References to Western Literature Mentioned in Five (5) Korean Dramas

Korean dramas often spark curiosity beyond the screen—whether it’s real events, food, or references to Western literature woven into the plot. 

These five dramas use real books as emotional and thematic markers to deepen character development and highlight Korea’s blend of global influences. For me, these literary references make the stories richer and inspire me to explore the books behind them; I wonder if they do the same for you.

(1) The Lucifer ~ Inside the Mind of a Dark Genius

• People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil, a book written by M. Scott Peck.

The drama uses “People of the Lie...” to frame its exploration of human malice, self-deception, and moral corruption. Peck’s psychological insights become central to the protagonist’s investigation, shaping the entire narrative.

(2) Born Again ~ 3 People Reincarnated, Love Triangle Recreated

• Emily Brontë’s gothic classic novel about obsession and fate, Wuthering Heights.

The story mirrors “Wuthering Heights” through themes of longing, fate, and emotional obsession. Three souls connected in the 1980s are reborn to repeat a tragic love triangle across lifetimes.

(3) My Love From the Star ~ A Cosmic Romance Phenomenon

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a children’s novel by Kate DiCamillo.

The drama references “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” to highlight Do Min Joon’s emotional evolution from detachment to love. Like Edward, he learns through loss, vulnerability, and connection what it truly means to care.

(4) The Nice Guy – I Just Want To Live Happily Ever After

• The Sun Also Rises, is a classic novel written by the Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway.

A gentle-hearted heir trapped in a violent family clings to the hope symbolized by Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”. The quote about the rising sun becomes his reminder that a peaceful life might still be possible.

(5) Notes From The Last Row ~ A Mentorship Turns Into Psychological Warfare

• The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Referencing "The Sorrows of Young Werther" signals the drama’s focus on obsession, unrequited longing, and emotional unraveling. The mentor-student relationship spirals into a tense psychological battle echoing Werther’s intensity.

Condensed from content published via PopGeeks.com.

Bride of the Century (2014) ~ An Old But Gold Fantasy Korean Drama About Curses and Charms

"Bride of the Century" is an old but gold 2014 Korean drama series, with 16 episodes. It blends romance, mystery, and fantasy into a story centered on identity, fate, and the weight of family expectations.  Where to Watch

Main Characters:

• Na Doo-Rim / Jang Yi-Kyung (played by Yang Jin-Sung)

• Choi Kang-Joo (played by Lee Hong-Ki)

• Jang Yi-Hyun (played by Sung Hyuk)

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 7 out of 10 stars

• My Drama List: 7.8 out of 10 stars

• Viki viewers rated the series 9.3 out of 10 stars

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STORYLINE:

A century-old curse shapes the lives of those connected to the influential Choi family. According to legend, the first bride of the family’s eldest son is destined to die—a chilling prophecy that has haunted generations from the Joseon Era and continues to cast a shadow over the present.

Choi Kang-Joo, the aloof and impeccably groomed heir to Taeyang Group. Choi Kang-Joo is intelligent and capable, yet emotionally distant due to past trauma and the heavy burden of his family’s legacy. His arranged marriage to Jang Yi-Kyung, a poised and calculating heiress, is intended to strengthen business ties and uphold tradition. However, Jang Yi-Kyung mysteriously disappears just before the wedding, throwing both families into crisis.

To preserve the engagement and avoid scandal, the Jang family secretly recruits Na Doo-Rim, a cheerful and hardworking young woman from a small island village who happens to be Jang Yi-Kyung’s doppelganger. Na Doo-Rim's personality is the complete opposite of Jang Yi-Kyung. She is warm, sincere, and refreshingly honest and in need of money. Jang Yi-Hyun, Jang Yi-Kyung’s half-brother agrees to provide financial support for her grandmother’s medical needs, if Na Doo-Rim would impersonate his missing sister. Of course, she is unaware of the dangerous curse tied to the first bride. But no matter. She does not plan to actually marry the chaebol heir. It's just a temporary gig.

