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

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

Binge-Worthy TV Series: Turkish Drama: Filinta Mustafa (2014-2016)

“Filinta Mustafa” is a Turkish mystery and historical period drama series, set in 19th century Istanbul, the Ottoman Empire. There are 66 episodes and they aired from 2014 to 2016. Netflix was instrumental in bringing this TV show to an American audience.

A Clear Line Drawn Between Good and Evil

This series draws a clear line between good and evil and makes it plain for you to see.

• The good guys are really good. Noble and kindhearted. Fiercely dedicated to the pursuit of justice.

• The bad guys and ladies (there is no discrimination or gender inequality) are extremely bad.

Imagine that this fictional series paints a “true picture” of Sultan Abdülhamid’s era (the Ottoman Empire). If so, then to be a law enforcement officer in 19th century Istanbul, you never get any rest! Not only do you have to deal with the local thugs and scumbags, but you have to wrestle with the foreign criminals from around the world that bring their crime to your city. The English, the French, the Russians, the Americans, the Germans, the Catholics! Oh my!

These people scheme and connive to do everything from murder and robbery to starting wars! Also, we have to throw in corruption among the government officials within the Ottoman Empire. Did I mention the part about young children being kidnapped by a secret organization and trained to become ruthless killers? It’s a good thing Filinta Mustafa has a loyal partner, Blade Ali, who works with him to help fight crime and corruption.

The Shakespearean Lens

The best way to describe this TV series is to compare it to a Shakespeare tragedy. A tragedy written by William Shakespeare can’t be tragic if there aren’t dead bodies lying all over the place! Well! There was one episode where there are so many dead bodies and the crimes which occurred in such a short period of time, the police detective said: “Oy! It’s raining corpses today in Istanbul!”

Yeah. It was that many dead people! More than in a Shakespeare tragedy. You just have to ask: Do evil people ever stop thinking and take a break? Do they ever stop being cruel and ruthless, and just smell the roses? 

Filinta Mustafa is Eye Candy for the Ladies

“Filinta” or “Filinta Mustafa”, is the “first Ottoman crime show of television history”. The main character, Mustafa has been styled as “the Turkish Sherlock”. If you are a loyal fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s master detective Sherlock Holmes, you will probably become a fan of his Turkish look-alike.

If I’m being honest, the ladies would love watching this show, whether or not it was interesting. Why? Because they won’t be able to take their eyes off the main character. Filinta Mustafa (played by Onur Tuna) is strikingly handsome. Pure eye candy! Brings a new meaning to “Turkish delight”. Your eyes get glued to him. You follow him everywhere. You see no reason for them to take the camera off of him. If he’s not in the scene, the ladies are thinking: “Hurry up! Get the camera back on Mustafa!”

Summary Review

This is a made for TV crime-solving series that is genuinely delightful entertainment. In each episode, you look forward to the bad guy getting his comeuppance!! There are many bad guys but the main one who is a constant thorn in Mustafa’s side is “Boris Zaharyas”. This guy put the letter “C” in the words criminal, conniving, callous, and cruel! He has got to be brought down! Serhat Tutumluer plays this part and he plays it to the “T”!!

Take your time watching this series. You will want to savor the moment and patiently wait for when Mustafa finally brings down the curtain on Boris!!

My summary review of this series? Never a dull moment.

Source:  RationalMind.club

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

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

‌

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.

Original source

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)

***

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!

***

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

K-Drama Review: L.U.C.A.: The Beginning (2021) | Make the World Better By Making Better Humans

L.U.C.A.: The Beginning is a Korean drama about a mad scientist who thinks he's good enough to be like God. In fact, he's convinced himself that he can make better humans than God.

This series is 12 episodes, released in 2021, currently streaming on Viki. As for the genre? It has elements of crime and mystery and elements of science that might have the viewer wondering if it's science fact or science fiction.

• According to current science, the Last Universal Common Ancestor, L.U.C.A. Is the ancestor of all living things, and is estimated to have lived some four billion years ago, when Earth was a mere 560 million years old.

