web drama

Work Later, Drink Now S1 (2021)

by maandoe

Profile:
Drama: Work Later, Drink Now (술꾼도시여자들)
Network: TVING
Episodes: 12
Release Date: October 22 – November 26, 2021
Runtime: Friday 16:00

Plot: The story about three friends who love to drink while they go through the joys and pains of life.

Main Cast:
Han Sun Hwa – Han Ji Yeon
Lee Sun Bin – Ahn So Hee
Jung Eun Ji – Kang Ji Goo
Choi Siwon – Kang Buk Gu

Review:
This web drama was a wonderful surprise! The first 3 episodes the girls were drinking so much, I felt drunk just watching them drink and drink and drink. Later on I got so used to them drinking I was numb, and even wanted to join their drinking binge. They drink not just because they love to drink, but it’s also their way of coping with all the pressures and pleasures in life.

Episode 1 captured the 3 characters’ personalities just through their drinking habits. And having Kim Ji Suk cameo was a poor guy who had a blind date with the three girls was perfectly hilarious. Jiyeon is the crazy fun (embarrassing) friend and Sohee is the friend who always have work. It took some time for me to warm up to Jigoo because she is serious and silent but she’s fierce and loyal and will be the first to protect you when needed.

I love (sometime envy) their friendship! They have gone through so much, from heartbreaks, death, work issues, illness and they are always there for each other, no matter what happens or where they are. I would love to always have my fave bar where I can just spend the whole night chilling with my fave people (and the owner lets you close his shop).

I thought the story will be light and fun but their stories just got deeper and serious after each episode. Ep 9-10 were the saddest.

Choi Siwon as Kang Bukgu -just like what Sohee said, I think his character is disgusting but he’s so soft, that you can’t help but like him eventually (he’s addicting and super hot when he finally shaved!). Now if only he stops being a jerk.

I’m looking forward to season 2 because I want to know more of their stories (past and future)! I hope we get more scenes with Mr. Nice paper – I think he’s a sweet addition to the crazy group, and will make Jigoo less sad and serious. I want Jiyeon to get well and find a nice guy (not just go flit from one guy to another – she deserves to be loved because she is so sweet and fun). And I want to see more fight/rawr/sweet moments between Bukgu and Sohee!

Rating: 8.5/10

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One Ordinary Day (2021)

by maandoe

Profile:
Drama: One Ordinary Day (어느날)
Network: Coupang Play
Episodes: 8
Release Date: November 27, 2021

Plot: A college student wakes up and finds the girl he spent the night with is dead.

Main Cast:
Cha Seung Won – Shin Joong Han
Kim Soo Hyun – Kim Hyun Soo
Kim Hong Fa – Park Sang Beom
Kim Shin Rok – Ahn Tae Hee

Review:
I almost missed watching this drama because it wasn’t hyped by people, but I’m glad I did because this was a great drama! I loved the transformation of Hyunsoo from being a naive college student to a man forced to grow up fast in order to survive. Hyunsoo didn’t say much throughout the drama but you can feel his desperation and loneliness though his eyes and his tears (although sometimes the crying was OA).

I love Shin Joong Han. He really tried his best to defend Hyunsoo, it’s just that police and prosecution already made up their minds and it’s hard to investigate all the possible suspects alone In just a short time. Still he was able to do it. Better late than never. I wish he finds a magic solution that will cure his atopic dermatitis!

I hated the prosecutor and chief of police! I know they really thought they had the right person and I’m glad they still had a conscience and let Hyunsoo go. What I didn’t like was they made it seem like they were the one who investigated and found the killer and didn’t even apologize to Hyunsoo. One got promoted, the other got an honorary retirement. How about Hyunsoo and his family? How can they move on after this? How about Joong Han who was the only one who believed in Hyunsoo and sought justice? He is still stuck in the same 3rd rate position (although I’m sure he will continue fighting for justice).

Do Ji Tae was such a memorable character! He was so hot lol and was almost like a mentor to Hyunsoo. The ongoing fight with Dooshik was repetitive but was shocked with what happened in the end!! I almost thought that Hyunsoo might takeover from Do Ji Tae and be the new lion of northern prison.

I didn’t watch the BBC drama so I don’t know how closely they followed it and if the ending is the same. I don’t think he jumped, I think he spent the day thinking about his life and what to do now. Can he resume being a normal college student? Did Do Ji Tae’s death left a big impression on him? Will he follow Joong Han and become a lawyer defending innocent people like him? The possibilities are endless. Again he didn’t speak much so we don’t really know what he’s thinking. I’d like to believe he will come out of this a better stronger person and less naive.

