The Cosmic Charm of Do Min‑joon: How the Korean Drama 'My Love From the Star' Became Iconic

The keyword for "My Love From the Star" is "destiny".

This classic Korean drama, released in 2013, is about Do Min‑Joon (played by Kim Soo-Hyun, “The Moon Embracing the Sun”,  “Queen of Tears”), a centuries‑old alien living secretly on Earth.  He is just months away from returning to his home planet when his quiet, carefully controlled existence is upended by Cheon Song‑Yi (played by Gianna Jun, “The Legend of the Blue Sea”), a glamorous actress whose chaotic life keeps pulling him closer.  Their "connection" is rooted in a girl he once failed to save in the Joseon Era.

When Cheon Song‑Yi crosses his path in modern-day Seoul, it forces him to confront emotions he has avoided for 400 years. His interactions with the snobby actress are further complicated by the people in her life who get tangled up in his quiet life.  

• a best friend who is really not a friend, 
• a close friend who insists he's her boyfriend, and 
• the brother of the alleged boyfriend who is murderous and ruthless.

Complications involving Song‑Yi’s "circle of friends(?)" threaten to expose the alien's true identity. 

As Do Min‑Joon struggles between duty and desire, "My Love From the Star" unfolds as a modern tale of star‑crossed lovers—destined to meet yet destined to suffer. 

The series remains beloved not only for its cosmic romance but also for its compelling characters, sharp humor, and, as of 2026, the real‑world resilience of actor Kim Soo‑Hyun, who overcame damaging AI‑generated allegations before returning to the screen.

This 2013 sci-fi romance is Kim Soo-Hyun’s most iconic role.

⭐

See full article at PopGeeks

Five (5) Popular Korean Sci-fi Series Released in 2023, 2024, and 2025

It's one thing to be a sci-fi junkie and another thing to be a K-drama addict. What happens when you combine them? You get the best of both worlds. Awesome Korean drama science fiction series.

Free AI image created with DreamUp

(1) Black Knight (2023)

In a dust-choked future where breathable air is scarce, Korea is divided into rigid social classes controlled by a powerful corporation. Delivery drivers — known as “Black Knights” — risk their lives transporting oxygen and supplies across dangerous wastelands. When a legendary courier crosses paths with a refugee boy targeted by the regime, the two become unlikely allies in a fight against corruption. The series blends dystopian sci-fi with action and social commentary, offering a stylish, high-stakes vision of survival.

(2) Moving (2023)

A group of teenagers discovers they’ve inherited superhuman abilities from their parents — former government operatives who once participated in a secret program. As the kids struggle to control their powers, a mysterious assassin begins hunting enhanced individuals, forcing their families to confront buried pasts. Moving mixes superhero action with heartfelt family drama, earning praise for its emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.

(3) Parasyte: The Grey (2024)

Based on the iconic Japanese manga but reimagined in Korea, the series follows a young woman who becomes partially fused with an alien parasite after an invasion begins. Unlike other hosts, she retains her humanity — creating a tense alliance with the creature inside her. As authorities scramble to contain the outbreak, she becomes a key figure in the fight against the parasitic threat. The show blends body horror, sci-fi action, and moral ambiguity.

(4) The Silent Sea (2023 global release window)

In a future where Earth suffers from extreme water shortages, a team of astronauts is sent to a deserted lunar base to retrieve a mysterious sample. What they find instead is evidence of a catastrophic experiment — and a new form of life that challenges everything they know. The series combines hard sci-fi, mystery, and survival horror, with a slow-burning tension that builds toward a haunting finale.

(5) Glitch (2023–2024 streaming surge)

When a woman’s boyfriend disappears in a flash of strange light, she teams up with a UFO obsessed online community to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads to cults, conspiracies, and unexplained phenomena that blur the line between reality and belief. Glitch blends sci-fi mystery with quirky humor and social satire, making it one of the more unique Korean genre series in recent years.

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But wait! There's more! Check out these lists.

• Movie Night! 20 Must-See Korean Sci-Fi Films ~ Time Travel, Tech Thrillers, Futuristic Adventures
• Seven (7) Korean Dramas With an AI Storyline

Korean Drama ~ Memories of the Alhambra | A Video Game That Causes Reality Glitches?