But the best-laid plans often don't go as planned.

Na Doo-Rim enters Choi Kang-Joo’s world, and her genuine personality begins to soften his guarded exterior. Their interactions shift from formal and tense to unexpectedly tender, creating a slow-burn romance filled with emotional nuance. Choi Kang-Joo, who initially views her as a strategic match, finds himself drawn to her authenticity—never suspecting her true identity. Meanwhile, Na Doo-Rim struggles with guilt and fear, torn between her growing feelings and the deception she must maintain. Jang Yi-Hyun, the half-brother, becomes increasingly entangled in the unfolding mystery.

Before meeting anyone in the Jang or the Choi family, Na Doo-Rim helped a woman in distress. The woman gave her a good luck charm and told her it would bring her love. Love is great.  But can a charm break a century-old curse?

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TRAILERS/TEASERS:

Viki Global TV. (2020). BRIDE OF THE CENTURY - OFFICIAL TRAILER [Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=2lbdPS2WbHc.

♦- Thanks for reading.

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

Old But Gold Binge-Worthy Korean Drama: The Lucifer (2007)

While patiently waiting for new releases of Korean dramas to reach the American audience, I continue combing through old Korean dramas and finding lots of hidden gems. It's the best treasure hunt ever! 

• The Lucifer (aka “The Devil”) is a 2007 Korean drama, 20 episodes, categorized as Legal drama, Police Procedural, Thriller, Suspense, Revenge, Action, Legal Drama, Police Procedural, Crime, Mystery, Romance, and Fantasy. Streaming on KOCOWA+.  

"The Lucifer" (aka “The Devil”) is the second installment in a revenge trilogy, following “Resurrection [aka Rebirth, Revenge, or Life Again ] (2005)” and preceding “Don’t Look Back: The Legend of Orpheus (2013)” (literal title “Shark”).

Where to Watch

• Memorable Quote: “'People of the Lie' by M. Scott Peck.” … “When the trumpet of judgment stops to play and the new day dawns, the Gates of Hell shall be closed.” (Episode 20)

SUMMARY: The lives of a detective, a psychic librarian, and a mysterious lawyer collide in a series of tarot card-linked murders.

• Read my detailed review on PopGeeks.com.

TRAILER/TEASER:  KBS WORLD TV. “[ENG Sub] The Lucifer (마왕) Trailer.” YouTube, 10 May 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OiedBK4Jc.

Other K-Drama Trilogies:

• The Yi Sun-sin Trilogy
• The Vengeance Trilogy
• The Friend Trilogy
• The Lovers Trilogy: In Paris, In Prague, In China's Hainan Island

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Korean Dramas Based On or Inspired by South Korea's First Serial Killer Investigation

The Hwaseong Serial Murders were a series of brutal crimes committed in rural South Korea between 1986 and 1991, in which at least 10 women were assaulted and murdered in the area around Hwaseong. 

The case became one of the country’s most infamous unsolved mysteries for decades, marked by investigative missteps and public fear. It was finally linked in 2019 to Lee Choon-Jae through DNA evidence, bringing long-awaited answers to a case that had deeply shaped South Korea’s criminal justice system and popular culture.

It's unfortunate, but these murders might likely have been solved faster were it not for the serious weaknesses in South Korea’s law enforcement / investigative practices and procedures at the time. Police relied heavily on coerced confessions, lacked modern forensic tools, and struggled with coordination. This led to wrongful arrests and missed evidence.

Because of these murders, authorities modernized their approach to solving crimes. The use of DNA analysis was expanded, procedures for preserving evidence were improved, and standardized investigative procedures were introduced. In addition, reforms were aimed at protecting suspects’ rights and reducing reliance on forced confessions.

