A bittersweet and heartwarming drama

Kotaro Lives Alone is a bittersweet and heartwarming drama about a five year-old boy who moves into a small apartment complex alone and the people who are drawn to him.

It is a credit to the writer and director that each 23-minute episode is beautifully put together, subtly revealing what's going on in the residents' lives and their back stories. While the drama unfolds at a seemingly slow in pace, the stories are powerful and affecting. I like these odd-ball characters and found their relationships with Kotaro, with each other and as a group very touching.

I binged the series last weekend and am rewatching it already.

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Too many stunning and lingering visuals...

Mr Sunshine is one of the most visually stunning drama series on TV. The colours, sweeping landscapes and battle scenes in the early episodes are Oscar worthy and viewers continue to be mesmerised by beautiful images throughout the series. I think the writer and director wanted to contrast the tragedy as it unfolds with the beauty of the country caught in a political storm. However, towards the end of the series as the story moved towards its climax, the lovely scenes often got in the way of the story-telling as the action and drama slowed to linger on one beautiful shot after another, or scenes were reprised in slow-motion from different camera angles. Without the lingering shots, the makers could have kept the story tight at 70-minute/episode (28-hours in total) instead of the over-indulgent and ever-lengthening episodes as the series progressed (totalling 30-plus hours).

(Spoiler alert!) Since the drama was set in a particularly turbulent time in Korea’s history, the story was never going to have a happy ending. The cast was excellent. The huge cast, main and support, each played a part in moving the story forward and their characters evolved and grew as they were affected by events. Of the three male leads, Captain Eugene Choi’s (Lee Byung Hun) character changed the least, maybe because Eugene was already nearly forty years-old when the story began. I liked how Kim Hui Sung’s (Byun Yo Han) character evolved from that of a rich playboy and cad to the quiet observer and then to a man who learnt, in his own way, to do the right thing. I also liked how viewers were gradually drawn into the inner turmoil of King Go Jong (Lee Seung Jun) as the political situation in his beloved country escalated. But I felt sorry for Kim Min Jun’s character, Hina Kudo/Lee Yang Hwa who did as much for the Korea as Lady Go Ae Shin (Kim Tae Ri) but was overlooked and overshadowed by Lady Go.

I didn’t mind the music initially but there was too much of it and the use was too heavy-handed. I felt my emotional reaction was being coached and manipulated as each scene was audibly cued before the story unfolded on-screen. While this might be okay for a 2-hour film, it is very exhausting for the viewer in a 30-plus hour drama.

I won’t be re-watching it or looking to recommend it to friends unless they’re fans of historical dramas and melodramas.

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Excellent thriller with Bond-worthy moments...

Vagabond is an action-packed thriller with a twist in each episode that’ll keep you on the edge of your seats. The two leads are well cast both excellent and have good chemistry, and production value is high. The Moroccan scenes are stunning specifically the roof-top chase scene in ep1 which is Bond-worthy.

Lee Seung Gi is excellent as Cha Dal Gun, a hapless stuntman turned accidental hero. Even though it is hard to believe Dal Gun could escape the numerous and relentless attempts on his life by trained assassins and mercenaries, Lee is convincing because he plays it straight. He doesn’t play it as a thrill-seeker or someone looking for recognition; instead he’s a grieving uncle driven to uncover the truth behind the plane crash that killed his nephew.

Bae Suzy is also excellent as rookie NIS agent Go Hae Ri who reluctantly helps Dal Gun because of her sympathy for the bereaved families in particular Dal Gun’s after seeing his nephew Hoon’s affectionate video. Moon Woo Jin is an intelligent young actor and his Cha Hoon is sweet and has an old soul.

The series ends where it began and while the Dal Gun and Hae Ri appear to be nearing the truth, the mystery is unsolved. Will there be a second season? While I personally don’t believe there’s enough material for a full second season and it’ll be very hard to keep the quality of the story-telling and action to the same level, I hope there’ll be another 2-3 episodes to bring the story to a logical end and give viewers some closure.

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Move to Heaven is well written and the cast is excellent with actor Lee Je Hoon convincing as a boxer and wastrel.

