Kingdom

 Episodes: 16 (8 per series)

Streaming on: Netflix

Series: 1,2 (3 in  2021 possibly)

Plot: 

An illegitimate heir has to survive and keep his kingdom stable and to fall in the wrong hands all whilst a zombie plague is spreading through the Korean kingdom within the joseon era.

Characters

Crown Prince is kind and benevolent but he is illegitimate heir to the throne within the joseon era of Korea. He wishes to over throw his father for the crown unaware of his fate. He is well learned and knows how to fight for justice within reason. so pretty much all the good reasons to become king. However after sneaking in to his fathers home to visit him where he finds a terrifying threat not only for his throne but the kingdom. SPOILER (And throughout this review): The threat is: His father has succumb to a zombie virus that is being controlled by the head of the countries council. Throughout the current saga - because it is - he manages to save his people from the "plague" in which showing the family who is trying to usurp him who has the true power.

Queen Consort was spiteful and hateful with a lot of arrogance just like her father and was married - probably at 14 due to marriage laws of the era. She was pregnant at one point but due to miscarriages she FAKED HER PREGNANCY WITH A FRIGGING PILLOW. However she was smart enough to lie superbly to her father who was not apart of the ruse who is the chief councilor.

Seo-Bi is the former royal Doctors assistant who is great at finding medicinal herbs. She is smart and honorable. She is the first of the main characters who were not against the prince who realizes the heat issue of the horde - the crave the cold and loath the heat. Whilst finding the heat issue she also find the source of the zombie plague. However she is unaware that Beom Pal has a romantic interest in her.  

Cho Hak-ju was the Ruthless and power hungry Chief Councillor and father to the Queen as i stated before. He is also the uncle to Beom Pal. In order to become powerful he has to await for his "grandson" to be born.

Yeong Shin is a tiger hunter and the unintended creator of the man hungry zombie horde by giving  hospital patients food in a form of a stew type broth of "deer" which is in fact a dead infected corpse so ... cannibalism. He is a skilled fighter and brandishes a Napoleon musket which i think is a replica of the kind that was used in  Sharpe. (Another UK drama from the late 80s to 90s and some specials in 2000s.) He takes the mantle of the leader against the Zombie horde in which makes him physically active. The actor obviously does his own stunts and is fantastic at it. I hope we see him in more roles like this. He is definitely want in a war film fighting with you.

Beom Pal is funny and probably has an STD that may be untreated. He is the Nephew to Chief Councilor and Cousin to the Queen Consort. He is incompetent but naturally food but seen as the family doormat and imbecile.

Ah Sin is a character the is unknown as of yet but all i know is she is a piratess who may have started the plague.

Camera Work is fantastic. It has incredible closeups and pan outs. One of my favorite shots is the camera following the Zombies into a trapped pit.

Adapted from a Webtoon called Land of Gods. You can download the App in the App store.

 Personal Opinion

This is fantastic. it is fun and shocking and has great use of the Korean landscape within the era. I really enjoyed the fight scenes especially when Tiger Fighter is involved. He is the face of redemption.

Dr. Prisoner

 Episodes: 16

Series: 1 (Season 2 2021)

Streaming: Netflix

Plot: A doctor who gets wrongfully fired and incarcerated for malpractice by the head doctor of the hospital he was working for at the time gets a high position at the prison where he was sent after his internment in favor of bringing his own justice after the wrongful death of a deaf couple who were expecting their first child who died in a drug induced car crash...although the police and prosecution thought...

Characters

Doctor Na Yi-Ji is the main character who is cunning yet kind natured.  during and after his incarceration he became a ally for inmates who wish to get a stay of execution as he creates false diagnosis of inmate with deadly diseases and the inmates then go by his orders on how to do so. it may seem illegal as it is but luckily the Na is doing this more to his personal reasons then the inmates. Ironically he treats his patients well in for their true ailments. The actor was in main character in Good Manager and yes he still has that cunning yet smug smirk. And yes I do love it. I really hope he gets a romance in 2021.