But the most significant change was that the serial murders played a key role in pushing South Korea to adopt criminal profiling as a formal investigative tool. Together, all of these changes transformed South Korea’s policing. Investigating, particularly investigations of major crimes, became a more scientifically grounded and accountable system.

Several K-drama series and films have been directly based on or inspired by the real-life Hwaseong serial murders. There is also a documentary.

Click here to view the listing on PopGeeks.com.

If I See the Red Line, Your Secret is Not Safe With Me | S Line (2025) | K-Drama Review

Memorable Quote: “The truth is written in red.”

♦ RMSS = Red Lines + Mystery + Shameful Secrets

“S-Line” is set in a near-future South Korea unsettled by a shocking phenomenon: glowing red “S Lines” appear above people’s heads, visually linking them to everyone with whom they have had sexual relationships. Once dismissed as an urban legend, the lines become terrifyingly real when certain individuals can see them unaided, exposing private histories and dismantling the boundaries of intimacy and secrecy.

The story centers on Shin Hyun-Heup, a withdrawn young woman born with the ability to see S Lines. Her gift has isolated her since childhood, when her drawings accidentally revealed devastating family secrets. Living on the margins of society, Shin Hyun-Heup has learned that knowledge can wound as much as it can reveal. Her fragile equilibrium is disrupted when "special eyeglasses" emerge that allow anyone who wears them to see the red lines, transforming a rare burden into a mass phenomenon. ...

See full article at PopGeeks

♦

TRAILER/TEASER:

Saukdrama. “S Line - New Trailer.” YouTube, 2 Apr. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1qnT8cjL-k.

Books: Perfect Picks For Science Fiction and Fantasy Readers

They say that romance books are the bestselling genre. But sci-fi and fantasy books don't seem to do too bad when it comes to sales. If I were to choose, I would go with fantasy over sci-fi. But I'm not the one choosing. You are! So here are a few picks recommended by a professional reviewer and moi! Maybe you'll see something that interests you.

January 2 is National Science Fiction Day.

Hulu Original Korean Drama ~ Light Shop (2024)

Light Shop (2024): GENRE: Fantasy, Supernatural, Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense; No. of episodes: 8

This supernatural mystery explores a strange store that offers customers a chance to revisit moments from their past.

Main Characters:

• Jung Won-Young (played by Ju Ji-Hoon)

• Joo Hyun-Ju (played by Shin Eun-Soo)

• Lee Ji-Young (played by Seol Hyun)

A mysterious young woman appears human but may be something far more dangerous. No one knows her name or where she comes from, only that encounters with her rarely end well. A young man notices her sitting at the same bus stop every night with a suitcase, not moving. One rainy evening, he offers her help, unaware that her intentions may be far from innocent.

Nearby, Jung Won-young runs a small light shop at the end of a dark alley. He claims to see “strangers”—supernatural beings that move in darkness. A schoolgirl, Joo Hyun-ju, often stops by his shop, drawn to its safety and light. Jung Won-young warns her that if she ever encounters a stranger, she must pretend nothing is wrong to survive.

When Joo Hyun-ju finally faces one of the “strangers”, she escapes by reaching the light shop. It becomes clear that the light shop is protection, and darkness is danger. The light shop owner Jung Won-young is also mysterious. He may be guarding more than just the store. Maybe he's a “good stranger”???

OFFICIAL TRAILER: Hulu. “Light Shop.” YouTube, 2 Dec. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTranui_uY.

♦

Angel's Last Mission: Love (2019); An Award-Winning Korean Drama

"Angel’s Last Mission: Love"

Kim Dan is an angel who knows the rules of the heavenly realm. He must never touch a human. If he does, he'll disappear, as in “cease to exist”. He doesn't want that. He wants to go to heaven. But even though he knew the rules, the female was badly injured and pleading for someone to save her. Lee Seul-hwa was blind but she could hear that someone was there at the accident and they were close enough to help her. She used to be a prima ballerina, but while performing on stage one night there was a terrible accident which resulted in her losing her eyesight. People are afraid to be around her because she is an angry, bitter, cold-hearted former ballet dancer who takes out her frustration on everyone else, as if it's their fault. What is even worse is that the Fantasia Ballet Company that her parents built for her to inherit has almost been stolen from her by greedy relatives.

