Kill Boksoon Review – You loved her as the feisty and sweet Nam Haeng Son in Crash Course in Romance, now get ready to admire her more in the movie Kill Boksoon. Veteran actress Jeon Do Yeon made a stunning comeback with this film. The movie was released on Netflix on March 31st, 2023. It also marks a new addition to the crime action genre which sits with the likes of ‘My Name’.
Kill Boksoon tells the story of a female assassin named Kill Boksoon and her journey as she manages parenthood and her job. She is a single mother to a 15-year-old teenage girl and is unsure how to navigate her relationship with her daughter. She is a veteran assassin lauded for her skills and expertise in the field. Killing comes more easily to her than being a parent to a teenager.
As the plot moves ahead, we see that in order to protect her only daughter, Boksoon has to make a tough choice between her work and her personal life. Despite being an assassin, she is an assassin of morals and values of her own. And that is what comes to her downfall as she gets untangled in the murky waters of the underworld which has its own game at play.
Kill Boksoon Trailer
Kill Boksoon Review
The makers of the film make beautiful use of the landscape at disposal. The action sequences are smooth, clean and precise. The level of thrill goes up several notches with each new sequence. The use of bold colors for Boksoon’s wardrobe highlight her power and prowess as a woman and an assassin. The frames often zoom in closer to the character’s faces to highlight the unspoken emotions. At the start of the film, and towards the end of it Boksoon engages into very definitive battles which change the course of her life.
Those two battles employ the use of imaginative prediction as Boksoon anticipates the next moves in the fight. The color palette of the film largely sports darker color palettes, especially for a fight sequence where the blood is in the spotlight as the character dies a painful death. There is a hint of comic relief peppered throughout the film to balance out the moral and ethic laced emotions in the film.
The dilemma that the characters face in the film is quite remarkably portrayed. Boksoon is an assassin but is also a mother. What happens in both her lives somehow translates into an answer for her ongoing dilemmas. In order to save her daughter, she goes at extreme lengths disregarding the fact that she herself could die at the end. In other cases, despite being a gang of assassins, the groups run on a strict set of morals and values where no one is spared.
Boksoon and Min Kyu’s final battle is nothing short of a heartbreaking story. The mentor-mentee duo had to keep their emotions aside and play by the rules to do what they deemed was ethically and morally right. This battle between one’s moral values and human emotions is juxtaposed quite beautifully throughout the film.
Before Kill Boksoon, Jeon Do Yeon was seen in the romance drama Crash Course in Romance. Her notable works include movies like My Dear Sunshine, Memories of a Sword, A Man and A Woman, among others. The movie also stars Sol Kyung Gu as Cha Min Kyu. Sol Kyung Gyu was recently seen in movies like Yaksha: Ruthless Operations, Kingmaker, to name a few. Sol Kyung Gyu as Cha Min Kyu is a grey character. He took Boksoon under his wing to hone her skills, but he has always harboured a soft corner for her. One would say he loved Boksoon in a capacity which cannot be expressed in words.
Esom also stars in a supporting but stellar role in the movie as Cha Min Kyu’s younger sister. Esom is one of the most groundbreaking actors in the South Korean film industry and she is not shy to take up challenging roles like the one in Kill Boksoon. Her portrayal of a sick and twisted person is beautiful to see on screen. She feels challenged by Boksoon which becomes her unraveling into a ruthless dictator.
Koo Kyo Hwan as Han Hee Seong was another great character in the film. He is an underdog who has has to live in Boksoon’s shadow. He is human after all, and has his weaknesses. When it came to saving his neck or Boksoon’s, he chose himself seeing as his rise to fame he has wanted for long. He is known for his role in dramas like ‘Extraordinary Attoryney Woo’, ‘D.P.’ to name a few.
Kill Boksoon Ending
All in all, Kill Boksoon is a good watch for a movie that boasts of gory yet thrilling action sequences. There is a charm to the movie because of its commentary on the moral right and wrong which is not always found in such action movies. The title of the movie plays out into a great pun. Our leading lady’s family name is ‘Gil’ which can be written with a K or G when writing in English. Considering how the latter half of the story becomes a race to kill Boksoon, the English title of the film works well in the story’s favour.
Kill Boksoon – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
JAL gives ‘Kill Boksoon’ a staggering 4 out of 5 stars. Have you watched similar movies before? Which ones are your favourites? Tell us in the comments below!
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai – Namma Chennai is home to one of the top best rooftop restaurants with global cuisines, right from South Indian, Arab, Italian, English, Mexico, European and Japanese. Who doesn’t love rooftops with a great view. Buckle up and let’s see the top 13 best rooftop restaurants in Chennai for you to check out.
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Up North – The Raintree Hotel
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Address: The Raintree Hotel, 636, Satya Murthy Nagar, Teynampet, Tamil Nadu 600018
With its excellent location and premium ambiance, Up North is one of Chennai’s favorite dining spots. This restaurant is located on The Raintree hotel’s rooftop. It provides a stunning view of the city’s skyline. If you prefer a luxury dining experience, this is restaurant is your place.
While some dishes served are classics, additionally there are several dishes you’ve never heard of. For example, keema paratha or cheese naan. Try their Murgh tikka paratha, Amritsari macchi, Mutton sorba, and Murgh beli rum. if you want to try something new.
Does Up North offer a buffet option?
No, the restaurant doesn’t offer buffet options.
Is UpNorth Chennai a vegetarian restaurant?
No, Up North is a multi cuisine restaurant offering both vegetarian and non vegetarian food.
Is reservation required for UpNorth Raintree?
Yes, advance reservation is required for Up North to get a table.
Aqua – The Park Hotel
Address: The Park, 601, Anna Salai, near US Embassy, Gangai Karai Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006
Aqua, located on the 9th floor of The Park hotel, is one of Chennai’s finest rooftop restaurants. It offers a private dining experience as well as a breathtaking view of the city while serving a variety of cocktails and seafood cuisines. This is the place to visit for its premium experience. Their menu ranges from a variety of appetizers, kebabs, and pizzas. We highly recommend their kebab meal, Persian joojeh kabab, Achari paneer tikka, and hara bhara kebab.
Are people below 21 years allowed at Aqua at The Park Hotel?
Yes, people below 21 years are allowed.
Does Aqua offer pure vegetarian food?
Since the restaurant is multi-cuisine, it serves both vegetarian and non vegetarian food.
Does Aqua serve alcohol?
Yes, the rooftop restaurant has an attached bar that serves alcohol.
Skyline – Hotel Sangam
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Address: Bus terminus, Mannar Street, 18/43, S Usman Road, opp. to T.Nagar, next to krishnaveni theater, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
Skyline is a rooftop restaurant located in T Nagar’s prime location, offering a variety of high-quality finger food, North Indian, Chinese, and BBQ cuisines with a good ambiance for a weekend evening hangout. This is a regular restaurant with a good ambiance and a great view of the city for those who like to enjoy trying new places. We recommend trying their Veg Nuggets, Chilli Garlic Potato, Mushroom Pepper Fry, Sizzlers, and Malai Fish Tikka.
Is the Skyline at Hotel Sangam suited for families?
This might not be the best choice considering alcohol being served on the table as well.
The Crown – The Residency Towers
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Address: The Residency Towers, 115, Sir Thyagaraya Rd, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
The Crown is another excellent restaurant in T.Nagar. It is a rooftop restaurant on The Residency Towers hotel’s 13th floor. It gives a breathtaking view of the city and a variety of flavours from around the world, making it ideal for couples on romantic dinner dates. Their seafood and non veg platters are delicious and is a must try.
What cuisines are served at The Crown – The Residency Towers?
The main cuisine served at Crown is European and Indian.
Does the Crown restaurant have a bar or serve alcohol?
No, the Crown does not serve alcohol.
Does the Crown offer candle light dinner?
Yes, Crown arranges candle light dinners, if pre-booked.
Above Sea Level – The Raintree Hotel
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Address: The Raintree Hotel, No. 120, St Marys Rd, Austin Nagar, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018
As the name suggests, the Above Seal Level is a rooftop bar and grill located on the 14th floor of The Raintree hotel. It provides a panoramic view of the city and serves a wide range of cuisines, including North Indian, Continental, Seafood, Mughlai, and Fusion. It is one of my favourite and best rooftop restaurants in Chennai i’ve been. Their Galouti kebab, Chicken Kebab, Brie and aam papad, Moong dal galette, Bacon-crusted seared scallops, and Tangri Kebabs are all worth a try.
