Jodie_ds Reviews

Melancholia (2021)

Beautiful and inspirational

[9/10 · 20 November 2021]

I'm really really enjoying the gentle way that this show celebrates the wonder in being interested in things that are seen as "different from the norm". It also recognises the joy in finding someone who understands you, no matter their age, gender, or creed, and invites the audience to believe that this is also possible for them.

The actors involved must've had to do an awful lot of cramming to have such involved math based detail at their fingertips! And the way they present the emotional nuances has been beautifully shot.

Would You Like a Cup of Coffee? (2021– )

I like it.

[7/10 · 3 November 2021]

Whimsical and sweet, each episode also has aspects of pertinent issues and sensibilities. It gently takes you along as the main character learns to understand things about the world around him and the people in it. Just a nice way to spend 25 minutes.

A Wonderful Sight (2021)

Quirky and compelling

[8/10 · 1 November 2021]

I didn't expect much from this based on the synopsis, but I'm glad I took a punt. The supporting characterisations are really interesting, and the two leads are different and dysfunctional in quite separate ways. I'm really interested to see where they go with this and how the character arcs develop.

I'm also really interested to see how the cartoon/manga aspects are further used, as they allow you to take a step back from what is otherwise a quite blasé consideration for violence.

Reflection of You (2021– )

Slow burn but totally worth it - if you liked Wuthering Heights

[8/10 · 24 October 2021]

The synopsis for this shouldn't be considered too much. This drama looks at the way we deceive ourselves and deceive others, and ask us to question when those things are valid. It also asks us to consider how we pass on values about these things to our children, and how much we would sacrifice for pride.

Very much a slow burn, it takes until at least episode four before you start to have any real understanding of the world in which these people are living, but the craft involved in having set it up this way means that although you don't much like their world, you can't quite turn away from it. The characters themselves refer to the novel Wuthering Heights at one point, and it's a pretty good parallel as to the way things go here.

The actors are all very talented, and their expertise are very much made use of. Totally worth the time investment if you don't mind not getting a 'happy ending'.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021– )

Kim Seon Ho is a total sweetheart

[9/10 · 6 September 2021]

It's impossible not to fall in love with the character of Hong Du Sik. He is a total Renaissance man: capable, accomplished, considerate, humorous, athletic, and very good looking.

While the characters seem at first glance to follow a standard construct, I am anticipating that the story arc will continue to be intelligent, as it is touching on a number of contemporary issues to do with prejudice and assumptions. The writer seems to have developed considerable back stories and subtext for the majority of the characters, although we are not yet privy to all of them (as of episode four).

I'll edit and update as the season progresses.

D.P. (2021– )

Doesn't pull its punches

[10/10 · 28 August 2021]

This is a stunning example of how cinema or TV can be used to get people to be aware of and discuss something important.

I can only imagine what it must be like to live in a country with compulsory military service, but this show and all of the cast do an excellent job of humanising (as in tells a human story) the situations that must occur when service is only a choice if you are rich or connected enough to make use of the loopholes.

A must watch. But not an easy one.

So Not Worth It (2021– )

I really wanted to like this more....

[5/10 · 4 July 2021]

I love the premise of this, and was really looking forward to seeing how they presented the idea of an international dorm at a Korean college. Unfortunately, they decided to take the very worst parts of "international" sitcoms, and just have everybody talking in Korean.

The canned laugh track: yuck, the stereotypical characters: yeah, the jumping around from place to place with no real development of relationships: boring.

The only thing that saves this, is that the actors by and large do a very good job with the bad opportunities given them. I have no problems with the actors whatsoever.

Nevertheless, (2021)

So freakin' hot!

[9/10 · 29 June 2021]

I am totally loving how Netflix is turning the heat up on K dramas. While nothing overly explicit is shown, the way the sexual tension is presented is just incredible. Whoever is directing those scenes is doing a fabulous job. (See also minutes 3 - 4.5 of "Love (ft. Marriage and divorce) S2. E1!)

The supporting characters are also really relatable. A great example of life in your early 20s.

Only downside; just one episode a week!

Law School (2021– )

Layers that need unpeeling

[8/10 · 17 June 2021]

I would've loved to have been locked in with the storyliners when they decided how they were going to take the plot lines and weave them all together. Each of the characters' stories are relatively linear individually, but they are told in an interwoven and complex way due to people's lies and the hiding of truth.

The viewer is asked consider their own perspective on things like copying other people's intellectual property, permissions granted or taken, the simple rules we break and the possible consequences of those, and whether or not we can ever truly know the world that generations outside of our own, live in. A number of the subplots ask you to consider the very human cost of judicial papertrails and decisions.

The parallel premise of the teaching of what law means and how it ought to be used, and the way it actually exists in the real world, is masterfully presented by the lead actors. I recommend you watch the first two episodes together before you decide whether or not you're going to continue. I quite often waited until there were three episodes in a row available before I watched, as it was just too frustrating to have to wait for the next one!

Imitation (2021)

Tackles serious subjects with a delicious spoonful of Idol sugar.

