I Have Not Done My Best Yet review

 

Drama name: I have not done my best yet
Country: South Korea
Year: Feb- Mar 2022

Saw a trailer of this drama on TV, made a note to watch it as it seemed interesting. Subs on the drama websites were slow because it was not a popular drama. I watched a few episodes and then waited as the episodes were eventually subbed. 

So, what's this drama about?

Nam Geum-Pil is in his 40s facing a mid-life crisis. He felt numb in his day job as a sales manager with a small pharmaceutical company, being bullied by doctors who take supplies and never pay up. One day, he wanted to eat bossam for lunch but his colleagues all just wanted to eat something economical and fast. Geum-Pil was so adamant that day on wanting to eat bossam, he took a long bus ride to the famous bossam place and had his fill. 

Geum-Pil's boss was not impressed of course, but Geum-Pil had enough and decided to quit his job. He enjoyed his jobless days after that, but his family was not happy about it. One day while hanging out at the park, Geum-Pil stumbles across a man who seemed jobless just like him and decided to treat him to a popsicle. 

That man however, is a famous webtoonist who drives a fancy sports car. Geum-Pil saw that man and wanted to be just like him, a seemingly bummer but earns a big fat paycheck. Geum-Pil heads back to his family and declares that he wants to be a webtoonist. 

The rest of the drama goes on with how Geum-Pil tries to realise his dream of being a webtoonist and all the obstacles he has to overcome. 

Overall thoughts

Did not expect much from this drama, but it was better than I thought. Found myself relating a lot to Geum-Pil, being an adult and tired of life. The rest of the characters are relatable as well, Geum-Pil's father in his old age, Geum-Pil's divorced friend and also Sang Ah who is in her teenage years. The issues that they struggle with are real and you will wonder who is cutting onions! 

Best parts of the drama

Kim Do Wan visuals... Hahaha!! Wow, he looks handsome in blond hair and bruises on his face even... 

Some nice food for the foodies... 

The midnight diner reference where Geum-Pil and his friend always hang out... Haha, even the chef is reminiscent of midnight diner chef... 

The fast food and fast food restaurant where Geum-Pil was working part-time at... The fries and burger looks yummy... :D 

A lot of reflection scenes... and a slight bromance between Geum-Pil and Ju-Hyeok... who will probably be his future son-in law! 

What's a drama about webtoons with no webtoons? Some of Geum-Pil's webtoons... To be honest, they were quite ugly to me haha sorry! But at the end, his bakery webtoon was quite touching.. 

Conclusion

The ending was not what most audience would want, Geum-Pil did not make it to be a webtoonist just yet. He is still one more step to debuting and the drama left us at that. Geum Pil's friend opens a bakery that serves flourless bread and Ju-Hyeok is working as the head baker there... 

Meanwhile, Geum-Pil's father has found a new companion with the older single lady and Sang Ah decided to go backpacking around the world. I was a bit angry with Sang Ah's attitude and behaviour at the end, but my mum told me that the ending is appropriate. Sang Ah has been carrying all the burden on being a good student and not be like her irresponsible dad. But she did inherit her mother's genes on being free and doing whatever she wanted. So, she dumped everything after her high school exams to be free... 

It is an okay watch, a bit slow moving but quite enjoyable. You might find Geum-Pil's character a bit annoying throughout the series, as he seems like a self-centered person who doesn't care about anyone but himself. I found myself a bit depressed while watching this drama, maybe it was my overall mood or just that feeling of a mid-life crisis myself kicked in as well. However, for many it is not easy to be like Geum-Pil to just quit and do whatever he likes. Many at this age have families, mortgages and children's education to worry about. 

I guess this drama is trying to tell us that it is never too late to chase your dreams. It may work in k-drama world where you don't need to pay rent and put food on the table... Only a handful succeed in achieving their dreams in life. 

