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Till the End of the Moon (2023)

Original title: Chang Yue Jin Ming
TV Series | 53m

An immortal, Li Susu is destined to time-travel 500 years back to prevent the death of a hostage prince to stop his transformation into the Devil god, who destroys four continents and three realms. Will secrets of time and fate deter her?

Miss Night and Day (2024)
Original title: Bat-gwa Bam-i Da-reun Geu-nyeo

TV Series | 1h 5m

A bittersweet romantic comedy about a woman who magically switches between her 20s and 50s lands an internship at the Prosecution Service, caught between two generations and a tough boss.

The Sandman (2022)
TV Series | 1h 4m

In this two-part story collection, a Siamese cat dreaming of a new world and a writer in desperate need of inspiration cross paths with Morpheus.

Just when I thought I'd have to wait years for the next season or episodes, Netflix pleasantly surprised me with a bonus episode (11) of the series. Needless to say, I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve deeper into this captivating world and unravel more of the storyline.

However, I must admit, I found myself getting a bit confused with the names in the series. At one point, I thought they were referring to another character, only to realize it was Sandman's other name. Nevertheless, I can't help but see him as a fascinating blend of Edward Scissorhands and Jareth from "Labyrinth" - an enigmatic combination that sparks my imagination. If a sequel to "Labyrinth" were to be made, he'd undoubtedly fit the role seamlessly. The allure of this character adds an extra layer of intrigue to the series, making me even more excited to see how the story unfolds in the future episodes.

 

While the storyline of the movie was decent, I must admit that it left me with a strange feeling, and I couldn't quite put my finger on what was missing. 

After watching, I decided to check its rating on IMDB, and it scored a relatively low 5.4/10. As I scrolled through the reviews, I stumbled upon one that pointed out the terrible acting, and yet, like the reviewer, I found myself still engrossed in the film—just because of Keanu Reeves' expressionless face, lolz. I couldn't help but agree with that observation. 

It's intriguing how I often view Keanu in other movies with the same stoic demeanor, as if he's reprising his Neo/John character but in a different genre. I'm curious to explore his past movies now to see if he has always embodied this enigmatic style of acting.

The Sandman (2022)
TV Series | 45min

Upon escaping after decades of imprisonment by a mortal wizard, Dream, the personification of dreams, sets about to reclaim his lost equipment.

This series proved to be quite fascinating for me, especially since I often experience vivid dreams and have pondered the existence of other dimensions or universes. 

Admittedly, the first few episodes left me feeling a bit bored, but my excitement soared once the protagonist was finally freed, leading to a thrilling turn of events. 

The multitude of names they referred to him by posed a challenge for me to keep track, especially given my limited knowledge about Sandman, having only seen him in "Rise of the Guardians." However, this lack of familiarity with the comic book series actually made the series all the more intriguing for me. I found myself hooked, eagerly awaiting each episode to unravel more about him and the captivating storyline. 

As the series progresses, I can't help but wonder what exciting twists and turns await in the next season, leaving me genuinely curious to see what lies ahead.

It's puzzling to me that IMDB didn't categorize this as science fiction, but perhaps there's a reason behind it. While the movie does involve intriguing elements like time travel, it seems its primary focus is on portraying the surreal effects experienced by the drug user. Thus, it may not entirely fit the traditional science fiction genre. Nevertheless, the presence of the talented Mr. Grey actor adds an extra layer of interest to the film, adding to its appeal for viewers. Despite the classification, "Synchronic" still offers a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience, captivating audiences with its blend of sci-fi elements and mind-bending storytelling.

Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
Kilmi, hilmi (original title)
20 episodes

A love story between the son from a wealthy family who has 7 personalities Cha Do Hyun (Ji Sung) and Oh Ri Jin (Hwang Jung Eum) who becomes his secret psychiatrist.

Crash Landing on You (2019)
Sarangui Boolshichak (original title)
19 episodes

The absolute top secret love story of a chaebol heiress who made an emergency landing in North Korea because of a paragliding accident and a North Korean special officer who falls in love with her and who is hiding and protecting her.

The Liar and His Lover (2017)
Geunyeoneun Geojitmaleul Neomoo Saranghae (original title)
16 episodes

Lee Hyun Woo (Moorim School, The Technicians) and Joy (from K-pop group Red Velvet) star in an adaptation of the runaway hit Japanese manga. When a genius composer with a hidden identity meets a girl with a beautiful voice, it is love at first sound. Finding true love with hidden identities, though, is a bit complicated. Kang Han Kyul (Lee Hyun Woo) is a famous, and very talented, composer. Having worked for a famous band long before they were stars, he has achieved a lot more in his youth than most do in their careers. However, he has fallen into a deep depression and no longer seems to have any motive to live. That is until he hears a voice that strikes a chord in his heart. Yoon So Rim (Joy) is a high school student. She has a voice unlike any Kang Han Kyul has ever heard. Yoon So Rim sees the pain in the sound composer's heart. Through her kindness and serenity, she convinces him to return to life. And through her voice, she makes her way into his heart. The problem, though, is that Kang Han Kyul intentionally hid his identity from Yoon So Rim. So for a man who has fallen in love, is it even possible for it to be real when you are hiding your true who you really are?