In addition to a strong story arcs for the two male leads, the drama handled the controversial subject matters highlighted in each episode such as domestic abuse, adoption and Korea's history of overseas adoptions, poor work and living conditions for low-paid workers, poor social care for the elderly, etc. with sensitivity and an even hand. My only complaint is the horribly twee final scene of the final episode which was contrived and totally unnecessary.

The music didn't intrude and production value was generally good. I particularly liked the aerial shots of the Move to Heaven van driving through the neighbourhood.

I highly recommend Move to Heaven and look forward to rewatching it.

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Let down by female love interest

I like the premise of an NIS agent in deep cover as a movie star’s bodyguard and the storyline struck a good balance between NIS agent action and the day-to-day life of a celebrity’s bodyguard.

The overall plot has been good so far (I've watched 12 episodes to date) with enough twists and turns to keep me interested; I hope the ending doesn't disappoint. The Yeo Woon Gwang movie star and celebrity story strand was done well especially the movie-making scenes. I liked both Park Hae Jin as Agent K and Park Sung Woong as movie star Yeo Woon Gwang, and enjoyed seeing the relationship between the two male leads develop. I also liked how Woon Gwang's character evolves as the series progresses.

However, I could’ve done without the character Cha Do Ha. While Agent K and Yeo Woon Gwang are interesting and believable characters for this genre, Cha Do Ha isn’t. Firstly, she goes from being Woon Gwang’s super-fan and crazed-driving manager to doe-eyed, pouty and innocent without even pausing for breath. The character Cha Do Ha doesn’t make any sense!! Secondly, there’s zero chemistry between Park Hae Jin and Kim Min Jung so the romance between their characters feels forced, is unconvincing and painful to watch. Finally, Cha Do Ha’s pouting and the Bambi-eyed look she wears in nearly every scene are annoying and really unappealing for a woman in her mid-thirties.

Aside from the characters Cha Do Ha and Cha Myung Suk who I also found annoying, I liked the other characters including Mr Lee who is a good foil to Agent K and Mr Jang, charismatic baddies Mo Seung Jae and Mr Seo, Woon Gwang’s entourage, Do Ha’s best friend, the mysterious and smart Song Mei Eun who has kept me wondering whose side she's really on (I still don't know yet), and Song Mei Eun’s friend and confidant Sharon Kim. All the different relationships work except for the one between Agent K and Cha Do Ha. (I gave Acting/Cast 6/10 and Rewatch Value 2/10 because of the Cha Do Ha character.)

Tip: skip the romance scenes to enjoy the story and action.

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Charming and watchable!

A sweet romantic-drama with charismatic leads Ok Taec Yeon and Kim So Hyun as ghost-hunting university student Park Bong Pal and schoolgirl ghost Kim Hyun Ji, and a well cast and suitably sinister baddie.

I liked both leads and thought they looked cute together even though there's a nine year age gap between them in real life, and enjoyed the flirting and romance between the two leads. I was rooting for them and was glad of the twist which to give the writer and director their due, I didn't see coming.

I mostly liked Monk Myung Chul (Kam Sang Ho) but found it annoying that he says he's been beaten up over the years because of Bong Pal but viewers only find out why towards the end of the series. I understand the desire to hold viewers' attention with a slow reveal but I don't think it would've been detrimental to the story if we'd been told the reason a little earlier. And I could've done with less of sidekicks Kim Il Rang (Lee David) and Choi Cheon Sang (Kang Ki Young) whose comedy scenes were a bit too frequent and long for my liking.

Overall, I found the series very watchable after fast-forwarding the sidekick comedy scenes but I don't think there's enough to warrant re-watching. The music was good in that it didn't intrude.

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A solid story-telling by a strong cast...

Unlike most K-dramas Doctors isn't melodramatic which is a plus. Instead the story-telling is solid with few surprises and twists and the medical stories in each episode helps to drive the story.