Is above sea level halal?
Yes, the food at Above Sea Level is halal.
Can birthday parties be arranged at above sea level?
Yes, if you reserve early, Above Sea Level people make birthday party arrangements.
Is Above Sea Level at Raintree Hotel worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to experience a premium dining experience with a good luxury ambience, this is your destination. The food, ambience, and services are totally worth it.
Address: 3rd floor, 4, AA Block 2nd St, Lapis lagoon, AA Block, Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
This restaurant is located in Anna Nagar, right in the heart of the city. It provides an excellent view of the city. With comfortable seating and a warm ambiance, the restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The menu includes appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks from all over the world. On D Roof is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family. We recommend their Dragon Chicken, Chicken Wings, Pepper Grill Chicken, and On D Roof SPL Chicken Biryani.
What are the best and must-try dishes at On D Roof?
Dishes like Chicken Wings, Pepper Grill Chicken, Chicken Biryani are some of the must-try dishes at On D Roof.
The RoofTop Lounge – The Ramada Plaza
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Address: Ramada Plaza, 36, Sardar Patel Rd, Little Mount, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032.
Perhaps the most romantic and stylish spot for a peaceful, quiet, and delicious meal. This lounge bar and restaurant is located on the top floor of The Ramada Plaza Hotel in Guindy, Chennai and is an absolute catch. There is a poolside view and lounge overlooking the city making it an ideal place to hang out with friends. We recommend this spot for its ambiance and delicious foods including Crispy Prawn Papilot, Pulled Chicken Wings, Vegetable Quesadillas, and Chicken Shawarma.
Is the rooftop lounge a 5 star restaurant?
Yes, it is a part of the Ramada Plaza Hotel and it is a 5 star restaurant.
Is dining allowed for non lodgers at the rooftop lounge at the ramada plaza?
Yes, you can dine at the rooftop lounge, but reservations are required since the lodgers are permitted at all times due to their stay there.
Address: The Westin, 2nd floor, 154, Velachery Rd, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042
Sunset Grill is a rooftop restaurant with spectacular views of the city skyline. The menu includes international cuisines such as Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian. In addition, the restaurant has a large selection of wines and spirits. The Westin Chennai Velachery is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family. If you like spicy foods, we recommend trying their Tandoori Gosht ki Champ, Tandoori Lobster, Home Spiced Salmon, Grilled Harissa Tiger Prawns, and Roast Half Chicken.
What cuisine is special at the Sunset Grill?
The main cuisine served at Sunset Grill is European and Barbeque.
Does Sunset Grill offer a buffet?
No, the restaurant doesn’t offer a buffet option.
Heights Rooftop Restaurant
Address: No.86, Block No.5, Manickam Lane, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032.
Heights is a rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the city and a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. It’s ideal for a weekend get-together with friends and family. Continental, oriental, Arabian, Indian, and Mexican cuisines are available at the restaurant. For sweet tooth persons, we recommend their strawberry mousse and Apple pie in the dessert and paneer kurkure, channa pulao, malai kofta, Malabar paratha, and veg Chettinad gravy in the main course.
Does Heights Rooftop have special packages for parties?
You can check with the restaurant, it depends on the reservation and the availability.
Does Heights Rooftop have a bar?
No, the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol. It’s only a restaurant.
KooX – Rooftop Asian Grill
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai
Address: 11, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Rd, Rathna Nagar, Nandanam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600035
This is another personal favourite spot in this list of 13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai. This restaurant has a modern and stylish atmosphere as well as a breathtaking rooftop view. The menu features Asian-inspired dishes ranging from traditional favorites to innovative creations. The restaurant is located on the main road at walking distance from Nandanam metro railway station. If you have a large gang of friends looking for a great place for a weekend hangout, this is your spot. We highly recommend their Norwegian Philly Truffle Topping, Tori Cheddar, and Truffle Garlic Rice.
What cuisine is special at KooX?
The main cuisine served at KooX is Japanese.
Is KooX worth visiting?
If you are someone who enjoys Japanese cuisine or likes to try new cuisines, you’ll definitely like this place.
Address: Gandhi Irwin Bridge Rd, Ansari Estate, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
Broadwalk is one of the best fine dining restaurants in the city offering a quirky yet elegant ambiance along with delicious food. The restaurant serves a range of Continental delicacies on the menu. Broadwalk has a lovely ambiance with wooden seating. For couples, it is the best place to dine out under the sky with live music.
Is the BroadWalk restaurant at Chennai child friendly?
Yes, you can visit the restaurant with children.
Is the BroadWalk restaurant at Chennai vegan?
No, this restaurant is multi-cuisine and does not offer vegan foods.
Azzuri Bay
Address: 13, 1st Cres Park Rd, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020
A classy rooftop restaurant on the third floor with a very peaceful view of the Adyar river. This place is ideal for a quiet and peaceful meal. The restaurant offers Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese, Asian, and Seafood. You must try their Cheese Grilled Fish, Mutton Keema Dosa, and Chettinad Chicken Curry.
Is there a buffet option at Azzuri Bay?
Yes, but it is a set meal option that comes with starters, soup, main course and dessert for both vegetarian and non vegetarian.
Does the Azzuri Bay restaurant serve alcohol?
No they don’t. You will get mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks.
The Kipling Cafe
Address: 16, L Jey Avenue, Spring Gardens 2nd St, Akkarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119
Kipling Cafe is the ideal setting for a delicious meal with friends and family. It is one of Chennai’s most well-known rooftops, with an elegant Asian-continental fusion restaurant with shady garden seating and a sea-view roof terrace serving North Indian, Continental, and Thai cuisines.
Does the Kipling Cafe Restaurant offer beef?
Yes, The Kipling cafe offers beef.
Does the Kipling Cafe Restaurant offer candle light dinner reservations?
Yes, the candle light dinner package includes decoration and food. The menu includes 2 soups, starters, main course and ½ kg cake.
And there you have it – a list of 13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Chennai. What are restaurants have you tried in the above list of the best rooftop restaurants in Chennai. Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.
The Heavenly Idol Review: Fantasy as a genre has always been about escape, in one way or another. It works as a gateway to the unknown, the fantastical, the one that perhaps can never be…or it just might. We mean, Jules Verne never thought his book about the journey to the moon would ever become a human reality. Not to forget the wormhole theory which makes travel through space and time possible, connecting different universes. Though such things would ideally and formally come into the genre of science-fiction, but we can’t deny such ideas sprouting initially from ideas of fantasy.
It is probably why fantasy as a genre has always been saturated with stories of another world. And so in yet another edition of our Kdrama review, we bring you a story precisely of this “another world” as we dissect the kdrama – The Heavenly Idol!
The Heavenly Idol Trailer
The Heavenly Idol Review
The Heavenly Idol Plot
The Heavenly Idol revolves around two worlds, the world of the mortals as we know it and a different world, a world where good and evil literally are engaged in an eternal war. In this supernatural universe, Pontifex Rembrary battles with the Evil One and just when he is about to finally finish him, Rembrary is transported to a world of limelight, of song and dance, the dizzying and sparkling idol world of South Korea. Worse, he is in the body of a member of a failed idol group, Wild Animal.
The original Woo Yeon Woo is likewise transported to Pontifex’s body, refusing to come back! Rembrary has no choice but to struggle to fit into the role of a failed idol while trying to protect people in the two worlds from the Evil One.
The Heavenly Idol is a 2023 kdrama starring the fan favorite Kim Min-kyu , the darling that stole quite a few hearts with his performance as a lovable, naive secretary in Business Proposal. He is one of the reasons why most viewers stumble upon The Heavenly Idol. Sadly, even Kim min-kyu’s presence could not really save this series as it ended with an average of 1.8% nationwide ratings in South Korea. The Heavenly Idol is adapted from a popular web-novel of the same name, an entertaining and hilarious story of a priest-turned-idol.
