So I am not really into writing the reviews although I always feel like saying a lot after finishing every drama I watch, yet Chief Kim is definitely a drama that you can't let away without sharing the emotions you've developed throughout the whole series.
And be ready to read so many things now, because I'm gonna write a lot!

Starting from the story, it's a very intense one in terms of being in Business, Business Ethics, Corporate Politics, and Law & Justice world, since it all starts from that and ends with that.
The story is about a bunch of righteous people who strive to bring justice back in their company, and the whole plot develops around that.
Simply, there are some bad people who need to be put in limits, and there are good people who try to do that, sounds familiar & very typical, huh? I don't think so, it's different here.
It's different because of Chief Kim himself, he brings unexpected ways to solve things, and he - with his very hilarious personality - never fails to make this drama one of a kind.

From the beginning you can feel the changes he's going through, turning from a bad person (not really bad, but reckless& carefree?) to a very good person who fights against injustice with putting his life on the line all the time for the sake of helping others, that quick changing wasn't in a very cheesy and unrealistic way, but it happened very smoothly and genuinely (Shout out to the writer Park Jae-bum). It's obvious that he's a good human (originally) but it was only (covered) beneath Gunsan with its random thugs.. yes, he was (Gunsan's Trash) once & he admits that, proudly hahah XD
I think it was only a matter of time and environment change for him to let that good side to appear, I guess - Thanks to Denmark, LOL

I don't wanna lie, I started watching this drama only because I am a big fan of Nam Goong Min, I did it even without reading anything about the story and the plot. He's a brilliant actor, hands down! but I honestly believe the reason why this drama went this far, is mainly because of him being our Kim Gwajang, his genuine funny moments are so great that you burst in laugh even if he doesn't spell a word, his hilarious facial expressions along with his goofy body language are more than enough to make your day!

Lee Junho - it's my first time to watch him and I'm quite surprised by his talent, Man! He's so into his character that you - for a second - might forget that he's only acting, this guys is genius & genuinely so real.
He made me hate him and love him, sometimes I felt like smashing his face through the screen and sometimes I just stared at him feeling his cuteness, and this, if it indicates to something, then it indicates to the power of acting that Lee Junho has - He's genius.
Seo Yul along with Kim Gwajang- are so attractive with their fancy suits! Man, it was torturing me all the time :"|
They might not have the very perfect features, yet they are so strangely attractive, seductive, and so beautiful - okay I'm crying while writing this :"( - bouchon namja ya, neohui dul da!

Let's talk about their bromance (Sigh)! - from where shall I begin?
The TQ Psycho and his Gluttonous Sociopath!
I was enjoying Lee Dong Wook and Gong Yoo's bromance in Goblin, but Hush!, Kim Gwajang and Seo Yool are much much better in this from its all angles, they're indeed, blending so well together and their chemistry is TOP, totally in another level.
That love-hate relationship with the very naughty kisses from Kim Gwajang and (Jagiya, let's go back to bed?) Lol - were so fun to watch, cute, adorable and so absorbing, especially in the last few episodes, I bet they had so much fun shooting all these scenes - Okay, can we talk about the beginning of the Ep 15? I cried so hard :"(
Anyway, I guarantee you that till the end, this bromance was so satisfying! They definitely deserve the best couple award of the year.
And honestly I am looking forward to seeing more of Lee Junho's, he's a new member of my (To-be-stalked) list! LOL.

The rest of the characters in this drama are great and so well played by the actors and actresses, everyone had to be there and everyone had a fundamental role, they all complemented each other actually.

There are few who really grabbed my attention and I really wish to see them more in some more interesting dramas, Park Myung Seok for example, he's such a cute and irreplaceable addition to this drama, Dang Ho deserves more attention by the drama directors, and I'm quite sure that his performance in Chief Kim will open so many doors for him in the future, well done Dong Ho!
His steadily and logical character development was so cheerful to watch, his Tanzanian accent, his way of imitating his dad's deep voice, all those moments were so well played by his bright acting.

Han Dong Hoon, I liked him and his red head (Cutie, I think), he has an adorable character though he isn't appearing that much there except for the last few episodes, but anyhow, he was a good addition.

Choo Nam Ho, he's a really a fine actor, and I really enjoyed his (father and son) relationship with Kim Gwajang, it was so lovely and adoring to watch them sharing the happy and the hard moments together and being there for each other, I get emotional every time I watch their scenes.

Hmm, I am not really a big fan of the female leads especially Yoon Ha Kyung, I couldn't digest her existence till the end, and I personally didn't find her blending with any of the male leads, and for that reason specifically, I'm so glad that this drama skipped the real romance that most of KDramas deeply engages the audiences in.
Yes, there're some slight romantic moments between Yoon Ha Kyung and Seo Yool, and I think those very light quick moments were more than enough for this serious drama, it was a sweet addition.

