Doubtful Victory review

Drama name: Doubtful Victory/ Oh Il-Seung
Country: South Korea
Year: Nov 2017- Jan 2018

The drama trailer was advertised on TV and the car chase scene caught my attention. Decided to give it a go when it started airing...

So, what's this drama about?

Kim Jong Sam is a death row inmate, he was falsely accused of murdering a prosecutor and a lady restaurant owner while he was a teenager. His friend, Ddakji was also accused for the same crime but as an accomplice so his sentence was just imprisonment not death row. 

One day, one of their psychopath inmates got hold of Ddakji's sister's photo. Things got worse when that psycho was being released. Ddakji panicked that something bad might happen to his sister... Kim Jong Sam decided to do something to stop that psycho. 

Now, Kim Jong Sam was no ordinary teenager when he was arrested back then. He and Ddakji was known to be petty thieves, breaking into ppl's homes and stealing stuff. He was caught one day by a detective and later became that detective's informant. He was trained with detective skills and that was how he ended up working at the restaurant where the murder took place. He even took the police entrance exams but he was arrested right before the results were announced. :'(

With those skills in hand, Kim Jong Sam noticed another inmate's shoes. It was muddy and it was impossible because they were all in prison. He realised that it was in one of the solitary confinement cells that there was an escape route, which that inmate used to get in and out of the prison. 

Kim Jong Sam used that escape route to get out and to stop the psycho from harming Ddakji's sister. Unfortunately, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time.... He witnessed the dumping of a body by two secret agents while coming out of the prison escape route.

It was from there that Kim Jong Sam got into a bigger mess including taking on the identity of a dead detective (the body which the two secret agents were dumping earlier) Lol, poor guy! The rest of the story goes on with him trying to get out of the web of murder, cover-ups and eventually clearing the murder charges on him and Ddakji. 

Overall thoughts

The first episode was action packed with the car chase and everything... Even with each episode there are twists and turns which will keep you hanging in suspense. Sadly, as the story progressed it got more and more ridiculous so much that you would have to leave your brain behind. XD 

Best parts of the drama

Well, there are no beautiful interiors or anything since the show's settings start from the prison. However, the bromance between Kim Jong Sam and Ddakji was pretty sweet. It was really like the hyung looking after his younger sibling. 

The silly antics of the secret agents make some comedic relief... However, I am wondering how their conscience is knowing full well that they are murdering ppl in name of their job and their agency... 

There were scenes between these two secret agents and the cops which were funny too but I'm not going to go through the whole series again just to screenshot them... XD The detective team has good chemistry throughout the series...

As I have mentioned above that you'll hanging in suspense at the end of each episode... The many plot twists will make you baffled and scratching your head! Haha, although I must say it is entertaining to some point because it has action, suspense, anger and sad moments all rolled into one. 

I also like the pop art style of the posters of this drama... It's pretty cool, like comic style graphics...

Special mention

I must highlight this character, Gwak from this drama because of his fierce loyalty to his master, the lady in charge of the secret agents. No romantic liaisons here just plain allegiance to his master. Although at times I wanted to strangle him during the series but in the end I found myself saluting him for his loyalty.

Conclusion

With all the ridiculous plot twists and turns, everything boils down to the fact that hunger for power and greed will drive anyone to do anything to gain it. 

Kim Jong Sam finally found out who framed him and Ddjakji ten years ago and it turns out to be the ex-president who is also his father. What???!!! Hahaha!! I know, I was flipping tables as well... XD All the murders including Kim Jong Sam's mother, the lady detective's father, the prosecutor and restaurant lady owner was to cover up the fact that the ex-president had a child outside his marriage, and that child is Kim Jong Sam. The irony is that the son came back to bite him in the ass.... XD 

For those who are wondering is there any romance in this drama? Nope. Just some hints of attraction but no fluffy love moments or that kind of stuff. I am glad that it didn't have any! :D It ends with Kim Jong Sam finally coming out of prison, being cleared of all charges (including impersonating a detective) and the lady detective meeting him outside the prison gates. Kinda like an open ending where there is a suggestion that they might fall in love later... 