The Heavenly idol begins quite interestingly. A Pontifex in a body of an idol , lusting after any kind of spare chocolates, speaking in a way that characters in period dramas would and frowning every time someone utters the word “sexy”. The incongruity of this out of place character as he struggles to adapt into a completely new universe is a source of amusement and curiosity for the viewers. And this is precisely why the web-novel attained such popularity with the readers.
However, the kdrama is nothing but a massive case of a disastrous attempt at adaptation. The script is so awful that we would love to crumple it and throw it in the dustbin if we could. What were the script-writers thinking exactly? That they could probably hire a few famous faces and make this disaster work?
For once, the plot is all over the place – the supernatural world, mortal world, unrequited romance and then a grim reaper as well? Not to forget the stock and extremely annoying character of the Evil One. Whenever the story progresses, the Evil One comes back to the scene only to disrupt Rembrary and nothing else. It becomes monotonous at one point, the same formula repeating itself over and over after a couple episodes.
Not to forget the completely unnecessary addition of a romantic interest in the kdrama. The essence of the popularity of the original web-novel is its humor which was entirely lost in the adaptation and replaced by a strained attempt at comedy. The characters lacked depth, as we mentioned with the character of Evil One. Not to mention the sad attempt at translation (Evil One) which made the show close to a caricature.
The finale was probably the worst out of all. It was exceptionally underwhelming with the Evil One quite conveniently being sucked into a ring, the viewers discovering that Rembrary’s deity is an imposer and in actuality a mere seaweed spirit with only powers of a deity. We never know how these spirits are in possession of such a power if they are not deities at all.
Moreover, the kdrama becomes ridiculous at times especially the finale. For instance, while other characters sign their soul away in return for success and start transforming into flesh-eating goblins, the female lead merely loses her memory? That’s it? Not to mention that the kdrama hints at Kim Dal recovering her memories as well by the end of the episode. Fantastic attempt at a shallow plot and characters.
The Heavenly Idol – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
All in all, The Heavenly Idol despite it famous faces is a major disaster of an adaptation. JAL gives it a sad 2.5 out of 5. That is it for our The Heavenly Idol review, catch the show on Myasiantv and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Luther Movie Review – The human psyche is a wonderful thing. It has been decades since studies and research began on the human mind, and yet it does not stop from dropping surprises – good or bad ones. There are endless possibilities to the shape one’s mind can take. We may begin jotting down the paths it shoots off too, and we might run out of paper and ink. History is witness to the extent to which a human mind can get corrupt.
We have cases after cases where a sick and twisted mind harmed others for the sake of its own pleasure. For one, it makes us scared for the person sitting next to us, and for the other it makes one more grounded in one’s reality. As technology has progressed, so has the means to go incognito and indulge in one’s fantasies.
We all wear masks in public, but those come off when there is confidentiality and water-tight privacy provided by the dark alleys of the world wide web. DCI John Luther has encountered one too many such twisted minds who would not leave any opportunity to make others suffer. There are people who have sadistic tendencies and when there are no reigns to them, one’s mind is free to gallop on the open lands of imagination. In his latest case, DCI Luther encountered a sick individual who is no less a parasite than a leech. Wondering who DCI Luther and this individual is? Let’s delve further into that story.
‘Luther’ is a television series starring Idris Elba as the titular character. DCI Luther is what you would call an anti-hero. He has been in service for over two decades and has had a fair share of facing life-threatening risks and highly volatile criminals. The series spanned five seasons, but was far from concluding. There is a new story on the block in the Luther-verse and it is just as gritty and violent.
‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ continues his story as he faces a new criminal. Imagine an episode of Black Mirror but water it down a little, and that is what you get when you watch this movie. DCI Luther is after a serial killer but he is charged with a lot of crimes and is put behind bars. The said serial killer continues his work and taunts Luther every chance he gets.
There have been a series of disappearances but there is no common thread tying the individuals. Usually in a series of kidnappings, there is something common among those who get kidnapped other than the person who kidnapped them. There were no calls for a ransom per se, but the kin of the kidnapped individuals received distressed phone calls asking for help and asking them to come over to a certain location.
When the kin arrived at the location, the perpetrator would watch from afar as the bodies burned in front of the family. The reactions and the whole scene was captured on camera and marketed on the dark web. Luther wants to nab this criminal no matter the cost, and thus begins a double-edged chase as Luther tries to get himself out of prison and at the same time solve the case at hand.
The perpetrator behind the kidnappings and killings is a sick and twisted individual named David Robey (played by the versatile Andy Serkis). David Robey lives off by exploiting other people’s secrets. He digs deep and deep into a person’s life, each and every activity and exploits the one which is most liable to bring shame, fear and disgrace to the targeted individual. That is how he got Luther in jail as well to get Luther out of his way.
But Luther being Luther was not the kind to sit idle and let criminals run amok, even if it means bending or breaking a few rules. Robey was allegedly involved in the fire that left his wife scarred for life, but there was no evidence to incriminate him. Robey always got his way out of his crimes in the past but it was about to change now with Luther hot on his heels.
If you see the previous ‘Luther’ episodes and this movie, then you won’t find much of a difference in how the story plays out. The 20-odd episodes spanning over five seasons familiarized the audience with DCI Luther, his personal life and also the jarring number of crimes.
‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ picks common strains of screenplay and execution from its predecessors and works as a filler to what could be a next chapter in Luther’s life. After Robey brought Luther’s shady works out in the open, the public opinion for him changed drastically and he was removed from his job as well. He is brought down to being a hardened cop turned vigilante as he tries to bring Robey to justice.
Dear David Review – Teenage is a strange age to live. As you go from being a child to an adult, you experience not only physical but also emotional changes in you. It is a time when you think no one understands you or is trying to stop you from doing what you want to do. It is a time when the fictional world feels better than reality. You try to make sense of most of what is happening around you, but sometimes it is not so easy.
During times like these, thankfully, there are movies and other media to help you understand better. Netflix’s movie ‘Dear David’ is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl as she navigates her social life and crushes on her classmate.
Spoilers Ahead!
Dear David Netflix Trailer
‘Dear David’ Trailer
Dear David Summary
Laras is a teenage straight-A-achieving girl who lives with her mother. Her mother and she barely make their ends meet but live a respectable life in their small town. Laras’ mother is a staunch Catholic and takes her daughter to every religious event there is. They even host a food stall after mass sometimes. But Laras is somewhat of a rebel and she indulges the things that are considered sins by her religion. She has a crush on her classmate David and writes risque fantasy stories featuring her and David. These stories are her outlet for her feelings for David.
Laras does not share the stories with the world, but one day during her computer class, she logs in to her blog to write a new story. She logs out but it turns out that the process did not go through and her stories are leaked. Laras gets her friend Dilla to date David all while feigning ignorance that she does not have any feelings towards him.
After Laras’ stories are leaked, what follows afterward is a series of humiliating comments, getting outcasted by the peers, and people calling her a devil incarnate. She also loses her friendship with Dilla. The incident turns out to be a wake up call for Laras and it also serves to point out the hypocrisy of the society.
A still from ‘Dear David’ on Netflix. Image Credits: Netflix
Dear David Review | Dear David Netflix Review
‘Dear David’ is one of the few movies that tackles the delicate theme of sexuality and teenage life with a nuanced approach. Laras, the young protagonist of the movie, is a girl coming from a conservative background. The society she grew up in sees sex as a taboo, and hence any chatter around the topic is shunned. Imagine the plight of a girl in this society when her risque stories are leaked.
The people from her church began shunning her and her mother. Laras’ classmates, who probably have had similar growing-up experiences, call her names and label her an outcast. But then we see that these same classmates boast about their dating life and popularity amongst the opposite sex.
Laras’ friend Dilla is also ostracised by classmates for her risque photoshoots. People around her view her as a sexual object and label her as a loose woman for having done those photoshoots. They never look past those to actually see that Dilla has been suffering because of her personal struggles.
What the movie tells the audience through Laras primarily is that, it is okay to have desires. It is only human to be curious about one’s growing physique and desires. All these years of keeping things hush-hush has led several people on the wrong path of misinformation and confusion. Sure, Laras did invade David’s privacy by writing stories about him and objectifying him in her stories, but all that was just her way to find an outlet for her feelings.