2018 K-Drama "Memories of the Alhambra" Only on Netflix

"Memories of the Alhambra" follows a genius CEO whose life spirals into danger after encountering a mysterious augmented reality game that blurs the line between the digital world and real life. As the game grows deadlier, love, loss, and unanswered questions intertwine in a story where reality itself seems broken.

January 2 is National Science Fiction Day.

Memorable Quotes:

• “If this isn’t reality, then what is?”

• “The game doesn’t end just because you want it to.”

• “Some memories refuse to disappear.”

• “You can’t log out of real life.”

Interesting Facts & Trivia:

1. Hyun Bin’s Tech-Savvy Role:  Hyun Bin personally studied startup culture and gaming terminology to make his CEO character feel authentic.
2. High-Budget Production:  The series was one of the most expensive Korean dramas at the time due to its heavy use of CGI and visual effects.
3. Filmed in Spain and Korea: Major scenes were shot in Granada, Spain, making the Alhambra Palace a symbolic and visual centerpiece of the story.
4. Park Shin-hye’s Musical Training: Park Shin-hye practiced guitar extensively for her role, even though her character’s music becomes more symbolic than central.
5. Divisive Ending:  The drama is especially known for its open-ended conclusion, which sparked intense fan debates and theories long after the finale aired. 

Without a doubt, the best sci-fi mystery series ever! A guy gets trapped in an AR video game. The mystery began when the game's creator disappeared. Then two (2) entrepreneurs wanted to purchase the rights to that game, and they do battle, playing/challenging each other in the video game. One of them was killed DURING the video game.

Meaning? It wasn’t a real death! The other player left the scene because … ??? It was just a game. But then he learned that the man he had left sitting on the bench had died. That’s not all. The video game keeps reactivating, and the guy who supposedly died keeps coming back to fight him! Will the game ever end? What about the game creator? Did he die too? (O.o)

This K-drama is set in a foreign country, Spain, and the soundtrack for this Netflix original series is haunting.

REFERENCE: Treathyl Fox aka cmoneyspinner. “Korean Dramas Only on Netflix [You’ll Want to Watch and Re-Watch).” Nothing But Love For Korean Drama ❤️, 30 Apr. 2025, https://medium.com/nothing-but-love-for-korean-drama/korean-dramas-only-on-netflix-youll-want-to-watch-and-re-watch-6008985823c7.

TRAILER:  Netflix. “Memories of the Alhambra.” YouTube, 22 Nov. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lcy3XUDd_A.

Nine (9) Must-Watch Historical Fantasy Korean Dramas (Part 3 of 3)

Part 3 of the 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical fantasy Korean dramas.

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(7) Kingdom (2019) & Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021)

A Joseon-era zombie thriller where political corruption, a deadly resurrection plant, and one woman’s revenge unleash a kingdom-ending plague.

Set in 17th-century Joseon, three years after the Imjin War, Kingdom reimagines the zombie genre through historical horror. A mysterious plague spreads across the land, turning the dead into flesh-eating monsters. The source is not demonic possession or alien parasites, but a deceptively beautiful “resurrection plant” capable of reanimating corpses. As the outbreak worsens, corrupt ministers conceal the truth because the king himself has been infected. The crown prince, isolated and unsure whom to trust, sets out to uncover the origin of the disease and save the kingdom.

The prequel, Kingdom: Ashin of the North, reveals how the horror began. Ashin, a young girl from a border village, loses her family after Joseon officials betray her father and massacre her people to appease the Jurchens. As the sole survivor, Ashin learns the truth and plots devastating revenge—using the resurrection plant that turns humans into monsters. Her tragedy becomes the catalyst for the kingdom’s collapse.

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(8) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

A modern woman time-travels to the Goryeo era, where palace intrigue, tragic romance, and destiny shape a love that defies time.

In modern-day South Korea, Hae-Soo is questioning the value of her life when she impulsively jumps into a lake to save a drowning stranger. Instead of resurfacing in her own world, she awakens in the Goryeo era, surrounded by royal princes bathing in the palace. Disoriented and vulnerable, Hae-Soo must quickly adapt to a dangerous world governed by rigid hierarchies, political intrigue, and ruthless power struggles.

Her fate becomes intertwined with Prince Wang So, a feared and enigmatic royal who will later rise to the throne through bloodshed and betrayal. As Hae-Soo grows closer to him, she realizes that her knowledge of future events gives her insight—but not control. Though she foresees tragedy, changing history may be impossible. Love blossoms amid violence, betrayal, and forbidden desire, leading to irreversible consequences. The series asks whether fate can be rewritten or must be endured, and whether love can survive in a world where power always comes at a terrible cost.

