Loved It

Three things you should know about me: (a) I don't cry while watching movies and tv shows.; (b) I don't clap at the end of the last episode of a tv show; and (c) I rarely ever re-watch a drama. Once Again nearly made a liar out of me with (a) and did with (b). I thought, 'Why am I clapping? I don't clap at the end of dramas.' smh As for (c), well, I could start re-watching right now and I just finished the last episode 5 minutes ago. In other words I truly enjoyed Once Again.

This is a great family drama. The storylines are nothing new. If you even watched soap operas, there's definitely nothing new. The writing had heart though. Lots and lots of heart. It was funny. It was sad. It was annoying and even made me angry from time to time. The writer did a good job with character development. At approx 35 minutes per episode the story moves quickly. The production team did an excellent job at keeping the story fluid.

The cast is fantastic. Honestly, I started the drama because I really like Lee Sang Yeob. Of course I was happy to see a few faces I recognized not just because they've been in dramas I've watched, but because they stood out in dramas I've watched. I loved the bromance(s) between the stunt guys. The 3 child actors were very good as well. Everyone pulled their weight. At no point did it feel like any one actor was being supported by the other actors in the scene. It was truly an ensemble in every sense of the word.

The music was pretty good. I tend not to pay attention to the music unless it annoys me, but I actually liked the themes. I liked everything (ok almost everything) about Once Again, which is why it has a high re-watch value.

In all fairness here are a few cons: (1) continuity. (Oh boy there are some glaring continuity issues, mostly surrounding scenes with food. A sausage re-grew itself. It was almost gone and 2 seconds later it was back. Personally, I wouldn't mind a neverending sausage. ) ; (2) relationship between Ga Hee and Hyo Sin (most probably ship them, but not me. I was happy to see an older women with a younger man as we ALWAYS see the other way. However, it's obvious that she was just lonely and he saw her as the caring mother he wished he had. It would have been more honest if while separated they realized they should just be friends and dated other people.); (3) Jae Seok's fake laugh. (JS is such a great character. I loved him. But that fake laugh was just awkward and annoying.); and (4) food. (OMG will Once Again make you hungry. I wanted fried chicken with every episode. I'm thinking about getting delivery from a Korean place now. Watch it with snacks. Seriously. ) I've tried to think up a 5th con, but I can't.

Obviously my cons don't outweigh the pros. I enjoyed Once Again from episode 1-100 (or 50 as it shows on streaming sites). If you like family dramas, a little mischief, a bit of heartbreak, I think you'd enjoy, too.

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I'm going to try my best not to rave about this comedy. If I fail, sorry. Let me state clearly that it's beyond rare that I give anything all 10s. I mean RARE as in haven't done it in years rare. Is Sound that good? You damn well better believe it. This show is funny. BUT you have to like stupid funny. What I mean is you have to like laughing at things that are so improbable they are hilarious. Liking some toilet or bawdy humor isn't bad either. Remember this was a 15 minute web series. It didn't run on SK tv so they pushed the Korean envelope a bit on things they could and couldn't do and (pretend to) show. As a struggling web artist Jo Seok (portrayed by Lee Kwang Soo) lives at home with his parents and younger brother. The show is about things that happen in his daily life (and to some extent his family's lives) as they all go about their daily routines.

Lee Kwang Soo stood out to me when I first saw him in City Hunter. I don't know why; he just did. He quickly became one of my favorite cast members on Running Man. Since then, I've seen almost all his series and a fair amount of his movies. His acting has gotten better and better. As the lead in Sound, he's perfect. The cast he leads which includes the phenomenal Kim Mi Kyung. (I swear she is the hardest working woman in South Korea) are equally as perfect. This is the odd case where the casting director got it right all the way around. Speaking of RM, ex-RM, Song Joon-Ki is in an episode for maybe 2 minutes. Current member Kim Jong Kook is in another episode for perhaps 10-15 minutes. That brings me to the episodes. The webtoons were 15 minutes. Luckily, I found 30 minute episodes (2 web eps put together of course).

