KDramaCritic

 Café Minamdang (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 18 Netflix Summary:  "A suspicious business that offers the services of a purportedly all-knowing shaman catches the attention of a tenacious police inspector." Starring: Seo In-guk, Oh Yeon-seo, Kwak Si-yang Creators: Ko Jae-hyun, Park Hye-jin MyDramaCritic Rating: Favorite MyDramaCritic Short Review:  Café Minamdang (2022) is a better version of the American show Psych.  The story is well-written, the drama is deliciously campy and over-the-top.  I laughed and felt sad with a good balance throughout the whole series. Watching Café Minamdang (2022) was just a lot of fun and I am looking forward to re-watching the show. Arguably, the plot is somewhat predictable, but not in a way where the journey is ruined for the viewer.  The heavy handed drama of other comedies is not present, but I found that refreshing. MyDramaCritic rating is "Favorite" and I will hopefully have a chance to ...

  Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary:  "Brilliant attorney Woo Young-woo tackles challenges in the courtroom and beyond as a newbie at a top law firm and a woman on the autism spectrum." Starring: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young Creators: Yoo In-sik, Moon Ji-won KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review: Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) resonates with me on a deeply personal level.  As someone on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum, seeing a fairly accurate portrayal of an high functioning autistic woman is wonderful.  The show captures some of the nuances of behavior and the dichotomy of this condition: How can someone with such intelligence struggle with day-to-day functioning? After watching the first three episodes, I immediately texted my husband that he needed to watch this show ASAP.  I then called my parents and told them about it.  So many behavi...

  The Glory (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary: "Years after surviving horrific abuse in high school, a woman puts an elaborate revenge scheme in motion to make the perpetrators pay for their crimes." Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon Creators: Kim Eun-sook, An Gil-ho  KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review: The Glory (2022) is my favorite Korean drama of all time (so far).  Considering that physical and sexual abuse are a key part of the plot, this is a surprising favorite.  I even kept track of when the final eight episodes were released and watched them all day of, something I never do with shows. The writing, directing and acting in The Glory (2022) are fantastic.  From episode one to episode 16, the story was cohesive and maintained the same level of quality. Revenge is the focal point of the show with each episode diving into the emotional and dark journey to reach this end.  As ...

  Vincenzo (2021) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 20 Netflix Summary: "During a visit to his motherland, a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer gives an unrivaled conglomerate a taste of its own medicine with a side of justice." Starring: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Teac-yeon Creators: Kim Hee-won, Park Jae-beom KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review:  Vincenzo (2021) has turned into one of my favorite shows.  I laughed and cried while enjoying the character development and overall plotline.  It balances itself out well with heart wrenching moments and goofy scenes.  Because the show doesn't take itself too seriously, the viewer's suspension of disbelief is maintained throughout the whole story even when some eyebrow raising events occur. As a crime drama, the show contains violence but not to an excess. Also, since the protagonist is a mafia lawyer, his justice and criminal tendencies are slightly glorified. My KDramaCritic rating...

Business Proposal (2022) Where to Watch: Netflix Number of Episodes: 12 Netflix Description: "In disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up to a blind date to scare him away. But plans go awry when he turns out to be her CEO - and makes a proposal." Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-gue Creators: Park Seon-ho, Han Sul-hee, Hong Bo-hui KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review: Business Proposal (2022) is the first romantic comedy to make me laugh out loud multiple times throughout the series.   The only major weakness of the series is that the last plot arc felt like filler to stretch the series out.  While not as strong as the majority of the show, I completed watching the series without being disappointed.  In regards to social issues, I would say the trope of pursuing someone romantically even after a firm "no" has been said is present.  Sadly, I think most kdramas I have watched use this to extend romance arcs.  However, I still en...