The King: Eternal Monarch Drama Review

The King: Eternal Monarch is a 2020 romantic-fantasy South Korean television series starring Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, Kim Kyung Nam, Jung Eun Chae and Lee Jung Jin. This drama is written by Kim Eun Sook, who also wrote Secret Garden, A Gentleman's Dignity, The Heirs, mega hit Descendant of the Sun and also Goblin.

This drama is really an awaited come back after two years hiatus of Goblin series and it is also the first drama after Lee Min Ho came back from military. Lee Min Ho was discharged on April 25th, 2019 which means this is the first project he works on.

The King: Eternal Monarch revolves around parallel universe theory, whereby Lee Gon (played by Lee Min Ho), a modern-day Emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, attempts to cross the barrier into an alternate reality where the Republic of Korea exists in the Kingdom's stead. He comes across detective Jung Tae Eul (played by Kim Go Eun), whom he recognises from an identity card he obtained during the turning-point of his childhood, his father's assassination when he was 8 years old. Lee Gon's half uncle, Lee Lim (played by Lee Jung Jin), who assassinated the previous king, Lee Ho (Lee Gon's father), is in hiding and assembling armies from both world whilst traversing back and forth between the two parallel worlds.

The theory of parallel worlds here in this drama refers to another person who would look exactly like you physically, even though the circumstances might be different (as in your name, your family structures even your personality). I believe the idea itself is a very creative and genius to put altogether the pieces into a story. However, as I had expected the story, quotes, fashion trend, catchphrase from the usual Kim Eun Sook drama, I would say, The King: Eternal Monarch is way beyond my expectation.

Is that because of the editing sequence? or the failed story telling?

Well, in whatever reasons it is, I feel the chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun is not there. The sequence for falling in love with the lost King of Corea is also a bit bland - Kim Go Eun as Jung Tae Eul who starts being so harsh at first suddenly becomes gentle towards Lee Gon.

Other than that, sometimes during the course of the event, the timeline doesn't make sense to me and in the end I give up entirely on trying to understand everything. The drama seemed more concerned with aesthetics and being epic than making sense. The frustrating thing for me is that this drama had an interesting premise and general story. It was the execution that was problematic. I often found myself sighing at what could have been if only the plot had been presented in a more coherent and focused way and the leads had been better developed. Most dramas don’t have enough material to fill the episodes, but this one had too much. We ended up with so many characters and threads that it felt messy and chaotic.

The latter half was a little more focused and better edited, but that could only go so far in solving the issues. Either way, there was potential there that wasn’t realized which is a shame. Despite my criticisms of this drama, I do appreciate that such a large-scale story was attempted.

Hopefully the next drama of Kim Eun Sook can be more of convincing.

Hi Bye, Mama! Korean Drama Review

I've always had a huge crush on fantasy drama about having limited time to live, specially the 49 days time to live. This time around, after many years since the 49 days Korean Drama, we have the same story about someone who has 49 days to come back and live as a human before finally going to the afterworld.

Why is it 49 days? Why it is not 14 days, or maybe just 30 days? Why is it always 49 days?

The traditions associated with the 49 days after death in Buddhism derive from “The Tibetan Book of the Dead,” also known as the “Bardo Thodol.” Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die.

“The Tibetan Book of the Dead” establishes many traditional beliefs Tibetan Buddhists have regarding the afterlife. They don’t believe that people who die go directly to heaven or hell. Prior to their next incarnation, Buddhists believe they go through stages after death. This belief directly contributes to the ceremonies and rituals Tibetan Buddhists perform for 49 days after a person dies.

Buddhists believe that a person will continue the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth until they reach nirvana, or enlightenment. However, they don’t necessarily believe that a person is immediately reborn after they die. A person first goes through an “intermediate state” (bardo) before his next rebirth. Many Buddhists believe 49 days is the longest length of time the intermediate state can last.

This is the key reason they perform religious ceremonies every day for 49 days. Buddhists offer up prayers to improve the odds that a person who has died will experience a positive rebirth. According to Tibetan Buddhists, when a person dies, they actually go through three stages. Prayers help them work through the process.