The writing is fantastic. There are some crude scenes (remember that potty humor I mentioned), but don't let that deter you. Those couple of scenes are really setting up something bigger and funnier. WARNING: The funny may sneak up on you. I started watching Sound at work. A scene came out of left field and took me by surprise. I basically holler laughed and had my supervisor at my desk wondering what I was doing. There's very little character development as it's not that kind of a show. There is character familiarity. You get to know these characters quickly as you do if you were just starting to read a comic or watch an animation. Hopefully, there will be more seasons and we'll see them develop.

The music was good... I guess. LOL I remember there was music and it fit well. I didn't find it hokey or silly. Just appropriate.

Overall, I adored The Sound of Your Heart. For me it was the perfect 30 minute nugget to help get me through my days. I've actually watched it twice in less than 2 weeks. I guess the rewatch factor is kind of high, huh? ;-) Mind you, the type of slapsticky comedy might not be for everyone, but you never know until you try.

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Overrated

I feel compelled to write a review for Goblin because I'm finding all the perfect 10s to be misleading and, if I can be honest, completely confounding. Let me first say the best thing about Goblin is the acting. The cast is fantastic. The worst is the age gap. I know most people talk about the age of the actors; however, the issue to those of us that have a problem with the age isn't the actors, it's the characters. The lead female character is a 19 year old girl. The lead male (taking out the fantasy of his living 938 years) is a grown man who appears almost 40. Personally, I find that the Korean's have been dancing too close to the line in the young girls with adult men in dramas for at least a year now and I'm not a fan. They're more daddy issue characters.

There are many times when the relationship between the 2 leads are most like Father & daughter. She speaks to him like a father figure. And he speaks to her as a child. It's off putting when it becomes clear that he has fallen for this high school girl. Part of me believes the part of Kim Shin (the Goblin) was written for a younger man. Considering the life expectancy of the period and his postion, in his late 30s he should have had a wife (and concubines I would guess) and children. I think the character should have been at least 10 years younger (again the 900 years undead aside). The romance of the leads just did not work for me on any level. Conversely, the romance between the supports is a completely different story. It was endearing and very moving. I rooted for them.

The writing was inconsistent. It was great in some parts and just passable in others. Toward the end it almost turned into melodramatic schlock. Goblin works best as a bromance. The scenes between Goblin, Reaper(s), and the male humans were precious golden nuggets to hold onto until the next time 2 or 3 of them were in a scene together. Had the writers held on to that chemistry and nourished it, Goblin would have been much better.

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I liked Sword and Flower aka Blade and Petal, but it's not for everyone. Though the romantic couple were important, romance was not. The driving force in this drama is a combination of revenge, political intrigue, and of course backstabbing. All 3 were done well. There was much about the production including the sword fights that reminded me of a Spaghetti Western or Wuxia series. It was a very good production with few glaringly obvious contiunity problems. I appreciated the cinematography espcially the angles and shots in a few scenes, the staging, and the costuming. The cast is good and solid, Even No Min Woo's (who seriously needs to gain weight) overacting of the crazy was entertaining. I think the supports, especially Choi Min Soo, Kim Sang Ho, and Ohn Joo Wan carried the series. The ending was lacklustre and strange, but appropriate with the somewhat artsy vibe of the series. Admittedly, it should have been different, but I guess they wanted to pay hommage to Shakespeare.

What I didn't like was the romance. The leads weren't charasmatic and lacked chemistry. They both were much better in scenes with other actors. Together, they were annoying. Uhm Tae Woong is a much better actor than what he was in this. They introduced a couple of really great characters in the last few episodes that should have been introduced earlier. The series would have been the better for it. A few scenes could have been a little tighter and crisper.

All in all, I am glad I watched Blade & Petal. I was looking for revenge & fighting and I got it. I would rewatch scenes, but not the entire series. If you read a synopsis and thought it would follow the classic Romeo & Juliet path with romance seeping out of it's pores, go back and read it again because you missed something. If you appreciate a talented cast and good (not great but good) writing, and a production in it's totality, give it a whirl.

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Somewhat disappointing

I've been waiting for this movie since it was announced. I'm a big fan of pirates (blame Robert Louis Stevenson). I love a great swashbuckling adventure. I'm still waiting.