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(9) The Haunted Palace (2025)

A Joseon fantasy where ghosts haunt the palace, a fallen dragon possesses a man’s body, and a reluctant shaman holds the key to salvation.

The Haunted Palace blends Joseon-era intrigue with supernatural fantasy. Yeo-Ri, a young woman born with the ability to see ghosts, is the granddaughter of a powerful shaman. Despite her gifts, she longs for a quiet life selling eyeglasses in the countryside. Her childhood friend Yoon Gab, now a palace official, seeks her help to cure the king’s tormented son—but deceives her about the true purpose of her visit.

Tragedy strikes when Yoon Gab is murdered in the forest, and a fallen dragon, Gang Cheol—an imugi who has followed Yeo-Ri for years—possesses his body. Unaware of the possession, Yeo-Ri awakens in the palace amid ghostly attacks and mounting danger. As spirits haunt the royal family, Yeo-Ri must confront her shamanic destiny while struggling with her feelings for Yoon Gab’s body and Gang Cheol’s presence within it. Trust, identity, and love blur as she fights to protect the palace from restless spirits.

Nine (9) Must-Watch Historical Fantasy Korean Dramas (Part 2 of 3)

Part 2 of the 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical fantasy Korean dramas.

(4) Our Blooming Youth (2023)

A Joseon-era mystery where a cursed crown prince and a fugitive noblewoman uncover conspiracies, false crimes, and a hidden truth from the past.

Set during the Joseon dynasty, Our Blooming Youth follows Crown Prince Lee Hwan, a man haunted by rumors and fear. Whispers claim he murdered his brother to secure his position, and when he receives a mysterious “ghost letter” predicting his downfall, he begins to believe he is truly cursed. A series of frightening incidents only deepens his paranoia and isolation.

Min Jae Yi, a noblewoman with a sharp mind, faces her own nightmare after being falsely accused of murdering her family. Hunted as a fugitive, she remembers her father’s dying words: “Protect the crown prince.” To reach him, she disguises herself as a eunuch named Go Soon Dol. Jae Yi convinces Lee Hwan that the curse and ghostly events are elaborate tricks rooted in science, not superstition. They form an alliance—he will help clear her name if she helps uncover the truth. Their investigation reveals a dark incident from a decade earlier that links both their fates.

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(5) The Forbidden Marriage (2022)

A Joseon romantic comedy where a grieving king bans all marriages and a bold con artist pretends to channel his dead queen’s spirit.

Set in the Joseon era, The Forbidden Marriage tells the story of King Lee Heon, who remains devastated seven years after the death of his beloved queen. Declared a suicide, her death left him so traumatized that he refused to remarry—effectively banning marriage throughout the kingdom. Each year, on the anniversary of her death, another young woman is found hanging, reopening the king’s wounds and worsening his fragile mental state.

Ye So-rang, a clever con artist imprisoned for fraud, sees an opportunity for survival. Claiming to be possessed by the spirit of the late crown princess, she convinces the desperate king that she can channel his beloved from the afterlife. In truth, it is all an act. Ye So-rang is a noblewoman presumed dead after her stepmother’s failed murder attempt, now living by her wits alone. Her plan is simple: deceive the king long enough to escape the palace. But as emotions deepen and secrets unravel, the line between deception and healing begins to blur.

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(6) Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead (2018)

A Joseon-era mystery comedy where a brilliant detective investigates vampire rumors, strange deaths, and a sinister quest for immortality.

In Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead, eccentric genius Detective Kim Min and his loyal assistant Seo-pil are summoned by the king to investigate a string of mysterious deaths in a remote village. The victims have been drained of blood, sparking rumors of a vampire—or “living dead”—terrorizing the countryside. As fear spreads, the unlikely duo encounters suspicious villagers and a mysterious woman with possible ties to the undead.

Though this is Detective K’s first brush with the supernatural, he remains firmly grounded in logic and reason. Refusing to believe in vampires, he searches for a scientific explanation behind the horrors. The investigation leads to a hidden laboratory where rogue scientists are experimenting with an immortality potion. As secrets surface, Detective K must determine whether the living dead truly exist—or whether fear itself is being used to disguise darker human crimes.