The first stage occurs immediately after someone dies. This is the stage when what remains of their consciousness accepts death and spends time reflecting on their living experiences. During the second stage, which can last up to 49 days (although some Buddhists believe that it always lasts that long), a person’s consciousness may run into apparitions that can frighten them if they forget these apparitions are not real and can’t hurt them. That’s why loved ones pray during the 49 days after death in Buddhism. They believe a person’s consciousness can still receive and understand the words spoken to them in prayer. Because of this, prayers can theoretically help a consciousness navigate this stage. Without them, the apparitions they encounter might confuse them to such a degree that when they’re reborn, they end up in a body that will slow down their progress toward enlightenment.

It’s interesting to note that the 49 days after death in Buddhism somewhat resembles beliefs from other cultures. While it’s important to remember that no two cultures or religions are exactly the same, according to some Christian beliefs, a soul remains on Earth for 40 days after death before fully transitioning to the afterlife.

Hi Bye Mama! is a South Korean drama about a woman, named Cha Yu Ri (played by Kim Tae Hee) who has been a ghost since she died 5 years ago due to tragic traffic accident. She left behind her husband Jo Kang Hwa (played by Lee Kyu Hyung) and their just born daughter, Seo Woo. Meanwhile, Jo Kang Hwa works as a chest surgeon. He was loving, but, after his wife died, his personality changed. After 5 years, his dead wife Cha Yu Ri reappears in front of him.

To become a human again, Cha Yu Ri carries out a reincarnation project for 49 days. She has to find her own place as a wife and a mother if she didn't die to stay alive within 49 days.

The story is very interesting and meaningful as it reminds us how precious being alive is, how great it is to touch someone we love, do something for them and cherish them when we are able to love. One of the great lesson they taught us is to live our life to the fullest so that we do not have any regrets later on. Love when you are able to love and do not waste our given times with meaningless things.

Every episodes made me cry ofcourse and I can't hold back my tears specially when the story talked about how difficult it is to just hold and talk to someone when you are dead and the other person is struggling to live their life. With Cha Yu Ri sudden death, it was really difficult and such a dark time for her husband and her parents. My guess is that, the 49 days given to her is like a gift from God so that her husband and her parents can finally move on with their lives. Because, even after 5 years after her death, they are still living in the dark with so many regrets and it was hard for them to move on. And this is also another lesson to live by, is to still move on with out lives, to become stronger and believe that someone we love will always live in our heart. Sad but true.

This drama is recommended for those who love emotional fantasy drama and this is also a drama comeback for Kim Tae Hee after 7 years. A must watch in Netflix!

Cheers ~

Money Heist Spanish Series Review

Netflix's phenomenon of 2019 - MONEY HEIST if you like drama series with full of complicated crimes, mission and action, then this is a must watch. Money Heist has gained a wide popularity across the continents. It is a spanish  heist crime drama series with the title "La Casa De Papel" created by Álex Pina. The series traces two long-prepared heists led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte), one on the Royal Mint of Spain, and one on the Bank of Spain.

The series was initially intended as a limited series to be told in two parts. It had its original run of 15 episodes on Spanish network Antena 3 from 2 May 2017 through 23 November 2017. Netflix acquired global streaming rights in late 2017. It re-cut the series into 22 shorter episodes and released them worldwide, beginning with the first part on 20 December 2017, followed by the second part on 6 April 2018. In April 2018, Netflix renewed the series with a significantly increased budget for 16 new episodes total. Part 3, with eight episodes, was released on 19 July 2019. Part 4, also with eight episodes, was released on 3 April 2020. A documentary involving the producers and the cast premiered on Netflix the same day, titled Money Heist: The Phenomenon.

The series was filmed in Madrid, Spain. Significant portions of part 3 were also filmed in Panama, Thailand and Florence, Italy. The narrative is told in a real-time-like fashion and relies on flashbacks, time-jumps, hidden character motivations, and an unreliable narrator for complexity. The series subverts the heist genre by being told from the perspective of a woman, Tokyo, (Úrsula Corberó) and having a strong Spanish identity, where emotional dynamics offset the perfect strategic crime.

The series received several awards including best drama series at the 46th International Emmy Awards, as well as critical acclaim for its sophisticated plot, interpersonal dramas, direction, and for trying to innovate Spanish television. The Italian anti-fascist song "Bella ciao," which plays multiple times throughout the series, became a summer hit across Europe in 2018. By 2018, the series was the most-watched non-English language series and one of the most-watched series overall on Netflix, with a particular resonance coming from viewers from Mediterranean Europe and the Latin world.

