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... 

Ms Temper & Nam Jung Gi review

Drama name: Ms Temper & Nam Jung Gi/ My Horrible Boss (English title)
Country: South Korea
Year: March- May 2016

I came across this drama on our local TV channel one Sunday... It was subbed in Malay and I was hooked because of the title My Horrible Boss haha! I'm glad that I managed to pick it up again online and slowly watched it at my own pace. 

So, what's this drama about?

Nam Jung Gi is a middle aged man working as a manager in a small cosmetics company named Lovely, and he is in charge of product development there. As Lovely is a small company, they survive by supplying products to a larger cosmetics giant named Gold Chemicals. Now, Lovely is not doing so well and they need Gold Chemicals to sign on another new product in order to continue business. 

This is where Nam Jung Gi meets Ok Da Jung, a fierce hot tempered woman who is a team leader at Gold Chemicals. He must get her to buy their product and sign on the contract. However, the meeting with her did not go well and Nam Jung Gi was left in dismay. He tried desperately after that to get another chance to pitch Lovely's new product which is a moisturising serum named Pat- pat to her. 

Ok Da Jung is no ordinary woman. She has had three marriages that all ended in divorce and she is a strong opinionated woman who does not tolerate nonsense. She also does not care about what others think of her and is always work driven. With her fiery personality, she has her own power struggles within Gold Chemicals as well. 

The rest of the story goes on with Ok Da Jung leaving Gold Chemicals and joining Lovely cosmetics, thus becoming Nam Jung Gi's immediate boss. The horror! She tries to launch Lovely as its own brand with the Pat- pat serum and that sparks the major market fight between Gold Chemicals and Lovely, which ultimately pushes the employees of Lovely to their limits.

Overall thoughts

The beginning of this drama can be a bit slow and I know that many will find Nam Jung Gi's character too weak. However, his character is so relatable because as a salary employed worker in Asia, you will have to swallow your pride almost if not, all the time in order to keep your job. I really enjoyed this show because of all the life struggles from work to personal life. The issues that were mentioned were all so relatable. 

Best parts of the drama

As I have mentioned above, the life issues covered in this drama is really good. Ranging from trying to live life...

to... Money. Is money the root of all evil? No, money in itself is not evil... but the greed for money is... 

I really love this line from Nam Jung Gi's father... Money isn't everything, you will feel comfortable only with the money which you have earned honestly... and life is bitter sweet indeed... 

And pride in your work... For most of us (speaking for myself! :D) just getting by from paycheck to paycheck... having to swallow your pride and work like a dog....wondering if life is worth anything... 

Conclusion

It's a good ending, Lovely cosmetics finally becomes a known brand and opens its first flagship store. They managed to fend off Gold Chemicals from swallowing up their company, Nam Jung Gi finally gets promoted to become Chief... 

There is an open ending between Nam Jung Gi and Ok Da Jung, he did confess that he liked her in the last few episodes and Ok Da Jung also showed some interest in him. For those hopeless romantics this drama will not appeal to you because there is zero romance. Yaassss!! I actually enjoy dramas without cheesy and the usual cliche romance... 

This drama is really good. I know each drama is suited for different taste. I liked this show a lot because of all the life thoughts, which you will think about all the time. It also has the story of businesses and powerful people... the market fight between big influential companies and smaller ones. 

That's it for now. I'm currently on a drama hiatus, haha! Maybe you can suggest something for me to watch. I'll leave you with Nam Jung Gi's family.... despite being just a working class family, they are happy and that is something, which worth more than money and riches... 

Mood of the Day Korean review

Movie name: Mood of the Day
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan 2016

Someone posted a thread review about this movie on the Disqus Korean channel which I am following, the plot seemed interesting and it captured my interest so I decided to give it a go. ;D

So,what's this movie about?

Bae Soo Jung is a team leader for a cosmetics company. She needs to secure a brand ambassador for her company in order to get a prime location at the department store to display the company's products. The company wanted to get the top basketball star named Kang Jin Chul to sign with them so she had to go to Busan to find him. 

Meanwhile, Kim Jae Hyun is a talent manager for an agency which manages basketball athletes. He is good friends with Kang Jin Chul and wanted Jin Chul to join NBA in the U.S. However, Jin Chul is not interested in NBA and Jae Hyun was also heading to Busan to try to convince him. 

