Memorials/ Into the Ring review

 

Drama name: Memorials/ Into the Ring/ The Ballot 

Country: South Korea

Year: July- Aug 2020

Saw the advertisement trailer on KBS Asia during the time it was aired, but didn't manage to watch it. Just kept it in mind but I forgot the drama title. ^_^V Had to ask for help from a kdrama expert in the Discord server that I am in, haha.. she gave me the answer right away after I described the trailer. Many thanks! 

So,what's this drama about?

Goo Se Ra is a late twenties early thirties woman who is still struggling to find and hold a job. She has been job hopping for almost a decade and it shows on her resume. She has a fiery personality and that always lands her into trouble with the working culture in South Korea. Apart from that, she is also known as "Garden Tiger Moth" online, who is infamous for her numerous complaints to the local municipal council to fix or repair stuff on the streets. 

Meanwhile, Seo Gong Myung is a strict no nonsense kind of guy who used to work in the local district finance budget department. Because he spoke up against the budget, he was demoted to the municipal council office instead. There he was given the task to settle "Garden Tiger Moth" 's complaints. One night he finally meets her in person while checking out her complaint. 

The rest of the story goes on with Se Ra running for the district representative post with all the obstacles she has to overcome together with Gong Myung by her side. 

Overall thoughts

It is a light hearted rom-com that skims the surface of politics. The female lead character is very much like Fight for my way female lead, which I don't really like because she seems to be screaming a lot in the show. The male lead is a quiet strong type so it sort of strikes a balance. (The saying goes opposites attract!) It was an alright watch, nothing heavy or any evil villain in this drama. 

Best parts of the drama

The bookshop cafe which was Goo Se Ra's campaign base. The cinematography of this drama is quite artistic, with low angles and wide lens. It's either you love it or hate it, I remember reading some commenters who disliked it. For me, it works while filming the exterior of the building as it gives a dynamic view... 

Se Ra's secret place to hide and re-collect her thoughts... Sunset Land or something... I wonder if the neon signage is on all the time?! :D 

Se Ra's family residence, again you can see here the low angle wide view works... 

The childhood best friends become lovers relationship between Se Ra and Gong Myung... Lots of sweet moments and kisses for the hopeless romantics... 

The friendship between Se Ra and her two besties... They stuck with her through thick and thin... 

This weird scene where small kids were driving cars at night... I was like what is this... and then realised it was a park where kids can learn how to drive... Haha! Lots of other comedic scenes as well in this drama... 

Some yummy food for the foodies... 

Special mention

Haha, this trio from the district representatives members... They always work together as a team. Kinda like the three stooges! 

Conclusion

The biggest bad guy in this story is Gong Myung's father. Gong Myung decides to spill the beans about everything and that totally destroyed his father's reputation and ambition to be the Chief of Mawon. Se Ra manages to keep her job as the district representative until the end of term. 

Lots of different endings for the various district reps... one was banished to the rural area, one of the three stooges finally decides to step out on his own and the best part was one of Se Ra's friends will be running for the district position the following year. Haha, yes it's another round of campaigning! 

Meanwhile Se Ra herself was no longer allowed to be involved in politics...Gong Myung made her sign a cheesy declaration in her notebook...But it doesn't end there, she finds herself being recruited to fight the cause of polar bears! 

Like I mentioned earlier, this is a light hearted rom-com... The issues they tackled regarding urban development and environmental damage was good. However, the political part of this drama is merely on the surface only. In real life politics, there will be lots more bribery, slander, accusations, murder and the like. I did enjoy this drama as it resembles our own political scene here, with the district representatives. I guess it is the same for almost every country... corrupt politicians that squander the taxpayers' money. 

Thanks for reading this and stopping by! Will leave you with Se Ra and Gong Myung... 

*Image credits Dramabeans, own screenshots and Google search* 

Mad Dog Korean drama review

Drama name: Mad Dog
Country: South Korea
Year: Oct- Nov 2017

I stumbled across this show while channel surfing one morning... It was already at Episode 4 and it caught my eye immediately because it looked interesting. Back tracked online to check out the full story... 