Story of Yanxi Palace Drama Review

With the case of COVID-19, we are all requested to stay at home and it allows me to have some time to watch the popular Chinese period drama, Story of Yanxi Palace. You all know, I always have big interest in historical drama. So, I just tune in to see what's the fuss about Story of Yanxi Palace.

Story of Yanxi Palace tells a story (Chinese: 延禧攻略) is a Chinese period drama series created by Yu Zheng. It is an original screenplay written by Zhou Mo, and later developed into a novel by Xiao Lian Mao. Starring Wu Jinyan, Charmaine Sheh, Qin Lan, Nie Yuan, Tan Zhuo and Xu Kai. This historical drama started in Qianlong Emperor Reign.

Qiaonlong is actually the 6th Emperopr of Qing Dynasty, also a grandson of Kangxi Emperor. His father is Yongzheng Emperor (Yinzhen - 4th Prince, in popular culture, this era potrayed in the story of Bu Bu Jin Xin/Scarlet Heart). The succession of Yinzhen to be the next Emperor of Qing was very controversial and I had also talked about this in Scarlet Heart Review. 

The story started when a young firecracker by the name of Wei Yingluo enters the court of the Qianlong Emperor, Aisin Gioro Hongli, as one of the palace embroiderers to secretly investigate her beloved sister's mysterious death and find the truth. At first believing the imperial guard Fuca Fuheng to be the prime suspect, Yingluo schemes to approach his sister, the Empress Fuca Rongyin, and succeeds in getting transferred from her embroidery unit to the Empress's Changchun Palace as her maid. Over time, she learns that the Fuca siblings are honest and kindhearted people, innocent of the crime, and even develops romantic affections for Fuheng, who is admired by many around the Palace, including Qianlong's Consort Chun who allies herself to Empress Fuca because of a deep-seated crush on her brother.

Though Yingluo is not noble by birth and is illiterate, the kindhearted Empress Fuca teaches her how to read and write, along with all the proper etiquette and mannerisms for noblewomen at the time. Yingluo also helps Empress Fuca survive a series of maneuvers by her chief rivals, becoming a trusted friend and confidant while never forgetting her own agenda of avenging her sister's murder. In time, Yingluo discovers that the actual murderer is a Consort of the late Emperor Yongzheng and mother of Qianlong's half brother, and hatches a plot to drive the culprit to her untimely death. Empress Fuca, for fear of Qianlong's fury over Yingluo's outrageous action, quickly banishes her to the palace sanitation unit to escape from his decree of punishment. There, Yingluo befriends and becomes sworn brothers with a handsome but conniving eunuch, Yuan Chunwang, who is subsequently revealed to be a bastard son of Emperor Yongzheng.

Without Yingluo, Empress Fuca falls victim to the machinations of Noble Consort Gao that puts her in a coma. News reaches Yingluo who hurriedly steals midnight visits into Empress Fuca's chamber to sit by her mistress's side and care for her. Yingluo's devotion to Empress Fuca convinces Qianlong to relent on his tough stance towards her and eventually allows her to return as maid. Empress Fuca is able to wake from her coma, and even becomes pregnant again. She goes through almost life-ending labor to give birth to another son, who is immediately the target of assassination by the duplicitous Consort Chun, devastated for having been rejected by Fuheng. After Consort Chun realized that she has no hope with Fuheng, she then plans to get Qianlong's favor and to has her own child for the next succession of the Emperor. When she knows that Empress Fuca (Qiaonlong's legal wife) gave birth to a Prince, she then plots to get rid of her child's rival.

Empress Fuca is driven to suicide when she is not able to save her newborn in a bizarre fire that rose overnight. After Empress Fuca's death, Yingluo is sent to live and guard over her mistress's grave at the Old Summer Palace. She stays there for a number of years with Yuan Chunwang until one year, during an imperial visit by Qianlong and his consorts to Fuca's grave, Yingluo unexpectedly learns that Consort Chun was responsible for her late mistress's suicide. She decides once again to enter the Forbidden City and exact retribution on the evildoers.