The cast - lead and support - is generally good. Having said this, on a number of occasions Kim Rae Won seemed a bit self-aware as Professor Hong Ji Hong with too many dramatic pauses as if he's waiting for an applause - perhaps he was following the director's direction. The casting of Park Shin Hye as Dr Yoo Hye Jung was good although she wasn't totally convincing as an eighteen year-old even though she was only twenty-five at the time of filming; Moon Ji In (Soon Hee), Lee Sung Kyung (Seo Woo) and Kim Ji Soo (Kim Soo Chul) did better jobs.

I liked the character played by Yoon Kyun Sang (Dr Jung Yoon Do) and rooted for him even though it was clear from the start that he wasn't going to get the girl. I also liked the residents especially Dr Choi Kang Soo (Kim Min Seok) but found Kim Kang Hyun's character Dr Kang Kyung Joon and all the shouting and hitting a bit annoying after a while; luckily he eventually redeemed himself.

The surgery scenes were very impressive and OST didn't intrude. One thing that puzzles me is why K-dramas insist on having the young MLs, in this case Yoon Kyun Sang, made up as pale as the FLs when this is totally unnecessary. I'm not sure there's enough story for a high score on rewatch value.

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Restraint acting and directing elevate a potentially cliche love story

One of my favourite K-dramas after Crash Landing On You, Vincenzo and Hospital Playlist, not because it is original. If anything, the story of a disgraced and mediocre actress and prickly lawyer falling for each other is such a cliche it shouldn't be allowed; however. the ML and FL's restraint in their respective roles elevated what could've been a typical transformation love story into something charming and sweet, yet not overly sweet.

Yoo In Na was convincing as a cosseted and naive celebrity with a heart of gold, Oh Yoon Seo/Oh Jim Shim and Lee Dong Wook as Kwon Jung Rok was an excellent foil. The supporting cast was excellent too. I liked that characters such as Mr Yun, CEO of Always law firm and Oh Yoon Seo super-fan, and lawyers Mr Choi and Ms Dan were comical but not over the top, and Yoon Seo's Manager and agency CEO genuinely cared about her wellbeing. I also liked that there was zero melodrama even when the reason for Oh Yoon Seo's fall from grace was revealed.

Yoo In Na's wardrobe was excellent throughout as befitting a celebrity trying to keep a low profile, the only misstep being the weird pink and brown ruffles top combo in ep 12. The soundtrack was excellent, there was just the right amount of music to help the storytelling but not too much as to labour the point or intrude. The only thing that jarred is the excessive product placement in particular Subway and red ginseng.

I will add Touch Your Heart to my rewatch list.

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Worse than awful!!

I was late to this drama via Netflix. I was attracted to Emergency: Interrogation Room because it's short with only 9 episodes and has what I hoped would be a strong female lead. I was even willing to put up the stereotypical misogynistic clashes and the two horrible shouty detectives Motsu and Nabe, but the crimes in the early episodes, specifically Ep.3 are poor written.

Spoiler Alert!!
The key issue in Ep.3 isn't who hit the victim but whether the action was premeditated and whether the victim then accidentally fell to his death or was pushed. Since the victim slipped and fell after being hit in the head, in every other detective drama this point would have been decoupled from the initial event, and the police would have taken this into consideration. Very poor writing!!

For now, I don't know if I'll continue watching this.

Spoiler Alert!!
I thought I'd give this another go but the writing gets worse as the series progresses and the acting or should I say over-acting, is shocking. Ep.6 Detective Nakata shouts and cries at the perpetrator because Nakata had a brief history with him when he was a child. Come on!!! Then in Ep.7, Makabe who suspects the criminal is admitting to a killing he didn't commit to protect someone he loves tells him the real criminal would not be able to live peacefully because she would be wracked with guilt. REALLY??!! If this is the case, she could turn herself in to the police. This is SOOOO BAD!!.... And the editing and additional casting for Ep.8 are questionable: It's the 8th anniversary of Makabe's husband's death and the camera lingers on a photo of the deceased; this immediately cuts to a chef who looks like Makabe's dead husband and where Makabe's colleague Koishikawa is eating.

I ended up watching the entire series in the hope the writer and directors would redeem themselves but I regret it...I will never get back these nine hours!!!

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Disappointing

The story began well and the production value is pretty impressive but the plot started to unravel in Ep8 and went downhill FAST.

