Kkondae Intern Review

Drama name: Kkondae Intern/ Old school intern
Country: South Korea

Year: May- July 2020

Stumbled across this drama on my local cable TV channel. It was airing a re-run of She Was Pretty and I was watching it, when it ended they started this show. I did see it airing earlier this year but I was not interested at that time as the episodes were already quite advanced and I don't like jumping into a drama mid-way. Glad they had a repeat airing and I could watch it properly again. 

So, what's this drama about?

Ga Yeol Chan is a recent graduate who managed to get an intern job at a ramyeon company. He started off full of enthusiasm but was shot down by the manager, Lee Man Sik. Mr Lee is a kkondae, meaning an old man with dead old school mindset and values. Yeol Chan was a constant target of hate from Mr Lee who made his life a living hell. One day, Mr Lee asked Yeol Chan to visit an old man who had a lawsuit against their ramyeon company. 

That old man had threatened suicide many times as he had lost the lawsuit. So that night when Yeol Chan arrived, he managed to stop the man from hanging himself. However, after that night's meeting, the old man tried to kill himself again. 

Yeol Chan was accused of killing that old man and Mr Lee pushed all the blame unto him. Yeol Chan had no choice but to resign. He wanted to jump off the bridge at the Han river that night but didn't. His life changed that very night when he saw a neon signboard of spicy chicken from the bridge. 

Fast forward five years, Yeol Chan is now a successful manager at another ramyeon company. He seemed to be the coolest manager and a very sporting boss until Mr Lee arrives at his department as a senior intern. It was payback time! Yasss... 

The rest of the story goes on with Yeol Chan dealing with Mr Lee as well as keeping his job at the ramyeon company. 

Overall thoughts

It was quite an uneasy watch especially the first two episodes. Mr Lee was really mean in the beginning and throughout the rest of the show the writer didn't show much transformation of his kkondae character. Instead, they focused more on Yeol Chan making it a negative for him most of the drama until the end. 

Best parts of the drama

Yeol Chan's penthouse given by the current ramyeon company he's working for: 

The CEO son's mustang and Yeol Chan's company car... 

As with a ramyeon company drama, you will definitely expect a lot of ramyeon eating! And a lot of yummy food scenes... 

As this is a comedy genre drama, it does have some funny scenes although some may find it offensive... 

Let's not forget the cute doggie in this show! 

Notable scenes

There isn't much romance in this show, which is good in my opinion... but I know some viewers were disappointed. However, I felt that the male lead and female lead was not compatible. She suited the CEO's son more with the age gap and level of mindset... 

The scene where Tae-Ri rejects Yeol Chan and calls him a kkondae... 

My favourite scene would be the rescue... Haha!! For once I actually like the CEO's son... He looked so badass there... 

Conclusion

Yeol Chan was finally promoted to be the Managing Director of the company. However, it had been the plan by the Chairman/ CEO all along to use Yeol Chan to get rid of the enemy and place his son as co-Managing Director. Yes, this is reality. Bosses only will do things for their own family and not care about the employees who worked their butts off for the company. 

Yeol Chan decides to quit and start his own business but went bankrupt within a two years. I didn't like this part but again it is reality, it's not easy to start your own business. The drama ends with an open ending where Yeol Chan meets Mr Lee again at another ramyeon company. One position is an experienced general manager and the other is a senior intern post. 

The writer left the audience guessing who is applying for which role. Most commenters wrote that their roles have reversed. Meaning that Yeol Chan is now the senior intern and Mr Lee is the experienced general manager. 

This show is just alright for me. I didn't enjoy it much because of the negative feeling most of the drama. Even though in the end Yeol Chan became a "better" man... I felt that this script was solely written for Mr Lee. (Kim Eung-Soo) He is a good actor no doubt. I wouldn't recommend this drama unless you have some spare time to waste and want some laughs in between. You could watch it for the bromance between the two male leads rather than the romance. 

Okay, that's about a wrap. Thanks for reading and stopping by! Until the next drama review, which I don't know when... haha! Stay safe. Take care

XX Korean drama review

 

Drama name: XX/ Blue Moon
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan- Feb 2020

I stumbled across this drama after Good Casting ended. (Which reminds me I forgot to do a review on that!) Was surfing the channels looking for something to watch and this was airing. I missed a little bit of the beginning, so I went online to search for it... and ended up watching all five episodes! :D Well, actually ten episodes of half an hour each so it became just five on TV. 

So, what's this drama about? 

Basically, it's about two best friends who fell apart when one girl decided to sleep with the other girl's boyfriend and they meet again after five years. Yes, it's that simple. Haha! 

Yoon Na Na, a talented bartender who has won several awards, now works in a speakeasy bar named XX. (For those who wonder what is speakeasy, it's like a hidden type of hip place where you can only find on site, based on recommendations) Na Na's dream is to take over XX bar someday. She has been saving up to buy it but it will take another three years to do so. 

