Kamen Rider Zi-O NEXT TIME: Geiz, Majesty ((仮面ライダージオウNEXT TIME:ゲイツ、マジェスティ) is a thoroughly above-average V-Cinema entry that takes on an interesting and relatable discussion while successfully serving up more fun anniversary treats.
tvN’s 2019 drama series Psychopath Diary (싸이코패스 다이어리) is a hilarious, darkly comic thriller that utilizes the strengths of its cast to support a wild, exciting and fast-paced ride.
Kamen Rider: Reiwa The First Generation (仮面ライダー 令和 ザ・ファースト・ジェネレーション) is a stunningly thrilling and surprisingly emotional passing of the torch. Bidding another quick final farewell to the Heisei Era of Kamen Rider (with a quick shoutout to the Showa Era too), the film is really the loud, explosive and official arrival announcement of the Reiwa Era to the long-running franchise.
If you’re looking for a good mystery that tugs at the heartstrings, keeps you on your toes, provokes thought and throws in some futuristic sci-fi action as well, tvN’s 2017 drama Circle: Two Worlds Connected (써클 : 이어진 두 세계) is just the series for you.
Twelve years after the release of the groundbreaking Love of Siam, director Chookiat Sakveerakul is back with Dew the Movie (ดิว ไปด้วยกันนะ/Dew, Let’s Go Together), a film that shares some of the former’s heart and sincerity. But somehow loses a bit of the emotional connection to truly make for a profound experience.
The Naver web series A Teen (에이틴) is an easy to digest coming-of-age story of youth in the final year of their teenage lives. Essentially presented in quick vignettes, the series doesn’t necessarily cover any new ground. But a charming cast help make it a breezy viewing experience.
After watching Weathering With You, I decided to immediately jump into an earlier Makoto Shinkai work I had been meaning to watch for a while now: The Garden of Words (言の葉の庭).
And after watching Shinkai’s 2013 film, I can’t help but feel like it is able to present similar themes and imagery as Weathering With You, but in half the time and in a more affecting way.
Perhaps Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You (天気の子) faced some unfairly high expectations after the global success of Your Name. But while Shinkai’s stunning vision and creative storytelling is still present, something somewhere stumbles. And that leaves the film struggling to avoid comparisons and struggling to give itself its own memorable voice.
It is only a coincidence that I watched the KBS miniseries How to Buy a Friend (계약우정) after just finishing Extracurricular and At Eighteen. Three series in a row addressing the unfortunate reality of school violence and the lack of resources and care for mental health, especially for youth.
The 2019 JTBC drama series At Eighteen (열여덟의 순간 /Moment at 18) is one of the sincerest depictions of teenage life in Korea I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.