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Nine (9) Must-Watch Historical Fantasy Korean Dramas (Part 1 of 3)

Follow this 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical Korean dramas that weave fantasy and the supernatural into epic tales of love, power, and destiny.

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(1) Alchemy of Souls (2022, 2 Seasons)

A historical fantasy K-drama set in Daeho, where forbidden soul shifting, magic, political intrigue, and a dangerous romance collide.

Set in the fictional nation of Daeho, Alchemy of Souls revolves around soul shifting—an illegal form of black magic that nearly everyone secretly practices, including royalty and assassins. Naksu, a legendary and ruthless assassin, is hunted by powerful mages determined to eliminate her. To survive, she performs a last-minute soul shift into the body of a weak, blind servant girl, losing her powerful sword in the process. Though physically fragile, Naksu regains her sight and begins plotting her comeback.

She soon crosses paths with Jang Uk, a nobleman who recognizes her soul-shifted identity by the telltale blue in her eyes. When he realizes who she truly is, they strike a deal: Naksu will train him in her lethal skills, and he will help her recover her sword. As their partnership deepens, they become entangled in palace conspiracies, corrupt rulers, rival mages, and hidden powers tied to Naksu’s borrowed body. Amid political chaos and danger, Naksu and Jang Uk fall in love, complicating everything.

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(2) Arthdal Chronicles (2019; Season 2 – 2023)

An epic historical fantasy set in Bronze Age Arthdal, where prophecy, tribal conflict, and hidden identities shape the rise of a kingdom.

Set in the fictional land of Arthdal during the Bronze Age, Arthdal Chronicles draws inspiration from the legend of Dangun, Korea’s mythical founder. Before Arthdal became a kingdom, it was a land of rival tribes and brutal power struggles. Eunseom, a member of the Wahan Tribe, endures hardship from birth before discovering his true identity: he is a hybrid descended from a mystical race and the child of an ancient prophecy. His existence places him at the center of Arthdal’s fight for power.

Tanya, a noble-hearted priestess and successor of the Wahan Tribe, grows stronger through adversity and becomes a key leader devoted to her people. Together, Eunseom and Tanya oppose Tagon, a ruthless war hero who dreams of ruling Arthdal as king. Tagon claims to be the reincarnation of Aramun Haesulla, the god-like founder of Arthdal, while hiding his own half-breed origins. If his secret is revealed, the fearful populace would likely execute him, destroying his ambitions.

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(3) Lovers of the Red Sky (2021)

A mythological romance in the Dan Dynasty, blending divine art, demons, fate, and love amid royal politics and supernatural forces.

Set in the fictional Dan Dynasty, Lovers of the Red Sky blends romance, mythology, and political intrigue. Hong Cheong-Gi and Ha Ram meet as children but are separated by fate. As adults, they reunite and fall in love. Cheong-Gi, once blind, becomes a gifted “divine painter” chosen to restore a royal portrait that once sealed the god of death. When the painting was damaged by fire, the demon escaped, setting dark forces in motion.

Ha Ram, born with the power of water, was nearly sacrificed in a ritual meant to appease the gods. Instead, the demon partially possesses him, leaving him blind yet gifted as an astrologer able to read fate through the stars. On the same day, Cheong-Gi miraculously gains her sight. This exchange was orchestrated by protective spirits who intend to recapture the demon. As red skies signal supernatural upheaval, the lovers are trapped between deadly court politics and an ancient battle between good and evil.

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Streaming Services for Korean Dramas: Netflix versus Viki

In the USA, the most popular streaming sites for Korean dramas are Netflix and Viki. Maybe I shouldd say, the most popular streaming sites that I know of.  I have been a long-time Netflix subscriber and even though I give Netflix credit for introducing me to the wonderful world of Korean drama, I am a loyal Viki viewer. I became a loyal Viki viewer because Netflix didn't have enough TV series and movies to satisfy my appetite.  Especially not enough sageuk or historical period K-dramas.

These days, Netflix has added lots more K-dramas to their database; and their Netflix Original Series are very entertaining.  The Viki Original Series are equally entertaining.

• If you want to watch a Netflix Original Series, I highly recommend: Mr. Sunshine (2018); My Country: The New Age (2019); and The King's Affection (2021).  

