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Serendipityhttp://serendipity010.wordpress.com
S33

Girl K (CGV, 2011) – Kicking Ass (A Review)

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I have been known to whine about shows which are not realistic. But when I tune into a three-episode cable tv show about a girl assassin, I’m not really looking for realism. No siree. What I am looking for is badass. And Girl K (or Killer K) is BADASS.

An action thriller has to be, above all else, exciting. Realism isn’t really the point. But the story still needs to be grounded in some kind of reality. We’ve all watched the action movie with explosions galore, but were left quite unmoved because (a) the story was stupid, (b) we didn’t care about the characters, who were stupid, (c) the non-stop action was loud and dramatic, but unrealistic to the point of mind-numbing, or (d) all of the above. An action thriller needs to balance compelling action (for which, hang realism) and engagement (for which, bring realistic human interest).

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S32

Flames of Ambition (MBC, 2010-2011)

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I was recently at a workshop where the ice-breaking question was “What is your favourite snack?”. I said potato chips (or crisps, depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on). I love my crisps. I scoff them down in an exuberant rush and feel happy. But they’re not exactly classy food.

In my fridge, I have a stash of high-qualify chocolate. I don’t snuffle them up like I do my crisps. I resort to them with restraint over time and savour each morsel.

In my computer, I have stashed a high-quality drama. I don’t marathon Flames of Ambition the way I can zip through a pleasant romcom. I watch it with restraint and savour each episode.

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S30

The Duo (MBC, 2011) — Group Review

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The pre-broadcast buzz surrounding The Duo (or Mate, MBC, Feb-May 2011) focused on the delectable prospect of Chun Jung Myung (or “PIE” to our fangirl club, short for “cutie-pie”) all gorgeously angsty in period garb and dashing about with a sword. But it wasn’t long before the chatter moved away from PIE and escalated to “OMG this is great!”, “Brilliant, brilliant writing”, and “It makes me feel so happy”. How did a mere PIE-vehicle turn into Drama of the Year? Let us share our joy; me, serendipity, and my friends momosan, Nimiwehy and nycgrl (plus, a short endorsement by Mr X himself):

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S29

Mawang (or, The Devil or Lucifer) (KBS, 2007)

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Mawang was my first true love. Delightful Girl Choon Hyang (reviewed here) was a mere trifle, a bitty flirtation with a spot of flimsy fun. With Mawang (also known as The Devil or Lucifer, KBS 2007), my affections were seriously spoken for. The show grabbed me and made me contemplate committing for life. Merely for the chance of watching another gem like Mawang am I now willing to endure (and have in fact endured) hours of forgettable k-drama.

In my more enthusiastic moments I think everyone must love Mawang. What’s there not to love about a gripping, well-acted, impeccably executed and thought-provoking show with a stunning soundtrack? However, I have to concede that I’m sometimes spectacularly out of alignment with popular opinion. So, I’ve devised a little test for Mawang viewer compatibility:

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S28

Friend, Our Legend

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This is the review that very nearly didn’t get written. For one thing, I very nearly didn’t finish watching the twenty episodes of Friend, Our Legend (MBC, 2009) (“FOL”), having stalled altogether in the early episodes at my first attempt. For another, I have such mixed feelings about this drama, I’ve found it hard to write a coherent review.

Initially, I was intrigued by what others said about this drama. “Heart-breaking.” “Hard to watch.” Most intriguing of all, “I loved it, but I would never recommend this to my friends.” With a dis-recommendation like that, how could contrary-me resist? My own reaction has touched extremes, from indifference to utter absorption. Though I gobbled up the last four episodes and was left speechless and emotionally wrung out, I can’t deny that the middle of the series was a slow hard slog for me with stretches of (dare I say it) boredom. I’d say, provocatively: I don’t love this show, but I recommend you watch it.

And why should you watch this?

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