Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen

Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Korean dramas and indulge in the delicious flavors of ramen. Here, you’ll find in-depth reviews, unspoiled recommendations, and all the latest updates on your favorite Kdramas. Join me on this exciting journey as we explore the best that Kdramas and ramen have to offer. Let’s dive in!

This review contains significant spoilers for the Korean drama ‘Yonder’. If you haven’t watched it yet, I recommend reading the unspoiled review and viewing the series first, to fully enjoy our detailed analysis.

The drama features stellar performances by Shin Ha Kyun, Han Ji Min, and a talented supporting cast. It was directed by Lee Joon Ik

Air Date: October 14 – 21, 2022

Episodes: 6

Where to Watch: Paramount +

Genre: Sci-Fi Melodrama

Starring: Shin Ha Kyun and Han Ji Min

Yonder is created by a famous “doctor” as a place that exists from the memories of loved ones we have lost.  And as questions about the ethicality of Yonder surface in the media, he will be forced to make a choice about what defines life and what he is willing to give up to be with his wife again.

Kim Jae Hyun is heartbroken that his wife’s cancer is taking its toll on her life and happiness.  He agrees to help her end her life legally, to end her suffering.  But after her death, he begins getting mysterious messages that say they are from her, asking him to come and see her in By and By.  At first he ignores it, but eventually he gives in and finds an AI generated world created from her memories.

And when the AI invites him to leave his life in the real world behind and join her in this new “reality” called Yonder, he agrees.  But what seems like paradise in the beginning starts to show its limitations.  Will he be able to say goodbye to his wife again, knowing that it is forever, to go back to the “real world”?

Kim Jae Hyun is logical and loyal.  His love for his wife makes it impossible to ignore her messages, even when they seem like some cruel joke.  And that same loyalty makes it harder for him to leave Yonder once he goes there.  But even his love can’t stop him from wondering if this alternate reality is really life at all.

Shin Ha Kyun is a talented actor and I love that he isn’t afraid to take such a wide range of roles.  This character allowed him to explore a softer, more introspective role, and I enjoyed watching him show so much emotion.

Cha Yi Hoo was living a blessed life with a husband she loved, dreaming of having their first child.  But a shocking cancer diagnosis changed all of that.  As the illness begins to take its toll, she decides to end her life.  But first, she contacts an organization that promises to save her chosen moments on a chip that will create an alternate world where she will live on through the memories.

When her husband finally comes to join her in Yonder, he finds not only his wife but also their daughter, alive and well.  Their days fall into an easy, carefree rhythm until Yi Hoo starts to feel the emptiness of living the same day over and over.  And when she realizes her daughter has not grown a single inch, the futility of their new life becomes overwhelming.  Yi Hoo talks with Jae Hyun and they decide to end it all by drinking a potion Yi Hoo got from Dr. K.

Cha Yi Hoo is thoughtful and full of a contagious joy.  But all of that changes after her illness.  And even the “perfect” world of Yonder can’t bring her any real happiness.  Her realization that Yonder has no “future” for them or their daughter is the final straw for her.

 Han Ji Min plays this kind of role well.  She seems slightly ethereal as the perfect memory of herself and her life with Jae Hyun.  There is a quiet grace to her that made Yi Hoo’s struggle and sacrifice feel genuine.

“If you can’t forget about what you’ve lost, then it’s not losing”

Peach is the first person Jae Hyun meets on his visit to Yonder.  She goes there regularly to visit her father.  She also introduces him to others like them who go to Yonder to see loved ones.  

‘Yonder does some interesting things with stunning, dreamlike sequences.  The views and colors shift and change with what is happening in the story in ways that give a full immersion kind of feeling.  As Seiren rockets the sports car down the road toward Yonder, we feel catapulted into the new world with Jae Hyun.  No shot feels wasted and all of it seems ripe with meaning.