In order to achieve the goal, Yingluo knows she needs the hand of authority so she soon sets her eyes on the Emperor. She skillfully charms Qianlong, becoming part of his harem, and is bestowed a title, Consort Ling. With meticulous planning, she topples her rivals one after another, including the villainess, now Noble Consort Chun, even insofar as exposing her role in Empress Fuca's death, which incidentally leads to her fall from grace at the hands of Yingluo's archrival, the newly-named Empress Hoifa-Nara. Yingluo's captivation of Qianlong brings her numerous threats, such as from newcomer Concubine Shun, a beautiful and cunning woman dead set to even the score with Qianlong and Fuheng for having been forced into political marriage in the Forbidden City. Framing Yingluo for attempted assassination, Concubine Shun deftly teams up with Empress Hoifa-Nara to put Yingluo under house arrest and pull strings to starve her nearly to death. Nevertheless, Yingluo is able to reverse her situation, reveal Shun's treachery, and restore Qianlong's affections for her. Having reached stalemate at this point, Yingluo negotiates for a truce with Empress Hoifa-Nara on the condition that they both not harm any children of the palace in spite of the rivalry.

A decade later, however, the nihilistic Yuan Chunwang betrays Yingluo and joins Hoifa-Nara, causing a series of mishaps in the palace that even force the Empress's hand and break her hold on power. Hongzhou, the Emperor's brother, at the same time plots to sabotage Qianlong's Southern river tour. On a chosen night, a band of rebels suddenly storms onto the royal vessel just as a fire engulfs the Empress Dowager's cabin, prompting Qianlong to charge into the flaming cabin to save his mother, seemingly perishing himself in the process.

The next morning, as Hongzhou gallantly appears to restore order from the overnight coup, Qianlong and the Empress Dowager emerge safely from a secret passageway that had been purposely designed by Fuheng and expose Hongzhou's plan of treachery. After Qianlong sentences Hongzhou to death, Yuan Chunwang gets on his knees in front of the Emperor and claims he is a long-lost son of the Yongzheng Emperor. The Empress Dowager denies this, ever so slyly, which drives Yuan Chunwang into utter madness while leaving others unable to determine whether or not it is to protect Qianlong. At this time, Consort Ling comes out of hiding under the protection of the Emperor's guards, prompting Hoifa-Nara to protest once and for all the Emperor's lavished attention for Yingluo alone. In a fit of rage and jealousy, she cuts off her own hair, a taboo in Manchu tradition analogous to an outcry for divorce, effectively cursing the entire Aisin Gioro clan.

At the end, Empress Hoifa-Nara is permitted to keep her title, but loses all of the Emperor's affections. Wei Yingluo is elevated to a new title, 'Imperial Noble Consort', the highest possible rank for someone of non-noble birth. Remembering Empress Fuca's teachings, she embodies all the qualities of a virtuous consort, and supports the Emperor until death.

The way I see how Yingluo gets to her position, it amazes me how she stays true to herself and being straightforward, open, and doesn't have two-faced with Qiaonlong, which is the most important thing in a marriage. She understands him and treats him like any other husband and wife, not that kind of the King and his consort. That kind of attitude is the most important I guess to capture someone's heart, even it's a King. So, stay true to yourself :)

Calvin Chen and Qiao Qiao Got Hitched!

It didn't surprise me that much when Calvin Chen and Qiao Qiao are being together. But what's surprising is the sudden announcement just a day before Chinese New Year 2020.

Calvin Chen and Qiao Qiao had been linked long time ago back in 2010 during Love Buffet filming. Love Buffet is a Taiwanese Drama adapted from Japanese Manga. At first, Qiao Qiao is the leading female lead for Love Buffet. But after shooting few episodes, the female lead was replaced to Reen Yu (she got married to Vic Zhou in 2015) because of scheduling conflict after the filming was halted in 2010 due to typhoon in Taiwan. 

Back then I didn't like Qiao Qiao, maybe because I found her style doesn't suit my taste, specially when she starred at Magicians of Love with Ming Dao! Why she roamed around my list of favorite actors hahaha....But over time she gets even prettier, sexier and beautiful when she grows older and maturer. She has those fine lady-like now. 

