No On-screen chemistry between the main leading roles

In the beginning "A Man in a Veil" has an interesting story line, however, it gets flat after a mentally challenged character Lee Tae Pung becomes Yoo Min Hyeok, a lawyer with a Savant Syndrome condition. Actor Kang Eun Tak does well portraying a mentally challenged Lee Tae Pung, however, the lead characters Yoo Min Hyeok and his love interest Han Yoo Jung cannot develop lovable on-screen chemistry. They look like a puppet and a beautiful doll when they are on-screen together. Also lawyer Yoo Min Hyeok loses his focus and he lets Han Yoo Ra character portrayed by Actress Lee Chae Young takes over with her tantrum. Actress Lee Chae Young has all the facial features of an evil Han Yoo Ra, also her facial expressions tell the story of her evil intentions. Actor Lee Shi Kang steals the show as a spoil rich son and also as a lovable Director Cha Seo Joon that is able to convey his fondness and love to Han Yoo Jung.

The story gets interesting again after the Chairman Cha Woo Seok meets his former fiancee Yoon Su Hee / Seo Ji Sook. These two veteran supporting characters help catalyzing the events and make the story growing in intensity again. The two young supporting couples Kang Ye Jin and Han Yoo Myung portrayed by Chae Bin and Jang Tae Hoon are memorable; they are able to develop good on-screen chemistry that the leading characters fail to achieve. The appearances of supporting characters, Chairman Cha Woo Seok & Yoon Su Hee/Seo Ji Sook and also Kang Ye jin & Han Yoo Myung are appealing.

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"Parents' unconditional love when their children break their hearts” – Unknown

I like the director of this Drama Series, Mr. Kim Dae Jin, and found his other long slow-burn drama series "My Life's Golden Age" after watching slow-burn heartwarming "Golden Pouch". "My Life's Golden Age" does not disappoint me.

It is about a middle class family, a Korean language teacher, Mr. Lee Man Se. Formerly, he was a widower with two small children, a daughter, Lee Hwang and a son, Lee Ki. Later on, Man Se wedded a woman, Bok Mi Ja, that had an adopted daughter, and they named her Lee Geom.

Lee Hwang is a web designer and she is married to a wealthy medical orthopedic's son, Yoo Tae Il. Before they were married, Lee Hwang was pregnant, and the father of the unborn child emigrated. However, Tae Il was madly in love with Lee Hwang and wanted to marry Lee Hwang and be the child's father. Lee Hwang agreed to marry Tae Il after he pleaded earnestly. To return his love, Lee Hwang worked and supported Tae Il when he was completing his study. However, when they came back to Korea, Tae Il had a extramarital affair and it made Lee Hwang furious. She decided to have an affair with Dong Hwan that always loved Lee Hwang, but she only did one time affair to calm her down from her anger, and rejects Dong Hwan after the affair.

Lee Geom works as a athletic coach at a prestigious private high school and she is also diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Lee Geom's compassionate oncologist notices her commitment and dedication to her student-athletes while suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia. The oncologist introduces a documentary director, Go Kyung Woo, to Lee Geom, for a documentary story. They know each other from a disaster "Blind Date". Initially, Lee Geom refuses to work with obnoxious Kyung Woo, but she accepts the offer so that she can support her student-athletes. While filming the documentary production, they fall in love and decide to get married. Kyung Woo's mother opposes the marriage and fights tooth and nail to prevent the union between Kyung Woo and Lee Geom.

Meanwhile, Lee Ki finished his medical school and completed his internship at the hospital but quits his residency. Instead, he enrolls in a dance academy to pursue his dream to be a musical actor, much to his parents' chagrin. Lee Ki even ridicules his father that his father is only a regular teacher, working a 9 to 5 job, with no ambition and challenges. It hurts his father so much and Lee Hwang notices his father cries in despair. Will Lee Ki fulfills his dream or his father's hope to be a good son?

I highly recommend "My Life's Golden Age" if you like to watch a Korean Family story that dwells around Traditional Korean Culture that clashes with the dreams of young generation. Superb performance by veteran actor Jang Yong as teacher/father Lee Man Se and actress Kim Hye Ok as mother Bok Mi Ja. I cry when they are in despair. The on-screen chemistry between this husband/wife couple is notable. I am rather disappointed that actress Kang Se Jung's sweet supportive character cousin Soo Kyung is not developed. She is always there for her cousin Lee Geom.

