Change Your Image
calyx-77671
Reviews
Move to Heaven (2021)
For "The Departures" Fans!
The father and son formed a trauma cleaning company called "Move to Heaven". They clean up after the dead and sort out the worldly items they left behind. In the process, they tried to piece the story and last wishes of the dead and gave them a respectful closure. This drama reminds me of the Japanese movie "The Departures", which I really liked.
Every episode is a subplot on societal issues: elderly with dementia, same sex love, crime of passion, adopted Korean babies who fell through the cracks of the society etc. You can say there's a lot going on in the show and due to the limited screen time, some of the subplots may feel like they end abruptly.
The show helps us understand Asperger Syndrome through the male protagonist - the son in the cleaning company. It also demonstrates how a wayward person discovers a meaningful mission in his life, and grows to be a more wholesome person (the male protagonist's uncle). Other life lessons: closure for the surviving loved ones, regrets (which teaches the audience not to have regrets like the characters!), and the power of healing.
It's not a heavy nor overly sentimental drama till it feels contrived. It's a show that warms the hearts. It's easily one of the best dramas in 2021!
Penteuhauseu (2020)
Too much injustice
There's one review here which resonates with me : how can bullying and committing crimes be such common occurrences in some kdramas? It's ok for the rich and powerful to slap and hit the poor? The poor better know their place in the society and not outshine the rich. If such is a reality in Korea it's a sad society. I hope dramas are exaggerating it. After watching 5 episodes and realising the girl who got murdered came from a poor background I can't take the injustice anymore. I'm not sure why anyone would enjoy such a drama?
Seobok (2021)
Watch it if you like the actors, otherwise no
Two stars for the lead actors, three stars for effort and no stars for everything else. The marketing and A list actors were so appealing I had high expectations. But the director who's also the scriptwriter couldn't make up his mind what he wanted to achieve. The concept of a human clone being used to harvest stem cell 24/7 in order for other humans to survive fatal illnesses is good material for a movie because it questions humanity, but it's wasted. The melancholic scenes were contrived and not touching, the story was cliche and had no substance. I was waiting for some breakthrough but nothing happened in the movie that gave me that aha moment. I watched it to support PBG and I hesitated to write a bad review but this movie is really one of the most boring movies I've watched.
Namjachingoo (2018)
A Modern Fairytale weaved with poems and beautiful soundtrack
"If the sea's job is to make waves, mine is to thin of you" (translated from a Korean poem).
Park Bo Gum said this "I like to act in shows that have meaning, and make people laugh and cry. This explains why he chose to act in Encounter, in addition to the passionate, free-spirited and optimistic character of Kim Jin-Hyeok which he's drawn to.
I am watching this drama a second time because a year ago when I watched it, I was a Song Hye Kyo fan more than a PBG fan. Now I heart PBG as I've come to appreciate his acting talent. This time, I pay closer attention to the dialogue, and I feel like I'm receiving a richer experience, and able to empathise deeper with the characters. (His other great work includes "Reply 1988", "Hello Monster", "Love in The Moonlight" and the most recent "Record of Youth").
The plot revolves mainly around 2 protagonists - the young Kim Jin Hyeok in his 20s smitten by the older Cha Soo-Hyun in her mid 30s. KJH is just beginning his career in the hospitality industry while CSH is the CEO of the Donghwa hotel chain and a well-known business woman in high society. The 1st episode is set in romantic Cuba where they first meet, and there is instant chemistry between them. When they are back in Korea, harsh reality sets in as we witness how the couple fight against the social norms of a judgmental and gossipy society like Korea. For audience who come from more liberated countries, you have to understand that Korea is very traditional in terms of background compatibility and filial piety where children of ambitious and rich families are obligated to marry for alliance reasons.
KJH is like a breathe of fresh air to CSH's stifled, lonely and routine life. His courage to save her from humiliation in turn gives her courage to want to protect him and live her own life, breaking the shackles of her evil ex-mother inlaw. KJH also has his own share of issues to grapple with as he's suddenly thrown into limelight and labelled as the pretty boy chasing a rich and lonely older woman for materialistic reasons.
The focus of the plot is on the romance between the two characters in a corporate environment, where CSH stands to lose her hotel if she is not shrewd or careful as she continues to pursue her love. The sub-plot of the supporting characters are interesting to watch too. And I heart CSH's uncle driver who always finds ways to allow CSH and KJH to spend private time together. He's like an accidental cupid. There isn't a lot of exciting corporate scenes.
Acting wise, I feel Song Hye Kyo lacks emotions. She smiles weakly, cries easily and while some of her scenes touch me (the restaurant scene where she is holding KJH's camera to take a photo of KJH, and she suddenly weeps behind it because she can hide her sadness behind the camera - my heart cannot!), overall I think she has done better in other drama series. Maybe this is CSH's character - elegant, witty, and mature so she can't afford to have too much facial expressions? Park Bo Gum, on the other hand is able to emote his character and I find myself rooting for him and feeling sad with him. Even before I was his fan, his acting already affected me. What more now?!
So should you watch this drama in light of the mixed reviews? I'd say you give your time to at least 2 episodes and then assess. This drama will test if you are a logical and critical audience or if you would just get pass that and focus on "following your heart". It's a show where you would want to watch alone in a safe space because when you are immersed, you will have all sorts of silly expressions - laugh and cry - alongside the characters. It may convert a realist into a romantic, the conventional to unconventional, and trigger the emotional side of you which you thought you have lost touch with. If you are willing to be an open and vulnerable audience, I am sure you would enjoy every moment of the drama.
Now I understand what PBG and SHK chose to act in this show.