DryedMangoez recaps, reviews and commentary of Korean drama series.
Weak Hero Class 1 (약한영웅) is a thrilling, yet sobering portrait of young students and the different struggles, difficulties and momentary joys they experience while growing up in a society that, too often, neglects and pushes them aside. It is strongest though as a character piece, telling the story of friendship and bonds that must survive under the weight of all that is happening around them.
MBC’s 2017 medical drama Hospital Ship (병원선) is a surprisingly character-driven slice of life procedural. Being able to balance a steady stream of patients and emergencies of the week with deep dives into the lives and backstories of the main characters, Hospital Ship manages to be both exciting and emotionally engaging.
Once Upon a Small Town (어쩌다 전원일기/Accidental Country Diary) blends together the best of romantic comedy and small-town nostalgia to deliver a warm, fun and enjoyable time. Park Soo Young (Red Velvet’s Joy) and Choo Young Woo lead a charming ensemble cast in this breezy series that takes full advantage of its cast and beautiful location.
If you want a simple, stress-free K-drama experience, KBS’s Café Minamdang (미남당) might be the series for you. If you’re looking for something a bit more than that, you might be left wanting more. Café Minamdang mixes over-the-top comedy with crime/mystery. And while it isn’t always able to seamlessly blend the two, the series is nonetheless a refreshingly easy watch compared to most of what’s on the Korean airwaves today.
tvN’s Shxxting Stars (or Shooting Stars/별똥별) is a romantic comedy through and through. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it knows what it wants to be and does it well. Yet it is also still refreshing and new while being as fluffy and breezy as a romantic comedy should be. That’s also true even when the series does dabble in more dramatic stories, especially those addressing some of the darker sides of Korean entertainment. But this stylized depiction of a world ripe for K-drama shenanigans is an absolute treat.
Along with a strong supporting cast, fast-paced writing and a long-overdue star turn for leading man Kang Tae Oh, experienced and talented actress Park Eun Bin delivers an endearing and nuanced portrayal of the title character in the ENA drama series Extraordinary Attorney Woo (이상한 변호사 우영우/ Strange Lawyer Woo Young-woo), While shining a light on Attorney Woo who has autism spectrum disorder, the series also provides a refreshing take on the law procedural that has felt a bit tired lately as many recent Korean dramas in the genre seem content on paint by the numbers execution.
If ever there was a series whose title is ripe for a pun-infused critique of it, it is SBS’ Why Her? (왜 오수재인가 /Why Oh Soo Jae?). Because as you’re watching and definitely after you’ve finished the 16 episodes of the drama, you’ll be asking yourself “Why?” Or maybe the more appropriate question is “How?” How could a series with such a strong cast and a seemingly strong start end up half-baked, undercooked and thoroughly contrived.
Netflix manages to balance and temper those worries in their latest Korean original Narco-Saints (수리남/Suriname). The six-episode series plays more like a six-hour film. And because of that, unlike many of Netflix’s originals, it ends up being a wholly satisfying experience. Powered by a stellar, big-name cast and its lush location, Narco-Saints is a well-paced thriller that effectively builds up to a truly exhilarating climax.
KBS’ Going to You at a Speed of 493km (너에게 가는 속도 493km) is a charming and relatable slice of life story about growing up and overcoming the everyday struggles and hardships of life. I will refer to the series using its original Korean title as I feel that it better captures the series’ wonderfully poetic storytelling and direction than the more generic English title of Love All Play. The series is a balanced blend of lighthearted romantic drama and coming of age angst. The characters’ personal stories and relationships provide the backbone for the series’ 16 episodes. And the talented young and veteran cast do an excellent job bringing them to life.
So for me, all I have to judge this series on is its own merits and my own experience in the greater world of Korean drama. And with that standard, I believe Money Heist: Korea is a fun and exciting ride powered by an excellent cast, sleek production and compelling storytelling.