Lee Roo Mi is rich girl, who owns a famous trendy bar named Number A, wants to expand her business. She has her eyes on XX. She finds out that Na Na is working there as the head bartender and the two girls meet for the first time after five years. Roo Mi offers Na Na a job at her other bar but Na Na refuses. 

Na Na gets a shock the very next day when her boss told her that he had sold the bar. Na Na waits for the new owner to come and Roo Mi walks in the door. Yes, she bought XX bar. The horror! 

The story goes on with Na Na having to deal with Roo Mi as well as their complicated past. 

Overall thoughts

It's a simple story line but the cast acted really well. The emotions and reactions were realistic and not over the top. The cinematography is excellent too. 

Best parts of the drama

XX bar of course! It is a minimal budget drama so most of the scenes are in small locations which is really nice, adding to the overall feel of the show. 

Na Na's new bff, Wang Jung Deun a.k.a. Jayden Wang... haha! Their friendship goals is every girl's dream... 

The graphic design for each episode, it's so creative... love it... 

For the hopeless romantics, don't fret... there is a sweet romance in this short drama. Na Na's colleague, Dan Hee or Danny is really cute. He has a crush on Na Na since day one he met her... and he worked his way to be beside her all these years. I like how he took it nice and slow in dealing with Na Na. He gave her time and space, getting to know her first... really sweet. 

Notable scenes

When Na Na tries to help Roo Mi when Roo Mi's cheating boyfriend shames her in the alley... 

Then followed by the showdown by Roo Mi herself in the hotel... epic... 

Conclusion

As all stories build up to a climax, the real bad guy appears. Yes, it was the no good ex-boyfriend shows up. Na Na and Roo Mi had to overcome each of their own struggles in order to work together. 

The show ends with a good ending, the girls reconciled their friendship and they put that sleazy ex-guy away for good. 

I really liked this drama. The OST is great too, especially when that particular song comes on... you know something badass is gonna happen! Will definitely recommend this just for the overall vibe of the show. It's a short drama, you probably could just watch it in one sitting! :D 

One drawback which I agree with some comments online, that they didn't expand much on Jayden's ex who appeared at the last episode. I guess the writer just wanted to leave something hanging so that it could be continued or spin-off someday, maybe. 

That's it for now. Will leave you with Na Na and Danny, with a sweet smile... This is what a smile should look like when you see someone you love or crushing on... not some creepy ass stalker smile under an umbrella in Backstreet Rookie! Hahaha!! Yes, you knew I would make that snipe... XD 

38 Task Force review

Drama name: 38 Task Force/ Squad 38
Country: South Korea
Year: June- Aug 2016

My then (now ex-colleague) introduced me to this drama because of Seo In Guk. I had just finished watching Shopping King Louis at that time and she told me this show was pretty good. So, I downloaded it but never gotten around to watching it...(^_^V) During the lockdown in March, I remembered this drama and decided to watch it after all these years! :D

So,what's this drama about?

Baek Sung-Il is a public servant working as a tax collector. His job is to collect taxes from everyone in the city, ranging from the very rich to the very poor. He leads a small team that goes around to companies and individuals to collect the unpaid taxes. As we all know, there will be those who evade tax and that makes his job tougher. His team gets chased, beaten or threatened on a daily basis.

What makes his job worse is that his superior sets a target of 20 million to be collected. Baek then decides to go after the biggest tax defaulter, which is actually protected by his superior and even the mayor. It is a twisted world, where the rich are being let off while the poor are being taxed to the max. 

Baek Sung-Il doesn't earn much. One day he tried to get a second hand car and got conned. He was so upset that he got help from his detective friend to help get his money back. This is how Baek met Yang Jung-Do. Jung-Do is a professional con artist, and he was on a mission to con a list of people for revenge. 

As Baek was facing mounting pressure to reach his 20 million target and tired of being stepped on by untouchable rich people, he asks Jung-Do for help in exchange for not pressing charges against him for the car con.

The story goes on with the unlikely duo teaming up to collect unpaid taxes from the rich, forming a friendship and also uncovering the secret agenda behind Jung-Do helping Baek to collect taxes. 

Overall thoughts

It was kinda of ridiculous to think that a government servant would ask help from a con artist to collect tax. Maybe because I have watched the later dramas such as Switch and Mad Dog, I found this drama pale in comparison. It was only saved by the good acting of the two male leads. 

Best parts of the drama

I thought it could be a mukjang drama, with all the yummy food being shown in the first few minutes and also throughout the episodes... 

The bromance between Baek and Jung-Do... From a thin line to a strong bond between the two men while executing the cons together. 

The rag tag team of con artists formed by Jung-Do... It's always nice to see people working together to accomplish a task and feeling great afterwards... 

Okay, wait... what... no interiors today? Of course there is one! :D Jung-Do's apartment, he is staying in a posh place with all that money he conned from others... dayum... 

Notable scenes

My fav would be the first successful con from the big shot... Jung-Do instructed Madam Noh to dump all the money unto the streets from the building... It was raining money! 