The rumours started when Calvin has an umbrella date with Qiao Qiao. They didn't use face mask or anything and Calvin also hold Qiao Qiao under the umbrella to protect her from the rain. After that date, all the fans online speculate that they both were dating. At that time it was suspicious because they had not met for specific reason and Qiao Qiao has been replaced with Reen Yu. So there were no links for them to meet in that specific time. Yet, we all know Calvin is such a really friendly guy who has so many girl friends. Maybe they arranged the meeting for a reunion, we thought. But he bashed the rumour, saying they were just close friends. But that rumour didn't die, because we all know actually they are both very compatible with each other, considering the 8-year perfect gap on their age. 

Then in 2014, when Calvin published his solo album, with one love song featuring Qiao Qiao in the music video. That song is called 愛來無恙 (Ài Lái Wú Yàng) (How Has Love Been) with the lyrics much of a break-up and how one day they will meet again. There it was so strange that Qiao Qiao is the lady inside his MV. But we also thought, "Oh maybe she just helped him as his best friend by starring at his MV."

Then in 2016 when Calvin started the radio show, Qiao Qiao came to support him again. And since then, there is no news of even a bit of rumours going on between the two of them. Once I thought he doesn't like girl because he's been with Dylan Guo at the gym and when they travelled. I really hope someone I admire so much won't necessarily be someone who has his personal preference. Well, I am not judging thought. But I thought it will be good if he is straight, because it matters to me, as it may affect my choice and taste in a man. 

I once talked to my best friend about Calvin has been single even though he's almost 40 years old. And out of sudden, and out of blue, he annouced he's married to someone! And it's Qiao Qiao, someone we all know long time ago. They dated each other for 10 years OMG. I just can't believe it and how happy I am to know how loyal he is up till now. 

In one interview, he was asked why he lied about being in a relationship. Yet in fact, he didn't lie, he just didn't announce it. So there is nothing wrong with it. But why? 

Calvin said, "It is not because we were both in the showbiz industry. Joanne (Qiao Qiao) and I preferred not to announce it if we weren't sure of the outcome."

Calvin also said that their story is not love at first sight. They met through filming and that he actually felt bad the first time they met because he was more than half an hour late for the script reading. Then as time flows, he feels that he watched Joanne growing up as they got together when she was around 20 and he was 28. They've known each other for a long time and the relationship progressed naturally. It wasn't a shotgun wedding as many assumed with their sudden announcement. 

Calvin admits that they broke up at one point because Joanne felt like he wasn't listening to her and that they were both thinking of themselves at the time. The breakup lasted a full year with no contact before he started pursuing her again. Looking back, Calvin says, "it's like fate really brought us together." 

But in whatever case, I am glad they are happy being together!

Happy Wedding my long time fav actor ~

Crash Landing on You Drama Review

The most popular K-drama in early 2020 is Crash Landing on You, starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin. The story talks about a South Korean chaebol heiress crash lands north of the DMZ due to a paragliding mishap where she meets a North Korean officer and falls in love.

And truly, I like it! It’s a lot funnier than I expected for a show set in North Korean and starring a North Korean soldier. Hyun Bin’s straight-laced character absolutely cracks me up when he’s faced with Son Ye Jin’s hyper, almost manic energy. Their chemistry is already intense, especially their comedic chemistry, and I anticipate that to transfer over to romantic chemistry quite smoothly.

I didn’t immediately like either Se Ri or Jung Hyuk — Se Ri came across as spoiled and cold, while Jung Hyuk, being a soldier, seemed very stiff and formal. But as they interacted, they won me over, and I already love them both. Se Ri is strong and intelligent, enough of both to cast off her worthless family and create her own success, and she’s also hilariously quick-thinking to the point that she out-smarted a North Korean officer. And Jung Hyuk turns out to be a bit goofier than he seemed, the way he held onto his pride even as he stood on that land mine and suffered Se-ri’s taunts. I can’t wait to see them become closer, and watch as the more vulnerable, human sides of them emerge.

After several episodes, where they both started to care for each other, I can tell Hyun Bin's character in this drama is so warm and gentle. He can't help himself from falling for Se Ri. As I can tell, even thou Se Ri seems to be strong, yet she has that tragic story from her life. I really like this drama due to its important strong point on mental health. A few years back, Se Ri struggled with life, thought it would be best to commit suicide in Switzerland while travelling. Instead of wanting to die, she found the will to stay alive, the courage to stay strong and keep moving on. Such a good insight. 

You should watch this drama, I really recommend this drama guys ~