After developing the romance between the two leads slowly, the chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun evaporated when the FL lead suddenly decided she was desperately in love with the ML. The series literally lost the plot, and the manic editing in later episodes and non-sensical ending made it all the more disappointing.

The saving grace is actor Woo Do Hwan’s portrayal of Captain Jo and Eun Sup and the young actors particularly young Jo Yeong (Jung Shi Yool), young Yi Gon (Jung Hyun Joon) and twin Jo Eun Bi (Jung Ye Na).

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Solid but repetitive towards the end...

This drama about four demon hunters called Counters started off well with a solid set of lead characters, a good supporting cast, and even humourous motifs such as the spouting of curly hair when a person becomes a Counter. However, there's too much repetition especially in eps.13-16 such as the scenes summoning the evil spirits and evil spirits transferring in and out of various people, which could've been shortened once the viewers have got the idea. Without the padding the last four episodes could've been shortened to say two episodes.

The cast is strong and I liked how the Counters became a family and looked out for each other. The character So Moon is a bit wet and inconsistent even taking into account he's an eighteen year-old. At the beginning So Moon says he doesn't want to put his own life in danger because of his grandparents but as he gradually comes into his powers he becomes reckless, fighting the school bullies on several occasions and then hunting the Level 3 evil spirit Ji Chung Shin alone. Also, the scene where So Moon's other world partner Wi Gen takes away his power doesn't make sense. When Wi Gen's original host was killed she was in a hurry to find a new partner but later she's able to leave So Moon's body and hang around while interviewing new partner candidates. Really?!

The supporting cast of goodies and baddies is generally good although I didn't like Choi Kwang Il who played Mayor Shin. Choi was stiff and had only one expression, which was essentially the same one he had in the drama Vagabond. I liked So Moon's best friends Woong Min and Joo Yeon and would've liked to have seen more of the three of them together aside from when they are supporting and comforting So Moon.

I originally gave The Uncanny Counter an overall rating of 7 but changed it to 5 because eps13-16 was repetitive and really dragged as a result. There's also not enough to re-watch.

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Near perfection...

Episodes 1-3

I just finished watching Hospital Playlist 1 and was really pleased to be able to watch the first three episodes of HP2 immediately. The story-telling for episodes 1-3 remain strong and I can't wait to see the rest of the series.

Lee Ik Jun (Jo Jung Suk) continues to be my favourite character. I like how the writer used the medical story in ep3, the transfer of a transplant patient from a smaller hospital to YULJE and the conversations between Ik Jun and his friends, and Ik Jun and the chief of that hospital, an ex-classmate who considered Ik Jun his main rival while at medical school, to show that Ik Jun doesn't have an ego.

Kim Jun Wan (Jung Kyung Ho) is my second favourite. He's too cool for school in the operating theatre but he's actually a nerd, totally clueless and naive about everything else. They squabbles between Jun Wan and Ik Jun and the eating scenes with Song Hwa (Jeon Mi Do) are affectionate and fun.

The one flaw in HP2 and a major one is the romance between Jang Gyeo Wool and Ahn Jung Won which continues to feel forced and unconvincing. Luckily we can skip these scenes on Netflix.

Episodes 4-6

Actress Shin Hyun Bin and her character Gyeo Wool continue to disappoint. Her solo scenes do not add to the story and the romance with Jun Won is cringe-making and diminishing Jon Won’s character. In terms of romance, I find Min Ha’s crush on Suk Hyung more realistic and, even though I didn’t really like Jun Wan and Ik Soon’s romance, I really felt Jun Wan’s heartbreak.

Ep4&5 are too long and cutting GW’s solo scenes would help. I hope the delay in broadcasting the final six episodes is because the programme makers are cutting some of GW's future scenes.

Episodes 7-9

I like the vignettes of Jun Won's mother, Rosa (Kim Hae Sook) and Mr Ju (Kim Gab Soo) and Rosa and Young Hye, Suk Hyung's mother (Jo Young Hye) that punctuate the series. Rosa and Mr Ju have been friends since they were five years-old and have an easy-going relationship whereas Rosa and Young Hye met through their sons and became reacquainted recently so their exchanges are different. We see how Rosa and Mr Ju's characters have evolved whereas Young Hye is still a snob. Young Hye's hostile exchange with a bewildered Cha Min Ha in ep7 gave viewers an indication of where the story for Suk Hyung is heading.