Alright, that's all for now. Thanks for stopping by. Until the next review, hope you are all doing well. Take care. Will leave you with Geum-Pil's multiple stages of life characters... 

Mouse Kdrama review

 

Drama name: Mouse

Country: South Korea

Year: Mar- May 2021 

Came to know about this drama as it was advertised on the local cable TV channel, tvN Asia. Jumped into the middle of Episode two, watched a bit but mum didn't like it so I switched channels. I continued the series online as it aired and waited every week for the latest episodes! 

So,what's this drama about?

This drama follows Detective Go Moo Chi on the hunt for a psychopath serial killer. He encounters several gruesome murders, which reminded him of a past serial killer nicknamed the "Headhunter". At first, Moo Chi thought it was the head hunter doing it by commissioning someone else outside prison to do the killings for him. However, he later discovers that he is up against a new psychopath killer. 

Moo Chi's investigation leads him to meet a rookie cop named Jung Ba Reum. Ba Reum somehow got involved in the case and ended up having a serious injury to his head. He wakes up confused and begins to help Moo Chi track down psychopath killers. 

The rest of the story goes on with how Ba Reum solve the cases and eventually discover a dark secret that will change his life forever. 

Overall thoughts

One of the most thrilling murder dramas I've watched, with many twists and turns. The first half of the series is really good until the writer decides to bring in the brain transplant which kinda made the show go down the hill the rest of the way. 

Best parts of the drama

As mentioned, the first half of the series is full of suspense, thriller and action that will keep you at the edge of your seats... 

The live TV broadcast where Moo Chi tries to lure the killer out in order to save the little boy's life... 

The friendship between Moo Chi and Ba Reum, more like older brother and younger brother relationship... 

Detective Moo Chi himself, he was like a crazy mad guy obsessed with trying to catch the killer. I think he acted really well in this drama... 

The part where Ba Reum and Yo Han meet at the hospital lobby... you can't help but guess who is the killer...

Seung Gi's acting as Ba Reum... from simple silly guy to a psychopath killer... It's really scary but he did well... 

Notable scenes

Ba Reum and the little bird... Don't worry, no real birds or cats were harmed in this drama! 

Special mention

The headhunter... this man gives me the shivers every time he appears on screen! He really did well acting as the original psychopath killer... 

Conclusion

After many twists and turns, brain transplants and countless murder victims... Ba Reum remembers what Yo Han was trying to tell him before he died. They are both "lab rats" by a bigger organisation that is linked to the president's office itself. 

Both mothers were tested for the psychopath gene during pregnancy, the organisation sent spies and teams to monitor and clean up after every killing. The reason was to be able to pass the law where the fetus has to be aborted if found containing the psychopath gene. The same gene is responsible for the child to be a genius or a psychopath. The original bill was not passed back then, so these two kids grew up to be one or the other. 

Moo Chi finally realises that Ba Reum is the psychopath killer and the organisation is busted. Ba Reum went to jail to serve a life sentence... but he was actually dying. The brain transplant done on the rats earlier resulted in death.

Ba Reum kills his real father, the headhunter while in prison and died a lonely painful death there. The show ends with a solemn scene of his grave. Detective Moo Chi resigns and becomes a farmer. 

It is a good watch. The suspense, thriller, action and detective work is really nice. However, as I mentioned the brain transplant killed the show halfway. There were special episodes and a spin-off named Mouse the predator that didn't add much to the drama. I would have preferred they wrote in the predator part into the drama, it would have been much better. I understand the special episodes were done for the crew to grieve the loss of one of the actress... 

The comments section for this show was totally lit. Everyone was an expert detective, criminal profiler and psychologist! Haha! It was really funny when someone predicted the brain transplant and it actually happened in the following episode... XD As many commenters wrote that a psychopath killer is not born, but made is somewhat true. I do agree with many of the comments. 

