Tag: review

Familiar Yet Refreshing: 7 Reasons ‘At A Distance, Spring Is Green’ Is The Perfect Watch For K-Drama Fans

I was excited for this drama back when Seo Kang Joon was in the works for a main role. However, as the years passed, I eventually forgot about it. So, when I saw it had begun airing -- with tons of fresh new faces -- I couldn't hit 'play' fast enough. ...And I'm already head-over-heels. … Continue reading Familiar Yet Refreshing: 7 Reasons ‘At A Distance, Spring Is Green’ Is The Perfect Watch For K-Drama Fans →

When Less Is Truly More: ‘Move To Heaven’ And ‘Navillera’ Prove The Best Stories Are Simple

*This post is spoiler-free for both dramas.* Quick caveat: I use the word "simple" several times in this post (and in the title, of course), so allow me to define it by the standards with which I am using it. By "simple," I mean "not complicated." I am not inferring, by any means, that these … Continue reading When Less Is Truly More: ‘Move To Heaven’ And ‘Navillera’ Prove The Best Stories Are Simple →

The Color Of Depression: How ‘Project S: Skate Our Souls’ Uses Color To Depict A Teenager’s Struggle With Mental Health

Project S: Skate Our Souls (hereby known in this post as S.O.S.) is a 2017 Thai drama which presents a poignant story of one teenager's struggle with mental health and the stigma attached to it. S.O.S. is a solid drama overall. The acting is top-notch, the story is bold, and the cinematography is captivating. This … Continue reading The Color Of Depression: How ‘Project S: Skate Our Souls’ Uses Color To Depict A Teenager’s Struggle With Mental Health →

A ‘Derailed’ Review No One Asked For

Thanks to SHINee's recent comeback, I found myself recalling a movie starring Minho that I watched several years ago. And rather than write about a currently-airing drama like a sensible person, I've decided to metaphorically pen this wholesomely unasked-for review of Derailed (2016). Let's start with some things I love about the film: The story … Continue reading A ‘Derailed’ Review No One Asked For →

‘Karamazov No Kyodai’ Review: Rock ‘n’ Roll Meets Dostoyevsky In Japan’s Retelling Of The Grim Russian Tale

Karamazov No Kyodai tells a tale of three brothers who are suddenly summoned to their childhood home that holds nothing but painful memories. When their father is murdered in cold blood, the three of them fall under suspicion. I hesitated before beginning this one because of one reason -- I haven't read the book it … Continue reading ‘Karamazov No Kyodai’ Review: Rock ‘n’ Roll Meets Dostoyevsky In Japan’s Retelling Of The Grim Russian Tale →

Mini Review: Silly Sibling Rivalry Masks Deeper Family Issues In ‘Take My Brother Away’

Netflix's binge-able Mainland Chinese drama Take My Brother Away (2018) tells the story of two squabbling siblings as they navigate school, friendship, and family through the oft-bewildering lens of adolescence. Shi Fen (Joseph Zeng) and Shi Miao (Sun Qian) are brother and sister who live with their well-meaning and loving -- but alcoholic -- father. … Continue reading Mini Review: Silly Sibling Rivalry Masks Deeper Family Issues In ‘Take My Brother Away’ →

Drama Battle: ‘Penthouse’ vs. ‘SKY Castle’ (*Updated*)

*Update as of 6/6/2021: I wrote this post when Penthouse had just begun airing. Some viewers were comparing it (in a negative light) to SKY Castle, so I thought I'd go ahead and write objectively about the similarities and the differences between the dramas. This post is not an in-depth analysis of the two dramas, … Continue reading Drama Battle: ‘Penthouse’ vs. ‘SKY Castle’ (*Updated*) →

Is ‘Extracurricular’ Worth The Hype?: Honest First Impressions Of The Netflix K-Drama

Whatever you're expecting out of Extracurricular, chuck it. This drama will obliterate your expectations as effortlessly as it sucks you into its story. It's deviant, dark, and incredibly addicting. And after getting about halfway through, I realized I have many thoughts on this baby that I need to sort out. So, another session of writing … Continue reading Is ‘Extracurricular’ Worth The Hype?: Honest First Impressions Of The Netflix K-Drama →