Ik Jun continues to be the glue of the group. His antennae is tuned to the people close to him and he continues to take care of them without any fuss or asking for anything in return. Ik Jun played cupid to Jung Won and GW, and Suk Hyung and Min Ha and it is clear to viewers that Ik Jun and Hwa belong together but who will be their cupid?

GW continues to take up too much screen time. Again, the episodes would be tighter if they edited out the scenes where GW looks wide-eyed and clueless - 15 minutes in ep7 and 8 minutes in ep8!!

Episodes 10-12

The medical stories and operations continue to be very strong. The storyline for Do Je Hak, Jun Wan's perennially optimistic Resident and his wife is heartbreaking. I loved how Jun Wan and his friends rallied around Je Hak and support him and his wife were able to make the best decision. I was sad to reach the end of the series - it was like saying good-bye to old friends - but happy that the five main characters, Rosa and Mr Ju, and Je Hak and his wife exactly where I want them to be with the exception of Jung Won who shouldn't be with Gyeo Wool. So while I would love to see a third season, I don't think there's enough material to support another twelve 1.5-2 hour episodes unless the writer and director skipped ahead a few years.

Overall, the choice of music throughout the series was perfect and the band practice scenes were fun and heart-warming, the songs supported each week's storyline and the performances were excellent. I will miss everyone and look forward to re-watching both HP1&2 at my leisure.

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Overblown with a Creepy Stalker on the Side

This K-Drama was recently made available on Netflix in my region so I'm a bit late to the party.

I enjoyed Park Bo Young in 'Strong Girl Namsoon' and wanted to see her in something else. Park Bo Young is lovely and engaging but her acting range is limited, her default is the wide-eyed look. Seo In Guk is miscast as Doom who is meant to be very handsome and there's no real chemistry between his character Doom and Tak Dong Kyung.

(I won't discuss the main plot in detail as this has been done by most of the previous reviewers.)

* Spoiler*

I very rarely expend so many words in critiquing secondary characters. However, Cha Joo Ik is the worse secondary character I've seen in a K-drama to date. He's creepy, entitled, unprofessional and a stalker. The overly pale and ghostly make-up adds to the creep factor.

In the earlier episodes he stalks writer Na Ji Na and entices her to sign a personal contract with him, stealing her from his colleague and Ji Na's BFF Dong Kyung. (I find this problematic: Ji Na is meant to be a loyal friend so I doubt she'd forsake her BFF for Cha Joo Ik just to be a top ten writer especially after Dong Kyung promises to work hard to make her successful). Joo Ik continues to stalk Ji Na and we find out from flash back in a later episode that he stole Ji Na's first kiss nine years ago - This is seriously creepy because Ji Na was still in High School at the time and Joo Ik was older and Ji Na's boyfriend's tutor. By stealing Ji Na's first kiss, Joo Ik derails Ji Na and Lee Hyun Gyu's romance. Something the two of them are still struggling to recover from after all these years. To add to the creep factor, Joo Ik knows exactly how Hyun Gyn feels about Ji Na because they live together in Joo Ik's father's penthouse (a serious power imbalance) and Hyun Gyn confides in Joo Ik. When Hyun Gyu confronts Joo Ik later in the story, Joo Ik still claims to be his friend, while making a move on Ji Na despite knowing how Hyun Gyn feels about her.

I haven't finished watching this drama yet so I do know how this love triangle will unfold. But I hope Joo Ik loses his friend Hyun Gyn and doesn't get the girl.

*Spoiler*
Ep15 - The creep is now blackmailer! Young Prince, pen name of a just out of high school writer and winner of a reality show, wants to continue his media career but Cha Joo Ik blackmails him to return to writing saying he'd reveal Young Prince's real identity to the public. This is unethical and repulsive!

I hated that Ji Na chose Joo Ik instead of Hyun Gyn who is kinder, more genuine and much nicer looking.

