5 Binge-Worthy Korean Dramas Worth Rewatching

Some Korean dramas are soooooo good, you want to watch them again.  Here are my 5 K-Dramas with episodes to rewatch. **Spoiler alert.**

♦ 1) Tomorrow (2022)

This is a supernatural K-drama series about grim reapers who prevent suicides. I loved the episode about the war hero. His life story made me angry at the way his bravery in battle was disregarded. When it was his time to pass into the afterlife, a legion of grim reapers showed up to escort him and they all saluted him. At the end of the scene I was crying my eyes out.

♦ 2) Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung

This a historical period drama about female historians, who took their jobs just as seriously as their male counterparts. They experienced gender discrimination but overcame it. There was one episode worth rewatching. The king wanted to see the admin records kept by the historians, which is against the law. He sent men to their workplace to take the documents by force if necessary. The men sent by the king and the male historians got into a fistfight. When the female historians saw what was happening, they joined in the fight. It was hilarious! But the historians stood their ground. The king ultimately had to back down.

♦ 3) Mr. Sunshine (2018)

This is a Netflix original series and everything about it is SPECTACULAR! There were several episodes that I liked. But the most memorable scene was when the Korean lady who owned the hotel where the Japanese were staying … BLEW IT UP!! With the Japanese inside, of course.

♦ 4) Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016)

The Hwarang are the flower boys of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–AD 935). Young men chosen from noble families were chosen and trained to be warriors. But they were also trained in the arts, and I might add that they were all “eye candy”. The coolest scene was when the warriors who had been sent as part of a delegation to Baekje to avoid war, had to escape. The Baekje prince wanted war and chased after them with his troops, intending to slaughter them. However, the rest of the Hwarang came to the rescue and the prince had to turn around and go back home. It was so cool!

♦ 5) Dong Yi (2010)

This historical period drama is about the true love story between the king and a lowly water maid. The best episode was when one of the corrupt officials conspired against Dong Yi. He thought that he had the queen in the palm of his hand and could easily manipulate her to do his bidding. But when he showed up at Dong Yi's residence thinking that they would arrest her, they arrested him instead. I was like: “Boo yeah! Take that you dirty rat!”

****

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K-Drama Movies to Watch Free on Pluto TV (Part 2)

The list below are 5 Korean movies that are streaming free with ads on Pluto TV. The “H” means the film is historical. In the previous list published via PopGeeks, the movie gems were released between 2009 and 2012. The films on the list below were released between 2013 and 2021.

1. Killer Toon (2013)
2. The Sound of a Flower (2015)-H
3. The Swordsman (2020)-H
4. Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020)
5. Escape from Mogadishu (2021)

♦ 1) Killer Toon (2013)

A webtoon artist who becomes entangled in a series of gruesome murders because the real-life crimes resembling her fictional work. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers dark secrets and a chilling connection between her creations and reality.  This film is categorized as Horror, Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense.

• Detective Lee Ki-Cheol (played by Uhm Ki-Joon, “The Escape of the Seven”, “I Am Not a Robot”)
• Webcomic Writer Ji-Yoon (played by Lee Si-Young)

PAYNUX Movie. “Killer Toon 2013 Full Movie Trailer - Murder Tragedy Based on Comic Story.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 10, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChUrNinYNq8.

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♦ 2) The Sound of a Flower (2015)

This historical period drama is based on a true story, set in 1867 Korea. Jin Chae-seon is a Korean pansori singer. She disguises herself as a man in order to compete in “Naksungyeon”, a national competition of pansori performers. This historical figure is believed to be the first female master of a male-dominated genre. Born in the 1840s, she became a master of performing Simcheongga and Chunhyangga.

• “Pansori is a traditional Korean performance that combines singing, drumming, and body language to tell a story.” Learn more: [Visual History of Korea] ‘Pansori’ -- Musical storytelling across societal barriers | The Korea Herald

• Chae-Sun (played by Bae Suzy, “Doona”)
• Shin Jae-Hyo (played by Ryu Seung-Ryong)

CJEntertainmentUSA. “The Sound of a Flower Official Teaser Trailer W/ English Subtitles [HD].” YouTube Video. YouTube, October 30, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL_CP1sw9L4.


