Cruel Mrs Ae Ran (2023)

LOVED IT...until the end

Before I start let me say this is not a comedy.. It's more of a dramedy. It's good, but f you're looking for laughs, this isn't the show you want. Cold Blooded Intern has a very interesting story driver. Personally, I enjoy seeing social issues. I find it interesting seeing socio-political views and policies of other nations, especially ones I've never visited. CBI takes on maternity leave and working mothers. Honestly, I get angry a lot in Asian dramas when I see women forced out of the workforce just because they're married and/or a mother. While CBI doesn't delve deep into the topic (the episodes are only 39 minutes), it gives the viewer a clear picture of the trials women and some men may go through.

Go Hae Ra played by Ra Mi Ran is returning to the workforce after a 7 year absence now that her daughter is 12 years old. She's met with ageism at every door. After running into an old colleague during an interview she's given a chance with strings at Market House. The story revolves around Go Intern and how she maneuvers at work while juggling her home life (to a point). The writing is passable, not good nor bad. The writing excelled in small light hearted scenes. It has good pacing up until the end where it seems rushed. One of the subplots dealing with our MC's husband never gets resolved. They take us up to the door only to slam it in our faces. The rest of production is solid from directing to cinematography.

The cast sells CBI. Ra is perfect as Go Hae Ra. She's likable and dogged, which is a character archetype she seems to do very well. Um Ji Won plays Choi Ji Won our co-MC and she does effortlessly. Honestly, I didn't like her writing much. She was too one dimensional compared to other characters. However, Uhm pulls it off and makes the writing seem better than it was. Actually, the entire cast makes the writing seem good, which is a testament to how good they were. The scenes between Go Hae Ra's husband (played by Lee Jung Hyuk) and daughter (Kim Min Seo) were fantastic. The 2 had chemistry like a real father and daughter. The supports were all very good especially Kim Im Kwon (Go Hae Ra's boss) and scene stealing expert Kim Won Hae, who I thought had turned down his scene stealing ways until turning it up in his last scene.

The music was pretty good. I liked the ending theme. I rarely re-watch, but if there is a season 2 I may watch the last 3 or 4 to jog my memory.

Overall, Cold Blooded Intern is good. Like I said the cast sells all 12 episodes. It's marathon worthy. It has some great scenes and some that make you scratch your head. It does have light hearted scenes that may make you smile, but you may also find yourself muttering why to yourself. It has it's issues and the end made me want to strangle the writer, but it's entertaining nonetheless. It's greater than the sum of it's parts. Score: 7.5 up to 8

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a refreshing and inspiring drama that tackles important workplace issues

it is a drama that delves into the struggles faced by women in the workforce, shedding light on the challenges they encounter after becoming mothers. The initial episodes are compelling and resonate deeply with viewers who can relate to the unjust treatment of female employees who choose to balance work and motherhood. While it effectively captures the challenges faced by working mothers, some aspects of the story could have been better developed for a more satisfying viewing experience.
The characters were portrayed exceptionally well by the talented actresses, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Their performances added a layer of realism and emotional resonance to the drama, making it more engaging for the audience.

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