Image credit

So many times Lee Seul-hwa had wanted to die. But now that she might actually die, she's begging to live. Her pitiful pleas were too much for Kim Dan and he yielded to temptation. He broke the rules and touched a human to save her life. When Lee Seul-hwa woke up in the hospital she could see! Meanwhile Kim Dan was getting ready to receive his punishment. But wait! He didn't disappear! Why does he still exist? It's true, he does exist, but no longer as an angel. Now he is a human who is being given a chance to re-earn his wings. This will be his last mission. If he fails he can forget about a heavenly reward. What's the mission? LOVE. He must find true love for Lee Seul-hwa. Even though she is no longer blind, she is still disgruntled, angry and a terrifying person to be in the same room with.

Lee Seul-hwa has so many emotional scars. She is afraid to love because all of the people she loved have died. Loving someone is too painful so she avoids becoming vulnerable. Kim Dan starts trying to play matchmaker, but starts to develop genuine feelings for her and unintentionally creates a love triangle. This wasn't supposed to happen. Aren't angels only supposed to love God? Will he be punished for loving Lee Seul-hwa?

Genre: Romance and Fantasy or Supernatural

IMDb Rating: 7.7 out of 10 stars

My Drama List: 8.4 out of 10 stars

Viki viewers rated this series 9.5 out of 10 stars

AWARDS: This delightful Korean drama won several awards at the 2019 KBS Drama Awards ceremony. Shin Hae-Sun won Top Excellence Award, Actress. Kim Myung-Soo won Best New Actor and K-Drama Hallyu Star. Together they won Best Couple Award.

Main Characters:

• Lee Yeon-Seo (played by Shin Hae-Sun, “Welcome to Samdal-ri”, “See You in My 19th Life”, “Mr. Queen”, “Don't Buy the Seller”)

• Kim Dan (played by Kim Myung-Soo, “Dare to Love Me”, “Numbers”, “Royal Secret Agent”)

LINKS OF INTEREST:

4 Heart-Fluttering Fantasy K-Dramas To Enjoy During The Fall | Soompi

9 Entertaining K-Dramas That Involve Multiple Worlds |Soompit

Winners Of 2019 KBS Drama Awards | Soompi

WATCH TRAILER:

Viu Singapore. “Angel’s Last Mission: Love 단, 하나의 사랑 TRAILER | INFINITE’S L, SHIN HYE SUN.” YouTube Video. YouTube, May 23, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSA7zVmmx0.

‌

"Angel’s Last Mission: Love" ~ Finding Love for the Unlovable https://t.co/VzPlpPb7an #kdramas #Koreandrama #allthingshallyu #entertainment #popcornworthy #fantasy

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) August 10, 2024

Korean Drama TV Series: The Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015)

I am not a fan of the horror genre. But I do like Korean historical period dramas. That's why when I first came across this TV series titled “The Scholar Who Walks the Night,” which was about vampires during the Joseon Dynasty, I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch it.

First of all, my background is Christian, and all the vampires that I have ever seen were weakened or even killed by a crucifix. So I'm thinking … how are they going to kill vampires in Korea??? Surely they won't use a cross. Nevertheless, I decided to watch the show because the main actor is Lee Joon-gi and I'm a fan.

There is a good vampire and a bad vampire. Lee Joon-gi plays the “good vampire”. He was close friends with the crown prince. The crown prince was fully aware that there was a vampire who was attacking people in the palace, and he wanted to get rid of that vampire. Scholar Kim Sung-yeol (played by Lee Joon-Gi) had no idea he was going to become a vampire. 