The movie also touches upon mental health issues faced by teenagers. David has panic attacks which he does not tell anyone about. The only person he initially opens up to, is Laras. David’s panic attacks were triggered more after Laras’ stories were leaked. They affected him as much as they affected Laras. The way people saw David also changed, which was completely wrong. A fictional tale about a living person cannot be held against them, regardless of what the content is.
Dilla, Laras’ best friend, is a lesbian. She comes out to Laras during one of their car rides and also confesses her love to her. Dilla’s life at home is not comfortable because of the estranged nature of her parents’ marriage. She has had to hide behind a veil of bold looks and indifferent behaviour in public to escape her feelings.
‘Dear David’ touches upon the common strains of issues that is often found in teenagers. It is not easy growing up in a world which judges you for every step you take and every decision you make. It is even more difficult when one is surrounded by a community which is not open to change or new ideas. ‘Dear David’ makes a good comment on the hypocrisy in the society and at the same time lends an understanding hand to the teenagers.
JAL gives ‘Dear David’ a solid 3.5 out of 5. Which other movies on similar themes have you watched? Tell us in the comments!
Crash Course in Romance Season 1 Review – Is Crash Course in Romance Worth Watching? An annoying, nosy ahjumma running a side dish store and a stuck-up, trauma-ridden star teacher who can’t seem to digest any kind of food but hers. But of course, it would all be sunshine and rainbows if not for being a romantic comedy and since it is a romantic comedy, they obviously dislike each other. Against the backdrop of extreme exam pressure, education paranoia, and the deteriorating health of students, we have for you today Crash Course in Romance review! Let’s dive right into it.
Crash Course in Romance Trailer
Crash Course in Romance Season 1 Plot
Nam Haeng-seon runs a side dish (banchan) store while raising her niece as her adoptive daughter, Nam Hae-yi, along with her neurodiverse brother, Nam Jae-woo. On the other hand, we have the celebrity math teacher, Choi Chi-yeol, of the popular private academy The Pride with an eating disorder arising from past trauma. In a series of fortunate events, Choi Chi-yeol ends up stealing Jae-woo’s mobile and breaking it, entering into a sweet laugh-out-loud situation with the Nam family. Interestingly, along the way, he also discovers that for once he is able to eat without puking his guts out. But where is this food from? Haeng-seon’s shop of course! It’s a romantic comedy remember!?
If we have to describe Crash Course in Romance, it would be something like an ordinary romantic comedy with a splash of comedy and warmth and a completely unnecessary criminal subplot. This quite literally sums up the entire review.
Crash Course in Romance is nothing special in terms of a romantic comedy. It has a typical enemy-to-lovers plot where the two leads come from entirely different backgrounds and experiences, and dislike each other to the point of “breaking each other’s bones” kind of hatred only to gradually start liking each other. The lead characters Nam Haeng-seon and Choi Chi-yeol are classic tropes of a struggling single mother versus the rich, snobbish male lead who eventually falls for the kind, simple-hearted female lead who on the surface is clearly anything but special.
It also features the classic kdrama romcom plot of a past history which eventually helps the two leads come together, again a trope that has been churning romantic comedies for a very long time in the kdrama industry.
Crash Course in Romance Season 1 Review – Is Crash Course in Romance Worth Watching? Source – TVN
Crash Course in Romance also features a completely unnecessary mystery/hidden murderer plot which honestly does not affect the story much. Even if they had not incorporated this plot, the show would still work perfectly as a romantic comedy. The addition of the hidden murderer seeking revenge for what happened in the past did nothing but unnecessarily extend and drag the plot.
However, despite these factors, the kdrama still manages to work somehow, definitely not on the backbone of the romance part though. What makes the show work despite its very straightforward, not-so-unique rom-com nature is the backdrop of the high-stakes and insanely difficult Korean educational system. The show features the crushing educational pressure on high school students and the fierce competition that they face. It also highlights the pressure of their own parents who sometimes become their living hell rather than a support system. In this aspect, the show’s message resembles that of the highly acclaimed Sky Castle.
The show also portrays students like Bang Su-ah in a good light at the end. Bang Su-ah has been an antagonist in the show, frequently causing Nam Hae-yi and her family a lot of trouble, including kicking her out of a prestigious program of The Pride academy. Throughout the series, she is but an unlikeable character however the show tries to make the viewers understand the source of her actions. Bang Su-ah faces extreme mental pressure due to a highly competitive environment which eventually leads to her massive mental breakdown. In the end, she makes peace with Nam Hae-yi suggesting that it’s not the child’s fault but the system’s fault which pushes children to extreme psycho-social lengths.
Crash Course In Romance Review – JAL Rating
In conclusion, Crash Course in Romance still is a lighthearted, warm watch if you can pull through some sub-plots and at times annoying stock character tropes. The interactions and familial relationships are lovely to watch and one cannot stop rooting for the high schoolers. JAL gives it a 3 out of 5 ratings. That is it for our Crash Course in Romance review, watch the show on Netflix!
The Glory Part 2 Review – The most awaited series of the year is back and with it, we are back with our The Glory part 2 review! Grab a seat and a cool drink because this story will be a long and heavy story. Let’s dark dive into one of the most stellar thriller kdrama of 2023 up until now.
[The Glory Part 2 Review spoilers ahead]
The Glory Part 2 Trailer
Netflix’s original The Glory part 2 was released on 10th March 2023 to a lot of buzzes and rightly so. It continues the story of part 1 with the protagonist Moon Dong-eun planning to isolate her bullies and avenge herself and others like her. With part 2, which contains the rest of the highly anticipated 8 episodes, the popular revenge thriller starring Hallyu actress Song Hye-Kyo comes to an end.
The Glory Part 1 Ending – The Glory Part 1 Recap
Moon Dong-eun progresses with her plans. Park Yeon-jin is finally forced to dance to Dong-eun’s rhythm as she frantically brakes into her house and discovers the wall with photographs of all perpetrators. She comes face to face with Do-Yeong, who has now begun suspecting Yeon-jin. Meanwhile, viewers are hinted about Myeong-o’s murder and with the implied latent meaning of Yeon-jin’s green heels, she becomes the prime suspect but is she really? We don’t really know yet. Dong-eun further threatens Hye-Jeong into filing a missing person report for Myeong-o. Jae-jun is preoccupied and obsessed with getting parenting rights for Ye-sol. And thus, part 1 ends with Dong-eun gaining the upper hand on all her perpetrators.
“Time is finally moving again, Soo-Hee. We’re 19 now, you and me” says Dong-eun with a faint smile. The time that stopped for Dong-eun and So-hee and all such victims who are but living corpses starts ticking again. One of the highlights of the show is Dong-eun’s voiceovers and quotes like these which make the viewer feel the emotions of the characters. To feel the pain of the victims who refuses to say goodbye. The pain that is transfixed in time, buried deep within the body leaves no scars on the surface but eats the rotting soul from the inside.
Interestingly, unlike usual revenge thrillers, The Glory is very Korean in its portrayal of a revenge thriller. Part 2 also becomes less dark and more hopeful and heartwarming in its content which is a very Korean thing to include in a revenge thriller apart from the sweet-romance arcs.
Although in part 1, it functioned solely as revenge for an individual but in part 2, instead of the fast-paced plot, the focus shifts to the different characters. Don’t take us the wrong way though, the story is still fast-paced and binge-worthy to the point that some eye drops may be needed to get through it all. However, part 2 apart from showcasing Dong-eun’s plans fall into place, also becomes a kind of bildungsroman for her as she begins to learn to love and cherish people around her in opposition to her pyscho-social prison and cold demeanor of part 1.
Further, the cast has done an insanely outstanding job in part 2, especially Lim Ji-yeon who plays the character of Park Yeon-jin. If we pay attention to her facial expressions, we find that in every scene, her expressions portray Yeon-jin’s character to the fullest – from her annoyance to her insane laughter to her manipulative crocodile tears. But at the same time, she is also human especially when Yeon-jin breaks in disbelief over her mother’s betrayal. Even in the ending scene when Ji-yeon’s character chances upon her mother in prison, she calls for her only to break down in pieces as a deeply hurt, abandoned child.
If The Glory part 1 served as Dong-Eun’s game of Go against all those who made her life a living hell, part 2 becomes her source of divine justice. All in all, The Glory part 2, just like part 1, is binge-worthy goodness although the “thrill” aspect is quite less as compared to part 1, and the show overall mellows down as a thriller.