Peach’s story was really intersting.  The idea of Yi Hoo and her memories makes sense.  But Peach’s whole memory world is founded on her own delusion. That takes the idea of Yonder to a whole new levels where people can create and live in whatever fantasy they want.  This is also a nice intro into the idea of Yi Hoo’s baby, who never actually existed.  

I don’t necessarily hate short dramas or open-endings.  But this one seemed to leave way too much vaguely unanswered.  If Jae Hyun can be brought back into his body from Yonder, than what is happening to the bodies of everyone else who stay there.  Do they slowly age and die in some kind of coma?  Who actually has the “agency” to decide the memories?  In Yi Hoo’s case, it’s the one who has died but in Peach’s case she, as the “surviving” family member, created her father out of her imagination.  

I want to understand the characters in this drama, but it’s a hard one for me.  I can’t imagine being selfish enough to expect my loved ones to die just because I am no longer with them.  To ask the living to willingly walk away from the world they exist in just for me seems entirely unfair.  Likewise, I can’t imagine packaging an alternate reality as a heavenly religion that obviously takes advantage of someone in the midst of their suffering.  

‘Yonder’ ends with Yi Hoo and Jae Hyun deciding to share the potion given to Yi Hoo to help her “leave Yonder”.  Jae Hyun is saved by his hacker buddy and his new side-kick Eun.  He wakes up sometime later to find the world fully embracing Dr. K and Yonder.  He confronts Seiren, who tells him she can’t give up on the idea and that some day it will be perfect.  The final scene shows Jae Hyun leaving By and By, looking like he is ready for a fight!

‘Yonder’ is a slow, thought-provoking drama that delves into the complexities of life, death, and what lies beyond. At 6 short episodes, it feels more like an extended movie than a full drama of developed characters.  But the concept is fresh and I found myself thinking about it long after I had finished the drama itself.  The cinematography is sweeping and beautiful.  I give ‘Yonder’ a 7 out of 10 ramen.

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If you haven’t watched this drama yet and would prefer a spoiler-free review, please click on the link below.

Before you proceed, please be aware that this review contains significant spoilers for Chief Detective 1958. If you haven’t watched the drama yet, we recommend doing so before reading further to avoid any plot revelations.

In 1958, a passionate detective known for having the highest arrest rate for cattle thieves in his small town, transfers to Seoul.  But crime fighting in the big city is not exactly what he expects.  And if he is going to put a stop to the wide-spread corruption the police force has become known for, he will have to put together a team of like-minded individuals who aren’t afraid to row against the tide.

Park Young Han has the highest arrest record for cow theives in his small town police department.  But when he tranfers to Seoul, he is shocked to find so much crime and corruption both on the streets and inside the walls of the Police Station itself.  After meeting his new supervisor and leader of Team 1, Yoo Dae Cheon, he realizes his new boss shares his passion for justice.  The pair set out to recruit a fresh team of new officers who will help them stand against the lazy work and dishonest practices of his fellow detectives.  Along the way, Young Han will make plenty of powerful enemies, but thankfully he also makes lots of unlikely allies.  

Park Young Han is honest and determined.  His biggest ambition is to create a community where the citizens are safe and protected from evil in all its forms.  I love Lee Je Hoon’s passion for the roles he plays and this one is no different.  While Park Young Han can be goofy and over-the-top at times, I felt like it fit this country bumpkin turned hero.  

Kim Sang Soon, known in the department as Mad Dog, is an outcast in Team 2.  He has made enemies of his teammates with his habit of biting any bad guy that crosses him and refusing to turn the other way and take pay offs.  When Young Han meets him hiding in a closet of the station, he recruits Sang Soon to join Team 1 and help him.  The pair quickly form a close friendship and partnership that extends beyond their work.

Kim Sang Soon’s personal history growing up in an orphanage gives him a soft spot for underdogs in all forms.  He understands how cruel the world can be to those who are defenseless.  I find Lee Dong Hwi to be such a multi-faceted actor and I loved him in this role.  His chemistry with Lee Je Hoon gives them a natural repartee that is engaging and fun to watch.  

