Image: Cultura

Title: When The Camellia Blooms

Director: Cha Young-hoon, Kang Ming-kyung

Writer: Im Sang-choon

Number of Episodes: 20

Stars: Kong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-suk, Ji E-suu, Oh Jung-se, Yum Hye-ran, Son Dam-bi

Watched on Netflix

Dong-Baek is a single mother living in the small town of Ongsan. She runs the bar-restaurant Camellia, while also taking care of her son Pil-Gu. The people of Ongsan frequently gossip about Dong-Baek. She grew up as an orphan, is a single mother and runs a bar where many of the men in Ongsan frequent. Regardless of what the locals may whisper about Dong-Baek, local police officer Hwang Yong-Sik is deeply in love with her. Meanwhile, Dong-Baek's ex-boyfriend Kang Jong-Ryeol suddenly reappears in her life. He is a famous baseball player, that hid their relationship when they dated. While Dong-Baek tries to find happiness, something truly sinister lurks in the background. A serial killer roams Ongsan and Dong-Baek may be a target.

To be honest, When the Camellia Blooms is part of the KCKC Class at Bangtan Academy. Since the story is a little bit slow-paced for me, I have difficulties finishing it off.

Dongbaek and The Ongsan Town

When The Camellia Blooms tells the story about Dongbaek (Kong Hyo-jin), an orphan who is also a single mother. She decided to move to Ongsan--a fictional town here. Boldly, Dongbaek also decided to open a bar called Camellia. 

Well, life is always hard for Dongbaek. When she was a kid, her mother abandoned her. Then, she has to raise her son on her own since she broke up with his boyfriend. Living by herself and also getting a lot of mistreatment--because of the stereotype regarding a single mother, has affected Dongbaek's life very much. She tends to be a shy and quiet person. She is also, what should I say, not confident at all.

Thankfully, Yongsik (Kang Ha-neul) succeeds to make Dongabek's life more lively. His bright character has made Dongbaek could see her life differently. She is no longer a timid person with a dull personality, but she became a great and cool woman in the end.

My Thought

As I said before, this k-drama is a little bit hard for me to watch. One thing that I despise from the very start is Dongbaek's timid personality. As the main lead character, I just feel she should stand out more and be tough. I am aware of her trauma and all of her conditions, but her attitude in the first episodes has made me irritated. To some extent, she reminds me of Nabi from Nevertheless. 

Aside from this k-drama being one of the materials at KCKC Class, I bear to watch it because I want to know the real identity of Joker. As you know, a detective or crime series is my cup of tea. If there's no Joker case, I don't think I will continue to watch this.

Anyway, if I could spill a spoiler, I managed to know Joker's identity from the very state. Well, to be fair, I have a strong gut that the sink-man (I don't know his name as Heung-sik before), is suspicious. Then, I am glad that I was right.

The family story

Not gonna lie, most of the side stories in this drama are related to the family relationship among Ongsan People. Start from Dongbaek with his son Pilgu (Kim Kang-hoon) and also her mother who suddenly appeared, Dongabek with her ex-boyfriend, Kang Jong-ryul (Kim Ji-seok), Yong-sik with his mother, Hyang-mi with his brother, Gyu-tae with his wife, Ja-young, and also Jong-ryul with his wife, Jessica.

It will sound complicated since each of them has its problems. But, what I like the most about this drama, the writer succeeds to give a solution for each character.

Conclusion

At first, I thought I will only give 5-6 stars for When the Camellia Blooms. But, the more I watched the entire episode, I happened to love the story.

Therefore, I would like to give 7 out of 10 stars for them.

Sincerely,

Ra

Image: Google

Title: To My Star

Director: Hwang Da Seul

Scriptwriter: Park Young

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth

Stars: Son Woo Hyun, Kim Sang Min, Ko Jae Hyun, Jeon Jae Yeong, Kim Jin Kwon, Han Ji Won

Watched on WeTV

Actor Kang Seo Joon was once one of South Korea’s biggest and most popular stars, but his career is now in decline. Despite his fall in popularity, he believes he has had a change of fortune when he meets and falls for a dashing young chef named Han Ji Woo.