• If you want to watch a Viki Original Series, I highly recommend:  Lovers of the Red Sky (2021); and The King Loves (2017).  Viki has lots more original series that I could suggest but I prefer to finish them and write reviews first, before telling others to dd to their watch list.

Rakuten Viki ~ The Heart of Asian Entertainment

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬?

Who knows what else I might find if I check different streaming sites. Thanks!!

My Sageuk Addiction – Medium

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Korean Drama TV Series on Netfilx Released in 2022

Under the Queen's Umbrella is a Korean historical period drama series, released in 2022, that is currently streaming on Netflix. 

16 intense episodes. Viewers gave this series 4.9 out of 5 stars. I totally agree.  Kim Hye-Soo's performance as Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong is award-worthy. But giving credit where credit is due, quite frankly, all of the actors and actresses in this series gave exemplary performances. They played their roles as if they were real historical figures in the Joseon Era.

The worth of the flowers in the palace, i.e. the king's women, is judged by how many sons they bare the king. 

 Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong (played by Kim Hye-Soo) has been very fortunate. She bore five (5) sons for the king. Her oldest son is the crown prince, but he is suffering from a life-threatening illness. He could die any day! If he were to die, who would take his place? The crown prince already has a son of his own, so according to the line of succession, his son, her grandson, should be heir to the throne. Then as alternatives, one of his brothers, her four other sons who are grand princes, could be chosen. But her sons are perfectly content to never be king. She would have been content to allow them not to pursue the throne EXCEPT … the deposed queen (i.e. the queen before her) also had many sons.  When she realized the lives of her sons were in jeopardy, she immediately made up her mind that her sons would not suffer the same fate as Queen Yoon and her sons.

Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong now understands that THIS IS WAR!

Read full review at My Sageuk Addiction on Medium.com.

Original source

THE UNJUST (2010) ~ Korean Drama Movie Gem

Netflix suggested Unjust (2010) as a gem and I agree. The IMDb Rating: 6.6 out of 10 stars. But my rating for this movie is 9 out of 10 stars. This movie painted a very realistic picture of unjust acts that corrupt civil servants commit in their official line of duty. It was a chilling eye-opener.

The Unjust is an Intense Crime Drama!

The viewer is immediately drawn into the storyline when it starts with televised news reports about a serial killer on the loose, killing young children and mutilating their bodies. The public is justifiably outraged and wants to know why the police have not yet captured this menace to society. Choi Cheol-Gi is assigned to head up the task force and bring this brutal murderer to justice. But instead of finding the real killer, he picks a guy who has served time in prison for sexual assault against a child and presents him to the public as the culprit. WHY? The public will be relieved, the case will be closed, he will be painted as a HERO, and will finally get that promotion.

Not so fast! Prosecutor Joo-Yang eats and plays golf with a wealthy corrupt businessman. When that businessman is arrested for crimes, the prosecutor bends the law to get the charges dropped. He is not exactly a saint. But when he finds out that Choi Cheol-Gi did not catch the real killer, he makes it his mission to expose him. There's bd blood between the two of them.

The truth is these guys abuse their positions of public trust in order to advance their careers. They're both corrupt and unjust. But one of them is … The Unjust. Which one? 

Quick Review of a TV Show That Aired 1987–1993 : 'A Different World' (+ 2026 Series Reboot on Netflix)

I've been a loyal viewer of American TV sitcoms since the late 50s, I watched Father Knows Best and My Three Sons and Leave It To Beaver.  Fast forward to my adulthood and I watched Family Ties and The Cosby Show.  Having had all of this exposure to "wholesome family entertainment", I can state unequivocally that ‘A Different World’ presented a different world to the US audience.

Before Bill Cosby’s “fall from grace”, he had a propular TV show and I was a faithful viewer. Lisa Bonet played the part of Denise Huxtable, one of his daughters. Her character was so popular they created a brand new TV show about her days in college. She attended Hillman College, an HBCU.

(HBCU = historically black colleges and universities. At one time during the period of segregation in the USA, blacks attended so-called “separate but equal” educational institutions. But these days anybody who wants to can attend no matter their background. Hey! They are really good schools! Our US vice-president Kamala Harris attended an HBCU.)

The show was started with Lisa Bonet in the spotlight, i.e. the main character. However, the character “Whitley” played by Jasmine Guy almost instantly took the spotlight. Viewers really liked her. I think it was “her accent”. LOL. If you ever saw the show you would understand that joke about Whitley’s accent. Lisa Bonet left the show after the first season.

