Writer/director Roo Seung Wan delivers a breathtaking film with Escape from Mogadishu (모가디슈). The combination of edge of your seat action, tense wartime drama and sincere heart and emotion make for a thrilling and satisfying cinematic experience.
Yoon Si Yoon proves once again how he’s one of the most effortlessly versatile actors today with the eight-episode Wavve drama series You Raise Me Up (유 레이즈 미 업). The series has an immediately attention-grabbing logline: a down-and-out 31-year-old studying for the civil service exam finds he may be impotent and the urologist he consults turns out to be his first love). But in familiar K-drama fashion, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. The potentially funny and raunchy first impression leads into an introspective and emotional journey for our main character that ends up being more relatable than one might have expected.
The first three seasons of OCN’s Voice delivered top-notch action and stunning performances. Between the relatively familiar crime solving mystery of season one to the darker psychological thriller of seasons two and three, Voice 4 (보이스4: 심판의 시간) finds the perfect balance between those two contrasts. Continuing the story of Lee Ha Na’s captivating Kang Kwon Joo, Voice 4 introduces us to new characters and new dangers while expanding its world in the most unexpected, yet exciting ways.
Netflix’s latest Korean drama Hellbound (지옥/Hell) is a pensive thriller that blends fantasy, supernatural and horror with thought-provoking discussion and even a touch of biblical epic. Yeon Sang Ho, the mind behind the excellent Train to Busan, directs this series based on his own webtoon of the same name. And Hellbound shares many of the same qualities that made the blockbuster film so successful, including the ability to examine real world ills while engaging in action-packed spectacle.
Last year, I watched seasons 2 and 3 of OCN’s crime thriller Voice (보이스) partly for Lee Jin Wook, one of my all-time favorite Korean actors. Those two seasons were near the top of my Favorite Dramas list at the end of the year. And after watching them, I planned on circling back to season one. When it was announced that Voice would be returning for a 4th season this year, I thought what better time to do that than now. So before jumping into Season 4, I finally decided it was time to watch how it all began.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a brighter, more loveable and fun pair than Kim Min Jae and Park Gyu Young on KBS’ Dali and Cocky Prince (달리와 감자탕 /Dal Ri and Gamjatang). Sweet and hilarious, the series is the very definition of romantic-comedy. But it also has a lot of heart and is, maybe surprisingly so, grounded in reality while still being infused with a charming fairy tale aura. Simply put, it is one of the year’s most enjoyable and satisfying series.
SBS’ One the Woman (원 더 우먼) is an absolute fun ride. Honey Lee is charming and irresistible as she leads a strong cast in bringing to life a hilarious, exciting, dramatic and feel-good story. Korean audiences apparently thought the same as it had no problem continuing the network’s winning streak in the slot. A perfect balance of kick-ass action, well-placed comedy and soapy drama makes for a winning combination and one of the year’s most refreshing and enjoyable watches.
tvN’s The Devil Judge (악마판사) is a character-driven dystopian thriller that feels terrifyingly close to reality, especially in today’s world. That “hits close to home” feeling lingers throughout the 16-episode series and makes what’s being depicted on screen that much more visceral and affecting. Powered by an excellent cast that brings multi-layered characters to vivid life, The Devil Judge is an exciting and thought-provoking experience.
Mashin Sentai Kiramager vs. Ryusoulger (魔進戦隊キラメイジャーVSリュウソウジャー) might be one of the best Sentai VS films. Rarely does a team-up or crossover event capture the essence of both original series as well as this film does. A perfect blend of exciting action and character-driven story results in an unquestionably wonderful and satisfying experience.
MBC’s gritty, intricate thriller The Veil established a fully developed world of conspiracy and corruption. So it’s no surprise that a prequel like Moebius: The Veil (뫼비우스 : 검은 태양) would be just as compelling and warranted. Not to mention just as exciting and action-packed.