Perfectly imperfect.

I am blown away. I’m not sure if it was because I knew nothing about the film or didn’t know what to expect, but what I found was a true gem.

Us and Them is a bittersweet decades long romance about two people meant for each other but can’t seem to find the way to figure out how to be together and achieve their dreams at the same time. Yes, this is a story of young love but it’s also a story about family and those people who we choose to be part of our lives that changes us forever.

This film is also the directorial debut of Rene Liu, a singer-songwriter-actress from Taiwan. It’s hard to believe this is her first time behind the camera because she manages to tell a multilayered story, of everyday normal people, and the complexity of their relationships with amazing ease.

It helps that film counts with the participation of two of Asia’s raising stars, Jing Boran and Zhou Dongyu, and veteran chinese actor Tian Zhuangzhuang.

While Jing and Zhou bring out the most passionate and restlessness feelings of youth, it’s on Tian to be the steady and unyielding presence of family love. The three managed it with such a deep understating of who their characters are that you can’t help but feel connected to what they are going through.

I don’t want to tell you more because the movie is told in a way, going back and forth through time, where you are trying to figure out how this love story ends until the very last minute. I highly recommend everyone to watch this beautiful story, I promise you will enjoy every minute of it.

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Long live the sisterhood!

I have started watching the chinese drama Ode To Joy because I heard a lot of good things about it and I was curious as to how they would represent a show with five leading ladies. Especially because in the past I have come across some really silly, self-centered, only seen by her parents as marriage material or man-dependent women characters in chinese television. Of course none of this wouldn’t be a problem for me if such woman has an actual storyline that defines her beyond her romantic interest but that was not the case. So, I approached Ode to Joy carefully but hopeful because the whole premise of the show is that this is a story about five strong-willed and independent women making their way trough the world on their own terms.

Our story takes place in Shanghai and Ode to Joy is an apartment complex. Floor 22 has five residents: ANDIE, a smart and aloof business woman. Next door there is FAN, YING YING and GUAN sharing the space. And at the end of hallway lives spitfire XIAO XIAO. These are our leading ladies, they could not be more different from each other, and yet due to a elevator malfunction and shared loneliness, the five quickly form a bond that takes them from acquaintances to sisters.

The reason behind why I chose to write this review from episode 01 to 16 is because up until now there has been no romantic entanglements. Sure, there was that one nasty boyfriend but it was only a plot devise in order to push the friendship between the ladies to grow even stronger. And I can really appreciate a show that takes it’s time building up the friendship between women and trying to make us understand who these people are, instead of throwing us into a full-time romance from the set-go. This way we get to know our characters and fully understand their actions, their motivations, ambitions and dreams. On this the show has a slow pace but there’s always something happening, leading up to a storyline that eventually will play a bigger part in the life of one of the girls and by association on the others.

ANDIE (Liu Tao) has a very interesting storyline. Owner of apartment 2201, Columbia graduate and Wall Street genius, she couldn’t do better professionally. But we slowly find out she doesn’t like to to touch, and this social anxiety has crippled her in more than one way when it comes to building human relationships outside and inside the office. Until her neighbors come into he scene, her only friend is TAN (Jing Dong), who also happens to be her boss and is helping her find her brother who she lost touch with after they were both sent to an orphanage at a very young age.

But Andie also has an online friend, who she finally meets at one point between episode 5 and 10, and so we are introduced to who is probably the first real romantic interest of the show. WEI (Ding Yong Dai) is a middle aged man who so far has been trying to gently break down Andie’s walls in order to get her heart. Is she interested? She cares for him, sure, but she has her reservations and I think she’s right to have them. It could be due to her fear but it could also be her instinct telling her something is off about Wei.

Personally I don’t know if this character is truly sincere with her, and very much like Andie, I find myself doubting him. It feels like we are not getting the entire story and something will go wrong any minute.