The Glory Season 2 Review – JAL Rating
For our JAL rating, we give The Glory part 2 a good 4 out of 5. Watch the second part of the show on Netflixand let us know your thoughts in the comments!
All The Places Review – Having siblings is like having a best friend around all the time. The world is often divided over who have it the best – single child or siblings – and the jury’s still out on that. Sure, there are times when one’s bond with their sibling is estranged, but it does not mean it is completely severed. There always comes a point of reconnection which brings back old memories and allows the pair to bury their differences. Netflix’s Spanish comedy film ‘A Todas Partes’ aka ‘All The Places’ tells the tale of one such pair of siblings who reconnect after long gap of 15 years on the occasion of their father’s funeral.
‘A Todas Partes’ begins with a sad scene of a funeral. This is where we are also introduced to our leads, Gabriela aka Gabo and Ferdinand aka Fer. It is their father’s funeral and Fer is late. When the two finish the rites and go back home, Gabo is hostile towards her brother. The reason is soon revealed that Fer never checked on her or their father. He only cared and still cares only about his business and his life in Singapore.
The two have a few drinks and Fer heads to the store room. There he finds things from their childhood and gets nostalgic. Despite losing their father a few hours ago, the siblings laugh and quarrel just like old times. It is true what they say that the house which has seen death also carries with strains of laughter to heal the pain of losing a loved one.
Fer finds an old map of a road trip which he and Gabo had planned in their teens. There were rules, and places to visit – all written down in their squiggly handwriting – reminding them of a forgotten promise. They are clearly drunk but decide to do that road trip right then on a whim. Without any set of clothes or enough cash, the siblings set out on a road trip on their old motorcycles. They meet eccentric people on their way, have interesting conversations, and also catch up on the lost 15 years. Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken but the road trip reunited the brother-sister duo again.
‘A Todas Partes’ aka ‘All The Places’ is a good option if you are looking to watch a road trip movie. It has all the classic elements – comedy, run-ins with the locals and the police, whimsical bets, and of course moments of truth. Gabo and Fer grew up together thick as thieves with each other, but as they got older their interests changed which led them to take different paths.
These paths separated the two and drew a wedge between them. But a beauty of any relationship is that it is built on love for one another. As long as that love exists, no relationship can be broken. Sure, there are challenges that one has to face, but these challenges are what makes the relationship stronger. ‘A Todas Partes’ might be just a comedy road trip movie about an estranged pair of siblings, but it also gives a message to the audience. There is nothing which cannot be solved over a healthy communication. When there is love and trust amongst people, it gives them strength to face their strongest of fears and overcome any challenge life throws their way.
The pacing of ‘A Todas Partes’ is just right if you’re looking to spend a some time indulged in a good story. The music featured is mostly retro songs matching the theme of nostalgia. The movie captures the beauty of the Mexican landscape, and makes a statement that Mexico is more than the marketed stereotypes. There is lush greenery and vast stretches of the ocean which appeal the viewers to view Mexico to view it in all its natural glory.
‘A Todas Partes’ stars Mauricio Ochmann and Ana Serradilla in lead roles. Mauricio Ochmann is known for his roles in ‘El Chema’, ‘Amarte Asi’ among others. Ana Serradilla is popular for her roles in telenovelas like ‘La Viuda Negra’, ‘Dona Flor y sus dos maridos’ to name a few.
A Todas Partes | All The Places – JAL Rating
JAL gives ‘A Todas Partes’ aka All the Places movie a solid 4 out of 5 for its quirky and heartfelt storytelling. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, this beautifully portrays tale of one such pair of siblings who reconnect after long gap of 15 years on the occasion of their father’s funeral. Definitely recommend this!
Which other road trip movies have you watched? Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out other articles as well. I will see you in another article. Until then, stay tuned and safe!
Mr. Queen Review – Imagine you are going about your day, as you always do. Washing dishes? Check. Cleaning up after your dog’s stray hair? Check. When suddenly, your to do list drops from your hand and hits the floor. “Well, shit” you sigh, tired from all the chores you’ve been up to and bend to pick it up only the to do list isn’t there anymore. “What just happened? I swear it was right there” you convince yourself.
At this moment, you look around and well, the new, polished grey of the walls you painted last week isn’t there anymore nor is any of your furniture from IKEA. You are in an open space, a market of sorts with people riding on horseback and carts. The cemented tall skyscrapers are nowhere to be found. Where are you exactly and how did you get there?
Something similar happened to our Mr Queen protagonist, Jang Bong-hwan. In today’s edition of our kdrama reviews, we have for you one of the insanely popular, Mr Queen! Let’s get right into our Mr Queen review.
Mr Queen Review – Trailer
Mr Queen Review – What’s wrong with the Queen?
Mr Queen is a romantic comedy historical kdrama starring the famous Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun. The story is based off of a Chinese web series called Go Princess Go. Just when the world needed a break from the raging pandemic, this TVN masterpiece premiered on 12th December, 2020. It went on to become one of the highly rated kdramas in cable television history of South Korea with the last episode reaching a nationwide rating of 17.371% and 18.554% in the national capital of Seoul. Not only this, Mr Queen has been rated 9 out of 10 on MyDramaList.com by viewers from around the globe.
Mr Queen revolves around Jang Bong-hwan, a star chef in the Blue house, who on a fateful day wakes up in the body of a Joseon Queen-to-be, Kim So-yong. As he struggles to figure out a way to return to the modern era, and to his own body, he gets involved in the power struggle between two rival families, a political war of scandals, controversies, rumours and death to win the throne of Joseon.
Mr Queen Review
Shin Hye-sun, without a doubt, is the highlight of the show. Mr Queen is one of her best performances in her kdrama acting career. Riding on the trope of a gender-bender, the portrayal of the character of Bong-hwan becomes extremely crucial. She portrays the role of a stereotypical, modern cis-man so well, that sometimes you wonder if the gender reversal is actually true! From her mischievous Bong-hwan expressions to her stereotypical man demeanor and gestures, everything about her portrayal of Bong-hwan is flawless. Mr Queen might have not been so popular if not for her impeccable acting skills which truly brought the character to life.
Moreover, the insane comedy that the kdrama portrays is just a cherry on the top. From slapstick to situational comedy, Mr Queen has it all. For instance, it is hilarious to watch a modern man, in the body of a woman, proclaiming to be the first woman in Joseon to go bra-less as Bong Hwan is seen struggling with the extensive wedding attire.
The characters perform their functions as part of a historical kdrama. For instance, the historical kdrama tropes of political tension and struggle, political violence and so on are preserved in Mr Queen and the characters perform their stock characters as a puppet king, a corrupt government and so on. However, the fun factor of the show comes into play when the characters while performing their stock roles, also participate in laugh out loud comedy, slapstick, and dramatic irony.
[Mr Queen review: spoiler alert – description of a comic scene]
For instance, in one of the scenes, King Cheoljeong played by Kim Jung Hyun can be seen intently reading a book. For the record, in many of the historical kdramas, the importance on the necessity of acquiring scholarly knowledge by a king is highlighted in order to rule the nation effectively. Similarly, the viewers realise that our dear king is quite intently engrossed in this one particular book, possibly of scholarly importance. The camera zooms in on the book, only to reveal that our king is reading historical equivalent of porn and not any book of national importance.
[spoiler end]
The show also features many modern sentiments and functions as a satire. For instance, in one of the scenes, one can infer the latent capitalism at work when Bong-hwan comments that the palace workers are easy to please as he offers them beverages while they tiringly work to fill up the lake. There is an instant change in the workers’ attitudes upon this delicious paycheck and that’s how Bong-hwan keeps them working while also threatening to chop their heads off periodically.
Moreover, the scenes where Bong-hwan as the queen takes control of the royal kitchen as a chef to make modern delicacies like ramen from scratch are fun and entertaining to watch, as if one is watching a historical cooking show or a mukbang!
Mr Queen Season 1 Review – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
As for our JAL rating for it scores a complete 5 out of 5 for being a hilarious binge worthy kdrama to fill your weekend with the fun it deserves! So, what are you waiting for? Catch Mr queen on Netflix.