I wouldn't recommend you to watch this drama unless you're into this kind of detective suspense shows (without much logic! ;P) Other than that, the lead actor is kinda cute... Haha! He's like this tall clumsy guy which is kinda adorable at times... Thanks for stopping by! Until the next review, see you in dramaland! ;D 

*Image credits: Saint Google, Dramabeans etc...*

Eulachacha Waikiki review

Drama name: Welcome to Waikiki/ Eulachacha Waikiki 
Country: South Korea
Year: Feb- Apr 2018

I heard of this drama through the usual kdrama channel which I am following. The girls who started watching when it aired said it was so funny and I decided to give it a go as I was in need of some light-hearted drama... ;D 

So, what's this drama about?

The story is about 3 guys: Dong Gu, Jun Ki and Du Shik who are best friends... They all live and run a small guesthouse in Itaewon named Waikiki. The thing is, they don't have any guests staying there so they are almost broke... Water supply gets cut off and the list goes on. The three of them all have dreams of their own, Dong Gu aspires to be a director, Jun Ki wants to be a famous actor and Du Shik dreams to be a script writer. Collectively they dream of producing, directing a film and getting rich together. 

One day, amidst all their chaos and panic in trying to keep the guesthouse from closing down, they found a baby left in one of the rooms. It turns out that a single mother had left the baby girl there out of desperation. The story goes on with all of them struggling to achieve their dreams in life while delivering tonnes of laughter, sad aww moments and of course romance along the way! ;D

Overall thoughts

It is a light-hearted drama with no complicated storyline. The first few episodes were really funny and it does help you to relieve stress laughing out loud. But as the drama progressed, it gets a bit draggy at times. I found myself skipping a lot of the slapstick comedy because it was rather lame after some time. 

Best parts of the drama

It has to be baby Sol!!! Hands down, she is the cutest baby around!! <3 Omooo her expressions were spot on and edited perfectly like it seemed she understood everything that was going on! 

Definitely the bromance between the three guys... There were a lot of scenes of either pairings, but their friendship is one of envy... 

Their guesthouse interior is really nice and warm... A lot of funky retro stuff mixed with new things but I'm wondering how are they gonna clean all those deco items... Aigoo the dust... :O 

The vacation guesthouse which they went to one weekend was really nice as well... 

Last but not least, Rebecca!! Haha, it's Jun Ki's broken down cute car! XD It's actually the same car model seen in the movie Fabricated City. 

Special mention

I know everyone found Jun Ki's character the most entertaining in this drama... But I thought Du Shik is worth a special mention here. Most of the series he appears as a nerdy writer guy lost in his own world, but there is a scene that took Soo Ah's breath away! Haha, yes he is handsome... ;D (with or without glasses!)

Conclusion

As this drama has no real storyline, the drama just seem to flow as the episodes progressed... It is a happy ending for everyone. Dong Gu and Yoon Ah became a couple with baby Sol in tow, the sweetest moment when baby Sol called Dong Gu, "Appa" ... <333 Dong Gu got promoted as an assistant director or something... Haha, I wonder how he can continue coming up with those crazy ideas during the brain storming sessions! XD

Jun Ki and Seo Jin are still a couple, his acting career is still very much the same but at least they are happy... ;D 

The third pair, Du Shik and Soo Ah is left with an open ending... A suggestion that they might have a relationship in future but for now remain as close friends. Aww... 

The closing scene brings us back to the very beginning where Dong Gu's dream of directing a movie with Jun Ki as the actor and Du Shik as the scriptwriter... The funny thing is that they didn't change much from then, still as broke as ever! Haha! 

I shall leave you with my favourite baby Sol! Omooo... come back soon, I really miss you baby Sol! ;D 

Voice Korean drama review

Drama name: Voice
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan- Mar 2017

When I first heard about this drama some time late 2016, I was excited because Kim Jae Wook was going to be in it! 