FAN (Jiang Xin) works on the HR department of a big company. She is a good person with those she cares about, she also has a lot of experience on life and with people so she actually gives excellent advice to her friends on floor 22. But, at the same time, she’s also very interested in getting married to a rich man in order to achieve her dream of ending all kind economical struggles. My first impression, and I am going to be completely honest, was that she is a gold digger but the show slowly let me see through her and understand that she doesn’t want to a kept woman, she wants someone to share her burdens and struggles with. But she is going for the wallet instead of good intentions or heart, judging men for what they wear or the kind of car they drive. I can understand what her character is trying to say: having money makes life easier, and to a point, in we are being completely real, she might be right. When you don’t have to worry about things like getting enough money for rent, groceries and such, it leaves time to enjoy the things you like and give yourself presents. But is the way she’s going about it that is worrisome.

I’m particularly looking forward to see the development of her friendship with WAN (Zhang Lu), the owner of a small company and her former classmate who just moved to Shanghai in order to expand his business. It’s clear he is very much interested and she is letting him believe he’s got a chance, I wonder if it’s true or if there are other intentions.

GUAN (Yang Zi) unlike the other two is a recent collage graduate who moved to Shanghai in order to pursue a career. She’s probably the most introverted and soft-spoken of the girls, slowly trying to push through in a job she doesn’t like at all and in which she has to work overtime almost every day. Even though Guan is very capable and I’m sure she would do just fine on any job, she cares deeply about what her parents think of her and this, I’m guessing, will be a important point in her story. They are the reason why she choose this particular job and this particular company. Her father wants her to work at a big city and a big company in order for her to gain life experience, on the other hand, Mom wants her to comeback home, get a easy job and get married. On this, I agree with Dad since she is indeed rather green on life and job to the point of not knowing much about human dynamics or realizing when someone is giving her attentions in a special way. Guan has taken Andie as her role model and with he advice of Fan, you can already see her slowly growing into an amazing, caring and smart young lady. Looking forward to the day she actually gets to work on something she likes.

YING YING (Qiao Xin) is the most naive to the point I sometimes wonder if she’s not plain dumb but then BAM! she surprises me with a smart move and then I have to apologize to her character because she did so well. Doesn’t mean she won’t screw up again, this character is the kind that learns through crashing and burning which -as you can imagine- can be quite frustrating but her innocent personality makes up for it. I would say she will have a lot of growing up to do through the entire season in all aspects of life.

Finally, but not least important, we have XIAO XIAO (Wang Ziwen) who has recently came back from studying abroad (she was actually partying) under the request of her mother. Turns out Mom is afraid her father will name Xiao Xiao’s half brother the heir of the company. Yeah, she’s rich, well connected and crafty. Her story doesn’t concentrate much in the family drama, tough, it centers around how she’s building up her reputation as a business woman who is capable of taking the lead in her father’s company if ever needed to. But to be completely honest I’m not even sure if she truly wants to inherit he father’s company… I’m not even sure if she wants to work at all. It feels more like “business” is the only language her family understands, so she communicates her worries and desires in a business like manner, and making strategies to look good in front of her parents. Is she a fake? No, I don’t think she knows how to properly express herself when it comes to the people she loves and it’s only until you get to know her that you understand how caring she is for everyone.

I’m really excited about the new romantic storyline she’s starting because I want to see more personal development from her, apart from the sisterhood, and a romance with DR ZHAO (Wang Kai) seems like exactly what she needs. He takes no BS from anyone and she is full of it.

Overall and so far, Ode to Joy is a really good show with strong storylines and characters, and a slow pace where you learn something new with every episode. Like peeling an onion, one layer at a time.

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This isn’t the first Korean period drama to depict a commoner with a particular set of skills gaining intimate access to the royal circle, only to become a pawn in a web of murderous court intrigue. But “The Royal Tailor” stands out with its attention to technical details, conveying beauty in an especially tactile way.