Despite having wildly different personalities, the two enter a relationship. However, their love comes under threat when the more conservative Han Ji Woo and the free-spirited Kang Seo Joon realize that their outlooks on life, love, and everything else appears irrevocably different.

***

Honestly, I don't remember how I found this series. But, since I still want to watch a BL drama, I decided to find a good recommendation for it. Then, it turned out To My Star is one of the best.

The story

To My Stars tells the story of Kang Seo Jun, an actor with a declining career because of some misunderstanding rumours. In order to avoid the press' attention, Seo Jun's agency asked him to stay low and move to Han Ji Woo's place. Well, to be exact. Ji Woo, a young and talented chef, rented a room from Seo Jun's boss. Therefore, it's effortless for Seo Jun to stay at Ji Woo's place.

Both of them have very different personalities. Ji Woo is a quiet type, meanwhile, Seo Jun has the very opposite personality. At first, I don't know how their story would be developed, but, how Seojun is being honest toward Ji Woo and how Ji Woo gives special attention to Seojun, is enough to make me melt.

What I really like

One thing I remember for sure is how this series didn't make me cringe. I still remember how I really struggled when watching Cherry Winter After Blossoms. Yes, I am aware that the setting is different. But, To My Star is way better than CBAW. Seo Jun and Ji Woo's chemistry is built little by little. It just makes my heart warm watching it. 

Then, I loved how Ji Woo started to care for Seo Jun. He knows how Seo Jun still got trauma from his past. The way Ji Woo knows how to make Ji Woo calm. I love their intimate relations on this.

In my opinion. this mini-series definitely need a continuation story--and I am glad they have released the second season. I would do a separate review for it.

Conclusion

To My Star is a very good BL story. Even though it looked so simple, this mini-series definitely deserved more and more love. 

7.5 out of 10 stars

Sincerely,

Ra

Image: Amazon, edited by me

Title: The Cheat Sheet
Author: Sarah Adams
Narrator: Renee Dorian and Teddy Hamilton
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC.
Date of publication: December 14th 2021
Duration: 8 hours, 57 minutes

Listening on Storytel

Is it ever too late to leave the friend-zone?

Hi, my name is Bree Camden, and I’m hopelessly in love with my best friend and star quarterback Nathan Donelson (so is half of America, judging by the tabloids and how much the guy dates). The first step is admitting, right? Except, I can never admit it to him because he clearly doesn’t see me that way, and the last thing I want is for things to get weird between us.

Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for us! Everything is exactly how I like it! Yes. Good. (I’m not crying, I’m just peeling an onion.)

Our friendship is going swimmingly until I accidentally spill my beans to a reporter over too much tequila, and now the world seems to think me and Nathan belong together. Oh, and did I mention we have to date publicly for three weeks until after the Super Bowl because we signed a contract with...oops, forgot I can’t tell anyone about that!

Bottom line is, now my best friend is smudging all the lines and acting very un-platonic, and I’m just trying to keep my body from bursting into flames every time he touches me.

How am I going to make it through three weeks of fake dating Nathan without anything changing between us? Especially when it almost-sort-a-kinda seems like he’s fighting for a completely different outcome?

Send help.
XO Bree

***

So, in order to finish this book, I tried to listen to it on Storytel. Well, at first, it's hard to catch the story, but the more I think about it, it's fun to listen to an audiobook.

The Friendzone

Bree is hopelessly in love with her best friend, Nathan Donelson. Nathan is a star quarterback and very popular. However close are they, Bree never got a chance to admit her feeling. Well, to be exact, she didn't want to admit it because she believe that Nathan doesn't feel the same and that confession will ruin their friendship.

On the other hand, in fact, Nathan has the same feeling as Bree. He also has the same fear. He doesn't wanna losing Bree if he confessed to her. So, just like that. Bree and Nathan are avoiding to confess to each other because they don't think the other party has the same feeling as theirs and, their friendship is more important than anything else.

One day, Bree accidentally spills something personal about her and Nathan to a reporter because she is too much drunk. It's inevitable. The world finally knows what's happening. As Nathan is practically a celebrity, his agent offers an opportunity for Nathan, but it will involve Bree. So, after that, the journey of a fake relationship between Nathan and Bree is begun.

