Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
It’s not easy for two well-known celebrities to immerse themselves in their roles so well that we don’t see them, but rather their characters. But watching IU’s music video for “Love Wins All,” I didn’t see pop stars IU and V, but rather a pair of anguished characters who were trying desperately to survive in this post-apocalyptic inferno.
Kang Ha-neul stars in “Forgotten,” a film that tackles murder, memory loss, and mayhem in a clever way with lots of twists and turns that keep viewers intrigued. It centers on two brothers, neither of whom are as they seem, and a tragedy that ties them together. Written and deftly directed by Jang Hang-jun, it’s an enjoyable movie with a what happened now?!! ending that offers closure for both the characters and the audience.
Sang-hwan is a police officer who is too much of a ‘fraidy cat to be a standout on the force. But through his friendship with Eui-jin, who has extraordinary fighting skills, he learns that he has untapped super powers of his own.
Following Lee Sun-kyun’s death, you are going to read a lot on social media and in newspapers about how South Korea has the highest overall suicide rate of all countries. And while someone will surely write a think piece about South Koreans being predisposed to dying by suicide, it’s important to remember how South Korea came to be an economic powerhouse and how its citizens’ well being was secondary to the country’s greatness.
The gore in this K-drama is intense and unrelenting — so much so that it ironically begins to lose impact. But amidst all the violence are well-developed stories of families, love and patriotism — and that’s what prevents this series from being just another horror show.
“BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star” isn’t always easy to watch. Very real issues are discussed, including severe depression that hints at suicidal ideation. But what comes through is that it’s the group’s hope, friendship, humor and love that binds them together.
If you watched Sylvester Stallone’s 1987 arm wrestling film “Over the Top” and hated it, don’t let that deter you from giving “Champion” a shot. Starring Ma Dong-seok (“Train to Busan,” “Eternals,” “The Roundup” films), the buff actor has a knack for comedy.
There is a lot to unpack in “Castaway Diva.” On the surface, it’s about a teenager who has been trapped on an island for 15 years, is rescued, and pursues her dreams of becoming a K-pop idol. And that is an interesting enough premise as it is. However, the real thrust of this K-drama is the long-lasting ramifications of abuse, even after the victims have grown up and have long been separated from the abusers.
A reminder that it’s really gross to tell people that their identity is determined by what language they speak — or what language they choose to sing in. Part 2 of my coverage of that problematic NYT K-pop podcast.
The thesis of the New York Times’ podcast questions whether K-pop is still K-pop if sung in English. It also questions whether Korean artists should even be singing in English, since there are so many Western artists who already sing in, you know, English…
Split into two parts, this 21-episode sageuk – or historical drama – showcases the amazing chemistry between lead actors Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin. Set during the Qing invasion of Joseon, this K-drama is as much of a story of resilience as it is about love.
As with “The Killing Vote,” this K-drama centers on the intersection of criminals and their corrupt police counterparts — all of whom benefit from the quid pro quo exchange.
Based on the real-life Homeless World Cup (which was held in September in Seoul), “Dream” offers a more cynical look than Great Britain’s “The Beautiful Game,” which shares the same topic.
If you could go back in time and make your parents’ lives better, would you? Eun-gyeol (Ryeoun) doesn’t exactly make this choice. Rather, he’s mysteriously thrust into a bygone era where he meets his high school-age parents.
Based on the webtoon of the same name, the premise revolves around a masked man who uses the pseudonym Gaetal/게탈 — which translates into dog mask — to mete out justice for those who they feel deserved stronger punishment for their crimes.
Based on the novel by former psychiatric nurse Lee Ra-ha and helmed by “All of Us Are Dead” director Lee Jae-gyu, “Daily Dose of Sunshine” tackles the very real world problems of how unkind society can be to people suffering from mental health issues.
“#Alive” was filmed a year before countries worldwide were locking down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But its depiction of isolation and fear of the unknown mirrors what millions of people went through (minus the zombies) in this 2020 thriller.
If you’re looking for a light K-drama where the plot is not really the point, “CEO-dol Mart” is the show to watch. The premise of this series is that after the death of a member, the idol group the Thunder Boys broke up and went their separate ways before they had a chance at getting recognition.
Playing undercover police officer Jun-mo — who hopes that his gig will lead to a promotion — Ji Chang-wook is in his element as an eager cop who infiltrates a drug cartel with ties to China and Japan.
There is a recurring dream sequence in “Doona!” A young woman is submerged in water. From below, she can see the glitz and glamour of her life as a top star. But when our protagonist startles herself awake, we see her living a mundane life, waking up sweaty in a small apartment and taking long drags of cigarettes in the courtyard. This is how we meet Lee Doo-na, a famous K-pop idol who is hiding away in a shared house for college students.