Han So-geum is the psychiatrist of the prison who is there on a voluntary basis in order on how to find how her brother disappeared. Unbeknownst to her she is helping the real bad guy with his mental health whilst not realizing so until it was to late. she is the possible person to have a romance with Dr. Na which reminds me of Porridge and its sequel and yes its another British show i am referencing.

Seon Min-Sik is the former head doctor of the prison and has been for over thirty five years. he was at the beginning an asshole and yet he still is but luckily he turns ally instead of foe. Its funny now that i think about it as he thinks he is cunning but luckily Na is ahead of him. He wants to be the head of the VIP section of a new hospital of the  Taegang Group which is promised by the true bad guy.

Lee Jae -Hwan is the second son of the Taegang group owners who inadvertently was responsible for the car crash the killed the deaf couple. But he only instilled fear in the couple. It was another car who killed them. But he does go to prison for the drug use. He is the comedic relief as he is in the prison as he shares the cell with the Grim Reaper from Hotel de Luna  who in this drama is head of a prison gang. Although he was inadvertently the murderer of the wife as he stopped her operation which was neurosurgery.

Go Young-Cheol was a gynecologist before coming to the prison as a doctor to help with the inmates (actually ordered to in order to keep an eye on specific inmates) When he was a gynecologist he had many women who worked at an chemical factory come to him for medical support but alas they all miscarried so in order to pay a fine for malpractice he was employed by the head of the factory to take the mantle of a prison doctor.

Han bin was the Taegang chairman's analyst before he was incarcerated for the attempted murder of the chairman. He "disappeared" from the prison with the help of Na. Before he was incarcerated the chairman gave him the task of taking his stocks in paper form and hiding them in order of his first born son not to take over the business and to make sure the company goes public.

Jae Jin is the acting chairman of the Taegang group and is the murderer of his father and true person of interest of the crimes that have been committed throughout the series (Mainly). Only to later to find out he has a hereditary disease from his father that makes him a liability to the company so there for he has to act as the Godfather and Jack from the Shining which the actor does brilliantly. And yes this man is the real Bad Guy.

Personal Opinion

Through out the show it has been thrilling and exciting as i did not know what was going to happen next as there was a shock at every turn. It had interesting locations and it is very bloody as it is a hospital themed Korean Drama. The lighting was amazing and i loved the each episode was an Operation not an episode.

#Alive (Film) (Spoilers)

Episodes: None as it is a film.

Streamer: Netflix

Trailer:

 Plot: A gamer becomes a survivalist during an Zombie Epidemic sweeping Korea. Using his gaming skills he developed over the years along with his tech savvy and an zombie killer of a neighbour.

Joon Woo is a gamer who lived with his parents (like me but without the gamer aspect...although i do play Fortnite on the Switch.) During a game with his team the pandemic spreads through out Korea where he witnesses (as seen in the trailer which literally the introduction to the film.) a teenaged girl who was unaware that she contracted the disease had devoured her mother after entrapping her. In order to survive he has to stay indoors (like everyone in 2020 or is currently doing or has done) so he under the instruction of the TV station sent a selfie via Instagram with his home address. After about forty days he goes in search of supplies in his building. I found this rather amateurish as I would have scouted the area and listened out for the zombies whilst marking the doors of which has been raided and such.) Due to his tech intellect he managed to hear his families last dying words via his voicemail on his IPhone. Due to the long days and onslaught of depression Joon decides to end it all and become Zombie chow via noose but luckily his neighbour sees him and saves him via a food package that was propelled to his apartment via rope system.

Yoo Bin is the neighbour who is mentioned above and unlike our male protoginist this amazing woman whose former occupation is unknown as i completely forgot what she said or it was not mentione is a Zombie Killer (Buffy Edition) and an incredible survivalist. She knows how to make a quick escape from her home via absailing which makes gamer boy look like a noob.

Hyun Wook was the infected neighbour who we watch before not only our eyes but also Joons as he almost infects and kills Joon. The actor is obviously a dancer as his transformation looks like he knows how to do a bit of street dance. 

Masked Man was friendly at first as he saved out heroes from zombies. He then befriends them soon after which is a ruse as he drugs them both and sends Yoo to his wifes room where she is used as food for the wife but Joon then swaps Joon for the husband so all ends well for the married couple as they are no longer living. This is due to the husband being devoured by his wife.