What happened was that the crown prince knew another good vampire who was trying to help him get rid of the bad vampire. He told his friend, the scholar, what his plans were and introduced him to the good vampire. 

Long story short. He was taken by surprise when the good vampire bit him! The good vampire told him that it was the only way for him to save the kingdom from that menacing, wicked vampire. Lee Soo-hyuk plays Gwi, the bloodthirsty evil vampire who wants to rule over all the humans.

Oh! What did they use instead of a crucifix? Something called Chinese hawthorn.

It was 20 episodes, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it!  Glad I stepped outside my comfort zone.

Leejoongitalianfamily 2. “Trailer Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015) Sub Ita/Eng/Esp.” YouTube, 14 Jun. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UArSnKa1FqI.

Watch on KOCOWA+ with English Subtitles

     Download the app.

Korean Drama Series Review: Miraculous Brothers (2023)

In "Miraculous Brothers", the two main characters ~ Yook Dong-Joo and Lee Kang San ~ meet each other by accident. But perhaps the accident that brought them together was actually a miracle. This Korean drama series was released in 2023 and has 16 episodes.

Some people are chasing after a young man and he is running for his life. The night is dark, it's raining, and just as lightning strikes he runs into the street and gets hit by a car. The driver of the car takes him to a hospital where he is pronounced dead. While in the hospital's Emergency Room, the driver hears someone calling “Brother! Brother!” Not sure where the voice is coming from, he approaches the bed where the young man is lying dead from his injuries. When he leans in closely, without realizing it, his breath goes into the young man's nostrils and his eyes open. HE'S ALIVE!! It's a MIRACLE!

Lee Kang San is alive but he is suffering from amnesia and doesn't even know who is. Except he does remember having a backpack, although he can't remember what was inside the backpack. Yook Dong-Joo is keeping something a secret and kind of hopes Kang San won't remember. If Kang San regains his memory, Dong-Joo will want to be there so he can explain his actions and beg for forgiveness. Since Yook Dong-Joo was the driver, he accepts responsibility by allowing Kang San to come and live with him.

Lee Kang San has no memory but discovers that he has superpowers. He hears voices, can feel the pain of others, and can disappear and reappear. Dong-Joo advises him to keep his special abilities a secret.

At first, Dong-Joo is worried that Kang San would find out he stole the manuscript that was in his backpack. But he becomes even more anxious because:.

• An anonymous phone caller tells him that the manuscript should have never been published. He realizes someone else must know he stole the manuscript. If they know, then what are they after? Is he in danger?

• A police detective tells him that the murders written about in the manuscript are actually happening. Not only that but the present-day murders are linked to a 27-year-old murder case.

Dong-Joo begins to do research on his own about the murders and makes a shocking discovery. It appears that Lee Kang San is a TIME TRAVELER!

Things just keep getting more and more complicated. 

Main Characters:

• Yook Dong-Ju (played by Jung Woo)

• Lee Kang San (played by Bae Hyun-Sung)

"Miraculous Brothers" is streaming on Viki and Netflix. 

Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 | K-Drama Series Season 2

Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 is the sequel to Tale of the Nine-Tailed and fans of Lee Dong-wook are super excited to see him playing the gumiho we all love, again!

In Tale of the Nine-Tailed (Season 1), Lee Yeon (played by Lee Dong-Wook, “Bad and Crazy”) is a 1000-years-old Gumiho. Having to live 1,000 years without the woman you love is a punishment. He hopes this punishment will end one day when he finally meets her again. According to legend, the Gumiho has to wait for a thousand years to turn into a human being. But if he finds the woman and they can be together, a thousand years was worth the wait.

However, it's not so simple to live for 10 centuries, find the woman you love, and live happily forever after, when you have two enemies that try to stop it from happening:

• an angry kid brother who feels that his big brother forsook him; and
• an evil serpent beast who has “issues”.

Both enemies have their reasons for wanting REVENGE!

