New Drama Time!
We're testing out the new batch of kdramas. From the good to the bad to the unsure, here are some very brief initial responses:
1. The Prime Minister and I
Four episodes in, this is hands-down the most pleasant surprise of the bunch so far. To be honest, ahjussi romances aren't really my thing. I couldn't get past the age gap in Dating Agency: Cyrano, but it hasn't bothered me so far here. It might have something to do with the fact that Yoona is relatively tall and Lee Bum Soo is relatively short, so they're always on eye level with each other. Or maybe it's the fact that Yoona's character is a real adult with a real job, unlike 90% of kdrama females. Or maybe it's the fact that so far, every time he tries to push her around, she finds a way to turn the tables.
I also think the writers have been very smart with their use of Lee Bum Soo so far. He's a comedic actor, but sometimes his character was too much to handle in History of a Salaryman. By using his funny skills in imaginary scenarios, we get to laugh while still taking him seriously as a person. The one thing I can't take seriously is the reasoning behind the fake relationship. Off the top of my head, I can think of about 47 better ways to resolve the problem than a contract marriage. But what else do you expect from a kdrama forced marriage premise?
I'm cautiously optimistic. If the writers flush this potential, I'm going to be Hulk smash a lot of things.
2. My Love from Another Star
Sorry, guys, but I can't do it. I have a terrible habit of judging books (and shows) by their covers. Maybe I'll work on it as a New Year's resolution or something, but until New Year's, I'm going to judge away. I don't know what it's like to be a 400-year-old alien, but according to this poster, it mostly involves crying. In Vivi's world, the only person who gets a pass on Poster Crying is Song Joong Ki. The '90s-tastic "I'm sad! But also ethereal!" mist isn't helping, either.
3. Miss Korea
The first two episodes were much more serious than I expected from the Miss Congeniality-style premise. The writers raised a lot of social issues in episode 1, and how they handle these issues later has the potential to make or break the show for me. I'm squarely on the fence for now, but I'm also quite intrigued. I love the gritty old-school vibe going on.
Happy holidays to all, and very merry drama-ing!
1. The Prime Minister and I
Four episodes in, this is hands-down the most pleasant surprise of the bunch so far. To be honest, ahjussi romances aren't really my thing. I couldn't get past the age gap in Dating Agency: Cyrano, but it hasn't bothered me so far here. It might have something to do with the fact that Yoona is relatively tall and Lee Bum Soo is relatively short, so they're always on eye level with each other. Or maybe it's the fact that Yoona's character is a real adult with a real job, unlike 90% of kdrama females. Or maybe it's the fact that so far, every time he tries to push her around, she finds a way to turn the tables.
I also think the writers have been very smart with their use of Lee Bum Soo so far. He's a comedic actor, but sometimes his character was too much to handle in History of a Salaryman. By using his funny skills in imaginary scenarios, we get to laugh while still taking him seriously as a person. The one thing I can't take seriously is the reasoning behind the fake relationship. Off the top of my head, I can think of about 47 better ways to resolve the problem than a contract marriage. But what else do you expect from a kdrama forced marriage premise?
I'm cautiously optimistic. If the writers flush this potential, I'm going to be Hulk smash a lot of things.
2. My Love from Another Star
Sorry, guys, but I can't do it. I have a terrible habit of judging books (and shows) by their covers. Maybe I'll work on it as a New Year's resolution or something, but until New Year's, I'm going to judge away. I don't know what it's like to be a 400-year-old alien, but according to this poster, it mostly involves crying. In Vivi's world, the only person who gets a pass on Poster Crying is Song Joong Ki. The '90s-tastic "I'm sad! But also ethereal!" mist isn't helping, either.
3. Miss Korea
The first two episodes were much more serious than I expected from the Miss Congeniality-style premise. The writers raised a lot of social issues in episode 1, and how they handle these issues later has the potential to make or break the show for me. I'm squarely on the fence for now, but I'm also quite intrigued. I love the gritty old-school vibe going on.
Happy holidays to all, and very merry drama-ing!
I'm loving the prime minister and I! Loved it from episode 1 and I have a feeling it's going to keep getting better. I thought the age difference would be too weird for me, but their chemistry is amazing and like you said, they are both real adults and really good people. At moments I've wondered if it's supposed to be based off the sound of music (which is one of my favorite movies).
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even thought of the Sound of Music comparison, but now that you say it, I can totally see it! The problem with watching currently airing shows is that I get so nervous that things will turn terrible halfway through, and there's just no way to know in advance.
DeleteI thought of the Sound of Music, too! the next episode seems like it will touch on that a little, too.
DeletePlease try out Bel Ami too!!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that Coco has been watching that one. If she weren't out of town for the holidays, I would have made her include her reactions. Maybe she'll post something once she's back home!