First, a woman supplied her ovum and a man supplied his sperm. You don't need to be a scientific genius to know that is the beginning of human life. But! Suppose after you joined the ovum and the sperm, you combined human DNA with DNA from jellyfish, fruit flies, electric eels, and other animals. Now! Is the baby a human? A monster? A half-human, half-monster?  

Ryu Joong-kwon (played by Ahn Nae-sang) is a scientist who thinks that ethics hinder the research and advancement of science. He found people who were willing to fund his unrestricted research, so he was able to perform numerous kinds of scientific experiments. Only one of his experiments was successful. He genetically engineered an artificially enhanced child who was named Ji Oh. 

• L.U.C.A. stands for Last Universal Common Ancestor. Ji Oh (played by Kim Rae Won) is L.U.C.A.  This is his beginning.

Korean Movie Review: Unlocked (2023)

UNLOCKED IS A KOREAN FILM STREAMING ON NETFLIX, RELEASED IN 2023. A YOUNG WOMAN LOSES HER SMARTPHONE.  A SERIAL KILLER FINDS IT AND TURNS HER LIFE INTO A LIVING HELL!

SOMETIMES SMART PEOPLE ARE NOT VERY SMART

Lee Na-Mi (played by Chun Woo-hee, “Love, Lies“) is a female hustler. She’s intelligent, talented, hard-working, has excellent marketing skills, and holds down more than one job. When she’s not working beside her dad in his cafe, she is doing other jobs related to marketing products via social media technology. Like most young people her age, she uses her smartphone FOR EVERYTHING!! Work and play. Her device has loads of photos with friends and family, as well as lots of revealing.text messages. Very revealing. It’s surprising how innocent innocuous casual conversations via text messages reveal a lot about an individual.

Lee Na-Mi is smart but she did something not so smart. She got stupid drunk and in her drunken stupor lost her smartphone.  A serial killer found it.

You can guess what happened next?

READ FULL REVIEW ON POPGEEKS.COM

Korean Drama Review: The Witch's Diner (2021)

The Witch's Diner is a K-Drama series, based on a novel of the same name; 8 episodes, released in 2021, and started streaming on Viki in March 2023.

Be careful what you wish for.

Jeong Jin (played by Nam Ji-Hyun, “100 Days My Prince) was approached by a witch who told her she could make one wish. She wished for REVENGE! Her wish came true but she was filled with regret. From that time forward she tried her best to dissuade others from making their “one wish”. Or at the very least they should think long and hard before making it. Because once they made their wish, it could not be reversed. No matter how hard she tried, she could not convince others NOT to make a wish.

How are the wishes granted?

There is a restaurant called The Witch's Diner. The sign outside says wishes will be granted. Guaranteed! When the customer makes a wish, the witch prepares a dish for them to eat. They must eat everything and their one wish will come true.

This series is categorized as dark fantasy. But I thought it was a delightful fantasy. My main complaint about this K-drama series? I don't know where to find the recipes. Those dishes the witch prepared looked delicious! Personally, I would love to taste the Mind Comforting Tomato Soup.

Original source

Glitch (2022): Alien Sci-Fi Korean Drama Series ~ Only on Netflix.

Hong Ji-hyo (played by Jeon Yeo-been) thinks she may have had an encounter with aliens when she was in middle school. By the time she becomes a young adult, she has been receiving psychiatric treatment because her parents are convinced her belief in aliens is a mental illness. They want her to get married and be “normal”. Her boyfriend announced that they were going to marry and her parents were thrilled. But then her boyfriend suddenly vanishes. Her parents think she chased him away. But she is convinced that he was abducted by aliens and goes to look for him.

The series is 10 episodes and it's about a young woman who searches for her missing boyfriend and uncovers cults and conspiracies about aliens. The storyline goes from weird to weirder to weirdest to … THIS IS FREAKING UNBELIEVABLE!!

The cast for this K-drama did a good job of acting. It was a believable sci-fi TV series. LOL.