Poolhawooseu Teikeu 2 (2012)
30min | 32 episodes

Full House Take 2 is a 2012 South Korean television series that was jointly produced by Korean, Chinese and Japanese companies. It aired on Japan's TBS-cable affiliate TBS Channel 2, and South Korean cable channel SBS Plus.

A hapkido teacher named Jang Man-ok (Hwang Jung-eum; Man-ok means "full house" in Hanja) poses as a stylist for top idol group TAKE ONE and moves into the band's luxurious house, which superstar musician Lee Tae-ik (No Min-woo) inherited from his father. A love triangle emerges as Lee vies against fellow band member Won Kang-hwi (Park Ki-woong) for Jang’s affection

The Girl Who Sees Smells (2015)
Naemsaereul Boneun Sonyeo (original title)
16 episodes

Detective Tae Ho lost his younger sister to a barcode-murder case and lost his ability to taste, smell, and feel pain. He then meets Oh Cho Rim, the only witness to the murder case who possesses a special sense: she can see smells.

Shopping King Louie (2016)
Shopingwang Looi (original title)
16 episodes

An heir used to shopping away his grief finds himself trapped in Seoul with no memory and no one to help him except a sweet, rural girl who teaches him the value of a life without money.

Man to Man (2017)
Maen Too Maen (original title)
16 episodes

A secret agent works under cover as a bodyguard and is forced to deal with both national security missions as well as a temperamental superstar.

The bromance scenes were an unexpected delight, and I couldn't help but find them more amusing than the scenes involving the lead couple, lolz. The subtle camaraderie between the characters brought a unique charm to the series, leaving me eagerly anticipating their interactions. The humor and chemistry shared by the male characters added an extra layer of enjoyment to the drama, and I found myself eagerly waiting for those hilarious moments to unfold. While the lead couple's scenes were undoubtedly significant to the plot, it was the bromance that stole my heart and kept me thoroughly entertained throughout the show.

Doctor Stranger (2014)
Dakteo Yibangin (original title)
20 episodes

As a child, Park Hoon (Lee Jong-suk) and his father were kidnapped by North Korea. In North Korea, Park Hoon was trained to become a doctor by his father who was already a famous doctor.

Second KDRAMA of Lee Jong-Suk for me. Didn't thought that the series or the story will keep me interested. If only, I started watching this on the first day of my rest day then I could've finished this in just a day or two.

Though, I like him more on W: Two Worlds, because (1) he's more manly, he's better with a little more weight; (2) can't get enough of the chemistry between Lee Jong-Suk and Han Hyo Joo that I wished hard that they could continue off-cam :P. I didn't feel the chemistry between Lee Jong-Suk's character and Jin Se-Yeon on this series, I felt it though on scenes between Lee Jong-Suk and Kang So-Ra.

Overall, it's a good story and worth watching.

Oh! My Lady (2010)
16 episodes

Series Outline: Sung Min Woo is the top male star in Korea due to his good looks and singing talent. Ambitious, he moved into TV dramas which he helps with his star power and hinders with his terrible acting. He also has an exploitative, unethical manager. Yoon Gae Hwa is a housewife divorced from a rich husband who needs to earn enough money to keep her daughter in her custody while her ex-husband's new wife doesn't want the daughter of a previous wife around. Gae Hwa's sole prior work experience is 6 months as a reporter for a weekly scandal rag. Her first jobs shown in the series are unsuccessful but include 1 day as housekeeper for Sung Min Woo where a babysitting emergency forces her to leave early, infuriating Sung Min Woo. Shortly afterwards, she finds another job at a musical production company, learns a secret about Sung Min Woo, and convinces him to work on the agency's musical, and becomes Min Woo's handler for that agency as it prepares to put on a musical starring Min Woo..

Bride of the Water God (2017)
Habaekui Shinboo (original title)
16 episodes

The Water God Habaek visits earth to fulfill his mission with the help of his servant in the human world, named psychiatrist Yoon So Ah, whose ancestor have promised to serve The Water God for generations. Unfortunately she doesn't believe in the gods and mistakes him for a delusional patient. Things get even more strange, when The Wind god Bi Ryum, The Water Goddess Mu Ra, and Demi-God Hu Ye shows up to complicate things. What will happen now.

Another recommended KDRAMA from my colleague America.  Initially, I didn't want to watch this, because I know that this is all drama, but she insisted.  I'd say that this brought me to tears, most of the episodes.  I was so gloomy, that I felt I'm going to be sick and sort of lost interest in doing the usual things I do on my Rest Days.  Though the lead female character shows us to be resilient, maintaining the positive attitude towards life, despite the negative/hardships/obstacles.



Death Note (2017)
1h 41min

A high school student named, Light Turner, discovers a mysterious notebook that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written within its pages and launches a secret crusade to rid the world of criminals.

Didn't like this version over the Japanese Live Action.  Though I still managed to finish the movie till the end.