So, what's this drama about?

Choi Kang Woo is a claims examiner working with Taeyang Insurance. His job is to investigate insurance claims to make sure they are not fraud cases in order to safe guard Taeyang from paying out unnecessary funds. One day, a plane crash kills his wife and son. Kang Woo was so devastated and vowed to uncover the truth behind the crash. He resigns from Taeyang Insurance and starts his own investigation agency named Mad Dog. 

Meanwhile, the brother of the co-pilot who supposedly suicide crashed the plane is also on the quest to clear his brother's name. Jan Gebauer or Kim Min Joon makes an unexpected entry into Mad Dog and uses them to help him. However, it was not easy as Kang Woo sees him as the murderer's brother who killed his whole family. 

With the unlikely duo combination, they set out to investigate the plane crash. They begin to uncover layers upon layers of corporate corruption, money laundering and abuse of power that ultimately puts their lives in danger. 

Overall thoughts

The story starts off quite complicated with the plot seemingly all over the place, but it is because the cases actually overlap one another. As the show progresses it gets better and better. 

Best parts of the drama?

Mad Dog team, consisting of Kang Woo, Jang Ha Ri, Cheetah and Pentium (Noo Ri) Their chemistry is awesome. I really enjoyed all their missions and interaction... 

The many teasing moments between Kim Min Joon and Jang Ha Ri... There isn't any romance but it was just enough to keep your imagination running wild! ;D

Kim Min Joon's hot body... This one's for the ladies! ;D Sexy back triggered... 

No romance but there is bromance! The relationship between Kang Woo and Kim Min Joon develops from one of doubt to a trusting one.... 

My favourite troublemaker duo, Cheetah and Pentium! :D They are seriously so cute together... and yes, Noo Ri is pretty cute too! XD

I do like Kim Min Joon's dark interior apartment... It even has a secret bookcase entrance! I shall let you watch the show to find out... ;D 

Notable scenes

I guess the highlight of many commenters was this tease scene between Kim Min Joon and Jang Ha Ri... Everyone was expecting a kiss but oops... trolled! ;D

Fashion

Now, the bad guy of this show really stole the show... Literally. XD The comments section was full of OCD moments with his neck tie style.... Hahah!! Apparently, it is the European style neck tie... I don't know! Maybe someone can enlighten us on it... 

But seriously, I actually fell for this guy! He's soooo smart and bad at the same time it's so smexy.... XD Help me... 

Conclusion

After numerous attacks and counter attacks (Too many I lost count!) between Mad Dog team and the bad guys and within the bad guys themselves... Kang Woo and Kim Min Joon managed to outwit the ultimate baddie, the Vice-president of Juhan air and Director Cha Hong Joo. They were all sent to jail and the truth behind the plane crash was finally revealed... 

The plane was too old to fly but it was still allowed and Taeyang Insurance covered up the fact. Kim Min Joon's brother was cleared of the suicide crash and Kang Woo was sentenced to one year's prison for illegal wiretapping. 

It is a happy ending with ten months on, Kang Woo is released from the prison and jumps right back into action with his Mad Dog team. Kim Min Joon finally calls him hyung (older brother in Korean) Aww, so sweet! 

I really enjoyed this drama, it had enough action and suspense... a lot of thinking involved and a tease of romance. Although it may not be on many to-watch list I would definitely recommend this drama. I'll leave you with the badass Juhan air Vice-president a.k.a. ugly neck tie guy! Hahahh!! XD 

Fight For My Way villa

Fight For My Way villa

Currently watching the K-drama Fight for my way. Loving the villa where the female and male leads are staying.  The location is in Busan, South Korea. I marvel at how they manage to build these all over the area! 

Thanks to chw25 for the exact location, for those who would want to visit it someday! "Coordinates are 35 08'12.81" N 129 04'33.80" E. Or search this on naver 부산 남구 문현동 한성주택, first map result." 