The first half to the story is light-hearted and plays fast and loose with history, devising sights gags to send up Joseon fashion crimes like shoulder pads, push-up bras and platform shoes, which are amusingly anachronistic. But the scenes also serve to paint commoner Kong-jin’s personality in vibrant strokes, such as his preference for the company of gisaeng, who model his provocative designs with sexual confidence, to his habit of hobnobbing with high-ranking snobs.

Meanwhile, Dol-suk is the hands-on artisan who excels at embroidery. He too is from humble origins but has managed through hard work to achieve the title of Royal Tailor, being in charge of making the clothes for the King and Queen, and some nobleman when their highnesses want to give them gifts. Dol-suk is also a few months away from becoming a nobleman himself, this is a very important point for what’s coming in the second half of the story.

Kong-jin, being able to work for commoners, is quickly recognized as the quintessential artist, experimenting with shapes and forms, and drawing inspiration from such mundance objects as a wine jar. His consciousness of style as an individualist statement is epitomized by his habit of burning his logo onto his costumes, the Joseon version of a fashion label.

And the rivalry between the two tailors is loaded with class implications; appalled by Kong-jin’s out-there designs, a nobleman proclaims, “A garment should reflect social status and rules,” echoing the law of the period that prescribes, legally, what each class can wear. While buttressing the hierarchical system, Dol-suk is ironically its victim, barred from donning any of the fancy clothes he makes.

A serie of events leads to Kong-jin entering the palace in order to repair his majesty’s clothes and he soon becomes enamored with the Queen, a breathtaking beauty rumored to be untouched by the king since their wedding night. Kong-jin’s intentions are pure: he wants the Queen to be happy, and she wants the King. So, he embarks in a Joseon make-over the turns more than one head and cuts some others because nothing it’s simple inside the Palace, and getting the attention of the King is of out most importance.

The complexity of the relationships between the four main characters, played effortlessly amazing by Han Suk Kyu, Go Soo, Park Shin hye and Yoo Yeon seok, is one of the many aspects of why this film is a must watch. The pretty clothes are breathtaking but the people wearing them do it in such a manner that’s impossible to take your eyes away. Each movement, color and embroidery has a meaning for the story.

I highly recommend it!

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A great romcom!

Sometimes, when I am having a bad day, I watch this film. It helps that rom-coms are my crack and I absolutely adore this cast.

Most of the story takes place in the span of one day and on the road. Bae Soo-jung (Moon Chae-won) is the team leader for a cosmetics company and in order to get a prime location at the department store display, she needs to secure basketball star Kang Jing-chul as the company’s brand ambassador. Sadly, the sportsman isn’t anywhere to be find and with his grandfather recently passing away, people are speculating he might have returned to his hometown: Busan. Soo-jung has no other option but the hop in the train and try to find him.

Kim Jae-hyun (Yoo Yeon-seok) is a successful sports agent and all around man about town. Always with a ready smile and a pretty girl at his side. Jae-hyun has spent the last few months in talks with Jing-chul, his former underclassman from school, trying to convince him to join the NBA. However, Jin-chul is not interested and time is running out for the signing of the contract, so Jae-hyun has to take the train to Busan in order to find him and convince him to sign.

As destiny will have it, Soo-jung and Jae-hyun -who are looking for the same person- end up sitting next to each other in the train. Hilarity and romance ensues.

This is a light rom-com, with some really lovely scenes and other times funny moments that will make you laugh out loud. The chemistry between Yoo Yeon-seok and Moon Chae-won is really good and I really like the way they portray their characters. At first glance, you would think they have most of their respective lives figured out but soon you see there’s more than meets the eye.

For example, Soo-jung is not so put together as she appears and I like that once she’s sure of something, she’s a woman who is not afraid to make things happen. Whatever that might be or where it might lead. On the other hand, Jae-hyun might have all the tendencies of a player but as the movie helps us get to know him, you can see that he actually takes his life and work very seriously. That he’s actually a responsible man that does the right thing when it calls for.

Some of the conversations about love, sex and relationships that the two of them have are very interesting, sometimes showing the more traditional point of views of female vs. male but other times showing something different.

