Perfect Halloween K-Drama!

This is the oldest K-Drama I've seen. My first 90's K-Drama. A psychological sci-fi horror. A love letter to films like Jacob's Ladder and David Cronenberg films, it's hard to believe this B-horror gem aired nearly 30 years ago on Korean television, presumably late at night. If you've never seen a 90's K-Drama, I implore you to check this out. I can say with confidence you've never seen a K-Drama like this. I don't know if this could get made today. It's so unconventional.

I hope we get more 90's K-Dramas going forward as they're the most daring and unconventional. Highest recommendations for the experience.

Lire davantage

Great show!

Just finished Eve on Viki. This is my second my second favorite 2022 K-Drama release after Somebody.

It was everything I hoped it would be. A fast paced, revenge chaebol melodrama with elements of thriller and heartfelt and steamy romance. The main themes are forgiveness and atonement. Very similar to shows like Sky Castle, Mine, The Penthouse, Remarriage & Desires. Whereas some of these shows have twists and turns with random subplots and a change in the show's tone, Eve is more strict. The story never deviates from the main plot or tone and it stays focused on about 6 characters, giving each one their own dimensions. What's also noteworthy is that this maybe the first time I've seen the protagonist of the story be a femme fatale. While this character archetype is normally the villain, the femme fatale here is more of an antihero: you don't agree with all her decisions, but you understand where her grievance is coming from and root for her success.

On a technical level, this show is first class: cinematography, editing, make-up, costume design, interior design are all excellent. While the soundtrack is not memorable, it complements the scenes well.

The show's best asset is Son Yea-Ji's amazing performance. Already doing excellent work in "It's Okay to Not be Okay", she's equally wonderful here: confident, vulnerable, seductive, deceptive, insidious, empathetic and sympathetic and of course, fashionable. There are so many layers to her performance that she chews up every scene she's in. It's my favorite performance by an actress in a K-Drama in 2022. The supporting cast is also great.

While I love all genres, I've become particularly fond of what I call the "chaebol" subgenre in K-Dramas; basically any stories with the rich and powerful at the center of the narrative. In a way, they're like historical dramas with a 21st century twist. Instead of a court lady falling in love with a Joseon king; it's the daughter of a mom and pop shop restaurant falling in love with the heir to a billion dollar conglomerate.

Highly recommended!

Lire davantage