Love Story

I loved the way this drama handled the romantic relationship between Young Han and Hae Joon.  While it was never a major plot that overshadowed the main theme of the show, it gave just the right touch of romance.  And I enjoyed watching her support Young Han and all the members of Team 1.

Meet the Team

This drama did a nice job of introducing each of the team members individually as part of the story rather than just having them already working at the station.  This introduction gave us time to get to know them in the same way Young Han did, and it also made me care about each of them because I could understand their backstory.

Choi Bool Am

I am so glad that they chose to honor Choi Bool Am for the 18 years he played Chief Inspector Park in the original series by giving him a cameo.  This was a classy move that showed the writer’s respect.  It also makes the ending scene even more beautiful, since Choi Bool Am, like his character, is the last remaining member of the team.  This gives double meaning to the scene in the cemetery as the actor is given a chance to honor his co-stars.  

2. Ho Jeong’s Crush:

I didn’t feel like there was much point in having Ho Jeong have a secret crush on Hae Joon at the beginning.  They introduced the idea and then pretty much dropped it with no follow up other than a few subtle, wistful glances where she first starts dating Young Han.  

3.  Sung Chil:

I loved Sung Chil’s character and his friendships with both Young Han and Nan Sil were so sweet.  It really broke my heart when they killed him off.  I get that it brought more weight to the case as a whole, but I really wish they could have achieved that another way.  

‘Chief Detective 1958’ ends with the closure of the case against the rich kid gang who have been kidnapping the factory workers.  The 2 who are still alive end up in prison and we see Superintendent Baek being executed for his role in covering it all up.  This leaves his position open for Team Leader Yoo to move up and give his position to Young Han.  The final scene shows Young Han, an old man and played by Choi Bool Am, sitting in a cemetery “catching up” with his old teammates.  As he salutes them and waves good bye, we see a short but heartfelt montage of each of the members from the last 10 episodes.    

Watching the detectives find ways to expose the criminals with indisputable evidence is the real key. Lee Je Hoon has a knack for cheesy drama, and this does get extremely silly at times.  It also has some pretty far-fetched storylines.  But rather than give us a smooth, modern style prequel with fancy sets and solid, realistic storylines, this one embraces the retro, and has a lot of fun with it.   I give ‘Chief Detective 1958’  a solid 9 out of 10.

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We aim to provide an honest and comprehensive review, which means discussing key plot points and character development. Proceed with caution!

The Atypical Family aired from May 4 – June 9, 2024, spanning a total of 12 episodes. You can watch this drama on Netflix. It falls under the genres of supernatural drama and romance, featuring lead actors Jang Ki Yong as Bok Gwi Ju and Chun Woo Hee as Do Da Hae.

A family with special powers find that they have lost their abilities because of stress and the maladies of modern society like depression and bulimia.  On the verge of financial ruin, they meet a beautiful conwoman who seems to hold the power to help each of them heal.  And as the scammer weaves her spell around them, she discovers that this family shares a shocking connection to her past.  Suddenly what started as a fraud to cheat them out of their fortune begins to feel very real.  

Bok Gwi Ju is a young widower with a  teenage daughter.  He has the power to return to any happy event from his past.  But following the death of his work mentor and then his wife, he has fallen into such a deep depression that there is no joyful memory to return to. 

But after meeting Da Hae and watching her with I Na, he starts to feel a sense of happiness again.  And when he finds his ability has returned, he believes he and Da Hae were fated to find each other.  But his newfound happiness will be rocked when he finds that Da Hae has a connection to one of his most painful memories.  

Gwi Ju was once a happy husband working in a job he loved.  But when the people he loved and respected the most were taken from him, he stopped living.  And his withdrawal hurt not just him, but I Na as well.