In June 2021, the cast got together to discuss “the good old days” and the article was published in Vanity Fair. “A Different World” ran from September 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993. I was not a regular viewer. It was light comedy but often tackled serious topics. To borrow a quote from the article: “Fans remember the show as much for its cultural relevance as they do for its laugh-out-loud comedy and talented cast.” That’s true. I distinctly remember one episode where they addressed the link between sexual promiscuity and AIDS. It was definitely relevant to the times and it presented a world that was different from any of the other popular TV sitcoms during that same time period. The real plus or takeaway from the program is that it, in real life, the show actually encouraged a lot of young people of color to attend colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning.

‘A Different World’: Cast Members and Crew Tell the Oral History | Vanity Fair

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

• Lisa Bonet left the entertainment industry and replaced it with motherhood. That’s not a bad tradeoff. She was first married to Lenny Kravitz; and now she is the wife of Jason Momoa.

• Jasmine Guy had a productive acting career in film and on stage, and also tried her hand at music. She also worked behind the scenes producing and directing but has not taken on any significant projects in the entertainment industry recently.

What The Stars Of A Different World Are Up To Now

Captivating the King Will Become One of the Best K-dramas of 2024

“CAPTIVATING THE KING” (2024), K-DRAMA SERIES

March has just begun and 2024 Korean dramas are still being released. Even so, I do not doubt that "Captivating the King" will make many lists as one of the Best K-Dramas of 2024. It may even appear on lists as one of the Best K-Dramas of All Time. From the first episode, as a viewer, I was completely captivated.

This series is historical, set during the Joseon Era, loaded with political intrigue, and it's a love story. The king is suspected of being a homosexual because of his closeness to a baduk (Go) player. However, the baduk player ultimately reveals herself to him and also confesses her love for him.

A man, especially a king, who is surrounded by so many treacherous and traitorous people must have at least one person he can trust and rely on; a confidant who will stay beside him through thick and then, and comfort and love him. The burden the king carries is heavy because, among the people who seek his life, one of them is his one and only kinsman. That kinsmen killed his brother and planned to kill him also. Even worse, his mother, the Queen Dowager, did nothing to stop him, It is indeed a cruel world when your mother won't even try to rescue you.

♦ “Captivating the King” is loosely based on the historical events about the time when Joseon was “between” the Qing and the Ming. In the history of Korea (formerly called Joseon), the date of the Manchu Victory is 1636. With this victory, the Qing defeated the Ming and the Emperor forced Joseon into a tributary relationship with the Empire.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

• Grand Prince Jinhan / Lee In (played by Cho Jung-Seok, “The Face Reader”, “The Nokdu Flower”)
• Kang Hee-Soo / The Baduk Gambler (played by Shin Se-Kyung, “Rookie Historian”)

Before he became king, people plotted against the Grand Prince Jinhan and accused him of treason. On the night he went before his brother, the king, to plead his innocence, his brother gave him “his last words” and died in his arms. The treacherous plans of his enemies BACKFIRED. He had the upper hand because he and a court maid were the only ones in the king's quarters when he received his dying words. The grand prince took the throne and became king. Although that was not his brother, the king, had willed. Nevertheless, to carry out his brother's dying wishes, Grand Prince Jinhan has to make himself king so that he has the authority to do so.

But what were his brother's last words? The grand prince was to:

• Ensure that the king's son was placed on the throne; and
• Find out who poisoned the king.

The king did not die a natural death. He was murdered.

The storyline for “Captivating the King” is rife with treachery and deceit, betrayal, psychological manipulation, and all of the tools power-mongers use to take control and satisfy their greed and lust for wealth and power.

When the grand prince was taken hostage by the Qing, he learned the value of playing baduk because it was a game that helped the player develop a military strategy to defeat his enemy.

When the grand prince returned to the palace, certain court officials convinced his brother, the king, to view the grand prince with suspicion and painted him as a spy for Qing. But even without the efforts of those within, the king had been threatened by those without. He was told that if something should happen to him, the Qing would place the grand prince on the throne, and not his son, the crown prince. This threat was already in the king’s mind and the Joseon court officials had simply added fuel to the fire.

One day the grand prince was out and about and came across a group of people playing baduk. He wondered if he could get into the game. That is how he met the baduk gambler. She was a noble lady, disguised as a man, who used the money she earned from gambling for charitable works.