We all know how the story ends, of course, it doesn’t change the fact that watching Yoo Yeon-seok as a cheeky playboy flirting with Moon Chae-won, who can win over the most cold heart, is a lot of fun.

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I highly recommend it!

Upcoming Summer is not love story but a story about love. The film touches on themes like learning to be brave by accepting life’s difficult realities. Through their friendship Chen Chen and Zheng mature and are left to explore the people they want to be as they grow into adults.

I really like this film and I recommend it. It’s fun, endearing and touching. Wu Lei and Zhang Zifeng deliver really good performances and have great chemistry with each other, and the rest of the cast. The story has a few twists that I know have caused some buzz in China but I personally found it to be beautiful.

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A consistent drama

Doctor Slump has a good start focusing on what hustle culture and burnout does to the mental health of a professional who is used to be outstanding and has found a wall they can't pass by. I found this storyline, regarding Park Shin Hye's character, the most engaging and I think she delivered a really solid portrayal of a person living with a depression diagnosis and going totally under the radar. We usually wonder how people get to a certain point in life and if her character hadn't been able to ask for help, one would have to wonder if her story might have been different.

On the other hand, Park Hyun Shik's character takes a more conventional arc that we are used to see in this kind of dramas: the hot shot doctor who finds himself abandoned by everyone, except this story finds way to give us glimpses at this life and how utterly lonely it has been. Almost alienated and finding a difficult time to make real connections. His downfall, I think, it's a blessing in disguise because he finds himself with the possibility of exploring other ways to form lasting relationships.

The two main characters are the perfect fold of each other and their arc together it's very endearing to watch. Going from childhood rivals, to comrades in sadness, friends and finally falling in love with each other. They have seen themselves and the other in their worst and find a way to hold up each other, only like a true friend can. And that's why they are so darn cute to watch.

There are other characters dealing with certain social status and mental health issues but theirs are never properly developed until the last minute, which is a shame because it would have given one particular character a much more nuanced story.

This is when I have to admit the story fizzles a little when it moves away from its original premise and goes into other genres that, sure, made for an interesting watch but ultimately fell flat.

Nevertheless, Doctor Slump manages to maintain the viewer entertained for its entire run thanks to the great chemistry between all the characters.

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The friends we make along the way.

I was fully expecting an office romance but I found so much more, as a matter of fact, this aspect of the drama takes a step back and portrays a more real and nuanced reality about how corporate South Korea operates. I was pleasantly surprised.

If I had to pick a genre for this drama, instead of office drama, I would go with slice of life instead because -at the end of the day- that's what it is. A portrait of adulthood and what's the best way to move through the world for each character. That happen to work for a big company.

The dynamics between the characters never get melodramatic or borderline makjang, instead we are presented people with different ambitions, social status, experiences. And they all merge in their common goal.

I really liked the friendship aspect of this drama, it is portrayed in a very mature and wholesome way, among people of the same age but also among different generations. They communicate with each other properly and respect what the other is working towards in their respective personal and professional lives. Even when they have their differences, they still are there for each other through everything.

Another highlight of the drama was the second female lead, portrayed by Moon Soo Ri, who is levelheaded, kind and humble. Her story arc was really fascinating to see develop in the screen as we think, at first, she's a woman who puts ambition before anything but by the end of the drama we can see there's more her decisions.

Technically speaking, the drama also excelled with the color palette chosen for each location/set and visually deliver what the characters are going through. A very nice complement to the solid acting given by everyone on this show.

If you are interested in dramas of these characteristics, I think RACE might be for you.

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Good start, bad execution

This drama started strong but the development was weak and convoluted. It also dragged way too much certain revelations that would have made the main characters more interesting and motivated to take down the big bad.

For a cast of this caliber, I am shocked at the material they were given. These are actors I have been following for years and the performances were all over the place, lacking consistency but this is mainly because of the script. I am not sure the screenwriter knew what story wanted to tell or if they bit off more than they can chew.