This was such an unusual role for Jang Ki Yong, who I happen to love.  Trying to keep his audience engaged with a character whose only emotion is numb disinterest is no easy feat.  But I felt like he succeeded.  I was absolutely invested in this character and his story.

Do Da Hae lost her deadbeat father when she was young.  And the debt collectors were quick to step in and pressure her.  But when one of those creditors offers to take her in and act as a surrogate mother, she gladly accepts the help.  But the cost of that arrangement was helping her new “family” carry out carefully planned schemes, including Da Hae’s previous 2 marriages.  

Her relationship with the Bok family started as just another plan to take all of their wealth and leave them broken and poor.  But Da Hae didn’t plan to feel such a bond with this chatoic, awkward family.  Nor did she ever imagine that the brave fire fighter who saved her life years ago was Gwi Ju.  

Da Hae has been forced to become hardened and selfish over the years.  But inside, she is still that scared child who lost her father and almost died in a fire herself.  And it is that sad part of her past that helps her understand the members of the Bok family and the struggles they are going through. 

Chun Woo Hee is a very versatile actress and she has chosen some interesting roles.  As Da Hae, I think she played the part well, as the slightly prickly and guarded conwoman with a heart of gold.

Grace Kang is Da Hae’s younger sister.  She helps the “family” with whatever money scam they are running at the moment.  When they decide to target the Bok family, Grace applies for a job at the fitness center.  But as she gets to know Dong Hee, they become friends, and she helps her on her journey to get her health back.  

In my opinion, Bo I Na stole this show.  Park So Yi is an amazing young actress and her character was written very well.  I found her superpower fascinating and her sweet romance with Han Joo Woo was a highlight for me.

This drama had such an interesting perspective for time travel.  The way the layers of the story wrapped around each other was unique and interesting, and I loved the way Da Hae was the only one Gwi Ju saw in color.

What appears as a simple sci-fi superpower drama ends up making some deep comments on social issues.  The idea that we, as a society, have been overcome with problems that threaten to steal our own individual “power” is a poignant and very relevant concept.

I have heard a lot of people take issue with Dong Hee’s weight story.  They point out that Claudia Kim’s “fat suit” was overdone and her magic transformation trivializes the issue of bulimia and the struggle many face when trying to lose weight.  

As much as I enjoyed this drama and wanted, more than anything for a happy ending, that last 5 minutes was a rough one for me.  The whole son with superpowers thing just came out of left field.  And no sooner did we learn about him, than he just goes and somehow retrieves his father from somewhere in the past?  The burning building?  Some weird limbo where has just been waiting?  It was just a little too random for me.  

I know it is just the idealist in me, but I was really hoping Se Yeon’s plans to leave Gwi Ju would be some kind of misunderstanding.  Even if it was just I Na noticing that she didn’t really mean it.  I wanted something that put a bandage on the situation that would help Gwi Ju fully heal and move on.

After what seems like the tragic death of Gwi Ju, we finally get our happy ending.  Gwi Ju saves I Na and Da Hae from the fire at the school, but he sacrifices himself.  5 years later, we find Dong Hee’s ex is finally in prison for everything he did, including starting the fire.  Dong Hee is now dating Hyung Tae. And Da Hae is living with the Bok family, along with her and Gwi Ju’s son, Nu Ri. 

Of course, like a true Bok, Nu Ri has a super power.  His is bringing back lost things from the past.  And when Da Hae mentions she wishes he would go find his father, Nu Ri does just that.  The final shot shows Da Hae turning around to find Gwi Ju standing in front of her holding their son’s hand, still covered in ash and sweat from the fire.  Da Hae tearfully tells him “Welcome back!”

The constant leaps back in time did get confusing at points and all of the characters have the potential to be very unlikeable.  But I found the social commentary and the journey each character takes to grow interesting and rewarding. I give ‘The Atypical Family’ a 9 out of 10 ramen.’ an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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