♦ 3) The Swordsman (2020)

After a king of Joseon was dethroned, the country's best swordsman who has served him faithfully, vanishes. His wish is to live quietly with his daughter away from the palace intrigue, corruption, and constant conspiracies. But his wish was not granted. There is a conflict between Qing and Ming Dynasty has thrown Joseon into chaos and his daughter is kidnapped. He must pick up his sword once again to go save his daughter.  This film is categorized as Action, and Historical Fiction.

• Tae Yool (played by Jang Hyuk, “My Country: The New Age”)
• Tae Yool’s daughter Tae Ok (played by Kim Hyun-Soo)

Well Go USA Entertainment. “THE SWORDSMAN Official Trailer | Directed by Choi Jae-Hoon | Starring Jang Hyuk and Kim Hyeon-Soo.” YouTube Video. YouTube, December 16, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMuBuL982iQ.

♦ 4) Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020)

A bag of money gets lost and the lives of several characters interconnect and intersect. The more greedy and desperate they become to find the money, the more they are willing to take extreme measures.  This film is categorized as Black Comedy, Crime, Thriller, and Neo-noir.

• Joong-Man (played by Bae Sung-Woo)
• Tae-Young (played by Jung Woo-Sung)
• Yeon-Hee (played by Jeon Do-Yeon, “Crash Course in Romance”)
• Mi-Ran (played by Shin Hyun-Bin)
• Jin-Tae (played by Jung Ga-Ram)

Artsploitation Films. “Beasts Clawing at Straws | Official Trailer.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 28, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQFyCvDgL7Q.
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♦ 5) Escape from Mogadishu (2021)

Based on true events. South and North Korean diplomats must escape from war-torn Somalia in 1991. The divisions of north versus south and political ideologies don't matter. In the midst of chaos and conflict, it's just humans working together to overcome adversity. Survival is what counts.  This film is categorized as Action and Historical; and has won 20+ awards, including Best Film and Most Popular Film.

• Han Shin-Sung, Ambassador, South Korean Embassy (played by Kim Yun-Seok)
• Kang Dae-Jin, Councilor, North Korean Embassy (played by Zo In-Sung)

Well Go USA Entertainment. “ESCAPE from MOGADISHU Official Trailer | Korean Action War Drama | Directed by Ryoo Seung-Wan.” YouTube Video. YouTube, July 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvNFzwKtSy0.
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Watch Free on Pluto TV: 5 Korean Movies Released 2013-2021 | https://t.co/gmI236IWvl https://t.co/hJj0uXHu6E pic.twitter.com/2uEPMglrhe

— Joie de Vivre Magazine (aka My Fox Nooze) (@FoxMarks_ATX) February 23, 2024

K-Drama Movie Gems to Watch Free on Pluto TV (Part 1)

The list below is 5 Korean movies I have already watched or are on my watchlist. The “H” means the film is historical.

1. Castaway on the Moon (2009)
2. I Saw the Devil (2010)
3. Swordbrothers: The Showdown (2011)-H
4. Nameless Gangster (2012)
5. Perfect Number (2012)

♦ 1) Castaway on the Moon (2009)

Kim Seung-Keun (played by Jung Jae-Young) goes to a bridge over the Han River because he is contemplating suicide. He jumps but instead of dying he ends up stranded on a deserted island in the middle of Seoul. Looks like it just wasn't his day to die. Once he gets adjusted to his new life, he decides living a solitary life is not so bad, even though he still wrote out a message in the sand “HELP”, just in case.

Kim Jung-Yeon (played by Jung Ryeo-Won) also lives a solitary life and never leaves her apartment. Her hobby is taking photos of the moon. But one night she happened to see “HELP” written in the sand and a figure of a man walking on the shore of the deserted island.

It's a very unusual way for two solitary people to connect.

♦ 2) I Saw the Devil (2010)

This K-drama is a gripping and suspenseful thriller. So-Hyun (played by Lee Byung-Hun, “Concrete Utopia”, “Mr. Sunshine”) is an agent for the NIS (National Intelligence Service). When his fiancée is murdered by a serial killer, he uses his KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) as a secret agent to relentlessly pursue the killer. If he catches the murderer alive, the right thing to do is turn him over to law enforcement for trial and conviction. However, since he is a covert agent he might blur the lines between right and wrong, and misuse his “license to kill”.