Little Women Kdrama Review: Season 1 – A suicide. An accident. A death. Many crime scenes joined by a single thread. A rare blue flower. A ghost flower. One question that floats like a suffocated mystery, who killed them all? In this edition of our little women Kdrama review, we have for you the Little Women review! We will discuss what’s up with the hype surrounding this thriller and just what is this ghost flower and where did it come from.
Little Women Kdrama Season 1 Trailer
Little Women Review – What’s with the Ghost Flower?
Little Women is a 2022 mystery thriller Kdrama which premiered on 3rd September on TVN. It is loosely based on American author Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel Little Women. It stars a high profile and ensemble cast including Kim Go-eun of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God fame, Nam Ji-hyun from Suspicious Partner and Park Ji-hu of All of Us are Dead and Wi Ha-joon of Squid Game. It is directed by Kim Hee-won known for the hit kdrama Vincenzo.
Little Women follows the lives of three sisters, In-ju, In-kyung and In-hye who are raised in poverty by their absent parents. In-ju is an outcast employee in a company, In-kyung is a reporter who cannot report a news without her eyes brimming with tears and In-hye is a budding art prodigy. When their mother steals the cash that the two elder sisters saved for their youngest’s trip and flies off to a different country, they are but left to their own means.
The dread of poverty couldn’t sink deeper before In-ju’s close friend suddenly commits suicide and apparently leaves a bag full of cash for her. Her boss dies in a car accident shortly after. Thus, begins the three sisters and their fateful relationship with the ghost flower, which makes its appearance at every crime scene.
Little Women Kdrama Review – Season 1
Little Women kdrama is an interesting adaptation of Alcott’s novel of the same name. If one is not aware about the novel, it is quite difficult to find resemblance in both the works which is what makes the kdrama interesting. From the backdrop of an American civil war, we are transposed into modern contemporary South Korea with one thing common in the girls’ lives – poverty. In-ju, In-kyung and In-hye are transposed figures of Alcott’s characters of Meg, Jo and Amy respectively.
The highlight of the show is definitely the mystery and the thrill. Although, initially it seems quite slow, but by episode 3, the kdrama picks up and thrusts the viewer in a game of a typical “who dunnit” mystery but with insane surprise twists. Even if someone were to guess, the events that unfold are so crazy that one cannot help but root for the protagonists who fight for their lives against this one ghost flower.
Now, you must be wondering what this curious little ghost flower that we keep talking about is. The ghost flower in the series is portrayed as a rare orchid species from Vietnam and it has a plot relevance in the show. It is also known to be so deadly, that even the scent of the flower can produce strong hallucinations. Apart from this, the ghost flower, that is the blue orchid, appears multiple times in the series and on many occasions symbolize danger and death. The flower is smuggled into South Korea and is illegally placed in the house of the antagonists in the show.
What’s even interesting is that the flower is not only deadly but extremely beautiful; a rare, unique beauty which needs intense care and a suitable environment to flourish otherwise it dies. This flower works as a metaphor for the women in the show, the ones expected to be beautiful flowers but beware, they might be dangerous. And since it causes powerful hallucinations, it also works as a metaphor for insanity, excess and greed – something that makes you lose your mind and packs you up for an early grave.
[spoiler end]
Little Women Kdrama Review – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
As for our JAL rating, Little Women Kdrama season 1 scores 4.5 out of 5 for its thrilling and mystery filled plot, characterization and for the crazy twists and turns. This is a perfect binge-watch for a long weekend. So, what are you waiting for? Catch Little Women on Netflix and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Arthdal Chronicles Season 1 Review – It is a story. A tale about when “Homo sapiens didn’t have dreams, and had not yet reached the top of the great pyramid of nature”. The camera thrusts into a war zone amongst the trees. Something invisible seems to be chasing the humans. Hunting them. One by one. A torn out piece of limb. A head. Bodies lying on the ground and dangling from the trees, dead or painfully dying. Who is hunting them? Let’s get right into the review!
Arthdal Chronicles Season 1Trailer
Arthdal Chronicles Season 1 Review
Arthdal Chronicles is a historical fantasy kdrama which narrates the tale of the mythical land of Arth and is more like a study of human nature. The show aired on 1st June, 2019 with humble ratings on TVN and was engulfed by controversies. Many compared the series with American fantasy show Game of Thrones. However, many critics also acknowledged the individual appeal of the show. Writer of Arthdal Chronicles Writer Park Sang-yeon commented that, ” I tried to create a great series by building a fictitious world of our own with our imagination and I hope you see our series as it is.”
Although, the ratings of the kdrama was on the low end side in South Korea, for global audiences it fared relatively well to have been renewed for a season 2 which is scheduled to air some time in the first half of 2023. There have been some major changes in season 2, with the transition of lead actors from Song Joong-Ki to Lee Joon-gi and Kim Ji-won to Shin Se-kyung.
Arthdal chronicles follows quite a few storylines as it progresses but the emphasis is on two parallel storylines, one of the Wahan tribe featuring the main leads Eun-seom and Tan-ya, and the second featuring Ta-gon and Tae Al-ha. Eun-seom and Tan-ya are peacefully living in a tribe secluded from the centre of the land of Arth where Ta-gon and Tae Al-ha scheme to become the first rulers of Arthdal by hook or by crook.
Arthdal Chronicles is based during the bronze age, when humanity was settled as tribes without the idea of a nation or a single ruler. It feels like a study of humankind, a study of the human species and documents the transition from clan/tribal societies to the making of a centralized nation-state, one that we now call “countries”.
The differences are quite clearly portrayed in the show. The Wahan tribe, the tribe where Eun-Seom and Tan-ya are from, is shown as a tribe enmeshed with nature and the natural. They live amongst the forests, use the resources of the forest and worship them. The members of the tribe have a strong sense of familial ties and the idea of the family reigns supreme. The tribe is a collective force and highlight the importance of a community, traditions and community values.
In stark contrast is the central land of Arth, ruled by the Arthdal union including the heads of the various tribes residing in Arth. Ta-gon is son of the leader of the union who begins the process of centralization as he aspires to be the first king of Arth. The centre is plagued by scheming rulers where each wants to gain power. There is a clear degradation and break from the values portrayed by the Wahan tribe in the centre of Arth where people live in misery and fear while the rulers aim to preserve their own political interests.
Moreover, Arthdal chronicle’s cinematography is quite visually appealing and the characterization and narrative are extremely interesting especially with the neanthal storyline. Neanthal and humans are portrayed as two different and rival races with neanthals physically superior than humans (saram) . There are also existence of hybrids known as Igutus, who are offsprings of both the races and highly scorned upon in Arth for being mixed, neither fully neanthals nor humans. Similarly the show features many different tribes with their own cultures and storylines which are not only entertaining but interesting to watch. With the impending autocracy of Ta-gon, the neanthals and other various tribes of Arth, excluded from the minority living in the centre, must forge forces and fight.
Arthdal Chronicles Season 1 – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
We give Arthdal Chronicles for its storyline and narrative, scope, visuals and characterisation a 4.5 out of 5. It is a slow paced kdrama which builds as it progresses so it might not appeal to those wanting to watch a historical fantasy kdrama with a fast tempo and quick unravelling of events. That is it for our Arthdal Chronicles review, catch the show on Netflix! Let us know your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for Arthdal Chronicles Season 2!
Extraordinary Attorney Woo Season 1 Review – It was yet another day at Hanbada, one of the top law firms in South Korea when someone enters senior attorney Jung Myung-seok’s office. She introduces herself as Woo Young-woo and goes on quite oddly for the viewers, “Kayak, deed, rotator, noon, race car, Woo Young-woo”. And so, we introduce you to the lovely Woo Young-woo and her adventures being the first autistic attorney in South Korea at a top Korean law firm.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo Season 1 Trailer
Extraordinary Attorney Woo Review Season 1
Extraordinary Attorney Woo has been all the rage since it first aired on 29th June, 2022 on ENA. It went on to become a global favorite while achieving extremely high ratings in South Korea and becoming the eight highest rated drama in Korean cable history! It has been loved so much by the viewers that the production team is positive about a season 2 of the show sometime in 2024.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the life and adventures of an autistic attorney, Woo Young-woo. After graduating from the top law school in her country with honors, Young-woo found it difficult to get a job due to being autistic until she joined Hanbada. At Hanbada, her co-workers initially find her behavior odd and difficult, question her abilities due to her special condition until she proves her excellence time and again in her cases.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo Season 1 Review
Watching Extraordinary Attorney Woo is like basking on a sunny day, a cool breeze dancing with your hair, a lemonade in hand surrounded by the laughter of the people you love. It has that feeling of being home, of warmth and cheerful delight. There is a reason why this kdrama has become so popular and is loved by people of all ages.