Just be honest

After all this time, I believe being honest with each other is very important. Even though I ain't into that level, I understand sometimes we just don't wanna ruin our friendship if we are trapped in a friendzone. I believe, it will be better if we can be honest first. Whether it will be a good thing or end up being awkward. Confessing with someone, moreover to your friend, will be hard. But, doing nothing and keeping silent won't bring any good, too.

Just like Bree and Nathan. Since this novel uses two POVs, it feels so frustrating when they actually like each other but still overthink about the others. I mean, sometimes it annoyed me. Assuming about everything won't give a clear answer and it just makes you feel stupid, or more, like a fool.

What I like

Not much that I like about this novel. Neither from Bree's character nor Nathan's. But if I have to choose, I appreciate how Nathan tried to pay Bree's bill without saying anything. He also knows what's the important thing for Bree. Start from Bree's dream to make an affordable ballet dance class for any girl who is interested in it.

Other than that, I don't think I have another favourite scene.

Conclusion

I really like using audiobooks for now. At least, I can do my chores or else while listening to it. So, it definitely won't be my last attempt to use Storytel. 

For The Cheat Sheet, I think this is just an okay contemporary romance. Not really much happening and the story is not that engaging for me. 

So, let's give 3 stars for it for now :)

Sincerely,

Ra

Title: Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore
Director: David Yates
Writers: J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Jessica Williams, Dan Fogler, Callum Turner

Watched at Cinepolis, Depok Town Square

Set several years after the events of its predecessor, the film sees Albus Dumbledore tasking Newt Scamander and his allies with a mission that takes them into the heart of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald's army.

Well, actually Fantastic Beast franchise is a franchise that I have really waited for. Unfortunately, this sequel is not as interesting as I expected it to be. There are so many factors that made me disappointed.

Newt is still... Newt

Albus Dumbledore, once again, assigned Newt Scamander to fight Grindelwald as he began to lead an army to eliminate muggles. With the help of his partners on this adventure, Theseus Scamander (Newt's brother), Jacob Kowalski, Bunty Broadacre (Newt's assistant), Yusuf  Kama and Lally Hicks (one of the professors from Ilvermorny). 

In the magical words, there is Qilin, a magical creature that can see into one's should as well as the future. This creature also has the ability of precognition, especially when choosing the next leader of the wizarding world. Knowing this, Grindelwald tried his best to kidnap the newborn Qilin and took advantage of it. 

As Dumbledor couldn't battle Grindelwald because of their blood pact, Dumbledore asked Newt to do it. Smh, Dumbledore. Why do you always disturb Newt's calm life?

After that, Newt's and his fellow partner's journey has begun. 

My thoughts

I have so many thoughts when watching this movie. I still love Newt and his characteristics, but I have so many things that I despised from this movie.

First, I know that it's inevitable for replacing Johny Depp for Grindelwald's role, but I think Mads Mikkelsen hasn't given that huge impact like what Depp does in the second movie. I just feel that charismatic but also scary vibe from him is not enough. 

Second, if the title of this movie is Fantastic Beast, I don't think the representation of the beast here is enough. I mean, all right, there is the Qilin who is the main creature in this movie. Then, I also love how Nibbler and Pickett are back... but, I just feel that should be more of them. It should be the main element of this movie, right?

Third, I still don't understand how Dumbledore broke his blood pact with Grindelwald. As I remember from the similar pact that was made between Severus Snape and Narcissa Malfoy, it's not easy to break the pact and Severus should do his vow no matter what. Ehm, or actually the blood pact is different from the unbreakable vow?

Fourth, so political but not enough background. I can understand why Rowling wants to take the story to a bigger level. I mean, she tried to introduce us to the magical world outside the schools. But, I think the background of it is explained vaguely. I still couldn't grasp the structure of the minister of magic from each country. Then, how about the supreme leader that Grindelwald pursued? Is that position could be equal to the general secretary of the United Nations? I just couldn't understand it.

What I like

Even though the experience when watching this movie is not really great, I still love the interaction between Newt and all of the fantastic beasts. I love how Pickett and Nibbler accompany Newt everywhere. Can we just get Pickett and Nibbler in real life?