Overall it's not necessarily a bad drama but it is a waster opportunity for sure.

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Good start but fail execution

Beauty Newbie had a promising beginning but was hindered by poor execution as it progressed. It didn’t truly satisfy me in its character development nor resolution.

It’s impossible to not compare it the original, which has plenty of iconic and infuriating moments. The Korean ver was more scathing on the misogyny and sexism. Females had agency. In this version, so far, the situations are frustrating at best and leading man is doing too much saving in my opinion.

I know some of the actors from other projects and I find these performances weak. I think it’s a problem with the script and directing more than anything else.

I was hoping for something better from this project.

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Ballet about obsession

This drama special follows the lives of a group of teens that have dedicated their entire lives to ballet, perhaps for the wrong reasons and they need to figure out if what they have been doing is right. I mostly think not. These kids are living a highly cut through environment, despite growing together they are not friends and rather see each other as competition and are willing to go as far as to use a person's weak spot in order to move up instead of relying on their talent.

You will see very little actual dancing in this drama since its story follows more the mental state of the dancers rather than their talent, and that's the entire point of the story. These kids rather play mind games that competing fairly or take a moment to realize their own value. There's no self love in this story.

I thought this was a very well done drama about the fragility of a person's mind when they alienated themselves. The solid performances help get the message across, particularly Hong Seo Hee and Kim Min Chul.

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Stark portrayal of poverty based discrimination

In this Parasite coded drama special we can see a first hand a bleak and bitter story of a young university man struggling with poverty and the toll it takes on his mental health.

There are several recurring elements in the story that portray the power dynamics between the lead and how society views him. People usually talk over him and don't listen to him, since for them he's not important enough to take up some or any space but, at the same time, they look down on him in other ways. A classmate interrupts his studio piano time at university (the only instrument he has access to for practice) five minutes earlier than schedule in a demonstration that her time is more important and then, before she can deign to touch the piano, she wipes out everything the lead touched. When he ask for a recommendation letter from one of his professors so he can apply to study abroad she directly questions him whatever he thinks he deserves special treatment because he is poor and ending it with a "poverty isn't a talent".

Discrimination due to poverty is the main recurring theme, no doubt, and the portrayal of the micro-aggressions this kid has to endure at University, from his peers and professors, are absolutely disgusting to watch.

Home life is no better. His deadbeat family is no support system. His biological mother passed away years ago, his stepmother and half-brother demand every penny he gains on his own because of a mistake he made as child, and his father doesn't stand up for him.

This first half of the drama sets up perfectly the constant beating this kid is getting, although not physical, but emotionally and psychologically; and the drama makes it clear from its opening scene he's at a breaking point. The second half of the story is when things go from bad to worse and a series of bad decisions take our lead into an horrifying situation that could easily make this drama special Parasite's little brother. It's clear the actions of this character are not out of malice but out of desperation and a life where he has only known indifference from other people.

Cha Hak Yeon gives an incredible nuance and complex portrayal of a beaten soul descent into desperation. It was heartbreaking, even in his most cut-through moments. I am deeply impressed by his performance.

Stain is a compelling drama special and I recommend it.

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Lighthearted comedy about serious issues

At first hand, Rikokatsu comes across as a lighthearted comedy but I would think it twice before writing it off as just that. Personally, I think this drama presents itself as a easy to watch rom-com but it is full of social commentary about Japan's current situation in relation to their low marriage rates and high divorce rates among older people.

Saki, our leading lady, is a competent fashion magazine editor who comes from a progressive family. Because of this, she's not only committed to her work but values her independence and looks a partner who will respect these attributes. On the opposite side we have Koichi, leading man, who comes from a military family with traditional japanese values. Love triumphs over their differences, at the beginning, but cohabitation makes it impossible to look past some blaring problems in their every day life.

