Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
I could go on and on about the romance elements. But because I knew the lead character would be fine regardless of who she chose — and that the men would be OK as well — I was more fascinated by the dynamics at the workplace and how difficult it can be for women to juggle being a mom with having a job outside of the home.
Helmed by writer Kim Eun-Sook and director Lee Eung-Bok — who previously collaborated together on “Descendants of the Sun” and “Goblin: The Lonely and Great God” — the misleadingly named “Mr. Sunshine” does a beautiful job of juggling multiple story lines that are full of suspense, intrigue and achingly quiet romance.
“Because This Is My First Life” is a bittersweet series about two broken people who decide to cohabitate for financial reasons. It is also a story that is heartwarming, funny and romantic. The melancholy start to this Korean drama gave me the same feels as “Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food” (in a good way).
One of the things that I really love about Korean dramas is that many of them center around protagonists who knew each other as children — and reunite as adults. And such is the case with “While You Were Sleeping,” which follows a group of young adults who inexplicably see each other in their dreams.
When “W” begins, we meet Chul, who is a 17-year-old wunderkind who wins a gold medal in the Air Pistol Shooting competition at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Not long afterwards, he is framed for murdering his parents and two younger siblings.
There’s very little wrong with the chemistry in the Korean series, “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.” The attraction between the main characters is so strong that (of course) the off-screen dating rumors have surfaced. Both Park Seo-Joon and Park Min-Young deny they are anything more than friends, but you almost can’t blame netizens for their wishful thinking.
A legal thriller filled with comedy and romance, “Suspicious Partner” is an addictive K-Drama that will keep viewers engaged. Don’t let the 40 episodes put you off. Each episode is less than half an hour long. And the plot is so engaging that the 20 hours goes by quickly.
Moreso than any of the previous episodes of “Burn the Stage,” this finale is a love letter from BTS to their fans. The eight-part docu-series ended with “Spring Day” playing over the credits. As many of you already know, that song touches my core every single time I hear it, so I’m a little verklempt as I write this.
I imagine that for the members of BTS, presenting an idealized version of their real selves was par for the course. But with “Burn the Stage,” they have come to terms with who they truly are and are confident enough to show it to the public. It is difficult to explain why this first episode was so moving for me. Certainly, there is the aspect of seeing Asian Representation so beautifully presented; and in a manner that doesn’t exoticize these young men as strange creatures from a foreign land.
If you could go back to your past, would you? And, if so, what would you change? That’s the premise for “Go Back Couple,” a thoroughly-enjoyable drama filled with charismatic leads and a plot that is both funny and touching — especially for those of us who are already parents.