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An epic memorable story that spans several generations.

I strongly recommend "Toji" "Land" if you are interested in Korean historical drama. The screen writer Lee Hye Seon and Lee Hong Goo did a good job in writing the script that was adapted from the well known famous novel "Land" (토지) by Park Kyung Ri (박경리).

Lady Yoon is the matriarch of the Choi noble clan that owns a very large area of land in the countryside. She has a son, Choi Chi Soo, and another illegitimate son, Kim Hwan, resulted from a rape that she experienced when she was mourning the sudden death of her husband. Choi Chi Soo has an only daughter, Choi Seo Hee, that is intimidated by her cold and stern father. Chi Soo wishes he had a son instead of a daughter, however, he is infertile after he suffered syphilis from his interminable drunken carousals when Chi Soo went to Seoul to visit his ambitious cousin, Cho Joon Goo. Kim Hwan comes back to his mother's estate and works as a servant. Kim Hwan is attracted to Choi Chi Soo's lonely wife, and they run away. In his rage, Chi Soo buys a shot gun and learns how to shoot from a well known hunter. He fails to shoot his "half-brother, Kim Hwan. The intrigue that is instigated by Chi Soo's maidservant, Gwi Nyeo, declined poor gambling aristocrat, Kim Pyong San and villager Pong Yim goes astray. Also, the story involves people and farmers that live in the estate and their story enriches the story line.

The drama series tells the horrendous death of Choi Chi Soo, an outbreak of a contagious disease and the death of Lady Yoon. It also tells the love, conflict and betrayal between the characters that shows the spread of new culture that further undermines the Confucian values, the loss of the farmland, and independent freedom fighters against Japanese occupation in Korea. The drama series also displays the growth of intellectuals in Seoul, Tokyo, and the Manchuria, the activists fighting against Japanese occupation in Hadong, Jinju, Jirisan Mountain and Manchuria. It portrays the second and third generation characters' conflict, love, and hate, when Japan surrenders. The drama series "Land" is so engaging with fascinating plot, the actress Kim Hyun Joo that portrays adult Choi Seo Hee is exceptional and delivers her character's struggles convincingly. I especially fond of the child, teenager and adult pansori singer Bong Soon and her story.

I really enjoy this epic historical drama series that spans several generations. Wish the big broadcasting companies such as MBC, KBS or SBS would create and make epic historical drama series again.

I hope screen writer Lee Hye Seon would come back with another epic historical drama or heartwarming drama series soon. I love her excellent screen writing such as "GOLDEN POUCH as well as TOJI".

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A classic drama of lasting worth and timeless quality

Conspiracy in the Court.

A classic drama of lasting worth and timeless quality, well-made with great acting, original soundtrack, and superb dialogue.

I recommend critically acclaimed mystery thriller “Conspiracy in the Court” wholeheartedly for its fine substance and art direction. It has a good intense story plot with a newcomer young and promising talented actor charming "everyday hero" Jin Yi Han as Police Officer Park Sang Gyu and Lee Chun Hee as the leader of merchants, also Actor Ahn Nae-sang as King Jeongjo and Actress Kim Ha-eun as Lee Na-young and other group of newcomers with their impressive acting.

Park Sang Gyu was the only son of a noble Park In Bin and a servant, he suffers the pain and discrimination growing up due to his vague social status. He meets and falls intensely in-love with Lee Na Young, the only daughter of Minister Lee Cham Pan. Lee Na Young teaches her family's servants, including Yang Man Oh, how to read. She believes in “Silhak”, a Korean Confucian social reform movement in late Joseon Dynasty. She encourages human equality and believes that society will change someday. Yang Man Oh leaves Lee Cham Pan’s noble home and becomes a wealthy merchant as well as the leader of merchants that has a painful unrequited love for Na Young. In the meantime, Na Young inspires Sang Gyu to go to China to study about “Silhak” and he comes back after 4 years. Upon his return to Korea, he cannot find Na Young. While Sang Gyu studying in China, Na Young’s father is accused of conspiracy and her mother later dies after banishment. Na Young becomes a slave, and she suffers tremendous hardship including repeated rapes and sexual assaults by her owner(s). Eventually, she meets Hwang Jip Sa, who teaches her acupuncture and how to use herbs, and ultimately, she is trained to kill using her skills in herbs and acupuncture.