Their relationship almost did not happen. The baduk player, along with several other people, were used as scapegoats to take the blame for the people who had plotted treason against the king. They were sentenced to death. The prince, who became king, thought she died. But several years later, the baduk player showed up. Not knowing how or why she/he survived, he made a way for her/him to stay by his side. Perhaps he had been given a second chance by the heavens to right his wrong against an innocent person. The baduk player, initially had plans to destroy him. But she had a change of heart once she learned “the rest of his story”.

The story of the prince and the gambler is truly captivating.

TRAILERS/TEASERS:

Netflix K-Content. “Captivating the King | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB].” YouTube Video. YouTube, January 9, 2024. Captivating the King | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB]

Original source

K-Drama Series: See You in My 19th Life (Based on a Webtoon)

See You in My 19th Life is a K-drama series based on a webtoon of the same name; has 12 episodes; was released in 2023; and is currently streaming on Netflix.

The main character, Ban Ji-Eum, remembers her past lives: people and places. In her 18^th life, her name was Yoon Ju-Won, and her life was cut short because she was involved in a tragic car accident. She was in the car with the boy who was her first love, in that life, Mun Seo-Ha. She was reborn as Ban Ji-Eum and remembered him, but did not know if he had survived the accident. Since she remembered where he lived, she went to visit. From the gate, she looked into the yard and could see that he had survived. But of course, she could not approach him because he would not recognize her. She then hatched a plan to reunite with him and continue their love relationship. Before she died as Ju-won, she had promised she would come back to him. In other words, she would see him in her 19^th life. She fully intended to keep that promise.

Ban Ji-Eum's ability to remember her past lives was not how reincarnation is supposed to be. Others don't remember their past lives. They start each rebirth with a brand new life.

This series poses several questions:

• Why does Ban Ji-Eum remember her past lives?

• Is she the only one who can remember their past lives?

• Is there a way to erase these memories?

• If you had the choice, would you want to keep your memories from your past lives, or erase them?

As the story unfolds, these questions will be answered.  Although, if it were you, you might have come up with different answers.

Main Characters:

• Ban Ji-Eum (played by Shin Hye-sun)

• Mun Seo-Ha (played by Ahn Bo-Hyun)

See You in My 19th Life | WEBTOON

Original source

WATCH TRAILER

Korean Drama TV Series: Destined With You (2023)

Destined With You is a Korean drama a fantasy rom-com series, with 16 episodes, released in 2023.  

This K-drama series is a love story between Lee Hong Jo, a lowly civil servant at Onju City Hall and Jang Shin Yu, a successful lawyer who was hired to work for the city's Mayor.

• Jang Shin Yu suffers from an illness and when he tries to sleep he is tormented by a bloody hand that caresses his face. His illness is actually a centuries-old curse.

• Lee Hong Jo discovers that she is the owner of a box that contains a book of magic spells. Is there is a spell that can lift his curse?

These two people have a past-life connection. During the Joseon Era, Jang Shin Yu was Jang Mu Jin, a wealthy young nobleman who fell in love with a shaman named Aeng Cho. Lee Hong Jo was Aeng Cho, the shaman. It was a forbidden union that ended tragically. They meet again in modern times. Will their love survive this time? They are both told that whether tragedy or happiness, their destinies could not be severed. They are destined to be with each other.

Main Characters:

• Jang Shin Yu | Jang Mu Jin (played by Ro Woon, “The Kings' Affection”; “Tomorrow”)

• Lee Hong Jo | Aeng Cho (played by Jo Bo Ah)

• Rowoon’s New Drama ‘Destined With You’: Cast, Plot, Review, Episode Schedule, And More | TheBeauLife

• Enjoying Destined With You? Top 4 K-Dramas You Need To Add To Your Watchlist Starring Rowoon | Filmfare.com

• 'Destined With You' on Netflix Review: Stream It Or Skip It? | Decider

K-Drama Series: King the Land (2023)

King the Land is a modernized Korean version of Cinderella, a fairy tale written by Charles Perrault and published in 1697.

• Cinderella is Cheon Sa-Rang (played by Im Yoon-ah)

• Prince Charming is Gu Won (played by Lee Jun-ho)

Revisions to the Old Cinderella Fairy Tale

• Instead of Cinderella having 2 wicked stepsisters, she had 2 BFFs (best friends forever) who always had her back. It was Prince Charming who had a wicked half-sister.