♦ 3) Swordbrothers: The Showdown (2011)

This is a Korean historical period drama and the setting is Manchuria, China, 1619. Heon-myung (played by Park Hee-soon, “The Bequeathed”); Do-young (played by Jin Goo, “Shadow Detective”); and Du-soo (played by Ko Chang-seok) are three swordsman from Joseon who are forced to come to China by the Ming Dynasty. They tried to take refuge in a tavern but found themselves cornered by Manchu forces.

Do you love intense sword fighting scenes in historical K-dramas? Then you'll love this movie.

♦ 4) Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012)

Set in the 1980s, this gritty crime drama follows a corrupt customs officer who rises to power in the criminal underworld. Choi Ik-Hyun (played by Choi Min-Sik, “In Our Prime”) is caught accepting bribes. He wasn't the only dirty officer but he is the one who took the blame. One night while still being employed as a customs office he discovers a stash of illegal drugs in a warehouse. Since he had to leave his honest job where he was dishonest, he makes up his mind to become completely dishonest. It turns out he's related to a crime boss, Choi Hyung-Bae (played by Ha Jung-Woo, “Narco Saints”), so they become partners in crime and take over the Busan underworld.

♦ 5) Perfect Number (2012)

This film is a mystery thriller. Suk-Go (played by Ryoo Seung-Bum, “The Berlin File”) is a math genius. That's the highlight of his life. He's good with numbers, but not much else and lives as a recluse. Hwa-Sun (played by Lee Yo-Won, “The Great Queen Seondeok”) is his neighbor. He makes no effort to establish any kind of neighborly bond. She moved there because she was trying to escape her abusive violent boyfriend, only he found her.

Suk-Go hears sounds coming from his neighbor's house which are obviously the noises made when people are having a violent fight. Hwa-Sun manages to kill her ex-boyfriend. Suk-Go knocked on the door to ask if there was a problem and when he entered the house, he saw the dead body.

Hwa-Sun does not try to stop him from calling the police but she asked him if he would listen to her side of the story before making the call. Suk-Go decides to help her cover up what happened.

Hwa-Sun accepts his help but later she starts wondering “what's his angle”? She starts adding things up in her mind. Why did he help her? Does he have dark secrets? Is he a psycho who is worse than her ex-boyfriend? I mean … she didn't even know him and he volunteered to . Things don't seem to quite add up. It's not just math!

This movie is based on the 2005 novel "Yogisha X no Kenshin" ("The Devotion of Suspect X").

Watch Free on Pluto TV: 5 K-Drama Movie Gems | https://t.co/gmI236IWvl https://t.co/vsiZIGKQrr

— Joie de Vivre Magazine (aka My Fox Nooze) (@FoxMarks_ATX) February 23, 2024

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

Chuno (The Slave Hunters) (2010), 24 episodes

Fans of Jang Hyuk will enjoy this intense action-packed historical period Korean drama series.

Lee Dae-gil (played by Jang Hyuk) is the son of a noble family, who fell in love with Kim Hye-Won (played by Lee Da-Hae), a slave. Her brother destroyed his master and everything he owned. He thought he had killed Lee Dae-gil. The brother destroyed the slave ownership papers and created a new life for himself and his sister.

Since Lee Dae-gil had lost his family's wealth, he became a slave hunter. Mainly, because he was searching for the woman he loved, assuming that she was still a slave on the run. He would capture slaves, collect the reward, and then help them escape again but this time to freedom. Lee Dae-gil is also hunting for Song Tae-Ha (played by Oh Ji-Ho). He has been labeled as a slave but he is a brave and noble warrior who will one day reclaim his honor.

To continue establishing his reputation and wealth, Hye-Won's brother arranges a marriage for her. On the day of the wedding, she runs away. She is about to be attacked by bandits but Tae-Ha rescues her. Their relationship grows into romance, all the while she believes her first love, Lee Dae-gil, has died. Eventually, Lee Dae-gil finds her but realizes that she in now in a loving relationship with the man, the slave, he has been hunting. From there …. (NO SPOILERS!)