The story was nothing new. In movies and TV pirates seek treasure. That's what they do, so I wasn't expecting much on that front. It's in the telling and what happens from point A to point B that makes the story worthwhile. Given the period, they attempted to bring in something(s) about Goryeo, but I didn't find it particularly interesting or believable. The special effects are great. I can't complain about the production at all. It's the lacklustre script, recycled lines, and all around poor writing that I have an issue with.

The cast was good. Lee Kwang Soo (and to some extinct Kim Sung Oh) may have been cast for comic relief, but Kang Ha Neul was laugh out loud funny. I have much love and respect for Lee, Kim and Kang, but this movie did them no favors. I think all 3 are phenomenal actors, however, LKS and KSO's talents were wasted. It seems to me they only cast LKS due to his betrayer character from Running Man. I wouldn't have blinked had Yoo Jae Suk made some kind of cameo. LKS does really well branching out and getting different roles in movies. My fear is that this one will set him back. KSO was just underutilized from start to finish. The rest of the cast including the female lead was fine.

The music was actually pretty good. It led to the suspense. The rewatch is maybe a 4. I'm not a rewatcher, but this is also had English dubs and I may check it out.

Overall, I would only recommend this to someone looking to pass 2 hours. Or just looking at something they truly don't have to think about. Like I said the effects are very good. And it is an adventure (and a comedy). If I had to compare it to another movie, I'd say Pirates of Penzance minus the singing rather than Pirates of the Caribbean (and it's definitely not Treasure Island). I'd say watch it if you love someone(s) in the cast. Watch it if you're just wanting to watch something. Do not watch it if you're looking for a grand adventure with pirates that look more likely to break out into a jaunty ditty than stab and steal your gold.

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There's A Reason Why 'Crash" Is in the Title

It's been a few days since I watched this and I feel obligated to write an unbiased review as I am not a fan of either lead. I don't dislike them (never even saw the FL before). I just don't follow them. Also, I don't write reviews of a show I'm watching prior to the ending of a drama or movie.

The story is interesting. A star math teacher (Nerds unite! - sorry a star teacher just makes me happy) suffering from his own demons finds comfort first in the food and eventually in the company of a lady that runs a bon chan take out. Unbeknownst to him, murders that are connected to him are being committed. It didn't seem as if the writer knew where he wanted to concentrate or perhaps bit off more than he could chew. The story can't figure out if the main story is this budding romance, the serial killings, or the slice of life storylines surrounding the high school/secondary school aged teens. To be quite frank the SoL is the better of the 3. I don't know if that's the writer's or the director's fault, but the teens were more interesting and developed than their adult counterparts. They were also better cast.

Don't get me wrong. The cast from leads to support were good. I just feel that judging by the age the lead characters were supposed to be, either they and/or their younger selves were miscast. No, I am not a misogynist or an ageist as I was called just for asking how old the characters were supposed to be by a rabid fan. Not only am I female, but I'm in the same age group as the damn lead actress. But I am also honest and I know damn sure that not many 50 year olds can pass for a character in their early 30s. And when I say not many, I mean virtually none. I don't care how many shots the ML gets in his face, he can't pass for early 30s either. If they wanted to hire their leads, they should've altered the script. If not, they should have hired leads that at least looked the part. As for chemistry, there was none between the ML and FL. I have never seen Jung Kyung Ho have chemistry with any romantic character. The only female I've ever seen him have any chemistry with was a friend in Hospital Playlist. He's fantastic with bromances just not romances.

The music was ok. Nothing to write home about. The rewatch value is negative. I wouldn't recommend Crash Course to anyone. If you love mystery thrillers, not only will you guess way before the big reveal, but you will be ticked and underwhelmed by the resolution. Rom Com fans, you can do better. Yes, there were some good scenes, especially in the last episode, just not enough. If you just need to kill time and have watched everything you could possibly watch, then and only then would I say, check out Crash Course.

OK let all the hate comments commence. I won't read any of them anyway.