• Instead of a fairy godmother, Cinderella has a wise, industrious, and generous grandmother who teaches her valuable work and life skills, raises her to be independent, gives her good advice, and supports her endeavors.

• It turns out that Cinderella and her 2 best friends all work for businesses owned by the King Group. The supervisors where the friends work, don't do anything to help them achieve success. Each supervisor acts like a wicked stepmother.

• Initially, Cinderella has a jerk for a boyfriend, but Prince Charming replaces him.

These changes or revisions do not make the love story of this Cinderella and her Prince Charmin any less enchanting.

My personal rating for this K-drama series is 8.4 out of 10 stars.

K-Drama Review: Crash Course in Romance (2023)

Crash Course in Romance is categorized as a romantic comedy, which is why the murder mystery woven into the plot was so surprising. Face it! Math teachers are boring! How could a writer possibly make their life exciting and interesting? 

This Korean drama series has 16 episodes and is streaming on Netflix. Where to Watch.

Image credit: Netflix.com

The main characters are:

• Choi Chi-yeol (played by Jung Kyung-ho) is a star math teacher at a prestigious private academy, The Pride; and
• Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon), is the owner of “Nation’s Best Banchan”, a side dish store in Seoul.

Choi Chi-yeol is a brilliant teacher who knows all about math but zero about romance. He needs someone with a generous heart like Nam Haeng-seon to teach him. He could benefit from a crash course in romance.

The first time they meet is crazy! Choi Chi-yeol guards his privacy and thinks someone is trying to take his photo without his permission. The photographer is Nam Haeng-seon's brother. But he wasn't trying to photograph Choi Chi-yeol. He only wanted a picture of the tiger that was on the jacket that Choi Chi-yeol was wearing. It leads to a misunderstanding and he tries to take the camera and run with it. Nam Haeng-seon sees this and chases after him. That's how they meet and this encounter leads the both of them to think that the other person is INSANE!

For years, Choi Chi-yeol has had a problem when he eats food. For some reason his stomach gets upset and he can not digest the food. But one day his personal assistant buys food for him from Nam Haeng-seon's Banchan restaurant. To his surprise, he enjoys the dishes. But when he realizes that the lady who owns the restaurant is the same lady who chased after him, he tries to disguise himself so that he can enter her place of business as a “regular old ordinary customer”. She eventually recognizes him.

The final encounter is what really connects them. The lives of the two main characters intersect because Nam Haeng-seon's daughter is one of Choi Chi-yeol's math students. She is so good that even when the ruthless moms connive and scheme to get her thrown out of The Pride academy, he is willing to tutor her privately. The time he spends tutoring the daughter spills over into time spent with the mother and them getting to know each other. A romance develops between the two of them, but there are many complications that occur in their lives that threaten their relationship.

“Crash Course in Romance” was exciting, interesting, and very entertaining. My personal rating for the K-drama series is 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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Space Sweepers (2021): Sci-Fi Korean Drama Movie

Space Sweepers is a sci-fi K-drama film, released in 2021, currently streaming on Netflix. 

You do not need much imagination to figure out that it's about people who sweep space collecting junk and debris. There are junkyards on Earth. Why wouldn't there be junkyards in Space?

• PLOT SUMMARY: “The year is 2092, and Earth is borderline uninhabitable, overrun by arid deserts and the dry orange color grading of Blade Runner 2049. Everyone who can afford it has moved off the ruined planet to live in orbit on a seemingly utopian colony named Eden, built and ruled by a megacorporation.” (Quote Source: Space Sweepers review: Netflix sci-fi movie feels like Cowboy Bebop | Polygon)

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Meet the Victory Team

Tae-ho, Captain Jang, Tiger Park, and an android named Bubs are the crew of space sweepers who find Dorothy. The name of their spaceship is Victory.

In 2092 space debris is like gold or currency. Space sweepers explore space collecting junk and selling it. While exploring some debris to see what they could salvage to sell, a team of space sweepers finds a little girl in the wreckage. They figure she's a missing child and somebody will probably pay handsomely for her to be returned. Seems like a logical deduction.  Only ... 

A Little Girl is Not Debris, But She Can Be a Bomb!

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Song Joong Ki’s Movie ‘Space Sweepers’ to Possibly Return with Two More Sequels | KDramaStars