[9/10 · 17 June 2021]

While you don't have to be a fan of actual K-pop idol groups to enjoy the show, having just a bit of knowledge really does make all of the subtext and in-jokes so much better!

Pretty much all of the actors are existing members of groups, or have been at sometime. There is so much joy involved in watching them perform as characters rather than as their standard on-stage personas, as most of them have been cast opposite to their usual 'type'.

There is also the meta aspect of them representing an industry that has truly had issues with how trainees and artists are treated. This meta becomes a major part of the narrative dynamic, but they also have fun with it. Eg. Going on real talk shows as their Imitation character, and then as the characters commenting that they only know cover dances from the band that they actually truly belong to (!) or releasing character'fan-cam' videos on real YouTube channels.

The only bad thing about the show? It's only releasing one episode a week! It's absolute torture to have to wait a whole week and only get one hour at a time in this fabulous world.

Racket Boys (2021– )

Super cute family-friendly viewing

[8/10 · 17 June 2021]

I'm really loving this series. There is no major trauma or drama, it's just a bunch of middle school age kids (15 or so years in age) who love playing badminton.

Yes they have challenges, and various family situations, but ultimately it's a series about a group of kids learning to become a team and celebrate their own strengths.

Each of the characters have a unique personality, and the young (and not so young) actors do a really really great job bringing them to life.

It is a lovely show to watch and you can be confident to share it with other people in the family.

EDIT: I'm in NZ, so found the scenes supposedly set here a bit ridiculous - but not offensive in any way!

Mad for Each Other (2021– )

Starts out funny, but is actually as serious as a heart attack.

[9/10 · 17 June 2021]

The series starts out like many other romantic comedies, but soon turns into a quite sophisticated exploration of the consequences of trauma, and how we struggle to recover from it within ourselves while still trying to develop and maintain relationships with others.

Jung Woo has matured nicely since his role in Reply 1994, and Oh Yeon So is affectingly realistic as a woman traumatised by her experiences.

Definitely worth your time, and while you will get some laughs, you will also have some gut punch moments.

EDIT: Unfortunately it seems to have fallen foul of the TV viewer percentages, and the final episode (13) was the last four crammed into one! Sad.

Move to Heaven (2021)

Potentially awkward opening premise, but stellar writing and performances. Beautiful vignettes.

[9/10 · 7 June 2021]

The ongoing storyline unfolds in such a way as to remind us of the vagaries of life, and the fact that many of us are successful only through chance; while those who are less successful are often branded as lazy - when luck usually played a large part there too.

The individual episodes are stand-alone, and tackle some really quite important and profound issues faced by us today. They do so in a beautiful, considered, and moving fashion, without seeming preachy.

I did have some reservations about one of the main characters being presented as having ASD, but by and large the show developed to present his abilities growing through his strengths, and didn't overly dramatise the challenges he faced. It also normalised the relationships that he had with others as being just like every other relationship, instead of being a 'carer / person needing to be cared for' situation - which is still relatively new in mainstream TV.

Mr. Queen (2020–2021)

Worms its way into your heart

[9/10 · 21 April 2021]

I didn't expect very much from this to be honest, as I thought the concept sounded a bit ridiculous. The first episode was very slapstick and I wasn't sure if I should keep watching. I'm soooooo glad I did! You really come to care about the lead characters, and enjoy spending time with the minor ones too. The cast had such a great rapport with each other, even when there were 'baddie situations' involved. Na In Woo made your heart bleed for him in the first half, and Kim Jung Hyun Does in the second. Shin Hye Sun just owns the show. Some absolutely fabulous in jokes and tropes being poked fun at as well.

Run On (2020–2021)

Stayed for the writing

[9/10 · 21 April 2021]

The initial setup was fine, not particularly exciting, but the second leads had amazing chemistry, and I found myself fascinated by the gormlessness of Im Siwan in his character. I really just wanted everybody to have a good ending and live well. They had to bring in some of the stereotypical K Drama development situations, and I keep wondering why the lead always wore such baggy clothes, but all in all a sweet and compelling view.

Lovestruck in the City (2020–2021)

More please

[9/10 · 21 April 2021]

I really loved how the show broke the fourth wall. It included a lot of standard Rom Com tropes, and the cast were excellent in that situation, but it also did a really nice job of being meta about the whole setup. I also liked that they didn't try and imply that otherwise perfectly healthy and successful twentysomethings wouldn't have a physical relationship. It was a pleasure to live in their world for the short time the show ran. Give it a go!

Hello, Me! (2021)

A nice way to pass the time

[7/10 · 21 April 2021]

Whimsical and sweet, the show has a great underlying message of being kind to yourself - particularly if life has not ended up going the way you thought it might. Some well-known character actors bring warmth and not a little slapstick style humour to the situation. Added bonus is the songs that were super popular in the last half of the 90s.

River Where the Moon Rises (2021– )

Stick with it!

[8/10 · 20 April 2021]

The lead actor change part way through (in the original, although by now they may have re-shot all those earlier episodes) did create unevenness. Na In Woo hoo had no time for any character prep, so the first couple of episodes where he had to dive straight in had him seeming a bit wooden after JiSoo. Na In Woo quickly made up for that though and developed On Dal as his own intrinsic character, with excellent chemistry between the leads. The second leads' story was also very well done. Compelling writing and an epic tale.