So, what's this drama about?

Basically it is about two people who team up to find the killer of their loved ones. Moo Jin Hyuk is a serious crime detective and he was always busy chasing criminals. So much that he hardly has any time for his wife and son. One night, his wife was brutally murdered and his life changed forever. He vowed to hunt down the killer and was nicknamed, "Crazy dog" by all the other police officers. 

Kang Gwon Joo graduated from police academy with top marks and she started working in the emergency call centre 112. Her father is also a police officer and it was during the same night where Jin Hyuk's wife called the 112 call centre that her father also died. He was killed by the same killer while being dispatched to check out the situation. Gwon Joo has this special ability to hear more sounds than normal people do, so she actually heard everything which happened that night over her father's walkie-talkie radio.

Unfortunately due to corrupt police and political influence, the murder case was quickly closed and the supposed killer was not charged due to lack of evidence. This made Jin Hyuk furious and he blamed Gwon Joo for her testimony. Meanwhile, Gwon Joo left South Korea to study in the States. 

Three years later, Gwon Joo returns to the police force as a professional voice profiler. She uses her talent and ability to set up a "Golden Time Team", where within 20 minutes of an emergency call being received the police will be sent out to the crime scene. She recruits Jin Hyuk in the team and it was rough at first because he still blamed her for the release of the supposed killer. 

As the cases come in, Jin Hyuk begun to trust Gwon Joo more and eventually they both work together to find the real killer. 

Overall thoughts

I started the drama really excited and the first episode I had guessed who the real killer was already... Haha! It was his smile under the hoodie... ;D But as each case progressed, I got really scared! It was really nail biting and the suspense was real. I stopped the drama and only finished it recently. 

Best parts of the drama

Jang Hyuk!! This is the first time watching him, I fell in love instantly... Haha! He's so badass... very good actor, he delivered Moo Jin Hyuk's character to point... 

Kim Jae Wook of course XD...as the crazy psychotic killer Mo Tae Gu... I actually think he's so hot as a murderer... how can this be I must be insane as well... The best scene he was bathing in blood... Omooo.... 

The crime cases were really scary and it got a bit gory to some point. So I won't put any pics for those... Besides that, Gwon Joo's apartment is pretty sweet. It has the soundproofing so she could actually sleep without the slightest sounds... 

If you remember this villa, it was featured in Seven First Kisses with Lee Joon Gi... and also Uncontrollably Fond (I didn't watch that drama but I read some comments it was the same place) 

Officer Oh's mini cooper... ;D Well, not really best part but I like cars as you can see... XD

Notable scene

I think the scenes where Jin Hyuk finally meets Mo Tae Gu face to face... It got really interesting from that point on... 

Conclusion

With all the suspense built up throughout the series, the ending was a bit short and some suggested weak even. I do agree to some point, maybe I was expecting more craziness from the psychotic part. Jin Hyuk arrested Mo Tae Gu as he was caught red-handed trying to kill Dae Shik (Jin Hyuk's right hand man) but then he escaped. The final showdown was between Mo Tae Gu and Gwon Joo on the rooftop... 

The reason Mo Tae Gu became the killer he is now was due to a trauma when he was 12. He witnessed his own father killing someone and not long after that his mother committed suicide because of it. His mental illness escalated from there. There was finally closure for both Jin Hyuk and Gwon Joo that their loved ones can now rest in peace. 

As I just completed this series, season 2 has been confirmed. I'm not sure if I will watch it but if the reviews are good enough I just might give it a go... ;D

Thanks for stopping by, I've been lazy to write reviews nowadays... I shall leave you with the psychotic killer Mo Tae Gu! 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 39- 40 review

[Episodes 39- 40] Chicken soup for the soul

Featured food: Chicken soup

We've reached the end!! Hooray!! So happy to have made it through... Almost gave up halfway... I know, you must be wondering why I started this review in the first place... Well, honestly I didn't know it was going to be 40 episodes long... :O Anyways, thanks for staying with me too!! We made it!! :D 

It starts with a scene at the midnight diner, one of the regular diners was welcoming his cousin named Sun Jian into the diner. She had been away for awhile and is back in town. She gushes about a book which she read that was really good... 

