When Fairy Tales Meet Modern Media; Perfectly.

When fairy tales meet modern media perfectly. If that is not a good enough hook then I do not know what is, or if my words will persuade you in any manner more.

I highly recommend this show. Well-written, well-acted and well-produced, this show leaves you craving more. With episodes averaging 77 minutes long, it will not be over quickly. Once you get invested it will keep you on the hook, at least it did to me. This show holds dear to my heart and completely surpirsed me with the level of fantasy, drama, and romance that it encompasses. Not only did it do all that well, but it was all-around a brilliant piece of art produced by modern media. The show enlightens those of the fairy tales and history of the country whilst also encapsulating a sweet and melodramatic romance that leaves your heart aching for more.

'Goblin: The Lonely and Great God' is one of those shows that pop up once in a while that proves the mastery of crafting shows. With such a brilliant cast, story, and production in its belt, it is no surprise that this show was and is a masterpiece. The cinematography along with the soundtrack adds to the beauty of the show. Furthermore, it is no wonder the value and popularity of it, either. It proves the level of craftmanship media production involves and how fairy tales meet modern media in a manner that not only engrosses viewers but enlightens those ignorant of the history and tales of a country.

It proves that any old folktale can be reimagined and adapted to the screen for a wider audience. That with the right people with the right skills at the right time it can produce a work of magic.

The show centres around a girl, Ji Eun Tak, who can see ghosts and is the self-proclaimed 'Goblin's Bride' who can end his eternal existence on Earth. Kim Shin is the god/goblin that became immortal after his tragic demise in Goryeo (where he was an unbeatable general of the military). The Goblin's life remains a bleak existence as he watches all those he retains a relationship with - die, for that is his punishment. The simple task of returning the Goblin to ash by removing the sword turns convoluted and messy with the emotional bond the pair develop. Neither can comprehend the harsh reality that seeks them nor the involvement of past enemies that push them together and make the once-simple task an almost impossibility.

The development of the story and the characters intertwine in a manner that suits the title of a fairy tale. Neither production, writing, or casting of the show was skimped upon - everything was done to an extremely high standard. Along with the side characters, that can often get pushed so far to the side that there is no point in their being, in Golbin that is not the case. We meet three very emotionally empathetic characters that hook the viewer almost as tightly as the main two do; Sunny, Yoo Duk Hwa, and the Grim Reaper. It is the progression of all story beats, minor plots, and the development of the side characters that really step the show up a level.

This show when I first went to put it on was not something I thought was going to be brilliant. I thought it was going to be a bog-standard fantasy/drama/romance like most others you see. After the first episode, I still was not convinced - mainly due to the long length of the show and the slight information dump that it gave. But once I persevered I fell in love with it.

Golbin left me in tears of joy and sadness. It satiated a craving for a good quality romance that I had not been able to find in a long time. If any show deserves blind faith it is this one.

In one word this show is ART. It deserves to be seen even by those who wish to criticise it. I have many bits I could criticise and fault, as with anything. As a writer myself, I can see minor parts that should have been developed and whatnot, but even so, this show was one of the best-written pieces of work I have seen in a long time. It reminds me of why I began writing in the first place and what type of writer I want to be.

So if you have the time or the craving for a good show, give it go. It was the perfect piece of media for me. And it might just be for you as well. You never know until you try.

Tee.

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Corporate Politics: Cover-Ups: Revenge, and Pubs. All ingredients in a surprisingly satisfying show.

*Spoiler Free Section*

Itaewon Class was as someone else put it - trying very hard to be relevant. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. It has seeped into me and has been on the forefront of my mind for the past few days of watching. There were plot twists I didn't expect, there were characters who changed in ways I never thought were possible and there were character archetypes done in a well-rounded manner, one I've rarely seen to this standard. However, I cannot disregard the earlier statement. Yes, it tried very hard to be relevant but I think it worked.

Itaewon Class is a corporate political thriller with a sprinkling of romance, action, drama and bright-coloured lights. Within was a well-balanced cast with great representation. There were a few questionable scenes but overall the show proved to be a great, diverse, well cast well-acted and well-filmed piece of work. I believe that this show will be another that's on the top 10 lists for years to come. And though it is not perfect it is entertaining and enjoyable nonetheless.

The male lead, Park Saeroyi, is an empathetic/morally high kinda character. As we watch him through his life we are attached to his unwavering personality, revengeful dreams, and heartbreaking struggles. The supporting cast of characters is a melting pot of people with their own struggles that found their anchor in Saeroyi. Each one is unique in its own regard and each back story is heartbreaking and heartwarming. I rooted for some whilst I hexed others, and I found myself at the end of the show on teams I never expected I would be on. This show managed to make me doubt my understanding of characters and the written word, some scenes shocked and others were exactly how I would have written them. It was a fun watch and there were times where I was genuinely on the edge of my seat or crying for the characters.

The love V between three of the characters was bitter and annoying at times. At least for me. But it resolved itself sweetly at the end and in a very nice way that will be stuck in my head whenever I write another romance story. It was another blind lead type of romance where everyone else knew his feelings yet he did not know his own, until about 15 hours in... despite that though, it was enjoyable to watch and progress.

