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*** Monthly Magazine Home ***
(2021 - Viki 16 1:00 eps)

[!!CW!! Synopsis & non-spoilery review.]

A sr. editor at a monthly housing magazine runs into trouble when the new CEO turns out to be her new landlord. The potential of a story about what it means to have & make a home is unfortunately squandered. The storyline meanders & never finds a good, solid direction.

The cast is marvelous (great guest roles too) & carries the show - a cliched, tropeful story with a self-made, rich, cold boss & a poor, struggling jr. involved in a love triangle, & the worst noble idiocy & time-break/leap I've seen so far.

If you like architecture & seeing a variety of homes (some from other dramas), & appreciate the actors, it's a fun, often silly, kind of sweet watch through eps 15. Just stop there, & it'll be good. The writer went off the rails in the last episode & there's just no redemption possible.

https://mydramalist.com/59909-monthly-house

#MonthlyMagazineHome #월간집 #KimJiSuk #김지석 #JungSoMin #정소민 #JungGunJoo #정건주

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Love Reset
(2023 - Viki Movie 1:59)

On a Jung So Min quest - this movie was a box office success in Korea. A couple has grown to hate each other & are about to divorce. On the way to court, they are in a car accident which causes amnesia & they don't know each other any more.

This is comedy (not really a whole lot of romance) & both main leads are wonderful at the ridiculous OTT antics. Don't expect to like the main characters, but go for the comedy. It moves fast. The storyline could have been better. It lacks the char. dev that is really needed for the ending to make sense, but I still laughed & enjoyed myself.

https://mydramalist.com/736639-30-days

#LoveReset #30일 #KangHaNeul #강하늘 #JungSoMin #정소민 #JoMinSoo #조민수 #KimSunYoung #김선영 #WhooshReview

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Love Next Door
(2024 - Netflix 16 1:20 eps)

A neighborhood friend moved abroad for several years, but then quit her job & returned to Korea. She meets her old friend again & they resume their old bickering habit.

The directing is amazing, frequently one scene cuts to a contrasting one (fighting/loving, sad/happy, rich/poor) or parallel one (between couples, in time) - extremely well done. The acting is stellar. The 2nd couple is sweet & funny & the children are *amazing* actors. The parents' friendships & personal paths are interesting & enrich the story.

Symbolism again plays a big role. The FL's name means pomegranate & she gives the ML a pom tree as a gift. The tree foreshadows events that take place. The ML's name means victory & filial duty which fits his character well. Food plays a big role & I think even the onggi pots we learn about have a deeper meaning.

https://mydramalist.com/758259-mom-s-friend-s-son

#LoveNextDoor #엄마친구아들 #JungHaeIn #정해인 #JungSoMin #정소민 #KimJiEun #김지은 #YunJiOn #윤지온 #WhooshReview

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Playful Kiss
(2010 - Viki, 16 1:05 eps)

Warning: toxic relationships everywhere (at least 3)!

The ML & FL are in a kor-ercive relationship flipped around. The stupid, powerless, clumsy, inept FL is hopelessly in love with the genius, handsome, rich ML. He humiliates & insults her ruthlessly. The FL character is annoying & stalkerish. ML's mom is manipulative & also stalkerish, but cute(?).

The story is awful & the FL's character is so far gone that you can't even be sympathetic. But the FL, Jung So Min (AoS, First Life), is amazing even in this horrible role! This is her 2nd main role & you can see her star quality. She steals the show. In the last 2 eps, we finally get some meaningful character growth. I would only recommend it if you are on a Jung So Min quest.

https://mydramalist.com/20-playful-kiss

#PlayfulKiss #장난스런키스 #KimHyunJoong #김현중 #JungSoMin #정소민 #LeeTaeSung #이태성 #WhooshReview

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Alchemy of Souls
(2022 - Netflix, 20 1:20 eps)

The best Hong sisters' drama, incorporating elements of Camelot & the Lady of the Lake with lots of symbolism.

Set in a fictional country, with some Joseon-inspired costumes, it is the story of mages who work to fight evil. It has comedy, romance, battles, magic, political intrigue, gorgeous sets & costumes, marvelous writing, & great OST. The main love story is epic. The bromance is touching. The 2 leads shine in their roles, but all the acting is excellent. The sword fighting in silk robes will make you swoon. While having some classic story elements, it's fresh and profound.

What are previous generations responsible for? Do your desires outweigh societal goals? How does society treat outcasts? Is a hierarchical society sustainable? Besides laughing & crying, you'll be pondering these questions too.

https://mydramalist.com/52939-can-this-person-be-translated

#AlchemyofSouls #환혼 #LeeJaeWook #이재욱 #JungSoMin #정소민 #WhooshReview

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Because This Is My First Life
(2017 - Netflix, 16 1:10 eps)

Unique storytelling made this a standout. It's a slice-of-life drama concerning love & marriage that was presented in a quiet but fresh way. The narrative & dialogue surprises you frequently when its simplicity becomes profound. The casting & acting was excellent.

3 adult relationships develop through the show. We see 3 women in different job situations being affected by the patriarchy. But we also get to see men oppose it. It is rare to see a woman being allowed to be smart, cute, sexy, strong, & determined - especially all in 1 character.

Unfortunately, there is 1 thing that ruined the flow toward the end. Overlooking that it was a good drama with some great messages.

https://mydramalist.com/24678-because-this-is-my-first-life

#BecauseThisIsMyFirstLife #이번생은처음이라 #JungSoMin #정소민 #LeeMinKi #이민기 #Esom #이솜 #ParkByungEun #박병은 #KimGaEun #김가은 #KimMinSeok #김민석 #WhooshReview