With that said, I can just advice you to watch this drama as it is... Enjoy the thrilling moments and detective work your brain is doing while watching... haha! That's all for now, thanks for reading. Will leave you with Detective Moo Chi... :D 

*Image credits: Dramabeans, Google search & own screenshots*

The Package Kdrama review

 

Drama name: The Package

Country: South Korea

Year: Oct- Nov 2017

Another one of the dramas I heard about when it aired but didn't watch it back then. Asked an online friend whether it was nice or not, she gave a half- hearted review saying yeah it is nice, nice scenery from France and that's about it. I made a note to watch it someday and am glad that I did! 

So,what's this drama about?

Yoon So So eloped to France during her college days despite her parents' disapproval. Her marriage didn't even last a year before the guy left her. So So did not return to Korea because she could not face her parents again after that hasty parting. She ended up working as a tour guide for a premium package one week tour of France while studying for her masters there. 

So So encounters the latest batch of tourists consisting of an elderly couple, young couple, a man and a younger girl and a single guy who was always causing trouble for her. The rest of the story goes on with the backstory of each tourist and also So So's fated love that was told by fortune tellers earlier. 

Overall thoughts

It is a very laid back type of drama with in depth exploration of characters. Each tourist has their own story to tell and the writer weaved it out beautifully within the drama. I didn't mind the female lead at first, but halfway through she got on my nerves but luckily the rest of the characters saved the show. 

Best parts of the drama

Definitely the places which the tour package visited... I can't remember all the places but it was fun travelling with them. The show really made you feel that you were part of the group touring France! 

The group of tourist itself.... Their chemistry together works well for this drama... 

Some photos taken was pretty funny too... Hope can try it someday! 

This part when they finally get to see Mona Lisa painting... haha!! At least I know what it looks like now in the Louvre! 

For those looking for romance, there are plenty of scenes between the two leads... 

Last but not least, Ma Ru's apartment back in Seoul... wow the interior is nice.... 

Special Mention

So So's boss in France... Haha, this guy made me laugh with his slick maneuverings when So So's brother kept pestering him for her location... 

Conclusion

 

The one week tour has finally come to an end... It was time to return to France... All the individual conflicts of each tourist has been somewhat resolved. The elderly man broke down in front of his wife, feeling vulnerable for once as he already knew that his wife had cancer and is dying. The wife also realised that her husband did care for her but not in the way she thought caring should be. 

The young couple having relationship issues also came clean with each other and decided to give it another go at their relationship. The man and younger girl turns out to be his daughter. Their father daughter relationship has gone deeper from before when he still treat her like a small child. The daughter also begun to accept that her father is going to marry again. 

Ma Ru and So So had a brief break up. So So didn't want to follow him back to Korea, she felt that she might be making the same mistake again. Meanwhile, Ma Ru heads back to Seoul to face his impending lawsuit from his company for being a whistleblower. 

The ending was kinda rushed and the writer just slapped everything together in the last episode. I'm not sure why it was cut short, possibly because of the low ratings of the drama in Korea. Ma Ru prepares to go against his company with the little proof that he had... The young couple guy made it big by creating an empty book about success (like what?) The group gathers again at the elderly couple's restaurant for a catch up except for Ma Ru. 

Ma Ru heads to Africa to try to find more proof that the company sent untested drugs there illegally and he meets So So again at the airport under the  "Angel's feet" poster. Haha, I know... like what again! Just a suggestion that he is indeed her fated love.  

It was disappointing. I expected more backstory of Ma Ru when he returned to Seoul to face the company and a better ending with So So. Perhaps it would have been a better ending with: 

1) Ma Ru cleared of his lawsuit and exposing the villainy of the pharmaceutical company... with the video making skills of the young girl, uploaded to social media... 

2) The older lady gets a new cancer drug that is working and she is making good progress with it 

3) So So reuniting with her family in person.. not over the phone! What the... 

4) Ma Ru meeting So So again at the Angels' feet poster possibly outside a travel agency in Seoul 

5) So So's boss taking over the next tour group consisting of the noisy ahjummas earlier! 