Chief Kim Good Manager review

Drama name: Chief Kim/ Good Manager
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan- Mar 2017

I stumbled across the making of this drama on the KBS channel. I thought it looked okay so I searched for "Good Manager" on the online drama websites but found none. Later on, my brother recommended this show (Yes, my bro watches kdrama too because his wife does :P) I searched further and found out that the show is called Chief Kim. Aigoo!

So, what's this drama about?

Kim Seong Ryong is an accountant working for a mobster boss in city of Gunsan. He's like the town's hero because he is so good at balancing the books without ever being caught. ;D Yes, he helps businesses to evade tax, earn more money and pockets money for himself while on the job! 

Chief Kim's goal is to save enough money to emigrate to Denmark. However, the mobster's right hand man started to make trouble by saying that Chief Kim was more powerful than the mob boss himself. This made the mobster boss not happy and he decided to get rid of Chief Kim.

Meanwhile, Chief Kim senses that something is not right anymore and opportunity came knocking when a big corporate conglomerate in Seoul named TQ Group was hiring a new business operations chief. Chief Kim secretly applies for the job without the mobster boss's knowledge.

The time came to get rid of Chief Kim. Chief Kim was smart enough to save the books for evidence against the mobster boss. The mobster boss captures Chief Kim's assistant in exchange for the books. There was a showdown but Chief Kim survives the incident and gains approval from the mobster boss to leave Gunsan to work at TQ Group. 

The rest of the story goes on at TQ Group where Chief Kim thinks he could pocket money big time but in the end finds himself right in the middle of a huge company crisis with a cover-up for attempted murder, money syphoning and power struggle. 

Overall thoughts?

It's an entertaining drama. A lot of humour amidst the seriousness of corporate greed and struggles of ordinary working people. The cast chemistry is very electric and you'll find yourself endearing to each character individually. There are a lot of references to k-pop songs and other k-dramas too!

Best parts of the drama?

The ending for each episode is done in a manga style! You'll be looking forward to each one!

Like I've mentioned earlier, you'll be laughing a lot with the references to k-pop songs and k-dramas. I absolutely love the mobster gang singing to BTS's Fireeee! Too funny!

Chief Kim and Seo Yul's bromance... From enemies to friends... I love how Chief Kim teases Seo Yul!

And who can forget this scene from Goblin!! Chief Kim and Seo Yul's bodyguard coming to rescue!

Sang Tae and Gwang Sook's romance... You are my destiny song!! Too sweet and funny!

Notable scenes:

Food fight scene between the two departments, Accounting and Business Operations. I did look up the meaning of Pirarucu! 

Director Seo's encounter with the cleaning ahjumma... She's the same cleaning lady in Shopping King Louis too!

Morpheus and Neo.... Chief Kim's bodyguards for the day after he was nearly killed...

Special mention for the lawyers from Go and Goo! The guy is too cool with the dramatic entrance all the time!

Fashion

Chief Kim and Director Seo Yul has some nice suits in this show but the one which stole it all was Park Myung Seok, the chairman's son. He really has some snazzy outfits! And he rocked in all of them!

Conclusion

Chief Kim went to TQ Group with the intention to embezzle enough money to leave for Denmark but he ended up saving the whole company from the greedy Chairman Park Hyun Do. In the process Chief Kim had turned from a semi-bad guy to a good guy. Director Seo Yul, a power crazy ex-prosecutor also became good in the end by joining forces with Chief Kim to take down Chairman Park.

It's a happy ending, Chief Kim gets an offer from the mobster in Gunsan to help run another night club nearby Seoul. So he's back to old self again!

I really enjoyed this drama, first time the second lead actually gets the female. :D Not much of romance in this drama which is a good breather! And having worked in a finance department before I can understand and relate to most of the background story. Although I must note that certain parts are a bit unbelievable, for example usually in real life when someone like Chief Kim tries to whistle blow he would be terminated without a trace. But of course this is k-drama, so there isn't any real violence involved.

I do hope they don't make a part two or something. I would prefer to leave it there with Chief Kim being the accidental hero enjoying his carefree life!