As fate will be in all romantic stories... :D Soo Jung and Jae Hyun were sitting with each other in the train to Busan. (Hahaha! No zombies here...) Jae Hyun actually spotted Soo Jung earlier in the train station and when he saw her again, he started to hit on her. Well, Jae Hyun is actually a player, someone who sleeps around with many women.... 

He says to Soo Jung casually that she would sleep with him in Busan and she was horrified. Now, Soo Jung is in a 10-year relationship and it was shocking to hear such things. She tries to avoid him in the train but then she overheard his phone conversation regarding Kang Jin Chul. She follows Jae Hyun after that in hopes to get the contract signed. 

The rest of the movie goes on with their cutesy and funny moments in Busan trying to find Jin Chul and finally having a one night stand together. 

Overall thoughts?

It's a light, cute and fluffy rom-com movie. It has some nice autumn scenery and some famous places... i.e. the temple as featured in Temperature of Love as well. The plot is predictable but nevertheless I enjoyed it very much. 

Best parts of the movie?

I think the conversation between Soo Jung and Jae Hyun about one night stand and sex/ love is rather interesting...

There was this funny scene too... XD

And the sweet scene after their first "failed" one night stand... Jae Hyun didn't realise that he was falling for Soo Jung already... aww...

Notable scene

The highlight of their one night fling.... Haha... Soo Jung and Jae Hyun finally makes out in the community basketball/ gym building... Seriously, it's quite weird that the building isn't locked at night and wouldn't the place have cctvs?! But dayum yeah, just watch it for the hot steamy kisses! XD

Conclusion

They parted ways after their one night together... It was rather sad at the train station, but yeah it's a one night stand after all, no? ;'(

Don't cry just yet! It's a happy ending... ;D Jae Hyun finally accepts Jin Chul's decision not to join NBA and resigns from the agency. But there is good news, Jin Chul signs Jae Hyun as his own manager/ CEO and also the contract with Soo Jung's cosmetics company. 

Jae Hyun drops off the contract but then overhears a conversation at the cafe between Soo Jung and her friends. Soo Jung said that he was just a one night stand and it didn't mean anything. Jae Hyun was heartbroken...omoo!! 

Anyways not sure how long later that Soo Jung read the note which Jae Hyun left with the contract and it ends with the usual running to catch the person before he/ her leaves... Hahah! But this time it's not the airport, but the train station. Soo Jung manages to catch Jae Hyun at the Busan train station and this time, she's the one saying to sleep with him that night. The end! XD 

Afterthought

While watching this movie, I am reminded of someone recently. The main lead guy is actually a bastard if you think carefully, he casually sleeps with any women that catches his interest and even forgets the women he has slept with... Without any regrets or anything, he lives his life fulfilling his needs and desires. 

The conversation between him and the female lead is similar to the one we had as well. Although it wasn't about one night stand, it was about sleeping with the person you like... I said you don't necessary have to sleep with the person if you like them, and his response was it's not a crime to sleep with the person if you like them... Omggg haha! And one of his lines was exactly like this... 

This movie challenges you about values such as having one night stands vs long term relationships... And how love can strike at the strangest moments... falling in love with someone you just met and didn't know much of... 

Some of my online friends told me this, which is rather true... 

I am still pondering on this person's thoughts and views about life and relationships, love and sex... Strangely enough, I actually do feel moved just like Soo Jung.... But I guess I won't have the same happy ending like the movie... (Well, in real life there isn't any happy endings anyway) The person has disappeared from my life... Maybe someday he will be back... But yeah, you wouldn't want to end up with a player/ womaniser like that anyway... ;P

Signal Korean Review

Drama name: Signal
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan- Mar 2016

This is the first drama that I've watched solely based on online commentors recommendation. I read a lot of comments saying that this is a really good drama and a must-watch. So I've given it a go and I must say they were pretty right! :D 

So, what's this drama about?

Lieutenant Park Hae Young is a criminal profiler with the Korean police force. His job is to analyse the behaviour of criminals and come up with a basic profile of the suspect based on investigation reports, photos and other evidence.