Park Sang Gyu becomes a police detective. While investigating a serial homicide, awkward and clumsy detective Park Sang Gyu seizes a bunch of wild star anise herbs from a smuggler and suspects the odorless star anise herbs are the means for homicides. In the meantime, Sang Gyu receives guidance from Mentor “Hyeong-Nim” Seo Joo Pil to unlock the homicides. Under “Hyeong-Nim-Mentor” Seo Joo Pil’s guidance, Sang Gyu grows true confidence as a detective. He even gets promotion from the King Jeongjo and becomes State Tribunal Inspector after saving King Jeongjo’s life from an assassin. However, he has disagreement with his mentor regarding his father, the Noble Park In Bin. Mentor Seo Joo Pil believes Nobleman Park In Bin is involved with the smuggling activities with Merchant Yang Man Oh. Sang Gyu feels so tormented after “Hyeong-Nim” Seo Joo Pil was ambushed and killed by the smugglers led by Merchant Yang Man Oh. Then, as Park Sang Gyu begins to solve the homicides, he discovers that Lee Na Young could be involved with the homicides, and he ends up in agonized disappointment in Silhak.

I am not going to tell the story, however, I whole heartedly give a ten out of ten to “Conspiracy in the Court”, it is a beautiful mystery and love story, for its fine substance with lasting worth and timeless quality, and excellent performance by the cast and artfully directed. I really enjoy the usage of figurative language and proverbs dialogues in “Conspiracy in the Court” that is enthralling and enhancing the historical drama series charms. The Original Soundtrack “Seoul’s Sad Song” is so enchanting, it is truly a beautiful song. I would give a ten for rewatch value as well. Wish Broadcasting studios would make more historical drama series like this one.

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Family and Brotherhood

The Faceless Boss is a family and brotherhood noir gangster movie that is different from all the violent and bloody gangster movies. The movie is slow moving and focusing on organized syndicate brotherhood inside/outside the prison and family relationship. It is very touching movie but it is filmed in dark cinematography, probably to deepen the depressing outlook of a gangster life. The actor Chun Jung Myung plays so well as a dignified young Boss Gwon Sang Gon is a son of a construction company. His father wants him to stay in his business and forgo his affiliation with organized crime syndicate. However, Sang Gon is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for a homicide committed by one of his "brothers". After ten years, he takes over his father business but continues with his organized crime activities. Charming actor Jin Yi Han portrays as Sang Gon's Loyal Consigliere Goo Chul Ho that would do anything to protect his "Hyeong-nim" Sang Gon. Actress Lee Shi Ah is worth mentioning, she is so perfect portraying a lawyer Jung Min Jung, Sang Gon's wife. The story is captivating and soul searching. At the end of the day, I would say the movie is made in documentary style for the purposes of education and entertainment, Last but not least, the movie would make us ponder about the meaning of living a life.

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A Glimpse of Living in High society and High Heels

My secret hotel
I just started watching "My Secret Hotel" that parodying mystery drama, because of the talented actor Jin Yi Han/Kim Ji Han is one of the lead characters, Goo Hae Young.
The satire story is about a young prodigy architect Goo Hae Young that falls in love at the first sight with a waitress (Nam Sang Hyo portrayed by Yoo In Na) in a restaurant in Las Vegas. They get married after 6 weeks of dating because they are really in love with each other. However, the story indicates that being in love (can fade over time) is not really loving someone (accepting the weaknesses and strengths of the partners) that is needed for a long-lasting marriage. When Hae Young’s architect partner calls and needs his presence at work in New York, Hae Young pleads Sang Hyo to come with him to New York. In the mean the time, Hae Young notices that Sang Hyo must deal with sexual harassment at her workplace. But Sang Hyo declines to go even though the air ticket is given to Sang Hyo by Hae Young. Sang Hyo cries for days feeling sorry for herself and angry at her husband when he leaves for New York. In my opinion as an outsider, Sang Hyo character is selfish and not even wants to see how the job opportunities in New York and be with her new husband. They could talk about job opportunities in New York instead of stubbornly wants to work in Las Vegas.