Source: Historical K-Dramas That Slipped Under the Radar (Pt 1 of 5)

Korean Drama Review: “Love Song for Illusion” (2024), a Viki Original

This Korean drama series is based on the webtoon of the same name (literal title: “Fantasy Sonata”). In 'Love Song for Illusion', a crown prince suffers from split personality disorder. He takes a woman as his concubine who plans to kill his father, the king.

“Love Song for Illusion” begins by telling the story of how Asatae came to be. “Seven noble families established the nation of Asatae, and the Yeon family rose to the throne.”

Like most kingdoms, there are loyal subjects and there are those who are treacherous and covet the king's throne. Asatae is no different. Minister Sajo Seung committed treason and usurped the throne.

Crown Prince Sajo Hyun is the son of the illegitimate King Sajo Seung, and suffers from a split personality. The crown prince's mental illness was triggered by physical and emotional abusive treatment received from his father. In addition, when the young boy witnessed the slaughtering of innocent people by his treacherous overbearing father, it was too much and his mind split. His alternate personality is named Ak-Hee. That personality is the “manly man” his father always wanted him to be. His true self is Sajo Hyun, a man who likes “womanly things” like painting and dressmaking; the type of man his father despises.

Yeon Wol witnessed the deaths of her father and mother at the hands of Sajo Seung. Since she was the only living royal descendant to the legitimate throne, he intended to kill her too. Someone saved her and took her away to raise her secretly with a new identity. But she never forgot who she was and fully intended to avenge the murder of his parents. She had grown up in a home where she knew she was loved. When she grew up and trained diligently to become an assassin to get revenge by killing the king. But she can't complete her mission because when she went into the palace she was drugged. When she wakes up she has no memory of who she is and is informed that she is the crown prince's concubine.  Should she stay in the palace or should she leave? She wants to leave and search to find out her true identity. 

The crown prince is also in a predicament. Sajo Hyun thinks he should allow her to leave. But Ak-Hee is attracted to her and wants her to stay. Ak-Hee is already committed to being her man and wants Yeon Wol to commit to being his woman. Which personality will win? Sajo Hyun or Ak-Hee?

Suppose Yeon Wol remembers she is the only legitimate living royal descendant in the Kingdom of Asatae and her plan to kill the king? Suppose by then, she has fallen in love with either Sajo Hyun or Ak-Hee?

Main Characters:

• Crown Prince Sajo Hyun (played by Park Ji Hoon, “Weak Hero Class 1”, “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency”)

• Yeon Wol / Kyera / Consort Eun-hyo (played by Hong Ye Ji)

• King Sajo Seung (played by Kim Tae-Woo)

Where to Watch

Viki viewers rated this series 9.6 out of 10 stars

Original source

Time Travel Webtoon Adaptation Korean Drama: "Marry My Husband" (2024): Get Your Best Friend to Marry Your Husband

 "Marry My Husband” is a 2024 Korean drama series that has 16 episodes, is streaming on Amazon Prime and tvN; and can be categorized as Time Travel, Fantasy, Revenge Drama, and Romance-Comedy (Rom-Com). This Korean drama series is based on the novel of the same name and also serialized as a webtoon.

Kang J-Won is dying from cancer.  Her husband will not pay the hospital bill so she returns home.  She catches her husband in the act.  He is having an affair with her best friend.  He pushes her and accidentally kills her.  She dies ... but she doesn't die.  She travels back in time to BEFORE she gets married. Since she knows her husband had an affair with her best friend, her plan is simple. She thinks to herself: 'I'll just get my best friend to marry my husband.”' After all, they deserve each other.

Main Characters:

• Kang Ji-Won (played by Park Min-Young, “Healer”)

• Yoo Ji-Hyeok (played by Na In-Woo, “Longing For You”)

• Park Min-Hwan (played by Lee Yi-Kyung)

• Jung Soo-Min (played by Song Ha-Yoon)

Whereto Watch

LINKS OF INTEREST:

• K-Drama "Marry My Husband" Ranked 3rd Most Popular TV Show On Amazon Prime Worldwide | Kpopmap

• Amazon Prime K-drama Marry My Husband: Park Min-young, Na In-woo get a do-over in breezy time-travel workplace romcom | South China Morning Post

• Marry My Husband | WEBTOON

Source

Spotlight on South Korean Actor: Lee Jung-Jae

 Lee Jung-Jae is a South Korean actor who has played a wide range of characters ~ good guys and bad guys. Regardless of the overall rating given by viewers, his performances in the movies and TV series that I have watched should be rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Lee Jung-Jae catapulted to international stardom for his role in Netflix’s survival Korean drama series “Squid Game”. But Lee Jung-Jae must surely be on several lists of South Korean Best Actors ~ the best, the most famous, award-winning, etc. His filmography is impressive and dates back to 1993 (before K-dramas were cool).