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I smiled throughout My Roommate Is a Detective. It's a bromance (yea!). It's a romance (eh!). It's a mystery in the most remedial of ways. But damn if it's not just a good watch. Lu Yao ( Hu Yi Tian), a money loving rascal, is recruited by Qiao Chu Sheng (Leon Zhang), a police inspector (once mafia boss) to solve murders. Initially based on money, the 2 develop a friendship and make quite the team. The main cast also includes Shane Yan as Bai You Ning, a reporter at a tabloid and the daughter of the War Lord, Mr. Bai, in charge of the British section of Shanghai.

As I stated the mysteries were remedial. Very little comes in the way of twists and the red herrings were more like pale pink. It was almost like watching an episode of Columbo. You know whoever he bothers is the killer. The who is a given. The how is what it's about. Unlike Columbo there is an underlying mystery/force behind all the other mysteries. The writers skim the political surface of the British annexation, racism, and ruthlessness. I wish they would have delved further. At first I had remind myself that this is Chinese drama and there's only so much one can air. After a couple of episodes the thought never crossed my mind.

The acting was very good. I loved every scene with Hu and Zhang. They had great chemistry. Yan had to be taken with a grain of salt. She is a bully and childish. The character can be great one second and completely annoying the next. Aside from her wardrobe, there was really nothing likable about her. The supporting cast was good. As a whole they were solid.

Let me take a moment to mention the production which was superb. The sets and wardrobe were sublime. Admittedly, I adore the fashion of the 1930's and 40's. The music was also great. I caught 2 modern songs that were out of place. One character was humming a song and a 30s style arrangement of "Dancing In the Streets" was played in a club. It makes me wonder what else I may have missed. The opening and ending titles are extremely good CG accompanied by fantastic songs. The opening theme "Enigma" by Chinese rapper After Thought sets the tone for each episode, while Shu Si Ding's sexy "Awake" leaves you with a sense of wonder.

While I wish the writer was more daring, I did enjoy MRIAD completely from beginning to end. I don't know if I'd ever watch it again, but I'd definitely check out a sequel. I'd like to know what's next for the characters. Overall, I'd give it a 9-9.5.

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Stupidly Entertaining

The title of this review should be Stoopidly Entertaining but most of you would probably just think I couldn't spell. For the 1 person that understands <3. I had not a clue what Zombieverse was when I started it. I read nothing about it. I had a tough day and wasn't feeling well. All I wanted was something to vegetate to so naturally, NETFLIX! First thing I saw was Zombieverse. I laughed and cringed...a lot.

Zombieverse is a variety show. If you've watched Korean varieties like Running Man, Infinite Challenge, The Escape, or more recently, The Zone: Survival Mission, etc, you know they make up scenarios for the cast to act out while accomplishing missions. Almost all of them, especially the ones I mentioned, have had zombie episodes. Zombieverse is one of those zombie episodes/stories turned into an 8 episode series. The premise is 4 celebrities escape Seoul as the Zombie Apocalypse hits. They pick up a few other survivors a long the way as they head out of the city with no particular place to go. Is it too long? Depends on what you're looking for. It was a great length for me. It maybe could've cut an episode, but it didn't put a pall on my enjoyment. The production was good. I appreciated the direction and editing. The quality was above your average variety. I loved how it began. I'm still not sure if the cast knew what they had truly signed up for. Their shock as things transpired seemed a little too real. Admittedly, if you're not a Dr. Noh fan, you probably hated the ending. I think it was leaving things open for a season 2. It also let's you know that the zombies may be evolved and perhaps a little wacky.

The cast was great. I love Noh "Dr. Noh" Hong Chul. I missed him when he left Infinite Challenge. His crazed energy and how others react to it is the stuff of legend. I was surprised to see Lee Si Young in a variety for more than 1 or 2 episodes, but she has established herself as a monster queen with her role in Sweet Home. I don't know much about the others. I've seen most of them before as guests in other shows (some like Na Rae more than others), but that's about it. That being said they were great. From time to time they had a hard time staying in character, which is understandable when you have comedians in the cast doing "their thing". Since they were all playing themselves, they had a little leeway in their behavior and reactions. I now understand Dex's popularity. You want Dex on your side in any apocalypse. At one point I yelled out "Now that's a man!" I also never knew Din Din was funny. With a name like Din Din I don't know how I missed it. The zombies for the most part were great. I felt a little sorry for them when they were on a certain amusement park ride, but I couldn't help but laugh.