My favourite scene would be when Newt tried to save Theseus from the prison. The way they have to do the crab dancing to control the Blast-Ended Skrewts is hilarious. I really love that part. 

Then, I love how they picture Lally as a smart female wizard. She is really amazing and killing it. She looks very charming here. Maybe, she could be my favourite character after Newt.

Conclusion

So, that's all for my thoughts. I know that it's mostly about my ranting, but tbh, that's what I feel. I really hope the next movie would be more focused on Newt and his magical creature world. Well, even though it's inevitable to fight Grindelwald too.

One thing for sure, I hope Rowling will still include Pickett and Nibbler in the next movie. 

6 out of 10 stars

Sincerely,

Ra

Image: Asian Wiki

Title: Mystic Pop-up Bar
Director: Chang Geun Jun
Script writer: Ha Yoon-ah
Cast: Hwang Jeong-eum, Yook Sung-jae, Choi Wonyoung
Number of episodes: 12 episodes
Watch on Netflix

Ssanggab Cart Bar opens only at night on the rooftop of a building. Wol-Ju (Hwang Jung-Eum) runs the mysterious food cart. Customers who visit Ssanggab Cart Bar consist of normal people and the dead. While drinking alcohol and eating dishes with Wol-Ju, the customers of Ssanggab Cart Bar talk about themselves and try to heal their internal wounds.

***

I watched this k-drama because of the Korean Culture K-drama Class (KCKC) at Bangtan Academy. This drama kinda reminds me of Hotel del Luna. The vibe and the story are similar, IMHO. I also love how they incorporated the spiritual element into modern life. It's interesting to watch.

The Pop-Up Bar

Mystic Pop-up Bar is a magical bar managed by Weol-ju, a hot-tempered woman who can enter your dream to fix your problem, and Chef Gwi (Guibanjang)--the former Afterlife Police Agency who voluntary help Weol-ju run the bar. 

Weo-ju should help the other people through their dream because she had a great sin, which was committing suicide on the sacred tree. Therefore, the afterlife court sent her to the Living Realm to settle the grudges of 100.000 souls and comfort them as a punishment. 

Then, there is Han Kang bae, a young man who has the ability to make people confess the truth by making physical contact with them. This ability really benefits Weol-ju to settle the last 10 souls that she should help. Therefore, she made a deal with Kang bae and promised him that she will get rid of Kang bae's unique ability.

My thought

As I said before, this drama reminds me of Hotel del Luna. There will be different cases for every episode and the supernatural element on it is very unique. Not to mention the comedic scenes that the director provided. It's very fresh and makes me smile all the time. The episode when they pretend to be part of the CIA is very funny. I couldn't help myself not to laugh because of that.

What I love about this drama are so many cultural and social phenomena that have been discussed. Starting from the sexual harassment in the workplace, the difficulty to apply for a job, the decision to have children, and others. I think I got a very diverse knowledge and perspectives after watching this drama.

In my opinion, the director and script-writer have succeeded to make a compact story that is not boring. They also succeeded to give a very meaningful message in every episode. Aside from that, how the story is wrapped up with more serious issues at the end is very clever. I can feel how sincere Weol-ju and Guibanjang are when taking care of Kang-bae. I also adore how Kang bae eventually trusts Weol ju.

Trivial thoughts

I think I should mention it here, there are two things that make me suspicious about Kang bae and Guibanjang's identities. Anyway, this will be a very spoiler part.

I do wonder why Weol-ju has naturally cared for Kang bae. When it ends up, technically he is Weol-ju's child, it does make any more sense. Moreover, I kinda feel the big noona energy from Weol-ju.

Then, about Guibanjang's identity, I don't know why, but I have known that he is the crown prince from the earliest episode. I feel proud because I can guess correctly.

Conclusion

Overall, I really love this drama. I think Mystic Pop-up Bar could be on my top-tier list. The story is great, the characters are so lovable and the conflict is just enough. Not over dramatic but still complicated.

So, 8 out of 10 stars for the Ssanggappocha.

Sincerely,

Ra