The Music is really good and so matching with the story-line, though it was so basic in my opinion, I mean the nature of this drama didn't even require that much attention to its music, the minimal the better, I guess.
"Doragal gireul chatji mothane .. Neomu meolli wabeoryeotdane", the music at the beginning will always remind me of Kim Gwajang's smirking face and the victorious spirit!
Definitely it will also remind me of those good vibes that this drama is all about, it's so energetic and so lively, the lyrics are so beautiful and it uplift your morale no matter what, suits Kim Gwajang's character a lot.
"Will you love me?" is also a good song, pure, sad, and sweet.

Webtoon also adds lots of uniqueness to this drama, it's creative as usual and so entertaining that it made me wait for every episodes' ending just to see what they have created this time, different thing that I've never seen before in KDramas.

Last but not least, if I could summarize this drama, then I would say that it is mainly focusing on two things, the bright COMEDY which Kim Gwajang brings to it (along with his partner in crime, friendship, the whole journey, SeoYul: Stop winking at me!), and all those very funny moments that make you forget your grief in a second.

It zones you out from your real world, and it just makes you laugh so hard, I was tearing up every time I'm watching this drama, and laughing so loudly from time to time in a way that freaked my family out.
It was a good one indeed, especially for me right now, where I am in the middle of nowhere in my life, and having a mental breakdown, this drama was like an aid for me, it really helped me out in a way or another to forget my hard and sorrowful life and laugh out of my heart for few hours every week, so sad that it ended now.


The second thing, is the morale story behind the whole thing, I think the writer and this drama's makers were only working toward one goal, which's merely about Business Ethics.
And let's say.. Life is all about Karma, you do good, good comes back to you, and vice versa, this drama might be trying to teach this lesson to all who hold powers in corporate life,hey, you.. just watch out!

The creative balance between this COMEDY and the SERIOUSNESS is so phenomenal, and the satisfying portions of both is what made this drama so interesting & thrilling.
Yes, 20 episodes with 60 min in each is quite long, which might seems to be boring for someone didn't start watching it, but let me tell you, it's the first KDrama ever which I never felt lazy to continue or felt bored in the middle of its 16 Ep. - not to mention thought of dropping it before it ends like many of KDramas that prolongs the plot where the story loses its spirit -. This one, it never fails to keep you entertained throughout these whole 20 episodes, at the end of each, you'll look forward to the next one with an absolute excitement, no doubt!

The Ending: A happy and so satisfying ending, you will never regret investing your time on this, I'm telling you.
The only thing that I personally wished to see in this drama, is.. if they could show more of Kim Gwajang's superb accounting skills at the end, where things were getting complicated more and more, rather than just taking a simple action or suggesting a random solution, I wished if his main talent (Playing with the numbers) could lead them to the victory, it would've been a very surprising way of ending this battle, but anyway, the way it ended is not less than perfection, all good & great!

ANYWAY... If you're hesitating, DON'T please.
Go watch it now, I'm already re-watching it with tears in my eyes - Oh my Goddness.. I terribly miss them! :"(
Thanks Kim Gwajang Team, SUGO!

Leggi di Più

To begin with, I'll first address (why I picked up this drama) from all the new and interesting J-dramas that has been aired or being aired these past couple of months, merely, it's: Oguri Shun.
I'm a big fan of this guy and I just can't miss any of his shows. As always, I found him very charming as for his good-looking -which got more beautiful especially here in this series, the guy is aging in a fine way- and for his splendid acting, particularly the fighting scenes, he's so natural & genuine when he plays any character, hands down: one of the best, if not the best of all.

The story in general is not very engaging -at least to me- and I think that the genre of this series is more into: Politics, Political Corruption, National Subjects, and even Psychology - I daresay.
It talks about the internal corruption of the Japanese government, their greed, their dirty works which should be covered at any cost, even if it means killing some innocent people.

Those political high-positioned & dirty-handed people who end up protecting themselves by exploiting and using the Police, SP, Military Forces members/agents, who on the other hand, do their jobs and strive with a good intention to do good to their own country, but they end up covering up some holes caused by other's foolishness and greed.
As they say in the drama: ”Kuni no tame janai, Kokka no tame da!" = It's not for the sake of the nation/country, it's for the sake of the state.
Each episode has a different case, and each's solved in a different method & strategy by our beloved team.