Favorite Scenes

1. Absailer Girl

Yo bin makes her escape via absailing down from her balcony. I really can not put it into words so heres a link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTmAI8oMDhM

(The rope is attached to the crack in the door.)

2. Zombie Pile up

As Joon is looking for food and other gear he escapes a onslaught of Zombies who were out and about. The trapped him. Zombies down the hall. Zombies up the hall. He calls for the lift and hears Zombies in the lift and so he runs up the stairs that were next to the lift. The camera stays in the hall to show the zombies pile up. I found this funny.

3. Infected Tenant's Transformation

As I said i enjoyed this scene as the actor was showing some dance moves whilst becoming Zombified.

Personal Opinion

It was excitng and thrilling. It was not as Scary as I thought. It was fun at times but it reminded me of the world in its current state. I am curious as to what the game Joon was playing but then again i think it was of Call of Duty so i shall not be playing it...even though i play Fortnite. (Switch) Ifound the location for the complex of flats very well sought out and was used very well.

Rating: 8/10

Goblin (orginal)

 Episode: 16

Series: 1

Streaming: Viki

Plot

 After 900 years a Goblin is in search of his bride who has to release him of a curse that was instilled by God. The bride has to take his sword out of his chest so he can move on to a a world in the afterlife that God has created just for him.

Characters

Goblin who through out the series is called by this moniker but obviously when he was living he was Kim Shin a Goreyo War Hero who was celebrated as a god by the kingdoms people. He died by the sword that is plunged into him and still remains (until she comes) on his Kings orders as the King believes that he and he alone should be revered as a God and not him. (Watch the Coronation Episode of The Crown to understand this because i honesty believe that All kings and queens do believe this in any era.) After being cursed by god to walk among the living until the day his bride takes out his sword. 

The goblin becomes rich and high in society through the ages (as you do if you have that longevity) Not only does he have a everlasting life he also has magical powers sch as changing the weather and making the moon turn to a blood moon. He is invincible which is obvious since his war days. He can also see peoples futures and helps them get to the success they deserve. Not only this but he also gives people who have either cheated at life their just dessert.He is naturally funny and charming to us the viewers at first but then the characters themselves see him as we see him (does this make sense?)He does become Lovelorn due to the never meeting his bride. Until a day it snowed...

Grim Reaper had become so as he committed suicide in the Goreyo era. He was at the time the King who instilled death to Kim Shin. (this is revealed ten episodes in. Sooooo sorry for that spoiler but that is just the tip of the iceberg.) He falls in love with his former wife again as she is reborn in our time. (2016) He is also funny especially with his room mate: the Goblin who he has loathes through the ages due to the amount of people the goblin has helped to escape death. This is the beginning of their bromance. When he meets the Goblin's bride he insists on taking her to the after life as she is a "miracle" and thus can not exist. He tolerates his job but he is very sincere in his job. Thus its is what the actor is famous for. He and the Goblin always have great entrances when they team up together for saving the bride or Sunny.

Sunny owns a chicken place  and has a lot of bad luck but it does not bother her in the slightest.She falls in love with the Grim Reaper. In her past life she was the Queen of Goreyo AND THE GOBLINS SISTER!!!! The love she has with the reaper may be the saddest in history through the ages but thankfully they have a good one in the next.

Goblin's Bride who's name i forgot in the drama was born thanks to the magic of her destined husband but has to die due to being a "miracle" before any of her birthdays that end in zero. She also has the ability to see ghosts since sh was born by her groom but this ability will fade over usage.This is due to God's "holy number" ten this being to make sure that "miracles" don't get to be holier then him. Since th death of her mother her she ad to be taken in by her aunt who was horrid to her through her childhood and berating her into giving her the money her mother had left in a bank book. (she did not know where until a ghost showed her the way.)

 However through her relationship with Goblin and Grim Reaper she has to be savd by her groom continuously until...well..you'll see. 