Vincenzo (2021)

Fabulous little in jokes, and great acting!

[9/10 · 28 February 2021]

I've actually been clapping my hands with glee at the little in jokes (diehard food and coffee snob from Italy, trying and enjoying Korean instant coffee) and character development choices (no references here as I don't want to give any games away). Edit: I loved, loved, loved the reverse trope in the clothing shop!!!

Still not sure if I'm enjoying the idea that you can only beat bad guys with an even bigger bad guy (as that seems antithetical to a number of the main character ideals) but overall the writing and plot twists are done well. Further edit after series completed: Definitely gets much darker, but makes you think and laugh and gasp along the way, so highly recommended!

True Beauty (2020–2021)

Ignore the overplayed "naked face" construct, and just enjoy the relationships between the characters.

[7/10 · 12 February 2021]

At first I was a little annoyed that the concept was overplayed, but the writing and the character development of all the characters, not just the main ones, was what really drew me into this drama.

The ending was one of the most fulfilling endings I've seen in a K drama in a long time. It really allowed you to feel satisfied, rather than the "well what the hell did I waste my time on that for?" that you quite often get left with.

Absolutely recommend it. I particularly enjoyed the storylines of the secondary characters.

Live (2018)

Masterful writing and character development

[10/10 · 12 February 2021]

I had seen this on my Netflix suggestions and ignored it, as I get a bit bored with cop shows in general. Then I saw a video on YouTube by a reviewerI rate, recommending it as an undervalued hit, so I took a look for myself. i'm so very glad I did. Much like "Search WWW", the writers have allowed for the complexity of being a human to show through in the characterisations. No one is simply good or bad (at least of the main focus characters), and everyone is struggling to do the best they can with their individual situations. The acting was consistently strong across the board, and it was a nice commentary about how the public in the media can pile on about something they know very little truth about. It's a salient reminder for us to always consider the wider implications of any situation we find people like the police in. Yes there are police who choose to make very bad decisions. But most of the time, most police are just trying to do their best to look out for the people in their community. It's easy to forget that when all we hear about are the extremes....

Space Sweepers (2021)

Feel good space opera at a fabulous price!

[8/10 · 9 February 2021]

Space Sweepers did give a pretty standard space opera construct in the storyline, but that meant that the audience could anticipate what was going to happen and therefore enjoy the changes and the adjustments to genre, more. The was the way they treated the characters as an ensemble of people with different perspectives, who were also able to live and work together effectively, was what made it so clever.

The character that in any Hollywood movie until very recently would've been played by a white male and be the lead character was in this case presented as having an incredibly flawed moral compass and the lowest in pecking order among his crewmates. The main power characters, in contrast, were an asian woman, a male who did not fit the standard norms of handsome and caring, and an android that sounded male but identified as female.

It used humour in a way that was inclusive rather than targeting individuals or minorities (had some Guardians of the Galaxy vibe here) Additionally, the normalisation of multiple languages, rather than expecting that everybody would speak the same language, is a huge step forward in what is considered blockbuster cinema. Until now, it was only seen in hard-core sci-fi series, like The Expanse.

Yes, Space Sweepers did have some cliche aspects, and the baddie was indubitably not fleshed out or given any reason for his actions, however that should not take away from what is a great example of how K-cinema has changed our expectations of how we should see ourselves on screen in 2021, as global citizens.

Start-Up (2020)

fabulous writing that makes you laugh out loud one minute and feel emotional the next.

[9/10 · 26 October 2020]

At first I wasn't gonna watch this, as I thought I didn't have much in common with a show about a bunch of twentysomethings trying to do start-ups. However I took a look, and the writing pulled me straight into the show. The characters are rounded and plausible and you want to know what happens in their lives. There is great comedic elements as well which just make you want to keep watching. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the show has in store, as am on episode 3 as of writing.

When the Devil Calls Your Name (2019)

Slow burn start, but the music and character development were fabulous

[8/10 · 14 December 2019]

Slow burn start, but the music and character development were fabulous. I didn't really know what to make of this for the first episode and a half, but then as the back stories and supporting roles were brought in and the breadth of the world of the story was developed, it turned into quite a thoughtful consideration of how we treat each other, and how this world places worth on people. The music in particular was captivating. The background instrumental is worth listening to alone, but the songs that were composed for the singers made really interesting use of minor chords and melodies that were evocative. If you can get through the first couple of episodes you too will get hooked.

My Dinner with Hervé (2018 TV Movie)

A compelling tribute to the flawed individuals we all are

[7/10 · 24 October 2018]

It took me a while to let go of the 'that's not the type of dwarfism he had' problem, but when I was finally able to do so, I was able to appreciate the story much more. It touched (lightly, admittedly, but also in an 'everyman' (sic) kind of way) on the themes of self-belief, self-control, and self-congratulation, and how thin the line between them is. One false move can see you fall on your face, or require you to push someone else out of your way; and we never know when that false move may occur or what may prompt it to happen.