The music was supportive. I'd say it was good. Re-watch isn't high, my usual, but it's not low either, especially the ending. It was so silly I watched it twice.

Overall, I liked it. As the title suggests it was stupid and entertaining. It was exactly what I look for in Korean variety to tell you the truth. If you like Korean variety of the type of mentioned, I can't see your not liking this.

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"Who Are You" started off surprisingly well. It came off as a light crime drama with supernatural aspects. The CG and eFx of the apparitions were well done. Unfortunately, writer used the ghost seeing cop as a gimmick instead of an integral part of the show and tool used to solve crimes. Once the apparition of police inspector Lee Hyun Joon (played wonderfully by Kim Jae Wook) hits the screen everything that had previously been set up is thrown out the window. There was no need to place So Yi Hyun's Team Leader Yang in the department she was in or set things in motion they way it was done if they were only going to work on one crime for the most part. It was a waste and a big let down. To be honest I knew whodunit within the first 8 minutes of episode 1 and I knew the big bad the first moment I saw him on screen. In other words the writing nor the story are anything new or special. The mystery and crimes are not well thought out or delivered. What started with great promise, turned into a plain dime a dozen crime story with a bit of ghostly aide.

The main cast was very good. I tend to love Kim Chang Wan, Inspector Choi Moon Shik, in everything he does. He's an entertaining, scene stealing, and versatile actor who never fails me. This was my first time seeing Ok Taec Yeon. He was good. He played his character effortlessly and was very appealing. I even liked So, which is a first. She usually annoys me. Again Kim was excellent. He had very little interaction and because of his character he did most of his acting from the shoulders up. Every movement was done with purpose and it worked. The supports were also well cast.

The music was mostly forgettable and if I ever hear that love song again it'll be too soon.

I will probably never watch this again. I have no reason or wanting to, but it was worth a watch. It could have been much much better, but it also could have been that much worse. I should really give this a 6, but the cast is better than that. Too bad the script wasn't as good.

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Messes With Your Mind In All the Right Ways

Alice In Borderland is a conundrum. It's possibly an isekai (refers to a person(s) who have travelled to another world). It's a mystery and a murder, but not necessarily a murder mystery. At one point it turns into The Lord Of the Flies on acid. It's trippy and a fantastic mind F*&k!

Imagine if one day everyone in your city disappears, but just a handful of individuals. Imagine if you are stuck playing games where losers and quitters die. That's where the cast of AIB find themselves. The series is based off a light novel that I am tempted to look for because I know a lot was left out of this first season. They leave it open for a season 2. The directing and visuals are great, but the acting makes each episode. The actors pulled me into their characters. I began to wonder what I would do. I was even yelling at the screen, "Don't go in there," "Look out," "You know he's crazy, look at 'em!"

The cast is solid. I have never seen any of the leads before. (They've been in dramas I'm interested in, I just can't find subs.) However, I have seen many of the supports before. I watched 2 episodes in English just to see if I could stand it and much to my surprise it was on point. Unlike most of Netflix's English dubs, the timing is well done. I plan to watch it again in English to see if there were clues I missed.

The music supported the action which is why I rated it high. Since I plan to watch in English, the rewatch is obviously high as well.

If you like mysteries, weird stuff, deadly games, then you should watch AIB. If you like isekai anime (or manga), especially ones with players stuck in games, AIB is up your alley. It reminds me of BTOOM! oops sorry drama people! My anime slip showed. Seriously though, in 8 episodes the Japanese told one helluva story. The ride is one that ended too soon. Cross fingers for season 2.

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Chief of Staff is perfect for those who don't need romance or cute little moments ruining (yeah I said ruin) the story. Yes, there is a couple, but their relationship is a thin veil over the rest of the story. Chief of Staff is political intrigue at it's best. There is greed, murder, backstabbing, conniving, and everything else under the sun. Like one of the other reviewers said, it's the perfect adult drama.

