FIRECRACKER!

The Fiery Priest is such a firecraker! There's no dull moment in this one... all 20 episodes of it!
I got curious with this series when Kim Nam Gil won the Daesang award at SBS Drama Awards 2019 beating Lee Seung Gi who I was fangirling with at that time. Little did I know that it would start my Kim Nam Gil obsession! What with his flawless acting, handsome face, long legs and uber interesting personality!
He got me from the very first scene. He was perfect for this role. His comedic timing is never out of place. His emotional scenes are heart wrenching with those eyes that seems to exude all the feelings he doesnt need to say with words. His action scenes are superb with his amazing kicks and stunts he did himself. Watch out for the fight scenes with his bangs falling back into his eyes and youll know what I mean! He deserved all the best actor awards he received for this drama. Its really really good! Jinja!
The storyline, character growth and back stories were so well written that each of them will grow on you... yes, even the bad guys! There are no extras in this series, all the characters from the leads to the supporting roles were each given their time to shine. I laughed hard with all the comedic parts especially the spoof of Mr. Sunshine and Reply 1988. I liked how the funny takes gave the audience a chance to breathe and exhale from the well choreographed action and devastating emotional scenes. As a catholic myself, I felt Father Kim's frustration against fighting the injustice of society without defying the will of God. I cried when he cried, and felt so proud when he succeeded into changing the people around him without making them do the things they dont want to do. I loved how subtle the life lessons were conveyed yet delivered like a slap to the face. I loved when he said that just like the saints have their past, the sinners have their future. I felt his humanity and faith when on the brink of pulling the trigger he chose to forgive his nemesis not just 7 times but 77 times. I loved that in the end he didnt left the church and stayed true to his character. Theres nothing I didnt like about this series, hey I even loved the soundtrack and will forever feel giddy eveytime I hear that guitar tone theme while Kim Nam Gil enters the scene in slow motion! Along with millions of fans around the world, Im patiently waiting and praying for season 2 😊

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A serial killer after a serial killer!

Just when you thought you know how the story will unfold, you'll get hit with another plot twist! This movie has such a unique storyline that I dont think I have watched anything quite like it. Casting was on point. Kim Nam Gil who drew me to watch this movie was excellent as an antagonist. His acting complemented Sol Kyung Gu almost like a typical love team. Their chemistry on screen was so at par with each other that it carried the movie into a box office hit. I especially love how the ending left me in anguish... did it really ended the way the man with dementia said it did!? Did it!?

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This drama could have had high potential especially with such a unique story line. Good acting from the main cast to the supporting actors. I didnt expect anything less from Kim Nam-Gil's acting especially since I watched this after the Fiery Priest. I wont deny that I kept watching because of him. Sadly though there were episodes that were almost dragging and some scenes that didnt made any sense. How is it ok for a person in need to be pushed away so many times he almost ended up sleeping on the streets and even fed dog food? How did a famous cunning doctor like him suddenly became weak and lets himself be used by those in power? Why did the main characters didnt even say they loved each other not even once? Do the audience really didnt need to hear it? That made the romance somewhat lukewarm for me. The writers made their parting so heart wrenching yet the much awaited after-Joseon-war reunion so cold? I mean, how could they be so calm and not run into each others arms after being apart for sooo long and missing each other everyday? I liked that it was a happy ending but was disappointed that the scene didnt excude love and happiness. Maybe a kiss and some cheesy lines would have made a more lasting impression.