It’s a challenge. But hey!  Love conquers all. Right?

RE:  Season 2:  How Did the Fox Brothers Go Back to 1938?

Tale of the Nine-Tailed, Season 1, is 17 episodes. When the main storyline began, it was the year 2020. All of the events that occurred went forward in time, not backward. So how did the gumiho brothers end up in the year 1938, during the Japanese Occupation of Korea? Uuhh? There was an unexpected turn of events.

Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 is a K-Drama Series that premiered on Korean television in May 2023 and is available on streaming platforms in selected regions. (Where to Watch in USA.)

My Perfect Stranger is the Perfect for Time Travel K-Drama Lovers

Korean scriptwriters often come up with some very interesting time travel plots.  My Perfect Stranger is a perfect time travel K-drama.   

Two perfect strangers end up traveling back to 1987, both with two completely different objectives they wish to accomplish.  But as they begin to unravel certain events, they discover that their purposes are connected.  

However, it's the past.  Everything has already happened.  Can they really turn back the clock?  If they could it would be wonderful,  Especially since turning back the clock would result in preventing a serial killer from ever committing the crimes in the first place.

Hae Jun (played by Kim Dong Wook) works as an anchorman at a news station. One day as he is driving his car, his GPS starts acting weird and the voice announces that the directions have changed. Why do weird and strange things always happen on dreary rainy nights? Following the GPS directions he drives into a tunnel and is blinded by a bright light. He stops his car, gets out, and finds an abandoned car. At least …??? It looked like a car. It was actually a time machine. So he did what anybody else would do if they found a time machine. He got inside and tested it to see if he would really travel through time. First, he went to the future and then he went to the past. It was a blast!

But then he decided that since he had already made plans for what he would be doing once he retired, might as well travel to the future life to see if his life had worked out just the way he planned it. His future was not the way he planned it. He had been murdered! That was not a blast. It was a shock!

So! What would be your next thought? Time machine? My murder?

Go back in time to prevent the crime from happening!

Since he had successfully tested the time travel machine, going back and forth between the past and the present was easy. Just get in the car, set the year, and voila! You're there. But this one time, as he was driving through the tunnel, he sees a young woman standing in the pathway. 

The woman is Baek Yoon-young (played by Jin Ki-joo), an editor who works at a publishing company. He swerves to try to avoid hitting her but somehow they both end up in the year 1987. She is from the same time period that he was from, i.e. the year 2021.

But why was this woman brought back in time with him?

To him, she's a perfect stranger. For her, the feeling is mutual. She doesn't know him either!

They both have two different purposes for wanting to go back in time. However, as they begin to unravel certain events, it turns out their objectives are intertwined. 

• The death of Baek Yoon-young's mother was recorded as a suicide, but it is possible that it was murder. She needs to know the truth.
• Hae Jun is trying to find a serial killer in the hopes of preventing his own murder 30 years later. 

The first murder occurred in 1987 and it took place in Woojeong Village.  He and Yoon-young begin working together to unravel the mystery. They have a clue that is rather cryptic. There was a matchbox from the Boong Boong Cafe found at the scene of the first crime and it contained a note: “A woman who reads is dangerous.”

What could that possibly mean?

My Perfect Stranger is an extremely believable time travel drama and the murder mystery is a riveting crime thriller. The Viki viewing audience rated My Perfect Stranger, 9.5 out of 10 stars. I agree.

Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) | Korean Drama That Explores the Afterlife and Reincarnation

Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, released in 2017, is a film that explores Buddhist beliefs regarding the afterlife and reincarnation.  It is based on the webtoon series by Joo Ho-min.

Kim Ja Hong (played by Cha Tae Hyun, “Brain Works”) is a courageous firefighter who died in the line of duty. When he enters the afterlife he finds himself being escorted by a team of guardians. They inform him that he died and that he must go through seven (7) otherworldly courts. In each court, there are specific things that he has done in his life and he will either be judged innocent or guilty.