• According to pantheon.world, he is the “5th most famous South Korean Actor. His biography has been translated into 33 different languages”.

One more PLUS! In September 2022, Lee Jung-Jae joined the Star Wars Universe. He was cast as the male lead in the Star Wars series “The Acolyte”, set to be released on Disney+ in 2024.

If you recently became a fan of Lee Jung-Jae because of the “Squid Game” series, here is a list of seven (7) Korean dramas for your watch list. Many are available on streaming platforms to watch free or free with ads.

1. The Face Reader (2013)
2. New World (2013)
3. Assassination (2015)
4. Operation Chromite (2016)
5. Chief of Staff 1 and 2 (2019)
6. Deliver Us From Evil (2020)
7. Hunt (2022)

(NOTE: Check this blog for reviews.)

Original source

Perfect Marriage Revenge: 2023 VIKI Original Korean Drama Series

Perfect Marriage Revenge Could Easily Be Turned Into a Korean Soap Opera That Could Go On and On and On and …

Perfect Marriage Revenge is a 2023 VIKI Original Korean Drama Series with 16 episodes. The scriptwriters should consider stretching it out to 160 episodes. Loaded with hostile family drama where the relatives dream up ways to plot evil against each other, and then spend their waking hours making their dreams a harsh reality. You pity the children born into their homes because they are raised to carry on with the family traditions of performing acts of malice. Without a doubt, Perfect Marriage Revenge could be the best Kdrama soap opera ever!

“Perfect Marriage Revenge” is a romance/drama that tells the story of Han Yi-Joo, a young girl who was adopted into a rich family but never accepted as a part of the family. Meanwhile, her little sister is showered with love and spoiled rotten. Yi-Joo is constantly reminded by her “mother” who adopted her that she is “fake” and her little sister is “real”. Meaning that she should be thankful she was adopted and never try to receive all the wealth and property that should go directly to her little sister. Growing up in that home was hellish for Han Yi-Joo! Someone even tried to poison her, but they failed.

Han Yi-Joo was a gifted artist. No doubt she could use her God-given talent and create her own wealth. Instead, her mother convinced her to “copy” the originals of famous artists. Her mother told her the copied paintings would be donated to orphanages as a charitable donation. However, she sold them as “originals” to make money. 

One day her mother's fraud was exposed. She told Yi-Joo to submit a false confession and go to jail. Yi-Joo was so upset she jumped in her car and drove off. Sadly she got into a car accident and almost died. While hanging between life and death, she prayed for a second chance. If she could only relive her life she would not make the same ignorant and foolish mistakes.

Her prayer was answered. Instead of waking up in a hospital bed, she woke up in her own bed. When she checked the time she realized that she had gone back one year in the past. She had been given a second chance and now had the opportunity to change her past. But she only had one year to accomplish this.  She overheard her little sister say that she wanted to get married to Seo Do-Kook, a man who was one of the heirs to Taeja Group, a Korean conglomerate. Han Yi-Joo made up her mind that getting Seo Do-Kook to marry her would be the perfect marriage revenge.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

• Han Yi-Joo (played by Jung Yoo-Min)

• Seo Do-Kook (played by Sung Hoon)

This Viki Original Korean drama series is based on the webcomic “Wanbyeokhan Gyeolhonui Jungseok”. But in my opinion, it was the best soap opera ever!

LINKS OF INTEREST:

• Exclusive: Sung Hoon on Perfect Marriage Revenge … | Web Series | Hindustan Times

• Perfect Marriage Revenge (Webcomic) | TV Tropes

• Nine (9) 2023 Viki Original K-Drama Series to Binge-Watch | PopGeeks

Historical Period Korean Drama Series Review: Korea-Khitan War (2023)

Korea-Khitan War is a 2023 Korean drama series, with 32 episodes, currently broadcasting via KBS and streaming on Viki. Also available on also available for streaming on Wavve, Kocowa, and on Netflix in selected regions.