To me, those internal matters of a country that I don't belong to or live in, doesn't really matter in anyway and I believe that the core of this series is not received as an interesting one internationally. Yes it will matter to the Japanese people, it does indeed, but I hope deep inside that the actual reality doesn't really resemble the incidents of this drama, I truly wish that yet I assume that the writer got actually inspired by the real one.
I love Kaneshiro Kazuki's style, he never fails to do a great job and he absolutely did in this as always. But something about his ingredients that always smells & tastes the same, I could recall the same atmosphere I have been in while watching SP & BORDER, the same gloomy air and the same seriousness.

For the acting and the cast: Just phenomenal! They did their best and they proved their talents, each and everyone did so great, indeed the only thing that kept me engaged with this drama is their fine performance.
Oguri Shun, can't say more, this guy is just awesome, he never leaves a bad impression of any role he portrays. Nishijima also left a good impression on me this time -which is rare!-, he did not impress me overall yet his fighting scenes were so priceless, to me -as I commented before-, he seems to be dull and his acting is bold. He's the same person in each drama I watch, with the same haircut, same facial expressions, same quiet personality, he never changes based on the given role, which's so unlike Oguri Shun.
Generally, I will definitely give them 10/10 for their wonderful acting, it was so absorbing and so real.
Their sense of humor and their little random jokes which peeked through was so light & pleasing, that's another thing that made me look forward to each and every episode.

The Music in this is not really wow but different, the song at the beginning says a lot & it really suits the nature of story, the OST in general is serious and it matches with the seriousness of the plot.

I might rewatch this drama if I am going to miss Ouguri Shun and Nishijima's slight bromance, it was really a heart-warming & touching addition.

Frustration, Devastation, Self-doubt, Self-loss,Confusion, Broken trust, Being victimized, betrayed, used, deceived, cheated, fooled & misled. These will be the emotions you'll develop throughout this drama and definitely when you finish it, So if you're ready to face them, then definitely GO AHEAD.

Despite of all the gloomy and dark sides of the story, it was a good show. Very well performed by the cast & very well executed & produced overall. I truly enjoyed watching the team and how strongly united they were, each one got the other one's back and how they faithfully supported each other.

Lastly, The solution of the Crisis in my opinion is very & well known to anyone with a normal common sense, but it stays difficult and hard to implement in reality. YET, I wholeheartedly hope for this corruption to end one day, not sure how but somehow. And for that reason I pray that they will get us a second season showing us their way of doing it!

Enjoy!

Leggi di Più

I usually think twice before writing a review, marking any drama with very low grades hurts me somehow, if it isn't my cup of tea it could be someone's else.
Yet, I just finished watching the last episode and couldn't resist putting my inputs right here in this space, because this drama with its simplicity worth even more than 10.

I didn't watch the previous (Mi wo Tsukushi Ryouricho) drama specials and I have no clue how it look like, that's why I am not going to compare between them here, obviously - Just saying if that's what you are looking for.

This drama is very light, warm, soft and has a smooth plot with a episodic story-line that develops into nothing but a happy ending, where Mio shines and succeeds - as it's mentioned in the synopsis.
Yes, the main mission and the beginning of the story is all about looking for a missing person, yet it's basically a side event which doesn't really interfere with the main character's development and her success in the culinary world.

If I want to pull my thoughts all together, then I would say that this drama has a lot between its lines, great moral stories and many things to be inspired by.

Mio is a true role model with her hardworking, determination, dedication and fortitude, as she battles countless obstacles such as the difference between her own city Osaka's and then Edo's cooking style, the gender racism, the jealousy of her rivals, and many more, she stays strong and fights for her right to succeed and chase after her dream and fulfill her passion yet she never fails to remain ethical and moral, soft and feminine, kind and nice with a child-like smile in her lovely face at the same time.

All the good people around who supports her tremendously & whom she considers like a family and more. They all go through a lot together, they fight with the haters & they face major disasters, but they stay strong & undefeated and they help each other to overcome all of it.

The long-distance friendship with her childhood friend, their commitment and their faith on each other is so priceless as well.

The pure delicate affection that's exchanged between her and that charismatic Samurai, their adorable interactions without even using the word (love) frankly with each other, it's also something I always look for and enjoy watching, such a noble and decent love is really common in Japanese historical dramas - the last five minutes in the finale is everything, got butterflies in my stomach while watching it.

The story takes place in the very old era of Japan, so all you see is a historical filming set with the old woody stuff, tiny unpaved roads and the chonmage. But those are very slightly focused on though, as the main place is (Tsuru-ya) the restaurant, where our cook devotes her time and efforts to make it the num. 1 restaurant of Edo, so it's the pots, the ingredients & the served dishes what pop up in the screen all the time. It's cozy and feels so warm to my heart indeed.