After 7 years Sang Hyo meets Hae Young again in Korea because he is getting married at the hotel where Sang Hyo is employed at as a wedding planner. Hae Young intends to get back to Sang Hyo. I am watching episode 1 to 3 with dismay as Nam Sang Hyo keeps on beating Goo Hae Young whenever they meet up. She must still be in pain and angry at Hae Young that is getting married to the point of physically abusing Hae Young. I notice there are no parents during the wedding ceremony between Goo Hae Young (episode 1), the prodigy-son, and his young “daughter-of-wealthy-family” future wife, Ha Yun Joo. Usually in Asian cultures, parents are the most important individuals especially for wedding ceremonies. Hae Young is so relieved that the wedding is disrupted because there is a murdered body falls into the wedding hall.

In the meantime, the managing director, Jo Sung Gyum (portrayed by Nam Goong Min) at the Secret Hotel where Sang Hyo is working is attracted to Sang Hyo. The attraction is mutual, and Sang Hyo is trying to flirt with Sung Gyum to make Hae Young jealous and to show that she is dating too. To make the story short, Sang Hyo and Sung Gyum can convince both Hae Young and Ha Yun Joo to have their second wedding ceremony at the Secret Hotel (pleasantly, both the groom’s and bride’s parents are present at the second wedding ceremony). Lo and behold, Ha Yun Joo runs away with her lover chauffeur on her wedding day. Hae Young persuades Sang Hyo to be his “substitute wife”, even both groom’s and bride’s parents agree to this idea. For the sake of her job performance, Sang Hyo accepts to be his “substitute wife”. After the wedding though, Sang Hyo leaves Hae Young to be flirting and dating Sung Gyum again. Hae Young’s intense pain in loving Sang Hyo is so palpable. He realizes that Sang Hyo really loves her job more and wants to perform well at the Secret Hotel instead of loving him. The story is depicting Sang Hyo as not even interested in trying to take the time to start courtship with Hae Young and talk about their failed relationship, fears, successes, career during their “fabricated honeymoon prepared by the Secret Hotel for the Secret Hotel promotion”. The Secret Hotel emphasizes to much on flashbacks and daydreaming about ‘what ifs”. I do not see the Secret Hotel employees and Architectectural and Design Company employees working hard; the hotel looks so empty. It is always a breath of fresh air whenever I see Goo Hae Young wearing his optical eyeglasses working hard at his desk. I am not going to spoil and tell the story.

I would recommend this drama since the murder case in the Secret Hotel is made into satire, and the talented veteran actor Ahn Kil Kang that is portraying Chief police Kim Geum Go, is an excellent catalyst in this series that is parodying a mystery drama. Whenever I am getting fatigued from this round-and-round “love triangle” (even though I am sympathetic to Sung Gyum, and feel sorry for Hae Young), Chief Police Kim appearance on the screen erases overloaded “love triangle” in the Secret Hotel. I can feel tender on-screen chemistry between Sung Gyum and Sang Hyo, Sung Gyum always maintains his lingering eye contact with demure Sang Hyo whenever they are together. But I do not feel any on-screen chemistry developing between Hae Young and Sang Hyo. Probably Sang Hyo always physically beats and caresses Hae Young whenever they are together. The appearances of adorable actress Yoo In Na and both actors Jin Yi Han (fresh from “Empress KI”) and Nam Goong Min (from “Hur Jun, the Original Story”) are pleasing to the eyes. There are many new up and coming young actors (including Ahn Bo Hyun) in the Secret Hotel that are eye candy as well. Actor Choi Jung Won that is portraying architect Yoo Shi Chan is rather entertaining. Finally, too many scenes are taken inside the hotel that make the series look cold and distant. The Secret Hotel is enjoyable for weekdays drama and a glimpse of living in high society and high heels but does not exude heartwarming story.