God was the one who cursed Goblin and at some point had possessed Goblin's nephew for a time. The entitie is not in a human form but is mostly embodied as a white butterfly (cabbage butterfly by looks of things but i am not so sure) One of the many fates that the being holds is the fate of the Goblin as they do not know what he will do let alone how to escape their grasp.

RIP

One of actresses who played the female ghosts has sadly died at the age of 24. I believe her character was the ghost who's husband killed her with his mistress. She was in a BTS Video but sadly due to a long illness she succumbed to death. The goblin was her first big break.

My opinion

In my opinion and many other peoples opinions all agree that it is the BEST K DRAMA EVER! the Original Soundtrack was lovely and definitely worth a listen. The casting was superb as shown as the on screen chemistry. The sense i got from the Romance was Romeo and Juliet as there was a layer of tragedy and hope in very sense of the word.

Hotel De Luna (original)

 Episodes: 20 

Series: 1 (possibly 2)

Streamer: Netflix

The Plot

A young 23 year old male manager (Gyu Chan) is summoned by a mysterious Hotel Owner to become the new manager of her hotel which is for the recently deceased. Obviously he refuses but then she reminds him that he has no choice: It is his destiny.

The Characters

Man wol is the Owner of the Hotel De Luna who is cursed due to her overwhelming grudge for the crime she committed but also for the vast amount of blood she spilled whilst trying to find a way to clear her crime. This was over 900 years ago and as she is cursed she has a long life that is not exactly worth living - irregardless of her love for extravagance and drink and the fact she is dead but can not move on across the bridge. This of course means she is selfish but selfless as she has to put her guests first in order to make sure the hotel is running. 

Chan Sung is the new manager of the Hotel due to his father making a deal with Man Wol to not kill him by making his son her personal servant later in his life. His work entails to make sure that the guests are taken care of and he can see ghosts. He also helps the ghosts with any lingering grudges on the living. His relationship with Man Wol starts out respectably but then they start to like each other and eventually fall for each other. Through out this time he tries to pin together her life story through dreams.

Seon Bi was a Joseon Scholar but then became the Hotel Bartender. His death was committing suicide due to a crime.The crime itself was not exactly a crime that by today's standards were treasonous but due to social hierarchy it was. His crime was writing stories of the every day common people. It was later discovered that the stories had become famous through the ages and he is known as the anonymous author. He did leave the Hotel after he found this information out (i think I can not be sure) five hundred years later.

Seo- Hee is the Head Housekeeper and comes from the same era as Seon Bi (albeit one hundred or two hundred years apart.) She was murdered as she had given birth to a girl and not a boy as her rich husband had wanted. The child was killed via Starvation by her husbands servants. After her death (or before which would not be out of the question) the husband remarried a woman who produced an male heir. And so to move on to the next life Seo-Hee vowed to go over the bridge with the last person who inherited that name so the name is erased from history. However she did go over without doing so after she had a talk with the heavily pregnant girlfriend of the last male heir. It is still unknown what the natural sex the child is but hey its 2020+ and being trans gendered is not a problem. (Unknown of the LGBT laws of Korea at this moment and that is my own personal opinion)

Ji Hyun Joong is the Bell boy/receptionist of the hotel. he has a romance with Soo-Jung/Kim Yoona (possessed girl from here on out.) During the Korean war (WWII era. they are still in a ceasefire to this day from 1953) he was accidentally killed by his best friend who was a soldier (Ji Hyun was a civilian) his best friend took his identity and Ji Hyung's sister who was blinded by a bomb that took their parents lives.  Ji Hyung came to the hotel when it was a hostel and declared he will go over with his little sister. (And yes I cried. That was a very tearful episode.) He did leave with his sister though  but he had to break up with possessed girl in doing so. She let him go. She knew it was stupid of her not to. the actor who portrayed this character is an Idol who specializes in rap.

Possessed Girl is the girlfriend of above character. She was killed by the former occupant of her body all over a necklace (stupid reason to kill and bully someone over but then again social indignation comes in to play far to often.) The original occupant obliterated after her parents burnt the evidence (which i was surprised by that the iron star necklace would do that but then again who cares its fiction...but then again i do believe is spirits and entities) she becomes the intern of the hotel as Mol wanted her to replace Chang with her but as Chang did not leave she became the intern. She has a better life now then she did when she was in her original body as she was a poor student and living off welfare.