DeleteActually, I really liked the first two episodes of MY LOVE FROM ANOTHER STAR. I like how this drama takes aliens and instead of feeling scifi it feels more fairytale… I'm looking forward to more. ^^
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about MISS KOREA… Look forward to hearing more of your thoughts as you watch more episodes.
Most people really seemed to like the first two episodes of My Love from another Star, so I may have to reconsider that one. I figure I'll let it get to the halfway point, and if everyone still loves it, I'll give it a chance.
DeleteI've been debating whether or not to start watching "The Prime Minister and I", but based your review, I'll give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteI had some problems with the most recent episodes, but the first few were great!
DeleteI don't get why the age difference would be a problem in The PM and I. Is it taboo in Korea or something? Age's just a number. XD It's pretty common, at least where I live, for women in their twenties to be with men in their forties. Anyways, thank you for these reviews ! I just finished Heirs, and have actually been meaning to check out these three dramas in particular.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am watching all three of these. The Prime Minister and I is delightful and has a nice balance of comedy and seriousness. I like Yoona's character's interactions with the children and am looking forward to seeing how that develops. I think this show has the potential of being a really great drama. I have watched the first 4 episodes of My Love From Another Star and am loving it too. The mysterious and gorgeous time stopping alien and the snooty movies star he is fated to share a destiny with get funnier and more complicated with each episode. I think this show is going to be AWESOME! Plus, you get to look at Kim Soo Hyun every episode...who can complain about that? Can really make a judment from the first 2 episode of Miss Korea yet...but it looks like it has some potentional, and I will probably keep watching it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love PMAI and am also enjoying You Who Came from the Stars. It seems that you and I even have different ways of judging books by their covers? As the poster you reference shows, it's JJH's character who's doing the crying, not KSH's. In fact, four episodes in, one of my problems with the drama is the near total lack of any emoting from him at all. So far there have only been brief flashes of hints at the chemistry they shared in The Thieves, I'm still waiting for the sparks to start to fly. But in the meantime, JJH is showing why she is who she is, and there's plenty of humour too. Very well worth a look, I assure you.
ReplyDeleteAs for Miss Korea, I'm undecided about starting it. I have downloaded the first 2 episodes but HATED LSK's character so much in the lethargically dull Pasta that I am having real trouble summoning up the enthusiasm to check Miss Korea out. Pasta was the first K drama I ever dropped, after dragging myself through 7.5 hours of a cooking show masquerading as a drama, and those bad memories are tainting my reaction to Miss Korea.
MIss Korea really has me bored so far. I'll keep watching, probably, but I feel so enthusiasm from the actors, the script is dull, there's no chemistry between any of the actors. My Love from Another Star got better with this last episode. The dialogue is good and I like how the tension is building. The Prime Minister and I is my favorite of the three, it reminds me of All About My Romance, which I liked very much. I think my fave at the moment, though, is The Woman who Married Three Times. Excellent writing and acting.
ReplyDeleteI love the 1º and 2º, but I hate 3º. :(
ReplyDeleteMiss Korea has a very different feel from Pasta, in my opinion, but it's too early to say if it wil be boring. To be honest, I'm having a hard time getting a read on it so far. There are some scenes where I literally can't tell if they're playing for comedy or tragedy, and that's kind of interesting to me. Episodes 3-4 built the chemistry more than 1-2, so that was good.
ReplyDeleteI may have to check out The Woman Who Married Three Times. I haven't been hearing much about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about Korean taboos, but they did make a joke about having a young wife in the most recent episode. Personally, the age difference here doesn't bother me, but the age difference in Dating Agency: Cyrano really did. It felt more like a father-daughter relationship than romantic chemistry.
ReplyDeleteAgree.
ReplyDeleteThe prime minister and I, was a total surprise for me, I laughed so much, is
refreshing to see Yoona's character, I'm loving it.
And
you know what, at first I felt the same as you about My Love from Another Star,
all looked so weird, an alien of 400 years? What were the writers thinking? But
I gave them an opportunity and now I have conflicting thoughts.
I
have to say first that’s not a Sci Fi drama, in fact the story is about destiny
and has a different approach that make this drama very interesting. Jun Ji Hyun’s acting is not my
favorite, but I’m giving them a shot. And It’s been good so far.
Ooh, I hope you changed your mind about You Who Came from the Stars. I watched all the way through to the end, and it was, by far, one of the best dramas I've seen in a while. Yes, it gets a bit weepy and overwrought, but I adored the leads and wanted nothing more than their happiness at the end. I highly suggest watching it if you haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteYou judged wrong about My Love From Another Star. The female lead is hilarious. You should try it.
ReplyDeletemy love from another star is the best k-drama !! i really liked all the episodes...........
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