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For me, the series finale is what cemented it into the classic it is today. Shakespeare could not have thought of a more devastating ending. It was tragic and glorious at the same time. And I loved every minute of it.
I'll admit I got interested because I was fangirling with Kim Nam Gil since watching the Fiery Priest. And after reading that his character Bidam was the secret weapon to the success of this drama, I gave it a go. The casting was on point from the leads to the supporting actors. I mean did Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones get any lessons from Lady Misil? I swear they are so similar that I loved to hate them both. The perfect antagonist that would make you shed tears when they die.
And of course there is my tragic, ruthless, cunning, naive yet very clever Bidam. Although he appeared late around episode 20 or so, he stole the show the minute he walked out of a cave, barefoot and dirty, yawning past Deokman and Yusin without a care in the world. Right then I knew why he was the reason the series was extended from 50 to 62 episodes. He was the breath of fresh air that made you step back from the drama and exhale. How dare he look so hot with splashes of blood on his face!? He's so unpredictable that he kills as he pleases and doesnt care about royalty and all that bull. Yet, like a duckling he imprinted onto Deokman and her purpose and dreams became his. Overnight, it seems that he did a 180 degree turn from a carefree swordsman with no allies to a powerful politician backed by equally powerful supporters.
And so the romantic part s-l-o-w-l-y begins.
Deokman and Bidam met at a point where both their lives where in a mess. Maybe the reason why they found comfort in each other. Deokman took her sweet time choosing between Yusin and Bidam, but when she did, oh my poor Bi-Deok heart! How can a romantic scene be so emotionally charged with just a look, a smile and a hug!? I was so proud when Bidam finally won the Queen's heart. I was screaming with joy when she confessed she loved him and eventually announced their engagement. You'd know theyre destined for tragedy with their family background and all and yet you cant help but hope and pray that they will finally get their happy ending.
I found myself mentally preparing for the finale because I knew it would be a heart wrenching ending. It was sad. So sad. I was already crying the moment Bidam drew his sword to get to his Queen while counting the steps as he get near her. I was sobbing uncontrolably when he fell dead just 5 steps before her after whispering the words she most wanted to hear. I hated Deokman and admired her at the same time. How could she stand watching him die like that? Why did she not fight to save Bidam like she did for Yusin? Why did she gave up on him? But then she suddenly fell right beside him. Looking at his dead, bloody eyes before loosing conciousness and eventually her will to live. Although Im a self confessed sucker for tragic endings, this one is on a different level that it migjt take me a while to move on 😭

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Certified Tearjerker!

I dont think I have ever cried on any movie as much as I did for Pandora. As a sucker for disaster movies, I was prepared to get teary eyed. What I did not expect was that Kim Nam Gil will move me to a sobbing mess by the end of the movie. I felt his anguish, his pain and his fear. And him calling out to his eomma was like a stake to my heart 😭. Seriously, I was still crying even after the movie has ended. It was just so hard to move on...
This may have been the most realistic disaster movie out there. As real as the danger of nuclear power, government corruption and carelessness. As real as the heroism and sense of responsibility of ordinary people in the face of danger. Watch it now and im sure this movie will end up on your fave movie list.

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It will trick you to tears!

I watched this movie with so much expectation from Kim Nam Gil's acting and yes he did not disappoint. Though its a bit hard seeing him die in almost all his projects! 😂
I was surprised that I liked this movie, the storyline may be a bit of cliche but how it unfolds and how it ended made it unique for me. The nudity maybe a bit excessive but I found it essential to the story. The love scene between the two leads was tastefully done and I cant help but feel how much they loved each other. No long dialouges needed, just a touch and a look conveys it all. Read many negative reviews but I think one just needs to let the movie grow on you. Also, Ive read that this movie ranked 8th in movie viewership in Korea for 2008, thats not bad considering how busy their movie industry is. Cant wait to check out the series based on the same book!

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This series cinematography and visuals was what got me hooked. It felt like I was watching a high budget Hollywood production, each episode felt like a movie in itself. Casting was on-point maybe except for Ae-sin who I think have very soft features to be a gun slinging sniper. At times she looks like a teenager who seems out of place in that chaotic Joseon era. The main characters deep and tragic history and development was superb. However, the main fault for me was that having the 3 male leads with such powerful characters go after Ae-sin.
I mean, I get their deep history with her but I feel like a more interesting storylines could have been explored if the plot did not stick to this "love quadrangle" until the very end.
Ae-sin's passiveness and poker face acting just didnt do it for me. There was Hina who was a unique lovable character but Dong-Mae failed to even realize her love for him because he just had to get Ae-sin. I cried so hard when Hina died in Dong-Mae's back while confessing her feelings to him. They were not even given a single day to spend together after she waited for him for 3 years 😭.
The finale made up of the last 2 episodes were just dang good! I mean I have never been satisfied with a kdrama ending like this for a loonggg time. As expected in a war death came and a piece of my heart died with each characters passing. Each death may seem rushed at the end but it was artistic and meaningful and heart wrenching to the core. Ae-sin as the last man standing was as it should be. All in all this is a series definitely worth watching! ❤

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