The drama never makes Saki say it out loud but she's clearly a feminist, this is one of the main reasons that catapults the problems in their marriage. Koichi expects from her what his mother did for his father: follow the man's rhythm of life, make all the meals, cleaning, etc. I want to make point out that Koichi it's not misogynist because he does respect Saki and sees her as an equal, in fact, when she calls him out on things he changes his behaviour but it's clear that it never occurred to him that a marriage could look different than the one his parents had. On the other hand, Saki doesn't know how to adapt to some of Koichi needs or behaviour that are absolutely normal as a couple because she's used to her parent's marriage where each person had their own thing to the point of not having family meals together once at home.

I found their situation as a mirror of Japan's society as a whole. Cosmopolitan, interesting, independent but also with a deep rich ancient tradition. These two characteristics seem to complement each other well, at surface level, but the social issues in the country it is proof of the imbalance between the two.

I mentioned that Japan currently has a high divorce rate among older people. Marriages of decades that "suddenly" crumble. Well, both leads' find themselves in the situation of having to deal with their parents' divorces because of all the reasons I wrote about before.

Most of the drama it's about a couple finding a balance and accepting there's not one way to be a family. That marriage can look very different according to the needs of the two people involved in the relationship.

Technically speaking Rikokatsu it's really good. The cinematography really beautiful and camera work a mix of traditional and more dynamic. The performances are really good from all the cast. The leads, Kitagawa and Eita, are full of charm and fleshed out their characters in a compelling way. There are no bad guys, just two people trying to figure out life.

For all of these, I fully recommend Rikokatsu.

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Perfect marriage

MBC will forever be to me the channel that doesn't do things halfway. They either have awful dramas or really good stories, I am glad to say The Story of Park's Marriage Contract is the latter. Another good example of why 12 episodes long dramas are sometimes better, no time to waste and unnecessary conflicts.

Lee Se Young and Bae In Hyuk gave great chemistry. They delivered solid performances and nuance characters. There is no perfect relationship but the leads of this drama come very close through proper communication, team work and love. Particularly when you take into account there's time traveling and corporate spies trying to take them down.

Joo Hyun Young, Jo Bok Rae and Oh Yu Jin are scene stealers. Every single interaction between each other or the leads is gold comedy with the added attribute that they are actually super cool characters that have full lives, apart from the main story. So, it's interesting to see well developed secondary characters. Same goes for the rest of the cast.

The story per se it's really fun and the mystery well done. Every week, I wanted to a new clue to resolve what was happening but also find out what new adventure leading lady was going to have. Her charm and openness to the world was invigorating. Definitely one of the best characters of 2024.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable story and I recommend it.

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Broken dreams and second chances

In this film about broken dreams and second chances, a professional football player finds himself in a difficult position due to a mix of bad decisions and bad luck. He also has no real support system in his mother (who is on the run for scamming people) and his agency wants him to quit the sport to become a celebrity.

Is in this moment of his life that to rehabilitate his image he is forced to become the coach of a football team conformed by homeless men that will compete on a charity tournament.

Reluctantly, he learns the reasons why these men found themselves living in the streets. Addiction, bad decisions, abandonment, grief, among other motives. What they all have in common is that through this tournament they are looking to become a better version of themselves.

To record every moment of their journey, a documentary director (deep in student debt and stress) needs to find the right angle to have this film be a success for her and them.

It’s through teamwork and sharing their problems, that this team of odd men out find -perhaps for the first time in their lives- a real support system and even a family.

Dream is a solid comedy with really touching moments that brought some tears to my eyes. The film tries to shed some light on current social issues in South Korea through the housing problem these men are going through.

Park Seo Joon gives a good performance going from disheartened to finding a new dream and people to fight for. His chemistry with IU is hilarious to watch as they play entirely platonic teammates throwing jabs at each other, even long after they start to get along.

IU’s character as the documentary director who is forced to believe in herself into success is both fun and oh, so real.

The heart of the film, however, is Heo Joon Seok, whose character never lost hope and fought from beginning to end so the team could achieve their dream. The rest of the actors bring some emotions though the respective stories that makes the comedy more grounded.

Overall, I enjoyed this film.

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