I saw that BBC had two seasons. Hope there will be S2 with Kim Yoo Jung (though not sure if she is really ready to do something different than her usual sageuks)!

Rating: 9/10


Scripting Your Destiny (2021)

by maandoe

Profile
Drama: Scripting Your Destiny (당신의 운명을 쓰고 있습니다)
Network: TVING
Episodes: 10
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Runtime: Friday 16:00
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot
A diety of destiny falls in love with a human.

Main Cast
Ki Do Hoon – Shin Ha Yoon
Jeon So Nee – Go Chae Kyung
Park Sang Nam – Myung
Kim Woo Seok – Jung Bareum
Kal So Won – Sam Shin
So Hee Jung – Mi Soon

Review:
Here’s my podcast link:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CA2M7dlZIGFbTOYzhAbe3?si=uCQuTVB9QQmHFo2KafT-ow&dl_branch=1

This is a short web drama (10 eps at 25mins each) so the story is fast paced. We don’t get the full setup of the characters or the god of diety rules but enough to understand the story. The plot is interesting, actually I feel like the material is good enough for a full fledged drama. However, because the story is so short, there is not much time for the viewers to really think of the main theme of the story or how it really translated in the execution of the story. I honestly wasn’t sure how I feel about the destiny written by god should be followed versus this is your life, you make your own choices (aka free will).

I mean, I love Hayoon and Chae Kyung. Somehow they’re destined to be with each other, that’s why they keep meeting so many times. But who wrote it so as Chae Kyung will be destined to be with Hayoon (was it Myung who was in-charge in writing Chae Kyung’s life)? But why would you do that knowing full well that Hayoon is a god and you can’t pair a god with a human because as soon as the god feels human emotions, he disappears? It’s just so cruel, not just to Hayoon but also to Chae Kyung who will have to suffer that same fate and most likely stay forever alone in her lifetime.

The ending wasn’t satisfying. *Spoilers ahead*

I thought it could have ended at ep 9 and I would be happy. Because that’s what we were made to understand. That as soon as Hayoon feels emotions, he will disappear, and dieties are only given 3 chances then they disappear forever. If that’s the case, what the heck happened in episode 10??? Hayoon is back with no memory of Chae Kyung, he is now Myung, leading the newbie dieties. He ends up meeting her again (Chae Kyung wished for it) it was weird, like we’re back to square 1. Are they going to repeat the cycle forever? See how awful that is? Hayoon even said I may not remember you but I hope she never forgets him! So selfish!!!

They also sometimes bend the rules of diety elimination to suit the story. There was one diety who disappeared as soon as he defended a human but it took some time for Hayoon to disappear. He even kissed Chaekyung, they hugged etc and he was able to say goodbye to her. Plus, why does Hayoon get to be back on earth as a diety while Myung disappears because he altered the will of life? And Sam shin went to school to meet with the cutie student, why is she still on earth?

Lastly, why do they have to make Chaekyung wear ugly curly hair?? It doesn’t even impact the story or her character other than make her look different from high school.

Rating: 8/10 (8.5 upto episode 9 minus 0.5 for the terrible ending)


One Sunny Day (2014)

by maandoe

One_Sunny_Day_(좋은_날)

Profile
Drama: One Sunny Day (좋은 날)
Network: LINE TV (Web drama)
Date: December 19, 2014 – January 2015
No. of episodes: 10

Plot
The story is about a guy and a girl who met in Jeju Island while on a business trip. They both got robbed and guy ended up staying at a guest house together and depending on each other (he lost his wallet, she lost her phone). They slowly fall in love as they stayed in Jeju Island, but what happens when they go back to Seoul?

Cast
So Ji Sub – Kim Ji-ho
Kim Ji won – Girl

Review
Oh, what a cute and warm drama! I can’t believe Ji won was only 22 when she filmed this drama. They looked so good together, considering SJS is way older than her. (Either she looks old or he looks young!) The story was very simple and could happen to anyone, that’s why it felt so real and relatable. Each episode was only around 10 mins so this was so easy to watch, and yet it felt complete and unrushed (maybe because 10 mins x 10 episodes almost felt like just watching a movie). I love both of them, they argued at the start but they quickly became friends and were attracted to each other. I like how they did not rush the romance, but showed us how they slowly fell in love that you can’t help but root for them to be together. I also love the OST. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, try this web drama!