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A gentle, funny and thoughtful drama with a big heart...

Hospital Playlist is a gentle, funny and thoughtful drama with a big heart. The casting is perfect, being both age appropriate and believable as doctors and friends of over twenty years. I enjoyed how the writer gradually reveals the character and back-stories of the five leads across the twelve episodes.

The friendship between the five leads is well written and authentic. In real life, most of us have friends dating back to our student days despite not knowing every detail of each other’s lives or what they’re thinking. The writer has captured this, showing how the five of them accept each other without question. The one-to-one exchanges between the lead characters are quiet and thoughtful; and the eating, goofing around and band practice scenes with the five leads together are fun. I love the songs the band play each episode and applaud actress Jeon Mi Do’s (Song Hwa) singing - it can’t be easy for an accomplished singer to sing off-key without over-doing it.

Lee Ik Jun (Jo Jung Suk) is my favourite character; he's caring, selfless and the glue of the group. He also cares about his co-workers, his patients and their families, to the extent that he learnt sign language so he could communicate to his patient's young son. Time and again we see him putting other's needs before his own, first as a father, and as a friend and doctor. I love the scenes between Ik Jun and his son Woo Ju (Kim Jun). Woo Ju is totally adorable and the exchanges between father and son reveal another side of Ik Jun.

I also like the two mothers Rosa and Young Hye. In K-dramas the mothers of that generation are often portrayed as totally helpless with viewers left pondering the disconnect between their mothers' flaky characters and those of their children. But Rosa and Young Hye are both strong, smart and funny and would be the sort of mothers to have raised Jung Won (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Suk Hyung (Kim Dae Myung).

I dislike Jang Gyeo Wool and Ahn Chi Hong. The writer tried too hard to make Gyeo Wool special, for example, making her the only resident in a department of 8+ general surgeons – this is totally preposterous for a hospital the size and prestige of YULJE. There’s also zero chemistry between Gyeo Wool and Jung Won and the actress playing Gyeo Wool can’t act to save her life! Chi Hong is wet and his behaviour after Song Hwa turns him down is creepy and stalker-ish. Yuck!!

I enjoyed Hospital Playlist and seeing how and why Ik Jun, Jun Won and Suk Hyung became who they are. Since the characters Jun Wan (Jung Kyung Ho), despite his romance with Ik Jun’s sister and Song Hwa are still a mystery to me, I hope Hospital Playlist 2 will reveal more.

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Cool Hero!!!

I like the premise of webtoon characters coming to life and moving between the real and webtoon worlds, and liked the animation technique used for the webtoon characters and webtoon world.

The opening scene in Ep1 was excellent and immediately established Kang Chul’s character: good-looking, charismatic, intelligent, driven and resourceful. Lee Jong Suk was well cast in the role and does a good job in conveying these traits. I also liked how Kang Chul changes after he learns the truth about himself and evolves from the 2-dimensional webtoon hero to a real flesh and blood person.

In terms of love interest, Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hyo Joo) and Kang Chul look good together. However, if the writer wanted Yeon Joo to be a wide-eyed and helpless maiden, they should've given her a different profession. Although Yeon Joo is not an accomplished surgeon in the story, her tendency to put her hands to her face while mouthing nonsense at the first sign of a problem are not traits associated with being a doctor, let alone a cardio-thoracic surgeon. I found this really annoying but I would’ve forgiven her if she had been given a different profession.

I also found the character Park Soo Bong (Lee Si Eon) really annoying, he panicked even more than Yeon Joo and all the screeching and wailing is very unattractive in a man in his thirties. Since Yeon Joo and Soo Bong shared so many scenes, it would’ve been more interesting for viewers if the two of them had different character traits; and I would’ve liked to have seen more of Soon Bong’s colleagues, Sun Mi (Ryu Hye Rin) and Yoon Hee (Yang Hye Ji).

Overall, the plot was good and the action well-paced although I got a bit confused with all the coming and going between the two worlds and the twists in Eps15&16. Nothing the rewind button couldn’t fix. The music was fair and not too heavy handed, although the romance theme reminded me of a something from Coldplay.

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