The Three Guardians are:

• Hae Won Maek (played by Joo Ji Hoon),
• Gang Rim (played by Ha Jung Woo), and
• Lee Deok Choon (played by Kim Hyang Gi).

They must attend each of his heavenly court trials, sort of as his team of defenders, and present proof that he has lived a virtuous life and therefore he should be reincarnated to live once again in the mortal realm. However, a problem has arisen that is making it difficult to prove his worth. It seems that his brother, Su Hong (played by Kim Dong Wook) has died a wrongful death, and has turned into a vengeful spirit. His brother's ghost is roaming around the earth venting his anger. Some of that anger is directed at Kim Ja Hong. He and his brother need to resolve their difference and reconcile with each other, so the trials can be completed. 

Of course, since Kim Ja Hong is dead and no longer on the earth, it might be hard to get in touch with his brother's spirit which has not left the earth. No worries. The guardians will find a way to bridge the two worlds.

Original source

Where to Watch ~ Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds

Kokdu: Season of Deity | Viki Original Korean Drama Series

Kokdu: Season of Deity is a Viki Original Korean Drama Series, released 2023.  How long does a season of deity last? 99 days. During that time, Kokdu, a cruel angry death god, needs to find a woman, win her heart, and she must say the words “I love you”. 

Image credit:  Viki.com

Kokdu is a really mean and nasty death god, who is being punished because he incurred the wrath of the Creator. The only way he can be freed from this punishment is if a woman who knows how awful he is but still falls in love with him, faults and all. Like the fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast”? Eh! Sort of. 

Kokdu Was Once a Human

Before he became a vengeful, hateful, angry, merciless, really mean, and nasty god, he was a human named Oh-hyeon. He was a handsome warrior in Silla, one of the three kingdoms in ancient Korea. He lost his life because he loved Seol Hui, a woman who had been gifted as a concubine to another man. The plan was for the two of them to run away together. Their plan was discovered and he was killed. Seol Hui decided that she did not want to live without him and so she committed suicide. 

In the afterlife, he was always angry and he refused to obey any commands received from the Creator. For him, there was no punishment that could be worse than what he had already experienced in the land of the living.  He was wrong.  It is much more painful and lasted much longer.  The Creator made him the death god and every 99 years he is reincarnated to visit the land of the living.  He is allowed to be there for 99 days, i.e. for a "season".  During this season of deity, he hopes that he will find the woman who can end his punishment.

• Kim Jung-hyun plays Kokdu / Oh-hyeon / Doctor Do Jin-woo.

• Im Soo-hyang plays Seol Hui / Doctor Han Gye-jeol.

Read the complete review at Popgeeks.

Korean Drama TV Series: Lovers of the Red Sky (2021)

“Lovers of the Red Sky” (2021) is a Viki Original TV series which  stars Kim Joo Jung as Hong Cheong-Gi. Her leading man is played by Ahn Hyo Seop as Ha Ram. This young man is a singer and an actor who was born in Canada. The two of them made a lovely loving couple.

This series is based on the novel of the same name. It is a Viki Original Series, 17 episodes, and to be perfectly honest, it was sort of lacking. But since I like Kim Joo Jung so much, I was willing to overlook the script’s flaws and shortcomings. Also, Ahn Hyo Seop, who played her love interest, is strikingly handsome; even with red eyes.

It’s a a historical fantasy romance drama. There is a wicked demon, good spirits who fight against it, shamans who advise the crown princes, and a goblin who happens to have excellent taste in art. He doesn’t kill people. He just steals paintings.

Hong Cheong-Gi (Kim Joo Jung) and Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop) are caught up in two vicious webs: the human politics and power games AND the eternal power struggle of good versus evil within the supernatural spirit world.

What will be the fate of these two lovers?

Two words for this series?  Delightfully entertaining! 

Originally published at read.cash.

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— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) December 24, 2021