The writer of the book is Gao Jian Ling who specialises in love relationships. His book has sold millions and he hosts regular radio talk shows giving advice to people about their love lives. Ironically, his own marriage was on the rocks. One morning, he stumbled across some divorce papers in the drawer while searching for something at his desk. His wife was planning to divorce him... Oh noes! 

Still in shock, he had to attend a book signing event. He poured out his troubles to his manager who listened to him but the show must still go on. It was really hard for him, imagine the world thinking you are the love guru but in reality his marriage was a failure... 

Meanwhile back at the diner, a mysterious character appears... He seemed to be stalking Sun Jian. He gave the diner boss some instructions on how to prepare a lime drink for Sun Jian as she was not feeling well. Sun Jian didn't know that stranger had come in earlier. When he accidentally came back in and she was horrified to see him. Inspector Li realises that stranger was a stalker so he gave chase but failed to apprehend him. Sun Jian says it was alright but everyone at the diner were concerned about her safety... 

The weird stalker had left his bag behind when Inspector Li gave chase. The gossip girls were curious and opened it. To their horror they discovered an urn. Omooo!!! Everyone screamed... Haha I love Ma Ling Ling here praying for herself!! The diner boss takes the bag and keeps it aside. 

Mr. Gao was still distraught learning about the impending divorce. During the ride home, his assistant mentioned to him about the midnight diner. Yeah, another tie-back to an earlier episode with Richie Jen (If you remember the busker and the food critic) Apparently he is friends with the famous food critic. Anyways, Mr. Gao couldn't sleep that night and decided to call the diner for directions to the place.

The weird stalker comes back for his bag and he was about to leave when Sun Jian came in. Aigoo!! I can totally relate this feeling, you really don't want to see your stalker ugh!! She originally came to the diner in hopes to meet the famous book writer, Mr. Gao... 

The diner filled up quickly with the other regulars including Ah Xian and Ah Long. Mr. Gao finally arrived at the diner but wanted to leave because the chicken soup was not ready yet. It was going to pour already and the rest persuaded him to stay... 

The rest of the parts was basically like a live talk show... Haha! Everyone was pouring out their love troubles to Mr. Gao and he got overwhelmed a bit. He stepped out of the diner to make a call to his wife telling that he will be out all night. 

Sun Jian tells about her love story with a guy who was actually her senior's boyfriend. She felt so embarrassed when her senior found out about it and that's why she left town for that long time. The stalker stranger told everyone about his story, an earthquake killed his wife and son... It was Sun Jian who offered help at that time and he couldn't stop following her around as she was the only reminder of his wife and child. Creepy aft!! :O And oh, the urn was his wife's remains I think... Well, something like that... 

Mr. Gao told everyone at the diner about his impending divorce. He admitted that he wasn't that love guru which everyone thought he was. Aww, it takes much courage to say all that in front of strangers too! 

But all's well ends well, everyone encouraged him to save his marriage and the chicken soup was finally ready! Everyone slurps down the delicious hot soup.... 

It was dawn and the rain stopped. Mr. Gao phones his wife saying that he will be bringing home some chicken soup and they should talk... The weird stalker says goodbye to Sun Jian, no more stalking her...What a relief... Phew! Sun Jian receives a text from her senior saying hi... 

Everyone heads home and is greeted by a lovely rainbow in the blue sky! A very nice ending indeed, saying that after every storm there is always a new beginning... 

This series isn't entirely a bad one. It was a pretty good effort if you think of it. Maybe some parts were lost in translation, as in adapting the original Midnight Diner series to suit the Chinese culture. Hopefully there will improvements in future adaptations. But for now, I think I've had enough of Chinese food dramas! ;D 

The last featured dish was the simple chicken soup. Using chicken bones and meat, let it simmer for a couple of hours and viola!