Original source

Review of Small Island (2009), a BBC Masterpiece Theater TV Drama Series

"Small Island" is a two-part drama adapted for television, included in the BBC Masterpiece Classic Collection, based on a novel by the same title written by Andrea Levy.

*

“Small Island” is a BBC Masterpiece Theater presentation.  The name of the main character is Hortense, an idealistic “proper” young Jamaican woman who dreams of living in England and she will fulfill her dream! It may take a little bit of conniving but … she will make it happen!

The setting is the 1940s; during and after the World War II - Jamaica and London.

* Naomie Harris plays Hortense.  She is something else!!

If the name Naomie Harris sounds familiar, it should. She starred in the James Bond movie, “Skyfall”. At the end of the movie, she is finally formally introduced to Mr. Bond as “Miss Moneypenny”.

Here's the plot in a nutshell.

Hortense has a friend who has a fiancé and that fiancé is in the military and intends to take the friend, who will be his wife, with him when he goes to England. Uh huh. That was the original plan. But Hortense figured out a way to get the guy to ditch the friend and take her to England instead.   As I said:  She is something else!  :)

* David Oyelowo plays Gilbert, the fiancé, scratch that ex-fiancé … dot dot dash … husband of “convenience”.

David Oyelowo. That name sound familiar? It should. He was “Danny” in the popular BBC spook TV show, “MI-5”. Also chosen for the role of “Dr. Martin Luther King”, in the Oscar-nominated film “Selma” about the Civil Rights Movement in America.

“Small Island” is a love story and you will love all of the characters; the ones in the starring roles and the supporting roles. They are very realistic and you will feel like you're a part of their lives.

Authentic costumes, great scenery, believable dialogue, stellar performances, and quality entertainment!

My one word to describe this masterpiece? Delightful!

Most memorable line? “Gilbert! I'm perishin' in this bed!” :)

Hortense dreams of England - Small Island - BBC


NOTE:  This content was first published at Daily Two Cents; however that site shut down.  It has now been published via Read.Cash.

Rakuten Viki is Truly the Heart of Asian Entertainment

Rakuten Viki is an OTT video streaming website and there is no question that it is LEGIT. This media streaming service boasts that it is the “heart of Asian entertainment” and that is not brag, it's fact. I mainly go to the platform for Korean dramas but they have movies and TV shows that are Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, etc.

Image credit:  Amazon.com Download App

The parent corporation, Rakuten Group, Inc., is a Japanese technology conglomerate based in Tokyo, in business since 1997. Rakuten Viki is a subsidiary founded in 2007, and headquartered in California USA.

• FUN FACT: In 2011, this streaming service won the Crunchie award for best international start-up company.

When Rakuten acquired Viki (during 2013) it was a signal that Rakuten is positioning its $16 billion Internet services ecosystem as a competitor to Amazon and Netflix.

BEST FEATURES:

• Viki provides subtitles for 200 different languages. I love the English subtitles because the translation is very accurate. So far I have not seen any English-dubbed content like on Netflix. But I'm OK with reading the subtitles.

• Viki offers a wide range of content ~ films, series, etc. in various genres ~ released more than a decade ago up to the present; plus it produces its own original content. Their database is constantly updated. The company signed distribution deals with Hulu, Netflix, and others. So do not be surprised if you find Viki original content on other streaming platforms.

You can watch some content with ads. But they also have a subscription service which is very inexpensive. Based on my personal experience:

• I started with the Standard subscription for $4.99 per month; then

• Upgraded to Viki Plus for $9.99 a month.

I enjoy watching content on my Amazon Fire TV; but it can be viewed on desktops, laptops, or mobile devices. The app is available on Google Play. I have NO complaints about this streaming service and would definitely recommend it to others. 

Visit the official website: Viki.com

Subscribe to Viki Global TV on YouTube

Have you tried the Rakuten Viki streaming platform?

BMF Reviews

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (2023) | A Delightful Viki Original Series Based on a Web Novel

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (2023) is a Viki Original series, based on the web novel of the same name by Kim Jung Hwa. Close to 6000 Viki viewers have given it an overall rating of 9.6 out of 10 stars. I agree.

