DryedMangoez Good Ol’ Reviews written after a television series has completed its premiere run.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more fun, exciting television experience than when watching SBS’ latest blockbuster series Taxi Driver (모범택시/Deluxe Taxi). The adrenaline-fueled thriller captures the perfect balance of emotionally affecting-drama, roaring action sequences, lighthearted moments and vicarious satisfaction as it follows a team of on-call revenge specialists. An exceptional cast is just icing on the cake of what could end up being one of the year’s absolute best.
Baeksang Best Drama winner Beyond Evil (괴물/Monster) is a fascinating television experience. The 2021 JTBC drama series is a unique blend of psychological thriller, crime procedural and slice of life character study. Unique indeed. But it is that combination, along with an excellent ensemble cast and meticulous direction that prove just how much Beyond Evil deserves the accolades.
The 2020 MBC miniseries She Knows Everything (미쓰리는 알고 있다/Miss Lee Knows) is a dizzying whodunit that perhaps could have benefited from having more episodes.
Within the first minutes of the premiere episode of Netflix’s Move to Heaven (무브 투 헤븐: 나는 유품정리사입니다), it is easy to see how the series is well on its way to being one of the year’s very best. So far, it is certainly one of the most moving, charming and fun series of the year. Powered by a sincere and emotionally resonant story and a pair of absolutely captivating performances from Tang Joon Sang and Lee Je Hoon, Move to Heaven is an unforgettable must-watch.
OCN’s 2020 series Rugal (루갈) accomplishes what other similarly themed series do not. And that is to make a character-driven action thriller. There’s definitely nothing wrong with mindless, adrenaline-fueled fun. But there’s definitely something to having mindless, adrenaline-fueled fun with well-developed and emotionally impactful characters to boot. And that’s Rugal.
The 2020 JTBC series Live On (라이브온) feels very familiar. Tackling school violence and bullying, Live On treads familiar territory. Though it is a noble effort and the continued spotlight on the unfortunate all-too-common reality is quite necessary in today’s Korea, the series somehow falls short and ends up being a middling effort overall.
Few dramas will keep you guessing, keep you on the edge of your seat and make you laugh as much as the 2020-2021 KBS drama Cheat on Me If You Can (바람피면 죽는다/If You Cheat, You Die. A darkly comic murder mystery with twists and turns galore, the series deftly balances its diverse tones and intricate story.
Everything and Nothing (17세의 조건 /17 Year Old’s Condition) is an incredibly fascinating experience. It may seem like a typical angsty teen coming of age story. But coming into what is essentially a four-part, two-hour TV movie, be forewarned that it’s best to expect the unexpected. And even then, you might not see what’s coming as you watch this award-winning 2019 SBS production.
The 2021 tvN drama series Vincenzo (빈센조) is a wild roller coaster of emotions you willingly hop along for and hold on for deal life. Song Joong Ki leads a stellar ensemble cast in the title role as the hilarious, dramatic and sometimes pulpy series grabs you right from the start and never lets go.
Often times, Korean web dramas feel like they are either full-length movies awkwardly chopped up into mobile-friendly bite sized pieces (at which point, it’s best to watch the inevitable movie edit version of the series) or a full-length series premise that ended up underdeveloped and resigned to a streaming fate. The 2020 series Single & Ready to Mingle (솔로 말고 멜로) is the rare web drama that is actually perfectly suited for its format, knows what it is and is trying to do and accomplishes those goals.