However, in his free time he would use his profiling skills to provide information about celebrity hook-ups to paparazzis for fun. (I know right?! I bet a lot of people out there would love to know who their favourite oppa is secretly dating right now!)

Lieut. Park was caught one day by violent crime detective Cha Soo Hyun for stalking a female celebrity by going through her trash. The charge was later dropped by the celebrity's management. Lieut. Park was peeved that the violent crime unit was used to arrest him just because the celebrity's manager called them to do so instead of solving real crime.

Lieut. Park had a bad experience in the past with the police force. When he was small, he witnessed a female schoolmate kidnapped and was later found dead. He went to the police station to give information on the kidnapper but the police didn't bother to listen to him. The kidnapper was never caught.

His own brother was also falsely accused of rape and later committed suicide. Ironically, he enrolled in the police university and became a policeman after all. But, his attitude towards all police has never changed.

As he was leaving the police station after being freed from arrest, Lieut. Park found his car being blocked by a truck. Suddenly, he heard a crackling sound and someone calling his name. He found an old walkie-talkie in the back of the truck and started to communicate with a detective named Lee Jae Han.

The detective told him about a body found in a manhole behind a mental hospital. Thinking he was just hearing things, Lieut. Park went to investigate the above mentioned location. To his horror, he did find a skeletal remains in the manhole. Apparently, it was related to the kidnapped schoolmate case of long ago.

Lieut. Park tries to find the detective but then he discovers that Lee Jae Han had disappeared for 15 years already. He realises that the detective that he had been communicating with is from the past.

The story goes on with Lieut. Park communicating with detective Lee Jae Han via the walkie-talkie and solving old crime cases. Lieut. Park discovers that eventually the investigation of these cases might cost the life of Detective Lee Jae Han.

Overall thoughts?

The drama is intense and thrilling. Each episode will keep you on the edge and you'll find yourself screaming out who is the criminal even before they reveal it. :D 

Best parts of the drama?

Unlike other dramas, there isn't any trendy interiors or cafes in this one. However, the overall story of this drama will captivate your attention. 

I enjoyed the conversations between Lieut. Park and Detective Lee Jae Han via the walkie-talkie: 

Teary moment when Lieut. Park knew that Detective Lee Jae Han will die if he continues the investigation: 

The moment where Detective Cha Soo Hyun realises she is talking to Detective Lee Jae Han:

Detective Lee Jae Han chuckles when he finds out that Detective Cha Soo Hyun became a team leader in year 2015: 

Notable scenes:

My favourite duo in this drama are the old detective and forensics guy. :D They do provide some humour amidst the seriousness of this drama:

The profiling of the serial killer (It's Producer Ahn from My Wife's Having an Affair this week! So scary seeing him as a psycho depressed killer here...Nuu!)

Commercials

If you are a kdrama fan you would know by now that Subway is a very active sponsor in many dramas. If I ever visit Korea I would love to look up this Subway! It's the same one in K2 if I'm not mistaken, where Je Ha orders his favourite sandwich... ;D

Conclusion

Lieut. Park realises that by changing the past, the present will change as well. Some individuals will be saved but some others will die instead. Some deaths are also not able to be changed.

Lieut. Park was shot and supposed to have died but he didn't die as the past changed. He awoke to find everything has changed, the cold squad team did not exist and the funny duo in his team does not recognise him at all. He set out to look for Detective Cha Soo Hyun and found her. Detective Lee Jae Han had left him a letter and floppy disc containing the evidence for the bigger case behind the burglaries of 1995. 

The ending is left hanging with Lieut. Park and Detective Cha Soo Hyun driving to a small hospital in hopes of finding Detective Lee Jae Han. The last scene shows that Lee Jae Han is still alive and the signal of the walkie-talkie is on again. 

I am a bit disappointed with the ending, Lieut. Park didn't manage to meet his long time friend after all. There are some questions also left unanswered, like why did the signal only appear at 11.23 pm? Was it the time where Lee Jae Han was shot and presumably died? Also, why Lieut. Park? Is it because the case has something to do with his brother's death? 

As I was watching this series I read the comments that there is a season 2. I'm not sure if the same cast will continue but I also have some fears as with many second seasons it's not as nice as the first. Let's hope there will be an ending in season 2...