There are three flower scholars who become guests at Ihwawon Inn, an establishment run by a young noble lady named Yoon Dan-oh (played by Shin Ye-eun).

• The first flower scholar is Jung Yu-ha (played by Jung Gun-joo). He is already paying for a room before the other two guests arrive. The ghost rumor does not bother him. He has chosen to live at the inn because it is comfortable and convenient, and he hopes to one day win the heart of Yoon Dan-oh and marry her. 

• The second flower scholar is Kang San (played by Go Yoon-hwan better known as Ryeoun). He came to town in order to take the civil service exam for martial arts and hopefully become a member of the king's royal guard. He is looking for a place to stay and Yoon Dan-oh persuades (or rather she “tricks”) him into staying at the inn.

• The third flower scholar is Kim Shi-yeol (played by Kang Hoon). He has no money but he did try to help a damsel in distress. Yoon Dan-oh is being harassed by a nobleman, along with his friends, who are trying to compel her to get married. He arrives at her in, slightly bruised and battered. He tells her she should repay the debt by allowing him to stay at Ihwawon Inn.

Two of the scholars have a secret identity and are on a secret mission. One of the scholars has a secret identity that even he does not know about, but he is also on a secret mission. One of the three scholars is the crown prince whose life was saved by Yoon Dan-oh thirteen (13) years ago.  Which one?

Read the full review: The Secret Romantic Guesthouse | A Viki Original Historical Korean Drama Series | popgeeks.com

Historical Korean Drama Webtoon Adaptation | Joseon Attorney: A Morality (2023)

Joseon Attorney: A Morality (2023) is a historical Korean drama series that stars Woo Do-Hwan. Fans of this popular South Korean actor are very pleased with his performance in this webtoon adaptation as the Joseon attorney Kang Han-Soo. 

For Money, Justice, or Revenge?

Kang Han-Soo (played by Woo Do-Hwan) was supposed to be dead. His father was falsely accused and executed. The false accusers then went to his home and killed his mother by hanging her, making it appear as a suicide. The people behind the brutal murder of his parents believed that he had died when his family home was burned down. But he survived, grew up, and studied to become a lawyer. He has a childhood friend who helps him with various court cases. 

Initially, he creates the impression that he is only practicing law for the money. But his plan also includes getting revenge for the unjust deaths of his parents.  However, when he takes different cases to defend commoners and slaves who have been wronged by greedy corrupt noblemen and wins, the people praise him for his noble efforts.  

• Kpopmap.com supplied an excellent summary of this K-drama series:  “Originally by Sim Gun and Writer Jeong, "Joseon Lawyer" is a hugely popular historical webtoon about a manipulative lawyer who orchestrates lawsuits and takes advantage of the victims but accidentally gets hailed as a savior of the people, which leads him to reflect upon himself and grow as a true server of justice.” 

Korean Sci-Fi Movie Review: JUNG_E (2023)

JUNG_E is a Korean sci-fi movie, released in 2023, and currently streaming on Netflix. It is set in the post-apocalyptic world in the 22^nd century (the year is 2194) and an institute is working on a special project to create the ultimate soldier who will always win!

JUNG_E is a robot who has been built to resemble “Captain Yun Jung-yi is a legendary mercenary of Allied Forces who led her team to countless successful missions against the Adrian Republic”.

The real soldier, Captain Yun Jung-yi, was injured during a battle and ended up in a coma. Her “consciousness” has been kept alive and a team of scientific researchers have been trying to recreate her by copying her brain data and putting it into android bodies. 

The research team is led by Yun Seo-hyun, the daughter of Captain Yun Jung-yi.  Yun Seo-hyun found out that Kronoid, the institute she worked for, had changed the mission of her project. Instead of creating the perfect soldier for combat, her mother's consciousness was going to be placed into androids who would perform “other tasks”, such as serving as a porn toy to fulfill a person's sexual fantasies.

Yun Seo-hyun is horrified at the thought of her mother being demeaned and comes up with a daring plan to rescue her. 

Read full review on Popgeeks.com.