The highlight of the show in terms of performance is hands down, our lead woman playing Woo Young-woo, Park Eun-bin. Extraordinary Attorney Woo is definitely her best performance. Her gestures and mannerisms as Young-Woo makes the character come to life and makes her vibrant enough to be adored by fans across the world.
Young-woo’s character also goes through many new experiences for instance learning to and conquering the revolving doors in her office building, a seemingly simple task but a great challenge for her. The show through Young-woo’s character also sensitizes the viewers about the challenges and needs of autism and that not every autistic person is the same. It helps the viewers understand autism as a spectrum which cannot be judged or tackle with by a common yardstick.
Source – Google Images
The relationships between the characters, be it romantic relationships or friendships are also a source of healing and warmth. For instance, Young-woo’s friendship with her childhood friend Dong Geu-ra-mi and their iconic greeting has fans bombarding their own versions on social media sites. Young-woo’s college friend Choi Su-yeon, supports and looks after her when nobody does. Her romantic interest in the show, Lee Jun-ho played by Kan Tae-oh, has fans swooning. We mean, what kind of a guy dresses up as a whale to protest for whale welfare just because the person he likes cares too much about whales!
Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a lovely, heartwarming kdrama which does not just play out the story of an autistic character but also, along the way touches upon difficult ethical questions. It’s definitely not your regular legal kdrama. For instance, in one of the cases, the show questions the institutional pressure on school children. The Korean education system is known to be merciless and rigorous. School children are often studying till late at night or attending after-school classes. More often than not, there is no social life for children to just enjoy their childhood. This idea is questioned by the idiosyncratic character of Bang Gu-ppong who announces that:
"Children have to play right now. Later is too late. It's too late after getting into university, after getting a job and after getting married. Playing with marbles, taga, Red Rover, double dutch. Later is too late. In a life full of anxiety, it'll be too late too find the only way to happiness."
Extraordinary Attorney Woo Season 1 Review – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
All in all, JAL gives Extraordinary Attorney Woo a smashing 5 out of 5. It is definitely worth a watch and re-watch since it fills you up with all the yummy good energy that you’d need to tackle a difficult day. Don’t think and watch the first episode of Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix! Until next time, happy binging!
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Review – A tale about a land inhabited by mages who protect the citizens from hideous looking dangerous soul sucking monsters anyone? Today we have for you the Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Review. Is Alchemy of Souls light and shadow watch watching? Let’s get right into it and find out.
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Trailer
Alchemy of Souls Review: Season 2
Alchemy of Souls is an action-fantasy, romance, period kdrama. Alchemy of Souls season 1 first premiered on 18th June 2022 with 20 episodes, followed by the season 2 on 10th December 2022 having 10 episodes. Season 2, Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow continues the story of Season 1. It is written by the Hong sisters of Hotel Del Luna fame.
Alchemy of Souls Review: Plot
Alchemy of Souls narrates the story of mages in a fictional country of Daeho. Legend has it that one of the great mages saved the country from destruction which also led to the birth of one of the most powerful objects in Daeho called the ice stone. The ice stone contains in itself enormous and unlimited power. It is also the only way that the forbidden magic of Alchemy of Souls can be fulfilled without petrifying the soul shifter.
Nak-su, a powerful assassin, while escaping the mages shifts her soul into a weak body of an orphan Mu-deok. While she tries to stay hidden and she must find a way to survive only Jang-uk, one of the descendants of the mages figures out who she really is.
In the last episode of season 1, Jin-Mu tests shaman Choi’s potion on Mu-deok. The potion has the power to hypnotize soul shifter upon the ringing of bells. Jin-mu proceeds to hyponotise Mu-deok, who under the influence of the potion, goes on a rampage killing whoever stands in her way. In such a state, Jin-mu orders Mu-deok to kill Cho Yeon’s father. Park Jin and Songrim chase a hypnotised Mu-deok into the forest where Mu-deok ends up killing Jang-uk and drowns in Gyeongchangdaeho lake as she petrifies. Two unknown figures drag the petrified Mu-deok out of the lake while Jang-uk reborns with the help of the ice stone inside him.
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 follows Jang-uk’s responsibility as the wielder of the ice stone, slaying soul shifters and protecting the people while mourning Mu-deok’s death. Jinyowon and Jin Ho-gyeong’s lost daughter, Jin Bu-yeon returns.
[spoiler end]
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Review
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Review - Is Alchemy of Souls Worth Watching?
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 can be described in one word: underwhelming. Considering the expectations of season 1, season 2 performed quite disappointingly regarding the character arcs and storyline. Considering how anticipated this season was, it did not perform up to expectation. The pacing and tempo of the season 2 is definitely narratively better since season 1 began with a bang, ended with a bang, but it was quite bland most of the times.
However, season 2 lacked in the providing the action and thrill of season 1 until the very end. Firstly because season 2’s emphasis on romance and reconciliation of the two leads, in a way, overpowered the fantasy and action of the show until the climax. Further, Nak-su’s powerful female character in season 2 was also subdued. In season 1 Nak-su, even as Mu-deok, still echoed her strength, power and knowledge which seemed lost in her season 2 version.
Many of the off-shoot character plots of season 1 seemed hurriedly put together by the end of season 2, not to forget that many of the important characters of season 1 such as, Park Jin, did not have much of a role in the second season and only appeared to facilitate the main story arc.
Despite this, the cinematography and special effects remained at par with season one. Alchemy of Souls is an extremely visually appealing kdrama, with great CGI and special effects. The acting skills of the cast is great especially Lee Jae-wook who plays the character of Jang-uk. Jang-uk’s personality change in season 2, post the events of season 1, is quite well-portrayed by Lee Jae-wook, who changes into a completely different version of the bubbly, cheerful, child-like Jang-uk that viewers are familiar with in season 1.
Alchemy of Souls Light and Shadow – JAL Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
All in all, JAL gives Alchemy of Souls season 2 a 3.5 out of 5. Even though the tempo of the show and the unravelling of events is better than season 1, the romance overpowers the show many times. It also feels awkward how fast a mourning and trauma ridden Jang-uk accepts Jin Bu-yeon. Similarly, how the show handles the downfall of the antagonist Jin-mu seems quite anticlimactic.
Let us know how you feel about Alchemy of Souls season 2 in the comments and catch the show on Netflix.
Bridgerton Season 3 Release Date – Are you a fan of the famous Netflix show ‘Bridgerton’? If so, get ready to be excited! It appears that we won’t have to wait much longer for the highly anticipated Bridgerton Season 3. And, if you’re someone who loves a bit of juicy gossip, then you’re in luck, because this update is for you!
In this article, we will be keeping you up-to-date on all the latest news and developments related to ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3. From casting announcements and plot details to release dates, teasers, trailers, and even Instagram posts from the show’s beloved actors – we’ve got you covered. So, be sure to save this article and check back often for the latest updates on your favourite show. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Bridgerton family, and we’re sure you can’t either!
Table of Contents
Is Bridgerton season three confirmed?
Yes!! It is!! On April 13, 2021, Netflix not confirmed the third season for the award-winning show, but a fourth one too. It is indeed announced in typical Bridgerton style – via a letter from the Lady Whistledown herself. The letter read:
Esteemed members of the Ton,
It seems we have a rather special announcement. Bridgerton shall return for seasons three and four. This author shall have to purchase more ink!
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistledown
Everything We Know So Far About Bridgerton Season 3 Release Date, Cast, and Plot
Haha! Excited, Isn’t it? This was reconfirmed again by Shonda Rhimes in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, who revealed that the Bridgerton season three is being written, but didn’t reveal much about the plot, cast, etc. Simon Ashley (Miss Sharma, aka Lady Bridgerton now), has confirmed with Deadline that “We’re going to be back! Kate and Anthony are just getting started”.