The cast led by Lee Jung Jae was impeccable. Shin Min Ah was so good and so far removed from her typical characters that I forgot it was her. If it weren't for her dimples, I would have thought she was someone else. They were good. Everyone was good, but Kim Gab Soo was brillant! He stole the show. He was mesmerizing in every scene. (FYI: Kim plays the President in Designated Survivor 60 Days. I watched them simultaneously and confused myself a few times. LOL)

The incidental music was great. Honestly, I don't remember any songs. I'm sure there was at least one slow song in it, but it was irrelevant.

I finished Chief of Staff 2 the other day and am ready to rewatch both back to back now. How's that for rewatch value?!

If you like political intrigue & murder, Chief of Staff is a great series. You really can't do much better.

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I absolutely adore Ashita no Kita Yoshio. I have recommended it to several drama watchers including a diehard nothing's better than K-dramas person and they all loved it. Your heart can't help, but go out to the affable, down on his luck, curry loving Kita Yoshio played by the wonderful Kohinata Fumiyo. Ashita is brillantly written. I'm sorry, but no one tells a story and makes every moment count like the Japanese especially in 11 episodes. It might be a drama about a 40-something balding guy who plans to commit suicide, but it's life affirming. Yeah the drama may have some flaws here and there, but really who cares. It's a great drama and you do yourself a disservice if you don't watch it.

edit June 2020: Since I first wrote this review, I've rewatched Ashita no Kita Yoshio and fallen for it all over again. Part of me feels as if I should make the review longer, but honestly, it says it all.

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Wasn't Expecting Much & Not Much Is What I Got

First things first, this is my genre. All things supernatural, horror, and psychological thrillers are my jam. They make me happy. Somehow I knew from the trailer that Hellbound wasn't going to make me happy, but like a moth to a flame or a cat to a shiny thing... well you get the picture.

The story had potential. It was obvious from the trailer that the supernatural was going to be on the back burner and the story was going to be more humanistic. It's a slice of life with CG monsters. In a series this short either the story has to develop quickly and you forego character development or your characters have to grow by leaps and bounds. Neither happens in Hellbound. The fault lies squarely on the shoulders of writer/director Yeon Sang Ho. The first 2 or 3 episodes are spent setting us up the characters that disappear by the end of the 3rd episode. You really only know what happens to one. Unless I dozed off, you get no closure on the main character in the first few episodes. I mean none. He's just gone. Then the story jumps 4 years and the 2nd set of characters are tied to the first by the only character from the first 3 episodes to still be around.

The writing was disappointing. I felt like Yeon was trying to preach, but couldn't figure out how to start his sermon. So he floundered, changed his mind, and started again. I don't know if he wanted to take on zealotry and idolatry or religion in general. It really did seem like he was trying to sneak in a message. Yeon also fails at directing. It's a dark series and I don't mean the subject matter. Even when the characters are outside on sunny days, the shots were dreary. We get it. Bad times ahead. Honestly, some scenes reminded me of film school projects. I'm starting to feel the same about Yeon as I do about M. Knight Shymalan, concentrate on the writing son, leave the directing to someone with more talent. Train to Busan may have been a happy accident because of the cast not his talent. But, hey, the visual and sound effects were great!

The cast does a good job with the material given. However, there is no character development. Park Jung Min gave a solid performance. Overall, his character may have been the best written or well rounded followed by Yang Ik Jun's character. Kim Hyun Joo was window dressing. Her character was a caricature of a strong female lead instead of actually being one.

I scored the music high because it does a great job supporting and setting up scenes. The rewatch value is 0. If you have ever read any of my reviews, you know I almost always say I rarely rewatch a drama. I can tell you with absolute certainty that unless inebriated, paid, or under duress I will never watch Hellbound again. Mind you it ends on a cliffhanger so I may watch part 2.

Overall, it's a 5.5- 6.0 primarily because the visual and sound effects and because there is something there. I like the idea of the story but it's just not told very well. I'd only recommend it to die hard supernatural genre fans like myself. For the average viewer I'd say skip it or at least wait to see if there is a season 2 and then watch them together.