Kuriko Haru is shining in the drama industry, it's lovely to see her grabbing the attention with her bright acting skills, although she seemed to be Toshiko from Tenno no Ryoriban who got jealous of her husband's success and ran away to take her own part in the culinary world and prove herself - that was a pure joke, you may go ahead & laugh.
Her acting is so effortless as she sinks in her role and brings her best that I sometimes tend to forget for a second that it's only an acting, she's growing bigger & bigger for sure, and she's definitely standing out among all the crowds now, happy for her.
Narumi Yasuda indeed was irreplaceable, although it was my first time to watch her performance but she really grabbed my attention with her genuine acting.
Nagayma Kento, Oh that smile! and what a bright and adorable character! I couldn't help but have a crush on both of them, him and Moriyama Mirai from (Water Boys) - he has grown to a rippana ikemen otoko though!- sadly he is so underrated actor who deserves more attention & love and more of main leads, this guy is genius, at least in this drama to me, I could feel how he devoted himself in his role, and was attentive to put the details through his body-language and facial expressions, which were so genuine and so effortlessly composed, I just hope he will get more of main roles in more interesting dramas in the future, because... the guy deserves it!
The whole cast was brilliant, everyone has done so well indeed, but the only who I resented his existence is Kimura Yuichi, I am not sure if I didn't like his personality or his acting, but for me he was an annoying extra character.

The music, not major but lovely, pleasing overall & well suited with the drama.

Rewatch Value, I think YES, I will get back to this if I ever wanted to see the slight romance that goes between our two main leads, it's heart-warming and makes you feel comfortable in a strange way.

Go for it if you love watching cooking dramas, Japanese historical stories, listening to the old Japanese accents & want to have a good relaxing time and watch something uplifts your morale at the same time.
This drama is very sentimental, if it doesn't hit that thing in your heart in the first two episodes then you might not enjoy the rest, for me, this was a very pleasing good ride, had enjoyed it so much that I watched one episode after one constantly, this is definitely my cup of tea and my cup of coffee as well!
Dewa, I will stop here and go to pray for a second season.

Leggi di Più

This drama is really a major success in Japanese dramas industry, I hope I am not going overboard when I am saying this, but this compliment isn't yet enough.
The story addresses tons of life lessons, gets them all in 12 Hours or more (only), which in reality, might take years to realize them.
It briefly tells about families connections, the parents' concerns and worries about their kids' futures, the importance of experiencing different hardships in order to pursue a dream, the sacrifices that one should make for the sake of beloved ones, the soul of determination, the ambitiousness, and even more.
You will definitely laugh, cry, get excited, thrilled, happy then sad. Simply you will see a lot of things which makes your heart experience all sorts of feelings, all in once.

The story is taking place in the old eras of Japan, the places, the roads, the green nature, the woody stuff, the houses, the rain, the clothes, the accents, the foods! Everything was represented there in a very well way, makes you get drown into that time, it is totally absorbing! It just makes you an alive person in that past, as if you once witnessed everything by your own eyes, lively... accompanying all those people.

Mentioning the years, the name? of the eras and also the months preciously... Making a steady development throughout the time, and moving from one period to the another gradually, was a very good aspect of this drama, it makes it even more real how things get progressed before your very eyes, that in some points when you're watching the latest episodes, then if you go back and get a quick glance at the first or second ones, you gonna feel so old (in a good way, Lol), you gonna feel how you lived for so long with all those characters and their lives.

The acting was fabulous, so deep yet vibrant! The main along with the supporting actors did a great job in each and every single scene.
In the very first episode, you might think that Tokuzo is slightly overacting, but then when you are watching more and moving forward, the story reveals the truth behind his personality. He's actually born like that! A mischief, clumsy, short-tempered, unpredictable sort of fellow!, His character will get absorbed and will sink in your mind, that you will end up loving him with all his weird characteristics!
I love Sato's performance generally, he has great skills that led this drama to its success. But to be honest, I believe that his acting as Kenshin was the finest performance he had so far.
Shutarou or maybe I should call him Nii-yan, had a very bright spot in this story, he showed a very brilliant acting in that role. A very kind and gentle nature and so pure at heart! He was one of the reasons that made me like this drama very much, Indeed! When I watched his character in this drama, I really had fallen in love with him, that I actually was praying in my heart (I want to meet a person like him in my life, Amen) 'Don't laugh at me, I mean it'.. :D
And then comes Toshiko, another bright person who added lots of flavors to the story! The acting was incredible. Every time she comes to the screen,I keep staring at the details that she brings them in with her.
From the way she puts her hands on the ground when she bows, to her way of walking, to her calm voice, to her black hairs, to her decent character, to her love for her husband, to her everything.
Usami san, Shintarou, and the rest of the cast! They all were meant to work together in this drama!
Yeah, I gotta highlight this point! Usually, the foreign actors (Non-Japanese) in any Japanese drama bring an odd acting, it looks so miss-matching with the rest of the actors, and so poor played, BUT, in this drama, they proved the opposite fact. I was amazed by the french actors, they really made it look so natural and smooth! The Americans, Hmmm.. Not so great, yet not really bad.