Korea-Khitan War is a historical period Korean drama series about the war between Goryeo and the Khitan Empire during the reign of King Hyeonjong.

♦ The War Between Goryeo and the Khitans Lasted 26 years

“Korea-Khitan War” begins with a scene of a bloody battle. It is the 10 century in East Asia, and the fierce Khitans have been successfully conquering various peoples. Their empire covered the regions from Liaodong to Mongolia and are now they were determined to conquer Goryeo.

The people of Goryeo, though outnumbered, were equally determined to fight the Khitans and not become subjugated. After those intense scenes showing how intense the fighting was between Goryeo and the Khitans, there is a flashback that shows what had happened several years earlier, before the war began.

♦ King Hyeonjong is Crowned Emperor

Kang Cho was 70 years old and a loyal subject of Goryeo. He was a seasoned warrior, understood politics, could offer wise counsel to the emperor, was not afraid to confront the kingdom's enemies, and took the risk of being branded as a traitor when he assassinated the emperor, King Mokjong, to clear the path for a new leader.

The new leader is King Hyeonjong, the last grandson of Taejo of Goryeo, who ascended to the throne at the age of 19.

Gang Gam-chan was an elderly statesman. He had been living in the countryside but returned to the palace and the court to serve the new emperor. King Hyeonjong appreciated his forthright comments. He did not use double-speak, offered the king sound and wise advice, and helped him understand politics.

Once the emperor realized that war could not be avoided, he made Kam Chan Commander-in-Chief, giving him the authority and responsibilities for defending Goryeo against the Khitan invasion.

Rather than cut off the head of Kang Cho, the young King Hyeonjong bestowed upon him the emperor's ax and sent him off to war. The king promised that when he returned triumphantly, he would no longer be marked as a traitor.

This series is based on the novel “Goryeo–Khitan War: Sweet Rain in the Winter”.

Main Characters:

• King Hyeonjong (played by Kim Dong-Joon)

• Kang Cho (played by Lee Won-Jong)

• Gang Gam-chan (played by Choi Soo-Jong)

REF:  Korea-Khitan War: King Hyeonjong Leads Goryeo to Victory

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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.

Café Minamdang | Comedy Korean Drama Netflix Series

Café Minamdang is a K-drama series based on the web novel titled Minamdang: Case Note, written by Jung Jae-ha. This series is 18 episodes, released in 2022, and currently streaming on Netflix.

Nam Han-joon (played by Seo In-guk) worked in law enforcement as a criminal profiler but was framed for a crime he did not commit. After being released from prison since he could not return to his old job, he decides to become a shaman.  

• Nam Hye-joon (played by Kang Mi-na) - Nam Han-joon's sister, who is a former NIS ace (NIS=National Intelligence Service). When it comes to electronic technology, she knows everything!

• Gong Soo-cheol (played by Kwak Si-yang) works as a barista during the day at Café Minamdang and at night he's a homicide detective. He is also is Nam Han-joon's best friend.

• Jo Na-Dan (played by Baek Seo-Hoo) is a part-time employee and every once in a while he gets recruited to work with the shaman on “special jobs”.

• Lieutenant Han Jae-hui (played by Oh Yeon-seo) aka “Han the Ghost”, is a homicide detective assigned to the Major Crimes Investigation Division Seven as the Team Leader.

In addition to performing her duties, Han Jae-hui is quietly investigating the death of her brother who served as a prosecutor. She suspects Nam Han-joon of being involved in criminal activities. What she does not realize is that the people responsible for her brother's murder are also the ones who framed Nam Han-joon.

Initially, she thinks Nam Han-joon's shamanic shenanigans are interfering with her investigative work. But actually, both of them have crime-fighting goals. Eventually, they agree to coordinate and work together on an investigative effort.

Café Minamdang is 18 episodes, released in 2022, and currently streaming exclusively on Netflix. The IMDb Rating is 7.4 out of 10 stars. I agree.