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Overall? Just not good

Simply put, Jirisan is a murder mystery with a supernatural twist that takes place on a mountain. However, when Kim Eun Hee is your scriptwriter, nothing is simple. I am a huge, I mean HUGE Kim Eun Hee fan. When I see her name as a screenwriter, I'm watching it no matter what. She has 12 screenwriting credits on MDL and I've seen 11. I love her weird twisty mind. This is why I tried my best to like Jirisan. I went out on several limbs. When I fell off one, I grabbed hold of another, but in the end, I just hit the ground.

For about 10 episodes it was one of the worst mystery and/or supernatural dramas I've ever seen (and trust me I've seen way more than my fair share from around the globe). The mains were boring and flat. The cast seemed bored. Their countenances were flat and disinterested. Honestly, it felt like Jirisan was written by someone else or as if Kim turned in a script she wrote as a project in college. Suddenly, it pivoted and became interesting. It was as if another crew took over production including the script. The cast came to life. The twists and turns seemed to have reason as opposed to a writer who says 'let me just do this to throw them off.' It was actually fun to watch right up until the end of episode 16.

Our leads, Jun Ji Hyun and Joo Ji Hoon, were awful. Simply awful. Their characters were idiotic. I love strong intelligent female leads, but Ji Hyun's Yi Kang was not one. She was needlessly stubborn and wreckless. She angered me in almost every episode. Ji Hoon looked like he was sleepy. Like he was thinking of napping in almost every episode. I don't know if he was filming something else at the same time, but he definitely didn't seem to be getting enough rest. The stellar supporting cast held Jirisan together. Veterans like Song Dong Il and Kim Yong Ok (both of whom I adore) can turn sh*t into sunshine and that is exactly what they did in every scene they were in. Right behind them was Oh Jung Se, one of my favorite scene stealers. If it hadn't been for the 3 of them and a few of the other rangers, I would not have made it to episode 5 let alone 16!

The music was actually pretty good. It went especially well with the cinematography. My rewatch value is less than 0. I'm talking a large negative here. I can guarantee you that I will never voluntarily watch Jirisan (any piece of it) again.

Overall, I can't recommend it. The story isn't told well for more than half the drama. The production is haphazard and lacking. With that being said episodes 10/11-15 are excellent. I won't say they save it, but the saved me from giving a Kim Eun Hee drama 3 stars or less.

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Vivant is a spy thriller that harkens back to the old thriller movies that take place in more than one nation with twists, turns, and intrigue around every corner. It takes place in Japan, Mongolia, and the fictitious Balka, a poor country that's home to one of the world's biggest terrorist organizations, Tent. Agent Nozoki, a Japanese Metro Police's Public Security agent (kind of like the FBI with CIA clout in the USA) stationed in the Balkan Japanese Embassy, gets wind of a possible attack on Japanese soil. Meanwhile, mild mannered businessman Nogi Yusuke gets himself involved as he tries to track down some missing money. The paths of these 2 men cross and become entangled as they both continue their investigations. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Actually, that's pretty much just episode 1, maybe part of 2.

The writing is well done. Toward the end it could've probably been a little tighter (or maybe just less confusing), but everything is explained, except for the very end which leaves it open for a sequel. The cinematography was very good. In my decades of watching Japanese tv, they've never had a show like this. Not that they weren't capable of making one, they just didn't. I think Japan has finally realized there's a global market for things other than anime & manga. I for one am here for it. Let's go!

The cast was stellar. I am a huge fan of Abe Hiroshi (Agent Nozaki). To me he's never better than when he's investigating or being investigated. I'm now a fan of Sakai Masato (Nogi). He was brillant. Meek one minute and kick ass the next. The rest of the cast was also talented, especially Mongolian actor, Barslkhagva Batbold (Balka Police Captain Genghis), who held his own in every scene , especially against Abe; and fan favorite Tomisakae Drum, who played the lovable mute, Drum, Nozaki's assistant who aided him at every turn. I hope to see both of them again.

The music was good, especially the main theme that let you know you were in for an adventure. The re-watch is fairly high, which is something rare for me. I say that because the subs were hit and miss depending on the source. I will probably re-watch to see clues and things I missed.

Was Vivant perfect? Nope. What is? Was it an entertaining watch? Yup! It's a good solid watch for those of us who enjoy spies, thrills, and murder. I recommend getting snacks first because although you can pause, you won't want to.

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