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Emotionally Rewarding Story

"Welcome" is an uplifting movie that warms our hearts while watching it. It is a story of three youngster friends, Hye Sook, Gi Joo and Taek Gyoo, that grew up in Andong. Hye Sook is a chef that is married to a loser and she is running away from the loser husband. Gi Joo is a struggling author that is getting a divorce. Taek Gyoo is married happily and he is the one that works as a catalyst that glues the friendship back again. I really like Hye Sook's mom and Hye Sook's daughter, they are the guardian angels for Hye Sook. Also, Taek Goo is really a good friend, he saves Gi Joo from committing a suicide and guides Gi Joo during his struggles. I cannot forget to mention that the scenery in Andong is truly beautiful.

I really enjoyed watching the movie, it is a heartwarming story, it would be a wonderful daily drama or weekend drama series. It has a lot of potential to be a memorable drama series since it warms our hearts and not making us stressful, while watching it on weekends or on weekday evenings.

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A parody/satire

I love the story of "Capital Scandal", but it is disappointing when they made a parody/satire out of liberation movement story. Personally, I would prefer if they made "Capital Scandal" in a drama story telling. I must say, all the actors and actresses perform well and interpret the characters cleverly. I especially like the character Seo Woo Wan (portrayed by Kang Ji Hwang) probably because Actor Kang Ji Hwang can interpret the character so well and makes Seo Woo Wan so gullible and lovable. He makes the story keep going. Also Actress Han Go Eun is fun too watch and entertaining, she is convincing portraying an underground liberation fighter, Cha Song Joo, with nothing to lose attitude. The original sound tracks are excellent and go well with the parody/satire mini series.

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Sons That Never Abandon Their Mothers

Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life

Sons That Never Abandon Their Mothers.

This is a lovely Kdrama that starts with two teenagers meeting at a rural train station and planning to commit a suicide pack. However, the teenage Goo Joon Gyeom likes his suicide companion and wants the teenage girl school bullying victim Kim Cheong Ah to survive and live a full life.

The story will follow Cheong Ah and her ordinary family deal with daily life and their struggles that involves extra marital affair, betrayals, failures, painful separations, selfishness, adoption, dishonesty, corruption, love triangles, rebounding love and eventually triumphs. Eventually the audience learn how the young women in the story, Cheong Ah and her older sister, Seol Ah, learn to survive with their inner defensive mechanisms. Cheong Ah must deal with her past suicide pack that taints her career and love life. Seol Ah learns how to live to the fullest with no label as a chaebol divorcee.

We will meet Cheong Ah’s love interest, Goo Joon Hwi and his cousin Do Jin Woo. Joon Hwi intends to find the truth regarding his brother’s death (Joon Gyeom). Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justice Yoo Ra (Joon Hwi’s mother) involves in manipulating a hit-and-run incident so that an innocent teenager (Kang Shi Wol) appears to have committed the hit-and-run crime and goes to prison for ten years. Meanwhile ostentatious Chairwoman Hwa Young dislikes her daughter-in-law (Kim Seol Ah) so much that she purposely divorced Seol Ah from her temporary comatose son Jin Woo. Both Joon Hwi and Jin Woo do not wish to abandon their mothers (sisters Supreme Court Justice Hong Yoo Ra and Chairwoman Hong Hwa Young) even though both women are the cause of their sons’ misery and painful heart aches.

There are some lovey-dovey scenes that are dragging too long, however, I would give a ten out of ten for the story and performance by the actresses, Seol In Ah (Cheong Ah), Jo Yoon Hee (Seol Ah), and an extraordinary performance by actor Ok Min Suk (Do Jin Woo). I do not see any on-screen chemistry between Seol Ah and her rebounding love Moon Tae Rang (portrayed by Yoon Park), however, Tae Rang on-screen interaction with his adopted sister Moon Hae Rang (portrayed by Jo Woo Ri) is genuinely beautiful.