I was satisfied with the ending of this show. There are a lot of shows out there with endings that are not satiating. This was one, in my opinion, was not one of them. This show satisfied me and I'm glad it did. Sixteen off hours not wasted. It's a quality show that deserves some hype.

If you enjoyed Uncanny Counter, K2, etc. This may just be right up your street. Give it chance if you need something to watch.





*Spoilers in the form of quotes and rants*

1) The beginning and the last episode. I thoroughly enjoyed the build-up of one scene created in the first episode when Yi-Seo is talking to her councillor and the conversation regarding death between Saeroyi and Yi-Seo comes to light. It's well done as it paints him to be merciless and cold when in reality he is the polar opposite. And when at the end you find out the full conversation it's because both of them have found their true selves and have come to an understanding as we (the audience) have just watched that journey unfold; we now seeing it again highlighted to us. The parallels there work brilliantly.

2) When Yi-Seo and Guen-Soo got kidnapped I was certain he was going to die to save her. I'm actually disappointed that no character died in the last two episodes as it was, in my opinion, a) the right time to have done it and b) kinda implied. Though, Yi-Seo's escape was very fitting with her character, using Guan-Soo.

3) Yi-Seo. I loved her character. 79% chance she is a sociopath. I would have loved her to have had more sociopathic tendencies though and for the writer to have kept on that line a bit more. Not saying she couldn't have loved Saeroyi as that is 100% plausible, I just think more should have occurred. I also loved the scene where she used Guen-Won and recorded his confession. She was the MVP of this show in my opinion.

4) Soo-Ah annoyed me throughout the show. I hated her. Until. She pulled out the evidence against Jangga. Co. I just could not believe that she could work them after what Chairman Jang and Geun-Won did to Mr. Park. I was raging most of the show watching her help Jangga Co. But now, I see it was a brilliant way to blind the viewer to Soo-Ah's true intention of bringing Jangga Co down herself even if that wasn't always the case or was the last resort it was always something she was willing to do. She just needed the right motivator. I thought Saeroyi would have offered her a job, in the end, I think it was a missed opportunity.
Quotes that I enjoyed or thought had significance. (There as translated by Netflix and are likely to be remembered or recorded wrong, my apologies if there are any mistakes). But I like how she ended.

5) Hyun-Yi and Choi and Toni. I like their stories. I can't say much else. I like them.

6) the background love story was sweet! Min-Jung and Byung-Hun. Loved it.

7) Geun-Soo I wanted so badly to have stayed with IC. co and beat his father at his own game alongside Saeroyi, I was completely taken aback by his character development AND how he outed Hyun-Yi. I wanted to hate him but I'm sympathetic.... still annoyed though.

Saeroyi:
'I wanted to live myself without regrets. I regret... I miss you like crazy.' (Parallels between Yi-Seo's dialogue towards him and Searoyi's feelings).
'Am I going to die there? No. I'm going to survive. I'm afraid, if anything happens to Yi-Seo, that I will really be destroyed.'
I'm already happier than I ever imagined I could be.'

Yi-Seo:
'If you die, I'll die.' (Though most of what she said was iconic).

Soo-Ah:
'I thought, as the girl who was never loved by anyone else. That I should at least cherish myself.'

Seung-Kwon:
'I didn't know what those tears meant. But I'm relieved.'

Mr. Park (Saeroyi's father):
'You can overcome anything as long as you're alive.'
'How does it taste?...[sweet] Means you had an impressive day.'

Tee.

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Light-hearted, bubbly and engaging despite the usual clichés!

Contractual marriages? I often wonder if there are enough romance/comedy/dramas that revolve around this trope alone. After encountering a few I can say that 'Hello Mr. Gu' is surprisingly refreshing despite the somewhat heavy clichés dotted throughout the show. It is one of those shows that manages to allow tension to build and be resolved without skipping years into the making.

It cast brilliant actors for well-written, well thought out, roles. Both leads are fun and engaging characters that pull the viewer in. Along with the side characters, this show is engaging and funny. I found the careers and backstories of the characters refreshing and engaging, I was not hooked from the very beginning but after a few episode I couldn't put it down. I found myself in hysterics countless times, having to pause the show to finish laughing before I could continue on. And on other occasions, I was on the edge of my seat wanting to throttle characters that got in the way or did something bothersome.

If you liked 'My Secret Romance' or 'Love Well-Intended' this is another show that will pique your interest and fulfill that craving for another happy romance that takes you through an array of emotions without being heartbreaking or melodramatic.

This is one of those romances that is light-hearted, witty, and engaging despite using a very common cliché - which it did to its advantage.

I would recommend giving this show a watch, with episodes of roughly 30 minutes and 30 episodes in its entirety - you will have another show that can take you into tomorrow's morn laughing. It's not too long and not too short. It was the right length to conclude the problems the main cast encountered whilst also delving into the life of animation producers and comic artists in a manner that makes me respect the artists around me more.

If you need a show that will make you laugh give this a go.

Tee.

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