Special mention

Madam Noh's right hand woman, who is her daughter actually. She's so badass. Love her! 

Conclusion

It was a series of cons and it always seemed that the group failed but then actually they succeeded. I guess this is the world of conmen... Con to be conned... Hahaha... Jung-Do had to sacrifice himself for the final con, and he went to jail. Baek gets to keep his job as a tax collector, the mayor steps down and the bad guys somewhat defeated. A good ending overall, just a small twist in the jail where Jung-Do meets a guy that looks exactly like Baek! Haha! I wonder what was the writer aiming for, a second season or something... who knows.... 

The drama is an okay one for me. Not really over the top, just alright. If you are into these kind of team action dramas then it will be a nice watch. I still prefer the newer dramas to this, I guess it's not really fair because this drama came out first and the later ones improved on it.. Haha, sorry man! Just my honest thoughts... ;D 

Alright, that's all for now. Hope you are staying safe, I have not been watching any new dramas because of the overall down mood... Covid, life... I'm sure many out there are also feeling the same. Just hope things will improve slowly... Take care everyone. 

I'll leave you with Jung-Do and Baek with the truth about life... 

Miss Lee

Drama name: Miss Lee
Country: South Korea
Year: Sept - Nov 2019 

I stumbled across this drama on my local cable TV, which has TVN Asia channel. It was already airing Episode 2, and I started watching it. It was quite nice and I liked Miss Lee as she kinda looks like me hahah!! I know! Smh... ^_^V So I continued watching it as the weeks progressed. 

So, what's this drama about?

Lee Sun-Sim, or known as Miss Lee by her co-workers is a lowly accounts clerk in a small electronics factory named Cheongil Electronics, which manufactures vacuum cleaner parts for a larger conglomerate TM Electronics. She's basically the office girl who runs errands for everyone and nobody gives any respect to her of any kind. 

Miss Lee never complained much but was grateful to her colleague, Ji-Na who helped her get a job in this factory. However, Ji-Na was not a good person and she conned Miss Lee to buy the company shares from her as she already knew that the company was in the red. Ji-Na then disappears with the money. 

Cheongil Electronics owner, Mr Oh had developed his own vacuum cleaner and wanted to sell it on his own. He had enough of the sub-contractor relationship with TM Electronics but what he did not count on was that TM was very powerful and they worked against Mr Oh in trying to launch his product locally as well as overseas. 

Cheongil was going to be in bankrupt status, so Mr Oh decided to run away. The overwhelming debts of Cheongil was just too much so he faked his own death, leaving the employees of Cheongil in a lurch. They were at a loss at what to do, and during a drinking session they elected Miss Lee as the new president of Cheongil. 

The rest of the story goes on with Miss Lee trying to keep Cheongil Electronics afloat and fighting off acquisition by TM Electronics together with the help of the remaining employees. 

Overall thoughts

This is a really slow moving drama with the reality of life. There is zero romance but it is full of real life situations that people face daily. The struggles of being an employee, mother, single person etc. I really enjoyed this show as every character is very relatable. 

Best parts of the drama

I was quite surprised at the number of food featured in this drama! If you didn't know it could have been a mukjang drama even! I specially love Miss Lee's egg roll! It looks so yummy, wish I could try it! :D 

Philip Oh's red sports car... Yes, you know me! ;D I think it's actually the same car featured in Terius but this time in red... 

May, Cheongil's mascot dog... Haha! Well, if May could talk... the stories she would tell! Everyone sits and talks to May whenever they have problems... I love the part where the K-pop crazy lady put a printed jacket on May bearing her idol's face! Hahah!! 

Cheongil Electronics's vacuum cleaner... Seriously, that vacuum looks so good! I would buy one! 

Some of the life lessons and encouraging words to lift up your spirit to keep on fighting... 

Conclusion

Cheongil seem to be at a lost even after all the brave and tireless efforts of everyone. They were already at their ends and have decided even if it went bankrupt at least they have done their best. The turning point came when one of the senior managers at TM decided to be a whistle blower. The prosecutors investigated and found that TM had indeed abused their power over their sub-contractors. 

It's a happy ending for everyone, the bad guys went to jail and each character had their respective happy endings too. Relationships restored, family reunited, new love and joy for their company Cheongil Electronics. 

I liked this ending part where Mr Yoo comes back to work and he thought the girl was Miss Lee at first, but it turns out to be a new clerk. Miss Lee has now become the real president of Cheongil Electronics that everyone respects. Really nice... 

This is a nice drama of a slice of life as quoting one comment read online. It is not your usual lovey dovey romance k-dramas, which I really enjoyed. It was a tad bit boring at some point, but it also brought much tears (no, there were just onions around! ;D) However, realistically a company like Cheongil would go bankrupt as we all know real life is not like a k-drama with happy endings all the time. 

Alright, I guess I did a double review today! :D Haha! Just felt like it. It's been way overdue. I'll leave you with Miss Lee and Cheongil Electronics! Stay safe everyone.