I enjoy watching both Seol Ah and Jin Woo with their reconciliation dialogues and their on-screen chemistry; also, when awkward Joon Hwi is with cheerful Cheong Ah, the gentle youthful love scenes on screen are rather memorable. The sincere mutual respect between two cousins, Joon Hwi and Jin Woo is worth mentioning too, it is heartwarming to watch them together as cousins discussing matters. It is a rare sight in chaebol and corporate families. The person that I am really fond of is the youngest sister, an up-and-coming tennis champion Kim Yeon Ah (portrayed by Jo Yoon Jung). She is a true catalyst in this series. When ever she is on the screen, the scene feels alive and not monotonous.

Lastly, the Original Soundtracks are beautiful as well.

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Excellent medical historical K-drama series.

“Hur Jun, The Original Story (Gu-am Heo Joon)” is an excellent medical historical K-drama series.

The young Heo Joon character is a perfect casting, however, the young adult Heo Joon character (Mr. Kim Joo Hyuk) looks so mature. The character does not convey the angst and anger of young rebellious son but more like an enduring humiliation pain by a mature old-ish looking Heo Joon. However, the adult Heo Jeon character (Mr. Kim Joo Hyuk) is perfectly casted. I miss the young street smart character Im Mi Hyun (Miss Kim So Yeon), too bad the character is "killed" in the early episodes.

Compelling performance by Mr. Song Jae Hee as Dashing Constable Lee Jung Myung in “Gu-am Heo Joon”. Righteous Constable Lee Jung Myung steals the show with his intense anguish in “Hur Jun, The Original Story (Gu-am Heo Joon)”, episode 72. His love for Nurse Ye-Jin is so deep and heroic. What a stunning performance, very painful to watch the unforgettable episode 72.

I wish MBC and other big broadcasting companies will produce more of this kind of Medical or Historical K-drama series. “Hur Jun, The Original Story (Gu-am Heo Joon)” is so overwhelming inspiring.

Thank you for producing this medical historical K-drama series.

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"Grand Prince" the historical fictionalization of King Sejo and his brother Grand Prince Anpyeong

I am so profoundly disappointed with "Grand Prince" the historical fictionalization of King Sejo (Lee Kang) and his brother Grand Prince Anpyeong (Lee Hwi). The two brothers' love interest Sung Ja Hyun's tomboyish care free lifestyle is too difficult to stomach. There are too many love scenes in "Grand Prince" and they tend to be so long/boring after a while. I am heartbroken that the strong assertive Queen Jeonghui (Yoon Na Kyeom) is depicted as a pauper at the end of the series. Was not Queen Jeonghui Dowager Empress to her son and her grandson? And was not Empress Dowager completed the famous "Code of Law" that was ordered by King Sejo that helped farmers? Miss Ryu Hyo-young is a talented actress, hoping to see her in many many more K-drama series.

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Bad story line, bad acting

I am profoundly disappointed, the leading actors / actresses have talents but they performed so poorly in this "Cinderella and the Four Knights" K-Drama series. I only tolerate "Cinderella and the Four Knights" when High Schooler Eun Ha Won and Cousin Kang Ji Woon / Han Ji Woon characters are smiling, their smiles brighten the screen. However, there are no on-screen chemistry at all for all characters in this poorly written story. Cousin Kang Hyun Min character is the heir of Chairman Kang, but he does not even work and only lounges in the Sky House and dating / dumping girls. What a complete loser. I love the younger cousin Kang Seo Woo that is productive as a singer and composes songs. I am so disheartened when cousin Kang Ji Woon stops working as a mechanic and looks so idle for the rest of the series. Hoping to see these promising actors/actress with strong talent to be in well written K-dramas series next time.

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The Donghak Peasant Revolution

"The Nokdu Flower" is worth watching and also a lesson about the Donghak Peasant Revolution history with some fictional characters mixed in the story. I wish the big Broadcasting Corporations such as MBC and KBS would make more Epic Historical K-Dramas such as "The Nokdu Flower" and not only making Fusion Historical K-Dramas. Some segment of population really like to watch Epic Historical K-Dramas.

Actor Jo Jung Suk that portrays Baek Yi Kang looks uncomfortable as "The Man". As the story progresses, he grows from "The Man" to the rebel fighter. Actor Jo Jung Suk performs convincingly as Yi Kang the rebel fighter that maintains the rightness of his decision to fight the Japanese Occupation without apology.