Interior Design and Fashion

The interior of the hotel was well lit to show off its elegance so the lighting crew did an excellent job especially around the tree that cursed Man Wol. The lobby of the hotel was grand and gave of a Titanic vibe. Think of the ending. Yes. That. The hallways were just as elegant and fit with the ambiance of the hotel. It was not Gothic yet it was understated as a mansion of sorts. (if this makes no sense please comment.) The CGI was fantastic as shown in the first episode of Man Wol's Curse was being drawn and the over looking of the Bridge that the dead walk along to reach the other side which is called Seonggang. (To pass the bridge safely you must travel with a white flower given to you by the eldest entities sister. Once you have received it you can go with the grim reaper who obviously will show you the way) The use of the "Swimming Pool" is well used as it is an actual beach within the hotel. I am aware that this is not Interior focused but it is apart of the hotel non the less. The whole interior shows Mol's true character through out.

Mols fashion sense however is definitely desirable as shown when she is shopping "for" a bride (she wants it for herself) in a jewelry store in full Tiffany. however the outfits that were in the show were over a hundred and the on that stands out is the Purple outfit she wears during a conference of a corrupt mayor. Which is known as the gun scene. The sits that were made for the manager were stylish and shows his professionalism through out the show.

Famous Faces

The mayor was Kim Won Hae. He was in the three of the shows that i have reviewed. It is nice to see him in the drama.

As stated the Receptionist was played by Pyo Ji-Hoon who will be in a drama that i might reveiw. (can't remember it at the moment.)

The grim reaper was played by Kang Hong Seok who will be in a review in the next couple of weeks. (Look out for Dr.Prisoner) His performance was brilliant. Think Loki but Lowkey and goth. Yep.

Kim Jun Hyoon who has a eating show in South Korea was a guest star as himself. It was enjoyable as it was a will he or won't he show up scenario.

Lee Yi-Kyung who was portraying the down-on-his-luck actor in Welcome to Waikiki (On Netflix) was the actor who was struggling with his part that an ghost wanted before dying but he got possessed by the fellow actor ghost and unintentionally helped that ghost move on.

Second Series? 

Will there be an second series? Sadly no. It ended opened ended and that is how the writers wanted to do. However i d o hope that another writing team takes on the mantle and keep the hotel running.

Good Manager

 Episodes: 16

Series: 1

Streaming: Netflix

Plot: A former accountant of a mafia gets a new job as a accounting manager at a prestigious firm. The catch: the firm is secretly bankrupt so they hire him to ensure that he will take the fall. well jokes on them. this manager is not going down with out a fight in the most hilarious way possible.

Kim Sung-Ryong is the new manager after the old manager gets in danger and goes into a coma. Whilst there he makes sure the Chaebol heir is respectful to his company at all times which is hilarious which encapsulates his role as the underdog who stands up for the workers for the company. he is funny and charismatic. he loves denmark (mostly so he can try his hand at money scams over there as they are easy to scam... apparently.) his demeanour is friendly so you cant help but like the guy however he loves getting in trouble for the right purpose. he is a skilled mathematician since childhood.he is also great at evading the police of his taxes.  however after his very first day at work he saves a woman by accident who was about to get into a car accident. Irony.

Seo Yul is a former financial prosecutor turned executive of Finance.  He hates the new manager as Kim does not respect him enough to follow orders. He is aware of the financial problems of the company and wishes to keep those secrets safe. Although h does have a budding romance with the general manager of Accounting. As i stated above that he hired Kim as he wanted him to take the fall but Kim is against with listening to a younger edition of himself. However Seo only wanted Kim as Kim has no background in the business world and is easy to use.

Sun Sangtae is the playboy and spoilt brat chaebol heir. but luckily Kim will make sure he sees his error of his ways. He honors his mother who is the chairwoman of the company but is terrified of his father who is CEO of the company. He is always buying overpriced clothing which in itself is not really to my tastes but then again I'm a westerner. Thanks to his dad he was put in the deep end of the company but has no idea of how to work let alone know how to do business. Luckily he learns how to respect the company and others with the help of Kim.