So yeah, I feel that would be a better ending... Haha... Alright, that's all for now. Thanks for reading. Until the next review, take care. 

*Image credits: Own screenshots, Google search* 

Let's Eat 3 review

 

Drama name: Let's Eat 3

Country: South Korea

Year: July- Aug 2018

I heard of this third installment during the time of airing, but didn't watch it then. I have watched Season 1 & 2 respectively so I was on the fence whether to watch this or not. Asked an online friend what was the storyline about, she told me that it will tell you how he became a food blogger and why he takes photos of empty bowls. I just kept it in mind and finally watched it recently. 

So,what's this drama about?

It picks up after Season 2 of this series where Goo Dae Young moves to another place outside Seoul to restart his life. He seems to be having a quarter life crisis, where he doesn't fill any motivation for his job or even food. 

One day, he bumps into his old neighbour during university times, Lee Ji Woo while returning a lost dog. Ji Woo was the food expert back then and that's how he learnt a lot about food from her. He was excited to meet her again, as she brought back happy memories from his university times. However, she has lost her zeal for food and works long hours as a nurse. He moves in next door to her and the rest of the story goes on with flashbacks to the past during university times and current timeline where he begins a new career path. 

Overall thoughts

For me, this is probably the worst of all three seasons of this franchise. Sorry not sorry! Season 2 was so draggy and it focused so much on the love story. In Season 3, the writer decides to kill off the girlfriend to write in a new one which is supposed to be the first love instead. Seems like every season Dae Young has a new girlfriend! 

There is no proper storyline even, apart from flashbacks of his university times. However, the food this time is much better than the previous season. 

Best parts of the drama

Definitely the food. Dae Young still has the usual exclamation and explanation before each meal... 

More seafood this season as well... and some yummy desserts too! 

Dae Young's university friends... their friendship is really nice... 

Some bromance with the second male lead, similar to Season 2 but on a lighter scale... 

If you are familiar with the series, there is always a dog involved. In this season, there is a sweet Golden Retriever named Peanut... 

And Dae Young will always be the neighbour to his love interest... Ji Woo's house is quite interesting as it is above a cafe... 

For the hopeless romantics, there isn't any real romance here. Just some sweet moments between the leads... 

Conclusion

The drama was cut short because Doo Joon had to enlist for military service. The story ends with Ji Woo confessing her long crush on Dae Young. Dae Young didn't reject her entirely but asked for time as he is still trying to move on from his previous girlfriend. Dae Young is focusing his energy on his new business of semi- prepared food delivery for single persons. 

The ending scene just shows the four leads having a meal together... 

As mentioned above, I feel this is the worst installment of the series. I didn't enjoy the flashbacks of Dae Young's college/ university days. I guess it is meant for the younger audience who are currently students so they can relate to that. 

I also disliked the second female lead's character so much. Don't understand why the writer gave her so much screen time. I read a comment somewhere, the person said if the writer kept the second male lead's interest in the female lead it would have been better. I agree, it would have taken the story on a different direction where Dae Young rediscover his first love for Ji Woo. 

There was so much focus on the second female and flashbacks that we didn't even get to know what happened to the rest of the guys from university. The only one featured was the one who got married. Lots of unanswered questions regarding how Dae Young and Ji Woo lost touch with each other... all because of the death of the stepfather? 

It just doesn't add up. She could have at least wrote him a letter informing him that she will be moving or something, since she was so in love with Dae Young back then... Plus I also got irritated with Ji Woo's accent during the flashbacks... I know it's supposed to be a Busan dialect, satoori or something... just that it irritated me I don't know why... 

Very disappointed with this season. Perhaps the military enlistment was good thing, it saved us from a worse ending by the writer... 

Alright, that's about it. Thanks for reading. Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Take care. Will leave you with the cute doggo... 

*Image credits: dramabeans, own screenshots & Google image search*