"The Nokdu Flower" also shows the ugliness of any wars, Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder. Actor Yoon Shi Yoon portrays splendidly as Scholar Baek Yi Hyun, the step brother of Baek Yi Kang. It is so heartbreaking to watch Baek Yi Hyun, the Candidate for a Civil Service Exam, is eliminated from the Civil Service Exam by Lord Hwang Seok Joo (Yi Hyun's teacher). Yi Hyun is even enlisted in the Royal Regiment of Joseon as a sniper. He is forced by his chain in command to shoot rebels. Subsequently, he is called "Goblin" and suffers full blown PTSD from the war with no sympathy.

Actress Han Ye Ri is forever a talented artist, she does so well as a Merchant Song Ja In. "The Nokdu Flower" shows the monstrous side of business that flourishes due to wars since merchants/business gain wealth from wars by selling or distribute materials used for wars.

The Original Sounds Tracks are excellent.

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A story of "us"

I am glad I found this mini series "Ore no Ie no Hanashi (2021)" on Netflix, it is indeed a very good mini series drama. There is not revenge nor a girl pitting against another girl nor bullying, but purely a family story about ordinary people like "us".

It is a story of an early dementia dying Noh performer that is a 28th generation Noh Japanese traditional performer and a "Living National Treasure", Jusaburo Miyama. He has an oldest son, Juichi Miyama, that was once groomed by his father, to be a Noh performer and his father's successor. However, the son rebelled and became a pro-wrestler for 25 years. He comes back to his father's home to be his father's personal care taker when his father is diagnosed with early dementia and a wheelchair bound patient. Juichi has a son, Miyama Hideo, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Juichi also has a younger sister, Miyama Ma, a younger brother, Miyama Yosuke, and an adopted brother, Miyama Jugemu . Later on, Jusaburo Miyama tells the truth to his children that Jagemu is his son from another woman. Juichi is divorced from his wife, Miyama Yuka, and she wants to have the custody of their son, Hideo. However, after finding out that Hideo has talent in Noh Japanese traditional performing arts and the training helps his ADHD, Juichi tries to get custody of his son. It is shown that Hideo is able to stay still while performing Noh as well as enjoying Noh performing arts and is able to write stories in kanji. Juichi also notices that his father always compliments Hideo's performance that he never got when he was growing up.

Mai, Juichi's sister always speaks her mind, Yosuke is a lawyer and Jegume is a very talented in Noh performing arts. He always thinks he would be the next successor of the Miyama Noh Theater Japanese Traditional Performing Arts. He always works hard to support the Miyama House.

The ending of the "Ore no Ie No Hanashi" mini series is unexpected, however, I truly enjoy watching this mini series that is so heartwarming. I recommend "Ore no Ie no Hanashi (2021)" whole heartedly. Enjoy the show everyone.

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The Root of Misunderstanding

I just finished watching "The Thorn Birds". It is a lovely story. I especially like the actresses Han Hye Jin that portrays the "up and coming new actress" Seo Jung Eun and also Cha Hwa Yun that portrays the "mature actress" Lee Ae Rin (Yoon Myung Ja). Veteran actress Cha Hwa Yun really works well as a catalyst, she makes the character Seo Jung Eun and character "script writer/film producer" Han Yoo Kyung (that is portrayed by Kim Min Jung) blend well in the story.

I especially appreciate what the costume designers create for the cast. We notice that character Jung Eun always wear flats as her footwear that tells us that Jung Eun is a very modest and generous. She is so humble, also she is not wanting any attention or recognition for her efforts to help Lee Ae Rin recuperating from her breast cancer surgery and raising the little youngster Seo Han Byul. On the other side, we notice Yoo Kyung always wear stilettos and pumps which represent determination, competitiveness and also intimidating. Jung Eun is so clueless and shares so much information with Yoo Kyung without realizing that information is power. Yoo Kyung is so conniving and seduces Lee Yeong Jo (portrayed by actor Joo Sang Wook), that is the beginning of all misery for our female lead character Jung Eun.

I would recommend "The Thorn Birds" as the ending is not too depressing after Jung Eun stands up straight and speak up against Yoo Kyung to protect her adopted child, Seo Han Byul.

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