Okay, The music!
Inserting the classical pieces was a smart idea. The music in this drama overall, played a major role. It is like... some sort of feelings don't across your heart till you hear the music played in the background, you feel crying but the tears comes out only when you hear that melody! It makes you feel the moment. Indeed, It added lots of warmth to the whole thing, especially the old Japanese melodies, Oh God, It brings my tears!

I got so emotional when I watched this drama. I had confusing feelings, I got happy and sad in the same time. I am not an easy person to cry over anything, yet I had my tears rolling down most of the times. It had a great philosophy about life, family bonds, brotherhood, friendship, love, care, dream, finding the true-self. It was inspiring in its all angles. It wasn't about food as much it was about 'human being', it makes you stop for a second and contemplate your life.. it makes you feel every message left behind.
I believe that this drama, is much more than a drama and bunch of actors together having their feet on the stage to prove their talents, No. It comes from an entertainment industry, yet it feels like a school of life, teaching you and making you ponder.
and yes, You will learn so many good words like: Magokoro, Hagemiyou, (Douyajaa = which actually has no meaning :D)

I am not a Japanese person (I wish I was), but I love Japan and I wholeheartedly consider it as my homeland, and this drama, and the history that has been shown in this drama (The fighting, the wars, the national spirit, the commitment to the homeland, to its nation) made me even much prouder of Japan! I am really gonna cherish those feelings forever.

Finally, I have to leave this note and I am frankly stating that I not being judgmental when I say this.
When I see these kind of dramas, It makes me re-think about my choices of dramas.
Like those dramas that has a tangled problem of two people trying to get together, and they go through some difficult times but then they stay lovers or get married at the end and the story finishes with that, like what these kind of dramas gonna bring to me in my life? anything of value as a final result?.. I mean I enjoy them as well, But you know.. A story like ( Tenn no Ryuriban ) makes those silly stories even more meaningless! Am I harsh? I don't know, But that's my humble opinion!

THIS DRAMA IS A TOTAL EPIC, I can re-watch it ('Infinite' Times).
I can say happily that I am so blessed to finish this year with such a great drama, Thank you Japan!

Leggi di Più

So, if you are someone who loves historic stories as myself, and especially if it has to do with Japan, then definitely this movie is something for you to watch.
The story-line is not long, it is short but intense, the whole film is so detailed and carefully focusing on the little things that make the big scene.
It's thrilling, exciting, and very entertaining - well, in a very emotional way.. Gotta say.

The casts are brilliant, well-known actors & actresses with their phenomenal performances are shining as usual there, Uchino Masaaki is slaying his role as he always does, his English accent is pretty good compared to the most of the Japanese actors & actresses who aren't used to speak the language, anyway.. I'm obsessed with him since ever, his charming personality comes through every role he performs!
All the Japanese cast were so much into the environment that was displayed through the story, their humbleness, kindness, modesty and their warmth, all and more are shown perfectly there in every single movement.
To be honest, I know none of these Turkish actors but I fell in love with them all immediately! & a big shout out to (Mustafa), the Turkish actor -I have no idea what's his real name- is indeed a prince charming, not only because of his pretty face and fancy uniform, but also because of his gusty character, nobleness, broken heart & softness, everything was combined in his character & this Turkish actor never failed to convey it throughout his smart performance.

The Music is not super wow, but it was meaningful and descriptive enough to get you drown into the depth of the scenes - yes, it's all about a trip in the deep of the sea, you don't float, you sink beneath its waves!

Finally and briefly, the moral of the story is all about (Karma), You do 'good', and 'good' gets back to you - even after years! & it is so powerful to see it with your own eyes and to hear it with your own ears, it is history and history never lies. So Yes, go and watch it and have some goosebumps.

Last but not least -I just said finally but I came back, doesn't matter!-.
It is a huge piece of art, a distinguished human project, a unique collaboration between two nations, massive efforts that have been accumulated to come as this movie, so.. Hats Off to everyone had a small or a big part on this movie, you are done with your life agendas, don't worry about doing something great in your life, you've already done one, you're an accomplished person..

Leggi di Più