Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen!

“Spring Day” is the third drama in the seasonal series “Endless Love”.  It is a classic melodrama with some dysfunctional sibling rivalry.   Maybe it’s because I loved the handsome, brooding Zo In Sung in “That Winter, the Wind Blows”, but this drama just didn’t do it for me.  The characters were immature and overplayed.  The couples all seemed to lack any real chemistry.  The whole thing felt flat and forced.  Even if you are a die-hard Zo In Sung fan, I don’t know that I would recommend it, when he is so good in so many other dramas.   I give “Spring Day” an 6 out of 10 ramen.

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“Not Others” is a life drama with a sprinkle of crime drama, romance, and comedy thrown in.  But at it’s heart, this is a drama about the ever-changing relationship between mothers and daughters.  I admit that, even for a fan of  life dramas, this one started slow for me.  It took me quite a while to warm up to the story and characters.  But the chemistry between the female leads was fun to watch and I enjoyed the mom’s romance story.  There were definitely plots I would have liked to see developed more, but as a slice of life story, it had plenty of unique charm. I give “Not Others” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Birthcare Center” is a blend of dark satire and blunt realism that makes it a very unique drama.  It examines the myths and fears that surround new motherhood in a way that is at once extremely exaggerated and yet absolutely relatable.  I do feel that those who aren’t mothers or don’t have an interest in motherhood may find the stories and characters less engaging.  But for those who have a personal interest in the role of motherhood, this drama gives a funny and insightful look into the personal and social impacts of becoming a new mom.    I give “Birthcare Center” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Song of the Bandits” is the Korean equivalent of a spaghetti western, in this case happening in the rugged territory of Gando, or Manchuria.  If you have been following many Netlfix kdramas, it will not surprise you that this one is excessively violent.  While the music and cinematography is sweeping and beautiful, the storyline is muddled and incomplete.  And I don’t seem to be the only one to think so, since the actors have given interviews to voice their own displeasure at the finished product.  If you are looking for a series full of gun fights and action, and don’t mind a lot of blood, you may enjoy this one.  The action is thrilling and well filmed, and the drama does look and sound impressive.  But don’t expect to fall in love with the story, the romance, or the ending.  If you haven’t seen it yet, I would put this one on the back burner and watch “Mr. Sunshine” instead…or again!    I give “The Song of Bandits” a 7 out of 10 ramen.

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“First Responders” is a rescue crime drama that incorporates police, fire, and EMTs into one cohesive team.  I enjoy this style of series, and I was impressed with how well this one balanced crime investigations with character development.  It took a realistic approach, which means that not all cases get a happy ending and some episodes may have you reaching for your tissue box.  Both seasons together contain 24 episodes, many over an hour, so this is probably not the one to start if you are looking for a quick binge watch. But if you like gripping action dramas with well conceived storylines, this one was exciting and well done.   I give “First Responders” a 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Miraculous Brothers” is a time travel drama with a mystery crime plot. This drama was a pleasant surprise for me. It is slow moving and character driven. The story is well-told and the characters are quirky and strangely likable, despite some very questionable life choices.  The one genre this drama steers completely clear of is romance.  But the bromance between the leads is endearing and fun. If you enjoy slow burn character development and supernatural mystery, I recommend this one.  I give “Miraculous Brothers” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Moving” is a character driven, action hero drama.  For me, this drama was a real gem.  I loved the fact that our “superheroes” also showed us their very human sides.  The character development is well done, while not taking away from the thrilling fight scenes and action plot.  I will say that the drama is pretty slow moving if you are just looking for a fast paced, straightforward action drama.  Also, while slow and character-driven, this drama is rated Mature for violence.  It can get a bit gory at times, if you are particularly queasy.  But the story is exciting and touching, the cast is amazing, and the visuals are realistic and well-done.  I fell in love with all of these charming characters.  And I hear that the writers have started working on a Season 2, so it seems like we will have a chance to get to know them even better.  I give “Moving” an 10 out of 10 ramen.

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“A Time Called You” is a time-loop romantic drama.  First off, I have not seen the original Thai version of this show, which many say is much better.  But as a viewer who is new to this story, I found the characters to be interesting and the original approach to time travel dramas intriguing. The acting is well done, and both of the leads get an opportunity to show off their acting chops by playing dual characters.  Unfortunately, there are times when the story is far more complicated than necessary, which leaves plenty of room for plot holes and inconsistencies. So, if you are looking for tight plots and seamless time lines, this one is likely to frustrate you.  But if you are willing to muddle through the confusing who-is-who elements, the drama is a delightful tale of love and destiny.  I give “A Time Called You” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938” is a fantasy drama with large doses of humor and a bit of romance and mystery.  For those who may be wondering, while this is technically a prequel, I don’t think it is absolutely necessary to have seen the original to enjoy this drama.  The holes are filled in enough for you to get the general idea.  I am in the minority in saying that I didn’t love the original “Tale of the Nine-Tailed” series.  But I do not seem alone in saying that this sequel was definitely better than it’s predecessor.  The strength in this drama lies in the interesting characters and their often comedic interactions.  The abundance of mythological figures and fables are intriguing and unique.  Unfortunately, while the characters are memorable and the collage of mini-plots is fun to watch, the series lacked any real cohesive plot.  I was often left wondering where the story was supposed to be going.  But the themes of love, friendship, and family are heartwarming and it has plenty of laughter along the way.  I give “Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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