simultaneously! Waiting for your review of When the Phone Rings😂
Gong Hyo-jin is always a treat to watch!
I'll review "When the Phone Rings" as soon as I carve out a bit of time! That series was wild.
I just finished watching "Love in the Big City," oh god I cried my eyes out. I don't know if there ever will be a sequel, but I'm going to believe Gyu Ho met Go Young after returning to Seoul and they lived happily ever after for my own sanity. It felt so raw and authentic.
I have read the book, will watch the series.
It is definitely worth watching.
I know what you mean! 😭 Young was just unable to be a good partner at the time that Gyu-ho left. Gyu-ho was willing to work through their issues, but Young never liked putting in the work...or was incapable of putting in the work. Not sure which. But hopefully a few years apart will have matured Young.
I’ve watched A Killer Paradox twice—it’s one of the absolute best Kdrama serials I’ve seen to date. It is a richly dark, nearly comedic and weirdly heart-wrenching exploration about lives lived on the outer edges where even murder may seem, paradoxically, okay. The direction, acting, cinematography, all of it, are superb.
The creators definitely explored aspects that aren't the norm in a Korean series, or any series, for that matter.
Yes--not generally explored in a series but very Korean noir. I really appreciate the serial format because it gives more time to explore theme and develop character.
Love your lists, if only to validate our mutual taste of great dramas! I loved Trunk and Queen of Divorce, both for the content but also for the maturity of the leads, especially the women. They bring out the best in their male counterparts. Welcome to Samdalri was a lesson in cancel culture in Korea and while Shin Hye Sun is also an amazing actress, Ji Chang Wook never fails and so glad he is finally picking great dramas!
I think Seo Hyun-jin was one of the first actresses you and I discussed (when she was in "You are My Spring")!!
Ji Chang-wook had a rough time picking roles worthy of him post-military. But you're right. He's got his groove back and I love that for him!
I'm going to finish "When the Phone Rings" today. Still working on "The Trunk" too. That one is a very slow burn. Took some time to finish "Squid Game" season 2 too. I loved "A Shop for Killers". Glad to see they are getting a season 2. Happy New Year!
Happy new year, Sonia! Looks like you're keeping busy!