Who will be playing the main roles in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3?
Well!! Who else will, other than Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington, aka Lady Whistledown) and Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton). Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s series of eight books, following each of the eight siblings as they find love. The new showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed in an interview with Variety that season 3 is skipping ahead to book 4 and will be focusing on Colin and Pen’s love story. Hence, I am sure they will be the focus of season three. I am not sure about you! But I can’t wait for another season to see some improvements between these two.
Must need to mention this here that their storyline ended in a pretty difficult position in the Bridgerton season 2 after Penelope overheard Colin mocking the idea of a romance with her to his friends. Hence, I am really excited and eager to see how the story is going to start and will travel throughout the season 3.
We will be missing Ruby Stokes, who starred as Francesca Bridgerton for the last two seasons of Bridgerton, who is leaving for a role in another Netflix series – Lockwood & Co. It’s been confirmed that Hannah Dodd (Enola Holmes) will be taking over Ruby Stokes’ role as Francesca Bridgerton
It also seems that Charithra Chandran, who plays Kate’s sister Edwina Sharma, won’t be back for season 3. In a interview with Digital Spy, Charithra said “For Edwina, I’d say she’s not a Bridgerton,” And at the end of the day, the show is about the Bridgerton family. Edwina exists in the Bridger-verse, as we like to say, but I’ve been so happy to be, to have such a great part this season. And I’m just grateful for that.”
We will be also missing Regé-Jean Page (Duke of Hastings). It was announced on April 2, 2021, by Netflix again via a letter from the Lady Whistledown, that Page’s character wouldn’t feature in season two of the hit show, stating: ‘We will miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family.’
The latest news is that there is going to be another cast member who won’t be returning for Bridgerton Series 3 is Phoebe Dynevor, who played Daphne Bridgerton (Duchess of Hastings). She told Variety in January 2023: “Well I did my two seasons. I’ve done what I wanted to do with that character and she had a great arc. If they ask me back in the future, who knows?”
Who are all confirmed in Bridgerton Series 3 Cast?
Here is the list of people who are confirmed and will be part of the Bridgerton season 3 so far.
Nicola Coughlan – Penelope Featherington
Luke Newton – Colin Bridgerton
Claudia Jessie – Eloise Bridgerton
Jonathan Bailey – Anthony, Viscount Bridgerton
Simone Ashley – Viscountess Bridgerton
Adjoa Andoh – Lady Danbury
Golda Rosheuvel – Queen Charlotte
Ruth Gemmell – Lady Violet Bridgerton
Hannah Dodd – Francesca Bridgerton
Luke Thompson – Benedict Bridgerton
Will Tilston – Gregory Bridgerton
Florence Hunt – Hyacinth Bridgerton
Polly Walker – Lady Portia Featherington
Kathryn Drysdale – Madame Genevieve Delacroix
Julie Andrews – the voice of Lady Whistledown
Daniel Francis – Marcus Anderson
Sam Philips – Lord Debling
James Phoon – Harry Dankworth
Will New Characters Be Introduced in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3?
It seems, the new Bridgerton season 3 will include Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis – Stay Close), Lord Debling (Sam Philips – The Crown), and Harry Dankworth (James Phoon).
Is There Any News On the Plot of ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3?
Although the exact plot of the upcoming season is still unknown, just like I’ve mentioned earlier, I am sure the show will run around Pen and Colin. The showrunners have also hinted at what we might expect to see.
Jonathan Bailey has suggested that Season 3 will be “delving deeper into existing relationships” while Phoebe Dynevor has hinted that we may see some of the returning characters embark on new adventures. All I can say that it is going to be an interesting one again!
Does Bridgerton season three have a release date?
Unfortunately, there’s no official release date for Bridgerton series three just yet. It seems that the Bridgerton Season 3 will arrive late 2023 or early 2024.
However we are getting a Bridgerton Prequel – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story which is to be released on May 4, 2023. This period drama is set decades before the events of Bridgerton and centers around Queen Charlotte’s rise to power as well as her early love story with King George III.
Sadly! Nothing yet! Still, there’s the whole of seasons one and two to re-watch again and again on Netflix for the time being just like me. Haha!! I will be adding more Q&As, updates and official announcements in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned and subscribe to our platform to get all the latest updates from us.
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Do you have any questions? Do you have any other updates? if yes, do drop those in the comments section. I will see you in another article. Until then, take care.
Taxi Driver Review: Season 1 – A sleek black premium taxi stops outside a karaoke bar. A woman steps out with an open envelop and enters a room. She presses the numbers written on the envelop. The screen lights up. “Deluxe Taxi by Rainbow Taxi” shows up on screen. An automated voice thanks the woman for opting for their services and proceeds to list the safety precautions. Then, it asks, “If you wish to get your revenge on the people that harassed you, push the blue button on the left. If you don’t want to punish them, push the red button on the right. Please make your choice.”
What would you do if you had a chance to punish the people who wronged you and got away with it? In this Taxi Driver review of season 1, let’s get into why this Kdrama is so popular that unlike the usual tradition of single seasons in Kdrama, Taxi Driver has bagged another season!
TW: Sexual assault, graphic scenes of murder
Taxi Driver Trailer
Taxi Driver is an action-crime Kdrama which premiered on 9th April, 2021 and would go on to become one of the most popular and highly acclaimed kdramas of 2021. Taxi driver’s season 1 finale has achieved the titled of the fourth highest rating in the SBS (channel) history in the Friday-Saturday drama category. The Korean media outlet Dispatch has mentioned that the series has been inspired by various real-life incidents and has incorporated those incidents in the story. Season 2 of Taxi Driver is currently ongoing, it premiered on 17th February, 2023 with new episodes coming out every week on Friday and Saturday KST.
Taxi Driver Review: Season 1 - A Team of Robin Hoods or Mere Criminals?
Taxi Driver revolves Kim Do-gi, the actual taxi driver in question, a former military official who joins a taxi company after the murder of his mother. Now, the interesting bit is that the CEO of the taxi company Jang Sung-chul, is a victim of such crimes as well. He decides to put together a group of such victims in order to provide revenge services to similar people who have been wronged by the loop hopes and incompetence of the judicial system. Together, the group functions as an extra-judicial authority who carry out revenge for their customers, kidnap the culprits and lock them up in an effort to properly “reform” them.
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Taxi Driver Review Season 1 – Is Taxi Driver Kdrama Worth Watching?
The production team of our Korean Taxi Driver took, quite literally, what Martin Scorsese’s Travis Bickle mentions in the 1976 iconic film by the same name:
This city here is like an open sewer, you know, it’s full of filth and scum. Sometimes I can hardly take it. Whatever ever becomes the President should just – really clean it up, know what I mean? Sometimes I go out and I smell it. I get headaches, it’s so bad, you know. It’s like – they just never go away, you know. It’s like I think that the President should clean up this whole mess here. He should flush it down the fuckin’ toilet.
So, it doesn’t come off as a surprise as our team of Korean Robin Hoods decide to do exactly what Bickle suggests. They start cleaning up the filth.
This Kdrama features not only thrilling storyline but also fantastic action sequences. The entire cast has also been praised for their spectacular acting. One of the highlights of the show, that keeps the viewers hooked is the teamwork of the Rainbow Taxi team and the ingenious ways that they come up to reveal and catch the criminals. They disguise themselves, hack into company systems, cameras and escape the police and the government unnoticed. They highlight the loopholes in the system and how criminals run free despite being convicted or live a life without remorse in the prisons while the family of the victims suffer every single day.
This group of Robin Hoods or well, as according to the police and the law, criminals find out ways to catch the culprits who are manage to escape. So, would you call them a team of Robin Hoods or are they just another group of vigilantes?
Something to consider as viewers is that although Taxi Driver is a brilliant thriller to keep you on your toes, it is also one of the dark and extremely violent one. The plot is loosely based on actual crimes and some of these crimes can be triggering for certain viewers. There are also quite a few gory scenes of death and murder. So, this is definitely not a light watch.
Taxi Driver Kdrama: Season 1 – JAL Rating
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Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
JAL gives the Kdrama Taxi Driver a rating of 4.5 out of 5. All in all, Taxi Driver is a must watch for fans of thriller and those who can stomach it. Catch Taxi Driver season 1 on Netflix!