Yoon Ha-Kyung is the general manager of the accounting team. she is ethical amd very good at baseball. she helps the chair woman to be a spy for her in the company but that only lasts for a short period until Kim enters. Don't worry its all good.

Won Ki-Ok is a son of a former worker who was on strike due to long hours and no time off for holiday celebrations. he is a happy go lucky guy who loves and respects his father. He is an accountant and wants to be an accountant at the company more then being in sales.

Hong Ga-Eun is a under cover officer for the financial division of the government. she is there to unravel the bankruptcy and other misdoings. she is an ally for Kim but she is also his go to partner for pranks and other traps set up for finances. She takes her job seriously and makes sure she acts dumb enough not to be caught. although Kim secretly figures it out as she put a secret hearing device on his desk and she listens to all the conversations there in the office.

Choo Nam-Ho is the manager of accounting. He loves his daughter who is abroad in Canada. Also he is subletting his home to Kim as Kim's ceiling fell on top of him when he was bathing. The actor has been in Clean with Passion as the father of the female protagonist, Strong Woman Bong Soon as the mafia boss and the game programmer.

Personal Opinion

in my opinion this drama is fun to watch and will cheer you up no end. it is fun and enjoyable. the locations are good enough for this type of drama. I found no fault with it what so ever and therefor is a good laugh all round. I give 8/10.

Clean With Passion for Now (original)

 Episodes: 16

Series: 1

The Plot

Due to unprecedented loss of obtaining jobs and some how becoming a YouTube star Gil-Oh becomes an cleaner to the biggest and sexiest cleaning agency in the area. But sadly due to a debt she has to pay to her new boss who has mys-phobia.  (thats the word they use but it he just hates germs)  they do have to work together. But due to contradicting personalities there is a unique bond that becomes more.

The Characters

Gil -Oh is the lead female protagonist who as stated above has become a cleaner due to a vast amount of failed interviews. She joins the agency after a incident with a car (rubbish sewed all over the car) not only this but she and her new boss do not get along even though she is indebted to him for the mess that was done to his car. Although he does have her back when there are work issues. 

Her family has no idea she is working as a cleaner as her dad is a cleaner himself but does not want his daughter to go through the same ordeal he has too. She does has an loving relationship with her immediate family. Sadly her mother was killed during an protest over 3 years ago and the families of all who died did not receive compensation or an apology from the firm who was redeveloping the area which incurred the accident.

Jang Seon-Kyui is the main male lead in this show and as stated he is the owner and boss of Gil-Oh. He has a OCD disorder that hods him back in life and to him seems normal but his family think differently and try inordinate measure to get rid of it. He does start his relationship with Gil-Oh rather poorly but eventually he comes to trust her. His grandfather who is the owner of the firm who caused the accident killing the protestors and refusing to take responsibility.

Daniel Cho (also known as Choi Ha-in) is the second male lead who has a secret career as a psychiatrist (which isn't really a secret as no one bothered to ask him directly.) He has had a crush on Gil-Oh since meeting her at the protest by giving him a yogurt  irregardless of him being on the opposing side.

RIP Cha In- Ha

Cha was on of the actors on the show who sadly died due to suicide in 2019. He was only 27 and was a member of the kpop group Surprise U. He also starred in The Banker, Love with Flaws, The Pirates  and Mr.Go. In this drama he was not an titular character but was a comedy relief character throughout the show. He will be remembered for this and his other works.

My Opinion

In my personal opinion this program was very enjoyable yet not as memorable as i would like.  I found it fun and helpful for people with Mental Health issues as  the Daniel character showed us what good psychiatry looks like. Although at the end when her young brother said he was going to Tokyo 2020, it shook me as it did of learning Cha's death. once again Rest In Peace.

 I give this 6/10.

Fun Fact: Gil-Oh's father was played by Kim Won Hae who i recognised from Strong Woman Bong Soon as the mafia gang leader and the over the top openly gay man with a super sweet tooth. All hilariously portrayed.  I have also seen his work in another Kdrama which i will get to soon enough.